₦airaland Forum

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Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that the APC is preaching insecurity because it has nothing to offer the people of the state.

He wondered why the Former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and his political godson, Dakuku Peterside would magnify the issue of kidnapping and cult-related killings when the current administration is tackling security challenges for the development of the state.

He spoke at Opobo, during the one-day sensitization programme for the people by the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) at the weekend. Governor Wike was represented by his Chief of Staff, Engr Chukwuemeka Woke.

He said: "I recall that Rotimi Amaechi was governor as at December 14, 2014 when 32 persons were murdered at Omoku.

"The only reason why they preach insecurity is because they have nothing to offer Rivers people.When they come to tell you that Rivers State is not safe, tell them that the Rivers State Government is working to improve the security of the state. "

He said rather than preoccupy themselves with preaching insecurity, Rivers APC leaders should focus on explaining the failure of the APC Federal Government to fulfil her campaign promises.

He said that the defeated 2015 Rivers State APC Governorship Candidate, Dakuku Peterside in his recent appearance exposed his cowardice and lack of commitment to Rivers State when he confirmed that he has not attracted a single project or employment to the state.

The governor thanked the GDI for the sensitization of the people of Opobo-Nkoro on his achievements and the need to re-elect him in 2019.

He said that the massive turnout of the people of Opobo-Nkoro for the sensitization visit indicated their preference for him. He said the overwhelming endorsement means the opposition in Opobo-Nkoro has collapsed.

He said that the administration will sustain the delivery of projects for the development of Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area, because the people deserve the best.

The governor said before the end of his first term, the people of the area will drive with their cars to the riverine communities as the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo unity would have been completed and commissioned.

The Governor's Representative noted: "It is only a house boy that will be asked what have you done for your people and he gives flimsy excuses. It means if you had elected him to be governor, he would churn out excuses. He cannot do anything for Opobo-Nkoro people and Rivers State. He will not stand courageously for the start.

"When it is time for Opobo-Nkoro people to send someone, they will look for a matured person , a fearless person who will defend the interest of Opobo-Nkoro people. They will send a true son of Opobo-Nkoro to represent the kingdom ".

In an address, Senator Adewari Pepple said that GDI championed the emergence of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike through its massive mobilisation of Rivers people.

He said ahead of 2019, GDI would still champion the victory of Governor Wike on the basis of his performance. The Former Federal Lawmaker said there is no other platform than GDI.

Rivers State Commissioner of Education, Dr Taminosisi Gogo-Jaja said that Governor Wike would always be victorious because all Rivers People have resolved to support him.

President-General of GDI, Chief Bright Amaewhule said that the state-wide mobilisation of Rivers people by the group is to ensure a resounding victory for Governor Wike in 2019.

He said: "We are encouraged to continue with the mobilisation of the people of Opobo-Nkoro and other Local Government Areas because Governor Wike has performed well.

"We want to ensure that the work we did in 2015 is repeated in 2019 to enhance the development of the state. Do not be threatened by anybody, no matter what they say. No matter the threat, we shall succeed. We are confident of victory as we rely on God and the people".

https://politicsngr.com/2018/01/07/amaechi-governor-32-people-killed-omoku-wike-replies-apc/

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Immediate past President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has described the accusations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he purchased his Apo Residential House illegally as spurious, contrived and baseless.

Senator Mark said today that the EFCC or any other agent of Government are chasing shadows because the property was duly offered for sale, bided for, and he purchased like any other person would in line with Federal Government’s Monetization Policy that was started during the time of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He said “I had the right of first refusal. Even if I did not purchase it, someone else would have.

“I am a law-abiding citizen. I did not flout any law.

“Curiously, four houses occupied by the then Presiding Officers of National Assembly were offered to the occupants. All of us, me as the then President of the Senate, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and his Deputy Bayero Nafada were all given the same offer.

“I am at a loss as to why it is now a subject of contention.

“If this persecution is about politics, my political party and the 2019 elections, I dare say that only God and Nigerians would decide. No amount of persecution would alter the will of God.

“I had refrained from commenting on this because it is already in the law Court. But they have taken the matter to the Court of public opinion.”

Senator Mark through his lawyer Ken Ikonne in the suit NO FHC/ABJ/1037/2017 before the Federal High Court, Abuja had said that he followed due process and legally acquired the property from the FCDA on April 27, 2011.

Senator Mark is also asking the Court for a declaration that an order by the Attorney General of the Federation and one Obono Obla of the Presidential Task Force on Recovery of Government Properties compelling him to vacate the aforesaid property without affording him a fair hearing, amounted to a denial of his fundamental human rights, unconstitutional and void.

He recalled that the Federal Executive Council decided to authorize the sale of the properties housing the principal officers of the National Assembly because the general security of the area had been altered/compromised due to the sale of the other houses in the Legislative Quarters to the public.

Consequent upon which the houses were offered for sale and dully purchased.

Senator Mark was given the first option of refusal upon which he dully accepted on April 21st 2011 and paid the agreed purchase price to the adhoc committee on sale of Federal Government houses on April 27, 2011.

https://politicsngr.com/2017/12/19/efcc-chasing-shadows-god-can-decide-2019-david-mark-explodes/

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The Hijab Saga involving a law graduate, Firdaus Amasa who refused to remove her Hijab in order to be called to bar recently in Lagos has taken another turn as a group known as the Muslim rights Concern has threatened to break-down the barriers of rights and freedom in Nigeria.

PoliticsNGR has been furnished a with a transcript of an address at a press conference organised by MURIC in  Lagos over the matter. It reads;

The Nigerian Law School’s action is deplorable, reprehensible and preposterous. The very school where human rights lawyers are trained to respect human dignity is not expected to be the very first institution to dehumanize Nigerian citizens. There is no hope for the rule of law in Nigeria if the Law School’s decision is allowed to stand.

Just like a scene from apartheid South Africa when blacks were derided and disallowed from entering restaurants, swimming pools used by whites or to attend social events, Muslims are being targeted for discriminatory practices in Nigerian institutions. Stigmatisation of the adherents of Islam is the order of the day. Muslims cannot get international travel documents without being humiliated. They cannot obtain driving licences without being profiled.

For the benefit of those who assume that Muslims have no basis for using the hijab, we provide the scriptural basis from Quran 24:31 which says inter alia:

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ

Translation:

And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty…

It is clear from the above verse that Firdaus was not dancing to her whims and caprices by using the hijab but simply obeying her Creator. The Law School’s ill-treatment of Muslims would not have been exposed if Firdaus Amasa had succumbed to intimidation like other Muslims had done in the past because it has now come to public knowledge that this has always been the practice in the Law School every year.

In actual fact, two other Muslim sisters who wore hijab under their wigs on that day would also have been denied call to bar had they refused to remove their hijabs when ordered to do so. An official seized one of the hijabs after the Muslim lady (not Firdaus, but name withheld) had removed it, threw it on the floor in the presence of guests and trampled upon it! What level of hatred could have caused this? It is not only disgraceful but highly abominable. The Nigerian Law School has become a den of Muslim-haters. An institution that is expected to train minds in revolutionary reforms is the same championing segregation among citizens. It is archaic, parochial and reactionary.

While the whole world is focusing attention on reducing illiteracy particularly among women, the Nigerian Law School revels in denying Firdaus, a microcosm of the girl-child, her hard earned access to call to bar. It is irrational, illogical and incomprehensible. We strongly condemn this discriminatory action.

We call on feminine liberation groups in the country like Women Arise and Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) to rise to the occasion. We invite the National Assembly (NASS) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the dehumanization of female Muslim hijabites at the event on Wednesday. This is one ugly incident that should not be allowed to occur again.

There are claims that the Law School has certain set of rules and dress codes. We are aware that every institution tries to moderate the behavioural pattern of its staff or students within its four walls by setting up its own rules and regulations and this should not exclude the Law School. But such rules become null and void and of no effect whatsoever the moment it contradicts any section of the Nigerian constitution.

The Law School would have acted ultra vires, therefore, if its rule forbids the use of hijab in the Law School or during call to bar because Section 38 (i) & (ii) of the 2011 (as amended) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria expressly forbids denial of freedom of religion when it says, “every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance”

Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution also provides:

(1) A citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person:-

(a) be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any executive or administrative action of the government (or its agencies-addition ours), to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religion or political opinions are not made subject.

Whereas Section 13 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act (1991) provides “a public officer shall not do or direct to be done, in abuse of his office, any act prejudicial to the rights of any person knowing that such act is unlawful or contrary to any government policy”, authorities of the Law School have taken impunity to the clouds by denying Firdaus Amasa access to call to bar. Are we going to remain silent over this illegal action?

And whereas the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Article 4, Clause 1 & 2 stipulates, “Human beings are inviolable. Every human being shall be entitled to respect for his life and the integrity of his person”, an official of the Law School at the call to bar event had the temerity to seize the hijab of a female Muslim graduate, threw it on the floor and viciously trampled on it.

In the victim’s own words (the other lady, not Firdaus), “They barged to my seat, demanded I remove the Hijab, stepped on it several times, kicked it around even more times then asked a guard to stand by it so I couldn't retrieve it. Then they demanded for my certificate and seized it. I had to go beg after the ceremony for it". Is this how the Law School encourages girl-child education?

The action of this official contravenes Section 34 (i) (a) of the Nigerian Constitution which says, “Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly, no person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment.”

We are now in the court of public opinion and I am going to ask you all, has the official who seized our sister’s hijab and trampled upon it violated Section 34 (i) (a) or not? Has he subjected this sister to inhuman and degrading treatment or not? Have Law School Officials subjected Firdaus to untold suffering, monumental torture and psychological trauma or not? 

All these in spite of previous court judgements which guarantee the right of female Muslims to use hijab.  This includes the Court of Appeal’s decisions in Provost, Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin and two (2) ors vs Bashirat Saliu and ors (Suit No. CA/IL/49/2009) where the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Judicial Division held that: “The use of veil (Hijab) by female Muslims qualifies as a fundamental right under section 38 of the Constitution”.

This is aside another legal victory recorded at the Lagos High Court and the Appeal Court of Lagos AbdulKareem v Lagos State Govt (2016) (CA/L/135/15) where the court declared that the Hijab was an Islamic injunction and also an act of worship hence it would constitute a violation of the appellants’ rights to stop them from wearing the Hijab in public schools. In addition, Osun State High Court also delivered a judgement on 3rd June, 2016 in a case between Sheikh Olayiwola and ors Vs Osun State Government and ors.

If, indeed, the Law School has rules which make the wearing of hijab an offence for a female Muslim graduate of law to be called to bar, then the Law School has erred. It has targeted Muslims for victimization. It has made it impossible for female Muslims to ‘practice’ and to ‘manifest’ their faith. The Law School has infringed upon Allah-given fundamental human rights of Muslim female students. Our stand here is that whoever persecutes one Nigerian Muslim, whether male or female, has persecuted all Nigerian Muslims. 

The Nigerian Law School has disappointed millions of Nigerians by its handling of the Firdaus hijab imbroglio. It has exposed its underbelly with this ugly incident. This is an institution that should be fighting for the rights of the oppressed, promoting equal rights and justice and charting new directions in the pursuit of the legal profession. It should be the one giving Nigeria’s young lawyers the skills to fight inadequacies in our society. But the institution failed woefully in this regard. As a result of this failure, members of the public are now the ones doing what the Law School should have done. This can be compared to civilians arresting policemen. 

This is where people of good conscience must also come in. Patriotic Nigerians and progressive groups

must step into this matter before we are all enslaved in our own land. It was Martin Niemoller who

warned, “First they came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Communist. Then

they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the Catholics,

and I didn’t speak up, because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no

one left to speak for me.”

The Law School has come for the Muslims today. We urge Nigerians to stand up for justice regardless of ethnic or religious background. It may not necessarily be a matter for religious consideration. Rights are rights everywhere under the sun. Rights are colour-blind. Rights know no religion. We must therefore be prepared to break down the barriers of rights and freedoms.

This hijab saga must be seen beyond religion. It is about human rights. A helpless lady has stood her ground to protect her dignity and for this bold action she has been denied her right to be called to bar. This is what she has toiled for all her life. Her university found her worthy in learning and in character only for the Law School to adopt a yardstick unknown to law to deny her call to bar. It is therefore a battle between convention and constitutionalism. The latter cannot win by any standard. Not when men of conscience and principles still exist in this country. If it is tradition, it must first bow to the course of law.

Unfortunately today, the Law School appears to be telling us that we should put the law aside. We say baldadash! Any institutional tradition which contradicts the constitution must go. It is illegal, illegitimate and unconstitutional to make rules which make it impossible for any citizen to practice or manifest his or her faith or to publicly UnCloth our girls and trample upon their headgears. It is the height of lawlessness and bestiality.

No human rights group worth its salt will see this matter as purely religious. Nay, it is about freedom and liberty. We therefore invite the Nigerian civil society to take a dispassionate look at this matter and take a honourable stand. We need to adopt the right perspective and a purely ideological drive to analyse issues of rights, not primordial sentiments.

It is about raising the Nigerian narrative above pedestrian level. We must come together to emancipate vulnerable women and children who are tied to the shackles of conventions and traditions that are unknown to the constitution. One such tradition is this undue phobia for hijab. We must break the barriers of this allergy for women in hijab. It is only cowards who assault women. Real men honour women. Every woman is either somebody’s mother, sister or daughter. We all have a duty to protect our mothers, sisters and daughters. Let my mothers go. Set my sisters free.

Muslims do not deserve to be treated like underdogs of the Nigerian society having preceded Christianity in the country by 800 years. The British did not deem it fit to observe the rules of natural justice when they colonized the country as all Islamic landmarks were eliminated and supplanted with a system that is not only colonial in blood but also Christian in DNA.

Colonial administration was grossly unfair to Muslims. Nigeria was Christianised by Britain and Muslims bore the brunt. We suffered forceful conversion, denial of rightful employment and even worse forms of persecution. But what is most disappointing is the policy of exclusion adopted by post-independence governments. It is just sad that the Law School, a legal educational institution, is allowing itself to be used as a tool for oppressing and marginalizing Muslims.

Despite the fact that Western countries like Britain, Canada and the United States have designed uniforms with hijab for their female Muslim police, soldiers, students, etc, Nigeria has failed to borrow a leaf from those advanced countries on a matter which does not cost one kobo, neither does it require technology. All it needs is the will to live together, to tolerate, to accommodate. All we have been asking for is that Muslims should be fully integrated into the Nigerian society. No more, no less. Allow Muslims to be complete and free human beings like Christians. But successive regimes ignore the cries of Muslims and the Law School which should lead the way to freedom has opted to dance to the gallery. This is very disappointing.

Muslims are in bondage in this country.  This is why we agree with those agitating for restructuring that certain areas need reform in Nigeria. However, our own concept of restructuring involves good, purposeful and visionary governance capable of emancipating people where they are enslaved. Let restructuring start with our institutions. The Nigerian Law School must be restructured. Nigerians who know the value of peace are calling for urgent reform in the Law School. The encroachment on Allah-given fundamental rights of Muslims in that institution is inconsistent with the principles of fairness, equity and natural justice.

We call attention to what is happening in Kenya, a fellow African country. Code 8 of the Law Society of Kenya's Advocates Dress Code states:

“Advocates (i.e. lawyers) whose faith requires them to wear head gear may wear the same so long as the colour of the head gear is charcoal, black, white, grey, navy blue and other darkish colours.”


We demand full integration and full recognition as bona fide citizens of Nigeria, not second or third class citizens. We are the aggrieved party. The British most brutally and most unjustly took all we had from us, giving us nothing in return and offering no relief. It has continued to give us a feeling of rejection, marginalization, denial of the dividends of democracy and lack of a sense of belonging. The time for redress is now.

Although the Nigerian Law School has provoked us, we are making our demands peacefully now without issuing threats. These are dividends of democracy that have not been allowed to reach Muslims. The time to give them is now. Boko Haram militants may have adopted the wrong method but we believe these grievances are nursed by all Muslims. We must avoid another pogrom. 

Muslims are generally law abiding. We are not terrorists. Terrorism is mere smoke and there is no smoke without fire. Any good fire-fighter will not direct his hose at the smoke. It is the fire which caused the smoke that must be extinguished. By the same token, we assert that the fire which causes the ‘smoke’ of terrorism is injustice and provocation, just like the unjust manner Firdaus has been treated by the Law School. We affirm that those who want peace must pursue justice and fairness because justice is the soul of peace. No one can deny one and still enjoy the other.

The Law School and other Nigerian institutions should desist from actions capable of militarising religious and ethnic groups. Some people may seek the militancy option when all else fails. As for us in MURIC, we are committed to peace. Our motto is ‘Dialogue, Not Violence’. We condemn terrorism and all forms of violence.

The group demanded the following from the law school andNigerian authorities;

1.      immediate ‘call to bar’ for AbdulSalaam Firdaus Amasa;

2.      a judicial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the molestation of Muslim students who were forced to remove their hijab on that fateful day;

3.      a review of the code of dressing in the Nigerian Law School as it affects the ‘manifestation’ of religious beliefs;

4.      the intervention of the Nigerian National Assembly in the matter at hand;

5.      an investigation by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) into allegations of religious stigmatization in the Nigerian Law School;

6.      a general reform of the Nigerian Law School;


https://politicsngr.com/2017/12/19/hijab-saga-muslims-bondage-nigeria-muric-threatens-break/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

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Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday released twelve inmates of the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Apapa in furtherance of the law establishing the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

The inmates have spent between thirty-four and twenty years in prison and were released having satisfied basic conditions such as remorse, good behaviour and readiness to contribute meaningfully to the society.

Speaking while handing over the release order from the Governor to the Lagos Prisons Command, Chairman of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo said the release of the inmates was in line with the commitment of the present administration in the State to the ideals of the justice sector reforms through prison decongestion.

Oyewo, who represented Governor Ambode at the event alongside other members of the Council, said the exercise was pursuant to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which empowered the Governor to exercise prerogative of mercy, and also to offer hope to such inmates who have demonstrated capacity to be re-absolved into the society.

According to Oyewo, a professor of law, "The Advisory Council On Prerogative of Mercy is established under the Laws of Lagos State pursuant to the powers of the Governor under the Constitution to exercise prerogative of mercy. The Council meets to consider applications for the exercise of prerogative of mercy that is forwarded through the Nigerian Prisons authority.

"Basically, in exercising this there are guidelines that are set and some of these include looking at the period that has been served by the inmates and for hard capital offences, such inmates must have served for a sufficient period of time and the reason is that the Council in the guidelines try to balance various interests such as that of the community, the family of the victims and also the interest of the administration of criminal justice and justice reform to ensure that prisoners are reformed and rehabilitated.

"It also include transformation in the life of the prisoner because there must be remorse and acknowledgment of the fact that something wrong had been done and then the prisoner must also have acquired some skills to show that he is ready to be rehabilitated into the society."

Aside that, Oyewo said the families of the released inmates, in accordance with the guidelines, were also made to guarantee that they would follow up on them to ensure that they don't go back to their old ways of crime.

While addressing other inmates at the prison, Oyewo admonished them not to be discouraged but be of good behaviour and repent from their sinful ways, saying that the State Governor was determined to release as many of them who meet the requirements for freedom.

He also said that a reform was being proposed to put a parole system in place to secure the database and monitor prisoners on prerogative of mercy after their release to guide against future crime and ensure they contribute positively to the society.

In his remarks, Controller of Prisons, Lagos Command, Mr Tunde Ladipo commended Governor Ambode for his commitment to justice sector reforms and prison decongestion, saying the release of the inmates had brought hope to to them.

He recalled the release of eighteen inmates in March by the Governor, adding that the development would go a long way in addressing prison congestion which had been a major issue in the administration of justice system in the country.

"It is my great pleasure and honour to receive the letter of release from the very hardworking Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode who has passion for God and development of this State.

"I call him the action Governor and off course Lagos has continued to be the number one State in Nigeria and so we are not surprised that this is coming from the State.

"On behalf of the Controller General of Prisons, we want to say a big thank you to the Governor for his commitment to do more for this State and for this prison," Ladipo said.

He also urged the Governor to come to the aid of Lagos Prisons Command in area of logistics, construction of security tower, procurement of CCTV cameras, among others.

https://politicsngr.com/2017/12/19/ambode-releases-12-kirikiri-prison-inmates/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

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The Nigerian police has successfully captured the Kidnappers of a 76-year-old man in Abia.

PoliticsNGR gathered that progress was made on the 18/12/17(Monday) in a follow-up operation into the kidnapping of Elder Benjamin Okoye (76yrs) that occurred on 15/12/17 in Aba, Abia State and the Subsequent demand of 80 Million Naira by the Kidnappers.

Two Of the Kidnappers were arrested in Aba town. The arrest took the combined effort of IRT Operatives and CPS Aba Police Personnel.

They also stormed the Kidnappers hideout at Okpukwu Umuobo Area Of Aba Town where a 3 bedroom house was rented and used for keeping victims.

The building was raided and the ailing victim, Mr Benjamin Okoye, a hypertensive Patient, was rescued alive. 4 members of the gang were captured alive but wereleft with bullet wounds sustained as they tried to escape.

The Six Kidnappers arrested so far are:

1) Chinonye Anoro 26yrs,
2) Prince Sylvester 35yrs owner and Driver of the Operational Bus used for 8 Kidnappings in Aba,
3) Kingsley Papa 45yrs,
4) Ugbonabo Danjuma 43yrs Gangleader,
5) Moses Clever 31yrs
6) Ogoro James 26yrs.

All Suspects confessed to several kidnappings within Aba and other parts of State. 4 out of the 6 Kidnappers further confessed that they formed their gang from Prison and as they were released this October they recruited others and started Kidnapping.

The 2 AK47 Rifles used for their operations were also recovered in a Special Compartment they constructed under a Golf Car they used for abducting victims.

Photos below;

https://politicsngr.com/2017/12/18/police-arrest-kidnappers-of-76-year-old-man-in-abia-recover-ak-47-riflesphotos/

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Ex-presidential aide under the administration of Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri has revealed what will happen if President Muhammadu Buhari attempts to Rig the 2019 presidential election.

Omokri, who is a pastor and now based in the United States, warned that if the president attempts to Rig the election his prophecy of "Dog and Baboon" will come to pass.

The former media adviser wrote the following on his twitter timeline;

"Dear President Muhammadu Buhari, let this corner eye be a warning to you of what awaits you should you attempt to rig the 2019 elections in order to get a second term.

If that happens, perhaps your prophecy of ‘dog and baboon’ will come to pass."

https://politicsngr.com/2017/12/18/reno-omokri-reveals-will-occur-buhari-tries-rig-2019-election/


https://mobile.twitter.com/renoomokri/status/942469456361484288

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The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal, and Kogi west senator, Dino Melaye recently participated in a football match to celebrate the speaker of the house, Yakubu Dogara’s 50th Birthday.

Present at the event were Billionaires, Femi Otedola and Aliko Dangote. See photos below;

https://politicsngr.com/2017/12/18/saraki-melaye-tambuwal-play-football-celebrate-dogaras-birthdayphotos/

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Former Vice President and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, says the creation of jobs and opportunities and inclusive government that does not engender crisis, will stem the ill-fated migration of Nigerians.

Atiku Abubakar made the recommendation to mark the United Nations International Migrants Day on December 18, 2017.

Atiku Abubakar stresses in a statement by his media office in Abuja, weekend, that the major driver of migration, which at times are ill fated like in the case of Libya is the search of a better life and opportunity.

The PDP chieftain, however, bemoans that the current situation in the country where 3 million jobs, according to the NBS, has been lost annually in the last 2 years, renders millions jobless and that with no prospects of opportunities are compelled to take the suicidal flight.

The Waziri Adamawa advised governments at all levels to create the enabling environment that will attract and sustain investments that will create jobs for the army of unemployed.

“The chances of a young person with a job and opportunity at home taken a suicidal flight in search of a better life will become an exception and not the rule”, Atiku said.

While further acknowledging that migration is caused by poverty and insecurity in the original countries of the migrants, Atiku Abubakar notes that it is imperative for governments in Africa, Nigeria inclusive to govern in such a way as to create an environment conducive for economic progress and employment generation.

He says also that a fair and inclusive government would spread available opportunity to all citizens and encourage those with entrepreneurial inclination to start businesses and factories to absorb the teeming population of the unemployed thus making unbridled migration unnecessary.

The former Vice President however reminds that “migrants being humans deserve decent treatment” in apparent reference to the harrowing experience and stereotype facing migrants the World over.

Stating that migrants did not choose to be migrants and that it is unpleasant social, economic and political conditions in many countries that forcefully uproot people and turn them into migrants seeking new homes, security, employment and a better future, the Waziri Adamawa opines that all hands need to be on deck to deal squarely and in a humane manner with the challenges thrown up by the reality of migration in our contemporary World.

He regrets that one of the worst forms of maltreatment, which a migrant can experience, is the large scale enslavement of young and helpless Nigerian and African migrants in Libya which recently drew global attention.

The Waziri Adamawa says that to prevent the recurrence of unbridled migration as we have today among Nigerian youths, the authorities at Federal and State levels should endeavor to discourage potential migrants through public enlightenment and information about the down sides of poorly conceived overseas travels.

The former Vice President urges the international community to ensure that the international code of treatment of migrants is strictly adhered to.

https://politicsngr.com/2017/12/17/creating-jobs-will-stop-ill-fated-migration-nigerians-atiku/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

A Club Owner simply known as Mr. Akeem has reportedly been arrested after the corpses of two children were allegedly exhumed from the premises of his nightclub.

According to an Eyewitness and Facebook user, Victor Ufot, Akeem, who operates Amber nightclub in Calabar allegedly buried the 2 children and a pig in order to attract customers.

There was tension, last week in Calabar, Cross Rivers State, following the discovery of three corpses reported to be two infants and a Pig were exhumed at the entrance of a popular night Club, Amber Karaoke and Lounge. The suspect who is also the owner of the Night Club simply identified as Mr Akeem allegedly opened the Club about a year ago at 112 Marian road, Calabar after he reportedly resigned as a bouncer at Jasper Night Club to start up his own.

Investigation reveals that Mr. Akeem rented the apartment from Southern Fried Chicken SFC last year.
The complex which also houses other businesses whose owners were unaware of the diabolical practices of Mr Akeem until last week when God decided to expose him in a broad daylight. A resident of the building who confided in this reporter said that luck ran out of Akeem when a Lady who owns a shop in the complex started noticing shortage in sales and customers and resorted to take her problems to God through a powerful Pastor in Cross River State.

Reports has it that on getting to the Prophet the shop owner was told that they were strange things buried in the complex that were preventing customers from patronizing her. The prophet promised to exhume the things if he is granted permission to do so.



It was further gathered that the shop owner reported the matter to the police and was granted permission to exhume the body.

According to verbal and video clips obtained by this reporter and attached to this report, the Prophet with the help of his servants is seen exhuming the bodies which were buried in 3 bags about a year ago.

Eyewitnesses say that two of the bags contained skulls and bones suspected to be little babies while one contained bones and skull of a pig.

Meanwhile, the matter is currently being investigated by the State CID. Police sources who confided in this reporter say that the suspect initially denied any wrongdoing but later confessed that in their tradition burying of pigs attract customers to any business and had no diabolical connotation.

Still in a bid to further cover up the crime, Mr. Akeem ran to a popular phone-in Radio programme hosted by a top Comedian in Cross River State, Last Prophet, on Hit FM to debunk the story. He informed listeners that nothing of such ever happened in his Club only for people who were present when the bodies were exhumed to phone in and affirm that they were present when the incident took place.

“Shot up Akeem I was there when the bodies were dug out from your club! A listener exclaimed on air.
A cross-section of Cross River State indigenes and residents who spoke with our medium promised to follow up the matter and ensure that justice takes full its course. They described the incident as embarrassing and evil.

Watch a video below;

https://politicsngr.com/2017/12/17/popular-nightclub-owner-arrested-burying-2-children-get-customersvideo/



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPo5zkBe470

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Socialite and Musician, Charlyboy has launched a verbal attack on Pentecostal Churches and 'Con' Men of God.

In a video posted on his Social Media page, Charlyboy, real names Charles Oputa, said that the Pentecostal Churches are Modern day commercial Enterprises.

He also pointed out that not all Pastors are genuine, stating that only a few are truly 'Spiritual'. He opined that most churches use systematic fraud and make money from the Ignorance of the Nigerian populace.

PoliticsNGR has obtained the video clip, Watch it below;

https://politicsngr.com/2017/12/17/fck-con-men-god-charlyboy-attacks-pentecostal-churchesvideo/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfl5s7dy8-w

OP..you need to urgently see a psychiatrist......URGENTLY!!!!

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Ex-aviation minister, Femi Fani Kayode has attacked the governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha over his recent comments that '89% of Nigerians are unhappy' under Buhari.

FFK took to Twitter on Saturday evening to mock Okorocha over his statements. The PDP chieftain wrote;

"89% of Nigerians are unhappy"- Rochas Okorohausa

The pot-bellied glutton and ugly old toad has accepted that APC has failed.

Now he must tell us why he wears diapers,what deity he sacrificed his leg to, who murdered his white business partner and where his father comes from."

https://politicsngr.com/2017/12/16/ugly-old-toad-pot-bellied-glutton-fani-kayode-bombs-rochas-okorocha/

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Operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a cable thief syndicate who specialise in vandalising government and private company’s cable in different parts of the metropolis.

The officers also recovered 168 meter long cable which the suspects stole at the same point in the previous weeks as well as two sledge hammers and a green Volkswagen wagon Passat with the registration number LSR 664 CW.

The six suspects were arrested on Friday when men of the Decoy Team of Rapid Response Squad acting on a tip off ambushed the suspects on Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos where they were billed to operate around midnight.

The syndicate, in the absence of its ring leader, identified as Kingsley, an ex-convict, was led by a 29 year old Henry Akpan, a security guard manning the cable.

According to Akpan, he was invited to join the syndicate by Kingsley after returning from the prison.

“I am the one that arrested Kingsley and handed him over to the police, which led to his conviction and imprisonment. When he came back from Kirikiri Prison, he came to see me. He told me that can he come back and work in the place?

“By this time, the company I was working for had disengaged me. Out of the four years I worked for them, they only paid me for four months. Eventually, they said thieves were still stealing cable and because of this, they laid me off.”

He went further, “I colluded with him. I offered to provide him with security while he breaks into the tunnel of the Third Mainland Bridge median to cut the cables.

“We normally operate late in the night. I do the surveillance while he cut the cable and roll it out. Once the deed is done, and he is out. I collect my money and walk away from the scene.

“For the first operation, Kingsley paid me N40,000. For the second, I got N15,000. The third, N20,000 and so on. I don’t know the length of cables involved in every operation’, he added.

While Kingsley is on the run, other members of the syndicate arrested include: Sunday Joseph, Obinna Nnabuenyi, Henry Owuama, John Chinedu and Francis Fidelis.

Also arrested were Sunday Francis and Simeon Ezeh, two regular buyers of the stolen cable, while 168 meter long cable stolen in the previous week before the arrest were recovered from the duo.

According to Simeon Eze, a 57 year old cable dealer in Alaba International from whom 30 and 40 metre long cable were recovered, "I bought the two separate cable a week and previous week ago from the syndicate at the rate of N50,000 and N60,000 respectively. The cable is 25mm aluminum and I bought them at N700 per yard from them.

Meanwhile, the State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal has directed all those involved in cable theft around the state be arrested and the case transferred immediately for thorough investigation and prosecution just as he vowed to go all out to arrests vandals and dealers still involved in the act.

The suspects along with exhibits recovered from them have been transferred to the SCID for further investigation and arrests.

https://politicsngr.com/2017/12/14/rrs-arrest-cable-thieves-lagos-recover-168-meter-long-cablephotos/

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The Peoples Democratic party has responded to allegations of Sidelining the South-west in the party's activities following the results of the just concluded party convention.

Below is a statement signed by the National publicity secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbodiyan, addressing the matter;

"The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has noted the feverish moves by the All Progressive Congress (APC) to create disaffection among our members, distract our great party, and divert the attention of Nigerians from the colossal failure of its government.

Having woefully failed to stop the PDP elective National Convention, a desperate APC has again failed in another bid to plant seeds of discord within the ranks of our members in the Southwest, particularly on issues relating to the outcome of our hugely successful National Convention.

The people of the South West have, however, seen through the antics of the APC propaganda machine and would not allow themselves be deceived.

The South West leaders who contested for the PDP National Chairmanship position are all men of quality and credibility; the fallout of the convention cannot, in any way, diminish their standing as core nationalists and statesmen whose interests, particularly in the PDP, and the nation, are not driven by personal or ethnic considerations.

What essentially drives the individual and collective aspirations of the Southwest leaders in the PDP remains in tandem with the vision of other leaders of our party across the country, which is to rescue our dear nation from the directionless administration of the APC with its attendant economic hardship on Nigerians.

In fretting, the APC does not seem to realize that people in the Southwest are as much victims of its misrule as other Nigerians. Those in the Southwest suffer from the current chaotic state of the economy which the APC administration has inflicted on the nation; they groan from the APC’s negative policies on foreign exchange as well as the heavy taxations that are killing industries and businesses; they suffer the misery in the land resulting from the spiral rate of inflation, decline in the stock market and decayed infrastructure.

The APC’s attempt to plant seeds of discord among our members in the South west merely betrays their fears of losing control of the region.

The southwest is too sophisticated to fall for the gimmicks of the APC. They cannot be distracted or deceived by baseless propaganda and cheap resort to ethnic politics. The Southwest will not fail to join other despairing Nigerians in voting out the APC in the 2019 election.

The truth is that the APC administration, having wrecked the country, is resorting to shadow boxing to stay afloat; Nigerians are, however, impatient to kick them out.

The APC must note that their exit has become inevitable. They must note that the more they fight the PDP, the more united we become and the more Nigerians see through their deception and emptiness. Today, many are leaving their ranks in droves. Very soon their party will be empty and its collapse will be loud.

For the PDP, we remain one big family committed to credible processes that guarantee internal democracy in our party. Our leaders have since revved our internal conflict resolution mechanisms and consultations in this direction are yielding tremendously positive results.

Finally, the PDP assures all Nigerians not to despair as we have now repositioned to provide direction and return the nation back to the path of unity and prosperity."

https://politicsngr.com/2017/12/14/pdp-responds-allegations-sidelining-south-west/
cc; lalasticlala, mynd44

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The PDP reconciliation committee led by the governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson recently visited some aggrieved members of the party following the results of the national convention last Saturday.

The team met with Professor Tunde Adeniran, Chief Jerry Gana, Ibrahim Mantu, Chief Rasheed Ladoja and Inna Ciroma. Below are photos from the meetings;

https://politicsngr.com/2017/12/14/pdp-reconciliation-committee-visits-ladoja-adeniran-jerry-gana-otherspics/

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Information reaching the PoliticsNGR newsdesk on Thursday afternoon reveals that the 36 state governors in Nigeria have agreed to the withdrawal of $1 billion from the country's Excess Crude Account(ECA) to be used in funding the fight against Boko Haram.

This development was made public by the Governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki while addressing state house correspondents in Abuja after a meeting of the National Economic Council in the Presidential Villa.

The meeting was headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo since President Buhari is currently out of the country for a meeting in France.

Mr. Obaseki disclosed that the approval was announced during the 83rd NEC meeting by the chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, and Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari.

The Nigerian Excess Crude Account had a balance of $2.317 billion as at December 13, 2017.

https://politicsngr.com/2017/12/14/breaking-governors-approve-withdrawal-1-billion-eca-fight-boko-haram/

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An official of the Federal Capital Development Authority(FCDA) escaped death by Whiskers on Thursday after a group of traders physically assaulted him.

The official simply known as 'Mr Dennis' was seriously injured on his head during the attack. The traders from Utako market attacked Dennis over an allegation of conniving with court officials to adjourn their case indefinitely.

They chased Dennis into the Legal unit of the court and would have killed him if not for the timely intervention of a police officer in the court premises.

PoliticsNGR learnt that the case between the Abuja Municipal Council Area, AMAC and Utako Market Traders Association was scheduled for a hearing today but things went downhill when an announcement came that the case could no longer be brought up because the Presiding Judge was absent.

The traders became incensed and started chanting songs and insulting the court officials. On sighting one of the FCDA officials(Dennis) heading to the Legal Unit of the court, they attacked him.

Utako market traders and the FCDA have been at each other's necks over plans by AMAC to demolish and revoke shopping licenses.

https://politicsngr.com/2017/12/14/angry-traders-attack-fcda-official-abuja-court-break-head-photos/

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The Senate Committee on environment headed by Senator Oluremi Tinubu on Monday, paid a courtesy visit to Rivers state governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as part of their oversight function and to investigate the clean-up of Ogoniland.

It will be recalled that the Senate in June initiated moves to probe the President Muhamadu Buhari’s Ogoni land cleanup as the legislature directed its committee on environment to investigate the implementation of the cleanup.

The exercise which was launched by president Buhari cost an estimated $1 billion. The Senate's move to issue the probe was prompted by Senator Oluremi Tinubu's motion on Environment.

Photos below;

https://politicsngr.com/2017/11/27/senate-committee-environment-visits-wike-photos/

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Chief Musiliu Obanikoro has officially decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Reports of Obanikoro's movement to the ruling party has been simmering for months now until today when he was officially recognized as a member at a small rally in Lagos.

Present at the rally was Lagos senator, Gbenga Ashafa who wrote the following message on social media;

I welcome my brother @MObanikoro back home to our great party @APCNigeria. The APC in Lagos is stronger and more united. APC!!!
Below are photos from the scene obtained by PoliticsNGR;

https://politicsngr.com/2017/11/25/obanikoro-officially-joins-apc-photos/

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Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai and Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose were seen discussing and laughing together in Ifaki-Ekiti for the funeral of Mama Comfort Modupe Adetunmbi, mother of Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi.

Both men had a small 'feud' barely a week ago after Fayose criticized El-rufai's decision to sack over 21,000 teachers in Kaduna. From the photos below, it seems both men have buried the hatchet.

Fayose had earlier attacked El-rufai's method on twitter, pointing out that rather than letting go of the teachers, the Kaduna State Government should visit Ekiti State to learn what they did to improve 26% performance in the West African Examination Council (WAEC) examination in 2014 to 74.86 percent in 2017.

He tweeted that 'It is not the state government’s right to set a test for teachers but that of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN)'.

Elrufai replied via twitter also, saying; "Your Excellency Sir, We are not sacking teachers in Kaduna. Rather we are replacing unqualified people who are unfit to be called teachers to save the future of the next generation".

https://politicsngr.com/2017/11/25/teachers-sack-feud-fayose-el-rufai-laugh-attend-burial-together-pics/

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A female thief was allegedly nabbed recently in Edo state after she attempted to rob a home. A huge bunch of master keys she uses to allegedly break into and burgle the homes of her victims was also recovered.

She was str*pped and beaten. It's unclear if she was handed over to the police. Below is a Photos/video from the scene;
https://politicsngr.com/2017/11/25/female-thief-caught-dozens-masterkeys-edo-stripped-nkedvideo/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

Watch video HERE

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Comrade Shehu Sani, a senator representing Kaduna central has reacted to the departure of Ex-VP, Atiku Abubakar from the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC).

Sani, while speaking in an annual lecture organized by Rave FM in Osogbo, Osun state, warned president Muhammadu Buhari to be careful of the 'Cabal'.

He added that the president should choose between those who 'love him' and those who love 'the throne'. He also attacked governors that have endorsed Buhari for second terms, saying that they did that based on 'Selfish interests'. In his words;

"The ruling party should know that what destroyed the PDP was a force from inside and not from outside. It was like a case of Yugoslavia in the old Soviet Union. Lack of internal democracy and imposition destroyed the PDP.

The umbrella of the PDP was torn by the internal injustice. The ruling party should be careful.Many people who helped in bringing this administration on board are not being carried along.

Now, Atiku has left the APC for the PDP. Those that contributed to this government before getting to power were not accorded courtesy.”

It is left for Buhari to decide who loves him and who loves the throne."

https://politicsngr.com/2017/11/25/atikus-resignation-beware-cabal-shehu-sani-warns-buhari/

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Presidential media aide, Lauretta Onochie has attacked former vice president, Atiku Abubakar for decamping from the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) on Friday.

Onochie, in a lengthy post on Facebook, branded Atiku a 'Control-freak', adding that he attempted severally to take control of the APC party structure but failed woefully. She wrote;

"He has a history of always being pushed to the background. This same reason for leaving home, PDP to his temporary home APC, is the same reason he is now giving for returning home.

This history has its background in wanting to control everything. This shows he's not a Team Player. Wherever he's playing, Home (PDP) or Away (ACN, APC), he wants to CONTROL everything. He cannot stand the idea of attention shifting for a second to other people. He should consider being a Director in the movies, not politics and definitely not the Nigerian political space, fully occupied by testosterone-pumping, ego-flaunting people. 

It's his way or the highway! How can such self-absorbing man be of any support for the Nigerian youth. You listen to him and all you hear is "#MeMineAndI". Let him step back and project a Nigerian youth and he will be taken seriously by the Nigerian youth.

No matter where we go, our hearts are always at home. It's not different for Alh. Atiku Abubakar
Home for him is PDP. Wherever he goes, just like footballers on loan, who can decide to stay or return home, Atiku always returns home. Just as with the past, this time also, he has returned to his vomit.

I just hope he goes with all the confusions and divisions he orchestrated within the APC in a bid to take CONTROL of the party. Thankfully, he failed. Woefully! 
God bless Nigeria. "

https://politicsngr.com/2017/11/25/atiku-control-freak-returned-vomit-presidency/

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The Nigerian police force has announced the arrest of one of its officers responsible for illegally extorting N40,000 from a man in Lekki. The police officer is attached to the Maroko police division.

Below is a statement from the PCRRU unit of the police;

Re: “Maroko police officers lekki extorted 40,000 from me 1:30 am this midnight”

The stated viral post was intercepted by PCRRU yesterday (23.11.2017) and registered as a complaint via #PCRRU600772 at about 5:12 pm.

The alleged officer has been identified (the uniform man in the photo, his name is not the one stated in the post/account number). The Commissioner of Lagos State Command, Ag. CP Imohimi Edgal has directed the Command’s X Squad to carry out a detailed investigation, the DPO Maroko Division is proceeding to the X-Squad with the involved officer this hour.

Please if you know the author of the post, tell him to reach PCRRU via any of our contacts or the Lagos State Command X Squad, State Headquarters Ikeja as his cry has been heard.
PCRRU says No To Impunity.

Calls Only: 0805 700 0001, 0805 700 0002 | SMS and WhatsApp Only: 0805 700 0003 | BBM: 58A2B5DE | Twitter: @PoliceNG_PCRRU | Facebook: www.facebook.com/PolicePCRRU | Email: complaint@npf.gov.ng OR PolicePCRRU@gmail.com and Website: www.npf.gov.ng/complaint

https://politicsngr.com/2017/11/24/maroko-police-officer-arrested-extorting-n40000-man-photos/

Former aviation minister, Chief Olufemi Fani Kayode has stated that the People's Democratic party will bury the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) in 2019.

FFK, in a series of tweets on Friday, said that God who destroyed Egyptian ruler, Pharaoh in the Red Sea would make PDP clinch power in 2019.

FFK tweeted;

“If the same God could raised Lazarus from dead If the Lord could raise Lazarus from the dead then the PDP will come back in 2019.

If the Lord could destroy Pharaoh and drown his entire army in the Red sea then the APC will be buried in 2019.

Nothing is impossible for God.”
Congrats to @atiku for dumping the plague called APC and coming back home to the PDP family.

It took courage to take that bold step and I commend him for it.

https://twitter.com/realFFK/status/933983169925320704

https://politicsngr.com/2017/11/24/atiku-decampment-apc-will-buried-2019-femi-fani-kayode/

Below is a statement made available to PoliticsNGR by his media team;

On the 19th of December, 2013, I received members of the All Progressives Congress at my house in Abuja. They had come to appeal to me to join their party after my party, the Peoples Democratic Party, had become factionalized as a result of the special convention of August 31, 2013.

The fractionalization of the Peoples Democratic Party on August 31, 2013 had left me in a situation where I was, with several other loyal party members, in limbo, not knowing which of the parallel executives of the party was the legitimate leadership.

It was under this cloud that members of the APC made the appeal to me to join their party, with the promise that the injustices and failure to abide by its own constitution which had dogged the then PDP, would not be replicated in the APC and with the assurance that the vision other founding fathers and I had for the PDP could be actualized through the All Progressives Congress.

It was on the basis of this invitation and the assurances made to me that I, being party-less at that time, due to the fractionalization of my party, accepted on February 2, 2014, the hand of fellowship given to me by the All Progressives Congress.

On that day, I said "it is the struggle for democracy and constitutionalism and service to my country and my people that are driving my choice and my decision" to accept the invitation to join the All Progressives Congress.

Like you, I said that because I believed that we had finally seen the beginnings of the rebirth of the new Nigeria of our dreams which would work for all of us, old and young.

However, events of the intervening years have shown that like any other human and like many other Nigerians, I was fallible.

While other parties have purged themselves of the arbitrariness and unconstitutionality that led to fractionalization, the All Progressives Congress has adopted those same practices and even gone beyond them to institute a regime of a draconian clampdown on all forms of democracy within the party and the government it produced.

Only last year, a governor produced by the party wrote a secret memorandum to the president which ended up being leaked. In that memo,  he admitted that the All Progressives Congress had "not only failed to manage expectations of a populace that expected overnight ‘change’ but has failed to deliver even mundane matters of governance".

Of the party itself, that same governor said "Mr. President, Sir Your relationship with the national leadership of the party, both the formal (NWC) and informal (Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso), and former Governors of ANPP, PDP (that joined us) and ACN, is perceived by most observers to be at best frosty. Many of them are aggrieved due to what they consider total absence of consultations with them on your part and those you have assigned such duties."

Since that memorandum was written up until today, nothing has been done to reverse the treatment meted out to those of us invited to join the All Progressives Congress on the strength of a promise that has proven to be false. If anything, those behaviours have actually worsened.

But more importantly, the party we put in place has failed and continues to fail our people, especially our young people. How can we have a federal cabinet without even one single youth.

A party that does not take the youth into account is a dying party. The future belongs to young people.

I admit that I and others who accepted the invitation to join the APC were eager to make positive changes for our country that we fell for a mirage. Can you blame us for wanting to put a speedy end to the sufferings of the masses of our people?

Be that as it may be, after due consultation with my God, my family, my supporters and the Nigerian people whom I meet in all walks of life, I, Atiku Abubakar, Waziri Adamawa, hereby tender my resignation from the All Progressives Congress while I take time to ponder my future.

May God bless you and may God bless Nigeria.

@POLITICSNGR
An Old man lost his life on Thursday in Rivers state after getting knocked down by a reckless truck driver. According to statement obtained by PoliticsNGR from the Rivers state police command, the truck driver is in custody but detectives are yet to identify the deceased.

The full statement reads;

The Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the General Public that on 31st Oct 2017 at about 1714hrs a fatal motor accident was reported at Diobu Divisional Headquarters, Port Harcourt Rivers State, involving one Monday Udo ‘m’ aged 70yrs, address unknown, but said to be an indigene of Akwa Ibom State.

2. He was knocked down by one Onyeka Vincent ‘m’ a Truck driver in charge of Mack Truck with Reg. No. KPR 207 X who is currently in our custody. The unidentified corpse has been deposited in Sympathy Mortuary Port Harcourt.

3. The Command is passionately appealing to any person with useful information that can assist in reaching the relatives, to please contact the DPO Diobu on phone NO. 08035894189 or call the following security Nos. 08032003514, 08028915462.

Below is a photo of the unidentified body;
https://politicsngr.com/2017/11/23/tragic-old-man-killed-reckless-truck-driver-rivers-photo/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

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The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu has stated that Lagos state cannot be wrestled away from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The traditional ruler made this comment while praising the national leader of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Speaking at a function in Ibadan, Akiolu said that Tinubu's stubbornness has made it impossible for him to be waved aside in Nigerian politics.

He said; “Tinubu’s stubbornness made him to be the last man standing during the onslaught of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South West.I am his (Tinubu) father and the father for all and I will continue to be their father.

I don’t hide my feelings, nobody can take away Lagos from APC. At the federal level, all hands need to be on deck.”

He also hailed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s performance, saying that the foundation laid by Tinubu in the state is being built upon by his successors.

https://politicsngr.com/2017/11/22/nobody-can-take-away-lagos-apc-oba-lagos/

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The Nigerian army has announced that an understanding and ability to speak the 3 major languages of Nigeria, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba have been added as criteria for recruiting new personnel.

The military also gave a one-year deadline to its officers and Soldiers to learn all three languages. Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Sani Usman, who made this known in a statement, announcing the new policy, said;

"The Nigerian Army has introduced a new Language Policy. The study of foreign and local languages is world-wide practice among armies, in which officers and soldiers are encouraged to be multi-lingual. The Policy will foster espirit-de-corps and better communication with the populace to enhance information gathering, civil-military relations, increase understanding between militaries when operating abroad and assist officers and soldiers to perform their duties professionally.

It is to be noted that English remains the official language in the Nigerian Army. Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa languages could be used during Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities or interrogation. Therefore all Nigerian Army personnel have been given one year to learn the three major Nigerian languages. Invariably, by December 2018, all Nigerian Army personnel are expected to learn the three major Nigerian languages.
The standard of proficiency to be attained is the basic level. Certificated proficiency level will attract Language Allowance.

The ability to speak the 3 major Nigerian languages will be an added advantage to those applying for recruitment or commissioning into the Nigerian Army. Therefore, prospective candidates are encouraged to learn Nigerian languages other than their mother tongues.

Before now, the Nigerian Army officially encouraged the learning of French, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese and Swahili. French language is an assessed subject in some career courses and examinations for Nigerian Army personnel."
https://politicsngr.com/2017/11/22/ability-speak-igbohausa-yoruba-now-compulsory-recruitment-army/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

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Governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha has said that the most governors in the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) and Opposition Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP) are keen on seeing President Muhammadu Buhari contest for Second term in 2019.

Speaking on Tuesday at a meeting with Democratic youths at the government house in Owerri, Okorocha disclosed that with the exception of two or three, all other governors withing both parties want Buhari to vie for re-election in 2019.

In a statement issued by the Chief press secretary of the Imo state government, Sam Onwuemedo, Okorocha is quoted as saying;

"I am a believer in Buhari and I made it clear years ago that if he is running for president I will not run. This is because I have seen a man that has the strength of character to lead this Nigeria at this moment of our history.

There is no better president for Nigeria now other than President Buhari. He might not be the best president for Nigeria in 2023 or 2027, but for the Nigeria of today, he is the right man for the job. His fight against corruption takes an unusual character to execute. His style to end terrorism in the North East is again something that requires his personal character.

Nigeria has come out of recession in the shortest period recorded in history and this is a testament to Buhari’s tenacity. And since I have resolved with my political family to shelve my ambition and support Buhari, I want to appeal to others to show such support to him."

Reacting to this, the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) dismissed the claims. National Publicity Secretary of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye said;

"Our governors are not part of the Buhari reelection plan. Rochas Okorocha has a penchant for telling lies. Nobody should take him serious."
https://politicsngr.com/2017/11/22/apc-pdp-want-buhari-contest-2019-rochas-okorocha/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44