₦airaland Forum

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The management and leadership of the National Assembly have explained why they invited the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services to secure the complex.

The leadership is led by President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, while the management is led by Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr Mohammed Sani-Omolori.

They asked Nigerians to hold the security agencies responsible should President Muhammadu Buhari fail to present the 2019 Appropriation Bill on Wednesday as planned.

In a statement issued by Sani-Omolori in the early hours of Tuesday shortly after an emergency meeting they called with the management of the National Assembly, they said they had directed the police and DSS to ensure adequate security within the vicinity of the National Assembly from Tuesday morning “to enable members and staff come in and perform their legitimate duties without any hinderance.”

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

It stated that the meeting was called by the political leadership to listen to the Clerk-led management on efforts made so far to address the grievances of the striking staff.

The statement read, “The leadership of the National Assembly called the meeting because they know that almost all the issues raised by the striking workers were being addressed by the management. And after listening to the CNA, it was unanimously agreed that the management had made sufficient plans and efforts to address all the grievances of the workers and ensure their happiness.

“We were sure that the issues raised by the workers have been well attended to and that it is necessary for the business of the National Assembly to continue without any disturbance. Both chambers must hold their normal plenary tomorrow (Tuesday) morning to prepare the ground for the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 to present the budget proposal to the joint sitting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“We have therefore mandated the security agencies to perform their duty of maintaining law and order in the National Assembly Complex and its surrounding. They must enforce the laws which allow the striking workers to down tools if they choose to and also the ones which restrain them from disturbing those who choose to work or stop parliamentarians from entering the chambers or their offices to do the work for which they were elected.

“Senators and members of the House of Representatives, their aides, other workers and people who have legitimate business within the National Assembly Complex are therefore advised to come in as they will be free to operate without any hindrance and molestation.

“If President Buhari is unable to present the budget proposal on Wednesday as scheduled Nigerians should hold the security agencies responsible for failing in the performance of their duties.”

Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, who was accosted by journalists, said the sides in the crisis were “closing ranks” and that President Buhari’s planned budget presentation was “still on course.”‎

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/hold-police-dss-responsible-if-buhari-CANT-PRESENT-BUDGET-SARAKI-DOGARA.html

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On Monday, Fayose said the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate in the 2019 poll, President Muhammadu Buhari, has lost all the goodwill to seek for re-election, saying it’s time for him to leave office.

Fayose disclosed this in a goodwill message at a youth town-hall meeting in Lagos organised for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as part of his ongoing campaign for 2019 Presidency.

He claimed that 90 percent of Nigerians have resolved to vote for Atiku.

This, according to him, explains why the APC can’t go out to campaign because there is nothing to show Nigerians that they achieved in the last three years.

He alleged that the ruling party and Buhari are planning to rig the 2019 election just as he advised Nigerians to resist the plan.

“There is difference between democracy and military rule. Our candidate, a former Vice-President, is a product of democracy. He has what it takes to lead Nigeria. APC is left with rigging and vote-buying but we will not allow that to happen”, Fayose said.

Many youth leaders who spoke at the town hall meeting said Atiku’s plan is youth-focused and vowed to resist any attempt to rig the 2019 elections.

A youth leader, Bodunrin Oriade, said Nigeria needs a president who is an entrepreneur, noting that Nigeria has not been fortunate to produce one, saying this is what Atiku/Obi ticket will correct.

The town-hall meeting had in attendance Atiku Abubakar, his running mate, Peter Obi, and members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) led by the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus.

Also in attendance is the PDP governorship candidate in Lagos, Jimi Agbaje and his running mate, Haleemat Busari, among other notable dignitaries.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/fayose-reacts-at-buhari-as-he-clock-76th-today-blasts-apc.html

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President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to understand him and give him more time to translate his intentions for the country.

Mr Buhari made the call Monday in Abuja after a special parade organised in his honour by the Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army to celebrate his 76th birthday.

Speaking briefly with State House correspondents in both English and Hausa languages, Mr Buhari said, “Nigerians should continue to pray for me and understand my intentions and give me time.”

Mr Buhari also said he will keep reminding Nigerians about his performance in office so far.

“We will keep reminding Nigerians about what we have done, how we met the country, what we were able to do from the time we came in to now with the resources available to us.”

The president and his party leaders have repeatedly told Nigerians that the challenges being faced were caused by the Peoples Democratic Party which governed the country for 16 years until 2015.

The president said he was impressed by the honour shown to him by the Army.

“I am impressed, they put a lot of time behind it and I thank them very much. I appreciate it indeed.”

Apart from the special parade session, various birthday cards were presented to the president.

The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, presented a card on behalf of the Armed Forces, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation presented on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, while the president’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, also presented a card on behalf of the president’s aides.

The commandant of the Guards Brigade also presented a card on behalf of the army unit responsible for the protection of the president and his family.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/give-me-more-time-buhari-beg-nigerians-on-76th-birthday.html

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Malam Garba Shehu is the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the Pres. Buhari fire back at PDP for complaining that

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https://all-gists..com/2018/12/mind-your-business-garba-shehu-fires-back-at-pdp-for-complaining-that-buhari.html

I can't wait for presidential debate.....

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has felicitated with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers as he clocks 51 years.
The party, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, described Wike as a pillar of democracy.

It also described him as a fearless and extraordinary leader, who places justice, due process, equity and fairness above all, in the struggle for the restoration of democratic values and good governance in the nation.

“The PDP particularly appreciates Gov. Wike for his doggedness in standing for the party during its most trying moments as well as his sacrifices and commitment toward the stability and repositioning of the party for the task ahead.

“Furthermore, the PDP is proud of Governor Wike’s outstanding performance in the development of Rivers, which has earned him the sobriquet of “Mr. Projects.”

Ologbondiyan said that Wike remained a quintessential manager of men and resources.

He said that Wike’s sterling performances as a former local government chairman, Chief of Staff of Rivers, Minister of the Federal Republic and now as governor of Rivers stand as indelible testimonies of his stewardship to his fatherland.

This, according to the party spokesman, had made the people of Rivers to resolve to re-elect him in 2019.

“The PDP therefore prays God to continue to bless Governor Wike with good health, sound mind and courage to continue in the service of our nation and humanity in general,’’ he said.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/pdp-felicitates-with-gov-wike-at-51.html

Good Morning....[Nairalander]

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The Kwara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday postponed its plan to launch Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s governorship election campaign over insecurity problem.

The campaign was scheduled to hold in Kosubosu, the headquarters of the Baruten Local Government Area of the state, before the abrupt cancellation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kosubosu is a border community with the Republic of Benin which is a journey of more than five hours from Ilorin.

Journalists and party supporters had gathered on Thursday morning for the political journey when a member of the Media Committee, Kayode Oyin-Zubair, conveyed the decision of the party to the media men.

NAN findings revealed that the party postponed the programme due to an alleged plan by some thugs to scuttle the event.

However, Mr Kehinde Musa, a party supporter in Kosubosu, expressed dismay over the postponement of the governorship campaign.

Musa noted that a mammoth crowd had gathered in Kosubosu to receive the APC governorship candidate before the information was relayed to them.

He stated that the massive APC supporters in the area would file out again when next the party decided to meet the people.

Meanwhile, Kwara APC chairman, Mr Bashir Bolarinwa, who expressed regret over the suspension in a statement on Thursday, blamed the postponement on ‘incontrovertible security reports.’

“The manifesto presentation ceremony of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, which was expected to witness a mammoth attendance today (Thursday) in Kosubosu, Baruten Local Government Area, was regrettably called off due to very strong and incontrovertible security reports.

“As a responsible party, we put the protection of the lives of our teeming party members and indeed enthusiastic supporters who were waiting to line our routes above other considerations.

“We, therefore, use this opportunity to appeal to our party faithful for the inconveniences caused them as many had already gathered at various departure points,” Abdulrazaq said.

He also announced that the party had taken full charge of the campaign structures, processes and activities for the purpose of delivering an effective mobilisation of all Kwarans for the victory of the party.

He said that a new date for the campaign take-off would be announced soon

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/breaking-apc-postpones-governorship-campaign-in-kwara-over-insecurity.html

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Following his inability to return N120m allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed 59 charges against a former Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe.

It was learnt that Okupe will be arraigned before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Maitama.

The charges border on money laundering and criminal diversion of public funds and receiving about N120m when he “ought to have known that the said fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity of Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (retd.) the then National Security Adviser, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As amended in 2012) and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.”

Okupe, who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan from 2012 to 2015, admitted on social media that he received N10m monthly from a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) based on the instruction of Jonathan.

According to Okupe, the money was meant for a programme on NTA known as ‘Insight’ which showcased the achievements of Jonathan.

In his statement, Okupe said, “The initial N50m was approved by the President to be paid to me from his security vote. N10m was to furnish my rented living apartment and another N10m for my office. The balance N30m was approved as take-off grant.

“The N10m I received from the ONSA monthly was to run my office, pay salaries of staff, including overheads, pay expenses for our numerous press conferences, pay for publications in newspapers, magazines, local and foreign, television programmes, bulletins, and media consultants who assist and facilitate our work. I had about 23 staffers, 11 were graduates out of which five were master’s degree holders.

“The second N50m was approved again by Mr. President when I reported to him that the monthly allowance had been cut from N10m to N5m and that I was no longer in position to keep running a one-hour NTA network programme called ‘Insight’ which was aired 9-10am every Friday.

“We paid NTA about N1.2m monthly for airtime. Two presenters were paid N600, 000 monthly. The lead presenter on Insight earned N400,000 and the second presenter earned N200,000. Total N600,000.”

“We paid for tapes and editing per programme. Besides we also pay honorarium for guests either directly or in form of hotel bills for those outside Abuja, or transportation.

“This cost averagely N500,000 weekly or about N2m monthly. All in all, we spend about N4m monthly on the programme. Mr. President promised to help with the expenses. About a few months later when we had incurred some debts the NSA sent me this N50m which was to cover the cost of the programme for 12 months.”

However, Mr. Sola Atere, who was the Executive Director (News) of the NTA, denied that the station received any money from Okupe.

According to him, the programme was done free of charge as part of the station’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

Atere said initially, the programme, ‘Insight’ was anchored by external persons but later on NTA presenters took over.

He told the EFCC, “Two external persons anchored the programme at the inception but midway, they were not forthcoming. So, NTA presenters were detailed to anchor it. No money was charged for production and transmission of the programme.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/breaking-efcc-files-59-charges-as-okupe-fails-to-return-n120m.html

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The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on Thursday disagreed with the Majority Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, over the composition of the membership of the upper legislative chamber.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the disagreement played out on the floor of the Senate during plenary presided over by Ekweremadu.

Raising a point of order, Lawan (APC-Yobe) had claimed that there were 56 APC senators as against PDP’s 46 in the upper chamber.

But Ekweremadu (PDP-Enugu) countered him, saying there was no record to back his claim.

Lawan’s point of order was in reaction to two reports on pages 5 and 7 of Daily Trust newspaper of Wednesday which he dismissed as erroneous.

He said, “On page 5 of Daily Trust of Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2018, it is reported that the APC senators are 57 and PDP senators, 58.

“For the record, Mr President, APC senators are 56 and PDP senators are 46.

“On page 7, the Daily Trust reported that when a question was put for the confirmation of Festus Keyamo for National Deposit Insurance Commission governing board, the nays had it, but that you said the ayes had it.

“For the record, the first time you put the question, there was no clear winner, so you put the question again, and Mr President, your judgment was right because the ayes had it.

“I needed to put the record straight so that nobody in the future is misguided on what happened in the Senate,” he said.

Lawan was referring to the confirmation of Keyamo and five others as members of the Board of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation by the Senate on Wednesday.

The majority leader had proceeded to present the first item on the Order Paper when Ekweremadu interrupted him to respond to the issues he raised.

Ekweremadu said the newspaper report on Keyamo’s confirmation votes should not be an issue since they were in compliance with the Senate Rules, and no senator complained about it.

“Then on the issue of the number, I don’t think there is any particular statistics in respect of how many APC or PDP members are in the Senate,” he said.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/ekweremadu-lawan-disagree-over-number-of-apc-pdp-senators.html

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A group of 71 lawmakers of the House of Representatives, mostly from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have canvassed for the return of Nigeria from the presidential to the parliamentary system of government.

Briefing newsmen at the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday, spokesmen of the group, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) and Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta), said the parliamentary system, as opposed to the presidential system, suits Nigeria because it is more economic friendly, cost effective and largely efficient in the conduct of government business.

Rising from “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2018,” the lawmakers lamented that whereas, countries under the parliamentary system were prospering, the presidential system has “reduced Nigeria to the poverty capital of the world.”

“We are 71 bi-partisan members of the House of Representatives, who feel that the parliamentary system of government promulgated by the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954 is the best for Nigeria since the presidential system has reduced us to the poverty capital of the world.

“Our position in this legislation clearly points to compelling advantages of parliamentary system of government, such as economic growth and development, as well as inherent efficiency in the conduct of government business.

“Studies have shown that countries under the presidential regimes consistently produce lower output, volatile inflation and greater income inequality relative to those under parliamentary system,” the group said.

However, this is coming just few months to the expiration of the legislative life of the 8th Assembly, thus raising concern over the period required to push the bill through the normal legislative process.

The bill, if passed, will also require the assent of President Muhammadu Buhari to become law, and be enshrined in the Constitution.

Recall that Nigeria practised the British-styled parliamentary system of government in the First Republic, from 1960 until 15 January, 1966 when the military took power.

However, the 1979 Constitution returned the country to the US-styled presidential system of government, largely because of the tensions and acrimonious politics of the First Republic.

Aside Ossai, other members of the group present at the briefing include Abdulsamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto), Boma Goodhead (PDP, Rivers), Timothy Golu (PDP, Plateau), Gabriel Onyenwife (PDP, Anambra), Sergius Ogun (PDP, Edo), Emeka Ujam (PDP, Enugu) among others.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/breaking-house-of-reps-want-nigeria-returned-to-parliamentary-system.html

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Kaduna state governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has said the political forces that the All Progressives Congress, APC, defeated in 2015 have ganged up to stop President Muhammad Buhari and other APC candidates but said they will fail.

He urged the APC leadership to again mobilise the people to reject the forces at the ballot.

The governor said he is seeking re-election as governor to consolidate on his achievements in the past three and a half years.

El-Rufai who launched the door-to-door campaign across the state while flagging-off the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign in Kaduna, said his administration has taken major reforms in key sectors of the economy like education and health which has endeared his administration to the people of the state.

He called on the people to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and all APC candidates in 2019 saying the party still has lot do to clear the mess left by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/2019-gang-up-against-buhari-apc-will.html

Good Evening... [Nairalander]

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Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose and Senator Sani Shehu from Kaduna State have reacted to the signing of the peace accord by presidential candidates of political parties in Nigeria.

The peace accord was put together by National Peace Committee convened by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd) and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Fr. Mathew Hassan Kukah, ahead of the 2019 general elections.

On his verified Twitter handle, Fayose while referring to President Muhammadu Buhari, said he cannot be interested in peaceful elections in the country because he has refused to assent the electoral bill four times.

He said, “A man who refused to sign the Amended Electoral Bill four times after it was passed by NASS of 469 Nigerians cannot be said to be interested in any peaceful, free and fair election. Therefore, signing of Peace Accord won’t change his desperation to remain in office at all cost.

“A man who has turned all FG agencies, especially EFCC and Police to the attack dogs of APC cannot be said to be interested in any peaceful election just by mere signing of peace accord.

Sani, who represents Kaduna Central Senatorial District, also via his Twitter handle questioned the atmosphere in which the peace deal was being signed and the sincerity of the candidates.

He tweeted, “Peace is signed by adversaries on a Roundtable, with a handshake, a smile and low volume soul music; AND not on parallel tables, with hand gloves, a grimace and high volume war songs.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/peace-accord-sani-shehu-fayose-question-sincerity-of-presidential-candidates.html

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A former President-General of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dozie Ikedife, is dead.

Mr Ikedife died at about 7pm on Tuesday in his Nnewi country home, Anambra State at the age of 86 years.

He was born on August 24, 1932.

The deceased’s first son, Dozie Ikedife (jnr) confirmed the demise of his father to journalists on Wednesday in Awka, the state capital.

A reputable medical practitioner, Mr Ikedife acquired a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degrees from the University of Glasgow, Scotland in 1958 and 1959 respectively.

He said the elder statesman would be buried on today (December 12) less than 24 hours after his death in Nnewi in line with his wish, saying his burial ceremony would be announced later.

Damina Okeke-Ogene, the President of Anambra Chapter, describes the death Mr Ikedife as `shocking’.

He said Igbo people had lost one of its icons and true lover of Igbo tradition and culture.

“Ikedife was a detribalized Nigerian and an illustrious Igbo son who spoke Igbo, stood for Igbo culture and a defender of truth,’’ he said.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/dozie-ikedife-ex-ohaneze-president-general-dies-at-86.html

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The Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Jimi Agbaje, has said that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Jide Sanwo-Olu, would not have been contesting for the Lagos seat if not for the influence of his godfather.

He said this in response to a statement made by Sanwo-Olu that he found it hard to understand the rationale behind Agbaje’s #freeLagos mantra, and the allusion that Lagosians were in bondage.

On his verified Twitter handle, @jimiagbaje, the PDP candidate said, “You make a very good point that we should not trivialize our lives. However, in all of your public statements in recent times, you have paid homage and obeisance not to Lagosians but to whom you refer to as National Leader for the opportunity to be a candidate. In effect, you couldn’t have dared to run if you were not handpicked to be endorsed.”

Agbaje added, “Freedom is an opportunity for Lagosians to elect a governor that they can hold accountable, a governor that they can question and on whose table the buck stops. Freedom is running an open government where the finances of the state are not opaque. Freedom is allowing Local Governments to run as they should (a true third tier of government) and not as a mere appendage of the state.

“Freedom is domestication of the Freedom of Information bill. Freedom is the ability of an elected leader to choose his own cabinet.”

Agbaje also reacted to the issue of Igbo in Lagos, which the APC candidate addressed. Sanwo-Olu had debunked the notion that Lagos hates Igbo. He highlighted the roles that Igbo had played and are still playing in the politics and governance of Lagos state.

In response, Agbaje said, “Oh yes, Lagos does not dislike the Igbo, your political establishment does. The royal utterance of 2015 is still fresh on the minds of the entire electorate.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/you-couldnt-run-without-godfather-influence-agbaje-tells-sanwo-olu.html

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Buruji Kashamu, senator representing Ogun east, has accused Uche Secondus, chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of promoting illegality.

He said this in reaction to the choice of Ladi Adebutu as the party’s governorship candidate in 2019.

Kashamu had emerged candidate of a faction of the PDP which had earlier been dissolved by the party’s national working committee (NWC).

Following a federal high court ruling, INEC had accepted the candidates’ list submitted by the Adebayo Dayo-led faction loyal to Kashamu for the 2019 elections.

The court had ordered INEC to accept and process the list of candidates and delegates submitted to it by the Dayo-led faction.

But the leadership of the party eventually had its way and submitted the name of Adebutu to INEC.

Kashamu has vowed to fight on till the end, claiming that the action of Secondus and other leader of the opposition party was illegal.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/ogun-pdp-gov-ticket-i-will-fight-till-the-end-says-kashamu.html

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The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Paul Usoro (SAN), has arrived the Federal High Court in Lagos for his scheduled arraignment.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission accused Usoro of converting and laundering a sum of N1.4bn.

The charge sheet, marked FHC/418c/18, was filed before Justice Muslim Hassan.

In the charge, the EFCC claimed that Usoro converted and laundered the money in connivance with the governor of his state, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State.

The EFCC claimed that Usoro in connivance with the others, conspired among themselves to commit the offence sometime in 2015 “within the jurisdiction of this honourable court”.

The anti-graft agency claimed that the N1.4bn allegedly converted and laundered by the defendants belonged to the Akwa Ibom State Government.

Counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, who signed the charge sheet, said in the charge sheet the offence allegedly committed by the NBA President was contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/breaking-nba-president-paul-usoro-arrives-court-for-arraignment.html

Good Morning [Nairalander]

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Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has revealed how ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo betrayed, deceived and lied to late Yoruba political legend, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, during the 1979 general elections.

He made the revelation yesterday in a special radio broadcast from Israel while analysing how President Muhammadu Buhari’s palm prints exposed a body double impersonating him in Aso Rock.

According to Kanu, after the elections, Awolowo discovered that Obasanjo did not vote for him despite giving assurances that he did. When reports emerged that Obasanjo voted for Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Awolowo confronted the former President who denied it.

Kanu further said that the former Premier of the Western region decided to hire forensic experts, who used court subpoena to investigate further, and that it was discovered that Obasanjo’s finger print was on the column of NPN.

The IPOB leader’s words: “The use of fingerprint investigation and analysis was the root cause of the rift between the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the former military and civilian president of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

“During the 1979 general election that ushered in the Second Republic administration of Shehu Shagari, Obafemi Awolowo discovered that Obasanjo did not vote for him despite assuring Awolowo that he did. Obasanjo in fact voted for the Fulani Shehu Shagari because he owed his loyalty to the Fulani ruling class that ensured he became the military head of state after the assassination of Murtala Mohammed in 1976.


“Recall that the first attempt by a Yoruba man to take over after an attempted or successful coup ended in a total disgrace for the Yoruba when Brigadier Ogundipe was forced at gun point to run away to England by a Fulani recruit that was guarding him. Instead of taking over from Aguiyi Ironsi upon his death, Brigadier Ogundipe was humiliated and chased out of the military all together. Having escaped this same fate, Obasanjo swore an oath of loyalty to the Fulani caliphate to return power to them in 1979 which duly did. The icing on the cake being the fact he voted for Shagari and not his tribesman Awolowo.

“When information got to Awolowo that Obasanjo made a secret deal to hand over to the north no matter what, Awolowo confronted Obasanjo who denied it. Chief Awolowo decided to hire forensic experts to investigate further. Obasanjo is alive you can ask him if Nnamdi Kanu is speaking the truth or not.

“Awolowo’s investigators used court subpoena to gain access to electoral records in Obasanjo’s voting record and surprise surprise on the ballot paper was Obasanjo’s finger print on the column of NPN.

“It was proof Obasanjo did not vote for Awolowo as he claimed. He voted for the Fulani Shehu Shagari as he promised the north he would. Rather than damage his standing, that simple act of voting for a Fulani ensured Obasanjo’s victory over Ekwueme at the Jos Convention of 1999 when he emerged as the PDP flag bearer through Fulani backing. The gesture he reciprocated by handing over to yet another Fulani man in Shehu Musa Yar’adua.”

Speaking on President Buhari’s palm prints exposing a body double in Aso Rock, Kanu said: “Luckily for us we have a public picture of Buhari’s finger and palm print officially issued by APC.

“We also have the palm and finger print of Jubril in an official photograph issued by the government of Nigeria so there is no doubt as to the authenticity of the photos we are going to be analyzing tonight.

“There have previously been some amateur attempt to explain these features but we are going to use a very simple technique that even a lay person can understand to prove to the world that Buhari is dead and replaced by an impostor a body double not a clone.

“Look at the widely circulated picture of the contours of both palms on the pictures and you will clearly that the bigger lines that is immediately discernible when you look at a person’s palm is not the same on both.

“The unique thing about palm prints is that each is unique to an individual. What this means is that IPOB Intelligence (M-Branch) is on the trail of any person they present as Buhari. If they wave their hand we shall capture it. If they attempt to imprint Buhari’s palm print on a latex glove for Jubril to wear in public, that too will fail because if you shake his hand you will know he’s truly lifeless.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/nigerian-presidency-obasanjo-betrayed-awolowo-lied-nnamdi-kanu.html

Good Afternoon

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Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says President Muhammadu Buhari will neither steal nor allow stealing in his administration.

He said this on Saturday in Lagos as he commenced a door-to-door campaign for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2019 general election.

While speaking with party members from the 57 local council development areas (LCDA) in the state, Osinbajo urged them to go from house to house to tell the people about the achievements of the party after three years in office.

The vice-president said they must prevent people who have stolen money from the nation’s treasury in the past from coming back into government.

“After 16 years of ensuring that the country did not make progress, they want to come back. They will never come back again. We are making progress and we will continue to make progress. We are going to the next level,” Osinbajo said.

“Our major problem in Nigeria is corruption; it’s not plans. There are so many plans. If you allow the resources of the country to be stolen, no plan can work. The difference between Muhammadu Buhari and any other president is that he will not steal and he will not allow stealing.

“The most important thing of all is that we will prevent a situation where people who have stolen our money in the past come back into government. If they do, there won’t be progress no matter what they say.

“The money of this country must be preserved so that it will benefit us all. Education, healthcare, jobs, if you don’t have money, you can’t do them.

“There are only two types of leaders in Nigeria, those who want to steal the money and those want to use the money for the common good.

“If we want progress for our country, we must make sure that we put in place those who want to use the money for the common good, not those who want to steal it.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/buhari-will-not-steal-our-money-says-osinbajo-as-he-begins-door-to-door-campaign.html

[b]Good Morning... [/

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Ahead of the 2019 elections, there’s a growing trend of finding President Muhammadu Buhari’s image on campaign posters and billboards of politicians from other parties.

Buhari, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is unwittingly being used to drive the campaigns of opposition parties. The president is believed to be one of the most popular politicians in the country.

Some of the candidates whose campaign billboards carry Buhari’s image are in the governorship race and had defected from the APC to their current parties.

Among them are Dumo Lulu-Briggs and Ifeanyi Araraume, both of whom left the APC in Rivers and Imo states respectively.

Luru-Briggs is in the governorship race on the platform of Accord Party while Araraume is the governorship flagbearer of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Other politicians who get ‘campaign help’ from Buhari are Isa Kawu, Niger governorship candidate of Action Democratic Party (ADP); and Aminu Bello, a Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) member seeking to join the house of representatives.

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https://all-gists..com/2018/12/extra-adp-apga-candidates-getting-campaign-help-from-buhari.html

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Following the rejection of the amended Electoral Act for the fourth time by President Muhammadu Buhari, a member of the House of Representatives, Johnson Agbonayinma (APC, Edo), says “it is time for lawmakers to lobby and negotiate with the executive on the way out of the logjam in the interest of Nigerians.”

Agbonayinma told Daily Trust via phone chat Saturday morning that rather than attacking Buhari or playing partisan politics with the electoral law, the lawmakers should look at the document holistically, in the light of prevailing circumstances.

“That is the practice in Western democracies. Sometimes, you lobby and negotiate your way out. Mr. President has his reasons for refusing to assent to the bill all the while. We (lawmakers) should reason with him (Buhari) to see how the bill can scale through.

“We should sit down and look at the bill holistically. This is not time to throw tantrums or play partisan politics. It’s time to lobby and negotiate with the executive.

“Yes, the lawmakers can override the decision with a two-third majority but castigating Buhari is not the best at this point in time. This is about the interest of Nigerians,” Agbonayinma told Daily Trust on phone.

Recall that the controversial Electoral Act (amendment ) Bill was transmitted to President Buhari for the fourth time on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 by the National Assembly.

Before then, the President had withheld his assent to the bill three times, finally returning it to the legislature on August 30, 2018.

Rejecting the bill, Buhari had faulted 11 sections, all of which the National Assembly claimed to have addressed in the latest version just rejected.

Part of the new amendments to the bill include the use of the card reader as the sole means of accreditation of voters, as well as “provisions to improve on the country ’s electoral process ahead of the 2019 general elections.”

Shortly after passing the bill at the House of Representatives on October 24, the Chairman, House Committee on Electoral and Political Party Matters, Aisha Dukku, (APC, Gombe) had boasted that all the areas queried by Buhari had been amended appropriately.

“All the issues raised by Mr. President have been captured and addressed. Both the Senate and the House worked on these amendments and all the issues have been addressed,” Dukku said.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/electoral-act-its-time-for-lawmakers-to-lobby-negotiate-rep.html

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The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday said the 2019 election was between thieves who are out to loot and trustworthy people.

He made the remark while delivering his keynote address at the launching of the 69 campaign council of the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna.

El-Rufai stated that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has nothing to offer Nigeria.


According to him, “The 2019 general election is a poll between trustworthy people and thieves, between patriotic leaders and those who went to Abuja to loot our treasury.

“So, we have to stand up and show them that, Kaduna is not a state that will allow them to cheat the people and the masses.

“What we have done in Kaduna state in the last three years has shown that, APC as a party is the one that loves the masses and assists the masses, not party that will take public fund and share among the rich.

“That is why we want you people to go out and tell the people to vote President Muhammadu Buhari again.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/2019-election-thieves-trustworthy-people-el-rufai.html

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SPEAKER of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr. Onofiok Luke, has sought the protection of elders of Essien Udim Local Government Area over alleged threat to his life by Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Luke, who spoke when elders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, paid him a solidarity visit, yesterday in Uyo, said he was planning to go to Essien Udim to report the issue to the elders and the paramount ruler.

His words: “I said this the other day and I want to say it again today. When the former member representing Essien Udim (Nse Ntuen) came here last Tuesday and confronted one of my aides, he told him that they are going to take me down. And he said he was acting on behalf of the former Senate Minority leader.

“ I am still saying it again that should anything happen to me he (Akpabio) should be held responsible. I don’t talk carelessly. The former member representing Essien Udim State Constituency, Nse Ntuen said it. That is why I shouted that my life is threatened. I didn’t know that you were coming here because I was about coming to the local government to bring this issue to the Paramount Ruler and the elders.

“ I am a son of Essien Udim having grown up there and having contributed to good things in the area I think I should be protected like a son of the area and not an outsider. And I want to thank you for the confidence you have in me and for this show of solidarity. I want to thank you for standing by us and especially the Governor.

“I want to thank you because even in the face of provocations you have remained peaceful and supportive of this government. And when people boast that the PDP will not have votes from Essien Udim Local Government Area I laughed.’’

Speaking earlier, leader of the group, Obong Afangide, condemned Ntuen’s conduct, noting that it created tension in the state.

“We are here to encourage you to remain steadfast and focused in the mature way you have been leading the state House of Assembly and indeed the state. We urge you to remain who you are.’’

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/assembly-crisis-a-ibom-speaker-seeks-elders-protection.html

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The vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Peter Obi, has asked people to stop attacking Rev Ejike Mbaka over his prophecies.

Obi’s reaction came following a pronouncement by Mbaka on Sunday that both Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and President Muhammadu of the All Progressives Congress might not win the 2019 presidential election.

In a statement by Obi’s media aide, Val Obienyem, the former governor of Anambra State said he did not feel bad about the priest’s pronouncement.

Obi maintained that in every situation, there would be something positive to learn from it, adding that Mbaka had always spoken from the “higher perspective of wisdom.”

The PDP vice presidential candidate implored the laity to always remember their priests in prayers, adding that it was wrong for priests to be attacked based on what they said on the pulpits.

He said, “Please let us leave Fr. Mbaka alone; our duty to him is prayers for God to lead him aright.

“While one may disagree with him, we should always acknowledge that he speaks and acts from the higher perspective of wisdom.”

Obi who noted that he had a reverend sister and a reverend father as elder and younger siblings respectively, added, “I have full respect for men of God and will always remember them in my prayers. When they go wrong as humans, subject to human frailties, ours is not to castigate them, but to pray to God to lead them aright.”

Describing donations to churches as an “appreciation of God’s love and benevolence to us, Obi said, “they attract more rewards when done secretly.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/dont-crucify-mbaka-says-peter-obi.html

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The senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed the belief that President Muhammadu Buhari will work hard to ensure that the nation has a better Senate in the 9th Assembly.

She said it was important for the President to do so in order to forestall a repeat of the present situation in which she said the upper chamber of the National Assembly was populated by some people who are frustrating Buhari’s efforts aimed at repositioning the country.

Tinubu spoke in Lagos on Saturday during a media luncheon where she unveiled her plans for the senatorial district for 2019-2023.

While responding to questions from journalists on the strained relationship between the legislative and executive arms of government, she said some members of the 8th Assembly were bent on frustrating Buhari’s programmes.

She said she was sure that Buhari would not want a repeat of what he witnessed with members of the present National Assembly.

She, therefore, urged Nigerians to re-elect Buhari for another term in order to complete his task.
Tinubu also called on Nigerians not to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party because the main opposition party was responsible for the hardships currently being experienced in the country.

She said Buhari would have learnt in his three and a half years in office that his inaugural statement that “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody” was not exactly the way he thought.

She said, “I believe the President would have learnt a thing or two because when he came in, he said ‘I belong to everybody and belong to nobody.’ But I know by now that he knows those people that belong to him.



“What I am saying is not to take the President’s comment for granted, but now, I am sure he knows that some Nigerians are very dangerous to his decisions, even moving forward. The President should know those who are his own by now.

“It is a lesson to him and I know that he would fight to ensure that we have a better Senate in the 9th Assembly, not what we have now with a set of people who are frustrating his efforts. I do not think he would want to go through that route again.”

Tinubu said a term of four years was not enough for the President, hence the need for Nigerians to give the ruling All Progressives Congress another chance in 2019.

“Nigerians should give the APC another chance in 2019; four years is not enough for a President to complete his task, he is not a magician. We did not get to where we are overnight,” she said.
Speaking on her plan to return to the Senate, Tinubu said the leaders of her senatorial district convinced her to seek re-election.

“I am doing a third term because the leaders of my district asked me to contest. Beyond that, there is so much more to be done.

“I have shown through our quarterly town hall meetings that power belongs to and rests with the people. This third term is thus a chance to consolidate on previous achievements.

“To ensure that the third term is even more productive, we have set out to focus more on empowering our youths and finding ways to make them self-reliant.

“Through our quarterly town hall meetings, 27 in the series, I have been able to bond more effectively with our constituents,” she added.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/pres-buhari-will-fight-to-have-better-senate-in-2019-tinubu.html

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Former president Goodluck Jonathan says only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) can feed Nigerians three times a day.

Jonathan asked Nigerians to vote Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate in 2019, “so that all of us will have food to eat”.

Speaking at the flag-off of the 2019 presidential election campaign by the PDP, Jonathan said the northwest is the most populous part of Nigeria, and it is the region’s time to show Nigeria the way.

“We have seen four presidents, from Obasanjo to our late brother, Yar’Adua, to myself, and to the current president. You have seen how the various presidents and the various parties have worked, and one thing that is very clear is that PDP is still the number one party,” Jonathan said.

“There is something that all of us need as human beings, everybody eats, everybody, every day must eat, and if you cannot eat well, then you are not happy.

“PDP is the only party that can make sure all of us eat very well, in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening”.

He told the mammoth crowd that they should endeavor not to vote wrong, else their children and grandchildren will not forgive them.

“Let us not make any mistakes, those of us that are adults, old enough to vote, if we vote wrongly, our children and grandchildren will not forgive us,” he added.

“Today, our country has a lot of challenges; look at all the presidential candidates, all of them are good people, but among all, we have seen that it is only Atiku that can deliver.

“If you have a soccer match, you go with your best 11, you don’t manage, if you have a wrestling or a boxing tournament, you go with your best, you don’t manage.

“Atiku is experienced enough; he has demonstrated clearly from his personal life and his business life that he has that capacity to bring this country to one, and make our economy grow, so that all of us will have food to eat.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/vote-atiku-so-we-can-all-have-food-to-eat-says-jonathan.html

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As the 2019 general elections draw nearer, the Ezendigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, Dr. Alex C. Anozie, on Sunday instructed Igbo people living in the state “to wait for proper directive on how they should vote.”

Eze Anozie who gave this advice in his speech at the 2018 Yam Festival, which took place at his Oke – Ado, Ibadan residence, also admonished members of the Oyo Igbo community to be ready to wisely.

The 2018 Yam Festival, which was attended by members of the Oyo Igbo community from across the 33 local government areas of the state also had in attendance, His Royal Majesty, Oba Eddy Oyewole, the Asipa Olubadan of Ibadanland; Chief Yemi Soladoye, Chairman of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and other dignitaries.

Speaking at the event, Anozie said Igbo people living in the state will only “vote for parties that will assure us of justice at all tomes, fairness and security if life and property of our people and that of every other Nigerian residing in the state.”

The paramount ruler of the Oyo Igbo community added that “we shall go with parties that will continue to carry us along in the scheme of things as they go on to administer the state.”

Anozie, however, used the opportunity appeal to politicians in the state to play their politics without bitterness, and not to make the elections a do or die affair.

Specifically, the Ezendigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to work hard and ensure free and fair elections across the country.

He commended the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji and all sons and daughters of Ibadan for making sure that there is peace in the ancient city.

Anozie also expressed appreciation to the Governor Abiola Ajimobi led Oyo state government for the support given to the Igbo community in the state, “even though we know very well that pressures from our opponents have always been at work.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/2019-wait-for-directive-on-who-to-vote-for-ezendigbo-tells-igbos.html

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The Nigeria Labour Congress on Sunday described the Federal Government’s silence on the N30,000 minimum wage proposal as provocative, stressing that it expected President Muhammadu Buhari to have sent a draft bill to the National Assembly weeks after report on the minimum wage was submitted to him.

Organised labour said it would not wait till eternity for the government on the issue.

In an interview with one of our correspondents, the General Secretary of the NLC, Mr Peter Ozo-Eson, said members of the union were becoming restless with the way the government had handled the issue, adding that unless government acted fast, the union might meet again to review government’s position and take necessary action to press home its demand.

But he did not say when the leadership of the union would likely meet.

Ozo-Eson said, “The latest about the issue of the minimum wage is clear. We expect that since the Presidency had already received our report, the President should have drafted an executive bill to the National Assembly on it so that they can begin to legislate on it.

“That has not been done even though we expect that it should have been done already. We cannot continue to wait forever.

“The next step as I said is for the President to transmit a draft bill to the National Assembly. The FG’s delay on the issue is provocative, our members are becoming restless and the FG must act fast on our report.

“If the delay continues, our next step will be made public after we meet again to review the steps taken so far.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/minimum-wage-were-losing-patience-nlc-warns-fg.html

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The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, on Saturday stressed the need for a ‘pressing’ reform in the oil sector.

She therefore demanded for an immediate end to oil subsidy in Nigeria, saying, “it gives little or no benefit.”

According to her, ending the oil subsidy and reforming the petroleum sector are some of her plans if she emerges as the president of Nigeria in 2019.

Ezekwesili expressed the view in a statement she issued, which was obtained by journalists in Abuja.

She said, “End fuel subsidy regime and fully deregulate the sector. The most pressing reform is the immediate removal of the fuel subsidy. A subsidy that costs N1.3tn, yet provides little or no benefits to the most vulnerable members of society, must be discontinued.

“Cancelling the fuel subsidy allows the country to focus on the equally important task of deregulating the entire oil sector, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and ensuring that it is subject to the competition and discipline of the open market.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/scrap-fuel-subsidy-regime-ezekwesili-urges-fg.html

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The publisher of the Ovation Magazine and former presidential candidate, Dele Momodu, has reacted to the success of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in securing American visa.

Before now, Atiku had been restricted from entering America over issues bordering on corruption.

On Saturday that the former Vice President has acquired his US visa and had even jetted out of Nigeria.

It was learnt that former president Olusegun Obasanjo played a “critical” role in getting the American government to issue the visa to his former deputy with whom he was estranged for almost 15 years.

The opposition had used this as a campaign weapon before now and Momodu believes they have been now silenced.

Momodu tweeted, “I’m excited that those who used America as criteria for qualification to Nigeria’s Presidency are now singing a different tune.

“ATIKU on my mind… International diplomacy is different from local championship… When God has blessed you, please don’t block others.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/2019-presidency-dele-momodu-mocks-apc-atiku-obtains-us-visa.html

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Soldiers and Boko Haram insurgents engaged in a gun battle at Buni Gari, a town in Gubja local government area of Yobe state, on Saturday.

Usman Buni Yadi, a resident of the area, disclosed this to TheCable, saying the battle had been on for over two hours.

“We have been hearing loud explosions and sporadic gunshot from Buni Gari,” Yadi said.

“We are really scared and can’t afford to leave our homes because we don’t want to get caught is crossfire.”

Sani Usman, spokesman of the Nigerian army, could not be contacted for comments as his telephone line was out of reach as of the time this report was filed.

Meanwhile, a female suicide bomber killed herself in an attempt to attack a civilian joint task force checkpoint at Muna garage in Maiduguri, Borno state.

She reportedly detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) strapped to her back, killing herself and leaving some people nearby injured.

Babagana Dalorima, a witness, said the explosion sparked tension among residents while Ciroma liman, a member of the task force, confirmed that many of his colleagues sustained injuries.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/soldiers-exchange-gunfire-with-boko-haram-insurgents-in-yobe.html

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The Nigerian army says its troops have dislodged Boko Haram insurgents from their hideout in Gamboru Ngala local government area of Borno state.

Ina tweet on Friday, the army said on November 29, the troops launched offensive on two fronts-Ngala bridge and Gamboru town- against the insurgents and successfully dislodged them from their hideout.

The force said the insurgents who were preparing for attack, fled on sighting the troops, leaving behind their ammunition and food items.

“In compliance with the directives of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai that commanders in Operation LAFIYA DOLE carry out massive attack and offensive mission to the Boko Haram terrorists’ locations, hideouts and enclaves, troops of 3 Battalion, Ngala, embarked on an exploitation mission on November 29, 2018,” the tweet read.

“The gallant troops carried out offensive patrols on two fronts; Ngala Bridge and Gamboru town along Wurge village in Borno state.

“On sighting the troops, the terrorists who were massing up for a possible attack abandoned their logistic stores, equipment and fled.

“The equipment recovered include one AK-47 Rifle with registration number 819044; two AK-47 magazines, 443 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 94 rounds of PKT ammunition, 16 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition and 4 RPG Bombs”.

The force said it also recovered one rocket propelled grenade (RPG) charge; one anti-aircraft telescopic sight, one anti-aircraft top cover, clearing rod, one Hilux GT van, two motorcycles, one flag, two blankets, one praying mat, one mosquito net and 10 motorcycle spare tubes.

Other items recovered include a tools’ box , a towing cable, a camel bag, three water melon, three cans of milk, two bottles of Maltina , two sachets of sugar, three jerry cans, one MP3 player, groundnut and a First Aid kit.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/army-dislodges-boko-haram-from-hideout-in-borno.html