₦airaland Forum

Buruji Kasahmu, senator representing Ogun east, has accused Uche Secondus, national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of attempting to plunge the party into crisis ahead of the 2019 elections.

He said this after the leadership of the party presented the governorship ticket of the PDP in the state to Ladi Adebutu, his rival.

“The desperation showed by Secondus is only typical of a mercenary who is hell-bent on delivering on the job he has been paid to do,” Kashamu said in a statement.

“His latest action was done in utter disregard to the Party’s Constitution and subsisting judgment of courts – from the High Court to the Supreme Court – which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has since complied with.

“It is a sad commentary on our democratic institutions that the National Chairman of our Party, Prince Uche Secondus, could preside over such a disgraceful exercise because he could not do it at the South-West zonal rally held on Thursday seeing the trouble such an illegal act could have caused.

“What is more, even if PDP presents 10,000 flags to Adebutu, it does not change the fact that the courts have pronounced the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Exco as the only party structure recognized by the law in Ogun State. It is merely ceremonial. It does not change the lists of candidates accepted, processed and published by INEC. It cannot change the verdicts of the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. It cannot also change the wide acceptance of our aspiration by the good people of Ogun State and beyond.”

While presenting the flags to the candidates, Secondus said the party had submitted Adebutu’s name to INEC as required by law.

Following a federal high court ruling, INEC had accepted the candidates’ list submitted by the Adebayo Dayo-led faction loyal to Kashamu for the 2019 elections.

The PDP had expelled Kashamu and dissolved the faction but the senator went to court and got a ruling in his favour.

The court had ordered INEC to accept and process the list of candidates and delegates submitted to it by the Dayo-led faction.

In its letter, INEC said it would recognise candidates of the faction unless another court sets aside the order.

Subsequently, Kashamu and Reuben Abati were acknowledged as the state’s PDP governorship and deputy governorship candidates respectively.


https://www.thecable.ng/kashamu-kicks-as-pdp-hands-governorship-ticket-to-adebutu/amp

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that there is no politics involved in its micro credit scheme, tradermoni, against rising criticism of the scheme.

Speaking after official launch of the scheme in Ilorin on Friday, Osinbajo said on a live radio programme that the scheme was duly approved by the National Assembly since 2015 but its implementation was only delayed till now.


However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state which had earlier raised the alarm that only APC members were being considered for the programme and that it was a purely political gimmick, organized its own version of the scheme for about 500 members of the party.

Chairperson of Market Women Association in the state, Alhaja Adenike AbdulKareem Lambe, confirmed the rejection of the tradermoni by members of the association.

“We doubt the intention of the federal government on the disbursement of such funds at this period of electioneering campaigns towards the 2019 general elections.

“If they truly want to assist the market women, they should come back after next year’s general elections to disburse the funds to our members.

“We can’t be deceived by the APC government that has not done anything for us in the past three years. Where were the APC led federal government when fire razed our market and consumed goods worth millions of naira?

Meanwhile, the Vice President on a monitored radio interview said that every criticism of the programme was mere politics and asked Nigerians to disregard such.

“I don’t understand what they mean by politicisation. First, this is a programme duly approved by the National Assembly. We started it in 2015 under different name. Majority of the National Assembly members approved it. Our elites sometimes criticise what will help the poor. Did you hear any criticism when the federal government gave assistance to banks that were having problems around 2010? That time the federal government spent more than N3 trillion helping the banks”

Talking on the timing of the programme, Osinbajo said no time was wrong to do a good thing. “No time is wrong to start doing the right thing. We started about 18 months ago. It was delayed by the National Assembly. I don’t think we need to take the criticism seriously. The critics are just upset that some poor people are getting help.

“Every state already is operating the tradermoni scheme. But what happens is that when I go to a state a lot of publicity happen because obviously, I will attract publicity when I interact with the people. We are doing two million across Nigeria at a minimum of 30,000 per state. We are very excited with the project

https://www.tribuneonlineng.com/177469/

The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if the national assembly management does not meet its demands.

The workers picketed the premises of the national assembly on Tuesday, denying lawmakers access to both chambers of the parliament.

They are aggrieved over the non-payment of outstanding salaries and allowances.

In response to Tuesday’s demonstration, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, directed the Mohammed Sani-Omolori, clerk of the assembly, to resolve the issues before the end of the week.

On Thursday, the lower legislative chamber summoned Zainab Ahmed to explain why funds captured in the 2018 budget were yet to be released.

But speaking with journalists on Friday, Musa Bature, chairman of PASAN, said the earlier demonstration was a prelude to an indefinite strike action billed to commence on December 18.

Bature said the workers put it hold on because of the intervention of the national assembly leadership.

“We thank the political leadership of national assembly for their intervention,” he said.

”The leadership of the national body of PASAN as well as zonal leadership and members of the two chapters that make up FCT zone, namely National Assembly Service Commission and Public Complaint Commission, will not relent in our effort.

”We hereby reiterate that the proposed indefinite industrial action that will ground all legislative activities of national assembly will commence as earlier scheduled if the demands are not met as promised.”

https://www.thecable.ng/national-assembly-workers-threaten-to-embark-on-indefinite-strike/amp

Former Minister of Information and elder statesman Prince Tony Momoh has said that people calling President Muhammadu Buhari a clone from Sudan are ignorant and ungodly.

He said, it is not easy to move ones spirit from one body to another because it’s only God that can create life.

Speaking Thursday in Abuja at the annual master lecture series of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Momoh said that just like most countries outside enjoy cultural tourism; Nigeria has come to experience spiritual tourism.

He also added that the political space must be decongested if the country is to develop.

His words, “The future is in Nigeria, Nigeria is a spiritual magnet for investment. Presently, people go to other countries for tourism and come to Nigeria for spiritual tourism, if the world doesn’t know now, they will but we must be politically disciplined.

“The only person that created you and brought you to life is God almighty so anybody talking of cloning is talking of what human beings can do. People calling the President a clone are ignorant and ungodly, only God can create an individual, do you think a human spirit is that easy to move from one body to the other?”

Acting Director General NIHOTOUR, Alh. Momoh Kabir said that the policies being set up by the present administration can grow the tourism sector.

“Apart from increasing exchange earnings if this country, tourism generates wealth. People gave to visit you, when they do they have to stay somewhere, buy meals and the young men and women we are training to take people round as tour guides are paid. Unfortunately we have not gotten to the point of making people appreciate tourism but looking at the way we are going about it, u have the believe that we will get there.

“In view of this present regime, you will recognize it is gearing towards a situation where eventually tourism can do provide for this country,” he said.

http://thenationonlineng.net/people-calling-buhari-clone-ignorant-ungodly-tony-momoh/

The 2018 ranking on terrorism is out and Nigeria, for the fourth consecutive year, occupies the third position among the countries worst hit by terrorism, globally, because of the activities of Boko Haram and herdsmen.

Apart from 2014 when it was ranked fourth, Nigeria has remained in the unenviable third position in the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) ranking since 2015.

In the latest report released on Wednesday, Iraq, a country in the Middle-East, is ranked first, a position it has held since 2014.

Afghanistan has ranked second since 2013.

Syria and Pakistan are ranked fourth and fifth respectively.

Others among the top 10 countries worst hit by terrorism in 2017 are Somalia (sixth), India (seventh), Yemen (eighth), Egypt (ninth), and Philippines (10th).

The good news, however, is that there has been a reduction in the number of deaths caused by terrorism in Nigeria in 2017, just like the other three preceding years, according to the report
“When compared to the peak of terrorist deaths in 2014, the largest falls in the number of deaths occurred in Iraq, Nigeria, and Pakistan, with falls of 6,466, 5,950, and 912 deaths respectively,” said the 2018 GTI report.

The report said deaths from terrorism in Nigeria fell to 1,532 in 2017, a decrease of 16 per cent from the prior year.

There were 63 per cent and 34 per cent drop in deaths in the country in 2016 and 2015 respectively, according to the report.

“This highlights the effectiveness of the counter-insurgency operations undertaken in Nigeria and its neighbours, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad,” the report said, adding that the world has also experienced a drop in deaths from terrorism in 2017.

The GTI, while analysing global trends in terrorism in 2017, described the reduction in deaths in Nigeria and Iraq “the most dramatic”.

Boko Haram attacks, the report said, have substantially reduced in Chad and other neighbouring countries; and Al-Shabaab, in 2017, overtook Boko Haram as the deadliest terror group in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The GTI report raised concern over the killings by herdsmen, saying terrorism was shifting from Nigeria’s North-east region to the country’s Middle-Belt.

“In Nigeria in 2018, there has been a dramatic increase in violence involving Fulani extremists even as deaths committed by Boko Haram are falling,” the report said.

“In 2018 alone, deaths committed by nomadic Fulani herders are estimated to be six times greater than the number committed by Boko Haram.

“In 2017, 327 terrorism deaths across Nigeria and Mali were reportedly committed by Fulani extremists, along with 2,501 additional deaths in the three years prior with the vast majority of these deaths being civilians.

“While deaths (killings) committed by Fulani extremists decreased following the peak of 1,169 deaths in 2014, violence from the group in 2018 is expected to surpass that peak. Nearly 1,700 violent deaths have been attributed to the Fulani Ethnic Militia from January to September 2018. An estimated 89 per cent of those killed were civilians,” the report said.

According to the report, two, out of 20 most fatal terrorist attacks, occurred in Nigeria.
One was on March 20, 2017, when assailants identified as “Fulani extremists” opened fire at a market in Zaki Ibiam, Benue State, killing 73 people.

The other was on July 25, 2017, when Boko Haram terrorists opened fire on a Frontier Exploration Services team convoy at Jibi, killing 60 people.

The GTI, which is in its sixth edition, is produced annually by the Institute for Economics & Peace, an independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank with offices in Sydney, New York, and Mexico City.
The GTI monitores and measures the impacts of terrorism in 163 countries, which covers 99.7 per cent of the world’s population.

The GTI uses total number of terrorist incidents, total number of fatalities caused by terrorists, total number of injuries caused by terrorists, a measure of the total property damage from terrorist incidents in a given year to arrive at its ranking.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/299425-nigeria-third-most-terrorised-country-for-fourth-consecutive-year-report.html

The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday said majority of the persons who participated at the Peoples Democratic Party presidential rally which held in Sokoto were from neighbouring Niger Republic.
The governor, a member of the ruling party, APC, disclosed this during an inauguration of his campaign commitee in Kaduna.
The PDP launched its zonal presidential rally in Sokoto on Monday for the North-west. Thousands of people attended the rally which was addressed by the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.
However, according to Mr El-Rufai, many of those that attended the rally were from neighbouring Niger Republic.
Mr El-Rufai said the PDP brought these people to show that they have supporters and ”because Sokoto indigenes refused to attend the rally.”
He said his governing party, All Progressives Congress (APC), will not allow looters and criminals return to power in 2019.
The governor vowed ”to go after each vote during the election” to ensure that Kaduna delivers in 2019.
He explained that the ideology of the ruling party and President Muhammadu Buhari is not to share public funds to few individuals ”but to work and improve the lives of the ordinary Nigerians.”
“Thieves have ganged up against President Muhammadu Buhari. Yesterday (Monday) they (PDP) went to Sokoto for a rally and brought in people from Niger Republic,” the governor said. ”This was to show that they have crowd because Sokoto people refused to attend.”
“Our people should be assured that the very day Buhari will come to Kaduna, all our people that will receive him will be Kaduna indigenes and not people from Niger.
“We will fight for every vote and persuade our people that you will only secure victory for the party you support when you vote on election day,” he said.
The governor also added that Kaduna has about 500,000 new voters, with Kaduna North Local Government Area recording 60,000 voters alone.
He also flayed the PDP saying in its16 years of governance, the party “left more than 400 primary schools of the state in a very bad condition.”
The PDP governed Kaduna from 1999 to 2015 before Mr El-Rufai of the APC defeated the then incumbent PDP governor.
Mr El-Rufai charged his campaign team members to go down to the grassroots to mobilise people to come out and vote on election day.
“We must run a grassroots campaign to mobilise our supporters on election day. We will not vote for hypocrites, we will not vote for criminals and we will not vote for those who cannot afford to ‘barb’ their hair,” he said.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nwest/299019-pdp-imported-supporters-from-niger-republic-for-sokoto-rally-el-rufai.html

Some prominent Yoruba leaders under the aegis of South-West Forum has adopted the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar for the 2019 election.

At the end of the colloquium tagged, “2019: South-West Speaks”, the Yoruba leaders resolved to support the Abubakar for the 2019 Presidential election because of his promise of restructuring. The event was held at at Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos.

A prominent Yoruba leader, Dr. Remi Akitoye moved a motion for the adoption of Atiku as the South-West candidate for the 2019 election. The motion was unanimously adopted.

Reading the communique, Prince Uthman Shodipe declared that Atiku has been unanimously adopted as the candidate of South-West in the 2019 Presidential election.

He said the Yoruba leaders remain cohesive and believes in the restructuring of Nigeria.

Prof. Banji Akintoye who is the father of the day said the Yoruba nation is going through a high degree of poverty, hopelessness; “the type we have not seen before”.

But he expressed confidence that the Yoruba people will rise up and fight the endemic poverty and hopelessness bedeviling them.

Eddy Olafeso said the glory of the Yoruba nation which he described as one of the finest civilisations in the world is waning but all sons and daughters of the tribe must work together to arrest the drift.

In attendance are PDP Governorship candidate in Lagos, Mr. Jimi Agbaje and his running mate, Mrs. Haleemat Busari, Advanced Democratic Party (ADP) candidate, Babatunde Gbadamosi and PDP governorship candidate in Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde.

Others are Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abiodun Olujimi, National Vice-Chairman, South-West PDP, Dr. Eddy Olafeso; former National Secretary, Chief Ebenezer Babatope; PDP Chairman in Lagos, Dr. Adegbola Dominic and Chairma, ADP, Barr. Adewole Bolaji.

Others are Prof. Banji Akintoye, a foremost historian and Second Republic Senator; Dr. Remi Akintoye; Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele; Chief Aderibigbe Shittu; Alhaji Bayo Lawal; Dr. Saka Balogun; Mogaji Gboyega Adejuwon; Erelu Olusola Obada, Chief Sunday Oguntade, among others.


https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/yoruba-leaders-adopt-atiku-for-2019-presidency.html

Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has likened himself to a Moses that has come to liberate Nigeria from the wicked Pharaohs that have held the country captive.

Speaking at the Jesus General Assembly Church in Oworonshoki, Lagos on Sunday, Sowore called on Christian faithful and all Nigerians to vote for Christ-like candidates, rather than candidates who just carry the label 'Christians'.

He recalled that the disciples in the Bible were referred to as "Christ-like" because they emulated the lifestyle of Jesus Christ.

“Jesus did not have a religion while on earth. He didn’t identify as a Christian," he said.

"It was the disciples who emulated his lifestyle that were described as Christ-like. We have had many Christian, Muslim and religious leaders who ruled Nigeria and we’re godless, which is why we are here today."

He charged the congregation to “vote people whose lifestyle is consistent with that of Jesus", stating that he is a man of integrity who cares for his followers.

He continued: “When the Israelites were to be liberated from the hands of the wicked Egyptians, God raised a Moses to deliver them. But because of murmuring and complaining and disobedience, a journey that was supposed to last 40 days lasted 40 years in the wilderness.

"Nigerians, we are faced with a similar situation today. You have in me a Moses that has come to liberate Nigeria from the wicked Pharaohs that have held Nigeria captive. If we keep complaining and do not do the right thing by voting a young person with fresher ideas, it may cost Nigeria another 58 years before they enter the Promised Land."

Describing himself as the right man for the highest office in the land, Sowore said: “I may not be a deer but I’m visionary. I may not be a missionary, but I am mission-driven, so I urge you not to look elsewhere because the person who will take Nigeria is standing right here in front of you."

http://saharareporters.com/2018/12/03/im-moses-will-liberate-nigerians-wicked-pharaohs-sowore-tells-church-congregation

A number of high-profile public figures in Nigeria, including a former government minister, have claimed President Muhammadu Buhari is dead and is being imitated by a man called “Jubril” “from Sudan”.

CrosscheckNigeria, a collaboration of newsrooms in Nigeria which includes The ICIR has investigated this claim and found no evidence to support it. The earliest mention of the claim of an imposter was in a Twitter post by user @sam_ezeh on September 3rd, 2017.

A video outlining the claim has since been shared more than 5,000 times on Facebook and Twitter. In it, Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), tells his followers that Buhari had died.“The man you are looking at on the television is not Buhari… His name is Jubril, he’s from Sudan.

After extensive surgery they brought him back,” he says. Kanu has separately referred to the supposed lookalike as “Jubril Al-Sudani”. Others have called him “Jibrin”.Neither Kanu nor the others making the claim have provided any credible evidence.

The rumour has been fueled by the real-life death of a Nigerian diplomat in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum in May 2018.

There have been allegations that the diplomat was deliberately killed due to his involvement in the supposed cover-up about Buhari.

Reno Omokri, a former aide to President Goodluck Jonathan and Femi Fani Kayode, a former government special advisor and minister under president Olusegun Obasanjo, have both repeated the claims.

Several videos repeating the claims have been viewed on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube more than 500,000 times.

Ajayi Boroffice, a professor of genetics, has also dismissed the possibility of cloning a 75-year–old man such as Buhari.

According to him, it is “ridiculous for anybody to think Mr.President has been cloned and that the person who is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a clone from Sudan.”


https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/fact-checking-has-president-muhammadu-buhari-died-and-been-replaced-by-an-impostor.html

The Public Affairs Officer (PAO) of the United States of America consulate in Lagos, Mr. Brussel Brooks on Friday, said issuance of visa to Nigerians irrespective of their social standing is strictly a confidential matter.

He said US Government will not discuss such confidentiality in public.

Brooks spoke while fielding questions from journalists after an Education Forum, held at the Distance Learning Center, University of Ibadan.

The PAO was apparently reacting to the controversies surrounding the US visa status of former vice president of Nigeria and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

The programme, entitled: ‘Teaching Resources: Availability, Applicability and Appropriateness,’ was organised by Fulbright Language Scholars’ Association under the leadership of Miss Tolu Akinwole, who said the association, being funded by the United States Consulate, has trained a total of 350 teachers in Oyo and Ondo States in 2018 with a view to igniting vibrant teachers and provide solutions to observed “inability of students to apply lessons they learn in classrooms to everyday life.”

According to Brooks, the case of Atiku’s US visa status has been an issue in the papers for sometime, but ” the position of the US Mission has remained the same throughout any discussion of this issue, that visas are a confidential matter.

“We don’t discuss individual visa’s status of any person, whether it be a highly rated official, a presidential candidate or an average citizen.

“Anyone who applies for a visa should know that there will be some records that are confidential. It is classified as private document by the United States Government, and we never discuss them now public.”

Brooks, who enjoined candidates at all levels, especially presidential, governorship and National Assembly, to focus on issue-based campaigns and avoid distractions, also advised Nigerians to ask candidates at all levels the plan they have to improve education.

“Often times unfortunately, campaigns are full of distractions, things that are not that important to the lives and welfare of average Nigerians, especially the children that are with us today. What is important for them is to give them the opportunities to serve in order to thrive in today’s world.

“This means they need a good education. The school should be improved. When I heard the letter from the students describing their lack of books and dearth of desks in their school. This is very disheartening. There are things that should be corrected.

“I will also encourage parents and voters to ask the candidates what they plan to do to improve education. I think issue-based campaigns will be beneficial to all Nigerians,”

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/us-consulate-replies-fg-says-atikus-american-visa-status-is-confidential.html

By Chris Ochayi & Maxwell Tochukwu 30-11-2018
ABUJA: The fall out of primaries recently conducted by the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Friday, took an ugly dimension as rebel group emerged from the party, calling itself Authentic All Progressives Grand Alliance, AAPGA.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja , the National Chairman of factional body, AAPGA, Chief (Deacon) Jerry Obasi ​​​​​ and the National Secretary, Alh. A.D. Musa, respectively, called on Governor Willie Obiano and National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Dr. Victor Oye to resign from their offices with immediate effect.
The body which recalled various issues that have bedevilled the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in recent times, especially after the party primary elections, noted that Dr. Oye has taken APGA beneath the point he met it, adding, “At no time in its history has a chairman of APGA been so associated with widespread accusations of bribery, extortion and other unwholesome acts.”

The factional body also condemned what it said “The demeaning and wicked treatment meted out to the widow of pioneer APGA leader, Her Excellency, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, and other loyal members of the party.”

According to Obasi, “You are no doubt aware of the various issues that have bedevilled the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in recent times, especially after the party primary elections.

“Accusations of bribery amid non-conduct of election trailed the nomination of candidates for the 2019 poll. In all these developments, it is obvious that APGA is no longer run as a political party, but as a private limited liability company.

“Having approached this crossroad, we are of the opinion that the situation calls for a radical solution. We have to decide whether to continue on the evil trajectory of impunity and political villainy or adopt a strategic template to guarantee the revival of the fundamental ideas that propelled the formation of APGA.
“Based on the foregoing, we have come to the inevitable conclusion that we must come together to recalibrate APGA in line with the dictates of our shared values and ideological purity of being our brothers’ keepers indeed.
“We must purge APGA of political wickedness and selfishness, particularly the myopia that made the party speak from both sides of the mouth regarding its future and preparedness for the nation’s electoral environment.
“The original and foundational ideology of APGA is that it should be inclusive and guarantee the rights of members to express themselves in line with democratic principles. It is obvious from prevailing circumstances that APGA has derailed and lost the moral compass that endears it to marginalised Nigerians.

“There is urgent need therefore, for loyal and genuine members of the party to embark on a programme that would bring back the party to the original ideas. This programme would involve the reconciliation and unification of all those that fought through thick and thin to ensure that APGA serves the purpose of political emancipation of all oppressed people.

“As first in the line of pragmatic steps leading to the recovery of APGA, we announce to you the birth of Authentic All Progressives Grand Alliance (AAPGA). We are committed to retaking and recovering our party from buccaneers and charlatans, whose ideology is to do merchandise with the collective will of the people.

“Under this new beginning of APGA, we intend to reach out to all those who have suffered injustice, impunity and deprivation with a view to refocusing the party in line with the original ideology and principles.

“We are determined to ensure that APGA should not suffer extinction in the hands of political travellers, especially those who are without APGA membership cards yet masquerading as leaders at the highest echelon of the party.

“The path we have chosen is by no means an easy one, but we are resolved that in order to address the series of injustice, marginalisation and exclusion in the party, we have to confront these internal enemies of APGA, who are blinded by pursuit of vanity and filthy lucre.”

Obasi noted that, “Based on the above scenario, we the authentic members of APGA, otherwise called Authentic All Progressives Grand Alliance, AAPGA, during our extraordinary National working Committee, NWC, meeting resolved as follows:

“That we hereby call on Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State to resign his positions as governor, Chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT) and leader of APGA forthwith.

“That Dr. Victor Oye, the embattled national chairman of APGA, should resign from his position as chairman, having failed to improve the fortunes and good image of the party. He has rather taken APGA beneath the point he met it. At no time in its history has a chairman of APGA been so associated with widespread accusations of bribery, extortion and other unwholesome acts.

“The complaints from Imo, Abia and Anambra State chapters of APGA, to mention but a few, detailing the exchange of bribes in foreign and local currencies, are too weighty to be swept under the carpet.

“That the party should look into the activities of some elements masquerading as APGA UK, with a view to ascertaining the statuses of their membership and means of livelihood.

“That AAPGA condemns in very strong terms the invasion of Anambra State House of Assembly in a commando and Gestapo style. A clear line of demarcation should be drawn between criminality and gangsterism in the name of party politics.

“That we condemn the demeaning and wicked treatment meted out to the widow of pioneer APGA leader, Her Excellency, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, and other loyal members of the party.

“That the threat by Oye to suspend Ojukwu’s widow is the height of irresponsibility and political rascality unbecoming of a national chairman of APGA and we hereby call on Oyeto retract the threat with a public apology with immediate effect.

“That Authentic APGA should set up three standing committees as follows: (i)Political Evaluation Committee, to assess, monitor crucial issues in the polity as the nation prepares for the 2019 election (ii) Rapprochement Committee, to reach out to mistreated and aggrieved members and (iii) Fiscal Complaints Committee, to compile cases of fiscal malfeasance and recommend appropriate remedial measures.”

The Federal Government tells the U.S. to be cautious in granting visa to the PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in order not to create the impression of endorsing him for the 2019 election.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave the government position at an interactive session with media executives in Abuja on Thursday.

Mohammed said that the government was aware of the move by the former Vice President to lobby the U.S. to lift the visa ban imposed on him.

He said, while the U.S. has the prerogative of whom to issue visa, it should be mindful of the timing, in order not to give the impression that Atiku has been endorsed by the U.S. government.

“We understand and appreciate the fact that it is the prerogative of the U.S. to grant a visa to anyone who applies. “However, we want the U.S. to be neutral and be wary of taking any decision that will give the impression that they are favouring or endorsing one candidate over the other “Impression must not be created that the U.S. government is endorsing one particular candidate over the other,’’ he said.

The minister recalled that for years, there has been a kind of congressional bi-partisan investigation on corruption against certain individuals which had made it difficult for Atiku to secure a U.S. visa. “I am sure you will all recall the Jefferson’s case and the cold 90,000 U.S. dollar in fridge. “We are not unaware that Atiku has engaged the services of some lobbyists to persuade the U.S. to issue visa to him.

“Our position is that if the former Vice President is seeking the U.S. visa we have no problem about it. “However, we want the U.S. government not to create the impression that it is endorsing one candidate over the other,’’ he said. Speaking on security, the minister insisted that despite the recent set back brought about by attacks on the military, the Boko Haram insurgents had been largely decimated.

He recalled that when they took over in 2015, Boko Haram was active in 10 states including the FCT where they chose where and when to attack The minister said that 20 of the 27 Local Government Areas in Borno were under the insurgents where they hoisted their flags collected taxes and deposed the Emirs. He said since they took over, no inch of Nigeria territory is under the control of the insurgents who now operated in the fringes –Lake Chad Island- to launch guerilla attacks.

“What happened was a set-back and it is not enough to say that we are losing the war against the Boko Haram. “We want to appreciate the gallant military who are sacrificing day and night and those who have lost their lives to protect Nigeria’s sovereignty,’’ he said.

The Minister added that the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Borno and his ongoing visit to Chad were indications of renewed vigour to end the war. Mohammed also denied the allegations that the government was closing media space against the opposition.

On the arrest of Deji Adeyanju, convener of Concerned Nigerians by the Police, the minister noted that “being an activist or in the opposition does not protect anyone from arrest and prosecution’’. He said the case had been charged to court and it would be prejudicial to make further comments on it. (NAN)

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/be-cautious-of-granting-visa-to-atiku-fg-tells-us-2/

The senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, on Thursday reacted to Federal Government’s reduction of the cost of application forms for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB.

Daily Trust reports that the Federal Government approved the reduction of the fees for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the National Examination Council (NECO) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

Reacting to the development, Sani said the reduction will ease the pains of millions of parents and applicants.


In a tweet, Sani wrote: “The reduction in JAMB and NECO fees by the FG is commendable.It will ease the pains of millions of parents and applicants.The astronomical rise in revenue in Jamb is a major achievement. Kudos to the registrar.Now Jamb is free of larcenous pythons and anacondas.”


The reduction in JAMB and NECO fees by the FG is commendable. It will ease the pains of millions of parents and applicants.The astronomical rise in revenue in Jamb is a major achievement. Kudos to the registrar. Now Jamb is free of larcenous pythons and anacondas.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/jamb-is-free-of-pythons-anacondas-shehu-sani.html

By Nwafor Sunday

Police, Wednesday gave reasons why it arrested the fearless political activist Deji Adeyanju, who has been staging protests against the All Progressives Congress, APC and President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.

The force explained that Deji along with others arrested were involved in criminal conspiracy, causing public nuisance and inciting public disturbance.

In a statement disclosed by the Police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, the Force opined that it respects the rights of every Nigerian to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and freedom of movement as enshrined in the constitution but these rights should by observed with decorum.

Read the statement below:

The Nigeria Police Force is not unaware of the rights of every Nigerian to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and freedom of movement as essentials of Democracy provided for by the 1999 constitution, Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended particularly sections 38, 39, 40 and 41. However, these rights must be observed with decorum, in good faith and without violating the rights of other millions of Nigerians to free movement and access to safety and security across the Country.

Deji Adeyanju, Daniel Abobama and Boma Williams were arrested by the Police within the powers provided under the constitution, Police Act and Regulations, the Penal Code Law and Procedures to prevent crime and ensure safety of all Nigerians. The Constitutional rights of every Nigerian as stated in first paragraph above i.e Sections 38, 39, 40 and 41, these rights are not absolute as section 45 of the same Constitution provides for derogations to these rights.

Deji Adeyanju, Daniel Abobama and Boma Williams contravene the law and were arrested for Criminal Conspiracy, Joint Act, defamation of character, public nuisance, disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant, disturbance of public peace, inciting public disturbance, threat to public security and safety, criminal defamatory and derogatory conduct against constituent authority and breach of law and order under sections 96, 113, 114, 152, 183 and 391 of Penal Code law. They are already arraigned in court in Abuja for prosecution.

For avoidance of doubt, attached are the exhibits recovered from Deji Adeyanju, Daniel Abobama and Boma Williams and some of the criminal defamatory comments and utterances, that is capable of inciting public disturbance, threat to public security and safety, criminal defamatory and derogatory conduct against constituent authority and breach of law and order pasted by Deji Adeyanju on his face book page.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/deji-adeyanju-others-arrested-for-criminal-conspiracy-police/

A national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday lambasted the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stressing that Nigeria will not return to the era of greed and selfishness.

The former governor of Lagos State made this remark while insisting that no party other than APC will rule in the South-West.

He said this during the inauguration of Gboyega Oyetola as the new Governor of Osun State in Osogbo, the state capital.

According to Tinubu, “I congratulate Rauf, he had a progressives’ mandate and did it well and renewed mandate and for eight years he successfully handled the administration and today he handed over to another progressives’ governor.

“Thank God for working the path. I want to say we have come together and want to say no shaking and no going back to the era of greed and selfishness that had held us back.

“We are not going back to the old foxes, scavengers. If they had done anything won’t President Muhammadu Buhari continue it? Look back to the 16 years and tell us what they have done.

“Oyetola, we salute you, and we want you to embark on the same path that has brought you. We are solidly with you; just give us a call and we will be with you. No any other party will rule here in the South-West.”

http://dailypost.ng/2018/11/27/osun-era-selfishness-gone-no-party-apc-will-rule-south-west-tinubu/

Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel, allegedly disrupted the sitting of a faction of the state House of Assembly on Tuesday.

Governor Emmanuel reportedly arrived the complex of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to disrupt the sitting by the five members of the All Progressives Congress.

https://punchng.com/breaking-akwa-ibom-governor-allegedly-disrupts-assembly-sitting/

dullahi Ganduje, Governor of Kano State, has donated N10 million to the organisers of the EFCC-ICPC Anti-Corruption Marathon.

The donation was made by the Governor for the first National Anti-Corruption Marathon organised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Crimes (ICPC), Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and other stakeholders, in honour of President Muhammadu Buhari, for his fight against corruption.

A statement by Ameen Yassar, Director–General, Media and Publicity, Government House on Monday, disclosed that the donation was made when the Governor received members of the main organising committee in Abuja.

He promised that the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti Corruption Commission would collaborate with the organisers as an official partner, to ensure success of the event.

According to Ganduje, his administration not only engaged in sensitising the citizenry on the evils of corruption, but also reorganised and strengthened its anti-corruption agency to offer optimal professional services.

His words: “Before now, people find it difficult to access the services of the agency, but we established offices across the 44 local government areas so that the services can be available to the common man.

“We also facilitated the recruitment of additional personnel and subjected them to training by professional agencies like EFCC and ICPC so that they can deliver. We also ensured cooperation with these agencies and that attracted international organisations to support us in reinforcing our anti-corruption system."

He noted that as a result of the renewed professional and vigour of the state anti-corruption agency, highly-placed individuals such as permanent secretaries in the state civil service and a commissioner were removed and prosecuted for involvement in fraudulent practices.

Jacob Onu, leader of the delegation that visited the governor, told the Governor that the organisers intend to “use the image and popularity of marathon races to create massive awareness and bring together all segments of the Nigerian population in support of Mr. President’s fight on corruption in all facets of national life”.

“This will strengthen unity among the citizens of this country and also satisfy the desire to exploit and harness the abundant talent in our youth for national integration,” Onu added.

According to Onu, the campaign was aimed at raising national consciousness on the scourge and danger of corruption to the country and humanity in general.

http://saharareporters.com/2018/11/26/ganduje-donates-n10m-efcc-icpc-marathon-honour-buharis-anti-corruption-war

President Muhammadu Buhari warned on Sunday that Nigerians should desist from politicising the deaths of soldiers killed after Boko Haram overran their base in Borno State last Sunday.

At least 118 soldiers were killed and 153 missing in the attack on 157 Task Force Battalion in Metele, Borno State, according to the most-recent finding by PREMIUM TIMES.

After initial silence from both the presidency and the Nigerian military, Mr Buhari condemned the killing on Saturday, six days after the attack, promising to wipe out the insurgency and prioritise the plight of Nigerian troops involved in the counter-insurgency operations.

The president’s comments came a day after the military finally confirmed the attack on Friday night, five days after the attack on November 18. The Nigerian Army said reports of over 100 losses recorded in the media were untrue but failed to provide its internal casualty estimates.

In reiterating his administration’s commitment to defeating the insurgency on Sunday, Mr Buhari emphasised the need for Nigerians to see the insurgents as common enemies, and shun the urge to seek political advantage from their evil campaign.

“We must resist the temptation to play politics with the tragedy of the deaths of our soldiers,” Mr Buhari said on Twitter Sunday afternoon. “They are heroes on the frontlines, fighting to make Nigeria a safer place for us all.”

“Rest assured that the circumstances that have led to these deaths will be comprehensively addressed,” the president added.

He did not specifically mention any political parties or individuals whom he had seen as politicising the killings.

Widespread mourning has gripped the country since PREMIUM TIMES first broke the news on Tuesday morning that dozens of soldiers, including their commander, had been killed in the attack, which occurred at about 6:00 p.m. in Melete.

The base had previously been attacked on October 8, but it seemed the military did not fortify it to withstand future aggression from Boko Haram thugs.

Atiku Abubakar, the main opposition presidential candidate, has condemned the attack and offered what he saw as solutions to the ten-year campaign by the jihadists. Mr Abubakar said there should be increased and prioritised focus on both the military expenditures and the timeframe required to approve them.

He also approved scholarships for five selected families of the fallen soldiers and urged the government to set up a trust for the care of fallen heroes’ families.

His suggestions came on the same day the Nigerian Senate suspended plenary over the killings, one of many that have occured since mid-July when Boko Haram elements raided multiple bases in Borno and Yobe.

The Senate urged the president to investigate to direct service chiefs on proper fortification of military bases to forestal future attacks.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/297486-boko-haram-buhari-warns-nigerians-against-politicising-soldiers-deaths.html

The Osun government on Thursday launched a 10-year development plan aimed at improving the economy of the state as well as human capital.

The unveiling takes place five days before the end of Rauf Aregbesola’s tenure as governor of the state.

Olalekan Yinusa, the state’s commissioner for economic planning, budget and development, said the Osun Development Plan 2019-2028 was hinged on four pillars of economic development, capital development and security, infrastructure development and environmental sustainability.

Yinusa said the plan projected that the state would become a place “where all generations yet unborn would be proud of”.

According to the commissioner, a common vision and mission had been “carefully and succinctly” captured in the document for the economic growth of the state.

“The state’s vision is to be a prosperous state in a secure and sustainable environment,” he said.

“While the mission is to promote sustainable development through pragmatic, transparent, accountable and inclusive governance that mobilises human and material resources toward making the state a socio-economic and cultural hub of Nigeria.”

He added that the roadmap to decisively address diverse strategic issues of widespread unemployment, low productivity, infrastructural deficit and low agricultural productivity is clearly defined in the plan.

The commissioner noted that the plan was fundamentally different from previous plans in terms of preparation, comprehensiveness of content and implementation strategy.

Yinusa said the plan evolved from past development plans, with critical inclusion of materials of current and future developmental relevance.

Earlier, Aregbesola had said if successive governments could follow the plan, the state would ultimately emerge the best in the country.

The governor said his administration had laid a solid foundation for the growth and development of the state.

https://www.thecable.ng/aregbesola-unveils-10-year-development-plan-five-days-to-end-of-tenure/amp

Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja

Former President Goodluck Jonathan says pictures of his mock coffin displayed in the media during the anti-fuel subsidy removal protests of 2012 traumatised his aged mother who had lost eight children.

Jonathan said this in his recently published book titled, My Transition Hours.

The former President said, “The protests continued unabated. In all of these, one woman I pitied most was my aged mother who was with me in the State House.


“Every day, she watched on television protesters carrying a casket with my picture on it and having the inscription ‘Rest In Peace.’

“I could imagine her trauma. This is a woman who had 10 live births with only my elder sister and I surviving.”

Jonathan said during the protests, several notable Nigerians visited him, asking him to reverse the increment in the pump price of petrol.

Some of the prominent Nigerians who visited him include: General-Overseer, Living Faith Mission (Winners Chapel) Bishop David Oyedepo; Primate of the Anglican Church, Rt.Rev Nichola Okoh and eight other clerics.

He said what was more disheartening was the fact that the opposition in Lagos had hijacked the protests.

Jonathan added that even the Nigeria Labour Congress which had been briefed on the matter before the subsidy removal was announced was co-opted into joining the protests.

The former President added, “In Lagos State for instance, it was like a carnival. Musicians, comedians and other celebrities were engaged by opposition elements to join the protests. Refreshments were served to protesters.

“Every morning Lagos State government workers cleaned up the Gani Fawehinmi Park and prepared it for the day’s protests. It appeared as though the protesters were very special guests of the Lagos State Government. Similar scenarios played out in other opposition controlled states.”

Jonathan further stated that the House of Representatives, which was led by pro-opposition Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, decided to exploit the situation.

He said the House accused him of fleeing the country in a bid to exploit the situation for political gain.

The former President added, “The House of Representatives whose Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, was hobnobbing with the opposition (he eventually defected to the opposition) did not help matters.

“Thinking that I had left the country for South Africa to attend the centenary celebration of the African National Congress, Speaker Tambuwal convened the House to sit on a Sunday just to condemn the deregulation.

“That was the first and only time in Nigeria’s political history that the parliament sat on a Sunday. At that sitting, an opposition member of the House got up to allege that I had abandoned the nation at such a crucial time to join festivities in South Africa.

“Unknown to the House, on that same day while they were sitting, I was at Eagle Square to inaugurate mass transit vehicles my administration purchased to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.”

https://punchng.com/photographs-of-my-mock-coffin-traumatised-my-mother-who-lost-eight-children-says-gej/

Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja

Former President Goodluck Jonathan says he laughs anytime people try to run down his administration as a clueless one.

The former President said this in his recently published book titled, ‘My Transition Hours’.

He said, “Sometimes I laugh when certain propagandists attempt to stand logic on its head by maligning my administration as one bereft of ideas and clueless. In assessing my administration, it is best to focus on facts.

“I cannot assess myself. I leave that to history and I make bold to say that never in the history of Nigeria till date has the nation had such a star-studded cabinet full of achievers and people who got to the top of their chosen fields by merit.”

Jonathan said the only thing that saddened him was the hounding of his former ministers by the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

He, however, said he was happy that many of his ministers and former appointees had become leading world figures today like Adewunmi Adesina and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Jonathan added, “Most painful has been the attacks on my ministers, aides, associates and even members of my family. There is an attempt to erase our legacy from history. The good thing is that the unending barrage of attacks, deliberate misinformation, and programmed media smear campaigns have failed to sway the opinions of those with the clear view of our beliefs, efforts, and achievements.

“There are millions of Nigerians and others around the world who are still impressed with our modest achievements in consolidating democracy and growing the nation’s economy. They will continue to serve as my strength and encouragement.”

https://punchng.com/i-laugh-when-people-call-me-clueless-jonathan/

Doyin Okupe, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has mocked the Wife of the President, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari and her daughter, Zarah.

Okupe was reacting to photos of President Buhari and his family at the unveiling of the All Progressives Congress, APC’s campaign agenda at the State House, Abuja, on Sunday.

Okupe observed that the President’s wife and her daughter, Zarah, looked like people coming out from a funeral.

According to the former presidential aide, the President’s family looked unwilling to move to the “NEXT LEVEL.”

Sharing their photo on Twitter on Monday morning, Okupe wrote, “Very strange picture.’

“1st lady and ever-ebullient Zarah both look as if coming from a funeral. Definitely not like people going to ‘the ‘next level.”

http://dailypost.ng/2018/11/19/atiku-vs-buhari-look-like-people-coming-funeral-okupe-mocks-aisha-zarah-buhari/

Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, says fixing Nigeria will require a lot of hard work with no quick fixes.

Atiku said this in the introduction he wrote in a document, “My document to get Nigeria working again.”

The 186-page document was made available to the public on Monday.

He said the document would steadily begin to restore a stronger, equitable, unprejudiced and more prosperous Nigeria.

Atiku said Nigeria needed a resilient and passionate leader that was ready to fight for the country.

He promised to take tough decisions needed to move Nigeria forward.

He said, “It is my pledge, driven by unstoppable dedication, to hit the ground running with these big tasks and to take bold steps towards making difficult decisions that will be good for Nigeria in future years.


“I know it is going to be a lot of hard work, with no quick fixes. It needs a leader that is resilient, disciplined and dedicated, and passionate about Nigeria to fight for it, and consistent enough to guide the country the rough times ahead.

“I pledge to remain focused and make the tough decisions needed to move the country forward.”

Atiku said successful governance necessitated political will and a unity of purpose stretching across the different regions of Nigeria.

As the nation goes on the historical journey in the next four years, the presidential candidate said the love to get Nigeria working again must bring all Nigerians together as a united nation.

“We can always fold our arms and say Nigeria is beyond saving, or we can take the bull by the horns with an optimism that Nigeria is worth saving and trusting that certainly glorious days lay ahead after the stormy years.

“I choose positivism, faith and confidence in our vision, the policy, and the political will to use this opportunity to get Nigeria working again,” Atiku added.

He alleged that the last three and a half years have been most daunting for Nigerians.

He claimed that all indices on socio-economic and political development have plummeted throwing over 70% of Nigerians into what he called unprecedented poverty, the like of which he said had never been seen before in the nation’s history.

Atiku said it was clear that those entrusted with the task of improving the lives of Nigerians were not up to the task.

Now that elections are approaching, the former Vice President said Nigerians would once again have the opportunity to assess the quality of those they wish to place in charge of governance in order to bring about the desired change to the dwindling fortunes of the country.

“The next four years will determine our future in the global race, whether we can regain our leadership role in world affairs, reverse the economic meltdown, reinstate a sense of belonging for everyone, regain our people’s trust to protect their lives and property and ensure sustained prosperity.

“Therefore, it has never been more imperative than now that Nigeria needs strong and purposeful governance as well as a capable leader to get the country working again.


“It is now imperative to provide Nigeria with formidable and sustainable governance that will enable our people to make the most of opportunities that the country presents,” he added.

Atiku was convinced that his policy to get Nigeria Working again, when implemented, would build a stronger nation equipped with jobs, opportunities, unity and holistic security for all.


He described the coming election as a deciding factor for Nigerians to enable them to choose the path of a restored equitable and prosperous Nigeria or to go down a slippery slope to further impoverishment.

He expressed the hope that Nigerians’ choice will be for a stronger Nigeria to emerge from ashes.

“I believe we must get Nigeria working again. If we don’t, the consequences will be disastrous,” he warned.

https://punchng.com/no-quick-fixes-to-nigerias-challenges-atiku-admits/

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola has blamed past governments for not effectively utilising earned crude oil revenue to develop road and other infrastructures in the country.

The minister said this on Monday in Abuja while presenting a three-year scorecard of his ministry. Fielding questions on the poor road networks, Fashola admitted it saying, “Yes, we know they are bad. There is no magic to it. If those who came before us had done their work, we won’t meet bad road. That is the simple truth. We earned $100 per barrel of crude oil for about five years.

“We knew what other countries like Abu Dhabi (UAE), Saudi Arabia did with their own, what did we do with ours? So this is a President and a government that is now trying to do more with less that it has. So give us some time, we will get there,” Fashola said.

The minister said the federal government is executing road projects across every state especially abandoned projects like the Lagos – Ibadan expressway, the second Niger bridge, Enugu- Port Harcourt road, Jebba-Mokwa way among others that have drastically cut down travel time.

The ministry also gave statistics of road projects in the last three years. It said in 2016, 277 kilometres of road was constructed, 345km was rehabilitated and 17,749 people were employed in the process.

For 2017, the federal government constructed 488 roads, rehabilitated 256 others and engaged 31,227 persons. For 2018 till November, 497 km of road has been constructed, 284 rehabilitated and 30,402 persons employed; the figure could rise during December due to more rehabilitation projects nationwide, officials said.

Expantiating on this, the Permanent Secretary (Works and Housing), Mr Mohammed Bukar said there have been award of 365 roads for construction since 2001. He said the Buhari government awarded 121 of these in three years while the previous government awarded 144 others in the whole of 17 years.

“You will see that out of the 365 roads, 144 were awarded in the period of 17 years while in just three years, we awarded 121 roads, just within three years and we are still counting because the 2018 procurement is on-going,” Bukar noted.


https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/fashola-blames-past-govts-for-failed-roads.html

Academic activities at the University of Ibadan International School were Monday morning paralysed as the management of the school locked the classrooms against the students over the use of Hijab by some female Muslim students.

DAILY POST recalls that some parents under the umbrella of International School Ibadan Muslim Parents’ Forum had, in letter addressed to the principal of the school, Mrs. Phebean Olowe, a copy of which was obtained by DAILY POST, argued that “Hijab wearing for young Muslim girls, apart from the fact that it is part of their religious belief, is part of their God given fundamental human right as well as the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

The parents, in the letter entitled: ‘Notification of Muslim parents’ resolution on Hijab for our Muslim girls in ISI’, signed by Alhaji Abdurrahman Balogun (Chairman) and Mrs. Bilikis Badiru (Secretary), also copied the Chancellor of the University of Ibadan and Sultan of Sokoto, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, The Chairman, ISI Parents Teachers Association, ISI, Vice – Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Deputy Vice – Chancellor (Academic), University of Ibadan, Registrar, University of Ibadan, Chairman, University of Ibadan Muslim Community, Chief Imam, University of Ibadan Muslim Community, Minister, Federal Ministry of Education, Commissioner, Oyo State Ministry of Education, Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Chairman, Muslim Community of Oyo State, President, Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), President, Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN), President, Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), President, Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), President, Muslim Rights Council (MURIC) and Chairman, Hijab Advocacy Groups.

But, the morning assembly of the school, which was supposed to commence around 7:30 am and end by 8am could not hold on Monday due to the presence of the Hijab-wearing students and their parents, who were there to monitor the situation when DAILY POST visited the school Monday morning. The classes which should commence by 8am were also cancelled as entrances to the classes were put under keys by the school management.

Some of the students and teachers were seen discussing the issue at the entrance of their classes. The students, who were roaming about the school premises, told our reporter that they were ready to be taught but the classes have been shut. The classes remained locked when our correspondent left the school around 11 am.

However, when asked to speak on why the assembly was cancelled and classes remained locked, the school principal, Mrs. Phebean Olowe said she was not ready to address journalists who were at the school to get her reactions.

She declared that it was only the school management board headed by the DVC (Academic), University of Ibadan, Professor Yinka Aderinto that can speak on the matter.

The principal said, “I don’t want to talk, I am not the owner of the school. I don’t want to talk, I don’t want to see any journalist here”.

Leader of the UI security team, who led his team to the school, Mr. Muddathir Idowu, also declined comments when asked by journalists to speak. Muddashir said, “I don’t want to talk. I don’t want to hear anything, I don’t want to talk on this matter”.

However, Balogun, who spoke on behalf of the concerned parents while addressing journalists, said he was surprised that the school was shut because the Muslim female students wore Hijab to school.


Balogun, who was flanked by other parents, added that the decision of the school to cancel the assembly and classes because some female Muslim students wore the Hijab was contrary to section 7 (1- of the school rules and regulations which has to do with the dress code in the school.

Balogun said, “I am a parent of ISI. I am here to drop my children. We gave the school notification that in line with the constitution in all ramifications, be it the school rules and regulations, norms and constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, that our daughters should be made to wear Hijab.

“But, I am surprised and shocked that classes were shut and assembly was also cancelled because students wore Hijab today. I don’t know the correlation between the two, students wear Hijab and the classes were shut. We will not accept anything until our daughters are allowed to wear Hijab. I want my daughters to be wearing Hijab because there is nothing that says that they cannot wear it even the school rules and regulations. Go and check page four, section 7 (1 to of the ISI rules and regulations that has to do with dressing code, there is nothing there that forbids a Muslim girl from wearing the Hijab. So, wearing Hijab is in conformity with the school rules and regulations and the extant law. We are here as law abiding citizens, you can see that, this is one of the parents, these are parents, we want out daughters to be wearing Hijab”.


However, the Director of Public Communications, University of Ibadan, Toye Oladejo when asked to speak, said he was not aware of the incident.

Oladejo, in a telephone conversation with DAILY POST, added that he has been occupied with the ongoing convocation activities at the university since 8am.

http://dailypost.ng/2018/11/12/unibadan-school-shut-hijab-parents-kick-photos/amp/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says the process for the extradition of Deziani Alison-Madueke, former minister of petroleum, from the UK has begun.

Tony Orilade, acting spokesman of the commission, disclosed this in an interview with NAN on Sunday in Abuja.

Orilade said the EFCC’s operations department has made a presentation to the legal department to commence the process, and that it has commenced.

He, however, said the action had to be processed through the office of the attorney-general of the federation, explaining that it was not something the commission would commence and conclude on its own.

“It is ongoing. Within the next few weeks, the extent to which we have gone will be made known to the public,” the spokesman said.

“It is not a fresh case; it is not a fresh petition that is just being looked into; the whole process is a total package.

“This extradition is just an aspect of Deziani’s investigation and commencement of trial.”

In 2017, a federal high court in Lagos ordered the final forfeiture of N7.6 billion alleged that loot recovered from the former minister to the federal government.

Justice Abdulazeez Anka granted an application by the EFCC seeking the final forfeiture of the money to the government.

Granting the application, the judge had said: “I have read the motion on notice seeking the final forfeiture of the sum of N7.6 billion reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.

“I have also gone through the affidavit in support of the application.

“In the circumstances, I am of the view that the application has merit and is hereby granted as prayed. Parties have a right of appeal.”

In October 2017, Abubakar Malami, minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation, said Nigeria had no immediate plan to bring Allison-Madueke back home to face trial.

Allison-Madueke, who is being investigated in the UK, had urged the federal government to bring her back to the country to face corruption charges against her.

https://www.thecable.ng/efcc-begins-process-to-extradite-diezani-from-uk/

Aisha Yesufu, Co-convener of the BringBackOurGirls, BBOG, advocacy group, has described President Muhammadu Buhari as an “ineffective Commander-In-Chief.

She was reacting to yesterday’s attack on a village in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital by the Boko Haram sect.

DAILY POST reported yesterday that barely 24 hours after the Boko Haram sect released new video claiming attack on military base in Kumshe and Gulumba areas of Borno State, another village Baleh Shuwari less than 500m from Giwa Barracks was said to be under attack by the insurgents.

Hundreds of people living in Jiddari Polo Ward in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital have reportedly fled their homes.

Reacting to the ugly development, Yesufu wondered if the President was aware of the attack

She tweeted, “Dear President Muhammadu Buhari @MBuhari .


“Did you hear that citizens are fleeing in Maiduguri? What are you doing?

“Did we vote you to be an ineffective Commander-In-chief?

“What happened to the valour that was reported of you? Citizens are fleeing in Maiduguri #NeverAgain.”

http://dailypost.ng/2018/11/11/boko-haram-president-buhari-fire-following-saturdays-attack-maiduguri/

Akwa Ibom State deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, was among stakeholders and government officials attacked by suspected hired thugs yesterday during defection of the All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Essien Udim, home of former Governor Godswill Akpabio to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The event held at the Unity Hall of the Essien Udim Local Government Council Secretariat, witnessed massive support for Governor Udom Emmanuel by former and serving ward executive council members of the APC, including Prince Ukpong Akpabio, the younger brother and former aide of the immediate past Senate Minority Leader, as well as Chief Michael Afangideh, Akpabio’s political godfather.

This ceremony was, however, disrupted when thugs suspected to be supporters of Senator Godswill Akpabio, stormed the venue and unleashed terror on the people, including the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Ekpo and Ufot Ebong, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical Matters and Due Process.

The thugs said to have arrived the venue of the ceremony in several buses attacked the people at the hall when the Deputy Governor was receiving the APC decampees on behalf of the governor.
The attack sent people scampering for safety, but for the swift intervention of armed security agents attached to the deputy governor and other state government officials who prevented the people from being killed.

The state Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry, Prince Ukpong Akpabio, who spoke to newsmen after the incident, thanked God for the prompt response of the police to arrest the situation.

Prince Akpabio said he was happy that the PDP supporters and youths at the event did not attempt to take laws into their hands, as it would have resulted to undesirable consequences.
The miscreants, who inflicted injuries on some of the supporters, and damaged some vehicles at the venue, allegedly escaped and jumped into a nearby river at Afaha Ikot Ebak.
A Honda Accord car said to belong to the PDP chapter Chairman in Essien Udim, Hon. Ntiedo Usoro was vandalised by the thugs, who also destroyed some cars and motorcycle belonging to the APC members who defected to the PDP.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical Matters, Elder Ufot Ebong, condemned the violent attack by the thugs at a mere political meeting.

“I have never seen anything like this; they stormed the area fully armed and made bonfires on the road and attempted to barricade the road in attempt to shut us inside for them to kill us.” i=This is very horrible and I am worried about this development,” Ebong told reporters.

According to him, few minutes to the commencement of the event, some of the APC defectors had raised the alarm that many of their members who had concluded plans to join the PDP at the Unity Hall to show their solidarity for Governor Emmanuel were held hostage at a location by the thugs.
Speaking at the occasion, Governor Emmanuel, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, urged the people of the community to remain peaceful and always welcome government initiatives in the area.

He enjoined them to guard their PVCs jealously and be ready to use it to votes for PDP candidates in the 2019 general elections.


https://www.newtelegraphng.com/2018/11/aibom-deputy-gov-others-attacked-in-akpabios-country-home/

The Buhari Media Organisation says U.S. lobbyist were paid millions of dollars to secure an American visa for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.


The Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, said this in a statement jointly signed in Abuja on Tuesday, describing the effort as another chapter in PDP’s “book of corruption”.

The organisation said that the PDP had itself claimed it would be paying Brian Ballard, who is believed to be close to U.S. President Donald Trump, the equivalent of N400 million over a one year period to ostensibly lobby Washington on behalf of its candidate ahead of the 2019 Presidential election.

The group added that even if Trump’s friend convinced the U.S. authorities to clear the path for Atiku to finally enter the U.S., it would not clear the allegation of corruption scandals that over the years stuck to it.

According to the group, Nigerians were not prepared to easily forget how the PDP Presidential candidate’s name featured in high-profile sleaze probe, ranging from that of the Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF) to Siemens during his 8-year tenure as Vice President.

“Not even a close ally of Trump can wipe clean a slate of corruption that took years of intense begging for his former principal to reluctantly accept his apology but which he still wants him to seek the forgiveness of Nigerians”.


The group, however, stated that it was not surprised that a party with credibility problem should think the solution to its problem was in throwing money around.

“These are people that have been conditioned to see dollar rain as solutions to local credibility problems.

“Coming soon after they had shared wads of dollars among party delegates; they did not feel bad spending more to boost the economy of Dubai where they have been holding strategy sessions.

“The same people have signed a deal of 90,000 dollars a month to secure an American visa for a morally challenged presidential candidate.

“They are busy boosting businesses in other countries, yet they are running a presidential campaign with the theme of ‘making Nigeria great again. How ironic!” BMO added.

“We want Nigerians to see the difference between President Muhammadu Buhari whose party does not need to spend money in any currency to whitewash his image and that of a candidate that needs to pay the equivalent of N400 million to clean its image in just one country.”

http://dailypost.ng/2018/11/06/apc-vs-pdp-atiku-secured-american-visa-buhari-group/

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday rejected a request for a fresh order stopping the organised labour from embarking on its planned indefinite nationwide strike, set to begin Tuesday.

On Friday, the NIC had restrained the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the United Labour Congress from proceeding with strike.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Kado Sanusi had granted an ex-parte motion restraining the NLC, ULC and TUC from proceeding with the industrial action until the determination of the substantive suit filed by the Federal Government and the Attorney general of the Federation (AGF).

However, on Monday, Justice Kado said it would be unnecessary to grant another order stopping labour from embarking on the planned strike, having granted one on Friday.

He also refused to grant the prayer for an order to compel the government to immediately commence the process of adopting N30,000 as the new national minimum wage.

FG filed the original suit after organised labour threatened to embark on strike if the national minimum wage is not raised from N18,000 to N30,000.

However, a civil society group, Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International, filed a fresh ex-parte application seeking to stop labour from embarking on the strike and to also compel government to commence the process of paying the N30,000 minimum wage.

On both demands, the group lost, as Justice Kado said an order of interim injunction could only be granted if there was an urgency, and if there was the need to preserve the subject matter of the dispute and the defendants could not be served.

He concluded since the court granted an order stopping the strike, on Friday, there was no longer any form of urgency in the matter, meaning it was not necessary to compel the government to start the process of adopting the N30,000 as the new national minimum wage or to issue another order preventing labour from embarking on strike.

http://saharareporters.com/2018/11/05/industrial-court-rejects-second-attempt-prevent-nationwide-workers’-strike

Two students, Muhammad Sufyan and Jafar Kabir, who embarked on a solidarity trek to express their support for Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have arrived at their destination.

The duo took off from Kano on October 26, 2018 and arrived Abuja on Friday, November 2, 2018. They arrived at the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation headquarters in Abuja.

Speaking on the reason they embarked on the trek, Sufyan tweeted: "I and Jafar have started trekking for our future president, His Excellency, @atiku, from Kano to Abuja to show our full support for him in the forthcoming election in 2019".

Sufyan and Kabir took off from their campus in Wudil, Kano State and headed for Abuja. They said they embarked on the trek on behalf of the organisation, Northern Student Support for Atiku (NSSA).

http://saharareporters.com/2018/11/03/two-students-trek-seven-days-kano-abuja-atiku