Banks in Nigeria may have lost about N25 billion to fraudulent activities in the last five years, the Chartered Institute of Forensic Investigative Auditors of Nigeria (CIFIAN) has revealed.

The body lamented that recorded volume of fraud in the banks increased in the last five years due to the lack of appropriate fraud prevention mechanism, which has led to scandalous collapses, financial losses, lay-offs, among others.

Pro tem president of CIFIAN, Dr. (Mrs.) Victoria Enape, disclosed this at an intensive training for CIFIAN members with the theme, ‘The use of Forensic and Investigative Auditing for Prevention of fraud, Corruption and Cyber Crimes in Nigeria’.


According to her, countries that have poor or no fraud prevention in place cannot experience economic growth, as the manifestation of the evil undermines democracy and the rule of law, distorts markets, emasculates government’s efforts in providing basic infrastructure and allows organised crimes, terrorism and other threats to human security to flourish.

She lamented that government agencies and multinationals had to spend scarce foreign resources to retain expatriate forensic and investigative auditors to unravel complex cases of fraud in the country when smaller countries like Zimbabwe and South Africa already have forensic and investigative auditors.

Enape pointed out that, globally, there had being heightened interest in institutionalising forensic and investigative auditing as a result of recent corporate scandals because of insidious and invidious accounting practices and lack of investigative auditors to prevent, detect and unravel manipulation of figures.

She lamented that public service and those entrusted with public funds for the provision of citizens’ welfare, security and those assigned the responsibility of public oversight, transparency and accountability in governance had allegedly been implicated by corruption.

The aim of CIFIAN is to create an instrumental professional paradigm shift in the systemic fight against fraud, corruption and cyber crimes, she disclosed, adding that CIFIAN is professionally distinct from other accounting bodies.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/banks-lose-n25b-to-fraud-in-five-years.html

Investors in the Nigerian equities market witnessed the largest single daily loss since the beginning of 2019 after Nigeria’s presidential election with All Share Index dipping by 1.63per cent on the last trading in the election month. However, the trend may be short-lived as the market recorded a gain on Friday, the first day of trading in March, reports Bamidele Famoofo

The four business days that followed the presidential elections in Nigeria won’t be forgotten in a jiffy by investors in the Nigerian equities market as a big drop recorded in market capitalisation and All Share Index also translated to a big loss for them.

Market capitalization dropped from about N12.194trillion on Monday, 25th February to about N11.829trillion on Thursday same week, representing N365billion loss in investors’ equities portfolio.


The NSE-All Share Index (ASI), which tracks performance of stocks listed on the platform of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as a result of sell-offs by investors declined from 32,700.12 points to 31,721.76 points on the last trading day in the month of February.

A report from Cordros Capital Limited on how the market fared in the review period indicated that the drop in ASI on the last day in February was the largest single day decline recorded in the market so far in 2019 as it attributed the loss to sell-offs across bellwether stocks in the equities market.

“Against marked sell-offs across bellwether stocks, the Nigerian equities market closed the last session of the month on a negative note as the ASI dipped by 1.63% — largest single day decline since Jan 31, 2019 — to 31,718.70 points”, the report disclosed in part.

As a result of the performance in the last four days in February, Month-to-date returns moderated to 3.80 percent while Year-to-date stood at 0.92 percent, according to Cordros Capital.

It was a all round loss especially on Thursday, February 28, 2019 with Banking sector index closing negative to the tune of -4.56 percent, meaning that investors who hold bank shareslost about five percent of value of their stock in that sector for the day. Equally, investors in the Industrial Goods sector shed -2.18 percent of value on the same day. Others are Consumer Goods (-2.02%), Oil & Gas (-1.56%), and Insurance (-0.97%). Notable stocks include, GUARANTY (-6.85%), WAPCO (-0.39%), NB (-4.45%), OANDO (-9.92%), and AIICO (-5.19%), respectively.

Meanwhile, experts have assured investors in the market that the fundamentals for recovery remain strong medium to long term even while the market continues to digest election results.

“As the market continues to digest election results, we guide investors to trade cautiously in the short term. However, stable macroeconomic fundamentals and compelling valuations remain supportive of recovery in the mid-to-long term”, Cordros Capital said.

Meanwhile, the month of February could not be labeled a period of doom for investors as it ended on a positive note overall as ASI appreciated by 3.8 percent to close on Thursday at 31,721.76 points compared to 30,557.20 points which opened the second month of the year.

Also, compared with the performance in January when ASI closed on a declining note, investors amassed N434billion from trading as market capitalization moved up from N11.395 trillion in January to close at N11.829 trillion on February 28, 2019.

As earlier reported by THISDAY, the market had recorded a decline in January as general elections jitters kept most investors away from the market. However, investors increased their patronage in February as they anticipated the release of corporate results for the year ended December 2018. Also, some investors felt the political uncertainties were reducing. Hence, the market appreciated in the month of February.

Besides, the growth would have been higher but for the decline recorded in the last two days of the month after the results of the presidential election were announced and President Muhammadu Buhari declared the winner.

The NSE ASI had appreciated to a high of 32,700.12, while market capitalisation rose to N12.194 trillion on Monday. However, the NSE ASI closed the month at 31,721.76, while market capitalisation ended at N11.829 trillion.

A review of the performance of the equities market a week penultimate the elections showed that the NSE All-Share Index and market capitalisation depreciated by 0.61 percent to close the week at 32,515.52 and N12.126 trillion respectively.

Breakdown of performance in the week showed that a total turnover of 1.481 billion shares worth N17.647 billion in 20,449 deals were traded by investors on the floor of the Exchange in contrast to a total of 2.834 billion shares valued at N28.138 billion that exchanged hands last week in 28,739 deals.

But contrary to the results, the week after the elections when all sectors recorded losses especially on the last day of the month of February, the Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.038 billion shares valued at N10.170 billion traded in 12,232 deals; thus contributing 70.07 percent and 57.63percent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Conglomerates Industry followed with 193.204 million shares worth N306.521 million in 1,330 deals. The third place was Consumer Goods Industry with a turnover of 72.042 million shares worth N4.381 billion in 2,990 deals.

However, in line with the assurances from experts, the market on Friday, March 1, the first day of trading in March, launched a recovery bid as ASI appreciated by 0.34 percent. Index value moved up to 31,827.24 while market capitalisation increased to N11.868 trillion having gained N40billion in one day.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/after-record-loss-nigerias-equities.html

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Uche Secondus, has expressed confidence that the court would overturn the victory of President Muhsmmadu Buhari.

He, therefore, warned that nobody would stop the party from contesting the outcome of the Feb. 23 Presidential Election in the court.

Secondus told journalists on Friday in Abuja that the party believed that justice would be done at the court.

“We will go to court. Nobody will stop us from going to court and bring out all of the facts both the international observers and some people have not seen.

“We will unearth them at the court and I believe that justice will be done at the court.

“Because, if we continue to suppress injustice and go sentimental, the country will continue to pile on gun powder that will explode one day.

“So much injustice has been done in this country and if we allow it and it continues to pile, nobody knows what will happen.

“So, that’s why we decided as good citizens and law-abiding and people who believe in rule of law that we will go,” Secondus said.

Speaking on the recent meeting the party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had with the National Peace Committee, Secondus said there was no condiction given to the party, as they were only invited to state their grievances.

“There was no condition. Initially, we were not to talk with them because a decision had been taken to go to court, but because of the personalities involved, we said ok, let’s just talk.

“There was no condition. There was no request of any condition.

“We made it clear that unless the injustices are addressed, there is no room for peace. It is only when you address the injustice that you can now sit down for peace,” he said.

Secondus also spoke on the alleged militarisation of the elections particularly in the South South and South East.

He said it was one of the strategies the rulling party used in denying PDP victory.

He added the development was also responsible for alleged killing of innocent electorate and suppression of voters who were either scared out or chased away from polling units.

He said that even by the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) own record voter turnout in last Saturday’s election fell to about 36 per cent from 44 per cent it was in 2015.

“While the military was suppressing voters in PDP strong hold areas in the South, a different abracadabra was going on in some northern states particularly in Kano, Yobe, Borno and Zamfara states where numbers refuse to add up.

“In Borno, Yobe and Zamfara states, confirmed report shows that there was non-compliance in the use of Smart card reader as approved by INEC rules”.

He added that “The same applies to cancelled votes, in Nasarawa states over 115,000votes cancelled, Kogi 79,000 votes, Plateau 30,000 votes indicating that these high incidence of vote cancellation were designed to suppress the margin of victory in PDP strongholds.

Secondus urged PDP members and supporters across the country not to despair but to remain steadfast and focused.

“Like our presidential candidate assured, we shall triumph at the end because democracy has come to stay in this country and is staying by the grace of God.

“I also wish to reiterate to our security agencies particularly the Army that they are not at war with any section of her citizens and they must try to be professional in their duties by staying away from election matters as directed by the Supreme Court of the land”.

Highlight of the press conference include one minute silence for Nigerians who lost their lives on the election day and in the course of celebrating the outcome.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nan.ng/news/court-will-give-us-victory-secondus/amp/

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has alleged a 513,214 discrepancy in the number of accredited voters and ballots cast in 27 states during the presidential election that held last weekend.

In its fourth interim report, issued by the Executive Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, on the collation and announcement of the poll results on Tuesday, the civil society organisations said the tallies announced by some state returning officers were disturbing.

Against the backdrop that there were simultaneous accreditation and voting, they noted that a cursory look at some of the figures on accredited voters and total votes cast showed lapses.


According to the CSOs, as at 6:47pm on Tuesday, the gulf was 513,214 in 27 states, including Nasarawa, Kogi, Adamawa, Edo and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The situation room had called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to “transparently address this confusion before the completion of result tabulation.”

The findings indicate a lack of clarity in the rationale for cancellation of polls, noting that the CSOs recorded 1,084,358 voided votes across 1175 polling units in 18 states.

“The pattern of this cancellation requires some close interrogation to show fairness and objectivity,” the report added.

The reasons provided for the cancelled votes, the groups said, included over-voting, card reader malfunctioning and violence. They called on the electoral body to provide clarification on compliance with its guidelines regarding cancellation of elections.

On claims of duress by INEC staff, the CSOs observed that the officials and ad hoc workers had alleged harassment and intimidation in the course of the collation process and undue pressure during announcement of results.

The election monitoring unit noted that INEC failed to publicly acknowledge the occurrences and take measures to safeguard its personnel.


While urging Nigerians to remain peaceful, the organisations called on aggrieved political parties and candidates to seek redress through legal channels.

Nwankwo stated that the groups deployed observers in all 8,809 electoral wards nationwide and received reports of monitors being restricted from several ward collation centres.

However, a coalition of domestic observers, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, have urged the PDP candidate, Alhaji
Atiku Abubakar, and other contenders to accept the outcome of the contest in good faith.

The observers, through their spokesperson, Tunde Bafunsho, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to be magnanimous in victory.

The northern elders, in a statement by their publicity secretary, Alhaji Mohammad Ibrahim Biu, pointed out that the call is premised on the need to promote the nation’s development and unity.

NANS, in a statement by its senate president, Abdulmajeed Oladimeji Oyeniyi, cautioned international observers against making statements capable of plunging the country into crisis.

Labour, according to a statement by its president, Ayuba Wabba, asked the rivals to respect the peace agreement they signed.

In an address in Lagos, the senior lawyer counselled the Adamawa native against heading for the tribunal.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/presidential-poll-results-fraught-with.html

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last Saturday’s election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has described the poll conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the worst he has seen in 30 years, vowing to retrieve his mandate.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had in the early hours of yesterday declared the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari, as the winner of the contest having polled a total of 15,191,847 votes to Atiku’s 11,262,978 votes.


But, while addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, Atiku noted that democracy is the government of the people and by the people only when the people’s choice prevails, saying that did not happen last Saturday.

The former vice president stressed that the Election Day witnessed the implementation of grand theft of the people’s will, adding: “I am not one for hyperbole, so I will just let the facts speak for themselves.”

Atiku explained that in Akwa Ibom for instance, the result showed a statistical impossibility of a 62 per cent drop in voter numbers from the 2015 elections even where voter registration and PVC collection rate were much higher in 2015.

According to him, “This is why voter suppression took place. You must recall, our party made this observation and complain before the elections that there were plans to implement voter suppression on PDP or opposition’s strongholds in voter increase in APC strongholds.”

Atiku lamented that this pattern was repeated in strongholds of PDP including in states like Delta, Rivers, Abia and Benue.

He stated: “As this was occurring, we saw another statistical impossibility where the real numbers tallied increased astronomically in Borno State by an almost miraculous 82 per cent in the midst of insecurity.

“This pattern was also repeated in other strongholds of the APC states. One begins to ask if insecurity is conduits to higher voter turnout and security is antithetical to high voter turnout. It is further curious that the PDP’s margin of victory in state outside the South-east and South-south were extremely slim across board. That again is a statistical impossibility.

“The fact is that when you calmly look at the numbers declared by INEC as results of February 23, 2019 elections, they do not add up at all. Let me say that I am not speaking as a member of PDP, I am speaking as a Nigerian when I said the electoral fraud perpetuated by the Buhari administration this past Saturday cannot produce a government of the people for the simple reason that it does not reflect the will of the Nigerian people.

“I told Gen. Abdulsalami two nights ago when he called me that not even the military conducted such a worst election. This is a long journey but I am confident of victory. All hope is not lost, stay strong. By the grace of God, we shall triumph.

“As I have always said, this year, is my three decades in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy. And this is the worst election in those 30 years.

“My dear Nigerians, it is for this reason that I Atiku Abubakar reject the result declared by the INEC, which declared Muhammadu Buhari as duly returned by the majority of the lawful votes.”

Atiku noted that he was conferring with not just his party but also Nigerian people on the next step, which would be revealed to the public shortly.

The former vice president, however, appealed to Nigerians to remain calm and steadfast, saying Rome was not built in a day.

He said the party has the real figures and the facts that have spoken so loudly on Saturday.

He added: “To the international investors and friends of Nigeria now pulling out of the country, can you imagine only yesterday, by that mere announcement, the stock market, lost N85bn. I urge you to be patient and keep faith with the Nigerian people.

“Your problem is not with the Nigerian people; your quarrel is with those who stole their mandate. Please do not punish the people by divesting from Nigeria.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/this-is-worst-election-in-30-years-says.html

First and foremost, I give thanks to Almighty God Who has spared our lives to witness another victory for Nigerian democracy and victory for our party APC.

I thank the millions of Nigerians who voted to re-elect me as your president for the next four years. I am deeply humbled and profoundly grateful to you for judging me worthy of continuing to serve you and for your peaceful conduct.

In particular, I would like to thank Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for his masterful leadership as Co-chair of the Campaign Council. I would like to also thank the Party Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, the Director General of the Campaign Council Rotimi Amaechi, all members of the Presidential Campaign Council and other various Support Groups.

My grateful thanks to all those who contributed to the logistical expenses of the campaign in such a vast country like Nigeria.

I also thank the millions of volunteers, self-appointed overseers, canvassers, agents, escorts and sentries who sacrificed so much of their time and resources to ensure the success of these elections. I do not have the words adequate to thank them.

Although Saturday’s elections were relatively peaceful, troublemakers in a handful of states attempted to disrupt an otherwise orderly process. Security agencies will bring to justice all those arrested in the process.

I am very sad at the grievous loss of lives during these elections. Security agencies will step up their efforts to protect voters in the forthcoming State elections.

I would like to commend our security agencies, as severely overstretched as they are, for handling the difficult task of securing the country during the election period.

I will like to make a special appeal to my supporters not to gloat or humiliate the opposition. Victory is enough reward for your efforts.

We give thanks also to our Domestic and International observers for contributing to the success of our elections and for their interest in our country and our developing democracy.

The new Administration will intensify its efforts in Security, Restructuring the Economy and Fighting Corruption. We have laid down the foundation and we are committed to seeing matters to the end. We will strive to strengthen our unity and inclusiveness so that no section or group will feel left behind or left out.

I thank you for your support and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/dont-humiliate-opposition-buhari-to.html

The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) polled 798,428 votes to beat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which scored 209,313 votes in Bauchi State in last Saturday’s presidential election.

Prof. Alhassan Ghani, the State Collation officer, announced the result after collation from the 20 local government areas of the state on Tuesday in Bauchi.

He said that the state had 2,453,512 registered voters, out of which, 1,075,330 were accredited for the election.

Ghani added that a total of 1,061,955 votes were cast, out of which APC scored 798,428 votes and PDP scored 209,313 votes.

According to the collation officer, the exercise records a total of 1,024,307 valid votes and 37,648 invalid votes.


He commended the electorate, stakeholders and party agents for the peaceful elections, commitment and cooperation throughout the exercise.

Meanwhile, Col. Umaru Tilde (rtd) and Alhaji Salihu Yau, agents of the APC and PDP accepted the result and signed the documents on behalf of their parties.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/apc-defeats-pdp-in-bauchi-with-798-428.html

DEPUTY Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who has been declared winner of the Enugu West Senatorial seat to represent his constituents for the fifth time in the Senate, has promised he would not abuse their confidence.

In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media, Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadu while reacting to his victory, expressed gratitude to his constituecy, noting that it was a record of its own in the eastern part of the country. The Deputy Senate President said: “I am not taking this election for granted especially given the unprecedented nature of my election. This is the first time within this part of Nigeria that someone would be elected consecutively for five times into the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It has never happened and I am not taking it for granted. I indeed feel very humbled and I give all the glory and thanks to the Almighty God who has made it possible. “I must also thank my friends and associates, the great people of Enugu West – very industrious people, highly civilized people, highly accomplished people, very educated people, who in spite of the fact that I am just a little boy from Mpu have given me this unprecedented opportunity. “Recall also that about a year ago, we went through a lot of storm for the major part of 2018. So, nobody believed that a day like this would come when I would stand for an election and be declared winner. So, only God can make that possible. “I believe that what is expected of us this time is to give back to the society that has given us this opportunity and those that have given us this confidence to ensure that this confidence is not misplaced. So, a lot is lying on our shoulders. I would like to say clearly that we will not disappoint Nigerians.”

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/02/5th-time-in-the-senate-ill-not-abuse-your-confidence-ekweremadu/amp/

Governor David Umahi yesterday said his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost over 300,000 votes to the malfunctioning of the card readers during weekend’s elections in Ebonyi.

Briefing newsmen in Abakaliki, he lamented that the strict adherence to the facilities affected the party’s electoral fortunes in the state.

Commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chair, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, officials and security agencies for the polls, Umahi however called for the fixing of the smart cards before the gubernatorial elections.

The governor, who expressed joy that though he delivered over 260,000 votes to his presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, added that he remained one of the few governors that delivered all National Assembly seats to the party.


He thanked the people for coming out en masse, urging the losers to be sportsmanly.

His words: “Over 300,000 votes were discarded in Ebonyi because of the hiccups of the card readers. However, we have given over 260,000 votes to PDP. I am happy because I am one of the governors that delivered all the National Assembly seats to PDP. The party has done well.”

The governor also condoled with families of those that lost their loved ones to violence and related incidents.

The political group won all nine federal legislative seats for the state.

In a related development, Atiku clinched 18 of the 33 councils in Oyo State. He defeated Buhari, who won in 15.

The Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin, Prof. Sulyman Age Abdulkareem, said the PDP polled 366,690 votes to narrowly beat APC that got 365,229 ballots of the 957,000 accredited.

The ruling party won two of the three senatorial districts while PDP got the other.

Of the 14 federal constituencies, APC won nine while PDP secured three and the Action Democratic Party getting one

The election in Ibarapa North/Ibarapa Central was inconclusive.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/pdp-lost-300000-votes-to-card-readers.html

President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has won Ekiti with 219,213 votes.

The Returning officer for the state, Prof. Idiwu Olayinka, the Vice Chancellor University of Ibadan, said out of the 395, 741 that accredited to vote, APC scored 219, 231 against PDP which scored 154,034 votes.

Total number of valid votes, according to Olayinka, is 381,132 while 12,577 were rejected due to multiple thumb printing.

Total vote cast, he said, is 393,709.

The party agents are expected to inspect the results sheets signed at the state collation office.

Ekiti state is the only state without a Resident Electoral Commissioner.

Full Details at https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/breaking-buhari-wins-ekiti-with-219231.html

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned, in its totality, the alleged attack on Ndigbo in Lagos during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The group alleged the attack in the West could be a ploy by the Fulani cabal to instigate ethnic conflict between the East and West, should Buhari lose the election.

Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful, in a statement, wondered why some Yoruba politicians would allow themselves to be used by “Fulani-dominated” government of Nigeria to attack or stop Igbo people in Lagos and other parts of Yoruba land from voting for candidates of their choice.

Powerful said: “Igbo strongholds in Lagos have been under serious attack and humiliation by the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) thugs since election day. With every event and incident, the stance of IPOB is being justified on a daily basis. Those who doubted us in the beginning can now see that the only solution left is the restoration of the sovereignty of Biafra.

“We condemn, in its entirety, certain utterances and anti-Igbo sentiments emanating from certain quarters in Yoruba west and Fulani-controlled north.

“The brazen attempt to threaten, intimidate and stop Igbo Biafrans from voting for their choice candidate is unacceptable to any right thinking person, and is a confirmation, if any is needed, that Biafrans of whatever persuasion, is not wanted in Nigeria.

“This is the state of affairs we are not prepared to tolerate. Those hatching devilish plans to attack Biafrans and their business interest in other parts of Nigeria must understand the grave consequences their actions portend.

“This latest action against Biafrans living in northern and western parts of the country is not in tandem with the so-called spirit of one Nigeria. We must put it to the knowledge of every Nigerian who wish to know, that Biafrans will not allow a repeat of 1966, when Igbo were massacred in their hundreds of thousands across Nigeria. Those behind this latest plot must not underestimate our preparedness.

“It is unbelievable that some Yoruba leaders and their Fulani counterparts would summon the courage to ask Igbo/Biafran people not to vote for the candidates of their choice because they are not indigenes. Some went as far as saying Igbo should go back to Igbo land if they want to vote for any person other than APC candidate.

“Our people living in Northern and Western parts of the country must be prepared and never entertain any fear, particularly those in Lagos and Kano States, because any attempt to commence another round of ethnic cleansing of Igbo in the north or west, will be reciprocated in the east.

“Those acclaimed paid APC/OPC thugs who had the temerity to threaten Igbo and other Biafrans living in their areas must know they are doing that to their own detriment, because Biafrans are ready to face them, should the need arise.

Our movement and struggle for Biafra freedom, through peaceful means, must not be misconstrued by anybody or tribe in Nigeria, to mean weakness. Biafrans living in any part of Nigeria, outside Biafra land, must gradually prepare for total relocation of their businesses and families, particularly Lagos and Kano States, because they have perfected plans to forcibly eject them from those states.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/election-ipob-spits-fire-over-attack-on.html

Election observers under the platform of Independent Foreign Observers have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Nigerians for transparency and credibility of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.

They gave this commendation at a press conference this afternoon in Abuja. The team leader, Dr. Stuart Young, an academic and diplomat spoke on behalf of other members of the team at its presentation of preliminary report.

The observers in the text entitled, “A Preliminary report on the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly Elections in Nigeria” described the conduct of the elections as as fair and an indication of non-interference by the government or any of its agents.

The text reads, “In the build-up to the 2019 General Elections in Nigeria, the Independent Foreign Observers mission, a team from the United States of America, United Kingdom, and the European Union (EU), visited Nigeria with a view to observing the elections, in line with best global practices. Consequently, more than 200 local observers were recruited and trained to monitor the polls, with a view to ascertaining if the elections were free, fair and credible.

Observations:

From the reports filed in by our observers deployed all around the country, it was recorded that the turnout of voters across the country was impressive, as supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were active in casting their ballots for their respective candidates.

The conduct of the electoral officials appeared to be consistently fair and an indication of non-interference by the government or any of its agents. There were, however, some polling units that experienced late arrival of voting materials.

In both Abuja and Nassarawa state, observers witnessed polls opening late, and voting beginning after the scheduled start. In Abuja we saw voting begin as late as 9:30am, and in a Mararaba polling station in Nassarawa voting did not begin until 1pm.

Observers in Asokoro 1, Abuja witnessed a situation where there was confusion over the exact location of a polling station, because of the previous demolition of a Total service station that had been used to identify the location for voters. INEC officials set up at the nearest Total service station where they performed their duties for citizens who had lined up there. Upon discovering there was a collection of voters in a different location, where the former service station was located, INEC officials moved their voting materials to this location. Some citizens were worried that the votes that officials brought to the new station indicated ballot box stuffing, but were eventually mollified when officials explained the confusion over the location.

There were also reports of unruly behaviour at some polling units that required the immediate deployment of security to restore order. An example was in Kaduna state where voters attempted to provoke security personnel of which a senior military officer quickly resolved the situation. There were additional reports of scattered violence in Lagos, Obu state, River state and Bayelsa state.

Incidences of votes buying were dealt with by surveillance mounted by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other security agencies that consisted of the Army, police, and the civil defence.

The various security agencies were professional in handling incidences of ballot box snatching and other forms of electoral malpractices. Worthy of mention is the professionalism displayed by the Nigerian Army.

The security agencies were on top of the situation in areas that were hitherto known for election-related violence and the other regions as a whole.


Observers watched votes being counted at polling stations, noting that the announcement of the vote from each ballot was announced clearly, and citizens were monitoring the process along with officials and party monitors.

From reports collated from our field officers, the 2019 general elections to this point seem free, fair and credible as neither party can fault the transparent process that occasioned accreditation and voting.

In Area 10, Garki, Abuja, observers noted a disabled (blind) person, who was given assistance in entering the polling station, allowed to progress to the front of the line unimpeded by the voters present, and was able to cast his ballot with relative ease. Observers were impressed that it was common citizens, not officials, who took the initiative to help their fellow citizen exercise his democratic right.

Suggestions:

The 2019 general elections in Nigeria, though appearing to be free, fair and credible at this juncture, using our international set parameters and the feedback gathered from the over 200 observers deployed to the various states, there are a few areas that need to be looked into in the conduct of elections in the future.

The functionality of card readers must be fully tested and properly calibrated before deployment to the polling units, before the elections to reduce the use of manual voting which takes time and might be exploited.

Improvement is needed in the areas of logistics and training of electoral officials. For example a digital voting system, perhaps using mobile phones, tablets and/or voting cards embedded with codes that can be swiped to register a voter’s choice, should be explored.

A stronger effort to start voting on time would make the process more comfortable and healthy for voters, as well as improving voter turnout.

Continuing voter education beyond the election period should focus on efforts to identify and weed out Fake news in order not to mislead the public.

Nigerians should be able to vote in their current place of residence, provided they have lived there for a designated minimum amount of time. A mechanism should be put in place to cancel their registration in their home state, when they register in their new home area.

Conclusion:

The elections appear to have been free, fair and credible to this point. It is therefore advised that winners and losers should see beyond themselves and their political aspirations, to promote the unity of Nigeria as a country.

Worthy of commendation are the staffers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for maintaining orderliness and contributing to a sense of calm and security which enabled domestic and foreign observers to efficiently carry out their duties, and voters to exercise their democratic right and responsibility.

We would like to congratulate the Nigerian government and Nigerian citizens for their enthusiasm, perseverance and fair play in pursuing their democratic ideals through this election.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/nigeria-elections-observers-hail-inec.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Niger State says no extension of voting in the state as elections in all the twenty-five local government areas were ended yesterday.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Samuel Egwu said INEC made sure every voter voted yesterday.

At the moment, results are still being collated at the ward levels across the local government areas.
However, results have started arriving at some local government Collation centers.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/no-extension-of-elections-in-niger.html

All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has condemned an online report incorrectly linking him with a company called Act Technologies Limited.

Asiwaju has absolutely no relation to, or interest in, Act Technologies Limited, a statement by Tinubu Media Office yesterday pointed out.


“He had never even heard of the company until the PDP (and its cronies in the media) started this campaign of calumny a few days ago.

“Moreover, Asiwaju has never been involved in the supply of card readers, voter registration and accreditation frameworks or any other materials or services to INEC. The story is but an unfortunate and crude attempt to malign Asiwaju’s name,” the statement added.

The statement titled ‘Response to Allegations in Saharareporters’ reads: “If lies were sand, this story would be a desert. Perhaps the only thing this story manages to get correct is the spelling of Asiwaju’s name. However, the story is but an unfortunate and crude attempt to malign Asiwaju’s name. Asiwaju has absolutely no relation to, or interest in, Act Technologies Limited.

“Let us be clear in this matter. If any political party was in control of INEC’s procurement practices in 2014/2015 it would have been the one in control of the federal government at that time. Asiwaju never asked for, nor did he receive, anything or any contract from Jonathan’s government. Even President Jonathan would not have sat idly by while important electoral contracts were being handed over to his most implacable political foe. As often happens with fiction concocted by amateurs, the application of a little common sense causes the entire story to fall apart.

“Even the technological aspects of the report are fantastical and unfounded. The whole thing simply makes no sense from a technical point of view.

The report only makes sense as part of a concerted effort to attack Asiwaju. Why the PDP and their media boosters fear him so much, we leave for them to answer. But it is odd that they expend so much time and energy manufacturing falsehoods against someone whose name will not even appear on any ballot.

“This story is simply another effort by those opposed to President Buhari and the APC to justify their plans to distort the elections by alleging that the APC government is illegitimate and was rigged into office. The only problem being that the facts do not support their claims nor their rationale for cheating. These people are incurable. They do not rig because they were once victimised by rigging. They rig because rigging is not only in their blood, it is their blood.

“Such errant nonsense has no place in our national discourse. To publish such an unfounded report is more than shoddy journalism, it is malicious. The publication and its editors should be ashamed.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/i-have-no-relation-to-or-interest-in.html

Ahead of the presidential election this weekend, the trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchnage witnessed renewed bearish sentiment yesterday, reversing its positive performance with a decline of 0.14 per cent to close Thursday’s session at 32,568.66 points following profit taking in the shares of International Breweries, Zenith Bank and Dangote Flour.

As a result, market capitalisation fell N17 billion to settle at N12.145 trillion, while Year-to-Date (YtD) gain moderated to 3.6 per cent.

Activity level also weakened in line with market direction as volume and value of stocks traded declined 50.6 and 60.3 per cent to 220.60 million units and N2.24 billion respectively, exchanged in 4,327 deals.

Reacting to the bearish trend, analysts at Afrinvest said, “In line with our expectation, investors took profit in today’s trading session, we expect to see further profit taking in tomorrow’s trading session – the eve of the rescheduled presidential election – as investors trade cautiously”.

Market breadth was however positive as 21 stocks appreciated in value while 15 others depreciated. Ikeja Hotel topped the gainers’ chart with 9.94 per cent to close at N1.99, ABC Transport was next with a gain of 8.33 per cent to close at 0.52 kobo, UAC-prop inched 8.33 per cent to close at N1.82, First Aluminium increased by 6.90 per cent to close at 0.31 kobo while MCNICHOLS garnered 6.82 per cent to close at 0.47 kobo. On the flipside, Linkage Assurance led the laggards with 10 per cent to close at 0.63 kobo per share. International Breweries followed with a decline of 9.48 per cent to close at N26.25, Neimeth fell by 8.57 per cent to close at 0.64 kobo,Mutual Benefit shed 7.41 per cent to close at 0.25 kobo while Lasaco lost 6.06 per cent to close at 0.31.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/profit-taking-drags-nse-asi-down-by-014.html

More than 72 million Nigerians have been cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to vote in tomorrow’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

They represent 86.63 per cent of the 84 million registered would-be voters who collected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu said yesterday at his daily news briefing.

Besides, the INEC boss said he was not contemplating resigning from office.

He said that 72,775,502 million of the 84,004,084 registered voters collected PVCs before the commission withdrew all the 11,228,582 uncollected last week Monday.

The withdrawn PVCs will be kept until after the elections on March 9. Only PVC holders will be allowed to vote.

Briefing reporters and observers, Prof. Yakubu said he had never contemplated resigning his job.

“I see no reason why I should resign,” he stressed.

On INEC’s preparation for the polls, Yakubu said 19 states had fully deployed electoral materials to local government areas.

The remaining states, except Bayelsa, were expected to complete the process yesterday. The process will be concluded today in Bayelsa.

On PVC’s collection, Yakubu noted: “The last date for the collection of PVCs was Monday, 11th February, 2019. Out of 84,004,084 registered voters, the total number of PVCs collected stands at 72,775,502, which represents 86.63 per cent of the total PVCs collected.”

The breakdown and percentages of collection on state by state basis shows Katsina leading other states with 98 per cent PVCs collection rate; Taraba trailing with 97 per cent; Kebbi (95 per cent) and Zamfara 94 per cent). Yobe State recorded 92 per cent collection.

Lagos has the highest number of uncollected PVCs with 1.038 million.


According to INEC’s breakdown of the number of registered voters and collected PVCs, Katsina with 3,230,230 registered would-be voters, 3,187,988 collected PVCs, which is 98 per cent. Taraba states follows closely with 1,777,105, with collection of 1,729,094, which is 97 per cent of total registered voters.

Kebbi and Gombe states have 95 per cent collection rate each. Kebbi with 1,806,231 registered voters has 1,718,180 collected PVCs and Gombe with a population of 1,394,393 voters has 1,335,223 collected PVCs.

Zamfara and Bauchi have 94 per cent collection rate. Zamfara with registered population of 1,717,128, has 1,626,839 PVCs collected. Bauchi with registered population of 2, 462,843, has 2,335,717 PVCs.

Kaduna registered 3,932,492 would-be voters; 3,648,831, representing 92 per cent, collected PVCs.

Akwa Ibom and Enugu recorded 91 per cent collection rate. Akwa Ibom with 2,119,727 registered voters has 1,933,362 PVCs collected. In Enugu, of the 1,944,016 registered voters, only 1,787,537 picked up their PVCs.

Adamawa, Sokoto, Niger and Cross River recorded 90 per cent collection rate.

Abia and Nasarawa states recorded 89 per cent collection rate; Ebonyi and Rivers recorded 88 per cent collection. Kogi has 87 per cent collection rate. Delta, Borno and Kano states have 86 per cent collection rate.

Plateau, Lagos and Anambra recorded 84 per cent collection rate; Bayelsa recorded 83 per cent; Kwara (81 per cent); Edo 78 per cent and Jigawa (77 per cent).

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has 76 per cent collection rate. Oyo and Imo have 74 per cent.

Yakubu said the remaining 11,228,582 million had been deposited at Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) offices.

Of the uncollected PVCs, the recent registration accounted for 3,410,677 million. More than 14 million voters were captured in the exercise.

On the fate of Rivers and Zamfara states APC, Yakubu reiterated INEC’s plan to obey court orders.

He foreclosed another postponement of the rescheduled elections.

Yakubu said: “We are fully on course. There is no state that has not commenced the deployment to LGAs. In fact, 19 states have fully deployed. By the end of the day, all states and FCT would have deployed, except Bayelsa State which is moving direct from our State office in Yenagoa to the RACs tomorrow.

“Tomorrow, activities at ward level will commence with the activation of the Registration Area Centres (RACs) at 9.00am while the movement of personnel and materials will commence at mid-day. This is the last staging post before deployment to 119,973 polling units leading to the opening of polls at 8.00am on Saturday (tomorrow).

“I want to assure the nation that going by our revised timetable and schedule of activities, this deployment will be concluded today. We are fully prepared for the elections.

“There is no state that has not commenced the deployment of electoral materials to the local government areas. In fact, 19 states have fully deployed.

“By the end of the day, all the states and FCT would have deployed, except Bayelsa State which is moving direct from our state office in Yenagoa to the Registration Area Centres tomorrow.”

He also announced that a visa arrangement was on for foreign observers who were affected by the postponement of the elections.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/inec-clears-727m-to-vote.html

Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State has signed N151 billion 2019 appropriation bill into law.

The budget with N104 billion for capital projects, and N47 billion for personnel and recurrent expenditure represented 70 percent and 30 percent of the budget.

Governor Bagudu, while speaking during the signing of the budget tagged “budget of consolidation,” disclosed that his administration would dwell more on road construction, 40 new nomadic schools and 225 primary health care centres across the state.

“The total budget is N151 billion, which is about $400 million. We have N104 billion going for capital projects and N47 billion for personnel and recurrent expenditure.”

Bagudu, who commended the lawmakers for their prompt scrutiny of the budget despite their serious engagement in political campaigns, said the budget would be judiciously utilised for infrastructure development in the state.

Earlier, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Development, Alhaji Muhammed Zelani Yauri, said the budget was designed to brighten the future of the state as well tap underdeveloped natural resources in the state.

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Alhaji Abudulmumeen Samaila Kamba, described the budget as the best in the history of the state with large percentage going into the capital projects.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/governor-abubakar-atiku-bagudu-signs.html

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has debunked a newspaper report on sleaze in the foreign exchange (forex) dealings.

In a rebuttal made available to Daily Sun yesterday, the apex bank challenged the media organisation to provide the names and evidence of collusion between the agents and officials of CBN working in cahoot to carry out the racket.

The CBN statement read: “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been alerted on the front page headline story in the BusinessDay newspaper on Monday, February 4, 2019 titled: “Exposed: The sleazy face of N306/$, inside Nigeria’s racket where faceless agents pocket over N32bn annually”.

“The management of CBN wishes to react to the report wherein BusinessDay newspaper alleges that faceless agents in Nigeria are exploiting the country’s multiple exchange rates to devastating effects and allegedly with the backing of regulators. CBN wishes to state unequivocally that this report is unfounded and untrue and challenges BusinessDay to provide the names and also verifiable evidence of collusion between these faceless agents and officials of CBN, who are working to perpetuate these so-called FX racket schemes. We would also urge the management of BusinessDay to contact the CBN prior to making such spurious allegations, as we were denied the benefit of responding to this article.

“The CBN wishes to remind BusinessDay, as most financial observers have noted, that the FX rates across various markets governed and regulated by CBN, have been converging, leaving no room for arbitrage opportunities in Nigeria’s FX market. For avoidance of doubt, the CBN will continue to act in the best interest of Nigeria and shall ensure it remains focused on its core mandate of sustaining the stability in the FX market.”

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/cbn-debunks-media-report-on-forex-scam/amp/

Organised Labour in the country on Monday painted a gloomy picture of Nigerian workers and the need for a new National minimum wage, saying the N30,000 recommended by the tripartite committee only translate to meal of N50 for a family of Six and N1000 per day for workers.

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba who spoke on behalf of Organised Labour Act the public hearing on a bill for a New National minimum wage said government alone, being one of the social partners in the tripartite cannot single handedly after the figures agreed to by the tripartite and submitted to government.

Wabba said when the minimum wage was increased to N18,000 in 2011, it was equivalent to 150 dollars, adding that the N30,000 recommended by the tripartite committee is still less than 100 dollars and appealed to the House of Representatives to increase the figure from the N27,000 contained in the bill to N30,000 as recommended by the tripartite committee.

Wabba said “I remember that in 2017 during the May say pandemonium, the national Assembly made a commitment that when the minimum wage hill is submitted, it will receive accelerated hearing. This promise has been kept.

“On this issue of minimum wage, by our data base, 11 million workers will benefit and we know that the law provide for a wife, a husband and four children. If you multiple that by 11, there is no economy that will not be boosted. This is why it is very central.

“The ILO recognizes that minimum wage is one of the most used instruments for wealth distribution in the labour market. Intact, minimum wage is provided for by law in 90 percent of countries of the world.

“There has been some misconception about what minimum wage stand for. It is the barest minimum that is allowed to be paid to a worker in both public and private sector. When people say we are not supposed to have a minimum wage, that is not true.

“The United States of America is a federal system. It has a minimum wage of 10 dollars per hour and after that, every state can then pay higher. Recently, Microsoft increased its minimum wage to 15 dollars per hour. The principle is that we must protect the most vulnerable worker from exploitation.

“So, it is not about the state, but about the protection of the individual. If you say remove it from the exclusive list and give it to the states, who will fix for the private sector. Employer cannot and should determined single handedly the salary of a worker. This is the principle and if you understand the principle, it will be easier to understand the challenges and work towards addressing them.

“The minimum wage was due in 2016 because through the collective bargaining profess of 2011, we all agreed among all the social partners that a five year circle will be used to review the minimum wage. Some important economic challenges arose within the period and fuel price increased by about 85 percent and electricity tarrif also increased.

“By the salary has remained static. From our records, minimum wage has never led to increase in inflation. Intact when minimum wage is increase, inflation will drop. There are other scenario that has increase inflation rate in the country and one of them is spending during election.

“This is one factor that we must consider because there will be excess liquidity which will trigger inflation. By the data presented by the National Bureau of Statistics, there is no where minimum wage has triggered inflation.

“When we signed the N18000 minimum wage, it was equivalent to 150 dollars. Today, it is less than 50 dollars. So, the reality is that it is biting hard on the workers and most of them can’t feed their families and cant even go to work and be productive. This was why we insist on a new minimum wage.


“The issue of tripartite negotiations and social dialogues is an instrument of the ILO proscribing collective bargaining among social partners. It also also says that all partners should come to the negotiating table in equal footing. There are also procedures in arriving at the minimum wage. In collective bargaining agreement is like a consent judgment where partners sit on a table and agree and what has been agreed is transmitted to government who will make it into a law.

“This document which we all signed agreeing in N30000 was by all the social partners. We looked at all the issues and through the process of negotiation and looking at the economy and ability to pay, labour dropped its demand to N30,000.

“We did not recommend N30,000 but because we want to carry everybody along, and make sure that we considerate, Labour became very responsible and agreed on N30,000 and this document was signed and presented to Mr. President.

“It was agreed to as equal partners and as contained in ILO convention 131, you cannot alter the figures without consulting the social partners involved in the process. I remembered that we considered all issues including how to make sure resources are available so that the wages can be paid because we have been on this part for 38 years. At every stage of negotiating the minimum wage, the same argument has come up.

“I think we should all sympathies with Nigerian workers. N30,000 translate to N1000 per day and N50 per mill for every member of the family. If you have a family of six, a wife husband and four children, it translate to N50 per mill.

When we heard about the challenges in the state, we asked our state councils to go and engage with their state governors.

“We discussed with 30 state governors and they made commitment that they will pay N30,000. The law recognizes individual states and we have attached memos we received from states is attached. We accepted the N30,000 so that there will be peace. That was how we arrived at the figures. In want to plead that the N30,000 we have agreed on with all the social partners be approved.

“On the bill, we want the figure increased from N27,000 to N30,000. If that is done, it will not be the first. When we got the first minimum wage, this House increased the figure from N100 to N125 which was equal to N200 dollars.

“We want the four circles as contained in the bill and we want it included that if there is a major economic development that affects workers salaries negatively or whichever comes first. Workers create wealth and should partake in the wealth they create. The work force of any country is an asset to that country.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/minimum-wage-n30000-translate-to-n50.html

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate has not arrived in the United States and the Nigerian embassy in Washington is not aware that he is on the way.

The Embassy said it was not yet sure if the former Vice-President would be visiting any moment soon.

A competent source at the embassy told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the embassy was yet to get official information about the former vice president.

Atiku was being rumoured to have arrived the United States on Thursday night. Some other reports said he was on his way.

The embassy source, however, said the embassy was awaiting official communication to that effect.

“Actually, we have not received any information for the embassy but we are just trying to find out whether really he is coming. That is what we are doing right now.

“They told us he’s coming tonight, today, so we are trying to find out whether he’s really coming.

“Mr (Peter) Obi, (Atiku’s running mate), he was to come last week but the event was cancelled.

“So we are still trying to see but if you get anything, please just let us know also because they said he’s coming here so that if you’re able to get any updated information, just inform us so that we can prepare vehicles to go to the airport and meet him and all that.

“For now, we have no information. If I am able to confirm anything, I will get back to you and please, if you too get any confirmation or any update, just get back to me, just call me.

“As a former Vice President, the Embassy is supposed to organise to receive him at the airport and all that, but then we have not received anything in that regards,” the source said.

NAN reports that Obi was billed to be in the U.S. last week and was scheduled to have a New jersey/New York Townhall but the event was postponed.

The PDP vice-presidential candidate is now rescheduled for the New/Jersey/New York USA Town Hall Meeting at Robert Treat Best Western Hotel, New Jersey on Monday, January 21.

The clarification from the embassy came as online reports said Atiku has either landed in the US or has taken off from Nigeria to address the US Chamber of Commerce on Friday, from 2:30pm to 4pm local time.

The Cable claimed that Atiku secretly flew out from Lagos on Wednesday night with most of his aides and associates taken unawares.

He was scheduled to be in Ogun state on Thursday morning but the event was cancelled, it said.

Atiku was said to have been issued last December with a US visa for the first time in 13 years. The visa was reportedly facilitated by his former boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo, a former foe, turned campaign endorser.

But reports said Atiku sensed the visa could be a trap by the Americans and thus asked for guarantee from the US government that he would not be arrested over a case of money laundering, for which there were reports of a sealed indictment by the US Justice Department.

In another case, former congressman William Jefferson was jailed for 13 years for accepting a bribe from an investor, Lori Mody, who was wearing a wire. Jefferson told the investor that he would need to give then Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar $500,000 “as a motivating factor” to make sure the company obtained contracts for iGate and Mody’s company in Nigeria.

But Daily Trust, quoting Atiku’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Paul Ibe debunked the report of Atiku travelling to the United States.

Ibe told Daily Trust via a telephone chat Thursday afternoon that online reports which stated that Atiku had travelled to the US were a figment of the imagination of the authors.

“You know what the social media can do. You know the social media for what they are now. It is not true. His Excellency hasn’t gone anywhere,” he said.

https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/01/17/we-are-not-aware-of-atikus-visit-to-us-nigerian-embassy/

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has confirmed that the proposed new National Minimum Wage would be presented to the National Council of State on Jan. 22.

Ngige told State House correspondents after the National Economic Council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday.

The minister said work was still ongoing on the figure, frequency of review, those to be exempted and everything about the bill before it would be ready for transmission to the National Assembly.

“The information minister told you the other day after the Federal Executive Council meeting that we are taking our deliberations to the National Economic Council and then we close up on the 22nd (Jan. 22) at the National Council of State.

“After that, we will be able to say where we are going.

“It is not a question of governors saying they cannot pay N30, 000, discussions are still ongoing and will terminate on 22nd when we meet with the National Council of State.

“Governors are part of Nigeria and they are part of the government’s side of the public sector; so do not disengage them or dis-articulate them from the Federal Government.

“The public is the Federal Government and the state government, and even the local government,’’ Ngige said.

The minister, however, said that the plan was to transmit the National Minimum Wage Bill to the National Assembly on or before Jan. 23 in consonance with the agreement with labour.

On his part, Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, said that the governors were after a National Minimum Wage legislation that “could work.’’

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/council-of-state-receives-minimum-wage-next-week/amp/

Indications emerged on Tuesday, that the controversies trailing the new national minimum wage, pegged at N30,000 may be far from over as President Muhammadu Buhari is set to consult with the National Economic Council (NEC) on the matter, again.

The expanded meeting which will involve Buhari’s cabinet members, is expected to come up on Thursday, according to a source from the Presidency.

The resolution to meet with governors was reached on Tuesday at an extra-ordinary Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the President.


They are expected to gather more inputs from NEC, which comprises all serving state governors.

Recall that while the organized labour and federal government officials settled for N30,000 as the minimum pay, they had been at a loss of where to source funds to meet the envisaged wage increment.


Some state governors on their part had insisted that they cannot pay the proposed wage unless the federation account allocation formula is reviewed to offer more earnings to states.

Prior to when the national tripartite committee headed by former Minister of Housing and Urban development, Ama Pepple presented their recommendation to the Executive, leadership of the Nigerian Governors Forum had said they could only afford N22,500.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/presidency-to-consult-nec-on-minimum.html

The National Industrial Court, Abuja on Monday granted an interim injunction, restraining Attorney General of the Federation from further proceeding with hearing of the alleged non-declaration of asset suit against the Chief Justice of the Federation, Walter Onnoghen.

Justice Sanusi Kado granted the order pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for Interlocutory injunction.

Kado said the order was due to the imminent danger of having the subject matter in the suit destroyed before the hearing of the motion on notice.

He said “an order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th defendants from further proceeding with hearing of charge No. CCT/ABJ/01/19, between The Federal Republic of Nigeria and Justice Onnoghen Nkanu Walter Samuel pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for Interlocutory injunction,” the judge said.

Kado also granted an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants either by themselves, their privies, servants, agents, assigns or whosoever described from forcing Onnoghen from vacating his office as CJN, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

The CJN, who filed the suit through his counsel James Igwe (SAN), via a motion Ex-parte, sought among others an order of Interim Injunction restraining the Code of Conduct Tribunal from further proceeding with the hearing pending before it.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that an Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative (ARDI), a Non-Governmental Organisation, filed the petition against Onnoghen at the Code of Conduct Bureau.

The 6-count charge had among others, accused Onnoghen of violating the CCB/CCT Act by engaging on false and non-declaration of his assets.

Joined as co-defendants are Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal Code of Conduct Bureau and Inspector General of Police.

Jan. 21 has been fixed for hearing of the motion on notice of the interlocutory injunction.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/respite-for-cjn-onnoghen.html

The standard bearer of Imo State chapter of Action Alliance (AA) in the coming governorship election, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, has promised to turn the state to a food basket in Nigeria if elected governor. He is among many governorship aspirants, who made their way to the just-concluded Mgbidi 2019 Crusade organised by the Lazarus Mouka-led Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, which held at the church’s International Secondary School in Mgbidi, Imo State.

While addressing the media during the crusade, the erstwhile Chief of Staff to the incumbent governor, Mr. Rochas Okorocha, promised Imo people that he would make food available for the poor masses if he is voted into power as governor in next month’s election. He also assured the people that he would provide job opportunities for the unemployed youths as well as take care of the masses and ensure that Imo State becomes one of the best states in Nigeria.

Nwosu, who is also the son-in-law to Okorocha, said he considers himself the best candidate even as he identified apathy as a major challenge facing the citizens of Imo State.


He said: “The greatest challenge is having the people come out. We need to educate the people and make them realise that this is not the time to say ‘I am not a politician.’ Any vote will count in this election and I think the people will elect the best candidate and I think I am the best.”

The AA aspirant, who hails from Nkwerre Local Government of Imo State, urged citizens to get ready for the forthcoming general elections as well as pray earnestly for the peaceful conduct of the polls so that God would choose the right candidate of which he believes he would be sworn in as the next governor.

He commended the organiser of the crusade, Pastor Muoka, saying, “He is one man I respect so much and moreover, this is my third time here. So, the first time I came, I was not running for an election. The second time I was not running for an election. So, it is not because I am running for an election. I am here because this is a place to be. I am a chosen one, and if you are chosen you ought to be in the presence of God. So, I am here to worship God.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/2019-election-uche-nwosu-promises-to.html

The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), which prevented First Bank of Nigeria Limited from paying the plaintiffs community a judgment debt now totaling N134 billion to the plaintiff community represented by 10 Ogoni Chief of Ejama Ebubu community of Ogoni in Rivers State.

In a ruling on Friday, Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs said the notice of appeal filed by the oil giant was incompetent and struck out based on Order 8 Rule 7 of the court’s rules.


Justice Akaahs also said motion filed by Shell on July 16, 2018 had no leg to stand on it ought not to have been filed.

The Supreme Court consequently awarded N500,000 against Shell for filing an incompetent appeal in the court.

Citing authorities to back up his submission, the apex court held that since the notice of appeal filed by Shell sought to be amended was incompetent, no valid amendment could be effected because issues of fact or mix law and fact were raised in the original notice of appeal with leave of court.

He agreed with the submission of the lead counsel to Shell, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) that an appellant who has a valid and subsisting appeal can seek the leave of court to do so, adding that in the instant case, there is no such valid notice of appeal that could be amended.

“Where the grounds of appeal are based on mixed law and facts and the leave of either the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court is not sought and granted, the appeal is incompetent and neither the Court of Appeal nor the Supreme Court will have any jurisdiction to entertain the appeal.

“As the notice of appeal sought to be amended was incompetent, no valid amendment could be effected even though issues of jurisdiction were raised in the proposed notice of appeal.

“Learned senior counsel for the appellants stated that correct legal position that the appellant who has a valid and subsisting appeal can seek the leave of court to do so but in the instant case, there is no such valid notice of appeal that can be amended, Justice Akaahs held.

The suit was first commenced in 1991 before a Rivers State High Court sitting at Nchia Division, when the Ejama community represented by Isaac Osaro Ogbara, Victor Obari, John Oguru, Joseph Ogusu, G. O. Nnah, George Osaro, and Adanta Obelle, had sued Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Netherlands, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, United Kingdom, and SPDC over alleged oil spills in 1970 that occurred when Shell operated in the community. Judgment was entered for the sum of N6Billion in favour of the community by the Nchia High court. That judgment was conceded on appeal because the Supreme Court had in a sister case decided that States High Court have no jurisdiction in oil related matters. The Plaintiffs in 2001 refiled the suit at the federal High Court, Port Harcourt.

However, this 2001 case, presided over by Justice Ibrahim Buba claiming N17billion and interest thereon went through full trial. Justice Buba, after listening to the submissions of the parties in the suit, in his judgment in 2010, awarded N17 billion to the representatives of the Ogoni people.

The court equally granted the Ogoni chiefs 25 per cent interest charge on the principal sum of about N17 billion.

SPDC then appealed against the judgment and applied for a stay of execution of the judgment pending the appeal.

As a condition for granting the stay of execution, the court required Shell’s bankers, FirstBank, to provide a guarantee of the judgment sum plus interest.

This condition was complied with. But Shell’s appeal failed on merit because Shell failed to file a brief of argument in support of their appeal but instead claimed that they were granted leave to file an amended brief of argument, which the Court of Appeal found not to be correct.

Against that judgment, Shell proceeded to the Supreme Court where its lawyer, Olanipekun, SAN now leading Olawale Akanni (SAN) who was the company’s lawyer at the Court of Appeal when that appeal was dismissed, filed a fresh application asking for leave to amend the original notice of the appeal filed by Akoni in the Port Harcourt court of appeal registry in order for him to argue fresh points not raised at the court below and in order for him to argue 36 additional grounds of appeal.

Upon the new application at the apex court, the respondents’ lawyer, led by Lucius Nwosu, SAN, filed a preliminary objection. It must be noted that the appellants against whom judgment was entered at the court of appeal are Shell companies – Shell International DV of the Netherlands, Shell International of UK, and Shell Development Company of Nigeria Ltd.

Nwosu, assisted by Lawal Rabana, SAN and others, argued that the findings of the Court of Appeal dismissing their appeal were based on facts, adding that the law is that an appeal must arise out of the decision complained against.

He stated that if the decision complained against was based on findings of fact, the constitution requires that you cannot appeal them except you first seek leave of the Court of Appeal.

The respondents’ lawyer contended that since that notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal was filed without leave, it meant that, that notice was incompetent and cannot be amended because it would mean putting something on nothing and expecting it to stand.

However, in December 2017, the judgment creditors (Ogoni chiefs) commenced garnishee proceedings at the Federal High Court in Owerri presided over by Justice Lewis Allagoa.

They urged the CBN to pay them N122.53 billion out of FirstBank’s account in its custody.

THISDAY gathered that they calculated the principal sum of N17 billion and the accrued 25 per cent interest charge per annum to arrive at the sum of N122,533,403,392.

In January 2018, Justice Allagoa granted them a temporary order (garnishee nisi) ordering the CBN to pay them the sum from FirstBank’s account with it.

But the CBN asked the court not to make absolute the temporary garnishee order it granted six chiefs representing the Ogoni community, compelling it to pay the sum of N122.53 billion on behalf of FirstBank.

CBN’s lead counsel, Professor Fabian Ajogwu (SAN) while responding to the garnishee proceeding, stated that making the order absolute and compelling the CBN to pay out the huge sum would be against the interest of justice because the matter was still pending at the Supreme Court.

He also argued that compelling the CBN to pay the N122.53 billion from FirstBank’s funds domiciled with it could have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s oldest and biggest lender by assets and deposits, and a systemic impact on the rest of the financial system and wider economy.

With the dismissal of the Shell’s appeal last Friday, it is not clear if the application filed by the Ogoni chiefs seeking garnishee absolute against FirstBank and reserved for ruling by Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos would not be granted.

Reacting to the Supreme Court judgment yesterday, Nwosu said: “With this decision, therefore, all arguments of FirstBank that Shell was on a further appeal at the Supreme Court for which they were renging from honouring their obligation that was due by virtue of their guarantee has completely collapsed and as of today, the guarantee is standing at N134 billion, contingent liability of First Bank’s assets. And that there is a garnishee order nisi attaching First Bank’s money at the CBN which since had been served on the Central Bank.

“With this judgment now, the central bank is under an obligation to set aside that amount of money with interest still running from First Bank’s account to satisfy that judgment debt based on what the law says under garnishee orders.”

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/01/13/n134bn-ogoni-judgment-debt-shell-loses-appeal-at-supreme-court/?amp

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) will oppose any move to tamper with legitimately earned salaries of workers in guise of implementing the new minimum wage, its President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, has warned.

Wabba’s warning followed President Muhammadu Buhari’s announcement that workers, who presently earn N30,000, would also have their salaries reviewed in accordance with the new minimum wage.

Speaking with The Nation, Wabba rejected the President’s position, saying that there was no basis for such move.

He said there was nowhere in the world that an introduction of new minimum wage would cause a reduction in earned wages by workers.

Wabba said: “That is not the principle behind the minimum wage and the technical committee is simply a government committee. It is their internal mechanism. I am not so sure that minimum wage is about reducing workers’ wages.

“If they have earned their salaries legitimately, there is no way the minimum wage can reduce it. In fact, the minimum wage is about empowering workers and improving on what they collect. I don’t think that decision is right because every salary a worker earns is legitimately negotiated on the table.

“I think what they need to do is to reduce salaries of political office holders, those that are collecting salaries that are not appropriated or salaries that are humongous. We know the wastages are the security votes and the high cost of governance.”

On the feasibility of government’s assurances to labour that it would transmit the Bill for the N30,000 new minimum wage to the National Assembly, Wabba said there was every reason to believe that such would happen.

He said the information at the disposal of labour was that the National Assembly will be resuming from recess on January 16 and that they will be ready to receive the minimum wage bill on that day.

According to Wabba, the labour movement has been assured that the lawmakers would make the opportunity available for the government to submit the bill within the stipulated period.

He said: “What we have found out is that they will be in office on that day and that is what we are banking on. They are resuming on the January 16th and they cannot resume on that day and again proceed for recess. It is not possible.

“We have taken that into consideration to say that on or before January 23, the government should submit the Bill. It is an agreement that was signed by three ministers – that of Finance, Budget and Planning and Labour and Employment. NLC and TUC signed on behalf of labour.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/well-resist-attempt-to-tamper-with-new.html

...YPP has taken over Anambra south - Cater Umeh.

On January 8, all APGA candidates in Anambra state were at Aguleri were they met with governor Obiano. The meeting was convened by the governor to interact with the party candidates.

The governor wanted to find out from the APGA candidates the challenges they are facing in their campaigns and the strategy to adopt to win the elections for the party.

Most of the candidates spoke and expressed their fears. But the report from Anambra south was clear. Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu who is yet to become a candidate due to the nullification of the APGA primaries that produced him told the governor that most of the APGA members in Anambra south are working against him.

He lamented that many of them are into anti party and expressed fear that APGA will lose Anambra south.

Hon Cater Umeh was specific. He told the governor that the President General of Akpo was working for YPP. He requested the governor to query him for working against APGA.
Hon Cater Umeh told the audience that YPP has taken over Anambra south senatorial zone and asked that all APGA members who were working for another party be suspended.
However, ndi Anambra south are angry that Cater Umeh requested for the sacking of a President General for working for another political party other than APGA. They are asking if PGs are now card carrying members of APGA.
APGA candidates in Anambra south should accept their fate. Requesting that PGs and APGA members be sacked or suspended when the party messed up their chances at the primaries and imposed unpopular candidates is an exercise in futility.
Again, Ukachukwu should concentrate more on Uga where the APGA ticket is, than spying which APGA member is working for another political party.
Recall that few days ago, a strong supporter of Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu and coordinator of youths in his campaign organization, Comr Kenneth Okeke from Uli, Ihiala LGA led other youths to pledge loyalty to Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah.
It is a sign that APGA no longer exist in Anambra south till the February election is over.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/apga-members-are-working-against-me.html

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has promised to run a youth-driven administration if elected as president.

Atiku made the commitment on Thursday at the PDP presidential campaign in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital.

According to the presidential hopeful, the essence of running the youth driven administration was to prepare them to garner experience for effective governance.

“Let me make this commitment that 40 per cent of my government will be dedicated to the youth and 30 per cent to the women.

“This is because I want the youth to garner enough experience to be able to take over from us,” Atiku said.

He urged the people to vote for the PDP in the forthcoming general election in order to end hunger, poverty and insecurity in the country.

The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki called on the people of the state, especially the youth to vote for the PDP and Atiku as president so he would create massive jobs and reduce restiveness in the country.

He noted that the standard of living of Nigerians had not improved within the last three years, hence the need for them to vote for Atiku to get the country working again.

Similarly, Mr Uche Secondus, PDP National Chairman and Mr Peter Obi, Vice Presidential candidate of the party urged the people to turnout massively to vote for Atiku and all PDP candidates during the election.

Secondus, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to exhibit high sense of neutrality and avoid compromising the electoral process in the interest of democracy in the country.

“If INEC and the security agencies love this country, they should allow free, fair and credible election,” Secondus said

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/atiku-promises-youths-driven.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub as the new Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).

Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, confirmed this development in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday.

Adesina said El-Yakub’s appointment followed the resignation of Kawu Sumaila who was in that position.

Sumaila, who was appointed in August 2015, resigned to contest for the House of Representatives member for Sumaila/Takai Federal Constituency in Kano State under the the All Progressives Congress (APC).

His successor, El-Yakub, an APC stalwart from Kano State, was a member of the House of Representatives in 1998 and from 2003 to 2007 representing Kano Municipal Federal Constituency.(NAN)

Full details at https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/buhari-appoints-new-aide-on-nass-matters.html

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday attended the funeral of late Dr Frederick Fasehun, the founder of Oodua Peoples Congress(OPC) at the Cathedral Church of Saint Stephen, Oke-Aluko, Ondo, Ondo State.

The OPC chieftain passed on Dec. 1 at the Intensive Care Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja (LASUTH).

Osinbajo was accompanied to the service by Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Gov. Kayode Fayemi, among others.

Former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko was also in attendance.

In his tribute, Osinbajo said it was a great honour to be at the service to express his own condolence on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Government of Nigeria.

He said that Fasehun was exceptional in everything he did as he was medical doctor, a sociologist as well as a versatile acupuncturist.

“He studied acupuncture in 1977; and set up the very first acupuncture centre in Africa at LASUTH.

“ He was such a brilliant medical doctor; one would have thought that he would just restrict himself to practice of medicine.

“Of course, many of us know he was the proprietor of Bestcare Hospital, which catered for the poor; so many people were able to receive medical attention.

“But beyond that, I think that what he will always be remembered for is what he did with the OPC; of course, many of us know about the struggle.

“He was not really a politician; his first interaction that we know within the democratic struggle was when he founded the Movement for Social and Economic Justice.’’

Osinbajo said that when the deceased founded the OPC, he decided that it was not enough for the Yoruba people to be recongnised for their industry and for their enterprise, but to seek beyond that.

He said that the first set of members of OPC were artisans, who Fasehun taught excellence and integrity and also at the same time, teaching them democratic principles and activism.


The vice president said that he was happy that Fasehun lived a good life and knew God.

In his tribute, Akeredolu said that Fasehun would be remembered for excellence and for championing the cause of the Yoruba nation.

Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, the Archbishop of Abuja Province and Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, prayed God to comfort the family of the deceased and all he left behind.

Okoh, whose message was read by the Most Rev. Gabriel Akinbiyi, Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of Ondo and Lord Bishop, Diocese of Akoko, also prayed God to give Fasehun’s family the fortitude to bear the loss.

In his sermon, Akinbiyi said that from the tributes from family members and friends, it was evident that he impacted on lives.

He said that Fasehun remained faithful and committed to serving God in spite the post he held.

The bishop prayed that God would give Nigeria a leader after God’s heart as the “nation goes for elections.’’

He said that one of the lessons from Fasehun’s life was that one could face trials and difficulties and still maintain standard.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, also sent a condolence message.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/osinbajo-akeredolu-fayemi-grace-opc.html

NIGERIA Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba has explained why Labour is not involved in the Technical Committee on the Implementation of the national minimum wage being proposed.

The panel, the unionist stated, “is purely an internal arrangement of the Federal Government.”

Reacting to the inauguration of the committee by President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday, Wabba said the Minister of Labour & Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, has already assured Labour that the committee was an in-house affair of the government and has nothing to do with Labour”.

Wabba informed that the government promised Labour to put in place processes of mobilising resources, adding that Labour had thought that the committee will renegotiate the minimum wage, “but we’re assured that it has nothing to do with that.”

Also reacting, General Secretary of the National Union of Textiles, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, Issa Aremu, said the committee should facilitate the full implementation of the negotiated N30,000 and not in any way undermine the implementation of the new minimum wage.

Aremu, who is a NEC member of NLC and labour representative on the National Income and Wages Commission, said the technical committee was mandated to anticipate the implications of the new minimum wage increase for the upward “salary review for all the workers who are already earning above the new minimum wage”, it was commendable.

He said it was reassuring “that President Muhammad Buhari reaffirmed commitment to the new minimum wage with the discussion with organised labour to send the Executive Bill to that effect before January 23rd.”

Aremu described as desirable that the representatives of Labour were parties to the implementation of what he called “critical labour market issues like minimum wage and salary review for other categories of workers earning above the minimum.

“Indeed ideally the best statutory committee to drive the mandate of the Bismarck Committee would have been National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission (NSIWC).”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/why-were-not-involved-in-technical.html

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ), Jigawa Command said it recovered more than N31.598 million debts in the state in 2018.

The Spokesman of the command, Mr Adamu Abdullahi said this in a statement in Dutse on Wednesday.

Abdullahi said that the amount was recovered following complaints the command received from aggrieved creditors.

“Between Jan. and Dec. 2018, the command was able to recover the sum of N31.598 million debts,’’ Abdullahi said.

He said that the command’s Peace and Conflict Management (PCM) Unit had amicably resolved the disagreements between the debtors and their creditors.

According to him, the command has handed over the recovered funds to their rightful owners after the resolution of the disagreements.

Abdullahi promised that the corps would continue to intensify efforts to ensure that residents of the state lived in peace and harmony with one another.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/nscdc-recovers-n315m-debts-in-jigawa-in.html