Metuh’s handcuff meant to subdue opposition - PDP

<div align="center"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzTo1t9G4NxYlfZkcuQ0QBwQxB96NgSv0jPhRb1Dp4si9fDNrhqMjYurhPMBEf8QMCuHNIJUgv1_YHlckon7m9JoZAbFzSlwHRyCMqkdSYnZpwClCnXKWERBfL6UUcioPoLf8Rf34TGsy/s1600/Olisah-Metuh-in-handcuffs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Metuh’s handcuff meant to subdue opposition - PDP" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzTo1t9G4NxYlfZkcuQ0QBwQxB96NgSv0jPhRb1Dp4si9fDNrhqMjYurhPMBEf8QMCuHNIJUgv1_YHlckon7m9JoZAbFzSlwHRyCMqkdSYnZpwClCnXKWERBfL6UUcioPoLf8Rf34TGsy/s1600/Olisah-Metuh-in-handcuffs.png" title="Metuh’s handcuff meant to subdue opposition - PDP" /></a></div> <br /> The National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh when he appeared in court on Tuesday. <br /> The party said that the development betrayed an extra-judicial, top political witch-hunt policy ofthe All Progressives Congress, which it said was carefully designed to humiliate, embarrass and portray PDP leaders as common criminals and set the stage to cow and decimate opposition and perceived foes of the government.<br /> <br /> In a statement signed by the party's National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo on Tuesday, the party said the aim of the of the ruling party is to break Metuh.<br /> <br /> "The question remains, if not to mortify, dehumanise and break Metuh, who has been very vocal against the APC administration, and of course to send a signal to others critical of the government, what else would have informed the decision to produce him in court in handcuffs, even when his case does not border on security threat?" Oladipo said.<br /> <br /> "Is this an attempt to sway the court and ambush the judicial process against our National Publicity Secretary, all because of his stance against observed ineptitude and dictatorial tendencies of this administration?<br /> <br /> "The PDP invites all Nigerians and the international community to note the emerging barefaced abuse of state power and violation of constitutional provisions regarding the arrest, detention and eventual<br /> arraignment of our spokesperson."<br /> <br /> Oladipo added that Nigerians by now, should be extremely scared that the country was fast drifting into what he called a police state where being in opposition or holding views divergent to that of the government makes one a criminal and an enemy of the state.<br /> <br /> He alleged that for now, the target of the on-going "lopsided war against corruption is the PDP and its leaders" while all APC members, including those with known corruption issues had been immune from investigation, arrest and prosecution.<br /> <br /> Oladipo added that, more worrisome was the fact that institutions of government, especially security and corrective agencies have now fallen victims of dictatorial abuses.<br /> <br /> With this, he said the PDP was afraid that in no time, ordinary citizens of Nigerians, who in the last 16 years have lived under the rule of law and constitutionally guaranteed personal liberty, would begin to suffer brutality and oppression.<br /> <br /> He said, "Under PDP administration, some Nigerians, including APC leader and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu were tried but never humiliated; now we see security operatives under this regime being used to crush and humiliate the opposition."

Latest-News Politics Metuh’s handcuff meant to subdue opposition - PDP

The National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh when he appeared in court on Tuesday. The party said that the development betrayed a...

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More attention coming for youths - Okorocha

<div align="center"> <img alt="More attention coming for youths - Okorocha" border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrG9x6FX9pT_HrXKELOBxvtIZszfWtM2kcpET5Ae3MakFjmfN0BLC2WU-3Vf58R3sg_HplQGOSyf1f-3OaoPOGcp80rOpbYnvBDmKH313gH6SsRebnBgGYrt-1mx05wpp7m2jaqAiVY4R/s640/Rochas-Okorocha.jpg" title="More attention coming for youths - Okorocha" width="540" /></div> <br /> The Imo State government will this year, pay special attention to youth employment and empowerment to check the rising incidence of youth-related crimes, especially kidnapping and armed robbery.<br /> <br /> Governor Rochas Okorocha gave the assurance during the dedication of his grandson, Master Jidenna Anthony Anwuka, at the Saint Joseph Catholic Chaplain, Imo State University, Owerri.<br /> <br /> He hinted that the interests of the youths will henceforth, be placed above that of the older ones to give them the needed platform to achieve their potentials, even as he noted that engaging the youths meaningfully would check crimes.<br /> <br /> “It cannot be explained why people, who are over 50 would be in the system working while those between 20 and 35 are idle, roaming the streets, even with the required qualifications. The situation does not call for celebration at all.<br /> <br /> “When you check those being arrested for crimes, they are always between 18 and 35. You can hardly get a man above 40 years. So we must act now to secure the future of these young ones,” Okorocha said.<br /> <br /> The governor noted that the “factory, factory, factory and job, job, job,” crusade and the Young Millionaires Club initiative of his administration were all targeted at getting the youths meaningfully engaged in the overall interest of the society, adding that his government would take radical steps this year to ensure that the government’s dream for the youths are realised.

Latest-News Politics More attention coming for youths - Okorocha

The Imo State government will this year, pay special attention to youth employment and empowerment to check the rising incidence of youth...

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Paucity of funds won’t affect our performance - APC

<div align="center"> <img alt="Paucity of funds won’t affect our performance - APC" border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Rg68MLWBaVXC83D0b3QGyuLNNAVHHouJp5m5U6LC1kiYC9U1BDOc8BoaaYp9u8Fg-1vQf3W6B3mbTNSS-_uiDMcObwOBRu8aLb45LUAYFRzsETswd6LOMeen1U8KpyDVT6tuFEQJEWnX/s640/APC-logo-360x325.png" title="Paucity of funds won’t affect our performance - APC" width="540" /></div> <br /> The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress says the present economic meltdown caused by the drop in the price of crude oil will not stop the ruling party from implementing its development agenda.<br /> <br /> The party said that Lagosians and Nigerians would not regret voting for the APC.<br /> <br /> The APC said this in a statement issued on Sunday by the Publicity Secretary of the APC in the state, Joe Igbokwe, to mark the New Year.<br /> <br /> While wishing Nigerians a prosperous year, the party said it was ready to implement its economic recovery plan that would guarantee a better life for the residents of the state.<br /> <br /> “By the end of 2016, Nigerians will have cause to applaud the right political choice they made in 2015 as the country was painstakingly saved from an imminent collapse by the previous government. We wish the good people of Lagos a prosperous and more fulfilling year. We look forward to more fruitful governance in Lagos as the present government in the state continues the rapid development of the state despite the harsh economic realities,” the APC said.<br /> <br /> The ruling party also said the state would witness massive infrastructural development, job creation, boost in security and enormous investments in 2016.<br /> <br /> To this end, it urged the people of Lagos to continue to support the party and the state government “as it eradicates corruption and begins a process of economic recovery and renewal in 2016.”<br /> <br /> The statement added, “We equally assure Lagosians that the state and its people will reap bountifully from the economic recovery plans of the APC. The APC would not fail as the bastion of the progressives.<br /> <br /> “We want to assure Lagosians that Lagos will, for the first time, benefit hugely from the interface with the Federal Government to vastly improve the huge infrastructural base of the state and create massive opportunities for Lagosians to benefit from the centre for the first time in the state’s illustrious history.”

Latest-News Politics Paucity of funds won’t affect our performance - APC

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress says the present economic meltdown caused by the drop in the price of crude oil ...

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Buhari misled over N47 Billion lawmakers’ exotic cars - National Assembly

<div align="center"> <img alt="Buhari misled over N47 Billion lawmakers’ exotic cars - National Assembly" border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQg5K0gHBQYpJ3RCb9byQAnBqyuZ7GW03XTpUtYmPBwfPL5u5xo_f85oPF8zLNIOmnGbKcVF2464fFfXOerRdE4z2kVC5yxso6m7Y7xfO701Za64802ypoGoFAdfNLv5IbVs3rESaeX9KY/s640/senate.jpg" title="Buhari misled over N47 Billion lawmakers’ exotic cars - National Assembly" width="540" /></div> <br /> The National Assembly on Sunday said its members were eager to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari over the President’s “claim” that the National Assembly planned to spend over N47bn to buy exotic cars this year.<br /> <br /> The House of Representatives, on its part, stated that a meeting with Buhari would put the records straight on how the President got his figure, since the legislature had not contemplated “making such a mind-boggling” expenditure.<br /> <br /> Buhari had, during his maiden Presidential Media Chat on Wednesday last week, wondered that the National Assembly planned to buy cars worth over N47bn, in addition to taking car loans and generous transport allowances.<br /> <br /> “I can’t see the National Assembly spending more than N47bn to buy cars on top of transport allowance they collect.<br /> <br /> “I have to revisit that story. The budget for their transport allowance comes up to N100bn. With the kind of money that goes into the National Assembly, we have to look at it conscientiously and see how we can live within our means,” he had said.<br /> <br /> Buhari announced that he would hold a closed-door meeting with the legislators to discuss the issue.<br /> <br /> However, both the Senate and the House of Representatives in their separate reactions less than 24 hours after the media chat, denied that there was a plan to buy cars worth the amount the President quoted.<br /> <br /> Speaking with newsmen, House Minority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor, said the members were prepared to meet with the President, where the lawmakers planned to ask him how he arrived at the figure.<br /> <br /> Ogor stated that since making the announcement last week, there had been no communication from the Presidency on when the meeting would take place.<br /> <br /> But he revealed that members were willing to meet with the President to address the “misinformation for the purpose of avoiding needless crises.”<br /> <br /> He added, “There is no meeting fixed that I am aware of for now.<br /> <br /> “But, as a House, we welcome discussions with Mr. President to avoid unnecessary frictions.”<br /> <br /> The minority leader also pointed out that the President made “several assumptions” about his powers, especially in relation to the power of appropriation.<br /> <br /> According to him, Buhari, during the chat, seemed to assume that all the proposals of the executive in the 2016 budget of N6.08tn were sacrosanct and did not require any scrutiny by the National Assembly.<br /> <br /> “We advise that, in keeping with the principle of separation of powers, he should read sections 4,5,6 and 80 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) jointly for clearer understanding of which arm of government has the power of appropriation.<br /> <br /> “All that is contained in the entire budget remains a mere proposal until approved by the National Assembly the way it deems fit,” he added.<br /> <br /> Ogor added that the National Assembly too would need to be convinced why the Presidency proposed to buy cars worth about N3.5bn this year.<br /> <br /> He argued that while nobody raised eyebrows over the Presidency’s budget on cars, a “non-existing” figure of N47bn was quoted for the National Assembly as its planned expenditure on exotic cars this year.<br /> <br /> The lawmaker stated, “The Presidency proposed to buy cars for almost N3.5bn, there is electrical wiring of almost N300m.<br /> <br /> “There are so many proposals in the Presidency’s budget that we think should be subjected to thorough discussions. Some of the proposals in the Presidency’s budget may not even stand.<br /> <br /> “Where we are not convinced, we will remove and take some sub-heads to areas we think they are needed.”<br /> <br /> He claimed that Buhari took the wrong step my starting a “media war” with the National Assembly in his first media chat.<br /> <br /> The lawmaker observed that the option of opening discussions with the National Assembly on issues he might not have been “adequately briefed on” should have preceded the media war.<br /> <br /> Also, the Senate spokesperson, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, said the red chamber was prepared to meet with Buhari on the proposed plan by the National Assembly to purchase official vehicles for the 469 federal lawmakers.<br /> <br /> Abdullahi told one of our correspondents on the telephone that media reports on the issue, which quoted various sums of money being the cost of procuring the vehicles, actually misled members of the public on the issue.<br /> <br /> He explained that the exact amount that the vehicles would cost could not be determined by the National Assembly at the moment because the contract for their procurement had not been awarded.<br /> <br /> He added, “We in the Senate are ready and prepared to meet with the President on the issue. There is no way we can exercise our legislative functions especially in the area of oversight, using our personal cars.<br /> <br /> “We need official vehicles to move around the country because we do not have to rely on government agencies under our supervision for such logistics if we really have to carry out an unbiased exercise.<br /> <br /> “Nigerians should also note that we are not asking for too much by requesting Sport Utility Vehicles as official vehicles because there is no senator or member of the House of Representatives that cannot afford one. So, to us it’s not a luxury but a necessity to do our work better. “<br /> <br /> Abdullahi appealed to Nigerians, especially the media, to cooperate with members of the National Assembly in the task of performing its constitutional roles of providing necessary checks and balances for effective governance.

Latest-News Politics Buhari misled over N47 Billion lawmakers’ exotic cars - National Assembly

The National Assembly on Sunday said its members were eager to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari over the President’s “claim” that the...

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We won’t import food for school feeding scheme - FG

<div align="center"> <img alt="We won’t import food for school feeding scheme - FG" border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_OG6jAT5SE2XaliCVV7PmQa1T9d0AG_Xh7KMpsgBcmyBaqgJaXoAU1SFKqK4Eiy2fTdihLELVtpQI6WA4AVFTHqxmM-g5jACmtsPZslJI8FF7UGmHiNsffNxazi5R_qpqUf9Bew6a2TJ/s640/Yemi-Osinbajo.jpg" title="We won’t import food for school feeding scheme - FG" width="400" /></div> <br /> The Presidency on Sunday explained that the social intervention programmes of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, for which about half a trillion naira has been proposed in the 2016 budget, would not be a one-off scheme.<br /> <br /> The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande, who stated this in a statement on Sunday, said the Federal Government would not import food for its school feeding programme.<br /> <br /> Akande described the intervention as a combination of several programmes, emphasising direct connections with the extremely poor and the needy among other categories of the masses.<br /> <br /> He added that the plan had taken care of some of the factors that led to the failure of previous poverty alleviation schemes.<br /> <br /> He said, “One of the major differences here is that the social intervention programme such as the Conditional Cash Transfer would be a direct transfer of N5,000 monthly to the extremely poor among us.<br /> <br /> “This is a safety net that several advanced nations have put in place long time in their history often at times of economic challenges.<br /> <br /> “The money would be paid directly to the people concerned on the condition of school enrolment and immunisation.<br /> <br /> “This way, we are expanding school enrolment and also assuring physical well-being.”<br /> <br /> Akande explained that the School Feeding Programme, which is another aspect of the social intervention programmes, would be entirely homegrown, unlike previous Federal Government plans in the past which relied on importation.<br /> <br /> He added, “Homegrown school feeding programme will commence in public primary schools in the New Year providing adequate nutrition to schoolchildren, promoting local farming, boost agriculture and create jobs and wealth locally.<br /> <br /> “We have experts working in the Presidency, collaborating with experts from global bodies who together will bring to bear international best practices working on how best to implement these programmes.<br /> <br /> “I can tell you that no sooner had President Buhari resumed work than many of these experts have been meeting and planning on how best to implement these plans.<br /> <br /> “We are not talking here of something hurriedly put together or a programme where some consultants would take the huge chunk of the resources.”<br /> <br /> He also said provision had been made for about one million jobs in 2016, including 500,000 graduate-youths to be engaged as teachers and another 500,000 non-graduate unemployed people, who would be trained as artisans.<br /> <br /> He added that the Presidency was aware of past failures in the poverty alleviation efforts and determined not to repeat them.<br /> <br /> “As the President disclosed during the budget speech, he has asked the Vice President to coordinate the programmes and I can tell you that serious work is already in place,” Akande added.<br /> <br /> He reiterated that for the first time in Nigeria’s budgetary history, the Federal Government would be directly intervening in lifting people out of poverty through a series of measures already proposed totaling N500bn or about nine per cent of the budget itself.<br /> <br /> He added that another one million extremely poor and disabled Nigerians would also benefit from the first phase of the Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme proposed in the 2016 appropriation bill to enable them to live decently.<br /> <br /> “There will also be the provision of affordable, very low cost loans to market women and artisans to enable them to enlarge and expand their trades,” he added.

Latest-News Osinbajo Politics We won’t import food for school feeding scheme - FG

The Presidency on Sunday explained that the social intervention programmes of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, for which about half a...

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Presidency to PDP: Nigerians know the party that is a nest of killers

<div align="center"> <img alt="Presidency to PDP: Nigerians know the party that is a nest of killers" border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDNHjr8lHLKQtuGpg8zonP45dNnr8eqHEP4ANANR3kqzTOhkiDjoyvPKkM_wcgcwyJiOtM2uzNKWorIjdgyJ8qt2xSXOJFDu_bIo5OAOGiea7WZZ9a20AzYB8QPdqQ_JjF64CTzyLIpA5/s400/femi+adeshina+s.jpg" title="Presidency to PDP: Nigerians know the party that is a nest of killers" width="400" /></div> <br /> Presidency has described as ridiculous the statement credited to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that it is raising killer squad against the party chieftains.<br /> <br /> The presidency therefore asked the PDP to stop embarrassing itself before the Nigerian populace which it said knows the truth.<br /> <br /> The caution came through the Special Adviser to President Mohammadu Buhari, Mr. Femi Adesina who spoke to newsmen in reaction to the PDP’s allegation.<br /> <br /> Adesina who was very tacit in his submission stated that Nigerians know the party that is a nest of killers.<br /> <br /> “The allegation is so ridiculous that one shouldn’t reply that. It is ridiculous. Nigerians know the truth. Nigerians know those who are nest of killers”, he said.

Latest-News Politics Presidency to PDP: Nigerians know the party that is a nest of killers

Presidency has described as ridiculous the statement credited to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that it is raising killer ...

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How Sambo Dasuki awarded N333bn fake arms contracts - Panel

<div align="center"> <img alt="How Sambo Dasuki awarded N333bn fake arms contracts - Panel" border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFRKk4txm_HXf2WJ7kugcsfSyuAQsReR3V7qbbBROpWQo5ABu5rzSoTV9A8GkYtL_f_Ab3bXGtLEpNpxVq2AiXQGEB5mnjnPEOrXMYuEf_5EZKpIDwKSC8YlsRZlOINKWj-toq8rSKQFJ/s1600/dasuki-dss.jpg" title="How Sambo Dasuki awarded N333bn fake arms contracts - Panel" width="540" /></div> <br /> President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday received the interim report of the 13-man committee set up by the Office of the National Security Adviser to audit the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence sector from 2007 to date with a directive that all indicted persons be arrested and brought to book.<br /> <br /> According to a statement on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the National Security Adviser during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), was among those indicted in the report.<br /> <br /> Among other weighty allegations by the committee, the ex-NSA awarded failed contracts totalling N482bn.<br /> <br /> Adesina said while the committee, which was inaugurated on August 31, had yet to complete its work, its interim report unearthed several illicit and fraudulent financial transactions.<br /> <br /> As part of the findings, the presidential spokesman said the committee analysed interventions from some organisations that provided funds to the Office of the National Security Adviser, Defence Headquarters, Army Headquarters, Naval Headquarters and Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, in both local and foreign currencies.<br /> <br /> He disclosed that so far, the total extra budgetary interventions verified by the committee were approximately N643.817bn.<br /> <br /> He also put the foreign currency component at approximately $2.193bn.<br /> <br /> These amounts, he explained, excluded grants from the state governments and funds collected by the DSS and Police.<br /> <br /> Adesina said it was observed that in spite of this huge financial intervention, very little was expended to support defence procurement.<br /> <br /> He said, “The committee also observed that of 513 contracts awarded at $8,356,525,184.32; N2,189,265,724,404.55 and €54,000.00; fifty-three (53) were failed contracts, amounting to $2,378,939,066.27 and N13,729,342,329.87 respectively.<br /> <br /> “Interestingly, it was noted that the amount of foreign currency spent on failed contracts was more than double the $1bn loan that the National Assembly approved for borrowing to fight insurgency in the North-East.<br /> <br /> “The committee also discovered that payments to the tune of three billion, eight hundred and fifty million Naira (N3,850,000,000.00) were made to a single company by the former NSA without documented evidence of contractual agreements or fulfilment of tax obligations to the FGN.<br /> <br /> “Further findings revealed that between March 2012 and March 2015, the erstwhile NSA, Col. M.S. Dasuki (retd.), awarded fictitious and phantom contracts to the tune of N2,219,188,609.50, $1,671,742,613.58 and €9,905,477.00; totalling N333bn (at N197 to a dollar, N212.563 to a Euro).<br /> <br /> “The contracts, which were said to be for the purchase of four Alpha Jets, 12 helicopters, bombs and ammunition were not executed and the equipment were never supplied to the Nigerian Air Force, neither are they in its inventory.<br /> <br /> “Even more disturbing was the discovery that out of these figures, two companies were awarded contracts to the tune of N350,000,000.00; $1,661,670,469.71 and €9,905,477.00 alone.<br /> <br /> “This was without prejudice to the consistent non-performance of the companies in the previous contracts awarded.<br /> <br /> “Additionally, it was discovered that the former NSA directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to transfer the sum of $132,050,486.97 and €9,905,473.55 to the accounts of Societe D’equipmente Internationaux in West Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America for un-ascertained purposes, without any contract documents to explain the transactions.”<br /> <br /> The presidential spokesman added, “The findings made so far are extremely worrying, considering that the interventions were granted within the same period that our troops, fighting insurgency in the North-East, were in desperate need of platforms, military equipment and ammunition.<br /> <br /> “Had the funds siphoned to these non performing companies been properly used for the purpose they were meant for, thousands of needless Nigerian deaths would have been avoided. The ridicule Nigeria has faced in the international community would have been avoided.”<br /> <br /> Adesina said it was worrisome and disappointing that those entrusted with the security of the country were busy using proxies to siphon the national treasury, while innocent lives were wasted daily.<br /> <br /> “In the light of these findings, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the relevant organisations arrest and bring to book, all individuals, who have been found complicit in these illegal and fraudulent acts.”

Latest-News Politics How Sambo Dasuki awarded N333bn fake arms contracts - Panel

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday received the interim report of the 13-man committee set up by the Office of the National Security A...

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PDP is a party of losers, vote APC in Kogi election on Saturday - Tinubu

<div align="center"> <img alt="PDP is a party of losers, vote APC in Kogi election on Saturday - Tinubu" border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigq2WcO5KuR8OtPYsKVH_luDkIOX6xIXuVvJdKN9R_EyEmTpkYnpT-PenpjKP5flC4Wbu36FKfGTs4RhbAYtN2y0PNY0hpqbzmr_KcBSLeNWAm51JdZAQE00lwr2peIU85xJd7Dfa_-sap/s640/tinubu+apc.jpg" title="PDP is a party of losers, vote APC in Kogi election on Saturday - Tinubu" width="540" /></div> <br /> Former governor of Lagos State and National Leader of All Progressives Congress , Bola Tinubu on Wednesday described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has a party of losers while urging the the people of Kogi State to vote for APC’s flag bearer, Abubakar Audu.<br /> <br /> Tinubu who made the declaration during a rally in support of Audu, said Kogi can’t afford to be in the opposition, lampooning PDP as a ‘poverty development party’.<br /> <br /> He furthers, “we thank you for voting for us in the presidential election. Now, you must complete that change”

Latest-News Politics PDP is a party of losers, vote APC in Kogi election on Saturday - Tinubu

Former governor of Lagos State and National Leader of All Progressives Congress , Bola Tinubu on Wednesday described the Peoples Democrat...

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Saraki seeks citizens’ participation in formulation of legislative agenda

<div align="center"> <img alt="Saraki seeks citizens’ participation in formulation of legislative agenda" border="0" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CiqgJxMcZCpmp-QyDEEOyvcLL9UtYJC8Y05SMgV2pvJTFNvDCLR8MLkPX_9YRMnzKtV1UcNHY0g7_dTP0eSkVSbI6zAvV3KZYu3Lj4GgDxggil55knc55E6T6zcEjuOT9tfU-OupPM1S/s640/Bukola-Saraki1+nigerianeye.jpg" title="Saraki seeks citizens’ participation in formulation of legislative agenda" width="640" /></div> <br /> The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has urged for citizen participation in the formulation of legislative agenda for the 8th Senate.<br /> <br /> He made this know in a statement from his office.<br /> <br /> <i><b>The statement reads;</b></i><br /> <br /> Following requests by Nigerians on social media regarding legislations they would want amended or introduced in the 8th Senate, as we put together the final draft of the Legislative Agenda that will guide our affairs during this tenure, we will like to secure the input of Nigerians into the formulation of this agenda.<br /> <br /> The contributions of all Nigerians will be crucial to ensuring that bills passed into law from now till 2019 will have direct and positive consequences on the lives of our people.<br /> <br /> As I look forward to receiving your suggestions and comments on people oriented bills, I reiterate that our major focus in the 8th Assembly is to close the gap between the legislative processes and the citizenry whose faith and trust legitimize our role as legislators. Our laws must serve, preserve and protect every Nigerian, regardless of his station in life.<br /> <br /> I enjoin you to forward your contributions to spass.legal@gmail.com including your name, phone number and location.

Latest-News Politics Saraki seeks citizens’ participation in formulation of legislative agenda

The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has urged for citizen participation in the formulation of legislative agenda for the 8th Senate. ...

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PDP senators reject votes and proceedings confirming Ameachi as a minister

<div align="center"> <img alt="PDP senators reject votes and proceedings confirming Ameachi as a minister" border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT_Gk03Zks6ZYZ5U5rNPRM6xuOC0-Rci0Ucxa9w2SUPsPW9a23v5ibRKF9BBod5nG2VStZTrS25LGEwbeQmOLR5R1mGKRvbW8PZWZlQ1yN82xT79-uoD13LRnXn1672Aw54Pt_iPmS1Va/s400/amaechi+2.jpg" title="PDP senators reject votes and proceedings confirming Ameachi as a minister" width="400" /></div> <b><br /></b>The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senators rejected Thursday’s votes and proceedings held for the confirmation of former Gov. Rotimi Ameachi and 17 others.<br /> <br /> Although the Senate adopted the votes and proceedings, the PDP senators were firm in their dissent.<br /> <br /> When the President of the senate posed the question for the adoption of the proceedings, the APC senators answered in the affirmative while the PDP senators chorused a loud `nay’.<br /> <br /> However, Senate President Bukola Saraki went ahead to hit the gavel in favour of the affirmative and as such, validated the votes and proceedings of the senate for that day.<br /> <br /> The plenary was dedicated to confirmation of the appointment of former Rivers State Gov. Rotimi Amaechi and 17 other ministerial nominees<br /> <br /> The PDP senators, led by the Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio had vehemently moved to reject the confirmation of the former governor.<br /> <br /> They had insisted that a committee report on the alleged corruption petition against Amaechi be considered by the Senate to determine whether or not to confirm him.<br /> <br /> While the APC Senators rejected the recommendation of the committee that the nominee’s screening should not be entertained due to a pending court case, the PDP senators supported the recommendation.<br /> <br /> The disagreement resulted to a `walkout’ by the PDP senators, while the Senate, with only the APC senators present, went ahead to confirm the appointment of the nominee and 17 others.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the Senate also considered the request of President Muhammadu Buhari for a 200-million-dollar World Bank loan for Lagos State.<br /> <br /> The loan is the second tranche of a Development Policy Operation (DPO) loan offered by the World Bank to the Lagos State Government.<br /> <br /> The President of the Senate referred the request to the Ad hoc Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, charging it to report back to the Senate in two weeks.<br /> <br /> Edo State had also requested for a similar loan of 70 million dollars as the second tranche of the same Development Policy Operation of the World Bank.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, three bills passed first reading in the red chambers.<br /> <br /> The bills are: Control of Delegated Legislation Bill 2015, sponsored by Sen. Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South) and National Youth Development Agency Bill 2015 by Sen. Tijjani Kaura (APC Zamfara North).<br /> <br /> The third bill to pass first reading is the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision and Amendment) Bill 2015 also sponsored by Sen. Olujimi.<br /> <br /> Senate thereafter, adjourned plenary to Wednesday.

Latest-News Politics PDP senators reject votes and proceedings confirming Ameachi as a minister

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senators rejected Thursday’s votes and proceedings held for the confirmation of former Gov. Rotimi Ame...

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Forget about rerun, Wike tells Peterside

<div align="center"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ysn0DKPFtu9yVLsiZmcfQXrd_lNA6BMpUEn9XG8YacgnlXtTgBVvtXC76YtLwGVWdF0y6BWRkWATvf2w-2AsHmdJ1ihV7goYJVTCKbL0UQOhVVbAjkeffEJI5midRcDTlw7Vs6Xmt1sJ/s1600/Dakuku-Peterside-Nyesom-Wike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ysn0DKPFtu9yVLsiZmcfQXrd_lNA6BMpUEn9XG8YacgnlXtTgBVvtXC76YtLwGVWdF0y6BWRkWATvf2w-2AsHmdJ1ihV7goYJVTCKbL0UQOhVVbAjkeffEJI5midRcDTlw7Vs6Xmt1sJ/s1600/Dakuku-Peterside-Nyesom-Wike.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> RIVERS State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has told the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2015 governorship election, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, not to delude himself on the possibility of a rerun of the poll in the state.<br /> <br /> Wike, who said Peterside embarked on an illegal campaign on Saturday, explained that the APC leader’s action could heat up the polity.<br /> <br /> The governor, who spoke on Tuesday through his Media Assistant, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, disclosed that his lawyers were concluding the appeal process to challenge the ruling of the Justice Suleiman Ambrosa-led Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.<br /> <br /> He noted that the ruling, which was premised on card reader accreditation and hearsay testimonies, had already been expunged from the tribunal’s records by the Court of Appeal.<br /> <br /> “The defeated Rivers State APC governorship candidate, Mr. Dakuku Peterside, should desist from self-deceit and unnecessary political campaigns as there will be no re-run of the governorship election in Rivers State.<br /> <br /> “We understand the desperation of Mr. Peterside as he is merely dancing to the tunes being played by external forces who want their filthy hands on the resources of Rivers State like they did under the failed administration of Rotimi Amaechi.<br /> <br /> “The people of Rivers State voted overwhelmingly for Governor Wike on April 11 and 12. The earlier Mr. Peterside comes to terms with this fact, the better for him and his political party.<br /> <br /> “The use of falsehood and propaganda will not take Peterside anywhere near the Government House, Port Harcourt. Governor Wike has the mandate of the people of Rivers State and this will be reaffirmed in the appeal process.”<br /> <br /> Reacting, the state Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Chris Finebone, said Wike should stop playing God, adding that the governor should allow the Appeal Court to do its work.<br /> <br /> Finebone explained that Wike had been boasting that he (Wike) would win the governorship election even if it was held a hundred times, adding that the governor appears to be afraid of a rerun.<br /> <br /> “If he (Wike) says that Dr. Peterside is deluding himself on the possibility of any rerun, it shows that Wike is unstable because it is Wike that said that he would win the governorship election even if it were conducted 100 times.”

Latest-News Politics Forget about rerun, Wike tells Peterside

RIVERS State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has told the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2015 governorship e...

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EFCC files fresh money laundering charges against Oronsaye

<div align="center"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFyX6Xu3mBAxPFM6MYUviE5qDlEwx_E43z22RwvCnX5uSyztEt50RgQZ4P92aKt0nIo2k1rBHHscPeSvRbbU_VA_G4UkdhzVIWpBGIxT_VAosCF7QCo7kycifFX90lFhNhh5stYdo0kor/s1600/Steve-Oronsaye-and-efcc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="EFCC files fresh money laundering charges against Oronsaye" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFyX6Xu3mBAxPFM6MYUviE5qDlEwx_E43z22RwvCnX5uSyztEt50RgQZ4P92aKt0nIo2k1rBHHscPeSvRbbU_VA_G4UkdhzVIWpBGIxT_VAosCF7QCo7kycifFX90lFhNhh5stYdo0kor/s1600/Steve-Oronsaye-and-efcc.jpg" title="EFCC files fresh money laundering charges against Oronsaye" /></a></div> <br /> The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed fresh money laundering charges before a Federal High Court in Abuja against a former Head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Stephen Oronsaye, and other defendants.<br /> <br /> Justice Gabriel Kolawole on Tuesday fixed November 25 for the re-arraignment of the defendants, as he ordered the prosecution to immediately serve the defendants with the fresh charges.<br /> <br /> The anti-graft agency had on July 13, 2015 arraigned Oronsaye along with Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited and its Managing Director, Osarenkhoe Afe, on 24 counts of money laundering involving about N1.2bn.<br /> <br /> But on Tuesday, when trial was due to commence, prosecuting counsel, Mr. Adebisi Adeniyi, told the judge that the prosecution had amended the earlier 24 counts dated July 10, 2015.<br /> <br /> The prosecution filed 11 additional counts making a total of 35 counts with three additional defendants in the new charges dated November 2, 2015.<br /> <br /> In addition to Oronsaye, Afe and Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited, the new defendants in the newly filed charges are corporate organisations.<br /> <br /> The new defendants who had not been served with the fresh charges are Global Services Limited, Cluster Logistic Limited, Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Limited, Crew Investment & Construction Company Limited.<br /> <br /> Justice Kolawole, in a ruling on Tuesday, admitted the charges as being properly filed and dismissed the objection by Oronsaye’s lawyer, Mr. Ade Okeaya-Inneh (SAN), who argued that the leave of the court was not sought by the prosecution before filing the amended charges.<br /> <br /> Afe’s lawyer, Mr. Oluwole Aladedoye, did not object to the filing of the fresh charges.<br /> <br /> The judge, however, described the filing of the fresh charges only less than 24 hours to the trial date as an untidy manner of prosecution, adding that the fresh charges appeared to be products of belated investigation carried out after the original defendants were arrested and charged to court.<br /> <br /> The judge held, “I am only concerned that the state only realised in less than 24 hours to the date of hearing that it needed to bring an amended charge by not only increasing the counts from 24 in the original charge to 35 in the amended charge and to increase the number of counts from three to six.<br /> <br /> “This is, in my view, a rather untidy manner in handling criminal prosecution. I daresay that it is in force with opinion expressed by the honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria that prosecution of corruption cases are often delayed because the investigation is often driven by arrest-led investigation rather than investigation-led arrest.<br /> <br /> “By this, it seems that it was after the defendants herein were arrested and charged to court that investigation carried out showed that the state needs to bring charges against three other defendants and increase the number of counts.”<br /> <br /> Justice Kolawole had on July 21 granted bail to Oronsaye on self-recognition and to the co-defendant, Afe, in the sum of N50m with two sureties among other conditions.<br /> <br /> The defendants allegedly conspired to defraud the Federal Government to the tune of N118,992,201.6 under the guise of paying the money in tranches for the contract of biometric data capture project between March 2010 and December 2011.<br /> <br /> The fraud was allegedly perpetrated through awarding and payment for phoney contracts to nine companies, including Innovative Solutions, Fredrick Hamilton Global Serices, Xangee Technologies Limited, Fatideck Ventures, Obalando Nigeria Enterprises, Moshfad Enterprises and Fesbee Global Resources Limited.<br /> <br /> Other companies through which the accused persons allegedly siphoned the money from the Federal Government are Jolance Integrated Concept Limited and M.OF Investment Limited.<br /> <br /> One other person, who was allegedly involved in the fraud, Abdulrasheed Maina, was said to be on the run.<br /> <br /> The accused persons were charged under section 14 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004 and section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.<br /> <br /> The fraud offences were said to be punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

Latest-News Politics EFCC files fresh money laundering charges against Oronsaye

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed fresh money laundering charges before a Federal High Court in Abuja against a form...

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Ministers without portfolio not new in Nigeria, Saraki tell Buhari

<div align="center"> <img alt="Ministers without portfolio not new in Nigeria, Saraki tell Buhari" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlY_m7iuVPnQS0-K2ex5m05xAEStGU-JAzxR_mleJQfK5-zVFlbtK4_qN_qIDqGZhAfLDj09FGTpCypm5hhM0c8OKJHaSMeSHFgLrXBg2d_XOXxEwRfkz-7KSpVBoV6-71UsQC1Otvh_Cj/s1600/Buhari-Saraki1.jpg" title="Ministers without portfolio not new in Nigeria, Saraki tell Buhari" /></div> <br /> Even with the quantum of criticism that greeted his statement that Nigeria at the moment can’t afford to pay 36 ministers in far away India on Friday, last week, president Mohammad Buhari Tuesday in Abuja ruled out the possibility of assigning portfolios to all the confirmed 36 ministerial nominees by the senate.<br /> <br /> Though he gave vent to the constitutionally mandatory 36 ministerial slots, he also reiterated that the economy was battered to accommodate the number.<br /> <br /> This came as the senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki said that the idea of having ministers without portfolio was not entirely novel in the Nigerian political system.<br /> <br /> President Buhari spoke when he received the second and last batch of the screened nominees from the senate president at the presidential villa in Abuja.<br /> <br /> Saraki had at a brief ceremony to mark the presentation stated that the senate had concluded the assignment.<br /> <br /> Aware that the he had come under heavy criticism following his statement on the state of Nigeria’s economy, the president said he would continue to speak the truth about the economy.<br /> <br /> He said: “Mr. President, we have finished the screening of the last batch of the ministers on Thursday and we waited for our vote of proceedings today which we finished this morning.<br /> <br /> “I want to formally present the list of the 18 ministers who have now been cleared to you and that makes a total of all your 36 nominees that have been cleared by the Senate.<br /> <br /> “I was just engaging the SSA to check in the record when last that has happened. So it must be credit to the nominees that were submitted and also credit to the Senate”.<br /> <br /> Speaking after receiving the list, president Buhari also thanked the senate for a job well done.<br /> <br /> “I thank you the President of the Senate for the work of the Senate leadership in our strive to follow the constitutional provision that states that the President should submit the names of those he wants to form the cabinet.<br /> <br /> “If I can remember, there must be a member from each of the 36 states. That was why I limited the number of my nominees to that number, 36.<br /> <br /> “The Senate worked extremely hard and they have passed all the nominees. I think there is some enthusiasm in some parts of the Presidency today that portfolios are to be given to the 36.<br /> <br /> “The constitution certainly said there must be one member of the cabinet from all the states but the constitution did not say I must have 36 ministries.<br /> <br /> “I will explain the details. Because of the economic imperative, to have a lot of ministers, substantive ministers, let me put it that way, whatever somebody speculated in some of today’s new papers, I think that the economy as I have seen it now since my sitting here for the last four months, that we are so much battered. Although some people are saying I am giving bad publicity and scaring away investors.<br /> <br /> “Any investor who is interested in investing in Nigeria will seem to know more about the economy more than ourselves. So when I come and tell the truth about the position of the economy of the country, I am going out looking for investors.<br /> <br /> “But I am confirming to them that we are truthful, that we need them to come and help us help ourselves by getting in industries, manufacturing and services. They know our needs. The economy of human resources, I believe will make them eventually come and help us.<br /> <br /> “Mr. Senate President, I thank you very much for leading the Senate to do this hard work technically within record time. I assure you that we will follow the constitution and all the 36 will be sitting in the cabinet as the constitution stipulates”, he said.<br /> <br /> In an interview session with State House Correspondents after the brief event, the senate president said it was not new to have mi imagers without assigned duties.<br /> <br /> He however urged Nigerians to focus on “major issues”.<br /> <br /> According to him, the appointment of the ministers would give room for serious government works to better the lots of the citizenry.<br /> <br /> He said: “Well I think before you had ministers of state in the past, I don’t think there is anything new, there was minister for special duties which really don’t have portfolio. I think the key issue is being in cabinet, is being part of government and those that would have the<br /> responsibilities of ministering are those that at the end of the day would do that.<br /> <br /> “So minister of state is not new. We had it before, if you remember that very well. Honestly I believe we need to move away from the small issues and begin to focus on the major issues. I think the country presently now is at a very trying time no doubt about it.<br /> <br /> “We have the challenges of revenue drop, challenges in trying to boost revenue and create jobs and you know we have some of these issues which we really need to address and I think that it is time for us to address them and these are some of the issues we looked at as a<br /> senate, that it is time for us to give support to the executive to move the country forward and I think all of us apart from those in the legislature and the executive and even those of you in the media, we must begin to proffer and put our country in a positive view otherwisethere is no way we are going to have those major issues addressed.<br /> <br /> “As I said it is not new in having all not full time ministers, but let us wait to see what portfolio or responsibility some of them will<br /> have. I cannot speak on behalf of the President on that, but we have done our own constitutional responsibility.”<br /> <br /> Saraki also scored highly the nominees, saying they had the wherewithal to move Nigeria forward.<br /> <br /> “As I said the work was not difficult because of the quality of nominees that came in. Secondly it is the fact that we put in the time to vigorously put the nominees to answer the questions and at the end of the day, we found out that most of them met the requirement and the senate was satisfied.<br /> <br /> “You noticed that in some cases we delayed the number of one or two. It is all part of politics of behind the scene but at the end of the day, we finished with them. That is all about give and take and eventually I am happy with what the senators have done. The entire 108 senators, we have done a good job and I believe we have laid the platform for the government to fully take off”, he said.<br /> <br /> Asked why he had to deliver the names personally to the president, the senate president hinted that there were under private issues to discuss.<br /> <br /> He however denied discussing his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunals.<br /> <br /> “Because there were other things we discussed. As you can see after you left we discussed for about 20 minutes on some major issues as well. So it wasn’t just about the letter.<br /> <br /> I think at the right time they will get to know. I have a constituency which is the senate which I must first engage and I am sure with<br /> time…the major issue has to do with moving Nigeria forward.<br /> <br /> “Did you think that will come up in this kind of situation? No, it didn’t come up”, he said.

Latest-News Politics Ministers without portfolio not new in Nigeria, Saraki tell Buhari

Even with the quantum of criticism that greeted his statement that Nigeria at the moment can’t afford to pay 36 ministers in far away Ind...

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Picture: Buhari receives official ministerial screening report from Saraki

<div align="center"> <img alt="Picture: Buhari receives official ministerial screening report from Saraki" border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtCkZFfYrs0GtIRbteGXj02GPUYULmwm3tYIDXwqv_QZxiA2wdS6J04TFRUB_t-cfjLK4kEgETM_i_qtJY2C8kdWAIYi68PTjtsXFVAf8-ofJQ2Qsy6J-qbKsrjFuRTt3Q9CFUYnBkUay/s640/buh+saraki1.jpg" title="Picture: Buhari receives official ministerial screening report from Saraki" width="540" /></div> <br /> President Buhari receiving the official ministerial screening report from Senate President Bukola Saraki in Statehouse on Tuesday.<br /> <br /> <div align="center"> <img alt="Picture: Buhari receives official ministerial screening report from Saraki" border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZs6QaB6PPZGXZ__COCI_3P3stc4KMMoCjwNdLF4BrCcDCYA4TIND-Uyl8RfNw12mIh-Zvknka8y8KLbd_NsaCVf2POmdlfCrkFORgz2DTfumpD_BzPJlWo9sAShgv0gsc7VulGL0F_xlp/s640/buh+saraki2.jpg" title="Picture: Buhari receives official ministerial screening report from Saraki" width="540" /></div> <br /> President Buhari receiving the official ministerial screening report from Senate President Bukola Saraki in Statehouse on Tuesday.<br /> <br /> <div align="center"> <img alt="Picture: Buhari receives official ministerial screening report from Saraki" border="0" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQXIoRgSQdFIemsHO9faUh8WB9lzKD3uQAGc8Sbe9HlA8IY6ZhF68TKTGu2nu0DIz7u9_HneJ2kVsR3xhdRJh35pXyG7uBiY6WM1tRY_kof9JJ0_LSbjZ1R1gYTVm_JboUa0NJ3CPF1bK/s640/sak3.jpg" title="Picture: Buhari receives official ministerial screening report from Saraki" width="540" /></div> <br /> President Buhari in a group photo with Senate President Bukola Saraki, SSA National Assembly matters (Senate) Senator Ita Enang, SSA National Assembly matters (House of Rep.) Hon. Suleiman Kawu, Chief of Staff Abba Kyari and members of Senate President’s entourage shortly after President Buhari received the Official report of the Screening of Ministerial Nominees from Senate President Bukola Saraki in Statehouse on Wednesday.

Latest-News Politics Picture: Buhari receives official ministerial screening report from Saraki

President Buhari receiving the official ministerial screening report from Senate President Bukola Saraki in Statehouse on Tuesday. P...

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I will spank you if you don't stop insulting PDP - Fani-kayode threatens Lai Mohammed

<div align="center"> <img alt="I will spank you if you don't stop insulting PDP - Fani-kayode threatens Lai Mohammed" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzgQMsRoxK-PgBzyJ7uJCJpRZqaVkm8A3KZDcXgB25A4UIaL9MEkP1QXOhZdjZthYyFyMsPP0Oj7B0CFUF1z3RLjohZR9JAkKT1j-aCR9YPnWT8C4HFH5GwC9o0rV0NAjCu_ZVUn3pWmv/s1600/lai+mohammed+fani+kayode.jpg" title="I will spank you if you don't stop insulting PDP - Fani-kayode threatens Lai Mohammed" /></div> <br /> The former Minister of Aviation and spokesperson of the Goodluck Jonathan 2015 Presidential Campaign, Olufemi Fani-Kayode, has warned minister-designate and spokesman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to desist from insulting the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.<br /> <br /> Fani-Kayode who faulted claims by the presidency and the APC that PDP destroyed Nigeria during its 16-year reign at the helms of affairs of the country, argued that before the coming of the party (PDP) in 1999, Nigeria was nothing more than a pariah and failed state.<br /> <br /> He made this know via his handle, @realffk.<br /> <br /> “To say PDP destroyed Nigeria over last 16 years is rubbish.Till PDP came in 1999 we were nothing more than a pariah nation and failed state.<br /> <br /> The insults of Lai Mohammed against the PDP are getting too much. If he does not behave himself I will get into the ring and spank him,” he posted.<br /> <br /> <div align="center"> <img alt="I will spank you if you don't stop insulting PDP - Fani-kayode threatens Lai Mohammed" border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JC06IXdiid7tpvYKhHC8HUzWy3q2qavX18rJRcVqUPPmp28zk4p0nmFCDJOatnzSJG3bZJBWGnP9E6afDaDQ5FQtmGBTwCTleYRwZwvevPTMHpcorsy0IkmQR0iBwpeeyuoyP7QAApkP/s400/Fani-tweet.jpg" title="I will spank you if you don't stop insulting PDP - Fani-kayode threatens Lai Mohammed" width="400" /></div>

Latest-News Politics I will spank you if you don't stop insulting PDP - Fani-kayode threatens Lai Mohammed

The former Minister of Aviation and spokesperson of the Goodluck Jonathan 2015 Presidential Campaign, Olufemi Fani-Kayode, has warned min...

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In Pictures: Jonathan visits Buhari in Aso Villa

<div align="center"> <img alt="In Pictures: Jonathan visits Buhari in Aso Villa" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Q8M-Z7DGAjkxoZ7tzaELfY57JegneArop70mCnhyphenhyphenIr824cUL5tM9_u7NxTxI9U7KxOEklW2qx_QFa6K-CY_px1fD-nTk9dU9jh6L8Hj_GveLwH3wpmldXtZyd1wn5pTHYPJLK3TBaZEC/s1600/buh+jon1.jpg" title="In Pictures: Jonathan visits Buhari in Aso Villa" /></div> <br /> In Pictures: Jonathan visits Buhari in Aso Villa...<br /> <br /> <div align="center"> <img alt="In Pictures: Jonathan visits Buhari in Aso Villa" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteogdF0bAKPCr8rcJjOJMhjuD0pl7aAFkTQED8ZNVhzYeHRhGaBjgDKq230OcZXk-AduNrHa2Q43VGeB2fAm3k1DtpGhNN2IGANaOvYV_GNiRYlsuygGrDuy-9i_D2X9UEiu4AbXjFJqx/s1600/buh+jon+3.jpg" title="In Pictures: Jonathan visits Buhari in Aso Villa" /></div> <div align="center"> <img alt="In Pictures: Jonathan visits Buhari in Aso Villa" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJWROUohnfNNHVrxAJM_qafJKVDGUTH0jqYa3h-QGYfxoG8CgubE5v4vz8a2ubpXBN9UtcVtWU-4nyaVbJ-jSd7nQMduENzFIKf7yGApnYui0fb0Ga2oPSL_6MudaSKx4fgroD7L115wk/s1600/buh+jon+4.jpg" title="In Pictures: Jonathan visits Buhari in Aso Villa" /></div> <div align="center"> <img alt="In Pictures: Jonathan visits Buhari in Aso Villa" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EoqJSqrXuAAS0EHRXb6Srap7AILposcyeqUg-NVsRdodODfWamcAZTTogsjDjxos-0cYDOOqBtOwLPJunk6bKyN4y3SPlY8asyIPQi4NXeMW9hWTzL1BraYI7ed6ZWmwDhG7Ud8SC7Ci/s1600/buh+jon+2.jpg" title="In Pictures: Jonathan visits Buhari in Aso Villa" /></div>

Latest-News Politics In Pictures: Jonathan visits Buhari in Aso Villa

In Pictures: Jonathan visits Buhari in Aso Villa...

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These Are The Speculated Portfolios Of Buhari's Ministers

<div align="center"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosAuo2msfkYQX02UKG6UEDHCDXkJs2TX1uutS9rHFS4OJc-Cb79bEifmqocDry9kU2_CHpY7tZluMZ15IHVozuAwfakVBc9esMeVi4ic0mT4y_B9cWGw7hc0hbvtgGOugR7ToypXtmTOi/s1600/Buhari-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="These Are The Speculated Portfolios Of Buhari's Ministers" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosAuo2msfkYQX02UKG6UEDHCDXkJs2TX1uutS9rHFS4OJc-Cb79bEifmqocDry9kU2_CHpY7tZluMZ15IHVozuAwfakVBc9esMeVi4ic0mT4y_B9cWGw7hc0hbvtgGOugR7ToypXtmTOi/s1600/Buhari-2015.jpg" title="These Are The Speculated Portfolios Of Buhari's Ministers" /></a></div> <br /> After 6 months of nail-biting, mind-blowing suspense, President Muhammadu Buhari's ministerial nominees were eventually screened by the Senate last week.<br /> <br /> The nominees were screened without portfolios, and it is expected that President Buhari will inaugurate the new ministers and assign portfolios to them this week.<br /> <br /> But Nigerians, having waited this long, appear to have exhausted all iota of patience.<br /> <br /> A list of portfolios was circulated online, around social media on Sunday, and it'd be a disservice not to share, regardless of the fact that the Presidency has come out to say it didn't authorise it.<br /> <br /> They are;<br /> <br /> Agric and Natural Resources Audu Ogbeh (Benue)<br /> Agric and Natural Resources Geoffrey Onyema (Enugu)<br /> Attorney General, James Ocholi (Kogi)<br /> Aviation Sen Hadi Sirika (Katsina)<br /> Defence Abdulrahman Dambazau(Kano)<br /> Defence (State) Dan Ali (Zamfara)<br /> Education . Isaac Adewole (Osun)<br /> FCT (State) Solomon Dalong (Plateau)<br /> Federal Capital Territory Abubakar Bawa Bwari (Niger)<br /> Finance Okechukwu Enelamah (Abia)<br /> Finance (State) Kemi Adeosun (Ogun)<br /> Foreign Affairs . Kayode Fayemi- (Ekiti)<br /> Foreign Affairs (State) Adamu Adamu (Bauchi)<br /> Health Osagie Ehanire (Edo)<br /> Information, Communication Technology Lai Mohammed (Kwara)<br /> Interior Cladius Omoleye Daramola (Ondo)<br /> Labour Prof Anthony Onwuka (Imo)<br /> Mines and Steel Development Abubakar Malami (Kebbi)<br /> National Planning Amina Mohammed (Gombe)<br /> Niger Delta Affairs Rotimi Amaechi<br /> Niger Delta Affairs (State) Pastor Usani Uguru (Cross River)<br /> Petroleum Ibe Kachikwu (Delta)<br /> Police Affairs Chris Ngige (Anambra)<br /> Power Babatunde Fashola (Lagos)<br /> Sports & Youth Development Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa)<br /> Trade and Investment Udo Udo Udoma (Akwa Ibom)<br /> Trade and Investment (State) Zainab Ahmed (Kaduna)<br /> Women Affairs Hajia Khadija Bukar Ibrahim (Yobe)<br /> Works & Transport Ogbonaya Onu- (Ebonyi) Ogbonaya Onu- (Ebonyi)<br /> Works (State) Barr. Adebayo Shittu (Oyo)<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina has said if the list wasn't officially signed by the presidential spokespersons, then Nigerians should ignore it.

Buhari Politics These Are The Speculated Portfolios Of Buhari's Ministers

After 6 months of nail-biting, mind-blowing suspense, President Muhammadu Buhari's ministerial nominees were eventually screened by t...

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I once worked for Buhari - Orubebe

<div align="center"> <img alt="I once worked for Buhari - Orubebe" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HeeLlBIrPJETMm3mM3AXFgzklnl73WtZMvSrt2iqap3Yb_Z2TJtAT9s6Rmh4aj-8TiTaJIEVELAON4AKOgoOuA_mIf_-ArS3k54xZbQAh3FzTA0Yjk-OlRxd5d75NWu9im4yJQoRF9b6/s1600/Orubebe-600x380.jpg" title="I once worked for Buhari - Orubebe" /></div> <br /> The former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Peter Orubebe, Monday, tied the allegations of wrong assets declaration and bribery being levelled against him by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, to a diligent role he played as an agent of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the presidential election result collation Center in Abuja.<br /> <br /> Elder Orubebe, who was reacting to the invitation extended to him to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, on November 9, 2015 to answer to the allegations, noted that his prosecutors are looking for something out of nothing to dent his hard earned integrity.<br /> <br /> Orubebe, while defending the actions he termed as his ‘unequivocal loyalty’ to former President Goodluck Jonathan, pointed out that, no amount of intimidation will force him to compromise standards.<br /> <br /> The former minister who wondered why he has become the demolition target of some political powers in the country because of his role at the collection Center where he sought for fairness and justice, said, “I will never compromise standards even when all odds are against him.”<br /> <br /> He said he does not regret working for Jonathan the same way he does not regret supporting incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari in 2003 as state Chairman of ANPP in Delta State.<br /> <br /> He said, ‘it is no longer news that I supported President Muhammadu Buhari committedly and deligently when I was the state Chairman of ANPP in Delta State where I worked hard with nine (9) other state chairmen to ensure PMB’s emergence as party flag bearer in 2003.’<br /> <br /> The former minister who recalled that he visited Dutse in late night because of PMB in 2003 said, it is wrong to attempt to humiliate a just man who contributed so much to set the country on the path of greatness but visiting the creeks to preach peace and the need to embrace ceasefire, a feat that has better the nation’s lot.<br /> <br /> Orubebe who believes that his prosecutors are looking for something out of nothing to dent his hard earned integrity said, ‘Nigerians are witnesses to the litany of illegalities being woven by desperate politicians.<br /> <br /> This bunch of allegations of bribery and others levelled against me and my trial in the public domain is an attempt to rob me of my respect and am not unaware that I became the prime demolition target because of my overt and unalloyed support for former President Jonathan.<br /> <br /> He said, ‘if for the show of loyalty to former President Jonathan and my party that am being lynched, then, the decision on appropriate reaction belongs to sincere Nigerians.<br /> <br /> On the alleged bribe of N50m, he said, as a minister of God, I built a Christian Center which I named ‘Glory Sanctuary’ a semi Christian library and a sort of Bethel for pastors and Christians. As a founder, I inspected their financial book and discovered a huge N20m in their account and demanded to know the source.<br /> <br /> I was told it was a Nicodemus ‘seed faith’ from the petitioner and I quickly ordered them to refund the money on October 23, and later to the petitioner on October 24 of the same 2012 .’<br /> <br /> “The bank statements are there as evidence and even the EFCC and the Force Headquarters can be contacted to ascertain my facts,” he stated.

Latest-News Politics I once worked for Buhari - Orubebe

The former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Peter Orubebe, Monday, tied the allegations of wrong assets declaration and bri...

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Jonathan, Buhari hold closed door meeting in Aso Rock

<div align="center"> <img alt="Jonathan, Buhari hold closed door meeting in Aso Rock" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbGGo03cAcSSgxM_OD6Y86chlFZdVXZsOwADkkUIkgKN4goRu513y7h-s0-W9it5rPRZQ7ciEqPpZSGL_rSTaoVz_WCVV-hFUlXvbMpD8Fx4LX-Xu3O0Tzw9KQNxBgfc8Be_ZCtrfgvvQ/s1600/jonathan-buhari+qw.jpg" title="Jonathan, Buhari hold closed door meeting in Aso Rock" /></div> <br /> For the second time since he exited office on May 29, former president Goodluck Jonathan Monday visited his successor, President Mohammadu Buhari at the presidential villa in Abuja.<br /> <br /> The meeting which held behind closed doors at the New Banquet Hall of the State House barely lasted for ten minutes.<br /> <br /> Jonathan arrived at about 2.00 pm and left at 2.13pm after the meeting.<br /> <br /> Though the reason for his visit was not disclosed, feelers said he may have visited to intimate president Buhari on the outcome of the election in Tanzania.<br /> <br /> It would be recalled that the former President led the Commonwealth Election Observer Group to observe the conduct of the Tanzanian General election which held recently.

Latest-News Politics Jonathan, Buhari hold closed door meeting in Aso Rock

For the second time since he exited office on May 29, former president Goodluck Jonathan Monday visited his successor, President Mohammad...

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Fayose replies Presidency: We won’t let you take Nigeria back to Military era

<div align="center"> <img alt="Fayose replies Presidency: We won’t let you take Nigeria back to Military era" border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF949fof5guHIVtbMELlWFSeV_I0D2TDvxzCn9wW_yug8XkVPgXYgOV9S3QTXTpHJhXNDKRzCp8zCOkmXX2QukTUn8AAeK-o7mPjmX7iMtVk6kcJB0oRlcN1EHNLZkzEeq3rkcSyrbSodX/s400/Buhari-Fayose-300x182.jpg" title="Fayose replies Presidency: We won’t let you take Nigeria back to Military era" width="400" /></div> <br /> The statement credited to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, warning Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose to stop speaking on the running of the economy by the federal government has been described as a demonstration of military dictatorship mentality.<br /> <br /> Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Monday, said it was sad that the presidency could be warning a Nigerian, who is heading one of the country’s federating units on what to say and what not to say.<br /> <br /> Olayinka, who said he was sure that Garba Shehu must have spoken for himself, and not President Mohammadu Buhari, added that “Governor Fayose will continue to say the truth in interest Nigeria and its people because the Governor is not one of those that will go underground because of political persecution.”<br /> <br /> He maintained that the country’s economy was in serious recession, adding that; “the president himself attested to this when he said that the country was broke and this has also been corroborated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group financial report, indicating that the corporation incurred a total loss of N120.07bn in the months of August and September.<br /> <br /> “JP Morgan is also removing Nigeria from its Emerging Market Bond Index, a move analysts say would have far reaching implications for the country’s dwindling economy as investors could move their funds to competing countries, resulting in higher lending rates.<br /> <br /> “It is therefore a sad reminder of the military era that in a democracy, under a federation in which all federating units enjoy some degree of autonomy, the Presidency is warning a State Governor on what to say and what not to say.<br /> <br /> “Top functionaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including State Governors criticised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government of Dr Goodluck Jonathan, the Presidency did not go about warning them.<br /> <br /> “Certainly, these people working with the President need to be purged of Acquired Immune Military Dictatorship Syndrome (AIMDS), even as they must be told that Governor Fayose won’t stop speaking his mind and exposing their hypocrisy in the overall interest of Nigeria and its people.”<br /> <br /> Speaking further, the governor’s aide said “Nigerians are desirous of the change promised by the APC led federal government, but as it stands, no clear direction yet.<br /> <br /> “Rather than engage credible Nigerians to help in the revive of the ailing economy, what we have seen from the APC Presidency is appointment of their cronies and political robbers as well as harassment of perceived political opponents with anti corruption agencies and men of the Department of State Security.”<br /> <br /> He said it was not in the interest of the President for his aides to take on Governor Fayose, adding that; “leaving issues and attacking Fayose is like hitting ones head on the rock.”

Latest-News Politics Fayose replies Presidency: We won’t let you take Nigeria back to Military era

The statement credited to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, warning Ekiti State Go...

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