Breaking: 10 states, Abuja face telecoms network blackout — GSM operators

Ten states and parts of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) may soon face telecommunications services blackout following tax disputes between Kogi Government and mobile network operators.

Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators (ALTON), made this known on Monday in Lagos while briefing journalists on issues affecting the nation’s telecommunications industry.

The ALTON chief said Kogi State Government had allegedly shut down 150 telecoms base transceiver stations belonging to mobile telecoms operators as a result of disputes arising from taxes and levies.

“The operators, comprising MTN, Globacom, Airtel, 9Mobile and Ntel, said that 150 base stations have been shut by the state’s revenue agency, warning that if nothing is done, the effect would lead to blackout in nine other neighbouring states to Kogi and parts of Abuja.

“The states to be affected include, Nassarawa, Benue, Enugu, Anambra, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara and Niger,” he said.

Mr Adebayo said that the tax and levies being demanded by Kogi was ‘unusual’ as they had nothing to do with telecommunications services.

“As a result of these actions by Kogi State Government, our members are unable to refuel power generators in these sites, a situation which has led to the outage of over 150 sites including hub sites across parts of Kogi State.

“This will definitely affect nine states surrounding Kogi namely:- Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Anambra, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, Niger States. These are States sharing borders with Kogi State), and Abuja the FCT inclusive.

“ALTON is worried that the action by Kogi will jeopardize communication services provided by us to security agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces in addition and to other emergency and social services in Kogi and other neighbouring states.

“This will include affecting communication links to bank automated teller machines (ATM) across those states.

“The outage currently being experienced is already affecting the ability of our members to provide uninterrupted service delivery to commercial banks, Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and other critical agencies of government in the aforementioned locations,” he said.

Mr Adebayo said that telecommunications sites were Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) which should be safeguarded against any form of disruption.

He said that the action followed an ex-parte court order obtained by the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) over unsubstantiated allegations that the telecom operators were in default of tax payments to the state government.

According to him, ALTON members had settled all statutory levies and taxes due to the Kogi State Government and have taken the necessary steps to comply with local laws that govern business activities within Kogi State.

He said that state governments were encouraged to explore other means of resolving tax-related disputes rather than sealing telecommunications sites.

Mr Adebayo noted that operators had made several overtures to Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) in the past months in a bid to resolve the disputed issues amicably but the agency had remained adamant.

He added that rather than resort to the Tax Arbitration Tribunal for intervention as is expected of a government agency, KIRS resorted to subtle intimidation by getting the sites shut down in a bid to coerce the operators into accepting the “illegal” taxes and levies. (NAN)

Area News Nigeria

I won’t return to court for trial, says IPOB leader Kanu

LEADER of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu has vowed not to return to the Federal High Court in Abuja where he was standing trial before he fled the country.

The Federal Government had charged him with treason, but Binta Nyako, a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, granted him bail after 18 months in detention.

The Cable reported yesterday that Kanu had flouted all the terms of the bail before troops invaded his Abia residence on September 14, 2017.

He fled afterwards and resurfaced in Jerusalem on Friday.

In a broadcast via the pirate Radio Biafra Kanu boasted that the Nigerian court lacks the capacity to try him.

He said the judge who has asked his sureties to produce him should have asked the army why they invaded his residence.

Kanu was quoted as saying: “Nigerian court is a Kangaroo court. I did not jump bail, I left because the court failed to protect me.

“I shall not be honouring the court. I cannot be tried by a court I do not recognise. Nigeria cannot jail me. I will fight till the last day. Till now, Binta Nyanko’s court is yet to hold a hearing on about the circumstances that led the Nigerian army to come to my house to kill 28 people.

“Only upon a clear pronouncement of the intentions of that very court which I suggest to them should be free, will this very case move forward.

“Going forward, there must be guarantee from the international community so that this case can proceed and I will prove once and for all that there is something fundamentally wrong with the brains of those that rule Nigeria.”

He narrated how he escaped during the invasion, saying 28 people who defended him were killed.

Kanu said the intelligence arm of the outlawed Biafra group also prevented the military from getting hold of him.

He said: “Two jets were hovering over and they stormed the compound and I sustained several injuries and in the process of trying to defend me, 28 men fell.

“The sole purpose of that evil dance was to kill me and members of my family. They didn’t want me to go to Abuja because they didn’t have any case against me.

“They were afraid they would be disgraced before the world. They decided to eliminate me instead. They know if I go to court, that very country will not be the same again.

“I am Nnamdi Kanu, no mortal flesh can kill me. They have not given birth to that very person. Since they didn’t want me to come to court, I shall come back to Biafra land. There is nobody who can accuse IPOB of engaging in any form of lawlessness. I am in Israel.

“This same court that granted me bail stood by and watched as the army disobeyed court order. The army in contempt of court court came to kill me.

“I was in my home preparing to go to Abuja for my case when they came to kill me. They even killed Jack, our dog. They killed my cousin, Adaku and 28 others. The notion that I jumped bail is a fallacy, a lie and a deceit. It is untenable in law.”

AREANEWS.NG

Buhari will be removed and disgraced in 2019- Says Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka

Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka the Spiritual Director, Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria has said that President Muhammadu Buhari is change, but former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is “bureau de change”

“What will it take you; change the Chief of Staff, change B, change C, change this and change that; even if it will take 20 Igbo men or 20 Yoruba men to change Nigeria; take all of them.

Look at what (Chukwuma) Soludo did in the Central Bank; he has assured Nigeria and the whole world that there is nothing like bank collapse again.

“An Igbo man did this, why can’t Buhari take Soludo for the economic revival and revamping of Nigeria’s economy?

And you are busy talking about corruption, playing game with the lives of Nigerians from the issue of Fulani herdsmen to Boko Haram to Jos killings.

You said somebody stole, what did he steal?

“Someday, they said the government has spent trillions of naira on social investment scheme and I want to know who are the people they were spending the money on; the Vice President said they are giving N10,000 to small scale businesses and I asked, is this how they will transform Nigeria?

You give somebody N10,000 for business, what type of business will N10,000 start?

“Somebody will have billions and want to take the one belonging to the public while hunger will be killing his people.

“There are some people that sold their land to pay for this form because of the promise they were made.

I don’t think these politicians were thinking of heaven that is why they are ready to kill anybody that stands on their way,”.

“There are no people that will develop this country that are not in Nigeria.

We have people who will develop this nation; but our President left the same type of people who don’t have the same type of vision around him and everything they do is in your head.

“After you are removed, they will bring people that will flog you because you messed up the opportunities because you didn’t listen to the word of God.

You didn’t listen to the man of God you have and you were disobeying him.

“The price of disobedience is disgrace,” he declared.

AREA NEWS NIGERIA

BREAKING: Shehu Sani resigns from APC

The senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

His decision comes few days after the national body of the APC submitted the name of Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s political adviser, Uba Sani, as the candidate for that senatorial district.

Controversies had trailed the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to grant automatic return ticket to the senator and others.

Days after the APC headquarters announced Mr Sani as its only candidate cleared to contest the Kaduna Central senatorial seat, the Kaduna State Government and its officials continue to condemn the decision, claiming it had been reversed.

Days after the APC headquarters announced Mr Sani as its only candidate cleared to contest the Kaduna Central senatorial seat, the Kaduna State Government and its officials continue to condemn the decision, claiming it had been reversed.

Shehu Sani and Mr El-Rufai have been at daggers drawn shortly after both men were elected senator and governor respectively in 2015.

Despite being of the same party, they have both attacked and cursed each other publicly including using uncouth language.

The senator had been expected to leave the APC but was persuaded by national leaders of the party including Mr Oshiomhole not to do so.

The senator confirmed his exit from the APC in a letter to the party.

Details shortly

AREANSEWS.NG

Buhari Must Go: Senator Shehu Sani's Version


Watch video here: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=870956593100849&id=822088497987659

AREANEWS.NG

Any man of God not with Buhari was not called by God - Interfaith group (photos)

- A group of clerics have called for support for President Muhammadu Buhari's re-election

- The clerics during a 40-days prayers and fasting in Abuja said any man of God not in support of President Buhari was not called by God

- They also charged all men of God to unite and support the president ahead of next year polls

The chairman, organising secretary for the 40 days prayer session for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and peace in Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Wada, has said any man of God not in support of Buhari at the moment was not called by God.

Wada who spoke at the second day of the prayer session organised by the National Inter-Faith and Religious Organisations for Peace (NIFROP) in Abuja on Thursday, October 11, said it is necessary for all religious leaders at the moment to rally round President Buhari for peace to reign in the country.

He said Buhari is the only messiah that can salvage the country from its present predicaments and with persistent prayers, all the storms confronting the nation can be a thing of the past.

Stating that religious leaders have a great role to play in ensuring the success of the forthcoming election, Wada charged all men of God to unite and support the president ahead of next year polls.

Also speaking at the session, Bishop Sunday Garuba charged Nigerians to be more fervent in prayer so that the nation can overcome its present challenges.

Garuba said that an array of soul-enriching activities to make the event worth the while have been lined up.

"We shall commence this programme with worship and praise by guest singers and choirs.

After which we shall begin Intercessory prayer session for Nigeria, prayer session for President Buhari and his cabinet, prayer for the Nigerian troops at the war front, intercessory prayer for the upcoming general election and peaceful conduct by all citizens, and Intercessory prayer for our dear president and his victory at the poll," Garuba said.

He added: "We shall also hold a special Thanksgiving session with praises to appreciate God for the defeat of Boko Haram and the political killers who came to torment the citizens of our dear country.

"A prayer against evil men on the Plateau and other forces of evil across Nigeria that have continued to encourage bloodletting in recent times.

There shall also be a different representation of members of the various faiths gathered, as well as messages of solidarity to the good people of Nigeria.

"My dear brothers and sisters gathered here, we are gathered to pray and fervently.

We are gathered to pray against evil forces. We are also gathered to pray for the betterment of our dear country Nigeria.

"God in his infinite mercies would make this event a huge success and also, by his grace alone President Muhammdu Buhari shall return in 2019," he said.

Areanews.ng previously reported that a group of clerics launched a 40-day prayer session for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

Bishop Sunday Garuba who is the convener of the prayer session said the country was on the brink of collapse when Buhari took over.

He said God sent President Buhari to come to the rescue of Nigerians.

For more news, visit: www.areanews.ng

THE 419 APC QUOTES THAT TRICKED NIGERIANS IN 2015:

”A serious government will fix power problem in six months.” – Babatunde Raji Fashola (November 12, 2014)
….
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”Stone us [APC] if we do not perform after two years.” – Tony Momoh ( April 3, 2016, The Guardian)
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”The only way to have stable electricity is to vote out PDP.” – Babatunde Raji Fashola (July 12, 2014, The Nation)
….
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”We seriously frown at President Goodluck Jonathan, over the unceremonious removal of the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr Andrew Yakubu.” -(APC, August 4, 2014, Channels TV)
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”It’s Time To Restructure Nigeria: The present situation of things where all component units get monthly allocation from the Federal Government only makes the states lazy and unproductive.” – Nasiru El-Rufai (August 2010)
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”Jonathan should resign if he has no solution to the violence being unleashed on some parts of the country.” – Nasiru El-Rufai (August 2012)
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”The only solution to the present political uncertainty in the country is for the National Assembly to set machineries in motion for the impeachment of ailing President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.” – Muhammadu Buhari (March 10, 2010, Sun Newspapers)
…
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”Waste: Let me give an instance, presently, there are more than 6 aircraft in the presidential fleet. What do you call that? “Billions of naira is budgeted every year for the maintenance of these aircraft not to talk of operational cost and other expenses.” – Muhammadu Buhari (February 2015, Nigerians in UK)
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”We intend for instance, to bring back our National carrier, the Nigerian Airways. We shall do this by bringing all the aircraft in the presidential fleet into the Nigerian airway and within a year increase the fleet into about 20.” -Muhammadu Buhari (February 2015, Nigerians in UK)
….
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”Why do I need to embark on a foreign trip as a president with a huge crowd with public funds?
”Why do I need to go for foreign medical trip if we cannot make our hospital functional?” – Muhammadu Buhari (February 2015, Nigerians in UK)
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”Why is the nation?s currency, the Naira, now trading for N180 per Dollar, while the South African Rand is trading at R11 to one United States Dollar?” – Babatunde Raji Fashola (Dec 26, 2014, The Nation)
…
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”Give Nigerians a daily update on the health of President Umaru Yar’Adua to stem the growing rumours surrounding his state of health.” – Lai Mohammed (December 21, 2009, The Nation)
..
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”Amaechi is not only clean but a tool to free Nigeria from the corruption imposed on us by those who hate our nation.” – APC (October 24, 2016, Vanguard)
…
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”The recent proscription of Boko Haram and Ansaru violates the Constitution.” – Lai Mohammed (June 10, 2013, The Nation

Be careful of what you say today because of tomorrow...

Let's not be fooled again, It's time to TAKE IT BACK

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Buhari Fails To Keep His Promise On Human Rights

The United States Department of State has in its Country Report on Human Rights released last Friday in Washington D.C, indicted the government of President Muhammadu Buhari of massive corruption, extra judicial killings – specifically with respect to killings of Shiites and members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), abuse of rule of law and widespread impunity.

In the 48-page report posted on the website of the State Department, the U.S. government said impunity remained widespread at all levels of government in Nigeria, further noting that the Buhari-led administration lacked transparency.

AREANEWS.NG gathered that in his 2,562-word speech at Chatham House in the United Kingdom in February 2015, General Muhammadua Buhari (rtd.) made a good effort to disabuse the mind of his London listeners about his reputation as a military dictator. Many of them had heard about the cruel and oppressive Buhari-Idiagbon regime. As a military head of state between 1983 and 1985, Buhari’s human rights record was considered dismal and shocking.

For those were the years of illegal detention, dehumanisation and brutal violation of human rights of Nigerians. His Chatham House audience, like many Nigerians back home, believed that the time passage has not changed the General in a significant way. In his speech, Buhari accepted responsibility for the wicked decisions of his government and expressed deep regret. He assured his audience at the London forum that he is a changed man, and not the same person who supervised the violation of human rights of Nigerians 30 years ago.

“Before you is a former military ruler and a converted democrat who is ready to operate under democratic norms…”, he said. He repeated the promise at several campaign rallies ahead of the 2015 Election.But over two years into his presidency, not much has changed about the temperament of President Buhari and his administrtaion. In fact, his human rights record in the last two years is rather looking more like the record he denounced before his audience at Chatham House, even though his fight against corruption is yet to lose steam.

The case in point is the illegal detention of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheik Ibraheem El-zakzaky and his wife, Hajia Zainab Elzakzaky.The couple were arrested in December 2015 after the supporters of the Shi’ite movement clashed with the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Yusuf Buratai, along Zaria road which led to the invasion of the cleric’s home by security forces .

According to Kaduna state authorities, 347 IMN members had been killed and secretly buried in a mass grave. The report of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry set up by the Kaduna state government indicted the Nigerian military of unlawful killings. Yet, nobody has answered questions about this gross violation of human rights till date, let alone get punished.

As we speak, El-Zakzaky and his wife remain in custody despite the court ruling against their detention. The court also awarded them reparation of N50million and directed the Federal Government to provide a temporary accommodation for the couple since it was established that the Nigerian Army and the Kaduna state government had destroyed their private residence in Zaria.

For more than one year, Buhari government has refused to comply with this court order.Instead, official statement from the Villa is that the couple are put under “protective custody” until the government is able to build a house for them. In his tongue-in-cheek response to questions on Channels television six months ago, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed said: “… Nobody wants to accept El-Zakzaky as a neighbour. So, we have been unable to build the house. So, where do we release him to?”

El-Zakzaky is not the only prisoner of President Buhari. The former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, who has been granted bail by various courts also has been denied release. Dasuki, a retired colonel, is accused of mismanaging billions of dollars meant for purchase of arms. But the court has ruled that his offence is bailable.In 2015, he was admitted to bail by Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Abuja High Court, but the federal government did not obey the bail order. Buhari government also ignored the bails granted at different times by Justice Peter Affen , Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf and Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the FCT High Court.

In October 2016, the ECOWAS Court declared Dasuki’s detention illegal and ordered for his immediate release. The court ruled further that Federal Government should pay him a sum of N15 million as damages. In addition, the court decided that the cost of litigation will be summed up and charged against the Nigerian government. Till date, the government has refused to comply with any of the order. Two weeks ago, the Nigerian authorities arrested Timothy Elombah, editor of a news website, Elombah on the allegation that he published an article that offended the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.

Though Elombah has been critical of Buhari administration, Daniel Elombah, the website’s chief executive, denied that news site had anything to do with the article for which the police arrested the editor. Now, Elombah and his family who were home for Christmas holiday are charged with cybercrime and banned from travel.

Committee to Protect Journalists, a global organisation protecting interest of journalists worldwide, has called for the release of Elombah, but the call has fallen on deaf ears. Amnesty International in its 2016/2017 report has criticised Buhari administration for lack of accountability for serious human rights violations. “No independent and impartial investigations into crimes committed by the military had taken place despite the President’s repeated promises,” the report stated.

Human rights lawyers and activists who had previously expressed optimism for a better democratic government under Buhari are now retracting, saying not much has indeed changed about the past. Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) described Buhari administration as the worst civilian rule in term of human rights violation.

“We have never had it so bad under a civilian government, where a government will deliberately disobey court orders and authorise detention of citizens, not even under the military era.”During his regime as a military head of state, Buhari promulgated decrees through which many political exposed persons and journalists were incarcerated.

His second reign as civilian president is the continuation of his 1984 regime, said a Lagos lawyer and human rights campaigner, Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa.

“As I speak to you, this government does not respect the court orders and judgments made by the courts.”

According to Adegboruwa, Nigerians are now experiencing dictatorship under a civilian regime. “The government is unable to function in due process, which is why you see that there is a clampdown on judges in order to intimidate them. Lawyers who defend accused persons are subjected to harassment, their monies are frozen, they are intimidated and their families are threatened.

“So you are even afraid to defend anybody that have been charged to court by this government because both lawyers and the accused person will end up in the same detention. So we have a total clampdown on citizens. We are not in any government that respects human rights or due process at all.”

Civil society groups that had expressed high hope for Buhari government are also critical of Buhari’s human right records.

Media & Civic Engagement Manager of Resources Centre for Human Rights, Armsfree Ajanaku expressed anger at the Buhari administration for its disregard for human life.He said Buhari government lacks resolve to prevent, or hold to account the terrorists-herdsmen constantly on a killing spree across the country.

“For us, if a right as foundational as the right to life would be so easily violated, it can be inferred that the state of the other fundamental human rights be nothing to cheer about.”Buhari’s failure to stop the attack by Fulani herdsmen and bring the killers among them to justice is considered one of his major failures since he came to power. Many Nigerians think the president is sympathetic to the group in spite of his hypocrisy. But civil society group has reminded the president of the oath he swore to defend all Nigerians.

The constitution says security and welfare is the primary duty of government, said he executive director, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) Adetokunbo Mumuni. He urged the government to take immediate action to curb the incessant killings across the country and to obey orders of courts of competent jurisdiction.

“Any proper government must operate under the rule of law and democracy. Whenever a court of competent jurisdiction makes an order, the government as a matter of binding duty has to comply with that order.”With another election year around the corner, Buhari has a short time to walk his talk. Otherwise, he may have a hard time to convince his Chatham House audience in case he receives another invitation to speak.

Flashback: BUHARI'S CAMPAIGN PROMISES IN 2015

1. I will make fuel price N45 per liter
2. There will be free education at every level
3. I will pay Nigerian youths N5,000 monthly
4. I will increase minimum wage and pay graduates salaries for 1 year
5. There will be free food for primary schools pupils everyday
6. I will revive our refineries in my first year as president
7. I will crush Boko Haram in my first 3 months as president
8. There will be 3 million jobs every year
9. I will stop government officials from seeking medical care abroad
10. I will make N1 = $1
#Buhari

Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has threatened to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if the leadership of the party in Abuja removed any member of the Kwankwasiyya movement from the list of its aspirants.

Recall that Kwankwaso had held primaries for various elective offices in Kano which were allegedly won by his chosen aspirants, leaving aside other PDP members.

A source within the party confided to AREANEWS yesterday that the former governor sounded the warning of leaving the party during a meeting held at Legacy House, Abuja.

Read more at: http://areanews.ng/en/?p=1786

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Breaking: Tension as Court sacks Rivers APC chair, Tonye Cole and others

Read more at: http://areanews.ng/en/?p=1766

There was corruption in Nigeria when Awolowo built Cocoa House, TV station and the first university in Africa There was corruption in Nigeria when IBB built Third Mainland Bridge, built Aso Rock, National Assembly Complex, turned Abuja into our Federal capital territory.

There was corruption in Nigeria when Obasanjo brought GSM, banking reform, police reform, civil defence, There was corruption in Nigeria when Jonathan introduced BVN and PVC, built 12 new federal universities, revamped railway lines, made Our economy fastest growing in Africa & third in the world.

If anyone tells you the reason Buhari is not working is that he inherited corruption, tell them great leaders don't blame people and events for their failures.

They simply accept responsibility and move on. Ask them, what has Buhari done after all the fake promise of fixing power in 6 weeks, reducing pump price to 45 naira, making N1 equal to a $ 1, stopping Boko Haram etc. It's a shame.

The inferno truth is, corruption started from heaven when Satan violated a privilege given him. That never stop God's works.

He waited for God to create man and brought his lawlessness and corruption into the garden of Eden. God wasn't moved. He introduced a redemption plan; The Savior was born, sadly, Judas Iscariot was there. Not discouraged yet, He gave us God the Holy Spirit.

If anyone tells you the reason Buhari is not working is that he inherited corruption, tell them corruption is rooted in the DNA of homo sapiens ( Latin: wise man ) because we are just mere mortal infected with a virus of good & evil. Yet, great leaders don't blame people and events for their failures.

By Charles Love

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16,000 APC members defect with chieftain to PDP in Bauchi

An All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain in Bauchi State, Alhaji Ahmed Salele has dumped the party alongside 16,000 others for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Read more at http://areanews.ng/en/?p=1757

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The governing All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declared ineligible to field candidates for all elective positions in Zamfara State in the 2019 general elections, AREA NEWS can firmly report today.

Read more at http://areanews.ng/en/?p=1747

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The National Assembly on Tuesday resumed after it’s long break which it embarked upon on the 24th of July 2018.

Most of the lawmakers where however absent as the National Assembly is observed to be quite scanty of lawmakers.

Also, there is a rejig of the security at the National Assembly as more police officers and police trucks were sighted.

Read more at http://areanews.ng/en/?p=1704

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President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; senators Dino Melaye and Ben Murray-Bruce have sued the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, over their invitation by the Nigeria Police.

Saraki, Melaye and Murray-Bruce were among the three leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party who held a protest march to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Friday to protest against the outcome of the Osun State governorship election.

Read more here http://areanews.ng/en/?p=1700

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cautions the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to ever contemplate bending the rules to smuggle in candidates from the Zamfara state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Whereas legally, all congresses and related processes for election of candidates for various offices for the 2019 general elections ended yesterday (Sunday, October 7, 2018), the Zamfara state chapter of the APC has not conducted any congress, and by the provision of the law, it has no candidates in all the elections.

The PDP is aware of a clandestine meeting today between topmost officials of INEC and Zamfara state government, where INEC was instructed to manipulate the system and bend the rules to accommodate the APC.

The PDP cautions the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, over this attempt to manipulate the processes and use underhand measures to liberate the APC from the cul de sac it plunged itself into in Zamfara state.

We insist that the laws guiding our elections must be upheld, as the PDP will never accept anything short of that.

Finally, the PDP wants the APC and INEC to know that our party is at alert regarding all electoral processes, in line with our avowed determination to dismantle APC’s rigging machinery in the 2019 general elections.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

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Breaking: Dangote Cement ready to list on London Stock Exchange

Africa’s biggest cement producer, Dangote Cement may be listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2019.

The company’s president, Aliko Dangote made this known in London on Monday.

Dangote spoke during “One to One Conversation”, with Lionel Barber, the editor of Financial Times at the on-going 5th annual Financial Times African Summit.

Read more at http://areanews.ng/en/?p=1693

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The federal government on Friday released a list of some people who it claimed allegedly laundered money in the previous administration.

Minister of Information, Lai Mohammad, released the list during a press conference in Lagos on Friday, a statement by his assistant, Segun Adeyemi reads.

The minister noted that PDP’s challenge prompted FG to take the move adding that the names in the list include PDP chieftains who are currently being tried for corruption and financial crimes.

“The PDP has challenged us to name the looters under their watch. They said they did not loot the treasury. Well, I am sure they know that the treasury was looted dry under their watch. Yet they decided to grandstand. This shows the hollowness of their apology. Let’s just give them a teaser with this list”, Alhaji Mohammed said.

The minister also said the list is “just a tip of the iceberg, and the PDP is aware of this.
We did not make these cases up. Many of these cases are in court and the records are available”.

He also noted that some of the people on this list are seeking to plea bargain.

Those named on the list include: Read more here http://areanews.ng/en/?p=1688


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Port Harcourt set for PDP convention

Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital is agog as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to hold its National convention to choose its Presidential candidate for the 2019 general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the PDP had slated its 2018 National convention in Port Harcourt for the 6th and 7th Oct., 2018 to choose its Presidential candidate for the 2019 general elections.

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The intrigues ahead of 2019 presidential election have risen a notch with the emergence of new political force, a mega political party named People’s Trust (PT). The party, led by former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has members and political groups, including the Third Force led by former president Olusegun Obasanjo, joining forces to form the mega party.

Some of the notable figures in the new party are the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’abba; former military governor of Kaduna State, Col Abubarkar Dangiwa Umar, and former minister of education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili. Others are the son of former Prime Minister of Nigeria, Dr Abduljalil Tafawa Balewa and the son of former Biafran leader, Chief Debe Odumegwu Ojukwu.

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The National Chairman of Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), Dr. Jay Osi-Samuels has narrated how the party was rescued from highjackers and godfathers, saying it was not an easy task dealing with political and so called spiritual godfathers.

” If i open my mouth and speak, Nigeria will boil” he says.

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Osun rerun: Omisore breaks silence on why he didn’t support PDP, Adelek

The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in the just concluded election in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has explained why he decided not to support Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Omisore said he opted to support the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, in the rerun election in the state because the leadership of the PDP in the state said...

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Tension as Bianca Ojukwu, others flee as gunmen disrupt APGA primary in Anambra

Gunmen on Wednesday invaded the venue of the Anambra South senatorial primary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance at the Township Stadium, Ekwulobia, in the Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

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Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday congratulated Jide Sanwo-Olu, his opponent in the All Progressives Congress governorship primary election in Lagos State for emerging the winner.

He shared his congratulatory message at a press conference.

Ambode reportedly urged members of the APC to support Sanwo-Olu, winner of the party’s Lagos governorship primary.

Details soon.

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Peace may have finally returned to Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun local government areas of Akwa Ibom state as 0ver 100 cultists belonging to various groups have surrendered their arms to the police.

The development which is part of the state government’s move towards granting amnesty to the hoodlums who have terrorizing the council areas, saw the hoodlums renouncing their membership of the cult groups.

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BREAKING: Adams Oshiomhole affirms Lagos governorship primaries

The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole has dismissed the cancellation of the Lagos governorship primary that was held on Tuesday.

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Ike Ekweremadu wins PDP senatorial ticket for Enugu West

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has picked the Peoples Democratic Party ticket for the Enugu West Senatorial District in the 2019 general elections.

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The National Working Committee of the All Progressive Congress sent from Abuja to monitor the party’s governorship primary in Lagos State has nullified the exercise held across the 20 local government areas of the state on Tuesday.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Clement Ebri, who addressed the press around 4.30pm at Protea Hotel, Alausa, said the election could not have held because the committee was still expecting the list of representatives of one of the two aspirants.

The primary is being contested by Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

Ebri, however, did not mention the camp that defaulted on the modalities for the election.

Details later…

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says there is need to create a “new tribe” in Nigeria in order to have a country driven by national unity and cohesion.

Osinbajo expressed this view while declaring open a five-day photo exhibition tagged, ‘ANISZA’ on Monday in Abuja.

ANISZA is a collaborative project between the Federal Government and the private sector, a scheme that showcases the untold stories of Nigeria’s unity since independence in 1960 via pictures.

“ANISZA” was derived from the first two letters of three indigenous Nigerian languages–Anoko Onu – Igbo word for togetherness; Isokan – Yoruba word for unity; and Zaman Tare – Hausa words for one tribe.

Osinbajo had earlier toured the mobile gallery and inspected the photographs on display.

He said that two things struck him about the exhibition – the first being the deliberate attempt to engage younger Nigerians and the issue of promoting national unity.

Osinbajo added that the second thing that struck him was the idea of casting a vision by reflecting Nigeria’s history via a collection of photographs that told Nigeria’s national story as the victories of unity despite the diversities and dissention.

The vice president said that the pictures he saw included the photograph of the Shitta Bey Mosque, which was headlined by Christian leaders who were gladly invited by Muslim leaders to the mosque.

Osinbajo said he also saw the photograph of where Christians formed a protective shield of Muslims at prayer in Abuja in 2012 among others.

“It seems to me to be a good time for me to recall an earlier call I have made for a new tribe of Nigerians to build a new Nigeria.

“It is my respected view that to build a new Nigeria, we need a new tribe; one tribe of men and women of all faiths, of all tribes, of all ethnicities committed to a country run on high values; high values of integrity, of hard work, of justice and of love of country.

“A tribe of men and women who are prepared to make the sacrifices and exercise the self-constraint that is crucial for building a healthy society and who are prepared to stick together to fight injustice; to fight corruption; to insist on the rule of law; even when our friends are the receiving end.

“ A tribe consisting of professionals, of businessmen, of politicians, of students, of religious leaders and all who believe that a new Nigeria is possible,’’ he said.

He said that the exhibition was a collaboration between the Federal Government represented by the media team in the presidency, the Federal Ministry of Information and the private sector.

On her part, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, said that the event was a thing of joy as it came at a day Nigerians were witnessing the 58th independence in peace.

She said that the project was noble gesture which had the support of the Federal Government.

The Project Visionary, Novo Isioro, said that the event was Nigeria’s first ever unity photography exhibition.

“On this ground today, we are gathered for one thing; one very important thing; there is a dream which is focused on re-orientating us to a nation that was united; will stay united and will get better.”

She said that if ethic differences were collapsed in the everyday interaction of Nigerians, the citizens would fare better.

According to her, the documentary is about telling the story of Nigeria’s strength in diversity.

The exhibition, which drew students from across the country, had some members of the Federation Executive Council in attendance. (NAN)

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"Only lazy government officials sleeps on duty"

-Lai Mohammad

~Nigeria politics today