₦airaland Forum

Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s President, has stated why he relieved Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, of his duty.

Mr Lawal was sacked in 2017 following the recommendation of a three-man panel headed by Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President, which investigated the allegation against the former official.

He was alleged to have awarded contracts worth N500 million through the Presidential Initiative on North-East, a rehabilitation programme under his office, to a company in which he had interests.

Speaking on Wednesday at a town hall meeting, tagged: “The Candidates,” organised by the MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with NTA and DARIA Media in Abuja, Mr Buhari said he terminated the appointment of Lawal because the allegation against him was a strong one.

The president stated this while responding to questions on why the oust SGF was seen campaigning for his re-election instead of being behind bars for the crime he allegedly committed.

Buhari said unlike during the military regime, he has to be careful not to arraign those accused without evidences.

“That is not fair criticism of the government. I do not think there is anybody that is being pointed out as corrupt in this dispensation which we looked the other direction,” he said.

“I told you why I have to be careful.

“The public should help us.

“If there are strong allegations that are backed up with evidences, bank accounts, names of companies floated and contracts awarded, then we will take them before the courts through the EFCC and ICPC and we have to trust the system and allow them to complete investigation.

“If we just take people, in as we did during the military, and lock them up, the present democracy, a multi-party democracy, does not approve of that.

“If you accuse any person, you have to provide evidence in court for him to be prosecuted.

“So, if there is strong allegation, the government may decide to ask people to go, like in the case of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, we asked him to go.

“The matter is already before the EFCC and I believe that a directive has been issued to charge him and all persons who have cases before the EFCC,” the president said.

Buhari who said his administration would not tolerate any form of corrupt practices from any quarters, advised those making allegations to be able to provide evidence why those they are accusing should be prosecuted.

Source: https://politicstimesng.com/buhari-why-sacked-babachir-lawal/

lalasticlala

Nigerians have been warned against electing candidates of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the general electing commencing next month.

The warning comes from President Muhammadu Buhari who is seeking a second term in office.

Me Buhari gave the advise at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential rally in Lokoja, Kogi state capital, on Wednesday.

The president says if the PDP which had been in power since the return to democracy in 1999 but was oust in 2015 is given a second chance they will cover their misdeeds while they held sway.

“All we’re trying to do is to remind you to think, ‘Where were we in 2015 when we came in (and) where are we now?’ ‘What have we been able to achieve with the resources available to us?’” Buhari queried.

“To remind you, I have challenged anybody in Nigeria to check in Europe, America and Asia that Nigeria was producing 2.1 million barrels a day at the cost of US$100. So, Nigeria was earning 2,100,000 times US$100 times 16 years.

“Where was that money? The railway was killed. There was no power. They said they spent $16 billion, not naira, on power. Where’s the power?

“I’m warning you, don’t make any mistake of choosing any PDP candidate. What they will try to do is to cover the theft they’ve committed against the nation,” he advised.

While promising to secure the country against insurgency, banditry and other violent crimes, Buhari dismissed insinuations in some quarters that his party was planning to rig the general election.

Source: https://politicstimesng.com/buhari-nigerians-should-vote-any-pdp-candidate/

lalasticlala

For peddling falsehood on the alleged raid on the home of Walter Onnoghen, embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria, Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister and Yinka Odumakin, spokesman of Afenifere, has been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

Messrs Fani-Kayode and Odumakin on Tuesday afternoon raised alarm saying the anti-graft agency laid siege at the residence of Mr Onnoghen.

ALSO READ:
Odumakin: How I Was Sent To Raise Alarm On Onnoghen’s Residence Invasion

The Chief Justice is accused for allegedly omitting to declare his assets and illegally operating five domiciliary accounts in various foreign currencies.

On the evening of same day, the claims of the duo were found to be false with an aide of the top jurist described it as “untrue.”

The indicted EFCC also distanced itself from the alleged operation, urging the spreaders to brace up to face litigations.

While the former minister has recanted from his earlier claim, the spokesman of the Yoruba socio-cultural group has narrated how he was sent to raise the alarm.

At the conference of Online Publishers Association of Nigeria in Abuja, a spokesman of the EFCC, Tony Orilade, on Friday said the two men have been invited, Premium Times reports.

Mr Orilade who said the news could injure the country’s interest added that the former minister and the spokesman of the Afenifere would only be released after they have disclosed the source of their information.

Source: https://politicstimesng.com/onnoghen-fani-kayode-odumakin-in-trouble-over-fake-news/

David Umahi, Ebonyi State Governor, has alleged that supporters of Atiku Abubakar, the 2019 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were behind the destruction of campaign billboard of the party in the state.

Mr Umahi who seeks a second term in office on the platform of the PDP said the damage done to presidential billboards in his domain were carried out by members of Friends of Atiku (FOA) campaign group.

The governor who said the state remained that of the PDP added that the group embarked on the mission because they were not getting the needed attention.

“I read on online about a support group that the bill board was been destroyed, and i know the character behind the installation of the billboard because he is not getting enough attention he has to destroy it to get necessary attention,” Umahi said on Tuesday while swearing in of some commissioner and Special Advisers at the Exco Chambers Government House Abakaliki.

“And for me it is ingenuity, I have told my people instead of sitting down and doing nothing, destroy something and start fixing it back. So the guy has no work,” he said.

The governor who described the state as the most peaceful and law abiding said the people are not known to destroy campaign billboards as anyone caught will face consequences.

“So the guy out of ingenuity and evil genius that he destroyed it. Nobody is destroying Atiku billboard in this state, nobody is destroying the President billboard we are very law abiding.

“But if we catch anyone doing that, it is another problem,” Umahi said.

Source: https://politicstimesng.com/umahi-atiku-supporters-destroyed-campaign-billboard-ebonyi/

[b]The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode and Yinka Odumakin, Afenifere’s spokesman to brace up to defend themselves in court over their claims on Walter Onnoghen, embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Messrs Fani-Kayode and Odumakin had on Tuesday claimed the residence of Mr Onnoghen was raided by the EFCC.

Mr Onnoghen is accused of allegedly omitting to declare his assets and illegally operating five domiciliary accounts in various foreign currencies.

While the former minister made his claim using his social media accounts, the spokesman of the socio-cultural Yoruba group made similar claim in a short video he dispensed on the internet.

The claim by the duo has been debunked by the anti-graft agency who has told them to brace up to face litigation from the commission.

It was also dismissed by Awassam Bassey, an aide to the jurist who described it as “untrue.”

“The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to the falsehood which has been spreading on the social media that the EFCC has arrested the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen. This is not only a figment of the imagination of the purveyor of the fake news, but an evil machination by the creator and carriers of the news aimed at creating anarchy in the country,” the EFCC said in a statement on Tuesday.

“For the record, the EFCC never went to the house of the CJN for arrest neither was invitation extended to him.

“Several calls and short messages received all point to the fact that the brains behind the fake news had one thing in mind: to act as agent of destabilization. We would not give in to their plots.

“One of the architect of the fake news, Femi Fani-Kayode, was quoted as saying “Why have the EFCC surrounded the home of CJN Onnoghen and why are they seeking to arrest him? These people want Nigeria to burn! Buhari call off your dogs before it is too late! This is a democracy and not a gestapo state! In the name of God let this madness stop”. Another arrowhead of the fake news, Yinka Odumakin shared a non-existent video which has gone viral.

“We want to assure Nigerians that while we would fight corruption in line with the mandate setting up the Commission, agents of darkness, in the likes of Femi Fani-Kayode, Yinka Odumakin and his cohorts, would never be able to manipulate the people against the Commission.

“We also want to assure Fani-Kayode, Yinka Odumakin and other purveyors of the evil news to be ready to defend their actions in the court of law as the EFCC will file libel suit against them without further delay,” the commission said.[/b]

Source: https://politicstimesng.com/onnoghen-ready-defend-yourselves-court-efcc-fani-kayode-odumakin/

Godswill Akpabio, lawmaker representing Akwa Ibom North West at the Senate, has been accused of allegedly omitting to declare some assets traced him.

Mr Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, was accused by protesters under the aegis of Civil Society Groups for Accountability and Probity on Monday, same day the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, was arraign for similar offence.

The protesters who demanded the probe of the former governor made the accusation in a petition submitted at the zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Wuse 2, Abuja, on Monday.

Jonathan Ogwuche, who spoke on behalf of the group said the lawmaker had in 2017 claimed to to have eight buildings, while in 2011 he declared 10 buildings.

“Curiously however and of worrisome note, in 2016 following an investigative report by an online media, it was alleged that he was among those with properties in Dubai.

“Contrary to claims by Sen. Akpabio, the ‘following outlandish properties’ located at the under-listed addresses could also be traced to him as follows:

“1. Plot 5 Ikogosi Spring Close, off Katsina-Ala Crescent, Maitama-Abuja; 2. Plot 28 Colorado Close, Maitama; 3. 22 Probyn Road, Ikoyi, Lagos and 4. Plot 23 Olusegun Aina Street, Parkview, Lagos.”

Ogwuche said the properties ”are conspicuously missing in the asset declaration of the former governor”.

“With the exception of a Bedford armour bus which he claimed to be a gift, cars declared in 2007 were copied and pasted in 2011. This doesn’t represent the reality on ground as he is known to move about in a fleet of cars.”

The protesters claimed a son of the former governor ”who is said to have a property in Abuja (in 2007 declaration) at Games village acquired on 1-1-2005 worth a value of N16.9 million has an annual income of just N350,000, while in 2011 declaration, the value remained unchanged”.

“The source of the house is questionable. We can incontrovertibly submit that Senator Akpabio freely dished out the finances of Akwa Ibom State to his children, friends and other family members while corruptly enriching himself with same at the detriment of the state,” the group added.

Akpabio has so far dismissed the allegations.

“This is not the first time we are going to EFCC. We have been responding to petitions since we left office in 2015,” Anietie Ekong, a media aide to the former governor was quoted by Premium Times as saying while responding to the allegation.

Mr Ekong said the petitioners were pursuing a ‘political vendetta’. He added that previous petitions had been withdrawn “by their originators because of lack of evidence”.

Akpabio who served as two term governor of the state and elected senator on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dumped the now opposition party to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) last year.

He is one of the those championing the re-election campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Source: https://politicstimesng.com/protesters-demand-probe-akpabio-omitting-declare-assets/

lalasticlala

The trial of Walter Onnoghen, Nigeria’s Justice Chief, has been suspended.

Mr Onnoghen is accused for allegedly omitting to declare his assets and illegally operating five domiciliary accounts in various foreign currencies.

ALSO READ:
Onnoghen: CJN Absent As CCT Begins Sitting

He was absent at the commencement of his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal today. The judiciary chief was however represented by Wole Olanipekun in company of some Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The suspended trial is set to resume on Tuesday, January 22, 2019.

The prosecuting council led by Aliu Umar, has said the accused must present himself to the tribunal.

Umar’s argument was sequel to that of Olanipekun who insisted that his client did not have to appear because the tribunal lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter. He also said the judge was not properly served of court summons prior to his scheduled arraignment today.

“He should be here,” Mr Aliu said, but “he may refuse to be arraigned and say that he is contesting the case.”

Source: https://politicstimesng.com/onnoghen-trial-of-cjn-suspended-resumes-january-22/

lalasticlala

Ike Ekweremadu, deputy Senate President, has urged his supporters not to be distracted by defection propaganda peddled on him.

Mr Ekweremadu stated this while reacting to claims by Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) that the top lawmaker in conjunction with some state governors from the South-East were working for the re-election of their principal, Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s President.

Mr Buhari is seeking a second term in office on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) while the top legislator is in the opposing camp of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ekweremadu is reported to have been sidelined on recent developments in the PDP, this the opposition party denied.

The lawmaker while claiming no division exist in the PDP said the misinformation are orchestrated attempts by some characters to create the impression of a divided house in the party ahead of the presidential election.

“Such characters dish out fake and divisive stories without source on a daily basis and attribute same to me,” Ekweremadu said in a statement on Monday.

“While I refuse to be distracted by such cheap blackmail, smear campaign, and propaganda, it is important to assure our supporters that PDP is united and focused on wrestling power from the APC for the good of Nigeria.

“After the PDP lost the presidency and majority status at the national assembly, I made it clear that I would stand by the party. It took other party stakeholders and I a lot of efforts, sacrifices, and painstaking negotiations with soul searching to hold the party together.

“If I did not abandon PDP at its darkest hour, it does not make the slightest sense to say that I abandoned it now that it’s sun is rising again,” he said.

Ekweremadu added that leaders of the region were strategizing on how to ensure the party secures the support of the zone.

“Meanwhile, I held separate meetings with our Vice Presidential candidate, Peter Obi and the Chairman, South East Governors Forum, Dave Umahi, to set up a meeting of party stakeholders by weekend to work out strategies for the success of our party in the coming elections.

“I have no doubt that the South East PDP leaders will deliver the region overwhelmingly to the PDP as usual. I expect that other leaders will also do the same in their geopolitical zones.

“I, therefore, urge our supporters not to be distracted by such propaganda as we approach the critical stages in the coming elections. We should rather focus on delivering the votes for the success of our party,” Ekweremadu said.

Source: https://politicstimesng.com/dont-be-distracted-defection-propaganda-ekweremadu-supporters/

lordkush:
cjn will not honour anyvinvure from ccbt orcl whaterver. and heaven won't fall

Oga, there you lie, I dare him not to and see how his Bleep up will be treated.

solutionmi:
Empty sakara up And down

You call their threat empty? Go and ask Yar'adua if their threat is empty, mind you, the governors of the region are with them on this.

Niger Delta Militants has told Nigerians to prepare to exist without oil if President Muhammadu Buhari is re-elected for a second term in office.

A statement which POLITICS TIMES considered a threat to the nation’s life wire is coming from a coalition of various militant camps in the South South region.

The threat also came amidst the planned arraignment of Walter Onnoghen, the current Chief Justice of Nigeria being asked to step aside for some alleged corrupt practises traced to him.

Mr Onnoghen is scheduled for arraignment before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Monday, January 14, for allegedly omitting to declare his assets.

He is also accused of illegally operating five domiciliary accounts in various foreign currencies with Standard Chartered Bank since 2011.

Threatening Nigeria, the militants said the CJN’s removal is being plotted because he is from the geo-political zone.

The coalition declared in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and signed by over 15 leaders of various militant groups, vowing that any attempt to re-elect Buhari, would split the country.

Among the signatories were: General John Duke (Niger Delta Watchdogs and convener, Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators), General Simply Benjamin (Bakassi Strike Force), General Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors) and Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters).

“The CJN is suffering just because he is from the minority area of the South-South, the Niger Delta region. This is definitely a petition plotted by the Presidency to forcefully remove the incumbent CJN from office and replace him with a northerner,” it said.

“In the first instance, President Muhammadu Buhari was not disposed to Justice Omnoghen’s appointment to this position, which is why he refused to confirm the appointment after so many months of serving in acting capacity.

“It was during the period of his sickness, while in Britain, that the acting President, Prof. Osinbajo, confirmed the appointment.

“We wish to also recall that in August last year, Mr. Matthew Seiyefa of Bayelsa State, who was the most senior and most qualified officer at the time, was appointed to the position of acting Director-General of the Department of State Security by Prof. Osinbajo, only to be replaced with a retired and junior officer to Mr. Seiyefa, Mr. Yusuf Magji Bichi, by President Buhari, as soon as he resumed duties. We hereby vehemently resist any attempt to remove CJN, Walter Omnoghen from office.

“These go to confirm that there is a high level of hatred, injustice, discrimination and marginalization of the Niger Delta region by the APC-led government over the past three years.

“Before the 2015 elections, we can recall several events that took place in the political arena which can now be confirmed were done to discredit the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“During the campaign for re-election in 2015, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan a South-South indigene was attacked in Bauchi State. We also witnessed how northerners and Yorubas embarrassed him, even those he trusted betrayed him and did everything possible to remove him because he is from a minority tribe in Niger Delta.

“This goes to confirm without any iota of doubt that the protests against the Jonathan administration were embarked upon basically because he is from the Niger Delta region.

“Similarly, protests against the Chibok girls’ abduction, and complaints about widespread corruption, high prices of commodity items, and others, were the order of the day. They declared that they needed “change”; thus, they ganged up, humiliated and betrayed Jonathan out of office and brought President Buhari to power.

“But, today, the much desired changed has metamorphosed into “chains” and those so-called activists and civil rights protagonists are keeping mum even in the face of human rights abuses, and deployment of draconian laws reminiscent of the military era.

“We also call on all the northerners and Yorubas, who own oil wells in the Niger Delta to prepare to vacate immediately; we also want to warn our Niger Delta brothers, who are working for Buhari to watch their back and know that we are watching them and their family members. We warn them to stop campaigning for Buhari in the Niger Delta. Be warned.

“Therefore, we want to inform Nigerians and the international community that any attempt by President Buhari to continue in office beyond May 2019, will be resisted by all means necessary.

“If they succeed in rigging election and bring back Buhari, then, Nigeria should prepare to exist without the Niger Delta oil. Niger Delta will not be part of Nigeria anymore.

“The northerners should also prepare to leave the Niger Delta if President Buhari continues beyond May 2019; we are prepared to strike once and for all and declare our Sovereign Niger Delta Republic.

“What, however, surprises us is the fact that the same people and groups that protested against the petroleum subsidy removal and increases in prices of the petroleum products are the ones who gave President Buhari the nod to commence the subsidy removal without any record of protests,” the agitators stated.

Source: https://politicstimesng.com/onnoghen-prepare-to-exist-without-niger-delta-oil-militants-tell-nigerians/

lalasticlala

Ike Ekweremadu, deputy Senate President, has advised the federal government to withdraw the corruption charges against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen.

Mr Onnoghen is scheduled for arraignment before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Monday, January 14, for allegedly omitting to declare his assets.

He is also accused of illegally operating five domiciliary accounts in various foreign currencies with Standard Chartered Bank since 2011.

Since the development was made public, Nigerians, including the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are reading political meanings to the six-count charge against the CJN, particularly because of the role the judiciary will be playing as the nation elect its leaders next month.

Advising the federal government to retrace its steps, Ekweremadu in a statement on Monday described the arraignment as dangerous for the nation’s democracy.

“I consider the charges against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, His Lordship, Justice Walter Onnoghen, as ill advised and dangerous, especially after similar attempts at the leadership of the National Assembly failed,” the top lawmaker belonging to the PDP said.

“This is extremely dangerous for our democracy and can only divide the nation further as well as mark us out as a country very low in upholding the rule of law and independence of the judiciary.

“I advice the Attorney General of the Federation to immediately withdraw the charges and apologise to the judiciary. We certainly can’t travel this road,” he said.

SOUTH SOUTH GOVERNORS KICKS

State governors of the South-South region on Sunday kicked against the planned arraignment of the CJN.

The governors who advised Onnoghen to ignore the summon of the CCT said they were not opposed to a genuine fight against corruption, as such an action must always be anchored on the rule of law.

“We call on the CJN to ignore this so-called court summons from the CCT and the provocative call for his resignation in some quarters,” Seriake Dickson, who read a communique of the emergency meeting of the governors said.

“While we are not opposed to a genuine fight against corruption, such an action must always be anchored on the rule of law,” they added.

Present at the meeting included the Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson; Nyesom Wike, (Rivers State); Ben Ayade, (Cross River); and Udom Emmanuel, (Akwa Ibom). Delta and Edo states’ governors were absent at the meeting.

Source: https://politicstimesng.com/onnoghen-withdraw-charges-against-cjn-apologise-ekweremadu-advises-fg/

Buhari said he has declared his assets and directed Nigerians to approach the CCB who refused to make the assets known to Nigerians.

Now, CJN Onnoghen declared his assets and the CCB is expected not to disclose content without the approval of the the accused.

I want to ask, who showed the APC group that filed the petition the assets declaration form of Onnoghen?

lalasticlala

Premium Times, an online news medium, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the withdrawal of the planned arraignment of Walter Onnoghen, Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN).

Mr Onnoghen is scheduled for arraignment before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Monday, January 14, for allegedly omitting to declare his assets.

He is also accused of illegally operating five domiciliary accounts in various foreign currencies with Standard Chartered Bank since 2011.

Since the development was made public, Nigerians, including the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are reading political meanings to the six-count charge against the CJN, particularly because of the role the judiciary will be playing as the nation elect its leaders next month.

Advising the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led administration to withdraw the charges against the jurist, the online news portal not only described the charges as illegal it added that there were unconstitutional. It cited some rulings of the judiciary to back up its claim.

“The most important reason why the CJN ought not to have been charged before the CCT, let alone being prepared for arraignment is because the charge is illegal and unconstitutional,” Premium Times said in a review report published on its website.

Premium Times argued that the head of the country’s judiciary cannot be prosecuted while in office until he is oust by the National Judicial Council which must take the decision if the judicial officer is found wanting after its investigation brought against any judge.

“The CJN is, in the eye of the law, presumed innocent, until he is proved and found guilty. Being charged at all, however, implicates his right to fair hearing, as many will start arguing that he should step down from office. In other words, once charged and arraigned, the likelihood is that calls will be made for him to vacate office, albeit temporarily, for integrity reasons. If, in the end, he is found not guilty, irreparable damage would have been done to his reputation and the integrity of the Judiciary.

“In NGANJIWA V. F. R.N, 2018, 4NWLR, Part 1609, Page 301, at page 339, para. G-page 352, para. E, the Court of Appeal (Lagos Division) held that no serving judge in Nigeria can be investigated or tried in a court of law, without first being removed from the Bench. A petition first must have been written against the judge, and he must have faced an administrative disciplinary process of the NJC for an alleged violation of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, found guilty, recommended, by the NJC, for removal from office, and removed from office by the Executive arm of government. In short, only dismissed judicial officers can be investigated and prosecuted by the anti-corruption agencies. That decision is being appealed by the EFCC at the Supreme Court.

“The position we took when that decision was handed down was that the judgment had no constitutional basis. Judges ( unlike the President, Vice President, Governor and Deputy Governor) enjoy no immunity from investigation, arrest and prosecution, while they are in service. They do not enjoy executive immunity and are not covered by Section 308 of the Constitution. The Court, therefore, cannot grant to the judiciary an immunity the Constitution does not vest in it. The concept of judicial immunity only covers the exercise of the judicial powers of a judge and his jurisdiction. No civil action or criminal action may be taken against him in respect of his judicial work or decisions, but he is not shielded from criminal culpability if he commits a criminal offence while he is in office.

“The NGANJIWA Decision, however, remains the law in Nigeria today. Nigeria is a constitutional democracy under the rule of law. By virtue of Section 287 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, the judgment is binding on all authorities and persons in Nigeria, including the Executive Branch of Government at the “Federal” level, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the CCB and CCT.

“We support the fight against corruption in the public sector and in the Judiciary in particular. But this fight must be done in scrupulous conformity with the rule of law.

“In the light of the foregoing, we call on the President of Nigeria to direct that the charges filed against the CJN be withdrawn forthwith for its incompetence, even as the Administration continues to explore other legitimate and constitutional means to continue its fight against corrupt practices in our public life.

The allegations against the CJN may be grave, but justice cannot be served by resorting to patent illegalities,” the online paper said.

Source: https://politicstimesng.com/withdraw-planned-arraignment-of-onnoghen-premium-times-tells-buhari/

Is Nigeria Working?

lalasticlala

Godswill Akpabio, lawmaker representing Akwa Ibom North West at the Senate has said the country is already working, contrary to claims in some quarters.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has at several occasions maintained that Nigeria is not working.

This POLITICS TIMES gathered prompted the PDP flag-bearer popularly known as Atiku to choose a campaign slogan calling on Nigerians to vote him into office so he could resuscitate the country.

The striking memorable phrase of the former vice president is “Let’s Get Nigeria Working Again.”

Atiku is the major challenger of President Muhammadu Buhari who is seeking a second term in office on the platform of the All Progressive Congress, (APC).

Mr Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, kicking against the slogan said the country was already working as what is need is to move the country to the ‘next level.’

“We have few weeks to the general elections and we are quite ready,” the lawmaker who defected to the APC last year tweeted on Friday.

“As you are aware, we are running our campaigns on the basis of performance not propaganda.

“Don’t be deceived, Nigeria is already working and we will take it to the Next Level,” he added.

The re-election slogan of the president is ‘Next Level.’ Accompanying the president’s campaign phrase is a 4+4 sign recently gaining momentum across the country.

Mr Buhari also promoted the sign when he presented the 2019 budget to the national assembly last year.

The Nigerian constitution allows a two term of four years each to candidates seeking election to the exalted office.

Source: https://politicstimesng.com/nigeria-already-working-akpabio-claims/

lalasticlala

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, has denied endorsing Atiku Abubakar, the 2019 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).

There were reports at an event held last year that the body endorsed Mr Abubakar, a former vice president popularly known as Atiku, as its candidate for the February 16 presidential poll.

But denying the report on Thursday, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, Chuks Ibegbu, said those who endorsed Atiku were his friends and not Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

“It is erroneous to say that we endorsed Atiku. Ohanaeze Ndigbo did not endorse anybody. That meeting at Nike Lake Resort was organised by friends of Atiku,” Mr Ibegbu said in Enugu at a media briefing to mark the second anniversary of the current executive of the organisation.

The spokesman said although the organisation will soon make known its stand on the election, the body will vote for candidates who will restructure the country.

“However, due to our peculiar circumstance in the country, we will identify with candidates that will restructure Nigeria if voted into power,” Ibegbu said.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been canvassing for our people to identify with candidates that will restructure Nigeria.

“We still stand on that and in the next few days we shall meet to take a holistic position on the elections,” he added.

Source: https://politicstimesng.com/2019-atiku-friends-endorsed-him-not-we-ohanaeze-says/

Bukola Saraki, Senate President, has said Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s President, has no integrity.

Mr Saraki stated this on Wednesday while featuring in an interview aired on Channels Television.

The top lawmaker not only said the president is not honest, he also described the administration of the Nigerian leader as corrupt.

The Senate President said Mr Buhari lacks integrity because he condone and shield his cronies and allies who are perceived to be corrupt from prosecution.

“There is no doubt that there are corrupt people around the system. If the President is fighting corruption truly, I am baffled how a member of his government who was found wanting, up till today, no charge, no prosecution,” Saraki said.

“To me, once you can do that, you lose integrity, the moral high ground to say you are fighting corruption. You must show that nobody is above the law, you must show that no matter how close anybody is to you that you’ll take action and that’s not happening.

“Based on the action I’ve seen, yes his government is corrupt if you are not taking action when people are corrupt. Why condoning it?

“It will be right to say the government of Buhari is corrupt. If you are the head of a government, you take responsibility. So, anything that is done by a government that is corrupt and action is not being taken by the head of that, then the government is corrupt,” he said.

Saraki who defected from the APC last year said the government of the president is incompetent.

“A government comes into power and says I will create jobs. Instead of creating it has lost jobs up to 20 million. It now blames it on the government of 16 years ago. No. You came into government, you said this is what I promise and you did not deliver. To now blame that on a government that was there before is no excuse. If you cannot create new jobs, at least sustain the existing ones.”

He also talked about fuel subsidy controversy under the present administration to further characterise the Buhari administration as corrupt.

“In 2015, one of the areas we labelled the Jonathan government of corruption was the issue of fuel subsidy scam. One of the major issues that came up then was that we were importing fuel based on our assumption of 30 million consumption daily and all experts will tell you that Nigeria cannot consume maximum 22 million litres per day.

“At that time, we said the Jonathan government was corrupt. You will then think that a government that was to fight corruption, different leakages will ensure that the subsidy is better managed.

“Instead of bringing down the 30 million, the government is doing 50 million. We cannot consume 50 million litres per day. It is those money being stolen.

“I said it last year that you must bring subsidy into the budget. NNPC convinced the President to say it is not subsidy but under-recovery. It is not subsidy. What is under-recovery? Finally, in 2019 the president decided to bring it. He should have done that all along,” he said.

Source: https://politicstimesng.com/saraki-buhari-integrity/

Tinubu knows if Atiku wins his case will be revisited.

So I'm not surprised.