₦airaland Forum

By Temitope Ogunbanke 


A woman, whose first husband was killed by Boko Haram members, has found love again in the United States of America.

The woman, who changed her name to Sarah for safety reasons, remarried a Liberian (name withheld).

Sarah’s late husband, a Lieutenant Colonel, was killed during combat by Boko Haram in February 2015 in Maiduguri, Borno State.
But three years after, she got married in a colourful ceremony in the presence of friends and families in United States.

Confirming the wedding in an interview with New Telegraph yesterday, a United States-based International Human Rights lawyer and victims’ advocate, Emmanuel Ogebe, said Sarah’s marriage to a Liberian was intriguing because her late husband had served in Liberia during a military peace-keeping mission to bring stability back to the war-torn country.

He said: “With her son leading the bridal train as the little groom, the resplendent bride made her way into the packed Texan church to a different kind of wedding song.

The lyrics, ‘God sent you to love and comfort me,’ couldn’t be more apt. The bride, Sarah was remarrying in America after Boko Haram killed her husband in Maiduguri, North-East Nigeria a few years before.

“The wedding was on Martin Luther King holiday weekend this year, the holiday commemorating the civil rights icon who advocated for racial equality.

“At the Houston wedding reception, I was seated next to a medical doctor and his wife also a doctor (relatives of the bride.) To my left was a medical doctor and her kids (friends of the bride.) The wedding guests in Houston were a true microcosm of highly educated Nigerian American immigrants.

As lawyers, my wife and I were probably the least educated professionals on our table. The crowd was a mix of family, friends, co-workers and members of the ethnic church where the couple served and met.”

Disclosing how Sarah met her Liberian husband, Ogebe said “all began when the Liberian groom served in the parking ministry of the church and helped Sarah find parking before service. After that she was regularly needing parking assistance from one volunteer in particular.

“Her marriage to a Liberian is especially intriguing. Her late husband had served in Liberia during a military peace-keeping mission to bring stability back to the war-torn country.

“Thinking back on her wedding song, ‘God sent you to love and comfort me,’ that is the true redeeming grace in what would otherwise have been a heart-breaking story.

“Seeing this American woman marrying again and rebooting her life was an emotional experience for me. When governments fail, God doesn’t. Hope is indeed the heart’s great quest and love its healing balm. I admit it; I teared up during the wedding – overwhelmed by God’s solution to this situation.”

Commenting on his relationship with Sarah’s late husband and how the military officer was murdered in 2015, Ogebe said he died like an hero fighting in defence of his country.

By Anule Emmanuel 


Vice President Yemi Osinabjo has declared that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has absolute powers to arrest anybody found to have committed any crime punishable under the laws of Nigeria.

Osinbajo, who stated this in an interview with reporters in Lagos, said the anti-graft agency does not require the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari or himself to go after anybody found wanting.

The vice president explained that the President, in line with his tradition of openness and transparency in governance, has given full rights to all law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties without interference. He said that the Buhari administration will continue to give complete freedom for government agencies to perform.

“With respect to the arrest of DG, NIA, and some of what took place, I think the fair thing to say is that the President has said that the EFCC has the absolute right to go ahead and do whatever it needs to do to ensure that anybody who has committed a crime, or who is suspected to having committed a crime, is brought to justice, and that’s the position that the EFCC has taken. “You know the EFCC has issued a notice for the DG, NIA, and SGF to attend interview with the EFCC; but we are sure that that process would be followed to a logical conclusion.

“To ensure that you allow government agency do their business, that’s very important; that’s institution building. Look at what is happening in the U.S. today; the President is sometimes angry with the FBI because the FBI is doing its independent work, and that’s what we hope to achieve: when you see countries where agencies are doing their work the way they are supposed to do it,” he added.

Speaking specifically on why the sacked Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, and the former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr. Ayodele Oke, have not been arrested and arraigned by the EFCC since their investigation was concluded, Osinbajo said: “One of the things that the President decided to do is to ensure that every agency does its work without direct interference from the President.

“So the President does not call the EFCC, and say, “Go and arrest Mr. Ekpeyong”, no. And that’s one of the most important things about the style of this government, and we want the agencies to do their work.

No one has showed up and called Magu and say, “Look go and arrest.” That’s what it is.” Osinbajo, while making inference to the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the EFCC boss and the rejection by the Senate twice for his confirmation, said that it was up to the Department of State Services (DSS) to submit a report against the candidacy of the anti-graft boss and the right of Magu to also defend himself.

According to the Vice President, while the DSS submitted a report against the candidacy of Magu, the EFCC acting chairman defended himself sufficiently and was considered for the second time by both himself and President Buhari as the man for the job.

“While you will find, for example, that the DG, DSS, upon the request by the Senate, wrote a security report and sent it, yet it is up to the President to decide whether he’s going to present this candidate.

Interfering with the process of a security report is not leadership, that’s obstructing. “He is not supposed to interfere. If you say, “Send your report”, whatever report you want to send, the man defends himself, and we still believe he is the right person for the job.

That is the position that we took when he was presented the second time. “Of course, the Senate has had their own say on that and they are entitled to take some of the positions they are taking.

But the President believes that this is the right man for the job, so he presented him the second time,” Osinbajo noted.

Commenting on the inability of government to deliver fully on its plans for the power sector, Osinbajo explained that the major challenge being faced by Generation and Distribution Companies (GENCOs) and (DISCOs) was paucity of funds. “I also think that, perhaps in the area of power, especially trying to do much more, but power is privatized.

A lot of the power companies, a lot of the GENCOs, the DISCOs in particular, simply don’t have the resources to replace assets, so they slow down. “How I wish they have more funds to pump into assets and we hope they have more resources to do so. We’ve put in place the over N700 billion payment assurance scheme, but that is insufficient,” he stressed.

Toni Iwobi, a Nigerian IT entrepreneur who has spent 38 years in Italy, has been elected as the first black senator in the European country.

He was elected on the platform of Matteo Salvini, a party accused of stirring up xenophobia in Italy.

Iwobi was elected in the industrial city of Brescia in northern Italy.

“It is with great excitement that I can tell you I have been elected senator,” he said in a brief statement.

A member of the anti-migrant League, Iwobi emerged a town councillor in 1995.

Ansa en Politics, an Italian website, described him as a committed activist.

Iwobi is said to be the party’s immigration and security chief, speaking regularly on Italian TV.

By Fikayo Olowolagba 


A 43-year-old man, Yusuf Adamu, from Zango, Birninkudu, the headquarters of Birninkudu Local Government of Jigawa state, has been arrested for allegedly sleeping with a 13-year-old boy.

The suspect, an official of Birninkudu Magistrates’ Court, was alleged to have committed the offence on the court premises at night.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Commandant of Dutse command, Muhammed Durmin Iya, parading the suspect on Monday warned parents and guardians to take care of their children and wards, to prevent them from being abused by criminals.

He said the suspect was arrested on the premises of Birninkudu Magistrates’ Court trying to lure the boy with the intention of having carnal knowledge of him for the fourth time.

Adamu is said to be married, having nine children (five boys and four girls).

Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed that he introduced the victim to sodomy, adding that he had carnal knowledge of him more than four times.

“I have slept with him on the court premises at night more than four times,” he confessed.

The victim on the other hand said: “He gives me N100 each time he sleeps with me. He had sex with me three times. On the fourth occasion when we were caught, he gave me N200.”

Posted By: Yusuf Alli



THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured a warrant from a court to arrest the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, Leo Ogor, over alleged 20 constituency projects, which were tagged as “suspiciously unexecuted”.

The anti-graft agency may effect the arrest of the Minority Leader any moment from now, following alleged failure to appear for interrogation.

The projects, said to be worth over N500 million, were allegedly awarded to companies linked to Ogor.

But the EFCC was yet to lift the freezing order on the N116 million in the accounts of five out of six companies owned by Ogor being allegedly used to secure contracts from some agencies as constituency projects.

The issues against Ogor include over N318 million to two of the companies by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); 20 suspected but unexecuted projects in the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons; and implication in a petition against House leadership by the suspended Chairman of the Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, on alleged padding of 2016 budget and insertion of bogus constituency projects.

According to findings, EFCC has obtained a warrant of arrest against Ogor after his alleged refusal to honour invitations for interrogation.

A source said: “We will execute the court order any moment from now because we have given him enough time to respond to our invitations.

“Instead of appearing before our team, Ogor has been given excuses. He has also written the EFCC that he will only be available in December this year. With this development, we may effect his arrest anytime from now. Our operatives will soon be on his trail.

“We have conducted preliminary investigation but we need Ogor to respond to our findings. Our detectives discovered most of the constituency projects facilitated by Ogor were awarded to six companies in which he has been the sole signatory to their accounts.

“The companies are Laurelton Global Services Limited; Zanny Concern Limited; Racen Integrated Global Nigeria Limited; Simplified Concept Limited; Fergio Ventures Nigeria Limited and Peanard Nigeria Limited.

“Out of the six companies, EFCC confirmed that Ogor is still a serving director in Simplified Concept Limited and Laurelton.
“We have not lifted the freezing order on the N116 million in some accounts traced to him. We obtained the order in May 2017 and he has not been forthcoming.

“The cash has been in the accounts of these companies: Laurelton Global Services Limited (N101, 149, 293.96); Racen Integrated Global Nigeria Limited (N5,088,293.50); Peanard (N2,370,901.44); Zanny Concern Limited (N8,374,173.28) and Simplified Concept Limited (N7, 000).”

Asked to respond to alleged ill-health of Ogor, the source said: “No medical report is at our disposal from him. In fact, intelligence report confirmed that he is well.”

The projects in refugees’ commission include supply of three buses; another three Toyota 18-seater buses; 68 tricycles, 220 generators; 220 motorcycles and others.

The projects in UBEC and the companies are: Zanny (19/11/2014) – one block of three classrooms at Eru Primary School, Igbide at N9,180,835.45; Laurelton (19/11/2014) one block of three classrooms at Ivori Primary School, Isoko at N9,887,778; Racen (19/11/2014) construction of three classrooms at Egburie Primary School, Ozoro; and construction of six classrooms on January 21, 2016 at Olordo Primary School, Ozoro at N9,300,000.

The others are Laurelton (23/11/ 2015): supply of customised library equipment to selected schools in Isoko North LGA at N16,050,000; supply of instructional materials in Isoko North /South Federal Constituency (N14, 650,000); supply of customised equipment to selected schools in Isoko Federal Constituency (N15,950,000); award of N9,200,928,90 to Simplified Concept in January 2016 for the rehabilitation of six classrooms at Egware Primary School, Orozo and Racen: Construction of 6 classrooms, toilets and furniture at Itebighe Primary School(21/1/ 2016) at N12, 988.099.23.

JideAmuGiaka:
You have many projects at hand gulping a lot of money therefore you will only do the introduction for now and the trad will be after she give birth.

Mr project, the parents of the girl saw unseriousness and deception in you and I agree with them.

Posted By: Grace Obike, Abuja



President Muhammadu Buhari has awarded cash awards and scholarships up to PHD levels to three Nigerian students in secondary schools.

The students who came first, second and third in the just concluded Young Nigerian Scientists Presidental competition, came out as the best in the 774 local government areas of the country.

President Buhari made this revelation on Monday in Abuja, at the opening ceremony of the 2018 technology and innovation expo taking place at the eagle square.
The President who was represented by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo added that the government is setting up technology hubs in universities in the six geopolitical zones.

He also added that the president has approved a new science, technology and innovation Roadmap 2017-2030 for Nigeria.
His words, ” In September 2016 the state house hosted the first Aso villa demo day ro showvase the innovation of emerging startups from around the country, since the the world bank has supported a batch of those innovatiors with grants totally about $3m, the first batch of which has aleeady been disbursed and the world bank is committing an additional $3m in the funding for six~ technology hubs across Nigeria in our universities.

“The Federal Government is collaborating with the Bank of Industry and other private sector entities to run a Presidential technology innovation challenge in all Nigerian universities, public and private and also some Polytechnics in April of this year, each university winner will be invited to an award event hosted by Mr President at the villa, we are also setting up technology hubs in universities in the six geopolitical zones.

“We will also establish centers of acquisition of technology in each of the six geopolitical zones, we will provide intervention funds that will strengthen research and development through training programs and partnerships in Nigerian universities and polytechnics, our goal is to develop self-confident nation that is quickly able to identify and take advantage of emerging opportunities in a rapidly changing world.

“Congratulate our best science students who have emerged as the best in the 774 local government areas of the country, I am pleased to announce that the candidates who emerged first, second and third respectively in the final examination of the recently concluded Young Nigerian Scientists Presidental competition have been granted full scholarships, up to PHD levels in any science related discipline of their choice in any of our universities, the future of Nigeria belongs to the young people and it is our duty as a government to create tye enabling environment for them to grow to their full potential.

“As part of our effort to create a nurturing environment for technology and innovation in Nigeria, President Buhari has approved a new national science, technology and innovation Roadmap 2017-2030 for Nigeria.

“He has also approved a national strategy for competitiveness in raq materials and product development in Nigeria. It is our intention as a government to utilize this initiative to stimulate local production of our raw materials and support our ambition for a diversified economy.”

Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu stated that the ministry is refocusing the nation to embrace science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.

This he said will enable our manufacturers to do more research in order to improve their products to enable them meet local demand as well as have excess for export.

His words, “Your Excellencies, Most distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, from Owerri to Oshogbo; Birnin Kebbi to Benin; Maiduguri to Makurdi, never before has the future of science and technology as the engine of Nigeria’s rebirth been so bright.

Today as I speak, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technoiogy is refocusing the nation to embrace science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. This will enable our manufacturers to do more research in order to improve their products to enable them meet local demand as well as have excess for export.

“I believe that with our huge population and vast natural resources, if we remain determined and focused, we can utilize the power of science and technology to become the technological leader in Africa and hence play a ieading roie in,the global battle against poverty, disease and illiteracy.

“It is With this aim of involving all and sundry in addressing this important chaiienge that I am happy to announce that the inauguration of the Boards of Parastatais under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technoiogy will hold on Thursday March 8 2018 by 2pm at the Auditorium of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.”

Posted By: Julius Okorie



https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/opration2-891x470.jpg


A German football fan has been arrested for allegedly masturbating in a stadium on match day.

The Hertha Berlin follower was filmed relieving his frustrations before Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Schalke.

Images appeared on social media of the man, in his 20s, sprawled on the away terraces with his jeans lowered – and his hand making a seemingly rude action.

He is then seen to be surrounded by a group of stewards, while other Hertha fans stand nearby apparently unconcerned.

The man was ejected from Schalke’s Veltins Arena and was reportedly arrested after a struggle with police.

He now faces indecency and assault charges. Schalke’s Marko Pjaca scored the only goal of the match to give hand his team the victory.

Recently a Brooklyn woman headed home after a long night at work ended up getting into a tussle and stabbing a man who had been masturbating in front of her on the subway.

The unidentified victim, who works as a director of events at a hotel, fell asleep on the Bay Ridge-bound R train around 2am, When she woke up the woman said she saw a man staring at her as he masturbated, police said.

The 42-year-old woman screamed but instead of fleeing the pervert, identified as 47-year-old Reggie Frank, pulled out a switchblade and canister of pepper spray and doused the woman in her face.

Reggie Frank, 57, was arrested and charged for masturbating in front of a woman on a Brooklyn-bound train.

The attacker then lunged at the woman allegedly cutting her on her left hand and a fight ensued, according to the New York Post.

The tussle spilled onto the platform at the 36 St. Stations in Sunset Park. Witnesses told police that the woman was able to wrestle the knife from her attacker and stab him in the chest and arm.

By Isiaka Wakili



Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari favour Christians as well as the southern part of the country.

Speaking in an interview with a group of journalists and social media practitioners in Lagos weekend, the vice president dispelled allegations of nepotism against the President.

The transcript of the interview was yesterday released to State House correspondents by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande.

The vice president noted that the membership of Buhari’s cabinet comprised 18 Christians and 18 Muslims.

However, he pointed out that the two biggest appointments in government – the post of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation are held by Christians.

Osinbajo said four of the five south eastern states had substantive ministers while seven northern states had ministers of state.

He said the number of Chief Executive Officers of federal agencies from Anambra State was more than the number of those from Buhari’s home state of Katsina or anywhere else except Ogun.

The vice president said apart from assigning three huge portfolios to a single minister from the Southwest (Power, Works and Housing), Buhari also assigned two other sensitive portfolios (Communications and Finance) to ministers from the zone.

He said although the constitution requires that each state must have a minister in the federal cabinet, the president has a choice in assigning portfolios.

He said: “Look at the cabinet, for example, from the point of view of the religion, it has an equal number: 18 Christians, 18 Muslims; but, we have the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as well as the Head of Service who are Christians.

So, we have 20 Christians to 18 Muslims; that’s the structure of the cabinet. So, if you take that narrative you may argue that perhaps the Christian have the upper hand; that’s a possible narrative.

“Let us look a little deeper into that ... The South East, for example, has five states. Four of the South Eastern states have senior ministers; all of them, except one, who is Minister of State for Education.

“In assigning particular portfolios he does (have a choice). In the north, seven northern states have no senior minister, including the President’s home state, Katsina.

“Now, there are those who will say, if you are nepotistic; surely seven northern states have no senior minister. It’s a narrative depending on how you want to run it.

“I give you another example; I’m from the South West. There are people who will say “I am from the South West, the North has everything.” The South West, for the first time in the history of this country, has one Minister who is in charge of three ministries: Power, Works and Housing. The Ministers of Finance & Communications are also from the South West. These are critical ministries. You can run the narrative in whichever way that you choose.

“There are those who will say, for instance, look at the number of CEOs of agencies of government; the highest number of CEOs in our nation today comes from Ogun State, the state has the largest number. There are those who will say that’s his state (i.e VP’S State). So you can run the narrative depending on how you want to run it.

“The president has admitted that, yes there are situations where you can find certain things as true and he intends to have a look at that. For example, you’ve given the example of security positions and he said he is going to take a look at look at it.

“I believe that is the way to go because you can run any narrative that will suit the figures you are showing. There are people who don’t know that the number of CEOs from Anambra State is more than the number of CEOs from Katsina State or anywhere else, except Ogun.”

Osinbajo also faulted the recent Nigeria’s rating by Trasparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, saying the Buhari Administration focused on fighting grand corruption.

“I think that by even Transparency International’s own assessment, Transparency International uses nine different indexes to come to a conclusion.
“In four out of those indexes, Nigeria moved up, in another four Nigeria stabilized & dropped in only one index. So in aggregation, it (T.I) then decides that it has fallen in certain number of points below where we were.

“I think the important thing to bear in mind about Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight is that the government has done what it ought to do by focusing on grand corruption.

“Grand corruption is the type we experienced years before when, for example, $15 billion was lost in defence contract. Two, three weeks to election, N100 billion in cash was taken out, and again $293 million in cash, two weeks, three weeks to election.

“That’s the kind of impunity; and of course you are also familiar with the scam that went on in the NNPC at the time; the so called statutory contracts, that’s grand corruption. That is the corruption that crippled the economy of the country.

“Let me tell you very quickly how you can recognize that we have scaled a good deal on grand corruption today: despite the fact that we are earning 60 percent less in revenue, we are actually able to spend more than ever before in the history of this country on infrastructure.

“In 2017, we spent about N1.3 trillion on capital. That’s the highest in the history of the country. So, we are able to do far more with far less because we have controlled the impunity that went on, the grand corruption, and all of that.

“But then, you cannot address the corruption as you go through our airports, our ports or as you go through government offices, in many cases. That’s where the whole perception emerges.

“We must have a deeper and much wider way of dealing with corruption. How are you going to do that? You must have an efficient way of doing that; like automation, removing discretion from individuals,” the vice president said.

Asked what the institutionalized process of fighting corruption was, Osinbajo responded: “Institutionalization is not a one-off thing, it’s a process, and we are dealing with that, that’s exactly what we are doing.

“For example, the TSA and being able to look at government accounts and all of that is one way of institutionalizing a process by which you can be sure of what people are doing, how this things are happening.

“The process of allowing the EFCC to do its work without dictation, saying that ‘look, this is what the EFCC is doing’, and giving them every support that you can. These are ways of institutionalizing. And it is that same process that we are taking in the public service - automation.

“For example, look at all that we have done in the ease of doing business. The whole point of doing that is institutionalizing processes, so that when you come into Nigeria you can get your visa after applying online; so that Customs don’t have to sit around the airport, that is why we are putting in the I-check and we are putting all sorts of other processes. That is to institutionalize; it’s not a one-off process.”

On the national strategy for anti-corruption war, he said: “The national strategy is to ensure that public officers in particular are not able to privatize public finances.

And how do we intend to achieve that? We intend to achieve that by ensuring that there is consequence for corruption and also by automating processes, removing discretion from individuals because if you don’t remove discretion from individuals the individuals can have discretion as whether or not they will grant certain approvals through certain processes; then you continue to encourage corruption at one level or the other.”

By Balarabe Alkassim, Bauchi



A 13-year-old boy, Bappah Adamu, has died while scrambling for money thrown at crowd near the Bauchi-Maiduguri highway.

The boy was said to have been knocked down by an oncoming vehicle while trying to get money thrown into the crowd by Halliru Jika, the House of Representatives member representing Ganjuwa/Darazo federal constituency.

The incident reportedly occurred at Konkiyel town when the lawmaker was leaving the town after visiting a project site he is executing in the town.

A source in Konkiyel town, Safiyanu Konkiyel, confirmed the incident adding that the lawmaker threw money into the air near the highway and people rushed to pick the Naira notes scattered on the road.

Police in Darazo cannot confirm the incidence when contacted on telephone saying that the matter has not been reported to them.

Speaking to our reporter on telephone on the matter, a politician, Nasuru Darazo said that he was aware that the lawmaker visited Darazo, Soro and Konkiyel on Saturday.

He however said that he is aware that the lawmaker was booed in Soro but cannot confirm the death of the 13-year-old boy in Konkiyel town.

"I was in Darazo yesterday because I went to see the work on Dapchari road and I was told that Jika has visited the three places. It is a fact that Jika has a penchant for throwing money into the air anywhere he goes. I was told that he did the same thing in all the three towns," he said.

In another development, a Transformer donated to Soro town was earlier rejected by people of the town.

According to reports, the people rejected the Transformer donation by the lawmaker because he has not executed any constituency project nor visited the area since he was elected in 2015.

When the lawmaker visited Soro Town on Saturday, he was reportedly booed while pictures of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Special Assistant to Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar on Non-Governmental Organisations ( NGOs) and Social Investment Programmes (SIPs), Mansur Manu Soro, was waved at him.

Mansur Manu Soro is from the town and is reportedly nursing a political ambition to challenge Halliru Jika in 2019.

Jika is said to be one of the people interested in contesting for the APC governorship ticket in 2019 and has allegedly not been on good political terms with Governor Mohammed Abubakar.

In his reaction, Halliru Jika who spoke to our reporter on telephone said that the death of the boy has nothing to do with his visit.

The lawmaker said that the boy was knocked down by a car about an hour after he left Konkiyel town.

"It has nothing to do with us, the incidence happened after we left by about thirty minutes or an hour," he said.

On the incidence in Soro, the lawmaker said that he spent more than an hour in the town and that there was no incidence and he was not booed.

He described the reports as mischievous targeted at him by political opponents.

Posted By: Shola O’Neil, and Olawale Sanusi,



The Federal Government has directed the contractor handling the construction and rehabilitation works on the N40billion Port Harcourt – Aba highway project to fast track and ensure quick completion of the project.

The multibillion naira Federal project is being handled by China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC), which has assured that January 2020 delivery date is feasible.

The project supervisor, Mr. Idongesit Ebotakpan, during an inspection of the project site in Port Harcourt at the weekend, revealed that the Federal Government gave the marching order and directed that the job should be top quality.

He explained that the project, which is expected to have a 50-year lifespan would meet the best standard, stressing, “nobody is joking with the quality of job on the road.”
He revealed that the Minister of Works, Mr Babatunde Fashola, while awarding the contract, was specific that the quality of job done on the road must be world standard.

“This is a dual carriage road, the distance is from Eleme Juction to Aba that is the exact length of the project. The first contract was about N34 billion, but there were some important issues arising along the way like the issue of not taking care of road drainage after construction, so that called for a re-design of the project and the current design which is expected to consume N40 billion will take care of those setbacks.

“We have changed the whole design of the road and the present design has four lanes on both side (taking it) to eight lanes on completion, that is where we are now.

“So rehabilitation work will be from Imo bridge down to Aba, what we are doing here will also be replicated at Aba axis with four lanes making it eight lanes at the end”
The Aba/ PortHarcourt road is a very strategic road to the nation’s economy as it links Aba and other industrial heartland of the East with Port Harcourt, the nations oil hub.

The road has been in a very dilapidated state for a long time thus crippling business activities, while creating opportunities for kidnappers and bandits who take advantage of the bad state to attack traders and other road users.

Also speaking, the Project Director, Mr. Charles Okonma, lauded President Muhammad Buhari for approving the project which according to him, would alleviate the sufferings of the masses and add positive value to the economy.

His words: “One of the main policies of president Buhari administration is the economic recovery and growth plan ( ERGP), and one of the plans on that policy platform is massive infrastructural development, of which this project is one of them. You know when you improve in infrastructure you are growing the economy and when you grow the economy you take people out of poverty.”

“Works have started fully, the initial project design problems has been overcome, we will ensure that the project is completed at the stipulated time, the contractors doesn’t have any payment problems and additional funds will be made available as the project goes on’’.

The CCECC Project contractor, George Gao assured Nigerians that the project would be delivered at the agreed time of January 2020, acknowledging that the job has been properly funded by the government .

He said “We are not lacking anything in terms of funds, and from now on work has started fully. We have 41 kilometers from Aba road, Eleme junction to Imo river bridge.

“The entire length of the road we are working on is 41 kilometers. We have two registered engineer and we have 15 technicians like mechanics, carpenters, surveyors and others. The duration of this project is 30 months and we will stick to that’’.

The spokesman for Oyigbo Community, Mr. Alex Ibe, thanked the Federal Government for the project, stating that it would ensure free movement and ease traffic congestion in the ever busy expressway.

The Chairman of Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Dr. Howells Hart described the project as a wonderful initiative and urge the government to do more.

By Chinedu Asadu


The Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) has denied the request of Femi Falana, lawyer and human rights acvitist, seeking to know how much revenue Nigeria is getting daily from the sale of crude oil.

Falana had asked the commission to disclose the revenue realised from the sale of the daily allocation of 445,000 barrels of crude oil from June 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017.

He also requested the amount utilised as subsidy and the amount remitted to the federation account from revenue realised from the crude oil sales within the period.

The lawyer also requested the quantity of crude oil refined locally and the amount spent on turn-around-maintenance of local refineries (with vouchers) within the period.

But in a reply dated March 1 and seen by TheCable, the NNPC told Falana that it is not in a position to provide him with the information “as your request is incongruous with, unsupported by and/ or outside the scope and purview of the Freedom of Information Act (with which he made the request.)”

In the reply signed by Sarah Ndukwu, general manager, litigation, arbitration and property law department, the NNPC said: “Be informed that the FOIA is not applicable to NNPC because it is not a public institution within the meaning of section 31 of FOlA.”.

“The NNPC is neither a legislative, executive, judicial, administrative nor an advisory body of government (which the said section applies to); it is a statutory corporation established for the sole purpose of managing Nigeria’s commercial interest in oil and gas sector and conducting trade in that respect.”

The commission added even if the FOIA applies to it, the information sought is “expressly excluded from the purview of the act by virtue of section 15(1)(a)-(c) thereof.”

It said the requested information is in the nature of “commercial, financial and trade secrets information, which obviously are either subject to non-disclosure agreements or whose disclosure could reasonably interfere with NNPC’s existing contractual obligations or harm third parties’ interests.

“In fact by the use of the word “shall” in the section, NNPC is obligated, in the absence of any prior consent by relevant third parties, to deny your request.”

While assuring Falana that it is a “law-abiding corporate citizen”, the cooperation further told him that his request “will not serve any public interest to public health, public safety or the protection of the environment as to bring it within the items exempted for disclosure under section 15(4).”

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Posted By: Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja


It was banters and reminisces all the way as former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ahmadu Ali relived old times at certain points in their military careers.

The occasion was the launch of Ali’s biography – “Many Colours Of A Rainbow,” at the Shehu Yar’ Adua Centre, Abuja, on Thursday.

Obasanjo was the chairman of the occasion while Gowon was father of the day.

As chairman of the occasion, Obasanjo was listed to deliver the welcome address.
Typical of him, he did not come with a prepared speech. He mounted the podium and cleared his throat in his characteristic manner.

Expectedly, journalists that came to cover the event immediately adjusted their sitting positions. Some were ready with their tape recorders while others had their writing materials in the ready.

Their ears stood erect like a rabbit’s as they waited for the usual “bombshell” from the ex- President. The news hounds were very sure that Obasanjo was going to “vibrate.”
Protocols over. The reporters had already set their tape recorders rolling.

Chmm…chmm…chmm. The old man cleared his throat once again.

“When we were discussing earlier, Ahmadu (Ali) said Gen. Gowon is older than him but that he (Ali) claimed to be older than me.

Then I asked Gen. Gowon if his date of birth was recorded and he said his late father wrote it down and kept it in his bible.

“I asked Ahmadu if his own date of birth was recorded and he also said his father kept the record. And I told them that’s why they could talk like that. My own date of birth was recorded in my mother’s memory.”

And the entire hall went toothy for a while. Then Obasanjo cleared his throat once more and continued: “When I was in primary school, my teacher sent me home from school to get my date of birth. On getting home, I asked my mother for my date of birth and she shouted at me that I was being stupid.”

Recalling his mother’s response at the time, Obasanjo quoted his mother as saying, “I gave birth to you on Ifo Market Day. I had prepared to go to the market with other women on that day but I fell into labour at dawn.

So I could not go the market. The other women went to the market and came back only to find that I had given birth to you. So go and tell your teacher that you were born on Ifo Market Day.” The hall erupted in another bout of prolonged laughter.

He then went down memory lane to capture his relationship with Ali who was then a fellow army officer.

According to the ex- President, it was way back in 1975 when Ali approached him for assistance.

Ali, then a Federal Commissioner for Education, wanted a particular building located close to Race Course, Lagos, for use as office accommodation.

Incidentally, the said building was being occupied by an agency of the United States as operational office.

“So a few days after, I conspired with Ahmadu and mobilised troops to surround the building as early as 4:00 a.m. When the officials of the agency came to report for work in the morning, soldiers prevented them from entering the building. That was how I seized the building for Ahmadu and his staff,” Obasanjo recalled.

Then hell was let loose. The U.S government had protested the action, which sparked a bitter diplomatic row between the U.S and the then Federal Military Government, headed by Gen. Gowon. Consequently, Obasanjo was summoned to Dodan Barracks where he said he was tongue-lashed by Gowon and other superior officers at the time.

“I was scolded and dressed down by Gen. Gowon and other superior officers for my actions. I was seriously washed down.”

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by Dyepkazah Shibayan




 Senate President Bukola Saraki has called on house of assemblies to take a cue from Kwara and pass their own versions of the bill suspending payment of pension to former governors and deputy governors.
Kwara assembly passed the bill on Tuesday.

In a statement on Wednesday, Saraki commended Ali Ahmad, speaker of the assembly, for working to pass the bill.
The nation’s number three citizen said he influenced the action of the lawmakers.

“I am pleased that following my conversation with Kwara speaker, Rt. Hon. Ali Ahmad, two months ago, the bill to suspend the payment of pension to former governors and their deputies when they hold a political or public office was passed into law yesterday by the Kwara house of assembly,” Saraki said.

“Moving forward, it is my hope that other state assemblies take a cue from Kwara state and pass similar pieces of legislation into law.”

Saraki, who governed Kwara between 2003 and 2011, was criticised for collecting pension from the state government.
Last year, the senate president said he had written a letter to the government to stop paying him pension.

“I’m not collecting pension; the moment I saw that allegation, I wrote to my state to stop my pension,” he had said in an interview.

“So, I speak for myself on that part; I’m not doing that, I am not receiving pension from my state.”

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had asked Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, to take legal action against former governors, who are now either senators or ministers so as to recover an alleged N40bn earned in
double payment.

SERAP listed Rabiu Kwankwaso, Godswill Akpabio, Theodore Orji, Abdullahi Adamu, Sam Egwu, Shaaba Lafiagi, are among former governors receiving double emoluments and large severance benefits from their states.

Others named are Joshua Dariye, Jonah Jang, Ahmed Sani Yarima, Danjuma Goje, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Adamu Aliero, George Akume, Biodun Olujimi, Enyinaya Harcourt Abaribe, Rotimi Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi, Chris Ngige and Babatunde Fashola.

Posted by Segun James



Barely a week the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, started his assignment as head of the reconciliation committee of the party, the Lagos State chapter of the APC may have split as a new group called the Broom United Movement (BUM) yesterday emerged to challenge the leadership in the state.

The split in the Lagos APC might have made the work of the national leader difficult as those involved in the “rebellion” are known followers of Tinubu.

The splinter group accused the party leadership of the party in the state of engaging in “illegalities, manipulation and marginalisation” against members, warning that unless genuine reconciliation is allowed to take place, the party may be heading for a crisis and a disaster in an election year.

According to Mr. Found Oki, a former Director General of Governors Bola Tinubu, Tunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode’s campaign organisations and convener of BUM, “Our party suffers from low organisational capacity and lack of internal democracy. The resultant effect of this has been its incapacity to support our democracy as expected.”

At the inaugural meeting of the group which took place at the Absolute Lagos Lounge of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Oki, lamented that there are no templates established to promote inclusiveness and equity in the party.

“Today, our party in Lagos State is fading into insignificance. Massive membership exclusion is becoming the order of the day with members withdrawing from the political space and constituting themselves into internal opposition.

“It is in the light of all these, that the BUM will involve committed party members who will bring moral authority, character and wisdom in handling the delicate issue of reconciliation, unity and accord Oki saud.”

He assured party members that from now on, their “votes will count and will be allowed to freely choose their leaders in a healthy competitive atmosphere.”

The BUM Leader lamented that the APC in the state “has never been this divided and disunited. The current graveyard silence that permeate our political landscape with a ‘siddon look’ syndrome is very dangerous,” adding that political parties are vital organisations in a democracy, and democracy is stronger when citizens become active members of political parties parties.”

Oki said that this unfortunately is what is lacking in party management in the state. “Unfortunately, the democratic culture in our state is characterised by factors such as illegalities, rigging, oppression, manipulation, marginalisation and violence.”

He warned: “Democracy and political participation are related to good governance; this relationship is complementary but appear to be antithetical in our political system. When democracy is abused, good governance becomes elusive and evasive.”

Peter Dada , Akure


The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr. Bamidele Oleyeloogun, became another victim of Fulani herdsmen ’ s attack as he lamented that they invaded his farm and destroyed his maize plantation.

It was gathered that the Speaker had spent a lot of money in planting the maize , which the herdsmen allegedly destroyed .

Oloyeloogun disclosed this to his colleagues from the six states of the South West at the South - West Legislative Reform meeting held in Akure , Ondo State, on Tuesday.

At the meeting of the South -West legislators , where the problems facing the region were discussed, the Ondo Speaker expressed the need for stakeholders to find solutions to the incursions of herdsmen before the situation gets out of hand .

He said , “The issue of farmer /herdsmen crisis is critical . It is disheartening that farmers are no longer free to go to their farmlands . Something urgent must be done before it gets out of hand.

“ I went to my farm yesterday (Monday ), when I got there , I saw that all the maize I planted had been destroyed by cows of the herdsmen and after finishing there, they moved away . ”

The motive of the meeting , according to the Speaker, was for the lawmakers from Lagos , Ogun , Oyo , Osun , Ekiti and Ondo states to have a common goal aimed at solving problems facing the region.

“ The legislative arm of government is an important arm of government saddled with the responsibilities of lawmaking , ratification of appointment of public office holders , oversight functions , among others.

“ It must be noted , however , that these functions can not be achieved without financial autonomy of the legislature , hence the agitations for financial autonomy for houses of assembly is sacrosanct , ” Oloyeloogun stated.

By Michael Abimboye 


Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government Area of Lagos, Alhaji Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi was today spotted riding the popular public bus, Danfo, from Agege to Oshodi.

The council boss was seen sitting in the front seat of the bus.

The moment was photographed by an enthusiast, who posted the picture on Facebook where it has racked up hundreds of views.

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John Charles, Makurdi


Suspected Fulani herdsmen early hours of Monday invaded Mbatoho community in Makurdi , Benue State capital .

Mbatoho community is a council ward located on an Island in Makurdi town.

Leader of the community, who identified himself as John Tehemen, led a few other residents to lodge a complaint with deputy governor , Benson Abounu, saying that the herdsmen had ordered them to vacate their homes.

He said , “Herdsmen who were fully armed with sophisticated weapons early hours of yesterday (Monday ) stormed our community, Mbatoho, and ordered everyone to leave.

“ The herdsmen came in large numbers but they did not harm anyone ; they only asked us to leave, ” Tehemen said . He gave the population of the community to be about 5 , 000 .

In response , the deputy governor said the government had just received the information from the community, adding that he had ordered the security adviser , Paul Hemba , to go and find out the situation.

“ The community has just come to inform us about the attack ; I have directed the security adviser to report to Police and find out the situation of things . The village is right here (pointing towards River Benue ) across the river .

When asked whether the state government is not worried that herdsmen might use the place as a launch pad , Abounu said government would determine the line of action when it establishes the true story.

When contacted on phone , the state commissioner of police , Mr. Fatai Owoseni , told our correspondent that he had just received the report .

Former First Lady Patience Jonathan, some firms and groups linked to her and their bankers are engaged in a blame game over their inability to retrieve huge sums trapped in the banks in the wake of a freezing order obtained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mrs. Jonathan, the firms and groups accused the banks – First Bank, Skye Bank and Diamond Bank – of withholding their funds despite an order of court vacating the freezing order. But the banks argued that the way the ex-First Lady and others sought to retrieve the trapped funds violated existing financial regulations.

The firms and groups include: Incorporated Trustees of Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation, Fagmat Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, Finchley Top Homes Limited, AM PM Global Network Limited and Magel Resort Limited.

Others are: Incorporated Trustees of Women for Change and Development Initiative Nigeria, Seagate Property Development Investment Company, Globus Integrated Services and Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited.

Although the total amount involved could not be immediately ascertained at the weekend, some documents filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja revealed the distribution of the accounts.

Mrs. Jonathan is said to own the account marked: 2022646664 with First Bank, with a balance of about $3.6million ($3,626, 273.71). Globus Integrated maintains account: 210002269 domiciled in Skye Bank.

Incorporated Trustees of Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation, Fagmat Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, Finchley Top Homes Limited, AM PM Global Network Limited and Magel Resort Limited are said to maintain accounts: 0024351569, 0026838491, 0019213687, 0026718889, 0024351590 with Diamond Bank.

Also, the Incorporated Trustees of Women for Change and Development Initiative Nigeria is said to maintain three accounts: 0035481691, 0025879578 and 0019213632 with Diamond Bank.

Mrs. Jonathan, the firms and groups are contending that the banks’ alleged refusal to release the money amounted to flouting the December 5, 2017 order of a Federal High Court in Abuja, vacating the freezing order got by the EFCC on May 30, 2017.

They subsequently initiated contempt proceedings against the banks’ heads, who they accused of disobeying the December 5, 2017 order by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which was to the effect that the freezing order obtained by the EFCC on the affected accounts has lapsed.

Mrs. Jonathan, the firms and groups stated, in a supporting affidavit filed with the committal application, that they attempted to make withdrawals from the accounts after the December 5, 2017 order, but were denied access to the accounts by the banks.

They added: “The respondents/contemnors all refused to obey the court order and thus, bluntly refused to pay the applicants or allow them operate their accounts. Despite the service of the orders and Forms 48 and 49 of this court on the respondents/contemnors, they have bluntly refused to obey the orders of this honourable court.”

They prayed the court to commit the bank chiefs to prison for “the persistent and flagrant disobedience of the order of this honourable court made on the 5th of December 2017 in suit No: FHC/CS/821/2016 between Incorporated Trustees of Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation and 10 others vs. EFCC.”

Dr. Adesola Adeduntan (described in the application for committal as the Group managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, First Bank); Mr. Tokunbo Abiru (Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank) and Uzoma Dozie (Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Diamond Bank) have denied any wrong doing.

The bank chiefs claimed that their banks complied with the December 5, 2017 ruling unfreezing the accounts. They have also challenged the competence of the contempt proceedings.

In a counter-motion, Adeduntan challenged the competence of contempt proceedings on grounds of incompetent service. He argued that no processes in relation the proceedings were served on him personally as required by law.

The First Bank CEO denied flouting any order of the court. He stated that his bank has complied with the December 5, 2017 order and has lifted the restriction on Mrs Jonathan’s account with the bank.

In a supporting affidavit, First Bank stated that “upon confirming the authenticity of the order of court and advice from its legal department, the bank forthwith complied with the order of court by defreezing the account on 16th December 2017.

“This was communicated to 11th judgment creditor/respondent (Mrs. Jonathan) vide a letter dated 18th December 2017. The bank also informed the 11th judgment creditor/respondent that its management had taken a decision to close the account with it and therefore requested her to provide the details of an account into which the balance in the said account should be transferred.

“Upon receipt of the letter, the 11th judgment creditor/respondent and her counsel, Granville Abibo (SAN), vide letter dated 20th December 2017 respectively informed the bank that the 11tth judgment creditor/respondent could not provide detail of any account into which the balance in her defreezed account with the bank should be transferred and thus demanded that she should be paid in cash.

“The bank, having complied with the order of court to unfreeze the account, no longer owe the 11th judgment creditor/respondent any obligation as regard assisting her to violate the provisions of the Money Laundering Laws of Nigeria and normal banking practice of delivering foreign currency in large quantum in cash.

“In response to letters dated 20th December 2017 the bank, vide letters dated 21st December 2017 to the 11th judgment creditor/respondent and her counsel respectively, informed them of the bank’s inability to accede to their request for cash payment, but advised that a bank cheque will be issued in the name of the 11th judgment creditor/respondent for the balance in the unfreezed account if she fails to provide detail of account into which the said balance should be transferred on or before 4tth of January 2018.

“In response, the 11tth judgment creditor/respondent and her counsel respectively informed the bank that the 11tth judgment creditor/respondent does not have any account in her name where monies can be transferred and would prefer cash to be paid to her as the lodgements made into that account were done in cash.

“The 11th judgment creditor/respondent further wrote the bank on 277th December 2017 supplying three separate accounts of her counsel, telling the bank that the said sum be paid into those three named accounts of solicitors who are third parties and the balance paid to her in cash.

“In line with the bank’s letter of 21th December 2017, upon the failure of the 11th judgment creditor/respondent and her counsel to provide any account detail in her name to transfer the funds in her unfreezed account, the bank on 17th January 2018 issued, in her name, a bank cheque no: 014602 in the sum of $3,626,273.71 representing the total balance in her account with the bank, less applicable charges.

“Further to the above, the bank also informed the 11th judgment creditor/respondent and her counsel vide letters dated 17th January 2018 to visit a designated office of the bank in Abuja to pick up the cheque. The 11th judgment creditor/respondent refused to collect the letter, but her counsel received his own copy,” the bank said.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Jonathan, the firms and groups have taken steps to frustrate a renewed move by the EFCC to have the accounts frozen again. They have challenged the competence a fresh motion filed by the EFCC to that effect.

They urged the court to strike it out for not only being incompetent, but constitution an abuse of court process. They noted that the EFCC has among others, filed similar application before the Lagos division of the Federal High Court.

When the two cases marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/821/2016 and FHC/ABJ/CS/1207/2017 came up last Friday, the court could not take any of the pending application because the EFCC was not represented.

Justice Nyako noted that the EFCC was served with a hearing notice just the previous day, which the judge said was insufficient.

Following agreement by lawyers in the cases, including Mike Ozekhome, SAN, (for Mrs. Jonathan), Justice Nyako adjourned further proceedings to April 11.

Lanre Adewole - Abuja


A bi-partisan, bilateral deal to allegedly produce the governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwanbo as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential standard-bearer, is reportedly generating intense disquiet in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Sunday Tribune has exclusively learnt.

Interestingly, the governor is not a party to the “loading” arrangement.

He is being worked into it because of his perceived limited national reach and network.

The deal, allegedly facilitated by certain power-brokers pushing the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, is said to be giving certain chieftains of the ruling party overnight greying hair, with the deal set to compromise their own relevance and influence.

A leading PDP governor in the southern part of the country (name withheld) is said to be cooperating and collaborating with this wheeling-dealing corner of Buhari’s re-election agenda.

The president said last week he needed more time to make his re-election decision.
Various groups have however engaged in open solicitation to him to seek the office for another four year.

Governors elected on the platform of the party have also urged him to run for re-election.

Sunday Tribune gathered that though the president is yet to make an open declaration, his men are already strategising on how to ensure he doesn’t go the way of his immediate predecessor-in-office, President Goodluck Jonathan, by suffering defeat as the sitting president.

With the perceived unfavourable vote arithmetic in three geopolitical zones of South-West, North-Central and South-South which are high voting areas, strategists close to the president were said to have reached out to the main opposition for a deal that could lead to a perceived “weak” candidate, facing the president in February next year.

The thinking, Sunday Tribune learnt, was that despite the plummeting national popularity of the president, he could still coast home to victory with measurable ease, if PDP’s ticket goes to a candidate without national pedigree and political network.

Dankwambo was the nation’s Accountant General before he ran for governor in Gombe, succeeding Danjuma Goje who is now a stalwart and senator of the APC.

A top source in APC, who was privy to the collaboration, confirmed to Sunday Tribune, the meeting between the Buhari campaigners and the top PDP governor took place in London, United Kingdom.

Three top strategists of the president (names withheld but all from the Northern part of the country) who are also believed to have his ears, allegedly coordinated the meeting, but were not physically present at the said meeting.

The governor was reportedly “in town” (London) for a celebratory engagement and later participated in an intellectual jaw-jaw (venue name withheld).

The open events were said to have been used as a cover-up for the high-profile bi-partisan meeting, where encouraging exploratory talks reportedly took place.

Representatives of the president’s self-appointed strategists, according to findings, are likely to again meet the said governor outside the shores of Nigeria to smoothen the alleged grey areas in the deal.

The governor was allegedly targeted for his massive influence on the “current crop of party leaders.”

He is believed to be positioned in a way to influence the outcome of the main opposition’s presidential primaries to meet the aspiration of the president’s men.

Incidentally, the governor has been projected into the 2019 presidential race by bookmakers, though more realistically, as a running-mate to a candidate from the North.

The governor is also believed to be working on an alliance with a sitting APC governor from the North for a joint ticket.

The governor is rumoured to be on his way to the opposition party.

Dankwambo is also getting decent mentioning in the race, as the only second term PDP governor in the entire North.

The other PDP governor in the North, Taraba’s Darius Ishaku, is on his first term.

While the rapprochement was said to have been well-veiled from PDP’s top-shot, it is known to be an open secret to some leaders of the ruling party and a man-Friday of the president, who isn’t part of the deal, is reportedly fuming, alongside his supporters.

The deal is said to be primed in a way that the opposition leader “without doubt will have an edge over him (Buhari man),” Sunday Tribune source volunteered.

The source added, “They (Buhari campaigners) know [the said Buhari’s man-Friday] is a loose canon. He can scatter whatever they are doing without blinking an eye. Wait and see what will happen if what they are doing, continues”.

The scorned and side-stepped colleague of the Buharists isn’t likely to disappoint, Sunday Tribune learnt, as he had fired a broadside to the shadowy figures, believed to be behind the deal.

In an undisguised contempt for what the personalities represented politically, the said Buharist went after them in an unrelated issue, but in a way to mobilise public opinion against them.

Neither the group nor any of its member replied to the anti-development accusation.

Sunday Tribune source pointed out that it was their internal political and campaign war being fought in governance realm.

If the PDP governor receives federal support over his avowed political enemy, the latter, alongside his political family, despite being of the ruling party, may be permanently extinguished from the political space being contested by the duo.
Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Jigawa governor, Sule Lamido are also seeking the PDP’s ticket.

John Alechenu


Tension is mounting as leaders of the All Progressives Congress prepare to hold the caucus and National Executive Council meetings this week .

The meetings , scheduled to hold on Monday and Tuesday , are expected to find solutions to the internal conflicts rocking the ruling party .

SUNDAY PUNCH gathered in Abuja , on Saturday , that the contents of a letter written by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu , accusing the APC National Chairman , Chief John Odigie - Oyegun , of undermining peace efforts would feature at the caucus meeting on Monday (tomorrow ).

Also expected to feature are the seemingly intractable internal wrangles in state chapters of the party , prominent among which include Kano , Kaduna, Kogi and Cross River states .

It was learnt that the letter written by the former Lagos State governor had started creating division among members of the party ’ s leadership especially members of the National Working Committee .

Opinion is, however, said to be divided among members of the party ’ s NWC with respect to allegations contained in Tinubu ’ letter to Odigie -Oyegun .

It was learnt that some believed that the allegations against the chairman , some of which were contained in a memo signed by the six zonal vice- chairmen which they later denied , were strong enough to pass a no- confidence vote in Odigie - Oyegun .
None of the NWC members agreed to speak on record to SUNDAY PUNCH on the development .

One of such members said , “ Most of the opinions expressed in Tinubu ’ s letter are not new to us .

“ If you will recall , some of these things were contained in the memo written to the NWC by the six zonal vice - chairmen which they were latter prevailed upon to step down out of respect for Mr. President and the task of reconciliation he gave to Asiwaju.

“These issues are real . The decision to set up the Tinubu -led committee is an indication that the President is aware that our chairman is incapable of dealing with the issues because he is part of the problem. If we are to take a confidence vote , he won ’ t survive it .

Asked if a confidence vote is likely to feature , he said , “ It is difficult to say . The agenda for such meetings is usually prepared on the go and for such a move to gain traction , you need to buy in the governors and like you know , most of the governors are behind Oyegun. ”

Another NWC member, who spoke in a similar manner , said , “We have been warned against turning this whole thing into a media affair but the truth be told , as a party , we can ’ t afford to allow things to continue like this . There is no sacrifice too much to make to restore order .

Also , another NWC member lamented that the reconciliation in the party appeared complicated.

Speaking on condition of anonymity with SUNDAY PUNCH, he stated, “ How do you begin a reconciliation process when a governor is demolishing the residence of anyone who disagrees with him ?
“ Governors are becoming a law unto themselves because we don’ t have a strong party capable of ordering them to toe the line and the President appears indifferent. ”

Another NWC member, who has a slightly different view , believed removing the chairman would cause more problems than solving the current crisis in the party .

“ Removing the chairman or even sacking the entire NWC at this time will do more harm than good; not just the image of our party but it will further weaken us .

“ Since the tenure of this current leadership will end in a few months , the leadership should be allowed to serve out their term which officially ends in June after which the national convention should be held to elect a new set of leaders , ” he added .

There are also speculations that the caucus and NEC meetings may be postponed to give more room for more strategic consultations.

Attempts to get a reaction from the APC National Publicity Secretary , Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi , were futile. Calls to his mobile indicated that it was switched off .

A response to a text message sent to him was still being awaited as of the time of filing this report on Saturday .

The APC National Vice -Chairman , North- East, Mustapha Salihu, however , dismissed speculations that the meetings might be postponed , saying , “The meetings will hold . ”

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Danisa Masuku


A HEAVILY pregnant woman risked all when she attacked her husband’s alleged girlfriend in full view of passersby in the Bulawayo city centre.

Nomusa Phiri from Bulawayo’s Tshabalala suburb held the girlfriend, identified as Mandy, by the collar and unleashed punches near Edgars offices at the corner of 9th Avenue and Hebert Chitepo Street at around 10 am last Friday.

Top of Nomusa’s demands was that Mandy should cut ties with her husband Austin Phiri.

Typical of the “other woman” in a relationship, Mandy said Nomusa should leave her alone and instead deal with her husband.

“Tell him, not me, to leave me alone. I didn’t come after him,” Mandy barked.

When Phiri tightened her grip, Mandy went a gear up.“Probably he came after me because you are not good in bed,” she added.

But the public was on Nomusa’s side.
“There are many men out there. She has to find her own and stop this nonsense,” said one of the onlookers that had taken out their smartphones to record the drama.

When Nomusa finally let go of Mandy, the latter told B-Metro that she understood where Nomusa was coming from but she (Mandy) didn’t know he was married.

“When he asked me out he didn’t tell me that he was married. He’s a selfish man as such the wife should deal with her not me,” said Mandy.

Contacted for a comment Austin said: “It was a misunderstanding between my wife and my cousin. We have since solved the issue. I kindly beg you to drop the story because it will tarnish my reputation.”

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Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi
State on Friday triggered a fresh controversy about his status as a registered voter when he obtained a Temporary Voter Card (TVC) at his Okene Ward.

Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the Director-General, Media and Publicity to the Governor, confirmed this in a statement he issued and circulated among media houses in Lokoja. Fanwo said that the issuance of the TVC to Bello was sequel to a form he filled, seeking the transfer of his Permanent Voter Card (PVC) to Okene.

“The governor had been on the issue of the transfer for long. He is excited it has finally been done by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Yes, his card has been transferred to his polling unit at Okene. The governor is a law-abiding leader who will continue to follow due process,” Fanwo said in the statement.

The issue of Bello as a registered voter before the 2015 general elections has been a subject of public interest and currently in court for decision. It would be recalled that Bello had registered afresh in Lokoja, Kogi State, on May 23, 2017, but INEC swiftly described the governor’s action as illegal and unconstitutional.

INEC alleged that Bello was involved in double registration, claiming that the governor had earlier registered at Wuse, Zone II, on Jan. 30, 2011. For their involvement in the governor’s alleged illegal registration in 2017, a senior official of INEC was retired compulsorily from service while two other personnel were summarily dismissed.

Attempts to get the State INEC office to comment on the governor’s latest action proved abortive as many calls to the mobile phone of the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof James Akpa, did not connect. However, The Director of Publicity and Voter Education, Mr Ahmed Biambo, when contacted, promised to call back but failed to do so.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged INEC to explain the mystery surrounding the collection of a TVC by Bello. Mr Dickson Achadu, the PDP Director of Research and Documentation in the state, in a statement, insisted that the governor was culpable having registered twice in Abuja in 2011 and in Lokoja in 2017.

“INEC must come clear with what is happening and the circumstances surrounding the governor’s double registration, most especially that the governor has been dragged to court, having allegedly registered twice as even being alleged by INEC.

“INEC must reassure citizens of its readiness to conduct a free, fair and credible poll in 2019 as the governor’s action is making it lose public confidence.

It is unimaginable that having confessed to not being able to transfer his permanent voter card before 2015 and the governor’s second registration held in Kogi Government House, Lokoja, INEC can still participate in the drama that took place at INEC office in Okene today,” the statement said.

President Muhammadu Buhari says Itse Sagay, chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-corruption, is stepping on many toes in the bid to defend his administration.

He said this when he received Ogiame Ikenwoli, the olu of Warri and some prominent Iteskiri sons, including Sagay, at the presidential villa in Abuja on Friday.

The president described Sagay as a man of conviction whom, he emphasised, was doing an exceptional job.

‘‘Thanks for producing a man like Prof. Itse Sagay, who is defending us robustly and stepping on many toes in the process. If he’s not a man of conviction, he couldn’t have done that,” he said.

‘‘What he is doing is exceptional. Despite coming from a minority area, he’s showing overwhelming influence at the centre.

‘‘Prof, I never had the opportunity to thank you personally for all you’re doing. Thank you very much.”

He assured the people of Niger Delta that his administration would continue to support rapid development in the region by consolidating on all ongoing projects and initiating new ones to create more economic opportunities and jobs for the people.

The president reiterated his administration’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Niger Delta for economic and social activities to thrive.

According to him, developing the region remains a priority for his administration, adding that under his watch every region in the country would witness increased investments in critical infrastructure.

He promised to look into some of the concerns raised by the delegation including the dredging of Escravos bar for Warri and Koko ports, the gas revolution industrial park and EPZ project in Ogidigben, the ecological challenges in Ode-Itsekiri, Ugborodo, Orere/Yanagho and Ogheye-Eghoroke, among others.

President Muhammadu Buhari met with John Odigie-Oyegun, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Friday afternoon over the crisis rocking the party.

TheCable had reported a scathing letter written to Odigie-Oyegun by Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos.

Tinubu accused the chairman of sabotaging the reconciliation assignment given to him by the president.

Odigie-Oyegun arrived the presidential villa at 3pm and left 50 minutes later after meeting with Buhari.

He did not speak to the media, walking briskly away as soon as he saw journalists approaching him.

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE


A trader at Ladipo market, Kelvin Duru has landed in trouble after he engaged a sex worker in a popular hotel but refused to pay for extra rounds of sex with the 32-year old Blessing Isi in Lagos.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the request for extra money caused serious quarrel between Kelvin and Blessing and in the process he gave her blows and injured her on the mouth.

The incident happened at the popular brothel located at Mosalashi Street off Lafenwa Road in Ejigbo, Lagos.

According to Blessing, Kelvin approached her for a sex romp and she charged him N500 with the hope that he would spend very little time and pay her the fee. She said when he stayed for almost two hours, she then protested but he promised to add extra N200 to make it N700.

Blessing said she bore the whole discomfort until he was satisfied and gave her N1000 asking for change. She then gave him N300 but he insisted that she will not collect the extra N200 which caused the fight and he injured her.

The Edo State-born Blessing claimed that during the fight, Kelvin stole her N76,000 which she kept in her room where the fight took place.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered from Kelvin that when he contacted Blessing, that they agreed on N500 before they started the romp.

He said at the middle of the action, she said that he had wasted much time and should add another N200 which he agreed since he was still in the action.

When he finished he then insisted that he will not pay the extra money. Kelvin denied that he stole any money from her bag.

The matter was reported to the police. He was asked to pay her the money but he insisted that he did not take her money.

Kelvin was charged to court for assault.
He pleaded not guilty.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.K.J. Layeni granted Kelvin bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.

He was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail condition.

The matter was adjourned till 21 March, 2018.

Ibrahim Gaidam, governor of Yobe state, says none of the students of Government Girls Science Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe state, in captivity of suspected Boko Haram insurgents, has been rescued.

The insurgents raided the school on Monday and abducted some of the students.

The government had initially said it was not sure if any student was kidnapped but Gaidam confirmed the abduction on Wednesday night.

However, he said the army had been able to secure the release some of the girls, even though he did not go into details.

“The Yobe state government hereby informs the public that some of the girls at Government Girls Science Technical College (GGSTC) whose school was attacked by Boko Haram terrorists last Monday have been rescued by gallant officers and men of the Nigerian Army from the terrorists who abducted them,” the governor had said in a statement which Abdullahi Bego, his spokesman, issued on his behalf.

“The rescued girls are now in the custody of the Nigerian Army. We will provide more details about their number and condition in due course.”

But speaking when he visited community on Thursday, Gaidam told family members of the students to keep praying that the girls should be found.

Abdul Dapchi, a resident, said Gaidam lost control of the crowd immediately he made the confession.

“We were all angry. How could they have deceived us all along?” asked the young man who said two of his sisters were among the captives.

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Posted By: Onyedi Ojiabor

Senator Abdullahi Adamu has been replaced as chairman of the Northern Senators Forum.

He was replaced with Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

His replacement was announced by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, on Wednesday.

Adamu was allegedly replaced over his inability to account for some money in his custody.

He had last week led nine other senators to criticise the amendment to the Electoral Act seeking to reorder the sequence of polls during general elections.

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