Arrest at dawn

The Nigerian polity has been extremely heated following the arrest of the convener of #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore – who was a presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the February 2019 presidential election. Sowore was arrested in the early hours of Saturday, August 3, 2019, in a hotel in Lagos by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and taken to Abuja, the following day.

The #RevolutionNow movement, under the auspices of the Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria, had called on the citizenry to march – in protests across States of the federation – against bad governance on August 5, 2019.

“This series of marches and rallies will continue until we have the Nigeria of our dreams,” they said.

Full details here: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/revolutionnow-here-are-5-reasons-it-wont-happen-anytime-soon/

Buhari’s order against ballot box snatchers shows Nigeria now in ‘full blown dictatorship’- Dogara

peaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has condemned President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement that allot box snatchers will meet their death during the elections, saying that it is a clear indication that Nigeria’s democracy has become the victim of a full blown dictatorship.

In a press briefing by the Speaker, he wondered why despite adequate provisions in the laws to address electoral offenses, a democratically elected President would give a directive that is in clear violation of the laws of the land which by his oath of office he is to defend and protect.

He said, “This press briefing is to call the attention of well meaning Nigerians and the international community to the incendiary statements made by President Muhammadu Buhari, and Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the national caucus of their party, earlier today.

“At the meeting the President said: ‘Anybody who decides to snatch boxes or lead thugs to disturb the election, may be that would be the last unlawful action you would take. I have given the military and police the order to be ruthless. I am going to warn anybody who thinks he would lead a body of thugs in his locality to snatch boxes or to disturb the voting system; he would do it at the expense of his/her own life.”

“These statements clearly indicate that our democracy has become the victim of a full blown dictatorship, when one considers that a democratically elected President would give a directive that is in clear violation of the laws of the land which by his oath of office he is to defend and protect.”

Going further, the speaker noted that in view of this statement by the president, it is obvious that the military has been given a central role and co-opted into the conduct of the election despite the fact that they have no constitutional role in our electoral process.

He also debunked claims by Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was given prior notice of the postponement of the elections, describing it as false and unnecessary blackmail.

Refuting the allegation, Hon Dogara said, “In this context, we categorically deny these false claims and unnecessary blackmail and regard the President’s statement as a call for extra-judicial killings considering the fact that there are adequate provisions in our laws to address electoral offenses.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/buharis-order-against-ballot-box-snatchers-shows-nigeria-now-in-full-blown-dictatorship-dogara/

President Muhammadu Buhari has gone tough over the 2019 general elections, warning that those who plan to distrupt the elections will be doing that at the expense of their own lives.

The President said this at the caucus meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Monday.

The President, who was reacting to the submissions by the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of colluding with the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, said he has ordered security agencies to ensure they secure the whole environment and make sure the election went smoothly.

“I will warn those who have planned to disrupt the peaceful elections to desist from their planned actions. Anyone who tries that is doing it at the expense of his own life”. President Buhari said.

Details here: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/you-will-be-disrupting-elections-at-the-expense-of-your-life-buhari-warns/

The trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), and his subsequent suspension by President Muhammadu Buhari have thrown up several legal debates, and opinions that have now put a strain on Nigeria’s fragile democracy.

“We are worried that the political gladiators even seem to revel in the crisis, appearing not to want the matter quickly resolved in some instance. Here, we condemn the subtle resistance by a section of the caucus in the Senate to oppose the intervention of the Supreme Court in the matter of the CJN’s suspension from office by the President.”

The claims and counter-claims by contending forces have exposed the loopholes and lacuna inherent in the nation’s legal system, and also brought to the fore, the tendencies of those in charge of our democratic institutions to abuse powers bestowed on their offices.

The developments have, no doubt, challenged the very foundation of the nation’s democratic institutions, with heightened worries for the independence of the judiciary and the principle of separation of powers.

“For Onnoghen, the number one judicial officer in the country, no argument can be made in favour of any righteous indignation as we are all equal before the law. We are dismayed at his claim of being forgetful over the subject of failing to declare all his assets as required by law.”

We are concerned that the image of the country is being battered among the committee of nations, as its ruling class makes mockery of the rule of law and judicial processes, due largely to greed and pursuit of group interest.

We are worried that the political gladiators even seem to revel in the crisis, appearing not to want the matter quickly resolved in some instance. Here, we condemn the subtle resistance by a section of the caucus in the Senate to oppose the intervention of the Supreme Court in the matter of the CJN’s suspension from office by the President. We, therefore, caution that nothing should be done to portray Nigeria as a theatre of the absurd where common sense is in short supply.

“On the part of President Buhari, the script, plot and uncommon haste deployed in the ouster of Onnoghen leave a lot of room for suspicion as to the real intentions. We support the argument that his approach to dealing with perceived corruption in the judicial arm of government did not follow constitutional provisions which require that the matter be laid, first, at the doorstep of the National Judicial Council (NJC).”

The major actors in the saga, namely the CJN and the Presidency, as well as the major political parties have taken actions, and made utterances akin to a desperate resort to self help and, in the process unnecessarily heating up the polity already heightened by an impending general elections.

For Onnoghen, the number one judicial officer in the country, no argument can be made in favour of any righteous indignation as we are all equal before the law. We are dismayed at his claim of being forgetful over the subject of failing to declare all his assets as required by law. Indeed, he made a mockery of himself and the nation’s statutes, when he all but confessed that he had run foul of the Code of Conduct set out for public office holders in the country. The admission casts a doubt on his character, competence and capacity.

Details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/editorial-onnoghen-before-nigeria-descends-into-a-theatre-of-the-absurd/

The Senate Thursday adjourned plenary till after the presidential and National Assembly polls without considering the 2019 budget.

Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Senate President, who presided over the legislative chamber, adjourned plenary till February 19, three days after the presidential and National Assembly elections.

He told his colleagues that they had exceeded the time of sitting going by their rules.

“Dear distinguished colleagues, in view of the fact that it is after 2pm, we cannot proceed any further so we have to adjourn accordingly,” he said.

“The senate hereby adjourns to Tuesday, the 19th day of February, 2019 at 10am prompt.”
Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/without-considering-2019-budget-senate-adjourns-till-after-presidential-elections/

Since the return of democracy in 1999, three generals have principally been the architects of the secured path to Aso Rock.

In their war room, they have essentially determined who gets to the highest office of the land, when they leave and who succeeds them.

But in 2019, they are in the battle for their lives as this time, they face an unusual foe– a fellow general familiar with the demands of battle.

Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, all former heads of state, have either chosen or blessed whoever eventually emerges Nigeria’s president. One can add a fourth general, TY Danjuma. He may well be described as their pitbull. Since the counter-coup of 1966, Danjuma has been said to be involved in every single coup afterwards, and has, together with the other former heads of state, played a role in succession in the democratic era.

Before Obasanjo joined this exclusive group, he was first a beneficiary of the scheming of the other two generals. After they ensured his release in 1998, they anointed him first president of the Fourth Republic. He would go on to serve for 8 years.

Then followed Umaru Musa Yar’adua and Goodluck Jonathan, all hand-picked. But in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari, a perennial contestant, had all his stars aligned at last. Though not the generals’ natural choice, he nevertheless enjoyed their blessing as he was the enemy of their enemy– Jonathan– and was already almost guaranteed victory without them.

As the generals may have feared, Buhari is not pliable. And now they want him out. But this time is different. Their Plan A already failed. They could not get him to not seek reelection. With only days to the election now, he marches on still, self-assured as always. So what next for the ‘Owners of Nigeria Plc’?

The Good- Abdulsalami Abubakar

It appears the generals have always opted for a carrot and stick approach. While Obasanjo, Babangida and Danjuma have wielded the stick, Abubakar has dangled the carrot.

He has mastered the art of diplomatic-speak. He openly maintains friendly relations with the president in power while also preserving his place in the generals’ exclusive club.

He has even somewhat formalised his diplomatic role through the national peace committee which he chairs. Through this committee, he ensures the presidential gladiators accept the outcome of the election, whichever way it goes.

In 2015, his committee ensured that former president Goodluck Jonathan conceded after his loss, a move that eased tension in the polity and allowed for peaceful transition of power.

Abubakar, whether by strategic design or coincidence, appears to confer on the generals some kind of patriotic supervisory authority. A respectable status. But does his non-partisan public role which is quite at variance with that of his counterparts isolate him from their clear partisan interests, strategy and overall agenda?
Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/the-good-the-bad-and-obasanjo-what-next-for-the-owners-of-nigeria-plc/

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has taken yet another shot at President Muhammadu Buhari, 24hrs after his widely covered state of the nation address.

In his latest attack, Obasanjo says Buhari is “sick in the spirit, body and soul”.

He said this in an interview with BBC Yoruba.

The former president said Buhari needs retire and allow another person take charge of the country.

Obasanjo said when people complain to him that the next person may not do better, he tells them that, that is the beauty of democracy

“Buhari is sick in the spirit, body and soul. Let’s beg him to go and rest. He has tried his best. Let give chance to another person,” Obasanjo said.
Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/buhari-is-sick-in-the-spirit-body-and-soul-obasanjo-hits-buhari-again/

In August 2018, the federal government released a list of 69 road and bridge projects it claimed were on-going in the South East after the five governors of the region condemned the perceived neglect of the region through infrastructure and developmental projects. Of the 69 reported on-going projects in the region, Ripples Nigeria’s PATRICK EGWU toured the 24 located in Enugu state, in a thorough fact-checking mission, to verify the claims and actual status of the projects – completed, on-going or abandoned.

Enugu-Onitsha Expressway

Of all the roads in the South East region, the Enugu-Onitsha express road is perhaps, one of the worst. It has almost become impassable for road users who ply it every day. The beginning section of the road in Enugu, leading to Anambra state has become a death-trap with many accidents recorded, according to reports from the Federal Road Safety Commission.

In July 2018, a family of seven alongside their neighbour’s child, died along Onyeama Hill, leading to the Enugu-Onitsha express road after a tragic accident. This is one in many of the cases of tragic road clashes along the road for years.

From 2009 to 2014, three major road projects, for different sums of money, were awarded to different companies on the Enugu-Onitsha express road.

On April 6, 2009, the sum of N7,351,344,974.40 was budgeted for the rehabilitation of Enugu bound carriageway of the Onitsha-Enugu road, phase I of section I. The project was awarded to CCC Construction Nigeria Limited with contract number: 5929. A month later, on May 14, 2009, a similar project was budgeted for N7,251,451,515.00 for the rehabilitation of Onitsha-Enugu dual carriageway section II (Anambra State Border-Enugu) with contract number 5988 to Niger Construction Limited

Full details on investigation: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/fact-check-truths-half-truths-and-lies-of-fgs-ongoing-projects-in-seast/

2019: I’m already sure of victory, the goal now is to ‘maximize the scale of victory’- Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his confidence of victory in the 2019 presidential election.

He, however, urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council to work hard in order to “maximize the scale and extent of victory”.

He made this call on Thursday at the inaugural meeting of the campaign council in Abuja.

Buhari’s comments were part of his opening remarks before the meeting went behind closed doors.

“I would like to appeal to you to dedicate and commit yourself once again to the task at hand. There is no doubt that victory is with us: it is ours, but that shouldn’t mean we should rest even for a moment,” he said.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/2019-im-already-sure-of-victory-the-goal-now-is-to-maximize-the-scale-of-victory-buhari/

Rig for Buhari? You’re suffering from ‘recurring hallucination’, INEC replies PDP

Angered by the allegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, are in talks with it to rig the forthcoming 2019 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has challenged the PDP to provide evidence or remain silent.

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, delivered the commission’s position on Wednesday.

The PDP had advised INEC to distance itself from an alleged plot to compromise the Electoral Guidelines and pave the way for the alteration of the forthcoming general elections results.

The Director, Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Kola Ologbondiyan, gave the advice at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

Full details:https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/rig-for-buhari-youre-suffering-from-recurring-hallucination-inec-replies-pdp/

Rig for Buhari? You’re suffering from ‘recurring hallucination’, INEC replies PDP

Angered by the allegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, are in talks with it to rig the forthcoming 2019 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has challenged the PDP to provide evidence or remain silent.

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, delivered the commission’s position on Wednesday.

The PDP had advised INEC to distance itself from an alleged plot to compromise the Electoral Guidelines and pave the way for the alteration of the forthcoming general elections results.

The Director, Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Kola Ologbondiyan, gave the advice at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

Full details:https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/rig-for-buhari-youre-suffering-from-recurring-hallucination-inec-replies-pdp/

KEYAMO: If the system worked, Atiku should be in jail by now, not contesting for president

For the Spokesperson of the Buhari Campaign Organization, Festus Keyamo, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar should be in jail rather than contesting for the office of the President, if Nigeria had a working system.

Keyamo said Atiku would have been in jail for different acts of alleged corruption and abuse of power, including tax evasion.

He was responding to a statement by Atiku where he disagreed with President Muhammadu Buhari that the system in Nigeria allows corruption to thrive because it is slow in tackling corruption.

Atiku also said Buhari had failed to address cases of “corrupt practices” under his watch.

But Keyamo reminded Atiku that he was one of the “greatest beneficiaries of the failed system in tackling corruption that was in place before President Muhammadu Buhari took over in 2015”.

He claimed the former Vice-President robbed the Nigerian people of their wealth by acquiring substantial shares in INTELS as a customs officers when he was in power, thereby creating a monopolistic company which had been broken by President Buhari.

Keyamo who dragged former President Olusegun Obasanjo into the argument said “there was a competition for corruption between himself (Atiku), his boss and public officers”

For reasons why Atiku should be in jail, Keyamo explains, “For himself and his boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo, granting themselves licenses to build universities as President and Vice President whilst in office in clear breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

“Those Universities would have been probed, seized and transferred to the Nigerian State and the Nigerian people by now.

“Laundering slush funds to the United States of America using phony companies, part of which was used to fund his present American University in Adamawa State through which he is also extorting Nigerians through exorbitant fees. It is public knowledge that this indictment is contained in a US Congressional Report that has led to the prosecution and conviction of his accomplices in the US, which are William Jefferson and Siemens.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/keyamo-if-the-system-worked-atiku-should-be-in-jail-by-now-not-contesting-for-president/

The Ohaneze Ndigbo has said the Executive Order by President Muhammadu Buhari is designed to subvert the fundamental rights of Nigerians.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, while calling on the president to stop using executive orders when there is no emergency, said that Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution guaranteed fundamental human rights of Nigerians and that President Buhari cannot stay in his office and determine the fate of any citizen outside the provisions of the law.

The group stated these in a statement signed by the Media Adviser to the President General of Ohanaeze, Chief Emeka Attamah in Enugu on Tuesday, insisting that no Nigerian can be subjected to any disability except as provided by the nation’s constitution.

full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/your-executive-order-meant-to-subvert-citizens-rights-ohaneze-tells-buhari/

The Yoruba Standpoint, a South West summit on restructuring, held Thursday at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

The summit had in attendance prominent political, traditional, religious and professional Yoruba leaders. It also had in attendance some representatives from the South-South and South East invited to participate, with the North visibly absent from deliberate exclusion by the organizers.

Some of the foremost participants include, Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.

Others are, Aare Afe Babalola, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olu Falae, Dr. Olu Olajide, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, and Dr Tokunbo Ajasin.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/restructuring-swest-seast-ssouth-strategize-north-snubbed/

As the build-up to the 2019 elections gathers steam, strategic positioning and re-positioning is already taking place. Political parties and politicians are engaged in varying levels of rebranding where necessary, consolidating on old and still-valuable relationships, building new networks comprising high-value political assets, as well as investing resources into mending fences with now-estranged erstwhile partners.

While this horse trading is fast shaping the political landscape, some names are being thrown up as the likely frontliners in the much-anticipated 2019 presidential election.

Although the field is understandably still hazy, indicators from within political power-broking circles suggest growing sizeable coalescence around some key personages likely to benefit from the political capital of select power blocs for the forthcoming election.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/big-read-unseats-buhari-2019-contenders-pretenders-unknowns/

By Samuel Ibemere…

C’mon, what is there to be said about Nigeria that has not been said? The Nigerian condition has become simply too irritating, and this is putting it mildly. The decadence has evolved into a huge sore that has left an overwhelming stench that is threatening to choke both citizens and neighbours.
The last time I checked, our long history of jagajaga rule was beginning to reveal a motley crowd of ill-fashioned comedians whose acerbic jokes were no longer drawing laughter from a fatigued audience, disappointed from years of mis-governance.
Nigeria is fast turning into a big joke in the eyes of the many who refuse to be amused by the reckless glide towards self-destruct. Clownish men, masquerading as lead actors on a collapsing theatre, fail to recognize the jeers and sense the calamitous march into perdition.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/mr-president-jokes-apart-can-we-get-serious/

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo is said to have started consultations with northern and southern leaders to ensure that the current tension in the country is brought to under control.

This is coming after a federal lawmaker in the Second Republic, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, had on Monday accused the Federal Government of worsening the situation in the country by its continued silence on remarks by some Nigerians capable of breaking up the country .

Mohammed’s accusation was sequel to the quit notice issued by some northern youths to Ndigbo resident in the North to leave the region by October 1.

The ultimatum given the Ndigbo over their demand for Biafra and the reactions of other regions who are equally now demanding for a Republic for their regions, has led to tensions, with many fearing it may lead to a repeat of the civil war Nigeria experienced in the sixties.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/quitnotice-blamed-silence-osinbajo-finally-starts-peace-moves/

Today, May 29, makes it two years since President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s one-time military head of state, was inaugurated to rule the country for the second time, but this time as a democratically elected President.
From Buhari’s inaugural speech of May 29, 2015, Nigerians were intrigued, excited and hopeful with his “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody” statement. But two years down the line, Buhari has shown, according to political analysts, that he not only belongs to ‘nepotism’ but a champion of it, at least in ‘African history’.
According to Wikipedia, forms of corruption vary, but include bribery, extortion, cronyism, nepotism, parochialism, patronage, influence peddling, graft, and embezzlement.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/anniversary-notes-2-years-after-how-buharis-nigeria-stinks-under-rule-of-nepotism/

The people of Benue State seem to have had more than a fair share of tragedies emanating from attacks carried out by marauders suspected to be herdsmen. Hundreds have been killed, and whole communities sacked in attacks that smacks of a deliberate and planned motive to ensure that such areas are devoid of the humans who lay claim to the land.
Guma and Buruku local government areas, as well as Agatu communities have been the worst hit, and the results have been tales of helplessness, sorrow and perceived conspiracies, laced with accusations and denials amid bloodshed.

Tales Of Horror
After losing all he had worked for to what he called Fulani occupation, TY, a displaced farmer in his sixties now lives with other displaced persons inside a camp— built by Benue Non-Governmental Network with support from the UN— tucked somewhere in Daudu, Guma local government area of Benue State. “It was after the third attack on our community that we decided to run for our dear lives,” TY told Ripples Nigeria during a visit to the the camp.

“The first time they came, it was in the afternoon,” the farmer painfully recollected. “We just saw them, suddenly, from nowhere, and they started burning houses that were by the roadside.” TY explained that these attackers, heavily armed and dressed in army-camouflage, didn’t look like the Fulani herdsmen that they know and see around. “They came on motorbikes and looked like soldiers coming to wage war,” he explained. In the subsequent attacks, however, TY claimed that the attackers came with the consent of the herdsmen whose cattle were used as cover to infiltrate. “These other times, what we first saw were herdsmen grazing their cattle as they normally do, and suddenly, there would be a deliberate stampede and from behind them, these attackers would jump out and start shooting sporadically.”

The farmer, who now idly sits under the shade of a mango tree at the camp, said he had since lost the agility to farm, after his farmlands and properties were destroyed.

Displaced persons at the Daudu/Guma camp

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/investigations-they-want-our-lands-horror-brutal-killings-as-grazing-disputes-overwhelm-benue/

The suspension of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr David Babachir Lawal by President Muhammadu Buhari, did not come to many as a surprise.
For keen political observers, the suspension ought to have been handed down months ago.
President Buhari, while announcing the suspension of the SGF on Wednesday, through his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, ordered an investigation into the allegations of violations of law and due process made against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr David Babachir Lawal, in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE).
The President also directed the suspension of the SGF from office pending the outcome of the investigations.
The President’s action is a sharp contrast from a letter he addressed to the Senate in January, 2017, where he exonerated the SGF of any wrongdoing in the handling of PINE.
Buhari, had in his letter, accused the Senate of bias and had insisted that the SGF and his company, Roller Vision Limited, were not given any chance to defend themselves during the public hearing on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North East.
Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/politics-intrigues-consumed-sgf-lawal/

A Joint Committee on National Security and Intelligence and Public Procurement has been mandated by the House of Representatives to probe the Jon-Ode led Presidential Arms probe panel.
The arms probe panel which was inaugurated in 2015 by the Presidency to investigate procurement of hardware and ammunition in the Armed Forces from 2007 to 2015 and to identify irregularities and make recommendations for streamlining the procurement process in the military was recently disbanded by the Federal Government.
Before it disbandment, the panel submitted its first interim report in November 2015 and second report in January 2016.
Following the report President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate some serving and retired military officers, mainly from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

Full Details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/reps-probe-arms-probe-panel/

The possibility of Nigeria ending up as a one party state in 2019 has continued to move from speculations to reality with the worsening crisis rocking the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Like a cancerous disease with a single aim to destroy, PDP crisis keeps snowballing into worse situations anytime the party seems to get its acts together to try and fix its problems.
The recent intervention of former President Goodluck Jonathan and its effect on the troubled party is a quick example of this.
With the efforts already made by Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson-led reconciliation committee, many Nigerians had thought a political solution to the party’s crisis was in sight when Jonathan summoned the warring factions for a peace meeting.
However, the way and manner Ali Modu Sheriff walked out on the stakeholders of the party, his allegation of Jonathan being hired with N50million to destroy likely peace in the party, and Ahmed Makarfi group branding Sheriff’s faction “pigs in the mud”, have again worsened the situation in the party.
Full Details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/pdp-how-nigeria-may-end-up-a-one-party-state-in-2019/

Since the Boko Haram insurgency started in Nigeria’s northeast, hundreds of soldiers and officers have been drafted from various units and divisions across Nigeria into the operation tagged Lafiya Dole (formerly Operation Zaman Lafiya), with its Command Theatre inside the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.
“We are going to carry this as a war and I appeal to all and sundry to give this operation maximum cooperation,” Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, the Army chief, said in 2015 while launching Operation Lafiya Dole as a new code name by the military to fight Boko Haram terrorists. “We will respect human dignity, we will not trample on anybody’s right,” the Army chief assured. Most importantly, on the Nigerian Army’s official page here– http://www.army.mil.ng/directorate-of-nigerian-army-welfare-limitedguaranteedepartment-of-civil-military-affairs/ , it is clearly stated that; “Militaries (all) over place welfare of its personnel a top priority. Nigerian Army (NA) is not an exception. The NA has over time introduced and still introducing various welfare packages in order to meet its moral component strategy which would produce a well-focused and morale motivated troop to win all battles…”

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/missing-wounded-killed-action-tracking-cost-valor-nigerias-war-boko-haram-1/

The Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, hugged the limelight again Thursday for the wrong reason.
This time, the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East, led by Senator Shehu Sani, is alleging that about 20 companies listed as having been awarded contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North-East (PINE), supervised by Babachir, may be ghost firms after all.
“Now, we are set to invite all those persons. It was supposed to be today but, unfortunately, it could not happen.

https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/grass-cutting-scam-no-trace-20-firms-awarded-contracts-sgfs-committee/

All is not well within the camp of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the National Assembly, particularly the Senate.
Senators elected on the platform of the party, are plotting to defect en mass to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Already, four PDP senators have defected to the APC, while three seats have been lost through rerun elections.
Those that already defected are Senators Joshua Dariye, Yeye Omogunwa, Nelson Effiong and Andy Uba.
The PDP has lost a seat to APC in Imo and Rivers State through rerun elections. It also lost one in Anambra, although a rerun election is yet to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Full Details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/exclusive-ekweremadu-frantic-begs-pdp-lawmakers-shelve-mass-defection-plan-apc/

A civil rights activist, Tonye Bob-Manuel, on Sunday took ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to the cleaners for allegedly empowering one George Turnah, rather unduly.
Turnah (33), regarded as a political godson of Jonathan, and said to be under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, was conferred with the prestigious national honour of Member of Order of the Niger (MON) by Jonathan.
There were reports Sunday that a team of EFCC operatives accompanied by armed policemen and soldiers ransacked the palatial home of Turnah.

Full report: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/jonathan-enriched-godson-public-funds-rivers-activist-alleges/

The Nigerian Government says there are indications that the Nigerian economy is well on its way out of recession considering the 2016 overall and last quarter Gross Domestic Product reports.
Referring to a recent GDP figures released Tuesday by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, it said that the stats indicate a contraction of -1.30% in the fourth quarter of 2016, translating into an estimated economic growth rate of -1.51% for the full year.

Full Details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/nigerian-government-claims-economy-way-recession/

In continuation of an earlier investigative report on open sale and high abuse of narcotics in Abuja, Ripples Nigeria digs further to ascertain those behind the sale, consumption, and effects of narcotics in Nigeria’s political capital.

The report had revealed how the popular Banex Junction in Wuse II is notorious for sale of hard and illicit drugs, ranging from cocaine to Marijuana. The drug peddlers, it was reported, ply their trade under the watchful eyes of security agents who are always within the vicinity.

It was also noted in the report that at the gas station, where the peddlers hang around and wait for their old and new customers, a police van is stationed there 24/7.
Full Details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/drug-world-abuja-rich-kids-top-politicians/

Any doubts regarding President Buhari’s intention to gun for the presidency in 2019 were cleared on Tuesday by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal.
Buhari, who has been away in London for nearly a month on medical vacation, is barely two years into his first tenure as President.
However, Babachir, while addressing a rally in Abuja organized by a pro-Buhari group, Citizens Support for Good Governance in Nigeria, alluded to the president spending 8 years in office.

Full Details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/2019-sgf-serves-notice-buharis-intention-run-presidency/

Abuja is regarded as one of the finest cities in Nigeria and also among the best in Africa. It is equally regarded as the fastest growing capital city in the continent.
In the 2006 census, the city of Abuja had a population of 776,298, making it one of the ten most populous cities in Nigeria. According to the United Nations (UN), Abuja grew at the rate of 139.7 per cent between 2000 and 2010, making it the fastest growing city in the world.
As of 2015, the city is still experiencing an annual growth of at least 35 per cent, still retaining its position as the fastest-growing city on the African continent and one of the fastest-growing in the world. Abuja has witnessed a huge influx of people into the city.
This unprecedented growth has led to the emergence of satellite towns, such as Karu, Kubwa, Gwagwalada, Lugbe and Kuje. The unofficial population figure of Abuja stands at over three million, making it the fourth largest metropolitan area in Nigeria, surpassed only by Lagos, Kano and Ibadan. As at 2016, the metropolitan population of Abuja is estimated at 6 million persons.

Full Details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/special-report-abuja-thriving-hard-drugs-districts-unveiled/

President Muhammadu Buhari has been dragged before the Federal High Court in Abuja, by Incorporated Trustees of Save Nigeria Group (SNG), over accusations of fighting a “lopsided” corruption war.
The suit which was also signed by an anti-corruption body, Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International, was dated December 29, 2016 and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1072/2016.
In its suit, SNG asked the court to mandate President Buhari to initiate criminal proceedings against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr. Babachir Lawal and Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mr. Ibrahim Magu, over their alleged involvement in acts of corruption.
Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/save-nigeria-group-makes-comeback-sues-buhari-sgf-magu/

Policy makers have remained upbeat on their expectations of naira rise in value as Nigerians abroad plan to repatriate about $1.5 billion into the country, between December and January.
This is part of the outcome of a series of meetings in Europe and America by a special committee made up of officials from the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Diaspora, representatives of CBN and Ministry of Finance, in September 2016.
A report by the committee says there is a strong commitment from most of the Nigerians in US and Europe to use the Christian holiday to visit home and contribute to the efforts at the country recovering from its recession.

Full Details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/hope-naira-economy-receives-1-5bn-diaspora-boost/