You have indeed paid your dues but with all due respect Sir............you will not remain there for ever because the youths you groomed are waiting.......I know you will do the right thing when the right time comes, though as things are now, we still need you there if you are not picked as a run mate for the incoming President.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has said he could remain in the senate for the rest of his life if he so wishes saying he's always in touch with his constituents, and could easily win elections.
He spoke on Thursday at Sheraton Hotel at a public dialogue organised by the #NotTooYoungToRun movement, a youth group that successfully lobbied for the passage of a new law that reduced the age of qualification for political office across the country.
“I’m in total touch with my people and that is why if I want to remain in senate forever, I will” Ekweremadu told young aspirants on the platform of PDP. “PDP is not a home for urban politicians, for young people. If you want to participate in politics, you have to pay your dues and the best place to pay your dues is your local community. That is where we all started from. Don’t think you will go to the House of Reps or House of Assembly by running around Wadada Plaza, it’s not going to work” he said.
It is not by mouth, let your work speak for you, if you deserve it then you are good to go..........nonethelss, you are welcome to the race.
JosWatchDog: Former Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang and a 2019 Presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says Nigeria's Middle-Belt region deserves a chance to produce the next President for the country.
This he said is because the zone has yet to produce an elected President under the Nigerian constitution despite being at the centre of the country's sociopolitical growth.
"The Middle Belt is a huge statement about the Nigerian diversity. It is the glue of the north, the bridge of Nigeria, the guarantor of national unity and oneness, and has sustained the north over time," Jang said while declaring his intention to run for the office of the President in 2019.
Mr. Jang who is the current Senator of Plateau North in the National Assembly said the region should be given a chance "in the spirit of one Nigeria, for the inclusion of minorities, for the purpose of fair play and equity."
He assured that the country will experience robust transformation if given the mandate in the 2019 general elections slated for February 2019.
"The Middle Belt is a firm believer in Nigeria and the Nigerian project. Under me, the best of Nigeria will emerge," he said.
"I believe we can make it to the top ten nations of the world in no distant future. I have come to help position the country in that direction by purposeful leadership."
Jang who is currently standing trial for corruption vowed to foster justice, fairness and the rule of law while prioritizing peace and security nationwide.
He said, "Alongside growing the economy, all anti graft agencies will be strengthened and made to fight corruption within the confines of the rule of law.
"They will be given space to operate freely and independently, and periodic review of their laws will be undertaken.
"The fight against corruption will be total, balanced, consistent and sustained."
He also vowed to restructure the country's political system for better efficiency. "The clamour for restructuring will be addressed in line with the provisions of our laws.
"Restructuring and reorganizing Nigeria to the comfort of all Nigerians is a task I will face with commitment.
"If we have operated a system for 58 years and Nigerians are asking for a review of the structures, there is no need to delay it further."
Jang is contesting the highest seat in the country's political leadership under the PDP alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi and a host of other gladiators.
This is a clerion call.......I wonder why it took so long...........United we stand, we must learn to live as one united family if we must overcome any form attack from both internal and external forces. Buhari and APC is the ENEMY within and they should be dealt with.
He who blow the piper dictate the tone.......Homor must go to whom its due, Mark deserves it and it will be an honor to reward him for for his loyalty and quanlity of leadership he has exhibitated so far.
owukpa: The Senator representing Benue south senatorial district, David Mark, has reportedly dumped his presidential ambition to return the National Assembly for the 6th time since 1999.
[url]WWW.IDOMAVOICE.COM[/url] was gathered that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) 60/40 arrangement with fresh decampees from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) will stand, this is baring any unforeseen circumstance.
The 60/40 formula is reportedly set up for incumbents who have the first right of refusal to re-contest in 2019 in order to maintain peace and stability in the party.
According to activist and political analyst, Josephine Akioyame, “PDP’s 60/40 is live and well. Governor Ortom will be its flagbearer for 2019. The agreement was set up so that incumbents have the right of first refusal. Forget about the noise. The fight was never about Ortom but about Gemade and other aspirants who piggybacked on Ortom to the PDP.
Thus, two ears hear the Rep for Otukpo/ Ohimini , Ezekiel Adaji wants back in. So is the Rep for Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu, Hassan Anthony Saleh on the basis of incumbents’ right of first refusal.
However, I doubt very much, the Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu would work. That constituency has a time honoured code of rotational arrangement existing for peace, order and good government. It does this as to make every area feel included considering that it is a mix mash of dialectical dissonance that operates as a time bomb.
A result of this arrangement is that it is Ado’s turn, particularly of Agila extraction based on Ado internal zoning. Hon David O Idoko of Okpokwu spent 8 years. Hon Anthony Hassan Saleh of Ogbadibo is spending 8 years after which it rotates to Ado.
One ear hear that the Ogidigan of Idoma land the distinguished Senator David Mark is warming up to go back to the Senate on the basis of this arrangement.
Liar! Liar!! Liar!!!...........Liar Mohammed, Oga abeg you no dey shame, are you not tired of lieing? I don't even know how your family will be looking at you both on screne and at home........if truly there is reincarnation.....NOBODY in Nigeria will be pleased to be identified with you.
Trackrec: Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says the country is fast becoming a destination for tourists because of the favourable policies of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
In a statement, Segun Adeyemi, media aide to the minister, quoted Mohammed as saying this when he received the organisers and contestants of Miss Polo International Beauty Pageant at his office in Abuja on Monday.
The minister said apart from ensuring the security of lives and properties, the federal government is also working to provide infrastructure such as power, roads, and rail.
“There is no doubt that Nigeria is fast becoming a destination of choice for international tourists, thanks to the country’s hospitable people, the country’s increasingly-high rating in the international community and the successes achieved by the present administration in ensuring the security of lives and property, as well as providing infrastructure such as power, roads, and rail,” the statement read.
“The administration’s visa on arrival policy is also helping in making Nigeria a destination of choice for tourists and business people in general.
“The federal government will continue to pursue those policies that are fast turning Nigeria into a destination of choice; enhancing security, building infrastructure, implementing the tourism master-plan, and strengthening the visa on arrival policy.”
He said the surprise visit by France President Emmanuel Macron to the African Shine in Lagos also indicated that Nigeria is now set to receive global tourists.
On her part, Ibife Alufohai, president of the Miss Polo International Beauty Pageant, said the pageant is not just about beauty alone but an avenue to recognise excellence in creativity.
It will be my pleasure to see how disappointed you will be..........Oga St Kalu, just try and win your ward let see how go about that.
metronaija4: Chief Orji Kalu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Abia said he is determined to bring the Southeast geo-political zone into the mainstream of the nation’s politics.
“I am currently working hard day and night to ensure that APC wins the governorship and National Assembly positions in all the states in the zone.
“My ambition is to make sure that I bring the South-east to sit where other Nigerians are sitting and we must achieve it in 2019’’ Kalu said while reiterating his earlier position that APC would have a landslide victory in the zone in 2019.
He said APC would score at least, 75 per cent votes in Abia and 51 per cent in the other states in the zone.
He also predicted that the 2019 general elections would be violence-free across the country.
Kalu made the prediction on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia, the Abia Capital.
He said: “There was no violence in 2015 in spite the general fear and predictions before the polls, so there will be no violence in 2019.
“The elections will be peaceful here in Abia and across the whole Federation.”
He said that the ruling-APC government of President Muhammadu Buhari would stop at nothing to ensure hitch-free election.
“The elections will not be marred by violence. APC-led government will leave no stone unturned to protect the nation democracy.’’
He said that the pressure of electioneering usually heated up the polity and described the development as natural and often precedent to general elections anywhere in the world.
According to the ex-governor, such heat being experienced should not be mistaken as a sign of imminent violence.
“Even in the U.S., the polity is presently heating up ahead of the midterm elections coming up on Nov. 6,’’ he said.
Kalu, who is a senatorial aspirant for Abia North, took exception to the recent destruction of billboards and posters belonging to political office seekers in the area.
He blamed the act on desperate politicians and their thugs, saying that people should not make politics a do-or-die affair.
“People should see politics as a game, if you win, you rejoice but if you lose you take it in the spirit of sportsmanship. It should not be a do-or-die affair.’’
On the recent defections across different party lines by some prominent politicians in the country, Kalu said that the actions were intended to satisfy personal interest and “not in the interest of the people.’’
“Those politicians that are defecting are doing so for their selfish interest because they felt that they would not get the ticket from their former parties.’’
He attributed the trend to the lack of ideology among the nation’s political class, saying that politicians should learn to play politics of ideology.
“You saw that when I left the Peoples Democratic Party I did not return rather, I joined APC because it meets my expectations and that is where all Nigerians of note are sitting.’’
This is the work of LAZY NIGERIA youth..ohhhh, God will never forgive Buhari for that international insult on Nigeria youths...anyway 2019 is not far fetched, we can't waitin to use our PVC again. ...........To my dear Sister, May God bless you and be with you in your futuer endeavors.
Adelaide2: She just graduated at the PhD level from a university in South Africa According to the post on Facebook. She got 12 out of the 15 graduation awards given out during the graduation.
You are a disgrace to human race..............how did this fellow get a professorship....how.......where, this is worst than Buhari because had it been Buhari half educated as he is..He would have done better, osibanjo please Bleep off.
Managing Resources Better & Providing For The People Properly, Will Move Nigeria Forward, Says VP Osinbajo
*Adds: Geographical restructuring not the problem
In contrast to simple geographical restructuring of the country, prudent management of national resources and providing for the people properly, are better ideas for Nigeria's development challenges, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
Prof. Osinbajo who stated this while fielding questions from a cross-section of Nigerians at a town hall meeting in Minnesota, the United States of America on Sunday, spoke on a wide range of issues covering the economy, anti-corruption, health, agriculture among others.
According to the Vice President, “the problem with our country is not a matter of restructuring and we must not allow ourselves to be drawn into the argument that our problems stem from some geographical restructuring. It is about managing resources properly and providing for the people properly, that is what it is all about.”
“I served for eight years as Attorney General in Lagos State and one of the chief issues that we fought for in Lagos state was what you call fiscal federalism. We felt that there was a need for the states to be stronger, for states to more or less determine their fortunes.
“So, for example, we went to court to contest the idea that every state should control, to a certain extent, its own resources (the so-called resource control debate). We were in court at that time up to the Supreme Court and the court ruled that oil-producing states should continue to get 13% derivation.
“While we were at the Supreme Court only the oil-producing states and Lagos were interested in resource control, everybody else was not interested in resource control for obvious reasons. Now, that is the way the argument has always gone, those who have the resources want to take all of it, while those who do not have want to share from others.”
Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo said, “My view is that we must create the environment that allows for people to realise themselves economically because that truly is what the challenge is with our country.”
The Vice President added that Buhari-led Federal Government has put in place an economic structure that is able to function properly despite previous challenges, particularly corruption that led to a slowdown in the economy.
On the impact of corruption on the economy and the solution adopted by the Buhari administration, Prof. Osinbajo noted that “Unless we are able to deal with the fundamental questions especially around corruption, our economic circumstance will keep going one step forward, two steps backwards”.
According to him, “When you talk about corruption in Nigeria, the truth is stranger than fiction. It is the kind of thing that would cripple an economy anywhere because you simply don’t have the resources for the graft and the greed of the numbers of people who want to steal the resources.
“All that we have been able to deal with is grand corruption. When we started the TSA, the whole point was to aggregate all of the funds of government that were in private banks. So we put all of the money in the central bank so that we could at least see the movement of money and by doing so, we were able to save 50% of the corruption that was going on then.”
He assured Nigerians in the US that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari could be trusted, noting that “we can say for sure that the President is not going to sign off money and just bring it out to share.”
Relying on OPEC statistics on oil revenues accruable to Nigeria under successive administrations between 1990 and 2014, the Vice President said not much had been done in terms of infrastructure development despite the huge oil revenues realized by the country.
According to him, “Under the IBB / Abacha administrations (1990 - 1998) Nigeria realized $199.8 billion; under the Obasanjo / Yar’Adua governments (1999 – 2009), the country got $401.1 billion; and during the Jonathan administration (2010 – 2014), Nigeria got $381.9 billion from oil revenues.”
“The question that we must all ask is that what exactly happened to resources? The question that I asked is that where is the infrastructure.
“One of the critical things that we must bear in mind and see is that this government despite earning $94 billion, up until 2017, we are spending more on infrastructure and capital than any previous government, so we are spending N1.5 trillion on capital, that is the highest we have spent since 1990,” he added.
Responding to concerns on how government is utilizing recovered funds, the Vice President disclosed that the Buhari administration is committed to a transparent use of the funds in providing infrastructure.
He said: “What we are doing with the proceeds of corruption is by making it a line in the budget so that it can be accounted for properly; it is not a special fund somewhere that is just being used in any way, but as a single line in the budget for infrastructure which is our major spend.”
In the area of agriculture, Prof. Osinbajo said, the target was to attain self-sufficiency in the production of rice, tomato etc.
According to him, “We are doing a lot of work in agriculture. Take rice, for instance, we are doing a lot in rice production and we have increased local production such that we are no longer spending $5 million daily on rice import.
“Today, we are doing 11 million metric tons of paddy rice and are now importing only 2 per cent of what we used to import.”
On Nigeria’s rise on the World Bank’s ease of doing business index, Prof. Osinbajo said though the challenges are daunting, the government was committed to going beyond the 24 places it moved up to in the last rankings.
The Vice President added that reforming Nigeria’s port system was top on the agenda of government as efforts were underway to improve the turnaround time for cargo clearance at the ports.
According to him, “If you look at the port issue, for example, we must be able to clear our port system; people must be able to import and export their goods in hours not weeks and months.
“So, we have to work our port system and one of the things we have been able to do is what we call the National Trading Platform or the single window. We are getting to the point where we are going to launch the national trading platform where the whole port system is integrated into one.”
On improving the health budget at both the state and federal levels, the Vice President said the focus is on trying to do National Health Insurance because funding health care through budgeting has proved to be practically impossible.
According to him, “We simply do not have the resources, the states and Federal Government cannot do enough. So, the National Health Insurance is a very basic part of it and we are currently working now with the World Bank and with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to establish a proper National Health Insurance Scheme.”
Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S., Mr Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor led other Nigerians within and outside the state of Minnesota to the meeting held in Minneapolis.
Laolu Akande Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity Office of the Vice President 27th August, 2018
“I expect that the Yobe state government is doing that. In Nigeria, they expect the presidency to do everything,” he added"
But when your "Lifeless president doled out millions of hard currency in exchange of the kidnapped girls you didn't open your gutter mouth to spew this trash. na God go punish all of una. Lifeless people! Ndi Ara!
Apologize to Dr Jonathan, PDP and Nigerians entirely, Sir you are the key architect of Buhari emergency as the president in 2015 general election because we knew the role you play in Kano State which badly effect the outcome of the election therefore turning around the people's mandate to a beast and a tormentor like Buhari. Nigerians will for only forgive you if you help to unseat and install the incoming president in 2019, nonetheless, you are welcome back home.
The chief ghost worker is looking for the ghost workers to sack, BUHARI is a ghost and nigerians must sack from Aso Rock in 2019
13Ebiscoo: A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, SKC Ogbonnia, has declared that President Muhammadu Buhari has been rejected by the entire people of the world.
Ogbannia, a presidential aspirant on the platform of the APC, said that the world does not want President Buhari back in office.
In a statement made available to DAILY POST on Monday, the presidential aspirant was reacting to the recent claim by Financial Times that US President, Donald Trump described Buhari as lifeless President.
He said, “I told you so. About ten days ago, I revealed to our great party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), and fellow Nigerians that the world is against President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term bid.
“I asserted that the opposition is coming from ‘influential leaders within our major allies, including Great Britain, the United States, France, Germany, Russia, China, Canada, etc.’
“I added ‘that the emerging consensus among these nations is that President Buhari’s second term ambition lacks in cogency. They point to Buhari’s failing health, lack of clear vision, lack of intellectual capacity, an apparent pattern of torpor, nepotism, wanton killings, disregard for the rule of law, and a growing sense of disunity and uncertainty in the land, among many failings.’
“However, both the Presidency and the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, vigorously countered my account. According to Onyeama, “The international community is very supportive of President Buhari. As you can see President Buhari has transformed our relationship with foreign countries and also the perception of Nigeria by foreign leaders.’
“But the hard truth is trickling in. The trending report by Financial Times where US President Donald Trump blatantly referred to Buhari as “lifeless” is a partial testimony.
“In short, my sources within the White House confided that Trump believes that Africa has the potential to be fully independent, “but the countries over there need to get their act together.
“They need good leaders who can get things done. Nigeria, for example, has huge, huge resources and can do much better than what is going on over there.’ This view is popular among the Western nations. I also gathered that some of the world leaders plan to visit or talk to Buhari soon.
“Perhaps, leadership is contingent upon the environment. What is good for America may not be good for Nigeria and vice versa.
“But if any relationship with the outside world is a factor in solving Nigerian problems, President Buhari has no business touching the APC nomination form. Further, the Financial Times does not speak for the world, quite alright, but its report is a part of the pressure from the international community that will continue to mount as the months leading to 2019 go by.
“Such a global campaign is expected to be more robust than what President Goodluck Jonathan faced in 2015.”
If you never believed that what goes around comes around, then, you must have a rethink, Few years ago it was Dr Jonathan and PDP led administration even the so called legal practitioners who suddenly turned to politicians against PDP and Jonathan like Femi Falana, Festus Keyamo, Wole Soyinka and host of them.......hmmmmm....today reverse is the case, every mouth is shout and the witch hunting is going unbated, Jonathan offered us freedom, we used against him,......today Buhari is unlishing hell on earth against Nigerians and no one is talking....ohhhh you guys are complaining now because flaunting of laws and orders, disobidience of rule of law and sliencing of every mouth that dare speak is effecting you, dont worry the troubles must continue untill we come to our senses to vote them out.
mackay37: By Innocent Anaba, Dapo Akinrefon, Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Dirisu Yakubu & Henry Ojelu
•Lawyers, Afenifere, PDP, others knock Buhari, say rule of law foundation for national interest; Senators react
LAGOS — Senior lawyers and notable political actors, yesterday, took umbrage at President Muhammadu Buhari’s elevation of national interest above the rule of law, with several of them lamenting that the country was headed the path of dictatorship.
President Buhari, however, found support from the chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, who said he would even extend Buhari’s assertions beyond national security to even putting the fight against corruption above the rule of law.
Buhari had in an address presented at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in Abuja on Sunday, insisted that individual rights of alleged offenders would not be spared when national security and public interest were threatened.
“Rule of Law must be subject to the supremacy of the nation’s security and national interest”.
“Our apex court has had cause to adopt a position on this issue in this regard and it is now a matter of judicial recognition that where national security and public interest are threatened or there is a likelihood of their being threatened, the individual rights of those allegedly responsible must take second place, in favour of the greater good of society,’’ the President had said.
Outcry over President’s position
His claim was repudiated by senior lawyers across the country, political actors and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Lawyers, who kicked against the President’s statement include Professor Ernest Ojukwu, SAN, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, Abeny Mohammed, SAN, Mr Solomon Bob, a lawyer and Governor Nyesom Wike’s aide, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, Mr. Ugochukwu Ezekiel, Mr Joseph Otteh, Executive Director, Access to Justice, Mr Monday Ubani, out-going second Vice President of NBA, and Mr Gbenga Ojo, Senior Law Lecturer, Lagos State University, LASU.
In his reaction, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, SAN, said: “It is unfortunate that our President made that speech. I think there is a fundamental problem which we need to address on that issue.
“If our President says that rule of law must be subject to national interest, then it is an ominous sign that our democracy has failed. The civil society needs to rise to reverse that speech whether it is in substance, form or reality, otherwise we will be in trouble.
” Rule of law is father of national interest — lawyers
Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, said: “He (President Buhari) is dead wrong. The rule of law predominates over national interest. Without the rule of law, there can be no nation-state. Without a nation-state, there can be no national interest. The rule of law is the father of national interest.
“As proposed by Professor A.V. Dicey, it means equality before the law by all persons, observance of all laws by persons and authorities and, of course, obedience to court orders made by competent courts of law.
“Once a court of law has made an order for the release of a citizen on bail, the president, government and all authorities must obey the order of the court. It is not for the government to pick and choose which order to obey and which not to obey in the so-called name of “national interest.
“This is because in arriving at a decision to release an individual on bail, the court must have first heard the facts and argument of the case of both the government and the citizen.
“It is tantamount to executive lawlessness and governmental capriciousness and whimsicality to sit on appeal over a court decision to determine what amounts to national interest. Such a stance is a clear descent into anarchy and chaos.”
Similarly, Abeny Mohammed, SAN, said: “What is national interest that rule of law must be sacrificed for? Rather, it is in the national interest of any government to obey and subject Nigeria to the rule of law. Where there is the rule of law, every interest, including that of the nation is safeguarded. A country without the rule of law is a lawless jungle.
“I don’t know who wrote that speech; it is the first time in our jurisprudence that I will hear a President complaining that the rule of law must give way for national interest. The first national interest of a country is to subject itself to the rule of law.
“That implies not doing things to suit the whims and caprices of anyone. That stops any leader from doing what he likes as he is doing today in Nigeria, unless he wants to take Nigeria back to 1984 when he was military head of state, when his words were law.”
Solomon Bob also said in his reaction: “President Buhari, seeking to double down on lawlessness, has demanded that the rule of law be subject to national interest. What is national interest? It’s an indeterminate term which is open to capricious abuse as we’ve seen in the last three years.
“That the President chose the occasion of the opening of the Bar Conference in Abuja to make such a comment says a lot about the abysmal depth to which the Bar has sunk and the contempt with which it is held. Lawyers who sat through that inanity without a whimper of objection need to take another look at themselves. Of what benefit is a cowardly Bar?”
National interest is coded in constitution, which is law
Another lawyer, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, said: “The ultimate national interest is codified in the Constitution. Fundamental human rights are hinged on the rule of law and if the rule of law is now to play second fiddle, then there is a potential to trample on these rights protected by our constitution.
“The President’s statement is ultra vires our constitution and every tenet of his claim as the President of our federation and, therefore, the statement has no legs to stand on. No serious citizen would take him seriously on it.”
In the same vein, Mr. Joseph Otteh said: “What the President is saying is possible during national emergency. During such periods, certain propositions about the rule of law and human rights can be overridden in the interest of national security. Say for instance, the nation is at war and soldiers need to use a particular property that belongs to somebody.
“But even then, there would have been legislation that provides for that kind of exception. So even in war situations, the rule of law can still prevail, even if some rights are denied individuals for strategic reasons.”
“But not in peacetime, not when a country is not facing a national emergency or crisis. It is unattainable completely to say that you want to sideline the rule of law to what some people in power refer to as national security.
“In Nigeria right now, you can’t speak of any emergency that requires the President to distract from the rule of law. National security cannot be equated with government’s preference to be unaccountable to the constitution.
“They are not the same thing. A government that merely wants to ride roughshod over other branches of government, a government that wants to be arrogant to the constitution cannot say it is doing so in the interest of national security. That is not in the interest of national security.
“I defer in theory that there are some occasions where national security might press very hard on the rule of law. But where I disagree with the President is the attempt to equate Nigeria’s current situation with those kind of emergencies. We don’t have those kind of emergencies.”
Mr. Monday Ubani, said in his reaction: “We as lawyers, don’t have a problem with national interest overriding rule of law at some point. That is possible in certain circumstances which should be determined by the court.
“But if the President is making reference to the Dasuki matter or any other matter where there had been an express order of the court, where the court has even considered national interest and other issues presented by the prosecutor and still insisted that the liberty of the defendant cannot be curtailed because there is a constitutional provision which protects the fundamental human right of every citizen, if a person is accused of a crime, our laws still presume the person innocent. It is only the court that presumes a person guilty.
“When a person has not been pronounced guilty, the state does not have any right to override the ruling of a court which has granted bail to that person.
“The issue of national security and the rule of law in the address of Mr. President must be put in proper context. There are certainly instances where a court can curtail the liberty of an individual, especially when there is a conflict of national security.
“But it is only the court that can do this and no other person. Moreover, it will be for a season and not indefinitely. This is in contrast with Dasuki’s case where the government has held him permanently incarcerated, despite several court pronouncements.
Danger ahead
“If we continue to allow this in a democracy, it is very dangerous. It is a red signal that the executive can arrest any person and tell the whole world that the person is being detained because of national security.
“The government can even use that against political opponents. That is the danger with such postulation. This is why the judiciary is there to independently examine such matter and decide whether national security should supersede the right of that individual.
“It is wrong for the executive to hide under the excuse of national security to detain an individual. The President has spoken to us (lawyers), but we don’t want him to have the impression that we have accepted his message. We are certainly not convinced with what he has said.
” Mr. Gbenga Ojo, Senior Law Lecturer, LASU, said: “If the President is talking about national security, it must be in the context of the law. Everything must be according to the law, including state or national security. If we allow what the President is postulating, then there is danger because that will give the President power to detain anyone under the guise of state security.
“Dasuki’s case is a classic example. The government is already abusing the privilege which it does not even have. The president’s idea is simply nebulous.”
Speaking on the issue, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, in a statement said: “To postulate that national security should override the rule of law consideration may unwittingly portray one as harbouring dictatorial intentions, for preferring national security as a priority for governance.
“It is a dangerous proposition as we approach 2019. Taken to its proper interpretation, it may be taken to be an advance notice to the people of Nigeria, to brace up for likely threats to their rights and liberties, in the coming days.
“Whereas we all support the President in the fight against corruption and terrorism, it is still necessary to allow the rule of law to have the pride of place in all spheres of governance.
“It was under national security for instance that I was kept in custody from November 2007 till July 2008, without trial at all.”
I support Buhari — Sagay
The president, however, found support in Sagay, who said he would prefer rule of justice for Nigerians.
Sagay said: “I agree with him absolutely. I will even go further because people are saying that he is referring to the case of the former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) and Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, my own goes beyond all that.
‘’My own extends to robbers and looters and criminals in the society, who jump at human rights and the rule of law, forgetting that there should be rule of justice. When you loot and subvert the economy of the country, and millions of Nigerians are suffering, then the interest of the country should override any rule of law that you claim.
‘’You should not be secure in the arms of the law when millions of your countrymen are going down because of your depredation and sabotaging our economy. So, I even extend it to corruption and not just those two, I agree absolutely with him. What I am saying is that rule of justice for Nigerians is superior to rule law for individuals.”
We’ll rally Nigerians to protect democracy — PDP
Reacting in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, vowed to deploy every legitimate instrument to protect the nation’s democracy, stressing that every semblance of military dictatorship would be weeded out.
“It is instructive to note that contrary to claims by Mr. President, there is no pronouncement by the Supreme Court that subjugates the constitutional rule of law and rights of citizens to the whims, caprices and dictatorial impulses of any President.
“The PDP expresses readiness to rally Nigerians to reject every attempt by President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to introduce the long-forgotten trappings of military dictatorship into our democratic rule, which Nigerians laboured for many years to attain,’’ the statement read in part.
The party further expressed readiness to make President Buhari account for what it called criminal abuse of human rights allegedly perpetrated under his stewardship in the past three years.
The statement continued: “Our national interest is thoroughly embedded, protected, expressed and enforced only under the rule of law as provided by our constitution and there is no how Nigerians can allow an individual to superimpose or override the constitution with his personal whims and impulses; a pattern that is characteristic of known dictators all over the world, as expressed in the obnoxious Executive Order 6, designed to justify a complete clampdown of political opponents ahead of 2019 general elections.
“President Buhari should therefore be made to answer for the litany of human rights violations in Nigeria, including documented disobedience to court orders, destruction of property, restriction of free speech, press, official corruption and lack of accountability as detailed in report by various international bodies, including Transparency International (TI), Amnesty International (AI) and US Department of State.
Turaki faults Buhari
PDP presidential aspirant, Barrister Tanimu Turaki, also faulted the President.
Turaki, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, argued that the position of the President was illegal on the strength of the fact that it is inconsistent with the provisions of the constitution which is the supreme law of the land.
Turaki, who reacted on the sidelines of a visit to the Edo State chapter of the party, said there was danger in the position of President Buhari because his government and his party, the APC, may have a sinister motive of clamping down on the opposition under the guise of national security as the country heads to the 2019 general elections.
He lamented that the president is attempting to interpret the law illegally just as he said that he and the APC had been equating national interest with either personal interest or the interest of their party.
We’re under full-blown dictatorship —Afenifere
Faulting the President’s remarks, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, said the statement showed Nigeria was under full-blown dictatorship.
Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said: “It is clear that by that statement, the President has abrogated the rule of law in Nigeria and it signals a descent into full-blown dictatorship under a civilian dispensation.
“To make such proclamation and give the impression that the rule of law is subject to the interpretation of the President, it means that we have a democracy that is lifeless. Once you remove rule of law out of a democracy; it means that democracy is lifeless. So, clearly, our worst fears have come to play.
“We are less than six months to the general election and the President has not assented to the Electoral Act and Section 2 (1) of the ECOWAS Protocol states that no member country can change its Electoral laws six months to election.
“To the President, the law is the rule of tongue in Nigeria and once we have this type of system in a democracy, we are under full-blown dictatorship.”
Govt has lost the argument — Osuntokun
On his part, a chieftain for the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM), Akin Osuntokun, said: “Well the fact that he chose the gathering of the NBA to issue the declaration is itself significant and symbolic. This is what happens when the government of the day has lost the argument.
“He has thrown a challenge at the Nigerian public, so it is up to the people to reclaim the fundamental notion of democracy that power belongs to the people. It seems it is also a case of a leopard who is inherently unable to change its spots. Good enough, there is an opportunity coming soon for the Nigerian electorate to liberate itself.”
It’s autocracy — Abaribe
Also reacting, Chairman, South East Senate Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, faulted the President’s remarks. Senator Abaribe who represents Abia South senatorial district, said the rule of law was the grundnorm of any democratic society. He submitted that any act of governance that runs at variance with the rule of law presupposes autocracy.
“Rule of law is the grundnorm of any democratic society. Elevating any other thing above it means moving away from democracy to autocracy,’’ he said.
The heat is on, it is going to be interesting and pleasant outing on Sept. 22/08. PDP is going to conduct an incredible primary election that has never ben witness in Nigeria before......this is what political Analyst called "Level playing Ground" everybody is going to test his or her popularity and only the BEST will emerge WINNER.
And that was why you imposed your competent Buhari on Nigerians, JEGA..........God will judge you for this calamity you brought on us, you bite the hand that fed you....you betrayed Jonathan and PDP all for northern political conquest, I hope you are happy now seeing what every Nigerians is going through..........Now listen,,,,,,We do not want to hear a word from you untill you apologizes to Jonathan, PDP and every Nigerian for bringing a terror to our seat of power.
12Ebisco: A former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Attahiru Jega, has mentioned that Nigeria needs competent leaders and not necessarily strong leaders.
According to Jega, an incompetent leader who is strong will end up destroying institutions.
The former INEC boss said this at the 58th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Abuja on Monday, The Punch reports.
He said:
“What we require most are the competence and capacity of leaders to take decisions and be assertive in ensuring that those decisions are actually implemented. So, we have to be very careful in thinking that a strong leader can really help.
“Just like a weak leader can wreck an institution, a strong leader, who has just that power and courage, but lacks the capacity, ability and competence to lead, can also wreck strong institutions.
“Competence of leadership is a very important variable in bringing about the stable political transition, good governance and deepening of democracy.”
The former INEC boss, who superintended the 2011 and 2015 general elections, said politicians must stop treating elections as a do-or-die affair.
He recalled that a former President once said elections must be do-or-die, an incident he described as most unfortunate.
Jega also said there was a need for agencies of government to shun partisanship as this weakened institutions and eroded public confidence.
He added:
“We must emphasise professionalism, impartiality and non-partisanship. This is because quite too often, you have good and strong institutions, but once partisanship is introduced and partiality become the norm, as many public institutions in this country, then those institutions would not be able to deliver effectively on their mandates.”
The former INEC chairman said there was a need for law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to be alive to their responsibilities, adding that the integrity of the electoral process must be preserved and protected.
Jega added:
“From my experience, I am convinced that electoral integrity is key to stable political transition and to ensuring that there is a framework for good governance and societal development. Electoral integrity is not just about the integrity of the election management body. It is also the integrity with which the key stakeholders engage with the electoral process.”
In his remarks, a former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, lamented that elections in Africa are always characterised by violence.
He said even the recently concluded NBA election was not without its own controversies.
“The genesis of Africa’s political problems is the action of sit-tight leaders who do all they can to amend the constitutions in order to perpetuate themselves forever. These leaders manipulate very vital democratic organs particularly the legislature and even judiciary to suppress any dissenting voice,” he added.
When our so called President is on Life support what else do Nigerians are expecting..........if urgent ideas is not explore against Buhari APC led administration, Nigeria will be mortgaged by the time he lives office in 2019........ If Nigerians will learn from it, 2019 general election nobody will vote based on religion or ethnic differences.........LET THE BESTMAN HAVE THE WORK
Don't exerggerate...............the primaries is not far.......everybody is going to test his popularity..........let the best man WIN.
JosEast: A presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has dismissed the role of money in the race for the party’s presidential ticket.
He told newsmen yesterday in Lagos, that even party members concurred he is the best man, among a dozen aspirants, fit for the job and that he does not need to give them money to get their votes.
Among the aspirants are former vice-president Atiku Abubakar, former governor of Sokoto, Attahiru Bafarawa, former Kano governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Gombe governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo. Senate President Bukola Saraki has been on a national tour, ‘consulting’ to join the race.
Makarfi said contrary to certain opinions, money would not determine who picks the PDP ticket, and that money has never been a determinant in who becomes the president of Nigeria.
“When did Nigeria start to produce presidents because of resources? Former presidents Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and now President Muhammadu Buhari, did not become presidents based on money.
“In one of the Southwest states I visited, a member said other aspirants have been giving them money and gifts, but I don’t have to give them money or gifts to vote for me in the primaries because they know I am the best man for the job,” he said.
Makarfi said he was confident of picking the party’s ticket for the 2019 election.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Makarfi, a former governor of Kaduna State who also served as the chairman, PDP National Caretaker Committee, is now one of the over 12 presidential aspirants of the party.
The PDP aspirant, who just concluded meetings with PDP members in the Southwest, said his exceptional performance as chairman of the caretaker committee would give him an upper hand at the primaries.
“PDP has become a beautiful bride because of what I did. The party was considered dead until I came in as chairman of the caretaker committee and turned it round.
“No other presidential aspirant in the party has my pedigree. I have been assured of becoming the groom by members who are aware of those efforts and have sworn they will not sell their votes at the primaries.
“Since I joined the PDP, I have never left the party.
“My experience as a member of the Senate committee on finance for eight years is also an advantage. I will bring the experience to bear when I pick the ticket and emerge as president,” he said.
Makarfi said he had plans to adopt in order to curtail herders-farmers clashes if he gets the party’s ticket and is elected president of Nigeria at a stakeholder visit he held with leaders of the Lagos State Chapter of the PDP in Lagos over the weekend.
APC microphone Liar Mohammed oya, over to you...deny it or Buhari himself can say He don't know these guys.....or their faces are doctore according to Madam Onochie.......EFCC corruption fighters oya what are waiting for or was that a fake news......IG Idris I think you are aware of this news or you are waiting for transmission.......VP Osibango help us to check wether they are Igbo guys,...APC will never have peace but now and after their administration God will expose them.........
The rejected stone has finally became the chief corner stone, thus the writer said "Be careful of the decision you made today, it might hunt you tomorrow! A brave man is never afraid to apologise and recognise his mistakes! Kwankwaso and co, go and sin no more"
Wiseandtrue: Be careful of the decision you made today, it might hunt you tomorrow!
Just because of ethnicity and religious beliefs, Kwankwaso swept GEJ's feet out yesterday under a well planned conspiracy
Today, he needs his help to correct a mistake he made more than 3 years ago!
GEJ forgives easily while Buhari wears vengeance as cloth!
JEGA has wronged Nigerians! I hope he would apologise one day!
I hope he apologised to GEJ A brave man is never afraid to apologise and recognise his mistakes!
Having said that they should rally round and support whomever the primaries produced!
Section one Recession , completed Most travelled president in Nigeria history, completed Sacking of over 760000 Nigerian workers from their various job, completed.
Section two Granting Amnesty to Bokoharam and realising their commanders from prison Sponsoring Killer herdsmen through Nasiru El rufai Enhancing the Jihadist movement through his kinsmen "Herdsmen"
Section three Belong to nobody but our money for his medical tourism Unbated looting under his watch Censorship of the media and crackdown on the opposition
All PDP presidential aspirants are good to go, they are all good for one reason or the other but if I should pick, I think the ticket should go the party loyalist, those that defected back to PDP from APC are also important but they should not forget that had it been everybody was swept away by the 2015 defection wind, there will not be PDP today, so if PDP should do the needful by recognition and award for excellency and loyalty, the best candidate at disposal for PDP should be Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo base on his past and present antecedents, another criterial He had as advantage is "Age, Education, Economical know-how and his probity for good Governance" for this, every other candidate is better but HID is the bestman for the job.
That is one the things that made democracy beautiful, there must be oppositions because one party system is not good for democracy, APC is in trouble, I can't wait for the resumption of planery........... it is going to be fun.
AnonPoet: With his emergence as Senate President in 2015, his emergence as the the National Leader of the main opposition party, Dr Bukola Saraki has now become the main Oposition leader in Nigeria and people love him for it.
This is a video of Nigerians praising his style of leadership
Kayemo displaying his level of stupidity and foolishness, dancing from the gong of devil, Mr keyamo should make sure he did not bite more than he can chew, it will not be good for his health and his useless profession, imagine a so called SAN palying a puppet to politicians, what a disgrace and shameful act.
Jaisman26: Keyamo criticises Jonathan, Obasanjo, Saraki[b][/b] ABDULFATAI AYOBAMI IBRAHIM 24 AUG 2018 Success Nwogu, Ilorin
The Director, Strategic Communications for the President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 presidential campaign, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), has said previous administrations before President Muhammadu Buhari’s government mismanaged Nigeria’s resources.
Keyamo also alleged that the previous leaders cared less for the masses and enabled the rich to loot the national resources to the detriment of the poor. The lawyer said this on Thursday at the inauguration of the ward and local government canvassers in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, where he gave a lecture titled ‘Milestones of sustainable economic and social development in Nigeria.’
He argued that governments in the past 16 years established a system of sharing national resources.
The past governments in the last 16 years are those of the immediate past President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan; the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua, and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
The senior advocate added that Buhari with small earnings had achieved more in three years in the provision of infrastructure than what were provided by the past governments in the past 16 years that earned huge revenues.
Keyamo said, “For 16 years, the previous administrations before President Buhari’s administration re-established a warped system of government. It was an orientation they gave to our youths and all of us. It was a system of government that was based on a sharing formula. That was what they had before 2015.
“Most of those bad eggs that have left us in Kwara State and others, when you hear them talk of inclusiveness and not being carried along, what they mean by inclusiveness is a euphemism for a sharing formula. That is a system of government that was established before 2015 when Buhari came on board. And that is the system that Buhari had tried to change in the last years that has not gone down well with so many people.
“There is no government in the history of this country that has concentrated on the poor and vulnerable as much as this government in the last three years. No government! There is no government that has gone after recovering what belongs to Nigerians with serious mindedness like this government in the last three years. You saw the humongous amounts recovered in pit latrines, flats, water tanks, villages, graveyards. No government has done that.“What Buhari has done in the last three years was to take the bullets from the rich in order to protect the poor. He has not bothered about re-election and political correctness in order to get a second term. He has not conceded anything to anybody. He has not made deals behind you.”
He added, “Presidents before Buhari sold you (Nigerians) out because they wanted political correctness. The former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in her book, said in order to appease the National Assembly, they had to insert N17bn for them to pass the budget. That is how all of us were sold off by previous governments. But President Buhari refused.
For six months, they (National Assembly members) refused to pass the budget and he was looking at them, they were looking at him. He said until we get to the end, they will not see one kobo. When they were tired, the same people who left us here in this state were the champion of these courses.
“Because monies have been diverted by people at the top for many years, they have not remembered the vulnerable. This is the first government that has the four cardinal programmes of social intervention programmes.
One of them is to give stipends to the venerable and certain amount to small and medium enterprises from N250, 000 and N300, 000 to start small businesses. The social intervention programme is an indication that the government is thinking more of the poor more than the rich.
“While President Buhari is boasting that he has provided social intervention programmes for the poor, the past government was boasting of how many rich people it created and how many private jets were parked at the international airports. That is the difference of philosophy.”
One with God is Majority, when you put God first, every other things will be added unto you, you are already a victor in that election because you have God's mandate.
Keyamo is a disgrace to his profession, he has sold his soul to devil, becaming a puppet to APC and Buhari is the beginning of your down fall, Mark my word, Mr Keyamo would wish he never join APC because Nigerians have no reason to stand behind Buhari, the only people that will stand with Buhari APC led administration are those murdered by his foot soldiers, Bokoharam, and by his kinsmen Herdsmen.
God first..........One with God is more than Majority, You are will be victorious and conquerer. Their plans against you will be in vain because your mandate is from GOD.
BOKOHARIS, technically defeated eating to gain more strenght for their next attack.
dainformant: Here are pictures purportedly showing how Boko Haram terrorists marked Eid-el-Kabir on Tuesday. Eid prayers and ram sacrifices were led by Amir of the occupied areas around Lake Chad.
In June, Boko Haram terrorists observed Eid-el-Fitr in various locations of Sambisa forest.
A journalist with access to the terrorists had earlier tweeted the screenshots of the compilation video, saying the terrorists performed the prayer despite “unrelenting airstrike” by the Nigerian Air Force.
Has Mr president seen this news, "Nigeria Youths are lazy" he should not worry the youths are going to prove their agility at the polling stations, Buhari will under stand that we are not lazy.
Nwaforj44: Global business magazine, Bloomberg has ranked Nigerians working in the United States as the eighth most hardworking foreigners in that country.
In a 2018 report released yesterday, Nigerians scored 71.0 percent in the list of the hardest and most skilled immigrant groups in the US which was topped by Ghana with 75.2 percent.
Bulgaria and Kenya were ranked second and third with 74.2 percent and 73.4 percent respectively. Other African countries in the report’s top 10 are Ethiopia (4th), Egypt (5th), and Liberia (9th).
This makes Africans in general the most productive immigrants in the US ahead of those from Mexico and Central America, who constitute more than 70 percent of foreign nationals in that country. Mexico is by far the most common country of origin, but the population of Mexican immigrants in the U.S. (both documented and undocumented) actually fell 6 percent from 2007 to 2015, according to the Pew Research Centre. The numbers of Salvadorans, Hondurans and Guatemalans in the U.S. continued to grow.
“If we want more high-skilled, hardworking, English-speaking, ready-to-integrate immigrants, it looks like the most obvious place to find them is in African countries where English is widely spoken,” Bloomberg journalist Justin Fox, who came up with the report, said. The report, developed from the 2016 US Census Bureau American Community Survey, ranked Nigeria 8th among the Most-Educated Immigrant Groups in the U.S. Nigeria sandwiched between Australia (7th) and Malaysia (9th). The report put the number of Nigerian legal immigrants in the U.S. at 262,603. According to the report, Kenya, Nigeria, Nepal and Ghana have the highest number of citizens pursuing higher education in the US after Saudi Arabia. Immigrants from Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana are near the top in both employment-population ratio and higher-education enrollment, it said.
As for me, the north-east shoul produce the next president because the north-west have produced presidents more than any other party in this country, but for fair play PDP should open a level playing ground for all candidate to participate in the primaries, all candidate should test his or her popularity based on his or her party loyalty, past and present antecedent for PDP growth and leadership quality then, the delegates vote for their choice.
Politics › Re: 'If I Want, I'll Remain In The Senate Forever' - Ike Ekweremadu by JobmanNwapdp: 4:00pm On Aug 31, 2018
A brave man is never afraid to apologise and recognise his mistakes! 
