The Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba becomes the first person to pick the APC Expression of Interest, Nomination Forms for the APC Presidential Primary as a group of Nigerians raised over N100m from where they purchased the forms for him.

The wife of the immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, has picked her expression of interest and nomination forms to contest for the Senate seat of Anambra North District in the 2023 general election.

This is coming a few hours after the Chief of Staff to the former governor, Mr Primus Odili, declared interest to run for the same seat.

According to a statement on Wednesday by the Senior Special Adviser to Willie Obiano, Mr Uloka Chuks, Ebelechukwu Obiano, was accompanied to the All Progressives Grand Alliance National Secretariat in Abuja by party members, stakeholders, transition committee chairmen and numerous supporters, where she purchased her nomination form.

Obiano had earlier made her intention known to her constituents and party faithfuls early in March at her residence in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area,

She said the plight of the people, especially women and Children from the rural communities of her constituency, informed her decision to hearken to the demonstrations and pleas from various groups and organisations to represent the zone at the 10th national assembly.

The former first lady, who is the founder Caring Family Enhancement Initiative, maintained that her interest is all about service to God and mankind and not just for the pleasure of political power.

Reacting to questions at the APGA National Secretariat, Mrs Obiano said she will continue her advocacy for a better life for women and children of Anambra North and Nigeria at the Senate Chambers by pushing for Bills and debate motions that will be in their interest.

“I have used my position as a first lady to give hope to the hopeless in the society, cared for children with deformity and disability, built houses for homeless widows, rehabilitated and reunited mentally challenged people with their families, amongst many others. I will continue my divine call to be a blessing to humanity.

Amongst those who endorsed Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano Senatorial ambition and pledged support in various capacities, were the state Chairman of APGA in Imo State, Chief Paul Iwuala.

Iwuala maintained that her selfless service and commitment to her husband, the former governor and present National Leader and BoT Chairman of APGA, Willie Obiano, has helped sustain and stabilize the party, adding that it is time for the party to appreciate and reward their leader for his uncommon leadership.

“We trust in her capacity to speak for us, protect our interest and that of our region and children, nkea bu nke anyi,” Iwuala said.

There was reported tension at the Irepodun Local Government Council Secretariat, Ilobu, on Thursday, as members of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) attacked the council Chairman, Barrister Adegoke Ogunsola.

DAILY POST gathered that the NULGE, led by its Chairman, Jamiu Oyeleke had engaged the Council Secretary in a squabble before the arrival of the Chairman.

Sources revealed that the staff, who were allegedly demanding some unpaid entitlements, had earlier on seized the official car of the secretary to the Council.

They added that the Council Manager, Toyin Eye escaped being attacked as she had left her office before the riotous staff got there.

Reacting to the fracas, the Council Chairman, Ogunsola insisted that he had no issue with any member of staff in the Local Government.

Ogunsola also accused the Irepodun chapter of NULGE of resorting to violence without discussing with him, with a view to resolving the impasse.

“When I was going to the Local Government yesterday, someone told that me there was going to be an issue, that I should not go but I insisted on going.

“On getting there, I met some persons who I later identified to be members of NULGE, struggling with the Council Secretary. They wanted to seize his car and the struggling was on.

“Immediately, I alighted from my car and told the Secretary to give them the car key. At that moment, I realized that I did not remove my car keys and some one had entered and drove it into the Local Government. I trekked in and asked them what transpired but they said they had an issue with the Council Manager who had escaped.

“Their grievances bordered on their welfare and I said it will be resolved but they said they would not allow me, the Vice Chairman and the Secretary take our cars and I left it with them,” he disclosed.

The council boss while declaring that he was not aware of any unpaid allowances being owned the NULGE members, added that he was only aware of claims that have been approved but not paid.

“I have promised to pay them. But what triggered their action is that we recently paid severance of some past political office holders and they are not happy with that,” he hinted.

The Irepodun Local Government NULGE chairman, Jamiu Oyeleke and the Secretary, Omidele Waheed, as of the time of filing this report, have not responded to calls asking for clarification on the matter.

The Area Commander of Suleja Police Division in Niger State, Sani Badarawa, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, has allegedly assaulted and detained a medical doctor named Umar Nurudeen for parking his vehicle close to his own in front of a supermarket in the area.

The incident, which happened around 8:30 pm on Wednesday, left other customers at Suleja Mart running for safety after the area commander brought out a pistol from his car and threatened to shoot the medical doctor.

The police officer had accused Nurudeen of having the guts to park his “worthless” Honda Accord 2000 model vehicle beside his Mercedes Benz, which he claimed had cost him N3 million.

According to him, the medical doctor, who works at the Suleja General Hospital, insulted his personality by parking such a vehicle close to his own and making it difficult for him (Badarawa) to have easy access into his ‘expensive’ automobile.

All explanations by Nurudeen, who had visited the store to buy toys for his nieces after the close of work, that he was not obstructing the policeman’s entry into his car fell on deaf ears as the officer soon rained several punches and slaps on him.

“While still talking to him, he rushed into his car and brought out a pistol which he threatened to shoot me with.

“He was yelling on top of his voice and started punching and slapping me. He said that I was a son of nobody and that he could do whatever he wanted to me and nothing would happen to him.

“After punching and slapping me, the people around the place including security men asked me to apologise to the police officer so that he could calm down but I refused.

“This got him angrier and he continued the assault on me.

“A few minutes later, three police vans arrived at the scene of the incident and dragged me into one of the vehicles. They took me to their station.

“At the station, he assaulted me verbally and said that I must write a statement and an apology before he would release me.

“I made a few calls including to the palace of the Emir of Zazzau Suleja. His orderly and Personal Assistant arrived at the police station a few minutes later and asked me not to write any statement since I didn’t commit any offence.

“When the area commander saw the calibre of people that came, he started apologising, pleading that I should not allow the emir to hear about the matter.

“After assaulting and humiliating me for committing no offence, you are now pleading with me not to talk about it, this is indeed ridiculous.

“Nobody should be treated this way because they are ordinary Nigerians. This type of abuse of power must be checked by the police authorities to save citizens from reckless policemen.”

The Assistant Police Commissioner, who assaulted and humiliated the medical doctor, could not be reached for comments at the time of filing this report.

But the state police public relations officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, told SaharaReporters that Nurudeen should take the matter up officially.

"The doctor should call us directly and table the matter officially. You can give my number to him so that he can call me to officially take up the matter," he said.

Bukola Saraki, President of the 8th Senate, has condemned the “unenlightened propaganda” by Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

A statement by Saraki’s media aide, Oluwole Onemola had recalled an accusation against Saraki by MURIC, alleging that the 8th Senate worked against Buhari on insecurity.

MURIC had claimed the 8th Senate rejected the President’s request for $1 billion for the purchase of arms.

However, Saraki condemning MURIC’s claims explained that the 8th Senate never rejected any funding request for security but had insisted that due process provided by the constitution be adhered to, even by the executive.

Onemola also recalled that on April 25, 2018, Saraki read a letter from Buhari, which stated that he had granted ‘anticipatory approval’ for the release of $496,374,470. These were said to have been paid directly to the Treasury of the United States government.

The statement said the powers of such appropriation are specifically conferred on the National Assembly in Sections 80 to 84, adding that the principle of ‘anticipatory approval’ is not recognized by law,

“This means that Mr. President did not follow the proper procedure during this constitutionally-flawed and thoroughly unprecedented ‘anticipatory approval.’ Still, the National Assembly went ahead to approve the money that the executive has started disbursing without approval. Thus, $1 billion was approved by the 8th National Assembly.”

Onemola reminded Nigerians that based on allegations of human rights violations by the military, there was a U.S. Government ban on the sale of offensive equipment to Nigeria in compliance with Leahy’s Law.

“However, it was only after the U.S. Congressional Delegation met with the Nigerian National Assembly delegation in Nigeria on Monday, August 28th, 2017, that reassurances were made by the Nigerian Senate President on behalf of the National Assembly – that the Nigerian National Assembly delegation promised that it would look into the allegations of human rights violations, and work to prevent any future recurrence.”

He noted that to ensure that the Nigerian Armed Forces were properly equipped, the 8th Nigerian Senate invited the Service Chiefs on several occasions to discuss funding for their operations.

Onemola gave instances of February 3rd, 2016, when the leadership of the Senate and chairmen of committees relating to security agencies held a meeting with heads of the military;

“On the 8th and 12th of February, the Senate held a special security summit attended by the Service Chiefs, the NSA, and Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, and other key stakeholders in the national security architecture and the international community to discuss the security situation in the country;

“On the 23rd of May 2018, when the Senate asked the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Service Chiefs to present it with its funding requirements — giving our armed forces an almost ‘blank cheque.’ This Security Summit came up with a 21-point recommendation which was subsequently forwarded to the Presidency for implementation.

“The 8th Senate considered over 101 security-related motions/point of orders in 4-years; The 8th Senate referred 57 security-related matters to its relevant committees;vThe 8th Senate decided 42 security-related matters on the Senate Plenary floor;vThe 8th Senate had 38 security-sector interventions in the form of Bills.

It also held 14 public/investigative hearings on security-related issues over its 4-year tenure.”, the statement added.

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger state has suspended former Governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu over allegations of anti-party activities leading to cracks in the party.

The former governor was suspended during an emergency Stakeholders’ meeting of Chachanga local Area in Minna on Monday.

The PDP also accused the former governor of working against the Party and supporting the APC in the 2015 election as they added that he does not attend meetings and is working to disintegrate the party.

The meeting was attended by eight ward Chairmen of the party out of the 11 wards, elders and party faithful from Chanchaga LGA.

One of the Media Aides of the former Governor, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, Mr. Bala Bitrus said that the suspension is laughable as the state PDP does not have an executive in place to approve such suspension.

He said that the meeting held was illegal and holds no water adding that Aliyu will address the issue when he receives the communication about his suspension.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo has lauded the contributions of Bola Tinubu to the development of Nigeria, saying the country’s democracy cannot be complete without him.

Sanwo-Olu made this known on Sunday via a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, while felicitating with the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on his 69th birthday.

While describing Tinubu as a visionary leader and a rare mentor with exceptional abilities in various areas of human endeavours, he said the APC leader is a political pathfinder, nationalist and detribalised Nigerian, who has contributed in no small measure to the socio-political and economic growth of the state and Nigeria as a whole.

“The story of Nigeria’s democracy cannot be told without the name of the Jagaban Borgu written in gold. Thousands are today direct beneficiaries of his political benevolence,” Sanwo-Olu said.

“As a pathfinder, Asiwaju charted the developmental trajectory of modern Lagos, raising the bar of governance and public service in the State and indeed, Nigeria. A cheerful giver who cares about the welfare of the people, Asiwaju personifies tolerance and humanity.”

The governor also rejoiced with the family of the former governor, especially his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, friends, political associates, APC chieftains and members across the country on his birthday.

He added, “On behalf of my adorable wife, Ibijoke, the good people of Lagos State and entire members of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), I felicitate with our leader and mentor on his 69th birthday.

“As you march on to a higher pedestal in life, may The Almighty go with you every step of the way and may you accomplish more in the service of our dear country and humanity.”

The National Industrial Court in Abuja has ordered the Kogi State Government to pay the former Deputy Governor, Simon Achuba, N180 million.

The sum represents outstanding security votes from April 2018 to August 2019.

Mr Achuba was impeached by the state House of Assembly in 2019 and was replaced by Edward Onoja, who was reelected last year with Governor Yahaya Bello.

Mr Achuba’s impeachment followed the submission of a report of the committee set up by the former State Chief Judge, late Nasir Ajana, to investigate an allegation of gross misconduct against him.

However, a high court in Kogi declared that the subsequent nomination of Mr Onoja and his inauguration as the deputy governor did not follow due process.

Mr Achuba also dragged the state government before the National Industrial Court, seeking a declaration that the decision by the government to withhold his allowances, amounted to unfair labour practice.

He also asked to be paid N921,572,758 as security vote, monthly imprest, travelling allowances, outstanding memos, and statutory allocations due to his office, as then deputy governor.

Delivering the judgement on Wednesday, Justice Oyebiola Oyewunmi ordered the state government to pay him N180 million within 30 days, failure which the amount would draw a 30 per cent monthly interest.

My greatest desire in November is to be in a room with General Buratai. No weapons. No referee. Man to man combat. Only one man coming out alive. Let God use me to avenge the cowardly slaughter of peaceful, unarmed, #EndSARS protesters at #LekkiMassacre by that spineless coward!

The Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu, has rejected a request letter to set up a probe panel from the state's House of Assembly
against the deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, over allegations of gross misconduct, SaharaReporters can confirm.

Speaker of the Ondo Assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun, had on Thursday written to the Chief Judge to set up a seven-man panel to investigate Ajayi with the aim to impeach him from office.

SaharaReporters obtained documents signed by the Chief Judge, stating her position on why the letter was rejected.

Also, a source in the office of the Chief Judge confirmed that the letter was rejected due to the inability of the Assembly members to follow the constitution to form the required number needed to impeach Ajayi.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that 14 members of the Assembly had signed an impeachment notice against the deputy governor, listing seven allegations against him.

Nine other members of the Assembly had also written to the Speaker to distance themselves from the impeachment.

The source said the Chief Judge relied on this to conclude that the Assembly failed to form the 2/3 majority needed to impeach the deputy governor.
It was exclusively gathered that the deputy governor was yet to receive the impeachment notice sent to him by the Assembly.

A former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has described as irresponsible and cheap politics, a statement credited to the All Progressives Congress, which tried to link him with a cyber-crime suspect, Ramon Abbas aka Hushpuppi, who was recently arrested in the United Arab Emirates and extradited to the United States.

This is contained in a statement titled, “Cyber Criminals: APC ‘s Statement Irresponsible, Says Saraki,” issued on Saturday by the media aide to the ex-Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu.

The APC’s statement, signed by its Deputy Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, had demanded the probe of some Peoples Democratic Party leaders, including Saraki, over their alleged romance with Abbas.

But Saraki in his statement explained that he had no form of association with the said suspect, otherwise known as Hushpuppi and neither did he know him in any way.

It read, “The statement credited to the APC, the ruling party in our country, is one of the ways by which our anti-graft agencies are weakened and why the fight against corruption in the country is often viewed with suspicion by the international community.

“This is because when these cyber-crime suspects were operating freely and openly displaying wealth, the APC saw nothing bad in their activities.

“Also, the party at that time did not deem it necessary to call on the anti-graft agencies to investigate their activities.

“Also, since the arrest of those cybercrime suspects and the subsequent damage to the image and the economy of Nigeria as well as the crisis it created for Nigerians engaged in lawful businesses across the world, the ruling party had been muted (sic).

“The only time the APC deemed it necessary to make a statement was when it thought it should play dirty, cheap and irresponsible politics.

“Dr. Saraki was the only political leader who has publicly made a statement through an Op-Ed article published in the Daily Trust newspaper of July 1, 2020 titled ‘Cyber Criminals: Confronting The Few Who Dent Many.’

“At this point, we call on the APC leadership to rein in the so-called Yekini Nabena and compel him to desist from making and circulating such malicious, odious and offensive claims.”

Secretary to the Delta State Government, Chiedu Ebie, and Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, have both tested positive for Coronavirus.

Revealing this on Sunday in a statement signed by Olisa Ifeajika, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the two officials showed mild symptoms of the virus and consequently subjected themselves to the test, which returned positive.

While calling on residents of the state to adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocols irrespective of status, Ifeajika noted that anyone could contract the virus.

The statement reads, "Let me advise all Deltans to as a matter of top priority always obey the COVID-19 protocols, which have been in public domain, so as to curb further spread of the pandemic. The fresh cases in our hands in Delta further testifies to the fact that COVID-19 is not a scam. It is real and people should take the issue of the virus and personal hygiene seriously.

“COVID-19 is not a death sentence; so, when you begin to feel unwell, reach out to approved government hospitals for appropriate tests to be carried out. We can save ourselves and others from this virus if we obey all protocols of wearing face masks, regular washing of hands in running water, use of alcohol-based sanitisers and maintaining physical-distancing while congregating in any form.

“All our hospitals and isolation centres across the state are on 24 hours alert to receive any case(s) of Coronavirus or other health challenges.”

The SSG and the Information Commissioner had been in the frontline of the state's COVID-19 Task Force responsible for managing the virus in the state and giving Deltans regular update on the pandemic.

Our correspondent reliably gathered that the two senior government officials have since been moved to an isolation centre in the state capital, Asaba, where they are said to be responding to treatment.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had on Friday raised the alarm and lamented the rate at which the figures of people tested positive were increasing in the state.

As at the time of filing this report, Delta state has recorded over 500 COVID-19 cases with few recovery and death cases.

Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo state, says some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are still supporting him despite his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Obaseki announced his defection to the PDP on Thursday following his disqualification from the primary of the APC.

The APC panel had cited “defective” certificates as the reason for screening him out of the race.

But speaking with reporters after being screened by his new party, the governor the same certificates that the APC rejected were the ones he presented to the PDP screening committee without any issue.

“The screening was fair, it was very professionally done. You could see objectivity and I presented all my certificates- my secondary school, higher school, university and my National Youth Service Certificates, so that they can look at them and see if there are inconsistencies in them. You can ask the screening committee if there are any inconsistencies in any of them.”

On his support base, he said: “I thank God that I enjoy national support not just from my colleagues from the APC. I think the support is national. There are elder statesmen who are apolitical, there are traditional rulers.

“I have people from different spectrum of the society who come around to support. Generally, I think Nigerians are generally fair-minded people. They are people who do not accept injustice.

“From what I have seen over the past several weeks and months, the support is just across board. It is not just from APC governors alone.”

If he clinches the PDP ticket, he would swap roles with his rival in 2016. Osagie Ize-Iyamu, whom he defeated in the last governorship election, has crossed over to the APC and he is believed to enjoy the support of the leadership of the party.

Adams Oshiomhole, suspended national chairman of the APC, is believed to be supporting Ize-Iyamu.

Oshiomhole was instrumental to bringing Obaseki to power.

Osagie Ehanire, minister of health, says the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is the most sincere and serious government the country has ever had.

Speaking during a programme on Channels Television on Friday, the minister said the president will fulfill his promises to the health workers on strike.

He asked resident doctors in the country to end their strike because the government is sympathetic to their plight.

“We have made it clear to them that this government is the most sincere and serious government this country has ever had. His word is his bond,” Ehanire said.

“This government has a record of being sympathetic to people, of meeting its obligations and keeping to its promises.

“This government does things differently. This is a government that says its word and keeps to its words. We would not do anything to hurt you. We work in your interest.

“We are going through a very difficult time with other countries and this is quite clearly not the time to add more to our problems by deciding to go on strike.

“I am worried that we are probably the first and only country where doctors have decided to go on strike.”

Resident doctors embarked on a nationwide strike on Monday after the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum they issued to the federal government.

A meeting between the federal government and members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) ended in a deadlock on Tuesday.

Ehanire had threatened that doctors absent from duty would lose their jobs and he asked for the opening of attendance registers in health institutions across the country.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed shock that the Buhari administration in the first quarter of 2020, spent 99 percent of revenue to service debt.

“No one should be deceived. This is a crisis!”, Atiku said in a statement today.

“Debt servicing does not equate to debt repayment”.

“The reality is that Nigeria is paying only the minimum payment to cover our interest charges”.

“The principal remains untouched and is possibly growing”.

The statement entitled “Nigeria In Financial Crisis: Robbing Our Children to Pay for Our Greed”, was signed by Atiku himself to underscore its significance.

The former vice-president was alarmed by what he called a shocking revelation in Nigeria’s first quarter 2020 financial report.

“Nothing has shocked me in my entire life in public service as the revelation from Nigeria’s First Quarter 2020 financial reports in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy from the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, which shows, alarmingly, that whereas Nigeria spent a total sum of ₦943.12 billion in debt servicing, the Federal Government’s retained revenue for the same period were only ₦950.56 billion.
This means that Nigeria’s debt to revenue ratio is now 99%.”

“We are at a precipice. If our revenue figures do not go up, and go up quickly, Nigeria risks a situation where our revenue cannot even sustain our debt servicing obligations. Meaning that we may become insolvent, and our creditors may foreclose on us, as has occurred in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

`’In my opinion editorial of December 17 2019, titled ‘Endless Borrowing Will Lead Nigeria to Endless Sorrowing’, I had cause to counsel the Federal Government to desist from indiscriminate lending, and offered suggestions on ways to both increase revenue, and reduce expenditure, however, my counsel fell on deaf ears. And now we have come to this.

“Again, on May 15, 2020, I counselled that the Federal Government ought to reduce Nigeria’s budget by at least 25%, to reflect the economic realities of the times that we live in. Again, my entreaties were brushed aside.

“As part of an administration that paid off Nigeria’s entire foreign debt, I am concerned by the alarming and avoidable unprecedented increase in our debt to GDP ratio and debt to revenue ratio. The alarm I sounded last year is now sounding louder.

“Not only have we squandered our opportunities, we have also squandered the opportunities of our future generations by bequeathing them debt that they neither incurred or enjoyed”, he wrote.

Atiku then went on to suggest some urgent measures to push Nigeria from the financial precipice. One of them is that Nigeria sell off the planes in the presidential fleet and also cut off wasteful spendings.

“As a matter of utmost urgency and importance, I call on the Federal Government to take immediate steps to drastically reduce its expenditure, especially on wasteful projects, such as maintenance of the Presidential Air Fleet, and unnecessary renovations of buildings that could serve as is, limousine fleet for top government officials, overseas travels and treatments, and the ₦4.6 billion Presidential villa maintenance budget, etc.

“We cannot be on the verge of economic ruin, while still maintaining a Presidential Air Fleet that has more planes than the Presidential fleets of those from whom we take these loans.

“In fact, Nigeria must sell those planes and channel the revenue to other vital areas of need, while taking additional steps to reduce the cost of running our government.

“The Federal Government cannot continue to justify these unsustainable numbers by pointing at Nigeria’s debt to GDP ratio. That is only half the picture.

“Our debt to revenue ratio paints a much more realistic portrait of our financial situation, especially as our revenues are majorly tied to a mono product, oil and gas, which are very vulnerable to global shocks.

“Again, I warn that Nigeria is facing a crisis, and we cannot continue to keep up appearances by taking out more loans to prop up our economy.

“That will amount not just to robbing Peter to pay Paul, but to robbing our children to pay for our own greed!”, the former vice president concluded.