•Ex- PDP chairman, Modu Sheriff, berths at party secretariat today
Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed insinuations that President Muhammadu Buhari has imposed former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, on them as the proposed national chairman of the party.
APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, told newsmen after a meeting between the APC governors and the NWC, which held at the party’s secretariat, in Abuja, yesterday, that it will be wrong to say the pesident’s advice was sacrosanct.
Kano State Governor, Umar Ganduje, also corroborated the spokesperson’s statement on Buhari’s choice of Oshiomhole.
On the NWC’s position on Oyegun’s future, Abdullahi said: “I don’t think that is a fair question to ask me because you are asking for my personal position on this matter and I don’t think I am here to represent my position.
“But, what I can tell you is that Chief Oyegun will make his position clear; within the next couple of days, whether he’s going to contest for the chairmanship.”
He also explained the party’s position on Buhari’s endorsement of Oshiomhole.
“The president is a party member, he has the right to have his preferences and he has not… I don’t get the feelings that he told anyone that this is the person you must support. He met with some of the APC governors who went to him and actually, they were four governors who met him yesterday (on Tuesday). I don’t think those governors ever said they were up to five or six. They probably asked him and, maybe, because of the relationship he had with them, he told them his preference. And, they felt that it was important for them to make this available to the public. I don’t think and I don’t get the feeling that president Buhari has called the governors and say this is the person you must go… I don’t get that feeling,” he said.
In his response, the Kano governor dismissed talks of imposition of a particular candidate on the party.
“There is no imposition at all. Everybody is free to contest just as everybody is free to hold an opinion on who should lead the party. I think that there is no case of imposition because it is not a guideline and not part of the constitution. Just like every other person, Mr. President has the right to air his opinion but that does not mean he should stop any person who will like to contest from contesting. Mr. President’s opinion is not constitutional and it is not a non-constitutional opinion as well. He just voiced out his thought which will serve as a guideline to some and otherwise to some. The issue of being undemocratic does not even arise.
On the convention timetable, Ganduje said: “We discussed the issue of the timetable and time limit for the congresses and convention and we decided that NWC should review the timetable because, in the previous timetable, the ward and local government congresses are too close.
“We equally discovered that the congresses are designed to hold on working days and normally, we use public premises like schools and secretariats for the conduct of the congresses.
“Fixing the congresses during working days means that such places cannot be available. We agreed that the congresses should hold over the weekends.
“Considering all these, the NWC has been mandated to review the timetable and since the programme may fall into Ramadan time, they should make consultations to know if only one congress can be held during Ramadan while the rest, including the national convention, comes after the Ramadan.
“Another issue is the function of the Committee on National Convention visa-vis the function of the NWC and we all agreed that the NWC will organise the congresses from the ward and local governments and the state while the committee on national convention should organise the convention.
“We also agreed that zoning will be maintained for the party officers but, the only clause is that they should go and discuss with those governors in charge of the zones; where the officers should come from.
“For example, the chairman of the party will have to come from the South South, the secretary from the North East and all other positions like that.
“We have resolved all issues amicably. The NWC will have to get back to us in a week’s time,” he said.
Meanwhile, former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, in company with his supportersm are expected at the APC national secretariat an noon, today.
Prognose: Mehn the babe fine oh shouh! And with all her packaging she still get mind follow keke driver! Maximum respect to her, she be proper wife material
calaway: rather than lend your voice against the tyranny of Buhari with his daily killings in the middle belt you are here confusing your self and issues. Yahaya bello does not care that Kogi citizens a murdered by herdsmen or their land coverted while on the other hand.
below is one of many truthful reasons buhari had Dino arrested and wants him out.
Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, who last year lost the post of the National Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a long battle that was finally settled at the Supreme Court, will rejoin the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) this afternoon.
Sheriff, a former governor of Borno State and three term senator, will return along with PDP’s 2015 gubernatorial candidate in Borno State, Alhaji Gambo Lawan.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed to Daily Trust yesterday that Senator Sheriff would be received formally into the party today.
“The information I heard is that it will be tomorrow (today) at 12(pm),” he said.
That the event will take place in Abuja and with no officials of the party or government in Borno state is indicative of the problem that lies ahead.
Already, a source close to Shettima said the governor is also strategizing and has his plan B.
Daily Trust learnt that Sheriff’s defection would have taken place yesterday but for the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which lasted till evening.
Again, the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, who was billed to receive Sheriff, was also engaged in a meeting with APC governors over congresses and national convention of the party.
It was reliably gathered that Sheriff and Lawan recently met President Muhammadu Buhari after which he directed the leadership of the APC to accord special recognition to Sheriff and accept him into the party.
Sources said President Buhari discussed many issues with the former Borno governor and at the end gave his nod for the defection.
He then directed Chief Odigie-Oyegun and other leaders, including the National Secretary of the party, Maimala Buni to personally receive Sheriff and his fellow defectors.
“The president had also directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha who is also from the North East to be part of the event,” one of the sources said.
“But because of the two important meetings yesterday, the reception for Sheriff and others could not hold but it would definitely take place tomorrow (today),” he said.
Another source said after the national secretariat of the APC received Sheriff and others today, “the celebration would move at a later day to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital where thousands of PDP supporters would be received into the APC.
“What would happen tomorrow in Abuja is a mark of respect for Sheriff but I want to assure you that he had done all the processes of defection from his ward in Ngala town in Central Borno. The Borno APC is fully aware that he is coming,” he said.
Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, Alhaji Gambo Lawan confirmed that they would be received by the APC leadership in Abuja today.
“Yes, we have moved to the APC; I and former Governor Sheriff have left the PDP for the APC and there are reasons. “Sheriff for instance is only going back home; he is the father of APC in Borno, he is a founding member of the party because he partook in taking the ANPP as one of the legacy parties that formed the APC.
“He only left the APC in 2015 when he was unfairly treated during the sharing of leadership positions when his candidate for the national secretary, Matawalli Kashim Imam was short-changed.
“So there is nothing new; Sheriff is the face of APC in Borno and the North East; he is the one who enthroned the incumbent governor and is behind the success story of many politicians.
“For me, I am not use to defection but was compelled to leave the PDP because it has been hijacked by some few people; the party has not reformed.
“And most importantly, politics is local; Borno is APC and it is for President Buhari. Our joining the party with millions of our supporters will strengthen it in Borno and environs,” he said.
There was no immediate response from the Borno State chapter of the APC. The state chairman of the party, Ali Bukar Dalori could not be reached at press time.
Sheriff and Governor Kashim Shettima, who is the APC leader in Borno State, had parted ways for long. Efforts to reach the spokesman of the governor, Isa Umar Gusau were not successful as his telephone line was switched off. The state Commissioner for Information, Dr. Mohammed Bulama could not also be reached.
But a member of the Borno State Executive Council who spoke in confidence said they were aware Sheriff would join the party.
“Yes, the governor is aware but you should know that membership of political party is a personal thing. The governor will not stop Sheriff from joining APC. You are all aware that the governor did not stop him when he wanted to leave the party after the 2015 general elections,” he said.
Another source said Shettima is also strategizing on the way forward. “He is a politician and he is not sleeping; in fact he has his plan B but he will definitely not leave APC for Sheriff.
“You should know that Sheriff does not have any electoral value; he could not secure a senate seat for himself and with all the support he had from Jonathan, he could not secure any seat for any politician either at the state or national assembly in 2015. It was Shettima that delivered everything,” he said.
There were insinuations that a key figure in the Presidency who had issues with Governor Shettima was instrumental to Sheriff’s defection. Sheriff who was a three term senator joined the PDP after the 2011 elections and got close to ex- President Goodluck Jonathan.
In the build up to the 2015 elections, he wielded enormous influence to the extent that at the height of the Boko Haram crisis, the Maiduguri International Airport, which was closed for months, was opened to allow Sheriff land with his personal jet for campaigns.
A PDP youth leader in Maiduguri, Umar Sanda, who spoke with our correspondent on phone, said they were aware of Sheriff’s defection.
“Yes, he has gone but we are not perturbed; many of us would not follow him; we would remain in PDP,” he said.
Ofodirinwa: When we were fighting to liberate all of these jackals, Benue people lined up in droves to join the Nigerian army against Biafra. In fact, on the way back from the north, it was Benue people that would stop the car and start slaughtering innocent people before the civil war. Today they're realizing what it means to be in the north.
I used to feel for them, but since I read what they did to Igbo's, how they slaughtered Igbo's. How they killed pregnant women, how they opened their womb and separated the foetus from the mother, how they killed children and men that escaped the north trying to enter the East through Benue and throw them inside River Benue during Biafran war, that day I stopped feeling anything for them.
We Don't Need To Revenge, We Are Sitting Back To Watch. Those Who Hurt Us Will Eventually Screw Up Themselves; Thank God We Are Alive Today And Will Continue To Be Alive To Watch That Happen.
Oziahete: You don't go about telling girls you love them. They will quickly see through it that you are lying. Before you do that you have to be sure that you guys are on the same frequency. For me being a player and master of the art of deception that I am, I always make them ask for it.
Anybody can be a player, the question is; Do You Score Like Mo'SALAH?
dapsin999: I was in 100Level Mathematics Dept, and liked this 200Level Chemistry Dept Student, walked up to her one Hot afternoon in Campus and I told her the Koko, then rounded it up with I LOVE YOU She asked me: WHAT IS LOVE? WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT LOVE? That single mistake made me graduate with a 2.2 mehn.
The okpeke really messed with your intelligence and your kokonut come empty
iQUOTE: I can't really remember, but it had to be this born again Christian girl. After chasing her for a while, I had to open up to her. Her reply was "Jesus loves you more". I felt like a complete idiot.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu on Wednesday in Kwale, Delta State, said two modular refineries will be completed and commissioned by December this year.
The refineries, to located in Rivers and Delta states, are among the 38 that were granted licenses to be constructed and operate in the Niger Delta region.
Kachikwu said the Federal Government’s resolve to establish modular refineries was part of long term plans to end Nigeria’s importation of petroleum products as well as to discourage illegal oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta.
The minister, who was represented by his Senior Technical Adviser (Refineries and Downstream Infrastructure), Engr. Rabiu Suleiman, spoke when he led a joint team from the ministry, Office of the Vice President, and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to inspect ongoing construction of a modular refinery by Omsa Pillar Astex Company Limited (OPAC Modular Refinery) in Kwale.
He said the team was on ground to provide support and evaluate the performance of what the company is doing to ensure that it was in line with the Buhari administration’s vision of encouraging local production of petroleum products.
“If you recall, sometime last year, the Vice President visited the Niger Delta and made a policy statement that will encourage the establishment of modular refineries. We are happy that we are here today. This is one of the first few that have meant to that promise to deliver on what they have promised to do and today we are happy to see the installation of 7,000-barrel capacity modular refinery. As you can see, Russian Technology is being installed,” he said.
“The commitment we hear is that, within six months from now, the refinery would be completed and we are looking forward to seeing that. In my side talks with the chairman of the company, he is expecting another 45 tonnage of materials arriving on site and that is significant portion.
“If that arrives in the next few weeks, and construction continues and the weather being a good friend, six months will be made and that is going to be a promise fulfilled. By that, we can say by end of the year, we will be coming to witness the commissioning of yet another refinery in Nigeria,” Kachikwu said.
He explained that the commissioning of the two modular refineries, which have reached advanced stages in construction, would send the right signals to other investors who had doubted the federal government’s commitment to invest in the construction of more modular refineries.
“A total of 38 licences have been issued, ranging from high scale refineries of 100,000 to 50,000 barrels had been issued. Out of these 38, about 10 of the modular refineries have advanced and they have all secured what we call ‘permit to construct’, just as it is here. So, with the license to construct the LTA, it means that 10, as at today, are ready to go. This is just one of the ten.
“We have visited others which are also under construction in similar stages as this one. They also gave us six months from last month. Going together, we can see two being commissioned in the next five to six months; and others are on the sea being imported, and we look forward to see many more. The first one that will be commissioned will be a remarkable encouragement to those others who are slowing their feet,” Kachikwu added.
Chief Engineer of the company, Elberd Bilanich, a Russian who conducted the team round the project site, expressed joy at the pace of construction work at the OPAC Modular Refinery, saying that upon completion, the two refineries would refine 7,000 barrels of crude oil each daily.
Senior Special Adviser to the Vice President on Niger Delta Matter, Edobor Iyamu, said the Federal Government would continue to give entrepreneurs all necessary support for quick completion of all ongoing modular refineries in the region.
According to Iyamu: “From the inspection, we understand that they will begin with diesel and kerosene production, but down the line they will venture into the refining of premium motor spirit. This refinery is meant to be a 7,000 barrel per day refinery. We are excited as a government that things are coming to fruition.”
Warri Zonal Operations Controller of DPR, Mr Antai Asuquo, who was represented by the Zonal Head of Gas, Engr. Ignatius Anyanwu, said DPR has deployed representatives to the site to ensure they meet government standards and industry regulations.
Chairman of OPAC Refineries, Momoh Jimah-Oyarekhua, confirmed that the refinery would come on stream by December, disclosing that the company’s production target is 60,000 barrels, but decided to start with 7,000 from where it would expand in phases.
“Generally, our plan is actually to install 60,000 barrels’ refinery eventually in Delta State, and this is our first phase of the refinery. We decided to start from the 7,000 barrels modular and in no time after commission – maybe a year – we are planning to expand to about 13,000 and 20,000 to follow, and eventually to install 40,000 before reaching our desired peak of 60,000 barrels refinery,” Oyarekhua stated.
[quote author=mikoloson post=67014881][/quote]You are right bro, can't you see how prayers made Nigeria to compete with UAE and Qatar in term of infrastructural development now??
chiagozien: Same benue that ambushed and killed thousands of igbos escaping for their life.
Karma is taking toll on them and their "One Naijireya". They thought that slaughtering the Igbo's back then will make the caliphate love them so much, but the reverse is the case.
THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to quickly respond to the damning report by the United States government on increasing corruption and abuse of human rights in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by Kola Ologbondiyan, National Publicity Secretary of the party in Abuja on Tuesday, it said the report further exposed the festering corruption, impunity, gross violation of rights and killings under the watch of the Buhari Presidency.
According to the statement, this report by the US Department of State further vindicates the opposition party’s stand that the Buhari-led APC government is “overtly and inherently corrupt, vengeful and has been engaging in smear campaign against the opposition to divert public attention from its atrocities.”
The party observed that the US report directly indicted the APC-led Federal Government of official corruption, secretiveness, high-handedness, restriction of personal freedom and rights, executive influence on the judiciary, wanton arrests, detention and persecution of opposition as well as extra judicial and arbitrary killing of citizens by state-controlled security forces.
It pointed out that the report also directly discredited President Buhari’s fight against corruption as targeted against opposition members while government officials and APC members, openly indicted of corruption, especially those close to Mr. President, are not prosecuted.
The statement added: “From the report, the world can now see that the PDP has not been raising a false alarm on the unbearable savagery and massive corruption of the APC administration, which has proven to be the worst in the history of our country.
“The world has now known why the APC-led Federal Government has been fixated at silencing opposition voices using the tyrannical instruments of intimidation, arrest, detention, trumped-up charges and media trial while emasculating free speech and press freedom in our country, all designed to hide their atrocities from the world.
“Today, it is clear to the world why Nigerians are leaving their country in droves to other parts of the world even at the peril of slavery and death.
“Under President Buhari and the APC, our country is in great pain. Our constitution appears to have been technically suspended. Citizens now live in fear; bloodletting by marauders and extra judicial killings have become the order of the day; billions of naira meant for the rehabilitation of victims of the insurgency are daily frittered by government officials while fundamental human rights have become essential commodities.
“While we urge Nigerians to remain calm, we are surprised that the Buhari Presidency has suddenly become dumb in the face of obviously overwhelming allegations, believing that the tide will flow by.”
The PDP, therefore, challenged the Presidency and the APC to end “their arrogant disdain for the people and immediately respond to all allegations raised in the report.”
It said these are weighty issues and they can no longer hide under the canopy of politics to dismiss them with a wave of the hand as they did in the past.
The PDP called on United States President Donald Trump to note the damning finding in the report by the US Department of States and review his earlier invitation to President Buhari until the issues raised are addressed.
• Buhari in dilemma as govs, ministers draw battle line
• Tinubu bars Ajomale, others from re-contesting
• Why we endorsed Oshiomhole –Eta
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has described the endorsement of the former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, for the position of national chairman by some party stakeholders of the South-South zone as foolish and childish.
This is as the presidency is said to be in dilemma over who among the chairmanship aspirants to back, while a battle line has been drawn between some governors of the party and ministers over who emerges the next national chairman of the ruling party.
APC National Vice Chairman (South-South), Prince Hilliard Eta, had after a zonal stakeholders’ meeting of the party on Monday in Benin, Edo State capital, announced that Oshiomhole had been endorsed for the position of national chairman by the South-South caucus of the party.
But, Odigie-Oyegun, who spoke with correspondents in Abuja, yesterday, on Oshiomhole’s endorsement by the South-South caucus of the party, said no support for the former labour leader from Edo State government house can work or deter him.
His words: “It is childish, absolutely childish. The voting is done at the convention and not in state houses, not in government houses.”
He, however, declared that he is not begrudging the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, for supporting Oshiomhole, who is his benefactor.”
On whether he is seeking for re-election, Odigie-Oyegun said he has concluded consultation on his ambition to re-contest for the office of national chairman. “Well, I am going to know when the convention committee announces its programme and when I’m going to buy my form if I will re-contest, I will let you know. The consultation, I think, is concluded,” he said.
He also commented on his lack of acceptance in his state, saying: “They have their reasons for what they did and you have to respect their reasons however wrong it is.”
On whether he was bothered by the support for Oshiomhole by Edo State government, he said: “No it doesn’t because one of those who want my job is from Edo and he was the immediate past governor and he was very instrumental in installing the present governor, so I think it is a case of rub my back I rub your back that is playing out.”
Meanwhile, a source, who spoke with our correspondent, revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari, is yet to make up his mind on who to support among the four aspirants that have so far indicated interest for the ruling party’s national chairmanship. They are Odigie-Oyegun; Oshiomhole; former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Clement Ebiri and Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, but the battle seems to be between Odigie-Oyegun and Oshiomhole.
While it is alleged that the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is the one projecting the candidature of Oshiomhole, some governors of the party are said to be behind Odigie-Oyegun’s candidature.
The governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, had said that there are 12 APC governors behind the APC national chairman’s re-election. Although he did not mention the names of the governors, it is believed that they include Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Ibukunle Amosun (Ogun), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and Aminu Masari (Katsina).
While making reference to how Esther in the Bible delivered the Israelites, he urged Christians to pray more, saying governance is a spiritual warfare.
So it's prayers that will stop killer Herdsmen from killing, create employment, revive the economy or stop boko haram from bombing people?
This man and his oga I don't know who is more empty
The Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has called for prayers for leaders in the country, saying governance is spiritual warfare.
Osinbajo spoke on Tuesday at the inauguration of the auditorium of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry headquarters at Gbagada, Lagos State.
Osinbajo said the inauguration was auspicious because it came at a time when the nation is confronting different security challenges.
He, however, faulted people who criticise Christians in government.
While making reference to how Esther in the Bible delivered the Israelites, he urged Christians to pray more, saying governance is a spiritual warfare.
He said, “Those of us Christians in government, we are sometimes referred to as Esthers; we are told that we are in office for such a time as this.
“What is often forgotten is that when Mordecai told Esther that she was in the palace for such a time as this, Esther replied in Esther 4:16, ‘Go and gather all the Jews that are in Shusan and fast for me, neither eat for three days – night and day. My maids will fast likewise and I will go to the king, which is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.’
“This I say to the church as well; it is the duty of the church to pray for those in government; the church should uphold the hands of those in government, not by complaining, but by supporting us in the place of prayer. Governance is spiritual warfare. Anyone that does not know that, I know that governance is spiritual warfare and I ask that you pray for us who are in position of authority in this land.”
The Vice-President said the crises in the North-East and other parts of the country were caused by Satan’s opposition to the spread of the gospel.
Osinbajo, who condemned the persecution of Christians in some parts of the country, said that President Muhammadu Buhari had asked him to take up cases where people were prevented from building religious places of worship.
He said, “First, there is even a resistance to building of churches. There are specific cases and places where specific allegations are made of valid applications made to build churches that have been refused. The President has mandated me to take up those cases with specific states and authorities. The right to freedom of worship is also a right to build places of worship.
“Second is the physical persecution of Christians, a phenomenon we have seen for years. Just this morning on my way here, I was notified of the violation of a Catholic church in Benue State by armed killers, who went there while a burial mass was taking place and killed the priest and some worshippers.
“It is not only a heinous sacrilege, but high wickedness to kill persons in the place of worship. As I discuss these issues with the President and other members in the security council, it is evident to me and to many that the devil’s biggest agenda is to stoke up a religious conflict in Nigeria; one that will make it impossible for anyone to preach the gospel or even Muslims to worship in their mosques. A few days ago in Bama, a mosque was burnt and many died.
“While the security agencies continue to work relentlessly to hunt down the perpetrators of this evil acts and bring a permanent end to all the killings that are going on in the name of herdsmen or Boko Haram or in any other name. We, as the body of Christ, must not lose focus. We are called to bring men and women to salvation: all men and women, even those who kill and persecute us.
“The enemy wants us to stand on our pulpit and preach hate. But we will not. We will obey our Lord Jesus Christ, who said that we must love our enemies and preach to even those who persecute us. There is nobody born or yet to be born that can stop the march of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Osinbajo, while lauding the Deeper Life for its investment in a flyover and streetlights to ease traffic in the neighbourhood, said the edifice is the fourth largest auditorium in the world.
He described the General Superintendent of the Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, as “a man of uncommon humility and commitment to the spread of the undiluted gospel of Jesus Christ with candour and integrity.”
The Vice-President urged the cleric to continue to preach “righteousness and righteous behaviour” as the government battles corruption.
The event featured musical performances from the children, youths, campus and adult ministries of the church.
Kumuyi thanked members and leaders of the church for contributing towards the success of the project, saying the church went beyond its initial plans by constructing the flyover and streetlights as part of its corporate social responsibility.
He said it took the church 13 years to construct the 30,000-seater church.
Politics › Buhari's Support For Oshiomhole Personal, He Didn't Impose Him On Us - APC NWC by BeeBeeOoh(op): 11:43am On Apr 26, 2018
