Buhari is inflicting serious hardship on Nigerians - PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told President Muhammadu Buhari that his policies and apparent lack of viable economic initiatives are currently inflicting hardship on Nigerians.

PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Tuesday said it is disheartening that the Buhari administration had remained insensitive and unresponsive to the groaning of Nigerians occasioned by the apparent lack of competent hands in the management of the economy.



“Rather than evolving economic initiatives to improve the lot of the citizens, this administration has in the last seven months churned out policies that stifle productivity in the formal and informal sectors, thereby inflicting hardship on them. This has resulted in the semi-destruction of the long-standing extended family system in our society.

“It is a statement of fact that under President Buhari’s watch, the nation has witnessed the gloomiest festive season. Under this government, Nigerians have had the worst Sallah celebration and by all indications, this Christmas season is going to be the bleakest ever.

“More worrisome is the fact that there is no indication that the government has any plan for ameliorating the hardship of the people. Instead, the situation may get worse as this administration, in its lack of economic initiatives, is now rolling up its sleeves to introduce some stringent tax policies, in addition to completely removing the social palliatives Nigerians benefit from,” it said.

On the issue of the persisting fuel queues across the country, the PDP demanded that the government come clean, asking: “Is it market driven or a product of government conspiracy? Our take is that if indeed it is true that the government has a hand in this fuel crisis, then they should have a rethink and show pity on innocent Nigerians.

“We, therefore, align with the people in declaring that this administration is unprepared for governance. President Buhari and his party came to power on propaganda, deceit and falsehood and the government has now shown lack of initiatives and the required competence to successfully move the nation forward,” it stated.

The party said it was saddening that a government that came to power on a mantra of change now sought to chain the ways and means of the very people that they deceived into voting for them.

“We advice the government to note that any attempt to increase taxes and duties will overstretch the lean income of ordinary Nigerians and gradually inflict intolerable poverty in the land,” it added.

INEC declares Bayelsa election inconclusive

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has cancelled the election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in the Saturday’s Bayelsa State governorship election and consequently declared the election inconclusive.


INEC said the decision was taken because of violence, the abduction of electoral officials and ballot box snatching.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, said going by the reports of substantial violence and irregularities received from officials and observers, “the commission has decided in the interest of the process’ integrity to cancel the governorship election in Southern Ijaw Local Government.”

He said a new date would be announced for the election in the local government, which has 120,827 registered voters and is the largest in the state.

The mainly-riverine Southern Ijaw is the biggest council in the state. It has over 120,000 voting strength, which would decide the eventual winner of the election between Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) Seriake Dickson and the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) Chief Timipre Sylva.

The governorship election took place on Saturday in Yenagoa, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Sagbama, Brass, Ekeremor, Ogbia and Nembe Councils. The poll in Southern Ijaw council was rescheduled for Sunday also as a result of violence and killings.

In the collated results from the seven local governments as announced by the Returning Officer, the PDP leads with 33,154 votes. The PDP polled 105,748 votes as against APC’s 72,594 votes.

Prior to the cancellation of the election in Southern Ijaw, some PDP women and youths, who wore black dresses and led by the party’s Bayelsa Women Leader Faith Opuene, protested near the collation centre, expressing displeasure over the poll in Southern Ijaw.

Barely 30 minutes after the protest, despite the police ban on demonstrations, some militants from Southern Ijaw escorted two Hilux vans, one of them with Bayelsa Government House registration number: BYGH145, into the collation centre.

The two vehicles were loaded with uncounted ballot materials, without any security escort or INEC official.

The militants, who were singing war songs, as they alighted from the Hilux vans, claimed that they escaped from Southern Ijaw with the results of three units of Amassoma in the council area, in view of the violence, but the electoral materials were not accepted by the INEC officials at the collation centre.

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of Training and Development, Hashimu Argungu, told the militants to give peace a chance, assuring them that INEC would address their complaints.

The results are: Brass Local Government PDP 21,755 votes, APC 6,516 votes.

Sagbama PDP: 24, 258, APC 5, 382. Yenagoa, PDP 24,258, APC 14, 563

Kolokuma/Opokuma PDP 7,619 votes, APC 6,896.

Ekeremor PDP 14,602, APC 7,918 votes.

For the results announced yesterday: Ogbia PDP 13,051, APC 9,106 and Nembe PDP 10,768 APC 6,974 votes.

From the seven local government areas, PDP polled 105,748 votes. APC had 72,594 votes, with a difference of 33,154 votes.

The police warned against plans by some people to protest in Yenagoa, the state capital.

A statement by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Hashimu Argungu, banned all forms of procession, rally or demonstration.

The statement was circulated at INEC’s collation centre in Yenagoa, where the results of the governorship election in the state were being announced.

It was gathered that the PDP had already mobilised people to protest against the rescheduled election that was held in Southern Ijaw.

Argungu said the police were informed about plans by some “disgruntled elements” to carry out illegal rallies and demonstrations in the state.

The DIG said: “This form of conduct will jeopardise the ongoing electoral process. Therefore, the command warns all intending perpetrators to desist from such acts, as it will deal decisively with any person or group of persons who wish to engage in any conduct that will compromise the existing peaceful atmosphere.

“Members of the public are advised to go about their normal businesses, as security agencies are poised to guarantee the safety of lives and property.”

Earlier, Dickson was live on the state-owned Radio Bayelsa, protesting the electoral process, at the time he was leading with over 28,000 votes.

Dickson asked residents to hit the streets at 2p.m. for a rally to protest what was happening at the collation centre and he vowed to lead the protest.

The Bayelsa governor, who fielded questions from listeners, said: “There will be a rally to resist what is happening now. It is clear to me that security services have become an army of occupation.”

Security was strengthened in the state capital, with four Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) deployed round the state collation centre.

Detachment of anti-bomb squad, riot policemen and soldiers took over some strategic areas in Yenagoa, to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

Jonathan was inexperienced, not incompetent — IBB

Ex-military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, has disagreed with critics of former President Goodluck Jonathan who described him as incompetent saying Jonathan was rather “inexperienced” rather than “incompetent.”

General Babangida who spoke with The Interview magazine in the December 2015 edition which is currently on sale argued that Jonathan who lost his re-election bid in March “is a very pleasant person” and that he believed the former president meant well for the country.

Asked about the perception that Jonathan is a good person but was “incompetent”, Babangida replied: “If you use inexperience, I will buy that.”


The retired general spoke on a wide range of issues, including the botched coup of 1990 and how his late wife, Maryam, woke him up in the middle of the night to alert him about the movement of troops at Dodan Barracks, which was the seat of power then. He denied that his life was saved by Sani Abacha, who was then the chief of army staff, and also denied reports that he hid in a bunker while the coup plotters were looking for him.

“They obviously didn’t have a lot of experience,” Babangida recalled. “It was during the fasting period. We were still in Dodan Barracks then. My wife got up from sleep and said she had noticed very unusual movement of troops from one end to the other. So she woke me up and said I should look through the window.

”I found troops moving from one end to the other. The next thing I heard was shooting going on. We tried to put a small party together. It was about 1.30am. Then the guards, the bodyguards said let’s check out of this place. I was a bit stubborn. I told them I was not leaving. It didn’t occur to me that we had a bunker at Dodan Barracks. We had, but it didn’t occur to me to use it. And so, they came. I said the only thing I would concede to, I would evacuate my family. My wife had her last born, who was just a few months old, with her. So they evacuated them to a safe house.

“So, I remained with a few bodyguards. We decided to get out and move around. We went to a safe house around Surulere. I had a bodyguard, Omuah. We just moved in there. From there, we established communication. I later established communication with Abacha, Raji Rasaki (who was governor of Lagos then) and the other. They had mobilised their troops.”

He maintained that “Abacha didn’t save my life in the Orkar coup. We worked together to crush Orkar’s coup.”

PDP advises members to be vigilant during Bayelsa governorship election

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday in Abuja called on its members in Bayelsa to remain vigilant, focused and fearless throughout the election the State’s governorship election of Dec. 5.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, gave the advice at a news conference in Abuja.


Metuh said the National Working Committee of the PDP had rallied people of Bayelsa and its members to combat anybody or group planning to rig the election.

He advised all, especially INEC officials, both regular and ad hoc, not to allow themselves to be used for manipulation of the poll.

Metuh also called on security operatives not to engage in any attempt to rig the Saturday’s election.

“Our members and supporters in Bayelsa state are not afraid and cannot be intimidated by guns.

“They will come out in their numbers to exercise their franchise and to defend their votes fully.

“We, therefore, caution the military and other security forces to keep to the dictates of their constitutional role of peripheral security in elections.

Metuh, who said that Bayelsa was a core PDP state, added that anything short of the will of the people as evidenced in a transparent process would be vehemently
resisted.

“The PDP insists that for a guaranteed free and fair election, all votes must count; they must be collated and announced at individual polling units and all security agencies and electoral officers must play by the role.

“Expecting INEC to conduct a free, fair and credible election is not an impossibility considering the record of the PDP in ensuring credible polls in eight elections in the last five years.’’ .

Sokoto Must Look Beyond Oil To Survive – Tambuwal

Sokoto State governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has said that Sokoto as a state must diversify its revenue sources in order to achieve its dreams.

The governor stated this while speaking at a two-day retreat organised for political office holders and senior government officials from the state in Kaduna yesterday, stressing that even though various states now face financial challenges, looking inwards and away from federal allocation will secure the future of the states.

He said that as societies evolve, governments must equally think outside the box to initiate new ways to deliver quality services to their citizens.



He said: “Public service today faces varied challenges which we may not have been taught while we were in school. With the advent of social media and citizen awareness, it has become imperative for us to run the affairs of government in the most transparent manner.

“So, we envisage that deliberations and brainstorming sessions at this retreat will have far-reaching impact in evolving policies and programmes that will guide us to address the yearnings and aspirations of the electorate who gave us their mandate with the hope that we will ensure good governance.”

Governor Tambuwal urged the participants to reduce rancour and promote cooperation for the smooth running of government.

He said friction among functionaries of government, irrespective of whatever arm or tier they belong to, is only possible if they resort to personal or selfish indulgence as against genuine commitment to public interests.

“Roles and functions have been clearly streamlined and procedures sufficiently articulated and delineated. I strongly believe that ambiguities are only created if, and only if, public need is sacrificed on the altar of vested interest,” he added.

Governor Obiano's reaction to Onitsha pro-Biafran protests

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has finally reacted to the outcome of Wednesday’s protest by pro-Biafra groups, the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in Onitsha, the commercial city of the state, which reportedly led to the death of 9 civilians, two police sergeants and eight others injured.

The clash between protesters and security operatives on the Onitsha Head Bridge, also reportedly led to the burning down of the Onitsha Central Mosque and at least six Dangote trucks.


Bothered by this, Governor Obiano today, appealed to the various groups of agitators protesting for the release of the founder of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, to maintain the peace in the state.

Obiano in a special address, said that he wouldn’t stand by and watch what had looked like a peaceful procession get out of hand.

“As your Governor and the Chief Security Officer of the state, I am compelled to act to avert any likely breakdown of law and order. In all situations, the preservation of human life comes first and I am determined to enforce that,” Governor Obiano declared.

He advised the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and other aggrieved groups and individuals to “resist any attempt by hoodlums to take advantage of the situation and destabilize any part of Anambra State.”

The governor further warned all mischief makers who might want to take advantage of the peaceful demonstration to foment trouble to “keep off as we will not tolerate any breach of peace under any guise or pretence.”

He assured residents and visitors to the state that he was in touch with all the security agencies in the state and had their assurances that mischief makers would not be allowed to take advantage of the situation.

“I therefore wish to assure Ndi Anambra and all visitors to the state to go about their normal business peacefully as the security agencies are on top of the situation to preserve law and order,” he said.

Why I collected N2.1 bn from ex-NSA Dasuki – AIT boss, Raymond Dokpesi

Raymond Dokpesi, founder of Daar Communication, owners of Ray Power radio network and Africa Independent Television, has said the money he received from the office of the National Security Adviser during the administration of Goodluck Jonathan was payment for media and political campaign for the 2015 general election.

Mr. Dokpesi was questioned by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission on Tuesday over the N2.1 billion he allegedly received from the office of the NSA.



The Nigerian government has made high profile arrests in connection with alleged diversion of billions of naira meant for procurement of arms for the fight against Boko Haram.

A former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, is among those arrested.

Mr. Dokpesi’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, had earlier told newsmen his client had written to the EFCC informing the anti-graft body it never did business with the NSA’s office.

“What I know is that the EFCC wrote to Daar Holdings asking for a list of directors and whether it has done any business or contract with the office of the NSA in the past and how much was involved,” the lawyer said in a telephone interview.

“We wrote them a reply to say Daar did not do any contract with the office of the NSA and we are ready to give them all the information they need,” he said.

But according to the News magazine, Mr. Dokpesi, in statement released by his company on Wednesday, explained he was invited by the chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, to “shed more light on some payments that were made to him through the office of the erstwhile National Security Adviser to the former President, Malam Sambo Dasuki”.

“Dokpesi explained to the EFCC officials that the N2.1 billion that he collected from the former NSA was payment for publicity and media political campaigns during the 2015 General Elections,” the paper quoted the statement as saying.

Mr. Dokpesi “made his statement on the various media exposures and campaign transactions which were dutifully carried out based essentially on contractual obligations/relationship”, the statement added.

The statement was however silent on why Mr. Dokpesi received payment for a political media campaign, which ordinarily should have been the prerogative of the Peoples Democratic Party (Mr Jonathan’s party), from the office of the NSA.

Following an interim report released by a presidential committee investigating arms procurement in the last administration, which revealed extra-judicial spending of up to N643.8 billion and a further $2.2 billion, the EFCC set up a special panel to probe how the monies were spent.

The investigation is still on-going and more senior officials in the last administration are expected to be quizzed on the disbursement and spending of the monies.

EFCC secures order to keep Dokpesi

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission failed to free the Chairman of Daar Communications Pls, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, after meeting his bail conditions.

One of the conditions was for the media mogul to surrender his travel documents to the EFCC and produce two directors in the Federal Civil Service as sureties, a condition he met earlier today, according to his lawyers.


His lawyer, Mr. Mike Ozekhome, said they were shocked to be told that the agency had secure a holding warrant from a magistrate court to keep his client in detention after perfecting his bail conditions.

“We got the two sureties today and we were ready to meet all the bail conditions before the EFCC told us they were able to get a holding charge warrant from a magistrate.”

The senior advocate of Nigeria said a magistrate judge has no powers to issue a holding charge warrant.
He also said neither Mr. Dokpesi nor himself had been made aware of any charges yet.

“We are yet to know the charges levelled against Chief Dokpesi and he himself has told me that no charges were preferred against him,” he said.

Mr. Dokpesi’s arrest is in connection to the outcome of a presidential investigations committee on arms procurement during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Dokpesi is reported to have told his interrogators that he got the payment for media work but did not elaborate.

PDP's 16 Years In Bayelsa Is A Waste - Buhari

President Buhari has described the 16 years administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa as a total waste.

Leadership reports that President Buhari yesterday, December 1, advised the people of Bayelsa that the only person that take away the sorrow of the people away is the All Progressive Congress (APC) guber flag bearer, Chief Timipre Sylva.
Ably represented by his vice, Yemi Osinbajo, Buhari said there is need for the state to take back its place as the pride of all states in Nigeria. According to him, all they need do is to vote APC in the forthcoming election. Aside from Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, Aminu Tambuwa, Dakuku Peterside and the former national chairman of the APC, Chief Bola Akande were also at the event.

Explaining the benefits that come with voting in the APC flag bearer, Osinbajo said the state will be in a better shape if Sylva wins the governorship election.  The national leader of APC, Tinubu, corroborated what the vice president said by saying ‘the strength of the crowd has frightened the PDP. He however assured the crowd that victory is sure, only if come out en masse to vote. ‘They are already afraid. How do you demonstrate that you want change ? Sylva has bounced back and only you can make him win,’ Tinubu said.
According to him, Bayelsa can experience greatness again when Sylva returns to government house which will bring the change at the centre to the state in order to engender development of infrastructure. Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, in his solidarity speech also said it was time for the people of the state to join the change train saying the state has nothing to show after 16 years of PDP leadership.
Ahead of December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of plans to arrest some of its members with strong and influential electoral support base.

Call reckless Gov. Oshiomole to order - Okonjo-Iweala tells Buhari

 

 

Former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has called on the Buhari-led government to caution Edo state governor Adams Oshiomole over his remarks about her person. Okonjo-Iweala said this while reacting to Oshiomole's interview with Leadership newspapers published today where he said the former Minister ought to be prosecuted in connection with the $2.1 billion arms deal probe. Okonjo-Iweala's reaction which is contained in a statement signed by her media aide, Paul Nwabuiwku after the cut..

Former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has requested the Federal Government to call Edo State Governor, Mr Adams Oshiomhole to order over the Governor’s recent efforts to link her name to the alleged $2.1 billion arms issue.

The Minister stressed that she has absolutely nothing to do with the issue.

She stated that it is an abuse of public office, the judicial process and her human rights for Governor Oshiomhole whom she stopped from taking a highly suspicious N15 billion loan to make false allegations against her while hiding behind the constitutional immunity granted state governors.

As recently confirmed by the Debt Management Office, professional analysis showed that Oshiomhole’s loan request which was based on using low interest World Bank loan to offset high interest commercial loans would have left Edo state with a heavy debt burden and the the state would have found it very difficult to pay back.

She said that it is unconscionable for the Governor to embark on a campaign of lies against her because she thwarted his dubious loan request.

She described the Governor’s unsubstantiated allegations as a cynical personalization of the anti-corruption campaign to achieve ignoble objectives.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala therefore put Oshiomhole and his ilk on notice that she has briefed her lawyers and that she is ready to explore all legal means, local and international, to defend her name against corrupt and compromised persons.

It has become a pattern of behavior that each time Dr. Ngozi OKonjo-Iweala is internationally recognized, Governor Oshiomole and his cohorts embark on a cynical and devious ploy of trying to pull her down locally. Just last night, December 1st, Dr Okonjo-Iweala was honored at a high profile event attended by Vice President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton. Dr Okonjo Iweala was honored alongside Michael Bloomberg, Bill and Melinda Gates and Mo Ibrahim for their contributions to global development and humanity.

Gov Oshiomole and his cohorts should realize that their ill-motivated attempts to taint Dr Okonjo Iweala's reputation will never succeed!
Paul Nwabuikwu
Media Adviser to Dr. Okonjo-Iweala

Okonjo-Iweala ought to face criminal prosecution - Oshiomole

Former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has called on the Buhari-led government to caution Edo state governor Adams Oshiomole over his remarks about her person. Okonjo-Iweala said this while reacting to Oshiomole's interview with Leadership newspapers published today where he said the former Minister ought to be prosecuted in connection with the $2.1 billion arms deal probe. Okonjo-Iweala's reaction which is contained in a statement signed by her media aide, Paul Nwabuiwku after the cut..

Former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has requested the Federal Government to call Edo State Governor, Mr Adams Oshiomhole to order over the Governor’s recent efforts to link her name to the alleged $2.1 billion arms issue.

The Minister stressed that she has absolutely nothing to do with the issue.

She stated that it is an abuse of public office, the judicial process and her human rights for Governor Oshiomhole whom she stopped from taking a highly suspicious N15 billion loan to make false allegations against her while hiding behind the constitutional immunity granted state governors.

As recently confirmed by the Debt Management Office, professional analysis showed that Oshiomhole’s loan request which was based on using low interest World Bank loan to offset high interest commercial loans would have left Edo state with a heavy debt burden and the the state would have found it very difficult to pay back.

She said that it is unconscionable for the Governor to embark on a campaign of lies against her because she thwarted his dubious loan request.

She described the Governor’s unsubstantiated allegations as a cynical personalization of the anti-corruption campaign to achieve ignoble objectives.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala therefore put Oshiomhole and his ilk on notice that she has briefed her lawyers and that she is ready to explore all legal means, local and international, to defend her name against corrupt and compromised persons.

It has become a pattern of behavior that each time Dr. Ngozi OKonjo-Iweala is internationally recognized, Governor Oshiomole and his cohorts embark on a cynical and devious ploy of trying to pull her down locally. Just last night, December 1st, Dr Okonjo-Iweala was honored at a high profile event attended by Vice President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton. Dr Okonjo Iweala was honored alongside Michael Bloomberg, Bill and Melinda Gates and Mo Ibrahim for their contributions to global development and humanity.

Gov Oshiomole and his cohorts should realize that their ill-motivated attempts to taint Dr Okonjo Iweala's reputation will never succeed!
Paul Nwabuikwu
Media Adviser to Dr. Okonjo-Iweala

Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomole says former Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala ought to be made to face criminal prosecution in the ongoing $2.1 billion arms deal probe. In an exclusive interview with Leadership newspaper, Oshiomole said Dasuki in his defense stated that Former President Jonathan approved the release of the money for the purchase of the arms, a claim that has since been denied by Jonathan.

Oshiomole said it was criminal of Jonathan and Okonjo-Iweala to spend money that wasn't approved by the National Assembly ...

“The issue is whether the Nigerian President under the constitution has the power to approve funds belonging to local, state and federal government- funds that have not been appropriated by the National Assembly. That is a criminal offense for which Okonjo-Iweala ought to face criminal prosecution. These things are just discussed and wished away. For me, I will stick for the truth and don’t care what people will say. Talking about revelation, look at the letter credited to Dasuki – the immediate past National Security Adviser. In his defence which I read in your paper, he seems to admit that money was spent but it was approved by the President. Does the Nigerian constitution empower the President to spend money which has not been appropriated by the National Assembly? And they took cash from the CBN. The Money Laundering Act says if you take cash in excess of N5 million transaction, it is money laundering and it is criminal. So, by Dasuki’s letter, he has also confirmed that Okonjo-Iweala is a privy to spending money never appropriated and therefore criminal, and that cash were being moved contrary to the money laundering act. Just using Dasuki’s own defence, you can see a case of conspiracy has been established between Dasuki, Okonjo-Iweala and all those involved in that transaction,” Oshiomhole said

Politics mixed with corruption will take us nowhere- Shehu Sani tells Buhari

Senator Shehu Sani (APC) representing Kaduna Central in the senate has told the Buhari led government to remove politics from its anti-corruption war. Sani said this while speaking at the 8th Forum of the laureates of Nigerian National Order of Merit in Abuja yesterday December 1st

“Corruption has consequences as seen in the arrest of those in charge of security in the last administration. Insurgency is for some industry, business enterprise and means of making money.
Even Governors would say they allocate hundreds of millions to security but when you go there you won’t find anything. They say because of allocation to security they can build schools. So it is for all of us to see why we have not won the war against insurgency and why people are killed because of corruption. Politics mixed with corruption will take us nowhere. It is only in Nigeria that one says because somebody has contributed to the success of the ruling party, corruption charges should be withdrawn against him. But if he falls out of favour tomorrow, then, EFCC will bring up the remaining charges. If Saraki is tried for falsely declaring his assets since 2003, CCB should do same to all others who served in that era. Many issues that have to do with laws are stained by politics and they lose their credibility"he said

Court of Appeal upholds Dino Melaye's election

 

 

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja this morning upheld the election of Dino Melaye as the Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial district in the senate. PDP candidate in the April election, Smart Adeyemi had challenged the victory of Melaye at the polls. The court in its ruling, struck out Adeyemi's suit, saying it lacked merit.

7 APC Members Remanded In Custody For Killing Union Boss

         

There was high drama at a Lagos magistrate’s court after seven members of the All Progressives Congress were remanded in custody for alleged involvement in the killing of a leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, 47-year-old Azeez Ottun, aka Ashake.

The police said that Rilwan Saka (19) and Obabiolorunkosi Nureni (age unknown) were also shot dead during a fracas involving members of the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party.
Family members of the accused wept after Chief Magistrate Mrs A.F.O. Botoku ruled that the accused would be remanded in custody until the police investigation is concluded.
The seven men ─ Ahmadu Kazeem (43), Ibrahim Afolabi (37), Lawal Lateef (27), Anthony Qudus (33), Adeshina Ibrahim (28), Adebayo Ogunjimi (25) and Animashan Olubodun (33) ─ have been remanded on four counts of murder.
The police legal team, led by Cyril Ejiofor and Daniel Ighodalo, said the accused men killed the three victims on September 20, 2014 on Enu-owa Street in Lagos.
The police said the accused were found with weapons in their possession.
The prosecution team, citing section 264 of the administration of criminal justice law of Lagos state, 2011, urged the court to remand the defendants in custody pending the conclusion of investigations and legal advice from the directorate of public prosecutions.
However, the defence team, led by Spurgeon Ataene, opposed the remand application.
Ataene urged the court to conduct a preliminary investigation and ascertain the credibility of the remand request.
“The police have brought before this court the offence of murder, which is a serious offence before the law. We urge the court to use its power, as conferred under section 264 (9) of the ACJLL, 2011, to conduct a preliminary enquiry to ascertain if there is a probable cause for remand,” he said.
“This is a matter that has been widely reported in the dailies and five people have already confessed to this crime. None of the people before your honour is among them. The police said they were arrested with exhibits, but I ask, what are these exhibits?” he said.
Ejiofor replied that the defence had already deviated from the remand proceeding.
The chief magistrate ruled that the defendants would be remanded in custody and subsequently adjourned the case until January 11, 2016.

Oshiomhole Vows To Lead Protest Against Other Governors

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state has assured the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) that he will personally lead the protest against any governor that fails to pay the agreed minimum wage.
Speaking on Tuesday at the 6th quadrennial national delegates conference of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) in Abuja, he said there was no justification for any governor not to pay the minimum wage, Vanguard reports.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole

Oshiomhole said: “I have told my fellow governors that when the going gets tough, everybody will answer his father’s name. I am not and I will not support any government, any governor, federal or state that misunderstood the problem to focus on the weakest link.
“Be assured that you can count on me. If you want to organize protest, I will join. I will not only join to protest against refusal to pay minimum wage, but to press for the idea of minimum wage to be sustained.”
Speaking on the alleged N2 billion recovered loot from former military head of state, Gen. Sani Abacha said to have been used in the purchase of arms, the governor said the federal government must prosecute all ex-officials that were involved.
He also justified the refusal of the federal government to allow ex-national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, to travel out of the country on health ground, saying there were competent medical doctors in the country to attend to anyone that has health challenges.
“Just last week, the big man was accused of spending about 2billion dollars, even at a time some governors are saying they can’t pay minimum wage. If you divide 2billion dollars by N200 to the dollar and share to all Nigerian workers, you don’t need wages for the next one year,” he said.
On his part, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the factional president of the NLC said that both the NLC and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), were currently working on a new wage demand, which would soon be presented to the federal government.

He explained that the current purchasing power of the Naira was making the N18,000 minimum wage unsustainable.
Recall that governors under the umbrella of Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) had on November 19, said they can no longer pay the N18,000 minimum wage to workers due to the poor state of the economy.
The governors  announced this after their meeting which held at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
In reaction, Senator Ben Bruce representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District described the move as unjustifaible and advised the governors against it.

'Stop playing politics with the dead' - Rivers PDP to APC

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State has appealed to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state not to play politics with the dead.

Chairman of the state PDP, Mr Felix Obuah, who spoke to newsmen, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, said it was unfortunate that the APC has started playing politics with those who died in the state.

Stressing that the PDP had no hand in the death of anyone in the state, Obuah appealed to politicians to respect the dead.


He recalled that the PDP recorded a landslide victory in the last election because it campaigned round the state.

Obuah dismissed as laughable, calls by some speakers at the APC rally on Monday for the declaration of a state of emergency in the state, saying that noting should warrant such from anybody.

He assured that the PDP government will continue to take steps to promote good governance in the state.

According to Obuah, the party had sealed arrangement to celebrate peace in the state.

“We want to say that the PDP will not condescend so low as to play politics with the lives of Rivers people by celebrating falsehood and deceit. We shall strive to defend democracy, good governance and the sanctity of lives, no matter the situation,” he said.

Obuah also called on the governorship candidate of the APC, Mr Dakuku Peterside, to shun desperation and be orderly.

“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Assembly and the law enforcement agents to call Dakuku, his Abuja based sponsor and the Rivers APC to order,” he said.

Buhari is seeking vengeance with his corruption fight – Fayose

 

 

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, has described Tuesday’s arrest of the immediate-past National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) by men of the Department of State Services (DSS), as continuation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime of vengeance, saying “disobeying court order and later arresting and detaining the same person the court ordered to be allowed to travel abroad for medicare is the peak of dictatorship.”

Governor Fayose, who reiterated his support for the fight against corruption, maintained that it must be done within the ambit of the law and must not be used to seek vengeance.

He declared support for Dasuki’s demand for an open trial as against the federal government’s demand for a secret trial.



In a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti, today, by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said “after flagrantly disobeying court orders, whatever that is done or said by the Buhari-led government concerning Sambo Dasuki will appear vindictive and it remains to be seen how a government that refused to obey the court will now charge Dasuki to the same court.”

He called for caution on the information being giving by the federal government to the public on its anti-corruption, saying trying people in the media as being done by the federal government was dangerous to democracy and rule of law.

The governor said; “Again, is it the duty of the DSS to investigate fraud? If Dasuki committed fraud as being alleged, why not let the appropriate government agency handle his matter? Why first torturing him emotionally with the DSS siege on his house?

“My position is that, since the federal government said report of its panel indicted Dasuki, why arresting and detaining him? Why not charge him to court so that he can also accept guilt or defend himself?”

Buhari will soon show Nigerians the change you voted for - Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has assured Nigerians of better times ahead, saying they will soon get the change they voted for.

”This Government will not give excuses. The painstaking and methodical approach by the Buhari Administration, its deep analysis and understanding of the challenges and the recent inauguration of the cabinet will herald a new dawn,” the Minister said at a meeting with representatives of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Abuja on Tuesday.


He said that in the next few days, the Administration ”will start firing from all cylinders, starting with the unveiling of the 2016 budget”.

”Nigerians will witness measurable and impactful progress in all spheres of governance. We shall not abandon our social intervention policies such as one meal a day for school children and the payment of 5,000 Naira each to vulnerable Nigerians. We are committed to lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

On how the Administration will fund its programmes, in view of the drastic fall in the price of crude oil, the Minister said it would be through the diversification of the economy, plugging of leakages as well as exploiting and widening the country’s tax base without necessarily raising taxes.

”A comparative analysis between Nigeria and South Africa will drive the point home. In 2013, with a population of 160 million and GDP of $510 billion, Nigeria collected $30 billion in taxes, whereas South Africa, with a population of 54 million and GDP of $366 billion, collected $74 billion in taxes.

”In 2014, Nigeria, with a population of 170 million and GDP of $535 billion, collected $26 billion, while South Africa, with a GDP of $350 billion and population of 54 million, raked in $70 billion. From the figures, it is obvious that if only we can widen our tax base, we do not need to raise taxes to increase our tax revenue,” he said

The Minister commended the CSOs for the role they played during the last general elections, saying the organizations, especially those grouped under the Situation Room, contributed hugely to the success of the polls.

He said the Buhari Administration will carry the Civil Society along in its efforts to change, for the better, the country’s fortunes.

”That is why we have started our engagement with you this early. Therefore, this will be the first in a series of engagements with the Civil Society. We see you as credible, and we see you as patriots, who are genuinely interested in the welfare of the people,” the Minister said.

In his speech on behalf of The Situation Room, Mr. Clement Nwankwo urged the Federal Government to tackle growing national issues with the urgency that it deserves.

”Expectations are very high amongst Nigerians for the changes promised by General Buhari during the campaigns. The need to deliver on campaign promises is against the background of the complete lack of public trust in government and its institutions,” he said.

Mr. Nwankwo listed ”urgent symbolic steps and quick wins” to be urgently implemented by the government as including transparency and openness of loot recovered from officials of the immediate past regime, openness of the national budget, sale of some of the presidential jets, zero tolerance for impunity and the probe of the FCDA land swap.

REVEALED: Why EFCC arrested AIT boss, Dokpesi, ex-Governor Bafarawa

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday arrested the founder of Africa Independent Television (AIT), Raymond Dokpesi, and former Sokoto state Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, in connection with the ongoing investigation into arms procurement by the office of the National Security Adviser during the Goodluck Jonathan administration

It was learnt the two men were arrested at their Abuja homes by two separate teams of detectives and then taken to the commission’s headquarters where they are currently being interrogated.



The spokesperson for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, who confirmed the arrest of the two politicians declined to give further details.



“All I can say is that some arrests were made including the two names you mentioned,” Mr. Uwujaren said. “But investigations are still on and there is nothing more to tell you at this point.”

However, a source at the commission told newsmen that Mr. Dokpesi was arrested after investigators established that he received some money from the office of the then NSA, Sambo Dasuki, “without any clear reason”.

“Chief Dokpesi received N2.1 Billion from the NSA’s office but investigators cannot see any clear reason for the payment,” he said.

The source said investigators were “suspicious that the money was passed to him as payment for the damaging documentaries and campaigns his station ran on Buhari, Tinubu and Amaechi.

“They believe the funds were budgeted for arms procurement but was diverted to Mr. Dokpesi.”
On his part, the former Sokoto governor, Mr. Bafarawa, whose son, Sagir, was earlier arrested by the anti-graft agency, was picked up after investigation showed that he also allegedly received about N4.6 billion from the office of the NSA with no clear reason for payment.

Investigators said they suspect Sagir acted as front for his father.

Meanwhile, operatives of the State Security Service are currently interrogating Mr. Dasuki who was also arrested early Tuesday in connection with the arms procurement investigation.

Mr. Dasuki’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, confirmed the arrest to journalists, saying he was working to get further details.

He said he was aware that the EFCC had applied to Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja, asking for cancellation of the bail granted to Mr. Dasuki weeks ago.

“To my knowledge, that application is still pending before the court,” Mr. Daudu said.

A presidential investigations committee into arms procurement under the Goodluck Jonathan administration had said in its interim report that it found extra-budgetary spending by the Jonathan administration to the tune of N643.8 billion and an additional $2.2 billion in the foreign currency component.

"Count me out of arms deal" - says Bukola Saraki

Read the press statement below...

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has dissociated himself from the N60bn arms deal involving the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd). Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, stated that contrary to report published in an online medium, Sahara Reporters, he has never had anything to do with purchase of security equipment because in his entire political career he never served in any committee or body which has any link with Defence or national security.

"As a member of the Seventh Senate, Dr. Saraki was not a member of any of the committees which have oversight function on the Ministry of Defence or the intelligence and national security apparatus. If he was tagged the leader of the opposition to the Jonathan administration, how then will he be privy to Arms purchases and have the influence to blackmail any government agency or institution over the release of funds.

"The Senate President would like to alert members of the public to this new plot by this particular online medium, SaharaReporters to tarnish his reputation as the medium and its sponsors pursue the singular objective of removing him from the office of the Senate President, an objective they have since failed to achieve within and outside the National Assembly" This time around, SaharaReporters and its sponsors chose to drag the Senate President to this reigning and current issue of arms purchase by insinuating that he once blackmailed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to give him and other Senators the sum of N250 million as a way of covering up the arbitrary withdrawal by the NSA from the security fund approved by the former President. First, there is no logic in SaharaReporters’ claim as Dr. Saraki who was persecuted by the last administration could not have had the influence and good standing to walk up to the Central Bank to demand for any money having exposed many atrocities of the past administration.

Again, on what ground would the Senate President blackmail anyone for 250 Million naira? It must be emphasized here that Dr. Saraki will never engage in any sharp practice or issue which will warrant him to blackmail any individual or government institution. "Therefore for record purposes, Dr. Saraki did not collect any money from any official of the CBN in respect of any arms deal. The Senate President also challenge SaharaReporters or any official of the apex bank, Senator, serving or past, who witnessed or participated in any sharing of the alleged money purported to have been received by him, to come out with evidence. "It should be recalled that SaharaReporters believe it can continue to disparage and defame people claiming that it is operating outside the country. The medium cannot operate above the law.

"This same medium had falsely published the data page of a forged passport it purportedly claimed belonged to Saraki. The Home Office in the United Kingdom has since written to confirm that the said passport, does not belong to the Senate President. Also, SaharaReporters once claimed that Saraki bribed some judges using a former Chief Justice of Nigeria as a front. The claim has since been proven to be false. Anybody who knows the reputation of the retired Justice in question knows that he cannot be used to pervert the cause of justice. "

It also claimed that Saraki tried to cover up the case of $20 billion missing NNPC fund and indeed collected “cash and gifts” from former President Goodluck Jonathan through Mr. Gilbert Chagoury when in actual fact the Senate President was the only member of the Senate committee who refused to sign the majority report of the Makarfi committee because he disagreed with the report which he believed did not address the matter. It is strange however that a man who dissociated himself from the probe report because he believed it amounted to a cover up was later accused by the same online medium as supporting attempts to hide the issue of the missing funds. This is not only completely false, but also a fiction concocted by SaharaReporters to defame Dr. Saraki.

"The game being played by SaharaReporters and its sponsors is clear. As they have done in previous cases involving the on-going trial of the Senate President at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, they are targeting the Appeal at the Supreme Court coming up on Thursday, December 3rd 2015. They want to prejudice the Supreme Court as they have done when they blackmailed a judge of the Federal High Court to withdraw from the case and also published false reports, which compelled the Court of Appeal to postpone its judgment at the last minute. "Whatever the motive of SaharaReporters, it is high time we employed the instrument of the law to stop this act of impunity aimed at publishing false reports believing the victims will not go to court or be frustrated by its dubious claims that they are domiciled outside Nigeria. " We urge all Nigerians and other well-meaning individuals across the globe to ignore this absolutely false claim by SaharaReporters.

Like we earlier stated, this false claim shall not go unchallenged. We shall meet in court.

“We have allowed SaharaReporters enough latitude to indulge in their unscrupulous and mischievous method of journalism. However, enough is enough. We have no option than to commence legal action against Sahara Reporters in all relevant jurisdictions, particularly on the issue of fake passport, false claim of bribery and the recent one on blackmail, all aimed at tarnishing the image of the Senate President. “We need to put an end to this concerted mischief of defaming the person and good reputation of Senator Bukola Saraki. We will vigorously defend the integrity of the Senate President. We believe law and global best practices should guide these cyber-warriors. They have abused the docility of the law for too long. Enough is enough.”

Yusuph Olaniyonu Special adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Senate President