₦airaland Forum

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to prosecute the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Yobe State, Abu Zarma, who was alleged to have received N15 million bribe to influence the 2015 Yobe State governorship election.
Fayose said it was only when that is done that the President’s fight against corruption can enjoy the needed credibility.
He said: “If nothing is done on a case as clear as that of the INEC REC, Nigerians can as well kiss President Buhari anti-corruption fight goodbye.”
In a release issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said it was worrisome that despite the details of the two bank accounts of the INEC REC, which showed that N15 million was lodged into his accounts few days to the April 11 election was admitted as evidence by the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in the state, the REC has not been charged to court.
He said: “It is on record that two officials of Diamond Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc, tendered exhibits confirming the payment of N15 million into the REC’s accounts by the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Zakari Deba.
“The ADC allegedly paid N8 million into the Diamond Bank account of the INEC REC and N7 million into his Zenith Bank accounts on April 8, 2015, three days before the governorship election. As at the time the N8 million was paid into the Diamond Bank account, only N28, 000 was in the account.
“Why then is the Yobe INEC REC not being tried yet? Why has he not been charged to court?
“If the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is foot-dragging on the arraignment of the INEC REC and the governor’s ADC, why hasn’t President Buhari directed the Police to commence the prosecution?
“Therefore, in the spirit of President Buhari’s fight against corruption, the Yobe State INEC REC and the ADC that paid the bribe into his bank accounts should be charged to court without further delay. This is more so that there are credible evidence(s) lending credence to the fact that the REC actually took bribe to influence the Yobe election.
“This is also important so as to further sanitise the electoral system for more credible elections.
“Anything other than this will mean that the President’s anti-corruption fight is only against some people while others, especially those related to the President either by tribe, religion or political party are sacred cows.”
https://www.today.ng/news/25147/fayose-challenges-buhari-to-try-yobe-inec-rec-over-alleged-n15m-bribe/

Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, says he has fulfilled his pledge to workers in the state to pay all the salaries and pensions backlog, ahead of the deadline of 30 October.
Government commended workers for their patience so far and assure them that all efforts will be made to ensure that they are not owed any arrears of salary.
The Chairman of the Bailout Funds Management Committee, Mr. Obinna Oriaku declared today that all outstanding Salaries and Pensions in Abia State have been transmitted to banks for onward disbursement to their beneficiaries.
Going by the breakdown of the payments made, three month salary arrears owed council workers and four months to primary school teachers have been paid.
Arrears owed pensioners, ministries, agency and judiciary workers have also been cleared.
The biggest beneficiaries are Health Management Board workers, Abia University and Abia State University Teaching Hospital Staff: arrears running into seven and eight months have been paid.
Also paid are workers of Abia State polytechnic, owed six months and workers of College of Education, Arochukwu owed eight months.
Oriaku commended educational Institutions, which had found ways to sustain their operations despite the non-release of their subventions over time.
Government also urged the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Abia State Chapter to support the on-going workers verification as it said the current wage bill of local governments is unsustainable.
“The Monthly Wage Bill of Local Government Workers in Abia State currently stands at N900M excluding salaries to teachers (ASUBEB) and Local Government Pensions. The average Monthly allocation to Local Governments currently stands at N1.5B. Clearly, the current system is unsustainable as it will entail government borrowing to pay salaries,” Oriaku submitted.
The Bailout Committee is still reviewing data for pre-April 2015 State Pensions and it will be released as soon as the verification is completed within a week.
The Bailout Committee will review arrears of leave and promotion allowances and also some pressing gratuity claims if all salary and Pensions claims have been offset and funds are still available.
https://www.today.ng/news/25341/abia-pays-all-workers-outstanding-salaries/

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, appears jittery over the sustained attacks by Boko Haram insurgency in the north eastern part of the country.
The Army Chief on Friday sent a strong message to troops at the battle front, saying the next few weeks would be crucial as they battle the insurgents, saying Nigeria’s sovereignty is being threatened.
Already, the Commander-in-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, has given the military December, 2015 deadline to rout Boko Haram insurgents from the nooks and crannies of the country.
“The next few days will be crucial to Operation ‘LAFIYA DOLE’. It is also crucial to our country Nigeria.
“Our sovereignty as a nation is threatened. The Nigerian Army and indeed the military as the symbol of our nationhood are being challenged.
“Our ability to stand and defeat the Boko Haram terrorists in the next few weeks will determine the future of our country.
“We cannot afford to lose the fight. We are better trained and better equipped. The whole nation is behind us.
“Mr. President is with us. Let us remain steadfast in this noble cause. Be courageous. We must degrade and defeat the terrorists.
“This job must be done. We must make our country men and women proud,” Lt Gen. Buratai stated in the message he personally signed.
The Boko Haram insurgents have intensified bomb attacks since President Buhari assumed office on May 29, 2015.
The dreaded sect has also extended its attack to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with simultaneous bombings of Kuje, a Satellite town and Nyanya,a suburb of the FCT on October2, 2015.
The latest attack was Thursday night bombing of a mosque in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state.
https://www.today.ng/news/25343/boko-haram-nigerias-sovereignty-is-threatened-army-chief/

Senator representing Lagos State East senatorial district, Gbenga Ashafa, on Thursday lauded the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, over the confirmation of former Lagos State Governor, Babtunde Fashola; his counterpart in Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, and APC Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Ashafa, in a statement signed by him to felicitate with 18 ministers who were confirmed by the Senate, noted that it was an era to make APC as a party and Nigeria proud.
According to the statement, “I, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, representing the Lagos East senatorial zone hereby congratulate the 18 eminent Nigerians, who were today (yesterday) confirmed as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“While I recognise that the task before them is both herculean and complex, I am confident in their ability to succeed and set Nigeria on the path of greatness. With our fearless and visionary leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, as the head of this team, supported by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, I am more than assured that this new government will deliver on its promises and make our economy competitive and productive.
“I am particularly proud of the intelligence, poise and grace with which our own former state governor, Fashola, conducted himself throughout his time, addressing the Senate. His thoughts and plans were illuminating as always. He represented the state very well on that podium and will do very well in the Federal Executive Council. Of course, I have no doubt.”
The statement expressed reverence for Tinubu, adding that he should be proud of himself on a day like this.
“It was his farsightedness and uncanny judement of character and talent that brought the likes of Lai Mohammed, Fayemi and Fashola to limelight. These are graduates of the Bola Tinubu School of Leadership and today, they are ministerial appointees.”
This is indeed a lifting moment for us who have climbed on Tinubu’s broad shoulders to our current heights in political and leadership accomplishments.
“May the Almighty God bless our leader, Tinubu, and increase him in wisdom and good health. As for the confirmed ministerial appointees, may you be filled with all the strength and patriotism required to deliver on your commissions. Please, make our party and nation proud!”
https://www.today.ng/news/25269/fashola-fayemi-mohammed-are-products-of-tinubus-talent-ashafa/