You have no moral right to accuse others of corruption, Benue Govt tells Oshiomhole

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="780" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EzolIPtFNC88kdDZY8rJvdQ-hTfTyzbxJ5sB6pRBEYQMHYbTSM9nXvDmhBAaigniPeEFOgNfEJduvCQeACJqB1p6F5APH6S-ObmrxDCDxbR4VEC13XLF2j75NEteyJ9t-rGvxJIX0Tt7/s400/Adams-Oshiomole-Edo-Governor.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Adams Oshiomhole, lacks the moral right to accuse other leaders of corruption, Benue State Government said on Saturday.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The government said this in reaction to comments Mr Oshiomhole reportedly made after Governor Samuel Ortom defected from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party.<br /> <br /> “Oshiomhole does not possess the moral credentials to accuse other leaders of corruption,” a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the state government, Mr Terver Akase, read in part.<br /> <br /> According to the statement, Mr Oshiomhole praised Governor Ortom on July 19 after their meeting in Abuja, telling reporters that the APC was working to address the governor’s grievances and ensure he remains in the APC.<br /> <br /> “We were, however, shocked when a few days later, after Ortom’s defection from APC, we read Comrade Oshiomhole making a 180 degrees turn to launch verbal attacks on the governor,” the statement said.<br /> <br /> “The APC National Chairman’s sudden aggression toward Governor Ortom has revealed among other things, the true oppressive intentions of the ruling party APC against Nigerians”.<br /> <br /> The Benue government also claimed Mr Oshiomhole’s action was part of a plot to throw Benue “into political crisis ahead of the 2019 elections”.<br /> <br /> In rejecting the criticism of Governor Ortom, Akase called on the APC National Chairman to focus on his duties rather than making “divisive” statements.<br /> <br /> “Comrade Oshiomhole ought to be telling Nigerians why they should vote for APC next year instead of embarking on a voyage of attacks on perceived opponents. His unprovoked attack on Governor Ortom and other members of the opposition has not translated to a single vote for the APC,” he said<br /> <br /> “A man of supposed high political stature like Oshiomhole should rather be out to court the sympathy of the very few key actors still left in the APC even in the face of unprecedented frustration by anomalies in the party instead of launching laughable verbal assaults on those who can no longer stand the strange happenings within the party.”<br /> <br /> According to Mr Akase, Governor Ortom has not violated the law in carrying out his functions, including the use of his security votes, and allegations that his aides were complicit in the killings in the state are untrue.<br /> <br /> “Governor Ortom won’t let APC’s latter-day media attacks distract his administration from providing good governance to the people as he has been doing,” the CPS said.<br /> <br /> “Though the Benue State Governor has left the APC, he appreciates the leadership and members of the party fro recognising and appropriately praising him for his laudable achievements.”<br /> <br /> Mr Akase added that the people of the state had been warned that the attacks on the governor “will surely come from enemies of the state”.

Latest-News You have no moral right to accuse others of corruption, Benue Govt tells Oshiomhole

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Adams Oshiomhole, lacks the moral right to accuse other leaders of corrup...

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13 Benue LG chairmen decamp from APC to PDP

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="140" data-original-width="359" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZgG_zia7r1Qb0YGlbfb4Mliyij87EOYp5gwD5uEH_rgZ5GleMyHOpnaduUFukshzABuZwUpyrvPUqjBpDYO0LfV0M9nWOklc7ZWT66Ws_OfKTpecawWgIgJiYVm1ywrDGEVrvORGI5ka/s400/apc+pdp.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> Thirteen out of the 23 local government chairmen in Benue State have defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> According to Channels tv, the chairmen announced their defection to the PDP at the Government House in Makurdi, the Benue State capital on Friday, two days after Governor Samuel Ortom left the APC for the PDP.<br /> <br /> Those who defected include Anthony Shawon of Guma Local Government Area (LGA), Justina Sorka of Buruku LGA, Mwuese Ubebe of Konshisha LGA, Blessing Unogwo of Ado LGA, Virginia Kpindi of Katsina-Ala LGA and George Alli of Otukpo LGA.<br /> <br /> Others are Comfort Echeoda of Agatu LGA, Francis Ayaga of Gwer West LGA, Uaah Vitalis of Gwer East LGA, Richard Nyajo of Logo LGA, Ibellogo Tor of Tyokaa- Ukum LGA, Adakole Abutu of Ohimini LGA and Peter Onche of Obi LGA.<br /> <br /> The decision of the 13 local government chairmen to follow Governor Ortom to the PDP is the latest in a series of major political decisions in the state over recent weeks.<br /> <br /> Seventeen days before defecting to the PDP, on July 8, Governor Ortom dissolved his cabinet, retaining only commissioners believed to be fully loyal to him.<br /> <br /> A day before his defection, the Benue State House of Assembly impeached Mr Terkimbi Ikyange, who had been the Speaker since Governor Ortom rose to power.<br /> <br /> On Wednesday morning, hours before the governor formally defected, protesting youths barred him from travelling to Abuja to attend an APC reconciliation meeting.<br /> <br /> In announcing his defection – a gathering of major political players in the state including the local government chairmen and councillors – the governor explained that the took the decision after consulting widely.

Latest-News 13 Benue LG chairmen decamp from APC to PDP

Thirteen out of the 23 local government chairmen in Benue State have defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Demo...

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I want to win the Champions League with Manchester City – Guardiola

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaSYjhAhOn-7jgCElQ_5K6IsRmMzp6dQqbMvORQjIr1y1CoW2fYnRRhT7b5_7qI0bmwWZF8n5AFOk9ag9zLZYNlvJT4lbPKXCYMAC8iS7fPefJvPYooNxqJBp00NDBbT5lnbJd4k6to7h/s1600/guardiola+city.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="768" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaSYjhAhOn-7jgCElQ_5K6IsRmMzp6dQqbMvORQjIr1y1CoW2fYnRRhT7b5_7qI0bmwWZF8n5AFOk9ag9zLZYNlvJT4lbPKXCYMAC8iS7fPefJvPYooNxqJBp00NDBbT5lnbJd4k6to7h/s320/guardiola+city.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> Manchester City’s World Cup players have decided to return to training early and help aid manager Pep Guardiola’s attempt to defend the Premier League title.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The English champions had 16 players playing in Russia with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Vincent Kompany, John Stones, Kyle Walker , Fabian Delph, Raheem Sterling not due back until next weekend. All players were given three weeks off from the moment their involvement in the tournament ended.<br /> <br /> But Guardiola revealed Friday that only two of his squad will not be available for the Community Shield season opener against Chelsea on August 5. Guardiola, speaking ahead of City’s final match of the US tour against Bayern Munich in Miami on Saturday, said: “Most of them are coming back. We have just four or five days to prepare for the first final (Community Shield) so we have to adapt. “Some of them are coming back before, some are coming back after the final.<br /> <br /> <br /> “We need players for the final but if they are not coming back we’ll play with the guys who are here. “It is not an ideal situation, we prefer to be together but it is the same for Niko Kovac (Bayern manager) or for the other managers – the calendar is the calendar so we have to adapt.”<br /> <br /> Guardiola stressed there will no major moves to improve his squad before the transfer window closes with the summer arrival of Riyad Mahrez from Leicester his only piece of business so far.<br /> <br /> “If we do, we sign one more but in this moment we stay with what we’ve got,” said the City manager. “It’s so expensive and we spent a lot last year because we had an old squad. Maybe one (will come in), maybe not.” Guardiola spent three years in Munich and insisted his spell in Germany was like a “dream” – even if he failed to win the Champions League. “I have a better perspective now that I am looking back at my time there and it’s always positive,” he said.<br /> <br /> “In three years there are good and bad moments. The dream is to win the Champions League. We were close.I still have friends and an apartment there.<br /> <br /> “I will never have a bad word to say about Bayern. “It was a dream, an important part of my life and I have no regrets about what happened there.”

Latest-News I want to win the Champions League with Manchester City – Guardiola

Manchester City’s World Cup players have decided to return to training early and help aid manager Pep Guardiola’s attempt to defend the Pr...

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PDP to Oshiomhole - 'Stop acting like an attack dog'

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="644" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpLTTaeAKc6BzoZI3b3zT6fgeDr_sN2G7l6fUJ24zWSU9PROUhVzDE_EsQQs-PM2cyfxq6_lWuQgDojfuZ8Y89BG3FC6jfSIPAFfVzwipZA1YexyHW0m3v6_9SZVXrbTC1ID2v3PDmo0S/s400/Oshiomhole.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, to stop behaving like an attack dog.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The party said since assuming office a couple of weeks ago, Oshiomhole has abandoned the path of wisdom, even as it accused him being “noisy, loquacious, rapacious and completely immodest in all his actions and utterances.”<br /> <br /> A statement issued by the party’s spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan read: “If Oshiomhole had limited his childish abuses to President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he dismissed as indolent, ineffectual and condoning indiscipline; or to the Ministers of their government, whom he wholesomely described as dishonourable; the governors left in his faction, whom he said are undeserving of return tickets in 2019; and members of his faction, who he had rendered directionless, the PDP would have ignored his attention seeking antics.<br /> <br /> “Nigerians have now found a new laughing stock in Oshiomhole, who appears to have completely lost all bearings in his quest to compete for media space with aides of the President and by so doing, throwing every decorum to the dogs.<br /> <br /> “While the PDP has nothing but pity for Oshiomhole, who is fast turning himself into President Buhari’s court jester, our party will henceforth not watch and allow him continue to make irresponsible, mundane and unsubstantiated allegations of corruption, murder or mutiny against any member of the PDP or any notable Nigerians, unchallenged.<br /> <br /> “The PDP cautions those who brought Oshiomhole into office, through a charade called a national convention, to immediately direct him to regulate the lethargic words spewing out of his double-speaking mouth before he derails our democracy.<br /> <br /> “Oshiomhole should be reminded that but for the cover provided for him by President Buhari, he would have been under prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over huge allegations of pillaging the scarce resources of Edo State where he also trampled upon the citizens, including poor widows, when he was governor.”

Latest-News PDP to Oshiomhole - 'Stop acting like an attack dog'

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, to stop behaving...

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OSUN 2018: Only God can determine Aregbesola’s successor – Traditionalists

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="503" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDmHWiu2BVVf-fBNodp3SWXVC2KmbN2abqHj8FDgkf8MNtmhxa3FNBVZ3uW9Ue0ocLHLN7v28K7a1_JCSAi9uj0UzN66EWayNlPvRntvDGUtGrQpjvRvwInMmH0QP6DWwXnEsThrWBfaf/s640/Governor-Rauf-Aregbesola+osun.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> <br /> Ahead of the September 22 Osun governorship election, the traditional worshippers under the aegis of the Ancient Religion Societies of African Descendants International Council (ARSADIC), have said only God could determine Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s successor.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He warned politicians against using violent and dubious means to get to power, saying doing so would give dire consequences.<br /> <br /> In a statement in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, ARSADIC President, Aare Sola Olalekan Atanda, charged the politicians to demonstrate high level sense of responsibility in pursuing their aspirations.<br /> <br /> Atanda, who is Asiwaju Awo Agbaye and Aare Alasa of Osogbo, warned against do or die ambition and campaign that promotes hate speeches.<br /> <br /> “Let your campaign be issue-based. Engage the people in your interaction with them to know their minds. Instead of dolling out money to buy their conscience. Proof to the people that you are going into office to serve their best interest and they would submit their sovereignty to you,” he advised.<br /> <br /> He also advised the electorate not to sell their votes to “desperate politicians but to see beyond today and into the future with so much to benefit through good governance.<br /> <br /> According to him, it is imperative for people to demand accountability and keep the politicians on their toes at all times instead of looking for immediate pecuniary rewards.<br /> <br /> He prayed for successful governorship election and emergence of the best candidate that can serve public interest.

Latest-News OSUN 2018: Only God can determine Aregbesola’s successor – Traditionalists

Ahead of the September 22 Osun governorship election, the traditional worshippers under the aegis of the Ancient Religion Societies of Af...

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We’re not interested in 2023 Presidency- Igbo Leaders

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCM-AwtBsCuQ0iA7zkErusP_M1TDrzeRG0l3UILSJhlMNBoHeAhWJgHcUwFK8SKPj-k3TZ-ZKm7cYVvAdzA_G2FKGEANxhyphenhyphenOIR0VPhjquTStBFE6fiOQ9DQDet7W8982PiylMp9X-kHPMe/s400/ohaneze+igbo.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> Leaders of Thought, ILT, an umbrella of Igbo statesmen intelligentsia lead by Professor Ben Nwabueze, has told whoever is planning Presidency for Ndigbo in 2023 that Igbo Presidency is no longer on the cards of the nationality.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> They rather said that what would be more beneficial to Ndigbo and indeed the entire Nigerians is a restructured country, where Presidency would become less attractive and no longer an instrument for ethnic jingoism.<br /> <br /> <br /> The group also warned that the country is close to being equated with a failed state given the level of insecurity with attendant killings across states. It also spoke on the popular restructuring mantra and warned against escalated nepotism that it described as ‘political corruption.’ ILT made their positions known, yesterday, after two days meeting in Enugu, where the group said the focus of the meeting was anchored on the state of Nation and the National question.<br /> <br /> Addressing Newsmen after the meeting, Deputy Chairman of ILT, Prof Chiweyete Ejike together with the Secretary General of the group, Prof Elochukwu Amucheazi said that people were becoming poorer by the day and asked for revise of the hopless situations. Ejike said: “Igbo’s are not concerned about Presidency, we are concerned about restructuring. We want a fair and equitable Polity. “There is the issue of use of fund not appropriate by the National Assembly. It is not lawful and we are opposed to that. The selective application of war against corruption is not in order.<br /> <br /> The Case of Maina is a clear example. “Budgeting public fund for private ranching is corruption and a government that is fighting corruption is doing all these. “On the issue of killings, we feel that enough is not being done to stop the scandalous situation and the government should do more in the interest of the nationalities for existential threat.<br /> <br /> “There was no legislative reason to prescribe the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB. The federal government should deproscribe it because they have right to Self-determination.”

Latest-News We’re not interested in 2023 Presidency- Igbo Leaders

Leaders of Thought, ILT, an umbrella of Igbo statesmen intelligentsia lead by Professor Ben Nwabueze, has told whoever is planning Preside...

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2019 Election: Buhari will never win in Kano - Kwankwaso boasts

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1600" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAswBlarp7T9J6I-BHXFINgojQHVPaM3U5PW7sasGE9QHLb4uJ9w1TmBQmtCgO0BIvWwlvOgm_UuUGlIRb-a_HjdcTlrz1J5F1LMktrc1xoO-GRhJDb7oMKklH75E33I2vncaOPSi7BO_/s400/kwankwaso.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> Following the massive defection that struck All Progressives Congress, (APC) this week, intandem with the statement credited to the minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi wherein Amaechi said that noting would prevent President Muhammadu Buhari from winning the forthcoming 2019 general election, Rabiu Kwankwaso the former governor of Kano state on Saturday replied Amaechi.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Kwankwaso through his spokesperson, Binta Spikin said that Buhari would lose in Kano even though he uses federal might. “Even if the government puts whatever in place, there is no way President Buhari will win in Kano, there’s no way”, Binta said.<br /> <br /> Recall that Ameachi had said the following when he was inspecting Itakpe-Warri rail line on Friday, “Do you honestly believe that the president will lose election in this country? Well nobody is God, but that is one of his comfort zones. The next person that left from Bauchi, if you bring president on a sick bed in Bauchi, he will win.<br /> <br /> He has never lost election in Bauchi.” “One thing about me in the political history of Nigeria, nobody has been in doubt on where I stand, one quality I have and Nigerians believe is that I’m honest. I never hid my feelings.<br /> <br /> “Nigerians will certainly reject a second looting, Nigeria cannot survive another looting, call me all the rich men in Nigeria, everybody depends on government. “Sixty percent of Nigerian rich men depend on government.<br /> <br /> Only three years that they remove the breast milk everybody is complaining”, he said. But reacting today, Mrs Spikin said Mr Kwankwaso’s defection will not only affect the votes in Kano State but has brought down the APC. Her words, “I think his defection will greatly affect the votes in 2019. His defection will not only affect the chances of the APC in Kano, his defection has brought down APC.<br /> <br /> “If you look across Nigeria today, not Kano alone, there’s nowhere in Nigeria that you don’t have the presence of Kwankwasiyya (supporters of Mr Kwankwaso). “Kano is his home base and he is well grounded in Kano.<br /> <br /> Even without the government, he had a 60 percent of the voters, so what do you think will happen now that he has joined forces with people like Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau? “Even if the government puts whatever in place, there is no way President Buhari will win in Kano, there’s no way. “He stands a very good chance to win Buhari. We are covered.”

Latest-News 2019 Election: Buhari will never win in Kano - Kwankwaso boasts

Following the massive defection that struck All Progressives Congress, (APC) this week, intandem with the statement credited to the minist...

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Sugar daddies are responsible for 27 pregnancies, says students

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgVsVja1fh5VuNtRDXXfzj8R3PcnPGPcnxRYU8x1SBBkenQOV74sDM1g3wFkrfbtpQKPG8Sgb30a8hCW7xJ0NyeLlr_bWZIjnir2XB-EvoXn6CQ9fZpjDh_UmabUrJGVNrMRskiUALEHI/s1600/pregnant-women.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="700" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgVsVja1fh5VuNtRDXXfzj8R3PcnPGPcnxRYU8x1SBBkenQOV74sDM1g3wFkrfbtpQKPG8Sgb30a8hCW7xJ0NyeLlr_bWZIjnir2XB-EvoXn6CQ9fZpjDh_UmabUrJGVNrMRskiUALEHI/s320/pregnant-women.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> Female Students of Molautsi Secondary School, Limpopo, South Africa have revealed that sugar daddies, popularly called “blessers” are responsible for the 27 pregnancies at their school this year.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The 27 pregnant girls are in Grades 10, 11 and 12 at the secondary school, reports Sowetan.<br /> <br /> Sowetan saw at least six pregnant girls during a visit to the school on Thursday. The girls refused to be interviewed.<br /> <br /> However, according to a Grade 11 pupil, older men were responsible for impregnating some of her friends. “They say they don’t want to be broke; these men give them money. Some of these men have multiple girlfriends around the area,” she said.<br /> <br /> Another pupil, who is in Grade 12, said: “When we are at the taverns there will always be older guys coming and entertaining us.<br /> <br /> “But, at the end is how you respond to them. I have seen friends getting free alcohol from guys who are employed and older. We call them blessers,” the girl said.<br /> <br /> Limpopo education department spokesman Sam Makondo confirmed that 27 pupils at the school are pregnant, noting that the situation was becoming a big concern.

Latest-News Sugar daddies are responsible for 27 pregnancies, says students

Female Students of Molautsi Secondary School, Limpopo, South Africa have revealed that sugar daddies, popularly called “blessers” are resp...

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Ozil fires Arsenal to big win over PSG

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTih2m3eNhbITduIusLInKH0RfyWij3Fi43lWEbzjb3Nu_ZZVnayXGL7KVDQIgCco6AjPm1JQ7Qe9vOUw2tiZL5doqNWWDMo1SM1EfqF-pCgU4fUtjy4GNEmBCAgEDYUkTvFtfbFGCD38/s1600/mesut+ozil.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTih2m3eNhbITduIusLInKH0RfyWij3Fi43lWEbzjb3Nu_ZZVnayXGL7KVDQIgCco6AjPm1JQ7Qe9vOUw2tiZL5doqNWWDMo1SM1EfqF-pCgU4fUtjy4GNEmBCAgEDYUkTvFtfbFGCD38/s320/mesut+ozil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Mesut Ozil fired Arsenal to a 5-1 friendly win over Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday as he cast aside a turbulent week after quitting Germany’s national team claiming racism.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Ozil put Arsenal ahead in the 13th minute before Alexandre Lacazette’s quickfire double and late strikes from Rob Holding and Eddie Nketiah against a youthful PSG side.<br /> <br /> The International Champions Cup win in Singapore was also a boost for Arsenal’s new manager Unai Emery against his former club, now under Germany’s Thomas Tuchel.<br /> <br /> Ozil, named as captain after his torrid week, was quickly into his stride with midfield partner Henrikh Mkhitaryan against a PSG line-up shorn of its World Cup stars.<br /> <br /> He opened the scoring with a tap-in at the far post after Mkhitaryan released Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in space and the Gabonese forward passed back across the face.<br /> <br /> Ozil’s exquisite flick during a length-of-the pitch move nearly produced Arsenal’s second but Gianluigi Buffon saved well from Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi.<br /> <br /> The Italian great also denied Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan, while at the other end teenager Timothy Weah twice went close and Christopher Nkunku curled one over.<br /> <br /> After the break, an Nkunku free kick drew a flying save from Arsenal substitute Emiliano Martinez, before Weah went down for a 59th-minute penalty which Nkunku converted with aplomb.<br /> <br /> But Lacazette hit back with two goals in four minutes — first a sumptuous, near-post heel-flick which sailed past the nonplussed Buffon, and then a close-range header.<br /> <br /> Substitute defender Holding added the fourth with a towering header on 87 minutes, before Nketiah swept home Arsenal’s fifth with the last kick of the game.<br /> <br /> Ozil, who is of Turkish heritage, sent shockwaves through Germany this week when he quit the national team complaining of “racism and disrespect” from football authorities.<br /> <br /></div>

Latest-News Ozil fires Arsenal to big win over PSG

Mesut Ozil fired Arsenal to a 5-1 friendly win over Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday as he cast aside a turbulent week after quitting Germa...

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Many Nigerians lie about SARS attack on social media - Dolapo Badmus

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVd06aydSG5wVn0QN7LwT3e2JSZaZII7SS6GC12ltSW818sc_vDNnW_kB8tAzbVkzVz9rrrwdbpYPjZZp3NHag2i4RPyGLJ132g-QOg0SRSkRsrlxh7NUq1vcMYwSBkya8PtutmzLDwH6/s1600/Dolapo-Badmus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="696" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVd06aydSG5wVn0QN7LwT3e2JSZaZII7SS6GC12ltSW818sc_vDNnW_kB8tAzbVkzVz9rrrwdbpYPjZZp3NHag2i4RPyGLJ132g-QOg0SRSkRsrlxh7NUq1vcMYwSBkya8PtutmzLDwH6/s1600/Dolapo-Badmus.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> Ifedolapo Badmus, a Chief Superintendent of Police and Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 2, has opened up on the outcry against SARS revealing the outcry is overhyped on socialmedia.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> While reacting to the alarming number of SARS brutalisation reports, in a recent interview with Vanguard, she said: “We are aware that bad news sales faster than good news. People have been feigning SARS attack on the social media. .<br /> <br /> I am a Zonal Public Relations Officer of the Force and I have noticed that people deforms information even when there is no confrontation at all. Most people somehow, do this to seek relevance on the social media. .<br /> <br /> Even some celebrities are doing it. The issue has spiraled to the other members of the Police Force: when a normal Policeman did anything uncalled for, they tag it SARS. .<br /> <br /> This kind of act is sending a negative picture to the international community about Nigerian Police. We don’t have any other country other than Nigeria, and whatever we do reflects on us a people. .<br /> <br /> The negative effects rub off on us too as Policemen. When we are outside the country, they see us as corrupt officers due to social media postings. I have spoken to stakeholders in this #Endsars# campaign group, advising them that there are ways and manners the goal can be achieved without using social media platform to escalate the issue. .<br /> <br /> SARS integrity has been projected in a negative form abroad, and even some people are afraid to visit home with the insinuation that SARS will attack them.”

Latest-News Many Nigerians lie about SARS attack on social media - Dolapo Badmus

Ifedolapo Badmus, a Chief Superintendent of Police and Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 2, has opened up on the outcry against SARS r...

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FG to commence disbursement of basic healthcare fund August, says Osinbajo

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bjKCjU1qFshU8B46Venxpxb60Mb6-QqccYx8pcbVY0W9BniX0mr2kXzQFFOs4ZuosT4GHAs1lwecfN8jCQrlWCnQsgAbCrI_dD3DsK13Ur6DLhsdAwBBDMIodHMmEsbeDNKl0Iu91uI/s1600/yemi+osinbajo.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bjKCjU1qFshU8B46Venxpxb60Mb6-QqccYx8pcbVY0W9BniX0mr2kXzQFFOs4ZuosT4GHAs1lwecfN8jCQrlWCnQsgAbCrI_dD3DsK13Ur6DLhsdAwBBDMIodHMmEsbeDNKl0Iu91uI/s320/yemi+osinbajo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>  Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Friday said the Federal Government will commence the disbursement of the Basic Health Funds to states in August, next week.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> According to him, the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, BHCF, was a key deliverable which the current administration must address<br /> <br /> Osinbajo stated this at the third THISDAY Policy Dialogue on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Abuja.<br /> <br /> He said: “For the federal government to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030, we designed the Saving One Million Lives Programmes for Results (SOMLPforR) as part of efforts to incentivise states to enable us reward their performance. And we appreciate those that have distinguished themselves in the provision of healthcare to their people,<br /> <br /> “Considering the importance of this fund, we will commence the disbursement from August. Our administration have seen this as a key deliverable which we must address.”<br /> <br /> He further urged the states to make prudent use of the fund, saying “I will encourage every state to make good use of the funds. States without results will miss out in further disbursements.”<br /> <br /> Vanguard reports that the federal government had in 2017 disbursed $1.5m to each state of the federation for the Saving One Million Lives Programmes for Results (SOMLPforR)<br /> <br /> Experts at the third THISDAY Policy Dialogue also pressed for more implementation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and private sector intervention as the best strategy to improve Nigeria’s healthcare system.<br /> <br /> Speaking at the event, Prof. Aliko Ahmed of Chatham House, London, United Kingdom explained that political leadership was critical in addressing the adequacies in Nigeria’s healthcare system.<br /> <br /> Ahmed stressed that the drive to meet the UHC target would only be possible if political leaders show more commitment to healthcare service delivery.<br /> <br /> He added that though there had been “a progressive increase in the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the talk about political leadership is a necessary factor needed to improve UHC.”<br /> <br /> Ahmed maintained that the challenge confronting UHC goes beyond funding, arguing that “perhaps the issue of corporate governance and leadership” is also crucial as healthcare “goes beyond the issue of funding.”<br /> <br /> Health Specialist, Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) Mrs Chinekwu oreh stated that the forum was committed to strengthening the primary health care system across the 36 states.<br /> <br /> Oreh stressed that the NGF are advocating for the mandatory health insurance, and are committed to state social health insurance scheme, with the need to serve as interface between the states and partners in providing adequate health care services.<br /> <br /> President Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, Clare Omatseye argued that the private sector was a strategic partner that could not be ignored by government.<br /> <br /> Omatseye added that “there is no health without quality healthcare, we need collaboration, we need the private sector as a key player.<br /> <br /> “The government is building ten thousand PHC across the country, but there is a disconnect between that and quality, policies are required to open up those opportunities for the private sector. The private sector is ready to work with states to change the narratives for health care.”<br /> <br /> She expressed worries over Nigeria’s inability to use technplogy and imptove healthcare in the country.<br /> <br /> “We are not use the opportunities of technology to leverage healthcare service delivery, to keep our vacxines cool, our drugs. But some people are dying not because the drugs are there, but because the wrong drugs are there.<br /> <br /> On the role of private sector, Omatseye cited the example of Lagos State, access to healthcare services had been created, including 43 PHCs in Lagos which have been taken over by private health care providers.<br /> <br /> On her part, Trina Haque of the World Bank commended the federal government on the new Basic Healthcare Fund (BHF), stating that,<br /> <br /> “we are excited about what is being done with the basic healthcare fund. We are really at a transformation on healthcare, where healthcare financing is now from the federal, state and local government level.<br /> <br /> Haque called for the settibg up of “a mechanism to really reduce the burden of out-of-pocket spending on low income earners.<br /> <br /> “We want to congratulate Nigeria, the next step is to ensure that money reaches its target. If partners are to come in, we don’t want to see different modalities been set up. We want to see a unified system and modality flowing down to the PHC, we don’t want a fragmented and duplicated system.<br /> <br /> “The third is that, if there is a lot of money, it has to ne accounted for, everybody has to account for this money, so that we will know where the money has gone and what it’s been used for.<br /> <br /> She tasked government “to focus on maternal, child health, vaccination, ante-natal, pre-natal quality health care that is deliver to people who we need it.”</div>

Latest-News FG to commence disbursement of basic healthcare fund August, says Osinbajo

 Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Friday said the Federal Government will commence the disbursement of the Basic Health Funds to sta...

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Buhari leaves Abuja for Lome on Sunday

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfYeclLJ0W1zW76RfoWe7ufXySP0t7OShxfJsQHA0xpxM9RqNzRQ671kxZhFmtzOi5x1cnuBKYakrCs1pQNU2pKX-c73zyrHNvewZlNctnikniDxzVEY_niB01nAXaEQd9QdJEQ1A_9A/s1600/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfYeclLJ0W1zW76RfoWe7ufXySP0t7OShxfJsQHA0xpxM9RqNzRQ671kxZhFmtzOi5x1cnuBKYakrCs1pQNU2pKX-c73zyrHNvewZlNctnikniDxzVEY_niB01nAXaEQd9QdJEQ1A_9A/s320/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> President Muhammadu Buhari will on Sunday depart Abuja for Lome, Republic of Togo, to participate in two high-level meetings.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday.<br /> <br /> On arrival in Lome, Shehu said the President would have an interactive session with the Nigerian community based in Togo at the Nigerian Embassy.<br /> <br /> He added that on Monday, Buhari will attend the Joint ECOWAS/ECCAS Summit.<br /> <br /> He said the summit would deliberate on common security threats to countries in West Africa and members of the Economic Community of Central African States with a view to forging concerted strategies in tackling the menace of terrorism, trans-border crimes and other forms of violent extremism.<br /> <br /> He recalled that the President had expressed support for the proposed ECOWAS/ECCAS Summit when he received the current Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo on June 29, 2018 in Katsina.<br /> <br /> “Terrorism now transcends international boundaries, and no country can combat the scourge alone,” Buhari was qouted to have said.<br /> <br /> While in Lome, Shehu added that the Nigerian delegation will also participate in a meeting on a Single Currency for ECOWAS with the deadline of 2020.<br /> <br /> He said being the largest economy not only in West Africa but also on the continent, Nigeria’s leadership role in the sub-regional aspiration cannot be over-emphasised.<br /> <br /> On Tuesday, the presidential aide added that Buhari will join other leaders of the sub-region for the 53rd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.<br /> <br /> This session, he added, will be dominated by the political and security situations in Guinea Bissau, Mali and Togo; institutional reforms of the ECOWAS Commission to enhance its effectiveness; illegal migration of Africans to Europe; and the worrisome violent clashes between herders and farmers, among other issues.<br /> <br /> The statement added, “At the end of the session, a new Chair of the ECOWAS Authority is expected to take over from the incumbent and host.<br /> <br /> “President Buhari will be accompanied by Governors Ben Ayade and Abubakar Bello of Cross River and Niger States respectively. Others are Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali; Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau; and the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah.<br /> <br /> “The National Security Adviser , Babagana Monguno; the Chief of Defence Staff , Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin; the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar; and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, are also in the President’s delegation.”</div>

Latest-News Buhari leaves Abuja for Lome on Sunday

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Sunday depart Abuja for Lome, Republic of Togo, to participate in two high-level meetings. The Seni...

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Buhari will win in Sokoto, Kano, Bauchi even on sickbed, Amaechi boasts

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCd2i_KqAesTJ5L368hEaImRpbzdBwJxN9GpoEBBZ2u0QzVhhw9lklDoUqO9h28WURD5DYT0eCyRuOiHlWLh4jP_HgG730CyQqfUaYqZzUevmTaOIK73j_SmsPRUjkxA-1bd9zgzYKCc/s1600/Rotimi+Amaechi.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCd2i_KqAesTJ5L368hEaImRpbzdBwJxN9GpoEBBZ2u0QzVhhw9lklDoUqO9h28WURD5DYT0eCyRuOiHlWLh4jP_HgG730CyQqfUaYqZzUevmTaOIK73j_SmsPRUjkxA-1bd9zgzYKCc/s320/Rotimi+Amaechi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, on Friday claimed that the governors of Sokoto and Kwara states, Aminu Tambuwal and Abdulfatah Ahmed respectively, would leave the All Progressives Congress.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Amaechi also claimed that Tambuwal had presidential ambition, and that President Muhammadu Buhari would win in Sokoto, Kano and Bauchi states in the 2019 general elections even if he (Buhari) is taken to the states “on a sick bed”.<br /> <br /> The minister told journalists that although he did not wish to speak about political matters, he was sure that despite the defection by the APC members at the National Assembly, the party would win the 2019 presidential election.<br /> <br /> When told that the APC might be heading for a collapse considering the gale of defection in the party, the minister said, “That’s according to you. Look, you are not a politician so you can’t be commenting on what you don’t know. In fact let’s look at it. Unfortunately I don’t want to speak about this but you are putting me under pressure.<br /> <br /> “However, no matter what you do, the Governor of Sokoto will leave naturally. He has ambition to be president. If you take a chicken to him he will still go. The same with Kwara. These are people you expect that they will leave.”<br /> <br /> He said, “On those that defected at the House of Representatives and Senate, where do they come from? They come from areas that the President is comfortable. Do you honestly believe that the President will lose election in Sokoto? We are not God, but it’s one of his comfort zones.<br /> <br /> “If you bring the President on a sick bed to Bauchi and Kano, he will win and he has never lost election in Bauchi. But that is a bit arrogant on our side; we should not underestimate them.<br /> <br /> “I am not God. It is only God who can say the APC will win or not. But what is clear is that if you remove the God element, I think we are prepared to coast to victory because Nigerians will certainly reject a second looting. Nigeria can’t survive a second looting. Never!”<br /> <br /> He said the delay by the opposition party to name its candidate for the presidential election about six months to the election would work in favour of the ruling party.<br /> <br /> “In our time, it was clear who would be the APC candidate one year ahead of time,” he added.</div>

Latest-News Buhari will win in Sokoto, Kano, Bauchi even on sickbed, Amaechi boasts

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, on Friday claimed that the governors of Sokoto and Kwara states, Aminu Tambuwal and Ab...

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Why we are being hounded, hunted, says Ekweremadu

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiFZft1fIMGg9JaHn8MTiB_qq61sGcdCvSBZLUTnbefnU7_QRlN4H5EcnAe5gCWTKlPjmUPovfXPQrxr5rQ-0AF_xUSqJQzG1BILFV9I9kmzNywAWwPoZrxnrBuiemkobtsHxWE4K5WQ/s1600/Ike+Ekweremadu.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiFZft1fIMGg9JaHn8MTiB_qq61sGcdCvSBZLUTnbefnU7_QRlN4H5EcnAe5gCWTKlPjmUPovfXPQrxr5rQ-0AF_xUSqJQzG1BILFV9I9kmzNywAWwPoZrxnrBuiemkobtsHxWE4K5WQ/s320/Ike+Ekweremadu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, Friday, said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government is persecuting him and some others because of their demand for true democracy in Nigeria.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He spoke in Enugu after thousands of residents marched through the streets to show anger over the siege laid on his residence and that of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.<br /> <br /> The crowd had marched in Enugu metropolis and terminated at Ekweremadu’s house where he addressed them upon his arrival from Abuja.<br /> <br /> He said the travails he had faced in recent times was over his insistence that the rule of law should prevail in the country.<br /> <br /> “We need a country where court order will be obeyed. We are looking for a situation where people will be free to do their businesses anywhere in Nigeria without molestation,” he said.<br /> <br /> Talking on the implication of keeping him indoors on Tuesday, Ekweremadu said that if they had succeeded in caging him and the Senate President, they would have tried to remove them.<br /> <br /> He added that the evil intent of the siege was to prevent the mass defection of the lawmakers that cross-carpeted.<br /> <br /> He spoke thus: “You are aware of the removal of the Senate mace by hoodlums on the day I was presiding earlier this year.<br /> <br /> So, for my people, this is the second time this kind of assault on democracy happening. And for my people, they believe they needed to wake up and say that enough is enough.<br /> <br /> On Tuesday, my house was besieged by over 200 security personnel in just an purported attempt to deliver a letter from the EFCC. That was too many for such an exercise. I believe there was another sinister motive besides delivering the letter. So, I couldn’t go to do the work my constituents sent me to do and which my colleagues elected me to do.<br /> <br /> So, I wasn’t the only person affected. The constituents were also affected because the mission they sent me to do was also affected.<br /> <br /> So, when I came in this afternoon, I saw my people in their numbers. They felt they needed to demonstrate their unhappiness. And you can see it was a peaceful, there was no molestation. The solidarity march we saw this afternoon is indeed an example of how Nigerians should protest and pass across their message with maturity and without any kind of violence. We have had enough of violence. We have had enough of death; and we don’t want to have it anymore.<br /> <br /> We need to peacefully have a change of this government so that Nigerians will have the full benefits of democracy. And the tenets of democracy will be all over the country. We want to see a country that is peaceful; that is united; where there is a rule of law; where there is a rule of law; no dividing line between the north and the south, between the Ijaw and the Igbo, between the Berom and Fulani. I fact, we want a country we can live in peacefully.<br /> <br /> We don’t want a situation where people find it extremely difficult to go from Abuja to Kaduna. That is unacceptable. So, we are looking for a situation where Nigerians live happily and they should be conscious of the fact that there is a government that is responsible enough to protect them and ensure that the protection of their lives and property, as enshrined in the constitution, as a primary purpose of government is enthroned.<br /> <br /> We want it a country where court orders must be obeyed without any protest or people inducing it. You will believe me, this is not existing in Nigeria today.<br /> <br /> The whole world looks up Nigeria to be a leader in Africa, to show the way. That is why Mandela said that if we don’t earn our respect as Nigeria, nobody would respect Africa. We cannot be leading from the back. That is why the struggle we are in now to ensure that democracy does not die is a worthy struggle.<br /> <br /> This, therefore, is an opportunity for me to advise the government that human rights must be respected; that there is justice to all; that there is fairness; and that there is equal opportunity for everyone in Nigeria. if we do that, Nigerians do not care whether you come from North or South. If you do that, Nigerians do not care where their president comes from.<br /> <br /> What Nigerians want is an environment where everybody can thrive. For the Igbos especially, who are egalitarian, who move about everywhere, what they want is an atmosphere an atmosphere where they can live in Kano, Kaduna, Maiduguri, and Sagamu and do their business and be sure no one would destroy their property or their lives. Right now, that is not in existence<br /> <br /> We believe that the people of Nigeria need to come together so that we enthrone order where these expectations will be met. That is what the call restructuring. We need to come back to the basic tenets of democracy and freedom that our fathers agreed on as the basic principles of government.<br /> <br /> Unfortunately, those of us, who are asking that the correct thing be done, are being hounded by the government. So, that is where we have the tragedy of the whole situation. Government must be open to advice and suggestions and must be able to dialogue. Instruments of democracy is dialogue and not force.<br /> <br /> Those who are advising the government must realise that this is a free society. Nigerians are entitled to their rights, their freedoms, they are entitled to the principles of democracy.<br /> <br /> There is no way you can continue to harass and chase and institution of government and expect peace to thrive. That is not possible.<br /> <br /> If you are ensuring that any part of Nigeria is cut off from government, we will have problem. These are little things that can be fixed. All we are asking for is for an opportunity for all of us to sit down and ask how Nigeria can be fixed.”<br /> <br /> On whether he was being intimidated by the development, he said, “I am 56 years old now. I have taken more than average life expectancy in Nigeria. I know it is not over, but I psychologically ready to go through this trauma. I refuse to be intimidated. I am going to the the work for which my people elected me.<br /> <br /> “All I am saying is that there is no need overheating the system just because you want to bring down a system or bring down an institution or you want to bring down certain people in government. These should not be our worry because there are more challenges in the North East, in the North Central, and even in North West people are killed everyday in Zamfara State and it appears nobody is worried.<br /> <br /> “The life of a Nigerians is no longer worth more than the life of a chicken. People die in their hundreds and we just shove our shoulders as if nothing has happened. It cannot in in other societies. I saw a little clip of a police dog that died in America. The dog was given a state burial.<br /> <br /> “The problem with politicians is that sometimes they promise things they cannot deliver. So, they promised them that if they stopped me and the President of the Senate, they would go and remove us with their tiny number and then go ahead to begin to justify it. But this, for me, are crazy ideas, and it is not going to happen. Even if you do that and run away to stop the defection of our colleagues, one day you will resume and we will all come there and stop you from sitting, physically. So, it was such a stupid thing to think about and whoever paid for it must have wasted his money.<br /> <br /> “In the last Senate, I was presiding over a situation where the current President of the Senate and his colleagues left us and the heavens didn’t fall. I had a situation where one Senator Maitiam, I think in the 4th or 5th Senate, who was in All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP, said he was moving to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. We announced it. The next day, he came back and said he was going back to the ANPP because he discovered that the umbrella had scattered. We all laughed and he went back. But now it is like war because some people want to move.<br /> <br /> “I think that the earlier we agree that this is democracy, the better for all of us. We are not in a military regime. You can’s apply military tactics in a purely civilian environment.”<br /> <br /> Earlier, speaking on why the people of the State came out in their numbers to demonstrate, the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Enugu State, Chief Alex Ogbonna said, “The Igbos are very patient, dynamic, persevering and tolerant set of people, but they should not be pushed to the wall. The highest person the Igbos have in government today is Senator Ike Ekweremadu, CFR and ever since he took up the office of the Deputy President of the Senate by election by his fellow senators, he has faced a lot of persecutions.<br /> <br /> “In the first place, he was dragged to the court on the false allegation of forgery of Senate Standing Rule. Later on, they sent policemen to ransack his residence in May last year. The other time, they attacked him on the highway, and there have been a lot of other persecutions.<br /> “We trouped out in our numbers to welcome him because we want the powers that be to know that Senator Ike Ekweremadu has a constituency. We want to let them know that when they make him unhappy, we are unhappy. We want to let them know that anything that happens to him, Igbos will not take it lightly.<br /> <br /> “So, what you have seen here today is just like a sign that if anything happens to Senator Ekweremadu it will not be easy.<br /> <br /> “To cordon his residence and restrict movement of any kind within his building is not the best. It is Gestapo-like. So, we have gathered, one, to give solidarity to him to let him know that we are solidly behind him, to let him know that wherever he is going we are with him, to let him know that he should continue to work hard as he had been doing to protect democracy by the way he has been doing it.<br /> <br /> “He is already a strong voice not only in the National Assembly but he is the voice of Nigeria and we are in support of what he is doing in the National Assembly.”</div>

Latest-News Why we are being hounded, hunted, says Ekweremadu

Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, Friday, said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government is persecuting him and some othe...

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FAAC: Buhari issues order over allocation saga

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDSeyPVnjIwtS7wIDVWpIsTP_B4epY3YDlWt0u0epW1pA6j_P2F_EdILcJZNA8rrBgfPBYXv24c-coMjbiKHthjJ7V4ogetGBuyTKOn6g-YMbTFTpRXZX_jAqmILwHbHy1PH7lYJoqto/s1600/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDSeyPVnjIwtS7wIDVWpIsTP_B4epY3YDlWt0u0epW1pA6j_P2F_EdILcJZNA8rrBgfPBYXv24c-coMjbiKHthjJ7V4ogetGBuyTKOn6g-YMbTFTpRXZX_jAqmILwHbHy1PH7lYJoqto/s320/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered for the review of the revenue reporting template between the NNPC and the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun conveyed the President’s directive on Friday while giving a breakdown on how N821.9 billion revenue generated in June was shared among the three tiers of government.<br /> <br /> “As you are aware, in the last couple of FAAC meetings, the accounts presented by NNPC were not acceptable by the states and so, Mr President asked to be briefed on the issue.<br /> <br /> “Based on that briefing, Mr President asked for further information to be provided by both the Ministry of Finance and the NNPC.<br /> <br /> “Last Thursday, he held a meeting with myself, the Chief of Staff, the Minister of State for Petroleum and the NNPC team.<br /> <br /> “Mr President gave some certain directives, one which relates to FAAC, is the need to revise the template.<br /> <br /> “It was ascertained that the reporting template between the NNPC and FAAC was not providing the right level of assurance around the figures.<br /> <br /> “It is for this reason that he has directed that a new template be generated jointly between the Ministry of Finance, the office of the Accountant-General, NNPC and RMAFC,” she said.<br /> <br /> Adeosun said Buhari also directed that henceforth, before FAAC meetings, a team from the Ministry of Finance and the NNPC should go through the figures and agree before presenting it to FAAC members.</div>

Latest-News FAAC: Buhari issues order over allocation saga

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered for the review of the revenue reporting template between the NNPC and the Federation Account Alloca...

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IBB reacts to defection of APC Senators to PDP

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qqGknLzBlS6E8csZr6YvDFQZJK1D4VpNdxei6uSKNFhpbTX7Lq9IrVYEkeQ51sm1xVD81MaYSNLHCAwtHNjZqJjTYX8Vjj-rZFfRmzfYwazL8OxOEFwvsdOyhBqqQF7X5M10oPJAVQU/s1600/IBB.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qqGknLzBlS6E8csZr6YvDFQZJK1D4VpNdxei6uSKNFhpbTX7Lq9IrVYEkeQ51sm1xVD81MaYSNLHCAwtHNjZqJjTYX8Vjj-rZFfRmzfYwazL8OxOEFwvsdOyhBqqQF7X5M10oPJAVQU/s320/IBB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, on Friday described the recent mass defection of Senators from the All Progressives Congress, APC as a ‘political dexterity’.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Babangida while commending the move by the Senators said it was good for democracy in Nigeria, adding that there is nothing wrong in leaving a party for another.<br /> <br /> It'll be recalled that 14 senators and 37 House of Representatives members on Tuesday defected from the ruling APC to the opposition PDP and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).<br /> <br /> On Wednesday, after weeks of speculations, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State returned to the PDP.<br /> <br /> Reacting to the defection of the Senators, Babangida said it was good for democracy.<br /> <br /> He made the remarks at his Hilltop Mansion in Minna, the Niger State capital when he hosted some journalists as reported by Tribune.<br /> <br /> “I call it political dexterity because there are no better words to describe it. This is political dexterity and I don’t think anybody should have any problems with that. I have nothing against it. I think it is good for democracy. If it is good for democracy, then, it is good for Nigeria.<br /> <br /> “If people left the APC to form R-APC [Reformed All Progressives Congress], they must have a solid reason or reasons for doing that. If 12 senators got to a point where they felt their continued stay in APC was not working and decided to leave, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Similarly, if the other two senators felt that their stay in APC was no longer worth their while and decided to join the ADC [African Democratic Congress], they have not committed any crime.<br /> <br /> “I think the development is good for democracy. Democracy is about choices; it is about the freedom to choose. In the democratic system that we practise, you can always disagree if you feel what you see in the system does not agree with your expectation,” Babangida said.<br /> <br /></div>

Latest-News IBB reacts to defection of APC Senators to PDP

Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, on Friday described the recent mass defection of Senators from the All Progressives ...

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How police, EFCC were used to plot Saraki, Ekweremadu’s impeachment – Senator Ibrahim

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hRYxWt8assIrg0GJj2rZRNRA5ax1V64m17CTC-gQsDjvAErN4sSq0GMclUWaP1yd_DsZFABZ6151a99WwDcvCErfbJcuis3tRCfW2R2GRtmZULqh5q_NDNloSi-MEBO2cp1VDCC07dQ/s1600/bs3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hRYxWt8assIrg0GJj2rZRNRA5ax1V64m17CTC-gQsDjvAErN4sSq0GMclUWaP1yd_DsZFABZ6151a99WwDcvCErfbJcuis3tRCfW2R2GRtmZULqh5q_NDNloSi-MEBO2cp1VDCC07dQ/s400/bs3.jpg" /></a></div> The Senator representing Kwara South in the National Assembly, Rafiu Ibrahim, has revealed that there were plans to impeach the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu last Tuesday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Senator Ibrahim was one of those who dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, last Tuesday.<br /> <br /> According to him, while security agents stopped the presiding officers from coming out of their homes, there were plots to impeach them at the National Assembly.<br /> <br /> He also told Punch that the call for Saraki to step aside as Senate President if he finally joins the PDP was not possible.<br /> <br /> Ibrahim said, “How is that possible? He remains the presiding officer. They need two-thirds majority to remove a presiding officer, so they should attempt that (to remove him) and let us see how they are going to do it.<br /> <br /> “And I know that the majority they are claiming is a phoney claim. But you will see; the list will come out. Why they are crying out now is because their actual plan failed.”<br /> <br /> The lawmaker added, “The same day the police invited the Senate President to answer some questions, the EFCC also invited the Deputy Senate President. And before daybreak, security operatives had laid siege to their houses. You can deduce what was to happen from that.<br /> <br /> “The plan was to impeach them while they were absent. But to the glory of God and the benevolence of God through man, the Senate President was able to come to the chamber and we had our plenary, and we exercised our right (to defect).”</div>

Latest-News How police, EFCC were used to plot Saraki, Ekweremadu’s impeachment – Senator Ibrahim

The Senator representing Kwara South in the National Assembly, Rafiu Ibrahim, has revealed that there were plans to impeach the Senate Pre...

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Osun 2018: US varsity disowns Senator Adeleke’s certificate

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXozUB2luK56d65TRiZIQyUuP8XAOZnt_zpYOZ1w5l8kq4YZJzMVcBHuT9zqdxxpqvzb3NWAYRnJ7Cpy6-vb6JlVEo1iG_G08SvVuNX3rqhflEpV83navXHXkr8dJVLlNEQXpC81gNAs/s1600/Ademola+Adeleke.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXozUB2luK56d65TRiZIQyUuP8XAOZnt_zpYOZ1w5l8kq4YZJzMVcBHuT9zqdxxpqvzb3NWAYRnJ7Cpy6-vb6JlVEo1iG_G08SvVuNX3rqhflEpV83navXHXkr8dJVLlNEQXpC81gNAs/s320/Ademola+Adeleke.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Jacksonville State University, JSU, has said Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke, Senator representing Osun West Senatorial District and the state’s PDP gubernatorial candidate, did not graduate from the public university located in Alabama, United States.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> According to his profile on the National Assembly website, Adeleke has a Diploma in Criminology from JSU and graduated in 1986.<br /> <br /> However, a report published on the website of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, ICIR, Abuja says the authorities of JSU confirmed he has no degree from JSU where he registered as Jackson Ademola Adeleke, while providing what it titled as official records of his enrollment.<br /> <br /> Buffy Lockette, the Director of Public Relations at the university, in response to an email enquiry by the ICIR, said that though the senator enrolled at the tertiary institution, he was not awarded any degree.<br /> <br /> Lockette was quoted as saying, “Your request was forwarded to me.<br /> <br /> “According to our records, he attended JSU but did not graduate. I cannot provide any additional information. Perhaps you can learn more at http://www.studentclearinghouse.org.”<br /> <br /> Senator Adeleke’s other academic claims have, however, been challenged.<br /> <br /> According to recently circulated claims, Adeleke registered for GCE O’ Level in 1981 but had F9 in English Language and was recorded absent for other subjects.</div>

Latest-News Osun 2018: US varsity disowns Senator Adeleke’s certificate

The Jacksonville State University, JSU, has said Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke, Senator representing Osun West Senatorial District and the stat...

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Kwankwaso’s defection wrecks no havoc to APC – Ganduje

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbukKDDcuRmnctNJyGI3SYrLW2HpFNy_FztbCdGaoxcY5sorfA_1z0psEXI5Ijys85CnKS86XhbW9lmmy2LIUU_vejT-otnQKK7wRJVImBt2uWXiUkOZEPqtJRrPGGPipR4B2rhnUX3qA/s1600/Abdullahi+Ganduje.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbukKDDcuRmnctNJyGI3SYrLW2HpFNy_FztbCdGaoxcY5sorfA_1z0psEXI5Ijys85CnKS86XhbW9lmmy2LIUU_vejT-otnQKK7wRJVImBt2uWXiUkOZEPqtJRrPGGPipR4B2rhnUX3qA/s320/Abdullahi+Ganduje.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The defection of the former governor of Kano state, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso alongside other parliamentarians, to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been described by the governor of Kano state Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, as not being enough a reason to cause havoc to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Ganduje made this known to newsmen on Friday, where he emphasised that the party is not scared of his exist.<br /> <br /> “We are not scared by their exit. Their defection doesn’t constitute any havoc to our great party, the APC, at all levels. People should keep eyes to what will happen during election.”<br /> <br /> “Our dear President has been doing the needful in terms of developing the nation, coupled with his efforts in efficient service delivery. Good governance at its peak. The war against corruption is successfully being waged,” he added.<br /> <br /> “I want you to go and study the situation on ground in Kano, his defection does not change the political mood in the state. Nobody cares to be disturbed by their action,” Ganduje stated.<br /> <br /> The governor also said, when Kwankwaso was in the APC ” …his intention was to vie for presidency, but when it appeared to him, in black and white, that there is no vacancy in the Villa, he now decided to leave on his own.”<br /> <br /> While believing that, Kwankwaso is entitled to his own political choice, Ganduje challenged him saying “When he could secure a presidential ticket from the party he cross carpets, then he should wait and see how we can slug it out with him. He will fully understand how popular and loveable our President Muhammadu Buhari is.”<br /> <br /> He insists that, the chances of the party in next year’s general election would not be affected because of Kwankwaso’s defection, challenging that, “All chances of President Buhari, the party and our chances in Kano will not be affected because they leave the party.<br /> <br /> “Kano will give more votes to our President, than what he got in 2015 election. From the 2015 election to date, those who could not vote because of age limit, are now grown up, meaning they will now be eligible to vote. Hence, Buhari stands the chance to get 5 million votes from Kano,” Ganduje concludes.<br /> <br /> Assuring that Nigerians are ready to vote for APC at all levels come 2019 general election, “They believe in what we are doing as a progressive party,” he stated.<br /> <br /> Anwar is the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kano state</div>

Latest-News Kwankwaso’s defection wrecks no havoc to APC – Ganduje

The defection of the former governor of Kano state, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso alongside other parliamentarians, to the opposition People’s Dem...

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PPP calls for probe of security siege on Saraki, Ekweremadu’s homes

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9AS8zEG9Ph_4kuiu4_8obGB20P6VcAvAxU03LCAUQDDrKwPKIzJFgobmgedivmIK0aBU-KfKRXhdfbwgcMAwVOztoTogtQ9vHI-x23geHDyl-f3PzwIDg3jEbN-G8wOLpYeP66_weog/s1600/bs3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9AS8zEG9Ph_4kuiu4_8obGB20P6VcAvAxU03LCAUQDDrKwPKIzJFgobmgedivmIK0aBU-KfKRXhdfbwgcMAwVOztoTogtQ9vHI-x23geHDyl-f3PzwIDg3jEbN-G8wOLpYeP66_weog/s400/bs3.jpg" /></a></div> The People’s Progressive Party, PPP, yesterday, called for immediate probe into the recent lock-down on the residents of Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu by security agencies in order to unravel those behind the actions it described serious constitutional breach.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> National chairman of the party, Dr. Damian Ogbonna, who made the call, while speaking with Saturday Vanguard in an interview in Abuja, said the siege of homes of the two principal officers, apparently to prevent them from resuming duties at the upper chamber was not only violation of their fundamental rights but also the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.<br /> <br /> Dr. Ogbonna, who insisted the incidents must be investigated, argued that such step will help to expose the masquerades behind the act because the clamping down on the National Assembly posed grave threat to the survival of democracy in the country.<br /> <br /> He said, this is very unusual in a democratic setting. It is a breach of the constitution. Security agencies closed the doors against them so they will not be able to go to work.  If the executive is found to be involved, it is breach of constitution which is an impeachable offence on the part of Mr. President.<br /> <br /> And if at the end of the day, it was discovered the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris instigated the siege of the two principal officer’s homes, he must be made to quit the service immediately.<br /> <br /> Noting that not only the National Assembly but the entire nation that is under siege, the PPP boss noted that, “Our nation is at a turning point. We are at a crossroad. It is now or never. There are two paths before us; the one of courage to push back the enthroned force of oppression and suppression.</div>

Latest-News PPP calls for probe of security siege on Saraki, Ekweremadu’s homes

The People’s Progressive Party, PPP, yesterday, called for immediate probe into the recent lock-down on the residents of Senate President,...

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Otedola bridge explosion: Lagos govt speaks on DNA of victims

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhOp7VVMrNWB1PlWuwibeRYzGfppZECe42UDsqgIfG0rU6Tg5_E-je9oR9ZJk7VOce4EbA6wUt1wMI6oj5nrbY6tmaUjHdx2NLdDcXADftviuepBMvlL-DD2vE5XEriP0-Hmp8ScwG-k/s1600/fire.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhOp7VVMrNWB1PlWuwibeRYzGfppZECe42UDsqgIfG0rU6Tg5_E-je9oR9ZJk7VOce4EbA6wUt1wMI6oj5nrbY6tmaUjHdx2NLdDcXADftviuepBMvlL-DD2vE5XEriP0-Hmp8ScwG-k/s400/fire.jpg" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> The Lagos State Government on Friday said 9 bodies from the Otedola Link Bridge fire incident which occurred on June 28 have been successfully matched to their families.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> It had been reported that the accident caused by a petrol tanker, led to the death of nine people, while over 50 cars were also burnt.<br /> <br /> A statement issued by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, to NAN said that 11 families had showed up at Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre (LSD&FC) for testing and only nine families had been matched.<br /> <br /> “On July 5, 2018, samples from the incident were picked up by LSD&FC staff from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Forensic Pathologist, under secured chain of custody.<br /> <br /> “Reference DNA profiles were generated at LSD&FC from representative family members and compared to the DNA profiles generated from the victims’ samples received from the Forensic Pathologist.<br /> <br /> “Based on the DNA analysis performed at LSD&FC, all victim samples were successfully matched to relatives’ samples.<br /> <br /> “Nine bodies have been successfully matched to nine families, out of the 11 families that showed up at LSD&FC.<br /> <br /> “They are now ready to be handed over to the rightful families for necessary burial arrangements.”<br /> <br /> “Collection of the remains would commence from 10.00am July 28 at the Seminar Room of the Pathology & Forensic Medicine Department of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.<br /> <br /> The commissioner said that this was the first time unidentified victims of a mass disaster had been successfully identified locally using DNA technology.<br /> <br /> He said that the identification process was completed in less than four weeks after the incident as against over six months when the practice was to take samples abroad for analysis.<br /> <br /> “I also wish to note that rigorous effort is made in ensuring that errors are reduced to the barest minimum in order not to compound the agony already being experienced by the bereaved families.<br /> <br /> “As a government, we share the concerns and anxiety of the affected families and associates on the identification and the need for prompt release of the remains of their loved ones.<br /> <br /> “However we believe that the thorough investigation which was conducted is in the best interest of all concerned.<br /> <br /> “We wish to reiterate that the entire cost of management and treatment of the surviving victims and DNA forensics for the dead and their families was borne by the State Government, “ Idris said.<br /> <br /> Idris added that some of the victims of the accident were currently being treated at the Trauma & Burns Centre, Gbagada General Hospital and LASUTH and were responding to treatment.</div>

Latest-News Otedola bridge explosion: Lagos govt speaks on DNA of victims

The Lagos State Government on Friday said 9 bodies from the Otedola Link Bridge fire incident which occurred on June 28 have been success...

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Oshiomhole will eat his words in 2019, says Kwankwaso

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwqK_ZyjBclZS2AkZU05Cb5SJBpUDyChQGP4BEImFZnEenTIx6ZlxgW-9ox2ckTpWB_9AzLuuEwZMOVYo4zePswQ8hg0XvIXMgLlAlzBaoAJ0Y9ZgD-nlAMvsr2oFwnkE19OEhC2y7_g/s1600/Rabiu+Musa+Kwankwaso.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwqK_ZyjBclZS2AkZU05Cb5SJBpUDyChQGP4BEImFZnEenTIx6ZlxgW-9ox2ckTpWB_9AzLuuEwZMOVYo4zePswQ8hg0XvIXMgLlAlzBaoAJ0Y9ZgD-nlAMvsr2oFwnkE19OEhC2y7_g/s320/Rabiu+Musa+Kwankwaso.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has reacted to the comments by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Adams Oshiomhole, berating members of the party who defected to the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Oshiomhole had described the defectors before State House Correspondents in Abuja, as ‘big masquerades with no electoral value’ in their constituencies.<br /> <br /> Kwankwaso, who was among the 14 senator that defected during the week, has asked the APC chairman to wait till 2019 to see what they could prove.<br /> <br /> However, speaking to newsmen in Abuja through one of his aides, Binta Sipikin, the senator said yesterday that Oshiomhole should not be in a hurry to test their political weight but should wait till the next general elections.<br /> <br /> Sipikin, who said her boss’ electoral values would speak out in 2019, said: “Let me remind him on how Kwankwaso nearly emerged the APC presidential flagbearer in 2015, which clearly shows how popular Kwankwaso is.<br /> <br /> “It is not a fiction that Kwankwaso in 2015 APC primaries in Lagos came second to Buhari which shows clearly in Nigerian politics he is a force to be reckoned with”.<br /> <br /> She promised that Kwankwaso and his followers would surely show a political difference under the PDP, which he helped to form, “Let me say clearly that by 2019, we will show to the whole world that Kwankwaso is truly a force to reckon with when it comes to Nigerian politics”.</div>

Latest-News Oshiomhole will eat his words in 2019, says Kwankwaso

Leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has reacted to the comments by the National Chai...

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2019: Saraki will be Buhari’s biggest opponent - Okupe

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHLxv8CHtqz5Trq4Wr-LIL1CGkzOc8DwEkrsm8R4cBbOM2CjHox3VofhMH4kn7UFXuy3brintPThrqgsrCozH_BCMk2e8TIRun3wdBQ5G_MYQH4QGiTCs4Y3HlWpotvh71-LtIV6nt2A/s1600/doyin+okupe.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHLxv8CHtqz5Trq4Wr-LIL1CGkzOc8DwEkrsm8R4cBbOM2CjHox3VofhMH4kn7UFXuy3brintPThrqgsrCozH_BCMk2e8TIRun3wdBQ5G_MYQH4QGiTCs4Y3HlWpotvh71-LtIV6nt2A/s320/doyin+okupe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Doyin Okupe, a former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, has said that Senate President, Bukola Saraki, will be President Muhammadu Buhari’s main challenge, during the general elections next year.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Okupe stated this on Channels Television’s Politics Today, while speaking to the defections from the All Progressives Congress (APC), that took place both in the Senate and House of Representatives.<br /> <br /> According to him, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will accept any individual or parties that want to join them.<br /> <br /> “It’s regrettable now but I was one of those who felt if defectors wanted to go, they should go.<br /> <br /> “PDP has been humble, they will take any individual or parties ready to move.<br /> <br /> “2019 for me is about Saraki and President Buhari. Saraki is becoming the most important politician outside the presidency,” Okupe said.<br /> <br /></div>

Latest-News 2019: Saraki will be Buhari’s biggest opponent - Okupe

Doyin Okupe, a former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, has said that Senate President, Bukola...

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PDP attacks Buhari’s Presidency over ‘comment’ on defected Senators, Reps from APC

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79YDBtSyYWj39af0LY2VdM6Zx9WX1iHIfR8leyQAj_hyphenhyphen5XUAbl6DYSSrInf4-L_BN45lcppGKAy_5yBUcItpwGmgbH1KEf-bJI5-ZdVjCIV7SMdZdT4EbdGkeGO2ZfXnDlgZDpgAZkzc/s1600/pdp-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79YDBtSyYWj39af0LY2VdM6Zx9WX1iHIfR8leyQAj_hyphenhyphen5XUAbl6DYSSrInf4-L_BN45lcppGKAy_5yBUcItpwGmgbH1KEf-bJI5-ZdVjCIV7SMdZdT4EbdGkeGO2ZfXnDlgZDpgAZkzc/s320/pdp-logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has claimed that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s “presidency has become a citadel of liars where deceptive lies are churned out daily to beguile Nigerians.”<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> PDP said this while reacting a statement credited to the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, claiming that members of the National Assembly, who defected from the All Progressives Congress, APC, have agreed to work for Buhari in the 2019 election.<br /> <br /> However, PDP, in a statement by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan while dispelling the submission “as a hallucination of a failing government,” said the Buhari presidency has become so ” jittery over its imminent loss of the 2019 election that it now recourse to bare-faced lies and childish blackmail.”<br /> <br /> PDP said, “Such will not save the disintegrating All Progressives Congress (APC) from drowning.”<br /> <br /> The statement said, “the party maintains that those who deserted the sinking ship of APC did so in protest against the incomptences of<br /> President Muhammadu Buhari, leading to the unabating killings, bloodletting and biting economic hardship across our nation in the last<br /> three years.<br /> <br /> “We further say that the APC-led Federal Government has woefully failed to deliver on any of its promises and has nothing to showcase except a recourse to underhand tactics and intimidation of opponents and perceived enemies.<br /> <br /> “Those who left the APC are therefore no longer prepared to continue living a lie that everything is okay with our nation, whereas under the<br /> leadership of President Buhari the drift towards anarchy as well as the indices of a failing state are very manifest.<br /> <br /> “We, therefore, find it ludicrous that the Presidency can sit back and claim that compatriots who have seen ahead that President Buhari is taking our nation to nowhere will turn around and contemplate casting<br /> <br /> their votes for him in 2019.<br /> <br /> “We, therefore, urge the Buhari Presidency to stop its fantasy game and be ready to confront the crushing defeat that awaits him and his party in the 2019 general elections.”</div>

Latest-News PDP attacks Buhari’s Presidency over ‘comment’ on defected Senators, Reps from APC

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Kebbi flood: I am highly touched by losses - Buhari

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYmU_0Nz2HGyssqdt8EiIThKVxu90oPuurq0Qq_37yIj5RdIa4JKmH5dw_iPQVbAc0P0GsQCtDz1wcf9q3ckImtQlEXSr1sfOjiR-DJ6etiAl5mEOj2M-YVsE38CSJA1YjPcrWTJvIVg/s1600/buhari2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYmU_0Nz2HGyssqdt8EiIThKVxu90oPuurq0Qq_37yIj5RdIa4JKmH5dw_iPQVbAc0P0GsQCtDz1wcf9q3ckImtQlEXSr1sfOjiR-DJ6etiAl5mEOj2M-YVsE38CSJA1YjPcrWTJvIVg/s320/buhari2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday expressed his sympathy with the people of Kebbi State on the flood that destroyed farmlands and engendered considerable losses of crops and homes.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Buhari expressed his sympathy in a statement made available to journalists by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.<br /> <br /> The President said, “I am highly touched by the sheer scale of the losses suffered by our hardworking farmers in Kebbi State.<br /> <br /> “This sad news couldn’t have come at a worse time for this administration because of the role of Kebbi State farmers in supporting the government’s initiative to promote local rice production as part of efforts to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on importation of the commodity.<br /> <br /> “This flood disaster represents a setback for the efforts to boost local rice production in the country, for which Kebbi State is playing a leading role.”<br /> <br /> Apart from creating job opportunities and decent incomes for farmers, Buhari noted that agriculture plays a key role in the economy of any country.<br /> <br /> “When our farmers are hit by these kinds of large-scale losses on account of natural disasters, the government should be genuinely concerned, especially as this unfortunate event occurred at a critical time when my administration is pursuing a policy to restore the primacy of agriculture in our national life”, the President added.<br /> <br /> Buhari urged the affected farmers not to despair.<br /> <br /> He assured them that they will not be forgotten by the Federal Government.<br /> <br /> He commended the state government led by Senator Abubakar Bagudu for the swift measures put into action to alleviate the hardship of the victims and equally directed emergency federal aid in support.</div>

Latest-News Kebbi flood: I am highly touched by losses - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday expressed his sympathy with the people of Kebbi State on the flood that destroyed farmlands and eng...

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Why Mourinho will use Matic as defender next season

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpfjIO_GV-9IvtEU-Ue62LAXM4cjcAWjxwYHGrHpGdgbE8YonUL3HMsN4RVZB9IR-HqhUrzdzzFCd_JcPpCMD-3TLyHjgVoh6WyEqK6NTvhXqzs9J37U4iKWUR1IiFK75nF_V6Udo34s/s1600/nemanja+matic+man+u.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpfjIO_GV-9IvtEU-Ue62LAXM4cjcAWjxwYHGrHpGdgbE8YonUL3HMsN4RVZB9IR-HqhUrzdzzFCd_JcPpCMD-3TLyHjgVoh6WyEqK6NTvhXqzs9J37U4iKWUR1IiFK75nF_V6Udo34s/s320/nemanja+matic+man+u.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho will use midfielder, Nemanja Matic in central defence.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> This will happen if the club failed to sign a new centre-back before the transfer window closes.<br /> <br /> The former Chelsea manager is desperate to recruit an established, world-class centre-back to bolster his back-line and provide a solid platform for more attacking, expansive football.<br /> <br /> Tottenham defender, Toby Alderweireld has been his preferred choice and United are hoping to negotiate a fee below Spurs’ £75million valuation having been quoted the same record-equalling figure for Leicester’s Harry Maguire.<br /> <br /> The Independent, UK, reports that the former Real Madrid boss was unhappy with his current options.<br /> <br /> The Portuguese is now exploring the possibility of moving Matic back to centre-half.<br /> <br /> Matic has played there earlier in his United career, notably in the second half against Burnley on Boxing Day last season.</div>

Latest-News Why Mourinho will use Matic as defender next season

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho will use midfielder, Nemanja Matic in central defence. This will happen if the club failed to ...

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Buhari begs supporters - 'Stop campaigns for my re-election'

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr90mqvnlRm5XAk-T-kn1T5rdguSCkhZXTHzJDbucPF-cDwAB66BXfP8RWKGu0nVHzwVFceFIoDfhiq17iIFrJovm7gqUBv3ZpBye6MbSCeqxnzAr33CuPbXqav2Ccu9qZucIbFbagfkPP/s640/President-Muhammadu-+Buhari.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday urged his supporters across the country to halt their current campaigns for his re-election.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He said such activities at this time could amount to jumping the gun since the Independent National Electoral Commission has timetable for the electoral process.<br /> <br /> The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said this in a statement made available to journalists.<br /> <br /> Buhari said he appreciated his supporters’ enthusiasm which he said borne out of their desire to garner support for an administration that is actuated by nothing else, other than service for motherland.<br /> <br /> He told them that there would be ample opportunity for them to showcase his administration’s achievements and campaign for him when the time comes.<br /> <br /> The statement read, “It has been observed that some fervent supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari have begun what may be interpreted as political campaigns in their advocacies and advertisements in the mass media.<br /> <br /> “We appreciate their enthusiasm, borne out of desire to garner support for an administration that is actuated by nothing else, other than service for motherland, but we hereby appeal for patience, so that the game can be played according to the rules.<br /> <br /> “The Independent National Electoral Commission has a timetable for political campaigns, and we urge committed supporters round the country (and beyond) to be mindful of such.<br /> <br /> “There will be ample time ahead to trumpet the good works of the Buhari administration, and solicit re-election, all for the good of our country and her people.<br /> <br /> “While a chronicle of the achievements of the administration is in order now, outright canvasing may amount to jumping the gun. We are an administration committed to due process and scrupulous respect for rules, law and order.<br /> <br /> “We appreciate our massive supporters nationwide, and urge them to exercise restraint till the race commences officially as stipulated by law.”

Latest-News Buhari begs supporters - 'Stop campaigns for my re-election'

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday urged his supporters across the country to halt their current campaigns for his re-election. He...

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Hazard to be made Chelsea’s captain amid transfer saga

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFh2u6tWDaa6_4seXezdIg_MxXL_HiQL0DgFYDGCzoon1l5Jpd0zaakqVGVEDV11k-m9guowARQ75Mefa07sVDPJIsfSqQxrq1D7aCgT1rf84gXSjByBUp9lvmL6p2KkD0_ieEVJa8pL4/s1600/eden+hazard2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFh2u6tWDaa6_4seXezdIg_MxXL_HiQL0DgFYDGCzoon1l5Jpd0zaakqVGVEDV11k-m9guowARQ75Mefa07sVDPJIsfSqQxrq1D7aCgT1rf84gXSjByBUp9lvmL6p2KkD0_ieEVJa8pL4/s320/eden+hazard2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> New Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri has promised to make forward, Eden Hazard the new captain of the club in an effort to keep him at Stamford Bridge.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Real Madrid have seen Hazard as a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo at the Bernabeu after the Portuguese superstar moved to Juventus.<br /> <br /> The Blues are demanding as much as £200m for Hazard even though the Belgian who only has two years left on his contract had rejected a new deal.<br /> <br /> Sarri had earlier said that he will meet the player face to face when he returns to the club from his World Cup holiday.<br /> <br /> But Sun, UK, is reporting that Sarri is desperate to work with Hazard next season and has vowed to make him the captain in an effort to keep him.<br /> <br /> The Blues are likely to need a new captain next season with Gary Cahill’s place at the club under threat should they land £44m-rated Juve defender, Daniele Rugani.<br /> <br /> Sarri is mulling over other potential captain options, such as Cesc Fabregas and Cesar Azpilicueta, but will give Hazard the role to act as the extra motivation he needs to reject a move to Real Madrid.</div>

Latest-News Hazard to be made Chelsea’s captain amid transfer saga

New Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri has promised to make forward, Eden Hazard the new captain of the club in an effort to keep him at Stam...

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Why Saraki must quit as Senate President if he dumps APC – Senator Ndume

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_jqbsO6_JA4vJYpRuX3t8vZEaW-Wp_VlT3ZpadumWbM7GiaSayWAUdBWYETAp60oEnvX_o8Cr1qnQmS6avqpRJ8KRp5BoAliEIJiNmSQgdrs6OZ-wpYyrp5UVjwnGvaSFfxlWimcZmQ/s1600/Ali+Ndume.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_jqbsO6_JA4vJYpRuX3t8vZEaW-Wp_VlT3ZpadumWbM7GiaSayWAUdBWYETAp60oEnvX_o8Cr1qnQmS6avqpRJ8KRp5BoAliEIJiNmSQgdrs6OZ-wpYyrp5UVjwnGvaSFfxlWimcZmQ/s320/Ali+Ndume.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> A former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume has urged Bukola Saraki to quit as Senate President once he dumps the All Progressives Congress, APC.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Ndume in an interview with newsmen, Said Saraki should not continue because the leader of the Senate must emerge from the party that has the majority.<br /> <br /> He said, “It requires that the leadership should emerge from the majority; that is the practice all over the world.”<br /> <br /> “It is the practice of the democracy we are copying that the Senate President must come from the party that has the majority. And Nigeria’s case will not be different.<br /> <br /> “Morally, yes. It is only in our place that people just do things that are aberrations.<br /> <br /> ”If not, morally, ab initio, Ekweremadu, coming from a minority party, is not supposed to be the Deputy Senate President. And Saraki cannot continue, morally; if I were him, once I leave the party, I will leave Senate presidency.’<br /> <br /> He also spoke on the alleged plot to impeach Saraki and the Deputy Senate President, Ekweremadu.<br /> <br /> Ndume denied the allegation saying that “If there was an attempt, the attempt has not manifested.”</div>

Latest-News Why Saraki must quit as Senate President if he dumps APC – Senator Ndume

A former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume has urged Bukola Saraki to quit as Senate President once he dumps the All Progressives Congress,...

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Saraki speaks on his Senate leadership if he dumps APC

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iZEy7IQVNZ8r-8Y79RMMpm0OUwfhEBZwPI-YijA_FiRygNX5weDTBNgB23I5nLD6ayiPW7pDgzdo6ABn2Jfzsz7abyLiH1GZF8rmU6FbWuQETdIc2d-YRw862BTc-pNKZuK1-WdnH6U/s1600/bs3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iZEy7IQVNZ8r-8Y79RMMpm0OUwfhEBZwPI-YijA_FiRygNX5weDTBNgB23I5nLD6ayiPW7pDgzdo6ABn2Jfzsz7abyLiH1GZF8rmU6FbWuQETdIc2d-YRw862BTc-pNKZuK1-WdnH6U/s400/bs3.jpg" /></a></div> President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has spoken on his status if he finally dumps the All Progressives Congress, APC for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> There are clear indications that the Kwara-born politician will be announcing his defection to the PDP in a matter of days.<br /> <br /> The loyalists of the former Kwara Governor in the chamber are also battle ready to keep his presiding status, regardless of which party has the majority of members between the APC and the PDP in the National Assembly.<br /> <br /> Saraki, who spoke with the Punch through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olayiyonu dismissed the call by members of the Parliamentary Support Group that he should quit as presiding officer once he defects from the ruling party.<br /> <br /> The PSG is a group of APC senators supporting President Muhammadu Buhari.<br /> <br /> Saraki noted that two-thirds of senators were needed to remove the Senate President.<br /> <br /> He said, “We all know the process of electing and removing the Senate President. It is not that a party must determine who takes charge; every member of the Senate will have a vote in the election or removal of the Senate President.<br /> <br /> “The constitution is clear on how the collection of those votes is done and what number is needed to elect or remove the Senate President.<br /> <br /> “So, anybody who says anything outside those provisions is just deceiving themselves. The person is speaking in a vacuum.<br /> <br /> “We are not bothered here. The Senate President is still attending to his official duties from home despite the recess. Everything is normal here. They are the ones who have reasons to be bothered.<br /> <br /> “I say this without intending to insult any senator. I try not to respond to any senator but allow the senators to engage themselves.”</div>

Latest-News Saraki speaks on his Senate leadership if he dumps APC

President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has spoken on his status if he finally dumps the All Progressives Congress, APC for the People...

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I’m yet to decide on my successor — Ajimobi

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5goYZcIy_YHdI9kCdAf9qFwHa3LXUuvIXZXFW6K9oCrF2wSlXTjfA3CiKmBJ13hbgAm0tlAQaPIp86ONKZ75ulkD_x3P4yvKLhwY-RvFJnP006RS8E2F9FmiXO8mIvXSAnCgwKawVnE/s1600/Abiola+Ajumobi.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5goYZcIy_YHdI9kCdAf9qFwHa3LXUuvIXZXFW6K9oCrF2wSlXTjfA3CiKmBJ13hbgAm0tlAQaPIp86ONKZ75ulkD_x3P4yvKLhwY-RvFJnP006RS8E2F9FmiXO8mIvXSAnCgwKawVnE/s320/Abiola+Ajumobi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Despite an array of aspirants jostling for the governorship seat of Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has disclosed that he was yet to decide on his preferred successor in the forthcoming elections in the state.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The governor made this known at the end of a two-day Capacity Building Programme organised for newly elected local government chairmen and heads of local government administration in the state.<br /> <br /> He maintained that having laboured to raise the standards of governance in the state, his wish was to be succeeded by someone who would build on his unprecedented achievements by taking the state to an enviable height.<br /> <br /> Ajimobi said: “Only God ordains or dethrones kings. Only God and the people of Oyo State will determine my successor. But I am sure that our people will not allow the state to fall into the hands of charlatans who will retard our progress.”<br /> <br /> “With the level we have reached, we want a competent, highly cerebral person with track record of achievements to be the next governor. We want somebody who will not only envision and visualize, but who will have the courage to do what is right.”<br /> <br /> “Our state doesn’t deserve people whose sole purpose is to come and line their pockets. We want influential people that will earnestly serve our people and continue from where we would stop.”<br /> <br /> “A leader takes people where they want to go. But we want a great leader who will be prepared to take our people to where they don’t necessary want to go, but ought to be. A leader that will not be intimidated by some private interest groups from doing what is right.”<br /> <br /> Ajimobi, while congratulating the chairmen for being the first set of council bosses to be inaugurated over seven years of administration, noted that their final election has put stop to innuendos of the political opponents and has disabused the minds of the cynics.<br /> <br /> “The cynics have thought the election will not be conducted and now, the elections were finally held. Your final election has put a stop to the innuendos of the political opponents who thought the elections will not be held.”</div>

Latest-News I’m yet to decide on my successor — Ajimobi

Despite an array of aspirants jostling for the governorship seat of Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has disclosed that he was yet to de...

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2019: Okotie’s Recipe For Way Forward

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgjYVBGZvEc6hQpJoJ9dvZ9jgYpqc1d-RQUw0vUa4xclPkPZdzT-0N_EAbAl7VEqLPHueNf9bJFOsZVcE0HCgE_9bTRqCHFIXv0i9ExT9sJfpT3TYcdhSNobMOMzRNG4mA0zoVycobJA/s1600/Chris+Okotie.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgjYVBGZvEc6hQpJoJ9dvZ9jgYpqc1d-RQUw0vUa4xclPkPZdzT-0N_EAbAl7VEqLPHueNf9bJFOsZVcE0HCgE_9bTRqCHFIXv0i9ExT9sJfpT3TYcdhSNobMOMzRNG4mA0zoVycobJA/s320/Chris+Okotie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Pastor-Politician, Rev Chris Okotie finally broke his silence last week when he suddenly declared his intention to run for the office of President at a press conference in Lagos.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> His announcement came via two letters addressed separately to the chairmen of the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress, APC and the main opposition party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, in which Rev. Okotie asked the parties to adopt him as their consensus Presidential candidate for the 2019 Presidential election.<br /> <br /> The plausibility of this request is left to the two parties to decide but equally interesting   is the Pastor’s Proposition for an interim government of National Reconciliation and Reconstruction, which he has proposed to head to fix Nigeria. What is his justification for this request? Let’s read his position as stated in his letters:<br /> <br /> “As we approach another election cycle, the prognosis for a national crisis coveys a reality of frightening proportions. We are confronted by existential threats that seek to engender the fragmentation and disintegration of our nation as a holistic entity. Nigeria has become a divided and segregated society like never before. We have become polarized by ethnicity; we have become Balkanized by religious fundamentalism. We have become fractured by political insensitivity and leadership disability.<br /> <br /> “The advent of the Boko Haram insurgents and the ubiquitous Fulani herdsmen phenomenon have further exacerbated social insecurity and cast nebulous clouds over the viability of our union. The concentric arrangements of the WAZOBIA alliances have been a disaster; engendering the marginalization of the smaller ethnic units, thus, perforating the canopy of the Federalism under whose aegis we co-exist.<br /> <br /> “The dream of a great Nigeria which flowered at Independence, the yearnings and aspirations of the people and the Nigerian brotherhood whose ensign dominated the political horizon at Independence has all been consigned to oblivion. The worrisome symptoms indicative of the restiveness signalling the preamble to the Civil War of the past have re-emerged in more definite configuration and now form a circadian rhythm which must be addressed immediately. We must act now to avert the manifestation of the great inevitable”.<br /> <br /> Nobody can dispute the above facts as clearly stated by Rev. Okotie, especially with the rampaging Fulani herdsmen killings in some parts of the country. As never before, the polity is overheating even as 2019 seem to be looking like a hard road to travel.<br /> <br /> Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Third Force can’t muster the force required to redeem the ship of state, which appears to be heading to the rocks. The political class can’t hold together; no one is giving us a ray of hope. Rev Okotie’s proposition for an interim national government to reconcile and rebuild the nation before we go back to intense competitive politics is the way out of this conundrum. Idea like these should never be dismissed because it came from a man who thinks outside the box.<br /> <br /> Less than 200 days to the polls, the Nigerian state is obviously unsettled with no clear direction as to which way to go. Both the ruling APC and the main opposition PDP and its 30-plus alliance partners have not given us anything to consider as a viable alternative.<br /> <br /> OBJ’s third force is an assemblage of old tired politicians with jaded ideas. Most of the key figures in this alliance have occupied top positions in government in virtually all the administrations that have ruled this nation in recent past. They have not told us anything new. But Rev. Okotie’s proposition is truly revolutionary, no matter from the angle it is viewed. If given the chance to lead the country at a time like this he promised:<br /> <br /> “My mandate, therefore, will be to set up an interim government which I have christened GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL RECONCILIATION AND RECONSTRUCTION as the mechanical instrumentality for the crystallization of the new Nigeria of our dreams. It would be predicated on a new concept of Aboriginal democracy. Our current democracy has been hijacked by elitism, mysticism and Satanism.<br /> <br /> Aboriginal democracy will focus on cultural historicity, evolutional modernity and global relativity as the necessary ingredients of our evolutional political indigenisation. Under this system, the current legislature would merge with the judiciary to create a unique judicature that administers justice and shares the enactment of legislative responsibilities with the Presidency. This would save us the huge cost of running the National Assembly and obviate all the paralyzing debates that often stalled the passage of bills”.<br /> <br /> The biggest challenge facing this country is our bloated overhead. Nigerian’s resources are being deployed to fund the civil service and pay the huge cost of running the National Assembly and the political class. If Aboriginal democracy can replace the current unproductive system of government, we’d have enough money to develop the country. On this score, I cast my lot with the proposition for an interim government to really restructure our government and usher in a new dawn for Nigeria.</div>

Latest-News 2019: Okotie’s Recipe For Way Forward

Pastor-Politician, Rev Chris Okotie finally broke his silence last week when he suddenly declared his intention to run for the office of P...

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Defections: We won’t return to APC - Reps

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8XDBBLQ-Vrb2cOfSb9PUT9KKRSxDgSSL6zht1lmJD4I-b0T3sIbMoIsejfz_l0a9tAAbKpt-CJt-Dxp2m4lR9YN6MTpye_kSHF4gpzM-8IJVy4lY4uWnBsAg1NwKqwDnYdBZhOcyYBg/s1600/APC-LOGO-17.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8XDBBLQ-Vrb2cOfSb9PUT9KKRSxDgSSL6zht1lmJD4I-b0T3sIbMoIsejfz_l0a9tAAbKpt-CJt-Dxp2m4lR9YN6MTpye_kSHF4gpzM-8IJVy4lY4uWnBsAg1NwKqwDnYdBZhOcyYBg/s320/APC-LOGO-17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Members of the House of Representatives, who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday, have described as laughable the dream of the APC that they will make a U-turn and return into its fold.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> They said God had already forbidden that such a thing should happen.<br /> <br /> The members noted that the decision to dump the ruling party didn’t come easy but it came anyway, after they had weighed all other options and concluded that defection was the best.<br /> <br /> Their reactions came on the heels of fresh reconciliation moves by the APC and alleged offer of return tickets to the members to contest the 2019 polls.<br /> <br /> Thirty-seven lawmakers had on Tuesday defected from the APC. Thirty-two of the lawmakers defected to the PDP, while four members moved to the African Democratic Congress.<br /> <br /> One member has yet to name his new party.<br /> <br /> The Coordinator of the 32 defectors, Mr. Razak Atunwa, reacted angrily to the thought of returning to the APC.<br /> <br /> Atunwa, who is the chairman, House Committee on Justice, said the APC had “limited understanding” of governance, a reason the party reduced the defection to just return ticket.<br /> <br /> He said, “Ticket or no ticket, this is a decision that we have taken and we know this is the best.<br /> <br /> “We are talking about fundamental national issues, lack of good governance and generally, a government that has failed to deliver on its promises to the Nigerian people.<br /> <br /> “When you reduce it to ticket, you make this whole fight look unserious or merely which party has majority or not majority. We are talking about a government that has failed.”<br /> <br /> Several other defectors shared Atunwa’s views.<br /> <br /> One of them, Mr. Bode Ayorinde, told Saturday PUNCH that God would not allow the members to return to their “vomit.”<br /> <br /> He stated that there was no way the APC would attract anyone, considering the alleged injustice being perpetrated in the party.<br /> <br /> “God forbids bad thing; that I should return to APC. What for?” Ayorinde added.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party says the President Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidency has become a citadel of liars where deceptive lies are churned out daily to beguile Nigerians.<br /> <br /> The party was reacting  to a presidency statement credited to the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, claiming that members of the National Assembly who defected to the PDP from the All Progressives Congress had agreed to work for Buhari in the 2019 election.<br /> <br /> Dispelling the submission as a hallucination of a failing government, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said the Buhari presidency had become so jittery over its alleged imminent loss of the 2019 election.<br /> <br /> He said this was why it had allegedly made recourse to what he called bare-faced lies and childish blackmail.<br /> <br /> He, however, said such would not save the disintegrating APC from drowning.<br /> <br /> Ologbondiyan, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, maintained that those who deserted the alleged sinking ship of the APC did so in protest against the incompetence of President Buhari leading to the unabating killings, bloodletting and biting economic hardship across our nation in the last three years.</div>

Latest-News Defections: We won’t return to APC - Reps

Members of the House of Representatives, who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday, have described as laughable the dream of...

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Saraki leading the worst senate in history of Nigeria – El-Rufai

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyKHmQMI1y2bUmXaBiJRvEPS0U5_1i1fvYdElP6RVX5A8WxSyKpL1mMHmXhJHHQycVHosaFbWQsKrR-ctJMZBwBdWex3iRKDpcUa7spCrlkijuTd0z4Vykwu9-megy4j64gg1ZvuhKfOx/s1600/nasir-el-rufai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="231" data-original-width="400" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyKHmQMI1y2bUmXaBiJRvEPS0U5_1i1fvYdElP6RVX5A8WxSyKpL1mMHmXhJHHQycVHosaFbWQsKrR-ctJMZBwBdWex3iRKDpcUa7spCrlkijuTd0z4Vykwu9-megy4j64gg1ZvuhKfOx/s320/nasir-el-rufai.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has described the 8th Senate, led by Bukola Saraki, as the worst in the history of the country.<br /> <br /> The governor said this in an interview aired on several local radio stations in Kaduna on Thursday, an online newspaper..<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> In the interview, el-Rufai knocked Saraki for listing some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress among those who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday.<br /> <br /> He said many of the lawmakers who defected rode on the back of President Muhammadu Buhari to get elected to their positions.<br /> <br /> The governor said, “We have never had a bad senate leadership like this one by Bukola Saraki. Some people whose names were mentioned among those who defected said they never authorised it.<br /> <br /> “We know those who cannot win elections in their homes. Many of them found themselves in the National Assembly by riding on the back of Buhari.<br /> <br /> “Some of them won the elections because the presidential and parliamentary elections held on the same day.”<br /> <br /> Responding, Saraki described el-Rufai as a careless talker, saying he as the Senate President couldn’t have announced the name of any defector if they didn’t sign the letter communicating their defection to the PDP.<br /> <br /> Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, the Senate President said, “El-Rufai is a known careless talker. He is a man suffering from diarrhoea of the mouth. You (one of our correspondents) report the National Assembly on a daily basis. Is it possible for the name of a senator to be announced as having defected without him or her signing the letter communicating same to the Senate President?”<br /> <br /> <br /> “We challenge el-Rufai to mention the name of any senator whose name was announced without his or her consent. He (el-Rufai) is a divisive element, an expert hero worshipper and noisemaker.”<br /> <br /> “He worshipped (former President Olusegun) Obasanjo once the way he is now worshipping (President Muhammadu) Buhari, and now he is on the forefront of abusing the former President. It will soon be the turn of Buhari to be rubbished by el-Rufai. He did the same to ex-Vice President Atiku (Abubakar).”

Latest-News Saraki leading the worst senate in history of Nigeria – El-Rufai

The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has described the 8th Senate, led by Bukola Saraki, as the worst in the history of the country...

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