₦airaland Forum

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Saturday took opposition All Progressives Congress, APC to the cleaners after the Congo vs Nigeria football encounter.

The fans of the home team went unruly after the Super Eagles found the back of the net the second time.

Soon after substitute, Aaron Samuel curled a left-footed effort beyond Congo’s goalie, Chancel Massa in the final minutes of the match, the fans cursed and threw missiles onto the pitch.

Although the incident forced the game to a halt, play resumed some seven minutes later.

Using the angry reaction of the Congolese football lovers as reference, the ruling party mocked their attitude on social site Facebook, describing them as APC members.

The official, who posted the attack on the party’s page, ‘Official Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Nigeria’, added the following text: “DO WE HAVE APC IN CONGO? THE BEHAVIOUR OF THESE CONGOLESE FANS AND PLAYERS TIRE ME ooooooh!”

http://www.newsday.com.ng/congo-vs-nigeria-pdp-takes-jab-at-home-fans-calls-them-apc-members/

The cold war between Bayelsa State governor, Hon Seriake Dickson and the family of President Goodluck Jonathan appears to have deepened as the battle for tickets of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state takes a new twist.

Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, who is also a close ally of the governor, Hon Benson Konbowei has cautioned the president against interfering in the choice of senatorial candidates for the party in the state.

“Mr President is from the east senatorial district and we are talking about the central senatorial district. We are talking about a senator representing central senatorial district, so the president should have nothing to do with the issue. As far as the decision is concerned, it should come from us,” the Speaker said.

Hon Konbowei’s position comes on the heels of reports that President Jonathan, as part of the deal reached with the leadership of the senate, has insisted on the return of Senator Emmanuel Paulker (Bayelsa central) in 2015.

The president/senators’ deal was to the effect that two senators per state would be given automatic tickets. Senators Paulker and Heineken Lokpobiri are touted to be favoured by the agreement as it affects Bayelsa.

This, however, does not go down well with Governor Dickson, who is insisting on the replacement of all the three senators, the five House of Representatives members as well as 22 out of the 26 member state assembly.

Hon Konbowei said : “We only gave him (Senator Paulker) a second chance and when the second chance was given to him he acted the same way, so why should we give him a third chance?

“The president doesn’t have to go to our constituencies, so we take all his messages back to the people. We take all the messages of Paulker to the people.”
http://www.newsday.com.ng/jonathan-dicksons-cold-war-deepens/

Security detail attached to the vice-president, Namadi Sambo on Friday attacked some journalists who were on their way to cover the presentation of the nomination forms to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal

The journalists in a nine-car convoy were attacked around Aso Drive Junction (close to the Three Arm Zone) as the Vice President made his way back to the Presidential Villa after the Friday Jumat prayer at the National Mosque.

Trouble started when a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Buba K, ordered the arrest of one of the journalists, Mr.Emman Ovuakporie (a Senior Correspondent with Vanguard Newspaper) over allegations that he beat a security cordon mounted by the vice president’s security detail.

Explanations by the Vanguard journalist that one of the mobile policemen attached to Sambo’s security convoy allowed his vehicle pass through the barrier fell on deaf ears as the DSP insisted on arresting the journalist and impounding his vehicle.

A brawl followed at the scene after other journalists protested the arrest.

Further explanations that the team of journalists were on official assignment to cover the presentation of the presidential nomination forms to Tambuwal further enraged the security detail.

The face-off between the presidency and the House Speaker is well reported. Recently, the security detail attached to Tambuwal were withdrawn after the Speaker defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In an attempt to disperse the protesting journalists who had begun to cause a scene, a mobile policeman, Corporal Ayubu Ayefu threatened to shoot a cameraman with the Africa Independent Television (AIT) Femi Akinpelu.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/sambos-security-detail-attack-journalists/

A coalition of Christian groups, led by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the South-West have urged the investigators of the Synagogue building collapse to treat the General Overseer of the church, Pastor T. B. Joshua with dignity and respect.

Addressing a press conference on the state of the nation in Lagos, the groups headed by Archbishop Magnus Adeyemi Atilade, warned against any attempt to use the incident to clamp down on other churches in Lagos by over zealous government officials, who had been harassing churches for building approvals.

“T. B. Joshua is a servant of God and whatever happens, he deserves some respect and dignity, because he could not have wished anything bad for his church members.

“Nobody is saying that the government should not probe the Synagogue incident to prevent future occurrences, but it should not be turned into instrument of vendetta,” Archbishop Atilade said.

The coalition also called on the Federal Government to make the release of the abducted Chibok girls a pre-condition for peace pact with Boko Haram, and engage the services of experts and tacticians to handle the peace negotiation with the insurgents in order not to play into their hands or used the girls as a bait to commit further atrocities.

Other groups in the coalition are the Christian Welfare Initiatives (CWI), Inter Faith Coalition for Dialogue and Peace International (INFERDPEL), The New Nigeria Group, Christian Front for Democracy, Under Grass Root For Growth Initiative (Ibadan), United Christian Campaign Organization (Ekiti, Ondo, Osun states) and the Alliance for Christian Democracy (Ogun State).

Archbishop Atilade, who is the chairman Christian CAN South-West and national president of the Christian Welfare Initiative (CWI), said the announcement of the ceasefire agreement between the government and Boko Haram was too hasty and called for sincerity and good faith from the insurgents.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/can-urges-investigators-to-treat-pastor-joshua-with-respect/

Boko Haram sect which overran Mubi town in Adamawa State has begun to hold open court and public sessions implementing strict Shariah law and amputation of some persons for looting in the area.

Mubi which fell into the hands of the insurgents last week Wednesday has enabled them to consolidate their hold on the area, with the insurgents hoisting their flags at the Emir of Mubi’s Palace which has now become the command headquarters of the insurgents.

Reports from the area indicate that a long convoy made up of a delegation of Abubakar Shekau, leader of Boko Haram sect were on Saturday spotted entering into Mubi Town and making its way to the Emir’s palace annexed by the sect.

An eyewitness account said that the insurgents also paraded 10 persons whose hands were amputated in the full glare of residents who were told to converge and witness the enforcement of strict Shariah law on the suspect who were to face punishment for looting.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/boko-haram-holds-open-courts-in-adamawa/

The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos has upheld the powers of the Federal Road Safety Commission to set deadlines for motorists to change to the new vehicle number plates and drivers’ licence.

A statement issued by the agency and signed by the Corps Public Education Officer, Stella Uchegbu, said the verdict was delivered in respect of the appeal filed by the Commission against the judgment of the Federal High Court in Lagos, in a case of Emmanuel Ofoegbu vs FRSC on 26th March 2014 which ruled that FRSC has no statutory powers to fix deadline for motorists to switch over to the new vehicle number plate and driver’s license.

The verdict by the Court of Appeal in Lagos, delivered by Justice Joseph Ike with Justices Ndukwe Anyanwu and Jamillah Tukur as members, the court upheld the validity of the National Road Traffic Regulations 2012, and the validity of old number plate bought by the respondent, Emeka Ofoegbu expired on 13th October, 2014, the deadline issued by the FRSC.

It also “dissolved the order of injunction by the Federal High Court, restraining FRSC from setting deadline for change over to the new number plates and observed that the 13th October, 2014 deadline, had passed.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/court-upholds-frsc-deadline-on-new-number-plates/

The desperation of the leadership of the APC in Lagos has moved them to compel all the 57 local government chairmen in the state to rent 500 persons from each council area to attend a controversial anointed governorship aspirant, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode’s declaration at the Onikan stadium in Lagos island by 10am today, Friday, bringing the total figure of rented crowd at the function to 28,500.

The candidacy of Ambode has generated so much controversy in Lagos politics as the 2015 elections approach.

The alleged preference of APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Ambode has equally set him against the incumbent governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola who had forced Ambode out of his government in 2012 over alleged financial impropriety.

Concerned that the Ambode project is not getting the desired acceptability among the party members at the local level who prefer an indigene of the state to succeed Fashola in 2015, it was gathered that the party leadership had to compel the 57 council chairmen in the state to rent as many as 28,500 from their council areas to jam the venue and create the impression the aspirant is popular.

The directive to rent the crowd was conveyed to the council chairmen in a text message sent to their telephone lines on Thursday. It reads: “Dear Chairman, directives from leadership that all chairmen MUST mobilise 500 people each from their LG/LCDA to MR AKIN AMBODE declaration to run as Governor of Lagos state under our great party (APC) at Onikan stadium tomorrow (today) 24/10/2014 by 10am. Please all chairmen MUST be in attendance.”

Aggrieved party sources said the directive will cost tax payers a whooping N.1 billion or more because each local government has already voted N5million each for the event. It was also gathered that the cost could be more as the council chairmen also seize such opportunity to pad the figures up and fill their own pockets.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/apc-orders-lg-chairmen-to-rent-28500-persons-at-a-whooping-n-1-billion-to-attend-ambodes-declaration-for-lagos-guber-race/

Indication emerged in Ado-Ekiti that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government in Ekiti State under Ayo Fayose might be considering selling the new Government House built by immediate past Governor Kayode Fayemi.

Fayose gave the indication in Ado-Ekiti while inaugurating eleven aides.

The governor had told the audience he could not understand “why a governor of a poor state like Ekiti could live such ostentatious life while his citizens languished in abject poverty.

“When we visited the Government House for the first time yesterday (Monday), Mr Governor was like; how I wish I can sell off this place or turn it to commercial use? It is simply wicked for a governor to be more interested in this manner of ostentatious comfort at the expense of the people.”

Contrary to Fayemi’s claims, Fayose disclosed that the total money expended on the edifice was far beyond N2.5 billion declared, stating that N3.3 billion was actually spent on it while another N150 million is needed to maintain it annually.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/fayose-may-sell-new-ekiti-govt-house/

The Group Managing Director of Energy Group, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, has defied a court order on Monday ordering him to cease the stoppage of Daily Newswatch with immediate effect.

Ibrahim and team team of Editors went ahead with the production of the newspaper on Monday night despite the court order.

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday quashed the Share Purchase Agreement, which transferred ownership of Newswatch Communications Limited to Ibrahim.

Two minority shareholders – Nuhu Aruwa and Prof. Jubril Aminu – had filed a petition urging the court to nullify the agreement, which transferred ownership of the company to Ibrahim.

The applicants also sought an order restraining the respondents from publishing and selling to the public, Newswatch daily and weekend magazines.

Respondents in the suit are Newswatch Communications Limited, Global Media Mirror Limited, Jimoh Ibrahim, Newswatch Newspapers and the Corporate Affairs Commission.

Delivering judgment in the suit on Monday, Justice Ibrahim Buba upheld all the prayers of the minority shareholders.

The judge also awarded the sum of N15.7 million as damages against Ibrahim and also gave an order stopping further publications of Newswatch Daily.

Buba held that the respondents could not prove that they paid up for the shares as the petitioners gave evidence to show that the second to the third respondents totally failed to pay for the shares of the company.

Shortly after the judgment, Ibrahim and the senior management staff of the newspaper publishing house went into a meeting.

The major consideration at the meeting, it was gathered, was how to approach the judgment, especially with the failure to challenge it or obtain a stay of execution before the close of court business on Monday.

It was learnt that it was eventually agreed among senior editorial staff of the newspaper that one of the major stories in the newspaper should run with the headline: “Court halts Newswatch publications, newspaper appeals ruling.”

The story was eventually titled: “Conflicting judgment, Newswatch heads for Appeal Court.”

This was in spite of the fact that the ruling was yet to be appealed.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/jimoh-ibrahim-defies-court-order-publishes-daily-newswatch/

In a move aimed at preventing possible distraction within the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan has invited both Adamawa Governor James Bala Ngilari and the sacked acting governor of the state Ahmadu Fintiri to an emergency meeting scheduled for the presidential villa, Abuja on Sunday

The peace parley NewsDay learnt is a follow up to the earlier meeting the President had with Fintiri on Friday.

The meeting will have in attendance Senate President David Mark, PDP National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu, and other top leaders of the party, as well as presidential top shots.

Although details of the meeting are not known as at press time, it is believed that the President would impressed it upon the two politicians to work together in order not to polarize the party in the state.

At the Friday’s meeting with Fintiri, the President told him not to press ahead with his appeal against his removal since it had the potential to further dividing the PDP in Adamawa and strengthen the chance of the rival All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2015 polls.

Jonathan, it was further learnt, drew the attention of Fintiri to the fact that the party was one and that he needed to work together with the new governor to ensure its success in the upcoming election.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/jonathan-to-meet-ngilari-fintiri/

Daughter of former Military Administrator of Kano and Plateau states, Brigadier General Dominic Oneya, Franca Oneya, has been killed by suspected armed robbers.

The incident occurred along Ovie Palace Road, Effurun, when the victim was said to be returning from one of the new generation banks located along PTI Road where she had gone to withdraw money.


The killing led to pandemonium at Effurun, the administrative headquarters of Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, when the gunmen, said to be numbering about five, waylaid and shot the mother-of-four, who was in her early 30s, to death.

There have been worries over the dwindling security situation in Warri and environs since the commencement of the “ember months” in September.

A source said that the daughter of the one-time president of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) was waylaid few kilometers from the retired General’s house and shot her dead, while the assailants and bolted away with the cash.

“The incident happened at about 10:40am on Friday (by KW junction). I saw residents and passersby scrambling for safety. Multiple gunshots rent the air. By the time the robbers were done, a pretty young lady lay in a pool of blood, on the driver’s seat. A neighbour, with whom we all rushed to the scene of the incident identified the victim as the daughter of a notable politician in the state,” another eyewitness narrated.

A family member of the Oneyas, Godwin Oghenede, who is an uncle to the late military General’s daughter, confirmed the incident on his Facebook account.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/ex-governors-daughter-killed-over-n200-000/

Barring all unforeseen circumstances, President Goodluck Jonathan would soon visit his estranged political godfather and former President Olusegun Obasanjo to seek his support for his second term bid.

Senate President David Mark and a few chieftains of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had recently visited Obasanjo in his Abeokuta hilltop mansion, where they lobbied him to forgive Jonathan and support his second term bid.

The visit came at a time when the national leader of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, also paid the former president a visit, where he told newsmen that he was visiting the former chairman of PDP board of trustees to seek his views on his “boys” seeking presidential ticket on the platform of APC.

Although the details of what Obasanjo told Mark remained unknown, a presidency source disclosed that the visit of Tinubu to Obasanjo had unsettled President Jonathan and few of his close allies who are considering the idea of his visit to Abeokuta.

Our source, a top official of the presidency, explained that aside from Tinubu’s factor, there are other reasons why such a proposed visit is imperative, and “the visit may come up before President Goodluck Jonathan officially declares his intention to seek the second term mandate”.

“Let me tell you that the visit of Bola Tinubu to former President Obasanjo did not go down well with some people close to President Goodluck Jonathan and the president himself. We all know who Tinubu is and the havoc he has caused the party in the southwest, and how he had humiliated Obasanjo while he was in office.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/2015-jonathan-planning-to-visit-obasanjo/

The outgoing National Chairman of the La­bour Party (LP), Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, yesterday fought back tears while mak­ing remarks about the defec­tion of the Ondo State gover­nor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Nwanyanwu while read­ing his address during the party’s convention held in Akure, Ondo State capital, called on other party leaders and members of the party not to be discouraged with the action of the governor but should respect his deci­sion.

The former chairman, who read a fifteen-page vale­dictory at the convention, said that Mimiko had no quarrel with the leadership of the party for the six years period he was a member, saying the governor always worked towards develop­ment of the party.

He said: “I must admit that for the six years he was a member of the party, he had cordial relationship with the party and the leadership. The party provided him with the platform that the PDP de­nied him to become the gov­ernor of Ondo State.
http://www.newsday.com.ng/labour-party-chairman-weeps-over-mimikos-defection-to-pdp/

Leading contenders for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket may have initiated negotiations amongst themselves towards applying the power sharing formula in the distribution of political offices along the lines of geo-political zones in the country.

It was learnt that some strong contenders for the presidential ticket of the party from the North-West and North-East geo-polit­ical zones including for­mer Vice President Atiku Abubarkar, former Mili­tary Had of State, Muham­madu Buhari, and Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, have already begun moves to reach out to other contenders from other geo-political zones to drop their bids and give endorsement to them in exchange for political positions.

It was further learnt that intense horse-trad­ing is already going on about the choice of per­sons who might emerge as running-mates to the stronger aspirants from the North-East and North-West.

Among the aspirants who have shown strong interest for the top offices from the South include Edo State Governor, Ad­ams Oshiohmole, Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, as well as Gov­ernor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/apc-atiku-buhari-kwankwaso-shop-for-vp/

Adamawa State Acting Governor Umar Fintiri on Wednesday said he has instructed his lawyers to appeal against Federal High Court judgment removing him from office.

An Abuja High Court had earlier on Wednesday asked Fintiri to vacate office as acting governor of the state.

The court noted that his swearing-in as acting governor was illegal and unconstitutional.

The court presided over by Justice Ademola Adeniyi also ordered that the former deputy governor of Adamawa state, Bala Ngilari, be sworn in as the substantive governor of the state.

Fintiri, while reacting to the judgement noted that his lawyers are studying the verdict and has instructed them to appeal against the judgement.

He noted that he has told his lawyers to apply for stay of execution of the judgment.

He urged the people of the state to remain calm as everything is under control.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/adamawa-acting-governor-umar-fintiri-instructs-lawyers-appeal-court-judgement-sacking/

Richest Lifestyle, a US-based website, has listed President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria as the 6th Richest African president.

In an article titled, ‘Richest African Presidents 2014′ , the US website compiled a list of the nine richest presidents and kings in Africa. According to the article, President Jonathan is worth $100million. Other African presidents and kings on the list include;

1. Jose Eduardo dos Santos of Angola – Net Worth: $20 Billion
2. Mohammed VI of Morocco – Net Worth: $2.5 Billion
3. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea – $600 Million
4. Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya – Net Worth: $500 Million
5. Paul Biya of Cameroon – Net Worth: $200 Million
6. King Mswati III of Swaziland – Net Worth: $100 Million (The monarch shares the number 6 spot with President Jonathan)
7. Idriss Deby of Chad – Net Worth: $50 Million
8. Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe – Net Worth: $10 Million

http://www.newsday.com.ng/jonathan-6th-richest-african-president/

Indications have emerged that the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Tunji Bello is being considered as the running mate of whoever becomes the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 2015 governorship election in Lagos State.

According to sources in the party, if the argument of those bent at the emergence of a Christian Governor scales through, a male Muslim Deputy like Bello, who is see as a bridge between the outgoing administration and the incoming government becomes inevitable.

Bello’s choice is informed based on the experience he had garnered over the years having served the government since the administration of Bola Tinubu

http://www.newsday.com.ng/tunji-bello-succeed-adefulire-lagos-deputy-governor/

Pandemonium broke out on Sunday at Ozoro, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State following the alleged sudden death of one Evi Samson in the hands of the Presiding Minister of the God Solution Ministry, Ozoro.

The cleric, Pastor Jonathan Ojigbo, allegedly prepared a black concoction for the victim to drink.

The concoction, it was gathered, reacted negatively in the victim’s stomach. Evi was said to have developed swollen head and eyes in night, a few hours after drinking the concoction and died.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Celetina Kalu, who confirmed the incident, said that one Samson Uwhemw of Erovie Quarters, Ozoro, raced to the police station in the locality to report the case.

According to Kalu, the pastor, who doubles as the registrar of a Magistrates’ Court in the state, had engaged the victim in a prayer session before the dosage.

She said: “The man (Samson) said the pastor gave his son a black concoction to drink, following which his son developed swollen head and eyes and died in pains.

“On the receipt of the report, detectives swung into action and arrested the said Pastor Jonathan Ojigbo. The suspect claimed that what he gave the deceased was a bottle of coke.” She listed the items recovered, after searching the pastor’s house, to include some charms from his shrine behind the church.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/worshipper-dies-drinking-pastors-concoction/

As Nigerians continue to await the second term declaration of President Goodluck Jonathan, the president on Sunday in Lagos, had a private meeting with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial aspirants and stakeholders in the state.

President Jonathan, who was in Lagos two weeks ago to attend the PDP South West zone rally, where he was endorsed, met with party big wigs led by Chief Olabode George.

Although details of the meeting held at the State House, Marina, was still sketchy as at press time, sources at the meeting said that it was connected with the 2015 election, and how the party in the state should co-ordinate itself for the election as one indivisible fold.

The PDP, which at one time or the other had been at the helms in all of the six states in the South West except Lagos, has vowed to wrest the state from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

http://www.newsday.com.ng/jonathan-visits-lagos-meets-obanikoro-agbaje-stakeholders/

The National Executive Committee of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Friday approved the electoral guidelines of the party, pegging the expression of interest and nomination forms for its presidential ticket at N27.5million. However, forms for other elective offices were categorised as sitting aspirants and are expected to pay more than fresh aspirants on the same office.

For sitting governorship aspirants, they are to pay N10.5 million for nomination and expression of interest forms, while fresh aspirants are to pay N5.5 million for the same forms. For the National Assembly, the sitting senators would pay N5.3 million, while the fresh aspirants would pay N3.3 million. Also the members of the House of Representatives who might want to return will pay N3.2 million, while those aspiring freshly will pay N2.2 million.

The state House of Assemblies fresh aspirants would pay N550, 000, while sitting aspirants are expected to pay N800, 000. The party’s NEC also approved 50% deduction for the female and physically challenged aspirants for all the offices.

The meeting was attended by the members of the National Working Committee, led by its chairman, Chief John Oyegun, presidential hopefuls, Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Others were: Governors of Kano and Nasarawa States, Engr. Rabiu Kwankwanso and Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura, Board of Trustees members, zonal chairmen and state chairmen of the party.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/apc-presidential-aspirants-pay-n27-million-forms/

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, has said that resumption of schools in the state would be determined after the results of those still under surveillance for Ebola Virus Disease would have been known by next week Thursday.

Speaking after Friday’s Jumaat prayer at the state secretariat mosque in Alausa, Fashola explained that there were still about 19 people under surveillance, adding that the 21 days set aside for the surveillance would end on September 18, 2014.

His words: “Even though the number of Ebola cases has reduced and most of the contacts are out of the 21-day quarantine, we should avoid any complacency. Until the last case is over and surveillance completed, we should not relent in the effort at tackling the disease.”

Fashola added that members of the State Executive Council, SEC, and other stakeholders’ held a crucial meeting on how to contain the virus and the feasibility of September 22, resumption date set by the Federal Government .

He said by the time results of those under surveillance are known, the state would meet with stakeholders in the education and health sectors to determine when the schools would be resuming.


http://www.newsday.com.ng/ebola-resumption-schools-still-uncertain-fashola/

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is expected in Jos, Plateau State capital today, to visit his injured son, Lt Colonel Adeboye Obasanjo, who is currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in the city.

It was gathered that the former President, who is billed to touch ground at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos by 1 pm will be received by Governor Jonah Jang, and will thereafter proceed to see his son in the hospital.

The junior Obasanjo was earlier this week injured during a fierce military campaign against the outlawed Boko Haram terrorist group to reclaim Michika, Adamawa State, which has been under the siege of the insurgents in the past week.

He was said to have been initially rushed to Federal Medical Centre, Jimeta, Yola before he was later flown into Jos for a proper medical care.

It was not clear as the time of the report whether he is at the 3 Div Medical Centre, Rukuba Barracks or NAF Hospital, Jos.

Former President Obasanjo’s visit to his injured son in Jos would mean that contrary to reports that he had fully recovered from his injury, he still needed more medical attention and may not yet be fit enough to resume at the front lines.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/obasanjo-visits-injured-son-jos-saturday/

Anti – riot policemen and officials of the Department of State Security (DSS), on Saturday, stormed the Osun State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged plan by some desperate politicians to tamper with election materials used for the August 9, 2014 governorship poll, under the guise of inspection.

The development came amid speculations that a top ranking INEC official in the state had allegedly collected a bribe of N5 million from a major political party with a view to allowing its chieftains access to the election materials and carry out some manipulations to tidy up loose ends.

Investigation indicated that both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are expected to visit INEC office early next week to officially inspect electoral materials, having been granted the leave by the Election Petition Tribunal to do so.

But, a top official of the umpire was said to have come to the INEC’s state office on Saturday morning and allegedly gave some cash to few people, found therein, pleading with them to allow some politicians of a major political party access to the election materials, despite the fact that yesterday was not a working day.

There was also a rumour over alleged plan by some hoodlums to burn INEC office, in Osogbo with the ultimate aim of destroying some of the sensitive and non sensitive materials used for the last governorship poll.

However, acting on a tip off, anti-riot policemen, numbering over 15 and operatives of the DSS stormed the INEC office, situated along Gbongan-Ibadan expressway around 4.15 pm to thwart any attempt by any unauthorised persons to gain entry into the premises.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/police-dss-storm-inec-office-osun-alleged-plan-doctor-election-materials/

Acting Governor of Adamawa State Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has emerged the Peoples Democratic Party Candidate where he defeated his rivals by scoring a total of 624 votes while his closest rival former Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Dr. Ahmed Modibbo scored 197 votes.

The primaries which started on Saturday afternoon lasted throughout the night and was concluded around 4:00am on Sunday.

Former military administrator of Lagos and Borno states, Gen. Buba Marwa, who was the second runner up in the contest, scored a distant 54 votes, Dr. Umar Ardo scored 9 votes and Jerry Kumdisi scored 4 votes while 25 votes were invalidated.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/adamawa-acting-governor-emerged-pdp-guber-candidate/

Source :

http://www.newsday.com.ng/adamawa-acting-governor-emerged-pdp-guber-candidate/

M0GIDI: The rest of Nigeria looks at APC and see Religion Religion and more Religion.

APC the Sharia party of religious zealots, for religious zealots led by religious zealots.

Alhaji People's Congress of Alhaji Muhamandu Buhari, Alhaji e'Bola Tinubu, Alhaji Fashola, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Oshiomhonle, they will never rule us in God's name.

Comments like this does nobody any good.At this stage of Nigeria's development, it would be impossible for anybody to force any religion on our throat.

Boko Haram attacks have forced five of the eight first-class traditional rulers in Borno State to flee their palaces, investigation has shown.

Two other monarchs in Yobe State have also been displaced, following the takeover of their domains by the insurgency.
The Borno emirs affected include Shehu of Dikwa Muhammad Ibn Shehu Masta and Emir of Gwoza Muhammadu Ibn Mustapha Idrissa Timta, whose emirates have been overrun by Boko Haram, and Emir of Bama Kyari Ibn Ibrahim El-Kanemi, who fled when his town was attacked on Monday.

Other displaced senior monarchs in Borno are Emir of Askira Abubakar Ibn Muhammad Askirama and his counterpart Ali Ibn Isma’ila Mamza of Uba, who left their palaces following security reports that their towns might be targeted.

Many surrounding villages have been attacked by insurgents in the recent past.

Both Askira and Uba are not far from Gwoza, which Boko Haram took over on August 6 and later declared part of an “Islamic caliphate ” by the sect leader Abubakar Shekau.

Dikwa has also been under the insurgents’ rule since they overrun the town on August 28, forcing thousands of people to flee to the state capital Maiduguri.

Three days earlier, Boko Haram fighters took over Gamboru, a town on the Nigerian border with Cameroon, and which is also in Dikwa Emirate, after fierce fighting with troops.

The only first-class traditional rulers still living in their respective domains in Borno are Shehu of Borno Abubakar Garbai El-Kanemi, Emir of Shani Nasiru Muhammadu Mailafiya and the Emir of Biu.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/boko-haram-crisis7-emirs-flee-palaces-borno-yobe/

The transfer window only slammed shut on Monday but bookies are already preparing for when it reopens.

Arsenal lured Danny Welbeck to the Emirates on deadline day but the odds compilers reckon more strikers could be set to join.

They have made the Gunners favourites to sign SIX world stars.

Swansea hitman Wilfried Bony [/b]is the 9/4 favourite to make Arsenal his next club.

The 25-year-old scored 25 goals last season, including 16 in the Premier League, and was a £20m target for Liverpool earlier this summer.

Mancheser United hitman [b]Robin van Persie, who left Arsenal in 2012, is 5/2 to rejoin his old club.

Karim Benzema is 2/1 to make a move from Real Madrid while it’s 5/4 that Arsene Wenger reignites his interest and signs Julian Draxler.

Jackson Martinez is 3/1 to swap Porto for Arsenal while it’s 17/10 they sign[b] Edinson Cavani.[/b]

Arsenal splashed out £35m on Alexis Sanchez but Wenger is still short of quality frontline options.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/revealed-six-top-stars-join-arsenal-january/

Here’s a definitive guide of every move in the Premier League this summer.

Arsenal

Players in: Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona, £30m), Calum Chambers (Southampton, £12m), Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle, £10m), David Ospina (Nice, £3m), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United, £17m)

Players out: Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona, £15m), Johan Djourou (Hamburg, undisclosed), Thomas Eisfeld (Fulham, undisclosed), Bacary Sagna (Manchester City, free), Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea, free), Nicklas Bendtner (Wolfsburg, free), Park Chu-young (released), Chuks Aneke (Zulte Waregem, free), Daniel Boateng (released), Wellington Silva (Almeria, loan), Carl Jenkinson (West Ham, loan), Benik Afobe (MK Dons, loan), Ignasi Miquel (Norwich, undisclosed), Ryo Miyaichi (Twente, loan)

Aston Villa

Players in: Carlos Sanchez (Elche, £4.7m), Aly Cissokho (Valencia, £2m), Philippe Senderos (Fulham, free), Joe Cole (West Ham, free), Tom Leggett (Southampton, undisclosed), Isaac Nehemie (Southampton, undisclosed), Kieran Richardson (Fulham, undisclosed)

Players out: Marc Albrighton (Leicester City, free), Nathan Delfouneso (Blackpool, free), Jordan Bowery (Rotherham, undisclosed), Samir Carruthers (MK Dons, undisclosed), Nicklas Helenius (Aalborg, loan), Yacouba Sylla (Kayseri Erciyesspor, loan), Jed Steer (Doncaster Rovers, loan), Antonio Luna (Hellas Verona, loan), Aleksandar Tonev (Celtic, loan), Joe Bennett (Brighton, loan), Gary Gardner (Brighton, loan)

Burnley


Players in: Lukas Jutkiewicz (Middlesbrough, £2.5m), Michael Kightly (Stoke, undisclosed), Stephen Ward (Wolves, undisclosed), Marvin Sordell (Bolton, free), Matt Gilks (Blackpool, free), Matt Taylor (West Ham, free), Steven Reid (West Brom, free), George Boyd (Hull, £3m), Michael Keane (Manchester United, loan), Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea, loan)

Players out: Chris Baird (West Brom, free), Junior Stanislas (Bournemouth, free), David Edgar (Birmingham, free), Keith Treacy (Barnsley, free), Brian Stock (released), Nick Liversedge (Guisborough Town, free), Luke O’Neill (Scunthorpe, loan)

Chelsea

Players in: Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona, £30m), Diego Costa (Atletico Mdrid, £32m), Filipe Luis (Atletico, £16m), Loic Remy (QPR, £8m), Mario Pasalic (Hadjuk Split, undisclosed), Didier Drogba (Galatasaray, free)

Players out: David Luiz (Paris Saint-Germain, £50m), Romelu Lukaku (Everton, £28m), Demba Ba (Besiktas, £8m), Ashley Cole (Roma, £1.5m), Patrick van Aanholt (Sunderland, undisclosed), Samuel Eto’o (Everton, free), Frank Lampard (New York City, free), Sam Hutchinson (Sheffield Wednesday, free), Henrique Hilario (retired), Wallace (Vitesse Arnhem, loan), Bertrand Traore (Vitesse Arnhem, loan) Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Monchengladbach, loan), Mario Pasalic (Elche, loan), Ryan Bertrand (Southampton, loan), Gael Kakuta (Rayo Vallecano, loan), John Swift (Rotherham, loan), Oriol Romeu (Valencia, loan) Christian Atsu (Everton, loan), Victor Moses (Stoke, loan), Marko Marin (Fiorentina, loan), Josh McEachran (Vitesse Arnhem, loan), Patrick Bamford (Middlesbrough, loan), Fernando Torres (AC Milan, loan) Marco van Ginkel (AC Milan, loan), Nathaniel Chalobah (Burnley, loan), Jamal Blackman (Middlesbrough, loan)

Crystal Palace

Players in: Martin Kelly (Liverpool, £1.5m), Fraizer Campbell (Cardiff, £800,000), Chris Kettings (Blackpool, free), Brede Hangeland (Fulham, free), Wilfried Zaha (Manchester United, loan), Zeki Fryers (Tottenham, £3m), James McArthur (Wigan, £7m), Kevin Doyle (Wolves, loan)

Players out: Jonathan Parr (Ipswich, free), Dean Moxey (Bolton, free), Aaron Wilbraham (Bristol City, free), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Cardiff, free), Danny Gabbidon (Cardiff, free), Neil Alexander (Hearts, free), Ibra Sekajja (released), Alex Wynter (Portsmouth, loan), Kwesi Appiah (Cambridge, loan), Jose Campana (Sampdoria, undisclosed), Jack Hunt (Nottingham Forest, loan), Stephen Dobbie (Fleetwood, loan), Glenn Murray (Reading, loan)

Read more at http://www.newsday.com.ng/complete-club-club-guide-2014-transfer-window/

Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko,on Friday accused the Presidency and those he described as unscrupulous politicians in the state of attempts to induce members of the Sokoto House of Assembly to impeach him.

The allegation followed the statement by the Speaker of the Sokoto House of Assembly, Alhaji Lawalli Zayyana, that members of the House were induced by the Presidency with cash incentives to disregard law and order and impeach the governor.

Speaking when the members of the House paid him a solidarity visit at Government House Sokoto, Friday, Wamakko stated that some selfish politicians were working in tandem with the Presidency to create chaos in the state so as to bring down his administration

http://www.newsday.com.ng/wamakko-accuses-jonathan-plotting-impeachment/

Nearly two weeks after former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida lambasted and asked the Leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Mujahid Asari Dokubo to stop making noise and go back to the creeks to carry out his threats to declare war over certain issues, Dokunbo has fired back at Babangida, describing the former President as a liar and a coward.

Babangida had during his 73 birthday celebration chided Dokunbo for always threatening to declare war whenever there is any issue affecting the Niger- Delta.

Asari Dokunbo in an interview on Saturday said Babangida’s comments about him were uncharitable and unwarranted, describing the former leader as a pathological liar and someone who speaks from both sides of his mouth.

He stoutly defended his stance to declare war, saying when it’s time for me to do what he wants to do, nobody including Babangida can stop him.

“Look, a lot of people have dared me and they have seen that for every step they dared me, I go a step further.

“There is time for everything. I am not going to follow his timetable. I have my own timetable.

“I have my road map. So when it’s time for me to do what I have to do, he cannot shout and he cannot push.”

He noted that Babangida should be in exile or jail for overthrowing a legitimate government and annulling a free and fair election.

“He cancelled an election that was free and fair. These are some of the things we have been saying that Nigeria cannot exist because when people like this talk, they offend our sensibilities.”

He reminded Babangida to remember what happened to him the last time he put on his uniform in Bonny, saying he is still suffering from the scars of the operations in the region.

W”e knew what happened to him. Up till now he is limping. He had to be flown out.”

http://www.newsday.com.ng/asari-dokubo-replies-ibb-ill-declare-war-right-time/

Directors of First Consultant Hospital, Obalende and the bereaved families of the four Nigerians who died after contracting the Ebola Virus from Patrick Sawyer, a Liberian-American, are considering a major suit against the Liberian government for allowing Sawyer to come to Nigeria despite the fact that it was aware that he had contact with his sister who died recently of the deadly virus.

The dreaded Ebola virus was brought to Nigeria last month by the Liberian- who had contracted the disease in his country and then flew into Nigeria aboard an Asky flight to attend a conference of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held in Calabar. Sawyer arrived Lagos on July 20 but was rushed to First Consultant Hospital where he lied to the medical officers on duty that he had malaria fever, a non-communicable illness.

He died five days after he was admitted into the hospital, but that was after some personnel and patients at the medical center had been exposed to the deadly virus through him.

Among his victims were Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh, the senior consultant at the hospital, two nurses at the hospital, and an ECOWAS protocol officer who accompanied him on arrival in Nigeria.

For allowing Sawyer out of Liberia given the fact that the surveillance video at the Liberian airport showed that he was avoiding people at the airport, apparently because he did not want to have body contact, the Liberian government is believed to be liable.

The Liberian media had also reported how Sawyer personally took his sister to the hospital seeking treatment before she died.

Being such a primary contact with his sister who died of Ebola was enough for the Liberian government to have quarantined him or put him under close watch as he was clearly a danger to public health.

Instead, they allowed him into the airport and also allowed him to travel to Nigeria.

The directors of First Consultant believes that the Liberian government is further liable when its envoy in Lagos came to the hospital to try to persuade the hospital authorities and indeed force them to release Sawyer to travel to Calabar despite being down with Ebola.

They believe the envoy’s action established the culpability of the Liberian government and they intend to press for maximum damages in an appropriate law court, whether in Nigeria or in the international judicial system as someone has to be held responsible for the needless loss of lives at First Consultant Hospital, in what they called “biological warfare” inflicted by Sawyer and abetted by the Liberian government through its criminal negligence.

http://www.newsday.com.ng/ebola-first-consultant-hospital-victims-families-may-sue-liberian-government/