₦airaland Forum

Petrol marketers said late on Thursday that the federal government’s claim of an agreement on subsidy debt was false.
Thursday’s meeting between the marketers and the government delegation was to resolve the alleged N800 billion debt government owes the marketers as petrol subsidy.
Some of the marketers last weekend issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government to pay the debt or they would shut their operations.
On Thursday evening, a finance ministry statement announced that government had reached an agreement with the aggrieved oil marketers.
But, marketers who attended the meeting countered shortly after, saying at the time the ministry’s statement was issued, the meeting was still ongoing, without any conclusions yet.


READ FULL STORY : http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/12/n800bn-fuel-subsidy-debt-controvery.html?m=1

Southampton have sacked Mark Hughes and have begun the search for their fourth manager in just over two years.
Firs-team coach Kelvin Davis will lead the team on Wednesday night against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley, but the club do then hope to move quickly and make an appointment ahead of a critical game on Saturday against Cardiff City.
Hughes will depart following a winless run in the Premier League that stretches 10 matches and has seen them fall into the relegation zone.
Although there were many positives about Saturday’s game against Manchester United, which ended in a 2-2 draw, it was yet another match in which Southampton failed to convert a winning position.
Southampton have won just five out of 27 games under Hughes and, while he did lead them to safety last season, that was largely also a result of how Swansea capitulated in the final months.
The club’s board were sufficiently encouraged by the way Southampton improved in the final weeks of the season to agree a three-year contract with Hughes and they will now face a significant compensation bill.
Since Ronald Koeman left for Everton in 2016, they have also sacked Claude Puel and Mauricio Pellegrino. There was a definite feeling this season, however, that they could not stand back and let results slide. Repeated defensive mistakes were a particular problem and the club are now searching for a manager who they feel is in line with their long-term vision and philosophy. That will not mean appointing a manager like Sam Allardyce or David Moyes, but potentially someone with no experience of Premier League football who fits their model.
A club statement said: “Southampton Football Club can today confirm it has parted company with first team manager Mark Hughes. Assistant first team manager Mark Bowen and assistant first team coach Eddie Niedzwiecki have also left the club.
“We would like to express our thanks to Mark and his staff for all of their efforts during their time at St Mary’s. The search for a new manager to take the club forward is already under way.
First team assistant coach Kelvin Davis will lead the team for Wednesday’s Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley.”


CREDITS: http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/12/southampton-sack-mark-hughes-after.html?m=1

Boko Haram jihadists killed two soldiers and seriously wounded five militia members in separate attacks in the troubled northeast of the country, military and militia sources told AFP Sunday.
Gunmen from Boko Haram faction the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked a remote base in Buni Gari village, in Yobe state, 60km from the state capital Damaturu on Saturday, with six of the attackers killed.
"We lost two soldiers in the attack and six terrorists were also killed and their bodies recovered by soldiers," a military officer told AFP.
Air support and reinforcements from a military base in the nearby town of Buni Yadi "effectively routed" the jihadists, said the officer. He asked not to be named because he was not cleared to speak about the incident.
A member of the militia fighting beside the troops confirmed that the bodies of two soldiers and six jihadists had been recovered after the gun battle, which lasted less than an hour.
Buni Yadi district is a known ISWAP stronghold.
Around the same time in Maiduguri, capital of neighbouring Borno state, a female suicide bomber seriously wounded five members of the local militia at a checkpoint.
Civilian militia members had stopped two female suicide bombers at Muna Garage security checkpoint, but one managed to detonate her suicide vest, militia leader Babakura Kolo said.
"The bomber and her accomplice were killed in the blast while five of our colleagues were injured," Kolo said.
"The explosives on the other bomber did not detonate and were defused by a bomb squad," he said.
The attack bore the hallmark of the Abubakar Shekau faction of Boko Haram, notorious for using suicide bombers to attack military and civilian targets.
Boko Haram has in recent months intensified attacks on military targets in Borno and Yobe states.
The two states, along with nearby Adamawa state, have born the brunt of nine years of jihadist violence that has claimed 27 000 lives and forced 1.8 million people to flee their homes.
Since July, AFP has reported 18 attacks on military bases in Borno and Yobe, and ISWAP has claimed responsibility for most of them.


CREDITS: http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/12/boko-haram-raid-kills-two-soldiers-in.html?m=1

Reasons Why Buhari Must Not Been Forgiven :
1. Ondo & Ekiti people should not Forgive Buhari
for jailing your Hero, Pa Adekunle Ajasin after
several courts adverse times found him innocent."


2. Imo people, must not Forgive Buhari for the 100
years jail term for your renowned son, Sam
Mbakwe, whose re election was annulled by GMB"


3. Lagos people will not Forgive Buhari for
humiliating & jailing their Governor Lateef Jakande,
hitherto adjourn with @ Nigerian Tribune for
speaking"


4. Edo people should not Forgive Buhari for
imprisoning your most revered Executive Governor
of Old, Prof. Ambrose Alli causing shame to the
Oba's Kingdom"



5. Enugu people must not Forgive Buhari for
imprisoning Jim Nwobodo for no just cause, halting
momentum of the progress the Coal City was
making



6. Ogun people should never Forgive Buhari for
withering your blossoming Mayflower Uncle Tai
Solarin whose death was from the complications of
torture in jail" and your Governor Chief Bisi
Onabanjo whose untimely death was caused by the
complications from the incarceration.



7. Anambra people should not Forgive Buhari for
disgracing & jailing your erudite & dear Chief Alex
Ekwueme, GCON for demanding equitable Power
Sharing"



8. Plateau people (including Benue and Nassarawa)
must not Forgive Buhari for jailing their Gov.
Solomon Lar to a term of 88 years even while he is
innocent"



9. Kaduna people should not Forgive Buhari for
dehumanizing in guise of AC a brilliant, by no-
means Saint Umaru Dikko for critizing the Junta"



10. Abia people should never Forgive Buhari for
forcing the hand of his unbending COS Cdr. Ebitu
Ukiwe for resisting Nigeria's OIC membership"



11. Nigerians must never Forgive Buhari for his
nepotistic jailings after the staged escape of a
most wanted offender Sen. Uba Ahmed of Bauchi"




12. Kano people (both Christians & Moslems)
should not Forgive Buhari for humiliating Late Emir
Ado Bayero for his personal visit to Israel in 1985"



13. Osun people should not Forgive Buhari for the
deliberate humiliation death to the Ooni of Ife for
his visit to Israel with the Emir of Kano"


14. Osun people never Forgive Buhari for Decree 4,
refined by the next regime and for Dele Giwa's
killers. Remember



REASON: HE WILL DO WORSE WHEN RE-ELECTED AS
THE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA.
HE HAS NOTHING TO OFFER.

HE IS THE PRINCE OF CORRUPTION


BE WARNED!

MrAJQ:
APC there is no one above the law.
In PDP every rich and stakeholders of PDP are above the law.

If the National chairman of PDP had been the grilled by DSS we would have been hearing intimidation, persecution, and so on. But since it is APC chairman everywhere is quite.

May thunder fire the remaining strength of PDP apart

your village people don use ur head play SUREBET. GLORYLESS HEGOAT

The Federal Government has decided to continue paying the stipends of the N-Power 2016 Batch 1 beneficiaries beyond the expiry month of December 2018, the presidency said.
The statement issued by Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Office of the Vice President, on Monday in Abuja, said funding for the continued payments is contained in the 2018 budget.

However, Akande said that beyond the payments of stipends, the Federal Government is also exploring further options to seamlessly move the beneficiaries from the government job programme to positions where they were able to earn a sustainable income.

He said that the transition would be through a plan, designed to enable them become valuable, all-rounded employees, employers or entrepreneurs.

“The plan is basically an extension of the exit date of December 2018 for the first batch of 200,000 to enable them continue to offer their valuable services in their various communities while still earning their stipends.

“They are also to partake in the Enhancement Programme that would seamlessly transition them into numerous economic opportunities in both the public and private sectors of the economy.

“The N-Power is a job employment and empowerment scheme for hitherto unemployed Nigerian graduates under the Buhari Administration’s National Social Investment Programmes (N-SIP).

“The scheme is the largest post-tertiary employment programme in Africa, comprising N-Power beneficiaries that are paid a monthly stipend of N30, 000 and are deployed as volunteers into various sectors of need in the public space, such as health, agriculture, education and public finance.

“For the first time in Nigeria, the N-Power beneficiaries applied and were selected for the programme in an objective, efficient and transparent manner, without the need for ‘connections’ to anyone of influence,’’ he said.

He said that based on conservative projections, the N-Power scheme would provide jobs for at least 10 million Nigerians by 2023.

Akande said that since it commenced in 2016, the N-Power scheme, which had beneficiaries in all the LGAs of the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT, had so far, provided jobs for half a million young Nigerian graduates nationwide.

He said that all the N-Power beneficiaries were given the opportunity to select and own electronic devices for continuous learning as they grew; depending on the selected vocations of entrepreneurship, and to boost the Knowledge Economy.


http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/10/n-power-graduates-to-receive-stipends.html?m=1

Reigns vacates WWE Universal Championship after announcing his illness.

After notably being absent from this past weekend's live events, and rumors of an injury floating, Roman Reigns just appeared in the opening segment of Monday Night RAW and announced that the leukemia he'd been living with for 11 years had returned.

Roman Reigns, real name Joe Anoa'i, was diagnosed with cancer when he was 22. After learning that it had returned, Reigns relinquished the WWE Universal Championship on live TV and announced "Right now the best thing for me to do is go home and focus on my family and my health."
As "Thank You Roman!" chants filled the arena, Reigns added "By no means is this a retirement speech because after I’m done whooping leukemia’s ass once again, I’m coming back home."
"I will beat this," Reigns said. "I will be back, and you will see me very very soon."
The segment ended with Reigns hugging Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins at the top of the entrance ramp.
Per WWE: Reigns is taking his battle with leukemia public in an effort to raise awareness and funds for research in order to advance cures for the disease.




http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/10/roman-reigns-diagonised-with-leukemia.html?m=1

Ahead of the 2019 elections, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, Hon. Razak Atunwa, Monday denied the report that he forged his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.



An online medium, Premium Times, had reported that Atunwa skipped the mandatory NYSC and forged the certificate of the scheme.

The online medium had said Atunwa, a former speaker of the state House of Assembly, stayed back in the UK after his education rather than present himself for the scheme.

According to the report, “It is not clear if the House of Representatives member presented any NYSC certificate in 2005 when he returned to Nigeria and joined the cabinet of Bukola Saraki, then governor of state.”

However, Atunwa said that he did not submit any unsupported NYSC certificate as suggested by the online medium.

The PDP gubernatorial candidate said: “I did not submit any unsupported NYSC certificate as suggested by you (Premium Times).

“I strongly advise that you verify each and every assertion you wish to make. You may wish to make formal enquiries/verifications of all institutions concerned.

“You should also be circumspect enough to authenticate the provenance of any document you may be handed if it’s not from a formal and official source.

“An organisation such as yours should not fall short of the required legal and ethical standards.”




http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/10/kwara-pdp-guber-candidate-debunks.html?m=1

Thousands of All Progressives Congress (APC) faithful in Imo State on Monday took to the street to protest the substitution of candidates who won the primary election by the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomole.

APC leaders who led the protest, knocked Oshiomole for “introducing impunity” in the party.

According to the protesters who displayed various placards such as, “Oshiomole should respect the will of the people”, ‘we say no to substitution of candidates’, ‘Oshiomole is killing APC’, ‘President Buhari, save our party from Oshiomole’, ‘We insist on the result of October 6 Primary’, among others, accused the party Chairman of turning the party’s ticket into “cash and carry” affair.

Some of the candidates allegedly substituted by Oshiomole were Hon Kingsley Uju (Ohaji-Egbema-Oguta- Oru West Fed Constituency), Paschal Obi (Ideato South and Ideato North Fed Constituency) and Prof. Nnamdi Obiareri (Imo North Senatorial Zone).

Vehicular and human movements were crippled on major streets in Owerri, the state capital.

The Secretary General of the Southeast for Buhari Group, Prince Charles Amadi, stated that Oshiomole’s actions are capable of destroying the chances of the APC in Imo State and in the Southeast.

According to him, the plot to substitute the names of candidates that won the primary elections is tantamount to destroying the party.

He urged President Buhari to prevail on Oshiomole and other members of the National Working Committee of the party to adhere to the tenets of internal democracy for which the party is known by implementing the outcome of the Ibrahim Agbabiaka led Primary election without any compromise.

Another member of the Buhari’s support group and former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ugochi Nnanna Okoro, stated that the National Chairman has introduced similar impunity that led to the crash of the People”s Democratic Party (PDP).

She accused Oshiomole of muscling up the NWC and usurping the functions of the members, alleging that, “Oshiomole has moved the Secretariat of the party to his private residence, where he stays to perpetrate all forms of impunity but we will resist him in Imo State, we will not allow him to destroy the party we fought hard to build. We were called all manner of names because we joined APC and today the same people are being treated as sacred cows by Oshiomole.

“We are by this protest registering our total displeasure with his style of leadership, especially ththe

The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Acho Ihim, described the actions of Oshiomole as alien to the APC, warning that going ahead with the planned substitution of the candidates will not be in the interest of the party.

Speakers after speakers took turn to warn the National Chairman against inciting crisis in the state chapter of the party.

Meanwhile the State Chairman of the party, Mr. Daniel Nwafor, who was absent at the protest rally, said that he had pleaded with the party members to allow the NWC to look into their grievances without resorting to protest.

He however appealed to the leadership of the party to look into the matter and urgently address the issues raised by the aggrieved members of the party.

Nwafor also assured the party members that their grievances will be addressed, ” our National Chairman is a man with listening ears, he will certainly look into the issues raised by the aggrieved members of our party”.



Link: http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/10/anti-oshiomole-protest-rocks-imo.html

VICE President Yemi Osinbajo has assured that there was no plan by the Federal Government to sell the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.
This was disclosed by Governor Yahaha Bello of Kogi State after meeting behind closed doors with the Vice President on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Governor Bello said, “First of all, the Vice President, being the Chairman of the National Economic Council, we came to make some enquiries from him over the purported sale of Ajaokuta Steel Complex and he has indicated that there is nothing like that.
“He said there is no plan by the Federal Government to sale Ajaokuta Steel Company. The VP said Ajaokuta is an asset of the Federal Government and that they are looking into how best to make good use of that particular complex for the benefit of Nigerians at large.
“Also, we are going to coronate the new Oba of Kabba on Saturday, we came to notify him as a father of the event that is coming up on Saturday and to seek for his blessings.”
On the preparation for 2019 general elections he said, every primary can be rancorous and everybody can hustle for one ticket or the other. I can assure you that we have a capable leadership of the party in President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Also, we have our able chairman, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomole who is doing his best to ensure that the party is strong and the party is really very strong.
“As for the general elections, in Kogi State, we are one hundred percent ready and we are going to sweep all the state and by the grace of God, we shall bring out a vote that has never been witnessed in the North Central by the Grace of God. I can assure you as well that the 2019 elections for Mr President, it’s going to be a walk over by the grace of God.”



Link: http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/10/no-plan-to-sell-ajaokuta-steel-plant.html?m=1

Some members of the House of Representatives have stated that some of their colleagues on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, were against the move by their National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole to effect an impeachment of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

They made this disclosure while urging Buhari to order the arrest of Oshiomhole over what they termed as his persistent attacks on the National Assembly.

The Reps, under the aegis of Parliamentary Democrats Group, PDG, said Oshiomhole was ridiculing Nigeria before the global community by launching relentless attacks on Senate President Saraki, and the entire federal legislative arm of government.

The group made the appeal in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Hon. Timothy Golu, over the weekend.

PDG insisted that the former Edo State governor was destabilizing the National Assembly with threats.

The statement read, “Oshiomhole has refused to sleep because he wants Senator Bukola Saraki removed as duly elected Senate President.

“He is distracting our nation’s democracy and ridiculing us before the global democratic community. His style is too primitive for democracy.

“Let him come through the door with 2/3 of the Senators to legally achieve his selfish objective. What his ignorance would not allow him to know is that even some APC Senators are not part of the charade. Access to democracy is not brigandage but respect to the rule of law and due process.

“Oshiomhole’s anti-democratic utterances is making us a laughing stock. We advise him not to kill himself on Saraki as there is nothing he can do to subvert the law of democracy just to achieve an anti-democratic goal.

“We call on President Buhari to immediately call him to order or direct the IGP Ibrahim Idris to arrest him so that peace can flow.

“He is destabilizing the National Assembly with threats and the use of security agencies to haunt our leaders.





http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/some-apc-senators-are-against.html?m=1

Both Abubakar and Tambuwal later held a closed -door meeting along with the Director General the of Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation, Gbenga Daniel.
Although details of the meeting were not disclosed, a source at the meeting told THISDAY that the consultations were aimed at achieving a consensus on who will eventually pick the PDP presidential ticket.
When contacted, the Head of Atiku Media Office, Paul Ibe, confirmed the meeting between the two politicians.

http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/2019-tambuwal-meets-atiku-over-pdp.html?m=1

The Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, has increased the allowance of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state from N3, 100 to N5, 000.



Ayade stated this on Monday during the closing ceremony for the 2018 `Batch B’ Orientation at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Obubra Local Government Area of the state.

The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Asu Okang, explained that the increase was necessitated by the high cost of goods and services in the country.

He said, “Dear corps members, I must salute you for the successful completion of your three weeks orientation programme which I believe was interesting.

“I am happy to announce to all of you that we have increased your monthly allowance from N3,100 to N5,000 starting from your batch.

“Since the creation of Cross River, the largest contributor to the socio-economic development of the state is the NYSC.

“This is evident in the kind of Community Development Services provided by members of the corps across the state.

“While we continue to appreciate your predecessors for making historical landmark in the state, I charge you to outshine their legacies by going the extra mile towards supporting the dream of a new Cross River.

“We are also confident that as the cloud of the next general elections begins to gather, your neutrality will help in giving the guarantee for free, fair and credible elections.”

Ayade however assured the corps members of security in the state, urging them to relate peacefully with their employers and host communities.



http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/govt-increases-allowance-of-corps.html?m=1

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) “to immediately lift the ban on Jay FM 101.9 Jos, stopping the radio station from playing songs such as Falz’s ‘This is Nigeria’, Wande Coal’s ‘Iskaba’ and Olamide’s ‘See Mary, See Jesus’, and rescind the unlawful fine of N100,000 imposed on the station.”



The organization said the action by the NBC “amounts to illegal restrictions on media freedom, the right to freedom of opinion and expression and free information and ideas.

The NBC had in a letter dated August 6th, 2018 and addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, JODAJ Global Communications Limited, Jos, owners of Jay FM 101.9 stated varying reasons for the ban and fine ranging from ‘vulgar and indecent lyrics’ in contravention of the body’s regulations.

But in a statement today signed by SERAP deputy director Timothy Adewale, the organization expressed “Concern about the censorship of the media and songs deemed ‘vulgar and indecent’ by the NBC, as such action risks undermining legitimate expression and independent voices. The NBC must immediately lift the ban on the radio station and rescind the arbitrary fine.”

The organization said, “The right to freedom of expression, information and ideas is applicable not only to comfortable, inoffensive or politically correct opinions, but also to ideas that offend, shock and disturb. The constant confrontation of ideas, even controversial ones, is a stepping stone to achieving a vibrant democratic society, transparency, accountability and respect for the rule of law.”

The statement read in part: “Vague rules on vulgarity and indecency should not be used subjectively to ban or fine independent media outlets, particularly radio and television channels. The action by the NBC can create an uncertain environment for radio and television stations and media professionals in general and lead to fostering self-censorship and shunning any meaningful criticism of public policies and authorities.”

“The NBC is adopting vague rules vulgarity and indecency to undermine freedom of expression, right to information and opinion. By banning the radio station from playing the songs, the NBC is not only undermining and harming the station, but also undermining everyone’s right to information, public participation and open and democratic governance”

“Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party includes the right of individuals to criticize or openly and publicly evaluate their Governments without fear of interference or punishment.”

“It is important for the NBC to strive to promote diversity of views, and the media’s importance as a platform for public debate about important matters of public interest and ideas. Censorship or impermissible restrictions in the exercise of media freedom and freedom of expression can restrict free circulation of ideas and opinions and impose obstacles to the free flow of information.”

“Freedom of the press and other news media afford the public one of the best means of discovering and forming an opinion of the ideas on political and social issues and other issues of public interest. Not only does the NBC have the task of ensuring that radio stations and other media organizations can function effectively to impart such information and ideas: the public also has a right to receive them.”

“SERAP notes that three clear-cut conditions must be respected for any limitation on the right to freedom of expression and free information: (a) restrictions must be established in law; (b) they should pursue an aim recognized as lawful, and (c) they must be proportional to the accomplishment of that aim. SERAP considers the action by the NBC against the radio station to be inconsistent with the principle of proportionality and therefore impairing the free exercise of the right both to impart and to receive information and ideas.”

It would be recalled that the NBC had cited the radio station’s airing of a song by Falz titled “This is Nigeria” saying the song was laced with vulgar lyrics, ‘this is Nigeria, look how we living now, everybody be criminal.’ Also, the NBC cited the airing of a song by Wande Coal titled, ”Iskaba” as laced with vulgar lyrics, ”Girl you de make me kolo, shaking the ass like kolo” in contravention of Section 3.6.1 and 3.13.2.2c.’.


The NBC also cited Jay FM airing a song by Olamide titled “See Mary, See Jesus” which it claimed was laced with casual use of the names of “Mary” and “Jesus” regarded as sacred by the Christian faith which contravenes Section, 4.3.1e.



http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/lift-ban-on-radio-station-falzs-this-is.html?m=1

Political anxiety has continued to spark volatility and induce sell offs on the equity sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as virtually all the major blue chips depreciated in price, causing the market capitalization to slip further by N102 billion in four consecutive trading sessions.



This can be attributed to the recent invasion of the National Assembly by operatives of the Directorate of State Services (DSS) who took over the complex, brandishing guns and wearing masks to deny federal lawmakers, journalists and staffers of the National Assembly from having access to the building.

Specifically, at the close of transactions on Thursday, the All-Share Index (ASI) shed 67.16 basis points, representing a decline of 0.19 per cent to close at 36,232.66 points, falling by 5.1 per cent so far this year, after climbing 42 per cent last year while the market capitalization lost N22 billion to close at N13.228 billion.

Accordingly, the Month-to- Date and Year-to-Date losses moderated to -2.12 and -5.26 per cent, respectively while second-quarter earnings have been mixed, with most banks posting declines in loan growth, citing a weak economy with several consumer goods companies recording lower profits.

Consequently, the Insurance (-1.24 per cent), Oil & Gas (-0.68 per cent), and Banking (-0.12 per cent) indices closed negative, following selloffs of LINKASSURE (-10.00 per cent), JAPAULOIL (-10.00 per cent), and FBNH (-4.52 per cent) shares, respectively.

On the flip side, gains in International Breweries (+1.64 per cent) shares, led to upturn in the Consumer Goods (+0.09 per cent) index, while nil return was posted in the Industrial Goods index.

Newly-listed fertilizer firm Notore Chemicals Industries Plc reported a wider loss before taxes for the nine-months to June even as its shares dropped 8.8 per cent in the week after listing.

However, the total volume and value of trades rose by 65.09 and 76.85 per cent, to 188.26 million shares and N1.29 billion, respectively, traded in 2,795 deals.

Transaction in the shares of UBA topped the activity chart with 27.219 million shares valued at N260.23 million. Law Union followed with 25.000 million shares worth N22.500 million, Zenith Bank sold 19.91 million shares valued at N471.38 million while Courtville transacted 19.69 million shares worth N3.04 million.

Last week, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, Nigeria’s third most senior elected official, defected from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to the main opposition, leading to the argument from market analysts and stakeholders that if the political space remains tensed, the volatility recorded so far will be heightened and as well affect the slope of the market.

Analysts at Cordros Capital Limited said, “In the absence of a positive one-off catalyst, as well as brewing political concerns, we guide investors to trade cautiously in the short to medium term. However, stable macroeconomic fundamentals remain supportive of recovery in the long-term.”

Speaking to Sunday Sun on telephone, the Chief Executive Officer, Cowry Asset Management, Johnson Chukwu, explained that the current situation has affected the price of stocks, added that the economy might be bereft of foreign investments until after the elections.

Chukwu argued that foreign investors will not be bullish in investing in the current unstable environment, rather they will remain on the sidelines to watch the development in the political space.

“It is unhealthy, but it happens in many other countries whereby prior to general elections, there will be a slowdown in foreign investment in-flow into that country so Nigeria is not left out as the political uncertainties coupled with the National Assembly invasion will exacerbate the concerns of foreign portfolio investors. There is definitely no way a country will have an election and there would not be a slowdown in economic activities, which as a result will affect the stock market prices, as well as affect demand and supply and so any form of uncertainty affect the market slope,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer, APT Securities, Kurfi Garba, stated that the political uncertainties has played its part on the disappointing earnings results of some companies and added that trend in the market may continue as investors may likely make a comeback to the market after the political tension is doused.

Garba said: “The market does not work well when there is uncertainty as this affects the prices of stocks, but going forward, I do not envisage that the market will do well, however, individual stocks may go up depending on their performance. Probably after the primary elections, these investors who are already taking their profit will do their calculations and then make a comeback and begin to take position in the market.”

Corroborating, Grand Patron, Nigerian Shareholders’ Solidarity Association (NSSA), Timothy Adesiyan, stated that the current situation has become worse than what it used to be, adding that the future of shareholders who live on the capital market is under threat.

“In a year of election, the capital market suffers as a result of a crash in stock prices and so it is after the results of the election that portfolio investors and other investors make up their minds to come back at least to work with the government which they presume will be for the next four years.

“So, the international investors are probably drawing back as they are seeing our economy as unstable and unserious and this as a result is running down the capital market, as well as the shareholders who live on the capital market because we cannot call ourselves rich people but as poor people whose future is under threat as prices are crashing almost every day and nobody is looking at bailing us out. I am urging for these investors to calm their nerves and hang in there so that we all don’t lose our investments just like that.”

On his part, Co-founder, NSSA, Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo, described the political uncertainties as a temporal situation and urged investors not to panic.

According to him, “the economy is going as it should as it does not affect government policy and so there is simply no need to panic. Those who are not used to the Nigerian climate of politics will come back when they discover it was simply a masquerade dance of some politicians.”

http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/nass-invation-political-tension-hit.html?m=1

Magistrate Banji Ayeomoni of Okitipupa Magistrates ’ Court in Ondo State , together with his son Dara , another relation and his driver were reported dead in an inferno caused by a petrol tanker spillage in Ekpoma .
An official of the court, who spoke on condition of anonymity told the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ), on Saturday, that the incident happened on Friday night close to Ambrose Ali University ( AAU ), Ekpoma .
The official said that the late Ayeomoni went to visit his children at Ekpoma , adding that while returning his vehicle ran into the petrol spillage of a tanker which caused fire and other vehicles behind were also affected .
The source added that the Magistrate, Dara , who is a 500 level student of medicine of AAU , a young boy of the deceased wife ’ s sister and the driver died at an undisclosed hospital shortly after the accident.
“We heard that the late Magistrate went to visit his children at AAU when the incident occurred through a petrol tanker oil spillage , which claimed their lives.
“It was indeed very sad news to all members of staff and lawyers in our court, ’’ the source said.
Meanwhile, Insp . Zedekiah Orogbemi , the court’ s prosecutor who also confirmed the incident to NAN said that he was shocked when he got the news .
Orogbemi, who described the late Magistrate as a “thorough bred lawyer and a good man’’ prayed for the repose of his soul .
“I was shocked when the news broke and up till now , I still cannot believe that Ayeomoni is gone but what can we do than to pray for the repose of his soul .
“I also condole with his family and pray that God should give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss , ’’ he said .
NAN reports that the 59 year - old Magistrate, who was due for retirement next year , left behind his wife and two other children
Magistrate, son, relation, driver die in accident at Ekpoma.




http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/magistrate-son-relation-driver-die-in.html?m=1

An Assistant Pastor with the Assemblies Of God Church, Obudu road, Ikom, Cross River State, Pastor Esther Neji, has been murdered after allegedly being raped.



It was gathered that Neji, a recently engaged bride-to-be, was allegedly overpowered and raped to death at her apartment.

Speaking to journalists yesterday in Ikom, Rev Solomon Ajuk, a senior cleric in her church, said: “We only discovered that since Sunday, we’ve not seen her.

“During the course of the week, we decided to visit her to ascertain if she was well. On getting to her house, we perceived an offensive odour with her door still locked.

“We contacted the police who came and we forced the door open, only to see her lying between the parlor and her room with a pool of blood on her bed.

“Her forehead had a wound where she was hit. A wrapper was on her neck, her pant was carelessly thrown suggesting that she was rapped and killed. That’s the police preliminary investigation.”

Ajuk added that her house was scattered, suggesting that there was a struggle before she was over powered, raped and killed.

Confirming the development, the Divisional Police Officer of Ikom Police Station, Aluyi Abdulazez, said a team of medical doctors who carried out an autopsy on her, stated that she was raped.

“We are now carrying out detailed investigation to unravel those behind the act,” he said.





http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/engaged-pastor-allegedly-raped-killed.html?m=1

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Oyo State said it had started recording larger turnout of eligible voters registering or coming to collect their Permanent Voter Cards.
A News Agency of Nigeria correspondent who visited some of the INEC registration centres in Ibadan on Friday , reported the he saw scores of people patiently waiting to either register or collect their PVCs.
NAN reports that INEC had fixed August 17 for suspension of the ongoing continuous voter registration which commenced on April 27, 2017 .
According to the commission , the suspension will allow for enough period for consolidation of data and running of Automated Fingerprint Identification System ( AFIS) for detection and identification of multiple registration .
INEC offices visited included Ibadan Southwest , Egbeda and Ibadan North, Akinyele, Ona - Ara and Ibadan Southeast local government areas .
Security men were at all the registration points to maintain law and order due to the large turnout .
A cross section of the people expressed optimism that they would soon be attended to as a result of the orderliness of the exercise by the INEC staff.
Mr Sunkami Alade, a resident of Oluyole Estate , Ibadan Southwest, said the news about the August 17 deadline prompted him and his wife to come out for registration .
Alade said he had earlier been to the registration centre in February, but could not register due to large number of people .
”I decided to wait till when the turnout would be minimal, but the recent announcement that the exercise would be suspended soon forced me out now.
”It is unfortunate that the number of people I met here today doubled the one I couldn ’t cope with in February , but I have no choice than to wait till I get registered ,” he said .
Mrs Bolaji Owoseni , a resident of Oluwo in Egbeda Local Government area, told NAN that she relocated to Ibadan in October 2017 .
Owoseni said she was not aware of the need to do transfer of her voter card from her former location to Ibadan until recently.
According to her, the massive turnout was intimidating, but the attitude of the INEC staff at the centre was impressive.
”The exercise is orderly and fast , so I am optimistic that it will be my turn soon if the staff sustain the tempo ,” she said .
Reacting to the large turnout, the Spokesman for INEC in Oyo State, Mr. Ayodele Afolami , said the commission had started recording an average of between 250 and 300 persons daily at its centres in the 33 local government councils of the state .
Afolabi said the commission had consequently extended its working hours from 8 .00 a .m to 5 .00 p. m including Saturdays and Sundays to give room for more people to get registered .
He implored the people to be orderly and corporate with the staff of the commission for a smooth exercise.



http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/huge-turnout-in-oyo-as-voter.html?m=1

Peoples Democartic Party, PDP, presidential Aspirant and former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has said that the ruling APC government is scared and has gone into a desperation mode and inflicting vendetta on politicians holding contrary opinion because the opposition parties have decided to unite more than ever before to wrest power from them.
He said that the APC is jittery also, because Nigerians have determined to take their destiny in their own hands by acquiring their Permanent Voters’ Cards to vote out the ruling party and its baggage of propaganda, poverty, unemployment, insecurity, hopelessness, intimidation and violation of rights and the rule of law.
The presidential aspirant stated this at the Ondo State PDP secretariat in Akure on Wednesday, in continuation of his consultations with state executive committees, delegates and elders of the party ahead of the PDP’s national convention.
Turaki accused the APC of extreme discriminatory approach to the fight against corruption which, he noted, was spearheaded and reinforced by the PDP at the onset of the current democratic dispensation in 1999.
He noted that ironically, a sizable number of the APC’s current bigwigs including some defectors in their ranks, were part and parcel of the past PDP administrations labeled as corrupt by APC which ceased to hound them with the EFCC once they defected, while loyal PDP leaders were being investigated and discredited in the media even when the law do not justify such an action.
He pointed out that corruption is not about money only, and asked: “When you give your own people unfair advantage in employment as the APC is doing now, or when people or groups are being treated unfairly simply because they do not come from your area or did not vote for you, what is that?”
He also accused the government of destroying the economy which it inherited on May 29, 2015 as the fastest-growing in Africa and number three in the world after China and Qatar, and pledged that visionary economic policies and highly knowledgeable and respected experts would be put in place to restore the sector to the glorious era.
Turaki who was once the chairman, Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of the Security Challenges in the North East said that the security challenges bedeviling the country currently will be tackled in a much more robust and effective manner, if given the chance to serve.
He lamented that Nigerians had never been so divided as now with an increased resurgence of agitations for self-determination and pledged that, as a bridge builder, he will ensure a turnaround situation that would bring peace and trust required to galvanize the people for accelerated development.
He said: “The situation in Nigeria today is so serious that we must come together to tighten our nuts to make the Nigerian Project solid.”
Turaki, who commended the current PDP national leadership led by Prince Uche Secondus for its policy of justice, equity and fairness, traced the genesis of the party’s recent crisis and the steps which he and other concerned members took in salvaging the PDP from disintegrating.
He therefore warned that members should resolve never to allow charlatans again to determine their affairs.
The Ondo State chairman of the party, Engineer Clement Faboyede remarked that Turaki had won their hearts with his dynamism, and the intellectual depth and eloquence of his analysis of how to make Nigeria greater, while the chairman of the elders committee, Professor Olu Agbi said that he saw in the aspirant, a leader who would re-unite and take the country to the desired level of development in the 21st century..


http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/apc-jittery-scared-has-gone-into.html?m=1

Senate President Bukola Saraki says he cannot “descend into the gutter” with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The senate president said this in response to the harsh comments Yekini Nabena, spokesman of APC, made about him.

In a statement issued earlier, Nabena described Saraki as a failure who swims in controversy.

He said having publicly humiliated his father and sister, Saraki’s betrayal did not come as a surprise to the ruling party.

But in his response issued by Yusuph Olaniyonu, his spokesman, Saraki said: “We can’t descend into the gutter with these characters”.

He added that the APC had not recovered from Tuesday’s attempt to subvert democracy.

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) had prevented lawmakers from gaining entrance to the national assembly.

The lawmakers on elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had accused their APC counterparts of attempting to remove Saraki with the connivance of security operatives.

The ruling party has been mounting pressure on Saraki to step down since he defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but the senate president said only two-thirds of his colleague can remove him.



http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/i-cant-descend-into-gutter-with-you.html?m=1

Six pro-Kwankwasiyya All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers at the Kano State House of Assembly are expected to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the resignation of the Kano State Deputy Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, on Sunday.

A former special adviser attached to the Deputy Governor’s Office at the state Government House, Mr. Hafiz Ahmed Bichi, who is among the 10 senior special advisers (SSAs) that tendered their resignation letters

on Monday, confirmed the development to reporters in Kano on Tuesday.

Bichi said that the 10 SSAs and the six lawmakers have concluded the defection arrangements and are even lobbying for more lawmakers in the House to defect with the former deputy governor.

He attributed their actions to the unresolved dispute between the state Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, and his predecessor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, saying since their leader (Kwankwaso) had left the party for the PDP, they have no choice than to follow suit.

However, one of the former aides, Dr Abdullahi Zubairu Chula, who addressed the press Tuesday on behalf of his aggrieved colleagues, said their decision was informed by their desire to join their leader and former deputy governor of the state, Prof. Abubakar.

Chula, who was the special adviser on non-governmental organisation, said among those who also resigned were: Shamsu Aliyu Samanja (SSA on Public Affairs) and Alhaji Hafizu Bichi (Special Adviser attached to the Deputy Governor’s office).

He also said: “We decided to resign because our leader, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, has also left the government.”

Others are: Dr Bakari Ado Hussaina (Special Adviser on Education), Alhaji Nagoda (Special Adviser on Grave yard), Habibu Abubakar (Senior Special Assistant) and Idris Salisu Rogo (SSA attached to the Deputy Governor’s office).

The rest are: Usman Kassim Bichi (Special Assistant to Deputy Governor on Education), Hafizu Alkali Jingau (PA at Deputy Governor’s office), Shamsu Kura (Special Adviser Media) and Rukayya Jibrin (Senior Special Assistant on Drugs).

He said all the 10 aides had since forwarded their resignation letters to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).



http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/six-apc-lawmakers-set-to-join-pdp-in.html?m=1

A coalition of 70 Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, has commended the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for sacking the Director General of the Department of State Service, DSS, Mr. Lawal Daura, even as they demanded his prosecution for abuse of public office.

The CSOs, in a statement it issued in Abuja on Tuesday, berated the DSS and other security agencies for laying siege at the National Assembly and preventing lawmakers from gaining entry into the legislative complex on the strength of a purported “order from above”.

“It is our concern that today’s barricade of the National Assembly represents a series of undemocratic actions by the executive arm of government that poses major questions about Nigeria’s practice of democracy. This falls into a growing list of deliberate attempt to undermine the constitutional order by this government.

“We note with appreciation the decisive step taken by the Acting President to sack the DG DSS. While we commend this action, we see an urgent need for the Acting President Yemi Osibanjo to direct all security agencies in Nigeria to pull back and remain permanently out of the premises of the National Assembly”.

The coalition which is under the aegis of Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, said it noted with serious concern, growing attack on constitutionalism in Nigeria and brazen acts of impunity by elected officials.

It said: “In the last one month, a magistrate court was sacked, disobedience of court orders was justified by the Attorney General and there are growing cases of high handedness by security officials.

“These events point to a despotic democracy and a gradual decline of the Nigeria state to Anarchy

“The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) condemns as despicable and a serious threat to Nigeria’s Democracy, the actions of the Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Police and security forces, in barricading the gates of the National Assembly and preventing the functioning of an independent arm of government.

“These actions are unconstitutional and negate Nigeria’s democratic development putting almost 20 years of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic in great crisis and danger.

“Nigeria’s Constitution and laws and the National Assembly Rules define clear procedures for removal of presiding officers. Seeking to forcibly and violently interfere with the leadership of the National Assembly, points to dictatorship.

“Civil Society and Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) fought very hard against the military dictatorship that seized Nigeria in December, 1983 in a coup led by General Muhamadu Buhari and enthroned democracy in 1999.

“Situation Room will also be seeking a meeting with the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo to demand assurances that security forces will respect the institutions of democracy and claw back from the atmosphere of fear and dictatorship that has now entered our democratic space”, further read the statement signed by the Executive Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, PLAC, Mr. Clement Nwankwo.

Aside PLAC, among CSOs that endorsed the statement were CLEEN Foundation, ActionAid Nigeria, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Proactive Gender Initiative (PGI), Enough is Enough Nigeria, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), WANGONET, Partners for Electoral Reform , JDPC and Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA).

Others were Development Dynamics, Stakeholders Democracy Network, Human Rights Monitor, Election Monitor, Reclaim Naija, Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, CITAD, Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE), CISLAC, EdoCSOs, CONGOs Edo State.



http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/abuse-of-power-70-csos-demand.html?m=1

FOLLOWING the siege laid by security agents on the National Assembly earlier on Tuesday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the legislature to immediately pull the full weight of all legislative instruments against President Muhammadu Buhari, “as that is the only way to save our nation from an imminent collapse.”

The party said in a statement issued Kola Ologbondiyan, its National Publicity Secretary in Abuja that sending armed security men to invade the National Assembly and block lawmakers from accessing the legislative chambers, today, Tuesday, President Buhari has crossed the line by placing our democracy in jeopardy, thus setting our nation on the path of anarchy.

The party said: “The invasion of our highest legislative institution by agents of the Buhari-led executive, a few months after the Senate mace was blazingly carted away by armed hoodlums, is condemnable, reprehensible, unpardonable, and completely unacceptable.

“With this siege, barely a week after presiding officers of the Senate were held hostage at their residences, it has become clear that the Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) intend to forcefully overrun and ultimately shut down the highest lawmaking organ of the Nigerian government and pave the way for the total suspension of constitutional rule in the country.”

The PDP noted that in Buhari administration’s administration’s quest to foist a fascist regime our country, the APC-led government has taken several steps and actions tending towards the suspension of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), including direct usurpations of the duties and powers of the National Assembly and the judiciary in governance.

It added: “Nigerians and the international community will recall that the PDP had earlier alerted of this plot, which included the phoney medical trip to London for President Buhari as an alibi to exonerate him from any blame for this sordid assaults on democracy.”

The PDP, therefore, called on the Government of Britain to support Nigeria at “this perilous time” by not shielding President Buhari in London.

The main opposition party pointed out that Nigerians want the British government and other members of the international community to immediately condemn and totally reject the ugly developments in our country.

According to the party, Buhari and his APC have consecutively and deliberately put the nation and its democracy on harm’s way and the National Assembly, as representatives of the people, must eschew all partisan interests and save the nation by immediately deploying all legislative instruments against President Buhari before it is too late.

“It is instructive to state that if today’s assault on our legislature had succeeded, it would have been the second time Muhammadu Buhari would have toppled constitutional rule in our country,” it further said.

The PDP commended Nigerians, “who marched out in their numbers today, in response to our earlier call, to resist this brigandage against our nation even as we urge them to remain alert, as eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”




http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/nass-siege-pdp-wants-lawmakers-to.html?m=1

The British High Commission has reacted to Tuesday’s development at the National Assembly, saying it would only accept a democratic process that recognises the rights of Nigerians to participate in election process.
“We are aware of media reports of a situation at the National Assembly this morning. We are closely monitoring the situation and other political developments in Nigeria.

“The United Kingdom supports a process whereby the people of Nigeria can exercise their democratic right to vote and be voted for. We favour a free, fair, credible and peaceful process and the independence of institutions, which allow for that,” Joe Abuku, a spokesperson for the UK Embassy in Abuja, said in a statement to PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday afternoon.

The statement comes hours after Ben Murray-Bruce, a senator from Bayelsa State, asked that foreign sanctions be meted on those involved in the siege at the parliament.

Mr Murray-Bruce accused senior officials of the Buhari administration of being involved in the blockading of the National Assembly by masked officials of the State Security Service, saying he would help ensure that their visas and those of their families are revoked by Western countries.

The National Assembly was taken over by SSS operatives, supported by the police, earlier Tuesday, amidst claims that there was an attempt to forcibly remove Senate President Bukola Saraki from office.
Scores of senators and members of the House of Representatives were initially blocked from entering into the National Assembly premises, but all of them were later allowed to move in after threatening to force their way in.

The security operatives also blocked all other staff members of the National Assemnly, including the clerk of the parliament, as well as journalists and other independent observers of legislative process.
There was a protest by civil society groups to force the security agencies to back down, but they declined. All the lawmakers who entered the premises were unable to conduct much legislative process since the clerk and other staff members were unavailable.

The development has been widely condemned by opposition politicians, including Atiku Abubakar and several state governors, who warned against the use of security agents as repressive tools against an independent arm of government.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, who has been called on to act to check the excesses of security agencies, responded by summoning Lawal Daura, the head of SSS, and Inspector-General Ibrahim's Idris.

Mr Daura was summarily dismissed and asked to hand over to the most-senior official behind him, a move that has sent ripples through the country’s political and security circles.


http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/uk-government-speaks-on-sss-siege-at.html?m=1

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, ordered Dr. Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, who is charged before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on alleged N1.6 billion fraud, to open his defence against the charge preferred against him, after dismissing his no case submission.



Trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, ordered Dudafa, former Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, alongside his co-accused, Iwejuo Joseph Nna, to open their defence to the allegation, while delivering ruling on the no-case-submission applications by the duo.

Dismissing the no-case-submission by Dudafa and Iwejuo, Justice Idris said: “The prosecution in this case called witnesses and tendered exhibits. The defendants will need to explain the content of the exhibits.

“At this stage, the question is if the court will believe the exhibits should not allowed. I am of the view that the defendants have some explanations to make on the alleged crimes.

“The no-case-submission of the defendants is hereby refused.”

Dudafa and Iwejuo, through their applications, had both urged the court to discharge and acquit him of alleged N1.6 billion fraud levelled against him by the EFCC.

The EFCC had arraigned Dudafa and Iwejuo Joseph Nna on 23 counts charge of conspiracy to conceal proceeds of crime amounting to over N1.6 billion on June 11, 2013.

Followed the dismissal of the no-case-submission and by agreement of the prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, and lawyer to the defendants, Demola Adefolaju, who stood in for Gboyega Oyewole, SAN and Ige Asmudara, for the defendants, the matter was adjourned till August 20, for the defendants to open their case.




http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/alleged-n16bn-fraud-court-dismisses-no.html?m=1

Nine executive members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State have resigned from their positions.

The officials also defected from the APC to the Action Democratic Party (ADP).

According to their joint resignation letter obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, the officials said following the opinion of the public and associates in the three senatorial districts in the state, they have decided to move to ADP.

They said recent political developments within the APC in Osun State was against their morals.

The officials are Azeez Adesiji, deputy state chairman; Tajudeen Agbeti, ex officio; Ademola Bamidele, state auditor; Rasheed Bakare, Assistant General Secretary; and Morakinyo Akintola; state PRO.

Others include: Wale Adunola, ex-officio; Bakare Idayat, assistant welfare secretary; Ogundare Afolabi; assistant PRO and Sikiru Kareem; assistant treasurer.

When contacted about the development by PREMIUM TIMES, the Director of Publicity and Strategy of the party in Osun, Kunle Oyatomi said: “I heard the way you also heard. I can’t say much for now. All I can say is that I wish them best.”

The Osun APC crisis got worse following the election of Gboyega Oyetola as the party’s candidate for next month’s governorship election in the state.

Mr Oyetola was Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s chief of staff. Other candidates cried foul saying the process was manipulated with some leaving the party.





http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/just-in-nine-apc-executives-resign-in.html?m=1

Sources close to the Kano State Government House, disclosed that so far , about five contestants are in the forefront of the race to become the next Deputy Governor.



Prominent among them , according to our investigation, include, the incumbent Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba , who was a one- time National president of the NUJ , as well an age- long ally of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje , who hails from Kano Central , the same constituency with the former Deputy Governor .

Others include the recently reinstated Speaker of the House of Assembly , Kabiru Al - hassan Rurum , the ousted Speaker, Abdullahi Yusuf Ata and Abdullahi Abbas, the state APC Chairman, as well as Sheikh Ibrahim Khaliel , who is said to be favoured by the Kano Ulama group, a formidable pressure group in Kano politics.

Also, it was learnt that victory may likely sway to Muhammad Garba , who apart from being a long -standing ally of Ganduje, was also very vocal against Kwankwaso .

All the four with , the exception of Rurum are from Kano Central Senatorial District, same as Hafiz, while Rurum is from Kano South Senatorial District , which is the same constituency, with the current Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji .

However, it should be recalled that the relationship between Ganduje and his erstwhile deputy , Professor Hafiz Abubakar had become frosty barely one year after taking oath of office .

Furthermore, it was learnt that Hafiz was alleged to have been sidelined, a situation that informed his decision to throw in the towel on Sunday


http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/commissioner-four-others-jostle-for.html?m=1

Newsmen report that Bello and his counterpart, Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River, had on July 29, accompanied President Buhari to attend Heads of Governments of ECOWAS States meeting in Togo.



The governor, who was on his way from Kaduna to Minna after attending an official assignment in Zaira, was received by his Deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, APC chieftains, delegates and supporters across the 25 local government areas of the state.

Passengers in commercial and private vehicles plying the Minna/Suleja road were stranded as the road was blocked by elated supporters that chanted “Lolo two terms”.

It took the governor’s motorcade three hours from Paiko to get to Minna, a journey of 15 minutes drive.

Newsmen report that some of the supporters carried placards with inscription such as “Lolo 2019 yes, 2019 Lolo, continuity of government projects, 2019, sai Buhari”.

Malam Shehu Mohammed, one of the supporters who spoke to NAN, said that the warm reception was in solidarity with the governor and the president for meeting the aspirations of the people of the state and the country at large.

“I came from Rafi Local Government Area to show my support for our governor and the president and to let them know that they should continue with the good work they are doing as they have our support,” he said.






http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/apc-supporters-throng-minnasuleja-road.html?m=1

The police in Ondo State have arrested a 45-year-old man, Adewale Adegoroye, for allegedly killing his boss, Mr Akinmulero Akinwunmi, and carting away a sum of N700,000.



Akinwunmi, 45, was until his death the manager of Ondo Multipurpose Cooperative Union, Ondo City, Ondo State while the suspect was an assistant storekeeper of the company.

The suspect was among the seven suspects paraded by the Ondo State Police Command for offences such as murder, armed robbery, house and shop burglary and theft.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Femi Joseph, who addressed journalists, said all the suspects would soon be charged to court.

Joseph said Adegoroye, who saw his boss bringing money into the office, followed him into the office and engaged him in an argument.

“When the argument became heated, the suspect stabbed the man, took the money and took to his heels.

“The manager was left in a pool of his blood and died before he could get to the state Specialist Hospital, Ondo while the suspect was apprehended by other workers of the cooperative union,” Joseph said.

The suspect, during an interview, confessed to have stabbed the man but never had the intention of killing him.

Adegoroye said he decided to confront the manager of the union because he had not been paid any salary since September 2017 that he joined the company.

“I went to my master’s office to confront him about the way I was being treated in the company. I was being used as a slave. I have no money to feed.

“When I got to his office, I challenged him that I was not being treated well. There was an argument. My master slapped me. I took the knife and stabbed him. I do not have the intention of killing him,” Adegoroye said.

The PPRO said the command also recovered an 18-seater Mazda bus that was stolen at Egbeda Park, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The bus with Registration Number LAGOS SMK 639 XP that was stolen on February 2, 2018, was recovered in Akure.

Joseph said the suspect, who is the driver of the bus, had told the police that the vehicle was sold to his boss in Abuja.

He also said one Charles Chidi was arrested at Idanre where they went for a robbery operation while other members of the gang were still at large.

The PPRO said one shot gun and four live bullets were recovered from the suspect.


http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/man-kills-boss-steals-n7m.html?m=1

Abubakar’s defection comes on the same day Bolaji Abdullahi, Aminu Tambuwal, 12 of the 18 members of the Sokoto State House of Assembly all moved from the ruling to the opposition party.
Hafeez Abubakar, Deputy Governor of Kano State, has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the People Democratic Party (PDP).
Abubakar’s defection comes on the same day Bolaji Abdullahi, Aminu Tambuwal, 12 of the 18 members of the Sokoto State House of Assembly all moved from the ruling to the opposition party.
PDP has already welcomed Abubakar, writing on its official Twitter handle: “Breaking News! The Deputy Governor of Kano State, Professor Hafiz Abubakar has also dumped the All Progressive Congress (APC), @APCNigeria and has defected to the @OfficialPDPNig. PDP! Power to the people.”




http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/just-in-hafeez-abubakar-kano-deputy.html?m=1

Youths from the Ondo Southern Senatorial district, on Wednesday, carried out their threat to block the ever busy Benin-Ore /Lagos road, in the Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, protesting over the ten years power outage and neglect of the area by the successive government.
T he protesters who trooped out in their hundreds as early as 7 am blocked the major road and adjoining roads in the town, paralysing commercial activities and restricting vehicular movement for over five hours.
The youth had last week threatened to shut down the busy Ore/Benin /Lagos road if the government failed to restore light in the area.
The aggrieved youths from the five out of the six local government areas in the southern senatorial district of the state, which include, Odigbo, Irele, Okitipupa, Ilaje and Ese Odo crippled all activities and disallowed movement of vehicles and passengers.
The youth under the umbrella of the United Action Democracy (UAD) were armed with placard of various inscriptions, such as “Restore Light Back To Ondo South, “Revoke BEDC License”, “10 Years Darkness Wetin We Do”, “ODSG Has Failed Us”, “This Total Blackout Has Crumble Our Business”, “Agboola Ajayi Is A Wicked Man”, among others
They vowed to continue with the protest until the state government attend to their plight, saying the government had failed to provide a solution to the power outage in the area which has affected the economic activities of the people of the area.
They alleged the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) of deliberately plunging the communities into total darkness, while some bad elements took the advantage of the blackout in the area to perpetrate crime in the area.
Speaking to journalists, the leader of the group, Kunle Ajayi, said the protest became necessary to press home their demands after all dialogue with the state and the federal government had failed to yield any positive result.


Ajayi called for the revocation of the BEDC licences over its arbitrary billing noting that the power outage in the area has sent many companies and small-scale entrepreneurs packing.
Ajayi explained that the government had severally resisted the youths from speaking up against the perpetual darkness in the southern area of the state, saying “for over ten years, our people have been living in a perpetual darkness and this government has kept mute over our plight despite many pleas.
“In fact, the current government in Ondo State under Governor Rotimi Akeredolu used this epileptic power supply for its campaign and nothing has been done since he assumed office in February last year.
“But it is unfortunate, and rather for them to address the issue, same government was paying people to attack us since we have refused to back down in our agitation for the restoration of light to the areas.
“So, our demand is that we want the licences of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, (BEDC) to be immediately revoked by the Federal Government.
“We also want the government under Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his Deputy Agboola Ajayi to immediately step down because they have failed us completely and failed to keep their promise
“We are also asking the government to immediately restore electricity to these affected local government areas in the senatorial district of the state because this suffering is now enough for our people.
“Although, some of our members who were to join this protest were earlier arrested, but they have been freed and now we are giving this same government another 14 days to address our plight hence we will return to the street”
he said


http://www.thengtimes.com/2018/08/protest-angry-youths-shut-benin-ore.html?m=1