APC lawmakers shun peace meeting with Fayose

The 19 All Progressives Congress lawmakers of the Ekiti State House of Assembly on Thursday shunned the peace meeting convened by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) to reconcile them with Governor Ayodele Fayose.

The lawmakers in a statement by Speaker Adewale Omirin’s Special Adviser on Media, Wole Olujobi, explained that while they appreciated the peace moves initiated by the eminent lawyer, surrounding circumstances gave away the governor as not prepared for any resolution of the crisis.

Specifically, the lawmakers said the security measures put in place for the peace parley revealed that the governor had a plan to attack and arrest some of them.

The lawmakers, therefore, proposed that the meeting be moved to Ibadan office of the Senior Advocate while members of the committee must be non-partisan elders.

But Babalola at the meeting on Thursday asked the Commissioner of Police, Ebojune Ibine, and the State Director of Department of State Service, Mr. Duke Fubara, to explain if they planned to arrest the lawmakers.

Both of them said that they had no instruction from anywhere to arrest anyone.

To ensure attendance of all parties, the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, said he gave an undertaking to personally lead the APC lawmakers out of the town after the meeting.

He said over 200 policemen had also been stationed at the entry point at Imesi to ensure their safety in and out of the town.

Reacting to Babalola’s claim that he had made security arrangement for 200 policemen to protect them into and out of Ado-Ekiti, the APC lawmakers said this alone had given away the motive of the peace meeting.

They wondered why the peace would include provision of security to escort them out of the state instead of escorting them to the House of Assembly to continue their legislative duties.

“We cannot hold any meeting on the basis of monetary settlement in isolation of the consideration of the constitutional breaches by the governor. It is amazing that the truce terms will not include resumption of our duties, but just to settle us monetarily and escorting us out of Ekiti State,” the statement explained.

Picking holes in the arrangement for the meeting, the lawmakers wondered why the governor was announcing the peace meeting intermittently on the state media while secretly mobilising the PDP members from the 16 local governments to storm the venue of the meeting.

“What is this all about if not coded incitement for mob attacks?” the lawmakers queried.

They also insisted that the security agents told them in clear terms that they could not guarantee their security and warned them against passing through the streets of Ado-Ekiti to the venue of the meeting.

They added that their discovery of a plot to arrest them confirmed their fears that even though Babalola might not know Fayose’s mindset, the revelation and what their government’s sources told them were enough to call off the meeting for a safer venue outside the state capital.

Listing their truce terms, they demanded immediate removal of all illegal structures that aid the activities of thugs and miscreants in and around the Ekiti State House of Assembly premises; restoration of the constitutionally recognised Speaker (Omirin), and other principal officers illegally impeached back to their lawful positions; and the G19 should be allowed unfettered access to and from the Ekiti State House of Assembly to perform their legislative duties until the expiration of their tenure on June 6, 2015.

Others include stoppage of political arrests and vendetta against the APC members adding that the governor should facilitate these demands between now and May 4, 2015.

They expressed sincere appreciation to the elders who facilitated the meeting and urged them to consider holding the meeting at a neutral and safer venue.

But Fayose at the meeting promised to shift ground on contentious issues if that would return peace to the state.

The governor, who said his gesture should not be taken for cowardice, also debunked allegations by the lawmakers that he had connived with security agencies to arrest them if they appeared for the meeting.

“Within the ambit of the laws, I will respect the views of all of them. If there is anybody who should be evasive, it should be me because their time has almost expired. The guilty are afraid.

“They said I sent police to arrest them, where will I keep them after arresting them? We should stop playing to the gallery in a matter like this. I’m ready to shift ground. I’m ready to ensure they depart and finish their tenure successfully and whatever is due to them, I’m ready to pay. That is not an act of cowardice.

“I’m prepared to make peace and work in the overall interest of the state. I’m ready to submit myself to this meeting as many times as possible.”

Others at the meeting include the Chairman, Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State, Chief Deji Fasuan, a former Minister of National Planning, Chief Ayo Ogunlade, a delegate to the National Conference 2014, Dr. Kunle Olajide and the factional Speaker, Dele Olugbemi.

APC lawmakers shun peace meeting with Fayose

We will provide a virile opposition to the APC – Fani-Kayode

Abuja –  Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, says he will remain in the party in spite of its defeat in the March 28 and April 11 general elections.

Fani-Kayode said this while fielding questions from State House correspondents in Abuja on Thursday.

He also dismissed the insinuation that he was about seeking political asylum abroad, following the failure of the party to win the 2015 presidential election.

“We are not going anywhere, I can speak for myself and I can speak for many others. We are here to stay. We will provide a virile opposition to the APC.

“We will do all that needs to be done to ensure that the incoming government remains on its toes and we will all do this in a very peaceful and a very honourable way.

“But, nobody is going anywhere as far as I’m concerned, we are here to stay, neither are we running away, there is nothing to be scared of, we fought hard, we did well.

”I’m very proud of my team, I am proud of my campaign organisation and we will continue in the trenches until this country is on the road to success and we will continue to do that.’’

He assured that the PDP would join hands with other political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), to move the nation forward.

According to him, the PDP is not divided as is being speculated in some quarters, but will remain stronger and united for the general progress of the country.(NAN)

 

We will provide a virile opposition to the APC – Fani-Kayode

Update On Military Operation In Sambisa Forest

Below is A text of Press Briefing by Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade at Defence Headquarters, Abuja on April 30, 2015

-Rescued Women Undergoing Thorough Profiling

-True Identities of some Freed Victims Yet to be ascertained

-Terrorist Field Commanders Killed -Notorious Training Camps Destroyed

-Nigerians being held captives are being freed by Gallant Troops

-hope for the recovery of more hostage of the terrorists

A text of Press Briefing by Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade at Defence Headquarters, Abuja on April 30, 2015

Gentlemen of the press, As you already know, troops have commenced operations deep into the Sambisa forest after sustained aerial bombardments by the Nigerian Air Force. The main objective as you know is to decimate and clear the terrorists from the forest which is their last bastion.

Several field commanders and foot soldiers of the terrorist group have lost their lives, some armoured personnel carriers, Bufallo vehicles mounted with Anti-Aircraft guns, a truck and several Hilux vehicles were destroyed by troops. Also recovered from the fleeing terrorists are a number of Anti-Aircraft guns, General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG) and several AK 47 rifles.

Unfortunately though, we lost one soldier in the course of the operation while 10 others have so far been wounded.

The true identity of some of the rescued women and girls are yet to be ascertained. At the moment, what is upper most and of priority is their movement to a conducive place where they are now undergoing thorough profiling to verify their true identity, where they come from, how they found themselves in the forest, etc. Additional number of persons are still being recovered from the forest.

Until such comprehensive profiling is done, nobody can confirm whether they are among the Chibok girls or not. Whoever they may be, the important thing is that Nigerians held captive under very severe and inhuman condition have been freed by our gallant troops. The joy and sense of hope being expressed by many Nigerians on hearing about the rescue operation is therefore understandable.

We would like to reassure them that the momentum of this operation will be sustained until that sambisa forest is comprehensively cleaned out and all Nigerians held captive within the bowels of the forest are rescued. There is great hope for the recovery of more hostage of the terrorists. Already, the dislodged and disorganized terrorists are in flight on different directions and running helter-skelter in the expansive forest.

There is no longer any respite or sanctuary for them; they will be pursued and tracked down not minding the daunting challenges in the mission including hundreds of land mines and difficult terrain of the Sambisa forest. It should be noted however that the essence of this operation is not to kill everybody in sight. We encourage any of the combatants who is desirous to surrender to come out, as the forest will no more be tenable as a haven for their activities.

In the same vein, innocent civilians among those in flight are also encouraged to report themselves to the troops. We will continue to treat civilians in the most professional and humane way.

We thank all Nigerians for their continued prayers and support and assure them that Never Again shall forces of darkness reign supreme in our country.

Thank you.

CHRIS OLUKOLADE Major General Director Defence Information

April 30, 2015

Update On Military Operation In Sambisa Forest

Jonathan Openly Questions Buhari’s Victory For The First Time

President Goodluck Jonathan has, for the first time, questioned the results of the March 28 presidential election, maintaining that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is still the dominant party in Nigeria.

Jonathan had congratulated Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), before the final result was announced but has now said he only did it for the unity of Nigeria.

He said the PDP could not have recorded the low scores recorded for him in some areas.

The president was speaking on Thursday at the submission of the report of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation (PPCO) at the new banquet hall of the presidential villa.

Jonathan said: “PDP is still the dominant party. If you look at the result, the difference is just over two million votes. And if you look at the areas where it is perceived that PDP scored so low, PDP couldn’t have gotten those kinds of scores.”

He said now that the elections are over, “I put the country first”.

That Nigeria is at peace is worth celebrating, Jonathan said, appearing to confirm reports that some western countries had put ships on standby to evacuate their citizens in preparation for a post-election crisis in Nigeria.

He said: “The countries that brought ships, everything around us, waiting to evacuate their citizens are happy because there was nobody to evacuate. The country was so tensed but everything has gone down now and I think that is the most important thing because the conviction is that you must have a country before you can run for an office.

“Nigeria is a very complex country and you must manage it with care. Yes, I did not consult anybody before I made that phone call but I made that phone call on behalf of all you and on behalf of the PDP.”

Jonathan said the PDP remains “the most organised party” and one that is not owned by “anybody”, urging them to put the loss in the 2015 elections behind and bounce back in 2019.

“The key thing isn’t whether we lost or won but that Nigeria as a nation must move forward. Political parties can only thrive when there is peace and stability in the country. If there is military intervention, all the parties will disappear,” he said.

”And for PDP whatever happened now is like a slip, you don’t need to go to America to know how power goes from the Democrats to the Republicans… it has almost stabilised. It is like once you serve eight years you are ready to hand over to either the Republicans or the Democrats. So theirs is almost an established setting. But our neighbour Ghana, the present ruling party lost some eight years back and, of course, they came back and won the elections.

“So the problem is not whether we lost the elections. That is history now but how do we consolidate our party and move forward? If we are committed and if we work very hard, definitely PDP will bounce back.

“PDP is still the dominant party. If you look at the result, the difference is just over two million votes and if you look at the areas where it is perceived that PDP scored so low, PDP couldn’t have gotten those kinds of scores but the elections are over, we put the country first.

”It is not as if Jonathan alone made the sacrifice. It’s all of us. I made the pronouncement but some of us are paying the price. Some people pay more price than I do. I know how some of you are already being persecuted and the kind of situation facing you. The key thing is that we must continue to unite. As a party, we must continue to work hard so that as we go into subsequent elections in 2019, 2023 and so on and so forth, PDP will continue to come up strong.

“Even in the interest of the nation, we need PDP. I still believe though we have lost presidential election, some national assembly elections, governorship elections especially in the north, PDP is still the dominant party. Let us not judge PDP by the results of the presidential election.

“Our duty is to go back and identify areas of challenges so that the party will come up strong and play the role as a very strong party. PDP is still the most organised party, it is still the party that is not owned by anybody, it is still the party that whatever you are you can get to any level with your competences and so on.

“I encourage members of our party to remain loyal to the party, not to be so disillusioned because we lost presidential election and decide to go where they think they will fill their stomachs or something. It is not easy. I have been here for five years plus, you hardly satisfy even 50 per cent of those who work for you.

“So those people running and those already cross-carpeting, they will come back on an empty stomach because they (APC) will first touch the primary members of their party, before they get to you, they know you are coming because you are hungry. Before it will get to you, the food will be gone.

“So let us be committed to the party. Yes we will have challenges at the beginning but surely we will get to where we want to be.”

Ahmadu Ali, former PDP chairman and director-general of the PCO, commended Jonathan for showing “exemplary leadership” and making the PDP proud despite losing.

Tony Anenih, chairman of PDP’s board of trustees, said the party that will prepare for the 2019 must be formed now.

He said: “We experienced betrayals and conspiracy but let us put all that behind us and work hard to remain a strong and formidable party.”

Jonathan Openly Questions Buhari’s Victory For The First Time

I"ll make sure territories held by terrorists are liberated before I leave - Jonathan

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan pledged Thursday in Abuja that he will do all within his powers to ensure that all Nigerian territory still held by terrorists and insurgents are totally liberated before May 29, 2015.

Receiving a delegation of Heads of Customs from the West and Central African Region of the World Customs Organisation led by the Secretary-General of the organisation, Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, President Jonathan said that he was determined to hand over a country completely free of terrorist strongholds to the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari.

The President said that ongoing military operations in the North-East had already recorded huge successes, with two states completely free from the control of terrorists, while operations in the third state had reached a concluding stage.

“We can now say two states are completely free from terrorist control, while in the third state, it is only in one Local Government Area that they are still present. That is in the Sambisa Forest,” he said.

President Jonathan noted that the military had already moved into the forest to seize the remaining camps of the terrorists, adding that the recent rescue of about 300 abducted girls and women was further evidence of the success being achieved in the ongoing operation.

On his decision to concede victory to the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, before all the results of the presidential elections were announced, President Jonathan said that elections must be approached from a nationalistic point of view.

“Our elections should be about where Nigeria is going. If Nigeria is moving forward, it is for the good of all Nigerians. My children and grandchildren will live and grow in this country and contribute to it.

“I always tell my colleagues to leave office when their time is up. We are trying to encourage African leaders not to remain in power as kings until death,’’ he said.

Mr. Mikuriya commended the President for supporting the reform of the Nigeria Customs Service, noting that other African countries had already started emulating the vision, strategy, adoption to new technology and result- oriented training of officers that were captured in Nigeria’s reforms.

I"ll make sure territories held by terrorists are liberated before I leave - Jonathan

Make dollar equal to naira, i ride from Abuja to China - Charly Boy dares Buhari

Show-stopping veteran entertainer, Charly Boy Oputa has declared his intention to ride his bike from Abuja to China in honour of the president-elect Maj.Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) if he (Buhari) can make a dollar equal to a naira after his swearing-in on May 29, 2015.

It will be recalled that Mr. Suleiman Hashimu, trekked from Lagos to Abuja in celebration of Buhari’s vcitory.

45-year-old indigene of Borno State, Mallam Adamu Abdullahi, Thursday, commenced a trek of 868 kilometres from Maiduguri to Abuja to plead with the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), to end Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East.

Another walker, Malam Abubakar Umar, 43 years, who started trekking from Yola, Adamawa, on Saturday to celebrate the victory of President-elect, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, arrived Gombe on Thursday where he spent the night.

Mohammed Kabiru Jafaru, a 35-year-old Kaduna-born cyclist and supporter of the president-elect, Monday embarked on a journey to thank the Yoruba electorates for voting for Buhari at the March 28 presidential election.

The second son of former Supreme Court judge Chukwudifu Oputa took to his Facebook page to drop the hint.

“Una remember D guy wey trek from Lagos to Abuja?

Another Malam wan ride bicycle from Sokoto to Abuja.

All for General Buhari, hummmmmmm!

Makachukwu, if Buhari fit make 1Naira become 1Dollar,

In the next four years.

I go ride my Bike from Abuja to China I swear”.

 

Make dollar equal to naira, i ride from Abuja to China - Charly Boy dares Buhari

Blame PDP government for fuel scarcity – Atiku

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has attributed the current fuel scarcity to the misrule of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

Atiku who spoke to Journalists yesterday after a private meeting with the President-Elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari at the Defence House in Abuja said they the hallmarks of PDP were inefficiency and corruption.

He said that Buhari’s government would bring changes, but stressed it would be gradual.

“We just discussed private matters. Well, there is nothing unusual in what is going on. That is PDP for you: corruption inefficiency and what have you. Real changes will come. The president elect has assured that but it will not just come over night. It has to be gradual. Definitely there will be positive change in that matter but it will be gradual”.

On the zoning of offices in the national assembly and the time it will be resolved, the former Vice President said “That is too earlier. This is something the party and the leadership are handling. I believe it would be resolved before the House reconvenes”.

Meanwhile, a statement from his media office earlier commended the Nigerian military for rescuing some 293 women from Sambisa forest in Borno state.

“While we rejoice in the rescue of the women and girls yesterday, we urge that our military continues steadfastly in the operations until all abducted Nigerians have been rescued and territories recaptured,” Atiku said.

 

Blame PDP government for fuel scarcity – Atiku

Sons hacks father, mother to death in Enugu

…….son kills father too

MEN of the Enugu police command are presently investigating double tragedy in the State in which a son hacked his father to death, while in another separate incident, a mother was beaten to death by her own son.

Police Inspector General, Solomon Arase

The State Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ebere Amaraizu in a press statement in Enugu yesterday who confirmed the two gory incidents gave a vivid account of the incidents.

According to him, ” the Enugu state command of the Nigeria police Force through its operatives has commenced a full scale investigations into the alleged killing of father by his son at Umuaina Umuogboagu Igboeze North local Government Area of the state.

“It was gathered that suspect identified as one chijioke Onyeke the son to the deceased person had allegedly on 26/4/15 at about 6.30pm cut the father with matchet on the head on a yet to be ascertained issue that arose between the deceased and the son.

“It was further gathered that the cut gave severe injury on the head and which made the now deceased person to be rushed to St. Mary’s hospital ogurute for medical attention where he was also confirmed to have given up his ghost” said the statement, adding that “the dead body of the deceased is now deposited at General Hospital mortuary Ogurute Enugu Ezike for Autopsy while the suspect having been arrested,is helping the operatives in their investigations”.

Also in a separate incident, the PPRO said that “a suspect identified as one chidi Agbo of Ette Center in Igboeze North Local Government area of Enugu state has been arrested by the the state command operatives for allegedly beating her mother to death over a yet to be identified reason.

It was gathered that the deceased mother identified as one Virginia Agbo met her untimely death on 27/4/15 through the hands of the son as he allegedly beat up the mother over a yet to be established issue which allegedly led to her death as the mother”s lifeless body was found lying on the bed.

“Suspect”, he went on “is helping the police in their investigations while the dead body of the deceased is now deposited at the General Hospital Mortuary at Ogurute Enugu Ezike Enugu state”.

 

Sons hacks father, mother to death in Enugu

Husband wants wife to refund N1.4m marriage expenses

Lagos – A middle-aged-man, Collins Nduka, on Thursday pleaded with an Ojo Customary Court in Lagos State to order his wife, Sefinat Nduka, to refund N1.4 million he spent in marrying her.

Collins told the court that his wife, whom he married three years ago, had decided to abandon her matrimonial home for more than a year.

“I would want a refund of the amount that I spent as marriage and dowry expenses because she has become unfaithful.

“My wife is not faithful to the marriage because she has other relationships apart from me and I no more love her. After all, she has not given birth to any child for me.

“The most painful thing is that she has parked all my belongings in my house to an unknown place in addition to her emptying my shop which I stocked with over N750,000,” he said.

According to him, the three-year-old marriage is being threatened and every bit of her action portrays her as someone no longer interested in the union.

“I invited my friends from outside the country to make the marriage an expensive one and after it, she wants to leave me for another man, I need my dowry so she can be free,” Nduka said.

He pleaded with the court to dissolve the marriage and order Sefinat to return his belongings which she allegedly parked away and money to him so that he could continue with his life.

Sefinat, who was absent in court, had earlier told the court that she did not cart away her husband’s property as he had alleged.

She, however, said that she was ready for the divorce.

The President, Chief Joseph Ogunmola, while advising the husband on the dangers of divorce, instructed that the respondent be invited to the court.

“The court does not dissolve any marriage except in extreme cases, we need the consent of both parties before judgment so she must be invited, “he said.

Ogunmola, therefore, adjourned the case to May19 for further hearing. (NAN)

 

Husband wants wife to refund N1.4m marriage expenses

PDP dismisses allegation of Wike"s defection to APC

The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has dismissed the allegation by the All Progressives Congress, APC, that the State Governor-elect, Chief Barr Nyesom Wike plans to defect to the APC as malicious, baseless and a mere wishful thinking of the propagators of such falsehood.

Reacting to the allegation through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Jerry Needam, the PDP chairman, Bro Felix Obuah said it’s most unthinkable that the governor-elect, and PDP leader in the State is considering dumping the party for the APC because doing so is like preferring hell which the APC represents to paradise.

There is no gainsaying the fact, Prince Obuah stressed, that Rivers State is a PDP State as demonstrated in the just concluded general elections and cannot be betrayed by the leader and holder of its mandate who has given all he has to ensure the party is not killed by self-seeking individuals, the bulk of whom make up the membership of the APC in the State.

Rather than do that, Prince Obuah added, the governor-elect, Chief Wike will do all within his power and humanly possible to deliver on his electioneering promises to the people to ensure they are not disappointed and to strengthen their support and belief in the PDP.

The PDP Boss enjoined such rumour peddlers and, or daydreamers of Wike’s defection to join hands with the PDP-led government in reshaping, restoring and rebuilding the State that has been badly damaged by Gov Amaechi’s visionless administration under whom the State economy has hit the lowest ebb as never witnessed before in history.

“May I also use this opportunity to make it abundantly clear to our APC brother members that there is an ocean of difference between the PDP leadership as presently constituted in Rivers State and ably led by His Excellency, Chief Barr Nyesom Wike, State Governor-elect and the APC.

“We are not as feeble minded and unsteady in character as APC members and will never do what they have done that has only attracted to them an outcast image before the court of public opinion, as doing so will be foolhardy of us.

“We will remain steadfast and focused to our vision of new better Rivers State where the welfare of its people will be adequately taken care of, and opportunities created for growth and development of our abundant human capital in fairness to all and anchored on justice.

We are also most willing to receive back into the PDP fold those APC members who have genuinely repented and wish to come back to help move our State forward,” Prince Obuah declared.

The State PDP chairman, Bro Felix Obuah assured Rivers people that their mandate freely given to the PDP and the Governor-elect, Chief Barr Nyesom is sacrosanct.

PDP dismisses allegation of Wike"s defection to APC

Falling oil prices threaten my agenda - Buhari

ABUJA—THE President- elect, General Muhammadu Buhari yesterday painted a gloomy picture in the economic development of his administration as he said that the decline in the revenues due to fall in oil prices poses a great threat to his administration’s development agenda.

Gen. Buhari who visited the newly elected Senators and House of Representatives members who are undergoing induction course in preparation for the 8th National Assembly in Abuja also said that the decline in revenue would affect the reconstruction of devastated areas in the country as a result of insurgency.

He reminded the elected members of the 8th assembly of the challenges the nation had been facing which he also said would continue in the near future.

The challenges according to him include general insecurity and insurgency that has caused extreme human hardship and destruction of lives, livelihoods that would take over a decade to rebuild across most of North Eastern Nigeria and some parts of North western Nigeria.

Another threat to his administration according to him was the devastation and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta area which he said must be attended to.

Others include, “endemic corruption which has crippled human and infrastructure development for decades. Unacceptably poor provision of power supply which has had a crippling effect on development of small businesses and indeed the wider economy.

“Deindustrialization for the past three decades leading to closure of many industries and migration of many to other African countries. Unacceptably high levels of unemployment and especially Youth Unemployment reaching over 40 per cent.”

Besides, Gen. Buhari mentioned high cost of governance that has been crowding out the nation’s capital and human development, erosion of public social services such as infrastructure, health and education as well as lack of development in the agricultural and solid mineral sectors as areas that should be aggressively addressed.

While soliciting the support of the lawmakers, the President-elect said, “The legislature is a critical component and necessary ingredient of democracy and good governance. The legislature by nature is inherently democratic in the sense that all members are equal and are elected representatives of the Nigerian people.

“As President-elect, I recognize this fact and believe that legislators carry this heavy burden of representation with all the seriousness it deserves.

“For a president to be successful in addressing community development and general welfare of the various people of the country, he or she would benefit from working closely and in harmony with the legislative arm of government.

“I therefore commit myself to working with the legislature as development partners motivated by the desire to deliver good governance”.

He commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the role he played in the sustenance of democratic institution by accepting election result, saying that Nigeria was in the threshold of history.

Bemoaning high cost of governance, he said, “First and foremost, appropriate policies need to be put in place and such policies may have to be translated into laws.

“Secondly, the oversight functions of the legislature is critical in ensuring that policies are implemented effectively and transparently. Therefore, my mission to bring integrity into governance would better succeed if complemented with a strong culture of transparent oversight.

“We need to collaborate on the budget process and restructuring of the public sector so as to collectively tackle the menace of high recurrent cost at the expense of capital and human development.”

“There is an urgent need to contain this high state of insecurity. All of you are representing various communities. We need to work together to address the problem from both its roots and manifestations.

“The strongest mitigating forces at this point are to redress the power sector deficits, encourage investments that are job creating and focus on human development and reconstruction. We also need to deploy efforts in conflict resolution and peace building in all our communities.

“I am here today, to invite you to work with the executive as partners in progress, as champions of good governance and development and as warriors for change. Together, we can make this nation great and as a role model in Africa and other emerging economies and democracies.”

President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, David Mark, who ushered in the President-elect into the International Conference Centre, in company of other leaders of the National Assembly, described the visit as historic.

Noting that it was the first time a President-elect was considering it worthwhile to address a joint session of the National Assembly, Mark agreed it was a historic meeting in the journey of democracy.

For the Speaker, House of Representative and Governor-elect, Sokoto State, Honourable Aminu W. Tambuwal, Buhari has extended a hand of fellowship to the legislature by his personal visit.

Tambuwal however expressed hope that his colleagues would reciprocate Buhari’s gesture by also extending a sincere hand of fellowship to the President-elect when his government fully takes over.

 

Falling oil prices threaten my agenda - Buhari

Impeachment: Ekiti APC accuses Fayose of stage-managing labour unrest

Ado Ekiti—The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ekiti State has accused the state government of alleged plans to  induce the state work-force into a prolonged labour crisis so as to prevent APC lawmakers in the Assembly from carrying on with the impeachment proceedings against the governor.

A statement by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Taiwo Olatubosun, in Ado Ekiti yesterday, warned the organised labour in the state against being used by the government to work against their general interest.

Olatubosun said the party had uncovered plans to induce workers in the state to embark on a prolonged strike.

He, therefore, called  on the labour leaders not to drag workers in the state into partisan politics, noting that most of the conducts of labour leaders amounted to flagrant abuse of labour laws.

The APC image maker further alleged that for some time now the labour leaders had abandoned the interests of their members as they are allegedly hob-nobing with the state government for their selfish interest.

Olatubosun further alleged that some labour leaders in the state have allegedly collected a huge sum of money from the government for various solidarity rallies in the last six months, adding that some of the labour leaders would soon instigate innocent workers to go on a politically-motivated industrial action that would last till the middle of June.

Olatubosun explained that this option was preferred to the earlier plan by the government to declare a forced 10-day holiday starting from May 29 for a pretended celebration of the handing over to the new government.

According to him, the party has information that the deal was struck with the labour at a meeting with the governor on April 27, where the two options were considered, including a prolonged holiday from May 29 through the first week of June and contrivance of workers anger through half payment of April salary that would force workers to declare indefinite strike. He said  the labour leaders settled for the second option.

By agreeing on the second option, Olatubosun said labour is expected to shut down all government institutions to prevent the impeachment of the governor.

“To set the planned strike in motion, the governor has offered to pay half salary for April, which labour would reject, leading to a disagreement that would spark a strike action,” he explained.

The party accused some labour leaders of partisanship, alleging that some NUT and NULGE leaders were known as card-carrying members of PDP who were working with the governor to protect their political interest instead of the collective interest of workers.

Olatubosun noted that this was the politics behind JUSUN strike that paralysed all the courts across the state, which made the workers to remain idle while the labour leaders lined their pockets.

The party called on workers to remember that there is life after Governor Fayose’s administration, stressing that it is wicked for labour leaders to trade off the future of workers’ professional careers for a pot of soup that does not guarantee professional growth and security of their jobs.

 

Impeachment: Ekiti APC accuses Fayose of stage-managing labour unrest

Okowa inaugurates 98-man transition committees in Delta

ASABA—Delta State governor-elect, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has inaugurated three committees comprising 98 persons for a smooth transition process.

Ifeanyi Okowa

Speaking during the inauguration at Government House, Asaba, Senator Okowa informed Deltans that he would ensure equity and fairness in running the affairs of the state, adding that membership of the committee was not an automatic ticket for membership of the state executive council.

According to him, the committees, which include Technical Committee on Programme Development/Governance, Committee on Handover and the Committee of Night of Praise, will ensure a seamless transition in the state.

The governor-elect said that the terms of reference for the Committee on Programmes Development/Governance include making preparation for the smooth take-off and implementation of the policies and programmes of the incoming administration after inauguration; advice on governance structure, size, relationship and best practices that will enable greater efficiency and outcome; examine the 2015 budget and advice in line with work plan.

Earlier, the chairman of the state Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Edwin Uzor, urged members of the committees to work assiduously, with due diligence and in consultation with other members to move the state forward and ensure lasting peace in the state.

 

Okowa inaugurates 98-man transition committees in Delta

Having Nigerian husbands exposes us to daily discrimination – South African women

It is not a book club, a yoga club or a theatre club, but about 100 South African wives rely on their own social group to meet and share their experience of prejudice for being married to foreigners.

They say that having Nigerian husbands exposes them to daily discrimination, and that they had long predicted the wave of deadly xenophobic violence that has shaken South Africa in recent weeks.

The United Nigerian Wives in South Africa (UNWISA) club was set up two years ago to support wives who tell of being shunned by family and friends for falling in love with Africans from outside South Africa.

The group’s existence underscores the deep-rooted tensions that erupted anew in Johannesburg and Durban this month when mobs of South African men hunted down immigrants, attacking them and destroying their homes and businesses.

At least seven people have been killed in the unrest, and thousands of immigrants — mainly from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Mozambique and elsewhere in Africa — were forced to flee their homes and seek safety in makeshift camps.

“We saw this thing coming and that’s why we formed this association,” UNWISA chairwoman Lindwela Uche, 42, told AFP.

“If only they (the authorities) had listened to us… they would have known that there’s a fire burning slowly and they would have seen how to tackle it.”

The group has 100 members on its Facebook forum and also organises picnics, family soccer tournaments and demonstrations against the stigma they endure.

“Being married to a foreigner is very challenging,” Lufuno Orji, a Johannesburg resources consultant whose husband is a Nigerian medical doctor, told AFP.

“You often spend your time defending yourself and then you defend your foreign husband for being himself.”

Attitudes “are negative everywhere we go,” said Thelma Okoro, 37, adding that even wearing traditional Nigerian dress on the street can attract barbed comments.

– Paying a high price –

Daily life for the wives, their husbands and their children includes battling criticism from neighbours, schools, government officials, health workers, taxi drivers and even the police.

Last year Uche’s 13-year-old daughter returned from school complaining that her teacher had told her “not to bring that Nigerian mentality here” after she and classmates were noisy in class.

“We need to be protected, we need our children to be protected… and our husbands to be treated with dignity,” said Uche, who has been married to her husband Cajethan Dennis for 17 years.

Okoro’s eight-year-old daughter gets mocked by schoolmates over her name “Ngozi” which means “blessing” in Igbo but literally translates to “danger” in Zulu.

For Orji, her decision to marry Ogbonnaya has cost her dearly.

“Just before I got wed to my husband, I lost two very best friends of mine. They thought I was out of my mind,” said Orji, who adds that her own family though were “ecstatic” at her choice of husband.

Some of UNWISA members have kept their maiden names because their husbands’ name attract galling remarks.

Okoro, who has been married to Kenneth for 13 years, says she was told off by an official when she tried to apply for free government-issued houses in 2011.

“They told me that I was not entitled because I am married to a foreigner, and that if I wanted a house I must divorce the man first,” she said.

She also cited taking her sick children to hospital, where “the nurses ask ‘why are you giving these people residence papers’ — degrading and discrediting our choices”.

The wives’ club is now looking to widen its reach to South African women married to other foreign nationals after the recent anti-immigrant attacks highlighted many other women going through similar experiences.

One victim, Nokuthula Mabaso, last week told local media she was threatened with rape for dating her Zimbabwean boyfriend Elias Chauke.

“A group of Zulu-speaking men arrived and kicked down the door,” she said.

“They asked me why I dated a foreigner when there were many South African men in the squatter camp and I replied that I love Elias. They then assaulted and robbed me.

“One of them threatened to rape us and was stopped by others.”

The South African government has vowed to tackle xenophobic attacks, while human rights lawyers say women who are unfairly discriminated against should consider legal action.

“Marriage does not infringe your citizenship as a South African,” said Trish Erasmus, of the Pretoria-based Lawyers for Human Rights.

 

Having Nigerian husbands exposes us to daily discrimination – South African women

Urhobo militant group blows up gas trunklines in Delta

UGHELLI—AN Urhobo militant group, Urhobo Gbagbako, yesterday, claimed responsibility for two explosions that rocked two major gas trunklines belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, located on the boundaries of Afiesere and Ekredjebo communities and Otedo and Edjovwe communities both in Ughelli North and Ughelli South Local Government Areas of Delta State.

Urhobo Militants

Urhobo Gbagbako, in a statement by its spokesperson, Priest Omodjuvwu, said that the explosions were in protest against those he called “traitors” the NPDC had continued to send to Urhoboland in a bid to manipulate their unsuspecting and once peaceful communities.

He said: “These petty crumb eaters can only cause pains to the NPDC, Shoreline and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in a promised sham settlement to the lingering crises to these companies and government agencies.

“In believing the empty promises of these evil doers and traitors, you continue to slowly drive your NPDC, NNPC and Shoreline into a certain abyss you will never recover from and we the Urhobo nation will continue to demand for our fair share of the pipeline surveillance contract jobs for the sake of equity and justice.

“We, Urhobo Gbagbako, a militia group of all ex-militants, youths, women and elders of Urhobo ethnic nationality, did not and have not given any individual or group, authority to speak on our behalf on any issue as it concerns the pipeline surveillance contract job.”

Confirming the incident, President General of Afiesere community, Mr. Emmanuel Shikaleke, said: “I was called by officials of NPDC, who had earlier come to assess the level of damage on the trunklines by the actions of the boys.

“For now, there is nothing we can do other than leave the matter for the authorities to handle. As I speak with you, men of the Nigerian Army are at the scene to forestall further attack.”

 

Urhobo militant group blows up gas trunklines in Delta

Jonathan sacks Nigerian Ports Authority"s MD

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday sacked Mallam Habib Abdullahi as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

He has also named Alhaji Sanusi Bayero as his replacement.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President said Bayero’s appointment would take effect from Thursday (today).

No reason was given for Abdullahi’s sack.

The statement partly read, “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the appointment of Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

“Alhaji Sanusi, a lawyer, from Kano State takes over from Mallam Habib Abdullahi who has been relieved of his appointment as Managing Director of the NPA.

“The appointment of the new NPA Managing Director takes effect from Thursday, April 30, 2015 (tomorrow).

“President Jonathan thanks the outgoing Managing Director for his services and wishes well in his future endeavours.”

It will be recalled that Jonathan had on Monday relieved the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Femi Thomas, of his appointment with immediate effect and approved the appointment of Mr. Olufemi Akingbade as his replacement.

Jonathan sacks Nigerian Ports Authority"s MD

N25Bn Scam: Judge convicts Igbinedion, others

Justice J. Liman of the Federal High Court, Benin, on Wednesday convicted Charles Eboigbodin and Michael Igbinedion, younger brother to Lucky Igbinedion, former Edo State governor.

The duo alongside their companies: Gava Corporation Limited; Romrig Nigeria Limited; PML Securities Company Limited and PML Nigeria Limited, were prosecuted on an 81-count charge of money laundering, misappropriation of funds and abuse of office brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The convicts pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned, setting the stage for a full trial. In the course of trial, the prosecution called several witnesses to prove its case.

One of them, Ajoyo Sowale, an Accounts Officer with the Guaranty Trust Bank, identified various account statements and account opening documents of the convicts and confirmed to the court that several lodgements were made into the accounts, and that he printed the account statements and got them certified by the appropriate authority.

The parties adopted their written addressed in November 14, 2014, while judgment was fixed for December 1, 2014. But a series of adjournments delayed the delivery of the ruling till April 29.

When justice Liman finally delivered his ruling today, he found the two accused persons guilty on some of the counts. The judge convicted Mr. Eboigbodin for money laundering on counts 50-59, while Mr. Igbinedion was pronounced guilty as charged on counts 79-81.

The judge however deferred the sentencing of the convicts till tomorrow April 30, 2015.

Some lawyers in court said they were shocked that while the suspects committed the same offence and faced the same charges, the judge found Mr. Igbinedion guilty of a lesser offence.

“As it is now, Igbinedion may get away with a slap on the wrist while Eboigbodin may face a more severe punishment.”

N25Bn Scam: Judge convicts Igbinedion, others

I am not aware of ban on AIT, says Buhari

ABUJA—President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), said yesterday that he was not aware of the temporary ban imposed on African Independent Television, AIT, not to cover his official functions.

Consequently, he instructed all his aides, including the security team, to steer clear of all media activities and allow those assigned the responsibility to solely play the role with their colleagues.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday by Directorate of Media and Publicity of All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Campaign Council, Buhari said he read about the ban in the papers, stressing that he was neither consulted nor informed about the development.

The President-elect, however, aligned himself with the pronouncement of his party, which had since reversed the ban on AIT.

According to him, sticking to the ban can only bring the party at par with the outgoing People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

Buhari said: “I would like everyone to henceforth stay within his/her defined area of responsibility.

“The time of change has come and we must avoid making the same mistakes as the outgoing government.”

 

I am not aware of ban on AIT, says Buhari

Rescued girls undergo pregnancy, HIV tests - Military

The military authorities have taken the 293 women and girls rescued by the Special Forces during a raid on the dreaded Sambisa Forest   to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State.

Kenneth Minimah, Nigeria’s Chief of Army StafNigerian soldiers

An intelligence officer, who made this known to one of our correspondents on Wednesday, also said the women and girls were   undergoing a series of tests, including pregnancy and HIV in the hospital.

The officer also said that seven of the girls had gunshot injuries which were being treated by the medical officials of the UMTH.

Findings indicated that out of the 293 ladies, 200 were aged between 13 and 18, the age brackets of the Chibok schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram insurgents on April 14, 2014.

When one of our correspondents contacted the Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris. Olukolade, to confirm the officer’s information on the rescued females, he   said, “We will talk about it when we are through; we are busy moving them off the line of duty for a thorough screening.

“The military would do everything to take care of them and make them feel not traumatised.”

Our source explained that the military would on Thursday (today) commence a holistic   investigation of the identities of the girls and women after the   tests and treatment.

Another officer told The PUNCH that the DHQ   was being careful with saying who the women and girls were to avoid mistakes.

He said, “This is a sensitive matter that has to be handled with   serious caution. You cannot say before the commencement of the investigation that they are the Chibok girls or not.

“Another thing is that you cannot start asking them if they are from Chibok because of the harrowing experiences or trauma they   have gone through.

“Clearly, it would be too early for anybody to say that Chibok girls are among them or not; they are under custody; they went through trauma and we want to them to have some relief. Those with medical requirements are being treated.

“But the military is very careful.   There is the need to ascertain their true identities.

“There would be individual interrogation of each of those rescued, to ascertain their link with the sect.”

However, the Borno State Government said on Wednesday that most of the ladies were from Bumsiri, a village in Damboa Local Government Area of the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Information,   Mohammed Bulama, told journalists in Maiduguri   that, “The girls and women rescued are   our daughters just like the Chibok girls. We have to commend the military for liberating them, hoping that the rest will equally be liberated.

“Though everyone had thought they were the Chibok girls, but we should not lose sight that they are as important as the Chibok girls.

“At the moment, we are looking forward to   the time the 293 women/girls would be handed over to us so that we can begin the process of rehabilitating and reintegrating them into the society.”

Also, the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, described the military operation as “gratifying regardless of whether or not the rescued women   formed part of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted by insurgents in 2014.”

Shettima, in a     statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Isa Gusau, said, “I am so full of excitement and gratitude to God. I commend our gallant armed forces for this great feat. For me, the lives, safety and welfare of all citizens of Borno State are of equal importance.

“However, this rescue is also very dear to me. I am as pleased as much as I would be when the Chibok schoolgirls are rescued by the special grace of God. I am very optimistic, prayerful and supportive of the military’s ongoing rescue and counter-insurgency operations.

“We won’t give up on the Chibok schoolgirls like I said two weeks ago. No sane parent gives up on a missing child.

“I have daughters and I know the love of a parent to the girl child. For now, it is better to allow the military handle things, conduct their investigations and ascertain the identities of those rescued but irrespective of the identities of the girls, we are very happy that they have been rescued whether they are citizens of Borno or anywhere else.

“We have abiding faith in God that He will see us through these times and we shall overcome the temporary but traumatic moment of grief. God will set Chibok girls and all Nigerians free from fear and the brutality of Boko Haram insurgents and others in their league.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress has appealed to the abductors of the Chibok girls to embrace reconciliation and release them.

A Deputy President of the NLC, Mr. Peters Adeyemi,   said, “We use the opportunity to join in the call for the release of the Chibok girls; we plead with those who abducted them to release them in the spirit of national rebirth and lay down their arms to give way to a reconciliatory dialogue for peace and stability of the nation.”

Rescued girls undergo pregnancy, HIV tests - Military

FG condemns, demands corpses of executed Nigerians in Indonesia

The Federal Government has condemned the execution of four Nigerians by the Indonesian authorities over drug-related offences, despite pleas for clemency by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Nigerians executed in Indonesia

The government, while commiserating with the families of the deceased, demanded the repatriation of the corpses of the executed Nigerians.

It explained that they would be given decent burials by their various communities.

A terse statement on Wednesday from the Public Communications Division of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, gave the names of the executed Nigerians as Martin Anderson, Okwudili Oyatanze, Jaminu Abashin and Sylvester Obiekwe.

The government warned Nigerians to desist from drug trafficking and other offences.

The statement read in part, “The Federal Government of Nigeria has received with deep disappointment, news of the execution of four Nigerians ─ Martin Anderson, Okwudili Oyatanze, Jaminu Abashin and Sylvester Obiekwe ─ by the government of Indonesia for drug-related offences.

“These executions have taken place despite spirited pleas for clemency made at the highest level by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and more recently by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali.

“The Federal Government wishes to express its condolences to the families of the deceased.

“It has asked the Indonesian government for the repatriation of the remains of the executed persons so that they can be accorded decent burials by their various communities.

“Furthermore, government is committed to engage the government of Indonesia and other friendly countries regarding the conclusion of Prisoner Transfer Agreements and other bilateral means of safeguarding the interest and welfare of Nigerians.”

The convicts were reportedly taken to the Nusakambangan Island where they were executed by firing squad on Tuesday.

 

…Indonesia defends executions

Indonesia on Wednesday staunchly defended its execution of seven foreigners including two Australians as a vital front of its “war” on drugs as testimony emerged of how they went singing to their deaths, The Times of India reports.

Australia withdrew its ambassador in protest at the midnight executions, but Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, said he was merely applying “the rule of law” against narcotics traffickers.

The seven convicts – two from Australia, one from Brazil and four from Africa – were shot by firing squad along with one Indonesian, despite strident foreign appeals and pleas from family members.

Brazil expressed “deep regret” at the execution of its national, who is mentally ill according to his family, and said it was weighing its next move.

The condemned men reportedly all refused blindfolds and sang hymns, among them “Amazing Grace”, as they went to face the firing squad in a jungle clearing, according to a pastor who was with them.

As the clock ticked down to midnight, a group of tearful supporters also sang hymns, embraced and held candles aloft during a vigil at the port in Cilacap, the gateway to the prison island of Nusakambangan.

After the executions, family members could be seen crying as they were ushered away by friends and supporters, an AFP reporter saw.

A Filipina originally set to be executed was given an 11th hour reprieve after a woman who allegedly duped her into ferrying drugs to Indonesia came forward to police in the Philippines.

The reprieve for Mary Jane Veloso was hailed in the Philippines as a miracle and a gift from God, but Indonesian Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo stressed it was only a “postponement” to allow time for police investigations.

FG condemns, demands corpses of executed Nigerians in Indonesia

Akume, Tinubu meet in Lagos over Senate presidency

One of the top contenders for the Senate presidency, Senator George Akume, and the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday met at the Lagos home of Tinubu.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Senator George Akume

Our correspondent learnt that at the meeting which took place around 3pm, Tinubu told Akume to shelve his ambition and support Senator Ahmed Lawan, who represents Yobe-North senatorial district in the 8th Senate.

The battle for the Senate presidency was between the North-East and the North-Central. Akume, who is currently the Senate Minority Leader, represents Benue-North senatorial district in the Senate.

Senator Bukola Saraki, who represents Kwara-Central senatorial district in the North-Central geopolitical zone, had also openly expressed his intention to contest the number three seat in the country.

However, it was learnt that the leadership of the APC finally decided to zone the Senate presidency to the North-East following ‘fresh developments’.

A reliable source in the APC told our correspondent that Lawan had already been backed by the current Senate President, David Mark, and other members of the Peoples Democratic Party.

He said, “Tinubu explained to Akume that Lawan and Senator Mark are very close and already, some members of the PDP support him. Lawan has a good track record in the Senate and has been backed by almost all the senators in the North-East who feel the zone has been seriously marginalised.

“The catch there is that if the APC members in the Senate do not support Lawan and he wins the Senate presidency with bloc votes from the PDP and his friends in the North-East, he will be loyal to the PDP and may sideline us just as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, attributed his victory to the APC back in 2011 even though he was a member of the PDP.

“Mark will definitely do everything possible to ensure that Akume does not emerge Senate President if we pick Akume because they are not on good terms. Tinubu told Akume that he sacrificed his presidential ambition for the sake of the party.

“Tinubu, therefore, urged Akume to settle for the Deputy Senate presidency or Senate Majority Leader.”

The 8th Senate will have 60 APC members while the PDP will have 48. The number of senators in the North-East is 18.

The source said Akume was also asked to step down because the North-Central, where he hails from, had been holding the Senate presidency since 2007 while the North-East had never presided over the upper chamber of the National Assembly since independence.

He added that giving the North-East the seat would also be a way of rewarding them for giving the APC the second highest number of votes during the presidential election.

He said, “The current Senate president is from Benue State and has been in charge for eight years. Would it be fair to also handover the Senate presidency to another person from Benue?

“The President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, got more than 2.5 million votes from the North-East and this should be rewarded.”

It was learnt that Lawan, who just won a third term in office, had already been accepted by those close to the President-elect because he was among those who led Buhari’s presidential campaign in the then All Nigeria Peoples Party in 2007 in Yobe State.

The source told our correspondent that a committee comprising Tinubu’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Senator Gbenga Ashafa and Senator Ajayi Boroffice had been set up to meet with the aggrieved parties.

 

culled from punch

Akume, Tinubu meet in Lagos over Senate presidency

Court strikes out fresh suit on Funsho Williams’ murder

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday struck out an application seeking fresh investigations into the murder of a late governorship aspirant in Lagos, Funsho Williams.

Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, who struck out the application for want of diligent prosecution, also awarded a cost of N25,000  against the applicant, Bashir Junaid, a cemetary attendant.

Junaid is to pay the money to the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation, who had asked the court to strike out the matter with cost against the applicant.

Williams, an aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, was on July 27, 2006 strangled to death at his residence, 34A Corporation Drive, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

A Lagos State High Court in Igbosere had, on June 30, 2014,  discharged six men charged with the murder of the late PDP stalwart.

The six men – Bulama Kolo, Musa Maina, David Cassidy, Tunani Sonani, Mustapha Kayode and Okponwasa Imariebie – were freed after eight years by Justice Ebenezer Adebajo (retd.), who held that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against them.

Junaid filed the fresh application seeking an order of mandamus compelling the Inspector General of Police to re-open investigations into Williams’ assassination with the hope of possible fresh trial.

In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/137/14, Junaid had fingered as a prime suspect, a former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, against whom the late Williams had run for the office of Lagos Governor before his brutal killing.

Also listed as defendants were the All Progressives Congress legal adviser, Dr. Muiz Banire; Mr. Bаbаtundе Edu; Mr. Dele Alаkе,  Mrѕ.Mоduре Shasore аnd Olаdеlе Ajоmаlе.

Others were the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney General of Lagos State and the Lagos Commissioner of Police.

Junaid, who was arrested and detained by the police during preliminary investigation into williams’ death, was seeking compensation for exemplary damages in the sum of N5bn оvеr his alleged illеgаl dеtеntiоn аnd psychological trаumа.

Junaid, in his 48-роint ѕtаtеmеnt оf сlаim, alleged that the police disregarded his freely made statement, which could have assisted to unravel Williams’ killers.

He claimed that the concrete evidence that he tendered were diѕсаrdеd bу thе Fеdеrаl Central Invеѕtigаtiоnѕ Dераrtmеnt, Alagbon, Lagos.

Junaid, who  alleged that Tinubu used his influence with the police to exonerated himself, equally accused the police of compromise by allegedly  allowing Banire to change his statement after he had been cautioned.

When the matter was called in court on Wednesday, the plaintiff’s counsel, Miss O. Benjamin, referring to an earlier order made by the court, said, “My Lord, the matter is for mention today, unfortunately, we’ve not been able to obtain the order as we were told that the court is ill.”

But Ofili-Ajumogobia, who did not take kindly to the comment,  replied, “None of the staff can tell you that the court is ill, because I have never been ill in this division. What kind of illness will make the order not to be signed? A copy of the order is in the file, why would you not come to court and ask for your order? This and such utterances will not be condoned.”

In his own reaction, the counsel for the police IG and the AGF, K. Uwandu, urged the court to strike out the matter for want of diligent prosecution and to award N50,000 cost against the plaintiff.

Also responding, counsel for the 9th defendant, M. Olawoye, equally asked the court to strike the matter out for lack of diligent prosecution, but the counsel did not ask for cost.

Ofili-Ajumogobia, in a bench ruling held, “This matter is struck out for want of diligent prosecution. I award N25,000 cost in favour of the 1st and 4th defendants. I make no order as to cost for the 8th and 9th defendants as the counsel did not specify a definite sum.”

Court strikes out fresh suit on Funsho Williams’ murder

Buhari warns committee members not to witch hunt anyone

President Elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated a 19-member transition committee with a charge to members not to engage in a witch hunt or fault finding.

He also announced that his administration would not witch-hunt anybody because he was aware that government is a continuum.

Buhari said this while inaugurating the Ahmed Joda-led transition committee in Abuja, on Wednesday.

While expressing gratitude to members of the committee for accepting to serve at very short notice, he explained that the change from one government to another always involves complicated operational challenges.

According to him, the incoming government needs to know where the previous government stopped so that it can know where to continue.

He noted that Nigeria was blessed with outstanding men and women of competence and experience in different fields out of which his team has picked the nineteen to ensure a smooth process.

Buhari told committee members, “this assignment though onerous, it is well within your ability to accomplish, you are required to assess the information provided to you and advise me on its quality and accuracy.”

He also said, “It is a simple matter but you must have the right information if you are to shape appropriate policy decisions. Needless to repeat; that your committee and our government are not to witch-hunt or engage in fault finding.

“We want the facts and nothing but the facts, what has been done cannot be undone, our job is to learn from the mistakes of the past in an attempt to avoid similar errors.

“The time given for you to complete your assignment, two weeks, is short but because of the postponement of the election for six weeks from February 14 to March 28, the transition period has been truncated, we are obliged therefore to fast track steps to May 29.”

The President elect also charged the committee to ensure that it does not overlook “essentials.”

Buhari who spoke glowingly about Mallam Ahmed Joda the committee chairman, described him as one of the few surviving links of the first republic civil service to the present day.

He enjoined members of the committee to be prepared to work hard because Joda is an exerting task master adding that very few young men of his age can keep up with him.

Chairman of the Committee, Mallam Ahmed Joda who spoke on behalf of other members expressed appreciation to the President elect for considering them to be worthy to help prepare the ground for the incoming administration to take over smoothly on May 29, 2015.

He said, “We as a committee are determined to do the best we can within the time that is allowed to accomplish your wishes and to make it possible for you to achieve your vision and all that you wish for  our country.

“When I met you and you briefed me about this assignment, about the composition of the committee, I did observe that I’ve never served on a committee so weighty like this.

“I have people who are distinguished in their professions, who have their own enterprises and have their own businesses to look after and even serving governors and people in active service to the service of your incoming government and to the service of our motherland.”

He explained to the gathering that members of the committee met for the first time on Wednesday to get to meet and know one another and plan the committee’s schedule of activities over the next two weeks.

Joda also noted that members of the committee were committed and willing to work long hours even on weekends to deliver on their tasks.

“I promise you that we’ll do our best because we are not only serving you, we are serving our people. We are going to try to begin to lay the foundation for a strong country where justice and peace prevail.” He said.

The chairman expressed the opinion that Nigerians entrusted general Buhari with the task of healing their wounds and wiping away their tears and leading our nation to greatness because of the confidence they have in his ability.

Joda also said, “I pledge every one of us will give you the best and most earnest advice from the bottom of our hearts in order that our country, together in peace and unity can realize our goals and aspirations.

“I thank you once again on behalf of my members and I wish you every success, your success is our success and the success of our children and grandchildren and the citizens of Nigeria.”

Members of the committee are: Ahmed Joda, Dr. Doyin Salami, Adamu Adamu,Wale Edun, Mrs. Bola Adesola, Dr. Festus Odumegu and Mrs. Nike Aboderin and the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Oyegun.

Others are: Rivers State Governor, Rotimi  Amaechi, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Boss Mustapha, Sen. Hadi  Sirika, Dr. Ogbonaya Onu, Alh. Abubakar Malami, Gen. Lawal Jafar Isa, Mohammed Hayatudeen, Solomon Dalong, Prof. Tam David West and the national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Buhari warns committee members not to witch hunt anyone

Jonathan still in charge, don"t run parallel government - FG warns Buhari

he Federal Government on Wednesday warned against utterances and actions that are capable of portraying the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), as running a parallel government at a time President Goodluck Jonathan is still fully in charge.

Minister of National Planning, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, disclosed this at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Jonathan.

Sulaiman told State House correspondents that the council considered the state of the transition programme and took exception to some utterances and terms of reference of the transition committee set up by Buhari.

The minister, who is the chairman of the Technical Subcommittee of the outgoing government’s transition committee, said the council noted that such actions were suggesting that the current government was either being stampeded or being intimidated.

He said, “We did receive from the incoming government’s transition committee some terms of reference which we looked at critically and council did agree with. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan remains the current head of government of this country.

“The incoming government should avoid creating a parallel government while the government is still on.

“We take exception to some utterances and some of the terms of reference that look as if the current government is being stampeded or intimidated.

“Council frowned on ‎most of the statements, most of the provocations and council members are advised to work in line with the terms of reference of the current government.

“Council members are also told that the terms of reference as formatted by our transition committee should be strictly complied with.

“When the incoming government takes over government, they can come out with their programmes, they can come out with their own ‎agenda, they can decide to come out with policies in the way they feel like.

“This government remains resolute to the various programmes and projects ‎it is pursuing and the government will continue to do that until the morning of May 29.”

When he was asked to mention some of the terms of reference of the incoming government’s transition committee that the outgoing government was not comfortable with, Sulaiman asked journalists to go and do their investigation.

He warned that Jonathan’s magnanimity should not be taken as a sign of cowardice.

“The magnanimity of ‎Mr. President should not be taken to be cowardice.

“That is why Mr. President and indeed council members enjoined Nigerians to see the olive branch extended to Nigerians and international community as a way of keeping this country intact and as a way of ensuring peace in Nigeria.

“As such, whatever the outcome of the election, what is important is Nigeria’s national interest. And that national interest should be protected, enhanced and promoted at whatever level we are.

Jonathan still in charge, don"t run parallel government - FG warns Buhari

Corruption: Buhari vows to work with National Assembly

President-Elect,  Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, pledged to work with the incoming 8th N’Assembly as development partners to tackle corruption and scale down drastically, the cost of running government.

Buhari stated this while addressing a joint session of the re-elected and fresh members of the two chambers of the National Assembly, who are currently undergoing a one-week induction programme organised by the National Institute for Legislative Studies in Abuja.

He specifically urged  the elected federal lawmakers to collaborate with him on the budget process and restructuring of the public sector to guarantee transparency.

He noted that the cooperation between him and the legislators would enable both arms of government to collectively tackle the menace of high recurrent cost at the expense of capital and human development.

He lamented that high cost of governance had greatly affected  execution of capital projects, human development, and eroding public social services such as infrastructure, health and education.

The president-elect also identified lack of development in the agricultural and solid mineral sectors and therefore urged the lawmakers to appropriate policies that needed to be put in place and translated into laws.

“Distinguished Members of the 8th National Assembly, I see these challenges as the mission of my presidency. I need the support of the Members of the National Assembly on the battle front. I need your support in many respects,” he added.

Buhari asked the federal parliamentarians to take seriously, their oversight functions, which according to him, was critical in ensuring that policies are implemented effectively and transparently.

He said, “My mission to bring integrity into governance would better succeed if complemented with a strong culture of transparent oversight.”

Buhari  stressed an urgent need to contain the high state of insecurity and therefore urged the legislators to work together with him to address the problem from both its roots and manifestations.

He also noted that the strongest mitigating force at the moment was how to redress the power sector deficits, encourage investments that are job creating and focus on human development and reconstruction.

Buhari said,  “I am here today, to invite you to work with the executive as partners in progress, as champions of good governance and development and as warriors for change. Together, we can make this nation great and as a role model in Africa and other emerging economies and democracies.

Corruption: Buhari vows to work with National Assembly

Sambisa Forest: Rescued girls not Chibok Girls - Nigerian military

Girls rescued from Boko Haram terror camps in Sambisa Forest on Tuesday are “not the Chibok girls,” Nigerian Army spokesman Sani Usman said.

However, one official did not rule out that captives from other Boko Haram camps that were raided might include some of the 200 girls abducted in April 2014 from a school in Chibok.

Nigerian troops rescued 200 girls and 93 women Tuesday in the Sambisa Forest in the northeastern part of the country, the Nigerian Armed Forces announced on its official Twitter account. The forest is a stronghold for the militant Boko Haram group and is not far from Chibok.

Military spokesman Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade said the rescued girls and women are still being screened and none has spoken to their families yet.

The 2014 mass abduction from Chibok led to an international social media movement, #BringBackOurGirls, to rescue them. Boko Haram, a militant Islamist group, has been kidnapping females for years and has hundreds in their custody.

The Tokumbere, Sassa and Tlafa terror camps were raided and destroyed, said a source close to the military. The Tokumbere camp is the most notorious, where the training of small children by Boko Haram is said to have occurred, the source said. Boko Haram terrorists were killed in the operation, but the military did not say how many.

In recent weeks, Nigerian troops and vigilantes moved into the Sambisa Forest. Last Wednesday the troops had to retreat because of explosive devices Boko Haram planted in the forest, according to military sources and a vigilante who was with the troops.

On Monday, troops re-entered the forest and on Tuesday afternoon they raided Boko Haram camps and rescued scores of girls and women.

“We stumbled on the girls and may find more,” Usman said.

Information about the fate of the kidnapped schoolgirls has been spotty and inconsistent, with some school officials giving conflicting figures for the number of girls who were abducted or escaped their captors.

“We have no idea where the Chibok girls are or were,” CNN correspondent Christian Purefoy said Tuesday.

Culled from CNN

Sambisa Forest: Rescued girls not Chibok Girls - Nigerian military

You can"t return Nigeria to era of Degree 4 - AIT boss to Buhari

The proprietor of Daar Communications PLC, Raymond Dokpesi, has stated that Monday’s decision by the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to bar one of its subsidiaries, Africa Independent Television, from covering his activities was an attempt by the former military Head of State to bring back the era of Decree 4.

Mr. Dokpesi said Mr. Buhari lacks the power to stop the AIT from covering his activities, as doing so would amount to breaking the law.

Mr. Buhari as Head of State promulgated Decree 4, tagged Public Officers (Protection Against False Accusation) on March 29, 1984.

The law was drafted to punish authors of false statements and reports that exposed the Buhari administration and/or its officials to ridicule or contempt. Many journalists were arrested and jailed under the law.

Mr. Buhari’s party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Tuesday reversed the decision of the president-elect to stop AIT, saying all accredited media houses are free to report on his activities.

But speaking exclusively to PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday, Mr. Dokpesi stated that Mr. Buhari should be reminded that he cannot return Nigeria to the era of Decree 4.

“I am sure that the President-elect needs to be reminded of Decree 4, and he should be clearly reminded that section 32 of the constitution makes it mandatory for the media to hold public officials accountable to the people,” he said.

He also said Section 39 of the constitution equally grants Nigerians the freedom of expression and to hold opinion.

“The president-elect said that he does not want to be covered by AIT, but AIT has a responsibility to the Nigerian public to report the things that are happening,” he said.

“There are three national networks available for national coverage in Nigeria, the NTA, AIT and Silverbirds. You cannot stop a foremost private station from reporting in Nigeria, it brings us back to Decree 4 era.”

Mr. Dokpesi also acknowledged that Mr. Buhari may have taken his decision based the documentaries ran by the station during the electioneering campaign.

He said Daar Communications is a commercial entity and therefore reserves the right to run anything it considers worthy of being televised. He said there is also a right of response available to anyone who feels strongly about any matter broadcast by the station.

“If they had produced their own documentary to say this is what we want and AIT did not publish it, then that is another matter,” he said.

“What is obviously very clear is the fact that AIT believes that the historical information about the President elect that were ran, were factually correct. Nothing was done to defame him or impinge on his character or integrity.”

Mr. Dokpesi also added that another documentary about one of the national leaders of APC, Bola Tinubu were also factually correct.

The media proprietor said although the documentaries were produced outside of Daar communications, “We take responsibility for the running of these items and I as an individual is satisfied because due diligence was followed in ensuring that the things that are contained were factually right”.

You can"t return Nigeria to era of Degree 4 - AIT boss to Buhari

News Agency of Nigeria boss, Niboro, faces probe over allegations of corruption

Government inquiry will open Wednesday (today) to examine allegations of corruption and mismanagement against Ima Niboro, the head of the News Agency of Nigeria, and former spokesperson to President Goodluck Jonathan, accused of abuse of office and financial misdeeds.

The investigation by the board of NAN, authorised by the Ministry of Information, will commence more than one month after three staff members of the agency filed petitions accusing Mr. Niboro of approving funds beyond his powers, awarding contracts without necessary approvals, and dampening staff’s morale.

The staff also accuse Mr. Niboro of distorting a functional organogram of the agency through “irrational transfers”.

The allegations

But those accusing Mr. Niboro say he is adding no value to the agency he was deployed to head a last year, saying he has instead created more problems through deliberate fraudulent and overbearing policies.

The redesign and management of NAN’s webs infrastructure is foremost on the grievance list compiled by some staff of the agency.

The staffers accused Mr. Niboro of awarding the contract for the design of a new news portal to Infomall – a Nigerian software development company – for N16.6 million without a tendering process that would have seen the contractor compete with other developers for expertise and cost.

“Indeed, the award was made on job proposal,” the petition submitted to the permanent secretary, Ministry of information, in February said.

The same company was awarded a second data archiving contract for N16.5 million and the sums paid instantly, “without certification by the technical or IT unit”.

Mr. Niboro, however, claimed iMate Ltd and Alpha International Ltd also bidded for the project. But the winner of the contract, Infomall, submitted its bid within the 24 hours before the contract was awarded.

“On January 12 (2015), he transferred from the editorial department, the executive director and Editor-in-Chief, Isaac Ighure, to Marketing department,” the protesting staffs also wrote in their petition.

This followed the outbound transfers of two other senior managing editors and directors – Joe Bankole and Lawal Ado – in the editorial department.

“These transfers had not only hindered editorial productivity but seriously dampened the morals of reporters and editors who are disillusioned by career growth uncertainty,” the aggrieved staffs complained. “It is a case of ‘when gold rust, what happens to iron?’”

Mr. Niboro argued that he made the transfers because of a longstanding squabble between Messr. Bankole and Ado that affected their jobs at the agency for years.

Mr. Niboro was President Goodluck Jonathan’s spokesperson from when he was governor in Bayelsa state till shortly after Mr. Jonathan succeeded late Umaru Yar’Adua as president in 2010.

He was appointed the head of the news agency in February 2014, barely one year ago. He was called off a newsroom to head the agency nearly three years after he was sacked to pave way for the appointment of Reuben Abati, Mr. Jonathan’s current spokesperson.

In his short stay, his subordinates say he has acquired four luxury cars worth N50 million with the agency’s funds, while staff are owed allowances and are not provided with some of the most needs like drinking water at NAN’s head office in Abuja.

“Within the last one year, Mr. Niboro acquired two Ford Pilot trucks – both costing more than N10.9 million each – and a Range Rover 2010 model worth N23.5 million,” the petition said. “These were acquired nine months after the agency paid for the purchase of a Pajero.”

Mr. Niboro admitted buying the Ford Pilot trucks with flash lights but said that he acquired them for special duties including navigating difficult terrains to hunt for news reports.

“I put one in Abuja and the other in Lagos,” he said. “I do not use them myself. I do not drive in convoy as the petitioners claim.”

The staff also accuse Mr. Niboro of awarding shady contracts and having a preference for paying for them in cash, rather than through the banks.

“Sometimes he pays contractors in full from start,” his colleagues said.

Mr. Niboro argued that these claims were false.

“They are lying,” he said, pointing at a table in the document showing that a contractor upgrading NAN’s office building had an outstanding balance with the agency.

He explained that the allegations he huge sums in cash to contractors false too. He claimed that he cashed out the sums in Naira, channelled them through a Bureau de Change who changed the money into U.S. dollars before paying same into the agency’s domiciliary account from where the contractor was paid.

“No contractor was paid in cash,” he said. “It is a standard practice. Even in my private business, I’ve done it.”

The investigative panel is expected to verify all the claims and issue precise verdicts.

News Agency of Nigeria boss, Niboro, faces probe over allegations of corruption

Nigerian army has committed human rights violations in the North - Ezekwesili

• Ezekwesili concedes Nigerian army has committed human right abuses in the fight against Boko Haram

• “Oby” thinks #BringBackOurGirls has not failed and Boko Haram can still be defeated

• Former government minister and World Bank vice president says Nigeria has a problem with the “political class” and insists she is “not a politician”

• Former President Obasanjo was “aware of the elements of corruption” but the government “didn’t succeed fully” in tackling them

• She believes the IMF and World Bank should pull out of Africa by 2033

Obiageli Ezekwesili on Al Jazeera

Obiageli Ezekwesili, co-founder of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, former Nigerian Minister of Education, and former World Bank vice president for Africa, tells Al Jazeera’s Head to Head that Nigerian armed forces have committed human rights abuses in their fight against the violent group Boko Haram in the north of the country. “It clearly does have instances where human rights violations have happened,” she says.

In this new episode of Head to Head, airing 1 May 2015 at 8.pm on Al Jazeera English, Oby, as she’s affectionately referred to in Nigeria, tells host Mehdi Hasan and an audience at the Oxford Union that, a year after over 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped in Chibok, northern Nigeria, by Boko Haram, the #BringBackOurGirls campaign was not a failure. “No, I wouldn’t say that we have failed. I would say that we have not been able to move the elephant.”

Oby blamed the outgoing administration of President Goodluck Jonathan for its inaction and failure to rescue the young hostages, and said she thought it was still possible to defeat Boko Haram.

Known as “Madam Due Process” for her fierce anti-corruption drive, Oby founded Transparency International in 1996, was an advisor to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and served in two of his cabinets as Minister of Education and Minister of Solid Minerals between 2003 and 2007. After leaving government, Oby moved on to become vice president of the World Bank for Africa, where she stayed until 2012. More recently she coined the phrase “Bring Back Our Girls,” which turned into a world-famous Twitter-hashtag campaign.

Questioned by Hasan about endemic corruption in Nigeria, Oby said her country has a “political class problem,” but refused to condemn her former boss and mentor President Olusegun Obasanjo, who ruled between 1999 and 2007.

Under pressure by Hasan, she conceded Obasanjo was “aware of the elements of corruption, and it was his responsibility to tackle” them, but categorically denied he was corrupt himself. “Of course it [the government] was [corrupt]! [But] There was no way it could have been more corrupt than the government of Abacha,” she said, referring to the military dictatorship of Sani Abacha that preceded Obasanjo’s rule. Oby lamented that the government she was part of was not able to “succeed fully” in tackling corruption, and defended her own track record, saying she had not been “window dressing” for a corrupt regime and insisting – despite holding two ministerial positions in the Nigerian government, being an advisor to presidents and holding high office at the World Bank – that she was not a politician.

During the interview, Ezekwesili and Hasan discussed whether widespread poverty, inequality and corruption are at the root of the brutal Boko Haram insurgency, and debated whether World Bank policies have helped or hurt Africa’s development.

Challenged over the effects of Word Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditionalities for African countries, Oby told Hasan she would “define an exit date” for both institutions. When pressed about setting the exit date, she said she stuck to her 2008 suggestion of a 25 year deadline by 2033.

Hasan is joined by a panel of three experts: Priscilla Nwikpo, a British-Nigerian broadcaster and commentator; Richard Itaman, a Nigerian economist and researcher at the University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies; and Richard Dowden, executive director of the Royal African Society in the UK and former correspondent for The Economist.

In each episode, Hasan goes head to head with a special guest, asking the probing and hard-hitting questions few dare to ask on the big issues such faith, foreign intervention, the Middle East, US foreign policy, and the economic crisis.

 

Nigerian army has committed human rights violations in the North - Ezekwesili