₦airaland Forum

@Naija Politico

An All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu, says the recent attack on the APC rally in Ogun was disrespectful to the office of the Nigerian President.

Tinubu lamented in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media, Mr Tunde Rahman on Tuesday in Lagos, that the attack could have potentially harmed the person of the President.
He was reacting to the APC rally in Ogun on Monday where some APC leaders were attacked.

”An incident did actually occur at the Ogun State APC rally, but it is not the one PDP has concocted.

”The true incident that should be reported and condemned is that people who oppose the party and the president tried to infiltrate and disrupt the rally.

”The attack by these operatives is disrespectful of the office of the president and could have potentially harmed the person of the president.

“Such antics have no place in our political discourse. The author of these misdeeds should desist before real harm is done.”

Tinubu said he had no plans of leaving the party as being insinuated by some reports based on a video clip from the Ogun rally.

In the video, Tinubu was alleged to be seen throwing the party’s flag at the presidential rally.

He, however, accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of framing the video clip to mean that he was throwing away the party’s flag.

According to him, he remains ‘Gidigba’ (solid) in the governing party.

” If the issue of the flag has become the hotspot of the PDP campaign, then they are in serious trouble.

“During that portion of the Ogun rally, the National Chairman and others were looking for a party flag.

”I spotted one within my reach. I picked it up and attempted to toss it to the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole so that the Chairman can present it to the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

“If you want to fault me for anything in this matter, your critique can only be limited to the accuracy of my toss.

“Any attempt to enlarge the episode beyond this is fiction and mischief writ large, ” he said.

Tinubu said he was committed to the party and had been hard at work for the victory of the APC and all of its candidates in the upcoming elections.

“As the National Leader. It is unthinkable that I will leave the party. Moreover, there is no reason for me to do so.

“I understand the bigger picture. I know what is at stake in this election.

”Either the nation moves forward along the progressive path of the APC or it will be forced to retreat into the ills of the past created by the PDP.

”With the nation’s future hanging in the balance, I will not allow myself to be deterred by petty mischief.

”After the election, I will be there celebrating the APC and this nation’s victory over those who will prevent us our rightful future,” he said.

Source: https://naijapolitico.com.ng/attack-at-ogun-apc-rally-disrespect-to-presidents-office-tinubu/

@Naija Politico

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of some APC supporters in Rivers state, who attended the presidential rally on Tuesday.

The supporters died in a stampede at Adokie Amiesimeka Stadium, venue of the well attended rally.

According to a statement by Garba Shehu, the president’s SSA media, President was briefed hours after the loss.

President Buhari not only expressed, he has also extended deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims. He also wished a speedy recovery to all those injured.

The President described the deaths as “needless loss of lives and an anti-climax to a highly successful outing” in the oil city that could have been averted if there was an orderly exit from the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.

“It is indeed a great tragedy that Nigerians who have important roles to play in shaping the future of the country and had come to see and hear from us how hard their government is working to build a Nigeria of their dreams, would meet their end in this unfortunate circumstance.

“I assure the people, with all sense of responsibility, that the party and the government will do everything possible to ensure the well-being and safety of our citizens as they troop out to attend rallies and all other political events,” the President said.

President Buhari assured the government and the people of Rivers State as well as the affected families of the support and prayers of the Federal Government during this difficult time.

The President prayed Almighty God to grant the souls of the deceased repose.

Source: https://naijapolitico.com.ng/buhari-mourns-dead-rivers-apc-supporters/

@Naija Politico

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the immediate release of Mr Ben Bako, its Director of Media Committee for Kaduna State Governorship Campaign Organisation, from DSS detention.

The party made the call at a news conference addressed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan on Monday in Abuja which was made available to Naija Politico

Ologbondiyan said that the party was concerned over the alleged arrest and detention of Bako by the Department of State Services (DSS) since last weekend, describing it as unwarranted.

He said that the party was aware that Bako’s arrest was a prelude to the alleged planned clampdown of PDP campaign officials to instil fear in the people.

“We want the Buhari-led Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to note that their plot, as well as the continued detention of Bako, is setting the stage for a vehement resistance by the people, which is capable of triggering crisis and disrupting the fragile peace in Kaduna State.

“The PDP, therefore, demand the immediate and unconditional release of Bako by the DSS without hurt or further harassment.

“The PDP will hold the APC and the Presidency directly responsible should any harm, whatsoever, befall any of our leaders or members, particularly in Kaduna State ahead of the elections.

“Kaduna State is a PDP stronghold and our party is not ready to stomach any further harassment of our leaders, officials and members, before, during and after the general elections.”

Ologbondiyan said that the PDP had also been informed of plots to track and detain the party’s critical stakeholders in other parts of the country, so as to put them out of circulation before and during the general elections.

He said the party completely rejected the ongoing clampdown, unlawful arrest and detention of its officials and members in various parts of the country by the APC-led government ahead of the general elections.

“This is highly provocative and a direct invitation to anarchy and a political crisis that is capable of derailing our democratic order.”

Ologbondiyan, who is also the Director, Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, urged the National Peace Committee to note and speak out against the total negation of the spirit and letters of the peace accord.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us and we will not hesitate to call out our members, in their millions, should this aggression by the APC and the Presidency against our party is not curbed,” he said.

Read More: https://naijapolitico.com.ng/pdp-demands-release-of-its-kaduna-spokesperson/

I am fully Ortomarically Atikulated
No lifelessness

@Naija Politico

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has described as 'absolute fake news' the reports in the Social Media that the abducted Dapchi school girl, Leah Sharibu, has died in captivity.

“It’s absolutely fake news. There is nothing like that,” the Minister said at a press briefing in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Sunday which was made available to Naija Politico

He said the rumour of Miss Sharibu’s death, which surfaced just a few days to the presidential election, is another ploy by the political opposition to tarnish the image of the administration and exploit primordial sentiments ahead of the polls.

“I think it’s part of the opposition’s strategies to throw everything at the administration and at the President. I think everyday they are realizing the hopelessness of their position.

“Everyday they are amazed by the support Mr. President is receiving from every part of the country and they have decided that they are going to spread falsehood, inflame passion and make this election a Muslim-Christian affair or North-South affair, but people are not listening to them,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

Speaking on the Monday’s presidential campaign rally in Ilorin, he said the All Progressives Congress (APC) has put everything in place to ensure that the visit of President Buhari is a huge success.

“The party has been meeting in the last couple of days to ensure that the President’s visit is very successful. We have watched the rallies in many parts of the country and we want to assure Mr. President that our rally in terms of numbers,quality of people,entertainment and colour will rank among the best,” the Minister said.

He said the crowd that will come out to receive the President will be organic as the party does not engage in renting crowds.

Alhaji Mohammed appealed to security agencies to create a level playing field for all the contestants in the election to allow the people to freely exercise their franchise, saying those involved in legitimate activities have nothing to fear.

He also described the protest in some circles over the redeployment of Police Commissioners across the country as the handiwork of the opposition, which is working to discredit the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Source: https://naijapolitico.com.ng/leah-sharibus-death-fake-news-fg/

@Naija Politico

A Kaduna State High Court on Friday issued a warrant of arrest against the Chairman of Code of Conduct Bureau, Justice Danladi Umar, for contempt.

The warrant of arrest was issued by Justice Mario Mohammed after the chairman had ignored several summons by the court in a suit between Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufa’i and Today’s publishing Company Limited, and one other.

A warrant form obtained directed that police personnel and authorities should arrest the CCB Chairman and produce him before the court on Feb. 13, 2019.

Earlier, Today Publishing company, the publisher of The Union Newspapers had filed application requesting the court to subpoena CCB Chairman to produce assets declaration of El-Rufai in court after several failed efforts it made to obtain it from the CCB.

Justice Mohammed granted the approval based on the application filed by Counsel to The Union Newspapers, Mr J.N. Egwuonwu (SAN), during the continuation of defence at previous sitting.

Egwuonwu represented by Hiifan Andrew Abuul had written application to the court to Subpoena CCB to tender the asset declaration of the Governor before the court.

Naija Politico, reports that the governor had gone to the court over a report carried by the newspaper in which it allegedly stated that he had declared N90 billion in his CCB assets declaration form.

Source: https://naijapolitico.com.ng/court-orders-arrest-of-ccb-chairman/

@Naija Politico

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, on Friday officially announced Feb. 15 to Feb. 19 as a mid-term break for students of all the Unity Schools across the country.

Adamu made the announcement at the ”7th edition of the Ministerial News Briefing” in Abuja.

“Our students in unity schools are not of voting age but we adjusted the mid-term break to make it fall within the elections period.

“The date for the mid-term break will be from Friday, Feb. 15 to Tuesday, Feb. 19. This is for only unity schools in the country.

“We are not shutting down other schools.

“The essence of this break is to enable parents have maximum time to go and cast their votes and have the freedom to bring their children and wards back to school.

“Even if the child is not of voting age, the parent is of voting age. The break is only for presidential elections.

“There is no break for governorship elections,” he said.

While reacting to the strike that was called off by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Feb. 7, Adamu commended everyone involved in the negotiations.

“All was for the development of the country’s educational system.

“I am happy to announce that ASUU has called off its strike.

“In spite of my anger and anxiety with ASUU, I must also commend their patriotism and public spiritedness because the last few weeks were about the struggle for education system and not their allowances,” he said.

The minister expressed optimism that Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) would also suspend its two months strike before Monday.

Source: https://naijapolitico.com.ng/elections-unity-schools-begin-mid-term-break-feb-15/

Shibaraba:
Hahaha....when I was in school you were wearing diapers.

Tell me more

@Naija Politico

The Federal Government has deployed a new portal called the price checker to harmonise prices and ensure transparency in the procurement process.

Mr Aliyu Aliyu, the Head, Regulation and Database, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), said this at the sensitisation of procurement officers on price checker and e-procurement in Abuja.

The sensitisation was organised by the Efficiency Unit of the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with BPP.

Aliyu said that the platform, a web-based one, was designed to allow vendors of non-customised goods to upload their prices to allow for a more transparent procurement process.

Naija Politico learnt that “this is to ensure that government at all levels do not spend money on excessively priced items.

“This way, we all would have an idea of what the prices are (were) and when we publish procurement records, we could check if a Ministry, Department or Agency (MDA) bought it for a price that was higher than what was posted on the portal.

“The measure is to bring about more transparency and bring the market closer to the people.”

Aliyu said that the price-checker was not confined to the Federal Government because states that were desirous of such solution were already demanding for it.

He added that the portal became necessary with the use of the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).

He explained that “a study was carried out and it was revealed that there was serious disparity in prices of goods purchased by MDAs, hence the need for price checker.

“The price checker has multipurpose function. First, it is a checker to determine prices and when you have finished your procurement, to know how much you finally purchased your items.

“It has a use at the beginning and at the end so when you look at it from beginning to end, it serves its purpose and it will still be used with the 2019 budget to check those things we will buy.”

He, however said that it was within the BPP’s mandate to come up with various regulations and frameworks to guide the implementation of the portal.

Mr Ojonimi Imaji, the Head, Efficiency Unit, said that with the portal, the huge disparities experienced in government procurement in the past would be eradicated.

He said that the price checker was targeted at non-customised items such as computer equipment, stationery, vehicles and other office equipment.

According to him, it is not intended to change the procurement process as it is today, rather, it is to enhance it.

He added that the main objective was to build a scalable and sustainable system to access real-time information on prices of goods.

He noted that “it would also be used to calculate the prices of goods against the budgeted price and control the prices stated in the budget across MDAs”.

He added that it would also generate an electronic market survey report to serve as guide for contract negotiation and contract award, explaining that “instead of physically going out to meet vendors to do market survey, you can now do it in the comfort of your office or from a device wherever you are.”

He, however, said that as a vendor, being on the platform would not guarantee qualification for patronage by government.

He said that the criteria for any vendor to qualify to be patronised by government contained in the Public Procurement Act (PPA) was still applicable.

Imaji said that though the price checker was developed by the Efficiency Unit, the full implementation would be handled by the BPP after the sensitisation of procurement officers on its use.

He added that the sensitisation had been carried out in the six geo-political zones and Lagos State.

The Efficiency Unit was created in 2015 to ensure the most efficient use of resources with all opportunities to make savings, avoid waste, block leakages and increase productivity.

The BPP was established by the PPA, 2007 as the regulatory authority responsible for the monitoring and oversight of public procurement with the aim of building and sustaining an efficient procurement system that meets international best practices.

Source: https://naijapolitico.com.ng/fg-deploys-price-checker-on-procurement-process/

otokx:
The courts are open you can go there to enforce your fundamental human rights.

If you will do Pro Bono for me, why not?
Seventh Day Adventist church are in court praying for the election to be in weekdays not on weekends citing disenfranchisement of their members.
Their members voting populace with PVC wont be more than 2 million but Nigerian students with PVC are in excess of 20 million

StupidInyamiri:
don't waste your time if you are not voting Buhari

Lols
Aint enhancing lifelessness again

Shibaraba:
Olodo student
Your reasoning baffles me
Something wey you suppose thank God

Na you get your mouth as you said.
My post no be for dem illiterates

StupidInyamiri:
PDP and propaganda

This is not any propaganda.
I can't wait to vote come feb 16th

Yesterday, I received the news of ASUU calling off their strike with joy. As a bonafide Nigerian students, who won't be happy after staying for more than 3 months at home but my joy was cut short when I remember that come next week, the Presidential election will take place.

One is left to ponder the fate of Nigerian students in this forthcoming election.
According to the Independence National Electoral Commission, the number of students who registered to vote in this forthcoming presidential election is about 22.3 million making up about 27percent of the registered voters.

ASUU stands for the Academic Staff Union of Universities whose primary aim is to protect the selfish interests of lecturers.
The lecturers were being paid while on strike and still, they were hell bent on not calling off the strike until a week to the election and a day to the deadline of PVC collection.
The lecturers were given special privileges unlike when JOHESU and other bodies went on strike and their wages withheld. The lecturers insisted that until the FG shows seriousness will they call off the strike.

We the Nigerian students hope that since the strike has been called off, then it means that substantial part of their grievances have been settled and we hope that our Academic Calendar won't be disturbed for at least 1year.

On the part of the FG, where did they keep this money all these while and they refused to settle ASUU up until now?
Do they know that one-fourth the voting Populace will be disenfranchised by their actions and inactions?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Article 21 essentially states that “the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret ballot or by equivalent free voting procedures.”

ASUU in connivance with the Federal Government has denied us our Rights to Vote and be Voted for.

Why will the strike be called off a day to the PVC collection deadline when most students registered for their PVC close to the school environment?
I live in Lagos but school in Enugu, how will I leave Lagos today and get to Enugu today and get my PVC today, not considering the fact that I will have to prepare for school and run around for some things.

And this situation is not peculiar to only me but applies to majority of students.

What about those who cannot travel today, they have been disenfranchised by ASUU in connivance with the government.

What about Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, the numerous students being disenfranchised, the hopelessness of the students, our lives being gambled upon by the government and our lecturers using us as a bargaining tool to satisfy their selfish desire

Some of my friends are not coming back until after the election, their parents do not want to endanger the life of their kids in the name of election.

We plead on INEC to postpone the election date because tens of millions of students registered for their PVC and chose a polling unit to exercise their Rights close to the School.

We should remember that the number of people that is about to be disenfranchised is about the total number of voters in South West plus South East.
And if an election is held in other regions without anyone from South East and South West voting, can we in all sincerity call that election a national election.
It is worrisome to note also that the youths are not interested in politics.

For the future of this country belongs to the present day students.

Chieyine Nelson
500lvl Med/Surg
UNN

@Naija Politico


The Federal Government says it is yet to take delivery of any of the 12 A-29 Super Tucano Attack Aircraft, being manufactured by an American aerospace contractor, Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC).

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday at the launch of the National Campaign in Support of the Military.

Naija Politico reports the Federal Government in February, 2018 placed an order for the 12 Super Tucano aircraft at a cost of $496 million.

Responding to questions from newsmen at the launch, Mohammed said earlier delivery of the aircraft would boost the war against insurgency, which had metamorphosed from a rash-tag home grown Boko Haram group to a world teste terrorist network.

Mohammed, who solicited the support and prayers of all Nigerians for the troops fighting insurgency, added that Nigeria was still getting the backing of other countries through the Multinational Joint Task Force.

Mohammed said the launch of the National Campaign in Support of the Military was to seek the support of the citizens for the troops.

He admonished Nigerians to stop vilification, insults and other acts capable of of dampening the morale of the military, especially those fighting insurgency.

The minister stressed that the men and women in uniform who were risking all, including making the supreme sacrifice, to keep the country safe deserved the support and prayers of all Nigerians, not vilification.

“Doctored videos and pictures purporting to show massive military casualties are willfully circulated online.

“Such unpatriotic acts are discouraging and demoralizing our troops, and must stop forthwith,” he said.

The minister also solicited the support of the media to play the leading role in the campaign.

“We want to appeal to the media to show utmost professionalism in reporting the insurgency.

“They must seek official clarification before reporting casualty figures, and must realise that the military will not release the identities of soldiers who have paid the ultimate price without first notifying their families.

“They must also not reveal national security as well as military plans, since such acts can put our troops in harm’s way,” he said.

Speaking in the same vein, Brig.-Gen. John Agim, Director, Defence Information expressed delight over the launch, adding that the time to stand in support of the military was long overdue.

He noted that the responsible journalism was needed more than ever, owing to the fact that publicity fuels terrorism.

To buttress his claim, Agim recalled an incidence in 2016 when 18 of the most wanted Boko Haram members escaped into Lagos metropolis and the military had to keep the news a top secret.

He noted that if such scoop had leaked out to any journalist, it would be unpatriotic and irresponsible to publish the news because of the trauma it would have caused among Lagos residents.

The Defence spokesperson also recalled when a journalist called him for confirmation of a purported story that the military was short of and rationing ammunition in the North-East.

He said if the fake news was even to be real, it fell into the categories of stories that ought not to be published by responsible journalists because of its tendency to make people unsecured and lose hope.

Agim appealed to the media to avoid publishing stories that would break the spirit of the fighting force, promote cowardice and cause panic among citizens.

The event was attended by Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, Director, Army Public Relations, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, Director Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Airforce and Commodore Suleiman Dahum, Director Information, Nigerian Navy.

Source: https://naijapolitico.com.ng/insurgency-fg-wants-tucano-fighter-jets-delivered-earlier/

Blakjewelry:
all APC supporter have one thing in common. the tendency to become violent

Sai Atiku

@Naija Politico

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has called on the International Community to focus on the forthcoming general elections to stop the planned manipulation by the APC Federal Government.

This is as the British Government has declared that it expects the 2019 General elections to be peaceful, free and fair.

Governor Wike said it is incumbent on the international community, especially the United Kingdom, United States of America and the European Union to repeat the 2015 feat when they monitored all the processes.

Naija Politico learnt that He spoke on Wednesday at the Government House Port Harcourt when he granted audience to the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing.

He said: "We appeal to the international community to focus on the forthcoming general elections.

"This is not the first time the international community will be doing this. In 2015, the United Kingdom, European Union and the United States actively monitored the elections ".

He said that the Failed APC Federal Government was foisted on the country by the western powers.

While declaring that that the Government and people of Rivers State are committed to peaceful polls, Governor Wike charged the United Kingdom to prevail on INEC and security agencies not to manipulate the elections.

"Talk to INEC and the Police to allow Nigerians to vote freely and for their votes to count. Any attempt to manipulate the elections, will make the issue to be out of control of the people ", he said.

Governor Wike said that the plot by the APC Federal Government to shutdown internet and communication access would make it impossible for the international community and stakeholders to monitor the elections.

The governor said that there can be no violence if elections are free and fair. He regretted that the legal outlet for seeking redress has been destroyed by the APC Federal Government through the attacks on the judiciary .

Earlier, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing encouraged all stakeholders to work towards peaceful and credible polls.

She said she Rivers State is important to the country, pointing out that peaceful polls in the state will have positive multiplier effect .

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing added that she was also in the state to acquaint herself with the environmental challenges facing the state.

Source: https://naijapolitico.com.ng/focus-on-2019-elections-gov-wike-says/

@Naija Politico

The Senior Special Adviser to former President Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Reno Omokri has reacted to the recent comment of Governor El-rufai.
This he made known on his Twitter page and a copy made available to Naija Politico.
In his words;

Today, I woke up in shock to watch a television interview by Mallam Nasir
El-rufai, the Governor of Kaduna State, on the Nigerian Television Authority where he threatened Nigeria’s friends with death if they intervened in Nigeria to save democracy.
El-rufai’s exact words were “we are waiting for the person that will come and intervene, they will go back in body bags.” Shocking as his words may be, this is vintage El-Rufai, a man who talks carelessly, especially when he is off his medications.
I first encountered El-rufai in 2009 when he was in exile in the United States and the next year, 2010, he appealed to me to help him write a letter to foreign governments, calling on them to INTERVENE in Nigeria (the very thing he speaks against now).

El-rufai’s latest incidence of hypocrisy is the most recent in a long line of hypocritical actions by a man who has no morals and acts without conscience. Permit me to give a few instances of his previous acts of hypocrisy;

On October 1, 2015, Nasir El-rufai falsely alleged that former President Jonathan spent a whopping 64 billion naira on Independence Day celebrations, during his tenure when in fact only 333 million naira was spent. He was exposed as a liar by then SGF Babachir.
After he was exposed as a liar by Babachir, Nasir El-rufai neither apologised nor showed any remorse. It must be stated that it was the Secretary of the Government of the Federation under the Muhammadu Buhari Government that exposed El-Rufai’s lies.

Nigerians may also recall that on September 10, 2014, this same El-rufai falsely accused former President Jonathan and former CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor of founding and funding Boko Haram to the tune of N50 billion.

El-rufai, who is notorious for spreading falsehood, engineered the arrest and prosecution of one Audu Maikori, who erroneously tweeted about some killings in Kaduna that had not happened and almost immediately apologised after he learnt of his error.

El-rufai’s former boss, Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who brought him to the limelight, had this to say about Nasir El-Rufai in his book: My Watch Volume 2 as follows:

“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological”
Continuing, Obasanjo said “I heard of how El-rufai ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who was like his foster father. I shudder when I heard the story of what he did to his half-brother in the Air Force who is senior to him in age.”

Given such an evaluation, the international community is advised to treat El-rufai with the contempt he deserves. This is a man who boasted that he paid public funds to marauders who killed his own people, because he shares ethnic affinity with them.

Let me, Reno Omokri, as a Nigerian citizen, apologise to all friends of Nigeria, who have been threatened by this reckless fellow. Your friendship with Nigeria is appreciated and the flippant El-rufai DOES NOT speak for us in any capacity at all.

El-rufai’s views are his private views and they cannot bind Nigeria’s armed forces, nor mislead them to fight our international friends. El-Rufai has caused enough deaths in Kaduna. He should take his body bags there.

Finally, I urge El-rufai, to rather urge
President Buhari to stop releasing ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members and use the body bags he referred to on them instead. He should remember that when he and Buhari are sick, they rush to these same people he threatened

Source: https://naijapolitico.com.ng/el-rufai-sanity-is-in-doubt-reno-responds-to-body-bag-comment/

@Naija Politico

The Peoples Democratic Party has reacted to a statement made by Governor of Kaduna State, Naija Politico learnt.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after due consideration of comments, threats and incendiary actions by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Buhari Presidency, which are directly inimical to a peaceful, free and fair election, the PDP is left with no option than to consider a review of its signatory in the national peace accord, if no action is immediately taken to curb this trend.

Nigerians are still in a shock over comments by the Governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, who declared on a national television that members of the global democratic institutions that are working for a peaceful election in Nigeria will return to their countries in body bags. What a threat?

We call on the international community to immediately impose a travel ban on el-Rufai for this inciting comment against peaceful elections in our country.

Also of particular note is the plot to redeploy, a former Chief Security Officer to APC leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, CP Kayode Egbetokun, as Kwara state Commissioner of Police, where he has been handed the instruction to incite the people, cause pandemonium and pave the way for outright rigging in favour of President Buhari and all other candidates on the platform of APC.

This is in line with plans by the Buhari Presidency and the APC to effect a mass deployment of top security officers, particularly the police, to intimidate, harass and manhandle Nigerians that will not support the self-succession bid of President Muhammadu Buhari as well as aiding APC thugs to snatch ballot boxes and orchestrate violence in the elections.

Nigerians are aware of how CP Kayode Egbetokun was posted to Lagos state by the disgraced former Inspector General of Police, Idris Ibrahim, to serve the same partisan interest and how that posting was stopped by the new IGP Adamu Mohammed. Now, he is being redeployed to Kwara state for the same ignoble plot.

It is necessary to state that the PDP is a party of peace and we are committed to the peace accord. However, the deployment of the Kayode Egbetokun as Kwara CP directly negates the principle of the Peace Accord and can only hurt the fragile peace that currently exists in Kwara state.

We wish to remind the acting Inspector General, Adamu Mohammed that his acceptability among Nigerians across party line was based on the pedigree, which was presented to Nigerians before his appointment.

These pedigree and exposure place on his shoulders, the responsibility to be just, firm, equitable and professional in the discharge of his duties. We therefore urge him not to allow his reputation to be mired in controversial political activities.

Very importantly, the PDP calls on the National Peace Committee to note the infractions by the APC and its leaders to the peace accord, including the provocative shut down of all the stadia in Kano state by the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, in order to frustrate the PDP Presidential campaign rallies in the state.

We therefore call on the National Peace Committee to immediately summon el-Rufai on his inflammatory remarks against peaceful election in our country.

The PDP hold that any situation that seeks to allow the APC to abuse the tenets of the accord will definitely force our party to review our signatory to the peace process. In that regard, we might have no option left than to allow our members to defend their votes with whatever that is available to them.

This country belongs to all of us and no individual or group, no matter how highly placed, can subjugate other citizens or seek to appropriate any sort of absolutism to themselves.

Source: https://naijapolitico.com.ng/pdp-threatens-to-pull-out-of-peace-accord/

@Naija Politico

In order that the International Community attest to the credibility or otherwise of the forthcoming elections, 40 European Union (EU) Observers have arrived Nigeria, just less than three weeks to the elections.

This statement was made on Tuesday, by the leader of the EU Observers in charge of Uyo and Osun States, in Ibadan, Mr David Dahmen, when he visited Mr. Mutiu Agboke, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State.

The observers had been grouped into 20 teams to observe the forthcoming elections in all the states of the federation, Dahman said while on a familiarization tour.

Mr Mukalay Banze, along with their Assistant, Mr Sony Odiongenyi, would be in-charge of Oyo and Osun states, he said further.

There would be interaction with certain key stakeholders, INEC inclusive, in the course of carrying out their function in the country.

Dahman said, “we have just been briefed by the Oyo REC on the preparations made by INEC in respect of the forthcoming elections.”

The EU observers were on a familiarisation visit to the state headquarters of INEC, Agboke stated earlier.

”We have updated the team on our preparations and readiness to conduct free, fair and credible polls,” Agboke concluded.

Source: https://naijapolitico.com.ng/40-eu-election-observers-now-in-nigeria/

@Naija Politico

Professor Niyi Osundare: My Lord, where do I keep your bribe?
This poem was composed two years ago by Professor Niyi Osundare, 71, Nigeria’s multiple award-winning poet and 2014 winner of the Nigerian National Merit Award (NNMA) for academic excellence, to reflect the decay in the judiciary.

Naija Politico published it as it is germane to our times and reality.

My Lord

Please tell me where to keep your bribe?

Do I drop it in your venerable chambers

Or carry the heavy booty to your immaculate mansion

Shall I bury it in the capacious water tank

In your well laundered backyard

Or will it breathe better in the septic tank

Since money can deodorize the smelliest crime

Shall I haul it up the attic

Between the ceiling and your lofty roof

Or shall I conjure the walls to open up

And swallow this sudden bounty from your honest labour

Shall I give a billion to each of your paramours

The black, the light, the Fanta-yellow

They will surely know how to keep the loot

In places too remote for the sniffing dog

Or shall I use the particulars

Of your anonymous maidservants and manservants

With their names on overflowing bank accounts

While they famish like ownerless dogs

Shall I haul it all to your village

In the valley behind seven mountains

Where potholes swallow up the hugest jeep

And Penury leaves a scar on every house

My Lord

It will take the fastest machine

Many, many days to count this booty; and lucky bank bosses

May help themselves to a fraction of the loot

My Lord

Tell me where to keep your bribe?

My Lord

Tell me where to keep your bribe?

The “last hope of the common man”

Has become the last bastion of the criminally rich

A terrible plague bestrides the land

Besieged by rapacious judges and venal lawyers

Behind the antiquated wig

And the slavish glove

The penguin gown and the obfuscating jargon

Is a rot and riot whose stench is choking the land

Behind the rituals and roted rigmaroles

Old antics connive with new tricks

Behind the prim-and-proper costumes of masquerades

Corruption stands, naked, in its insolent impunity

For sale to the highest bidder

Interlocutory and perpetual injunctions

Opulent criminals shop for pliant judges

Protect the criminal, enshrine the crime

And Election Petition Tribunals

Ah, bless those goldmines and bottomless booties!

Scoundrel vote-riggers romp to electoral victory

All hail our buyable Bench and conniving Bar

A million dollars in Their Lordship’s bedroom

A million euros in the parlor closet

Countless naira beneath the kitchen sink

Our courts are fast running out of Ghana-must-go’s*

The “Temple of Justice”

Is broken in every brick

The roof is roundly perforated

By termites of graft

My Lord

Tell me where to keep your bribe?

Judges doze in the courtroom

Having spent all night, counting money and various “gifts”

And the Chief Justice looks on with tired eyes

As Corruption usurps his gavel.

Crime pays in this country

Corruption has its handsome rewards

Just one judgement sold to the richest bidder

Will catapult Judge & Lawyer to the Billionaires’ Club

The Law, they say, is an ass

Sometimes fast, sometimes slow

But the Law in Nigeria is a vulture

Fat on the cash-and-carry carrion of murdered Conscience

Won gb’ebi f’alare

Won gb’are f’elebi**

They kill our trust in the common good

These Monsters of Mammon in their garish gowns

Unhappy the land

Where jobbers are judges

Where Impunity walks the streets

Like a large, invincible Demon

Come Sunday, they troop to the church

Friday, they mouth their mantra in pious mosques

But they pervert Justice all week long

And dig us deeper into the hellish hole

Nigeria is a huge corpse

With milling maggots on its wretched hulk

They prey every day, they prey every night

For the endless decomposition of our common soul

My Most Honourable Lord

Just tell me where to keep your bribe.

* Large, extremely tough bags used for carrying heavy cash in Nigeria

** They declare the innocent guilty

* They pronounce the guilty innocent

*As was previously published by Sahara reporters and republished by Naija Politico

Source: https://naijapolitico.com.ng/my-lord-where-do-i-keep-your-bribe/

@Naija Politico

The Nigeria Bar Association has reacted to the alleged Suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Onnoghen and subsequent appointment of an Acting Chief Justice, Justice Tanko Muhammed.

The NBA President in a letter made available to Naija Politico told Nigerians their stand in this purported illegality. In his words;
The news media has been awash this evening with the news of the purported suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honorable Mr. Justice Walter S C Onnoghen, GCON by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR and the swearing in of Hon Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria. We are told that this was pursuant to an Ex-Parte Order that was issued by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Wednesday, 23 January 2019.

The Nigerian Bar Association unequivocally rejects and condemns this attempted cou against the Nigerian Judiciary and evident suspension of the Nigerian Constitution by the Executive arm of the Federal Government. The action of the Executive portends a slide into anarchy and complete deconstruction of the Rule of Law and due process.

It amounts to an absolute breach of the Constitution and the usurpation of the powers of the Senate and the Nigerian Judicial Council.

It is unfortunate that the Executive Branch of Government purports to suspend the CJN on the basis of an alleged ex-parte order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal – the same Tribunal that, to the knowledge of the Executive, had, only the previous day, Tuesday, 22 January 2019 adjourned its proceedings to Monday, 28 January 2019 and has before it a Motion on Notice that is yet to be argued, seeking the same reliefs as were contained in the purported ex-parte application, to wit, the suspension of the CJN, amongst others.

We call on the Federal Government to avert the looming constitutional crisis precipitated by its ill-advised action. In particular, the Nigerian Bar Association demands the reversal of the purported suspension of Honorable Mr. Justice Walter S C Onnoghen, GCON.

We also call on the National Assembly to assert its constitutional authority and powers and prevent this slide into chaos and erosion of the Rule of Law.

Source: https://naijapolitico.com.ng/coup-against-the-nigerian-judiciary/

Annyjane001:
Please any one here can help

What will be the gift

Macopolo8:
I’m igbo and me and my household are voting for buhari

Visit and study in Canada
Check my signature

Your cup of tea
I am Igbo and not just Igbo, a leader in ny faculty.
90 percent of my faculty members will vote for Buhari.
Yours is just one of the inconsequential loss to Atiku

Macopolo8:
Enugu is sealed for buhari

Visit and study in Canada
Check my signature

U know Nothing
Ndi 042 have Obidiently Atikulated.
Forget Ugwuanyi

Aside Yaradua, OBJ was the best President never ever had. Did you know the damages dones by the Military regime, Baba Obj never complained about his predecessors unlike what the APC is doing.
The average price of crude oil during OBJ's time was around 35dollars per barrel but what about Buhari's time, it is 70dollars per barrel and Nigeria didnt go into recession.
Forget about those lies being peddled that PDP 16 years oil was averaging over a 100 dollars.
The only issue Obj had was fighting perceived enemies and also giving the Nigeria military free rein to do as they like
Talk about the reforms by Obj and see how he made Nigeria developed.
Pls don't bring corruption allegations into this matter.
There is none past leader post second republic that didnt dip his hands in the State coffers

Fuckuignos:
Y’all will be shocked OBJ’s main target is Osinbajo, Awo’s inlaw who he’s already seeing will be president in no distant time. He stooped so low to attack that respectful man in this letter

The evil in that old man’s heart is bigger than this country, his children can testify

@Naija Politico

Your political machinations will amount to a nought the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole said as he lambasted former Nigerian leader Olusegun Obasanjo and the PDP candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

This statement Oshiomole said, speaking in Hausa and English while addressing a crowded rally of the APC in Damaturu, Yobe State on Monday. “Obasanjo and Atiku Equal Zero”, Oshiomole said.

Recall that, former President Olusegun Obasanjo wrote a letter on Sunday accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of planning to rig the elections while likening his government to Sani Abacha’s.

This letter by Obasanjo seriously angered Oshiomole as he addressed Party faithfuls in Yobe State.

Oshiomole described Obasanjo as the father of corruption, one who tried to bribe the National Assembly to elongate his two term-tenure as President as he urged Yobe electorates to ignore him

He went further to say “when President Buhari said Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, it was a statement of modesty to show there other capable people within the party.

“But the opposition twisted it. When they started seeing many people at the rallies, they complained again”.

Vote all APC Candidates in all the elections and ignore all comments made by Obasanjo, Oshiomole urged.

Nigeria will grow to realise its potential as the greatest country on the African continent under Buhari, Oshiomole added.

Source: https://naijapolitico.com.ng/obasanjo-plus-atiku-equals-zero-oshiomhole/

The commission was not under pressure to do what was wrong, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu said.

Recall that Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had on Sunday written a letter, telling the nation that there was doubt as to the integrity of the commission to conduct a free, fair and credible elections, Naija Politico reports.

This clarification was made by the Chairman in a meeting in Abuja, on Monday, with the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and other senior police officers.

Yakubu went further to say “this is to be expected in an election year when people make all sorts of insinuations.

“I want to tell you that we as a commission have never been under any pressure to do what is wrong.

“We will never compromise our integrity to do what the law says that we shouldn’t and for the 2019 general elections, I want to assure and reassure Nigerians that votes and nothing but votes will count.

“WIth this level of cooperation from the security agencies, I want to assure you that Nigerians will have a pleasant voting experience in 2019.”

The nation was looking forward to INEC and the Nigeria Police Force to conduct credible elections, he said.

An unimpeded access will be granted by the commission to the media during the elections, Yakubu said.

A close working relationship between the commission and the police at all levels was required he said.

“The more we collaborate with the police, the easier the prosecution of election offenders.

“We are going to consult the security agencies for the deployment of personnel for the elections.

“We must work in partnership to give Nigerians a pleasant election in the upcoming elections, our responsibility is to serve the Nigerian people,” Yakubu said.

He requested that officers of the force be on ground early enough to escort officials of the commission to polling units.

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID), has been directed to set up a special lectionaries investigation teams, the Acting IGP said earlier.

The teams would take into custody and undertake detailed investigation of all arrested electoral offenders across the country and shall liase with INEC towards the prompt processing of the case files of the offenders for prosecution, Adamu said.

The police would respect and protect the rights of all citizens of the country regardless of their socio-economic status, Adamu further reiterated.

The Presidential and National Assembly elections comes up on Feb. 16, while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly will hold on March 2, Naija Politico reports.

Source: https://naijapolitico.com.ng/inec-not-under-pressure-to-rig-election-yakubu/

@Naija Politico

Plans by some political actors to use food vendors around polling units for vote-buying in the forthcoming general elections, have been uncovered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This observation was made by an observation team, led by Chief Observer, Mrs Maria Arena, in Abuja, on Monday, on a visit to INEC, the Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

INEC was determined to improve elections and ensure that votes count, and had taken steps to address the disturbing trend of vote-buying by politicians, Yakubu said.

The steps included modification of the administration of polling units to make it difficult for voters to expose their marked ballot papers on day of election, he said.

Also, the commission had introduced partial ban on the use of mobile phones and other electronic devices by voters while in the voting cubicles.

“We are also introducing the rolling and flattening of ballot papers by voters on day of election.

“We are training our election duty staff, in addition to voter education and sensitization, on this new innovation. We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the sanctity of the ballot.’’

The chairman went further to expose the plans by political actors to use food vendors “around polling units with large voter populations as collection points for cash-for-votes as well as other forms of material inducement to voters on election day’’.

“We are aware of this trick. It will not work.”

The claim that INEC had outsourced the recruitment of election duty staff to partisan actors, Yakubu denied.

The Commission had established clear criteria for recruiting its ad hoc staff and Collation and Returning Officers, which, according to him, has been the practice over several electoral cycles, Yakubu stated.

“In addition, there is a clearly established system of vetting all election duty staff before they are engaged.

“Therefore, the claim that the Commission has outsourced the recruitment of election duty staff to partisan actors is the usual allegation on the eve of elections and should be disregarded.

“With 25 days to the 2019 General Elections, the Commission’s attention is firmly focused on the conduct of credible elections. We will not be distracted into a fatuous debate.’’

Yakubu also stated that the commission was not unaware of the complaints arising from the collection of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as they were being addressed.

“We are committed to ensuring that all voter cards are made available for collection by registered voters who should collect the cards in person.

“There will be no collection by proxy.”

The commission had enhanced the functionality of the Smart Card Reader that would be used for the elections, Yakubu said.

“Clause 10 of the Regulations and Guidelines recently released by the Commission make the use of Card Readers mandatory. It is an offence to accredit a voter by any other means.”

The EU was one of the long-standing partners of INEC in deepening Nigeria’s electoral democracy, through the EU-Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN), Yakubu described.

“We have implemented all the recommendations made by the EU Mission in 2015 that are within the powers of the Commission to do.

“These include simultaneous accreditation and voting system which we introduced on Jan. 9, 2016 and used it to seamlessly conduct off-season elections into 194 constituencies.

“We have similarly introduced the continuous registration of voters. Over a period of 16 months, from April 27, 2017 to Aug. 3, 2018, over 14 million new voters were registered,” he said.

He assured the EU that INEC preparation for the 2019 general election was on course.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Arena, had said that EU would deploy 40 observers to all states of the federation during the elections.

The EU would also have its Parliamentary observation mission on ground during the exercise, Arena said.

“We will issue two preliminary reports after the elections. We will work strongly with all the stakeholders of this country.

“We will also have the final reports two months after the elections, with recommendations.

“We really appreciate the work that INEC has done with the previous recommendations after the 2015 elections,” Arena said.

Source: https://naijapolitico.com.ng/inec-uncovers-plot-to-buy-votes/

TheManofTomorrow:
Na private school you dey?

Nope
Unn

ASUU strike is not affecting me in any way.
We still go for our postings and have our lectures.
I am tired of going to school jawe.
No better holiday since 2016