₦airaland Forum

Emmyk: This is good news. From 120naira to 50naira.

They stated that they had listened to the offer of the APC leadership, wooing them into APC.

They however said that Saraki, who is the party leader in the state, would make a decision that would be beneficial to the entire members of the PDP in the state.

Ahmed said even though Nigeria had come of age, it was “still basking in residual superstition.”

https://edge.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Muhammadu-Buhari-360x225.jpgA former Head of State,Maj.- Gen.Muhammadu Buhari, (retd) has said that the Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal Government has institutionalised corruption in Nigeria.

Buhari spoke in Ilorin on Wednesday when leaders of the All Progressives Congress stormed Kwara State to woo members of the Kwara State chapter of the PDP loyal to a former Governor of the state, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

Other APC chieftains on the entourage were the Interim National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande; a former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; as well as ex-governors John Oyegun(Edo); and George Akume (Benue).

Others were ex -Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Masari; the Interim National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; a former Minister of Works, Alhaji Hassan Lawal; and another former minister, Alhaji Musa Gwadabe.

Buhari said it was neccessary for all stakeholders to team up and fight against corruption, lack of infrastructure and other developmental challenges facing the country.

He said, “That nothing has improved over the years shows the non-performance of the ruling PDP.

“The non-performance of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation is enough to remove any government in power except in Nigeria.

“The PDP government has institutionalised corruption in Nigeria. There is no way Nigeria, with its vast population and land can continue to entertain an army of unemployed youths without the resultant effect of kidnapping and the insurgency by Boko Haram.”

He told the gathering that “the fundamental objective of the APC is to secure a hope for Nigerians.”

But the PDP dismissed the comment by Buhari, saying it was a “ mere political statement.”

It said it was ironical that the APC would be wooing governors in a supposedly corrupt party.

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Ibrahim Jalo, in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents, stated that the actions of the opposition party showed its desperation for power.

Jalo alleged that the APC was looking for money from the governors to prosecute the 2015 general elections.

He said, “What he (Buhari) said is a political statement in the sense that he is now spearheading a group of APC leaders who are going round looking for our aggrieved governors.

“How do you go and woo those from a descredited their party? Why are they looking for governors from the party they feel is corrupt? Why are you looking for people from a discredited institution.

“They are looking for the governors because they want money to fund their party. It is not that they like the governors but they just want them because you cannot run a party without fund.

“They want to take their money and dump them. As far as we are concerned, we are satisfied with the performance of President Jonathan.”

Tinubu had while asking the PDP members in the state to join the APC, said because of the high rate of unemployment, youths in the country had become frustrated.

He stated that even if elderly people could cope with hunger, any graduate or non-graduate going to bed every night hungry would not appreciate the beauty of democracy.

The former governor advised Nigerians not to be overwhelmed by their challenges but should rise up and work for a better country.

Tinubu said, “Can a woman in labour with pains, who has not been able to properly take care of the first child and having the second, think well of democracy if there is no proper medical care?

“Can we talk today of solid and good education that was given to us by our own fathers, because education is a weapon against poverty- can we boast of that in the face of this unending crisis in the education sector?

“Before you know it, this electricity supply will flip and can we continue to sit back and lament and complain about the suffering, about government, about Nigeria going backward and drifting or do something.

“Let us talk together, work together and challenge ourselves for the future of our children.”

Akande said the APC leadership had come through the governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, to invite the PDP members in the state to join the opposition party.

He also stated that the invitation was not limited to the members of theNew PDPin the seven rebel governors’ camp alone, but to all other governors and members of the PDP.

Akande said, “We are starting a revolution that will make this country a country of the progressives. And that is what we have started just about a week ago and we hope to use Kwara State as a spring to enter the heart of every Nigerian.”

Ahmed and the Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Mr. Razak Atunwa, decried impunity and the growing developmental problems in the country.

THE House of Representatives chamber was thrown into confusion on Wednesday as some Kastina lawmakers engaged themselves in free for all over November 1 Appeal court ruling which faulted the retrieval of Certificates of Return of 10 lawmakers from the state and issuance of new ones to another set of lawmakers from the state who were presently occupying lawmaking position in the National Assembly.

Nigerian Tribune recalled that the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had on Friday fired two Senators and eight House members from Katsina state, who got their seats after those occupying the positions were sacked by the Independent National Electoral Commission in December 2011.

The court had ordered that those sacked by INEC be reinstated and they are Senators Abdu Umar Yandoma and Ahmad Sani Stores; those from the House are: Murtala Isa, Muntari Dandutse, Musa Salisu, Aminu Ashiru and Umar Adamu Katsayal, Muhammad Tukur, Tasi’u Doguro, and Abdu Dankama.

Those who are presently occupying the seats ordered by the court to be vacated are: Senators Abubakar Yar’adua and Hadi Sirika, those from the House are: Ahmed Babba Kaita, Salisu Salisco, Umar Abubakar, Salisu Daura, Isa Doro, Sani Mashi, Abbas Machika and Mansur Funtua.

Trouble started on Wednesday when one of those reportedly ordered by the court to be reinstated stormed the House and demanded that he should sworn in but was stopped by the present occupants in the House.

Some of the reported sacked lawmakers had noticed one of the eight “new” lawmakers who found his way into the chamber and was waiting for the leadership of the House to swear his group in. However, fight broke out when the current occupier of the seat engaged him in a free-for-all.

In the process of the fist cuff the court-reinstated lawmaker had his clothes torn.

It, however, took the intervention of the Minority leader, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, Honourable Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila and Deputy Minority Whip, Honourable Garba Datti before normalcy was restored.

To this end, they begged the court-reinstated lawmaker to step out of the chamber and allow the leadership of the House resolve the issue and subsequently took the ex-lawmaker along with some of his colleagues to a room for a meeting.

However, midway into the meeting, the aggrieved court reinstated lawmakers walked out of the meeting.

Speaking with newsmen after they staged a walk out, the court reinstated lawmakers accused the National Assembly leadership of politicizing their matter.

One of them, Mukhtari Dan-Dutse told newsmen that, “What is happening in this House is very unfortunate, the issue of Katsina 10 is very clear...The law has no barrier. After winning in the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal which faulted National Assembly and INEC for withdrawing our certificates, the appeal court has affirmed that judgment.

The court said very clearly that we should repossessed our seats, without any hindrance. INEC has no power to issue certificate of return without contesting an election”.

Another court reinstated lawmaker, Tasi’u Doguro on his part claimed that, “This is the 13th time we are winning court cases against our opponents. We made sure that National Assembly and INEC were served copies of the judgement by Monday (November 4), stressing that, “there is a lot of political blackmail. Actually, what is happening now in National Assembly, this issue of favouratism is very dangerous. We don’t belong to (Aminu) Masari camp. Masari was a Speaker here. So they are doing him a favour. But that is very unfortunate”.

The Minority Leader, Honourable Gbajabiamila however said that the House would do justice to the matter, saying, “The House will follow procedures, tradition and the law”.

THE Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), on Wednesday, said it had commenced sale of kerosene at N50 per litre at filling stations nationwide.

Alhaji Abdulkadri Aminu, national president of the association, gave the assurance during the inauguration of sale of kerosene at N50 per litre in Lagos.

Aminu said members had been mandated to ensure the sale of the product at the regulated price of N50 per litre as directed by the Federal Government.

According to him, the sale of kerosene at the approved government price had been one of the projects of IPMAN, in partnership with PPMC and NNPC.

“The association has been at the vanguard of ensuring that the product that is meant for the local people should be sold at the approved price.

“This has also been the focus of the Minister of Petroleum. Today, we are grateful to God that we have seen it happen.

“I want to assure every Nigerian that it’s going to be sustained,” Aminu said.

He said that the sale of kerosene at the approved price would be launched in other states of the country, adding that any member found selling above the regulated price would be sanctioned.

“From here, we are going to Kano, Sokoto, Enugu, Jos, Yola, Maiduguri and other places.

“This is the first time I am coming to visit our retail outlets and I can assure that the exercise is going to be continuous.

“The chairman of South West zone has been directed to go to other states within the southern states to launch the project,” he said.

Aminu said the monitoring team would be inaugurated to ensure compliance in all the IPMAN outlets nationwide.

He said issues of scarcity of kerosene had to be addressed, adding that the whole world had diversified from kerosene to gas.

Mr Olumide Ogunmade, Western Zone chairman of IPMAN, said that the association considered it necessary to ensure that independent marketers who had the products were selling at the regulated price.

Ogunmade said that the essence of selling kerosene at N50 per litre was to demonstrate to the government that IPMAN was a conformist association.

He said that IPMAN members were closer to the masses and understood the best model to adopt to make the product available to them at the appropriate price.

“We want members of the public to benefit from the official rate of N50, and if the government can sustain the supply, we are sure and confident that the product will get to the target market.”

According to him, Nigerians are suffering and all efforts should be made to reduce the cost of products in the oil and gas sector to make life more meaningful to the citizens.

The 7 Division, Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, on Tuesday said, its troops were able to trace the camps and hideouts of Boko Haram insurgents and eventually destroyed them thereby inflicting heavy casualties on the terrorist elements.

Unconfirmed reports from the area of military operations in the last one week revealed that no fewer than 400 Boko Haram insurgents suffered severe blow from military gunfire with 270 allegedly killed in gun battle.

But the military in Maiduguri said that casualty figure should not be of concern now as operations were ongoing to ensure that insurgency is brought to zero level in Borno State.

Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Obidah Ethan, on Tuesday, expressed appreciation to the people of Borno State for their cooperation and understanding in the continuous manhunt for the insurgents within and around the state.

General Ethan also urged the people to continue to be resilient and supportive as the troops face the daunting task of fighting insurgency.

Ethan stated this in a statement signed by the spokesman of the 7 Division, Lt. Col. Muhammadu Dole and made available to journalists in Maiduguri following aggressive attacks on insurgents by troops of the 7 Division, supported by men of the 79 Composite Group and other sophisticated platforms from the Nigerian Airforce.

The statement also explained that the aggressive operations conducted by the troops from 5 Brigade at Gamboru Ngala axis and 21 Brigade at general area of Bama Kelani road recovered huge success on Monday, November 4.

It read: “During the operations, several Boko Haram terrorists’ vehicles were destroyed. Some of the vehicles destroyed were containing improvised explosive device (IED) meant to be detonated in some towns and villages within Borno State.”

It recalled that previously, the insurgents around Gamboru-Ngala, Mafa, Dikwa and Marte roads arbitrarily blocked the roads and caused havoc to motorists and adjacent villages.

“Bama-Kelani-Pulka-Firgi general areas were hitherto infested with incessant insurgents attacks and lootings which caused fear and anxiety among the populace,”the statement said.

musiwa112: Labour party has perform very well --- Musiwa

THE Federal Government Tuesday formerly handed back the management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium to the Enugu State.

Speaking at the hand over held at the Government House, Enugu, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga Elegbeleye, said the event followed the approval by President Goodluck Jonathan of an application made by the Enugu State government.

He noted that the state had over the years collaborated with the Federal Government in maintaining and rehabilitating the stadium, stressing that Enugu had made huge financial investments in the provision of vital facilities for the successful hosting of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2009.

Elegbeleye added: “This act convinced the Federal Government that the Enugu State government was capable of maintaining the stadium in line with approved international standards.”

Noting that sports was a unifying factor and a tool for international diplomacy and creation of wealth, he enjoined other states in the country to emulate the Enugu State example in the development and maintenance of sports infrastructure.

Elegbeleye further commended the reactivation of the school sports by the state government, saying it would greatly enhance the discovery of talents for the benefit of the country.

Responding, Governor Sullivan Chime expressed delight at the return of the stadium to the state, assuring that it
will be better managed under the state’s Ministry of Sports and Youth Development.

He said that his request for the return of the stadium was prompted by the decision of the Federal Government to sell some of the facilities there, adding that this had prompted anxiety in the state that the whole stadium could be sold to outsiders.

The governor commended President Jonathan for his prompt response to his request and assured that the stadium would not only be well managed, but would also be accessible to all and sundry.

“All we are interested in is just to promote sports. Take our assurances on this to the Federal Government and be rest assured that the standard will go up rather than go down,” Governor Chime said.

Afam4eva: Why's the Fifa U-20 not revered like the World cup proper?

By Henry Umoru & DAUD OLATUNJI


ABUJA— AMIDST series of ongoing meetings and moves for realignment of forces, the Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led splitter group of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, said that it was more comfortable with the leadership and members of All Progressive Congress, APC.

The group, meanwhile, added that doors of reconciliation with the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and the National Working Committee, NWC were still open.

On Atiku, G7 govs

In another development, the PDP has described the former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the seven rebel governors and other aggrieved members of the party as ingrates.

The party said that their action was synonymous to an act of biting the fingers that fed them, saying that the party was not bothered by the recent intensified efforts being made by APC to woo some of its governors.

6,000 decampees

PDP National Secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo, weekend, shortly after he received about 6,000 members of the ruling APC and the Labour Party, who defected to the party at the reunion rally for its members in Ogun West Senatorial District, in Idiroko, Ipokia Local Government Area, Ogun State, said that it took Atiku and his allies only four months to hatch the plot that resulted in the current crisis in PDP.

*nPDP Govs

Oladipo argued that the former vice president had bitten the finger that fed him, saying that it was unthinkable that Abubakar and his allies, who had benefitted so much from their membership of the ruling party would not only turn their back on their benefactor but also plot its downfall.

PDP and S-West

“As far as the South West is concerned, you can see that PDP is waxing stronger by the day, particularly since the last mini-convention of the South West that we had in Ibadan. I don’t want to over-dramatize the situation.

“The PDP has not fallen and will not fall, but as for Abubakar, I will still love to believe that he was misquoted. In case he was not misquoted and if we believe what the media reported that the plot to split the PDP was hatched actually four months before our last mini-convention, that will be most unfortunate for someone of his status within the party.”

nPDP’s statement

However, nPDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chukwuemeka Eze, said: “Even though we remain hopeful that wise counsel would prevail and our demands would be granted by the PDP, we, at the same time, feel comfortable in the company of APC, since we share the same goal of rescuing our dear country, Nigeria, from the edge of the precipice and putting her firmly on the path of sustainable development.

Sokoto Varsity inauguration

“The presence of APC and PDP leaders in large numbers at the Sokoto State University inauguration is a positive development, which raises hope for our fledging democracy. It is a good example of politics of tolerance and cooperation which we consider necessary if the country is to experience peace and tranquility, without which there could be no development.

APC, nPDP closeness

“The increasing closeness between leaders of nPDP and APC has raised questions in the minds of many Nigerians and fuelled speculations on the possible merger of the two parties. Speculations along this line have heightened since last Tuesday’s inauguration of the Sokoto State University, where both APC and nPDP put up a strong presence, with our National Chairman, Alhaji Baraje, leading a high-powered team that included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Governors Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Musa Kwankwaso of Kano, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and Sule Lamido of Jigawa; as well as our National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Osun State governor, to the event.

Chemistry between Buhari, Tinubu

“The chemistry between the team and that of APC led by General Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was indeed unmistakable. The APC leaders have since then intensified the lobby for a marriage between both parties, even visiting some of our governors to directly invite them to join the party.

“All these visits on our state governors simply demonstrates our new status in the politics of Nigeria as the new bride of Nigerian politics and we hope to play the role as expected of us as we hold the key to Aso Rock come 2015.”

https://edge.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/APC-and-PDP-logos.jpg
The All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party are engaged in a battle of wits over the membership status of the seven aggrieved PDP governors.

While the APC has intensified its lobby to win over the governors, the PDP has remained confident that the party’s internal crisis will soon be a thing of the past.

The aggrieved governors are: Alhaji Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers). Others are: Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Babangida Aliyu (Niger).

The opposition APC has within the last few weeks intensified moves to get the aggrieved governors to dump the PDP and declare for the APC.

Saturday PUNCH gathered in Abuja, on Thursday that a delegation of the party’s leading figures namely: Muhammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and the governors of Lagos, Ekiti, Imo and Borno states will visit the Adamawa State at the weekend to follow-up on an earlier invitation extended to Governor Murtala Nyako. The team paid similar visits to the Kano and Jigawa States on Thursday.

Feelers from the party hierarchy indicate that the team is poised to visit the remaining governors in their domains within the next one week.

This, it was learnt, was part of measures aimed at speeding up the process of the governors’ defection into the opposition party. It was also gathered that this is in addition to several informal meetings held with some of the governors at home and abroad.

Before now, the APC has been making surreptitious moves to extract a commitment from the aggrieved governors some of whom have given their consent in principle.

Nyako has been the most vocal about the possible defection of the rebel PDP governors to the opposition APC.

Although a date is yet to be fixed for a formal declaration, it was gathered that close associates of the governor will move into the APC as “an advance party” should talks with President Jonathan break down irrevocably.

The Director of Press to the Adamawa State governor, Malam Ahmed Sajo confirmed the planned visit but could not say if his principal would be making a big announcement.

Sajo also said, the APC leaders have notified the governor that they will pay him a visit on Friday.

He said, “We have said it over and again that the level of injustice which has become the nature of the Tukur-led PDP will leave some of us with no choice but to go into the warm embrace of the opposition.”

Interim National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, told Saturday PUNCH that the party was willing to welcome not only the governors but any other Nigerian who was willing to join hands to “redeem Nigeria from the clutches of the PDP.”

https://www.ngrguardiannews.com/images/November_2013/JEGA-INEC.jpg [b]…Security Agencies Meet Politicians, Others

THE Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, and six national commissioners will conduct the Anambra governorship election on November 16.

The INEC Administrative Secretary, Mr. Oscar-leo Amaechi, who made this known in Awka Friday, said 15 Resident Electoral Commissioners were also expected in the state.

Amaechi spoke at a stakeholders meeting of Inter-Agency Consultative Security Committee with political parties and candidates.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), he reiterated the preparedness of the commission to conduct free and credible poll. The commission, he said, would move election materials to registration centres close to polling booths to ensure that the election commenced at exactly 8 a.m.

The administrative secretary urged political parties to submit the names of their agents on time to enable the commission train them on their roles during the election. He warned that INEC would not allow substitution of agents on Election Day.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police with other security agencies on Friday, met with chairmen and candidates of various political parties and other stakeholders ahead of the governorship election.

The Deputy-Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Force Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Emmanuel Udoji, said they were in the state to see the level of preparedness for the election.

Accompanying him was the DIG ‘B’ Department, Mr. Philemon Lehe, and AIG Zone 9 Umuahia, Tambari Mohammed. Also present at the meeting were the host AIG, Bala Nasarawa, alongside officials from the SSS, NDLEA, Prisons, NYSC and Civil Defence.

Udoji, who is also the supervising police officer for South East geopolitical zone, said the police was adequately prepared to ensure free, fair and credible election in the state. He urged all the political parties to show some level of maturity before, during and after the election.

He said he was encouraged that the political parties had so far maintained peaceful and orderly campaigns in the state, and urged them to sustain the tempo.

“I want you to further ensure that peace is replicated on the day of election.”

Udoji assured them that the police would do all in its capacity to ensure that the election is free, fair, credible and acceptable.

He urged the political parties and their candidates to counsel their followers to ensure that the exercise was done according to the rules. “Talk to your followers; it is not a do or die affair. The losers will live to fight another year.”

Commissioner of Police, Anambra Command, Mr. Bala Nasarawa, said the interactive session became imperative because of the importance the police attach to the election. He said the police had had a robust working relationship with the INEC and all security agencies in the state.

Nasarawa said the police was spearheading a synergy among all the security agencies and stakeholders to ensure that the overall conduct of the election was successful.

Governorship candidate of Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Gowin Ezeemo said that his party would abide by the rules.

“The whole thing is in our hands and hearts if we want this state to stand. My party will abide by the rules.”

Also present at the meeting were, Chief Willie Obiano of APGA, Sen. Chris Ngige of APC and Aaron Igweze of Alliance for Democracy.[/b]

musiwa112: jk

https://www.ngrguardiannews.com/images/November_2013/Buhari11.jpgFlag Missing On Nyako’s Official Car

THE speculated cross-carpeting by the seven discontented governors of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is no longer rumour, as former military Head of State and APC chieftain, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, confirmed Friday that they have agreed to join the party with their supporters.

Buhari, who was received at the Yola International Airport by Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, alongside his APC entourage that included former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, party Interim Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa and other top party members, told reporters at the airport that their tour of the G-7 governors’ states has yielded positive result, as the governors had given positive responses to the invitation to join the APC.

Insisting that “we now have the G-7 governors in our fold, our tour is yielding positive result for the party,” Buhari, who claimed that APC was formed to salvage the country from PDP bondage, urged Nigerians not to rest in their fight against injustice and impunity meted against them by the PDP government.

He commended Nyako and his rebel group for their alleged fight for injustice, noting that their fight was for the good of the people of Nigeria and in defence of democracy.

Nyako, while welcoming his guests to the state, however, said he was still in PDP but would always identify with like minds for the progress of the country.

He explained: “What we are doing today is not politics but showing concern for our future. The fact that Buhari is here physically with other bigwigs portends hope, that leaders from various divides are meeting here gives Nigeria the hope that we are uniting for the good of the country.”

Nevertheless, he stated: “The PDP is very, very sick. If APC means making Nigeria a key player in Africa or saving Nigeria, securing Nigeria, I don’t mind being in any political party.

“The PDP is on the verge of death because the leaders in Abuja have given the party a terrifying uppercut. If the party is dead, nobody should expect me to follow a dead party into the grave.”

Meanwhile, Nyako had arrived the airport earlier without the PDP flag on his official car, but only the Nigeria flag flying by the passenger side. He eventually left the airport in a white 32-seater Toyota coaster with his guests to Government House, where they had a closed-door meeting.

The APC Interim National Vice Chairman, North-East Zone, Alhaji Umar Duhu noted that the tour was at the instance of the APC to “woo prospective members into its fold,” stressing that the presence of the G7 governors in their fold would strengthen the party and send PDP to its early grave with a bitter political lesson.

He added: “We are so glad with the coming of aggrieved PDP governors into our fold because it will boost the chances of our party in 2015 and facilitate the final burial of the PDP by sending the party to its early grave and teaching them a bitter political lesson.

“We are not expecting only seven but 11 of them. With this development, the opposition will now have 22 governors and probably take over the leadership of the National Assembly, so you can see even before the battle the 2015 election is already won.”

i_laugh: Na your parents be fool.