₦airaland Forum

The Presidency has explained how President Muhammadu Buhari got his certificate from the West African Examination Council, WAEC, after many years.

His special assistant on New media, Bashir Ahmaad in response to questions on how Buhari collected his certificate, urged Nigerians with missing certificates to apply.

Ahmad said all the president did was to pay N20,000 and submit two photographs to WAEC.

He wrote: “In case you don’t know, just as President Buhari did, you can also obtain ‘Attestation of Results’ from WAEC Nigeria.

“Lost your certificate? Submit your two recent passport photographs and pay N20,000 in draft, WAEC will do the rest for you.”

DAILY POST recalls that Buhari had been under attack after he failed to submit his credentials to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the various presidential candidates’ credentials were made available.

Buhari only submitted an affidavit where he claimed that his credential was with the Secretary of the Military Board.

However, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on Friday announced that President Muhammadu Buhari had received the attestation certificate and confirmation of school certificate result from the West African Examination Council, WAEC.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/waec-what-buhari-did-to-collect-his.html

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shi’ites, has declared 1,000 of its members missing, after the clash with security operatives in Abuja.

For three consecutive days, the sect members have marched on the street of Abuja, daring soldiers and policemen who attempted to stop them.

In the process, some of them were killed, many sustained injuries while over 400 IMN members were arrested.

In a statement on Wednesday, the group’s spokesman, Abdullahi Musa, said in addition to the 1,000 missing members, 46 were killed while 107 sustained injuries.

“The public will recall that on Saturday 27 October, 2018 the followers of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) publicly announced the commencement of three (3) days religious gathering (Arbaeen Symbolic Trek) and protest for unconditional release of our leader, Sheikh Zakzaky (H).

“Unfortunately, during the programme, the military and police killed 46 mourners and protesters, injured 107 and 1000 got missing. The worst part of the crime is that the police are now blackmailing us to cover their atrocities.

“The Academic Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (AFIMN) objected and rejected the baseless claims made by the police that followers of Sheikh Zakzaky were arrested with explosives and at the same time we are calling the public to please ignore the allegation.

“The police should come out and tell the world where they got the explosive and account for over 1000 people that got missing during the three days protest and we are calling for the prosecution of all those that participated in the attack and killing of 46 protesters,” the statement read.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/shiites-claim-1000-members-missing-in.html

• Rejects govs’ N22,500 offer, insists on strike
• Okowa, Fayemi to meet workers’ request
Besides insisting it would take nothing less than N30,000 as new minimum wage, organised labour yesterday threatened to vote out any government that refuses to meet its demand.

It gave the ultimatum in a nationwide protest it held to reaffirm its position and warn Nigerians to stock up on food as the countdown to its planned November 6, 2018 strike nears zero.It also used the occasion to criticise Minister of Labour and Productivity Chris Ngige for allegedly misleading Nigerians on the figure arrived at by the tripartite committee consisting of the Federal Government, organised labour and the private sector.

The protesters, through various spokespersons, accused government of failing to prioritise the welfare of workers, saying there is no justification whatsoever for a refusal to pay the new wage.

“Anyone that cannot compensate the working people of the state is not worthy to be a governor. The message is that they should be voted out and we will … ensure that we force a campaign against these governors,” Deputy Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Amaechi Asugwuni said in Lagos.

The Chairman of the Nasarawa State NLC chapter, Comrade Abdullahi Adeka, re-echoed the threat. At a press conference in Lafia, he said organised labour in the state, following an executive meeting, had decided that any governor who cannot pay the new wage is unkind to workers and must therefore be voted out.

Read More: Labour mobilises for nationwide industrial action

In Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, state chairman, Comrade Onuh Edoka, led the marchers with a warning to government to fiddle with the new wage and risk being voted out.Yesterday, state governors rose from an emergency meeting in Abuja, saying they could only afford to pay N22, 500. But in a swift reaction, NLC President Ayuba Wabba told The Guardian that the organised labour would not accept the figure. He said the new wage is not an award but a figure that was jointly arrived at through negotiation. He described the Governors’ Forum as a body unknown to Nigeria’s law and is therefore not in a position to determine national minimum wage. Wabba added that labour would address the press today in a comprehensive response.

At the protest tagged, “National Day of Mourning and Outrage”, in Abuja, Wabba, cautioned the Federal Government to “take necessary steps to ensure the enactment of a new national minimum wage act, as we cannot guarantee industrial peace and harmony.”

The President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Bobboi Kaigama, said: “They cannot say they do not have money. The political office holders have the money and also the government. We also know how much they are putting into politics and the forthcoming general elections. Workers are not slaves. Rather, they create the wealth of the nation. They cannot continue to suffer. After all, the minimum wage is long overdue.”

Also, President of the United Labour Congress (ULC) Joe Ajaero condemned government’s “No Work No Pay” rule, describing it as an assault on organised labour. It is an obsolete law, which is dead on arrival and can never be implemented, he said.

“Organised labour frowns on the manipulation and bending of facts in an attempt to delay or derail the processes needed to promulgate a new national minimum wage. Accordingly, we call on government to take immediate necessary steps to ensure the enactment of a new national minimum wage, as we cannot guarantee industrial peace and harmony,” he added.

According to the NLC chairman in Ogun State, Akeem Ambali, “There is no basis for salary deregulation being clamoured for in some quarters. There is no deregulation of salary for any governor. All the governors in this country take the same salary. No deregulation of salary for National Assembly members. Do you know how much governors take per month? People in this same country, in the same market, take as much as a cumulative total of N23 million and N16 million per month, yet you say you can’t afford N30, 000.”

However, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by his chief of staff, Mr. Tam Brisibe, told labour leaders in Asaba that the governor is committed to paying the new wage as soon as it becomes official. Similarly, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, also represented by his chief of staff, Mr. Biodun Omoleye, told the protesters: “My government, as you all know, is labour friendly. The agitation for new national minimum wage is legitimate. And let me tell you, my government will never allow workers to go hungry again in working without getting their pay.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/pay-n30000-or-lose-2019-polls-labour.html

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, has endorsed the candidacy of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for the 2019 election.

In an interview with DAILY POST over the weekend, the President of AYCF, Yerima Shettima explained that the emergence of Abubakar as a presidential candidate of the PDP was a good thing for Nigeria.

Shettima stressed that the former Vice President should emerge victorious in 2019 because the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has failed Nigerians.

He vowed to ensure that the current All Progressives Congress, APC-led administration does not stay in office beyond 2019.

Shettima said, “For us in AYCF, we have said it over and over that Buhari’s administration has failed Nigerians and we have passed vote of no confidence on the current administration before now, and to that effect we can’t trust this administration anymore.
We are saying that we demand a total new order and for us, the emergence of Atiku is a good thing for Nigeria and we have to look towards that direction.

“I will canvass other ethnic nationalities and groups to ensure that the tenure of this administration comes to an end.

“We will ensure that Buhari’s administration does not exceed beyond 2019, we will vote them out.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/atiku-vs-buhari-arewa-youths-endorse-ex.html

An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and Secretary of the party in Abia State, Perfect Okorie, has assured the people of the South East of the position of the Senate president to the region in 2019.

Speaking in Alayi, yesterday, at a rally organised by the youth wing of the party in the state, Okorie said the APC-led government, despite propaganda being sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has demonstrated genuine commitment to the development of the South East, in view of the number of projects being executed in the region.

This was even as prominent members of party in the region have been mobilising support at the grassroots for the second term bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The people of Abia State have been suffering in the past few years due to bad governance, championed by the PDP-led state government.

“The time is now to redefine governance by bringing on board innovations and bold ideas that would translate into all-round development of the state.

“We are tired of lies, falsehood and selfishness. Abians deserve a new breath come 2019.

“The ideals of the APC are anchored on probity, transparency and accountability.

“The falsehood being disseminated by selfish politicians in the South East that President Buhari does not like Ndigbo is unpatriotic.

“The 69 on-going projects across the five states in the South-East are testament to the determination of the Federal Government to uplift the South East to enviable heights.

“The President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has rehabilitated and constructed more roads and bridges in the region than any previous government.

“These projects include the rehabilitation of the existing Niger Bridge as well as the construction of the second Niger bridge.

“In Abia State, the federal government projects include the rehabilitation of Nkporo-Abariba-Ohafia road, renovation of Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia road, upgrading of Bende-Afam-Ohafia-Arochukwu road (Section 1 and 11), construction of Ahiakwu-Amangwo-Umuahia-Ngwa road, emergency repairs of failed sections in Umuahia-Ariam-Ikot Ekpene road. Other are rehabilitation and reconstruction of Enugu-Porth Harcourt Dual Carriageway (Sections 1 and 11) and construction of Olokoro-Isiala-Oboro-Nnono junction road, among many others.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/2019-igbo-to-produce-senate-president.html

Latest report as two suspected armed robbers have been arrested by men of the Kogi State Police Command. They were apprehended in possession of counterfeit $800,000.

The command’s spokesman, William Ovye Aya, who confirmed the incident in a statement yesterday in Lokoja said the duo of Sofianu Seidu and Aliu Ismaila were arrested from their hideout along the Lokoja-Abuja highway on October 10.

He said operatives attached to the Federal SARS through an intelligence-led operations stormed their hideout and arrested the suspects.

“Items recovered from their hideout include, Eight hundred thousand fake U.S Dollars, one matchete and assorted handsets.

“They both confessed to the crime to being in possession of fake US dollars to defraud unsuspected citizens. They will soon be arraigned in court on completion of investigation”, Aya said.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/sars-arrests-armed-robbers-with-fake.html

The presidential candidate of Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), Hamza Al-Mustapha, has also blamed the Military for his failure to submit academic credentials to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

All the aspirants seeking elective positions in the country are expected to submit certain documents, including their academic credentials to INEC.

But Al-Mustapha, a retired major in the Nigerian army, told the commission his documents were in possession of the military.

In his particulars submitted to the commission, Al-Mustapha said the military has “refused” to release his academic certificates, despite court orders asking them to do so.

He said: “I was a victim of persecution for 15 years over deliberate trump of charges. I was, however, exonerated and freed of the wanton charges vide court of appeal ruling on 12 July, 2013.

“My entire personal documents including my certificates and awards were taken by the then government in 1998.

“Formal complaints were registered before high court of Lagos (2000 – 2001) and federal high court, Lagos division, (2004 – 2007) but government refused to obey court orders till today.

“However, Nigeria army (my employer – 1983 – 2013) is in custody of the certificates this application is asking of.”

President Muhammadu Buhari also failed to submit his academic credentials, saying they are with the military.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/2019-presidency-al-mustapha-also-blames.html

Former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, has said the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has not told any of its aggrieved members to go to hell.

This is following the crisis rocking the party over the conduct of its primaries.
He spoke this on Friday after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He said the party was still harmonising after its primaries and congresses.
The APC chieftain said that there were quite a few conflicts which were common in a political arena.

His words: “Right now, we are grappling with the outcome of the primaries, trying to bring everybody together.
“We are not asking anybody to go to hell; we are asking them to come together; if you do not do well, there is nothing to cheer; if you do well, everybody will be happy.

“We are still working on appeasing a number of people so that we can be happy,’’ he said.
Nnamani said that APC was a national party, adding that the stakeholders were working towards integrating the people of the South-East.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/apc-primary-nnamani-speaks-on-telling.html

A 51-year-old senior lecturer in the Department of Catering and Hotel Management, Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Mr Andrew Ogbuja, was yesterday, remanded in the Makurdi Medium and Security Prison, for Criminal Conspiracy and Culpable Homicide.

The magistrate, Isaac Ajim, ordered for the remand of the suspect for his alleged involvement in the rape and persistent molestation of his 13-year-old ward, Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbaje, which led to her death.

When the case came up, the First Information Report (FIR), read to the accused, showed that on 22nd October 2018, the case was reported by one Evangelist Enuwa Soo of No 2/4 Potter Avenue, Otada, Otukpo local government through letter of petition to the commissioner of police, Benue State Command.

According to the FIR, on June 23, 2018, the family of one Miss Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbanje of Agene Amen Okpokwu LGA, aged 13, said that one Andrew Ogbuja ‘m’, a lecturer with Benue State Polytechnic Ugbokolo and his son, Victor Ogbuja, had been criminally having unlawful canal knowledge of her since she was living with them in their house which resulted to her been diagnosed of having VVF and other related deceases.

“Ochanya was admitted in the hospital for treatment where she later died on Oct 10, 2018 at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi”.

The court further heard that, during police investigation, one Andrew Ogbuja was arrested for the offence while his son, Victor, is still at large, adding that the offence is punishable under section 97 and 222 of penal code laws of Benue State 2004.

The counsel to the accused, Anthony Onoja, however observed that the media have been awash with reports of his client, who has not been proven guilty, which, if care is not taken, such reports would not allow the matter to go on smoothly.

He appealed to the trial judge to protect lawyers from the hands of Journalists and caution the authority of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), noting that he has no objection over the remand of his client.

However, the judge overruled Onoja, no plea was taken for want of jurisdiction and the accused was remanded at the Federal Prison, Makurdi and adjourned to the 29th of November for further mention.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the court sitting, president, National Council of Women Society, Benue State chapter, Chief Mrs Okochi, said that Benue women are in pain for what happened to late Ochanya and for what other women in the country are going through.

“We are not going to take it lightly, we need justice in this case and l beg the police to go after the son and his mother and arrest them, prosecute them especially the mother who harboured late Ochanya for five years.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/benue-lecturer-arrested-for-raping-13.html

Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, SOKAPU, has condemned the recent destruction of lives and property in Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru Local Government and some parts of Kaduna metropolis, describing it as barbaric.

A statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of the union, Yakubu Kuzamani, said, “We condemn in totality the brutal, barbaric and unprovoked attacks on innocent souls in Kasuwan Magani and other places despite assurances by security agencies and government that they are “on top” of the security situation in the State.”

The union asking questions, said, “Were there no security personnel and security posts in Kasuwan Magani and environs before the attacks? Were there no security personnel on the highway between Kaduna and Kasuwan Magani, a distance of not more than 30kilometers?

“What has been happening to the monthly budget of over ₦200 million that the State Government informed us through the Deputy Governor that was meant for security? Are the security agencies complicit in the attacks? Or are the security agencies and government completely incapable of securing the lives and property of its citizens? Was annihilation of our people and the destruction of their communities the reasons this government was voted into power or was it the contrary?”

The union lamented, “We are also worried that at a time when the state government is carrying out dubious “reforms” on the traditional institution statewide, the security of our revered traditional rulers is being increasingly compromised.

“In the space of 11 months the Etum Numana, Mallam Gambo Makama, was assassinated; the Agwon Akulu Mr. Yohana Sidi Kukah was kidnapped and now the Agwon Adara, a first-class chief, His Royal Highness, Dr Maiwada Raphael Maiwada on October 18, 2018. He was kidnapped along with his wife. His security details were brutally executed in a daredevil operation. The kidnap of the Agwon Adara occurred after a meeting with the Governor of Kaduna State.

“The question is: Was any special arrangement made by the State Government for the safe conduct of the paramount ruler back to Kachia? Why was the governor’s Sunday broadcast to the State so “loudly ”silent on the kidnapping of the Agwon Adara? Could there then be any link with the savagery of his kidnap with his meeting with the governor? Was he kidnapped to further humiliate the Adara nation after scores of their people were hacked to death unprovoked at Kasuwan Magani market last Thursday? SOKAPU will very much want answers to these.”

The union noted with satisfaction the imposition of curfew and deployment of security personnel in the areas affected.

“We hope the implication curfew will be complied with by government to ensure that the total security of the people is in the hands of the government ; and that any breach of security should squarely be blamed on government.

“That lawful citizen will not be confined to their houses while terrorists are unleashed on them as was common during curfews in Southern Kaduna in 2016; and that the security agents will be totally impartial and not to start terrorizing victims and the innocent,” the statement observed.

The union called on the state government to trace and account for all the persons missing; urged relevant security agencies to ensure release of corpses to their relatives and conduct autopsy report on those killed.

It explained that there is the need to release the list, names/identities of those killed, and as well release the report if any on the investigation of the kidnap of the Agwon Akulu.

The union suggested that the state government take all available security measures to protect and defend traditional rulers(chiefs and Emirs); as well as all other citizens of the State and of Nigeria.

It noted that there is the need for the government to ensure that NEMA and SEMA with all urgency decisively intervene to settle the bills of all those in hospital ; provide camps, relief materials and reconstruct structures destroyed and generally rehabilitate the victims especially the vulnerable.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/southern-kaduna-people-raise-suspicion.html

A lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (Unizik), Dr. Chris Abakare, has taken his case of unjust disqualification from election against the local chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), to an Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka.

The plaintiff who prayed the court to set aside the exercise said that he was unjustly disqualified having met all the requirements to participate in the election.

Recall that Bakare was a chairmanship aspirant in the July 11 ASUU-NAU elections but was disqualified based on what he described as election malpractice resulting from ‘proposed’ guideline introduced after the process of election had begun.

In a suit No.A/295/2018, filed by his lawyer, O.M. Madukaife, the plaintiff prayed the court to set aside the exercise for reasons of his unjust disqualification.

He explained that his purported disqualification was rescinded through a memo dated June 28, 2018, signed by the chairman and secretary of the electoral committee, Prof Okey Ogu and Dr. Okechukwu Nwafor, respectively, after he protested.

“I was surprisingly disqualified again in a document signed on June 29, 2018, and signed by the chairman of the committee alone,” he said.

Defendants in the matter include Prof Dennis Aribodor (immediate past chairman), Prof Okey Agu, Dr Okechukwu Nwafor, Dr. Stephen Ufoaroh (current branch chairman) and Dr Kinsley Ubaoji

According to Abakare, the declared winner of the said election, Dr. Stephen Ufoaroh should be restrained from parading himself as chairman.

He urged the court to do a community reading of the Nigerian constitution, ASUU-NAU election guidelines and determine whether his disqualification and subsequent conduct of the election were not illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.

His originating summons read in part “A declaration that his declaration by the 1st and 2nd defendants contrary to the provisions of ASUU constitution and supplementary rules on branch elections is illegal, unconstitutional and of no effect.

“An order setting aside the purported election of ASUU-NAU held on July 11, 2018, in relation to the office of the chairperson and restraining the 5th defendant from parading himself pending the conduct of fresh election for the office of chairperson.

“An order mandating the 1st and 2nd defendants to conduct fresh election for ASUU-NAU in accordance with its constitution and code of practice and supplementary rules.

The matter which was brought before Justice C.A. Emembolu on Tuesday for hearing was however transferred to another court due to Emembolu's expected retirement.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/unizik-lecturer-sues-ASUU-calls-for.html

…Says Enough Is Enough, Warns Criminals

Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has on Tuesday, said communities have an obligation to keep the peace, report and expose criminal elements, stressing that government intends to encourage peace by vigorously enforcing the various provisions of the riots damage law of 1958.

The governor added that government would also enforce the collective punishment law of 1915 and the peace Preservation Law of 1917: “These laws impose costs on communities that permit violence in their midst, obliging community members to be charged and levied monies for the cost of repairing damage done during episodes of violence”

Addressing council of chiefs during an emergency meeting held in Kaduna over the outbreak of violence in some parts of the state last week, El-Rufai, in his address entitled ‘Let us strengthen the Coalition for Peace’ updated the resolutions of the security council meeting which okayed selective variation of the curfew as appropriate in certain parts of Kaduna metropolis.

The governor said KSTA vehicles with Police/NSCDC to escort travellers passing through Kaduna.

He revealed that police will work with other relevant agencies to revive the task force to enforce the proscription of operations of commercial motorcyclists popularly known as okaders: “Re-establishment of checkpoints and military patrols along Kachia Road.

“Review of the activities of youth groups and community development associations to ensure that they are conducive to the promotion of peace and harmony”

The governor continued: “As you are aware, there have been breaches of the peace since Thursday, 18th October 2018, when unrest broke out in Kasuwan Magani. The state government promptly imposed a curfew in the area. The loss of lives was staggering- at least 55 corpses were recovered, and the damage to lives and livelihoods considerable. A brazen crime was committed. We owe the victims justice, and our state respite from the impunity of those who have arrogated to themselves the authority to wantonly violate lives, livelihoods and the rights of others.

“The necessity to apply the law vigorously is illustrated by the panic and anxiety that spread into our capital city and environs as people spread vile rumours on Sunday, 21stOctober 2018. Hoodlums exploited the situation to engage in further criminal activity and to violate the rights of other citizens. The aftermath of the disinformation and resulting panic led to the death of another 22 citizens, injuries to 44 persons and destruction of property within Kaduna metropolis. Some of the injured have been discharged, but 34 others are still receiving medical attention.”

He noted: “The Kaduna State Government was therefore compelled to declare a 24-hour curfew in the metropolis to stem the proliferation of false rumours, prevent the spread of chaos and to enable the security agencies to restore calm. We have gone round affected areas, visited hospitals, interacted with communities and counseled against reliance on unsubstantiated information.

“I wish to inform your Royal Highnesses that the government is constantly reviewing the situation with the leaders of the security agencies. Yesterday, senior government and security officials went around Kaduna metropolis, Kujama and Kasuwan Magani to further reassure and calm our people. We also visited Kachia, where we met and commiserated with the family of HRH AgomKachia whose release from abduction we are all working and praying for.

“Your Royal Highnesses, we all have a supreme obligation to overcome the legacy of strife in Kaduna State. We are not the only diverse place on this planet. And we must not hold on to a legacy of pace and division. The first ethno-religious clash in the state which happened in Kasuwan Magani in 1980, led to the loss of our innocence. Since then, it appears that a constituency has developed which believes that violence pays, and is convinced that violence has no consequence for the perpetrators”

“It is time to firmly persuade them otherwise. It is time for a powerful coalition for peace to speak frankly and support firm actions against those who menace the right of our citizens to live in peace wherever they choose, to freely practice their faith anywhere and to pursue legitimate livelihoods without let or hindrance. No group or individual will be allowed to veto or constrain the rights that the Constitution has guaranteed.”

El-Rufai added: “The pace of prosecution in our courts is hampered by the heavy case loads of our judges. We are working to secure the approval of the National Judicial Council to expand the bench in Kaduna State with 20 additional high court judges. We also clearly need to have more police and other law enforcement officers on the ground to provide assurance to the law abiding, and to deter criminals.

“In this wise, the Kaduna State Government is working with the Kaduna State Police Command to establish new divisions in Narayi and Sabon Tasha. We are grateful to the police authorities for also agreeing to establish a police division in Kasuwan Magani. The state government and the relevant local government councils will provide the buildings to house these new police formations. More military Strike Force bases will also be established.

“We can all agree on the need for more security assets and faster dispensation of justice in our state. But our communities have to enlist in the coalition for peace. Beyond boots on the ground, and a phalanx of security agents, the ultimate guarantee of peaceful coexistence is the willingness of individuals and our communities to live in peace. As said in the state broadcast last night, harmony in our land requires a commitment to obey the law, and to use only peaceful and lawful means to resolve differences.

“Everyone, particularly our royal fathers, needs to be aware of their stake in preventing disorder and upholding peace. The government will shortly be providing details of the enforcement process of these extant laws. We cannot compromise on the imperative of securing our communities from criminals and rascals. Enough is enough!

“In situations of unrest, it is common for traditional leaders to disclaim any control over unruly youth. It is an excuse we can no longer accept. Where significant sections of a community disdain the counsel or authority of their traditional ruler, it imperils the rationale for keeping the traditional institution, and the occupant of the office.

“The Kaduna State Government will continue to advance the cause of peace on many fronts. As a government committed to promoting equality of opportunity, we intend to help promote prosperity by rebuilding and modernising markets in places impacted by conflict. The market in Kafanchan is already being rebuilt. We shall be extending this to the overstretched or destroyed markets in places such as Zonkwa, Zangon-Kataf, Kasuwan Magani and Kujama. The goal is to ensure that the new markets will accommodate not only the existing and previous shop owners, but also others who aspire to and are able to own shops. Perceptions that there are insurmountable barriers to securing trading places in markets will be erased in the new, expanded and modernised markets. The designs for these markets will include space to host police formations” the governor said.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/kaduna-violent-communities-to-pay.html

On Wednesday, the 10th of October, the National Youth Service Corps at Okitipupa Local Government of Ondo State held her maiden Intra-Local Government Secondary School Quiz Competition.
It featured 15 schools from several towns in the local government. The representatives

from each school were tested on Mathematics, English, and general paper which included Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Government, Literature and Commerce.
The program which started at 10am and ended at 3pm was chaired by the Local Government Inspector. Olabayo Secondary School emerged place Winner while Methodist High and Sharon Rose Secondary School emerged 2nd and 3rd place respectively. A large number of Corp Members, School Students and teachers were present at the Maiden event.
The executive committee members of the event are as follows; Omotayo (Secretary), Hollins Chairman etc.
The LGI expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the Competition and reiterated the NYSC's commitment to ensure the continuity of the event periodically.
The vote of thanks was given by the committee chairman who thanked the attendants and also congratulated the winners and other competitors as well.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/this-corp-member-organized-first-intra.html

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An Atiku support group, under the auspices of Hope Forum 2019 has disclosed that the group remains resolute to support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential flag bearer, Alh. Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2019 elections.

In his address during a press conference in Abuja, the secretary general of the forum, Mr Igwe said that no amount of intimidation from the All Progressives Congress, (APC) would deter its support for the PDP.

The group also noted that its decision to support the PDP presidential flag bearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, followed a critical study of the strength and weaknesses of the APC leaders considering the need for other credible personalities who are capable of sustaining positive and qualitative change in the country.

Also speaking the group’s national coordinator, Mr Chuks Ubadigbo called on its formations, which is a conglomerate of Nigerians drawn from different backgrounds to fully support the actualisation of the project through mobilisation of votes.

While describing PDP as a truly democratic party which promotes and practices democracy, Ubadigbo described Atiku as an advocate of democracy which he sees as the only way to ensure growth and development in the country.

According to him, “The forum searched for a candidate who can run an all-inclusive federal administration in the management of our collective destiny and national affairs in view of the unending national crises.

“It was at this juncture that members of this association decided to give massive support and get massive votes from undecided and frustrated Nigerian voters and increased our sensitisation and mobilisation efforts for Atiku to become the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The PDP is truly a democratic party which promotes and practices democracy. Atiku Abubakar believes in the PDP as a confessed democrat, and incidentally advocates that democracy is the only way, as it engenders social justice, progress, faith, unity peace, prosperity, growth and development.

“We hereby call on members of the APC to thread softly as we cannot be intimidated by any person in the party, no matter how highly placed to intimidate Nigerians or anybody in the PDP, particularly our presidential candidate and other flag bearer bearers of our party.”

Ubadigbo, however, called on the federal government and Nigerians to do everything humanly possible to check ‘hate speech’ by refraining from and resisting the temptation of any deliberate and targeted hate actions in whatever form or guise.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/2019-forum-pledges-support-for-atiku.html

ANAYO ONUKWUGHA, chronicles the parallel primaries conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State and possible outcome of the ruling by Justice Nwogu , believed to be a culmination of the crisis between Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Magnus Abe over the party’s leadership.

A Port Harcourt court on Wednesday voided the election of officers and candidates of the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Following the judgment, the APC no longer has candidates for the governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and state House of Assembly elections for the 2019 general election. The party also has no state working committee, local government working committees and ward executives. But the party said it had appealed the judgment and requested a stay of execution. The ruling is believed to be a culmination of the crisis between Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Magnus Abe over the leadership of the party.Recall that Abe, ran a parallel congress which picked him as the governorship candidate during the just concluded primaries while the Rotimi Ameachi’s group, with the endorsement of the National Secretariat, picked Mr Tonye Cole as candidate. Cole is officially recognised by the national secretariat.
Interestingly, despite the sack of Rivers APC Chairman , Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, and the nullification of the party’s ward, local government and state congresses of May 19, 20 and 21, by Justice Chiwendu Nworgu, the Amaechi group insisted that the APC officials remained duly elected. Justice Nwogu said all actions taken by the APC during the pendency of the suit had been set aside because “they are illegal and unconstitutional.”

Justice Nwogu in her declaration said that all those who purchased nomination forms for the ward congresses were entitled to contest the ward congresses of May 19, but were unjustly excluded by the party.
He said: “The Rule by might must be checked by the rule of law. We must restore the hope of the common man in the justice system”. Justice Nwogu, who based his judgment on the Amaechi versus INEC Matter of 2007, noted that having studied the submissions in the matter, he was bound to make consequential orders to ensure that justice was done in the case. Justice Nwogu declared that all those who purchased nomination forms for the ward congresses were entitled to contest the ward congresses of May 19, 2018, but were unjustly excluded by the party. Rivers APC through its Publicity Secretary Chief Chris Finebone, at a news conference said the judgment had been appealed, with stay of execution already entered. The APC also pointed out the support inside the Rivers High Court, Port Harcourt by Governor Nyesom Wike’s aides “in full collaboration with Abe.”Senator Abe’s loyalists: Ibrahim Umar and 22 others in the 23 local governments of Rivers State approached the court, stating that they were excluded from participating in the congresses. This was upheld by the court. Justice Nwogu in the judgment that lasted over one hour, also set aside all the primaries of Rivers APC, including the indirect election that produced Cole, a billionaire businessman, as the governorship candidate. He stated that the High Court has jurisdiction to entertain the matter as an appeal filed by the respondents at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt, to stop proceedings on the suit was rejected by the appellate court on September 21, 2018. He stated that all through the hearing, the APC filed no counter-affidavit denying the facts of the matter, as presented by the applicants in the originating summons, noting that it is trite law that facts not disputed are deemed admitted. On the suit filed in an Abuja High Court by a faction of the APC, Justice Nwogu declared that the court is of coordinate jurisdiction with the High Court in Port Harcourt, and cannot sit in appeal over it. He added that the suit filed by Ibrahim Imah preceded that of the Abuja High Court by a faction of the Rivers State APC.
Earlier, a counsel to the APC, Prince OSM Azunda moved a motion seeking to stop the delivery of the judgment. However, Justice Nwogu dismissed his application, which he termed as a ploy to arrest the judgement.

Addressing his supporters at a rally, Senator Abe hailed the court’s judgment, declaring that Prince Peter Odike remained the Rivers Chairman of APC and that since he emerged through direct primary, backed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party, he was the standard bearer of APC in Rivers. In Abe’s words, “When he (Amaechi) came to me and said I should not run (for governorship in 2019), I asked him what he wanted, he said he would bring Tonye Cole. Rivers people will not follow anybody that they do not know. We are fighting against a sitting governor (Nyesom Wike of Peoples Democratic Party), who has resources and he is a politician. “They told the world I am a betrayer, a bad person and I am not loyal. No, it will not work. They said they would retire me from politics, if I refused. I would wear the retirement as a badge of honour, because Nigerians would know that when it was time to tell the truth, I opened my mouth and I spoke the truth. How would they retire me from the minds of my people in Rivers State?
“They also said they would bring money and everyone would leave me and go home. Let them bring the money, I will still stand here alone. We will not leave APC, because we built the party. We cannot leave our inheritance for anybody. The trouble will not end. He boasted , “Over 148,000 Rivers people, across the 319 wards of the 23 local governments of Rivers State, during the direct governorship primary election of APC, came out and cast their votes for me. We are interested in the progress of this party, we are ready to work for the progress of this party, but the party must show respect to its members.”
Abe who is bent on correcting the wrongs in the ruling APC said, “We are being treated with disrespect. You do not do that in politics. People cannot sit down in Lagos and choose a governor for Rivers people.”
In a swift response to the judgement, the Rivers state chapter of the APC, stated that it was not surprised that the Rivers High court, presided over by Justice Nwogu, set aside the May congresses.
Amaechi’s allies in Rivers APC rather maintained that the judgment did not come to us by surprise. It brings to an end, the collaboration between Senator Magnus Abe and Governor Nyesom Wike to destabilise the APC in Rivers State.”

They insisted that, “There had been many overt and covert partnerships between Wike and Abe, using the Rivers State Judiciary on the matter to scuttle the electoral fortunes of the APC in 2019. Today’s (Wednesday) judgment is a culmination of the evil collaboration. “The grand rally staged by Abe was carefully planned and scheduled by both the Senator and Wike to coincide with the Rivers State High Court judgment, details of which they were already privy to. It was not surprising when Abe gleefully announced the exact judgment of the court on the rally rostrum, just about when the judge was still reading his judgment in court.” While they urged members and sympathisers of the party in the state and across Nigeria to remain calm, they also noted that despite the fact that aspects of the matter were already before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, the lower court in Port Harcourt still went ahead to decide on the matter being challenged at higher courts.
It said: “Nothing will happen to the Ojukaye Flag-Amachree-led State Working Committee (SWC) of the party, as it is further protected against any action by the perpetual injunction granted by Abuja High Court 14, presided over by Justice A. O. Musa, on September 4, 2018, in which it restrained the APC and its National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (1st and 2nd Defendants), from tampering with the mandates of the elected officials/delegates elected at the 1st Defendant’s ward, local government and state congresses in Rivers State on May 19, 20 and 21, 2018 respectively, either by nullifying, removing or in any way refusing to give effect to the outcome of the said congresses or by purporting to conduct another congress in respect of Rivers State.
The party stated categorically that “It is also important to emphasise that the entire 319 wards and 23 LGAs executives of the party in Rivers State are, by implication, protected against the ruling by any court of coordinate jurisdiction with the Abuja High Court that granted the Ojukaye Flag-Amachree-led Rivers State executive a perpetual injunction.
Recall that the Hon. Ojukaye Flag-Amachree-led All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State held indirect mode of gubernatorial primaries as directed by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.
The NWC-backed indirect primaries, which was held at the Igboukwu Street Field, D/Line, Port Harcourt, had in attendance, the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; the Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside and former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), MRA. Ibim Semenitari, among others.

In the ballot the indirect gubernatorial primaries, which was supervised by the Gubernatorial Primaries Committee, led by Colonel Jafaru Lawal Isa (Rtd) and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, Architect Tonye Cole, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs and Dr. Dawari George. However, Abe, who is the senator representing Rivers South-East district in the National Assembly and Lulu-Briggs, who is a business mogul, boycotted the exercise. Cole came out victorious in the indirect governorship primaries, as he was said to have polled 3,329 votes while his closest rival, George, got 491 votes. Lulu-Briggs came a distant third with 38 votes while Abe got one vote. At the direct primaries organised by the Odike-led faction of the APC, which was not supervised by officials from the APC national secretariat and INEC, Abe was declared the party’s gubernatorial flagbearer. According to the faction’s returning officer, Dr Chigbo Sam Eligwe won with 144,929, Lulu-Briggs, scored 3,344 votes, George scored 1,606 votes and Cole 882 votes. About 48 hours to the gubernatorial primaries, Abe threatened to boycott the exercise if the party fails to adopt direct primaries as earlier advocated by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party. The governorship hopeful, who spoke during a rally at Wiiyakara community in Khana local government area of Rivers State, also threatened that he would not accept the result of the primaries if a candidate emerges through indirect process. While urging the national body of the APC to reverse itself and conduct direct primaries in the state, the senator said: “It is bad that we continue to worship individuals when we want change. It is clear that they are doing what they are doing because somebody has been appointed a DG (Director-General). “If they are doing this to please one person, then the party will not move forward. If the primaries in Rivers is not through direct primaries I will not take part and I will not accept the result. If we continue to be a nation where individuals are better than our institutions then something is wrong. “When we were fighting Jonathan, Amaechi called me that I should lead the party in the state. I did but when I wanted to pursue my ambition he turned me down. I am the leader of APC in my senatorial district but I do not have a ward Chairman.”

Abe told the committee that will organise the party’s primaries, to remove his name from list of aspirants if they are bent on indirect primaries. He said: “Today, I stand here to assure you that nobody is bigger than all of us. It is the responsibility of the party to bring a better ground for all the aspirants. “I hereby serve them a notice that they should remove my name from the list of the contestants. I will not participate in a process that has already been determined. “I will not be part of a coronation that the king will not be crowned. They have gone to the national that they will send me home. Every campaign of hate must stop, Rivers must move forward.” Although the minister of Transportation and leader of APC in the state, Amaechi, endorsed the candidature of Cole, the struggle to ensure his emergence, which is recognised by the National Secretariat of APC as its governorship candidate in Rivers State, started as far back as February 2017, when an advocacy group within the APC, the Rivers Unity House (RUH) commenced a campaign for him to join the race. According to Kingsley Wenenda Wali, convener of the group, members of RUH, who are mostly APC members were not taken seriously when they started clamouring for the billionaire entrepreneur to throw the towel into the ring. king immediately after Cole was declared winner of the gubernatorial primaries, Wali said: “Let me clearly state and to avoid any ambiguity, that my Christianity is not where it is supposed to be, but I know the place of God in my life. That I believe in the doctrine of EMMANUEL 24-7. “Therefore, in every circumstance I give glory to God and it isn’t anything near fatalism. Rather, when we seek the face of God, we shall be the beneficiaries of God’s will. The Kalabaris simply put it in one word -Tamunotonye. Let God’s word be praised. “The point I’m trying to make here is that the advocacy by a group of Nigerians for Tonye Cole to run for the office of Governor of his home state, was indeed the will of the miracle One, whose ways are not always like ours and most times, beyond comprehension. It is for this reason that many doubted our seriousness. “The advocates were at different times butts of jokes. Do you really want to blame those who thought we were comedians or even trainee comedians. “ “Moses and even the name above all names, suffered the same fate. For us, it was the inspiration and the tonic that was needed to ask for God’s favour because He understands and sees the heart of every man. “ “We challenged ourselves to look up to God only and work hard. We refused to be discouraged by the doubts of men. And to the glory of God only, Tamunotonye Cole has been nominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers state chapter as their candidate for the 2019 governorship election. We say thank you to the only One that made it possible. “
“While we believe that God will always finish that which He started, we want to appeal to Rivers voters and influencers to think about Rivers state and her future only, when taking a decision on Tonye Cole’s candidature.”

Within the limits of our ability, we have presented to you the curriculum vitae of Architect Cole, who by the way, is a servant and an anointed minister of God.” Less than 24 hours to the gubernatorial primaries, the caucus of former members of the National Assembly from the APC in Rivers State, endorsed the aspiration of Cole, to contest for the 2019 governorship election in the state on the platform of the APC.
The APC former National Assembly caucus, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt and signed by Sir. Ike Chinwo and Hon. Fred Igwe, Chairman and Secretary, respectively, said the endorsement of Cole, came after thorough analysis and consideration of all feasible factors. The statement reads in part, “Our endorsement is anchored on our belief that his entry into the race is not only a breadth of fresh air but divine, timely and in the best interest of the Party especially at this point in time. “To us, it would facilitate greatly, the defeat of the incumbent non-performing governor, Nyesom Wike. ““We are convinced that Architect Tonye Dele Cole has the capacity to change the narrative in the governance from the current rudderless and waste regime in the state to that of prudence and productivity.”“His vision of sustainable wealth creation and distribution will boost investment, growth and generate employment. He will definitely use his international exposure and string of business successes to attract investments that will catapult the state to an investment heaven and a destination of choice. “Indeed, we are confident that Architect Tonye Cole’s leadership when he eventually becomes governor will engender a change in the mind-set of the average Rivers Man and Woman, thus making way for the emergence of entrepreneurial spirit which is needed for sustainable growth and development.” “And with the philosophy of ”One Rivers, One People”, we are sure that the state will witness an era of unprecedented unity, with People bonding together to pursue our common goal at all times.” “We therefore, call on all our party members to join hands in the support of Tonye Dele Cole, so that together our match to the Brick House in 2019 will be realised for the good of all.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/chronicling-apc-parallel-primaries.html

The hope of a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers has hit a snag as the federal government has aligned itself with the position of state governors who said they are having difficulty paying the current benchmark wage and, therefore, cannot afford the N30,000 figure proposed as minimum wage. The minister of labour and employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who gave the hint yesterday, said Nigeria could not afford rounds of labour crises, hence the need for the organised labour to accept a new national minimum wage figure based on the ability of both the government and the private sector to pay it in line with social dialogue and the overall interest of the nation. Sen. Ngige made the comment during a courtesy visit from the new director-general of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) Mr. Timothy Olawale, and his predecessor, Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo. He appealed to NECA to use its influence on the organised labour to get the labour leaders to accede to the new national minimum wage figure mutually agreeable to all the social partners.

“We need to arrive at a figure which the employers can afford to pay, as an employee cannot fix a figure for the employer. Rather, it must be based on collective bargaining and mutual agreement by the tripartite partners. It is not a function of moving motions or voting at the National Tripartite Negotiation Committee to insist that the figure must be as the organised labour appears to make it look. “There is absolutely, therefore, no need to heat up the polity. The government’s proposed new minimum wage figure is clearly based on critical facts and indices incapable of causing disequilibrium in the economy or upturning the national social order,” the minister argued.

The minister’s statement is coming amidst tension between government and organised labour over the amount that should be fixed as the new minimum wage. Ngige a few days ago announced that the federal government had offered N24, 000 to the workers, but organised labour had countered him, saying that N30, 000 was the amount agreed on by the tripartite committee saddled with the responsibility of arriving at a figure. However, state governors also proposed N20, 000 as the new minimum wage. Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, had on Thursday contended that the issue was not just on the agreed figure to be paid by the governors, but the “ability or resources to take care of that agreed minimum wage.”

The Zamfara governor remarked that states were struggling to pay the current minimum wage of N18,000, noting that some of the states were paying only 35 per cent or 50 per cent, while some states are owing workers. Meanwhile, LEADERSHIP Weekend learnt that organised labour will today declare its next line of engagement with the government. ur , comprising then Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and United Labour Congress (ULC) had on Thursday met in Lagos and insisted on its demand for N30,000 as minimum wage. Speaking to his guests, Ngige urged the new NECA boss to exceed the impressive record of his predecessor. “You have an enormous task ahead of you. The need for the establishment of more NECA offices across the country cannot be over emphasised so that more employers’ association can register with you. This is in line with the focus of our labour administration and in tandem with the economic policies of the present administration. The numerous private sector employers who are informal need to be brought on board the formalised private sector employers’ body,” Ngige ststed. The minister urged him to ensure that numerous private sector employers who are members of NECA and those not yet registered but are defaulting in payment of even the existing national minimum wage of N18, 000 are made to comply with the law.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/new-minimum-wage-suffers-setback-as-fg.html

If you are into basketball betting with Betway Nigeria, you would know that the sports world is full of surprises on its own.

Aruna Quadri, Nigerian table tennis champion has won 2 titles in this year so far – the ITTF Africa Senior Championship and the ITTF Challenge Nigeria Open. This 29-year-champion spoke about his coming target in an interview. When asked about how he felt being the first table tennis champion from Nigeria, he said that the gratefulness always remains with God for his grace on him that made him clinch two championships. He also said that he felt no pressure even while playing with Atanda Musa who was a champion himself at International level.

When asked about the challenges he faced in 2014 and 2016 Olympic matches where he went till the quarters, he answered optimistically that it was a historical year for him as he became the first ever African Player to reach that stage. Though he was an unknown player in that tournament, he went out gaining more popularity among others and also made history by winning two awards in the same event.

Speaking about the Rio Olympics, he said that it was the greatest moment in his table tennis career and he was out of words to describe his feeling becoming the first African to achieve such a feat. He was also very grateful to the support that he got from the Brazilians.

He was also asked about his plans to sustain his flow after winning the two titles he told that he would continue his hard work as he is well aware of the fact that remaining the best is harder than becoming one. Also, it is the main challenge for any famed sportsperson to maintain the status at the best level. He opined that exposure to the game and availability of equipment are the key things on par with organising more competitions for the juniors in the country so that they will stand by the country’s fame when the senior level players leave the race. Also, he expressed his dissatisfaction about the government not doing enough for the development of table tennis as well as other sports in the country as they are doing for football.

When asked about the role of former players of table tennis he said that they could take up charges as coaches to the junior and younger gamers. Also, he expressed his view that to challenge the rivalry with the Egyptians, they require more players to face them at the entry level itself. He suggested the junior players that they need to work hard and should have belief in themselves, and they must be focussed about their career in the game.

When asked at what age he is planning to quit the game, he smiled and said that he would be playing the game as long as his body cooperates. Also, he opined that the game needs more and more sponsors. He was also asked about his plans to change the clubs to take up more challenges. He replied that he might do it in future, but as of now his club is very supportive and will continue with them.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/the-tale-of-dumping-athletics-for-table.html

The endorsement of the governor of Enugu State, Rt Honourable Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, by 2, 895 delegates of the party, is inspiring. This is not surprising because the governor’s developmental strides in the state are so conspicuous that even those who are blinded by hatred, cannot deny them. Hence, their Impact can be felt by all.

As an incumbent governor, allowing the delegates to freely cast their votes without let or hinderance was another proof that when good governance prevails, politics becomes secondary.

The governor’s unflinching commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy to the people, especially at the grassroots, disarmed his potential opponents who earlier expressed their intention to contest the office.

In the face of daunting economic challenges, the governor demonstrated prudence and high sense of accountability in managing state resources, which he also deployed responsibly in uplifting the people through various projects he executed.

Hence, when the delegates overwhelmingly showed support for Gburugburu, it was actually not a happenstance, but an attestation to Enugu people’s faith and confidence in the governor to sustain his style of leadership that has broken the chains of backwardness in almost all the nooks and crannies of the local government areas of the state.

That Ugwuanyi was returned unopposed is an uncommon feat that even his political opponents may never be able to gain-say. It is so phenomenal, given the fact that this is the first time in the history of the state, that an incumbent governor was not challenged in a primary election.

Through unparalleled people-oriented governance, the governor has raised the bar of developmental standards to the chagrin of his detractors, who may not overtly want to sing his praises.

The peaceful conduct of the PDP’s governorship primary in Enugu further has proven that the peace and tranquility which Ugwuanyi’s leadership entrenched in the state, are not cosmetic, but a direct benefit of the natural humaneness flowing from the governor, who is an embodiment of peace.

It was this peace-loving attribute that played out when the Fulani herdsmen attack in Nimbo provoked unprecedented anger in the state, but was immediately brought under control by the governor’s Peace committee. His advocacy for peace has brought about the harmonious co-existence of farmers and the herdsmen in the state.

The farmer-friendly policies of Ugwuanyi’s administration, have not only endeared him to the teeming farmers in the state, but have also gotten him another endorsement from them.

When farmers’ groups in Enugu State recently gathered to endorse the governor for re-election, they were particularly excited that the present administration had helped to reduce prices of food items in the market. They extolled the governor’s commitment to the revitalisation of the AdaRice project, which has influenced the downward review of of the cost of a 50kg bag of rice from N18, 000 to N14, 000.

It is also on record that the governor’s intervention in the rice value chain in the state has resulted in tremendous output increase from 1.5 tons per hectare to 4 to 5.6 tons per hectare. The motivation given to rice farmers in the state undoubtedly was responsible for the over 600,000 hectares cultivated, resulting in a total production of 1,800,000 metric tons.

In recognition of this impressive performance in the agriculture sector, the African Development Bank in partnership with the Federal Government has decided to establish Staple Crops Processing Zone in Enugu State.

Farmers in the state have not stopped celebrating the resolve of the present administration to construct six Centre Pivot Irrigation Systems in some of the rural communities, with the aim of enabling rice production at least twice in a year.

Another laudable project that has made the Gburugburu movement more attractive in Enugu State, was Ugwuanyi’s vision to provide agricultural feeder roads, totaling about 46.89 kilometers in 12 communities across the three senatorial zones, especially areas where rice is grown.

Some other achievements of the present administration in the agriculture sector, which are worth mentioning here, as they helped to boost the confidence of the masses on the governor include, the 750 hectares of land, which the state government acquired to be distributed to youths and women for commercial agriculture with special start-off grant.

Ugwuanyi’s emergence as PDP’s flag bearer in the state for the 2019 governorship polls, can correctly be adjudged as the resounding voice and undying wishes of the Enugu people.

Even the deputy Senate President, Dr Ike Ekwerenmadu, like many other notable leaders of the state, could not hide his admiration for this amiable governor, after seeing the peaceful manner in which the delegates unanimously queued behind their performing chief servant, to persuade him to contest and consolidate on his sterling achievements.

To assert that Ugwuanyi’s re-election as governor is a walk over, irrespective of the opposition from other parties in the state, is not wishful thinking, but an affirmation that has a divine backing. The people of Enugu have seen a messiah in the person of Gburugburu, they have also seen a glimpse of the glory in the Promised Land he is leading them to, and no barrier can stop this type of formidable force.

It therefore won’t be politically incorrect to advise that every well-meaning citizen of Enugu State, irrespective of political affiliation, should rally round the winning team with Ugwuanyi as the captain.

– Chinedu writes from Enugu

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/ugwuanyis-endorsement-reward-for-good.html

The tension that enveloped the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Borno State over the choice of the Deputy Governorship candidate has given way to wild jubilations following the unveiling of Umar Usman Kadafur.

DAILY POST reports that Maiduguri the state capital, Biu, Hawul and adjourning areas erupted into jubilations, celebrating Kadafur’s choice.

There was all night cultural drumming and dancing in some places, while residents of Biu, the home Local Government of Umar Kadafur defied the curfew in the area, to celebrate the choice of their own as the running mate.

Kadafur, who faced the incumbent deputy governor, Usman Mamman Durkwa, polled eight out of the nine votes cast by the nine party chairmen from southern Borno.

This followed the zoning of the deputy governorship position to the area.

Kadafur proved bookmakers wrong by going ahead to win against the odds stacked against him by the incumbent deputy governor, who has been parading himself as the political leader of Southern Borno.

A source from the meeting which produced Kadafur told our correspondent that Durkwa’s lone vote came from the party chairman of his own Local Government of Hawul, while Kadafur won that of Biu, Damboa, Bayo, Chibok, Kwaya/Kusar, Shank, Gwoza and Askira /Uba.

Governor Kashim Shettima who had promised a level playing field in all contests has accepted the choice of Kadafur ahead of his own deputy, thereby fulfilling his earlier pledge.

Already, the names of Professor Babagana Umara Zullum and Umar Usman Kadafur have been submitted to INEC, as the candidates on the APC platform in Borno state.

Our correspondent who monitored events since Kadafur’s announcement on Wednesday evening reports that the political mood in southern Borno seems to has suddenly swung in favour of the APC, as a result of Kadafur’s choice.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/borno-apc-wild-jubilations-as-zullum.html

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested eight suspects with eleven human skulls, bones and powerded material suspected to be grinded bones.

Force PRO, Jimoh Moshood in a statement, said the arrests were made after several complaints received at the ‘D’ Divisional Police Headquarters, Adewole, Ilorin Kwara State on cases of missing persons, kidnapping, murder, killings for rituals, and exhuming of dead bodies from where buried, removing of human skull and other human parts of their victims.

He noted that “the Inspector General of Police on receipt of the Situation Report from the Kwara State Police Command, immediately directed the IGP Monitoring Unit to proceed to Kwara State and assist the Kwara State Police Command in their investigation of the matter, arrest perpetrators to bring them to justice.

“The Police Joint Investigation Team on arrival to Ilorin, Kwara State on the 5thof October, 2018 assisted by the personnel of ‘D’ Divisional Police headquarters, Adewole, Kwara Police Command, working on actionable intelligence from public spirited individuals in the area, swung into action, obtained search warrant and moved into the house of one Azeez Yakub of No. 20 Ile Opa Adeta Compound, Ilorin. During the search eleven Human Skulls, some pieces of human bones, human hairs, and powder suspected to be grinded human bones and charms were recovered in the house.”

The statement also added that further investigations by the Special Team of the IGP Monitoring Unit led to the arrest of seven other suspects, Azeez Yakub, Abdulrasaq Babamale, Aishat Yunisa, Lukman Saka, Ahmed Yahaya, Abdulfatai Kadri a.k.a (Adedoyin) – Vigilante Commander, Adeta Zone, Ilorin, Soliu Ayinde a.k.a Baba Fawasi, Abdulganiyu Bamidele.

“The suspects were involved in kidnapping, murder, ritual killings, exhuming of dead bodies from where buried in the community, removing their vital body parts such as the skull, genital organs, eyes, human hair, certain body bones and sell to prominent personalities in the country for rituals and spiritual powers. The suspects confessed and admitted to have sold 31 human heads to some personalities in Ilorin and other towns in Kwara State and other contiguous states to Kwara State.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/police-arrest-8-suspects-with-11-human.html

The Kaduna State Police Command, has confirmed the killing of two policemen and a civilian by unknown gunmen in the early hours of Wednesday in Kaduna.

The Command Public Relation Officer, DSP Yakubu Sabo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the policemen were on foot patrol when they were killed at about 05 25 am.

“Some unknown armed men attacked our policemen who were on foot patrol along Nnamdi Azikiwe expressway by IBBI company in Kakuri area of Kaduna.

“After a fierce gun duel, two of our men and a civilian driver were killed and five other policemen sustained gun injuries and are receiving treatment at a hospital in Kaduna,” Sabo said.

According to him, the attackers did not take away any arms as some they were forced to retreat with bullet wounds.

He disclosed that detectives have been mobilized to the area with a view to track down the fleeing killers and bring them to justice.

“The commissioner of Police, Ahmad Abdur-Rahman is saddened by the ugly incident and vowed to bring the perpetrators to book.

“The CP also sympathizes with the families of the gallant officers who laid their lives for their country and pray for the repose of their souls.”

Sabo said investigation is ongoing on the incident and that the command will update the public in due course.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/2-policemen-civilian-killed-5-others.html

Recently, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)mconducted senatorial primaries in the three Kaduna state senatorial zones and picked their candidates to contest the 2019 general elections. Our correspondent, AZA MSUE, reports that the three zones will face the toughest political battles since the return of democracy in 1999

Ahead of the forthcoming general elections, the battle for the senatorial race in Kaduna North, Central and Southern senatorial zones will be tough as powerful political gladiators in the All governing All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be locking horns to represent the constituents at the Senate.

Kaduna Central Zone
The battle of who fly the flag of Kaduna central senatorial for the APC is yet to be settled. The party’s primary has been conducted and Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s Special Adviser on political matters, Uba Sani, defeated Shehu Sani, the current senator representing the zone with a wide margin of 2,088 votes. Uba Sani’s main challenger and incumbent Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani got 15 votes, a difference of 2,073 votes.
Although the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) had earlier cleared Shehu Sani as the sole candidate in the race, and disqualified other aspirants contesting with the incumbent senator, no reasons was given for their disqualifications.
The APC national leadership’s decision was rejected by the other aspirants and party loyalists in the state. Reports said the APC later reversed its earlier decision and cleared other aspirants too and the primaries election was conducted.
Meanwhile, Prof. Eddie Floyd-Igbo, the party’s Coordinator for the Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone, had declared the results of the primaries held at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Sports Multipurpose Hall, Kaduna.
Although, Senator Shehu Sani said he withdrew from the race, describing the primary as kangaroo and illegal, his Media Aide, Mr Abdulsamad Amadi, said the primaries conducted was illegal.
“The Office of Senator Shehu Sani has not, and will not send anybody as their representative or agent to that illegality that some desperate people are organising. This is because the national leadership of the APC has not scheduled any senatorial primaries in Kaduna Central”, he said.
Two days after the primaries, certificates of return were issued by the Chairman of the electoral committee in the state, Mathew Idouriyekemwen, despite the controversy surrounding the primaries for Kaduna central district, where the incumbent senator, Shehu Sani, insisted that he was given an automatic ticket by the party’s national working committee.
Apart from Uba Sani, who received certificate of returne for Kaduna central, Suleiman Abdu-Kwari and Kaduna deputy governor, Arch. Bala Yusuf Bantex collected Kaduna North and Kaduna south certificates of return, respectively.
Speaking while issuing the certificates to the winners of APC primaries elections, the state electoral committee chairman, Mathew Idouriyekemwen, said the primary was free, fair and has the backing of the party’s national leadership.
However, Gen. Mohammed Saleh (rtd), former lawmaker, representing the Kaduna Central Senatorial District who also participated in the zone’s APC primaries faulted the issue of automatic ticket reportedly granted to Shehu Sani, stressing that it was alien to the nation’s constitution and that of the party.
Saleh, who earlier pitched tent with Shehu Sani on the direct primary mode of election, made u-turn to support Uba Sani for the zonal’s ticket of the party.
Saleh, one of the senatorial aspirants who was at the late Gen. Usman Katsina House, Kaduna, to witness the presentation of results to the winners of primaries in the state, insisted that he had to follow the APC in the state and support Uba Sani.
He noted that as a loyal party member, they could not have gone against the decision of the party, since the leadership and stakeholders of the APC had directed that states could adopt indirect or direct mode of primaries.
Saleh, explained that their loyalty was to the national leadership of the party, which gave State chapters the democratic power of choice between direct and indirect mode of primary elections.

Bribery Allegation
After the primaries, Iduoriyekemwen, alleged that Senator Shehu Sani, had offered him N10 million bribe to get an affirmation for his controversial automatic ticket.
He dropped the hint while answering questions over allegations that the committee was bribed to skew the primaries election results in favour of some aspirants of the APC in the State.
His words: “The only person in Kaduna State who offered me money was Senator Shehu Sani, through one of my committee members, who informed me that N10m gift was set aside for the Committee Chairman. And I said we don’t need the money, asking them what the money was for. Even after the primaries, before the announcement of results, Senator Shehu and his men put pressure on us to come and take the money. He called me several times but we made it clear to him that we don’t need cash inducement at all”.
The Electoral Panel Chairman said further that the incumbent Shehu Sani made last minute efforts to get him to accept the offer, stating that: “He (Senator Sani) tried to convince me that he was the sole candidate and that was why I must accept the money. I told him pointedly that I was in Kaduna on assignment for the National Working Committee, with a brief to do free and fair primary elections for duly-cleared candidates”.
Iduoriyekemwen, who is also a former Majority Leader of Edo State House of Assembly and one-time board member of the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) also expressed readiness to forward the telephone number of his Committee member, through whom the pledge of N10m offer was announced to the leadership of the panel.
The Electoral Panel Chairman however, expressed satisfaction with the manner in which the election was conducted, describing it as “peaceful, orderly and rancour-free”.
Meanwhile, Senator Shehu Sani’s Political Adviser, Comrade Suleiman Ahmed, in a statement accused his opponent of been behind what he described as false and mischievous lies.
Part of Senator Shehu Sani’s statement reads: “The attention of the distinguished Senator Shehu Sani has been drawn to a fresh regime of lies disseminated and peddled by the APC Kaduna central primary panel chair as supported by elements of the Kaduna state Government that distinguished Senator Shehu Sani has through a proxy offered to “bribe” the chair of the electoral panel with the sum of 10m which he “rejected”. That is nothing but a condensed lies and outright falsehood”.
“The distinguished senator never delegated anyone to act on his behalf as far as the mischievous allegations are concerned. The distinguished senator has made it publicly known before the illegal primaries that he would not partake in an exercise that clearly violated the rules of the party and a court order obtained by the governor’s candidate Uba Sani”.
“The APC primary election committee were hosted and monopolized by the state governor’s aide in a hotel. It’s inconceivable that the senator will contemplate engaging in such an unwholesome and immoral act”.
As the battle for the APC Kaduna central senatorial ticket continued, political watchers opined that both the incumbent senator Shehu Sani and Uba Sani may lose out the seat to the opposition PDP candidate if the APC internal squabble in the zone is not settled amicably. They suggested that genuine reconciliation of the two APC camps in the zone should be embarked upon as matter of urgency for the interest of the party.
On the other hand, Lawal Usman Adamu, who decamped from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Kaduna central senatorial zone to challenge the candidate of the ruling APC in the next year’s polls.

Kaduna North
The Kaduna northern senatorial zone witnessed less acrimony during the primaries. The state commissioner of finance in the state, Abdul Suleiman Kwari, emerged APC candidate for the zone. In the opposition PDP, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Population and National Identity, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, who lost the governorship ticket to Isah Ashiru, collected the PDP ticket for Kaduna North Senatorial District, leaving other aspirants who purchased the senatorial forms stranded.
It was gathered that PDP had allowed Hunkuyi the right of first refusal being one of the current set of senators that defected from the APC to the party.
Further checks revealed that Hunkuyi accepted and was allowed to contest alongside two others.
The politician, who scored 158 votes to emerge winner of the primary which took place at the PDP zonal office in Zaria defeated Jafar Mohammed who scored 90 votes and Bilkisu Soba who polled 74 votes.

Kaduna South
In Kaduna southern senatorial district, the incumbent deputy governor, Arc. Barnabas Bala Bantex, of APC emerged winner with 2,287 votes defeating, thus Senator Caleb Zagi who scored 268 votes.
However, the incumbent senator of the zone, Danjuma Laah, defeated Adams Jagaba, a House of representatives member to clinch the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial ticket. The Peoples Democratic Party has been representing the zone at the Red chamber of the National Assembly since the returned of democracy from 1999 till date. Pundits observe that next year’s contest for the soul of the zone will be tough.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/2019-kaduna-senatorial-zones-face-tough.html

Bbnaija star Bambam flaunt her gorgeous pretty face in new adorable makeup photo.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/bambam-looks-radiant-in-new-cleavage.html

Ex husband to Mavins songbird, Tiwa Savage, TeeBillz, has taken to social media to pour his heart out about some of his failures.

The former talent manager, in a highly emotional post, speaks about healing. According to him, he is testament to the saying that ‘time heals everything’.

Because people go through stuffs differently, they also heal differently, he said. According to him, the fact that person does not like something does not mean he should abandon it when it is useful. People get to stick up to such things and change them when they can, he said.
TeeBillz speaks about learning from mistakes.

According to the father of one, it is important to learn from one’s mistakes. Moving past such mistakes, is however, also important.

When people love unconditionally, they stay, he said. If they don’t, you move forward, he added.

Read his post below;

They say that time heals all wounds & I can honestly say that, that is a true statement. Everyone’s healing will come in different forms because as we do not all hurt the same, we can never heal the same. Just because you were able to move past something and be ok in a shorter time frame than the next person that has gone through the same thing, it does not make you a stronger individual. You’re just different, that’s all.

I could’ve written this post a different way and come from a totally different angle but it is unnecessary for those that are intelligent enough to read between the lines. Just because you’ve lost a fight it does not mean that you’ve been demoted & taken off of your square. It just means that you were tried in a certain area that you may have once been victorious & now you came up shorter than you have in the past. So what!!! Its like having one winter coat that you can’t stand but it’s cold outside & you have to either go to work or to school.

What do you do? Do you not go and run the risk of being fired? No you do not. You grab that ugly ass coat, put one arm in at a time, pull that collar out & you wear it. Does it feel good? No. However, you take your ass to work, stack your paper and when you can afford better you get one better. Chess moves Champ. Of course there was a time when I’ve substituted a Chess piece with a Checker piece.

We all have. You make that wrong move, learn from it, never repeat your mistakes, make new ones but you learn from all of them moving forward. The people that love you will always love you if it is and has always been unconditional. If not, you step over the phony ones and you move on”. BehindTheSmoke�

Recall that TeeBillz ‘s marriage to Tiwa Savage came to a sad end after series of awful events. His life hasn’t quite remained the same since then.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/those-that-love-you-will-always-do.html

Nigerians on social media have expressed sadness over the death of Hauwa Leman, an aide worker with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

DAILY POST reports that Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of Boko Haram, executed Hauwa Leman, an aide worker with the ICRC on Monday.

The terrorists, however, promised to keep Leah Sharibu, one of the Dapchi schoolgirls who is still being held captive in their custody.

Reacting to Hauwa’s death, Some Nigerians took to their Twitter pages, accusing Buhari’s government of being responsible for her death.

Here are some comments gathered by DAILY POST on Twitter:

@Fishcfr “Heartbreaking to hear about the killing of Hauwa Leman. Condolences to her family, loved ones and the ICRC at this difficult time. One day, all these will end and peace will reign.”

@Mlog23 “So after all the threat, the Buhari government and Buratai’s army still allowed Boko Haram murder Hauwa Leman? These people are incompetent, 2019 elections should kick them out.“

@JohnNetworQ “Hauwa Leman,It’s a sad day for our country. This is not just on Buhari . It’s on all of us. I feel sad,Angry,Scared. No one shld score any political points from this. This is on everybody. We have failed.”

@Muyiwag “I am horrified and saddened by the murder of Hauwa Leman. She dedicated her life to the service of others and has paid the supreme sacrifice. May God comfort those she left behind. I call on the government to deploy extreme measures to rescue all other captives, known and unknown.”

@Amaeshi “HauwaLeman the murderers bear full responsibility for this crime against humanity but those in power must account for their shoddy effort at our protection.
RIP Hauwa Leman.”

@PhilipOtobo “just received the sad news of the execution of Hauwa Leman, an @ICRC aid worker by Boko Haram. This is really heartbreaking.

“The FG must not allow Leah Shaibu & others still being held captive to suffer the same fate in the hands of these terrorists. The time to ACT is now!

@D_Oluwale “Fight against corruption and insurgency been their main campaign promise, 4yrs down the line they told us they have defeated BH yet killings from these devils never stop. Oh, wait Boko Haram has been TECHNICALLY defeated they told us. Thoughts and prayers with Hauwa Leman’s family.”

@LoluAkinteye “To imagine we are presently being led by a retired General who claim to have knowledge of antiterrorism and war. If Buhari did not fail you, I beg to say he has failed Hauwa Leman and the international community. No politics here, this is just being human.”

@MrOkayNigeria “Imagine, a lady was executed even when the terrorists placed a deadline on her Life. Who should be blamed? The Government or Nigeria as a Nation? R.I.P.P. Hauwa Leman.”

@VillageParrot “Buhari was more concerned about threatening the opposition with travel ban than rescuing Hauwa Leman.

“Every day, it is increasingly evident why we must vote out this lifeless and heartless cancer that’s destroying our country.”

@Fkabudu “Just read about Hauwa Leman. Jesus Christ. Was there really nothing that could have been done the whole week? This country wastes lives.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/boko-haram-how-nigerians-reacted-to.html

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has appointed Mr Nnamdi Nwokike as the Director, Public Affairs, following the retirement of Mr Tony Ojobo.

A statement on Sunday in Abuja by Mr Sonny Aragba-Akpore, NCC Assistant Director Public Affairs, said Nwokike’s appointment took effect from Oct. 8.

According to Aragba-Akpore, prior to his new position, Nwokike was the Director, Corporate Strategy Planning and Risk Management of the NCC.

Nwokike became the NCC’s Deputy Director and pioneer Head, Consumer Affairs Department, a department he started and renamed Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB).

“At CAB, he created the Consumer Parliament, Consumer Outreach Programmes, Consumer Bill of Rights and Consumer Factsheets.

“These organs remained veritable channels for handling consumer complaints, consumer education and general dissonance in the market,” he said.

“In 2004, he was transferred to Business Development Unit, a department vested with the responsibilities of developing new business vistas.

“With his team in the unit, he worked with consultants from World Bank and USAID towards the setting up of the Universal Service Provision Fund in the Commission.

“In 2007, Nigeria through the NCC, supported the candidature of Nnamdi Nwokike for the Executive Secretary position to head the West Africa Telecommunications Regulatory Assembly (WATRA). He contested and won the election.

“Nwokike served as Executive Secretary of WATRA for two terms of three-year tenure from 2007 to 2013.

WATRA consists of Independent National Regulatory Authority (NRAs) and departments for regulation of Telecommunications services established by governments of member states in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sub-region and Mauritania.

“He returned to NCC in early 2013 and traversed the commission’s Project and Strategy canvass as Director, Projects Department,” he added.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/ncc-appoints-nwokike-as-new-spokesman.html

Jacob Zuma

For years, South Africa’s 4th president, Jacob Zuma, who finally resigned on Valentine’s Day this year, ignored calls to step down as the country’s president. He was accused of corruption, fraud, money-laundering and racketeering charges related to an arms deal. These include 783 payments made to him by a former financial adviser who was convicted of graft.

Amidst all the accusation, Zuma, seemingly unperturbed, shook off scandals with his trademark chuckle. He had taken to the airwaves once before in an address some thought would be a resignation after a court found he had violated the constitution by failing to pay back public funds spent on his private rural estate. But instead, he only apologised for what he was being accused of.

Pedro Pablo Kuczynski

The 66 president of Peru, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, was only in office for two years. The politician who had served in various government positions was elected president of the South American country in July 2016 and resigned his position in March this year, following allegations of corruption.

According to reports, the former president, who survived impeachment plans a year before he resigned, was accused of receiving millions of dollars in payments from a Brazilian construction giant, Odebrecht, in the name of his private investment company. For past several years, Odebrecht was implicated in one of Latin America’s largest-ever corruption scandals, centered in Brazil and known there as Operation Car Wash.

Hailemariam Desalegn

After the death of former Ethopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, in 2012, 52-year-old Hailemariam Desalegn came to power. The political leader who resigned in the first quarter of this year, under his six-year reign, took crucial turns both politically and economically, overseeing both creeping authoritarianism and immense economic growth of the country.

He had to resign after senior opposition figures and prominent journalists were released in a bid to calm lingering tensions that troubled Ethiopia for over two years saying that: “Unrest and a political crisis have led to the loss of lives and displacement of many. I see my resignation as vital in the bid to carry out reforms that would lead to sustainable peace and democracy.”

In a televised speech, he said that he was resigning as both premier and chairman of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front to allow the dialogue to continue.

Malcolm Turnbull

Former Australian leader, Malcolm Bligh Turnbull, was the MP for Wentworth in the House of Representatives from 2004 to 2018 and the country’s 29th Prime Minister from 2015 to 2018. The politician however, formerly resigned from his 14 year career in August this year.

Turnbull graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws, before attending Brasenose College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, earning a Bachelor of Civil Law. For over two decades prior to entering politics, he worked as a journalist, lawyer, merchant banker, and venture capitalist.

The former PM retired to his multimillion-dollar harbourside mansion.

Miro Cerar

The government of former Slovenian Prime Minister, Miro Cerar, faced several hitches before it ended the way it did in March this year. There were waves of strike by public sector workers amid the country’s economic recovery and the closure of many schools in the country as teachers went on strike for one reason or the other. But it was the country’s Supreme Court’s annulment of the results of a referendum held the year before that finally broke the camel’s back.

Over 53 per cent of voters had in September 2017, voted in favour of a government railway project that was set to cost $1.24bn, making it the center-left government’s biggest investment programme. Some citizens, however, were concerned that the project was too high and that the government had given itself a leg-up in the campaign.

A civil society group, Taxpayers Don’t Give Up brought the case to Slovenia’s Supreme Court, and after the court agreed with them, the regime of Cerar was ended.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/world-leaders-who-resigned-from-office.html

In what appears to be a tragedy, a total of five people have been confirmed dead and seven people injured, following a bomb blast which occurred during a wedding party in eastern Logar province area of Afghanistan.

Shah Poor Ahmadzai, the provincial police chief’s spokesman, said seven others were wounded in the attack late Friday, which took place in Mohammad Agha district.

Mohammad Naser Ghairat, a provincial council member in Logar, confirmed the death toll. He said the bomb was planted near the house where the wedding was taken place and targeted the participants of the wedding.

Ahmadzai said initial report show both the groom and bride were not hurt. An investigation was begun to find out more and the death toll could rise, he added.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/bomb-blast-kills-5-in-wedding-party.html

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Niger State, Dr mohammed Santuraki, on Saturday declared that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar was a “formidable opponent.”

Speaking with News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Suleja, the APC chieftain insisted that whether the ruling party likes it or not Abubakar was a strong contender in 2019.

Against this backdrop, he called on the APC to put its house in order so as to sing victory songs in 2019.

He said, “Whether we would like to admit or not, the presidential candidate that the main opposition party, the PDP, settled for is a formidable opponent, even if not a credible one.

“Within a week of emerging as the presidential flag bearer, he appointed his campaign team and named his running mate.

” This to me indicates a much needed sense of urgency. We, in APC must respond in like manner. The clock is ticking. We must push the button.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/2019-presidency-why-atiku-is-formidable.html

A former Minister of Police Affairs, Major General David Jemibewon (retd.), has backed the decision by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to forgive and endorse former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to takeover from President Buhari in 2019.

He also advised Nigerians to do what is constitutionally right and vote for someone who is capable of turning things around.

Obasanjo had on Thursday declared his support for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Jemibewon, a former military governor of the defunct Western Nigeria, pointed out to Punch that Obasanjo was in the right position to assess the political situations in Nigeria.

He said, “People may argue Obasanjo had consistently given bad report or opinions on Atiku but the salient question is: Is it not possible that you may hold an opinion today and tomorrow you hold another opinion.

“I think he has the right to do that and he has not violated any law, written or unwritten for doing that. He is expressing his democratic right. And I do not think anybody can query that.

“Chief Obasanjo had occupied that highest position in the country and so if anybody is really qualified to make an assessment of any situation politically in this country, he is the one.

“Obasanjo has a right to his personal opinion and those who are castigating him are also expressing their opinions and maybe somebody somewhere may castigate them for castigating somebody who also made his opinion known.

“Concerning the 2019 general elections, Nigerians should do what they believe is right constitutionally.

“They should do what will bring progress to our country by voting for the person they believe will do the job and do it well by making Nigerians feel very proud and progressive once more.”

He added, “As far as the PDP is concerned, Atiku is the best. He is a qualified person and we pray he succeeds and that the country makes progress under his presidency.

“Atiku has the qualities to move the economy, unite Nigerians and address insecurity, insurgency and other developmental challenges of the country.

“In any case, no single person can do everything that the country needs. So we all know that we want the country to progress under whosoever is occupying such a position.

“We should all be ready to make our own contributions and he will use his leadership qualities to ensure that the aggregate of his policies is to propel the country to greater heights. So I think Atiku has those qualities.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/2019-presidency-general-jemibewon.html

The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and Convener of Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), Iba Gani Adams and some Yoruba groups have restated their demand for restructuring of Nigeria.

This was outcome of the OPU Europe Summit held in Germany yesterday.

In attendance were leaders and members of organisations such as OPU, Egbe Isokan Omo Yoruba and Egbe Isedale Ati Ilosiwaju Omo Yoruba.

In a communique released to the media, the coalition also warned that the ethnic culture and tradition must never be desecrated on the premise of modernisation.

The summit further condemned Yorubas who refers to themselves as an Oba in Diaspora.

The communique read: “Any Yoruba can be leader of a Yoruba association but it is against our culture to refer to himself as Oba. Our traditional institution is sacred and we won’t allow anybody tarnish our image. We urge Yoruba Obas to condemn this in its entirety.

“On the urgent need to restructure Nigeria, the summit notes that estructuring simply means reorganisation, not disintegration. Nigeria, as a sovereign country blessed with human and natural resources should be a first-class state in the comity of nations.

“Recent inventions globally have clearly shown that restructuring is the only way out of the crisis in Nigeria. For years, patriotic Nigerians have been agitating for restructuring but a few elements in the society are against this for selfish reasons.

“Those calling for restructuring should not be seen as enemies of state but as partners in progress. Whether now or later, restructuring is a must if the country must move forward.

“APC is the ruling party in the country and it must fulfil one of its promises – restructuring – which it made before it got into office in 2015.

“Many countries will change from petrol/diesel vehicles to electric vehicles soon. The big question our leaders should answer is: when this come off, what happens to our oil?

“When majority of countries in the western world have no need to buy our oil, how will governors, who send their Finance Commissioners to Abuja every month, pay salaries?

“Governance in Nigeria – security, monetary policy, resources, education, infrastructure, etc – must be decentralised for Nigerians to have a sense of belonging. The time for restructuring is now.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/gani-adams-yoruba-groups-insist-on.html

The member representing Bauchi metropolis in the Bauchi state House of Assembly, Alhaji Shehu Abdullahi has declared that nothing will stop him from defecting to another political platform if the All Progressives Congress, APC, insists it held primary elections in the state.

This was as he pointed out that the nation’s democracy was facing serious threat under the APC-led administration.

Speaking with DAILY POST, Abdullahi stated that APC is a disappointment to its supporters in view of the alleged injustice and imposition of candidates where primary elections did not hold.

He said, “Nothing will stop me and thousands of my supporters from dumping the APC following the injustice meted to me in my bid to re-contest for my seat in 2019, because no primary election was held yet the party declared a preferred person as candidate.”

The lawmaker threatened that if the party failed to address and rescind its declaration on the primary, it will not escape the wrath of his supporters at the 2019 polls.

His words, “There is no way myself and other aggrieved APC aspirants will support the party in 2019 if nothing is done to conduct a fresh primary election in Bauchi state because what happened was a coup not election, and we are against such undemocratic move.”

Abdullahi maintained that APC should learn a serious lesson from how the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was ousted from power in 2015 election to avoid being disgraced as a result of anti-people activities.

“We will make sure APC is ousted in 2019 even if it means our supporters engage in party activities during 2019 election, as a measure to retaliate the injustice done to us,” he fumed.

The lawmaker reiterated that democracy was under threat, and urged Nigerians irrespective of diversities to vote out the APC during the 2019 elections.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/bauchi-lawmaker-vows-to-dump-apc-urges.html