President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has said corruption is present at many levels of government and everywhere describing it as ‘sad reality confronting us (the country)’.

The president said this through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, while receiving the report of the Justice Ayo Salami (retd.)-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the Investigation of the suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu.

The statement titled “President Buhari: I want Nigeria to be counted among countries that do not tolerate but fight corruption”.

Buhari said, “The sad reality confronting us as a people is that there is corruption almost everywhere; at many levels of government, and nearly every stratum of our society. Mindful of the threat that corruption poses to us as a nation, this administration has specifically focused on the fight against corruption.

“As a government, and in furtherance of our anti-corruption programme, we have since inception engaged in many reforms in removing corruption including but not limited to the enforcement of Treasury Single Account, strict implementation of the Bank Verification Number Policy and signing unto the Open Government Partnership. A lot of efforts have gone into building and development of our anti-corruption institutions.

“We have so far kept faith with our promise and shall remain committed until Nigeria triumphs over the evil of corruption, attain a prosperous economic status, and surmounts her security challenges.

“However, the stark reality of widespread corruption becomes poignant when allegations of corruption touch on the leadership of an institution set up by law to coordinate and enforce all economic and financial crimes. It is an abomination that strikes at the root and undermines the Government’s anti-corruption programme.

“It was in response to the serious allegations against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that I set up a Panel headed by the Honourable Justice Isa Ayo Salami, retired President of the Court of Appeal, via an Instrument dated 3rd July 2020 pursuant to the Tribunals of Inquiry Act (Cap T21, LFN, 2004).

“We recognise that there are more grounds to cover in the war against corruption, and we are prepared to go out to possess those lands by cutting off any stream that nourishes the seed of corruption and supports its growth.

“Let it be known that in the fight against corruption, no one is too big to tackle, as no individual is bigger than the Nigerian State!”

The President added that his desire is to make Nigeria a country that has no tolerance for corruption and one where the menace is vigorously battled.

“Corruption is present in all countries. Some governments treat it with levity. Some fight it all the time. I want Nigeria to be counted among those countries that do not tolerate but fight corruption,” he said.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1605877694/saddened-corruption-present-many-levels-government-buhari

Reaction pile up as the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, defeated to All Progressives Congress.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, while reacting to it also, said the governor had left the Peoples Democratic Party long ago.

The stakeholder of the PDP in Ekiti State and the South-West region disclosed this in a tweet on Wednesday.

Fayose wrote, “Gov Umahi defected to APC long ago before this unjustifiable move, which clearly has nothing to do with the interest of the Igbo nation.

“This is a reflection of the type of leadership our country parades.

“Though his action dampens hope for liberation, but I’m sure Nigerians will laugh last because sometimes, it will appear to have gotten so bad before it will begin to get better.”

Umahi, had claimed that his decision was because of the “injustice” apportioned to the South-East region by the party, adding that the APC was the only one to protect the interest of the region in the 2023 presidential election.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1605786900/cross-carpeting-umahi-left-pdp-long-ago

Ebonyi Federal lawmakers have disowned the governor of the state, David Umahi over his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

The leader of the Ebonyi State PDP caucus in the National Assembly, Senator Sam Egwu, presented the position on Wednesday during a press conference, in Abuja.

Egwu said, “For the sake of clarity, we wish to state that not a single member of the Ebonyi State PDP caucus of the National Assembly is defecting to the APC.

“The three distinguished senators and five House of Representatives members remain proud card-carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party, the platform under which we contested and won elections in 2019.

“The major reason given by Umahi for defecting from the PDP to the APC is now in the public domain which is that the PDP has not been fair to the People of the South East on the issue of zoning the Presidency and vice Presidency.

“While we support that it is the turn of the South East to fly the Presidential flag, of any of the major political parties come 2023, yet, we consider it impolitic, indecent and unwise to give ultimatums and conditionalities in a bid to secure zoning.

“Indeed, if there is any Ebonyi person who should remain eternally grateful to the PDP, that individual ought to be Governor David Umahi.”

Reacting to the cross carpeting, the lawmakers described Umahi as an ingrate explaining that he was given the opportunity to serve as state party chairman, deputy governor and elected twice as governor all under the PDP.

Egwu said, “As Governor, his two younger brothers were elected to principal offices of the PDP; one (Mr. Austine Umahi) as the National Vice Chairman (South East) and another (Mr. Maxwell Umahi) as the Deputy State Chairman of the PDP.

“As democrats, we concede Chief Umahi’s right to join any political association of his choice. However, as federal lawmakers we are not unaware of the Supreme Court decision that candidates are products of political parties.

“What it means is that political office holders are not at liberty to migrate from one political platform to another, particularly when there is no division in their party.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1605785627/umahi-ingrate-ebonyi-lawmakers

The PDP governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike has said another governor from the party is set to join Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State Governor in the All Progressives Congress.

Wike on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme on Wednesday said Umahi had always been disloyal to the PDP.

He said, “I can tell you there is one PDP governor that will leave. He is not leaving because of anything but he will come up with an excuse.

“The point is that these are the people who have been playing anti-party, who have been romancing with the APC in the night and coming to the PDP in the daytime. My problem with our party is that when you speak the truth, they will want to crucify you. I have raised this issue several times.”

Wike who refused to reveal the identity of the PDP governor planning to defect, said, “I won’t tell you that. But you journalists know.”

He added, “All of us are aware that Governor Umahi has been romancing with APC for long. We had a virtual meeting of PDP governors. I have never seen that in my life.

“Governor Umahi in that meeting, to the surprise of many governors, said ‘there is nothing anybody can do to stop me’. I promised President Buhari I would give him 35 per cent votes’.

“I never knew that people never voted in Ebonyi; that votes were allocated and Governor Umahi determined who gets what percentage.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1605777289/another-pdp-governor-set-join-apc-wike

The former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha has told his successor, Governor Hope Uzodinma to fight him alone not the people.

Okorocha was reacting to the demolition of the Somtochukwu Hospital, built during his regime as the governor of the State.

Okorocha, who now represents Imo West Senatorial District, in the Senate, said, “A fight against Rochas Okorocha must be separated with that of Imo state asset.

“My key projects are left to rot in Imo. My heart bleeds over the present demolition of Somto Hospital. Fight me alone don’t fight the people of Imo state. Why do you fight the properties of the Imo state government?”

The Secretary of the Imo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Ray Emeana, however accused Okorocha of the same crime he was accusing his successor of.

Emeana accused Okorocha of destroying the long existing Eke Ukwu Owerri market during his time in office.

He said, “Imo is very unlucky. It is only God that will forgive us. Since Dee Sam Mbakwe’s government in this state, the next governor that has meant well for the state was Emeka Ihedioha. After him, it was all very selfish governments. I support the aforesaid because Okorocha had destroyed the market where the poor in the society sustained their lives from.

“The same APC that demolished the market is the same party that is demolishing the structure now. This is not what Imo people need as at now, where workers have not been paid their salaries, pensions hanging and hunger ravaging the entire society”.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1605695786/hospital-demolition-fight-not-imo-people-okorocha

The Ebonyi State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Chika Nwoba, has on Monday quit his secretarial job.

He also disclosed that he is also leaving the APC because “I cannot work with Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi.”

Nwoba, however in a statement expressed his gratitude to the APC for electing him to the position in 2018, at the age of 27.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Ebonyi State chapter of the Action Peoples Party, Chinedum Elekwachi, dumped the party to join the Peoples Democratic Party.

Elekwachi disclosed the development in Abakaliki, on Tuesday.

He said the decision was taken after consultations with his family, friends, associates and political mentors.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1605687867/can-work-with-umahi-ebonyi-apc-spokesman

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has alleged that David Umahi of Ebonyi State dumped the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress in order to become the president.

Umahi on Tuesday has said the decision was made because the APC is more responsive when it comes to working in the interest of the South East zone

During a media briefing in Abakaliki, Umahi attributed his leaving to the injustice apportioned to the people of the South East despite being loyal.

In reaction to this, his Rivers State counterpart through his Special Assistant (Media), Kelvin Ebiri, on Monday, said Umahi’s claim on injustice was insulting to the South-East.

Wike noted that Umahi’s cross carpeting was not a surprise to obligated PDP members because the Ebonyi State governor had been associating with the ruling party over time.

Wike said, “My friend, Umahi wants to be president. There is no problem about that. You have a right to be president. Nobody can stop you. You are educated. You have been a governor for two terms, so you are qualified to say I want to be president of Nigeria.

“My reaction to Governor Umahi’s defection is not that he has no right to defect, but to say he is defecting because of injustice meted to the South-East that is insulting to the South-East.”

Wike however, informed his friend to revoke his false claims against the PDP.

Wike disclosed that over the years under the PDP, the South-East had produced Senate Presidents; National Vice Chairman of the PDP and Secretary to the Federal Government.

Meanwhile Umahi dismissed Wike’s claim that he was dumping the PDP to pursue a presidential bid.

Umahi said “I have been a successful governor for two terms and a successful business man in business, where I also have a calling.

“I am not driven by selfish interests but because we need to protest against marginalisation. We have benefited more from the APC government. I didn’t start this protest today. I have no regrets. In life, you have to be courageous.

“The South-East has remained faithful to PDP, voted for its candidates yet had not been considered fairly in Nigerian polity. The APC is amenable working for the South-East zone than the PDP.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1605687106/cross-carpeting-umahi-wants-become-president-wike

A security consultant, Jackson Ojo, during an interview in Abuja said Nigeria will find it difficult to manage recommenced malice in the Niger Delta region due to the unsteady economic and insecurity the country is facing.

The All Progressives Congress chieftain said this in reaction to the Niger Delta avengers’ threats if the NDDC is allow to defend its 2021 budget before the National Assembly

Ojo, who is also a certified member of the International Security Association of Switzerland, expressed his disappointment that their associates has cheated the Niger Delta people of the benefits despite the billions of Naira being released for various forms of intervention in the Niger Delta.

He urged that the agitators’ threat should be taken desperately and attempts should be made to sort out any issues to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

Ojo said, “If the people listened to them and there is no budget for year 2021 that will be 24 months of no budget in Niger Delta and at the end of the day if the people of that place start agitating; we will have a problem in our hands.

“Two days of the Avengers coming out in the Niger Delta, Nigeria will feel it more than two months of what we see in Lagos recently during the #EndSARS protests.

“We all know that NDDC was created some years back although it sprung up from OMPADEC. It is just because of the agitation of the people of Niger Delta to give an upliftment to the development of the Niger Delta region being the region in Nigeria that produces the oil that forms almost 80 per cent of our revenue.

“But when you look at the region today, it is nothing to write home about.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1605612081/niger-delta-threats-nigeria-will-feel-avengers

After the Federal Government clampdown on the #EndSARS protesters by freezing the promoter's account, Buba Galadima, an associate of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and member of the Board of Trustees of the All Progressives Congress then urged the president to unfreeze the bearer's account.

Galadima while featuring on Arise TV’s The Morning Show programme asked Buhari to order “his people” to defreeze the bank accounts as he described the action as unconstitutional.

He said, “What the government has done is not right. It has no such right or powers to block bonafide Nigerians from travelling out of the country or from accessing their (bank) accounts. Blocked for what? What have they done?

“These young men were peacefully protesting the actions, omissions or commissions of government. Why do you, after you persuaded them or after agents of government allegedly attacked or killed them, follow this draconian disposition of blocking their accounts? That is not constitutional.

“I’m sending this message to Mr President whether he knows or he doesn’t know, let him be shown what I am saying. His people have no right to do what they are doing. Please, they should desist and unblock the accounts of these young people and allow them to carry on with their normal activities as Nigerians. You cannot harass them, we are in a democracy, we are not in a military regime.”

Last week, the Central Bank of Nigeria proceeded to a court to obtain an ex-parte order to freeze the accounts of 19 persons and a firm who promoted the #EndSARS protests and accusing them of having possible links to terrorist activities, in which the protesters have denied.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1605542875/endsars-unfreeze-protesters-accounts-galadima-tells-buhari

The ruling All Progressives Congress has begun persuasion on more South-East governors to join the party and dump the major opposition party, The Peoples Democratic Party.

This follows the recent cross carpeting of the Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, from the region to the APC.

Mai Mala Buni, the APC Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee led by the Yobe State Governor, addressed the APC leaders in the South-East to extend their persuasion to more governors and National Assembly members in the region.

It could be gathered that those who are being targeted most by the party leaders were the Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and Anambra State Governor, Willy Obiano .

The PDP, whose members were targeted, said it was not disturbed by the APC’s advances, but hurricane of decamping would hit the APC soon.

The opposition party stand its ground that the constitution guaranteed freedom of association.

It also noted that it had not reached a time when zoning of the presidency and other political offices would be decided.

On Monday, an excellent member of the APC said, “Apart from Umahi, who is coming in a matter of days, we are preparing to receive more governors from the South-East. Our people are discussing with more governors from the South-East.

“For now, we are reaching out to the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, and the Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, as well as their Enugu State counterpart, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Our leaders in the South-East, including Hope Uzodimma, Uzor Kalu and Rochas Okorocha, are also talking to people in the zone.

“Apart from the governors, we are also expecting members of the state and National Assemblies to also come on board.”

Last week Umahi, at a meeting with the PDP National Working Committee in Abuja told the party leaders that he could remain in the party with the condition that the 2023 presidential ticket was zoned to the South-East, but the party leaders could not agree to.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1605599571/umahi-defection-apc-begins-persuasion-ugwuanyi-ikpeazu

After the concluded governorship election in Ondo State, the Campaign Organisation of Eyitayo Jegede Campaign has raised alarm alleging threat to the life of the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate.

According to a statement by a leader of the campaign organisation, Mr Gbenga Akinmoyo, on Sunday, said some people were threatened by Jegede’s petition at the tribunal.

The statement reads, “Information at the disposal of Eyitayo Jegede Campaign Organisation is that there is security threat to the candidate of the PDP in the election of 10th October 2020, especially in relation to the petition which he lodged against the APC at the election tribunal.

“Sources confirmed that various meetings have been held at very high quarters by those who feel threatened by the step taken by the candidate.

“We use this opportunity to notify the security agencies of this threat and/or likely breach of security around our candidate, we believe the security agencies will rise up to the occasion and take the threat seriously.”

Jegede lost the election to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu in the October 10, 2020 election but has challenged the result of the election at the Election Petition Tribunal.

https://nairapark.com/news/1605531911/ondo-election-campaign-organisation-alleges-threat-jegede

Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili has during a launch of #FixPolitics revealed that to achieve good governance in Nigeria, there must be a communal attempt of the citizens.

Ezekwesili, who is a former Vice President of the World Bank, on Thursday noted that the troubles and problems in Nigeria politics should be rectified through citizen awareness and active political participation.

She stressed that Nigerian politics was not implementing the conditions of a democratic system, which is to be practiced in the Nation-state and as expected, provide good governance for the citizens.

The ex-vice president revealed this in a statement titled, “Ezekwesili presents research findings on fixing Nigeria’s politics…As former Mexican president, others push for political reforms,” signed by Ehime Alex.

Ezekwesili while dispensing findings from her fellowship research, she said, “It is the collective effort of citizens that can change the quality of the political class and compel the kind of constitutional and electoral changes required to achieve good governance.”

The #FixPolitics was sketched to explain how to fix politics in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general and to appreciate the interconnection between politics and economic performance in a democratic society motivated Richard von Weizacker fellowship and research study at the Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin, Germany.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1605279964/good-governance-active-political-participation-needed-nigeria

On Wednesday, the Nigerian Army engaged 400 members of the Civilian Joint Task Force in Borno State in order to fight war against the Boko Haram insurgency which has been in existence in Nigeria for over a decade ago.

The Governor of the State, Babagana Zulum, which authorized the CJTF members which involved hunters, said the recruitment is the first batch into the Army

Zulum, during the commissioning in attendance with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the other task members will be joining the Army soon.

But the recruitment was greeted with support and against by various groups and eminent socio-cultural groups in Nigeria.

Though the Arewa Consultative Forum is in support of the move, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, the Middle Belt Forum and the Pan Niger Delta Forum are against it contending that the recruitment faced a particular region in the country.

Afenifere, in its reaction through its National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin, described the recruitment as a ‘regionalisation of the Army’.

Odumakin said, “There is no other name to call this than regionalisation of the Army for a section of the country without necessarily saying so. The rest of the country is not daft about what is going on. There is no way you can build confidence in national institutions when you continue to paint them in sectional colours. And these are the same people, who said the South-West could not do Amotekun a few months ago.

“Borno is afflicted with crisis the way other sections are and we cannot turn our supposed national Army into the outfit of a section of it in addition to the sectionalism and parochialism of this regime in the last five years,” he noted.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in its own argument insisted that the commissioning violated the national appointments in the federal character principle, adding that the Army’s action revealed that the defense system in the country had crumbled.

The President-General of the group, Chief Nnia Nwodo, stated this through his Media Adviser, Chief Emeka Attamah.

He was quoted as condemning the move, warning it would have a negative implication.

Attamah said, “It is a clear vindication of those, who hold the view that a situation where civilians are now conscripted into the Army to fight Boko Haram is a big shame to Nigeria.

“It runs against the spirit of the federal character principle, which ensures equity in national employment. Can this be replicated in other parts of the country?

“Who has guaranteed the integrity of the people absorbed into the Army? Who is sure they are not even sympathetic to the Boko Haram cause?”

The Middle Belt Forum also condemned the commissioning of the JTF members into the Army.

The forum through its National President, Dr Bitrus Porgu, stated that the Nigerian Army invalidated the principle of Nigerian federalism.

Porgu said, “We are not objecting to the absorption of the CJTF members into the military for assisting them in the fight against insurgency.

“However, there should be equity in everything we do as a country, because we are a federation and are not supposed to do things haphazardly. So, if the Nigerian Army wants to recruit CJTF members into its fold, it should also bring in similar outfits in other parts of the country, so that there will be equity in representation in the Army.

“This is important because we have them all over the country, who are also sacrificing their lives to help in securing the country and working hard on their own volition without receiving salaries. Why single out an outfit in a region for recruitment?”

Porgu however sustained that the involvement of the avengers in the Nigerian Army should be outstretched to other para-military force and the Police force, adding that the State Police establishment is advantageous to the security challenges in Nigeria.

According to report, the CJTF emerged in 2013 to support the security forces in the fight against Boko Haram and to protect local communities from attacks by insurgents and was formalised by the Borno State Government through a collaboration with the military and in order to be motivated, the CJTF members were recruited, trained, kitted, deployed and paid monthly allowances.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1605274814/ohanaeze-afenifere-others-disagree-over-jtf-recruitment

A former Governor of the old Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, has commiserated with the family of the first Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, who died early hours of Wednesday at age 84.

The first impeached governor was said to have died of a heart attack in Kaduna and buried at the Ungwan Sarki Cemetery around 5pm.

The funeral prayer according to Islamic rites was held at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Ungwan Sarki, in the Kaduna North Local Government Area of the state.

Ezeife, in his statement, he said, “My brother, Balarabe Musa, was one of the very few Nigerian politicians of truth and progressivism. His promotion to glory is for his blessed soul to rest in perfect peace. He retained good conscience in a nation where conscience is so dead that comprehensive corruption has taken over.

“Almighty God will resurrect conscience in Nigeria, which must bounce back to raise the respect and dignity of all blacks on earth as it appears God designed it, instead of what we do at present: generating shame to the faces of all blacks.

“My brother, Musa, go in peace. Nigerians and the world know that you passed through here.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1605179336/balarabe-musa-ezeife-mourns-first-executive-governor

[img]https://live.mrf.io/statics/i/ps/cdn.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/14232202/Balarabe-Musa.jpg?mrf-size=m[/img]

A former Governor of the old Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, has commiserated with the family of the first Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, who died early hours of Wednesday at age 84.

The first impeached governor was said to have died of a heart attack in Kaduna and buried at the Ungwan Sarki Cemetery around 5pm.

The funeral prayer according to Islamic rites was held at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Ungwan Sarki, in the Kaduna North Local Government Area of the state.

Ezeife, in his statement, he said, “My brother, Balarabe Musa, was one of the very few Nigerian politicians of truth and progressivism. His promotion to glory is for his blessed soul to rest in perfect peace. He retained good conscience in a nation where conscience is so dead that comprehensive corruption has taken over.

“Almighty God will resurrect conscience in Nigeria, which must bounce back to raise the respect and dignity of all blacks on earth as it appears God designed it, instead of what we do at present: generating shame to the faces of all blacks.

“My brother, Musa, go in peace. Nigerians and the world know that you passed through here.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1605179336/balarabe-musa-ezeife-mourns-first-executive-governor

[img]https://live.mrf.io/statics/i/ps/cdn.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/14232202/Balarabe-Musa.jpg?mrf-size=m[/img]

The Peoples Democratic Party leaders have been informed that one of its member will be leaving the party to join the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The cross carpeting member, who is the Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, said his decision is for the South-East interest in the coming 2023 elections.

Umahi, informing the members of the National Working Committee of the PDP of its decision, that joining the APC was irreversible.

According to report, the committee, led by its National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus tried convincing the Governor but went void.

In the meeting with Umahi were the National Chairman, Deputy National Secretary, Agbo Emmanuel; National Organising Secretary, Austin Akobondu; Financial Secretary, Abdullahi Maibasira; National Women Leader, Mariya Waziri and Senator Sulieman Nazif.

Umahi received the delegates at the Ebonyi Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, in which the PDP delegation urged the governor against leaving the party but was unconvinced.

According to a source, he said, “I think his (governor’s) mind was made up. We told him there was no need for him to abandon the party that had made him a deputy governor, state chairman of the party, two-time governor and all that. But he refused.

“He wanted us to unilaterally zone the office of the Presidency to his area. We cannot do that. Parties are not run that way. He told us he was leaving. That is what we got from him.’’

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1605086066/cross-carpeting-gov-umahi-sets-leave-pdp

The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has said the freezing of #EndSARS promoters’ accounts was discussed during the meeting of South-West governors and traditional rulers on Sunday due to the violence that emerged from the #EndSARS protests that went bloody and agreed to take the action.

Akeredolu then informed the account owners the transaction was suspicious and the federal government can’t keep mum on the matter adding that freezing of owners account isn’t the first of its kind.

Akeredolu, who is the Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, then told the promoters to challenge the action in court and they should justify that the fund was from a legalized source.

The Governor said, “The issue of the accounts that were frozen was discussed but nobody said in the communique that we appreciated the government for freezing the accounts.

“We know that there are ways to get a few things done without putting it in the public glare and start contestation on the pages of newspapers. So, we know what we decided and we know what we want to do about that.

“The issue, when it was raised, generated debate. But it was so clear that some people were getting to fund this for reasons other than #EndSARS. So, if we know money moved from some accounts that were suspicious, do you say the government should keep quiet? It is something we are looking into.”

Akeredolu explained that when Nigerian politicians’ accounts are frozen they also visit the court to justify themselves and the court will order the account to be de-frozen.

He said, “If I were counsel to those people, I will not advise them not to appear at that panel.

“Accounts are frozen, is that the first time it is done? If your account was frozen, you justify why the money was there. You explain what use you have used the money. If it is, okay, we paid this caterer to give food to these boys when they were there. We spent money before the hoodlums took over, it will be explained, people will know and the accounts will be de-frozen.

“If for instance, my account was frozen, all I will do is to go to court and explain. Politicians’ accounts have been frozen and all they do is to go to court to explain and the court will say, leave the accounts and the accounts will be de-frozen and they get their money.”

Akeredolu however urged the youth in the Lagos State Panel of Judiciary Inquiry investigating cases of police brutality and the Lekki shootings to resume.

About 20 persons account was frozen by the CBN making an accusation that it suspected the fund was for terrorists activities.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1605097547/frozen-account-endsars-promoters-should-justify-themselves

Controversial Catholic priest and the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, at the 2020 All Saints Day Holy Mass themed, ‘Impure Heart’ explained that the #EndSARS protesters are not fighting the government but against bad governance in the Country.

He said, “This is not about #EndSARS or IPOB. Nobody is fighting any government; we are fighting bad governance.”

Accusing the Military personnel of killing and dumping of the protesters corpses into the Onyeama valleys in Enugu State, urged the Nigerian President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to apologise to the youths for the agony.

The priest explained, “Few days ago, at Miliken Hill, after New Market, (in Enugu), people discovered corpses of those that were shot and killed during the recent protest. They dumped people’s corpses there while families of those young men and women continued searching for them.”

Mbaka said the youths couldn’t watch the corrupt leaders exploit them again, as he noted that, “That is why I am telling you that Nigeria can never be the same again. Did you expect these young men to keep watching the country being swindled and looted dry by the so-called leaders?”

As in the theme title ‘Impure Heart’, Mbaka gives it that pure heart begets pure spirit while impure heart begets evil spirit. In reference to this, he said, “Buhari, who could have been a solution to this, succeeded in encircling himself with criminals and hooligans. People, who do not just tell him lies but rather, they magnify lies; lies with NAFDAC number – and feed him.”

Mbaka however, warned against the extrajudicial killing of pro-Biafra revolutionary warning, “They should not touch any of those Biafra boys o!”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1604399421/endsars-protest-buhari-people-lies-with-nafdac

Following an activist, Aisha Yesufu,role in the suspended #EndSARS protests which rock different parts of the Nation for days, she said she has been informed that people curse her at mosques.

Yesufu then asked those cursing her why they had not done so when she was protesting against the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

She tweeted, “I heard I am being cursed in mosques! People finish praying and take time out to curse me in their prayers. I have asked that they should please let me know how many of these curses they rained on me when I was making the same demands during GEJ! We are all already cursed in Nigeria. Rolling on the floor laughing"

Yesufu, who is also the co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls group, was one of the driving forces of the #EndSARS movement with the iconic photo of her in a flowing hijab with her raised clenched fist going viral on social media.

But her role in the protests, made several northern elements, including an actor, threatened to harm her.

Kannywood stars, Zahradeen Sani and Zainab Abdullahi, also had called on northerners to attack the activist over her role in the protest.

Yesufu responding, tweeted, “I am not known in the North but a northern actor and actress are taking time out to call for attack on me"

“Until Nigerians put sentiments aside and loudly demand #SecureNorth #EndInsecurity, Buhari wouldn’t, but I hear they said protest is not allowed in Islam. It seems the killings and an incompetent president and commander-in-chief doing nothing is allowed. What do I know?”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1604144100/endsars-was-told-people-curse-mosques-aisha

[img]https://live.mrf.io/statics/i/ps/cdn.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/12150107/pjimage-16.jpg?mrf-size=m[/img]

The Lagos and Ogun State Governments has been urged to repair the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

A former Lagos lawmaker, Ipoola Omisore, made the appeal to the State governments.

Omisore, who represented Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency II in Lagos State House of Assembly from 2015 to 2019, made the appeal on Friday.

He said, “We are aware it is a federal government project and even when I was in Lagos Assembly, I was on the issue for years, but the government refused to pay the contractors and for that reason, that road has been there"

"That road is a shame to Lagos and Ogun and to the federal government. It is already causing hardship and disturbing the commercial activities of both states"

“So, if the federal government is not ready, we want to appeal to both states to assist and do it and claim their money"

“I think it is needless waiting for the federal government on that road"

According to the Lawmaker, the state used to do certain roads belonging to the federal government and claim their money later.

“We have been waiting for the government for seven years on that road, nothing has been done"

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1604146359/lagos-abeokuta-lawmaker-urges-ogun-lagos-repair

[img]https://live.mrf.io/statics/i/ps/cdn.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/27022939/Sanwo-Olu-and-Dapo-Abiodun.jpg?mrf-size=m[/img]

The Federal Government has been defended that it would have shut down the social media during the #EndSARS protest but chose never to go ‘for that final option’.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare while defending the Nigerian Government, said the FG decided to follow the constitution and not to violate the freedom of speech constitution.

He said, “The talk around regulation, of course, we have a National Assembly, it will have to go through the normal process. We have a constitution, we have to make sure it does not violate certain provisions of the constitution that has to do with freedom of expression.

“There was no time the cyberspace was shut down, people were still able to connect themselves through the various social media platforms. And that shows a government that is committed to the rights of freedom and association of every citizen of this country.”

Addressing the issue of fake news in the country, the Sports Minister said the Government should curtail fake news to ‘make sure there is a level of control’ and its responsiblity, he said, “As a country, we must start to think of how to curtail fake news. There must be some level of responsibility and some level of punishment to those that create chaos out of mischief in our country.

“Where you have fake news destroying lives, the government has a responsibility to make sure that there is a level of control. It is not censorship but some level of control.”

Dare said the Federal Government, “Even during the #EndSARS protests, the country had an option (but) the country never went for that final option.”

The Youths Minister said the social media regulation should be implemented as seen in other countries, he said, “The fact that our youths used it to mobilise is commendable. But the talk about the regulation of the social media has been around for a while. We’ve seen other countries taking practical steps in that direction, this country has not done that.”

However, Dare added that the #EndSARS protest that went on for days revealed the hazard of fake news, he said;

“The protests brought home the dangers of fake news.”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1604311772/endsars-decided-not-shut-down-social-media

The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday, has said politicians must prioritise governance to benefit the people.

Obaseki, in Benin City, added that he was not in government to be famous or make money at the expense of ensuring development that would benefit the people.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Crusoe Osagie, the governor stated that there was the need for a mechanism to be put in place to ensure transparency in government.

“Only few persons in government are held accountable for their decisions in government"

“I am not in government to make money; I am not in government for fame. I am in government to serve. Our youths are the reasons why I am in government. If I cannot serve you, I will quit"

“The issues of better government, proper governance and transparency are what we are emphasising. When we have younger people who can use technology in government, we will have transparency and accountability, which informed my decision to have many younger people working in my government”

Obaseki called for a strong institution that would ensure law and order.

He said, “And that is why we have the security agencies. Our security arrangement in the country must reflect our federal system as I can’t be a governor of a state and not able to hire and fire my Commissioner of Police, but #ENDSARS protests have helped us start the process”

https://nairapark.com/news/1604052339/not-politics-for-money-obaseki

The Arewa Youth Consultative Movement and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Movement, has commended the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), for reappointing Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The two groups described Yakubu’s appointment as an opportunity for the INEC boss to prepare adequately in order to deliver credible general elections in 2023.

The Arewa Youth Consultative Movement commended Buhari in its statement titled, ‘Arewa Youth Consultative Movement Hails President Buhari over Reappointment of INEC Chairman’, signed by its President, Mallam Kabiru Yusuf.

The statement read in part, “In the last five years, there is no doubt that the quality of our elections has improved tremendously and this reappointment will only lead to a consolidation of the efforts thus far. The INEC Chairman will not have excuses to render to Nigerians if he fails to deliver credible polls in 2023”

The northern group, however, appealed to both local and international partners, donors and other stakeholders to assist in strengthening the electoral process to consolidate democracy.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth group, also in a statement titled. ‘Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Movement Lauds Mahmood Yakubu’s Reappointment’, signed by its President-General, Ochiagha Nnadi, noted that the INEC under Yakubu’s leadership had shown a level of improvement with the recent conduct of governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.

The statement read in part, “We, therefore, urge the chairman to begin in earnest to lay foundations for very credible, free and fair 2023 general elections”

https://nairapark.com/news/1604050100/inec-boss-reappointment-arewa-ohanaeze-youths-commends

The lawmaker representing Amuwo Odofin constituency 1 of Lagos State, Mojisola Alli-Macaulay, during a plenary at the Lagos State House of Assembly on the looting and pandemonium in the wake of the #EndSARS protest that was hijacked by hoodlums, said most Nigerian youths are high on drugs all the time.

Alli-Macaulay said, “The National Orientation Agency needs to get to work. We need to begin to orientate our young people. They need people who can talk to them from time to time. They are high on drugs all the time, most of them. They go to social media and so all sorts of things. I’m even scared to give my young children phones because I am scared of what they may see on social media. It is that bad”

Alli-Macaulay said unemployment should not be an excuse for looting, adding that unemployment was not exclusive to Nigeria.

She asked, “I schooled in the UK and I saw a lot of young people who were not employed but they didn’t become hoodlums. Why can’t we look inwards and look for solutions to our problems?”

The lawmaker further stated that an unemployed graduate could get a job in the informal sector instead of complaining about joblessness.

https://nairapark.com/news/1604058532/nigerian-youths-high-drugs-all-the-time

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has said Nigeria’s economy is too fragile for fresh COVID-19 lockdown, urging Nigerians to obey all protocols recommended by health authorities to curtail the spread of the lethal coronavirus.

The President, on Thursday via his verified Twitter handle, @MBuhari, said compliance with COVID-19 protocols by all Nigerians is crucial to avert a second wave of the pandemic in the country.

“Looking at the trends in other countries, we must do all we can to avert a second wave of COVID-19 in Nigeria"

“We must make sure that our cases, which have gone down, do not rise again. Our economy is too fragile to bear another round of lockdown”

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1603979930/fresh-lockdown-nigeria-economy-too-fragile-buhari

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Wednesday, has said the #Endsars protest has drawn the attention of leaders to the inadequacies in governance.

Ortom said this during the inauguration of a Steering Committee to organise a summit to chart the roadmap to address issues affecting young people in the state, in Makurdi.

He further explained that young people constitute a larger percentage of the Benue population and by implication, they deserve not only to be carried along, but also play active roles in government.

"The #EndSARS protests across the country had drawn the attention of leaders at all levels to inadequacies in governance and the need to correct them for a better and guaranteed future for the youths"

“You must dedicate yourselves to working to ensure that Benue youths take their rightful position in the social, political and economic spheres of life. I assure you that our government will give you every support and cooperation that you need to succeed in this very important assignment"

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1603982035/endsars-protest-eye-opener-for-leaders-ortom

The Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, has appealed to members of the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers to halt their planned attacks on oil facilities in the region.

He said going ahead with their threat would create economic setback for the country and cause additional environmental degradation in the area.

Omo-Agege’s appeal, according to a statement by his media office on Wednesday, came on the heels of recent threats by a coalition of nine militant groups in the Niger-Delta region.

The coalition had expressed its preparedness to resume hostilities by attacking oil and gas facilities if the Federal Government did not meet the demands of #EndSARS protesters across the country.

The militant groups under the aegis of the RNDA, had after an emergency meeting in Delta State last week, announced their preparedness to dump the ceasefire accord with the Federal Government and engage military forces.

Specifically, they threatened to resume attacks on some identified oil facilities in the region if nothing was done to redress the issues of poor welfare, armed oppression and inequality in the standard of living between the citizens and political elite.

However, Omo-Agege, according to the press statement, appealed to the youths to sheathe their swords when he met a delegation of Oil and Gas Host Communities of Nigeria, in Abuja.

The delegation was led by Chief Wellington Okrika.

He assured them that their demands would be tabled before the Presidency.

He said, “Whatever it is, we must maintain peace in the Niger Delta. I say this in view of the new agitations by the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers.

“We are just coming out of the #EndSARS protest which, of course, we all witnessed how a peaceful protest was hijacked by those with sinister agenda.

“We are all witnesses to what happened afterwards even when we must acknowledge that in a democracy, protest is a right provided those that do it do so peacefully without abridging the rights of others.”

He added, “We are here to champion their request. We don’t want the peace of the Niger Delta to be disturbed or disrupted. We are here to protect the interest of our people.

“I may be the Deputy President of the Senate today but, I am first of all, a Senator representing my people. I am here and I am your own. I am your eye. We shall not disappoint you.

“Take this commendation to our brothers in the creeks that they have done well in keeping the peace and we will table their request before the authorities as they have channelled that request through me. We shall ensure the right things are done.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/dont-attack-oil-facilities-omo-agege-begs-niger-delta-youths/%3famp=1

On Wednesday, the Federal Executive Council has approved N2.9 billion contracts for the printing of sensitive and non-sensitive examination materials.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu; and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, revealed this to the State House correspondents at the end of the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to Adamu, the materials are meant for the Basic Education Certification Examination, the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, and the National Common Entrance, adding that “because of the recent disturbances, we have postponed the examinations that have not taken place”

He also said the printing contracts were awarded to a group of eight printers.

The council also approved N1.6bn for the rehabilitation and upgrade of some roads within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The FCT Minister, on his part, said the roads to be rehabilitated are located in the satellite towns of the FCT.

Bello said the council approved N900,294,304.75 to fix the roads in Gwagwalada Area Council while N719,407,086.38 was approved for the Kwali Area Council rural roads.

The Gwagwalada contract was awarded to Messrs Teleview International Nigeria Limited with a completion period of six months while that of Kwali was awarded to Messrs Sahabi Liman Sons Nigeria Limited also for a completion period of six months.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1603895649/fec-approves-9bn-for-printing-sensitive-and

Massive destruction too heavy for Lagos – South-West senators

The South-West caucus of the Senate on Tuesday lamented the destruction of public and private properties in Lagos after the #EndSARS protest turned violent.

The lawmakers described the attacks as ‘orchestrated tragedy’ and called for a thorough investigation.

The senators, who noted that the burden of rebuilding would be too much for Lagos alone, promised to get the support of the National Assembly and the Federal Government to assist the state in recovering.

They spoke during a visit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to commiserate with him on the loss of lives and properties in the state.

The delegation was led by Senator Ajayi Boroffice, who represents Ondo North senatorial district.

Boroffice expressed worry that many youths working in the businesses that were destroyed would be rendered jobless, adding that it would take time for owners of affected businesses to recover, given the extent of losses.

“Adequate decisions had been taken by the government to attend to the demands of the protesters. Of course, some of the demands require constitutional amendment and cannot be done immediately. The Senate showed its readiness to look into the issues with the necessary amendments. So, it was unnecessary for the protest to be prolonged to the point of being hijacked by those with violent agenda,” he added.

Sanwo-Olu, in his response, expressed concern that some Lagos communities had become vulnerable to crimes following arsonists’ attacks on police stations and facilities housing security operatives.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, has reiterated the commitment of the state government to the well-being and security of Lagosians.

Speaking on Lagos Television about the recent crisis in the state, Omotoso said the state governor identified with the #EndSARS protests, addressed the youth and even took their demands to the President to affirm his support for their just cause.

He said the judicial panel of inquiry instituted by Sanwo-Olu was a focused step towards serving justice and compensating individuals and families who suffered rights abuses from SARS operatives.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/massive-destruction-too-heavy-for-lagos-south-west-senators/%3famp=1

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday, said the state government rejected N1.1 billion COVID-19 support fund from the World Bank describing the World Bank’s Memorandum of Understanding for the fund as “a one-sided agreement”

He also admitted that the state government received N1 billion from the Federal Government to tackle the effects of COVID-19 in his state.

While fielding questions on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Tuesday, Bello stated that COVID-19 pandemic has a political undertone.

He said, “I rejected the World Bank fund because I do not believe in COVID-19. Even the five cases reported in Kogi State is an NCDC creation"

“Go and check records. Kogi State is the only state that refused to sign that document for N1.1bilion because I don’t believe in COVID. N500million has been disbursed, Kogi State did not receive and I refused to receive and I rejected it"

“I refused to sign because it is a one-sided agreement"

Bello in response to why he received the COVID-19 fund from the Federal Government and rejected that of World Bank, he said, “Even though we did not have COVID-19 in Kogi State, we are equally affected; because our economy was equally affected and Federal Government released that fund to assist every state and we cannot reject it"

The governor also revealed that his government had been handing out palliatives to residents before COVID-19.

“I did say when COVID-19 came into this country that a few people are going to profiteer and that is what has happened. And I am saying it again that a few individuals are setting certain agenda for 2023. Now, from #EndSARS to hoodlums stealing CACOVID to various youths or people saying IPOB and statements. Various groups are making statements"

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1603804366/kogi-rejected-world-bank-1bn-covid-support

[img]https://live.mrf.io/statics/i/ps/cdn.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/01120324/Yahaya-Bello.fw_.png?mrf-size=m[/img]

In the 2021 budget proposal presented to the National Assembly by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), last Thursday, the Presidential Villa has budgeted N4.85bn for the maintenance of mechanical and electrical installations and N5.3bn for the rehabilitation of office and residential buildings.

The item listed under the State House budget reads in part, “ERGP 7102245 annual routine maintenance of mechanical/electrical installations of the Villa ongoing N4,854,381,299"

“23030101 rehabilitation/repairs of residential buildings N153,693,262"

23030121 rehabilitation/repairs of office buildings N5,244,027,241”

Estimation of N5.2m was set aside for the maintenance of generators while N45m was budgeted to fuel generators.

Buhari also budgeted N274m for the payment of electricity charges while N67.1m was earmarked for Internet charges.

Recall that the president had last week warned that Nigeria was heading for another recession and complained about the dwindling resources.

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1602502791/n10-2bn-budgeted-for-aso-rock-electrical

Rotimi Akeredolu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the Ondo State governorship election and incumbent governor, on Thursday, said his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, betrayed him after giving him freedom to operate.

Akeredolu while on a programme on the Ondo State Radiovision Corporation in Akure, the state capital said, "Agboola (Ajayi) does not want to wait for his time. I made him comfortable; I asked him to represent me at so many places, but some people were warning me; I said they should leave him alone.

He revealed that "No deputy governor has collected what he was collecting in the history of the state. I gave him N13m monthly; his predecessors did not collect as much as that. No deputy governor collects as much as that in Nigeria. I gave him enough room to operate, yet he betrayed me"

However, the Ondo Governor said he was ready to forgive all his detractors, saying as a Christian, he would not begrudge anyone.

Akeredolu while expressing optimism about his chances in the October 10 governorship election, stated that, "We have been doing our best for this state; all the abandoned projects of the past" administration have been completed.

"We have rehabilitated and constructed over 700 primary schools in this state; we have improved our education system. We have received a loan to complete the abandoned Owena water project and we will do it. We are also working on five dams; there are so many things in our plans to do for the state."

https://www.nairapark.com/news/1601648845/made-deputy-highest-paid-nigeria-akeredolu