The Director General of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Dr. Salihu Lukman, has admonished elected and appointed members of the All Progressives Congress to remain faithful and loyal to the commitment to service.

He noted that leaders’ inability to respond to the demands destroys electoral viability.

Lukman stated this in a paper titled, ‘Political Contestation in Nigeria: Challenges of Benchmarking Party Manifesto,’ presented at the Annual Conference of the APC Press Corps, in Abuja on Sunday.

The PGF DG said, “Inability to respond to the demands of citizens alienates leaders and erode electoral viability. Most times, we imagine that resort to propaganda can resolve our societal and national challenges. This is very wrong.

“We can do all the propaganda and take over all the media spaces in our constituencies and in the country, it will not change the reality facing citizens. This is mainly because propaganda that is not founded on strategic and concrete responses to our societal and national problems, will not improve the lives of citizens.

“Thus, beyond propaganda, both as citizens and party members, we have a responsibility to get our leaders to apply themselves very effectively and honestly to resolve our societal and national challenges. Achieving this entails that our leaders should recognise they don’t have all the solutions.

“This is where as politicians, most times, we fail because we engage citizens with the false claim that we have all the answers

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1608548253/use-propaganda-solve-national-challenge-very-wrong

A former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has alleged that the administration under the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), created the abduction of over 300 schoolboys from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State.

She added that neither the President nor his government should be congratulated over the release of the schoolboys.

Ezekwesili, who is one of the Co-Conveners of the Bring Back Our Girls group which led the protests seeking for the release of over 250 schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno State, stated this on Friday night during an interview with Channels Television.

The former minister demanded that the Buhari regime explains to Nigerians exactly what happened in Kankara when gunmen on motorcycles stormed the school premises and kidnapped the students.

On Thursday night, the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, announced the release of the 344 schoolboys by bandits in Zamfara State.

Though Nigerians were delighted over the news of the released schoolboys, Ezekwesili said Buhari should be disgusted not commending himself.

She said, “For us to congratulate a government that created a problem and said it solved it? We shouldn’t be doing that. Society should learn how to hold people accountable. The President should be disgusted with what happened, not commending himself. What is the clapping for? Those children were put in harm’s way. And now he said he’s rescued them? Maybe the President sent the children on an excursion to terrorists so they can release children at will to him.

“He needs to tell us exactly what happened with the Kankara kids. There is a problem. This country should not be taken for a ride by President Buhari and his government. This is very unbecoming and the whole world is laughing at us. They think we are jokers. Many countries didn’t even bother to show that anything had happened in our country because they felt who are these people and what are they doing to themselves?”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1608381431/kankara-abduction-buhari-shouldn-congratulated-ezekwesili

A human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has reacted to the opinion of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, that the #EndSARS demonstrators were economic saboteurs.

Justice Tsoho had on Tuesday at the ceremony during the commencement of the 2020/2021 legal year of the Federal High Court in Abuja, said this while trying to justify the order issued by a judge of the court, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, which approved the freezing the accounts of 20 #EndSARS promoters.

He stated that during the protests, the Central Bank of Nigeria kept filing applications to challenge the deliberate attempts to ruin the economy through what he terms money laundering.

He added, “So if it was the #EndSARS people that were involved in the activities under cover then it is unfortunate for people to begin to call and vilify the court making damaging allegations against the court.”

Falana responding to the Chief Judge’s claim on Thursday said the protest promoters were not economic destroyers but patriotic citizens.

Falana, a lawyer to the #EndSARS campaigners whose accounts were frozen by the CBN, revealed that the apex bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, held a virtual meeting with the promoters in the wake of the peaceful protests.

He said but when Emefiele failed to convince them to call off the protest, he then employed to obtain an ex parte order to freeze the accounts of the protest promoters.

He said, “Since the application of the 20 #EndSARS promoters seeking to quash the ex parte order freezing their bank accounts is pending before the Federal High Court presided over by the Honourable Justice R.A. Mohammed, I have persuaded our clients to refrain from joining issues with the Honourable Chief Judge over the controversial ex-cathedra statement.

“However, it is pertinent to state that the 20 #EndSARS were not sued as corporate bodies but as individuals whose names and bank accounts are listed in all the processes filed in the court by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“I wish to say, without any fear of contradiction that the #EndSARS protesters are not economic saboteurs but patriotic citizens who protested against incessant police brutality.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the case was filed on October 20, 2020, while the order ex parte was issued on November 4, 2020, after the #EndSARS protests.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1608285988/endsars-protesters-not-economic-saboteurs-femi-falana

Gov. Seyi Makinde has advised individuals colliding to become the next president under the platform of the All Progressives Congress in 2023 to cup their presidential ambitions.

According to the Oyo State Governor, the ruling party has been rejected by God and the Nigerian citizens.

Earlier on Tuesday, Makinde had said the demand of Nigerians was not a president from the South West region but adequate security and restructuring of the country as it would solve some of the problems facing the nation.

Makinde, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Taiwo Adisa on Thursday, noted that those campaigning on the platform of the APC would achieve nothing but be disappointed in 2023.

He stated this after the meeting of the Zonal Working Committee of the party held at the Government House, Ibadan.

The PDP governor noted that a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South-West had been pinned down to be the one causing problems within the party in the region.

He also stated that the leader causing the problem had a case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Makinde, however, advised the leader to remain in the party and do the right thing, adding that if he defects to the ruling All Progressives Congress, he might end up in jail like former Governor Joshua Dariye; former Governor Jolly Nyame, and Senator Orji Kalu, who was sent to jail and freed after a while.

Makinde said, “They told me that one of our leaders has been the major individual causing trouble in the South-West (PDP) and we deliberated to ask why that is so, and we said maybe because of the EFCC case or something like that.

“I said that shouldn’t be, because it is better to stay with your own party. Even if you have the EFCC case, the people that went and joined them [ruling party]; there is Joshua Dariye from Plateau and Reverend Jolly Nyame from Taraba, they ended up in jail. Even Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, it was only God that brought him out.

“So, that leader should forget about the EFCC case and do what is right for the party. Because I will just say it, for 2023, even God has rejected APC; the people of Nigeria have rejected them. They can be jumping around saying this one or that one wants to be president in 2023, if we (PDP) get in, there will be double jeopardy for him because he will have to run back from APC to PDP.”

The governor, reacting to the suspension of the Chairman of the PDP in South-West described the act as illegal, arguing that the party members lacked such power.

He added that the members that allegedly removed Dayo Ogungbenro as the zonal chairman did not have the required number to do so.

Makinde also disclosed that the reconciliation committee headed by former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, would continue with their assignment to re-unite the party in the South-West.

He said, “They don’t have the power to suspend the chairman. Even if you go constitutional, you know, five out of 12 is more than 45 per cent. So, let’s even say they want to follow the constitution; you will need at least two-thirds by the constitution of the party. And two-third of 12 is eight.

“So, they don’t have that power and I am speaking now as the only governor of PDP in the South-West, the national leadership will respect my position on such matters.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1608277644/2023-don-bother-contesting-under-apc-gov

The Peoples Democratic Party in the South-West has congratulated the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on his 78th birthday with the notice that God kept him alive to attain the age so that he could consider seeking for forgiveness and do redress.

The congratulatory message was contained in a statement on Wednesday by the PDP Zonal Director of Media and Publicity, Lere Olayinka.

The party urged the president to use the moment of his 78th birthday to seek forgiveness for the sins he committed against the people of the South-West Nigeria.

The Opposition party advised the president rather than going about celebrating in the midst of his own people, seek forgiveness to the northern part of the country whose over 300 children are being held captive by terrorists.

It said, “God must have kept him so that he can have enough time to ruminate over his past misdeeds and seek restitution.

“He frustrated the progress of the the South-West, abandoned the region when he was Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund under late General Sani Abacha and has done nothing for the region since 2015.

“The Metroline project was scrapped by Buhari at a loss of over $78 million to the Lagos tax payers. If Buhari had not cancelled that project, transportation in Lagos would have been better than it is now.”

The PDP also listed the alleged sins Buhari committed against the people of the South-West especially when he was the Military Head of State.

The statement read in part, “It is on record that in 1984, he impounded the Nigerian passport of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and prevented him from visiting his doctors at Mayo Clinic, Rochester Minnesota, USA. The passport was only returned to him with courtesies by General Ibrahim Babangida in 1985. It was however too late as Awolowo died in 1987!

“It is also on record that with President Buhari’s directive, Chief Olabisi Onabanjo was abducted by military men while recuperating from a surgical operation at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. He was sent to Bauchi prison.

“President Buhari sent our notable leaders like Onabanjo, Jakande, Chief Michael Ajasin, Bola Ige, Chief Bisi Akande and others to jail for committing no offense other than showing commitment to the development of the region and welfare of the people.

“Curiously, in April this year, when he was granting state pardon to those he sent to jail as military Head of State, the President did not remember to extend this pardon to Chief Bisi Akande, despite being his party man and one of those who ensured his electoral victory in 2015 and 2019.

“Therefore, Mr. President, as you celebrate your 78 birthday, take heed to this wise counsel and seek forgiveness from the Almighty Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) and the people you have caused untold sufferings, especially those in the South-West.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1608203538/78th-birthday-seek-forgiveness-south-west-pdp

On Monday, the National Leader of All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said alienating forces within the party should be weeded out.

Tinubu said this when he led some party men to Maiduguri to pay condolence on the government and people of Borno State on the killing of rice farmers by Boko Haram at Zabarmari.

He said, “Any remaining rats and cockroaches should be sprayed out of the party.”

The party leader also maintained that the party must live to its symbol, the broom, which signified the importance of unity and work to take out any form of disunity.

After an hour closed-door meeting with the governor, Tinubu said the covenant of the APC with the Nigerian people was to work together in unity to bring about development and progress.

Tinubu stated that as there is unity in the party, anything that would however work contrary to the progress of the party and Nigeria should be weeded out.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1608034652/apc-obstacles-party-promises-should-weeded-out

A former Governor of the state, Adam Oshiomhole, taught me all I know about politics, Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu says.

Shaibu, during a thanksgiving service held at Saint Philip Catholic Church in Jettu, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state on Sunday, disclosed this.

He said, “Adams Oshiomhole taught me all I know now politically. He made me stand my ground and help us end godfatherism. I have no quarrel with Adams Oshiomhole.

Shuaibu noted that there were a lot of lessons to be learned from the re-election of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

He said, “We must come together as a nation in recognising our shared interest in placing boundaries on our competition in order not to divide the nation into hostile and irreconcilable camps. This dangerous impasse is one area where the wisdom of Governor Godwin Obaseki has reigned supreme.”

The deputy governor who described Obaseki as a selfless governor whose thoughts are always about the state and the next generation appealed to the people of the state to support the administration while delivering its campaign promises.

Bishop Godrick Shabba, in his sermon titled, “Rejoice in the Lord”, persuade believers to be faithful to God noting that it was a heart of gratitude to God that brought the deputy governor and his family to the house of God.

The event was part of activities to celebrate Shuaibu’s re-election alongside his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1607954428/election-oshiomhole-taught-politics-philip-shaibu

The Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, on Sunday bemoans how political party affiliations are causing disunity and lack of harmony among his kinsman.

He then called on the Urhobo people within and outside the country, to promote unity and togetherness at all times.

The statement was made through his Media adviser, Yomi Odunuga, at the Urhobo Progress Union Ireland International Webinar to mark the Urhobo Day celebration on Sunday.

The senator disclosed that politics had caused serious divisions within the Union in recent times.

He said, “It is unfortunate that at critical moments when we are expected to show unity and cohesion, we dissipate energy on selfish and opportunistic pursuits.

“This way, our ranks get depleted and we are exposed to assault from rivals and adversaries. A fall out of this is the tendency to display deceitfulness and sabotage.

“I am particularly worried that politics has in recent time caused serious divisions within the Urhobo Progress Union. It is expedient to be reminded of the great sacrifices and contributions some of our past and present sons and daughters have made to bring all of us to where we are today as a people.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1607957009/party-affiliations-causing-disunity-among-kinsmen-omo

A former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has commended the successful conduct of the 2020 presidential election in Ghana.

He noted that the smooth conduct of the election should be an eye-opener for Nigeria.

He said this while congratulating the winner of the election, Nana Akufo-Addo, on Thursday in a tweet.

Atiku said, “Congratulations to President @NAkufoAddo on his reelection. The smooth conduct of the Ghana elections should be an eye-opener to our nation.

“We must undertake far-reaching electoral reforms that address the shortcomings of our previous experiences and strengthen our electoral process.”

President Akufo-Addo won a second term in office, the electoral commission declared Wednesday.

The electoral commission explained that in the presidential race, Akufo-Addo received 51.59 percent of the vote, defeating the opposition leader and former president Mahama with his 47.36 percent.

However, the announcement was greeted with jubilation by a crowd of supporters in the seaside capital Accra.

The 76-year-old Akufo-Addo in a victory speech on Wednesday addressed his jubilant supporters, calling for peace.

“Now is the time, irrespective of political affiliations, to unite, join hands and stand shoulder to shoulder,” the president-elect leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) said.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1607607184/ghana-election-smooth-conduct-should-eye-opener

A former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Farouk Aliyu, has said the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), should not honour the summon by the National Assembly expected to be sitting today.

Aliyu, a member of the All Progressives Congress and a close ally to the president, said the service chiefs should attend the NASS invitation instead.

He added that Buhari is not an orator and should allow the service chiefs to explain things needed.

The president had been summoned last week by the House of Representatives led by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, over the insecurity rate in addition to the massacre of over 43 rice farmers by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.

On Wednesday, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has said the National Assembly lacked the power to invite the President to speak on security matters.

The former Minority Leader in the House of Representatives in support of Malami, said, “There are so many things that the President may divulge and people will say, ‘Why did he even go? He shouldn’t have gone.’”

Aliyu asserted, “President Buhari is not an orator. There are orators, people who can talk and talk. People are different.

“If I were to advise Mr. President, I will tell Mr. President not to go. He should probably allow the service chiefs to go and explain (things) because there are certain details that should probably be explained in camera.”

“As a former minority leader in the House, I don’t think the President should appear, not at this time when things are so difficult (and) the country is going through challenges. Is the President going to appear there to tell the National Assembly the strategies being taken by the government?

“Is he going there for an interactive session? Not even the Speaker can assure the President or his party that Mr. President may not be embarrassed.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1607596729/service-chiefs-should-address-nass-not-buhari

The Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has been attacked by some Senior Advocates of Nigeria and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party members, over the AGF’s comment on Wednesday that the National Assembly had no powers to summon the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) over the rising insecurity in the country.

Malami had on Wednesday said this in a statement titled, ‘Buhari’s summons: NASS Operates outside constitutional bounds’.

Buhari had been summoned by the House of Representatives, led by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, over the rising insecurity in the country, and the recent killing of over 43 rice farmers in Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents.

The special assistant to the President on social media, Lauretta Onochie, had said that Buhari would appear before a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday. But reports on Tuesday has it that the President had decided not to attend the meeting.

Malami in his comment said the National Assembly must not forget that security matters remained the exclusive maintenance of the executive arm of government.

He said, “The management and control of the security sector is exclusively vested in the President by Section 218 (1) of the Constitution as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, including the power to determine the operational use of the armed forces. An invitation that seeks to put the operational use of the armed forces to a public interrogation is indeed taking the constitutional rights of law making beyond bounds.

“As the Commander-in-Chief, the President has exclusivity on security and has confidentiality over security. These powers and rights he does not share. So, by summoning the President on national security operational matters, the House of Representative operated outside constitutional bounds. The President’s exclusivity of constitutional confidentiality investiture within the context of the constitution remains sacrosanct.”

The AGF stated that the President whenever he wants, could freely address the National Assembly, but could not be summoned to do so.

“Mr President enjoys constitutional privileges attached to the office of the President, including exclusivity and confidentiality investiture in security operational matters, which remains sacrosanct,” he added.

The AGF further stated that the National Assembly had no “constitutional power to envisage or contemplate a situation where the President would be summoned by the National Assembly on operational use of the Armed Forces.”

“The right of the President to engage the National Assembly and appear before it is inherently discretionary in the President and not at the behest of the National Assembly.”

He insisted that the president had been able to successfully tackle insecurity and recover land that was previously being occupied by Boko Haram.

Malami added, “President Muhammadu Buhari of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has recorded tremendous success in containing the hitherto incessant bombing, colossal killings, wanton destruction of lives and property that bedevilled the country before taking the helm of affairs of the country in 2015.

“The confidentiality of strategies employed by the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not open for public exposure in view of the security implications in probable undermining of the war against terror.”

In reaction to Malami’s comment, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, revealed that President Buhari had been under pressure from the All Progressives Congress governors not to respect the invitation over the fear that they might also be invited to address their specific houses of Assembly.

He noted that the National Assembly had the powers to summon the President to appear before the senate.

He said, “The members of the House of Representatives unanimously resolved to invite President Muhammadu Buhari to address them on the state of the nation with respect to the huge funds appropriated for the war on terror without tangible results.

“The President accepted the invitation and announced that he would address the House on Thursday, December 10, 2020. Regrettably, the President has been under pressure from APC governors not to honour the invitation for fear that they too may be similarly invited to address their respective houses of Assembly.

“On his part, the Attorney-General of the Federation has questioned the constitutional power of the National Assembly to invite the President on the grounds that as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he cannot be compelled to disclose operational details of the defence of the country. With respect, the President is under a moral and legal obligation to honour the invitation. Having accepted the invitation, the President should not allow himself to be embarrassed by turning round to turn down the invitation.

“By the combined effect of sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution, the National Assembly is empowered to summon any public officer, including the President, in the course of investigating any matter concerning which it has the power to make laws and the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for executing or administering laws enacted by the National Assembly.”

Another lawyer, Norrison Quakers, also condemned Malami’s position that the President could not be summoned by the National Assembly.

The SAN explained that the National Assembly, as the organ of government that enacts laws, had the right to summon violators of any provisions of the constitution, the President of the country included.

He said, “The National Assembly does not lack the powers to invite the President; the law on this is very clear. It will be recalled that legislative power resides in the National Assembly and it also has the power to impeach a President when he violates the provisions of the constitution, but unfortunately, a lot of things in this country have been politicised that we’re no longer following the rule of law.

“The law empowering the National Assembly is such that any law it enacts, it has the legislative competence to recall operators of the law to come before it and explain their challenges, including the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; so, what the AGF has stated is a political statement and not a statement of law.

“If there are security challenges in the country, the President must be summoned to appear before the National Assembly to explain why security is a challenge in the country.”

In addition, constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), faulted Malami’s disposition.

Ozekhome said, “I am not impressed that presidential aides dampen natural integrity by always telling the President to do what is wrong, even at the expense of the good of the citizens.

“Even, if the Constitution does not provide for such, the buck stops on the table of the President.

“When Buhari’s regime is gone, everybody will remember the name Buhari and not Malami.

“To me, I think he should give the best advice to the President in the interest of the country. And such advice should bring development and growth and not self-history.

“Even, if the Constitution does not say so, our system of governance is patterned after America’s, where the citizens see their President every day. When last did we see Buhari? We only hear from the media aides. Malami is indulging in self-history.”

He added, “It is right and ethical for Buhari to appear and address the National Assembly on the state of the nation. The National Assembly has the constitutional power as enshrined in Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution.

“By sections 88 and 89, it has the power of oversight over any person or arm of government.

“Therefore, it is wrong for Malami to say the National Assembly lacks powers to summon the President. The President should attend in the best interest of the country.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1607588856/insecurity-sans-slams-malami-agf-declares-buhari

Following the inclusion of Nigeria that the country was engaging in systematic religious freedom violations by the United States, the Federal Government on Tuesday described the allegation as untrue.

Nigeria was part of the countries placed on a religious freedom blacklist.

The government described the allegation as “a case of honest disagreement between the two nations on the causes of violence in Nigeria.”

On Tuesday, the denial was made by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement titled, ‘Nigeria denies religious freedom violation allegation’.

He said, “Nigeria does not engage in religious freedom violation, neither does it have a policy of religious persecution. Victims of insecurity and terrorism in the country are adherents of Christianity, Islam and other religions.

“Nigeria jealously protects religious freedom as enshrined in the country’s constitution and takes seriously any infringements in this regard.”

But the Christian Association of Nigeria expressed agitation noting that the blacklisting might attract sanctions.

The Special Assistant, Media and Communications, to the CAN President, Adebayo Oladeji, said this on Tuesday.

He said, “The leadership of CAN is not happy that the US has placed Nigeria on a religious freedom blacklist because of the implications which include possible sanctions if it does not improve its record.

“But at the same time, we are encouraged that the global world is aware of what is happening in the country. Although there is religious freedom in the country, there are a lot of religious persecutions in most of the states of the federation, especially in the Northern part of the country.

“For example, many States like Kano and Jigawa are denying Christians the Certificate of Occupancy, churches are not allowed to purchase lands and they have to be going through individuals to buy lands and even if that is done, they will be denied of the CofO.”

Oladeji added that the “discriminatory policies” is nothing but a religious persecution, stating that mosques were built wherever they desire and no government dared to ask for any document.

He said, “In Education, Christians are not allowed to study courses like Medicine and Law in some universities in the North. Most of the federal owned universities in the North, will not allow Christians to become the Vice Chancellor even if they are qualified.

“A good example is University of Ilorin where in the last 25 years or more, no Christian has been allowed to be its Vice Chancellor.

“About 95 per cent of those who head our security agencies are sharing same faith with the President. In some agencies, Christians are replaced with Muslims. This is what we witness every day.

“The country belongs to every citizen irrespective of their religious affiliations but the government is not interested.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1607510234/religious-rights-violations-can-supports-allegation

The Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Uche, has appealed to political leaders to listen to citizens who desired for a better Nigeria.

Uche made the appeal at the signing and adoption of the new constitution of the Methodist Church during the 12th biennial conference held in Lagos.

According to a statement on Monday, he said, “Let our political leaders show care for people in the provision of good amenities. We urge our leaders in government, civil service and politics to maintain steady progress in terms of quality and other social ingredients that will make our country dynamic.

“Presently, our nation is going through so many challenges. As Methodists, we are aware of the economic challenges facing our nation, yet we have not stopped praying for Nigeria. Our challenges include unemployment, ASUU strike, and lack of some basic infrastructure, to mention but a few. As a church, we will continue to pray that God will turn things around for our good.”

The cleric stressed that members of the church were called to embrace God’s triumphing grace which came through Jesus Christ.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1607441899/better-nigeria-methodist-prelate-appeal-nigerian-politicians

Hilliard Eta, a former National Vice-Chairman (South-South), All Progressives Congress, has rejected expulsion.

The expulsion follows after the National Executive Committee of the party led by Mai Mala Buni met at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday to reach the decision.

He said the Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee had no constitutional powers to make an announcement on issues that concern the party, hence described the conclusion as an illegal implementation.

Eta maintained that he remained the acting chairman of the party.

The NEC also announced the extension of the tenure of the party’s Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee by six months, effective from December 25, 2020.

The meeting of the committee at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, was attended by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.); Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, leaders of the National Assembly, and state governors elected on the platform.

Other party chiefs participated in the meeting virtually.

The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting said NEC also consented to the expulsion of the former national boss due to his failure to pull out from the case initiated against the caretaker committee in the court.

El-Rufai revealed that the committee also dissolved all state, zonal, and national party formation.

He also stated that the APC granted waivers to some new members to enable them to contest elective offices without being delayed to a particular period of time.

The governor said, “The National Executive Committee of the party approved the extension of the tenure of the Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee led by Mai Mala Buni, which expires on December 25, 2020, for another six-month period, to terminate on June 30, 2021.

“This is to enable the Caretaker and Convention Planning Committee to conclude its assignment as lay before NEC.

“NEC has also donated its powers as enshrined in Articles 13.3 subsection 5 and 13.3 subsections 6 of the APC Constitution to the Caretaker and Convention Planning Committee.

“The second resolution is that NEC has approved the granting of waivers to persons, who have recently joined the party and those desirous of joining the party in the nearest future.

“By this, such new members will enjoy all the benefits and privileges accruable by virtue of their membership of the party. So, they will be able to contest positions in the party; they will be able to contest elections without any requirement of being members for a number of years or a period of time.”

El-Rufai on Eta’s expulsion said, “The third resolution is that NEC approved the expulsion of Ntufam Hilliard Eta from the party for flouting the directives of NEC to discontinue all litigation against the party and its members.

“The fourth resolution is that NEC approved the immediate dissolution of the party organs at the polling unit, ward, local government, state and zonal levels as well as the non-National Working Committee component of the National Executive Committee as well as their immediate reconstitution and composition of the dissolved excos to serve in their respective offices in a caretaker committee capacity, but excluding the non-NWC members of NEC.”

The governor in his reaction to the President’s call for resignation said the party also condemned the clamour over security challenges being witnessed across the country.

He stated, “Finally, the NEC condemns in very strong terms the call by the PDP leadership and some of their cheerleaders for the resignation of Mr. President.

“NEC observes that security challenges, though regrettable, can only be addressed when all interests, civil and military, government and opposition, security forces and indeed all citizens collaborate irrespective of party affiliation. This is not the time to politicise security.”

El-Rufai added that before the expiration of the caretaker committee’s extended tenure, it would have conducted the national convention so that “we have leadership from the top down.”

He added, “This is in compliance with the wish of Mr. President that we should rebuild the party from the bottom up. So, this is the process.

“Registration is going to start very soon and revalidation of registration and membership. Since we undertook our last membership registration in 2015, about 25 million have reached the age of 18 and may want to join the party.

“So, we want to capture those, and then after we complete the registration, then we will have congresses at the various levels, leading up to the national convention before June 30, 2021, by the grace of God.”

The governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu also joined in briefing State House journalists.

He also added to El-Rufai’s comment on the caretaker extension noting that there would be no need for a further extension of the committee’s tenure.

Akeredolu said, “I can assure you that they (committee members) will complete this mandate within this period. Again, we don’t have so many things that will intervene like COVID-19, #EndSARS and so; barring all these, we are sure that they will complete their task in six months,” the governor said.

However, Eta reacting to his expulsion announcement said, “You are aware that I’m in court based on the fact that even the NEC of June 25 was an illegal meeting and today’s (Tuesday’s) meeting again is illegally built on illegality; it is a nullity.

“And you are also aware that there is a Supreme Court judgment that whenever a member of an organisation is in court pertaining to that organisation, the power of discipline is divested from that organisation on the person in court.

“So, the illegal contraption cannot speak for NEC that is not properly constituted. Even if it was properly constituted, the NEC of a party cannot take the place of the courts. I’m in court and I await a judicial pronouncement on the matter.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1607501271/apc-leadership-tussle-eta-rejects-expulsion-declares

Despite threats from the government and security agencies and the suspension of the #EndSARS protests which rocked the country and outside the country for some weeks against police brutality, extortion, among others, the organisers and activists have disregarded the warning by organizing another protest.

However, in Lagos, soldiers and policemen were deployed in some of the venues to interrupt the protests on Monday.

A leading member of the #EndSARS movement, Raphael Adebayo, said because the demands of Nigerians had not been met, the government should prepare for more protests by the alliance.

The activist said the deployment of policemen and soldiers to avert the protest from holding in Lagos would not discourage the campaigners.

Adebayo said, “After massacring peaceful protesters in Lekki, General Buhari should know that deploying soldiers is the least of his worries. The issues that brought the youth out in the first place have not been addressed.

“The police have shown Nigerians that the state judicial panels are merely window-dressing the sufferings of the victims of police brutality. The government should prepare for more protests because as far as the #EndSARS protesters are concerned, there is no alternative to justice.”

Another #EndSARS campaigner, Aisha Yesufu, mocked President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR for failing to protect Nigerians and should be more concerned with that but rather acted like a dictator.

She also condemned Buhari’s address to the nation against Saturday’s killing of over 78 rice farmers by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.

Yesufu said, “The President is a man who watches his people being killed and he does nothing. Seventy-eight farmers were killed and Buhari could not address the nation. Sadly, the head of the terrorist group has addressed the nation and that should concern Nigerians.”

The activist however called for a medical assessment of the President, noting that he was not acting as a democratic leader.

She stated, “We need to check the mental capacity of President Muhammadu Buhari because he is not acting like someone who is in full control of his mental faculties. We need to know if the doctrine of necessity needs to be activated and we get the President out because he is not talking like somebody who knows he is in a democracy.

“He is probably retrogressive and thinks that this is 1984. The President needs to know that this is 2020 and Nigeria is under democracy and that there is a constitution that allows citizens to protest.”

Yesufu also maintained that every Nigerian has the right to protest peacefully, proclaiming that the police had no authority to prevent peaceful protests.

She stated, “One of the things Nigerians must know is that whether the #EndSARS group or any group, they have the right to come out and protest peacefully and the Nigeria Police Force should know that its duty is to protect the protesters; it is not to stop anyone from protesting. The police should know that their allegiance is to the constitution and not to the government or the ruling party.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1607416201/campaigners-asks-buhari-prepare-for-fresh-endsars

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has said his administration will not tolerate “any act of hooliganism hiding behind peaceful protests” and promised to deal with the culprit.

He noted that despite his regime believed in the rights of citizens to embark on peaceful protests, such must be done accountably.

Buhari stated these while declaring the opening of the Chief of Army Staff’s Annual Conference 2020 from the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Buhari also expressed dissatisfaction of the violence that trailed the last protests.

He said, “Let me also mention the EndSARS protest which was recently hijacked by hoodlums which resulted in loss of lives and property in many situations across the country.

“I want to reiterate our government’s commitment to the rights of citizens to embark on peaceful protests.

“However, this must be done responsibly in accordance with the laws of the land.

“I also want to state that any act of hooliganism hiding behind the peaceful protests, will be highly dealt with decisively to ensure the peace and stability of our nation.

“On this note, I commend the Nigeria Army for their efforts to swiftly restore law and order in many states during the last scale of criminality that ensued in the wake of the EndSARS protests.”

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement quoted Buhari as describing 2020 a very challenging year.

Adesina said the President specified the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative impact on the aspect of national life.

Buhari said,”Despite this, I am pleased to note that the Army remained resolute in the discharge of its Constitutional roles and in keeping the wealth and welfare of our soldiers a priority.

”The Army’s support of civil authorities in the management of the COVID – 19 pandemic is a case in point.

”Also, the peaceful elections conducted in Edo and Ondo States would not have been achieved without the high level of professionalism displayed by all security agencies, including the Army,” Buhari said at the conference themed, ‘Human Capacity Development in Sustaining Professionalism and Responsiveness of the Nigerian Army in the Discharge of its Constitutional Roles.’

The President also applauded the Nigerian Army for its firm commitment towards reducing the insurgents, armed bandits, kidnappers, cattle rustlers and other violent criminals’ activities in different parts of the country.

Buhari said the Exercise SAHEL SANITY which was launched a few months ago in the North West states to deliver the Katsina-Zamfara corridor of raiding bandits had reached a commendable progress.

He added, “I have also been briefed about the tremendous successes that have been achieved by troops during the ongoing Operation FIRE BALL in the North East.

”I charge you all to sustain these efforts until the full restoration of peace and security in the nation is achieved.”

Buhari also paid tribute to uniform men and women who have paid the supreme sacrifice in the nation’s defence and security.

”As we pray for the repose of their souls, we must strengthen our collective resolve to address those issues that will make every part of our country a safe and secure place to live and carry out our normal business,” he said.

He vowed that his regime will not give away in its efforts to take adequate care of families of fallen heroes who fought against insurgency and other forms of crimes across the country.

Also at the conference, the President launched the Housing scheme for Next of Kin of personnel of the Nigerian Army killed in action.

He said ”It is in line with this that the Army as part of its welfare initiative and in line with the Federal Government’s housing programme is undertaking the Housing Scheme for families and next of kin of troops that were killed in action in the fight against insurgency and other criminalities in the country.

”I believe this initiative will act as a huge morale booster to the troops on the frontlines as well as project the Army in good light.

”On our part, I assure you that this administration will continue to do all within available resources to provide for your operational and welfare needs.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1607411015/will-not-tolerate-any-act-hooliganism-buhari

The Speaker of the Ogun State House Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, has condemned the poor state of the office accommodation and toilet facility at the complex noting that four lawmakers shared a toilet in the Assembly complex.

Oluomo stated this before the state Governor, Dapo Abiodun, presented the 2021 budget proposal at the Assembly complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta on Wednesday.

The Speaker re-called the need to address the infrastructural decay at the Assembly complex just as he did a year before.

Oluomo who presented the prototype of a new Assembly complex designed by the lawmakers to the governor, said two members of Assembly has lobby

He said, “Let me state it here sir that apart from the Speaker and the deputy, no other member of the House has an anteroom, not to talk of having a secretariat for themselves.

“It is appalling to mention that it is one toilet to four honourable members in this Assembly.”

He also added that some allowances for the lawmakers had not been paid.

The Speaker also lamented that members of the Assembly could not implement “major projects” in the outgoing year due to shortage of funds.

He then asked the governor to “approve release of various allowances due to honourable members and staff, including furniture allowances to members, outstanding leave bonuses and wardrobe allowances.”

Abiodun in his response confessed that the Speaker raised the concern last year and vowed that his administration would address the challenge next year.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1606989415/budget-presentation-four-lawmakers-still-share-toilet

The House of Representatives has appealed to the Federal Government to discourage the migration of health workers to other countries as the mass evacuation of workers in the health sector has its negative effects.

The House who decried the mass evacuation, urged the Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Productivity to “review the salary, allowances, and welfare of Nigerian medical practitioners” adding that the ministry should consider creating employment as it expands the medical sector

“Consider expanding the size of the medical practitioner in the country to create employment for the unemployed ones and develop a functional strategy that will attract diaspora medical personnel to work at various teaching hospitals.”

The House also charged the ministry to ensure the employment of Nigerian medical practitioners.

The lawmaker further ordered the House Committee on Health Care Services to “call other relevant stakeholders for an interactive session in other to proffer a lasting solution to brain drain of medical personnel from Nigeria.”

The motion was moved by a member, Ganiyu Johnson, titled ‘Need to Address the Increasing Rate of Brain Drain of Medical Personnel from Nigeria’.

Johnson said, “The House notes that Nigeria has one of the leading stocks of human resources for health in Africa but has failed to meet the health attention of its over 200 million people as a result of brain drain.

“The House also notes that the Nigeria Medical Association, in 2016, gave the statistics of about 5,000 medical workers leaving the country annually to developed countries, making Nigeria the highest source of foreign-born medical practitioners abroad.

“The House is aware from studies that Nigeria has over 90,000 qualified medical doctors practising abroad and, in fact, an average of 50 doctors who had their primary medical education in Nigeria is said to be registering for practice every week in the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, and the oil-rich countries.

“The House is also aware that Saudi Arabia’s health ministry visits Nigeria every year to conduct screening for intending medical practitioner, both in Abuja and Lagos, to take them to their country for employment, and Nigerian doctors are struggling for a visa at the British High Commission to travel to their country after they have even passed their compulsory Professional Linguistic Assessment Board exams at the British Council.”

The lawmaker listed some factors responsible for the development to include inadequate infrastructure, poor human resources planning, management practices, and structures, unsatisfactory working conditions characterised by heavy workloads, and other factors such as lack of professional autonomy, poor supervision and support, long working hours, unsafe workplaces, inadequate career structures, poor working conditions, and poor compensation packages.

He added, “The exodus of medical practitioners in Nigeria has in particular contributed to acute shortages of specialised and experienced health professionals in the country and if not curbed, it will be tough for Nigeria to tackle poverty because health is actually the wealth.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1606907187/mass-exodus-house-reps-seeks-better-salaries

A former Senator representing Adamawa South, Grace Bent, on Monday challenged the female members of the Peoples Democratic Party to demand for the Vice-Presidential slot in 2023.

She stated this in her remarks at the PDP Women’s Stakeholders Consultative Meeting, held with the support of the International Republican Institute, at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja.

Bent expressed displeasure that despite the 35 percent declaration action which Nigeria was a signatory to, women who constitute 50 percent of the entire population were still exempted from the decision-making process.

She said, “We are saying that in 2023 if our political party does not present a female as a vice presidential candidate, we are not going to support them.

“So, set the ball rolling, all-female stakeholders, women leaders, tell the party, give us female vice president otherwise, we will all sit home, we shall not vote.”

Bent explaining her ordeal while working with other women to advocate the cause of women said, “A lone voice is always a problem and this has always been the problem year-in, year-out. We attempted to push for a deputy national chairman in the person of Hajiya Ina Chiroma and I realised that for a woman to be successful in politics, you must learn how to fight, you must have an aggressive spirit because no one gives it to you on a platter of gold.

“I have gone to the field a couple of times and with the experience, I can come out to tell Nigerian women that the men have always treated us like second-class citizens which we are not. If you want to succeed, you must pay the price.”

The National Woman Leader, Hajiya Mariya Waziri, in her statement said, “Some of our notable achievements are the- Approval of 35 percent women’s inclusion into party offices at all levels, the successful mobilization of voters, especially female voters, towards the election of His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State.”

Also, a former PDP Leader of the House of Representatives, Mulikat Areola-Akande, at the event said, “The men know what is right but they keep pushing us aside. We women know what is right but we don’t do it. I think with 2023, we need to get it right. We cannot get it right if we continue to pull ourselves down.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1606824432/2023-women-should-demand-for-vice-presidential

Pan-northern socio-political group, the Arewa Consultative Forum, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, has condemned the Federal Government’s report on the insurgency’s victory in the country.

On Saturday, the terrorists silted 43 rice farmers’ throats on their farms at Kwashebe, Borno State despite the government’s claim of victory over the insurgents.

Though the United Nations on Sunday declared that 110 farmers lost their lives, the Nigerian government said 43 people were killed.

According to the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, “At least 110 civilians were ruthlessly killed and many others were wounded in this attack.”

On Monday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Mohammed, after his courtesy visit to the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, said that Nigerians would remain at the mercy of terrorists as Nigerians are denied access to ammunitions.

The minister, describing the gruesome murder of the rice farmers as ‘unfortunate’ disclosed that to destroy the terrorist group, the country needed more support from global partners as well as acquiring adequate weapons to fight them.

Mohammed said, “When we talk about terrorism, people don’t seem to appreciate that terrorism is not a local issue, it is a global issue and there is no part of the world that doesn’t experience its own pocket of terrorism.”

“But you must also note that we are dealing with terrorists who are financed globally and we also need more support from global partners, for instance, Nigeria has made attempts to acquire better and more effective a platform to deal with the terrorists but for one reason or the other we have been denied this platform, these weapons and without adequate weapons or platform, we remain at the mercy of terrorists.”

Also on Monday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Shehu, in his interview with the BBC, sad though the incident was a tragedy truth must be told.

Shehu said, “The government is sad that this tragic incident has happened. 43 or thereabout of innocent farm workers, most of them had their throats slit by a heartless band of terrorists. People need to know what it is like in the Lake Chad Basin area.

“Much of those areas have been liberated from Boko Haram terrorists but there are a number of spaces that have not been cleared for the return of villagers who have been displaced. So, ideally, all of these places ought to pass the test of military clearances before farmers or settlers resume activities on those fields.”

It was reported that when the minister was asked if he was not blaming the farmers for going to the area, Shehu responded, “Not exactly but the truth has to be said. Was there any clearance by the military which is in total control of those areas? Did anybody ask to resume activity? I have been told by the military leaders that they had not been so advised and certainly therefore it was a window that the terrorists exploited.”

This attracted different reaction from Nigerians over the presidential aide’s comment.

Shehu in response to the criticisms said his statement on the killing of the rice farmers was not because he lacked sympathy for the victims.

He noted that he was not supporting the gruesome murder but was only explaining the military procedures on safe movement.

Shehu said this in his post on his Facebook page and Twitter handle, @GarShehu.

The presidential aide stated that Borno State still remained essentially a military zone, hence much of where people go or what they do are governed by the urgent situation of security which needs extreme efforts.

He wrote, “Routinely, traders, administration officials and even the UN agencies get the green light to go to many of the areas to avoid trouble.

“Information from security agencies says that the Zabarmari marshlands are infested with land mines and movements in around those areas subject to military oversight.

“No one is delighted with the massacre in Zabarmari and there is nothing anybody will gain by playing blame game.

“The question I tried to answer on BBC was: did the security sign off on the area as being free of mines and terrorists? The honest answer is, no.

“I’m human with tons of compassion and empathy, and could not have said that the victims deserved their fate for ignoring security clearance.

“I was merely explaining the mode of military operations in the war zone of the Northeast. There are areas that are still volatile that require security clearance which is intended to put people out of harm’s way.

“When tragedies occur, questions arise in terms of how something happened in order to avoid a recurrence. Informing the military of our movements in an area of volatility and uncertainty is intended to preserve public safety.

“Explaining why something happened doesn’t mean I have no sympathy for the victims. I was just explaining the military procedures on the safe movement of the people and not supporting the death of the victims.”

Meanwhile, Kallon also lamented that several women may have been kidnapped in the attack.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1606812655/borno-massacre-acf-pdp-others-attack-federal

The Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, on Sunday revealed that he planned his defection to the All Progressives Congress together with the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim.

Umahi, who disclosed this while addressing APC stakeholders at a meeting held at the Bouquet Lodge of the old Government House, Abakaliki, said Anyim backed out of the plan because he (Umahi) went to see the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rted.), over the defection plan without carrying him along.

According the governor, the plan was for Anyim and other leaders to join him in the APC two weeks after he must have successfully defected.

Umahi said he consulted all the National Assembly members and the elders in the state about his defection to the APC, adding that they gave their nod to it, and even agreed to defect with him.

He said the only grievance of the NASS members and other leaders was that he outsmarted them by joining the APC before them.

“They were planning to ambush me, but it is difficult to catch the air,” he said.

Reacting to the allegation making the round that Anyim gave him N5bn to prosecute his governorship election in 2015, Umahi said, “I was a deputy governor, somebody occupying the highest position from the South-East (referring to Anyim) went and arranged for N5bn loan for me to prosecute the presidential election for his government. I had to sell many of my property to pay back that money.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/anyim-backed-out-of-defection-over-visit-to-buhari-umahi/%3famp=1

The Nigeria Labour Congress on Wednesday said the country’s recession was a result of the misuse of foreign loans, insecurity and the Federal Government’s social intervention programmes.

The Secretary-General of the organized labour, Emmanuel Ugboaja, evaluated that misuse of foreign loans, insecurity and the cash giveaways in the form of TraderMoni, MarketMoni and other cash-sharing programmes by the Nigerian Government worsened the country’s recession.

He accused the Federal Government of not consulting the workers despite making mistakes repeatedly.

Ugboaja recalls that the misuse of foreign loans issue dented the decision-making arm against the National Assembly.

In August, the House of Representatives Committee on Loans, Treaties and Protocols, while probing the foreign loans obtained by the Federal Government, condemned the Chinese loans.

The NLC secretary reacting to the usage of foreign loans said it was economics bad to allow obtained foreign loans to be repatriated back to the lender through the purchase of expensive equipment and expertise.

Ugboaja however advised the government to explore more creative options, adding that spending the loans on agriculture would enhance youths participation in productive ventures and this will bring in notable yields in the economy.

He said, “We have been going about managing our economy wrongly. That is the truth. We have tended to act as if we are an industrialised country when we are not. We have a huge population, we should encourage and do things that take into cognizance our youthful strength.

“Why must our construction be driven by external equipment we don’t produce when we could have achieved same using manual labour; direct labour kind of performance rather than use a machine costing N15bn to apply the same to 50,000 youths?

“Our people need to get more creative in terms of options, where we put our money. We borrow and 80 per cent of that still go back to the economy of the lender in terms of equipment and expertise. If all the borrowings we had done had been towards agriculture, it would have made more sense. We have a youthful population but we are paying trillions in subsidy. Ask yourself, who is collecting it?”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1606466084/high-debt-profile-misuse-foreign-loans-worsen

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State said on Thursday that no offender summoned for reported cases of rape and gender-based violence will go scot-free under his administration.

The governor said this when he received a 54-page summary on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence collated by the Stakeholders’ Committee set up by the First Lady of the State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, to give suggestions on how to fight against the crime.

Sanwo-Olu, the event commander for gender-based violence in Lagos, restated his commitment in protecting the vulnerable statistics and getting justice for the victims.

He said, “I am delighted by the work done by the Stakeholders’ Committee to bring attention to the problems facing voiceless adults and children in our society. Through your efforts, vulnerable people are building the courage to speak out on offences of sexual violence and heal their wounds.

“We will bring people, who have been perpetrating these crimes, knowingly or unknowingly, to book. We will ensure they never walk freely without the full wrath of the law brought upon them. It is part of our responsibility to ensure that the vulnerable members of our society have a voice and have access to where they can get justice when their rights are violated.”

The First Lady had earlier called on the government to enhance the response modeled in order to reduce sexual and gender-based violence.

Ibijoke said her intention was to work with the committee and create a society where gender-based violence would be reduced to barest minimum.

She said, “The stakeholders have been having meetings for months and their discussions have focused on the key development pillars of the current administration as they relate to the rights of vulnerable citizens, especially those women and children.

“The Office of the First Lady has been working with the vision to reduce sexual and gender-based violence to the barest minimum if it is impossible to eradicate the crime. We have activated our response, bringing all stakeholders and communities on board to forge a common front in addressing the issue.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1606474534/rapists-will-scot-free-sanwo-olu

The pan-northern sociopolitical organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum, has said it won’t give its support to any 2023 presidential candidates that do not realize security problems confronting the Northern region.

According to the ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Yawe, any candidate seeking northerners’ support should have a broad understanding of the security challenges and other problems challenging the region.

This came two days after attacking the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), over the rising insecurity in the North.

This was contained in a statement titled, ‘ACF condemns endless killings in the North’ issued by its spokesman.

The group had urged the President to address the rising insecurity in the region.

It said, “We feel there is no need to call on President Buhari to live up to his oath of office. He knows more than anybody else the implications of swearing on the Quran and refusing to honour your oath to the Almighty.”

Concerning the northerners’ support, Arewa said it would not support anybody who had an empty knowledge of the security challenges and other problems of the region despite not involved in the selection of candidates.

The ACF spokesman said the forum would investigate each presidential candidate in 2023.

Yawe said, “The ACF does not and will not get involved in the affairs of political parties like the selection of presidential candidates. All the political parties are welcome in the ACF.

“For the forum to get involved in the process of the multitude of political parties and select a presidential candidate for each will create too many problems. It is not even feasible or desirable for a mere pressure group like the ACF.

“We shall allow the parties to select their presidential candidates and once that is done, we shall scrutinise each of them. We have published our concerns about security and will continue doing so on other issues.

“Any politician with ears and eyes on 2023 should listen and see. Definitely, if any fails to understand the security and other problems of the north, we will not support him.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1606379360/won-support-candidates-unknowledgeable-north-insecurity-acf

The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has said northerners who are not in support for the restructuring of country are not speaking for the North.

The Governor said the committee that produced the draft bill on restructuring had to step it down to prevent the bill from being politicised.

El-Rufai speaking on Tuesday during a session at the 26th National Economic Summit in Abuja stated that efforts were being made to pass on the draft bill to the National Assembly for consideration.

El-Rufai maintained that the stand of most members of the All Progressives Congress was that the bill be passed into law based on its diverse benefits to the country.

He expressed his dissatisfaction that some northerners were opposed to restructuring, the governor stressed that they were being selfish in their mentality.

He added that Nigerians should understand the difference between the position of some northerners and the North as a region.

El-Rufai said, “We have the highest number of out-of-school children. We have the highest poverty rate. We have the lowest JAMB cut-off rate. So, what are the advantages in the North in the current situation?

“As the Governor of Kaduna State, I have had to look at these issues and try to see how I can get the people of my state up on the ladder. I think you need to differentiate the knowledge from a few and the voice of the silent majority.”

He added, “If there are northern leaders today, by virtue of the fact that I am a governor, I must be there. So, who are these northerners against restructuring? Who are they? Who are they speaking for?

“Let us have a very honest, unemotional conversation without looking down on people or insulting them or framing them.”

The draft bill was submitted to the Federal Government in January 2018 by the El-Rufai-led committee.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1606312446/northerners-against-restructuring-not-speaking-for-north

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has said the country’s economy is doing well compared to the economies of South Africa, Russia and other countries in recession.

The minister added that the recession is unavoidable due to the global collapse in oil prices aroused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The economy declined again in the third quarter of this year due to the rising debt profile, inflation and unemployment in Nigeria.

According to the data obtained from the World Bank, 2020 recession is the worst in 36 years showing that the country’s Gross Domestic Product dropped by 10.92 per cent in 1983 and 1.2 per cent in 1984.

In the 2020 report of the National Bureau of Statistics, on Saturday, the GDP, the broadest measure of economic prosperity, fell by 3.62 per cent in the three months up till September.

Lai while speaking on the report said the government is optimistic that with its arbitration measures, the recession will be short-lived.

He said, “It is true we are in a recession. Recession comes when a country records two consecutive quarters of negative growths. But we must go beyond that to understand that despite that, our economy is still very well in circumstances.

“The main reason why we have entered into this recession is the oil sector. The oil sector recorded -13.89% and that is the worst in 14 quarters. Of course, it is easy to understand why; with the pandemic, there is low demand for oil…but when you look at the non-oil sector which is about -2.51 % in Q3, it is far better than what it was in the Q2.

“Overall, yes, we are in a recession and it is inevitable but while our Q2 result was -6.1%, South Africa was -50% and as we speak today, Finland, Hungary, Spain, Mexico, Russia, Romania, Belgium, Austria have all fallen into recession.

“But we are very confident that with the intervention policies, with the fiscal and monetary interventions the government has put in place, the recession will be short-lived.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1606315777/covid-recession-unavoidable-lai-mohammed

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Yekini Nabena, on Tuesday said the party is not anxious about presidency 2023.

Nabena made the statement when asked if the party agreed on zoning before the 2015 elections.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, in his statement revealed that there was a gentleman agreement on zoning, adding that it is befitting for parties who agreed to the zoning.

He said this during an interview with journalists at the ministry headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

Fashola said, “First let’s talk about law. Let’s talk about agreements.The law is the constitution. The constitution decides the age which you can contest certain offices and there is nothing in the constitution that says zoning. All are political parties are clubs where you write agreements just like a social club and we can decide that it is the youngest person who will be the chairman of the club or we can decide that it is the oldest person or the next female or the next male, that is the matter of agreement between people.

“But the constitution that sets up the climate of political parties’ formation does not prescribe zoning. The truth is that what makes an agreement special is the honour in which it is made not whether it is written. If it was written there would be no court cases on a breach of contract because it’s a document that is written and signed that go to court. But the private agreement you make with your brother and sister cannot be breached. It must be honoured.

He further explained that the ruling party is committed to enhance good governance and make an impact citizen’s lives positively.

He said, “I belong to a party, APC and it is committed to good governance because I think the best politics is good governance. The beauty of it for me is the opportunity it gives to impact people’s lives. We have elections only once in four years but we have responsibility to provide good governance every day and that’s the culture.”

On Monday, the Director-General of the Progressives Governor Forum, Dr. Salihu Lukman, maintained that the party’s presidential ticket would be open to all members to compete in 2023.

Lukman however dismissed controversial opinions that the party had agreed on a zoning arrangement.

He said, “The level playing field in the APC has been well conceived, nurtured, and now gaining more traction by the day. For instance, everybody could see that the place is open whether you call it with reference to 2023 or reference to any election. It’s about the fact that the spirit of political contest in the party is now very high. It means that if you want to negotiate, as a good negotiator if you want to canvass, as a good canvasser for a specific interest, the party is up to you.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1606290689/apc-zoning-gentleman-agreement-fashola

The Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal on Monday, said the attempts to restructure Nigeria may not be successful without the involvement of the National Assembly

Tambuwal who is also the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum stated this during the plenary session of the 26th Nigerian Economic Summit themed, ‘Building partnerships for resilience,’ in Abuja.

The Chairman said Nigeria must avoid making another mistake made in 2015 when a powerful effort to amend the constitution by the House of Representatives was rejected at the dying minute.

This was held in a statement by the governor’s Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Abubakar Shekara.

According to the statement, Tambuwal discovered that the constitutional conferences advocated by President Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan failed because their intention was not translated into legislation.

Tambuwal who was Speaker of the House of Representatives, during the attempt to amend the constitution in 2015, said, “As it were at the moment, whatever you are going to do about the constitution, has been prescribed by the constitution, how you are going to do it.”

He further said, “So, you cannot go outside of the constitution to amend the constitution, so we better came to terms with this realisation and agree to come together and agree on how best we can work together to achieve what the nation desires.”

The Sokoto Governor spoke alongside Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Funke Opeke; Chief Executive Officer, MainOne and Chidi Ajaere; CEO, The GIG Group in Abuja.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1606213745/national-assembly-needed-for-successful-restructuring-tambuwal

The Ministry of Works and Housing has said no money was missing under the minister, Babatunde Fashola, supervision.

The money was alleged to have been missing between September and December in 2019.

Fashola denied the allegations that he supervised the illegal payment of N4.6bn into private accounts when he served as Minister of Power, Works and Housing.

According to a report, it stated that Fashola’s ministry paid over N4.6bn into personal accounts of directors and staff in four months in which it violates the existing law.

It maintained that the N4.6bn was illegally paid into the private accounts of some directors and employees of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.

Contrary to the report, the former governor said, “In all, no money was stolen or is missing. There is no smoking gun to criminalise Fashola.”

The reaction was personally signed by the minister in Abuja on Monday, explained that the Federal Government in 2007 initiated a payment platform, the IPPIS.

He maintained that the current administration had been engaging all sectors of government to fully defect to the IPPIS platform.

Fashola said, “What has happened is that not all government officials who, from time to time, needed to be paid for approved expenses were registered on the platform.

“In order to ensure that government work was not hampered, the directors of finance and accounts sought and obtained approval of the accountant-general to pay these monies through the accounts of an approved few who were on the platform.”

He added, “Those so approved then collect the money and disburse to the beneficiaries who sign receipts all of which are retired and available for verification as approved by the accountant-general.”

Fashola however accredited the controversy over the payment of N4.6bn to some directors to challenges arising from the use of government payment platform, the Integrated Personnel Payment and Information System.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1606209334/6bn-payments-money-was-stolen-missing-fashola

Nigerians have been cautioned by the Peoples Democratic Party against the pranks of the All Progressives Congress.

The PDP added that the APC has failed in the nation’s governance and affairs management.

They questioned the APC governors Friday’s visit to the residence of ex- President Goodluck Jonathan, in Abuja noting that the visit was a testimony and confession that Nigeria was well managed under a PDP-led administration.

The statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan was titled, ‘APC Governors’ Visit To Jonathan Affirms Nigeria is Better With PDP,’ in Abuja on Sunday.

Ologbondiyan said, “The PDP therefore receives the visit by APC governors as an apology by the APC to our party and Nigerians over the lies, beguilements and other irresponsible allegations deployed by the APC to grab power, only to lead our nation on a journey to nowhere.

“We therefore caution Nigerians to be watchful of the antics of the APC that have failed in governance and the management of its own affairs.”

On Friday, recall that the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, led APC chieftains, including its governors on a visit to Jonathan’s Abuja residence, to celebrate with him on his 63rd birthday.

The PDP statement read in part, “The visit, which is a clear endorsement of the acceptability of the PDP administration, also indicates that the APC, in 2015, only created artificial symbols of misgovernance, corruption and other alleged misgivings just to discredit our party and grab the levers of power to achieve their selfish desires.”

In response to the opposition party, the APC in a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, titled, “Why Is PDP Rattled By APC Governors’ Visit To Jonathan?,” said, the PDP was obviously disturbed and confused by the courtesy visit.

He said, “At a time when the PDP and its leadership are grappling with a crisis of confidence, one would expect the failed opposition to focus on picking itself up. As a party for all progressives, the APC on its part will continue to consolidate its national appeal and acceptance.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1606139868/visit-jonathan-beware-apc-pdp-alert-nigerians

On Sunday, Economic experts and groups advised the Nigerian government to lessen the cost of governance and increase production.

The experts; a professor of political economy and management expert, Pat Utomi, the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Obadiah Mailafia, said this while commenting on Nigeria’s recent economic recession.

They asked the federal government to cut tax for the poor and modify the economy, adding that the government must earn the trust of its citizens in modifying the economy.

On Saturday, despite the rising debt profile, inflation and unemployment in Nigeria, the nation entered its second recession in five years as official statistics showed that the economy diminished again in the third quarter of this year.

According to the World Bank, 2020 recession is the worst in 36 years as the data specified that the country’s Gross Domestic Product dropped by 10.92 per cent in 1983 and 1.2 per cent in 1984.

Also, in the report of the National Bureau of Statistics for third quarter of 2020, it said the GDP, the broadest measure of economic prosperity, fell by 3.62 per cent in the three months up till September.

Pat Utomi said government must match its words with its action.

He said, “The starting point of any policy initiative is rebuilding trust of the people. The cost of governance in Nigeria has been growing for years. It got worst recently.

“Secondly, it is important that Nigeria moves from consumption to production. Part of the problems in Nigeria is that we are oriented to consuming what we do not produce. Nigeria’s economy does not produce. Public policies are geared towards sharing revenue than production.

“The fact that the environment for production is made hostile by government policies and weaker institutions has not made it any easier. We have to do everything to avoid going the way of Venezuela (which is currently experiencing total economic collapse and hyperinflation).

“We need people who are champions of production to be inspired and encouraged.”

He however, advised the government to invest in youths and stop funding old business leaders.

In order for the government to save the country from its recession and future economic turmoil, the President of the ACCI, Adetokunbo Kayode, said the government must take intelligent decisions.

Kayode also informed the government to take practical steps to diversify the economy and stop crude oil dependence and focus.

He said, “Nigeria will come out of this recession but the unfortunate thing is that we will go back into it again. So, it is an in-and-out thing unless we learn lessons. We have to learn serious economic lessons and take some decisions.

“One, we must diversify the economy. The government has been saying that it wants to do it, but it is just on paper. And it is simple to do this; you must produce what you need.

“This is so that you can reduce your imports. Government should develop industrial parks in partnership with private sector players. Government seems not to have learnt its lesson from the recent #EndSARS protest.

“We have too many people on the streets and the street is more powerful than the office. The guys in office started the #EndSARS but they were over-powered by street boys.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1606134507/current-recession-lessen-governance-cost-experts-advises

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria has warned the Federal Government against victimising Nigerians youths who participated in the #EndSARS protests.

The National President of PFN, Rev. Felix Omobude, said this in a statement on Thursday titled, ‘Stop the harrassment of promoters of #EndSARS.’

He said, “The PFN is particularly disturbed at reports of harassment of the #EndSARS promoters. We condemn the freezing of bank accounts of people linked with the protests. While the PFN recognises the right of the CBN to oversight functions on movement of funds within the banking system, it is important that they do not go overboard or create the impression that they are acting in furtherance of a different agenda.

“The PFN calls on the Federal Government to be sincere in its approach to the crisis and adopt a more conciliatory style rather than confrontation in dealing with the promoters of the #EndSARS protests. While the PFN will not support any act of criminality, it is of the view that given the range of issues thrown up by the protests, what is required in its resolution is more of tact and wisdom.”

The PFN however called for peace to allow the government rebuild trust, restore confidence and implement the promises made.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1605876783/freezing-accounts-don-victimise-endsars-promoters-pfn