₦airaland Forum

Sharpshooota:
It's safe to say that the money was looted....

Former Vice President and presidential aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, said Saturday in Kaduna that Nigeria cannot make progress under the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, stressing that for the country to move forward, there must be a change of leadership in 2019. Atiku stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to Senator Ahmed Makarfi, who is also a PDP presidential aspirant, at his residence in Kaduna. The former vice president said Nigeria was currently “at a crossroads” and having its worst experience in virtually all spheres of its existence since the return to democracy in 1999.

“You can definitely acknowledge that since the return of democracy, we have not had a worst period than now, whether in terms of economy, whether in terms of unity, whether in terms of security, this is the worst time since 1999,” Atiku told journalists after his meeting with Makarfi.

“The misadministration of the APC government is very evident. We have the highest record of unemployment since 1999, we have the highest inflation, we have multiple exchange rates that discourage foreign investment. We have the highest level of insecurity since 1999,” he added.

He said Nigeria under Buhari was more divided than any other time in its history.
“People are more angry, people are poorer more than at any time. Nigeria is rated as the headquarters of poverty in the world,” the former vice president stated.

According to him, “This is unthinkable for a country that is endowed with human and natural resources like ours, just because of lack of clear headed leadership and direction, this is where we find ourselves
“So, it is obvious that we just have to change the leadership of this country.”

Speaking earlier, before going into a private meeting with Makarfi, Atiku explained that he was in Kaduna on a campaign, stressing that the visit is significant and special.

“I came for campaign train and I feel it is absolutely necessary, being a colleague and former national caretaker chairman of the PDP who brought the current party structures and leadership into existence, we should pay you this courtesy visit and first of all to put it on record and also commend your leadership,” he Makarfi.

He commended Makarfi for steering the affairs of PDP democratically and overseeing the emergence of the current leadership of the party.

“I will continue to hold you in very high regards and esteem. The fact that you were able to bring our party back to live clearly indicate that you have a lot of potential to offer to this country that cannot be taken away from you,” Atiku stated.

He added, “Fortunately, having belonged to the same political set that ushered in our democracy in 1999, I believe that since we are still active and healthy, we still have a responsibility to make sure that this democratic process which we brought back to this country should be sustained in a manner that brings about progress, development and unity of this country…

“So I think and I believe that if we work together, we will return this country to the path of peace, progress and development.”

Commenting on his chances in the presidential primaries, Atiku said he will support anyone that picked the ticket.
“I am a democrat and I have always worked with anyone that emerged. So I am ready to work with anyone that emerges through credible elections,” he said.

In his remarks, Makarfi recalled various struggles in the PDP with Atiku, adding that he has nothing to lose if Atiku picks the party’s presidential ticket.

“I am ready to work with any of the fellow aspirants that emerges, that is why I even said that because I am willing to work with some of them, I won’t even step into their states,” Makarfi said. “I am not averse to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar becoming the party’s candidate, just like he is not also averse to me becoming the party’s candidate. It is a family issue, we are talking and we will keep on talking,” he added.

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

Fyno:
Why would foreign media be the first to always report every Boko-Haram attacks to Nigerians?

But NANS will even report army attack on Boko-Haram before the attack.

Members of the Boko Haram sect have killed many villagers in Gudumbali town, Borno State.
According to a report by the New York Times, many people were feared dead after a fresh attack on the town on Friday, September 7, 2018.

The attack, according to the report, is coming barely two months after thousands of internally displaced people in camps were ordered back to Gudumbali town.

A witness told New York Times that the terrorists invaded the town situated in the Guzamala region of Borno state on Friday, wearing military uniforms.

The terrorists reportedly opened fire on Nigerian soldiers and residents, sending both the troops and the civilians fleeing.

Narrating the attack, the witness further said, "They came toward the town shooting sporadically.

"They were saying if you know you're an innocent person just leave the town, our target is not you, or if you wish to stay with us, it's no matter, you can stay with us."

The fresh attack on Gudumbali, which lies in territory where Islamic State in West Africa, ISWA has greater influence, might not be unconnected with the terrorists insistence on reclaiming grounds in the war with the Nigerian soldiers.

Army kills 14 terrorists, rescue 21 hostages

The Nigerian Army said it had nutrialised 14 Boko Haram insurgents and rescued 21 hostages in Pulka village in Gwoza Local Government area of Borno.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the insurgents had on Tuesday, ambushed military escort at Amdaga area in Pulka and burnt one passenger vehicle as well as abducted some travelers.

Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, who disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri on Friday said the terrorists were alleged to have haboured the insurgents that ambushed the civilian vehicle.

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has vowed to make a statement with the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State scheduled for September 22, 2018, by arresting and prosecuting politicians inducing voters with money.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu gave the hint yesterday in Abuja during a quarterly consultative meeting with the 91 political parties, where he urged the parties to conduct credible party primaries, as they are the cornerstone of democracy.

He noted that the political parties have just one month to conduct their primaries, advising them to conduct credible party primaries, as well as resolve all issues arising from the conduct of the primaries.

The chairman urged the political parties to adhere strictly to the timetable and schedule of activities of the 2019 general elections, noting that only 60 out of the 91 political parties have invited INEC to monitor their party primaries.

On vote buying, Yakubu stated: “We are witnessing an ugly trend of vote buying in recent elections in the country. This is giving our democracy a bad name.

“There is difference between democracy, – government of the people made by the people and for the people – and plutocracy, which is government by the rich.

“We are going to make a big statement with the Osun governorship election by arresting and prosecuting vote buyers. We can’t carry this ugly trend to2019 elections.”

The INEC chairman noted that the commission would only recognize notices emanating from the National Executive Committee (NEC) of political parties, as state branches cannot submit names of candidates, venue, as well as, date of primaries to INEC.

He stressed: “Primaries should be resolved without litigations. We are still battling with litigations from party primaries conducted in 2014. We have been dragged to court 680 times over party primaries.

“Political parties are key to our democracy. Some parties change names of candidates who genuinely emerged from party primaries, while some submit names of candidates without conducting primaries.

“Notification should not come from branches. Parties must avoid incessant changes to party primaries and try to eliminate rancor. We incure cost in the process of monitoring party primaries and we don’t have all the resources in the world to monitor party primaries.”

He further explained that even though INEC has no power under the law to reject the names of candidates submitted by political parties, “but, this time around, we will name and shame political parties that fail to conduct credible primaries; so we should do the right thing for our democracy.”

Lagos – The Lagos chapter of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has threatened to commence an indefinite strike over an alleged unlawful sack of its members Delta and Warri.

Mr Tayo Aboyeji, the Chairman of the council who disclosed this to newsmen said that the development was sequel to an alleged forceful evacuation of about 3,000 workers from the rigs by five drilling oil rigs.

He said the rigs are being operated by Sterling Energy Exploration Company, SEEPCO, and its drilling arm, British Oil and Gas Limited (BOGEL) in Kwale and Warri areas of Delta.

NAN reports that the National President of NUPENG, Prince Williams Akporeha had on Thursday gave the Nigerian Army 24-hours ultimatum to withdraw its officers from the premises of SEEPCO, and BOGEL to avert nationwide strike.

Akporeha alleged that the oil firms used the military to forcefully evacuate and abruptly terminate workers’ appointments following their (oil firms) refusal to allow unionisation.

In his reaction, Aboyeji said that members of the union in the zone would also withdraw their services in protest of the “unfortunate situation” if the sacked workers were not reinstated.

According to him, if the government refuses to call the oil firms to order, they will embark on a strike to fight the injustice and denial of the members’ rights.

“NUPENG is one and an injury to one is injury to all. On our own, we cannot watch while our members are being sacked just because the company did not want our members to be unionised.

“We will not condone victimisation of our members by the Nigeria Army or who ever gave them the directive it is the right of the workers to be unionise.

“When has it become a norm for the military to go to a company and decide whether a worker should join a union or not, this is purely a civil and industrial matter.

“Soldiers must vacate the company immediately and let the issue of the industrial matter be resolved between the union and the management of SEEPCO.

“Otherwise the Lagos zone which comprises six states in Southwest and Kwara would be forced to join the action in solidarity with members in Delta and Warri zone,” the union leader said.

The chairman, however, said that the zone was not issuing any ultimatum but rather imploring the general public to prevail on Nigeria Army to withdraw their officers from the company.

“The failure would make our members in all branches including the petroleum tanker drivers to down tool,” Aboyeji said.

Aboyeji who urged the Federal Government to allow union activities to take place, advised management of SEEPCO to allow workers to join the union since it is their right.

The NUPENG chairman, who urged the management of SEEPCO to reinstate the 3000 sacked workers, said the zone was ready in solidarity with the affected members, take action.

He also urged the Lagos State government to prevail on the task force on Apapa gridlock to stop the alleged harassment, brutalisation and extortion of the union members.

He advised the government to expedite action on the repair of Apapa roads to reduce incessant gridlock in the area.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has allayed fears of possible hiccups in petroleum products supply in parts of the country following an ultimatum issued by NUPENG over a purported intervention by an arm of the security agencies in what the union viewed as purely labour matters involving a company and its workers in Delta State.

Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, , in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said the corporation’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru and his Management team, were engaging the parties involved, saying the parties are close to resolving the issues.

Mr. Ughamadu advised motorists and other consumers of petroleum products not to engage in panic buying as the NNPC Management was close to reaching an amicable resolution of the challenge.

NNPC assured that the corporation had adequate storage of petroleum products across the country, advising that they should not entertain any fear of petroleum shortages.

Racoon:
Abba Kyari was so corrupt that he was the first major presidency cabal implicated in a major corruption of the APC government-#500million MNT bribe scandal which of course the equallt morally corrupt Buhari have overlooked till date.

enoconcernme:
Even Buhari himself spend more time abroad than in Nigeria.

The federal government has appealed to Nigerians in the diaspora to return home and help build the Nigeria of everybody’s dream, assuring them that things are changing in the country.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, made the appeal at a series of Town halls with Nigerians in the U.S., assuring that old ways are now giving way to new ways of doing things.

The minister was in the U.S. to sensitise diaspora Nigerians on the Presidential Executive Order V signed by President Muhammadu Buhari in February, to improve local content in public procurement with science, engineering and technology components.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Order is expected to promote the application of science, technology and innovation towards achieving Nigeria’s development goals across all sectors of her economy.

The president, in line with his constitutional powers, ordered that all “procuring authorities shall give preference to Nigerian companies and firms in the award of contracts, in line with the Public Procurement Act 2007”.

Mr Onu thanked the diasporas for their remittances to Nigeria estimated at $22 billion yearly, saying it is a major contribution for our nation “but we want you to return home”.

The minister said: “Please we want you to return home, it is important. Not everybody will return but some can start coming home, and that’s the essence.

“We are telling you that things are changing in Nigeria, this is the message, that’s why I’m here.

“I heard all the complaints – people will do this and nobody responds and all that and so on; yes, these are things that happened in the past and we can’t correct these things just overnight.

“This is the truth, there is no way you can make these changes and then make the corrections and all that overnight. But the important thing is that there is a change”.

Mr Onu appealed to the diasporas to make a patriotic decisions about their country, saying “we can’t all be waiting until everything is okay in Nigeria before we can return home”

According to him, there are many Bill Gates in Nigeria, adding, we need to give you the opportunities and we are giving these opportunities.

“If there were pioneers that built America, there must be pioneers to build Nigeria. Please I beg you, let us not wait until everything is ready. Somebody has to get it ready.

“If we keep waiting until everything is ready, it may never be. We must decide that we have to look at the future of our children and grand children.

“Let’s not look about ourselves. So we have to think of the future, we have to think of the greatness of our nation.

He said Nigeria had never had it like this before about the level of infrastructure development that was going on in our country, stressing that the country is having changes across board.

“Things are changing in our country, and if all of us can walk together, if we can do that, then we can now build a great nation that all of us would be proud of.

“This is the message and I believe that this is also your intentions that our nation will be a great nation. Please, you should never have any doubt about the future of our country.

“We have some of the most intelligent people in the world. I can tell you this because I know those Nigerians who have done so well in the best universities, in the best research centres in the world.”

According to him, the executive order will make money for Nigeria and Nigerians, create jobs for the citizens, fight poverty and increase the middle class in the nation.

In their responses, the Nigerians in the U.S. assured the federal government of their eagerness to return home and use their expertise to help build a Nigeria of everybody’s dream if there is enabling environment.

They expressed concerns that they had always looked forward to contribute their quota to their homeland but expressed regrets at some of the frustrations they had always encountered.

Many U.S.-based Nigerians drawn from all over the U.S., attended the town halls at Washington DC, New York, Virginia and Miami venues, where presentations were made about the presidential directives.

Emmanuel Anosike, President, American-Nigerian Chamber for International Trade and Commerce, bemoaned what he called the bureaucratic bottlenecks in Nigeria when the diasporas had projects in the country.

Mr Anosike said: “When the Kaduna refinery broke down, I brought the engineers who built the refinery to Nigeria severally to revamp it but we were not able to make any headway.

“I have been to Nigeria 37 times with projects and investors but I have been frustrated all the 37 times. It’s just very sad that you leave here with the best intentions and you’re frustrated”.

Jolly Abu, President, Nigerian United Nations Staff Recreation Club, urged the minister to create a platform for the diasporas who have something to contribute to the country.

“When you leave now, to have access to you will be very difficult. We’ve been in Nigeria several times but to gain access to the minister becomes a problem.

“Several times we spend months and we go back the same. If you can create a platform where the diasporas can access the platform so easily, it would be good.

“This order of the president, I’ve gone through it several times, there should be a provision for people in the diaspora; if you are bringing an expert from the U.S., you must have a company at home.

“The people coming from diaspora, when they want to register a company at home, it becomes a problem. So if you can create a platform where diasporas can easily have access and tracking.”

Temitope Ajayi, the Chairman, Silicon Valley Nigerian Economic Development, called on the Nigerian Government to put measures in place for strong patent law to protect patent owners.

“It’s sad that you could give Nigerian public officials your blueprint and they carbon-copy it and remove your name. The owner is the originality, who knows the clue of how to solve the problem.

“Every proposal is a puzzle, if you look at it from the surface angle, there are some clauses that only the person that has the business proposal that can implement it,” she said.

Ms Ajayi also said for the executive order to succeed, government at all levels must put round pegs in round holes adding, when politicians are appointed, competent people should be given sensitive portfolios.

Kazeem Bello, Board Member of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), advised government to step down the implementation of the order trough the Public-Private-Partnership arrangement due to the perceived bureaucracies of the public sector.

Mr Bello said: “Government should implement the order by setting institutional and enabling environment for the private sector to work under Privately Owned and Operated Project that is completely private sector driven.

“The federal government should also consider including some slots for disapora Nigerians like NIDO members in the Governing Council to allow for an effective representation from the Nigerian professionals in the diaspora”.

Other Nigerians who spoke at the town halls also called on the governments at all levels in Nigeria to operate open governance and tackle the endemic corruption.

Navalsadiq:
was expecting to see these racial comment.

Lagos – The governing All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday said it will not succumb to pressure from governors elected on its platform and their state chairmen to accept indirect primaries as means of electing candidates who will fly the party’s flag in 2019 election.

There is a deep division in the party between those who favour direct primaries preferred by President Muhammadu Buhari, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the party’s National Chairman and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a National Leader of the party and head of its reconciliation committee and most of the governors led by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and head of the APC Governors’ Forum, who prefer indirect primaries.

Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), had also advised the party leadership to concede to the governors’ demand, saying the party cannot afford to go to war with the state governors who are critical stakeholders in the party with just few weeks to the general election.

However, speaking with Daily Independent on Thursday, Yekini Nabena, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, said the party is still holding on to the decision reached at the last National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

“No, we have not yielded to the governors on indirect primaries. The states will go and bring their reports and the National Working Committee will take a look at it.

“We will want to know why they want indirect primary instead of the direct primary that we decided upon. Because it is only when there is logistics challenges like we agreed on at the NEC meeting.

“Not that people will just go and do a kangaroo meeting and come to say that they have agreed on indirect primaries. The NWC will take a critical look at it with the State Executive Committee before accepting”, he said.

Also speaking, Prince Tony Momoh, a former Minister of Information and a National Leader of the APC, said there is no war between the governors and the APC leadership over the use of direct primaries.

He said, “There is no pressure or any war. There is no problem. People are just interpreting the issue in different ways.

“Let me tell you what was decided at the NEC meeting. We said we are going to have direct primaries for the presidential election and we also said that we are going to have direct primaries for all other elections unless where, because of the issue, indirect primary takes place.

“For us to accept indirect primary, the stakeholders within the area where indirect primary will take place will meet and decide that they want indirect primary. They will then write to the National Working Committee (NWC) which will now approve it.

“If the governors or state chairmen are holding meetings, they are not plotting against the party. They will be holding meeting to decide why it should not be direct primary. Because the state chairmen are stakeholders, if they decide why it should not be direct primary, they will package their decisions and send to the headquarters. Then the headquarters will look at and say okay, you can have indirect primary.

“There is no threat from the governors to Oshiomhole. Why should they threaten him? They are loyal members of the party and the governors are the ones who are in charge of the states. They are the ones who know where the shoe pinches. They are the ones who will advise why there shouldn’t be direct primaries in their states. So, how can they decide if there will be no indirect primaries without meeting with the stakeholders?” Momoh queried.

Civil society groups and opposition parties were united thursday in asking President Muhammadu Buhari to reject the N45.5million All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination forms bought for him by a shadowy group, Nigeria Consolidation Ambassadors Network (NCAN), on Wednesday.

The groups, including Centre for Transparency Advocacy, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and Afenifere as well as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the NCAN gesture was a violation of S91(9) of Electoral Act 2010 as amended and asked the president to reject it.

The presidency, however, refused to take issues with the critics yesterday, asking THISDAY to approach the president’s campaign for comments.

“The president’s campaign organisation is the most appropriate body to react to this type of matter,” Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, told THISDAY last night.

The Director of Strategic Communication of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), could not be reached as his personal assistant told THISDAY last night that he had travelled out of the country.
The National Coordinator of NCAN, Mr. Sanusi Musa, had on Wednesday presented a cheque of N45.5million at the APC national secretariat for the purchase of expression of interest (N5million) and nomination (N40million) forms on behalf of Buhari.

He said they did it to assist the president, who had earlier complained that the forms were too exorbitant for him to buy as they were way above his salary.
But the gesture has been widely criticised as unlawful with many critics asking the president to turn down the offer.

The PDP, for instance, said if Buhari proceeds to accept the offer, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should apply the sanction stipulated in S91 (10) (a) of the electoral law.

“The PDP urges the INEC to note that the purchase of the N45 million form by the group directly violates section 91 (9) of the Electoral Act, which provides that “no individual or other entity shall donate more than One million naira (N1,000,000) to any candidate,” the party said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan.

According to it, “Since President Buhari has not publicly disowned the purchase of the form by the group, the PDP charges INEC to, within the next 24 hours, hold him culpable and make him to face the appropriate sanctions for the violation of electoral laws.”

Saying there is a world of difference between an aspirant and a candidate, the APC thursday disagreed that there had been any constitutional or legal infraction by the action of NCAN.

In its reply to the barrage of criticisms that trailed the purchase of forms for the president by the shadowy group, the ruling party said as far as it was concerned, there has been no contravention of the electoral law.

In a statement by its acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabene, made available to THISDAY last night, APC said that it would amount to rushing to quick conclusion based on erroneous legal grounds for anyone to fault the group.

APC said, “Aside from the fact that there is a world of difference between an aspirant and a candidate in the eyes of the law, there has been no contravention of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended)”.

It explained, “The Nigeria Consolidation Ambassadors Network was responsible for the purchase of the presidential forms for President Buhari and has indicated that it acted as a collection medium to aggregate micro contributions from thousands of Nigerians keen to ensure his re-election.

“While we restate that as a political party, the APC acted in compliance with the dictates of the law, we also acknowledge that this singular act by thousands of Nigerians severely jolted the ranks of opposition politicians and their paid agents in the media hence their desperate attempt to tar such a noble gesture with the brush of illegality.

“This is especially the case considering the loud silence of the THISDAY Newspapers when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar enjoyed the same gesture for his supporters to purchase the PDP Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms for the 2019 presidential election.”

APC, however, extolled the laudable contributions of THISDAY newspaper group to the media industry, adding that the Newspaper should be fair and balanced in its reportage.

Lawyers THISDAY spoke with yesterday countered APC’s defence of the shadowy group’s gesture, arguing that candidacy starts with aspiration. “Election is a process that starts with the selection of aspirants. So, the nomination process is part of the election because there can’t be a candidate by law without a selection process,” a lawyer said, asking, “Are they saying that an aspirant can gather illicit funds and use it later when he becomes a candidate?”

Another lawyer said APC’s argument was hairsplitting. “The point is that in 2015 when Buhari had more than enough friends to pick up the forms for him, he chose the option of a loan. Has the situation changed now?” he asked.

In its reaction, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, said the president should shun the forms, arguing that his claim that he could not afford them was hypocritical, adding that it was a rehash of similar attitude before the 2015 election.

The group’s spokesman, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, warned that Buhari might be sued by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) for violating the Electoral Act.

Although Odumakin did not say which NGO would sue the president, he stressed that it is typical of the Buhari’s administration to take Nigerians for granted.

Odumakin recalled that Buhari said he took loan to buy his 2015 nomination form, but he is yet to inform the nation if he has indeed finished paying the loan.

He said that the action of the president is contrary to the provision of Electoral Act 2010 as amended, which pegs individual and group contributions to election expenses of a candidate to N1million.

“You say you are fighting corruption but this is corruption. This is a clear contravention of the Electoral Act. It is all hypocrisy,” Odumakin insisted.

The National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, said the organisation is a pressure group that does not dabble into partisan politics except that which has to do with issues relating to restructuring the country, fiscal federalism and the Niger Delta.

Sara-Igbe, however, said that if the president has violated the laws, those who feel aggrieved have the right to seek redress in the court of law.

“They should approach the court for interpretation of the Electoral Act, if they feel aggrieved; but they are also free to advise the president to do the needful. Everybody is free to advise the president,” he said.

The ADC was similarly inclined yesterday, calling on the president to reject the forms, challenging him to question the source of the money used in buying the forms.

It said Buhari would make a mockery of his anti- corruption war and his ‘Mr. Integrity’ posture if he failed to investigate the source of the fund.

In an interview with THISDAY thursday in Abuja, ADC National Coordinator on Electoral Matters and INEC Liaison, Chief Anayo Arinze, said for the president to accept the forms bought for him would be an indication that he would not respect the rule of law.

He claimed that it was an arrangement, saying, “The youths don’t have money, so it could be arranged with the presidency and they give money and say let the youths go and buy in their name, it is politics.”

Anayo added, “That is an evidence that the president does not believe in the rule of law. He doesn’t belief in constitutional provision and they have said that every rule of law must be subject to national interest.”

On her part, the Director of Contact and Mobilisation, Centre for Transparency Advocacy, Ms. Faith Nwadishi, said that her organisation frowned at the gesture, stressing that it means that political parties and individuals indiscriminately flout electoral laws, and besides it also contributes to the high cost of elections in the country.

She said the rejection of the gesture by the president would go a long way to show that the assurance the president gave the British Prime Minister Theresa May that the 2019 elections would be free and fair is more than a lip service.

Nwadishi stated, “Initially the president said the presidential nomination form of his party was way too high and we also know that the income of the president for the last three years will not have been able to buy that form. We have the electoral act that prohibits group or individual contribution to any political party.

“If this kind of attitude is allowed to continue, what it means is that before election people already have vested interest.

“The gesture is against the Electoral Act, what we expect is that the president should take the bull by the horn and reject that gesture.”

She advised the president to order the prosecution of those who bought the forms, saying, “This has sent a very wrong message to the populace, and as an election observer we are very concerned especially going towards 2019.”

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said that the purchase of N45 million naira presidential nomination form for President Muhammadu Buhari to re-contest in the 2019 election violates the stipulations of the electoral laws of Nigeria. PDP also said that the purchase of the form for Buhari by a group it said is not registered smacks of fraud because, according to it, “Buhari can no longer play the pro-poor gimmick which his followers have always presented to Nigerians.”


In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP said section 91 (9) of the electoral laws of Nigeria stipulates that “no individual or other entity shall donate more than One million naira (#1,000,000) to any candidate.”

It therefore held that, for a group to purchase a form of N45 million naira for President Buhari amounts to violation of the country’s electoral laws.

PDP said “Since President Buhari has not publicly disowned the purchase of the form by the group, the PDP charges INEC to, within the next 24 hours, hold him culpable and make him to face the appropriate sanctions for the violation of electoral laws.”

Below is the full statement:

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the use of a shadowy group as a front to purchase the N45 million All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination form for President Muhammadu Buhari as a worn-out stunt, smacking of fraud and worsening the already battered image of the President.

The party said President Buhari can no longer play the pro-poor gimmick which his followers have always presented to Nigerians.

Already, our people are daily confronted by the flaunting of affluence and material wealth by the President and those around him, while betraying and abandoning millions of poor Nigerians who, unfortunately, put their trust in him in 2015.

Nigerians are aware that the very expensive personal effects, including posh jewelries daily paraded by his close relatives betrayed the gimmick of using an unregistered group, pieced together to execute another failed pro-poor stunt to sway Nigerians.

Moreover, the PDP urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to note that the purchase of the N45 million form by the group directly violates section 91 (9) of the Electoral Act which provides that “no individual or other entity shall donate more than One million naira (#1,000,000) to any candidate.”

Since President Buhari has not publicly disowned the purchase of the form by the group, the PDP charges INEC to, within the next 24 hours, hold him culpable and make him to face the appropriate sanctions for the violation of electoral laws.

Finally, it is unfortunate that President Buhari and his handlers, in their desperation to hang on to power, even when they have been rejected, have reduced themselves to objects of public ridicule with their many bloopers ahead of the 2019 general elections.”.

Badgers14:
She just be like corpse on that picture

OgogoroFreak:
What about breathing?

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki yesterday said he will fight corruption holistically when if he wins next year’s presidential election.

He said he will not encourage selective corruption in his administration.

Saraki spoke in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital where he kicked off his presidential campaign for 2019 general election.

He said the choice of Ebonyi was informed based on the developmental agenda of the present administration and leadership prowess and his quest for inclusiveness in governance.

Saraki while addressing the stakeholders of Ebonyi State said Nigeria is at a crossroads and danger of living full life anchored on rule of law.

He said Nigeria has never been so divided like it is now and lamented that the unity our founding fathers propagated is at the verge of collapse while the country is drifting into anarchy.

“There is a high level of uninclusisivness in the country. We must choose leaders that have the capacity to move the country forward. What you are seeing in Ebonyi is not by chance, it is because your governor has the capacity that that is why you are witnessing development. How then can you choose a man with capacity in your state without choosing also a leader with capacity at the national level.

“We fight poverty, we will fight corruption too and not do a selective corruption fight. We will develop solid minerals in Ebonyi State. We will bring private investors into the country and turn around youth involvement in governance by bringing youths to governance”, he said.

He endorsed Umahi for second tenure.

Responding, Governor Dave Umahi who was presented with the governorship norminaton form purchased by the members of the State Executive Council described Saraki as a refined Nigerian and defender of democracy as well as friend to Ebonyi State.

He reiterated his earlier promise to return power to Abakaliki bloc in 2023 after his second term, adding that his administration remains focused on the developmental agenda.

“We will handover a state that is most beautiful, best economy and richest in the country”

He commended Saraki for standing firm over the various crises and urged that the National Assembly must work together to unite the country and turn its fortunes to the best.

He called on the Senate President to look into cost of projects in the country to stop profligacy in execution of projects in the country.

“South East will ready to support anybody who will be ready to recognise the rights and needs of the people of the above by way of negotiation”, he said.

The All Progressives Congress has again lashed out at the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, saying his presidential aspiration is a huge joke.

The acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena, said this in a statement in Abuja, on Wednesday.

The party said although it was the right of every Nigerian citizen to aspire to be President of the country, it was concerned about issues of integrity, competence and capability to preside over the affairs of the country.

The APC said it was not unaware of reports that Saraki’s presidential declaration was part of a gimmick to divert attention from issues such as the pressure to reconvene the National Assembly.

The statement noted that Saraki’s two-term tenure as governor of Kwara State was evidence enough to show the stuff he was made of.

It read in part, “By virtue of Saraki’s antecedents, he is an abysmal failure and is totally incompetent to offer himself as a candidate for the leadership of Nigeria.

“Saraki was a two-term Governor of Kwara State and Senate President in the last three years. What were his performance records in these two assignments? As Kwara State Governor, was his Shonga Agricultural Programme not a white elephant project in which hundreds of millions of state funds was sunk into?

“The infrastructure, particularly roads network in Kwara State in which the present administration remains under his tight grip and political machinations long after leaving office, remains deplorable while state resources is mismanaged through corrupt enrichment.”

But reacting, Saraki berated the APC and its National Publicity Secretary for commenting on his presidential race on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.



Saraki, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, stated that he did not have a credibility problem as alleged by the APC’s spokesman.

The statement read, “The Senate President will not be distracted by the antics of an upstart who lives in Abuja but waits to sign press statements composed for him from Lagos. When his masters show their face, we will debate all the issues they have raised and the ones they may wish to even concoct.”

The Federal Government has commenced move to rehabilitate the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu with plan to demolish illegal structures standing on the runway path.

As part of the planned rehabilitation, there are indications that the runway of the airport may be shut down temporarily as done in Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja last year.

Also, to make the airport operational at night, the government has procured Instrument Landing System (ILS) and airfield lighting system which would be installed once the right of way is acquired.

This emerged when a team of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) inspected the airport designated as one of the international airports in the country on Wednesday.

The inspection was coming few days after the Southeast Governors cried out to the Federal Government to intervene in the airport.

Though the Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Mukhtar Usman said the runway is still in good shape and meets international safety requirements, he explained that there is the need to improve the landing and riding quality of aircraft on the runway.

He said, “We came here by air and we landed except for the landing quality, there is a lot that can be done to improve on the riding quality of the runway and it is because of those failures that you see in some areas. Plans are on the way to carry out similar works that took place in Abuja runway to ensure longer life, better riding quality for the runway. We have some international flights coming to Enugu, some are three times a week.

“DREAMLINER lands here, Boeing 777 also lands here, especially for cargo. Generally speaking, we will say the runway is still very safe to operate. This is in line with the government policy to ensure that whatever is done is in line with the international standard. Arrangements are being made to rehabilitate the runway.”

The acting Managing Director of FAAN, Engr. Salisu Daura while giving insight on the planned installation of the ILS and airfield lighting system said a clear distance of one kilometre was required to carry out the installation.

During the inspection, the team visited Orie Emene market and Methodist Church Nigeria Central School in Emene which are parts of the structures that might have to give way for the installation of the improved landing system.

Daura, who is also the Director of Engineering of FAAN, said many structures and buildings would have to be demolished “because we only have 420 meters instead of the one kilometre we need.”

“Safety is very paramount in aviation. You can’t have aircraft hovering so low over a populated area. Definitely certain structures must go”, he said.

The aviation authorities are however soliciting for the cooperation of the state government to fast-track the acquisition of the right of way to be able to install the equipment.

According to the DG of NCAA, acquiring the right of way is not within the purview of the Federal Government as “it is completely under the control of the state”.

He however said talks are ongoing at the highest levels in aviation and the state to address the right of way and other germane issues critical to improving the state of the airport.

“The election is around the corner. If they don’t listen to the governors’ demands, the consequences are that the party may lose power.

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has asked operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) to desist from running after internet fraudsters otherwise known as ‘yahoo boys’.

He said they had the mandate of curbing armed robbery and kidnapping, warning that any officer caught arresting cybercrime suspects would be sanctioned appropriately.

Idris gave the warning yesterday at the FRARS headquarters at Magbo in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The IG was represented by the team leader of South West Monitoring Fact Finding Committee on SARS Reform, DCP Adepojulo Ilori.

He assured the people of what he called “positively transformed” operatives of FSARS.

He said the committee had embarked on the inspection of SARS detention facilities across the southwest states.

Part of the committee’s mandate was to decongest the detention facilities and submit a comprehensive report to the IGP.

The committee reviewed the case files of all the suspects in detention and promised to transfer all civil cases to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation to decongest the detention.

Addressing journalists later, Ilori said: “we are visiting all the FSARS facilities in all the commands in the Southwest states and ensure that the IGP’s directives are strictly complied with. To achieve this, we are soliciting the usual unflinching support of the media, the civil liberty organization, human rights organizations and the entire members of the public to promptly report their observation to the CP of the state concerned because we cannot achieve this without your cooperation.

“We are very sure as from now that you are going to see a positively transformed FSARS operative that will now function as per their specific role of nipping robbery, armed robbery and kidnapping activities in the bud. This why we are here.

“For now, SARS will be operating in our normal uniform until after we might have completed our fact finding mission even the presidency will still have inputs.”

The Department of State Services has defended the order handed over to its acting Director General, Mr. Mathew Seiyefa by the Presidency to recall the officers he transferred out of the headquarters to other commands.

A statement issued by its Spokesman, Mr. Nnochirionye Afunanya, in Abuja on Tuesday, said that the service was bound to “carry out legitimate orders.”

The Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Abba Kyari, recently asked Seiyefa to return all those he transferred out of the headquarters to their duty posts.

Kyari was said to be unhappy that those said to be loyal to his office and those around him were sent to other beats, an action that was said to have infuriated him and his loyalists.

Among those who were transferred were the Director of Operations, Mr.Bassey Eteng and Grace Kentebe.

Seiyefa, who became the acting DG of the Service following the sacking of Mr. Lawal Daura, had complied with the Kyari’s order.

However, the statement by Afunanya said, “The Service, as an institution of Government will continue to carry out legitimate orders; support democratic institutions; respect the rule of law and protect the citizens in line with global practices and Standard Operations’ Procedures in Intelligence gathering and law enforcement.

“Dark forces should not bring the Service into a collision with the Government it is meant to diligently serve.”

He added, “The attention of the DSS has been drawn to several speculations making the rounds in the media on some internal affairs of the Service.

“These speculations, to say the least, are unhealthy for the Service and indeed, Nigeria. The DSS has undoubtedly remained a committed Service with a focus on the stability and security of the nation.

“Over the years, the Service has been known to be both a strategic stabiliser and a unifying factor in the Nigerian project.

“It therefore deserves and desires to be focused and supported by all stakeholders to play the expected role in a democracy.

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

Abuja / Lagos – As governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) battle the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) over its mode of primaries, a pro-Buhari group stormed the national secretariat of the APC on Monday demanding unlimited application of the decision of NEC.

The group, Grassroots Mobilisation for PMB/Osinbajo, said they were at the secretariat to register their anger against some of the APC governors and some members of the NWC opposed to the use of direct primaries.

Recall that the APC had been divided over the use of direct or indirect primaries as allowed by the constitution of the party.

At the weekend, the governors mobilised all 37 state chairmen of the party to further agitate their preference for indirect primaries at the state levels.

Yusuf Musa Ardo, Spokesman of the group, said the position taken by the governors ran counter to the change agenda of the APC, pointing out that indirect primaries would continue the corruption and manipulation that the party was seeking to eradicate.

Ardo, who is Director, Contact and Mobilisation of the support group, said they were fully in support of the use of direct primaries as it would return power to members of the party.

“Actually, we are not happy with the position of some of the governors and some of the National Working Committee. We are in support of direct primaries, power go back to the masses.

“We are tired of corruption and manipulation. They have been manipulating Nigerians and the masses; we cannot continue to support that idea.

“We are willing and ready to mobilise across the states to mount all the party’s secretariats and Government Houses of APC to make sure that anybody against direct primaries is not a real APC member.

“We are a popular party, a change agent that must definitely support a new vision and a new pattern of politics. We must, as a popular party, support direct primaries.

“We don’t know the reason behind the opposition of direct primaries by the APC governors, we are saying no to indirect primaries and we are saying that direct primaries must take place.

“We are in support of Mr. President and the National Chairman of the party, the able, the powerful Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the game changer, the master of politics in Nigeria, we are in support of direct primaries.

“That’s why we are here with our supporters and able chairman, Ambassador Hajia Fatimah Goni, and every other executive,” he said.

The group was received by Abbas Braimah, Chief of Staff to Oshiomhole who promised to deliver the message of the group.

“I welcome you all to the APC national headquarters, which is your home. I believe the petition you have written to us has been received.

“I want to assure each and every one of you that the new leadership, management of the party, is going to be responsible and responsive to the needs and aspirations of all members of this party.

“As you know, just like the national chairman has said, politics is a vehicle of development and empowerment and people are the subject and object of that development.

“So, whatever we do here must be people-centered; that is why the new leadership of the party has decided to do whatever is best for the party.

“Like you said, the party has large followers and, by the special grace of God, we would win the election because this is not only the largest party in Africa, not only the biggest party, but almost the most organised party in Africa and, with your support, because I can tell you the new leadership is ready to engage Nigerians, we are ready to sell this party.

“And I can tell you, our candidate is the most sellable candidate. I thank you for the support you have shown to the National Chairman, NWC, Mr. President, I want to tell you, we are on the same page,” Braimah said.

It would be recalled that governors elected on the platform of APC had tried to blackmail Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, National Chairman, and other members of the party into adopting indirect primaries to pick candidates for the party at the state level.

There had been confusion regarding the true position of the party on the selection process after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting last Thursday.

Briefing correspondents after the NEC meeting, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State and Yahaya Bello of Kogi had said that the NEC adopted direct primary option to choose its presidential candidate for the 2019 election while adopting the indirect primary for the other elective positions.

However, less than 24 hours after, the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena, issued a statement that countered the position of the governors.

Nabena said the party had adopted the direct primary option for all elective positions.

APC NWC May Consider Review Of Nomination Fees

Meanwhile, the NWC of the ruling APC went into a marathon meeting on Monday to discuss critical issues relating to its preparations for the 2019 polls.

The meeting, chaired by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the party’s National Chairman, according to credible sources, was convened to discuss the schedule of the party’s primaries and the cost of Expression of Interest and Nomination fees which has been causing rancour in the party.

There have been cries of outrage in the party over the cost of the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms which a lot of aspirants described as outrageous.

The NWC, it was gathered, had proposed N55 million as the cost of the nomination and expression of interest forms for the office of President, which is way higher than the N12 million being charged by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A source also said President Muhammadu Buhari had complained to the party leadership that, as a salary earner, he couldn’t afford the fees which was in sharp contrast to the N27 million he paid in 2014.

Also, those seeking the party’s nod to contest the state Houses of Assembly elections are asked to pay N1.1 million as against PDP’s N600,000, while for the House of Representatives, APC aspirants are asked to pay N3.8 million. The PDP is asking its aspirants to pay 1.5 million.

For those seeking to go to the Senate, APC aspirants are to pay N8.5 million as against the N3.5 million the PDP is asking from its aspirants for the same position.

Governorship aspirants of the ruling party are asked to pay N22.5 million each to contest the ticket as against the N6 million to be paid by their counterparts in the PDP.

Our source said Monday’s meeting was called primarily to seek a downward review of the fees.

“Monday’s meeting was called to look at the schedule of the primaries. It wasn’t discussed during the NEC meeting because it is the responsibility of the National Working Committee to arrange the dates.

“They also discussed the issue of the Expression of Interest and Nomination fees. They are trying to fix amounts that will not be too high for members to pay.

“Members are complaining that the fees are too high. Though they have not made it official or decided on the amount, but some members are already complaining, with some already talking of defecting.”