₦airaland Forum

Bandits have broken into Isa Kaita College of Education in Dutsinma, Katsina State, abducting the children of Dr Isma’il Ado Funtua, deputy provost of the institution.

A source close to Ado Funtua confirmed the incident to Daily Trust.

The source said heavily armed men invaded the campus on Monday night.

“Around 11:30 pm on Monday, four heavily armed terrorists entered the premises of and broke into the residence of the Deputy Provost of the college, Dr Isma’il Ado Funtua, where they abducted three of his children.”

“When they arrived, his gateman was not around. They removed the padlock on the door and entered the house.

“While they were there, the gateman returned and they asked him about his boss and he said he was not around.

“They went into the parlour and met the young men who were reading. They kidnapped the gateman alongside three of the children, Usman, Aminu and Abdullahi, while the fourth young man was able to sneak out,” the source, who pleaded anonymity, said.

The source added, however, that on their way, the kidnappers released the gateman and went away with the man’s children.

This happened 24 hours after bandits attacked a community in Katsina, kidnapping four children of the village head.

Gunmen stormed Sabuwar Kasa village in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State in the early hours of Monday and took away Alhaji Hamza Umar’s children.

Umar, the village head of Sabuwar Kasa, is also the head of Local Government Administration in Funtua Local Government Council of the state.

Police spokesman in Katsina, SP Isah Gambo, could not be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report.

A former information minister during General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida’s regime and later military Administrator of Rivers State, retired Brigadier General Anthony Ukpo is dead.

Brigadier General Anthony Ukpo died Monday morning.

Constitutional lawyer, Leonard Anyogu, secretary of the Ogoja State Creation Committee which was chaired by Ukpo, confirmed the former military administrator’s death.

Last week, two of his elder siblings died.

Anyogu disclosed that Ukpo died early Monday morning in a hospital.

He said that Ukpo died as a result of lingering sickness.

He said, “I can confirm that the former Milad died this morning. He died in a hospital this morning.

“It is very sad. Cross River State has lost an asset.”

Special forces who seized power in Guinea on Sunday, capturing President Alpha Conde, announced a nationwide curfew “until further notice” as well as the replacement of governors by the military.

The junta also said in a statement read out over national television that it would convene Conde’s cabinet ministers and other top officials at 11:00 am (1100 GMT) Monday in the capital Conackry.

The police on Sunday said that they were combing forest to arrest the killers of Olajide Sowore, the younger brother of Sahara Reporters’ Publisher and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore.

The Edo Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kontongs Bello, gave the assurance in Benin while addressing newsmen.

Recall that suspected kidnappers shot dead Sowore in Okada, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, “It has become very necessary for the police to inform the general public that the police are on top of the situation since the incident happened yesterday (Saturday) at about 6:45a.m.

“Bush combing has started yesterday and the Commissioner of Police, Mr Philip Ogbadu, has directed that all the tactical teams and the Divisional Police in Okada join hands in combing the forest.

“The local vigilantes in Okada, the police team from the state headquarters and the divisional police in the area are all together combing the bush to arrest the perpetrators and also rescue five others who are still with the kidnappers.

The statement said Sowore was not one of the occupants of a commercial bus, belonging to a private company, that got spoilt at about 2:00 a.m. and which became the target for the kidnappers.

“Sowore, who was coming from Okada and was going towards Benin, was just a victim whom they tried to stop and he refused and they shot at his car.

“The Commissioner of Police is doing everything possible to ensure that these people are arrested and those kidnapped are rescued,“ the statement said.

The statement said that the kidnappers have yet to establish contacts with the family of their victims.

The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have worsened following a disagreement between the two main gladiators – Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and the suspended National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus – over a peace term proposed by the governor.

The governor, in the peace plan he gave the eight-man reconciliation panel headed by Chief David Mark, insists that Secondus must quit as national chairman; his tenure expires on October 31; he can no longer attend meetings of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), National Executive Council (NEC) Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Caucus henceforth; and should withdraw his case at the Kebbi State High Court which had restored him to his position as PDP chairman.

But the embattled chairman and his backers regard the conditions as “awkward, one-sided and unacceptable.”

Secondus is said to believe strongly that his mandate remains sacrosanct and that his suspension by court from his ward in Rivers State is illegal.

He is also of the firm conviction that no individual is empowered by the PDP Constitution to remove a party officer and that Wike cannot excise him (Secondus) from NEC, NWC other statutory meetings of organs of the party.

While he is willing to withdraw court case, Wike must show concrete commitment to peace by withdrawing the court case against him (Secondus) too.

With both sides unwilling to compromise, party sources hinted last night that it was becoming obvious that the only option left for the aggrieved parties to settle the crisis is litigation.

Elders of the party are however said to be worried that leaving the crisis for the courts to resolve could cost PDP the 2023 elections.

Consequently, the Mark committee may meet with Secondus and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) tomorrow or Tuesday.

The panel is expected to submit its report on or before the meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party on Thursday in Abuja.

The NEC is expected to take a final decision on the crisis in the party.

Read Also; Secondus ‘didn’t pay party dues for four years’
The Nation gathered that Wike gave his terms when he met with David Mark’s committee in Port Harcourt.

According to a source, the governor restated his commitment to peace and stability in the party but declared that Secondus should not be allowed to be part of the meetings of the NWC, NEC, Board of Trustees and National Caucus meetings.

He insisted on October 31 as the date for the National Convention.

He said if the conditions were met, PDP’s problems and cases would be over.

The source said: “The governor listed his terms which he felt will help resolve the PDP crisis and pave the way for a smooth, free and fair national convention.

“After listening to his terms, members of the panel promised to get back to the governor.

“But his options were untenable to Secondus and his backers because they amount to technical removal of the PDP chairman.

“They alleged that Wike has not conceded anything other than lip service commitment to end legal disputes.”

A source in Secondus’ camp dismissed Wilke’s terms as unacceptable.

The source said: “He is desperate to ensure that Secondus does not complete his term in office. And we know he has no genuine case in court. The so-called restraining order is unfortunate; it cannot stand.

“On our part, Secondus is willing to withdraw his case in court but without conditions. Wike has not shown any commitment to peace.

“A few days after Mark panel’s members left him, Secondus was suspended at the Ward level in a kangaroo manner when the PDP constitution is clear on the procedures to follow.

“The reality is that the intervention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria has made Wike’s camp to be jittery. No court will issue an ex parte order again or recklessly.

“Were it not for his respect for the party and elders, Secondus would have preferred to go the whole hog of the legal process. There is no way the suspension can stand. But in politics, one must learn to concede.”

It was gathered that party leaders are worried over the consequences of lingering court cases on the chances of the party in 2023.

“You can see how leaders like ex-Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso are already raising the red flag on how the party is sliding into brinkmanship.

“All our leaders believe that judicial process cannot solve the problem at hand. This was why the Mark committee was set up,” a BOT member said.

It was similarly gathered that Mark panel members will meet with NWC members between Monday and Tuesday.

A source close to the panel said: “NWC members have been put on notice that Mark and his team will have audience with them and Secondus.

“The committee is actually expected to submit its report for NEC consideration. So, as critical stakeholders, the panel opted to seek their inputs too.

“NEC is going to meet on Thursday in Abuja to take a definite position on the crisis in the party.”

Former governor of Kano State, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Friday warned the warring parties in the PDP that their conduct is capable of tearing the party apart.

The PDP chieftain said in a BBC Hausa interview that the party does not need any crisis at this time it is losing members.

“Now the strength of the party has reduced and in the end what will happen is that it will tear us apart,” he said.

“You see, the result will not help us since we do not have a president and we do not have many governors.”

He urged party members to wait and let the chairman end his tenure as he has only one month left. Kwankwaso also advised party leaders to focus on their people and see ways they can help them.

Secondus on Wednesday expressed willingness for an out-of-court resolution of the crisis that led to his suspension from office.

The embattled chairman told the Mark Committee that he was forced to approach the Kebbi High Court for a counter-injunction in response to the one initiated in Rivers State.

Secondus is said to have backed up his claim with Article 59 (3) of the party’s constitution which stipulates that no executive committee, whether at ward, local government, state or zonal level, can remove or sanction any member of the party’s National Executive Council.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has declared Valentine Ozigbo as the validly elected candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Anambra Governorship election slated for November 6, 2021.

A three-man panel of justices led by the President of the Court of Appeal, Honorable Justice Monica Dongban- Mensem, made the declaration on Friday following an appeal filed by Ozigbo.

The court held that the appeal challenging the judgement of the Awka High Court, which barred him from parading himself as the PDP candidate in the coming election, had merit and was, therefore, allowed.

It also set aside the decision of the lower court, declaring it null and void.

The appellate court also awarded the sum of N10 million naira in favor of Ozigbo.

On August 26, 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari announced what was regarded as unprecedented: that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) made a net profit in 2020 for the “first time in its 44-year history”.

Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, in a statement, quoted Buhari, who is also the country’s petroleum minister, as making the claim.

The president boasted that the declaration of profit is consistent with his administration’s commitments to natural resources for maximum value.

“The NNPC losses were reduced from N803 Billion in year 2018 to N1.7 Billion in year 2019 and the eventual declaration of Net Profit in Year 2020 for the first time in its 44-year history,” he said.

“This development is consistent with this administration’s commitment to ensuring prudent management of resources and maximization of value for the Nigerian people from their natural resources.

“I have further directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to timely publish the Audited Financial statements in line with the requirements of the law and as follow up to our commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability by public institutions.

“I congratulate the Board, Management and Staff of the Corporation and look forward to greater value creation for the Nigerian people.”

NNPC’S 44-YEAR FINANCIAL BOOKS
In the last 44 years, the state-owned oil company opened its financial books for the first time last year. It released details of its audited financial accounts for 2018 and 2019.

In 2019, Mele Kyari had pledged to open the financial statement of NNPC to the public in line with financial regulation and his management’s commitment to openness, transparency, and accountability in line with the global EITI principles.

Last year, Kyari-led NNPC also partnered with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) to promote transparency and accountability in the Nigerian oil industry – in three broad areas.

The areas include revenues and payments to the government, contracts governing petroleum exploration, and production and consolidated group-level financial statements.

KYARI: COST-CUTTING, IMPROVED EFFICIENCY YIELDED RESULTS
Mele Kyari, NNPC’s group managing director, attributed the profit to cost-cutting, improved efficiency and lower borrowing rates.

NNPC operates joint production ventures with oil majors and also engages in refining and marketing petroleum products – which has largely been incurring losses.

N287BN PROFIT IS NOT THE FIRST IN NNPC’S HISTORY

The corporation’s 2019 financial statement provided a glimpse into previous trading profit and loss accounts since 2015.

According to the financial report, the group posted a loss of N770.18 billion in 2015 and N119.03 billion in 2016.

In 2017, it, however, made a profit of N111.59 billion. It is uncertain if NNPC had declared previous profits in its years of operations, but the financial books are not in the public domain.

It returned to loss-making, posting N803.14 billion and N1.7 billion losses at the end of 2018 and 2019 financial operations, respectively. Though its financial report for 2021 has not been published, the petroleum minister and NNPC said the company made a profit of N287 billion.

Garba Deen Muhammad, spokesperson of the NNPC, has been contacted for clarification.

VERDICT: From the corporation’s financial reports, it is evident that the claim by Buhari is inaccurate.

A High Court sitting in Asaba yesterday restrained Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State and other members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from acting or parading themselves as the National Caretaker Committee of the party until the determination of a substantive suit before the court.

The court, presided over by Justice Onome Marshal Umukoro, also put on hold, the APC local government congress scheduled for Saturday, September 4, 2021 in Delta State.

APC Deputy Chairman, Olorogun Elvis Ayomanor, leading other officials of the Delta APC, had approached the Court, following the July 10, 2021 controverted Ward Congress, which many members of the party claimed was hijacked by certain elements within the party in the state.

In the ex-parte motion by the Claimants/Applicants, lead counsel, Daubry Ebipade Richard, prayed the court to grant the seven-point reliefs sought, adding that going ahead with the Saturday, September 4, 2021 local government congress in the state, would cause more damage to the persons and interests of his clients.

Principal among the reliefs sought was “An order of interim injunction of this Honourable Court restraining the 2nd to 14th Defendants/Respondents from further acting or parading themselves as the members of the Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the 1st Defendant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed and served in the suit.

“Alternatively, An order of interim injunction of this Honourable Court restraining the 2nd-14th Defendants/Respondents from conducting the Local Government and State Congresses slated for September 4, 2021 or any other date, and other Congresses of the 1st Defendant in Delta State, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice already filed and served.

“An order of interim injunction of this Honourable Court restraining the 2nd to 14th Defendants/Respondents from further acting or parading themselves as the members of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the 1st Defendant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice already filed and served in the suit.”

Lead counsel to the Defendants/Respondents, Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN, had initially challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit but later on sought that certain parties be joined as co-Defendants/Respondents.

However, counsel to the Claimants/Applicants, Richard, guided the defence counsel to the fact that the matter before the court was an ex-parte motion, which does not require parties’ consideration.

In his brief ruling, Justice Umukoro granted seven (7) days order of interim injunction restraining Governor Buni and the CECPC from conducting the local government and state congresses in Delta State scheduled for September 4, 2021 or any other date, and other Congresses of the APC in Delta State, or parading as National Caretaker Committee of the party, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice already filed and served.

Umukoro also granted that Governor Buni and others at the National leadership be served Originating Summons “by means, to wit, by serving same on any officer or staff of the All Progressives Congress, at the All Progressives Congress National Secretariat at No. 40 Blantyre Street, Wuse, Abuja, and deeming such service in the circumstances of this case.”

While also “granting Leave to the Claimants/Applicants to serve the Originating Summons and all other processes in this suit on the 15th Defendants/Respondents by substituted means to wit by serving same on any officer or staff of the Delta State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress at the All Progressives Congress Delta State Secretariat, Asaba, Delta State and deeming such service proper in the circumstances of this case”.

Meanwhile, further hearing on the suit was adjourned till September 7, 2021.

President Buhari receives in audience Gombe State Governor H.E. Inuwa Yahaya in State House on 1st Sep 2021

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, has dragged the Minister Of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator George Akume, to court over the allegations levelled against him by the latter at a press conference held in Abuja on Monday, August 30 2021.

The governor, who made his decision known at the Governmemt House, Màkurdi, on Wednesday, said “I did not want to join issues with the Minister, so I choose the honourable way.”

According to him, “the minister lost his Senatorial ambition in 2019 because of his abysmal performance and now he has gone all out to vent his anger on me by distablising my governmemt, but I am not deterred because this is not the first time. In 2018, he also instigated members of the State Assembly to impeach me and they resisted by impeaching the then speaker. So, we will meet at the court.

“I don’t want to join issues with the Minister but I have to put the records straight for all Nigerians and beyond to know, because all the allegations by the Minister in the said press conference were cheap lies and blackmail, it is just to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it, so let him explain all the allegations at the court.”

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has apparently resolved the weeks-old leadership crisis that had bedevilled the party, ratifying its October 31st national convention date and selecting Abuja as the host city.

Rising from their 92nd meeting at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja on Saturday, the highest decision-making body of the main opposition party also set September 9 for its next meeting to receive nominations for appointments into its national convention planning and zoning committees.

Briefing journalists on the resolutions of the meeting, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, who revealed these also said that the NEC affirmed the indivisibility of the former ruling party.

NEC also asserted that the PDP has more experienced hands in party politics and in governance than the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), noting that if given the chance to rule again, the party would do better than before.

The meeting was presided over by the acting National Chairman of the party, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi as the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, complied with the latest order from Cross River State High Court to stay away from it.

Just before its commencement, Secondus media aide, Ike Abonyi, circulated a statement saying that the erstwhile party boss had permitted Akinwonmi to preside over the meeting.

Abubakar Bello, governor of Niger, says bandits who attack communities in the state come from Zamfara.

Bello disclosed this during an assessment visit to Ma’undu community in Mariga LGA of the state.

Bello, who noted that there are no camps for bandits in Niger, said states need collaboration in order to effectively address banditry.

“In Niger state, we do not have any camp for bandits. Unfortunately, they come from neighbouring states of Zamfara. They come to do their heinous acts and they go back,” he said.

“This situation, to come to a complete closure, will require joint operations in various states. All states, especially the affected ones, have to work together.”

Speaking on attacks in Ma’undu community, he expressed concern over the displacement of residents, adding that four more villages around the area have also been deserted.

He noted that the government is already working on ensuring that residents return to their homes safely.

“This area is very important and is known for agriculture. They are farmers; that is all they do. But this year, most of them have not been on their farms and that is one of the most disturbing situations,” he said.

“I have just directed that now that we have secured this place, we should do whatever we can within the shortest possible time to support the farmers to see how they can again make better use of their farmlands.”

The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kola Ologbondiyan, has announced plans by the party to hold its much-awaited National Executive Council meeting on Saturday.

He said this while speaking to the media on the outcome of its National Working Committee meeting, held in Abuja, on Thursday.

He said, among other things, that, “Elder Yemi Akinwonmi was unanimously affirmed as Acting National Chairman.

“We will be holding our caucus and another NWC meeting tomorrow preparatory to holding our National Executive Council meeting at 12 ‘O’clock on Saturday. “

Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 5.01 percent in the second quarter of 2021 — strongest growth since fourth quarter 2014.

This is according to the second-quarter GDP report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Wednesday.

This also marks three consecutive quarters of growth following the negative growth rates recorded in the second and third quarters of 2020.

“Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 5.01%(year-on-year) in real terms in the second quarter of 2021, marking three consecutive quarters of growth following the negative growth rates recorded in the second and third quarters of 2020,” the report reads.

“The Q2 2021 growth rate was higher than the -6.10% growth rate recorded in Q2 2020 and the 0.51% recorded in Q1 2021 year on year, indicating the return of business and economic activity near levels seen prior to the nationwide implementation of COVID-19 related restrictions.

“The steady recovery observed since the end of 2020, with the gradual return of commercial activity as well as local and international travel, accounted for the significant increase in growth performance relative to the second quarter of 2020 when nationwide restrictions took effect.”

Year to date, real GDP grew 2.70% in 2021 compared to -2.18% for the first half of 2020. Nevertheless, quarter on
quarter, real GDP grew at -0.79% in Q2 2021 compared to Q1 2021, reflecting slightly slower economic activity than the preceding quarter due largely to seasonality.

In the second quarter of 2021, average daily oil production stood at 1.61 million barrels per day (mbpd), which is -0.19mbpd lower than the average daily production of 1.81mbpd recorded in the same quarter of 2020 and -0.10mbpd lower than the 1.72mbpd recorded in the first quarter of 2021.

Real growth of the oil sector was –12.65% (year-on-year) in Q2 2021 indicating a decrease of –6.02% points relative to the growth rate recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2020.

Meanwhile, performance in the non-oil sector grew by 6.74% in real terms during the reference quarter (Q2 2021). The Q2 2021 growth rate was higher by 12.80% points compared to the rate recorded in the same quarter of 2020 and 5.95% points higher than the first quarter of 2021.

During the quarter, the non-oil sector was driven mainly by growth in Trade, Information and Communication (Telecommunication), Transportation (Road Transport), Electricity, Agriculture (Crop Production) and Manufacturing (Food, Beverage & Tobacco), reflecting the easing of movement, business and economic activity across the country relative to the same period a year earlier.

On an official visit to President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), I had fruitful discussion with His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, boardering on the more prospects for our dear State, Imo.

We shall continue to synergize our networks for better services to the people.

- Hope Uzodimma

Sunday Abiodun Olukoya, retired Rear Admiral and former Military Governor of Ondo State is dead.

Olukoya gave up the ghost on Tuesday after battling with an illness.

Before Ondo and Ekiti were split, Olukoya was the Governor of the combined States between 1989 and 1992.

He was Ondo helmsman from September 1990 to January 1992 during the General Ibrahim Babangida regime.

Olukoya succeeded Retired Commodore Olabode George and handed over to Chief Bamidele Olomilua.

The family will announce funeral arrangements.

Olukoya died hours after Olabiyi Durojaiye, former Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) died.

Durojaiye was the Senator for Ogun East from 1999 to 2003 on the Alliance for Democracy (AD) platform.

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has gone ahead with its meeting.

The NWC has also fixed the National Executive Committee meeting of the party for Friday this week.

The Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party, Yemi Akinwonmi, had announced the postponement of the NWC meeting earlier scheduled for today “until further notice to allow for broader consultations in the overall interest of our party.”

He had announced a takeover of the reins of the party following a restraining order on the National Chairman, Uche Secondus.

However, Nine members of the National Working Committee of the party under the leadership of the Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Suleiman Nazif, in defiance of an earlier announcement by Akinwonmi, held a meeting and announced that an emergency National Executive Committee meeting of the party would hold on Friday.

The National Coordinator of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Youth Frontier, Comrade Austin Okai, has reacted to the court ruling that sacked Uche Secondus as National Chairman of the PDP.

Okai counselled Secondus to cease from parading himself as the National Chairman of PDP and stay away from the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

He spoke following an order from the Port Harcourt Division of a State High Court that restrained Secondus from exercising the functions of the National Chairman of the PDP.

In a statement he signed, the PDP Youth leader said the party would not disobey court orders.

According to Okai: “It is in the interest of Prince Uche Secondus to understand that the judgement of the court is binding on everyone except a superior court upturns it.

“Therefore, he must, in his own interest, stay away from the party’s national secretariat and desist from parading himself as the National Chairman in line with the court order.

“As a party of law and order that believes strongly in the rule of law, PDP will not encourage disobedience to the order of the State High Court and Secondus must understand this.”

The Caretaker Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Rasaq Salinsile and former Chairman of the party, Adelowo Adebiyi and five others have been arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court.

Other five persons who were also arraigned; former Commissioner for Works and Transports, Kazeem Salami, former Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Special Needs, Com. Biyi Odunlade, former Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Hon Idowu Korede, one Alaba Popoola and Azeez Adekunle.

The suspects are leaders of a caucus group in the Osun chapter of the APC.

The defendants were charged for assault occasioning harm and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 and 355 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. Il laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.

According to the charge sheet, the defendants were on August 14, at about 1:30 pm at Ogo Oluwa, Osogbo allegedly assaulted one Hamzat Lukman Babatunde by hitting him with stones on his head.

The stalwarts of APC were also charged for allegedly assaulting another person, Ajetumobi Muldeen by hitting him with parts of broken plastic chairs on his head, which caused him harm

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge labelled against them.

The defence counsels, N. A Adediran and Abdulfatai Abdulsalam sought their bail.

Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara admitted the bail of the first two defendants with the sum of 5 million and one surety who must be a civil servant while the 3rd to 7th defendants were admitted to bail in the sum of N5 million and self-recognition.

The case was adjourned till September 24 for mention.

SUPPORTERS of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, under the aegis of Tinubu Support Group, have taken a swipe at the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, for asking Tinubu to drop his 2023 presidential ambition.

Irked by Bello’s suggestion, the TSG said Bello’s poor performance as governor was a betrayal of the Not-too-Young-to-Run campaign.

This was contained in a statement titled, ‘Your failure in governance has betrayed the Not-too-young-to-Run Campaign-TSG replies Yahaya Bello,’ which was signed by the Director- General of the TSG, Umar Ibrahim, in Abuja, on Sunday.

The TSG said, “All Nigerians can attest to the fact that Governor Bello of Kogi State is a disgrace to the Not-too-Young-to-Run campaign.

“How do we commit a great nation such as Nigeria to a so-called youthful governor who was given an opportunity to lead his state and he messed things up?

“It is on record that you, governor Bello, remain the governor with the highest number of months of unpaid salaries, and nonperformance despite the huge sums of both internal and federally-generated revenues.

“We advise that you channel all your efforts into begging and praying for forgiveness for all the sufferings you have inflicted on the good people of Kogi state rather than eyeing the presidency.”

The group insisted that Tinubu remained the most qualified and competent candidate to succeed Buhari.

As the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares for its national convention later in the year, following the nod received from the governors of the ruling party, many aspirants have intensified their lobby to succeed the Chairman of the National Caretaker and Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee of the party, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, THISDAY has learnt.

Prominent among the APC chairmanship aspirants are a two-term governor of Zamfara State, Mr. Abdulaziz Yari; two-term Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura; another two-term governor of the state, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; former Governor of Benue State and Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume; a former Governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff; and another former Governor of the state, Senator Kashim Shettima.

A former governorship aspirant in Kwara State, Mr. Salihu Mustapha, is also in the race and is the youngest aspirant, while speculations are rife that a former Governor of Gombe State and senator representing Gombe Central senatorial zone, Senator Danjuma Goje, is also in the race to succeed Buni.

Despite the Supreme Court’s judgment on the Ondo State governorship election, which put a question mark on Buni’s dual role as governor and chairman of the ruling party, coupled with multiple litigations challenging his position, APC governors had given the Buni-led committee a go-ahead to organise the party’s local government and state congresses, as well as national convention.

The latest in the gale of litigations challenging Buni’s chairmanship of the APC was filed last week by Mr. Samuel Irabor on behalf of 100 members of the party, urging the Federal High Court in Abuja to dissolve the Buni-led 13-member caretaker committee of the APC.

The plaintiffs argued that the committee falls short of the statutorily required 24 members that must be spread across not less than two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

In the suit marked, FHC/ABJ/CS/938/2021, the plaintiffs also told the court that the chairmanship of the caretaker committee by a sitting governor holding dual executive offices is prohibited by Section 183 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 17(4) of the APC Constitution.

It is also the contention of the plaintiffs that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, lacked the legal backing to administer Oath of Office to Buni as caretaker chairman of the party.

However, despite all the suits challenging the legality of the Yobe State governor’s appointment as the chairman of his party, the APC governors had thrown their weight behind the Buni-led committee to organise the national convention.

Though the ruling party had on many occasions clarified that it had not zoned the presidency and other offices ahead of the 2023 general election, all the aspirants for the party’s chairmanship position are from the North.

This has rekindled the hope for the emergence of the party’s presidential candidate from the southern part of the country.

Yari, a two-time Governor of Zamfara State, had indicated his interest to run for the office of the National Chairman of the APC.

He had after the completion of his two-term in office as governor in 2019, decided to retire to the Senate Chamber of the National Assembly like most governors do by contesting a senatorial seat.

However, the Supreme Court judgment which nullified all the elections won by the APC in the state truncated his ambition to retire to the red chamber.

Yari is believed to be highly competent and experienced with wide contacts as a former governor and former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

However, his alleged high-handedness in the running of affairs of the APC, while he held sway as the governor of Zamfara State, which ultimately led to the loss of the state to the opposition Peoples Democratic (PDP) is said to be working against his ambition to lead the ruling party.

Similarly, the emerging political supremacy battle in the state, where he has locked horns with the newly defected governor Bello Matawale is going to be a major setback in his bid to lead the party at the national level.

APC members have also cited Yari’s alleged consistent intransigence to the resolutions of the Buni-led Caretaker Committee on the leadership of the party in Zamfara State as his albatross.

Also, his case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged mismanagement of public funds running into billions of Naira, has become a sort of a moral burden on his neck.

Al-Makura is another political heavyweight in the race for the position of the National Chairman of APC.

He enjoys the advantage of being a former Governor of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) extraction and a serving Senator.

Sources within the ruling party said Al-Makura is one of the aspirants to watch due to the strong support he enjoys from the governor of his home state, Mr. Abdullahi Sule, who had publicly declared support for him.

However, his recent invitation by the EFCC over alleged mismanagement of multi-billion naira while he held sway as the Governor of Nasarawa State is an obstacle that could ruin his ambition.

Party sources said if the damning evidence presented against him by the petitioners from his home state is anything to go by, then the former governor may as well bid his ambition farewell as it is unlikely that the APC and especially President Muhammadu Buhari would accept anything short of a clean slate from the party’s chairman.

Another former governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, representing Nasarawa West senatorial district is also in the race.

Adamu is also a very competent and experienced politician and first civilian governor of the state.

A former minister and secretary of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu is as influential as any politician could aspire to be, and has been on the corridors of power for decades.

However, sources in the APC said his old age is counting against him.

Adamu also has to deal with the opposition at the home front as the governor of the state, Sule has thrown his weight publicly behind Al-Makura, Adamu’s fiercest political rival in the state.

Another aspirant for the office of the Chairman of APC, Sheriff is an experienced political heavyweight and fighter, who led the PDP during its crisis.

Sheriff was elected as a Senator in 1999 on the platform of the All Peoples Party (APP).

In 2003, he defeated the sitting governor, Mala Kachalla, at the party primaries, and won the election on the platform of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). It was the APP that changed its name to ANPP.

Sheriff was re-elected as governor in 2007.

He is a founding member of the APC but he defected to the PDP in 2014.

He later became the national chairman of the PDP after the party lost the 2015 elections. His leadership was however marred by crisis and the party became factionalised.

The Supreme Court later declared the other factional leader and former Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Ahmed Makarfi, as the authentic chairman of the PDP. In April 2018, Sheriff returned to the APC.

No doubt, the former governor of Borno State is a crafty and dogged politician with a very deep pocket to prosecute any political ambition.

However, committed APC chieftains are said to be uncomfortable with the alleged ‘spoiler’ role he played in the PDP and his inconsistency, which makes him switch political parties at will.

He was also alleged to have sponsored the terrorist group, Boko Haram Islamic sect, an allegation he had dismissed as “rubbish”.

Shettima is another two-term Governor of Borno State and former Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum.

These positions he had held may count in his favour as he contests for the chairmanship of the ruling party.

His cordial relationship with the governor of his home state, Prof. Babagana Zulum, is also an added advantage to his efforts to realise his ambition to lead the APC.

However, whatever achievements he recorded as Borno State governor were blighted by the Boko Haram terrorists.

Mustapha is not only the youngest of the contenders but one of the two in the race who is neither an incumbent nor a former governor or Senator.

Nevertheless, the Kwara-born businessman brings to the table a robust experience in party administration that spanned decades.

He also has a vast political network within the progressive fold.

He is also a well-known long-term political ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, starting from his days in the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to the days of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), where he served as a Deputy National Chairman under the Tony Momoh-led NWC of the party between 2011 and 2013.

Mustapha also has grassroots influence in his home state and a rich network of friends across the country.

Mustapha is said to be running a campaign that appeals to both the young and the old members of the party.

Codenamed B.R.I.D.G.E.S, Mustapha’s campaign seeks a return to the party’s founding ideals of progressivism and internal democracy.

However, he has never held a top political position like governor or member of the National Assembly and this may count against him.

A former governor of Benue State under the platform of the PDP, Akume is also said to be in the race.

Akume, a two-term governor was re-elected Senator for Benue North-West in the April 2011 elections, on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Since he lost the senatorial seat to Senator Emmanuel Yisa Order-Jev of the PDP in the 2019 general election, his political fortunes at the home front have nosedived considerably and this led to a total loss of control of the state by the APC.

But his experience as a two-term governor, and his current position as a serving minister in President Buhari’s cabinet, will boost his chances.

However, APC sources have described him as being ‘docile’ and ‘laid back’ in his campaign for the party’s chairmanship.

Goje is also said to be in the APC chairmanship race but his alleged ambition has remained in the realm of speculation.

The former Gombe State governor and Senator representing Gombe Central had after his victory in the 2019 general election, formally declared that he would not seek any political office again.

Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has faulted Nigerian politicians for hiring private jets to attend the wedding of President Muhammed Buhari’s son, Yusuf Buhari on Friday, while hundreds of school children are languishing in kidnappers den.

Recall that, Yusuf Buhari married Zarah Bayero, the daughter of the Emir of Bichi, Nasiru Bayero in a grand ceremony held in Bichi, Kano.

The event was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, serving and former governors, traditional rulers, as well as prominent personalities from within and outside the country.

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi during a preaching programme at Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna said Nigerian politicians hired private jets to attend the president’s son’s wedding, but forgot hundreds of innocent souls languishing in kidnappers’ den across the country.

He said “some people are in captivity in bushes dying silently as kidnappers are holding unto them until ransom is paid. Others are suffering from hunger, as it’s everywhere. People are facing all manner of problems, yet politicians spend public funds on private jets.”

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi then asked, “When Prophet Mohammed married off his daughter, who came from Mecca or Yemen? In the entire Medina no righteous persons to oversee the solemnisation?

He said “some politicians are spending money to hire jets to go to a wedding while criminals are holding people to ransom in the bush. The criminals (bandits) are milking the people.

“Some people have never earned N1 million in their life, but bandits would demand N10 million. Many people have sold their houses, farms, everything and paid bandits for ransom, yet, some are not lucky to have their loved ones released unto them.

The cleric decried how politicians corrupted the clergy, saying religious leaders have become subservient to politicians.

“Some religious leaders cannot survive without behaving in a servile manner towards politicians. Politicians have spoilt the clerics. Atrocities are committed in the country but no one can speak up.

“People think only those in the bush (bandits) milk us dry, no! Even our leaders milk us dry. Where did they get the money to hire all these jets?

“In one of the states, some pictures of a dilapidated hospital were sent to me. The roof was blown off and a patient was lying on the bed. That governor is in Kano to attend a wedding.

“How many schools were rehabilitated? The money that should be used to cater for the people is the one they hire private jets to junket around. Are you not also a bandit?

“We vent our anger against ourselves, other tribes. People are left killing themselves because of poor leadership,” Gumi added.

August 20, 2021

Press Statement

You are already a failure, PDP Mocks Buhari…Says Lame Attempt At Damage Control Can’t Help APC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told President Muhammadu Buhari that he is already a failure in governance and will leave a failure, adding that his attempt at political damage control cannot help his fizzling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP describes the statement by President Buhari that he will not leave office as a failure as “medicine after death” noting that as long as he is a product of the corrupt, inept, directionless and anti-people APC, he will leave as a failed leader.

The party asserts that President Buhari’s veiled admission of failure, which smacks as a tactic to exonerate the APC, is an exercise in futility as the APC, which now only exists on paper, will soon fizzle from our political firmament, having shown itself as perverted platform that cannot be entrusted with governance at any level in our country.

President Buhari and his APC have failed in their three-pronged promises of security, anti-corruption and economic development.

They have instead wrecked all sectors of our nation life with no hope in sight.

What explanation can the Buhari Presidency and the APC offer for failing to decisively tackle terrorists, insurgents and bandits, who are daily ravaging our communities, killing and maiming our compatriots in various states across the country, despite the huge resources at their disposal?

How do President Buhari and APC leaders sleep at night when they know that due to their incompetence and compromises, hundreds of Nigerians, including school children are languishing in kidnappers’ den at the mercies of their assailants and the elements?

President Buhari has so failed as a Commander-in-Chief that non-state actors have taken over, with regions now resorting to their own security outfits while state governors, including his home, Katsina state governor, Aminu Bello Masari, telling helpless victims of terror attacks to defend themselves.

On the economy front, President Buhari has only succeeded in ruining the once robust economy handed over to him by the PDP administration in 2015 and turned Nigeria into the poverty capital of the world, where over 82.9 million once thriving Nigerians can no longer afford their daily meals and other necessities of life.

Moreover, the Buhari Presidency cannot point to any landmark project it conceptualized, started and completed in the last six years.

All it can boast of is the mortgaging of the future of our nation with accumulated N33.107 trillion debt with nothing to show and no clear repayment plan.

More atrocious is that Mr. President is seeking to borrow additional N5.62 trillion, when he knows that he has less than two years in office.

Rather than fighting corruption, the APC-led Buhari administration has become the citadel of corruption where over N15 trillion naira have reportedly been stolen by APC leaders from various agencies under the cover of government.

Nigerians can recall how the PDP recently held a strategic meeting where suggestions on how to entrench unity, reduce tension, fight insurgency, curb corruption and restore our nation to the path of economic progress, were placed at the behest of Mr. President and how he failed to listen to the voice of reason.

What is expected of Mr. President and the APC at this point is for them to end their media orchestrations, apologize for their failure and allow Nigerians to chart a fresh course as they rally with the PDP to salvage our dear nation.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

One hundred chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have instituted a legal action at the Federal High Court Abuja, wherein they are seeking dissolution of the 13-member Caretaker Committee of the party.

The plaintiffs, in the suit, are equally praying the court for an order invalidating all actions taken by the committee led by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state.

In an Originating Summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/938/2021, as well as a Motion for Interlocutory Injunction filed by their lawyer, Mr Samuel E. Irabor, the Plaintiffs are seeking dissolution and nullification of all the actions of the APC Caretaker Committee on the following grounds:

“That the 13-member Caretaker Committee falls short of the constitutionally required 24 members spread across not less than two-thirds of the 36 States and the FCT for any governing body of a political party, whether substantive or acting, as stipulated under Section 223(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as altered).

“That the headship of the Caretaker Committee by a sitting Governor holding dual executive offices is prohibited by Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 17(4) of the APC Constitution, 2014 (as amended)

“That by Article 13(4)(xvi) of the APC Constitution, 2014 (as amended) only the National Working Committee rather than the NEC of the party can constitute a Caretaker Committee in whatever form, nature or guise.

“That the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, who administered the oath of office on Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State as purported Caretaker Chairman lacks the powers to do so under any provision of the APC Constitution, 2014 (as amended) as he is neither a member of the National Working Committee nor even a member of the NEC of the APC.

“Respondents in the suit are APC, the Caretaker Committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, the INEC and others.

The row over status of the Caretaker /Extraordinary Convention (CECPC) of All Progressives Congress (APC) deepened yesterday.

This followed a request by a chieftain, Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, to declare the committee illegal.

Bolarinwa, who was removed from office by CECPC as chairman of the party in Kwara State, alleged that it was wrong for the CECPC Chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni, and his counterparts from Niger and Osun states to preside over affairs of APC.

He said as serving governors, they have allegedly violated sections 183 and 223 of the 1999 Constitution (As amended).

He asked the court to determine whether or not the appointment of an executive director in Nigeria Export and Import (NEXIM) bank and a senior special assistant to the President on National Social Investment Programmes into CECPC was legal.

Bolarinwa said the appointment of the two officers was not legal, judging by Article 17(IV) of the APC Constitution and Section 223 of the 1999 Constitution (As amended).

He urged the court to determine whether the appointment of the 2nd-and 14th defendants; chairman and members of CECPC; was not legal without ratification of the Board of Trustees of the 1st defendant, having regards to Article 18 (II) of the APC Constitution.

He said the court should take a position on the legality of the decision of the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) on 8th December 2020 to extend the CECPC tenure.

Those joined in the suit are APC(1st defendant); the Chairman of CECPC, Mai Mala Buni (2nd defendant); John Akpanudodehe (3rd defendant); Abubakar Bello (4th defendant); Governor Isiaka Oyetola (5th defendant); Stella Okotete(6th defendant); Prof. Tahir Mamman (7th defendant) and Sen. Ken Nanmani(8th defendant).

Others are Sen. Abubakar Yusuf (9th defendant); Akinremi Olaide (10th defendant); Dr. James Lalu (11th defendant); Chief David Lyon (12th defendant); Sen. Abba Ali (13th defendant); Ismaeel Buba Ahmed (14th defendant) and the Acting Chairman of APC Caretaker Committee in Kwara State, Abdullahi Samari.

TWO former governors of Abia State who are currently members of the Senate have been confronted by their constituents over their role in rejecting a provision for electronic transmission of election results in proposed amendments to the Electoral Act passed by the Senate.
The constituents, under the aegis of Abia League of Professional Initiatives (ALPI), have queried the two former governors – Orji Uzor Kalu and Theodore Orji.

The Senate on July 15 passed the Electoral Act amendment bill with a controversial Section 52(3), which stated that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), with the approval of the National Assembly, would determine whether the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could transmit results electronically or not.

Initially, Section 52(3), in the report submitted by the Senate Committee on INEC, had read: “The commission (INEC) may transmit results of elections by electronic means where and when practicable.”

But after 52 senators – comprising 50 from the APC and two from the PDP – voted to give NCC and the National Assembly the powers to determine whether INEC can transmit election results electronically, Section 52(3) in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill passed by the Senate read: “INEC may consider electronic collation of results provided the national network coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secured by the Nigerian Communications Commission and approved by the National Assembly.”

Two former Abia State governors – Orji Uzor Kalu and Theodore Orji – are currently serving as senators. Both men played significant roles in the outcome of the vote conducted by the Senate to decide on the inclusion of electronic transmission in the Electoral Act.

Former Abia State governor Orji Uzor Kalu claimed he voted against electronic transmission because there was no network in his hometown.

Kalu, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and currently the Senate Chief Whip, was governor of Abia State from 1999 to 2007. He represents Abia North in the Senate.

Like other APC senators, Kalu voted against electronic transmission on July 15.

When it was his turn to vote, the former governor claimed that there was no mobile telecommunications network in his hometown, Igbere, a suburban town in Abia State.

“Because there is no network coverage in my village, I vote NO,” Kalu said as he cast his vote against the transmission of election results by electronic means.

After his tenure as Abia State governor, Kalu’s successor, Theodore Orji, also made his way to the Senate. Orji, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who represents Abia Central in the Senate, was governor of Abia State from 2007 to 2015.

Orji was among a cast of high profile PDP senators who were absent when the Senate voted to decide on the inclusion of electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act.

The absence of the PDP senators helped undermine the wishes of many Nigerians who are demanding the inclusion of a provision for electronic transmission of election results in the country’s Electoral Act.

* Query letters issued to former Governors

The constituents, through the Abia League of Professional Initiatives (ALPI), issued query letters to the former governors turned senators.

Kalu was asked to explain why he voted against electronic transmission while Orji was asked to state why he was absent from the Senate on a day a crucial decision that would affect his constituents was to be taken.

The ALPI said the two senators failed to represent the interests of their constituents who voted them into the Senate.

“We are particularly dismayed that media reports indicate that you were absent from the Senate Chambers when this crucial vote was called. We consider your absence to be an egregious shirking of your responsibility and a dereliction of your duties as the representative of the people of Abia Central Senatorial Zone, whose voices were effectively silenced by your absence” parts of the query letter addressed to Orji read.

Former Abia State governor Theodore Orji was among PDP senators that were absent during voting on electronic transmission.

Reacting to the development, Orji’s supporters described the Abia League of Professionals Initiatives as a ‘faceless’ group, adding that the former governor was absent from the Senate on the day of the voting because he was commissioning some projects in his constituency.

But speaking in an interview on Arise News Television on August 18, Convener and National Coordinator of the Abia League of Professionals Initiatives Sonny Iroche insisted that the two Abia State former governors failed to represent the interests of their constituents by the actions they took concerning electronic transmission of results.

“Senator Theodore Orji, through a proxy, said we are a faceless group. We are not faceless. We have over 200 eminent professionals drawn from various sectors. Abia League of Professionals Initiatives is a registered NGO concerned with the good governance and prosperity of the people of Abia State. The senator is our staff; we employed him through our votes to represent us in the Senate,” Iroche said.

He added that the ALPI has prominent personalities such as former military administrator Ike Nwachukwu, former chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Onyema Ugochukwu, and former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) Anya O. Anya, amongst several others.

* Orji Uzor Kalu lied in claiming there’s no network in his hometown

Iroche added that Kalu’s claim that there was no telecommunications network coverage in his hometown, Igbere, was false.

“Orji Uzor Kalu is not the only person from Igbere. We have many of our members from there, and we know they have a network. Orji Uzor Kalu uses his phone in his hometown; he does online banking from his village,” Iroche said while picking holes in the reasons advanced by the former governor for his refusal to vote in support of electronic transmission.

Igbere, described by Wikipedia as a suburban town in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, is located 66 miles from Aba, the commercial city of Abia State and about 50 kilometres from Umuahia the state capital.

Kalu had returned to the Senate after his conviction on corruption charges, for which he was already serving a prison term, was nullified by the Supreme Court on technical grounds.

In an unexpected judgment, the apex ruled that the trial judge that found him guilty had been elevated to the Court of Appeal and should not have ruled on the matter.

The EFCC had said it intends to reopen the corruption case against the former governor.

However, despite the corruption allegations hanging on Kalu’s neck, a former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida recently reportedly named Kalu as a possible Nigerian president successor of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

“So we can have the likes of Orji Uzor Kalu, who is interested in running the country, and why not?” In a documentary aired on Africa Independent Television, Babangida, who has been speaking on national issues in recent times, including voicing his opinion on the type of president he believes Nigeria needs.

* National Assembly members should be paid per-sitting

Meanwhile, Convener and National Coordinator of the Abia League of Professionals Initiatives Iroche, in the interview on Arise News Television, said the remuneration of members of the National Assembly should be based on sittings they attended to forestall a situation whereby lawmakers stay away when crucial decisions that affect their constituents are being taken.

Iroche said, “Nigerians should demand that the pay of our senators and members of the House of Representatives should be like a sitting fee. If you do not sit in the chambers on any given day, you will not be paid for that day. It should be pay-as-you-serve; that way, Theodore Orji’s supporters will not tell the people of Abia State that he (Orji) was busy commissioning a project somewhere when such a vital issue like voting on electronic transmission of election results was going on in the National Assembly.”

Iroche also faulted the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for, according to him, siding with the Senate against electronic transmission of election results, despite the fact that telecommunications operators in the country and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had insisted that Nigeria has the capacity to transmit election results through electronic means.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says the online media report that he “sneaked out of Nigeria to meet with Twitter executive’’ in the U.S. is fake.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Washington on Wednesday, the minister said his official visit to the U.S. has nothing to do with the microblogging and social networking platform.

Mohammed said he was in the U.S. to meet with international media organisations and think tanks on the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and efforts made so far in tackling insurgency, banditry and all forms of criminality.

He said the online report was an example of the danger fake news and unregulated social media portend for the country.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has fixed Saturday, September 4, 2021 for its local government congress.

A terse statement by the Secretary of the party’s Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) Senator John James Akpanudoedehe on Wednesday in Abuja indicated the sale of forms for the congress has since begun.

Governor Dave Umahi has threatened to fire workers in the state civil service who are complying with the sit-at-home directive of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB).

Mr Umahi who issued the threat on Monday in Abakaliki also warned traders to desist from complying with the order of the seccessionist group or similar fate will befall them.

He said the economy of the zone would be destroyed should residents adhere to the sit-at-home exercise.

Despite suspending the exercise, most roads and markets in the South-East were under lock and keys in compliance with the civil action the group resorted to aimed at pressurizing the federal government to unconditionally release its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

“I have therefore directed that any civil servant who is absent from work is automatically sacked and those absent in any of our construction sites would also be sacked,” Mr Umahi ordered. “Any shop or stall in Ebonyi that is not open for business will lose its right of occupancy and I want this directive to be widely publicised.”

The governor also condemned IPOB for the incessant killings and beheadings ongoing in the geo-political zone despite denial of involvement from the group.

“No one can wage war in the South-east. Our people, especially the youths should rise and condemn such acts,” he urged. “There is nothing like unknown gunmen as those killing and the ones being killed are citizens of the zone.”

DANGEROUS AND DESPERATE SCENES AT KABUL AIRPORT.
This is why we must stand by our nation, jealously.

Afghanistan has a population of Only about 38 million and Nigeria has close to 200 million people. Let's guard our utterances.

God bless Nigeria.
Lauretta Onochie.
@Laurestar.