₦airaland Forum

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC, Lagos), yesterday, tackled Senate President, Bukola Saraki, over Valentine dressing remark.

Sen. Tinubu kicked during yesterday’s plenary when a mild drama played out over Valentine celebration.

The scene for the drama was set when the Chief Whip of the Senate, Olusola Adeyeye (APC, Osun), observed that the trio of Senators Oluremi Tinubu, Dino Melaye and Monsuratu Sunmonu wore red in line with yesterday’s Valentine celebration.

Adeyeye had at the beginning of the sitting asked Melaye to “tone down” the spirit of Valentine and return to his seat.

Saraki then thanked Adeyeye for the observation and asked Melaye to move for the adoption of Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday.

In moving the motion, Melaye who wore a red jacket, said, “On my behalf and Oluremi Tinubu I move for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings.”

Saraki then asked Tinubu to second the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings.

Seconding it, Tinubu tackled Saraki for asking Melaye to move for the adoption, saying it negated the ranking rule of the senate.

She said: “I should be the one to move for the adoption because I’m senior to your beloved son: this is partiality.”

She also said Saraki was wrong for calling Melaye the best dressed person, saying, “He is not the best dressed. I have roses on my cloth and he has none.”

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/tinubu-tackles-saraki-over-valentine-dressing.html

what is your own contribution?

BlackAdam55:
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The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said evolving “true change’’ in the country as promised by the party is not an easy task.

Tinubu, recently appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the party´s consultation, reconciliation and confidence-building team, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja when he visited National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

In giving Tinubu the assignment, Buhari had explained that it was to improve cohesion within its chapters in the state ahead of 2019 general elections.

The assignment will involve reconciling political office holders at the national and state levels and addressing the crisis in Kano, Kogi and Bauchi chapters especially.

Tinubu said, “we worked hard to get victory; we have never governed before, but we won the confidence of Nigerians to govern.

"We have a plan to really serve the country to change and reform the country, but it is not easy to have those changes implemented like instant coffee.

"We have to grow it; we have to face challenges.

"The challenges faced by the government and the president are enormous; it’s only because people are not paying attention to the various statistics that are available and we have to push that.

"The challenges of reform and re-engineering of the finances of this country, stopping corruption and challenging the status quo to change are there; they don’t go away over night.´´

He however, assured that he would give listening ears to all complaints from the party´s troubled chapters across the country.

He added that his visit to the APC national chairman was for consultation, saying that there was need for the party members to examine themselves.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/tinubu-changing-nigeria-not-easy-task.html

Congratulations

NothingDoMe:
To make you stronger.

Just like life under bubu leadership. Bubu has tried to eliminate Nigerians through hardship but we have prevailed and have become stronger to send him back to Daura.

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed belief that Nigeria’s existence as one united country is a divine arrangement and "nothing should be done to put it asunder."


President Buhari, according to a statement by his spokesman Mr Femi Adesina, said this on Wednesday while felicitating with Christians in the country on the solemn occasion of the commencement of this year’s Lenten season.


Buhari urged Christian brothers and sisters, as they joined their counterparts worldwide in emulating the worthy example of Jesus Christ who fasted at the beginning of his earthly ministry, to pray fervently for Nigerian unity and progress.


President Buhari also enjoined all Nigerians to intensify love, brotherliness and concern for the less privileged members of their communities in order to strengthen the bond of togetherness.


As Christians began the period of increased prayers, piety, sacrifice and selfless services, the president wished them and all Nigerians well.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/nigeria-should-not-break-up-buhari.html

Chai!

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hmmm

RIP

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has given a 24-hour ultimatum to officials of unauthorised government agencies to vacate the seaports or risk being arrested.

The directive is in line with a new order issued to NPA by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

PEBEC directed NPA to ensure strict compliance to the October 26, 2011, presidential directive on agencies permitted to operate in the ports.

The NPA, therefore, reiterated that only eight federal government agencies were allowed to operate and have physical representation at all port locations in the country.

General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications of NPA, Abdullahi Goje, in a statement, said the agencies allowed representation at the ports were: Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Nigerian Customs Service (NCS); Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Nigeria Police; Department of State Security (DSS); Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Port Health and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) should remain at the ports.

The directive stated that other agencies not mentioned in the list should remain outside the ports premises as the Nigerian Customs Service, which is the lead agency for inspection of cargoes, had developed standard operating procedures to facilitate their seamless operation.

“The NPA remains committed to the determination of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to enhance the ease of doing business in the country and the improvement of conditions under which business is carried out in all ports across the country.

“The NPA solicits for the kind support of all agencies and stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime sector towards actualising the noble goal of making Nigeria a destination of choice for all legitimate businesses,” Goje said.

The affected agencies include National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), among others.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/npa-asks-nafdac-son-to-vacate-seaports-in-24hrs.html

ok

In a couple of months, the race for the Ogun State Government House will begin. Aspirants from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and the newly registered Action Democratic Party (ADP), are already warming up to take over from Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

In the APC, no fewer than eight aspirants, drawn from the three zones - Ogun Central, Ogun West and Ogun East have shown interest. They are the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Suraj Ishola Adekunbi; the chief of staff to the governor, Chief Tolu Odebiyi; a Lagos State-based political icon, Sen. Olamilekan Adeola; former governorship candidate of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) and PDP, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka; former House of Reps member, Abiodun Ishaq Akinlade and House of Reps member (Yewa South/Ipokia constituency), Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade.

The large number of aspirants from one zone may not be unconnected to the commitment and desire of the outgoing governor to hand over to a candidate from Ogun West, come 2019.

The zone is yet to produce a governor since 1976 when the state was created, and Amosun is said to be determined to break the jinx.

Political analysts have said that popularity and strength would play a significant role in determining who takes over from the incumbent governor. It is believed that whoever emerges victorious at the ruling party’s governorship primary election would consolidate on Amosun’s political structure and achievements.

For Senator Olamilekan Adeola, a political son of the former governor of Lagos State and leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the disagreement between Tinubu and Governor Amosun’s camps will play a major role. Apart from this, the controversy over his root in Ogun West is still generating dust and may be his albatross.

A party member told our correspondent that Senator Adeola decided to pitch his tent in Ogun State after he was advised to shelve his ambition to govern Lagos.

Adeola is the candidate to beat because, for now, he is the only aspirant from Amosun’s camp who has political clout.

“From Sagamu to Ota, and particularly in Abeokuta, tell me a staunch member from Amosun’s camp, apart from Yayi (as he is commonly called). We are convinced and satisfied with his root. That is no longer an issue,” a top member of his camp said.

Pundits are of the opinion that the senator may seek to actualise his ambition in another party should the odds work against him in the APC. It is believed that his ambition could be actualised through with massive votes from Ogun Central, West and East.

Chief Tolu Odebiyi, the current chief of staff, is another aspirant that may ruffle feathers with heavyweights in the race. Since he came on board as chief of staff in 2014, the son of the late Senator Jonathan Odebiyi, who hails from Iboro in Yewa North Local Government Area of the state, is relatively unknown. However, he has been moving from one zone to another to canvass support. He is among those expectedly favoured by the governor.

For the incumbent speaker of the State House of Assembly, Suraj Adekunbi, the support he is getting from his colleagues is a factor that cannot be wished away. He believes that as speaker for seven years under the administration Governor Amosun, he understands how to effectively run the affairs of the state.

Although he lacks political structure, pundits say he has not been resting on his oars to get those who matter in the state to buy into his ambition to succeed the governor, who is also seen as his political mentor. Should the governor decide to screen all his boys from Yewa zone, the speaker will emerge because he has been loyal and consistent with the policies of the state government.

The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, who hails from Ogun East, is also interested in the governorship position. Late last year, the APC in Ogun East declared their support for him. He is also reported to have the blessing of the paramount ruler Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

“Politics is all about votes. The governorship election should be made open to all. There should be no sentiments. If the people of Ogun–West want to have the governorship slot, they have to fight for it like other zones. The argument that they have not produced the governor of the state should not be accepted because they also fielded candidates during past elections and the candidate with highest votes won,” a member of Ashiru’s camp said.

Observers noted that if he wins the APC ticket, the entire Ijebu votes would be for the APC in the general elections. According to them, votes from Ogun West and Central could be shared, but if Ogun–West could produce a credible and acceptable candidate, Ijebu votes would go for such person.

Also, Gboyega Isiaka has maintained a very solid structure since his adventure into the politics of Ogun State since 2009. The Imeko-born politician was the gubernatorial candidate, both of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) in 2011 and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015. As at today, the platform to flag off his ambition hovers between the PDP and Labour Party, not ruling out the APC.

It is believed that his recent romance with the governor is connected with his ambition.

From the main opposition party, the PDP, comes Ladi Adebutu, a member of the House of Representatives and son of Kensington Adebutu, a billionaire. He has not hidden his ambition to govern the state. As at today, Adebutu has the support of former Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel. The chairman of the House Committee on Rural Development is said not to be controversial. And his financial strength is expected to boost the quest of the PDP to return to power in the state in 2019. But his biggest challenge is the crisis tearing the party apart at the national and state levels.

Outside the ruling party and the PDP, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) is likely to field its 2015 governorship candidate, Rotimi Paseda, a philanthropist who still holds on to his political structure. He has been mobilising supporters across the state.

The Ogun–East-born politician may be using a wrong platform, but observers believe that the old UPN and the Awolowo toga would be his joker to win the hearts of the people.

For the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, his quest to become the governor of Ogun State come 2019 under his new found political party, the Action Democratic Party (ADP), is not hidden. Posters of the former speaker have been spotted across Abeokuta, the state capital. However, it is not clear if the party could make any meaningful impact in the coming elections.

Furthermore, politicians from Ogun–West are determined to work against anything that could scuttle their chances to make history in 2019. To this end, they have vowed to close ranks with other zones when the time comes. The Ogun West Liberation Movement (OWELIM) is mobilising the people to speak with one voice on the choice of who becomes their candidate in 2019. However, the group has no particular aspirant in mind. One of its strategies is to solicit for the support of leaders of thought from other zones ahead of the governorship election.

Recently, they took their case to the Egba Traditional Council of Obas at the palace of the Alake of Egba, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, appealing to them to support an aspirant from Ogun–West to succeed Amosun.

The chairman of the group, Adebayo Sheriff, who led the delegation, assured the traditional rulers that a governorship candidate from the zone would not disappoint the people of Ogun State.

But the challenge facing all the aspirants is that Governor Amosun is desirous of producing a successor on the ticket of the APC. The governor’s body language in recent times has shown that he is unlikely to support an aspirant who would not fit into his plan.

Ogun–West comprises of five local government areas: Yewa South, Yewa North, Imeko-Afon, Ipokia and Ado-Odo/Ota). It shares boundaries with the Republic of Benin in the west, Lagos State in the south, Oyo State in the north and Ogun Central in the east (Egba land). Ethnic groups found in the area are Eyo, Anago, Awori, Ketu, Ifonyin, Ohori, Sabe and Egun.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2019-bankole-odebiyi-adebutu-others-jostle-to-replace-amosun.html

yes!

JusticeSeeker:
In christ, we're one.

Senator Mohammed Adamu Bello is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who represented Kano Central in the Senate during the 6th Assembly under the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). He was at a time the Commissioner for Agriculture and Environment during the Malam Ibrahim Shekarau administration in Kano State. He is now one of the governorship contenders in the state on the platform of the PDP. In this interview in Abuja, he spoke on the crisis in Kano and the prospects of the PDP in the state ahead of 2019.


Your party, the PDP, is relishing the moment in Kano, where the governor is in a conflict with his predecessor, who is also a member of his party. Do you see the crisis giving your party an edge in 2019?

Internal crisis is very dangerous. If you want to achieve something, you must first put your house in order. You must be united. This is a golden opportunity for the PDP to pick up the governorship of Kano State.

Whenever you have this kind of serious crisis, you realise that there’s a party with all the necessary apparatus to take over power. It is not like a brand new political party; rather, it is an old party with capable hands. We have Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, Malam Aminu Wali and others. We can turn this opportunity into victory.

You also have issues in the PDP. How can you convince people that you are presenting a new party?

Whenever you want to see something as “new”, you must first of all put it on a scale. The scale I am talking about is the performance of the government. For instance, there were so many expectations from the new political party that took over (APC). We haven’t seen any change. People are complaining that they are not able to afford one-square meal a day, let alone three. People have been jumping across fences stealing cooked food. This thing has become very serious, and that is a good reason to change government.

In Kano, some of your senior members are moving to other parties. How would you reconcile this?

Towards the year of an election, there will always be alignment and realignment. There are lots of people we expect to come into the PDP.

What do you think would give you advantage over the APC in the forthcoming presidential election?

There is what we call political wind. For instance, Nigerians got tired of former President Goodluck Jonathan and that gave way for the APC. The APC came with something new. The PDP had been in government for about 16 years. Definitely, people expected change from what had been the status quo. There are a lot of people saying that the PDP government was even better than this current one. How much were we buying petrol per litre? How much were we exchanging naira to the dollars? I am a grassroots politician and I have interacted with them. They are all complaining seriously of hunger. Everybody is angered by the performance of the APC and they are asking for a change.

Some people may see this as mere rhetoric. What do you think the PDP would offer to convince people in Kano?

The PDP would have to be committed to stopping hunger in the land. All we get are excuses. We have started producing rice in Nigeria, but the price remains the same with the imported rice. They gave some excuses that people from Niger were coming to buy the rice. The question is: Whose responsibility is it to guard our borders? Whose responsibility is it to make sure that citizens do not suffer? It is the responsibility of the government. People can’t even move around freely because petrol is expensive.

You are painting a very rosy picture of the PDP in Kano. Can the same thing be applied at the national level despite your 16-year rule, which a lot of Nigerians say was responsible for the economic downturn?

The problems I am enumerating in Kano are all over the federation. When there is no food security, there is always a huge problem. If you notice, there is crisis everywhere; there is serious kidnapping all over the place, basic problem of herdsmen conflict, and problems in Zamfara. These things have been there for so many years. What I am saying is that the basic thing required is not even available. If the PDP is able to produce the right candidate, things would definitely be better.

We are also dealing with the issue of “Third Force”, which is gathering momentum. Would you support a presidential candidate from another party, apart from the PDP or APC?

The Third Force is serving as a check; it is not a political party. At the same time, it is saying that the government should go. Basically, whatever the Third Force is going to do will be to the advantage of the PDP.

The Third Force aims at providing an alternative to the APC and PDP, arguing that both parties have failed Nigerians. Are you still comfortable with their arrangement?

You just don’t come up in a day and form a political party, no matter how strong you are. You need to put in a lot of work. Before the APC came to be, they put a lot of work into it. The leader of the Third Force (Obasanjo) said he would no longer be part of it the moment it becomes a political party. So he is not even comfortable with the arrangement. I see that as a pressure group, rather than a political party.

You wish to actualise your governorship ambition on the platform of the PDP. But, apart from other factors we identified, there are very powerful contenders for that position; how do you hope to work your way through?

Politics is never a walk in the park. I have been a party chairman and a senator of the Federal Republic, so I know this very well. What we are trying to do in Kano is to ensure that every aspirant would go to the villages, local governments and the wards to consult people, so that at the end of the day, the people can now decide who becomes the governorship candidate. If anybody tries to interfere with the process, then they are creating a problem for the PDP. If you allow people to choose what they want, you have already solved your problem by about 50 per cent. If you force a candidate on the people, you are creating a serious problem for the party. A major problem in Nigeria is that we don’t practice internal democracy.

Do you have confidence that the process will give you the party’s ticket?

Absolutely, I am a man of the people. I am a grassroots person, so I know this. I am always going to the grassroots, asking if they agree with my ideas. Because of what I have done in the past, I was able to work with them as a party chairman, and even as a senator because I was dealing with 483 wards and 44 local government areas in Kano. I have been consulting people within those local governments.

Assuming you get the ticket, you are likely to confront a sitting governor. Do you think you can beat him?

Absolutely, I will do that without the slightest doubt. I know the kind of support I have; I know my people. Everyone has his own style and I have mine. The people know that I am very concerned and sensitive to their plight. They call me ‘Shugaban Talakawa’ (leader of the masses). They keep complaining about hunger and not being able to move around freely because of the scarcity of fuel and even insecurity. They need someone who will provide security for them, take care of them and be a part of them. They don’t need a governor, they need a leader.

When you list the problems of fuel scarcity and hunger, they are general problems that most Nigerians are complaining about. What are the key weaknesses of the current governor of Kano State?

One of the problems is that there is internal wrangling. They have turned the state into a theatre of war. If they had put their house in order, that would be a different ball game entirely. Ganduje is performing well, but I can do better.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/-kwankwaso-ganduje-fight-good-for-kano-pdp.html

pics...

story, story,

Once upon a time...

True talk

N29? http://dailypost.ng/2018/01/10/will-make-laws-prevent-troubled-herdsmen-coming-ebonyi-umahi/

Chai!

steal in order to look good...bad

Small man with strong heart...


I do not see any poor person(s) there. Abi i no dey see well...but they called it "town hall meeting".

Town hall meeting with his cabinet, press and security men?

Some people are thinking like without them nothing good will not happen...na lie!