APC calls for trial of Wike, others for murder

…….Congratulates Peterside on Election Tribunal victory

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has made a passionate appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to hasten to fulfil his pledge that those who perpetrated various acts of violence during the last general elections would be duly punished so as to serve as a deterrent to others who may be contemplating such acts in the future.

Nyesom Wike

“We appeal to our Dear President to quickly look at the issue of Rivers State, where Chief Nyesom Wike and other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) henchmen planned and executed a mind-boggling campaign of violence that claimed over a hundred APC members and supporters in their desperate bid to capture power.

Wike and his people should be prosecuted for murder without delay to restore hope to the families whose breadwinners were slain during the elections. Wike and his evil collaborators should be brought to justice, as this is the only way the souls of our people killed because of these elections can rest in peace,” Rivers APC said in a statement on Thursday in Port Harcourt and signed by the Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya.

The party told Chief Wike to correctly read the handwriting on the wall and start packing his bags in readiness to leave the Rivers State Government House which he has been occupying since May 29 due to the wrong verdict of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announcing him as winner of the April 11 governorship poll in the State. “We happily welcome the striking out, yesterday by the Rivers Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, of the eligibility suit filed against the APC gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, by Chief Wike. With this, the stage is set for the unraveling of the big scam that saw Chief Wike illegally occupying the Rivers Government House. For Wike, there is no more hiding place. He should start packing his bags as his ouster is imminent,” Rivers APC said.

The party congratulated Dr. Dakuku Peterside for all the successes he has so far recorded at the Tribunal and urged him not to relent until the infamous victory of Wike against the wishes of Rivers State and her people is completely upturned. “We remain fully convinced that Dr. Peterside is the popular choice of Rivers people and that he will retrieve his stolen mandate sooner than later,” Rivers APC said.

APC calls for trial of Wike, others for murder

Why we could not defeat Boko Haram, by ex Defence chief

Ex Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh has identified the military’s lack of equipment and motivation for the inability to defeat the Boko Haram insurgency ravaging the Northeast.

Alex Badeh Ibrahim Seid Mahamat

Badeh also blamed those he referred to as fifth columnist among the Armed Forces and other security agencies for leakage of intelligence information to the insurgents in the counter insurgency campaign.

“For the first time, I was head of a military that lacked the relevant equipment and motivation to fight an enemy that was invisible and embedded with the local populace.

“Added to this, was the exploitation of a serious national security issue by a section of the press and the political class to gain political mileage.

“Furthermore, the activities of fifth columnists in the military and other security agencies who leaked operational plans and other sensitive military information to the terrorists, combined to make the fight against the insurgents particularly difficult”, the ex Defence chief stated.

Badeh stated this Thursday in his valedictory address at the pulling out ceremony to mark his exit from the Armed Forces. He was removed alongside other Service Chiefs on July 13.

He regretted that unpatriotic activities of certain members of the military blunted the effectiveness of the fight against the insurgents, leading to the needless death of officers and men in the hands of the insurgents.

He continued, “The decision by certain countries to deny us weapons to prosecute the war also added to the challenges we faced. Despite these challenges, I am glad to note that a lot was achieved during our time in the fight against terror.

“The achievements recorded are largely due to the commitment, patriotism and fighting spirit of our men and women in uniform who saw the fight against terror as a task that must be accomplished no matter the odds and inspite of the campaign of calumny against the military by a section of the media with their foreign collaborators.

“The support of our teeming populace who have continued to stand behind their military has been quite encouraging. Also, our true friends who stood by us in our time of need and provided us the weapons we are now using to conduct the operations will always have a special place in our hearts”.

Further lamenting the underfunding of the military by successive administrations, Badeh said the development left the nation’s military ill prepared for the Boko Haram insurgency.

According to him, this left available military facilities and personnel overstretched, leading to the devastation in the Northeast occasioned by insurgent attacks.

“Permit me to also add here, that nation’s militaries are equipped and trained in peace time, for the conflicts they expect to confront in the future.

“Unfortunately that has not been our experience as a nation. Over the years, the military was neglected and underequipped to ensure the survival of certain regimes, while other regimes, based on advice from some foreign nations, deliberately reduced the size of the military and underfunded it.

“Unfortunately, our past leaders accepted such recommendations without appreciating our peculiarities as a third world military, which does not have the technological advantage that could serve as force multipliers and compensate for reduced strength.

“Accordingly, when faced with the crises in the Northeast and other parts of the country, the military was overstretched and had to embark on emergency recruitments and trainings, which were not adequate to prepare troops for the kind of situation we found ourselves in.

“It is important therefore for the government to decide on the kind of military force it needs, by carrying out a comprehensive review of the nation’s military force structure to determine the size, capability and equipment holding required to effectively defend the nation and provide needed security.

“This is based on the fact that without security, there cannot be sustainable development. The huge cost that would be required to rebuild the Northeast and other trouble spots in the country could have been avoided if the military had been adequately equipped and prepared to contain the on going insurgency before it escalated to where it is today,” he submitted.

Why we could not defeat Boko Haram, by ex Defence chief

Buhari Has Deep Hatred For Igbo – Ohanaeze

Pan-Igbo cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of having deep hatred for the Igbo nation.

Speaking on ‘Face the Press’, a programme an Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), the President of Anambra State chapter of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr. Chris Eluemuno said all the actions and utterances of President Buhari pointed to the fact that he did not like the Igbo.

Eluemuno, who is also the chairman of all chairmen of Igbo-speaking states, said Buhari had no reason to discriminate against the Igbo.

He frowned on the President’s appointment of five service chiefs in the country without an Igbo representation.

Eluemuno called on the Igbo to brace up to the challenge posed to them by the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government which he said, was not justified.

He condemned the President’s promise to compensate those who gave him more votes saying: “There is no way the President should expect all Nigerians to vote for him in the last presidential election.”

He said the statement contradicted Buhari’s earlier stand that he belonged to everybody and belonged to nobody.

Dr. Eluemuno said Buhari’s current actions justified the decision of the Igbo not to vote for him in the election.

He said that Igbo played prominent roles in the development of the country and should not be discriminated against in the scheme of things.

On the President’s decision to probe only former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, the Ohanaeze leader said it would amount to witchunt if the President did so.

He advised that the probe should start from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

He also urged the President not to jettison the report of the last Constitutional Conference, but study it critically and make use of it.

The report of the conference, he insisted, was key to fighting corruption in Nigeria. He said it contained recommendations that could help the President succeed in his fight against corruption in the country.

The Ohanaeze leader condemned the decision of the President to travel with All Progress Congress(APC) governors during his recent trip to the United States.

The Sun.

Buhari Has Deep Hatred For Igbo – Ohanaeze

Edo IRS seals 20 firms for unremitted taxes

The Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) has sealed over 20 companies in the Hospitality sector for alleged non-remittances of the consumption taxes collected on behalf of the state government.

oshiomhole

Addressing reporters in Benin, the Director of Tax Intelligence and Enforcement Department of EIRS, Mr. Victor Okube, said over 70 companies in the sector had been identified for failing to comply with the Hotels and Event Centres Occupancy and Restaurants Consumption Law of Edo State, otherwise called the Consumption Tax.

Okube said: “The establishments sealed off include Royal Kada Fried, De Mariot Hotel Limited, Meridian Lodge, Koso International Hotel, Anna Vinni Bar and Restaurant, Indigo Lounge, Dema Suit and Hotel, Aso Phil Carwash and Bar, Hotel De Eto and Tomline Royal Centre.

The director said the enforcement was meant to ensure that operators in the sector complied with the state’s tax law, which became effective in 2011.

He added that the agency’s cashless collection and payment policy was still in force.

Okube said collection agents of the sealed establishments should remit the consumption taxes into designated Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) bank accounts or pay via Point of Sales (PoS) machines with Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards.

He urged them to obtain government treasury receipts on presenting bank tellers for payments.

Edo IRS seals 20 firms for unremitted taxes

Egyptian court adjourned Al Jazeera"s retrial for the ninth times to Aug. 2.

The Egyptian court for the ninth times, has adjourned the retrial of three Al Jazeera journalists to August 2.

Al Jazeera journalist in Prison

The journalists are: Peter Greste-an Australian, Baher Mohamed-Egyptian, and Mohamed Fahmy-Canadian.

The three journalists were found guilty in June 2014 for aiding a terrorist group, Muslim Bortherhood which was outlaw after President Mohamed Morsi was successfully overthrown in 2013.

 

Greste and Fahmy received seven years, while Mohamed was given 10 years.

Following today’s adjournment of the retrial verdict in Cairo, Al Jazeera Media Network’s Acting Director General Dr Mostefa Souag said:

“We are outraged that the verdict has been adjourned as today was meant to be the final court hearing for our colleagues. We, along with others, expected a swift end to the ordeal for Baher Mohamed, Mohamed Fahmy, and Peter Greste.

“All three men have been under immense stress and pressure for the past nineteen months and delaying the final verdict has just continued the strain on them and their families.

“We demand the Egyptian authorities bring an end to the charges against Baher, Peter and Mohamed which should be dropped immediately. Journalism is not a crime.”

 

Egyptian court adjourned Al Jazeera"s retrial for the ninth times to Aug. 2.

22 APC Northern senators ‘working against Buhari’

TWENTY-TWO Northern senators elected on the All Progressives Party (APC) platform have been identified as “teaming up with the opposition to work against President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling party”.

The senators allegedly teamed up with 46 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators in the Red Chamber to pass a confidence vote in the leadership of the Senate under Dr. Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu, a PDP senator.

Thirty-five APC senators were among the 81 who purportedly endorsed the vote of confidence in the principal officers of the Senate.

The Nation learnt yesterday that 22 of them are from the North, according to the list attached to the motion moved on the floor of the Senate by Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

The 22 senators are: Anyanwu, who promoted the Motion; Abdul A.M. Nyako;Isah Hamma Misau; Kabiru Gaya; Adamu Aliero; Abdullahi Adamu; David Umaru; Ahmed Rufa’I Sani; Tijjani Yahaya Kaura; Ahmadu Abubakar and Malam A. Wakili.

Others are: Abubakar Kyari; Sabo Mohammed; Dino Melaye; Abdulrahman Abubakar; Binta Masi Garba; Mohammed Goje; Muhammad U. Shitu; Salihu H. Egye and Aliyu S. Abdullahi.

The senators have been accused of working against the party on which platform they were got elected into the National Assembly.

The leadership of the Senate has been working against the position of the ruling party since inception.

It disregarded the APC’s  advice that those who were shut out on May 29 be accommodated as principal officers for peace to reign.

As against legislative practice that only ranking members should be appointed as principal officers, two new senators – Godswill Akpabio and Abiodun Olujimi were named by Senate President as Minority Leader and Deputy Chief Whip on Tuesday.

An APC senator, Kabiru  Marafa (Zamfara Central), who raised a point of order, was ruled out of order by Saraki, who said the senator was crying more than the bereaved. House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara bowed to the wish of the party by naming those recommended by the party as principal officers when the Green Chamber reconvened on Tuesday.

22 APC Northern senators ‘working against Buhari’

No nation can beat terror in isolation, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday night said that Nigeria and neighbouring countries must stand together to defeat the terrorists group, Boko Haram in the sub-region.

President Buhari

He made the remark at a state dinner in Yaounde, during his two-day working visit to Cameroon.

Buhari said that countries in the sub-region cannot afford to falter in their resolve to get rid of the evils of terrorists.

He said: “We recognize that none of us can succeed alone. In order to win this war we need the collective efforts of each one of us, standing together as a formidable force for good, to defeat and end these acts of terror against our people.”

He also informed guests at the dinner hosted by President Paul Biya that the security situation in the region presented an opportunity for Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin to work together for their common security, peace and socio-economic development.

“Let me assure all of my relentless pursuit of all possible means to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity, protect the lives and property of our citizens as well as my commitment to continue to collaborate with Cameroon and our neighbours, within the framework of the Lake Chad Basin Commission.

“The Federal government of Nigeria is committed to respecting international norms to resolve this matter and to restore normalcy to all the affected areas as soon as possible,’’ he said.

Buhari, who had earlier on his arrival on Wednesday held a closed-door session with his host, thanked President Biya for providing refuge to Nigerians who had fled their homes because of the insurgents.

He also commended Cameroon for its support to Nigerian military and security personnel in the fight against terrorism and offered his condolences to the families of the victims of terror in both countries.

He also announced Nigeria’s willingness to expand economic partnerships with Cameroon, through increased joint ventures in infrastructure development, transport and commerce, among others.

Buhari welcomed the achievements so far recorded by the Nigeria-Cameroon Joint Commission and all the landmark agreements signed between both countries.

Describing the relations between both countries as excellent, he recognized the roles played by past and present leaders and Nigerian citizens in sustaining friendly relations with Cameroon.

Biya, while congratulating President Buhari for a successful inauguration into office, said that Buhari’s electoral victory has provided an opportunity for him to preside over the “destiny of Nigeria.”

He said: “Mr President, a dark cloud is looming over our countries even as we welcome you; we are facing the same threat, which may rock the foundation of our two nations.

“This danger bears the name of Boko Haram, its atrocities and crimes are jeopardizing peace around Lake Chad and especially in our two countries.

“The number of dead and victims are rising, economic activities have been crippled in affected areas, the number of refugees and displaced persons are ever increasing.

“We cannot allow this cancer to spread, we must pool our resources and forces and share our experiences,’’ he said.

President Biya, who reaffirmed Cameroon’s commitment in the fight against terror, welcomed the “fresh push” on economic ties between both countries through easing of trade.

“I strongly believe in your readiness to work towards that goal and your visit to Cameroon as well as the discussions we have had have strengthened my conviction.” he said

No nation can beat terror in isolation, says Buhari