₦airaland Forum

The National Christian Elders Forum, NCEF, has frowned at the action Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka during his recent church bazaar at the Adoration Ground, Enugu.

The NCEF said that some Nigerian pastors now behave like infidels.

The Chairman of NCEF, Solomon Asemota, SAN, told Vanguard that what has been happening to Christianity in the country is appalling.

Asemota said the problem of Nigeria is the “conflict between democracy and Sharia.

“And some of our pastors are loosing torch that democracy is a bye product of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

‘Because Sharia now plays a dominant role, it’s difficult to protect our Christian morals.

“And so, what we have is one cult to the other cult and the other cult and in almost everything in life, including your own profession, they have those they deal with and they ask them to speak for whatever, they want.

“Those they deal with among Christians pretend to be speaking on behalf of Christians but whether the principles they advance are representative of the Christian faith is a different kettle of fish.

“The NCEF is working on something that will soon expose the hypocrisy of the Nigerian situation including not only the Mbakas of the nation but also those who claim that God has appointed them prophets to the nation and have the mandate to determine those who rule and those who don’t.

Elder Asemota who is a Catholic, said Father Mbaka “is behaving like an infidel. And there are so many pastors who are also trying to be part of the government and ascribe to themselves what they don’t have.

“Such pastors are daily claiming that God spoke to them, God commission them ….No!

“God does not act like human beings. The thin line between the voice of the devil and the voice of God is such that, the devil might be talking to somebody and he believes that it’s God that’s talking to him. In most cases that’s what is happening in our country today.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/16/father-mbaka-behaving-like-infidel-devil-now-speak-many-pastors-christian-elders/

Resident Electoral Commissioner in Imo state, Prof Francis Chukwuemeka Ezeonu, has raised the alarm that some desperate politicians are bent on sabotaging the 2019 general elections by cloning the Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs in the state.

Ezeonu, who spoke in Owerri during the unveiling of the Amalgamation Of Imo Professional Bodies and Associations, AIPA pleaded with the residents of the state to stop handing over their PVCs to anybody.

He alleged that those engaged in the act were working hard to undermine the credibility of the election, stressing that: “Every vote will count in Imo state in 2019.”

The REC said: “I have come to appeal to you to make sure that people collect their PVCs. As we speak, there are over 500,000 unclaimed PVCs in Imo state.

“We have resolved to visit the about 650 communities in Imo State during this festive period to make sure that people collect their PVCs.”

He added: “Our people, especially Imo people are very reluctant about elections. Some people are now cloning PVCs for the purposes of rigging elections. Let me swear to you that nobody will rig elections in Imo state.

“This election that I am in charge must count. Nobody will rig elections because we are working had to ensure transparent processes. Tell your people to go and collect their PVCs.”

AIPA chairman, Chief Emeka Diwe, said that the Association was working with INEC and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the elections were credible.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/16/politicians-cloning-pvcs-imo-rec/

The lawmaker representing Borno South senatorial district in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Ali Ndume, has reacted to the claim by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is planning to create illegal polling units in Niger and Chad to favour President Muhammadu Buhari in the coming election.

Ndume dismissed the claim, saying the commission was being guided by law.

Ndume, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, expressed concern that the PDP was crying wolf on the matter where there was none.

“I am aware of voting in various places, but I do not know if PDP wants to be INEC. The law is there and all actions of INEC will be guided by law.

“I was one of the senators in the 7th Assembly that moved for amendment of the Electoral Act to accommodate Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

“This was to ensure that they are not disenfranchised and I think that is what INEC is saying about the allegation by PDP.

“So, if PDP has any issue with that, I think they should look at the law first because INEC is responsible for conducting the election not PDP,” he said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/15/2019-election-senator-ndume-speaks-inec-creating-polling-units-chad-niger-favour-buhari/

Maverick entertainer and activist, Charles Oputa, also called Charlyboy, has announced separation from his wife

Charlyboy disclosed this on his Twitter page.

On why he is divorcing his wife, Charlyboy wrote: “On the 14th of December I will be divorcing my present wife to remarry on the 15th.

“As see finish don enter our matter is time for a new vow. Life is short so am living it like a gangster.”

DAILY POST reports that the Charlyboy brand was created to shock what he termed timid and myopic minds. He is known for pulling media stunts, and constantly putting himself in the glare of the public.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/14/charly-boy-announces-split-wife-gives-reason/

The Oyo State Police Command, have arrested and paraded an undergraduate of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Abiodun Olabisi, for allegedly stabbing her boyfriend, Lekan Adegun, to death at their home in the Phoenix area of Ogbomosho on Wednesday, November 21st.

The state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Odude, who paraded her before newsmen on Wednesday, December 12th, said Olabisi and Lekan who is waiting for NYSC, were live-in-lovers.On the day of the incident, they had a quarell that stemmed from petty jealousy and this degenerated into a fight that unfortunately led to Olabisi stabbing the deceased to death with a kitchen knife.“The incident happened around 8pm on November 21, 2018, following a quarrel arising from petty jealousy.

The victim was later rushed to the Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, but died before he could be attended to. The kitchen knife used to commit the murderous act has been recovered and the suspect has also been arraigned in court.” he saidThe police boss added that the suspect would be arraigned in court once investigation has been concluded.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/13/jealous-lautech-student-stabs-boyfriend-death/

Advocates of a new electoral law may have lost their battle.

President Muhammadu Buhari has returned the Electoral Bill to the National Assembly, stating why he did not sign it.

And yesterday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it was moving ahead with its preparation for next year’s general elections despite the President’s stand.

INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said the commission would conduct next year’s election using the exiting laws that are presently valid and in place.

He said the commission would not be distracted by the wrangling between the Presidency and National Assembly.

INEC, Yakubu added, is fine-tuning its processes and procedures to ensure it delivered a good election next year.

He spoke at a national peace conference on 2019 general elections organised by Youngstar Development Initiative with support from the National Democratic Initiative.

The INEC chairman, who was represented by National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee Festus Okoye, urged registered political parties, their candidates and supporters to place national interest over their own personal interest.

He said: “As a commission, we are fine-tuning our processes and procedures towards delivering good elections in 2019. The commission is focused and will conduct an election that the Nigerian people will be proud of. But that election has to be and must be conducted under a very peaceful environment.

“The commission is not bothered and will not be distracted by the hue and cry over certain issues and decisions taken by the President and the National Assembly. The commission is focused on organising the 2019 elections using the extant laws, using the laws that are valid as at today and we will not be distracted.

“We urge all registered political parties, their candidates and their supporters to place the national interest over their own personal interest.”

Yakubu added that the commission has constituted a committee to oversee the situation room and collation centres.

He expressed concerns over the safety and security of corps members and other officials that will participate in the election.

United States Ambassador to Nigeria Stuart Symington said it was important that the country conducted a violence-free election next year.

He urged the youths to take charge of next year’s election by ensuring that they elect the right leaders.

Symington added that next year presents an opportunity for Nigerian youths to contribute to the country’s democracy.

A music star, Innocent Idibia, urged Nigerians to vote and not fight, noting that election is not a war.

Idibia, who is the Vote not Fight Campaign ambassador, said there was need for the country to conduct smooth, free, fair and credible elections.

Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council John Ameh called on INEC to ensure that the election was transparent and credible.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/13/inec-well-conduct-2019-polls-with-existing-laws/

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to demonstrate his much touted integrity by allowing an open investigation of his associates and close relatives, who were mentioned in alleged looting of public resources.

The opposition party accused Presidency officials of concealing malpractices by the President’s relatives with the recent attempts by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to gag a suspect who claimed to have engaged in illegal transactions with one Mariatu, a sister to the First Lady.

One Amina Mohammed, who was paraded by the DSS about two weeks ago, had also mentioned name of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. David Babachir Lawal as a beneficiary of the alleged illegal deals.

“Having reviewed all these issues, including the lame denials by those mentioned by the suspect, as well as the failure of the security agency to allow the suspect to complete her open confession, the PDP challenges President Buhari to order an open hearing into the matter, if, indeed, the Presidency has nothing to hide”, a the statement by PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan said.

The party also challenged President Buhari to immediately make public the report of the investigation of the former aide of the First Lady, Mr. Baba-Inna, who was arrested in September this year, over accusations of receiving N2.5 billion as donations from politicians, businessmen and women on behalf of the First Lady, Aisha Buhari.

The statement continued, “Our party holds that President Buhari cannot be parading himself as Mr. Integrity while condoning acts of corruption by his associates and close relatives as well as a cabal in his presidency, which the First Lady had even alluded to, if he is not directly benefiting from those sleazes

“The PDP also dares President Buhari to make public the official report allegedly indicting his Presidency on the siphoning of over N11 trillion in the petroleum sector, including the N9 trillion oil sleaze detailed in the leaked memo at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

“Furthermore, the Buhari Presidency should allow an open inquest into the alleged diversion of defence funds, including part of the $1 billion drawn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for purchase of military hardware and welfare of our soldiers, to fund his ill-fated re-election campaign.

“The PDP also challenges President Buhari to make public the report of the looting of over N33 billion meant for the purchase of food for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as well as another N18 billion IDP fund, discovered by the Senate, to have been diverted to APC interests.

“It is unfortunate that President Buhari has allowed the festering of sundry racketeering and abuse of fiscal process in his presidency, a situation, which casts a long shadow on his acclaimed integrity as a leader.

“Unless President Buhari allows an open inquest on his associates and close relatives involved in alleged treasury looting, he lacks all moral standing to seek re-election by Nigerians, who have been bearing the brunt of his misrule in the last three and half years”.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/12/pdp-to-buhari-stop-shielding-corrupt-relatives/

A Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital, has nullified the case of a former governor of the State, Segun Oni.

Presiding judge, Justice Uche Agomoh, threw out the case on Monday.

Oni was challenging Governor Kayode Fayemi’s eligibility to contest the primary election.

Oni came second in the All Progressives Congress governorship primary election in Ekiti State earlier in the year.

He contended that Fayemi, now the governor of Ekiti State, was not legally qualified to take part in the contest.

According to him, Fayemi failed to firstly resign his position in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet.

Fayemi had won the party’s primary poll on May 12, while as the Minister of Mines and Steel Development.

The former Minister officially resigned the position on May 30, about 18 days after he clinched the APC governorship ticket

He won with a total of 941 votes as against 481 votes polled by Oni.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/10/ekiti-election-fayemi-floors-oni-in-court/

A House of Assembly aspirant in Lagos State, Mr Lateef Olawale Yahaya has instituted a legal action against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for allegedly publishing the name of Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode as the winner of the party’s primary election.

Yahaya, who contested the shadow election with five other aspirants on the platform of the party for Badagry Constituency 1 and won, accused APC of substituting his name with Layode’s as the party’s candidate for the state assembly election.

The plaintiff through his counsels: Kabiru Akingbolu and T.E Olawanle, instituted at Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.

In the suit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/423/18, APC, INEC and Layode are first, second and third defendants respectively.

In the motion on notice brought pursuant to combined provisions of sections 221 and 222 and other relevant provisions of the Constitutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), section 87 of the Electoral Act (as amended), Articles 7 (viii) (ix) and 20 of the APC Constitution by Yahaya’s (plaintiff) counsel Akingbolu, he is praying the court for “an order of interlocutory injunction setting aside the nomination or submission by the 1st defendant to the 2nd defendant of the name of the 3rd defendant as the candidate to represent 1st defendant for the office of a member representing Badagry Constituency 1 at the general election slated for 2019.

“An order of perpetual injunction the 1st defendant at whether by itself, national chairman, officers agents, privies or through any person or persons, howsoever from treating, prosecuting or holding out to the 2nd defendant in particular or to any person at all, as the Candi representing Badagry Constituency 1 at the general election slated for 2019.

” Restraining 2nd defendant from accepting 3rd defendant as candidate representing Badagry Constituency 1.

“Restraining 2nd defendant from excluding or withholding the name of plaintiff as the candidate representing the 1st defendant for the office of a member representing Badagry Constituency 1 at the general election slated for 2019.

“That the 3rd defendant should not by any means parading or further holding himself out as the candidate representing the the 1st defendant for the office of a member representing Badagry Constituency 1 at the general election slated for 2019 pending the hearing and determination of the suit.”

Yahaya, in an affidavit sworn in support of originating summons, stated that six aspirants contested the primary which was held on October 5, 2018.

He said he polled 5003, Layode scored 2443 vote to come second, Hindu Oluwafemi Babatunde got 309 votes, Olaide Masewaku Babatunde scores 293 votes, Bonu Solomon Saanu 253 votes and Gbosede Ezekiel polled 164 votes

“At the end of the election the result, the result was announced and signed by the primary election committee Chairman and Secretary Barr China Okafor and duly signed by the Returning officer.

“The candidate my name was substituted with came second at the primary election scoring 2443 votes against my score of 5003,” he said.

No fewer than eleven exhibits were presented by the plaintiff in his affidavit to support the originating summons, they include: his APC membership card, party constitution, guidelines for nomination of candidate, receipts for the expression of interest and nomination form, a summary result sheet of the primary election after he was declared winner.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/09/lagos-assembly-aspirant-drags-apc-inec-to-court-over-illegal-substitution/

The Abuja Division of the National Industrial Court has refused to grant stay of proceeding order in a suit filed by the former acting Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Mohammed Dauda.

Dauda is challenging his purported dismissal from office by the agency.

In an originating summons filed through his counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), and marked NICN/ABJ/136/2018, Dauda joined the Director- General, NIA and the NIA as first and second defendants respectively.

Dauda is praying the court to determine whether the procedure adopted by the defendants in the process leading to his purported dismissal is in compliance with Article 8(1) and (2) of the National Securities Agency Act (CAPS 278) 1986.

He also asked the court to determine whether the purported letter dismissing him issued by the defendants on March 6, 2018 is not unlawful, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

The claimant also submitted that if the answer to his questions are in the positive, then the court should know the procedure adopted by the defendants in the process leading to his dismissal falls short of the provisions of Articles 8(1) and (2) of the National Securities Agency Act (Cap 278 LFN) 1986 and is null and void.

The defendants had challenged the jurisdiction of the court over the matter and the competence of the suit.

But in his October 12 ruling, the Presiding judge, Hon. Justice Olufunke Anuwe, did not make any pronouncement on the substantive suit on the ground that the suit was still awaiting the determination of the court.

However, she held that the suit be converted to one originated by a complaint, saying that parties in the suit should file pleadings with necessary accompany processes within 14 days.

At the resumed hearing of the suit on Thursday 6th December 2018, the counsel to the defendant,

Barrister Henry O. Chichi moved a motion for stay of proceeding in the suit.

But the counsel to the claimant, Barrister Peter Eriwode from Kanu Agabi’s chambers, argued that the court no longer has jurisdiction to entertain the stay of the proceeding motion brought before it by the defendant because an appeal has been entered at the Court of Appeal in Abuja in the matter.

In his ruling, Justice Anuwe upheld the claimant’s argument and adjourned the case pending the outcome of the court of appeal.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/08/dismissal-court-refuses-nias-motion-for-stay-of-proceeding-in-ex-dg-daudas-suit/

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has promised to begin the process of restructuring the country with the first six months of his administration if elected president in 2019.

He made the pledged on Thursday at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) southwest presidential campaign flag off in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

“What is important is the restructuring,” the PDP presidential candidate told a crowd of supporters at the rally. “Within six months, I shall start the process of leading us to the restructuring of this country.”

He added, “I will ensure that the southwest is returned to the PDP. If you give me your support, you will never regret it.”

Atiku accused the Muhammadu Buhari administration of putting the country in debt, saying it has borrowed so much money in the last three years.

He stated that the PDP administration was providing the best educational advancement and job opportunities for the people before the All Progressives Congress (APC) came to allegedly deceive them.

“We believed in them; they told us they would give us jobs, prosperity, but instead they gave us menial jobs,” the PDP candidate alleged.

“I stand before you today to say that we shall return the prosperity of this nation. I want to say that the southwest will be known again for its educational advancement.”

The campaign enjoyed the presence of the party’s bigwigs, including its National Chairman, Uche Secondus; Atiku’s running mate, former Governor Peter Obi; and Senate President Bukola Saraki.

In his address, Secondus said the nation was in crisis and only the party’s candidate can rescue it from its challenges.

He described Atiku as strong, fit and articulate to lead Nigeria and asked the people to cast their votes in favour of the PDP in the coming elections.

The PDP chairman insisted that the party was on a rescue mission and called for a minute’s silence for all those who lost their lives, including the late OPC leader Fredrick Fasheun.

On his party, Senator Saraki who is also the Director General of the PDP Campaign Council accused the present administration of failing to secure the people and their properties.

He urged the electorate to consider Atiku as a better alternative while former Governor Obi noted that the PDP was the only party that can provide good jobs for the masses.

•Sourced from a Channels TV report

• Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar with other PDP leaders at the venue of the PDP campaign for the presidential election in Ibadan, Oyo State on December 6, 2018. Photo: Twitter –@OfficialPDPNig

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/07/atiku-promises-to-start-restructuring-process-in-six-months-if-elected-president/

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Prince Uche Secondus has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, against rigging the 2019 election in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, party, warning that the electoral umpire will not get away with such act.

He said INEC successfully rigged the election in favour of the APC in the Ekiti and Osun governorship, saying such is capable of putting the nation in crisis. Secodus said this at the metropolitan square, along Asa dam ilorin venue of the north central campaign train of Atiku/Obi presidential campaign.

According to him, “We want to warn INEC about the previous elections; you rigged and escaped like the recent elections in Ekiti and Osun states. In 2019 elections, you cannot escape unless you want to cause crisis in Nigeria. Let us warn Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, if you want to cause crisis in Nigeria, rig the election, if you want peace in Nigeria, the 2019 elections must be free and fair.

“If you like, ignore the card reader; if you like, manipulate the machines. If you like, do whatever you want to do but Nigerians will never accept rigged election. So you better be warned.”

Prince Secondus also said that, the APC-led federal government has brought doom to the country since its assumption of office in 2015. He, however, saluted the courage of the security agencies in the country saying, “our army – the best army in Africa, our police – some of them are very, very good.”

While calling on the electorates to vote and protect their votes, Secondus said, “But this time around in 2019, the police and the army cannot be used because, all of you are army; all of you are police. You must police your votes, you must protect your votes, you must ensure that they don’t carry your materials and run away.”

He also said that “There will be no postponement of election because part of the strategies of the APC-led federal government is to cause crisis in some states and postpone the election and come with army, police to prevent the people from voting just as they did in Osun state. It cannot work again.”

“By the grace of God, we have the best candidate who will win. Atiku Abubakar will win the 2019 election.”

He stated further that, “the time has come where the emperors of APC can no longer fool Nigerians because, in APC, they have emperors, they are the least to know that Nigerians are sufferings.

“Since they took over the mantle of leadership of the country in 2015, Nigerians have been sufferings. No food on the table, particularly in the north central. Look at what happened in Benue, Iook at the genocide in Plateau and yet no arrest.

“Rather than bringing food on the table, they brought hunger; rather than improve the economy, they brought killings; rather than bring infrastructure to the people, they came with lies and propaganda and this cannot work again. You cannot fool the people all the time. They fooled us in 2015, they can’t fool us again.

“We are on rescue mission with a man who has capacities to run all sectors in private and public – the man to rescue Nigeria in 2019 and moving Nigeria forward. The man who has achieved a lot; the man they can’t try, the man their blackmail cannot work.

“And I am quite sure that Mr. President Buhari is in Poland and he can hear me clearly through telecast or any other electronic media. Let him hear clearly that he has brought doom to Nigeria and the only one who can bring light to Nigeria today as we are speaking with you is Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, ”Secondus said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/06/inec-wont-escape-with-rigging-2019-elections-secondus/

Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, has reacted to the condemnation trailing his comment on the outcome of the 17 Nov. 2018 by-election in the Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency of Kwara State.

A statement he signed on Wednesday said while it was true that he mentioned the Berlin Wall in his speech at the victory rally in his country home in Oro on Sunday, 18 Nov. 2018, it was “undoubtedly in reference to the stranglehold of the Saraki political dynasty on Kwara politics”.

He said: “Not once did I mention the Ilorin Emirate during that speech, and I challenge anyone who has any evidence to the contrary to release such. It is instructive that the news item that was referenced by those who made the allegation never mentioned Ilorin Emirate or made any reference to the traditional institution.

“It is safe to conclude, therefore, that those who tried to inject the Ilorin Emirate into the whole issue acted out of shameful desperation.

“This is not a surprise, considering that they are yet to recover from the devastating defeat that they suffered in the by-election.

“For the record, I hold the Ilorin Emirate, and indeed all our nation’s traditional institutions, in very high esteem, and will never do anything to bring them to disrepute. No candidate for any political office in Kwara State will downplay the importance of the Ilorin Emirate, which is a father to all.

“Those who are grappling at straws, having realized that their hegemonic hold on Kwara State is coming to an end, are the instigators of this lie from hell that the Berlin Wall of the Emirates has been broken.

“The traditional chiefs who echoed the fake news concocted by thefading political warlords of Kwara should be wary of doing anyone’s hatchet jobs. They should not allow themselves to be used to denigrate the reverred Ilorin Emirate, which should be absolutely non-partisan.

“The traditional chiefs must realize that it is only by standing up for truth and justice that they can most effectively play their role of maintaining the ‘ever solid wall of peace, unity, progress and stability’ in the Emirate.

“The defeat suffered by the tormentors of Kwara on 17 Nov. 2018 is a sign of what they should expect in the forthcoming general elections in the state. No amount of lies or other acts of desperation will save them from imminent defeat.

“Power flows from the people, and it is clear that the people of Kwara have totally rejected those who have appropriated the state’s commonwealth to themselves to the detriment of the long suffering people of Kwara State.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/05/ilorin-emirate-lai-mohammed-reacts-to-criticisms-trailing-comments-attacks-saraki/

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and telecommunications giant, MTN, have agreed to settle out of court in the latter’s suit to challenge a directive to return the $8.1 billion allegedly illegally repatriated.

Speaking in court after a hearing on Tuesday, MTN counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) said his client has approached CBN for an amicable settlement.

Seyi Sowemimo, CBN’s lead counsel, also told the court that the negotiation was at an advanced stage.

“We have advanced towards settlement and it remains to cross the Ts and dot the Is; it is just for the report of a settlement,” he said.

Saliu Saidu, the justice presiding over the case, adjourned till December 12 for a report on the settlement.

CBN slammed a total of N5.87 billion fines on four banks and ordered them to refund over $8.13 billion alongside MTN, for what it described as “flagrant violation of extant laws and regulations of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Foreign Exchange Manual, 2006.”

The four banks included: Standard Chartered Bank, Stanbic-IBTC, Citibank and Diamond Bank.

CBN spokesman, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, said the fine followed allegations of remittance of foreign exchange with irregular Certificates of Capital Importation (CCIs) issued on behalf of some offshore investors of MTN Nigeria Communications Limited and subsequent investigations carried out by the apex bank in March 2018.

“The CBN has, therefore, asked the managements of the banks and MTN Nigeria Communications Limited to immediately refund the sum of $8,134,312,397.63, illegally repatriated by the company to the coffers of CBN.

But MTN told the court that CBN lacks the power to determine its civil obligations or penal liabilities.

It urged the court to declare that CBN acted outside its statutory powers when it wrote a letter to it on August 18, 2017 demanding a refund of $8.1 billion.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/05/8-1bn-repatriation-cbn-mtn-reach-agreement/

Apostle Ejiofor Chinedum Emmanuel of Praise Land Royal Springs Int’l Church, has added a new feather to his cap, as he was recently honoured with one of the highest awards by the Pan African Leadership and Entrepreneur Institute in Morocco. The Summit and International Awards Ceremony took place in Rabat, Morocco with over 42 countries in attendance.

Due to his magnanimity, three representatives, including Prince Ketunge Praise, the Country Director and Representative, Pan Africa, East Africa and Ambassador Babalola flew in to Abuja, Nigeria to personally present the Prestigious Award and certificate to the visiting Professor in Abuja, Nigeria.

The event was witnessed by other anointed men of God and his congregation. This feat is coming shortly after the cleric who recently visited European American University and was honoured with a Certificate as Honorary Citizenship of Georgia State in Atlanta Georgia, USA. Adding to that, on his return to Nigeria, he was awarded the ” Peace Icon Awards by the Peace Achievers Awards and few weeks later, he carried out a 2-day free Medical Mission for Women, retirees and children living with Sickle Cell Anaemia in a suburb in Abuja.

Speaking to journalists on his Pan African Leadership Award, the Apostle who is also a Professor describes his philanthropic behaviour as “inborn” and his only desire is to ensure and lend a helping hand to the poorest of the poor in the society, develop youth and encourage their God given talents so they can in turn become employers of labour.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/02/prof-ejiofor-bags-humanitarian-awards-in-morocco/

President Muhammadu Buhari, Friday expressed Nigeria’s appreciation to the Republic of Ireland and its people for standing by Nigeria during her difficult moments, citing their support during the Civil War, and the current efforts to rebuild the devastation in the North-Eastern parts of the country.

Speaking while receiving the outgoing Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland, Mr Sean Hoy during a farewell visit to State House, Abuja, the President noted in particular, the work of Irish doctors and priests in their humanitarian support for Nigerian communities at all times.

“Nigeria and the Irish Republic enjoy excellent bilateral relations marked especially by the work of Irish medical teams and missionaries during the civil war, and the ongoing efforts in dealing with the humanitarian situation in the North-East.

“We appreciate what your country is doing for us”, Buhari said.

He also thanked the outgoing ambassador for enhancing the relationship between both countries.

Mr Hoy said he was leaving Nigeria to his next post, Brazil, with mixed feelings considering the enormous goodwill he enjoyed in Nigeria, and the improvements in the relations between the two nations.

He promised the continued assistance of his country to the efforts in rebuilding the North-East, stressing that, “It concerns all of us. We will continue to support you.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/01/what-buhari-told-outgoing-irish-ambassador-sean-hoy/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, handed over 116 vehicles and 20 landed properties in Edo, Rivers and Lagos States recovered from one Michael Obasuyi Osasogie to First Bank Plc.

Trouble began for Osasogie after a petition he wrote to the Commission against E-tranzact in March, 2018.

The Commission had, however, investigated Osasogie’s business interests, following receipt of a counter-petition written by e-tranzact against Osasogie and one of his companies, SmartMicro.

SmartMicro was said to have approached e-tranzact in 2012 for the deployment of bulk purchase solution called “Corporatepay” to facilitate payment of salaries of Delta State employees in microfinance banks.

It was also alleged that e-tranzact configured an additional outbound fund transfer solution called “Fundgate” in 2017, which required SmartMicro to maintain a pre-funded settlement account with First Bank Plc for settlement of account it had initiated.

However, e-tranzact had further alleged that the bank, sometime in March 2018, revealed that the settlement account was in debit of N11, 498,944,038.29.

Obasuyi, in his statement to the Commission, confessed to have committed the crime, stating that he created fraudulent and imaginary monies through the aid of Fundgate Financial Application from the company.

Consequently, Osasogie was arraigned alongside his firms-Platinum Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society, SmartMicro Systems Limited and Platinum Smart Cruise Motors Limited on May 24, 2018 before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja on a 14-count charge bordering on stealing to the tune of N11, 498, 944, 038.29 (Eleven Billion Four Hundred and Ninety Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety Four Thousand and Thirty Three naira twenty Nine Kobo).

One of the counts reads: “That you, Michael Obasuyi Osasogie, Platinum Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society, SmartMicro Systems Limited and Platinum Smart Cruise Motors Limited, sometime in the year 2016 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired to commit felony, to wit: stealing of the sum of N11, 498, 944, 038.29 (Eleven Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Forty Four Thousand, Thirty Eight Naira, Twenty Nine Kobo) property of First Bank Nigeria Ltd.”

He pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against.

During his trial, an investigator with the EFCC, Orji Chukwuma, had told the court how the proceeds of crime were housed in some new generation banks.

Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Chukwuma had told the court that “SmartMicro Systems Limited assumed a position of a fictitious microfinance bank in Nigeria through a software, Micro switch Server 1.1 created by the defendant as well as two genuine microfinance banks, which he used to carry out his fraud.

“The defendant later opened an account with First Bank Plc and subsequently raised an overdraft from his fictitious microfinance bank for his account in the bank, which it ignorantly paid.”

In his further testimony, the witness had told the court that when e-tranzact disconnected from the chain, all the transactions carried out by the defendant collapsed on his own account with First Bank, thereby leading to the discovery of the fraud.

The sums of N2, 903,727,563.92, $37, 992.87 and €18,538.09 were recovered by the Commission from Osasogie’s accounts in various banks in the country.

The Commission also recovered 116 cars and 20 properties located in Lagos, Abuja, Benin and Port Harcourt.

The prosecution counsel had, therefore, urged the court to convict the defendant on counts one to 14, according to the law.

The defendant later entered into plea bargain. The prosecution counsel therefore urged the court to consider the plea bargain entered into by the defendant on May 21, 2018 as judgment in his sentencing.

Counsel to the first and second defendant, Osasu Ogebor, had told the court that his clients went into a plea bargain in order to give out what does not belong to him.

“It is not enough for the accused person to say I am sorry for what he has done. But from his inner heart, he is absolutely sorry, my Lord”, Ogebor had pleaded.

Counsels to the third and fourth defendants also aligned themselves with Ogebor’s prayers.

Delivering her judgment, Justice Dada convicted the defendant on all the counts and sentenced him to one-year imprisonment.

The Judge also ordered the forfeiture of defendant’s 116 buses, 20 properties and monies in various accounts to First Bank Plc.

At the hand- over ceremony, which held in one of the forfeited houses at Osapa London, Lekki-Lagos, Kaina Garba, Head Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Management Unit of the EFCC Lagos office, handed over the documents and keys to the properties to Gabriel Edobor, Head, Remedial and Classified Assets Management Department, First Bank Plc and Eme Godwin, Group Head, Legal Unit, E-transact.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/29/n11-5bn-fraud-efcc-hands-over-michael-obasuyis-116-vehicles-20-properties-to-first-bank/

Business mogul, Femi Otedola yesterday insisted that a former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan demanded bribe to exonerate his company from alleged subsidy fraud.

Lawan is being prosecuted by the federal government for allegedly demanding a bribe, to the tune of $3million from Mr Otedola, owner of Zenon oil and company, while he (Lawan) was chairman of the committee that investigated the fraud allegations connected to the fuel subsidy during the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

While testifying before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Otedola, who was led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN told Justice Angela Otaluka of an Abuja High Court how Lawan demanded the bribe from him.

He gave his testimony shortly after the prosecution played a video where Lawan was seen receiving the sum of $500, 000 from Otedola.

Otedola said Lawan had indicted his company in the subsidy fraud and demanded a sum of $3 million as bribe to exonerate his company.

He further stated that after the initial deposit of $500 000 was paid into Lawan’s account, Lawan declared Zenon Oil and Gas free of the initial indictment.

“After the early hours of 24th April 2012: (the time the money was paid) he left and removed the name of Zenon from the list of indicted companies,” Mr Otedola said while explaining the factors that prompted his alleged payment of $500, 000 to Mr Lawan in April, 2012.

“I could not have put pressure on him because Zenon oil was not involved in the theft of the subsidy fund.

“He did demand. And if he did not demand, why will he collect and expect a balance of 2. 5 million dollars? He mentioned to me that the 3 million dollars will be shared by himself and some other members of the House,” Mr Otedola said.

“Moreover, the company in question was not involved in the importation of premium motor spirit (PMS) and as such never applied to withdraw from the petroleum fund.”

The witness also denied an allegation by Lawan that he (Otedola) offered to pay the money, so that his name would be removed from the list of indicted companies.

Otedola said he had reported the matter initially to the State Security Service (SSS) when he found out about the scam.

Otedola also refuted claim by Lawan that Zenon Oil and Gas was exonerated on the bases of documents later provided by the company, adding that all documents relating to the investigation had been submitted to the sub-committee.

Otedola said his report to security operatives on the matter prompted investigations into the allegations by the police who invited him for questioning after which his statement was taken by the police force.

After the prosecution was done with its questioning of the witness, a lawyer from the chambers of the Principal Defence counsel, Mike Ozekhome demanded an adjournment to allow his principal attend the next trial and cross- examination.

The lawyer said he was sick and could not proceed with the cross-examination at the day’s sitting.

The judge, Angela Otaluka adjourned the matter to January 28 for cross examination.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/29/subsidy-fraud-lawan-demanded-3m-bribe-otedola-tells-court/

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, began investigation into the 1 billion dollar appropriated for procurement of arms and equipment in the fight against Boko Haram in the North East Nigeria.

The lawmakers also demanded that the Nigerian Army should, after due consultations with families of soldiers killed in the Nov. 18, insurgents’ attack in Metele village in Borno, release all their names.

The resolution was sequel to a motion by Rep Chukwuka Onyema (PDP-Anambra) at the plenary presided over by Speaker Yakubu Dogara in Abuja, NAN reports.

Moving the motion, Onyema, who is the Deputy Minority Leader, noted that many Nigerian soldiers of the 157 battalion were massacred by Boko Haram insurgents, who now called themselves Islamic State West Africa, in Metele in Borno State.

According to him, the initial figures of the casualty put the death toll at 44 but as more details emerged, it is now confirmed that many more soldiers and officers were killed together with their commanding officer, Lt. Col. Ibrahim Sakaba, while others are still missing.

“The House notes that according to reports, the insurgents carted away large consignment of weapons from the Melete army base which security experts say would embolden them and pose great danger.

“The House observed that while the news of the attack and death toll continued to increase, neither the President nor the Minister of Defense or the army authorities said anything about the report as there was silence for more than five days.

“The House notes that the President and C-In-C finally broke his silence six days after the attack in a statement issued on his behalf,” he said.

The lawmaker said it was unfortunate that in the last one year, no fewer than 600 Nigerian soldiers were killed by insurgents, mostly in Borno State around the fringes of the Lake Chad.

He enumerated instances of attacks launched by Boko Haram against Nigerian soldiers within the year under review.

Onyema, who expressed regret that while the executive continued to insist that the insurgents had been technically defeated, he said they seemed to be waxing stronger on a daily basis.

“The House recalls that twice in three years, the Commander-In-Chief gave directives to service chiefs to permanently relocate to the Theatre Command Centre in Maiduguri until Boko Haram is defeated,” he said.

He said it was disheartening that with the recent happenings in the North, all the successes and gains made against the insurgents had been reversed.

Contributing, Rep Nnenna Ukeje (PDP-Abia) said it was high time Nigeria began to change tactics in order to checkmate the audacity of the insurgents.

She urged the Federal Government to take a cue from Pakistan and review the curriculum of its military.

Rep Aminu Shagari (PDP-Sokoto), who queried how the recently appropriated money was used, described the attack as sad.

Rep Beni Lar (PDP-Plateau) called for the sack of the service chiefs.

On his part, Rep Idris Ease (APC-Plateau) called on the House to treat the matter dispassionately and not to be affected by political sentiment.

Rep Rimande Shawulu (PDP-Taraba) recalled that last year, there were reports that about 6, 000 members of the Islamic State in Syria (ISIS) found their ways to the sub-Saharan Africa.

The Speaker, Mr Dogara, after over an hour deliberation on the motion, described the development as an eye-opener.

He said it was time the leadership in the country began to take responsibility and not to apportion blame.

When the motion was out on a voice vote by the speaker, the lawmakers unanimously adopted it.

An ad hoc committee to investigate all funds appropriated for utilisation by the Armed Forces for the fight against insurgency was set up by the House.

The committee was also charged to look into the operational lapses that led to the killings of the soldiers.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/27/boko-haram-reps-probe-1bn-arms-procured-buhari-govt-procured-demand-names-of-dead-soldiers/

Seven birdies and two bogeys pushed Vincent Torgah’s lead to 11-under par (277) to win the Nigeria Masters for a second consecutive time.

The Ghanaian entered the final day tied in second but played an impressive round of golf and looked in command of his game, recording the best round of the day (67) having posted rounds of 72, 69 and 69 during the four-day tournament at Phyton International Golf Club in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

With this victory, Torgah clinches his fourth title of the 2018 West Africa Golf Tour season and claims his second Order of Merit.

Torgah held off a thrilling challenge from Chukwudi Okoro, who started the final round tied for second with Torgah and followed the Ghanaian closely during the eighteen holes, carded a closing 68 to finish runner up at 7-under (281).

Third round leader, Mike Ubi dropped to fourth place of the leaderboard after scoring a final round of 74 and a total of 5 under-pars (283) to end third place, followed by Gift Willy who posted 69 to finish at 3-under (285). The two Nigerians produced some solid golf over the tournament at their home club in Port Harcourt delighting the local supporters.

The Nigeria Masters is the major tournament of the West Africa Golf Tour and the winner takes $12.000 dollars out of $75.00 total purse.

The next tournament of the West Africa Golf Tour, the TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP, will take place from 19th to 22nd December, at IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/27/torgah-defends-nigeria-masters-title-earns-2nd-white-jacket/

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, on Monday sacked the Managing Directors of three television and radio stations in the state.

According to Wike, they were dismissed because of their failure to attend a meeting organized by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) led by the Chairman, John Momoh.

The stations whose MDs were sacked are: the Rivers State Television, Radio Rivers and Garden City Radio.

Governor Wike said he was embarrassed that none of the state’s owned broadcasting parastatals honoured the meeting.

He also charged BON to always stand on the side of the people and speak the truth concerning the issues in the country at all times.

BON is in the state for its 71st General Assembly meeting, which will be focusing on raising the bar in the digitalization of the broadcast industry.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/26/wike-sacks-mds-of-tv-radio-stations-in-rivers/

At least 29 people are now known to have died after a cruise boat carrying party revellers capsized on Lake Victoria, Ugandan police say.

The vessel was carrying close to 100 people when it sank on Saturday near Uganda’s capital, Kampala.

Ugandan media named a number of well-known people said to be on the boat, adding that the prince of a traditional kingdom had survived.

Lake Victoria sees regular accidents, often involving overcrowded vessels.

Saturday’s accident occurred off Uganda’s Mukono district.

Deputy police spokesman Patrick Onyango told Reuters news agency: “The boat was overloaded and secondly there was bad weather.”

More than 20 people have been rescued from the water, police say, but an unknown number remain missing.

The families and friends of some of the people involved gathered by the shoreline. They sat under trees, looking through the wire fence and every time a body was pulled out of the water, there were screams and cries as some people recognised their loved ones.

On the grass some personal items were laid out – shoes, sweaters, wallets, keys – anything that could be used to identify the victims. Overhead the police deployed a helicopter to help search for more bodies that might have washed up by the shoreline – but they have given up hope that they will find any more survivors.

Among those rescued was Prince Daudi Kintu Wasajja, a brother of the king of Uganda’s largest traditional kingdom, Buganda.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/26/29-killed-as-uganda-party-boat-capsizes-on-lake-victoria/

The pastor in charge of Christ Apostolic Church, Ori Oke Ikoyi, Osun State, Prophet Olutope Adeyemo, has advised the nation’s leaders to strive to do things right to give the masses hope and future.

Adeyemo, who said this was necessary to prevent revolt of the masses, also advised the Nigerian masses to choose the right leaders by desisting from selling their votes, which he described as their birthrights.

The cleric, who spoke at a press conference heralding the yearly interdenominational crusade of his church, with the theme: “My Glory Must Shine” holding at CAC Primary School, Abiri Ikoyi, Osun State, said “there is hope for Nigeria if we resolve to do things right”.

He said: “We shall continue to pray for this nation. We should repent from our sinful ways. Nigerians should strive to choose right leaders by desisting from selling their votes. We should seek ways to utilize what we have here not depending on foreign characters, product and services”.

“Leaders should remember that they became leaders because they have who and what to lead. They should remember that masses are their power. They should allow the nation’s resources to benefit all. Let them give masses hope and future by making provision for what will make life easier for them – if not, they will taste the wrath and feel the power of masses one day.

“The politicians and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must make the coming election free and fair. The politicians must not entice the electorate with money or make them panic by using thugs and military involvement.

“INEC must not be biased. There must never be order from above. Let the votes count, let us do it right this time, let our conscience work and vindicate us. We must remember God the great judge who will judge us according to our work and deeds,” he said.

Adeyemo lamented that corruption among many clerics has contributed to the growing rate of crimes and social vices in the country, saying the quest for material and economic gains and the craze for luxurious living standard by many clerics had prevented them from speaking the truth.

The cleric, who said: “A nation with corrupt religious leaders pastors will have corrupt Church and corrupt society”, stressed that: “There is no fear of God in our churches and society today, no sound teaching of good morals, Jesus love and His ways.

“Most pastors of nowadays are not called by God, many became pastor because of what to eat, many because they want to live a luxurious life, some who are called have derailed because of the nation’s economic instability and insecurity,” he said.

Adeyemo, who said there is way out if such characters return to God, said the crusade would provide yet another opportunity for Nigerians to reconcile with God; get freedom from all forms of bondage and demonic attacks; and as well prayers for Nigeria over economic crisis, insecurity and the forthcoming election.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/25/2019-beware-of-nigerians-wrath-cleric-warns-politicians/

A suspected gunman, Danladi Gemu, who is said to have connived with the alleged bandits that killed no fewer than 10 farmers in a reprisal attack on Gora Village in Safana local government area of Katsina State on Sunday night has been apprehended.

His arrest was known at Gora yesterday by the transition committee chairman of Safana LGA, Abba Dayyabu Safana, when the state governor, Aminu Bello Masari, paid a condolence visit to the families of the bereaved and sympathised with those injured in the Gora massacre.

According to the council boss, the suspect, a resident of Gora’s neighbouring community of Dan Faranshi, reportedly collaborated with the hoodlums that invaded the village and was also believed to have been responsible for the death of no fewer than four of the slain farmers.

Safana said but for his intervention, the suspect would have been lynched on Wednesday by hundreds of residents of the community as the man was being led away by security operatives.

In his remarks, Governor Masari assured that government would leave no stone unturned in an effort to bring all the culprits to book, and warned those conniving with suspected bandits to desist from the ungodly act.

Masari, who also warned all aggrieved persons against taking the law into their own hands rather than reporting their grievances to the relevant authorities for prompt action, assured the determination of the government to protect the lives and property of all in the state and beyond.

Recall that at least 10 people were on Tuesday night killed and about a dozen injured at Gora village in Safana LGA of Katsina State by assailants believed to be herdsmen few hours after a herdsman was killed in the village.

Residents of the community said the suspected gunmen invaded the village in pairs on about 15 motorcycles and shot indiscriminatingly at anyone insight.

The invasion was reportedly triggered off by the murder of one of the herdsmen who prevented the herders from grazing their animals on the crops yet to be evacuated from their farmlands.

Police public relations officer of the command, Superintendent Isah Gambo, who confirmed the incident, said no arrest had been made as at press time, adding that several units of policemen had been deploy

http://www.mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/katsina-killings-police-nab-suspected.html

Just like every other seasonal activity, it is predictable that the 2019 election cycle will dawn. What was not predictable, perhaps until recently, are the characters whose faces will be the emblem of this particular political season. In terms of the configuration of the political parties that will jostle for votes, there isn’t much difference from what was in 2015, as the two leading political parties remain the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – safe for the fact that this time around, the erstwhile opposition party is now the ruling party.

And, this time around, President Muhammadu Buhari is the incumbent and he’s being challenged chiefly by the candidate of the opposition PDP, former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar. There is motley of other political parties with candidates also campaigning for president.

However, if popular opinion amongst Nigerians is anything to go by, the 2019 election will be won and lost on the merit of the plan of action that each of the presidential candidates is able to articulate to the electorate.

Perhaps this is the thinking in the camp of Atiku Abubakar, the PDP candidate who recently announced the kick-start of his campaign with the launch of his policy document. The document, which is a compendium of proposals on action plan of the former Vice President if he is elected president, was unveiled on Monday after a live social media interaction with Nigerians.

A press release from the campaign organization of the PDP presidential candidate had quoted that “The intention (of the Atiku Campaign Organisation) is to take (its) policy directly to Nigerians and to register the belief of Atiku Abubakar that it will take the collective efforts of every Nigerian to rebuild the country. That is why (they) want Nigerians to access the policy directly and ultimately take ownership of it.”

A review of the document shows that the policy covers a wide area of concern including jobs creation, infrastructure development, agriculture, restructuring, youth and women development, technological innovation, education, healthcare, security and foreign affairs.

The entire compendium is tied around the JOBS acronym of Atiku’s presidential campaign, which essentially entails employment generation, creating opportunity for all-inclusive prosperity, being united and security. The plan supports the encouragement of the private sector to create employment through an initiative called National Entrepreneurship Development and Job Creation Programme.

It also provides specific finance and strategic support for job creation in the entertainment industry; transformation of the culture and tourism sectors into one of the big earners of foreign exchange and job creation and review of corporate tax rates and capital gains tax in order to lower transaction costs in the capital market.

Under infrastructure, the policy proposes by increased investments in road and rail construction, water supply and sanitation, power and oil refining; reforming the power sector with goal of producing 20,000 megawatts by 2030 and 50,000MW by 2050; create Special Infrastructure Office to help speed construction and implementation; using private sector, establish an Infrastructure Debt Fund (IDF) with an initial funding of US$20b, mobilizing domestic and international private resources to finance and deliver large projects across all sectors of the economy; build small refineries in the northern parts of the country, increase oil refining and oil products from under 0.5% to 2% of GDP; construct up to 5,000km of modern railways through privatization, PPPs, and public investments; more than double investment funding from 15% to 35% of GDP in addition to licensing of mini-grids, including solar as solutions for power generation.

On infrastructure, the policy seeks for an ambitious increase of the nation’s stock of infrastructure from $150bn to approximately $600bn (contrary to the $90bn being reported in a section of the media), which will require a commitment to invest a minimum of $35bn annually for the next five years. However, funding for infrastructure development will not come from public budgets only. Government will incentivize the private sector to set up an Infrastructure Development Fund with an initial funding (privately mobilized) of $20bn while many more projects will be birthed via PPPs

In agriculture, the policy suggests the construction of farm to market roads; improved farming with modernization and mechanization of small-scale agriculture; transforming agricultural sector into a viable enterprise creating rural wealth and farmer prosperity; investment in local agric-processing clusters by offering concessional financing, tax breaks and seed funds and reviewing import duty on machinery and equipment for agricultural processing and for export production.

Perhaps the most ambitious component of the policy is on the knotty issue of restructuring. Under the Atiku’s plan, within the first hundred days of his administration, his government will put in place a National Committee for the Devolution of Powers.

There is also a plan to mobilize the legislature to effect constitutional amendments to allow greater powers to states and local governments. Relocating the Niger Delta Ministry from Abuja to the Niger Delta making it closer to stakeholders and beneficiaries.

There is also a recommendation for an increase in the number of government appointments made to young people and women to 40 per cent. It also targets youth, including graduates, early school leavers, and the massive numbers of uneducated youth not in schools for employment or training and provision of microfinance and financing schemes specifically targeted at youth and women.

The education plan of the PDP presidential candidate includes the development of an all-inclusive nationwide educational system with focus on young girls and special needs students.

There is also a provision for the utilization of technical colleges and vocational schools to produce skills and competencies for innovation and idea creation. Also, the development and promotion of science and technical education to create skills for the new economy.

On a general note, the Atiku policy document dubbed the ‘Peoples Policy’ appears robust and well articulated. It is however expected that policy experts within and outside the country will begin to interrogate the policy which, according to the PDP presidential candidate, had taken 18 months of rigorous brainstorming to incubate, on its merits and demerits. But beyond the narratives that will trail the review of the policy document is that its very existence has set the ball rolling for an issue based campaign in the 2019 election season and that is a very welcome development.

– Dr Umar wrote from Abuja and can be reached via ugpella04@gmail.com

http://www.mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/interrogating-atikus-policy-plan.html

The presidency on Wednesday said the campaign against the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, was part of opposition party’s plan against the Buhari government ahead of the 2019 election.

Senator Babafemi Ojudu, the Presidential Aide on Political Matters, said the recent NEMA probe report may have been outlined at a meeting of opposition leaders in a foreign country recently.

Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, was in Dubai and returned to the country last week.

During this stay, Atiku held meetings with his running mate, Peter Obi, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Senator Ben Bruce, among others.

Others were members of his campaign team, top party chieftains and consultants.

Reacting, Ojudu said: “We have read reports in the media that the meeting in a foreign country of the major opposition party was centered on trying to attack the Buhari administration by targeting the Vice President using different tactics.

“It is now evident through the NEMA report, that the opposition is indeed making frantic efforts tarnish the image of the Vice President”.

He explained that even after Hon. Ali Isa, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness had publicly admitted that the Vice President was not mentioned in the report, the opposition still found it expedient to continue, baselessly, to attack the reputation of Prof. Osinbajo by claiming without proof or any shard of evidence that fraud was committed in the N5.8b Emergency Food Intervention Fund for North-East.

Ojudu said contrary to insinuations in some quarters, there were no violations in approval of N5.8b Emergency Food Intervention Fund for North-East and the then Acting President did no wrong in approving fund for the emergency intervention.

He insisted that the presidential approvals were well within the clear constitutional authority of the then Acting President.

“First of all, the action was in response to the threat of hunger and starvation based on strong warning received from the United Nation World Food Programme in April, 2017.

“The organization had issued a warning that it would be reducing its vital support to about 1.8 million IDPs by as much as 85%, due to the corresponding reduction in funding by the donor countries.

“Around the same time, the United Nations Commission for Refugees in Geneva also warned of the growing risk of mass deaths from starvation among people living in the conflict areas.

“Secondly, it is also important to note that the procurement process was not ignored in the release of funds, as alleged. Section 43 of the Public Procurement Act makes provision for emergency procurement, in which case the procuring entity is allowed to engage in direct contracting for goods and file a report thereafter with the Bureau of Public Procurement.

“Also, the BPP issued a ‘certificate of no objection’ to NEMA on the emergency procurement, and this addresses all issues relating to the alleged breach of due process,” Sen. Ojudu said.

The presidential aide said the action of the opposition in the ensuing political drama indicates that the NEMA probe report is being politicized and only a lame attempt at ruining the good works of the Buhari administration.

He said the Vice President will however not be distracted by the naysayers’ actions to discourage the Buhari administration from providing for the common man or to abandon the Social Investment Programme which it has budgeted half a trillion for in the past two years.

Sen. Ojudu added that the administration will continue to cater for Nigerians especially those at the bottom of the ladder, regardless of the antics of the opposition party.

“We know what is happening, but the administration will not be distracted. Our goals and objectives to put Nigeria on the solid path of greatness is now unstoppable and Prof. Osinbajo will not relent in that effort,” the presidential aide concluded.

http://www.mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/what-atiku-pdp-leaders-did-during.html

Mr Pius Udoh, Clerk of Anambra State House of Assembly has said that the request for sealing of the Assembly complex was to ensure safety of workers in the legislature.

Udoh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Awka, that the legislators failed to operate within the confines of the law guiding workings of the civil service in the complex to save lives and property.

He said that workers at the assembly complex required a peaceful and safe environment to enable them perform optimally.

“We have requested our workers to report to the office of Head of Service where schedule duties will be assigned to them.

“Assembly workers will remain in the office of the head of service till total peace and safety is reassured,’’ Udoh said.

The present leadership of Anambra State House of Assembly led by the new Speaker, Mr Ikem Uzoezie, had said that the police illegally sealed the complex and urged the Inspector-General of Police to call his men to order.

Uzoezie said that ordering civil servants working in the complex to report to the head of service office, was uncalled for, as there was no record of a violent incident or its resemblance that demanded such attention.

“It is only the National Assembly that is constitutionally empowered to make such an order to seal an Assembly complex in line with Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

“Legislators held their normal meetings at the Assembly on Nov. 15 with over 25 lawmakers in attendance, including the former Speaker Mrs Rita Maduagwu (who for obvious reasons refused to join us).

He said that the lawmakers are being hindered from performing their legislative functions and urged the police to do the needful, as they could not seal the executive complex if there was no problem.

http://www.mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/real-reason-anambra-assembly-was-sealed.html

The Super Eagles were held to a 0-0 draw by Uganda, in an international friendly match played on Tuesday, at the Stephen Keshi International Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.

Head coach Gernot Rohr fielded a strong side, with Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa and Oghenekaro Etebo all starting against the Cranes.

However, they failed to find the net, in what was generally a scrappy match.

It was the first game Rohr’s men were playing, after they booked their place in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, following a 1-1 draw with South Africa on Saturday.

Uganda have also qualified for the tournament, after beating Cape Verde 1-0 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Kampala.

The Cranes defeated the Super Eagles 1-0 the last time both teams met in a friendly match on March 25, 2015.

http://www.ebiscoo.com/82/nigeria-vs-uganda-super-eagles-fail-to-win-in-asaba#148

A presidential aspirant under the platform of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance, APDA, Mr. Iheanacho Ezeakor has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to recognize him as the party’s candidate.

Ezeakor, who spoke to journalists in Enugu on Monday, accused the national chairman of the party, Malam Mohammed Shitu of substituting his name after he clearly emerged the party’s presidential candidate.

The aspirant, an indigene of Imo State disclosed that the party’s national chairman was persuading him into accepting the vice presidential ticket of the party.

According to him, “I won the APDA presidential ticket but the party chairman out of envy took it and asked me to become his vice.

“I merit the presidential ticket to contest against President Muhammadu Buhari and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. I hold the magic wand towards defeating either of them in a free and fair poll.

“I was the sole-presidential aspirant of the party. I was also the only person screened and cleared. So, I emerged unopposed as the party’s candidate but he later submitted his name to INEC instead of mine.

“When my lawyer sent him a letter to do the needful, he invited me for reconciliation at Abuja, where he promised to send my name to the INEC the next day, only for me to receive a call that I should accept the position of his running mate. That is unacceptable.

“So, I am not ready to settle for less. The ticket was given to me by the oppressed Nigerian youths and for that it is the presidential ticket or nothing else.

“He can’t be the party’s national chairman and the flag bearer at the same time, it’s against the rules.

“Having said this, I demand clearly from the INEC that my name should not be substituted with that of anybody else. I remain the presidential candidate of the party and nobody can change it.”

Ezeakor, while describing himself as “the choice of Nigerian youths for the youths,” assured that
He would fight the cabal sabotaging the power sector headlong and ensure 24 hour electricity in the country.

“I want a Nigeria where good roads, tap water, other necessary amenities and basic infrastructures will be there for us all. My government will include the best people to build the economy to make Nigeria working again.

“We are not to sell this country by selling our votes. I am a youth who understand and know how and where it pains, so I will be there to fix it. They are already scared of me,” he stated.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/2019-presidency-apda-aspirant-ezeakor.html

As candidates for the February 16, 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections officially commence campaigns today, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned them against making inflammatory statements.

LEADERSHIP Sunday reports that today marks the start of full electioneering activities according to INEC’s election timetable and schedule of activities, in line with Section 99(1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

The Electoral Act provides that “the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.”

However, the electoral umpire has told the candidates to carry out their campaigns in a responsible manner.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP Sunday, the deputy director, Information and Voter Education, Aliyu M Bello, cautioned candidates and their parties to run campaigns devoid of rancorous, hate and/or inflammatory speeches.

He said, “Political parties are expected to conduct their activities in an organised and peaceful manner.”

According to the electoral body, campaigns for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will commence on December 1, 2018.

Atiku flags Off Campaign Tomorrow With ‘People’s Policy’ Launch

Meanwhile, former vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, will tomorrow flag off his 2019 presidential campaign with the launch his policy document tagged ‘People’s Policy.’

The PDP candidate, according to a statement from his campaign office, will at noon, via Facebook, present the policy document containing his vision for Nigeria and his strategies to achieve it.

“The document will promptly be uploaded on his website () for all Nigerians to access at no cost.

“The decision of Atiku Abubakar to kick-start his presidential campaign with the launch of his policy document is to reiterate his commitment to run an issues-based campaign.

“The intention is to take our policy directly to Nigerians and to register the belief of Atiku Abubakar that it will take the collective efforts of every Nigerian to rebuild the country. That is why we want Nigerians to access the policy directly and, ultimately, take ownership of it.

“Our campaign offers a simple message: united, the people of Nigeria can begin anew, creating a prosperous and secure future and a better life for every Nigerian.

“On the first working day of the campaign, the PDP and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar will put forward his plan to get Nigeria working again.

“We have chosen to do this by having the PDP presidential candidate speaking directly to the Nigerian people on Facebook. This medium came about as part of the telecommunications revolution that he helped start as vice president in 1999-2007.”

He further noted that the campaign office would get Atiku to speak online which would enable everyone to download a copy of his policy document at no cost so that every Nigerian would be part of it.

“Our policy document focuses on creating jobs, ensuring security, growing business, developing power and water infrastructure, agriculture and education and how we will empower women.

“Our policies outline the goals and methods for developing and revitalising Nigeria as the foundation of our campaign.

“This policy document is being launched to encourage a dialogue with the people of Nigeria, inviting everyone to join us in helping to get Nigeria working again.

“The PDP presidential candidate looks forward to conducting vital discussions as he travels across the length and breadth of Nigeria, meeting and talking with stakeholders: famers, small business people, workers, students, mothers, and children,” he said.

The Atiku campaign body expressed confidence at emerging victorious in a peaceful, free and fair election.

In same vein, the PDP will hold its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting next week to ratify the composition of its Presidential Campaign Council and streamline its campaign strategy for the presidential polls.



Restructuring, Economy, Security Top Agenda As Presidential Campaigns Begin

As campaigns for 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections commence today, the state of the economy, security, the anti-corruption war and the debate over the restructuring of the country will be at the top of the list of campaign issues.

Checks by our correspondents show that candidates and their parties will be expected proffer clear-cut ideas on these issues in the light of the current state of affairs in the country.

Experts and analysts who spoke with LEADERSHIP Sunday as well as available data with regards to the various sectors of the country gave insights into the quality of campaigns expected from the candidates.

Restructuring

The restructuring debate has dominated much of the political discourse since 2015. Virtually all the parties have expressed favourable disposition to the idea. Checks reveal that while the ruling APC had set up committees on restructuring, the PDP candidate has been at the forefront campaigner for the restructuring of the country. Other parties, like Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Alliance (ADC), and Young Peoples Party (YPP) have also talked about restructuring. Besides allegations and counter allegations on sincerity to restructure the country, the candidates will be expected to define the template and timelines on how they intend to restructure the country. Already, there have been various proposals, ranging from returning to 1963 constitution, return to regional system, adoption of the 2014 confab report, more devolution of powers, etc.

Security

Security will be one of the top issues for debate by the candidates. They will be expected to reveal and explain their plans on how to tackle insurgency in the North-east, the challenge in the farmers and herdsmen clashes, the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), militancy in the Niger Delta, cult activities and kidnappings across the country. They will also be expected to look at how to secure the borders of the country.

Security expert and former director of Department for State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, however cautioned the candidates to desist from engaging on personality attacks considering the already tense atmosphere in the country ahead of the election.

While urging the candidates to focus on issues, he said Boko Haram is not just the issue; there is IPOB and other groups. We already have more than enough security challenges. So attacking personalities will only raise the level of insecurity. The incumbent government should be able to tell people what they have done in tackling insecurity while those intending to unseat them should tell us what they will do differently.”

Poverty Alleviation/unemployment

Parties and their candidates will also be expected to unveil their social welfare programmes on how to create jobs and tackle poverty in the country.

The national chairman of National Democratic Party (NDP), Prince Chudi Chukwuani, told LEADERSHIP Sunday that “the candidates should tell Nigerians the truth and hold themselves accountable to the truth. There’s immense hunger in the land. Parties have to come up with practical solutions on how to tackle poverty and hunger ravaging the country.”

Agriculture

With this sector identified as critical to create employment especially for the youths, candidates will be expected to provide their blueprint on how to make this sector reach its full potential in the country.

Oni Timothy Olukunle of the Nigeria Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) listed the challenges in the agricultural sector, which have remain prevalent over the years, to include marketing problem, storage and processing, infrastructure inadequacies, unstable input and output prices, agricultural labour, technical constraints, inadequacies in past policies and programmes, among others. How the candidates intend to tackle these challenges will be of interest to Nigerians.



Anti-corruption

The war against corruption will also be a critical area for debate. The APC had, in the build-up to the 2015 general elections, campaigned on the fight against corruption. As the ruling party, APC has argued that it has made major milestones in the anti-graft war with the arrest and prosecution of prominent members of the former ruling party, PDP. The PDP has however accused the APC of engaging in political witchhunt of its members in the guise of anti-corruption war. It also accused the APC of shielding its members who are alleged to be corrupt.

Executive director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), a non-governmental organisation, Mr Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said, “Any candidate that is serious about the fight against corruption will ensure preventive measures against corruption, enforce sanctions, and strengthen of the anti-graft agencies.”

“If we don’t do that, I doubt very much that we can make any progress in the fight against corruption.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/inec-warns-against-inciting-statements.html

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to demand the immediate resignation of Rotimi Amaechi as the Minister of Transportation to demonstrate his ‘touted’ integrity.

The party in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan accused Amaechi, as the Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation of using government fund to campaign for Buhari.

PDP criticized Amaechi for comparing Atiku Abubakar to President Buhari, adding that the action of Amaechi demonstrates the height of corruption both in Buhari administration and the person of his campaign DG.

The statement read in part: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to demand the immediate resignation of Rotimi Amaechi as the Minister of Transportation to demonstrate his ‘touted’ integrity.

“The party further wondered how Amaechi will compare failed President Muhammadu Buhari to the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who has been generally accepted as the next President of Nigeria, stressing that Amaechi has finally lost touch with Nigerians.

“If Amaechi has not lost touch with reality, how would he be comparing Atiku Abubakar, who is widely celebrated by Nigerians across board, due to his integrity and proven competence in managing resources, to a failed President Buhari, who Nigerians know is responsible for the grinding hardship, hunger, starvation and escalating insecurity in the nation in the last three and half years?

“How can Amaechi compare Atiku Abubakar, a known and tested nationalist, who has become the rallying point for national rejuvenation and reawakening to President Buhari, who has sunk the nation deeper into the sea of nepotism, divisiveness, dissentions and agonizing despondency?

“How can anyone compare Atiku Abubakar, an epitome of wealth creation and youth empowerment to President Buhari whose tenure will only be remembered by Nigerians for hardship, unemployment, job losses, wealth destruction, economic frustrations and destruction of institutions that engender good governance and freedom?

“Is it not an aberration to attempt to compare Atiku Abubakar, who played key role in a government that paid our nation’s foreign debt, to President Buhari, whose administration specializes in accumulating debts, borrowing money to service debts and plunging our generations yet unborn into bondage?

“How can Amaechi compare Atiku Abubakar, a promoter of democracy and fundamental human rights to President Buhari whose administration has stood down all known democratic virtues, and relishes in violation of human rights, disobedience to court orders, disdain for constitutional order and condoning extra-judicial killing, harassment and illegal detention of citizens as detailed in reports by international bodies?

“While it is a settled fact that President Buhari cannot be a match to Atiku Abubakar, we understand Amaechi’s frustration as a beleaguered salesman of a derelict product, but he should have known that for Nigerians, Atiku Abubakar represents light and a brighter future whereas President Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) represent a national misfortune.

“Amaechi is aware of the murmurings and frustration even in the Presidency regarding President Buhari’s failures in governance and that most of his ministers, aides and political associates no longer believe in his re-election since Atiku Abubakar emerged as PDP Presidential candidate.

“Finally, the PDP counsels Amaechi to prepare to return to Rivers state to face his multiple corruption indictments instead of trying to promote a failed candidate.”

http://www.ebiscoo.com/56/atiku-why-amaechi-should-resign-as-minister-%E2%80%93-pdp#122