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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to the collapse of a Catholic church in Delta State.

Emiratco had reported that St. Paul’s Catholic church, Ugolo, Adagbrasa in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State on Sunday morning collapsed.

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologboniyan consoled the victims, particularly parishioners and family of the deceased in the tragic collapse of the Church building.

PDP described the incident which happened during the morning mass as traumatic.

The statement read: “The PDP notes that it was traumatic that such disaster occurred at a worship place, when innocent and devout parishioners were at a morning mass, worshipping God.

“Indeed, our hearts and prayers go out to the bereaved, the wounded, all members of St. Paul’s Ugolo and the Catholic Church at large, over this sad event, even as we urge the parishioners to be strong and not allow the incident to wane their faith and confidence in God.

“The PDP also condoles with the Governor of Delta state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, while urging all public-spirited persons and groups to immediately come to the assistance of the Church and the victims.

“Finally, our party prays for the repose of the soul of the faithful departed and speedy recovery for the injured.”

Catholic Church collapses on worshipers during morning mass in Delta

Dozens of worshippers of the St. Paul Catholic Church, Ugolo, Adagbrasa in Okpe local government area of Delta State were on Sunday morning reportedly trapped when the church building collapsed during morning mass service.

A worshipper has been confirmed dead and scores injured, according to eye witnesses.

The immediate cause of the collapse could not be ascertained yet.

The State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has directed a delegation led by the State Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye, to visit the scene with the aim of unravelling the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the church building.

The Governor, who expressed sadness over the death of the worshipper, also directed the government delegation to advise government on how it can assist victims of the collapse.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Asaba by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Aniagwu, Governor Okowa described the unfortunate incident as a sad, unfortunate and regrettable experience.

Okowa prayed for the repose of the departed faithful and condoled with the family of the deceased, and the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who hails from the locality.

“This is indeed a very sad and unfortunate incident. On behalf of the Government and people of Delta State, I commiserate with the family of the deceased and those injured, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chairman of Okpe Local Government Council, Chief Julius Scott, the Orodje of Okpe, HRM, Orhue 1, Major Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (retd) and the entire Ugolo community in Okpe Kingdom over the unfortunate incidence.

"It is our prayer that the soul of the deceased will rest in peace, and that the injured will experience quick recovery. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with the people of Ugolo in Okpe Kingdom over this tragedy," he said.

Details later...

YPP chairman, Nwoko blasts Ikpeazu, says Governor has failed Abia people

The Abia state chairman of the Young Progressive Party(YPP), Comrade Uzodinma Nwoko has chided the Peoples Democratic Party-led government in the state for its alleged failure to provide dividends of democracy to the people of Abia.

Nwoko said Abia had been unlucky in terms of leadership due to lack of vision by those entrusted with power.

The YPP chairman, who spoke with EMIRATCO POST on Sunday, in Umuahia, the Abia state capital, claimed that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has not done well despite the huge funds that accrued to the state from the federal government.

He said, “Today, we expect the state capital(Umuahia) to be as clean as anything. You go to some state capitals, you see their environment and state capital looking attractive but Abia is completely dirty”.

“There is decay in infrastructures. No foreign direct investment can be seen in Abia. We need change in leadership, because the past and present government has failed Abia people”.

Nwoko, however, urged eligible Abia electorates to cast their votes to a candidate that has capacity to transform the economy of the state come 2019.

“The PDP-led government should live up to expectations. The governor has alot of work to do. As we are preparing for 2019 general elections, everybody, especially the youths should come out and vote for person that is credible, and who has the vision, capacity to transform the entire system of Abia state,” he said.

Why I gave APC N5m – Ekweremadu

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu on Sunday revealed that he gave the All Progressives Congress, APC, N5m in 2014.

EMIRATCO POST reports that he made the disclosure at his Enugu residence where his constituents had converged begging him to return to the Senate in 2019.

The constituents, including the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said there was no alternative to Ekweremadu at the moment, who they said had so much impacted on their lives.

They presented the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, expression of interest and nomination form worth N3.m to the Senator. The form was purchased by the constituents.

Ekweremadu, while responding to the plea, said the beauty of democracy was allowing the opposition to thrive.

He said as an apostle of true democracy, he gave the APC N5m at its formative stage in 2014 when it was financial challenges in Enugu State.

He disclosed that the party had issue of funds for its membership registration and that “when they approached me, I gave them N5m. Chris Nguge can bear me witness.”

LaLiga: Asensio speaks on Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid forward, Marco Asensio has said that he doesn’t know if the club is now a team or not without their all-time highest goal scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo left the Santiago Bernabeu club early in the summer to join Juventus.

Asensio, however, believes that when Ronaldo was with the Los Blancos, they were always a close team and every player brought in their own contributions.

“Juventus is a big family, but so is Real Madrid. I don’t know if we’ll be more or less of a team without Cristiano: since I’ve been here we’ve always been a team on and off the pitch. When Cristiano was here, we were always a close team and everyone brought their own contributions to the cause,” Asensio told Spanish outlet, Marca.

He added, “I am happy for the minutes that I’m playing and for how things are going, as well as for the fact that I am important for Luis Enrique on the national team.

“He has confidence in me,” he concluded.

2019: What we’ll do to Gov. El-Rufai in Kaduna – ADC

The Kaduna State chapter of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has vowed to send the state Governor, Nasir El-Rufai packing in 2019.

The party said it has concluded plans to field a candidate capable of defeating El-Rufai in 2019.

ADC state chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Suleiman made this disclosure on the sidelines of the party’s congress held in Kaduna yesterday.

Suleiman said a total of 500 delegates from the 23 local government areas of the state attended the congress to elect party officials who would run the affairs of the party.

He noted that the ADC has become the new hope for the people of the state.

According to Suleiman, “We are in a mission to rescue Kaduna State from its present state of despair and hopelessness.

He also promised to “send Governor el-Rufai packing because his administration had failed to address the plight of the people of the state.”

2019: Buhari speaks on ‘being afraid of free, fair election’, how he finally became President in 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday declared that he is not afraid of the 2019 election being free and fair election.

Speaking during an interactive session with the Nigerian community in China, Buhari insisted that he was not afraid of all contestants having a level playing field in next year’s election.

Buhari is in China for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.

“I have no fear about free and fair election, because that’s what brought me here,” he said in a video shared on the presidency’s Twitter handle.

He also spoke on how he became President after trying four times.

“I know what I went through,” adding that, “I tried four times… and the fourth time technology came and helped us and people’s vote counted”.

2019: Bianca Ojukwu speaks on her senatorial ambition

Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, wife of the late leader of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, has stated that her election into the Nigerian Senate will boost the acceptability of APGA and the Igbo nation in Nigeria.

Widow of the Biafra strong man spoke at Orumba-North and South council areas where she went to solicit support from stakeholders of the party.

She called on them to support her intention to represent Anambra South in the National Assembly.

Her visit to Orumba-North and South Council Areas came on the heels of her public declaration for the seat, which took place recently at Ekwulobia, Aguata Local government area.

She said she decided to vie for Senate so that she can bring the desired change, noting that democracy without employment, empowerment and other dividends of democracy is not worth it.

Bianca said that she believes in equity, fairness and justice and will not attract anything short of that if elected.

She said, “My presence at the Senate will further promote APGA ideology and acceptance of the Igbo nation by other states of the country.”

One of her stauch supporters, a Professor of Chemistry, Surgery and Pain Management, Dr Godwin Mmaduka said that the emergence of the widow of the Late Biafran warlord, Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu is like a rekindled hope for the future of APGA and the Igbo nation.

Mmaduka added that as a mother, Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu will protect the interest of the people of the area to sustain the legacies of the heroes past who fought for the Igbo including the late Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sam Mbakwe, Akanu Ibiam among others.

On his part, the APGA Chairman for Orumba-North, Barrister Obinna Ikwueto and his Orumba-South counterparts, Mr. Oliver Thambo said they were happy to receive the wife of their late leader, whom they said is interested in the welfare of the Igbo.

PRP appoints new National Chairman after Balarabe’s exit

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has appointed a new national chairman.

Falalu Bello, a former managing director of erstwhile Bank of the North, would replace the former chairman of the party, Balarabe Musa, who stepped down from the position on Friday.

The former bank chief was elected the new chairman at the party’s national delegates conference which held at the weekend in Kaduna.

The new chairman was announced in a communique issued at the end of the conference presided by Musa in which new national officers of the party were ratified.

The party also appointed a new National Secretary, Babatunde Alli, from South-west part of the country as well as new National Executive Council (NEC) members

The communique read: “Conference received with standing ovation the inaugural speech of new National Chairman, Falalu Bello on the reinvigorated PRP focused on service to the people, committed to addressing poverty, inequality and good governance as a continuation of the party’s historic mission of emancipation.

“Mr Musa, a former governor of old Kaduna State, was appointed the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party.

“The conference ratified a 19-member Board of Trustees with Richard Umaru as secretary.

“Conference mandated the newly elected NEC to fill existing vacancies along the lines forwarded by its 54th meeting of August 31st, 2018.”

The delegates also asked the party’s NEC to come up with guidelines on emergence of candidates for the 2019 general elections.

Members of the BoT include: Ango Abdullahi (North West), Bashir Magashi (North West), Lawan Batagarawa (North West), Datti Malumfashi (North West), Mustafa Bello (North Central) and Setly Dadzie (North Central).

Others are: Ibrahim Usman (North East), Ali Mala (North East), Philip Afanmuo (South East), Segun Falope (South West), Laoye Sanda (South West), and Odidi (South South).

Collapsed church building: Delta govt to pay medical bill of victims

The Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has said that his government will offset the medical expense of the victims of Sunday’s collapse of St. Paul’s Catholic Church building, Ugolo, Adagbrasa in Okpe local government area of Delta State.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Aniagwu, Governor Okowa directed that adequate medical attention must be given to survivors of the unfortunate building collapse.

According to prelimnary report by the Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye, one person died from the incident, eleven were rushed to the hospital out of which seven have been treated and discharged while the remaining four were still undergoing treatment and were in stable conditions.

Aniagwu quoted Augoye as saying, “the church is a 100 years old church building and in an attempt to rebuild and expand the church, the old church building collapsed as a result of heavily soaked waters ocassioned by the weight of worshippers who leaned against the walls while the early morning mass was on.

“While we pledge to pay the cost of treatment for the injured, people must ensure they seek necessary approvals before construction of buildings particularly public structures to avoid incidences such as this,” the statement added.

Atiku breaks down in tears after receiving presidential nomination forms (photos)

- Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar shed tears over state of the nation after he received the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential nomination form bought by his support group

- Atiku in an emotional speech noted that he has not received this much love from the people since three decades he has been in politics

- Support groups of the former vice president had purchased and presented the nomination and expression of interest forms to Atiku, urging him to contest for presidency in the 2019 election

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, on Friday, August 31, shed tears openly over the sorry state of the nation when he received the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential nomination form bought by his support group, Nigerian Tribune reports.

eagleee.com gathered that Atiku lamented the hopelessness in the country and vowed to restore sanity to the land if elected as president come 2019.

The former vice president speaking in Abuja after Atiku Support group, a movement drumming support for his presidential candidature handed him the expression of interest and nomination forms bought on his behalf, assured that he was in the race to restore the lost glory of the nation which the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had failed to do as earlier promised.

Former vice President, Atiku Abubakar, shed tears after he was gifted the expression of interest and nomination form in Abuja. Photo credit: Twitter

He declared that the form was significant and historic because it was the first time in his political career that young men and women in the country would come together without his knowledge and consent to contribute their hard earned money to buy him to the forms.

He said: “It is almost three decades of my political career this year. But today has also turned out to be one of the most emotional days in those three decades of my political career. I have tried to present myself as a candidate for the office of the president in a number of elections. The only time I succeeded in being on the ballot was in 2007.

“In 2007, I was on the ballot not because I believe I was going to win but because I wanted to prove a constitutional issue so that all Nigerians can avail themselves with the constitutional protection and I succeeded at the Supreme Court. And that is why today no Nigerian can be stopped from contesting an election unless he has been convicted by a court of law.”

Presidential aspirant wiping his eyes with a white handkerchief to fight back tears at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) headquarters in Abuja. Photo credit: Twitter

“But putting together such talented ‎young Nigerians requires leadership and it is that leadership we have not been fortunate enough to have on a consistent basis as that this country so that this country can take its rightful position in Africa and indeed the world

“But you could have seen one of the people who spoke, the lady who spoke virtually succeeded in getting me to weep. This is because she aptly described the challenges every Nigerian is facing in this country today and she believed honestly and sincerely from the bottom of her heart that I could be an instrument of addressing those challenges.

“So, for such a woman to believe that I have got those leadership qualities and including those of you who have brought out your monies to by this form is one of the most serious challenges I have ever faced in my political career.

“It is not that it is not doable, it is doable and I think together we can do it. So, ladies and gentlemen, I want to make an undertaking and I hope we get that opportunity to work together so that this undertaking of mine can be achieved because I alone cannot achieve that undertaking

“I hope this endeavours of ours will result in a success in the nomination and of course subsequently in the general election so that together we can work. The undertaking I’m going to give you is that it is our job together, and I promised you‎ we are going to doing it together

“Let me once again extend to you my greatest admiration for this gesture you have done to me and I believe as you purchased the form, so you will also run round to make sure that I ‎have been duly nominated from different parts of this country so that when I go to submit the forms I will again enjoy your company and support.

“And on that day, let us overwhelm the PDP Secretariat, let us bring Abuja to a standstill, I bet you by the time we overwhelm the secretariat and bring Abuja to a standstill, the PDP we have no alternative than to give us the ticket.”

The former vice president recalled that he was brought into politics as a young man by the late Musa Yar’dua who urged them to break the regional siege that every part of the county had been subjected to which he said prompted all his actions in his political career in life.

Princess Adekemi Adesanya, in her remarks, on behalf of Atiku Support Group said that visionless leadership and bad economic policies were responsible for the present contraption in the nation’s economy.

The national co-ordinator ‎of Atiku Abubakar Support Group, Hon Oladimeji Fabayi also, speaking at the occasion, said that the various groups drumming supports for the Wazirin Adamawa decided to purchase to forms based on their conviction that he was capable of restoring sanity back to the country with his wealth of experience.

Emiratco previously reported that former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, has assured aspirants to elective positions in 2019 general elections of level-playing ground in the primaries to be conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He gave the assurance while receiving former Governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Atihiru Bafarawa, on Friday in his office in Yenagoa.

Jonathan said that with a free and fair primary election, any aspirants that lost would not be aggrieved but would support others for the progress of the party.

2019: Dogara reacts after aide dumps APC for PDP

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, said yesterday that he had nothing to do with the political ambition of one of his aides, Iliya Habila, who had declared his intention to seek a ticket to the Bauchi Sate House of Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Habila, a media aide to Dogara, wants to represent the Bogoro Constituency.

Dogara’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, has now made it clear that the Speaker had no input or influenced Habila’s political aspiration.

“Contrary to reports published by some national dailies, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives, did not endorse any aspirant to vie for the Bogoro Constituency in the Bauchi State House of Assembly or any other.

”His constituents and political associates know that he does not interfere and will not endorse anybody, and neither will he ask anyone to seek election under the platform of any political party; whether the All Progressives Congress or the Peoples Democratic Party,” Hassan stated.

2019: Ortom denies blocking sale of forms to SDP guber aspirants

The Benue State government has reacted to reports that Governor Samuel Ortom has blocked the sale of forms to governorship aspirants on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

It said the report published by a national daily was misleading and baseless and should be discarded.

Terver Akase, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, in a statement issued on Firday said Ortom is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, not SDP and as such, could not have stopped anyone in the opposition party from purchasing nomination forms.

According to him, “Even in PDP, the Governor has not prevented other aspirants from buying nomination forms, so why would he interfere with the process of another political party?

“The said newspaper report is apparently sponsored, reckless and highly unprofessional. Such a sweeping statement ought to have been supported with evidence.

“We also found ridiculous, the claim in the report that Governor Ortom has secretly purchased his PDP nomination form. Why would a sitting Governor go to pick his party’s nomination form in secret? Political parties do not sell their nomination forms in secret.

“We urge members of the public to disregard the said report in its entirety.

2019: Ortom denies blocking sale of forms to SDP guber aspirants

The Benue State government has reacted to reports that Governor Samuel Ortom has blocked the sale of forms to governorship aspirants on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

It said the report published by a national daily was misleading and baseless and should be discarded.

According to him, “Even in PDP, the Governor has not prevented other aspirants from buying nomination forms, so why would he interfere with the process of another political party?

“The said newspaper report is apparently sponsored, reckless and highly unprofessional. Such a sweeping statement ought to have been supported with evidence.

“We urge members of the public to disregard the said report in its entirety.

Enough of white elephant projects – Ondo residents tell Akeredolu

Residents of Ondo State have accused the present government in the state of showing penchant for white elephant projects.

According to the residents, who spoke exclusively with DAILY POSTS in different locations, Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s government in the state has been that of “flag-off of projects,” particularly roads.

The governor in February this year flagged off the dualisation of the Hospital/Ijoka road in Akure, the state capital, as well as the Ore intersection flyover in Odigbo local government area of the state, in commemoration of the first year anniversary of the governor in office, with the assurance to the people of timely completion of the road projects.

However, residents and property owners on the axis of the designated projects expressed their disappointment that contractors were yet to move to site despite government’s assurance.

A member of staff of the state’s Local Government Service Commission who resides in the Oluwatuyi area of Akure, the state capital told our correspondent that Akeredolu’s government believes more in the flag off of projects than executing them.

The local government worker who preferred anonymity stated that anytime a project was to be embarked upon, it was more of a carnival-like procession as party members are mobilised from across the 18 council areas of the state to Akure, with all of them decking uniformed attires.

“What is currently happening in this state is so quite unfortunate. When he (Gov. Akeredolu) came on board, most of us who supported him had thought he would be better. But with the situation of things at present, we can only pray to God.

“Tell me the kind of explanation to give on the proposed dualisation of Hospital-Ijoka road dualization project which was flagged-off over six months ago with pomp and pageantry.

“Do you know that during the flag-off, the whole of Akure was shut down. I could recollect vividly how taxi operators bitterly complained about the shut down. It was as if they commissioned an already executed project.

“Even that day, immediately after the ceremony which was held at the A – Division axis of the road, all the earth equipment displayed vanished after it has been said that work will commence in earnest on the road; six months after, nothing is happening. It is case of another white elephant project.”

Also, for Mrs Taye Akintunjoye, a former shop owner along high Court section of the road who expressed displeasure on the attitude of government towards the road project, if she had known that the project would be delayed, she would not have quit her shop.

“I used to make great sales when I was selling at the former shop. But when we heard that they (government) wanted to dualise the road, we had to move to this place, because most of us rented the shops and we don’t want a situation we are going to pay to landlords and weeks after, we will be told to move.

“Now, look at what has happened, since February when they flagged-off the project, nothing whatsoever is happening on the road.

“Some of us were even sceptical about the entire process, because prior to the highly ceremonious flag off, the valuation ought to have been done as well as the markings. But nothing of such happened.”

In Ore, Odigbo local government area of the state, the flyover at Ore intersection was also flagged off in February this year with residents of the area showing concerns if the project would ever be embarked upon.

A member of the driver’s union who simply gave his name as Akinkunmi maintained that when the governor came with his team to flag off the flyover, everyone’s excitement was well pronounced as no-one could hide the heartfelt joy because the flyover has been long over due.

He said the excitement had long worn out as meaningful work was not visible on the road, which is highly prone to ghastly motor accidents almost on weekly basis.

“Here in Ore, our main challenge is this portion of the road. A week can hardly go by without an accident occurring, hence the reason for our excitement in February when Aketi came to flag off the flyover.

“But it has turned out to be one of the political gimmicks we have been used to before now. When they knew they are not ready for such a project, why roll out the drums.

“I am sure you must have since what Amosu (Ogun State Governor) did on the Sagamu expressway with such a magnificent flyover. So, what is the excuse here.”

Meanwhile, one of the top officials of the Gov. Akeredolu’s government who preferred anonymity informed DAILY POST that the actual plan was that by August, work will commence on the Hospital-Ijoka road but that the valuation of the affected buildings was still on-going, hence reason for the delay.

The source also disclosed that the flyover project was still shaky as the present finances of the state government cannot finance such a project, coupled with the directive of the federal government that no state would be reimbursed anytime soon if they embark on any federal road project.

“We are hopeful that as soon the valuation processes are done, the people might begin to see some action on the road. Although we did not envisage that it will take this long but hopefully we will get there.

“As regards the flyover at Ore, the plan was that we will finance the project and later claim the expenses from the Federal Ministry of Works, but we got the signal that reimbursement might be a herculean task. So, we had to put that on hold. But, we are optimistic that when the state has the capability as regards finance, then we are good to go.

“Just the way we met brick wall with the Ore flyover, we are faced with the same situation with the proposed dualisation of the Akure-Ikere road, which is in a terrible state.

“But, I think the governor should be commended, because in the past 18 months, he has been able to deliver 45-kilometre road projects in the state,” he added.

UEFA Best Player: What Real Madrid coach, Lopetegui said about Modric after beating Ronaldo, Salah

Real Madrid manager, Julen Lopetegui has praised midfielder, Luka Modric after he won the 2018 UEFA’s Men Best Player award ahead of Juventus star, Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool ace, Mohamed Salah.

Modric on Thursday night won UEFA’s Men Player of the Year Award ahead of Ronaldo and Salah.

Lopetegui believes the Croatian captain deserved the best player in Europe after leading his national team to the 2018 World Cup in Russian and also wining a third straight Champions League trophy.

“I have no desire or patience to talk about yesterday’s Galà Uefa,” Lopetegui was quoted by Calciomercato as saying.

“I only say that I do not give much importance to the prizes, but that of Luka Modric as the best European player of the past season is certainly deserved,” he said.

Lopetegui was sacked as the coach for Spain national just days before the start of the 2018 FIFA World Cup that took place in Russia.

The 52-year-old was later appointed as the new manager of Real Madrid after Zinedine Zidane left the position as their manager.

2019: Jonathan speaks on PDP conducting free, fair primaries

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday said the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will be free and fair.

He said this while assuring those aspiring for elective positions in the PDP ahead of the 2019 election of a level-playing ground in the primaries.

Jonathan said this while receiving former Governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Jonathan said that with free and fair primaries, no aspirant that lost would be aggrieved but would support others for the progress of the party.

He said that Bafarawa was one of the aspirants he trusted because of what he had done in Sokoto state as governor.

Jonathan said, “As leaders, we must plan for our grandchildren; we don’t have to plan for ourselves, but for the society to grow.

“When you plan for your grandchildren, you do things properly; you will not be in a hurry and the society will grow.

“The more people are interested, the better for the party. If you have only two aspirants in a political party, it is not too good for democracy.”

Atiku reveals how Yar’Adua brought him into politics, lessons he learnt

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar on Friday revealed that the late former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua brought him into politics.

The Waziri of Adamawa disclosed that he learnt the rudiments of partisan politics from the late Yar’Adua.

Speaking at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Secretariate in Abuja, Abubakar said, “The man who actually ‎brought me into politics, the late Shehu Yar’dua, when he invited me as a young man told us to break the regional siege that every part of this country had been subjected to.

“He asked us to reach out to every Nigerian across the Niger. To him and for him, that was a major objective; so when he died and I decided to build the Yar’ Adua centre in his memory, we got an architect to design the uncompleted bridge.

“The significance of that bridge was that we had started building bridges of understanding and unity across this country and unfortunately, the man who started building that bridge died. I wish I could complete building that bridge.”

Boko Haram: Nigerian Army kills insurgents in Borno

The Nigerian Army has announced that it had killed several Boko Haram insurgents and recovered weapons in an encounter at Zari village in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno on Friday.

Colonel Onyeama Nwachukwu, Deputy Director, Public Relations, Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri.

Nwachukwu said the insurgents were repelled by the troops of 2 Division Task Force Battalion deployed to the area.

He said that during the fire fight, overwhelming volume of fire was unleashed on the insurgents from both the air and ground troops, neutralising several of them and their weapons.

The Spokesman said that the village and the surrounding communities had been stabilised and normalcy restored.

He also said that the land troops had been reinforced to conduct more robust fighting patrol in the general area.

“The people of Guzamala and Mobar communities and indeed the entire good people of Borno are urged to remain calm, resilient and supportive of Operation Lafiya Dole troops as they relentlessly fight terrorism and insurgency in the North- -East,” Nwachukwu said.

Declare my police summon illegal – Fani-Kayode tells Court