What Saraki told me about Buhari, Tinubu, 2019 – Dele Momodu

Latest-News What Saraki told me about Buhari, Tinubu, 2019 – Dele Momodu

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Removing Buhari will not solve Nigeria’s problems – Fani-Kayode

Latest-News Removing Buhari will not solve Nigeria’s problems – Fani-Kayode

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Garba Shehu on ‘lifeless’ comment: World leaders queuing to meet Buhari proves they admire him

Latest-News Garba Shehu on ‘lifeless’ comment: World leaders queuing to meet Buhari proves they admire him

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World leaders on queue to meet Buhari, Presidency boasts

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25Ic3jnZSdCYB2PV0O7W8YzKovL3uLTjz6rcMMP5BuSauG_nr2yC_aNrY4yAhlO6Ifg9ndB36xMVJdpI1W59n7rCjwJnvo1DahvfXO52uOnflDEWK-7ThWDOIPsQKjtK9CUXmaIvXAJgG/s1600/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25Ic3jnZSdCYB2PV0O7W8YzKovL3uLTjz6rcMMP5BuSauG_nr2yC_aNrY4yAhlO6Ifg9ndB36xMVJdpI1W59n7rCjwJnvo1DahvfXO52uOnflDEWK-7ThWDOIPsQKjtK9CUXmaIvXAJgG/s320/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Presidency on Saturday boasted that world leaders are on a queue to meet President Muhammadu Buhari.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> This, it said, was contrary to what happened in the past when world leaders did not want anything to do with Nigerian leaders.<br /> <br /> The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this in an interview shortly after Buhari and members of his entourage arrived Beijing, China for the 7th Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation scheduled to hold between September 3 and 4.<br /> <br /> Shehu said world leaders’ good disposition towards Buhari was an indication that there was something about the President and about the country he leads that the world likes.<br /> <br /> He also reiterated the Presidency’s position that it would not respond to a statement credited to United States President Donald Trump that Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari was “lifeless.”<br /> <br /> The presidential spokesman said, “You know that as a policy, we said that we are not going to answer the American President, however, the fact that the entire world and world leaders are queuing up to meet President Muhammadu Buhari, is an indication that there is something about President Buhari, there is something about Nigeria he now leads, that the world likes.<br /> <br /> “I think that Nigerians themselves should better look at this from this positive point of view, is a major development.<br /> <br /> “We had situations in the country in the past where key world leaders didn’t want to meet our own leaders, all of that has changed in the last three years.”<br /> <br /></div>

Latest-News World leaders on queue to meet Buhari, Presidency boasts

The Presidency on Saturday boasted that world leaders are on a queue to meet President Muhammadu Buhari. This, it said, was contrary to...

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Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino lift Liverpool past Leicester despite Alisson howler

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGAhACg9EL7IJ_73BbCNqKzdC2LiFoSTwqp1-ontfAPVtymZhNQ-WRcNbMM6gUGvcpWn1yNyGh4TxIOIad_6jjY_V4mH8RUxZ5WXyMxF7hgEqP80hoSJ8LC5pbYV0HsGT3vEIxJAkpfhY/s1600/lc+1-2+liv.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGAhACg9EL7IJ_73BbCNqKzdC2LiFoSTwqp1-ontfAPVtymZhNQ-WRcNbMM6gUGvcpWn1yNyGh4TxIOIad_6jjY_V4mH8RUxZ5WXyMxF7hgEqP80hoSJ8LC5pbYV0HsGT3vEIxJAkpfhY/s400/lc+1-2+liv.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino scored in the first half as Liverpool won their first four Premier League games for the first time with a 2-1 victory over Leicester City on Saturday at the King Power Stadium.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Mane scored in the 10th minute and Firmino scored in the 45th, but a 63rd-minute gaffe by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson cost him a fourth consecutive Premier League clean sheet when Rachid Ghezzal slotted home.<br /> <br /> Defender Virgil van Dijk's back pass went wide under pressure, and Alisson went to play it in the left corner before being challenged by Leicester's Kelechi Iheanacho.<br /> <br /> The keeper could not dribble away from Iheanacho, who gained possession and passed the ball ahead to Ghezzal as the midfielder scored his first Premier League goal.<br /> <br /> Mane opened the scoring with his fourth league goal in as many games with a quick left-footed flick on a through ball from Andy Robertson, and Firmino doubled the lead just before half-time from a header following a corner by James Milner.<br /> <br /> The assist was Milner's 80th in the Premier League, moving him into joint-seventh place with David Beckham for the most all-time, and it came in his 100th appearance for Liverpool, making him the fourth player with as many league appearances with three different clubs.<br /> <br /> Liverpool last won their first four league games in 1990-91, two years before the Premier League was established, and have never opened a season with four consecutive clean sheets.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Credit: ESPN</div>

Latest-News Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino lift Liverpool past Leicester despite Alisson howler

Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino scored in the first half as Liverpool won their first four Premier League games for the first time with a 2...

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All we need to do is follow the ‘man wey sabi’ – Lauretta Onochie

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGupXvEYdTf8Br3z6GVr0BjK-QHUUqbYXIM2WpmIG_sSwKEnd9SB1VOSnj58E-00NgQH6gr5c81g0iqtN3C9rXK1myTxMhzzco7a71Kc6OEw6JEZYT1WppanciU19uRxHL3u8Ny1PrQjw3/s1600/Lauretta+onochie.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGupXvEYdTf8Br3z6GVr0BjK-QHUUqbYXIM2WpmIG_sSwKEnd9SB1VOSnj58E-00NgQH6gr5c81g0iqtN3C9rXK1myTxMhzzco7a71Kc6OEw6JEZYT1WppanciU19uRxHL3u8Ny1PrQjw3/s400/Lauretta+onochie.jpg" /></a></div> Lauretta Onochie, President Muhammadu Buhari’s aide on Social Media, has said that all that Nigerians need to do is follow that man that knows the way.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Onochie referring to her principal further said that world leaders said: ‘We can’t have enough of Nigeria’s Leader. We must learn from him, how he has managed to keep Nigeria afloat after such deathly heist by a gang of PDP looters….’<br /> <br /> She made this known on her Facebook page<br /> <br /> WE HAVE THE BEST.<br /> World Leaders: We can’t have enough of Nigeria’s Leader. We must learn from him, how he has managed to keep Nigeria afloat after such deathly heist by a gang of PDP looters….<br /> <br /> PDP: He’s not good he’s not good. He won’t loot and he’s won’t let us loot. We can’t even openly spend our looted funds. He’s also empowering the poor and the vulnerable.<br /> <br /> Imagine how we would have shared the recovered Abacha loot! We will use a CUPP to scoop up falsehood and hate campaign to stop him.<br /> <br /> ME: In your dreams will you smell having control over our nation again. Never again.<br /> God has blessed our nation with a leader who loves our nation. All we need to do is follow the man wey sabi road to prosperity.<br /> <br /> WE HAVE THE BEST.<br /> World Leaders: We can’t have enough of Nigeria’s Leader. We must learn from him, how he has managed to keep Nigeria afloat after such deathly heist by a gang of PDP looters<br /> <br /> PDP: He’s not good…<br /> He won’t loot, he won’t let us loot….https://t.co/3gyhN1Rvrz pic.twitter.com/tobj4s9eol<br /> <br /> — Lauretta Onochie (@Laurestar) August 31, 2018</div>

Latest-News All we need to do is follow the ‘man wey sabi’ – Lauretta Onochie

Lauretta Onochie, President Muhammadu Buhari’s aide on Social Media, has said that all that Nigerians need to do is follow that man that k...

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2019: Fayemi’s victory can’t stop my Senatorial ambition - APC Chieftain

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVg8X_BX3hxByKhBiPe1MsO5L5mNOZv296hZePgmPfQAp1oPE3QazcCHiFjt-Wn1vpjubCAjJgGplE9Jl9XIiOMQLujW5uvxzK10QL-5bS5oPuYrZrw5aqAAayaw5-DuhxE-ORJSSEyKy/s1600/Kayode+Fayemi.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVg8X_BX3hxByKhBiPe1MsO5L5mNOZv296hZePgmPfQAp1oPE3QazcCHiFjt-Wn1vpjubCAjJgGplE9Jl9XIiOMQLujW5uvxzK10QL-5bS5oPuYrZrw5aqAAayaw5-DuhxE-ORJSSEyKy/s320/Kayode+Fayemi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Ekiti State, Dr. Olusegun Osinkolu, has clarified that the victory recorded by Dr Kayode Fayemi in the July 14 governorship election would serve as a catalyst to his senatorial ambition rather than stalling it.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Osinkolu, who is gunning for the APC’s ticket to represent Ekiti North Senatorial District in 2019, said the fact that he came from the same local government with Fayemi shouldn’t serve as impediment to his senatorial aspiration, calling on those sharing such sentiment to bury the thought.<br /> Speaking with newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Friday, Osinkolu added that he is still pursuing his aspiration with vigour and that he stands a good prognosis to get the party’s ticket and win the election based on his acceptability among the members of the party.<br /> <br /> He said the constitution of the APC doesn’t foreclose people’s aspiration based on territorial location for any elective position provided such aspirant is acceptable to his party and the electorate .<br /> <br /> “Let me say this expressly that Dr Kayode Fayemi’s victory in the last election will help in propelling my victory if given the party’s ticket. Our party members are ready to give me their nods to get the ticket, having laboured so hard to launder the image of the party in the past.<br /> <br /> “I was one of the few heroes that fought the party’s course during the long drawn legal battle culminating in Dr Fayemi’s first coming as a governor of this state. I contested for Senatorial seat twice in Ekiti North and lost narrowly to Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi in 2011 and 2015 respectively.<br /> <br /> “In spite of the shortcomings in the primaries, I never betrayed the party by rocking the boat. I still committed my resources to ensure the party won in 2011 but lost in 2015 when Senator Adetumbi was represented as the candidate of our party.<br /> <br /> “Putting it succinctly, I have always been a committed ad unwavering party man. I believe in party supremacy and that accounted for why I have been spending personal resources to put the party together since the APC lost in 2014 in Ekiti North .<br /> <br /> “I offered myself as the rallying point during the trying period. I gave them a sigh of hope that we have not lost everything after the 2014 catastrophic defeat we suffered before the light came after the tunnel with the enigmatic victory recorded by our leader, Dr Fayemi on July 14.<br /> <br /> “The National Executive Committee of the party at a meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Chairman of the Party, Com. Adams Oshiomhole and other party’s top notches like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday in Abuja said whoever will get the party’s ticket must emerge through Direct or indirect primary, not imposition.<br /> <br /> “So, if I become the preference of the party members based on convictions about my unblemished past records , nothing can change that, because the sovereignty lies in the people when it comes to election.<br /> <br /> “Instances abound, where top elected official and Senator came from the same constituency. In 2011, the late Deputy Governor, Mrs Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka and Senator Babafemi Ojudu, who represented Ekiti Central senatorial district were from Ado Ekiti Local Government., among other innumerable similar political situations across the country.<br /> <br /> “Whether I come from Dr. Fayemi’s local government or constituency can’t take preeminence over the 1999 constitution, APC guidelines and Constitution and the power of the people. This can only apply to appointive positions not elective”, Osinkolu expressly stated.<br /> <br /> Osinkolu promised to support the candidate adopts by the party in Ekiti North if he loses the primary, but “I never envisaged losing out because the people knew and appreciated the sacrifices I had made in the past before the party got to this present situation”.<br /> <br /> He appealed to party leaders to conduct credible and acceptable primary in the September primaries for candidates with high acceptability among the electorate to get the tickets and record resounding victories for APC.</div>

Latest-News 2019: Fayemi’s victory can’t stop my Senatorial ambition - APC Chieftain

An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Ekiti State, Dr. Olusegun Osinkolu, has clarified that the victory recorded by Dr Kayode F...

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Saraki’s ambition was destroying APC… thank God he has moved on -Oshiomole

Latest-News Saraki’s ambition was destroying APC… thank God he has moved on -Oshiomole

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I’ll always uphold the rule of law, says Buhari after backlash

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APC backtracks, adopts direct primary for all elective positions

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

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Declare my police summon illegal – Fani-Kayode tells Court

Latest-News Declare my police summon illegal – Fani-Kayode tells Court

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2019 election: 2Face tells Nigerians who to avoid

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NBA finally reacts to Buhari’s comment on rule of law

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Over 50 security personnel killed in Benue this year – Ortom

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVH73EmAtLlQT-xuIpHiS90nDwvjiQd_me9dORyKiz9vMF9ZERCVAAUALIyJW4Ura1Zl-HZdvh-hvsGFbtY1e2_SpYjhhHnz2kXZV8-TlSLX2bM1XNvv6HuBkL0aJ8J85LH6TOaIWHv7L/s1600/Samuel+Ortom.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVH73EmAtLlQT-xuIpHiS90nDwvjiQd_me9dORyKiz9vMF9ZERCVAAUALIyJW4Ura1Zl-HZdvh-hvsGFbtY1e2_SpYjhhHnz2kXZV8-TlSLX2bM1XNvv6HuBkL0aJ8J85LH6TOaIWHv7L/s320/Samuel+Ortom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Governor Samuel Ortom, Friday revealed that close to 50 security personnel have lost their lives in Benue state between January and August to activities of marauding militant herdsmen in parts of the state.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Ortom maintained that those conniving with enemies of the state to execute clandestine agenda would always be put to shame.<br /> <br /> He spoke at Chihichan, Mbakume in Gwer-East local government area during the burial of late David Upuu, elder brother to the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Internal Affairs, Mr. Boniface Nyaakor.<br /> <br /> The Governor reiterated that those plotting evil against his administration would always come behind, stressing that prayers from the church had helped in saving democracy from its enemies in the state.<br /> <br /> According to him, “the attacks on Benue communities by militant herdsmen have only subsided due to the ongoing Operation Whirl Stroke, by the military and other security personnel. I commend them for their resilience to ensure the restoration of normalcy in the troubled communities”<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the Governor has been commended by the Nigerian Army for his consistent support to its various formations and units in the state.<br /> <br /> The new General Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 Division of the Nigeria Army, Maj. Gen. Boman Kabuk gave the commendation in Makurdi when he paid a courtesy call on the Governor, shortly before undertaking a familiarization visit to formations and units of the army under his command in the state.<br /> <br /> Gen. Kabuk said the army looked forward to a continuation of such support and cooperation to enable it discharge its constitutional responsibilities to the benefit of Nigerians.<br /> <br /> Responding, the Governor who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Benson Abounu, lauded officers and men of the Nigerian Army for their contributions to the maintenance of peace and security in the country and assured of the continuous support of the government and people of the state to aid the Army discharge its constitutional mandate.<br /> <br /> “I also commend the Army’s effectiveness in curtailing the onslaught of militant herdsmen on Benue communities through the Operation whirl stroke which has now brought relative peace to the state.”<br /> <br /> He disclosed that the past three years had been very traumatic for the government and people of Benue State with massive killings of innocent people and the displacement of a huge population across the state.<br /> <br /> “I must commend the professionalism of the Army under the leadership of the Chief of Army staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai and also thank the GOC for making Benue State his first port of call in his visit to formations and units under his command,” he added.</div>

Latest-News Over 50 security personnel killed in Benue this year – Ortom

Governor Samuel Ortom, Friday revealed that close to 50 security personnel have lost their lives in Benue state between January and August...

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MASSOB celebration will be non-violent – Uwazuruike

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMXs2o6DFwafpCsj2QGvdg1XO6XTVZRVB_rdDINjG39jNGBpb3H9qvOpMmdTLmM6at55WzY2eS7ON-Jqj_bIe5i6QyCIHbos20ntnhO9NU5d77EN5TUXqxmJ7DTRFqU17nF6uY_PHvlkx/s1600/massob.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMXs2o6DFwafpCsj2QGvdg1XO6XTVZRVB_rdDINjG39jNGBpb3H9qvOpMmdTLmM6at55WzY2eS7ON-Jqj_bIe5i6QyCIHbos20ntnhO9NU5d77EN5TUXqxmJ7DTRFqU17nF6uY_PHvlkx/s320/massob.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The founding father of Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra and Biafra Independent Movement, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has disclosed that the 19th anniversary celebration of the Biafran independence will be a non-violent one.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The celebration is billed to take place on September 13, 2018 in all the zones of MASSOB in the entire Southeastern and South southern states.<br /> <br /> Uwazuruike, who spoke through the MASSOB National Director of Information, Sunday Okereafor on Friday, stated that the freedom fighting group was happy that for 19 years, the group had maintained peace and non violence in their quest for the actualisation of Republic of Biafra, in the face of crackdown by Nigeria’s security operatives.<br /> <br /> He stated that the primary essence of peaceful celebration was to tell the world that non violence was the surest and highest weapon to fight a common enemy, which he called Nigeria.<br /> <br /> “Kudos to MASSOB to have kept the struggle without violence for 19 years now. The Igbo nations should expect Biafra without gunshot. I want to assure all of them agitating for Biafra and entire Biafran land that the much-coveted Biafra Republic is at our doorstep”, he said.<br /> <br /> He, however, advised that Nigeria’s military should leave the Igbo nation alone and channel their strength to the troubled Northern area where he said, was bedeviled with incessant mass murder of innocent citizens.<br /> <br /> He vehemently frowned on the attack of MASSOB members and office at Nworieubi in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.<br /> <br /> “It is a shame to Nigeria’s military that the non-violent MASSOB freedom fighters are always attacked, leaving their protection of territorial integrity of the country, the primary mandate for which they were established,” he added.</div>

Latest-News MASSOB celebration will be non-violent – Uwazuruike

The founding father of Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra and Biafra Independent Movement, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike...

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Lagos State PDP member commends Buhari, joins APC

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOg_RqgXPbKkfwcPftpnf4xXwbVtmStnh13f-bG_1a1dBeOHFWZXospcCjv2wP9JJpW2Dhefdf6V6lgemZCoq1HhIse1_3bLJKHlcaOn4B9WjcRLlAwf40iwdVeTuJr0QInYDQVuQKmEg/s1600/APC-LOGO-17.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOg_RqgXPbKkfwcPftpnf4xXwbVtmStnh13f-bG_1a1dBeOHFWZXospcCjv2wP9JJpW2Dhefdf6V6lgemZCoq1HhIse1_3bLJKHlcaOn4B9WjcRLlAwf40iwdVeTuJr0QInYDQVuQKmEg/s320/APC-LOGO-17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>  Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, formerly intending to be governor of Lagos State on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has left the All Progressives Congress (APC).<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Olawale-Cole said his decision was informed by what he described as impressive performance of President Muhammadu Buhari and Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State.<br /> <br /> In an interview on Saturday in Abuja, he said that he had formally joined APC and registered at ward `A’ Onigbongbo, Ikeja, Lagos State.<br /> <br /> He explained further that his defection was influenced by “infrastructural development, transparency in governance and accountability of Buhari and Ambode.’’<br /> <br /> “I have examined the way the country is going; and from my findings it appears to me that supporting Buhari is the best choice we have at the moment.<br /> <br /> “After being a member of PDP for years and running for the governorship ticket of the party in 2007 in Lagos state, it was evident that the APC is different.<br /> <br /> “From what the president is doing in the fight against corruption and the issue of transparency in governance via Treasury Single a Account and others, he must be encouraged by men of goodwill.<br /> <br /> “I have been in government before as a Commissioner for Finance and later for Works and Transport, Lagos State, we can see what the APC is doing differently, this government has a chance in the area of probity and transparency’’.<br /> <br /> He, however, noted that “there are still some shady deals among government officials but once the leadership is upright, the followers will do same.’’<br /> <br /> Olawale-Cole said that the decision to pitch his tent with the APC took him two years, observing that the decision was taken after critical analyses of the situation of things in politics.<br /> <br /> “I find it difficult to find anyone with equal standing in integrity, honesty and probity with Buhari.<br /> <br /> “Of course, there are inadequacies, but with time, the president and his Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo will give us a better tomorrow and protecting our common wealth,’’he said.</div>

Latest-News Lagos State PDP member commends Buhari, joins APC

 Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, formerly intending to be governor of Lagos State on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has left the...

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It’s a fallacy! I never appointed governorship candidate for Rivers APC -Amaechi

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‘I’m the most investigated ex-governor’ — Uduaghan says fear of EFCC not behind defection

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PDP insists Atiku, Saraki, Kwankwaso, others must sign undertaking

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Davido leaves NYSC camp, travels to Boston for US Tour

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Gov. Udom speaks on joining Senator Akpabio in APC

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Kwankwaso reveals what will happen if he loses PDP presidential primary

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FG to spend $6.7bn Northeast reconstruction, rehabilitation, resettlement plan

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8cjTFXvjPWuHJts5T8HRIAGyKxvji9p5RfJldOBQV8SHqRwlUcid8fVR336_Sn9fFWsJhEuQGUobZJxT92sdsPDQ40Ynn6RI-fUPm7AYmsiy4X9jnzy684U0aVTuoAmv4pU-AckLcPdU/s1600/Federal+government+of+Nigeria.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8cjTFXvjPWuHJts5T8HRIAGyKxvji9p5RfJldOBQV8SHqRwlUcid8fVR336_Sn9fFWsJhEuQGUobZJxT92sdsPDQ40Ynn6RI-fUPm7AYmsiy4X9jnzy684U0aVTuoAmv4pU-AckLcPdU/s400/Federal+government+of+Nigeria.png" /></a></div> The Federal Government says it has developed a 6.7-billion-dollar robust plan of action for the reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of Northeast devastated by Boko Haram activities.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Nigeria’s Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Bande, said this at a side event tagged ‘Strengthening the Humanitarian and Development Partnership in the Lake Chad Region’, at the UN headquarters.<br /> <br /> The Nigerian envoy said that the comprehensive socio-economic Plan, known as ‘Buhari Plan’ aimed to advance the humanitarian and development nexus in the country.<br /> <br /> Bande said Nigeria was spearheading the event based on the need to promote across board collaboration and cooperation among countries of the Lake Chad region, the donors and a whole range of humanitarian and development partners.<br /> <br /> “At our national level, the $6.7 billion Buhari Plan of Action for the comprehensive Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement of the North Eastern Nigeria and the Lake Chad represents an ambitious humanitarian cum development initiative on the part of a national government.<br /> <br /> “It is to demonstrate its total and unshakable commitment to the socio-economic development of the entire area.<br /> <br /> “It is unmistakably true that beyond the current challenges lie numerous prospects for harnessing the capacity of the people and natural endowment of the area to facilitate integrated regional socio-economic development.<br /> <br /> “Therefore, the occasion of this side event and its subsequent follow up actions would present opportunity for enhancing the objectives of several initiatives on the Lake Chad such as the All Lake Chad Governors Forum which held its inaugural meeting in Maiduguri, Nigeria in May.<br /> <br /> “Also, the Berlin Conference on the Lake Chad has been slated for the first week of September 2018 and would build substantially on the outcomes of the February 2017 Oslo Donors Conference on the Lake Chad.<br /> <br /> “I would like to take this opportunity to call on all stakeholders to redouble efforts and commitment towards making the coming Berlin Conference on the Lake Chad of Sept. 3 to 4, 2018 a watershed.<br /> <br /> “This is in our collective resolve to further mobilise resources and demonstrate implicit commitment to plans that will ensure moving quickly beyond the immediate humanitarian need to concrete sustainable developmental projects capable of substantially elevating the lives of the majority of people in the region.”<br /> <br /> The Nigerian envoy stressed the need for collaboration and cooperation among countries of the Lake Chad, the donors as well as humanitarian and development partners.<br /> <br /> According to him, collaboration between the humanitarian and development agencies has gained traction at the UN in recent times such that the involvement of national governments is needed to make it work.<br /> <br /> He said the protracted humanitarian and development challenges in the Lake Chad region had place enormous responsibilities on all to remain engaged in discussion aimed at scaling up national, regional and global responses to the crisis.<br /> <br /> These responses need to be bolstered by strengthened coordination at the UN level to ensure a more synergised delivery of assistance, the Nigerian envoy emphasised.<br /> <br /> “Let me emphasise that the recharge of the Lake Chad Basin, capacity building, and restoration of livelihood, through facilitation of occupational opportunities, job creation, skill acquisition and others are central to finding lasting solution to the problem in the region.<br /> <br /> “To realise all these would entail our collective commitment to a broad range of actions, facilitated by strong international cooperation and partnership, involving the UN agencies and development partners, like the World Bank and African Development Bank among others,” Bande said.<br /> <br /> Magagi Louan, Minister of Humanitarian Action and Disaster Management of the Republic of Niger, said the political leadership from the region were working together to ensure comprehensive response to the crisis in the Lake Chad.<br /> <br /> Louan said several mechanisms to address the problem included the institutionalisation of joint security architecture such as the Multinational Joint Task Force and promotion of collaborative social-economic projects under the auspices of the Lake Chad Basin Commission.<br /> <br /> Also commenting, Alifei Moustapha, Permanent Representative of Chad to the UN, disclosed that Chadian Government had set up a new coordination mechanism across the ministries to identify local requirements and develop flexible coherent responses to address the Lake Chad problem.<br /> <br /> On his part, Michel Monthe, the Permanent Representative of Cameroon to the UN, stated that his country would finance resilience and socio-economic projects and called for response to humanitarian needs while simultaneously reducing risk and vulnerability.<br /> <br /> The event, sponsored by Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, Chad, UN Development Programme and UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, also featured presentations by UN Humanitarian Coordinators for the four countries. </div>

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MFM sues online publication for libel

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxubOzrFVjsypww3NwoqE5epysfV0V7VXYybHCBd-SaB98eHIIhUhpUyKC3XuwTYTSbQCU7MdgAxlcFwvIaOpLrfVTlQeWTiLNSp1ScDUcYhqJfu7dsjwo4m5skicuh-PlsCKu5HedvRvd/s1600/court.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxubOzrFVjsypww3NwoqE5epysfV0V7VXYybHCBd-SaB98eHIIhUhpUyKC3XuwTYTSbQCU7MdgAxlcFwvIaOpLrfVTlQeWTiLNSp1ScDUcYhqJfu7dsjwo4m5skicuh-PlsCKu5HedvRvd/s320/court.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, MFM, has filed a libel suit against an online media platform and its publisher over what it described as a series of false, malicious and defamatory publications against the ministry and its  General Overseer, Dr. D. K. Olukoya.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> In the suit filed at the High Court of Akwa Ibom State, Uyo Judicial Division, the ministry and its General Overseer are asking for N10bn as exemplary damages; a written apology/retraction to be published in the online platform, three nationally circulating newspapers and two internationally circulating magazines, one of which must be the TIME International.<br /> <br /> The MFM also wants the court to direct the online platform to pull down and erase from the world-wide-web each of the offending stories published between 2013 and June 30, 2018. They are also praying for “a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants by themselves, their agents, servants, privies or other persons howsoever called or described from further publishing and disseminating libelous stories and statements against the Claimants or any of them”.<br /> <br /> Originating processes in the suit were on Thursday August 30. 2018, served on the Defendants by substituted means pursuant to the order of the court by posting on the gate of their premises at No. 13B Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos</div>

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Buhari leaves Nigeria with Aisha, daughter for China (PHOTOS)

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PFN urges Buhari to secure release of Leah Sharibu

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqyE_K9kMnSLz053ddBIR8R7vXzx-DnjwGyJfY3kGLgfwA0Pa1ZSHhlz65dL0-94RK-dmp9x8YniQ1QKBEzJAuN_G3z4sbntTzhmbERFgvcm7d4Qm7_oZdDsOZjyXAIJe9bYtbtVSotQC/s1600/leah+sharibu.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqyE_K9kMnSLz053ddBIR8R7vXzx-DnjwGyJfY3kGLgfwA0Pa1ZSHhlz65dL0-94RK-dmp9x8YniQ1QKBEzJAuN_G3z4sbntTzhmbERFgvcm7d4Qm7_oZdDsOZjyXAIJe9bYtbtVSotQC/s320/leah+sharibu.jpg" width="203" /></a></div> National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev Dr. Felix Omobude has urged the Federal Government to expedite action in rescuing abducted  Dapchi school girl, Leah Sharibu from the captivity of Boko Haram.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Omobude in a  statement in Benin City called on the Nigerian government to free the girl.<br /> <br /> He said: “The Federal government should act fast now by doing the needful and spare no efforts in securing the release of  Leah, who had been held hostage for the past seven months.  “The PFN is considerably worried that it is taking the government such a long time to secure the release of Leah from the Boko Haram enclave. “The PFN, therefore, calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to do the needful.’’</div>

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Why I quit politics – Balarabe Musa

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWi07SXSqMVrVKMd6j1A5uQFqTwNsA2MMVEVxul_pghq0PNU2GnBBZ-ulHgtqnwoPTEfpVFlsJ1FQSgujHDKzipEbaHMIodP8j_h2PxLGXZP2kynmzN_JoalzvrZ2UD9yEs46_Cn072ap/s1600/Balarabe+Musa.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWi07SXSqMVrVKMd6j1A5uQFqTwNsA2MMVEVxul_pghq0PNU2GnBBZ-ulHgtqnwoPTEfpVFlsJ1FQSgujHDKzipEbaHMIodP8j_h2PxLGXZP2kynmzN_JoalzvrZ2UD9yEs46_Cn072ap/s320/Balarabe+Musa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> A former Governor of Kaduna State and National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, has said he will no longer participate in active politics due to failing health and old age.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The former governor informed members of his party of his decision at its 54th National Executive Committee meeting in Kaduna on Friday.<br /> <br /> He however, vowed to remain a committed member of the PRP, one of the oldest parties in Nigeria today.<br /> <br /> He said, “Due to declining energy and failing health, it has become necessary for me to vacate the seat for younger and fresher blood.”<br /> <br /> On the choice of his successor, Musa stated that the person would not only be young in age but must be committed to the ideals that the party stood for.<br /> <br /> While thanking the leadership and members of the PRP, he promised to make himself available for any assignments within the limits of his energy and health.<br /> <br /> Musa told incoming NEC members of the party that the national secretariat had proposed uniform guidelines for the 2018-2019 primaries on how to select candidates at all levels.</div>

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2019: Why Atiku, Tambuwal, Saraki, others must sign undertaking – PDP

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxluCZj8ps1YYgA6SMwN7OmACbegJu1RWmv1B_Y7rwvFu6jlNMZwToZA5vrVSsxwGnb43B-VYFgbWvqim1LBdd_KyLMKg4HgDI0fkheG9Aux_GFGrDRIJ2rJmfOGyEl_3tiC0qC_iizR-/s1600/pdp-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxluCZj8ps1YYgA6SMwN7OmACbegJu1RWmv1B_Y7rwvFu6jlNMZwToZA5vrVSsxwGnb43B-VYFgbWvqim1LBdd_KyLMKg4HgDI0fkheG9Aux_GFGrDRIJ2rJmfOGyEl_3tiC0qC_iizR-/s320/pdp-logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has said that all its presidential aspirants must sign an undertaking that they will abide by the outcome of its presidential primary slated for October 5 and 6.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Also, the party said that the aspirants would give a commitment to the party not to defect to other political parties either before or after the primary.<br /> <br /> A number of politicians have already declared their intention to run for the presidency in the PDP.<br /> <br /> They include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso; Senator Jonah Jang; Senate President Bukola Saraki; Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State; Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State; a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter Governmental Relations, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki (SAN); a former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido; a former governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa; and Dr. Ahmed Datti.<br /> <br /> All these politicians are expected to sign the undertaking.<br /> <br /> Already, the National Working Committee of the party said it had met with the aspirants during which they were told that the party would not favour any of the aspirants for the party’s presidential ticket.<br /> <br /> The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, who spoke with one of our correspondents in Abuja on Friday, said that all the aspirants had been informed about the need to have what he called “code of conduct” ahead of the primary.<br /> <br /> One of our correspondents also gathered that the party had informed the aspirants that the undertaking, which it said would be binding on them, would be put together by the party’s national leadership.<br /> <br /> Ologbondiyan said that the party had already started drafting the undertaking, which he also referred to as Memorandum of Understanding.<br /> <br /> He said, “It is an undertaking and it will be signed by all our presidential aspirants. The undertaking will tell the aspirants what the party expects from them before, during and after the primary.<br /> <br /> “The undertaking will make it clear that all the signatories must abide by the decision of the party concerning the primary.<br /> <br /> “The party is already preparing it and I want to say again that it will be binding on all those that are taking part in the presidential primary and are signatories to the MOU.<br /> <br /> “However, I want to make it clear that the party is not into any illegal act. We are going to organise a transparent, free and fair presidential primary, whose outcome will be acceptable to our party, the contestants and the electorate.”<br /> <br /> He said it was gratifying that some of the aspirants like Atiku and Lamido had publicly said that they would not defect from the party irrespective of the outcome of the primary.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, our correspondent gathered that the party was still working on the number each state would have as delegates to its national convention where the presidential candidate would be elected.<br /> <br /> Investigations showed that this was because of the defection of some hitherto statutory delegates from the party to other political parties.<br /> <br /> It was also learnt that many presidential aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party may step down for other contenders in the party in September in the run-up to the 2019 elections.<br /> <br /> A source in the PDP told newsmen on Friday that the national leadership of the party had met with its presidential aspirants to tell them that some of them would need to withdraw from the race to boost the chances of the stronger candidates among them.<br /> <br /> According to the source, the party’s presidential aspirants have also been told that they must sign an undertaking in which they will agree not to litigate against the eventual winner of the party’s presidential primary.<br /> <br /> “The leadership of the party held a meeting with the aspirants where they were told that some of them will step down for the candidates that are strong enough to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election. So, many of the aspirants may step down for others in September,” he said.</div>

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REVEALED: Eight politicians with N232 Billion corruption cases working for Buhari’s re-election

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="600" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-jgO9-I9OopBk_St0dOAHNV_CoeUyqaUQ2xQ9jL6FMal82vyuqLKKKp0gS_eNuHh_VF5rYxXQkIAI9yANNeinImJi1HROQxYUXay4xohyphenhyphenShU8DZ8lCcLSmWKK6R0qWJdLjTNv0t8yNp4/s640/eight-politicians-with-n232bn-corruption-cases-working-for-buharis-re-election.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> About eight out of the politicians working for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 2019 election have pending corruption cases worth N232bn according to <i>Punch Newspapers.</i><br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> A recent report by <i>Punch Newspapers</i> showed that the amount involved in the various graft cases, which are currently pending before security agencies, especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, range from N223m to N100bn for each of the politicians.<br /> <br /> Some of the eight politicians, who used to be members of the Peoples Democratic Party and other opposition parties, had allegedly defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress to stop the dangling axe of the EFCC and other security agencies from falling on them.<br /> <br /> Specifically, the politicians who are currently either under probe or prosecution for allegedly diverting government funds have separately vowed to ensure Buhari remains in power untill 2023.<br /> <br /> The eight politicians include the senator representing Nasarawa West at the National Assembly, Abdullahi Adamu; the senator representing Sokoto North and former Governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Wamakko; ex-Senate Minority Leader and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, who recently defected from the PDP to the APC; and a former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu.<br /> <br /> Others are the immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; the former Governor of Rivers State and Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation in 2015, Rotimi Amaechi; the Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari; and former National Chairman of the PDP, Ali Modu Sheriff.<br /> <b><br /></b><b>Abdullahi Adamu (N15bn)</b><br /> <br /> For instance, Adamu, a serving senator and former Governor of Nasarawa State, is one of the President’s allies in the Senate. He is also a member of the National Advisory Committee of the Buhari 2019 Presidential Support Committee.<br /> <br /> The lawmaker is being prosecuted alongside 18 others for allegedly stealing N15bn from the treasury through contracts awarded when he was governor for eight years.<br /> <br /> His son, Nurianu, was also arraigned by the EFCC in January 2018 for alleged N90m fraud. However, the former governor has been one of the fiercest critics of Senate President Bukola Saraki.<br /> <br /> According to Saraki, the former governor has been insulting him in order to get a soft landing.<br /> <br /> Saraki had said in July, “I have deliberately ignored the antics of Senator Abdullahi Adamu, especially his constant media attacks on me and the Senate since the EFCC dusted his file on alleged case of corruption and also went ahead to arraign his son in court.”<br /> <b><br /></b><b>Aliyu Wamakko (N15bn)</b><br /> <br /> Senator Aliyu Wamakko is in charge of Buhari’s campaign in Sokoto State. A few weeks ago, he held a massive rally on behalf of Buhari in order to prove to the President that Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s defection would be of no effect.<br /> <br /> Wamakko, who served as governor from 2007 to 2015, is under investigation over allegations of theft of public funds and money laundering totalling N15bn, an allegation he has vehemently denied.<br /> <br /> Spokesperson for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, had confirmed in April that the commission was investigating allegations contained in a petition against Wammako and that he would soon be invited to defend the allegations.<br /> <b><br /></b><b>Godswill Akpabio (N100bn)</b><br /> <br /> The former governor of Akwa Ibom State has been under probe by the EFCC for over three years based on allegations that he diverted over N100bn from the coffers of the state between 2007 and 2015.<br /> <br /> Akpabio was welcomed into the APC by the President himself.<br /> <br /> The former governor, who represents Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, recently vowed that the APC would take over Akwa Ibom the way Adolph Hitler invaded Poland.<br /> <br /> Akpabio, who on Friday travelled to China with the President is arguably the closest defector to Buhari and has vowed to do everything possible to ensure Buhari is re-elected.<br /> <br /> Although he has been grilled by the EFCC, he has not been charged.<br /> <b><br /></b><b>Orji Uzor Kalu (N3.2bn)</b><br /> <br /> Kalu, who governed Abia State from 1999 to 2007, was one of the most influential politicians in the South-East during his time in government. After leaving the PDP, he formed the Progressive Peoples Alliance from where he contested and lost a senatorial election in 2015.<br /> <br /> The following year, he defected to the APC and has paid several visits to the President since then.<br /> <br /> Recently, he visited the President in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, where he was bestowed with the title, ‘Dan Baiwan Hausa’ by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouq.<br /> <br /> According to the emir, Kalu was bestowed with the title in appreciation of his “unwavering support for our son, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, Bayajida II .”<br /> <br /> However, the former governor has been having a running legal battle with the EFCC since leaving office.<br /> <br /> The EFCC alleged that Kalu and the others committed fraud between August 2001 and October 2005. It accused Kalu of utilising his company (Slok Nigeria Limited) to retain in the account of First Inland Bank, now First City Monument Bank, the sum of N200m.<br /> <br /> The commission said that the sum formed part of funds illegally derived from the coffers of the Abia State government. The EFCC also said that the accused retained, in different bank accounts, about N2.5bn belonging to the state government, adding that he diverted about N3.2bn from the coffers of the same government.<br /> <br /> Regardless of his travails, the former governor has insisted that he will do all within his power to ensure that Buhari is re-elected.<br /> <b><br /></b><b>Babachir Lawal (N223m)</b><br /> <br /> The immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, was accused by the Senate ad hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East, led by Senator Shehu Sani, of awarding a N223m consultancy contract for the removal of invasive plant species in Komadugu, Yobe Water Channels to his company, Rholavision Engineering in contravention of Section 43(iii) and (iv) of the Public Procurement Act 2007.<br /> <br /> A committee headed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo subsequently investigated Lawal and recommended his dismissal in October 2017, a year after he was indicted by the Senate.<br /> <br /> Although he is under probe by the EFCC, Babachir is among the key figures running Buhari’s re-election campaign in Adamawa State. He also revealed during a recent interview on Channels Television that he still had direct access to the President.<br /> <br /> The former SGF has been having a leadership tussle with Governor Jibrilla Bindow over who should lead Buhari’s campaign in the state.<br /> <b><br /></b><b>Rotimi Amaechi (N97bn)</b><br /> <br /> Amaechi, who was the Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation in 2015, has been charged with the task of ensuring that Buhari is elected a second time.<br /> <br /> The Minister of Transport, who is the face of the Buhari campaign, was indicted by the Justice George Omeregi-led Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up to investigate the sale of state assets.<br /> <br /> He and others were accused of allegedly misappropriating N97bn through the sale of the state valued assets.<br /> <br /> Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, had alleged that $150m (N30bn at the time) was spent on Buhari’s campaign in 2015.<br /> <br /> Amaechi challenged his indictment but lost at the Appeal Court. Although anti-graft agencies have refused to state if he is under investigation or not, he has yet to clear his name and is still under investigation by the state government.<br /> <br /> The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah, insisted that Amaechi was not cleared by the panel that indicted him on the sale of some assets belonging to the state.<br /> <br /> Also, a top official at the Government House in Port Harcourt, pointed out that at the last count on the matter, the former governor had gone to the Supreme Court.<br /> <br /> An appeal filed by Amaechi against the Justice George Omereji-led panel was in May 2017 dismissed by the Appeal Court in Port HarCourt.<br /> <br /> The Appeal Court had said that the refusal of Amaechi to appear before the panel amounted to self-denial.<br /> <br /> But Okah said that the matter was currently at the Supreme Court.<br /> <br /> “He (Amaechi) went to court against the panel and the matter is still in the Supreme Court. The state government has not cleared him on the matter concerning the sale of valued assets belonging to the state,” he said.<br /> <br /> Amaechi could not be reached for comments, as he did not answer calls to his mobile phone.<br /> <br /> A text message sent to him on the matter did not get any reply.<br /> <br /> However, a senior official of the Federal Ministry of Transportation told newsmen that the minister was out of the country.<br /> <br /> The official, who also works directly with the minister, stated he (the official) was not aware of the said allegations against Amaechi.<br /> <br /> “I have not seen it (the report) and can’t speak on it. However, the minister is in China right now,” the official, who pleaded to be anonymous, said.<br /> <b><br /></b><b>Abdul’aziz Yari (N680m)</b><br /> <br /> Yari has been engaged in a fierce battle with the EFCC for over a year following allegations that he diverted nearly N700m which formed part of the Paris Club refund due to his state.<br /> <br /> In July last year, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered an interim forfeiture of the sums of N500m and $500,000 (N180m) said to have been looted from the Paris Club refunds made by the Federal Government in favour of the 36 states of the federation.<br /> <br /> The sums of money said to have been recovered from two firms, First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited, and Gosh Projects Limited, were allegedly linked to the governor.<br /> <br /> The EFCC also alleged, in an affidavit filed in support of its ex parte application seeking the interim forfeiture of the sums of money, that the N500m was diverted to offset Yari’s personal loan obtained from the First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited.<br /> <br /> In July, the Presidential Support Committee of Buhari 2019 appointed Sheriff as the director-general.<br /> <br /> The National Secretary of the group, Kassim Kassim, said in a statement that the conglomerate of about 300 Buhari supporters’ groups unanimously endorsed Sheriff to lead the Presidential Support Committee, Buhari 2019 and not the Buhari’s Campaign Organisation for the 2019 election.<br /> <br /> He said groups that made up the Presidential Support Committee were all registered with the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters.<br /> <br /> Sheriff and others are under investigation for allegedly receiving N450m out of the N23bn ($115m) bribe allegedly disbursed by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, during the build-up to the 2015 elections.<br /> <br /> He has been grilled several times by the EFCC but was never charged. His private jet was also impounded by the commission but later released to him.<br /> <br /> Sagay, EFCC react<br /> <br /> Speaking with newsmen, the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), said joining the President’s camp would not save any politician from probe or prosecution.<br /> <br /> He said those whose cases had already been taken to court would continue to face prosecution.<br /> <br /> Sagay, however, said there was room for plea bargain, an option he said stubborn people would never use.<br /> <br /> He said, “I know Akpabio is still under probe and if he is found culpable, he would be invited and prosecuted. For me, the only import of him joining the President’s campaign is that he can be persuaded to make a plea bargain quickly, which everyone is entitled to, but the stubborn ones will not take that option<br /> <br /> “As for allegations against Amaechi, he was indicted by a fake and useless judicial panel set up by Wike, who is himself under investigation for corruption. He set up a kangaroo panel, which Amaechi refused to answer to.”<br /> <br /> When asked about the Appeal Court ruling which ordered Amaechi to answer to the panel, Sagay added, “he doesn’t have to answer to rubbish. Judges who allow themselves to engage in injustice deserve to be disregarded. Amaechi is innocent. All the charges were trumped up.”<br /> <br /> Also speaking with newsmen, the EFCC Spokesperson, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said joining the President’s camp would not translate to immunity from prosecution.<br /> <br /> Uwujaren said, “The EFCC neither closes cases nor clears people. Also, being in the President’s party does not give anyone immunity from prosecution.”<br /> <br /> Buhari, who later won the presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress had consistently accused the then ruling party, the PDP of engaging in mind-boggling corrupt practices.<br /> <br /> “If Nigeria does not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria,” Buhari had said repeatedly during the build-up to the 2015 general elections.<br /> <br /> However, no sooner had he been declared winner than some politicians from the same corrupt party began defecting to the President’s own party.<br /> <br /> While some of the allegedly corrupt persons were kept at arm’s length, others became very close to the President, constantly appearing in pictures with the professed anti-corruption champion and sending mixed signals to Nigerians.<br /> <br /> SERAP, CACOL react<br /> <br /> The Executive Director of Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, Adetokunbo Mumuni, however, said it would be wrong to condemn the President for being supported by people alleged to be corrupt if there was no proof that he had prevented anti-corruption agencies from prosecuting such people.<br /> <br /> He said, “Unless you want to tell me that the anti-corruption agencies will not do anything unless they are prompted or unless somebody says they should do it, I don’t want to believe rumours. Allegations must be backed by concrete evidence for it to be substantiated. I don’t want to think that somebody with convincing evidence against him will be prevented from facing the music simply because he supports the President. For example, Kalu still has his case in court.”<br /> <br /> Similarly, the Executive Chairman, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Mr. Debo Adeniran, said it would be wrong to presume people guilty because they have corruption allegations against them and that the President could not have stopped anyone from supporting him, in any case.<br /> <br /> He said, “You can’t prevent sinners from going to a religious place, what you don’t have to allow is for them to take over the pulpit to preach the doctrine of the crimes that they have been committing. From our recent experience, defecting to the ruling party has not, in practical terms, stopped the trial of some of politicians. For instance, Kalu’s case is still in court.<br /> <br /> “And as of now, Akpabio has yet to be convicted and until someone is convicted, you cannot say they have committed a crime. Even Kalu, whose case is in court, cannot be said to be guilty of the offence until he is convicted. So, it is a moral question and the moral suasion has its limit.”<br /> <br /> But a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Onueze Okocha, said President Buhari was sending a dangerous and negative signal to Nigerians by allowing people with pending corruption cases to work for his re-election.<br /> <br /> He said, “The whole thing sends a dangerous and unhappy signal to all of us that the so-called anti-corruption war is not whole. We can all see that only those in the opposition are mainly those investigated of corruption while those in the ruling party are regarded as sacred cows.<br /> <br /> “It’s what we’ve always known; there is no effectiveness in the anti-corruption war. Look at Akpabio, for instance, shortly after he was elected to the Senate, the EFCC raided his house and found lots of cash. Now that he has defected to the APC, what happens to him?<br /> <br /> “Babachir Lawal, though has been sacked, is still free to walk around. Look at the issue of fake National Youth Service Corps certificate held by Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, all these tell us there are sacred cows in the anti-corruption war.”

Latest-News REVEALED: Eight politicians with N232 Billion corruption cases working for Buhari’s re-election

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Cancer-causing substance in school uniforms imported to Nigeria from China

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="600" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSg2BrjmHHGVq6ZLaSHIExJDkg_b-BpGs9nZT7M_zxObYi3O3rbBkQOw-GSOHTk4F_uDA0e41aeLhTXAfPqZo7LrKCV3JYkhEY0gJlWrQ1Q0eoUGr_BYTjvLP5OCTZFx_qhwvTR7vMsU0b/s400/son-issues-warning-on-cancer-causing-substance-in-school-uniform-from-china-nigeria-news.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> The Standards Organisation of Nigeria has raised the alarm over cancer-causing substances found in some school uniform materials made by two China-based companies.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> SON Director-General, Mr. Osita Aboloma, warned importers against bringing the school uniform materials into Nigeria.<br /> <br /> A statement issued by the DG on Friday in Abuja, named the companies producing the materials as Sing Shun Fat School-Clothier Company and Zenith Uniform Company.<br /> <br /> Aboloma said that “the azo dyes” found in some school uniforms in Hong Kong contained up to 173 milligrams and 41 milligrams per kilogram of the tested samples respectively.<br /> <br /> He added that the amounts of the dye contained in the materials were well above the maximum allowed in the standard.<br /> <br /> The DG said, “Use of the 4-amino azo dyes has been banned in Europe, Japan and other parts of the world prior to the finding.<br /> <br /> “Azo dyes could release carcinogenic substances known as aromatic amines when they mix with sweat, which accounted for the ban on the use of the dye in many countries of the world.”<br /> <br /> The DG advised importers of school uniform materials in Nigeria to undergo the process of conformity assessment of such materials prior to import through the SON off-shore Conformity Assessment Programme to avoid bringing them to the country.<br /> <br /> He further advised Nigerians to report any suspected uniform materials that may already be in the country to SON for necessary sampling, laboratory tests and analysis to be carried out at its Textile and Leather Laboratory in Kaduna for necessary regulatory action.<br /> <br /> Aboloma added that all International Accredited Firms (IAFs) undertaking the off-shore Conformity Assessment Programme on behalf of SON all over the world have been put on alert regarding the cancer-causing substance in school uniform materials and other clothing materials to be imported into Nigeria.

Latest-News Cancer-causing substance in school uniforms imported to Nigeria from China

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria has raised the alarm over cancer-causing substances found in some school uniform materials made by t...

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2019: Four years is enough for me to fix, transform Delta - Pat Utomi

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLCqIPHY1PbxrIxXT5kmotL59eJnklhwewFbe-e_nWf4Vep2Jn3NQSEAVRf2w7fd2XwIbB4uVHcErC4eMjHW4mnHOQYjSAzg4C2_6jp2iQxkQXL6NCJfsQOVjLIpQY3bQD4kIpcwgMobE/s400/Prof.-Pat-Utomi.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> A renowned political economist and one of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in Delta State, Prof. Pat Utomi says four years was enough for him to develop a masterplan that will fix and transform the state to the envy of others in Nigeria.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress stated that he was committed to serving only one term of four years if elected in the 2019 general elections, adding that it would be a thing of natural justice to give the ticket of the APC to an aspirant from his Delta North Senatorial District to battle incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Utomi spoke when he led members of the Pat Utomi Support Hub (PUSH 2019) on a consultative visit to leaders and members of Ijaw APC in Delta at the home of the former Acting Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, Pastor Power Aginighan in Udu Council area of the state.<br /> <br /> He promised that in two years of his administration, he would have put the state on the path of development that subsequent administrations would build on, adding that his government would focus critical fundamentals such as good education that will help drive the process.<br /> <br /> He said, “The development process is such that if you get it right, you get ownership of it and people owned the process. Two years is enough to make it irreversible. If it belongs to the people, nobody will be able to take it and that is what is important.<br /> <br /> “There are a number of cities that are famous in the world for unbelievable development. When I first passed through Dubai several years ago, it was desert village, but today, the progress happened so fast that it is not reversible. Singapore was just a fishing village that was nowhere near Burutu and today, it is the highest in per capita income in the world.<br /> <br /> “My political life is about ideas, commitment towards serving the people with passion because anything we can dream, we can make up. It’s the absence of a clear dream and passionate commitment that has kept us back. People who are not as smart as us have made so much progress. So, what we need is smart political leaders and this kind of engagement provides us such opportunity for that.”<br /> <br /> Utomi observed that the crisis rocking the state chapter of the party was over-exaggerated and expressed optimism that the crisis would soon be over as it prepares to dislodge the Governor Okowa-led PDP government.<br /> <br /> The APC governorship hopeful also hailed the defection of the immediate past governor of the state, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, saying that his coming would strengthen and unite the various camps struggling for the structure of the party in the state.<br /> <br /> “I was expecting him (Uduaghan), and I am happy. Two of us have spoken frequently about this matter and his coming will strengthen the APC. He will bring social network into the party. What he was saying earlier is that he needed to see more engagement in building the party. He was complaining that many persons were struggling to capture structures. Uduaghan coming along will add a lot of substance to our efforts.<br /> <br /> “The crisis is really over exaggerated, truly speaking. I’m very certain that by the time we bring few people to come in and harmonise with different groups to feel a sense of belonging, we will have a good flow.<br /> <br /> “It’s a very simple thing. It is a logical process of justice that people from Delta North should expect to serve eight years. It’s just natural justice, and I generally support that. But I know that in spite of that, if you take that away, if you put any candidate who has offered himself from any part of this state against my credentials, they won’t stand up”, he added.<br /> <br /> In his remark, Delta Ijaw APC leader, Pastor Aginighan noted that credentials of Utomi for the governorship seat remained unquestionable as he has distinguished himself as an illustrious son of the state, adding that the Ijaw will make their position known after consulting with other governorship aspirants on the APC platform.

Latest-News 2019: Four years is enough for me to fix, transform Delta - Pat Utomi

A renowned political economist and one of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in Delta State, Prof...

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2019: Atiku weeps for Nigeria as he obtains PDP nomination forms

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="486" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuL1RJelYt9sYN4kuGe0Ch7zP0UvVdBC1KgUf4xmLfaaVr-vUAz7TimR6L2DYoHZ8LYVQ_n74fWHoKkCGnyRw5GeUQxIvVIK02lm9UMjVyA0UUycStSbXVkrEZO00PB-RDwAYTCdPh6unq/s400/Atiku_Abubakar_589802960.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, was emotional at his Presidential Campaign Office in Abuja yesterday shortly after obtaining his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms from the headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Atiku, while receiving the forms from the Atiku Support Groups (ASG) which purchased the form for him, reiterated his commitment to the Nigerian cause and promised to do everything possible not to disappoint Nigerians if given the opportunity to rule.<br /> <br /> Speaking on the development, Atiku said: “The event today (purchase of nomination form) is significant and historic because this is the only time in my political career that young men and women in this country have come together without my knowledge or even consent to contribute their own hard-earned money to buy me an Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms.<br /> <br /> ”You could have seen that one of the ladies who spoke virtually succeeded in getting me to weep. This is because she aptly described the challenges every Nigerian is facing in this country today and she believed honestly and sincerely from the bottom of her heart that I could be an instrument of addressing those challenges.<br /> <br /> “So, for such a woman to believe that I have got those leadership qualities and including those of you who have brought out your monies to buy this form, is one of the most serious challenges I have ever faced in my political career.<br /> <br /> “And believe me, addressing those challenges is possible because we have brought young men and women, Nigerians who have got the talents, who have got the education, who have got the experience, who have got all what it take to honestly turn this country around.”<br /> <br /> Atiku also attributed the slow pace of development in the country to the failure to harness the creative energies of young people by successive administrations.<br /> <br /> He said: “Putting together such talented young Nigerians requires leadership and it is that leadership we have not been fortunate enough to have on a consistent basis that this country has not been able to take her rightful position in Africa and indeed, the world.”<br /> <br /> The Wazirin Adamawa at the event eulogised former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, the late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua, on whose feet he learnt the rudiments of partisan politics.

Latest-News 2019: Atiku weeps for Nigeria as he obtains PDP nomination forms

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, was emotional at his Presidential Campaign Office in Abuja yesterday shortly after obtaining his Ex...

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Illegal Nigerian migrants travel at own risks - Buhari warns

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="149" data-original-width="337" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmI60syFTCQURiO4MP_eRgqP1bb6-8FLABNMcb4NYyMTcGZ6NXfopXCiwz_oYMVT4dlYq8y5IBqtJd5x3ibdOoE62y2yQk9O4ioy03N2Rl4xSLKoFrQUy4fva8nAOLvqn_anC81w9uxX_/s400/buhari+corr.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> <br /> President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday warned that Nigerians travelling out of the country illegally to search for greener pastures are doing so at their own risk.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Buhari gave the warning during a joint press briefing with the visiting German Chancellor, Ms Angela Merkel, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.<br /> <br /> According to him, his administration does not support anything illegal or any act of indiscipline.<br /> <br /> Illegal Nigerian migrants stuck in foreign countries, he said, will continue to be repatriated back home.<br /> <br /> He said the Federal Government had so far repatriated more than 3,000 illegal migrants who were stuck in Libya on their way to Europe.<br /> <br /> He said: “I’m against those (my) countrymen and women who illegally find their ways to other countries other than Nigeria.<br /> <br /> “But I believe you know that the ECOWAS Protocol includes free movement of persons and goods and services.<br /> <br /> “But for those going to Europe, we are not, as an administration, in agreement with those Nigerians who try to defy the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean (Sea) because they feel there are greener pastures there, whether they are pre-paid, free or not.<br /> <br /> “It will be recalled that we repatriated about 3,000 Nigerians who were stuck in Libya on their ways to Europe.<br /> <br /> “You also must have read in the newspapers or seen in the television stations the number of Nigerians lost in the Mediterranean.”<br /> <br /> He added: “So, the position of this administration is very clear: we do not support anything illegal, and anybody who feels that his country does not value, does not offer him what he should be offered as a citizen and decided to defy the desert and the Mediterranean is doing so at his own risk.<br /> <br /> “But if found stuck in Libya or anywhere between his final destination and Nigeria, we will bring him back home.”<br /> <br /> Speaking through an interpreter, Merkel gave details of agricultural cooperation and other assistance coming to Nigeria.<br /> <br /> She also said that Germany would provide educational assistance that would increase the number of Nigerian students studying in Germany.<br /> <br /> The two countries signed two memoranda of understanding in agriculture and commerce.<br /> <br /> The first agreement was signed between the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA and the German-Africa Business Association.<br /> <br /> The First Deputy National President of NACCIMA, Hajia Saratu Iya Abubakar, signed on behalf of Nigeria, while Dr. Stefan Liebing of German Africa Business Association signed on behalf of the German Business Delegation.<br /> <br /> The second agreement was signed between the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) and the PETKUS Technologie GmbH, a company that specialises in post-harvest agricultural value chain.<br /> <br /> While the Managing Director of NIRSAL, Aliyu Abdulhameed, signed on behalf of Nigeria, the representative of PETKUS Technologie GmbH, Peter Huser, signed for the Germans.<br /> <br /> Speaking after signing the MOUs, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, said the agreements would increase the collaboration between Nigeria and Germany in the two areas.<br /> <br /> Enelamah said the agreements would also leverage small and medium enterprises in Nigeria.<br /> He said: “We want our SMEs to learn from the German experience and be as important. The other area of German excellence is the technical area-technical education, technical training and technical development. It is also an area of great interest to Nigeria.<br /> <br /> “We are also working with Germany in the automobile sector because that’s also an area where Germany is a leader and Nigeria clearly has a policy to be a leader in the auto sector in West Africa and Africa.”<br /> <br /> He said all this would require high levels of engagement, collaboration and communication to be actualised.<br /> <br /> Also speaking, Abdulhameed said the MOU signed between NIRSAL and PETKUS was borne out of the realization of the opportunities that exist for investments in the Nigerian agricultural sector under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.<br /> <br /> He said: “Under the current administration and the present agricultural promotion policy of this government, there are ample opportunities for investors in terms of technology and capital, to come to Nigeria and to invest in the agricultural sector.<br /> <br /> “NIRSAL provides the risking environment and mechanisms to enable investors like PETKUS to come to Nigeria and do their business.”<br /> <br /> According to him, the agreement would go a long way in reducing the 51.3 metric tons of aggregate food production, equivalent of about US$9 billion, which the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) report says Nigeria loses annually.<br /> <br /> He said PETKUS, which specialises in the post-harvest segment of the agricultural value chain, would bring its expertise to bear on post-harvest productions in Nigeria.<br /> <br /> In his remarks, Huser said the interest of his company was to help small farmers boost their yield.<br /> <br /> “We are not talking about big investments; we are talking about small holder farmers, where we like to help them to boost their yield, to get better yield. We are talking about plant production. We are talking about fertilization.”<br /> <br /> He said each machine supplied by PETKUS Technologie would provide employment and improve income for five persons and their families.<br /> <br /> “We are talking today not about one machine; we are talking about one thousand machines and you can imagine the value this can bring into the agricultural sector,” Huser said.<br /> <br /> He said the agreement was a step further in the interest of his company in Nigeria.

Latest-News Illegal Nigerian migrants travel at own risks - Buhari warns

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2019: 13 presidential aspirants battle for PDP ticket

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOl-wJBg06j1UxGBptE2gdvwOpBeB7g-102dflUUPskGbqdQEcpvbiJ_E9TC5NjGJpRN19TbXxziPx-PLymzWOvCZ7sVmF3Z1B9u7faw211wvgS166CI5yOrCxy4JSnD6ZdSDuTk3_XED/s320/PDP.jpg" width="317" /></div> <br /> The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be at the crossroads over what to do with the high number of aspirants jostling for the party’s presidential ticket.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> So far, 13 aspirants have indicated interest in the ticket and there were indications at the weekend that the number may increase in the days ahead.<br /> <br /> Those in the race are former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwabo; President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki; former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido; former Governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi; and a former Special Duties Minister, Tanimu Turaki.<br /> <br /> Others are a former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; another former Kano Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau; former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa; a former Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang; an industrialist, Dr. Baba Datti Ahmed; and one Ahmed Buhari<br /> <br /> It was gathered that several meetings the leadership of the party held with the aspirants seeking the possibility of pruning down the number have so far proved futile.<br /> <br /> It was also learnt that fears expressed by the leadership of the party over the unwieldy number of the aspirants were said to have been waved the contestants, as they were all said to have insisted on contesting.<br /> <br /> Fearing recriminations that the outcome of the primaries might engender, the party is said to be rallying the aspirants to sign an undertaking to accept and embrace the eventual winner.<br /> <br /> Similarly, the party is also working on them to agree to join the eventual winner in the electioneering, with a proviso that none of them would defect from the PDP zone on account of losing the primaries.<br /> <br /> Investigation revealed that the party’s governors have been in consultations with the leadership of the party and other key stakeholders, with the view to projecting one of the aspirants as a preferred candidate.<br /> <br /> Discussants at the various fora during consultations were said to have put forward Tambuwal, Kwankwaso and Atiku for consideration.<br /> <br /> It was reliably gathered that some powerful members of the northern establishment are split down the middle over Tambuwal and Kwankwaso.<br /> <br /> It is said that the thinking in the camp of the northern power brokers centred on the need for the PDP to field a candidate from one of the states in the Northwest where Tambuwal and Kwankwaso hailed from.<br /> <br /> Some of the party’s governors, particularly a vocal one from one of the states in the South-South, are said to have bought into the idea of making a pick from the Northwest.<br /> <br /> Those that expressed preference for Tambuwal cited his relatively young age and the fact that he is not known to have any baggage that the government at the centre could hang on him.<br /> <br /> Similarly, they were also said to have reasoned that his constitutional immunity as a serving governor would shield him from unnecessary distractions from security agencies during electioneering campaign.<br /> <br /> On the other hand, they considered Kwankwaso very popular in Kano, with enough clout to challenge the cult-like following of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari, in the Northwest, particularly in Kano.<br /> <br /> Kwankwaso’s chances were also weighed with the large voter population in the Northwest, particularly Kano where the former governor hails from and where he controls a large grassroots political group, the Kwankwasiyya Movement.<br /> <br /> His performance in the 2014 primary election of the APC where he came a close second to Buahri, was also said to have come under consideration during the consultations.<br /> <br /> Atiku was highly rated with having built functional political bridges across the six geopolitical zones and established goodwill across the socio-economic strata.<br /> <br /> However, not a few of the stakeholders and the governors were said to have consider his advance age a drawback to his aspiration. Atiku will be over 72 before the presidential election.<br /> <br /> So far, Bafarawa, Tambuwal, Dankwabo and Datti Ahmed had come to obtain their nomination papers in person. Others aspirants have been obtaining their nomination documents through proxies.<br /> <br /> Kwankwaso personally picked his documents at 6.15 pm yesterday, while Atiku and Saraki obtained their forms earlier in the day through proxies.<br /> <br /> Lamido was said to have quietly obtained his form in a similar manner earlier in the week. However, Makarfi, Shekarau, Jang and Ahmed Buhari were yet to pick the forms by close of work yesterday.

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Hajj Tragedy: Three APC chieftains die in auto crash

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1442" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Vv4wBvwfli4YmvsVQBWT8Ma6wsQxRrAONKTGf9X3z2fMBDLhIy_Fq2w1gKsh8yPbuu23P19-WjNyU_QB0gJuwzP1VYUM7E33VO2oDrnlROufOoU9WBOAotr8RDyjpaAl0mrgpU1e86RT/s400/APC-LOGO-17.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> Tragedy struck the Zamfara State chapter of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday , when the party lost three council chairmen in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Killed were Jafaru Gidan Sambo of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, Mudi Mallamawa of Shinkafi LGA and Abdullahi Shugaba Ruwan Dorowa of Maru LGA.<br /> <br /> The trio died in a bus crash 120 kilometres from Madina while travelling from the holy city to Makkah.<br /> <br /> But Nasiru Anka of Anka LGA, Tafa Nasarawa Bukkuyum of Bukkuyum LGA and Garba Ziti of Gummi LGA survived the crash.<br /> <br /> Commissioner in Charge of Health Matters, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Dr. Ibrahim Kana, confirmed the development.<br /> <br /> He said the Saudi authorities called to inform Nigerian officials of the accident.<br /> <br /> The corpses were immediately moved to the King Fahd Hospital, Madina while the survivors were rushed to a hospital near the scene of the accident, on the outskirts of Madina.<br /> <br /> Kana said that a team of Nigerian medical team had been dispatched to Madina, on the orders of NAHCON chairman, Abdullah Mukhtar Muhammad, to liaise with the Saudi authorities for necessary documentation and burial arrangements.<br /> <br /> The recent incident brings the number of pilgrim deaths in the holy land to 10 this year.

Latest-News Hajj Tragedy: Three APC chieftains die in auto crash

Tragedy struck the Zamfara State chapter of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday , when the party lost three coun...

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How Modric won UEFA Player of the Year ahead of Ronaldo, Salah

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliw51uE4rcgEJfdrMYZDwXDxfblXVpO6MwYb1UtarY8P_GO71tPfGyA8aAhQvBawhfrpks0WvYOCHPDbFbwEUWZyiF7BqQ4Vput46AxszGcQEA5-45sNQXuJ_3rpILikqtcPvhaRplUR3/s1600/luca+modric.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliw51uE4rcgEJfdrMYZDwXDxfblXVpO6MwYb1UtarY8P_GO71tPfGyA8aAhQvBawhfrpks0WvYOCHPDbFbwEUWZyiF7BqQ4Vput46AxszGcQEA5-45sNQXuJ_3rpILikqtcPvhaRplUR3/s400/luca+modric.jpg" /></a></div> Real Madrid midfielder, Luka Modric, was on Thursday evening named UEFA Player of the Year.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Modric won the prize ahead of former team-mate, Cristiano Ronaldo, who is now at Juventus and Liverpool’s Mohammed Salah.<br /> <br /> The numbers released by UEFA after the event, shows that the Croatia captain, finished first in the poll, 90 points ahead of Ronaldo.<br /> <br /> Modric got 313 points, while Ronaldo garnered 223 points.<br /> <br /> Salah finished in third place with 134 points.<br /> <br /> Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has already criticized organizers of the award, calling it “a scandal”.</div>

Latest-News How Modric won UEFA Player of the Year ahead of Ronaldo, Salah

Real Madrid midfielder, Luka Modric, was on Thursday evening named UEFA Player of the Year. Modric won the prize ahead of former team-m...

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Thierry Henry promoted to Belgium’s assistant coach

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxT0dpQ0jsySPULcWmz4ZV9qpweA25omBEj0p3MKK7EZxZmUuVzBDgcbcQSyf53zSRs6CT70mvkYzMRKxXaLgU2qy1HrgxyHtbZQb6iSCHs7Kx9xkvY0GblT6Ab911SsgEjWQujQxBO_D/s1600/thierry+henry.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxT0dpQ0jsySPULcWmz4ZV9qpweA25omBEj0p3MKK7EZxZmUuVzBDgcbcQSyf53zSRs6CT70mvkYzMRKxXaLgU2qy1HrgxyHtbZQb6iSCHs7Kx9xkvY0GblT6Ab911SsgEjWQujQxBO_D/s320/thierry+henry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Belgium on Friday promoted Thierry Henry to the number two job with the national side, just days after the Arsenal and France great turned down the manager’s job at Bordeaux.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The 41-year-old, who helped manager Roberto Martinez steer the Red Devils to third place at the World Cup in Russia, rebuffed the six-time French champions citing “uncertainty” behind the scenes at the club.<br /> <br /> Henry, the all-time leading goalscorer for both Arsenal and France, takes over from Graeme Jones who left the Belgian set-up to join the staff at second-tier English side West Bromwich Albion.<br /> <br /> As forwards coach, Henry played a major role in guiding a talented Belgian side to the World Cup semi-final where they were edged out by eventual winners France.<br /> <br /> “We are delighted that he has decided to stay with the Red Devils, and to stay with what we started in the World Cup in Russia, a very important moment for us,” Martinez told a news conference.<br /> <br /> Henry juggled his role with Belgium with extensive TV punditry in Britain, but former Swansea, Wigan and Everton boss Martinez said the Frenchman would now focus on his coaching duties.<br /> <br /> “We are looking forward to welcome him back, now he is going to have a bigger role in terms of his contribution on a daily basis, because now he is going to full time in the structure of the Belgian federation,” the Spaniard said.</div>

Latest-News Thierry Henry promoted to Belgium’s assistant coach

Belgium on Friday promoted Thierry Henry to the number two job with the national side, just days after the Arsenal and France great turned...

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MKO Abiola’s daughter, ‘Rinsola, 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/AVvXsEjx3X99G2A-36FXrz7OcLTCRSTKsIpaqqPuZsW7xUUYcD72_CvTWGiltnB_SI3K7NYXsanMjTz1sH3973k-EKdA7nwJQyIoRVkQJRcXiB6TxHrgUorCOn4foCCIfWsniKZYpt_LYtRCYXj_/s1600/APC-LOGO-17.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3X99G2A-36FXrz7OcLTCRSTKsIpaqqPuZsW7xUUYcD72_CvTWGiltnB_SI3K7NYXsanMjTz1sH3973k-EKdA7nwJQyIoRVkQJRcXiB6TxHrgUorCOn4foCCIfWsniKZYpt_LYtRCYXj_/s320/APC-LOGO-17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> ‘Rinsola Abiola, daughter of late politician, Moshood Abiola, has renounced her membership of the All Progressives Congress.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Abiola relinquished her membership via letter that she sent to the APC chairman in her ward, Gbagura Ward 6 in Abeokuta North Local Government.<br /> <br /> She shared a photo of the letter on her Twitter handle, @Bint_Moshood on Friday.<br /> <br /> The Special Assistant to Speaker Yakubu Dogara, said although she had dumped the ruling party, she was yet to join another party.<br /> <br /> She added that her choice of political platform would be informed by “factors such as commitment to youth and women inclusion, and internal democracy in its true sense.”<br /> <br /> Her followers have been responding to her announcement on Twitter, mostly in the positive, with some begging her not to join the Peoples Democratic Party.<br /> <br /> See tweets:<br /> <br /> Wow. This is truly shocking. Your graciousness is evident in all you do and I pray that God directs your every step.💗<br /> <br /> — Yemi (@Babygiwa) August 31, 2018<br /> <br /> Wow! Rinsola! Just wow. Just wow. Good luck to you but please please please not PDP. Please, joo, biko. PLEASE.<br /> <br /> — Iyabo A. Awokoya (@iyaboawokoya) August 31, 2018<br /> <br /> Safe trip to PDP Rinsola….. All the best 🙂<br /> <br /> — Ayodeji Gasby (@Gasbytweet) August 31, 2018<br /> <br /> Wherever you decide on, you’ll do well.<br /> Well done on all the advocacy you do, and all the very best for the future.<br /> 🙂<br /> <br /> — Isioma (@Ms_Isioma) August 31, 2018<br /> <br /> I’ve always wondered how you managed to fit into the party going by the values I perceive you have. I pretty much thought you were gathering like minds for a change but I was convinced the political dons in Nigeria will sink any good will and you’ll either break or leave.<br /> Kudos.<br /> <br /> — Mo Fash (@_MoFash) August 31, 2018<br /> <br /> Wow. I do believe this was a well thought out decision. You have made your mark with your activities so far and your value is unquestionable.<br /> <br /> Best wishes in your future endeavours.<br /> <br /> — Sam Hart (@hartng) August 31, 2018<br /> <br /> Interesting times ahead. Are you still running in 2019, if yes, which party do you intend to use? Are you following your boss out of the APC? What happens if he doesn’t defect?<br /> <br /> — AkTiVe Citizen (@biolaodetola) August 31, 2018<br /> <br /> This came as a shock. Wishing you the very best Rinsola. Thank you for being true to your ideals when you were in the APC and not getting involved in all the mud game.<br /> <br /> You were above board.<br /> Nothing but respect for you.<br /> Please don’t leave politics. Ogun state & Nigeria needs you.<br /> <br /> — Ugonnia (@AustinYugo) August 31, 2018<br /> <br /> Rinsola,when is Dogara Relinquishing His?<br /> <br /> — NSA (@nurasaniakawu) August 31, 2018</div>

Latest-News MKO Abiola’s daughter, ‘Rinsola, dumps APC

‘Rinsola Abiola, daughter of late politician, Moshood Abiola, has renounced her membership of the All Progressives Congress. Abiola rel...

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UEFA to introduce VAR in Champions League 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/AVvXsEhI63mO796Dc5fMVqW6i57x8kFzAloWFqLgfIZPE1kW8soPaix1nKWbcHASwZWxK5CiUF_XjQkx0S4C5eNjZCHLp69Jhq_R0hquKVSGNiD40zhAgrFVE6-Pxk7XtEYTJcXg-XHf_uQ9PmV0/s1600/Aleksander-Ceferin.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI63mO796Dc5fMVqW6i57x8kFzAloWFqLgfIZPE1kW8soPaix1nKWbcHASwZWxK5CiUF_XjQkx0S4C5eNjZCHLp69Jhq_R0hquKVSGNiD40zhAgrFVE6-Pxk7XtEYTJcXg-XHf_uQ9PmV0/s320/Aleksander-Ceferin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> UEFA are set to wait until next season before introducing Video Assistant Referees in the Champions League, although they are still not ruling out having it in this season’s final, president Aleksander Ceferin said on Friday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Ceferin has so far resisted calls to bring VAR into Europe’s elite club competition, despite the system largely proving successful at the World Cup.<br /> <br /> It has also been introduced in Spain and France this season, with those leagues following on from the Bundesliga and Serie A, although the English Premier League has been more cautious.<br /> <br /> “For me, VAR is not completely clear for now, but we also know that there is no way back anymore, technology will come sooner or later,” Ceferin told journalists in Monaco, where the Champions League group-stage draw was held on Thursday.<br /> <br /> “The plan for now is to use it from the next season, with the first match which is the Super Cup.”<br /> <br /> That match is due to be played in Istanbul on August 14, 2019, and the Champions League would then bring in VAR from the playoff round the same month.<br /> <br /> “When we are ready we will use it, but it is not so easy because we have to choose the provider, it is not easy to organise a competition across the continent with all the referees, so we have some issues,” said Ceferin.<br /> <br /> There had been reports that VAR could come in from the latter stages of this season’s competition, but UEFA’s Slovenian president now says it is unlikely to be used even in the final in Madrid next June.<br /> <br /> “I’m not ruling it out but for now it doesn’t look like it will happen,” he admitted.<br /> <br /> Ceferin acknowledged that VAR “worked quite well” at the World Cup, but UEFA’s biggest concern is how they can effectively run the system in a competition spanning an entire continent.<br /> <br /> – ‘Very complex’ –<br /> <br /> At the World Cup, FIFA used a centralised system based in Moscow, yet doing the same thing with matches being played in different countries is far more complex.<br /> <br /> “It’s really much more problematic than it looks. We really have a huge territory, we have different countries. We don’t know yet how to do it,” added Ceferin.<br /> <br /> “The plan is to do it next season, but let’s see what happens, I don’t want to predict anything 100 percent.”<br /> <br /> Nevertheless, it seems that UEFA will wait a further year before the Europa League follows suit.<br /> <br /> Giorgio Marchetti, the organisation’s deputy general secretary, admitted that VAR was “obviously not impossible but very complex, and requires a lot of planning”.<br /> <br /> “The Europa League would follow exactly like GLT (goal-line technology), because of this complexity of the operations,” he said, confirming that the idea would be to wait another season.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, reports in Germany on Thursday indicated that UEFA were considering bringing back a third continental club competition, two decades after the Cup Winners’ Cup was scrapped.<br /> <br /> Sport Bild said the idea was to start a 32-team tournament from 2021, reducing the number of participants in the Europa League from the current 48 down to 32 and further opening up continental competition to sides from smaller countries.<br /> <br /> But Ceferin said: “They are just discussions, is it better to have 64 in the Europa League or 32 and 32? They are just discussions.”<br /> <br /> – Restoring competitive balance –<br /> <br /> The 50-year-old, who succeeded Michel Platini as UEFA president in 2016, looks set to be re-elected early next year, with a vote taking place in Rome in February.<br /> <br /> The increasing dominance in the Champions League of an elite few raises ever greater concerns about competitive balance, something Ceferin says is his “greatest challenge” going forward.<br /> <br /> He is nevertheless optimistic that a breakaway, closed league for the super rich will not happen.<br /> <br /> “I think, as much as I spoke to the big clubs, that it’s clear to them that the competition only between the big clubs will not happen and would be very boring, and they understand that for the development of football they have to share some money,” he said.</div>

Latest-News UEFA to introduce VAR in Champions League next season

UEFA are set to wait until next season before introducing Video Assistant Referees in the Champions League, although they are still not ru...

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I predict a violence-free election come 2019 – Kalu

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2ALQLtaOHSY_HC6UHlE3gLy8PEs9AVzRRfVmy1KSl7m-OO6mjwJkGbETIkIWdRg-XM4XW4YaSTPJ3lXpgGGDc5hmk9LBpsEMDkjZBtoo6uuZaTl-nzF0bC4kuFO1etyT7YxcS75KXEYU/s1600/Orji+Uzor+Kalu.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2ALQLtaOHSY_HC6UHlE3gLy8PEs9AVzRRfVmy1KSl7m-OO6mjwJkGbETIkIWdRg-XM4XW4YaSTPJ3lXpgGGDc5hmk9LBpsEMDkjZBtoo6uuZaTl-nzF0bC4kuFO1etyT7YxcS75KXEYU/s320/Orji+Uzor+Kalu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Chief Orji Kalu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Abia has predicted that the 2019 general elections would  be violence-free across the country.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Kalu made the prediction on Friday in an interview with newsmen in Umuahia, the Abia Capital.<br /> <br /> He said: “There was no violence in 2015 in spite the general fear and predictions before the polls, so there will be no violence in 2019.<br /> <br /> “The elections will be peaceful here in Abia and across the whole Federation.”<br /> <br /> He said that the ruling-APC government of President Muhammadu Buhari would stop at nothing to ensure hitch-free election.<br /> <br /> “The elections will not be marred by violence. APC-led government will leave no stone unturned to protect the nation democracy.’’<br /> <br /> He said that the pressure of electioneering usually heated up the polity and described the development as natural and often precedent to general elections anywhere in the world.<br /> <br /> According to the ex-governor, such heat being experienced should not be mistaken as a sign of imminent violence.<br /> <br /> “Even in the U.S., the polity is presently heating up ahead of the midterm elections coming up on Nov. 6,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> Kalu, who is a senatorial aspirant for Abia North, took exception to the recent destruction of billboards and posters belonging to political office seekers in the area.<br /> <br /> He blamed the act on desperate politicians and their thugs, saying that people should not make politics a do-or-die affair.<br /> <br /> “People should see politics as a game, if you win, you rejoice but if you lose you take it in the spirit of sportsmanship. It should not be a do-or-die affair.’’<br /> <br /> On the recent defections across different party lines by some prominent politicians in the country, Kalu said that the actions were intended to satisfy personal interest and “not in the interest of the people.’’<br /> <br /> “Those politicians that are defecting are doing so for their selfish interest because they felt that they would not get the ticket from their former parties.’’<br /> <br /> He attributed the trend to the lack of ideology among the nation’s political class, saying that politicians should learn to play politics of ideology.<br /> <br /> “You saw that when I left the Peoples Democratic Party I did not return rather, I joined APC because it meets my expectations and that is where all Nigerians of note are sitting.’’<br /> <br /> Kalu said that he was determined to bring the Southeast geo-political zone into the mainstream of the nation’s politics.<br /> <br /> “I am currently working hard day and night to ensure that APC wins the governorship and National Assembly positions in all the states in the zone.<br /> <br /> “My ambition is to make sure that I bring the South-east to sit where other Nigerians are sitting and we must achieve it in 2019.’’<br /> <br /> Kalu reiterated his earlier position that APC would have a landslide victory in the zone in 2019.<br /> <br /> He said APC would score at least, 75 per cent votes in Abia and 51 per cent in the other states in the zone.</div>

Latest-News I predict a violence-free election come 2019 – Kalu

Chief Orji Kalu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Abia has predicted that the 2019 general electi...

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"Buhari has proven beyond reasonable doubt to be honest with Nigerians"

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHcqHWtk48FwFthRjQbNqLSFA28W99qyZS4SD9xwehAukMch7p8UDph7FChu6hUfTP5iXFu8IiNrt6jX9kLZkaSL7GzeCPGZRqkuSD26AY0q7x2dl1-UxV7-7hvb3whxwYFWPQ9rCO-8L/s1600/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHcqHWtk48FwFthRjQbNqLSFA28W99qyZS4SD9xwehAukMch7p8UDph7FChu6hUfTP5iXFu8IiNrt6jX9kLZkaSL7GzeCPGZRqkuSD26AY0q7x2dl1-UxV7-7hvb3whxwYFWPQ9rCO-8L/s320/President+Muhammadu+Buhari.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Rep. Umar Bago ( APC Chanchaga Federal Constituency) says that the All Progressive Congress ( APC) remains a strong political party committed to offering hope for Nigerians through democratic governance.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Bago, in an interview with newsmen in Minna on Friday, claimed that the tremendous development recorded by the present administration in the country in three years had spoken for itself.<br /> <br /> “Mr President has succeeded in repositioning the country for the better in security, transport, massive road construction, provision of farming implements and diversification of the economy among others.<br /> <br /> “President Buhari has proved beyond reasonable doubt to be honest, sincere and committed to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians, irrespective of political, tribal and ethnic differences,” he said.<br /> <br /> The lawmaker lauded President Buhari for his bold effort in the ongoing  fight against corruption, militancy, cattle rustling and Boko Haram.<br /> <br /> He expressed confidence in the ability of the leadership of the party to ensure victory 2019.<br /> <br /> “The party is strong and the leadership and membership of the party are committed to ensuring it remains strong and continues to offer hope for the people, irrespective of political differences.“<br /> <br /> He said that no amount of campaign of calumny against the President would deter Buhari from seeking for re-election to continue his quest to return the country to the path of glory.<br /> <br /> The lawmaker called on the electorate to safeguard their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), reminding them that PVC remained the only power they needed in electing credible leaders to ensure good governance.</div>

Latest-News "Buhari has proven beyond reasonable doubt to be honest with Nigerians"

Rep. Umar Bago ( APC Chanchaga Federal Constituency) says that the All Progressive Congress ( APC) remains a strong political party commit...

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I’m still running! Moghalu, rejects Durotoye’s emergence as presidential candidate

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9rNW_pq-J8iyMUJq4YGzCAZRuS9YoPg9t9EBjO9U-R3_WQUtykz5o3b4iYkQUzQQKc_qRmmrF5PdH-bci6VhEyDTddvzaeG0Sq-yGOCHfhxeLZ90dRQS_OSmZCTlwg_dZsQNQTI7Rbk4/s1600/Kingsley+Moghalu.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9rNW_pq-J8iyMUJq4YGzCAZRuS9YoPg9t9EBjO9U-R3_WQUtykz5o3b4iYkQUzQQKc_qRmmrF5PdH-bci6VhEyDTddvzaeG0Sq-yGOCHfhxeLZ90dRQS_OSmZCTlwg_dZsQNQTI7Rbk4/s400/Kingsley+Moghalu.jpg" /></a></div> Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and Presidential aspirant of the Young Progressives Party, YPP, Kingsley Moghalu, has rejected the emergence of Fela Durotoye of the Alliance for a New Nigeria (ANN), as the consensus presidential candidate of the umbrella platform, Presidential Aspirants Coming Together (PACT). Professor Moghalu, has also announced that he is still firmly in the presidential race.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> This is following Thursday’s voting process among 18 presidential aspirants under PACT who came together to elect a consensus candidate ahead of the 2019 elections.<br /> <br /> At the end of the two-staged voting process that later had only eight of the aspirants out of the 18 who participated, Fela Durotoye of ANN emerged consensus candidate of PACT.<br /> <br /> However, just before the end of the exercise, four of the aspirants who were present “withdrew from the process even while the voting process was ongoing,” claimed Moghalu, adding therefore that “the PACT did not produce a true consensus candidate.”<br /> <br /> Making his intention for withdrawing from PACT and continuing with his presidential race, Moghalu said that “The reasons I have pulled out of the PACT arrangement are as follows: 1. The arrangement had unraveled even before the final selection of the consensus candidate.”<br /> <br /> He also said that “I therefore have chosen to continue without distraction to pursue my vision in the presidential race for 2019 in the national interest and in deference to the overwhelming outpouring of support for my candidacy from all parts of Nigeria.”<br /> <br /> Below is his full statement.<br /> <br /> “I am firmly in the race for President of Nigeria in 2019.<br /> <br /> “I wish to inform members of my “To Build A Nation” (TBAN) movement, the Kingsley Moghalu Support Organisation (KIMSO) nationwide, the Kingsley Moghalu Volunteer Force, Youth for Kingsley (Y4K), Women for Kingsley (W4K), Kingsley Moghalu Disciples, the Young Progressive Party (YPP) and my other supporters nationwide and in the diaspora that I am pressing ahead with my plan to contest the 2019 presidential election.<br /> <br /> “This is despite the arrangement for a consensus candidate among the young presidential aspirants under the aegis of Presidential Aspirants Coming Together (PACT), which today produced an outcome that has left many Nigerians expressing surprise and disappointment.<br /> <br /> “The reasons I have pulled out of the PACT arrangement are as follows: 1. The arrangement had unraveled even before the final selection of the consensus candidate.<br /> <br /> “Only seven aspirants participated in the final voting out of the original 18 aspirants, mainly because many of the aspirants had withdrawn from the process.<br /> <br /> “Four candidates who were present in the meeting this morning withdrew from the process even while the voting process was ongoing. Therefore, PACT did not produce a true consensus candidate.<br /> <br /> “2. Clause 13 of the PACT Memorandum of Understanding asserts the supremacy of the constitutional rights of the aspirants to pursue their political aspirations.<br /> <br /> “I therefore have chosen to continue without distraction to pursue my vision in the presidential race for 2019 in the national interest and in deference to the overwhelming outpouring of support for my candidacy from all parts of Nigeria.<br /> <br /> “I will remain focused on the objective of providing a competent leadership that will help unite our country and build a nation, wage a decisive war against poverty and unemployment, and restore respect for Nigeria in the society of nations.<br /> <br /> “It is my humble and well-considered view that the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria requires competence and experience in these three vital areas. Thank you.”</div>

Latest-News I’m still running! Moghalu, rejects Durotoye’s emergence as presidential candidate

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and Presidential aspirant of the Young Progressives Party, YPP, Kingsley Mogha...

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