₦airaland Forum

By Leon Usigbe Abuja


THE Presidency has frowned on what it said is the attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to drag its name into maligning the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, over the court’s decision on the Osun gubernatorial election, saying that if it influences court judges in the country, all candidates of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) will be declared elected.

Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Garba Shehu, said in a statement in Abuja on Saturday: “If the presidency had any influence on election petition tribunals, APC candidates wouldn’t have lost a single case before the courts.”

It warned the main opposition party to refrain from dragging the presidency into their current “sponsored media smear” campaign against the President of the Court of Appeal.

The statement said that reports claiming that an agency of the government, the Department of State Services (DSS) has indicted Bulkachuwa of corruption are the latest of this sponsored campaign aimed at causing disaffection between the Executive and the Judiciary, the two arms of government that had operated smoothly under the present dispensation.

The presidency added: “While the PDP and its candidates are free to exercise their right to challenge the results of the 2019 presidential election, it is unacceptable to drag the name of the president or other organs of the executive branch into the campaign of character assassination against the President of the Court of Appeal.

“The DSS doesn’t conduct its duties in the manner so described and you can’t use a fake security report to drag the presidency into a smear campaign against the President of the Court of Appeal.

“Attacking judges because the outcomes of cases don’t favour you and keeping quiet when the verdict is in your favour smacks of insincerity, double standard and mischief.

“Intimidating and impugning the character of judges in order to force them to bow to blackmail is against the spirit of an independent judiciary.

“The PDP praised the verdict of the Osun gubernatorial election tribunal because it favoured them, but they are now singing a different tune because they lost their appeal.

“We cannot keep changing the definition of an independent judiciary to suit our political convenience and bias without ultimately creating chaos in the system.

“If the PDP continues to blackmail and smear judges with fake news stories, we will ultimately find ourselves dealing with a situation where judges may be afraid to handle cases, thereby creating delays in the dispensation of justice.”

By Yusha’u A. Ibrahim


The creation of additional emirates in Kano State on Wednesday may not be the last turbulence coming the way of the Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, as an ongoing probe by the state government’s anti-corruption agency could lead to charges being filed against the monarch, Daily Trust on Sunday has gathered.

Sanusi’s status as the only first class emir in the state was whittled when the state government balkanized the emirate, carving out four new emirates and appointing first class emirs to rule them. The exercise which lasted only two days, fuelled speculations that the government was going after the emir over his rumoured support for the opposition during the recently concluded governorship election.

The fresh investigation by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission as well as the bid to appoint new first class emirs by the state assembly kick-started almost simultaneously last week. The investigation is re-launched exactly two years after the agency first announced that it was probing “outrageous and questionable” spending that had emptied the Kano Emirate Council’s account.

The former Personal Private Secretary to the emir, Alhaji Isa Sanusi Bayero, also known as Isa Pilot appeared before a team of investigators on May 9, following an invitation by the commission. Another aide of the emir is also expected to be questioned soon. A source in the commission, who craved for anonymity, yesterday informed our correspondent that the ongoing probe on by the commission was targeting the emir, noting that “It will reach to a point where the commission will transfer the case to court for the emir to defend himself.

After our findings, whoever is found wanting in misappropriating the public funds will be dragged before the court.” A government source Saturday disclosed that Emir Sanusi, after sensing trouble at the turn of events between the state government and the palace lately, sent business tycoon, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, to beg the governor to have a change of mind.

“I can confidently tell you that when the probe was renewed and the move for creation of four new emirates in the state started, the emir sent the renowned business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, to Ganduje to plead with him to stop the two moves. However, Ganduje in his response told Dangote to go back and tell the emir that he should choose from three alternatives: To resign on his own or be removed from office or the government will create additional emirates in the state.

Ganduje assured Dangote that one of the three options must be implemented by government since the emir will not stop playing partisan politics against him,” the source revealed. If not for the quick intervention by Dangote, Gaanduje would have dethroned the emir. However, the source added that even though the governor has spared the emir being removed from office, there is likelihood that after the turbaning ceremony of the four new emirs, Ganduje will transfer the emir to another emirate and replace him with one of the newly appointed emirs.

Speaking about his interface with investigators, Isah Pilot said he was given vouchers and asked to identify them. “I identified some and asked the investigators to give me some time to verify the others. I am going back to the commission tomorrow (Monday) for further questioning. I am ready to give the commission any information it will demand from me,” he said. In 2017, the Kano anti-corruption agency said its probe stemmed from a petition on transactions which it claimed had emptied the Emirate Council’s account of the sum of N4 billion left behind by the former emir, the late Alhaji Ado Bayero, who died in 2014.

Shedding more light on the matter at the time, a source disclosed that between N150 million or 200 million was transferred from the account in a single day. That investigation was halted after the state assembly took over the case from the anti-corruption agency and subsequently suspended it after interventions by prominent Nigerians, including former heads of state, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) two renowned businessmen, Dangote and the late Isyaka Rabi’u.

Daily Trust on Sunday could not get the comment of the chairman of Kano State anti-corruption agency, Barrister Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado, as he was said to be out of the country. Contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Alhaji Abba Anwar, denied the allegation that the Kano State government was witch-hunting the emir because of his alleged involvement in the last gubernatorial poll. “The new emirates were created in order to bring development closer to the masses.

It is a well known fact that the roles our traditional rulers are playing in the area of promoting health care delivery, education, agriculture and environmental protection cannot be over emphasized. “It is based on this that the government decided to create more emirates so that these kinds of development can be spread across the nooks and crannies of the state. As far as Kano State government is concerned, Emir Sanusi did not do anything harmful to it or the governor.”

On the issue of the ongoing investigation by the state anti-graft agency, Anwar said government was not in a position to comment on it, as according to him, the commission was an independent body and government had never interfered in its activities. Efforts to speak with Chief of Staff to emir Sanusi, Alhaji Munir Sanusi, proved abortive, as his lines could not be reached despite several attempts.


Security beefed up around Kano emir’s palace

There was presence of heavily armed policemen around Kano Emir’s Palace and the personal residences of some senior council members of the emirate yesterday, Daily Trust on Sunday observed. Our correspondent observed that about 10 police Hilux vans were stationed at Kofar Kudu gate of the palace and another 10 around the personal residence of the Chief of Staff to the Emir, along Iyaka Road.

Further observation by our correspondent showed that 10 police patrol vehicles were equally stationed at the main entrance to the Kano State Government House, while one patrol van was kept at the personal residence of the Galadiman Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi. Similarly, security personnel were stationed at the main entrance of the Audu Bako State Secretariat complex housing the state High Courts.

One of the policemen at secretariat confided in Daily Trust on Sunday that they were conveyed to the secretariat as early as 6am. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Haruna Abdullahi, said he was not aware of the reason for the deployments and promised to find out. But a source within Kano emir’s palace, who did not want his name in print, said security personnel were deployed to the palace to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

“What happened is that some youths staged a peaceful demonstration at the palace, and in order to prevent any chaos, the police were deployed.” “When the protesters arrived at the palace, the Senior Special Adviser to the governor on youth, Alhaji Adamu Mukhtar Unguwar Gini, addressed the protesters before they finally dispersed,” he said.


We’ve gazetted new Kano Emirate Law, says Ganduje

Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said the Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) (Amendment) Law 2019 has already been gazetted; hence it will not be reversed. Ganduje made the statement yesterday at a ceremony organised by the newly appointed emirs of Gaya, Rano, Bichi and Karaye in appreciation of their appointment. Governor Ganduje, therefore, urged all district heads and chief Imams under the territories of the new emirs to pay homage to them today, Sunday.

He called on the new emirs to be dedicated to promoting agriculture, health and education, adding that they should ensure that their subjects embraced the spirit of practice of dry and rainy season farming. “We have uncovered moves by some bad elements in the state. The protest was aimed at disrupting peace in the Kano, but that would not deter our stance in creation of the new emirate councils.” “We created the emirates in order to reduce the burden on the Kano emirate.

The challenges are too weighty on Kano emirate, that is why the emirate is running away from centralization of the system. The creation of the additional emirates will allow us to re-examine history. This is not something new in Kano, it has happened before. “We created emirates based on the aspirations and yearnings of our people.

I am sure this development will lead to rapid development in the affected areas,” he said. In his speech, the Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, assured the state government that they would give their support in ensuring security in their respective domains. Bayero urged Kano people to remain calm and embrace any policy or programme introduced by government. He charged the youth to shun all forms of social vices, especially drug abuse, noting that no society could develop with addicted youths.

A Kano State High Court had on Friday granted an order stopping the state government from appointing new emirs for the newly created emirates. The court, presided over by Justice Nasiru Saminu, also ordered the state government to suspend any move for demarcating the new emirates, pending the determination of a case filed before it by the minority leader and minority whip of the state House of Assembly, Hon Rabi’u Saleh Gwarzo and Hon Babangida Yusuf Sulaiman, respectively.


Controversy trails new emirates

It appears that the creation of four additional emirates in Kano State by the state government is gradually generating controversies with individuals and groups condemning it in totality and others challenging it before the court of law. The move was started by a group called West African Institute for Legal Aide (WAILA), which hired the services of Mallam Ibrahim Salisu Chambers to present a petition before the Kano State House of Assembly requesting it to facilitate creation of four new emirates of Gaya, Rano, Karaye and Bichi out of the existing Kano emirate.

On Monday, May 6, the Speaker of the House, Alhaji Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, tabled the matter before the assembly and directed the Majority Leader of the House, Hon Baffa Babba Danagundi to read the petition on the floor of the House. Danagundi read the petition and then moved a motion calling on the House to adopt the report which it unanimously did.

The House, therefore, adjourned till Tuesday, May 7. When the House sat, the Speaker tabled the motion for the first reading and the entire members at the plenary endorsed it, hence it scaled the first reading unopposed. The House, therefore, adjourned till Tuesday, May 8 for the second and third reading of the motion, but it directed the House Standing Committees on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and that of Judiciary to present its report on consolidation of all laws related to Emirate Council to enable the House include the issue of creation of new emirates.

At its next sitting the next day, joint committees of the House Standing Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and that of Judiciary presented its report before the House in which it recommended that the House implement all the recommendations contained therein in the report. The major recommendation was to create four new emirates.


Member representing Dambatta stages walkout

After the majority leader of the House read the motion for the second and third reading, the House went into a closed-door meeting for almost four hours. While the meeting was on, a member representing Dambatta Local Government in the House, Alhaji Hafizu Sani Mai Daji, staged a walkout in protest of the proposed demarcation of the new emirates. Mai Daji told newsmen that he staged a walkout from plenary because there was inequality in the demarcation of the new emirates.

He said, “Dambatta Local Government has not been given the attention it deserves. Dambatta should be given an emirate, not Bichi. The District Head of Dambatta, Alhaji Mukhtar Adnan, is the oldest district head in Kano and also a kingmaker. “There is no justification for creating Bichi emirate and that is why I staged a walkout from the session to show my anger because my observation is not recognised by the House.”

Again, while the House reconvened from its closed-door meeting, hundreds of people from Gaya, Rano, Bichi and Karaye local governments stormed the Assembly in solidary of creation of additional emirates On the same day the motion passed second and third readings and the House passed it into law, it was, on the same day, taken to the state governor, who assented to the bill and assured that the new emirs would be appointed soon.

Ganduje said the four emirate councils would be independent of each other under the Kano State Government and I urged the new emirates to continue to render services to their subjects in the area of education, health, agriculture and socio-economy. According to the new law, a Kano State Council of Chiefs shall consist of the Emir of Kano, Emir of Rano, Emir of Gaya, Emir of Karaye and the Emir of Bichi. Other members include Secretary to the State Government (SSG), commissioner for local government, chairmen of all the local government councils and at least two kingmakers from each of the five emirates and five other members to be appointed by the governor.

The chairmanship of the council shall be rotational among the emirs on the basis of two-year tenure. Soon after the governor gave his assent to the bill, a number of members of the Kano royal families, including that of the late Emir of Kano Alhaji Bayero, the late Galadiman Kano, Alhaji Tijjani Hashim, and the present Galadiman Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi started jostling for the position of emir for the newly created emirates, a source close to government revealed. A source at a meeting convened by the state government with traditional rulers, confided in our correspondent that there was an ongoing move to post Sanusi to one of the new emirates.

“To be frank with you, there is strong indication that after the appointment of the new emirs and other council members of the new emirates, government is considering transferring the present Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammad Sanusi ll, to one of four new emirates as emir.” However, when some of the Kano royal family heirs were invited to Government House for a meeting on Thursday, four of them were said to have rejected the offer extended to them by the government for the appointment as emirs.

A source close to Galadiman Kano, hinted Daily Trust on Sunday that the monarch turned down the offer without any hesitation. Also, the Ciroman Kano, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, was also said to have rejected the offer while his brother, Wamban Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, said he would make consultations with his family members, friends and well-wishers on whether to accept or reject the offer. A source close to Bayero said the monarch had on Friday summoned a meeting with his brothers at the residence of his elder brother, the District Head of Dawakin Kudu, Alhaji Yusuf Ado Bayero, where they deliberated extensively on the matter. However, the source said because it was a family meeting they were not allowed to attend the meeting, hence, he didn’t what was the stand of the family on the issue.

A Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has sued President Muhammadu Buhari for not handing over power to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo when he travelled to London on a private visit two weeks ago.

The case, with suit number FHC/L/CS/763/2019, was filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

Also named as defendant in the suit is Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

Mr Effiong asked the court to determine whether in view of the extant provisions of Section 145 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the president can validly proceed on vacation for any length of time without transmitting a written declaration to the National Assembly to that effect, which will empower the Vice-President to perform the functions of the President in an acting capacity.

He also asked the court to determine whether Mr Buhari’s action in proceeding on vacation to the UK from April 25 to May 5 without transmitting the written declaration envisaged in Section 145 (1) of the constitution to National Assembly is not in conflict with the provisions of Section 145 (1) of the constitution.

Similarly, the court will determine whether the President in refusing to adhere to the clear and unambiguous provisions of Section 145 (1) of the constitution had not by that singular action violated his oath of office and the provisions of the constitution which he swore to uphold.

The lawyer asked the court to clarify whether the Constitution or any other law for that matter, permits the President to exercise Presidential authority over the affairs of Nigeria from any country outside the territorial jurisdiction of Nigeria, save when he is out of the country on official diplomatic engagements.

“A declaration that the failure of the 1st defendant (Buhari) to comply with Section 145 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) by not transmitting a written declaration to the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to that effect before proceeding on vacation to the United Kingdom from the 25th day of April, 2019 to the 5th day of May, 2019 is a gross violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” the suit read in part.

The lawyer asked the court to rule that that since the Constitution does not have extra-territorial application, the president cannot exercise presidential authority over the affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from the United Kingdom, or any other country outside the territorial jurisdiction of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, save when he is outside the country on official diplomatic engagements.

Mr Effiong also asked the court to restrain Mr Buhari from proceeding on vacations whether within or outside the Nigeria without transmitting a written declaration to the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in compliance with section 145 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

PREMIUM TIMES understands that no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Mr Buhari Sunday returned to Abuja, after a 10-day ‘private visit’ to the United Kingdom.

A statement by his spokesperson, Femi Adesina, said some “reckless online media, irresponsible political opposition, and other bilious groups and individuals, had gone on overdrive since the President left the country on April 25, insinuating that he was going for hospitalization, and would not return after 10 days as stated.”

Mr Adesina also said in their “vain imaginations, they even stated that fictive doctors have advised President Buhari to stay longer for more intensive care”.

Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja



Prostitution, which is as old as the world, is thriving in Abuja. Ladies in the business are enjoying good patronage from men. These men cut across religion, class and age.

Visiting prostitutes in brothels was seen in the past as shameful and practiced by irresponsible men. That notion seems to have changed. Men in Abuja with flashy cars pull up in the glare of everybody for prostitutes who stand on the streets, major roads and corners.

Some Abuja married and single men see it as the best way of satisfying their sexual urge. It minimises chances of being caught by their spouses and also saves them from regular relationship hassle. They are spared the demands of wooing and waiting for responses from the ladies. They are not compelled to buy gifts and are free from emotional attachment.

Some of the men who spoke with our correspondent confessed that they prefer visiting prostitutes in brothels to ladies in the town be- cause there is no emotional attachment. They see the sex as a mere business with no strings attached.

Henry, a businessman from Jabi confessed his preference for prostitutes: “As a real man, it is difficult to continue with the same woman, you need variety. Apart from it, I have high desire for sexual pleasure. My wife alone cannot satisfy me. That is why I constantly visit prostitutes.

“The main reason I chose prostitutes in place of other ladies out there is to protect my family. When I go to the brothels, I get what I want in the fullest, pay and leave. There is no involvement of emotions or exchange of numbers. I don’t want any woman to start calling when I am at home with my family.

“I am a regular customer. I do not patronise one spot to avoid familiarity. If you tell my wife, she

will never believe you. No suspicious calls and I do not restrict her from my phones. She thinks I am a saint.”

Kennedy, an engineer, stays at Maitama: “I patronise prostitutes instead of other street girls because I don’t want a broken home. Most ladies in Abuja do not care if you are married. What they need is the money and some are even ready to become the second or third wife. I cannot handle polygamy that is why I am very careful in my choice on how to satisfy my sexual pleasure. My wife alone cannot do it.”

Andrew, banker from Garki, said he is not afraid of being caught by his wife. But he cannot stand the trauma of wooing a lady even when most of those ladies are just like the prostitutes. They keep many partners the difference is that they do not live in brothels.

Tersoo, a civil servant: “I am working here in Abuja and my wife is working in our state. Whenever I want to have fun I go for prostitutes because I don’t want to hear ‘I am pregnant.’

I already have four children and it is not easy catering for them.”

Jaja, also a civil servant: “I have been married for three times and have four children from those three relationships. I do not know what is wrong with me but I cannot love a woman for more than two years. So, instead of marrying and remarrying, I resorted to visiting prostitutes whenever I have urge for sexual pleasure.”

Obias, an apprentice at Apo confessed that he prefer visiting prostitutes to having a real girlfriend: “Is it not that I cannot take care of a real girlfriend but I am still serving and learning trade under my master. I do not want anything that will implicate me. If I have a girlfriend, she may come to visit me in the shop, which is very dangerous. But with a prostitute, it ends there and then.”

Joseph, a student, also confessed he prefers visiting prostitutes to having real girlfriend because he is not yet ready for real relationship and emotional trauma.

by John Ofikhenua, Abuja


The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Friday said that the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) regulation has stopped the electricity Distribution Companies from collecting energy and service charges after two weeks of power outage.

Its chairman, Prof. James Momoh, broke the news at the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) launch of the MAP in Abuja.

The MAP regulation, according to the General Manager, Finance and Management Services, Mr. Abudukadir Shetima, who represented him, has insisted the meters must be installed not later than 10 days after payment.

He added that should the DisCo refuse to replace a malfunctioning meter after two days, the customer is not expected to make any payment.

He noted the commission, the distribution companies and the customers have their deadline to provide the meters to the customers at the required time.

He said the regulation was designed in a manner the consumer that regards the consumer as the king in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) value chain.

The customer, he said, is expected to have the best services he can have.

According to him: “Deadlines were provided in the regulation for the DisCos, even the commission so that we don’t delay so that the customers get the service at the time that it is required.

“For instance, if a meter is about to be installed, it must be installed within 10 days of making payment. There will be sanctions of that deadline is not met.

“Number two, to ensure there will be sanction the MAP has been asked to provide a bank performance guarantee that will be called upon. So they will lose money if they delay in providing the meters even by one day.
“Number two, if the meters get bad, they will be replaced by the MAP without any payment for the entire ten years period. If the meters don’t work they must be replaced within two days, if they are not replaced within two days, the customer will not make the monthly customers service charge payment. That payment will be seized.

“Another part of the regulation is that if there is a prolonged outage and they are out of electricity for months, in addition to other measure that the commission is taking to address those kind of scenarios, the customer will not pay for the meter service charge and will not even pay for the electricity if there is outage for more than two weeks.”

Listing the objective of the regulation, Momoh said the first important objective is the removal of estimated billing in order to remove the controversies around it.

He added: “The customers are happy to make the payment. The second issue is revenue assurance, happy customers will be willing to pay.

“Nigerians are willing to pay for the services they can get so that there will be revenue assurance and that will impact on the industry as a whole. Currently, the revenues in the industry are nit sufficient to enable investments and better services. So, it is like a vicious circle and this this metering is intended to correct that problem.”

Speaking, the AEDC Managing Director, Engr. Ernest Mupwaya, revealed that altogether the company has planned to meter the customers in its franchise areas with 900,000 meters.

He said that bearing in mind that the customers would increase, the meter vendors would also cater for their metering.

He said: “In all, 900,000 customs have been scheduled for metering in AEDC franchise area in the first instance. Being a moving target, we are aware that the number may increase and as it does, the vendors will take them along.”

The representative of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council, Omajo Nwachukwu, warned the parties not to compromise the process in the implementation of the regulation.

She insisted that customers that are not comfortable with buying their meters with loans from the commercial banks should be allowed to purchase them directly from the Meter Assets Providers.

A house of representatives panel says it has uncovered public funds outside the treasury single account (TSA) to the tune of $995.71 million.

The ad hoc committee on the need to ascertain the proceeds of the treasury single account made the submission in its report considered and adopted by the house on Thursday.

According to the committee chaired by Danduram Abubakar, federal government funds to the tune of “billions of naira and hundreds of millions of dollars” were operated outside the TSA by the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in collaboration with banks.

The report obtained by PUNCH read: “After the meeting with Deposit Money Banks, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation on August 15, 2017, the committee discovered that over $900m is still being held outside the TSA.

“While some banks fully complied with the directive of the ad hoc committee by remitting these funds into the TSA, it is worthy of note that the sum of about $995.71m was still held outside the TSA by some other banks. This sum of $995.71m includes the principal deposit and the accrued interest on the deposit. Also discovered was an amount of N1.207bn and €23,704.01.”

The committee also accused the NNPC of extra-budgetary spending. It said while (its) Brass LNG “received an appropriation of $511.60m, the actual release was $461.54m during 2012-2017 fiscal years.”

The lawmakers specifically indicted the corporation and an agency of the federal ministry of environment of violating the TSA policy.

They said the balance in the CBN joint venture account as reported by the NNPC, dated October 30, 2017, stood at $188,900,383.49, adding: “These are the various accounts classified as accounts still not being moved to TSA by CBN, DMBs account.”

The report further read: “The committee discovered three accounts held by the NNPC in Aso Savings and Loans PLC and Unity Bank PLC. The accounts include two placement accounts called NNPC PFL Placement Deposit and the third account called NNPC Pension Fund account. The total balance in these accounts as of August 27, 2017, stood at N1, 079,444,746.49.

“The committee also made another startling discovery of a fund held in another DMB by the Federal Ministry of Environment; Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Programme called FME HYPREP Account. The balance in this account as of September, 2018, stood at N1.1bn and $4.9m domiciled in Stanbic IBTC Bank.”

The committee said some of the MDAs operating accounts outside the TSA claimed to have obtained a presidential exemption over their actions.

“In the case of NNPC, the committee insisted to sight the purported exemption letter. However, to the dismay of committee, the letter was only conveying the approval of the President signed by an assistant director,” it said.

By John Chuks Azu


A Federal High Court in Abuja has summoned President Muhammadu Buhari, the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad and others to appear before the court over the removal of former CJN Walter Onnoghen. Justice Inyang Ekwo on Friday also directed members of the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), the Federal Government of the Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Senate to appear before the court to show cause why an order to restrain them from initiating the confirmation of the acting CJN as substantive CJN should not be made.

“I have perused the processes in the ex parte and affidavits attached. I am of the opinion that none of the prayers can be granted by ex parte application,” the judge said. A civil rights lawyer, Malcolm Omirhobo of the Omirhobo Foundation had brought an ex parte application seeking an order of the court to restrain President Muhammadu Buhari and others from initiating the confirmation of the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Muhammad.

Omirhobo wants the court to determine whether by sections 1(1)(2), 231（4) (a) (i)(b), 153(1) and Paragraph 21(a)(b) Part I of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, the office of the CJN was vacant as at 25th January 2019 when Justice Muhammad was sworn in as Acting CJN. He wants the court to determine whether the provisions of the Constitution contemplated the removal of the CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, by ex parte order of the court.

He therefore wants the court to make a declaration that, “the third defendant (Justice Muhammad) having conducted himself in a manner that cast doubt of confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the Judiciary and has made himself as tool used in the violation of the Constitution of Nigeria is not a fit and proper person to be recommended by the 2nd defendant (FJSC) to the 1st defendant (NJC), and by the 1st defendant to the 5th defendant (the President) for appointment to the office of the Chief Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” The case has been adjourned to May 13 for hearing.

Mohammed Shosanya; Bamidele Ogunwusi

Lagos – There appears to be disquiet over the long awaited plan by billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, to divest 75 percent of his stake in Forte Oil to Prudent Energy.

Specifically, the investing public is said to be worried that the company had failed to close the deal and inform them about the divestment as at the end of the last quarter, sequel to the announcement it made last December.

Forte Oil Plc had informed the management and stockbrokers of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as well as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other stakeholders in December 2018 that Femi Otedola, its chairman and majority shareholder, recently struck a deal to divest his entire direct and indirect stake in the company’s downstream business.

Otedola, the company wrote, struck a deal with the Prudent Energy team, investing through Ignite Investments and Commodities Limited, “pursuant to his decision to explore and maximise business opportunities in refining and petrochemicals”.

According to the statement by Akinleye Ologbende, Forte Oil’s General Counsel, the transaction was expected to close in the first quarter of 2019, subject to the satisfaction of various conditions and receipt of applicable regulatory approvals.

Standard Chartered Bank, Corporate Finance & Advisory, Dubai, and Olaniwun Ajayi LP served as financial and legal advisors, respectively, to Otedola; while PricewaterhouseCoopers and Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited served as joint financial advisors and Sefton Fross served as legal advisor to Ignite Investments & Commodities Limited.

Reacting to the deal, analysts at Arthur Stevens Assets Management Limited believe it “may ignite increased selloffs on Forte Oil…”

Besides, a stockbroker and chief dealer with Globalview Capital Limited, Kebira Haruna, expressed worry over the technical know-how and financial capability of the new core investor, Ignite Investments and Commodities Limited, saying that investors would be more cautious as event unfolds.

“How efficient are the new investors. Do they have financial muscle to sustain the oil company? What is their pedigree in the business,” he asked.

He added that what the stock market seemed today might not be the true colour of what would happen in few weeks, adding that the share price of Otedola’s divestment would determine the movement of the company’s stocks.

“The share price Otedola is divesting is not known yet. If it’s higher than the N34.35, then it’s good for the market. If it is lower, the market will tilt towards the price,” he noted.

Besides, Dr. Bernard Ilori, Chief Executive Officer of Maxiyield Asset Management Limited, said that the new deal would create greater potential for the oil company.

He added: “It is believed that the company has a greater potential than it’s currently doing, and with the new investors coming on board, it is expected that the company will perform better in its product lines.”

Ilori had urged investors to exercise caution until the transaction was concluded.

Otedola, through its company, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited, bought the stake of Incorporated Trustees of NNPC’s Pension Fund in Forte Oil, then known as African Petroleum Plc 11 years ago.

The development made him the majority shareholder of Forte Oil Plc and the company was rebranded in 2010 to its new name. The company’s performance has been affected by the challenging environment over the years.

For instance, it recorded a profit after tax of N5.794 billion in 2015. This fell to N2.890 billion in 2016 before rising to N12.2 billion in 2017. Profit after tax as at Q3 2018 stood at N79 million.

But the company early last year announced plans to restructure its business by divesting its upstream services, power generating businesses in Nigeria and downstream business in Ghana.

Its shareholders had approved this restructuring plan at the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) last May.

According to the shareholders: “Subject to the approval of regulatory authorities, the directors of the company hereby authorise to restructure the company by divesting its upstream services business (Forte Upstream Services Limited); its power generating business (Amperion Power Distribution Limited and its downstream business in Ghana (AP Oil and Gas Ghana Limited) at such time and such terms and condition as may be determined by directors of the company.”

Forte Oil Plc had said its decision to divest from upstream services and power generating businesses would boost its distributable earnings for the benefit of shareholders.

The company said following the significant changes in the oil and gas industry in recent years, it believes that only downstream operators with huge investments in both storage and distribution infrastructures could remain competitive and operationally efficient in the long run.

Reacting to the failure of the company to keep the investors of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) abreast of latest development as regards the divestment, Femi Robert, a capital market operator, said investors seemed not to be interested in any development from the company because of its non-profitable nature.

He said: “The company has not been doing well and this may be the reason the preferred investors are not keen at completing the deal on time. Looking at investors on NSE, they do not see anything encouraging in the deal.”

Ambrose Omorodion, Chief Operating Officer, Invest Data Limited, said the silence might mean that the company was either perfecting their plans or have cooled down in their pursuit for the divestment.

The company’s secretary, Akinleye Ologbende, did not respond to our enquiries on why his company kept sealed lips on the divestment plan.

By Adeola Yusuf


A fresh review and implementation of electricity tariff in Nigeria is underway.
This move, which, according to investigation by New Telegraph is a result of pressure by power investors, is buoyed by surge in deficit recorded across the power value chain.

For instance, Chairman of biggest thermal plant in sub-Sahara Africa, Egbin Power plant, Mr. Kola Adesina, told this newspaper on the side line of Ikeja Electric (IE) Young Engineers Programme (YEP) inauguration in Lagos, that the fresh review and implementation of the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) is the best way to go for Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Talks on the review and implementation, a source at NERC told this newspaper, is slated to begin in the third quarter of this year.

NERC, Adesina said, had already missed the contractually agreed review six times since the November 1, 2013 privatisation of the power industry.

The inability to effect a major review to bring about a cost-reflective tariff, he said, is one of the major hindrances to efforts by all stakeholders to end epileptic power in the country.

The distribution companies have kept on mounting pressure on government to review the tariff, but Adesina said that the need to mount pressure on government should not be limited to DISCOS.

All Nigerians, he said, should ensure that the review is carried out and implemented by NERC, because DISCOS, GENCOS and gas producers are all in business and without a cost reflective tariff, return in investment (RoI) cannot be guaranteed and without RoI, no meaningful success would be recorded in business.

“Last Wednesday was the first day for meter roll out and I believe by last Thursday most of them (Meter Asset Providers) would begin to see how fast they can roll out the meters. But my own view has always been that when you have a problem of this nature, you need a holistic way,” explained.

“But because the narrative of the power sector has shifted to metering as the supposed key solution here, we want to see if that alone can solve the problem, but I know it won’t solve the problem.”

Commenting on other issues that need to be addressed, Adesina said: “We still have many others within the value chain that needs to be solved, I give you an instance. Recently, we had serious power outage in Nigeria and the reason for that was gas. The gas provider had a leakage on the pipeline and in solving the leakage; every generation company had to run down their turbines because they can’t be supplying gas while they are preparing what needs to be repaired.

“We at Egbin have fixed all the turbines and all are functional to generate 1,320 megawatts today, but there is no gas and the system can’t be powered, gas available to us can probably give at best today 750 megawatts, that’s what we can do by way of gas supply. We have a plant with installed capacity of 1,320 MW, which it had not had since

inception; this is the first time all the units are available and ready to work and there is no gas, so, if gas is the issue, we should ensure gas availability as a nation.

“For us to have a holistic approach to the problem, Nigeria should not have just one pipeline supplying everyone. Nigeria should have multiple pipelines to all the power stations we have, such that if there is a shortage in one, they can divert gas to the other ones, that’s one side.”

He recalled that recently various speakers and president of the African Development Bank (ADfB) had said that without a cost-effective tariff, which is the fundamental in the power sector, Nigeria may not be able to get uninterrupted power supply.

“Once there is cost-reflective tariff and all the critical enablers, investors love profit and would want to make legitimate money,” he explained. “All those things we want to put in place can be put in place if the fundamentals are right.”
He declared that the major reason DISCOS are not doing well is because of lack of cost-reflective tariff.

“We ought to have got six tariff reviews in Nigeria. Six times and a tariff review hasn’t been done and yet high level of service delivery is expected? DISCOS are not doing well because the fundamentals are not right,” he declared.

“DISCOS are supposed to use N305 per dollar to charge consumers for the power they are using, instead they are using N199 to a dollar, so if the equipment got by DISCOS goes for N360 per dollar, which is the open market rate, then there is a big issue, we can’t be using N199 for DISCOS to charge consumers whereas generation charge DISCOS at N305 per dollar, someone is losing money and it’s the DISCOS.

By Onwuka Nzeshi Abuja


As the intrigues surrounding the leadership tussle in the National Assembly thicken, there are indications that the All Progressives Congress (APC) might hit a brick wall again in its bid to have its anointed candidates installed as presiding officers in both chambers of the parliament.

The leadership of the APC had, just after the general elections, announced its desire to have the serving Senate Leader, Sen. Ahmad Lawan (APC/Borno) and House Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC/Lagos) installed as President of the Senate and Speaker, House of Representatives respectively.

National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole launched an offensive when he presented both candidates to President Muhammadu Buhari at two separate dinners last month. However, Oshiomhole stirred the hornets’ nest when he presented the position of the party in a dictatorial tone that angered not just some members of his party, but provoked a rebellion among them.

Oshiomhole said that the APC having won majority of the seats in both chambers of the National Assembly, must produce the presiding officers and other principal officers except the positions statutorily reserved for the minority parties. According to him, the APC was not prepared to share power with the opposition let alone allow the opposition to clinch key positions even at the level of standing committees.

The matter came to a head when the National Leader of the APC and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was quoted to had threatened members of the party in the National Assembly that they will be expelled from the APC of they failed to abide by the directives of the party on the leadership tussle.

However, a member of the National Assembly during the Second Republic, Dr Junaid Mohammed, said that while the ruling party had the right to show keen interest in those aspiring to lead the National Assembly, the dictatorial posture of its leaders fouled the air.
Speaking with Sunday Telegraph, Mohammed said the utterances of Oshiomhole on the leadership tussle in the National Assembly portrayed him as someone who did not understand party leadership. According to him, while the party had a right to demand the loyalty of its members elected into the National Assembly, its leaders must learn not to make careless utterances on the matter.

“I admit that because of what happened last time (2015), the APC wants to make sure it gets it right this time. But it appears that the same carelessness with which they handled the matter last time is also repeating itself.

“Last time some members of the party felt that they had something called independence or autonomy of the parliament so they can do what they like. But it would have made a lot of sense of they had won the election as independent candidates. It is only then that they can talk about independence of the legislature.

“However, Oshiomhole has carried over his attitude as a labour unionist and enforcer of strikes into the running of a political party and nobody has called him to order.

“If he thinks that it is only by bullying members of party in the National Assembly that they would achieve their goal then he must have a rethink. He should never have been the National Chairman of the ruling party or any other party for that matter. We tend to think people will change their character when they occupy certain positions of authority but it doesn’t happen that way. It is not possible for leopard to change its spots,” he said.

Mohammed did not also spare Tinubu and other leaders of the APC in his postulation that they may be inadvertently playing roles that could hurt their party in the long run.

He said that the fact that both Lawan and Gbajabiamila are perceived as Tinubu’s candidates had already become a challenge for these candidates.

“It is an open secret that Tinubu had a presidential ambition in 2023 and whatever he does now is perceived as designed to boost his own chances in the future. But how many votes can Lawan mobilise for him in Yobe and the North and how many votes can Gbajabiamila deliver for him in Lagos and the South West? But I don’t see how fixing certain people in certain places in the National Assembly can advance his political career. It will not and he needs to very careful,” he said.

Mohammed urged the ruling party to put their house in order by persuading their members to support their preferred candidates on the basis of merit rather than through coercion or godfatherism. He warned that if the APC goes about it recklessly they may create another opportunity for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to cash in on their mistakes.

Sunday Telegraph also learnt that the seeming breakthrough achieved by Hon Gbajabiamila in recent days might be a smokescreen.

Gbajabiamila, a ranking member of the House, had last Thursday received the endorsement of 178 members-elect. Before then, he was reported to have sponsored 50 members of the House of Representatives on pilgrimage to Mecca besides other gifts advanced to these members.

But these moves have also sent tongues wagging that Gbajabiamila had chosen to buy the conscience of his colleagues rather than marketing himself on the basis of competence and cognate experience.

A former Deputy Chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs in the House of Representatives, Hon Afam Ogene told Sunday Telegraph that apart from Gbajabiamila’s alleged link with Tinubu, these recent moves to woo members with pilgrimage and monetary offers might just become his undoing in the speakership race.

“On Tuesday, last week, they met with South West lawmakers at the residence of one of the South West governors where they allegedly distributed N200, 000 to each of them. He took 50 members to Mecca. Then last Thursday, the same man distributed Tecno smart phones to the 178 members who endorsed him.

“Find out how much those phones must have cost. Find out how much he spent on the 50 members he sent on pilgrimage. People should be asking where these monies are coming from. Why this desperation? It is not even a general election, it is just an internal election within the chamber,” he said.

Obinna Chima



While welcoming last week’s appointments of the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II and another Nigerian, Dr Aisha Abdullahi to the Board of the MTN Group as a good development, certain segments of the country have argued that it does not reflect the federal character principle.

Specifically, they stressed that that appointments did not reflect the geographic diversity and balancing of merit principle in the country.

A top official in MTN Nigeria, who pleaded to remain anonymous, disclosed the sentiment shared by some Nigerians in a chat with THISDAY. However, he welcomed the appointments, assuring that more eminent Nigerians could be appointed by the telecom giant, to reflect Nigeria’s market dominance.

Ahead of its planned listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), MTN Nigeria recently completed its conversion from a private company to a public company and became a public liability company (Plc). The conversion to a Plc is a legal requirement to on the NSE.

It was also gathered at the weekend that MTN had applied with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to list its shares on the NSE.

“What they applied for is registration for listing, that is just to convert to a publicly quoted company where, for now, private shareholders can dispose of their shares at the exchange,” a source at SEC Reuters.

Another person with direct knowledge of the matter also said MTN had asked the stock exchange for permission to proceed with a listing of its share

Commenting on the move to list its shares on the NSE, the CEO, MTN Nigeria, Ferdi Moolman recently explained: “Our conversion to a Plc is a major step towards listing by introduction on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in the first half of 2019. It is a reaffirmation of our long-term commitment to expanding investment opportunities for Nigerians, in addition to providing everyday services to them. We look forward to continuing our engagement with the SEC and NSE to take forward the listing process.”

According to Moolman, save for the disagreement MTN Nigeria had with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last year, the company would have gone ahead with its listing plan.

He had explained: “There was a lot of work that we did on the listing and our target was to list in 2018. We are a private company at the moment and we need to change to a public company before we can list.

“We need to send our directors for training to comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nigerian Stock Exchange requirements to be able to list and a lot of work went on at the backend on the listing. Then, the CBN issue happened.

“The truth be told, if we had listed while the CBN issue was on, we would have been negligent. That is because we would have gone to offer our shares to the public when we had an issue at hand with the CBN that was substantial. If I remind you, they (CBN) were talking about $8 billion. “So, I can’t go and list and offer my shares to the public if I have this thing hanging over my neck. We thank God we were able to resolve this on 24th of December. “So, we are working towards the listing and we plan to do the listing before the end of first half 2019 or probably before the end of quarter three.

“So, there is a clear drive in doing the listing. It is something we have always wanted to do.”
MTN Nigeria had put the total value of its investment since its entrance into the Nigerian market at N2.5 trillion, adding that N184 billion was invested on network expansion in 2018 alone.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s 10-day private visit to the United Kingdom (UK) will end today, according to the Presidency. The presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina had hours before the President departed the country on April 25, said Buhari is expected back May 5.

The statement reads “President Buhari will be proceeding to the United Kingdom on a private visit. He is expected to return to Nigeria on May 5, 2019.” Our reporter could not establish whether the President will return today or has extended his stay in the UK.

With this visit, the President had spent 227 days out of his four years tenure in the UK. Previously, the president had visited UK for medical reasons. The president was in the UK between February 5 and 10, 2016. In May of same year, he was there for an anti-corruption summit. Also in 2016, the president was in the UK for treatment of an ear infection.

He visited from January 19 to March 10, 2017 for medical leave. Two months after he returned, he went back and spent 104 days, from May 8 to August 19. President Buahri was in the UK in 2018 from April 9 to 21 for his annual leave. In May, he had a technical stopover there. Also between May 8 and 11, the President was in the UK and from August 3-18 as well.

Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja



An aspirant to the office of the President of the Senate in the 9th Assembly has promised each of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators-elect N100 million worth constituency projects to be sited his constituency,

Sources close to some newly elected legislators disclosed the plan yesterday, noting that theconstituency projects “are among some of the mouth watering inducements offered to the affected Senators-elect ahead of the inauguration of the 9 th Assembly.”

A PDP senator-elect confided in a ranking senator that he was invited to submit his own constituency project worth N200 million in spite ofthe fact that he was yet to be sworn-in.

However, findings showed that not all the senators-elect benefitted from the gesture as one All Progressive Congress(APC) senator disclosed that he was not approached to submit any constituency project.

According to the source, I am aware that some of my colleagues have been accorded this gesture but so far none of us in the APC has been approached.

Asked why, he said it may not unconnected with their decision to solidly support Ahmed Lawan , the APC endorsed candidate to the office of President of the Senate.

“We are going to give our leader block votes because he is the choice of the Party. We are toing the party line this time around’,he affirmed.

Another PDP Senator-elect revealed that he would not be swayed by such a gesture knowing that he will merely waste his vote and create bad blood in the process since the APC which has a greater number of Senators has settled on Ahmed Lawan.

“I will not be swayed by this strategy. I want my vote to count. The APC is the party with the majority. As such I won’t waste my vote and create rancor in the process. I hope the 9 th assembly will have a harmonious relationship with the executive arm.”

Intense lobby and horse trading have heightened as the count down to the election of leaders of the National Assembly on June 11 continues.

Akpokona Omafuaire – Warri

Tension heightened as Gen. Yakubu Gowon, former Nigerian Head of State, slumped mid way during the oration at the grave side of late Maj Gen David Akpodiete Ejoor, in Ovwor-Olomu Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

This is coming just as military personnel fruitlessly made efforts to bar visual coverage of the ugly incident. The former Head of State was promptly rushed by some top echelons of the military into the special tenth for emergency resuscitation, just as Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa and Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former Governor of the Delta State dashed into the tenth to ensure he recovers.

Military as well as the Delta State ambulances were immediately moved closed to the tent, in case the former Head of State’s health deteriorates further. After a moment of suspense, Chief James Onanefe Ibori and Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa were seen coming from the special tenth, an indication that the former Army General has recovered.

Ade Adesomoju, Abuja


A fresh suit filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday is seeking an order upturning the All Progressives Congress’ zoning arrangement for the principal officers of the soon-to-be proclaimed 9th National Assembly.

The suit filed by a group, Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International, and a member of the APC, Kenneth Uzochukwu, described the party’s zoning arrangement which they claimed excluded the South-East geo-political zone as “unconstitutional, unjust, discriminatory and clannish.”

The APC, which constitutes the majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, had adopted Senator Ahmed Lawan from Yobe State in the North-East zone as its candidate for the position of the Senate President; and Femi Gbajabiamila from Lagos State in the South-West zone as Speaker.

The plaintiffs noted in their suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/477/2019, that the party had also zoned the position of the Deputy Senate President to South-South; and that of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives to North-Central.

They also noted that with President Muhammadu Buhari from the North-West; the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo from the South-West; and the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad from the North-East, it implies that the South-East zone has been totally excluded from “the political arithmetic of Nigeria.”

They contended, through their lawyer, Mr. Kingdom Nnamdi, that this “breaches the express provisions, spirit and tenor of sections 14 (3) and (4) and 244 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended); and offends the Federal Character Principle of Nigeria”.

The APC, the National Assembly and the Federal Character Commission were joined in the suit as the first, second and third defendants, respectively.

By Ismail Mudashir



Massive deployment has hit the Presidential Villa, Abuja with many security operatives and civil servants affected, our correspondent reports.

Circular to this effect had been issued and affected staff have since been communicated to, Daily Trust learnt.

The transfers, our correspondent reports affected many staff, including those who had been in the villa for over two decades. The deployment comes a month to the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari for the second term on Wednesday, 29th May,this year.

A circular from the office of the Head of Service of the federation, dated April 24, revealed that a total of 71 staff on SGL 07-14 were affected.

The circular signed by Director, Employee Mobility, M. S. Naibi in the office of HoS, said all handing and taking over process should be completed on or before Friday 3rd May,2019.

“Any disregard of this deployment shall be treated in accordance with provision of PSR 030301(b),” it stated. The affected staff are moving to ministries of Education, Helth, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Environment and office of the SGF and the Head of Service among others.

A presidential staff said, “This is the first time we are witnessing this kind of massive deployment from the Villa.

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja



The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has called for the elongation of appointment of the Minister of Works and critical directors in the ministry, saying a four-year term is too short to design roads, undertake procurement and building the roads.

Fashola made the call yesterday in Abuja while unveiling a compendium on “Proof of Infrastructural Delivery across Nigeria,” a three-year special report of the ministry.

He stated: “Government cycles in the last 20 years have been fixed tenures of four years at a time, subject to how the electorate vote. Personnel changes are effected by retirement, deployment, opportunities and cabinet reshuffles. As a result, critical directors, permanent secretaries and ministers are turned over in a quest for efficiency.

“In all, since 1952 to date, Nigeria has had 34 ministers of works and I am number 34 in a period of 67 years. This amounts to an average of a minister every 1.9 years.

“A further interrogation of the data of tenure shows that very few of them served for up to four years and above and the majority served a little over a year, which is barely enough time to design a road not to talk of undertaking the procurement and actually building the road.”

He said the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government as a matter of urgency needed to forge a national consensus on how to overcome some of the challenges that the nation has faced in the delivery of urgently needed national infrastructure.

Fashola also called on the National Assembly to amend the Procurement Act, saying that the country’s procurement process must be urgent and be compelling to the national need.

Reeling out some of the achievements, on the road sector, the minister revealed that there is at least one federal road under construction in each of the 36 states and the FCT, saying while some have been completed, others are still under construction.

He gave reasons why President Muhammadu Buhari was re-elected, promising to take them to the Next Level and finish the job.

Fashola added that the housing sector has a similar story of economic opportunities with construction going on in 34 states, most of which are now largely completed, adding that the ministry was now in the administrative state of setting better conditions for eligibility and offer to the public, while simultaneously planning a second phase in those states that have given us land.


The minister noted that the ministry has cleared the backlog of unsigned consent to land transactions and issuance of certificates of transparency.

According to him, “As at April 13, 2019, we have issued 1,417 consents to land transactions; and 2,400 certificates of occupancy. Some of the beneficiaries have paid for their properties as far back as the 1990s; but did not get title. Very simply, we have made this place better than we met it. That is what our mandate for change meant and still means; making it better.”

The minister also explained that while the whole of Nigeria has focused on power from the grid for six decades in the search for a solution to the energy problem, the Buhari government has opened a new page through the ministry about the possibilities that lie in the off-grid sector.

Fashola said through this initiative and the Rural Electrification Agency, seven universities, two teaching hospitals are currently having their own independent power solution deployed at various states.

He stressed that preparatory works had been undertaken on all sites, while all the equipment have arrived in Nigerian ports and some have been cleared, while others are being attended to.

He said solar system and panels for the Ebonyi University have been installed and the plant would soon be completed.

Also, the Chairman, Senate Committee on works, Senator Kabir Gaya, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to infrastructural development, stressing that roads that have been abandoned for 18 years are now back on track, including Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa road.

On his part, the Chairman House Committee on Housing, Hon. Mahmoud Muhammed, said that the only reason while he won’t say the programme was coming late was because the president was re-elected, adding that the compendium was meant to inform Nigerians about the achievement of this government.

Earlier, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, said that the ministry has made his job easier than it could have been, adding that if there is no achievement there would be nothing to propagate.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says Nigeria’s population has hit a new high of 201 million!

In its 2019 state of the world population report seen by TheCable, UNFPA said Nigeria’s growth rate has been at an average of 2.6 percent from 2010 to 2019.

The fertility rate among Nigerian women has dropped from 6.4 in 1969 to 5.3 in 2019; this means an average Nigerian woman gives birth to at least five children.

Global fertility rate, or the average number of births per woman stood at 4.8 in 1969; 2.9 in 1994; and 2.5 in 2019.

The report says contraceptive prevalence rate among Nigerian women aged 15-49 is only 19 percent, adding that decision making on sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights among these women has averaged at 51 percent between 2007 to 2018.

This means 49 percent of Nigerian women still do not have the power to decide on their sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.

The UN agency estimated that Nigeria’s population has grown from 54.7 million in 1969 to 105.4 million in 1994 and 201.0 million in 2019.

Of this 201 million, 44 percent or 88.44 million are between the ages of 0 and 14, while 32 percent, 64.32 are within the ages of 10 and 24.

The reports revealed that “reproductive rights are still out of reach for too many women, including the more than 200 million women who want to prevent a pregnancy but cannot access modern contraceptive information and services”.

“Ultimately, almost all of the 4.3 billion people of reproductive age around the world today will have had inadequate access to sexual and reproductive health services at some point

In 1969 world population reached 3.6 billion, up about 1 billion from only 17 years earlier, leading to the establishment of UNFPA.

The UN agency has succeeded in reducing fertility rates worldwide by about 50 percent.

In the least developed countries, fertility was about six births per woman in 1969.

By Tunde Asaju



I just love Muhammadu Buhari. That he no longer wears his general title makes him no less a soldier. Just weeks ago, a newspaper reported that Buhari has spent 404 days out of his four year presidency abroad.

He has visited 33 countries so far and the UK has remained the president’s most favoured destination. He has spent 217 or more than half of his entire foreign travels in the UK as at the time the report was written. Last week, the president went on another ten-day vacation – to London.

There is something in London’s fresh air that #change couldn’t replicate in Abuja. The report of the presidential junket has not cowered Buhari. The president is not intimidated by anybody. His trips show why Naija is every tourist’s preferred destination. They’re trouping to Yankari, Obudu Cattle Ranch and Ikogosi warm springs.

On this last vacation of his first term, I looked at the probability of the president seeing his favourite otolaryngologist and came with a very slim prospect. If you ask Garba Shehu, it is not unlikely that the ENT doctor would visit his client? That was why in the past, British doctors carried medical bags.

Apps have not replaced those instruments for exclusive patients. Being visited by one’s physician while on vacation is not an offense under British law. Since Sai Mama has stopped crying over the state of Arsehole Rock Clinic, it is expected that things in that department must have improved. As a once privileged patient, the clinic has always attracted the best in medicine sworn to zero interest in politics.

Evidently, Buhari loves doctors. Apart from his private physician paid for by taxpayers, there are at least two visible ones in his cabinet. The minister in charge of death, – yes, that very one who asked doctors to drop their scalpel and stethoscopes and pick up scissors or hoes and cutlasses – is a trained gynaecologist.

Forget that Sai Mama is not raising kids; Sai Baba has privileged grandkids in case Roch staff think Sai Mama’s worry about the state of the rock clinic has something to do with them.

The minister of unemployment, Chris Ngige, who shares both height and nomenclature with Adewole is a medical doctor. Before finding love in APC, Adewole was once forced into exile by Buhari. Ngige has advised the few doctors remaining to migrate to Euroamerica.

Who knows, they might become chief physician to the next president. Miracles happen. As far as advisers go, Ngige is in a good position to give this one. Early in his professional career, he discovered that there is more money to be made; and more prestige to be earned from active politics than in saving the lives of an overpopulated nation.

Forget my good brother, Dr Motunrayo Adetola who heads physicians of Naija descent, CANPAD in Canada. Forget those guys in the New York office of the WHO who sit in their offices postulating how many doctors should treat how many patients. Babalawo, Boka and Dibia are closer to the people than doctors. Miracle workers are for those in the cities. Adetola knows that Naija is medically under-covered.

While it has trained 82,000 doctors thus far, only a paltry 35,000 have remained in practice in Naija. Most of the remainers are only waiting for the right opportunity to leave. The President of CANPAD believes Naija needs extra 400,000 physicians to meet the demands of its population of 200 million.

The Adetolas of this world are not recruited into ministerial duties, so nobody hears him. Besides, who says the Buhari regime wants to raise a healthy nation. That is not the prayers of the quacks harvesting our citizen’s organs in India. It is not part of the ruining party’s agenda to raise the number of doctors. They know that the country is overpopulated.

They are working with technically defeated groups and emergent ones to held curl this overpopulation. While Sai Baba was jetting out to London for his undeserved leave, Konduga, a town in the north-east was under attack. It did not feature in the news. Zamfara remains under siege and kidnappers have most part of the nation under lockdown.

Adam Zango, a Kannywood actor in his mid 30s is getting married for the sixth time. Lucky chap. He dropped his other five to consummate this sixth. Don’t cry for the divorcees. In Kano, they are wards of government and they are hot cake. Arranged husbands are always on hand. Problem is, they want only the assets, not the liabilities – children or divorcees are liabilities.

Back to Zango, imagine the number of marriages he would have contracted and the number of children he would have blessed our nation with if he lived to be 72. Our president has 10 that to quote him – he is well able to take cater for.

Zango’s case is famous because he recently declared himself the most famous actor in Kannywood. There are other unsung rabbits littering the geographical landscape with liabilities who become waiting recruits for insurgents, willing trainees of kidnappers, and yahooze or whoever is ready to hire them.

Tired from his campaigns, the president deserves his long vacation and the nation could fund it. He’ll need time to find replacements for the clowns he spent six months to foist on us. They need their break too or time to reposition themselves since their contract with the nation is a life contract. They don’t retire. Naija is a freehold.

Nobody to stop people from being killed, extorted or kidnapped. Besides, Sai Baba deserves his steroids if he is to make it through his second term. We cannot deny him that privilege.

By Yusuf Alli




President Muhammadu Buhari has personally taken charge of lobbying incoming members of the 9th National Assembly in the bid to install Dr. Ahmad Lawan as the next Senate President and Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The President, according to well placed sources, is taking nothing for granted this time around to avoid a repeat of the 2015 ‘coup’ when dissenting members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their allies in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hijacked the election process and picked candidates other than those preferred by the ruling party.

The Nation gathered that shortly before leaving for London on a private visit last week, Buhari took the driver’s seat at meetings with some of the aspirants for the two plum offices.

He was said to have met Senator Danjuma Goje who enjoys the backing of the opposition PDP, and a member of the House, Ahmed Idris Wase, rated as enjoying wider backing from Reps.

One source said the President has already sent an emissary to Senator Ali Ndume who has consistently said that the President is yet to discuss with him on his ambition.

The source said the President plans to meet soon with Umaru Mohammed Bago, who has vowed not to step down for Gbajabiamila.

A top source who is familiar with the situation said: “Following complaints of imposition, the President has decided to reach out to the main aspirants to explain to them that he is actually the one who is interested in working with Lawan and Gbajabiamila.

“His determination to leave sustainable legacies has made him to be involved in opening talks with some aspirants.

“The President is reaching out because there is a lot of disinformation as if he is not personally involved in the demand for Lawan and Gbajabiamila.

“He is also worried that the election of principal officers is being personalized beyond the actors in the National Assembly.

“He met with Goje and begged him to support his choice of Lawan. Actually, the meeting with Goje was facilitated by Governor Nasir el-Rufai after preparatory discussion with the former governor of Gombe State.

“Goje admitted that he had some difficulty and would need to consult more before giving the President any feedback. A second session between the President and Goje is expected any moment from now.”

Investigation also revealed that the President has indirectly opened talks with a former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume on why he should allow Lawan to be the next President of the Senate.

It was learnt that Governor el-Rufai has already held discussion with Ndume preparatory to the aspirant’s meeting with Buhari.

“Apart from the APC governors, the President will have a follow-up meeting with Ndume. But his emissary (el-Rufai) has done preliminary consultations,” a Presidency source said.

It was similarly gathered that Buhari has met with one of the aspirants for the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase from Plateau State on the need for him to step down for Gbajabiamila.

Buhari met with Wase in company of Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State. Wase is from the state.

A source privy to the session said: “The President persuaded Wase to concede the Speaker slot to Gbajabiamila in the light of his second term agenda.

“He told Wase that although as a ranking member, he is entitled to lead the chamber but he wants to work with Gbajabiamila while Wase can be part of the team of the new Speaker.

“It was a confidence building session facilitated by an APC governor. But Wase is yet to make any commitment.”



Group seeks open ballot system to pick Senate President, others

Meanwhile, a group called Advocates of Good Governance, has launched an initiative for the adoption of the Open Ballot System in election principal officers of the 9th National Assembly.

The group, in a letter to Senate President Bukola Saraki, said it was dismayed by information coming from the National Assembly that the leadership of the 9th Assembly will be conducted via a secret ballot process.

The group said: “We write you this letter as a group of patriotic Nigerians and advocates of Good Governance keenly following political developments and events in our country.

“We are particularly interested in the activities of the National Assembly and contributions of various members and how they reflect the aspirations and interests of their constituents in electing leaders of the National Assembly.

“Sir, you may wish to know that every elected member of the National Assembly is a representative of specific constituents keeping tabs with unfolding developments at the National Assembly.

“We are however, dismayed by information coming from the National Assembly that the leadership of the 9th Assembly will be conducted by via a secret ballot process.

“More worrisome is the fact that the leadership of 8th Assembly has perfected plans to select leaders who will constitute a legislative cog in the wheel of progress of Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari.

“At this juncture we wish to remind the President that Nigerians are watching and are not ready to leave this important matter in the hands of NASS Members alone.

“We recall the heroic resistance of all Nigerians to the third term agenda of ex-President Obasanjo. Patriotic Nigerians rose in unison and ensured that voting was done in the open and every vote counted to frustrate that infamous bid. We are ready to do the same again.

“Here, we cite the global parliamentary practice of electing leaders through open ballot. Except the 8th Assembly when the rules were circumvented, it is on record that successive election of the New Leadership of the National Assembly has been by Open Ballot system.

“Sir, we demand open ballot or a voice vote during the election of the New Leadership of the National Assembly. Only this approach will give the New Leadership the confidence and trust it deserve before Nigerians

“We also call on all members-elect of the 9th Assembly to be vigilant and defend the interest of his/her constituents and ensure that the election of the New Leadership is by Open Ballot system.”

The letter was signed by a former member of the House of Representatives, Duro Meseko, who is the Convener of the group.

Ejikeme Omenazu


Sir Temple Ogueri Onyeukwu is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former House of Representatives candidate for the Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency in Imo State. Onyeukwu, the National Leader, Turning Point Youth Empowerment Initiative, spoke to EJIKEME OMENAZU on the possibility of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu contesting the 2013 Presidency, among other issues.


As an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, what is your take on the on-going argument over a possible Asiwaju Bola Tinubu Presidency come 2023?

Sincerely speaking, that will be one the upsets of this political dispensation. If it real, it appears to me that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo may be asked to resign. In other words, Vice President Osibanjo may be sacrificed to pave way for the appointment of the Jagaban, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the Vice President after the inauguration on May 29, 2019. This may appear the best way to compensate Asiwaju Tinubu for his role in enthroning the APC Federal Government for two consecutive terms. This, I suspect, may be the only way to avoid the backlash of a Moslem/Moslem ticket that would have caused the APC the last presidential election. Osibanjo’s possible resignation is also to serve as on the job training for Asiwaju, preparing him for the 2023 presidential election which he intends to contest, God sparing our lives. Will Osinbajo be sacrificed to accommodate Tinubu’s ambition?


How feasible do you think is the Tinubu presidency?

In politics everything is possible. But, how possible this can be depends on President Muhammadu Buhari and Tinubu himself. Will North also accept a South West or Southern Presidency? But, I know that Osinbajo cannot be on Asiwaju’s way. If he is told to resign today to make way for Asiwaju, he has no option but to obey. But, only time will tell.


There is a controversy over the continued payment of fuel subsidy by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. What is your take on this?

The business of government is good governance. Essentially, the security and welfare of the citizens is uppermost. The genesis of the fuel subsidy is the unjustifiable and inequitable economic decisions successive governments have continued to hinge on. Even most of the fuel imported into the country finds its way to neighouring countries, where they are sold at real market prizes. Nigeria is a capitalist society and for the government to free resources to meet urgent national needs, the concept of subsidy must be reviewed. Recently, the Nigerian labour movement demanded and got the national minimum wage reviewed upwards.

One lasting legacy this administration will bequeath to this nation is to abolish fuel subsidy and allow market forces to prevail in economic decisions. The issue of fuel subsidy is bedeviled with quantum corruption. If you want to fight corruption and reduce it to the barest minimum, then remove fuel subsidy. There is no reason why fuel should cost the same in Lagos, Owerri and Maiduguri. I also align myself with those that argue that the cost of governance must be reduced. This will attract genuine patriots into politics with the sole purpose of coming to serve and not to loot.


There are over 12 former state governors now in the Senate. Would you say that this development is healthy for Nigeria’s political development?

Currently, Abia State has two former governors and one former deputy governor as senators. When one finishes his tenure as an elected state governor, it appears to me the best place for him is the State House of Assembly as an automatic member for life. He will be a non-voting member, but will bring his experience to bear in initiating and passing such bills that will facilitate the development of the state. Also, an elected President who has finished his tenure should have an automatic seat in the Senate to guide in initiating and passing such laws that will help in the development of the country. Again members of the National or State Assembly should not spend more than two tenures of six years each. This revolution will tend to attract fresh brains and fresh ideas to the legislature. Our major problem is copying the law in other climes hook line and sinker without considering our peculiar environmental dictates, culture, tradition and inclinations. Some will argue that we should let these evolve but the process must be tailored to our desires and deserved destination. To allow the process without guide is to invite anarchy, chaos, and confusion which seem to be the order of the day.


With the recent killing of citizens by gun totting policemen, what is your take on law enforcement in Nigeria?

Nigerians have the habit of flagrantly violating the laws of the land, rules and regulations that govern the decent and smooth running of the society. We have become addicted to this habit because of the lacuna in the enforcement of the laws by the law enforcement agents, especially the police. The police needs to have a complete attitudinal reorientation, training and retraining in law enforcement and adequately remunerated and motivated. The culture of ‘settlement’ of law enforcement officers for infractions committed by any citizen must stop.

The difference between UK, USA and Nigeria is the level of compliance with law enforcement. Whereas in UK and USA the laws are enforced to the letter with every infraction attracting the appropriate sanction, in Nigeria, the laws are enforced only in the breach. The incompetence, inefficiency, willingness to compromise altitude of the law enforcement agents robs off on the judiciary because most cases are poorly investigated or evidence extracted forcefully from perceived offenders, thereby making it very difficult for judges to reach rational judicial decisions in most cases. Where every breach or infraction of the law attracts the appropriate sanction and/or punishment, the orientation of the society will definitely change overtime. Law enforcement is key to every sane society.


What is your view on the present state of Local Governments in the country and the demand for autonomy for them?

Again, the Ninth Senate and House of Representatives must, as a matter of urgency, amend the constitution to guarantee all local government areas autonomy or scrap them. It does not make any sense that people have local governments, which are supposed to be closest to the people. But, when allocations come for them, one governor stays in his office, spends the entire money for the local government. It is so bad that the governors do not even pay the local government workers their salaries. It will also be appropriate for the law to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections into local government areas perhaps on zonal basis.


Chief Emeka Ihedioha, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, emerged your state’s governor-elect. If you were Ihedioha, where would you want to concentrate?

I do not need to remind you that outside, Whetheral, Douglas, Orlu, Bank and Okigwe roads, most other roads are virtually impassable and unmotorable. There are communities less than five kilometers off Owerri, with no motorable roads. Take Mbieri for example, it is less than five minutes drive from Owerri, but virtually all the roads are not motorable. Economic development is stagnated. Unemployment is highest in the community. It is simple logic that when there is rural transformation, there will be boom in economic activities, unemployment will reduce, crime rate will reduce and quality of life will be better.

I urge the incoming government to concentrate on rural transformation. All Imolites condemned the ‘China’ roads. I hope the incoming administration will use established road construction companies in the execution of its rural roads projects. Come to think about it, there is no local government in the state that cannot construct five kilometers of road every quarter from their allocations given the cost of construction of one kilometer of road even by the established road construction companies. They can achieve this, have enough money for salaries and other overheads. This is public knowledge. Rural transformation is the key.


Still on Imo State, the state’s Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) is still low. Why do you think it is so?

The administration of taxes in Imo State has been a family affair for sometime now. Consequently, nobody knows how much tax is collectable and collected. However, people can be persuaded to comply. The state must review the multitude of taxes it collects, streamline them, bring in those that have not been captured, avoid double taxation and, above all, become accountable and transparent in dealing with the people. Secondly, the tax net must be widened to bring in those who are not into the tax net. No matter how low the taxes may be at the initial time, the target is to bring in more people in the tax net and encourage compliance. Subsequently, regular reviews will ensure Imo State become less dependent on federal allocations like Lagos State is presently.

Olawale Olaleye



Contrary to the official position that a former governor of Lagos State and one of the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, was absent at last week’s visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Lagos, because he was out of the country, THISDAY gathered that Tinubu deliberately stayed away, because he had personally asked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode not to inaugurate any of those projects but leave them to his successor-elect, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, an order the governor eventually defied.


Buhari had during his visit last Wednesday, inaugurated some of the major projects of the Governor Ambode administration, which included the rehabilitated 10-lane Oshodi/Murtala Mohammed International Airport; 170-bed maternity hospital at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital; Lagos State Theatre at Oregun; new 820 mass transit buses and the multi-level Oshodi transport interchange.

The president’s visit also attracted Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Sanwo-Olu and his deputy-to-be, Obafemi Hamzat as well as many other dignitaries, both from the capital city, Abuja and the state. But Tinubu was conspicuously absent.

However, Tinubu’s media office had quickly reacted to the barrage of questions that attended the absence of their principal during the president’s Lagos visit, especially against the backdrop of insinuations that it could be in retaliation to the president’s absence at the colloquium organised last month to mark Tinubu’s 67th birthday, saying it was not deliberate.


Mr. Tunde Rahman, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media, had on Thursday tried to explain this away, when he told a national daily (not THISDAY) that “Tinubu missed the event, because he is currently out of the country. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is not in town. He is currently out of the country. That was why he was not present at the occasion, not otherwise.”

Asked yesterday night to respond specifically to whether his principal at any time directed the governor not inaugurate the projects, Rahman further stated in a text message to THISDAY,
“His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was out of the country at the time. He was working on the initial schedule under which President Muhammadu Buhari was to be in Lagos April 29th and 30th. So he had planned his itinerary abroad taking that timing into cognizance. Even the President was aware of Asiwaju’s trip. So he did not boycott or deliberately stay away from the event. If you claim Asiwaju told Governor Ambode not to inaugurate the projects, I’m really not aware of that. And that’s the truth.”

But THISDAY findings have shown that Tinubu and Ambode have actually had a conversation on the matter and the former Lagos governor was alleged to have pointedly told Ambode to forget the idea of inaugurating the projects and letting Sanwo-Olu come in, finish them off and then inaugurate them.


Believed to have felt inadequate by that charge, Ambode was said to have run his conversation with Tinubu with a few people, including the president, a majority of whom felt it was unfair to have compelled him not to take the glory for his own work especially, that he wanted to inaugurate them by himself, even though time would not allow him to completely finish them off.

Therefore, when the development was communicated to Tinubu, he considered it a slight and therefore chose to be away about the same time, since it would be indefensible to be in town and not attend a programme that featured the president, whom he recently led to victory for another term of four years.

Incidentally, this is happening at a time Ambode is said to have been penciled in for a ministerial position, representing the South-west slot, the reason all the South-west governors apart from Osun, who is currently being ruled by one of Tinubu’s cousins, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, were in attendance.


The decision to bring Ambode into the Buhari political family, often referred to as the ‘Abuja boys’, was believed to have been informed by the fact that the president did not like the way the outgoing governor was treated to the ignominy of not returning to office, more so that he personally intervened on his behalf on two different occasions, but his intervention failed to save Ambode from losing his re-election ticket to the perceived prebendal politics of the state.

It was against this backdrop that the president was said to have consulted with other stakeholders from the region and came up with the decision to include Ambode in his next cabinet, albeit representing the South-west geo-political zone, a move many believed would soon set the President and Tinubu on war path.

Curiously, however, the last may not have been heard of Ambode’s many battles with the political forces in Lagos state, a crucial example being the refusal by the state House of Assembly to pass his 2019 budget, which he struggled to lay before the parliament sometime in February.

Ambode and the state assembly have had a running battle over the 2019 budget as some members of the state assembly felt his approach, preparatory to the presentation of the budget, breached what they considered the understanding and camaraderie between the executive and the legislature, including their alleged probe of some of the finances of the state.

This, at a time, had resulted in genuine impeachment threats against the governor, a development that was eventually staved off through the pressured intervention of Tinubu and other stakeholders in the state’s body polity like the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the same group that jointly denied him his re-election ticket.


But fears that the assembly might not pass the budget especially that many now feel it was deliberate on the part of the legislature to starve the governor of funds in the twilight of his administration was confirmed at the weekend, when it suspended debate on the 2019 budget.

Expectations had been high that the lawmakers would finally pass the budget on Friday, but they stood down the debate that could have culminated in passing the bill on account of the excuse that they needed to study the voluminous report submitted by the Hon, GbolahanYishawu Appropriation Committee, which was assigned to look into the budget details.

After the presentation of the report by Yishawu, the Majority Leader, Sanai Agunbiade, reportedly argued that because of the volume of the report and its technicality, the House would have to choose another day for a comprehensive debate of the report, meaning it was after the debate and necessary amendments that the third reading of the Bill could be taken before its eventual passage.

Consequently, the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, concurred to the logic and ruled in favour of the deferment of the debate.

However, if the recommendations of the Appropriation committee were adopted by the House, it would mean that the size of the budget would have scaled up from its initial N852.317 billion to N874.96 billion, indicating a difference of about N22.541b from the figures presented to the House by the governor in February, in addition to the fact that the committee had reportedly done a major surgery to the budget by re-allocating funds to different ministries and projects as it deemed fit.

This development, as a result, makes it the first time since the nation’s return to civil rule in 1999, that the Lagos Assembly has not passed an appropriation bill by the end of April of the same year.

By Dare Odufowokan



Differences among incoming federal legislators elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over who to support for Senate President and House of Representatives Speaker in June are not about to abate any moment soon, an investigation has revealed.

The PDP, according to multiple sources, is mobilizing its members to vote against the official candidates of the APC for the two positions to put the opposition party in a position to influence decision in the legislature.

One of the options being considered by the PDP is to sponsor the pair of Alhaji Danjuma Goje as Senate President and Chief Ike Ekweremadu as his deputy.

Some other PDP leaders are suggesting either Sen. Ali Ndume-Ekweremadu mandate or Sen. Abdullahi Adamu-Ekweremadu ticket.


But several incoming PDP federal lawmakers are not convinced that their party’s plot will sail through.

Several meetings by the legislators-elect convened to resolve the issues have failed as they could not agree on zoning the minority offices or allowing the current leadership of the party’s caucuses in the national assembly to continue when the 9th assembly commences.

It was gathered that while the PDP hierarchy favours the retention of the current leadership of the party caucuses in the national assembly, the majority of the legislators-elect are rooting for a new order.

Another meeting held in Abuja last week to address the issues ended without a concrete agreement on the matters discussed.

“We are yet to agree on the national assembly leadership questions,” a member at the last meeting said.

He added: “In fact, a new dimension was introduced into it at the Abuja meeting. A group of senators are now agitating that the minority leadership must be returned to the South-south geo-political zone from where it was taken away following the defection of Senator Godswill Akpabio to the APC.

“Members-elect from the Southwest are also asking questions about what will be the place of the zone in the leadership arrangement.

“I can recall that the issue of how the zone was allegedly schemed out of the race for national chairmanship was revived as part of the many arguments now going on within our party.”


The PDP may also have jettisoned the idea of making Ekweremadu minority leader in the event that the bid to make return him as deputy senate president fails.

The party, sources said, was swayed on the matter by the strong opposition of the majority of the legislators elect to the idea.

“That was suggested but I don’t think it is on the table again. Majority of us are opposed to the idea,” our source said.

“We still need to agree on a lot of things.

“I can tell you for example that it is not true that all of us want to work with Senator Danjuma Goje as being reported.

“Many of us would rather have PDP support someone like Senator Ali Ndume. And this was raised when we met. Those supporting Goje are largely current Senators many of whom are not returning to the national assembly.

“It is our own opinion that we do not want to be seen as fighting the battles of some ex-Senators when we resume. We want to be seen as our own men.

“Goje is widely believed to be negotiating with the current leadership of the senate for a deal. That is not the opinion or position of many of us. Ndume represents something fresh and we will prefer that. But unfortunately, the public is being made to believe Goje is our choice.”

The Nation was also informed of the existence of another group of PDP legislators-elect who are opposed to the idea of a deal with any APC senator against Senator Ahmed Lawan.

This group, according to party sources, has been impressing it on the leadership of the party that none of the APC senators threatening to oppose Lawan can deliver the needed APC votes to make any alliance work against the ruling party in the 9th assembly.

A PDP national officer from the Southwest said the lawmakers are more opened to the offers being made towards the opposition legislators by Lawan and Femi Gabjabiamila.

“They think it is better to strike deals that will see the APC and PDP sharing committee positions in a manner that will enable them work together amicably than working on plots that will further factionalise the national assembly when they resume.”

“Many of them are openly condemning the hard line stance of the current leadership of the national assembly.”

“I have heard PDP legislators-elect advice against a national assembly leadership that will be opposed to everything about the executive arm of government. They want an end to the current hostility between the presidency and the national assembly. It may be difficult to get such persons to back the ongoing plot.”

The Nation however gathered that the leadership of the PDP is determined to ensure that legislators-elect on the platform of the party are united ahead of the inauguration of the 9th assembly. This, according to party sources, is necessary considering the desire of the opposition party to play a role in the emergence of the leadership of the next national assembly.

“We are talking to our lawmakers-elect. We are optimistic that we will go into the 9th assembly as a united bloc. It is a very important issue to us and we will do everything possible to achieve that unity. Don’t forget that the PDP as a virile opposition party is desirous of influencing the process that will produce the leadership of the 9th assembly,” one of our sources added.

by Chinedu Asadu



On Friday, the Nigerian army announced S. Ibrahim as the new director-general (DG) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). According to the new postings disclosed by Sagir Musa, acting director of army public relations, Ibrahim from Nigerian army university, Biu, takes over from Suleiman Kazaure, the current NYSC DG, with “immediate effect”.

Musa had said in a statement: “The Nigerian Army has approved the postings and appointments of some of its senior officers. Those affected by this include, Major General SZ Kazaure who has been posted from National Youth Service Corps to Nigerian Army Resource Centre and appointed as Senior Resource Person … Brigadier General S Ibrahim from Nigerian Army University Biu to National Youth Service Corps and appointed as Director General.”

Checks by TheCable reveal Ibrahim’s posting was illegally done as the army does not have the power to appoint a director-general for the NYSC.

In fact, such power is exclusive of the president and commander-in-chief of Nigeria’s armed forces as provided for in the NYSC act, which is the scheme’s enabling act.

Section 5 of the act reads: “(I) There shall be for the service corps a Director-General who shall be appointed by the President. (2) The Director-General shall be the chief executive and shall be charged with the general responsibility for matters affecting the day-to-day running of the service corps. (3) The Director-General shall be assisted by directors at the National Directorate headquarters and State co-ordinators at the State headquarters.”

Further checks show that neither the 1999 constitution nor the armed forces act which “provides for the command, maintenance and administration of the Armed Forces of the Federation (including the Nigerian army)” empowers the army to make such posting or provides exception to the aforementioned provision of the NYSC act.


FIRST OCCURRENCE?

It could not be immediately confirmed if a NYSC DG has ever been posted to the scheme by the army but most recent postings were all from the presidency. For instance, in 2011, former President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Thompson Okorie-Affia as the scheme’s DG, and later in 2013, appointed Johnson Olawumi to replace him. The outgoing DG Kazaure was also appointed in that position by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016.

Commenting on the development, Inebehe Effiong, a constitutional lawyer, told TheCable that it is only the president that is empowered to appoint the NYSC DG.

He added that even if the president had made the appointment “silently”, it is wrong for the army to announce the development.

“If it does not come from the president, the purported deployment is null and void and is unconstitutional,” he said.

“And even if the president decided to make the appointment silently, it is not for the army to announce an appointment made by the president. The NYSC is an independent parastatal and not an institution of the army.”

It is not clear why the army took the action but the president’s current absence in the country even raises more eyebrows over the development.

The army spokesman did not immediately respond to enquiries made by TheCable on why the action was taken.

By Kenneth Ofoma





Tthe South East leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to meet today in Enugu to take a final decision on the leadership of the National Assembly. The zone has shown interest in the speakership of the House of Representatives and the position of the Deputy Senate President. Some officials of APC in the zone had previously rejected the zoning position adopted by the national leadership of the party, describing such as individual decisions which was not reached through the constitutionally recognised organs of the party. The meeting, called at the instance of the National Vice Chairman of APC, South East zone, Emma Eneukwu, has three items on the agenda.


The major issue the meeting will address will be the harmonisation of the zone’s position with regard to which of the key NASS principal offices in the Senate and House of Representatives the lawmakers from the zone should go for as one political family. Three APC members were declared winners in the just concluded general election. But while only one (Dr. Oji Uzor Kalu, Abia) received certificate of return, two (Rochas Okocha and Ben Uwajumogu, both from Imo), are yet to be issued with certificates of return. Should the two of them succeed in crossing the political huddle before them and receive the certificates of return, it will then mean the South East produced three senators. On the other hand, APC produced two House of Representatives-from the zone in the persons of Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (Abia) and Chike Okafor (Imo). The other two items on the agenda are repositioning APC in the South East after the 2019 general elections and other matters. It will be recalled that the national leadership of APC led by its chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, had announced the zoning of the two top positions in the National Assembly, the Senate President and Speaker of House of Representatives, to the North East and South West, respectively. However, the development has been raising some dust across the country as other lawmakers from other zones have thrown their hat into the ring for the two topmost principal positions.


For instance, the South East zonal leadership of the APC appears to be uncomfortable with the zoning formula adopted by leaders of the party. They are likely to endorse one of their own to run for the House Speakership position or Deputy Senate Presidency position. In the alternative, they are going to demand principal positions in government, like the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). Meanwhile, contrary to widespread belief that the party has zoned its National Assembly leadership positions to the various geopolitical zones of the country, the South East zonal Publicity Secretaries of the party have declared that the party has not yet taken any official position with regard to zoning of the positions.


Speaking on behalf of his colleagues in an exclusive chat with our correspondent in Enugu, the Anambra State Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr. Okelo Madukaife, stated that none of the constitutionally recognised organ of the party had taken a decision on zoning. He said that what was happening was that some vocal members of the party were trumping the names of their preferred candidates hoping to cow others and have their way. According to the party spokespersons, the South East zonal caucus of the party has resolved to promote the zoning of Senate Presidency and House of Representatives’ Speakership positions to South East.

AS Nigerians await President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial list with bated breath, indications have emerged that the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Hadiza Bala Usman could be named in the President’s second term cabinet.

Impeccable sources informed Sentry that the NPA boss could be named a minister in the same manner her name emerged from the blue when she was appointed as the managing director of the all-important agency.

One of the sources said as a sign of how much confidence President Buhari reposes in her, following the active role she played in his presidential campaign, Hadiza is, in fact, said to be involved in compiling the names of would-be members of the new cabinet.

Ministerial aspirants are said to be doing everything humanly possible to get her to recommend them. The proud daughter of radical history teacher late Professor Bala Usman is said to be taking all in its stride. Some serving ministers, we learnt, are rattled by the development.

By Seun Opejobi



The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has reacted to reports that he was preparing to dump the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the governorship election in the state.

Reports had it yesterday that some top shots in the presidency had advised Bello to dump the APC for another party, ahead of the November election in the state.

Bello’s move was said to be due to his alleged misunderstandings with some top officials of the party in the state.

However, Bello’s Director-General of Media and Publicity, Kingsley Fanwo, has described the report as false.

In a statement, Fanwo said Bello’s recent declaration for second term has made his political opponents jittery.

According to Fanwo, the governor will remain in the ruling APC and fly the flag of the party during the election.

He stated that Bello’s declaration has unsettled his opponents, “many of whom had thought the party would fail and then die after the 2019 general elections in Kogi state.

“Immediately after the declaration, diaspora opposition pressed their panic button and ventured into rumor mercantile, spreading all forms of rumor.

“First, it was that the governor has not performed in office. We didn’t fight them. We only rolled out 105 verifiable achievements in 39 months of stewardship. Like the rat who saw a cat, they ran away from that sentimental infantilism.

“The new disingenuous point they now propel is to insinuate the governor was going to leave his party for a new ground. This viewpoint is not only a calorie from ignorance, but a confirmation of the confusion in the opposition camp.

“Governor Bello inherited a battered party which was depleted by those who circumvented the constitution of the party. We lost seats at the national and state assemblies to court judgements and was barred from participating in the reruns.

“He reorganized the party, gave fillip to the dynamics of inclusion and constitutionalism in the party. He provided leadership and registered over 500,000 new members in the party in an unprecedented drive.

“He supervised free, fair and credible congresses that was widely commended and also oversaw a nomination process which was a clear departure from the era of impunity.”

“We are looking beyond August. We are already working hard to win the Governorship election in November. He has built APC and he understands APC. He is the future of APC.

“Governor Bello will not leave the house he has expanded to accommodate over 500,000 new tenants to become a tenant. He is the father of Kogi APC.

“We urge all supporters and lovers of the governor and Kogi state to dismiss the weak lies of those who have been jolted by the success of the governor,” the statement added.

By Jonathan Nda-Isaiah



The battle for who succeeds Hon Femi Gbajiamiala as the Leader of the House of Representatives is getting tough, with different gladiators expressing interest in taking the plum job, JONATHAN NDA-ISAIAH writes. In less than two months, a new leadership of the 9th National Assembly will emerge.

Right now, there is ongoing horsetrading, permutations and negotiations on who becomes the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The All Progressive Congress (APC) had recently adopted Femi Gbajiamiala as its preferred candidate for the office of tr Speaker of the House in the 9th Assembly. However that has not stopped other contestants from throwing their hats into the ring.

A female aspirant for the office of the Speaker, Hon. Nkiru Onyejeocha (APC, Abia), has called on Gbajabiamila to step down for her. She urged the party to have a rethink and zone the speakership to the South-east. A frontline aspirant, Hon. Umaru Mohammed Bago, has dismissed reports making the rounds that he has withdrawn from the contest.

Bago described the reports as false, adding that it was aimed at distracting his campaign. The Niger-born lawmaker made the clarification in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the Bago Campaign Organisation, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene. Ogene noted that his principal’s ambition is not driven by personal interest but for the quest to ensure that the North-Central region of the country is included in the business of governance.

The party had also zoned the Deputy Speaker position to the North-Central.That also has continued to generate ripples in the party as the South-East zone has continued to demand one of the two top leadership positions in the House of Representatives. While the politicking and intrigues for who becomes the speaker and deputy continued, the horse-trading of who becomes the majority leader of the House has also begun in earnest.

The North-West is demanding to be given the House Leader position on the strength that they delivered the highest number of votes to APC and President Muhammadu Buhari in the February presidential election. It is instructive to note that the North-West boasts of the highest number of lawmakers in the House of Representatives.

It also worthy to note that the primary functions of a Majority Leader in the House of Representatives usually relate to floor duties. The Majority Leader is the lead speaker for the majority party during floor debates, develops the calendar, assists the speaker with and programme development, policy formation and policy decisions.

The majority leader generally develops the majority caucus agenda with the principal leaders, presides over the majority caucus meetings and assists with the development of policy. Consequently, Musa Sarkin Adar who come from Sokoto state in the North-West has thrown his hat into the ring for the position of the House Leader. Other contenders for the position of the House leader include Hon Abdulmumuni Jibril, incumbent chief whip Hon. Ado Doguwa, and Hon. Kawu Sumaila.

Those in the know however, understand the natural criteria the North places before their leaders; outside of actual performance as a leader of his community, for a politician to be sufficiently revered in the North, he has to have a huge stock of integrity, honesty, patriotism, intelligence, compassion, charisma and has to be flexible. Recall that during the 8th National Assembly’s raging battle to support Gbajabiamila against Dogara it was Sarkin Adar who led 176 members to campaign for the Speakership seat.

At the end of the day, many of those 176 supporters of Gbajabiamila switched camp and switched political loyalty, leaving only Sarkin Adar and a few others to continue the campaign for Gbajabiamia. Sarkin Adar is a firm believer in principle, accountability, prudence, dedication and yet humble, down to earth and caring for the constituents. Sarkin Adar is from the Northwest, an indigene of Sokoto State and currently represents Goronyo/Gada Federal Constituency in the House.

Prior to becoming a member of the House of Representatives, he was a Director in the Governor’s Office in Sokoto and worked at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as Personnel Manager. In 2007, he contested for the House of Representative and won, got re-elected for another term in the 2011, 2015 and re-contested in 2019 on the Platform of the All Progressive Congress(APC) and Won to represent Goronyo/Gada.

He has as his legislative interests Rural Development, Youth/Women empowerment Employment, Agricultural improvement. According to a political analyst ,Haruna Ibrahim,for Sarkin Adar to have been elected for four consecutive times to represent his constituency in the House of Representatives, means he must have performed creditably as a parliamentarian. Undoubtedly, he represented the entire northern interest in such critical areas as rural development, youth and women empowerment, employment and agricultural improvement.

“Going beyond his well-documented achievement as a parliamentarian, the North-West Solidarity Forum which marketed him to the present level, simply brought to the fore Sarkin Adar’s rare characteristics that were hitherto largely unknown to the larger public.

“In order for the Group to actually get the North-West and the entire North by and large to endorse Sarkin Adar, they proved that he possesses the rare qualities that make a politician tick in the North.

In the end, the Solidarity Forum was able “to expose Sarkin Adar as one northern politician who aspires to respect different views, analyze problems, and identify the best solutions – not based on loyalty to political party alone, but based on what is good and right and in the best interest of the people as a whole.

By John Owen Nwachukwu




Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State and a former Spokesperson of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, has accused the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, of setting aside a whopping sum of N100 billion for a media campaign against the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi.


In a statement to DAILY POST on Thursday, Eze also alleged that Governor Wike was recruiting a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, spokesperson for the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, Imo Ikenga, among others, to lead the media campaign.

Eze said impeccable sources, who are well informed of the plot, said the governor had already assembled the team of sworn anti-Amaechi in the PDP and other opposition elements, including Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, the National Chairman of Zenith Labour Party ZLP, to be supported by Barr Emma Okah, the Rivers state Commissioner for Information, with Senator Magnus Abe as coordinator of the project.

Eze added that the primary target of the sponsors of the project, represented by the Rivers state governor, is to smear the image of the minister.

According to Eze, insiders in the Wike administration in Port Harcourt had been boasting of late that the onslaught against Amaechi this time around would be targeted at damaging his public image, using the media at all levels as well as on multiple platforms.

The end result, he claimed, is to make the minister not attractive for a reappointment in President Buhari’s next cabinet, adding that a mobilisation of N20 billion had already been disbursed to the assembled team.

Eze added, “A whopping sum of N100billion has been set aside for this task aimed at defaming, smearing, disparaging, blackmailing and frustrating Amaechi’s re-nomination into President Buhari’s new cabinet.

“Available facts indicate that the sum of N20Billion has already be released to the committee comprising of some states and national commentators, while further disbursement will be done as the committee progresses in its deadly task.

“Some of the key Committee members so far recruited are Chief Dan Nwanyanwu the National Chairman of Zenith Labour Party, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode former Aviation Minister, Barr Reno Omokri, a former presidential spokesman to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Barr Imo Ikenga the CUPP Spokesperson to be supported by Barr Emma Okah the Rivers State Commissioner for Information who is to as the Committee’s Secretary/Resource Person and source provider of most of the dirty documents with Senator Magnus Abe coordinating the multi-Billion Naira venture.

“According to the charge to the committee, the committee should use every media platform to make the 2015 plot against Amaechi a child’s play, especially as Wike plans on using some of Amaechi’s former cabinet members to tell false, concocted and distorted stories to the media and impugn the minister’s unblemished integrity and paint a very terrible image of him to members of the public.

“The committee is charged to recruit other Nigerians and foreigners alike to jointly and collaboratively carry out this hatchet job of ‘hack Amaechi down’ campaign. The plan is to throw as much dirt at him as possible and rubbish his image that the 2015 campaign against him will become a child’s play.

“Most of the committee members are currently in Rivers state and are being coached on what to say to the press and how to say it, to do maximum damage while others are busy distorting, concocting and fabricating fake screenshots, text messages, documents and all sorts in Senator Abe’s Freedom House campaign office in Port Harcourt; that they intend to release to the media to tarnish the image of the minister. Pages of some key National Dailies are already booked in advance and most Network Televisions and their anchormen contacted for this deadly task.

“Today, even not waiting to be formally commissioned, across media platforms subtle campaigns were already ongoing to sway public perception against the former Rivers State Governor. Recently both Amadi Dike, a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sotonye Ijuye-Dagogo and Sunny Oburu PDP apologists in their various recent reports have castigated Amaechi with unkind words pleading with President Buhari not to reappoint Amaechi into his cabinet.

“In carrying out this deadly act against an innocent man, whose only crime was that he supervised the election and reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari both in 2015 and 2019, Senator Abe is busy on daily basis jumping from one TV station to the other, discussing Amaechi while Chief Dan Nwanyanwu is trying to outshine other committee members and Chief Femi Fani-Kayode is busy writing worthless and inciting letters and articles aimed at achieving the aim of the Amaechi-must-be-destroyed committee.”

However, Eze noted that the plot and its execution had failed right from the moment it was conceived because most Nigerians have come to understand that Amaechi, being one of the most critical factors to the ouster of the PDP from its merciless milking of the nation’s resources, will continue to be a target of attack from the reactionary elements that represent the former ruling.

Eze pointedly stated that no matter the efforts of both Wike and Abe that their very best, can never equal, not to talk about surpassing Amaechi’s sterling, innovative, radical, trend-setting and absolutely revolutionary records as a world acknowledged leader of our time. Take it or leave it, Amaechi remains a hero of global reckoning.

All these plots notwithstanding, the fact remains that Amaechi have proven himself as a unique leader in Nigeria and no amount of evil machinations will deter his reappointment if merit is the yardstick for appointment.

He added, “He is a shining star who has brought his wealth of experience to bear in transforming the rail transport sector and the President is happy with him. The fact remains Amaechi) has made us from the South-South proud, very proud, by his exceptional performance.”

Eze said that he is “consoled by the fact that Buhari doesn’t listen to those nasty smears and blackmail.

“Wike and Abe are not God Let them gather together and plot evil against Amaechi with trillions of Naira, they shall continue to fall as they have always been. The Bible says the Egyptians you see here today, in a moment you will find them no more. The battle is the Lord’s and he needs no assistance from anybody. They failed in 2015 and surely they will fail in 2019.”

Eze, however, added that “those who are true adherents of the politics of Rt. Hon. Amaechi would not be distracted by any campaign of calumny against the man,” adding “we are sure that President Buhari will also not be distracted by these misguided persons, whose hatred for his person is being transferred on Amaechi.

A mild drama ensued at plenary in the House of Representatives as Rep Muhammad Abdu insisted that a report on the reviewed conditions of service in the National Assembly be stepped down.

The drama started when Speaker Yakubu Dogara called on the Chairman, Conference Committee on the Reviewed Conditions of Service in the National Assembly, Rep Simon Arabo, to present the report on Thursday.

The agenda was in item two of Presentation of Reports in the lower chamber’s Order Paper.

However, no sooner had Dogara given Arabo the floor to speak than Abdu (APC-Bauchi) who represents AlKaleri/Kerfi Federal Constituency, challenged the report presentation.

Abdu argued that the report was shrouded with controversies that needed to be resolved before its presentation.

According to him, not all members of the conference committee endorsed the report about to be presented by the chairman “because we were not aware of meetings where decisions were taken”.

”Some of our members, who are not here now, would have backed me up. I will plead that the report is not laid now because there are issues surrounding it.

”Some of us were not invited to the meetings and are not aware of the report,” he argued.

Arabo, in his response, said Abdu decided on his own not to honour the invitations to committee meetings.

According to him, a deliberate absence of a member will and shall not prevent the committee from completing its job.

“We have concluded the report but he can write a minority report if he feels strongly about it,” he added.

Some lawmakers also made contributions to the argument.

However, in his ruling, the speaker expressed surprise at the development after being assured by the committee chair that all was well on the report presentation.

”Rep. Arabo has, before now, assured me that issues over the report have been resolved.

”It won’t be the first time the parliament will be stepping down a report due to situations like this,” he said.

Dogara, who thereafter stepped down the presentation of the report, noted that a resolution of the issues of concern by the conference committee would make the report better on presentation.

Temidayo Akinsuyi


Lagos – Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday said he did not deliberately stay away from during President Muhammadu Buhari’s projects commissioning in Lagos on Wednesday.

There were insinuations that Tinubu has shunned the event as a payback for the President’s absence at the colloquium organised last month to mark his 67th birthday.

However, speaking with Daily Independent, Tunde Rahman, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media said his principal missed the event because he is currently out of the country.

” Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is not in town. He is currently out of the country. That was why he was not present at the occasion” he said.