Senator Uche Ekwun­ife was absent yesterday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries to pick the party’s candidate for the Anambra Central Senatorial District rerun election to be held February 23.

This development was subsequent to her disqualification by the Screening Committee of the party as reported exclusively by BREAKINGTIMES

The Committee recom­mended Barrister Sharon Ikeazor as its candidate for the poll, saying Mrs Ekwun­ife was not eligible to contest – having spent barely two weeks in the party.

Ekwunife’s supporters were, however, visible at the venue of the primaries – and very angry indeed at the de­velopment.
As at 6:54pm on Wednes­day, accreditation was yet to start but the aspirants’ sup­porters had gathered at the venue as early as 7am.
Neither the APC national committee mem­bers nor the South East zon­al officials of the party were present, but the state leaders were on ground.

The party members were, however, asked to go outside the hotel for accreditation to start but when they noticed it was a ploy to manoeuvre the process, they refused until policemen were draft­ed in to chase away the in­timidating crowd inside the hotel premises along Onit­sha-Enugu Expressway.

Ekwunife’s rival, Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor was at the venue but Ekwunife’s sup­porters who came in their thousands waited patiently for the exercise to com­mence.
It was a real war between the newcomers and old members of the party as the old members said it was go­ing to be Ikeazor while the new members insisted on Ekwunife.


http://www.zubbyblog.com/flash-uche-ekwunife-absent-at-apc-primaries/

The meeting called yesterday by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung had all the trappings of reopening the already settled leadership crisis in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). It took a dangerous turn when the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa who is laying claim to the same office almost engaged each other in fisticuffs.

Pinnick and his greatest challenger, Giwa were locked in a battle for the soul of the NFF after the election in Warri, Delta State on September 30, 2014 which produced the present board. The Confederation of African Football and FIFA have both recognised the Amaju Pinnick-led board. Giwa lost his case both in Fifa and the Court of Arbitration for Sports, CAS. And this was after he had withdrawn his case from a Jos court when Fifa moved to ban Nigeria.

For more than one year peace reigned in Nigerian football and the meeting the minister called was generally condemned by football stakeholders who said the action was tantamount to waking up a dead horse which could trigger off another bad blood.

Giwa was laying claim to the NFF top seat, saying he was duly elected after the August 26, 2014 controversial election in Abuja in which delegates massively boycotted.

Dalung, a known friend of Giwa back home from Plateau State who just assumed office late last year seemingly reopened the case and initiated an unnecessary peace move that turned out an anti-climax. between the two warring factions. During the meeting, tempers rose, resulting in altercations from both men who called each other unprintable names.

But for the intervention of Dalung who sat in between the two angry men, the situation would have resulted in the two men using their fists as they wanted.

However, after the fracas which lasted for about five minutes, the meeting continued. After long hours of deliberation, the meeting was deadlocked. The Minister told reporters that the meeting will reconvene next week Wednesday.

He asked both parties to maintain the peace and that he will try to resolve the problem in the interest of football and the country.

According to him, the meeting has given him the opportunity to hear from both parties.

On what FIFA would do if the crisis persists, Dalung said he knows that the world body rules over the game adding that they will also be interested to see that the right thing was done.

“I have the will power and the political power to resolve the issue and I am optimistic that this issue will be resolved. We have decided to hear from them because this is a democracy, if we were in a military dictatorship I may have just decreed and asked one party to step down.”


SOURCE: http://www.zubbyblog.com/giwa-in-showdown-blows-thrown-as-sports-minister-sides-faction/

benedictnsi:



When he grows up........ But I'm sorry, he can't grow again.

he will but in death

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday, regretted that the current tension in the Niger Delta was created by the immediate past Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led administration through the empowerment of people he described as “wrong guys who showed capacity for violence.”

While urging the new Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru and the Minister of State, Niger Delta Affairs, Prof. Claudius Daramola to reform the ministry, he said;

“You have a huge challenge due to the disastrous performance of your predecessors under the last PDP government which made more noise about the Niger Delta than work.


http://www.zubbyblog.com/blame-jonathan-for-ndelta-militancy-attacks-oshiomhole/

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who have embraced the party’s change agenda are welcome to its fold. The governing party flayed the PDP, saying that the opposition party “blames everyone but itself for its self-inflicted problems which has led to the sorry state the PDP finds itself”. Mai Mala Buni, APC national secretary, said in a statement on Tuesday:

“In monitored media reports, PDP’s national secretary, Wale Oladipo, was quoted saying that some PDP members were being ‘used by the APC, to draw political capital from the present challenges facing our party [PDP].’ What could be funnier than such silly and unfounded allegation?” “The PDP now sounds like a broken record with its daily conspiracy theories blaming external forces and unseen hands for its electoral misfortunes, in-fighting and mind-boggling corruption charges and on-going probe of some PDP leaders and the immediate-past PDP-led administration.


Source: http://www.zubbyblog.com/you-must-be-a-changed-man-to-join-us-apc/

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has announced the “operational shutdown” of the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries, owing to crude supply challenges arising from recent attacks on vital crude oil pipelines.


Source: http://www.zubbyblog.com/breaking-news-nnpc-shuts-ph-kaduna-refineries/

Hate speech and is not wise

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, today, January 19.

The court had ordered a stand down on the bail application of Chief Metuh earlier in the day. The judge presiding over the case, Okon Abang stood down the case for 45 minutes.

An hour before the arrival of the judge by 12.05pm, an elated Metuh walked into the court in the company of three prison wardens.

Olisa Metuh appears in court from Kuje prisons. Photo: Yinka Adeparusi

Making an entrance into the court, Metuh on the now trending grey beard kept by most accused persons, was greeted by associates and friends who were present in court to support him.

Former minister of aviation and the national women leader of the PDP, Kema Chikwe was among friends of the PDP strongman who was in

On assumption of the case, the counsel standing in for Metuh, Emeka Etiaba prayed the court to stand down the case for an hour.

Etiaba said the call for the break is to enable Metuh’s lead counsel, Chris Uche, who is attending to an election matter at the Supreme Court, appear in court.

The judge, Okon Abang having heard no objection from the prosecution said: “Since there are no objections from the parties, I hereby stand down this matter for 45 minutes.”

Abang said the matter will be recalled at 1pm for further hearing.

Metuh is accused of having collected N400 million from former president Goodluck Jonathan by the EFCC.

Olisa Metuh with some of the prison wardens. Photo: Yinka Adeparusi

The accused PDP spokesperson who accepted receiving such money from Jonathan has however refused to disclose details of the assignments he did for the former president.

Metuh has been in detention since Tuesday, January 5 and was also reported to have torn and chewed a statement he wrote at the EFCC.


Source: http://www.zubbyblog.com/chief-olisa-metuh-granted-bail-photos/

The Edo Police Command has recovered more than 32 sophisticated guns with several ammunition from suspected criminals in the last five months.
The State Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Benin.

Mr. Ezike said that the command also arrested 100 suspected criminals – kidnappers, rapists, armed robbers and cultists- within the period in review.
He said the feat was recorded following the renewed efforts of the command at ensuring safety and security of lives and property.

Mr. Ezike also attributed the achievements to the cooperation of traditional rulers and working synergy with the local vigilance groups.

“We identified that hunters and vigilance groups are critical stakeholders in our quest to rid the state of criminal elements.

“As soon as we established that understanding, we took the fight straight to the den of these criminals.

“The success recorded at the Igarra bank raid was an icing on the cake.

“Our renewed efforts accounted for the calm the state witnessed during the yuletide,’’ he said.

On the forthcoming governorship election in the state, the commissioner said the Police would work in synergy with political parties and other stakeholders to achieve hitch free poll.


Source: http://www.zubbyblog.com/police-recover-32-sophisticated-guns-in-edo/

The Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday cried out that the ruling All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari had been treating members of the main opposition party as ‘criminal and prisoners of war.’

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, accused Buhari’s government of engaging in witch-hunt of PDP members under the pretext that it was probing acts of corruption.

A statement by the Kogi State government on Tuesday quoted Metuh as speaking while addressing PDP stakeholders in Lokoja, the state capital.

The PDP spokesman condemned the Federal Government’s alleged arrests, intimidation and denial of PDP members who served in the ex-President Goodluck Jonathan administration their fundamental human rights.

He said regardless of the alleged intimidation and victimisation of PDP members by the Buhari government, PDP would win in the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states.

Metuh said the APC administration had been busy victimizing public officials in the Jonathan administration rather than provide a policy direction for Nigerians.

Metuh said, “We are being treated as if we are criminals or prisoners of war. We are being treated as if we are refugees. We are not afraid; we have faith in our strength and unity. We have faith in the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.

“If the ruling party believes that there is anyone who has served in the Federal Government and is guilty of corruption practices, they are free within the law to investigate as long as they go through due process and observe the rule of law.

“PDP is not afraid of the intimidation, harassment and arrest of its members by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, if the arrest is done within the confines of the law.”

It said that Nigerians would soon confirm if the government of the APC has brought any change to their national life.


Source: http://www.zubbyblog.com/buhari-treating-our-members-as-criminals-pdp/

bmos:


She is just posing with her body truck.

hmm which one be body truck?

Senate Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume, while briefing reporters in Abuja yesterday cleared misconception about the missing 2016 budget. He also described the call by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari over the budget controversy as “the biggest joke of the year”. In this piece, INFORMATION NIGERIA brings you 5 things the senate is saying about the missing 2016 budget…

– The 2016 budget is not missing.

– The President did not submit a failed document.

– According to Senator Ndume, some copies of the budget submitted to the Senate were subjected to “integrity checks” and they failed the checks when compared with the original copy presented to the National Assembly by President Buhari.

– The integrity checks showed that some projects that were not accommodated in the original budget presented by President Buhari were injected into the budget.

– The Senate also said it discovered some loopholes that made it confirm the existence of two versions of the budget.

is this a game


Report From: http://www.zubbyblog.com/missing-2016-budget-5-things-the-senate-is-saying/

Cc: Mynd44

The Indigenous People of Biafra is to file a complaint at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague against various senior officials of Nigeria, including President Muhammadu Buhari, the group’s lawyers said.

The complaint would be filed by Göran Sluiter of Prakken d’Oliveira Human Rights Lawyers, a law firm based in Amsterdam.

A statement by the firm on Tuesday said the complaint would be filed on January 29.

It said the complaint, based on publicly available information as well as the statements of many unnamed Nigerian victims, was in the process of being finalized.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a movement dedicated to the self-determination of the separatist Republic of Biafra in South-Eastern Nigeria.

“To date, there is clear and consistent evidence that crimes against humanity within the jurisdiction of the ICC—in particular: murder, unlawful imprisonment, torture, enforced disappearance, other inhumane acts, and persecution—have been committed in the context of politically- and ethnically-motivated state violence against, primarily, IPOB members and the Igbo people of South-Eastern Nigeria,” the law firm said.

“In the context of this widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of South-Eastern Nigeria, the Federal Government has specifically targeted—among many others—Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB’s leader and the director of Radio Biafra. Kanu has been physically detained against his will, on politically-motivated terrorism charges, by the Nigerian State Security Service since approximately 17 October 2015 in an undisclosed location, presumably somewhere Nigeria’s capital Abuja.

“Despite unconditional bail orders from at least two competent Nigerian courts, Kanu continues to be held in violation of Nigerian and international law. Kanu’s family, supporters, and Nigerian legal team have all expressed serious concern regarding the conditions of his detention. President Buhari, for his part, has publicly endorsed—and presumably ordered—the prolonged unlawful imprisonment, suggesting that the situation is far too politically sensitive to be entrusted to the court system.


Source: http://www.zubbyblog.com/biafra-group-to-file-complaint-at-icc-against-buhari/

Front page this let every Nigeria see what is happening @ Lalasticlala and Mynd44.

thieves everywhere in Nigeria na wa this yayo government

Krismart:
Person wey her legs no reach clutch and break pedals, how she take de drive d truck?

borrow her legs

Leopardd:
Zubbyblog, you can lie for Africa.

Mumu, looking for cheap traffic, where did the heavy gun fire take place?

He has updated that post and put the real pix.

Front page things

CC: lalasticlala, Mynd44

News coming from Abuja has it that the much awaited court case of the Director of Radio Biafra and the leader of Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) as being postponed due to the absent of the judge.

This postponement came as shock to IPOB members that have gathered at the court premises and environs waiting to see their leader mazi Nnamdi Kanu, no formal communication was made to the lawyers of mazi Nnamdi Kanu stating that the court will not sit today, and no reason was given to why the judge was absent from the court.



http://www.zubbyblog.com/breaking-news-judge-absent-in-court-nnamdi-kanu-case-postponed/

Cc: Lalasticlal,Mynd44

front page things for debate

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo bagged a master’s degree in Theology at the fifth convocation of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja. In his address, Vincent Tenebe, vice-chancellor of the university, said Obasanjo was among other notable Nigerians in the list of the 10,653 graduands, 15 of whom made first class honours. Tenebe listed other outstanding graduands as Adamu Abubakar, emir of Hadejia, Jigawa state, and Felix Okechukwu, traditional ruler of Awgu, Enugu state.

Others were over-70-year-old Rear Admiral Orisha (Rtd), who bagged fist class in Mathematics; and a 78-year-old, Femi Balogun, who bagged LL.B from the School of Law. The vice-chancellor also listed a blind student, Obinna Bede, who bagged a Bachelor of Arts (English) degree and Udo Effiong, who had the highest cumulative point in first class grade of 4.71. “It is interesting to note that Obasanjo will be graduating with a Master’s Degree (MA-Christian Theology) having met the requirements for the award during this convocation,” he said. “Having been given the admission to study MA/PhD in Christian Theology, Obasanjo will continue with his Ph.D fully. This is very unique considering his age and commitments;


http://www.zubbyblog.com/obasanjo-bags-masters-degree-pursue-phd/

no be small thing ooo

Lalasticlala,Mynd44 front page things.

laidian:
Waoh! What a fantastic words coming out from a good senator. Senator Kashamu should not forget to support anti- drug war.

hhahahaha drug lord him be nah

The Plateau State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Linda Barau, has confirmed the outbreak of bird flu in the state.

She also revealed that four farms had been affected while thousands of birds had already been isolated.

Barau told our correspondent that efforts were being intensified to ensure that the disease did not spread to other farms in the state.

She added that farmers had been advised to put measures in place to avoid the spread of the disease.

The commissioner said that she had told the state’s department of veterinary services to liaise with farmers and advise them not to panic as the situation was under control.

She said, “The state has been informed of the outbreak of the avian influenza. Already, we have identified four farms and all the birds have been quarantined to avoid the spread of the disease.

“We have taken steps to ensure that it does not spread. We also advise farmers to maintain a high sense of biosecurity. All veterinary officers have been placed on red alert to avoid the possibility of the disease spreading to other farms.”


Source: http://www.zubbyblog.com/bird-flu-hits-plateau/

SENATOR Buruji Kashamu is a household name in Nigeria. Cur­rently, he is the lawmaker rep­resenting Ogun East Senatorial District at the National Assem­bly and Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on State and Local Government Administration. At an interactive session with some journalists, he spoke on a wide range of issues, including the ongoing anti-corruption cam­paign of the Federal Govern­ment, among others. Excerpts:

What are your views on the na­tion’s state of affairs?

A new government just came on board and it is barely eight months old. So, it might be too early to rightly assess it. But, given that it is generally said that the morning makes the day, the concern and disapproval that are being expressed over some activities of the current govern­ment are understandable. However, we also do know that history is replete with those who had a wobbly start and ended well, and vice versa. For instance, we had the Minister of Power, Works and Hous­ing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) and Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD), who were elected governors of Lagos and Ogun states respectively. Despite the challenges they had at the beginning of their administrations, they did so well in their first tenure so much that the masses began to call for their re-election which they got.

Nigeria as a member of the global community is challenged by a number of socio-political issues that are largely influenced by happenings internally and externally. Some of these happenings are sudden glitches that are wildly beyond the control of the government. In my recent contribution on the state of the nation, I underscored the fact that governance is collaboration between the leadership and the led. It requires the unreserved resourcefulness of the leaders and the led for the desired results to be achieved.

Although I am a leader in my own right, I am also a man under authority. So, this time I am speaking to the masses as a leader who shares their feelings and yearnings. I was not born with a silver spoon. I know what it means to be hungry. I have experienced lack of the basic necessities of life. I have felt the pangs of denial, subjugation and op­pression. I know from experience and interactions with the masses what they feel. That is why I con­sider myself as one of those who can talk to them in the language they will understand, and see reason with me.

A few honest columnists and commentators have shown genuine concern about the state of affairs in our country and also offered credible alternatives. Yet, a good number of the other comments are driv­en by primordial partisan interest. Those who criti­cize must do so with a deep sense of responsibility, just as those who govern must do so with the fear of the Almighty Allah.

The task to comply with the policies and direc­tives is one that must be done by all Nigerians. Government succeeds through compliance. And the compliance must be spontaneous or lawfully nego­tiated if need be. This is because in the past, brilliant policies failed not necessarily because they were faulty but because compliance was not spontane­ously given or lawfully negotiated.

It is for this simple reason that I want to reiterate the need for well-meaning Nigerians to offer ideas that will enhance the efforts of the government at making life better for the generality of the people.Criticisms without progressive ideas lend credence to what a US politician, James Clarke, said about politicians when he said, “A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman thinks of the next genera­tion”. Once a politician is elected, he is no longer the leader of his political party. He becomes the leader of the people within and outside his party. He becomes the leader of those in the ruling party, those in the opposition and non-politicians alike. The elections and campaigns are over. Now, we must creatively solve today’s problems in a manner that creates a sustainable future for our children.

By the grace of the Almighty Allah, I will con­tinue to support initiatives that will move Nigeria forward despite being a mem­ber of the opposition party. For the past 16 years, our political space has been dominated by office holders who liter­ally emasculated the party once elected. They equated themselves with the party and literally became the party such that the platform was subjected to their whims and caprices. Therefore, the party could not be held responsible for whatever the person did or did not do.

Truth is, we are at a crossroads and we must decisively choose the path that encourages inclusiveness in governance because that is the only way to effec­tively fast-track the much-needed devel­opment. The people must participate and ultimately own the process that will lead to national recovery and growth. Rather than rue over our situation, we all must light our candles and illuminate our vari­ous corners for the progress and success of our dear country.

The anti-corruption campaign has been the major issue since President Buhari came on board. What is your take on the fight?

We should be patient with the govern­ment and perform our civic responsibili­ties as patriotic citizens. For instance, I endorse the ongoing anti-corruption cam­paign. It is one effort that must be sup­ported by all and sundry irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliations. My support for the ongoing anti-corrup­tion campaign is neither meant to rubbish anyone, curry favour from any quarters nor join the ruling party. My support for the anti-graft campaign is borne out of my genuine desire to stand up for what is right, just and equitable in order for the masses to weigh whatever I say and be able to take informed decisions rather than being brainwashed. For, as Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The ultimate mea­sure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”



http://www.zubbyblog.com/nigerians-must-support-anti-corruption-war-kashamu-0/

DESPITE assurances from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) that the N50 Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) is intact, there are indications that the money may have been depleted or diverted to other purposes by the last administration.

Since 2014 when six local shipping companies were penciled down as beneficiaries, none of them has accessed the fund, despite having scaled the due diligence hurdles and other eligibility tests.

Fund custodians said, they were reportedly awaiting the approval of former President Goodluck Jonathan, which never came till he left office. The CVFF fund is derived from the 2 per cent levy charged on the value of any cargo coming into the country.

Aside that scheme, there was also a vessel repair fund of over N1 billion also domiciled with NIMASA but which no local shipping company has enjoyed till date.

But while the local shippers await funds for purchase new vessels, most of them have already been forced out of business due to their outdated vessels which have not been replaced with modern ships.

Today only Slok Shipping and Starz Maritime with a few other thriving local shipping firms, majority of Nigeria’s shipping companies are neck deep in debts, worsened by lack of crude oil lifting contracts.

But as at the time of this report, fears were rife that the money may have been diverted to prosecute political programmes of the last administration or used as part of the funds for the construction of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Delta State.

A top government source who confided in Daily Sun said: “That money may have been spent or tampered with and it is very obvious. At a point, I learnt part of it was used to fund the NSDP. For about three years now, no local shipper has accessed the CVFF. We hear the money is ballooning and yet indigenous shippers are dying gradually. They have passed all the tests so why not give them if truly the money is intact? Government needs to fully audit NIMASA to know what happened to that money because I am not so sure it is still intact”, he said.

But reacting to the allegations, the CVFF has been misused, the Acting NIMASA Director General, Baba Haruna Jauro, insists the money has not been spent contrary to insinuations.

“The money is there. What happened is that applications were brought, processed and sent to the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry wants to observe due diligence because of the experience they had in the past. They were really trying to scrutinise and because the money is big, they want to be sure they enter safe hands. They also wanted to be sure the money isn’t misused and while doing that, the government was changed and we are hopeful that a new Minister will find the forms that were processed and vetted and waiting for his approval. He would look at them and approve and those who are beneficiaries can receive the funds and buy the ships. Nobody has the right to spend the money. Even for us in NIMASA, we cannot touch it”, he assured. But more worrisome is the fact that since its inception more than four years ago, no operator has benefitted from it despite the yearning need for new vessels in the country.

The CVFF is a single digit interest loan packaged by NIMASA but warehoused in four primary lending institutions namely (Diamond Bank, Skye Bank, Fidelity Bank and Sterling Bank). It is captured under Section viii, paragraph 42 of the Coastal and inland shipping (Cabotage) Act of 2003 with the primary purpose to promote the development of indigenous ship acquisition capacity to enable Nigerians participate in the crude lifting contracts, currently dominated by foreign shippers.

Under the scheme, a prospective loan applicant must provide 15 per cent of the amount applied for as a way of showing sufficient commitment, the bank brings 35 per cent while NIMASA supplies the balance of 50 per cent.

Since the fortunes of the local shipping firms took a hit over 10 years ago due to global economic meltdown, corruption and policy summersault, about 20,000 direct and indirect jobs have been reportedly lost.


http://www.zubbyblog.com/anxiety-mounts-over-custody-of-n50bn-ship-acquisition-fund/