Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said no one should feel that they have a monopoly of violence in Nigeria.

He called on Nigerians to collaborate against insecurity in the country.

Obasanjo said this at the 80th anniversary of Ango Abdullahi, former vice-chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU).

The ceremony was organised by the Abdullahi Kwasau Dynasty.

The ex-president said the call became necessary in view of the threat of insecurity in the country.

Obasanjo said elderly Nigerians should not allow things to continue the way they are going.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/nobody-has-a-monopoly-of-violence-obasanjo/

BUHARI TO AMERICA: I refused to sign Electoral Bill to prevent what Russians did in your election

President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that a major reason for his declining assent to the electoral bill was to prevent technological tampering as as alleged to have occurred in the 2016 US election, with Russia at the centre of the allegations.

Buhari reiterated his determination to ensure a level-playing field for all contestants into political offices in 2019 general elections.

The President said this when he received a delegation from International Republican and National Democratic Institute, United States of America, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

Buhari said: “I am glad you are here to assess our pre-election preparations. It reminds me of the visit by the then Secretary of State, John Kerry, before the 2015 polls. We appreciate the concern of America for stability in developing countries.

“Having run for president three times, ending up at the Supreme Court all the three times before God and technology made a way for me the fourth time, I know what it is to be cheated at the polls.

“What they used to do was just to award votes, and tell anyone who was dissatisfied to go to court. But we won’t do that.

“I am prepared to give the opposition the opportunities I was not given in the past.’’

President Buhari assured the visitors that he had told the heads of the security agencies not to be partisan, but to do their work professionally, and allow the will of the people to prevail.

While stressing that the governing All Progressives Congress would keep faith with its priorities of securing the country, reviving the economy, and fighting corruption, the President said he was happy that the opposition had not been able to successfully fault the focal areas of the government.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/buhari-to-america-i-refused-to-sign-electoral-bill-to-prevent-what-russians-did-in-your-election/

Statement of merger below:

“The Board of Diamond Bank Plc (“Diamond Bank”) today announces that following a strategic review leading to a competitive process, the Board has selected Access Bank Plc (“Access Bank”) as the preferred bidder with respect to a potential merger of the two banks (“the merger”) that will create Nigeria and Africa’s largest retail bank by customers.

“The Board of Diamond Bank believes that the merger is in the best interest of all stakeholders including, employees, customers, depositors and shareholders and has agreed to recommend the offer to Diamond Bank’s shareholders. Completion of the merger is subject to certain shareholder and regulatory approvals.

Full details here: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/just-in-diamond-access-banks-merge/

2019: Obasanjo denies neutrality, says only a fool will support Buhari’s govt
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has denied reports that he has decided to be neutral over who emerges president in 2019.

Obasanjo, who lamented the level of “incompetence, corruption, lack of focus, insecurity, nepotism, brazen impunity and denial of the obvious” under President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, argued that only a fool will sit on the fence or be neutral when his or her country is being destroyed.

The report of Obasanjo’s neutrality was allegedly filed by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) with the headline “Atiku: Obasanjo Shifts Political Gear to Neutral.”

But in a statement by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Sunday, he said Obasanjo, who is in Cairo to attend the maiden edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), of which he is chairman of the Advisory Council, never suggested he will be neutral.

“It is disingenuous, if not malicious, for anyone to suggest that Chief Obasanjo was being neutral when he chose not to use the Owu Convention as a platform for political campaign but instead adopt a communal and familial approach in talking to members of his Owu family.

“For the records, and as accurately reported by some media organisations, what the former president said at the convention in Iwo was that while he would not impress any candidates on them, Nigerians should vote for credible candidates who will drive growth and development and make their lives better than it is now,” Akinyemi said.

According to him, Obasanjo’s statement never suggested his neutrality, as he believes that, “only a fool will sit on the fence or be neutral when his or her country is being destroyed with incompetence, corruption, lack of focus, insecurity, nepotism, brazen impunity and denial of the obvious.

“Chief Obasanjo is no such fool nor is he so unwise,” he added.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/2019-obasanjo-denies-neutrality-says-only-a-fool-will-support-buharis-govt/

APC can’t lose sleep over adoption of Atiku by 45 ‘husband and wife’ parties– Keyamo
The Spokesman for the Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has criticised the adoption by 45 political parties of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

Keyamo told a Punch correspondent on the telephone that most of the parties were the same ones that endorsed former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 but this did not stop Jonathan’s defeat at the polls.

The senior advocate said many of these political parties had been described as “husband and wife” parties in the past due to their low membership.

He said the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not lose sleep over the endorsement.

Keyamo added, “These people endorsing Atiku have always been the allies of the PDP right from time. There is nothing new. These were the same set of people that also endorsed the PDP in 2015. So, it is just a marriage of old allies who have been defeated before.

“We have described some of these parties before as parties of husband and wife or brothers and sisters. What they have achieved is not a coalition but a membership drive. They just brought in a few members into their fold.”

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/apc-cant-lose-sleep-over-adoption-of-atiku-by-45-husband-and-wife-parties-keyamo/

Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has finally commented on the videos showing Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Ganduje, allegedly collecting bribe from contractors.

Magu said the commission is currently investigating videos.

Daily Nigerian had on October 14 and 15 published videos showing Ganduje allegedly receiving bribe from a contractor.

Responding to questions after delivering a lecture titled “Taming Corruption: The Way Forward For African Economic Development” at Queen Mary University of London on November 23, Magu said one of the issues that brought him to London was forensic analysis of the Ganduje bribe video.

A Nigerian lawyer studying in the UK, Audu Bulama Bukarti, had asked the question on the videos, wondering why the EFCC investigated former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, while in office but appeared to refuse to investigate Ganduje.
Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/i-took-gandujes-bribe-videos-to-london-for-forensic-analysis-magu/

KILLINGS: 17 times Buhari promised to bring perpetrators to book, secure lives of Nigerians…without results

Over time, killings of Nigerians in different parts of the country seem to have become a recurring decimal, with government always mouthing promises of ending the killings and bringing perpetrators to book.

On at least 17 occasions, President Muhammadu Buhari, while reacting to such killings, had promised that killers of Nigerians, be it by the Boko Haram terrorist group, suspected herdsmen, during ethnic clashes, or other criminal elements would not escape the full wrath of the law for their actions.

Ripples Nigeria presents 17 instances the President had made these promises and reassured Nigerians of their security, most times after an attack, but missed the mark, while perpetrators of previous killings were yet to be apprehended, or punished according to the laws of the land.

March 16, 2016
After Boko Haram’s attack on a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, left 20 people dead, President Buhari had said in a tweet through his spokesman, Garba Shehu, “I am dismayed by the news of a bomb attack on innocent worshipers in a mosque in Maiduguri this morning. This attack is yet another sign that Boko Haram is a mindless and godless group that in no way represents true Islam.
“I sympathize with all who lost family and loved ones in the attack, and with the government and people of Borno State. Nigerians should please not let down their guard. Vigilance should continue to be a priority, especially in public places. The government remains resolute in its commitment to securing Nigeria from terrorism and violence.”

June 25, 2018
Buhari, in his response to the reported killings of innocent people in Plateau, vowed that his administration would not rest until the murderers and sponsors are brought to justice.
In a statement on his Twitter handle; @MBuhari, he wrote: “The grievous loss of lives and property arising from the killing in Plateau … is painful and regrettable.
“My deepest condolences to the affected communities. We will not rest until all murderers and criminal elements and their sponsors are incapacitated and brought to justice.”

March 12, 2018
When Buhari visited Benue State for the first time after the January 1, attack by herdsmen that left no less than 70 people dead, the President had said: “I cannot overlook the killings in Benue or any other part of Nigeria. I cannot do that. I am genuinely worried about the attacks in Benue and we are doing everything to end them.”

June 25, 2018
The Police had claimed that 86 people were killed in attacks on Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp villages of Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government.
Reacting, in a statement on his verified Twitter page, the presidency said “President Buhari has been briefed on the deeply unfortunate killings across a number of communities in Plateau State, today.
“The Nigerian Army and police are supporting the determined efforts of Governor Simon Lalong to end the attacks and bring relief to affected communities.
“President Buhari appeals for calm and assures that no efforts will be spared to bring the perpetrators to justice, and prevent a recurrence/reprisal attacks.”

February 16, 2018
Following attacks by suspected cattle rustlers in Zamfara where 18 persons were killed Buhari had said in a tweet on his personal Twitter handle @MBuhari: “The perpetrators of all of these senseless attacks on innocent and defenseless Nigerians, in all parts of the country, will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“We must and will bring the spilling of innocent blood to an end.”

October 2018
As a result of communal violence in Kasuwan Magani, Kaduna State, which left 55 persons dead, President Buhari had said on his Twitter handle, “The violence in Kaduna, which has resulted in the deaths of 55 innocent people, is condemnable.
“I am reassuring everyone that the Fed Govt will continue to do all within our power to protect not just humanitarian workers, but also everyone working or living in the North East.
“….The disregard for the sanctity of human life is unacceptable. Violence is an ill-wind that blows nobody any good”.

May 29, 2018
Buhari vowed that the rampaging killer herdsmen and other criminal elements terrorising all parts of the country will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law.
He stated this while addressing guests during the Democracy Day Lecture held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja
“The unfortunate incidences of kidnappings, herdsmen and farmers clashes in several communities which have led to higher number of fatalities and loss of properties across the country is being addressed and the identified culprits and their sponsors shall be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“All the three tiers of Government are presently engaged with communities and religious organizations to restore peaceful co-existence among Nigerians,” he said.

November 24, 2018
In reaction to the most recent killings of some soldiers by Boko Haram in Metele, Borno State, President Buhari expressed deep shock over the incident.
In a statement in reaction to the attack he said, “No responsible Commander-in-Chief would rest on his oars or fold his hands to allow terrorists to endanger the lives of its military personnel and other citizens.
“Our loyal forces have proved their strength over the terrorists and we are ready to give them all the needed support in terms of equipment and manpower to succeed in ending the renewed threat.
“In the coming days, I am engaging the Military and Intelligence Chiefs in extensive discussions on the next steps we shall be taking.”

March 2, 2018
Boko Haram attacked UN workers in Rann, and killed soldiers, policemen and four UN aid workers.
Buhari had said in his response by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, “As I have always maintained, no true religion advocates hurting the innocent. To now further attack and kill those offering humanitarian aid is the height of bestiality. It is odious before both God and man”.
He had affirmed that such cowardly attacks can only bolster the determination of government to bring the Boko Haram insurgency to a decisive end, in the shortest possible time.

January 1, 2018
Herdsmen attack in Southern Kaduna had left many dead. In his reaction to the killings on January 5, 2018, in a statement by Shehu said Buhari “once again, sent condolences to the people of Southern Kaduna, who have lost loved ones in the recent violence”.
It added that the Nigerian army was in the process of setting up two battalions in Southern Kaduna while the military continues to carry out air surveillance across flash points of the area”.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/killings-17-times-buhari-promised-to-bring-perpetrators-to-book-secure-lives-of-nigerians-without-results/

It’s ‘astonishing’ for GEJ to claim there’s more corruption now than under him- Presidency
The claim by former President Goodluck Jonathan that there is more corruption under the current government of President Muhammadu Buhari has got the Presidency fuming.

The Presidency, which refuted the claim in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, described it as astonishing.

“The Presidency rejects former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan’s astonishing claim, to the utter surprise of many, that there is more corruption in the country compared to when he left office. This is absolutely untrue. The facts on the ground today run contrary to his outlandish claim,” Garba said.

Jonathan was said to have made the comment in his book “My Transition Hours” which he launched on Tuesday during his 61st birthday celebration in Abuja.

But Shehu argued in his statement thus:

“President Muhammadu Buhari, in pursuit of the war against corruption, has set a number of local and international records, one of which is to call judicial officers in Nigeria to account. He is the first to set such a record. Not only that, this is the first time that top military commanders and Service Chiefs are brought to trial and convictions were achieved on account of corruption.

“Also, this is the first time a ruling party is convicting high profile citizens including former governors, who are members of same party. This is the first time the international community is acknowledging the efforts of a government of Nigeria in this regard as manifested by the selection of President Buhari by the African Union as the Anti-Corruption Champion of the continent.

“For the records, this is the first time a ruling party is investigating ranking officers of the administration, including some at the very top.

“In addition to the many firsts recorded by President Buhari’s administration, the government has introduced a lot of changes, considering that the laws relating to the fight against corruption cannot reasonably be static.

“In line with its aspiration to be ahead of the growing sophistication of corruption and financial crimes, the administration has initiated new legislations and proposed amendments to different sections of laws, among which are:

• The Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Bill 2017;

• Anti-Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Bill 2017;

• Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit Bill 2017 (NFIU);

• Proceeds of Crime Bill 2017;

• Public Interest Disclosure and Witness Protection Bill, 2017 and

• The Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, 2017.

“Owing to these efforts and support all of relevant stakeholders, NFIU Act has been passed and President Buhari gave his assent on July 18, 2018. The administration is currently working with the legislature for an expedited passage of the Proceeds of Crimes Bill to make the anti-corruption war more effective.”

He said Nigerians should dismiss Dr. Jonathan’s “hollow boast” that he, not President Buhari, introduced schemes such as the Biometric Verification Number (VBN), Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPS).

He added, “Of what use is the announcement of good policies without the will to implement them?

“Since President Buhari assumed office, Nigerians are witnesses to the huge success recorded through the implementation of the TSA where some government agencies that had over the years remitted peanut amounts or nothing at all are now periodically pumping billions into government coffers. Prominent among these remittances include the ones made by Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigeria Customers Service (NCS) and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

While it is also true that the BVN was introduced in 2014 to ensure that all bank accounts have biometric identification of their owners, the lack of will and capacity under Dr Jonathan stalled implementation. Today, BVN covers nearly all bank accounts. There are still some individuals who have shielded their identity and are now afraid of enrolling on the BVN platform as this will expose them and their corrupt actions. The law is going after them.

“President Buhari’s administration introduced the whistle-blower policy as a veritable tool against corruption as it gives individuals an opportunity to expose corruption, fraud, bribery, looted government funds, financial misconducts, government assets and any other form of corruption or theft. Within six months of introducing this policy, over 5,000 reports were made through various channels, 365 actionable tips were received out of the 5000 reports. So far more than N200bn has been recovered.
Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/its-astonishing-for-gej-to-claim-theres-more-corruption-now-than-under-him-presidency/

More revelations have emerged of how powerful forces have been shielding the embattled Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mustapha Maihaja.

According to the revelations, the NEMA DG was said to been queried over alleged fraud, corruption and embezzlement of billions of Naira illegally expended by the agency last year by the Federal Government.

It has however come to light that the query and the report of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offense Commission, ICPC, were not made public as some powerful forces within the presidency covered it up to protect Maihaja.

Also, a similar investigation by the Department of State Services, DSS, under former Director General, Lawan Daura was said to have indicted Maihaja over same allegations of alleged fraud and misappropriation.

According to sources in the DSS, some powerful forces intervened and Daura allegedly “reached a deal” with Maihaja and only asked him to refund the monies he collected as travel allowances for official trips he didn’t embark on.

The query letter dated January 15, 2018, with reference number SH/OVP/DCOS/LG&R/NEMA/367 was addressed to Maihaja and signed by Ade Ipaye, Deputy Chief it Staff to the President, office of the Vice President.

It would be recalled that the House of Representatives had adopted the report of its Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness chaired by Hon Ali Isa J. C, which indicted Maihaja for fraud, diversion and embezzlement of N33 billion.

Documents sighted by Ripples show that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo acting on a directive from President Muhammadu Buhari directed that Maihaja be issued the query following a petition over several fraud allegations against the DG, by one Abba Kyari Modu Gana in a petition dated 11 November, 2017.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/revealed-how-powerful-forces-shielded-embattled-nema-dg/

As political parties gear up for campaigns ahead of the 2019 general elections, the leading opposition party in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday alleged that the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are plotting to squeeze financial live out of their members.

It noted that the plan by the ruling party is to procure frivolous court orders in collaboration with fraudulent judicial officers to liquidate accounts belonging to top PDP members and others who may be perceived as anti- Buhari.

The allegations were raised by Kola Ologbondiyan, National Publicity Secretary of PDP, in a statement he made available to journalists wherein he alleged that accounts belonging to select PDP leaders were already being probed with a view to having them liquidated ahead of the 2019 polls.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/pdp-alleges-plot-by-buhari-apc-to-liquidate-members-bank-accounts/

The House of Representatives has indicted the governing board of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo over “illegal approval of N5.8 billion North-East intervention fund.”

The members of the lower legislative chamber also recommended the dismissal of Mustapha Maihaja, Director-General of NEMA, over alleged fraud.

At plenary on Thursday, the lower legislative chamber adopted a report of its committee which also recommended the prosecution of Maihaja.

The ad-hoc committee was set up to investigate the NEMA DG over alleged corruption at the agency.

The committee in its report accused the NEMA DG of “corruption and embezzlement of N33 billion emergency intervention fund” meant for the agency.

The committee findings read: “On the emergency intervention of food security to the North-East to support the population ravaged by insurgency, a sum of N5,865,671,939.26 was approved and released in June 2017 vide a memo raised from the Office of the Acting President, directing the Hon. Minister of Finance and the Accountant General of the Federation to so act.

“The details further specified a directive to the Governor of CBN from the Ministry of Finance to pay the sum from the Consolidated Revenue Fund Account which the AGF is to raise a mandate for. This is in contravention of approval of NASS on the issuance of Euro Bond from which the Hon. Minister authorized the payment.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/reps-indict-osinbajo-in-n5-8bn-nema-scandal/

Governor Nasir El-rufai of Kaduna State has asked the Federal Government to hands off the Value Added Tax (VAT) declaring that it was the business of states.

The governor made the call at the 4th National Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Peer Learning event organised by the Nigeria Governors Forum in Abuja on Wednesday, adding that VAT is purely a state affair and not that of the federal government.

El-rufai, who frowned at the lack of true federalism in Nigeria which he described as a federation in name but unitary in reality, noted that there was urgent need to make the necessary corrections to make Nigeria a true federation.

He called on experts to come up with recommendations that would guide political leaders in making the necessary adjustments.

The governor also affirmed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) Committee on True Federalism, which he headed, had already made recommendations to make Nigeria a true federation.

“It’s up to you to make recommendations that will make the political system to understand and make the necessary changes,’’ the governor said, adding that the ruling party has already accepted the recommendations.

Speaking on the need for state personal income taxes to be different from national taxes, El-rufai blamed the present condition of taxes on Nigeria’s colonial history.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/el-rufai-steers-new-controversy-asks-fg-to-hands-off-vat/

A number of Oyo State citizens have petitioned two anti-graft agencies in the country alleging massive corruption and embezzlement of the state’s funds by Governor Abiola Ajimobi and his wife Florence.

The petitions addressed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) claim that the governor used his office to install his wife and another individual into strategic positions in the state with the aim of cornering the state’s resources.

Ripples Nigeria sighted copies of the document which the EFCC acknowledged receipt on May 23, 2018, and the ICPC reportedly received on May 25, 2018.

The petitions detailing the alleged crimes of the Oyo first couple were submitted by Destiny Takon, solicitors to the petitioners.

An alleged multi-billion naira fraud described as multi-faceted in scope, was said to have been perpetrated by the Oyo State first couple alongside the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Helen Ogunesan and some unidentified persons.

According to the petition, the governor, on or about February 2018, allegedly ordered the release of about N300 million from the Excess Crude Account of each of the 33 local government areas in the state, out of which sum, N150 million was released to each of the LG, while the state spent the balance of N150 million on their behalf.

It was further alleged that on about the same period, a directive was issued to the 68 Chairmen of the local government and local council development areas (LCDAs) to contribute a sum of N5 million each for an official trip to Manchester for a capacity building seminar. But to the shock of the LG bosses, no visa was procured for any of them, while the money was not refunded, as the trip never took place.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/efcc-icpc-receive-petitions-accusing-gov-ajimobi-wife-of-multi-billion-naira-fraud/

After meeting with Buhari, Tinubu says ‘we don’t fear’ Atiku, Nigerians can’t return to PDP’s ‘pit’
Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) poses no threat to the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

After meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, Tinubu was asked if he was scared of the strategy meeting convened by Atiku in Dubai, UAE, to defeat Buhari.

“We don’t fear. Whether it is in the jungle, or it is in Dubai or it is in Abu Dhabi, people are free to meet and strategise in anyway they want but we are not going back to the illusion of the PDP,” he replied.

“It is not possible, Nigerians will not do that. They say slow and steady wins the race. We inherited that from our forefathers and knowledgeable people. We can’t go back to the pit that we inherited for 16 years. They can strategise from anywhere but a leopard cannot change it skin.”

He said the meeting with Buhari was about “the nation, the country, our people, peace, stability and economic progress”.

Asked if he was in support of the call for Adams Oshiomhole’s removal as APC national chairman, Tinubu said: “No. We all have to respect party supremacy. You were all here when we had the congress, we elected the new executives, the convention we had it, the NEC was formed and we surrendered to avoid conflict, to avoid domination, to avoid abuses of power, we surrendered our rights, all rights to the national working committee headed by Adams Oshiomhole.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/after-meeting-with-buhari-tinubu-says-we-dont-fear-atiku-nigerians-cant-return-to-pdps-pit/

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu Wednesday denied reports that he was planning to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The denial contained in Ekweremadu’s Facebook page has however raised more questions beyond the dumping of the party the Deputy Senate President intended to address.

His denial is predicated on reports that he has remained unhappy that the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, overlooked him in the choice of a running mate for the 2019 presidential election.

According to sources, the Deputy Senate President and Atiku had long had an understanding of how his running mate would emerge.

Sources close to the negotiations that took place before the national convention of the PDP where Atiku emerged as presidential candidate, said Atiku offered Ekweremadu the vice presidential ticket if he wins but he kept telling him they should secure the ticket first.

Other sources also said the Deputy Senate President was given the right of first refusal for the vice presidential ticket.

The offers, knowledgeable sources say made Ekweremadu rally governors of South East states and delegates from the zone to vote for Atiku at the national convention.

Also, Ekweremadu and the governors were said to have shunned all the overtures from Rivers State Governor, Nyesome Dike to support Aminu Tambuwal, the governor of Sokoto State and another presidential aspirant on the platform of the PDP because of the understandings and agreement they already had with Atiku.

Everything seemed okay until Atiku Abubakar chose a former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi as his running mate.

The choice of Obi, though considered a right choice by many across the country, led to discordant tunes among the rank and file of the opposition PDP in the South East.

A meeting of leaders of the party in the geopolitical zone, including governors, signalled that all was not well, as they denounced the announcement of Obi, also from the zone, claiming they were not carried along or consulted.

While some of the governors, who had originally kicked, like the Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi, who was the most vocal of the lot, have succumbed to overtures from Obi and others who intervened, Ekweremadu’s displeasure has seemingly festered.

The deafening silence of the Deputy Senate President since the announcement of the choice of Peter Obi as running mate and the way different statements condemning Peter Obi’s choice, with reference to the alleged shabby treatment meted out to him by different groups, have no doubt proven that he has more than a passing displeasure in the whole process.

It would be recalled that on Tuesday in Abeokuta, a northern group, Northern Youth Leaders Forum, made reference to the displeasure of Ekweremadu, saying the choice of Obi may drive the lawmaker to dump PDP for the ruling APC with trending rumours that he has perfected plans to jump ship.

This protest by the forum was viewed as suspicious and diversionary by many party faithfuls, and indeed many Nigerians, raising raising posers as to the intent, and sponsors behind the group.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/peter-obi-and-other-stories-should-ekweremadu-be-believed/

A week after former Governor Ayodele Fayose’s tenure expired, the Ekiti State House of Assembly has begun a probe into his administration.

The House on Tuesday set up a three-man ad-hoc committee to investigate the N10 billion supplementary budget passed by some members of the Assembly close to the expiration of Fayose’s administration.

At its plenary presided over by the Speaker, Adeniran Alagbada, the House raised an ad-hoc committee to be chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Olusegun Adewumi, with Akinniyi Sunday and Fajana Ojo-Ade as members.

The members at the plenary congratulated the state’s new governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, for annulling the education tax imposed on pupils by the Fayose government.

The supplementary budget under probe was passed approved for Fayose by the House on September 13 and the then governor had while signing the budget said, “Fayemi signed his own on September 15, 2014, exactly a month to his leaving office, now I’m signing my own on September 14. They should keep quiet and stop crying wolf, I’m still the governor.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/ekiti-probe-into-fayoses-administration-begins/

Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose on Monday pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption.

He was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Ikoyi High Court In Lagos.

The court however denied his bail application and adjourned the case till Wednesday.

The 11-count charges against Fayose and his company, Spotless limited are:
COUNT 1
That you MR. AYODELE FAYOSE and MR. ABIODUN AGBELE (now facing another charge) on or about 17th June, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, took possession of the sum of N1, 219, 000, 000.00 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Nineteen Million Naira) to fund your 2014 gubernatorial campaign in Ekiti State, which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) and (4) of the same Act.

COUNT 2
That you MR. AYODELE FAYOSE on or about 17th June, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without going through the financial institution received cash payment in the sum of $5, 000, 000 (Five Million Dollars) from SENATOR MUSILIU OBANIKORO, the then Minister of State for Defence, which sum exceeded the amount authorised by law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 1 and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16 (2) (b) of the same Act.

COUNT 3
That you MR. AYODELE FAYOSE on or about 7th April, 2015 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did retain in your fixed deposit account No: 9013074033 with Zenith Bank Plc, the sum of N300, 000, 000.00 (Three Hundred Million Naira) which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/fayose-denied-bail-trial-adjourned/

Following concerns over the nation’s rising debt profile and dwindling revenue, the Federal Government said it was planning to reduce its fiscal plan for the first time since the return of democracy in 1999.

This, according to the government, was to ensure prudence, reduce deficit financing and borrowing, even as it vowed to deploy strategies to improve the nation’s revenue so as to reduce the country’s debt service to revenue ratio which is currently at 62 percent.

To achieve this, a budget size of N8.65 trillion is being proposed for the 2019 fiscal year, indicating about N470 billion reduction from N9.12 trillion budgeted for the 2018 fiscal year.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, made the disclosure at a public consultation on the 2019 – 2021 Medium Term Fiscal Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) on Thursday in Abuja.

Udoma revealed that deficit in the 2019 budget would be cut from N1.9 trillion in 2018 to N1.6 trillion, noting that the key assumptions for the 2019 proposed fiscal plan include an oil production volume of 2.3 million barrels per day (mbpd), $60 per barrel of oil benchmark and an exchange rate of N305 per dollar

He said Inflation rate was put at 9.98 percent, while Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate was reviewed downward to 3.01 percent from 3.5 percent earlier projected in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

Udoma added that N3.6 trillion oil revenue was being targeted as against N2.9 trillion for the current fiscal year, while N1.385 trillion is projected as non-oil revenue as against N1.348 trillion in the 2018 budget.

The Federal Government said nine government-owned enterprises, excluding the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), is expected to generate the sum of N955.3 billion, while a sum of N624.5 billion was being expected from independent revenue sources, down from about N847 billion in 2018.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/nigerian-govt-proposes-lower-budget-size-for-first-time-in-19-years/

It’ll be foolish for anybody not to back Obi, S-East govs not against him —Gov Ikpeazu
Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has described as a lie, reports that South East governors and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are not in support of Peter Obi’s nomination as the running mate to the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for the 2019 election.

The governor said that it will be “foolhardy for anybody not to queue behind a man” like Obi to have him continue to serve the country to the best of his ability.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State was recently chosen by Atiku as his running mate, but South-East governors and some leaders of the party in the region kicked, that they were not consulted before his selection.

But speaking during an interview with newsmen in Aba when Obi visited the state over the pipeline explosion in Osisioma Ngwa council, Ikpeazu denied the report and described Obi as a worthy son of Igbo land and a gift from the people to Nigeria.

“It is a lie that South East governors and Igbo political leaders in PDP are opposed to Peter Obi as vice presidential candidate. Let me use this opportunity to congratulate our brother and a worthy son of Igbo land for his nomination. He’s a gift from Ndigbo to this country. His works and pedigree bears eloquent testimony of the Igbo DNA.

“It will be foolhardy for anybody not to queue behind a man like this to continue to serve this country to the best of his ability. What the South East governors said was that we expect our candidate to come back from his trip and have a tete-a-tete with us and he has said he will come to speak with us.
Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/itll-be-foolish-for-anybody-not-to-back-obi-s-east-govs-not-against-him-gov-ikpeazu/

The statistics bureau said food inflation also increased from 13.16 percent in August to 13.31 percent in September, while core inflation, which excludes agricultural produce, declined from 10 percent in August to 9.80 percent in September.

This implies that the increase in the headline inflation was not unconnected to the increase in the food inflation in the review month.

The Governor of The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, had attributed the increase in headline inflation to shortage of food supply.

“The rise in headline inflation was from food, while core inflation declined, indicating that supply side factors were driving the price increase.

“The near-term upside risks to inflation remained the dissipation of the base effect, expected 2019 election-related spending, continued herdsmen attack on farmers and the current episodes of flooding which has destroyed crops and would affect food supply and prices,” he said.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/nigerias-inflation-rises-for-second-consecutive-month-in-september/

The 2019 presidential election in Nigeria has been predicted to be a two-horse race between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will fly the APC flag while Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi will fly the PDP flag.

If none of these appeals to you, please vote ‘OTHERS’

In this survey, kindly mark your preferred choice by a tick against their names HERE: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/join-the-survey-2019-who-would-you-vote-buhari-osinbajo-or-atiku-obi-2/.

The presidency has reacted to the endorsement of the presidential bid of former vice president Atiku Abubakar by former president Olusegun Obasanjo.

The presidency said the endorsement did not come as a surprise to it, declaring that “they’ll lose together”.

Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, made the presidency’s response known in a statement on Thursday night.

Full statement below:

The Presidency has received the news of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s predictable U-turn and somersault on the endorsement of the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at a meeting Thursday, and to say that we are the least surprised by the well-rehearsed theatre.

They will lose together. Listening to the prepared statement of the former President after the meeting showed the usual ego trip and “I know it all” character of Chief Obasanjo.

In the first place, we dare to say that a pompous statement from the former President advising Nigerians on a vote against President Buhari is the best recommendation that can come at this time.

It also betrayed a lack of understanding of today’s politics which is about good governance.

The country voted for change in 2015 and a leader that ensures good governance which only President Buhari and the APC can provide.

Bent on these laudable goals, we will not allow ourselves to be distracted.

We are busy on various national issues including the restructuring and the diversification of the economy, fighting corruption, terrorism and other threats to national security; increasing the availability of electric power, improving education, health, and providing long-delayed infrastructure – roads, rail, airports and so forth.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/they-will-lose-together-presidency-reacts-to-obasanjos-endorsement-of-atiku/

The presidency has reacted to the endorsement of the presidential bid of former vice president Atiku Abubakar by former president Olusegun Obasanjo.

The presidency said the endorsement did not come as a surprise to it, declaring that “they’ll lose together”.

Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, made the presidency’s response known in a statement on Thursday night.

Full statement below:

The Presidency has received the news of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s predictable U-turn and somersault on the endorsement of the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at a meeting Thursday, and to say that we are the least surprised by the well-rehearsed theatre.

They will lose together. Listening to the prepared statement of the former President after the meeting showed the usual ego trip and “I know it all” character of Chief Obasanjo.

In the first place, we dare to say that a pompous statement from the former President advising Nigerians on a vote against President Buhari is the best recommendation that can come at this time.

It also betrayed a lack of understanding of today’s politics which is about good governance.

The country voted for change in 2015 and a leader that ensures good governance which only President Buhari and the APC can provide.

Bent on these laudable goals, we will not allow ourselves to be distracted.

We are busy on various national issues including the restructuring and the diversification of the economy, fighting corruption, terrorism and other threats to national security; increasing the availability of electric power, improving education, health, and providing long-delayed infrastructure – roads, rail, airports and so forth.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/they-will-lose-together-presidency-reacts-to-obasanjos-endorsement-of-atiku/

Nigerians must pay taxes on their foreign assets, Buhari declares in new Executive Order
The President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has unveiled a new system to ensure that all taxes on foreign assets of Nigerians due the federal government are remitted to the government’s coffers.

The move, the government believes, will strengthen efforts against money laundering and tax evasion.

The new system is captured in a new Executive Order tagged, ‘Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularisation Scheme (VOARS).’

The Executive Order (008) takes effect from October 8, the day it was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to Buhari’s media aide, Garba Shehu, by the new order, Nigerian taxpayers who hold offshore assets and income are expected to, within a period of 12 months, declare voluntarily those assets and pay taxes on them.

“When they do this, they should expect to derive certain specified benefits,” Shehu said in a statement Wednesday.

He also said that according to the order, “any taxpayer who truthfully and voluntarily complies with the conditions of the scheme, pays a one-time levy of 35 percent on the total offshore assets or pays all outstanding taxes, penalties and interest after forensic audit of their offshore assets and income shall obtain immunity from prosecution for tax offenses and offences related to offshore assets, among others.

“Equally, failure of any defaulting taxpayer to take advantage of this scheme shall, at the expiration of the scheme result in investigation and enforcement procedures concerning offshore assets anywhere in the world pursuant to information now readily available through automatic exchange of information between Nigeria and foreign countries.”

He said in accordance with the new order, the federal government, through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will set up a VOARS in Switzerland for all categories of taxpayers who have defaulted in the declaration of their offshore assets, payment of taxes due and collectible subject to the fulfillment of the terms and conditions as stipulated in the order, or any other subsequent complementary regulations that follow.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/nigerians-must-pay-taxes-on-their-foreign-assets-buhari-declares-in-new-executive-order/

Angered by his disqualification from senatorial race, ex-IGP Abba asks God to punish APC leaders

Frustrated by his disqualification from the senatorial race of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Suleiman Abba, former Inspector-General of Police, resorted to seeking divine help.

Abba led a surprise prayer session at the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Monday.

Abba had purchased forms to contest the Jigawa Central senatorial district primary election on the platform of the party but was disqualified shortly before the primary.

He stormed the party headquarters to express his displeasure with the leadership of the APC for
his disqualification.

Addressing journalists after this, Abba prayed to God to remove party officials who are “hell-bent to destroying the vision and legacy of the party”.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/angered-by-his-disqualification-from-senatorial-race-ex-igp-abba-asks-god-to-punish-apc-leaders/

Angered by his disqualification from senatorial race, ex-IGP Abba asks God to punish APC leaders

Frustrated by his disqualification from the senatorial race of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Suleiman Abba, former Inspector-General of Police, resorted to seeking divine help.

Abba led a surprise prayer session at the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Monday.

Abba had purchased forms to contest the Jigawa Central senatorial district primary election on the platform of the party but was disqualified shortly before the primary.

He stormed the party headquarters to express his displeasure with the leadership of the APC for
his disqualification.

Addressing journalists after this, Abba prayed to God to remove party officials who are “hell-bent to destroying the vision and legacy of the party”.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/angered-by-his-disqualification-from-senatorial-race-ex-igp-abba-asks-god-to-punish-apc-leaders/

Designed to crash: How directors, ‘powerful forces’ in Lagos raped Skye Bank to death.

It was on Friday evening and I was just making plans on how best I could maximise the weekend when the news broke that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revoked the operating license of Skye Bank Plc.

“Haa! My money… and they warned me to withdraw my money from the bank, I refused,” David, a colleague who was a depositor of the bank screamed, thinking the CBN’s decision had swept off his hard-earned money.
“David, calm down… let’s listen to the reason behind this,” I tried to relieve his worries while we both paid attention to the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, as he addressed the press.

Why CBN revoked Skye Bank’s License

According to Emefiele, the development followed the failure of Skye Bank’s shareholders to recapitalise the bank after several warnings. This prompted CBN, in consultation with the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), to establish a bridge bank, known as Polaris Bank, that will assume all the assets and liabilities of the defunct bank.

Under the new arrangement, the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) will inject a sum of N786 billion into the bank to bring the total net asset to zero. This, according to Emefiele, would stabilise the bank and return it to the path of profitability for the purpose of selling it to interested investors.

Skye Bank was faced with series of crises including financial losses, liquidity challenge, inability to meet customers’ obligation and poor performance driven by governance issue which eventually undermined the overall confidence of its customers.

Worried by the poor performance which apparently was not impressive, the CBN being the regulator intervened in the affairs of Skye Bank on July 4, 2016, to salvage depositors’ funds and ensure the sustainability of the bank.

Emefiele, in his answers to questions on the controversy surrounding the apex banks’ decision, said the CBN compelled both the entire board and the executive management to resign during its intervention in 2016.

According to Emefiele, it became important for them to leave in order to conduct forensic audit on the bank since it was clear the bank had slipped into negative capital, largely driven by its increasing non-performing loans.

“The result of our examinations and forensic audit of the bank has, however, revealed that the Skye bank requires urgent recapitalisation as it can no longer continue to live on borrowed times with indefinite liquidity support from the CBN. The shareholders of the bank have been unable to recapitalise it,” Emefiele disclosed while announcing the apex bank’s decision to revoke Skye Bank’s license.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/designed-to-crash-how-directors-powerful-forces-in-lagos-raped-skye-bank-to-death/

INVESTIGATION… Child marriages, human trafficking overtake Benue IDP camps
Fresh from a visit to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Benue state, Investigative journalist, Patrick Egwu tells the heart-wrenching stories of how children disappear at random and young girls, not even old enough to take care of themselves, are married off by parents due to lack of food, clean water, adequate care and other relief materials.
Since Agnes Apsu’s child, Naomi turned three, she had dreamt and planned for a good future for her – to go to school and succeed, and live a better life than hers. This is not happening again. Naomi, now 10, lives as a wife with a man old enough to be her grandfather.

When Naomi turned 10, she was already an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) – living at a resettlement camp with her mother and other siblings following the invasion of their villages by semi-nomadic herdsmen from the Fulani ethnic group.

Apsu, 48, who has eight children with her deceased husband, said she married off her daughter because she couldn’t bear the situation in the camp anymore – no access to basic needs such as food, clean water, medicine, soap or sleeping materials. For her, she would rather give out her daughter to someone who would take care of her than allow her suffer or starve to death.


“I allowed her to marry him because there is nothing here,” Agnes said, sitting comfortably on a bamboo armless chair in front her corner in the camp, her hands gently placed on her jaws.

“We don’t have food, clothes, soap or sleeping materials. What we need mostly is food,” she told me, drawing her son, Robert, 6, closer to her.

To survive and feed her family, Apsu collects firewood from a nearby bush with her young son. After collecting the woods, she heaps them on her head and head back to the camp. Once in the camp, she starts breaking the woods so she can sell and get some cash to take care of her basic needs. But, Apsu doesn’t make enough sales as her fellow IDPs in the camp face similar condition as her.

“I sell firewood but there is nobody to buy it from me because they don’t have money,” she said referring to her fellow displaced persons in the camp. “I go to the bush to get firewood and break them when I come back but look at them over there,” she continued, pointing to the direction where she had packed the woods she got the previous day.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/investigation-child-marriages-human-trafficking-overtake-benue-idp-camps/

The Federal Government of Nigeria says it will be closing the 2017 fiscal year with spending on capital projects in excess of N1.5 trillion.

Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Finance, who made this disclosure on Sunday in a series of tweets using her official Twitter handle @HMKemiAdeosunm, said the figure was higher than what the government achieved in the 2016 budget.

Adeosun expressed her delight over the achievement, stressing the amount is higher than what was achieved in 2016.

“I’m pleased to note that we’re going to close the 2017 budget with capital spending in excess of N1.5 Trillion, which is higher than what we achieved in the 2016 budget. We’re also looking forward to the passage of the 2018 budget by @nassnigeria (National Assembly),” she tweeted.

The government had released a record high of N1 trillion for capital expenditure from the 2016 budget in March 2017, while expressing high-level of optimism, Adeosun said the government would increase the spending on capital projects in 2017.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/fg-to-close-2017-budget-with-over-n1-5tn-capital-expenditure/

Against the backdrop of debates, #lazyNigerianyouth, as to how many Nigerians youths sit back and wait for free money because Nigeria is an oil-rich state, Ripples Nigeria presents a list of 20 young Nigerians who are beating the odds to achieve success.

They have through sheer tenacity, and use of their talents and technological initiative developed products and services that have made a great positive impact on their environment and chosen field.

Those who made the Ripples list of young achievers include:

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/ripples-list-20-young-nigerians-to-watch-in-2018/

Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been picked up by security agents in Abuja.

Though it is unknown which security agency carried out the arrest, Sen. Melaye shared information about his arrest on His Twitter handle.

He said he was prevented from travelling out of Nigeria after checking-in at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/senator-dino-melaye-arrested/

Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has stated that corruption was Nigeria’s worst enemy and the cause of all its evils, adding that even cancer was caused by corruption.

Magu said this on Thursday when he visited Mahmoud Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), at his office in Abuja.

Magu said, “Corruption is the worst enemy of Nigeria. It is a disaster. It causes all evils. Even cancer is caused by corruption.

“Every evil you find in society is caused by corruption directly or indirectly. So, it is high time you and I stamped corruption out.”

The EFCC boss said corruption affected everyone and appealed to all Nigerians to join in the fight against it.

He said creating awareness for people to register and vote was a way of fighting against corruption.

“We are all Nigerians and we all have equal responsibility of fighting corruption. Everybody in his home has a responsibility in the fight against corruption and no one can sit down and say he can fight corruption alone. Corruption is affecting everybody,” he said.

“Everyone must join in the fight against corruption. Corruption is a disaster, it has done too much damage in this country and I believe INEC is fighting corruption indirectly.

Read also: Federal universities covering up corruption, sexual harassment —SERAP

“They may not be fighting corruption the way we are fighting it. That is why I said fight corruption whichever way you want to fight it. Even creating awareness for people to register and vote is fighting corruption.

“I want to congratulate INEC for the work so far. I have not seen anything wrong. we have been working together and I want to assure you that we will give our support to do good and do right.”

Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/corruption-causes-evils-even-cancer-caused-corruption-magu/