₦airaland Forum

By Adamu Abuh and Fidelis Ebu, Abuja



The House of Representatives is looking forward to receiving a supplementary budget from President Muhammadu Buhari following the creation of new ministries to which ministers have been assigned.The Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Magaji Dau, who dropped the hint in an interview with The Guardian welcomed the decision by Buhari to create the five additional ministries.

According to the Jigawa representative, it would be difficult for the new ministries to smoothly take off since the expenditure they would incur was not budgeted for in the 2019 Appropriation Act.

“The new ministries may not take off until 2020 except if the president fast- tracks the process of bringing a supplementary budget to take care of their needs. The creation of police affairs ministry is welcome, so also is the humanitarian and emergency ministry.

“I am also happy with the unbundling of the Power, Works and Housing Ministry. I feel there should still be separate Housing and Works ministries to ensure efficient delivery of services to Nigerians,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase, expressed the readiness of the National Assembly to work in harmony with the newly sworn in ministers.At a reception in honour of the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, Wase said that he had no doubt that Tallen would succeed, given her experience as a politician.

The minister thanked President Buhari, the deputy speaker, and Governor Simon Bako Lalong and the good people of Plateau State for the honour done her.“Whoever knows me will know that I don’t believe in ethnic or religious politics. My doors are open; we will work together for the progress of Plateau and Nigeria. I am your ambassador Mr. Governor; I am at your disposal for anything that pertains to the national level,” she said.

The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has announced a plan to organise a meeting of all critical stakeholders in youth development in the next few days. He announced this yesterday during his first assignment in Abuja when he gave a keynote address at the 2019 International Youth Day celebrations, with the theme “Transforming Education.”

Meanwhile, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has faulted President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to ministers to channel their complaints to him through his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari or the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.

Frank, in a statement, argued that the directive was indicative of President Buhari’s inability to steer the ship of the state.He queried: “What is the president still doing in office? By this action, he has completely abdicated his responsibilities and declared himself unavailable and unfit to occupy the office of president.

“To subordinate ministers to the whims and caprices of his aides represents a gross abuse of office and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “This is impunity of the highest order and a criminal alienation of the states of the federation that these ministers represent. Effectively, Buhari’s misguided order means that the CoS and SGF are the de facto presidents.”

Frank also questioned the rationale behind President Buhari’s decision to appoint 43 ministers in his cabinet. “Nothing positive can come from the new ministers because 70 to 80 per cent of them have at one time or the other been guests of the anti-corruption agencies with most of them still battling corruption charges in court.

“In 2015, while campaigning, Buhari promised to reduce the cost of governance if elected. After his election, he appointed 36 ministers in apparent fulfillment of the promise. Why did he appoint 43 ministers in 2019?

“We don’t need a seer to know that ballooning of the cabinet would greatly increase government administrative cost and impact negatively on his ability to deliver on infrastructural development in the face of dwindling national revenue.

“Never in the history of Nigeria has any President appointed 43 ministers. What has changed between 2015 and 2019 that led to this atrocious expansion of the cabinet?” Frank asked.“There will be more corruption in this cabinet than in any other administration in the history of Nigeria as some of the ministers purchased their slots and would want to recoup their investments at the detriment of Nigeria and Nigerians,” he added.

By Precious Igbonwelundu, Blessing Olaifa, and Kolade Adeyemi,



RE-ARRESTED kidnap suspect Hamisu Bala (alias Wadume) confessed that he sent huge amount of money to an Army captain, it was learnt on Wednesday.

The officer allegedly ordered soldiers to attack undercover Intelligence Response Team (IRT) operatives who went to Ibi, Taraba State, to arrest the suspect.

The army claimed that the battalion mistook the operatives for kidnappers before opening fire on them, killing three policemen, two civilians and leaving five persons injured.

The Nation gathered that Bala claimed to have paid huge amounts into the army captain’s bank account three weeks ago.

Besides the Captain, the suspect was said to have some other officers on his payroll.

It was gathered that the suspected kidnapper also paid his way through checkpoints.

It was learnt that Bala and his gang avoided arrest by giving N20,000 to security agents each time they passed a checkpoint.

A highly placed source said two of Balarabe’s boys, ”Babaruns” and ”Zubairu”, called him on August 6 to tell him about Bala’s arrest.

The source said Balarabe, acting on the tipoff, directed his soldiers to “rescue” Wadume.

At the Force Headquarters on Tuesday, the suspect, who was interrogated, was said to have confessed to how Balarabe freed him.

He was said to have told detectives that the soldiers took him to the barracks, from where the Captain allegedly took him to his house, where a welder was invited to cut off the hand and leg chains.

The suspect, alleged to have run three kidnap syndicates in Taraba and Nasarawa states, had a network of major firearms suppliers, it was learnt.

The Police have recovered 13 vehicles and identified several choice properties in Taraba and Nasarawa allegedly bought through proceeds of crime.

The Police also learnt that Wadume owned over 400 cows reared by his boys, who fled with them on learning that their boss had been arrested.

“He has made so many revelations. A lot of things have been said that I don’t want to talk about to avoid jeopardising ongoing investigations. It is a huge network and so many people are involved.

“I can tell you that he confessed to have paid huge money into the Captain’s bank account three weeks ago and that he usually gave each checkpoint N20,000 each time he passed,” said a source privy to the investigation.

The Joint Investigative Panel set up by the Defence Headquarters to unravel the circumstances surrounding the officers’ killings by soldiers is said to be worried about a trending video of Wadume.

Read Also: Revealed: How Wadume was arrested
A video of his confession on how he was arrested and later set free by soldiers had been trending in social media.

The video showed Wadume confessing that soldiers took him to their base and had his handcuff removed through the effort of a welder before he escaped.

Sources within the panel said Wadume’s confession had put the military high command in bad light, pointing out that the new development should have been ironed out with the police high command since the investigation was ongoing.

The source, who would not want his name mentioned said: “We are seriously disturbed and alarmed by the latest video on the purported confession of the re-arrested kingpin, Wadume, while in the custody of the police.

“Though it is a commendable effort for the re-arrest of the kidnap kingpin, the video recording of the alleged confession of Wadume while the panel is still conducting its investigation is quite worrisome as efforts are being put in place to ensure smooth relations between the military and the police before the offending confession.

“Though our panel was inaugurated on August 9 with an initial one-week deadline, we have been mandated to continue and conclude the probe as soon as possible.

“The arrest of Wadume would definitely shed more light on our investigation, considering the volume of arrests and interrogations so far.”

Meanwhile, residents of Hotoro Layin Mai Allo and Yandodo Hotorol in Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State are still baffled by Wadume’s arrest.

Wadume was trailed to his hideout in Hotoro Layin Mai Allo.

A petty trader told our correspondent he was not aware of the arrest.

His neighbor, Mohammed ldris, said he heard the news on the local radio, adding that he was surprised that the suspect hid in the area.

“There is no way we would have known what was going on because there were no gunshots. The operatives carried out the task silently,” he said.

Residents went about their normal businesses; no one was heard discussing the arrest.

Security agents have condoned off the area.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has appealed to Nigerians to shun comments that could pit the police against the army.

Acting spokesman Onyema Nwachukwu, a Colonel, said the joint investigative panel should be allowed to do its work

He declined comments on Balarabe, saying: ”Our concern should be that the panel does exhaustive investigation and gets to the bottom of the matter. So, I would not like to begin to make comments that would preempt the investigation or its outcome.”

Mixed reactions have continued to trail President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to the newly sworn in ministers that all submissions for his attention or meeting requests be channeled through the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.

Twice the President has reechoed the directive. It was first made at the end of the presidential retreat for the then ministers-designate on Tuesday.

Specifically, the president in the presence of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and other top dignitaries, told the ministers that, “ in terms of coordination, kindly ensure that all submissions for my attention or meeting requests be channeled through the Chief of Staff, while all Federal Executive Council matters be coordinated through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

As if that was not enough, President Buhari again after the swearing in of the ministers at the council chambers of the State House, Abuja yesterday restated the order, saying it was necessary to speed up the process of decision-making in the administration. With the President’s order, no minister will have access to him without Kyari’s clearance.

First appointed on August 27, 2015, the Borno born lawyer was reappointed on July 5, this year, despite the protest for his sack. The protesters in June alleged that Kyari was the eye of the cabal in the Villa.The presidency, however said the protest was sponsored.

The following day, another group of protesters marched to the villa supporting Kyari. The Office of the Chief of Staff was first introduced in 1999 when the country’s returned to civilian rule. President Olusegun Obasanjo started it when he copied the US presidential system of government.

Speaking on the development, a retired federal permanent secretary, said the president’s decision would create a major bottleneck that would make governance more problematic than it was in Buhari’s first tenure. “The appointment of a Principal Private Secretary (PPS) could have mitigated the problem of a President who is limited in terms of how many hours he would make available for official work.

“This will create absolute barrier between the President and the ministers. It will negatively affect the system, put an unmanageable burden on the office of the Chief of Staff, demoralize ministers who may have vital, urgent and sensitive issues to discuss with the president and it will just create a huge bureaucracy around the office of the Chief of Staff.

“This is a wrong approach to adopt for a president who has said that he wants to improve the level of efficiency and efficacy of governance in the country,” he said. For the retired permanent secretary, the directive would create a major problem for both the president and the Chief of Staff.

“It would simply reinforce the idea that there is a circle around the president, preventing him from having access to all the information he needs. “If you are going to appoint ministers and place huge burden on them, certainly you should allow them even if is going to be a few minutes to see you.

They do not need to get clearance from the Chief of Staff, if the system is going to work but if you make it mandatory that all matters have to be cleared with the Chief of Staff, many ministers will just simply sit in their office because the system will become bad,” he said.

He recalled that in previous administrations, ministers had unfettered access to the president, adding that, “ministers are very important people who are responsible enough to know that the president is limited in terms of how much time he would give them an attention” He further said that the elevation of the office of the Chief of Staff to superintending the ministers was not a healthy development.

According to the State House website, the “Office of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces is overseen by the Chief of Staff to the President. “The Chief of Staff manages the President’s schedule and correspondence, and any other duties that may be assigned by the President.”

Okechukwu Nnodim , Abuja



The Federal Government through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has increased the tariff payable by power consumers across the country .

Findings from various documents obtained from the NERC on Wednesday in Abuja showed that beginning from next year , power consumers will have to pay an additional sum of between N 8 and N 14 for every kilowatt -hour of energy provided by their respective distribution companies .

The NERC also revealed the actual cost reflective tariff for each of the 11 power distribution companies operating in Nigeria.

The government disclosed the cost reflective tariff of each of the Discos in separate documents for each particular distributor in a regulatory instrument cited as ‘ The 2016 -2018 Minor Review of Multi- Year Tariff Order 2015 and Minimum Remittance Order for the Year 2019 ’ .

The tariff increase for each Disco differs , going by figures in the documents from the commission .
Our correspondent observed that for Abuja Disco’ s minor review assumptions 2015 – 2021 , the commission stated that the Disco’ s end -user cost reflective tariff from 2017 , 2018 , 2019 , 2020 and 2021 per KWh were N 42 . 81 , N 46 . 44 , N 52 .86 , N 46 .02 and N 44 . 29 respectively .

NERC, however, stated that the end -user allowed tariff from 2017 to 2019 per kWh was N 32 .66 in each of the years, while those of 2020 and 2021 were put at N 42 .46 and N 44 .21 .

The difference between what AEDC ’s customers pay currently and what they will pay from next year , going by NERC’ s figures , is an increase of N 9 . 8 /kWh .
For Benin Disco, it said the end -user cost reflective tariff from 2017 , 2018 , 2019 , 2020 and 2021 per kWh were N 51 . 37 , N 54 . 36 , N 59 . 07 , N 47 . 61 and N 43 . 79 , respectively.

It also stated that the end - user allowed tariff from 2017 to 2019 per kWh was N 32 . 50 in each of the years, while those of 2020 and 2021 were put at N 42 . 25 and N 43 .79 .

Here , the difference between what BEDC’ s customers pay currently and what they will pay from next year is an increase of N 9 . 75 / kWh .

For Eko Disco, the commission said the end -user cost reflective tariff from 2017 , 2018 , 2019 , 2020 and 2021 per kWh were N 39 . 7 , N 41 .8 , N 46 . 1 , N 39 .8 and N 39 . 2 , respectively.

For the end -user allowed tariff from 2017 to 2019 per kWh , it said this was N 28 . 3 in each of the year , while those of 2020 and 2021 were put at N 36 .8 and N 39 . 2 .

The difference between what Eko Disco customers pay currently and what they will pay from next year is an increase of N 8 . 5 / kWh .

Our correspondent observed that for Enugu Disco, customers under the power firm ’s franchise areas will get a tariff increase of N 10 .6 / kWh from next year .

This is because based on figures from the commission , the allowed end -user tariffs for Enugu Disco for 2019 , 2020 and 2021 per kWh are N 35 .3 , N 45 .9 and N 41 . 6 , respectively.

For residents who are served by Ibadan Disco , the end - user allowed tariffs for 2019 , 2020 and 2021 per kWh are N 30 . 6 , N 39 .7 and N 44 . 2 , respectively.

This implies that by next year , power consumers who get supply from Ibadan Disco will witness an increase of N 9 . 1 / kWh in their tariff .

In Ikeja Disco ’s franchise areas , customers will have to pay additional N 8. 2 / kWh from next year .
This is because the end -user allowed tariffs in the order from NERC put the tariffs for 2019 , 2020 and 2021 per kWh at N 27 .3 , N 35 . 5 and N 37 .1 respectively.

In Jos Disco, the tariff increase for 2020 is N 10 . 1 / kWh , as consumers under this Disco will have to pay N 43 .9 / kWh, as against N 33 .8 / kWh which they currently pay .

In Kaduna, power users will witness an increase of N 9 / kWh . The end -user allowed tariffs for 2019 , 2020 and 2019 per kWh for Kaduna Disco, as captured by NERC, are N 30 .3 , N 39 . 3 and N 41 . 7 , respectively.

Also, in Kano Disco, NERC increased the end -user allowed tariffs from N 30 . 1 / kWh in 2019 to N 44 .7 / kWh in 2020 and N 41 .8 / kWh in 2021 .
This implies that residents who are served by this Disco will witness an increase of N 14 .6 / kWh in the tariff they pay for electricity.

Suspected armed robbers on Tuesday attacked the convoy of the deputy governor of Nasarawa State, Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, killing five policemen.

The attack occurred around 4pm when the deputy governor was returning from Abuja to to the state capital, Lafia.

DAILY NIGERIAN reliably gathered the robbers laid ambushed on the convoy, killed the policemen and took away all their rifles.

A security source told this newspaper that the convoy was alerted that robbery operation was taking place at a place called Lilli near Nasarawa Eggon.

“After waiting for a while, one of the police vehicles volunteered to clear the road for them. Unfortunately, they fell into the robbers’ trap. They opened opened fire on them and took away all their rifles,” said the source.

Police are yet to comment on the incident.

Senator Babajide Omoworare has thanked President Muhammadu Buhari on his appointment as Presidential Adviser on National Assembly (Senate). He replaced Senator Ita Enang.

Senator Omoworare in a statement he personally signed thanked his principal for the confidence reposed in him while promising to ensure “mutually satisfying relationship between the National Assembly on one part and Ministries, Departments and Agencies on the other part, as we toil towards accomplishing unparalleled achievements for the Federal Government, as well as guaranteeing good governance for the People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The statement issued last night read in part:” Mr. Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has just announced my appointment as a Presidential Aide to Mr. President for the National Assembly (Senate).

“I am grateful to God Almighty and to His Excellency, President Mohammadu Buhari for the opportunity to serve his government as his primary liaison with the Senate. I gladly accept this rare and coveted privilege to advance the administration’s legislative agenda, promote its policy priorities in the Senate and foster Mr. President’s constitutional responsibilities in the National Assembly.

“As I resume the helms of President Buhari’s Legislative Office team, I am aware of the importance of ensuring a more productive working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. I have spent the past two decades working passionately as a parliamentarian, policy strategist, legislative strengthening advocate, and lobbyist. Therefore, it is my sincere but humble hope that my knowledge, expertise, and network of contacts in the National Assembly will be positive and outstanding resources to my new office, this administration, and the Nigerian nation.

“In pursuit of building further blocks in the Executive/Legislature relationship, I shall lead a team that will rely on the robust experience of the National Assembly leadership as well as the cooperation and cohesion of all the Distinguished Senators and our Honourable Representatives.

I also look forward to a mutually satisfying relationship between the National Assembly on one part and Ministries, Departments and Agencies on the other part, as we toil towards accomplishing unparalleled achievements for the Federal Government, as well as guaranteeing good governance for the People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Governor Seyi Makinde has nominated a 27-year old graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Seun Fakorede, as a commissioner, OYO INSIGHT has learnt.

He bagged a civil engineering degree from OAU in 2016.

Fakorede, who hails from Idere area of Ibarapa Central local government, is joining the likes of Alhaja Faosat Joke Sunni from Iseyin local government and Professor Rapheal Afonja from Ogbomoso North local government who were last week nominated to join the 14 others who were inaugurated last week.

If deployed to the ministry of youth and sports, Fakorede would become the youngest to man the ministry.

OYO INSIGHT learnt that members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, who are on recess, are expected to come back to screen the three nominees on Wednesday after which they would be inaugurated.


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The Seun Fakorede as he is professionally known enjoys focusing on the topics of Sustainable Development and Leadership that result in national socio-economic transformation, with an incorruptible passion for Youth Empowerment, Good Governance and Nation Building.

Seun is proudly an indigene of Oyo State, an unrepentant lover of the State. He loves reading good books, discovering new ideas, trying new food and traveling — He is keenly interested in everything about Africa — Inspiring and nurturing viable network and relationships across the continent.

Peter Dada , Akure



The Ondo State Police on Monday said it has arrested three students of the School of Health Technology , Akure , who allegedly gang -raped a female student of the institution .

According to the Police , the suspects are: Aderoboye Damilola , Eyitayo Charles and Blessing Michael.

The three suspects were said to have committed the crime last week Wednesday at the residence of the boyfriend of the victim .

It was gathered that the case has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department of the command.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr. Femi Joseph, who disclosed this to our Correspondent, said the Command had begun investigation into the matter.

Joseph said, “ We have commenced an investigation into the matter , and after the investigation , the suspects will be charged to court .”

A source narrated that the victim was gang -raped by the suspects in the boyfriend ’ s house , which is not far from the campus of the institution at Oda Road , Akure .

“ The lady ( victim ) went to visit her boyfriend in the late evening of Wednesday , but she did not meet him at home .

“ She met another boy who is a friend to her boyfriend . So, she decided to wait for her boyfriend .

“ Suddenly , the three suspects entered into the room with dangerous weapons and asked the boy they met inside to have sex with the lady, but he refused .

“ It was after that that they gang -raped the lady,” the source said .

Narrating her ordeal in the hands of the alleged rapists, the victim said , “ I was in the room when the three of them forcefully had their way in and pounced on me .

“ When they entered into the room, I was shocked and they asked me to take off my dress and to lay on the bed .
“ I appealed to them to leave me alone, but they rebuffed my plea .

“ They asked one of them to forcefully UnCloth me , after which the three of them raped me .

“ They even threatened me that they had the video recordings of the attack and that they would upload the videos on the social media if I tell anyone .

“ But I could not keep the trauma to myself and I told one of my friends in confidence .
“ She reported the issue to the Police and the boys were tracked and arrested .

“ I know one of them ( Eyitayo) , who had once asked me out on a date, but I declined his request.

“ I had to speak out now because I cannot keep it to myself and I really want justice .
“ Those boys really took advantage of and abused me .”

In a reaction , the Provost of the School of Health Technology , Dr. Felix Olawoye, condemned the alleged act and declared that the suspects must face the wrath of the law .

“ The students have been arrested and as an institution , the law must take its rightful course, after which the school’ s disciplinary committee would also present its recommendation to the political head ( the Commissioner for Health) .
“ We don’ t tolerate any form of in discipline ,” he declared.

by Precious Igbonwelundu


Activist lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) on Monday said the government of President Muhammadu Buhari knows those causing unrest in the country and should go after them.

He spoke at the Coalition for Revolution’s (CORE) working consultative assembly themed “Democracy, state repression and the state of insecurity in Nigeria,” held at the Lagos Centre, Oregun.

The event which was billed to start at 11 am did not commence as scheduled following obstruction by policemen said to have barricaded the venue and allegedly arrested three persons.

Condemning the alleged arrest as well as that of Omoyele Sowore and other #RevolutionNow protesters, Falana said the federal government should deploy security forces to tackle terrorism, banditry kidnapping and other crimes that breach public peace and not protesters.

He said: “Our right to assembly and associate peacefully in the country is constitutional. I want to assure you that we are going to ensure that all the rights of Nigerian people that we have fought for and won will not be allowed to be eroded by any regime in this country.

“When we were told that we will not be allowed to meet, my mind went back 30-years-ago when we had the Buhari, Babangida and other juntas. We defeated the regimes and I want to assure you all that any other dictator will not be allowed to raise their head again in Nigeria.

“I heard that about three persons have been arrested. But I want to assure you that after the programme, I will demand for their release because they have not committed any offence. I want to assure you that all those that were arrested and charged during the #RevolutionNow for unlawful assembly and peace will be given adequate defense at the court of law.

“The President Muhammadu Buhari led administration knows those that are breaching the peace of the country- terrorist, armed robbers, coup plotters and others.

“Those who went to the street to protest in exercise of their right to assembly and complain against injustice, corruption and maladministration in the country cannot be said to have breached the law of the country.

“Therefore, the man (Sowore) who was arrested and detained before the protest will be adequately defended at the law court. This is because he has committed no offense.”

Falana reminded the gathering how Nigerians fought for their rights even under the colonial era, recalling how nationalists like Chief Anthony Enahoro chaired lectures organised on the need for revolution.

“So, let the authority in Abuja know that the call for revolution is not new in Nigeria. Political leaders in this country have over time called for revolution and they have never been arrested and prosecuted. If there is a mistake now, such must be corrected. This country belongs to all of us.
“Before today, they claimed that we must not engage in any activity on the street. We are trying to gather inside the hall, they claimed that we cannot do that. But because of our resolve, we won.

“Revolution is not a dinner party. It is a serious, rigorous and consistent battle for the soul of a country like Nigeria. Therefore, what we have done is a mere declaration of our resolve.

“The struggle is going to be in pains and it will require time. But I believe that we have started and there is no going back. What we have done is to challenge the Nigerian people to appreciate the enormity of crisis of underdevelopment that is confronting the country.

“We do not have revolution yet in Nigeria. But there are revolutionary pressure in Nigeria. We must seize the advantage of the moment and mobilise Nigerians on the need for revolution; tell them that it will come sooner than later.

“We all should have hope in the exercise. We have to go round the country and tell Nigerians. Nigeria occupies a prominent place globally. It is the only country with the largest concentration of black race. So, if we fail to get it right in Nigeria, the black race is doomed.

“That is why we all must declare our resolve to double our energy towards achieving the aim of revolution for the country,” he said.

Also at the event were Femi Aborisade, Seun Kuti, Martin Onovo, former governorship candidate for the National Conscience Party (NCP) Funsho Awe and former student unionist Lanre Legacy.

In his remark, Onovo expressed dissatisfaction over the state of affairs in the country, demanding the president’s resignation because his government “has failed.”

He lamented that Nigeria had the worst police in the world, attributing same to the mayhem being wreaked by murderous herdsmen.

“We understand how herdsmen have become the greatest threat overtaking Boko Haram. The government has failed and the leader of the government must resign. There is no democracy in Nigeria.”

Awe said there was need to correct all the bad things noticed in the country, adding that the time was right for revolution.
For Kuti, the movement was fighting for the collective interest of Nigerians and the country’s future.

“We all need to wake the citizens up to understand their rights. Until the people of Nigeria are ready to save themselves, no one will safe them. We all have the right to peaceful protest. We must demand for the release of Sowore today,” he said.

Aborishade accused the President of criminalising the people’s constitutional right to peaceful protest, noting that it was constitutional for citizens to revolt against any policy that affects them.

“The failure of government to provide employment violates the dictates of the constitution. President Muhammadu Buhari is criminalising the rights of the people. If they say that I am a terrorist for asking for free medical care for the masses, free education for all, then, I am guilty for that and will like to be prosecuted.

“I demand that Sowore and others be released by the government. Nigeria has been turned to prison. We will ensure that the citizens enjoy the tenets of democracy. The law is taller than the president. I refuse to live in any society that is governed by the whims and caprices of the president and not the constitution. We reject enslavement,” he said.

However, the police denied obstructing the gathering nor arresting anyone, insisting they were at the venue to maintain the peace.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of Operations Mohammed Ali told The Nation on telephone that it was normal to deploy cops to avoid any breakdown of law and order.

“It is not true that the police disrupted their gathering. They were billed to have a press conference and they did. There was no disruption whatsoever and I do not have information of any arrest there,” he said.

Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday locked scores of civil servants outside the main gate of the old secretariat in Ilorin, the state capital for late coming.
The governor told the civil servants that late coming to work is unhelpful for government business in the 21st century.

Many of the affected workers were still locked outside the main gate by the time AbdulRazaq left the secretariat a few minutes before 10 a.m.
“The governor is not happy that he got to the Government Secretariat at about 7:55a.m.

Monday and for over one hour only a few workers were at work. Most offices were still locked as at 9a.m. He feels very unhappy about such an attitude and calls for change,” Rafiu Ajakaye, spokesman for the governor, said in a statement following the unscheduled visit.

“Late coming and poor attitude to work certainly will not be tolerated. The civil service should be business-like and efficient in service delivery. As we try to support the civil service to deliver on its mandate, we expect a drastic shift from old practices that have taken our state nowhere,” the statement added.

AbdulRazaq also commended the staff of the Children’s Hospital at Centre Igboro for their dedication to work.

“The governor wishes to specially commend the staff of the Children’s Hospital for their exemplary service beyond the call of duty. He appreciates them and urges them to continue that way,” the statement added.

The commendation followed AbdulRazaq’s impromptu visit to the hospital on Sunday to check the state of their facilities.

The governor, while touring various offices in the old secretariat, asked the few workers present about their routines and what they needed to render better services to the public.

AbdulRazaq, meanwhile, directed the Kwara State Scholarship Board to present a memo detailing the state of student bursary and scholarship.

He gave the directive during the tour of the secretariat, adding that the board should direct all students to open accounts.
He also asked the board to henceforth adopt e-payment for the disbursement of bursary.

Friday Olokor , Abuja



The Federal Government said on Friday it had lodged a complaint with the National Broadcasting Commission against live sex on stage during the ongoing reality show popularly known as # Big Brother Naija .

The government also said it had concluded arrangements with Startimes to come out with a modified BBN that would reflect the true Nigerian culture where Nigerian food would be eaten and Nigerian dresses worn.

The Director -General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe,, stated this when the President of the National Council of Women Societies , Dr Gloria Shoda , visited him.
He said that in 2020 , the NCAC would represent the 2008 Nudity Bill titled ‘ A Bill for an Act to punish and prohibit nudity , sexual intimidation and other -related offences in Nigeria, ”

sponsored by the former chairperson, Senate Committee on Women and Youth , Eme Ekaette .
“ We are going to represent that bill You can ’t fight a battle without a legal framework ; we are definitely going to be conscious of that ” , Runsewe assured .

Our correspondent reported that one of the contestants in the BBN , Khafilat Kareem , aka Kharfi ( 29 ) , came under criticism after being filmed live allegedly having sex with another housemate , Ekpata Gedoni, 31 .

Already , her employers , Metropolitan Police Force, UK , denied knowledge of her participation in the reality show , fuelling speculations that she might be fired .

She was said to have joined the force as a PC based at Lambeth station in 2015 after she worked part -time as a special constable for four years.

The NCWS leaders came to support the government ’ s position against the controversial music video released by a popular musician , Augustine Kelechi , aka Tekno , with scenes of four nude women dancing in a moving van on the Lekki -Ikoyi Link Bridge in Lagos .

The artiste, in the four - minute video , was seen throwing money perceived to be dollars at the young nude women .

Runsewe said, “ I will take up the issue of Big Brother Naija ; I have spoken with officials of the National Broadcasting Commission because what is going on now is terrible . Having love affairs on screen is not part of our own culture at all .

“ Let me use this forum to tell Nigerians that a new Big Brother Naija is on its way coming and we are working with Startimes . We are doing BBN that will reflect the true Nigerian culture . We are already working on it , all that will be eaten there will be Nigerian food, the dresses will be Nigerian dresses. ”

The NCWS President said although she was not against the BBN reality show , the sex content was disgusting .

Shoda said , “ Having a live sex on stage is the thing affecting my sensibility and it is impacting negatively on the young children coming up . Does it mean that they can ’ t abstain from sex for three months ? I’m condemning the sex content on BBN . ”

When President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurates his cabinet on Wednesday, a group of people will stand out. They are the Alumni of the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in Kaduna State.

They attended the institution at different times, but fate and Buhari has brought them together as members of the Federal Executive Council, who will execute the Next Level Agenda of the Daura, Katsina State born retired general.

The journey to Wednesday’s historical date started on July 23, 2019, when, Buhari forwarded a list of 43 nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation for appointment as ministers. Not willing to delay the screening of the long awaited nominees, the Senate immediately resolved to suspend its annual break for one week, in order to treat the list with dispatch before going on the long holiday.

However, beyond the peripheral glimpse on the ministerial list as forwarded to the apex legislative chamber for screening, Sunday Telegraph decided to take a deeper and critical look at other indices and compositions of the list. Doing this, it was observed that out of the 43 nominees, nine were nominated from the North West geopolitical zone while President Buhari allotted seven ministerial slots to the North East.

Also, the North Central, South West and South South all got equal ministerial slots of seven while only the South East geopolitical zone got the least slot of six appointees.

It is also important to note that while the North West has seven states and the largest among the six geopolitical zones of the country, the other four have six states, and only the South East has five states, a situation that has been a point of agitation for the disadvantaged region, as it seeks to get one additional state for a balance. Meanwhile, one striking issue of interest in the configuration of Buhari’s next cabinet ministers is that 13 of the 43 ministers-designate, representing 30.23 per cent are alumni of the reputed ABU.

A statistical breakdown of the number shows that four of the ministers-designate, representing 9.3 per cent who are products of the ABU, are from the Boko Haram insurgency stricken North East zone of the country.

The appointees from this zone are Mohammed Musa Bello (Adamawa), who is the immediate past Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Adamu Adamu (Bauchi), who is the immediate past Minister of Education.

Other ABU Alumi in the list of the recently confirmed ministerial appointees are Ambassador Maryam Katagum (Bauchi) and Mustapha Baba Shehuri, who hails from Borno State. Ambassador Katagum obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English and a Graduate Certificate in Education at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1976 before she proceeded to the United States of America for further studies.

Six out of the 13 ABU graduate ministers-designate, representing 13.95 per cent are of the North West extraction namely: Engr. Sulaiman Adamu (Jigawa) and Zainab Shumsuna (Kaduna), who is the immediate past Minister of Finance. Others are Sabo Nanono (Kano), Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi (Kano), Muhammadu Maigairi Dingyadi (Sokoto), and Sa’adiya (Zamfara).

Further more, two of the ministers-designate representing 4.65 per cent of the total nominees are from the North Central states of Kogi and Niger in the persons of Ramatu Tijani and Ambassador Zubairu Dada, respectively. Only two of the appointees are from the Southern part of Nigeria.

One is a former Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Goddy Jedy-Agba, from Cross Rivers State, and Sunday Akin Dare, from Oyo State. It is also important to note that there are a total of seven women among the 43 ministerial nominations made by President Buhari, and out of them, seven are products of the Ahmadu Bello University.

The three female appointees are Ambassador Maryam Katagum, Ramatu Tijani and Sa’adiya Umar Farouk. They were among the senators who were asked by the Senate to “take a bow and go” during the just concluded ministerial screening.

The United States Department of State has said that Nigeria made no significant progress in fiscal transparency .

Fiscal transparency refers to the publication of information on how governments raise , spend, and manage public resources .

More specifically , it means publication of high quality information on how governments raise taxes, borrow , spend , invest , and manage public assets and liabilities .

This was the submission of the U . S . Department of State 2019 Fiscal Transparency Report spanning January 1 – December 31 , 2018 .

The report describes the minimum requirements of fiscal transparency developed, updated , and strengthened by the Department in consultation with other relevant federal agencies .

It reviews governments that were originally identified in the 2014 Fiscal Transparency Report , and assesses those that did not meet the minimum fiscal transparency requirements and indicates whether those governments made significant progress toward meeting the requirements during the review period of January 1 – December 31 , 2018 .

The report also provides a description of the use of the Fiscal Transparency Innovation Fund.
The American Government undertakes annual reviews of the fiscal transparency of governments that receive U .S . assistance .

The assessment helps to ensure that U .S . taxpayer funds are used appropriately and provide opportunities to dialogue with governments on the importance of fiscal transparency .

Released on Thursday , the report notes that the minimum requirements of fiscal transparency include having key budget documents that are publicly available , substantially complete, and generally reliable .

“ The review includes an assessment of the transparency of processes for awarding government contracts and licenses for natural resource extraction , ” it states.

Continuing , the report states, “ Fiscal transparency is a critical element of effective public financial management , helps build market confidence , and underpins economic sustainability .”

It adds that fiscal transparency fosters greater government accountability by providing a window into government budgets for citizens, helping citizens hold their leadership accountable , and facilitating better - informed public debate.

The Department concluded that , of the 140 governments evaluated pursuant to the Act plus Equatorial Guinea , 67 did not meet the minimum requirements of fiscal transparency .

Of these 67 , however, 13 governments made significant progress toward meeting the minimum requirements of fiscal transparency .
Nigeria is one of the countries that did not meet the minimum requirements for fiscal transparency

see full report here: https://www.state.gov/2019-fiscal-transparency-report/

The intention of the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Agboola Ajayi, to resign from the cabinet and contest the 2020 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, is generating ripples in the opposition party.

Sunday Independent gathered that Ajayi is seriously oiling his political machinery to give Akeredolu a running battle at the polls.

It was gathered from reliable sources that Ajayi has the backing of one of his allies, the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to throw his hat into the ring.

He may resign from the Ondo State cabinet in December.

Ajayi and Tambuwal are friends and colleagues in the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2011.

According to impeccable sources, Ajayi already has a running mate in Hon. Adedayo Omolafe, a member of the House of Representatives representing Akure North and South Federal Constituency.

Ajayi will equally enter into the race with the support of two of the three commissioners that were sacked recently by Akeredolu.

The former commissioners are Prince Solagbade Amodeni of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and Mr. Taofiq Abdusalam of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructures.

They are said to be preparing to dump the APC to support Ajayi for the PDP ticket.

The sacked commissioners were alleged to be hobnobbing with some governorship aspirants of the party seeking to oust Akeredolu in the next year election, and some leaders of the APC, within and outside the state. It was alleged that they had a political meeting with leaders of the party who are not on the same page with Akeredolu’s second term ambition.

The Deputy Governor is said to confident of clinching the PDP governorship ticket because of the exit of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko from the PDP to Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
According to a top PDP politician in Ondo State (name withheld), Atiku, Tambuwal and Makinde will slug it out for their cronies during the gubernatorial polls next year.

“We are all watching as the game is drawing closer. All these claims and counterclaims are because of the intrigues for the ticket of our party. We are aware that the Deputy Governor, sensing that he might be dropped by Akeredolu, is making efforts to return to us. You know Ajayi left the PDP for APC when Mimiko denied him a Senatorial ticket in 2015. But his rumoured running mate (Adedayo Omolafe) is an old PDP member who has been consistent with the party, so their ticket might be a perfect match. Ajayi is an asset to us any day,” he boasted.

Continuing, the astute politician added; “You will recall that former Governor Mimiko forced him (Ajayi) out of the party he toiled to build in his local government, Ese Odo. Now that Mimiko has left disgracefully, he can return to us and strengthen the party. Rather than allowing Jegede (Eyitayo) who is a new man imposed by Mimiko, majority of us will prefer Agboola Ajayi from the South to run as a candidate provided he picks an old member as his running mate. There is nothing wrong if he runs because all efforts are to stop the APC from coming back in the state.”

However, Ajayi’s interest might clash with that of the PDP standard-bearer during the 2016 governorship election in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), who disclosed last week that he will give a shot at the governorship election coming up next year in the State.

According to Jegede who lost the 2016 election to incumbent Governor Akeredolu, God has directed him to contest the 2020 governorship election.

While Ajayi is from Ondo South Senatorial District, Jegede is from Ondo Central Senatorial District.

Eyitayo will enter into the race with the moral and financial supports of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Jegede has already visited Akure South Local Government as well as Idanre Council Area where he intimated party leaders of his ambition.
“I am here to thank you for the support you gave me during the 2016 governorship election. I see myself as somebody who is ready to serve. I contested the last gubernatorial election and we knew the result, the following day we went to church to thank God for how far He had helped us.

“Now, I consulted God Almighty again, I asked if I should go forward on this project, He answered me that I should go ahead.

“I am asking you whether to go ahead or not? This is not the time for the campaign. We will surely come back when the time comes. I seek your support for our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and appreciate you for all your efforts both during the 2016 governorship election and the last general elections. ”

Another politician who intends to contest the 2020 gubernatorial race in the state is Chief Eddy Olafeso, the South West Zonal Chairman of the PDP.

He is said to be enjoying the support of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

Olafeso refused to answer phone calls or respond to WhatsApp messages sent to his phone on Saturday.

Ajayi refused to react to the development when asked about his reaction to the planned defection to PDP. He promised to speak on the development whenever he was free, saying he was at a function, but failed to do so as at presstime.

By Rauf Oyewole, 



Bauchi Assembly of Youths Political Actors (BAYOPA) has threatened to initiate recall process against 17 members of the House of Assembly for rescinding their peace pact following the crisis in the house.

Central coordinator of the group, Hashim Pali, told newsmen on Sunday that the youth group would mobilise the constituencies of the 17 aggrieved members to institute a recall process, if they fail to rejoin their colleagues in the next seven days.

The group said it issued the ultimatum to ensure peace among the 31 members of the assembly for the state’s development.

“Seventeen lawmakers under the All Progressives Congress (APC), after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari and party leaders last week, rescinded the inauguration they participated in at the House of Assembly few days before.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the unfortunate, unreasonable anti-people decision by some members of the house led by Kawuwa Damina in renouncing the truce they had some weeks ago, which resulted in their inauguration.

“These two-faced people, who were guests to the president last week, went and presented a rather defeatist, self-serving and democratically dangerous position to him as far as the interest of Bauchi is concerned.

“Bauchi State, as well as its development, is the issue of concern to our people; hence it is a greater interest that must prevail. It is against this background that we are serving a seven-day warning to them to rescind their latest decision on the issue or we shall mobilise our people to proceed with a recall process against them,” BAYOPA said.

Pali further claimed that the progress of the state was slowed down because of the lingering crisis in the assembly.

“Their actions are slowing the pace of development of our dear state. We hope that these members will heed our warning and do the right thing, else we will be forced to recall them,” he said.

John Ameh , Adelani Adepegba, Success Nwogu, Olaleye Aluko and Justin Tyopuusu




The Defence Headquarters has ordered the 93 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Takum , Taraba State , to produce the fleeing kidnap kingpin , Alhaji Hamisu Wadume, as evidence that its soldiers are not culpable in his escape after three policemen and a civilian were killed at a checkpoint in Ibi , last Tuesday .

A top military source at the DHQ confided in one of our correspondents on Monday that the battalion had been issued a directive to produce the runaway kidnapper.

The top military source said, “ The panel may not commence serious activities until after the Eid - el Kabir break . The Army had directed the battalion in Takum to produce the runaway kidnapper as evidence that its soldiers are not culpable .

“ The military will not hesitate to dismiss and court -martial any soldier found to be involved in shady business than allow the reputation of the Army to be toyed with .”

Also, the Nigerian Army headquarters confirmed that the captain who ordered the killing of the policemen and the civilians was being cross -examined at the 93 Battalion of the Nigerian Army , in Taraba State.

Findings by one of our correspondents on Monday however showed that the DHQ panel had yet to visit Taraba State but the IGP investigative team had been in Taraba .

The acting Director , Defence Information , Col . Onyema Nwachukwu , had said the panel was in “ compliance with the directive issued by the President and Commander - in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the joint committee has commenced work immediately .”

The Intelligence Response Team of the police led by ASP Felix Adolije had come under attack from soldiers along the Ibi -Jalingo Road while taking a kidnap kingpin , Wadume, to the Command Headquarters in Jalingo .

Three officers – Inspector Mark Ediale , Sergeants Usman Danzumi, Dahiru Musa and a civilian – died as a result of gunshot injuries .

The Nigerian Army had claimed that the soldiers fired at the IRT team because they failed to stop at three checkpoints , but this was dismissed by the police which demanded the whereabouts of the kidnap suspect who was allegedly freed by the soldiers .

Soldiers who killed policemen moved to Abuja
However, the arrested soldiers involved in the shootings were being detained in Takum before they were moved to Abuja, according to the top police source on Monday night .

The police source added that some police officers from Ibi division and other civilians who arrived early at the scene of the incident were also moved to Abuja to furnish the seven - man joint investigation panel about what transpired during the incident .

President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered the Defence headquarters to set up the panel to probe into the tragedy.

The DHQ had on Friday named a seven -man joint investigation panel , headed by Rear Admiral Ibikunle Olaiya, which has officers drawn from the army , navy , air force, police , the Department of State Services and the Defence Intelligence Agency .

The top police officer based in Taraba State but was attached to the IGP investigative team told one of our correspondents that the Army Captain from 93 Ada Barracks Takum who ordered the killings was called for questioning during the visit of the team .

He said, “ The soldiers who killed the three police officers and the two civilians have been moved to Abuja . I can ’t tell how many are they , but they were moved alongside some police officers attached to Ibi division and some early callers at the scene who have useful information regarding the incident .

“ From the video which we perused during the visit to Ibi , which I believe you also saw on the social media , one of the police officers was trying to identify himself with his ID card that they were police officers, yet they went ahead and shot at him.

“ It ’s really unfortunate , we have to calm our boys or else we would have had another incident this time police shooting soldiers while we were in Ibi . Five of those killed have been taken to Abuja too for autopsy, ” he said .

He , however, could not confirm whether the captain was also taken to Abuja .

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP . David Misal, who declined comments on the issue , however, said five of those killed have been moved to Abuja .

“ All the information you need now is with the Force PRO in Abuja , so there is little I can tell you , ” he said .

However, a senior police officer in the Force headquarters in Abuja confirmed to one of our correspondents that some suspects including soldiers arrested in Taraba State had been moved to the Force Criminal Investigation Department , Abuja .

The source, however , could not provide the number of the suspects .
As of the time of filing this report it was gathered that two military checkpoints along the Ibi -Wukari Road had been dismantled .

It was also gathered that the Police intelligence team who are trailing the fleeing kidnap kingpin have traced his location to Lafia , Nasarawa State , where he allegedly withdrew money from an ATM .


Buratai orders travelling soldiers to dress in mufti

Following the killing of the three police officers, the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen . Tukur Buratai , has directed troops on internal security duties to be cautious in their dealings with members of the police force .

Buratai also admonished travelling military personnel to do so in mufti in order to avoid confrontations with policemen .

The COAS in a letter dated August 9 and copied to all Army formations nationwide accused the police of making inflammatory comments in the social media which he said was capable of inciting the rank and file of the Nigeria Police to “ exhibit aggressive tendencies against the NA personnel . ”

The letter with reference number AHQDAIOPS/ G 3 / 240 / 232 written on behalf of the COAS by Brig . Gen . F . Omoigui , was titled , ‘Need for troops to be circumspect in dealing with members of the Nigeria Police . ’

It read in part , “ Accordingly , all troops on IS ( Internal Security ) duty as well as personnel travelling in and out of uniform are to be circumspect in their conduct to avoid escalation.

“ Consequently , formations and unit commanders are to educate troops to be cautious in their dealings with members of the NP in view of this development . Troops travelling on pass are to endeavour to do so in mufti. ”


PDP govs seek justice for killed policemen , others

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party Governors ’ Forum on Monday urged President Buhari to ensure that the soldiers that killed three police officers and a civilian were punished according to the law .

The PDP governors in a statement signed by their chairman , Seriake Dickson , who is also the Bayelsa State Governor , condemned the killing of the police officers .

Dickson also condemned the killing of a commercial motorcyclist in Abia State , Mr Chimaobi Nwogu , allegedly by another soldier identified as Cpl . Ajayi Johnson .

He said, “ We wish to reiterate that the killings are unnecessary . It is very pathetic that the Nigerian Army would abandon its constitutional role of defending the borders of the country from external aggression to descend into such lowly criminality . It is sad that a security personnel , who is paid and maintained with taxpayers ’ money , could turn around to kill the person he is being paid to protect .

“ We implore the Federal Government to adequately compensate the families of victims and ensure justice is served on the culprits . ”


Buhari awaits panel report , not indifferent to killings . – Presidency

However, the Presidency said on Monday that President Buhari would take appropriate actions over the killing of three police officers and a civilian by soldiers , contrary to criticisms suggesting that he was indifferent .

The President came under attacks by Twitter users on Monday , who accused him of not doing enough to get to the root of the matter.

The attacks forced the Senior Special Assistant to Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu , to react , saying that Buhari was only waiting for the outcome of the investigation being conducted by the Defence Headquarters .
In the tweets , one Twitter user , @PeterIjakpa , wrote , “ The President is incompetent in all ramifications .”

Another tweet by @ KentChidera, noted, “ So there is no time duration for the investigation ? This kind inquiry may last till 2023 .”

Replying via his handle , @GarShehu , the President ’s media aide wrote , “ In response to press questions , I will confirm that a committee was set up during the National Security Council meeting to investigate the killing of three policemen and a civilian by soldiers in Taraba State. ”

In another tweet , he wrote , “ Contrary to those mischievous insinuations , President Buhari had ordered the Chief of Defence Staff to set up an investigation committee with representatives from all the security organisations in the country , including the police force. ”

A third tweet denied that Buhari was indifferent , “ The President is not indifferent to the unfortunate incident , and would take a decisive action as soon as the report of the panel is submitted to him. ”

By Magaji Isa Hunkuyi,



Many people were said to have been arrested by team of detectives in Ibbi, Taraba State.

Several security agents were deployed to the town following the killing of three policemen and a civilian by soldiers at a checkpoint along Ibbi-Wukari road.

The team it was gathered was hunting for suspected kidnap kingpin Hamisu Wadumi who escaped at the checkpoint where the policemen were killed.

A source in the area told Daily Trust on Sunday that the team was led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari.

It was gathered that some of those arrested were taken to a police area command in Wukari while others were taken to Jalingo, the state capital.

More than 15 trucks of soldiers and policemen were said to be deployed in the town to effect the arrests.

It was also gathered that vehicles belonging to the suspected kidnapper were retrieved from his house and other locations in the town by the police.

Ibbi, located by the Bank of River Benue, is said to have been deserted following the killings of the policemen.

The Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP David Misal could not be reached for comments as his line was switched-off when our reporter called him.

A 15-year old girl (name withheld) has been debased and traumatized after she was gang raped by five students inside school campus in Lagos.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Federal College of Education, Akoka, Lagos, on 28th July, 2019.

Two of the students, namely Emmanuel Ezegbue, 24 and Kolawole Oluwabanwo, 23, have been arrested in connection with the dastardly act.

The Police did not however, state if the victim was a student of the institution but stated that the suspects and others now at large conspired and lured the victim to where they engaged her in marathon sex romp one after the other before they allowed her to go.

The victim later told her parents what happened to her and the matter was reported to the Police. The Police trailed the two suspects and eventually arrested them while the three others were said to be at large.

After interrogation, the Police found them culpable and they were charged before the Ogba Magistrates Court for the alleged offence.

The Court did not take their plea after the prosecutor, Christopher John, asked the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for advice.

Thus, the Presiding Magistrate, Mr. P.E. Nwaka, ordered their remand in prison custody without the option of bail and also directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send to the DPP for advice.

The defendants may be transferred to the High Court for rape if the DPP finds them culpable and recommends that they should be tried for the alleged offence.

If they are tried and found guilty, they may spend several years in prison custody for the alleged offence.

Leading transporter and Managing Director of Peace Mass Transit (PMT), Dr Maduka Onyishi, at the weekend displayed a rare feat of fear of God and exhibition of honesty and integrity, by returning a whopping sum of N2,219,500,000 which was overpaid into his account by the First Bank.

The amount was refunded by the business mogul in the presence of the press and other stakeholders.

A cheque bearing the overpaid amount was received on behalf of First Bank by the Business Manager, Commercial Banking, Mr Kokelu Ben and the Branch Manager, Unity Bank, Enugu Branch, Mrs Ifeoma Eleanya.

Explaining how he made discovery of the huge sum in his First Bank account, Onyishi said that he had requested for $3m from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN through Unity Bank PLC only to be paid $10m instead, which is about N3,219,500,000 representing an excess of N2,219,500,000.

He said: “The amount they paid in was N3,219,500,000 but my own money there is N1,000,000,000 so the balance is not my money. I said that I cannot invest this money and be gaining from another person’s money and I can’t also keep it. I can’t keep $7m Dollars that doesn’t belong to me.

“I told my bank to pay money into my account that I want to take 3 million dollars and they paid ten Million Dollars instead. I called them and informed them that the amount they paid to me was more than the amount I requested. They told me that the ten million Dollars was my money.
“I was angry with them. I asked them how come I have this kind of money and I’m not aware of it. I asked them how come they went ahead to invest my money without telling me so that I can use
my money and then I can know how much I have.

“I told them that they have failed to give me a statement of my account even when I have demanded for it severally. I discovered later that the amount was even more than what we are talking about because there was another person I asked the bank to pay money to whom they even paid extra.

“I made enquiries and they told me that I should wait until when it is time for banks to do reconciliation, they will discover whether the fault was from First Bank, Central Bank or Unity Bank. I waited for a whole month and no one called me. I told the devil that he is a deceiver and a liar. He knows that I need money now that is why this thing is happening now.

“That’s why I said, let me invite First Bank and Unity Bank and also invite journalists. I said let me give the money to First Bank, if they find out that the money is mine, they should return it. If it belongs to Unity Bank or CBN give it to them. If it is your own, keep it. So I am giving this money to you to keep on trust.”

He called on the management of CBN, Unity Bank and First Bank to look into the origin of the money and such leakages could come with dire consequences for any commercial institution.
“I had sent emails to the bank to inform them of the wrong payment and they didn’t find anything. My account in First Bank was not debited so they did not see it. Unity Bank did not see anything because they just received the money.

“Nobody knows if the money came through Central Bank because the money came through three organizations before it came to my account in Unity Bank. Why I am doing this is that if it is either First Bank Unity Bank or CBN that has this fault, they should as a matter of urgency block the loophole because this is a sign that people’s money have been missing everyday. It can also lead to a total collapse of any bank.”

The business manager, commercial banking, First Bank, Mr Kokelu Ben said that “I don’t have any official thing to say but I must state that Dr Onyishi is a man of Integrity. When we look in into the situation we will advise him on what happened and how to remedy this situation.

Josiah Oluwole

It was empowerment for stronger members of the APC who lost the last elections and for others who could win elections in their localities. That the list reflected a preference for politics above policy, is revealed in the bringing of more politicians and the weeding out of technocrats.

It took President Muhammadu Buhari six months in 2015 to put together a ministerial team for his first administration. In spite of the long delay, Mr Buhari would later confirm the claim by his wife, Aisha, that his government was hijacked when he stated on July 19 that his first ministers were foisted on him by his party.

Mr Buhari had a second chance to act faster, but he did not change his style. He was reelected in February 2019, but it took him months to put together his team.

While addressing the leadership of the legislature, the president promised he would appoint only those he knew. Many took his statement for a hint that a good number of his ministers in the last administration would return. Fourteen eventually returned.

Constitutionally, the president is not expected to know personally all persons nominated for the office of ministers. The requirement is that each state should produce a minister.

There is no fixed political formula in the nomination of ministers from the states. The governors, if they are members of the ruling party, wield much influence in determining who represents their state. When the state is in the opposition, the party hierarchy in the state holds the aces. Majority of the nominees in the APC ruled states were obviously nominated by their governors. However, powerful players had overbearing influences that curtailed the powers of the state governors.

In the making of the 2019 ministerial list, PREMIUM TIMES learnt that it was the game of the governors and the godfathers, showing their strength at the corridors of power. There are others, notwithstanding, who are ready to take on the governors in the fight for a share.

Making good his promise to appoint those he personally knows, the president ensured the return of 14 of his former ministers. They are Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), Chris Ngige (Anambra),Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi), Geoffrey Onyema (Enugu), Zainab Ahmed (Kaduna), Hadi Sirika (Katsina), Abubakar Malami (Kebbi), Lai Mohammed (Kwara), Osagie Enahire (Edo) Suleiman Adamu(Jigawa), Mustaphar Shehuri (Borno), Musa Bello (Adamawa) and Adamu Adamu (Bauchi).

Most of the new ministers-to-be were either nominated by state governors or by the top party hierarchy, PREMIUM TIMES learned. The president is, therefore, not completely immune to the problem of not knowing most of his ministers. Besides those who worked closely at his campaign organisation, like Festus Keyamo and Adeleke Mamora, the larger number of his new cabinet seem to be new faces.



Buhari’s Men

Mr Keyamo, who represents Delta State in the new cabinet, was the Director of Strategic Communication in the Buhari 2019 Campaign Organisation. His rabid support for the president’s reelection bid may have earned him a place in the government. In the same manner, Godswill Akpabio, a recent APC stalwart in Akwa Ibom, risked all when he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party to support the Buhari reelection. He lost his bid to return to the Senate and it is only natural for the APC to give him a political lifeline, moreso, since he is the party’s most senior figure in the state.

In the southwest, where the national leader of the APC, Bola Tinnubu, calls the shots, things were a bit different. While he is the politcal king of Lagos, his allies in Messrs Fashola and Mamora may have attained a status of their own.

Having served the Buhari government well as minister in the last administration, Mr Fashola had the platform to strike his own bargain. Ditto for Mr Mamora, who had served as the Deputy DG of the Buhari Campaign Organisation and earlier appointed as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority.



The Governors versus the Godfathers

The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and his counterpart in Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi, ensured that their candidates in Tayo Alasoadura and Niyi Adebayo respectively scaled the hurdles to be nominated by the president. Mr Akeredolu virtually abandoned his duties in Ondo, relocating to Abuja to ensure that a swap or a last-minute delisting of his candidate did not occur.

Even the out-of-favour former governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, successfully pushed his candidate, Lekan Adegbite, through to the amazement of Mr Tinubu and the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo. Mr Amosun’s smooth ride against the tide could only be a testimony of his closeness to the president, especially considering his antiparty activities during the governorship election in Ogun State. Mr Adegbite served as Commissioner for Works under Mr Amosun as governor.

The emergence of Sunday Dare for Oyo State could not have been possible without the invisible hands of Mr Tinubu. Mr Dare, a former Editor with The News, had served as Mr Tinubu’s Chief of Staff. His choice was at the expense of Adebayo Shittu, former communications minister, who PREMIUM TIMES gathered, made efforts to return to the government; and Adebayo Adelabu, who lost the last governorship election on the ticket of the APC.

Rauf Aregbesola, the immediate past governor of Osun State, is comfortably the winner in Osun. While it could be taken for granted that his emergence was deserving, owing to his records as a party man close to both the party leaders and Aso Rock, his nomination did not come easy. PREMIUM TIMES learned that the state governor, Gboyega Oyetola, had pushed for the appointment of Iyiola Omisore, to cement the memorandum of understanding reached between Mr Omisore and the Osun APC during the rerun of the governorship election.

It was learnt that Mr Oyetola had forwarded his name to the Presidency, not in any particular effort to thwart the ambition of his predecessor, but to secure two nominees from the state as is the case in Lagos, Edo and other states. Mr Omisore’s loss, reports say, could mean his political nemesis, as his supporters are said to be grumbling as no benefit seems to be accruing from the pact.



Tinubu’s 2023 stakes

Mr Tinubu’s rumoured ambition to run for the Presidency in 2023 seems to have its imprints on all his political moves. It is believed that his plan to have his men in place ahead of the event has been successful so far. Despite the fact that he did not nominate all of them in the southwest, he is on political high ground, capable of drawing loyalty from the current beneficiaries. Having the southwest firmly in his grips is non-negotiable. His team comprising Messrs Aregbesola, Mamora, Fashola, and Dare are salutary to his interest.

Although Niyi Adebayo was nominated by the governor of Ekiti State, Mr Fayemi and the former Lagos governor are allies. While the same cannot be said of Mr Akeredolu and his candidate, Mr Alasoadura, the governor’s return bid is offering him a humble pie. He had expressed his willingness to “partner” for the benefit of their respective ambitions. Generally speaking, analysts believe that Mr Buhari’s ministerial list is a consolidator ahead of the 2023 general elections. It was empowerment for stronger members of the APC who lost the last elections and for others who could win elections in their localities. That the list reflected a preference for politics above policy, is revealed in the bringing of more politicians and the weeding out of technocrats.



Party influences

Emeka Nwajiuba, a member of the House of Representatives, was a surprise beneficiary of the politics of ministerial nomination. He was in Accord Party before his nomination. He was a beneficiary of a court verdict which upturned the election of Chike Okafor of the APC for not being validly nominated. Mr Nwajiuba defected from the AP to the APC barely 24 hours after he was nominated for ministerial appointment. He is reported to be a staunch Buharist, and a founding member of the APC who served in the constitution drafting committee of the party. His emergence has a rationale of the party’s growing need of a stronger foothold in the southeast region.

Feelers from Abia State indicated that Uchechukwu Oga was nominated from the state on the strength that he was the governorship candidate of the APC in the last governorship election. The party in the state had complained earlier in the year that the former Minister of Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, was not performing and representing them well.

“We have a minister on paper, but nobody feels his impact. Throughout the campaigns he showed no interest; he is supposed to help in building his party, but he has remained unconcerned and lackadaisical to the interest of the APC,” were the words of the publicity secretary of the party in the state, Benedict Godson in April. The party had resisted his nomination while projecting the nomination of Mr Oga. It was gathered that the president had to bow to the party’s pressure.

From Bayelsa, former Governor Timipre Sylva is replacing Heineken Lokpobiri in the federal cabinet. Mr Sylva, who had attempted to return to the governorship seat on the platform of the APC in previous elections, might be leaving the space for Mr Lokpobiri, who has already picked his form to contest for the governorship ticket of the party in the state. Mr Sylva’s nomination is not unexpected, given that he is the leader of the party in Balyesa.

Gbemi Saraki was a surprise pick from Kwara. But analysts suggest it was a strategy to keep the party in the minds of the people coming from the stalk of the Saraki patriarch who still enjoys a post humous adoration from many people in the state. It was learnt that she was particularly pencilled for a ministerial position owning to her standing by the party when all others, including her brother, Bukola, moved away to the opposition. Lai Mohammed, the returnee minister, was outstanding in ensuring the prosecution of the routing of the Bukola Saraki structure from the state. To many, Mr Mohammed deserved his “wages” and should it have been otherwise, it would have been a slight on his efforts.


The losers

Audu Ogbe, the former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, did not get a second chance to serve as minister. He debunked the rumour that he rejected the offer to return to the cabinet. According to Mr Ogbe, the president did not offer him a chance to return to cabinet after the left office on May 29. He also said he did not lobby for any appointment because he had a cordial relationship with the president and did not have to lobby for any position.

However, sources close to the former minister had revealed that the minister actually expected his reappointment, but was disappointed that his name was dropped, blaming it on a powerful cabal in the presidency. His replacement, George Akume, is a loyal party man, who is a former governor of the state and represented the people of Benue North West senatorial district for three consecutive terms of 12 years. During the period, he was the minority leader of the Senate between June 2011 and June 2015. But he could not secure a fourth term mandate occasioned by the defeat APC suffered at the 2019 polls in the state. His nomination is certainly a reward for his stand for the party, especially with the defection of the governor, Samuel Ortom, to the PDP, opening the way for Mr Akume to assume the role of the leader of the party in the state.

Solomon Dalung did not hide his crave to return to the federal cabinet, when in an interview, he said no one could stop him from returning to the cabinet if God wants him to. Mr Dalung sparked national outrage towards the end of his tenure when PREMIUM TIMES revealed his refusal for two years to repay the international athletics federation $130,000 the body said was paid to Nigeria in error. Rather than pay back, Mr Dalung attacked the body and argued about the genuiness of its error. Shocked Nigerians questioned his judgement and its implication for the country’s image.

His failure to make the list was a disappointment, as another former minister emerged to take the Plateau slot in the list of ministerial nominees. Pauline Tallen, a former deputy governor and former minister, is a member of the Board of Trustees of the APC. She had turned down an ambassadorial appointment last year for reasons that she could not leave her sick husband behind in the hands of others.

The absence of the name of former Lagos Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, on the list of nominees, in spite of his earlier humiliation from the governorship race, was another shocker. His nomination was widely speculated but he eventually lost out to the heavyweights in his state. With Mamora and Fashola on the list, Mr Ambode could not survive the politics.

Adebayo Adelabu, who contested the Oyo State governorship election on the platform of the APC after resigning from the Central Bank of Nigeria, was tipped to clinch the Oyo slot.

There are strong indications that a former governor of Ondo state also made an unsuccessful bid to be nominated. His nearness to the APC reportedly stemmed from his posture during the last election as he was said to have helped the APC to shore up votes for the House of Assembly seats.

There is every reason to agree with analysts from all political divisions, that the 2023 elections are in focus with the configuration of the new cabinet. The summoning of the political juggernauts from the “four winds” of the nation’s polity in preparation for the battle could be setting the stage for another bloody affair when the time of transition finally comes.

Olusola Fabiyi, Mudiaga Affe ,Ihuoma Chiedozie and Tunde Ajaja




Ahead of the review of the revenue sharing formula scheduled to start on Thursday , there are strong indications that state governors may demand 42 per cent of the federal allocation as against the 26 .72 per cent they currently get .

The governors are also asking that the share of the Federal Government be slashed from the current 52 . 68 per cent to 37 per cent , while requesting that the share of local governments be increased from the current 20 .60 per cent to 23 per cent in the new formula .

The Chairman , Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission , Mr Elias Mbam , had on Tuesday revealed that the commission would set up a committee in the coming week to review the revenue sharing formula for federal , states and local governments due to the current economic realities .

The current revenue sharing formula was designed during the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo , who ruled between 1999 and 2007 .

But, ahead of the inauguration of the review committee on Thursday , a highly placed source privy to the pre -meeting discussions among governors told one of our correspondents on Thursday that the governors might adopt the recommendation of a report earlier submitted by a sub -committee set up by the forum to review the formula .

The source, who asked not to be named , said, “ A committee was set up by the forum and that is the position of the forum on the matter of the revenue formula . The sub -committee met as far back as 2011 and it was made up of six governors, headed by the then governor of Lagos State , Mr Babatunde Fashola .

“ The members were Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State; Sullivan Chime of Enugu State; Babangida Aliyu of Niger State ; Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State .

“ From the report they submitted to the forum , they recommended that the Federal Government should now get 35 per cent ; states should get 42 per cent and local government should get 23 per cent . That was the recommendation and that is what we have continued to push for. ”

When asked what the governors based their proposal on, the source said they looked at their quest to be able to pay the minimum wage ; the need for more resources to fight insecurity and the decaying infrastructure in their domain , which, according to him, the states do not have the funds to address.

He said , “ The governors noted that managing states today is becoming very expensive and they mentioned the issue of security. Even though there is a central police system , the responsibility is falling on state governments to inject funds to help the agencies and so they have been involved in one way or the other.
“ The cost of securing the states has simply become more expensive and the burden is now heavy on the states. The population has also increased over time and these people are in the respective states.

“ So, when the governors said they needed some adjustments done with the revenue formula in order to defray the increase in the minimum wage , the new formula I mentioned to you was the formula they were referring to. The report was adopted and it was sent to the Federal Government but nothing was done about it .

“ During the negotiation for this minimum wage , the governors again presented their position . They were initially reluctant to agree to the N 30 , 000 but eventually , that was why they said if it ( minimum wage ) must be implemented with ease, there must be an adjustment , and so the report was again sent to the Federal Government but nothing was done about it . ”

When asked if the NGF would stick to the 2011 recommendation , he said , “ I’ m tempted to say yes, because there had been no cause to reconstitute another committee to review it , so even though it ’ s relatively old , as far as we are concerned , that is the official position .”

“ Yes, we know there has been this talk about states boosting their IGR and that they should be able to use that to take care of their recurrent expenditure, but the infrastructure for making that happen is not there .

“ If there is no security and the states are not safe, how do businesses make money and how do you generate revenue from them ? The management of the power sector is still substantially controlled at the centre and so if you can do something as a state to address the power problem , it could change a number of things .

“ On one hand , they are called the chief security officers of their states but on the other hand , the resources they need to make it happen are inadequate. So, we looked at all of these to arrive at that formula and that is our position . ”

State governors had at the National Economic Council meeting on January 18 , 2019 , renewed their call for a review of the nation ’s revenue sharing formula , saying it was necessary for them to be able to pay the N 30 ,000 new National Minimum Wage.

At the meeting , which comprised state governors and some key Ministries , Departments and Agencies of government and chaired by Vice -President Yemi Osinbajo , an official privy to the NEC meeting , said , “ The governors are asking for a review of the revenue sharing formula and government is looking at that. The Minimum Wage Technical Advisory Committee that was inaugurated recently is also looking into the revenue sharing formula .”

Over time , the formula has generated controversies and remained a key factor in the clamour for true federalism or restructuring .
Meanwhile, members of the Nigeria Governors ’ Forum have said they are ready to share their perspectives on how to have a new revenue formula with the revenue commission if invited .

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi , told one of our correspondents that the NGF had yet to take a common position on the issue .
“ No decision on this yet, but if the RMAFC approaches us, we will share our perspective with them ,” he said .

However, a governor who spoke to Saturday PUNCH on strict condition of anonymity, said members of the NGF would soon meet on the matter.

He said even though a report on the issue by the NGF was being studied and would be reviewed before presentation to the revenue commission , he said the governors would demand between 40 per cent and 45 per cent of the nation ’s revenue .

He said, “ We already have a template . The template is that we want between 40 and 45 per cent . This demand is based on realistic responsibilities that have been put on our neck by the constitution . Apart from this , there are instances whereby the Federal Government has abdicated its responsibilities to the states.

“ For example , states have taken over the funding of police . Apart from the payment of salaries and uniform for the policemen, it is the states that are almost solely responsible for their operations .

“ We are doing half of that for other security agencies. Look at the roads, states have been responsible for the maintenance and even reconstruction of federal roads in our states as well . Even federal hospitals have been abandoned to us. ”

Meanwhile, in response to enquiries by
Saturday PUNCH, the spokesperson for the RMAFC , Ibrahim Mohammed , confirmed to one of our correspondents that a review committee would be inaugurated on Thursday .

Even though he did not disclose the time to be given to the committee to conclude the assignment , Mohammed explained that the committee was a “ standing committee ” whose work was constitutional .

Our correspondent also learnt that the three tiers of government and other bodies would be expected to make presentations and submit proposals to the committee.

“ We ( RMAFC) will invite memoranda from not just the states, but also from civil society organisations and even the media ,” he added .
He explained that at the conclusion of its work , the committee would forward its report to the President .

Mohammed added, “ When we collate the data , we will subject it to subjective and objective analyses and then forward it to the President . Subjectively , we talk to some people , and objectively, we look at the economy and economic indicators.”

The RMAFC spokesperson was , however, silent on whether the commission had any projected take - off date for the revenue sharing formula that would be adopted . Rather, he said , “ We are starting with the committee first – when the committee is properly constituted , that will set the ball rolling and it is then that we can start talking of timelines .”

Meanwhile, efforts to get the position of the local governments on the review were unsuccessful as the National President , Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Mr Alabi David , declined comment on the matter, while the National President of the National Union of Local Government Employees , Mr Ibrahim Khaleel, did not answer several calls to his phone.

It is believed that these soldiers and their boss are working for the kidnapper, Wadume, who was later released. The operatives, who were on a follow-up in an ongoing kidnapping investigation, led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Felix Adolije, went to Taraba State with a letter detailing their inves- tigation and mission.

By Osa Okhomina



The apparent display of sudden friendship and political re-alignment between Governor Seriake Dickson and his predecessor, Chief Timipre Sylva over the latter’s ministerial nomination has raised suspicion and disquiet within the PDP and APC in Bayelsa State. In this report, OSA OKHOMINA examines the latest intrigues in the state.

When the American Economist, Anthony Downs developed the Rational-Choice Theory that explains how people use rational thinking to make decisions by considering both the costs and benefits of their options, they may never knew that it will determine the fierce political rivalry between Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State and his predecessor in office, Chief Timipre Sylva.

For the last seven years, the rivalry between the two politicians had gone from bad to worse with the media space in the state filled vile words to describe one another.

Worst still, during the days leading to the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections, they both descended low and cast aspersion on each other from administrative to political and finally personalizing insults with followers pushed into the abyss of violent confrontations.

But the events that led to the nomination and confirmation of the former governor and state seader of the APC, Chief Timipre Sylva, by President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly respectively, were more shocking to their followers and a relief to political observers in the state.

When many were expecting the two PDP Senators, Senator Lawrence Erukjaikpo and Senator Douye Diri to tear Sylva apart on the floor of the Senate, a suprise show of comradeship was put up based on the instructions of the State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The Governor òf Bayelsa State, the Honorable Henry Seriake Dickson, directed Bayelsa Senators to support the confirmation of former Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva as a minister of the Federal republic.

The Governor also congratulated Sylva, his major political opponent in Bayelsa in the past ten years on his selection as a ministerial nominee in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei.

He said that he has called on the senators to support Sylvia’s nomination as minister in the interest of Bayelsa as the Governor of all citizens of the state irrespective of political differences.

The Governor recalled that he congratulated former Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Heineken Lokpibiri, and canvassed similar support for him, when his name was forwarded to the senate in President Buhari’s first tenure.

He said that by Sylvia’s nomination, President Buhari displayed appreciation of loyalty, a virtue which he considers critical in political leadership.

He said that he had worked assiduously to enthrone a similar political culture in Bayelsa in the past seven years and called on political leaders to show the requisite loyalty in appreciation of the support for their followers.

He stressed that loyalty is a two-way virtue which should be considered pertinent both by followers and the leaders.

Leadership gathered that though, this was what was expected of the two political leaders from APC and the PDP, the decision was not without a four hours meeting reportedly held in Abuja.

It was gathered that the meeting, which was held at an undisclosed location, was one of the first in which the duo of Gov. Dickson and Chief Sylva, did not engage in malicious conduct towards one another. The deal was later sealed.

The result of the undisclosed deal led to the supportive escort to the Senate Chamber by the three Bayelsa Senators. It resulted in the ‘take a bow and leave’ privilege accorded Chief Timipre Sylva.

Minister-designate and former governor of Bayelsa state, Chief Timipre Sylva, also in reaction to the show of political sportsmanship by Governor Dickson thanked him, his excellency Hon Henry Seriake Dickson, saying ‘The message from the Bayelsa Senators Caucus was well received, as was the statement of congratulations by the state government spokesperson.’

Chief Sylva, in the statement issued through, Mr. Julius Bokoru, his Media Assistant, ‘ Sportsmanship has never been better exhibited, and chief Sylva, a passionate advocate of a Bayelsa with a United goal for peace and oneness,  is appreciative of this. ‘

‘It appears the loosening stranglehold of godfathers is producing a new improved Governor Dickson. Sylva believes that Bayelsa State will be better off without the political shenanigans of yesterday’s-men grandstanding as know-all’s.’

‘With this positivity, inclusiveness and vigour, Bayelsa state would have soared to enviable heights by now. Sylva urges Dickson to remain positive and focused for the remainder of his tenure as the common enemy of the Bayelsa people are the forces whose patronage comes from planned backwardness’

‘Sylva thanks the good people of Bayelsa state for their unyielding support and wishes a smoother conclusion of the restoration administration.

The new relationship between the duo of Gov. Dickson and Chief Timipre Sylva is however generating suspicion among the loyalists of the PDP and the APC in the State.

While the APC supporters considered the new relationship as one borne out an alleged possibility of Gov. Dickson’s defection to the opposition, ‘ in search of soft landing after his tenure as Governor and a way of threatening the ruling PDP over the alleged refusal for him to singlehandedly produce his predecessor.’

The supporters of the PDP, said though they believe the Gov.Dickson display towards Sylva is a welcomed development,’we are hoping it is not another subtle threat to those opposed to his plan to produce his successor. We believe he is total PDP man and he can’t risk defection.’

But the Senate President, Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan however applauded the healthy political gesture displayed by the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson over his resolved that aided the speedy screening and confirmation of his predecessor, Chief Timipre Sylva who has been nominated by the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari to serve as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Senate President, Lawan applauded the incumbent Governor of Bayelsa State, a member of the People Democratic Party (PDP), during his brief remark after the Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe hinted the Senate on the unanimous decision reached by the three Senators from Bayelsa State in their caucus meeting, to support the nomination cum confirmation of the Chief Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa Minister Designate) as directed by their Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson.

The Minority Leader noted that, he was duly informed that the Governor of Bayelsa State has formally congratulated the ministerial nominee, Chief Timipre Sylva, and had communicated his position to his Bayelsan Senators in the Nigerian Senate.

“Let me state that, the caucus of Bayelsa state in the senate, have told me that they have met him (Timipre Sylva), and in a good stand with him.

“Also, I was informed that the state Government has even gone ahead to congratulate him to as their son” which is a show of oneness and unity in the interest of Bayelsa State, the minority stressed, requesting that the Nominee should take a bow and go, being a former lawmaker in the then old Rivers state.

Lawan, while commending Gov. Dickson for his political gesture, described him as a shinning example of patriot. Adding that, politicians, irrespective of party differences and platforms should emulate the gesture displayed by the Bayelsa Governor in the interest of their people and Nigerians at large.

“Let me remark that what the Governor of Bayelsa State has done. And what the Caucus of Bayelsa state in the Senate did, shown patriotism, desire to work together, to make not only Bayelsa State develop and be peaceful, but take Nigeria to the next level.

“This is a shinning example of what our politicians across Nigeria should be doing. We are suppose to serve the same people, regardless of our political platforms,” Lawan noted.

The President of the Senate used the medium to congratulate the ministerial nominee, Timipre Sylva and commended him for his contributions toward a peaceful Nigeria as contained in his Curriculum Vitae, urging him not to relent in that regards, trusting that he will suggest to the President of Nigeria, sustainable ways through which the Federal Government could end insecurity in the country when he is eventually assigned portfolio.

 

“I Will work closely with PDP—Gov. Dickson

Governor Seriakr Dickson has however promised to work closely with the party leadership to ensure the conduct of credible, free and fair primaries in Bayelsa.

According to the Governor, while the aspirants who have picked the party’s nomination have the right to pursue their ambition, the leadership of the party would watch and indeed monitor the build up to primaries.

Gov. Dickson also restated his earlier position that the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party has not endorsed any aspirant for the candidature òf the party.

A statement by the Special Adviser, Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, quoted the governor as having called on Bayelsans to discountenance aspirants claiming to have his endorsement.

The Governor said that he would commence intensified consultations with aspirants and critical stakeholders at the national and state levels of the PDP with the conclusion of the sale of the gubernatorial nomination form for the next election.

He stressed that his earlier stance that there was no anointed aspirant in the forthcoming gubernatorial election had not changed because there was no such aspirants.

He said, “Now that the collection of gubernatorial forms have ended, the leadership of the party in the state wishes to say that there is no anointed aspirant against the practice in those states where outgoing governors endorse one single aspirant.

“I decided to open the state for people in my government,my team and other members of the party who have interest to indicate their interest.

I promise the state that there would be no imposition so would it be.

“The aspirants who have bought firms have the right to express their ambition but the state leadership òf the party should watch keenly. I am following the comments and making observations and in appropriate cases making consultations.

“Now that the end of purchase of forms have come, I will intensify consultations both with aspirants, party leaders and other stakeholders. “

And at the end of the day, I intend to work with the party at the national and state levels to ensure that there is a free and fair election.

Those using my name should be disregarded, it is not true, I have not endorsed anybody yet”.

By Matthew Ogune



Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Property (SPIP) said it has discovered over 1,500 landed properties owned by unidentified Nigerians in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Chairman of the panel, Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla, who disclosed this to newsmen in his office in Abuja, added that the federal government has begun move to synergies with the International Police (Interpol) to unravel the owners of the said properties. He said: “Document in our possession is showing that some Nigerians has over 1,500 landed properties in Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UEA).

“We are working with the Interpol to unravel the identity of this Nigerians, because the information came in the form of phone numbers, both Nigeria phone numbers and international phone numbers, and I believe there is a technology that would be used to unravel the identity of this people.

“I can assure you that we will go to every extent to unravel this people and bring them to justice. It is not only public officers who have such properties, even business and private people.

“We are working with Interpol, because the work we are doing transcend the borders of Nigeria and some people take assets abroad. So, investigation cannot be localised, but we do not have the structure to do international investigation; hence we have partnered with the Interpol to assist us in our international investigations.”

According to him, any Nigerian who owns a property abroad is supposed to pay tax to the federal government, insisting: “If you have properties abroad and you do not pay tax to the Nigerian government you are committing an offence.”

Sadiya Mohammed, a 22-year-old mother from Yobe State is currently carrying a strange pregnancy which has left her life in the balance.
Everyone in her community thought she was pregnant for her third child but it turned out to be a far cry from the good news of having another baby.

Sadiya Mohammed, a mother of two from Unguwar Waziri, Potiskum town of Yobe state is nursing a strange pregnancy that has currently defied medical diagnosis as she has been unable to deliver her supposedly expectant baby for more than one year, investigation has raveled.

According to a Facebook post from one Hussaini Mohammed Isa where who first came in contact with the young mother and posted the touching story, Sadiya’s hope of cure hangs in the balance without any intervention from a philanthropist from any part of the country or Yobe State Government.


https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/tumour-227x170.jpg


“She has visited both Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Hospitals all within Yobe State and was diagnosed severally but Doctors kept telling her that they couldn’t detect the cause of her abdominal disorder which led to the swollen,”, Hussaini was quoted as saying.

The Nation checks also gathered that the young mother of two has resigned to fate and prayers as to whether to die or live with little or no resources at all to carry out the proper diagnosis talk more of solving the problem itself.

A German woman attempted to buy a vehicle from a car dealership in the southwestern city of Kaiserslautern last Friday using counterfeit currency she printed off at home.

She carried a wad of €15,000 (about N6.7 million) to the dealership in Kaiserslauterna for the used 2013 Audi A3, only for her plan to backfire as she left the location in handcuffs and riding in the back of a police car.

Exposing the woman’s plan did not require keen investigative skills, after she opted to print the bogus 50 (about N20,250) and 100 (about N40,500)-euro notes via a regular ink jet printer, according to German news outlet DW News.

When police searched the 20-year-old woman’s home in the nearby city of Pirmasens, 21 miles south of Kaiserslautern, they found the printer loaded with freshly printed “money” along with €13,000 (about N5.3 million) worth of mock euros.

Germany’s Federal Criminal Police (BKA) states that “imitating money with the intention of putting it on the market” is punishable by at least one year behind bars. However, the state prosecutor has yet to determine criminal charges against the woman.

The BKA said that although professional forgers use highly sophisticated technology to print currency, amateurs can easily access counterfeiting equipment online and require “no special knowledge”. They added that the 50-euro note ( about N20,250) is the most counterfeited.

A former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has said that without unity in the ranks of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa state, the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) may find their way into the governance of the state come November 16, 2019.

The Special Adviser to Governor Seriake Dickson on Media Relations, Mr Fidelis Soriwei, quoted the former president as saying this during the PDP elders advisory council meeting held at the Bayelsa Government House in Yenagoa on Tuesday.

He said: “It is only our unity that can give us victory and if we are not united, they (APC) can get away with it.

“For example, it took the unity of the people of Rivers state including women who were resolute against soldiers to get the PDP victory in the state. If that had not happened, the opposition would have taken it.

“Though, the opposition All Progressive Congress, APC, in Bayelsa State lacks the political presence at the ward, local government and state levels to win the November 16, 2019, governorship election, but PDP must be more united to retain power in the state.

“I need to plead with all the aspirants and all political leaders that there should be no mudslinging. We must free the space and eschew rancour because finally one person will become the candidate of the party and for that one person to win the election, all aspirants must work for that person.

“For us to secure this state for PDP, we need maximum unity and that is why all the 21 aspirants are important to us; we must have that maximum unity and must not create any form of division or discrimination.

“At the end of the day one person will emerge and all of us will work for whoever emerges as candidate of the party,” he said.

Earlier, Governor Dickson had stressed the need for members of the party to forge a united front to maintain its dominance and control of power in the state starting with the local council elections billed for August 10.

He therefore called on all members of the party, particularly the governorship aspirants to work hard for the victory of the chairmanship and councillorship candidates of the PDP in this Saturday’s election.