₦airaland Forum

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

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent his ministerial list to the Nigerian Senate.

Some of prominent politicians who made the list includes: Godswill Akpabio, George Akume, Festus Keyamo, Niyi Adebayo, Gbemisola Saraki, Olutayo Alasoadura, Rauf Aregbesola, Adeleke Mamora, Rotimi Amaechi, Sambo Nanomo, Bashir Magashi.

Former ministers Babatunde Fashola, Ogbonnaya Onu, Adamu Adamu (Bauchi), Senator Chris Ngige (Anambra) were also nominated.

Source: https://todaypoliticsng.com/akpabio-keyamo-saraki-others-make-buharis-ministerial-list/

Ahmed Lawan, President of the 9th Senate, has confirmed receiving the ministerial list of President Muhammadu Buhari.

This was made known by his aide, Abubakar Usman, on Tuesday.

“President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Ahmad Lawan has announced receiving the list of ministerial nominees for confirmation from President Muhammadu Buhari,” the legislative aide said in a tweet.

“In all, 43 ministerial nominees were sent to the Senate for confirmation,” Mr Usman added.

The list is coming barely 3 days away from the two months recess lawmakers are expected to embark on.

Source: https://todaypoliticsng.com/senate-president-lawan-confirms-receiving-list-of-43-ministerial-nominees/

Armed herdsmen are currently operating as Fulani vigilante in Ondo State, Kayode Ajulo, human rights lawyer, has alleged.

Mr Ajulo stated this on Monday while debunking media reports that he was ambushed by Fulani herdsmen while returning to Abuja for the state.

The lawyer in a social media post Monday evening admitted that although he was in the state at the weekend for his mother’s investiture as the Iya-Ijo (Chief Matron) of the Christ Anglican Church in the state, he had no clash with Fulani vigilante as reported in the media.



“On my way back to Abuja on the 22nd day of July, 2019 in the company of some security men, we saw two men at the highway around Akoko, Ondo State carrying dane guns,” Ajulo wrote.

“On sighting them, inquiry was made as to their duty on the highway with guns in their hands, being not uniformed men. They thereafter responded that they were members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Vigilante group whose operation is known to all the security apparatus in the area.

Read More: https://todaypoliticsng.com/armed-herdsmen-allegedly-operating-as-vigilante-in-ondo-lawyer/

lalasticlala

Really?

But Fulani herdsmen who are having a field day killing Nigerians are intelligent?

The presidency has described Shiites members protesting and demanding the release of their leader, Ibrahim El-zakzaky, as those who are stupid.

The members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) popularly known as Shiites, have continued to protest against the detention of Mr El-zakzaky.

The cleric has been in detention since members of his movement clashed with personnel of the Nigerian Army in 2017.

Despite granting his release by several competent court of jurisdiction, the federal government has continued to hold the sect leader hostage, citing national security as reason.

Speaking when he appeared on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, said members of the IMN are stupid because the statement of the presidency pertaining to the detention of the cleric clearly shows the government has extended an olive branch to them which they have rejected.

Mr Shehu also said the protesters ought to be celebrating the decision of the Federal Government to end its involvement in the trial of El-zakzaky.


“Those guys are not intelligent. If they had read our statement correctly, they would have seen an olive branch. What is the government saying? We are still open to dialogue and we are willing to abide by adjudication by the court of law,” he said.

“If the Nigerian government says, ‘Our hands are off that case’ (and) the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice says, ‘We no longer have a hand’; if those guys were intelligent, they should be celebrating this.

“But assembling women and young kids and teaching them nothing to do other than insult President Muhammadu Buhari and the leaders of this country and you think that will take you somewhere?

“No, I’m sorry, those guys need to think and determine what is right for themselves. If the government were to use force, it is present. But by the decision of the President, we don’t push too hard and they shouldn’t push the government to the wall.

“If they decide otherwise and they want to continue attacking the National Assembly, throwing stones at the police and burning down police vehicles and they think the army and the police are meek and powerless, they shouldn’t test those elements,” Shehu added.


While nothing that under his principal insecurity in the country has reduced compared to other past administrations, the presidential spokesman advised the media to focus on other achievements of the president and turn a blind eye to the killings going on in the nation.

Source: https://todaypoliticsng.com/why-shiites-protesters-are-stupid-presidency/

lol

Lalasticlala

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has backed the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) in calling for the relocation of herdsmen in the southern part of the country.

The CNG had threatened to evict southerners living in the North by ensuring their safety were not guaranteed should their state governors who are opposed to the implementation of Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA) in their respective states continue to maintain their decision.

The President Muhammadu Buhari administration had approved the creation of Ruga settlements for herders in all the 36 states as a permanent solution to herdsmen and farmers clash nationwide



Though it is said to be optional for interested states, the decision of the government to establish the initiatives in states that rejected it fuelled speculations that the project is a land grabbing mission for herdsmen largely from the Fulani tribe where Mr Buhari hails from.

The initiative has been suspended due to the rejection of it in the South despite some states in the North indicating interest.

For CNG, there has been insinuations in the south suggesting the security of herdsmen in the protectorate is no longer guaranteed hence the call for their relocation to the North.

Read More: https://todaypoliticsng.com/ruga-northern-elders-back-coalition-calls-for-relocation-of-herdsmen-in-the-south/

lalasticlala

The open letter written to President Muhammadu Buhari by former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has continued to draw reactions across the country.

Mr Obasanjo had on Monday, in his latest epistle to Mr Buhari urged the president to decisively tackle the recent rise in insecurity bedeviling the nation. This angered critics who queried the moral right to the letter writer.

The letter also angered herdsmen, believed to be arrowheads of criminal activities, who called for the arrest of the former Nigerian leader. In response to the call, a former minister has threatened fire and brimstone should the president heed the call.

Weighing in on the matter, a former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has advised the incumbent Nigerian leader not to discard the contents of the letter written by Obasanjo.

The civil rights activist urged the president not to treat the letter based on who sent it.

“The President should not use Obj’s letter as a Toilet roll, just clip it near the dressing mirror,” Mr Sani said in a tweet on Tuesday.

“The messenger is not surely handsome but the message is a Bell and a compass. Obj and Baba knows each other more than anyone knows about them,” he added.

The lawmaker also said the attack on the former president is a reprisal of what his men did to the opposition while he was in power.

“If history matters to us,PMB was also Openly and Consistently critical of Obj when the later was President,to the extent that Buhari was called all sorts of names by Obj Boys.For those too young to know or have forgotten just google and read,” he said in another tweet.

Source: https://todaypoliticsng.com/what-buhari-should-do-to-obasanjos-latest-letter-shehu-sani/

Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, has told herdsmen under the aegis of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) that they were playing with fire for calling for the arrest of former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.

The cattle-breeding group had on Monday called for the arrest of Mr Obasanjo who wrote an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari demanding the latter take decisive actions to tackle insecurity in the country allegedly spearheaded by armed herdsmen.

In his epistle, Mr Obasanjo also called for a national dialogue where ethnic groups can be open about their grievances that have led to the insecurity in the country.

In reaction, the National Secretary of the Miyetti Allah, Alhassan Saleh, called for the arrest of the former Nigerian leader saying any group which has grievances against the Nigerian State should approach the National Assembly.

Cautioning the herders, the former minister accused them of masterminding insecurity in parts of the country. He also dared the president to heed the advise from the herdsmen and see the consequences of such action.


“You do nothing but butcher cows and men and yet u have the nerve to call for the arrest of OBJ?Who do u think u are?” Mr Fani-Kayode said in a tweet on Tuesday.

“I dare @MBuhari to go ahead and do ur bidding.That is when u will know that even a madman has relatives.U are sitting on a time-bomb and playing with fire,” the politician added.

Source: https://todaypoliticsng.com/youre-playing-with-fire-fani-kayode-tells-herdsmen-dares-buhari-to-arrest-obasanjo/

Herdsmen under Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has called for the immediate arrest of former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.

The demand of the pastoralists is in response to the open letter of the former president wherein President Muhammadu Buhari was called upon to decisively tackle the insecurity bedeviling the nation.

In his epistle, Mr Obasanjo also called for a national dialogue where ethnic groups can be open about their grievances that have led to the insecurity in the country.

In reaction, the National Secretary of the Miyetti Allah, Alhassan Saleh, called for the arrest of the former Nigerian leader saying any group which has grievances against the Nigerian State should approach the National Assembly.

Mr Saleh also said the Fulani extraction, which are often accused of spearheading insecurity, should not be blamed for unabated criminal activities.

Read More: https://todaypoliticsng.com/arrest-obasanjo-now-herdsmen-tells-buhari/

And some people says there's no Fulanisation agenda in place?

Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State, has urged Nigerians to fasten their seat belts over the insecurity ravaging the country.

Mr Fayose gave the advise while reacting to the dead of Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Reuben Fasoranti, leader of Afenifere, Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group.

Mrs Olakunrin was reportedly killed on Friday, while journeying back to Lagos State from Ondo State, where she went to see her dad.



Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen came out from the bush to attack the vehicle in which the victim was in, an attempt to escape by reversing the said Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep angered the attackers who opened fire on their target killing the lady.

The rise in insecurity across the country has largely been attributed to herdsmen as arrowheads of the criminal activities, although the pastoralists have been exonerated in the recent killing of Olakunrin.

While herders and farmers clashes is yet to end, kidnappings, killings and other crimes have continued unabated with security agencies failing to bring the culprits to book.

ALSO READ: Full Text: In new letter, Obasanjo urges Buhari to tackle unabated security challenges

Consoling Mr Fasoranti over the loss of his daughter, the former governor said he had warned Nigerians re-electing President Muhammadu Buhari whose administration winds down in 2023.

“Nigerians, may God save us in this “Next Level” of Killings, Kidnappings, Joblessness, Poverty, Cluelessness and Recession…Fasten your Seat Belts. Remember I warned against Sai Buhari! Mo ke to o!” Mr Fayose said in a tweet on Monday.

“Baba Fasoranti, I sympathise with you and other Nigerians. God will console you,” the politician added.

Source: https://todaypoliticsng.com/fasten-your-seat-belts-fayose-tells-nigerians-on-insecurity/

lalasticlala

lalasticlala

Bola Tinubu, has dismissed reports that herdsmen killed Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Reuben Fasoranti, a leader of Afenifere, Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group.

Mrs Olakunrin was reportedly killed on Friday, while journeying back to Lagos State from Ondo State, where she went to see her dad.

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen came out from the bush to attack the vehicle in which the victim was in, an attempt to escape by reversing the said Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep angered the attackers who opened fire on their target killing the lady.



Addressing journalists on Sunday when he visited Mr Fasoranti the All Progressive Congress (APC) national leader asked where the animals of the herdsmen were during the attack if they were responsible.

The former Lagos State governor said the said incident should not be politicised as crime knows no tribe.

“How many years ago have we faced insecurity in this country and cases of kidnapping? Is Evans who was arrested, and his disclosure, then a herdsman? I don’t want to be political. The question is where are the cows?” Mr Tinubu queried.

ALSO READ: Stop defending Fulani herdsmen - Ohanaeze tells Presidency
“I am a nationalist and the security concerns and challenges right now must be faced squarely throughout Nigeria. The incident that affected one member of our family, Mrs Olakunri, is saddening and unacceptable but nobody can return her alive, she has answered the call of her creator.

“We must not use this incident to divide ourselves but we must use it as a cure to the security problem by providing additional police and patrol.

“We also need additional security reinforcement along Ore Road and various flashpoints across the country. I have discussed this with various authorities. The governor is aware and being proactive about this.

“The security challenges are numerous across this country. More police are being recruited and it takes time to train and deploy them in various areas, nobody prepares more than necessary for this,” he added.

Source: https://todaypoliticsng.com/herdsmen-did-not-kill-afenifere-leaders-daughter-tinubu/