Popular Pastor Alph Lukau of Alleluia Ministries who appeared in the viral video of him ‘resurrecting’ a man who was in a coffin has confessed the truth behind the incident.


In the viral video, the popular pastor was seen speaking in tongues as he raised a dead man in the coffin back to life.

But, Speaking to Gauteng broadcaster Power FM’ on Saturday, Pastor Lukau Who has stirred reactions online over the video said he was busy with a sermon on Sunday when he was interrupted and told that a person in a coffin had been brought to the church.


He, however, apologized for deceiving the public, adding that the man was alive when he arrived the church in Johannesburg, South Africa.

He said, “Before entering the premises of the church, the coffin began to shake, meaning the person was alive.

“I am not sure why the man was brought to me. We were in the house of God and I’m just a pastor serving in the house of the Lord.


“ I think that they brought the person to church because they believed that God had the ability to resurrect the person.

“But still our brother was alive even before he was brought to church and we really apologize for not telling the truth to congregation and everyone in the first place.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/popular-pastor-who-resurrected-dead-man.html

A cross section of Enugu State residents have asked Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi not to border coming to their areas for campaign ahead of March 9 governorship and state assembly elections, assuring him of their overwhelming votes at the polls, in appreciation of his good works and commitment to the wellbeing of the masses.

Gov. Ugwuanyi who has continued with his intense door-to-to campaign at the markets, communities and streets of Enugu with the members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) train, received the message from traders at Kenyatta, Coal Camp, Garki and Aria New Markets in Enugu, as well as residents of Aguabor in Enugu East Local Government Area, when he visited them to canvass votes for himself and all other candidates of the party.

The traders and residents of the state, who trooped out in their numbers, dancing and chanting solidarity songs, told Gov. Ugwuanyi that he does not need to come and campaign to them, as he already has their votes and support, saying: “You’re not contesting this election with anybody in Enugu State”.

At Kenyatta Market, the timber dealers whose sheds were gutted by fire on March 5, 2018, after recalling how Gov. Ugwuanyi wiped their tears by rebuilding their burnt shops and providing each of them with the sum of N100,000 as grant to re-establish their businesses, told him that they will pay him back with their massive votes at the polls. They described Gov. Ugwuanyi as a good and kindhearted leader, who is sensitive to the plight of the people and promised to deliver 100% votes to him and other PDP candidates in the state.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/guber-polls-enugu-residents-assure.html

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has said that the National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole wants to destroy the ruling party in the South East zone of the country. He said Oshiomhole is already playing the politics of 2023 in 2019, and has thrown caution to the winds.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, yesterday suspended Okorocha and Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun from the party over anti-party activities. In a statement by Okorocha’s Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, the governor said he had been inundated with calls from well meaning Nigerians over his(Okorocha) purported expulsion by the Oshiomhole-led NWC.

He regretted that Oshiomhole was determined right from the outset to destroy APC in the South East unknown to party Chieftains from the zone who had genuinely supported his chairmanship. He said: “ In all the South East states, there are crises and all arising from the fraudulent manner he conducted the primaries. In 2015, Governor Okorocha had joined the merger that gave birth to APC at the risk of his second tenure and was called all sorts of unprintable names. Yet, he won the governorship election, delivered 24 out of the 27 members of the House of Assembly for APC, two House of Representatives members and one Senator. “In 2019, Oshiomhole felt that such a man should be treated with disdain. He handed over the governorship ticket of the party to Hope Uzodinma who has never resigned his membership of the PDP on the floor of the Senate like others did and giving all kinds of flimsy excuses.

“And if Oshiomhole had meant well for APC and Imo people in particular, would he have given the ticket of the party to a man facing five corruption charges and having travel ban slammed on him, to be the party’s candidate.” Okorocha said that in the February 23, 2019 Presidential and National Assembly election, he won in 10 out of the 12 local governments in Orlu zone to emerge winner for Imo West Senatorial District. The governor said he also delivered four House of Representatives candidates on the platforms of APC and AA respectively, with one Senate Seat and two House of Representatives seats outstanding.

He said: “when the APC members across the nation are still celebrating the success of the party in the presidential and National Assembly elections, Oshiomhole in his wisdom or lack of it, felt that the best action in the circumstance was to suspend two governors who did well in the election, even when he played safe in 2015 and 2019 in Edo State without any known pressure.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/oshiomhole-wants-to-destroy-apc-in.html

Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’Aziz Yari, has assured the United States government that the governorship and state house of assembly elections in the state will be free and fair.

He gave the assurance on Friday when he received the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, at his home town in Mafara.

The governor explained that the aspiration of his administration was to ensure that the people’s choice count ahead of the polls scheduled to hold on March 9.

He also reiterated the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government to ensuring justice and equity to all Nigerians, regardless of their ethnicity or political affiliation.

Governor Yari informed the U.S. diplomat that the nation’s democracy has come of age in the last two decades.

On his part, Mr Symington urged the people of the state to shun violence and embrace peace ahead of the polls.

His visit to the state comes one week after Governor Yari won the bid to represent Zamfara West senatorial district in the National Assembly.

Days after the elections, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, declared President Buhari the winner of the February 23 presidential poll.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/gov-yari-assures-us-of-free-and-fair.html

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has described the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in last Saturday’s presidential election as the worst election in history, claiming the mandate is illegitimate.

At a press conference held wednesday in Abuja, the spokesperson of CUPP, Ikenga Ugochinyere alleged that President Buhari insulted Nigerians’ sensibilities and raped her electoral decency.


The opposition coalition noted that in a bid to hang on to power with alleged crooks under him, the president murdered democracy.

“Only a person who lacks understanding will congratulate a man who set out to burn down our electoral system. We ask, how do you accept this madness? Accepting this without as much as stiff resistance and exposing the fraud that was committed by President Buhari and the APC in this election is the recipe for future stealing of votes and massive voter apathy since voters will not have confidence in the system and this vicious cycle will continue perpetually. There must be an end to vote stealing.

“President Buhari refused to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law. His supporters aided by security forces burnt card readers, stole electoral materials and sabotaged distribution,” CUPP said.

It alleged that soldiers, acting on Buhari’s instruction against court judgment chased Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agents out of collation centres, while returning officers were held at gunpoint with security forces watching as was the case in Imo State where the returning officer was made to announce fake figures.

“In Akwa Ibom State, votes were destroyed and cancelled to reduce figures. In Lagos State, he supported ethnic violence. Votes, for the first time were burnt because of President Buhari. Hundreds of thousands of citizens in Sabon Gari in Kano never voted because President Buhari ensured they never did because he was afraid he did not have their votes.

“He planned this onslaught on the people because he already knew he failed to perform and that the people had rejected him,” CUPP said.

CUPP lamented that nobody was shot dead for ballot snatching but rather innocent Nigerian voters and citizens opposing the robbery were killed in Kogi, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Delta States, among others, by security forces.

The opposition coalition further alleged that President Buhari had penciled down his stooges to take over and run the parliament.

“Ahmad Lawan as Senate President, Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker, Ovie Omo-Agege as Deputy Senate President with Abdulmimin Jibrin as Deputy Speaker. Cross party alliances must be formed to upstage him again.

“It is now obvious to Nigerians why President Buhari destroyed the Supreme Court and violently and undemocratically removed the Chief Justice of Nigeria even against the clear provisions of the Constitution,” CUPP said.

The opposition parties coalition said the alleged cooked figures will not recognise Buhari as the holder of legitimate mandate beyond May 29, 2019.

“We will do everything within civil and legal means to stop his enjoyment of a mandate soaked in the blood of his people. We assure all Nigerians that the CUPP shall, starting from today, continue to lead the struggle to expose him and ensure what he stole is returned by the force of law,” the CUPP spokesman assured.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/buharis-mandate-illegitimate-cupp.html

Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has described Saturday’s General Election as a step backward from the 2015 presidential election.


Situation Room, a coalition of over 70 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) said this in its third interim report on Monday.

Clement Nwankwo, Situation Room’s convener said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “has not managed the election efficiently and significant shortcomings have been recorded.”


He, therefore, called on to INEC to set up an independent inquiry to look into the poor management of the electoral process and officials.

The report read: “The election has been a step back from the 2015 General Election and actions should be taken to identify what has gone wrong and what can be corrected.

“Situation Room urges voters and stakeholders to exercise restraint to avoid further loss of human life and to seek legal redress were aggrieved.

“There should be an independent inquiry into the poor management of the electoral process by INEC with a view to determining the underlining causes for logistics lapses with a view of itemising operational deficiency that led to the initial postponement of elections on the 16th of February and logistical challenges with the rescheduled elections on 23rd February 2019.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/2019-election-step-backward-from-2015.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived Abuja after a weekend in Katsina for the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

When asked what feelers he was getting from across the country, on arrival at Abuja, yesterday, he replied,

“I don’t want to depend on rumours, but we will rather wait for INEC to announce the results.”

Buhari who spoke to the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), when asked his message to Nigerians as they await the release of results, he said: “Well l hope that Nigerians will appreciate that it was this government which made sure that they were allowed in security and peace to cast their votes for whichever party and candidates they wanted.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/i-wont-talk-until-inec-declares-result.html

Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has won Obudu, the home local government area of Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade.

Atiku scored 30, 562 to beat Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, who came second with 4, 794.

The Collation Officer, Dr Tony Eyang, while declaring the result at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) secretariat in Calabar, said the exercise was peaceful in the area.

Eyang, a lecturer in the Department of English and Literary Studies, in the University of Calabar, said the area has a voting strength of 131, 470 but 38, 738 were accredited to vote.

Atiku is leading so far in the state by a wide margin after the announcement of nine out of 18 local government areas in the state.

Also, the elections for Etung local area were cancelled due to violence. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Frankland Briyai, was silent on whether there would be a new date for the elections.

Also, there were no elections in four out of 10 wards of Bakassi local government area due to problems with assessing the areas by sea. INEC was also silent about what would be done about this.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/atiku-wins-ayades-local-government.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has won Ekiti state, the first officially declared presidential election result by Independent National Electoral Commission.

In the result announced by the returning officer, Professor Idowu Olayinka, vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Buhari of the All Progressives Congress polled 219,231 votes, while Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party got 154,032 votes.
PDP 154,032.

Total valid votes were 381,132, rejected votes 12,577, while total total votes were 393 709.

The APC has already won two of the senate seats for the state and several House of Representative seats.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/buhari-wins-ekiti-first-result-by-inec.html

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 11, Leye Oyebade has vowed that everyone involved in the killing a 25-year-old man, Monsuru Hamzat, at Lako compound in Ibadan South East Local Government Area during Saturday’s elections would be made to face the wrath of the law.

Mr. Oyebade who described the act as barbaric said that investigations have begun on the matter, adding that the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had ordered that the perpetrators be arrested and prosecuted.

The AIG said this during a visit to the family of the deceased late Saturday night where he promised that justice would be served.

Mr. Oyebade said he was visiting the bereaved family on the orders of the Acting IGP to see first-hand what happened and pay his condolences.

“The directive of the Inspector General of Police is that we should fish out those that were at that scene when the incident happened. The important thing, proper investigation and there will be diligent prosecution.”

He was accompanied on the visit by other high ranking police officers in the zone, including the Police Commissioner in the state, Shina Olukolu. The team also visited the scene of the crime.
Trouble started when some thugs allegedly invaded Ward 2, Units 13 and 14 of Ibadan South East Local Government while counting of votes in the Presidential and National Assembly elections was on-going.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/ibadan-killing-police-say-justice-would.html

Unidentified gunmen suspected to be political thugs have shot dead a police officer attached to the Personal Assistant to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Kabir Aliu.

Aliu sustained gunshot wounds when the suspected thugs opened fire on their vehicle while on their way to the governor’s residence in Okene.

Governor Bello disclosed this on Saturday shortly after casting his vote at his Agassa Uvete ward 011 polling unit in Okene Local Government Area.

He expressed sadness over the killing, saying that the police were already investigating the matter.

The governor waited for close to two hours before accreditation, owing to card reader malfunction.

He expressed disappointment with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the shoddy arrangement, saying that it did not augur well for a transparent and credible election.

According to him, “For an election where card readers are expected to shut down at 2 o clock, and in a polling unit such as this, with 844 registered voters, many people will be disenfranchised.”

He, however, expressed satisfaction with the relatively peaceful conduct while the exercise lasted in the area.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/gunmen-kill-police-officer-attached-to.html

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said that the level of clampdown on its members in Anambra State particularly and in the states of the South-east was worrisome.

The group said it would be forced to tackle the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano soon, over his involvement in the high number of arrest of its members in Anambra State.


A press release by the Media and Publicity secretary of IPOB, Mr. Emma Powerful disclosed that there had been incessant harassment, abduction, arrest and torture including house to house search for innocent and unarmed civilians in Aguata, Orumba North and South Local Government Areas of the state, perceived to be members of IPOB.

Part of the release reads, “We the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leadership worldwide consider it imperative to put the civilised world on notice concerning the incessant harassment, abduction, arrest and torture including house to house search for innocent and unarmed civilians in Aguata, Orumba North and South Local Government Areas of Anambra State.

“Since our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu lifted the ban on election boycott on Thursday night in the whole of Biafraland, Willie Obiano of Anambra State and other Igbo state governors subservient to Fulani caliphate and beholden to Jubril-Buhari have intensified their clampdown on IPOB through illegal midnight raids and kidnapping.

‘We are fully aware that most of Igbo governors are not happy with IPOB because their previous strategy of using our election boycott as cover to rig the vote in favour of Jubril-Buhari, particularly in Anambra State where Willie Obiano has instructed the Fulani Muslim dominated Nigerian Army and police to deploy into our villages to abduct and kill anybody who is perceived to be against voting for Jubril-Buhari and APC in the state.’

The group further said, “We are calling on the chattering class and people who may come in defense of Willie Obiano in the future to take cognisance of what he is doing to innocent men, women and their families in the name of serving his Fulani masters.

“His associates should caution him about the inevitable consequences of tampering with innocent law abiding families in Anambra State because when we start with him, let his hired praise singers not say they were not warned in advance.

“Those condoning this evil by Obiano will be the first to blame IPOB any day we choose to confront Obiano. Let this press statement serve as a warning and reminder of what will befall Obiano in months to come,” the group said.

The group described itself as a peaceful mass movement, who despite all the provocations and deliberate attempt to push her into armed struggle has remained non-violent.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/well-tackle-obiano-soon-says-ipob.html

The Nigerian Army (NA) has released hotlines to its Situation Room from where electoral activities will be monitored.

According to as statement by the army the creation of its situation is in pursuant of its mandate to help create a secure and enabling environment for the conduct of the 2019 General Elections.

The army said its situation room would be operating 24/7 and urged the general public to forward genuine information on security related matters as may arise during the elections period to the numbers provided.


The army also noted that the public could utilize the NA Information Call Center short code 193 from any Nigerian network or the NA iReport platform on https://army.mil.ng/

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/elections-army-releases-situation-room.html

Two suspected human traffickers were on Friday apprehended for trafficking some Nigerians to Libya with the promise of taking them to Europe.

The suspects (names withheld) were apprehended after they were identified by their victims during the profiling of 164 Nigerians who voluntarily returned from the volatile North African country.

Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), South West Zone, confirmed the development to newsmen in Lagos.

Farinloye said the suspected traffickers have been handed over to officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation.

According to him, the two men were among the new batch of 164 returnees who arrived the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos about 12.15 a.m. on Friday.

He said the Nigerians were brought by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Union (EU) under the Assisted Voluntary Returnees Programme that would end in April 2020.

Farinloye said: “The returnees were brought onboard a chartered Al Burag Airline Boeing 737-800 aircraft with registration number 5A-DMG.

“Upon profiling, the returnees consisted of 71 female adults, 17 female children and six female infants. There were also 55 male adults 13 male children and two male infants.

“Among them were three returnees with medical cases and a pregnant woman who was in labour upon arrival in Nigeria.”

He advised the returnees to remain focused on starting a positive life with the abundant resources available within Nigeria instead of seeking the elusive greener pastures outside the country.

He said though it was their right to seek for better livelihood outside the country, they must however, ensure to follow processes that would not endanger their lives.

Farinloye said : “One will not appreciate the abundant resources God has endowed us with in Nigeria until you travel out.

“All of you have gone and fortunately came back alive and you are at the best position to tell the story to those still aspiring to embark on such journeys.

“We understand that many of you were deceived with very juicy opportunities overseas and these are mostly your close relatives.

” You need to assist the government to stem the menace of trafficking by giving information to government agencies who are going to protect your identity and safety.

“The traffickers are not ghosts; you know them and you need to save other youths from falling victims.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/164-nigerians-return-from-libya-2.html

Ahead of tomorrow’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) yesterday assured Nigerians that there would be uninterrupted supply of petroleum products in the country. The President of NUPENG, Comrade Williams Akporeha, said the union would ensure that its members across board will be law abiding and exercise their civic responsibilities during the conduct of the electoral process.

He said, “In specific term, the leadership wishes to notify the teeming members who traverse the nooks and crannies of Nigeria in refining and distribution of petroleum products for domestic, commercial and industrial purposes to remain unfettered in discharging their legitimate duties so that the electoral process will be smooth and hitch-free.”

Akporeha said NUPENG will not deter in contributing its quota in sustaining and promoting the unity and corporate existence of Nigeria as an indivisible entity.

“We as a union are determined to avoid any conduct or behaviour that will endanger the political stability and national security of Nigeria.

Our solidarity remains constant: For the Union makes us strong”, he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/2019-poll-nupeng-assures-of-fuel.html

Worried by the recurrent cycle of fraudsters deploying their trade via fake and substandard mobile devices, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other government agencies, yesterday set up committees to combat the situation. The two joint committees set up are the Project Steering Committee (PSC), comprising the Infrastructure Concession & Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the Federal Ministry of Communications and the NCC; and the Project Delivery Team (PDT) which draws representation from the Federal Ministry of Communications, the ICRC, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the NCC. The committees, with specific terms of references, are to work together to ensure the implementation of Mobile Devices Management Systems (DMS), a Public-Private Partnership project, aimed at combatting the proliferation of fake, counterfeit, substandard and cloned mobile communications devices in the telecommunication industry. While inaugurating the committees in Abuja, executive vice chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, said the move was in line with the mandate of the Commission, as enshrined in the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003, to type-approve all devices used in the telecommunications industry and to ensure that all devices used in the telecommunications industry are in line with agreed standards and specifications. According to him, the principal objective of the proposed DMS project is to “establish a secure and comprehensive single-window solution that will enable the Commission to implement a proven solution in the Nigerian environment that is sustainable and demonstrate value for money in addition helping to address the various concerns that have been raised with the NCC from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in our regular interactions on security matters as it concerns the telecommunications industry.” He said the increasing cybercrime, evasion of taxes, terrorism and health and safety concerns raised by the use of stolen, counterfeit and substandard devices in Nigeria is a responsibility which the NCC takes seriously. “In 2015, organised a stakeholder forum aimed at developing recommendations that could influence decision and policy directions, leading to solutions to combat the issue of counterfeit and substandard Information and Communication technology (UCT) devices in the country. Based on the importance of the project to the NCC, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the ICRC were engaged for a no-objection to advertise for International Competitive Bidding (ICB) process towards the acquisition of an effective MDMS solution, adding that the ICRC subsequently recommended the establishment of the two committees to fast-track the process,” he said. Representative of the Minister of Communications, Chief Adebayo Shittu and permanent secretary at the ministry, Mrs. Nkechi Ejele, commended the NCC for the initiative, stressing that she was impressed with the comprehensive and clear terms of reference given to the committees. “The ministry has no doubt that thorough implementation of the terms of references as reeled out by Prof. Umar Danbatta in his presentation, will ensure effective delivery of the project aimed at sanitizing the economy of fake devices with their attendant challenges,” she said. Also, director, PPP Resource Department of ICRC, Mr. Michael Ohiani, said as the agency in charge of regulatory oversight over all PPP initiatives of government, “The Commission would support the process to ensure transparency of the process and value for money invested on the project. “The constitution of the PSC and PDT are to ensure that projects are delivered in a sustainable manner and in the overall interest of the country and we would work with all stakeholders in this project to ensure effective implementation,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/ncc-onsa-move-to-fish-out-fake-mobile.html

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu has said the postponed presidential election for Saturday may not hold.


The IPOB Leader said this on Wednesday night in a live broadcast.

Describing election as ‘sham’, Kanu said Saturday polls may not hold because ‘Jubril of Sudan’ will be chased out of Nigeria.


Kanu lamenting about killings of Igbos spearheaded by some South east governors, further revealed that he is coming back to Nigeria soon.

He said: “There’s no government in the world that doesn’t know about IPOB and fortunately I met most of them, we don’t publish all on social media.

“All these saboteurs you see online don’t exist. Check their profile and you’ll understand they’re fake. Just ignore them.


“I’m coming to Nigeria, in power and glory. I’m coming fully prepared, whatever Nigerian government wants, we will do it there.

“We called for boycott of the Zoo. Nigeria was vibrating, we called it off they ran astray. That’s how powerful IPOB is.

“No amount of intimidation, arrest, killings will stop us from marching.


“Im not sure that their Sham election will hold on Saturday 23rd Feb; because Jubril will be chased back to Sudan, then you will know that Buhari is dead.

“There is no way Jubril can survive an election in this zoo.”

Further lamenting on Killings of IPOB members, Kanu called out Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state, blaming him for orchestrating the genocide.


“As I am speaking now, IPOB members are being parked and taken to DSS custody in Abuja, masterminded by Obiano and others.

“Now that Obiano, Okezie Ikpeazu and other Igbo governors are hunting down and killing IPOB members, everyone is keeping quite.
But any day we decide to retaliate, everyone will start talking rubbish.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/why-saturday-election-may-not-hold-as.html

Former governor of Abia State and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Abia North senatorial district, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, said Ariara Market traders have “unanimously agreed to give the APC presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari and APC candidates in the state minimum of 65 per cent votes in Saturday’s elections.”

This was even as he warned the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the senatorial district, Mao Ohuabunwa, to desist from recruitment of youths for thuggery while keeping his own children abroad.

Kalu said these in Igbere, in response to questions from newsmen on his arrival from Abuja, yesterday. He said Ariaria market traders, through their leaders, arrived at the decision, after several considerations.

Said Kalu: “The leadership of Ariaria, led by Chief Peter Iheke, has made the best choice by their willingness to give president Buhari minimum of 65 per cent votes.

“Ariaria market traders comprises people not just from Aba but from different places including Abia North and Enugu State. They told me their decision to support president Buhari is rational. No one has done for Ariaria market what president Buhari has done for them. Do you know that, until the president visited Aba, on February 19, many of the traders did not know that it was the president who built Ariaria market Independent Power Plant (IPP)?

“The PDP government in the state claimed it was their project but their lies and propaganda have failed. People that can’t even pay salaries or pensioners are claiming to be instituting projects. Can you imagine?”

Speaking further, Kalu said Buhari’ s visit to Aba has defeated so many lies and propaganda.

“You saw what happened in Aba where the people, majorly traders from Ariaria, came in their large numbers to welcome and thank him. Those of you present also saw the level of jubilation which erupted when I gifted president Buhari the signature of Enyimba (football).”

He explained that the good news in Aba is that with president Buhari’s IPP project, “about 37,000 shops belonging to traders and small business owners in Ariaria market will, one after another, be connected to the dedicated electricity supply.”

The former governor said the PDP-led state government should stop their hallucinations by claiming to support Buhari and to give Buhari votes.

“What happens to their own candidates? These people just want to take our credit and they are too daft to think that president Buhari believes their lies. Aba North and South will deliver Buhari and Ariaria market has vehemently assured me of that.

“You know Aba people are my own people and we have emotional attachment to each other. One great thing about Aba is that they know their own people and, as today, president Buhari has given Aba one of the important things it needs.”

Meanwhile, the former governor, has said Ohuabunwa is raising false alarm about being restricted on election day.

“If you see any strange face in your community, you should report to the security agencies immediately. Since Ohuabunwa is always desperate in using thugs to rig elections, why can’t he use his own children?

“That is the fairest thing to do. He should bring back his children from abroad instead of working hard to destroy the future of the youths with thuggery,” Kalu added.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/65-victory-for-buhari-other-candidates.html

National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has urged all Lagos residents, especially the Igbo community, to vote for the party in the general elections.He noted that Lagos could decide to behave in a way that would not favour the visitors, if they fail to support the party.

Tinubu spoke yesterday at the party’s Ikeja secretariat while addressing thousands of party faithful after the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) meeting.

Brimming with confidence for victory at the polls, the former governor said: “We appeal to our Igbo brothers, from the east; this is the state where you conduct your business; your children are in our schools. We don’t discriminate against them in our West African Examinations Council (WAEC), National Examination Council (NECO) or Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) fees. Even in our universities, they take the benefit of our tuition allowances and all that. Now, we say help us; vote for us and our candidates.”

Tinubu, accompanied by the party’s governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwoolu; his deputy, Kadri Hamzat, and other party leaders, reminded the Igbo how much they benefitted from the APC government, adding that he was specifically instrumental in the aversion of the demolition of Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) business district, owned majorly by the Igbo.

“We are in this together. We will know how many votes we will get from Ojo, Alaba, Surulere, Amuwo-Odofin, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, including Oshodi.He assured the party of victory, urging the supporters to be peaceful during the elections and pray for the successful conduct of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“You must go out to vote. Remember the orders of the president against ballot box snatchers and electoral violators. I am not the commander in chief; hence I don’t control any army. Avoid violence and all forms of activities that will put you in trouble and be assured that after the elections we will re-converge to celebrate our victory,” he added.Publicity secretary of the party in Lagos, Joe Igbokwe, described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as an ordinary citizen who has no right to order the military.

Responding to Buhari’s remark that the military and the police had been directed to be ruthless at ballot box snatchers, Atiku had said that deployment of troops “creates an atmosphere of warfare, which in turn heats up the polity, which is why it is not a common occurrence in other climes during elections.”

Igbokwe said: “Apart from INEC, there are other institutions that can help to stabilise our democracy; we have the police and the army. We need to make use of them to sanitise our electoral process. The president its clear that anyone who tries to circumvent the electoral process has himself to blame, and we are saying that ballot box snatchers are more dangerous than armed robbers.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/why-ndigbo-must-vote-apc-by-tinubu.html

The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) Presidential Campaign Council said on Wednesday that asking the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to resign is of the solution to delivering a credible election this weekend, saying the commission must work to earn the confidence of Nigerians again that they can deliver a credible poll.

Director, Election monitoring and Planning, Babatunde Raji Fashola who spoke at a news conference in Abuja said many Nigerians have sacrificed so much for Nigerian democracy, pointing out that their sacrifice must not be allowed to waste, pointing out that any party asking the INEC Chairman to resign does not understand the workings of government

He said “Election and lack of elections have consequences. Many people have fought hard for this democracy, it has delivered uncomfortable results in the past as well as results we can live with and every effort to continue to improve it is an opportunity we must not turn our back on. Every party is disappointed, every well-meaning Nigerian is disappointed, but that is no reason to throw the baby away with the bath water.

“So, it is for the INEC Chairman and his team to reclaim the confidence of the people and show us that they can deliver on what they have been asked to do. If you ask him to resign, will that give us an election?

“If he resigns, will that give us an election? If the person who has been there for four years is having challenges now, who is prepared that will replace him and do what he has not been able to do in three and half years. The party that is thinking that way does not even know how government works. The solution is for all Nigerians to rally round INEC to get it right and that is what we intend to do.”

Fashola who is also the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, said Nigerians must not allow the action of anti-democratic agents dampen our enthusiasm. Although a week looked like eternity, it has trickled down and is getting closer to the reversed date.

He said “lots of Nigerians have sacrificed greatly and sometimes supremely with their lives to give us this democracy. We must covert the disappointment 16th February 2019 to an all-time determination on the 23rd of February 2019 that others have made. It is democracy that will preserve our freedom and the vigilance, particularly those appointed to serve as agents of our party must be all time high. The vigilance of those appointed to serve as agents of our party must be all time high.

“Our agents must know what their rights are and notice the public of our commitment to a free election. The agents have a right to be admitted to polling centres and collation centre in the area where the party is contesting election.

“They have a right to take notes and statistics in a manner to undermine or impugn the integrity of the electoral process. They have a right to object to a prospective voter if he is suspected to be an impostor or if he has voted earlier and the record shows that if he does not belong to that polling unit. These are steps taken to ensure free and fair election. They also have a right to ask for a recount of the ballot only once at his polling unit after his presiding officer might have counted it in his presence.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/you-must-earn-confidence-of-nigerians.html

The Federal Government on at the weekend said it was losing $9 billion (N3.2 trillion), annually due to its poor investment in agriculture prior to the coming of the Buhari administration.

The Minister of state for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who made the claim at the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, (ABUAD) during a reception and lunch in his honour by founder of the university, Chief Afe Babalola, noted that before President Buhari came on board, Nigeria was losing $9 billion revenue earnings annually in agricultural sector.”

The minister said Nigeria was also losing over 240 metric tonnes of fish production in the world market that could have increased foreign exchange earnings and boosted the economy.

“In Nigeria, we are not producing enough fish to feed our population, that is why we are relying heavily on importation. The deficit between demand and supply was 2.5 million metric tonnes annually which is about 320 containers. You can imagine the quantum of revenue we lost to low production in this sector alone,” he said.

According to him, “Knowing that most of our products were being taken to other West African nations to be processed and rebranded, we introduced certification policy for all the products in order to have right and proper certificates for our products and in order not to affect the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) negatively.

When I visited Belgium, the Minister of Agriculture there told me the country’s annual revenue earning in agriculture sector was 35 billion Euros. This is a country with less than five million population.

“He further told me that the difference between agriculture in Africa and the West is technology and innovation.

That was why the Federal Government in partnership with the World Bank, earmarked $250 million to train young graduates in agribusiness.

Meanwhile, a reseach by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology says, agriculture is the highest contributor to global warming in Nigeria.

This research debunks the long-time general assumption that energy is the highest contributor to global warming.

Prof. Peter Ekweozoh, Director, Environmental Sciences and Technology, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, made this known in an interview in Lagos on Monday.

He spoke at a workshop with theme: “Green Economy Capacity Assessment Workshop” at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos. The workshop was a partnership between the University of Reading, U.K, and FIIRO to brainstorm on how to improve the Green Economy and mitigate environmental degradation. “A recent research by our ministry shows that the agriculture sector is the highest contributor to global warming in Nigeria and also the use of land, contrary to what we believed.

“Research has proven that it is not energy, and so, if we are able to stop the use of chemical fertilisers, burning of agricultural waste and turn them into usable products, our society will be better.

“The Federal Government is already making efforts at having low carbon development programmes. The President has signed the Paris Agreement that took place in 2015.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/nigeria-loses-9bn-annually-to-poor-agric-investment-minister/amp/

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 400,000 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were yet to be collected out of the 3,215, 273 registered in the state.

Mr Enabor Edwin, the Head of INEC Voter Education and Publicity Department in Rivers, Said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Port Harcourt.

Edwin said that the commission had received a total of 3,118,638 PVCs from Abuja.

He said that about 96,735 cards were yet to be received from the commission’s headquarters.

“About 2, 700541 voters have collected their PVCs in the state and we have about 4,18097 individual cards yet to be collected at the Local Government Areas as at Jan. 31.

“Collection of PVCs is still ongoing in the state at the various LGAs,’’ he said.

Edwin said that relocation, deaths and transfers of workers could be some of the challenges that could affect the collection of PVCs before the deadline of Feb. 8.

He said that registered voters were expected to go to their various LGAs for collection of their cards.

“We expect that everybody that is registered should personally go and collect their cards from their various LGAs,’’ Edwin said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/400000-pvcs-uncollected-in-rivers-inec.html

The Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo has adjourned until Feb. 6, the hearing of the substantive suit seeking to disqualify Governor Nyesom Wike from contesting the Rivers state governorship election.

The plaintiff, Elvis Chinda, in a suit marked FHC / ABJ / CS /1430/3018 filed on November 26, 2018 prayed for an order to disqualify Wike from contesting the election scheduled for March this year

Chinda is seeking the disqualification of Wike for alleged forgery of certificate of birth which he presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for his clearance.

According to the suit, Wike has violated the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

According to Tribune, Justice Ekwo last Friday adjourned the hearing of the substantive suit after plaintiff’s counsel, Mr Achinike William-Wobodo, informed the court that INEC, who filed some processes was not represented in Court.

Chief F. O. Orbih, counsel to Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had urged the court to take his preliminary objection challenging the suit, but, plaintiff counsel opposed the submissions on the ground that the application was not ripe for hearing.

According to the document in Court, Wike had forged his certificate of birth and lied to INEC to secure his nomination as the governorship candidate of the PDP for the forthcoming election in Rivers State.

He further averred that Wike certificate of birth (Statutory Declaration of Age) attached to his Form C.F.001 presented to INEC, purportedly deposed to on the 3rd October 1986 by one Collins Nyeme Wike had claimed that Nyesom Wike, at the time of deposition is a native of Rumuepirikom in Obio / Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State and that the said certificate was forged.

“That as at 3rd October 1986 there was no local Government Area known as Obio /Akpor Local Government Area in existence in Rivers State as at 1986,

“Rumuepirikom was not in Obio /Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, but in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State being the parent LGA from where Obio /Akpor Local Government Area was carved out”.

He said that Obio /Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State was created in 1989 by Decree No 12 of 1989, two years after the alleged forgery was committed and that the certificate of birth (Statutory Declaration of Age) was purported sworn to and issued at the High/Magistrate’s Court Registry, Port Harcourt but allegedly bears stamp of the Judiciary Probate Registry, Port Harcourt.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/gov-wike-in-trouble-over-birth.html

Human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN), has advised the federal government to withdraw the criminal charges filed against the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.

The admonition came as Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, yesterday revealed that the federal government had mapped out strategies to intimidate 200 judges, especially those in the federal judiciary.


Falana said he made the request having confirmed that a petition had been submitted to the National Judicial Council (NJC) alleging grave misconduct against Onnoghen.

In February 3 letter addressed to the Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Falana urged him to advise President Muhammadu Buhari to reverse the suspension because a public officer could not be removed from office on the basis of an ex parte order granted by any court or tribunal in Nigeria.

The letter read, “Since the charge of false declaration of assets was filed against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, by the Code of Conduct Bureau, I have repeatedly requested you to use your good offices to discontinue the case. My request was anchored on the case of Elelu-Habeeb v Attorney-General of the Federation & Ors (2012) 40 WRN 1 where the Supreme Court held that by virtue of Section 292 of the Constitution of Nigeria the head of any of the judicial arms of state and federal governments cannot be removed from office without a prior investigation conducted by the NJC.

“Having confirmed that you have since submitted a petition to the NJC alleging grave misconduct against the chief justice, I am compelled to request you, once again, to file a nolle prosequi to discontinue the charge pending against his lordship at the CCT without any further delay.

“The charge should not be allowed to hang like a Sword of Damocles on the head of the chief justice while he is being investigated by the NJC. In view of your implicit confidence in the ability of members of the NJC to resolve the matter you ought to accede to the request to terminate the proceedings at the CCT forthwith.”

Falana posited that the withdrawal of the case from the CCT would lead to the immediate vacation of the ex parte order relied upon by the president to justify the illegal suspension of Onnoghen and the appointment of Justice Tanko Muhammad as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.

“Even though by virtue of Paragraph 10 (2) (a) of Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) the CCT is empowered to order any public officer to vacate office the power cannot be exercised until such a public officer has been tried and convicted for breaching the provisions of the code of conduct for pubic officers.

“But as a public officer cannot be removed from office on the basis of an ex parte order granted by any court or tribunal in Nigeria we urge you to advise President Buhari to reverse the suspension of the chief justice.

“Once the suspension is reversed Justice Onnoghen will then be prevailed upon to resign as the chief justice having lost the moral authority to preside over the affairs on the juridical organ of the government of the federation.

“However, if his lordship does not call it quits or if the NJC does not recommend his removal from office you may wish to exercise your powers under section 174 of the Constitution to prosecute him for failure to declare his assets which is a punishable offence under the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/falana-asks-fg-to-withdraw-case-against.html

Nigeria’s military recaptured the northeastern town of Rann yesterday after it was overrun by Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) insurgents a day earlier, weeks ahead of an election in which security has become a key campaign issue.


This is coming as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said Monday evening attack on Rann by Boko Haram caused many to flee the town.

Nigerian government forces and residents fled during the ISWA attack as the militants set buildings ablaze, but troops fought back and regained control of Rann yesterday, agency reports quoted military and police sources as saying.

“Boko Haram invaded Rann at about 4 p.m (on Monday). The battle continued for about three hours. Our troops retreated and later returned to fight back,” said a soldier who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.

President Muhammadu Buhari came to power in 2015 on promises to defeat the Boko Haram Islamist insurgency aimed at creating an Islamic state in the northeast.

ISWA, which split from Boko Haram in 2016, has launched a series of attacks in recent weeks, renewing debate about security in the run-up to elections on Feb. 16.

In December, ISWA took the town of Baga – the Nigerian headquarters of a multi-national force formed by Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger to fight the extremists – and more than 30,000 people fled.

The military launched a counter-offensive last week and retook the town, saying it had given ISWA a “bloody nose”.

Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said attack on Rann by Boko Haram caused many to flee the town.

A signed statement by the North East Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Alhaji Saidu Minin said: “An attack in Rann, some 175 kilometres (110 miles) northeast of the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, forced civilians to flee.”

He said Rann was hosting around 35,000 internally displaced people (IDPs), according to the International Organisation for Migration.

He recalled that Rann had been repeatedly hit by insurgents attacks, which exacerbated the already dire humanitarian conditions on the ground. Minin said report revealed that the military base in the town was burnt by the terrorists, with locals and IDPs fleeing as the Islamist militants set fire on camps and shelters.

He said “aid workers in Maiduguri said colleagues in Rann blamed ISWAP for the raid and people fled towards Bulale, on the Cameroon side of the border.

“Four IDPs were allegedly killed. Several shelters were burned. They also looted food supplies in the town. Humanitarian operations in Rann were scaled down in March last year after an attack which killed three aid workers,” Minin said.

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/01/16/nigerian-military-clears-boko-haram-from-borno-town/?amp

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano, Prof. Riskuwa Shehu, says no less than 475,370 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are yet to be collected in the state.

The INEC commissioner disclosed this during an interactive session with religious leaders on Tuesday in Kano.

He said: “as at Jan. 14 a total number of 475, 370 permanent voter cards were yet to be collected”.

According to him, the commission has so far registered over 5,457,747 eligible voters in the state.

He said owning the PVC was the ultimate prerequisite to participate in the forth coming general elections.

He explained that the commission would, however, commence the distribution of the uncollected PVCs at the ward level between Jan. 16 and 21.

Shehu said the decision was aimed at ensuring easy collection of the remaining PVCs.

He said the engagement with the critical stakeholders was aimed at updating the people with information about the level of preparations for the 2019 general elections.

The commissioner appealed to the religious leaders and other stakeholders to expedite action in sensitising voters during their sermon to shun political violence.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the interactive meeting was attended by members of Jama’atu Nasiru-Kabara Isalam (JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other stakeholders.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/475370-pvcs-yet-to-be-collected-in-kano.html

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has sworn-in 15 new special advisers to join the state Executive Council.

The governor also swore-in the chairman and board members of Rivers Pension Board and the those of Housing and Property Development Authority

The Chairman of the Pension Board is Prof. Ovunda Okene.

The Governor called on the new appointees to see their appointments a call to serve the people of Rivers.

Wike also urged the appointees to regard their appointments as means to add value to the governance of the state rather than for self-enrichment.

“When you have opportunity like this, use it to prove your capacity, this can be the platform for promotion, this is not an opportunity to make money, just serve, what is due you will come to you,” Wike said.

The governor urged them to be loyal at all times and contribute to the advancement of the people of the State.

Wike tasked the new appointees to be in touch with their constituencies to keep them abreast with the development of the state.

He said that the state government was working to amend the Pension Law to address the challenges experienced in the pension scheme.

The governor also urged the State Housing and Property Development Authority to sanitise the housing sector.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/wike-inaugurates-special-advisers-boards.html

The Plateau Government says it has fixed Jan. 26 for the commencement of another round of polio immunization.

Mrs Jerisha Kakwi, State Health Educator, Primary Health Care Board, disclosed this at a meeting of the State Social Mobilization Committee (SSMC) on Monday in Jos.

Kakwi said the aim of the 4-day exercise, which would end on Jan.29, was to eradicate the disease in the 17 local government areas of the state.

“Our call to the public is for them to ensure that all children between a day-old and 5 years are given the vaccine,’’ she said.

She tasked the members of the committee to reach out to the various communities to ensure that the exercise was successful.

Earlier, Mrs Ruth Abwo, SSMC Chairman, challenged members to mobilize, educate and give correct information to the public on all communicable diseases.

Also, Dr. Moses Sunday, State Coordinator, USAID – Breakthrough Action, said that the NGO was prepared to partner with the SSMC to ensure the success of the programme.

The exercise is to safeguard against the spread of the disease from Plateau’s neighbouring state where its outbreak had been reported.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/polio-plateau-to-begin-another-round-of.html

The Nigerian Army has inaugurated Operation Python Dance III to check criminal activities and ensure peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections in Borno.

Maj.–Gen. Bulama Biu, the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, made this known on Monday in Maiduguri at the inauguration of the exercise.

He said the operation was designed to disband criminal elements in the society as well as to ensure peaceful and hitch free elections in the state.

Biu disclosed that the exercise would be conducted in a collaboration with the Police, Department of State Security Service (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

He said the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and other security outfits would also take part in the exercise.

“Events in the past indicated that any period Nigerians deserve peace and security, they are picketed by criminals and unscrupulous elements. Therefore, the army’s leadership implemented Operation Python Dance III to clear criminal elements in the society.

“The exercise is to check any attempt to disrupt peace by criminal elements and ensure peaceful conduct of the elections.

“I call on patriotic Nigerians to support the military to ensure successful implementation of the exercise,” he said.

Maj.-Gen. Benson Akinroluyo, the Theatre Commander, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, said that the exercise was designed to ensure peaceful conduct of elections, and not to witch hunt.

Akinroluyo commended the Borno Government over its support to the military in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents and peace restoration process.

Also, Alhaji Abdulkarim Lawan, the Speaker, Borno House of Assembly, lauded the military over the successes recorded in the fight against terrorism and the reclamation of communities from the insurgents.

Lawan noted that the contributions and sacrifices of the military had rescued people of the state from the atrocities of the insurgents.

He reiterated the government’s commitments to support the military in the fight against insurgency and restoring peace to the war-torn state.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the troops for the operation conducted a show-of-force exercise in Maiduguri to signal the commencement of the exercise.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/army-inaugurates-operation-python-dance.html

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday said there is nothing special in the presidential debate, saying its presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, may choose not to attend if he feels there are other viable options with which he can engage Nigerians.

The party which also said it will determine whether President Buhari will attend the debate scheduled for this weekend added that debate is one of the mediums through which presidential candidates engage the public on their programmes for the country if elected.

Speaking with our correspondent, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, said the APC will look at several options through which President Buhari will engage Nigerians, adding that there is no big deal if it believes debate is not one of such means.


He said, “What is special about presidential debate? Presidential debate is one of the several platforms for presidential candidates to engage with the public”.

“As a party, we will look at all the options and pick the ones that we can accommodate and those that will be impactful and effective in achieving our goals. We will be the ones to determine that. If presidential debate happens to be one of that, fine.


“If it wasn’t, then it is no big deal. There is nothing special about any debate. It is just one of the several platforms to engage the electorate”, he said.

Also speaking with our correspondent, Prince Tony Momoh, a former Minister of Information, said though former presidents in the country had a penchant for not attending debates, President Buhari should seize the opportunity to attend so he can tell Nigerians what he has done in the last three years and his plans if re-elected.

Momoh, one of the national leaders of the APC, also said President Buhari is not afraid of debate, saying he attended past debates held from the 2003 presidential election until now.

“This is election period and all opportunity to explain what you have done must be taken advantage of. If for instance, the president is supposed to appear at the debate, I will advise he makes the difference by appearing.

“The one that was organised by NTA where the president and the vice president sat down to answer questions and then attend to issues that has to do with their tenure was very beautiful. That is different from debate where they ask you questions and ask you to respond within two minutes”.

“Buhari is not afraid of presidential debate. He was present during the debate of 2003 which he attended alongside the late Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, but the then President Olusegun Obasanjo did not show up. In all these debates held in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015, I doubt if any sitting president showed up. Goodluck Jonathan did not show up in 2011 and 2015, Obasanjo also did not show up. Buhari, however, has shown up in all the debates. I do not think the president should also do what has happened in the past where the incumbent president and the VP didn’t show up”, he said.


President Buhari is yet to take a decision on whether he will take part or not in the debate slated for Saturday, January 19, 2019 by the Nigeria Election Debate Group.

There has been rumour that the president will be represented by his deputy, Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo, a position which has been rejected by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and majority of Nigerians.

Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said the president is yet to make up his mind on whether or not to appear at the debate.

He said Nigerians will be informed in due course when he makes his decision known.

Source: https://www.independent.ng/why-buhari-may-not-attend-presidential-debate-apc/amp/

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will speak on a phone-in radio programme from Israel at about 6pm on Saturday.


The programme is to enable him address issues relating to the threat to boycott the general elections by IPOB.

Kanu will also talk about the alleged betrayal of the Igbos, caused by the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the five South-East Governors.


A statement by the Media and Publicly Secretary of IPOB, Comrade Emma Powerful, read: “This is to notify the general public that our leader and prophet of our time, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will be addressing Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom on live interactive session via Radio Biafra from the State of Israel on Saturday 12th January 2019.

“The interactive session by our leader will address the issue of betrayal and treachery by some Igbo governors serving Muhammadu Buhari that have the temerity to instruct Nigerian soldiers and police to kill our people since the inception of this divine cause championed by IPOB. The prophet of our time ,Mazi Kanu will also address the issue of election boycott in Biafra-land during the interactive session on Saturday from the State of Israel.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/nnamdi-kanu-to-address-boycott-of-2019.html

Hope for the implementation of the 2019 budget was rekindled yesterday as crude oil price climbed around three per cent to rebound to $60 per barrel.

This followed the extension of talks between the United States and China in Beijing, which raised hopes that the world’s two largest economies would resolve their trade standoff.


The United States West Texas Intermediate (WTI) traded at $51.36 per barrel, up $1.58, or 3.17 per cent, the first time this year that WTI has topped $50.

Reuters reported that the international Brent crude rose by $1.63, or 2.78 per cent, at $60.35 per barrel.

Brent price hit last year’s high of $86 in October, a development that encouraged the federal government to predicate this year’s budget on oil price of $60, against the $50 per barrel oil price benchmark proposed in the Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP).

The federal government also predicated the budget on the production of 2.3 million barrels per day of crude oil.

Also N305 was proposed as exchange rate to the dollar.

But before the presentation of the budget to the National Assembly, oil price dropped to $48, raising fears on the capacity of the federal government to fund the budget.

However, with the efforts by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to reduce the excess inventory in the market, oil price rose by 12 per cent in December.

Both crude price benchmarks added to Tuesday’s two per cent gains and have now been on the rise for eight straight days – their longest rally since June 2017.

The trade talks in Beijing were carried over into an unscheduled third day yesterday, amid signs of progress on issues including purchases of US farm and energy commodities and increased US access to China’s markets.

“Talks with China are going very well!” United States President Donald Trump tweeted, without elaborating. State newspaper, China Daily said yesterday that Beijing was keen to put an end to its trade dispute with the United States, but that any agreement must involve compromise on both sides.

The World Bank expects global economic growth to slow to 2.9 per cent in 2019 from three per cent in 2018, it said in a semi-annual report released late on Tuesday.

More fundamentally, oil prices have been receiving support from supply cuts started at the end of 2018 by the OPEC and allies including Russia.

The OPEC-led cuts are aimed at reining in an emerging supply overhang, in part because U.S. crude output surged by around 2 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2018 to a record 11.7 million bpd.

However, US crude stocks fell less than expected last week, while gasoline and distillate inventories rose more than expected, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said yesterday.

Distillate stockpiles, which include diesel and heating oil, rose by 10.6 million barrels, more than five times the expected 1.9 million-barrel increase, the EIA data showed.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/hope-rises-for-2019-budget-oil-price.html