₦airaland Forum

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/12/two-bowen-varsity-lecturers-abducted/

Two lecturers of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun state, were on Monday abducted by suspected kidnappers.

The lecturers were reportedly coming from Ilesha when their abductors stopped their vehicles around Idominasi, a town in Obokun local government.

The assailants, it was learnt, shot one of the lecturers and abducted two, while one of the lecturers escaped unhurt.

The Presidency has perfected moves to exploit the imminent release of the only Dachi girl in captivity, Leah Sharibu, to gain desperately needed popularity ahead of the February 16 presidential election.

Information from top security circles available to this newspaper showed Miss Sharibu has already been moved to a secured location waiting for an eventual public handing over.

It is further learnt the ongoing drama over the alleged death of the Christian girl in the face of her imminent freedom are merely ploys to change the narrative of failure about the administration.

“I can tell you the girl may be officially released within a day or two but they want to use her to get some votes from Christians who feel betrayed by the administration,” a top security source told this newspaper.

“The plot is to delay the release of the girl till a few days to the election so that they could get maximum political leverage and perhaps, use that to show to Nigerians they have delivered on their promise.”

With the experience of the abduction of close to 300 girls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State on April 14, 2014, the source said the abduction of 110 Dapchi girls could have been averted.

Barely a week to the all-important presidential poll, the agitation for the release of Miss Sharibu has been rekindled just as the family of the girl made a passionate plea to President Muhammadu Buhari.

But in a move reminiscent of a well-crafted script, a spurious news item suddenly appeared in a strange online platform claiming Miss Leah Sharibu has been killed.

The story titled, “This Sad News Broke My Heart Today – Leah Sharibu is Dead,” which immediately trended on social, quoted a family source to have said they were under pressure to keep mute about the girl’s death until after the presidential election.

BZ Program, the source of the controversial story wrote, “The only Christian girl, Leah Sharibu who remained in the dreaded Boko Haram camp after being abducted early last year is dead.

“A family source who pleaded anonymity confirmed this to BZ PROGRAM today.”

Quoting a family source, it continued, “We knew Leah was already dead but were under pressure to remain mute until after this presidential election, in order to protect the president's image."

But this newspaper learnt that the latest claims and counterclaims about the girl are meant to drive a new narrative before the elections.



https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/11/exclusive-fgs-plot-use-release-leah-sharibu-political-gains-uncovered/

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lawyer turned singer, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz started the new year with the release of a new single titled “Talk” and then went on to drop another album which he titled “Moral Instructions.”

The nine track album is not the usual Nigerian song but an outburst voicing out the bad and ugly things about the Nigerian society. You may call it a revolutionary album and you won’t be wrong. The rapper also deliberately covered some of the legendary Fela Kuti’s songs including; “Follow Follow,” “Amen” and “E No Finish”

From all indications, Falz used the Moral Instructions album as an attempt to take us back to the morals we seem to have lost as individuals and as a nation. He focused on the wanton killings, insecurity, indifference to the abject poverty of our neighbours and total psyche of the country and hypocrisy.

The album also addressed the money-grubbing of pastors and regular people, the immorality in transactional sex, and the selfishness of politicians.

The album is intentional and does not have the kind of songs you “Shaku Shaku” or “Zanku” to. It’s a thought provoking album aimed to re-educate and re-orientate Nigerians on some of the negative things that are still happening since the legendary Fela talked about them.

The album has got Nigerians on social media comparing the rapper to the late Afro beat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti due to the way he addressed key socio-economic problems confronting the country in the album.

It may seem as though everyone has been on a lookout for the next ‘Fela’, they associate him to some musicians including Wizkid, Burna Boy and Falz. However, Fela was known for his political and artistic seriousness compared to his colleagues at that time.

Can any of the current artistes really fit into Fela’s big shoes?

Falz seem to be the best to at least put his foot in Fela’s shoe after he released his “This is Nigeria” song last year and the now trending Moral Instructions album.

The arguments on social media go back and forth on Falz being the next Fela or not.

Here are some of the reactions on social media on the topic.

–Courage is inner power to make you fight for your very existence & trying, when you know you may lose. COURAGE & DETERMINATION makes a FIGHTER.

Just like Fela is, Falz is as well – @Tzadebayo

FULL GISTS: https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/10/like-fela-like-falz/

The governorship candidate, Justice Must Prevail Party, JMPP, in Ogun, Mr. Blessing Oyefeso, has called on the electorate to make the 2019 polls a historical one by being more dynamic in their choice of candidates.

Oyefeso made the call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun.

Oyefeso, 34, said the nation’s democracy could only be strengthened when leaders consistently emerged outside the duopoly of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

He said going by what Nigerians had experienced so far under the administration of both the APC and PDP across all levels of government over the years, the time was right to give thought to other options.

Oyefeso, in his debut political experience under the JMPP flagship, argued that there existed a vast array of leadership potentials in other parties who for their lack of financial muscle were being overlooked.

He commended the signing into law the not-too-young-to-run bill which had reshaped the political landscape and opened the door for the youth to add their voice to the mix.

He said the surge in the number of young people taking up elective positions across the political strata was a direct result of the bill adding that the action was well for the growth of democracy in the nation.

“The revolution has already begun and the pattern is changing whether immediate or not.
“The electorate are no fools and with the opportunity presented at the upcoming polls, they must begin addressing the anomalies by changing the voting pattern away from the expected norm.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/10/ogun-2019-34-year-old-governorship-candidate-tasks-electorate-voting/

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/09/pdm-faction-adopts-atiku-presidential-candidate/

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), has adopted Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2019 Presidential election, three weeks after another group headed by Senator Abubakar Mahdi adopted President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mahdi led a delegation comprising chairmen and leaders of PDM from the 36 states of the federation and Abuja who conscientiously had resolved on the Jan.1 to support Buhari’s candidature in the forthcoming presidential election.

But in a twist, another group said to be chaired by Chief Dapo Sarumi, a former minister and a Lagos based politician said today the group was backing Atiku. The endorsement communique was released by the Sarumi group at an event at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

The communiqué was signed by Sarumi, who was a former Minister of Information, and six others, Dubem Onyia (South East), Chief Bode Ajewole (South West), Chief Ejiofor Onyia (South South), Dr Bala Tafida (North Central), Alhaji Kabir Bawa (North East) and Fatima Abba (North West).

PDM, which started as Peoples Front, was founded by late former Chief of General Staff (Supreme Headquarters), Gen. Shehu Yar’Adua.

It is registered as a political party by Independent National Electoral Commission, with Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim as chairman and Dr. Joseph Akinwunmi as secretary.

It appears that both Mahdi and Sarumi are operating the movement in a parallel mode, even distinct from the party headed by Ibrahim.

The Sarumi group said it was gratifying to note that one of its founding members emerged a candidate of one of the biggest political parties participating in the forthcoming election.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/09/presidency-atiku-pledges-defend-laws/

Former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar has assured that if elected, his administration would defend all laws enacted by either the state or the federal government in order to avert crisis in the country.

Atiku Abubakar who spoke on Friday at the presidential campaign rally of the PDP in Makurdi said if he emerges victorious at the February 16 presidential election, his administration would be guided by the principles of rule of law.

He also said he would defend all laws enacted by governments be it federal, state or the local government in order to avert crisis and chaos in the Nigeria.

Good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/08/neco-releases-nov-dec-2018-examination-results/

The National Examinations Council, (NECO), has released the result of the 2018 November/December Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for external candidates.

The Acting Registrar, NECO, Mr Abubakar Gana, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

According to Gana, 59,963 candidates registered for the examination and were examined in about 28 subject areas.

He noted that a total of 37,069 candidates representing 62.48 per cent got five credits and above including English and Mathematics, while 47,031 candidates, representing 79.27 per cent got five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics.

While giving further breakdown of the performance of candidates, he said that 57,842 sat for English Language out of which 44,497, representing 76.93 got either distinction or credit.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/08/buhari-visit-lagosians-react-evacuation-tankers-trailers-eko-bridge/

Lagosians woke up on Friday, February 8, to see that surprisingly, the horrible sight of the infamous Tankers and Trailers which usually queued along the length of eko bridge had gone.

The tankers and trailers have been a major concern to the people of Lagos state as they not only cause traffic, but also pose a safety risk to commuters on that axis.

So, for the next two days at least, Lagosians will have a breather from the inconvenience of the articulated vehicles packed on the bridge.

Below are some reactions from Lagosians.

-BREAKING NEWS:

Driving through Eko bridge down to Alaka through to Stadium and there is no sight of trailers, tankers and containers.

Buhari is coming to Lagos all of a sudden there is no tanker on Lagos roads?

So there is actually a solution?

Wow wow wow. - @PureMind__

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/08/just-supreme-court-upholds-high-court-judgement-annulling-rivers-apc-primaries/

The Supreme Court has upheld the judgement of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, which barred the All Progressives Congress from fielding candidates in the general elections in Rivers State.

The court presided over by Justice Kolawole Omotosho had nullified the direct and indirect primary elections allegedly conducted by the factions of the party in the state.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/08/payment-uniform-allowance-personnel-not-inducement-army/

The Nigerian Army, says that payment of uniform allowance to officers and soldiers has no political undertone, insisting it was not a form of inducement to sway its personnel to favour certain interests in the 2019 general elections.

In a statement on Thursday, the Army explains that the payment of the allowance, began in 2016, and was meant as uniform upkeep and maintenance allowance.

The statement read: “This is not true. The payment of uniform allowance started in 2016 to assist troops deployed on Operation Lafiya Dole as uniform upkeep and maintenance.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/08/2019-u-s-ambassador-nigeria-visits-ortom-jime-calls-credible-polls/

The United States of America's, USA, Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington on Thursday visited Benue State where he interfaced with the governorship candidates of the All Progressive Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Emmanuel Jime, and Gov. Samuel Ortom respectively.

At separate meetings with the two major governorship candidates, Symington called for peaceful, free and fair general elections in the state.

He implored all candidates vying for various elective positions to match the peace pact they signed with action to ensure a violent-free general election.

The U.S Ambassador to Nigeria advised the candidates to carry out issue based campaigns rather than hate speeches and to also educate their followers on the need to ensure peace during the elections.

noted that the United States expects the elections to be credible like the 2015 elections which he said gave Nigeria the voice to talk about peaceful elections to the rest of the world.

He also called on the electorates, particularly the youths not to allow themselves to be used by any politician to subvert the peaceful, free and fair conduct of the general elections.

What a decision!!!

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/05/apc-govt-deceitful-vote-vote-atiku-president-titi-abubakar/


Wife of former Vice President and People's Democratic Part's, PDP, presidential candidate, Mrs Titi Atiku Abubakar has lampooned the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, for being deceitful and insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.

She has therefore urged Nigerians to vote out the deceitful government and vote in the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and all the candidates of the party in the forthcoming general elections for good and developmental governance.

Mrs Titi Abubakar stated on Monday, in Makurdi while addressing Benue women at the IBB square, during the PDP Women Presidential Campaign Rally.

Mrs Abubakar who decried the level of insecurity, hunger and unemployment in the country urged Nigerians to be wise and make a better choice by electing her husband, Atiku on the 16th of this month.

"I am so Atikulated and Ortomatically Obidient. I bring you message of hope that Nigeria will get working again when you vote in Atiku Abubakar. The present government is very deceitful. All they have is failed and unmet promises.

"Recently, most of us have become refugees and widows in our land following high level of insecurity. What manner of fight against corruption when you send soldiers out without training and arms," she queried.

She called on all to vote Atiku for president saying "people who feast on Nigeria's resources know that restructuring is good but they don’t want it to take place because they are benefitting from it.

She said there was too much power and resources concentrated at the apex government and that was why development is not reaching down to the masses.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/05/appeal-court-orders-police-reopen-peace-corps-office/

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Monday said the Inspector-General of Police should respect court orders directing the force to reopen the Peace Corps of Nigeria’s office in Abuja, sealed by the police about two years ago.

Justice Stephen Adah said it was in the best interest of Nigerians that the police, as a law enforcement agency, obeyed court orders.

He said this while reacting to an allegation made by counsel for the Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dr Joshua Musa, that the police had not obeyed two orders of the Federal High Court directing them to reopen the corps’ headquarters.

He lamented that the police had continued to violate the orders despite two letters written to them by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

The appellate court adjourned the matter till May 28 for hearing of the appeal by the police and counter-appeal by the corps.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/05/lagos-apc-campaign-rally-three-die-auto-crash/

Three members of Tragedy the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Monday lost their lives in an auto crash in FESTAC Town in the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.

They were part of the campaign team for the Lagos West Senatorial candidate of the party, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, aka Yayi.

The accident, it was gathered was caused by over speeding as the vehicle which the deceased and others rode in raced to catch up with the convoy of the candidate. The accident occurred around the Apple Junction.

According to the Lagos state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, three men had been confirmed dead, while seven others were seriously injured.

He gave names of the deceased as Irikefe Evwibovwe, Shettima Bulus, and Alex.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/05/controversial-ex-bbnaija-star-cee-c-dazzles-in-new-pictures/

Former Big Brother Naija Double Wahala Star, Cynthia Nwadiora, popularly known as Cee-C, has released her latest pictures, looking ever so lovely.

During her stay in the BBNaija house, Cee-C was one of the most controversial housemates especially after falling out of love with her love interest, Tobi Bakre. Contrary to permutations of some viewers of the show, she emerged first runner up.

Cee-C stunned her fans Monday with the release of her latest pictures. The beautiful ensemble is a two-piece wine colour trouser suit.

Using her Twitter handle King Cee-C(@Official_CeeC), she captures her mood in a short message: “Either you support me or I make it happen. Either way, it is going to happen.”

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/05/boko-haram-attacks-adamawa/

Suspected members of the Boko Haram terrorists group attacked a community in Michika local government area of Adamawa state on Monday.

TheCable, an online news platform quoting a source said the insurgents stormed the town at night. Residents fled into the bush and nearby mountains to avoid the wrath of the insurgents.

The terrorists had first struck at Shuwa village in Madaglai local government area of the state around 6:45pm.

When contacted, Othman Abubakar, police public relation officer (PPRO) in the state, told TheCable that he was yet to get details of the attack.

Sani Usman, spokesman of the army, could not be reached for comments.

Nonsense

Nice one

Good

OMG

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/03/elections-pdp-warns-buhari-apc-rigging/

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sunday, warned President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to consider the option of rigging the forthcoming general elections.

Warning against rigging, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement said Nigeria is bigger than Mr. Buhari and the APC.

Drawing from history, the party said no leader has ever succeeded in putting Nigerians in a siege, adding even the importation of mercenaries into the country by the ruling party cannot change that reality

It lamented that the enduring spirit that won and nurtured the country’s democracy is being attacked by Mr. Buhari and the APC.

The party listed unrelenting constitutional breaches, attacks on democratic institutions, violation of human rights, a siege on the electoral system and opening of territorial borders to mercenaries as the sins of the president and his party.

It argued the braches are meant to subdue the people so Mr. Buhari might achieve a self-succession plan, having realised there is no way they can win in a free, fair and peaceful election.

“There is a ferocious attempt to take away our liberty as a people. There is total clampdown, arrest and detention of dissenting voices; invasion of media houses, manhandling and illegal detention of journalists by state forces have become the order of the day; but all these will not break the Nigerian spirit,” Mr. Ologbondiyan said.

“Our nation will never succumb to Buhari Presidency’s assault on our National Assembly, the attack on our judiciary and besieging of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) where President Buhari’s relation is being foisted as the head of the collation centre.

“Nigerians have decided to vote out President Buhari, come February 16, and no amount of intimidation, clampdown and harassment can change that resolve.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/03/ogun-polls-obasanjo-holds-fruitful-meeting-party-chieftains-security-officials/

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday held a closed-door meeting with chieftains of political parties and security agencies ahead of the general elections in Ogun.

The meeting, which was held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, lasted about two hours and was attended by representatives of four political parties in the state.

They are the All Progressive Congress, APC, Allied Peoples Movement, APM, Action Democratic Party, ADM and the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Security agencies including the police, military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Security Service (DSS) were also represented at the meeting.

Mr. Wale Egunleti, the Chairman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), who addressed newsmen at the end of the meeting, described it as “fruitful.’’

He said that the meeting focused on the need to maintain peace before, during and after the forthcoming elections in the state.

“We talked basically about the peace of Ogun and we all agreed that acts of violence and thugery will not be tolerated in the state.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/02/iyc-decries-deployment-troops-niger-delta/

The Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC) Worldwide has expressed concerns over subtle deployment of troops to the Gbaramatu Kingdom by the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Pereotubo Roland Oweilaemi, President, IYC Worldwide, in a statement on Friday said the group chose to keep silent over the development because the military had earlier denied sending troops to the kingdom.

He said: “In spite of the denials, IYC is receiving distress calls from the kingdom with pictorial evidence of how armoured gunboats have been deployed to the area to cause tension.

“We have even seen for ourselves the bizarre movements of troops to the creeks. We don’t know the rationale behind these strange deployments of troops to an area that is peaceful.

“The presence of the Armed Forces in the kingdom has caused tension in the entire Niger Delta. People cannot go about their lawful businesses as the soldiers are harassing and intimidating travellers who plied the waterways.”

Oweilaemi maintained that currently, more than 20 armoured gunboats stationed in the Gbaramatu Kingdom had been carrying out stop and search operations, thereby hindering free movements of people in the Creeks.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/02/elections-onsa-says-theres-no-plan-shut-internet/

The Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, has dismissed media reports that the Federal Government through ONSA has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to work with internet service providers to shut down internet access during the election.

It reiterated that it was non-partisan and committed to ensuring that Nigerians freely exercise their civic rights during the forthcoming general elections also maintaining that it remained committed to protecting the rights of the public to access Information and Communication Technology facilities.

A statement issued by the spokesman of the ONSA, Mr Danjuma Reuben, on Friday, said; “The office wishes to advise the general public to disregard the allegation, which is a disinformation.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/02/kidnappers-edo-apc-house-assembly-candidate-demand-n100m-ransom/

Kidnappers of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Edo State House of Assembly candidate for Owan West constituency, Micheal Ohio-Ezomo are said to be demanding a N100m ransom.

Recall that Ohio-Ezomo was kidnapped on January 23, 2019 at his Eme-Ora residence by gun men who killed his police orderly in the process.

Sources close to the family said the kidnappers who had opened discussion with the family made the demand of a N100m on Friday.

Parading suspected criminals on Friday, Edo Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, confirmed that the kidnappers had opened communication channels but would not give further details.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/01/onnoghen-cct-resumes-trial-feb-4/


Following a request from the Federal Government, the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, in Abuja, has fixed February 4 to resume proceedings in the case against suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Walter Onnoghen.

Recall that Onnoghen is being tried on a six-count charge bordering on false declaration of assets. He was suspended on January 25, by President Muhammad Buhari.

The CCT, in a statement on Thursday, said the Federal Government had applied for continuation of hearing in Onnoghen' s case.
The federal government letter was signed by two legal officers at the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, Musa Ibrahim Usman and Fatima Danjuma Ali.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/01/former-nia-dg-oke-wife-leave-nigeria-trial-commences-today/


Investigations have revealed that a former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Ayodele Oke and his wife, Folashade may have left the country.

According to reports, Oke, who was to be arraigned along with his wife by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today (Friday), left the country last week “for medical reasons”.

Sources in the intelligence community told an online newspaper TheCable that subjecting Oke to open trial might compromise the nation’s security operations.