₦airaland Forum

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be uncomfortable with the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to recover public funds allegedly stolen by government officials in the last administration.
Apparently worried by the decision, the PDP has expressed fears that the exercise might become a witch hunt aimed at discrediting and undermining the opposition.
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party cautioned the President against politicising the issue of corruption in the country.
The PDP said, “While we expect the present administration to be serious about the fight against corruption, probe and persecute each and everyone involved in such, irrespective of their party leaning, we restate that these must be done within the ambits of the law and must not be used as a witch-hunt ostensibly to discredit and undermine the opposition. We therefore caution against the current drama of politicising the issue of corruption in the country.”
The party said no amount of intimidation, blackmail and propaganda by the Presidency would stop it from standing shoulder to shoulder with Nigerians in demanding that the President kick-start his government and commence implementation of his campaign promises.
The statement described as “lame and diversionary” claims by the Presidency that the financial mess created by the last PDP led administration was still being cleared.
President Buhari had stated that he met a near empty treasury and huge debts at the time he assumed the Presidency on May 29, a situation he said, was one of the reasons for the delay in appointing his cabinet ministers.
But the PDP said the delay is creating loopholes through which some persons claiming closeness to the President have infiltrated executive bodies, arm-twisting and conniving with unscrupulous elements in the bureaucracy to siphon the nation’s resources in the last 30 days.
The statement added that the PDP would not in any way be cowed by threats and wild allegations by the Presidency into abdicating its responsibility of speaking out as an opposition party where the system is derailing.
“The PDP and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians were appalled by the response from the Presidency regarding our call for prayers to enable President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration locate its bearing, compose a government and halt the prevailing stagnation with its huge negative impact on the system.
“Instead of addressing the issues raised, the Presidency descended to insults, abuses and innuendos, a stance which not only bears out the case made by the PDP but also raises questions about the capacity of this administration to shoulder the enormous responsibility of governance.
“Furthermore, the analogy of the Augean stable is completely baffling to us at this level as it goes to a great length to question the capacity and the sincerity of those around the President.
“In Greek mythology, Hercules in his ingenuity took the task and efficiently cleared the Augean’ stable in a day for which he demanded a reward of a tenth of fine cattle belonging to the king.
“Nigerians would not want to believe that in the so-called clearing of the Augean stable, although not delivering in one day, President Buhari wants to play Hercules in his demand, this time, by wanting to run the government alone without the statutory components of the executive as enshrined in the constitution.
“We ask, is the so-called clearing of mess responsible for his inability after 90 days of winning an election to make up his mind on rudimentary appointments such as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief of Staff and his demand for 15 Special Advisers as approved by the PDP controlled Seventh Assembly since June 5, 2015?
“Perhaps we need to draw President Buhari’s attention to the fact that while he is busy clearing his imaginary mess on the pages of newspapers, some persons claiming closeness to him have in the last 30 days been piling up sleazes that also need his attention in key agencies of government.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/buharis-anti-corruption-drive-unsettles-pdp/

PRYCE:
So The treasury wasn't empty afterall!


SMH for #President Buhari

Sir, Excess Crude Account is different from Federation account.

The cash in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) is $2.078 billion, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Anastasia Nwaobia, said yesterday.
Mrs Nwaobia, who addressed reporters after the monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja, said the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has not refunded the $1.48 billion it was directed to refund to the nation’s coffers as recommended after the forensic audit of the alleged missing cash from the Federation Account.
The meeting was attended by the permanent secretaries of the states and the acting Accountant General of the Federation.
She attributed the delay in this month’s FAAC meeting to the transition of power in many states of the federation which has made many states not to form executive councils. She added that the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) also exited on the June 12 while Directors and Accountants in the AGF’s office were sitting for qualifying examination to occupy the office following the exit of the past AGF.
The Federal Government, the states and local governments shared N409.354 billion from the Federation Account for the month of May. This is slightly higher than the N388.339 billion shared for April.
While the Federal Government got N151.805 billion, state got N76.998 billion; local governments gott N59.362 billion. Another N29.071 billion was distributed as 13 per cent derivation to the oil producing states.
For Value Added Tax (VAT), the Federal Government got N8.182 billion, state governments got N27.274 while local governments received N19.092 billion. A cash of N31.240 billion was shared among the federal, state and local governments as exchange gains proceeds while the Federal Government received an additional N6.330 billion as refund from the NNPC.
The collecting agencies’ allocations got allocations in the following order: Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)-N2.403 billion as four per cent of collecting what went in for statutory allocations, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) received N2.881 billion as seven per cent of cost of collection and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) collected N1.541 as its cost of collection. For VAT, the FIRS collected an additional N2.273 billion as its four per cent cost of collecting VAT.
Mrs. Nwaobia said the gross revenue of N324.061 billion received for the month was higher than the N282.062 billion received in the previous month by N41.999 billion.
She attributed this increase to an “improvement in the bulk revenue that came from exchange gains on foreign exchange transaction because the exchange rate has been steady and higher than the benchmark exchange rate projected for the year.”
However, she said delays in issuance of this year’s third quarter export permit led to a drop of about 160,000 barrels per day (bpd) in April and that the shut down and shut-in of trunks and pipelines at terminals also continued to impact negatively on crude oil revenue.
An increase in the average price of crude oil from $56.04 in March to $59.88 in April she said, brought about $19.70 million gain in revenue. Government she explained, “is making efforts to block leakages and we hope that revenue will continue to improve.”
The permanent secretary said the non-oil revenues are expected to perform better in the latter part of this year due to some mechanisms put in place by the FIRS.
Mrs Nwaobia dismissed claims that the Federal Government was owing federal workers’ salaries stating that the ministry plans to fund the relevant account next week so that federal workers will receive their next salaries.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/2-078b-in-excess-crude-account/

ABUJA – THE immediate past Minister/Deputy Chairman National Planning Commission (NPC) Dr. Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman, Tuesday faulted claims by President Muhammadu Buhari that his administration met an empty treasury.
Suleiman said the former administration as at May 29 left behind the sum of US$2billion, adding that the sum would have been higher if not the governors insistence on sharing the fund.

He warned that the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan must not be criminalized and painted a plunderer and looter of the nation’s treasury before the generality of Nigerians.
The clarification was in response to the President’s statement during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, where he was quoted to have said that his government met “virtually an empty treasury.”
President Buhari reportedly said that it was adding a disgrace that Nigeria cannot pay salaries of its workforce.
Expressing his dismay over the President’s statement, Sulaiman in a statement in Abuja described the report as “unscientific and unfair”, stressing that the immediate past administration “left behind close to US$30billion.”
He said, “Government can’t tell us that there is no Excess Crude Account(ECA), Sovereign Wealth Fund(SWF) or are we saying the Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIR) and related agencies had not in the last one month been generating revenue?
“Until they are able to prove they had no receipts from these government agencies in the last one month before Nigerians can now buy into Mr. President’s claims of an empty treasury.”
He recalled that under the Jonathan’s administration,Nigeria was rated the largest economy in Africa and 26th largest in the world, querying how come such a government would leave behind an empty treasury.
He said”Money made by government is meant to be spent, and this the immediate past administration did responsibly. Every government, even in the so-called western world, including the US which today remains one of the largest debtor nations in the world, government operates on deficit.
“Is it not on record that President Obama inherited US$3 triillion debt, a collapsed banking sector and mortgage industry,yet he never raised any alarm. None of these has happened in Nigeria under Jonathan.
“Under Jonathan,Nigeria became the largest Africa economy and 26th in the world amidst deadly security challenges and dwindling international prices of oil. In spite of all these, the FG never owed salary.
“Upon inception of Jonatha’s administration, it is on record that the price of oil at the global stage was over 100 dollars per barrel and at the close of the administration, it dropped to 46dollars. Yet, there wasn’t collapse of government and federal civil servants were paid as at when due.
“It will be misleading therefore for our respected President Muhammadu Buhari and indeed the ruling APC to claim to have met an empty treasury.”
He further reminded the new government that “aspiration to governance is a call of meeting and confronting challenges headlong. So, we urge the APC-led government to hit the ground running as promised Nigerians by confronting the challenges.
“We are not in doubt of the capability of Mr. President to do it. He should therefore get to business, put in place structures and personnel to redeem the pledges made to the Nigeria.”

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/06/ex-minister-faults-buhari-on-empty-treasury-says-jonathan-left-about-us30bn/
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•Shehu: President committed to peace in legislature

The process of healing the wounds inflicted on the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the recent emergence of Dr. Bukola Saraki as Senate President and Yakubu Dogara as House of Representatives Speaker may have been set in motion by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The President plans to meet Dr. Saraki, Dogara and the aggrieved members of the Unity Forum, supporters of Senator Ahmed Lawan, who was the APC’s official candidate for the Senate Presidency.

The meeting may come up this week, The Nation gathered last night.

Dogara already has an appointment with the President, sources said.

The Lawan group is awaiting confirmation of its appointment with the President.

A source familiar with the development said the President is desirous of getting the crisis resolved once and for all.

“The President intends to appeal to all parties to bury the hatchets in order to move forward,” the source said.

“The President will meet formally and informally with all parties to the crisis in the new week (this week). He is neither shunning Saraki nor Dogara as being insinuated. But the President is trying to ensure peace and reconciliation.

“Buhari is disturbed that the take-off of the 8th National Assembly was not smooth as anticipated. Rather than blame any party, he wants an end to the crisis without interference in the internal affairs of the Senate or House of Representatives.”

Another source said: “The President might meet with members of the Unity Forum of Senator Ahmed Lawan on how the National Assembly can move forward.

“The meeting was slated for last week but most members of the forum were out of Abuja and it had to be postponed at the last minute.”

The Lawan group had presented six demands to APC leadership for a sustainable reconciliation.

The demands are as follows:

o APC leadership should instil discipline and intervene in the choice of some principal officers in the Senate.

o It is better to leave the choice of some principal officers to APC than zonal caucuses in order not to further divide the governing party



o Ranking must be considered in the selection of principal officers.

o Concession of some principal offices to the Unity Forum including Ahmed Lawan (Majority Leader); George Akume (Deputy Majority Leader); Prof. Sola Adeyeye (Senate Whip); and Abu Ibrahim (Deputy Whip).

o Reconciliation is possible if Saraki group does not play the politics of winner- takes- all

o PDP should not be allowed to produce any principal officer except those due to it as the minority party in the Senate

When contacted, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said: “I am aware that the President is already scheduled to receive the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara in the week. “The President believes in institutional respect, there is no way he will shun the leaders of the National Assembly. He is not avoiding Saraki or Dogara. ”

On Friday, Dr. Saraki, accompanied by some Senators and former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, met former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his Abeokuta residence on the National Assembly crisis.

Saraki, emerging from the two hour meeting told reporters that he was at Obasanjo’s residence to “see the former President, as one of our fathers and former President, to pay our homage and visit to him, get his advice, get his blessing and also to consult.

“We all know President Obasanjo’s value to this country and we are here to tap from that wisdom and that knowledge and experience.

“I think as you can see, things are moving smoothly definitely. You should rest assured that all that would be put behind us shortly; we are very confident about that.”

He expressed optimism that that crisis sparked by his emergence as Senate president would soon be resolved.

It was gathered yesterday that Chief Obasanjo made no commitment to Saraki during the visit.

A source at the session said: “Obasanjo noted the issues raised and avoided any commitment for strategic reasons. He was careful not to be misrepresented by some members of the delegation.

“I think he opted for a middle course approach because his loyalists are also divided along pro and anti-Saraki.

“Although Obasanjo congratulated Saraki, his body language suggested that he might, however, wade in the crisis in the National Assembly and resolve it.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/nass-crisis-buhari-to-meet-dogara-saraki-lawan-groups/

•Shehu: President committed to peace in legislature

The process of healing the wounds inflicted on the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the recent emergence of Dr. Bukola Saraki as Senate President and Yakubu Dogara as House of Representatives Speaker may have been set in motion by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The President plans to meet Dr. Saraki, Dogara and the aggrieved members of the Unity Forum, supporters of Senator Ahmed Lawan, who was the APC’s official candidate for the Senate Presidency.

The meeting may come up this week, The Nation gathered last night.

Dogara already has an appointment with the President, sources said.

The Lawan group is awaiting confirmation of its appointment with the President.

A source familiar with the development said the President is desirous of getting the crisis resolved once and for all.

“The President intends to appeal to all parties to bury the hatchets in order to move forward,” the source said.

“The President will meet formally and informally with all parties to the crisis in the new week (this week). He is neither shunning Saraki nor Dogara as being insinuated. But the President is trying to ensure peace and reconciliation.

“Buhari is disturbed that the take-off of the 8th National Assembly was not smooth as anticipated. Rather than blame any party, he wants an end to the crisis without interference in the internal affairs of the Senate or House of Representatives.”

Another source said: “The President might meet with members of the Unity Forum of Senator Ahmed Lawan on how the National Assembly can move forward.

“The meeting was slated for last week but most members of the forum were out of Abuja and it had to be postponed at the last minute.”

The Lawan group had presented six demands to APC leadership for a sustainable reconciliation.

The demands are as follows:

o APC leadership should instil discipline and intervene in the choice of some principal officers in the Senate.

o It is better to leave the choice of some principal officers to APC than zonal caucuses in order not to further divide the governing party



o Ranking must be considered in the selection of principal officers.

o Concession of some principal offices to the Unity Forum including Ahmed Lawan (Majority Leader); George Akume (Deputy Majority Leader); Prof. Sola Adeyeye (Senate Whip); and Abu Ibrahim (Deputy Whip).

o Reconciliation is possible if Saraki group does not play the politics of winner- takes- all

o PDP should not be allowed to produce any principal officer except those due to it as the minority party in the Senate

When contacted, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said: “I am aware that the President is already scheduled to receive the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara in the week. “The President believes in institutional respect, there is no way he will shun the leaders of the National Assembly. He is not avoiding Saraki or Dogara. ”

On Friday, Dr. Saraki, accompanied by some Senators and former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, met former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his Abeokuta residence on the National Assembly crisis.

Saraki, emerging from the two hour meeting told reporters that he was at Obasanjo’s residence to “see the former President, as one of our fathers and former President, to pay our homage and visit to him, get his advice, get his blessing and also to consult.

“We all know President Obasanjo’s value to this country and we are here to tap from that wisdom and that knowledge and experience.

“I think as you can see, things are moving smoothly definitely. You should rest assured that all that would be put behind us shortly; we are very confident about that.”

He expressed optimism that that crisis sparked by his emergence as Senate president would soon be resolved.

It was gathered yesterday that Chief Obasanjo made no commitment to Saraki during the visit.

A source at the session said: “Obasanjo noted the issues raised and avoided any commitment for strategic reasons. He was careful not to be misrepresented by some members of the delegation.

“I think he opted for a middle course approach because his loyalists are also divided along pro and anti-Saraki.

“Although Obasanjo congratulated Saraki, his body language suggested that he might, however, wade in the crisis in the National Assembly and resolve it.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/nass-crisis-buhari-to-meet-dogara-saraki-lawan-groups/

•Odigie-Oyegun: vote out Dickson

Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s close friend and frontline politician, Chief Diekivie Ikiogha, yesterday led some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and thousands of his supporters to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The move, it was gathered, has depleted the ranks of PDP in the state ahead of the 2016 governorship election.

Ikiogha, a founding member of the PDP, embraced the broom revolution at an elaborate ceremony which ended in the evening at Kpansia open field, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.

Also, members of other political parties, including the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) followed him to the APC.

Leaders of the PDP that defected with him are: Chief Victor Awala, Paul Ajuwa, Mrs. D. Irene, a former commissioner, Prince Abeki as well as over 150 former councillors from 1999 to 2012.

Over 43 non-governmental organisations under the aegis of New Bayelsa Initiative also identified with Ikiogha, who was described as a great grassroots mobiliser.

Ikiogha, a former Bayelsa State Chief of Staff, said to be a trusted and dependable ally of Governor Seriake Dickson, was one of the brains behind the emergence of the governor in 2012.

But indications of a rift between the duo emerged when the governor removed him in controversial circumstances as Chief of Staff and redeployed him to Abuja Liaison Office.

Ikiogha resigned his appointment in October 2014 to contest the House of Representatives seat for Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma on the platform of the PDP but failed to clinch the ticket.

Addressing the mammoth crowd that came to witness his formal movement to APC, Ikiogha said he decided to quit the PDP because it is a party full of betrayals and deceits.

He said: “The PDP is full of betrayals and deceits. There is lack of internal democracy and it is a party where the highest bidder always has his ways.



“As I left the PDP, I went on my private business until I started receiving calls from my supporters and those who believe in me that I could not quit partisan politics.

“It was then I discovered that I had a family in the APC. I also know that Bayelsa people are yearning for change which the APC represents.

“All those denied opportunities in the PDP are defecting to the APC with me. There are many of them and the solidarity cuts across other political parties including the APGA, Accord Party, Labour Party, among others.”

APC’s national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who was represented by the National Vice-Chairman, South-South, Hilliard Eta, received Ikiogha and handed him the symbolic broom.

Odigie-Oyegun noted the Dickson-led government of Bayelsa State had received over “N440bn from the federal government with nothing to show for it.”

He appealed to Bayelsans “to retire Governor Seriake Dickson”.

He declared that the occasion was not meant to give Ikiogha a governorship ticket to contest the forthcoming Bayelsa State governorship election but to receive him into the party.

He added that the process of electing a governorship flag bearer for the party would be transparent just like the process that produced Muhammadu Buhari as the party’s Presidential candidate.

Bayelsa State chairman of the APC, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe, said the journey to change Dickson, whom he accused of none performance, had just started.

He said the APC would use the broom to change incompetence that had bedevilled the oil-rich state for so long.

He noted that the doors of APC were open to all politicians with ambitions and aspirations.

It was gathered that Ikiogha, a former Commissioner for Agriculture, would soon formally declare his intention to contest the governorship election.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/jonathans-close-friend-pdp-apga-leaders-join-apc/

Another chapter was yesterday opened in the probe of the multi-billion dollar crude swap that cost Nigeria so much cash and delivered little fuel — in some cases.
The probe of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) contracts has extended to the managing directors of the four troubled refineries.
They are being quizzed in Abuja by security agents, who are eager to get an insight into the allocation of crude to the refineries and how crude was swapped, it was learnt last night.
Those being questioned to ascertain how they have been managing the crude allocated to the refineries and what they processed are: Warri Refinery Managing Director Paul Obelley, Port Harcourt Refinery Managing Director Fred Enjugu and Kaduna Refinery chief Saidu Mohammed. They could not be reached for comments last night.
The investigation, which began last month, was sparked by the need to arrest the huge cash lost through opaque contracts in which crude oil worth billions of dollars is given to traders in exchange for refined imports, mainly gasoline.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Directorate of Security Services (DSS) launched the investigation last month.
A security source said the DSS wanted to find out how the value of the crude and products was computed.
“It appears that the value of the crude was more than the value of the refined imported,” a security source said.
The contracts, known as offshore processing agreements (OPAs) are between Pipelines and Product Marketing Co (PPMC), a subsidiary of NNPC and companies.
The NNPC last week admitted that some of its officials were invited by security agencies “to shed light” on the contracts.
The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative has said there was a revenue loss of at least $600 million due to a discrepancy between the value of the crude and the products delivered. The figure was taken from its 2009-2011 and 2012 audits of the oil and gas industry. The latest was released this year.
Some contract-holders have said that the discrepancies in value were reconciled.
Product exchange (swap) and offshore processing agreement (OPA) are transactions in which the NNPC supplies the other party with crude oil in return for refined products for sale locally on a value-for-value basis.
Under the Offshore Processing Agreements (OPA), the NNPC provides crude oil to another party who would refine the crude oil on behalf of the NNPC and return the refined products to the Corporation based on the yield slate of the refinery. The NNPC provides the crude oil and pays the refining and other incidental costs.
But an NNPC source said last night that managing directors of the refineries were not involved in the SWAP and OPA arrangements.
According to him, it is completely between the oil traders and the government. He added that the swap and OPA oil deals were created as a result of the poor state of the refineries, adding that the refineries are now begging for supply of crude to enable them produce.
He also explained that because the refineries are down and the rule is that the NNPC must remit the dollar value of the 445,000 barrels per day supply into the Federation Account, the corporation sells the crude at international market price and remits into the Federation Account.
“The Swap and OPA arrangements were considered economically wise and beneficial to the government in terms of value addition, that is why it was introduced,: the source added, pleading not to be named because he is not allowed to speak.
The fear of a massive purge after a probe of the activities of the NNPC has gripped top officials of the oil giant.
The Deputy Group Managing Director/Group Executive Director (Finance and Accounts), Bernard Otti has been away abroad since the inauguration of the new government. Sources and he is abroad for medical reasons.
Company Secretary/Legal Adviser Ikechukwu Oguine resigned and paid three months salary to the corporation in lieu of notice.
The four refineries will resume production next month, according to NNPC spokesman Ohi Alegbe.
The commencement of production by the refineries raises hope of an end to perennial petrol shortages that have plagued the country, which though is Africa’s largest crude producer, has been battling with a crippling fuel scarcity.
“The refineries at Warri, Port Harcourt and Kaduna will resume next month after a successful turn-around-maintenance (overhaul) of their facilities,” Alegbe told French News Agency, (AFP).
“The turn-around-maintenance has been on for some time. We did not just want to make any noise about it. The refineries will start production as soon as they have delivery of crude oil for refining,” he said.
Alegbe added that the resumption of refinery activity “will significantly improve the supply of petroleum products in the country.”
The NNPC has four refineries — two in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, one in Kaduna and another in Warri, with a combined installed capacity of 445,000 barrels per day.
A network of pipelines and depots located throughout the country links these refineries.
Nigeria produces two million barrels of crude oil a day, but has to export it due to a lack of working refineries. It then imports fuel back into the country at international market prices – a situation blamed on corruption and mismanagement.
To cushion the blow on the general population, the government sells fuel on the streets at subsidised prices, and makes up for the higher amounts spent by importers by reimbursing them the difference — a system seen as rife with false claims and overpayments.
Last month, the fuel shortage almost grounded Nigeria to a halt, as fuel importers and marketers shut their depots to protest some $1 billion (900 million euros) in unpaid reimbursements.
Black market and legitimate petrol vendors did a brisk trade, selling at around N300 ($1.5; 1.3 euros) a litre — well above the officially-set price of N87.
In January 2012, the government tried to end the subsidies, causing petrol prices to more than double. It was ultimately forced to reinstate the payments after tens of thousands of people took to the streets in violent protests that left more than a dozen dead.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/dss-grills-refineries-mds-in-multi-billion-dollar-oil-deals/

eightsin:
Lol.

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigators yesterday interrogated former Ebonyi State Governor Chief Martin Elechi for six and a half hours for alleged financial mismanagement while in office.
The ex-governor is under probe along with his son, Nnanna, who allegedly benefited from some contracts.
The EFCC is also looking into an allegation that a company belonging to Elechi’s family was allegedly used as front for contracts.
Top on the allegations against the governor is the use of one third of the state’s revenue to fund the Labour Party (LP) in the state after he was ostracized from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According sources, Elechi arrived at the EFCC in Abuja at 10am and was quickly ushered into the interrogation room where he was still being questioned as at 4.35pm.
A top source in the anti-graft agency said: “Some of the allegations against the former governor include the theft of millions of naira in the asphalt contract for the 13 local government secretariats and headquarters.
“Till date only six out of the 13 LGs executed the contract, though monies were approved and paid for all the LGs. The contract was also allegedly awarded to Nnanna Elechi, the ex-governor’s son.
“Also, the former governor was put to task on the expenditure of funds earmarked for the centenary celebration. Towards the celebration, a supervisory committee under the former Commissioner for Local Governments, Celestine Nwali, deducted N1 million from each of the 13 LG areas for the purchase and production of T-shirts for the celebration but there was no evidence of T-shirts produced for the celebration.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/efcc-quizzes-ex-governor-elechi/

eightsin:
This sweat news doesn't have a "sauce" how do we eat it?

You can eat with all pleasure sir http://thenationonlineng.net/new/buhari-to-probe-jonathans-9-7m-failed-arms-contract/

Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday attributed alleged massive corrupt practices in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to lack of operational budget framework.
Saraki said such an era where there was deliberate non-provision of operational budget for the Corporation was gone for good as will not be tolerated by the 8th Senate.
The Senate President spoke while receiving members of Civil Society Groups in Abuja.
He added that transparency and accountability must be brought to bear in all government transactions.
Saraki said: “On the issue of transparency of oversight, which you raised here, we will work very hard to see the areas where there can be improvement on our part.
“The budget process which you talked about, I want to tell you that some of us have strong views that issues of budget must be transparent, particularly the days are gone where agencies like the NNPC would be able to function without operational budget.
“We must move away from that because one of the key issues that we have now is the issue of revenue leakages because of lack of transparency. I think we must move away from that, especially agencies that have revenue coming in.”
He added that the red chamber will reintroduce the Constitution Amendment Bill, which was not assented to by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
Other Bills to receive priority attention, according to Saraki include the Petroleum Industry Bill and the Electoral Act.
He said the Senate under his leadership would focus on people-centered legislation, that would safeguard the interest and welfare of every Nigerian.
The Convener of the Groups, Clem Nwankwo, praised the election of the leadership of the Senate and that of the House of Representatives, adding that independence of the legislature will expedite development in governance.
He solicited the support of the National Assembly on while such bills as the ones on people living with disabilities, Electoral Acts as Amended, Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and the Constitutional Amendment. He urged the Senate to ensure their passage.
Nwankwo said: “With respect to several Bills that have been going on, we did see the National Assembly passed several bills in the 7th Assembly. One of them, of course, was the Disability Bill.
“We know that it was passed by the 7th Assembly but we have no indication that it was assented to by the President and we believe that it is important that the National Assembly takes this as one of the priority Bills for the 8thAssembly so that if it is not assented to by the President, we know that the National Assembly has powers to ensure that this Bill comes into effect.
“We also know that the National Assembly worked on the issue of the Electoral Act Amendment.
“The 2011 elections were conducted and lessons learnt from those elections, which were included in that amendment made in the Electoral Act.
“We know that the National Assembly passed that amendment but we did not have any indication that the former President assented to it.
“Very importantly, we know that the Constitution was amended by this National Assembly and the amendments that were made were the far-reaching amendments of any amendment to a life document.
“This amendment covers making justifiable some of these institutional and economic rights as contained in the present constitution.”


http://thenationonlineng.net/new/why-there-is-massive-corruption-in-nnpc-by-saraki/

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigators yesterday interrogated former Ebonyi State Governor Chief Martin Elechi for six and a half hours for alleged financial mismanagement while in office.
The ex-governor is under probe along with his son, Nnanna, who allegedly benefited from some contracts.
The EFCC is also looking into an allegation that a company belonging to Elechi’s family was allegedly used as front for contracts.
Top on the allegations against the governor is the use of one third of the state’s revenue to fund the Labour Party (LP) in the state after he was ostracized from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According sources, Elechi arrived at the EFCC in Abuja at 10am and was quickly ushered into the interrogation room where he was still being questioned as at 4.35pm.
A top source in the anti-graft agency said: “Some of the allegations against the former governor include the theft of millions of naira in the asphalt contract for the 13 local government secretariats and headquarters.
“Till date only six out of the 13 LGs executed the contract, though monies were approved and paid for all the LGs. The contract was also allegedly awarded to Nnanna Elechi, the ex-governor’s son.
“Also, the former governor was put to task on the expenditure of funds earmarked for the centenary celebration. Towards the celebration, a supervisory committee under the former Commissioner for Local Governments, Celestine Nwali, deducted N1 million from each of the 13 LG areas for the purchase and production of T-shirts for the celebration but there was no evidence of T-shirts produced for the celebration.”

President: I’ll kill corruption
What actually went wrong with the $9.7m arms deal? Why was the cash flown to South Africa from Nigeria?Was the money, which South Africa impounded, actually meant for arms purchase?
These are some of the questions which will soon be answered.
President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to probe the Goodluck Jonathan administration’s deal.
He is to take up the issue with President Jacob Zuma.
The cash was seized by South African security men last September as it was being transferred into their country on a private jet by agents of the Federal Government.
Former President Jonathan’s government claimed that the money was mearnt to puchase arms from private companies in South Africa.
According to the government, Nigeria resorted to private puchase of arms to fight Boko Haram because the United States declined to sell arms to the country, in addition to persuading its allies not to allow sale of arms and ammunition to the country.
But eyebrows were raised about the manner the money was taken to South Africa.
“I will attempt to ask him (President Zuma) about our $9.7 million which was not correctly transferred,” Buhari told Nigerians in South Africa during a meeting with them in Johannesburg to round off his visit to the country for the African Union (AU) Summit.
He said: “I’m told there are 83 Nigerians in prisons, I don’t know what they have done but I spoke to the President of South Africa this afternoon. He wants to come to Nigeria. There are issues we will talk about, I will certainly talk to him, I hope our ambassador will send a comprehensive report about the court cases, about those who lost properties during the disturbances.”
The South African authorities froze $9.3 million transported in cash by two Nigerians and an Israeli for arms purchase. At the time, South Africa said the transaction violated its laws on movement of cash.
The two Nigerians and an Israeli were arrested at the Lanseria International Airport, Johannesburg, on September 5 in a private jet from Abuja.
The money, stashed in three suitcases, raised suspicion when the passengers’ luggage were unloaded and put through the scanners.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in South Africa said there was an invoice for helicopters and armaments intended to be used in Nigeria.
Two black plastic suitcases, filled with 90 blocks each containing US$100,000 in notes, with combination locks, were seized, as well as two pieces of hand luggage also containing US currency, according to City Press.
The Israeli national, Eyal Mesika, had the combination to open the locks.
Under South African laws, a person entering or leaving the country is expected to carry cash not exceeding US$2,300, or the equivalent in foreign currency notes.
The private jet involved belonged to the head of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) Pastor Ayo Ortisejafor.
Pastor Oritsejafor said the plane was on lease to a third party and he could not be blamed for its schedules.
President Buhari also promised to implement the cardinal policies of his administration.
He said: “Government is determined to secure the country, manage the economy, create employment and fight corruption. Some articulate writers have said if we do not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria. This APC administration intends to kill corruption in Nigeria. We will do our best, I assure you.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) government, Buhari said, is determined to secure the country, improve the economy and eliminate corruption.
According to him, the G7 leaders have expressed commitment to helping Nigeria tackle insecurity and develop its oil and gas sectors.
“We are getting the facts and logistic requirements together,” he said.
Buhari urged Nigerians resident in South Africa to be good ambassadors of the country, stressing that Nigerian and South African leaders will soon meet to discuss several issues bordering on their relationship.
“Those of you who have the opportunity to come here and represent us, make sure that you are representing Nigeria, you are all ambassadors of Nigeria. This means a lot of patience, restraint, self-respect and pride. You must have all these,” the President said.
According to him, those accusing him of locking them up have no case as himself was locked up for three and half years from his position as Head of State.
He said: “But I assure you that after being in the military for 25 years, and getting to the highest rank and becoming head of state and under unusual circumstances. As head of state, I went straight to detention for three and half years; so those who accused me of locking them up, I too have been locked up; so what?”
Buhari said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) messed up Nigeria and that was why the people decided to vote for him.
He said: “They remember me more as chairman of PTF than as a former head of state, than a governor or a minister of petroleum. Inspite of the fact that it was during my time that I signed the contract for Warri Refinery, Kaduna Refinery, more than 3,500 lying pipes and more than 20 depot, we got the tankers off the road, we saved lives, we saved fuel, we save the road itself. But from 1999 till date, PDP has messed it up. That is why Nigerians decided to vote me.
“In spite the fact that they say money is working from primaries to my election is a proof that Nigerians know what they want once they make up their minds. You can give them the money, some refuse to take it, some took it and said it is our money and they do exactly what they wanted to do.
“So, why did I join partisan politics in spite of that? When I went home people knew that I have no money I thought they will leave me alone, but they didn’t. They were coming to me, asking me to do this and do that. And I found that the only way I could do it is by joining partisan politics. And maybe if I speak even if I’m not a member at any level, people will listen to me.
“The second that happened that finally convinced me to join partisan politics was what happened to Soviet Union. You know the Soviet Union was an empire in the 20th century that collapsed without a shot being fired. Everybody went home. There was confusion. Now there are 18 countries out of the old Soviet Union. They were more advanced than the western countries in science because they wanted to go to space specifically in 1957, and they had more nuclear war heads and delivering system than Warsaw.
“And they had organised their societies and they had much less crimes and they got jobs for people. When people had no jobs they got one for them. And that was when I decided and I believed that the best form of governance is multi-parties democracy with a big caveat: election must be free and fair. And that was why I was in trouble. I moved from APP to ANPP to CPC, eventually to APC.
Buhari wished he got to be president when he was younger in age.
He said: “How I wish I became head of state when I was a governor, just a few years as a young man. Now at 72, there is a limit to what I can do. But what brought me there I think mainly is because I love this country. I was in the war front for 30 months during our civil war, I lost a lot of loyal people to me, I lost a relative, a lot of Nigerians did too. We lost about two million Nigerian lives just to keep Nigeria one. So nobody should come now and tell us rubbish. We are going to remain one country God has given us another opportunity to reorganise this country. Those who work hard, the society will pay them back.”
Speaking earlier, the Consul-General of Nigeria in South Africa, Ambassador Uche Ajulu-Okeke, told President Buhari that 143 Nigerians were killed in South Africa between 2011 and 2014; 81 were in Johannesburg prison.
“Out of this 81 Nigerians, 21 have been convicted,” she said,
Ajulu-Okeke also disclosed that shops and other property worth millions of Rands belonging to Nigerians were destroyed during the recent xenophobic attacks.
The President of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, Mr. Ikechukwu Anyene, congratulated Buhari on his election and inauguration, saying “your victory is victory over poverty, hunger and signals hope for the common man”.
Ayene urged the president to facilitate compensation for Nigerians affected by the xenophobic attacks.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/buhari-to-probe-jonathans-9-7m-failed-arms-contract/

The Federal Government has identified weak transmission grid preventing wheeling of more than 5,000 megawatts of electricity for the nation’s use.
Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, disclosed this while speaking on – “The Nigerian Economy and the Future,” at the 10th Year Anniversary Lecture of Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday.
A statement issued on Monday by Mfon Udott of the Vice President Media Office, said Osinbajo promised that the gridlock will be removed.
The government, according to him, will work with the distribution companies to ensure the necessary investment to get electricity to the targeted customers.
He said: “The APC manifesto is to deliver a minimum of 10 per cent of GDP growth annually, while ensuring an inclusive economy that improves the lives of all Nigerians. This cannot happen unless we achieve a significant improvement in the power sector.”
He assured that the administration will focus on improving the supply of gas to power plants to help maximize the 13,000MW generating capacity.
He said: “The plans for the power sector will be supported with a National Infrastructural Master Plan that requires an investment of $3 trillion over a 30-year period. This is the minimal requirement to improve our infrastructure stock from 35 per cent of GDP to the benchmark for our peers, which is estimated at 70 per cent of GDP.
“Apart from enabling manufacturing and other sectors, we expect that the investment in infrastructure will also directly create thousands of jobs in construction and maintenance activities.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/weak-transmission-grid-hampering-power-sector-osinbajo/

Former Adamawa State governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako, on Monday failed in his bid to restrain the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting him.
Nyako had in a motion ex-parte sought an interim injunction restraining the trio from arresting or detaining him in relation to a case of financial malpractices hanging on his neck.
The ex-governor’s lawyer, O. E. Ogungbeje, while moving the motion, urged the court to restrain the Inspector General of Police, DSS and EFCC from arresting him (Nyako) pending the determination of an origination motion he filed for the enforcement of his fundamental rights.
In his ruling, Justice Ahmed Mohhammed, refused the ex-governor’s prayer on the ground that there was no sufficient reason for the court to restrain the IGP, DSS and EFCC, listed as respondents in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/474/2015.
“Having read through the supporting affidavit, particularly paragraphs 5 to 19 which contain facts relating to this case, this court is unable to accede to the request for order of interim injunction sought,” the judge said.
He consequently ordered Nyako to put the respondents on notice about any application for injunction filed against them.
Justice Mohammed also ordered Nyako to serve the originating motion he filed on May 28 this year on the respondents within seven days form Monday and adjourned to July 1 for hearing.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/court-refuses-to-stop-nyako-arrest/

Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose was spotted late Sunday evening at the Johannesburg International airport in South Africa on his way back from a trip.
Accompanied by only one aide, Fayose joined passengers waiting to board the South African Airways 11 pm flight to Lagos.
He exchanged greetings with some of the Nigerian passengers who were surprised to see him.
The governor eventually joined the plane and sat in the economy section on the journey back to Lagos.

Three All Progressives Congress (APC) chiefs and a seasoned bureaucrat are in the race for Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

President Muhammadu Buhari is yet to make up his mind on who gets the job. Besides, he is battling to stave off pressure.

Those either interested or being strongly recommended for the SGF are ex-Governor Rotimi Amaechi (South-South), ex-Governor Ogbonnaya Onu (South-East), APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun (Edo) and a former occupant of the office, Amb. Babagana Kingibe.

There is a bureaucrat from the North-East whose name was not immediately known yesterday.

There are three issues Buhari is trying to resolve:

•should the SGF go to the Northeast or the Southeouth/Southeast?

•should he be a cosmopolitan young element or an experienced bureaucrat? and

•how to avoid the “way and manner in which a former SGF turned the office into an ethnic enclave and destroyed the ethos of the civil service”.

The former SGF reportedly politicised appointments, resulting in a situation whereby two people were given letters for an office.

The President is said to be concerned about geopolitical balance in appointments.

The power sharing in the Executive and the Legislature so far has shown that only the South-South is yet to be accommodated.

The breakdown is as follows: President (North-West); Vice-President (South-West); President of the Senate (North-Central); Deputy President of the Senate (South-East); the Speaker of the House of Representatives (North-East); the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (South-West).

But it was gathered that Buhari does not want to subject the appointment of the SGF to Federal Character Principle because of what a source described as “the sensitive nature of the office”.

A highly-placed source in the Presidency said: “The delay in appointing the SGF is borne out of the fact that the President has left it open for the consideration of many eligible Nigerians irrespective of geopolitical zones.

“Those recommended for SGF are ex-Governor Rotimi Amaechi(South-South), ex-Governor Ogbonnaya Onu(South-East), the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun(Edo); and a former occupant of the office, Amb. Babagana Kingibe, who is a long-time personal friend of Buhari.



“Apart from playing a crucial role as the engine room of Buhari’s campaign, some forces in the Presidency believe Amaechi combines youthful age advantage and political experience to occupy the office.

“The only fear of Buhari in Amaechi is youthful exuberance, temperament and a down-to-heart attitude which may not be ideal for a technical and diplomatic assignment.

“But pro-Amaechi forces in the presidency pointed to Amaechi’s calmness, composure and successful coordination of the Presidential Campaign as signs of his readiness for the job.

“They also said having staked his integrity and life on the line for Buhari, only the SGF is befitting for Amaechi than a ministerial job.

“Amaechi’s dimension is a major challenge for Buhari. I think the same forces against Asiwaju Bola Tinubu are working hard to sideline the ex-governor of Rivers State because of his closeness to Buhari.”

It was learnt that Onu appears the man to beat because of his reserved nature, academic excellence, especially having bagged First Class from the University of Lagos, and his cosmopolitan outlook.

A former governor said: “You cannot see Onu’s credentials without being intimidated. In all the schools he attended, he came tops.

“The challenge however is that with the South-East occupying the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate, the zone might not get the SGF again. You can see the danger of being slow in taking decision.”

Although Oyegun is highly experienced as a former Federal Permanent Secretary, the popular thinking is that he is incompetent as shown in the way in which he handled the crisis in the National Assembly. “This has created a setback for him,” a source said.

“As a matter of fact, Buhari wants Oyegun to remain in the party. I think they had issues when they were in ANPP and Buhari is favourably disposed to retaining Oyegun in the APC secretariat.

“There is also anger in the party on how the NWC failed to be decisive on the sharing of positions in the National Assembly. It was a litmus test which will work against him in becoming the SGF.”

It was gathered that if Buhari has his way, he would not waste time in appointing Amb. Babagana Kingibe, whom he had courted since their days in the former seat of power, Dodan Barracks in Lagos.

It was learnt that when anti-Kingibe forces came to Buhari recently to de-market the former SGF, the President said: “Kingibe contributed immensely to my campaign. contrary to what you think.”

“I think age and geopolitical balance are working against Kingibe. But he will certainly play a role in Buhari’s administration.

“This is why another bureaucrat from the North-East is being considered too.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/buhari-considers-balance-in-sgf-choice/

As President Muhammadu Buhari is sworn in, Nigerians took to social media to offer their "to do" list for the new president's administration.
In the capital of Abuja, crowds gathered beneath gloriously sunny skies en masse in Eagle Square to witness Buhari take the oath of office.
As with the elections, social media was front and center during the colorful celebrations.
The president and his team proved adept at using social media tools such as Periscope, which they used to live stream the ceremony for those unable to attend. And within an hour of taking office, his official accounts, handles and social bios had been updated.
Thousands of Nigerians jumped online to voice their opinions on their priorities for Buhari, who won the election in March.

1. Historic, peaceful and democratic transition
There was an overarching feeling that today was when Nigeria was a truly free and independent nation in his inaugural speech which commended the country's democratic process. Many took to Twitter to share their pride in the way the transition took place.

2. Illuminate the nation
During his first address, president Buhari highlighted the importance of tackling the nation's power supply challenges. Citing it as a cause for poor economic performance, he said: "It is a national shame that an economy of 180 million generates only 4,000MW, and distributes even less."
This will come as great news for the many who tweeted electricity issues as a top priority for the incoming administration.

3. Economy overhaul
Another priority voiced by many contributors on Twitter was the need to overhaul the economy and education.And it seems Buhari has been listening to what his nation wants as these sentiments were echoed clearly in his speech.

He said: "With depleted foreign reserves, falling oil prices, leakages and debts the Nigerian economy is in deep trouble and will require careful management to bring it round and to tackle the immediate challenges confronting us, namely; Boko Haram, the Niger Delta situation, the power shortages and unemployment especially among young people.

"For the longer term we have to improve the standards of our education. We have to look at the whole field of medicare. We have to upgrade our dilapidated physical infrastructure."

4. Tackle corruption
Corruption was always going to high on the list of priorities for the nation and the new president made it clear in his speech that he would tackle this issue "head on."

5. Renewed vow to defeat Boko Haram
It was no surprise that defeating Boko Haram was high on the president's list of challenges. In his speech, he reassured the nation that rescuing the Chibok girls and other hostages is of immediate importance.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/29/africa/buhari-inauguration-social-media-reaction/

Evwreni?? please where were they trekking from??

190theclown:
Since wen this man win election na only waka waka e de waka

visit here and there

is this a president or a tourist

smh

All i see is a very healthy president/president elect.

AY shared this on his IG Page, Was he looking taller then? LOL

XBLadez:
Children after marriage or children before marriage?

there was marriage and they are married

The Senate Committee Chairman on Finance, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, on Thursday said it was untrue that no provision was made for fuel subsidy in the 2015 budget which was passed by the lawmakers few days ago.

Makarfi, who made the clarification in Abuja during a chat with journalists, also gave an insight into how the nation can effectively address the issue of high cost of governance.

The Senate had on Tuesday passed the national budget of N4.493tr for the 2015 fiscal year, about five months after it was presented by the Minister of Finance/Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

The fiscal document, which was earlier passed by the House of Representatives last week, was N51bn higher than the N4.425tn submitted to both chambers of the National Assembly by the Federal Government.

Following the passage, there had been insinuations and reports that there was no provision for fuel subsidy in the 2015 budget.

The fear about the absence of fuel subsidy had led to insinuations within some quarters that it was a booby trap set for the in-coming government of General Muhammadu Buhari.

But Makarfi said a total sum of N100bn was provided for as subsidy for Premium Motor Spirit, while N43bn was approved for Dual Purpose Kerosene for the 2015 fiscal period.

Markafi said “There is a provision for subsidy in the budget, people need to understand where to look for an issue. If you look at the main appropriation, there is so many cost components.

“You will not see cash call in the main appropriation, you will not see subsidy in the main appropriation. There are expenses in the main memoranda items that you are not going to see in the main appropriation.

“For you to see them, you have to go through the revenue profile. In this year budget, N100bn was provided for Premium Motor Spirit, N43bn for DPK.

The federal government in 2013, budgeted the sum of N970bn for fuel subsidy out of which N515bn was released to oil marketers.

In the 2014 fiscal period, the same N970bn was budgeted for fuel subsidy while N414bn was released.

But Makarfi said while the amount budgeted for this year may not be enough to for subsidised petroleum products, the law allows for a request of additional funding when the need arises.

This window, according to him, could be used by the incoming government.

http://www.punchng.com/news/senate-approved-n143bn-for-fuel-subsidy-in-2015-budget/

ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT-ELECT, GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI, (GCFR) AT THE OCCASION OF THE INDUCTION OF NEW LEGISLATORS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ORGANIZED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE STUDIES HOLDING IN ABUJA ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29TH, 2015.

PROTOCOL:

I am very pleased to be here today as part of this induction programme and to address the elected Members of the 8th National Assembly. I heartily congratulate all of you for being found worthy to be elected by Nigeria’s citizens in a fair and transparent election process.

I am delighted to say that we stand on the threshold of history. For the first time in our post independence history, power is going to be transferred from an incumbent ruling party to an opposition party.

This is inspite of predictions of calamitous outcomes.

Nigerians have indeed proven once again that they are a united people and stand resolute to protect its growing democracy.

I wish to specifically acknowledge and laud the maturity exhibited by the political class, the professionalism of our security agencies, the competence and resilience of INEC, but above all the doggedness of Nigerians and their commitment to ensuring that their wishes are represented and respected.

I daresay, it is equally a victory for all political parties and their leaderships for according due respect to the electoral process and accepting the results in most cases. I wish to specifically acknowledge the role played by the President, H.E Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for accepting the results of the election before final announcement was made.

The legislature is a critical component and necessary ingredient of democracy and good governance. The legislature by nature is inherently democratic in the sense that all members are equal and are elected representatives of the Nigerian people.

As President-Elect, I recognize this fact and believe that legislators carry this heavy burden of representation with all the seriousness it deserves.

For a president to be successful in addressing community development and general welfare of the various people of the country, he or she would benefit from working closely and in harmony with the legislative arm of government. I therefore commit myself to working with the legislature as development partners motivated by the desire to deliver good governance.

Distinguished Elected Members of the 8th National Assembly, we are all aware of the challenges our dear nation has been facing and will continue to do so in the near future. These daunting challenges include:

General insecurity and insurgency that has caused extreme human hardship and destruction of lives, livelihoods that may take us over a decade to rebuild across most of North Eastern Nigeria and some parts of North western Nigeria.

Devastation and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta area which must be attended to.

Decline in revenues due to fall in oil prices which poses a threat to Government’s capacity to deliver on reconstruction of devastated areas and the new government development agenda.

Endemic corruption which has crippled human and infrastructure development for decades.

Unacceptably poor provision of power supply which has had a crippling effect on development of small businesses and indeed the wider economy.

Deindustrialization for the past 3 decades leading to closure of many industries and migration of many to other African countries.

Unacceptably high levels of unemployment and especially Youth Unemployment reaching over 40%.

High cost of governance that has been crowding out capital and human development.

Erosion of public social services such as infrastructure, health and education.

Lack of development in the agricultural and solid mineral sectors.

Distinguished Members of the 8th National Assembly, I see these development challenges as the mission of my presidency. I need the support of the Members of National Assembly on the battle front. I need your support in many respects.

First and foremost, appropriate policies need to be put in place and such policies may have to be translated into laws.

Secondly, the oversight functions of the legislature is critical in ensuring that policies are implemented effectively and transparently. Therefore, my mission to bring integrity into governance would better succeed if complemented with a strong culture of transparent oversight.

Thirdly, we need to collaborate on the budget process and restructuring of the public sector so as to collectively tackle the menace of high recurrent cost at the expense of capital and human development.

Fourthly, there is an urgent need to contain this high state of insecurity. All of you are representing various communities. We need to work together to address the problem from both its roots and manifestations.

The strongest mitigating forces at this point are to redress the power sector deficits, encourage investments that are job creating and focus on human development and reconstruction. We also need to deploy efforts in conflict resolution and peace building in all our communities.
I am here today, to invite you to work with the executive as partners in progress, as champions of good governance and development and as warriors for change. Together, we can make this nation great and as a role model in Africa and other emerging economies and democracies.
I wish you a successful completion of your induction programme. I wish all of you a successful and effective tenure in the service of our fatherland.

General Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR
President Elect
Federal Republic of Nigeria.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/mission-of-my-presidency-by-buhari/

aristocrazzy:
I don't think the igbos are in support of APC, so how exactly did Rochas win imo with a landslide?

Imolites are smart, for them its personality over party, Okorocha is a governor for the masses.

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has said he is not afraid to defend his victory at the Election Petitions Tribunal, where the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Emeka Ihedioha, has vowed to challenge his declaration as the winner of the governorship poll in the state.

This was contained in a statement by the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, and made available to newsmen in Owerri on Tuesday.

Okorocha, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the governorship election, according to the statement, wondered why Ihedioha did not complain of irregularities before the rerun.

He argued that Ihedioha’s insistence to file his petition at the election tribunal would “expose the true figures” of the areas he(petitioner) won.

The governor added, “First and foremost, let us encourage Ihedioha to go to the tribunal and we shall meet him there.

“He shall make his claims and we shall make our counter-claims, and Nigerians will then know how he got more than 55,000 votes in his Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area and how he got two-third of his overall votes from the three local governments in his Mbaise area.”

He claimed that the refusal of Ihedioha, who is the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, to congratulate Okorocha on his victory, showed the lawmaker’s level of desperation to govern the state.

The statement read, “His refusal to congratulate Governor Okorocha, who defeated him with almost 100,000 votes, only shows the level of his desperation. Out of the 27 LGAs, he led in three local governments in his Mbaise area after adding the votes from the supplementary election” the statement concludes.

http://www.punchng.com/news/im-not-afraid-of-tribunal-okorocha-tells-ihedioha/

lalasticlala:
The Federal Government has suspended the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign, Ambassador Danjuma Sheni, over the unauthorized recall of the Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa.


A highly placed government official in the Presidency told Vanguard that the president ordered the suspension of the Permanent Secretary Monday Morning and was directed to clarify why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for embarrassing the Nigerian government.
The source who did not want his name in print because he was not authorized to speak on the matter said the president was “livid with anger” when he read about the recall of the Nigerian Charge De Affairs who is also the head of mission without his authorization.
Nigeria presently does not have an ambassador in South Africa.


It is the second time since the appointment of the permanent Secretary, Ambassador Sheni that the Nigerian government would be brought to diplomatic ridicule over poor handling of diplomatic affairs.


In the first instance, the Ministry had claimed that President Goodluck Jonathan spoke with the King of Morocco on Phone, a claim that was denied by the Moroccoan government and later president Jonathan who ordered a full investigation into the matter.
The report of the investigation is still being awaited three weeks to the end of this administration.


The report of the alleged recall of the Nigerian Ambassador to South in the wake of the xenophobic attacks on foreigners and their businesses elicited a strong reaction from the South African government which described the action as “unfortunate”.


But the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati however clarified that the Charge De Affairs of Nigerian Embassy in South Africa has only been invited for “routine consultation”.


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/fg-suspends-perm-sec-min-of-foreign-affairs/#sthash.awmkRtbd.dpuf

Good the real Jonah is gradually surfacing, he must have learnt one or two things from GMB

The All Progressives Congress has said all accredited media organisations in the country, including the African Independent Television, are free to cover the activities of the President-elect, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.).

In a statement in Abuja on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the incoming Buhari administration would not discriminate against any media organisation, irrespective of its role during the electioneering leading up to the recent polls.

It however enjoined all media organisations to observe the highest level of professional standards in carrying out their duties.

APC said, ”There is a Code of Ethics guiding the practice of journalism in Nigeria, and this demands every journalist to ensure a strict adherence to the highest levels of ethics and professionalism in carrying out their duties.

”There must be repercussions, within the realms of the law, for media organisations which have wantonly breached the Code of Ethics of the journalism profession and turned themselves to partisans instead of professionals. But such repercussions will not include barring any accredited media organisation from covering the activities of the
President-elect.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/accredited-media-ait-free-to-cover-president-elects-activities-apc/

PricewaterhouseCoopers, the firm of forensic auditors hired by the Federal Government to probe the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, has indicted the corporation of making double subsidy claims on petrol and kerosene.

“Our examination of the PMS and DPK import verified by PPPRA revealed that some discharges were apparently verified and subsidy advised to NNPC more than once,” the report stated.

PwC alleged “repeated subsidy” for PMS amounting to N3,709,879,190 ($23,954,796) and another “repeated subsidy” for DPK amounting to N6,169,502,266 ($39,836,652). It added that the there was another $36.05m “over-statement” in PPPRA’s PMS subsidy payment advice to the NNPC.

It also called for a review of the current NNPC Act to make it pay all revenues accruing from crude oil sales into the Federation Account.

In the final report made available by the government on Monday, the auditors said the the corporation over-claimed $980m (N19.3bn based on the interbank exchange rate of N197 to a dollar) as subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit and Dual Purpose Kerosene between January 2012 and July 2013.

The report stated that the NNPC had capitalised on lapses in the current law to spend part of the crude oil sales proceeds without limit or control.

The report stated, “We recommend that the NNPC Act be reviewed as the content contradicts the requirement for the NNPC to be run as a commercially viable entity. It appears the Act has given the corporation a blank cheque to spend money without limit or control.

“This is untenable and unsustainable, and must be addressed immediately. The corporation should be required to create value and meet its expenses entirely from the value created. Proceeds from the FGN’s crude oil sales should be remitted entirely to the Federation Account. Commissions for the corporation’s services can then be paid based on agreed terms.”

The auditors recommended that the NNPC’s model of operation must be urgently reviewed and restructured, as the current model, which had been in operation since the creation of the corporation, could not be sustained.

The report stated, “The accounting and reconciliation system for crude oil revenues used by government agencies appears to be inaccurate and weak. We noted significant discrepancies in data from different sources. The lack of independent audit and reconciliation led to over-reliance on data produced from the NNPC.

“This matter is further compounded by the lack of independence within the NNPC as the business has conflicting interests of being a stand-alone self-funding entity and also the main source of revenue to the Federation Account.”

The Auditor-General for the Federation had on February 5, 2015 released some highlights of the report in which PwC auditors recommended that the NNPC and its subsidiary, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, should refund to the Federation Account “a minimum of $1.48bn.”

PwC was last year hired by the Federal Government to carry out the forensic audit of the NNPC following an allegation by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, that $49bn was not remitted to the Federation Account by the corporation.

“Our review of the subsidy documentation revealed that the subsidy due to the NNPC between January 2012 and July 2013 on PMS and DPK imports was $8.99bn compared to the $9.97bn stated by the reconciliation committee,” the auditors’ report stated.

According to the report, the difference was due to the exclusion of October 2011 to December 2011 subsidy claims of $1.2bn, which did not relate to the review period of January 2012 to July 2013; $0.13bn increase in PMS subsidy claimed for the 19-month period; and $0.09bn increase in kerosene subsidy claimed for the period.

The report also revealed N5.6bn ($36.05m) over-statement in the PPPRA’s PMS subsidy payment advice to the NNPC.

“Our review of the subsidy payment advice sent by the PPPRA to the NNPC for discharges between January 2012 and July 2013 revealed that the PPPRA applied the pre-2012 ex-depot price (N49.51) on some discharges in 2012 instead of the approved ex-depot price of N81.51. A total of 174,449,778 litres of PMS was affected in these PPPRA computations,” the report stated.

The auditors said an estimated $205m kerosene subsidy was over-charged by the NNPC, adding, “Our review of a sample of the copies of the pro forma invoices issued to the other marketers of DPK across different geopolitical zones of Nigeria revealed that the other marketers bought DPK from the NNPC/PPMC prior to arrival at the NNPC depot in Nigeria at N40.90.

“The marketers are thereafter required to incur the lightering expenses, NPA charges, jetty throughput charge and storage charges before bringing the product into Nigeria. Subsidy is calculated as the landing cost minus ex-depot price.”

The report reflected the fact that $3.38bn was spent on kerosene subsidy for the review period.

The report also noted an unsubstantiated $305.8m under the cost allocated to pipeline maintenance and management cost.

It stated that the sum remained unsubstantiated due to lack of or insufficient supporting documents and duplication of entries.

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