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Buhari restores Governor’s security, campaigns for APC
nan.ng

President Buhari discusses with IGP Idri in Awka
President Muhammed Buhari has ordered the police to restore security of Anambra governor Willie Obiano and called for massive support to Mr Tony Nwoye, APC’s governorship candidate.

He was in Akwa, capital of Anambra state, in continuation of his two-day visit to some states in South East.

He called on the people of Anambra to vote Nwoye of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Nov. 18 election.

Buhari who made the call in a short speech at the grand finale of the governorship rally held for the APC governorship candidate.

He said Anambra people would benefit much if they voted for APC.

The president said aside Anambra, the other states in the South-East would equally gain as a lot of infrastructure have been earmarked for construction in the South-East in the next year’s budget.

Buhari was accompanied by 12 APC governors who converged at Dr Alex Ekwueme’s Square, Awka via Nigeria Force aircraft mark NAF-540 at about 1.20 pm and departed about 5.25pm.

The rally was attended by crowds of APC supporters as well as serving national and state lawmakers, ministers, former governors and litany of APC bigwigs.

Dr Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, who spoke at the occasion said APC in Anambra was thorough in her choice of Nwoye and Dozie Ikedife candidates.

Ngige who also hails from Anambra, noted that the massive crowd that took part in the rally was a sign that the party is on ground in Anambra.

“We have toured the nook and carnies of the state during our campaign tour we are ready for the election and the people are behind APC.

“The other political parties also in this contest are only afraid because they have done nothing to show the people that their parties deserve the mandate of Anambra people again’’, he said.

“If you are a governor, your reward will come from the people when you perform well. The roads I built more than 14 years ago are standing, while the ones they built just yesterday are in bad shape, yet they want another mandate.

“My position here today is to sign a surety on behalf of the Nwoye and Ikedife, that the two will not fail our people if voted into office’’, he said.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, who also spoke said Anambra people should see the visit of Buhari to Awka as a royal opportunity which should be appreciated with massive support to APC on Nov.18 election.

“The visit of Buhari to the South-East after his overseas trip is mark of love for the Igbo people and Anambra people, I appeal to you to return the love by voting our party on Saturday’’, he said.

Others who spoke were former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, and billionaire businessman Chief Arthur Eze among others

Tinubu, Kwankwaso, Get Juicy Ministerial Slots, As President Buhari Finally Reshuffles Cabinet, Set To Make Announcement
theinfong.com

Fresh reports indicate that President Muhammadu Buhari has finally given out Ministerial slots to the National Leader Of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. Recall, that Buhari had allegedly decided to inject new blood into his cabinet anything time soon. According to a top Presidential source: “Jagaban, as he is fondly called, lost out earlier in the Ministerial appointments, as Buhari selected Fashola, and former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Keyamo, his estranged political godsons; so he will be compensated this time around.

“Another slot will likely go to former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

“The reason for this is clear; Lagos and Kano have a population of around 45 million, and the highest votes.”

The source added: “The expansion of the Federal cabinet will happen, no doubt about this. In fact, it is what virtually every party stalwart has been clamouring for.

“And on this issue of more appointments, the President has given his word privately and publicly. He will fulfill his promise.”

“Last year, I said we would re-constitute the Boards of Parastatals. I must regret the fact that we have not done so, for many reasons”, Buhari recently said at the party’s National Executive Council, NEC, meeting, in Abuja.

“Some of us in this meeting may know I had given instructions since October 2015, for this exercise to start. But there have been inordinate delays by several Committees, in an attempt to get the balance right and to make sure all parts of the country are equitably represented.

“On the other hand, I am keenly aware that our supporters are very eager for these appointments to be announced. By the Grace of God, these appointments will be announced soon. Especially now that the economy is improving, we will have the resources to cater for the appointees.”

AGF writes to Reps, seeks review of EFCC Act
punchng.com


John Ameh, Abuja

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, on Tuesday, sought a comprehensive review of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act to remove many lacuna in the law and strengthen the anti-graft war.

Malami said a total repeal and re-enactment of the Act was what the country needed as against the piecemeal amendments proposed to it by the House of Representatives.

The AGF gave his position as the House Committee on Financial Crimes lined up two major bills for public hearing at the National Assembly in Abuja.

The committee, which is chaired by a member of the All Progressives Congress from Ogun State, Mr. Kayode Oladele, presented “A Bill to Amend the Economic and Financial Crimes (Establishment) Act” and “A Bill to Amend the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act” for public hearing.

The EFCC bill had three other sub-sets, including a bill proposing to grant full autonomy to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, currently domiciled under the EFCC.

But, the AGF, who was represented by an official of his office, Mr. Anthony Abba, told the committee that there were many amendments proposed to the EFCC Act.

Malami argued that the best approach was a comprehensive review of the Act by repealing the present law in order to come up with a harmonised bill that would address all the issues.

He suggested that a sub-committee comprising lawmakers, the EFCC, his office and other stakeholders should be set up to do a thorough review of the Act.

Abba stated, “Our position is that these amendments are so many. We are seeking a comprehensive review and a repeal.

“Let there be a sub-committee to sit and look at all the issues and we can have a comprehensive bill.”

The EFCC said it was in support of the AGF’s proposal for a harmonised, comprehensive bill.

However, the Secretary of the commission, Mr. Emmanuel Adegboyega, who represented the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, made a case for adequate funding of the anti-graft agency.

He noted that some of the amendments proposed adequate funding of the EFCC, which Adegboyega said was important if the agency must deliver on its core mandate.

The secretary stated, “We need a fraction of the money we recover to take care of our operations. If we can have five per cent of the N738.9bn that the EFCC has recovered for about two years, our work will definitely speed up.

“For example, our proposed headquarters project, we are still unable to complete it because of funding challenges.”

But, the Nigerian Law Reform Commission opposed the idea of giving some percentage of recovered loot to the EFCC.

Its representative, Prof. Jummai Awudi, argued that it would be “legally and morally wrong” for the commission to keep part of recovered money to itself.

The commission told lawmakers that the present arrangement of funding the EFCC by budgetary appropriation was in order and should be maintained.

The law commission also said the NFIU should be granted full autonomy and allowed to operate independent of the EFCC.

Earlier, Oladele had said that the House moved to amend the EFCC Act because lawmakers were in support of the anti-graft war of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He stated, “Let me on behalf of the committee express our total support for the measures that are being taken by the Buhari administration to tackle corruption head-on.

“To this effect, the least we can pledge as the representatives of the marginalised citizens of this country is the total support of this committee to the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies involved in the fight against corruption.”

Oladele informed the session that there were other bills besides that of the EFCC, pending before the House, which he said would soon be passed.

They include the “Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters Bill”; “Proceeds of Crimes Bill”; “Nigerian Financial Intelligence Bill”; “Whistle Blowers’ Protection Bill”; and “Assets Management System Bill.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Governors Forum called for urgent resolution of the dispute that led to the suspension of the NFIU from the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units.

The NFIU had been suspended in July this year after the global body frowned at reported interferences in its operations by Nigerian officials.

Speaking at the hearing on the EFCC bill, the Director-General of the NGF, Mr. Ashishama Okauru, recalled that following the suspension, Nigeria was given up to January 2018 to resolve the issues raised by Egmont.

He noted that the key issue was the autonomy of the NFIU, which Okauru said could still be domiciled in the EFCC, but should be allowed to function independently.

The NGF DG added, “Time is really not on our side. There are many other consequences if Nigeria eventually loses its membership.

“We have till January to take the necessary actions, especially on the bills.”

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has criticised referee Eric Otogo-Castane of Gabon for awarding a late controversial penalty to Algeria in Friday’s 1-1 draw against Nigeria in the last game 2018 World.

The visitors were forced to a draw when Yacine Brahaimi converted a late penalty which cancelled out John Ogu’s 62nd minute goal for Nigeria.

CAF has criticised the incident that led to the penalty in their match report of the game, posted on cafonline.com,‎ ‎describing the referee’s decision as harsh.

CAF noted that “Algeria Convert Soft Penalty To Hold Nigeria.”

CAF insisted that Shehu Abdullahi who was adjudged to have fouled Brahaimi in the box didn’t foul the forward.

“Yacine Brahimi won and converted a harshly-awarded late penalty to rescue a 1-1 draw for Algeria against already-qualified Nigeria Friday in a World Cup Africa zone Group B dead-rubber.

“The Gabonese referee ruled that Abdullahi Shehu fouled Brahimi as he moved into the box in Constantine, but big-screen replays suggested otherwise”, reads the piece on cafonline.com‎

VIDEO: Buhari, Christian leaders meet inside Aso Rock
nigerianeye.com


President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met with leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN.



CAN delegation was led by its President, Rev. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle.

In attendance were the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Mongonu and some cabinet members.

Buhari’s Personal Assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmad while confirming the meeting on his Twitter handle, said the president will also hold similar meeting with Muslim leaders.

“President @MBuhari has just finished a closed-door meeting with members and leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). He will later hold a similar meeting with leaders of Muslims faithful at the State House,” Ahmad wrote.

Watch video below…

2019: Northen Elite Move Against Buhari
thetidenewsonline.com

Seventeen months to the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, some politicians within the All Progressives Congress (APC) have already begun move to furstrate his seeking a fresh mandate.
To this extent, the All Progressives Congress renagades, majority of whom are from the North-East, alongside the opposition have started holding clandestine meetings to scuttle Buhari’s perceived move with his inner caucus to retain the party’s candidacy come 2019.

Sources in Abuja told The Tide yesterday that the Northern elite were not comfortable with the President’s quest for power as “Aso Rock,” the seat of power cannot be inhabited by “an unhealthy president”.
Apparently uncomfortable with the desire of the President, to stage a comeback, the Northern elite, The Tide learnt have begun a subtle campaign that would rescue the suffering masses from hunger and starvation caused by the Buhari- led self centered government.

An APC chieftain and member, House of Representatives who does not want his name in print, while responding to questions at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, yesterday, said, if Mr. President emerges as a consensus candidate at the party’s convention, they would challenge the process in court.

Already, various interest groups in the party were said to be working out strategies to stop President Buhari from contesting the 2019 presidential election based on Mr. President’s health condition, broken promises, dictatorship, unemployment, economic stagnation and self-centeredness.

However, The Tide learnt that Buhari’s supporters and followers are ever prepared to go the extra mile to ensure that the President continues in power till death to enable them protect their interest and remain relevant in the political arena as power brokers.

Besides, Buhari is said to be enjoying the support of the party chairman and some former governors from the South – South some of whom have insisted that he has the right to seek and contest for a second term in office.
Investigations by our correspondent revealed that many Northern elite, and those from the Western region of the ruling party, including the common man on the streets are not comfortable with President Muhammadu Buhari, and have vowed to work against him.

Amidst the discontent, controversies and counter-claims over the 2019 presidential election, currently engulfing the APC, President Buhari is yet to make any statement. The unabating security challenges, particularly in the North East, Mainagate and many other issues bordering on corruption allegations levelled against members of his kitchen cabinet are occupying his mind and attention, an inside source told our correspondent.