Nigerian Eye

Confusion in Bayelsa APC as Sylva rejects cancellation of primary election, says he’s APC candidate

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBWM9mb6IYe1oO-p5zar5BQmb5K1KubHmYuh855-x3l7jEZEzVjPVviBrWRAXfDjAnHXOB_zIyD_7CGRdYDxe5XBAgjXSRhhhHBMFACoFAEDEPXOdnIQzv6E-hTTM_qhZr1AbMpi6k9tS/s1600/Timipre-Sylva-620x350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBWM9mb6IYe1oO-p5zar5BQmb5K1KubHmYuh855-x3l7jEZEzVjPVviBrWRAXfDjAnHXOB_zIyD_7CGRdYDxe5XBAgjXSRhhhHBMFACoFAEDEPXOdnIQzv6E-hTTM_qhZr1AbMpi6k9tS/s640/Timipre-Sylva-620x350.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
 
A former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, has told the All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, that he remains the party’s governorship candidate in the state. 
 
The disputed primary where Sylva emerged as the candidate has been cancelled by the APC national leadership over alleged irregularities and violence. 
 
The outcome of the primary, purported to have been won by Sylva, has continued to trigger controversy. 
 
<a id="more" name="more"></a> 
 
But the Timipre Sylva Campaign for the Bayelsa State 2015 insisted that Sylva won the primary and remained the authentic candidate for the December 5 governorship poll. 
 
In a statement on Friday by the Media Adviser to Sylva, Mr. Doifie Ola, the campaign organisation said the primary was conducted in accordance with stipulated rules and guidelines and as such, the party had no reason to cancel its outcomes. The statement read, “The APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, does not have the powers to unilaterally annul the primary. We are even shocked that he allowed his name to be used when he has not even received the report from members of the electoral panel. 
 
“Beyond the electoral panel’s report, there is also an Appeals Committee, which has the responsibility to examine complaints arising from the primary election.” 
 
But some delegates to the APC governorship primary and youths lauded the party’s national leadership for cancelling the primary. 
 
The delegates and youths, under the auspices of Bayelsa Youth and Student Volunteers for Progressive Change, also hailed the Edo State Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, and his electoral committee for standing by the truth and insisting that the right thing should be done. 
 
The BYSVPC, in a communiqué issued on Friday signed by the National Coordinator, Ayere Egbetein; Secretary, B.J. John and Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jonathan Okwa, described the primary as a sham. 
 
The group said the cancellation taught those who desired to get to power through the back door a big lesson. 
 
It condemned the intimidation and physical attacks on the Oshiomhole-led electoral committee. 
 
Also, an APC chieftain in the state, Chief Richard Kpodo, applauded the cancellation of the primary, saying the decision would portray APC as a disciplined party.

Latest-News Confusion in Bayelsa APC as Sylva rejects cancellation of primary election, says he’s APC candidate

A former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, has told the All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, ...

SARAKI: Kwara Commissioner of Police bans protests

05:41 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIu1DxxObbnPUcGVMA2MqfIQbTCcy72gFy1LOYVWfdFkJyBa2xkjAfCHyUDY6WHvoeqw_8aC_CtV2aGCdyZnOdCf7lrszwjRn3orIXI9pXA_mF_bcOgbsrndks0nhCEzVz1zyCUCK5i_hr/s1600/Bukola-Saraki-600x330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIu1DxxObbnPUcGVMA2MqfIQbTCcy72gFy1LOYVWfdFkJyBa2xkjAfCHyUDY6WHvoeqw_8aC_CtV2aGCdyZnOdCf7lrszwjRn3orIXI9pXA_mF_bcOgbsrndks0nhCEzVz1zyCUCK5i_hr/s640/Bukola-Saraki-600x330.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
 
The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Mr. Esosa Amadasun, on Friday banned protests and demonstrations in the state. 
 
The development may not be unconnected with the attack on the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and other dignitaries at the Praying Ground in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, during Thursday’s Eid-Kabir prayers. 
 
<a id="more" name="more"></a> 
 
Scores of aggrieved people had pelted sachet water, stones, shoes and other objects at the place where Saraki and other dignitaries were observing the prayers. 
 
Other dignitaries that were at the prayer ground included a former acting National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Kawu Baraje; the Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad; a former Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, who is currently a member representing Ilorin West and Asa Federal Constituency, Mr. Razak Atunwa; a former Chairman,Federal Character Commission, Prof. Oba Abdulraheem; a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore; the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulu-Gambari; and the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Bashir Muhammed. 
 
A source, who pleaded anonymity, said the dignitaries, who were embarrassed and visibly shaken by the action of the miscreants, were shielded away to safety from the venue by security operatives. 
 
He added that the pandemonium prevented the Chief Imam from delivering his annual sermon. 
 
In a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi, he said the police would not condone any unlawful gathering, adding that the command would deal with any violator.

Latest-News SARAKI: Kwara Commissioner of Police bans protests

The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Mr. Esosa Amadasun, on Friday banned protests and demonstrations in the state. The dev...

Buhari vows to end oil theft, capital flight

05:41 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7UY9geW7SpOXnvShH2RmZr_plmy1dAH0PUUq6ZyFeFJ9sIXldPPM0qMAJ6OVWgBRmgvWX9xH-Kgw-P87ZLIhHONULBFJxZiyFToY_0Tebj_zuDhvDpeeOe7hifuXC_CyQ2FCM1qsueP3/s1600/buhari+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7UY9geW7SpOXnvShH2RmZr_plmy1dAH0PUUq6ZyFeFJ9sIXldPPM0qMAJ6OVWgBRmgvWX9xH-Kgw-P87ZLIhHONULBFJxZiyFToY_0Tebj_zuDhvDpeeOe7hifuXC_CyQ2FCM1qsueP3/s400/buhari+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
 President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said his administration was putting machinery in place to end oil theft and other criminal activities that have been inhibiting economic growth in the country. 
 
He also reiterated his commitment to transparency and accountability in the way in which the country’s revenues are managed. 
 
Buhari said this in his address to the United Nations Plenary Summit for the Adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda during the ongoing 70th session of the UN General Assembly holding in New York. 
<a id="more" name="more"></a> 
 
The President said that apart from attempts being made to improve and streamline internally generated revenue in the country, he would also plug all loopholes that had led to illicit capital flight from Nigeria. 
 
He lauded the adoption of the Post-2015 Global Development Agenda, saying that he was pleased that world leaders had reaffirmed their commitment to sustainable development, international peace and security, and the protection of the planet. 
 
Buhari said, “These are really the major issues of the day. For the first time, we have at our disposal a framework that is universal in scope and outlook, with clearly defined goals and targets, and appropriately crafted methods of implementation. 
 
“The Declaration that we have adopted today testifies to the urgency and the necessity for action by all of us. It is not for want of commitment that previous initiatives have failed or could not be fully realised. What seemed to be lacking in the past were political will and the required global partnership to pursue and implement the programmes to which we committed ourselves. 
 
“This Declaration enjoys global consensus. We have agreed to deliver as one and to leave no one behind. This is a promise worth keeping. We have agreed to create viable partnerships and to adopt the means of implementation for the goals and targets of the global sustainable development agenda in all its three dimensions; namely economic, social and environmental. 
 
“The Post-2015 Development Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) together with the Addis Ababa Action Agenda that we adopted in July 2015, offer us a unique opportunity to address the unfinished business of the Millennium Development Goals. 
 
“They also provide the basis for a new set of global development priorities to usher in a peaceful and prosperous world, where no one is left behind, and where the freedom from fear and want, and for everyone to live in dignity, is enthroned.” 
 
Noting that illiteracy, hunger and diseases are associated evils that go hand in hand with poverty, the President urged the world leaders to do everything possible “to eliminate these ills from our midst by 2030 as the Declaration loudly proclaims.” 
 
“The bottom billion that has neither safety nets nor social protection, need to be rescued from their perpetual state of hopelessness, fear and indignity. This is a task that should have been accomplished decades ago. Now that it has fallen on our shoulders to discharge this responsibility, we should do so with the enthusiasm and commitment that is worthy of the cause. 
 
“We must adopt targeted interventions at both policy and practical levels, to address extreme poverty and combat illiteracy, hunger and diseases. We must create viable partnerships that bring together national, regional and global actors with shared objectives to carry this forward.”

Latest-News Buhari vows to end oil theft, capital flight

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said his administration was putting machinery in place to end oil theft and other criminal activities ...

Don’t play politics with Mama Awolowo’s death - Fayose

05:41 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ln0_eAr19bYIwEuf9oZIJQckjJ6i2F6sISG87s_XFCUoiaJGPawOtV5mtLCLSJUuk499rDts_vE_6Z7ozB5WyH3NiFzs_ihNtc8DkhDdogued5WFOLaE4QG3k9eP7ZDDdbGYYha8myYx/s1600/ayo-fayose14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ln0_eAr19bYIwEuf9oZIJQckjJ6i2F6sISG87s_XFCUoiaJGPawOtV5mtLCLSJUuk499rDts_vE_6Z7ozB5WyH3NiFzs_ihNtc8DkhDdogued5WFOLaE4QG3k9eP7ZDDdbGYYha8myYx/s400/ayo-fayose14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
 
The Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, warned fellow politicians on Friday not to use the death of Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Awolowo – and other past Nigerian heroes – to score cheap political points. 
 
Fayose, who said this in Ikenne, Ogun State, during a condolence visit to the Awolowos, further said it was better that Nigeria’s great leaders were recognised and given due respect while they were alive. 
 
He said it was why he had decided to honour some prominent Ekiti indigenes, including Prof. Sam Aluko and Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye, before they died. 
 
<a id="more" name="more"></a> 
 
In a statement by the Ekiti State Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the governor described Awolowo’s life as worthy of celebration and emulation. 
 
He said, “At some point, we all have to leave this world. But we cannot forget a life well lived and the assurance of eternity. Our Mama [H.I.D. Awolowo] held the fort for 29 years after Baba [Chief Obafemi Awolowo] died. She kept the flag flying and nobody can fault that. 
 
“Her death is a celebration of life and ideology. We will continue to celebrate Baba Awo and represent all that he lived for. Politicians celebrate people for political reasons, but that must stop. We should sustain the legacies left behind by Baba and Mama. 
 
“We need to celebrate our heroes before they die. It is better that way rather than making politics of such occasion. I congratulate the Awolowos for a life well lived by their parents. The family should not be abandoned. We can never forget them. They have left legacies that are enduring. Also, visit to this place should not be a once-in-a-while thing. Mama Awolowo fought a good fight and finished her race very well.” 
 
One of the daughters of the deceased, Mrs. Tola Oyediran, thanked Fayose for the visit. 
 
She said, “I say a big thank you for coming, despite your tight schedule. Your coming is an expression of deep love for us as a family. We thank you for the beautiful things you said about our parents. 
 
“We also thank God that her children survived her in spite of all the storms of life she experienced in recent years. I pray that you too will live long in Jesus’ name.”

Latest-News Don’t play politics with Mama Awolowo’s death - Fayose

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, warned fellow politicians on Friday not to use the death of Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Awolowo – and other ...

Some northern leaders are frustrating efforts of soldiers combating Boko Haram – Army

05:41 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioU1tjIjid1IkivjHZg-vsrfFvKNR12c0KlNwNNQrucKCktORHI4W9jArYVp4AsvEAU-p3CKNoe0dBQABOaGpDvDfmEy-XAKOi4JNgh60LkC-LtUoQrpJy6elbmYzvNxZKM1ENktKhXBWK/s1600/Boko-Haram-680x365_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioU1tjIjid1IkivjHZg-vsrfFvKNR12c0KlNwNNQrucKCktORHI4W9jArYVp4AsvEAU-p3CKNoe0dBQABOaGpDvDfmEy-XAKOi4JNgh60LkC-LtUoQrpJy6elbmYzvNxZKM1ENktKhXBWK/s640/Boko-Haram-680x365_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
 
 
The Nigerian Army has raised the alarm that some prominent indigenes from the North-East are planning to subvert the on-going campaign against Boko Haram insurgency. 
 
The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said in an electronic mail on Friday that the individuals and political groups were engrossed in looking for ways to reverse the gains of the war against the terror gang. 
 
<a id="more" name="more"></a> 
 
Usman alleged that those involved in the mischief were engaging marabouts, non-government organisations and others to frustrate the operation. 
 
He said the Army was aware of the evil plan and would not tolerate the antics of those behind the plot, warning that the military would not hesitate to deal with them. 
 
Usman said, “The Nigerian Army wishes to inform the public and send a very strong warning to some prominent individuals and political groups who hail from Borno State in particular and North-East generally, that there is information of plans by some highly placed individuals and political groups to scuttle the fight against terrorism and insurgency in this country. 
 
“The unscrupulous individuals and their cohorts are determined to reverse the gains made and scuttle our efforts of achieving the Presidential directive to defeat Boko Haram terrorists within three months. They are enlisting the services of some non-governmental organisations in this grand design. 
 
“It has come to our knowledge that they are employing every means to see that our operation does not succeed in order for them to continue to enjoy certain benefits. 
 
“It has been revealed that they are employing the services of marabouts and other unethical means in order to frustrate our efforts and the operations in addition to campaign of calumny. 
 
“We are aware of their clandestine meetings and other diabolical efforts to achieve their nefarious aims. This would not be tolerated. 
 
“Therefore, such individuals and groups should be warned in unmistakable terms that anyone found would be dealt with accordingly.”

Latest-News Some northern leaders are frustrating efforts of soldiers combating Boko Haram – Army

The Nigerian Army has raised the alarm that some prominent indigenes from the North-East are planning to subvert the on-going campaign ag...

US to release N9 Billion to help defeat Boko Haram

05:41 Unknown 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqNDJWnBkkGpQyvKTXQbdEcHLACpZxtZb6UrkCm-b-uYQIEcEuBIxp9YGcaD5N3TYCAIfTVPXEB06fuZQYU-NgxHcFMVeZ9SWgdpWp8_EXmOYMyMQ3L9Ic9Y8RNCI_jQfMlKhQmtNzxle/s1600/buhari+obama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqNDJWnBkkGpQyvKTXQbdEcHLACpZxtZb6UrkCm-b-uYQIEcEuBIxp9YGcaD5N3TYCAIfTVPXEB06fuZQYU-NgxHcFMVeZ9SWgdpWp8_EXmOYMyMQ3L9Ic9Y8RNCI_jQfMlKhQmtNzxle/s640/buhari+obama.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
 
 
The United States has pledged to release up to $45m to help Nigeria and other countries to fight against Boko Haram, Reuters reported on Friday. 
 
The White House National Security Council spokesperson, Ned Price, was in a statement on Thursday quoted as saying that the money would be sent to help in defence services, including military training, to support African countries in their efforts to defeat the Boko Haram militant group. 
<a id="more" name="more"></a> 
 
Apart from Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger were listed as countries that would receive the support of the US government to crush the insurgent group. 
 
A 10-year operation of the Boko Haram terrorism group in Nigeria has resulted in the tens of thousands of deaths and millions of displacement in the country and its neighbouring allies. 
 
The sect’s latest activity was a raid on a village across the Nigeria-Niger border, where at least 15 civilians were massacred, Nigerien security sources said on Friday.

Latest-News US to release N9 Billion to help defeat Boko Haram

The United States has pledged to release up to $45m to help Nigeria and other countries to fight against Boko Haram, Reuters reported on...

Buhari, other World leaders aim to end poverty by 2030

22:55 Unknown 0

<div align="center">
<img alt="Buhari, other World leaders aim to end poverty by 2030" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOefYQW4p3GeLsiqzn0dHuJwcCT3L6bRI0SZRV1ba-YreWgyvVdMO38-VBO6ihPuIf5cjw9pyPcUQxXXZtYr5iqB0H6Pdb2wMHW7ase1UcAiNSEwYNTFFg_8xoY0w9ivixbO2g0W3Golr/s400/UN+resolution+meeting.jpg" title="Buhari, other World leaders aim to end poverty by 2030" width="400" /></div>
 
World leaders on Friday unanimously resolved to end poverty by 2030 by adopting the new Sustainable Development Agenda put together by the United Nations. 
 
The agenda was adopted by the 193 member states of the organisation at the ongoing UN General Assembly holding in New York. 
 
President Muhammadu Buhari is one of the world leaders attending the event. 
 
The agenda has 17 global goals at its core. 
 
The new agenda makes it mandatory for every country to take various actions that would not only address the causes of poverty, but also increase economic growth and prosperity and meet people’s health, education and social needs, while protecting the environment. 
 
At the adoption event, the UN Secretary-General , Mr. Ban Ki-moon, described it as a transformative vision for a better world. 
 
He said, “The new agenda is a promise by leaders to all people everywhere. It is a universal, integrated and transformative vision for a better world. 
 
“It is an agenda for people to end poverty in all its forms. 
 
“It is an agenda for shared prosperity, peace and partnership that conveys the urgency of climate action and is rooted in gender equality and respect for the rights of all. Above all, it pledges to leave no one behind. 
 
“The true test of commitment to Agenda 2030 will be implementation. We need action from everyone, everywhere. Seventeen Sustainable Development Goals are our guide. They are a to-do list for people and planet, and a blueprint for success.” 
 
The new Sustainable Development Goals build on the goal-setting agendas of UN conferences and the Millennium Development Goals that have improved the lives of millions of people. 
 
The new agenda recognises that the world is facing immense challenges, ranging from widespread poverty, rising inequalities and enormous disparities of opportunity, wealth and power to environmental degradation and the risks posed by climate change.