Aufbauh:
Is quite unfortunate that the 8th Senate is constituting itself to be both maker and enforcer of the law out of crash ignorance and self aggrandizement.

Former president Obj had make more disparaging remarks about the senate before by calling bunch of rogues and thieves in high places. Why have they not attempt to summon Baba? This guys are mere jobless comedians trading off our time and resources.

The parts of the Constitution cited by Mr. Sagay empowers the Senate or House of Representatives to direct investigation into the conduct of affairs of ‘any person, authority, ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for executing or administering laws enacted by the National Assembly.’

Then, the law further provides that such shall only be exercised by the National Assembly for the purpose of making laws ‘within its legislative competence’; amending laws; and exposing “corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated for it.”

GOVERNOR of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has promised to tone down his criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari “due to the intervention” of Babatunde Fashola.

Fashola, who is the minister of power, works and housing, visited Ekiti on Thursday to inspect some projects.

Promising to exercise patience with Buhari’s government, Fayose said he does not expect all developmental projects in Ekiti to be fixed in one term.

“We would be praying for your success, there is nothing to ask, because you’ve said it all, and we don’t expect you to do all in one term,” he said.

“If we would be getting this much help, we won’t be criticising the federal government like this.

“Maybe because of you, I will tone down. But remember that a blind man has no way of knowing until it gets to his mouth. He would say what you promised me is already in my mouth.



“We appreciate you, I don’t want to demand too much… From your statement you have mentioned two-key roads, without them, there is no Ekiti, there is no Ondo.”

Speaking earlier, the minister, who is currently inspecting projects in the south-west, pledged the commitment of the federal government in supporting every state in the federation to achieve “social, developmental and economic objectives”.

“The federal government is not in competition with any state government; we are here to enable, to support and to assist,” he said.

“Our representatives in your state, our ambassadors, and that is why I said we should visit you first.

“Here is the one who is mandated to ensure the roads in this state are safe, they are free from potholes and so on and so forth. I therefore will start by asking you to treat him the way you treat other ambassadors who visit your state.”

Some of the projects both men inspected were the Fajuyi Flyover and bungalow constructions under the national housing programme.

Fashola orders stoppage of work on housing scheme site

Meanwhile, Fashola has ordered the stoppage of work on the National Housing Scheme, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

He expressed dissatisfaction over the terrain, accessibility and the remote location of the project site.

The minister blamed the Federal Controller of Housing in the state for failing to brief the ministry properly before starting work on the project.

Fashola said: “If I give you a house or relocate your office to this place, will you like it?

“Since you will not like it, why then did you choose to build for Nigerians here?



“After today, let every work on this site be suspended for us to take stock of what has been done.”

According to him, the decision of the ministry on whether to approach the state government for a better location or continue with the project will depend on the outcome of the stock taking.

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, who accompanied Fashola to the project site, said he was not informed before work started on the project.

The project, under the National Housing Programme in Ekiti, comprised of 24 units of two bedroom flats, 16 units of three bedroom flats and six units of one bedroom flats.

It was gathered that 12 different contractors are handling various aspect of works at the project site.

The Federal Government in February announced plan to construct 5,000 units of houses in each state over the next three years.

The project, according to the Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Shehuri, who spoke in Jalingo, Taraba State, the scheme would be financed by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

Saraki described the story as mischievous, fabricated and outright falsehood.

He said: “My attention has been drawn to a fabricated report on some online media in which I was said to have spoken on behalf of Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and threatened that Senate would go “to court and stop the entire government from working.

“There was no time I made the statement attributed to me by these mischievous element. The story is outright falsehood and should therefore be disregarded by all members of the public.”

THE Mother of Stephanie Otobo, the alleged estrangled girlfriend of Apostle Johnson Suleman, General Oveeseer of Omega Fire Ministries, has said she has not seen her daughter in the last three years, noting that her daughter ”is not normal.”

This is coming after Ms. Otobo, a Canadian-based Nigerian singer accused the fiery preacher of impregnating and abandoning her after he promised to marry her.

Following her initial allegation against the preacher, the singer had continued to release more intimidating details about her alleged romance with Suleman.

But her mother, popularly called Mama Tope has opened a fresh controversy on the much publicized saga.

In a chat with newsmen in Sapele, Delta State on Thursday, Mama Tope said she has not met the cleric before, neither has she been to the Omega Fire Ministries.

Describing as untrue claims that she accompanied her daughter to the headquarters of Omega Fire Ministries in Auchi, Edo State for a purported introduction ceremony, she warned that, “those manipulating her daughter against the man of God would be exposed.”

She expressed willingness to, “see the revered cleric to apologize if given access to him.”

She further lamented that, “all efforts to get Stephanie to lead a normal life had not yielded the desired result.”

Mama Tope appealed to Apostle Suleman to, “forgive my daughter and bury the hatchet” even as she blamed the devil for seeking to destroy her daughter.

Lalasticlala

Dino Melaye your sin has surely found you.

When you were scratching Sahara Reporters back to keep up the fight against GEJ you forget that the evil men do lives after then.

Whatever you sow, you will definitely reap, you sowed hatred against GEJ, you MUST reap it to the full.

Show us your certificate.

WORRIED by misapplication of the federal character principle, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, said on Thursday that the principle should be based strictly on merit rather than on ethnicity.

Sanusi spoke at the 10th memorial lecture of Chief Kehinde Sofola, with the theme: “The Role of the Legal Profession in Nation Building: the Nigerian Context.”

The emir, who chaired the lecture, said the government should only ensure that representatives of the people in political, legal, or economic institutions in the country were drawn from suitably qualified individuals and not on ethnic considerations.

The Federal Character Commission Act was promulgated in 1995 and later fused into the 1999 Constitution in the wake of agitations for fair share of political positions across the country.

In the guiding principles and formula for the distribution of all cadres of posts across the country, the Act stipulates in its Part 1 (1): “Each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory shall beequitably represented in all national institutions and in public enterprises and organisations. (2) The best and the most competent persons shall be recruited from each state of the federation to fill positions reserved for the indigenes of the FCT.”

It was introduced to promote national unity and foster national loyalty instead of regional interests and eventually give every Nigerian a sense of belonging no matter anyone’s religion, language or ethnic group.

Sanusi said: “The issue of federal character should not be an excuse for nepotism; it should be based strictly on merit and not on family or ethnic sentiments.”



According to him, a true application of the federal character principle will help to preserve the rule of law in the country.

Describing democracy as rule of law based, the one-time Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria called on Nigerians to protect and defend the integrity and dignity of the nation’s legal institutions.

He said: “As we live today, we must understand that it is our duty to respect the various institutions of our country.

“We cannot sit and watch as spectators as our institutions are being destroyed; to be a true Nigerian we must learn to look at our leadership and tell them where they are going wrong.”

RECENT reports that Transparency International, UK had endorsed the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, have proven to be false.

A statement issued by the EFCC had said the international anti-corruption monitor had endorsed Magu as an anti-corruption icon.

The statement of the EFCC had come on the heels of the rejection of Magu by the Nigerian Senate as the nominee for confirmation to head the commission.

However, in a statement by TI announcing the event to which Magu was invited, it was categorically stated that the invitation was not an endorsement by the organisation.



TI-UK stated on its website http://www.transparency.org.uk/ that it had to clarify that inviting Magu did not constitute an endorsement as reported in the Nigerian media.

It said: “In light of reports in Nigerian press, TI-UK would like to clarify the following points:

“The event is being hosted by Transparency International UK, Global Witness and The Corner House.

“This event does not constitute an official follow-up to the London Anti-Corruption Summit, hosted by the UK Government in May 2016.

“The purpose of this event is to contribute to the discussion about the effectiveness of the UK-Nigerian asset recovery process, and more generally the UK’s asset recovery regime.

“All invited guests speak on behalf of either themselves or the organisation they represent – their participation does not represent an endorsement by TI-UK.”

Last week, the Senate had rejected Magu’s nomination following a report by the Department of State Services, which alleged that he would constitute a liability to the anti-corruption fight of the current administration.



The security body had alleged that Magu hobnobbed with individuals who were under investigation by the commission.

The report added that Magu lived in a N40 million house paid for by someone being investigated by the commission.

Following the report, which was sent in October 2016 and reaffirmed last week by the DSS, the Senate rejected Magu’s nomination.

Magu however has debunked the DSS allegations.

THE Muslim Rights Concern has said the onus is on the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, to prove that he did not say the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu will use “us for pepper soup” if confirmed.

MURIC, according to media reports, quoted the ex-governor as saying: “Magu wants us to confirm him so he can use some of us for pepper soup.”
Racting, Akpabio in a statement by his Special Assistant Media, Mr. Jackson Udom, described the statement as laughable, and an imagination of the purveyors’ minds.

The Minority Leader challenged MURIC to disclose the location where he made the statement, or who the audience was.

“We would want MURIC to disclose the location where Akpabio purportedly made the statement, the audience he addressed and also provide a record of the interaction before Nigerians would take them and their infantile claim serious. We believe MURIC, as a serious organisation should not be a purveyor of beer palour gossips, that defy reason and logic.

“From the record of proceedings in the Senate on the day Magu was screened, which was streamed live, we are yet to see the scene where the Senate Minority Leader made such non existing statement. We therefore, challenge Mr. Ishaq Akintola, who claimed to be the director of this group to go beyond mere allegations, in order to please his pay master, but should go a step further by providing proofs to buttress his wild and unfounded allegations.

“Those behind this blackmail and campaign of calumny against Akpabio should note that even the coinage of the statement is very much unlike Akpabio. The Senate Minority Leader, even in his very informal discussions, couldn’t have gone that low with such a flawed statement. Akpabio is not a tout, therefore such statement as quoted above couldn’t have been made by the former governor,” it stated.

Firing back, MURIC in a statement by its Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, on Tuesday, said rather than making an issue out of MURIC’s statement, Akpabio should rather prove he did not say such and also attend to the crux of the matter it raised.

The statement said: “The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, yesterday reacted to a press statement issued by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) in which the organization quoted him as saying that Magu wanted Senate to confirm him so that he could use some of them for pepper soup. Senator Akpabio denied making such a statement and challenged MURIC to provide evidence.

“We aver that Akpabio missed the crux of our statement. This would not have occurred if he had taken a good look at the semantics. Our statement was crafted to indicate that we were quoting a third party. That was why we used the adverb ‘allegedly said’ and the adjective ‘alleged utterance’. It means we did not pretend to affirm the statement but left a window for the Senator to either confirm or deny.

“We reproduce the half paragraph here for the avoidance of doubt, ‘A statement credited to Senator Akpabio in which he allegedly said, ‘Magu wants us to confirm him so he can use some of us for pepper soup’ lends credence to our hypothesis. Akpabio’s alleged utterance confirms our worst fears.’

“To bring what people feel or say about public officials to their attention is our duty and a priviledge, to deny or confirm such statements or sentiments is the right of the public official. We have used our privilege. Senator Akpabio has exercised his right.

“The onus is on Senator Akpabio to confirm or deny the statement. He has chosen to deny it and we are satisfied because there is nothing personal for us to pursue. Therefore, we will not press the issue of the statement allegedly made by him any further.

“What the Senator cannot deny is that he has a case of graft before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or that he did not oppose the confirmation of Magu during the screening in the red chamber on Thursday. We leave Nigerians to make their own deductions regarding the rationale for the senator’s opposition of Magu’s confirmation.”

CRISIS may soon hit Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber over moves to sanction its immediate-past Leader, Ali Ndume, for what lawmakers described as “unparliamentary” utterances.

This is coming at a time senators have resolved to investigate Senate President, Bukola Saraki over alleged importation of bulletproof Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) impounded by the Customs and Senator Dino Melaye over alleged certificate forgery.

Plans had reached advanced stage to move against Ndume, who, of late, has been making comments against positions taken by the Senate on issues.

It is believed that senators against Ndume are reaching out to others, with Senator Melaye as the arrowhead, a report on Daily Sun said.

Ndume incurred the wrath of some senators when he protested the rejection of the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, by the Senate.

Ndume, protested the approach adopted by the Senate, saying Saraki erred by accepting a report not signed by the Director-General of Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura.



Referring to a similar letter written to the Senate President by an Assistant Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), on behalf of the Col. Hameed Ali, Ndume queried why Saraki declined to read the letter, but accepted a similar one from the DSS.

The former senate leader, after the second rejection of Magu, granted several press interviews where he openly criticised Saraki and the entire Senate for rejecting the acting EFCC chairman.

Unperturbed by moves against him, Ndume, yesterday, called for the investigation of Saraki over the face-off with the Comptroller General of Customs. He also want Melaye investigated over alleged certificate forgery.

Senator Ndume, who came under a motion of national importance, said Saraki, according to a story published by an online newspaper, Sahara Reporters, sanctioned the summon of the Customs over claims that his bulletproof Ranger Rover Sport was impounded.

On the part of Melaye, Ndume said the online platform published a story that he did not obtain a degree in Geography from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Drawing instances from four scenarios, Ndume said a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Salisu Buhari, was accused of certificate forgery and eventually cleared his name.

He said former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, was also accused when he held sway as Senate boss, was investigated, just as current Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, as Speaker of the House of Representatives, when he was accused of certificate forgery.

He said Dimeji Bankole, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, was accused of not writing his Senior Secondary School Examination and was investigated, insisting that Saraki and Melaye should be investigated over the allegations.

Ndume said: “This matter borders on our privileges. One has to do with Senator Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, and it was reported in a paper I have it here. The newspaper said the Senate is on vengeance after Nigeria Customs, seized Senator Saraki’s bulletproof Range Rover over fake documents.

“My colleagues that are following events, particularly online, have seen or heard or read the rein of abuses on this Senate and the misconception of the fact that we invited the Customs boss based on a very unpopular policy that affects the people we represent, but now we are faced with this,” Ndume said, citing former National Assembly leaders that had been investigated in the past.

According SaharaReporters, the Senate’s current war against the Customs boss, has its roots in the fact that Customs officials seized a bulletproof Range Rover Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) allegedly belonging to Senate President, Saraki.

The newspaper claimed that Nigeria Customs officers in Lagos had, on January 11, 2017, intercepted and impounded a Range Rover SUV, which carried documents that claimed its chassis number was “SALGV3TF3EA190243.” Customs officers, according to the report, said the value of the car was N298 million, which meant that Customs duty of N74 million should have been paid on the car.

But Special Adviser to Senate President on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, has stated that the allegation raised by Senator Ndume, linking Saraki to the importation of vehicle lacked basis, as it was outright falsehood.



In a press statement, Olaniyonu said from the facts and documents about the seized vehicle, it is obvious that the Senate president has nothing to do with the importation of any vehicle.

Said he: “A supplier was engaged by the Senate to supply a vehicle. While transferring the vehicle between Lagos and Abuja, it was impounded by the Customs. We believe that is an issue between the supplier and the Customs because the Senate has not taken delivery. So, why is somebody trying to drag in the name of Saraki into the issue.

“The documents on the vehicle are there for the general public to view and make their conclusions. Now, that the matter has been referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, all the facts will be out.”

Last weekend, Melaye alleged, in a Facebook post, that the EFCC was plotting to cook up something against him. A day after, news emerged that he did not graduate from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

SaharaReporters, which published the report, claimed that Melaye did not graduate from the Department of Geography, Ahmadu Bello University, where he reportedly had his first degree.

Senator Melaye, in a press conference, after plenary, told journalists that he will submit himself to the ethics committee for proper investigation. He, however, claimed that the outcome of the investigation will exonerate him.

“I have nothing to hide. I have seven degrees and I am currently running another programme. I have my certificates and I will make everything available to the committee during the investigation,” Melaye told newsmen.

With the nod of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the yesterday’s legislative business, Ndume submitted some newspaper publications, after which the matter was referred to Senator Samuel Anyanwu-led Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions for further investigation.

THE Federation Account Allocation Committee on Tuesday shared N429.1 billion, about N36 billion less than what the three tiers of government shared as revenue for January.

The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, told newsmen in Abuja that the N429.1 billion was distributed under four distributable sub-heads.

Adesoun said: “The distributable revenue for the month is N258.7 billion.

“The sum of N6.33 billion was refunded by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.



“There is a proposed distribution of N60.89 billion from the excess Petroleum Profit Tax.

“Also, exchange gains of N40.32 billion is proposed for distribution.

“Therefore, the total revenue distributable for the current month, including VAT of N69.2 billion, is N429.1 billion.”

Giving reasons for the shortfall in revenue generation for the month, Adeosun attributed it to the continued sabotage of oil pipelines in the Niger Delta region.

She said: “There was revenue increase of $4.06 million in federation export sales due to a rise in crude oil export volume by $0.30 million.

“However, average price of crude oil fell from $49.57 to $44.74 per barrel during the period.

“Production diminished during the period due largely to leakages in the pipelines arising from sabotage.

“Also the Force Majeure declared at Forcados and Brass Terminals lingers.



“There were also significant decreases in revenues from Petroleum Profit Tax, Companies Income Tax, Import and Excise duties and oil royalty.”

The minister said after deducting cost of collections to the revenue generating agencies, the Federal Government got N117.58 billion, states N59.63 billion and local governments N45.98 billion.

In addition, she said N23.1 billion was given to the oil producing states under the 13 per cent derivation principle.

On the balance of the excess crude account, Adeosun said the account currently stood at $2.45 billion.

Lalasticlala

THE President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday admitted that the vehicle seized by the Nigeria Customs Service belonged to the Senate.

Saraki, however, said he has nothing to do with the importation of the vehicle.

Saraki who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, stated that the allegation raised on Tuesday (today) at plenary by Senator Ali Ndume linking him to the importation of the vehicle lacks basis as it was outright falsehood.

In the press statement, Olaniyonu said from the facts and documents about the seized vehicle, it was obvious that the Senate president has nothing to do with the importation of any vehicle.

He said: “A supplier was engaged by the Senate to supply a vehicle. While transferring the vehicle between Lagos and Abuja, it was impounded by the Customs. We believe that is an issue between the supplier and the Customs because the Senate has not taken delivery. So, why is somebody trying to drag in the name of Saraki into the issue.

“The documents on the vehicle are there for the general public to view and make their conclusions. Now, that the matter has been referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, all the facts will be out.”

SENATOR representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the upper legislative chamber, Dino Melaye, has reacted to an alleged certificate scandal involving him which cropped up earlier this week.

Addressing journalists after plenary in an emotion laden voice, Melaye said it was imperative for him to clear himself of the scandal as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, expressing his willingness to submit himself for investigation.



Expressing optimism that the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges will eventually clear him of the allegations, Melaye disclosed that he was pursuing his 8th masters degree in crime prevention at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he got his first degree years ago, adding that his name was being smeared by those against his rising political profile.



While insisting that nobody is above the law, the controversial Senator said, “Over time, when the online newspaper lacks patronage, they stir up issues against me to attract traffic, unfortunately, there is no monetary compensation between us.”

​TWENTY-THREE of the 37 States Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party have endorsed the recommendation of the National Reconciliation Committee headed by the Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, for a political solution to the crisis rocking the party.

The chairmen also supported the committee’s reports and recommendations, including an all-inclusive unity convention to be held as soon as possible.

The 23 PDP State Chairmen in a joint communique read to journalists in Abuja by the FCT Chairman, Yunusa Suleiman, after their emergence meeting held on Friday night, said Senator Ali Modu Sheriff remained the chairman of the party going by the pronouncement of the Court of Appeal.

They suggested that every organ of the party, group or individuals that has anything to add to the recommendations should present same to Sheriff for consideration and deliberation, saying it would deepen internal democracy and support an all-inclusive regeneration of the party.



The communique was signed by PDP State Chairmen of Jigawa, Adamawa, Niger, Gombe, Taraba, Zamfara, Yobe, Kebbi, Kwara, Bayelsa, FCT, Ogun, Oyo, Lagos, Imo, Borno, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Kogi, Benue and Cross River States.

The communique reads: “The PDP Chapter Chairmen are very concerned about the crises engulfing the party as it is degenerating into the several decamping from the party across the Nation. Baring in mind the upcoming Presidential Election timeline recently announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as other elections fast approaching, and as key political actors of the polity, we cannot sit back and allow our party denigrate to this level and has thus decided to come forward and proffer solutions to this crisis.

“After exhaustive deliberations on the issues affecting the party, we the Chairmen of State Chapters in the country at its meeting held on the 17th of March 2017 resolved as follows:

“In line with the only template presented by the Peace and Reconciliation Committee of our Party headed by Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, Governor of Bayelsa State, we wish to state that we support the recommendation that a political solution is the best and only solution to our crisis without prejudice to the on-going judicial processes.

“We are also in support of the committees’ recommendation of an all-inclusive unity convention to be held as soon as possible.

“We therefore suggest that every organ of the party, group or individuals that has anything to add to the aforementioned recommendations should present same to the National Chairman for consideration and deliberations as we believe this will deepen our internal democracy and support an all-inclusive regeneration of the party.

“We as legitimately elected Chairmen wish to state on the grounds of clarity that we shall never be in support or be a part of any thought of tinkering with the option of leaving the PDP and forming another party.



“We shall at all times align ourselves to any judicial pronouncement of a superior court on this matter. We call upon all party leaders and members to make the necessary sacrifices to ensure the survival of the party at this critical period of our history.

“We also call upon the National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sherriff and the National Working Committee (NWC) to abide by the recommendations of the peace and reconciliation committee for the sake of our great party.

“As a forum, we shall continue to engage the party leadership and all relevant stakeholders with a view to having a hitch free convention and call upon all leaders and party members to work towards the realisation of this objective.

“The Chairmen appreciate the efforts of the former President, Governors, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, Past leaders and elders of the party for their untiring efforts at resolving the on-going crisis in the party. Thank You and God bless.”

BENUE State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has said he ordered for Fulani herdsmen to leave his state because he could no longer fold his arms and watch while they continue killing his people.

Ortom was answering questions from State House correspondents shortly after attending a meeting of the National Economic Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He described the herdsmen as unfriendly to his people, adding that he needed to take the decision because his responsibility as the state governor is to ensure safety of lives.



Ortom said, “I ordered armed herdsmen out of my state. They are not friendly to my people. They kill them and I cannot tolerate that. My job as governor is to provide security for lives and property. I cannot watch seeing people being killed unprovoked. It is not right.

“The only thing my people are living on is farming. When you go to their farmlands and destroy their crop and then when they complain, you kill them. That will never be acceptable. I will not fold my hands to watch this happen.

“I have told the security men to ensure the arrest of all those who have arms. You are aware that through my amnesty programme, I was able to disarm the criminal elements in my society because I believe in the rule of law and due process.

“Without the rule of law, there is no way we can govern. A stronger person will come and take over the affairs of the state from where ever you are. And so, we must abide by the rule of law.”

Ortom said apart from corruption, governments at all levels must be ready to fight impunity which he said is worse than corruption.

“Another thing is impunity, it is worse than corruption. So, why we are fighting corruption, we must also fight impunity. This is not right.



“Those armed herdsmen, are they above the law? So, the security men must track and arrest them and prosecute them according to the law.

“I have told my people that as farmers, they have no business carrying arms. And so, I will protect them as long as I am governor is my state,” he added.

The governor added that since the arms with the herdsmen were not licensed, they must be apprehended.

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari this afternoon met state governors during the ongoing meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC).

President Buhari went round inside the Council Chambers to shake hands with all the governors in attendance.

Journalists were thereafter asked to leave.

Few minutes later, the president left for his office.

It is not yet clear what exactly the president discussed with the governors.

This is Buhari's first interaction with the state governors since his return to Nigeria last Friday from his medical vacation in London.

The National Economic Council, headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, is composed of the 36 state governors, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and relevant ministers.