As criticisms and commendations continue to trail his dramatic exit from the Peoples Democratic Party, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has explained how he arrived at the decision to dump the party to which he belonged for 16 years.
The former president had Monday announced his resignation as a member of the party on whose platform he ruled the country between 1999 and 2007.
Mr. Obasanjo renounced his membership of the PDP when some leaders of the party led by Surajudeen Oladunjoye, the chairman of the ward around his former residence in Ita Eko, visited him at his Presidential Hilltop mansion in Abeokuta home.
The former president directed Mr. Oladunjoye to tear his membership card at a press conference organised during the visit.
About two hours later, the PDP leadership in Ogun State announced the expulsion of the former president from the party.
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Since submitting the 2015 Budget to the National Assembly in November last year, Nigeria’s Budget office, although required by law to publish the budget details have failed to do so, preferring to keep it secret.
PREMIUM TIMES, courtesy BudgIT, has obtained authentic copies of the proposal handed to federal lawmakers for vetting and approval.
We are making them available in downloadable formats below in public interest.
download the entire folder by clicking the link below...
http:///DdnFiw

Despite the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, and the Minister of Police Affairs, Adesiyan Jelili – two of the characters in the Ekiti rigging audio recording – admitting the authenticity of the recording, President Goodluck Jonathan has described the tape as a fabrication that is not worth his attention.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, last Friday, Mr. Jonathan said he was not going to investigate the authenticity of the audiotape describing it as a “fabrication.”
“It’s all fabrications. Why should I investigate things that are not real?” he asked.
It is not clear how Mr. Jonathan determined the tape was not real without conducting an investigation.
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A rally organised by the All Progressives Congress in Okirika, home to Nigeria’ First Lady, Patience Jonathan, was disrupted twice on Wednesday.
The rally was first disrupted by triple bomb blasts which occurred a few minutes after the leadership and party faithful assembled at the Okirika National Secondary School field in the early hours of the day.
A source, who pleaded not to be named for security reasons, told PREMIUM TIMES that the rally had just got underway, when three bombs went off in quick succession in three different locations close to the venue of the programme.
“We had just started the rally when three bombs went off near the venue. There was a stampede as people fled in different directions to safety.
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http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/177011-breaking-explosion-gunshots-disrupt-apc-rally-in-patience-jonathans-home-town.html

The Nigerian military has slammed former President Olusegun Obasanjo as an embarrassment to the force he once served, hours after Mr. Obasanjo on Monday announced his exit from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Mr. Obasanjo dumped the PDP at a dramatic event in Abeokuta, Ogun State, a move that appeared aimed at forestalling an expulsion by the party.
The military did not rebuke Mr. Obasanjo for leaving the party. It lambasted the former president over his criticisms of the force’s role in the postponement of forthcoming general elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had rescheduled elections from February, to March and April, a decision taken at the instigation of the military.
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http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/176958-obasanjo-embarrassment-military-defence-headquarters.html

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party has expressed sadness over former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s decision, Monday, to dump the party.
Mr. Obasanjo announced his resignation from the party at a dramatic meeting where he ordered his party membership card be shredded.
PDP officials had earlier condemned the act, with the secretary of the party’s Board of Trustees, Walid Jibrin, saying Mr. Obasanjo acted irresponsibly.
The chairman of the board, Tony Anenih, said the former leader will not be missed by the party.
In its official statement, signed by spokesperson, Olisa Metuh, the PDP said it was “saddened” by Mr. Obasanjo’s departure, and lamented the party’s inability to pacify the former president after several pleas.

[b]Read full Statement below:

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has received the news of the decision of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to withdraw his membership of our great party. We have also carefully examined the circumstances and the reasons adduced for this unfortunate decision.
While we concede to the inalienable rights of every citizen to hold opinion and to decide who to associate with, we are however deeply saddened that Chief Obasanjo, a revered leader of our party, our first Presidential flagbearer whom the PDP offered the platform to rule our nation for eight years, could decide to abandon this party at this critical point in time.

This is especially as Chief Obasanjo, who was also the Chairman of the highest advisory organ of the PDP, the Board of Trustees (BoT) discountenanced all pleas by elders and leaders of our great party with regard to his reservations on certain issues within our fold.

Many Nigerians are still bewildered as to what manner of provocation could have led a former President to lose his composure and go to the extent of tearing the membership card of the party that he once led.

Indeed, the PDP is hugely at loss as to how the decision and action of the former President who had enjoyed the benefits of being elected to the highest position of leadership will assist in deepening our democracy and stabilizing the polity.
It is our considered opinion that no matter the provocation, a statesmanly disposition from a person of Chief Obasanjo’s status could have encouraged our citizens and help in stabilizing system.

We believe however, that what this country needs now is patriotic actions that engender national unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence of our people irrespective of political, ethnic and religious
persuasions. The overall interest of our nation and wellbeing of our citizens must remain paramount and above all personal and group interests.

Finally, we direct all our members across the country to remain focused on our campaigns and not to be distracted on this issue. With an array of credible candidates led by our Presidential flagbearer, President Goodluck Jonathan, we are sure that we will emerge victorious come March 28 and April 11, 2015 general elections.
[/b]



http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/176983-pdp-laments-obasanjos-exit-says-ex-president-rejected-pleas.html

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dumped the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Mr. Obasanjo on Monday announced his decision to leave the party at his residence in Abeokuta, saying he was no more a politician, but would remain a statesman.
The former president indicated his decision came ahead of a plan by the party to dismiss him, possibly for alleged anti-party activities.
Mr. Obasanjo had been engaged in a running feud with President Goodluck Jonathan whom he accused of failing in leadership and encouraging corruption.
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http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/176934-obasanjo-pre-empts-expulsion-pdp-dumps-ruling-party.html

A former Minister of Aviation and spokesperson of President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has stated that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has intensified his attacks on president Goodluck Jonathan because he has strong fears that Mr. Jonathan will win next month’s presidential election.

Mr. Fani-Kayode made the assertion Sunday at a press conference in Abuja.

Mr. Obasanjo had on Saturday accused Mr. Jonathan of working towards a controversial poll and possibly, exit from office, the same way former Ivorian president, Laurent Gbagbo, did in his country.
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http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/176920-obasanjo-attacks-jonathan-fani-kayode.html

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday granted an injunction stopping lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] from reconvening the House of Representatives from recess.

Lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress, APC, had gone to court seeking an injunction after they suspected that PDP lawmakers were planning to reconvene the House in defiance of its leadership.

Read full story: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/170514-breaking-tambuwals-defection-court-stops-pdp-lawmakers-from-reconvening-house-of-reps.html

Witnesses say a suicide bomber targeting members of the Shiite group, Islamic Brotherhood of Nigeria, detonated his explosive vest, killing many instantly.

A resident of the town, Adamu Mohammed, told PREMIUM TIMES over the telephone that nearly 20 persons were killed and several others injured.

Read more: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/170499-explosion-rocks-yobe-as-suicide-bomber-strikes.html

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, on Sunday warned the federal government and security agencies that they must ensure nothing happens to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal.

Read more here: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/170494-nlc-spits-fire-says-nothing-should-happen-to-tambuwal.html

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Monday launched the revised Payment System Vision 2020, urging operators to mobilize available technology to take mobile financial services to the grassroots.

Speaking at the International Conference on Payments System in Abuja, CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi, said the launching the PSV2020 Strategy (Release 2) document was a proactive response to address the identified deficiencies in the nation’s financial market infrastructure against the current 24 BIS/IOSCO Principles for Financial Market Infrastructure (PFMI).

Read more: http://premiumtimesng.com/business/144789-cbn-unveils-revised-e-payment-system-wants-mobile-financial-services-rural-areas.html

At the centre of the Apo Resettlement District, on the fringe of the Abuja city centre, sits an imposing High Court building, distances away from a police station and a school.

With no hospital or market in this sprawling community developed for the indigenous people of Abuja, and inhabited by mainly low income Nigerians, the court, and the police post, and the school are about all of government’s presence in the District.

Read more: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/144385-investigation-fct-officials-steal-houses-lands-abuja-indigenes-huge-resettlement-fraud.html

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen on August 24, has been released by his abductors.

A family friend to the Ozekhomes and former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode told PREMIUM TIMES he had a telephone conversation with the lawyer this morning.

Read more: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/144566-breaking-kidnappers-free-mike-ozekhome.html

Follow for Live Updates from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, special national convention.

PREMIUM TIMES’crew is at the Eagle Sqaure election venue to bring you news of the event as they unfold.

http://premiumtimesng.com/news/143829-pdp-special-convention-live-updates.html

Nigeria’s ruling Peoples Democratic Party has finally officially split into at least two factions.

A new faction, consisting of seven of the party’s 23 governors has announced that it has taken over the party.

Read more: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/143906-pdp-splits-seven-governors-oyinlola-atiku-members-of-new-faction.html

One of Nigeria’s most senior lawyers, Ben Nwabueze, has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to shelve his ambition for 2015 and focus on transforming the country.

This he said would make the President go down in history as a hero.

Read more here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/143733-shelve-your-2015-ambition-organise-national-conference-nwabueze-tells-jonathan.html

The Peoples Democratic Party has suspended a serving Senator, Andy Uba, and four other members of the party from Anambra State.

The National Working Committee of the PDP suspended the five men for failing to honour the party’s invitation over the parallel congress organised in Awka on Saturday.

The suspension was contained in a letter addressed individually to the five men. The letters were signed by the party’s Acting National Secretary, Remi Akintoye.


Read more here: http:///HPcG33

The Speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly, Haruna Tsokwa, has announced that the lawmakers have decided to ask Governor Danbaba Suntai to go back to the United States to continue his treatment.

The lawmakers asked the governor to return to the U.S. to continue his rehabilitation programme and only come back to run his office when he is fully fit.

Read more: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/143706-breaking-taraba-lawmakers-stop-governor-suntai-from-resuming-duties-ask-him-to-return-to-hospital.html

The United Kingdom’s Charity Commission is investigating the U.K. branch of David Oyedepo’s Winner Chapel over the alleged misappropriation of at least £16 million (N4 billion) collected as tithes between 2008 and 2011, the U.K. Guardian is reporting.
Over N250 million (£1 million) of that amount is said to have been repatriated to the Nigeria headquarters of the church between 2009 and 2011, the church’s account shows.
A spokesperson of the charity commission told the Guardian newspapers that investigations “regarding the charity’s management and policies” are on-going.

Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/142877-u-k-investigates-winners-chapel-over-alleged-misappropriation-of-n4bn-tithes.html

Within the next three to five years, malaria may become a thing of the past as an efficient vaccine, which would be commercially available to a huge population, has undergone successful clinical trial.
This disclosure was made on Wednesday by the Chief Executive Officer of Sanaria, Stephen Hoffman, that the Phase I clinical trial of its PfSPZ vaccine, an investigational vaccine aimed at protecting humans against malaria was successful.
He said the vaccine had successfully protected all subjects during the trial from developing malaria.

Read details: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/142770-malaria-may-end-soon-as-new-vaccine-is-successfully-tried.html

A lecturer at the University of Abuja, Professor Femi Odekunle, says the current ASUU strike is not about salary or benefits but about ensuring an effective university system.
Mr. Odekunle, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Abuja, said that the claim by the Federal Government that some of the agreements reached between the union and government were not implementable was untrue.
“I do not believe that any agreements reached are not implementable, otherwise they would not even have been reached in the first place. Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/142516-ASUU-strike-governments-claim-fraudulent-don.html

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday frowned at those predicting the disintegration of Nigeria by 2015, saying such people or organisations would be disappointed.
Mr. Jonathan said this when Vice President Namadi Sambo and other Muslim faithful, paid him Sallah homage at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to him, some of the problems the country is experiencing are temporary and largely being fuelled by some selfish elites.
“Let me use this opportunity again to also reassure you, Moslem brothers, and indeed, the whole country that myself, the vice president and our team will do our best to reposition the country.

Read on: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/142474-why-nigeria-cant-disintegrate-jonathan.html

Leaders of a Nigerian terror group, Boko Haram, were among participants in an extensive “conference call” organised by al Qaeda to plan massive attacks, before the meeting was intercepted by U.S. intelligence, triggering the closure of several American embassies, U.S. media reported Wednesday.
The United States has closed 20 embassies, including four from sub-Saharan Africa countries, namely, Rwanda, Burundi, Mauritius, and Madagascar. Read more: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/142445-boko-haram-was-part-of-al-qaeda-conference-call-that-sparked-u-s-embassy-closures.html

Tuesday’s meeting between striking university lecturers and the federal government delegation did not resolve any of the contending issues, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.
At the penultimate meeting last week, the government’s delegation had set up a sub-committee headed by the Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, to review the areas of controversy in the 2009 agreement between the lecturers and the government.
While the lecturers, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, insist on the full implementation of the 2009 agreement, the government wants a renegotiation of some parts of the agreement.

See details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/142406-again-ASUU-fg-yet-to-agree-as-meeting-postponed-to-next-week.html

The Nigeria Police Force has detained an officer caught on tape demanding bribe from a traffic offender, in a rare display of prompt disciplinary action.
The police made the announcement in a Facebook post on Tuesday. The police said the erring officer, whose video clip has since gone viral in Nigeria social media space, is awaiting an “orderly room trial;” the Nigeria Police version of court.
The police admitted the officer is a sergeant attached to the Lagos State Command Motor Traffic Division.

See details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/142386-nigerian-police-arrest-officer-caught-on-tape-demanding-bribe.html

A witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Wednesday, contradicted the testimony of an earlier prosecution witness over the genuineness of a document presented by some oil marketers to claim subsidy payment.
The EFCC is prosecuting Walter Wagbatsoma, Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi, and their firm Ontario Oil and Gas Limited over a N1.9 billion fuel subsidy scam.
Also facing trial are Fakuade Babafemi, an employee of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and Ezekiel Ejidele, a Managing Partner at Akintola Williams Deloitte – an audit firm appointed by the federal government for the subsidy scheme.

Read on: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/141995-efcc-witnesses-contradict-each-other-in-trial-of-alleged-subsidy-thieves.html

Nigeria has begun withdrawing most of her troops from Mali, military spokesman, Chris Olukolade, said on Tuesday.
The troops withdrawal will commence on Wednesday.

Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/141960-nigeria-begins-troops-withdrawal-from-mali.html

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party continued on Tuesday as the National Chairman of the party, Bamanga Tukur, cautioned five northern governors who have been visiting former Nigerian leaders and President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Tukur cautioned Governors Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa).

Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/141913-pdp-crisis-latest-tukur-cautions-five-northern-governors.html

Staff of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment on Tuesday afternoon protested in front of the ministry’s head office at the old federal secretariat, Area 1, Abuja.
The workers demanded the sack of the Trade and Investment Minister, Olusegun Aganga; the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dauda Kigbu; and his wife, Salma Kigbu, who is the ministry’s Director of Commercial Law Department.

Read details: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/141900-breaking-civil-servants-protest-call-for-sack-of-minister-aganga.html