Friday 12 June 2015
Obama Is Ready To Help- Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said he had directed the nation’s service chiefs to produce a list of the logistics needed by the military to successfully execute the war against the Boko Haram sect.
He said he would forward the list they will prepare to the leaders of the Group of Seven Industrialised Nations (G-7) based on their request.
Buhari disclosed this while speaking with journalists at the end of the extraordinary summit of Heads of State and Government of Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
He said the leaders of the G-7 requested for the list during his recent meeting with them in Baravia, Germany.
He added that based on the request, he had informed his colleagues in the commission to also prepare their countries’ lists for the same purpose.
He explained that the final list that would be forwarded to the G-7 would be drafted at the end of the African Union summit holding in South Africa.
The President said, “You will recall that I was personally invited to the G-7 meeting.
“I went there and I was asked to brief the G-7 and I was impressed with the tremendous sympathy they have for this sub-region, Lake Chad Basin Commission.
“All of them from President Obama are willing to help us.
“They have actually asked me to discuss with their Chief of Defence Staff or their Ministries of Defence or talk to them directly on what we need.
“So, I brought this case to our meeting here and I told them that Nigeria has gone quite far.
“I had five hours meeting with my service chiefs and I asked them to produce comprehensive logistic requirements.
“I also advised my colleagues to be prepared to produce their logistic requirements so that after the AU meeting, we will agree on what to send to the head of G-7, President of Germany.”
Buhari said members of the G-7 were anxious to render assistance, especially when the Boko Haram sect declared its loyalty to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
He also explained that the rules of engagement among the troops of the member states have been clearly spelt out.
Punch
Assembly Approves Wike’s N10bn Loan After Amaechi Allegedly Left Empty Treasury
The Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday approved a
loan of N10 billion requested by the State Governor, Nyesom Wike. The state
governor had sent a letter to the House of Assembly asking that he should be
granted approval to secure the loan that would be used to fund some major
projects in the state.
28 lawmakers voted in favour of the approval.
Speaker of the House, Mr. Ikuinyi Ibani, in his remark,
explained that it would be difficult for any government to survive without
funds to operate.
Ibani, who pointed that the House would not be involved in
frivolous approvals, added that the state legislature would endorse transparent
and sincere requests that would benefit the people of the state.
Explaining that the immediate past administration left an
empty treasury, the Speaker disclosed that the loan would be taken from Zenith
Bank and repaid through Valued Added Tax.
Alaafin of Oyo Steps Out With 4 Wives
Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adeyemi and his 4 wives (Olori's) pictured as they stepped out in style for the National Assembly Inauguration on Tuesday June 9th
Real Reasons Why Osinbajo Can Not Be Allowed At Security Meetings For Now
There has been some disquiet in many quarters over the non-participation of Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, at different security meetings held by President Muhammadu Buhari since assumption of office. One was held on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 while another one was on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 and the Vice-President was not allowed to be at both meetings. A source however explained to Dailypost why the VP cannot attend the meetings for now. Read the reasons below.
“I am sure he would have been invited if he had security background. Being a Professor of Law is fine, but in terms of intelligence and access to security information, you are nowhere near the rank of Colonel or equivalent in the Nigeria Military. Look, I have watched some footage's that if the VP gets to see, he would lose appetite for days. Now we have someone who has been in luxury virtually all his life, attaining the position of VP and some people are clamoring for his presence in highly sensitive talks. The truth is that the military hierarchy would not even feel comfortable saying some things in his presence. I can tell you that they respect Prof. Osinbajo as VP but they cannot trust him with information yet.
You cannot compare him to Buhari who served in many military roles, chased away militants that was threatening Nigeria security, overthrew a military government, became Head of State, fought corruption and went ahead to instill discipline among a stubborn citizenry. The VP would have to go through what is called ‘Stimulation’. This is a process where he is lectured on terms, dealings, operations etc. of the military. His inner strength, strong heart and ability to keep things to himself will first be put to test before he gets access to some classified materials and information. We must understand the fact that Osinbajo was a candidate promoted by Bola Tinubu (ex-Lagos Governor), he was not handpicked by Buhari. If the President had picked a vice, it is likely that such individual may get the access Osinbajo isn’t getting now. Everyone knows the VP has been loyal to Tinubu for decades and he cannot swear that he would not divulge details of these security meetings to his political godfather. So he has to earn it. Tinubu may have used his influence to put him in this position but he must draw a line between blind loyalty and national duty.”
“I am sure he would have been invited if he had security background. Being a Professor of Law is fine, but in terms of intelligence and access to security information, you are nowhere near the rank of Colonel or equivalent in the Nigeria Military. Look, I have watched some footage's that if the VP gets to see, he would lose appetite for days. Now we have someone who has been in luxury virtually all his life, attaining the position of VP and some people are clamoring for his presence in highly sensitive talks. The truth is that the military hierarchy would not even feel comfortable saying some things in his presence. I can tell you that they respect Prof. Osinbajo as VP but they cannot trust him with information yet.
You cannot compare him to Buhari who served in many military roles, chased away militants that was threatening Nigeria security, overthrew a military government, became Head of State, fought corruption and went ahead to instill discipline among a stubborn citizenry. The VP would have to go through what is called ‘Stimulation’. This is a process where he is lectured on terms, dealings, operations etc. of the military. His inner strength, strong heart and ability to keep things to himself will first be put to test before he gets access to some classified materials and information. We must understand the fact that Osinbajo was a candidate promoted by Bola Tinubu (ex-Lagos Governor), he was not handpicked by Buhari. If the President had picked a vice, it is likely that such individual may get the access Osinbajo isn’t getting now. Everyone knows the VP has been loyal to Tinubu for decades and he cannot swear that he would not divulge details of these security meetings to his political godfather. So he has to earn it. Tinubu may have used his influence to put him in this position but he must draw a line between blind loyalty and national duty.”
Tension In Rivers State As Wike Plans To Sack LGA Chairman
Hundreds of supporters and Councilmen took to the streets on Thursday to address their displeasure over the plan to dissolve the leadership. Demonstrators carried placards and chanted songs while marching in a procession.
Tensions mount in Rivers State as Governor Nyesom Wike plans to sack "elected Chairmen" of Local Government Areas over improper elections into Councils.
Hundreds of supporters and Councilmen took to the streets on Thursday to address their displeasure over the plan to dissolve the leadership. Demonstrators carried placards and chanted songs while marching in a procession.
Samuel Eyiba, the Chairman of Ahoda west LGA, told SaharaReporters that "Any attempt to dissolve elected Chairmen and Councilors of 23 LGA in Rivers State, [will be resisted by] the good people of Rivers State."
Also Celestine Akpo Bari, Chairman of Khana LGA, said "we would not allow any attempt to truncate democracy and subvert the will of the people.”
Tensions mount in Rivers State as Governor Nyesom Wike plans to sack "elected Chairmen" of Local Government Areas over improper elections into Councils.
Hundreds of supporters and Councilmen took to the streets on Thursday to address their displeasure over the plan to dissolve the leadership. Demonstrators carried placards and chanted songs while marching in a procession.
Samuel Eyiba, the Chairman of Ahoda west LGA, told SaharaReporters that "Any attempt to dissolve elected Chairmen and Councilors of 23 LGA in Rivers State, [will be resisted by] the good people of Rivers State."
Also Celestine Akpo Bari, Chairman of Khana LGA, said "we would not allow any attempt to truncate democracy and subvert the will of the people.”
We Will Follow Due Process To Punish Saraki, Others- APC
The All Progressives Congress spokesman, Lai Mohammed has said the party will follow due process to punish Bukola Saraki, Yakubu Dogara and others for defying its directive on the election of the National Assembly leadership. The party had earlier conducted its own election where Ahmed Lawan emerged as the Senate President and Femi Gbajabiamila emerged as the house speaker, and had warned all members not to contest but vote for the party’s candidates.
Bukola Saraki and Dogara however defiled this, and not only just contested but won the elections. The party has however said they will be dealt with accordingly.
Wednesday 10 June 2015
Reports of me decamping to PDP is laughable and absurd - Saraki
Senate President Bukola Saraki has described as absurd and laughable, rumors of him defecting to PDP from APC. In a statement he released today June 10th, Sen. Saraki said he left the PDP willingly and will not be going back there at this time when he's already in a ruling party.
"The new Senate President also denies that he had a plan to decamp to the People's Democratic Party, describing the insinuation as " absurd and laughable." According to him, "it is just cheap blackmail by political adversaries who want to call a dog a bad name in order to hang it. And those making such desperate allegations should remember that I willingly left the PDP on matters of principles when the party was in power. Is it now that the party is out of government and in opposition that I will now return having worked so hard for my party in the last general elections".
Read the full statement after the cut...
The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has described President Muhammadu Buhari's reaction to Tuesday's election of National Assembly leaders as a "great mark of leadership" and a demonstration of the President's commitment to democracy. In a statement issued by his media office on Wednesday, the Senate President commended President Buhari for remaining steadfast in his commitment to the principle of non-interference in National Assembly politics even in the face of great pressure on him to act otherwise. "This shows that Mr. President is a man of great conviction who, in his own words, belong to everyone and to no one," the statement reads. In a similar vein, the new Senate President also denies that he had a plan to decamp to the People's Democratic Party, describing the insinuation as " absurd and laughable." According to him, "it is just cheap blackmail by political adversaries who want to call a dog a bad name in order to hang it. And those making such desperate allegations should remember that I willingly left the PDP on matters of principles when the party was in power. Is it now that the party is out of government and in opposition that I will now return having worked so hard for my party in the last general elections," he queried.
He stated his commitment to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying he remains a loyal party member and a leader of the party, committed to contributing his quota to building the party and helping it to deliver its promise of change to Nigerian people. He urged all members of the National Assembly to put politicking behind them and settle down for the proper business of legislating. "Our country is going through a very trying times. We have the challenge of insecurity in the North East. The massive problem of youth unemployment and general economic challenges occasioned by the falling oil prices in the international market and the consequential fall in revenue. All these are coming against the huge public expectation that propelled our party into office. We have pursued our legitimate aspirations appropriately. Now that the issues have been settled, we need to move on in the larger interest of our people, without whose mandate we would not have been in a position to aspire to these positions in the first place." The Senate President stated his readiness to embrace every member of the Senate regardless of his or her political leanings in the leadership elections just concluded.
Stolen Assets Recovery: Buhari Demands Fuel Imports From Oil Marketers Implicated In Fraud
Facing a huge cash crisis, President Muhammadu Buhari has resorted to unusual strategies for recovering some of the funds stolen from Nigeria’s treasury through a series of shady deals between former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke and a group of indigenous oil companies and oil marketers she and former President Goodluck Jonathan favored
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, brought the part of the illicit deals to public attention when he alerted Nigerians that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had failed to deposit $20 billion of oil revenues with the CBN. In addition, Mrs. Alison-Madueke had inked some deals, with the blessing of former President Jonathan, involving oil swaps and the transfer of certain oil wells reclaimed from multinational oil companies to shady Nigerian operators, including Jide Omokore and Kola Aluko.
An investigation by SaharaReporters discovered that President Buhari’s administration has begun the difficult and complex process of retrieving some of the missing petro-billions. One approach so far adopted by the new president is aimed at addressing the fuel scarcity that has harmed the Nigerian economy and threatens to paralyze the country’s economic activities, according to highly placed officials in the government.
But one exception involves Mr. Omokore whose Atlantic Atlantic Energy Oil Company was involved in the controversial concession of oil wells. A source at the Presidency told SaharaReporters that Mr. Omokore had volunteered to return $500 million to the Federal Government. However, the source added that President Buhari nixed the deal based on information that Mr. Omokore, believed to be a front for Mr. Jonathan and Mrs. Alison-Madueke, is in possession of $4.5 billion of funds that should have been deposited in the federation account.
The sources told SaharaReporters that the government’s immediate strategy involved targeting oil marketers and companies “caught red-handed in stealing huge sums of oil subsidies and oil revenues.” The government has pressured these companies and their owners to agree to repay the stolen monies traced to them by immediately importing more fuel into Nigeria.
The sources said the Buhari government has recorded significant early success in getting some oil marketers and their companies to accept the fuel-for-funds deals. “A number of them have agreed to import massive levels of fuel in lieu of the funds they received in shady transactions during the Jonathan administration,” one Presidency source claimed.
Another source revealed that the administration had started out by putting pressure on former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke. She was reportedly quick to deny responsibility for the illicit deals with the oil marketers. Instead, she squealed on her subordinates in the NNPC, accusing them of structuring and doctoring the deals that robbed Nigeria of billions of dollars.
“The [Buhari] government got her to write a formal account of her allegations against some NNPC officials and oil companies. What she put down gave a picture of how some of the funds went missing. The document was then forwarded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the form of a petition,” one source said.
Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s “petition” reportedly named all the persons involved in the massive fraud in the oil sector, including some past and serving officials of the NNPC. Our sources said those she implicated in the NNPC include the current General Managing Director (GMD), Haruna Momoh, a former GMD, Austen Oniwon, Reginald Stanley and Sam Okeke, a former Group General Manager, New Business Division of the NNPC.
An EFCC source told SaharaReporters that a crack team of investigators was currently working on the former minister’s petition. He said the document had revealed new facts previously unknown by EFCC agents and Nigeria’s intelligence officials at Department of State Services (DSS). Among the scams disclosed by the former minister is information that at least four companies involved in an oil swap deal had not accounted for huge sums that should have been remitted to the account of the Nigerian government.
Among the companies implicated in her “petition,” Transfigura was reportedly unable to account for $80 million, Televeras $111million, while Aiteo apparently gulped down $150 million. Other oil firms named in the defrauding of the Nigerian people are Ontario, which failed to account for $135 million, and Sahara Energy, accused of skipping the payment of $120 million to the government.
Our EFCC source revealed that two companies, Transfigura and Sahara Energy, had made some gesture towards paying back some missing funds. However, a source at the Presidency told our correspondent that “so far the reconciliation has involved just paperwork and has not scratched the heart of the scam.” Investigators described Aiteo and Ontario as particularly problematic because they have completely cooked their records. An investigator also disclosed that the two companies are most directly linked to Mrs. Alison-Madueke and former President Jonathan. Both Ms. Alison-Madueke and Mr. Jonathan are currently in the UK, with the former Petroleum Minister reportedly undergoing a weeklong cancer therapy.
Some of the companies have agreed in principle to return the funds by bartering imported fuel for the funds they acquired illegally.
Our sources disclosed that other downstream companies caught in the storm of missing and stolen funds include Forte Oil, owned by businessman Femi Otedola, Folawiyo Energy, and, Oando, owned by Wale Tinubu and Honeywell Oil Company owned by Oba Otudeko.
Officials of the Buhari administration declined to give official confirmation of the stolen assets recovery process relating to other officials of the Jonathan Presidency.
SOURCE:SAHARA REPORTERS
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, brought the part of the illicit deals to public attention when he alerted Nigerians that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had failed to deposit $20 billion of oil revenues with the CBN. In addition, Mrs. Alison-Madueke had inked some deals, with the blessing of former President Jonathan, involving oil swaps and the transfer of certain oil wells reclaimed from multinational oil companies to shady Nigerian operators, including Jide Omokore and Kola Aluko.
An investigation by SaharaReporters discovered that President Buhari’s administration has begun the difficult and complex process of retrieving some of the missing petro-billions. One approach so far adopted by the new president is aimed at addressing the fuel scarcity that has harmed the Nigerian economy and threatens to paralyze the country’s economic activities, according to highly placed officials in the government.
But one exception involves Mr. Omokore whose Atlantic Atlantic Energy Oil Company was involved in the controversial concession of oil wells. A source at the Presidency told SaharaReporters that Mr. Omokore had volunteered to return $500 million to the Federal Government. However, the source added that President Buhari nixed the deal based on information that Mr. Omokore, believed to be a front for Mr. Jonathan and Mrs. Alison-Madueke, is in possession of $4.5 billion of funds that should have been deposited in the federation account.
The sources told SaharaReporters that the government’s immediate strategy involved targeting oil marketers and companies “caught red-handed in stealing huge sums of oil subsidies and oil revenues.” The government has pressured these companies and their owners to agree to repay the stolen monies traced to them by immediately importing more fuel into Nigeria.
The sources said the Buhari government has recorded significant early success in getting some oil marketers and their companies to accept the fuel-for-funds deals. “A number of them have agreed to import massive levels of fuel in lieu of the funds they received in shady transactions during the Jonathan administration,” one Presidency source claimed.
Another source revealed that the administration had started out by putting pressure on former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke. She was reportedly quick to deny responsibility for the illicit deals with the oil marketers. Instead, she squealed on her subordinates in the NNPC, accusing them of structuring and doctoring the deals that robbed Nigeria of billions of dollars.
“The [Buhari] government got her to write a formal account of her allegations against some NNPC officials and oil companies. What she put down gave a picture of how some of the funds went missing. The document was then forwarded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the form of a petition,” one source said.
Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s “petition” reportedly named all the persons involved in the massive fraud in the oil sector, including some past and serving officials of the NNPC. Our sources said those she implicated in the NNPC include the current General Managing Director (GMD), Haruna Momoh, a former GMD, Austen Oniwon, Reginald Stanley and Sam Okeke, a former Group General Manager, New Business Division of the NNPC.
An EFCC source told SaharaReporters that a crack team of investigators was currently working on the former minister’s petition. He said the document had revealed new facts previously unknown by EFCC agents and Nigeria’s intelligence officials at Department of State Services (DSS). Among the scams disclosed by the former minister is information that at least four companies involved in an oil swap deal had not accounted for huge sums that should have been remitted to the account of the Nigerian government.
Among the companies implicated in her “petition,” Transfigura was reportedly unable to account for $80 million, Televeras $111million, while Aiteo apparently gulped down $150 million. Other oil firms named in the defrauding of the Nigerian people are Ontario, which failed to account for $135 million, and Sahara Energy, accused of skipping the payment of $120 million to the government.
Our EFCC source revealed that two companies, Transfigura and Sahara Energy, had made some gesture towards paying back some missing funds. However, a source at the Presidency told our correspondent that “so far the reconciliation has involved just paperwork and has not scratched the heart of the scam.” Investigators described Aiteo and Ontario as particularly problematic because they have completely cooked their records. An investigator also disclosed that the two companies are most directly linked to Mrs. Alison-Madueke and former President Jonathan. Both Ms. Alison-Madueke and Mr. Jonathan are currently in the UK, with the former Petroleum Minister reportedly undergoing a weeklong cancer therapy.
Some of the companies have agreed in principle to return the funds by bartering imported fuel for the funds they acquired illegally.
Our sources disclosed that other downstream companies caught in the storm of missing and stolen funds include Forte Oil, owned by businessman Femi Otedola, Folawiyo Energy, and, Oando, owned by Wale Tinubu and Honeywell Oil Company owned by Oba Otudeko.
Officials of the Buhari administration declined to give official confirmation of the stolen assets recovery process relating to other officials of the Jonathan Presidency.
SOURCE:SAHARA REPORTERS
Don't Jubilate Yet, Ekiti Cleric Warns Fayose
The General Overseer, Hour of Mercy Prayer Ministry, Prophet Muyideen Kasali has warned Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose not to be carried away by the expiration of the Fourth Assembly, which comprised of APC lawmakers who were bent to impeach him, but rather he should watch and pray.
The cleric said this in Ado Ekiti today while addressing his congregation during their special programme held in his church this morning. He further urged the governor to be more prayerful in order to forestall future crisis as there were still challenges ahead for him.
Tambuwal leads other Ex House of Rep speakers and deputy speakers on a courtesy call to new speaker
Immediate past speaker of the House of Reps now Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal led past Speakers of the House of Representatives including Patricia Etteh, Ghali Na' Abbah and deputy speakers Emeka Ihedioha on a courtesy call to the new speaker, Hon Yakubu Dogara today June 10th
Remi Tinubu reportedly refuses to shake Saraki's hand during her swearing-in
Eventhough there's a photo of them laughing nd being cordial, there's a viral report that Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of Bola Tinubu, refused to shake hands with the new Senate President Bukola Saraki after her swearing in this morning.
Senator Tinubu alongside 28 other APC Senators who were absent when the Senate was inaugurated yesterday, were sworn in as Senators this morning. After their swearing-in, Protocol demands that they proceed to the Senate President to shake his hand and show him their certificate. Every other senator observed the protocol except Tinubu who only showed him her certificate and reportedly ignored his handshake.
The APC Senators who were absent during yesterday's Senate inauguration and sworn in today include the party's desired choice for Senate President and Deputy Senate President, Ahmed Lawan and George Akume. Others are Senators Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa) Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe), Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos), Olusola Adeyeye (Osun), Isiaka Adeleke (Osun), Shehu Sani (Kaduna) and Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos). In all 26 of them were sworn in.
Sanctioning Saraki/Dogara: Lai Mohammed says party is in a dilemma
The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Lai Mohammed says the party is currently in a dilemma in regards to carrying out its planned sanction on their party members, Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon Yakubu Dogara for presenting themselves for elections at the National Assembly against the party's wish.
While speaking on Channels TV this morning, Lai Mohammed said there have been reservations expressed by some people that the party might lose its majority in the house to the PDP if they do not manage the situation properly
"Yes people have expressed that concern but how do you maintain cohesion and discipline in the country and the same time ensure that you continue to maintain the majority in the house. Now what happens if this goes unpunished and unquestioned, then anybody in the party can do what they like. So this is the dilemma the party is facing. The dilemma within the party is how on one hand we ensure cohesion and discipline within the party and the same time ensure that the matter does not deteriorate. The real danger the party faces now is having the leadership of the national assembly which you cannot call your own. The leadership of the national assembly that does not share your agenda. The leadership that does no share your vision. If you understand how the National Assembly works and the kind of power the leadership has, you will understand the danger of what happened yesterday. For instance today, we can no longer talk about having leadership caucus in the National Assembly today because the leadership is made up of both the PDP and the APC. So there is nothing personal to APC that can be discussed in confidence without the PDP knowing. It means if a letter goes to the President to the Senate, it means it will go to the leadership of the PDP, APC, everybody even before our own members read it. It is quite a serious issue"he said.
He said he cannot pinpoint any mistake his party made that led them to this current situation.
Asked if the party can afford to suspend Saraki and Dogara, he said "The party can afford to do anything to maintain discipline"
He explained why the party described the actions of Saraki and Dogara as treachery
"Well you see when we were campaigning, we campaigned against the PDP because we believed that the PDP after 16 years did not live up to the expectations of Nigerians. Now if any of our members now want to be Senate President or Speaker and he is going to rely on the same opposition that was displaced and in total defiance to the party's directives, its Treachery. If 57 people voted to elect senate president, that speaks volumes. That means there are only 8 senators from the APC that joined the 49 Senators from the PDP. If Femi scored 174 votes, that means out of the 209 members of the APC in the house of Reps, only 30 moved over. So clearly, what happened yesterday was rebellion by a very small minority of the members elect, that is why we call it treachery"he said
On why the meeting with President Buhari and members of the APC which was supposed to resolve all issues between party members before the National Assembly leadership election did not hold as expected at the International Conference Center Abuja yesterday June 9th, he said
"The meeting did not hold for two reasons. One, those members of the party that were bent on disobeying the party directives did not trun up and while the President was preparing to come to attend the meeting with all other faithful, loyal members of the party, he was informed they had already started voting in the upper chambers and at that point in time there was no point for him to come to join the meeting. That is why we now asked our members to go back to the National assembly while we went to the presidency"he said
Meet the Nigerian Senator with just one hand!
Despite the seeming 'odd' of having just one hand, Senator Nneji Athan Achonu realized his dreams of becoming a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as he was sworn into office alongside his colleagues yesterday June 9th. Popularly referred to as the one armed general, he campaigned, contested and won the election for Senator representing Okigwe Senatorial zone of Imo State. He is 56 years old, married with children.
APC not well equipped to handle the affairs of government at the center- PDP
The Publicity Secretary of PDP, Olisa Metuh says the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara as the new leaders of the National Assembly which is against their party wishes, signifies that APC is not well equipped to handle the affairs of government at the center. In the statement he released today June 10th, Mr Metuh said the APC is only suffering from the greed, lust for power and inordinate ambitions of the party's leaders.
"The crass inexperience so far displayed by the APC is a pointer that it is not adequately equipped to handle the affairs of government at the center. Nothing can be more astonishing than the whining by the APC that the PDP at the last minute expressed its preference for Saraki and Dogara as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively, after it had earlier stated that it was not interested in the positions. This calls to question the capacity, experience and skills of APC leaders on political matters and we have no apology whatsoever for their naivety. The APC is merely suffering the consequences of the greed, lust for power and inordinate ambitions of their leaders. They should note that Nigerians have since moved ahead with the new leaders in the National Assembly and stop wasting their energy on propaganda and blackmails to heat up the polity.”he said
Tinubu’s political career is coming to a sunset - Bode George
A former Deputy Chairman of PDP, Chief Bode George says the emergence of Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara as new Senate President and Speaker House of Representatives indicates that Bola Tinubu's career politically is coming to a sunset.
"You know I predicted weeks ago that the APC is just a congregation of strange bedfellows. The most beautiful thing about what has happened is that Bola Tinubu’s political influence in Nigeria is coming to a sunset and it is about five minutes to midnight for him. If he cannot see this now, then it will be foolish of him. He brought in the APC national chairman and the vice-president and he thinks Nigeria belongs to him.
So, he thought what he did in Lagos was what he could replicate at the national level and they have shown him that he cannot continue to be the lord of the manor. So, if he is wise, he will slow down. President Muhammadu Buhari, as an army general, has fought more battles than him and has an understanding of things.
The PDP was never dead. We were only given a bloodied nose, not a technical knockout. So, this is an opportunity to start regrouping and getting ready for 2019. I want to salute the dexterity and perfect political manoeuvres for which the PDP is well known. People like Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande in Osun have always been local champions. Now, they have come to the national level of politics and they are now learning the tricks that all that glitters is not gold. I congratulate Saraki and Ekweremadu.
They understand what Nigeria is all about. The APC would discipline Saraki? Is Saraki a child? They probably think they are playing local politics like the one they play in Lagos State. I welcome them to the real world" he told Punch
Man accuses AIG Joseph Mbu of torture, threat to life
Alhaji Suleiman Yerima, a Lagos-based foreign exchange dealer has accused the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Lagos, Joseph Mbu, of directing policemen to torture him over a forex deal that went wrong.
The businessman said Mbu directed policemen from Zone 2 to torture him and one of the ways they tortured him was to dip his face into a bucket of water, a form of torture known as 'water-boarding', used to extract confessions from terrorists.
The man who has petitioned president Buhari said he was detained for 80 days by the police after he and a friend were picked up by the EFCC. He said his friend, a man named Uwem Antia was equally tortured and beaten. He claimed in his petition that Antia is lying critically ill in a Lagos hospital following several beatings and torture by the police which included 'hanging him on a pole like a roasted chicken from 11pm till the early hours of the morning.'
He said, “Over 250 people are in EFCC detention cells; some have stayed for four months, some six months. EFCC did water boarding to me and Antia and it was because a friend reached former IG Suleiman Abba that I was not beaten but my life is in danger, the policemen and EFCC officials are out to kill me.”
Punch reports
Yerima said that his ordeal began on March 3, 2015, when EFCC operatives phoned him that he was needed at their office in respect of a petition written against him and Antia by one Denis Ale and Mrs. Gladys Aginwa, both of Standard Chartered Bank, Lagos.
The FOREX dealer stated that he visited the EFCC office with Antia in company with his lawyers and was shown the petition, in which Ale alleged that he gave him N120m to source for dollars and that he had not fulfilled the bargain.
Yerima said, “I told the operatives that it was not N120m but N627m which they sent to Uwem Antia’s account with Zenith Bank. Antia, who is the Managing Director of Kafisto Oil and Gas Ltd., was the one that brought the customers to me and my duty was to source for dollars.
“When Mr. Antia confirmed the alert of N627m in his account, I gave them $1m in cash. The next day, Antia gave them the balance of $2.250m and both transactions were properly documented. During our interrogation, Antia supported our statements with documentary proof of evidence and clearly stated in his written and oral statements that I had given him the balance of $2.250m, which he delivered to Denis Ale.”
In spite of Antia’s statement and evidence exonerating him from any wrongful act in the transaction, the businessman said one Mr. Adeola, Head of BFF at the EFCC, still ordered that he and Antia should be detained.
Yerima stated that they were denied bail and access to their families and lawyers by the EFCC Director of Operations, IIiyasu Kwarbai, and that when they challenged the treatment, they were rushed to a magistrate court on March 12, where the commission obtained a detention order for 30 days.
He said, “On the evening of March 13 around 8pm, policemen from Zone 2, led by one DSP Dantoro, came to the EFCC detention facility. Antia was released to the officers on the instruction of Kwarbai and he was handcuffed by the officers and his legs chained.
“The officers started beating him mercilessly in the presence of EFCC officials, the policemen later took him away to their torture chamber at Zone 2 and continued the torture under the directive of Mr. Joseph Mbu and supervised by Dantoro.”
But the EFCC denied detaining Yerima and Antia for extended period of time. The commission’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, who said he was not aware of Yerima’s case, noted that the anti-graft agency did not keep suspects in its custody unnecessarily.
When contacted by Punch, Joseph Mbu could not be reached for comment.
Source: Punch
Presidency dismisses rumours on Buhari’s delayed relocation to Aso Villa
The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to president Buhari, Shehu Garba released a statement yesterday describing as false, reports being circulated online that the reason Nigeria's new president hasn't relocated to Aso Villa was because he was advised by a Senegalese spiritualist not to do so for now. In the statement, Shehu said the report was embarrassing to say the least. He said the president is a Muslim who believes his fate belongs to God.
"The so-called spiritual cleansing of the Aso Rock Villa by Senegalese marabouts before President Buhari moves into the villa is the figment of the imagination of rumour mongers." He said
Shehu said renovation works at the villa was mostly the reason pres. Buhari hasn't moved to the Villa.
African Military Chiefs meet in Abuja To Destroy Boko Haram
The Chief of Defence staff of Nigeria, Cameron, Chad, Niger Republic as well as heads of Intelligence and Security Agencies of the African countries met in Abuja today to discuss the successful operation of the modified version of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in the fight against Boko Haram in the region
Yusuf Lasun emerges deputy Speaker, House of Representatives
Honorable Yusuf Lasun representing Osogbo/Olorunda/Orolu/Irepodun of Osun State has been elected Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives.
Nasir El-Rufai reduces number of state ministries from 19 to 13
Kaduna state governor, Nasir El Rufai has reduced the number of ministries in the state from 19 to 13. The downsizing in the number of ministries was contained in a statement released by his media aide, Samaila Aruwan yesterday, June 9th According to the statement, the reduction is being carried out to cut the cost of running the various ministries.
"Accordingly, the Kaduna State government has announced the restructuring of its ministries from 19 to 13. This is intended to cut costs, spur efficiency and improve service delivery,” the statement read.
Governor El-Rufai in the statement stated that the Commissioners that will be appointed for the ministries will have a certain number of aides they will work with. The statement also added that the state Ministry of Lands, Survey and Country Planning has been moved to the office of the Governor while the Ministry of Rural and Community Development has been moved to the office of the deputy governor of the state.
It also added that the Ministry of Information has been decentralized and that every Ministry in the state is now to have a Public Relations officer whose responsibility it will be to inform residents of the state about the developments in their various ministries.
Buhari vows to work with Bukola Saraki, Yakubu Dogara
The Presidency has released a statement saying that President Buhari has noted the outcome of the elections of Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon Yakubu Dogara as Senate President and Speaker House of Representatives respectively.
President Buhari in the statement reiterated his earlier position that he doesn't wants to be drawn into the politics of the National Assembly but will work with whoever the lawmakers elect as their leaders.
The statement made available to journalists by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina reads in part;
"President Buhari had said in an earlier statement that he did not have any preferred candidate for the Senate and the House of Representatives, and that he was willing to work with whoever the lawmakers elected. That sentiment still stands. Though he would have preferred the new leaders to have emerged through the process established by the party.”
Davido Hosts Babymama To A Surprise Birthday Party
Davido’s baby mama and Otunba Dele Momodu’s cousin, Sophie Momodu was a year older yesterday and her baby daddy and friends held a surprise birthday party for her. Remember the duo welcomed a baby girl few weeks back
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