Deji Adeyanju, convener of a civil society group known as Concerned Nigerians, on Friday described the N242bn virement approved by the Senate for funding the 2019 general elections as outrageous.

Speaking with DAILY POST in Abuja, he noted that the N242bn virement was more than the combined sum of money spent on the 2011 and 2015 elections by the previous government.

According to him, N85bn and N93bn were spent for the two previous elections respectively not withstanding the acquisition of hardwares such as data capturing machines, card readers, and computers.

He further questioned the rationality of the approved N242bn virement, which necessitated slashing of the 2018 budgets of key ministries such as health and education as well as funds for Social Investment Programmes and the President’s service-wide vote when such basic hardwares were not necessarily going to be purchased for 2019 polls.

Adeyanju absolved the National Assembly of blame in the public outcry that greeted the slashing of the 2018 budget of the ministries.

His words: “The funding for the 2019 elections is outrageous and does not stand up to reason or correspond with electioneering reality in the country because 2011 Elections cost N85billion and 2015 elections cost N93b respectively.

“Under President Buhari, N242b will be used for 2019 election.

“Now, we are not buying anything unlike the previous elections that we bought data capturing machines, card readers, computers & every other thing
.
“To the best of my knowledge, in the virement request made on the National Assembly by the executive, the legislature debated on the floor on how to fund the elections.

“They initially concluded it must come from service wide votes and specifically from poverty alleviation fund under vice president which was passed.

“Then the executive came back that they didn’t want that fund touched. They Put pressure on NASS to review. Executive then suggested they fund it 50:50. Half from poverty fund, balance should be funded by slashing the budget of all ministries pro rata.

“So when you go through the National Assembly order paper you will see the source of funding exactly like that. I, therefore, do not see why anyone will now try to put all the blame at the feet of NASS.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/2019-n242bn-virement-approved-for-inec.html

Flight operations were on Wednesday evening disrupted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos following a power outage.
The outage, which occurred at about 6.05pm and lasted for over an hour, sparked anger from those in and around the facility.

The situation placed the nation’s busiest airport in total darkness, leaving airline officials, passengers and other airport users frustrated as they could not proceed with the boarding processes.
An official of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), told NAN on condition of anonymity that the outage was caused by disruptions from the Ayobo and Ikeja Transmission Lines which supplies power to the facility.
“What happened was that there was intermittent disruption of power supply and it was unstable during the period it lasted but it was eventually restored,” the source said.
The General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Mrs Herrientta Yakubu, who confirmed the development, said power had been restored to the airport.
An aviation expert, Capt. John Ojikutu, decried the ugly development, saying as a Category 1 airport, the MMIA ought to have independent power supply, especially in case of emergencies.
“FAAN is expected to have independent power line from Ikeja and Ayobo transmission lines as planned for MMIA in 2007; what has happened to that proposal?
“This is a shame on all of us including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“Again, how did NCAA certify the MMA if the power problem that could affect the airport safety facilities has not been resolved?
“We have a long way to go with the NCAA safety oversight functions,” he said.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/outrage-over-total-darkness-at-lagos.html

Two suspected thieves got more than they bargained for after they were nabbed by angry residents in Benin city, Edo state.

It was gathered that the suspects had been terrorising the residents of Sakponba road in Benin area, by stealing from market women and snatching phones at night before their capture.

According to reports, the young men met their Waterloo after going for a robbery operation on Sunday night where they allegedly stole an iPhone 6 and a laptop.

The suspects were nabbed by youths of the area on Monday morning as they descended on them and beat them mercilessly.

In the course of the jungle justice, one of them was lynched to death before the police arrived

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/jungle-justice-as-2-young-thieves-were.html

Chairman of the South East Governors Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, on Tuesday said that all opposition parties in the state were afraid of standing against him in the 2019 general elections.

Umahi made this known while inaugurating his Divine Mandate Campaign Organisation to coordinate his re-election bids.

The governor, during the inauguration challenged the opposition parties in the
state to a public debate, maintaining that the organisation would still be headed by its Chairman and former Minster of State for Health, Chief Fidelis Nwankwo.

“I have absolute confidence in the committee because it is still in the hands of the same God who did it for us in 2015 and will still do it again for us in 2019,” he said.

He noted that he will leave nothing to chance but work harder in the campaign and the election even though convinced that he had no rival.

The governor added, “My achievements within three years in office were not ordinarily, as God had anointed me to occupy the throne of the state’s governor.

“I challenge the whole opposition in Ebonyi to come out for a debate in the media, so that the people will know who the Liliputs are.”

Umahi further urged the organisation to expand its membership to accommodate members from the ward and Local Government Areas (LGA) levels to ensure that the main objective is realized.

“We have to identify those that are working for us to ensure that no one is missing” he stated.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/2019-oppositions-are-afraid-of.html

The PDP Federal Lawmaker representing Ovia Federal constituency in the green chambers ,Hon Omosede Gabriella Igbinedion has touched the lives of so many persons ,including the Internally Displaced Persons at Ughogua Community in Ovia North, Over time she has made herself a part of the IDP camps reaching out to them with relief materials and other social amenities.

Hon Omosede who is a lover of all, especially the children has once again pledge that if re-elected she will not stop her good will and Pro-activeness to all the good people of Ovia and Beyond.

She assured the people of Ovia that her 2019 Slogan which is "ASSURANCE " is as a result of her effective representation and voice in the last four years which has brought forth Outstanding and Remarkable things to Ovia.

Hon Omosede is the first Lawmaker in Edo state to bring the Speaker of the House of Representatives to help and Work with the people of her constituent, As a first timer, to bring the Speaker of the House down to her state speaks volume of her quality representation , this has made Ovia an Household name in the Green Chamber and if Re-elected Ovia Will be a hub for Investors to All.

The kids, women and people in the IDP camp showed their appreciation to the lawmaker and wished her the best in her electioneering campaign.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/assurance2019-hon-omosede-igbinedion.html

The Federal Government says that at the end of the third quarter of 2018, 209 tax appeal cases amounting to 18.8 billion dollars, 0.8 million Euros and N205.6 billion are pending across the zones.

Mr Mahmoud Isa-Dutse, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, said this on Monday in Abuja, at the inauguration of commissioners of the Tax Appeal Tribunal (TAT).

Isa-Dutse said that since the inception of the tribunal in 2010, about 489 appeal cases had so far been filed with 409 concluded.

He said that the tribunal was one of the windows provided in Nigeria’s tax administration system which offers an aggrieved party the opportunity to explore other dispute resolution mechanisms before gaining access to the law courts.

“Among other things, it helps to reduce the caseload of the over-laden regular courts by providing less formal fora for quicker, cheaper and expert resolution of tax disputes in the public interest.’’

He said that the tribunal had a mandate to resolve disputes arising from the operations of the tax laws and regulations as specified in the first schedule to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) establishment Act, 2007.

The Acts are: Companies Income Tax Act, Petroleum Profit Tax Act, Personal Income Tax Act, Capital Gains Tax Act, Stamp Duties Act, Value Added Tax Act and Taxes and Levies Act.

According to him, the tribunal is established to resolve issues for other laws, regulations, proclamations, government notices or rules related to those Acts which are expressly spelt out in the Fifth Schedule to the FIRS (Establishment) Act.

Isa-Dutse said that for administrative convenience, the tribunal had been established in eight zones to cover the six geo-political zones.

The Minister for Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, who inaugurated the commissioners, said that one of the key objectives for setting up the tribunal was to reduce incidences of tax evasion.

She also said that it was established to ensure fairness and transparency of the tax administration and to minimise delays and bottlenecks in adjudication of tax disputes.

“The present tax policy of the government places emphasis on areas of harnessing all necessary inputs toward achieving voluntary tax compliance.

“We, therefore, urge you to ensure quality service delivery in line with extant laws, particularly in supporting the government’s quest to improve revenue generation and minimise the monolithic dependence on oil.’’

According to her, as commissioners of the tribunal, the expectations from all stakeholders are quite high and they are expected to discharge their duties with professionalism, integrity, diligence and fairness to all.

This, she noted would engender public trust and confidence in the nation’s tax system.

Ahmed implored the new commissioners to avoid unnecessary delays and adjournment of cases, adding that their decisions and judgments should be in line with the provisions of the tax laws and facts brought before them.

Responding on behalf of the commissioners, Mr Lasisi Philip, the Chairman, Lagos Zone, said they were well equipped to carry out the national assignment.

“I want to assure you that we would discharge our duty diligently,and professionally as men and women of high integrity.

“We know that the tax appeal is very crucial in any economy and it is our duty to ensure that we build confidence in the process.

“We will ensure that the government gets not a kobo less than what it ought to get, we will also ensure that the taxpayer does not pay a kobo less than what he ought to pay.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commissioners are expected to hold office for a term of three years, subject to renewal for another term of three years only.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/tax-appeal-tribunal-209-cases-still.html

These are the stories that drove the conversation today:

The National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu has debunked reports that he was working with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2019 elections.

Tinubu in reacting to the insinuation by a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, Abba Gana who said the former Lagos governor would work for Atiku because of his long-standing relationship with the former Vice President, said “where Abba Gana got his conviction that he would do so is left only to himself.”

“Yes, His Excellency Asiwaju has had a relationship with former Vice President, His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, just like he has had with many of other leaders in his political journey,” a statement by his spokesman read.

The crisis in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), seems far from being over, as the party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, has again lashed out at Governors Rochas Okorocha and Ibikunle Amosun of Imo and Ogun after the duo renewed attacks on him.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, Oshiomhole described Okorocha as “an embarrassment” to the APC with a failed attempt to elicit his support to build “a political dynasty,” adding that Amosun whose actions he said were “undemocratic, immoral and an abuse of power,” tried acting like an emperor.

The party had at the deadline of the submission of names of candidates for the 2019 governorship elections in both states, forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the names of Senator Hope Uzodinma and Dapo Abiodun as its governorship candidate in Imo and Ogun respectively.

Meanwhile, Uche Nwosu, an acclaimed winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Imo, has reacted to the emergence of Senator Hope Uzodinma as the party’s governorship candidate in the state, describing the decision by the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole as a violation of aasubsisting court order and unacceptable.

“I want to assure my teeming supporters that we are on the right course, not even Oshiomhole can stop us, we are the right candidate and we will emerge victorious at the end of the day. I am very confident that I will be the next governor of the state in 2019,” he said.

Presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Oby Ezekwesili, has slammed the claim by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, that it will reduce fuel price to N90 if elected, saying the claim shows the Atiku Abubakar is ignorant of the economy.

In a statement issued by her campaign group, Ezekwesili who argued that the country ended 2018 with 4 trillion of Fiscal Deficit and as such would find it difficult to slash fuel price, said the claim by the former Vice President and his party, “is a reminder to Nigerians that Atiku’s so-called and questionable business acumen does not qualify him to run this economy.”

“The party promised to crash fuel pump price to N90. This is 419, and it betrays the PDP candidate’s ignorance of how Basic Economics and the solutions Nigeria truly needs,” the statement read.

The Nigerian Army on Saturday laid to rest at Gudu Cemetery in Abuja the remains of late Maj.-Gen. Idris Alkali (Rtd), found by a team of the Army on Search and Rescue Operation.

At the funeral attended by by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and Muslims from within and outside the Federal Capital territory, Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque, Dr Kabir Mohammad, amid tears, commended the Nigerian Army for ensuring a thorough search which led to the recovery of the body of the deceased, who he described as a “national hero.”

Describing the situation surrounding the demise and death of Alkali as “very unfortunate,” he called on the Federal Government to look into the security situation in the country, stressing that “every Nigerian has the right to live or pass through any part of the country without being harassed or intimidated by anybody or group of people.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/the-late-5-oshiomhole-lambasts-okorocha.html

Indigenes residents in Ekiti State are to benefit from economic empowerment from the $321 million loot recovered from the late former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.

Two other states in the Southwest, Osun and Oyo, are to benefit from the disbursement of the cash through a cash transfer programme aimed at lifting the poorest of the poor from the abyss of poverty.

The deal for the disbursement of the cash was sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between two civil society organizations, New Initiative for Social Development (NISD) and African Network for Economic and Environmental Justice (ANEEJ).

Addressing a news conference on Saturday in Ado-Ekiti, NISD Executive Director, Mr. Abiodun Oyeleye, appealed to the Federal Government not to allow unscrupulous and corrupt politicians divert the $321 million Abacha loot released by Swiss government, for personal use.

He urged President Muhammadu Buhari must live up to the expectations of the agreement reached with the Swiss Bank that all recovered loots will be deployed to finance the welfare of poor Nigerians.

Oyeleye revealed that in compliance with the agreement reached with the Swiss Government that the money will be used to cater for the poor, which he said facilitated the release of the looted funds that the three states were listed in the region to benefit in the first tranche of the scheme.

The NISD boss said the monitoring mechanism became expedient to ensure that only the poor Nigerians are captured in the data already prepared by the World Bank and not those that have alliances with politicians and political parties.
Read Also: I know nothing about Abacha loot, says Al-Mustapha

According to him, ANEEJ is presently implementing the monitoring of received assets in Nigeria through Transparency and Accountability projected tagged MANTRA, which is being supported by the British Department for International Development (DFID).

He stated that the Swiss and British Government had released a sum of $394 million looted funds to Nigeria in recent under the guise that the monies would be used to cater for poor Nigerians, saying proper monitoring by apolitical bodies like his organization will ensure strict compliance to agreements.

Oyeleye said: “The essence of the MANTRA programme to be undertaken by ANEEJ and NISD, is to ensure that the cash transfer to get to the direct beneficiaries in Ekiti, Osun and Oyo States in Southwest.

“We are also to create awareness across all the State, so that they can key into the programme. We are to ensure accountability and transparency in the disbursement of the fund. We must ensure that it is not politicized or diverted or seen as a national cake that can be misused by powerful people.

“Available statistics by the World Bank revealed that over 75 percent of Nigerians are extremely poor. Only 20 percent are of the middle class and five percent are super rich.

“It was the intention to lessen poverty and bridge the wide gap between the rich and poor that made the Swiss government to release the looted funds and we must not betray that trust.

“The data of each state were already compiled, the beneficiaries are known and our task is to ensure that those who don’t have any means of livelihood benefit and they must be productive members of a family to develop economic activities like business that can sustain their people.

“Ours is to deploy monitors to all the towns and villages and interact with these people and we are going to establish a feedback mechanism for beneficiaries and citizens on the implementation of the programme in the three states”.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/ekiti-two-others-to-benefit-from-321.html

Usman Yusuf, Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has claimed that he was suspended for refusing to release N975million to the Ministry of Health.

Yusuf stated this on Friday when he appeared before the House of Representatives panel investigating his suspension.

The NHIS governing board recently suspended him, after accusing him of financial infractions and abuse of office.

Addressing the house committee in Abuja, Yusuf alleged the panel that investigated him was bribed.

He said his “refusal” to grant the request from the Health ministry “led to the setting up of a panel to probe me.”

“And the panel delivered as the panelists were given N19 million, even the security too were given money,” he said.

Asked whether he has any evidence, Yusuf responded in the affirmative, saying, “I even have documented evidence of how the money was shared”.

Yusuf also revealed that the day the governing board announced his suspension, was the day he was meant to present a report on the violation of the public procurement processes at the agency.

“Why was I suspended on October 18 and not 19th of October? The 18th of October was the day I was going to present a result of the forensic audit of the activities of HMOs.

“Eighteenth of October was nothing but preemptive coup at the NHIS. It was a gang up to stop my fight against corruption.

“These are all allegations that have been recycled. They were all investigated by the ICPC and EFCC; and they found nothing and I was cleared. They wrote to me clearing me,” he said.

Yusuf denied illegally awarding contracts at will at the agency, but admitted that a company owned by his brother, Mohammed Kabir-Yar’Adua, was awarded a N406million contract at the agency.

He insisted that the company won the contract through due process in 2016.

On his part, the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, insisted that Yusuf was justly indicted of corrupt practices.

Adewole, represented by Permanent Secretary at the ministry, Abdulaziz Abdulahi, insisted that cases of financial infractions were established against the NHIS executive secretary.

“All the allegations levelled against him are 100 per cent correct,” Abdullahi said.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/i-was-suspended-for-refusing-to-release.html

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has said it would respect the Supreme Court judgment concerning Rivers State.

Speaking through the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the party said it would abide by the court ruling and would soon put measures in place to conduct fresh congresses across the state.

Oshiomhole said this at a press conference in Abuja on Friday.

Recall that the party had yesterday said that in spite of the apex court decision, its candidate for the governorship election remained Tonye Cole.

Making a U-turn, Oshiomhole said, “On the judgment given by the Supreme Court, as a political party, we respect the judiciary, we also appreciate that in truth and in fact, democracy is basically about the celebration of the rule of law and not the rule of might.

“Based on this fact, which is not a choice, we are obliged to respect the rule of law and at the heart of that is total obedience to the letters and the spirit of judicial findings which are not meant to be convenient.

“In a democracy, there are orders that need to be obeyed.

“Therefore, the judgment by the Supreme court in which from the first page to the last page, it is very clear that the Supreme court has nullified the ward congresses that were done by my predecessor in Rivers state and also nullified the state and local government congresses that were done in the state because according to the Supreme Court, those congresses were done in spite of a subsisting court order.

“What is important is that as things stand, the highest court in the land has pronounced that those congresses did not meet the requirements of the law and are therefore not valid.

“As a law abiding party, we accept the decision of the court and we will call a meeting in no distant future of all the stakeholders in Rivers state to prepare them and to put the necessary machinery in place to conduct fresh ward, local government and state congresses in Rivers in line with the provisions of the constitution of the APC. This we have to do in full obedience to the judgment of the Supreme Court.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/amaechi-vs-abe-apc-makes-u-turn-opts.html

The senior Pastor of Awaiting The Second Coming Of Jesus Christ Gospel Church in Akure, Pastor Adewale Giwa, has advised the governorship candidate of the Alliance of Democracy in the last governorship election in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke to leave politics for another lucrative job.

Pastor Giwa, who was reacting to the statement made by Chief Oke who said he regretted rejoining the All Progressives Congress, APC, revealed that he (Giwa) personally warned the politician to remain in his previous party.

Oke had led his supporters to the APC shortly after he lost the 2016 governorship election.

The former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and his supporters had since been sidelined in the scheme of things.

However, Giwa in a statement to DAILY POST said he knew Chief Oke would be used and dumped by the administration of Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

“Yes, I warned Chief Oke when he wanted to rejoin the APC, but didn’t listen. Look at where he has ended up his political career.

“As a matter of fact, it is time for him to quit politics because he doesn’t know the game. He needs to go learn the game more from professional politicians.

“Oke has lost followers with his inconsistency in politics, I do hope he has learnt a good lesson from his political downfall.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/2019-election-i-warned-you-against.html

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara has said that he was shocked by the infrastructure he saw at the office of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, in Abuja.

The lawmaker commended the FRSC over the introduction of digital technology, especially in driver’s license processing, with a drastic time cut for applicants.

In the details of his visit to the FRSC forwarded to DAILY POST on Tuesday by his media team, The Speaker, however, expressed regrets that there was still high rate of loss of lives to road crashes across Nigeria.

He promised that the FRSC establishment Act amendment Bill before the House would be speedily passed.

Dogara was at the Corps’ headquarters in Abuja to renew his personal driver’s license and subsequently met with the Board and management of the corps.

He described the technological deployment as “a pleasant surprise” but insisted that it can still be possible to see a situation where an applicant would just do biometric data capturing within minutes.

“Even though this is a pleasant surprise for me because I was just here for data capturing, and I thought I will just spend 2 or 3 minutes and I’ll be gone, but it’s all well because it’s in the national interest that we are having the meeting and I’m glad that we are working for the interest of our great country, and I’m happy to see this team-spirit playing out among members of your board.

“In some other Agencies; we have had reports of how members of the board were fighting with the Head of the Agencies especially in the question of what is the delineation of the authorities of the board, but here you are working together seamlessly as I have seen among you; the spirit of comradeship, I must commend and I’m optimistic that things will definitely be better”

“I must also say that I am more than impressed by the infrastructure that I have seen here. I was just telling the Corps Marshal that if they had told me outside that we have attained this level of sophistication in terms of the deployment of technology, I wouldn’t believe it. If not because I’ve seen it, so even if I were Thomas, I’ve seen and touched it, and I now believe and know that truly we have made a quantum leap in terms of applying technology in order to better our lot here in Nigeria.

“What you do here is very important, and that forms part of the mandate of governance in the protection/securing of lives and property of our citizens and I have seen the statistics of deaths on our roads, with the Corps Marshal saying an average of 93 lives are lost weekly, I think that is very high, even though it is commendable that by deployment of technology we have been able to crash the figures, I believe working together the way I have seen between the Board and Management, we can even do more, we can further cut this number, and we can achieve that in the nearest future.

“If there is anything required on our part as Legislators, so that we can assist you to reduce this quantum of lives we still lose on our highways, it would be irresponsible of us not to do it immediately. Just as you all know, the Laws have processes, from when they are Passed for them to be Constitutionally valid, it must Pass Three different Readings.

“As it is now, we have had up to the Second Reading, part of the Second Reading process is that it must pass through a Public Hearing process, so that we can get the public buying into the Law, it is important since we are Representatives of the people, we want to hear their opinion as to the proposal that is being laid before Parliament.

“So as soon as that Public Hearing process is concluded, we can fast-track the remaining process which is consideration and adoption of the Report, Third Reading and Passage. Since I see what you are doing, I can only plead that we hasten the Public Hearing, and between the Chairman of our Committee and the Corps Marshal, this can be done as quickly as possible, maybe by December in order to avoid the situation which the Chairman was referring to. If care is not taken, once the lifespan of this Parliament elapses, we have to start ‘denovo’, and that would be very unfortunate., because you’ll have to present it and give the required notices before you start the Reading processes again.

“I think working together, nothing is impossible, especially from the perspective of the House, I cannot speak for the Senate, once the Public Hearing is done, all I need is a word from the Chairman that we are done with the Public Hearing which is a Constitutional requirement as we must get the input of our citizens before the Law is Passed, then leave the rest to me, we’ll be done with it.

“Since we work in the same environment with the Senate, we’ll try and interface with the Senate. I’ll share personally with the Senate President what I’ve seen here today and tell them of the urgency in order to better the Laws that regulate workings of the Agency which will translate into saving lives on our highways.

“I want to thank you and commend you for the wonderful work you are doing on behalf of all of us, and to thank God for the spirit of unity that I have seen and to encourage you to sustain this because without unity you can’t achieve anything as is said: United we stand, divided we fall, and because we are human beings and nobody is perfect, you will always have grievances coming from one corner or the other.

“But if you realize that we are all human, and you yourself are not perfect, then you should allow some room for people you are dealing with to exhibit their human trait of imperfection, that no one can get it 100%. Once you realize that, you’ll be able to tolerate people and be able to work together for the success of this Agency which will translate into the saving of lives on our highways,” he said.

Chairman, Governing Board of the FRSC, Malam Bunari Bello earlier in his remarks appealed to the Speaker to help ensure the amendment Bill to the Corps’ extant Act is passed and enacted before the expiration of life of the current National Assembly.

“We are urging you to assist us get the Law Amended so that it can become operational within the life of this National Assembly, because if we do not achieve it now, we have to start all over again. I really think we should device a way of getting it done without starting ‘denovo’. This is because it can be very frustrating when you spend 5 years prosecuting a case and either the Judge retires or it goes to the Court of Appeal, and you have to start again, and some times you see some of the witnesses die in the process and that has destroyed the whole work done.

“I think we should find a way for the National Assembly to dispense of it without us having to start all over again. I believe with your support we can get it done within the life span of this National Assembly, and I think it is something which would be kudos to the National Assembly if this is passed as it is definitely to impact on the lives of millions of Nigerians and those who are not Nigerians”, he said.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/what-i-saw-at-frsc-office-in-abuja.html

The Nigerian Army has announced that only three members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) or Shi’ite sect, died on Monday at the Kugbo/Karu bridge junction during an encounter with troops in Abuja.

In a statement made available to NAN on Tuesday, Army said four soldiers sustained injuries during the encounter.

However, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria claimed that about 50 of its members were killed on Monday along the Nyanya-Keffi expressway by officials of the Nigerian Army.

The statement stated that the victims were killed after the sect members attacked troops deployed to the checkpoint at the junction at about 3:p.m.

The statement reads: “The sect in massive numbers forced their way into the troops’ checkpoint after overrunning the Police Force.

“The Police withdrew back to own troops’ position to joined efforts to repel them.

“They fired weapons, throwing bottle canisters with fuel, large stones, catapults with dangerous objects and other dangerous items at troops, causing bodily harm and stopping motorist movement, breaking their windscreen and causing heavy traffic.

“However, troops repelled the attack in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force to stop the situation from further deteriorating.”

The statement, however, said normalcy had been restored in the general area and there was now free flow of traffic.

It called on members of the public living within Abuja and environs to go about their normal activities without fear of molestation.

“The Nigerian Army will not deter in carrying out its constitutional roles and also safeguarding law-abiding citizens,” the statement added.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/why-we-killed-3-shiites-members-in.html

In furtherance of his desire to make Cross River the leading rice producing state in the country, the state Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, has signed a pact with the government of Israel to train 1000 rice farmers on modern farming techniques.

Speaking at an orientation exercise for the farmers at the Ayade Industrial Park, Calabar, Ayade stated that the training was to create wealth for farmers through capacity building and access to modern farming techniques and equipment.

According to him, “Today’s exercise is to announce to the world that Cross River is fully prepared to become number one rice producer in Nigeria with the training and equipping of over 1000 farmers with 21st century farming skills in the first phase of the training progamme.”

Ayade disclosed that the decision to bring Israeli experts to handle the training is to expose farmers in the state to modern farming methods and machines.

“I brought experts from Israel to train us and allow us to have the full benefit of our rice factory that we have set up here for maximal benefits to the citizenry.”

He said the training programme is also part of his administration’s deliberate programme to industrialise the state with a view to decoupling it from over dependence on federal allocations.

“By the time we are done training the 12, 000 rice farmers so far identified, Cross River will become number one and self sufficient in rice production in Nigeria,” he assured.

While urging the beneficiaries to take advantage of the training seriously the governor explained: “I come with all sincerity of purpose because it is not in my nature to play politics with anything I do for the people. My politics has ethics and in ethics, we have attitude and morality comes first.

“Today, as a state, we have the highest number of factories and industries set up in Nigeria since 2015. We don’t have the highest allocation, we are actually second to the last but we are number one in everything because we don’t mix politics with what we do here,” he stressed.

On access to finance, the Governor hinted that “we are setting up a micro finance bank that will give interest free loans to all farmers and all the instrumentality of the Bank of Agriculture will pass through our bank for easy access to facility.”

As a way of encouraging women to participate in the programme Ayade said: “I charge those responsible for distribution of the facility to allocate 60 percent to women, youths 30, while the men should be allocated 10 percent respectively.”

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CSS Group of Companies, the firm facilitating the training programme, Dr. John Kennedy Opara, extolled Ayade’s foresight by venturing into agriculture.

“I am so proud of the governor because like I said to him, whatever you can picture you can capture and His Excellency is picturing the future he wants to make sure he can capture for Cross River State and we are glad to partner with the state.”

While offering advice to the trainees, Okpara said: “I want to encourage you as you come for your training in Abuja. It’s a very intensive two weeks training program, and I believe that you will come back as refined farmers, you will come back great farmers that will add value.

“We need to change the system in our country, we need to change our concept, and I believe that this is the opportunity that God is providing for us to do that. Thank God for the Bank of Agriculture in terms of finance. I believe if every Nigerian is comfortable, we don’t need to struggle for federal offices.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/why-israelis-are-training-1000-cross.html

The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN),Oby Ezekwesili said President Muhammadu Buhari lacks the aptitude and capacity to continue to lead Africa’s most populous country.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has now shown neither the capacity nor the aptitude for the highest office in the land,” Ezekwesili said on Monday at press conference in Lagos as her unveiled its road-map for winning the 2019 presidential elections.

“Let us talk about the present administration; what is the primary legacy of President Muhammadu Buhari? It is the destruction of our nation’s wealth — presiding over the worse economic recession Nigeria has seen in decades.

“Even now that the economy has come out of recession, the growth is as sluggish as its government. Four out of every 10 adults are either unemployed or underemployed and Nigeria is now the poverty capital of the world,” she added.

The APCN presidential candidate accused Buhari of being “most nepotistic and most partisan president that Nigeria has ever seen” and said that the president who rode on the promises to fight corruption in 2015 is also “corrupt”

“This president talks about fighting grand corruption. Please, please, give me a break! Can corruption fight corruption? Does he think we cannot see?” Ezekwesili said

The Presidential hopeful, who was the minister of education and under the People’s Democratic party-led administration, said the opposition party is not also a better alternative to move Nigeria forward.

“I just laugh when I hear some people say our citizen’s movement will split opposition votes. But the PDP is not in opposition to the APC. The candidate of the PDP has over the past 14 years gone from PDP to AC, AC to PDP, PDP to APC and now back to PDP” Ezekwesili said

Ezekwesili also took a swipe at Buhari and PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, noting that if she eventually becomes the Nigerian president, “you will never hear any world leader call me lifeless or dishonest.”

“I have no issues obtaining visas or travelling to any country in the world – whether it is the United States of America or the United Arab Emirates,” she said in a not-so-veiled reference to the PDP presidential candidate.

Recently, Financial Times reported that the United States president Donald Trump referred to Buhari as “lifeless” shortly after a meeting between the two leaders in April.

The PDP presidential candidate, on his part, is rumoured to be avoiding travelling to the United States because of a pending indictment.

The former minister of education, while stating her achievement in office, said she “introduced Public Private Partnership models for education service delivery and very importantly ensured that Innovation & Vocational Enterprise Institutions were accredited, certified and regulated by the National Board for Technical Education.”

Ezekwesili, therefore, affirmed that the ruling party and opposition party are “brothers and sisters of iniquity and impoverishment, merchants of failure and disappointment.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/buhari-lacks-aptitude-to-lead-nigeria.html

At least three herders have been killed and seven others injured after gunmen opened fire in a market in Taraba State on Saturday, police and witnesses said.

The attack occurred at Mararraban Kunini, a major livestock trading community in Lau Local Government Area.

The police in Taraba told PREMIUM TIMES the killers are still at large as of Sunday afternoon.

The Mararraban Kunini Market was recently opened following an ethno-religious conflict that engulfed Mayo-Lope town, which was formerly home to the central cattle market. The violence forced most of the traders in Mayo-Lope to flee the community.

Witnesses who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES on the latest attack said the gunmen stormed the market at the peak of business Saturday afternoon.

“People were busy buying and selling cattle, sheep and goats and farm produce” when gunmen suddenly appeared and opened fire, a witness said.

“Three traders were killed instantly and 11 others injured as I am talking to you now,’’ Mallum Kawu, a cattle dealer who said he narrowly escaped the attack, told PREMIUM TIMES.

Josiah Bante, a used clothes trader, said people fled in different direction to escape the violence.

The attackers did not steal cows or any other merchandise at the market, indicating they only came to wreak havoc, Mr Bante said.

The police confirmed the attack on Sunday, with David Misal, an assistant superintendent of police, saying the police were informed of three deaths while seven persons sustained injuries.

No arrests have been made, but security measures in the area have been intensified to avoid further bloodshed, the police spokesperson said.

The attack followed an indiscriminate killing of cows in Taraba-Abbare town in the same local government area on Thursday.

At least 150 cows were killed during the attack, according to community leaders who are now demanding urgent intervention by the Nigerian military and other security agencies.

The attackers were said to be clad in military fatigues, a claim that security agencies have not disputed.

Dozens of cows that were injured in the attack were later taken to food markets in Jalingo, the state capital. Some herders reportedly took their injured cows to a market in Mayo-Belwa in the neighbouring Adamawa State.

‘’We want military authorities and sister security agencies to investigate the alleged involvement of the military in the attacks,” a community leader told PREMIUM TIMES.

The police also acknowledged the incident occurred, but said it was not reported to security agencies.

‘’No one came to us and forwarded his or her complaint on the matter but the state command had since deployed more police to area while the divisional police officer in charge of the area” had been directed to investigate and forward findings to the headquarters.

The Nigerian Army did not return requests for comments about the attacks and claims that perpetrators dressed as soldiers.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/three-killed-seven-injured-as-gunmen.html

Zainab Buba Galadima was born in Maiduguri, Borno State into the family of Engr Buba Galadima and Hajia Fanna Buba Galadima, the only girl among six children. She received her primary education at Maiduguri International Primary School and for her secondary school education; she attended Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) Bakori, Katsina State. She holds three master’s degrees. She is a grassroots politician who once represented Wuse ward in the Abuja Municipal Area Council as a counsellor. Presently, she is working as technical assistant to the vice president on domestic and sexual violence.

Background

My name is Hon Zainab Buba Galadima, I was born in Maiduguri to Engr Buba Galadima, a politician and Hajia Fanna Buba Galadima, a businesswoman and philanthropist. I have five brothers. I am the only girl in the family.

I’m married with two kids, I’m a grassroots politician, a youth activist and a businesswoman. I had my primary education at Maiduguri International Primary School, my secondary school at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) Bakori, Katsina State. From there I proceeded to London for my higher studies. I did my A Levels at Padworth College, Berkshire; my Business Admin Intermediary programme at American Intercontinental University, before moving over to Regents Business School, London where I got a degree in International Finance and Accounting. I have an MBA, MA in Management and Leadership and another MA in Information Technology Management.

I am a member of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA). I am currently doing a post graduate diploma (PGD) in Conflict and Peace and Strategic Studies in Nile University.

I was a counsellor here in Abuja between 2013 and 2016. I represented Wuse ward under Abuja Municipal Area Council. I was the only opposition and so I was the minority leader. I now work with the vice president.

I have a tea shop and a restaurant.

Childhood

I was in Maiduguri till I entered secondary school. I have fond memories of those days. I remember Maiduguri as a very peaceful place. As I said earlier, I have five brothers, I grew up in the midst of boys. I didn’t have that girlish attitude, in fact then I saw myself as a boy. If my father buys them bicycle, he buys me one; if he buys toy gun for them, he buys one for me. It was very peaceful then and we had this sense of community life.

My father had some Igbo people that worked for him in his construction company; we had cordial relationship with them. It was always peaceful. I grew up with so much attachment to this kind of community life. There was a lot of peaceful co-existence between us and other people. That is what we miss a lot now.

Politics

I am the only one that took after my father in politics, all my other brothers are doing their own thing; they are professionals in their own fields.

Initially, the men tried to intimidate me, but they couldn’t because I have always been around men, and to be honest, I never see myself as a woman. Most of my friends are men. So, I really more or less think like the men do.

When I was running for the counsellorship, the men actually thought they could put me down, but then they realised that I had some sort of strength which they never thought I had and with my size, they didn’t really see that coming.

In politics, you have to have courage, you have to be determined, regardless of your sex, you have to stand for something, if not you will just crash.

Business

I have passion for cooking, I make my own tea, I have my own recipe. I love tea and I love to cook. So, I decided to set up the business. My father supported me. I have closed the shop now, but we still produce from home, which is easier for me because of the high cost of setting up a shop.

I opened for business in 2014/15. It is actually a modernised version of the popular ‘mai shaye’ which we see by the roadside. I loved mai shaye, before I got married; I had a friend with whom I normally drove around. We would stop by mai shaye, sit there and take a drink.

Teachers

I had this teacher, Mrs Udensi, in primary school, I have been looking for her. She was my best teacher. She was the ‘sisi’ of the school, with her jerry curls. She was really nice to us. We also had this other teacher, Mrs Sati, she is English. She really liked me and I always visited at her house.

Secondary school was the best time of my life, even though at that time I felt it was the worst, but looking back, I have this nostalgic feeling. We were very close to our physics teacher, Mr Muraino, he gave us extra lessons for free and each time we did anything deserving punishment, we ran to him for protection. He was a gentleman.

My Father

I love being my father’s daughter. We might disagree on issues, but everybody has a mind of his own, and I feel he has the right to express himself. I am proud of him for the stands he decides to take, I am proud of him because he is fearless, because he just has a mind of his own. We have a lot in common, but we don’t get along much, because we are the same person. I also try to maintain my own stand, if I am not doing something; I am not doing it regardless of the pressure.

Ambition

I mean well for Nigeria. I want to be somebody that would go down in history as one who made impact in the Nigerian society. Really, I have no limit to what I want to become. I can be the president.

Relaxation

I am a workaholic. With two kids, it’s tough. Sometimes, I just love to drive around. I go to Katampe, I drive around, observing the beautiful houses there and come back.

Mistakes

Everybody makes mistakes. I have made a lot of mistakes in my life and in politics. But the thing is, that is life. If you are smart enough to realise that you have made a mistake, you should be able to use that mistake to get yourself back on track and learn from the mistake. Some mistakes you may have to live with, but you have to step out of the box, look at the box and see how you can make the box fit you.

Regrets

I don’t take life serious. Maybe sometimes I am too relaxed about things, I just let it go.

Maybe I would have gotten married earlier, I got married at 31. By now I would have finished having my kids instead of just starting.

I would have done something different from accounting. I just found out that accounting is not my calling. I love architecture.

Mentors/Role models

My husband, Ibrahim; Hon Mai Mala Buni; Prof Yemi Osinbajo; my parents.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/i-learn-from-my-mistakes-zainab.html

Labour Party (LP) on Friday urged Nigerians to show interest and fully partake in the 2019 general elections.

Director of Publicity and Media, Yinka Richards, in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Friday, re-emphasized the party’s position that Nigerian electorate must be given the right environment to elect candidates of their choice.

‘’Labour Party cannot be simplistic and attempt to wish away the issue of right candidates seeking elective positions at all levels, particularly as 2019 approaches’’, he said.

Richards noted that Labour Party would enjoy the support of Nigerian voters at the poll, “owing to the fact that the candidates of the party are more qualified and credible”

Speaking on the chances of the party, he confirmed that Labour party has forwarded names of its candidates and the chances are high in many states of the federation where those candidates are widely accepted by their people.

He said states like Kwara, Akwa-Ibom, Imo, Ogun, Delta, Benue, Abuja FCT, Abia, Enugu, Edo, Oyo, Anambra and Osun have already fielded influential candidates flying the party’s flag.

However, Richards advised Nigerians to be sensitive in their dealings with “political job seekers” who want to tarnish the image of the Labour Party.

His words: ‘’Labour Party is fully prepared for 2019 general elections and we want to urge Nigerian voters to distance themselves from some disgruntled politicians who lay claim to the leadership of the party.

“For instance, one Mike Omotosho who claimed to be the National Chairman of the party is a member of the APC and he is the deputy governorship candidate of the party in Kwara state.

“So, how on earth will a politician belong to two political parties at a time? Those types of people cannot be trusted. They are neither here nor there’’.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/labour-party-speaks-on-2019-election.html

Arik Air has announced the resumption of flight operations to Osubi Airport, Warri with effect from Friday, October 26, 2018 following the reopening of the airport closed on September 3, 2018 by Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

The airline, according to its chief executive officer, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, was pleased to welcome passengers back on the Lagos-Warri and Abuja-Warri routes with a promise of on-time departures and great customer experience.

Arik Air operates two daily flights from Lagos to Warri and one flight from Abuja to Warri. All the flights into Osubi are resuming same day.

Meanwhile, aviation professional body in the country, Aviation Round Table and Safety Initiative (ARTSI) had condemned the closure of Warri Airport due to high navigational charges by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

In an official statement signed by one of the key members of the group, Olu Ohunayo, ARTSI stated that they were of the opinion that the airport be certified by NCAA to operate scheduled flights and its tariffs approved accordingly in line with Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations ( NCARs ).

The group added that there should have been an agreement between NAMA and the operators of Warri airport on tariffs before the deployment of Air Traffic Services.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/arik-air-resumes-warri-flight-operations.html

Ex Big Brother Naija 2018 housemate, Dee One, has called out show sponsors, Payporte and it’s owner, Eyo Bassey in quite an explosive, lengthy Instagram post.

Dee One took to his Instagram page to reveal that Payporte owes him about N450k since June this year, and that they have since severed communication ties with him as they fail to pay up.

Before Dee One took the action of putting up this post, he called out Payporte yesterday to do the needful or he will make public statements everyday.

Payporte called his bluff and here is the outcome.

Dee One wrote,

“This post is not to defame payporte or bring anyone down. Payporte pushed my team to this point. I have explored every option to get this resolved but nothing has worked. Mr bassey has made it mission impossible.

“Vvip Tickets for deeone evicted lagos were purchased by parporte in may. After i personally dropped them off at the office, i spoke to him over the phone informing him that i dropped off the tickets as agreed, He asked for a discount and i yanked off 10% off the original price of 500k.

“To cut the long story short, since deeone evicted lagos ended in june. I gave enough time to pay up at their convenience but i never heard anything from payporte.

“So i had no choice than to call mr bassey to find out what it is exactly, but he doesn’t pick up my calls nor reply my text messages.

“I ignored this disrepect to my brand and went ahead to his office so many times, dropped numerous messages with his staff all to no avail.
Its been six months now and no word from payporte.

“The most annoying part is not even his refusal to pay up his debt but the fact that that he has decided to completely ignore and not communicate which is just not right.

“Payporte gave out these tickets to their followers online and i am so sure those that attended got value for money.
We even ran ads for payporte at the show with over one thousand people in attendance even tho they weren’t one of our sponsors, we did that to appreciate them.

“One brand too has not paid up yet but they have not stopped communicating with me on developments of happenings which is very ok by me and my entire team.

“But total refusal to conmunicate with me or my team by payporte is totally unacceptable and unjust.
We dont even want payporte to communicate anymore, payporte should contact the team and pay up or else i will go further and drop videos everyday till they do the needful.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/bbnaijas-dee-one-calls-out-payporte.html

Nice

Osinachukwu Ideozu, senator representing Rivers west, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ideozu was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.

Ahmed Lawan, senate leader, announced his defection on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Wednesday while congratulating him.

No official letter was read by Senate President Bukola Saraki.

“I want to congratulate my brother representing Rivers West, Osinachukwu Ideozu for moving from PDP to APC. Congratulations my brother,” Lawan said.

Reacting to the defection, Emmanuel Bwacha, deputy senate president, taunted him saying: “I wish him Godspeed because I know where he is going.”

Going by the defection, all the senators from Rivers are of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The other senators are Andrew Uchendu representing Rivers east, and Magnus Abe, senator representing Rivers south-east.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/set-back-as-only-pdp-senator-in-rivers.html

The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has criticized Abia state Governor, Okezie ikpeazu of alleged sharing of Prado Jeeps to the seventeen local government council chairmen in the state.

The party, in a statement issued to newsmen by the Abia State chairman, Reverend Augustine Ehiemere, and forwarded to DAILY POST on Wednesday morning, said the action of the governor was provocative and highly disrespectful to the suffering citizens of the state, especially thousands of starving civil servants and pensioners whose situations keep becoming pathetic on a daily basis.

Recall that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had last week, as parts of his birthday celebration, distributed multi-million Naira Prado Jeeps to the 17 local government council chairmen in Abia state.

Parts of the APGA statement reads, “The attention of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Abia state has been drawn to the latest thoughtless and tactless action of governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state who in continuation of his acts of financial recklessness shared brand new Toyota Prado Jeeps to the Seventeen L.G. A Chairmen of the state a few days ago.

“Just like other citizens of the state who have roundly condemned this jamboree of an insensitive governor, we feel very sad and disappointed, and thus state as follows:

“That the sharing of such expensive jeeps that is between Fifty Million Naira (N50M) and above per vehicle at this time is the highest display of leadership insensitivity to the plight of Abians and clearly presents the governor as one whose leadership priorities are misplaced, and dangerously wrapped in destructive selfishness.

“That while Dr. Ikpeazu celebrated his birthday amid pomp and pageantry, and dashed those vehicles like Christmas flowers, he didn’t bother to pause and ponder about the welfare and fate of those millions of Abians who are struggling to provide three square meals for their families.

“That LGA Chairmen as Chief Executives of the third tier of government, with constitutional independence and approved budgets, are not appointees of the governor and thus do not fall in the category of government officials who should be beneficiaries of such gestures; suffice it to say that it’s either the Ikpeazu led government has been dipping its hand illegally into the treasury of the Local Councils, or that he is wasting such resources on the LGA Chairmen for ulterior motives that may not be unconnected to his desperate quest for undeserved reelection come 2019.

“The fact that a governor who has consistently hinged his failure to pay workers and pensioners, as well as execute meaningful projects on paucity of funds, had the mind to waste up to a billion naira (N 1Billion) in purchase of such expensive jeeps, shows that Ikpeazu is determined to exhibit anti people meanness and ruthlessness in pursuit of a doomed reelection ambition, more than he is ready to use the resources of the people in giving them responsible leadership. This should awaken the consciousness of Abians of all classes, and strengthen their resolve to end the Ikpeazu leadership tragedy come 2019.

“That we urge the LGA Chairmen to allow truth, justice and empathy prevail over selfish interest by voluntarily returning those jeeps which are akin to blood money to governor Okezie Ikpeazu, even as we appeal to the governor to sell off those jeeps and use the proceeds to tackle pressing needs of the people.

“Finally, we wish to remind Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu that Abia is not, and can never be his personal estate where self propelled acts of selfishness and gross misconduct as being witnessed presently can go unchallenged and unpunished. He must give account of his stewardship, if not today, certainly tomorrow, because no evil has ever gone unpunished.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/abia-how-apga-reacted-to-governor.html

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said that the people of the state had nothing against Fulani people as it was being insinuated by people out to cause confusion.

“We have lived with the Fulani people for ages; we have nothing against them. Even the Fulani people know that we have nothing against them,” Ortom said in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and ICT, Mr Tahav Agerzua.

The statement, which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Makurdi, recalled that Benue people voted overwhelmingly for former presidents Shehu Shagari and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 1979, 1983 and 2007 respectively.

“We also voted for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015,” he said.

He said that Shagari and Yar’Adua reciprocated the support they received by patronizing Benue people through federal appointments and projects.

“But from my findings, majority of Benue residents are opposed to the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC, because they have failed to register any positive federal presence in the state.

“Many people also feel that the APC-led federal government has failed to secure lives and property,’’ he claimed.

The governor promised to work with his predecessor, Dr, Gabriel Suswam, to bring development to the state.

The statement said that Ortom and Suswam had put the past behind them and had resolved to work together.

Ortom thanked the Tiv Area Traditional Council for brokering peace between him and his predecessor, pointing out that the duo would be better off if they worked together.

He assured workers that everything was being done to ensure that the last Paris Club Refund that was withdrawn by the federal government, was returned to the state so that part of their salary arrears would be cleared.

In the meantime, Suswam has appealed to Ortom’s close aides to educate the people on the governor’s achievements and his challenges.

He also urged Ortom to entrust his fate in God’s hands so that the creator would always resolve challenges in the governor’s favour. (NAN)

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/benue-people-not-against-fulani-gov.html

Mbaka described Atiku as bureau de change, according to him, because of the foreign currencies that allegedly exchanged hands at the National Convention of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, before the ex-VP emerged the party’s presidential candidate.

Mbaka however predicted that Atiku will defeat Buhari in 2019 but warned him not to emulate Buhari if he is elected the president.

The fiery cleric said this while addressing his congregation at the Adoration Ground.

“So let the will of God be done in Nigeria. It is like what I have been saying Buhari change or you will be changed”

Mbaka said that Buhari had all the human and material resources at his disposal to make the country better but rather chose to play ethnic, despotic politics.

“What will it take you; change the Chief of Staff, change B, change C, change this and change that; even if it will take 20 Igbo men or 20 Yoruba men to change Nigeria; take all of them. Look at what (Chukwuma) Soludo did in the Central Bank; he has assured Nigeria and the whole world that there is nothing like bank collapse again.

“An Igbo man did this, why can’t Buhari take Soludo for the economic revival and revamping of Nigeria’s economy? And you are busy talking about corruption, playing game with the lives of Nigerians from the issue of Fulani herdsmen to Boko Haram to Jos killings. You said somebody stole, what did he steal?

“Someday, they said the government has spent trillions of naira on social investment scheme and I want to know who are the people they were spending the money on; the Vice President said they are giving N10,000 to small scale businesses and I asked, is this how they will transform Nigeria? You give somebody N10,000 for business, what type of business will N10,000 start?

“Somebody will have billions and want to take the one belonging to the public while hunger will be killing his people. Look at the type of money they shared during the primaries to the extent that they brought Bureau de Change. They said Buhari is change, but Atiku is bureau de change. They were sharing the money in dollars and it was going out in millions of dollars in Nigeria where hunger is killing people; where you don’t have food to eat.

“If they spend such monies to get ticket, how do you think that when they get into power they will rule, of course, they will first recover the money they have spent but the worst is that the money was not being shared to the poor,” he lamented.

Speaking further, the prophet described the cost of APC Expression of Interest and Nomination forms as outrageous.

According to him, if the leadership of the party had conscience, they would not have collected N24 million from people to obtain the forms.

“There are some people that sold their land to pay for this form because of the promise they were made. I don’t think these politicians were thinking of heaven that is why they are ready to kill anybody that stands on their way,” he said.

Mbaka said that Atiku may not be able to solve the problems of Nigeria if he emerged victorious.

“If anybody is thinking that if Atiku becomes the President of Nigeria things will get better, ‘who born you’ because for this country to be good it is easier for a carmel to pass through the eye of a needle than this country to be good,” he said, urging that Nigerians must do their part to make Nigeria the nation of their dream.

The fiery preacher predicted defeat for the APC but said that there was still opportunity for change.

“There are no people that will develop this country that are not in Nigeria. We have people who will develop this nation; but our President left the same type of people who don’t have the same type of vision around him and everything they do is in your head.

“After you are removed, they will bring people that will flog you because you messed up the opportunities because you didn’t listen to the word of God. You didn’t listen to the man of God you have and you were disobeying him.

“The price of disobedience is disgrace,” he declared.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/atiku-will-win-2019-election-i-told.html

The management of WalterSmith Petroman Oil Limited is set to change concept of crude oil exploration in Nigeria with its strategic transformation to an integrated energy company. FESTUS OKOROMADU writes on the expected benefits.

Since Nigeria joined the league of Oil producing nations following the discovery of the commodity in commercial quantity in Oloibiri a community in Bayelsa State in 1956, the focus had always been to export the product. Due to what many have described as lack of planning the nation has continued to focus on exploration for export. Consequently both the government and the companies involved in the exploration of crude oil continue to make the sector very complex and of little or no benefit to the ordinary Nigerians. While the government places more priority on the cheap foreign currency it earns from exporting the product, the oil companies take advantage of the nonchalant attitude of government toward transforming the sector to a much more value creating industry to explore the system to their advantage.
The implication is that sixty years after Shell-BP, commenced production of its first oilfield in 1958 neither the company which was then granted the sole concessionaire status then nor other multinational oil companies has a refinery in the country. Worst still, efforts of government through its state owned oil company known as Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to address the situation by building refineries has run into milky waters. Some experts have attributed inability of the state owned refineries to operate effectively, to the corruption bedeviling the sector in general and the Corporation in particular. Such critics point to the huge amounts usually voted for turnaround maintenance of the country’s four refineries that has never seen them being turned around to refine crude oil in the last 20 years.
The absence of a functioning refinery has left the state oil company, NNPC alongside government with no alternative than to import finished petroleum products into the country. The implication of this is that the country pays higher for its energy needs as failure to refine the crude leads to losing the economic benefit of doing so. This is even as the process of importation has continued to generate controversy.

Evolving New Approach
Faced with the serious challenge of revamping the ailing economy the present administration under president Muhammadu Buhari, has tried in its own capacity to give a new lease of life to the sector through various policy frameworks. One of such is the 7 Big Win launch in 2017. A key aspect of the 7 Big Win Policy is to transform the country into an exporter of refined petroleum products instead of importing. To actualise this, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu has continued to make round the clock in collaboration with the agencies under the ministry to workout modalities.
According to the minister, the strategies being deployed include reviving the existing refineries by sourcing for private investors who will equally manage them later, building modular refineries as well as developing greenfield refineries.

Modular Refineries: The Waltersmith Model
Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited an indigenous exploration and production company established in 1996 budded for and won the Ibigwe oilfield located within the coverage area of the oil mining license (OML 16) in 2003 after participating in the marginal field licensing rounds designed for indigenous companies. According to the chairman/chief executive officer (CEO) of the company, Abdulrazaq Isa, the firm using wholly indigenous technical workforce, has successfully operated the field revamping its production from an initial 500 barrels per day (BPD) to the current average of 7,000bpd over a period of ten years.
But not satisfied with being merely an exploration and production company, the board of Waltersmith set a new target of becoming an integrated energy firm thus venturing into the downstream sector. In the words of the chairman/CEO, the urge to enter the downstream market is driven by the vision of contributing meaningfully to the country’s energy security and sustainability. To achieve this objective Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited, a subsidiary of Waltersmith Petroman was incorporated to build and operate a modular refinery to commence the refining of the crude oil from the Ibigwe Oilfield in what is now known as oil prospecting license (OPL 2004).The move is definitely a significant milestone for indigenous oil exploration firms operating in the country. If the perception in some quarters that Nigerians must take their destinies in their hands must be realised, other indigenous firms playing in the upstream sector must embrace this transitional strategy of converting their raw materials to finished products. Speaking on the reason behind the initiative during the ground breaking ceremony of the refinery on Thursday, Abdulrazaq stated that the refinery was conceptualised in 2011 with an intent to mitigate the frequent outage of the third-party export Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) and to optimise the full value of the nation’s crude oil production through in-country refining and providing the petroleum products for the domestic market.

He explained that the 5,000 bpd refinery is the first phase of a much larger development with plans to increase capacity to 30,000bodp as well as process additional products including Petrol (PMS) and Jet Fuel in the not too distant future. “We have already executed an MoU with PCC of China towards the installation of the additional capacity within 3 years, after startup of the 5,000 bodp modular refinery in December 2020. Another stride aim at improving the energy sector is the plan to develop a 300 megawatts of gas-fired power plant. Already, the company has secured a license from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the plant will be sited in the same energy industrial estate complex as the refinery and the flow station in the Ibigwe marginal field. According to the Chairman/CEO, “The power plant will utilize processed gas from Weltersmith’s Ibigwe marginal field and from third parties operating gas fields that are within proximity to the Ibigwe field. The power generated will be supplied to the national grid and is expected to contribute towards bridging the power supply gap in the country and create both direct and indirect jobs during the construction and operational phases.”
According to him about 118,000 households and 27,000 commercial/industrial users are expected to be powered through the project.

Host Communities
The testimony of the traditional rural of the host community, Eze, Ekwueme Paulinous Ekwueme at the ground breaking ceremony was evident that crude oil exploration can be carried out in this country without crisis. According to the Eze, his community which hosted Shell Petroleum Development Company the hitherto owner of the Ibigwe Oilfield for several years never had anything to show for hosting the multinational company until Waltersmith took over the site. While commending the board of Waltersmith for their support to the community in terms of provision of social infrastructure and employment, he assured the firm of a peaceful environment to operate. By implication the relationship is win-win to both parties hence there will be no cause for crisis. On his part, the company has promised impact the communities positive. “Waltersmith will remain committed to the development of the communities and making positive impacts on the lives of the indigenous,” Abdulrazaq stated.

Setting The Pace
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, while acknowledging the ingenuity of board of Waltersmith Petroman Oil for the initiative promised to role out two key policy statement that will definitely change the economy of the country if strictly implemented. These are Clutch Free Mechanism and the Compulsory Retention Of 20/50 per cent of produced crude from local market refining. Both policies no doubt most have been initiated because of the new perspective this indigenous exploration companies are bring on board. While the multinational has hitherto concentrated on exporting crude to the detriment of local refining by refusing to build refineries themselves, the minister stated that investors who are willing to do so are skeptical as they don’t have oil wells. Thus to change the structure the multinationals and other indigenous operators most either choose to build refineries and refine for the local market our sell a specific percentage of their crude oil in the local market. Experts believe that this will transform the downstream sector of the industry in particular and the economy in general.

Funding The Project
Another unique phase of the Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Company, is the funding structure. As rightly noted by the minister of petroleum resources, the board of the company proved their sincerity of purpose when they sort for and got a modular refinery license from the department of petroleum resources (DPR) by forging ahead to source for funds to birth their dreams. The project is being executed with a mix financing system which includes 30 percent equity financing by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and $35 million debt facility from the African Finance Corporation AFC).
Speaking at the ceremony the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote explained that the Board’s decision to invest in the Waltersmith’s modular refinery is in line with its vision to be a catalyst for the industrialization of the Nigerian oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors. “We stand with the desire of the Federal Government to give effect to the recent pronouncements on the establishment of modular refineries,”he said. One cannot but agree with Engr. Simbi when he said, Initiatives and partnerships like Waltersmith’s are needed to increase Nigerian Content in the oil and gas sector to 70 percent within the next 10 years. Indeed until the oil and gas sector is redirected to engineer economic transformation of the nation the hope of becoming a developed country may remain an elusive.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/beyond-owning-oil-well-license.html

The issue of Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2018 once again led to discontentment and fireworks among some members of the House of Representatives over a provision in the new amendment on a possible use of “any other technological device” in an election where the card reader fails or malfunctions. TUNDE OGUNTOLA writes

Political uncertainty may yet claim the latest efforts aimed at amending the electoral reform act which is seemingly becoming a high profile victim ahead of the 2019 general elections. The political hurdles that the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2018 still needs to scale may be significant considering the current tension among members of the House of Representatives. The new provisions need to be passed in the exact form by the House of Representatives before presidential assent which will confirm them as law hitherto the refusal to assent the bill. After years of unsuccessful attempts, the current amendments are aimed at instituting more reforms in the electoral process and make it freer, fairer and credible. It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari for the third time declined his assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2018, alleging irregularities following contentious issues such as the election sequence, announcement of election results, submission of fake voters card, voting process, among others as pointed out by Mr. President. It is evident that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the new amendment to the 2018 Electoral Act is passed without hitches, considering the significant roles that free, fair and credible elections play in the nation’s nascent democracy and as the firm foundation on which to build a solid and stable house for it. While some observers are of the view that President Buhari’s earlier rejection of the amendments to the Electoral Act will definitely undermine the 2019 elections; for example, the issue of the card reader, which dominated the last elections in the courts, others opine would not adversely affect the credibility of the elections if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) provides a level playing field and other stakeholders, such as the political parties, party supporters, voters and our security officials maintain neutrality. The national coordinator of the Atiku Global Support Group (AGSG) Alhaji Gambo Jagindi, insisted that the passage of the Electoral Act remains sacrosanct, premised on the fact that getting a practical document and guideline to moderate elections remains one particular way through which politicians wage secret battles against credible polls in Nigeria. Jagindi, however, seeks quick passage of the act by the National Assembly. He added that if President Buhari eventually rejects the amendment, then the credibility of the 2019 elections would be in doubt. Last Wednesday’s amendments are the most ambitious and wide ranging attempt at further enhancing the provenance of electoral conduct in Nigeria. But, the reservation of some members of the House of Representatives who expressed displeasure over a provision in the new amendment to the 2018 Electoral Act, on a possible use of “any other technological device” in an election where the card reader fails or malfunctions. Recall that the National Assembly’s joint committee on electoral matters had in its recommendation, began consideration in clause 16 (2) which gave a provision to the effect that where the electronic smart card reader repeatedly fail, or malfunction, an alternative technological device “as may be prescribed” by the INEC may be deployed for purpose of voter’s accreditation.

Kicking against the suggestion however, chairman of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Hon. Nicholas Osai, said the suggestion mght be open to any form of manipulation, and thus should be “completely deleted to prevent the use of something that is not known to us”.Ossai’s further suggested that the phrase, “any other technological device” be expunged as stated in clause 16 of the act attracted the division. His argument was based on clause 16 which states that a smart card reader or any other technological device that may be prescribed by the commission, for the accreditation of voters, to verify, confirm or authenticate the particulars of the voter in the manner prescribed by the commission. His submission was countered by Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who argued that laws had to be made with some level of flexibility, adding that the card reader of today might be phased out for another device tomorrow. Several other members yet expressed discomfort with the provision, citing inconsistency with Clause 16 (1), which had recommended the use of card reader, with a condition that election in any polling unit shall be cancelled where the reader fails up to three hours to the end of election, and a repeat slated within 24 hours. An uproar ensued that led to a staged walk out of some lawmakers. But, Gbajabiamila insisted that the provision should be retained, for whether if it is there or not, INEC has been given the constitutional power to organize elections, “and so there is nothing we can do, even if it introduces another device”. This was greeted with a thunderous shout of “no” by some members. Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yusuf Lasun, who presided over the report consideration in a committee of the whole, appeared to be in a fix, and subjected the matter to voice votes, but could not determine whether it was the “ayes” or the “nays” that had the majority. Lasun, after more contributions from mostly lawyer-members on the floor, appealed to his colleagues to be very careful, “because this is a serious matter that shape our lives’’, as he was yet to put a question when calm returned and ruled in favour of the “ayes”, a development that momentarily put proceeding on hold over members’ protests. However, clause 16 sub section 3 of the proposed amendment act states that In a case where the smart card reader malfunctions, another fresh election shall be conducted within 24hrs was argued but scaled through second reading. On paper, Nigeria has some of the most robust electoral rules of any emerging democracy. Unfortunately, most of them are primarily observed in the breach. A prime illustration of this trend is the campaign financing rules under the current Electoral Act 2010. The Act provides spending curbs for all electoral contests in the country. However, there is anecdotal evidence from the 2010 and 2015 elections that the primary political parties all breached their upper spending limits Any form of political antics, gimmicks and acts antithetical to achieving that is anti-people must not be allowed to hold sway. In spite of several misgivings against our brand of democracy here in Nigeria, with the rich and powerful hijacking of the political space, its benefits skewed in favour of the political class, policies and programmes not emanating from the collective wishes of the vast majority of the largely illiterate electorate, it still remains the hope of the people, Nigerians inclusive. For now, the National Assembly stood down the Electoral Act Amendment Bill till Tuesday next week. This decision followed the tension the new amendment generated and apparently to avoid a repeat of it.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/retooling-electoral-amendment-act-and.html

All is set for one of the most prestigious events in Abuja, Miss Indigenous Beauty Pageant and Awards Nigeria 2018 to hold on 28th October, 2018 at Sheraton hotel Abuja.

The show which is aimed at celebrating the indigenous greatness of Nigerians has promised to be worthwhile.

Speaking recently with LEADERSHIP, the CEO, Miss Indigenous Beauty Pageant and Awards, Mr Clinton Jack said this year’s edition would be the ultimate as personalities who have performed greatly in their different fields of life would be honoured.

“We have personalities who are lined up for the Indigenous personalities such as the former Deputy Governor of Benue state, Dr Steven Lawani, Ambassador Kingsley Azonobi, Hon Tijjani Yusuf, Hon. Chris Azobugo, Hon. Mrs Itoro Utitofon, Amb. Hussaini Haruna Coomassie, Idris Akinola, Victor Bricks, Kenny Sam, Chief Obi Cubana( group of companies), Mrs Maria Lawrence and host of others are top award personalities for this year’s edition.

“The event is set to hold at Sheraton hotels and towers Abuja and also the beautiful contestants representing all different indigenous states in Nigeria are set to battle for the ultimate crown of who becomes the next Miss indigenous Nigeria,” he explained.

The showcase which always stand out promises to thrill guests on all segments of entertainment such as comedy, music, drama and indigenous displays.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/miss-indigenous-pageant-awards-holds.html

The National Assembly yesterday stood down the Electoral Act Amendment Bill till Tuesday next week.

In the Senate, the decision followed the tension generated over sitting arrangement at plenary yesterday.

And apparently to avoid a repeat of it, the Senate yesterday stood down the debate on Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2018 for third reading and possible passage till Tuesday next week.

However, this is contrary to reasons given by the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, in announcing the postponement. He said it was done to enable the Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) carry out further legislative work on the bill.

But sources at the Senate told LEADERSHIP Friday that the debate on the bill was stood down to avoid another rancorous session in view of what happened yesterday.

The bill which was earlier scheduled on the Order Paper for consideration was stood down when the the Senate leader, Ahmad Lawan, said: “In view of the sensitive nature of the bill and its importance, it was vital to give the committee more time to do a thorough job.”

In his remarks, the Senate president corroborated the position of Lawan, put it to a voice vote and it was unanimously adopted.

The bill had scaled second reading on October 10, a day after the two chambers of the National Assembly resumed from its 11-week annual recess.

The bill has been very contentious as President Muhammadu Buhari had declined assent to the bill three times. This is, therefore, the fourth attempt by the lawmakers to have the bill passed and assented into law.

The senior special assistant to the president on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, had explained that the president declined assent to the bill due to some drafting issues and the period fixed for primaries among others.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives yesterday suspended consideration of the Electoral Act no. 6 of 2010 at the committee of the whole.

LEADERSHIP Friday recalls that the House commenced consideration of the report Wednesday but the process had to be stopped after members disagreed on the provision in the new amendment to the Electoral Act on a possible use of “any other technological device” in an election where the card reader fails or malfunctions.

Presiding over the committee of the whole, Deputy Speaker Yussuff Lasun stopped the consideration of the bill at Clause 27 with the promise to conclude yesterday.

The National Assembly joint committee on electoral matters had in its recommendation, in clause 16(2) , given a proviso to the effect that where the electronic smart card reader repeatedly fails, or malfunctions, an alternative technological device “as may be prescribed” by INEC may be deployed for the purpose of voter accreditation.

But at yesterday’s plenary, Speaker Yakubu Dogara called the chairman of the Rules and Business Committee, Hon. Emmanuel Orker-Jev, to move a motion that the bill be stood down.

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had raised 11 queries about the Electoral Act the last time it was passed and sent to him for assent, following which the joint committee of the Senate and the House worked on the areas of concern.

A new date was however not fixed for the resumption of the consideration of the electoral act amendment.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/nass-stands-down-electoral-amendment.html

Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu is the Chairman of the Anambra state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He spoke to newsmen recentlyin Awka, the state capital, on a number of party and national issues. OBETA OKECHUKWU was there

Can you say the just concluded primaries of your party in the state, was free, fair and transparent?

W

e all know very well that one of the bane of political parties in this democratic dispensation is lack of internal democracy. What I mean by lack of internal democracy is that political parties have not allowed their candidates to emerge through democratic process within the ambit of the constitution of their constitution.

From the onset, when we started preparations for our party primaries, we set out to ensure that internal democracy is brought to bear in all our party activities. We made it clear to all our aspirants that their chances of becoming a candidate would depend on the delegates within their respective constituencies. and, the party followership within the constituencies. And we started to demonstrate this resolve by ensuring that the election of the three-man adhoc delegates was done in a manner that was satisfactory to every member of the party.

And when we set out to conduct the primaries, we made sure that we informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which is the body that is constitutionally empowered to supervise the conduct of the primaries. We informed the INEC about the time and venue of the primaries, the Returning Officers, and, all the Committees that came from the national headquarters of our party to conduct the primaries. And we made sure that there were INEC officials in all the venues of our primaries to monitor the exercise. And, I can attest to the fact that for the first time, there was no parallel PDP primaries in Anambra state during the exercise. All the primaries for each of the constituencies, either the state House of Assembly, House of Representatives or the Senate were held in one designated venue in each constituency.

And the outcome of all the primaries have been adjudged as very transparent even by the aspirants.

Those who lost in the primaries have even pledged to support those who won. This has given a great deal of hope to the teeming members and supporters of our party, the PDP in Anambra state. And it is a pointer to the public that we are eager to do what is right to get our democracy work perfectly once again.

What is your take on the just concluded presidential primary held in Port Harcourt?

Interestingly, this level of transparency was also replicated at our party’s national convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. All the delegates were already known. The statutory and the elected delegates, they were all known ahead of time. And all the aspirants who vied for the presidential ticket of our party were availed the list of the delegates ahead of time. In fact, one must commend the host governor, Chief Nyesom Nwike; the chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee, the governor Delta state, Chief Ifeanyi Okowa and his Co- chairman, the governor of Ebonyi state, Chief Dave Umahi. They showed clearly the ability to build confidence on the minds of the aspirants in the manner they ensure transparency in all the activities concerning the convention.

More importantly the voting arrangement at the convention was made in such a way that nobody could detect which of the aspirants a delegate voted for. And the entire exercise was beamed live by on the television for the whole world to see what happened. And at the end of the convention, all the aspirants were satisfied with the outcome.

So, PDP has shown a great deal of ability to showcase internal democracy. And that is why the outcome of that presidential primary has been accepted by all the aspirants and the have all pledged to work in synergy with the our presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to ensure victory for the party during the general elections.

Shortly before the primaries, some members protested against your designation as chairman of ‘state Caretaker Committee’, How are you handling that, so that you don’t go into the general elections a divided house in the state?

You know, in any political party there are always many tendencies. And each tendency will want its own view or wish to prevail. But at the end of the day, when they see that the leadership has a very honest mindset, you find out that everybody will coalesce. But there is always the initial efforts by each of the tendencies to try to sway the leadership and the followership to its own side. But when they see that the leadership is firm, transparent and means well, you discover that the leadership will eventually build confidence that will force every tendency to queue behind it and participate in the process. This was exactly what we were able to achieve in the circumstance. And that was why you that there was no parallel primary of the party in Anambra state unlike what used to be. And for the first time in Anambra state you did not hear that a PDP faction is holding their primary at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, and that another is holding its own at St. Mary’s Field, and yet another one is holding its own at St. Patrick’s field.

This time, there was only one primary of the PDP, Anambra state chapter because as a state leadership of the party, we were able to build confidence of the teeming members of PDP in the state.

What is your rating of PDP’s chances in Anambra State?

Anambrarians and Nigerians at large have come to appreciate the PDP this time around. What happened during the APGA and APC primaries in Anambra state was a sham, it was a charade! It was a day-light robbery where people came to the centres where the party primaries were supposed to take place and those who emerged as delegates were jettisoned for some other names. And at the end of the day, even where an election was said to have been conducted, the outcome would be unmotivated both the delegates and other party members. And you can find out from the INEC if any of her officials monitored the primaries of any of those political parties in Anambra state. Even the security agencies will certainly confirm to you that the primaries of both the APGA and APC in Anambra state were a sham, that there was no internal democracy in what transpired in those two political parties during their primaries.

And I’m sure that both the INEC and the security agencies in the state will testify to the fact that transparency and that internal democracy prevailed during the primaries of the PDP in Anambra state, that PDP got it right.

But come 2019, the APC should be ready to ensure that the elections are free, fair and transparent. Anything short of this will meet resistance from Nigerians.

Let’s get your reaction to the choice of the former governor f your state, Mr. Peter Obi, as the running mate of your party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar?

In fact, that action is the most reasonable decision by our party’s presidential candidate, His Excellency, former Vice-president Atiku Abubakar and the PDP national hierarchy. The South East has been very supportive of the PDP family. You reward people for their efforts, you don’t reward them for their inability to do what is right. So, the choice of Mr. Peter Obi by our party’s presidential candidate, HIs Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as his running mate for 2019 general elections is a reward to the people of Anambra state and, indeed, the entire South East for their support to the PDP. We all know that the arrow head of the PDP formation was the late former Vice president, Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme. And he hailed from Anambra state. So, by this gesture of the PDP presidential candidate in picking someone from Anambra state as its presidential running mate, the PDP has deemed it fit to say ‘Thank you, Dr. Alex Ekwueme’. It Shows that PDP has really realized the major role he played in its formation’ and, that his contributions helped in making it the largest political party in Africa.

Besides, Mr. Peter Obi has an excellent antecedent. He is very focused, and a great manager of wealth. We all saw what he did when he was governor of Anambra state for eight years. Also, former Vice-president Atiku Abubakar is someone who is greatly endowed with what it takes to give good governance to Nigeria, so as to bring the country out of the current socio- economic and political quagmire the APC government has thrown it into, given the experiences he had gained when he was vice-president of this country. Again, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is great wealth creator. And Mr. Peter Obi has a deep insight into the economy of this country. So, I view Atiku/Obi presidency as the best thing that can happen to the people of this country at time it is in a mess.

What will give PDP an edge over other political parties in the state during the general elections?

We allowed internal democracy to prevail during our primaries. Other political parties, especially the APGA and APC did the opposite. They allowed godfathers to hijack their primaries, and, imposed candidates on their parties. Again, the PDP had been in the affairs of this country until the APC took over after the 2015 General elections. And our people have now tasted the two parties, and, they have seen the difference. They have seen that APC is a party that promises, but, denies its promises . But PDP keeps its promises; that the PDP was able to keep this country together; showed that leadership in this country can be done in a detribalized manner. PDP had shown that no matter whose ox is gored – whether a person is in your party or not , if he or she goes against the laws of this country he or she will be brought to face the law. PDP had shown that the economy of this country is sustainable. And all these have been lost since the APC took over the running of affairs of this country in 2015. And we have been telling Anambrarians in particular and Nigerians in general to give PDP a chance once more.

, and, you will find that all the current hydra- headed problems facing the country in all spheres of life will become a thing of the past.

The APGA recorded overwhelming victory during the last gubernatorial election in the state. What gives you the hope that PDP will change the situation in the coming elections?

The outcome of the last gubernatorial election in the state is not a good indices for predicting the possible outcome of the coming general election in the state. Politics is local . What made APGA and its candidate, the incumbent governor, His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano achieve that 21-over 21 victory in that governorship election have come and gone. I can bet you that the same thing will not apply in the forthcoming general elections. I can assure you that Anambrarians are going to look at the various candidates who are contesting elections for the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate and vote for the candidates and the party that can attract democracy dividends to them. And they know it that anybody who gets to the National Assembly after the coming general elections under the banner of the APC his or her voice will be lost. And when you are unable to speak, how can you be able to bring democracy dividend to your people. And Anambrarians appreciate the fact that where they have a better opportunity now is in PDP. So, the are going to cast their votes for only the PDP candidates for state Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate.

Again, let me remind you that one of the major factors that influenced the that governorship election was the quest by the people of Anambra south senatorial zone to produce the governor of the state as soon as possible. And because they had this fear that since our party candidate, Mr. Oseloka Obaze might want to go for a second term since he will be serving his term if voted for and that he may want to go for a second term after completing first term, they decided to support the APGA candidate, Governor Obiano because they knew that he canals I for another tenure. So, the people of South senatorial zone saw supporting the APGA candidate as the fastest way for them to produce governor based on rotational considerations.

What considerations do you think shaped the minds of of the PDP delegates to choose former Vice- president Atiku Abubakar as the Presidential candidate of your party?

As a former Vice- president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is highly experienced in the art of the politic the country and the governance. I think, he should know this country in- and- out more than any of the other aspirants. Aga, a he is a very detribalized Nigerian. He is not a religious bigot, he professes his faith, and, doesn’t believe that others should not profess their. Atiku Abubakar is a grassroots politician, a great mobiliser. He is also a great wealth creator and employer of Labour. He has a deep and vast knowledge of the economy of this country. And look at how he made the choice of his running mate, by picking former governor of this state, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi to be his running mate. Anyone who knows the antecedents of Mr. Peter Obi will certainly tell you that Atiku made the best choice. And that shows you that he is determined to lift this country out from its present socio- economic and political quagmire the current APC administration headed by President Muhammadu Buhari has dragged it into.

How many states in the North do you think PDP can win in the coming general election?

In my estimation, I see PDP winning Sokoto,Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano, Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe,Kwara, Benue, Kogi , Nasarawa, Plateau, and Kogi states. In fact, I see PDP winning not less than 12 out of the 19 states in the North. And I say this because of the PDP gladiators we have in the Northern part of the country. In Sokoto, for instance, we have the incumbent governor, His Excellency, Alh. Aminu Tambuwal who is going for a second term. We have Alhaji Kwankwaso in Kano, Alh. Sule Lamido in Jigawa. APC has already shot itself on the leg in Zamfara where the INEC has declared that the party could not conduct primaries to select candidates. And PDP has a sitting governor in Gombe. Meanwhile, the whole Middle-Belt has suffered terribly under the APC-led federal government due to the killings in the zone and it had remained unabated. And I am sure that nobody will prefer a government that will not watch his back, but, a government that will put in place a proper security to guide him or his people. And the APC government of President Buhari has not been able to do this for them. So, I expect that all the states in Middle-Belt will not vote for APC.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/atiku-did-not-err-in-choosing-obi-as.html

It was jubilation galore for residents of Ovia Federal constituency as Barrister Omosede Igbinedion the member representing the constituency in the Federal house of representatives commisioned projects in Okada East ward.

Omosede was warmly received by her constituents amidst joy ,jubilation and fanfare.

The lawmaker inspected the construction of a 2km farm road initiated by her foundation to enable farmers easily access their farmlands in the agrarian community,This farm road is one of her numerous projects initiated and completed all around Ovia federal constituency.

Not done Hon Omosede Igbinedion visited schools where she gave out books,footwear and other academic materials,advising the kids to shun cultism and other social vices.

Hon Omosede Igbinedion also commissioned a solar panel water project in the community ,

She proceeded to Ovia south west were she installed Solar streets lights under her rural electrification project.

At Igoubazuwa Omosede commissioned a solar water system and over head tanks in the community

She also empowered women and widows from the community.

From the looks and smiles on the faces of the constituents it was evident that Omosede has touched the lives of the people .

Responding the constitutes where happy and said they would ensure they return this laudable initiave by voting her to represent them again .

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/assurance2019wild-jubilation-as-omosede.html

The Nigeria Army on Wednesday presented 13 suspects arrested in connection with missing Maj.-Gen. Idris Alkali (retd) to newsmen in Jos.

Brig.-Gen. Umar Muhammed, Garrison Commander, 3 Division, Nigeria Army, Rukuba, near Jos, told newsmen that the suspects would be handed over to the police for full investigation.

Muhammed said that the people were arrested in the area where the general’s missing car was found.

Alkali, the immediate past Chief of Administration, Army Headquarters, Abuja, was declared missing on Sept. 3.

He was said to have gone missing on his way to Bauchi, where he left Abuja to in the morning of that day.

Consequently, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, set up a search operation for the missing general.

The army authorities said that after a thorough investigation, they narrowed the search to a mining pond in Dura-Du in Jos South Local Government of Plateau.

After two weeks of draining water from pond, Alkali’s car and two others were recovered from the pond.

Muhammed stated that a “cordon and search’’ operation was conducted in the community and some people were apprehended.

He said “They were moved to the barracks where they were screened, profiled and interrogated.

“These suspects will be handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and prosecution.

“The persons to be handed over to police include those who were in possession of fire arms without license.

“Those who heard and saw the criminals that stopped the retired senior officer and those that pushed his vehicle into the pond but failed to report these criminal acts to the security agencies will also be handed over.”

Muhammed added that the troops conducting the search exhibited high level professionalism and best practices according to the rules of engagement in arresting suspects.

He also stated that the actors involved in the criminal act and were still at large were known to the army.

According to him, efforts are being intensified to arrest them as their photographs and personal details are with relevant security agencies.

He urged members of the community who had deserted the area and had nothing to do with the disappearance of the general to return to their homes.

Muhammed assured that no harm would come to them, but vowed that those who had anything to do with the incident would be brought to book. (NAN)

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/army-hands-13-suspects-to-police-over.html