₦airaland Forum

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Those that seek to destroy @adeyanjudeji and @dino_melaye will themselves be destroyed.I say this because I know they are both praying men.Queen Victoria said "I do not fear the armies of Scotland but I fear the prayers of John Knox".@MBuhari will soon find out why she said so.

Bible says "touch not my annointed and do my prophets no harm".

Scripture cannot be broken.God's word shall stand.The vision is for an appointed time: though it tarry it shall not prove false. Like Nebudchadnezzar Buhari will be brought to his knees and disgraced out of office.

https://all-gists..com/2019/01/fani-kayode-reacts-over-dino-melaye-adeyanju-deji-arrested.html

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INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, arrives at ASUU national secretariat of the University of Abuja to hold talks with striking lecturers over the availability of their members for the conduct of 2019 general election.

https://all-gists..com/2019/01/just-in-inec-chairman-prof-yakubu-arrives-ASUU-secretariat-in-abuja.html

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The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says Kwara Central Senatorial District, represented by Senate President Bukola Saraki will be the easiest to be delivered to the All Progressives Congress in this year’s general elections.

The minister said this on Thursday in Ilorin while inspecting the Campaign Office and Situation Room of the Buhari\Osinbajo Project 2019, a political group drumming support and votes for the APC in Kwara.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the minister inspected the office ahead of Friday’s inauguration of the 18,000 grassroots votes canvassers across all polling units in Kwara.

Reacting to prediction in certain quarters that Saraki would be returned to the Senate even if APC wins other elections in the state, the minister said the revolution in Kwara was total.

“The easiest nut to crack will be the Kwara Central Senatorial District because the first revolution started from there.

“Cast your minds back to what happened in the last Local Government elections, you will see that the people of Kwara are ripe for change and we have no fear in any part of the state.

“When revolution comes, it comes in total and hence the slogan across nooks and crannies of Kwara today, “O to ge’’ meaning “Enough is Enough’’.

“What is happening today in Kwara is mass movement and that is why everywhere we go in the state we are warmly received, whereas the PDP is being received there with hostility,’’ he said.

The minister said that after inspecting the campaign office and the situation room of BOP, and interacting with the people, he was confident that the 2019 elections in Kwara would be a walkover for the APC.

He said the party had no fewer than 18,000 foot soldiers at polling units level all over Kwara who would in turn target 10 supporters each before the elections.

According to him, the party will on Friday inaugurate 2,800 grassroot canvassers, 193 wards coordinators, 193 wards secretaries, 193 wards women leaders and 193 wards youths leaders.

Mohammed said the most important was the situation room at the BOP headquarters which would have the details of every ward coordinator and contact them daily on the progress made and their challenges.

“We have telephone numbers of all our canvassers, 10 of them in each polling units and we have the mechanism with which we are going to be calling them daily.

“This method is very important and key strategy even than rallies.

“Yes, rallies are very good for perception and moral-boosting, but the real electioneering campaign work is what is being done here,’’ he said.

The minister said it would be difficult for moles to infiltrate the votes canvassers, but if they do, there were mechanism in place to fish them out.

He thanked all the party supporters and financiers for their selfless services and reassured them of victories in the coming polls.

Otunba Ganiyu Zubair, the Coordinator of the BOP 2019, said the situation room inspected by the minister “is a place of deep thinking to map out strategy to deliver Kwara from slavery and looters.’’

Zubair assured that in the general elections scheduled for February, APC would record outstanding votes and victories never witnessed in the history of Kwara.

Speaking in the same vein, the BOP 2019 Secretary, Hon. Ayoola Obisesan said the party was well prepared for victory and nothing would deter APC from taking over all Kwara.

https://all-gists..com/2019/01/2019-winning-kwara-central-is-easy-for-apc-lai-mohammed-boasts.html

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The Peoples Democratic Party Vice Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, on Thursday said his two undergraduate children did not own cars.

He said the children must make money by themselves to buy their own cars and not relying on him.

Obi, who spoke to his kinsmen in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State during a lecture organised in his honour by Agulu Peoples Assembly, said Nigeria was a place where people crave free money to live in luxury.

Obi said he had trained his children to be self-reliant, adding that he had chosen not to join people who crave primitive acquisition.

He said, “I have two graduates who are working, a boy and a girl, and the two of them don’t own any car because they haven’t made enough money to buy a car.

“They were here for the Christmas, and I was talking to some people about them and the person said he saw my son and that he always jumps on buses and tricycles.

“Some people don’t like it that way. They believe I am rich and that my children should not be trekking, and that they should be provided cars.

“But I believe they do not have the money; so, they have to trek.

“Who will give them cars — is it me? My money is my own; so, they should work for theirs.”

He said he was not contesting the VP position to make money, but to build a better Nigeria.

He described Nigeria as “a collapsing country” that needed to be salvaged by voting for the right crop of leaders who have been tested and proved.

“I have been five years out of government, and no one has come to say any one naira was missing in government under my watch. EFCC can come and probe me if they like, I am not afraid.

“I am not here to campaign to my people because I come from here and you know what I did in Anambra.

“Just give me the opportunity and we will change Nigeria, and the country will start working again.”

https://all-gists..com/2019/01/my-two-graduate-children-dont-own-a-car-peter-obi.html

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Members of women and youth wing of APC Presidential Campaign Team on Thursday converged on Abuja for their inauguration by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the PCT members comprised politicians, technocrats, captains of industries, entertainers, as well as retired military and Police officers.

Among dignitaries who arrived the venue of the event was the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari; Senior Special Assistant to the President, Dr. Hajo Sani; and the Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung.

Others were (Rtd) Gen. Buba Marwa, Mrs. Nkechi Rochas-Okorocha, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, former Kebbi Governor Saidu Dakingari; ex-football international, Daniel Amokachi, and some Kannywood actors such as, Ibrahim Mai Shinku.

NAN reports that the APC had appointed Mrs. Buhari the chairperson of the Women and Youth Wing Presidential Campaign Team for the 2019 election.

NAN further reports that the wife of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, was appointed as the co-chair of the campaign team.

The appointees are expected to campaign vigorously for the re-election of President Buhari in the February 16 presidential election.

The APC National Woman leader, Hajiya Salamatu Baiwa, was appointed as the PCT National Coordinator; while Hajiya Binta Mu’azu is to serve as Deputy National Coordinator (North).

Other appointees are Mrs. Adejoke Adefulire, Vice Chairman (South), Mrs. Mairo Al-Makura, Vice Chairman (North) and Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagu as Deputy National Coordinator (South).

Other zonal campaign leaders include Mrs. Rashida Yahaya Bello (North-Central), Mrs. Hadiza Abubakar (North East), Dr. Zainab Atiku Bagudu (North-West), as well as Mrs. Nkechi Rochas-Okorocha (South-East).

Mrs. Florence Abiola-Ajimobi and Mrs. Judith Amaechi are expected to coordinate women and youths from the South-West and the South-South respectively for the re-election of President Buhari.

https://all-gists..com/2019/01/2019-apc-presidential-campaign-team-coverges-on-abuja-for-inauguration.html

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan, in his New Year message, has revealed that 2019 is a new opportunity for Nigerians to be better leaders and better followers.

In the message tweeted on his verified Twitter handle, Jonathan was optimistic as he said that there was a future and hope for Nigeria.

He said, “We do not just have a New Year, we have a new opportunity. A new opportunity to be better leaders and better followers.

“To be better citizens who join hands with our fellow Nigerians, irrespective of region and religion, to bring Nigeria ever closer to the dreams of our founding fathers.”

He added that while 2019 would come with its own challenges, Nigeria will not only survive but will also thrive.

“2019 brings with it its own challenges, but if one sentence should summarise our collective national attitude to those challenges, that sentence is this-Nigeria will survive and thrive, by God’s grace and our collective fidelity to the Nigerian Dream.”

The former president went on to wish Nigerians a happy new year, ” I wish you and your family a Happy New Year. 2019 is the year of better things for Nigeria.”

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President Buhari has appointed former Senate Minority leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio as the National Coordinator of the Presidential Support Committee

Pastor Mfon Okon, the Akwa Ibom state Coordinator of the committee, who disclosed on Thursday, in Uyo said four indigenes of the state have also been appointment into the committee.

They include Lady Valerie Ebe, a former deputy governor of the state as chairman, National Advisory Committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, National Director – Planning & Strategy, Senator Aloysius Etok – National Director for inter-party affairs, and the party’s South-South zonal woman leader, Mrs Rachael Akpabio as the National Assistant Welfare Secretary.

Okon said appointments were a reflection of the confidence President Buhari reposed on their ability to successfully work for his re-election in the forthcoming presidential election.

He called on the people of the state to fully key into national politics by supporting the All Progressives Congress to return the President, and ensure that the party wins Akwa Ibom State in 2019.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway by the APC in the state to ensure a hitch-free South-South zonal flag-off of President Buhari re-election campaign slated for the Godswill Akpabio international stadium, Uyo on December 28th.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/buhari-appoints-akpabio-national-coordinator-of-presidential-support-committee.html

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The former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has wondered why President Muhammadu Buhari planned to flag-off his 2019 presidential campaign in Akwa Ibom State, instead of Zamfara, Borno or Yobe States.

On his verified Twitter handle, Fayose lamented about the number of Nigerians who were being killed in Zamfara State and claimed that all Buhari did was make a phone call.

Fayose bashed Buhari over his plan to kick-off his campaign in Akwa Ibom, a state, which Fayose claimed to have been made peaceful by the Peoples Democratic Party-led government of Governor Emmanuel Udom.

He tweeted, “Nigerians are being killed in Zamfara, President Buhari could only make “phone calls”. But he is going to Akwa Ibom, a state made peaceful by the PDP Govt of Mr UdomEmmanuel to flag off his campaign. Why can’t he do the flag off in Zamfara, Yobe or Borno?”

Buhari had on Tuesday revealed that he would be kicking off his 2019 presidential campaign in the PDP-controlled state.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/why-not-flag-off-your-campaign-in-yobe-borno-or-zamfara-fayose-asks-buhari.html

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The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has appealed to the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha to name the powerful persons who have hijacked the current Federal Government.

Atiku said Aisha should identify the powerful people so Nigerians can either beg them or fight to liberate the President and the country from them.

He spoke through his campaign’s spokesperson, Segun Showunmi, while addressing journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun State yesterday.

He claimed that Buhari doesn’t know “how to fight corruption” even though he had determination to do it.

Showunmi said Atiku had the capacity to fight corruption in a sustainable manner more than the president.

He said, “I want to beg Her Excellency, Dr. Aisha Buhari, to shatter the glass ceiling and mention those two people that have hijacked our president so that we can either go to beg them or we fight them and liberate the president of Nigeria from their stranglehold.


“Maybe in the remaining couple of months that he has, he will be able to be the Buhari that people wanted him to be.

“We want to know them so that we can write their names in the black book of history that they were the ones that destroyed the Buhari presidency.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/atiku-begs-aisha-reveal-identities-two-powerful-people-frustrating-buhari.html

The former Military Governor of Lagos State, rtd. Gen. Buba Marwa, said that all those aiming to occupy Aso Presidential Villa should wait till 2023, as President Muhammadu Buhari would be returned to power in 2019.

Marwa made the declaration while fielding questions from journalists on Thursday in Yola.

Marwa, who is the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee on Drugs, said he was confident that President Buhari would defeat other presidential candidates in the 2019 election.

“Buba Marwa Organization is the first to organise rally in support of President Buhari in 2016, because Buhari has done very well in three areas of economy, security and fight against corruption.

“He will return for the second term by the grace of God; and for that, I have no doubt that all those vying for Aso Villa should wait till 2023,” Marwa said.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/no-vancy-in-aso-rock-till-2023-buba-marwa-tells-atiku-kingsley-ezekwesili.html

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Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has described the killings in Zamfara State as barbaric, unacceptable and called on the security agencies to swiftly devise a strategy to put an end to the ugly situation.

He also said that the killings was a major threat to our democracy, particularly as we move towards election period in the next 50 days.

Saraki, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, stated that the situation in Zamfara State is a demonstration that unlike in 2015 when the only crisis point in the northern part of the country was the North-east zone, the North-west has today been engulfed by a bloody situation in which human lives are wasted on a daily basis.

He said the killings have gone on for too long and the situation has not been given the desired attention as well as the right strategy that will stop it, adding that there was a clear indication of systemic failure.

“There is need for certain and proper profiling of the situation so that we can know whether it is simple cattle rustling, vicious armed robbery on a large scale, religious cum ethnic crisis or invasion by foreign forces.

“Our security agencies must immediately come out with a proper understanding of the situation, the right strategy and deployment of the necessary troops to tackle the menace. We must within the next few days send the right signals to the criminals in that area that the Nigerian State will no longer tolerate the on-going blood-letting.

“We must immediately change our strategy. Also, the President has to take full, direct control. May be the President must widen the consultation within the armed forces on the search for solution to this problem. He must go beyond the first line military top brass. We need to get ideas from more sources than we presently do.

“In 2014, I remember that President Jonathan was told that ‘you control the armed forces and you are the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic, why should any part of the country be under occupation by criminals’. Why should we not apply the same logic to the occurrence in Zamfara today?

“It is expected that by now, the President would have arranged a meeting with leaders of the National Assembly, legislators, traditional rulers and other key stakeholders from the affected state, to exchange ideas and proffer lasting solutions to the issue. The key advantage of a democracy is that it provides for wide consultation and inclusion. No one person or group has all the monopoly of knowledge. We really need to do all that is possible to stop the carnage,

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/zamafara-killings-unacceptablethreat-to-our-democracy-saraki.html

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Nollywood actress, Eniola Badmus has just shared some interesting Christmas photos posing with live chickens.

She wrote, 'Christmas is always an emotional time for me as it plays up rich childhood memories and also amplifies the need to show geniue love. Folks, while we gallivant and Jollyficate during the season, let's remember to show love in gifts/ Kind and make this Christmas SPECIALLY memorable for someone! Merry Christmas Guys!'.

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https://all-gists..com/2018/12/eniola-badmus-and-her-live-chickens-release-christmas-pictures.html

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The Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, sustained his administration’s history of honoring high performing teenagers in the state as another One-Day Teenage Governor, Miss Chineme Joy Ota, was inaugurated today.

Speaking at Government House, Umuahia, during the inauguration of the Teanage Governor, Dr. Ikpeazu expressed appreciation for the good performance of Abia students in public examinations in the last four years.

According to him: “For the first time in the history of the state and possibly Nigeria in general, Abia students have maintained first position, back to back, in West Africa School Certificate Examination (WASCE) for four consecutive years”.

Governor Ikpeazu who urged the Teenage Governor and her executive team to ensure they use the opportunity to learn more about good leadership and the running of successful state institutions, expressed appreciation to Abia school teachers and parents for raising high flying children that will take over the leadership of the state in the future.

The Governor said: “I am confident that with the modest achievements we have recorded in the education sector in the past four years and going forward, our future is assured in Abia State.

“We are not going to rest on our laurels but will continue to add to what we have done to ensure that Abia remains the number one State as far as education is concerned in Nigeria.”

The Governor, who expressed hope that the students would excel in their future engagements, congratulated the Teanage Governor and her executive team on their success in the debate and quiz competitions that led to their emergence.

Responding, the 18-year old student of Ohafia Girls Model Secondary School, Miss Chineme Joy Ota, on behalf of her 20-member executive team, requested that the Teenage Governor initiative be sustained in the State to encourage hard-work and academic excellence among teenagers.

The Teanage Governor, who is an orphan, made a case for the establishment of a Youth Centre in the State to tackle cases of child abuse.

She stated that as an orphan from a very young age, she faced various challenges but thanked God for seeing her through and making her a voice for others.The new One-Day-Governor, who hails from Amaekpu Ohafia is the second to be inaugurated by Governor Ikpeazu.

Miss Joy Eze, who is now a law student of Abia State University, Uturu, was the first One Day Governor of the State.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/Gov-Ikpeazu-Appoints-18-year-old-Chineme-Ota-As-2018-One-day-Abia-Governor.html

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday sent warm greetings to Nigerians, particularly Christians, as they celebrated Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ.

But he quickly acknowledged that 2018 was a mixed year of mindless bloodletting and the recovery of the country’s economy from recession, among other challenges.

Buhari personally signed his Christmas message.

He wrote, “I felicitate with all Nigerians, particularly our Christian brothers and sisters, on the joyous occasion of this year’s Christmas, which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.

“Like I have done in the last three Christmas messages to my fellow compatriots as a serving President, I believe this season is another opportunity to reflect on the imagery of the humble, symbolic and divine birth of a young child thousands of years ago in Bethlehem, Judea, and the message of hope, compassion, salvation, reconciliation, forgiveness and peace that Jesus Christ embodies and conveys.”

The President further stated that 2018 would go down as a year of mixed blessings for Nigerians.

He explained, “In 2018, Nigerians have had mixed blessings, typical of human beings. On the pleasant side, our economy has made significant progress since coming out from recession and our faithful implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

“Agricultural revolution has seen a vastly improved local production to the detriment of importation, while we have achieved surplus in our trade balance. Similarly, infrastructural deficit has been greatly reduced with significant improvements in roads, railways, aviation and power.

“In addition, we have not relented in the fight against corruption while the business environment has been improved through institutional reforms.

“On the downside, we have seen so many unnecessary deaths caused by violent clashes between neighbours, who ordinarily should complement and support one another.”

Buhari added that many other lives were lost to floods, unfortunate fire disasters, road accidents, farmers/herders’ clashes and insurgency,” which he said, could no longer be brought back.

He stated, “But, we can put back smiles on the faces of the grieving, the displaced and the troubled, if we show a little love and re-commit ourselves to building relationships with those outside our ethnic, religious and socio-political divides.”

In the spirit of Christmas, the President urged Nigerians to remember those who could not afford food by providing for their needs and pray for them.

He made a similar call to remember the Armed Forces and others facing grave situations to keep the country one.

Buhari added, “Our brave Armed Forces, and other security men and women who make incredible sacrifices to keep us safe, the aged, the sick, physically challenged persons, all deserve our goodwill in this season of love and sharing.

“Together we can show generosity to our neighbours and demonstrate the diversity that makes Nigeria unique – a land with a beautiful climate and vegetation, beaming with an energetic and creative youth population.

“We must not also forget that what lies ahead of us as a nation is better than whatever we must have experienced in the past.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/s0-sad-nigeria-recorded-many-unnecessary-deaths-in-2018-buhari.html

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The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly, (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, on Monday insisted that Godswill Akpabio International Stadium would be used for the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress’ presidential campaign on Friday.

Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State had rejected the application for the use of the stadium, citing the Nigeria Premier football league season that would start soon and the closure of the stadium by Julius Berger, a firm handling its maintenance.

But speaking at a media briefing in Uyo, Enang said the party would use diplomacy to ensure that Buhari use the stadium for campaign.

He, however, said that if diplomacy failed it would have no option but to still go ahead to use the stadium.

Enang said, “The Akwa Ibom State Government had stated that it was preserving the field for the football match coming up next year, and that the Godswill Akpabio Stadium will not be used for the campaign.

“We will continue to use diplomacy but if diplomacy fails, we will still use the stadium. It is public facility, a collective heritage of the Akwa Ibom people, Buhari is the President of Nigeria and nobody can restrain him from using any facility anywhere in the country. The President has been fair, kind and generous to Akwa Ibom people.”

Acknowledging that Udom had some measure of immunity, Enang said such immunity should stop where the right of the people started and where the collective sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was involved.

He said the APC would resist every attempt by Udom to blackmail the state.

Enang, who said the APC 2019 presidential campaign would take off on December 28, added that Buhari would present the party’s flag to its governorship candidates in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers states during the event.

“President Muhammadu Buhari and the 2019 presidential candidates of the APC will be in Akwa Ibom State on Friday, December 28, 2018 for the take off of his 2019 presidential campaign.

“The President is coming with the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, national leaders of the party, national officers and all the serving governors under the platform of the party.

“The governorship candidates of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers and Delta states will be officially presented with the party’s flag,” Enang said.

He explained that the campaign would kick off in the state because Akwa Ibom people had accepted the President and that the state was ripe for harvest because “the governor has performed below average.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/buhari-will-campaign-at-aibom-stadium-federal-govt-insists.html

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Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state, Monday drove power bike round his state with his wife Mrs Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha.

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https://all-gists..com/2018/12/okorocha-cruises-with-wife-photos.html

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Chairman of the University of Calabar branch of Academic Staff Union of Universities, Dr. Tony Eyang, on Friday said the Federal Government is not serious about its negotiation with the union.

Eyang, who spoke against the backdrop of the recent deadlock with the government, said a simple way to show commitment, beyond the series of Memorandum of Agreements, was for the government to implement just one of its earlier promises.

The Federal Government had on Wednesday said that its negotiation team and ASUU were close to signing an agreement and resolving the ongoing strike by the university lecturers.

But Eyang said it is not the signing of an agreement that is the problem, but the implementation of such agreement.

He said, “The Memorandum of Action of 2017 must be implemented. It is more or less a pathway to the implementation of the 2009 agreement. The way to move forward was what necessitated the N20bn commitment from FG but nothing has been.

“We have made our demands, it is now left for government to react in concrete terms that they are serious. One of the demands is the mainstreaming of earned academic allowances into salaries beginning with the 2019 budget, but what do we know about the budget which was presented just three days ago.

“What we are told is that it has been factored it, but we do not know if it is so. We are not looking for 100 per cent implementation, all we want is some demonstration of seriousness. It is not ASUU that is being difficult here, but government is being unserious. For several months that this union has been on strike they have been dancing around the issues.

“Let me tell you, the 2017 Memorandum of Agreement had timeline, but one year after, the timeline was not met and another strike has had to be called to force the government to look into it.

“So, on this matter, what argument, what discussions, what agreement are you getting into again with the government when we had reached one with a timeline for the release of the money, owing people who have worked. “

“ASUU will for instance not insist that FG should pay the N1tr at once for the upgrade of universities. Last year, government proposed that it would release N20bn as a mark of commitment to the revitalisation of universities and ASUU accepted, but up till now it has not been done. Our members are very agitated and FG has not demonstrated commitment,” he added.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/buhari-government-is-unserious-ASUU.html

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The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Campaign Organization, PPCO, Saturday warned President Muhammadu Buhari to end further plans of imposing new taxes on Nigerians, noting that Nigerians are overburdened and pauperized by his incompetent administration.

Disclosing this to newsmen, the Director Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, Kola Ologbondiyan, urged Buhari to channel his energy and recover the purported N14 trillion looted under his cover by APC leaders and the cabal in his Presidency.

The full statement:

The PDP Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO) condemns as punitive, the plans by President Muhammadu Buhari to impose new taxes on Nigerians who are already overburdened, impoverished and pauperized by his incompetent, insensitive, uncaring, vindictive and corrupt administration.

It is disheartening that instead of President Buhari to seek ways to recover the over N14 trillion looted under his cover by APC leaders and the cabal in his Presidency, Mr. President is seeking to inflict more pain on distraught Nigerians, by imposing new taxes on them in the coming year.

The PPCO holds that Nigerians have suffered too much and have made immeasurable sacrifices under this overtly corrupt and oppressive administration, that is running archaic, harsh and anti-people economic policies.

Why would President Buhari want to impose more taxes on Nigerians when he has refused to recover trillions of Naira in unremitted oil revenue held down by his cronies and APC leaders, under his watch, in the last three and half years?

We hold that Nigerians are already overtaxed by the Buhari administration, which has foisted sundry hidden taxes on our day-by-day goods and services in the most critical sectors of our lives, resulting in high costs that have made life miserable for our citizens.

By thinking of imposing new taxes, President Buhari has shown that he is less concerned about the plight of our citizens, who have suffered so much hardship under his insensitive regime that they now resort to suicide and slavery mission outside the shores of our country as options.

Moreover, our nation abound with huge natural and human resources which President Buhari’s administration, in its incompetence, lacks the capacity to harness, leading to this resort to Further fleecing of Nigerians.

The PPCO in rejecting the planned new taxes, charges President Buhari, who has confessed to his inability to run our economy, to get ready to quit the stage, as Nigerians are now rallying behind the PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who understands the art of wealth creation and management of resources, that puts no undue burden on our hardworking compatriots. Enough is Enough!

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/enough-is-enough-you-cant-impose-new-taxes-on-nigerians-pdp-warns-buhari.html

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Senate president Bukola Saraki has assured Nigeria will get a better deal a government of the People;s Democratic Party from 2019.

He spoke during a ‘ thank you visit’ to PDP canvassers in Ilorin West and Asa local government areas of Kwara state.

Saraki lamented that the APC led federal government had shortchanged the people of Kwara state who voted massively for its candidates across board in 2015.

He, however, told Kwarans not to grief about the treatment meted to them by the APC government, assuring them of a better deal under Atiku Abubakar PDP- led federal government come next year.

“Today I’m not here for campaign, I’m here to thank you my people for your support. I urge you to remain steadfast in your support for us and our party, the PDP, which will by God’s grace form the federal government after the 2019 elections.

“We regret the undeserved treatment meted to you by the APC government which you voted massively for in 2015. However, let me assure you of better deal in the next political dispensation when our party shall by the special grace of God and your support form government at the centre.

“I also want to assure you that unlike the unfaithful APC, the PDP will fulfill its promises to Nigerians. The PDP will chase APC out of power in 2019 because our people have been subjected to untold hardship in the last three and half years. APC deliberately edged us out in the scheme of things so as to deny our people dividends of democracy,” the Senate President stated.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/pdp-better-government-for-nigeria-bukola-saraki.html

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American congressman, Christopher Smith, who is also the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, has urged President Donald Trump to use his sanctioning authority to hold accountable any (Nigerian) official who subverts the 2019 electoral process or foment violence against citizens.

He issued a statement concerning the 2019 general elections, zeroing in on the North East violence which he believes is ‘largely attributable to Fulani extremists.’

He states: “I am very concerned by the current trajectory in Nigeria, Africa’s largest democracy and economy, and President Muhammadu Buhari’s apparent crackdown on non-violent protests and harassment of opposition leaders, such as freezing the assets of opposition vice presidential candidate Peter Obi and the raiding of the home of two sons of opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar.

“I call upon the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that elections will be free and fair, and for the Commission to remain impartial.

“I further call upon President Buhari to use his authority to end the violence perpetrated by Fulani extremists, particularly in the Middle Belt region, and question why he has failed to do so.

“I also urge the Trump Administration to monitor the evolving situation closely, and not to hesitate to use its sanctioning authority to hold accountable any officials who subvert the electoral process or foment violence against citizens.”

Smith chaired a hearing on Nigeria on December 13, 2018, entitled “Nigeria at a Crossroads: The Upcoming Election.”

It may be recalled that the Buhari administration denied the allegation of freezing Peter Obi’s assets, while it also said that it was the home of the son of a former Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji, that was searched by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and not that of Atiku Abubakar’s two sons as alleged.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/punish-any-nigerian-official-who-manipulates-2019-elections-congressman-chris-smith-urges-trump.html

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No fewer than 5,000 people from different parties in Kwara South Senatorial District on Saturday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a rally in Omu-Aran, Kwara.

The decampees, majorly from the Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP), were received and presented with their membership cards at the APC campaign flag-off in respect of Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency in the 2019 general elections.

According to them, only the APC at all levels of governance could help to actualise our yearnings and aspirations.

“Any reasonable person or politician must know the right time to stay or quit and as far as I’m concerned the APC by every standard represents the best interest of Nigerian people.

“I have the conviction that in any free, fair and credible election in Nigeria like the recently concluded by-election in the state, the APC will always come out victorious,’’ he said.

“We still stand by our promise to the electorate before our victory in the last by-election that we are going to do things differently as way of impacting positively on our people.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/5000-pdp-decamp-to-apc-in-kwara.html

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The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris Kpotum, over the dissolution of the state executive of the party by the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole had, after a meeting of the National Working Committee of the party, announced the dissolution of the state executives, alongside those of Ogun State.

The chairman had alleged that they were loyal to their state governors, who had been at loggerheads with the party Headquarters over the non-recognition of their candidates as the party’s flag bearers for the 2019 governorship elections.

Soon after dissolution, Oshiomhole yesterday inaugurated a nine-member caretaker committee to be led by Hon. Marcellinus O. Nlemigbo for the Imo chapter of the party. The interim exco included Hon. Ugochukwu Nzekwe (Deputy Chairman), Lady Love Ineh (Secretary), Chief Linus Ineoha (Organising Secretary), Engr. Nicholas Osuagwu (Zonal Chairman), and Mrs. Josephine Nnorom (Women’s Leader).

Oshiomhole said he would flag off the governorship campaign for the Imo State candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma, on Friday. But the embattled chairman of the party, Dan Nwafor, in a statement, yesterday, drew the attention of the IGP and party officials to a court order which restrained the National Working Committee from tampering with the executive of the party both at state and local government levels.

Nwafor described Oshiomhole’s action as not only illegal, ultra vires, but also usurping the powers of the executive as enshrined in the constitution of the party. He said the action was against the judgement of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, in suit number FCT/HC/BW/CU/103/2018 in the case between Evan Enwerem and APC and two others delivered on August 14, 2018.

The statement said, “The said illegal and unconstitutional action of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and his NWC shall certainly elicit some hostile reactions from the affected officers (9,000) excluding their supporters and followers.”

Nwafor said the affected officers and their supporters whose rights had been “deliberately infringed upon without any charge or allegations against them and who were not heard at all, are now restive and may resort to self-help.”

Also, the APC chairman in Ogun State, Derin Adebiyi, yesterday rejected dissolution of the party executive as an exercise in futility. Adebiyi in a statement issued yesterday in Abeokuta, said the matter was sub judice, saying it was before a court of competent jurisdiction presided over by Hon. Justice Jude Okeke of the FCT High Court, Abuja.

According to him, the State chapter in a suit marked CV/363/2018, had sought for the protection of the court against attempts by the NWC to undermine it and abridge its tenure in any form.

Adebiyi further described the action as “a brazen disregard for the judiciary,” adding that what the Oshiomhole-led NWC did “amounts to self-help and bare-faced attempt to render nugatory the judicial powers granted the courts by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/excos-kick-as-oshiomhole-dissolves-imo-ogun-apc-leaderships.html

God Bless Nigeria

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Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday, fired at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), hours after President Muhammadu Buhari was booed as he presented the 2019 Budget.

In his statement posted on his official Facebook page, Saraki noted that Nigerians have witnessed stunted growth in their respective businesses, lost their jobs during the recent recession and lost innocent citizens to insurgency in parts of the North East.

He wrote: “The last three-and-a-half years have been eventful ones at the global level and in our domestic economy. From dips in oil prices to major shifts in the economic landscape, crude oil production shut-ins and security challenges, the economy and Nigerians have been directly impacted by these events.

“Many businesses closed down and many people lost their jobs during the recent recession. In the same period, we lost innocent citizens to insurgency in parts of the North East, thousands were displaced, and many lives also lost due to clashes between farmers and herders, in addition to the general hardship unleashed by unstable economic winds.
“The recovery from the recession is still fragile. The fundamentals underlying the recovery remain weak, and if unchecked, can lead to dire consequences. The economy still runs on oil and very little progress has been made in terms of diversification.

“As a result, the expansionary budget policy in effect since 2016, which was aimed at raising spending and stimulating growth in the economy, was not matched by achievable revenue targets. The corollary is higher and rising deficit as well as a considerable debt burden, all due to an unsustainable fiscal stance.

“The under-performance of independent revenues is straining government’s ability to meet its expenditure, especially investments in critical infrastructure. This further exposes government to higher deficit levels which have been largely financed by borrowing.

“To be clear, two scenarios will play out if we do not deal decisively with challenges to revenue. These would be to: i. accommodate higher debt with higher repayment costs, which is not sustainable; ii. reduce the capital budget, which would mean a slow-down in government investment in critical infrastructure. This, again, does not aid growth or economy development.

“It is for these reasons that the National Assembly required that the 2018 Budget proposal and future ones be accompanied by a Finance Bill, which would give credence to the financial proposals of government.

“It is one way of establishing credibility in projected revenues. It is imperative, therefore, that a 2019 Finance Bill is submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/bukola-saraki-blasts-apc-after-buhari-was-booed-at-national-assemnly.html

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) says the “failure” of Senate President Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, to rein in on “unruly” Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers is an indication that they planned to embarrass President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari was booed by some lawmakers when he presented the 2019 budget to a joint session of the national assembly on Wednesday.

The lawmakers, comprising of house of representatives members and senators, interrupted the president’s speech.

In a statement, Lanre Issa-Onilu, APC spokesman, said the act was “shameful.”

“By law, respect for the office of the president or head of government in any clime is not a matter of choice but a civic obligation sanctioned by laws. Being an opposition party or critic is no licence for such wayward conduct by the PDP legislative caucus; most especially against the president of the country,” Issa-Onilu said.

“Nigerians are not oblivious of the actions and inaction of the national assembly presiding officers, Senate President, Bukola Saraki and speaker, house of representatives, Yakubu Dogara while the president was being heckled by the PDP legislative caucus.

“Their failure to rein in their unruly PDP colleagues, while their show of shame lasted clearly confirmed that the PDP members’ action was premeditated and orchestrated to embarrass the President.

“When the APC was in opposition, Nigerians will recall statements by the PDP government that the immediate-past President Goodluck Jonathan did not personally present the national budget to the national assembly based on fears that he will be heckled and embarrassed by the opposition federal lawmakers at the time.

“The fears turned out to be misplaced as that never happened when Jonathan eventually presented the national budget. Such shameful and undignified practice has no place in our progressive ideology.

“The PDP lawmakers and their conniving leaders have a lot of questions to answer. First, we wonder why they cannot stomach the evident and verifiable achievements of the APC-led government in the areas of power, rail and road infrastructure, social intervention programmes as contained in the proposed budget.

“The APC commends President Muhammadu Buhari for remaining calm and focused during the budget presentation despite the provocation from PDP lawmakers, an act of statesmanship that has been acknowledged by Nigerians. We are equally proud of the APC lawmakers, who stood firm in defence of the president and our great party during the budget presentation.

“We call on the National Assembly to rise above political and selfish interests by putting the country first in its consideration of the proposed N8.83 trillion 2019 national budget.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/apc-tackles-unruly-lawmakers-blames-saraki-dogara.html

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The presidential candidate of the Accord Party, Isaac Ositelu, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance on Wednesday protested against the decision of the Nigeria Election Debate Group and the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria to select candidates of only five political parties for the presidential debate scheduled for January 19, 2019.

The organisations had restricted participants at the debate to the presidential candidates of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, Oby Ezekwesili; Alliance for New Nigeria, Fela Durotoye; All Progressives Congress, President Muhammadu Buhari; Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar; and Young Progressives Party, Kingsley Moghalu.

But Ositelu, in a statement made available to journalists, said all candidates taking part in the presidential election ought to have been given opportunity of taking part in the debate.

He said by denying other candidates the opportunity of presenting their manifestoes to Nigerians, the NEDG and BON have unwittingly denied other candidates opportunity to compete fairly for votes in the election.

Ositelu said he ought to have been accorded recognition in the debate given that Accord Party, with over 11 years of participation in the electoral processes in Nigeria, had membership bases across the 36 states and Abuja.

He said, “Accord Party has previously produced members of the National and state Houses of Assembly. If such success tractions were the consideration for rating, the Accord Party deserved better recognition by the NEDG and BON.

“Accord Party is one of the very few parties that could boast of nominating candidates for states and national elections in the 2019 general elections.”

Ositelu called on the organisers of the debate to correct the bias against the interest of Accord Party and its candidate.

He said the right to debate in the electoral process should be an inalienable privilege for all the candidates.

“Anything to the contrary would present NEDG and BON as having established prejudices against the likes of Accord Party and will call to question the integrity of the debate organisers,” he added.



Also, APGA in a letter addressed to the two organisations dated December 18 and signed by the national chairman, Victor Oye, appealed to them to include its presidential candidate, John Gbor, in the debate.

Oye said there was no justification in the exception of the party’s presidential and vice presidential candidates in the debates, saying APGA is the third largest party in the country.

The letter read, “I write to complain about the exclusion of our presidential and vice-presidential candidates from the ongoing debates being organised by your organisations, the Nigeria Election Debate Group and Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria.

“It is an established fact at present that our party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, is the third largest political party in Nigeria. Therefore, it should have been part of the debates no matter whatever procedure or yardstick your organisations may have used to draw up political parties and their candidates included in the debates.

“So, APGA ought to have been among the ones chosen, so far as the number of parties to be involved in the debates are beyond two.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/accord-party-apga-presidential-candidates-protest-exclusion-from-debate.html

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The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has saluted the selflessness, courage and statesmanship of Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who clocks 56 years today.

The former vice president in a congratulatory message, signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, said Saraki has carved a niche for himself in the annals of Nigeria’s politics and good governance.

According to him, “Saraki is an embodiment of finesse, a fusion of intellectual fecundity and leadership competence; a brave defender of democracy and symbol of courage; and an adherent to the rule of law and selfless stewardship.”

“I rejoice with a compatriot and political ally as he walks the stage of his golden age. Bukola is a man of great past, commendable present and promising future. I pray that almighty Allah will continue to grant him greater vision, robust vitality and a wealth of good health, in the service of our nation and humanity at large”, Atiku said.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/atiku-celebrates-saraki-at-56-describes-him-as-symbol-of-courage.html

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Shehu Sani, the Senator representing Kaduna Central, has reacted to the blockade of the National Assembly by Nigeria police following four days strike declared by workers.

Leadership of the National Assembly on Monday requested the Police and the Directorate of Security Services (DSS) to ensure adequate security within and outside the premises from Tuesday morning to enable members and staff come in and perform their legitimate duties without any hindrance.

The directive was passed after a meeting of the joint leadership of the two chambers with the management and representatives of the security agencies.

In response to this, men of the Police Force on Tuesday morning occupied the National Assembly Complex, preventing workers from gaining entrance.

Sani, reacting to the development on Tuesday, warned security agencies against applying force on the National Assembly workers protesting in front of the assembly.

The Kaduna lawmaker urged the NASS leaders to rather engage in dialogue with the workers to resolve the strike.

On his Twitter page, he wrote: “Force must not be used to ‘clear’ the protesting workers at the National Assembly.

“The dialogue process should continue in order to resolve the impasse.

“Their demands are legitimate. As Democrats, We must always continue to set an example for civility.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/strike-shehu-sani-reveals-national-assembly-must-workers.html