₦airaland Forum

https://i1.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2016/07/Daniel-Dino-Melaye.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1

Senator Dino Melaye has promised to make himself available to the police next week.

The lawmaker representing Kogi West constituency, Dino Melaye said he is not a criminal and has no reason to run from the police.

He explained that the police invasion of his residence was unnecessary and that he will report himself to the police as soon as he returns to Abuja.

“I was informed that my house has been invaded. Over 40 policemen inside the compound and over 50 outside the gate. My staff were molested, beaten and handcuffed and taken away.

“Presently I’m outside Abuja. I’m a Senator of the Federal Republic of Abuja, I cannot run away. I will make myself available as soon as I’m back to town next week. I am not a criminal, I have not done anything wrong,” he said.

Melaye also accused the police of disobeying court order to release his international passport to him. According to him, a court order has said that his passport should be released by the police.

“The police have arraigned me in seven courts already. There is a judgement that my passport be given to me. For the past five months, the court order on the IG to return my passport they have refused to obey that order.

“Since April, my security details have been withdrawn by the Nigerian police. The resolution of the Senate for them to restore that have been ignored, all these is to expose me to attack and make me vulnerable.

“But God has been protecting me, he has been my shield and buckler, I cannot run away. I’m not a criminal, I will make myself available to the force headquarters as soon as I return on Monday,” he added.

Melaye in a series of tweets on Friday earlier announced that his residence was under siege by the police. He said all entrances to his Abuja residence was secured by the police under claims there is no order to arrest me.

Also, the younger brother of the Senator, Moses Melaye, explained on Friday that the surveillance team of the Nigerian Police Force came to the residence with some of their men in uniform and in mufti.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/i-will-make-myself-available-to-police-next-week-dino-melaye.html

rippp

Body of former President Shehu Shagri arrives Shagari. Jana'iz prayers about to be performed in preparatory for the burial at his Shagari home. Governors of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, and Emir of Argungu and other prominent traditional rulers are all in Shagari

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/see-crowd-at-ex-president-shehu-shagari-buhari-in-sokoto-photos.html

Rip

Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has received the remains of the former president, Shehu Shagari in Sokoto, the state capital.

The remains of former president, Shehu Shagari has left the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja for Sokoto.

Shagari is expected to be buried at 2pm.

He died on Friday at the age of 93.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/body-of-ex-president-shagari-leaves-abuja-for-sokoto-photos.html

https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Buhari-o.jpg

Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not an option for Nigerians in 2019.

Oshiomhole said this while speaking with state house correspondents after a meeting with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the presidential villa on Thursday.

The APC chairman expressed optimism that the ruling party would win the 2019 elections, adding that the electorate would not be so confused as to entrust the economy into the hands of people that mismanaged it.

“PDP is just not an option; particularly when their candidate is not a new face; there is no basis for benefit of the doubt,” he said.

“You can give benefit of the doubt to a stranger, not to someone who was at the heart; perhaps one of most powerful vice presidents we have ever had.

“So, I am clear that Nigerians will not have any basis to give PDP the benefit of the doubt.”

Asked to be emphatic on the chances the APC in the elections, Oshiomhole said: “Of course, how can you ask what the chances are?

“If PDP was doing well after 16 years, they wanted to do for 60 but they were terminated, no employer will recall an employee dismissed due to gross misconduct and abuse of finances you don’t recall the employee back.

“I remember that the best Uche Secondus had to say was that he was apologising to Nigerian people and I have not heard anybody say they have accepted the apology and people who have robbed you they don’t apologise and say allow me back into your store room, you don’t do that.

“I have not heard anybody say he has accepted the apology. People that have robbed you; they don’t apologise and say allow me back to your storeroom; you don’t do that.

“We are certain that even as we cannot talk of any perfect situation, nothing can make Nigerians get so confused as to think that those who mismanaged yesterday and those who were at the heart of that mismanagement can be entrusted with providing leadership for tomorrow.

“I do not think that is a question at all. PDP is out of this calculation as far as I am concerned.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/pdp-is-not-just-option-atiku-is-not-new-face-oshiomhole-tells-osinbajo.html

https://i1.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2018/10/amosun.jpg?w=1062&ssl=1

The Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, on Thursday flagged off his campaign for a senatorial seat, saying he was a victim of envy within the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Amosun who has been at loggerheads with the national leadership of the party, following his failure to secure the governorship ticket for Adekunle Akinlade, his choice candidate has vowed to work against his party.

Mr Akinlade and other aides of the embittered governor have since moved to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). Mr Amosun has remained in the party.

Messrs Amosun and Akinlade, despite their grouse have endorsed the reelection bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

An irate national APC leadership led by Adams Oshiomhole recently dissolved the state executive of the party in Ogun saying they could not be trusted to work for the party as they are loyalists of Mr Amosun.

The governor while addressing the party supporters at Panseke venue of the campaign rally in Abeokuta said the unnamed party leaders who worked towards denying him of the opportunity to present his candidate, “were only playing god”.

He said the party leaders did not realise that, it is only God who gives power, adding that, “it was amazing that those leaders are planning electoral victory ahead of the faraway 2023 poll, forgetting that nobody knows who will be alive then”.

“I am a victim of envy, forgetting that God owns our lives, and they are playing god. They have even started planning for the presidency ahead of the far away 2023 political dispensation. Who knows who will be alive tomorrow?”

Mr Amosun canvassed for votes for himself, and a few contestants under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), in the state, as well as votes for President Muhammed Buhari in the forthcoming 2019 elections.

But the governor specifically asked the electorate not to vote for the governorship candidate of APC, Dapo Abiodun, but vote for Mr Akinlade, who is now the governorship candidate of the APM.

The campaign Director General of APM, Sarafa Ishola, explained to our correspondent that his party has no senatorial candidate, hence had resolved to support Mr Amosun’s ambition.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/amosun-flags-off-campaign-mocks-apc-leadership.html

https://silverbirdtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/PVC-1-1140x640.jpg

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday raised the alarm that some politicians in Oyo State were mounting pressure on the commission to sell unclaimed 914,529 permanent voter cards in its custody to them.

The commission said it was not giving in to such pressure aimed at rigging the forthcoming polls because “INEC is determined to ensure that people’s votes count in the free, fair and credible elections in 2019.”

Speaking on the theme, “Online journalism and Media integrity in Nigeria,” Agboke declared that some politicians, whose identities he did not disclose, approached the commission to buy PVCs to rig the elections.

He stated, “As far as we are concerned, PVCs are not for sale.”

The REC assured residents of the state of smooth elections devoid of crisis in 2019, stressing that no worker of the commission would sell PVCs to any politician ahead of the 2019 elections.

Agboke said, “They are looking for PVCs to buy. They are looking for what is not available because they know that these things are not available. This is the security report at my disposal.

“Tell those who are looking for PVCs to buy that there is none to buy in Oyo State. I can assure you that no INEC employee will sell PVCs to any politician. I can assure you that the process will be free and fair in Oyo State.

“Those who are looking for PVCs to buy, I won’t give you their names. I don’t have their names.

“But that is the security report I got and the report did not specify the party and the individuals that are involved. They want us to give them PVCs but we can’t give it to them. They want to buy PVCs but there is none to sell in Oyo State.”

Agboke urged journalists in the state to cooperate with the commission in spreading accurate information to members of the public.

He said, “All of us are stakeholders. If you are in doubt, call INEC. More so, you are online journalists, let us ensure that we have our facts correct. For me in Oyo State, I have nothing to hide. We conducted the election in Eruwa and the people that won, won.”

He urged journalists to abide by the ethics of the profession at all times.

The South-West Bureau Chief of The Nation and an Associate Editor of the Nigerian Tribune newspapers, Mr Bisi Oladele, and Mr Wale Ojo-Lanre respectively, urged journalists to always abide by the rules and regulations guiding the profession in their day-to-day reportage.

They said online journalism had come to stay in Nigeria and admonished journalists to distinguish themselves from ordinary writers considering the fact that “almost everybody is a journalist with the advent of internet and smart phones.”

They agreed that one of the ways for the journalists “ to differentiate themselves from ordinary writers was for them to cross-check their facts, investigate their stories and be conscious of the existing laws of the land.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/politicians-pressurising-us-to-sell-unclaimed-914529-pvcs-inec.html

https://i2.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2018/02/Abdulazizi-Yari.jpg?fit=860%2C522&ssl=1

Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State on Thursday expressed support for the call on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Yari, addressing newsmen at a press briefing in Gusau, said, “I am also in support of the declaration of state of emergency if it will save the lives of people of the state.”

He warned politicians against politicising the disturbing security situation in the state.

“We are talking about the lives of our people and this needs the coming together of all, so that the crisis can end.



“If the provisions of my office had allowed me to carry arms against the bandits, l would have done so.

“But, if I am not around, there are capable hands that collaborate with the security team in the fight against the bandits.

“The security men are doing their best. But, it is sad to know that some of the people involved in the kidnappings are close relatives or associates of the victims, which is part of the reasons the problem is persisting.

“We must all come together and expose anyone or group that is part of these hoodlums, and we should also pray for Allah’s intervention,” Yari said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that bandits had continued to elude security measures put in place by both the State and Federal governments.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/just-in-i-support-declaration-of-state-of-emergency-in-zamfara-says-gov-yari.html

https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2016/05/Atiku-and-Buhari.jpg?fit=800%2C479&ssl=1
The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, PPCO, has in a riposte on Thursday, warned Presidency to stop peddling lies against its Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, noting that the former vice president was absorbed of all allegations by the Chairman Buhari’s Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay and the United States Department of Justice after a thorough investigation was conducted on him.

The PDP Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO) says President Muhammadu Buhari’s desperate corruption attack on its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is a mere illusion.

It is however unfortunate that President Buhari will resort to sponsoring fabrications and false allegations against Atiku Abubakar just because he has is overwhelmed by Atiku’s soaring popularity and acceptance by Nigerians as their next President, come 2019.

We wish to remind President Buhari, who has been unleashing his aides to attack our Presidential candidate, that Atiku Abubakar has never been charged, indicted nor convicted for any act of corruption by any competent authority whatsoever.

Moreover, President Buhari has been in office for almost four years and has never found anything incriminatory on Atiku Abubakar that can warrant his prosecution despite being hounded under the Buhari administration.

It is therefore unfortunate that President Buhari has now resorted to sponsoring fabrications and false allegations against Atiku Abubakar just because he has become overwhelmed by Atiku’s soaring popularity and acceptance by Nigerians as their next President, come 2019.

The PDP Presidential campaign organization is aware that all the shenanigans being employed by the Buhari Presidency are designed to divert attention from the main issue of President Buhari’s woeful failure and the corruption in his Presidency.

Finally, the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, however, refuses to be distracted from the referendum of the 2019 general election which is on the hunger, deprivation, insecurity, killings and bloodletting that have become the hallmark of the Buhari administration.

President Buhari must account for these sufferings because come February 16, 2019 Nigerians will register their protest against President Buhari’s misrule by casting their votes enmasse for Atiku Abubakar.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/atiku-is-a-saint-stop-fabricating-lies-against-him-pdp-warns-presidency.html

https://i2.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2018/10/atttttt.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says the proposed budget of the Muhammadu Buhari administration for 2019 is built on a ‘shaky foundation’.

“The proposed budget as presented is fundamentally flawed,” said the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “It deliberately ignores and fails to address current realities and pretends, as Mr President asserts, ‘we are on the right direction.”

He added, “On the contrary, the 2019 budget is built on a very shaky foundation and makes very generous, often wild and untenable assumptions which pose significant risks to its implementation.”

The former vice president believes it will be a disservice to the nation if the “fundamental flaws” are ignored.

He accused the Presidency of filling the budget proposal with several inaccurate claims and making attempts to hide its failure to improve the welfare and living standards of Nigerians.

“I see the rhetoric of ‘inclusive, diversified and sustainable growth’ as no more than an amplification of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government’s renewed propaganda to hoodwink the citizens into believing that there is ‘light at the end of the tunnel,” Atiku alleged.

According to him, the economy has yet to recover from the 2016/2017 recession as it remains “severely stressed, extremely fragile and vulnerable to external shocks.”

The PDP candidate said the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth declined from 2.11 per cent in 2017 to 1.9 per cent in Q1, and to 1.5 per cent in Q2 of 2018.

He, however, noted an increase of 0.3 per cent to 1.8 per cent in Q3 of 2018.

“In reality, Mr President should expect no less. It is a fact that under his watch and resulting from his actions or inactions, investor confidence in the economy has waned like never before in Nigeria’s history,” Atiku alleged.

He added, “Nigeria remains an uncompetitive economy as demonstrated by the recent World Economic Forum (WEF), Global Competitiveness Index which positions Nigeria as 115th of 140 Countries.

“The Report shows that Nigeria has moved three places down, contrary to Mr President’s claim that ‘we are moving in the right direction’. Nigeria remains one of the most difficult places to do business as evidenced by the massive outflows of capital in recent times.”

On the way forward, the former vice president called for an alternative to the government’s budget proposal.

The country, according to him, needs a government which understands how to run the economy in order to get it working again.

Atiku stressed that his administration has the capacity and experience Nigeria needed to get on the right path.

He said, “For the avoidance of doubt, an Atiku Presidency, come 2019, will present to Nigerians a people’s budget that will prioritise and focus on the twin challenges of unemployment and poverty.”

“Nigeria’s high rates of unemployment, poverty and inequality represent both a significant distortion in the economic system and a lost opportunity for critical national development and could potentially threaten social stability.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/2019-budget-is-built-on-a-very-shaky-foundation-atiku.html

https://i1.wp.com/storage.googleapis.com/stateless-dailynigerian-com/2018/08/INEC-boss-Prof.Yakubu.jpg?fit=690%2C450&ssl=1

The Independent National Electoral Commission, says it will not hesitate to discipline any staff found to have betrayed public trust during the 2019 general election.

INEC Public Affairs Officer in Akwa Ibom, Mr Don Etukudo gave the warning in a statement in Uyo on Sunday.

Etukudo urged INEC staff to ensure that the commission is able to deliver free, fair and credible election to the people of the state in line with its mandate.

“In the last one year, the commission has been counselling staff on how to ensure a successful 2019 general election and will initiate disciplinary measures on staff that compromise the process,” he said.

He said the commission had withdrawn some electoral officers from the field and re-assigned them to different Local Government Areas.

According to him, the exercise is a strategic re-organisation and re-positioning to ensure that the process leading to the general election is foolproof.

Etukudo said the commission was rejuvenating and re-positioning its personnel to the core values of integrity and impartiality necessary to drive them towards delivering on the commission’s mandate.

He urged politicians in the state to steer clear of INEC’s staff in the forthcoming general election by refraining from “unethical engagement” that may jeopardise the careers of the staff.

Etukudo further said INEC staff recently elevated had been given their letters of promotion.
He enjoined the affected staff to reciprocate the gesture by re-dedicating and committing themselves to the mandate of the commission.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/2019-dont-betray-public-trust-inec-tells-staff.html

The campaign office of George Tagbo Ogara, one of the candidates laying claim to the Enugu State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket, was Saturday night attacked by unknown persons.

The attackers, it was gathered, set two campaign buses branded ‘Buhari/Osibanjo campaign’ ablaze.

An eyewitness report says the resultant fire was controlled by officials of the State Fire Service who promptly arrived the scene.

However, Mr Ogara, in a reaction on the incident, claimed that the attackers used Improvised Explosive Device, IEDs to set the two buses ablaze.

Mr Ogara, who said he was in Lagos at the time of the incident, however, said he does not know where the attack came from.

“Improvised Explosive Device, IED, bomb is not a matter a civilian like me can intervene. The police and DSS will investigate that matter.

“Bomb is a military hardware it’s not something civilians can discuss and point accusing fingers at any person; it’s a very serious matter.”

Mr Ogara, who claims to be the duly elected Enugu APC governorship candidate for the 2019 election, is in court to challenge the party for publishing the name of a former senator, Ayogu Eze, as its candidate.

The tussle, which has lingered, has been fixed for hearing at an Abuja Federal High Court on January 10.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/enugu-apc-campaign-office-attacked-buses-burnt.html

https://cdn.dailytrust.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Obasanjo-11-533x400.jpg

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday said Nigeria belongs to all and that God will not allow “insensitive” few to make the country their private estate.

Obasanjo spoke at the 80th birthday celebration of Professor Ango Abdullahi, former Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, which took place at the latter’s farm in Basawa, Zaria.

The birthday ceremony which was organised by the Abdullahi Kwasau Dynasty of Zaria was used by the former president to flay the security challenges bedevilling the country.

He said people of his age would not allow things to continue the way they are now, as that would amount to planting the seed of destruction.

He added: “We have the problem of Boko Haram, which we have been told has gone, but it has not gone anywhere. So, what are we going to do about it? Nobody should feel that he has the monopoly of violence. But is it violence that will make this country what it should be? Is it insecurity? I heard that couples were preparing themselves for marriage, but they were abducted here in Nigeria.

“For as long as our nation is not what it should be, then you, our children, the youth and we, your parents, no matter our age, we haveto work together to make our country what it should be. Nobody can say yes, it is my country, I can do whatever I like with it, God will notallow that to happen.”

The celebrant said the event was an opportunity for the Abdullahi Kwasau dynasty to come together to speak with one another in order to strengthen the relationship.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/obj-god-will-not-allow-insensitive-few-to-make-the-country-their-private-estate.html

https://i2.wp.com/www.icirnigeria.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Court-sacks-Duke-as-SDP-presidential-candidate-a-day-after-his-running-mate-resigned.jpg?resize=749%2C430&ssl=1

There are indications that the leadership of the Social Democratic Party has not submitted Prof. Jerry Gana’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission as replacement for Mr Donald Duke as a result of an appeal over a court ruling on the party’s presidential candidate.

Duke was declared presidential candidate of the party after the primary election held in October 2018, but Gana immediately instituted a case against the result in court, arguing that the zoning and rotation formula of the party had been flouted.

But following the ruling, the party, alongside the National Chairman, Chief Olu Falae, and Secretary, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, among other top hierarchy, were listed as appellants challenging the high court judgment at the Court of Appeal.

The party had turned down Gana’s request to list his name as a replacement for Duke.

A source, who craved anonymity, told our correspondent on Saturday that the party had turned down the request outright during the week.

She said, “Prof Jerry Gana took the party to court and the party is appealing the judgment. As far as the party is concerned, Duke won the primary and the state chairmen are on his side. The party is not supporting Gana but a few people in the EXCO are supporting him (Gana).

“For instance, Prof Jerry Gana wanted the party to submit his application to INEC, but the party turned the request down on the grounds that they are appealing the judgment. His name is not with INEC.”

When contacted, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Alfa Mohammed, who declined to comment on the development, said all inquiries concerning the party should be directed to the National Vice Chairman of SDP (South), Prof Tunde Adeniran.

“Definitely you should know that the party submitted a name and the time for submission has lapsed. I do not want to comment on the development,” he said.

Attempts to speak with Adeniran to confirm if the party changed the name of its presidential candidate proved abortive as he did not return call to his mobile.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/sdp-retains-dukes-name-with-inec.html

[img]https://1.bp..com/-aLDS0fo0i2s/XBuOKjO2xzI/AAAAAAABDUc/3cwLixt8Owg_onDrRX1SinsVjEUhoUmbwCLcBGAs/s1600/Nigerian-Senate-in-session.jpg[/img]

The Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye as Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Also confirmed were eight others as members of the ICPC board.

They are Grace Chinda from Delta, Okolo Titus (Enugu), Obiora Igwedebia (Anambra), Olubukola Balogun (Lagos) and Justice Adamu Bello (Katsina).

The other members are Hannatu Muhammed (Jigawa), Abdullahi Saidu (Niger) and Yahaya Dauda (Nasarawa).

The Senate also confirmed the appointment of Justice Uwani Abba as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/breaking-senate-confirms-owasanoye-8-others-as-icpc-chairman-members.html

https://static.pulse.ng/img/incoming/origs7964503/9190485100-w980-h640/Yahaya-Bello.jpg

Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi Sstate, has described the lawmakers who booed President Muhammadu Buhari at the 2019 budget proposal presentation on Wednesday, as “children who lack home training”.

The governor said this on Thursday while speaking with state house correspondents after the Anchor Borrowers Programme Gala at the state house conference center in Abuja.

Bello said the lawmaker are bent on destroying the country and its democracy.

“First of all two distinct human beings, a father, a gentleman, a man who has the interest of the country at heart, President Muhammadu Buhari displaced his stuff today (Wednesday), and those who are self-centered, selfish and bent on destroying this country and the democracy have also shown themselves today,” he said.

“This is what I said sometimes back that when you have a child that is not well trained by his parents he constitutes menace to the society and that is exactly what we witnessed today in the National Assembly. National Assembly is suppose to be made of men and women of character and integrity. We have seen those that constitute such class of human beings and those that constitute menace to the society in the National Assembly today. But above all, I thank God, I thank Mr. President for a wonderful presentation of 2019 budget estimates. We all believe it’s going to take Nigeria to the next level by the special grace of God.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/you-lack-home-training-yahaya-bello-tells-lawmakers-who-booed-buhari.html

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, inaugurated the new international terminal building at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Bashir Ahmad, the president’s New Media aide, shared a video, from the moment, the new terminal was officially declared open for use.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/just-in-buhari-inaugurates-new-abuja-terminal-video.html

https://i0.wp.com/www.sharenews.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Dpta4lsX4AAj4BV-1062x598.jpg?resize=856%2C482&ssl=1

President Muhammadu Buhari will today attend the Passing Out Parade (POP) ceremony of the Police Academy, POLAC Kano.

A total of 602 cadets are passing out from the academy which was established in 1988.

The President is expected to leave Abuja this morning after commissioning the new terminal building of the Nnmadi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.

The institution which was initially for the training of police inspectors and assistant superintendents of police, commenced degree programme during last administration of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

In 2012, the Federal Government of Nigeria upgraded POLAC to a degree – awarding institution and the National Universities commission, accordingly, recognized it as the 37th Federal University and the 124th University in Nigeria.

Academy activities commenced in September, 2012 with the pioneer faculties including; Faculty of Science, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Social and Management Science and Faculty of Humanities.

Already, the Police Academy, located at the Wudil area of Kano state, has been filled to the brim with parents and well wishers of the cadets on ground.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/buhari-attends-police-academy-pop-in-kano-today.html

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/llt7PTnAIJE/hqdefault.jpg

After the session, the Deputy Minority Leader, Mr Chukwuka Onyema, led members of the PDP caucus in the House to address journalists where he thrashed the appropriation bill.

Reading from a written speech entitled, ‘2019 Budget: Yes Another Hollow Ritual,’ Onyema said, “Again, the Buhari administration has tabled another multi-trillion naira budget and, again, this hollow ritual it began in 2015 may soon be followed, as usual, with excuses for non-performance.

“Again too, as it has always done, the APC government known for its unique ideology of ‘blame-ology’ will start apportioning of blames to all else, except itself.

“For a government that came into power promising utopia, consistently dismal implementation of the national budget betrays its half-hearted, insensitivity to the plight of the Nigerian people who long for genuine progress and development that will positively impact their lives.

“Yet since 2015, it has been an unfortunate harvest of lies, blames and propaganda while its over hyped campaign promises of security, economic growth and war against corruption have remained a mirage.”

Onyema said the claims by the administration of stepping up citizens’ security was “partly-punctured” by a report issued by the Amnesty International this week, cataloguing more than 3, 600 killings since 2016, with 310 attacks recorded between January 2016 and October 2018, 57 per cent of which took place in 2018 alone.

Accusing the government of lack of vision in managing the economy, the lawmaker said the daily increasing millions of unemployed or sacked Nigerians attested to the APC administration’s failure.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/reason-why-we-disrupted-2019-budget-presentation-minority-leader-pdp-reps.html

https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/saraki-dogara-tete-a-tete.jpg

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has hailed the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, for demonstrating “great courage and patriotism while conducting the affairs of the Senate and the National Assembly”.

The lawmaker said this in his congratulatory message to Saraki, on the occasion of his 56th birthday anniversary.

In a special message to Senator Saraki, signed by his media aide, Turaki Hassan, the Speaker commended him for his constant promotion of the independence of the legislature and his outstanding contributions to the nation building, describing him as a courageous and patriotic leader.

He said, “I note with great pleasure that in the last three and half years, you have demonstrated great courage and patriotism while conducting the affairs of the Senate and the National Assembly as a whole.

“Your consistent display of unwavering commitment to the unity, peace and progress of Nigeria and particularly, the independence of the legislature is legendary and worthy of commendation.

“The Senate under your leadership has remained focused and people-oriented, owing to your dexterity, capacity and vibrancy.
“As you mark this auspicious occasion, I wish to join your teeming well wishers in praying to Almighty God to grant you more wisdom and sound health to continue to serve the nation.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/dogara-sends-powerful-message-to-bukola-saraki-as-he0marks-56th-birthday.html

https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Dogara-and-Lasun-e1440138036924.jpg

President Muhammadu Buhari will tomorrow, December 19, present the 2019 budget before a joint session of the National Assembly, according to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yusuf Lasun (APC, Osun).

Lasun, who confirmed this at the end of Tuesday’s plenary, urged the lawmakers to ensure that they are seated at the chamber before 10 am.
“President Muhammadu Buhari will tomorrow, December 19, formally present the 2019 budget before a joint session of the National Assembly. Please, make sure you are seated before 10 am,” Lasun announced.

The announcement has laid to rest the initial speculations by some media and political observers that Buhari’s budget presentation might be disrupted by the striking workers of the National Assembly.

The National Assembly workers, under the aegis of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), are demanding a salary hike of 28 percent and other sundry allowances.

President Buhari is expected to present a budget of over N8 trillion before Senators and members of the House of Representatives tomorrow.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/despite-nass-strike-buhari-to-present-2019-budget-tomorrow-deputy-speaker.html

https://cdn.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/13164625/Deji-Adeyanju.jpg

The Senate on Tuesday ordered the joint committee on police and judiciary to investigate the rearrest of activist and founder of Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju by the police.

Adeyanju’s rearrest was mentioned on the floor of the Senate by Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West senatorial district, where the activist hails from.

He said, “Deji Adeyanju is a pro-democracy activist. He has been arrested twice by the Nigerian police for organising protests in the defence of democracy.

“This activist was arrested again by the Police, for a matter that took place 18 years ago. The judgement has been given. Deji Adeyanju and two others have been discharged and acquitted by the court.

“Mr. President, we are in a democracy. Our Constitution has given us the freedom of association, freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

“This is not acceptable to me; it should not be accepted by the Senate. It is time for the Senate to stand up and speak up in defence of Deji Adeyanju. We need to defend Deji Adeyanju, as we need to defend every Nigerian.

He asked the Senate to constitute a committee to look into the matter.

Melaye said, “The Senate should constitute a committee to look into this. This is about our basic fundamental human rights.”

His motion was seconded by Senator Emmanuel Paulker, representing Bayelsa Central.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki while reacting ordered the joint committee to report their findings to the Senate in two weeks.

He said, “This young man has been arrested and rearrested. This is a country that is seen as a leader in the continent. The committee should look into this.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/senate-urges-policejudiciary-joint-committee-to-review-activist-adeyanjus-rearrest.html

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DbpK2-AX0AAD9f7.jpg

THE Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yussuff Lasun on Tuesday presided over 25 lawmakers as National Assembly staff stay off duty due to the four day warning strike.

To form a quorum, the House needs to have a minimum of 120 lawmakers in attendance.

But immediately the plenary commenced at about 12.05pm, leader of the House, Rep Femi Gbajabiamilla,APC, Lagos raised a point of order under personal explanation. Gbajabiamilla noted that there’s need to tell Nigerians about why the House is scanty “and the truth is that PASAN is on strike hence this development.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/nass-crisis-deputy-speaker-lasun-25-reps-hold-plenary-now.html

https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2017/12/Femi-Gbajabiamila.jpg?fit=750%2C450&ssl=1

The Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamilla on Tuesday said no strike can stop the National Assembly from sitting as this will amount to shutting down the country.

The leader who spoke to journalists at the White House lobby of NASS said”it’s not possible to shut down the legislature as the entire country would be shut down as there will be nobody to make the laws.

“Last night both legislative Chambers leadership met on the issue of unpaid salaries though we operate separate accounts and we are on top of it.

“Our intervention is already yielding results and we hope to get results soon.

On whether the president will present the budget, he said”this is an APC government yes the president will present it tomorrow (Wednesday).

On the possibility of not forming a quorum, Gbajabiamilla simply said”wait till we start before jumping to conclusion that we may not form a quorum as most lawmakers come straight to chamber not their offices first.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/nass-criss-national-assembly-strike-cant-stop-plenary-femi-gbajabiamila.html

https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/duke-and-gana.jpg

The forum of the 36 state chairmen of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has rejected the court order issued by Justice Hussain Yusuf which declared Prof. Jerry Gana as the presidential candidate of the party and sacked an ex-governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, as the SDP standard bearer.

In a statement made available to journalists on Saturday in Abuja, which was signed by the forum’s Chairman; Hon. Oke Idawene and Secretary, Abubakar Dogara, they described the court ruling as “an act of gross injustice unconstitutional, and null and void”.

The statement reads in part: “the Party shall abide by the unanimous decision taken by the party’s delegates and the mandates of the 36 State Chapters and the FCT when they convincingly and overwhelmingly voted for Mr. Donald Duke in the October 6th October 2018 national presidential primaries of the Party.

“That mandate given to Donald Duke as the party’s presidential candidate is sacred, supreme and so remained sacrosanct as the will and ultimate decision of party members and leadership which no court can abort.

“The Forum said it will use all available legal and judicial process to protect its mandate and ensure that the will of the people prevails.

”We wish to use this medium to assure the general public, especially party members to remain calm and steadfast in their support and goodwill for the party and its presidential candidate towards the actualization of the vision of the Party to rescue Nigeria through the 2019 General elections.

“The SDP is working within the ambiance of the law to vacate the order of the Abuja court where Prof Gana is trying to pervert and arrest justice through his unlawful claims.

“Against this backdrop, our legal team has filed an appeal against the order of the High Court at the Appeal court in Abuja.

“Therefore, we want to appeal to all party members across the country to continue with their party activities and campaigns with utmost decorum, decency and orderliness.

“We shall communicate to all our members, details of our campaign programmes in the days ahead.”

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/2019-presidency-sdp-chairmen-reject-jerry-gana-vow-vacate-ruling-donald-duke.html

https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/vice-presidential-debate.jpg

On Friday, December 14, 2018, the Vice Presidential candidates of the PDP, APC, ACPN, ANN and YPP starred in the first of several televised debates ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The debate participants were Umma Getso (YPP), Ganiyu Galadima (ACPN), Khadijah Abdullahi-Iya (ANN), Peter Obi (PDP) and Yemi Osinbajo (APC).

Peter Obi (PDP)

https://www.independent.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Peter-Obi.jpg

He started like a house on fire, reeling out statistics and proffering solutions to a host of economic challenges plaguing Nigeria at the moment. He certainly had Osinbajo in his crosshairs.

However, a host of Obi’s numbers didn’t add up following some fact checking.

The PDP candidate announced that Nigeria has 2 million cars plying the roads. The registered number of vehicles in Nigeria, according to the nation’s statistics bureau, is 11million.

Obi also said Nigeria’s trade with Africa stood at 9 percent. The correct figure is 15 percent. According to the Afriexim Bank, intra-Africa trade is around 15 percent. In 2016, intra-African exports made up 18 percent of total Nigerian exports according to the Brookings Institution.

Obi’s claims that 87 million Nigerians are unemployed was also a stat pulled from outer space. 34 million Nigerians are unemployed according to latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). 87 million is about the total number of Nigeria's labour force.

Nigeria’s foreign direct investment for 2015 wasn’t $21bn, like Obi told everyone. Nor did it fall to $12bn in 2017.

According to NBS capital importation reports, Nigeria’s total imported capital stood at $9.6 billion in 2015.

Some of Obi’s claims on Nigeria slipping down the global competitive index in 2018, were not correct as well. The World Economic Forum report states that Nigeria rose on the index by 10 places in 2018.

However, Obi floored Vice President Osinbajo on the petroleum subsidy debate. His argument that Nigeria is “subsidizing inefficiency” is right on the money when you consider that the subsidy regime on petrol hasn’t significantly impacted on purchasing power or improved the economy in any way, shape or form.

Nigeria is better off finding ways to refine its crude oil locally and fixing the economy instead of paying trillions in subsidy annually.

Yemi Osinbajo (APC)

https://static.pulse.ng/img/incoming/origs9202432/5196369363-w644-h960/DuZucHfW0AA-tXB.jpg

He was on the defensive throughout as expected. Brilliant on the delivery and elocution--a forte for him.

However, like Obi, Osinbajo made some wild, exaggerated claims. When he said Nigeria currently produces a chunk of the rice it consumes, not a few Nigerians were left raising puzzled eyebrows. Millions of Nigerians would tell you for free that local rice is almost never on the market shelves when they go shopping.

"We are producing 90 percent of the rice that we consume and we are importing only 2 percent of what we used to import", Osinbajo said without wincing. This statement is definitely not supported by current realities.

It is also not true that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was practically abandoned under Goodluck Jonathan. There were a few attempts to fix the road in the preceding dispensation, although not enough to get any real work done.

Osinbajo’s attempts to defend the petrol subsidy regime as some kind of panacea to economic improvement, was also weak and scattergun.

But the vice president delivered some sucker punches of his own when he called out Obi for talking about how Nigeria was destroyed when it was in fact the opposition PDP that supervised some of that destruction; and when he flattened Obi who posited that fighting corruption doesn’t really matter.

“You can’t leave your shop and be chasing criminals”, Obi said to applause from what was largely an unruly audience.

“If you allow criminals to steal everything, there will be no shop”, Osinbajo clapped-back to more applause.

Touche.

Good outing overall from Osinbajo as you would expect from a born talker.

The presidential debate will take place on Saturday, January 19, 2019.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/see-how-osinbajo-peter-obi-performed-during-televised-dabate-yesterday.html

https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Femi-Fani-Kayode1.jpg

The Vice Presidential candidates that participated in the 2019 debate that held on Friday night, December 14th, were Ganiyu Galadima of the ACPN, Khadijah Abdullahi-Iya of the ANN, Professor Yemi Osinbajo of the APC, Peter Obi of the PDP and Umma Getso of the YPP.

According to FFK, apart from Peter Obi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the other candidates were an embarassing and distasteful joke.

https://all-gists..com/2018/12/fani-kayode-reacts-to-peter-obi-perfomance-blast-the-remaining-candidate.html

weldone