₦airaland Forum

President Muhammadu Buhari will tomorrow present the 2018 budget estimates to a joint session of the National Assembly, Daily Trust learnt yesterday.
Multiple sources at the Presidency told our correspondent that the Executive had completed arrangements for the presentation of the fiscal document to the National Assembly.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had, at its meeting presided over by President Buhari last Thursday, approved the draft budget proposal.
A source hinted yesterday that the president had got the nod of the National Assembly’s principal officers for the submission of the document.

“Yes, arrangements have been completed, the budget will be presented to the legislature this Thursday so that they can begin working on it in earnest,” said another source.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udoma, had last week told State House correspondents that the executive would fulfil its promise of getting the budget proposal ready in October.

“We are liaising with the National Assembly because they have to approve the date for the president to come and address them to submit the budget. Before now, we used to submit in December, but now, the budget is ready in October. So, there is a very big difference,” Udoma had stated while addressing journalists shortly after last week’s FEC meeting.
Meanwhile, President Buhari last night, at the new Banquet Hall of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, hosted principal officers of the National Assembly to a rescheduled dinner.

The dinner could not hold last Thursday because the lawmakers refused to undergo personal security checks at the Pilot Gate of the Presidential Villa.
At press time yesterday (9:35pm), the dinner was still ongoing.

The president was expected to, among other things, lobby the leadership of the National Assembly ahead of tomorrow’s presentation of the 2018 budget proposal.

Presiding officers of the two chambers of the N/Assembly may read the President’s letter on the budget presentation today.

NJC replaces Salami with Galadima as head of graft cases monitoring committee
nigerianeye.com

The National Judicial Council on Tuesday replaced a former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, as the head of the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee.
A statement by the Director of Information of the NJC, Mr. Soji, stated that Salami was replaced by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Suleiman Galadima.

The replacement followed last week’s resignation of Salami as the chairman of the 16-man committee.

Justice Salami had reportedly turned in his resignation letter before a date for the committee’s inauguration could be announced.

‎The NJC stated that the Justice Galadima-led committee would be inaugurated on Wednesday, November 1.

Apart from Justice Salami, who recently resigned, other members announced by the NJC earlier announced on September 27, 2017 remained on the list of members also released by the Council on Tuesday.

The statement read, “The National Judicial Council under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Mr. Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, has picked a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Mr. Suleiman Galadima, CFR, as the new chairman of the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee.

“He is to replace Hon. Justice Mr. Ayo Salami (retired) who excused himself from the committee as the chairman, after initially accepting to serve.

“The committee will be inaugurated tomorrow, Wednesday, November 1st, 2017 by Hon. Justice Mr. Onnoghen, at the Council’s Conference Hall by 2pm.”

Justice Galadima retired as a Justice of the Supreme Court on attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 on October 10, 2016.

APC caucus pass vote of confidence on National Chairman
pulse.ng


Gov. Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara said that the meeting also reinforced the unity, commitment and strength of all members of the party.

Chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday night, passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the party.

Gov. Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara made this known at the end of a caucus meeting of the party which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said that the meeting also reinforced the unity, commitment and strength of all members of the party.

“This meeting shows our unity in the party, shows our strength and our commitment to the party and to Nigerians,’’he said.

Sen. Bukar Abba-Ibrahim, who also spoke on the outcome of the meeting, dismissed the speculation that the meeting was convened to remove the leadership of the APC.

He added: “You remember, you saw it in some of the newspapers. That our crises had deepened, APC is going to break, there is a plan to kick out our national chairman – none of these things happened.

“It is a big family reunion and we are all happy and this party is going to dominate the Nigerian political space for a very long time to come. I don’t want to predict any number of years.’’

Mr John Odigie-Oyegun, the party’s National Chairman, described the meeting as `very fantastic’, adding that the party would be stronger after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was attended by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Sen. Bola Tinubu, Bisi Akande, cabinet ministers and presidential aides.

Governors of Plateau, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Jigawa, Benue, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Kebbi, Nasarawa as well as deputy governors of Kwara and Yobe states also attended the meeting.

Members of the National Assembly including Senators Rabiu Kwankwaso and Adamu Alieru as well as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha also attended the meeting which lasted for over three hours.

NAN, however, noted that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar was absent at the meeting, though a source said he might have travelled out of the country.

PHOTOS: Atiku missing as Buhari presides over APC Caucus meeting
africanspotlight.com

The All Progressives Congress, APC, caucus meeting held on Monday night at the New Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari presided over the meeting.

The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar was conspicuously absent as at press time.



Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar was conspicuously absent at the All Progressives Congress’ caucus meeting which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the new Banquet Hall, Aso Rock, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), however, gathered that the Turakin Adamawa might have travelled out of the country.

NAN reports that the meeting which started at about 8.45p.m. was being attended by the newly appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.

NAN also observed that some participants at the meeting were seen “struggling’’ for photo opportunity with the new SGF.

Others attending the meeting include Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the APC national Chairman, John Odigie Oyegun, Sen. Bola Tinubu, cabinet ministers and presidential aides.

The meeting was also being attended by governors of Plateau, Adamawa, Bauchi, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Jigawa, Benue, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Kebbi, Nasarawa as well as deputy governors of Kwara and Yobe states. (NAN)


The meeting also has in attendance the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, the Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun and the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun as well as the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha.





The roll call of members present are former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, former Speaker of House of Representatives, Patricia Etteh and former deputy speaker, Chibudom Nwuche.

Governors in attendance were the chairman of APC Governors’ Forum, Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Yahaya Bello of Kogi who was the first to arrive at about 7:30pm, Sokoto -Aminu Tambuwal, Niger – Sani Bello, Nasarawa – Tanko Al-Makura, Bauchi -Mohammed Abubakar, Adamawa – Bindo Jibrila, Plateau – Simon Lalong, Benue – Samuel Ortom, Katsina – Aminu Maisari, Zamfari – Abdulaziz Yari and Jigawa – Abubakar Badaru.

Also in attendance are Borno- Kashim Shettima, Kaduna – Nasir El-Rufai, Ondo – Rotimi Akaredolu
Ogun – Ibikunle Amosun, Bauchi – Mohammed Abubakar, and Oyo – Abiola Ajumobi.

Deputy Governor Osun Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori was also in attendance.

Some ministers in attendance were Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, Minister of Transport, Rotimi Ameachi, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe and that of Science and Technology, Dr.. Ogbonnaya Onu.

Former governors in attendance include Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state, Segun Oshoba (Ogun), Segun Oni (Ekiti), Niyi Adebayo (Ondo), Jim Nwabodo (Former governor of old Anambra State), Martins Elechi (Ebonyi), Ahmed Yerima (Zamfara), Timipreye Silva (Bayelsa), Senator Joshua Dariye (Plateau) and former military administrator of Lagos State, Buba Marwa (retd).

Other notable Personalties in attendance were Don Etiebet, Col. Abdulmumuni Aminu (retd), Senator Osita Izunaso, Senato Andy Uba.

Meanwhile shortly before the commencement of the meeting, governors and ministers were seen congratulating the newly appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Gida Mustapha.

They were also seen struggling to take pictures with him amidst the congratulatory handshakes.

Surprise!!! Fani-Kayode Lauds President Buhari’s Choice Of Boss Mustapha As SGF
buzznigeria.com


It is not everyday that you hear Former Minister of Aviation and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Femi Fani-Kayode applaud a decision taken by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Chief Fani Kayode has however lauded the decision to sack the controversial former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), David Babachir Lawal, describing it as “good riddance.”

The former Minister known slammed the ex-SGF for not doing enough in his service to the nation as a chief scribe. FFK even went further to described his replacement, “A better man.

He said:

Babachir Lawal went out of his way to destroy the church in order to assist. … evil Islamist agenda.
His being sacked is good riddance to bad rubbish. He was so desperate to please his master that he even tried to impose a pro-Buhari leadership on the Christian Association of Nigerian, CAN. Now he is out. His successor, Boss Mustapha is a better man and he has far more gravitas and integrity.
He however had words of symapthy and consolation to Mr. Ayo Oke, the now fired Director General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, NIA, saying he was a mere victim of circumstance.

I warned him about these people, They used him and dumped him. He was just a scapegoat and the fall guy in a plot that was far bigger than him.
Born in Adamawa State, the new SGF attended Hong Secondary School, in Hong Adamawa and North East College of Arts and Sciences Maiduguri Borno state, crowning it with WASC and HSC in 1976.

He earned his Bachelor of Law (LL.B) from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 and was called to bar in 1980. He served as the Deputy Director General of the party’s Presidential Buhari’s campaign Organization

Until his recent appointment, He was the former Managing Director/CEO of the National inland waterways Authority (NIWA).

OSINBAJO LIED AGAINST ME —JONATHAN
scannewsnigeria.com


FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan has said Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, lied against his government by claiming that the last administration released the sum of N100 billion and another $295 million in cash within two weeks of the 2015 general election.

Jonathan, in a statement on his behalf by his Special Assistant, New Media, RenoOmokri indicated that the lies by the vice President were becoming characteristic.

The statement indicated that the claims credited to Osinbajo, while speaking in Lagos on Friday, at a “Greater Nigeria Pastors Conference,” that President Jonathan released the huge sums weeks before the election, was false.

“I make bold to say that the Vice President has once again taken to his characteristic habit of lying,” the statement read.

“Nigerians may recall that only last week, Vice President Osinbajo was in Anambra State, where he lied that the present administration had paid $2 billion for the second Niger Bridge.

“I had cause to expose that lie and forced the Presidency to issue a ‘clarification’. The money released was 2 billion Naira and it came from the Sovereign Wealth Fund set up by the Jonathan administration which the APC resisted and challenged in court.

“It will also be recalled that in February 2016, the Vice President again lied when he claimed that both the Jonathan and Yar’Adua government did not build a single road. This fact was easily disproved when even members of this administration, including Osinbajo’s boss, President Buhari, began commissioning projects, including roads built by the Jonathan administration.

“Nigerians will recall that the Jonathan administration rebuilt the Benin-Ore portions of the Benin-Lagos road,” Vom-Manchok road, the Kano-Zaria Road Bridge (named after late Emir Ado Bayero) and many more.

“On this recent allegation by the Vice-President, not only has the Vice President again lied, he is doing so to divert attention from the Maina scandal in which the administration in which he serves, by the testimony of the Maina family, invited Abdulrasheed Maina, the infamous alleged pension thief, back into the country, reinstated him, promoted him and deployed him as Director of Human Resources in the ministry of Internal affairs.

“When they were found out, the Presidency resorted to its favourite past time of blame game by preposterously accusing former President Jonathan of somehow magically being the brain behind Maina’s return. This is even as the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, had already revealed that he “acted in the public’s interest” in initiating the process for Maina’s return.”

“There is also the $25 billion Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation scam which is the biggest scam ever in the history of Nigeria since 1914 to date.

“Finally, Nigerians want to know the truth about the Babachir Lawal probe which has been concluded and handed over to the president many months ago but of which no action has been taken.

“Nigerians want to hear the truth about these scandals and not tired lies about looted funds that keep being recycled without proof.

“I would like to remind the Vice President that he is a Pastor and therefore conversant with the biblical admonition in Revelations 21:8 that “all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.”

The statement further indicated: “It is not too late for the Vice President to turn a new leaf and begin to apologize to Nigerians for the three million jobs a year he and his boss promised, but ended up losing 4.5 million jobs in their first two years according to the Nigerian Bureau of statistics.

“If Vice President Osinbajo is looking for who to blame for the present sorry state of the Nigerian economy, he should buy a mirror.

“The rushed implementation of the Treasury Single Account policy of the Jonathan administration, the constant negative comments about our economy by the President while on foreign trips, the inconsistent foreign exchange policies of the government, the advice to the World Bank to focus only on Northern Nigeria, the openly pro Northern Agenda which gives promotion and appointments to persons of Northern extraction irrespective of merit or experience are to blame, not Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.”

Nigerians May Stone Us If We Field President Buhari In 2019 -APC Group
buzznigeria.com

Members of the defunct Congress For Progressive Change (CPC) from the 17 southern states of Nigeria, has said that fielding Mr. Buhari in 2019 Presidential poll will incur them the wrath of Nigerians and cost the ruling APC the election.

According to the group who spoke under the auspices of Southern Mandate of Nigeria (SMN), those supporting President Muhammadu Buhari for 2019 election as ‘selfish’ and insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.

The National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Francis Ikonomwan, told journalists in Benin, Edo state, that the President has failed to deliver on his campaign promises and so Nigerians can no longer entrust him with the leadership of the country.

Mr. Ikonomwan urged Buhari to ignore the calls of “political sycophancy,” him for another tenor as such is not in the interest of the nation. He noted that President Buhari has failed to deliver on his campaign promises and so Nigerians can no longer entrust him with the leadership of the country.

In a statement released to the press, the APC group said,

“We are saddened that, these people are not sensitive to the plight of Nigerians. The fact remains that Nigerians are not happy with President Muhammadu Buhari and our party, the APC.

“President Muhammadu Buhari, has not been able to deliver on his campaign promises. What has this administration to campaign within every sector of the economy or is it the fight against corruption that has been swept under the carpet?

“Even the political leaders and the people who fought for his emergence as President today have been abandoned and are all lamenting today.

“There is a total disconnect between the people and the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. Poverty and hunger is now the order of the day in Nigeria as we speak. It is getting obvious by the day that Nigerians can no longer trust President Muhammadu Buhari with the leadership of this country.

Read Also: Buhari Is The Father Of Corruption- APC Chieftain, Mark Wosi

“If APC fields Mohammadu Buhari as its presidential candidate in 2019, we are afraid that Nigerians may stone us at campaign grounds. We may just end up giving the opposition party the presidency in 2019 on a platter of gold.

“However, we wish to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to ignore such call as it is not in the interest of Nigerians.

“President Muhammadu Buhari’s priority now should be how to use the remaining part of his administration to deliver on our campaign promises and do the needful by not indicating interest to contest in 2019,” the statement reads.