BREAKING NEWS: APC Floors PDP in Katsina, Kwara Bye-elections

In what was no less a message, the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, defeated its main rival, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in two bye-elections conducted for Kankiya/Kusada/Ingawa Federal Constituency area of Katsina state and Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency Area of Kwara State, while maintaining lead in Toro Federal Constituency area of Bauchi State.

In Katsina bye-election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Alhaji Abubakar Kusada, a former speaker of the state, as winner after polling 48,518 votes.

The returning officer, Prof Adedayo Hamza, who announced the result, said Alhaji Abdussamad Yusuf of PDP came second with 20,193 votes, while Nasiru Kankiya of the Peoples Redemption Party scored 1,810 votes as second runner-up. Abdullahi Umar of the Yes Electorate Solidarity (YES) got 221 votes.

According to Hamza, the total number of registered voters in the constituency was 193,904, while the number of accredited voters was 74,242.

The number of valid votes cast was 70,742 and rejected votes, 2,331.The total number of votes cast was 73,073.

However, from Kwara, INEC, late Saturday night, confirmed Raheem Olawuyi, candidate of the APC as winner of the Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero constituency.

INEC’s Chief Returning Officer for the poll, Prof. Abimbola Adesoji, said Olawuyi polled 21,236 votes, while his main PDP rival, Jimoh Alatise scored 18,095 votes.

The Labour Party had 150 votes, the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) cored 76 votes and UPN had 42 votes.

Professor Adesoji said out of the 40,930 total votes cast, the total number of valid votes was 39,599 while 1,331 votes were rejected.

Reacting to the news, President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, thanked the people of Ekiti/Oke Ero/Isin/Irepodun, who “came out to vote today — defying the heavy intimidation and the siege laid by the security agents and thugs invited into the 4 LGAs by the APC.

“The public should note that today’s #KwaraByElection was simply between PDP and security agents plus APC. This was due to the heavy deployment of police, soldiers and other security agents who gathered to support APC and harass PDP leaders and supporters.

“This is the first time that elections in Kwara State will be held under such charged, tensed and militarised conditions. We had INEC officials complaining about their own safety — and PDP supporters were brazenly intimidated, which resulted in low turnout of voters.

“It is important to reiterate that ahead of the 2019 elections, such open displays of intimidation are sending wrong signals. Our democracy is being undermined with this misuse of our nation’s security apparatus,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Bauchi, details of the bye-election results had not been released when the newspaper went to press, but INEC had earlier hinted that only two political parties fielded candidates for the Toro Federal Constituency Area of the state.

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Bauchi, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi listed the two candidates as Mr. Yusuf Nuhu of the APC and Alhaji Shehu Umar of the PDP.

He said that INEC had recruited 1,550 ad hoc staff to man 1,553 polling units in the 11 wards within the federal constituency. Unconfirmed reports had claimed the APC was in comfortable lead in the election.

The Bauchi by-election was called as the aftermath of the death of Senator Ali Wakili, who represented Bauchi South in the senate.

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Twelve persons reportedly killed in communal clash in Cross River

Another communal clash between four communities in Odukpani local government area of Cross River State has allegedly claimed 12 lives with property valued at millions of naira destroyed.

The communities involved include: Mbiabo, Ediong, Obomitiat Edere and Idim Ndom Eki, all in Odukpani local government area of the State.

Emiratco gathered that beside those allegedly murdered during the crisis, residential buildings were also destroyed including the Government Primary School and Community Health Centre in Obomitiat Edere, which were set ablaze.

The Head of Local Government Administration, (HOLGA) Odukpani local government area, Mrs Ekeng E. J. Ebri, in a press release made available to newsmen, advised the warring communities to lay down arms and seek peaceful resolution to their conflict in the interest of their children and generations yet unborn.

Mrs Ebri pointed out that there would be no meaningful development in an atmosphere of war. “No meaningful development can thrive in an atmosphere of chaos and bloodshed,” she said.

She stated this in a meeting with the Head of traditional rulers of the affected communities in her office.

The meeting, which had in attendance, the Paramount Ruler of Odukpani loal government Area, HRM Etinyin Otu Mesembe VI and heads of Security agencies in Odukpani local government area, resolved to send a strong warning to traditional rulers in the affected communities to caution their subjects to stop further escalation of the crisis.

The meeting also resolved that if any security breach is reported in the affected communities, the local government council will not hesitate to recommend to the State Government to consider withdrawing the certificate of recognition of the Clan and Village Heads in the affected communities on grounds of incompetence and inability to maintain peace and order in their respective domains.

Traditional rulers in the affected communities were advised to adhere strictly to this directive.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ms Irene Ugbo told DAILY POST “The communal clash had been there for a very long time.

“Police have been trying to protect life and property. Our men are on ground, you know in most of these villages, people are very mischievous. Our teams of mobile policemen are there,” she stated.

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PDP speaks on ‘The Atiku Plan’, reveals Atiku’s intentions for Nigerians

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday commended the launch of ‘AtikuPlan’ as campaign policy for its Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.

Atiku Abubakar, on Monday in a Live broadcast, formally launched his campaign for the 2019 presidential elections.

Reacting, the party said the public endorsement that heralded the policy document of its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was a confirmation that the document embodied the collective mindset, yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja on Monday said that the document reveals Atiku hope for Nigerians for a new leadership and a better life in the country.

Ologbondiyan noted that Abubakar’s policy document offered solutions and practical direction for delivery in all sectors.

The statement read: “The Atiku Abubakar policy document is a product of very wide, painstaking and productive consultations with Nigerians from all walks of live, critical stakeholders and development partners in key sectors, in the overall determination to chart a new course for our nation.

“The policy document foretells a new dawn as it articulates practical solutions and answers to the myriad of economic, social and political challenges facing our nation and sets out all-inclusive templates for national rejuvenation, cohesion, protection of human rights and democratic tenets, wealth creation, transparency and elimination of corruption in governance.

“In line with PDP’s people-based manifesto, the Atiku Abubakar policy document places utmost priority on the people by focusing chiefly on their yearnings for job creation, infrastructural development, poverty eradication, human capital development, inclusiveness and national unity.

“Abubakar had always maintained a strong bond with the people, hence his ability to understand their challenges, collective aspirations and to proffer solutions with underlining political will.

“The PDP, therefore, urges Nigerians to continue to take ownership of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential campaign, which embodies their collective aspiration as a people to make our dear nation work again.”

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Impeachment: Anambra lawmakers condemn sealing off of state legislative house

Members of the Anambra State House of Assembly on Monday condemned the sealing off of the house of assembly by police authorities.

The Anambra State Police Command had on Thursday last weak sealed the assembly complex following a fracas that had resulted from the impeachment of the Speaker, Rita Maduagwu, on Tuesday.

They called on the police to unseal the legislative complex to enable them carry out their lawful activities unhindered.

The lawmakers, who spoke at a press conference attended by members in support of the impeachment of the former speaker Maduagwu, described the action of the police as illegal, unconstitutional and an abuse of office.

The lawmakers asked the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to caution the Anambra State Command, stating that the command’s action amounted to attacking the symbol of democracy in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the pro-Maduagwu impeachment group, the factional Speaker of the Assembly, Ikem Uzoezie said at no time did the leadership of the House request the police to take over the complex.

Describing the police action as uncalled for, Uzoezie urged the public to condemn the development.

His statement read in parts, “The leadership of Anambra State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikem Uzoezie, followed by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Harford Oseke, the Majority Leader, Hon. Victor Jideofor Okoye and the Minority Leader, Hon. Onyebuchi Offor and others did not at any time request Anambra Police Command to take over, seal off and secure the entire premises of the House of Assembly as well as order the civil servants to report to vacate the premises.

“It is on record that there was no incident or semblance of any crises that occurred among the members or within the premises of the Anambra State House of Assembly to warrant the leadership of the House to request you (Police) to takeover, seal off and secure premises of the Assembly.”

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2019: How I helped Nigeria as VP under Obasanjo – Atiku

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has revealed what he did for Nigerians as Vice President under Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

Atiku said as Vice President from 1999 to 2007, he chaired the national economic council that gave Nigeria her highest and most consistent GDP growth of over 6 percent per annum.

The Waziri of Adamawa also disclosed that Nigeria paid off its entire foreign debt despite the fact that crude oil prices at that time were much lower than they were today, under the dynamic leadership of President Obasanjo.

The former Vice President stated this while launching his policy document tagged ‘AtikuPlan’ on Monday via a Twitter live broadcast.

He said: “When I was Vice President from 1999 to 2007, I chaired the national economic council that gave Nigeria her highest and most consistent GDP growth of over 6 percent per annum.

“Despite the fact that crude oil prices at that time were much lower than they were today, under the dynamic leadership of President Obasanjo, Nigeria paid off its entire foreign debt.

“We also introduced the GSM revolution that saw Nigeria go from 100,000 phone- lines to over 100 million today.

“We were able to achieve these, and much more, because we had a plan called the national economic empowerment and development strategy.’’

Abubakar added that ‘Atikuplan’ would help create jobs, saying without jobs, Nigerians could not afford to feed their families and their children live in poverty.

“Without jobs, there is crime, drug use and insecurity. Without jobs, where is the hope for a better life and a better future?

“Today we will begin the process of sharing our policies that form my plan to create jobs, restructure the polity, and get Nigeria working again.

“If Nigeria worked for me, I owe it as my duty to make sure that Nigeria also works for you, your family and your friends.

“It is time to get Nigeria working again, and these are the plans and policies I have for achieving that.”

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Enugu one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria – PSC Chairman, Smith

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Alhaji Musiliu Smith, on Monday stated that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State deserves credit for running the state in a progressive, people-oriented and security-conscious manner.

Alhaji Smith, who made the statement while delivering his keynote address at the opening ceremony of a four-day Management Retreat in Enugu organized by the commission, appraised the peaceful and secure atmosphere of the state, saying that “we are in Enugu largely because Enugu is one of the most peaceful sates in the country”.

The former Inspector General of Police said it was gratifying to note that the governor has graciously supported “ this Police Service Commission’s programmes, further confirming his commitment to robust government/police relations in the state, which obviously is to the benefit of people of Enugu and the Nigerian Police”.

He stated that his discussions with the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, confirmed this and commended Governor Ugwuanyi for the partnership and commitment to the security of lives and property of the citizens.

“The Government of Enugu State, led by the Executive Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, must be given credit for running the state in a progressive, people-oriented and security-conscious manner.

“It is gratifying to note that he has graciously supported this Police Service Commission. I must therefore, on behalf of the management and staff of the commission, commend and express our sincere gratitude to His Excellency, the government and people of Enugu State for this”

The PSC chairman disclosed that they were working on having an electronic all-inclusive data for the police that would aid in planning and programming, adding that they were also engaging in wide spectrum of reforms for the police.

He averred that the present management of the commission inaugurated by the president on the 25th of July 2018 was alive to the need to approach the issue of policing strategically to obtain optimal results, adding that the essence of the retreat was to develop a three-year strategic plan as a compass in their quest to remodel the police force.

Declaring the retreat open, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who welcomed the Chairman, other members and staff of the commission to Enugu, reiterated that “the security of lives and property of our people as well as the maintenance of peace everywhere in the state have always been a cardinal policy of our administration”.

Represented by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, Gov. Ugwuanyi disclosed that his administration has consciously and consistently maintained a strategic and outstanding partnership with the Nigerian Police and other security agencies in the state.

“This, we are glad to say, has been most rewarding as Enugu State remains one of the safest, secure and most peaceful states in Nigeria today”, he sated, while reassuring the commission of the state government’s continued support, cooperation and assistance towards the successful performance of its duties.

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Okorocha’s son-in-law, Nwosu speaks on dumping APC for PDP

Uche Nwosu, the son-in-law of embattled Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha has addressed reports making the rounds of his plans to dump the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Emiratco recalls that Okorocha has been at loggerheads with the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole over his refusal to field Nwosu as the governorship candidate of the party.

However, Nwosu said he cannot dump the ruling party for anyone.

He further noted that he will regain his mandate from Senator Hope Uzodinma to run in 2019 for Imo state governorship.

Speaking to New Telegraph on Monday, he said “Plans of my defection to PDP is a big lie. l can’t be part of a party from inception and abandon it for people that came and joined.

“l have no reason to dump APC as l am convinced that l will regain my mandate and contest the Imo State governorship election in the state.”

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N1.2 billion fraud: What I know about Fayose’s involvement – Witness tells court

The trial of ex-Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose commenced on Monday with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, calling witnesses.

The former Governor is charged with N1.2 billion fraud, a sum he is said to have received from the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA in 2015.

He had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The former Governor was earlier arraigned on October 22 alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd on 11 counts.

Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, the lead Counsel for the EFCC, on Monday, called on first prosecution witness, Lawrence Akande, a banker.

Akande, who is the first witness to enter the box, told the court that in June 2014, he was called by one Abiodun Agbele, who informed him that he had about N1.2 billion cash lodgement to make in Akure.

The witness told the court that afterwards, he also received a call from Fayose on the same issue.

He added that since the lodgement was in Akure, he placed a call across to his colleague in Akure to follow up same.

“This is all I know on this issue,” he said.

Asked if he knew the second accused, (Spotless Ltd), he replied that the company is a customer of his bank with an account at Dugbe branch in Ibadan.

The prosecutor then showed the witness some account opening document of Spotless Nig. Ltd, De Privateer Ltd, Still Earth Ltd as well as account document of first accused.

Being cross-examined by defence counsel, Kalu Agabi SAN, he said that he only made mention of Fayose in his subsequent statements.

Also during cross-examination by second defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo SAN, the witness told the court that he had worked in the banking sector for 28 years.

He confirmed to the court that a person who is not a signatory to an account cannot make withdrawals from such account.

Akabde said there are withdrawal limits in every account and where withdrawals are to be made above the stipulated limits, it is reported to the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to investigate such transaction.

EFCC then called its second witness, Mr Abiodun Oshordi.

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Robbers attack bank in Ekiti, kill four

Suspected armed robbers on Monday killed four persons during an attack on a bank in Ijero-Ekiti.

The victims of the robbery include two policemen, a bank security guard and an aged man.

The robbers were said to have launched attack on the town’s police station where they killed the two cops before heading to the bank for the robbery operation.

The robbers allegedly invaded a police station in the town and killed two policemen on duty, while a chief security guard of the Bank was shot at the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) gallery of the bank.

The robbers were said to have entered Ijero through Aramoko Road in an ambulance with a casket laced with weapons.

An eyewitness disclosed that the robbers announced their arrival with gun shots which sent residents scampering for safety.

The bandits reportedly blew the bank’s security door with dynamite to gain access into the baking hall.

They were said to have made away with unspecified amount of money during the raid which was said to have lasted for about an hour.

The heavy shooting by the robbers paralysed transportation, economic and social activities.

The raid of the bank in Ijero was coming barely three months after a similar incident at a first generation bank in Igede Ekiti, in which a police man was killed.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Ekiti State, Mr. Caleb Ikechukwu, who said he was still at the branch of the bank “to gather reliable information on the armed robbery incident,” said the attack occurred at about 5:30pm. Ikechukwu said: “There was casualty. They succeeded by using dynamite to gain access into the banking hall and the robbery took place around 5:30pm on Monday.”

He, however, said “There was no casualty on the side of the bank while there were one or two on the side of the police.”

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APC blows hot over court action by aggrieved members

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has frowned at the actions of some party members who have resorted to litigation as a way of addressing their perceived grievances and disputation without exhausting the party’s dispute resolution mechanism.

APC spokesman, Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a statement said the growing trend was viewed by the party as a manifest indiscipline.

He wrote: “The actions, it should be noted, is considered as anti-party as it goes against our Party’s constitution.

“For emphasis, according to Article 20, Subsection 10 of our Party’s Constitution, offences against the Party include: “Filing an action in a Court of Law against the Party or any of its Officers on any matters relating to the discharge of the duties of the Party without first exhausting all avenues for redress provided for in this Constitution.”

“The Party intends to activate constitutional provisions to penalise such members as their action is capable of undermining the party and hurt the Party’s interest.

“We hereby strongly advise such members to withdraw all court cases, while approaching the appropriate party organs with a view to resolving any outstanding disputes.

“In addition to this, aggrieved members are urged to take full advantage of the reconciliation committees the party has just put in place.

“APC members should understand that as a progressive party that operates on the principle of change, it is not a matter of choice to keep to the rules.

“We therefore advise such members to take this warning very seriously as failure to comply with the party’s dispute resolution procedures would be met with the stipulated disciplinary actions.”

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Nigeria Police law outdated, existing since 1943 – NASS

Sen. Bala Na’Allah, the Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate on Monday said the nation was operating an obsolete Nigeria Police law, which had been in existence since 1943. Na’Allah said this at a dialogue session with the National Assembly and Stakeholders on Police Reform and Police Bill organised by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) in Abuja.

He said that was why he decided to sponsor the Police Reform Bill to make the police to be abreast with global best practice. He said that the bill had passed second reading and was currently at the committee level and hopefully, public hearing would be conducted, then senate would consider the report within the next 30 days.

“The Nigeria police force is always critisised for not delivering on their responsibility; as a party that promised to leave Nigeria more secured than it met it, we decided to initiate this reform. “We are not too comfortable with the situation where only the few get good security while the larger population is left at their own peril. “So we decided that let us look at what happens around the world and check what is wrong with our own system.

“We discovered that the structure of the Nigerian police will never ever give it the kind of efficiency and effectiveness that it requires to be able to secure the population of Nigeria.’’ Na’Allah said that was the reason for the reforms to bring sufficient funding, and localise the operation of the police in such a manner that every community would be secured based on international best practice. He said that the reform when passed would enhance the coverage of the police to the grassroots and enable them carry out their duties without boundaries.

“If you are travelling on the road, and you are robbed at the border between one police station and another, the police will proudly tell you that it is not under their jurisdiction. “Yet we have one Nigerian police, so how can it be that when something is happening somebody will say it is not under our jurisdiction? That is not done anywhere in the civilised world,’’he said. Mr Lawal Abubakar, the Chairman House Committee on Police Affairs, said that the bill was going for public hearing, adding that it would change the narrative of the activities of the police. Abubakar called for the input of citizens and the police to enrich the reform process and produce a bill that would stand the taste of time to face the contemporary Nigerian challenges. The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, who was represented by CP Adat Ududo, CP Admin, Research and Planning Department commended National Assembly for the reform. Idris advised that the issue of funding and manpower should be taken into consideration.

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2019: Buhari has no plan for new road, rail projects – APC manifesto

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2019 general elections, Muhammadu Buhari, will not be initiating fresh road and rail projects if elected for a second term.

This was revealed in the APC’s manifesto titled: ‘Next Level’ which was obtained by DAILY POST.

According to the document, President Buhari will rather focus on completing the ongoing works on the nation’s road and rail infrastructure to pave way for citizens to benefit from the expanded capital investments the current administration has made.

An analysis of the section on infrastructure as contained in the APC manifesto indicates that President Buhari plans to complete the second Niger bridge.

He equally intends to complete all the phased road projects in each of the state of the federation.

On rail projects, the APC and its presidential candidate are promising to complete Lagos-Ibadan-Kano line, Port-Harcourt-Maiduguri rail network running through Aba, all the Southeast capitals, Makurdi, Jos, Bauchi, and Gombe. Additionally, the coastal rail line (Lagos – Calabar) will be completed.

The manifesto further says President Buhari will treat broadband infrastructure as critical by moving coverage to 120,000km of fibre networks across Nigeria as well as prioritising access to internet in education, healthcare, business, and markets.

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APC gives Ganduje, Aregbesola, Shettima new appointments [Full List]

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has set up six reconciliation committees to heal the wounds inflicted on the party in the recent primary elections.

Each committee, set up on geopolitical basis, will have seven members, including the Governors elected on the platform of the party, except the three aggrieved Governors.

Governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara) are all not happy, that their preferred candidates did not pick the governorship tickets of their states for the 2019 general election.

Although the committees to be headed by two-term governors will seek to reconcile the aggrieved party members, they do not have the power to make any changes to the party’s candidates’ list for the elections.

All the other 19 APC governors are members of the committees, which consist of other prominent members of the party.

The committees will be inaugurated on Wednesday.

THE FULL LIST South-east 1. Abdullahi Ganduje (chairman) 2. Samuel Lalong 3. Kayode Fayemi 4. Godswill Akpabio 5. Umaru Dembo 6. Nasiru Aliko Koki 7. Ify Ugo Okoye

North-central 1. Ibrahim Geidam (chairman) 2. Godwin Obaseki 3. Rotimi Akeredolu 4. Jibrilla Bindow 5. Pius Akinyelure 6. Vivian Chukwuani 7. Audu Ogbe

South-west 1. Kashim Shettima (chairman) 2. Nasir el-Rufai 3. Akinwumi Ambode 4. Modupe Adelabu 5. Dakuku Peterside 6. Ken Nnamani 7. Seida Bugaje

North-west 1. Abiola Ajimobi (chairman) 2. Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar 3. Yahaya Bello 4. Adamu Aliero 5. Danjuma Goje 6. Jim Nwobodo 7. Fati Balla

South-south 1. Rauf Aregbesola (chairman) 2. Atiku Bagudu 3. Abubakar Sani Bello 4. Gbemisola Saraki 5. Emeka Wogu 6. Sullivan Chime 7. Aleluchi Cookey-Gam

North-east 1. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura (chairman) 2. Aminu Masari 3. Abubakar Badaru 4. Jumoke Anifowoshe 5. Matthew Omegara 6. Hafsat Mohammed Baba 7. Abdullahi Aboki

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2019: Atiku’s ally, Shaibu reveals APC, Buhari govt plan against PDP candidate

An ally of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, has accused mischief makers of promoting the impression that The Atiku Plan suggests that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, has a hidden agenda of two terms in office.

Shaibu described the All Progressives Congress (APC) as one of the biggest disasters to have ever befallen Nigeria.

He said the current government was jittery and that President Muhammadu Buhari’s three and a half years in office was a sad reminder of Nigeria’s arrested development since 2015 “when the clueless party came to power.”

A statement he signed Monday night read in part: “The reason the policy document was authored to cover up to 2025 and beyond was simply meant to address the volatility and unpredictability of global trade and economics, as most progressive leaders who understand the intricate nature of growing their economies, draw up 10 year strategic vision plans for their nations, even when they well understand that their term in office will not extend to such a period.

“Government is a continuum and as such, a sound and effective development plan can serve several leaders who are desirous of enhancing the welfare and well being of their citizens.”

Shaibu cited three examples from Nigeria’s recent past where the current administration continued to implement some major projects and policies of the immediate past PDP administration.

He listed the projects to include Railway projects, the implementation of the TSA and BVN financial policy, by the Buhari administration, which, according to him, were actually inherited by the sound development plan of the President Goodluck Jonathan era.

He added: “Sadly, the mudslinging intentions and diabolic attempts to divert the campaign away from the real issues that continue to bedevil the country, has been given a new twist by the purveyors of negative propaganda.

“This category of persons have simply overlooked the salient points contained in the “My plan to get Nigeria working again” document to invoke ethnic and divisive sentiments by insinuating that the document has exposed a hidden agenda of a second term plan by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and by so doing are directly provoking the South East or even south west into erroneously believing that they have no stake in 2023

“The mention of 2025 and 2030 as delivery dates for some of the critical components of the plan is a clear demonstration that Atiku’s vision reflects the sincerity of his intentions to achieve a better, more progressive Nigeria and the generosity of the mind of a good leader who thinks ahead in a selfless manner for common good.

“What Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has done is simply acknowledging that Nigeria will exist beyond his tenure as such he has set down a road map to make the work easier for those that will take over and continue the good work of reviving Nigeria from its comatose state under Buhari and the APC.

“Indeed, working with a man like Peter Obi, who incidentally is from the South East and whose sterling track record as a financial guru and economic master-strategist, speak volumes for the expansive nationalistic vision of Atiku Abubakar.”

Shaibu called on the APC to apologise to all Nigerians for bringing them nothing but suffering of unquantifiable proportion since 2015, and to make a solemn pledge not to have anything to do with governance, with the 2019 elections fast approaching.

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Sacked Akwa Ibom lawmakers hold plenary, install new speaker

As the events following the sack of five lawmakers in the Akwa-Ibom House of Assembly continue to unfold, some members have elected the member representing Essien Udim state constituency, Mr. Nse Ntuen as their new Speaker.

Speaking with journalists in Uyo on Monday evening, the factional Speaker, Nse Ntuen said that their decision to change the Speaker followed members’ lack of confidence in Mr. Onofiok Luke.

He described the process that led to their purported sack as illegal, null and void, as there were subsisting court orders, even as the House rules and procedures were not duly and legally followed.

“In the first place, no such action as declaring our seat vacant took place because there was no mace, the former Speaker did not follow due legislative procedure of being announced into the chamber by the Sergent at Arms rather he came in through the back door.

“What happened in the House today was a normal legislative thing. We were supposed to sit on Tuesday, but yesterday (Sunday) we got notices that the sitting had been rescheduled for today because of the public holiday on Tuesday and nobody objected to that.

“Unfortunately this morning when I came to the house, the gate was barricaded and we were not allowed to go into the premises.

“Moreover, the purported action was not in the order paper for today’s plenary. The two items in the order paper were the consideration of the appropriation bill sent to the House by Governor Udom Emmanuel and a commemorative sitting for former Governor Victor Attah.

“So, in the light of these anomalies, members sat and elected me as the

new Speaker. We will reconvene on Wednesday when other positions will be filled.

“This will not be the first time a minority member will be elected a head of a legislature. The Senate President of the Nigerian Senate is a minority member.” He explained.

Ntuen wondered why Mr. Luke would unilaterally declare their seat vacant when that of a member who defected to the PDP from APC last year was not given the same treatment.

“So, we elected a new Speaker because Luke is not good enough to be Speaker. He is incompetent and is being teleguided by the Executive against our quest to be independent and not to be labeled a rubber stamp Assembly.”

He called on the people of the state not to see their action as confrontational but that which would make the legislature stronger in the discharge of its responsibility to the people of Akwa Ibom State.

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Minimum Wage: Why Governors cannot pay N30,000 – Presidential candidate

The Presidential candidate of Peoples Trust (PT) Mr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim says state governments are reluctant to pay the new N30, 000 minimum wage because they lacked creativity in generating wealth.

Olawepo-Hashim said this while promising to pay workers a minimum wage of N50,000 and ensure free health care for the citizens if he is elected as President.

He said this at the inauguration of his campaigns, ahead of 2019 general elections in Abuja, NAN reports.

He said: “Governors don’t know how to create wealth, when we are elected, we will pay N50, 000. It will be how to give Nigerians living wage.

“Nigeria is one of the countries that have the highest rate of returns on investment, but the problem has always been the bottlenecks which public servants put in the way of investors.

“These bottlenecks are man-made that can be removed within 90 days and Nigeria will be able to target five percent of infrastructure funds that will be flowing in this country.

“We have about 7.8 trillion dollars in infrastructure funds in the world looking for where to make money.“

He further said that if elected, he would provide four million jobs every year by creating enabling environment for the effective participation of foreign and indigenous investors and private sector to create jobs.

Olawepo-Hashim said this would be possible because Nigeria remained a very good destination for investment, adding that all the country needed was massive infrastructure deficit.

“We will unite Nigerians and fight ethnicity, 2019 will be about the welfare and security of our people,” he added.

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Nigeria vs Uganda: Rohr reveals Super Eagles players that will feature in friendly

Head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, has said that he will field players that did not feature against South Africa, when they play Uganda in an international friendly on Tuesday in Asaba, Delta state.

Villarreal winger, Samuel Chukwueze, was one of the players expected to make his debut for Nigeria against the Bafana Bafana last Saturday.

Chukwueze was listed among the substitutes for the game, but the 19-year-old was an unused substitute, even though he was sent out to warm up at a point.

Rohr instead brought on Henry Onyekuru, ‎Isaac Success and Semi Ajayi, as the Eagles held on for a 1-1 draw in Johannesburg.

“When you play the 3-5-2 formation you have your front two (Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho) running all game and they get tired most times, so we have to take them off and introduce players who can offer us same upfront.

“Iwobi was ‎also tired and Ajayi came in to protect the result for us. In our next game we will try some players who didn’t get to play and also those who didn’t make the bench,” the German explained.

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Oyo 2019: ADC drops Ajadi, announces Olufemi Lanlehin as authentic guber candidate [PHOTOS]

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has replaced Dr. Bamidele Ajadi’s name with that of Senator Olufemi Lanlehin as its gubernatorial candidate ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Ajadi, EMIRATCO recalls was announced as the tentative candidate of the party in order to meet the INEC guidelines last month.

Leaders of the party included Ajadi, who doubles as the National Vice Chairman of the party confirmed the development.

Other leaders of the party, among whom is the senator representing Oyo central district, Mrs Monsurat Sunmonu, who spoke while addressing ADC supporters at the state secretariat of the party in Ibadan on Monday added that “Lanlehin is the authentic candidate of the party and his name is the one on INEC website”.

They maintained that, “Lanlehin’s name had been sent to INEC as the authentic ADC governorship candidate in the state for 2019 election.

“It is true that Senator Olufemi Lanlehin has replaced Dr Bamidele Ganiyu Ajadi as ADC governorship candidate for 2019 election in Oyo State. Senator Olufemi Lanlehin’s name is now with the INEC headquarters in Abuja”.

Lanlehin, while addressing the gathering, said that he was just coming from Abuja to inform the members that his name has been submitted to the INEC which has been uploaded on their website.

He said, “I salute our leaders from all the zones, this is a party of let me shake your hand, shake my hand. We are going to be in the government house from next year.

“I am the candidate of the party, my name is with the INEC, My sister, Senator Sunmonu is the candidate for Oyo Central district, Barrister Bayo Lawal is the one for Oyo North and the brother to the governor, Soji Akanbi is the candidate for Oyo South.”

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Atiku vs Buhari: PDP calls for national prayer for 2019 election

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for national prayer in selecting political leaders ahead of the 2019 elections.

The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Monday in Abuja urged Nigerians to use Eid-el-Maulud to pray for new direction and God’s guidance, particularly as the nation gears up for general elections in 2019.

PDP explained that the prayer was necessary as the country began the selection of new set of leaders at various levels of governance across the country.

The party urged Nigerians to use the occasion to rekindle citizens’ sense of national unity, fear of God and love for one another as compatriots, while shunning all divisive and disruptive tendencies.

The party pointed out that Eid-el-Maulud, the celebration of birth of Holy Prophet Mohammed (S A W), presented the nation with ample lessons in the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and truth over falsehood.

It added that it also presented peace over strife, love over hatred, piety over depravity, mutual respect over intimidation and harassment, justice over impunity and discrimination and faith over despair.

The statement read: “The PDP urges Nigerians to use the opportunity of Eid-el-Maulud to reach out and support the needy, the sick, and the deprived, particularly victims of escalated violence and daily bloodletting in parts of our country.’

“The party also calls on Nigerians not to despair but continue to rekindle their faith in the nation as the 2019 general elections will usher in a new beginning.

“A new beginning with a new God-fearing and people-oriented leadership that is set to return our nation to the path of social stability, national cohesion and economic prosperity.

“The PDP wishes the Muslim faithful and indeed, all Nigerians, a glorious Eid-el-Maulud.”

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Nigerian Army discovers new terrorist group in North-East

The Nigerian Army has uncovered a new terrorist group, Jama’atu Nus’ratul-Islami Wal-Muslimina, believed to be operating in the North-East of the country, and vowed to fight the group with “advanced technologies.”   The army in a statement said it had also identified the leader of the new group as Abul-Fadl Iyad Gali, adding that the existence of the group “portends grave danger to Nigeria’s national security.” The Army also said its troops also killed an Islamic State of West Africa Province media chief, Sale Ahmad, also known as Baban Hassan, in a joint operation with the Nigerian Air Force.According to the army, ISWAP is a faction of Boko Haram, directly affiliated to the Islamic State and has attacked military troops and civilians in recent times.  The statement read in part, “The new leader of Jama’atu Nus’ratul-Islami Wal Muslimina, Abdul-Fadl Lyad Gali, has been identified. The group is a new terrorist group which Ansaru is affiliated to. In the same vein, the identification of the leader of the group would enable the army to target the group effectively using advanced technologies in its arsenal. This is as the existence of group portends grave danger to Nigeria’s national security.Reports available reveal that one Sale Ahmad Sale, the leader of Al-Barnawi media group, a faction of Boko Haram, was killed by a joint operation conducted by the army and the air force. The killing of the media leader is indicative of efforts by the army to eliminate key members of the sect. It is worthy to note that the sect is directly affiliated to the Islamic State and has carried out several attacks against troops and civilians in the past.”The post Nigerian Army discovers new terrorist group in North-East appeared

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