₦airaland Forum

Former leaders of the PDP who defected to the APC in 2013 have written to the national chairman of the ruling party to demand an urgent meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari “within seven days”, TheCable can report.

They did not state their next line of action, although TheCable understands that they may pull out of the party which is already bedevilled by crisis following rancorous congresses nationwide last weekend.

The bloc, known then as the new PDP (nPDP), helped in dislodging the PDP from its 16-year rule in the 2015 general election.

They teamed up with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), to form APC.

However, in a letter signed by Abubakar Kawu Baraje, former national chairman of nPDP and Olagunsoye Oyinlola, its former national secretary, and presented to John Odigie-Oyegun on Wednesday afternoon, the group listed several grievances and demanded an emergency meeting.

They complained that despite the role they played in bringing APC to power in 2015, they have been neglected in the scheme of things by the administration.

Some of the grievances listed by nPDP are:

No member was appointed into the federal executive council, expect one who did not deliver his state in 2015 (an obvious reference to Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Rivers and minister of transportation)
No “significant patronage” and appointments to executive positions in various government agencies
When members showed interest in running for the offices of senate president and speaker, they were opposed by the APC hierarchy.
TheCable could not confirm when the seven days would start counting but the letter was dated May 7, 2018 — a day before Buhari travelled to the UK for medicals.

It is also not clear if his absence would affect the treatment of the letter.

The president is expected back in the country at the weekend.

TEXT OF THE LETTER

The National Chairman

All Progressives Congress (APC)

National Headquarters

Abuja.

REQUEST FOR REDRESSING OF GRIEVANCES OF THE FORMER NEW PDP BLOCK WITHIN THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC)

We the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who moved over from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to form the APC before the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria are desirous of strengthening our party especially now that new party Congresses have commenced and the Convention and another round of General Elections are imminent. Obviously, this cannot be achieved without addressing fundamental issues which we wish to raise in this letter.

We therefore wish, with due respect, to re-state our expectation then and now that the APC we all laboured to build would be one united, inclusive, cohesive and progressive party devoid of divisions, factions, cleavages and tendencies. We envisioned a political party promoting equal rights for all Nigerians and ensuring rapid and even development across the country. Of course there is no gainsaying the fact that the lofty ideals enumerated above cannot be attained without ensuring justice for party faithfuls and citizens.

2. Kindly indulge us to offer a brief reminder of the history of events that led to the victory of the APC in the 2015 General Elections and the presidential election in particular. It is an undeniable historical fact that the movement of the former New PDP block to form the APC contributed immensely to the victory of the APC in the elections. The former new PDP included five sitting Governors of Sokoto, Kano, Kwara, Adamawa and Rivers States and former Governors of Kebbi, Gombe, Osun, former Vice President of Nigeria, former acting National Chairman of PDP, sitting Speaker of the House of Representatives, many serving members of the National Assembly and many renowned politicians and PDP Elders. It was a watershed moment in Nigeria’s political History.

3. Most of these leaders not only DELIVERED their States to the APC at the elections, some of the Governors were also assigned specific responsibilities to ensure that other States were also delivered to the APC in the 2015 elections. The then Governor of Sokoto took charge of Kebbi and the then Governor of Kano State took responsibility for Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa States just to mention a few examples. There were also unprecedented efforts by many stakeholders such as Senator Bukola Saraki, in concert with others, to DELIVER the entire North Central to the APC.

4. These efforts, contributions and sacrifice were made in spite of the fact that the presidential ticket was taken by the erstwhile Congress for Progressive Change, (CPC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN) blocks of the party. It is a matter for grave concern that His Excellency, Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has never publicly acknowledged our efforts in the face of clear evidence that the total number of votes scored by the APC in States where leaders and members of the then NEW PDP block held sway made the difference.

5. The stubborn facts are as follows: In Kano State APC scored 1,903,999 in 2015, and in Kwara 302,146. In Sokoto State it scored 671,926, and 374,701 in Adamawa. In Kebbi State, APC had 567,883 votes and 885,988 in Jigawa. It was the same story in Gombe (459,898), Kogi (264,851), and Benue (373,961) votes. These represented significant additions to the APC victory column. Indeed, the influence, activities, momentum and ripple effect generated by the former New PDP block was significant in the victory of APC in the entire elections in the whole country.

6. At this stage we would chronicle a few grievances which if addressed will lead to a harmonious APC where justice, equity, fairness and peace will reign and enable APC avoid rancour, reinvigorate the pace of national development and face the 2019 General Elections as one united party.

7. Our grievances include:

(a) In the constitution of the Federal Executive Council, (FEC) the New PDP block was generally sidelined as virtually no position was conceded to it. The only member of FEC that belonged to former New PDP block comes from a State that contributed virtually no vote to the APC in the 2015 presidential elections.

(b) There has been no significant patronage and appointments to executive positions in various government agencies such as Chief Executives and Executive Directors of government agencies and parastatals as members of our block of the party continue to helplessly watch as these positions are shared by the erstwhile CPC, ACN, ANPP and even APGA blocks of the party and those who have no party at all.

(c) In appointments into boards of various government agencies, very few former New PDP members were patronised. These are however not commensurate with our contributions to the growth and victory of the party.

(d) When members of the former New PDP block showed interest in running for the offices of President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, they were subjected to a vicious and relentless political opposition as if they were not legitimate members of the APC family.

(e) During the party primaries preparatory to the 2015 General Elections, most of the promises made to sitting members of the National Assembly, who belonged to the former new PDP in terms of a level playing field were reneged upon or observed more in breach.

(f) There has been general lack of consultation, non recognition and even persecution of former New PDP members and leaders by the party and government. For example, some of our leaders are denied the security cover necessary to visit their constituencies even though they are elected representatives of the people in a government they sacrificed so much for.

(g) Harassment, intimidation and persecution of former New PDP leaders by the government, is still an ongoing affair. We do not want to overstate the obvious by cataloguing names of former new PDP stalwarts that are targets of this political pogrom.

(h) There is inadequate reflection of programme and policy contributions of members of the former New PDP block in the running of the government.

8. Our belief is that it does not augur well for our party if a section of it feels that it is being treated as outcasts and meddlesome interlopers in the party they rightly belong with the legitimate expectation to be treated with justice both in the running of the party and the government.

9. Arising from the issues outlined above, among others, we request for an urgent meeting with the Leader of the party, and the Party Executive leadership to find lasting solutions to the issues raised so as to prepare the party as a fighting force to deliver more pungently on its manifesto and face the 2019 General Elections with even greater commitment. The meeting will also enable us to work out modalities to ensure a level playing field for all in the Congresses and Convention of the APC.

10. Given the constraining factor of available time and in the interest of our great Party, it is strongly advised that the said urgent meeting be held not later than Seven (7) days from the date of the receipt of this letter.

11. In conclusion, we the members of the former New PDP block of the APC wish to reiterate that this letter is written patriotically with the best of intentions and the good of our party, the APC, and is issued to alert the leadership of the APC and in particular, the leader of our party, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who only recently indicated his intention to seek a second term as President, of grievances that exist within the party with a view to ensuring justice for all members of the APC family regardless of the blocks they came from prior to the formation of the APC.

For and on behalf of the former New PDP Block of APC:

Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje (CON), former National Chairman (nPDP)

Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former National Secretary (nPDP)

https://www.thecable.ng/exclusive-apc-crisis-deepens-npdp-faction-issues-seven-day-ultimatum/

As part of activities lined up for the 18th year of re-declaration of the New Biafra which took place in Aba, Abia state on May 22, 2,000. Founder of Biafra Independcnce Movemebt, BIM/Leader of Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra. MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike has directed all MASSOB/BIM members to march in major federal roads within its territories on Tuesday, May 22, this year.

According the Uwazuruike, march would take place simultaneously in Benin, Edo state; Port-Harcourt, Rivers state; Asaba, Delta state; Calabar, Cross River state; Yenegoa, Bayelsa state; Onitsha, Anambra state; Enugu, Enugu state; Aba, Abia state; Owerri, Imo state;Uyo, Akwa Ibom state and Abakaliki, Ebonyi state.

In a press statement issued yesterday and signed on his behalf by the Biafra Director of Information, Mazi Chris Mocha, Uwazuruike stated that the annual celebration is in line with its non-violence principle towards the carving out of Biafra as an independent state from Nigeria.



Uwazuruike recalled that in the world history, no revolutionary struggles, no matter how long it takes has ever failed to achieve its goals and objectives but emphasized that starting a revolution as he did in 1999 was the most difficult thing anyone can do.

He stressed that the importance of the 2018 Biafran Day celebration was intended to draw the attention of the international community that Biafra struggle for independence is still on course.

Robinson Agbo and Onyebuchi Ezia arrested 6 days before Nov 18TH election

He therefore charged Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state to facilitate the release of nine MASSOB Members Including under detention in Anambra state, including Chukwuma Nwoba, Longinus Akuegbuv, Okechukwu Onuorah, Anthony Wilfred,

Sunday Igwe, Sunday Nweke, David Ota, Robinson Agbo and Onyebuchi Ezia who were arrested by the security agents in the state and hounded into detention, six days before the November 18, 2017 governorship election in the state.

http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/uwazuruike-declares-may-22-biafra-day-orders-bin-massob-members-to-march-on-major-road/

President Muhammadu Buhari has departed Abuja for London where he is scheduled to meet with his doctors for routine medical check up.

The presidential aircraft conveying the president and few of his aides took-off from the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja at 3.20 p.m.
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Muhammad Bello, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari were among those at the airport to bid the president farewell.

Others included members of the president’s media team Mr Femi Adesina, Malam Garba Shehu, as well as other presidential aides.

Garba Shehu had on Monday in a statement said President Buhari would on Tuesday begin a four-day trip to the UK on medical check up.

He said “in the course of the technical stop-over for aircraft maintenance in London on his way back from Washington last week, the president had a meeting with his doctor.

“The doctor requested the president to return for a meeting which he agreed to do.”

Shehu added that the president, who would return on May 12, would undertake a two-day visit to Jigawa, which was postponed because of the All Progressives Congress’s Ward Congresses.

He said the visit would last between May 14 and May 15.

President Buhari first went on medical vacation on Jan. 19, 2017 and returned later than he planned and declared that he had never felt so ill in his life.

The president returned for treatment on May 7, 2017 and came back after 103 days.

Before leaving Abuja on Tuesday, May 8, Buhari received Letters of Credence from ambassadors of Netherlands, Republic of Botswana and Lebanon to Nigeria, where he stressed the need for sustained financial, technical and capacity building from the international community to mitigate the effects of climate change in the country.

NAN

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/05/buhari-departs-london-4-day-medical-check/

crisis generated by the botched governorship primary election took a different dimension, on Monday as some protesters sealed off the party’s secretariat in Ado Ekiti and laced the sealed gates with juju.

They had padlocked the gates of the secretariat and at the foot of the gate in its front, they had poured palm oil to form a circle and broke fresh eggs in and around the oily circle.

The protesters said they were demanding the immediate dissolution of the party’s state executive council, led by the chairman, Chief Olajide Awe.

The group of APC protesters, which said they were known as Ekiti APC Stakeholders, said they reposed no confidence in the party’s executive and announced that a caretaker committee is put in place to take over the affairs of the party.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mr Adeoyo Aribasoye, said they were relying on the constitution of the party, which he said permitted them to do away with the executive, and added that Mr Kayode Egunjobi had been appointed as chairman of the caretaker committee.

He said “the Ekiti APC executive has moved for a consensus candidate, which is against the constitution of our party. The executive has also openly displayed support for an aspirant. These actions are against the constitution and that is why we are passing a vote of no confidence on the Jide Awe-led executive. We want them to step aside and a caretaker committee to be inaugurated.”

Details soon…

http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/ekiti-apc-crisis-party-secretariat-sealed-with-juju/

Tony Okafor, Awka

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, on Sunday evening escaped mob attack at a meeting of the All Progressives Congress in a hotel in Awka, Anambra State.

The meeting, it was gathered, was for the harmonisation of the results of the party’s ward congress held on Saturday.

As gunshots pervaded the scene, Ngige was whisked away by security agencies.

Security personnel repeatedly fired repelling shorts into the air to scare the mob who charged at him.

They alleged that the minister was trying to manipulate the result of the ward congress in his favour.

A member of the state’s ward congress committee, who was identified as Ali was not that lucky to escape as he was beaten to a pulp and stripped naked on allegations that he was among those drafted in the state to work in favour of Ngige.

The candidate of the APC in the November 18, 2017 governorship election in Anambra, Dr Tony Nwoye, had openly accused Ngige in the meeting of plotting to hijack the party in the state.

In the harmonisation meeting held to address the discrepancies in the party’s ward congress, Nwoye told Ngige that he was usurping the functions of the Congress Committee by asserting that ward congress took place on Saturday in the state while it did not.

Nwoye said he had been refraining from speaking about Ngige’s audacity and impunity over the affairs of the party in the state to avoid being accused of being bitter because he ran and lost the election on the platform of the party.

He said, “Some of you here worked against me during that election, but my joy is that I lost the election and you lost too because most of you have not risen beyond the falling point.

http://www.punchng.com/ngige-escapes-mob-attack-as-anambra-apc-meeting-turns-violent/

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday received in audience the Governor of Imo state, Chief Rochas Okorocha. His purpose for the visit was not revealed to newsmen as at the time of filling this report.

Recall that Gov Rochas is the Chairman APC Governors Forum and maybe his discussion with Mr. President will not be far from issues in the party.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/05/photos-okorocha-meets-buhari-daura/

Kayode Fayemi, minister of mines and steel development, and Opeyemi Bamidele, a former commissioner of information in Lagos state, are the only governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) absent at an ongoing stakeholders’ meeting in Ado Ekiti, capital of Ekiti state.

TheCable gathered that the aspirants are putting heads together on the way forward following the inconclusive primary election of Saturday.

Hours after the botched primary, Fayemi alleged that some desperate elements, including Babafemi Ojudu and Bimbo Daramola, two aspirants, conspired to thwart the exercise because he was leading.

Only delegates from four of the 16 local government areas in the state had concluded voting when the exercise was disrupted. A total of 2,408 delegates were accredited for the exercise.

TheCable understands that the aspirants in the meeting are deliberating on either presenting a consensus candidate for the election or conducting a fresh primary before the May 14 deadline for submission of the party’s candidate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Thirty-three aspirants partook in the primary which was marred by violence.

Reacting to the botched primary, Ayodele Fayose, governor of the state, mocked his rivals, saying the APC will fail woefully in the governorship election slated for July 14.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will hold its own primary on Tuesday.

https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-fayemi-bamidele-absent-apc-governorship-aspirants-meet-ado-ekiti/

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed the Ekiti State Governorship primary.

This postponement comes after thugs on Saturday invaded the venue of the election in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

The thugs during the exercise broke the ballot boxes.

However, no date has been announced for a repeat of the primary.

Details coming…

https://www.channelstv.com/2018/05/05/breaking-apc-postpones-ekiti-governorship-primary-election/amp/

General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye has warned that there might be no Nigeria in 2019, not to talk about a general election.

The cleric was quoted as saying on Friday, at the May 2018 Holy Ghost service that there was no way he could continue to keep quiet while the killings, which had been counted in thousands this year alone, went on.

It came against the backdrop of the recent killings of two Catholic Church priest in Benue State, a fortnight ago and several attacks on churches, which prompted US President, Donald Trump to vow before President Muhammadu Buhari in Washington that he would do something, very quickly to end the killing of Christians in Nigeria.

Adeboye, speaking on the theme, ‘Stronger Than Your Enemies – 5 (Habitation of the Almighty)’ said: “There is no father that will lose 19 children in a day and be quiet. It doesn’t matter the denominations. All Christians in Nigeria call me daddy, so when anyone of them dies it’s my son that is dead.


“We need to pray because unless these killings stop immediately even Nigeria may not live. We are not talking about individuals we are talking about Nigeria itself.

“A bishop asked me sometimes ago what God has revealed to me about 2019 election.

“I told him I am not sure there would be an election because unless these killings stop, there may be no election next year, I’m not prophesying but this is so because no one will go out to vote if not sure they will return home safely.


“I have seen war at a close range, there is nothing good about it. A nation may survive a civil war but no nation can survive a religious war and remain the same.

“That Nigeria may live and not experience religious war these killings must stop.”


http://thenationonlineng.net/there-may-be-no-nigeria-or-general-elections-in-2019-adeboye/

ormer President Goodluck Jonathan had reportedly asked the General Over Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG to tell Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to stop lying over allegations that he looted the country dry when he served as Nigerian president.

ThisDay newspaper in a report, allegedly based on a statement from the former president’s media office reported that Jonathan asked Adeboye who was a senior pastor of his RCCG to tell the Vice President to stop lying in respect his pastoral calling.

The former president said Osinbanjo has been peddling falsehood against his person and had ‘repeatedly ignored warnings asking him to stop his nasty habit of lying”

Jonathan’s immediate grouse was the allegation by the vice president at The Platform, a programme organized by the Covenant Christian Centre in Lagos last Tuesday that three unnamed persons stole $3 billion (N1 trillion) his administration.

But the former President also noted that Osinbajo had earlier also last month alleged that his government shared N150 billion two weeks to the 2015 elections while it spent a paltry N14 billion on agriculture in 2014; N15 billion on transportation and only N153 billion on infrastructure in three years.

Jonathan claimed that Osinbajo had also falsely alleged that he took N100 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in cash to his personal house in Abuja.

But he noted that the vice president was unable to provide evidence to back up his claims when he was asked to do so.

Calling the vice president, a liar Jonathan said, “the vice president is a liar, forgetting or perhaps not caring that the devil is the father of all liars. I challenge him once again to prove me wrong by mentioning those three people and providing proof that they stole the amounts allegedly stolen.

“It is sad that at a time when the Buhari administration should be telling Nigerians what they have achieved after three years, they continue to blame and point fingers. The reason for this is because neither Buhari nor Osinbajo can point to any project that they have initiated, started and completed in three years,” he said.

http://saharareporters.com/2018/05/04/tell-osibanjo-stop-his-nasty-habit-lying-jonathan-implores-pastor-adeboye

President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to the country, following his official visit to the United States.

The President arrived in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday, days after he left the country to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Earlier, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, had announced on Twitter that President Buhari would be back in the country later in the day.

The President’s arrival was, however, delayed due to “a technical stopover” he had in London on his way back to Nigeria.


The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, had told Channels Television that the President travelled in a smaller aircraft.

He explained that the flight crew travelling with President Buhari decided to break the long journey to refuel and do the routine checks, adding that the procedure was normal.

President Buhari, who had arrived in the U.S. on Sunday, visited the Blair House at Washington D.C. and held a bilateral meeting with President Trump on Monday at the White House.

During the meeting, President Buhari had blamed the killings in some parts of Nigeria by suspected herdsmen on armed men from Libya.


He noted that although the herdsmen crisis has been an age-long challenge in Nigeria, they do not carry guns but only wield sticks and occasionally machetes.

“The Nigerian herders don’t carry anything more than a stick and, occasionally, a machete to cut down foliage and give it to their animals, these ones are carrying AK-47. So, people should not underrate what happened in Libya. 43 years of Gaddafi, people were recruited from the Sahel and trained to shoot and kill,” Buhari had told Trump.

Both leaders, after the meeting, had addressed a press conference where President Trump commended the effort of the Nigerian leader in fighting corruption and terrorism in Africa’s most populous nation.

“Nigeria has a reputation for very massive corruption. I also know that the President (Buhari) has been able to cut that down very substantially. We talked about that, he is working on it and they have made a lot of progress and I think they will continue to make a lot of progress,” Trump had said.

https://www.channelstv.com/2018/05/03/breaking-president-buhari-returns-to-abuja-after-u-s-trip/?utm_source=TW&utm_medium=ChannelsTV-+AutoPoster&utm_campaign=SNAP%2Bfrom%2BChannels+Television

The police have taken Dino Melaye to their medical centre in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, hours after a magistrate remanded the senator in police custody following arraignment.

Gideon Ayodele, Mr Melaye’s media aide who provided the information to PREMIUM TIMES Thursday night, also said the senator’s lawyers would file fundamental rights enforcement at the Federal High Court, Lokoja, on Friday morning.

He said the lawyers believe the decision to remand Mr Melaye in police custody was flawed and expressed confidence in the ability of a higher court to show a greater degree of understanding in dissecting the complex web that the case had become.

The police arraigned Mr Melaye before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lokoja on Thursday morning on seven counts of criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms.

Sulyman Abdullah, a senior magistrate who sat over the preliminary hearing, said Mr Melaye should be remanded in police custody but the Inspector-General of Police must ensure his health does not deteriorate. He adjourned the trial to June 11.

Mr Melaye has been hospitalised since April 24 when he reportedly jumped out of a moving police vehicle, thereby sustaining injuries.

One of his Senate colleagues, Ben Murray-Bruce, said he forcibly exited the vehicle after officers repeatedly spayed tear gas at him despite being an asthma patient. The police did not deny the allegations.

He was receiving care at the National Hospital, Abuja, since the incident until May 2 when the police arraigned him before the Wuse Zone 2 Chief Magistrate’s Court, Abuja. He received a N90 million bail there after being charged with attempt suicide and vandalism.

But rather than allow him to post the bail, the police immediately re-arrested the senator and held him at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, until about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday when they drove him to Lokoja for another arraignment before another magistrate.

He was brought to the Lokoja courtroom in an ambulance around 9:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Following arguments by the prosecution and defence teams, Mr Abdullah said Mr Melaye should be remanded in police custody until June 11. The police approached the Magistrate’s Court to get further approval to detain Mr Melaye and other suspects pending their proper arraignment at a higher court with requisite jurisdiction to hear criminal charges.

The prosecution team, led by senior lawyer Alex Izinyon, argued that Mr Melaye should be remanded in prison because he could deploy his influence to jeopardise the case if granted bail or kept anywhere outside a prison facility.

Mike Ozekhome, Mr Melaye’s counsel, urged the magistrate to accord his client a bail on own recognisance, especially as a serving senator.

Mr Abdullah denied Mr Ozekhome’s plea, but also said Mr Melaye should be kept in police custody rather than being whisked to prison as demanded by Mr Izinyon.

Mr Ozekhome saw a bright spot for Mr Melaye in the outcome of Wednesday proceeding, saying the police will have no alternative but to return him to the National Hospital Abuja, ‘‘especially since hospitals in Kogi State are all on strike”.

Still, Mr Ayodele said the team would spare no effort in ensuring that Mr Melaye does not spend six weeks in custody as ruled by Mr Abdullah.

“It is important that we approach the Federal High Court tomorrow morning,” Mr Ayodele said.

The police proceeded with Mr Melaye’s arraignment despite concerns from other lawmakers at the National Assembly.

At Thursday’s plenary in the House of Representatives, Speaker Yakubu Dogara urged the police to be professional and careful with Mr Melaye’s case, saying his health should be prioritised.

“I have not seen in any country where someone is arraigned in court on stretchers when he or she is not fit to plead guilty or not guilty,” Mr Dogara said. “If anything happens to him, (Dino) the responsibility will be on the security agency.”

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/267129-dino-melaye-detained-at-police-medical-centre.html/

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has fired yet another shot at President Muhammadu Buhari, saying “the mediocre performance of Buhari cannot be described as by anybody as superlative even by morons”.

Obasanjo said this while denying the reports that he has decided to endorse Buhari’s second term.

The elder statesman said he has made known his position about Buhari in a letter he wrote to the president in January.

In the letter, Obasanjo advised Buhari against seeking re-election, saying doing so would amount to overstretching the tolerance level of Nigerians.

More to follow…

https://www.thecable.ng/just-even-slowpoke-knows-buhari-failed-says-obasanjo/

President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has said that the failure of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to show up for security briefing on the killings across the country is a threat to democracy.

Saraki made this known in a tweet via the verified Twitter handle, The Senate President.

The Senate had invited Idris to come and brief it on the killings in the country, but, for the second time in less than a week, the IG had declined to make physical appearance.

Last Thursday when he was supposed to appear before the Senate, he sent a Deputy IG, Joshak Habila, and went on a state visit with President Buhari to Bauchi.

The Senate refused to entertain Habila, insisting on having the IG.

On Wednesday (today), the IG sent Habila again, but the lawmakers condemned the action, saying it could jeopardise democracy.

See the Senate President’s tweet condemning the IG:

UPDATE: TODAY, the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, reiterated that the failure of the Inspector General IG) of Police to show up for a Security Briefing on the killings across the country is a threat to democracy. pic.twitter.com/yDLSHSNEER

— The Senate President (@SPNigeria) May 2, 2018

http://www.punchng.com/igs-failure-to-attend-security-briefing-a-threat-to-democracy-saraki-says/

PRESIDENT Muhammad Buhari has said politicians have wrecked the country saying only God can save the country.

Speaking in an interview with the Voice of America in Hausa service monitored on Tuesday, Buhari remarked that his administration was on track.

He said his greatest challenge when he assumed office was the issue of insecurity, economy, and corruption.

‘In the aspect of security, we have significantly defeated the insurgency. Right now, most of them have been hiding in Sambisa forest and they can not come out because of fear of being wiped out by the military.

‘What we have now are pockets of suicide attacks orchestrated by young girls who were been lured into it without their knowledge and they carry out the attacks in markets, schools, and worship centres.

Speaking on the economy, the President made decisions to introduce the Treasury Single Account(TSA).



‘When I came in, I called the Governor of the Central Bank, Emiefele, if there was money. He is still around and he told me, no. Then I reminded him that for the 16 years the PDP had held power, the price of barrel crude oil had always been $100 + producing about 2million barrel per day if you compute the amount it was huge money. He said yes. What happened to the money he said it was used for payments of debts.

‘On corruption, the president noted that people want us to keep quiet and not to talk about the quantum of money stolen in the past 16 years. But why shall we be quiet? In fact, politicians have wrecked the country and only God can save the situation and bring us out of the wood, he maintained.

http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/politicians-have-wrecked-the-country-only-god-can-save-usbuhari/

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

WASHINGTON – PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari about 9 am (2 pm Nigeria time) left the Blair House, White House, which is the seat of power of the United States of America, USA, government to Joint Base Andrews airport to return to Nigeria.
The President will fly back with the Nigeria Air Force aircraft, NAF 001 stationed at the Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
President Buhari had arrived Washington DC early hours of Sunday on the invitation of the USA President, Donald Trump.


The two leaders had special session on Monday and afterwards jointly addressed journalists on some of their bilateral agreement.

One of the highlights of the meeting of the two presidents was the promise of President Trump to visit Nigeria, though no specific time was mentioned.

President Buhari also met with some Chief Executive Officers, CEOs on investment opportunities in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and his counterpart from the US, have been directed by Trump and Buhari to meet and have a roadmap for the repatriation of over $500 million stolen funds starched in foreign countries.

The two law officers slated to meet on Tuesday, according to the Nigeria’s AGF, Malami for far reaching agreement.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/05/982040/amp/

Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari Monday said he avoided bringing up President Donald Trump’s alleged vulgar remarks about African countries when the two presidents today at the White House because he was not sure his American counterpart truly made comment.

Buhari, the first sub-Saharan Africa president to meet Trump since he was sworn in January 2017, is currently in the US for bilateral talks on the invitation of the American president.

“I am not sure about the validity or whether that allegation against the President was true or not, so the best thing to do for me is to keep quiet,” Buhari said during a joint press conference with Trump at the Rose Garden at the White House.


Trump came under fire early in the year after he reportedly called some African countries ‘shithole’ at a private White House meeting on January 12. But he denied making the comment and labelled his accusers as fake news peddlers.

He doubled down on that denial during the press conference.

“We didn’t discuss it, because the president knows me, and he knows where I’m coming from and I appreciate that. We did not discuss it,” Trump said.

http://guardian.ng/news/why-i-didnt-discuss-shithole-comment-with-trump-buhari/

A federal high court in Abuja has ordered an interim forfeiture of two houses allegedly linked to Patience Jonathan, former first lady.

Nnamdi Dimgba, a judge, gave the order in a suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He dismissed Jonathan’s objection to the application for lacking in merit.

Situated at Plot No. 1960, Cadastral Zone A05, Maitama District, and Plot No. 1350, Cadastral Zone A00, both in Abuja, the properties were said to be in the name of Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation, which Jonathan is one of its trustees.

Dimgba said the forfeiture must last for only 45 days within which the anti-graft agency must conclude its investigations.

More to follow…

https://www.thecable.ng/just-court-orders-forfeiture-patience-jonathans-houses-abuja/

If he doesn't have any skeleton in his cupboard, then he should visit the United States without any further delay

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has recanted its verbal attacks on President Muhammadu Buhari.

Secretary General of ACF, Anthony Sani, at different times recently, condemned the president’s prosecution of the anti-graft war, handling of security matters, among others.


The body had also stated that it was yet to decide which candidate the North should vote for in 2019.

But speaking to Vanguard, Sani said Buhari had done well and should be supported for yet a fresh mandate.

“The president has done creditably well in delivering on the promise of his electoral mandate which was hinged on major issues namely – security, fight against corruption in order to pave the way for the economy to take root and prosper.

“So far, the regime has degraded the terrorist sect by limiting its attacks to the fringes of North East in contrast to what happened in the past when the attacks were ubiquitous and transcended the whole of the Northern states.

“As a result, fear almost overwhelmed the people, and Nigerians started losing hope. But today, confidence and hope are gradually coming back to the polity,” he noted.

On the perennial herdsmen/farmers’ clashes which have left hundreds of Nigerians dead, the ACF scribe said in no distant future, the crisis would end.

He said: “As to the security challenges posed by the clashes between the herders and farmers, I want to believe the regime would give them the same treatment given to the terrorists.

“The call by some Nigerians for government to put an end to the killings as quickly as possible, is understandable. At the end of last year, most Nigerians never believed the fuel scarcity would ever disappear. Today, it is history.

“Talking about corruption, I wish to submit that the government has succeeded in pushing corruption into popular consciousness as the bane of our socioeconomic development.

“Once most people know that it is corruption which constitutes sand bags to socio-economic development, they will join the fray and help the government in fighting the menace.”

“That is why I credit the regime in the war against corruption. The arraigned persons for corruption charges who accused the government of selective fight against corruption should note that the fight is work in progress,” Sani added.

He also passed a vote of confidence on the President with his handling of the economy.

“The economy is being diversified and rated by Breton institutions to be among the first ten fastest growing economies in the ease of doing business.

“The foreign reserve has increased appreciably due to reduction of imports of what we can produce while the Gross Domestic Product, GDP is forecast to be positive this year,” he said.

http://dailypost.ng/2018/04/28/buhari-acf-recants-criticism-backs-president-second-term/

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of refusing to face the many painful facts and unpleasant truths about the security situation in the country with a view to finding lasting solutions to the daily bloodbaths, noting that Nigeria is fast heading to chaos and anomie.

At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, CAN Secretary-General, Rev. Musa Asake, said the President has been acting complacent and unmoved by the reign of terror in the country.
“The sad angle to the bloodbaths in the country is that the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, is not giving majority of Nigerians an impression of being deeply touched by the turn of events. He has been acting complacent and indeed unmoved by the reign of terror that his administration has permitted since the past three years of being President.

“Most painfully, the President seems to depend on his media aides to make responses, which often times had no bite on widespread bloodletting across the federation, most especially in the Middle Blet part6 of the country,” he said.


CAN also slammed President Buhari for not issuing a stern instruction to heads of security agencies to bring perpetrators of the bloody killings to book.

“War seems to be looming in Nigeria while the aggressors are no other than misguided individuals who had been armed to provoke different communities into needless battles. Yet, President Buhari, who was popularly elected in 2015 has not seen the need and urgency to issue a presidential order on need to halt the killings and with stern instruction to heads of security operatives to bring perpetrators to book.

“The dark age that has come with the administration of President Buhari in Nigeria is giving Christians in this country a huge concern. The development is making we the leaders to shudder and ask where lies the interest of the President?

“All the same, Mr President has his own interests, key of which is to seek re-election to remain in power beyond 2019 and continue with the reign of terror in Nigeria. It does not matter how many Nigerians will end up as sacrificial lamb on that single ambition,” Asake said.

It also accused President Buhari of granting killer herdsmen undeserved protection and favouritism to the extent that the herdsmen treat Nigeria as a conquered territory.

“President Buhari was elected on a wave of unprecedented public approval in 2015. Unfortunately, within a few weeks of his election, he started creating the impression that he was in power to serve the interests of his Fulani ethnic group only.

“Discerning people were quick to note that contrary to his electoral promises, he actually meant to pursue core Islamist agenda. Almost every vital appointment in Security and Education went to Muslims from the North. He did not hide his disdain for the indigenous ethnic nationalities and, at every opportunity, showed preferential treatment to the Muslim North.

“Under President Buhari, the murderous Fulani herdsmen enjoyed unprecedented protection and favoritism to the extent that the herdsmen treat Nigeria as a conquered territory. Rather than arrest and prosecute the Fulani herdsmen, security forces usually manned by Muslims from the North offer them protection as they unleash terror with impunity on the Nigerian people.

“The bottom line is that President Buhari failed woefully to protect Nigerians. He willfully permitted the Fulani herdsmen to operate killing people, destroying communities wholesale, destroying farmlands and turning the entire Middle Belt into ‘killing fields’, all the while enjoying government protection from counter attack, arrest or prosecution,” he added.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/killings-stop-playing-ostrich-can-slams-buhari/

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it will deploy its staff to monitor and report cases of undue influence of money, which it said is prevalent among politicians, ahead 2019 electioneering campaign.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day zonal training workshop on political campaign finance tracking/reporting for INEC staff in Ilorin on Wednesday, the administrative secretary of the commission in Kwara state, Mr. Paul Atser, called on anti-graft agencies in the country to also regulate the illegal act to prevent subversion of people’s will in the electoral process.

Mr. Atser, who expressed worry about the overbearing influence of money in Nigeria politics, “as exemplified in some recently conducted elections,” said that regulations should be put in place to check the trend.

The INEC boss said that campaign finance tracking and reporting by staff of the commission would ensure a level playing field for all political parties, candidates and other stakeholders in the electoral process.

He also said that it would curtail the use of state resources to unduly support or undermine a particular political actor or political as well as curtail money laundering.

The university don, however, said that funding of political campaign could be toxic if not checked by relevant regulatory organizations, adding that campaign finance tracking/reporting would form an integral part of a free and fair electoral environment.

“Examples that readily come to mind include what happened in Anambra state between a financier and a state governor. The development culminated in the abduction of the state governor then among other ugly developments. Also in Oyo state when a state governor was removed from office amidst political brigandage,” he said.

http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/2019-inec-to-monitor-campaign-funding/

President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his intention to recontest for a second term in office in 2019 general elections under the banner of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

The President who addressed a crowd at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi Thursday explained that his resolve to recontest the election is geared towards salvaging the country from thieving Nigerians.

The President, who expressed disgust at the way and manner some unpatriotic Nigerians syphoned public funds, declared that his government is poised to arresting all treasury looters no matter who they are.



President Buhari who was in Bauchi for a one-day working visit to the state also commissioned some developmental projects that included township roads and referral hospital constructed and equipped by the Nigerian Air Force at the Bauchi Special Air Force Command Base.

The President similarly commissioned agricultural ox-plough for peasant farmers and mechanized agriculture to boost rice farming for food security in the country.

While speaking earlier on, Bauchi state Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar spoke about his government’s drive to boost agricultural production in the state, saying 80 per cent of the people in the state are farmers.

Mohammed Abubakar commended President Buhari’s agricultural revolution which, he noted, has gone along way in conserving the nation’s foreign reserves through banning the importation of the commodity.

According to him, unemployed youth in the state would be employ and train on how to handle some of the machines minor repairs, monitoring and safeguarding the machines.

http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/2019-presidency-i-am-battle-ready-―buhari/

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA – The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, on Thursday, gave the Federal Government the nod to produce and display weapons that were allegedly recovered from the residence of the detained former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, retd.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed fixed May 22 for FG to tender the weapons which are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, as exhibits in the ongoing trial of the embattled ex-NSA.
FG had in the charge before the court, alleged that Dasuki was on July 17, 2015, at his house situated at No. 13, John Khadiya Street, Asokoro, Abuja, found to be in possession of various range of firearms without requisite license, an offence punishable under section 27 (1)(a) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 LFN 2004.


He was accused of retaining the sums of $40,000, N5millon and another $20,000 in the same house and same date, contrary to section 15 (2)(d) of Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.


FG further alleged that the ex-NSA had on July 16, 2015, at his residence at Sultan Abubakar Road and Sabon Birni Road, Sokoto State, retained another $150,000 and N37.6m being part of proceedings of unlawful act, contrary to Section 15 (3) of the Money Laundering Act 2011.

It listed the alleged illegal arms it found at Dasuki’s residence in Abuja as five Tavor Assault Rifles, 1 Macro Uzi with serial No 60244(Rifle), 20 magazines (Ammunition), 1 packet of MOD (Ministry of Defence) APG calibre gun, Luger No 033375 ( gun), small magazine containing 16 rounds of ammunition, and bigger magazine containing live rounds of ammunition.

At the resumed hearing on the matter, Dasuki, through his lawyer, Mr. Adeola Adedipe, opposed any public display of the said arms and ammunition that were recovered from his house.

Dasuki said his stance was based on the fact that the court allowed his trial to be conducted in semi-secrecy, with all the witnesses testifying behind a screen.

Relying on sections 190 of the Evidence Act, 232 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015, and section 36 of the 1999 constitution, as amended, Dasuki, contended that going by the nature of his trial, the weapons ought to be displayed inside the Judge’s chamber rather than in the open court.

However, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Okpeseyi Oladipupo, SAN, urged the court to dismiss Dasuki’s objection, maintaining that the only thing not permitted to be displayed in the open court in such trial, are official records of the state and not items recovered in the house of a suspect during investigation.

In his ruling, Justice Mohammed said it was in the interest of justice and fair play to both the prosecution and the defense that the alleged weapons be displayed before the court.

He held that Dasuki, being the defendant in the case, would not suffer any prejudice if the alleged weapons are displayed and tendered as exhibit by those who investigated the allegations against him.

Besides, Justice Mohammed said the weapons were listed in the proof of evidence already made available to the ex-NSA by the prosecution.

Earlier, a prosecution witness, Mr Williams Obiara who is a DSS operative, told the court that he was a member of the team that was directed by the Director General of DSS in 2015 to carry out a search operation at Dasuki’s house.

He said the search followed an intelligence report that weapons injurious to national security were kept in the former NSA’s house.

The witness who testified behind a veil, said his team, led by one Ali Burara, after they had secured a search warrant, stormed Dasuki’s residence at Asokoro in Abuja where he said they met a retinue of armed soldiers.

He said the soldiers initially prevented then from conducting the search.

The witness told the court that after about 3hours, a military truck arrived the house and moved the soldiers out of the house to pave way for the search operation.

According to him, all the weapons that were recovered during the operation, were recorded on the search warrant.

FG had shortly after Dasuki pleaded not guilty to the charge, applied through a motion dated June 3, 2016, for the witnesses to be allowed to testify behind a screen that will be provided by the court.

It told the court that Dasuki is a crowned prince of the Sokoto caliphate who has large followers both within and outside the country that may be aggrieved.

FG decried that most of the witnesses, being security operatives, were scared that they could be hunted by people that are sympathetic to the defendant.

Besides, FG alleged that Dasuki imported sophisticated firearms while he held sway as the NSA, saying most of the firearms have not been accounted for and could be in th possession of those sympathetic to the defendant.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/court-orders-fg-to-display-weapons-found-in-dasukis-house/

The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has failed to appear before the Senate over the arrest and detention of Senator Dino Melaye and the killings across Nigeria.

The Senate had, on Wednesday, summoned the IGP to appear in the chamber to address the lawmakers in plenary on Thursday (today).

The Police boss was, however, said to have accompanied President Muhammadu Buhari on a state visit to Bauchi State.

Faulting the Police boss for not officially communicating to them on his non-appearance, the lawmakers asked that the appearance be rescheduled to next Wednesday.

http://www.punchng.com/breaking-ig-shuns-senate-invitation-over-melaye-saga-accompanies-buhari-to-bauchi/

… Says killer government is in power
Gov. Peter Ayo Fayose of Ekiti has described President Muhammadu Buhari as a captured president who has been reduced to offering condolences to Nigerians slaughtered by herdsmen instead of taking firm action to stop the atrocities.

Reacting to the latest killings by Fulani herdsmen in Benue State, Fayose wondered why a retired Army general and one-time military Head of State who contested and won election on the premises of providing security to the citizens have suddenly become lame duck.
“This is a killer government”, the governor said, adding that it is shameful that Nigerians are dying daily with Buhari clueless and incompetent to handle the crisis.


“It is beyond dispute that the Buhari administration has lost the battle against insurgency and the Fulani herdsmen. Buhari is helpless as he is reduced to offering condolences on a daily basis.

“Nigerians are dying on a daily basis. Innocent souls are being wasted by herdsmen and the Buhari administration has lost all moral right to continue in office. Why is he still sitting in office? Doing what, if I may ask”, he added.

Fayose, in the statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi,wondered that this was a government that lambasted the PDP administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for cluelessness and incompetence on security matters “but the same Jonathan administration era is now looking like the golden age of security of lives and properties in Nigeria”

“At no period since 1999 has life been this cheap. Life has become nasty, brutish, and short under the Buhari administration”, he said.

Gov. Fayose also expressed misgivings about recent spate of controversial judgments by courts which he said gave the impression of collusion between unscrupulous judges and the Buhari administration to truncate democracy and lead the country into anarchy.

“The situation is getting so bad that we do not know whether the Constitution of the country has been unofficially suspended.

“Nigerians have been unlucky with Buhari as president. He is too old, too analogue, too incompetent, too clueless and is not ready to admit and yield for a competent leader. This country has never had it this bad. Gradually, Buhari is becoming a maximum ruler,” he added.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/buhari-captured-president-fayose/

Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President, on Wednesday, highlighted six things Nigerians should expect from him if voted in as Nigeria’s next President.

Speaking at the Chatham House, London, the Waziri of Adamawa said if voted as President in 2019, his administration will ensure improvement in the country’s sovereign wealth funds, railways, other areas, as well as restructuring.

The former Vice President, who had earlier warned Nigeria against over-reliance on oil, highlighted what to expect from him to include:

1.Streamline the operations of sovereign wealth funds
“We will streamline the operations of the Sovereign Wealth Fund, the Excess Crude Account and the Stabilization Account which is currently embedded in the Revenue Allocation Formula for more effective stabilization outcomes.”

2.Extend railways
“I will extend railways to connect workers to jobs, suppliers to buyers, students to universities, and parents to their children in every major city in every state.”

3.Restructuring
“These are some of the ways I believe Nigeria’s states can improve their capacity, increase their revenues and better manage their local economies which are critical to safety, prosperity and welfare of all Nigerians and will allow my homeland to realize its true potential.”

4.Introduction of matching grants
“I will make sure certain rivers are dredged to open up the hinterlands of the North. Licenses would be given to state governments to begin immediate exploitation of resources in their jurisdictions.”

5.Invest in Education
“We have to ensure the minimum amount of resources are allocated & invested in education & health, with penalties for states that don’t comply. 1.6m Nigerians sit for university entrance exams with only 600,000 places. $1bn spent on paying fees in Ghana.”

6.Create stable and predictable exchange rates
“Nigeria must have a stable and predictable exchange rate to allow investors to plan long-term. I’m not a supporter of multiple exchange rates.”

http://dailypost.ng/2018/04/25/2019-atiku-reveals-hell-voted-nigerias-president/

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he gave approval for withdrawal of $462 million from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) because he believed the National Assembly would have no objection to his action.

The action being referred to by the president is the purpose of the fund: procurement of 12 Super Tucano aircraft from the United States.

Mr Buhari’s explanation was conveyed in a letter read at the Senate on Wednesday. A copy of the letter had earlier been sent to the House of Representatives.

First, Mr Buhari explained the processes that led to the approval.

“I wish to draw the attention of the Senate to the ongoing security emergencies in the nation. These challenges were discussed with the state governors and subsequently at the meeting ot the National Economic Council on the 14th of December 2017 where a resolution was passed with the council approving that up to $1 billion may be released and utilised from the Excess Crude Account to address the situation.

“Subsequent upon this approval, we are preparing a comprehensive schedule of all the requirements for each of the security services for presentation to the National Assembly for consideration.

“It would be recalled that, for a number of years, Nigeria had been in discussions with the United States Government for the purchase of Super Tucano Aircraft under a direct Government-to-Government arrangement. Recently, approval was finally granted by the United States Government, but with a deadline within which part payment must be made otherwise, the contract would lapse.”

Mr Buhari said he was confident the National Assembly would approve release of the fund, hence his anticipatory approval.

“In the expectation that the National Assembly would have no objection to the purchase of this highly specialised aircraft, which is critical to national security, I granted anticipatory approval for the release of US$496,374,470.00. This was paid directly to the treasury of the United States Government.

“I am therefore writing, seeking approval of this House for the sum of US$496,374,470.00 (equivalent to N151, 394, 421, 335. 00) to be included in the 2018 Appropriation Bill, which the National Assembly is currently finalising. The balance of the requirements for critical operational equipment is still being collated from the different security services and will be presented in the form of a Supplementary Appropriation Bill, in due course.

“The Honourable Minister of Defence and other appropriate officers will be available to provide further details, as may be required.”

“While thanking the Senate for the usual cooperation, please be assured Mr. Speaker, the assurance of my highest regards.”

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/266170-buhari-explains-to-senate-why-he-ordered-withdrawal-of-462-million-without-approval.html/

Just days before President Muhammadu Buhari meets his American counterpart, Donald Trump, in Washington DC, the United States government has released a report indicting the administration of the Nigerian leader of the festering human rights abuses in the country.

The US Department of State in its “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2017” blamed the reluctance of the Buhari administration to properly investigate allegations of abuses, especially by members of the armed forces and top officials and prosecute those indicted as the main impediment to fighting rights violations.

“Impunity remained widespread at all levels of government. The government did not adequately investigate or prosecute most of the major outstanding allegations of human rights violations by the security forces or the majority of cases of police or military extortion or other abuse of power,” the recently released report stated.

“Authorities generally did not hold police, military, or other security force personnel accountable for the use of excessive or deadly force or for the deaths of persons in custody. State and federal panels of inquiry investigating suspicious deaths generally did not make their findings public. In August the acting president convened a civilian-led presidential investigative panel to review compliance of the armed forces with human rights obligations and rules of engagement. As of November, the panel had not issued a report,” the report noted.

In the same vein, the report highlighted a number of rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, allegedly carried out by the country’s security forces, which the government vowed to investigate but has failed to either do so or release the report of such investigations.

“As of November, the government had not adequately investigated or held police or military personnel accountable for extrajudicial killings of supporters of IPOB movement in 2016. Amnesty International (AI) reported that security forces killed at least 150 IPOB members or supporters and arbitrarily arrested hundreds from August 2015 to August 2016. The Nigerian Army (NA) reportedly investigated the incidents as part of a broader Board of Inquiry (BOI), but its full report was not made public. There have been no reports of discipline or prosecution of police or military personnel.

“As of November, there were no reports of the federal government further investigating or holding individuals accountable for the 2015 killing and subsequent mass burial of members of the Shia group Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and other civilians by NA forces in Zaria, Kaduna State. The federal government had indicated it would wait for the results of a Kaduna State judicial commission of inquiry before taking further action to investigate or hold those responsible to account. In July 2016 the government of Kaduna made public the commission’s nonbinding report, which found the NA used “excessive and disproportionate” force during the 2015 altercations in which 348 IMN members and one soldier died. The commission recommended the federal government conduct an independent investigation and prosecute anyone found to have acted unlawfully. It also called for the proscription of the IMN and the monitoring of its members and their activities.”

The report also frowned at the disappearance of members of anti-government groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra and members of the Shiite sect, Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN). The secret police, Department for State Security (DSS) was particularly blamed for arbitrary abduction of persons opposed to the government.

The U.S. government also chastised the country’s security forces for widespread use of torture and the use of evidence and confession obtained via torture during prosecution of suspects even though the law of the country clearly forbids it.

“The constitution and law prohibit torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. The Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), passed in 2015, prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment of arrestees; however, it fails to prescribe penalties for violators. Each state must also individually adopt the ACJA for the legislation to apply beyond the FCT and federal agencies. As of November only the states of Anambra, Cross Rivers, Ekiti, Enugu, Lagos, Ondo, and Oyo had adopted ACJA-compliant legislation. In July both houses of the National Assembly passed an antitorture bill, which was waiting for the president’s signature.

“The Ministry of Justice previously established a National Committee against Torture (NCAT). Lack of legal and operational independence and lack of funding, however, prevented NCAT from carrying out its work effectively.

“The law prohibits the introduction into trials of evidence and confessions obtained through torture. Authorities did not respect this prohibition, however, and police often used torture to extract confessions later used to try suspects. Police also repeatedly mistreated civilians to extort money.”

Mr Buhari signed the anti-torture bill into law last December.

The report also highlighted the right abuses and violations allegedly perpetrated by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad(SARS) of the police and the Civilian JTF in the northeast of the country. It noted that despite social media campaign against the excesses of SARS and Amnesty International’s report detailing abuses perpetrated by members of the government backed Civilian JTF, the government has not taken any recognisable action to address the concerns raised.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/266159-how-buhari-administration-encourages-human-rights-abuses-u-s-government.html/

Joseph Erunke
ABUJA-THE operatives of the Nigeria Police have moved Senator Dino Melaye out of hospital in an ambulance marked NPF 221 D.

Melaye was moved out at about 9:21pm by men of the Nigeria Police on a stretcher into a police ambulance and driven to National Hospital, Abuja.

Two medical doctors at the Zanklin Hospital Abuja, who had certified the unconscious senator unfit to be moved out of the private hospital were arrested by the team of the police personnel, led by the FCT Commissioner, Mr Sadiq Bello.

Melaye’s younger brother who was with him at the hospital was also arrested by the police.

Also the Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris has ordered probe of the escape and re-arrest from custody Dino Melaye.

ACP Jimoh Moshood Force PRO, Force HQ, Abuja in a statement said ‘the Inspector General of Police has directed a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the rescue and escape of Senator Dino Melaye from lawful custody. ‘

He said that Dino Melaye on Tuesday at about 12 noon while in lawful custody of the Nigeria Police Force and being taken for arraignment in Federal High Court, Lokoja from Abuja, escaped from lawful custody when hoodlums and miscreants in Two (2) Toyota Hilux Vehicles blocked the Police vehicle conveying Senator Dino Melaye around Area 1 Round About, Abuja and in the process the Senator jumped out of the Police vehicle through the window and was rescued from the Police men by hoodlums and miscreants to an unknown destination.

He further said that the Police team re-enforced and trailed Senator Dino Melaye to Zankli Hospital, Abuja where he was re-arrested.

The he said would be arraigned in court without further delay.

Meanwhile, one of the Toyota Hilux vehicles used by the hoodlums and miscreants in aiding the escape of the Senator has been recovered by the Police investigation team

On Monday no fewer than 15 armed policemen on Monday, laid siege to the Abuja residence of Sen. Dino Melaye.

The armed men who barricaded the street leading to the lawmaker’s house on Sangha Street, Maitama, Abuja were strategically positioned in and around the premises.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/breaking-police-move-dino-melaye-ambulance-national-hospital/

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA- CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Senator Dino Melaye, APC, Kogi West has been arrested by operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS.


Vanguard gathered that Senator Melaye was this morning, taken to the SARS detention facility located just opposite the old Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN junction along the Area 1 expressway.

The SARS detention facility is reputed for imprisoning hardened criminals arrested for theft, murder, cultism and other criminal acts.

It was gathered that the Nigeria Police Force forcefully carried out the arrest of Melaye without arrest warrant or court order.

In a telephone conversation this morning, Senator Mekaye however sounded rattled, as background conversation suggested a struggle between himself and some of the operatives after which his mobile lines were switched off.

Recall that initial attempts were made by the police to arrest Senator Melaye after immigration officials disembarked him from a flight to Morocco on Monday morning.

Following his release after three hours detention at the immigration office at the airport, the lawmaker’s house was besieged by over 80 armed police men from noon yesterday until the early hours of Tuesday.

Details later…

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/breaking-sars-operatives-arrest-dino-melaye/