₦airaland Forum

Bello emerged the governor before his victory was challenged at the Court of Appeal by James Faleke (APC former deputy governorship candidate) and Idris Wada, former governor of Kogi state and the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Today, the Supreme Court would delivering judgment on the political logjam in the state Here are 4 reasons the APC can’t afford to lose Kogi state.
1. A test of the change mantra the word ‘change’ adopted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in its presidential electoral campaign has been perceived negatively by the people under the present administration due to the state of the economy. The hope of the people for a better economy other than the previous administration made them usher in a new political party in power and failure to take up to their responsibilities of effecting a positive change will make people lose their expectation in the party.
2. Kogi is a strategic north-central state The state is central region of Nigeria which is popularly called the confluence state because the River Niger and River Benue is at its capital, Lokoja. Moreover, Kogi is the only state in Nigeria which shares a boundary with ten other states, including the federal capital territory (Abuja). Losing the state to PDP would mean losing a strategic north-central state.
3. To prove the party can win election even with recession The APC cannot afford to lose Kogi in this current state of economic recession. Since recession under this administration could serve as a loop hole for the opposition party to have an edge gaining the confidence of the masses. The party ought to strive to assure the masses even though the nation experiencing recession.
4. To show that the party is unified in spite of current crisis Some of the state chapters of the APC are currently having crisis. For example, in Kogi state, James Faleke, who is an APC member is fighting to be declared winner of the governorship election. He was Abubakar Audu’s running mate before his sudden death. At this point, the APC needs to put its house together before it starts breaking into warring factions. Kogi state, it would give the opposition PDP an upper hand. Unity is one major thing political parties shouldn’t do away with, because their unity in turbulent times is every important in order not to allow their opponent use the division against them.
More>>>http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/09/4-reasons-apc-will-always-triumph-in.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Tuesday announced that thirty political parties will participate in the November 26, Governorship election in Ondo State. It also informed that it has put in another arrangement to ensure smooth accreditation and voting process during the poll.
This it said would reduce the rigorous process being experienced by the commission during the poll. The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Olusegun Agbaje disclosed at a press conference held in Akure, the state capital.
Agbaje said all parties intended to participate in the contest have concluded their primaries as at on Monday.

SOURCE: http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/09/30-political-parties-to-participate-in.html

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Monday lauded the Nigerian athletes for their heroic performance at the just concluded 2016 Paralympics in Rio, Brazil, as he said "Nigerians are proud of them".

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media & Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu in Abuja said the physically challenged athletes have once again rewritten the nation’s name in gold by emerging the topmost African team with 12 medals comprising eight gold, two silver and two bronze medals at the tournament.
According to him, "Nigerian athletes have demonstrated a remarkable performance. What amazed me most were the new World Records (WRs) set by six of our powerlifting representatives and other athletes.
"I am proud of this performance and encourage younger and aspiring athletes to put in more hard work and dedication towards realizing their dreams. Nigeria is rich and endowed with young talented lads. We in the Senate will not relent in partnering and supporting our best hands in order to improve on our sporting standard," he said.
The Senate President also commended the Rio Paralympic 2016 Team Nigeria technical crew, coaches, fans and other partners who collectively ensured the victory recorded in the various contests. He added that the glory attained is not only for the nation but a sign of honour and patriotism on the part of the athletes.

SOURCE: http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/09/rio-paralympics-were-proud-of-you.html

After a Very Long Senate Annual Recess the President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Senator (Dr) Abubakar Bukola Saraki (Con) gave his welcome back speech To Senators of The 8th Senate on Resumption From a Senate Annual Recess on Tuesday, 20 September, 2016, below are the 26 power speech..
1. Distinguished colleagues, I am greatly pleased to welcome you back to the hallowed Chamber of the Senate after our annual recess. To our Muslim colleagues, I wish you all Eid Mubarak.

2. I hope that the recess has afforded us the opportunity to reconnect with our constituencies and to reflect on the great task that lies ahead of us.

3. During this years Sallah as it is my tradition, I had close interaction with a cross section of my people in Kwara Central including, the aged, youths, market women, and leaders of thought. I believe many of you did the same. I recall unforgettably, how one of the women came straight to me with a look of utter desperation and all she could mutter out was, please our Senator, do what you can to put an end to this suffering, it is becoming unbearable. I don’t know what your experience was, but if your experience mirrored mine, then the challenge before us could not have been made clearer. The words of this woman reverberated across the hall with such unison that it was impossible to under estimate the desperation in the land. In the last couple of days, I have interacted with many of you here, and it has become even clearer to me that the situation is virtually the same all across the country.
READ MORE>>>>> http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/09/26-welcome-back-speech-by-president-of.html

Why Manchester City's Kelechi Iheanacho think he is improving
Kelechi Iheanacho feels he is improving with English Premier League outfit, Manchester City.
The Nigerian got a goal plus an assist as Pep Guardiola’s men defeated Bournemouth 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday – thus, extending his scoring run to three games at a stretch. See more>> at: http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/09/i-think-im-improving-manchester-citys.html

jaymejate:
Nigeria to win

Nations General Assembly holding next week.
The White House Deputy National Security Adviser, Ben Rhodes, explained that President Obama would hold separate sessions with the Nigerian President, Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider Al-Abadi and Colombian President, Juan Manuel Santos ......

More of the News >>: http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/09/obama-to-meet-buhari-others-at-un.html

ODIGIE-OYEGUN INSIST APC WON’T IMPOSE, ENDORSE ANY CANDIDATE
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured aspirants seeking to contest the Ondo State gubernatorial election on the party platform of no preferential treatment. The APC Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said this on Saturday in Abuja during a meeting to settle all disputes and allay the fears of the aspirants.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the gubernatorial aspirants had accused the party chairman in the state, Chief Isaac Kekemeke, of adopting, endorsing an aspirant and tampering with the delegates’ list. NAN recalls that the party members in the state promptly suspended Kekemeke. Assuring the aspirants of fair play, Odigie-Oyegun paid tribute to all the aspirants for promptly responding to the call for the peace meeting
Source:http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/08/odigie-oyegun-insist-apc-wont-impose.html

ODIGIE-OYEGUN INSIST APC WON’T IMPOSE, ENDORSE ANY CANDIDATE
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured aspirants seeking to contest the Ondo State gubernatorial election on the party platform of no preferential treatment. The APC Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said this on Saturday in Abuja during a meeting to settle all disputes and allay the fears of the aspirants.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the gubernatorial aspirants had accused the party chairman in the state, Chief Isaac Kekemeke, of adopting, endorsing an aspirant and tampering with the delegates’ list. NAN recalls that the party members in the state promptly suspended Kekemeke. Assuring the aspirants of fair play, Odigie-Oyegun paid tribute to all the aspirants for promptly responding to the call for the peace meeting
Source:http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/08/odigie-oyegun-insist-apc-wont-impose.html

kayfra:
The Southwest Zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday called for the restructuring of the country. It said governance should be based on true federalism.

The party leaders made the call at their conference held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

They also called for free and compulsory education in primary and secondary schools in Southwest states and pledged to conduct a free and fair primary for aspirants to political offices in Ondo State.

The conference was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who was represented by Senator Babafemi Ojudu, special adviser (political) to President Muhammadu Buhari, Governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo). Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun was represented by his deputy Mrs Yetunde Onanuga.



Ministers Adebayo Shittu (Communications) and Kayode Fayemi (Solid Minerals) also attended.

APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun was represented by Deputy Chairman (South) Chief Segun Oni, who led party leaders in the six states of the Southwest.

In an eight-point communique, the party posited that “meaningful progress and socio-economic development of the Nigerian nation is unattainable without restructuring the extant, largely unitarian geo-political arrangement. “It is by such re-arrangement, leading to genuine and true political and fiscal federalism that the innate energies of the people of Nigeria can be released and new vistas of human development opened up.”

Setting the tone for the discourse, Ajimobi, called on the party in the zone to engage political office holders regularly and make meaningful input in policy formulation and delivery.

He said the party must organise leaders and members to talk together, think together and share ideas and thoughts on how to offer better governance to Nigerians.

He said: “Let our party create avenues to have position papers on policies. President Buhari is one simple individual that is corruption-free. He has integrity. He is completely simple. It is clear he is the best for this time. But we must help him by conversing with him always through the instrument of the party presenting position papers. We must participate more in the APC-led government.”

Aregbesola said without a restructuring of the country, only little can be gained by all stakeholders in the current arrangement.

He lamented that most states are spending their resources to maintain the civil service whose population is scarcely more than 10 per cent of the total population. “That is why we must restructure Nigeria.” He said.

As revenues plummets, Aregbesola said the situation offers opportunity for the Yoruba to revitalize the concept of working for whatever they earn.

His words: “We must make earning for living a core concept. Let Southwest start and lead in reviving this concept. Work for what you earn.”

Vice President Osinbajo said this administration did not fully appreciate the enormity of the corruption and decadence in governance until it took office last year.

He said the pains of today was a result of “yesterday’s mismanagement of the commonwealth of our great country.”

But he said President Buhari was aware of the pains of citizens. The Vice President assured Nigerians that a glorious dawn awaited them.

Osinbajo pleaded with citizens to show understanding and be patient as the administration works to make the country better.

“Change is not easy. But we are not relenting until we achieve a better life for all Nigerians. The change that we advocate will be irrevocable when we are finally done.” He said.

Assuring that the desired change was already here, Osinbajo said some investors have shown interest in building refineries in Nigeria.

He also pointed out that current improvement in power supply is a result of the efforts of the government, adding that the government was committed to the implementation of the health insurance scheme, diversification of the economy, infrastructural development and job creation.

Chief Odigie-Oyegun told party men to educate their followers and members of the public that the ‘change’ mantra is not an event but a process which takes time to be fully achieved.

He promised that recommendations of the meeting would be considered at the national secretariat of the party.

In his welcome address, the National Vice Chairman (Southwest) Chief Pius Akinyelure, said the contribution of the Southwest Zone to the success of the APC at the national level was not in doubt.

But as change agents, Akinyelure said the party leadership in the zone was not under illusion that greater efforts are not needed to put the nation back on track.

He commended governors in the region for sustaining its economic relevance in Nigerian through their popular policies.

Akinyelure also called on feuding governorship aspirants in Ondo State to come together and allow peace to reign. He assured them that the party would conduct a free and fair primary and urged aspirants to support anyone that emerges as the party’s candidate.

In the communique , the party said in view of its huge contribution to the ideological and policy thrust of the APC as well as the enthronement of the party at the federal level, the Southwest Zone must become more engaged with, and engaging in, influencing the affairs of the party and government at the national level.

It added: “The need for diversification of the economy has become mandatory for the successful enthronement of true political and fiscal federalism with each geo-political zone exploring its resources for maximum development.

“The primary role of quality education in the progress and development of a people was acknowledged. However, it is most disturbing that the present Southwest Zone that used to commit as much as 30 per cent of its budget to education is no longer able to achieve such level of support. The conference agreed with the submission of the guest lecturer that primary and secondary education should be made compulsory and free in the Southwest zone.

“In considering the importance of the upcoming governorship election in Ondo State on November 10, the conference made a passionate appeal for the unity of party members throughout the exercise towards the emergence of the party’s candidate. Specifically, the conference pledged the commitment of the leadership of APC Southwest zone to a free and fair process in picking the candidate of the party for the election. It also appealed to all aspirants to rally and give full support to the successful aspirant in order to face the November 10 election with the full force of the party as it is imperative to bring the government of Ondo State into the fold of the progressives.”

Also at the conference were: former governor of Old Ondo State, Chief Bamidele Olumilua; former deputy governors and Chief Ayo Fasanmi.

Others are chairmen of the party in Oyo (Chief Akin Oke); Ogun (Chief Rokeeb Adeniyi); Lagos (Chief Oladele Ajomale); Osun (Chief Gboyega Famodun) and Ekiti (Chief Jide Awe); National Legal Adviser Dr Muiz Banire; Senator Ganiyu Solomon; Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora; Chief Tajudeen Olusi, members of the House of Representatives, Houses of Assembly and political office holders.







http://thenationonlineng.net/southwest-apc-insists-true-federalism/

CONFLICTING JUDGMENTS: SHERIFF PETITIONS CJN, BUHARI Check it out Here> http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/08/conflicting-judgments-sheriff-petitions.html

igboboy3:
It was the military, not Jonathan, that impounded the newspapers because they didn't want information on the court-martial (of pro Boko haram soldiers) to spread for security purposes.
It was strictly a military affair

POLICE INSIST DAGORA AND OTHERS MUST FACE PANEL
THE Police are on course to interact with Speaker Yakubu Dogara of the House of Representatives on the alleged padding of the 2016 budget after resumption of the National Assembly from its current recess, The Nation can now reveal.
Also lined up for the proposed interaction are Deputy Speaker Yusuff Lasun, Chief Whip Ado Doguwa, and Minority Leader Leo Ogor.
Saddled with the assignment is the Police Special Investigative Panel which, according to sources has had a session with House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila.

Gbajabiamila who had been out of the country said on Friday that he was offering himself to the law enforcement agencies for probe over the budget padding allegation.
Although his name has not featured among those listed by the sacked chairman of the House Committee of Appropriation, Abdulmumini Jibrin, who spilled the beans, sources said the police panel had a “comprehensive session with the House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila on Friday for over one hour.”
The panel has asked the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani Omolori, to submit the draft and final copies of the 2016 Budget to it within one week.
A highly placed source familiar with the development said: “We are going to interrogate the Speaker and the three principal officers implicated in the main petition of the erstwhile Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Abdulmumin Jibrin.
“Once they return from recess, we will ask them to report. Already, a letter of invitation has been served on them. It is still subsisting.
“The initial argument is that the Speaker is the nation’s number four citizen and the modalities of summoning him ought to be different. But we have checked the statute books, neither Dogara nor any of the principal officers has immunity from investigation and prosecution.
“We have not foreclosed investigation into the alleged budget padding. Whoever is talking of any other solution than this ongoing probe might be referring to another platform.”
The source said the commitment attached to the investigation accounts for non-reopening of the office of the Appropriation Committee in the House which was locked following the budget padding allegations and the counter allegations. See more at: http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/08/padding-dogara-others-must-face-panel.html

Navy authorities at NNS DELTA, Warri, on Saturday said two middle-aged men suspected to be involved in the series of attacks on oil installations belonging to Chevron in Delta had been nabbed.
Commander of the Naval Base in the oil city, Commodore Joseph Dzunve, told newsmen that the suspects were apprehended in Sapele area of the state following a tip-off.

Dzunve said that the attacks on the oil facilities located in Warri North Local Government Area were carried out between May, 2016 and July, 2016.He added that the suspects were already providing the authorities with useful information that could assist in arresting other members of the group. ”Today, I am pleased to inform you that after persistent efforts, the NNS DELTA, being part of the maritime component of the Operation Delta Safe, has arrested two suspects responsible for the attack on Chevron facilities.
”They were deeply involved in various forms of crimes, including pipeline vandalism and sea robberies along the waterways in Warri North.
”The two apprehended suspects are not the only ones involved in the attacks on the oil facilities in Warri North. Others who are still at large will soon be apprehended,” he said.
Dzunve expressed the navy’s determination to rid the nation’s territorial waterways of all forms of criminal activities “in line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s directive’’.
Source: http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/08/navy-arrests-2-suspects-over-attacks-on.html

In spite of the allegations made against him by the former chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, has insisted that he did not doctor the 2016 budget.

“I wish to reiterate that no Kobo belonging to Nigerians has been misappropriated, stolen or lost in this budget saga,” Dogara said on Saturday on his official Twitter account. “I wish to state clearly that there was no act of corruption by me during and/or after the preparation of the 2016 budget.”
Dogara also said he never claimed he could not be prosecuted as a lawmaker, noting he was not above the law.“I did not say or mean that I am above the law or that I am shielded by the law, or that I have immunity for any infractions on the law,” he said. “I am not above the law, and I would never imply that I cannot be investigated by security agencies or tried by our courts.”
Abdulmumuni Jibrin, who chaired the appropriation in the lower chamber until July 20, had accused Speaker Yakubu Dogara, his deputy, Mr Sulaimon Yussuff Lasun, House Minority Leader, Mr Leo Ogor and the House Chief whip, Mr Ado Doguwa of selfishly allocating projects worth N60 billion to their constituencies. He, therefore, demanded the resignation of all the principal officers.
Jibrin noted that he was removed from his position mainly because he had different opinions about how things should be done.
“My offence was asserting my independence and insisting we do the right thing at all times and expose corrupt people in the House,” he said in a statement.
But the Speaker insisted that all the allegations Jibrin levelled against were false, saying that the truth would soon be obvious.
“I further wish to deny any and all other allegations of a personal nature against me. They are fictional and scandalous untruths.
“I wish to appeal to the Nigerian public for patience as the truth which will vindicate the innocent in this saga will unfold soon.”

Source: http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/08/dogara-denies-padding-2016-budget.html

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has commended the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, for his "leadership and unflinching commitment" that led to the recent passage of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Bill, by the Senate.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NESG, 'Laoye Jaiyeola, who made the assertion in a letter of commendation to the Senate President, dated July 22, 2016, specifically appreciated the Senate for the accelerated consideration and passage of the NRC Bill.
Jaiyeola noted that the passage of the Bill "marks a very significant milestone in Nigeria's history and further demonstrates the role of our legislature in the nation's economic development."
He expressed hope that the Bill would mark the first journey that the private sector and the legislature under the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable (NASSBER) have commenced to improve Nigeria's business environment.
The letter entitled: "Passage of the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act 1955 Repeal and Re-enactment Railway Bill, 2016" reads in part: "On behalf of our partners in the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, UK Department for International Development's ENABLE II programme and Nigeria Bar Association's Section on Business Law, I write to congratulate and express our deep appreciation to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for successfully passing the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act 1955 Repeal and Re-enactment Railway Bill, 2016.
More here>>http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/07/nesg-commends-bukola-saraki-over-pasage.html

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has advised domestic airlines to scale down their flight operations following the lingering scarcity of Jet A1, popularly called aviation fuel.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Acting General Manager Public Relations in NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, gave the advice on Wednesday in Lagos.

NAN learnt that aviation fuel was currently being bought at exorbitant prices ranging from N160 to N200 per litre by the airlines due to scarcity of the product.
Adurogboye said that NCAA was concerned that passengers were not made to suffer unduly because of the scarcity of aviation fuel.
“Our directive earlier when this situation arose is that airlines should cut down their operations to services they are able to procure fuel for.
“Where they have sold tickets, then they contact the passengers ahead of time to avoid their coming to the airport and be stranded,’’ he added.
However, Arik Air in a statement by its Communications Manager, Mr. Ola Adebanji, said marketers had assured the airlines that the situation would improve this week as they were expecting delivery of additional stock.
The statement identified supply and infrastructural challenges of the marketers as some of the key factors responsible for the epileptic supply of aviation fuel.
“At the root of the fuel supply crisis is low stock due to the inability of marketers to source for the foreign exchange to import more Jet A1 fuel.
“There is also distribution challenge as the discharging of vessels bringing Jet A1 and other petroleum products are done in the same
jetty and loading various trucks for distribution to cities like Kano or Abuja takes considerable effort and time.
“The situation in the north is even more difficult since the product takes longer to be delivered due to the trucking distance.
“Oil marketers have also resorted to trucking of aviation fuel to the airports because hydrants are not consistently available at the airports,’’ it said.

More Here>. http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/07/aviation-fuel-scarcity-ncaa-advises.html#sthash.aZJTv3oY.dpuf

Detectives have uncovered alleged diversion of over N59.6million meant for projects under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Ekiti State by Mr. Abiodun Agbele, an associate of Governor Ayodele Fayose.
Agbele, who is in detention, is believed to have been a front to launder N1.299billion for Fayose through his company, De-Privateer.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) believes the cash was part of the N4.745billion paid ex-Minister Musiliu Obanikoro’s company, Sylva Mcnamara, by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for the 2014 Ekiti governorship poll.
EFCC operatives were probing more clues on slush funds and payment of kickback by contractors before uncovering alleged diversion of MDGs’ funds.
According to EFCC investigators, the MDGs’ funds were transferred from a First Bank (MDGs-CGS Local Govt) to BYKD Consult Limited, which is purportedly owned by Agbele.
The funds were transferred in four tranches as follows: February 18, 2015(N18, 159, 050; N15, 319,850; N11, 218, 500; and March 30, 2015—N15, 704, 325.
Upon receipt of the funds through his account 0059177132 in Diamond Bank, Bodija, Agbele allegedly diverted the cash to pay for choice vehicles from Affordable Motors, a leading car sales company.
A source said: “We traced the diversion of the funds. On February 19, 2015, about N40million was transferred to the account of Affordable Motors.
“Also, on February 20, 2015, N15million was remitted to the same auto firm. We have the records.
“You can see how funds meant for projects designed for those at the grassroots were used to buy vehicles from an auto mart. This is why we have renewed the detention warrant on Agbele.
“We have asked Agbele to provide evidence of the contracts he did to have received funds from MDGs account in the state.
“We are going to invite all those connected with the disbursement of the fund including the coordinator of MDGs and civil servants in charge of the projects.
“We are conducting a comprehensive investigation on how funds were allocated to MDGs and local governmet areas and the disbursement process.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “We are suspecting that the governor might have used Agbele to launder MDGs’ funds. As soon as investigation is completed, we will make our findings public.
“Our findings so far have revealed the same pattern of how the N1.299billion handed over to Agbele by Obanikoro was transferred to Fayose’s accounts.”
The N1, 219, 490,000 was not deposited in any account but it was kept in a vault in the bank. It took the bank officials about 10 days to count. The bankers refused to make entry until it was counted,
“Shortly after confirming the figure, Abiodun was used to coordinate the disbursement of the funds. On June 26, 2014, Agbele paid N137million into Ayodele Fayose’s account 10003126654 with Zenith Bank through Teller-0556814. Fayose’s BVN on the teller is 22338867502. On August 22, 2014, he paid N50million into the same account. By the records from the bank, Abiodun paid another N118, 760,000 into Fayose’s account on 27/8/14,” a document on the investigation stated.
“Based on the transfers, Fayose moved N300million to a Fixed Deposit Account No 9013074033 with Zenith Bank at 15, Olusola Abiona Street, Olorunda Estate, Alapere Ketu. He has the same BVN-22338867502.
“After that, Abiodun deposited another N100million from the N1, 219, 490,000 into Spotless Hotel Account run by Fayose and his wife, Helen Olayemi Fayose with Account No. 1010170969, Fayose’s BVN is 223338867502 and his wife’s BVN in the account is 22298990256.
“The governor and his wife are the two directors and signatories of Spotless Hotel account.”
Source:http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/07/efcc-probes-fayoses-associate-over.html

The factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has called for the dissolution of the Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee as a condition for reconciliation.
He also rejected the choice of Port Harcourt as venue of the party’s National Convention slated for August 17.

The last convention, which was disputed, was held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Sheriff tabled these and other demands as conditions for truce in the PDP.
He told reporters yesterday that he had made it clear to Governors Darius Ishaku (Taraba) and Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe) that the caretaker committee was an aberration to the PDP constitution.
The former Borno State governor was receiving a delegation of PDP supporters from 17 local government areas of Abia State who visited him in Abuja.
Read Also:EFCC probes Fayose’s associate over N59.6m MDGs’ cash
He asked to be allowed to nominate 10 members into the convention committee, with the Makarfi group also nominating 10 members.
Sheriff said the convention should hold in Abuja.
He dismissed claims that he was the problem with the PDP, saying the crisis in the party was being fuelled by some persons who regard the PDP as their personal property.
He vowed to resist such persons, saying there will be no room for them to operate as long as he remained chairman.
Read Also:How The 8th National Assembly Celebrated The First Anniversary of it's Inuaguration
Sheriff said: “People are very interested in our party and how the crisis will be settled before the Port Harcourt convention, which was aborted by a court order.
“Yes, we met and issues were discussed but all the issues I put forward to them was for the Makarfi caretaker committee to resign.
“Since it is (committee) an aberration as far as our party constitution is concern. I told them that I am not ready to be a permanent chairman but I want the party to be placed in proper stead.
“If he resigns tomorrow, I will ask the members of my National Working Committee (NWC) whose tenure will expire in 2018, including myself to resign.
“Then, we will set up a convention committee in Abuja and put respected members and leader at the wards as members of the committee.
“In that convention, I will give away my mandate that does not expire until 2018 and I remain the national chairman of this party until 2018.
“If the leaders of our party felt that we can find a solution without exhausting the pending court processes, then I am open to a political solution.
“There is nothing like what has been reported. If you do not stand on the truth, the end result will be a serious distraction.
The leader of the Abia delegation, Mr. Chidi Nwosu called on Sheriff to look into the flawed congresses in Abia with the view to correcting the anomalies.
Nwosu said the congresses were conducted by a few powerful men who sat in their hotel rooms and picked the delegates.
Sheriff appears to have lost the support of one of his main backers. Senator Buruji Kashamu yesterday called on him to embrace peace.
The senator said it was time for the disputants to bury the hatchet in order to reposition the party for constructive opposition role.
Kashamu who represents Ogun East senatorial district, stated this in a statement in Abuja yesterday.
See more at: http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/07/pdp-crisis-stays-as-sheriff-insists.html

The Code of Conduct Tribunal on Tuesday adjourned all the cases slated for this week, including the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on charges of false and anticipatory asset declaration, till September.

The CCT’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Ibraheem Al-hassan, said in a statement that the development was due to an ongoing meeting between the CCT officials and some foreign stakeholders on the development of the Code of Ethics and Practice Directions for the CCT.
Al-hassan stated that all the cases slated for this week, the rest of July and August, had been adjourned till September after the vacation, which the tribunal’s judges would soon embark on.
The statement added, “The Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal, Hon. Danladi Yakubu Umar, on Tuesday, adjourned all sittings scheduled for this week and those to come within July and August till after the resumption from recess to be embarked upon by the tribunal’s judges soon.
“The decision was taken due to the ongoing Roundtable Discussion involving CCT and other critical stakeholders within and outside the country to develop the Code of Ethics and Practice Directions for the Code of Conduct Tribunal to ensure fair and speedy trials, sponsored by the European Union and implemented by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
More>>http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/07/cct-adjourns-sarakis-trial-others-till.html

Conduct Bureau (CCB) has reportedly accused Bukola Saraki, the Senate president, of the
failure to declare his assets in full, and not only. Saraki now faces the 13-count charge over alleged misuse of the state funds for purchasing private assets while serving as Kwara state governor. The alleged posed offences range from anticipatory declaration of assets to making false declaration of assets. Apart from that, Saraki, whose emergence as the Senate president was associated with serious controversy, is said to have been operating foreign accounts during his governorship and senatorial terms the are as follows;

1. Allegedly acquiring assets beyond his legitimate earnings.
2. Accused of operating foreign accounts while being a public officer – governor and senator. The offences, the charge said, violated sections of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
3. Mr. Saraki is also said to have breached Section 2 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act and punishable under paragraph 9 of the said Fifth Schedule of the Constitution.
4. Senate President is also accused of failing to declare some assets he acquired while in office as governor.
More Here>>http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/07/17-attempts-to-remove-senate-president.html

GLAXOSMITHKLINE Consumer Nigeria Plc has promised better returns on in­vestments as its shareholders gave heir nod to the 30k divi­dend proposed by its board.
Speaking at the 45th An­nual General Meeting of the company in Lagos, Mr. Ed­mund Onuzo, its Chairman , said that despite the prevail­ing economic challenges of 2015, the company remains committed to ensuring that its shareholders get returns on their investments.

According to Onuzo, the company’s decline in profit­ability was attributed to a very challenging year due to the country’s economic adversi­ties. Nevertheless, the Board recommended a dividend of
THE Chairman of Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Mohammad Ahmad, has said the reconstitution of the board of the bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was not a takeover , but an intervention to correct corporate governance lapses.

More>>:http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/07/shareholders-still-own-skye-bank-says.html

Report said each of the teams is made up of four lawyers with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) as the leader - the identities of the lawyers are yet to be revealed.Report said each of the teams is made up of four lawyers with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) as the leader - the identities of the lawyers are yet to be revealed.It was gathered that the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, which is led by Prof. Itse Sagay and other specialists took the lawyers through special training for over one month in preparation for their new assignment.
One of the teams of prosecutors has been assigned the forgery case recently instituted against Senate President Bukola Saraki; his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, and two others, anonymous sources in the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja was said to have confirmed on Thursday, July 7.
It was learnt prosecuting team will take over the forgery case from the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mr.Mohammed Diri, upon resumption of trial on Monday, July 11.
Confirming the development, the Special Adviser to Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation on Media and Publicity, Mr. Salihu Isah, said cases have been assigned to six of the 20 teams. Related:Over View Of Saraki Trails, A likely Hood of Bias
“The prosecutors, 80 in all, are constituted into 20 teams. After they were trained, cases have been assigned to the first six and one of the cases is the Saraki’s case that you mentioned,” Isah said.
The Federal Government had on June 10 charged Saraki, Ekweremadu and two others with two counts of criminal conspiracy and forgery of Senate Standing Rules used for the leadership election of the presiding officers of the 8th Senate on June 4, 2015.
The two other accused person are a former Clerk to the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and his then deputy, Benedict Efeturi.

Source:http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/07/20-teams-80-trained-prosecutorslawyers.html

The streets of South Sudan's capital were charged with tension on Saturday, the nation's fifth independence anniversary, after an outbreak of heavy fighting on the eve left at least 150 soldiers dead.

Friday's violence in the world's youngest country represents yet another blow to a shaky peace deal that has so far failed to end the civil war that broke out in December 2013.
"The number of casualties is over 150 killed," said Roman Nyarji, a spokesman for rebel leader turned Vice President Riek Machar, adding the death toll of soldiers on both sides may rise further.

More Here>>http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/07/150-killed-as-south-sudan-marks.html

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has cautioned Nigerians not to engage in panic petrol buying, after members of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) went on strike.

“The corporation has in stock enough products to satisfy local consumption requirements for the next 45 days,” said NNPC spokesman Garba Deen Muhammad.
Petrol shortages caused lengthy queues for motorists seeking to fill their tanks earlier this year after fuel importers struggled to find dollars needed to pay for refined oil products due to foreign exchange restrictions imposed by the central bank.PENGASSAN on Thursday said 10,000 of its members, which include refinery workers and office staff, had begun industrial action over issues “critical to the survival” of the country’s energy sector. Muhammad also said the state oil company had begun talks with trade union leaders to address their concerns.
PENGASSAN said it decided to strike over issues such as joint venture funding and cash call arrears, which it said had stalled the creation of new jobs and investment in the sector.
Cash calls are the government’s financial obligations to joint venture projects between NNPC and international and local oil companies

Source:http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/07/nnpc-cautions-against-panic-petrol.html

Up to 10 million Android smartphones have been infected by malware that generates fake clicks for adverts, say security researchers.
The software is also surreptitiously installing apps and spying on the browsing habits of victims.
The malware is currently making about $300,000 (£232,000) a month for its creators, suggests research.

The majority of phones that have been compromised by the malicious software are in China.
Remote control
A spike in the number of phones infected by the malware was noticed separately by security companies Checkpoint and Lookout. The malware family is called Shedun by Lookout but Hummingbad by Checkpoint
In a blogpost, Checkpoint said it had obtained access to the command-and-control servers that oversee infected phones which revealed that Hummingbad was now on about 10 million devices. China, India, the Philippines and Indonesia top the list of nations with most phones infected by the software.
Hummingbad is a type of malware known as a rootkit that inserts itself deep inside a phone's operating system to help it avoid detection and to give its controllers total control over the handset.
The ability to control phones remotely has been used to click on ads to make them seem more popular than they actually are. The access has also been used to install fake versions of popular apps or spread programs the gang has been paid to promote.
"It can remain persistent even if the user performs a factory reset," wrote Kristy Edwards from Lookout in a blogpost. "It uses its root privileges to install additional apps on to the device, further increasing ad revenue for the authors and defeating uninstall attempts."
Ms Edwards said the recent spike in infections could be driven by the gang behind the malware adding more functions or using their access to phones for different purposes.
The malware gets installed on handsets by exploiting loopholes in older versions of the Android operating system known as KitKat and JellyBean. The latest version of Android is known as Marshmallow.
more>>http://www.pajontech.com/2016/07/malware-hits-millions-of-android-phones.html

Senator (Dr.) Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Senator of Kwara Central, has experienced great success in both the private sector and public service of Nigeria.
Born on 19 December 1962, Senator Saraki was educated in both Nigeria and the UK, qualified and practiced as a medical doctor at Rush Green Hospital in London. A young Dr. Saraki decided to
return to Nigeria in 1989 where he worked in the financial sector for nearly a decade until he rose to the position of Executive Director where he oversaw corporate development and expansion programmes within the financial industry.
In recognition of his experience and professionalism, the Federal Government of Nigeria appointed him as Special Assistant to the President on Budget in 2000 where he was responsible for preparing the 2000/2001 National Budget. Dr. Saraki equally initiated the Fiscal Responsibility Bill and served on the Economic Policy Co-ordination Committee, where he was responsible for the formulation and implementation of key economic policies for Nigeria.

More>>http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/07/the-journey-of-senator-bukola-saraki.html

The lingering face-off between the Presidency and the Senate over the alleged forgery of Senate rules when the 8th National Assembly was proclaimed has elicited grave concern among discerning Nigerians.

It was alleged that the forged rules paved the way for the election of Sen. Bukola Saraki and Sen. Ike Ekweremadu as Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively.
The controversies that greeted the emergence of the two Senate leaders have yet to abate.
It will be recalled that Mr. Saraki and Senator Ahmed Lawan, both of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), contested for the Senate President post but the contest somewhat led to the polarisation of the party.
Members of the APC particularly resented the election of Mr. Ekweremadu of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as deputy senate president and this further polarised the party.
The development also provoked the onset of allegations regarding the forgery of the
More here>>http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/07/analysis-sarakis-trial-understanding.html

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has urged Muslim faithful in the country to sustain the values and virtues which the holy month of Ramadan taught them in their day-to-day relationship with God and fellow human beings.

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu in Abuja, in commemoration of this year's Eid-el-Fitri also urged all Nigerians to remain steadfast and prayerful in the face of daunting socio-economic challenges.
He said that the present challenges are surmountable "if we all realign our character and deeds in tune with the wishes of Allah". He stated that the country can only regain its lost glory when the citizenry uphold the virtues of good neighborliness and eschew intolerance of other people's opinion, corruption, abuse of power, disregard for due process and disobedience to the laws of the land.
Saraki said: "I urge all Nigerians, across religious divide, to remain steadfast, prayerful and patriotic . The virtues of moderation, piety, regular supplication to Allah and being our brother’s keeper should subsist beyond the Ramadan. Beyond this, every Nigerian should seek to contribute to rebuilding the nation with renewed vigour.
"I also urge Boko Haram insurgents and other agents of destabilization across the country to retrace their steps and give peace a chance in the spirit of the Eid-el-fitri. Again, Nigerians who nurse one grudge or the other against the state should seek for legitimate and peaceful means of expressing their grievances so that it will be possible for their position to be better understood and addressed through constructive dialogue.
"Similarly, let us all refrain from using violence to express our stand on issues. Violence only destroy, it does not build. Let us also shun greed and other vices capable of undermining the socio-political growth of our dear nation," he said.
Signed:
Yusuph Olaniyonu
Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, to the Senate President

Just in:CBN Sack Sky Bank Chairman
The Central Bank of Nigeria has sacked the chairman, Olatunde Ayeni, and the Managing Director, Timothy Oguntayo of Skye Bank.
The apex bank appointed Mr Tokunbo Abiru as new MD, and Alhaji M K Ahmed as Board Chairman.
http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/07/just-incbn-sack-sky-bank-chairman.html

A Federal High Court in Lagos today July 4, 2016, has granted bail in the sum of N250m to Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, the former Minister of Aviation, who is being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for an alleged fraud of N4.9bn.

Justice Muslim Hassan granted the bail with two sureties in like sum and ordered Fani-Kayode to deposit his passport in the custody of the court pending the outcome of the case. The both sureties must be owners of landed properties within the court’s jurisdiction and must present evidence of tax clearance in the state.
Nenandi Usman, former Minister of State for Finance, and one Danjuma Yusuf, who were standing trial along with the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Fani-Kayode were also admitted to bail in the same condition.The accused were on June 28, 2016, arraigned before Justice Hassan on 17 counts bordering on a 17-count charge that borders on conspiracy, stealing, corruption, money laundering and unlawful retention of proceeds of theft.

Source:http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/07/fani-kayode-2-others-gets-n250m-bail.html

He said the party should stop chasing shadows over the June 21, 2014 governorship election in the State, saying the party sould wait for 2018.
The Ekiti APC had sent 102 petitions to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) against the election that produced Fayose.

“Writing over 100 petitions to the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on an election conducted two years ago and was adjudged as free, fair and credible even by the international community, including the United States of America government is a demonstration of the APC desperation to throw Ekiti State into chaos just because the party lost power,” Fayose said in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media
The statement said: "How many petitions should have been written against the Presidential Election if APC could write over 100 petitions against an election held in just 16 out of the 774 Local Councils in the country.
"The IGP should maintain the culture of professional policing and maintenance of rule of law as done by his immediate predecessor, Mr Solomon Arase. He should be mindful of being drawn into needless political fights orchestrated by some APC governorship aspirants in Ekiti State just because of fear of 2018.

Source:http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/07/stop-chasing-shadows-governor-replies.html

He said the party should stop chasing shadows over the June 21, 2014 governorship election in the State, saying the party sould wait for 2018.
The Ekiti APC had sent 102 petitions to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) against the election that produced Fayose.

“Writing over 100 petitions to the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on an election conducted two years ago and was adjudged as free, fair and credible even by the international community, including the United States of America government is a demonstration of the APC desperation to throw Ekiti State into chaos just because the party lost power,” Fayose said in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media
The statement said: "How many petitions should have been written against the Presidential Election if APC could write over 100 petitions against an election held in just 16 out of the 774 Local Councils in the country.
"The IGP should maintain the culture of professional policing and maintenance of rule of law as done by his immediate predecessor, Mr Solomon Arase. He should be mindful of being drawn into needless political fights orchestrated by some APC governorship aspirants in Ekiti State just because of fear of 2018.

Source:http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/07/stop-chasing-shadows-governor-replies.html

The party also called on Ekweremadu not to politicise the allegations of forgery levelled against him and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

The Deputy Senate President had alleged that there was an attempt to silence him as the leader and highest ranking member of the opposition in the country, all in the name of prosecuting an alleged forgery case.
According to the Enugu APC Chairman, Ben Nwoye, “After all, how many indicted citizens of foreign nations have ever written to Nigerian government to intervene in their matter.
“Calling on UN to intervene on the forgery amounts to seeding our sovereignty to foreign nations. The CIA director and many US senators and government officials were over the years indicted and convicted, did they write to Nigeria?
“Some of the officials pleaded guilty and resigned and never wrote to any foreign country, including Nigeria. Those involved should face trial and stop invoking tribal, religious and ethnic sentiments.”
“We want to advise them to stop heating up the polity. After all, there are millions of Nigerians who are facing different trials like rape, corruption, among others, have they written the international community for interventions? We don’t want a situation where the law of the land would be for a selected few," he added.
Nwoye also said Ekweremadu’s action was aimed at embarrassing the APC government.
Political observers feel Ike Ekweremadu is overestimating his importance.

Source:>>http://www.sarakinews.com/2016/07/apc-slams-deputy-senate-president-over.html

at last we were able to profile a sulution to at least minimize those annoying messages

Flexherbal:
That's good!
I tried it and I think it worked.
I hope it remains like this.