Its Less than 2 weeks to the election and We are yet to see the APC Presidential Candidate Travel to America to woo the Diaspora[color=#990000][/color] Influencers

UK chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has made the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari easier.

Mr Ade Omole, leader of APC UK made the assertion in a statement made available on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, President Buhari remains the best candidate for the 2019 presidential election among the array of presidential candidates being paraded by other political parties.

He maintained that Atiku’s candidature would not stop the victory of the APC.

“The task for 2019 election has just been made easier by the leading opposition party by electing a presidential candidate who was part of the country’s problem in the 16 years of PDP rule.

“Nigerians should be wise enough to know, therefore, that he has nothing new to bring to the table.

“While I want Nigerians to vote wisely in 2019, I assure that as we did in 2015, we will work hard again to ensure that President Buhari is re-elected.

“On behalf of Nigerians and the progressives in the Diaspora, I congratulate President Buhari for accepting his nomination to be the APC presidential candidate for 2019 election.

`His election by over 14 million registered members of the party during the APC presidential primaries held across the federation speaks volumes,”Omole said.

He further said that Nigerians in the Diaspora were delighted at the enormous recovery tasks undertaken by the Buhari-led administration in securing the country, growing the economy and curbing corruption within the polity.

The leader of the APC UK chapter commended Buhari and his cabinet for laying the foundation for a better Nigeria.

He however urged APC members across the world not to be distracted, but continue to work hard to ensure the party’s victory at all levels of government in 2019.

President Buhari scored a total of 14,842,072 votes at the party’s recent direct primaries held in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to pick the APC presidential ticket.

His candidacy was affirmed by 7,000 delegates from 36 states of the federation and the FCT at the APC National Presidential Convention on Saturday.

Aside the statutory delegates, three delegates were drawn from 774 Local Government Area of the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, who got elected at the party’s Congresses held earlier.



Atiku, a former Vice President beat 11 contestants to secure the PDP ticket with 1,532 votes during the party’s presidential primaries held in Port Harcourt.

A total of 3,274 delegates participated in the election, with his closest challenger, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, having just 693 votes.

Other presidential candidates seeking to upstage Buhari include, Mr Donald Duke of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr Oby Ezekwesili of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria among others.

The presidential election will hold on Feb. 14,2019.


https://spyrader.com/2019-election-atiku-cant-stop-buharis-victory-uk-apc

After emerging victorious at the presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has thanked the party for choosing him to be its flag-bearer for the 2019 presidential election. He also thanked his former boss, HE Olusegun Obasanjo for giving him the opportunity to serve as his vice, a platform that made this achievement a reality today.

The national convention of the party, which began on Saturday,in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and continued well into Sunday, saw Atiku eventually emerge winner, polling a total of 1,532 votes to win the contest among all the contestants.

He beat Aminu Tambuwal and Senate President Bukola Saraki, who scored 693 and 317 votes, respectively.

He thereafter thanked the party via a tweet that read: ".@OfficialPDPNig, thank you for choosing me. This is a victory for all of us. The task to get Nigeria working again starts now."


https://spyrader.com/atiku-pays-tribute-obasanjo-thanks-pdp-choosing-him-presidential-candidate

Niger Delta Youth leaders, under the auspices of Niger Delta Coalition for Peace and Progress has demanded that returnee aspirants who left the Peoples Democratic Party in the build up to the 2015 elections should apologise to the former President and the Niger Delta region.



The youth group in a statement issued by its Spokesperson, Charles Kalada Dan-Jumbo,at the sidelines of the ongoing PDP Presidential Primaries noted that such apology was necessary even though the region had forgiven.





The youth group noted that exodus of PDP leaders to the All Progessives Congress was partly responsible for the loss of the 2018 presidential elections.





It said that on the backdrop of the activities that trailed the 2015 presidential elections, one would hardly believe that there'll be another mustering of Nigerians craving for succor from an epidemic majority of us brought upon the nation.





“Suffice to say that the Niger Delta region has always played a pivotal role in the shaping of the character and content of the nation called Nigeria.



“This can be displayed in the key roles great sons and daughters of the region have played in the history of the country, but yet she's the most abused, the most deprived, the most conned, and the most undermined.



“As youths of the Niger Delta we felicitate with the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike for facilitating the hosting of such a historic event in the Niger Delta.





“Of course we cannot overemphasize the economic benefits of this occasion, but one thing is sure, and that's the fact that the decision to reclaim Nigeria from the doldrums will be made here in Port Harcourt against 2019.



“Painfully, we all pretend like yesterday never existed, especially those of us who were key actors in disposing of the previous Govt. Today we must learn to apologise for our wrong deeds to rebuild trust else everything we present now is on a fallacious foundation.



“The Niger Delta Coalition for Peace and Progress, The Niger Delta non violence Youth Leaders Assembly, Niger Delta Ex Agitators Forum, and the Niger Delta Ex Freedom Fighters join forces to insist that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, His Excellency Rabiu Kwankwaso and former vice president Atiku Abubarkar all render an unreserved apology to the Niger Delta region and former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for denying the region of a well deserved second tenure.





“Their action was due to impatience and misconstrued perceptions, especially since that same government took us from a weak economy to the No 1 economy in Africa and indeed around 2014 and early 2015, Nigeria was named the third fastest growing economy in the world by CNNMoney, with China and Qatar, taking the lead at 7.3 percent, 7.1 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth,” the statement read in part.



In the same vein the group commend the likes of Sule Lamido, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi and a host of others who stood by the party and supported a candidate from the region and most importantly, for being steadfast and showing unflinching support for Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan throughout the trying times.





“Let it be on note that as of today the 6th of October 2018, we have no particular candidate in mind as we believe all the PDP aspirants have the pedigree to do far better than the current situation we are in, and we have no sentiments for anyone of these aspirants, nonetheless it is our belief that the party will employ every necessary resources to make sure that a rigorous selection process is put in place to ensure that the best candidate emerges.



“Every other aspirant will muster the tolerance and courage to rally their supporters around the product of this convention,” the group stated.


https://spyrader.com/atiku-saraki-tambuwal-others-should-apologise-jonathan-niger-delta

26-Year-Old Narrates How Sylva’s Security Adviser 'Raped' Her

The victim in the alleged rape trial of Chief Richard Kpodo, a former Security Adviser to Ex-Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa, on Friday testified before a Bayelsa High Court giving vivid accounts of how she was sexually abused.

The 26-year-old (name withheld) testified alongside her uncle and a medical doctor, who examined her on June 9, after she was allegedly raped the previous day.

In her testimony, the victim said she was invited by the accused to his office in the hotel at about 8pm, after which he locked the doors and forcefully overpowered and raped her.

According to the victim, Kpodo had threatened that he was the brain behind the ‘Fantangbe Security Outfit’ under former Governor Sylva and advised her to give in to his demands.

The victim, while narrating her experience before the court, broke into tears. The judge had to suspend the hearing twice to enable the victim regain composure.

She sad the accused had been making indecent sexual advances at her, before the incident occurred.

She said: “I was employed as a cashier and whenever I go to submit cash to him he touches me and I reported it to the employment agency that helped me get the job, and they advised me to talk to him to stop it.

“I talked to him that and he stopped for some time. He started again, and that day he locked up the door and forcefully had sex [with me]. I shouted and also pleaded and he said he would not leave me until he was satisfied.

“So when he finished, he asked me to clean myself and bring his food. He did not use a condom and I was injured. He removed my trousers and I kept struggling with him until he finished.

“I called my uncle who is a policeman and he came and took me home. The next day, we went to report to the Police and they gave me a medical report form, which I took to the hospital.

“The hospital conducted HIV test and prescribed some drugs which I have taken,” she victim said amidst sobs.

On July 31, 2018, Kpodo was arraigned on the accusation of rape at the State High Court 7 in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

Kpodo was charged on two counts of unlawful detention and rape of the victim, a 26-year-old female cashier at the hotel run by the accused.

At the resumed trial of the rape case, the trial judge, Justice E. Eradiri listened to the testimony of a medical practitioner who examined the victim after she was allegedly raped.

Dr Ikenna Nwanna, a medical practitioner from Diete Koko Memorial Hospital, Opolo, Yenagoa told the court that the patient complained of pains in her pubic area and walked with difficulty when she came to the clinic on June 9, 2018.

“The patient complained that she was raped by her boss and I examined her in the presence of a female nurse, and there were bruises in her vulva and due to the pains she did not allow me to touch her vaginal area.

“There was also whitish discharge which I suspected to be semen, although I did not conduct any further tests; the observations tallies with the complain of violence sexual assault,” Nwanna said.

The defence counsel in the rape trial, Julius Iyekoroghe, cross-examined the three witnesses.

The prosecuting counsel, Samuel Arthur, sought an adjournment to enable him call two more witnesses to testify in the case.

The defence counsel, who alleged that he was being intimidated by the prosecuting counsel, informed the court that the prosecution had denied his counsel access to medical care against the order of the court.

Reacting to the allegation, the judge, Justice E. Eradiri directed that his earlier order granting access to medical care for the accused be complied with.

“There is a subsisting order on granting the accused access to medical services at a government hospital. My order must be complied with and I want the prosecution to ensure that the orders of this court are obeyed,” Eradiri said.

He adjourned the case to October 5, 2018 to listen to the two additional witnesses called by the prosecution.

http://saharareporters.com/2018/09/21/26-year-old-narrates-how-sylva%E2%80%99s-security-adviser-raped-her

The Chairman Yobe State Executive Committee (SEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Adamu Chilariye has accused the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of illegally buying permanent voter’s card ( PVC) of unsuspecting members of the public. He made the accusation on Thursday at a press briefing in Damaturu. He stated that the state EXCO of the APC was notified of the development. “The PDP political office holders in Yobe Zone B have been using surrogates to purchase voter’s cards within Potiskum town at the cost of N5000 per PVC” He said the APC has lodged complaints with the security agencies against the illegal act. However, Chilariye advised the general public to be careful not to fall into the politicians’ trap. The chairman disassociated SEC from some political aspirants in APC who had begun to deceive members of the party that they were endorsed by the SEC. “The SEC wishes to state that it has no anointed aspirant and will only support the candidate that emerges as the party’s flag bearer during primaries.”, the chairman said.


http://www.spyrader.com/pdp-uses-surrogates-buy-pvc-cost-n5000-yobe-apc

An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday remanded a 38-year-old driver, Clement Momodu, in Kirikiri Prisons over alleged defilement of a school pupil where he works.

The accused, who resides at 4 Peace Crescent, Alagbado, a suburb of Lagos, is being tried for defilement of an 11-year-old girl.

The prosecutor, Insp. Christopher John, told the court that the offence was committed on July 28 at a primary school in Alausa, Ikeja.

John said that the accused, who is the school driver, lured the girl into the school bus during break time, covered her mouth and defiled her.

“The head teacher opened the bus and caught the accused while defiling the girl.

“With the help of the gate men, he was apprehended and brought to the police station,” he said.

The offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

However, the plea of the accused was not taken.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr P.E. Nwaka, adjourned the case until Sept. 3 for mention.




http://www.spyrader.com/driver-court-over-alleged-defilement-underage-school-girl

A 38-year-old housewife, Toyin Ajewole, on Monday dragged her husband, Kehinde Ajewole, 43, before an Idi-Ogungun Customary Court at Agodi, Ibadan, seeking dissolution of her 14-year-old marriage over alleged abandonment

She accused her husband of neglecting his parental responsibility to the three children of the marriage.

Toyin said that she could no longer cope with loneliness and bearing of the responsibility of the three children alone.

According to her, the husband lives with another woman and spends his daily income on the second wife while neglecting her and the kids.

“I have reported him to his parents but it seems they support his action because they did nothing to make him turn a new leaf.

“My regret is that he has collected the little money my parents gave me to start a business.

“My lord, he once used trickery to collect money from me and gave another woman.

“He rarely comes to meet me and the children in his house where we live, but spends his money on another woman outside his matrimonial home.

“I urge the court to dissolve the marriage because his actions have proved that he does not love me anymore.’’ Toyin said.

The accused, however, denied the allegation urging the court not to dissolve the marriage because he still loves his wife.

He prayed the court to adjourn the case to allow elders to intervene and ensure amicable resolution of the matter.

The President of the Court, Chief Mukaila Balogun, appealed to the plaintiff to allow family elders to intervene in the matter.

Balogun, who admonished the respondent to shun acts capable of destroying his marriage, urged him to move closer to his wife and children.

He also directed the plaintiff to bring the three children of the marriage to the court.

Balogun adjourned the case till Friday for a report of settlement.



http://www.spyrader.com/alleged-abandonment-threatens-14-yr-old-marriage

A Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO), Christian Empowerment Forum (CEF), has advised Nigerians not to disenfranchise themselves in the 2019 general elections by not registering and obtaining Permanent Voter Card (PVC).
The Director of the organisation, Mr Ifunnaya Ogbonna, gave the advice on Thursday in Abuja at the flag-off of a two-day market sensitisation on the importance of getting PVCs and participating in elections.
Ogbonna said that the PVC was a `must have’ for every Nigerian, adding that it was important for everyone yet to register to leverage on the 15 days left for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) to register.
“The only opportunity you have to get the change you want is now. The registration is closing soon and we are appealing to everyone to be registered before Aug. 17.
“Anyone who does not register or does not collect his PVC has no right to complain about the government.
“Also, anyone who has collected his or her PVC and does not vote during the election has no right to complain,’’ he said.
Ogbonna said that the forum was ready to bear the cost of transporting people from their locations to various centres for registration and PVC collection to ensure that eligible voters possess their cards before the elections.
The voter registration will be suspended on Aug. 17 until after the 2019 general elections, while distribution of cards would continue until one week to the elections.


http://www.spyrader.com/2019-dont-disenfranchise-yourself-group-advises-nigerians

Ignorant Arrogant Christians Taught Important Lesson by Vodou Deity



https://www.facebook.com/MWHSNA/videos/2151328525145367/

Video of Anambra road under construction crashed into death traps for residents



watch video- http://www.spyrader.com/node/290

Chief Richard Kpodo, a former Security Adviser to Ex-Governor Timipre Sylva was on Friday arraigned before a Magistrates court in Yenagoa for unlawful detention and rape.



According to the two charges filed by the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP), the accused had on June 20 2018 at Etegwe, Yenagoa, unlawfully detained Teke Blessing with an intention to defile her.



The second charge indicated that the accused had later on the same day raped the victim.



The accused who was in Police custody pleaded not guilty to the two count charge, while the bail application by his counsel Funilaifa Seibokuro was opposed by the Prosecuting Counsel Ayibatonye Jumbo.



Seibokuro had submitted that the offence for which Kpodo was being arraigned was a bailable one and assured that his client, a well known politician will be available to face trial.



He added that Kpodo had medical challenges and should be granted bail on self recognition.

Counsel to the DPP in opposing the bail argued that if granted bail, the accused would interfere and influence the prosecution witness and hence jeopardise prosecution by the state.



He faulted the claim by counsel to the accused that the accused had medical challenge as these was no medical report to support the claim.



The court, presided over by Mrs E.T.M Ere adjourned the case to August 10, 2018 for ruling on the bail application and remanded the accused in prison custody.



Meanwhile, Kpodo said outside the court premises that he was being victimised for criticising Gov Seriake Dickson’s leadership style with frequent travels.



“This trial is politically motivated, the case was reported in June to Police, the person in question made the allegation as a tool of blackmail to cover up a fraud allegation of N500,000.and the case was withdrawn when the family apologised to me.



“But the government has ben mounting pressure on the girl to come up and the girl spoke on phone to my hearing that the matter is closed.



“Only yesterday more than 30 policemen came to arrest me on the orders of Governor Dickson because I spoke out against his government, I shall not be intimidated, I am not going to keep quiet.



“The battle has just begun, their plan is to keep me out of circulation so close to the political season, but I shall overcome, and they know that I have so much to speak on,” Kpodo said.


http://www.spyrader.com/security-adviser-former-bayelsa-gov-arraigned-rape

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration would look into the constitutional 13 per cent derivation benefit to the Niger Delta region to ensure even spread of development projects across the region.

President Buhari gave the assurance when he received traditional rulers and some other eminent personalities from Isoko, Delta, led by Ovrawah, Omogha 1, Odiologbo of Oleh, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.

Buhari assured them that the constitutional provisions for Niger Delta development would be carefully studied for inclusiveness, especially in the prioritisation of Federal Government projects.

He said: “I have listened attentively to your address; I will still update myself with details of development in your area as it relates to oil and gas, and lack of infrastructure.

“I will look at the constitutional 13 per cent derivation and what previous governments have done, in order to know what we can do.’’

The president noted that the Isoko land had citizens who had distinguished themselves in various professions and entrepreneurial skills.


http://www.spyrader.com/fg-look-13-derivation-even-speedy-development-niger-delta

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton on Friday called health advocates, medical professionals and the general population to remain vigilant in the fight against the HIV virus, which causes
the immune deficiency syndrome AIDS.

He made the call in Amsterdam, The Netherlands,in a keynote address at the closing of this
year’s World Aids Conference.

Clinton said: “it’s important not to let anybody suggest that we should relax. There are more than 15
million people still living with HIV who are not on treatment.”

Clinton, who uses his foundation to champion lower prices for AIDS medication, said: “We need to test
more, treat more, deploy more prevention strategies and scale up what we know is working.”

Clinton’s speech was briefly interrupted by protesters in the hall who called for the decriminalisation
of sex workers and drug addicts.

The UN children’s fund UNICEF sounded the alarm about a feared increase in rates of infection among young
people, especially in the south of the African continent: UNICEF estimates that, from 2017 to 2050,
some five million new HIV infections will take hold in people aged 0 to 19.

Two-thirds will be girls and young women.

Around 15,000 experts from more than 160 countries gathered in Amsterdam on Monday to develop and
discuss ideas and strategies in the fight against the AIDS epidemic.

The next conference is due to take place in the U.S. cities of San Francisco and Oakland in 2020.


http://www.spyrader.com/clinton-urges-medical-professionals-remain-vigilant-fight-against-hiv-virus

Sunnymatey:
Op is Jigawa state not Taraba.

Jigawa is not Taraba

A former Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has described the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress at the centre as incompetent, visionless, evil and divisive.


Lamido, a presidential aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, made the allegations on Thursday when he and his entourage paid a consultation visit to Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson at the Government House, Yenagoa, to solicit his support for his presidential bid.
He said the APC government thrived on lies, noting that Nigerians now knew better the stuff the party was made of.


Lamido stated, "They (the APC) said for 16 years, the PDP under Goodluck Jonathan was only there corrupting, stealing and killing. But today, it is up to us to reflect. Look at it from 1999 to 2015 was PDP, while from 2015 till today is the APC. Look at it: Are we more united now? Are we richer now? Are we more secured now? Therefore, you can see that the APC is a virus of evil.


"They demean the PDP, they blackmail us, they demonise us, using religion, and today, this party (APC) has turned lies as part of governance and they are lying for purpose. It is a government where there is no focus; it is a government you do not know who is in charge, whether it is President Buhari or the Chief of Staff.
"When they blocked the National Assembly for 10 hours and the House was under siege, the Inspector General of Police said he was not aware. Buhari also said he did not know. So, who do you hold accountable for the siege?
"So, Nigerians can see that the government has no vision, no focus, it is incompetent, it is divisive and it is evil. This country belongs to all of us; Nigeria is for all Nigerians.


"Today, you can see the impunity in government. The level of theft in the NNPC is unheard of. They loot, they drain and they suck our blood like leeches yet they say we are the thieves."
On his part, Governor Dickson appreciated Lamido's steadfastness, courage in speaking up when it was the right thing to do, his progressive views and for all he had done for the country and the PDP.
He called on Lamido and other contestants to be ready to collaborate at the right time, beginning from now, to see how, at the end of the day, when the delegates to the party's presidential convention would have spoken, that all the leaders would join hands to rescue the country.


Dickson said, "We call on the national leadership, and we know that is what they will do, and we will support them to organise a free, transparent, credible primary within our party that will produce the best and the most widely accepted candiate as our flagbearer.


"Our party has to wake up and we are pleased that it has woken up. I want to commend the national chairman and his team for the new lease of life that our party now has.
"We call on Nigerians to have confidence in our party; we call on those our former members who are still on the other side who have now recognised the mistakes they have made, to come back and that our party doors are open to one and to all, so that at the end of the day, we all work together to rescue our country."


http://www.spyrader.com/2019-sule-lamido-bayelsa-carpets-buhari

Mars will make its closest approach to Earth in 15 years on
July 31, which means the red planet will be shinier and bigger and easier to observe, said U.S. space agency NASA.

The two planets will be just 57.6 million km apart on July 31, while Mars will appear brightest from July 27 to July 30, making it easier to be seen with telescope or the naked eye.

“It’s magnificent. It’s as bright as an airplane landing light,” said astronomer Harry Augensen from Widener University, Pennsylvania.

“Not quite as bright as Venus, but still because of the reddish, orange-ish-red color, you really can’t miss it in the sky.”

Before the closest approach, Mars will be in opposition on Friday, which means Mars and the Sun will appear in opposite positions as viewed from Earth.

On the same day, the longest total lunar eclipse of this century will be visible in Africa, Asia, Australia ,Europe and South America.

Mars will look fainter by mid-August since it travels farther away from Earth in the orbit around the Sun.

Mars and Earth were closer than this year in 2003, when the two planets were just 55.7 million km apart, which was the closest in nearly 60,000 years and won’t happen again until 2287, NASA said.


http://www.spyrader.com/mars-make-closest-approach-earth-july-31-nasa

The people of Okpunoeze village in Uraugu community of Nnewi, Anambra, were on Wednesday thrown into mourning over the murder of Mrs Bene Ikegwuonwu, 70, by her son, Chinedu Ikegwuonwu, 40.

The incident occurred at about 8 a.m. after an altercation between the duo over a piece of land belonging to the suspect’s younger brother.

A source, who pleaded anonymity, said the deceased was cooking when her son allegedly approached surreptitiously from behind and slit her throat with a machete.

“The suspect left the house immediately after the incident, leaving behind his wife and son,” the source added.

The late woman is said to be blessed with four boys and three girls, one of who died recently in a fatal accident.

A family member, who pleaded anonymity, said the suspect returned to Nnewi from a failed business in Aba, Abia.

The source said that the suspect had had a running battle with his mother over his attempt to grab his younger brother’s land.

“The woman gave Chinedu some money to raise the foundation of his building because he was unable to do anything about it after a year and half.

“She even went to the extent of taking money from her late daughter’s bank account for the suspect to complete his building after which he then turned around to take over a portion of land belonging to his younger brother,” the source said.

When contacted, Mr Haurna Mohammed, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), a Superintendent of Police (SP), confirmed the incident, noting that the police had launched an investigation into the case.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), a Superintendent of Police (SP), confirmed the incident, noting that the police had launched an investigation into the case.



When contacted, Mr Haurna Mohammed, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), a Superintendent of Police (SP), confirmed the incident, noting that the police had launched an investigation into the case.



http://www.spyrader.com/man-40-kills-mum-nnewi

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it is deploying more helicopters and fighter aircraft to Zamfara to enhance air operations in the state.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar, disclosed this when he visited the NAF 207 Quick Response Group Headquarters in Gusau on Wednesday.
Abubakar said he was in Zamfara primarily to understand what the force was doing in terms of supporting the Defence Headquarters in fighting insecurity in the state.
He said the efforts of the air force was being augmented with the special forces from the Nigerian Army and other sister security agencies.
“I want to know efforts so far put in place and the areas that needed more intervention.
“Part of the aim of the visit is to deploy more helicopters and fighter aircraft to Zamfara to fight the criminals that have been terrorising the state.
“Because there is no airport here in Gusau, we will be operating from Katsina to Zamfara and other areas to ensure that we bring to an end the activities of these criminals,” Abubakar said.
He enjoined communities in the state to assist the force with intelligence reports.
According to him, air force operations, especially in a difficult situation such as that of Zamfara depended substantially on human intelligence reports.
The air chief said that communities in the state had the responsibility to support the air force personnel and other security agencies for the success of the operations.
The Commander, NAF 207 Quick Response Group, Group Capt. Caleb Olayera, thanked the chief of air staff for the visit which he described as timely.
Olayera said the NAF fight against insecurity in the state had recorded tremendous success.



http://spyrader.com/insecurity-naf-deploy-more-fighter-aircraft-zamfara

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says the on-going face-off between National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole and Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige will be resolved amicably.

The minister gave the assurance when he fielded questions from State House correspondents after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiohmole, had on July 23 threatened to expel the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, or any minister who failed to inaugurate members of board of parastatals under their supervision from the party.

However, Ngige, in a statement by the Director of Press, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Samuel Olowookere, said those that said he had not inaugurated the Board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) because he was awarding contracts were ignorant of the Procurement Act.

The Minister of Information, who also spoke on Tuesday’s defection of some members of the National Assembly from the ruling APC to Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), said the issue was not discussed during the cabinet meeting.

He said that President Buhari had already stated that the defectors were at liberty to belong to any political party in line with democratic tenets.

He noted that the APC was in firm control at the National Assembly, in spite the defections at the two chambers of the Assembly.

“The governing party, the All Progressives Congress APC is still having the majority in both chambers of the National Assembly,’’ he said.

Mohammed also reminded Nigerians on the danger of spreading fake news.



http://spyrader.com/face-between-oshiohmole-and-ngige-be-resolved-amicably-says-lai-mohammed

chicoMX:


E be like you nor dey this country... impunity has become the order of the day. From Maina down to Baru

Police should stay off partisan politics

gentlegenius:

I agree with you...

I agree with you

Members of the Benue House of Assembly, who impeached their Speaker, Mr Terkimbi Ikyange, on Tuesday, have claimed that they showed him the red card because he was “highhanded”.
Ikyange was impeached by 21 members. The House has 30 members.
Mr Titus Uba (APC/Kyan) was elected Speaker.
Other principal officers impeached along with the Speaker were the Deputy Speaker, James Okefe (APC, Okpokwu) Majority Leader, Benjamin Adanyi (APC,Makurdi South) and Deputy Majority Leader, Nick Eworo (APC/Oju.
The “emergency session” was presided over by the Speaker Pro-Tempo, Mr Audu Sule (PDP/Agatu), because the House had gone on recess and was expected to resume Aug. 15.
A correspondent, who covered the session, reports that the motion for the impeachment was moved by Mr Richard Ujege (APC/Konshisha), and promptly seconded by Mr Anthony Ogbu (Ado/APC)
Ujege cited highhandedness as the major reason for the call for Ikyange’s sack.
Reacting to the development, Ikyange said that it was “an act of illegality”, declaring that he was still the Speaker of the House.
“The proper procedure for impeachment was not followed. As Speaker, I am the only one qualified to reconvene the seating of the House.
“In my absence, only the Deputy Speaker can reconvene the Assembly as directed by me. None of us was aware of this session because we are currently on recess.
“To the best of my knowledge, the House stands adjourned till Aug 15. When the House is on recess, we can only reconvene if there are matters of urgent importance .
“Since this procedure was not followed, I consider this an act of illegality. This is not about me but about the sanctity of the Assembly. It is an institution whose rules must not bastardized,” he said.
He warned those parading themselves as leaders of the House to desist from doing so in their own interests.
“As far as I am concerned, all the principal officers are intact. Nobody is impeached,” he assured
The House of Assembly adjourned on July 10 and was expected resume on Aug. 15.
Reacting to the development, the chairman of the APC in Benue, Mr Abba Yaro, said that he was not aware of any change in the leadership of the Assembly.
“I am still trying to get details of the said impeachment; I will get across to you as soon as the picture is clear. Right now, I can’t believe it is true,” Yaro said.


http://spyrader.com/impeached-speaker-was-highhanded-benue-legislators

A socio-cultural group, Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum, says Tuesday’s defection of some members of the National Assembly from APC to other parties will not adversely affect President Muhammadu Buhari’s bid for re-election in 2019.
Mr Akin Malaolu, Secretary -General of the group made this known on Tuesday in a statement he signed in Abuja.
According to Malaolu, some political elements are making futile efforts to pressurise democracy.
“We are not sad over the political troubles which some reactionary political elements are putting Nigeria’s democracy into gloomy forebodings on account of war against corruption.
“They are not capable nor with the capacity to turn the table against APC in the 2019 elections.
“We hold on to these views mainly because Buhari was and still is the tree trunk that others leaned on to get into their seats at the National Assembly.
“Such characters’ decision to cross carpet, though unlawful, will not carry them far and given time they shall all become sober and remorseful soon,” the group said.
“Yoruba Ronu expected APC defectors’ constituencies to ask qualified questions for which they must provide their people with good answers.
“The people of Nigeria today, now know their enemies to include looters and purveyors of irrational consolations that dotted our landscape.
“This clearly has drawn a line between evil and good, which shall herald us into a better and greater Nigeria of our dreams.
“One good thing that has stood for Buhari and his government is the respect for law and order with honesty to right the wrongs done to the helpless and hapless masses,” he said.
He called on Nigerians especially, those craving for progressive and people-oriented governance to keep faith in APC-led government.
Yoruba Ronu cautioned the Senate and House of Representatives against any attempt to impeach Buhari.
“We must, however, warn against forceful impeachment of the President, the consequences may be amazing in every nooks and crannies of the country.
“Anyone or group that pushes 20 million people into general resentments caused by religious divisions and to the ethnic may not survive it, that is not our wish for Nigeria,” he said.
He said itself and Yoruba nation stood solidly behind APC despite unfair judgements on the government by reactionary forces.
“It shall be so into many elections to come. We are glad that the government of Buhari is making progress in the right direction for the teeming masses as his first choice”.
The 13 APC senators defected to PDP while another one moved to African Democratic Congress(ADC).
Similarly, 37 APC members of House of Representatives left majorly for PDP, alleging lack of democracy within the APC.


http://spyrader.com/nass-defection-wont-affect-buharis-re-electionsays-yoruba-ronu

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki on Tuesday failed to honour the invitation of the Nigeria Police Force over his indictment in the Offa bank robbery.
The force had invited Saraki to report to the Head of investigation team, of the Intelligence Response Team ( IRT) on July 24 at 8 a.m. in Guzape, Abuja.
The invitation was in connection with the confession made by five suspects in the April 5 robbery that they were political thugs of Saraki.
The Force Spokesman, acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, while addressing newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, said that there was no timeline to the invitation.
Moshood said that the force would not shy away from its constitutional responsibilities of crime detection.
“The Nigeria police force will not abdicate from its constitutional responsibilities of detection of crimes and criminalities, and will always treat crime as crime no matter who is involved.
“The force remains focused and will not be distracted from carrying out a discreet and thorough investigation into the indictment of the Senate President,”he,said.
He said that Saraki had case to answer and it was consequent upon that that he was invited to appear before the IRT.
He said that Saraki was not harassed and intimidated physically or otherwise by any police personnel as reported by some media.
“It is also absolutely untrue that Saraki was harassed, threatened or intimidated physically or otherwise by any Police personnel either from the Force Headquarters or any other formation of the Force,”he said.
Moshood implored members of the public to disregard and discountenance the report of the blockade of the residence, harassment and threat to Saraki’s life.


http://spyrader.com/saraki-shuns-police-invitation-offa-roberry-suspects

The Assistant Commissioner of Police, zone 5, AIG Rasheed Akintunde, has ordered Commands under the zone to embark on manhunt for Bandits and other criminals.....


http://spyrader.com/attacks-police-officers-aig-orders-manhunt-criminals

Gov. Muhammadu Bindow of Adamawa has described as “malicious and false” an online report alleging that he gave N70 million to organisers of Saturday’s rally in Yola by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Bindow in a statement Sunday by his Special Adviser Press and Media Affairs, Mr Martins Dickson, said the report trying to portray him as engaging in anti party activities was cheap blackmail by those worried over his rising profile and that of APC in the state.
“The publication is false, malicious, misleading and an attempt to mask the rising profile, good virtues and sacrifice of Sen. Bindow in upholding and promoting APC as the most popular party in Adamawa.
“The authors of the fabricated lies have run out of substance with which to discredit him and have resorted to cheap blackmail and childish stories.”
The statement urged journalists and the media to always strive to verify their facts and be professional in their operation.
“The good work of APC under Bindow is spread glaringly across the 21 local government areas of the state for all to see and there’s no amount of falsehood that will make anyone believe that a governor and party that have done so well in the state will be involved in any form of clandestine anti-party activity”.
The statement reiterated the governor’s commitment to remain focused on fulfilling his campaign promises in line with his party’s manifesto.



http://spyrader.com/gov-bindow-condemns-report-linking-him-atikus-rally

Sen. Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi West), on Friday put on hold his constituency projects inauguration and thanksgiving service over alleged attacks and tensed security situation in Kogi West Senatorial District.

Melaye disclosed this in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Gideon Ayodele, and made available to newsmen in Lokoja.

He said the tour of his constituency and inauguration of projects which commenced on July 18, was marred by violence.

He said: “You would recall that several weeks ago I announced plan to tour my Kogi West senatorial district and as well use the opportunity to commission numerous projects I facilitated for my constituents in different locations.

“The inauguration of projects started on Wednesday, July 18, despite the unwarranted arsonism on two schools in Lokoja Local Government area, which can only be the handiwork of my political enemies.

“It has become necessary to put out this statement in the face of Thursday’s unprovoked Police assault on my entourage while returning from Yagba Federal Constituency where I went to commission my constiuency projects,” he said.

Melaye added that all the programmes were expected to culminate in a Grand Finale/Thanksgiving Service on Saturday in his hometown, Aiyetoro-Gbede.

The senator, however, said that all the programmes would have to be put on hold in view of concerns arising from the security situation.

He apologised to his constituents and invited guests for the inconveniences the development might cause them.

“This is however a painstaking decision for me in order to safeguard precious lives and property of peace-loving people of Kogi West,” he said.

On Thursday, the Kogi State Police Command summoned Senator Dino Melaye to report at the State Criminal and Investigation Department after his armed guards fired on a team of policemen on patrol duties in the state.

A police sergeant was the victim of the shooting, the police said and is recuperating in the hospital.

The Kogi Police Command asked Melaye to report at the SCIID office in the state capital, in the company of his armed guards, as investigation began on the shooting.

According to the police, their statement, signed by DSP William Ovye Aya, the PRO, was partly to refute Melaye’s allegation that he was shot at by the police.

On the contrary, the police said that Melaye’s guards opened fire first, with the police responding.


http://spyrader.com/melaye-halts-constituency-projects-inauguration-thanksgiving-service-over-security-situation

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has admonished Nigerians in Diaspora to stop depending on Social Media for news about the country.
The minister gave the admonition in Washington at a meeting with the Nigeria Ambassador to USA, Justice Sylvanus Nsofor and the Embassy’s members of staff.
The meeting is on the sideline of a High-Level Roundtable attended by the minister, organised by the Atlantic Council, an American think tank on international affairs.
Mohammed said that social media are, largely purveyors of fake news and misinformation, which could threaten the peace of a nation.
“Fake news and misinformation when mixed with hate speech threaten the peace, unity, security and corporate existence of Nigerians.
“Many people in the Diaspora depend a lot on Social media for news about Nigeria. However, 80 per cent of what you read on social media is fake.
“Please, we implore you to visit our website fgnnformation.iapp where you cab find information that is genuine about Nigeria,” he said.
Mohammed stressed that social media is aggravating the Nigeria situation creating the impression that the country is at war, ethnic and religious crises.
He noted that Nigeria is at peace, safe for investment and government is working very hard in its fight against corruption and to ensure security and the economy improve.
“When you go by social media, the impression you get is as if Nigeria is at war and as if Muslims are killing Christians and about ethnic war.
“However, hose disgruntled politicians have now tried to factor ethnicity and religion into the situation that we have in the country.
“Our challenges have nothing to do with religion or ethnicity,” he said.
Mohammed said the Farmer/Herders clashes was not new and the first case was reported in 1947 even before Independence.
He said the challenge is compounded by by population growth, climate change and in some cases, pure criminality.
“There were, however, a lot of misinformation on this. For instance, the two Rev. Father that were killed in Benue were not killed by Herdsmen but by militia,” he said
The minister said the government is deploying various mechanism to end the clashes.
“The government has taken the bull by the horn, deploying both military and police to curtail the crises.
“New Battallion are set up and new police formation. The military and Police have swung into action and the tempo has been going down.
On the economy front, Mohammed said the country is recovering very fast and all the indices is very positive.
“Foreign reserve has gone up from 23 billion dollar to about 47 billion dollar, we have gained 24 steps up in the world bank ranking on ease of doing business.
“Our stock exchange was ranked to be one of the six best in the world last year, return on investment is over 30 per cent.
“On Agriculture, our Anchor Borrowers Programme has been a huge success.
“In 2015, we had only five million rice farmers, today we have over 11 million rice farmers.
“In 2018, rice importation has drastically reduced, the government is working to give subsidy to farmers to bring down the cost of local rice,” he said .
Speaking on corruption, the minister said the country had made a lot of headway as confirmed by the recent conviction of high profile corrupt people.
The minister said some of the challenges being witnessed is because corruption is fighting back, but the government will not be deterred.
Mohammed said the most potent tools of fighting corruption is the Executive Order No 6, signed recently by the President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said: “The Order restricts dealings in assets suspected to be proceeds of corruption.
“It means is that when you are being investigated for corruption, you will not have access to the proceeds until the matter is completed.
“The important thing about this is that we do not want a situation whereby a person being investigated for corruption is using that same money to fight the government.
“We do not want situation where corrupt official on trial will transfer the money to other jurisdiction and when found guilty, we will nit find the money in the kitty.
“There is also the issue of security, we find out that a lot of the unrest is being financed by proceeds of crime,” he said.
He said those criticising the Order, were the guilty, who did not want to be caught.
Mohammed said contrary to the recent scathing report by Amnesty International, Nigeria did not have a policy of impunity or violation of human rights and the country abhors any human rights violation.
The Ambassador thanked the minister for the visit and called for more engagements of international think tanks to correct the wrong notions about Nigeria.



http://spyrader.com/stop-depending-social-media-news-about-nigeria-minister-tells-diaspora

Large numbers of Americans fear that President Donald Trump’s import tariffs policy will result in negative consequences for the United States, a new PEW Research Center poll showed on Thursday.
“Overall, nearly half (49%) of U.S. adults say increased tariffs between the U.S. and its trading partners will be bad for the country.
“A smaller share (40%) say the tariffs will be good for the US, while 11 percent say they don’t know how the tariffs will affect the country.

“In addition, talk of tariffs and trade wars has registered widely with the public, with 82 per cent reporting they are paying attention to debate over trade,’’ the release said.
According to the release, as with most issues in contemporary U.S. politics, opinions break along party lines, with 73 per cent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents approving of Trump’s approach to trade.
This was compared with 77 per cent of Democrats and Democratic leaners who are opposed.




http://spyrader.com/nearly-half-american-voters-fear-trump-tariffs-will-hurt-us-poll

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja says over 110 Nigerian students have been awarded scholarships worth 5.3 million dollars (about N2billion) by more than 15 leading U.S universities, starting in Fall 2018 Academic Calendar.
The embassy on Thursday in Abuja explained that the scholarship, which would afford both rich and poor students to study in various universities of their choices in U.S., was facilitated through Education
USA Abuja.
Education USA centres in Nigeria provide accurate, comprehensive and current guidance on accredited U.S. colleges and universities to highly qualified students from both rich and poor families.
Through its cohort and opportunity programmes, the centres’ advisors identify academically talented students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and assist them in identifying appropriate U.S. institutions.
The advisors also advised them on how to strengthen their applications and provide guidance on accessing scholarship and financial aid.
The embassy added that some of the schools that offered the scholarship included Stanford University, Dartmouth University, Duke University, Tufts University, Bowdoin College, University of Rochester, and George Mason University.
Others are Arizona State University, Drexel University, Alcorn State University, Howard University, New York University, and Whitworth University amongst others.
According to the embassy, it is organising a pre-departure orientation for the departing students on Friday July 20th.


http://spyrader.com/us-varsities-award-53m-scholarships-110-nigerian-students

The family of former Vice-President, Dr Alex Ekwueme and Oko community on Thursday paid a “thank you” visit to President Muhammadu Buhari over befitting State burial accorded late Ekwueme.

The late former Vice President of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ekwueme passed away on Nov. 19, 2017 and was buried on Feb. 2.

Prof. Laz Ekwueme, representative of the family and the community, who spoke to State House correspondents after the visit, said they were at the presidential villa to thank the President and federal government for the support and assistance rendered to the family.


“The federal government was gracious enough to give him a befitting state burial.

“So, we have come as family, his spouse, children, members of the family and cabinet of Oko community and other chiefs and friends, to say thank you to Mr. President.

“We thanked him for the work he did through the committee he set up, under the chairmanship of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the presence of the Vice President at the burial itself.”

He said that they also lauded him for the immortalizing his name by renaming the Federal University Ndufu Alike, in Ebonyi State, to Alex Ekwueme Federal University of Technology.

“We just came to say thank you to Mr President and his cabinet.”


He stated that late Ekwueme, during his lifetime, stood for integrity, honesty, love, selfless service to the country, unity and equity for all, justice and fair play.

He enjoined the federal government to fulfil the pledge made to build mausoleum for the deceased at his place of residence.




http://spyrader.com/alex-ekwueme-family-community-pay-thank-you-visit-buhari-aso-rock