₦airaland Forum

Festus Keyamo, the Director, Strategic Communications of President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation, has opined why the country recently emerged the headquarters of poor people.

Nigeria, NGPOLITICS recalls overtook India as the nation with the highest number of extremely poor people, a report by Brookings Institution recently showed.

Before now, India used to hold the position with a population of 1.324 billion people as against Nigeria’s 180 million.

According to the report, the number of Nigerians in extreme poverty increases by six people every minute.

“According to our projections, Nigeria has already overtaken India as the country with the largest number of extremely poor in early 2018, and the Democratic Republic of Congo could soon take over the number 2 spot,” the report read.

“At the end of May 2018, our trajectories suggest that Nigeria had about 87 million people in extreme poverty, compared with India’s 73 million. What is more, extreme poverty in Nigeria is growing by six people every minute, while poverty in India continues to fall.

“In fact, by the end of 2018 in Africa as a whole, there will probably be about 3.2 million more people living in extreme poverty than there is today.

“Africans account for about two-thirds of the world’s extreme poor and that If current trends persist, Africa will account for nine-tenths by 2030.”

Critics of President Buhari has severally blamed him. Some of them attributed the hardship currently going on in the currently to his leadership qualities saying a leopard can’t change its spots.

During the military era when he first held sway as the Nigerian leader, the Buhari regime was reportedly characterised by dictatorship, economic meltdown and hardship. Since his return to power democratically as president in 2015 same scenario was playing out again.

Under the watch of Buhari, over 8million Nigerians lost their job since he took over within a duration of 21 months. This is according to statistics released by the National Bureau of Statistics.

Exonerating his principal, Keyamo said Nigeria host majority of the poor people in the world because of the climactic point of bad leadership of past administration.

“The unemployment statistics & the rating of Nigeria as ‘poverty capital of the world’ is certainly NOT a consequence of the last 3 years!,” Keyamo said in a tweet on Saturday.

“It is a culmination of many years of squandermania, waste & corruption witnessed under past govts from which we’re now battling to come out,” he added.

The administration is already known for its blame game since its emergence. When a contretemps occurs they search for whom to blame but takes the glory should positive events materialize.

In the last three years, former president, Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were the ones taking the blame until recently the Buhari administration shifted the blame game to Bukola Saraki, Senate President, when the top lawmaker defected from the All Progressive Congress (APC) to the PDP.

With Keyamo’s new position, it seems the administration is shifting from the Senate President back to the first scapegoat.

Mike Agboola, the General Overseer of Jehovah Power Miracle Tabernacle, has predicted who will emerge victorious in the Saturday governorship election of Osun State.

The cleric had on July 1, predicted that the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Kayode Fayemi, would clinch victory in the July 15 gubernatorial election. The prediction came to pass.

For Osun State election those contesting are over 40 candidates. But the battle is between 5 political heavyweights in the state.

NGPOLITICS brings you the names of the candidates: Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Fatai Akinbade of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Moshood Adeoti of the Action Democratic Party (ADP); Gboyega Oyetola of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Iyiola Omisore of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).


In a September 3 video posted on his Facebook page, Mr Agboola is seen predicting who will emerged victorious.

He described the election as a mystery and the revelation was revealed to him by God. He gave a breakdown of how the candidates will perform during the poll.

The cleric said while Mr Akinbade (ADC) will come 4th in the election, Senator Adeleke (PDP) will emerge 3rd.

According to the general overseer, Mr Oyetola (APC) will come 2nd because this is not the appointed time for him to govern the state. He nevertheless urged Oyetola not to relent his political ambition.

For Mr Omisore (SDP), he will emerge victorious at the poll, thus becoming the governor-elect who will take over from the outgoing Rauf Aregbesola.

The predicted winner had once serve as deputy governor of the state from 1999–2003. He previously served as a member of the Nigerian Senate for Osun East from 2003 to 2009.

BELOW IS THE VIDEO WHEREIN HE MADE THE PREDICTIONS

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) on Wednesday alleged that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has turned itself to the militant wing of the All Progressive Congress, (APC).

The CUPP stated this while reacting to the immediate summon extended to Senator Ademola Adeleke who is standing as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Osun State governorship election scheduled to hold on Saturday.

The police had said they were summoning the candidate for alleged examination malpractice, among others.

This is despite the fact that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has cleared the air that Adeleke sat for it examination.

The lawmakers school credentials have come under intense scrutiny since he emerged the candidate of the PDP in Osun State some weeks ago. The senator’s opponents during the primaries contended that he had no credible school certificate and should be disqualified from the race.

Mr Adeleke went on to become the candidate, nonetheless, and the PDP has continued to back him as its candidate, saying his results have been found to be genuine and the public should dismiss contrary insinuations.

The police invitation which came barely 72 hours to the election day has been condemned by Nigerians especially on social media with some of them saying the Police was out to frustrate the PDP candidate.

Adding its voice to the condemnation, the CUPP said the Police which ought to be apolitical has turned itself to a tool of persecution of the ruling APC.

In a statement by Imo Ugochinyere, CUPP spokesperson, said the last desperate option of causing confusion among voters by pushing for Adeleke’s disqualification has failed and the All Progressives Congress (APC) is on the way out.

CUPP, an alliance involving 39 political parties including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said it was high time President Muhammadu Buhari released his own certificate.

“It gladdens our hearts that Senator Adeleke did not hire 13 SANs to frustrate the hearing of the case by filing numerous frivolous applications and appeals like President Muhammadu Buhari did when summoned to Court to produce his own certificate,” CUPP said.

“Mr. Buhari who undeservedly prides himself as Mr. Integrity is yet to provide his certificate; apparently because he does not have any. How can one attach integrity to such a character? President Buhari is hereby called upon to now direct the Army Secretary to produce the certificate he tendered to the Army on the day he joined the Nigerian Army,” it said.

Explaining how the Police turned to a tool of persecution the coalition alleged the federal government made it so.

“Having failed in this last plot to continue to hold down a resolute Osun electorate in their mire of misgovernance, we have it on good authority that the APC led Federal Government has activated the Nigeria Police which has effectively turned itself into the militant wing of the ruling Party to summon the candidate again based on concocted allegations just to derail the sack of APC from the Osun Government House.

“The same Nigeria Police that refused to comment or take action on the now proven certificate forgery of former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun for over two months when her scandal broke nor the continuing raging scandal of Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla against whom the Registrar of WAEC had testified at a House of Representatives investigation that he parades a fake certificate is now the Police running from pillar to post groping for nonexistent evidence.

“Since he was rewarded with appointment as Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has not investigated nor prosecuted any official of this government for all the allegations of crime made against them. The politically induced summoning of Adeleke is like a wild goose chase, it will not achieve any noble end.

“The Buhari administration has now become shameless, purposeless, conscienceless and clueless. The plot by the APC government working with the Police, which now behave like the Security Arm of the APC to arrest key opposition governorship candidates and their supporters 24 hours to election to deprive them of the chance to make adequate preparation for the election shall be resisted.

“We shall not allow a situation where the governorship Candidates of the PDP (Sen. Adeleke), SDP (Sen. Omisore) and others will be locked away by the police few hours to the election using unsubstantiated baseless allegations”.

excomarow:
Eat your like for all I care

Buhari till 2023

As the presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) draws near, Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, has listed the qualifications anyone who will emerge the party’s candidate must possess.

The primary slated for October 6 is billed to take place at Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

State governors on the platform of the PDP had in a meeting with the National Working Committee (NWC), picked the Rivers State capital as the venue for the primary ditching Enugu and Akwa Ibom, on the excuse that Port Harcourt had more hotel space than the two states.

With its presidential expression of interest and nomination form fixed at N12million, the party has a long list of aspirants aspiring for the exalted office in the land.

NGPOLITICS recalls names of those in the race to include: Atiku Abubakar, former vice president; Bukola Saraki, President of the 8th Senate; David Mark, a serving Senator.

Others are: Aminu Tambuwal, Sokoto State Governor; Ahmed Makarfi, former caretaker chairman of PDP; Attahiru Bafarawa, an astute businessman; Taminu Turaki; Sule Lamido, former Jigawa governor; Rabiu Kwankwaso, a serving senator and Kano ex-governor; David Jang, former Plateau governor and Ibrahim Dankwambo, Gombe State governor.

For Fani-kayode anyone who must emerge the party’s candidate must first be in touch with his people.

•Our pres. candidate must have a massive support base in his zone.

•He must be strong and resilient.

•He must be a true believer that is ready to fight Buhari with every fiber of his being.

•Defend his mandate with his very life and

•If necessary, he must be ready to die for Nigeria.

Although the former minister has publicly shown his support to Makarfi, the former governor does not fit into his above listed qualification. In his first ‘must possess’ qualities, Fani-Kayode said the aspirant must have a massive support base in his zone.

Finding from NGPOLITICS shows Mr Makarfi is from the North West geo-political zone. This is the same zone President Muhammadu Buhari hails from and at the time of publishing this report the Nigerian leader still commands a cult followership in the region. This has seen the former PDP chairman loosing already.

Another aspirant that would have fit in properly is Mr Kwankwaso, but since he embarked on a self-imposed exile this has seen him loosing his base particularly Kano State from where he held sway and delivered over 1.9million votes to Buhari.

Kwankwaso has been in political rivalry with his successor, Abdullahi Ganduje, with the latter preventing him from coming home.

Senator Ademola Adeleke, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the gubernatorial election scheduled for this weekend has been summoned to appear immediately at the Police Headquarters in Abuja to answer to allegation of certificate forgery.

Mr Adeleke summoning comes 3 days to the governorship election of Osun State of which he is a participant.

The lawmakers school credentials have come under intense scrutiny since he emerged the candidate of the PDP in Osun State some weeks ago. The senator’s opponents during the primaries contended that he had no credible school certificate and should be disqualified from the race.

Mr Adeleke went on to become the candidate, nonetheless, and the PDP has continued to back him as its candidate, saying his results have been found to be genuine and the public should dismiss contrary insinuations.

The police said in a statement Wednesday afternoon that their investigation revealed that Mr Adeleke, his family and associates connived with some school administrators to allow him sit for the National Examination Council (NECO) in 2017.

The candidate was subsequently directed to immediately turn himself in to face prosecution.

As the police were making their case against Mr Adeleke and summoning him to appear for arraignment only three days to an election in which he is a major candidate, the West African Examination Council reportedly cleared the senator of any wrongdoing.

Although Mr Adeleke denied all allegations when the police started their investigation into his academic credentials in July, they revealed today that they made arrests and questioned several suspects in the last few weeks.

BELOW IS THE POLICE STATEMENT

PRESS BRIEFING ON EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE CASE AGAINST SENATOR ADEMOLA ADELEKE

Examination Malpractice, Criminal Conspiracy, Personation, Breach of Duty, Aiding and Abetting against Senator Ademola Adeleke (PDP Governorship Aspirant in the 22nd September, 2018 Gubernatorial Election in Osun State) and four (4) others namely; MR Sikiru Adeleke, Alhaji Aregbesola Mufutau (Principal of Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School, Egbedore LGA, Osun State), Mr Gbadamosi Thomas Ojo (School Staff responsible for the registration of candidates for NECO), Mr Dare Olutope (School Teacher who facilitated the commission of the crime).

On 21st July 2017, the Osun State Police Intelligence Bureau (SIB) received and acted on an actionable intelligence about an ongoing examination malpractice involving Senator Ademola Adeleke and Sikiru Adeleke at OJO/Aro Community Grammar School in Osun state.

2. When the Police operative arrived at the school, only Sikiru Adeleke was found seated for the examination while Senator Ademola Adeleke seat was vacant and was suspected to have escaped before the arrival of the Police operatives.

3. Further investigation revealed that both Senator Ademola Adeleke and his brother Sikiru Adeleke registered and were sitting for the National Examination Council Examination (NECO) 2017 as internal candidates impersonating students of the School at the ages of 57years and 42years respectively. This crime was facilitated by the principal of the school, and two other members of staff of the school for which they are under investigation and being charged to court.

4. The Principal of the school, Alhaji Aregbesola Mufutau, the staff responsible for registration, Mr Gbadamosi Thomas Ojo and a teacher Mr dare Olutope were arrested on 21 July 2017. Senator Ademola Adeleke was arrested on 27 July 2017 and Sikiru Adeleke was arrested on 8 August 2017.

5. Senator Ademola Adeleke made cautionary statement and admitted that he registered for the 2017 NECO examinations as an internal student in the said school but he didn’t sit for the examination.

6. However, Police investigation revealed the following primafacial and culpability facts against Senator Ademola Adeleke andfour (4) others.

i. Senator Ademola Adeleke made cautionary statement and admitted that he registered for the 2017 NECO examinations as an internal student in the said school and did not sit for the examination but have a result from NECO with Seven (7) Credit and One (1) Pass, a copy of which was obtained from NECO by the Police.

ii. The Ojo/Aro 2017 NECO, SSCE school photo album (School’s copy), with Senator Ademola Adeleke and Sikiru Adeleke Photographs in school uniform in the said album. Senator Ademola Adeleke in the NECO 2017 Result obtained by the claimed that he was born on 12th June 1997 but in his statement to the Police, senator Ademola Adeleke wrote 13th May 1960 as his Date of Birth.

iii. The photographs of both Senator Ademola Adeleke and Sikiru Adeleke appearing side by side in the photo album have no NECO stamps on them.

7. Senator Ademola Adeleke and four others were arrested, investigated, granted bail and being charged to court. Charges of Examination Malpractice, Criminal Conspiracy, Personation, Breach of Duty, Aiding and Abetting against Senator Ademola Adeleke (PDP Governorship Aspirant in the 22nd September, 2018 Gubernatorial Election in Osun State) and four (4) others namely; MR Sikiru Adeleke, Alhaji Aregbesola Mufutau (Principal of Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School, Egbedore LGA, Osun State), Mr Gbadamosi Thomas Ojo (School Staff responsible for the registration of candidates for NECO), Mr Dare Olutope (School Teacher who facilitated the commission of the crime) have been filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja under the Examination Malpractice Act, CAP E15, 2004 today, Wednesday, 19th September, 2018.

8. Consequently, Senator Ademola Adeleke (PDP Governorship Aspirant in the 22nd September, 2018 Gubernatorial Election in Osun State) and four (4) others namely; MR Sikiru Adeleke, Alhaji Aregbesola Mufutau (Principal of Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School, Egbedore LGA, Osun State), Mr Gbadamosi Thomas Ojo (School Staff responsible for the registration of candidates for NECO), Mr Dare Olutope (School Teacher who facilitated the commission of the crime) are hereby advised in their own interest to report to the Special Investigation Panel, Force Headquarters, Abuja immediately for arraignment in court.

Ag. DCP JIMOH MOSHOOD
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS

Bukola Saraki, Senate President, should be given a chance to govern Nigeria, former military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida, has said.

Mr Babangida fondly called IBB on Wednesday noted that having listened to some presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who have indicated interest to run for the exalted office in the land, Mr Saraki possess the right objectives.

The top legislator had been touring states of the federation seeking for endorsement from party members which will lastly earn him the presidential ticket of the opposition party.

He recently dumped the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and returned to the PDP from where he had joined the ruling party. While in APC he liaised with lawmakers of the opposition party at the upper legislative chamber to emerge the president of the 8th Senate and leader of the National Assembly.

Since Saraki emerged Senate President against the wish of the APC, several attempts to oust him from the position has often met brick wall with the lawmaker atimes outsmarting the ruling party and thwarting their plans in the process. The most recent is the siege laid at the National Assembly.

He has at several occasions made it clear that he would never step down as Senate president as demanded by the APC who said they were doing everything legally possible to get him relinquish the position.

According to him, succumbing to such calls will only amount to sacrificing the national interest of the country for personal interest.

When Saraki visited Babangida in Minna, the Niger State capital on Monday the former military ruler assured him of his support.

Tweeting on Wednesday, the former Head of State reaffirmed his support for the Senate President.

“I have listened to many Presidential aspirants, but I think Bukola Saraki has the right objectives,” Babangida said.

He said he was supporting the top lawmaker because of his leadership qualities.

“His passion towards eradicating poverty and interest in the unity of Nigeria is what I really admire from such young man. For these reasons, he has my support,” he added.

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has been described as a corrupt party where thieves receive medals instead of condemnation.

The description is coming from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in reaction to a statement credited to the APC wherein the latter praised former Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, for stepping down after admitting she was parading a fake certificate.

Mr Adeosun who resigned her appointment on Friday, reportedly left the shores of the country. Her action has been described by the PDP as an attempt to “prevent her from exposing how the Presidency cabal, including close relations and associates of Mr. President, fleeced the nation of trillions of naira.”

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the opposition party urged President Muhammadu Buhari to stop parading himself as one who has integrity.



“Until President Buhari brings Adeosun back to explain how the Presidency cabal and APC leaders frittered away more than N10 trillion in 3 years, the Buhari Presidency and the APC lack the moral rectitude to pontificate on corruption as they have become directly complicit,” the PDP said.

Attacking the APC the PDP said the All Progressives Congress (APC), in congratulating Adeosun, even after she had admitted her culpability on issues of forgery and corrupt practices, has further showcased itself as “a party of corruption; an iniquitous fold, where thieves receive medals instead of condemnation.”

“There are clear evidences that Adeosun could not have circumvented the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), National Security Adviser (NSA) the Police and even the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) without the tacit approval of the Buhari Presidency.

“Furthermore, how did Adeosun evade checks by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abeokuta and the Ogun State House of Assembly for clearance as commissioner, with her status as a dual citizen, if not armed with inherent tendencies for fraud? It is clear that the Buhari Presidency exploited this factor to swindle the nation, in the finance ministry?

The PDP said it was worried that President Buhari in appointing Adeosun, with her divided citizenship allegiance, to hold the sensitive office of the minister of finance, exposed the nation to the dangers of having the security and economy information sold to international interests.

“This, perhaps, explains the anti-Nigeria financial policies, including damaging foreign borrowing negotiations, which have returned our beloved country to a debtor nation,” the PDP said.



The PDP called on the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, to note that Adesoun has already confessed to a fraud in Nigeria and must not be allowed a shelter in her nation.

“We also call on the international community to put an eye on all officials of the Buhari administration, including ministers, special advisers and APC leaders as it has become obvious that they are being used to fritter trillions of our national resources while our citizens wallow in poverty, hunger and starvation,” it said.

SENATOR Godswill Akpabio, has stated why the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), could not prosecute him despite allegations of corruption levelled against him.

Mr Akpabio, a serving senator, had ruled Akwa Ibom State from May 2007 to May 2015 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).

The former governor was being investigated by the EFCC for alleged gift of N1.4bn to a bank for unknown reasons.

Akpabio had also being probed on allegations of embezzling N108bn during his tenure between 2007 and 2015.

But the lawmaker defecting to the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Wednesday stated that he was innocent as nothing incriminating was found on him during the investigation carried out by the anti-graft agency.



“Some people are saying I moved to APC because a gun was pointed on my head. A young man wrote a petition against me and the petition was filled with lies… I have never been charged to court… The EFCC did not find anything on me,” Akpabio said while addressing his supporters at a rally organised to receive him into the APC at the Ikot Ekpene Township stadium.

“For those who said I am a traitor, I will never be a traitor. Those who are ganging up to stop the government of the day, we won’t see election if we follow them. We won’t see February 2019,” he added.

The former governor also said his defection to the APC is for the interest of the state and the Niger Delta region.



“Our people should be part and parcel of Nigeria. We don’t believe in segregation. The region as a minority cannot stand on its own.

“The south-south having the major resources of this country should also partake in the sharing of the resources. What I have done today is to take the people of the south-south to the centre; to link Akwa Ibom to the centre,” added.

Akpabio also said he was joining the APC to sweep away poverty from the lives of the residents of the state.

“As I speak to you now, those who are from the national assembly are all here. Thousands of you all were in PDP yesterday, are you not in APC today? I accept this broom to sweep away poverty form your life.”

AFTER making his claims that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) robbed Akwa Ibom State for 16years, Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) have been reminded by Nigerians that those who perpetuated the act were now in the ruling party.

Mr Oshiomhole on Wednesday while receiving the former governor of the state, Godswill Akpabio, claimed the opposition party squandered the resources of the state with nothing to show for it.

The former Edo State governor urged the people of the state not to be deceived by the PDP again.

“Please don’t be deceived. These are very tempting moments. Nigerians will know the difference between party A and party B,” TheCable quoted him as saying.

“I ask you, if a seasoned notorious armed robber who has been robbing you for 16 years; they tripled the robbery, they digitised the robbery… When you kick them out of office, they sponsor confusion here and there.

“But the people are saying no matter how you sponsor, we can see behind the facts,” Mr Oshiomhole said.

His submission did not go down with some Nigerians who reacted to his claim.

A look at Mr Oshiomhole's claim reveals that two former governors of the state who ruled during the period are now in the APC.

While Mr Victor Attah ruled the state from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007, Mr Akpabio, a serving senator, took his turn to rule the oil rich state from 29 May 2007 to 29 May 2015. The duo are now in the ruling party and after governing on the platform of the opposition party.

The incumbent governor, Udom Emmanuel, is having his own turn still on the platform of the PDP.

“Oshiomhole talks carelessly, Has he forgotten that the two governors who ruled during the said years are now in APC? asked facebook user, Stanley Chukwumezie.



Princess Teddie Awuzie said: Indeed Oshomole will destroy APC. Is Akpabio not the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State under PDP. Sorry Chairman, you need tramadol.

Hector Patrick said: Sure It simply means that Arc victor Attah robbed the state for 8years,then Godswill Akpabio now robbed for another 8years… And both of them are all in the APC now,so who now looted the state’s treasury…

“Laughing at @OfficialAPCNg for saying @OfficialPDPNig destroyed Akwa-Ibom and then asking Akwa-Ibom people to accept an Akpabio who did 8 our of the PDP 16 years,” a tweet from Senator Ben Murray-Bruce read.

The national leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu, was also quoted as making same remarks against the PDP.

“How can Tinubu present Akpabio to Akwa-Ibom in one breath and in the next breath ask Akwa-Ibom to reject @OfficialPDPNig because PDP destroyed Akwa-Ibom for 16 years. Does he not see the contradiction? For 8 solid years out of those ‘16 years of destruction’ Akpabio was Governor!” said Reno Omokri via his twitter handle.

Nura Sabo Anku tweeting via @Nsa20 said: “From today Akpabio is the great saint of the South South crowned by @OfficialAPCNg through Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He said @OfficialPDPNig spent 16years destroying Nigeria so Akwa-Ibom was ruled by good 8 solid years under the leader of Saint Akpabio. Akwa-Ibomite are witnessed.”

kahal29:
He said Ben Bruce should apologize to him

SENATOR Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North West) has called on his colleague Ben Murray-Bruce (Bayelsa East) to ensure he completes the Ibom Tropicana Project awarded to him or face the consequences.

Mr Akpabio made the call on Wednesday when he defected to the All Progressive Congress, (APC).

He was governor of the Akwa Ibom State twice on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).

Akpabio, a first timer at the Senate, launched verbal attacks on Murray-Bruce for implicating him as the chief planner of the siege laid at the National Assembly on Tuesday.

Murray-Bruce had mentioned his name as the arrow head of the attack launch at the parliament. But the former governor denied participation in the attack.



Akpabio said he was on his way to the state for his planned defection when he heard his name was mentioned as the arrow head of what some Nigerians described as a legislative coup.

“Tell Senator Ben Murray-Bruce to complete the Ibom Tropicana Project,” he said refusing to disclose further information on his new claim.

Effort by HEADLINE to get the Bayelsa lawmaker to comment for this story was unsuccessful as he did not pick telephone calls placed to his known phone numbers. He did not also reply an sms sent to him as at press time.

Earlier, the former governor said the state was now an APC state.

“I want you to know that from today Akwa Ibom is now an APC state,” the lawmaker who is a former governor of the state said.



He said his defection to the APC is for the interest of the state.

“I am in APC to link the state to the centre,” Akpabio added.

Akpabio defected with his supporters who included lawmakers of the state assembly, some of the recently sacked commissioners of the state and various chieftains of the PDP in the state.

The occasion took place at the Ikot Ekpene Township stadium where mammoth crowd gathered to witness the event.

Present to witness his defection were the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole; the secretary to the government of the federation, Boss Mustapha; national leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu among others.

SENATOR Godswill Akpabio says Akwa Ibom State now belongs to the All Progressive Congress, (APC).

Mr Akpabio stated this on Wednesday when he officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

“I want you to know that from today Akwa Ibom is now an APC state,” the lawmaker who is a former governor of the state said.

He said his defection to the APC is for the interest of the state.

“I am in APC to link the state to the centre,” Akpabio added.



The former governor who recently resigned from his seat as the Senate Minority Leader is a first timer at the upper legislative chamber.



Akpabio defected with his supporters who included lawmakers of the state assembly, some of the recently sacked commissioners of the state and various chieftains of the PDP in the state.

The occasion took place at the Ikot Ekpene Township stadium where mammoth crowd gathered to witness the event.

Present to witness his defection were the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole; the secretary to the government of the federation, Boss Mustapha; national leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu among others.

BUKOLA Saraki, Senate President, has said he was not going to step down as the Preaident of the Nigerian Senate.

Since his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from the All Progressive Congress (APC), Saraki has been urged by lawmakers of the ruling party to step down.

The National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, waded in warning Saraki to return the ‘crown’ bestowed upon him by the ruling party.

But reacting on Wednesday when a question was thrown to him at a press conference, the Senate President noted that he was not given the position and there was no way he will return what was not given to him.



“I was not given the Senate President, I was elected into that position,” Saraki told his audience.



Plans by the ruling party to effect a change of leadership at the Senate has always met brick wall. They range from Stolen Mace: House Arrest of principal officers of the chamber and most recently the siege laid at the legislative arm of government yesterday.

Lalasticlala