₦airaland Forum

The Senate yesterday passed a resolution, urging the Federal Government to provide low interest loans to herders for the establishment of ranches.

The resolution is a way to address the clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the country, the lawmakers said.

The resolution followed the consideration of the report of an ad-hoc committee on the review of the country’s security infrastructure, chaired by Senate leader, Ahmad Lawan.

After debate on the committee’s report, the Senate passed 20 resolutions on how to address the country’s security challenges.

The Senate resolved that the nation’s basic security infrastructure needs to be reviewed and strengthened.

“The Nigerian political structure should be a major factor in this review, as well as the nature of the challenges the nation faces. There is a strong case for review of the nature of the Federal system, which should be pursued with responsibility and strong political will,” it said.

The report stressed the need to isolate current security challenges from political partisanship, narrow political interests and ethno-religious sentiments.

Senate President Bukola Saraki said “We will work hard to ensure the implementation of the recommendation to address the criminality and insecurity. We must separate the criminality from other issues.”

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/senate-seeks-loans-for-herders-to-establish-ranches-259470.html

Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) on Wednesday said that it would be in the best interest of Nigeria for President Muhammadu Buhari to win in 2019.

In a statement issued in Lagos, the Muslim Cleric said that Buhari’s interest lies in the progress for Nigeria and the welfare of Nigerian citizens.

Akintola reaffirmed the group’s commitment to the Buhari led administration, saying that it has the political will to fight corruption and to punish offenders.

“Ex-governors and powerful politicians are being sent to jail for the first time in the history of this country. Huge amounts are also being recovered. It is a record performance,” he said.

According to the MURIC director, the organisation’s stand is not about any close relationship or acquaintance, but about the president’s integrity.

“We marvel at his prudence, his simplicity and his altruism. He is simply a living legend. These are the qualities which we cherish in Buhari.

“His political party does not matter to us. Some Nigerians are not being honest. All of us have been complaining for a long time that the problem with Nigeria is leadership. We accused our leaders of greed, avarice and selfishness.

“We have been complaining for long that corrupt leaders always got away with their loot. Nobody ever questioned anyone. But today we have a president to whom transparency, probity and accountability are uppermost.

“Our support for this administration is driven by patriotism and good governance but not based on religion.

“If the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who is a Christian clergy contests election tomorrow we will support him because he shares the same vision with the President.

“Wole Soyinka and Femi Falana are Christians. We will not hesitate to rally behind them tomorrow if they vie for leadership positions.

“We would have given all our energy to support Tai Solarin, Dr. Beko Ransom Kuti, Chima Ubani and Ken Saro Wiwa who were all Christians had they contested for the post of president in their life time.

“As religious leaders, we are speaking up to guide politicians because things may go wrong if we keep quiet, we will never give up on Nigeria. We will never surrender this country to kleptomaniacs and blood merchants no matter the amount of blackmail.

“This struggle is towards a better future for Nigerian youth, Nigerian children and generations yet unborn. Posterity will judge us,” he said.

The director cited Qur’an 8:25 which condemns docility, encourages Muslims to be proactive and warns that those who fail to speak up when necessary may eventually become victims of the evil even if they are innocent.

He also urged Muslims not to shy away from politics, saying that politics determines whether the roads will be good or not.

“Politics determines whether or not we will have stable power supply, a reliable public transport system and good public health delivery package,” he said.

He lamented that some politicians are earning N29 million monthly while poor workers are not even getting N18,000 minimum wage as and when due.

“The International Monetary Fund revealed in 1999 that one per cent of our population enjoys 85 per cent of the wealth, leaving the remaining 99 per cent of the population to struggle before having access to the remaining 15 per cent of Nigeria’s wealth.

“That is why facilities cannot go round. That is why we have falling school walls. That is why public hospitals are glorified mortuaries.

“The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria said last week that only 350 Nigerians are responsible for more than 80 per cent of the N5.4 trillion debt portfolio of the company,” he further said.

Akintola however advised Muslims to wake up to the challenge of politics, to speak up and be proactive.

“ We charge Muslims to play the role that Allah has instructed them to play and to desist from abdicating their social responsibilities.

“We urge the civil society to stand up to be counted in the struggle to free Nigeria from the clutches of the tiny cabal,” he added. (NAN)

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/kwankwaso-may-dump-apc-today-259367.html

Politics of money

The former National Secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) party, Alhaji Buba Galadima, has announced the constitution of a new splinter group of the All Progressives Congress (APC) called ‘Reformed- All Progressives Congress’ (R-APC).

This was contained in a statement he posted on the PRNigeria website on Wednesday evening.

The statement reads:

“We are here assembled to address you on the state of our party, the APC, the state of the nation and the future of our experiment in constitutional democracy in Nigeria.

“You will recall that in the build up to the 2015 General elections, some political parties and groups came together, and formed a brand new political party, the All Progressives Congress, APC. This merger was based on the strong belief that Nigeria had come of age, but was severely underperforming and unable to meet its potentials for good governance. The Nigerian people entrusted power to the APC based on its promises and potentials.

“We are sad to report that after more than three years of governance, our hopes have been betrayed, our expectations completely dashed. The APC has run a rudderless, inept and incompetent government that has failed to deliver good governance to the Nigerian people. It has rather imposed dictatorship, impunity, abuse of power, complete abdication of constitutional and statutory responsibilities, infidelity to the rule of law and constitutionalism. It has failed to ensure the security and welfare of our people and elevated nepotism to unacceptable height.

“The APC has failed to deliver on its key promises to the nation. There is no evidence of any political will to reverse the decline of our party, while leaders who have created these circumstances continue to behave as if Nigerians owe our party votes as a matter of right.

“The APC government has been a monumental disaster, even worse than the government it replaced. The political party that was a vehicle for enthroning the government was rendered powerless by manipulations and complete lack of due process in its operations.

“The last straw was the Congresses and Convention of the APC held recently. The Congresses were intensely disputed as it was conducted with impunity, total disregard for due process, disregard for the party Constitution and naked display of power and practices that have no place in a party we all worked the very hard to put in place.

“There are countless cases in courts all over the country challenging the legality of congresses and even the National Convention itself. It is very likely that the judicial decisions on these cases will result in massive chaos, confusion and uncertainties.

“The fate of a party in this state with a few months to the elections is best left to the imagination, but it is not a fate we believe our millions of members should be abandoned to.There were parallel congresses in 24 States namely: Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto and Zamfara. These congresses in Wards, Local Government Areas and States all over the federation produced different sets of delegates.

“We therefore had an unfortunate situation where the party has been seriously factionalised and divided in not just 24 States but the 36 States and Abuja FCT. 7.

“The so-called National Convention of the APC was even worse. The National Convention of the party was ridiculed with constitutional infirmities that were so glaring and obvious that no fair minded person can claim that a legitimate and lawful executive emerged from that process.

“The Chairman of the organising Committee, Jigawa State Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, declared 18 seats unopposed and uncontested, since only one valid candidate stood at the end of the grossly manipulated nomination exercise for each of the offices. He therefore proceeded to declare them duly elected in flagrant abuse and violence to the Constitution of the APC.

“Indeed, Article 20 of the APC Constitution is very clear and explicit. It envisages a situation where if at the close of nomination, only one person is nominated, the Convention must vote “Yes” or “No”, for each candidate before he is declared duly elected.

“For the avoidance of doubt, let us re-produce the article verbatim: Article 20 (1) of the APC Constitution states “Unless otherwise provided for: All party posts prescribed or implied by this Constitution shall be filled by democratically conducted elections at the respective National Convention or Congress subject, where possible, to consensus, Provided that where a Candidate has emerged by consensus for an elective position, a vote of “Yes” or “No” by ballot or voice shall be called, to ensure that it was not an imposition which could breed discontent and crisis”.

“We all witnessed on live television and at the venue, Eagles Square Abuja, that the Convention Chairman, only put the “Yes” question to all the delegates, using words to the effect: Do you affirm? Do you agree? There was no opportunity whatsoever given to the delegates to say whether they are voting “No” for any candidate as the “No” question was never put to them. It may well be that it the convention Chairman put the “No” Question, the voice vote for the “Noes”, may have been more. We will never know, since it was never done, contrary to the express provisions of the APC Constitution.

“It is therefore unquestionably clear that the 18 officers of APC that was “Elected” through this process could not have been duly elected. This constitutional vice infected the offices of:

1. Comrade Adams Oshiomhole – National Chairman

2. Mai Mala Buni – National Secretary

3. Alhaji Ibrahim Masari – National Welfare Secretary

4. Tunde Bello – National Financial Secretary

5. Babatunde Ogala – National Legal Adviser

6. Bankole Oluwajana – National Vice Chairman (South West)

7. Dr. Zakari Mohammed – Zonal Secretary (North Central)

8. Abubakar Sadiq – Zonal Secretary (North East)

9. Hassana Abdullahi – Zonal Woman Leader (North Central)

10. Nelson Abba – Ex-officio (North-Central)

11. Isa Azare – Ex-officio (North-East)

12. Tukur Gusau – Zonal Secretary (North West)

13. Nasiru Haladu – Ex-officio (North-West)

14. Rachael Akpabio – Zonal Woman Leader (South South)

15. Misbahu L. Didi – Representative of the physically challenged and others.

“Even before these illegal exercises that have alienated millions of members, there has been widespread disenchantment with the manner the party has been run, and the conduct and performance of our governments. The nPDP, a group that has made a major contribution to the emergence of the APC administration has made strenuous efforts to invite attention to inequities, injustice and poor management in our party without any success.The nPDP had shown good faith and commitment to the party, but it has been rewarded with indifference and even contempt.It is obvious that the leadership of the APC has decided to shut out members of the APC, as well as other members who have raised genuine grievances and a desire to improve the responsiveness of the APC to the desire of members for a party founded on democratic principles.

“Under the circumstances, patriotic elements and most of the original founders of the APC have found themselves in the opposing side of this charade. Most of the delegates who bought and paid for forms for the congresses and convention and were elected as delegates have come together to take control and give legitimacy to APC to be now known as and called REFORMED-APC (R-APC). The R-APC as constituted have officers in all the wards, 774 Local Governments, and all the 36 States of the Federation including the FCT. The R-APC also have National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee and other organs of the Party are properly constituted and functional.

“Some of the National Officers of the R-APC include:

1. Yobe State – Buba Galadima (National Chairman)

2. Kano State – Bala Muhd Gwagwarwa (National Deputy Chairman, North)

3. Abia State – Chief Theo Nkire (National Deputy Chairman, South East)

4. Ondo State – Hon. Eko Olakunle (National Vice Chairman South West)

5. Kaduna State – Hon. Hussaini Dambo (National Vice Chairman North West)

6. Kogi State – Mahmud Mohammed Abubakar – (National Vice Chairman, North Central)

7. Benue State – Hon. Godwin Akaan (Deputy National Secretary)

8. Oyo State -Dr Fatai Atanda (National Secretary)

9. Edo State – Kazeem Afegbua (National Publicity Secretary)

10. Adamawa State – Daniel Bwala (Financial Secretary)

11. Jigawa State – Abba Malami Taura (Deputy National Auditor)

12. Kwara State – Hon. Kayode Omotosho (National Treasurer)

13. Anambra State -Barr. Nicholas Asuzu (National Youth Leader)

14. Rivers State – Barr. Baride A. Gwezia (Legal Adviser)

15. Katsina State – Haj Aisha Kaita (National Woman Leader)

16. Bauchi State – Mrs. Fatima Adamu (National Welfare Secretary)

17. Ogun State -Alh. Isiak Akinwumi (Deputy Financial Secretary)

18. Zamfara State – Alh. Bashir Mai Mashi (Deputy National Treasurer)

19. Abuja – Hauwa Adam Mamuda (Deputy Welfare Secretary)

20. Sokoto State – Hon. Shuaibu Gwanda Gobir (Deputy National Publicity Secretary)

21. Katsina State – M. T. Liman (National Organising Secretary)

22. Niger State – Dr Theo Sheshi ( Deputy National Organising Secretary.”

It further added that some of the State Chairmen include:

1. Adamawa – Dimas Ezra

2. Anambra – Sir Toby Chukwudi Okwuaya

3. Bauchi – Sani Shehu

4. Benue – Noah Mark Dickson

5. Jigawa – Hon. Nasiru Garba Dantiye

6. Kaduna – Col. Gora (Rtd)

7. Kano – Umar Haruna Doguwa

8. Katsina – Sada Ilu

9. Kogi – Alh. Hadi Ametuo

10. Ogun – Alhaji Adeleke Adewale Taofeek

11. Ondo – Hon. Otetubi Idowu

12. Oyo – Alh. Ali Alimi Isiaka Adisa

13. Yobe – Mohammed Burgo Dalah

14. Zamfara – Alh. Nasiru Yakubu

15. Niger – Hon. Samaila Yusuf Kontagora

16. FCT – Adaji Usman.

The statement said the R-APC includes all the progressive forces in APC, including most of the leading members of the defunct nPDP, CPC, ANPP, ACN and others.

“The R-APC, will work with like-minded political parties and groups to offer Nigeria qualitative good governance in 2019. Nigeria faces an existential threat arising from three years of near destruction of this country and the exacerbation of our ethnic, religious and divisive cleavages. We will in concert with others offer real change to Nigeria. Not fake change. It is clear that our party needs a leadership that will live by its founding ideals.

“We have therefore decided to legitimately lead those members to work to rebuild our nation more firmly on genuine democratic principles, to enshrine good governance and restore the faith of Nigerians in the possibility of the existence of a prosperous, secure and peaceful nation.

“We call on all Nigerians, not to despair as a rescue plan is in the works and will be unfolded soon,” it noted.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/galadima-leads-splinter-apc-faction-259425.html

RIP

Senate President Bukola Saraki has told President Muhammadu Buhari that governors and ministers are sponsoring protest against the National Assembly.

Saraki said this during plenary while speaking on the protest staged at the entrance to the National Assembly over the ‘’Padding of the 2018 budget” and constituency projects.

“For Nigerians being used - people are taking advantage of the poverty in the country and what is saddening about it is that those who are doing this are those who are part of government. This does not help the unity of the arms of government.

“ Mr President needs to investigate this and call to order - there is no secret in this, if you go out there those boys will tell you where they are collecting the money from, the minister giving them the money, the governor that is giving them the money and these are governors, ministers in the same ruling party,” he said.

Saraki called on those sponsoring the protest should desist, saying “We know who you are, it is not in the interest of the unity of this country.”

He insisted that the constituency projects were conceived to ensure equitable distribution of the country’s resources.

Saraki’s remarks followed a point of order by Senator Barnabas Gemade (APC, Benue) on the protest. Gemade, while condemning the call for the discontinuation of the constituency projects said the N100 billion allocated it translated to less than 1 percent of the federal budget.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/saraki-fingers-apc-govs-ministers-as-protesters-storm-n-assembly-259291.html

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has warned Governor Ayodele Fayose against alleged collection of workers' voter cards through coercion.

Fayemi, who concluded his campaign to all the 133 communities across the state ahead of the July 14 poll on Friday to seek support of voters, said voters had inalienable right to vote for candidate of their choice.

It's being alleged that since the last two weeks, Fayose had ordered school principals and some interest groups among teachers to collect the names, bank accounts and voter cards details of teachers in public schools for profiling.

Fayemi stated this while speaking with reporters in his Isan-Ekiti country home in Oye Local Government, the last town he visited in his three-week campaign tours of the state.

Fayose, who promised to provide visionary leadership through his eight-point agenda to redirect the state to the path of growth and development, told Fayose that workers should be allowed to cast their votes for their preferred candidates in the coming election without any fear of intimidation by the government or its officials.

He added that compelling workers and teachers to submit their PVC numbers as a condition for salary and running grants payment or promotion amounted to undue intimidation and crude blackmail.

He lamented that Fayose shut down the School of Agriculture Technology in Isan Ekiti and took away all the tractors and other modern farming tools in the school "at a time many other states are breaking new grounds in agriculture development and food sufficiency".

He explained that the College was designed to assist in training manpower in the agriculture sector that would in turn boost agricultural production in the state.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ekiti-fayemi-concludes-campaign-warns-fayose-against-alleged-collection-of-voter-cards-258665.html

A few years ago, many prominent politicians that exuded unchallenged influence in corridors of power planted their preferred personalities in strategic places but they soon became rivals.

The politics of godfather and godson is a recurrent phenomenon in Nigerian politics. Despite the fact that the arrangement hardly lasts long as those who planted their favourites either by accident or by design, soon become their serious enemies, especially when the godsons try to assert their authority. Despite its failings, the idea always becomes a defining factor once another round of elections comes closer.

Kano

In Kano, the fight is between the incumbent governor of the state, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and his predecessor, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso. The later handed over the state to the former, hence Kwankwaso considers himself the godfather, the claim the incumbent fervently expels.

Ganduje is seeking a second term in 2019, but there are clear indications that Kwankwaso is averse to this move and is doing everything to scuttle it.

There were suggestions that ahead of the 2015 general elections, Kwankwaso had someone in mind as his preferred successor but was clever by half. He didn’t unveil the choice and on the other hand, Ganduje openly availed himself the opportunity and campaigned vigorously.

Fast-forward, once he won the election, he reportedly deviated from the political ideologies of Kwankwasiyya, a political movement that brought them back to power in 2011 together with Kwankwaso.

While Kwankwaso has remained consistent in his effort to spoil Ganduje’s second term bid in 2019, Ganduje on his part is also pushing heard to ensure that Kwankwaso does not secure the Senate ticket or make any positive impact in the 2019 general elections.

The governor has already made concrete arrangements to replace Kwankwaso in 2019. So far, politicians like Senator Basheer Lado who was defeated by Kwankwaso for the Senate seat in 205, the current Personal Private Secretary to the governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Kankarofi and the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, have all indicated interest in the seat. Lado recently defected to the APC from the PDP and during a reception in his honour, Ganduje had alluded that he would be returned to Abuja as senator.

Kwara

The political structure in Kwara State makes it difficult for any godson to be at loggerhead with the political godfather of the state, Senator Bukola Saraki.

It is a known fact that incumbent governors in other states have influence on who succeeds them, but such is not the case in Kwara where the political gladiator (Saraki) singlehandedly picks who he feels should be the governor or the occupant of any high position.

Despite this posture, there are rumours that Saraki as godfather and the outgoing state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, have some “uncomfortable salient issues” about who becomes what next year but they have shielded the issue from the public.

As a sitting governor who would want to endorse a candidate to succeed him, Ahmed may not have such opportunity because of Saraki’s influence.

It was said that Ahmed who will be completing his second term would like to contest for the senate in 2019 but that fact that the senator from Kwara South, Rafiu Ibrahim, is serving his first term and he is in the good books of Saraki and his wife, it may be difficult for Ahmed to get the ticket which many political analysts believe may be causing silent internal problems between them.

For now, nobody dares or challenges godfather Saraki. Whether there would be fight between Saraki and Ahmed, only time will tell.

Plateau

2019 will likely be a year of uncertainty in Plateau State with some of the state’s major political titans facing serious challenges.

Jang/Pwajok

The trial of former governor David Jang over alleged misappropriation of N6.3 billion has created room for uncertainty on his political future and his role in 2019. Jang’s trial seems a blessing for his former political godson, Edward Pwajok who decamped from the PDP to the APC in 2017 and has been eyeing Jang’s senatorial seat. Pwajok who was one of the most influential commissioners in Jang’s eight-year administration and now represents Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency owes his political fortunes to the former governor.

Dariye/ Dabang

A political scene without the senator representing Plateau Central, Joshua Dariye, will definitely mean dull politics in Plateau State. The former governor who was recently sentenced to 14 years in prison has controlled politics in his Plateau Central zone since he left Rayfield Government House in 2007. However, with his recent incarceration, it seems his once political godson who is also the APC chairman in the state, Lateb Dabang, is angling to replace him.

Useni/Lar

Senator Victor Lar defeated Senator Jeremiah Useni in 2011 to clinch the seat for Plateau South Senatorial District. Though a political godson at the time, Lar didn’t hold back and only left the position in 2015 when he got interested in the governorship seat. With Useni inheriting Lar’s seat as the senator for Plateau South, it seems the two would likely slug it out once again in the PDP governorship primaries later this year.

C/River

It has become public knowledge that the immediate past governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke who is thought to have single-handedly facilitated the emergence of Prof. Ben Ayade as his successor, are no longer on the same page.

Many top political dignitaries in the state have quoted Imoke as regretting his role in the emergence of Ayade as governor.

Similarly, there are strong indications that Imoke would work for the emergence of another candidate who would challenge Ayade’s second term ambition.

Also, When Dr. Clement David Ebri was governor of Cross River State during the Ibrahim Babangida military government, he was the one that brought the present minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani, from his teaching job to political limelight. He made him a special adviser. Ebri discovered many others like Donald Duke, Imoke and many more.

But in the build up to the 2019 general elections, almost all of them have fallen out, with sharp political differences. They are presently the arrow heads of the factions that plague the APC in Cross River State.

Ebri who has been a BoT member of the APC, is reported to have chided Usani openly during one of the party’s peace meetings.

Incidentally, both are from the same Yakurr LGA of the state where many other key national officers hail from. Clearly, Ebri ought to be the political father of that area but this has been challenged consistently by Usani. During the last local and ward congresses in the state, different factions claimed superiority but Usani seems to be recognised as the party leader in the state.

Because of the face-off between them, Usani has not given his support to Ebri in his declared ambition to become the next national chairman of the APC.

Borno

The phenomenon of godfatherism in partisan politics in Borno State seems to have ceased to exist since the governorship tenure of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff (SAS) between 2003 and 2011.

Although a substantial section of the Borno public sees the incumbent Governor Kashim Shettima as the godson of SAS on the argument that he picked and helped him to victory in 2011, most people now see Shettima as an independent fellow, arguing that he has openly and successfully defied the whims and caprices of SAS in the political game in the state.

For now, the godfather and the godson are openly fighting ahead of 2019, and the ‘godson’ seems always victorious in the fight, judging from the recently conducted state party congress where Shettima was seen to have victoriously maintained ownership of the entire ruling party structure, in spite of the ‘height’ and ‘might’ of the ‘just-returning’ SAS.

The generality of the public see SAS as pulling no consequential weight, if he now pulls any weight at all, in Borno politics because they argue, Shettima has clipped his wings.

Lagos

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was anointed by the National Leader of the APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, from among an array of aspirants.

Even the outgoing governor at the time, Babatunde Fashola, was said to be disposed to another candidate but at the end of the day, it was Tinubu that had his way. There is a strong belief that Tinubu would still play great in who picks the APC gubernatorial ticket in the coming months, but he has kept sealed lips about the 2019 governorship race. He is said to be in dilemma over Ambode’s second term bid, with sources saying he is not comfortable with the governance of Ambode who is said to be building a political empire across the state.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-godfathers-in-political-battles-with-godsons-258694.html

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday arraigned a former Minister of science and technology Dr. Abdu and four other before the Federal High Court in Damaturu for alleged Money laundering of N85,100,000.00.

The four other dependants are Hon Mohammed Kadai, Abbagana Tata, Muhammad Mamu and Hassan Ibn Jaks.

The accused were charged with receiving cash payment that is above the threshold outside financial institution.

Details later ........

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/efcc-arraign-ex-minister-4-others-over-n85-1m-money-laundering-in-yobe-258649.html

One of the Nigeria’s carriers, Air Peace and Omega Fire Ministries have dismissed a trending recorded voice, warning members of the public not to travel on some transport companies, including the airline, on certain days.

Air Peace Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the voice message was the handiwork of fraudsters disguising as the renowned leader of Omega Fire Ministries Apostle Johnson Suleiman to spread fear and de-market the airline.

He confirmed that the airline contacted the church allegedly behind the recorded voice message and the latter dismissed the warning as a product of fraudsters and impostors seeking to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.

According to the trending message which was also sent to our correspondent, members of the public were asked to avoid travelling with the transport companies including Abia Line, Benue Link, GUO, among others on Saturday June 23.

However, another version of the audio claimed people should not travel on the listed companies on June 20.

But Air Peace dismissed all the messages being circulated in different versions and assured members of the public of their safety at all times

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/air-peace-apostle-suleman-dismiss-fake-prophecy-of-impending-crashes-258661.html

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Presidency to stop the blame-game and end the ‎violent killings of innocent citizens by marauders in the country.

The PDP in a statement on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan in reaction to a statement earlier issue by media handlers in the presidency said President Muhammadu Buhari should show respect for the dead.

"The PDP expresses shock by the statement credited to the Buhari Presidency justifying its failure to stem the tide of killings and bloodletting in the country, particularly in the Plateau, Zamfara, Benue, Yobe, Adamawa, Borno, Kogi, Taraba and other troubled states.

"It is indeed reprehensible that the Presidency in its usual arrogance and insensitivity to the mood of the nation chose to condemn the PDP for declaring a seven-day mourning and flying our flags at half-mast in honour of the dead and solidarity with the bereaved.

"It is disturbing that even in death, the Buhari Presidency still wants to deny these victims of callous murder the honour of being mourned.

"We are particularly appalled that instead of joining Nigerians in mourning the dead and seeking ways to stem the escalation of the bloodletting under its watch, the Buhari Presidency is engaged in morbid reference to past killings as if the lives of Nigerians have no value under President Buhari's watch.

"The PDP, as a party, will continue to identify with Nigerians at this troubled time irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations and will therefore not allow itself to be dragged into a needless mire with the Buhari Presidency, which has shown by its statement, that it has no iota of regard for the lives of Nigerians.

"PDP urges the Buhari Presidency to confront the challenge of fulfilling the basic responsibility of governance by providing security to the lives and property of all Nigerians irrespective of their creed, tribe and political affiliations.

"Finally, the PDP assures Nigerians that we will not be deterred in speaking out against the killings and the failure of the Buhari administration to take concrete steps to stem this ugly tide," the party said.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pdp-to-presidency-stop-blame-game-end-killings-258516.html

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has cautioned the new National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to exercise restraint in his utterances as they were capable of heating up the polity.

Reacting to alleged remarks by the new APC helmsman that his emergence marked the annihilation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC take-over of Delta State in 2019, Governor Okowa charged the former Edo State governor to be mindful of his political utterances.

Senator Okowa charged politicians to be cautious in the choice of words and be decent in their approach to issues as activities towards the 2019 general elections commence.

Okowa, who reacted to questions from journalists at the second 2018 media interaction stated that Nigerians should not be divided because of politics.

“I believe that Comrade Oshiomhole is playing politics just as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has a right to play politics as well as any other political party. The only advice I have for all politicians both in PDP and APC is that there must be decorum.

"We must be cautious in the language that we use as they should be decent and I believe that what politicians need to do is to address issues and when issues are addressed the people will make their choice.

"As politicians wherever you are, try to be civil in your approach to politics because that is the way it ought to be,” the governor said.

On the visit of a PDP presidential aspirant and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on a consultation visit to Delta State, Governor Okowa said: “If you followed us properly when he (Alhaji Abubakar) addressed Deltans, it was obvious that he made a lot of statements which did interest our people and he did say that he is a friend of the state and if his programmes as he says continues to interest the people, I will not be able to hold back the hands of the people.

“I am not going to force any Deltan to vote the way I think; Deltans who will be delegates in the convention will be allowed to exercise their discretion to vote. I am not the kind of person who insists on how a person should vote.

"So, if on his programmes he talked about restructuring and the people are excited and they want to follow him, they have that right. So I made my statement and it was clear and cautious and when Sule Lamido came, he spoke so well and he is also a man I respect. He also has his followers in the state. He was well received and I made my comments. So it is my hope that all the presidential aspirants in the PDP will start to talk with each other because not all of them will get into the final stage,” he stated.

He continued: “As I spoke when Alhaji Abubakar came, I was very cautious and that is because, I do not want as a governor to say that this is the man I am supporting, I do not want to directly support any candidate and people will be given the room to make their choice. The will of the people will be allowed to prevail and not my will.”

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/stop-heating-up-the-polity-okowa-tells-oshiomole-258322.html

You are contesting for the office of the president. What really puts you in a different stead or different light from President Muhammadu Buhari?

I got into this race a few months ago. After that, I had a small town hall meeting in Lagos. Then, I went to the United States of America (USA). The town hall meeting was packed with Nigerians asking how I planned to take the country in a different direction. I was mocked by people in Abuja that I was just doing this to remain in the US; that my presidential ambition would never be announced on Nigerian soil. I returned to Nigeria and saw the Nigerians that trouped into the Lagos airport to welcome me. Few days later, we went for a town hall meeting in Ibadan and it was packed.

Another very powerful event happened. I was in a radio show with one of the ministers in the Buhari regime. It became the icing on the cake on the need for generational shift. That radio encounter became the transition that the country had been waiting for. It allowed Nigerians to take a position to choose and decide on which direction they want to head in 2019.

The young people of this country; about 75 million of us, if they decide and unite that they want one candidate, this election is over. If we keep the momentum, the transition programme may be shorter than we think.

Many young people are very active on social media, but when it comes to real life issues, it becomes a challenge. Do you see that as a possible problem?

I don’t see it as a problem because we are also seeing a lot of young people who are getting involved in physical agitation and mobilisation. We are seeing a lot of young people in legacy parties also following us. Some of the guys that helped us organise in Ibadan were PDP and APC youths. They made sure that the place was filled to the brim. The staying power of young people is not in doubt, but the problem is that they hadn’t taken politics seriously before now. What gives the political parties the staying power that they have is young people. It is young people that they recruit to carry ballot papers and ballot boxes, as well as to engage in thuggery and the likes. They are the ones employed to do these jobs. They haven’t organised themselves in a way that they can capture or take over power.

Now, what we call social media is no longer a generic name for laziness. After social media posts, people actually and physically engage in protests. I don’t see the staying power to be a problem. The task is on those of us who are challenging the old system and the status quo to mobilise the old people to the barricade and keep reminding them of what to do and how to do it, and provide direction and to work together as a team, unit and movement to realise this objective.

What will you do differently?

We have in place what we call SPICER and it encompasses the priority of Nigeria based on research, survey and polling. We are going to handle and tackle security first. We have to stop the bloodshed that is going on; which is not limited to what the herdsmen are doing, but also what armed robbers are freely doing in Offa where they can shoot and kill 50 people and no policeman would show up. Power (electricity) is also a priority. Next is Infrastructure, which includes building schools, roads, bridges, and power lines. We have to turn this country to a construction site where we are building everything.

By their own declaration this year, they have already made more than the budget of this country. Our budget is about N8tn, the customs said they made about N2tn this year, JAMB said they made about N7bn, the EFCC said they made about 700bn, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said they made about N2tn also. By the time we did the calculation, we had already made more than the budget without touching the NNPC. It means that we have a surplus somewhere, but it is not being applied because they are interested in using it for elections. That is why they came out and said because of Boko Haram (that they claim they defeated), they need another $1bn to defeat it again. Meanwhile, they declared four times that they have defeated Boko Haram. That is the same style that Goodluck Jonathan used during the elections. When they say that they are spending a billion, they are going to spend more than that. By the time they are done with their own scam, another N2bn would just go missing.

I am not going to do the corruption fight that they are doing now; where you release your list of corrupt people and some people are missing from it. You will know that somebody is deceiving somebody, and I am not going to fall for that. I have all the lists of all the corrupt people and that is the reason why the PDP has the audacity to release their own list. The person signing the corruption list in PDP is supposed to be in prison. You are not fighting corruption.

We have now reached SPIC. The E is the economy. How do we build this economy? What we are doing in our economic system today is that whenever we make money, we give it to outsiders. You have $43bn in reserve and you go and borrow $2bn dollars that you will pay back over another 40 years. That is not economic. There are other ways to build the economy here like agriculture. Because everybody is a rent-seeker, they are here in Abuja; drive them to the farms. But you cannot ask people to go to the farms if you cannot make farming progressive by bringing in technology.

You said you have the list of the corrupt people in the country, would you also like to publish this list?

I release it every day. All these lists that they are releasing are from Sahara Reporters if you check it. I won’t need to ask EFCC to bring a list. I would walk into Aso Rock with a list of corrupt people, with the one of PDP in one side and APC also. In the US, the problem of fighting corruption is not a police issue. Most of the names that EFCC would go after, they go after them after our reporting.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/why-i-am-running-for-president-sowore-258237.html

The new National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to direct former President Olusegun Obasanjo to refund the $ 16 dollars allegedly spent on power if he cannot justify the expenses.

Oshiomhole who spoke yesterday in Abuja at the APC national secretariat when Chief John Odigie-Oyegun formally handed over the mantle of party leadership to him, said Obasanjo would be alive to face prosecution.

He said, “As I was reflecting, I watched our president recently asking questions rhetorically, ‘you have spent $16 billion on power under PDP, where is the power?’

“Nigerians in their various homes, those who have power that day or generator said, ‘Mr President, we don’t have’. So, $16 bn spent, the more dollars they spent, the more darkness the people suffered.

“Now the questions I had in my mind were…Since we don’t find the power, then you must bring the $16 billion that you spent. If he didn’t do that, then the accusations of limited anti-corruption may begin to have some currencies.

“So, to assist PDP to overcome their distinct, our president needs to do the needful. After all, it is already on record what other presidents didn’t do, with regards to the issue of late MKO Abiola and the criminal manner by which the election was nullified; and people pretended that that was never an issue, the president showed courage.

“That same courage should not fail him so that he can proceed to recover the $16 bn back to the treasury from the man who superintendent over the spending of that money.

“So, what we need to do as a party is to provide the support that our president needs and for the Nigerian people to provide those supports and then they want to distract our attention when they are in trouble and say eh! ‘they want to kill me’.

“Our president does not know...Nobody since President Muhammadu Buhari assumes office, no political player of note has been murdered or assassinated for political reasons. But the president under whose watch a minister of justice was murdered in cold blood, that minister could not get justice and so, the shadow, ghost of the Harry Marshalls, Dikibo... You know all of them more than me, however you put it.

“The man said they want to kill him. No! To kill is to prevent the investigation. He must be alive to account. That is a typical distraction,” he said.

The APC national chairman who pledged to establish what he called “progressive institute” and hold yearly non-elective conventions, dismissed the notion that the ruling party had changed its slogan of “Change to Progress” as chorused by some party members during the convention.

He praised the contribution of Odigie-Oyegun to the party, particularly on the successes recorded during the 2015 general elections.

Chief Odigie-Oyegun in his remarks said he was confident in the ability of Oshiomhole to achieve more victories in the forthcoming elections in Osun and Ekiti states.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/oshiomhole-obasanjo-ll-live-to-face-prosecution-258199.html

Contrary to rumours making the round that aggrieved members of the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) will not attend the party’s convention slated for tomorrow in Abuja, their leader, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, said they will attend and participate fully in the programme.

Alhaji Baraje disclosed this yesterday in a statement from his media office in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Baraje who had been leading other members of the nPDP in their consultations with the APC leadership issued the statement shortly after he returned from Saudi Arabia where he performed the lesser Hajj.

He emphasised that his group had no reason not to attend the convention.

“We are looking forward to the Saturday convention, we will be at the convention and after that, we shall see how things unfold,” he declared.

He said as a member of the convention committee of the party, he had attended one of the meetings preparatory to the convention.

He said the nPDP would also not say anything on claims and counter claims that President Muhammadu Buhari had said he would not meet with them.

He explained that when it was necessary for the presidency to invite them for discussion, talk or dialogue, they would confer with their members.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/npdp-members-ll-attend-apc-convention-baraje-257521.html

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that the victories so far recorded against the Boko Haram insurgency by the military can only be sustained through effective development in the country.

Prof. Osinbajo, who was speaking during the 7th meeting of the Ministers of Defence of Member States of the Community of Sahel – Sahara States (CEN SAD), added that there must be deliberate attempts to address issues of poverty that escalate conflicts.

Speaking on the theme of the meeting: “Consolidating the Achievement of the Fight against Terrorism through Development Actions,” Osinbajo said the focuses attention on the role of non-military components of the fight against terrorism and extremism.

He said: “If there is one thing we have learnt from our experience fighting Boko Haram in Nigeria, it is that the battle is as much social and economic as it is a military one. It was Mr. Ban ki-Moon, former UN Secretary General, who said famously, that “bullets may stop terrorists, but only development, good governance and respect for human rights can prevent terrorism.

“I mentioned earlier this is not a battle for militaries and intelligence agencies alone. If it were there would be no serious cause for alarm.

“This is a fight that cannot and will not be won without a collective and determined focus on all those elements that entrench poverty, want and conflict amongst the people of the Community, and that sow the seeds of the criminal exploitation and violence.”

While speaking on the issues of migration, Osinbajo said, “We are confronted by the serious challenge of keeping our young people at home, and providing them enough social and economic opportunities to deter them from falling for the false hopes of greener pastures as illegal migrants in distant countries.

“Forced migration of people, particularly youths from member states of the Community to Europe through illegal, unregulated and highly risky routes, has lately become a serious, protracted and expanding global problem. That it is also big business for the powerful transnational criminal syndicates that organize it further complicates the problem”.

Earlier, the minister of Defence, Alhaji Mansur Dan Ali, said the federal government has already taken the initiative to sustain the gains of the victories of the fight of terrorism through, “checking the socio-economic and developmental conditions that allow terrorism to fester.”

“The second is to manage the manifestations of terrorism and its associated impacts. The third is to promote the de-escalation of terrorism by providing a safe route for the disarming, de-radicalisation and rehabilitation of repentant terrorists,” he added.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/military-victory-over-boko-haram-only-sustainable-through-development-osinbajo-257426.html

hmmmm

blame game ...

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described former President Goodlcuk Jonathan as a hero of democracy in Nigeria, saying history will be fair to him.

Atiku made the assertion on Wednesday during a courtesy call on President Jonathan at his country home in Otueke, Bayelsa State.

Atiku in a statement by his Media Office said Jonathan’s exemplary decision to hand over the reigns of power without qualms was a historic decision that portrayed him as a democrat of unimpeachable credentials.

Atiku, while reflecting on Jonathan’s action that doused tension in the country at that time, noted that the situation in the country would have been different if Jonathan did not voluntarily relinquish power to the then opposition party.

“I want to say without equivocation that history will be very kind to you. As the democrat that I have always seen, I want to say you have truly excelled," the former ‎vice president said.

Jonathan in his response commended Atiku for appointing former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel as Director General of his Presidential Campaign Organisation.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/history-will-be-fair-to-jonathan-atiku-257276.html

A faction of the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said it is subjudice to allow any delegate produced by the Ishola Balogun Fulani executive to step the convention arena, not even 100 meters away.

This was contained in a statement released by the factional Chairman of the party in Kwara State, Hon. Bashiru Bolarinwa calling on the security agents to be on guard.

Bolarinwa also expressed satisfaction with the reconciliatory moves taken by President Muhammadu Buhari, so far which he said, "It has addressed all issues bordering on disagreement and sufficient to cement the party.

"It is clear that our President is a democrat -one given to democratic principles and values. He has demonstrated his willingness to have one indivisible party where every member can relate freely. It is in furtherance of his believe that he appointed Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to reconcile aggrieved members back into the party, though not without satanic resistance from certain quarters.

"The recalcitrant members of nPDP are nothing but caterpillars seeking to destroy the party. If you carefully check their activities, what you will find are people on a devilish mission working day and night to derail this government and its lofty programmes for Nigerians. The central objective of the nPDP is to negotiate away the multiple criminal charges hanging on the neck of their principal and President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki.

"That explains why Alhaji Kawu Baraje has been running from pillar to post as the lone voice of the nPDP. It follows that Mr. Rasaq Atunwa was the only available hand to write resolutions of the National Assembly that threatened to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari. Why are they, all (hatchet men) from Kwara State? "

The statement advised the convention committee to be alive to the antics of the outgoing Central Working Committee of the party at the national level to supplant the will of party members.

"The outgoing executive of party at the national level brought us to this sorry state by programming our congresses to fail. Why would you drop party nomination forms with the people that are contesting same elections? Where is the neutrality that can make the outcome of that congress credible and acceptable?

The statement further advised the convention committee that a suit challenging the legality of Ishola Balogun Fulani executive is pending before a competent court in Ilorin.

"We need to remind the convention committee that is working day and night, to put together an acceptable and credible national convention that there is a subsisting suit challenging the legality of Ishola Balogun Fulani executive before Justice Sulieman Akanbi of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin.

"It is an open secret that the party congress claimed by the Saraki faction, to have brough Ishola Balogun Fulani and his co-travellers in, was conducted at the Government House Annex - Banquet Hall, Ilorin which is a sharp contravention of the party's congress guidelines that, "congresses must not be held in government offices or private residences." Therefore, such congress couldn't have produced any delegate for the National Convention. Early morning mist will be enough to melt down, a house built with saliva, please take note!

"This is a party that on the side of legality shelved tenure elongation (considered as a booby trap) before arriving at this all important exercise. It is equally politically and legally correct to discountenance the illegal list concocted through unlawful assembly at the Banquet Hall wing of the Government House called delegates -list.", the party held.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/convention-kwara-apc-faction-calls-for-arrest-of-saraki-s-delegates-257257.html

.

source

oladimejiX:
The appointment of Victor Uwajeh, a UK based consultant by the FG to track looted funds by corrupt politicians is a great step in the right direction, at a time in the Buhari dispensation when corruption is fighting back making it seem like the effort of the Buhari admiministration is counting for anything, recovering stolen is a good move, these funds when recovered can be put to better use.

Victor Uwajeh has several years of experience working as a private investigator, he has worked in the past with the EFCC, the conviction of James Ibori was tied to investigations and discoveries made by him.

President Muhammmadu Buhari Wednesday signed the 2018 budget and decried that lawmakers made cuts amounting to N347 billion in the allocations to 4,700 projects he submitted for consideration and introduced 6,403 projects of their own amounting to N578 billion.

The National Assembly had on May 16 passed the 2018 Appropriation Bill, increasing the proposal of N8.612 trillion presented by President Buhari last December to N9.120 trillion.

While signing the budget at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Buhari noted that he had intend to use the fiscal document to consolidate the achievements of previous budgets and deliver on Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020.

He said it was in that regard that he was concerned about some of the changes that the National Assembly had made to the budget proposals he presented.

According to the president, "The logic behind the Constitutional direction that budgets should be proposed by the Executive is that, it is the Executive that knows and defines its policies and projects.

"Unfortunately, that has not been given much regard in what has been sent to me. The National Assembly made cuts amounting to N347 billion in the allocations to 4,700 projects submitted to them for consideration and introduced 6,403 projects of their own amounting to N578 billion."

President Buhari emphasised that many of the projects cut were critical "and may be difficult, if not impossible, to implement with the reduced allocation."

He explained that some of the new projects inserted by the National Assembly had not been properly conceptualized, designed and costed and would therefore be difficult to execute.

He also stated that many of these new projects introduced by the National Assembly had been added to the budgets of most MDAs with no consideration for institutional capacity to execute them or the incremental recurrent expenditure that may be required.

"As it is, some of these projects relate to matters that are the responsibility of the States and Local Governments, and for which the Federal Government should therefore not be unduly burdened.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2018-budget-nass-smuggled-in-n578bn-own-projects-buhari-257226.html

RIP

baba

Toh...

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has opposed reported moves by the Federal Government directing the Nigerian Army and Police to recruit some former members of Boko Haram terrorists who recently underwent deradicalisation programme.

The President of CAN, Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, said on Tuesday that if it is true, it is condemnable as it is capable of undermining the nation’s security system.

“CAN is visibly disturbed at reports that the Federal Government has allegedly directed the Nigerian Army and Police to recruit some former members of Boko Haram terrorists who recently underwent deradicalisation programme.

“If it is true, CAN condemns such a policy in strong terms and ask the Federal Government, especially security agencies, to withdraw that directive which is capable of compromising the nation’s security system,” Ayokunle said in the statement signed by his spokesman, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji.

He also urged the Federal Government to caution the Adamawa State Government against hasty implementation of the death sentence passed on five Christian youths alleged to have killed a Fulani herdsman.

He cited reports that Justice Abdul-Azeez Waziri of a High Court in Adamawa State recently sentenced Alex Amos, Alheri Phanuel, Holy Boniface, Jerry Gideon and Jari Sabagi to death for culpable homicide.

The convicts were said to have allegedly on June 1, 2017, at Kadamun village in Demsa Local Government Area ‘willfully and intentionally conspired and attacked three herdsmen rearing cattle, killing one of them, Adamu Buba, whose body they threw into a river and also maimed several cows.’

“While CAN is not supporting jungle justice or any criminality, we note with regret how hundreds of our members in Southern Kaduna, Benue, Taraba, Plateau states in the North-central, and a state like Enugu in the South, have been killed and are still being killed daily by some criminals parading themselves as Fulani herdsmen, but are yet to be apprehended.

“While citizens stood helpless at the massacre of their peaceful fellow Nigerians, the international community watched in anguish how government security agencies could not bring perpetrators of these heinous killings to book,” he said.

While urging President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the death sentence passed on the Christian youths in Adamawa, he said the association’s legal team will secure and study the text of the judgement to prevent a miscarriage of justice and a future re-occurrence

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/can-rejects-ex-boko-haram-recruit-into-army-police-257095.html

Pikin

haywire1:
If dwarf marries dwarf, what will they born



.

Good bye baba buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari said he is not ready to meet members of the Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) bloc within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The president made his position known at a meeting with APC governors in the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja last week, Daily Trust learnt last night.

Members of the nPDP, who defected from the People’s Democratic Party before the 2015 general elections, had recently protested, among other things, what they called their marginalisation in the ruling APC.

Sources at last week’s meeting revealed that President Buhari insisted that the nPDP members’ grievances were for the party to settle and that he would not interfere.

The president was however said to have told the governors that the fence-mending move initiated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo should continue.

One of the sources at the meeting said while some of the governors urged Buhari to ignore the nPDP members, others canvassed that Osinbajo should continue to discuss with them.

The president, the sources added, also asked the governors, as party leaders in their own right, to handle the issues and that if need be, the leadership of the party could wade in.

Buhari was quoted as telling the governors: “It is a party matter. I am not ready to sit down with any faction. If they have problems, they should go to the party.

“I will not interfere. Governors as party leaders in the states should deal with all issues. Where there is need, the party leadership can come in. I will not get involved.”

The nPDP members, led by Kawu Baraje, had on May 29 met behind closed doors with Osinbajo at the latter’s official residence, Akinola Aguda House, in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

After that meeting, Baraje had told journalists that it was too early for his group to talk about leaving the APC.

Those present at the meeting included Senate President Bukola Saraki; Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara; Leader of the nPDP Baraje; Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso; former Governor of Adamawa State Murtala Nyako; a former leader of the PDP, Senator Barnabas Gemade; and former Governor of Gombe State Senator Danjuma Goje, among others.

But a fortnight ago, the nPDP had halted further talks with the Presidency which, they alleged, was not interested in the talks and might have been negotiating in bad faith.

The group alleged, among other things, that Senate President Bukola Saraki was being persecuted.

The nPDP also faulted by the decision of the APC leadership to ratify all the congresses from wards, local governments, states and zones where many of its members had complaints.

The group, in a statement by Baraje, had said the prevailing political environment in Nigeria was “fouled and toxic”.

The statement had partly read: “The public may recall that there have been ongoing talks between members of the former nPDP, the APC and the Presidency in recent days.

“Nigerians may further recall that a team from the former nPDP led by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and four others, were to meet with the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo today.

“However, while we are truly and earnestly committed to achieving reconciliation, harmony, truce and cohesion in the APC as we approach the 2019 general elections, it appears that the Presidency is not interested in the talks and that they may have been negotiating in bad faith.

“We were alarmed that immediately after our meeting with the Vice President last week, the Presidency misrepresented what transpired at the meeting by trying to blackmail some of the principal actors involved in the discussions in a national daily.

“Similarly, the leadership of the party (APC) went ahead to ratify all the Congresses from ward, local governments, states and zonal where many of our members have complaints, effectively presenting us with a fait accompli.”

In the statement, the nPDP had also picked holes in implication of the Senate President and Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in the April bank robbery in Offa.

“The persecution of our members, using state security apparatus, have continued unabated.

“We recognise the powers of the police to conduct criminal investigations but by rushing to the public with the issue even when they have unfettered access to the leadership of the National Assembly suggests an attempt to undermine, caricature and humiliate the institution of the legislature.”

Sources had earlier informed Daily Trust that the nPDP members may collectively dump the APC on June 23 - the day of its national convention - to make a big impact. The nPDP leader Baraje however said the group had not issued any official statement concerning that (quitting the APC).

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buhari-i-m-not-ready-to-meet-npdp-members-256964.html