₦airaland Forum

An hausa teacher is needed in Lagos. The student needs to be fluent in the language in 2 - 3 months. If you can do the job...kindly indicate interest by sending a mail to gumview12@gmail.com

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) says it is taking all necessary legal steps to ensure that no illegal or fraudulent execution is carried out over its court case with Innoson Motors.

Recall that Innoson Nigeria Ltd. had announced that it obtained a writ of Fifa from the Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State, against GTB.

According to the company, the writ is to effect the judgment given by the Federal High Court in Ibadan and upheld by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.



The Company Secretary of GTB, Mr Erhi Obebeduo, in a statement, however, assured the bank’s customers of the safety of their funds.

In its clarification, GTB said the judgement was applicable to the account of the Nigerian Customs Service Board domiciled with the bank, rather than the bank as an entity.

“The attention of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (“the Bank”) has been drawn to statements circulating in the news and social media in respect of a purported enforcement of a judgement of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, at one of its branches in Anambra State.

“The bank, as a law-abiding corporate citizen, is taking all necessary legal steps to address this situation and ensure that no illegal or fraudulent execution is carried out.

“It is important to state that the judgment allegedly in issue is in respect of a Garnishee Proceedings against the account of the Nigerian Customs Service Board domiciled with the bank and not against the bank as an entity.

“The bank remains committed to providing best-in- class customer experience to all its valued customers,” it said.

https://www.herald.ng/gtbank-clarifies-fake-news-regarding-innoson/

@POLITICSNGR

A group of Policemen and some Soldiers clashed on Sunday afternoon at a collation centre of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

PoliticsNGR gathered that the incident occurred after both parties tussled over control of security at the venue where the results of Saturday's Gubernatorial Elections will be collated for final announcement.

The soldiers had ordered police officers already at the venue to leave the premises but they later returned in greater numbers, breaking down the gates of the premises and forcefully taking charge of security.

It will be recalled that this incident is happening shortly after several complaints of strong military presence in the state. The Governor of the state, Nyesom Wike is currently fighting to secure a second term.

His top contender is from the AAC party currently being back by the minister of transport and Former Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.

Watch the Shocking Video HERE

https://politicsngr.com/soldiers-police-officer-clash-at-inec-office-in-rivers-photos/

@POLITICSNGR

Senator Hope Uzodinma, the Gubernatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in Imo State, has denied rumours that he has stepped down for the Gubernatorial candidate of the Action Alliance Party, Uche Nwosu.

On Friday, a report went viral on Social Media that Mr. Uzodinma had stepped down for Uche adding that he accepted a ministerial slot in exchange. However, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, his media spokesman, Hussaini Bukar described the report as 'false'.

He pointed out that it sounded implausible for a candidate like his principal to step down for another candidate a day before the controversial Elections in the state.

He called on the general public to disregard the report, calling it 'Fake news'.

https://politicsngr.com/breaking-hope-uzodinma-speaks-stepping-uche-nwosu/

@POLITICSNGR

The Presidential campaign spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kogi state, Mr. Austin Okai, has been kidnapped by armed thugs.

PoliticsNGR gathered that Okai was abducted on Friday evening and has not been heard from. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has demanded the immediate release of Mr. Okai.

Below is a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Kola Ologbodiyan;

"The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demands the immediate release of its presidential campaign spokesperson in Kogi state, Mr Austin Okai, who was abducted this evening by armed thugs unleashed by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party also said the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, should immediately disband the checking point in Banda, Lokoja-Abuja highway, where the members of the opposition are being harassed and intimidated.

The PDP says its members, as well as the people of Kogi state, cannot stomach the abduction of Mr Austin Okai as well as the arrest of its members for flimsy reasons by the APC.

PDP cautions that the continued stay in captivity of Kogi state party leaders can spark off crisis in the state.

We urge the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, to immediately step into the matter to forestall a break down of law and order. This is because, if Mr Austin Okai and others are not immediately released by the APC, it would send a very wrong signal to the already agitated youth and lead to a resort to self-help.

The PDP also alerts of the arrest of its ward chairmen in Rivers state by soldiers, particularly in Abua-Odual Local Government Area, ostensibly in compliance with the orders of the Buhari Presidency.

The mass arrest in Rivers is coming on the heels of the clampdown of PDP members in Kano state with the arrest of our party leaders and campaign officials including our Senatorial candidate Ahmed Haruna Bichi and a serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Garba Bichi.

The PDP notes that these are two very volatile states and any act that suggests a clampdown by the authorities might lead to vehement resistance by the people and trigger crisis in the state.

We call on Nigerians to note how the Buhari Presidency and the APC are pushing Nigerians to the wall and invite the international community to hold President Buhari directly responsible for these infractions against innocent Nigerians."

https://politicsngr.com/breaking-pdp-campaign-spokesman-kidnapped-photo/

@POLITICSNGR

A member of the House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin, who was arrested by the police earlier today, has been released on bail.

The spokesman for Kano Police Command, Abdullahi Haruna confirmed that Mr Jibrin was released on bail on Friday night after hours of interrogation.

Mr Jibrin was arrested over attack on the convoy of a former governor of the state, Rabiu Kwankwaso at Kofa village in Bebeji Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Kwankwaso’s convoy was attacked by thugs suspected to be loyal to the lawmaker. The thugs allegedly barricaded a road at Kofa village and attempted to deny the motorcade passage through the village to the rally ground at Kwanar Dangora.

At least five people were killed, while several others sustained injuries as the thugs from the two camps clashed.

Although the police have denied that the house of the lawmaker was torched, the command said over 20 vehicles were razed to ashes.

https://politicsngr.com/just-police-release-apc-house-reps-member-jibrin-bail/

@POLITICSNGR

PoliticsNGR has been furnished with court documents showing a lawsuit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP against the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, President Muhammadu Buhari, INEC, Nigerian Army, Navy, Police and the Attorney General of the Federation.

The lawsuit was filed earlier today, barely hours before the 2019 Presidential Elections scheduled to hold tomorrow, Saturday 23rd of February.

The suit was filed because of President Muhammadu Buhari's directive to security forces to shoot anyone who tries to steal ballot boxes.

The PDP asked the court to determine if the directive was in line with the Nigerian Consitution. The also requested a court injunction barring security agents from enforcing the order.

See the Full court documents below;

https://politicsngr.com/breaking-pdp-drags-president-buhari-apc-army-others-court-reasons/

@POLITICSNGR

The Police Command in Kano State says it has arrested a member representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal constituency, Abdulmumini Jibrin-Kofa over Thursday’s clash between supporters of PDP and APC.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna confirmed the arrest of the lawmaker in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano on Friday.

He said Jibrin-Kofa was arrested alongside some political leaders from the area in connection with the clash between supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Kofa village in Bebeji local government area.

He said Jibrin-Kofa was arrested alongside the political leader for questioning over the incident.

No fewer than two persons lost their lives following the clash while 20 vehicles were burnt and 18 others vandalised.

PoliticsNGR gathered that the state police Commissioner, Mr Wakili Muhammad and the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone One; Mr Dan Bature arrested Jibrin-Kofa at Kofa village on Friday.

The two top Police officers were in the village to assess the security situation in the area and the extent of destruction of facilities at the village.

https://politicsngr.com/breaking-police-arrest-apc-house-reps-member-abdulmumin-jibrin/

@POLITICSNGR

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has finally reacted to reports that allege he is the owner of ACT Technologies, a company responsible for creating Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and Card Readers.

An online news medium reported that Tinubu was among the owners of the tech company involved in the supply of electoral materials and services to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The company reportedly manipulated Results of the 2015 general elections.

Below is a statement made available to PoliticsNGR signed by his spokesman, Tunde Rahman;

“If lies were sand, this story would be a desert. Perhaps the only thing this story manages to get correct is the spelling of Asiwaju’s name. However, the story is but an unfortunate and crude attempt to malign Asiwaju’s name. Asiwaju has absolutely no relation to, or interest in, Act Technologies Limited. He had never even heard of the company until the PDP (and its cronies in the media) started this campaign of calumny a few days ago,”

“Moreover, Asiwaju has never been involved in the supply of card readers, voter registration and accreditation frameworks or any other materials or services to INEC. Never.

“Let us be clear in this matter. If any political party was in control of INEC’s procurement practices in 2014/2015, it would have been the one in control of the federal government at that time. Asiwaju never asked for, nor did he receive, anything or any contract from Jonathan’s government. As incompetent as his administration was, even President Jonathan would not have sat idly by while important electoral contracts were being handed over to his most implacable political foe. As often happens with fiction concocted by amateurs, the application of a little common sense causes the entire story to fall apart.

“Even the technological aspects of the report are fantastical and unfounded. The whole thing simply makes no sense from a technical point of view.

“The report only makes sense as part of a concerted effort to attack Asiwaju. Why the PDP and their media boosters fear him so much, we leave for them to answer. But it is odd that they expend so much time and energy manufacturing falsehoods against someone whose name will not even appear on any ballot.

“This story is simply another effort by those opposed to President Buhari and the APC to justify their plans to distort the elections by alleging that the APC government is illegitimate and was rigged into office.

“The only problem being that the facts do not support their claims nor their rationale for cheating. These people are incurable. They do not rig because they were once victimized by rigging. They rig because rigging is not only in their blood, it is their blood.

“Such errant nonsense has no place in our national discourse.”

https://politicsngr.com/breaking-tinubu-speaks-owning-company-creates-pvc-card-readers/

@POLITICSNGR

Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC of 'inefficiency' following the postponement of the 2019 general elections.

Buhari, during a short interview, shortly after his arrival in Abuja, criticized the electoral body saying;

"INEC has all got the time to conduct a programme. They were given the resources, they had all the time. They kept on telling us up until the last minute that they are ready. The fact that there are not ready, there is some inefficiency along the line."

Watch the footage HERE

https://politicsngr.com/president-buhari-attacks-inec-postponement-elections-watch/

@POLITICSNGR

Another tape has emerged of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu calling Igbo people 'Awon Okoros'.

He proceeded to hail them by shouting 'Igbo Kwenu'. 

In Part 1 of the tapes released earlier today, Tinubu was heard promising to give massive amounts of money to members of the party if President Buhari emerges victorious in the 2019 General Elections. 

Listen to the tape HERE

https://politicsngr.com/another-leaked-tape-tinubu-refers-igbos-awon-okoros-listen/

@POLITICSNGR

Nigerians have remixed a popular song called 'Amaka' by music artiste, 2face following the postponement of the 2019 general Elections yesterday.

The new song title 'INEC disappoint me' is currently trending on Nigerian Social Media.

It will be recalled that on Saturday, Feb 16th, the day of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections, the chairman of INEC, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood stunned the nation by announcing the postponement of the Electoral Exercise.

Watch and listen to the Video HERE

https://politicsngr.com/election-postponement-inec-dissappoint-nigerians-remix-2faces-song/

@POLITICSNGR

PoliticsNGR has been furnished with a leaked tape of APC National Leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu promising to share huge sums of money if President Muhammadu Buhari wins the 2019 General Elections.

Tinubu Could be heard saying in Yoruba;

“For all those who have come to Bourdillon, you know why we are here. We are here for mobilisation. You know what I mean by mobilisation.

So, as registered APC members, you have to go and get your neighbours to come out and vote for the APC. It is after I have seen the favourable results of the elections that I will bring out good money.

Buhari does not have the money that I want to steal and he doesn’t have the money I want to take from him. Also, he does not have the war chest for this presidential election.

Therefore, whatever I’m promising you is for real – and it is coming from my own pocket. It is not until I go to Alausa before I can get money to give you.”

Listen to the Shocking Tape HERE

https://politicsngr.com/breaking-leaked-tape-tinubu-promising-share-huge-money-buhari-wins-listen/

@POLITICSNGR

Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani Kayode was recently Interviewed on the 'Underground', a program organized by top Foreign Television, RT, where he revealed that the Former President of the United States, Barack Obama backed President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 Elections despite several warnings.

FFK revealed that Obama alongside the former president of France, Francois Hollande and the former UK Prime minister, David Cameron all backed Buhari despite warnings. He disclosed that they have all realized their mistakes owing to the President's poor performance over the last 4 years.

The fiery political leader also commented on the recent 'body bag' threat issued by the Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-rufai.

Watch the explosive interview below;

https://politicsngr.com/warned-obama-buhari-fani-kayodes-explosive-interview-rt-underground/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDh09GJditY

@POLITICSNGR

PoliticsNGR has gotten footage from the press conference organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Saturday morning on the 2019 Elections.

At the conference, the Chairman of the electoral body, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu announced the postponement of the 2019 general Elections citing logistics issues.

Watch the footage HERE

https://politicsngr.com/watch-footage-inec-chairmans-announcing-postponement-2019-elections/

@POLITICSNGR

Below is a Transcript of President Muhammadu Buhari's Speech at the Signing of a Second Peace Accord by Presidential Candidates today in Abuja.

Buhari signed a peace accord with the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar to prevent any fallout or crisis after Saturday's elections.

Buhari said;

"Another election is upon us and not unexpectedly, there is anxiety in the air. This is typical of any form of competition and contest, no matter how well prepared all contestants and regulators are. The forthcoming elections are very special and significant for the growth of our Democracy.

First, they come immediately after one of the most peaceful elections in the history of our country. I am not saying this because I was blessed to emerge as the winner. I am saying there had been a lot of fears and anxieties from within and outside Nigeria about the future of the country. We are hopeful that this is evidence that we are all maturing in our disposition towards electoral outcomes. We see this as an opportunity to grow our sense of political culture in Nigeria.

Secondly, we are witnessing an exciting development in the area of the engagement of our Youth and Women in the democratic process. Hitherto, these groups have often not been in the mainstream of our political competition. It is in appreciation of their contribution that we passed the Not Too Young to Run Bill last year. The success of the Act is illustrated by the unprecedented number of young men and women who have stepped forward to participate in this process as Candidates at all levels. Significantly, we have witnessed also the emergence of Women as Candidates across the political space.

Thirdly, these elections are taking place against the backdrop of the emergence of an unprecedented number of Political Parties. As of now, we have 91 Political Parties, out of which over 70 fielded Presidential Candidates. Although some Candidates have dropped out of the race, there is no doubt in our minds that our country is moving forward and that our democracy is expanding and also deepening.

I call on all Nigerians to contribute to the building of a viable polity by more active participation well beyond the mere casting of votes. Elections by themselves do not constitute Democracy. It is the spirit of citizenship engagement that utilizes the energy of citizens towards the attainment of good governance.

We have assembled here to mark the final phase of our campaigns and we are now at the doorstep of our elections. The Campaigns so far have gone well and we thank God for that. For the few incidents in which people lost their lives largely through accidents, we pray that God grants them eternal peace. Now campaigns are over and our next assignment is for us all, citizens and contestants alike, to go out and exercise our civic duties.

We, the Presidential candidates are here to sign and commit ourselves to do all that is possible to ensure the success of the elections but most importantly to accept the final outcome. I appeal to my fellow contestants to commit to these ideals so as to keep our country and people safe. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, our electoral Umpire, has already assured us that they have done everything possible to ensure free and fair elections.

It was to ensure this that I made sure that INEC received all the resources they needed to perform their job. Our Security Agencies have been fully briefed and they know that their visible neutrality is key to the conduct, credibility and success of the elections.

To the Rt. Honourable Patricia Scotland, the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Secretariat, we extend our felicitations and welcome to you. Your presence here and your friendship mean a lot to us as a country. To the Members of the Diplomatic Corps, the International Team of Monitors, again, I say, welcome to Nigeria and thank you very much for standing by us. Your presence helps to validate our process and commitment to growing our Democracy.

I want to thank General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Chairman of the National Peace Committee and all his members for the hard work they have put into ensuring that our Elections are peaceful. Your great work contributed significantly in shaping the 2015 elections and we are sure that the same impact will be felt in these elections.

To all our citizens, I want to thank you. As we go into the elections in few days, please let us pray for our country. Let us use this opportunity to strengthen our beliefs in a united country. Our elections are important only to the extent that they make our country peaceful and prepare us for development.

I am making a special appeal to our young people: Do not allow yourselves to be used to cause violence. Please eschew all forms of violence and cooperate with all the relevant agencies during these elections. We will vote according to Parties, but in the end, the only real Party is Nigeria, our country. Our elections are important only to the extent that they make her strong. Let us do our best and ask God to bless us and our country.

Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

https://politicsngr.com/just-buhari-told-atiku-others-signing-second-peace-accord/

@POLITICSNGR

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari, have arrived at the International Conference Center in Abuja for the second signing of the National Peace Accord.

PoliticsNGR learned that the former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar; Bishop Mathew Kukah, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland among other members of the National Peace Accord Committee were in attendance.

Buhari, Atiku and other presidential aspirants signed the first peace accord in December last year. Photos below;

https://politicsngr.com/breaking-atiku-buhari-arrive-venue-signing-second-peace-accord-photos/

@POLITICSNGR

PoliticsNGR has been furnished with footage from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC educating prospective voters on how to vote on Saturday.

Nigeria's Presidential Elections will be coming up on Saturday. The Electoral body also announced that voters can use any finger to vote as the ballot paper is not finger sensitive.

Watch the footage HERE

https://politicsngr.com/just-inec-releases-video-showing-vote-election-day-must-watch/

@POLITICSNGR

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was recently pictured with members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Lagos.

According to an Eyewitness, Tinubu addressed them as 'Atikulated Nigerians' before he posed with them. PoliticsNGR has pictures.

See below;

https://politicsngr.com/atikulated-nigerians-apc-leader-tinubu-poses-pdp-members-lagos-photos/

@POLITICSNGR

About 4 people were killed today after a Stampede occurred at the APC Presidential Campaign Rally in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to an Eyewitness, Ichenwo Goodluck, the unfortunate incident occurred at the Amiesimaka Stadium today in Port Harcourt.

Watch the Video HERE

https://politicsngr.com/breaking-several-killed-apc-campaign-rally-rivers-photos/

@POLITICSNGR

The Department of State Security Services, DSS has arrested a former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Kaduna State, Yaro Makama.

A spokesperson for the PDP Gubernational Campaign in Kaduna, Lere Yakubu confirmed his arrest to newsmen. He said;

"He was invited by the security agents and released before they (SSS) returned and took him away to Abuja around 2 p.m. this afternoon.

Nobody told us why he was arrested and Yaro Makama is one of our major stakeholders and a former party chairman in this state. No agency has admitted arresting Mr Makama and no reason has been given for his arrest."

https://politicsngr.com/just-trouble-looms-dss-arrests-former-pdp-chairman/

@POLITICSNGR

The Commonwealth Election Observers have landed in Nigeria ahead of the 2019 presidential Elections on Saturday.

The group led by former President of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya Kikwete, on Monday, met with the Independent National Electoral Commission chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and members of the Commission.

The meeting took place at the Commission’s Conference Hall Abuja.

Below are Photographs from the meeting;

https://politicsngr.com/breaking-common-wealth-election-observers-land-nigeria-photos/

@POLITICSNGR

The International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) announce the arrival of its joint international election observation mission to Nigeria. The delegation arrives today to Abuja, Nigeria. The delegation has received accreditation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to observe the February 16 presidential and National Assembly elections.

PoliticsNGR gathered that Former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae, and former President of Latvia, Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, will co-lead the joint NDI/IRI delegation of 40 observers from 20 countries in Africa, Europe and North America. The leadership team also includes former Vice President of The Gambia, Fatoumata Tambajang; former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Johnnie Carson; former U.S. Ambassador to Myanmar and President of NDI, Derek Mitchell; and IRI Vice Chairman, Randy Scheunemann.

“IRI and NDI call on all stakeholders to adhere to the rule of law and peaceful resolution of disputes,” said IRI President Daniel Twining. “We encourage all political actors to engage in an inclusive dialogue and implement initiatives to assure the public and political contestants that, should disputes arise from the upcoming general elections, they will be resolved fairly.”

“The world needs to stand by the Nigerian people through these very important elections. The IRI/NDI delegation is here to demonstrate our continued support for credible elections,” said President Mogae. “The general elections for president and National Assembly represent a critical step in further strengthening the quality of Nigeria’s democracy and this great African nation.”

“Since 2015, a number of steps have been taken to improve the electoral process such as continuous voter registration and guidelines to curb vote buying,” said President Vike-Freiberga. “Our observation mission seeks to provide a comprehensive and impartial analysis of the entire electoral process while showing international support for peaceful, inclusive, transparent, and credible elections.”

The 40 short-term observers will join a core team of thematic experts who arrived in Abuja in early February. The delegation will review all phases of the electoral process taking into consideration observations from the three pre-election assessment missions conducted in July, September, and December 2018.

IRI and NDI have organized more than 200 international election observation missions around the globe, earning a reputation for impartiality and professionalism. The IRI/NDI mission to Nigeria will conduct its activities in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and Code of Conduct adopted by the United Nations in 2005 and will base its findings and recommendations on Nigerian laws and international standards for elections. All activities will be conducted on a strictly nonpartisan basis and without interfering in the election process and in conformity with the laws of Nigeria. The NDI and IRI joint election mission is a demonstration of the international community’s continuing support for democratic processes in Nigeria and is intended to help promote public confidence in the electoral process.

About NDI

Now in its 35th year, the National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. More information on NDI and its work can be found at: www.ndi.org

About IRI

The International Republican Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing freedom and democracy worldwide. IRI enables political parties to become more issue-based and responsive, helps citizens to participate in government planning, and works to increase the role of marginalized groups in the political process. Visit www.iri.org to learn more.

https://politicsngr.com/breaking-2-ex-presidents-30-foreign-election-observers-land-nigeria/

Daviddson:
Instead of you to say you copied this from Sahara Reporters, you're saying 'Presidency sources told Politics ngr'. You're not different from our crooked politicians.

You are a bad human being....why didn't you provide the link?.....idiot!

Daviddson:
Instead of you to say you copied this from Sahara Reporters, you're saying 'Presidency sources told Politics ngr'. You're not different from our crooked politicians.

You are very very sick! In fact seriously crazy for saying that an exclusive story is from sahara reporters.....you are completely mad for this statement

Gbam

@POLITICSNGR

Below is a full transcript of PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar's State of the Nation address in Abuja. PoliticsNGR earlier reported that Atiku was going to make the statement today following the suspension of Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen last week by President Muhammadu Buhari.

"Yet again, our dear country is passing through a difficult moment. How we react to this challenge in the following days will determine the fate of our democracy, which has been brought to great peril by this needless crisis engineered by a government that is unwilling to subject its conducts to the requirements of our constitution.

Meanwhile, I commend all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria who have expressed outrage over the unlawful removal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, an action, which constitutes a flagrant breach of our constitution and a frontal assault on our democracy. I want to note the universal condemnation of this unlawful act by all Nigerians, as well as the international community.

I need to state that this latest action by General Muhammadu Buhari falls squarely within the pattern of executive lawlessness that has now been firmly turned into statecraft by the APC government.

The serial disregard of court orders, and consequent violation of constitutionally guaranteed human rights of our citizens confirms beyond all doubt that General Buhari and his government would rather obey their own whims and operate by separate rules outside the well-established constitutional order and the rule of law. It scarcely requires emphasis that this behaviour is alien to democratic rule and more in line with that of a military dictator.

Without doubt, the fight against corruption is crucial to good governance and the progress of our country. In this context, the issue of corruption as it relates to the institution of the judiciary is even more crucial. As the last refuge of the common man, our judiciary must not only be above suspicion but must also be seen to be manifestly above board. The issue at stake is not whether the Chief Justice is guilty or not, but whether his removal from office has been done in accordance with the process specified in our constitution.

As a democrat, I must say, without equivocation, that no mission or goal, no matter how noble or well intended, should be used as a pretext for the subversion of our democracy and our democratic institutions. To create a condition that allows the constitution and the rule of law to become secondary to any other agenda is to pave the way for tyranny. History is replete with odious dictators whose path to dictatorship started with statements of good intentions. We must therefore remain vigilant in defense of our democracy.

We are all witnesses to how this government has serially assaulted the National Assembly, a separate arm of government that represents the bastion of our democracy. However, with this attack on the judiciary, General Buhari has set a new precedent in our democracy that has no equivalence in our history, not even in the darkest days of military dictatorship. This cannot be allowed to stand.

At this juncture, I must warn the APC government to desist from taking actions that may push us further down the slippery slope towards a major constitutional crisis that could derail the electoral process. General Muhammadu Buhari must remember that he is a beneficiary of a free and fair election. It is therefore a matter of honour for him to allow a political environment and process that gives confidence to everyone.

All my life, I have been a democrat and a defender of democracy. Like all men of good conscience and patriots, I believe this present challenge has imposed on us yet again, the duty to rise in peaceful defense of democracy, for which so many have laid down their lives. I also know that the surest weapon against tyranny is the democratic will of the people. Nigerians have consistently demonstrated their preference for democracy, and I am, and will always remain, on the side of the people of Nigeria.

I conclude by expressing, once again, my gratitude to the international community for standing by our country in this challenging time. However, the primary responsibility to resist tyranny and protect democracy in Nigeria ultimately lies with Nigerians. It is on this note that I call on all Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the coming general elections to vote in defense of democracy and the rule of law.

We must vote out this anti-democratic government and restore our country to the path of true democracy, which is the surest way to ensure progress and prosperity for our people."

https://politicsngr.com/cjn-executive-lawlessness-atiku-state-nation-address-full-transcript/

@POLITICSNGR

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank, has asked the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Adejare Adeboye, to sanction the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, for his silence in the face of injustice in the current administration.

In a statement sent to PoliticsNGR on Monday, Frank said without judging Osinbajo, who is an ordained pastor in the RCCG, the interest of Christian community in the country is threatened, adding that because of political power, Pastor Osinbajo has "suddenly become Galatian for crumbs" therefore keeping quiet amidst injustices in the country.

Reacting to the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari, Frank queried Prof. Osinbajo, who is also a legal luminary to tell the world his position and the role he played in what he described as "illegality."

He said Osinbajo's laud silence is embarrassing to the Christian community who expected him not only to protect their interests but to ensure justices, speaks the truth and ensure that he is an ambassador of Christ in government.

According to him, nobody is asking Osinbajo to defend Christian who have committed an offence but to distinguish himself and always speak the truth to the authority even though he is part of it.

"Pastor Adeboye should know that Osinbajo is misrepresenting the RCCG in government as one of the ordained pastors in the ministry, so he needs to be called to order.

"The word of God says that people rejoice when righteous is in power' but can the same be said of Osinbajo and Buhari today?

"Pastor Osinbajo should respect his faith and not the power that be. Like biblical prophets; Isaiah, Ezekiah and others, Osinbajo should speak the truth and shame the devil because his fear of losing political power seems to have beclouded the Redeemed pastor.

"Disgracefully, at a time the whole world is waiting to hear Osinbajo's opinion on the suspension of CJN, even as a lawyer he has suddenly gone quiet but if it is time to illegally buy votes through sharing of tradermoney in the market, the Redeem pastor will be in the forefront," Frank stated

https://politicsngr.com/cjn-withdraw-osinbajos-pastoral-position-else-timi-frank-adeboye/

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A lady simply identified as Palmer harassed the Gubernatorial Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, AAPC, Babajide Sanwoolu at an event recently.

The lady breached protocol and confronted Sanwoolu asking him a question about Housing. The Governorship Candidate characteristically kept his cool and calmly corrected the lady before proceeding to answer her question.

PoliticsNGR has gotten the Footage.

Watch the Hot video HERE

https://politicsngr.com/lady-harasses-lagos-apc-guber-candidate-babajide-sanwoolu-photos/

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The Nigerian presidency, in a statement sent to PoliticsNGR, has replied the European Union, US and UK on the recent suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Nkanu Onnoghen.

Read the Full Statement, signed by Garba Shehu, below;

"The Presidency notes with interest the coordinated statements of the US, UK and EU linking the suspension of CJN Onnoghen to the conduct of the upcoming elections. We appreciate the concerns voiced by the three statements and accept that the authors of the statements believe they were acting in friendship toward Nigeria with regard to making the statements.

However, we also note that friends, when not properly informed or acting in haste, can indeed make serious mistakes even with the best of intentions. Such is the case here.

The statements by the three seem more driven by unfounded assumptions and to be honest, a certain condescension to this African democracy. This is unfortunate. But this gives us an opportunity to clarify some points in the hope that these three friends reach a deeper understanding of the situation.

The statements by the US, UK and EU speak of their respect for constitutional practice and fair elections. However, the positions they stake tend to contravene rather than strengthen these laudable objectives.

CJN Onnoghen’s situation is one of his own making and, to a large degree, his own choosing.

The CJN was brought before the CCT because of a serious breach of law regarding his assets declaration. This is not a mere technicality like innocently placing a document in a wrong file or mistakenly placing yesterday’s date on a document.

All credible evidence indicates the CJN owned and operated several secret bank accounts. Unexplained large sums of money, exceeding several million dollars have passed through these accounts. Several thousand dollars are currently parked in the accounts. Multiple deposits of equal sums of money were deposited in some of those accounts during the same day. Such rapid and equal deposits are indicative of a person attempting to evade banking reporting laws and regulations.

Thus far, CJN Onnoghen has given no plausible explanation for the funds or for failing to report the subject accounts in his assets declaration despite having ample time and opportunity to explain the omission. Given the amount of money involved and the CJN’s inability to explain the source of the funds, the most plausible explanation at this point is also the most unfortunate explanation. No one did this to CJN Onnoghen. He and he alone is to blame for this turn of events.

Over the years and with great frequency, the authors of the three statements have advised and even chided Nigeria about official corruption. Now we are presented with the sad and unwanted situation where the CJN is discovered to have a vast, unexplained amount of money in his pocket.

Because of this he has been thoroughly discredited. It is untenable that a person in such compromised circumstances would be allowed to preside over the entire judicial system of a great nation. That would travesty the nation and what it stands for.

Had the situation been reversed and the US, UK or any EU member government found that its chief judicial official is the recipient of large sums of money of questionable origin and Nigeria suggested that you retain the person in that position, you would question Nigeria’s bona fides. You also would swiftly move to suspend the official pending final determination of the causes against him.

Not one of your nations would allow a person enmeshed in legal uncertainty to preside over your legal systems until the cloud has been cleared from him. That would incentivize corruption and assault the rule of law.

Thus, the CJN should have and could have helped the process in this regard by recusing himself from the bench until this matter is settled.

Instead, he indefinitely postponed a NJC meeting for no plausible reason except to avoid any consideration of this matter by the NJC.

Again, this calls into question his motives while undermining the normal operations of the judiciary. The CJN cannot be allowed to use his office to shield himself from the normal operation of the law as applied to any other jurist or any other Nigerian for that matter. Such a ruse is effectively an abuse of office. His position is one of utmost public trust; it is not a shield to protect him from the fair consequence of his own actions.

Despite these errors and omissions by the CJN, let us make this very clear, he has not been removed from office. Nor has he been permanently replaced. Those who claim that he has been permanently removed, do so out of imprecision of thought or mischief.

CJN Onnoghen has been suspended pending the final determination of the substantive issues in his matter. The suspension is only temporary. This is only as it should be. He cannot sit as both defendant and umpire in his own matter. No legal system allows for such self-interested adjudication; the US, UK and EU should not now ask us to embrace such an anomaly.

While the three friends seem to give much credence to those who question the constitutionality of the suspension, they seem to give less to those who believe what we did is constitutional and protective of the integrity of the judiciary. Only the three can answer why they have assumed this bias.

Last, the three make a curious direct linkage between the CJN suspension and the elections. However, in Nigerian law there is no such linkage. The CJN does not run the election. Nor is he the first arbiter of any electoral complaints. He and the Supreme Court will only get involved as the final arbiter at the end of the appellate process.

For the authors to link the CJN to the elections in this way is illogical unless they assume that election complaints will be filed and will go all the way to the Supreme Court. Here perhaps they know something about the intentions of certain political actors to which we are not privy.

Yet, even with that, the US , UK and EU should want any such matters to be heard by a Supreme Court led by a CJN without an obvious and outstanding ethical and legal blemish on his ledger. To have such a person preside over any case, would call into question the impartiality of any decision rendered and undermine the rule of law.

This cannot be what these three friends of Nigeria intended. Thus, they should do a bit more research on this matter and refrain from being too hastily attracted by the arguments of those who have partisan agenda at odds with the government’s positions on most matters and who thus hope to use this issue as a new arrow in their quiver of partisan contestations."

https://politicsngr.com/breaking-will-presidency-replies-eu-uk-us-cjns-suspension/

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The Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON recently busted a Fake Red wine and Dry Gin Factory. Although it’s currently unclear which part of the country this occurred, officials of SON alongside the police raided the factory and successfully captured the criminals behind it.

Below is footage gotten by PoliticsNGR from the scene.

Watch HERE

https://politicsngr.com/son-busts-factory-producing-fake-red-wine-dry-gin-photos/

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A footage showing the moment President Muhammadu Buhari announced the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen has emerged.

Watch Video HERE

https://politicsngr.com/watch-moment-president-buhari-announced-cjn-onnoghens-suspension-video/