₦airaland Forum

ARCHEMEDESME:
Why do I live
Life just has no meaning again.When I take a look at the results of those I am better than I think life is unfair

Such is life...but take it easy.

Ministerial list: Senate gives Buhari five days to submit names
…says it will proceed on two -month recess Friday

Delay in forming cabinet not good for economy-LCCI

The Senate has given President Muhammadu Buhari till Friday to submit the list of ministerial nominees for screening , failure of which the red chamber will proceed on its two- month annual recess.

In line with its annual calendar, the National Assembly is meant to go on its annual recess on July 26 and resume on September 26 .
Buhari , who won election in February and was sworn in on May 29, has continued to delay the submission of the ministerial list, arguing that he will need to take his time to appoint the people he knows.

The Chairman, Senate ad hoc Committee on Media and Public Affairs Affairs, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye , in an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH on Saturday night , said the red chamber would proceed on its annual two- month recess this week if the Senate did not get the ministerial list by Friday .

He said , “If the list does not come before Friday, the Senate will proceed on its annual recess. We are not giving the president any ultimatum . The schedule of the Senate will go ahead if the Senate does not receive the list. The list is the only thing that can hold us back . ”

Adeyeye said the President was at liberty to send the list whenever he pleased and that the Senate also had a duty to consider it in the overriding national interest .

He added , “However, any time they submit the list, we will consider it. It is not our responsibility to put pressure on the President. We can be recalled whenever the list is submitted even if we are already on recess, in the overriding national interest .’’

Corroborating this position , the Minority Leader of the Senate , Enyinnaya Abaribe , told Sunday PUNCH that the Senate would go on its annual recess on schedule.
Sunday PUNCH had asked him if the Senate would still postpone its annual recess despite the fact that the President had not submitted the ministerial nominees ’ list.
Abaribe said , “The Senate will keep to its schedule. ”

Findings by Sunday PUNCH revealed that the upper legislative chamber would require at least two weeks to screen the 36 ministerial nominees being expected from the President.
Meanwhile, investigations showed that members of the red chamber were divided over the proposal by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, that members might have to postpone their recess to treat Buhari ’s lists .

Some senators , who spoke with one of our correspondents off the record , said the idea of postponing the recess was not yet a resolution of the House.

Lawan had two Wednesdays ago said that the President could most likely submit the ministerial list for consideration and approval of the red chamber before the end of that week .

He had said that the executive arm of government was working hard to ensure that the list was ready early enough before the senators proceed on their annual two -month recess.
The President of the Senate was then reacting to a point of order raised by Senator Bassey Akpan to the effect that the delay in the submission of the list could affect the holidays of the senators .

But Lawan said his colleagues had expressed readiness to sacrifice their time to screen the nominees when forwarded to the upper legislative chamber .
Lawan said , “This is to inform this Senate that the Executive arm of government is working very hard to get the list of ministerial nominees to the Senate.
“I can imagine that before this ( penultimate ) week runs out, we could get the list.
“I want to assure you that once we get the list , every senator here has shown and expressed the desire to stay long enough to screen and confirm ministerial nominees in
the interest of this country for the country to be taken to the next level . ”

Akpan had earlier stressed the need for Lawan to urge President Buhari to forward the ministerial list on time as the National Assembly would soon embark on annual recess.
This, he explained, was to avoid putting lawmakers under undue pressure , especially if the President decided to forward the list on the eve of their recess.
He had said , “ We understand the passion of Mr President to consolidate on the gains that he has so far attained.

“If we are going on this long vacation in two weeks ( July 26) , and by now , we have not received the ministerial nominees , it means we will have to put ourselves under intense pressure .

‘‘ It is our collective responsibility that we must support Mr President to succeed.

“I am just bringing to the attention of Mr Senate President that there is a need for you to please urge Mr President to send in the list of ministerial nominees so that the Senate can confirm them immediately . ”

Meanwhile, other senators who corroborated the position of Akpan in separate chats with Sunday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said they were already looking forward to the long vacation .
A senator from the South- East geopolitical zone said , “ I have planned to travel and all arrangements have been perfected.
“It is not yet a resolution of the Senate that we should postpone our holiday to screen the nominees .
“I ’m not even sure there will be a need for the postponement because the President does not appear to be in a hurry to send the list .’’

No response from Presidency
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters ( Senate) , Senator Ita Enang, was asked whether Buhari would forward the list of ministerial nominees to the National Assembly before Thursday , next week , but he refused to comment.
“I will not be able to speak and it is not wise for me to speak. That is my response , ” he stated .
Buhari needs ministers to drive economy – Economists

The delay by the President in appointing members of his cabinet is having a negative impact on the economy, experts have said .
As a result, they called on the President to quickly constitute his cabinet in order to achieve the objectives set out when he took the oath of office on May 29 for his second term .

Speaking on the economic implications of the delay in appointing ministers , a professor of Economics, Sheriffdeen Tella , stated that ministers should to be appointed in order to drive the economic programmes of the government .

He said , “Of course it ( delay in appointing cabinet members) is slowing down action on the economy because a Permanent Secretary cannot play the role of a minister.
“A minister is supposed to actually carry out the party agenda. The Permanent Secretary is a technocrat and so the delay is actually slowing down action on the economy in all ramifications because the Permanent Secretary ’s function is different from that of a minister .

“And when you don’ t have a minister , it simply means the President is doing everything and the President cannot do everything effectively .
“So it has serious implications for the economy. ”
Also speaking, a developmental economist, Odilim Enwagbara , noted that the cabinet delay was having a negative impact on the economy as there were agreements that permanent secretaries could not sign on behalf of the country .
He said , “The President won a re- election in February and five months after , he cannot constitute a cabinet. Such is not good for our economy. There are critical roles that ministers perform in the running of the government and without them, things will not move .
“There are certain agreements that Permanent Secretaries cannot sign . A one- man government is a dangerous government and that is not the way to go . We are beginning to experience what we went through in 2015 when it took the President about six months to form his cabinet. ”
Commenting on the development , the Founder , Centre for Value in Leadership, Prof Pat Utomi, did not quite believe the delay in forming the cabinet would affect the economy.
He said people who did risk analysis should have factored in the fact that there could be a delayed period of the pattern experienced in the past.
He said what was more important was the leading consensus in Nigeria around where Nigerians wished the country to go , saying that was what people would look at and make a decision with it.
He said what would reduce uncertainty was more of a long -term view and perspective plan on issues.
He said the elite generally had a shared vision of what their country was going through and things that would make it continue to run .
He , however, stated that what was more problematic was that the country did not have the shared vision as people chose to run in different directions.
Utomi said , “Well, I really can ’t say anything for a fact. People who do risk analysis, I think may already have factored in the fact that there could be a delayed period of that pattern in the past, so in their calculation that has been accounted for.
“There should be more long- term view and perspective plan on issues so that it will reduce uncertainty and, therefore , does not matter whether there is a cabinet or no cabinet. The elite generally have a shared vision of what their country is going through and that things will continue to run .
“That is what is more problematic in Nigeria . We don’ t quite have the shared vision – people are going in different directions and all of that . ”
Delay in forming cabinet not good for economy - LCCI
Speaking on the effect of the delay, the Director -General , Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry , Mr Muda Yusuf , stated that the delay was not good for the economy, noting that the delay had adverse implications for the economy and investments .
Yusuf , in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents on Saturday , explained that there were certain decisions beyond permanent secretaries in the respective ministries and that such could slow down the pace of government activities .
This, he said , was in addition to the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting that would not hold until ministers were appointed .
He said , “The delay contributes to the challenge of uncertainty that you have in the economy, and uncertainty can undermine investors ’ confidence . When that happens , it has a negative impact on investments generally .
“So , from the point of view of investors ’ confidence , it is not good for the economy, because when you have ministers in place , you have better clarity as to how the government wants to move forward , how it wants to function , implement its policies and such things. Therefore, that team is very important .

“Then , there are things that the permanent secretaries in the ministries cannot handle if they don ’t have ministers and some of those decisions could have implications for the economy and the investment environment . That is also an issue .

“Also , the absence of ministers means that you don ’t have a Federal Executive Council , which meets once in a week to take very important decisions that affect the economy and certain aspects of budget implementation. You know that sometimes when talking about awarding major contracts , they take it to FEC and if you don ’t have FEC in place , you may not move forward with such decisions . That is also taking its toll on the economy and it means those decisions and the projects cannot take place .”

Source: https://punchng.com/ministerial-list-senate-gives-buhari-five-days-to-submit-names/

demzey:
If you know as dis GB WhatsApp they pain Mark ehn.. ....he fit vex buy d developers sef ...d official WhatsApp was even confusing me afta I got temporarily banned...I had to click on someone's profile first b4 I can see his last seen, when gbwhatsap will even tell you 'iya basira is online'

Monitoring spirit lol

Godswillnwaoma:
I need urgent answer on NYSC age limit........ My DOB (WAEC) 1st January 1988 while (JAMB DOB)1st January 1989 and I graduated on 25th October 2017. will I still serve or will I be excepted?

You will serve.

Ikpa001:
Lol.... Na because Ronaldo and Messi never play for Europa Liga or UEFA cup naaa.

You didn't mention world cup. Why?

Gov . Mohammed Abdullahi of Bauchi State on Monday visited the presidential villa barely 24 hours after the Presidency distanced President Muhammadu Buhari from the activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission .

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) reports that the governor had met with Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo last week and declined to speak on the outcome of the meeting .
Speaking to State House correspondents after the closed door meeting with president, the governor revealed that he briefed the president on the latest political development in Bauchi state .

He explained that the position of INEC regarding result of the Bauchi governorship election was capable of creating social unrest.

However , the Presidency in a statement by Malam Garba Shehu on Sunday said the president had vowed never to interfere in the forthcoming re- run elections in some states , describing it as unfair and ridiculous criticisms of President Buhari’ s apparent disinterest in the exercise .

“ Past Presidents of Nigeria were known to interfere in inconclusive elections , and that is why party members appear to be upset that the same thing is not happening now, but President Buhari is a different kind of leader.

“ He swore to defend the constitution and will not veer off from that . The constitution of Nigeria gives the President no such powers, ’’ the statement said .

The Independent National Electoral Commission had , on Friday , decided to resume the collation of the governorship election result in Bauchi State and may declare the winner of the poll, hitherto ruled as inconclusive along with five other states across the country .

Source:https://punchng.com/breaking-bauchi-gov-abubakar-visits-aso-rock-meets-president-buhari/

An ex- Governor of Ogun State and Director -General of Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation, Gbenga Daniel , said that his political supporters have pleaded with him to lead them to the ruling All Progressives Congress .

The alleged plea came barely 24 hours after Daniel announced his resignation from partisan politics, even as hundreds of his political supporters have called upon him to rescind the decision.

The supporters cut across all the local governments in Ogun State .

Daniel had announced his intention to retire from partisan politics in a letter to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus.

Daniel’ s supporters who converged on his Asoludero residence in Sagamu GRA, held a stormy meeting with him , during which they urged him to lead them to the APC , instead of abandoning them in what they called ‘political wilderness. ’

Daniel’ s loyalists anchored their demands on the fact that they had worked with him towards the emergence of the governor- elect , Dapo Abiodun, of the APC .

The ex -governor had convened a stakeholders’ meeting of his loyalists under the aegis of OGD Political Family to formally address them and announce his exit from partisan politics.

But hundreds of members of his OGD Political Family in Ogun State who thronged the venue of the meeting expressed their displeasure with his retirement.

Some of those who spoke at the meeting included a former chairman of Ogun/Osun River Basin, Iyabo Apampa; former Director - General of Ladi Adebutu Campaign Organisation, Waliu Taiwo ; a former Special Assistant to Daniel on Youths , Ifekayode Akinbode ; and senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Jelili Amusan , among others.

Akinbode led other members of the OGD Political Family to prostrate for Daniel, while women held his legs, pleading passionately that he should lead them to APC .

Amusan also led members in a voice vote, where they all resolved to collectively join APC .

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the meeting , Daniel said , “ Basically, they said I couldn ’ t resign from PDP .

“ They said I must lead them to APC and they also said I could not retire from politics. That is the summary of what I heard. ”
When asked what his next line of action was , the ex- governor said , “ Now , we have to take a look at it. ”

When asked if he was ready to go to APC , Daniel said , “ What else can I say ? My people have spoken . ”

Source : https://punchng.com/my-supporters-urge-me-to-lead-them-to-apc-gbenga-daniel/

Winner of the March 9, governorship election in Ogun state, Prince Adedapo Abiodun, on Sunday declared that if some “men were God,” he would not have become the Governor – elect of the state.

Abiodun who revealed that what had kept him going in the journey of life despite daunting challenges is his absolute and unshakeable faith in God, saying such faith was anchored on the message of Christ in Mark 11:23, which assured that an unwavering faith could relocate a mountain from one point to another.

The successful entrepreneur, oil magnate and real estate player made this known at St. James Anglican Church, Iperu, his home town, during a Thanksgiving Service to appreciate Almighty God for protection and victory at the gubernatorial poll in the Gateway state.

Prominent personalities at Thanksgiving Service include former Ogun and Ekiti State governors, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Kwara state Governor-Elect, Alhaji Abdulraheem Razaq, Senators Buruji Kashamu, Gbenga Kaka, Gbolahan Dada, Biyi Durojaiye, Senator Solomon Adeola (aka Yayi), Prof Toyin Ashiru and Otunba Bimbo Ashiru.

Also in attendance are Dr Femi Majekodunmi, Prince Segun Adesegun, Chief Toyin Okeowo, Ogun West Senator-elect, Chief Tolu Odebiyi, Otunba Rotimi Paseda, Hon Kayode Oladele, royal fathers, among others.

The Governor – elect on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), recalled that he was pained and heartbroken in 2015 when he lost in the contest for the Ogun East senatorial seat but kept pressing forward undaunted because an inner voice was telling him he still has a vision yet to be accomplished.

He pledged to run an equitable, just, accountable and a transparent government which would create a public, private partnership for the benefits of Ogun state, the citizens and residents.

Abiodun said: “my victory has a hand of God. My friends and people around me were asking, “Dapo, what has kept you going ahead in your ambition? What has propelled you? But I remained focus in God and unshakeable. For you to succeed, you don’t have to have doubts in your mind.

“In my spirit, I have a mission for my country. I didn’t give up. For you to succeed, you should learn to get up and go. Also, you should have convictions.

“I always refer to the book of Mark 11:23. Honestly if men were God I wouldn’t have been here. In the 90s when I came back from the university, I offered to serve the people of Ogun state but I came second in that contest.

“Immediately after the primaries I joined Otunba Gbenga Daniel and campaigned for him, eventually he became governor.

“Again, In 2011 I joined hands with the incumbent governor(Ibikunle Amosun) to win the election. In 2015 I offered to become the senator but I wasn’t successful in that race but I was pained and heartbroken but I didn’t give up because something continued to tell me that I have a vision which is yet to be unaccomplished.

“Today, what I want you to take home from here is that we should never give up because many times when we meet disappointment, it is just an avenue to close a window for a double door to be opened.

“I want to assure you that we would lead an equitable and a transparent government which will create a public , private partnership for all, so help me God.
“I want to thank you all for been here today. We would have postponed this thanks given service until after inauguration but we want to quickly acknowledge the fact that this is an act of God.

“Few days ago, I was with one of the paramount rulers in the state to thank him for his support and that which was rendered by his people and he said to me that, even the leafs are singing and dancing over your victory.

“I pray may all of us enjoy this kind of victory in our individual homes in Jesus name.”

In his sermon, the Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, Olusina Fape, said it is God that made Abiodun Governor – elect for a purpose in Ogun state.

Fape said Abiodun’s value could only be determined when he begins to effect real and positive changes in the lives Ogun people and the state.

He advised the Governor – elect to shun sycophants and surround himself with people of integrity when assembling members of his cabinet, praying that God would help him to succeed.

Fape also advised him not to allow himself to be carried away by the excitement and euphoria of electoral victory, lest he forgets those who God used to help him to the position of a Governor after being sworn – in.

The Archbishop who also doubles as the Bishop of Remo diocese of Anglican Church, urged him not to turn his back on the structure of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the state as it provided him the vehicle on which he rides to power.

Fape said: “A stream that forgets its source will definitely go dry. It is not that we don’t have people with credible character in this country, but our problem is nepotism.

“And I will advise you to select able people of Faith to be able to be a ruler over hundreds and thousands of men and women.
“There are many things yearning for attentions at this auspicious time you are coming in as governor.

Your father and mother are your first destiny helpers. So, in your own case, as governor, you have become parent to all and sundry in Ogun state.
“Ask God for destiny helpers to work with you to be able to take Ogun State to a greater height.

“As a consumate entrepreneur, we know your antecedent, you have not come to steal the stateSource: to build your house, but have been blessed already. You are already loaded.

“You need destiny helpers to fulfil all your electoral promises”, said the Bishop. God has appointed everyone to succeed. You and your wife (Bamidele) will not fail. Whatever you lay your hands upon, you will succeed.”

Source:http://thenationonlineng.net/if-men-were-god-i-wont-be-governor-elect-says-abiodun/

JUST IN: Police arrest Kano Deputy Governor, Commissioner

Kano deputy Governor, Nasiru Gawuna (middle) being taken into custody. Photo: John Alechenu
John Alechenu, Kano

The Police in Kano have taken the state deputy Governor, Nasiru Gawuna and the State Commissioner for Local Government , Alhaji Sule Garo into custody over alleged threat to public peace .

The two were arrested for alleged disruption of the Collation of results of the Governorship Elections at the Nasarawa Local Government area Collation Centre .

It was gathered that the two were saved from being manhandled by supporters of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party candidate , at the Centre.

The incident which took place at about 2:00 am was said to be responsible for the delay in releasing the final tally of the Kano State governorship race which is likely to decide the winner of the elections ..

Source. https://punchng.com/just-in-police-arrest-kano-deputy-governor-commissioner/

The Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Jimi Agbaje has cast his vote.

Agbaje cast his vote at his PU 004 Ward A. Jimi has contested for governorship position for about three times in Lagos state.

Details later:

Source:https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/03/breaking-pdp-jimi-agbaje-casts-his-vote/

……asks court to stop Buhari, security agencies from interfering in polls
….says his administration failed Nigerians, imposed ‘illegal’ CJN

The Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has approached a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, asking it to bar President Muhammadu Buhari and security agencies in the country from interfering with the 2019 general elections.

Atiku, further asked the court to compel President Buhari to pay him damages in the aggregate sum of N2billion, as well as tender a public apology to him, for sponsoring frivolous suits against him.

The demands were contained in a counter-claim the PDP presidential candidate filed in response to a N40million libel suit the Buhari Campaign Organisation, BCO, slammed against him over an allegation that he defamed President Buhari and his family.

The BCO had in its suit marked FCT/HC/CV/ 804/2019, accused Atiku and his aide, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, of making several defamatory statement in the media, to the effect that Buhari used his position as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and head of the government, to fraudulently acquire two private companies, Keystones Bank Plc and 9Mobile Communication Ltd for himself, his family members, and friends.

The plaintiff told the court that Atiku and his aide falsely claimed that President Buhari acquired the said companies using his influence and the control he has over the head of parastatals or organisations that are connected with activities of the companies.

The BCO maintained that the unverified and false allegations it said was sponsored by Atiku, “caused grave pain, embarrassment”, to President Buhari whose integrity it said was called to question.

In an affidavit that was deposed to by its Director of Communication and Strategic Planning, Mallam Gidado Ibrahim, the BCO, told the court that Atiku and his media aide engaged in smeared campaign of calumny against Buhari, by willfully allowing and sponsoring the said purported defamatory and image damaging statements made by the 1st Defendant to be published by some newspapers to members of the public.

Ibrahim averred that as such, President Buhari’s reputations was greatly affected by undue diligence with regards to the authenticity of the information as it relate to the true ownership of the alleged companies which the 1 st Defendant on behalf and for the 2nd defendant, falsely published in the newspapers for the consumption of the general public.

“The 2nd Defendant permitted and sponsored the 1st Defendant, Mr. Phrank Shaibu to make and publish defamatory and damaging statement against the 1st Plaintiff in order for 2nd Defendant to get undue advantage in terms of votes from the member of the public more than the 1st Plaintiff (Buhari), the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

“That the 2nd Defendant who is a Presidential Candidate of the People Democratic Party hanged on this publications and using same on every campaign grounds to smear the person of the 1st Plaintiff to his supporters and other members of the public”, the BCO added.

President Buhari was cited as the 2nd Plaintiff in the suit.
Meanwhile, Atiku, in a counter-claim he filed through his lawyer, Mr. Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, SAN, challenged the competence of the suit he said was highly frivolous.

He applied for an order mandating that the N2billion damages to be paid by both President Buhari and the BCO, should be sent to all the camps of Internally Displaced People, IDPs, across the country and for equipment of libraries and Information Technology equipment for all State Universities in Nigeria.

More so, Atiku, sought for an order, “mandating President Buhari and his agents including security operatives and officers to abide by the rule of law and the principle of separation of powers entrenched in the constitution and should not intervene in the forthcoming elections”.

In a 56 paragraphed witness statement on oath deposed to by one Abraham Udoh, the PDP presidential flag-bearer told the court that President Buhari has failed Nigerians by his inability as a President, to stop ruthless and wanton killings across the country.

He said the killings and destructions had rendered citizens, farmers, women and children homeless without food or basic amenities of life, as well as led to the emergence of various IDP camps in the country.

He said: “That under the present administration, there are over 108, 000 Internally Displaced Persons grappling with a litany of infections and hunger”.

“In Taraba State the number of IDPs in the various camps are: Mayo Dassa (402 IDPs); Gullong (1259), ATC Kofai (968), Abuja I and II (357), Dorowa/Magami/Malam Joda(579), Sabon Gari (482), Malum (872), Murtai/Yaukani/Yelwa(554), Mile six (74), Nyabukaka/Tutan Kurma/Kasa(148) and Nukkai (30).

“That in Plateau State there are a total of 38, 051 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who were victims of the June 23 and 24 violence involving suspected herdsmen and villagers in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Mangu, Bokkos and Jos South Local Government Areas are taking refuge in 31 camps.

“That in Benue State they have registered more than 180, 000 displaced persons in eight camps while over 500, 000 IDPs are taking shelter wherever they find space.
Atiku further informed the court that President Buhari’s “lopsided appointments and insensitivity to the principle of Federal character laid down in section 14 (3) of the 1999 constitution that has led to disunity amongst Nigerians.

“That the current division in Nigeria was ignited by that infamous 5% versus 97% speech that President Buhari gave in Washington on June 23, 2015. No father should ever tell some of his kids in the presence of the rest of his kids that he loves them more than the others. When this happens, the discontent that it will cause may lead to the breakup of that home.

“That in a report by Transparency International (TI) released on February 21, 2018, Nigeria was still ranked as one of the most corrupt countries in the World.

That the inability of the Buhari administration to combat grand corruption has led to astronomical plundering of public coffers costing the Nigerian taxpayers around 25% of annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“That according to a recent report released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on February 28, 2018, Nigerians are getting poorer despite the country’s slow recovery from a devastating recession”.

Atiku further told the court that Buhari’s desecration of the judicial process of the nation, led to a high tension and democratic instability in the country.

“That Buhari in flagrant abuse of his veto power, without any unilateral support from other tiers of government illegally and unconstitutionally suspended the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen from office on January 25, 2019 without strict adherence to the provisions of section 292 of the 1999 constitution which laid down the procedure for the removal of a judicial officer in his capacity.

“That in further usurpation of the Constitutional functions of the National Judicial Council (NJC), Buhari swore in an illegal Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Mohammed”, Atiku added.

Meantime, the case has been adjourned till March 7 for hearing.

Source:https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/02/2019-elections-atiku-slams-n2bn-suit-against-buhari-demands-public-apology/

morikee:
Mods smoke weed again

Lol

Lagos State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Olusegun Banjo on Wednesday said that the 2019 Budget was already before the State House of Assembly and had intended to be read before the house on December 24, 2018.

In a statement he signed, Banjo said the Governor had sent a verbal information to present the budget on Monday, December 24, 2018 after the State Executive Council approval on December 19, 2018, but the ceremony was postponed as the House was on recess and thereby could not form a quorum.

He said in order to meet the traditional presentation, a formal letter was sent to the House on Friday, December 28, 2018, forwarding the contents of the budget.

It is expected that when the House reconvenes, the Speaker would inform members of the content of the Budget proposal sent by the Governor and take necessary action.

The commissioner said the size of the 2019 budget proposal forwarded by the Governor to the House is N852.317billion.

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/lagos-2019-budget-already-in-the-house-budget-commissioner/

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has dismissed its dissolution by the party’s National Working Committee.
PREMIUM TIMES reported the decision of the NWC headed by the party’s national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, to dissolve the APC at all levels of government in Ogun State.

The Ogun APC is loyal to the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun, who has been at loggerheads with Mr Oshiomhole since the party’s controversial primaries.
Mr Amosun, who is still an APC senatorial candidate in the state, encouraged his allies, including a governorship aspirant who lost in the primaries, to defect to another party. He has pledged to work against the APC in the governorship election in the state.

The APC national spokesperson, Lanre Issa-Onilu, confirmed the dissolution to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday.
“So those excos, right from the state to the ward level are not people we can trust to work honestly, for the success of our party in the next election,” Mr Issa-Onilu said.
In his response, the chairman of the dissolved Ogun APC executive, Derin Adebiyi, described the dissolution as “an exercise in futility.”

He said the matter was sub judice, “as it is before a court of competent jurisdiction, presided over by Hon. Justice Jude Okeke of the FCT High Court, Abuja.”
Read Mr Adebiyi’s full statement below.

The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed its dissolution by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, as an exercise in futility, noting that the state chapter of the party remains in office and is carrying out its legal duties in line with the constitution of the APC.

It said the matter was sub judice, as it is before a court of competent jurisdiction, presided over by Hon. Justice Jude Okeke of the FCT High Court, Abuja.
In the Suit No CV/363/2018, the Ogun State chapter of the party is seeking the protection of the court against attempts by the NWC to undermine it and abridge its tenure in any form.

National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, (APC), Adams Oshiomhole (m), addressing State House Correspondents after a meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari at the State House Abuja on Monday (23/7/18). With him are Spokesperson for President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 Campaign, Festus Keyamo (L) and former member of the House of Representatives from Birnin-Kudu in Jigawa State. Hon. Farouk Aliyu Adamu. 03946/23/7/18/Ismaila Ibrahim/NAN

According to a statement signed by the Chairman of the state chapter of the party, Chief Derin Adebiyi, “The Ogun APC views its purported dissolution as a brazen disregard for the judiciary, hence the Nigerian constitution and flagrant abuse of power by the Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee.

“The action of the NWC is patently illegal; it is an assault on the APC constitution and outside the bounds of acceptable standards in the conduct of party affairs the world over. It was such acts of impunity that led us in the first place to seek legal protection for a four-year mandate freely given to us by the overwhelming majority of party members in Ogun State in May 2018. There is no iota of truth in the charge of anti-party activities levelled against us, as we remain committed to the ideals of the APC, ” Adebiyi said.

The party chairman further posited that “You cannot dissolve a legally constituted body, such as Ogun APC exco on a whim. When a matter is in court, all parties are expected to maintain the status quo. What Oshiomhole-led NWC has done amounts to self-help and bare-faced attempt to render nugatory the judicial powers granted the courts by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

According to him, “We condemn this attempt to foist a faith accompli on the judiciary, unSource:e its powers and turn it into a toothless bulldog. The NWC is legally represented in the present suit. We urge it to allow the judicial process to run its full course.”

The statement urged party faithful in Ogun State to remain calm as “the Derin Adebiyi-led APC exco remains in office for the good of our great party.”

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/301950-oshiomhole-vs-amosun-ogun-apc-dares-nwc-says-you-cant-dissolve-us.html

The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki has described Nigeria’s recovery from economic as fragile, stressing that the fundamentals underlying the recovery remain weak, and if unchecked, can lead to dire consequences.

In a speech he delivered at the budget presentation by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly on Wednesday, Saraki observed that the economy still runs on oil and very little progress has been made in terms of diversification.

He added that as a result, the expansionary budget policy in effect since 2016, which was aimed at raising spending and stimulating growth in the economy, was not matched by achievable revenue targets.

According to him, the corollary is higher and rising deficit as well as a considerable debt burden, all due to an unsustainable fiscal stance.
Saraki said, “Without doubt, the last three–and–a–half years have been eventful ones at the global level and in our domestic economy.

From dips in oil prices to major shifts in the economic landscape, crude oil production shut-ins and security challenges, the economy and Nigerians have been directly impacted by these events.

“Many businesses closed down and many people lost their jobs during the recent recession. In the same period, we lost innocent citizens to insurgency in parts of the North East, thousands were displaced, and many lives also lost due to clashes between farmers and herders, in addition to the general hardship unleashed by unstable economic winds.

“These are some of the security challenges we have faced. We must take them head-on; it is a battle we must win as a country. It must be admitted that we are not there presently. For one, these security challenges now pose a threat to the viability of the agricultural sector.

“This is clear in the marked reduction in agricultural output observable since the first quarter of 2018. There is the need for more efforts by all. We here are prepared to give all necessary support to the Executive. We stand ready and committed to assist in every way we can, in order to ensure food security and the protection of lives and property”.

He bemoaned the under–performance of independent revenues, saying it is straining government’s ability to meet its expenditure, especially investments in critical infrastructure.

This, he said, further exposes government to higher deficit levels which have been largely financed by borrowing, stressing that there was urgent need to address the lapses.
“To be clear, two scenarios will play out if we do not deal decisively with challenges to revenue. These would be to accommodate higher debt with higher repayment costs, which is not sustainable or to reduce the capital budget, which would mean a slow-down in government investment in critical infrastructure. This, again, does not aid growth or economy development.

“Mr. President, it is for these reasons that the National Assembly required that the 2018 Budget proposal and future ones be accompanied by a Finance Bill, which would give credence to the financial proposals of government.

“It is one way of establishing credibility in projected revenues. It is imperative, therefore, that a 2019 Finance Bill is submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval.

“I have always stressed the importance of setting realistic revenue targets, because we cannot afford to rely on borrowing to finance recurrent expenditure. It is critical we shift focus to generating as much money as required for spending, at least for recurrent needs, so loans can be used solely to fund capital projects”, Saraki added.
The President of the Senate also deplored what he described as the huge cost deductions by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), saying the situation must be addressed without further delay.

He stated that net oil inflow into the Federation Account is significantly lower than projected on account of these deductions by way of unappropriated petroleum subsidy.
Saraki advised that petroleum subsidy should be captured as a line item in the Budget if the government must continue to finance it, stressing that the government cannot shy away from the issue.

Continuing, he said, “The current system is opaque at best, fraught with inefficiencies and is a sure pathway to corruption. Estimated deductions for petroleum subsidy claims by NNPC year-to-date can neither be explained by the higher PMS landing cost nor the increased supply of petroleum to the domestic market.

“We can better manage these by returning to a more transparent practice of capturing the items as against the erroneous and illegal approach of cost recovery for payment for importation of petroleum products”.

Saraki said the government cannot get things right if it cannot match budget credibility with predictability, adding that it’s in this regard that the National Assembly passed several constitution alteration bills, including Sections 82 and 122 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The amendments to these sections are intended to engender timeliness in the formulation and approval of annual budgets as well as restore the country to a January to December fiscal year.
“May I use this opportunity to request Mr. President to prioritize the assent of this important Bill. That way, delays in the submission and passage of the Budget will be a thing of the past.

“Also, the private sector, including local and foreign investors doing business in Nigeria, can plan their investment activities along predictable timelines.
“Mr. President will recall that in response to the economic recession, the National Assembly enacted a batch of laws to assist the Executive mobilize investment across the country, in order to stimulate economic activities.

“These bills are the product of far reaching engagements with the Executive. It is instructive to note that two of these– the Secure Transactions in Movable Assets Bill and the Credit Reporting Bill – are credited with helping to improve our country’s position in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Ranking.

“Let me make clear that the National Assembly appreciates Your Excellency’s assent of some of these bills. This is tempered by the fact that some in this stack of priority bills, such as the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, National Transport Commission Bill and Federal Road Authority Bill, to mention a few, have not been signed into law, contrary to the expectations of many.

“We recognize the prerogative of the President to sign or not to sign these bills. However, we believe that some of the issues cited for withholding of assent may be better addressed through further technical engagements, since the bills are, in the main, aligned to government policy direction.

“Certainly, we as the legislature are of the view that, unless we strengthen our laws to create the right structures that enable the private sector power the economy, we will not be able to create enough jobs and opportunity for our people to thrive and prosper.

“Through collaborative efforts and engagements with all stakeholders, we have passed bills designed to help government create jobs, open the entire market to private sector investment and modernise the economy”.

Commending the President on the Social Investment Programme initiative of the administration, Saraki however noted that the current approach is unlikely to have a sustainable, measurable impact that is free of corruption and abuse.

He said, “You will agree with me that such a programme should carry no whiff of politicization. Our role as leaders must always be to ensure that we deliver governance results that do not discriminate; and which ensure that all Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity, religion and political stripe have access and are seen to be treated equally.
“The National Assembly is willing and ready to work with Your Excellency on the people-oriented programmes of your Administration, to ensure success.

“At this juncture, let me assure Mr. President that the National Assembly shall continue to work with your team to ensure that whatever is required through legislation and oversight to plug revenue leakages and ramp up revenues is given priority”

Saraki commended the President and the Economic Management Team for putting together the fiscal policy document, which he said, is expected to give life to economic and social programmes that are pivotal to national development as the nation goes into a crucial year”.

Source:http://thenationonlineng.net/2019-budget-recovery-recession-fragile-says-saraki/

Seen

kayla247:
I sense pride.Mbaka is becoming too proud he should be called to order before he cause more damage to the church.

Between I still respect the Catholic church.

Father Mbaka might be right or wrong but I strongly agree with what Peter Obi had to say few days ago that Father Mbaka needs our prayers and not be criticised (destructively).

kayla247:
I sense pride.Mbaka is becoming too proud he should be called to order before he cause more damage to the church.

Between I still respect the Catholic church.

Father Mbaka might be right or wrong but I strongly agree with what Peter Obi had to say few days ago that Father Mbaka needs our prayers and not be criticised.

Racoon:
If Mbaka truly said this, then he have totally gone the way of pardition in delusional believe to justify his quest for filthy lucre and may never come back from it.

Easy man!

Princewill1:
I pity the steeple !

Easy man!

The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu , Rev . Fr. Ejike Mbaka , has lambasted his critics , insisting that God deserves money.

Mbaka said this while responding to criticisms over a video that went viral wherein he was seen trying to compel the Vice- Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Peter Obi, during the annual harvest and bazaar celebration of the church to disclose how much he would donate to his church project .

The cleric had told a reluctant Obi that God hates stinginess and if he continues to act in such a manner, he and the PDP Presidential candidate , Atiku Abubakar, would lose woefully come election day.

In a new video which was posted on Youtube by Dave Partner and has been viewed over 11, 000 times, Mbaka , who spoke in English and Igbo intermittently , said God deserves money and there was nothing wrong with him asking for donations.

The cleric explained that bazaar day is strictly for raising of funds and that is the only time his church asks for donations .
Mbaka said , “ There are some people who are ingrates. These are people from the kingdom of succubus and Incubus . I want to tell you that all these things are caused by jealousy and envy . They are not fighting Mbaka for anything wrong.

“ Everyone who came was blessed but they turned it against me, saying I am after money . God deserves money. If you don ’t want to bring your own in your stinginess, hold it . I will give God all that I have and even if anybody wants to join them, you’ re free to join them.

“ Where God the Father, Son , and Holy Ghost are, there Fr. Mbaka will be. I will build this place for the church . Whoever felt insulted , I apologise. But I didn ’t come to your house . It was you who came for the bazaar. ”

The cleric said all those fighting him were fighting God . He subsequently asked God to punish his detractors and those “ firing arrows at him ” .

Although he did not mention Obi ’s name , Mbaka said any politician who had donated money to his ministry was free to send his or her bank account number and he would gladly return the donation .

He added, “ As for me, I am in high spirits. I want to assure you , those who are thinking that it is their money we will use to build this ministry, before the end of tomorrow , I will send all their monies into their accounts .”

On why he demanded money from Obi publicly , the cleric said he wanted the process of donation to be open and transparent so that no one would accuse him of diverting funds.

Mbaka said every person who made a donation on the day the bazaar held did so publicly .

The cleric added, “ We do it outside, publicly because if I am silent , rumours will begin to spread that someone gave me $10 m and why did Mbaka keep quiet? They will abuse me even if I am silent because anytime they want to attack this ministry, they will start somewhere.

“ If I am silent they will attack , if I talk , they will attack it . And don ’t forget that the liturgy was not tampered with . I finished the mass and even removed my priestly attire. No one can fault me on that .”
The cleric insisted that he was not partisan , adding that every person , regardless of political leaning, was free to come to him for blessings .

Source:https://punchng.com/father-mbaka-slams-critics-says-god-deserves-money/

The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu , Rev . Fr. Ejike Mbaka , has lambasted his critics , insisting that God deserves money.

Mbaka said this while responding to criticisms over a video that went viral wherein he was seen trying to compel the Vice- Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Peter Obi, during the annual harvest and bazaar celebration of the church to disclose how much he would donate to his church project .

The cleric had told a reluctant Obi that God hates stinginess and if he continues to act in such a manner, he and the PDP Presidential candidate , Atiku Abubakar, would lose woefully come election day.

In a new video which was posted on Youtube by Dave Partner and has been viewed over 11, 000 times, Mbaka , who spoke in English and Igbo intermittently , said God deserves money and there was nothing wrong with him asking for donations.

The cleric explained that bazaar day is strictly for raising of funds and that is the only time his church asks for donations .
Mbaka said , “ There are some people who are ingrates. These are people from the kingdom of succubus and Incubus . I want to tell you that all these things are caused by jealousy and envy . They are not fighting Mbaka for anything wrong.

“ Everyone who came was blessed but they turned it against me, saying I am after money . God deserves money. If you don ’t want to bring your own in your stinginess, hold it . I will give God all that I have and even if anybody wants to join them, you’ re free to join them.

“ Where God the Father, Son , and Holy Ghost are, there Fr. Mbaka will be. I will build this place for the church . Whoever felt insulted , I apologise. But I didn ’t come to your house . It was you who came for the bazaar. ”

The cleric said all those fighting him were fighting God . He subsequently asked God to punish his detractors and those “ firing arrows at him ” .

Although he did not mention Obi ’s name , Mbaka said any politician who had donated money to his ministry was free to send his or her bank account number and he would gladly return the donation .

He added, “ As for me, I am in high spirits. I want to assure you , those who are thinking that it is their money we will use to build this ministry, before the end of tomorrow , I will send all their monies into their accounts .”

On why he demanded money from Obi publicly , the cleric said he wanted the process of donation to be open and transparent so that no one would accuse him of diverting funds.

Mbaka said every person who made a donation on the day the bazaar held did so publicly .

The cleric added, “ We do it outside, publicly because if I am silent , rumours will begin to spread that someone gave me $10 m and why did Mbaka keep quiet? They will abuse me even if I am silent because anytime they want to attack this ministry, they will start somewhere.

“ If I am silent they will attack , if I talk , they will attack it . And don ’t forget that the liturgy was not tampered with . I finished the mass and even removed my priestly attire. No one can fault me on that .”
The cleric insisted that he was not partisan , adding that every person , regardless of political leaning, was free to come to him for blessings .

Source:https://punchng.com/father-mbaka-slams-critics-says-god-deserves-money/

The Coalition of United Political Parties on Friday faulted President Muhammadu Buhari’ s decision to again withhold assent to the 2018 Electoral Amendment Bill.

The coalition in a statement by its first national spokesperson , Imo Ugochinyere, said Buhari ’s latest action portrayed him as a jittery President who is afraid of electoral defeat and yet desperate to cling on to power.

It said a President who knew that he did not perform should not be surprised and jittery that all security reports indicated that he would suffer electoral defeat in the hands of the coalition’ s consensus candidate , Alhaji Atiku Abubakar .

The statement read, “ President Buhari has expectedly failed again to take advantage of the rare opportunity of the Electoral Amendment Bill to write his name in gold as the President that signed the laws that guaranteed electoral credibility in Nigeria.

“ But yet again, as usual of him , he failed to rise to the occasion, being blinded by ambition and the love of the perks of office .

“ It is an act of clear desperation that the President had shown. For each of the four times the Electoral Amendment Bill was presented to him for assent, he waited until the last day of his constitutionally allowed 30 days .

“ Nigerians should also be reminded that throughout the amendment process, President Buhari never made any suggestions or proposals to the National Assembly for the improvement of our electoral process but kept delaying and indulging in unnecessary hide- and- seek until this last minute .

“ Rather, the President is willing to allow Nigeria witness her most violent elections when he had the opportunity to sign the law which guarantees the freest and most credible elections in Nigeria’ s history . ”

Ugochinyere claimed that APC ’ s plan is how to steal the people ’s mandate to perpetuate the present government in power.

To checkmate the move, he said the opposition would in the coming days unveil a strategy called “ Opposition Code 20. ”

He adds, “ This Code is as enshrined in Section 20 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act which allows citizens to perform policing duties of arrest .

“ The section provides that ‘ a private person may arrest a suspect in Nigeria who in his presence commits an offence or whom he reasonably suspects of having committed an offence for which the Police is entitled to arrest without a warrant. ’

“ This code is the effective counter -measure to the stealing and rigging plot of the APC and President Buhari .

“ Nigerians have had enough of the Buhari misfortune and are resolved on consigning it to history where generations shall be taught on the kind of persons not to be elected President in any country ever again.

“ President Buhari by all indications is willing to plunge Nigeria into electoral crisis worse than those that twice directly led to the collapse of democracy after the 1963 and 1983 general elections. ”

Source: https://punchng.com/buharis-rejection-of-electoral-bill-an-act-of-desperation-cupp/

NYSC Certificate Forgery: PDP keeps mum as Razak Atunwa plots to present WAEC as highest qualification

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has refused to explain its position to Nigerians a week after its governorship candidate in Kwara State, Rasak Atunwa, was exposed for forging the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.

The party’s national headquarters and its chapter in Kwara both continue to sidestep the scandal despite repeated attempts by PREMIUM TIMES to understand their position on whether Mr Atunwa would be passed to the Independent National Electoral Commission as the party’s governorship candidate.

But PREMIUM TIMES has now learnt that Mr Atunwa has not been told to withdraw from the race or be dropped by the party, which has prompted him to intensify effort aimed at retaining his party ticket ahead of INEC submission deadline.

The electoral body has scheduled November 2 as the deadline for all parties to submit names of governorship and presidential candidates. The deadline for submission of state assemblies and National Assembly candidates lapsed on October 18.

As part of his plots to escape being dropped as candidate, Mr Atunwa has already moved to present secondary school certificate as his highest qualification.

Although the embattled politician has, for years, claimed to have obtained both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from two universities in the United Kingdom, he believes submitting only a high school certificate would extricate him from the NYSC Act that requires a university graduate to participate in a yearlong national service.

Since 1973, every Nigerian who attends a university or polytechnic have been mandated by the NYSC law to participate in the national youth scheme for one year after graduation, provided the person finished before age 30.

Failure to serve would prohibit such individual from employment in Nigeria, and making false claims about serving attracts up to 14 years in jail. Also, anyone who graduates before 30 but deliberately declines to serve has committed a crime that attracts 12-month imprisonment, even if the person did not forge NYSC documents.

Only a person who obtained a degree after 30 or served in the military or won national honours medal qualifies for exemption certificate under the NYSC law.

But even if Mr Atunwa presents his high school certificate, he would still run into legal troubles for committing perjury. He had sworn under oath at Kwara State High Court in Ilorin that he had university degrees and participated in NYSC between 1995 and 1996.



The two universities he attended in England and his qualifications were also still available on his page at the National Assembly website as of 10:40 a.m. on October 29.

The lawmaker submitted forged NYSC documents to the PDP despite two raging scandals involving two Nigerian ministers.

Kemi Adeosun, Nigeria’s finance minister, was forced to resign from office over the scandal, and communications minister, Bayo Shittu, was denied governorship nomination by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State for failing to serve his fatherland upon graduation.

AUDACIOUS FORGERY

Mr Atunwa, born on October 17, 1969, said he studied law at the University of East London, graduating in 1992 at age 23.

Having earned a bachelor’s degree at 23, Mr Atunwa, going by Section 2 of the NYSC Act, should have participated in the year-long national service.

But rather than present himself for national service, Mr. Atunwa stayed back in the United Kingdom, returning only in 2005 to join the cabinet of then Governor Bukola Saraki in Kwara State at the age of 36.

Between 2005 and 2010 when he stepped down to run for office, the politician was commissioner at four different ministries: Land and Housing, Works and Transport, Information and Home Affairs and Finance.

It was not immediately clear whether or not Mr Atunwa presented any NYSC document to authorities since 2005 when he was first appointed commissioner, 2011 when he became speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly and 2015 when he became member of the House of Representatives.

But to secure the PDP governorship ticket on October 1, he submitted a counterfeit NYSC discharge certificate and accompanied it with an affidavit, indicating he lied on oath, an offence that attracts up to 14 years in jail.

Mr Atunwa — who claimed he qualified for law practice in the United Kingdom after obtaining undergraduate and master’s degrees at separate universities in London — indicated in the nomination document he submitted at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja that he partook in the youth service scheme between 1995 and 1996.



The lawmaker, who is chair of the House Committee on Justice, then accompanied it with a notarised affidavit sworn at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on September 10. The document was attached to his PDP expression of interest form.

He signed the document despite a clause indicating he remained automatically disqualified as candidate if any statement or information he provided is found to be false, inaccurate, or mislead the party or its agents from making proper assessment of his competence to contest the governorship election under the platform of the PDP.

For one, Mr Atunwa’s ‘certificate’ purportedly obtained in 1996 carried the signature of Walter Oki (brigadier general at the time).

But Mr Oki was only made NYSC director-general in 2002. In 1996, Soyemi Sofoluwe (brigadier general) was director-general of the corps and signed all discharge and exemption certificates during the period. He was succeeded by S.M. Dule (brigadier general), who served as director-general between 1996 and 2000.

To further crosscheck the authenticity of Mr Atunwa’s ‘certificate’, PREMIUM TIMES compared his with original ones that bore the basics of the document, especially those from foreign university graduates.

Aisha Abubakar, the minister of state trade and industry, returned to Nigeria after concluding her masters in development studies at the University of Leeds. Her certificate is marked NYSC/LA/FRN/91/18170, indicating that she served in Lagos, after graduating from a foreign university.

Khadija Bukar Ibrahim, the minister of state foreign affairs, also schooled abroad. She attended Roehampton Institute for Higher Education, affiliated with the University of Surrey and finished in 1989. She enlisted in the NYSC on October 2, 1990 and passed out on October 1, 1991. Her certificate is marked NYSC/LA/FRN/90/28750, indicating that she served in Lagos (LA) after graduating from a foreign university (FRN) in 1990.

However, Mr. Atunwa’s certificate, rather than bear FRN or FORN (code for foreign graduates) has KWP (a code reserved for graduates of Kwara State Polytechnic) as identification mark. But the politician did not graduate from Kwara Polytechnic. He claimed he attended the University of East London for the first degree and the University of London for his master’s.

“This is the most audacious forgery since PREMIUM TIMES began investigation into NYSC claims of senior government officials and politicians generally,” Liborous Oshoma, a Lagos-based legal practitioner, told PREMIUM TIMES last week.

‘BRAZEN HYPOCRISY’

Despite being amongst the top voices that called for the resignation and prosecution of Ms Adeosun, whose NYSC forgery was exposed by PREMIUM TIMES in July, the PDP appears to be plotting to sweep a similar scandal involving its members under the carpet.

Ken Asogwa, an Abuja-based lawyer and political commentator, said PDP’s failure to act on Mr Atunwa’s scandal further proves to Nigerians that the APC and PDP are not distinctly different as political parties.

“This is basically what we have been complaining about, it is not about the party in power but the people involved,” Mr Eluma Asogwa said. “There is no difference between the APC and PDP when it comes to immorality and corruption.”



Many Nigerians cited corruption as a primary reason for voting the PDP out of power in 2015, after 16 years of being in control of Nigeria’s political centre. The party apologised for its transgressions earlier this year, saying it would do business differently if given another chance in 2019, especially on corruption.

The party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has widely been seen as gaining steady momentum over incumbent Muhammadu Buhari ahead of general elections next February, but how it handles Mr Atunwa’s forgery would loom large on its chances at the poll, Mr Eluma Asogwa said.

“The PDP has not learnt from anything from its unflattering past despite its apologies that it would not condone corruption if given another chance,” the lawyer said.

“What does it take for a party that claims it would do things differently if voted into power to withdraw someone who forged certificate and apologise to Nigerians for its failure to detect the fraud before PREMIUM TIMES?”

Source https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/293075-nysc-certificate-forgery-pdp-keeps-mum-as-razak-atunwa-plots-to-present-waec-as-highest-qualification.html

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has described the death of former Minister of Works, Chief Anthony Anenih, as a great loss, saying the late elder statesman served Nigeria meritoriously.

Obasanjo, who paid glowing tributes to the former minister in a condolence letter dated Oct. 29, to the Head of Anenih’s family, noted that the deceased lived a well-fulfilled life.

He said in the letter made available to newsmen on Monday in Abeokuta by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, that God had been kind to Anenih in many ways.

The former president added that the demise of Anenih marked the end of the “inspiring chapter of Nigeria’s history.”

Obasanjo said the life of Anenih who he appointed Minister of Works in 1999 was an archetypal lesson in public service and leadership at its best.

“He served the nation with devotion and diligence in his chosen profession. His service in the Nigeria Police Force was distinguished by high professional standard.

“He was an epitome of humility and dignity both in service and retirement, even though he rose to the rank of Commissioner of Police before retirement.

“In the course of a lifetime of remarkable contributions to the political sector of the nation, Anenih became a national icon and authentic role model.

“He remained one of the outstanding leaders of our generation,” the former president said

Source:https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2018/10/29/anenih-served-nigeria-meritoriously-obasanjo/

The Akwa Ibom state government says it will soon start the production of plastic chairs, biro pens, storage tanks and several other industrial products.

General Manager of the Akwa Ibom state Enterprise and Employment Scheme (AKEES), Mr. James Bassey told reporters yesterday that the move was in line with the industrialization agenda of the Governor Udom Emmanuel administration.

Bassey, who spoke on the sidelines of an assessment tour of the impact of government’s Direct Investment on the people, disclosed that government had already procured machines for the production of biro.

According to him the state government has given approval for the establishment of AKEES industrial park in Ikot-Ekpene and Eket
senatorial districts that would handled the production of plastics chairs, GP tanks and others.

“As we speak, Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel has placed order for the purchase of machines for the production of biro pen, red, blue and black, and the machines are going to be located here in this industrial park, in Uyo.

“The governor has also ordered that each industrial park be established in Ikot-Ekpene and Eket senatorial districts and they will be producing plastic chairs, GP tanks and several other injection products.

Bassey said contrary to insinuations from the opposition party, AKEES has changed the narrative of Akwa state in terms of creation of job opportunities for the teeming youth and training programme.

“I can say that with the coming of AKEES, the narrative of our people has changed in the sense that a lot of our people have benefited from it, the ICT, the agriculture and now the industries.

“It is the plan of the state governor to establish mega industries, but if you are building mega industries you need to start somewhere and get that industrial experience before you can graduate to working in Mega industries.

“Today we see a lot of Nigerians with various degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering but because such people have never worked before he or she will find it difficult to fit into the labour market” he said.

According to him Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel through AKEES has provided the Akwa Ibom people the basic technical experience that could make excel in their future endeavors.

“As we speak a lot of people with their experience in the toothpick manufacturing have been calling me expressing their desire to establish a similar industry on their own, and this is something that should be commended” he said.

The GM however expressed disappointment with people who, for political motive, have said AKEES is a scam arranged by Governor Udom to deceive Akwa Ibom people, saying if you don’t like the governor’s face you should use that to criticize his good policies.

“Some many people out are blind to the fact that these things are real, and some for political reason will tell you AKEES is scam to deceive our people but it is not true”
Mrs Stella Etim, distributors of AKEES products who spoke with correspondents commended the high quality of the products in the market.

“ Let me use this medium to assure all Akwa Ibom people of the quality of AKEES products, there strong and durable and people are looking for them. I am the distributor for pencil and took picks in Ikot-Ekpene but now I have come to join in the distributor for the plastics”

Source http://thenationonlineng.net/a-ibom-set-to-produce-plastic-chairs-biro-gp-tanks/

The battle for Kwara Central senatorial seat in February next year promises to be a tough one for Senate President Bukola Saraki.

According to details of the polls released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Senate President, who is billed to fly the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party in the election, will have to slug it out with 16 other candidates of various political parties.

His rivals in the February 16, 2019 election will include the candidates of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) as well as those of 14 other political parties, four of which are women.

The four women seeking the Kwara Central Senatorial seat with Saraki are Abubakar Khadijat Akanni of MPN, Okanlawon Adekunle Taiwo of GPN, AbdulWaheed Mariam Titilayo of ADP and AbdulSalam Kuburat of LP.

Other candidates for the seat are a former member of the State House of Assembly Dr Yahaya Oloriegbe (APC), Abdurahman Garuba (AP), Ambali Mujaheed (ACPN), Babatunde Sambo (SDP), Abdulraheem Abubakar (ADC) and Mohammed Saidu of Peoples Trust (PT).

In Kwara North, Alhaji Sodiq Umar of the APC will slug it out with Zakari Mohammed of PDP while Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of PDP and Architect Lola Ashiru of APC are the frontline candidates in Kwara South.

Source http://thenationonlineng.net/2019-senate-poll-saraki-faces-tough-battle/

Weeks after the emergence of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar as Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 general election; uneasy calm has descended the camp of the flag bearer over the seemingly aloofness of the lawmaker representing Kano Central Senatorial District, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano state garnered a total of 158 votes to finish fourth on the log behind Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal and Atiku respectively at the PDP Presidential primaries which held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital earlier in the month.

Although, the founder of the Kwankwasiyya political movement pledged to abide by the outcome of the exercise while soliciting the support of party delegates hours before balloting, not much has been heard of him in the weeks after the convention; a development that is becoming worrisome to the camp of the erstwhile Vice President.

Unlike Ahmed Makarfi, Tambuwal and other party bigwigs who vied for the sole ticket with Atiku, Kwankwaso is yet to pledge his readiness to work for the success of the party and its Presidential candidate with barely three months to the general elections.

A highly placed source and loyalist of Atiku who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said Kwankwaso ought to be rooting for the party following the successful conduct of the primaries, adding that his silence is what is driving fears in the mind of his supporters that he could work against the PDP “when the chips are down.”

According to him, there was a verbal agreement prior to the convention that the Kwankwasiyya movement, a group whose membership cut across many states of the federation, would be deployed to mobilise support for whoever clinches the PDP ticket, stressing that more than two weeks after the primaries, “not much has been heard in this regard.”

He said, “It is not that His Excellency, Engineer Kwankwaso is supporting another candidate but we are worried he is not talking about the Waziri Adamawa, who is the choice of our party. For instance, Saraki even before he was named the Director General of the Campaign Organization demonstrated his willingness and readiness to work for the victory of our party and I think, we can say the same of Tambuwal, Makarfi and others. To win this election, all hands must be on deck, except we want to remain in the opposition.

“I am aware that all the then aspirants promised to collapse their political structures to drive support for the party especially its Presidential candidate after the convention. Have you heard the Kwankwasiyya group saying anything about the PDP candidate? Has Kwankwaso himself said anything that gives the slightest indication that he is behind the party in 2019?”

He counselled that Kano, arguably the home to the largest number of registered voters in Nigeria must not be allowed to go the way of the ruling party, adding that the crisis now rocking the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state would provide an electoral mileage for the PDP if it succeeds in putting its house in order.

“The allegation of bribe taking as shown in a trending video is enough to sway votes against the APC in Kano. In terms of performance, President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje have both failed to justify the mandate freely given to them by the people. So, what we need to do is to get the cooperation of our teeming supporters and leaders to reach out to the people and solicit for their support,” he noted. But what actually is responsible for Kwankwaso’s apparent indifference in matters concerning the electoral fortune of the PDP these days?

Findings by Saturday Vanguard reveal that Kwankwaso’s decision to recoil into his shell as it were, may not be unconnected with the outcome of the PDP governorship primaries in Kano which held recently. The party which became polarised in the days leading to the congresses produced two factional candidates, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, a son in-law to the former governor and Mallam Salihu Sagir Takai, who is believed to be enjoying the support of the state chairman of the party, Senator Mas’ud Doguwa.

Kwankwaso, it was gathered is not particularly happy that despite the calibre of politicians who defected alongside with him from the APC, the leadership of the PDP failed to secure the loyalty of its state chapter for him. And even though, the party submitted the name of his son in-law to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, ahead of the elections; there are fears Takai’s group may work against Kwankwaso’s interest, unless a kind of deal, acceptable to both parties, is brokered.

An associate of the former Kano state governor who lives in Abuja had this to say of the situation on Thursday: “His Excellency is a force to be reckoned with not only in Kano but also throughout the nation. But the manner of conduct of the congresses left much to be desired. It is not about name submission but the failure or inability of the Kano chapter of the PDP to speak with one voice,” he said.

Asked if his principal actually mooted the idea of dumping the PDP as was widely reported in some media outlets recently; the lanky fellow said he would not respond to issues on the basis of speculations.

“I don’t trade in the rumour market and I don’t know what you mean by his planned defection. All I can say is that when he made up his mind to leave the ruling party for a return to the PDP, it was widely celebrated. As a leader, he demonstrated how influential he was by coming to the party with very powerful political players. His endorsement of Engineer Yusuf is because he knows the potentials of the man and what his governorship would mean to the good people of Kano.

“Those who think otherwise are free to do so for this is the beauty of democracy. However, it will be appropriate for the PDP family in Kano to look at the bigger picture and do the right thing in the interest of the party in 2019,” he added.

He however became evasive when pressed to clarify what constituted the “right thing,” insisting that Kwankwaso believes in the PDP as the only party capable of restoring the nation’s lost glory “if given the opportunity to serve once again.”

As it were, Kwankwaso has become the latest victim of the rebellion by an “errant” political godson, who having tasted the delicacies of the plum office of governor, now wants to be left alone as his own man. Loyalty, especially in the political sphere has an expiration date and it appears the man now calling the shots in the ancient city would hold sway until the next election determines otherwise.

As for the PDP, a party that now takes pride in its “rebranded platform”, fair play has taken the place of godfatherism; a development that may count against the lawmaker, who in any case, has limited options should he elect to dump the PDP once again ahead of the polls.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/10/2019-why-kwankwaso-is-angry/

*Wanted district head, two others turned themselves in

Following intensified efforts by the military towards unraveling the whereabouts of Major General Idris Alkali (rtd) who was declared missing on Monday September 3, while in transit from Abuja to Bauchi, a shallow grave where his body was allegedly buried before it was exhumed and taken to an unknown place has been discovered.

Alkhali’s car had earlier been recovered from a mining pond at Dura-Du village in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Also suspects who aided in exhuming the general’s remains have been apprehended and are now helping in the investigations.
Some persons, including the district head of Dura-Du, Mr. Yakubu Rapp, who were declared wanted by the Police in connection with the incident, have also turned themselves in.

Gen Alkali, immediate past Chief of Administration of the Nigerian Army, was travelling from Abuja to Bauchi via Jos in his black Toyota Corolla car with registration number, Kwara MUN 670 AA on a restive day when he ran into some hoodlums who were protesting an attack on the village which had happened the previous night, September 2, 2018. The General was allegedly assaulted and killed by the hoodlums.

Addressing newsmen on Friday on the efforts to recover the body of the general, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3rd Armored Division, Major General Benson Akinroluyo, said initial credible intelligence revealed that his car was stopped and he introduced himself as a general to the hoodlums who had barricaded the road, and that he was just passing through to Bauchi, adding that the Senior Officer was assaulted and killed.

He said, “Thereafter, his belongings such as clothing, cash, phones and laptop were shared by those who killed him. His body was dragged before being moved to somewhere else and his car was driven and pushed into the abandoned mining pit filled with water.
The irate youths who followed his car to the abandoned mining pit filled with water on many tricycles popularly known as “Keke NAPEP” jubilated for reason best known to them or for mission accomplished. He was later buried in a shallow grave in an area popularly known as, “No man’s land” within the community.”

Narrating further, Gen Akinroluyo said that when the general’s car was recovered from the mining pit, those involved and those not involved in the killing of the general held a meeting to relocate his corpse away from the community because of the inherent danger it would attract to the community, adding that consequently, a ten-man team was constituted to relocate his corpse earlier buried in a shallow grave within the community to somewhere else while a specialist in preservation of corpse was contracted and assisted in exhuming his corpse from the shallow grave.

“He added; “Only few trusted members of the community knew where his corpse was relocated to. The specialist is currently in our custody. Again, this is an attempt to cover up the heinous crime committed by the community. There exist other evidence and indicators that pointed to the fact that those who were involved in the killing of the Senior Officer are being supported and backed by Community leaders within the Dura-Du district.

“In recent times, they have been staging press conferences and writing petitions in order to smear the image of the Division in particular and the Nigerian Army in general. This Division will not yield to the antics or blackmail by those who have committed this dastardly crime.”

The GOC revealed that Da Chuwang Samuel was believed to have masterminded the assault and killing of the retired general, adding that Nyam Samuel, Pam Gyang, Mathew Wrang, Moses Gyang. Timothy Chuang, Yakubu Rapp (the district head of Dura Du village) and Chuwang Istifanus have been declared wanted by the relevant authority based on their degree of culpability in the killing of the general.

He said that four different sources, not known to each other, at various times took the military to the open shallow grave where Alkali’ s remains were initially buried but subsequently removed, adding that “sniffer dogs that have been cultured with the personal effects of the senior officer led us to the same open shallow grave.”

“That was the only grave we were led to by different people and sniffer dogs. We did not go to any other grave as the operation was carried out based on credible intelligence. Like I always say, the cordon and search operation is intelligence driven and that is why the operation has been conducted in line with international best practices and respect for human rights. This further explains why the Division did not clamp down on the entire community. Only the perpetrators are being targeted”.

He reiterated that all the actors involved in the dastardly act who are still at large are known to the military while all efforts are being made to get them arrested and brought to justice as their photographs and personal details are with the relevant security agencies.

The GOC added that the cordon and search operation conducted by troops had really exposed the heinous crimes committed by the few but fully supported and concealed by the entire community, and commended members of the public for their cooperation, and still solicited for anyone with credible information on where Alkali was re-buried to come up with it.
He pointed out that relations of those whose vehicles were discovered in the mining pit had come up to identify the vehicles with proven evidences.

One Mohammed Sadiq Abdulahi whose father owned the Toyota Hiace bus that was found in the mining pit said his father was waylaid in the area in July and killed, while another person Yusuf Abubakar also identified another Red Rover car belonging to his uncle, Alhaji Lawal Isa.

Meanwhile, barely 24 hours after they were declared wanted by the Police, three suspects on Friday voluntarily surrendered themselves to the Plateau State Police Command in Jos.

The suspects, who surrendered to the police were the Village Head of Dura – Du District in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, Yakubu Rapp (52); Youth Leader of the community, Matthew Rwang (27); and Tipper driver, Timothy Chuwang (26).
They were said to have arrived the Police Command Headquarters in Jos by 10:00am on Friday accompanied by the lawyer to the community, Mr. Matthew Godfree.

The suspects were sighted in the office of the Officer-in-Charge (Homicide Department) for their interrogation and investigation.
Godfree said, the community was ready to cooperate with the police in their investigation.
Rapp had promised to surrender himself because he was innocent.

He had said, “I don’t know anything about the missing Army General. On Sunday, September 2, the solders came to our Lopandyet community, started shooting and killing people. Even two of my sons were killed and two of my grandsons were wounded, and are now in critical conditions. One was taken to the Jos University Teaching Hospital, while the other was admitted in Plateau State Hospital.

“On October 2, about one month later, the Divisional Police Officer of Anglo Jos Division called me and showed me two of the police officers who gave me a paper that I should report to the Plateau State Command Headquarters on October 4 in respect of the missing Army General.

“The Army also came to my house and started shooting guns sporadically. They knocked at my door and threatened that they would kill me as they killed my children. They left, but promised to come back by 3:00am. They threatened that if they did not see me, they will arrest my children, with the hope that I will come if they detain me.

“The soldiers destroyed my house and it was because of their threats that I did not come. When the Army came to the mining pond, they never asked for anybody. I have decided to surrender myself to the police after I heard that I have been declared wanted. I have decided to go myself because I am not a wanted person. Let the police carry out their investigation. I have confidence in the police than the Army. Let justice be done.”

Source https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/26/tension-as-army-discovers-grave-of-missing-general/amp/

FBI agents used DNA and a fingerprint to identify the Florida man suspected of sending at least 14 parcel bombs to critics of U.S. President Donald Trump days ahead of congressional elections.

Cesar Sayoc has been charged with five federal crimes including threats against former presidents and faces up to 58 years in prison if found guilty, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said at a news conference.

“We will not tolerate such lawlessness, especially political violence,” he said.

FBI agents arrested Sayoc, 56, in Plantation, Florida and also hauled away a white van plastered with pro-Trump stickers, the slogan “CNN SUCKS” and images of Democratic figures with red crosshairs over their faces.

FBI Director Christopher Wray told the news conference that fingerprints on a package sent to Representative Maxine Waters belonged to Sayoc.

He also said there could be other packages.

Announcing the arrest by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to a cheering audience at the White House, Trump said such “terrorizing acts” were despicable and had no place in the United States.

“We must never allow political violence to take root in America – cannot let it happen,” Trump said. “And I’m committed to doing everything in my power as president to stop it and to stop it now.”

Sayoc’s home address was listed in public records as an upscale gated apartment complex in the seaside town of Aventura, Florida.

According to the records, he is a registered Republican with a lengthy criminal past – including once making a bomb threat – and a history of posting inflammatory broadsides on social media against Trump’s political foes.

Sayoc was being held at an FBI processing center in Miramar, Florida, CNN said. He was expected to be taken to the Federal Detention Center in downtown Miami and will likely make his first appearance before a judge on Monday, according to former Assistant U.S. Attorney David Weinstein.

A federal law enforcement source said charges would likely be brought by federal prosecutors in Manhattan and Sayoc transferred to New York City. (Reuters)

Source https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/26/us-mail-bomb-suspect-nabbed-traced-with-fingerprint-dna/amp/

Kogi East PDP: Shock as Sen Aidoko defeats other contestants in primary that never held

Eyebrows are being raised in Kogi East Senatorial district following revelations that embattled Senator Attai Aidoko polled 712 votes to beat all other candidates at the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) primaries that never held.

In what look s like akin to ‘results without examination,’ Aidoko is said to have polled 712 votes to beat his other aspirants in a contest that is at best a figment of the imagination of some compromised divisional party executives led by Sani Umoru (Divisional Chairman for Dekina), zonal exco (led by Alhaji Manman Pele) and a few other compromised Party members.

“Call it impunity, bizarre, criminal, fraud or magic and you will be very correct but the revelation of a result for the PDP primaries Kogi-East Senatorial Primary election, which was scheduled to hold on 2nd October, 2018 but did not hold on account of resistance from stakeholders of the party, shows the desperation of Senator Aidoko to cling up to power,” one source who is conversant with the story told us.

It would be recalled that the designated Returning Officer who is also the State Vice Chairman of the Party, Chief Abenemi and the State Party Secretary, Alhaji Faruk Sule had at a press conference stated clearly that the Senatorial Primary election for Kogi-East did not hold.

According to a party man conversant with politics in Kogi East, “Atai Aidoko has never won any election. It’s either he manipulates the process with thugs and a few dubious party chieftains or uses the Courts to steal other people’s victories but this one is too open and I am sure his end has come”.

“Unfortunately for Aidoko, those he used amongst the police, INEC and the PDP are only just realizing their folly and have been singing in muted tones.

It is only a matter of time before their involvements and confessions become public knowledge and qualify for criminal prosecution,” the man said, adding that there is are moves by some aggrieved party people and elders of the party to challenge the cooked results in court and ensure that all those guilty of arranging the fake results are brought to book.

As at the time of filling this report, calls and text messages to the nine INEC Chairmen of the various LGAs, except one, has yet to be answered, as many of them do not want to be witnesses in the imminent court case that is likely to ensue should the PDP press ahead with retaining Aidoko as the party’s candidate when there is a weight of evidence that it would be illegal to do so.

The discontent and dissent from Aidoko’s misadventure has led to a decimation in the ranks of the party as majority of loyalists are said to have either defected or are in negotiations with other parties, raising the possibility of the PDP being roundly beaten in the coming elections.

A close confident of Senator Atai Aidoko, who spoke on condition of anonymity, however, said the Senator is not losing sleep over the issues or his electoral victory as he has perfected plans to beat anyone who emerges especially the candidate of the All Peoples Congress (APC) at the 2019 polls.

“Clearly, Aidoko is a handful for the people of Easter Kogi but we shall wait this episode out and see how his magic plays out on this occasion,” he said.

Source https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2018/10/26/kogi-east-pdp-shock-as-sen-aidoko-defeats-other-contestants-in-primary-that-never-held/