The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili, has reacted to claims that her candidacy will only result in splitting votes originally meant for the big political parties.

Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education rejected this notion, saying that her presidential ambition stands as a credible alternative to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“I don’t know why anyone will think it makes sense that I’m here to split votes. I am here to answer the call of majority of Nigerians who are living in abject poverty in the midst of abundance. I am running as a credible alternative to the Siamese Twins of failure that the #APCPDP represents – that is precisely why I am in the race be President,” Ezekwesili said.

“It is high time the ruling elite know that they have a fight in the hands – and the fight is not against me – it is against the hundreds of millions of people out in the streets with no assurance of food, shelter, and other basic amenities. That is the fight that they are in, and I can assure you that they – Nigeria’s failed leadership – cannot win,” she added.

There are insinuations in some quarters that Ezekwesili’s involvement in politics is a ploy to split votes in favour of certain presidential candidates, a rumour that has been denied by the former Vice President of the World Bank for Africa.

Ezekwesili’s insists her campaign is positioned as an alternative to the two main parties which has continued to exhibit incompetent leadership and grand corruption in all its activities.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/2019-im-in-race-to-win-not-splitting.html

Amnesty International has said its investigation shows that the horrific use of excessive force by soldiers and police led to the killing of at least 45 supporters of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) two days.

AI disclosed that its researchers visited five different locations in Abuja and Nasarawa state where wounded IMN supporters were receiving treatment, including two locations where bodies were deposited.

“We have seen a shocking and unconscionable use of deadly force by soldiers and police against IMN members”, said Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria in a statement on Wednesday.

“Video footage and eyewitness testimonies consistently show that the Nigerian military dispersed peaceful gatherings by firing live ammunition without warning, in clear violation of Nigerian and international law.

“Those injured were shot in different parts of the body – head, neck, back, chest, shoulder, legs, arms – and some of them had multiple gunshot wounds. This pattern clearly shows soldiers and police approached IMN processions not to restore public order, but to kill.

“Amnesty International has evidence that the military used automatic firearms during Monday’s protest, in which at least 122 protesters sustained gunshot wounds and at least 39 were killed. At least six people were killed in protests on Saturday.

“The organization’s research team counted 24 bodies (23 male and one female) and trusted sources provided details of 21 others. Two of the bodies seen had their legs severed, which Amnesty International’s military and weapons expert analyzed as consistent with injuries caused by a heavy fully-automatic machine gun such as a PKM or DShK.

“It seems the Nigerian military are deliberately using tactics designed to kill when dealing with IMN gatherings. Many of these shootings clearly amount to extrajudicial executions. The violent crackdown on IMN protesters is unjustified and unacceptable.

“They were perfectly within their rights to hold a religious procession and protest and there was no evidence they posed an imminent threat to life. Many injured IMN supporters have sought medical treatment in unofficial buildings due to fear of arrest if they go to hospital.

“There are reports that stones were thrown by protesters as a response to the use of lethal force, to which security forces responded with tear gas and more gunfire.

“We are once again calling on the Nigerian authorities to impartially investigate and bring to justice those responsible for the extrajudicial execution killing of IMN supporters, including the commanders who gave the orders for live bullets to be used,” said Osai Ojigho.

“The continuous failure to investigate these gross human rights violations is fueling a dangerous disdain for the sanctity of human life in Nigeria.

“International law is clear that security forces policing demonstrations must not use firearms against protesters unless they pose an imminent threat of death or serious injury, and only if there is no lesser way to avert such threat.

“They must never use firearms to disperse a demonstration, even if it turns violent. Firearms must never be used as a tactical tool for the management of demonstrations: they may only be used for the purpose of saving another life.

“The Nigerian authorities have an obligation under international law to ensure there is a full and independent investigation of deaths at the hands of security forces and that those responsible, including in the command structure of the security forces, are held accountable under criminal law.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/shiites-military-police-under-fire-as.html

Donald Trump, president of the United States of America, is planning to sign an executive order that would seek to end the right to U.S. citizenship for children of non-citizens born on U.S. soil.

According to CNN, he said this in a television interview taped on Monday.

The move, which is said to be against the Constitution, would be the most aggressive measure yet by an American president on immigration.

“We are the only country in the world where a person comes in and has a baby, and the baby is essentially a citizen of the United States for 85 years, with all of those benefits.

“It’s ridiculous. It’s ridiculous. And it has to end. It’s in the process. It will happen with an executive order.

“It was always told to me that you needed a constitutional amendment. Guess what? You don’t,” Trump said in an interview with Axious.

But this contradicts the 14th Amendment to U.S Constitution, which states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

This comment by Trump is coming at a time he has been clamping down on illegal immigrants.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/trump-to-end-citizenship-for-children.html

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Ekiti workers have joined their counterparts across the 36 states of the federation in holding a sensitisation protest to press
for a new minimum wage of N30,000.

The protest, which kicked off at the Mobil Filling Station in Ajilosun area of Ado Ekiti, will be terminated at the Governor’s Office, where they are scheduled to meet Governor Kayode Fayemi and table their grievances.

The workers trekked a distance of about four kilometres to Ijigbo Junction, Okeyinmi, Fajuyi Park and sensitised the populace on the significance of the impending strike should government fail to accede to their demands.

The protest, coordinated by the National Vice-President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Solomon Adelegan, also has in attendance the Chairman of NLC in Ekiti, Mr. Ade Adesanmi, his
colleague in the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Odunayo Adesoye and the Secretary of the Joint Negotiating Council, Blessing Oladele.

The well attended protest caused heavy traffic snarl along Ado-Ikere-Akure highway.

Adesanmi, Adesoye, Oladele and other labour leaders insisted that it smacked of insensitivity for the federal government to have turned down the N30,000 proposal, when it can pay the jumbo pays being taken by politicians.

Details later…

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/minimum-wage-ekiti-workers-hold.html

Supporters of Kalu and Wabara were seen in jubilation mood as they vowed to ensure that the APC wins the next elections in the state.

Okey Sampson, Aba

It was jubilation in Abia North and Abia South senatorial districts, yesterday, when the names of former governor of the state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, and that of Chief Marc Wabara, made the list of the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), of those cleared to contest the 2019 senatorial election in the state.

An aide to the former governor, Dr. Madukwe Ukaegbu had, in response to a rumour making the rounda about their candidacy, said “Kalu was returned unopposed in Abia North senatorial district; nobody contested it with him.

“So, it will be foolhardy for anybody to say that he was not cleared or not given the ticket by his party to contest the coming election. This is politics quite alright but, people must be very careful of how they go about spreading fake news.”

Regardless, when Daily Sun visited INEC offices in Abia North and Abia South, Kalu and Wabara’s names were on the lists of those cleared to contest for the senate seats.

At the offices visited, supporters of Kalu and Wabara were seen in jubilation mood as they relayed their discontent over the rumour and vowed to ensure that the All Progressives Congress (APC) wins the next elections in the state.

“Going through the INEC list, to see the names of Kalu and Wabara who were rumoured not to have been cleared by our party, has given us a huge sigh of relief because we have been in unhappy mood since the fake news broke out”, one of Kalu’s supporters, who declined to be named, said.

Speaking on the development, Wabara described those who were spreading the fake news as “mischief makers” who are afraid of their rising profile.

He promised to work closely with Kalu and other leaders of the party in the state, to ensure that APC wins Abia in 2019.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/jubilation-in-abia-northsouth-as-kalu.html

Boko Haram claims killing 29 soldiers in #LakeChad…

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/panic-as-boko-haram-kills-29-soldiers.html

The Kogi State government has made public its September allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

The state government said in a statement yesterday that the action was in line with the transparency policy of the Governor Yahaya Bello administration.

The state commissioner of finance and economic development, Asiwaju Idris Asiru, told journalists shortly after the September allocation meeting held on October 26, 2018, that details of the allocations were open for public scrutiny.

Based on the information, the state’s gross allocation stood at N3,893,200,763.94 billion. N547,311,113.27 million was deducted from the gross receipt, leaving the state with a net SRA of N3,345,889,650.67.

A total of N808,623,556.85 million was received as income from the statutory Value Added Tax (VAT). Excess gain charges allocation amounted to N1,883,394.32, while

Bank charges were put at a total sum of N34,287,809.24 million only, resulting in a total of N4,190,684,411.08 billion.

All the local governments of the state received a revenue of N2,922,705,716.4 billion. Deductions came up to N89,972,595.51million, while the Net SRA scaled to N2,832,733,120.90 billion, with a VAT of 553,917,494.80.

Excess gain, according to the details provided by Asiru, amounted to N1,413,902.77 million, a total of bank charges of N25,740,562.11 million. The accumulated revenue was put at N3,413,805,080.58 billion.

The commissioner said the state government would continue to exhibit probity and transparency in handling the finances of the state, just as he assured civil servants and pensioners in the state that their salaries and pensions would be paid next week.

He thanked the civil servants and pensioners for their patience and understanding, saying the state government will also continue to fund projects that have direct bearing on the citizens of the state.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/kogi-state-gets-n4bn-sept-allocation.html

Six Catholic nuns were Thursday night kidnapped by unknown gunmen at Agbor town, Ika South Council Are a.

It was gathered that the nuns were traveling in a commercial bus when gunmen attacked their vehicle at Railway junction, near Emuhu village.

Nation reports that two persons were shot, but it is unclear whether the victims shot were the nuns or the other passengers in the vehicle.

Meanwhile, two captives escaped from the abductors.

Delta State Police Commissioner, Mustafa Muhammadu, who confirmed the incident, however, assured that the security agencies were on the trail of the kidnappers.

He said security operatives have been combing the area.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/six-catholic-nuns-kidnapped-in-delta.html

The NYSC may have extended the closure of orientation camp registration exercise from mid-night of 24th October, 2018, till this weekend in some northern states for prospective corps members stranded outside their states of deployment following Kaduna crisis and curfew.

This indication emerged in Katsina, yesterday, shortly after the swearing-in ceremony for 2018 Batch ‘C’ Stream One corps members deployed to Katsina State as no fewer than 400 out of 2300 corps members deployed to the state missed the compulsory registration before the occasion.

The State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Ramatu Sanda, who confirmed that those affected no doubt had their travel arrangements disrupted by the crisis and curfew in Kaduna State en route Katsina, and would not be turned back at the NYSC orientation camp until perhaps this weekend.

“Some are still on their way but the delay may no doubt be due to the situation in Kaduna State. They will be registered immediately they arrive at the camp because it is not their fault. The crisis in Kaduna prevented some of them from getting to Katsina because of transportation challenges,” said Ramatu.

Declaring the orientation course opened, Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State, represented by his special adviser on youth development, Ibrahim Khalil Aminu, assured that the current administration had put in place comprehensive security machinery aimed at ensuring maximum security in the state.

“For the avoidance of doubt, all traditional rulers, district heads, local government chairmen and security operatives have been given specific instructions on how to secure lives and property of everyone in the state. Considering the security network therefore, all corps members within this camp and environs are safe and need not entertain any fear,” Masari disclosed.

He added: “I will like to remark, with all sense of responsibility, that Katsina is adjudged to be one of the most peaceful states in the country. The people of Katsina are very friendly, peaceful and highly hospitable. Your experience during the service year will corroborate the above statement. The peaceful atmosphere in the state is a fall out of the collective will of the people to be at peace with one another.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/400-missed-nysc-swearing-in-ceremony-in.html

The vice presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi, on Wednesday in Abuja met separately with delegations from the European Union (EU) and the World Economic Forum (WEF).

He discussed the need for free and fair elections in 2019 as well as Nigeria’s economy.

A statement released by the Atiku campaign office and signed by Segun Sowunmi, said Obi stood in for the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who is out of the country.

At the EU meeting, Obi told the body to prevail on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop intimidating candidates of opposition political parties.

“There is a need to get the country back to its feet and make it better for our children”, Obi was also quoted to have said.

He added that campaigns should be based on issues and that the EU should continue its support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The former Anambra Governor recalled the gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun states and warned that INEC needs to show that it remains an unbiased umpire in future elections.

On the issue of vote buying, Obi said, “I contested and won elections when I was in a smaller party.

“Where would I have gotten the money to buy votes if it was the case then and how would I have gotten back the money especially when I am going to serve the people”.

In his remarks, head of the EU delegation, Ketil Karlsen was quoted to have said that the election observer group has been consulting stakeholders in Nigeria to ascertain whether or not it would be necessary for the Union to send a new EU election observer mission.

However, at the WEF meeting, Obi lamented that many governments in Africa implement activities that are “transactional instead of transformational” and therefore needed help to shape their policies.

“A lot of work needs to be done in Africa because things are tough. The presidential and vice presidential candidates of the PDP have a clear picture of what the economic priorities are and what the international community feels about the country.

“Nigeria needs to do something immediately for its economy to be put back on track and something has to be done immediately”, the PDP VP candidate added.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/what-obi-told-eu-wef-delegations-about.html

A former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) commissioner of police (retd.), Lawrence Alobi, has urged the Federal Government to sustain and adequately fund the Presidential Amnesty Programme to maintain the prevailing peace and security in the Niger Delta. He described the programme as a catalyst for development of the hitherto restive region.

Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, Alobi, renowned security analyst and Managing Director, High-tech Security Limited, said this was necessary in view of the attendant effects of insecurity in the Niger Delta on the nation’s economy.

He said: “The Amnesty Programme should be sustained and properly funded so that more Niger Delta youth can be trained and empowered to sustain peace, security and development of the region. The Amnesty Programme shouldn’t have a timeline. It should be sustained for us to enjoy peace and security in the Niger Delta. Peace and security is ultimate; no nation, no community can develop without peace and security.

“That is why Section 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic emphasises the importance of security; it says the security and welfare of citizens shall be the priority of government. There is a nexus between peace, security and development. When there is peace and security, development will be achieved. When there is no peace and security, development cannot be achieved. So, the sustenance of Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty Programme will promote development. The government should sustain it because whatever is good should be sustained. Peace is not something that has a life span. Peace and security of the Niger Delta region is very important because that is where our economy basically relies on. The oil, the gas etc… Amnesty should not be something that has a lifespan. It should be in perpetuity. The programme should continue. When it empowers them, our youth work and contribute to promote that desired peace and security.”

Alobi, who is also a legal practitioner, noted the gains of Amnesty Programme under the incumbent coordinator and Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Prof. Charles Dokubo, whose pragmatic leadership, he said, has led to the breaking of new grounds in training and empowerment of Niger Delta youths.

He described Dokubo as an outstanding leader with outstanding qualities and robust intellectual capacity, who has taken the Amnesty Programme to greater heights through a display of integrity, transparency, probity and efficiency.

His words: “Professor Charles is a leader who believes in human capital development. What is human capital development? It makes people to contribute meaningfully to the needs of other people, the needs of their environments and to their own needs. He is a leader who believes in team spirit; a leader who believes in empowering the youth; a leader who is focused; a leader who knows the main purpose of why Amnesty Programme was established.

“When you are purposeful, you know the vision and mission. I think he is driving the programme very well. There is a great difference between his predecessors and himself. There are a lot of changes. The youth themselves applaud his effort, so far. Charles is embarking on human capital development and empowerment of the people. Training and capacity building will re-orientate the youth for them to see themselves as contributors; not as destroyers, and as builders of their region. They will then have a different perception because perception determines an attitude.”

Alobi advocated the inclusion of more Niger Delta youth in the Amnesty Programme, noting that when the youth are trained and empowered, they will add value not only to their lives, but also to the development of communities in the region, and the economy of the nation, adding: “The more youth that are captured, the more the region, government and country will benefit from peace and security that are sine qua non for development.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/fg-urged-to-sustain-niger-delta-amnesty.html

Manchester United and Juventus are two of football’s biggest names.

A total of 54 domestic league titles, 25 domestic cups and 11 European trophies between them, they meet at Old Trafford on Tuesday and the Allianz Stadium on 7 November in back-to-back Champions League group-phase matches.

Their historic rivalry includes the 1999 Champions League semi-final, when Sir Alex Ferguson’s side came back to win from two goals down in the second leg in Turin. Their last meeting, in 2003, was one of United’s finest away performances, including a brilliant Ryan Giggs solo goal in a 3-0 victory.

Then there’s the added interest around Juventus’ £99m signing Cristiano Ronaldo returning to the club at which he first achieved world renown.

“It is always a very important event to play against Manchester United,” former Czech Republic midfielder Pavel Nedved, a former Juventus player and now a club vice-chairman, told BBC Sport. “This is going to be a fantastic match.”

And fascinating. It is a fixture where European dreams, a financial chase and a returning star all come into play.

Juve’s Champions League ambition strengthens

Juventus have won seven successive Italian titles and four domestic doubles in a row, and no-one in the current squad wants to be part of a Juve team that fails to win Serie A.

However, it is clear the club are focusing on Europe.

Pre-1999 and the Treble, Ferguson had used Juventus as the barometer for how his squad were growing in experience and always felt United had not won the European Cup often enough for a club of their size.

The same charge could be levelled at Juventus, however. The Turin side have only won the competition twice – as often as Nottingham Forest, Porto and Benfica – despite contesting nine finals, a figure exceeded only by Real Madrid, AC Milan and Bayern Munich.

The last time Juventus were champions of Europe was 22 years ago.

“Juventus makes no secret of the fact it wants to win the Champions League,” said club ambassador David Trezeguet, who scored 138 goals in 245 appearances in his 10 seasons with Juve.

“It is still very early but we have played two and won two, so we are on the right track.

“This current team is in a very good place in its development.”

How Juve hope to close the gap

In the most recent Deloitte ‘rich list’ published in January, Juventus were 10th. Their overall income was £240m lower than United’s. Most of that was down to a vast disparity in commercial revenue – £279.5m compared to £98.3m.

Juventus admit Ronaldo’s signing, while strengthening their squad, is also part of a push to close that financial gap.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is one of sport’s most recognisable faces. It is why Juventus were willing to pay £99.2m for the Portuguese and give him a four-year contract, even though he is 33.

“We do not view this as a risk at all,” said Giorgio Ricci, Juventus’ chief revenue officer.

“Comparing the current global value of football and the global value of Ronaldo as a player, this could be considered the club’s most important transfer.

“We believe it is possible to get near Manchester United’s commercial revenue, otherwise we would not be here.

“In order for the global exposure of the club to grow, we have to perform well in European competition and the global distribution of Serie A needs to increase. We are pretty confident that will happen in the next few years.”

How is Ronaldo’s relationship with United?

Ronaldo returns to Old Trafford on Tuesday with rape allegations – which he strenuously denies – hanging over him.

He has dismissed as “fake news” accusations he raped Kathryn Mayorga at a Las Vegas hotel in 2009 and his lawyers say they will sue German magazine Der Spiegel, which originally reported the allegations.

Der Spiegel says it has “no reason” to doubt the authenticity of key documents used in its story.

As far as matters on the field are concerned, the expectation is that Ronaldo, who was so prolific for United between 2006 and 2009, will receive a positive reaction at Old Trafford more than nine years after he left to join Real Madrid.

And his relationship with the English club has remained positive.

Ronaldo arrived in Manchester for £12.2m from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 following an outstanding performance in a pre-season game played at the Portuguese club.

Mike Phelan, first-team manager at the time, recalled how the squad were sitting on a plane in Lisbon and the flight was delayed so talks could continue between United and Sporting.

“Players know players. After the game our players were talking about him. We were ready to leave for home and suddenly there was a delay,” he said.

“The clubs were trying to sort out a permanent deal. He joined us that summer.”

He scored 118 goals in 292 United appearances, yet the most prolific period from 2006 onwards, when Ronaldo scored 90 goals in the three seasons, began amid uncertainty.

When Ronaldo reacted with a wink to Wayne Rooney’s dismissal in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final between England and Portugal, even some United fans felt it was time to cut the forward loose.

Ferguson had other ideas. Together with his assistant Carlos Queiroz, Ronaldo’s fellow Portuguese who had become a father figure to the player, and chief executive David Gill, he flew to meet Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes.

Ferguson told Ronaldo he was going nowhere, explaining that if he stayed, Manchester United could finish developing him into the player he would eventually become. In a different room, Gill said the same to Mendes, who agreed.

Rooney, Ronaldo was told, shared the same immense desire to win things. It was in both of their interests to put the saga behind them and move on.

“There was a lot of noise,” said one source with knowledge of what happened at that meeting. “But it never entered our head to let him go. It was an easy path to follow.”

In 2008 strong rumours of interest from Real Madrid began to emerge and, again, Ferguson found the solution.

The Scot knew, as did most of the United hierarchy, that it would be impossible to deny Ronaldo the move he wanted forever, so Ferguson used it as a bargaining chip, telling Ronaldo the club couldn’t let him go now, but give them one more year and it could be reassessed.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/cristiano-ronaldo-returns-as-juve.html

Chairman of the Leadership Group, Sam Nda-Isaiah, has expressed total confidence that President Muhammadu Buhari will return elected in 2019.

Mr. Nda-Isaiah said the good work being initiated under the governing All Progressives Congress [APC] led government will be enough to return President Buhari back to power.

He spoke to journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital, shortly after he was conferred with the Chieftaincy title of ‘Aare Baroyin’ of the ancient kingdom at the weekend.

Nda-Isaiah, who was a former APC presidential aspirant, however said that the party would not take things for granted to rally more support for Buhari to win the 2019 general poll.

“I am a member of APC and I will be supporting our candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, for this 2019 presidential and general elections.

“He will win again. Although, we are not taking things for granted that he will win – just like that without any hard work.

“There is need for hard work and to explain to Nigerians about his good work which will bring him in again.

“We are not going to take anything for granted, of course you all know I am not contesting this year but I am going to rally round for his support,” he said.

He noted that the party’s manifesto which has spelled out the promises to the people, shall be reactivated to fulfill the “change agenda” of the Buhari led government.

According to Nda-Isaiah, the nation has experience a remarkable change under the ruling government of the APC mostly in the agricultural sector.

This, the media executive, explained would be part of the APC campaign strategy as 2019 general elections gather more momentum.

“Things have started growing again and we have become the biggest economy in African in spite of every other challenges.

“Don’t forget that recession came in and things had to change but we overcome this recession of a thing.

“Also, there are many revolutionary changes that have happened in the agricultural sector under the current government which speaks volumes.

“You will see very soon that the country will become self-sufficient in rice production and that has never happened before.

“I am not saying we have achieved everything we promised but it is an ongoing process and you all know.

“Everybody sees the reality and that nothing can be perfect but on scale I know we are going to win again”.

Speaking on the fallout of the APC primaries which has further caused crisis among its members, Mr. Nda -Isaiah assured that the party would overcome its challenges before the 2019 election.

He nevertheless pointed out that the problem which emanated from the Zamafara State chapter of the APC after its primaries could have been avoided if the leaders had heed his advice.

“I am particularly angry about Zamfara issue because it is irresponsibility even though we have gone to court, I don’t know how that will end.

“And if that is a metaphor for what has happened in APC, I think we will need to sit down and do better than this.

“If we are going to continue to rule, we must show superior example and show that we are better than the Peoples Democratic Party.

“We will get there but certainly there are some things that shouldn’t have happened in this parlance”.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/2019-pmb-will-win-again-says-nda-isaiah.html

The outcome of the governorship primaries of the Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is unsettling the party, writes EMMANUEL MGBEAHURUIKE

To the uninformed, it is nothing short of a political aberration of the millennium which can never be the best of example for any democratic society to emulate. Although, the major opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which ruled the state from 1999 to 2011, has had her party primaries preparatory for the 2019 great battle, the APC which currently calls the shots in the state appeared to have retrogressively metamorphosed into a theatre of absurdities with sharp discordant tunes. The broom brandishing party (APC) is undoubtedly currently yearning for a divine intervention for redemption and the crux of the matter is a devastating controversial party primary that has on two occasions produced two gubernatorial candidates, Uche Nwosu and the senator for Imo West, Hope Uzodinma.
Prior to the contentious party primary, the party had been polarised into two antagonistic camps following the adoption of Uche Nwosu as the party’s governorship candidate by the state governor, Rochas Okorocha, whose first daughter, Uloma, is married to Nwosu. This was to the chagrin of a number of party members in the state who saw this as a bitter pill to swallow, especially those of Owerri zonal extraction who firmly believed that it is their turn to take over power from the incumbent. Prominent among these rabid opponents of the anointing of Nwosu as the next tenant of the Douglas House (Government House) were the state Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere; Senator Hope Uzodinma, the senator for Imo North, Ben Uwajumogu; his predecessor, Godwin Ifeanyi Araraume, the state party chairman, Hilary Eke; former National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Osita Izunaso and one-time

Commissioner for Information, Dr. Theodore Ekechi
While this Group goes by the name, ‘Coalition Alliance’ those fiercely loyal to Okorocha and who are solidly in support of the Uche Nwosu governorship project go by the name Ugwumba Movement. The escalating unhealthy rivalry between the two rival groups eventually culminated in the conduct of separate party primaries. While one electoral committee sent by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to conduct the exercise was led by Ahmed Ali Gulak, the second was led by Brigadier General Ibrahim Agbabiaka (rtd). Moving like a rudderless society and a rolling stone that cannot gather any moss, the All progressives Congress (APC) has vigorously acquired the notorious absence of team work and internal democracy among members. In the words of the famous but departed literary giant, Chinua Achebe, things now appear to have fallen apart, hence the centre can no longer hold. The insistence of Okorocha on Nwosu who incidentally is his son in-law and erstwhile Chief of Staff is the grandmother of the raging mesmerising squabbles that have torn the party into pieces. In retrospect, it was the same imposition of a gubernatorial candidate that brought the PDP down from its Olympian height in 2011.The crisis rocking the party Tuesday 2nd of this month, deepened when the party announced two different governorship primary election results to newsmen in Owerri. Hardly had the secretary of the governorship primary election. committee, Henry Idahagbon, announced his own version of the result at the party secretariat in Owerri when the state deputy governor Prince Eze Madumere brandished a different result signed by the Returning Officer of the election committee, Ahmed Ali Gulak, which received a thunderous ovation all over the state moreso as senator Hope Uzodinma was declared winner and the deputy governor Prince Eze Madumere as the runner-up in that election. In the result which he made available to newsmen, Idahagbon declared Uche Nwosu, Okorocha’s anointed son in-law as the winner of the party’s primary having according to him scored 455,655 votes to beat his arch rival, Senator Hope Uzodinma (Imo West) who he said pulled a total of 9,159 votes.Shedding more light on the result, Idahagbon said that Prince Eze Madumere scored 5,067 votes, Jude Ejiogu had 2,197 votes, George Eche 638 votes, Chima Anozie 595, Air Commander Peter Gbujie (Rtd) 9,351, Chris Nlemoha 556 and Engr Chuks Ololo 700 votes.
“Consequently, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu is hereby declared and returned as the APC’s Candidate for the 2019 gubernatorial election”, he stated.

Before announcing the result, Idahagbon disclosed that the 12-member state governorship primary election committee which arrived the state on an Air Peace flight visited the Police, DSS and INEC, held meetings with the aspirants and also paid a courtesy call on governor Okorocha as directed by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. Aside this, he said that the committee appointed both the ward / LGA Returning officers for the conduct of the election around 3:30 pm. Idahagbo however, expressed surprise as he said that although the sensitive materials were sent to the police, the chairman of the committee, Ali Ahmed Gulak, he alleged, was with the result sheets which “we insisted should be kept in the custody of the committee secretary which we later released to the LGA returning officer”. “To our greatest surprise, the early morning of 2nd Oct., the security personnel numbering over 60, through their Commander, Superintendent Shem ordered us to leave the hotel for safety as our chairman has left for Abuja and has declared the result.” Invariably, no sooner had Idahagbon announced the result than the state deputy Governor Prince Madumere fired back, dismissing the results of Idahagbo as fictitious and grossly misleading. The enraged deputy governor who spoke to newsmen at his country home Achi Mbieri in the Mbaitolu LGA said that the result sheet authenticated and signed by the Returning Officer of the election committee Ahmed Ali Gulak showed that Senator Hope Uzodinma (Imo West) scored a total of 423, 895 votes to emerge winner while he (Madumere) pulled 128, 325 votes to come second. This, was reported to have met the expectation of the average electorate in the State who have been yearning for a change. Others were Jude Ejiogu 12,369 votes, Peter Gbuje 12,329 votes, George Eche 16,597 votes, Chuks Ololo 13,645 votes, Uche Nwosu 10,329 votes, Chima Anozie 11,071 votes and Chris Nlemoha 9,253 votes. “It is the glory of God that the Imo APC primary election was successfully conducted this morning (Tuesday) Oct 2018 in spite of the unprecedented intimidation, blackmails and threat to lives.

“You may recall that I, along with numerous great party and indeed many Imolites have been advocating for an Owerri zone governorship candidate”, he said. Curiously, in another party primary presided over by Brigadier General Ibrahim Agbabiaka weekend, Nwosu reportedly defeated Senator Hope Uzodinma and the state Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere to emerge the governorship candidate for the 2019 general elections. Nwosu was said to have garnered a total of 269,428 votes to beat his closest rival, Engr. Chucks Ololo, who scored 6,428 votes in the rescheduled governorship primary. Uzodinma scored 2,729, while Madumere polled 2,646 votes to take the 4th and 5th positions respectively. A total of nine aspirants contested for the party’s ticket. They include Sir George Eche, Chucks Ololo, Peter Gbujie, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Uche Nwosu, Chris Nlemoha, Jude Ejiogu, Eze Madumere and Chima Anozie. Nwosu was returned as the governorship candidate about 3:20am, by the Governorship Primary Election Committee headed by Brigadier General Ibrahim Agbabiaka, (Rtd) alongside 11 others. Although, there were reports that some of the aspirants boycotted the exercise, Agbabiaka while declaring the results said that all the nine governorship aspirants participated in the primary election. Nwosu in his speech shortly after being declared winner, dedicated the victory to all the aspirants, adding that it was victory for the party and the state.
He enjoined the other aspirants to work with the party to ensure victory at the general election, stating that, “we are all winners and we should come together and prepare for the main election. I will soon commence consultations with my brothers that contested with me to see ways we can work together to give our party victory”. Meanwhile the state governor, Rochas Okorocha, clinched the Senatorial ticket for Imo West, polling a total of 141,127 votes to defeat a serving Senator, Hope Uzodimma, who scored 1,359 votes and former APC National Organizing Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso who got 24 votes. In the other Senatorial seats, Imo North, Nnamdi Obiaraeri pulled 67,438 to win the Senator currently representing the zone, Benjamin Uwajumogu, with 5,743 votes. Also, in the Imo East Senatorial district, Emma Ojinere floored the other two contestants with 41,562 votes who are Chima Anthony and Maxwell Igwe. Expectedly, Governor Okorocha did not waste time to congratulate Nwosu for winning the APC Governorship Primary election conducted by the Retired Brigadier General Ibrahim Agbagbiaka-led 7– member committee, and assured that Chief Nwosu will win the 2019 governorship election in the State for the Party.
The governor also thanked APC members in the State for seeing Uche Nwosu’s governorship project as a collective venture and for voting for him at the primary, and maintained that Chief Nwosu will not let them down. In a statement through his Chief Press Secretary Sam Onwuemeodo, the governor also commended the Retired General Agbagbiaka-led committee for Conducting a free and fair primaries in the State and remarked that Nigerians with exemplary character like General Agbagbiaka (rtd), should always be given National and Democratic assignments and not morally weak politicians who would abandon national assignments and flee by 4:00 am for personal gains.

He equally praised the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee, NWC, for insisting on transparent and rancor free primaries in Imo State and added that one obvious advantage of the Direct Primaries adopted by the Party in the State is that it has exposed politicians who only exist on the social media and in Abuja. The governor also appreciated the APC members in Orlu zone for voting massively for him in the primary for Orlu Senatorial zone, making him now the Candidate of APC for the zone in the 2019 election. He assured that APC in the State will deliver President Muhammadu Buhari, the governorship Candidate of the Party Chief Nwosu, all the three Senatorial Candidates and others in 2019. The result of the governorship primary election announced at the APC State Secretariat by the Chairman of the Committee with all the members reportedly present showed that Senator Hope Uzodinma had 2,729 votes, Hon. Uche Nwosu – 269,524 votes, Prince Eze Madumere – 2, 646 votes, Sir Jude Ejiogu – 3,456 votes, Sir George Eche – 2,454 votes, Barr. Chima Anozie – 3,248 votes, Air Commodore Peter Gbujie – 4,855 votes, Mr. Chris Nlemoha – 925 votes and Engr. Chuks Ololo – 6,428 votes.
In the Senatorial Primary for Orlu zone Governor Okorocha scored 141,117 votes, while Hope Uzodinma got 1,359 votes and Osita Izunaso,15 votes only.
With the unfolding political drama now consuming the once united political empire, the question on the lips of the electorate in the state is “who rules Imo after Okorocha next year” Uzodinma, Nwosu or Araraume? The future will tell.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/disquiet-in-imo-apc-over-primaries.html

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday congratulated the chairman of LEADERSHIP Group, Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah, on his conferment with the chieftaincy title, Aare Baroyin of Akure Kingdom, by the Deji of Akure, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi II. Nda-Isaiah will be conferred with the chieftaincy title today in Akure, the Ondo State capital, in a ceremony scheduled to end the two-week long Odun Ulefunta Oyemekun festival 2018. According to a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, President Buhari felicitated with the chairman of LEADERSHIP Group on the recognition, which he said is obviously inspired by his contribution to the development of the media industry, business world and support for the underprivileged.
The presidential spokesman said, “The President believes Nda-Isaiah’s foray into journalism in spite of a background in pharmacy was divinely ordained to serve the country with his strength in writing, deep thinking and philosophical outlook on life. “President Buhari commends Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II and his kinsmen, for selecting the publisher for recognition, affirming that it will give further fillip to his appetite for serving the nation and humanity”. Also, former military president, Ibrahim Babangida and former head of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar congratulated the chairman of LEADERSHIP Group Ltd, Sam Nda-Isaiah, on his conferment with the Aare Baroyin of Akure Kingdom title. The two former leaders described Nda-Isaiah as a worthy son of Niger State who has impacted positively on the nation’s growth through his contributions to good governance and effective leadership. Also, the foremost monarch of the Nupe, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, while congratulating Nda-Isiah on his new title described him as a worthy son of the land adding that his service to humanity and achievement in the field of communication, had earlier earned him the title, Kakaki Nupe.
In the same vein, the Emir of Potiskum, Alhaji Umaru Bubaram, yesterday congratulated the chairman of LEADERSHIP Group Ltd, Sam Nda-Isaiah, saying his conferment with the Aare Baroyin of Akure Kingdom title by the Deji of Akure is a honour well-deserved.

A statement issued by his special adviser on communications and strategy, Mallam Gidado Ibrahim, noted that Mai Potiskum joined the media industry, publishers in the country, family and friends of Nda-Isaiah in celebrating the lofty achievements of the media chief. The royal father said the patriotism and commitment demonstrated by Nda-Isaiah in nation-building had been clearly demonstrated in the objective reporting in all the titles in the stable of LEADERSHIP Group. He noted that Nda-Isaiah’s relentless pursuit of justice and fairness during some past administrations in Nigeria’s democracy were a clear demonstration of his patriotism. Mai Potiskum commended the untiring efforts of the publisher in contributing to the development of Nigeria through writing of his back page column and books over many years.
He also lauded the new Are Bayorin’s courage to start a newspaper that has grown to become one of the most influential media organisation in the country. He prayed God to grant Nda-Isaiah long life, good health and more strength to continue to serve the country and humanity in general. Others who congratulated the chairman of LEADERSHIP Group through congratulatory adverts include the governors of Kebbi, Lagos, Kano, Ogun, Ekiti, Borno, Ondo, Enugu, Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi States. Others are Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nda-Isaiah was chosen for the chieftaincy title based on his solid achievements in the newspaper industry. The Deji of Akure Kingdom had earlier conveyed the decision of the Deji-in-Council to honour Nda-Isaiah in a letter delivered to him in his Abuja residence by a delegation from Akure few months ago. The delegation, which was led by the Edemo of Akure Kingdom, High Chief Afolabi Fayehun, said the Deji of Akure and his Council of Chiefs considered Nd-Isaiah for the chieftaincy title due to his unblemished antecedents in the newspaper industry. Chief Fayehun described Akure as one of the oldest state capitals in the country, hence the need to showcase its potentialities to the world, particularly during the forthcoming Odun Ulefunta Oyemekun festival 2018. He said, “After due consultations, the Deji of Akure found out that you are a detribalised Nigerian, and the Kabiyesi instructed that we should personally deliver this letter to you.” Describing the 50-year-old festival as the most influential cultural event in the Yoruba land, Fayehun said the Ulefunta Festival had a historical and cultural significance. LEADERSHIP Weekend learnt that Ulefunta Festival is celebrated after the five days of Eru Owa when the princes and princesses present kola to the Deji of Akure, while the Deji in turn gives them gifts of tubers of yam. During this period, according to investigation, commercial activities of the provincial city will be shut down, while traders take their wares to ldi-Agba over a period of seven days.

It was also gathered that the period is when notable Nigerians, who have been seen to contribute to national development, are awarded with varying chieftaincy titles. In his response, Nda-Isaiah appreciated the honour bestowed upon him, especially as the Deji of Akure does not personally know him. He said, “I was surprised when I was told that the Deji wanted to confer on me a chieftaincy title. I said, ‘I don’t know him and he doesn’t know me’. This is a very big honour to me. It is a thing that I will not joke with. “This will be the beginning of my relationship with Akure Kingdom, apart from the time I served in the state. I appreciate this and I cherish it. I will sustain and make sure that there is mutual benefit from both sides.” Sam Nda-Isaiah was born in Minna on May 1, 1962. He attended Christ Church School, Katsina Road, Kaduna, between 1968 and 1974; Government College, Kaduna, 1974–1979 and the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, 1979-1983. While at Government College, Kaduna, he led the school to win the Kaduna State Schools Challenge – a quiz competition among all secondary schools in the then Kaduna State (now comprising Kaduna and Katsina states). At the University of Ife, he was the national editor-in-chief of the “Student Pharmacist”, the official publication of all the pharmacy schools in Nigeria. On graduating as a pharmacist, Sam worked at the Minna General Hospital after a stint at the Kano Specialist Hospital. He did his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the General Hospital, Ilawe Ekiti, and the State Hospital, Ikere Ekiti, both in Ekiti State, in 1984. In 1985, he joined Pfizer Products Ltd where he worked until 1989. He resigned and launched into serial entrepreneurship. Sam was a member of the Daily Trust Editorial Board as well as a member of the committee appointed by the Kano State Government to revive The Triumph, the state-owned newspaper. His Monday column in LEADERSHIP under the combined titles of “Last Word” and “Earshot”, which he started at Daily Trust before the establishment of LEADERSHIP, was one of the most popular columns in Nigeria before 2015. Through this column, he firmly established himself as a pro-good governance exponent. Early versions of his articles, now distilled into a book entitled “NIGERIA: FULL DISCLOSURE”, are a compelling narrative on the audacity of the Nigerian paradox. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish the LEADERSHIP Group in 2003. He started with LEADERSHIP CONFIDENTIAL, a subscription-only authoritative and elitist newsletter. It was successful.

A year later, he started LEADERSHIP, first as a weekly newspaper, after launching “NIGERIA: FULL DISCLOSURE”, a compilation of his articles. Today, the LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group is made up of LEADERSHIP, LEADERSHIP Friday, LEADERSHIP Weekend, LEADERSHIP Sunday, LEADERSHIP Hausa now LEADERSHIP Ayau, a vernacular publication in Hausa Language to cater to the millions of Hausa readers of LEADERSHIP and LEADERSHIP.NG.LEADERSHIP Ayau recently marked its maiden year of hitting the newsstands with its daily production. Ayau has on its stable LEADERSHIP Ayau (Daily), LEADERSHIP Ayau Juma’a (Friday), LEADERSHIP Ayau Asabar (Saturday) and LEADERSHIP Ayau Lahadi (Sunday). The chairman of LEADERSHIP Newspaper Group is also a member of the Institute of directors, a member of the Vienna-based International Press Institute, a member of the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) and an executive member of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN).

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/pmb-congratulates-nda-isaiah-over-aare.html

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Thursday said that additional 945 megawatts of electricity would be added to the national grid before the end of the year.

Fashola said this at the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce breakfast business meeting in Lagos themed: “Power Sector and the Way Forward’’.

He said that additional power would be generated to the grid from 450 mw Azura Edo plant, 215 mw Kaduna power plant, 240 mw Afam V power plant and 40mw Kashimbilla hydro plant in Taraba State.

According to him, the power sector has recorded successful improvement in incremental power capacity in generation, transmission and distribution.

“The country power generation, which stood at 4,000 megawatts when we came on board, but today, it has been increased to 7,000 megawatts.

“In 2015, energy transmission was 5,000mw while distribution was at 3,000mw but as at today, we are distributing 5,000 mw on average with 2,000 megawatts stranded.

“We are currently adding an average of 1,000 mw of energy yearly to the national grid which implies that we have added about 3,000 mw to the generation since we came on board,’’ he said.

Fashola said the statistics implied that 2,000 mw was stranded and must be evacuated for use as more power will be generated in the years to come.

He said that government had committed to invest N72 billion for the procurement and installation of equipment to help distribute unused 2,000 mw of electricity to consumers in the country.

He said the 2,000 mw was from the 7,000 mw that Gencos could generate and the 5,000 mw that Discos could distribute.
According to the minster, the Discos have complained about inadequate power to distribute.

Fashola, however, said the problem presently was that the Discos could not distribute all the power that was available.

This, he explained, was leaving the sector with an unused capacity of 2,000 mws, with an approximately 1,150 mw projected to come in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

He said that more Independent Power Projects (IPPs) would also come on stream to boost power supply in the country.

He said that government is also targeting powering some markets, Nigerian universities and hospitals through the IPP.

According to him, all these power plants do not involve the mini grids and solar systems that are coming.

Fashola said the narrative must change from not enough power to how unutilised power could be distributed.

He said that the sector had made progress on power generation and transmission, adding that distribution issues would also be cleared soon.

“The assurance guarantee brought confidence to power production business, which resulted to increased power production which took us to all-time high of 7,000mw power availability.”

“However, grid supplied power peaked at all-time high of 5,155 MW in December 2017,’’ he added.

In his remark, Dr Oba Otudeko, Chairman of the occasion, lauded Fashola over the success recorded in improving the country’s power generation and distribution, adding that there is room for improvement.

Otudeko, who is also the live patron of the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce, said “this is the most successful and achieved bilateral chamber of commerce in Nigeria.

He said that the volume of trade between Nigeria and South Africa rose to N1.6 trillion in 2016.

‘’Trade between the two countries has increased steadily. It has increased exponentially which is commendable.

‘’Nigeria presents a huge market with a population of over 170 million people and vast resources, while South Africa presents the technical know-how in developing industries,’’ he said. (NAN)

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/power-supply-fashola-says-945mw-will-be.html

Senator Joel Ikenya is a former state and federal lawmaker. In this interview with RUTH CHOJI, the former Minister of Labour and Productivity states that in spite of the rancorous APC primaries in Taraba and other states, the party is still the party to beat come 2019 elections.

Most people in Taraba state thought you will emerge as the APC gubernatorial candidate in the just concluded primaries. What actually played out?

I didn’t lost out. There was a manipulation, it was a daylight robbery and steps have been taken to make things right. The national secretariat sent us the presiding officer in the name of Senator Emmanuel Dangana. He assured us of a level playing ground, but later in the night, we heard that he didn’t issue us the original result sheets, that he gave us a photocopy endorsed by him. Innocently, our people went out for the primaries and in the southern part of Taraba, where we have Ibi, Takum, Usa and the rest except for Donga, where there was no primaries, the primaries were conducted. Results were taken to Jalingo even though there was lot of crises in the northern part of the state during the primaries, but the results were brought to the state capital. In a normal circumstance, the returning officer is supposed to call all the security men and aspirants’ agents to do the collation but unfortunately that was not done. Instead he did it in his bedroom, he will come out from his bedroom and call whoever he wants to see and refused to see those who were not part of the deal. In my zone, especially Gashaka and Kurmi, I won in those places overwhelmingly. I precisely had 30,000 votes, which all my agents saw and collated but the next morning we were informed that the whole state had only 11,000 votes. Even the presiding officers that were posted by the party were also shocked. My agents gave me the result of various local governments and most of these officers are credible men who have integrity.

Have you reported your observations to the APC secretariat?

Yes I have done that. I wrote a petition and told them of the danger the rigging portend for the party in Taraba state and the former acting governor, who is desperate and thinks money is everything. I believe you can play decent politics even though money is necessary. The good thing is that the national chairman has set up a national appeal panel, which consist of credible people and I am sure justice will be served. These things have to be resolved not just in my favour alone but so that the party can move ahead. The people sent to us were wearing sheep cloths but they were actually lions, sent there to destroy the party. I am beginning to think they were PDP agents sent to destabilize the APC in the state so that PDP can have an easy ride else no right thinking party faithful will do what they did. The same thing played out during the House of Assembly primary elections. Before the agents could arrived at the collation center, the returning officers have left the state, nobody collected the result. The man Senator Dangana has destroyed APC in Taraba state. The national leadership must act fast to save the party or else we will lose the state again to PDP.

With what happened at the primaries, do you still have faith in the APC as a party?

I have faith in APC. I have left PDP for good and it was because of impunity. I want to be in a party that is fair and transparent. I also believe the National Working Committee has the capacity to resolve these problems.

There are cases of injustice in some states too and there are fears that this could affect the chances of the party in the general elections. Do you share such view?

Party issues are local and it can be solved locally. The national level can also resolve the crises like the case in Taraba state, which is a case of desperation. Everybody knows APC is the party to beat. Eleven of us bought forms including Aisha Alhassan, who left. If the primaries were done in a transparent manner and everybody given a level playing ground, we won’t have these problem. So other states have their peculiar problems that is not the same like our own.

Not a few now believe that the APC has started the trend of impunity, rigging and imposition of candidates, which was what cost the PDP the elections in 2015. Do you share this view?

In 2015 elections, APC had transparent elections and what is happening now is normal. It happened during the PDP days where two days to the elections, your name will be removed and another replaced with it. I was a victim. I won the primaries and my name was removed. I took the party to court and I was even expelled for taking the party to court but I got my mandate back. So what is happening now in APC is not new to us. The unfortunate thing is that, it is happening close to the elections. These issues need to be tackled decisively. Some of these people causing these crises in Taraba cannot win elections in their wards. So the ticket given to them is like Zimbabwe Dollars that has no value. If we are not careful, it will affect the chances of the party in some states. The good thing is that, there are many parties that one can join.

It’s a common knowledge that Taraba state is divided along ethnic and religious lines. Do you think this has anything to do with the outcome of the primaries?

Taraba has more than fifty tribe and truly religious has been a factor but zoning has been playing a vital role to stabilize leadership in the state. NYAME won in 1992 and when democracy was restored in 1999, Nyame won again and he stayed for 8years. It means the northern part of the state has done 10years and that is where this desperado, sani Danladi is coming from today. Danbaba took over because he was from the central and did 8years. In2007, some people from the southern zone run against him but lost because it was zone to the central. In 2011, I decide to run against the zoning agreement and lost because the state adhere strictly to it. So zoning has been entrenched in Taraba. The southern side is on it first term and that is why I contested because I am from that zone.

PDP has been in control of the state since 1999. What are the chances of the APC in the forthcoming elections?

That is one of the factors that we want people to understand. Since the creation of Taraba and return to democracy in 1999, the PDP has been in control and to remove them, you must do the right thing else your ticket won’t have any value. In the southern part of Taraba state, given the opportunity, the people will chose the best. I want us to take the advantage of the things the Buhari administration has done for the state and vote for the APC. The Mambilla hydro power project, which has been on the table of every successive government has been kick started. And this is because of the political will of the president else it would have been there for years.

Taraba state is one of those effected by suspected herdsmen attacks and communal clashes. What is the main cause of these killings?

The killing are unnecessary and some of these Fulani are not the real Fulani we know. Some of us grew up with them and know the real ones from the fake ones. So these ones Killing people are not the ones we used to know. They are mercenaries brought into the state to do that. I think the Federal Government should take drastic action. This is not about grazing because we have ranching in the state. In places like the Mambilla, you will see the herdsmen grazing in particular places but for some to come and attack communities is not normal. We have to stop the killings and restrict cattle movement. Cattle rearing and faming are both commercial ventures. These things have been politicalized, we need to look at it critically and tackle it as a major problem. Some of the people are talking about the lands. Government must secure these lands and ensure that both Fulani and farmers are protected. We know security is the responsibly of everybody but government must have the political will to do the right thing.

Coming back to you, if the primaries’ crisis is not resolved in your favour, will you still remained in the APC?

I want to say that, I will remain in APC, but I won’t pre-empt the party leadership’s decision because I am confident that they will work things out to favour all of us. Besides, it is not about me, I cannot just take any decision alone because I have people that are supporting me, people who asked me to represent them. So I will have to consult them to know our next move. Everyone hates injustice.

Taraba state is close to former Vice President Abubakar Atiku. Don’t you think that his emergence as the PDP presidential flag bearer could change the narrative in your state?

Yes, and I think it is something the APC leadership must take into consideration. Atiku has always contributed to whoever emerged as governor in Taraba state and if the APC does not do the right thing, I am afraid that PDP will have a very easy ride again.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/apcll-win-taraba-if-injustice-at.html

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Gombe State has arrested Ambore Enoch, the Commandant of the Nigerian Peace Corps in the state.

Enoch was accused of extorting N54 million from members of the public in the state under the pretext of offering them appointment into the corps and providing them its training kits.

A statement on Wednesday by EFCC spokesperson in the state, Bello Bajoga, said the Peace Corps boss was picked up for questioning following investigation of a petition by some aggrieved persons in the state.

“Investigation into the case revealed that the victims (mostly youth of Gombe State) were deceived to pay various sums of money ranging from N3,000 to N60,000 into the Corps account domiciled in one of the new generation banks, amounting to N54 million,” part of the statement read.

According to Bajoga, this happened between December 2016 and March 2017.

The spokesperson said it was discovered that out of the money, Mr Enoch withdrew N3.5 million for his personal use, transferred N20 million into his personal account and remitted N18.7million to the headquarters of the Corps in Abuja.

He said other “suspicious” withdrawals were made by other individuals under the instruction of Mr Enoch.

He said the matter was still being investigated, after which the suspect would be charged to court.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in March threw out the bill seeking for the establishment of the Peace Corps.

In a letter, Buhari cited security concerns and financial burden of funding the organisation by the government as his reasons for rejection of the bill.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/peace-corps-commandant-arrested-for.html

Nigeria’s premier carrier, Air Peace Airline is to make the Asaba Airport its operational hub, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has said.

The governor made the disclosure on Wednesday in Asaba while reeling out some of the achievements of his administration within the last three and half years at the presentation of the budgetary proposal for the 2019 fiscal year.

According to the governor who addressed legislators at the special session presided by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, “the management of Air Peace Airline has indicated interest to make Asaba Airport its operational hub, where it can quickly build its maintenance hangers.”

“We have made considerable progress in our quest to make Asaba Airport an international gateway; following the successful completion of the runway rehabilitation work, the airport has been approved and upgraded to a Category 6 Airport to receive and dispatch large aircraft, by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority,” he said, adding, “Nigeria’s premier carrier, Air Peace Airline resumed daily scheduled flight operations in and out of Asaba Airport on Monday, 8th October, 2018.”

He continued, “work on our concession plan for the airport has also reached an advanced stage as we are confident that the concession will ensure that we realise our objective of turning the airport into a mega commercial and travel hub in this part of the country in record time in order to boost our economy and create more jobs for our people.”

“We have received strong interests from both local and international investors in the concession exercise and we expect the airport to be fully concessioned in 2019; in this regard, we published a formal “Request for Proposal” in national newspapers on Tuesday, 9th October, 2018,” Governor Okowa stated.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/asaba-airport-to-be-operational-hub-of.html

Rosemary Chukwuma has given Team Nigeria their first gold medal at the ongoing 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina as she returned 11.17 seconds in the women‘s 100m final event, yesterday. Julien Alfred from Santa Lucia took silver, while Gabriela Anahi Suarez from Ecuador got bronze. The Commonwealth bronze medalist is the most experienced athlete in Team Nigeria contingent, having featured in the recently concluded African Senior Athletics Championships held in Asaba, where she alongside Olympic medalist, Blessing Okagbare, Tobi Amusan and Joy Udo-Gabriel clinched the gold medal in the women’s 4x100m.
In an exclusive telephone interview with LEADERSHIP sports from Buenoe Aires, Chukwuma said despite her poor start, she was encourage to do the nation proud by her teammates and officials.
“I won my first heat by 12.03 seconds, which was poor compare to my personal best of 11.40 seconds. So, I was afraid but thank God, I put my mind to the race because my teammates and officials encouraged me not to be deterred.
“Since Nigeria has not won any medal, I was determine to win it for Nigeria and thank God, I did,’’ she stated.
She described the victory as a dream come through. “Honestly I feel so happy because winning a gold medal in Olympic Games is a dream comes true for me.
“I want to believe that my achievement here in the Youth Olympic Games is the greatest motivation and encouragement I could give myself because for me to have achieved this, I believe I can achieve whatever I want to achieve in life.”
Before the youth games, the youngster who is under Kids and Play Club was also at the ECOWAS U-20 Games in Cape Coast, Ghana where she finished 2nd in the 100m and 3rd in the 200m final before winning another Silver medal in the 4x100m.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/chukwuma-gives-team-nigeria-first-youth.html

Davido and Chioma are doing what they know how to do best, travel…..

The superstar shared this photo in his provate jet, with his girlfriend Chioma.

He captioned it

Weather be good today please �

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/davido-and-chioma-jet-out-on-his.html

A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has promised to accompany a former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose as he visits the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday.

Fani-Kayode recalled that when he spent 90 days in the cell of the Commission, Fayose came and encouraged him.

Fayose is expected at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja at 1pm on Tuesday where he will be answering questions on fund he allegedly collected from the office of National Security Adviser during the last administration.

“When I was in the EFCC detention for 60 days and then another 30 days, he came to see me. They were shaking that a sitting governor could come to the EFCC and they came to bring me to see him from one of the underground cells and all he was saying was, ‘Know that God is with you, God is alive,’” Fani-Kayode said during Fayose’s send off dinner night.

“As you stood by us when we went through challenges, so shall we stand by you from October 16 when we go to the EFCC to go and see them.

“Nothing can overcome you because God is with you,” he added.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/efcc-what-well-do-for-fayose-fani-kayode.html

Donald Duke, presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has condemned the killing 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 after threats to federal government, 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, Duke in a post on his Twitter page described the death of Hauwa as an indictment on Buhari’s government over its inability to secure lives of Nigerians.

According to him, the war against Boko Haram has cost more lives than the Biafra war.

He wrote: “The execution of Hauwa Liman by Boko Haram is an indictment on our government’s inability to ensure the safety and security of it’s citizens.

“Yet, our government says it is winning the war on Boko Haram. A war that has gone on longer, cost more in expense and lives lost than the Biafran war. Pitiful!”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/boko-haram-what-hauwa-lemans-death.html

The National Chairman of the United Progressive Party, UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie, has backed the travel ban on 50 high profile individuals in the country by the President Muhammadu Buhari government.

He pointed out that the order was a punitive measure for those who put the country in this critical condition.

According to him, it was a welcome development which Nigerians should appreciate and applaud the government for.

He said the timing of the implementation of the Executive Order 006 should not matter since there was no stipulated time for fighting corruption.

In a statement on Sunday, Okorie said, “When he (Buhari) issued that order, it was challenged in court and the court made a pronouncement that he was right to give the order.

“The time he gave the order is inconsequential here. We are talking about fighting corruption.

‘’If a person is corrupt, he is corrupt. Is there any specific time corruption should be fought or time it should be allowed? As far as it is in accordance with the law, then it is welcome.

“I took time to read that court judgment on the executive order and I think it’s a good idea.

“I have always supported the order as a punitive measure for those who put us in this critical condition as a nation.

‘’Some said recession started three years ago under President Buhari but they forgot that some people laid the foundation for the poverty many Nigerians are facing now.

“We are talking about only 50 people out of 200 million Nigerians.

“Not that they are going to jail, their movement is being restricted until their matter is resolved in court and they are shouting as if the whole country is in prison.

“I am in total support of it because from the very day President Buhari came to office, this was one of the three demands UPP requested from him, which is to fight corruption with every means that is available and this is the one of it.

“Although it’s coming late but I am glad that this is a special time for fighting corruption.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/travel-ban-why-buhari-should-be-hailed.html

The European Union, (EU), Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ketil Karlsen has disclosed that in a bid to help curtail the devastating impacts of the floods which has ravaged Nigeria, the union has approved one million euros (400 million naira) to assist three out of the nine states affected.

Karlsen made the disclosure at a press conference jointly organised by the European Commission in Nigeria and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Giving a breakdown of how the fund is to be expended, Karlsen said , it is aimed at providing shelter, medicine and other basic needs for an estimated 60,000 victims in Anambra, Kogi and Delta States

His words, “We have responded decisively to the calls by the Nigerian government which seeked help from international partners , in addressing in the ongoing flooding which according to statistics has affected around two million people.

He said, “The European Union has mobilised one million Euros (N400 million) in support of the ongoing efforts.”

“This funding , he explained, aims at helping victims some affected states, by way of providing shelter, medicine and basic items. ”

This is aside the technical expertise and detail satellite maps provided by EU to aid management services.

The envoy advised the federal government to acknowledge the fact that the adverse effect of climate change is having a critical impact on its people.

He thus, called for a redouble effort to curbing further damages on lives and properties, by urging government at all levels to be proactive rather than reactive.

The Ambassador however added that the EU support was not limited to humanitarian aid but also included efforts to mitigate the effect of flooding through early preparation.

The envoy assured that the Commission would follow up on a clear supervision and monitoring to ensure that the materials are being delivered as urgently to the end users .

This is even as he further revealed that the European Civil and Humanitarian Aid Organisation (ECHO), has donated 48 million euros (€48m) in 2018 alone to support victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in the north east.

The Director General, national Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Maihaja in his remark acknowledged that flooding had displaced over two million people, 199 lost their lives and 307,554 hectares of farmland destroyed.

According to Maihaja, the assessment of farmlands could not be completed due to the fact that most affected farmlands were still surmerged.

The NEMA boss lamented that the number of affected persons increases daily due to the fact that the water creates more havoc as it flows down.

While lauding the EU for the support , he gave the assurance that the donated fund would be well utilised , revealing that his agency has put necessary mechanism in place to monitor and ensure even distribution of the relief materials.

While faulting claims that NEMA delivers such items to state government, he “We carry out direct distribution to the people. Our officials go to the remotest parts of Nigeria to distribute the relief items.”

“The EU Commission has provided the agency with data, information and corresponding analysis for the flood situation, metrological situation, dam water release scenario and impact assessment. He concluded.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/nigeria-gets-n400m-assistance-from-eu.html

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday held a closed-door meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury, His Grace Justin Welby.

The meeting was held at the UK Embassy in Abuja.

The cleric has been a close friend of Nigerian leaders over the years.

He was one of the very few individuals that were allowed to see President Muhammadu Buhari during his medical vacation in London.

At the meeting were National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, DG of Atiku campaign, Gbenga Daniel, and British High Commissioner Mr. Paul Arkwright.

It was gathered that parts of the discussions were the 2019 general elections and the need to ensure a peaceful campaign season.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/2019-atiku-archbishop-of-canterbury-uk.html

A former Director of Military Intelligence, Brigadier-General Ajibola Togun, retd, has said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had done the right thing by forgiving his former vice, Atiku Abubakar.

Togun said the development was good for the country.

Speaking with Punch, Togun, also a former Deputy Director of the Department of States Services, DSS, commended Obasanjo for forgiving and endorsing Atiku.

He said, “There’s nothing wrong with what Obasanjo did. He did it as a matter of candidacy and not really as a party issue.

“They had differences, but from what the ex-President said, he said he saw that the former Vice President had retraced some of his steps.

“We are all human beings and we may err. Even God blamed himself for creating us, but He still loved us and forgave us our sins.

“So, it is good that Obasanjo also practised forgiveness. It is all for the good of this country.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/2019-presidency-general-togun-speaks-on.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday said that more than 80 million registered voters are expected to vote during the 2019 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this in a paper he presented at the 14th All Nigeria Editors Conference holding in Asaba, Delta State.

Yakubu, represented by Mike Igini, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Akwa Ibom, said that the figure was made up of 67 million existing registered voters and 14 million newly registered voters.

He said 91 political parties had been registered ahead of the 2019 elections, adding that there was a total of 120,000 polling units across the country.

Meanwhile, the Senate on also Thursday approved N189, 207, 544, 893.00.

It said that the approved sum of money should be vired from both recurrent and capital component of special intervention programme captured in the service wide votes of the 2018 appropriation act.

Following the approval the aggregate INEC budget for the 2018 appropriation will be N234, 507, 272, 393.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/inec-gives-update-on-2019-election.html

As a result of the fallout of the disputed governorship primaries of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Imo State, indications have emerged on Thursday, that three aggrieved gubernatorial aspirants of the party had perfected plans to dump APGA for the Social Democratic Party, SDP, any moment from now.

The three aggrieved aspirants had accused the leadership of APGA of abysmal betrayal and selling of party’s ticket to the highest bidder at the just concluded governorship primary election in the state.

Some of the aspirants that participated in the recently held APGA governorship primary election in Imo state, included, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Uche Onyeagucha, Frank Nneji, Sam Amadi, and Mr. Nick Opara-Ndudu,

Confirming their planned defection, the SDP Publicity Secretary in Imo state, Mr. Chilos Godsent informed DAILY POST in a phone interview on Thursday, that the aggrieved APGA chieftains had met the state leadership of his party, SDP, in a bid to move over to SDP with over fifteen thousand of their supporters across the state.

“I can confirm to you that three aggrieved aspirants in the just concluded APGA governorship primaries in Imo state, are set to join SDP any moment from now.

“We met in a closed-door meeting that lasted about 2 hours. They met us, the hierarchy of our great party, SDP, for their formal movement to SDP with thousands of their supporters across the length and breadth of the state”.

“Their meeting with leaders of the party was successful. So, I can assure you that come 2019, SDP will take over Imo government house ”.

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

Thousands of Social Democratic Party(SDP) supporters and residents have celebrated the emergence of a retired Permanent Secretary Bureau of Internal Affairs and Special Services, Benue State, Mr. Hingah Biem, as the party’s governorship candidate for 2019 general elections.

Biem,who played a key role in the aborted third Republic during the administration of late Rev. Father Moses Adasu, the second civilian governor of Benue state betwen 1992 to 1993 on the platform of SDP, was elected by the party’s members across the twenty three local government areas through direct primaries.

Cross section of Benue residents who spoke with LEADERSHIP, in joyful mood described Biem as a competent, reliable and credible alternative to tackle the backwardness of the state in 2019.

In his address, entitled ‘The Benue Rescue Project Is On Course’ after accepting his nomination, at the SDP state secretariat,Biem, who commended party members for electing him, said the mission of rescuing Benue from the vicious grip of poverty and under development has truly begun.

Biem said:”It is with a deep sense of gratitude to the leadership and members of our great party, the Social Democratic Party, that I, Hon Hingah Biem, now accept my nomination as the governorship candidate of our party in the forthcoming general elections”

“The Benue Rescue Project, which I have conceived and initiated, will put smiles on the faces of our long-suffering people, restore the fading glories of our state and rediscover the abandoned pathways to socio-economic development created by the first and second civilian governors of Benue State. It will engender an era of prosperity where our people, irrespective of tongue or party affiliation, will find accommodation and fulfillment”

He noted:”But first, our party men and women, who have worked so hard in propagating the ideals of our party in all the nooks and corners of Benue, must redouble their efforts to ensure that all people of goodwill are brought onboard this mission. And that will require sparing no resource till every man and woman in every community has heard about what this Rescue Mission portends for them”

Biem added:”At this point, I must appreciate my fellow contestants in the fight for the right to represent our party in the approaching governorship election. Your exemplary conduct and the ideas you have purveyed have further convinced me that the SDP is indeed the home of true progressives. I share your vision for a better society and I call on you to join hands with me to build a greater Benue of our dreams”

“I also thank the leadership of our party for consistently standing by the founding principles of the SDP even in the face of extreme pressures. By insisting that the right thing be done, you have set a gold standard for party politics and administration in our state. May you find the strength and courage to continue to stand for due process, justice, equity and fairness.

“I am equally grateful to my supporters for believing in me and the Rescue Project I have undertaken. Your faith and hardwork are the catalysts for this achievement, and further sacrifices will be needed from you in the days ahead as we battle well-resourced and formidable opponents for the ultimate prize- the governorship of Benue State”

To the general electorate, especially the men and women whose burdens have multiplied due to the wicked and deliberate maladministration of the current regime, I say your liberation is near at hand. I urge you to believe in this Rescue Project and to work towards its realization. Resolve to cast your vote for the SDP on election day as a way out of the present debacle. You owe yourselves and future generations a duty to prevent the Benue ship from capsizing” he said.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/2019-hingah-biem-emerges-sdp-benue.html

The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate allegations of fraud levelled against the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.

This was contained in a press release issued on Wednesday by Ikenna Aghagbobi, CACOL’s Media and Publications Officer on behalf of its Executive Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran.

According to the CACOL boss: “Our call is based on a suit which was reportedly filed by Bishop Osadolor Ochei alleging that Oshiomhole while in office as Edo State governor, acquired property in United States of America, South Africa and Dubai worth billions of US dollars and far in excess of his legitimate income.

“He also alleged before the court that the ex-governor built a sprawling mansion worth more than N10b in his hometown, Iyamho, Edo State while in office.

“The Cleric also stated in the suit that he had on November 4, 2016, sent a petition to the EFCC narrating some corrupt practices the ex-governor was involved in.”

He maintained that EFCC’s refusal to act on petitions containing “weighty allegations” against Oshiomhole, ran contrary to Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which enjoined the State to abolish corrupt practices.”

Adeniran further pointed out that it is necessary for the EFCC to investigate these allegations for the purpose of convincing the Nigerian public that its arrest and prosecution of corruption culprits was not targeted at only members of the opposition.

“The rumours which have been making the rounds indicating that the present administration has been witch hunting members of the opposition while portraying members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as saints need to be debunked by the EFCC.

“How can a body whose sole obligation is to investigate and prosecute anyone indicted of a corruption crime be reluctant to carry out its statutory assignment against suspects or dismissing these allegations if they are found to lack substance?

“Although it is shameful that the EFCC would need to be reminded to investigate allegations levelled against Oshiomhole, we recall that several officials of the Federal Government who have been exposed for committing forgery and other crimes are still being treated with kid gloves. This is the major problem we have in our fight against corruption.

“While we urge the EFCC to initiate a diligent probe on the weighty allegation of funds diversion and misappropriation against the APC Chairman, we challenge Oshiomhole to debunk these allegations and take whatever steps he considers necessary if these allegations are untrue as this will set an example worth emulating.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/probe-apc-chairman-oshiomhole-or-lose.html

The Youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Monday congratulated the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar on his emergence at the party’s primary.

The former Vice President on Sunday defeated 11 other aspirants to pick the party’s ticket.

He will challenge incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in next year’s general election.

Reacting to the victory of the former Vice President, Ohaneze Youth Council Worldwide led by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro said Atiku is the right man for the job.

The group, however, insist that only a running mate from South East will be a suitable pair for PDP to win 2019 Presidential election.

“Majority of Igbo believes in Restructuring and majority of Igbo Youths wants Referendum because of the economic hardship in the country, we believe that Atiku whose campaign of restructuring will win the hearts of Nigerians and possible pair of running mate from South East Will quell the quest of referendum by agitators and Igbo Youths”

“We insists that any betrayal of denying Ndigbo the Vice Presidential slot of PDP will make Ndigbo dump PDP in the Presidential election, but will vote PDP in the Gubernatorial elections in Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu”

The group further said that the zone ‘has better personalities like Peter Obi, Ngozi Okonjo Iwuala, Sen Dr Ike Ekweremadu and Sen Enyinnaya Abaribe who are fit for the Vice Presidential job’

The group warned that it will work against the PDP by mobilising youths in the zone to vote for another party of Mr Atiku fails to pick his running late from the South East.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/2019-ohanaeze-gives-condition-for.html