₦airaland Forum

A jealous man, one Mr, Sozy Adebor, has been arrested for allegedly killing a customer for peeping at his lover in a popular hotel in Lagos.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at the popular hotel known as T. Lounge located at Oladunni Street by Council Bus Stop in Idimu, Lagos.

The hotel has temporarily been shut after the family of the victim identified as Diolu deposited his corpse inside the hotel and attempted to burn it down while protesting over the murder.

It took the intervention of the DPO, CSP Oliver Ezerim, who deployed the police officers that retrieved the corpse and deposited at the mortuary for autopsy report. The police then arrested Adebor and detained him at the police station for the alleged murder.

P.M.EXPRESS scooped that Adebor brought the unidentified lady to the hotel for a sex romp when she went to ease herself and had altercation with the late Diolu.

She went and reported to Adebor that the deceased came to where she was urinating and was peeping at her private part. In anger, Adebor immediately confronted Diolu and they had an exchange of words.

In the process, Adebor carried a stone and hit Diolu on the head; he collapsed and bled profusely. The management rushed Diolu to an undisclosed hospital where he eventually died before the doctor could revive him.

The death sparked a protest before the police intervened and restored peace in the area. The police also stationed two patrol vehicles and armed officers to prevent further breach of public peace.

When our correspondent visited the hotel, it was shut as customers and visitors were not allowed to gain entrance.

At the Idimu Police Division, the DPO was not around to comment on the matter when our reporter visited the police station.

However, the suspect, Mr. Adebor was seen detained in the cell as sources at the police station confirmed the incident and said that it was a case of murder which the Division had no jurisdiction to investigate.

The police source said that the suspect will be transferred to the homicide department at the SCIID Panti, Yaba, for further investigations as the autopsy report was being awaited to determine the cause of the death.

Residents who spoke to P.M.EXPRESS expressed shock over the death and lamented that since the incident happened on Sunday, there had been tension in the area and businesses had been grounded due to fear of possible arrest by the police.

A Kaduna Sharia Court sitting at Magajin Gari on Wednesday ruled that one Ibrahim Musa was the father of a four -month- old baby girl delivered by his wife , Aisha Buhari .

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Aisha had, on July 2 , dragged her husband before the court following his refusal to accept paternity of the baby she delivered .

The Judge , Malam Dahiru Lawal , after listening to both parties and their witnesses , said that under Islamic law , Musa could not now deny paternity of the baby after knowledge of his wife ’ s pregnancy two weeks after their marriage .

“In Islam , when one suspects his wife of infidelity and is in doubt of the legitimacy of her pregnancy , he must raise alarm and inform his (own ) guardian and that of his wife immediately.

“ But when a man continues having marital affairs with his wife even after the knowledge of the pregnancy , without showing contempt , then it means he has accepted the pregnancy .

“ That means he is the father to the child and would take full responsibility for the child , ” the judge ruled .

NAN recalled that the respondent , who was represented by a lawyer , was asked to present himself to the court on July 16 .

Musa, during hearing of the case , had told the court that he denied paternity of the baby because she was given birth to five months after their marriage .

However , Aisha told the court that Musa knew of her pregnancy two weeks after their marriage and didn’ t show any sign of grief on the matter until the time she gave birth .

“ We continued enjoying our marriage even after the result of my pregnancy was revealed , ’’ she said .

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE


A 7-year old girl in Lagos has exposed two married men who had abused her severally by telling their wives that she had slept with their husbands in their compound.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Sanusi Street in Shomolu area of Lagos where they resided.

The suspects, Mr. Osuntunbo Dare, 42 and Idowu Gbolahan, 29, have been arrested for defilement.

After the act was exposed, residents in the area expressed surprise and wondered what the attraction was for the suspects to have done such. It was gathered that the 7-year old victim had been subjected to sexual abuse since 2017 when Mr. Dare first defiled her and continued before Mr. Gbolahan later joined in the act in 2018.

They were said to have continued but warned her not to tell anyone about what they were doing to her.

However, the whole thing got exposed after the mother of the victim suspected her, checked her private part only to discover that she had been defiled. The 7-year old then revealed what had happened mentioning Gbolahan and Dare as being responsible for the dastardly act and their wives were informed about what had happened.

The matter was reported to the police at the Gender Section of the Command who arrested the suspects and detained them for further interrogations.

P.M.EXPRESS scooped that it was at the Command that the suspects knew that both of them were secretly sleeping with the victim after the girl confronted them before the police.

They were found culpable and charged before the Ogba Magistrates court for the alleged offence.

The prosecutor, Mr. Christopher John, informed the court that the defendants and the victim were neighbours where she was subjected to constant abuse.

The court ordered them to be remanded in prison without taken their plea.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. Peter Nwaka, directed the prosecutor to duplicate their file and send to DPP for advice.
The matter was adjourned till 24th September, 2018.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the defendants may be jailed up to 10 years if the DPP finds them culpable and they get convicted for the alleged offence.

By Samson Akintaro 


For the first time this year, number of active subscriptions for mobile telephony services in Nigeria dropped by 881,586 in the month of July.

The decline brought subscription figures to 161.4 million as against 162.3 million recorded in June.

Monthly statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday revealed that the loss occurred on two out of the four mobile networks.

According to NCC, MTN, which is the largest operator by number of subscribers, lost 999,891 users to close at 65.5 million subscriptions in July while 9Mobile shed 246,221 to record 15.6 million subscriptions in the month.

However, Globacom and Airtel gained more subscribers in the month. Glo added 214,646 subscriptions to hit 40.32 million, while Airtel gained 149,880 to record 40.04 million subscriptions in the month.

In the first three months of the year, 4.2 million mobile lines were activated to bring the total number of active GSM lines to 148.8 million as at the end of March.

However, April activations represented the highest monthly growth the operators have ever recorded so far as they activated 11.2 million lines to bring the total subscriptions to 160 million.

In May, the figure rose by 2 million to hit 162 million, while there was a marginal increase in June which left the subscription figure at 162.3 million.

Despite its loss in July, MTN retained its number one spot with 40 per cent share of the market, while Globacom and Airtel trail each other with equal market share of 25 per cent, leaving 9Mobile with 10 per cent.

Meanwhile, internet subscriptions across the mobile networks continue to grow despite the downtrend in general mobile subscriber database.

The number of active subscribers for data services on the four GSM networks rose to 103.6 million in July compared with 102.8 million recorded in the previous month.

MTN continued its dominance in the internet space as well with 39 million data subscribers while it was followed by Globacom which recorded 27.1 million.

Airtel and 9Mobile’s data subscriptions stood at 27 million and 10.3 million respectively.

The Parents of Leah Sharibu, the only girl still held captive by Boko Haram insurgents amongst other school girls abducted at Government Girls Science and Technical College Dapchi have confirmed the voice from an audio message from an Online publication, The Cable as that of Leah, their daughter.

The Nation reports that Leah Sheribu’s audio message was published by The Cable online news platform with her recent picture wearing a brown hijab dress.

In the message, Leah made an appeal for her release from Boko Haram captivity.

The audio is translated thus:
I am Leah Sharibu, the girl that was abducted in GGSS Dapchi. I am calling on the government and people of goodwill to intervene to get me out of my current situation.

“I also plead to the members of the public to help my mother, my father, my younger brother and relatives.

Kindly help me out of my predicament. I am begging you to treat me with compassion, I am calling on the government, particularly, the president to pity me and get me out of this serious situation. Thank you.”

Our reporter called Leah’s parents to confirm the veracity of the voice and both were in agreement that it is their daughter, Leah’s voice.

Both Mr. Nathan Sheribu and his wife Rebecca told our correspondent on phone that their hope has been re-iginited by the recent development having heard their daughters voice and seeing her recent picture.

“I can confirm to you that the voice that spoke is that of my daughter Leah. It is her voice no doubt. I am happy that I can hear my daughter speak. This has giving me hope that she is alive. I am also happy to see her recent picture displayed.

“My request is the same with my daughter. The government should play their part now by intensifying efforts to secure her freedom” Nathan said.

For the mother, her hope never died, though it has now doubled. She will however become happier the day her daughter is free.

Like her husband, Mrs Sheribu also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to without delay swing into action to free her daughter.

She also called on her daughter’s captors to unconditionally release her daughter to her so as to save her from the trauma she is going through.

The Nation reports that Leah along with her school mates were abducted in February from their school. Her mates were however released after one month but Leah was held back by the insurgents for the reason that she refused to renounce Christianity, her faith.

In the last seven months, there have been doubts as to whether she was still alive as well as whether she was still holding on to her Christian faith.

More than a month ago, the Excutive Director of Complete Care Foundation, Barr. Aisha Wakil popular known as Mama Boko Haram told reporters in Maiduguri that Leah was still alive hold on to her Christian faith.

“I am really worried about Leah Sharibu and her freedom from Boko Haram is very important to me. Leah did not renounced her faith in Christianity, that I can assure you and we shall do everything with both the government and the international organisation to ensure she regain her freedom just like her colleagues that were reunited with her families,” Mama Boko Haram said.

Today’s development has gone to vindicate her statement of the proof of life of the innocent girl still held by the insurgents in the last seven months.

Aminat508:
Where have you bn?

By Felix Nwaneri 




The All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a major move to take over the South-East and South-South zones in the 2019 general elections even as it continues to woo major political players in both zones into its fold.

The game plan of the ruling party is not only to ensure that its would-be candidates in both zones are returned during the elections, but most critically, to ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari, who would be flying the APC flag in the presidential election, wins block votes in the two zones unlike in 2015, when he and the party performed poorly.

Buhari was only able to poll 616,838 votes in the 11 states that make up the two zones in 2015 against 7,181,631 votes polled by then President Goodluck Jonathan, who contested the election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In the South-East with five states, the president polled 198,248 votes, while he was able to garner 418,590 votes in the six states of the South-South. In the South-East, the President polled 13,394 votes in Abia; 17,926 in Anambra; 19,518 in Ebonyi; 14,157 in Enugu and 133,253 in Imo, while in the South-South, he had 58,411 in Akwa Ibom; 5,194 in Bayelsa; 28,368 in Cross River; 48,910 in Delta; 208,469 in Edo and 69,238 in Rivers.

But, ahead of the 2019 presidential election, Buhari’s campaigners believe that the in-road so far made by the APC since 2015 in both zones will turn the table in the President’s favour this time.
They particularly said PDP was able to sweep the South-East and South- South in the last elections because its presidential candidate, Jonathan, hails from the area.

According to them, with the presidential candidates of the APC and PDP for the 2019 elections emerging from the North, the forthcoming presidential poll will definitely be different from that of 2015.
The Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation, which shares this belief, had boasted that APC will win not only the 2019 presidential election, but by a landslide.

Director of Strategic Communications of the campaign organisation, Festus Keyamo (SAN), who gave a state-by-state analysis of how the President will win the election, cited the “significant gains Mr. President is making in several places where he lost in the past, notably in the South- South and South-East.”

His words: “Apart from having governors in Edo and Imo states, the exemplary work of the President in the South-East and South-South, especially in terms of infrastructural developments, like the Second Niger Bridge and a whole lot of road constructions, APC is on the rise in these states and this momentum will surely rub off on the electoral fortunes of the President.

This can be seen in the high level defections to the APC in the last three years in these states and more are coming. “The recent election in Anambra State is also a testimony to the rising profile of the party in the South- East. In 2015, the President scored 17,926 votes in Anambra.

The most recent governorship election saw APC come second with over 98,000 votes, defeating PDP in the process. This is a pattern we expect in the 2019 elections throughout the South-East and South- South as compared to the last elections.

The President can only amass more votes from these regions and not less than 2015.” Keyamo also told New Telegraph in an interview that with the current demographic mapping of votes in the country, it will be impossible for the President to lose re-election in 2019.

He said: “The strong-holds of the PDP, which have even been broken now by the APC, cannot match the voters’ strength in the areas where they, the PDP, are weak. That is why I said it is mathematically impossible for the PDP to win the presidency in 2019. “APC has made serious inroads in what used to be the strongholds of the PDP.

The areas that PDP was strong in 2015, the APC has made serious inroads into those areas, like the South- South and South-East; we should not run away from that fact because the results are just there for all of us to see.” Besides federal projects ongoing in the two zones, which the party hopes the people of the area will reward it with votes; APC’s optimism is buoyed more by its growing popularity in both zones as a result of former chieftains of the PDP, who have joined the party after the 2015 elections.
In Abia State, for instance, the party is bank ing on former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu to lead its campaign against the ruling PDP in the state.

The former governor will work with the likes of former deputy governor of the state, Chris Akomas; former Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu; Senators Chris Adighije and Nkechi Nwaogu; APC 2015 governorship aspirant in the state, Nyerere Anyim; former speakers of the state House of Assembly, Stanley Ohajuruka and Martins Azubuike; former PDP governorship aspirant, Dr. Uche Ogah and the member representing Isuikwuato/ Umunneochi Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Nkiruka Onyejiocha, who defected to the APC at the weekend, among several others.

In Anambra that is currently under the control of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), there is likely not much at stake except the national and state Assembly polls as the state’s governorship contest was settled in November last year with APGA clinching the position through Willie Obiano despite the huge mobilisation by the APC and PDP.

Some analysts have opined that PDP and APGA had always had alliance when it comes to presidential election since 2011, but that may not play out in 2019 as the last governorship state left a sour tale between leaders of both parties.

The belief is that APGA may be more disposed to support APC this time though it is not clear if the party will field a presidential candidate. But, whichever way it pans out, APC has the likes of Minister of Labour and Productivity, Senator Chris Ngige; the senator representing Anambra South senatorial district, Dr. Andy Uba; Senator Uche Ekwunife; former APC National Auditor, Chief Gorge Moghalu and the party’s candidate in the November governorship election, Hon. Tony Nwoye to lead its campaign.

The party also has seasoned politicians to lead its campaign in Ebonyi State though Governor Dave Umahi is a known supporter of President Buhari despite the fact that he was elected on the platform of the PDP.

Among top APC members in the state are the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, former Governor Martin Elechi; Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation and senator representing Ebonyi South, Sonni Ogbuorji; Amb. Alex Nwofe, Labour Party’s governorship candidate in 2015, Chief Edward Nkwegu, Senators Emmanuel Agboti, Chris Nwankwo and Anthony Agbo and former members of House of Representatives, Christopher Isu, Tobias Okwuru and Peter Ogeali. Others are the former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu; former Minister of State for Power and Steel, Chief Goddy Ogbaga; former Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Augustine Nwankwegu and the immediate past Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Bernard Odoh, among others. The party also has political heavyweights in Enugu State in its fold and they are expected to give the ruling PDP in the state a run for its money. To lead the battle is a former governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo.

He would be working with the likes of former President of the Senate, Ken Nnamani; immediate past governor of the state, Sullivan Chime; former military administrator of Gombe State, Group Capt. Joe Oji (rtd); Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu; a onetime governorship aspirant in the state, Chief Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu; businessman, Emperor Baywood-Ibe and former Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Eugene Odoh.

Imo, which is the only state under APC’s control in the zone, is likely to go to the party. The state delivered 133,253 votes out of the 198,248 votes Buhari had in the South-East in 2015 and with Governor Rochas and the APC still in charge of the state, the party is expected to win more votes in the state in 2019.

Besides, the party has seen former PDP chieftains in the state defecting to its fold. They include the senator representing Imo West senatorial district, Hope Uzodinma, which brought to two, its senators in the state.

In the South-South, Edo State is already in the firm grip of the APC and with the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who hails from the state teaming up with Governor Godwin Obaseki, it is unlikely that another party will take over the state.

For Akwa Ibom that has been a stronghold of the PDP since 1999, the recent defection of the immediate governor of the state and former Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, to the APC, has not only altered the political calculation in the state, but will boost the chances of the ruling party in the oil-rich state.

Akpabio, a two-term governor of the state on the platform of the PDP and senator representing Akwa Ibom North West, moved to the ruling party with some of his loyalists, a move that has unsettled Governor Udom Emmanuel. The former governor is expected to work with his former allies, who later turned foes to deliver the state to the APC in 2019.

They include former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Don Etiebet; Managing Director, Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Umana Umana; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and former deputy governor of the state, Nsima Ekere, and Senator John Udoedehe; Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang and a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, among others.

The 2019 electoral battle in another oil-rich South- South state – Rivers – will be another interesting one as the immediate governor of the state and current Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, rallies his loyalists against a formidable opposition led by Governor Nyesom Wike.

Amaechi, who was the Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation in 2015, has been re-appointed for the forthcoming election. He would be banking on the in-road and electoral gain APC has made so far in the state after it delivered over 1.4 million votes to the PDP in the last presidential election.

Presently, the ruling party has two senators in the state against PDP’s one with pockets of federal and state legislative seats.

Another interesting political battle looms in Delta State, another oilrich South-South state. Like Rivers, the state delivered 1.2 million votes to the PDP in the 2015 presidential election, but with the likes of the 2015 governorship candidate of the party, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor; incumbent Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu; the senator representing Delta Central, Ovie Omo-Agege; former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Ochei; former South-South Zonal Vice Chairman of PDP, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh; former governorship candidate, Chief Great Ogboru and the immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who is expected to dump the PDP for APC any moment from now, the ruling party is poised to battle the PDP for control of the state. In Bayelsa, home state of former President Jonathan, APC is banking on former Governor Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and a former Managing Director of the NDDC, Timi Alaibe to make a good showing.

Similarly, in Cross River State, the APC expects that the Minister of Niger Delta, Usani Uguru Usani and former Senate Leader, now Chairman of NDDC, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, to lead other party chieftains like Senators John Owan- Enoh, Florence Ita-Giwa and Bassey Otu to battle the PDP, led by Governor Ben Ayade. Ayade is a known supporter of the Buhari administration.

A former Military Administrator of Ogun State and APC chieftain in Akwa Ibom State, Captain Sam Ewang (rtd), who spoke on the plot, said APC will come out stronger in the South- South in the 2019 elections. “APC is positioned to win most of the states in South-South in 2019,” he said.

Ifeanyi Onuba, Abuja



The National Bureau of Statistics on Monday released the Gross Domestic Product growth rate for the second quarter of this year , with the economy recording a decline in performance from 1 . 95 per cent in the first quarter to 1 . 5 per cent.

The bureau , in the report which was made available to our correspondent , said the second quarter growth rate was constrained by contractions in oil GDP.

It said oil GDP contracted by - 3 . 95 per cent in the second quarter, as against 14.77 percent in the first quarter of this year and 3.53 percent in the second quarter of 2017 .

The report said for the first time since Nigeria’ s exit from recession , growth was driven by the non - oil sector , which grew by 2 . 05 per cent , representing the strongest growth in non - oil GDP since the fourth quarter of 2015 .

The 2 . 05 per cent growth rate is higher than the 0 . 76 per cent growth which the sector recorded in the first quarter of this year .

It added that non - oil GDP growth which was 0 . 72 per cent in the first quarter of 2017 , 0 . 45 per cent , - 0 . 76 per cent , 1 . 45 per cent in the second , third and fourth quarters of 2017 grew by 2.05 per cent in the second quarter of this year .

The report added , “ Non - oil growth was driven by transportation which grew by 21.76 percent supported by growth in construction which grew by 7.66 percent and electricity which grew by 7.59 percent.

“ Other non - oil sectors that drove growth in Q 2 2018 include telecommunication which grew by 11. 51 per cent , water supply and sewage which grew by 11. 98 per cent and broadcasting which grew by 21. 92 per cent.

“ The non oil sector performance was however constrained by agriculture that grew by 1 . 3 per cent compared to three per cent in Q 1 2018 and 3 . 01 per cent in Q 2 2017. ”

lalasticlala

A crusade poster is currently trending on social media and has generated quite a stir among internet users.



https://www.tori.ng/userfiles/image/2018/aug/27/Buhari%20shall%20not%20return.jpg

The viral poster


A photo has emerged online showing a church poster promoting a crusade set to hold in Lagos.

Although crusades are normal and are held almost every time around Nigerian cities, this particular crusade has gotten people talking about it. The simple reason for this is the theme of the programme.

The theme of the crusade goes: "Buhari Shall Not Return" .

The fact that the crusade is holding in the heat of the pre-election frenzy is why it is all interesting.

A Nigerian pastor identified on the poster as Pastor Val Inawutaoku, of the Generation of Fire and Thunder Ministries, is the one organizing the event.

The crusade is scheduled to hold in September in the Surulere area of Lagos.

lalasticlala

tenmariner:
Similar case was witnessed at UITH about 6 Years ago .coupled were deeper life members..

Fariq:
Mynd44 rule 8

Ishola Michael - Bauchi



AS the leadership crisis within the ranks of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) heightens unabated, President Muhammadu Buhari has been berated for not acting firmly to save the party from imminent disintegration.

While speaking to Journalists in his residence, a member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly representing Lere/Bula constituency of Tafawa Balewa LGA, Muhammad Aminu Tukur declared that the President is weak in the area of asserting his authority as the leader of the party to assuage those that are aggrieved with the leadership style of the national executive members of the party.

Aminu Tukur who recently dumped the APC in Bauchi state to join the opposition APP under which he contested and lost the recent Bauchi south senatorial by-election said that, “as the leader of the APC, President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to act decisively in order to ensure that the party did not lose membership.”

While accusing the National Secretary of the party of being the architect of the nationwide crisis of the party, the lawmaker opined that unless something very urgent was done to arrest the situation, the party will continue to lose membership across the country.

On the leadership style of the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomohle, Aminu Tukur declared, ” as a labour union leader Oshoiomhole succeeded very well but as a political leader, he has failed woefully. He does not possess the charismatic quality to lead a party like APC”.

On the move to impeach the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, the politician said that it is going to be very hard, difficult and impossible considering the fact the Senate President is in firm grip of the National Assembly.

He said, “Bukola Saraki is the Alpha and Omega of the Senate and the National Assembly, he has what it takes to decide the fate of any Senator in the Senate. More so, based on the constitution of the country, you need a two-thirds majority to impeach the Senate President. Where will the APC get such a number? He asked.

While reacting to the silence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara on the political development in the country, Aminu Tukur who is a staunch supporter of the Speaker said that, “at the appropriate time, Yakubu Dogara will speak but I can assure you that for now, he is a member of the APC.”

When reminded that Yakubu Dogara the APC lost the recent Bauchi south senatorial by-election to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bogoro LGA which is his home base, the lawmaker said that, “yes he lost but it does not mean that he is losing grip of the home base, it is just that the people demonstrated their grievances for not been properly told where to go to during the conduct of the by-election.”

He concluded that, “Dogara is our political party, anywhere he goes, we are going with him. We are just waiting for him to tell us his direction politically and we will follow him to the place.”

Couple desperate for a baby told they've been having sex the wrong way for 4 years - and wife is still a VIRGIN

The woman admitted sex was "usually painful" but doctors were stunned when they realised why she was not getting pregnant

A married couple desperate for a baby have been told they've been having sex the wrong way for four years - which is why they failed to concieve.

The pair who have not been named, but are aged 26 and 24, sought out professional advice after having no joy getting pregnant, despite having intercourse regularly.


But alarm bells rang when medics discovered the wife was a virgin. She then admitted sex was "usually painful" for her every time.

Obstetrician Liu Hongmei said: "The couple were very young, the man 26 and the woman 24. They were very healthy, but, despite being married for four years, couldn't conceive.

"Their family was giving them a lot of stress because of it," she added.

While asking about the wife's medical history during the visit, Liu was told that the couple had sex regularly.

The wife also revealed that the experience was "unusually painful" for her every time, but she suffered through it in the hope of becoming pregnant.


The woman's symptoms led Doctor Liu to believe that she may have had some sort of gynaecological disease.

But Liu said she was "shocked" when an examination revealed the wife to be a virgin.

According to China's Guiyang Evening Post, Liu's "experience" led her to inspect the woman's anus.

It was then that the medic is said to have learned the couple had been mistakenly having anal sex for four years, resulting in their failure to conceive.

Doctor Liu reportedly handed the couple, from Bijie city in China's south-western Guizhou province, each a sex-education handbook.

She also gave them "guidelines" before they were sent home.

The advice appeared to work, as news of the wife's pregnancy arrived just a few months later.

They reportedly informed the now retired doctor that they were finally expecting - by sending 100 eggs and a live hen as gifts to her former hospital.

Liu said: "Four years of marriage and neither the husband nor wife knew how to get pregnant. Couples so lacking in general knowledge are very rare."

She added: "But it is not uncommon for people to lack or have misconceptions regarding sexual knowledge."

The political atmosphere may be thrown into confusion soon, if feelers from the judiciary that it will adhere strictly to the Supreme Court position on defection from one political party to the other while handling cases on the recent gale of defections among politicians are anything to go by.

The Supreme Court had in the case of Atiku Abubakar vs Attorney General of the Federation (2007) 4 SC (part ii) 62 held that it is only a division, factionalisation or fragmentation that can make it impossible or impracticable for a political party to function, that can justify the defection of a legislator from one party to another otherwise the defector automatically loses his seat.

“From the clear and unambiguous pronouncements of the apex court, a division in a political party envisaged by the Constitution cannot be a figment of the imagination of the recent prospective defectors. The division must make it practically impossible for the party to function”, a legal luminary, Mr. Femi Falana argued.

Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN had explained that defection by legislators, which was a common practice in the first republic, had by this Supreme Court pronouncement been prohibited by the 1999 Constitution.

He further cited the case of Abegunde vs Ondo State House of Assembly (2014) LPELR 23683 whereby the appellant, a member of the House of Representatives defected from the Labour Party to the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.

He said, “In justifying his defection, the appellant claimed that the Labour Party in Ondo State was factionalised. Since the division of the Labour Party was limited to Ondo State.”

“The Supreme Court held that the division did not affect the party at the national level to justify the defection. It was therefore decided that the appellant had lost his seat in the House of Representatives.

Prominent among the recent defectors who may be affected by the pronouncement of the Supreme Court are Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed of Kwara State, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state and former Senate minority leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio alongside some Senators and members of the House of Representatives.

A highly placed judiciary source yesterday told Nigerian pilot that both the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC and the leading opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP have concluded plans to approach various courts to declare the positions of the affected politicians vacant.

According to the source, with the recent gale of defections, the Nigerian Judiciary will be taking drastic action as well as applying the Nigerian Constitution as it affects defection from one political party to the other.

He said that the decisions that will emanate from various courts of competent jurisdiction will not be in the interest of the various politicians both in the APC and the PDP as well as other political parties.

He further added that the decision of an Abuja High Court sitting in Bwari to entertain the suit filed against Senator Stella Oduah by the People’s Democratic Party, PDP who defected to the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA will serve as a pointer to what may befall the affected political office holders.

The source further added that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN; Justice Walter Samuel Onnoghen will personally monitor the cases to ensure that the pronouncement of the Supreme Court and the 1999 Constitution are strictly adhered to.

He said that the courts will determine whether there were crises in all the affected political parties to the extent that warranted the defections or not.

The source also told Nigerian Pilot that all the cases relating to defections will be given accelerated hearing in other to meet up with the elections datelines.

It would however be recalled that even though the Supreme Court pronouncement was made in 2007, there have been defections among governors and legislators without any of them losing their seats.

Prominent among governors who defected from PDP to APC in November 2013 are Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers State), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) and Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto)

lalasticlala

A Zimbabwean man , Elvis Ngwenya , 28 , has been arrested for allegedly murdering his wife , Primrose Ncube, out of jealous, after a male church member greeted her .

Ngwenya allegedly accused his wife of infidelity, when the church member greeted her as the couple dropped off a Victoria Falls - bound train at Nyamandlovu Train Station at around 11 pm .

Apart from verbally accusing his wife of infidelity, Ngwenya allegedly assaulted her several times with a whip while also kicking her .

Ngwenya spent the night in the bush standing guard over his wife as she couldn ’ t walk due to the injuries, he had inflected and he raised alarm in the morning claiming that they had been mugged .

Officer Commanding Lupane District , Chief Superintendent Edgar Dhliwayo confirmed the murder.

“ On 18 August at around 11pm , the two had dropped off a train at Deli Station when the woman was greeted by a male church mate whose name was not provided . This didn’ t go down well with Ngwenya who started accusing her of infidelity resulting in a misunderstanding .

“ He took a whip and assaulted her while also kicking her all over the body, ” said Chief Supt Dhliwayo .

“ Both slept on the roadside near the station and in the morning the suspect went to seek for help. When he returned with some people he found the woman already dead , ” said Chief Supt Dhliwayo.

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Posted By: Precious Igbonwelundu


https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Ogun-Murder.jpg


The police in Ogun have arrested an Ayelala priest over the death of a 25-year-old woman, Idowu Ogunkoya at his shrine.

Also arrested was the victim’s father, Temitayo Ogunkoya, said to have taken her to the shrine to be delivered of witchcraft.

The incident occurred on Sunday at Ojuolota, Ijesha Road in Ago-Iwoye.

It was gathered that the priest, Lekan Olukolu was apprehended following a complaint at Ago-Iwoye Police Division by the deceased’s fiancée Lucky Oghenetega.

Ogunkoya, it was gathered, was taken to the shrine by her parents to be “delivered of witchcraft.”

Oghenetega, it was gathered, told the police that the priest shaved the deceased’s hair and gave her a liquid substance to drink.

“She slumped and died immediately after consuming the liquid substance,” Oghenetega stated.

According to police spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), detectives were led to the shrine where the priest and the woman’s father, Temitayo Ogunkoya were arrested.

He said: “The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu has ordered that the case be transferred to homicide section, State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for proper investigation.

“The CP warned members of the public to desist from primitive and barbaric ways of dealing with matters, especially issues concerning human lives. The command will not tolerate such archaic practices, capable of terminating innocent people’s life unnecessarily.”

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By Abuja , TOPE FAYEHUN  


No fewer than four ministers currently serving in President Muhammadu Buhari led administration, have indicated their interest to contest the governorship position in their respective states, barely six months to the much anticipated 2019 general elections , there are indications that some of the ministers serving in the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari are eyeing the governorship seats of their respective states.

LEADERSHIP investigation revealed that since the timetable and schedule of activities were released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC ), the ministers and their supporters have moved heavily into the political stage with series of intrigues , and are gradually getting prepared for campaigns .

It was also learnt that since the former Minister of Mines and Steel Development , Dr . Kayode Fayemi , won the July 14 th governorship election in Ekiti state , those who were initiallly scared of throwing their hats into the ring , have summoned courage to have a taste .

The ministers are Adebayo Shittu (Oyo state ) , Solomon Dalung ( Plateau state ), Muhammad Dan - Ali , ( Zamfara state ) and Hajiya Aisha Jummai Al- Hassan ( Taraba state ) .

Interestingly, most of them are not on the same page with the governors of their respective states.

Despite his disagreement with the Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state , the Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu , who has not officially declared his intention to run for the apex office in the state , has signified interest to contest in 2019.

LEADERSHIP gathered that Shittu has been holding consultation meetings with the leadership of the All Progressieves Congress (APC ) and would - be delegates of the party across the state .

The legal icon who has been moving from one radio station to another , displaying his credentials , was said to have been consulting traditional leaders on his ambition to be the next governor of the state .

Shittu , a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly in the Second Republic contested for governorship on the platform of the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC ) in 2011 . He lost the primary election to the incumbent governor , Abiola Ajimobi , in 2015 .

However, the seemingly unresolved crisis between him and Ajimobi , coupled with his controversial outburst against traditional rulers and other notable politicians in the state , may work against his ambition .

In the same vein , it was gathered that supporters of Minister of Sports and Youth Development , Solomon Dalung are making efforts to convince him to join the race to the Government House in Jos , the Plateau State capital.

Although the minister has not openly declared interest to run , probably because of his frosty relationship with Governor Simon Lalong; his actions speak volume .

According to the information , the minister has been donating essential materials to the electorate and securing jobs for many people in his state , hanging it on dividends of democracy , and not for political reasons.

Dalung had a fierce battle with Lalong for the APC ticket ahead of the 2015 elections .
It is believed that if the minister contests against the governor in the primary election , he may not win , but he would definitely add colour to the exercise .

Also , the Minister of Defence, Brigadier -General Muhammad Mansur Dan - Ali ( retired ) , is yet to openly declare for the race to Zamfara Government House, but sources said he is interested in the exalted seat . He is from Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of the state .

Dan - Ali joined active politics in 2013, shortly after his retirement from the military , pitching his tent with the ruling APC . He declared an intention to represent his zone , Zamfara North in the Senate, but he was made to step down for the current Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura .

He was also a member of the Buhari Campaign Organisation in 2015 and chairman of the Security Committee of Governor Abdulaziz Yari Campaign Organisation , also in 2015 .

After the 2015 general elections, President Buhari appointed him as Nigeria ’ s Defence Minister . His appointment surprised many in the state , considering the fact that his foray into politics was not all that long even though he is a grassroots mobilizer .

Within three years as minister of defense , Dan - Ali influenced the establishment of command science secondary schools in each of the three senatorial zones of his state . Apart from that , he was instrumental in the establishment of different military formations to curb banditry in Zamfara.

It was gathered that such gestures may be connected to his ambition to rule the state . However, many people in the state are not counting him among possible successors of Governor Abdulaziz Yari .

Sources close to the Minister of Women Affairs , Hajiya Aisha Jummai Al- Hassan, popularly known as Mama Taraba , said she has not given up her ambition to rule Taraba State .

In 2015 , she was probably the most popular gubernatorial candidate , being a female contender . As the candidate of the then strongest opposition party , the APC , she gave Darius Ishaku, the then PDP candidate a tough time .

Although Ishaku was declared a winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC ), Mama Taraba has later declared the authentic governor by an election petition tribunal in Abuja .

However, the judgment was upturned by the Court of Appeal , also in Abuja .

As a dogged fighter , Mama Taraba moved to the Supreme Court, all in an effort to reclaim what she called her mandate , but she was not lucky .

Her outing in the contest was, however , seen as commendable in a difficult political terrain dominated by men .

As far as the race to Taraba Government House is concerned , analysts believe she has a moral dilemma to contend with .

In 2017 , she had vowed that she would withdraw her support for President Buhari once he declared for a second term . She reiterated her loyalty to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar , who have already defected to the PDP .

Warri – Wild protests erupted at the popular Ubogo Junction market of Udu Local Government Area of Delta State as the Chairman of the Ubogo Junction Vigilante group, Sunday Umukoro allegedly shot to death another member of the Vigilante Group from Otor-Udu provoking tensions in the area as Otor-Udu youths hit the streets in protests demanding for Justice in the matter.

The deceased, Mr. Kingsley Onajomo, aged 33 was allegedly shot at close range at about 11pm at night on his way to Emadadja, a neighbouring village, when he was accosted by the Vigilante group and shot in the chest leading to his death immediately.

Unconfirmed reports have it that the Late Onajomo was visiting a lady friend at Emadadja, an ex-girlfriend to the Vigilante leader who was incensed that the deceased was dating his lover. According to the source, the suspect decided to teach the late Onajomo a lesson and the trigger he drew proved fatal in his rage.

On getting winds of the development at dawn, Otor-Udu people mobilised to Ubogo community on reprisal mission but the suspect, who personally reported the incident to the Police at Ovwian-Aladja with claims that he caught the deceased with guns at night, was promptly arrested and whisked to Asaba for further interrogation.

Chairman of Udu Local Government Area, Chief Jite Brown quickly alerted the police and other security agencies to mobilise to the area to avert a breakdown of law and order.

At the popular Ubogo junction market, traders had a rough time with hooligans who capitalised on the tensed situation to harass motorists, block the junction and cart away goods from the market.

But the situation was promptly brought under control by the police and the protesting youths asked to return home.

The temperament and reaction of Ubogo community also helped to assuage the minds of the protesters as the community did not prepare for any fight but peace as they openly condemn the action of the vigilante chief.

Meanwhile, President of Otor-Udu community, Mr. Peter Tini called for Justice in the matter. “On June 10 this year, one of our sons, Onome Oghenovo was killed at Egini. Now another from the same family has been killed in cold blood by Ubogo.

This is what triggered the anger of the youths and the wild protests. May this be the end of such situation in our community”, he added.

By Udeme Akpan with Agency Report


There are indications that Nigeria’s oil has been over-supplied as 30 unsold cargoes await buyers in the international market.

However, an oil market update obtained yesterday showed that the cargoes were scheduled for the August and September, 2018 deliveries, and buyers may come up before the end of the scheduled deliveries.

Reuters which confirmed the development stated, “There are almost 30 unsold cargoes from the August and September programmes, traders said, in addition to newly released October underlining plentiful supply.

“Qua Iboe: A prompt cargo was said to have traded at dated plus $1 or below, a relatively low level for the grade last valued by Reuters at dated plus $1.15.

“Forcados: A cargo was said to have traded at about dated plus $1.30, 10 cents above a bid from Vitol on Monday. It was not possible to confirm who bought or sold the cargo.”

It also stated, “Angola is set to export 49 cargoes in October after four cargoes of Gindungo, a new grade, were added to the preliminary programme. September had 47 cargoes”.

The report tends to check a possible spike in oil prices early in the week, just Brent price moved to $72 per barrel, up from $71 it recorded on Monday.

However, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, said it was committed to achieving increased market stability.

In a statement sent to Vanguard , it said, “The JMMC (Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee) reported that participating countries in the Declaration of Cooperation have achieved a conformity level of 121 percent in June 2018.

“The JMMC also considered market conditions for the month of July as well as individual country production levels for this month and was satisfied that overall performance will not deviate from the 100 percent conformity targeted by the decision reached at the 4th OPEC and Non-OPEC Ministerial meeting on June 23.

The committee decided to continue closely monitoring oil market conditions and developments with a view to improve market stability for the benefit of producers, consumers and the global economy at large.

“The committee reaffirmed its intent to strive to achieve an overall conformity level of no less than 100 percent. Furthermore, the JMMC decided to hold monthly meetings (physically or by teleconference) with the objective of more closely monitoring the market and recommending appropriate response measures.”

Biola Azeez - Ilorin


MINISTER of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has raised the alarm that expired rice meant for animals is being exposed to Nigerians to consume in their countries of origin.

Speaking with journalists in his Oro country home on Tuesday, the minister blamed the development on smuggling pointing out that if the affected rice had been put under scrutiny they would have failed NAFDAC test because most of them have been on the shelf more than six years and had expired.

“The rice being imported now are not fit for consumption in their countries of origin.

They are also being subsidised and sent here even in credit because those people know that they are unfit for consumption; they are only fit for animals.

“Imported rice are mostly smuggled into the country because they cannot pass NAFDAC test. No Nigerian rice is more than one year old but the imported ones have spent even six years in their countries”, he said.

But he promised by in the next one and half years Nigeria will become self-sufficient in rice production given the commitment of the administration to agriculture.

“In the area of agriculture, it has been a huge revolution. Let’s take one of our national staples, such as rice, as an example. When we came in, there were 5 million rice farmers.

Today, we have in excess of 11 million rice farmers. Our rice import has been cut by over 80 per cent. These didn’t happen by accident. It was a result of our Anchor Borrowers Programme. There are more millionaire farmers today than at any other time in the history of our nation.

Today, Nigeria is close to achieving self-sufficiency in rice than at any other time in the history of our country.

“This Administration has employed 500,000 unemployed graduates under its Social Intervention Programme (SIP). No government in our country’s history has ever done that.

This Administration has been daily feeding 8.5 million school children in 23 states. That has never been done before in Nigeria.
This Administration has been proving 10,000 Naira every two months to over 300,000 families as social security for the most vulnerable. This has never been done before in Nigeria.

This Administration, realising that SMEs are the biggest employers of labour, has been growing such enterprises at an astronomical rate through its Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme. This is unprecedented”, he said.

Posted By: Robert Egbe



An Igbosere Magistrates’ Court will on October 11 begin the trial of a man, Thomas Morgan Olufemi, who allegedly hired one ‘Terminator’ to threaten his ex-lover, Miss Adeleke Taiwo.

Magistrate M.F. Onamusi fixed the date on August 6, following Olufemi’s not guilty plea to a three-count charge of conspiracy, assault and threat to life.

Olufemi, 41, of No. 18A, Lugard Avenue, Ikoyi, and Terminator, said to be at large, were arraigned by the Onikan Police Division on a charge marked: Q/55/2018.

Prosecuting Sergeant Friday Mameh alleged that the defendants conspired and committed the offences in Lagos at about 4pm on August 1, at Obalende in Eti-Osa Local Government Area (LGA).

Mameh said the trouble began after Taiwo allegedly resisted Olufemi’s demand for custody of their baby.

The court heard that Olufemi recruited an accomplice, who phoned Taiwo on her GSM No. 0909036…..

The accomplice introduced himself to Taiwo as ‘Terminator’ and “threatened to terminate her life if she refused to comply with his warnings and demand…”

Olufemi then went to No.30, Masalashi Street, Obalende, where Taiwo was seeking refuge with her friend, Okiti Steffi.

A quarrel broke out and Olufemi allegedly assaulted Taiwo’s friend, Okiti Steffi, “by giving her a dirty slap on her left cheek.”

Mameh told the court that the offences contravened sections 172, 232 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Lagos – The demolition of N800 million Music House belonging to popular musician, Yinka Ayefele, in Ibadan has finally divided Oyo State government.

While the government’s lawyer, Yomi Alliyu, denied the involvement of the state government in the demolition exercise, the Special Adviser to the Oyo State governor on Physical Planning and Development Control, Waheed Gbadamosi, admitted that it was the government that demolished Ayefele’s Fresh FM building.

Barrister Alliyu told the State High Court, presided by Justice Iyabo Yerima on Monday August 20, that the state has no hand in Ayefele’s misfortune.

“My clients are men of honour that respect rule of law and constituted authority and will have no reason to demolish the said property,” Alliyu told the court.

However, speaking at a press conference in Ibadan, Gbadamosi, said the government gave ample opportunity for Music House to regularise its building plan.

Gbadamosi said the organisation was duly informed through several correspondences, adding that the action of the government to demolish the building was not politically motivated.

The aide added that it was established during a visit to the building that it encroached into the sight distance of the Y junction along Lagelu Estate, stressing that a canteen, toilets, store and powerhouse, which were not in the plan submitted, were attached to the wall fence.

He added that the mast erected and staircase on site were not included in the plan submitted, noting that the basement of the plan which was meant for car park had also been converted.

Gbadamosi said that a letter was sent to Music House on June 29, 2018, to submit a fresh building plan application that will reflect the existing structures on site and regularise the anomalies.

He alleged that the radio house deliberately ignored the letter until the demolition notices were sent on Aug. 13, 2018, based on the earlier request for the submission of AS-Built Plan for approval.

Gbadamosi reemphasised that government’s action was not based on sentiments or witch-hunting, saying contravention notices had been served to different organisations in the state since June 14, 2017.

He insisted that the building plan from Music House deviated from the approved plan, adding that “this made the approval null and void because deceitful information was given to the approving authority.”

By Leon Usigbe -Abuja


The Presidency on Sunday heaped the blame for the delay in passing the budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Senate President Bukola Saraki who it said led the National Assembly to delay the passage of the 2018 budget.

In a response to Saraki’s argument that the executive ought to have submitted the INEC budget earlier rather than waiting until the lawmakers were going on their statutory break, the presidency asked the Senate President to look into the mirror and what he will see will be his own face.

A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the president on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu in Abuja said: “On the contrary, the Senate President should look into the mirror and what he will see is his own face. He is solely to be held responsible for deliberately driving the nation to this cliff edge as far as the preparations for next elections are concerned.

“It is not true that INEC submitted their draft budget to the Presidency in February. No, it came much later but even then, this is not the real issue.

“The fact that their proposals came well after the President had laid his budget for the year 2018 before the National Assembly meant that their own will be sent as supplementary budget. This was clearly stated to them by the Minister of Budget and National Planning.

“A supplementary budget cannot be submitted until the main budget is passed, and so the delay in passing the main budget was the reason for the delay. The National Assembly passed the 2018 budget seven months after the document was submitted to the National Assembly by President Buhari.

“Unless someone has forgotten, the budget was submitted to the National Assembly and it took the Saraki-led National Assembly seven months to release it. There is no way President Buhari could have submitted a supplementary budget while the main one was still pending. It is never done. Because Saraki did not return the main budget, we could not have submitted the supplementary one.

“After the long delays, the President was pained to sign the much distorted, butchered and debauched document. In giving his assent, President Buhari said that he was compelled to sign the budget so as not to keep the economy continuously on a standstill.

“In his words: ‘When I submitted the 2018 Budget proposals to the National Assembly on 7th November 2017, I had hoped that the usual legislative review process would be quick, so as to move Nigeria towards a predictable January-December financial year.’

“It is also worthy of note that this is the first time in Nigeria’s history that a government would bring together the cost of an election in one budget, with each agency involved invited to defend their portion of the budget before the National Assembly.

“It is all part of the transparency that this government is known for. In the past, governments would approve INEC budgets and funding without a breakdown, often using ways and means to fund it Not so under President Buhari.”

By Dare Adekanmbi


Contrary to insinuations in certain quarters that Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo took unilateral decisions on matters of state while his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari, was on a 10-day vacation in the United Kingdom (UK), Sunday Tribune learnt at the weekend that Osinbajo and Buhari had worked closely in the last two weeks on the decisions taken by his deputy.

Buhari and Osinbajo, it was learnt, had reached an agreement on the decisions taken by his deputy in his absence the past two weeks. that the Vice President governed in acting capacity.

Sources in the corridors of power revealed to Sunday Tribune that though the president was on vacation “he and the VP were in contact by phone to discuss important state matters and compare notes.”

In all their interactions the president, sources revealed, had always encouraged the VP to do the needful and take charge effectively.

Furthermore, the sources confirmed the existence of a powerful cabal in the government. For instance, it was disclosed that less than two weeks before the president departed for the UK on vacation, there was a decision already reached to replace the former Director-General, Department of State Security (DSS), Lawal Daura, who was later fired by Osinbajo after the DSS’s siege to the National Assembly.


Anger, resentment in Ido-Ekiti as slain APC chief is buried

The decision however did not see the light of day when some influential backers of the sacked DG rallied together to frustrate the plan. But unknown to many of the backers both the president and vice-president had always discussed the need to review the appointments of some of the security chiefs, including the sacked DG.

Even regarding the overhaul of the SARS, which the Acting President announced recently, top sources in the Villa explained that the matter had featured prominently in regular interactions of both Buhari and Osinbajo and also interactions by both of them with the Inspector-General of Police.

Sources disclosed further that even the decision of the National Economic Council to set up a committee to work with the Inspector-General of Police and find ways to decentralise police operations was part of the discussions and plans that both the president and the vice-president had gone over many times.

Said a top presidency source, “ it is really pointless to try to attribute some of this decisions in a manner that suggests that maybe the president would not have taken them or that it was just one arm of the presidency responsible for them. The president and his deputy are far much closer than any other set of leaders the country has produced at least since 1999 if not even beyond.


“There is hardly a move the VP would make without first securing the blessing of the President and both of this gentlemen have developed mutual trust and confidence in each other and this is beneficial for the country,” a top presidency official said last night.

They are audacious. They make no pretense about taking over the job of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019. They have been going around the nook and the cranny of the country, telling who ever cares to listen about what they intend to do differently. Welcome to the world of the new breed politicians nicknamed, ‘Not too young to run’.

Thanks to the Not Too Young to Run Act, which reduces the age of aspirants by five years across board, to enable young politicians run for any political office, including the highest one in the land. Two of them – Omoyele Sowore, publisher, Sahara Reporters, and Kingsley Moghalu, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, have been talking about what they intend to do. The former said he would scrap the Senate and fix the Lagos- Ibadan expressway in six months. The latter dreams of employing one million police men in one month, among others.

Their aspiration may remain a pipe dream if Sunday Telegraph’s findings are anything to go by. High cost of nomination forms, godfatherism, money politics and lack of experience are some of the factors that may stand against their aspirations. Many of the youths lack the financial resources with which to campaign if they afford the nomination forms and get their parties’ tickets.

Apart from President Buhari, some other aspirants they may have to run against are: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Bukola Saraki, former governors Sule Lamido, Ahmed Makarfi, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Governor Hassan Dankwanbo, to mention a few. For instance, the People Democratic Party (PDP) in the run up to the Ekiti State governorship election held July 14, charged N22 million for nomination and expression of interest forms.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants parted with N20 million. This is not new. It will be recalled that prior to the 2015 election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) pegged the price of its nomination form at N27million, while the PDP put its own at N11million and the APC candidate, now President, Buhari, said then that he had to obtain a bank loan to purchase the form.

The argument in many quarters is that if Buhari, a retired Army general, who had been a Military Head of State and also held political positions in the past, could not afford N27million from his personal savings, then how many young Nigerians can conveniently do same? Wondering the rationale behind the high cost of nomination form, a political analyst who wants to remain anonymous asked, “How many self-made Nigerians, who have not been appointed at one time or the other to the corridors of power, would want to throw over N10million into the purchase of a governorship nomination form?

“The scenario created by the two major political parties, PDP and the APC in the build up to the 2015 general elections in imposing the prohibitive cost of nomination forms, leaves much to be desired, which seems to suggest that elective offices are up for sale to the highest bidders and will ultimately promote the already vexing corruption level in the polity to higher grounds.”

He finds a soul mate in the Chairman, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, a pro-democracy group, who said the whole idea of paying exorbitant rate for nomination form smacks of a grand conspiracy to keep the system only for the financial kings and shut out those with less financial muscle.

A former deputy chairman of PDP and governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Mr. Gbolahan Folami, differs with the duo. To him, there is nothing wrong in selling of nomination form. However, there is need to reform the entire financing structure of politics in Nigeria to make it more accessible to all.

He said: “Whatever the court might have said, the electoral law has not made any legislation against it. What the electoral law tried to do is to prescribe the limit of what a candidate can spend on the campaign itself.” On whether it is right to collect it or not, he said, “It must be understood that that money is really the only income for political parties, because members do not donate to political parties here.

“Two things are involved: one, the parties use high fees to limit the number of contestants on the field. For example, if you say the form for governorship in a state is free or as low as N500,000, you may have to deal with the number of aspirants of 50 or even 100, which becomes unwieldy and difficult to manage. So the fee for forms and for expression of interest in a way is also used to screen out the number of people in the race. “Politics is not cheap.

Unfortunately, I don’t know of any democracy where you can be poor and you want to contest election, unless you have some people who have put you forward and are paying your bills. There is no democracy anywhere were you do not have to commit resources. It is expensive and we have chosen the very expensive type, the presidential system, which is a winner takes all. If you look at it, it is designed in such a way that the winner can compensate himself. Like the security vote in office. And even the legislators have also found a way of rewarding themselves through high allowances.

“The cost of doing politics here is indeed high, but the cost of the form is even the least of all the expenses. If you look at the party, you cannot even call anybody to a meeting without giving him transport fare, even the ones you call political leaders. For you to retain a campaign team, you will have to pay them for the duration of the campaign.

“This is just a reflection of our poverty, because it is devoid of any self- pride. Because if you look at even the people that are collecting the money, you will be surprised that these ones that have been ministers before, that have been commissioners in a state before, they are not even turning down N20,000. He will collect it and if you don’t give him, he will ask for it.

This is our politics. “So, really, I believe that there has to be legislation in this our electioneering campaign to limit the spending, because the nomination forms shouldn’t really be that expensive. National Youth Leader of PDP, Sunday Ude-Okoye, has no qualms with elders sponsoring young people into political positions.

To him, it will enable them take charge of political leadership of the country. Ude–Okoye said that prior to Buhari signing the Not Too Young To Run Bill into law, the opposition party led by Uche Secondus had launched what it called Generation Next, which was aimed at mobilising and empowering young people into the nation’s political leadership.

Speaking on the fears being expressed that lack of funds might put aspiring young Nigerians in disadvantage position to vie for political offices, the PDP Youth Leader said, though money cannot be divorced from politics, young politicians might not easily fall prey to older politicians. “For me, my prayer is that the elders should continue to godfather us.

In fact, our prayer is that they should begin to godfather the youth of this country into positions, so that we will be voted in and take charge and decide. We will take good advice from them and reject bad ones,” he added. To human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN) collection of nomination fees in whatever guise is illegal.

He has even threatened to sue political parties for sale of nomination forms despite, what he called, court judgements prohibiting such, arguing that parties cannot impose prohibitive rules that will restrict participation in the contest of an election to moneybags. According to him, any citizen who meets the requirements outlined in the Constitution, is qualified to contest any election; and parties cannot add to the constitutional requirements. Falana pointed out that parties were still engaging in sale of forms, despite previous court judgments prohibiting such.

“He said, “The conditions for contesting elections from local government, to the House of Assembly, governorship, House of Representatives, Senate and presidential levels, are all in the Constitution. “There are decisions of the court to the effect that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and State Electoral Commissions (SIEC), cannot collect fees from candidates who are contesting elections. “So, if I am going to contest election, you can’t ask me to pay N27m as nomination fee, because that is unknown to the Constitution.

“I believe any citizen who meets the requirements outlined in the Constitution, is qualified to contest any election. Political parties cannot add to the constitutional requirements.”

On his part, the INEC Director of Publicity and Voters Education, Mr. Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, expressed concern over the seeming commercialization of elections and voting on Election Day. “In a society where poverty is pervasive, it is difficult to persuade voters, especially the youths, to forgo what they think is their immediate gain of taking few thousands or hundreds of naira for a long term benefits and the fact that those politicians who pay may not be morally bound to deliver their promises. “It is important to point out that they are sacrificing long term benefits at the expense of their rights to good governance. We are taking all steps to ensure that the 2019 elections were successful.

We are undergoing training, enhancing the card readers, building confidence and transparency in all that we do,” Uzzi said. What then is the way out? Falana wants parties to go back to the days of yore, when parties were financed by membership dues.

“When I was running for election in Ekiti State, there were old men and women who went to their rooms and pillows and brought out letters personally signed by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, acknowledging receipt of contributions to the party (Action Group). It was acknowledged by the party leader and that was how parties were run. And if you were in a public office, up to the Second Republic, you were charged 10 per cent of your legitimate salaries. I’m not talking of running cost and others,” Falana added.

Former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke, calls for a reduction in the cost of nomination forms. Duke, who also aspires to take over from Buhari next year, said: “If the political parties want to encourage the participation of youths in politics, political parties must reduce the cost of nomination forms. Elders like me must encourage them by ensuring that the cost of everything in party politics is reduced.”

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A fuel tanker has spilt its content believed to be fuel on the Long Bridge after the popular Kara market on Lagos Ibadan expressway.

This has caused heavy traffic on the popular expressway.

Lagos State Emergency Management Agency(LASEMA) and other rescue units are present at the scene.

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