₦airaland Forum

The Office of the Senate President has stated how Ahmad Lawan should be addressed officially .


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It also released his official portrait .

An email from the Senate President ’s Media Office on Tuesday states,” The attached photograph is the official portrait of the president of the Senate .”

Continuing , the email states, “ The President of the Senate is to be addressed as: Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan , Ph .D , CON, as indicated on the portrait . ”

There are strong indications that the Federal Government of Nigeria may bring back two defunct federal ministries that were scrapped in 2015 immediately after the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari, DAILY INDEPENDENT reports.

It was gathered in Abuja on Monday that the two ministries, Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Federal Ministry of States and Local Governments Affairs, when resuscitated would be serving as an ombudsman among three tiers of government as well as other pertinent functions.

Speaking at the inauguration of permanent standing committee on inter-governmental affairs, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of Ecological Fund, Habiba Lawal, also explained that the committee, which was transferred to his watch in 2015 when the two ministries were scrapped later became dormant.

“The Committee is not new as such, as it had existed under the defunct Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs.

“However, following the scrapping of the ministry at the inception of the present administration in 2015, two Departments of the Ministry, namely, Special Duties as well as States and Local Governments Affairs, were transferred to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and thus the Committee became dormant,” Mr. Mustapha said.

Buhari had upon his emergence in 2015 compressed the Federal Ministries from 31 to 24, which paved way for former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, to take charge of three key ministries – Power, Works and Housing.

By Adeola Yusuf




[quote]Buyers have shunned 20 cargoe-loads of Nigeria’s crude oil, New Telegraph has learnt.

According to crude loading schedule for September sighted by our correspondent at the weekend, this is as gluts rocking the global oil market takes toll on Africa’s biggest oil exporter.
Nigeria depends largely on proceeds from crude to service over 85 per cent of her budget.

As demand for the country’s crude grades remains elusive, the schedule shows that the crude differentials for the Africa’s biggest economy suffered a slide.

“Differentials for Nigerian crude oil continued to slide as lacklustre refining margins and a plethora of competing grades prompted sellers to lower offers in the absence of demand,” a document of Reuters on the loading schedule stated.

Up to 20 cargoes remain for August loading amid a glut of light sweet crude from the United States and the North Sea — where differentials are also falling.

“The backlog is putting pressure on prices for September loading, especially for main grades – Bonny Light, Qua Iboe and Forcados, which are all being offered at among the lowest rates in 2019,” the report noted.

Mercuria is attempting to sell a cargo of August loading Forcados after having sold a cargo of mid-month loading Jones Creek.

Differentials for August loading Bonny Light and Qua Iboe crude were at well below a $2.00 premium to dated Brent.

Aside the glut suffered by Nigeria on crude sale, the country also contends with challenges from importation of refines product.

The subsidy on premium motor spirit (PMS) also known as petrol imported into Nigeria, for instance, skyrocketed by a whooping N91 billion in 31 days. This surge, a further scrutiny of the May 2019 financial report of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) showed, is 682 per cent of under recovery suffered by the country through the NNPC between December 2018 and January, 2019.

N13.3 billion, the report showed, was expended on under-recovery last December while the cost of under-recovery stood at N104.3 billion in January.

The figure, in February, stood at N102.3 billion.
Latest figure, however, shows that China would ramp up gasoline exports in July and August to near record levels with cargoes moving to Nigeria.

The cargoes, a report showed, would also move to Mexico, as refiners seek outlets for their fuel amid a wave of new production and slowing domestic demand.

Nigeria through Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) had tried to evade the imminent bearish sale for its crude grade.

At the start of last July, OPEC and Russia decided to continue the agreement struck last year for at least another nine months, and daily production will remain 1.2 million barrels below last October’s level.

In response, Brent crude rose to $67 per barrel (bbl) but has since drifted to $63.46 /bbl, a level which is below what many OPEC members require to finance their budgets.

For example, the Saudi economy needs oil prices of around $80 a barrel to balance its budget, reports Al Jazeera last July.

OPEC’s July Oil Market Report sees global GDP growth of 3.2 per cent continuing into 2020 and world demand rising by 1.4 (million barrels per day (mb/d) year-on-year to around 100mb/d.

Meanwhile, the report sees non-OPEC member producers’ output growing by 2.4mb/d, more than twice as much as global oil demand. U.S. shale oil output reached a record 12mb/d in April and OPEC’s report notes: “U.S. tight crude production is anticipated to continue to grow as new pipelines will allow more Permian crude to flow to U.S. Gulf coast export ports.”

Consequently, the report forecasts a decline in demand for OPEC crude of 1.3 mb/d to 29.3 mb/d and a global glut of crude in 2020, implying a further cut of 560,000 barrels per day (bp/d) to maintain prices.

The coming months could be marked by extreme turbulence and uncertainty in the oil market and within OPEC itself. America and Iran, an OPEC member, are flirting with war, as U.S. sanctions on Iran bite and Iran threatens the passage of tankers through the Straits of Hormuz.
Production in Libya is vulnerable from the escalating conflict and Nigeria’s output is uncertain.

These threats could ensure a further decline in OPEC’s market share from 39.2 per cent in March as distinct from OPEC’s self-imposed production cuts.

There is also uncertainty as to how long the OPEC alliance will be willing to lose market share to America.

In 2018, America, which hitherto was biggest consumer of Nigeria’s crude, became the world’s largest crude producer and this year America will pump 1.2 million more barrels of crude a day.

At December’s next scheduled OPEC meeting, participants face a problem of what to do next, especially if the world economy begins to slow and in particular, demand from OPEC’s largest customers China and India, falters.

If crude prices remain low, OPEC and Russia will face a difficult choice – let prices dip or cut production more steeply than envisaged – sacrificing market share and supporting U.S. shale.

It is likely that any further production cuts by OPEC and Russia to maintain prices will be harder to implement if all it does is boost American oil producer’s profit

By John Akubo, Abuja




A former ally of President Muhammadu Buhari and now Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporter, Buba Galadima, has advised Nigerians not to expect much from the ministerial nominees, saying Nigeria will not make headway under the present arrangement.

Speaking in a telephone interview with The Guardian in Abuja he said,“Well, you can only talk about proper ministerial screening in a civilised democracy, but in a militarised democracy where people use military to elect themselves into power, you should not expect anything better than what has happened.

“If the screening was diligently done, we could have expected something better, but you know they did the sham because some of them were alleged to have bought the position with huge sums of money.

“So, the first thing they will do is to recoup their investments, and you know some of them have been members of the opposition. They just jumped ship and ingratiate themselves to the powers that be that took money from them and sent their names as ministers.

“I don’t expect anything, Nigeria will recede 100 years with these kind of characters in government. The opposition can do nothing because as far as parliamentary democracy is concerned, the minority can have their say, but the majority will eventually have their way.

“There is nothing they can do, they can speak just like I am speaking, but they will never give a damn about it. Senate President, Ahmed Lawan achieved balancing because he only paid those who voted for him.”

Besides, former House of Representatives member, Alhaji Nasiru Garba Dantiye, who also spoke in a telephone interview, said the issue of ‘taking a bow and go’ during screenings was becoming worrisome.He argued that the kind of screening Nigerians witnessed was not the screening the constitution recommended, adding: “In my opinion, it is not just about taking a bow and go depending on the nominees’ relationship with the Senate leadership.

“One of their task is to find out if the nominees are qualified. If the Senate does a proper screening, there is no way former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, would have been confirmed as a minister without her NYSC certificate.

“Secondly, sending ministerial list without portfolios is fraudulent on the part of the Federal Government. That is like giving out a blanket cheque. “Ministerial nominees are supposed to be tagged with portfolios that tally with their areas of specialisation, otherwise there will be problems as such square pegs in round holes would not make any meaningful impact.”

By ONYEKACHI EZE



The just concluded sale of nomination forms for the November 16, governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi states has confirmed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is still a choice party in the country. Thirty-four aspirants from the two states bought the PDP nomination and expression of interest forms at the close of nomination on July 24. This yielded N674 million to the party. A breakdown showed that 22 governorship aspirants came from Bayelsa State while 12 were from Kogi State.

Among the aspirants are two females. In 2014 when the party was in power, it garnered a total of N3.14 billion from 286 aspirants who obtained its nomination and expression of interest forms to contest the governorship elections in 29 states. Then, the forms went for N11 million as against N21 million presently.

This notwithstanding, the interest shown in PDP by the aspirants despite increase in nomination fee, speaks volume. PDP is the party in power in Bayelsa State. It, however, lost Kogi to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015. The elections will be the first off-season election after the 2019 general elections, and therefore, a test ground for PDP and the ruling APC. PDP did not have problem choosing its governorship candidates in Bayelsa and Kogi states in 2015 because the sitting governors – Seriake Dickson and Idris Wada, enjoyed first offer of refusal.

This may not be the case this time around. Dickson is completing his second term in office while Wada who did not return in 2015, is contest again. Perhaps, this is the reason for the high number of aspirants in both states.

Though, PDP is smiling to the bank from the proceeds it made from sale of nomination forms, choosing its governorship candidates for the two states might not be that easy. The party is parading star studded aspirants in the two states. In Kogi State, apart from Captain Wada, Abubakar Idris, eldest son of former governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, security expert, Dr. Joseph Erico Ameh; former President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Idris Omede and serving senator, Dino Melaye, were among those who have obtained the PDP nomination form.

In Bayelsa, former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC), Chief Timi Alaibe is leading the pack of aspirants. And because Dickson is not seeking reelection, almost all his appointees are rooting to succeed him. Among them are the Deputy Governor, John Jonah, the Chief of Staff, Talford Ongolo, the Secretary to the State Government, Kemela Okara, former Speaker of the House Assembly, Kombowei Benson and former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali.

Others are a serving senator, Doye Diri, a member of the House of Representatives, Fred Agbadi, Senator Emmanuel Paulke, an associate of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reuben Okoya, as well as Keniebi Okoko among others. No doubt, the party will have a herculean task choosing its candidates from this number. Already, analysts are predicting rancorous primaries.

There were also insinuations in some quarters that some of the aspirants were sponsored to obtain the nomination forms so as to cause confusion during the primaries. According to an analyst: “Only a united, purposeful and determined PDP stands a chance against the ruling party, which is expected to once again deploy both state and federal might at its disposal, as witnessed during the past elections.” Though the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) assured free and transparent primaries, internal wrangling in the party, especially in Kogi State, if not properly handled, may affect the party’s chances in the November 16 governorship. Nevertheless, several factors will determine who eventually picks the party’s ticket. In Kogi State, PDP stakeholders in the state who met in Abuja about two months ago, agreed to retain the party’s ticket in Kogi East senatorial district.

The zone has been producing the governors since Kogi State was created in 1991 until the emergence Governor Yahaya Bello in 2015. Bello, who is from Kogi Central, is a beneficiary of unfortunate cause of events. He became governor following the death of Prince Abubakar Audu hours before the result of the first election was announced. PDP is still retaining its governorship ticket in Kogi East probably because of its population and voting strength. Although, Senator Dino Melaye, who represents Kogi West in the Senate, obtained the nomination form, it is believed that PDP candidate for 2019 governorship election will come from Kogi East. In this wise, former Governor Wada and Abubakar Idris appear to be top contenders. Given past experiences, the former governor stands a better chance. But his predecessor in office, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, wants his son as PDP candidate.

The over bearing influence of Alhaji Idris is said to be responsible for the internal crisis in Kogi PDP. This was blamed for the party’s loss of the two senatorial and all the House of Assembly seats to APC in the general elections. A party source told Sunday Telegraph that the squabble between the former governor and former PDP National Chairman, Senator Ahmadu Alli is responsible for the misfortune of PDP in Kogi State. Incidentally, the two are from Kogi East. Alli has not attended any Kogi PDP stakeholders’ meetings for sometime now, because of Idris.

The Abuja meeting had reportedly said that the party’s would be candidate must have the war chest to prosecute the campaign. Both Wada and Idris are equal to the task. But most Kogi leaders detest former Governor Idris imposing his son on the party. Most aspirants obtained the nomination form to stop this from happening. Also, the leaders were said to be looking for a candidate who will not be easily intimidated by Governor Bello. Most aspirants who came to obtain the PDP nomination form said there was no election in Kogi State during the general election.

On two occasions, PDP leaders were held hostages on the eve of the general elections by security operatives allegedly deployed by the state governor. Wada is tipped to pick the PDP ticket in Kogi State if the party will make an impact in the governorship election. The Bayelsa scenario is a bit complicated. There was no clear pronouncement on zoning. Perhaps, that was what attracted aspirants from the two senatorial zones.

The three senatorial districts of the state have produced the governor but only Bayelsa West has completed its second term in office. Bayelsa Central where former Governor DSP Alameiyeseigha came from, served only six years before he was impeached. Bayelsa East senatorial zone where former President Goodluck Jonathan and Timipre Sylva come from, also served six years (Jonathan’s two years and Sylva’s four years).

Bayelsa is made up of eight local government areas. And according to report, all the local government areas have produced either the governor or deputy governor of the state except Kolokuma/Opokuma. Pundits argue that for equity, the next governor of the state should come from the area. Kolokuma/Opokuma is in Bayelsa Central senatorial district, which is favoured to pick the PDP ticket. This makes Alaibe, who incidentally is from Kolokuma/Opokuma local government, a serious contender. However. Alaibe is not the only aspirant from the area.

He has to contend with Senator Diri, a serving senator representing Bayelsa Central. Also, in Bayelsa Central are Southern Ijaw and Yenagoa local government areas, which as well, parade intimidating aspirants with equally political experience. Senator Emmanuel Paulker, the SSG Kemela Okara and Keniebi Okoko are from the Yenagoa council while Ambassador Igali, Ongolo (the Chief of Staff), and former Speaker Kombowei Benson are from Southern Ijaw. The forces against Alaibe said he is not steady in one political party.

The former NDDC Managing Director, who has been running for governor since 2003, has contested under PDP, Labour Party and APC. He returned to PDP not too long ago. The PDP family in Bayelsa state still see him as an ‘outsider’. But in terms of experience, connection, acceptability, grassroots support and the financial muscle, he is a man to beat. The ‘Restoration Group,’ Dickson’s political family is insisting that it must produce the governor’s successor.

That probably was the reason of large army of aspirants from the group. But in doing so, they are invariably creating opportunity for Alaibe to pick the sole ticket. PDP has fixed its primaries for September 3 to choose its candidates for Bayelsa and Kogi states’ governorship elections. And despite the number of aspirants who obtained the nomination form, only one will emerge in each of the states. Whoever emerges will be decided by the delegates to the primaries

Wale Elegbede



One of the cabinet nominees of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Mrs Abolaji Dada, has told the 16-man screening ad hoc committee of the Lagos State House of Assembly that she does not have access to her West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) certificate.

Fielding questions from members of the committee on Friday, Dada, who is the ninth nominee to be screened, said she sat for WAEC in 1984 and that no certificate was issued in that particular year.

The nominee was a former Executive Secretary of Apapa Local Government and also one of the 25 nominees forwarded to the parliament by the executive.

She said: “I had my WAEC exam in a government school so I felt it would not be difficult to access it, but I eventually made efforts to retrieve my certificate when the need arose but was told that my school’s data was not captured.

“My claim can be verified, 1984 WAEC certificate for my school was not accessible.”

Dada, however, canvassed that certain revenue generating functions should be shed off from the state to the local government to enhance the capacity of the councils.

She also stressed that if eventually posted to the Ministry of Education as her assigned portfolio, she would work at “restoring civic education in the primary school curriculum so as to make the pupils patriotic, well behaved and well-mannered in the society.”

By Romoke W. Ahmad




The Federal Road Safety Corps says its officers are not authorised to seize vehicle documents.
It, however, noted that driver’s licence belongs to the Federal Government, warning that it has a legal power to retain driver’s licence of any erring motorist.

The FRSC RS8.17 Ilorin unit commander, Zakari Mohammed, said this yesterday at a stakeholders’ meeting. Presenting a paper, the FRSC’s legal officer, Kayode Ajibike, said officers have the legal power to toll vehicles of any erring driver, saying such vehicle would be handed over to the police.

“If you know you have not committed the offence which you are accused to have committed, you can challenge such road safety official,” he said.

In politics, there is always a conflict of interests among the players. In this special report, LEADERSHIP Friday presents the most recent falling out between godfathers and their protégés. BODE GBADEBO, Abuja; PATRICK OCHOGA, Benin; GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos, and
OKECHUKWU OBETA, Awka, write.


In Edo, It’s No Retreat, No Surrender…

Nobody would have thought that the political battle for the soul of Edo State between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his political godfather, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), will continue unabated with no end in sight.

Tuesday’s resolution by the Senate which ordered Obaseki to issue a fresh letter of proclamation for the proper inauguration of the Edo State House of Assembly within one week or risk having the Senate take over the state assembly was a clear pointer to the fact that all the peace moves brokered by stakeholders had failed to yield the expected amicable resolution.
The hint of a looming political disagreement between Obaseki and his predecessor surfaced during the 2019 national and state assembly party primaries in the state.

While Obaseki wanted to have his loyalists in the assembly to secure his second term, Oshiomhole was said to have rooted for his own loyalists. Observers are of the view that Oshiomhole’s move was a calculated plot to stop Obaseki from picking the party’s ticket for a second term in office.

The fight over who will produce candidates in the state assembly led to the cancellation of the initial primary organized by the national body and a fresh primary was conducted.

For example, in Akoko-Edo federal constituency, Oshiomhole wanted Hon Peter Akpatason while the governor was favourably disposed to the candidature of the then Speaker, Hon Kabiru Adjoto. At the end, Akpatason emerged the candidate and eventually won the election.

Besides, loyalists in the camp of Oshiomhole are said to be enraged when Obaseki stated that he will not succumb to pressures to share state resources meant for development to politicians.
Again, Obaseki during the national and state assembly elections was believed not to have supported some of the candidates perceived to be loyal to Oshiomhole, an allegation that further widened the political gulf between the two.

Some of the politicians who had worked for the governor’s emergence were said to have accused Obaseki of shutting them out shortly after he won the election and vowed to rescue the party from his grip.

The supremacy battle between Obaseki and Oshiomhole shifted to the House of Assembly when nine lawmakers said to be loyal to Obaseki were inaugurated and Hon Frank Okiye emerged as the Speaker while 15 members-elect loyal to Oshiomhole were shut out in what has become controversial.

The governor’s supporters and strategists are of the view that if an Oshiomhole-loyal leadership of the House emerges, Obaseki may be impeached in no time.


Lagos: The Battle Continues…

While the cold war between some governors and their predecessors manifested in verbal missiles on the pages of newspapers, in Lagos the frosty relationship said to have existed then between Governor Babatunde Fashola and his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was largely based on speculation because the duo kept sealed lips on the issue.

Thus, when the party leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, finally gave him the go-ahead to run for another four years in 2011, it sent the large crowd that thronged the venue into jubilation.

Tinubu, former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, two-term governor of Lagos State, founder and leader of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which later metamorphosed to APC, attributed the rumour of his estrangement with the governor to people who, he said, simply wanted to divide them.
He said the stories were masterminded by those he termed “political rodents and enemies who did not know how I knew him (Fashola).
”
After presenting Fashola for re-election in the state under the platform of the ACN, Tinubu went ahead to score him 85 per cent in his first tenure. He emphasised that the governor remained the best man for the job.

Tinubu said, “He is my son. Those that were peddling the rumour are those that did not know how I knew him or what endeared him to me.

They are the agents of destruction, political rodents, enemies and scavengers in the corridors of power that want to continue to loot state funds without working to deliver dividends of democracy.

“They said I was jealous of his achievements and said all sort of things. If you have a son that has surpassed your records, you celebrate him. I am the pathfinder, he is the navigator. I am the one that identified the talent.”

Tinubu was later to choose Fashola’s successor, Akinwumi Ambode, who he later fell out with. According to Tinubu, Ambode became a bad party man who no longer deserved his support.
As a result, the former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was denied a second term ticket by the All Progressives Congress.

Tinubu explained why he withdrew his support for Ambode and backed 53-year-old former chairman of the Lagos State Property Development Commission (LSDPC) and two-time commissioner, Babajide Olushola Sanwoolu, to emerge the new governor of the state.

Tinubu said Ambode could not return for a second term because he suddenly became a “bad party man” who lost the support of party members.

“Who did I support in 2014? Ambode. Life is dynamic. It’s those who made me the leader of the structure in Lagos who said it was what they wanted. It’s only if you have followers that you’re a leader in democracy.

“If I look back and I don’t find them again; if I don’t respond to them, if I fail to accede to their request, I would have failed the leadership test.
“This is not personal; it is beyond me as a person. Every democratic constitution is preceded by ‘We, the people’. So, I had to submit myself to the wishes and the yearnings of our party.’’

He pointed out that, as governor Ambode ’’is doing well, yes; (but) he hasn’t been a good party man; not only the glamour, not only about brick and mortar. A talent is determined by character. For you to become an influential person, you have to respond to the yearnings of the people. This is politics; democracy, one man, one vote.”
As it were, Ambode went to the party primary without his godfather’s support and lost.


Forces Behind Obi-Obiano Feud In Anambra:

Governor Willie Obiano’s feud with his immediate predecessor and benefactor, Mr. Peter Obi, was actually engineered by some powerful forces within the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) who did not like Mr. Obi’s frugal disposition.

In other to maximize patronage from the Governor Obiano’s administration, they now convinced the governor that he needed to ensure that Mr. Obi exited from the party, and that he should enthrone his own political structure. To achieve this, they advised him to jettison his predecessor’s development blue-print, the Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS) which was focused on simultaneous development of all sectors of the state.

This was why the feud between Governor Obiano and former Governor Obi started even before the former was inaugurated into office for his first tenure.

It was believed that the then national chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh was one of the principal actors who sowed the seed of discord, more so, considering that he only narrowly survived his removal as national chairman of the party in the twilight of the Obi administration.
As a result, Governor Obiano initiated his own five-pillar development agenda which principally focused on Agriculture, Trade and Commerce, Science and technology, and industry with about 36 enablers.

Incidentally, it was this seed of mutual mistrust sown between Obiano and Obi that aborted the earlier promise made to Mr. Obi by the national leadership of APGA shortly after Obiano’s victory that he would be installed as chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees ( BoT), a development which was one of the reasons Obi decided to exit APGA and joined People’s Democratic Party (PDP) where he became the party’s vice-presidential candidate in the last general election.


Tambuwal Proved Bookmakers Wrong In Sokoto:

Expectedly, the 2019 governorship election in the Seat of the Caliphate was a straight battle between an estranged godfather and godson – Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, who is a former governor of Sokoto State and incumbent Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

They were the real dramatis personae in the battle royale. Tambuwal, who ascended the governorship position with the backing of Wamakko in 2015, was re-elected for a second term in office without the support of the latter.
Things changed in the last four years. Political realignments brought an end to the alliance between the two.

Leaving the APC in August last year, along with 18 members of the State House of Assembly, Governor Tambuwal had said he was returning to the PDP because of the failure of the APC and its government.

Wamakko, a grassroots and influential politician in Sokoto, was poised to stop Tambuwal’s re-election in order to return the state to APC rule. The rest is now history.


Once upon a time in Rivers, Kano, Benue and Akwa Ibom:

Other stories of love-gone-sour relationship of godfathers and their godsons include the one between a former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and his successor, Nyesom Wike.

Others are the epic battle for the control of the soul of Kano State during the 2019 elections between a former governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and his erstwhile deputy, aide and friend – Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Conflict of interests also reared its ugly head in Akwa Ibom State and separated the incumbent governor, Udom Emmanuel, from his estranged benefactor, godfather, former governor and now minister-designate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, a development that denied the latter re-election to the Senate.

Also in Benue State, the political structure of a former governor of the state, Senator George Akume, helped the current governor, Samuel Ortom, to win his first governorship election in 2015 but they soon fell out over conflict of interests.

While Ortom left the APC and went back to the PDP in order to win re-election, he ensured that Akume, who is now a minister-designate, lost his re-election to the Senate at the 2019 polls.

Threebear:
Sir Dee is a good actor.
Seyi brought the whole thing to life .
Best task I've ever seen in the history of BBN .

rahazaqa:
Seyi wrote the story.
This is Epic!!

Peter Dada , Akure



Some soldiers have allegedly raped a female student ( name withheld) of the Adekunle Ajasin University , Akungba Akoko .

The incident allegedly happened on Wednesday evening at the military checkpoint at Ikare Akoko in Akoko North -East Local Government Area of Ondo State.

According to a source, the soldiers , who were attached to the Ikare Akoko checkpoint, allegedly raped the lady, a 300 -level student at AAUA , while she was returning from the campus.

The source, who identified one of the soldiers , alleged that the soldiers took turns to sexually assault the victim.

He said one of the soldiers at the checkpoint allegedly ordered the victim to get down from a vehicle she and others were travelling in, and took her into a cubicle at the back of the checkpoint where the soldiers allegedly forcefully had sex with her.

A student of the institution who witnessed the incident but who did not want her name in print for fear of intimidation and harassment confirmed the incident .

She said, “ We went to Ikare Police Station to report the incident and then rushed her to Ondo State Specialist Hospital , Ikare -Akoko , for examination and treatment .

“ As I’ m talking to you , she is at the hospital and doctors confirmed that she was raped . ”

The eyewitness said it was not the first time such a thing would be happening at the military checkpoint in the town .

A Police source at the Ikare Police Station , who confirmed that the incident was reported at the station around 7 : 15 p . m . on Wednesday , said the Police had stepped into the matter .

The source confirmed that the name of a Lance Corporal was mentioned in the statement written by the complainant .

“ The matter was reported here, but I won ’ t say more on it . When we complete our investigation , it would be sent to the headquarters in Akure, ” he stated .

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Command, Mr. Femi Joseph, however , said he was not aware of the incident .

The management of the AAUA said it had commenced investigation into the matter and had constituted a panel of inquiry to examine the allegation .

The Head of Media and Protocol Unit of the university , Mr. Victor Akinpelumi , confirmed that the management of the institution was aware of the incident and had initiated an investigation into it .

by Precious Igbonwelundu


https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/IMG-20190731-WA0009.jpg

A 23-year-old woman Eniola Shittu has been arrested by the police in Ogun for allegedly conspiring with her lover David Peremobowe, 31, to rape her friend.

Shittu, a resident of Ikopa Tuntun, Abiola Way, Abeokuta, was arrested on July 27 following a complaint filed by the victim at Obantoko Police Division, spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi said on Wednesday evening.

According to Oyeyemi, the incident occurred around 1:45 pm on July 24, when Shittu messaged the victim on WhatsApp to help her buy food and skushis.

Shittu was said to have asked the victim to bring them to her boyfriend’s house at Somorin, Obantoko in Abeokuta where she was offered a bottle of beer by the said boyfriend Peremobowe.

“But immediately she finished taking the beer, she became very weak as a result of which David Peremobowe unlawfully had carnal knowledge of her and while he was doing it, her friend Eniola Shittu used her phone to do the video recording of how she was being raped.

“On the strength of her complaint, the DPO Obantoko Division, SP Olasunkanmi Popoola detailed his detectives to the boy’s house where David Peremobowe and his girlfriend Eniola Shittu were promptly arrested. The Gionee handset with which the video coverage was made was also recovered.

“The Commissioner of Police Bashir Makama has ordered the transfer of the suspects to Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Labour unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for further investigation and possible prosecution.”

by Yusuf Alli





A new battle plan to recover N5trillion debts has been drawn up, it was learnt yesterday.
A task force, which will recover the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) debts has been raised by the Federal Government.

Some 105 businessmen and companies are owing the toxic debts.

Twenty individuals and firms account for N3.35trillion (67 %) of the N5trillion debts.
The debtors may lose their assets, unless they pay up.

It was learnt that the government may invoke against the debtors the Interim Forfeiture Clause in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Establishment Act 2004 and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (2000) Act.

The decision to raise a task force was taken at a closed-door meeting between Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and some heads of anti-graft agencies.

At the meeting were EFCC Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu; ICPC Chairman Bolaji Owasanoye; NFIU Director/Chief Executive Modibbo Tukur; Federal Ministry of Transportation Permanent Secretary Sabiu Zakari and other senior government officials.

Although a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity (Office of the Vice President), Mr. Laolu Akande, was silent on the list of the debtors, The Nation unmasked them.

A breakdown of the list of debtors includes a senator, a former senator, a former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, a former secretary to the government of the Federation (SGF); two former governors, including one serving a jail term, a former Minister of Power and nine others.

There are also two former Managing Directors of distressed banks; a newspaper publisher, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a former powerful associate of an ex-President
A source at the meeting said: “The task force, including anti-graft agencies, will move in immediately to recover the debts.

They have been mandated to invoke the Interim Assets Forfeiture Clause where necessary.
“Of the 105 debtors, 20, comprising businessmen and companies, owe N3.350trillion. This is about 67 per cent.

“We can no longer allow these debtors to hold the nation to ransom. Some of them are hiding under the law to refuse to pay their debts. Recent profiling of these debtors shows that some of them have the wherewithal to offset their outstanding loans.”

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity (Office of the Vice President), Mr. Laolu Akande, said: “In a renewed and spirited effort to ensure the effective recovery of over N5 Trillion being outstanding debts owed the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), a new task force has been set up to get the job done without fail.

”Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, gave the indication during a meeting with board members and management of AMCON and selected heads of government agencies, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday evening.

”Those agencies include the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and also the Permanent Secretaries of the Justice and Transport Ministries.

”To this effect, a special task force/committee comprising the Heads of AMCON, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Ministry of Justice, will be working to develop and implement new strategies that will ensure that the determination of the FG to recover the money is speedily achieved.

”Osinbajo said all the relevant agencies have to re-strategise to achieve the desired results.
”The key is collaboration. We need a small team comprising these agencies to look at the next steps that we need to take, especially the criminal aspect, forfeiture, and all of that,” Osinbajo added.

The statement said the Vice President asked the task force should look at the top 20 AMCON defaulters closely and develop “a plan of action that brings results”.

Osinbajo had in May met with the AMCON management on how to resolve the debt crisis.
According to AMCON Chairman Muiz Banire almost 67 per cent of the outstanding N5tn debt is owed by just 20 individuals/entities.

Banire noted that the agency had been “trying its best in its attempt to recover this through the civil judicial process, but had encountered several challenges”.

By Anule Emmanuel Abuja




President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, disclosed that he will assign portfolio to members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) who have been confirmed by the Senate at the point of inauguration.

The President, however, did not mention any particular date for the inauguration of the new ministers.

Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, commended the Senate for its diligence and prompt confirmation of his ministerial nominees.
He said: “Specific portfolios shall be assigned with the inauguration of the cabinet.”

Buhari also expressed satisfaction in the process which he described as swift and efficient.

According to the President, the people of Nigeria want results, and with this list of ministers, we are confident they shall be delivered.

“This is a fine, capable and committed group of individuals. Working together, they shall help achieve what we all want and labour toward: a secure, prosperous, corruption-free nation in which nobody is left behind, and talents can flourish.

“The executive approaches this 9th National Assembly with a renewed spirit of openness and enthusiasm. Where once we sometimes found impasse, we welcome collaboration; where once suspicion took hold, together, we shall demonstrate mutual trust.

“Scrutiny should never mean deadlock but proper governance. And with a new swathe of national legislators and ministers, we are confident the executive and the legislature can – in partnership – unleash the change Nigerians deserve,” he added.

Iyobosa Uwugiaren and Deji Elumoye in Abuja



Most of the 31 ministerial nominees already screened by the Senate who failed to attach photocopies of the asset declaration certificates to their Curriculum Vitae (CV) have perfected plans to turn in those vital documents by today, THISDAY has learnt.

THISDAY gathered that some of the nominees had met with their state caucuses at the Senate where they made commitment that the asset declaration certificates would be made available to the upper chamber before the end of today’s screening.

THISDAY also learnt at the weekend how some leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) frustrated efforts by some governors of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to recommend candidates to President Muhammadu Buhari that could be appointed as ministers.

Sources said among the ministerial nominees affected by the Senate order that would-be ministers should produce their asset declaration certificates were former governors, ex-senators, former ministers and former deputy governors and House of Representatives members.

The sources told THISDAY that the leadership of the Senate after the screening last Friday, had impressed it upon the state caucuses on the need to ensure that their respective state nominees send in copies of their asset declaration forms by today.

A senator told THISDAY that the issue of the asset declaration forms might be played up by some senators at the point of confirming those nominees already screened by the Senate tomorrow.
This, he said, informed why the leadership of the Senate directed that all nominees should turn in their asset forms by today.

It was gathered that the remaining 12 out of the 43 ministerial nominees sent to the Senate for confirmation last Tuesday that would be screened today and tomorrow were expected to have attached their asset declaration certificates as a condition for their screening.

Senator Lawrence Ewrudjiakpo (Bayelsa East) at last Friday’s screening of some of the ministerial nominees had raised Order 121 of the Senate Rules to complain that most, if not all the nominees, had failed to attach their asset declaration forms to their CV.

Order 121 of Senate Rules provides that “the Senate shall not consider the nomination of any person who has occupied any office contained in Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule of the constitution prior to his nomination unless there is written evidence that he has declared his assets and liabilities as required by Section 13 of Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Such declaration shall be required for scrutiny.”

The screening of the nominees continues today as nine of them, including former Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (Lagos); Dr. Muhammad Mahmoud (Kaduna); former Senator Gbemisola Saraki (Kwara); former Governor of Osun State, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Goddy Jedy-Agba (Cross River) take their turns.

Others to be screened are Sulaiman Adamu (Jigawa); Clement Agba (Edo), Maryam Katagum ( Bauchi) and former Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama.
The three nominees for screening tomorrow are Sabo Nanono, former Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (Kwara) and Saleh Mamman ( Taraba).


Ministerial Appointments: How APC Leaders Frustrated South-east PDP Governors’ Nominees

And as the Senate sets to conclude the screening of the ministerial nominees tomorrow, THISDAY gathered last night that the South-east PDP governors felt disappointed over the non-inclusion of their ministerial nominees submitted to the president on the list sent to the Senate last week.

As part of their political deals with Buhari-led APC during the last presidential election, some state governors of South-east: Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and David Umahi (Ebonyi), were said to have submitted some names to the president for consideration as ministers.

But a source in the presidency said the governors predicated their decisions on the need for the president to form a “government of national unity”, taking into consideration the seemingly resentment against Buhari in the geo-political zone.

However, sensing the dangerous political implications of the PDP governors’ moves, some leaders of APC, led by the former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu and the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, were said to have told the president that assenting to the PDP governors’ requests would amount to undermining the ruling party in the South-east.

“Few days before the release of the ministerial nominees by President Muhammadu Buhari, some PDP governors from the South-east put so much pressure on the president to accept the names they submitted for ministerial appointment.

“But we told our leaders and the president that accepting the names would amount to finally killing our party in the South-east geopolitical zone. It would have been impossible to rationalise the decision and explain to APC leaders in the zone, who took the risk of campaigning for us during the last general election,” the source told THISDAY in Abuja.

A senior official of PDP told THISDAY that the party’s leadership was aware of the failed moves by the governors, but stated that their actions did not have the support of the party.

“We are aware of the shameful act by some of South-east governors; but they are on their own. Our party is still in court contesting the fraudulent so-called victory of President Buhari and APC at the Presidential Election Tribunal. And we are sure of retrieving our victory,” the PDP chieftain, who pleaded anonymity stated.

The PDP bigwig spoke on how the same governors almost frustrated the PDP presidential campaign in the zone during the last general election.

“You remember it took us time to fix the South-east presidential zonal rally; none of the South-east governors was ready to host the rally. For example, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State told us specifically he would not host.

“It was when they discovered that their people were hugely against their move to strike a deal with APC that they quickly made a U-turn, pretending to be supporting our candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

“They were not happy that Atiku Abubakar nominated Peter Obi as his running mate. And all efforts by our presidential candidate and the leaders of the party to pacify them failed,” the senior PDP member said.
Against the PDP governors’ plan, Buhari last week nominated Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah (Abia); Dr. Chris Ngige (Anambra); Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi); Dr. Geoffrey Oyeannma (Enugu) and Dr. Emeka Nwajuba (Imo) as ministerial nominees from the South-east.

Security men resorted to the use of teargas to disperse rampaging Kano Pillars fans on Sunday at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.

This was after their team defeated Niger Tornadoes 4 -3 on penalty kicks after a goalless draw during regulation time of the men ’s competition final match of the 2019 Aiteo Cup.

But there were many after -effects , with dignitaries present for the match having to take cover as the effect of the teargas created a state of pandemonium .

Those affected include the Kano State Governor , Abdullahi Ganduje ; and the deputy governors of Niger ( Muhammed Ketso ) , Kano State ( Nasiru Gawuna) and Nasarawa State ( Emmanuel Akabe ) .

There were many other dignitaries affected by the teargas , as well as an unidentified player who was driven away in an ambulance and several fans who passed out .

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Olusade Adesola , even had the windscreen of one of his official cars damaged during the melee .

NAN reports that trouble started immediately after the match had ended and Kano Pillars’ fans broke the barricade to enter the pitch in an attempt to celebrate with their players.

In the attempt to stop them and prevent them from disrupting the trophies ’ presentation ceremony, the fans clashed with the security men .

But inappropriate crowd control measures , which included manhandling and the use of sticks by members of the local security group , saw the Kano Pillars’ fans fighting back .

The fans regrouped with the assistance of many of their colleagues, who could not gain entry into the stadium for the match earlier, to attack the security men .

They went on the rampage, destroying billboards , pitch panels, posters and other objects in sight .

The use of teargas however put them under control , as they were chased out by the teargas and a reinforcement of the security personnel .
However, thousands of spectators who had turned out in their large numbers left the stadium in tears .

Presentation of medals and trophies later took place in a stadium that was near -empty after calm had returned to the venue .

It was a sharp contrast to the massive crowd which turned out for the game.

The list of the ministerial nominees sent to the Senate on Tuesday by President Muhammadu Buhari has generated mixed reactions but OLALEKAN ADETAYO examines if the list is worth the wait



About two months after taking the oath of office for his second term , President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday released the much -awaited list of ministers who will assist him to deliver his electoral promises compressed into a campaign theme and matra known as ‘Next Level .’

While the waiting game lasted , not a few people believed that two months was too long for a second term President to constitute his cabinet as contained in Section 147 of the nation ’ s 1999 Constitution as amended . The belief was that having been in the saddle for the first four years from May 29 , 2015 , the Nigerian leader should have hit the ground running by naming the ministers that will work with him earlier, even on the day of his inauguration .

But the Tuesday ’s ministerial nominees ’ list can still be considered to be fast in coming when compared with what happened during Buhari’s first term when it took him about five months to name his ministers , many of whom analysts rated below average at the end of their tenure .

Surprisingly , however , when the second term ministerial list finally came, it was not a clean slate after all . The list sent to the Ahmad Lawan- led Senate by the retired army general was still dominated by those who have held one public office or the other in the not too distant time .
In the list are former ministers, former state governors and former federal lawmakers . Some nominees even have the ‘privilege ’ of combining two or three of such persons.

In his wisdom, the septuagenarian leader re -appointed 14 among the ministers who worked with him in his first term .

The returnee ministers are Babatunde Fashola ( Lagos ) , Rotimi Amaechi ( Rivers ) , Hadi Sirika ( Katsina) , Zainab Ahmed ( Kaduna) , Lai Mohammed ( Kwara ) , Chris Ngige ( Anambra ) , Adamu Adamu ( Bauchi ) , Abubakar Malami ( Kebbi ) , Godfrey Onyeama ( Enugu ) , Ogbonnaya Onu ( Ebonyi) , Osagie Enahire ( Edo ) , Suleiman Adamu ( Jigawa) , Mohammed Bello ( Adamawa) and Mustapha Shehuri ( Borno) .

Apart from being ministers in Buhari’s first term , Fashola , Amaechi , Ngige and Onu are also former state governors.

While Fashola , Amaechi and Ngige had at different times been governors of Lagos , Rivers and Anambra states, Onu was also governor in the old Abia State . In addition to being a former minister and former governor , Ngige also has the honour of being a former senator while Amaechi had also served as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years . Shehuri is also a former member of the House of Representatives.

Another very conspicuous category of people in Buhari’ s ‘ Class of 2019 ’ is the former governors who are new entrants into the Federal Executive Council.

In this category are Godswill Akpabio ( Akwa Ibom) , Timipre Sylva ( Bayelsa) , George Akume ( Benue) , Adeniyi Adebayo ( Ekiti) and Rauf Aregbesola ( Osun ) . Besides being former governors, Akpabio and Akume are also former senators just as Aregbesola was a commissioner in Lagos and Adebayo is currently a member of the National Working Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Prominent among the new entrants is also Paulen Tallen , a former Minister of State for Science and Technology and former deputy governor of Plateau State . She is also a board member of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS .

Adeleke Mamora , one of the two nominees from Lagos State , is not an exception . He was at a time the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly after which he also served as a senator . A nominee from Ondo State , Tayo Alasoadura , is also a former senator .

Another new entrant , Sharon Ikeazor from Anambra State , is currently the Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate . Also, Ali Pantami , the nominee from Gombe State , is currently the Director -General/ Chief Executive Officer of the National Information Technology Development Agency.

Buhari’ s ministerial nominee from Imo State , Emeka Nwajiuba, is currently a member representing Ehimembano/Ihiteuboma / Obowo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Ambassador Maryam Katagun is the nominee from Bauchi State and she is Nigeria ’s Permanent Delegate to the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organisation . Another new entrant is Gbemisola Saraki from Kwara State . She is a former member of the House of Representatives and a former senator .

The nominee from Oyo State , Sunday Dare , is currently the Executive Commissioner ( Stakeholder Management ) of the Nigerian Communications Commission . Sadiya Umar Faruk from Zamfara State is currently the Federal Commissioner , National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons while Ramatu Tijjani from Kogi is a former foreign national women leader of the ruling APC . Olamilekan Adegbite from Ogun State was Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in the state .

With the large chunk of the nominees on the list are people well known to have held or still holding different public offices , the question on the lips of many observers is if the long wait for the list was worth it .

A professor of Political Science at the Lagos State University , Sylvester Odion -Akhaine , in an interview with our correspondent , said a country that had many issues to resolve could not be recycling those he described as failed politicians as Nigeria is currently doing .

He said Buhari’s ministerial list , which include the names of former governors who he claimed could not solve the various problems facing their states, portrayed the government as having no agenda and direction.

Odion -Akhaine said, “ Buhari has not disappointed many of us again in terms of not expecting anything significant from his government . We have gone through four years of inertia and again, it is the same path that we are going to go through in the next four years.

“ I do not see how a country that is badly in need and has many contradictions to resolve, can be recycling failed politicians . These are politicians who could not resolve developmental problems in their states and have served out two terms in some cases and you are bringing them back as ministers . Basically , this portrays a government that has no agenda and has no direction.”

Also, the Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre , and Head of Transparency International ( Nigeria ) , Auwal Rafsanjani , expressed the view that Buhari’ s ministerial list appeared more like a campaign team . Rafsanjani , who is also the chairman of the Board of Amnesty International ( Nigeria) , expressed regret that the President could include people who were being investigated by anti -graft agencies in his ministerial list .

He said, “ Nigerians will just have to endure whatever comes their ways until this administration is over . This is because this administration does not believe in consultation or dialogue and it does not believe in the interest of Nigerians .

“ The ministerial list contains names of people having corruption cases before the EFCC and ICPC. This government that claims to be fighting corruption does not see anything wrong in picking people who are being investigated by anti -corruption agencies for their actions and inaction in the offices they held in the past . This government is clearly not sensitive to the yearnings of Nigerians . The list only shows that the government does not care about anything Nigerians are saying .

“ If the President believes in inclusiveness, he would not have limited himself to his campaign team . As far as I am concerned , the ministerial list is just like a campaign team . If the President is interested in bringing in people that can bring in some levels of sanity and provide quality leadership , he would have gone beyond his party. There are many talented Nigerians that he can invite to contribute to nation building .”

He added , “ We have been talking about him bringing in experts and yet , he went to bring people who have held positions in the past and have nothing to show for such positions they held . It is really unfortunate .

The President said he would appoint only those he knows and it is unfortunate that many of those he picked are people with credibility problems except for a few ones among them . We actually have a few of them that we believe can perform , but when the majority of them are bad , it will be difficult for the few good ones to make any meaningful difference. ”

On his part , the spokesperson for the Yoruba group , Afenifere , Mr Yinka Odumakin , in an interview with our correspondent, said the country was in what he described as a serious crisis if the ministerial list was the best the President could produce after months of searching.

Odumakin said the list appeared more like a list of members of the ruling party’ s campaign committee than that of members of FEC.

He said , “ It is very funny that five months after the presidential election and two months after his inauguration for second term , the President ’s search could only produce Sylva, Aregbesola , Akpabio and even Fashola among others . You know the President said earlier that he was going to appoint those who he knew .

“ If those on the list are the best the President could come up with after months , then we are in a serious crisis . This list is not in any way worth it . We were expecting that he will search for good hands in the Diaspora and look for the best brains around the world , but that did not happen . The list looks more like names of the campaign committee for the APC and not that of ministers .”

Also, the National President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Yerima Shettima , shared the views expressed by Odumakin .

Shettima told our correspondent that he was surprised that politicians whom he claimed had failed the nation in their previous assignments dominated the ministerial list . He said he expected that the President would consider more young and vibrant technocrats to rescue the ship of the nation .

He said, “ The long waiting for the list does not worth it . One would have expected that most of the nominees will be technocrats and experts in various fields who will have the capacity to declare emergency in the areas where this government has failed in the last four years. If you look at the list , it contains mostly of former governors , former ministers and former lawmakers , among others . We know the antecedents of these people . Almost all of them have failed in their previous appointments at all levels .

“ Apart from a few of them who have not served the government like Festus Keyamo , who I knew when we were in the trenches and people like Ikechukwu Ogar and Emeka Nwajuba, those are a few young men who I believe can do better than all these former this and former that who have failed and no longer have anything to offer .

“ The President should have gone the way of encouraging more younger elements who are professionals with sound minds so that the government can move faster . However, let us remain hopeful that with these new entrants , we are going to see something different compared to these former public office holders who are returning afresh. ”

The main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party , is not left out in the criticism trailing the unveiling of Buhari’ s next ministers.
The party’ s National Chairman , Uche Secondus , is of the opinion that the President disappointed Nigerians .

Secondus told SUNDAY PUNCH that Nigerians had thought the list would contain names of new and competent people .

The PDP leader said , “ The President disappointed Nigerians with the list he sent to the Senate . Going by the delay before the list was sent, we had thought we would see fresh and competent names on it . We thought we would see professionals in the field of economics , petroleum , statistics , education, power, industry and even transportation .

“ We have a new Prime Minister in the United kingdom now . Within a day , he had picked members of his cabinet and even added their portfolios . That is a leader that is ready to work .

But here we are, with a President who is a former
Head of State and had tried three times to win election , but failed. Four years ago , his refusal to get us ministers led us to a recession . We have not come out of it . He said ministers are noisemakers . Left to him , he would be a sole administrator . He believes he knows everything .

“ Nigerians should put the ministers on their toes and keep asking them questions when they assume office. They should not be cowed .
Democracy is about the multiplicity of opinions .”

But the National Publicity Secretary of the ruling APC , Lanre Issa - Onilu, disagreed sharply with the views that the ministerial list fell below expectation . For Issa -Onilu, the ministerial list contains names of competent people that will assist the President to achieve his administration ’s plans.

He said, “ Were those condemning the list expecting it to contain names from Jupiter ? Or in the case of the PDP , were they expecting names of nominees to be fetched from the server ?

“ Whichever way, people will still say whatever they want to say . But the important thing is that we have a solid squad . We have a squad of experienced technocrats that cut across several beats and discipline . With this team , together with the President , the next four years will be exciting . ”

In all , it appears the President did not spring a surprise with many of the names on his list . But will the team spring a surprise in terms of performance ? Only time will tell.

Boko Haram gunmen on Saturday killed 23 mourners in Borno State in Nigeria’s restive northeast after they attended a funeral, local militia and residents said.

At around 1030 GMT, the attackers on three motorbikes opened fire on a group of men as they walked back from a funeral in Nganzai district near the state capital Maiduguri, local militia leader Bunu Bukar Mustapha said.

“Our men recovered 23 dead bodies from the scene of the attack, which happened this morning,” Mustapha told AFP.

The men were returning to Badu Kuluwu from nearby Goni Abachari village where they had attended funeral prayers for a relative, Mustapha said.

A Nganzai district official confirmed both the incident and death toll.

“I received calls from Nganzai that Boko Haram killed 23 people near Badu Kuluwu this morning,” said the official, who asked not to be identified for his own safety.

Local hunters and militia recovered the bodies after survivors returned to the village and alerted them, Nganzai resident Saleh Masida said.
Boko Haram fighters have been repeatedly attacking Nganzai district.

In September last year, the group killed eight people and stole livestock in two villages in the area after residents tried to stop them from taking their animals.

Boko Haram and its IS-supported ISWAP splinter have intensified attacks on civilian and military targets in recent months.

Late Thursday, Boko Haram fighters attacked a camp for displaced people outside Maiduguri, killing two residents and looting food supplies after burning a nearby military base.

The decade-long jihadist conflict has spilled over into neighbouring Chad, Niger and Cameroon, claiming around 27,000 lives and forcing more than two million people to flee their homes.

by Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation



Four years after sweeping into office, President Muhammadu Buhari, has lifted the lid on the efforts that went into building the All Progressives Congress (APC) into a winning party.

Four parties – Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) – dissolved into what became APC ahead of the 2015 elections.

Buhari says all the four parties came to the “painful realisation” that none of them could defeat PDP as separate entities hence the need for them to merge.

The significance of the merger, according to him, was underscored by the fact that the future of Nigeria was tied to it.

Buhari shares his view in a July 2019 foreword to a book, “Power of Possibility and Politics of Change in Nigeria” by the Director-General of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Comrade Salihu Mohammed Lukman.

The President said he spoke with the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande at the commencement of the merger negotiations about the need to have a broad-based national political party
He said if the opposition parties had failed, it would be difficult to imagine what would have happened to them.

He said as at the time the merger talks got underway, only the Southwest was a secured constituency.

The book, which is yet to be launched, has been made available to all APC leaders at all levels, governors and other stakeholders.

Going into the details of the emergence of the APC, the president said: “At one point, we in the four former opposition parties, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), came to the painful realisation that there was no way we could defeat the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as separate entities without coming together as a united force.

“So, having agreed to come together, we decided to set up committees to look into how we can best merge to form a formidable opposition party. After that each of the four parties developed the terms of reference for the committees on the modalities of the negotiations for the merger.

“We, however, made it clear that none of the committees has the power to take any final decision on the merger. Their work was mainly to discuss with their party members and report the outcome of the discussion to the leadership of their parties.

“The understanding was that the final decision regarding how to go about the merger would be made by the executives of each of the parties. We wanted to make the process as democratic as possible.”

The President said the merger was significant in the nation’s history and ought to be a major research question.

He disclosed the merger template he discussed with the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the Interim (pioneer) National Chairman of the new party, Chief Bisi Akande.
He said if the merger had failed, Nigeria would have been worse for it.

“The decision to come together and agree to merge to become a strong opposition party that will face PDP was historic. In my reckoning, it was one of the most significant political development in contemporary Nigerian political history. I hope historians will record the events correctly,” he stressed.

“I would recall speaking to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande at the commencement of the merger negotiations about the need to have a broad-based national political party, because at that point the South-West geopolitical zone of the country was the only secured constituency, while there were sharp divisions in the other geopolitical zones (North West, North East, North Central, the South East and the South South).

“We eventually succeeded in coming together. It was a major sacrifice made by the leadership of the respective political parties. And the significance of this event was underscored by the fact that the future of Nigeria was tied to it. Which is why for historians and political scientists, it becomes a major research question.

“I always wonder what would have been the political, economic and security consequences to the country without the merger of the old opposition parties and seizing political power from the ruling PDP democratically.

“I wonder how many people have taken the time to reflect on this development and make projections as to what could have happened if the opposition had failed to come together to take away power from PDP.”

Despite criticisms on his performance in office, Buhari said: “Anyway, as a result of this historic decision we are changing Nigeria for good.”
He said his administration has succeeded in averting the nation’s downward slide under PDP government.

He said: “I have been constrained to go public several times to remind Nigerians where this country was economically and socially and the deplorable conditions of the nation’s infrastructure, despite the unprecedented huge earnings from oil exports between I999-20l4, and how the then ruling PDP squandered nation’s resources and opportunities.

“Fortunately, we have been able to reverse this downward slide in such a short period of time, even under more challenging circumstances from 20I5 to date.

“I feel that without coming together, we would not have been able to achieve this feat. And Nigeria will be the worse for it. We remain the only hope of the country in terms of charting a politically stable and economically prosperous future for our people.

“I will, therefore, encourage us to continue leading this country effectively, now that Nigerians have entrusted us with a mandate once again to chart the course for the future of our beloved nation.

“There is no doubt that we have the popular support of Nigerians. l have seen this myself when I went around the 36 states and FCT during the electioneering campaigns. The turnout of people and messages of goodwill across the country was what no individual, party or government could organize or buy. It was purely a demonstration of confidence in our Administration and its political platform, the All Progressives’ Congress (APC), the product of the merger.

“The multitudes that trooped out to see me and hear me out was reassuring that Nigeria, despite its cultural diversities, are united on the imperative of change.

“Our duty as leaders is to ensure that we keep this nation united, build a better future for the citizens and the coming generation.”

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, in a separate contribution on the merger, described it as a demonstration of the fact that in life nothing is impossible.

According to him, “With clear convictions, we have demonstrated that in life nothing is impossible. Having succeeded in merging our legacy parties in June 2013, the same cynical mind set of many conservative Nigerians hardly expected the electoral defeat of PDP in 2015.

“This has not only come to pass but was replicated in 2019. Today, the cynical commentary is to dismiss the APC, its leadership and all its governance initiatives as hopeless.

“We will remain resolute and continue to drive political processes and governance to intensify delivery of public good for improved citizens’ welfare.

“At all times, our politics under APC will be about negotiating towards producing all the good outcomes that will make our country and our people great.”

But for the timely intervention of the police, residents of Akim Akwatia in the Eastern Region would have mutilated the penis of a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) elder, Kwasi Agbo, after he was caught allegedly attempting to have sexual intercourse with another man’s wife.

Police in the area confirmed to Onua FM Thursday that Elder Agbo was arrested Monday, July 22, and has since been granted bail pending further investigations.

A resident of Akim Akwatia, Yaw Aboagye, who narrated the incident on Onua FM’s Yen Sempa on Thursday, explained that Elder Agbo spotted the 28-year-old mother of two [name withheld] and expressed ‘interest’ in her.

The woman was said to have told Elder Agbo that she was married, hence she was not interested in having a love affair with.

According to Yaw Aboagye, the Elder allegedly persisted in having amorous relationship with the married woman.

Out of frustration, the woman informed her husband about the intentions of Elder Agbo.

Yaw Aboagye narrated that due to the persistence of the church elder, the husband advised the wife to fake interest and bait the Elder to their matrimonial home.

Consequent to that, the woman told Elder Agbo that her husband had travelled out of town and then invited him over to her home.

Elder Agbo, according to Yaw Aboagye, honoured the invitation to the woman’s home and in the process of striping her naked, the husband who was hiding in the house, appeared and raised an alarm.

Residents nearby immediately joined the woman’s husband and pounced on the church elder, beat him mercilessly and attempted to cut his manhood, but the police arrived at the scene to intervene.

It is unclear what charges will be leveled against the Elder.

Victor Oluwasegun




The House of Representatives has given reasons for not taking over Edo State Assembly and when the Green Chamber is likely to do so.

Speaking with reporters on Fruday, the ad hoc committee on Media and Publicity, represented by Hon. Yusuf Gaji said there is the need to harmonise the reports by the two Chambers first.

His words: “The activities of the House were achieved with these little sittings that we have conducted so far, and some of the ad hoc committees have submitted their reports.

” Like the Edo Assembly crisis, Bauchi Assembly crisis, Ethics and Privileges regarding one of our members, Bright Takuno; and others. They have submitted their reports and the House has taken position on those reports.

While being reminded that its one week after the House passed resolutions on Edo Assembly and if the House will eventually take over the Edo House of Assembly provided its conditions are not met.

“The Speaker of the House of Representatives is not God. We made mistakes. I am not saying that our decisions for approving the recommendations by the committee of which I was a member; the committee that investigated the Edo State Assembly crisis…

“We gave one week upon which the governor should act, failure of which we would invoke Section 11(4) of the Constitution that donates power to the House of Representatives to do the needful whenever there is crisis.

“But be that as it may, if you look at the report on Bauchi investigation, there was one item that was added to that of Bauchi; that the House should transmit its recommendations to the Senate.

” In a situation where there are two committees put in place by the House and the Senate, I think the positions need to be put together by the two organs of the National Assembly before any other thing.

“That was why Bauchi gave one month and Mr. Speaker equally ruled that they (Edo State Assembly ) should be treated the same way.

“The report of Edo too should be harmonised with that of the Senate, after which we will wait and see if the position of the Senate concurs with that of the House.

“And within the period, from the day the Senate takes position on these two states, and the governors refuse to act in that direction, definitely we are going to employ the service of Section 11(4) of the Constitution,” the lawmaker said.

Recall that the House through an ad hoc committee, headed by Hon. Abdulrasak Namdas had threatened over a week ago that the National Assembly will take over the functions of the Edo State House of Assembly should the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and members of the 7th Edo House not meet three conditions. The conditions are yet to be met.

by IBRAHIM ABDULAZIZZ, MARYAM HASSAN



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An elderly man, Aliyu Hussaini has allegedly killed his wife, Aishatu Abubakar, mother of five children, popularly known as Sabuwa at Arhan Kunu Area of Mubi, a town in Adamawa State.

DAILY NIGERIAN reliably gathered that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

One of the family members of the deceased told DAILY NIGERIAN correspondent that the victim’s corpse was reportedly dumped in front of a public hospital in the area.

“My sister who works at the general hospital called to inform us that Sabuwa’s corpse had been dumped in front of the general hospital.
“Earlier, around 10:00 am, the deceased son rushed into our house, saying ‘my father has killed my mum’.

“We initially thought it was a normal misunderstanding between the couple until we got a call from the hospital where the corpse was dumped.

“When we saw the corpse of the victim, it was completely out of shape,” Rukayya Ahmed, who spoke on behalf of the family, explained.

“A pound of flesh had been cut off from her thigh, her mouth was torn and the tongue had been cut off too. Her stomach had also been cut off and there was no liver and some offal were also removed,” she added.

According to her, on reaching the deceased house, there was no trace of any evidence of physical struggle that could have possibly resulted in such incidence as the husband and his friend had already cleared the place.
“But they later produced three knives with which they hacked her,” she disclosed.

When Mr Hussaini, the husband, could not be reached for comment, a resident in the neighbourhood who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that the husband had already reported himself to the police station, denying having any hand in the murder of his wife.

However, according to the local resident, Mr Hussaini had confessed to having had a dream that he was stabbing something whitish, but not his wife.

“I had a dream the night before the incident. I saw something whitish attacking me and I retaliated. When I woke up, I saw my wife in that terrible condition, but I did not kill her,” the husband was reported as saying.

He added that Mr Hussaini was earlier reported to have said that someone was going to die in his household on Friday before the incident that happened on Monday.

“Hussaini had earlier planned to flee with N1.8million belonging to his wife (the deceased) which she kept in the fridge, but his friend told him not to, saying he would become a prime suspect if he dared to flee,” the resident disclosed.

Speaking with DAILY NIGERIAN via a telephone chat, the Ward Head of the community, Isiyaku Jibrilla-Dagala, alleged that the incident could be linked to cultism or ritual activity.

“Some say that Hussaini is a psychiatric case. There’s, however, nothing to suggest his mental defect, being my close neighbour,” he argued.
Confirming the incident, the police spokesman in the state DSP Suleiman Nguroje said the husband has since been arrested.

“Yes, the man has been arrested having earlier reported himself to our station. He is currently under police custody in Mubi.

“The CP had swiftly ordered the anti-homicide unit to investigate the cause of this heinous act,” said Mr Nguroje.

By Christian Nwokocha



OWERRI – The former Governor of Imo State Senator Rochas Okorocha appears to be in fresh trouble, following plans to issue him a quit notice to vacate his present private residence in Owerri by the people of Ihitte Mbieri in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

Senator Okorocha whose private estates in Owerri were recently sealed by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) was said to have acquired his expansive private residence in Owerri from Spibath Construction Company before he became governor of Imo State.

In an interview with Daily Independent, the Ihitte Mbieri Community President General Chief Chima Ahanaotu said that Senator Okorocha forcefully acquired the said land without proper investigation.

He said that the administration of the former governor of old Imo State under the watch of Chief Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe leased the controversial land to Spibath and according to Ahanaotu the land reverted back to the owners immediately Spibath left hence it didn’t serve the purpose to which the land was leased.

He vowed to mobilise all members of his community and head to Government House Owerri and Imo State House of Assembly to protest against Okorocha’s forceful conversion of community land.

“Our properties have been forcefully converted by some individuals. Lands occupied by Spibath, Shell Camp, Alvan Ikeokwu Federal College of Education belong to us. The have all been taken away by force and without compensation.

“As far as we are concerned, the history of Spibath land is known to us. The land was on lease to Spibath during Mbakwe’s administration and it has expired more than twenty years ago.

Whoever that lives on that land previously owned by Spibath acquired it illegally. We will recover that land from Okorocha. He cannot take people’s property by force. We have the agreement papers between government of Imo State and the community.

“Spibath came to our community and promised to build roads, build schools and train our children, but unfortunately their company collapsed and they decided to leave with all their equipment before time. We are now prepared to regain our land.”

By Michael Eboh



Nigeria’s fuel subsidy payments shot up by 1,174 per cent in the wake of the 2019 general elections, as the Nigerian National petroleum Corporation, NNPC, disclosed that it paid N206.585 billion as under recovery in January and February 2019, an increase of N190.37 compared to N16.212 billion recorded in the last two months of 2018.

Nigeria’s 2019 general election took place, February 23 for the presidential and National Assembly elections and March 9 for the governorship and state assemblies’ elections.

Under recovery, also known as fuel subsidy is the cost the NNPC is incurring to subsidise the price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, ensuring that it is sold at fuel retail stations at the regulated price of N145 per litre, even when the real market price is above the regulated price.

Since 2017, the NNPC had been the sole importer of PMS in Nigeria and it deducts cost for under recovery before making remittances to the Federation Account.

Ironically, the naira remained stable within these periods, while the price of crude oil in the international market remained low. In November and December 2018, the price of crude oil in the international market averaged N64.75 per barrel and $57.36 billion per barrel respectively, while in January and February 2019, crude oil price averaged $59.41 per barrel and $63.96 per barrel.

In October 2018, when crude oil hit the 2018 high of $81.03 per barrel, the NNPC recorded under recovery of N40.5 billion.

In its Monthly Financial and Operations Report for May 2019 published yesterday, the NNPC stated that it recorded under recovery of N104.347 billion in January 2019, rising by 682 per cent or N91.011 billion from N13.336 billion recorded in December 2018.

The amount paid as under recovery by the NNPC, according to the report, dropped by 1.9 per cent to N102.338 billion in February 2019, an equivalent of N2.009 billion.

The amount declared as under recovery by the NNPC in November 2018 stood at N2.876 billion, dropping sharply from N40.53 billion recorded in October 2018.

When contacted on the issue, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, explained that the prices of crude oil had been rising in the international market, and when that happens, it normally affects prices of petroleum products, and by extension, the landing cost.

He said, “Looking at it on a monthly basis, you would likely be speaking of spot market prices. The way these things operate, it is more of future crude oil trading. You do not know when they place order for the crude oil.

“As I said, it has to do with prices; it does not necessarily mean that once the price of crude oil was high last month that is when I bought my crude oil. The second reason is the issue of smuggling which we have observed over the years and NNPC have been having series of meeting with the Nigerian Customs.

“Smuggling of petroleum products across the border has affected the quantum of petroleum products being brought into the country.”

Furthermore, the report revealed that the amount recorded as subsidy by the NNPC in January and February 2019 alone, was more than the amount spent on the same item from July 2018 to November 2018, which stood at N206.3 billion.

Specifically, in July, August, September, October and November 2018, the report noted that the NNPC declared under recovery of N51.2 billion, N65.9 billion, N45.8 billion, N40.5 billion and N2.9 billion respectively.

In particular, In November 2018, when the average price of crude oil, according to global energy data firm, IndexMudi, was $64.75 per barrel, the amount the NNPC declared as subsidy was N2.876 billion; while in December 2018, when the price of crude oil dropped to $57.36 per barrels, the NNPC declared N13.336 billion as subsidy.

In a sharp contrast, In January 2019, when crude oil averaged $59.41 per barrel, the NNPC declared N104.347 billion as fuel subsidy, while it deducted N102.338 billion as subsidy when the price of crude oil averaged $63.96 per barrel.

The amount declared as subsidy for January and February 2019, was more than the budget of some states in the country, like Edo and Ondo states, which are proposing to spend N183.7 billion and N190 billion respectively.

by Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin




Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the Kwara State APC Caucus have regarded the nomination of Senator Gbemisola Saraki as minister by President Muhammadu Buhari as indirect restoration of the Saraki dynasty in the state.

The group said that already, her announcement as a minister-designate had thrown the defeated Saraki dynasty into celebration moods.

The APC Caucus Chairman and Secretary Yusuf Mohamnmed and Buhari Aliyu added that if they had their way with President Buhari, “we would have preferred another person from the state to replace Senator Gbemisola Saraki in order to save the people of the state the nightmare of going back to the dark days of the Saraki’s reign again.”

They hailed the president for re-nominating Alhaji Lai Mohammed as minister-designate, adding that “we wish however, like to state that we have received the nomination of Senator Gbemisola Saraki with mixed feelings.

“We are very apprehensive of the fact that as the saying goes, ‘blood is thicker than water.’

Therefore, we are afraid that the appointment of Senator Gbemisola Saraki as a minister, is likely to bring back the sad memories of the retrogressive political activities of the Saraki
dynasty, which impacted negatively on the lives of majority of the people of the state.

“We are of the believe that we have been able to defeat and wean ourselves from the Saraki’s negative political influences and strongholds that have left bitter and sour tastes in the mouths of majority of the people of the state during the divinely inspired victory of the people in the last general elections in the state.

“However, we are now very worried and unhappy that the appointment of Senator Gbemisola Saraki as a minster, would most likely provide easy access and platform, which shall be employed to bring back this era of the misrule and financial rape that were imposed on us in Kwara state, during the past 16 years of political control by the Saraki dynasty which Senator Gbemisola Saraki was also an active participant.

A 27-old man, Nsisong Okon Etim, has ended his life in Efiat Ikot Edo community in Uyo local government area of Akwa Ibom state over alleged frequent disturbances by his mother, step-brother and landlord.

The deceased, a graduate, disclosed the reasons for taking his life in a suicide note he wrote.

The late Nsisong said: ”I am ending my miserable life to escape from constant worries and disturbances from my mother, step-brother and the landlord whose shop I rented to sell cooking gas.”

The incident has continued to shock residents of Ukpong Edet Street within the Effiat Ikot Edo Offot community where the deceased lived with his mother.

According to family sources, the deceased, said to have completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) last year, had taken into a private business of retailing of cooking gas along the Old Ring Road, Uyo, “because of inability to find immediate job”.

The deceased Nsisong, one of the sons of the late Village Head of the community, Chief Etim Eton, according to his sister, Miss Edidiong Okon Etim, “was very discreet and was keeping always to himself”.

“He rarely eats from our mother’s kitchen; he normally cooked for himself until he returned on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 from his shop in the evening and ended his life that night,” she explained amid tears.

It was gathered “the deceased had opened the door to his house, locked himself in and later undressed himself and clad with only boxer short.

“He broke the PVC sealing, hung the suicide rope on the rafters and strangled himself in the noose”.

His mother identified as Mrs. Patience Eton, who was still in tears on Wednesday morning when his remains were lowered from the rafters for ritual and burial, was too shock to speak.

The Youths’ Leader (Obong Effak) of Umoebet\Esuene streets, Comrade Godwin Okon Sunday, expressed sadness over what he described as the “unfortunate incident”.

“I have seen him recently; he is a very reserved introvert who was not given to a socialist kind of life.

“In fact, if you come face to face with him on the road, he would hide his face and would not greet or talk to you.

“I think based on the content of his suicide note, it is the prevailing hardship that has brought frustration that led to his emotions running high to the point of taking such a hard decision to terminate his life,” the youths’ leader added.

By Dennis Erezi



A spokesman to former Nigerian vice president Tuesday accused the country’s president of deflecting the attention of the country from the Shiite-police clash with the release of the ministerial list.

Paul Ibe, who is the spokesman for Atiku Abubakar, said President Muhammadu Buhari used his 43-man ministerial nominees’ list to deflect the narrative of the ‘avoidable’ death of about 13 persons during a protest against the continued detention of their leader Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife on Monday.

“Buhari releases ministerial list ostensibly to deflect the narrative of the avoidable deaths following the Shiites protest of Monday,” Ibe said in a tweet.

The protest on Monday, July 22, claimed the life of deputy police commissioner Umar Usman, who was in charge of operations at the Federal Territory Police Command, a journalist with Channels Television Precious Owolabi and about 11 Shiites.

Buhari condoled with the victimsmoments after the ministerial nominees’ list was announced by Senate president Senator Ahmad Lawan Tuesday.

Among the ministerial nominees, Buhari listed former ministers such as Chris Ngige, Hadi Sirika, Rotimi Amaechi, Adamu Adamu, Mohammed Adamu, Babatunde Fashola and Lai Mohammed.

Others in the list are Uche Ogah, Emeka Nwajuiba, Sadiya Farouk, Musa Bello, Godswill Akpabio, Sharon Ikeazor, Ogbonnaya Onu, Akpa Udo, and Adebayo (Ekiti).

Also, Timipre Sylva, Adamu Adamu, Shewuye (Borno), Isa Pantami, Gbemi Saraki, Ramatu Tijani, Clement Abam were also declared as part of the nominees.

Paullen Tallen, Abubakar Aliyu, Sale Mamman, Abubakar Malami, Muhammed Mamood, Rauf Aregbesola, Mustapha Buba Jedi Agba, Olamilekan Adegbite, and Mohammed Dangyadi.

Unlike his first term when he appointed only 36 ministers, one per each state, President Buhari nominated one person per geo-political zone which totalled the ministerial nominees’ to 43.

The ministerial nominees are subject to confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.

By Saawua Terzungwe



The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial list presented to the Senate on Tuesday as colourless, stagnant and uninspiring.
The opposition party said the list did not convey any sense of hope or purposeful governance under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said it was strange that the list did no create space for the youths demography, who the future is said to belong to.

“The party says that to the chagrin and utter disappointment of Nigerians, the list is replete with incompetent individuals who failed in their erstwhile ministerial assignments and left their ministries in a shambles.”

The statement added “Indeed, such a ministerial list can only come from a leadership that does not have mandate of the people. It is a complete waste of time and cannot fulfill the expectation of Nigerians.

“The list has further shown President Buhari and APC’s insensitivity and disdain for Nigerians and it does not in any way reflect their hope and eagerness for a better Nigeria.”

President Muhammadu Buhari sent the list of his ministerial nominees to the senate on Tuesday. However, only seven women made it to the list that has 43 names. This means that women have only 16 percent of the proposed cabinet.

There were six women in his first list of 36 in 2015, which is also 16 percent.


Former president Goodluck Jonathan achieved over 30 percent with his appointments during his tenure.

TheCable profiles the seven female ministerial nominees below.



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PAULINE TALLEN



The 60-year-old politician served in the cabinet of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo. She was then the minister of state for science and technology. In 2007, she was elected deputy governor of Plateau state and later contested governorship election in 2011 but lost to Jonah Jang. The University of Jos sociology graduate defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress before the 2015 election. She is the first female to be a deputy governor in the northern region.



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MARIAM KATAGUN


Katagum is Nigeria’s ambassador and permanent delegate to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), a role that she has occupied since June 2009. A deputy director at the ministry of education, she occupied the office of the secretary-general of the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO between 2001 and 2009. The Ahmadu Bello university graduate is also the deputy chair of the board of governors of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and member representing Nigeria on the UNESCO executive board.



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SADIYA FAROUQ

She is the federal commissioner of National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons. Between 2011 and 2013, she was the national treasurer of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), a political party founded by Buhari ahead of the 2011 elections. She served as the national treasurer of the party between 2013 and June 2014.



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SHARON IKEAZOR

Ikeazor is the executive secretary of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD). In 2011, she was elected the national women leader of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and emerged APC’s interim national women leader after the merger that produced the ruling party. In 2014, she was appointed to APC board of trustees.


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GBEMI SARAKI

She is the daughter of Olusola Saraki, former strongman of Kwara politics, and a sibling of Bukola Saraki, president of the 8th senate. In 1999, she was elected into the house of representatives to represent Asa/Ilorin west federal constituency of Kwara. In 2003, the 54-year-old, who holds a bachelors degree in economics from the University of Sussex, was elected senator representing Kwara central senatorial district. She held this position till 2011 when she tried to succeed her brother who was governor of Kwara between 2003 and 2011 but she lost despite having the backing of her father. She defected to the APC in 2015 and was believed to have worked against her brother’s re-election.



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RAMATU TIJJANI

Ramatu Tijjani is the national women leader of the APC. The 49-year-old holds a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning from the Ahmadu Bello University. She is the first female national vice-chairman (north-central zone) of the then leading opposition political party, the All Peoples Party. In 2010, she became the national woman leader of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and in June 2014, she became the national woman leader of the APC.



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ZAINAB AHMED

She was appointed minister of state of budget and planning in 2015 and later substantive minister of finance in 2018 following the resignation of Kemi Adeosun. The 59-year-old holds a degree in accounting from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a master’s in business administration from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun. She was the executive secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI). Ahmed is the daughter of Yahaya Hamza, the foster father of Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state.

By Igho Akeregha


In the build up to his election in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari had, on his campaign trail, listed the abolition of medical tourism as one of his cardinal objectives in government. Not a few Nigerians relished the possible ripple effect such action would have on the health sector and by extension, the economy.

But since assuming office, President Buhari has done everything but keep to his pledge, what with his penchant for travelling overseas for medical treatment at will. The health sector and indeed, the economy have been worse for it. More alarming, however, is the discovery by The Guardian that President Buhari has not visited the Aso Rock Clinic for any form of medical consultation or treatment since taking the reins in 2015.

Yet, competent sources could not explain why the President has opted to stay away from the medical facility since his first election. A source confirmed that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his family are documented for using facilities at the Villa clinic. “Occasionally, the Vice President and his family come in to be attended to for one reason or the other,” the source said.

Another source disclosed that former President Goodluck Jonathan was a regular face at the hospital and was even treated by Dentists when he had a tooth problem. While campaigning ahead of the 2015 elections, President Buhari had promised to sponsor a bill against medical tourism by public officials to encourage patronage of Nigerian hospitals.

But the President has flouted his own promise, frequenting Europe to attend to his ailing health. Between 2017 and 2018, he visited doctors in Europe to examine and treat him for an undisclosed illness. The situation drew heavy criticisms from his opponents. In 2018, for instance, there was agitation for the President to resign after he spent over 100 days in a United Kingdom hospital and became inaccessible, except for a few politicians.

His wife, Aisha Buhari had in 2017, attacked the management of the Aso Rock Clinic over poor equipment and non-availability of drugs.
Aisha had followed the footsteps of her daughter, Zahra, who earlier criticised the management of the Clinic. Zahra Buhari had taken to her Instagram page to criticise the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Jalal Arabi, for his inability to provide even Paracetamol tablets to the clinic despite a budget of N3 billion for the provision of drugs to the hospital.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting on Reproductive, Maternal, Nutrition, Child Advocacy and Health and Nutrition, RMNCAH+N, at the State House, Abuja, Mrs. Buhari had revealed that she took ill and was advised to travel to London for treatment, but she refused. “I called the Aso Clinic to find out if they have an X-Ray machine, they said it’s not working. In the end, I had to go to a hospital owned and operated by foreigners 100 per cent. There is a budget for the Hospital and if you go there now, you will see a number of constructions going on but they don’t have a single syringe there. What is the purpose of the buildings if there are no equipment there to work with? You can imagine what happens across the states to governors’ wives if this will happen to me in Abuja,” she said.

The Aso Rock Clinic management, at the time, responded swiftly to the criticism, saying it was short of funds for major projects and purchases and would demand the commercialisation of the clinic’s operations for efficiency. But after four years, sources maintained that nothing has changed in the hospital as it still remains without critical equipment and drugs to meet the medical needs of the Presidency. Efforts to get reaction from the Presidency on the matter proved abortive.

Sukoluhle Ndlovu


A 32-year-old man from Gondo Village in Gokwe under Chief Nemangwe brought a hooker to his home and forced his wife to watch him have sex with the prostitute on their matrimonial bed.
After the deed, he instructed his wife to prepare food for the “girlfriend”.

The matter was heard when Tafara Mzembe was dragged by his wife Atalia Sibanda to Chief Nemangwe’s traditional court.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said Mzembe who is an artisanal miner, was in the habit of buying sex from sex workers at Gondo Business Centre.

“He is a miner and as such he usually has lots of money that he usually spends on sex workers at the growth point.

On the fateful day, he hired the services of a certain hooker called Betty Masamba and he decided to take her home.

“Upon arrival in the wee hours, he woke his wife up and forced her to watch him bed the hooker on their bed saying he wanted her to learn various sex positions from Masamba,” said the source.

After the deed, Mzembe who was heavily intoxicated ordered his wife to prepare Masamba a meal as she had complained of hunger.

“After having sex with the hooker, he instructed Sibanda to go to the kitchen and prepare a meal for the ‘visitor’ as a token of appreciation for showing her sex positions,” said the source.

Contacted for comment, Chief Nemangwe under whose jurisdiction the area falls under, confirmed the matter saying he ordered Mzembe to pay three cows to his wife for disrespecting her in such a manner.

“I can confirm presiding over such a matter and l ordered Mzembe to pay his wife three cows. He abused his wife and we do not tolerate women abuse in this area.

“When l inquired why he was sleeping with hookers yet he has a wife, he said his wife had lost sexual flavour,” said Chief Nemangwe.