Heads of security agencies in the country on Friday shunned an invitation extended to them by the leadership of the House of Representatives.

The lower legislative chamber has summoned the service chiefs to a meeting bordering on national security.

While lawmakers were already seated waiting for their guests to arrive, TODAY POLITICS gathered that some of them failed to honour the invitation.

The gathering had in attendance; Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; the DG of the DSS, Yusuf Bichi; and the Comptroller General of Nigerian Immigration Services, Muhammad Babandede.

This has angered the speaker of the house, Femi Gbajabiamila, who condemned the action saying he will take the issue to President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Speaker @femigbaja has condemned the Service Chiefs for shunning the @HouseNGR invitation to discuss National Security issues,” a tweet on the official Twitter handle of the top lawmaker said.

“He described their actions as an insult to the Parliament and promised to take the development to President @MBuhari,” it added.

Meanwhile, Mr Gbajabiamila has apologised to those who honoured the invitation and rescheduled it to hold on Monday.

This is not the first time the legislature is displeased by the action of agencies under the executive arm of government.

Under the immediate past National Assembly, led by former President of the 8th Senate, Bokula Saraki, government appointees took advantage of the rift between executive and the legislature at the time to disobey the latter.

Such scenario is no longer existing since the APC took over the affairs of the two arms of government after the general election this year.

This medium, as at press time, could not independently ascertain why the security chiefs shunned the green chamber despite meeting the president recently.

Source: https://todaypoliticsng.com/service-chiefs-shun-reps-as-speaker-runs-to-buhari-for-help/

The opposing All Progressive Congress APC in Akwa Ibom State has consoled its supporters not to lose hope in the party as it will bounce back in no distant time.

The opposition party stated this after losing at the State Governorship Election Tribunal, Thursday.

The tribunal had dismissed the petition of Nsima Ekere and the APC for lacking in merit while upholding the election of governor Udom Emmanuel, as duly elected.

“I implore our teeming supporters not to give up hope on the party but to remain faithful and steadfast trusting that we shall deploy every available judicial process to attain our quest to entrench good governance in our beloved State of Akwa Ibom,” the state chairman of APC, Ini Okopido, said in a statement issued shortly after the ruling.

Mr Okopido said as a law-abiding party with confidence and trust in the judiciary, the APC has, therefore, “taken the ruling with equanimity”.

The opposition party said its next move regarding the judgement will be determined after legal evaluation and advise by their legal counsels.

Read More: https://todaypoliticsng.com/dont-lose-hope-well-bounce-back-apc-consoles-supporters-in-akwa-ibom/

lalasticlala

A suspected serial killer, alleged to have killed a lady in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has been apprehended.

There has been recent spike in dead of young women in hotels around the oil-rich state.

Most of the victims found dead had their hands and legs tied together, leading to circumstances believed to be hallmark of serial killing.

However, one of the serial killer ran out of luck when he was napped while heading to Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital from the Rivers.

Gracious West was arrested along East-West road while fleeing from the state to its neighboring counterpart.

Mr West who was interrogated by Mustapha Dandaura, Rivers Police Commissioner, narrated how he trapped his victim.

“We were inside the club then we discussed on how much I will pay her. After that we left the club to the hotel at Osas Road,” Mr West, 26, said in a one minute thirty seconds video shared publicly by the Police on its Twitter handle.

“When we got there, they took her up and I said let me look for a way to arrange for food that we will both eat,” he added even as he could not remember the hotel’s name but said it’s located around Rumuola where a lady was reportedly killed on Sunday.

“After eating, we slept till the next morning around 5:30am. I brought out a knife. She was unaware there was a knife. So, I told her not to shout that if she does I will use the knife on her.

“Out of fear she kept quite. During that time the television volume was loud. Then I used the wrapper to tie her hands her legs from the back,” and when asked which wrapper, West answered, “I used pillow case.”

The police command is expected to address the public on Friday.

Read More: https://www.google.com/amp/s/todaypoliticsng.com/how-i-trapped-her-suspected-rivers-serial-killer-narrates/amp/

lalasticlala

The Nigerian Senate has stated why its members deserve brand new Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs).

Public outcry recently greeted a planned purchase of brand new SUVs for Senators which will amount to about N5.5billion.

Reacting to the condemnation, the leader of the Nigerian Senate, Yahaya Abdullahi, said it is an insult to opined that lawmakers at the upper legislative chamber do not deserve brand new SUVs.

Mr Abdullahi said they deserve the automobile because the duties of lawmakers are much more than that of ministers whom he assumed are getting similar benefits.

“What is the problem there? It is an insult to say that a senator of the Federal Republic cannot ride a jeep in Nigeria. It is an insult,” the Senate leader told reporters in his office Wednesday.

“The N5.5 billion is from the National Assembly fund and it is budgeted for every year, which they will pay back at the end of their tenure.

“I was a permanent secretary. I know what ministers get. We cannot even compare ourselves with ministers because we are higher than a minister.

“For you to say that a senator of the Federal Republic cannot drive a jeep today, come on, that is an insult.

“Go and tell the people that the work that we do is more than the work of ministers. The weight that is on me today, there is no minister of the Federal Republic that has it,” he added.

Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/todaypoliticsng.com/why-our-members-deserve-brand-new-suvs-senate/amp/

lalasticlala

Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, says Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has been rendered impotent, useless and irrelevant.

The South-West group stated this in reaction to the recent travails of Mr Osinbajo whose principal is said to have whittled down his powers by removing him as head of government agencies he held during their first term in office.

Earlier in the week, it was reported that agencies and aides under the control of the number two citizen has been withdrawn from him and assigned to ministries and individuals.

At the moment, it is still been speculated in some quarters that it might be a move to keep him in check since Osinbajo is aiming at succeeding his principal in office at the next presidential election, an ambition those said to be the cabal of President Muhammadu Buhari is against.

Reacting to the travails, Afenifere said although it will be early to arrive at that conclusion, recent developments in the presidency has rendered Osinbajo impotent, useless and irrelevant.

“We are studying the situation but we must also not muddle up issues. For now we will not jump into any premature conclusion that this is about 2023 alone. We will need to know if we will need more information to know whether it is political or whether there was abuse of office or process,” Yinka Odumakin, spokesman other group told Punch Newspaper yesterday.

ALSO READ: After rejecting her resignation, Buhari removes Head of Service, appoints replacement

“But the barrage of the last 48 hours shows that there is something wrong. We will wait to have all the facts because we don’t want to say a Yoruba man is being attacked.

“They may have had a justifiable reason to do so. But we are taking note of every development and at the appropriate time, we will make our position known. But clearly, what has happened is that the VP’s office has been rendered impotent, useless and irrelevant,” Mr Odumakin added.

For the news medium, the situation is caused by some action of the number two citizen when he held sway for his principal in acting capacity during their first term in office.

Relying on anonymous presidential sources, the paper cited the emergence of Walter Onnoghen as the substantive Chief Justice of the Federation and the removal of Lawal Daura as the Director-General of the Department of State Services as reasons for the development.

ALSO READ: Sorry for any party that fails to field a Northerner for 2023 presidency - Arewa Youths

Mr Onnoghen, appointed by the president in acting capacity, had his tenure running out and might not be constitutionally allowed to serve as substantive CJN at the expiration. Osinbajo who was in charge at the time forwarded his name for confirmation to the Nigerian Senate, against the wish of the cabal.

Mr Daura was removed in office for been allegedly responsible for the siege laid at the National Assembly in a bid to force a leadership change at the legislative arm of government last year.

The actions of Osinbajo on the two scenarios are reported to be against the wish of the cabal whom the vice president was said to have sidelined at the time.

While Buhari suspended and ousted Mr Onnoghen on alleged failure to declare some assets traced to him, the president on his return last year September sacked Matthew Seiyefa who was appointed in August by his vice while in acting capacity, to head the DSS.

Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/todaypoliticsng.com/buhari-has-rendered-osinbajo-impotent-useless-irrelevant-afenifere/amp/

famouscargo4u:


The point is that even the igbos don't support themselves. you would recall that the revered Odumegwu Ojukwu contested election in 2003 and 2007 but the igbos voted for Obasanjo and Yar'adua instead. The south west can support the Igbos to emerge as flag bearer BUT the Easterners won't support themselves. so, it is what it is at the moment. I swear, with the trajectory of things, the north is already scheming for a northern Buhari successor and knowing that the south is not united, they will have their way. The north is not more populous than the south as they always make people to believe. A united south would defeat the north any day!

So how about Sowore that contested against Buhari, why didn't SW vote for him abi voting for Buhari in place of Sowore means supporting yourselves?



Until the SE produce elected president, the SW will never smell that seat again.

texazzpete:


I find this distinction quite funny indeed, as if the only Mugus are the South westerners. Same way they’ve been using the South East, tbh.

Should PDP gets back power, the SE stand a chance to produce the next president after the North.

You think you are wiser than those red mud region?

I see 2023 presidency as a war between SW and SE bro.

Left for me, since the South-West which has tested presidency has refused to back down for South-East, then the North should continue ruling till eternity, that way it will dawn on them why the entire South should unite.

I smell PDP going back to power in 2023.

Left for me, since the South-West which has tested presidency has refused to back down for South-East, then the North should continue ruling till eternity, that way it will dawn on them why the entire South should unite.

The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) has said any political party that fails to field a Northerner as its presidential candidate for the next presidential election should have itself to blame.

There are speculations in some quarters that the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) might fizzle out of power should it fail to allow a Northerner as a presidential candidate in 2023.

When the now opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held sway from 1999 to 2015, the party used to rotate where to choose its presidential candidates, mainly from the two protectorates in the country.

When the ruling party was formed in 2013, the issue of zoning presidential tickets was not one of the issues tackled by the merger parties involved in the formation. It is on this note that some persons considered influential in the Northern part of the country are insisting that the party either field their son or loose power to any other opposing party willing to do so.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who is from the North, began his second term in May and will step down in 2023. Some leaders of his party are insisting power must shift to the South.

Yerima Shettima, the National President of AYCF, while speaking with Sun Newspaper said nobody or group has the constitutional right to prevent the region from fielding candidate in 2023.

Mr Shettima, who said the people of the zone would make use of its numerical strength to determine the outcome of the election, advised any political party that refuses to zone its presidential ticket to the North should blame itself.

“The beauty of democracy is the rule of law and the Nigerian Constitution does not restrict any area or region from having a candidate in a general election,” he said.

“Any political party that fails to field a candidate from the North would blame itself after the election because the North would use their numerical strength to determine the outcome democratically,” Shettima added.

Although no one from the South has publicly declared interest for the office, political scenario suggests bigwigs of the APC from the region are warming up to succeed the president.

Speculations has it that Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the ruling party and incumbent vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, are eyeing the seat of power.

Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/todaypoliticsng.com/sorry-for-any-party-that-fails-to-field-a-northerner-for-2023-presidency-arewa-youths/amp/

lalasticlala

By David Hero -September 14, 2019

After claiming he was not perturbed about events at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), President Muhammadu Buhari has narrated how God saved him from been traumatised during the day the tribunal delivered its judgement.

The election that ushered in the president for another term of four years was challenged at the PEPT by his closest rival, Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr Abubakar in presenting his case, urged the tribunal to proclaim him and his party as winners of the February 23 exercise. His plea was dismissed for failing to show cause why such should be done.

Reacting to his victory at the tribunal, the president said he was not disturbed with events that trailed his declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

But backtracking from his earlier claim, Mr Buhari has said it was actually God who saved him from being traumatised by allowing the first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in his second term to coincide with the judgement day.

ALSO READ: How many PDP govs secretly meet with Buhari - Wike

He said discussions at the gathering got hold of his attention from concentrating at the tribunal ruling.

“On this judgement, again it was a fabulous coincidence that it came almost the same time the first Federal Executive Council meeting of this government was taking place,” the president said on Friday while playing host to state governors from the APC, at the presidential villa, Abuja.

“It lasted about the same time with the judgement. I thank God for that because I think would have gone into trauma or something. So I was busy trying to concentrate on the memo.

“The first memo was on the budget and it took more than five hours. So, while you were doing your thing for nine hours, we were doing ours for about seven hours here.

“It is a very interesting coincidence and I thank God for it because I would have been in trauma or something of that sort. So thank you very much for sharing the glory with us.

“What I will say to your congratulations, the chairman of the party and the governors is that we must make sure that we really institutionalized the party, so that when we leave the stage the party will continue to lead,” Buhari added.

ALSO READ: You're smoking weed - Atiku's aide replies Lai Mohammed seeking apology

The PDP candidate is yet to react to the tribunal judgement, despite the willingness of his legal counsel and the opposition party in seeking redress at the Supreme Court.

Source: https://todaypoliticsng.com/how-god-saved-me-from-tribunal-trauma-buhari/

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has broken his silence since he lost out at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT).

The passing away of Professor Chukuka Okonjo, the father of a former finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, today, led to the disruption but the former vice president popularly known as Atiku has continued to keep mum on his next line of action regarding the tribunal judgement he lost to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Messrs Buhari and Atiku contested this year’s presidential election with the former trouncing the latter to secure another term of four years.

Dismissing his petition, the PEPT, said the opposition candidate and his party failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt why they should be declared winner of the February 23 race.

While Buhari has reacted to his victory at the tribunal, dedicating it to God and Nigerians, the former vice president has chosen to be silent, although his legal team have expressed willingness to appeal the ruling at the Supreme Court which is the apex court in the land.

“Obi Prof Chukuka Okonjo, immediate past Obi of Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State, was a man of many parts,” Atiku tweeted Friday afternoon.

“He left behind indelible footprints. On behalf of my family, I condole with Dr (Mrs) @NOIweala on the loss of her dear father. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” he added.

Professor Okonjo is said to have died at 91.

Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/todaypoliticsng.com/atiku-mourns-iwealas-father-maintains-silence-on-tribunal-judgement/amp/

lalasticlala

By Daniel Ayinime - September 13, 2019

Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has advised Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the opposition, to queue behind President Muhammadu Buhari and help build the country.

Mr Buhari had trounced the PDP candidate at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) where the latter who partitioned the tribunal failed to “prove beyond reasonable doubt why he should be declared winner of the February 23 election.”

TODAY POLITICS had reported how the legal counsel of the petitioners vowed to challenge the decision of the tribunal at the Supreme Court.

Mr Oshiomhole reportedly gave the advise on Thursday while in the company of the party’s National Women Leader, Salamatu Umar-Eluma, and others who went to congratulate the president over his victory at tribunal.

The APC chieftain also said should the opposition choose to head to the apex court in the land, his party alongside the president are ready to slug it out and defend the mandate given to them by Nigerians.

“We as a party we are confident that if it is within the Nigerian law for the PDP to go even to the World Court, we will meet them there,” Mr Oshiomhole was quoted by Punch Newspaper to have said.

ALSO READ: Atiku's evidence shows Buhari academically qualified to be president - Tribunal rules

“The Supreme Court of Nigeria is not that of the PDP or the APC. The Supreme Court is governed by law and it’s to interpret the evidence before the Court of Appeal. They are not at liberty to introduce new issues, neither can they bring in new witnesses.

“So, if it is what I heard yesterday, which I believe you also heard; thanks to the media, most Nigerians were detained for eight hours listening to arguments of the judges one after the other. Even though we thought it was getting longer and longer, we realised that they tried to deal with the issues raised, even the ones you and I as laymen will consider inconsequential. They dealt with each of them, trashed them and arrived at a conclusion.

“So, I don’t want to sound arrogant. Yesterday (Wednesday), I said that I hoped this whole contest is about Nigeria, who actually won the election and both parties were committed to building Nigeria. It’s not about who should be given the key.

“Now, this has been resolved and it is time to queue behind the winner and move on. Our winner is the best example that losing an election is not tantamount to the end of your political life. He lost three previous elections, and today he is the President.

“President Buhari is now ready to meet defeated Atiku Abubakar at the Supreme Court. The APC is ready to meet the PDP at the Supreme Court. Adams Oshiomhole is ready to meet my brother, (Uche) Secondus, at the Supreme Court; and he will take second and I will take first, Isha Allah,” Mr Oshiomhole said.

ALSO READ: How many PDP govs secretly meet with Buhari - Wike

Why I Women Finance Minister – Buhari

Playing host to the delegation, Mr Buhari said he choose to hand over the nation treasury to women because they manage resources effectively.

“Since the coming into power of this administration, I have handed over the treasury to women,” the president said.

“Even at household level, you hand over the money to women to manage. It can be taken to the level of managing the country’s treasury as well. I have consistently given it to women. It is strategic,” he added.

Source: https://todaypoliticsng.com/queue-behind-buhari-and-move-on-oshiomhole-counsels-atiku-over-loss-at-election-tribunal/

lalasticlala

By Bello Mohammed -September 13, 2019

The National Assembly has been told that it lack powers to give directives to Godwin Obaseki, the incumbent Edo State governor, over the continued chaos going on at the state’s legislative chamber.

The crisis bedeviling the state assembly is a tussle between the governor and Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of the state and the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), wherein the duo are contesting for the control of the assembly.



Those loyal to Mr Oshiomhole were said to have lost out during the inauguration of the 7th assembly which was allegedly done secretly.

Mr Obaseki who is alleging interference by the APC chieftain was recently ordered by the federal parliament, which is controlled by the ruling party, to make another proclamation for the fresh composition of Edo State House Assembly so as to bring to an end the crisis going on therein.



The National Assembly had threatened to take over the state assembly if the timeframe given to the governor elapses.

In reaction, the governor dared the federal parliament, boasting that such cannot happen while he is still in charge.



“As long as it (the court) is concerned, Edo State governor has power to make the proclamation. He has made the proclamation as empowered by the constitution,” Justice Kolawole Omotosho said in his ruling Wednesday.

“The governor is the chief executive of the state as enshrined in the constitution and cannot be mandated by the National Assembly.

“The proclamation remains valid, and the validity remains unchallenged. This court will not allow the proclamation to be tampered with by any National Assembly process. The order by the National Assembly is frowned upon and should not be encouraged,” Omotosho added.

The judge said it is only the court that has the prerogative power to issue such a directive and not the National Assembly.

Source: https://todaypoliticsng.com/edo-assembly-you-cant-give-order-to-obaseki-court-cautions-national-assembly/

lalasticlala

Nyesom Wike, Rivers State governor, has alleged that some state governors of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are secretly meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari while pretending to be party faithfuls.

Mr Wike who appears to have broken ranks with the opposition party publicly congratulated Mr Buhari who defeated the PDP and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) Wednesday.

His action has been described as anti-party activity by some members of his party who are not on the same page with him.

But responding, the Rivers State governor explained the reason behind his action, saying it was better than deceiving oneself.

He alleged that many state governors on the platform of the party were secretly meeting with the president at wee hours but were publicly parading themselves as party faithfuls of the opposition.

“I am sure all of you are surprised that I congratulated Buhari. Is it not good for me to congratulate him than to go to his house in the night?” Wike said while speaking at a funeral he attended yesterday.

ALSO READ: We're going to Supreme Court - Atiku's lawyer says in reaction to tribunal ruling

“So many PDP governors go to see him in his house in the night. I have never gone and I will not go. I won’t go.

“We are the only state that the Federal Government refused to pay us our money used to execute Federal projects because I don’t go to see him in the night and I won’t go. He is not my friend, he is not doing well, but he won in court, should I say that the court did wrong, no.

“President Buhari, congratulations and carry Nigerians along. Unify the country, the country is too divided. I am saying what is right. What I will do, I will do, what I will not do, I will not do”, the governor added.

Source: https://todaypoliticsng.com/how-many-pdp-govs-secretly-meet-with-buhari-wike/

lalasticlala

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and members of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) are at it again despite clashing yesterday.

Information at the disposal of TODAY POLITICS indicates the latest fracas currently going on at Banex Plaza in Abuja.

Already, a member of the Islamic group has been confirmed dead in today’s clash, according to sources who confided in this reporter.

About 13 people including a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and a reporter of Channels Television, were said to have been killed during the violent protest yesterday.

Today’s clash is said to have involved the personnel of the Nigerian Army, although this has not been independently verified by TODAY POLITICS.

Source: https://todaypoliticsng.com/again-police-shiites-clash-in-abuja/

Ahmad Lawan, President of the Senate, says the screening of ministerial nominees will begin on Wednesday.

President Muhammadu Buhari had forwarded the list containing the names of those expected to form the next cabinet of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Mr Buhari nominated 43 persons for screening and confirmation into various ministries of the Federal Government.

“The screening of the ministerial nominees will commence tomorrow morning,” Mr Lawan said after reading out the names of those nominated at the floor of the Senate.

The top lawmaker also ordered other legislative activities in the chamber to take the back seat.

Source: https://todaypoliticsng.com/senate-begins-screening-of-ministerial-nominees-wednesday/

lalasticlala