RE: COLLAPSED BUILDING AT IBADAN STREET, EBUTE METTA AREA OF LAGOS
The attention of the Management of National Youth Service Corps has been drawn to a misleading online information that says one of the victims of the collapsed building at Ebute Metta Area of Lagos, ADEKEMI ZAINB ADEKUNLE, was a serving Corps Member.
From our findings, and according to the deceased's elder sister, the late ADEKEMI ZAINAB ADEKUNLE who graduated from History Department, Tai Solrarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State was yet to be mobilised into the National Youth Service Corps, as at the time of the incident.
She was in the process of getting her certificate from her institution of graduation before the unfortunate incident happened.
It was also discovered that the deceased was with her parent on a visit by the time the building collapsed.
While the Scheme condoles and shares in the pain of the bereaved families, it also prays that God should repose the souls of the departed.
Furthermore, the Management of National Youth Service Corps enjoins all pressmen, especially online reporters to be objective in their reportage, verify claims and uphold the ethics of professional journalism in their news coverage to avoid sensational journalism that can mislead the general public.
Chairman of the Akinwunmi Ambode Campaign Group; Olawale Oluwo says Ambode will "announce his political ambitions by Friday". In this interview, Oluwo clarifies where Ambode stands in ongoing political affairs, ahead of the elections.
Chairman of the Akinwunmi Ambode Campaign Group; Olawale Oluwo says Ambode will "announce his political ambitions by Friday". In this interview, Oluwo clarifies where Ambode stands in ongoing political affairs, ahead of the elections.
Ambassador Desmond Akawor, the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, has said the Nigeria as a country should be proud of people like Peter Obi for their undying desire and consistent drive to rebuild the country, extolling the former governor of Anambra State for his undying passion to build a better Nigeria.
Ambassador Akawor made the remarks when Peter Obi visited Rivers State as part of his engament and interaction with the PDP family in the state.
While speaking, Akawor described Obi as one who understands the nation’s economy and has not shirked in his struggle to fix things for the benefit of all.
The Rock as he is fondly called is seeking the ticket of his party to run for President in 2023.
According to the PDP leader, Obi is commited to the development of the country and her youthful population.
“Undoubtedly, Obi is interested in the development of the country. He does not just preach about how things should be done rightly, but he shows you his track record of success in governance and tells you how he did it rightly, with verifiable evidences.
“Under him, Anambra enjoyed the best road infrastructure, while developing in all fronts.
“He left behind no debt and even kept a savings of N75 billion for the State, a record yet unbroken in the country. We are very proud to associate with a man like him,” Akawor said.
Outlining some of their challenges in the State, Akawor expressed gratitude that Obi had already identified some of their challenges on his own.
“He regretted that governments at the national level has continued to pay deaf ears to their pains.
In his response Obi praised the Governor of Rivers State Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, for the outstanding infrastructural development of in the state. He described Wike as his brother and friend, and appreciated him for the warm hospitality he granted him in the state.
He assured the delegates, and by extension Nigerians, that, if given the chance, he would turn the nation into a highly productive nation, where the youth are productively engaged in different endeavours and people are well rewarded for their hardwork.
Atletico Madrid wanted to get to the bottom of all the talk about the guard of honour for Real Madrid at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.
Los Blancos have already sealed the LaLiga Santander title and their next match is Sunday, May 8, away at Atletico Madrid.
It's customary for the opponent to create a guard of honour and welcome the champions onto the pitch but Atletico seem to be against the idea.
"Some people want to turn what was born as a gesture of recognition to the champion into a public toll to be paid by their rivals, with the aim of humiliation," an Atletico Madrid statement read.
"Under no circumstances are Atletico Madrid going to collaborate in this attempt at mockery in which the true values of sport are completely forgotten. It also encourages tension and confrontation between fans.
"We have been involved in several similar situations in recent years after winning different titles, including two league titles, and on some occasions there was some kind of tribute from the rival team to our champions and on others there was not.
"But never was such an exaggerated and artificial expectation or controversy generated as what we have been experiencing in recent weeks".
And they went on to give examples.
"Atleti are the most recent champions. Does anyone remember any controversy about whether they should receive a guard of honour from their first opponent after winning the title? No, because there was no debate.
"In the first game of this season Celta Vigo decided not to give a guard of honour and it was a correct decision, because they are gestures that should be made to be applauded by the public and therefore it makes perfect sense to do it in front of the champions' fans.
"The aim should not be to create tension. We received the guard of honour in our first home game, from Elche. Naturally, with gratitude and, obviously, without any demands.
"It is as important to know how to lose as it is to know how to win. At Atleti we don't try to impose anything on others. It is clear that we have another way of understanding life."
The Redeemed Christian Church, RCCG has said Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is a child of God and he is capable of changing the narrative of governance in Nigeria.
Vanguard reported that the Head of Politics and Governance of RCCG, Pastor Timothy Olaniyan stated this at the weekend while fielding questions from newsmen at the inaugural conference of New Era Nigeria, NEN, a political movement set to change the narrative of governance in 2023.
Olaniyan was quoted to have said: “Money politics in this country has led us to where we are now.
“People will promise heaven and earth, and at the end of the day, you see them giving N1000, N2000 to eligible voters. After the election, you won’t see any of their promises being fulfilled, and the people they gave money will not have access to these notable politicians.
“It is high time our eyes were opened. What we want is not those baits, we want somebody that would make a promise to our children and fulfill it. If you tell me education is going to be free, I want you to get there and make it free so that we would not continue to build up youths who have no future.
“As of today, Pastor Yemi Osinbajo is not just a pastor, he is still a child of God. There are many pastors who can decide to do rituals with a human skull and still claim to be a pastor. I am talking of a child of God.”
RCCG had in March 2022 set up a department on politics and governance ahead of the 2023 General elections.
The church, with millions of members and over 32,000 branches across the country, said the Office of Directorate of Politics and Governance” will help to muster support for members with political ambitions.
The church also directed its branches to appoint a provincial officer across its levels for this new department.
“You are kindly requested to appoint with immediate effect a Provincial officer for your Province and also ensure that the same is done at all levels of the Church- Zone, Area and Parish. The essence of this Directorate is to help coordinate the engagement of our people who are willing to be involved in politics as well as mobilize support for them when required.
“Kindly send to the office the undersigned details of your Regional and Provinces Coordinators within the next two weeks of receiving this letter,” the church said in a memo dated February 28, 2022.
The memo was signed by the CO/AGO on Administration and Personnel, J.F Odesola.
A member of the church, Timothy Olaniyan, was appointed to lead the office.
However, some members of the public, mostly social media users have attributed the move to the presidential ambition of Nigeria’s Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo.
The death toll at the collapsed Ebute-Meta three-storey building had risen to eight.
Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Southwest Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.
An old three-Storey building collapsed at N0 24 Ibadan Street, off Herbert Macaulay Way, Ebute-Meta on Sunday night at about 10.56 p.m.
NAN also reports that 23 occupants of the building were rescued.
However, rescue operations were ongoing at the site of the incident in search of occupants trapped under the rubble.
The d3ath toll from the collapsed three-storey building at Ebute Meta, Lagos, as at Monday morning has risen to five, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) officials say.
Reports have it that an old three-storey building collapsed at No. 24 Ibadan Street, Herbert Macaulay Way, Ebute Meta, on Sunday night at about 10.56 p.m.
The Zonal Coordinator Southwest, NEMA, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, told Newsmen in Lagos that the deceased persons included three males and two females.
The number of rescued occupants remained at 23.
Rescue operations are ongoing at the site of the incident in search of four of the remaining occupants of the building.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Aspirants, Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa-Ibom and former Governor of Anambra, Mr Peter Obi say the decision of the party regarding zoning is supreme.
Both PDP chieftains say the party’s decision on zoning of political offices would be obeyed by all aspirants, once it is announced.
The aspirants stated this while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Friday immediately after their screening by the PDP Presidential Screening Committee, chaired by former Senate President David Mark.
Fielding question on recent decision of the Southern governors that the presidency should be zoned to the South while it seemed the party was saying otherwise, Emmanuel said that “party is supreme.”
“Party is supreme, if the party has spoken we will all abide by what the party says,” he said.
Emmanuel added that the delegates to the party’s national convention would determine who would emerge as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 elections.
The governor also said that he did not foresee any problem arising at the party primaries for presidential elections because of the 17 aspirants contesting the party’s ticket.
“If there were not many aspirants, I would have been worried. Honestly, that is where it would have been boring.
“You see this as a new spirit, a new wave of PDP, where everybody is allowed to express himself or herself.
Read Also: BREAKING: PDP disqualifies two presidential aspirants “So allow us to express ourselves on that day at wherever the venue will be.
“I think the delegates will determine who will rescue and restore this country.
“But trust me, whoever they will bring up as the candidate of the party will be one of the best that this country has ever produced, because look at the people that we are parading, who are aspirants.
“I think it is just one of the best that we are waiting for,” Emmanuel added.
The governor, who said all the PDP presidential aspirants were eminently qualified to emerge PDP candidate, however, said that all factors were working in his favour.
“I want to believe that so many things are to my own advantage.
“Because if you look at my antecedents, my training, my capacity and above all, I think, age is also on my side, because the problem with Nigeria today needs a very strong, agile young man.
“All around, I think so many factors are in my favour and that will be decided by the electorate on the primaries,” he said.
On his part, Obi said that the party had the final say on issue of zoning but should care about what Nigerians are saying or looking for.
Obi said that the party should be concerned about how to create a future for the teeming unemployed Nigerian youth and pulling Nigerians out of hunger.
“The party has the final say. I can’t have a thought; I’m a member of a party. If the party members say this is where they want the party to go, if you’re a member of an organisation, you respect that organisation.
“That is why I said, whatever we do, the most critical thing is what we must do to pull Nigerians out of poverty and create a future for teeming unemployed youths of Nigeria.
“We must change our polity and change to what other nations are doing and that is building a better nation for their people.
“We cannot go on around things that are yesterday. Let’s think about tomorrow. How come that a great nation such as Nigeria is not doing well? Simple: Changing from consumption to production.”
Obi, who also commended the screening process, said the delegates would be the ones to determine who emerged the party’s candidate.
“My chance is just for the delegates to decide. I’m not going to impose myself on them.
“My chance is for the delegates to reflect on the nation and decide what we should do to guarantee a future for our young ones.”
Because Buhari went from lowering the bar of governance to throwing the entire bar away, every nonentity now wants to be president.
It’s gotten so bad that the NDLEA is asking to be allowed to conduct mandatory drug tests on the plethora of presidential aspirants that are crowding the political space.�
Like the rest of us, the NDLEA boss must have reasoned that only drug-induced megalomania can inspire some of these aspirants to think they can be president of a complex country like Nigeria.
I can guarantee you that most of these delusional presidential wannabes will fail a drug test. And we all know who they are.
Next, expect the Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria to ask to be allowed to conduct mental health examination on the presidential aspirants.
Many of them are obviously psychotic. Psychosis is a “severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted.”
A former Senate President Ken Nnamani has joined the race to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
Disclosing this while speaking with Journalists in Abuja, Nnanami said Nigeria needs a man of tested integrity and competence to mobilise citizens to overcome tough challenges.
He noted that his pedigree as the President of Senate and Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Constitutional and Electoral Reform prove he would improve on Buhari’s legacies.
“In 2023, we will need a Ken Nnamani to help unite Nigeria, deepen democracy, and rebuild the social and economic infrastructure of sustainable development based on production and fair distribution.”
Buhari Extends Tenure Of Nigeria Immigration Service Boss, Isah Jere, Despite Attaining Retirement Age
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the extension of the tenure of the Acting Controller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Isah Idris Jere.
The NIS boss, whose official retirement date was April 24, 2022 (last Sunday) having attained the age of 60 as stipulated by civil service rules, will now continue to preside over the affairs of the agency for one more year following the latest development. https://saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/styles/normal_medium/public/ij-idris-e1632672453891-640x470_1.jpg?itok=xAK2YVaH Despite being fully aware of Jere's status as already being pencilled down for retirement last week, President Buhari, like in the past, ignored all laid down rules to unlawfully elongate his tenure, thereby denying other officers in the NIS a chance to move up the ladder.
In a letter dated April 22, 2022, and addressed to the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, Chief of Staff to President Buhari, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, announced the approval of the extension of Jere's tenure with immediate effect. https://saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/styles/normal_medium/public/IMG-20220428-WA0004_1.jpg?itok=81H4FUo6 The letter read, "I write in reference to your correspondence dated March 15, 2022 on the above subject matter and wish to inform you that Mr President has approved a one-year extension for the Ag. CGI, Alhaji Idris Isah Jere, with effect from April 24, 2022."
In a list dated December 6, 2021, containing names of 804 officers of the agency to be retired between January 1 and December 31, 2022, seen by SaharaReporters, Jere's name appears first.
Reacting to the development and responding to the commendation of President Buhari for the extension by Hussaini Coomasie, a former immigration officer and Vice Chairman of Advocacy for Good Governance and Social Justice, Tolu Babaleye, Secretary of Act for Positive Transformation Initiative, said the move is against civil service rules and capable of creating rancour within the agency.
Babaleye said, "Acting CGI Idris Isah Jere ought to have taken a bow out of office on April 24, 2022, but still going about with uniform and paraphernalia of office.
"We call on President Buhari and Minister of Interior to do justice by ensuring that a new officer is appointed to encourage carrier progression as extending the tenure of Jere will dampen the morale of the officers of the Service.
"By virtue of Section 3 and 4 of Immigration Act 2015, Jere is retired and no longer an immigration officer and he is not appointable otherwise all civil servants that have attained the age of 60 should have their tenure extended. An extension of the tenure of Jere as CGI will lay another bad precedent and will kill the morale of officers and men of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
"The officers working with NIS should be allowed to get to the pinnacle of their careers by allowing the young to grow instead of bringing officers from retirement to head the Nigeria Immigration Service. The agency needs a() fresh hand for innovative ideas."
This is not the first time that President Buhari will be breaching civil service rules to either extend the tenure of an official due for retirement or appoint a retiree to head a government agency, the latest merely adds to a long list in this category.
For instance, in 2018, Buhari ignored other officers on the line for elevation from the Southern part of Nigeria to bring Yusuf Bichi, a Muslim from Kano, from retirement to head the Department of State Services (DSS) after the controversial removal of Matthew Seiyefa, a former acting Director-General of the agency from Bayelsa State.
In February 2021, Buhari caused public outrage after extending the tenure of the then Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, for three months after the police boss’ retirement.
The President claimed that the move was to allow more time for the appointment of a worthy replacement.
On August 27, 2015, Buhari appointed Colonel Hameed Ali (retd) as Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, attracting criticisms from a wide section of the populace.
Ali, a former military officer and administrator of Kaduna State, had no prior career in the NSC, making his appointment a subject of controversy at the time.
However, despite the public outrage, President Buhari refused to replace him, keeping the 67-year-old in that position to date.
There was a bit of confusion at the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress on Wednesday as at least N43,000,000 reportedly went missing.
Our Correspondent observed that the canopy under which the sale of forms took place was suddenly dismantled without explanation.
The PUNCH reports that the party resorted to canopies due to the ongoing renovation/refurbishment works being carried out in the Secretariat main building.
It was gathered that the sum of $75,000 had gone missing amid the crowded struggle at the main entrance to the party premises.
Party sources, however, disclosed that the missing money was in no way connected to the monies from sale of nomination and expression of interest forms as aspirants are expected to make deposits in the designated account numbers before picking up their forms at Buhari House.
“It’s actually $75,000. You know there was a struggle at the gate when aspirants and supporters were trying to get in.
“When the parcel of money dropped, it went missing in a flash. By the time security operatives were alerted the thief had vanished with the envelope,” the party source said.
Earlier, the Secretariat had been a beehive of activities as aspirants trooped in to obtain forms for various electoral offices.
On the outside of Buhari House were hundreds of supporters lined up to cheer their respective aspirants as they made their way into the premises.
Wednesday’s sale of forms had made it clear that the party premises may not accommodate the nearly two-week exercise.
Therefore, talks are underway to relocate to a different venue altogether.
At the time of filing this report, officials of the party officials were heard deliberating to move the exercise to International Conference Centre, Abuja.
—Says Section 84 (12) of Electoral Act has been struck down by court —Adds: My supporters‘re raising N50m to support him for presidential form
The Minister of Labour and Employment and one of the leading presidential aspirants seeking to be the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Senator Chris Ngige has denied knowledge of any order emanating from the ruling party ordering political appointees interested in contesting elections next year to resign their appointments.
Senator Ngige also said that even if there is any order to that effect, it has not been conveyed to him and that there is a subsisting judgment from competent court of jurisdiction striking down the judgment.
Speaking to Vanguard in Abuja on Wednesday, Ngige, who was a former governor of Anambra State said that since section 84 (12) has been challenged in court and judgment entered into, the judgment should be obeyed until it is vacated by the court.
Asked his position on the APC leadership order that political office holders interested in contesting elections in 2023 should resign within 72 hours, Ngige said, “I don’t know about that I’m hearing for the first time from you.
“But like I always say, I’ll be guided by the letters and spirit of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria. You are pushing me into something that is not necessary to discuss, because that aspect of the law enacted by the National Assembly, via the Electoral Act, that section 84:12 has been struck down by a court of law and the case is on appeal.
“And for now, no matter how bad the judgment is, that’s the maximum jurisprudence no matter how bad a judgment of court is, it should be obeyed, until upturned or stayed. But there is no stay, that particular pronouncement has not been upturned, and the party is on appeal.
“So the judgment is still subsisting, that aspect of the law was injurious to some persons and should not have been there. I also know that the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria in certain sections, section 107, 137 and 88, prescribe disqualification clauses for people who are going for election and that prescription is supreme, because it’s in the constitution and the constitution is the grand norm of all laws.”
But reminded that there is from his party, the APC for those occupying political positions and interested in the forthcoming elections to resign, he said, “No, it’s not there. It is not in the works at all. But I will make for a consultation with a party, I find out.”
Asked why the APC went ahead to tell political office holders of the party to throw in the towel if they are contesting elections when there is a subsisting court judgment that has not been vacated, he said, “I have not seen that pronouncement from the party. I have not seen any release from the party. It has not been conveyed to me or to anybody. I’m an aspirant, I’m a presidential aspirant. So I’ll find out and if it is true, I would then know what to do.”
Asked his comment on the condemnations that have trailed the fixing of the APC’s presidential form for N100 million, which has been said to be outrageous by some Nigerians, he said people were free to express their views.
Senator Ngige said that he had earlier budgeted N50 million for the party’s presidential form, but has to contact his supporters to help him raise the N100 million needed.
He said, “Well, that is the people’s views. I had said earlier that I made a budget for N50 million, and is now N100 million. So I have discussed with my supporters, and they are raising the money to augment whatever is before now. So when they finish augmentation, I believe that we’ll get up to N100 million so that we can purchase our form.”
Gunmen suspected to be assassins have allegedly killed one Hon. Sunday Frank-Oputu, a strong supporter of a suit contesting the legality of the recently conducted ward, local government and state congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a Bayelsa State High Court.
Hon. Frank-Oputu who is a chieftain of the APC and an indigene of Igbomotoru Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state was reportedly killed in execution-like style about 11:50 pm yesterday at his Bay-Bridge residence, Yenezue-gene, Yenagoa.
A member of his community who confirmed the incident refused to speak, promising to give further details after a meeting of the family of the deceased is concluded later today.
It would be recalled that the deceased vehemently condemned the attack of a State High Court where the presiding Judge, Justice Nayai Aganaba, was stoned with plastic bottles by the hoodlums, an incident Hon. Frank-Oputu vowed to follow up to a logical conclusion before his untimely death.
Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has vowed to ensure that the 2.6 trillion naira capital allowances granted to MTN Nigeria by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Industry is properly accounted for.
Chairman of the Committee, Oluwole Oke while speaking on Tuesday at the resumed investigative hearing into the audit queries issued by the Auditor General of the Federation on tax evasion disclosed that documents relating to the 2.6 trillion naira capital allowances were allegedly forged.
The Committee explained that the invitation extended to MTN over the tax evasion allegations were ignored stressing that the Auditor General’s report indicated that the Federal Inland Revenue Service gave value to some of the telecommunications company dealings without certificates and evidence of capital allowance meant to be issued by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The Committee’s Chairman maintained that Nigerians are entitled to know the implications of MTN taking a 2.6 trillion naira tax waivers certificate at the detriment of the country’s economy.
General Manager, MTN group, Yemisi Adeleye who represented the telecommunications company at the hearing explained that it has submitted all relevant documents issued by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Industry reflecting the value of 2.6 trillion naira tax waiver.
Adeleye further explained that the Federal Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Federal Inland Revenue Service granted the allowances using various supporting documents.
The Committee disagreed with the company’s presentation and vowed to ascertain if the involvement of some Ministry officials were professional and patriotic stressing that the parliament cannot allow abuse of the country’s laws by people whose salaries and allowances were appropriated to prevent such loopholes.
The committee requested all officials involved in the transaction from the Federal Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Federal Inland Revenue Service to appear before it with inspection details and records of tax covering the periods under review from both MTN and FIRS for further legislative action.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Monday marked six residential houses and one plaza belonging to the embattled former Intelligence Response Team leader, Abba Kyari, in Maiduguri as being under investigation.
The two-storey shopping plaza, Assurance Plaza, located along the Giwa Barracks Road in Maiduguri, has about 100 stores.
Six other residential houses within the Maiduguri New Government Residential Area allegedly belonging to the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police had also been marked by the NDLEA.
This is coming barely 48 hours after a suspected drug dealer linked to the N3 billion worth of tramadol intercepted by the then Kyari-led IRT team was arrested by operatives of the NDLEA in Lagos.
An early morning fire, on Thursday, engulfed part of the Makurdi office of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) situated at the Old GRA area of the Benue State capital.
The fire which reportedly started from the fuel dome of the bank quickly became ferocious thus drawing the attention of some workers who immediately raised alarm.
Staff of the bank and members of the community quickly rushed to the scene and called in fire service before the fire could spread to the main building.
When contacted, the Director of Benue State Fire Service, Engr. Donald Ikyaaza who confirmed the report said he received a call informing him about the fire and he immediately drafted his men to the scene.
“It was actually a huge fire which started at the company’s fuel dome but my men rushed to the scene and put out the fire before it could spread to other parts of the bank. Everywhere is calm now,” Ikyaaza said.
At the time our correspondent visited the area around 9:30am, there was no sign of any fire incidence as everyone within and around the premises were seen going about their normal businesses.
We have not made a decision about the mode of primaries to choose candidates for the 2023 election, says APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.
#CTVTweets
#PoliticsToday
We have not made a decision about the mode of primaries to choose candidates for the 2023 election, says APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka. #CTVTweets#PoliticsTodaypic.twitter.com/bBbTSWMnLY
The Progressive Lawyers For Professor Yemi Osinbajo, a group of lawyers canvassing for the emergence of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as President in 2023 on Wednesday said he will emerge the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), irrespective of the mode of primaries adopted by the party.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC on Wednesday said that the presidential candidate of the party will be chosen through an indirect primary election.
Speaking with DAILY INDEPENDENT, the leader of the group and human rights activist, Kayode Ajulo, said Osinbajo has the majority of the party members and electorates on his side.
He said “Our take is clear. Whether they agree on direct or indirect primaries, it is not cast in stone. That can be changed at any time. What is cast in stone is what the law says. The law of the country as given by the Electoral Act stated that there shall be direct, indirect primaries or consensus. Any other arrangement by the party is not something that we can say cannot be changed. So, to me, I see nothing in what they have done.
“Any of the three options they choose, be it direct, indirect or consensus our candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo will win. All these things have been considered before he came out to declare for the presidential election. What matters most is to have the majority of those that will determine the outcome of the election. The party members and the electorate are all with him.”
Seven lawmakers in the Ogun State House of Assembly, who were loyalists of serving senator representing Ogun Central, former Governor Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday night dumped their party and returned to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Former Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, has fixed May 5 to announce his intention to run for president.
A source close to Mr Amosun, who is now a senator representing Ogun Central in the National Assembly, said he will formally declare his intention on his arrival from Umrah.
Mr Amosun is currently performing the lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The source added that he has been silently consulting with stakeholders across the country.
He said the declaration, to hold in Abuja, will be the climax of Mr Amosun’s ongoing consultations with key political players across the country.
Olusegun Clement, who served as Mr Amosun’s Special Assistant on Students Matters while he was Governor, confirmed the date.
“ By the benevolent of the Almighty God, the support of the APC leaders, and the entire populace of Nigeria, my boss will not only declare, but he will also contest and win by the grace of God,” Mr Clement said.
Mr Amosun is believed to be a close ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, the leader of the APC.
However, ahead of the 2019 general election, he went against the party leadership and opposed the nomination of Dapo Abiodun as the governorship candidate of the party.
Mr Amosun will join the list of APC chieftains who had announced their intention to run for president, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who officially declared on April 11.
Others who have announced their intention to secure the party’s ticket for the 2023 presidential election include Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos and leader of the party; Rochas Okorocha, a senator and former Imo State governor; David Umahi, Ebonyi State governor; Chris Ngige, the minister of Labour and former Anambra governor; and Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, among others.
Speaker @femigbaja has appealed to the leadership of the party to consider members contesting for another term in looking at modalities for primaries in the party.
Members of the Muslim community in Ondo State have kicked against the return of schools to some faith based organisations, saying it is uncalled for.
Addressing journalists in Akure on behalf of the Muslim community, the Secretary of the League of Imams and Alfas Ondo State, Abdulrasheed Akerele, said returning schools to the missionaries is illegal.
The group threatened to drag the state government to court if it fails to rescind its decision to return some schools to their missionary proprietors
The state government had last month named the schools to be returned to their original owners to include St Thomas Aquinas College, St. Louis Girls Grammar School, Akure and two primary schools.
The Muslim group urged the state government to rather build more schools and improve on the existing one.
The Zoning Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has concluded its sitting on the party’s zoning arrangement.
Chairman of the Committee, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, who briefed journalists at the end of the committee’s meeting in Abuja, said members have reached a unanimous agreement on the matter.
He however declined to speak on what the position of the committee is.
He said a report will be forwarded to the National Executive Committee of the party.
The PDP zoning committee was inaugurated on March 24 by the National Working Committee following the controversies surrounding the party’s arrangement for the presidency ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The committee, which was tasked with the responsibility of ensuring fair distribution of the party’s elective offices across the country, is composed of Governors Darius Ishaku of Taraba State and Ifeanyi Ugwunanyi of Enugu State, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, former Governors, lawmakers and other party stalwarts.
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, may declare his interest to join the 2023 presidential race on Saturday.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State will be organising a thanksgiving programme on the said date and the Minister is expected to grace the occasion.
However, there are indications that Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, who is alleged to be eyeing the number one office in the country would make a declaration on his presidential intention at the event.
As part of the preparations for the said event, Chairman of APC in the state, Chief Emeka Beke, and the South-South Zonal Vice Chairman, Victor Giadom, have led some leaders of the party in the state to inspect the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, venue for the programme.
The 2019 governorship candidate of APC, Tonye Cole, noted that the Stadium would be used as venue for a planned thanksgiving ceremony of APC.
It was gathered that some governors of the APC, National Assembly members, and top Federal Government officials would be present at the event.
A source in the party also noted that over 20,000 Amaechi followers were expected at the event in Port Harcourt.
NIN-SIM Linkage: Federal Government Commends Compliance and Directs Telcos to Bar Outgoing Calls on Unlinked Lines from 4th April, 2022
On behalf of the Federal Government, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has commended Nigerians and Legal Residents for their support during the exercise to link National Identification Number (NIN) to the Subscriber Identification Module (SIM). As of date, over 125 Million SIMs have had their NINs submitted for immediate linkage, verification and authentication. Similarly, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued over 78 Million unique NINs till date. It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, gave the directive for the implementation and commencement of the exercise in December 2020, as part of the administration’s security and social policies. The deadlines for the NIN-SIM linkage has been extended on multiple occasions to allow Nigerians to freely comply with the Policy. The FG also took into consideration the passionate appeals by several bodies - Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Civil Societies, Professional Bodies and a host of others - for the extension of the deadlines in the past.
Accordingly, Mr. President graciously approved the many requests to extend deadlines for the NIN-SIM linkage. At this point however, Government has determined that the NIN-SIM Policy implementation can proceed, as machinery has already been put in place to ensure compliance by citizens and legal residents. The implementation impacts on Government’s strategic planning, particularly in the areas of security and socio-economic projections.
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the implementation of the Policy with effect from the 4th of April, 2022. Consequently, the Federal Government has directed all Telcos to strictly enforce the Policy on all SIMs issued (existing and new) in Nigeria. Outgoing calls will subsequently be barred for telephone lines that have not complied with the NIN-SIM linkage Policy from the 4th of April, 2022. Subscribers of such lines are hereby advised to link their SIMs to their NINs before the Telcos can lift the restriction on their lines. Affected individuals are hereby advised to register for their NINs at designated centers and thereafter link the NINs to their SIMs through the channels provided by NIMC and the Telcos, including the NIMC mobile App.
Professor Pantami specially appreciates President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) for his tremendous support. He also commends the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Dambatta, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aliyu Azeez Abubakar along with their Management and Staff, as well as other notable bodies whose efforts have seen to the monumental success of the exercise. The Minister also extends his thanks to the telecommunication operators for their support towards the success recorded.
The Honourable Minister also emphasized that enrolment for the NIN is a continuous exercise and NIN is a precondition for service in Telcos, banks, Nigerian Immigration Service, and for several other government services. He also encouraged Nigerians and legal residents to visit NIN registration centers for the enrollment and issuance of valid NINs.
SIGNED:
Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde Director, Public Affairs, NCC
Members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and supporters of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State were on Saturday arrested by the police after guns and ammunition were found on them. Some of them were arrested in vehicles branded with the logo of the APC presidential candidate and currently being detained at the Central police station.
Bello had on Saturday officially declared his decision to run for the presidency on Saturday at the Eagle Square in Abuja. He is expected to complete his second term in office as governor in 2024.
Bello was first elected governor in 2015 but assumed office on January 27, 2016. He began his second term in office on January 27, 2020. Before now, supporters of the governor had been going round the country soliciting support for his presidential ambition. He hails from the North-central zone as the new National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu.
Second KDSG Security Update: Tuesday 29th March 2022.
KDSG receives passenger manifest for attacked Abuja-Kaduna train
- Eight bodies recovered, 26 injured
- Several unaccounted for, as search operations continue.
The Kaduna State Government has received from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), the detailed passenger manifest for the Abuja-Kaduna train service AK9 which was attacked by terrorists on Monday.
According to the documents received, 398 passengers bought tickets for the trip, but 362 were validated as having boarded the train through the recognized turnstile.
The passenger manifest does not include NRC staff and security officials who were on board.
Furthermore, security agencies have reported that eight bodies were recovered and 26 persons were injured during the attack.
Investigations are still ongoing to ascertain the status of the passengers who were on board the train and remain unaccounted for at the time of this update. Search operations are also being sustained.
Citizens are requested to contact the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency on the phone line 09088923398, to make enquiries or provide information regarding passengers who were on board the Abuja-Kaduna train AK9.
Further updates will be communicated to the public.
Signed
Samuel Aruwan Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State.
THE National Assembly has transmitted 44 constitution alteration bills to the 36 states’ Houses of Assembly for concurrence.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr. Olatunde Ojo, on Tuesday, distributed the copies of the bills to clerks of the state legislature at a ceremony in Abuja.
The Chairperson of the Forum of Clerks, who is also the Clerk to the Delta State House of Assembly, Lyna Ocholor, has assured that her colleagues would carry out necessary legislative actions on the bills.
Recall that both chambers of the National Assembly considered and approved 44 out of the 68 bills meant to alter the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
NYSC › Ebute-Metta Building Collapse: NYSC Denies Death Of Corps Member In Lagos by powerfulguy(op): 11:06pm On May 03, 2022
