₦airaland Forum

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani has accused the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu of running a cult in the agency.

Sani claimed that some selected EFCC officers known as “Magu boys” or Chairman squad” operated the anti-graft agency with much impunity.

The former lawmaker who is currently being prosecuted by the EFCC said the ”vicious and cruel” officers reported directly to Magu only.
Sani, in a post on his official Facebook page, expressed the belief that some of the marginalized and honest officers in EFCC would soon come out
According to Sani: “Contrary to the facade you see from the Outside, the EFCC has been run by an inside cult called “the Magu Boys” or “the Chairman Squad.’

“They are a select cream of vicious and cruel officers who operate exclusively and with impunity and only report directly to their boss.

“The inside cult is the dark and immoral aspect of the agency engaged in persecution, blackmail, frame-ups and cruelty. The cult has been the wheel behind the ordeal of their embattled Boss. Until they are rooted out from the agency also.

“I believe a lot of revelations will be coming out from other marginalized and honest officers in the so-called anti-corruption agency.”

A committee set up by the Presidency is currently probing Magu over allegations of corrupt practices.

This followed an indictment by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

On Monday, Magu was picked up by security operatives said to be from the Department of State Services, DSS, and taken to the Presidential Villa, Abuja as part of the ongoing investigation.

But, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, however, said Magu was invited for questioning.

A Bill that seeks to protect students in the nation’s tertiary institutions was passed for third reading in the Senate on Tuesday.

The Bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to prevent, prohibit and redress sexual harassment of students in tertiary educational institutions and for matters connected therewith, Bill, 2020” was sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie-Omo Agege (Delta Central) and co-sponsored by 105 other Senators.
Details shortly…

The immediate past National Vice Chairman ( North - West) , of the All Progressives Congress , Inuwa Abdulkadir , is dead .
He died in the early hours of Monday after a brief illness.

A friend and his colleague in the defunct Adams Oshiomhole - led APC National Working Committee , who was the Deputy National Chairman ( North ) , Senator Lawal Shuaibu , confirmed the incident in a text message to The PUNCH .
Details later …

A coalition of Igbo Groups, have lined up the Minister of Transport, Chibuike Amaechi, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Governor David Nweze Umahi, and Peter Obi for 2023 presidency.

The coalition comprising World Igbo Youth Congress, Southeast Women Professionals and Igbo Students Union described the decision of Arewa Youths to form an alliance with Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide ahead of the 2023 general elections as a welcome development.

The Coalition said the development was an affirmative action that both groups will definitely present a consensus candidate in 2023.
It made its resolutions known after a meeting with the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide in Abakaliki Ebonyi State on Thursday.

This was made available to DAILY POST on Friday by Comrade Obinna Achionye, Deputy President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide.

According to him, the signatories to the resolutions are, Mazi Alex Okemiri, President, World Igbo Youth Congress; Dr Mrs Helen Ogbonnaya, leader, Southeast Women Professionals; and Comrade Chidi Ugwunjo, President, Igbo Students Union.

The Coalition emphasized that Igbo presidency in 2023 is the most equitable and Justifiable crusade that will make “Nigeria survive from disintegration and disaster that pose threats against her collective existence.”

The Coalition commended All Progressives Congress, APC Caretaker Committee Chairman and Yobe State Governor, Mai Buni, for zoning the party’s chairmanship position to the North.

The group said that the move is an indication that the presidency will be zoned to the South, “and we expect the PDP to also emulate the APC and zone the presidency to the South.

“With this development and after deliberating on the issues extensively in line with Igbo interests, we present Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers) Dr Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi), Governor David Nweze Umahi (Ebonyi) and Mr Peter Obi (Anambra) PDP and others,” to run in the election.

- The management of NSITF has lambasted the minister of labour and employment, Chris Ngige, over the suspension of its MD, Somefun
- Charles Akpan, the deputy director in the ministry, on Thursday, July 2, said Somefun was suspended on Thursday, July 2, by Buhari
- NSITF, however, noted that none of its staff was suspended by the president

Hours after it was reported that the managing director of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Adebayo Somefun and three directors and eight other senior staff, the management of the agency has reacted.

Vanguard reports that the management of NSITF denied the report that President Muhammadu Buhari approved Somefun's suspension and eleven other staff.

Legit.ng gathered that a statement signed by Charles Akpan, the deputy director in the ministry of labour and employment, on Thursday, July 2, had said that President Buhari approved the indefinite suspension of Somefun and other senior management staff of the fund for alleged financial infractions.

The statement further said that the affected officials were to appear before an Investigative panel to give information on what they know about the purported financial infractions.

But the management of NSITF in a statement issued on the night of Thursday, July 2, said that President Buhari did not suspend any management staff and accused the minister of labour and employment, Senator Chris Ngige, of overreaching himself.

The statement read: “The Management of NSITF read the press release published by some media outfits that the President has suspended the management of NSITF and announced same.

“We wish to state that President Muhammadu Buhari has not suspended the management of NSITF and did not make such an announcement. The person mentioned in the media report is not the staff of the president.

“For clarity, we need to mention that we received a letter from the Hon minister of labour and employment Sen Chris Ngige stating that he is doing a procurement audit on NSITF and that management is suspended.

“We note that the minister’s action is against President Buhari’s directive through the secretary to the government of the federation that stated clearly that no minister should suspend or sack any head of an agency appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

NSITF added that ministers should follow procedures by going through the governing board of the agency that would now make recommendations to the SGF to act if there is a need, adding that President Buhari will not be part of any illegality and lack of due process.

“Meanwhile, the management of NSITF is open to any form of investigation by the appropriate agency as there is nothing that the management will hide or is hiding.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that President Buhari approved the indefinite
suspension of the managing director/chief executive of the NSITF, Adebayo Somefun.


It was reported that the president also approved the suspension of four directors of the agency.

Comrade Godwin Erahon, a former Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state, has warned the state Governor Godwin Obaseki, his Deputy Philip Shaibu to be wary of the fate of candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) political party in Imo state over the recent Supreme Court verdict.

Erhahon said Obaseki is surrounded by swindlers who are urging him and his Deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, to continue to pursue their gubernatorial ambition on the “wonky, expired and empty platform of the PDP.”

Erahon, in a statement issued in Benin, the state capital, said the June 26th 2020 Supreme Court judgment in the case involving Chief Uche Nwosu of AA party, who participated in the party primary election of two different political parties in Imo State ought to have made Obaseki to have a rethink because of the illegality of the action.

He said: “The apex court crafted the judgment so explicitly as if it was meant for the duo of the governor and his deputy to understand what fate awaits them in the state.”

According to the former chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state said, “The Supreme court nullified Uche Nwosu nomination in AA on the account that he had contested for nomination under APC.

“As if to explain itself further to the outgoing Governor, the Supreme Court elaborated on how the relevant law nullifies the PDP candidacy for their understanding when it elaborated thus:
‘The spirit of the law forbids anyone to contest for nomination under two or more parties in same election or even start the process of being nominated by procuring the nomination form.’ How does Gov Obaseki hope to escape the last clause?

He noted: “The clause has rendered the expired PDP governorship ticket a counterfeit. Obaseki procured APC nomination form, filled and returned same and to crown it up, attended APC screening which he failed. By the clause under reference, the Supreme Court seems to have told Obaseki to stop wasting his time and resources.

“So also does it sound a warning to Obaseki’s supporters that they are about bury themselves along with a dead body because they are blinded by temporary pecuniary sentiment.

“Whoever is being deceived by his neighbour may survive but whoever deceives himself is on a suicide mission. Let’s watch and see where desperation, cantankerousness and sadism are leading Governor Obaseki to. Like the Benin elders would say “hasty wrestling and fatal fall go together,” he stated.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied insinuations that its Caretaker Committee has released any form of zoning arrangement for the proposed Extra-Ordinary National Convention.

In a statement issued by the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, the committee pointed out that it will notify party members if there is a need for such an arrangement.

Titled “Purported zoning arrangement for planned APC National Convention is fake”, the statement read:
‘A purported zoning arrangement for the planned National Convention of the APC which has gone viral in the social media is fake.

‘Party members, supporters, stakeholders and indeed the general public are advised to disregard the fake news. The inaugural meeting of the Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee (CEONCPC) which held at the APC National Secretariat on Monday did not discuss or issue the fake zoning arrangement for the planned National Convention.

‘If and when a zoning arrangement is made for the planned National Convention, it will be officially communicated and publicised. Below are highlights of Monday’s Inaugural meeting of the Committee: The meeting unanimously adopted a six-point working document aimed at repositioning the party.

‘Members also renewed their commitment to work as a family in the interest of the party and appealed to all leaders and members to give full cooperation to the Committee in the discharge of its duties/mandate.

‘The meeting also approved the composition of the following Committees: Edo State Governorship National Campaign Council Consultation/Reconciliation Committees for Edo and Ondo States ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections.’

Madam Florence can't close her store for a day in honor of her late Husband, Sen Abiola Ajimobi but want Gov. Seyi Makinde to cut his trip short because of her late husband.

Anyway, she can't pay workers full salary if they are absent for a day. AJ footstepClown face

Ahmed Kurfi, a top member of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), the party on whose platform President Muhammadu Buhari contested the 2011 presidential election, has made explosive revelations.

Kurfi told Sun Newspaper that it was Col. Sambo Dasuki, a former National Security Adviser (NSA), who introduced Buhari to the then ACN leader, Bola Tinubu, prior to the poll.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), were the parties that formed the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), appointed Dasuki as NSA on June 22, 2012.

Kurfi revealed that he; Dasuki: Adamu Adamu, incumbent Minister of Education; Kabir Yusuf, Daily Trust publisher; and Wada Maida, ex-Chief Executive of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), visited Tinubu in Lagos before the 2011 general elections.

Kurfi disclosed that he was central to the negotiation of CPC and ACN which later became APC.

“I was the one who led the team that went to negotiate with Bola Tinubu,” the former CPC stalwart said.

He stated that APC was a coalition of various interests that came together to form a political party for the purpose of power.

The politician said looking deeply, Nigerians would find that the APC “is not a political party because all sorts of various political interests have come in”.

Kurfi stated that there exists a long-standing ‘grudge’ between Buhari and Dasuki and that it was purely over ‘military matter’.

He declared that Dasuki introduced them to Tinubu “because they were in exile together when Abacha was after them. Also, Sambo helped Tinubu’s mother when he was Military Assistant to Babangida”.

Kurfi, ex-CPC Director of Research and Strategy, added that “Babangida also assisted Buhari with money for his elections.”

He explained that this was during the campaign for Buhari in the ANPP and that Dasuki initiated the meeting.

Kurfi said the he “was the one who made the arrangements and when we fly to Lagos. Sambo will make the necessary arrangements. But you know the military; it’s just like what Adamu Ciroma said in one of his many interviews”.

“He (Ciroma) said they say Buhari is unforgiving and said why should he not forgive? He overthrew a democratically elected government and put Shagari in detention; so if you are removed by the same people you used to overthrow Shagari why should you complain?”
Kurfi recalled that Dasuki was with them during campaigns around the country.

He described Dasuki as someone with “a lot of networks. If you want a detribalized Nigerian that is Sambo. You will see him so comfortable with every Nigerian regardless of your tribe, religion or whatever.”

- An All Progressives Congress youth group has alleged plans by some opposition governors to destabilise the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari
- The youth group said the governors are collaborating with some disgruntled politicians within the ruling party
- According to the group, the disgruntled politicians are also planting seeds of discord within the military

The APC Youth Solidarity Network (APCYSN) on Friday, June 26, vowed to resist any attempt by some governors in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to truncate Nigeria's democracy and take over power from President Muhammadu Buhari.

The group said there is an ongoing plot to trigger a mutiny in the ranks of the military to give advantage to Boko Haram terrorists and rubbish the efforts of the service chiefs.

In a statement signed by APCYSN's coordinator, Danesi Momoh, the youth group alleged that while the federal government is battling and winning the fight against the deadly coronavirus pandemic, the disgruntled politicians are planting seeds of tribal discord within the military.

Momoh said his group had intercepted hate messages sent to poison the minds of young officers from the south, so as to encourage them not to obey orders from their superiors.

The group, however, strongly warned: "these unpatriotic elements to stay away from this cause of action because it is not in the interest of the country".

It added that such open invitation to overthrow the current government is a serious issue which should not be toyed with.

While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for his handling of insecurity, COVID-19 and APC crisis, the group passed a vote of confidence on the service chiefs and others involved in securing the lives of Nigerians.

He, however, said the group is not alarmed because its members know that these are temporary setbacks which are normal on the path to greater nationhood that can be overcome with the right counter-strategies.

He also alleged that the PDP governors who are working with some APC leaders who have not been favoured in the recent power tussle within the party want to heat the polity.

He said they aim to create an atmosphere of chaos and political cataclysm for the overthrow of the current administration and have indicated that they are not averse to a military coup since it has become clear that they cannot make any headway in 2023.

Momoh added: "We strongly advise these unpatriotic elements to stay away from this cause of action because it is not in the interest of the country."

The crisis in the All Progressives Congress is set to take a new twist after the party moved its National Executive Committee meeting slated for Thursday to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The meeting, which was initially scheduled for March 17, 2020, will now hold at the Villa to enable President Muhammadu Buhari and other party leaders take final decision on the challenges facing the party.

Sources within the APC hinted that Buhari may have endorsed Victor Giadom, who could be announced as the new National Chairman of the party on that day despite the forces against him in the group.

The sources said Adams Oshiomhole had lost the backing of party leaders following his leadership tussle with Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, which led to the exit of the latter and his supporters from the APC.

Giadom, who is said to have won the backing of President Buhari, has been at the centre of the crisis, parading himself as the new Acting National Chairman despite a court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday restraining him from doing so.

Giadom was subsequently suspended by the state's chapter of the party over alleged acts of gross infractions of the APC constitution.
But despite the hurdles before him, Giadom is said to have found favour before Buhari and may emerge the party's new chairman on Thursday if things go as planned.

Recall that the whole crisis within the party started after Oshiomhole was suspended as a member of the APC by the party in Edo State.

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi then ordered his removal from the party, a ruling backed by an appellate court.

He has since been making frantic moves to reclaim his position in the party to no avail so far.

A former governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, a deputy chairman of the APC, who should have stepped into Oshiomhole's shoes, is currently on a life support machine in a Lagos hospital after being infected with Coronavirus.

This has further fuelled the crisis in the party and paved the way for Giadom and others to jostle for the top position in the APC.

The Nigeria Police Force has said the deployment of its personnel to the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress in Abuja was aimed at maintaining law and order.

In a statement by Force spokesperson, Frank Mba, on Tuesday, the police said, "The presence of police personnel at the secretariat is not to seal-up the complex as has been reported in some quarters but rather to prevent any untoward situation within and around the APC National Secretariat.”

Mba assured that members of the APC as well as staff of the secretariat are at liberty to conduct their legitimate businesses in and around the place.

The party has been embroiled in a leadership tussle following the suspension of its National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, by a court.

A former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has blamed the demolition of Nigeria’s Embassy in Ghana on alleged weakness and incompetence of President Muhammadu Buhari.

A section of the staff quarters of the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana was demolished at the weekend by people described as unknown by Ghanaian government officials.

Nigerian government has since demanded that urgent action be made by the Ghanaian government to find the perpetrators as well as provide protection for Nigerians and their property in the neighbouring country.

But in a series of tweets on his Twitter handle, @realFFK on Monday, the former minister said “Buhari’s weaknesses and incompetence attracts nothing but disdain, insults and assaults against Nigerians all over the world.”

The tweets read in part, “I have a lot of love and immense respect for the nation of Ghana and I have always regarded Accra as my second home. This is all the more so because I have so many friends, loved ones, relatives and family ties there.

“However this behaviour is most uncharitable and totally un-Ghanaian. As a matter of fact, it is barbaric, disgraceful and totally unacceptable. Nigeria must never be treated in this way by her closest and most trusted neighbour, ally and friend no matter what.

“I condemn this brutal assault on our people and our Diplomatic Mission in Accra. The Ghanaian President, who I have known for over 50 years, is a profoundly good man and I believe that he would never condone or approve of this reckless behaviour and dangerous provocation.

“I call on him to de-escalate the situation, to direct his For. Minister to apologise to Nigeria forthwith & to discipline and punish all those that were involved in this flagrant violation of diplomatic norms and Nigerian sovereignty. This must NOT be allowed to happen again.

“I call on the FG to stand up and defend the honor and integrity of our people and nation and to protest this gratuitous insult and insolent affront.

“Buhari’s weaknesses and incompetence attracts nothing but disdain, insults and assaults against Nigerians all over the world.

“Under his watch Nigerians have been sold into slavery in Libya, murdered in South Africa, expelled in Angola, humiliated in Kenya, demonised in America, undermined in the United Kingdom, assaulted in China and now our Embassy has been attacked and bulldozed in Ghana whilst its staff and our citizens have been subjected to indignity and humiliation and literally traumatised and terrorised.

“Our President must take full responsibility for all these affronts and he must snap out of his nauseating and self-induced slumber.

“We may have many issues in our country but Nigerians are not filth and we are not anyone’s whipping boy or toilet paper. We are a strong noble and proud people who have a rich heritage and a proud history.

“We know how to stand up for ourselves and defend our own and every humiliation that has been meted out to us will be paid back in full measure to those that have dared us once we get the weak and cowardly creature called Buhari out of power.

“He does not defend his nation or his flag because he sees his own people as being worthless. He sees them as being nothing but vassals and slaves.

“How can we be taken seriously or respected by foreigners when our own President hates us with a perfect hatred and considers us to be worse than vermin?

“It is a great irony that we are being led by a man who has nothing but disdain and contempt for his own people and who does not give a damn when foreigners treat them like slaves, setfs, savages and mongrels.

“I do not blame the Ghanaians for this, I blame Buhari and his rudderless, uninspiring , shameless and incompetent government.”

President Muhammadu Buhari’s Personal Assistant on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie has declared that heads will roll at the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

Onochie issued the warning while commenting on the ongoing forensic audit of NDDC.
NDDC’s Interim Management Committee is under investigation for alleged mismanagement of N40bilion.

Recently, the Senate had vowed to unearth the truth and expose those behind the alleged mismanagement of the huge sum.
Following the alleged sharp financial practices, Buhari had in October last year ordered a forensic audit of NDDC’s operations from 2001 to 2019.

However, Onochie described Buhari’s decision as wise.

In a tweet last night, Onochie wrote: “PRESIDENT BUHARI IS WISE.
“NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Completed in less than 6 months of the Interim Management Committee set up to oversee the NDDC. Completed After 20 years!

“A Forensic Audit on the NDDC is also going on. Heads will Roll.”

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has commented on the defection of Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Wike, in a statement via Twitter, welcomed Obaseki to his party. He simple wrote ‘Welcome to the PDP” alongside a photograph of Obaseki holding his new membership card.

Okowa, in his own reaction, congratulated Obaseki for joining the party. He wrote; “I welcome my brother, Governor Godwin Obaseki, to our great party, the People’s Democratic Party!”
“As you join us on this platform, we shall work to ensure that you continue the great work that you have started for the people of Edo State.”

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack all his Service Chiefs.

Fani-Kayode made the call while faulting the query Buhari issued to Services Chiefs yesterday, following the continued killings in Nigeria.
In a tweet, the former Minister said the President should be courageous enough to sack his Service Chiefs and not just query them.

He tweeted: “Don’t just query your Service Chiefs but muster the courage to SACK them! Be bold, decisive and strong!

“People are being slaughtered all over the country. They have failed WOEFULLY and a change of guard is needed. Don’t you know that our blood is red and that NIGERIAN LIVES MATTER too?”

Buhari had yesterday said he would no longer tolerate excuses from Service Chiefs over the spate of insecurity in the country.

Speaking during a briefing, the President had insisted that the Service Chiefs had not done enough to curb the insecurity in the country.

Former Governor of Ekiti State , Ayodele Fayose , says Thursday that the crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress is a show of God ’ s anger against the governing party .

Fayose said the crisis was a price for the role the APC played in impoverising Nigerians and promoting the rigging of elections , adding that things would get worse for the party .

The former governor spoke in a statement by his media aide , Lere Olayinka, said the APC had been treating Nigerians with contempt , said , “ For Nigeria to return to the path of progress that it was before the APC took over power , more confusion will still hit the party till it goes into oblivion .

“ Definitely , their matters will be made worse with time because for Nigeria and its people to return to the path of peace and progress , the APC house of lies that is being nurtured with the blood of Nigerians must collapse . ”

Fayose , who lamented the killings by bandits in the North especially in Katsina , Kaduna , Zamfara and Sokoto states , added that , “God will never be happy with a party that its government is doing nothing to stop the bloodshed , rape , and destruction of people ’ s sources of livelihood going on in the country.

“ It is on record that more than 300 Nigerians have been brutally murdered by bandits in the last three weeks and the APC government has done nothing. Rather , Nigerians who raised concerns are being insulted by the APC government while those who protested are being arrested and detained .

“ God cannot be happy with a party like APC that its government has not only impoverished Nigerians but with its inept Presidency , plunged the country into debts that future generations will have to pay . ”

The Katsina State Police Command has effected the arrest of Nastura Ashir Sharif, the leader of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), for allegedly spearheading the protests against President Muhammadu Buhari in Katsina State.

CNG, in a statement on its Facebook page, on Wednesday said that Sharif was arrested and taken to Abuja after leading a massive peaceful protest on Tuesday in the state over bandits’ attacks and killings.

The CNG Board of Trustees chairman in the Facebook post said; “Sharif is currently being detained at the Nigeria Police Force HQ, Abuja. He is against the killing of helpless citizens by bandits”.

“The Police boss told the youth leader that the Inspector General wanted to see him in Abuja and they went together.

“After reaching Abuja, they detained him in their headquarters”, the post on Facebook revealed.
This came after the abduction of two persons in Katsina State last week led to wild demonstrations by protesters who shut the Katsina – Kankara Highway and other adjoining roads at Yantumaki in Danmusa Local Government Area of the state.

Billboards of President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were also destroyed by the angry protesters who were enraged by the spate of insecurity following the abduction of the two persons in the town.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina has warned Nigerians against describing President Muhammadu Buhari as a failure.

Buhari’s government has continuously been branded a failure in the area of the security of the county among others, by different groups and individuals in the country.

Only at the weekend, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), through its convener, Professor Ango Abdullahi described Buhari’s administration as a total failure over the worsening issues of banditry, terrorism and other criminal activities chiefly in the North and in order parts of the country.

But Adesina, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, argued that government was working to address the issue of insecurity and others, hence it would be wrong and uncharitable to brand Buhari as a failure.

He said, “Government is working at it and it is a work in progress. Let nobody come and say nothing is being done and the government has failed, that will be uncharitable.

On whether the government should try and change tactics on its handling of the security of the country, Adesina said that service chiefs regularly brief Buhari on the matter and that from time to time there were usually review of strategies.

He said, “When it comes to strategy, it is not for us to say or determine. It is for experts in that area to review strategy and if there is a need to change it, they will do.

“From time to time, there are reviews. How do you know that the strategies remain the same? Strategies change from time to time. We don’t go to the front, we don’t know. It is not for us to determine whether this strategy is right or wrong.”

Attacks by terrorists, bandits, cattle rustlers, and kidnappers among other criminal elements across the country, especially the north east has seemingly become a regular occurrence in the country leading to loss of many lives and property.

However, Adesina maintained that Buhari remained committed to secure the country and fight such crimes.

HOW TO KEEP A LADY By Femi Fani-Kayode

Ladies are like race horses: they must be mastered, tamed, trained, exercised and regularly serviced. They are like race cars: their engine must be revved at least twice a day.

They are like precious jewels and rare gems: they must be cherished, shielded, guarded, protected and defended.

They are like little children: they must be given attention, pampered, encouraged, loved, made to feel on top of the world and given everything that they need and want.

They are like magnificent works of art: they must be appreciated and valued.

If you want to keep a lady, live for her alone, worship the ground she walks on, treat her like a Queen, tolerate and accept her idiosyncrasies, weaknesses and excesses and love her for who and what she is, warts and all!

And one more thing: once in a while write her a romantic poem, serve her breakfast in bed, give her flowers, buy her the most expensive and exotic perfumes, take her shopping and in the evening cook a candle-lit dinner for her.

Do all this and she will stand with you through thick and thin.

That’s my secret and that’s the key!

Some pictures of beautiful houses, allegedly belonging to armed bandits have been uncovered by special joint forces in Katsina forest, Katsina Post learned.

The pictures of the buildings were reportedly released by some of the security operatives in the joint force fighting the bandits.
The houses, apparently recently built, because of their new outlook, were demolished by the special joint operation forces.

Katsina Post learned that the sight of a modern building in the forest inhabited by bandits is a new occurrence in total defiance to their mud hunts and local shelters.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has vowed to commence the prosecution of the former Governor of Imo State, Sen. Rochas Okorocha, upon the conclusion of its ongoing investigation.

The commission also noted that it had already returned over N2.7 billion from the N7.9 billion recovered from different bank accounts and assests belonging to Okorocha to the state for payment of workers’ salaries and pension.

The Zonal Head of EFCC Port Harcourt, Mr. Imam Usman, disclosed this in Port Harcourt during a mid-year briefing on the activities of the commission within the six months.

Usman noted that the prosecution of Okorocha was brought from Enugu state, adding that several properties worth billions have been forfeited to the Federal Government.

He said: “Furthermore, upon my deployment to this zone, the investigation of corruption allegation against the former Governor of Imo State, Chief Rochas Okorocha was transferred from the Enugu Zone to Port Harcourt for further investigation.

“Within the period in review, the Commission succeeded in freezing about N7.9billion in different accounts. Out of this, N2.7billion was released to the Imo state government to enable it pay staff salaries and pensions.
“Also, properties worth billions of Naira recovered in the course of the investigation have been forfeited to the Federal Government.”

The EFFC zonal head disclosed that out of the N2.7 billion already returned to Imo State for payment of workers salaries and pension that the immediate past governor of the state, Chief Emeka Ihedioha got N2.5 billion, while Hope Uzodinma has already received N514 million.
Usman said: “Only last month, N514million was further released to the incumbent administration of the state to enable it meet its obligations to workers.

“All the money released to Imo State were the monies recovered from the former Governor of the state, N7.9 billion.

“The money was released in batches. In the government of Emeka Ihedioha, we released excess of 2.5 billion for salaries and pensions. They were money recovered for the state and they have to go back to the state.

“When the Emeka left and Uzodinma came, there was still remnants of the money. It was excess of N2 billion. And we were able to release 514 million just last month to the state. Because excess of N1.8 billion is incumbent in court process because some contractors when to court and wanted some refund.

“The court process is lingering, so we still have excess of N1.8 billion that has not been released because of the court process.”

Usman stated that investigation of Okorocha was at its peak, adding that upon conclusion the senator would be arraigned.

He said: “When the matter was brought from Enugu, the chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, saw the need for the continuity of that case and said we should continue the investigation.

“The investigation has gotten to an advanced stage and upon conclusion of the investigation, we are going to arraign the former Governor.

“Now also it is in course of the investigation that we targeted some of his assets. Some are in Imo, Owerri, some are in Abuja. We marked some of them for interim forfeiture. The target is to concluded investigation and he shall have his day in court.”

Meanwhile, Usman disclosed that within the second quarter of the year that the commission has also recovered over N291 million and secured 16 convictions out of 22 prosecutions it commenced within the period under review.

He said: “Within the period under review, the commission was able to recover monetary assets worth N291,777,828.00, $847, 983.00, €390, £10,900 and 500 CFA.”

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has declared a state of emergency on gender-based and sexual form of violence.

The decision was taken at the 10th COVID-19 teleconference meeting of the forum.

This is coming amid rising cases of rape across the country.


TheCable had earlier reported how Barakat Bello, an 18-year-old girl, was raped and murdered at her father’s house in Ibadan, Oyo state.


Barakat’s death happened less than seven days after the murder of Vera Omozuwa, a student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), who was raped and killed while reading inside a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Edo state.


In a communique, the governors condemned sexual and gender-based violence, saying they are committed to ensuring justice is served.
The NGF also called on its members who are yet to implement laws against sexual and gender-based violence to do so in order to reduce sexual violence.


“Governors have agreed to declare a State of Emergency on Sexual and Gender-based Violence. Governors strongly condemned all forms of violence against women and children and committed to ensuring that offenders face the maximum weight of the law,” the communique read.


“Call on State Governors that have not already domesticated relevant gender-based protection laws to domesticate the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, the Child Rights Act and the updated Penal Code to increase protection for women and children and ensure speedy investigation and prosecution of perpetrators in addition to creating a sex offenders register in each State to name and shame;


“Invite the Commissioners of Police to provide a detailed report on the actions taken to strengthen their response to sexual and gender-based violence through the Family Support Units and Force Gender Units at the State and Local Government levels;


“Governors will commit additional funding for the prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence through appropriate Ministries, Departments and Agencies;


“Endorse the Communique of the meeting of the First Ladies in Nigeria which held on 7th June 2020 to evaluate and mobilize action to check the alarming rate of sexual violence against women and girls and indeed all forms of violence against women.”

Now that statues of slave owners like Edward Colston are being pulled down in the UK it is time for us to pull down the statues of slave owners like Madame Tinubu in Nigeria. A nation that continues to honor historical figures that traded in human flesh is insensitive & unjust.

Former Spokesperson to ex President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Reno Omokiri has said that former Governor of Abia State and the current Senator Representing Abia North in the Senate, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu was released from prison because he is the only Igbo man that controls a national media.

Mr. Omokiri who made this statement on his verified Twitter handle said, " you use economic power to reward friends and use your media to punish enemies. According to him carrot and stick makes the world go round.

The Social Media Influencer went further to say that the mistake Igbos made which the jews in America and Europe didn't make is that they focused on dominating Nigeria's commercial sector and forgot the media.


He added that the media is like air power and that if you have it, no one will mess with you.
It could be recalled that former Governor of Abia State was in prison for close to 5 months after a Federal High Court in Lagos sent him to jail over the misappropriation of funds when he was Governor of Abia State.
But the Supreme Court gave a judgement that released him stating that his trial at the Federal High Court was not in line with Judicial proceedings.

Senator Ali Ndume has called for salary slash for civil servants who no longer go to work due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ndume who is the Senate Chairman committee on Army, gave this suggestion when he spoke at a media briefing in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital today June 8.


He said despite the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state and Federal government are spending more to sustain personnel and non personnel cost. He opined that those who are not going to work now should be given palliatives and paid less.


''The government should critically look at the recurrent and personnel expenditure which consumes about 70% of the budget. More should be pumped into Capital. People should make sacrifice. This is the time to look at issues critically.


I think there should be more sacrifice especially on the personnel side. How can you sustain the same personnel and overhead cost when even the work they are doing, most people don't go to the office now and they are being paid fully for the month. Is there any justification for that?
If you can't work because of the pandemic, then you should be given palliatives and be paid less'' he said

The rift between the executive governor of Zamfara state, Dr. Mohammed Bello Matawalle and the Zamfara born Federal Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq has taken a new twist after the governor is said to have kept her waiting without seeing her for hours despite the fact that both were in the government house on Sunday June 7th.


The minister who was in Zamfara for the distribution of palliatives to some beneficiaries of the program went straight to the government house on her arrival to the state to pay a courtesy call to the governor.
However, she wasn't able to see the governor despite being in another wing of the house.


After waiting several hours alongside her aides, Angry Sadiya Faruk rushed out of the government house and headed straight to the quick response unit of the NAF, flew back to Abuja and abandoning all the guests, relief materials and palliatives in Gusau where the distribution programme is meant to kick off Monday 8th June.


One of the governors aide and staff of the Government House who was contacted but pleaded anonymity made it clear it was the best thing that was done and that the Governor, Dr Matawalle decides who to see and who not to see.


According to him, "this is a woman who has no regard for her people here in Zamfara, and despite all that we have been through and still going through, Sadiya has never supported in any way in her capacity as humanitarian minister.
She doesn't come to Zamfara which is her own birth state because she is Abuja's big woman".

An alleged leakage of official documents concerning the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) at the Presidency is generating controversy after some members of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) said top government officials were plotting the reinstatement of the ousted managing director of the company.


The association said in a statement on Thursday that the former managing director, Mr. Usman Gur Mohammed, had been meeting prominent citizens to solicit for return to his former post.

“Two of such prominent people are the president of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, and the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed. We learnt with doubt that the AfDB president wrote the president tying loans to the appointment of an individual, Usman Mohammed.

“On the side of the minister (Zainab Ahmed), she was said to have agreed that the loan was needed even with an appointment tied to it. What an irrational proposition, if true,” said a statement issued by the association’s General Secretary, Umar Dubagari.

Our correspondent gathered that a section of the national level of the association is led by Chris Okonkwo, a member of the management staff of TCN whom the ousted managing director had removed from office after allegedly ending his four-year posting from the Ministry of Power to TCN.


The issue had raised tension at TCN shortly before Mohammed was summarily removed by the Minister of Power, Engineer Sale Mamman, after he got an approval from President Muhammadu Buhari through a series of correspondents from the president’s Chief of Staff.


On how the union got the information on which their statement was based, it was learnt from multiple sources that the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, had forwarded the letter of the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning to President Muhammadu Buhari with the attached letter of the president of AfDB to Engr. Mamman for his comment.


The documents, which were termed to be classified and awaited presidential action, may have been leaked in that process to the section of the union led by Okonkwo.


A top official in the power sector said: “The minister finding any fault with the TCN head, should have in the first instance, issued him a query or asked him to step down for a panel of enquiry as guided by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) who is empowered to issue appointment and dismissal letters to government appointees.


“The minister only acted through a press release without recourse to the SGF. As we speak, no letter has been given to the acting MD of TCN and his management team, or a dismissal letter to the ousted MD, nearly three weeks after,” the official explained.
“The minister also knows that it was the federal government that had requested that Mohammed come to TCN on secondment from AfDB, and as such AfDB reserves the right to ask questions if that official on such critical assignment in Nigeria is summarily removed from office. This is also a spite on the presidency’s request for the official from the bank and the formal approval for his secondment to TCN by AfDB.”


Another official said the implication of leaking official correspondence to a labour union was enormous and government officials caught in such act could be severely punished.


Daily Trust on Sunday also recalled recently that President Buhari’s speech on the coronavirus pandemic lockdown was released ahead of State of the Nation address. The presidency had condemned the act and promised to deal with the ‘enemy of the state’.

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has said that he is not bothered about being re-elected in 2023.


In a chat with journalists in Lafia, the state capital, to mark his first anniversary in office, the governor said he was grateful to God for giving him a four-year mandate; a period he deems long enough for him to contribute his quota to the development of the state.


The governor, who was responding to a question on the speculation around the state that the people might not be ready to re-elect him in 2023, said he was ready to return to the US or Saudi Arabia to enjoy his life after his four-year mandate.


According to him, “one thing I have never been threatened about in life is my second term as governor. Let me tell you, in 1998, while working in the US, I felt I was bored. I took my early retirement package from an oil company, I went and set up our small company and we were running our business.


“I thought that was it. I never knew I was going to return to Nigeria as a whole, not to talk of coming to Nigeria to set up a company and become MD African Petroleum and later become GMD in Dangote company.


“That was even when I started enjoying life; not today.


“So I went through all these as extra to me in life; things I never thought would happen, but because God has blessed me that it will happen and it actually happened.


“Then out of the blues, from nowhere, I’m now a governor, and somebody is saying one term, and then I will cry, sleep and die? To hell with him!
One term, yes, it’s fine. That is how I look at it. One term is good enough.


Almighty Allah, I thank you very much for giving me one term.


“So it has never shaken me, it has never scared me, and it will never do. I mean it from the bottom of my heart.


“If I do one term, walahi talahi, walahi talahi, I will go and retire either in America or in Saudi Arabia and live my life peacefully. And I know that no EFCC will call me, because I am not stealing government’s money.


“So one term, then so what? To hell with one term!


“Let me tell you, I’m happy to take it, so I will never have sleeping problem because somebody says one term.


“I never and I think I will never have a problem,” he said.