₦airaland Forum

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Members of the House of Representatives yesterday expressed anger over alleged “Manipulation of Nigeria’s legal system” in the retrial of Senate President Bukola Saraki.

The lawmakers alleged that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) and the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were the architects of the manipulation.

Adopting a motion by Minority Whip, Yakubu Barde (PDP, Kaduna) the House noted with concern the recent charge by the EFCC against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, after clearing him of same.

The lawmakers said the same Umar is prosecuting a retrial case against Saraki, who is the Chairman of the National Assembly.

They said any convictions or findings by Umar may be rendered null and void by the court of appeal and thereby frustrating the course of justice.

Barde in his motion said the retrial by Umar has the tendency to give an impression that a game was being arranged to meet certain predetermined result portraying Nigeria’s legal system as capable of manipulation.

While condemning the action, the House mandated its committee on judiciary to interact with the AGF to ensure that sanity was brought back to the case at hand.

Contributing to the debate, Aliyu Hamman-Pategi (APC, Kwara) said the retrial is a case of political manipulation and that the current administration was using the EFCC and CCT as tools of political witch-hunt.

But Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno) argued that a judge being accused of an offence could still preside over such matter because of the presumption of innocence as enshrined in the constitution.

Other members who spoke supported the motion. It was unanimously passed when put to voice vote by Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/reps-angry-over-saraki-s-retrial-to-engage-malami-magu.html

Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong has dissolved the State Executive Cabinet with effect from today, 8th of February 2018.

The 17 Commissioners in the state have been directed to hand over to the various Permanent Secretaries in their respective Ministries immediately.

The Governor, in a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Samuel Emmanuel Nanle thanked the commissioners for their service and contributions in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people and engendering hope in the APC led administration.

The statement reads; "The Executive Governor while wishing the Commissioners the best in their future endeavours assures them that as stakeholders in the Plateau project, their wealth of experience would continuously be relied upon in building the Plateau of our dream. He therefore calls on them not to relent in availing their services when called upon in the future to serve the state."


https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/lalong-sacks-entire-state-cabinet.html

There was a mild drama on the floor of the House of Representatives on Thursday when a member from Kaduna State, Jagaba Adams Jagaba, announced himself as a PDP member.

Jagaba, who came to the House under the ruling APC, recently announced in Kaduna that he was dumping the party to the opposition PDP.

But he is yet to make a formal announcement to that effect, which is supposed to be presented to Speaker Yakubu Dogara to be read at plenary

However, Jagaba while introducing himself preparatory to making a contribution to a motion said: "I'm Hon Jagaba Adams Jagaba and I'm of the PDP."

Dogara immediately said: "No, no, Jagaba. You can't do this to me."

This made the PDP members to chant their party's name in jubilation, while members of the APC shouted "no, no."

The atmosphere lasted for some minutes before normalcy returned.

Dogara then remarked that: "The truth is that I'm not aware and the House is not aware. As a ranking member, you know what to do. So, as far as we're concerned, you're still a member of APC."

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/drama-as-hon-jagaba-dumps-apc-announces-self-as-pdp-member.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will transmit the results of the 2019 general elections electronically through the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT).

To this end, INEC has sought NIGCOMSAT’s help to use its Sat1-R satellite to electronically transmit the results immediately after counting at each polling unit across the country.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this during a working visit to NIGCOMSAT headquarters in Abuja yesterday.

The INEC delegation, which was received by the Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Abimbola Alale, and other management staff of the agency, toured the agency’s facilities for about 15 minutes.

Prof. Yakubu, who said he was impressed with what he saw in the country’s satellite communication agency, stated that INEC was committed to deepening the deployment of technology in elections.

He added that through NIGCOMSAT’s satellite and connectivity provided by telecom operators, the results of elections of each of the 119, 973 polling units nationwide would be electronically transmitted on the spot and in real time, including the scanned images of result sheets.

Aside from this, the INEC chairman also said the commission wanted NIGCOMSAT to help in voter education through electronic message display as the 2019 elections drew nearer.

“It is for this reason that we wish to leverage on the capacity of NIGCOMSAT to provide a wide range of telecommunication services. In particular, your broadband service offers a tremendous flexible bandwidth capacity that can be deployed almost anywhere and in a short period of time, including hard-to-reach and temporary locations,” he said.

In her remarks, Ms. Alale said NIGCOMSAT was ready to partner with INEC in transmitting election results to every nook and cranny of Nigeria.

NIGCOMSAT’s Sat1-R, she said, was capable of covering and transmitting live and in real time all that transpired during the elections.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/inec-to-transmit-2019-elections-results-through-satellite.html

Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife is a former Governor of Anambra State. He also served as Senior Special Assistant (Political) to a former President, Olusegun Obasanjo. In this interview, the Harvard-trained economist speaks exclusively to Daily Trust on the letter written by Obasanjo to President Muhammadu Buhari. Excerpts:



What is your reaction to the letter written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to President Muhammadu Buhari?

I respect Olusegun Obasanjo. I think God gives him wisdom in the area of politics. Whatever he does, he seems to succeed in politics. Therefore, his advice that President Buhari should not re-contest should not surprise anybody. Buhari wants to bring himself down. I don’t think there is any way he can re-contest and win in this Nigeria he messed up. Who will vote for him, the hungry people in Kano or Kaduna? Since we know Nigeria, it has never been so bad. Is it the promises he made that were kept? It is very difficult to see how a person who likes Buhari will ask him to go for a second time. Anybody who is asking him to re-contest does not wish him well. Some people don’t know whether it is the same Buhari we elected; who was so strong and young. I think it is the best advice. Obasanjo did the same thing in respect to former President Goodluck Jonathan. I support Obasanjo in his position that Buhari should not go and mess himself up trying to contest for a second term.

But you alleged that former President Obasanjo demolished your house in Asokoro, Abuja, when you told him not to re-contest for a third term when he tried to amend the constitution, why are you with him now?

You are right, Obasanjo makes mistakes, but he normally does some things better. I was a permanent secretary and I applied for allocation of land and I was offered by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). But when I wrote a four-page open letter to him not to re-contest for a third term, he demolished my house. I have no annoyance towards him today; but I am sure you or anybody who likes him will not tell him to re-contest.

You worked with many presidents, have you been close to Buhari?

His friend took me to him and I helped politically when a political party was formed and he became a presidential candidate. I don’t have any grudge against Buhari for rejecting my people. That notwithstanding, I want to apply to see him in person to tell him something that may be good for Nigeria so that he may be remembered for good forever. It seems he does not want to restructure this country.

Will you contest for president if the chance comes for Igbo presidency?

Good question. I will be celebrating my 80th birthday this year and by 2019, I will be 81, there is no way I will contest for the presidency.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/obasanjo-s-letter-to-buhari-timely-ezeife.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vyer0pplZo

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President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to reconcile aggrieved members of the party.

Tinubu’s appointment was part of ongoing efforts to improve cohesion within the ruling party, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said in a statement yesterday.

He said Tinubu’s assignment would involve resolving disagreements among party members, party leadership and political office holders in some states.

Asked to name members of Tinubu’s committee, Shehu responded thus: “Of course, he (Tinubu) cannot work alone. He will put the team together. It is up to him. When the time comes, he will assemble a team that will work with him,” he said.

Myriad problems at all levels

After a sweeping victory that brought the APC to power in 2015 the party could not consolidate its gains as evident in the increased bickering amongst party bigwigs at all levels.

The mutual suspicion between the Presidency and the National Assembly, specifically the Senate under Senator Bukola Saraki has dragged on for too long. Several appointments by Buhari awaiting approval are now pending at the Senate.

Our correspondents report that in Kano, it is a fight between Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and his predecessor Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Ganduje recently said Kwankwaso would be replaced as senator by another fellow in 2019.

This is even as Governor Ganduje has ruled out reconciliation with Rabiu Kwankwaso.

An online newspaper Daily Nigerian reported yesterday that Ganduje spoke while addressing candidates for the local government election on Monday.

He said although his predecessor had only one lawyer to defend the Kwankwasiyya movement, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice had gone to court with seven Senior Advocates Nigeria, SANs.

“And now they want us to reconcile. Why should we reconcile? On what basis?

“Right now the commissioner for justice is in Abuja, battling with them in them court. We hired seven lawyers who are Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), but they went to court with just one lawyer who stammers. How could he defeat us?

“They also filed a case here (in Kano) against the conduct of (local government) election. We have 12 lawyers lodged in hotel and they are given food and drinks. The begowned lawyers have with them bulky (legal) books to boot.

“The judgement will be delivered tomorrow (today). So you should keep vigil till dawn. God is behind the innocent. And we know we stand the truth.

“They (Kwankwasiyya) traverse the nooks and crannies of the country saying if we did not reconcile with them, we will not win election. This really baffles me. This is merely a tale. This is just a fib. This is sheer lie. So crazy, bunkum, hogwash…

“On this note, we parted ways with Kwankwasiyya forever,” he added.

In Kogi State, it is between aggrieved exercutives of the state chapter of the APC who have been at loggerheads with Governor Yahaya Bello for allegedly side-lining them since he assumed power.

Tinubu also has the daunting task of bringing James Abiodun Faleke/the late Prince Abubakar Audu’s political family on the same page with Bello.

The National leadership of the APC had at one time set up fact finding/reconciliation committees chaired by Tony Momoh and Gen. Idris Garba on the Kogi crises but not much was heard of it.

In Bauchi, quarrel is between Governor Mohammed Abubakar and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara as well as three senators from the state namely, Ali Wakili, Isa Hamma Misau and Nazifi Gamawa. They all accused the governor of reneging on the promises he made to the people during campaigns. The Senator Chris Ngige led Committee could not resolve the problem.

In Oyo State, the Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shitu. Shitu, wants to succeed Governor Abiola Ajimobi but clearly, the governor has someone in mind and this has led some spats between the duo.

In Katsina, Governor Aminu Masari is trying to contend with threats from APC splinter group called the APC-Akida comprising people like MT Liman, Sadiq Yaradua, Sada Ilu and Usman Bugaje.

In Kaduna, there is serious revolt against Governor Nasir El-Rufai from the camp of Senator Shehu Sani and the likes of a former APC chairman in the state, Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed.

In Zamfara, Senator Kabiru Marafa is at daggers drawn with Governor Abdul’aziz Yari over his recent comment that the governor had failed to stop killings in the state. People close to the governor had since declared Marafa’s seat vacant as 2019 draws near.

Aggrieved party members speak

Senators spoken to said the reconciliation move would yield the desired result if President Buhari and his men were truly prepared for it.

One of the lawmakers from the North West said President Buhari should have acted one year ago, saying the crises were left to fester for long.

“For now, the crises revolve around 2019 elections and who gets the party’s tickets at various levels. The governors who are in their first term want to make their boys senators, the former governors they succeeded want to retain their Senate seats. The solution is one, that is automatic tickets for all of us,” the senator said.

Another senator said the reconciliation move won’t succeed with the ongoing case of the Senate President Bukola Saraki at the CCT.

“They are talking about reconciliation and we are right now at the court for Saraki’s CCT case. How do you marry the two together? Is this how they want to reconcile the feuding camps in the party?” he asked.

“You can’t say Saraki is not a stakeholder in the party. He is a politician, one of the leaders of the party and more importantly, he is the number three citizen. He was at the court when news of the reconciliation came up and we all know the circumstances surrounding his case. For us, the reconciliation is meaningless, “he said.

He said the body language of the Presidency towards the feuding camps in states must change for the crises rocking the party to end.

“They will succeed if they are truly prepared for it and if they have a genuine interest in reconciling us. But if they are not, they will not succeed. Similar assignment was given to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. What happened to it? Did he invite anybody?

Dogara’s spokesman, Turaki Hassan, when contacted to know the speaker’s position on the assignment given to Tinubu, referred Daily Trust to a statement issued on December 31, 2017.

In the said statement, Dogara was reported as saying he would protect and defend the interest of the people of Bauchi State in arriving at any political decision ahead of 2019 elections.

“Wherever the interest of majority of the people dictates that we should go to, that is where you will find me by the grace of God,” Dogara had said, maintaining that he would consult his political associates before taking any decision.

‘Tinubu has limitations’

A member of the House of Representatives, who did not want to be named, said although Tinubu has all it takes to carry out the assignment given to him by the president, he has limitations.

The lawmaker, a loyalist of Senator Kwankwaso, said Buhari will have to step in, in view of the seriousness of the matter in some states.

“Tinubu is just a proxy of the president, so he has his limitations. Yes, there are issues that he can handle, but there are others that he can’t. We believe that the president himself must come out to handle some of the issues. There are commitments and decisions,” the lawmaker said.

Asked if they would cooperate with the APC national leader, the lawmaker said: “We’ll give Tinubu all the support he needs so long as he’s not coming with a biased mind.”

It’s a welcome development – APC

Speaking on the development, the National Secretary of the party, Alhaji Maimala Buni said it was a welcome development.

“The intervention of the president is timely; as leader of the party, President Buhari had been doing so many things at various levels to ensure cohesion among members and this is another milestone worthy of commendation.

“The APC would come out stronger because Asiwaju Tinubu is a bridge builder and would definitely do the needful,” he said.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/tinubu-to-select-members-of-apc-reconciliation-panel.html

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has described the ruling All Progressive Party (APC) as a more deadly party than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) PDP) it took power from.

‎This is as the party noted that Nigeria is heading towards a one-party state.

The party warned that the country was at the verge of being turned to one-party state should the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led immediate-past government be returned to power in the 2019 general election.

Addressing a media briefing in Ilorin on Saturday, the interim chairman of PRP in Kwara State, Professor Mahmood Muhibeedeen Aliyu, said both APC and PDP have similar ideology and style of governance in which politicians are given freehand for cross carpeting.

The don alleged that it has become a common practice in the nation's polity for politicians to switch to any ruling party if their former party suffered defeat in an election.

Aliyu said impunity was gaining traction in the APC with disobedience to court orders that the detained former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and the leader of an Islamic movement, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zaky Zakky be released.

"The possibility of Nigeria becoming a one party state is imminent. Nigeria is at the verge of becoming a one party state as the final nail on the coffin will take place if any of the two leading political parties i.e. All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should win election at the centre in the 2019 general election.

"They share the same ideology, they have the same style of ruling (governance) and they even share members. Members move from one party to the other at will and they just want to be rotating the governance of the country between/among themselves. It has been reported severally some expressions made, of recent, by some party (APC) leaders in government to buttress the above point.

"APC is a party of deceit and a government of vengeance and compesantion in place. Since the coming into power of this government, there has been increase in impunity, corruption legalised for a group of people, selective anti-corruption war, economic recession, increase in arm banditry, kidnapping becoming a thriving business, our health care system in the worst stage.

"APC is more deadly than PDP. Look at what happened in Edo governorship election; look at the scenario that played itself out at the Ondo governorship election. Look at the way local government elections are being conducted by the various state governments", Aliyu said.

The don, who insisted that Nigeria has not fared better in the hands of the APC and the PDP, said only PRP has what it takes to rescue the country out of the calamitous situation.

He urged Nigerians with patriotic zeal to come together and take the PRP out of the opposition circle and put it in government at the centre, saying it remains the option to navigate the country to the promised land.

Aliyu appealed to the citizens to liberate the country from the crutches of internal colonialism and local imperialism.


https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-more-deadly-than-pdp-prp.html

The Presidency has condemned an opinion article published by a national newspaper (not Daily Trust) associating President Muhammadu Buhari with the killings in Benue and calling him a murderer.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, made the condemnation when he addressed State House correspondents in Abuja on Friday.

He also frowned at the frequent expressions of hate speech published by some newspapers in form of news stories and especially in columns.

Shehu said: “We want to state emphatically that a segment of the Nigerian media is sinking deeper and deeper into the mesh of hate speech in spite of repeated appeals by recognised and reputable media bodies, the Government and concerned Nigerians.

“Unfortunately, self-regulation which is the norm in civilized societies has taken flight from many of our newsrooms.

“For instance, a recent column published in a national newspaper, said ‘President Muhammadu Buhari was the first to endorse the Benue massacre’ on New Year Day.

“The same columnist described the Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali as ‘‘a dyed-in-the-wool Fulani irredentist who places trade over and above human life’’.

“The diatribe went further to invite citizens of the country to arm themselves and fight each other.

“In addition, one of the newspaper’s Saturday headlines proclaimed: ‘Expect More Blood in Benue…’

“Apart from the basic tone of respect expected from an individual who is supposedly intelligent and educated enough to know better since they have been granted space to write in a national newspaper, there is the risk of inciting the public to actions that will have gory consequences for the entire nation for generations to come.

“Those beating the gongs of war and fanning the embers of discord must remember what prevailed in Rwanda before the genocide of the early `90s, during which hundreds of thousands of lives were lost as a result of consistent hate speech spewing from that country’s media.’’

The presidential aide, however, stated that President Buhari, by the Constitution, had the primary duty of protecting life and property of all citizens irrespective of their geo-political backgrounds, adding “that is what he has been doing in Benue and across the country.’’

Shehu stated that calling the president a murderer was not only grossly disrespectful but unfair.

He said: “Calling him a murderer is not only grossly disrespectful but unfair, especially when the President has written a letter to the Senate detailing his efforts to quell the crisis in Benue State.’’

He further noted that the Minister of Interior and the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations were also dispatched for an on the spot assessment of the situation in the aftermath of the unfortunate incident.

The presidential spokesman stated that the president had also been receiving a direct briefing from the Inspector-General of Police, Idris Ibrahim on the matter.

He therefore reminded the Nigeria press of its constitutional responsibility of promoting peaceful coexistence among the diverse socio-ethnic groups in the country through fair and balance reportage.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/president-buhari-not-a-murderer-presidency.html

Human rights activist and senior advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana, has urged former President Olusegun Obasanjo to stop insulting the collective intelligence and memories of Nigerians having instituted the culture of impunity in the country.

Falana spoke in Benin on Friday, while reacting to Obasanjo’s special statement last week, which asked President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election next year.

The human rights activist said Obasanjo had the opportunity to be great by providing good leadership and ridding the country of corruption.

But he chose instead to instal a regime of impunity and corruption in the country.

The lawyer stated that apart from the allegations of nepotism and clannishness Obasanjo levelled against President Buhari, “other allegations were nothing to write home about.”

“In other words, all the other allegations took place under President Obasanjo and in fact, he institutionalised the culture of impunity under the democratic dispensation in Nigeria.

“If President Obasanjo who ruled this country for 11 and half years has institutionalised democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights, we will not be in this mess and the control of Nigeria by the Nigerian people, we will be having an Eldorado by now.

“So, please, let Obasanjo and others be honest to admit that they brought us to this shameful episode. So, nobody should grandstand when it comes to the misgovernance of Nigerians.

“Nobody has apologised. The fact that from 1999 to 2007, this country, made close to hundred billion dollars from the sale of one commodity, oil. What is there to show for it rather than permanent darkness?

“The more you spend on energy, the more darkness you get. So what is there to celebrate? What we have were mass unemployment and sale of national assets to few boys who were close to the presidency and rigging of elections.

“You have all forgotten that the results from Delta, Ondo and others were announced in Abuja and not in those states in order to rig those elections. What is there to celebrate?

“President Obasanjo is entitled to form his own political party or his own movement but he should please desist from insulting the collective intelligence and the collective memories of Nigerians.

“When Sharia started, the federal government did not challenge the constitutionality. Under that era, we had ethnic and religious violence that claimed lives of over 20,000 Nigerians.

“With great respect to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, apart from the allegations of nepotism and clannishness, which cannot be disputed, every other allegations made there, is nothing to write home about. In other words, all the other allegations took place under Obasanjo and in fact, he institutionalised the culture of impunity under the democratic dispensation in Nigeria.

“Many of us have forgotten the abduction of Governor Chris Ngige, many of us have forgotten the fact that the National Assembly and the House of Representatives displayed bales of naira with which it was alleged that the presidency wanted to bribe the legislators.

“Many of us have forgotten about the third term agenda or the fact that many people who were also closed to the seats of power were treated like sacred cows even in the fight against corruption. But I do not want to join issues with Obasanjo for now on his letter so that one is not seeing as endorsing impunity in our country but other than the allegations of nepotism and clannishness which the presidency is notoriously noted for, I think, they are birds of same feathers.”

Falana also spoke on the move by the Senate to replace Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

He said he was surprised when he read that the Senate had asked President Muhammadu Buhari to bring a fresh person to replace Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Falana’s interpretation of the EFCC act and his statement that Magu does not need Senate confirmation, which Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, a senior lawyer supported, triggered the stand-off between the Senate and the presidency over confirmation of nominees.

The Senate since March last year, resolved not to confirm nominees to positions not specified in the Nigerian constitution, until Magu was removed. And this has led to the non-confirmation of four members of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria and two deputy governor nominees.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/falana-to-obasanjo-stop-insulting-nigerians.html

Plenary of House of Representatives on Thursday was rowdy as members disagreed over the propriety of the one billion dollars sought by President Muhammadu Buhari to fight Boko Haram insurgency.

The confusion followed a motion by Rep. Ken Chikere (Rivers-PDP) on the “Need to deduct 13 per cent Derivation from the one billion dollars approved by the National Economic Council (NEC) to fight Boko Haram Insurgency”.

Moving the motion, Chikere said that if 13 per cent derivation was not deducted from the one billion dollars and paid to oil-producing states, it would amount to double contribution by the states.

He added that it would also be a breach of section 16 (2) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 1 of the Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account, etc) Act, Cap.A15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2014.

“At the 83rd meeting of NEC held in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Dec. 14, 2017, the 36 states’ governors approved the deduction of one billion dollars by Federal Government from Excess Crude Account (ECA) to fight Boko Haram.

“The proviso to Section 162 of 1999 Constitution states that 13 per cent of proceeds of oil-producing states as derivation funds payable to benefiting states of Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, Abia, Imo, Ondo, Anambra and Lagos.

“That 13 per cent derivation fund payable to oil-producing states had not been deducted and paid to them from the one billion dollars before or after the approval of the said sum to fight Boko Haram insurgency.

“Concerned that if the 13 per cent derivation fund is not deducted from the one billion dollars and paid to oil-producing states, it would amount to double contribution from the said states.

” It will also a breach of section 16 (2) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 1 of the Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account, etc) Act, Cap.A15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2014,” Chikere said.

He urged Federal Ministry of Finance to ensure that amount representing 13 per cent of one billion dollars approved by NEC to fight Boko Haram was deducted and paid to oil-producing states.

He said that the payment would be in compliance with Section 162 (2) of the 1999 Constitution.

The lawmaker urged his colleagues to mandate the Committees of Finance and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

He added that “the amount involved is arguably a large sum of money but no sum of money is too large for security. I urge us to show resolve by supporting this motion’’.

But, Rep. Shehu Garba (Kaduna-APC) opposed the motion, saying that the fight against Boko Haram insurgency should be seen as a national challenge than a sectional issue.

He said that debating the issue would open up “a Pandora box” that may apparently heat up the polity.

He said, “We do understand the reason behind this motion. However, I do have a different perspective. The basic question is whether Boko Haram is a regional challenge or national challenge.

“We must accept that just as you as a person will not have a good night sleep when you have pain.

“You must accept that any challenge in any part of Nigeria is a challenge for everyone. Boko Haram challenge is a national challenge.

“The challenge requires the collective will of all Nigerians. On this note, I disagree with this motion. It will be opening a Pandora box.”

Recognised by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, a member, Rep. Henry Archibong (Akwa Ibom-PDP) raised a Point-of-Order.

He sought to know whether the money had been approved by the National Assembly

The lawmaker said “point-of-order, no money shall be withdrawn from the consolidated revenue funds.

“This money that’s being given to fight Boko Haram, has it been approved by the national assembly.”

Similarly, Rep. Aliyu Patigi (Kwara-APC) said that the issue at stake was of mathematical nature.

“It is an accounting issue. It is an issue that relates to the Federation Account.

“Now, the president has requested for one billion dollars and we can’t give the president less than that one billion. It should be one billion. What we need to do is to get Federal Accounts committee.”

In his contribution, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Yussuf Lasun, said that it was necessary to understand the difference between the Federation and Consolidated Accounts before deliberating on the matter.

“I think this motion is very important because of so many parts of the country it is touching.

Whatever touches Boko Haram, let’s deal with it because we have suffered negatively from Boko Haram. It is a pure constitutional matter.

In his remarks, the speaker reminded the House that the entirety of the money coming from the ECA had been approved by the State Houses of Assembly, allowing their respective governors to give consent to the request.

He wondered whether the National Assembly had any significant input in the matter.

He ruled that the motion be stepped down until the state of the Excess Crude Account was ascertained.

Dogara committed the responsibility to the House Committee on Finance, and gave it four weeks to conclude the assignment.

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A Special Adviser to Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, Alhaji Salisu Isah, has said his boss is prepared to terminate the political career of the Senator representing Zamfara Central, Sen. Kabiru Garba Marafa, since the senator is not using his position to help the state.

Isah, who addressed a press conference in Kaduna, said rather than contribute to efforts towards ensuring peace in the state, Senator Marafa was busy playing politics with the security challenges affecting the state.

He described as “irresponsible” comments credited to the senator that the governor and his deputy were responsible for the insecurity in Zamfara State.

“The question one should ask is; what is the contribution of Marafa towards solving the insecurity problems in Zamfara State if he claims to be concerned as a senator representing the people of Zamfara Central?”

He said Governor Yari had done much to ensure security of lives and property, saying apart from the Federal Government’s intervention, Governor Yari rose to the occasion by mobilising local vigilante to confront the security challenges of the state.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/marafa-s-political-albatross-near-yari-s-aide.html

A newly married Chinese couple has been making waves on the internet for their unorthodox match- she is a wealthy 38-year-old mother of one, and he is a 23-year-old whose mother is only a year older than his bride. The wedding, which was filmed on Jan. 10, took place in Qionghai, Hainan, China, where it first went viral and stirred up controversy.

The woman apparently fell pregnant after a romance with the younger man, after which he proposed marriage. Initially, the groom’s parents opposed the wedding, citing the 15 year age difference between them, as well as the bride’s 14-year-old child from a previous marriage.

However, the bride – a wealthy real estate businesswoman – offered them a dowry of 660,000 yuan (USD 104,273) in cash, a real estate lot, and a Ferrari sports car, altogether worth an estimated a 5,000,000 yuan (USD 789,950). The parents gave their blessing immediately following the generous offer.

They married in an extravagant ceremony, arriving in a red Ferrari with the bride bedecked in gold and other expensive jewelry.

Chinese netizens have had mixed reactions to the union, with many congratulating the pair, but some claiming the young man only married the woman for her money rather than love.

“I once again believe in the power of money,” wrote one Weibo user.

“Father: Our boy’s bride is loaded, let’s accept the deal to cash in!” wrote another.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the argument, some pointed out that the story going viral only highlights how far China has to go to achieve gender equality.

“A 38-year-old divorced man marrying a 23-year-old single woman would not even be news. This is only making a fuss about women becoming stronger,”commented a Weibo user.

In the video footage from the couple’s wedding, they both appear elated and very much in love. The bride is heavily pregnant but looks radiant in her white gown, and her husband is all smiles. In one particularly sweet moment, the groom dedicated a song to his bride, serenading her as she blushed and giggled.

The Weibo user pointing out gender equality has a good point, considering that if the roles were reversed in the story, a wealthy divorced older man marrying a younger woman, it wouldn’t have made the news as it happens commonly and frequently. It is worth noting that the man proposed to the woman, not the reverse, and it was only after the parents disapproved that the dowry came into the picture.

That netizens are reacting negatively to an economically powerful woman in such a negative way just goes to show how threatening a woman with power is to a traditionally patriarchal society.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/strange-woman-marries-man-pays-his-family-n289million.html

Google has released its top trending searches for the month of January 2018 and Samantha the sex doll is at the top of the list.

Samantha the high tech sex doll, which ever since it was introduced has sent tongues wagging, has topped the list of the most searched item in Kenya in the month of January.

The Samantha doll generated great public interest as it divided opinion between men and women, with the former welcoming the doll with cheers while the latter seemingly unhappy about it.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/-samantha-sex-doll-tops-kenya-google-searches-in-january-2018.html

Fake pastor

A group of Fulani herdsmen, under the aegis of Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative (GOPRI) has backed the Federal Government initiative on the proposed cattle colony as part of measures to end protracted wave of killings mostly between herders and farmers.

The organisation said in Abuja that the initiative would not only generate over N1.2 trillion in annual revenue but also create an estimated 322,000 direct new jobs for Nigerians across the country.

The Director Press and Public Affairs of GOPRI Dr Emeka Ugwanyi, said, “Cattle colony is the best option for Nigeria now because it's going to house several ranches with all the basic amenities in one place. It will control the arbitrary spread of ranches thus making it easier for good policing. The policy will further create about 322,000 direct new jobs across the country and it's estimated to generate over N1.2 trillion as annual revenue for Nigeria.

“Above all, it will permanently stop the open grazing practice thereby halting the farmers and herdsmen conflict. It is laughable and a show of ignorance for some people to still be talking about forceful collection of land from the locals for same purpose in any part of Nigeria as no responsible government in the world does that in this age. Nigeria should eschew partisanship as well as religious, ethnic, sectional and political sentiments that have unfortunately beclouded our sense of reasoning,” Ugwanyi said.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/cattle-colonies-could-generate-n1-2t-create-322-000-jobs-group-urges.html

Chai!

hmmm

The Senate has mandated its committee on Police Affairs, chaired by Senator Abu Ibrahim to summon the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris over Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (APC,Kano).

The summon followed a point of order by Senator Isah Hamma Misau (APC,Bauchi) on the return of thuggery to Kano state.

Kwankwaso had scheduled to visit Kano, but the Kano State Police Commissioner advised him against it.

Misau alleged that in the last three days people in Kano have been armed with dangerous weapons, saying the Boko Haram crisis in Borno and other parts of the Northeast started in a similar scenario.

But Senators Barau Jibrin and Kabir Gaya faulted the claim of Misau. They said the feud between Kwankwaso and Governor Ganduje is a family issue and that it should be treated as such.

Remarking, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki asked the IGP to appear before the Police Affairs committee and provide security to Kwankwaso to visit Kano.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/kano-visit-senate-summons-ig-over-kwankwaso.html

Clashes between herdsmen and farmers in Adamawa, Benue, Taraba, Ondo and Kaduna have resulted in 168 deaths in January 2018 alone, Amnesty International Nigeria said in a statement Tuesday.

In 2017, the rights group said the clashes claimed at least 549 lives and displaced thousands across Enugu, Benue, Taraba, Zamfara, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Cross Rivers, Adamawa, Katsina, Delta and Ekiti states.

AI, in the statement, said the Nigerian authorities’ response to communal violence is totally inadequate, too slow and ineffective, and in some cases unlawful.

“Hundreds of people lost their lives last year, and the government is still not doing enough to protect communities from these violent clashes. Worse, the killers are getting away with murder,” said Osai Ojigho, Director Amnesty International Nigeria.

“In some cases where the Nigerian security agencies did respond to communal violence, they used excessive or unlawful force resulting in even more deaths and destruction,” he added.

The rights group said it gathered witness testimony from residents who described being attacked by a fighter jet and a military helicopter as they attempted to flee attacks.

The air raids occurred in the villages of Lawaru, Dong, Kodomti, Shafaron and Nzuruwei, where Amnesty International said it interviewed a total of 15 witnesses.

Experts identified the munitions as French-made SNEB rockets which are known to be used by Nigeria’s Alpha Jet aircraft, the group claimed.

Such reckless use of deadly force is unlawful, outrageous and lays bare the Nigerian military’s shocking disregard for the lives of those it supposedly exists to protect, Ojigho said.

He noted that the frequent deployment of soldiers has resulted in many cases of excessive use of force, unlawful killings and extrajudicial executions throughout the country.

“The Nigerian authorities must investigate these attacks and, where these investigations indicate criminal responsibility, prosecute those responsible and bring them to justice.”

Ojigho said the wave of bloody communal violence must be addressed, and all herders and farmers responsible for killings and the destruction of property must be brought to justice.

“The Nigerian government must ensure adequate reparations for the victims of this violence, including the families of those killed.”

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/168-killed-in-farmer-herder-clashes-in-january-alone-549-last-year.html

Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi’s absence from the House Committee on Land Transport on Tuesday, stalled the ministry’s 2018 Budget defence.

The exercise, which was scheduled to hold at the National Assembly Conference Hall in Abuja, was adjourned till further notice.

Mr Aminu Sani, the Chairman of the committee, said it was its tradition not to attend to any ministry except the minister in charge was present.

He said that the committee sympathised with the minister’s state of health, even though there was no formal letter written to the committee.

Sani further adjourned the defence proceeding, stating that the committee would wait to hold the session whenever he fully recovered.

“We could have received a formal letter before now but members want the minister to attend; everybody has prepared for the minister and majority are not in support that it should hold.

“The importance of this defence cannot be overemphasised; It’s our tradition not to take any other person except the minister; so I move that this defence should be adjourned till the minister is fit enough to attend,’’ he said. (NAN)

Earlier, Alhaji Sabiu Zakari, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, said the minister was unavoidably absent because he was indisposed.

“The honourable minister could not attend because he is sick; he was in the office briefly but he could not stay, that is why I am here to represent the minister.“


https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/amaechi-s-absence-stalls-budget-defence.html[url][/url]

hmm

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has denied that it is involved in human rights abuses during the herdsmen/farmers clashes in Numan general area of Adamawa as alleged by the Amnesty International.

NAF, in a statement by its Spokesman, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, described the entire allegations by the international body as “lies.’’

Adesanya explained that on Dec. 4, 2017, NAF was called in by the GOC 3 Division to provide support to troops in curtailing farmers/herdsmen crisis in Numan, Adamawa.

According to him, the support is in form of “show of force low-level flights.’’

“To set the records straight, in the early hours of Dec. 4, 2017, a NAF Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform departed Maiduguri to conduct ISR over Numan general area.

“This was in response to a request by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Armoured Division of the Nigerian Army, following reports of clashes around that location.

“ Hundreds of people, mostly dressed in black attires, and who appeared armed, were sighted ransacking and setting a village on fire.

“ In addition, the hoodlums set large portions of farmlands ablaze.

“Furthermore, some of the men were seen guiding livestock out of the village.

“Consequently, a NAF aircraft was called in to support the Nigerian Army and other relevant security agencies through ‘show of force’ low-level flights,’’ Adesanya said

He explained that the action of the NAF was aimed at dispersing the huge crowd and thereby stopping the ongoing carnage.

The spokesman, however, added that after several low passes, the crowd was undeterred and refused to disperse.

“Rather, the assailants started firing shots at the aircraft and continued with their dastardly act of burning houses within the settlement.’’

According to him, the aircraft, therefore has to fire shots ahead of the rampaging crowd when it became obvious that they were heading for Numan to inflict further damage.

The intervention, he said made the hoodlums to scatter and fled to a nearby bridge.

“Other low passes were conducted by NAF aircraft over the area to prevent the regrouping of the hoodlums around Numan and other villages.

Adesanya further explained that the hoodlums had set several villages on fire and much destruction had taken place before the arrival of NAF aircraft.

“Nevertheless, the intervention of the NAF proved decisive in putting an end to the hoodlums’ rampaging activities,’’ he said.

Adesanya said it was unfortunate that an organisation of the “stature of Amnesty International would believe a ridiculous story that the pilot of an aircraft flying at a high speed would be able to distinguish between a herdsman and a local farmer before deciding which one to bomb.”

“ Indeed, at the time the NAF intervened in the crisis around Numan on Dec. 4, 2017, there were no two distinguishable groups clashing.

“Rather, only one group of hoodlums was seen unleashing mayhem on villages near Numan.

“At no time did the NAF Spokesman identify the hoodlums as herdsmen, as the pilots could not have possibly determined the identities of the hoodlums from thousands of feet in the air.

“It is significant to note that without the timely intervention of the NAF, nothing would have stopped the huge mass of hoodlums from burning down Numan, where they were obviously heading.

“ Had they succeeded, they would have killed several individuals and burnt or destroyed more properties.

“It is better imagined how many more lives would have been lost without the timely and wise intervention of the NAF.

“It is the responsibility of the NAF to defend Nigerian lives and the NAF could not have simply watched while lives were being taken and properties destroyed.

“ It is regrettable that Amnesty International never made any attempt to find out NAF’s account of the events of the said date before making its allegations.

“The report by Amnesty International is therefore deemed to be unfair, one-sided and apparently aimed at embarrassing the NAF.’’

He described the NAF as “a highly professional organisation, which places high value on respect for human rights.’’

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/naf-denies-amnesty-international-s-allegation-of-human-rights-abuses.html