Breaking: Adeosun departs Nigeria to UK

The former minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun has on Saturday left Nigeria to UK. Her associates who confirmed the story said ‘She most likely is in the UK by now’

Recall that Adeosun resigned yesterday following opprobrium that surrounded her forged National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, Certificate.

Details later...

How my preaching against tithes rendered me poor, jobless – Freeze cries out

Controversial On-Air Personality (OAP), Daddy Freeze has cried out over his poor financial status since he began to preach against payment of tithes in churches.

Freeze writing on his Twitter Page said that his campaign against tithe has crumbled his finances and affected his career.

According to him, since his ‘Free The Sheeple’ movement began, he had lost businesses, clients and opportunities.

The staunch ‘church’ critic said, ‘‘From my experience with these people who stop at nothing, if you dare speak out against the lies many of them are telling, you are in for a lot.

”They fought me on every realm. I lost every business client, I used to MC a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5 events monthly and I used to charge more than a million Naira per event. I haven’t MCed in 2 years.

”They went as far as trying to get me sacked from work so I can be without much of a ‘crown’ and ‘frozen’.

”All I do now is teach the Bible from home online and in my weakness, his great strength prevails. My egbon, I pray that the river of truth that is flowing from your mouth NEVER ceases and in the weakness of whatever persecution may come, God’s strength in you will prevail.”

Source: Daily post.  

The Ambassador of Nigeria in Doha, Qatar, Amb. Abdullahi Wase is dead.

The Ambassador of Nigeria in Doha, Qatar, Amb. Abdullahi Wase is dead.

A statement in Abuja on Saturday by the spokesman, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tope Elias-Fatile, said Wase, a non-career ambassador from Plateau State, had been sick for a while until his death on Friday night.

The late envoy would be buried in Doha at 7.00pm (local time) today.

“The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, received the news of his death with shock and prayed that God grant his family and the nation the fortitude to bear the great loss,” the statement added.

Source: Daily Trust.

BIBLICAL TRADITIONS OF IGBOS BEFORE THE MISSIONARIES CAME TO AFRICA

IGBO 101. By Nwanyikaibeya Yaro

1. NSO NWANYI
In Igboland women live apart from their husbands and neither cook for them or enter their husband's quarters when they are in their period. They are seen as unclean. Even up till today such practice is still applicable in some parts of Igboland especially by the traditionalists. Before a woman can enter the palace of Obi of Onitsha, she will be asked if she is in her period, if yes, she will be asked to stay out.

Leviticus 15: 19-20
When a woman has her monthly period, she remains unclean, anyone who touches her or anything she has sat on becomes unclean.

2. ANA OBI
An Igbo man's ancestral heritage, called “Ana Obi” is not sellable, elders will not permit this. If this is somehow done due to the influence of the West the person is considered a fool and is ostracized by the community.

1 king 21:3
I inherited this vineyard from my ancestors, and the Lord forbid that I should sell it, said Naboth.

3. IKUCHI NWANYI
Igbos have practiced the taking of a late brother's wife into marriage after she had been widowed until the white men came. Now it is rarely done but except in very rural villages.

Deuteronomy 25:5
A widow of a dead man is not to be married outside the family; it is the duty of the dead man's brother to marry her.

4. IGBA ODIBO
In Igboland, there is a unique form of apprenticeship in which either a male family member or a community member will spend six(6) years (usually in their teens to their adulthood) working for another family. And on the seventh year, the head of the host household, who is usually the older man who brought the apprentice into his household, will establish (Igbo: idu) the apprentice
by either setting up a business for him or giving money or tools by which to make a living.

Exodus 21:2
If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve you for six years. In the seventh year he is to be set free without having to pay you anything.

5. IRI JI OFUO
In Igboland , the yam is very important as it is their staple crop. There are celebrations such as the New yam festival (Igbo: Iri Ji) which are held for the harvesting of the yam. New Yam festival (Igbo: Iri ji) is celebrated annually to secure a good harvest of the staple crop. In the olden days it is an abomination for one to eat a new harvest before the festival. It's a tradition that you give the gods of the land first as a thanksgiving.

Deuteronomy 16:9
Count 7 weeks from the time that you begin to harvest the crops, and celebrate the harvest festival to honor the lord your God, by bringing him a freewill offering in proportion to the blessing he has given you. Celebrate in the Lord's presence together with your children, servants, foreigners. Be sure that you obey my command, said the Lord.

6. IBE UGWU
In Igboland it's a tradition that the male children are circumcised on the 8th day. This tradition is still practiced till date.

Leviticus 12:3
On the eighth day, the child shall be circumcised.

7. OMUGWO
In Igboland, there is a practice known as "ile omugwo ". After a woman has given birth to a child, a very close and experienced relative of hers, in most cases her mother is required by tradition to come spend time with her and her husband. During which she is to do all the work of the wife, while the new mom's only assignment to the baby will be to breastfeed. This goes on for a month or more. In the Igbo old tradition, at this time, the new mom lives apart from her husband, would not cook or enter his quarters.

Leviticus 12:1-4
For seven days after a woman gives birth, she is ritually unclean as she is during her monthly period. It will be 33 days until she is ritually clean from the loss of blood; she is not to touch anything that is holy.

Merkel Melts Down After Thousands Of Germans Protest Violent Migrants

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was heckled as she condemned thousands of right-wing protesters in eastern Germany, who took to the streats after the deadly stabbing of a 22-year-old German man at the hands of two Afghan nationals in the town of Chemnitz.

The German chancellor was heckled during a lively Bundestag debate by the head of the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany party (AfD), Alexander Gauland, who accused her of dividing Germany with her immigration policy, endangering peace and spreading fake news by supporting controversial evidence that far-right protesters were hounding foreigners through the streets. –Guardian

Merkel shot back, acknowledging the anger felt over the stabbing – however she said that “there is no excuse or explanation for rabble-rousing, in some cases the use of violence, Nazi slogans, hostility towards people who look different, to the owner of a Jewish restaurant, attacking police.”

She also responded to comments made by the head of Germany’s BfV domestic intelligence agency, Hans-Georg Maaßen, who criticized her spokesman for characterizing the anti-immigrant protesters as “hunting” immigrants.

Gauland accused Merkel of “spreading fake news when your spokesman spoke of ‘Hetzjagd’ (hunting),” adding “The truth is, there was no hunting down of people in Chemnitz.”

Merkel shot back: “Abstract rows about ‘Hetzjagd’ are not helpful.”

Gauland came under fire for his comments;

In an interruption to Gauland, allowed under the rules of Bundestag discourse, Martin Schulz, the former leader of the Social Democrats, referred to him as “belonging to the dungheap of German history” over what he saw as the AfD’s contribution to the spread of anti-immigrant sentiment. –Guardian

Meanwhile, Maaßen faced questioning Wednesday by Germany’s interior affairs committee over public remarks he gave to a newspaper in which he questioned the veracity of a video which allegedly depicts protesters chasing foreigners. A police report from the night in question emerged on Wednesday, claiming that “right-wing extremists” did in fact chase foreigners through the streests.

According to the document, leaked to an investigative journalism program, several officers on scene during the protest reported witnessing an increasing number of hooligans arriving in the city. At approximately 9:42 p.m., officers reported that “masked persons (right-wing) are looking for foreigners,” and that at 9:47 p.m. “20 to 30 masked persons armed with stones” were reported to be “heading towards Brühl, to the Schalom restaurant.”

As referred to by Merkel in her speech, the Jewish restaurant was attacked, a window was smashed and its owner, Uwe Dziuballa, was injured after being hit by a stone. Masked men shouted at him: “Clear out of Germany, you Jew-pig.”

The programme, Frontal 21, revealed that one of the men in the video at the centre of the controversy had worked as a security guard at a refugee shelter in Chemnitz, but that his employer, Securitas, had sacked him with immediate effect after his identity was made known to the company. The man is said to be appealing his dismissal.

On Wednesday, Wolfgang Schäuble, the president of the Bundestag, appeared on national radio to defend Merkel’s decision in the summer of 2015 to allow nearly 1 million refugees into Germany – denying that it had been a mistake, and insisting that Germany had responded to an urgent humanitarian crisis by accepting refugees who needed help.

“But what we didn’t manage well enough was to prevent the impression the whole world was under: that now everyone, anywhere, who was living somewhere worse than Germany, could come. That’s what you always have to consider in politics, the impact of your communication,” he said.

Source: The Duran

Obama Expresses Regret Over Libya

President Barack Obama of the United States of America has said his “worst mistake” in his presidency was not planning for the aftermath of Muammar Gaddafi’s ouster.

Obama was reflecting on his time in office on Fox News when he dropped the bombshell. Though he expressed regret over failing to plan for Libya after Gaddafi, he said the intervention was “the right thing to do”.

Speaking to Fox News anchor, Chris Wallace who had asked what Obama’s worst mistake was, he said, “Probably failing to plan for the day after, what I think was the right thing to do in intervening in Libya."

This is not the first time Obama has opened up about his regrets regarding Libya. Speaking in an interview for the Atlantic, he said the U.S had planned to avoid a long-term military commitment in Libya as it was not at the core of U.S interests. He said his government had worked to get a UN mandate and built a coalition to prevent other countries from piggy-backing on U.S efforts. He regrettably then admitted that after all the meticulous efforts Libya was a mess. The magazine went as far as claiming that he calls it a “shit-show” in private.

Since the Libya intervention, the country has degenerated into the hub of anarchical politics. It is now ruled by rival militias trying to ascend to power yet the Islamic State is moving in. As it stands, Libya has two governments, one in Tripoli and the UN backed leadership domiciled in Torbuk. The leader of the UN backed unity government arrived earlier this month in Tripoli to begin garnering support for his government. The country, (like most Middle East countries the West has moved into for military reasons) is a monumental failure. Who is to blame? Obama has an answer, “When I go back and I ask myself what went wrong, there is room for criticism, because I had more faith in the Europeans, given Libya’s proximity, being invested in the follow-up.

He essentially pinned a considerable amount of blame on British Prime Minister David Cameron and former French President, Nicolas Sakorzy. He said Cameron stopped paying attention and got “distracted by a range of other things”. Obama accused Sakorzy of wanting to trumpet the flights he was taking in the air campaign and bragging. Sakorzy was out to prove a point and he forgot the bigger picture.

Meanwhile, the Tripoli authorities announced they were ceding power to the UN backed government to “preserve the higher interests of the country and prevent bloodshed and divisions” in Libya.

We inform you that we are ceasing the activities entrusted to us as an executive power,” read the statement they released. The National Salvation Government led by Khalifa Ghweil said the Tripoli prime minister, his deputies and cabinet ministers were all stepping aside. Libya’s two warring factions have run the country from Tripoli and Tobruk after a militia alliance installed its authority over the capital, forcing the internationally recognised parliament to flee to the remote east. The UN backed government sailed into Tripoli after their rivals closed down Tripoli’s airspace. Prime Minister designate, Fayez al-Sarraj and his six officials arrived quietly by boat in Libya from Tunisia. Their security bureau then threatened to send a list of 17 problematic figures to Interpol for “supporting terrorism” and impeding democratic transition. The Tripoli authorities have now capitulated having ceded power and the transition looks reasonably peaceful.
The Italian Foreign Minister, Paolo Gentiloni met the Libyan premier, Sarraj, describing the unity government as a game-changer. It is the first high-level visit by a Western official since 2014. The World Bank has held talks with Tunisia on ways to structure priorities. The diplomat said foreign embassies would be reopened in the capital in the near future. Sarraj has his work cut out for him but with foreign support, it is going to be a burden shared. General David Rodriguez, the commander of the United States military Africa Command recently said intelligence estimates the number of ISIS fighters in Libya is around four to six thousand which is probably double the number 12 to 18 months back. Sarraj will have to deal with this and human-traffickers who have made Libya their hub.

It is some consolation that the West seems to be back in the confines of reason again with Paolo Gentiloni asserting, “We can co-operate but cannot decide for the Libyans.”

Source: The African Exponent

BREAKING: Kemi Adeosun 'Resigns' As Finance Minister

Kemi Adeosun has resigned her position as Minister of Finance, two sources in Abuja have told SaharaReporters.

However, it is unclear as of yet when exactly the resignation will take effect, as SaharaReporters understands she is “currently in her office working”.

Details soon...

Police arrest suspected killers of Imo Catholic priest

The operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Imo State police command have arrested the suspected killers of Rev Fr.Jude Egbom of St Patrick’s Catholic church, Amucha, in the Njaba Local Government Area of the state.

Egbom was on Monday night along Nkwerre-Anara Road shot dead and his vehicle stolen.

Parading the suspects, Chigozie Uzoukwu, 33, and Peter Ochokwu, 21, on Thursday the state Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi, said that the suspects were nabbed in Nkwerre on September 11.

The CP who decried the killing of the cleric said that no murderer will go unpunished.

Worried by the gruesome killing of the priest, Galadanchi disclosed that he activated the Tactical Units of the command to nab the fleeing criminals.

He stated that the efforts of the command paid off with the arrest of the two suspects, recovery of the priest’s vehicle and bag.

The police boss informed that one of the suspects, Ochokwu, was an ex-convict who had spent one year in Owerri prison for alleged involvement in an armed robbery case.

Source: Punch. 

Buhari Appoints Yusuf Bichi As New DSS DG

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi as the new Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The appointment takes effect from Friday, September 14, 2018.

Mr Bichi will replace Mr Matthew Seiyeifa who has been in the acting capacity after the dismissal of Lawal Daura.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Thursday said Mr Bichi is a core Secret Service operative.

He attended Danbatta Secondary School, the Kano State College of Advanced Studies and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he graduated with a degree in Political Science.

He began his career in the security division of the Cabinet Office in Kano, from where he joined the defunct Nigerian Security Organization (NSO), the precursor of the present DSS.

Mr Bichi has undergone training in intelligence processing analysis, agent handling recruitment and intelligence processing in the UK, as well as strategic training at the National Defence College.

Mr Shehu stated that that new DSS boss is skilled in intelligence gathering, research analysis, conflict management, general investigation, risk and vulnerability operations, counterintelligence and protective operation and human resources management.

In the course of his career, Mr Bichi has worked as the State Director of Security in Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto and Abia States.

He was at various times the Director, National Assembly Liaison, (National War College), Director at National Headquarters in the Directorate of Security Enforcement, Directorate of Operations, Directorate of Intelligence, Directorate of Inspection and Directorate of Administration and Finance.

Bichi also served as a Director at State Service Academy

Source: channels.

Igbos are the problem of Biafra –Presidential aspirant

A presidential aspirant under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) SKC Ogbonnia, has argued that the Igbos in Nigeria are actually the problem plaguing the actualisation of a Biafra ideal in the country.

He said this against the backdrop of agitations that the Igbos are being marginalised in the country, which has led to many people demanding for a Biafra Republic from the Nigerian state.

Ogbonnia who spoke during an interview with Ripples Nigeria in Lagos in the series of interactions with presidential aspirants in the build up to the 2019 elections, noted that during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, a good number of Igbos were in power, but failed to use the opportunity to develop the south east area.

On how he would resolve the Biafra issue if he were president, he stated that he would dialogue with Biafra agitators like Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) group to understand that they should be questioning those in power who used the resources meant for development of the south east for their personal benefits.

“Biafra is not an issue, if I speak to Nnamdi Kanu for one hour, he will abandon Biafra. But he will turn his energy on those who looted the projects in Igbo land and I know them. We know who was in power before Buhari; do I have to go one by one? The list is long.

“Let’s go back when someone from the East was President; a Biafran was president, do you forget? Jonathan was a Biafran. Bayelsa was in Biafra? Is that debatable? Biafrans have ruled this country in the name of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; does he deny that?

“So when the Biafrans had power, what did Biafra do with the power? Within the time the Biafrans had power, Okonjo Iweala was minister of finance, the defacto prime minister, Barth Nnaji was minister of power, Deziani Madueke was minister of petroleum, aviation had Stella Oduah, Ike Ikweremadu was deputy Senate President, Ihediora was deputy speaker, Hope Uzodinma was chairman, aviation. Chairman of works, Senate, was Ayogu Eze; Chairman, House Committee on Works, Honourable Ogbuefi Ozombachi; Chairman of works, at the Senate is Biafra; chairman of works, federal House, is Biafran.

“The deputies in the two houses in charge of constituency projects were BIAFRANS. The person who was in charge of amending the constitution was Biafra, and they couldn’t amend the constitution to create the additional states that they were complaining about, and they spent N10 billion in the process.

“So if Nnamdi Kanu hears or sees these evidences and wants to continue to talk, shame on him”

According to him, the Igbos are deluding themselves if they think the presidency will be given to them on a platter of gold in 2023, as being promised by some politicians to have them support the current administration.

He stated that Igbos, and indeed other Nigerians should jettison the idea of zoning, even as he said he is not seeking the presidency as an Igbo man, but as a qualified Nigerian, who can bring about the needed change in the country.

On his chances of clinching the APC ticket towards the 2019 elections, since the date for collection of forms has expired, the aspirant expressed confidence that he would emerge president of Nigeria come 2019.

He asked Nigerians to rest assured that he has come to rescue the nation, and noted that Buhari has run afoul of the law by accepting the presidential nomination forms which was bought for him by a group.

Ogbonnia also stated that Buhari lacks the charisma to inspire Nigerians, and make them believe in things to come, which he said should be a requisite of good leadership.

He lamented that the administration of President Buhari was merely paying lip service to the fight against corruption, as the present reality suggest that it was protecting some politicians accused of corruption.

He said if he were president, he would not allow himself to be “played by the judiciary the way they are playing Buhari”, as he would establish special courts to speed up cases of corruption against politicians, to ensure that anyone found guilty would face the law, and not let the cases drag on endlessly. 

Source: Ripples. 

REX WORLD: Court orders WAEC to produce ledger of Sen Adeleke...

REX WORLD: Court orders WAEC to produce ledger of Sen Adeleke...: A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has given an order mandating the West African Examination Council (WAEC), through its Director Gene...

Michael B Jordan pegged as potential Superman replacement after news Henry Cavill will not return as DC hero?

 Cavill is hanging up his Superman cape after five years as the superhero.

And rumors are already circulating about who will take the role of the DC Comics favorite.
Michael B Jordan's name has been at the top of many lists, according to Deadline , who reported movie studio Warner Bros. 'has been mulling a completely different direction with its Superman canon for some time.'

Jordan proved his action chops playing villain Erik Killmonger in February's Marvel blockbuster Black Panther.
Any potential casting would be 'down the road' however, as Warner Bros. is currently focusing their might on a Supergirl film.
Meanwhile, Cavill is reportedly saying goodbye to the DC Universe as scheduling conflicts appear to have lead Warner Bros to rule out any future appearances for the actor, according to a story from The Hollywood Reporter .

Henry was set to appear as Superman in next April's release of Shazam!, which stars Zachary Levi but reportedly contract talks between the actor's representatives and Warner Bros broke down.
It's thought Henry's new lead role in Netflix series The Witcher meant he couldn't commit to the Shazam! cameo

Though Cavill's departure was widely reported, Warner Bros. wasn't confirming or denying any news about the franchise.
They released a statement that explained: 'While no decisions have been made regarding any upcoming Superman films, we’ve always had great respect for and a great relationship with Henry Cavill, and that remains unchanged,'
Henry first played Superman in 2013's Man of Steel, before the 2016 follow-up Batman v. Superman alongside Ben Affleck as Batman and last year's Justice League.

The reported cancellation is said to have led the studio to rule out future cameos, with its focus now on a Supergirl origin movie, following the success of Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, with that time shift meaning an adult Superman character wold not work.

A Supergirl film will follow rival Marvel's introduction of Brie Larson as Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel - the first female superhero in the MCU to have a standalone film - next March.
With its Supergirl plans, WB is said to be keen to shelve the character of Superman for a few years before a Bond style reboot with a new leading man.
'Superman is like James Bond, and after a certain run you have to look at new actors,' a studio source has claimed to THR.
The source adds that the studio realises it may be due a shakeup as their last movies didn't perform as well as hoped. 'There's a recognition that some parts of the previous movies didn't work,' says the studio insider.

Justice League ended its theatrical run with a worldwide box office total of $657,924,295, meaning it stands as the lowest grossing film of the DC Extended Universe.
A representative for Henry has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.
It was announced last week that Henry has been cast in the upcoming Netflix adaptation of The Witcher as Geralt of Rivia, the main character in the popular fantasy universe that’s previously been adapted into a hit video game franchise.
The eight-episode Netflix adaptation of the bestselling medieval fantasy book series by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski centers on the protagonist Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter known as a ‘Witcher’ who travels the countryside slaying terrifying beasts.
Henry was last on the big screen in this summer's blockbuster Mission Impossible: Fallout, alongside Tom Cruise.

Source: Daily Mail. 

2019 Polls: INEC May Shift 2019 Polls Over Threat Of Violence

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) hinted yesterday that it might be compelled to suspend the 2019 general election following threats to violence by some politicians in the country.
 
Chairman of the commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, who stated this, was reacting to some disturbing videos of political campaigns in the social media in which some politicians are seen threatening to shed blood. He spoke when he received briefing from the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State on the progress and the preparedness of the forthcoming governorship election in the state. Noting that recent developments and signs in the country’s political landscape calls for greater vigilance, Yakubu asked politicians to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner. The INEC boss who observed that election can only hold when there is a secured environment said, “In fact, the electoral Act, specially section 26, empowers the commission to suspend election on account of violence or threat of violence.
“So, we will continue to partner and continue to work with the security agencies as we approach the 2019 general election. Our meetings are going to become more frequent and regular”. Yakubu explained that the synergy between the electoral body and security agencies is crucial for the 2019 polls in order to secure the environment for the conduct of the elections. Insisting that there is no way election can be conducted except the nation maintains order, peace and progress, he continued: “Elections cannot be conducted in an atmosphere of rancor.
So, we share this great responsibility with the security agencies. Good election is good for this country. Bad election is a recipe for disaster; we don’t pray for it. “So, let us continue to work together to anticipate the challenges and address the challenges because we have the capacity to do so. The nation expects we should do so and once we do so, there will be fewer problems during elections”. On the viral video in the social media containing a political campaign that tended to have defiled decent process, Yakubu said it calls for greater vigilance. He stated: “We see statements by some of the political actors captured and circulated nationwide via social media platforms. It is something that the security agencies need to put an eye on because if we allow this to pester, it will encourage those who may wish to do some destructive actions or feel encouraged to do so.
“But if we take immediate action, I think we may be able to stop them and further secure the environment for us to conduct free, fair and credible elections”. Yakubu further noted that between now and March 2, 2018, the most important activities in Nigeria will be the successful conduct of the 2019 general elections, adding that the most important issue for the commission now is the Osun State governorship election, which is billed to hold in the next 11 days. NSA Warns Security Agents Against Complicity On his part, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Mohammed Babagana Monguno (rtd), yesterday warned security operatives against any form of compromise in the 2019 general elections, saying acts of complicity will be decisively dealt with. The NSA who noted that the forthcoming elections, especially the 2019 general election, must be conducted in a manner that the wider Nigerian society will be happy said the international community should be able to perceive the country in a very positive manner. Speaking at the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security held at the INEC headquarters, Monguno said the 2019 general election will witness full enforcement of electoral laws.
He disclosed that security agencies are working with INEC and relevant stakeholders to arrest and prosecute vote buyers and those who engage in ‘dangerous’ political campaigns. The NSA stated: “Anybody involved in complicity in any situation will of course have to bear the consequences on his own. It is very important for you to pass this message down the line to all your operatives. “Any collaboration or complicity by any of your staff will be viewed with all seriousness it deserves. I need to stress on the need for us to deliver on our mandate in a very responsible manner, demonstrating our democratic values and professional ethics.
“In terms of capacity building, it is our intention to continue to build on whatever we have to receive from our formations and understand that there would be election security seminar which has been slated for 11 of Oct. “The idea is for us to streamline all areas that need to be looked at and begin a training session for all security operatives who will provide security during the elections. Of course, there are code of conduct for the conduct of all security agencies and we will all be held responsible for any infraction during elections”. The NSA told the representatives of various security services that it is also important for security personnel to understand that operating outside the confines of the law will be viewed very seriously. He continued: “The forthcoming elections, especially 2019 general elections, have to be conducted in such a manner that not only the wider Nigerians society but indeed the international community should be able to perceive us in a very positive manner. “Excuses of course will not be tolerated. It is a truth that we are all trained personnel. Already we have started witnessing a different type of atmosphere regarding preparations for elections, in terms of utterances of individuals, which are not healthy for elections and could incite the public”.
Monguno who said he is in talking with his co-chairman (INEC Chairman) and consulting with leadership of various security agencies to apprehend those violating the electoral act, added that the dangerous style of political campaigns won’t be allowed to reach an uncontrollable point. “Therefore, it is extremely important that long before the 2019 elections, we must be able to find a way of surmounting this dangerous trend,” he said. “There will be issue of vote buying and vote selling. These are concerns that we have to look into collectively and begin to deal with whatever problems that might arise from these unfavourable acts,” Monguno added.
Presidency Faults NASS On Election Budget Meanwhile, the presidency said yesterday that the National Assembly Joint Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has no final say on source of funds for 2019 general elections. The senior special assistant to the president on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, made this known at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja, yesterday. LEADERSHIP recalls that the National Assembly Joint Committee on INEC had on August 30 recommended that INEC’s N143 billion for the elections should be funded from Service Wide Votes under the Special Intervention Programme (Recurrent), rather than from allocations for constituency projects controversially inserted into the budget by the lawmakers.
Chairman of the committee, Sen. Suleiman Nazif, had said that the recommendation was to ease the consideration and avoid increasing the size of the 2018 Expenditure Framework. But Enang said that the lawmakers’ recommendation could not be final, as the whole process would have to be approved by all the lawmakers at plenary. He stated: “The call is inquorate because it can only be complete if it is presented to the plenary. When the committee was considering it, I asked if there is the budget of the Office of the National Security Adviser, DSS, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service and others; is your committee going to consider these budgets? They said no, that those other ones will be considered by other committees. “If they are not considering the budgets of other agencies, the question of where to source the money has not even arisen. “Until each of the other committees considers the budget of these other agencies and recommend them to the House and the House sits to consider them, only then will the question or otherwise arise”.
The presidential aide noted that the National Assembly acted in error to have asked the joint committee to sit when the source of funding for the general budget for the election had not been determined. APC Presidential Aspirants Kick As PMB Picks Form Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday received his expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the 2019 presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A group known as Nigerian Consolidation Ambassadors Network (NCAN) had last week purchased the forms for the president at the APC national headquarters. But some presidential aspirants of the party under the aegis of Coalition of 2019 APC Aspirants have asked president Buhari to reject the N45 million nomination forms purchased for him by the group. In a statement released and signed by Dr SKC Ogbonnia, Chief Charles Udeogaranya and Alhaji Mumakai Unagha, on behalf of others, the aspirants said, “We demand that President Muhammadu Buhari should reject the N45 million nomination forms purchased for him by a group for the following reasons: it fundamentally contravenes Section 91(9) of the Electoral Act. “The offer runs contrary to Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade; and though some aspirants can afford the exorbitant cost of the forms, such amount is clearly not affordable to many others, including President Buhari and particularly the youths and women of our great party, APC.
We demand that the APC should, without further delay, scrap nomination fees, in line with the laws of land. “Failure to adhere to the aforementioned demands will give us no other option than to lead the true APC in conducting the primaries in line with extant electoral laws and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” Meanwhile, speaking after receiving the forms at the presidential villa, President Buhari described those who recently defected from the ruling APC to the Peoples Democratic Party as weak and selfish. Senate President Bukola Saraki and the governors of Sokoto, Benue and Kwara States, as well as some Senators had recently defected from the APC to PDP. President Buhari who expressed gratitude for being honoured by the youth groups drawn from different parts of the country said that his vision to rescue the nation began in 2002. He added that the country reached a hopeless state in 2006, hence his decision to contest for the presidential election in 2007.
The president said his decision was predicated on the state of hopelessness in the country where selfish interest of elected leaders superseded national interest, pointing out that the 2007 election in the country was a colossal disgrace He stated: “Today, I am pleased to say the weakest ones amongst us, whose selfish expectations did not align with our selfless vision, have exited our party. We now have a party of strong and patriotic individuals who are ready, willing and able to continue on this journey of building a strong, secure, self-sufficient and corruption free Nigeria.
“I am honoured today to receive this nomination form which your members, from all over the country, contributed to buy. It is a gesture from an association of patriotic Nigerians, which I was made to believe, comprises over three million members that believe in our principle of bringing the desired positive CHANGE in Nigeria”. Buhari disclosed that since his protest at the APC secretariat a few weeks back on the very expensive cost of the presidential nomination form, he had received many offers from different associations and organisations whose members were ready to pull their resources to buy him the form.
Stating that the 12 million members of the Rice Farmers Association offered to buy him a form, Buhari said the members of the Fertiliser Producers Association also contacted his office with the same offer. He added that some members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association also offered to buy the nomination form. The president noted: “I am very touched by these gestures. And I want to assure you all that my commitment to our CHANGE agenda is as strong as ever. As I accept this nomination form from NCAN today, I want to ask all the other groups who have offered to buy my nomination form to redirect their contributions to the Not Too Young To Run wing of the APC.
“Nigeria is blessed with many talented and visionary youths who have a lot to contribute. Many of them may not be able to afford the nomination fees set by our party. Your contributions will go a long way in supporting the next generation of leaders. “I therefore would request that remaining funds raised to buy my presidential nomination form be used to support these young, competent and dynamic future leaders. Once again, I thank you very much for this donation as I pray to God to give us all the strength and wisdom to continue to deliver our promises”.
The president listed his achievements since assumption of office to include completion of rail projects and new ones under construction, government support to farmers, as well as the rehabilittion of fertilizer plants and introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA). He said the TSA has helped the administration to tackle the menace of stealing in public service as well as provision of jobs and cash for the most vulnerable Nigerians. Earlier in his opening remarks, deputy chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT) NCAN, Chuckwuemeka Nwajiuba, said the members of the group who facilitated the purchase of the expression of interest form for the president where made up of three million Nigerians after a triple A assessment of the performance of President Buhari. He stated that the group was convinced to purchase the form on the basis of President Buhari’s commitments in the fight against graft, terrorism and the effort to revive the economy.
Speaking to State House correpondents after, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said the expression of interest and nomination forms presented to President Buhari were purchased by a large number of people who made contributions. Amaechi said that the gesture showed that the APC was ready for the 2019 election. He said, “This is a group of persons; some people paid less than N1 million; some paid N50,000. It is a group of hundreds of thousands of people that came together to buy form for the president. I do not see any law we have broken by that. “Not one person bought the form for Mr President; not one person brought the money; not two persons; not three. What we saw from their database is hundreds of thousands of persons that raised the money. “You can see the huge delegation that came; it is an indication that we are prepared for the election.
The president has put the first step forward to show that he wants to run for the second time for the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’’. On his part, APC’s National Secretary, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, said that even in advanced democracies, once the National Executive Committee (NEC) of a party passes a vote of confidence on the president, nobody would contest with him. According to Buni, NEC is the highest organ of the party to take decisions where every interest is represented. “So, NEC of APC has passed vote of confidence on Mr President. That means every APC member endorsed Mr President. It is a democracy; we are not saying nobody should come out and contest but the president has right of first refusal,’’ he said. On his part, chairman, Board of Trustees (NCAN), Farouk Aliyu said that the forms were purchased with contributions from across the country. He said the NCAN was excited that Buhari accepted the forms, adding that members of the group would go back to their localities and work towards the re-election of Buhari in the 2019 presidential polls. “What motivated the young Nigerians to buy the forms is their belief that whatever the president is doing is for the future of the younger ones,’’ he said. PDP Govs, Presidential Aspirants Fail To Agree On Consensus Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors and presidential aspirants on the party’s platform failed to agree on the idea of consensus candidate, it was gathered yesterday night.
The governors had after their meeting on Sunday in Abuja, resolved to have an all-inclusive meeting with all the presidential aspirants, the national chairman, Uche Secondus, two national officers, and the leaders of the party in both chambers of the National Assembly. Top on the agenda for the meeting was the issue of consensus presidential candidate so as to avert friction. A source at the meeting yesterday, said the governors resolved that the aspirants should go for primaries, following their failure to arrive at an agreement on consensus. The source said “since the aspirants did not agree on a consensus, the meeting resolved that they should go for the primaries”.
However, the governors, it was learnt, agreed to hold the party’s national convention which will produce it’s presidential candidate, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. APC Gives Conditions For Emergence OF Consensus Candidate Meanwhile, the governing APC has reacted to developments in some state chapters of the party which have already begun the announcement of consensus candidates for elective positions in their respective domains. The APC stated that having a consensus candidate did not foreclose the process of direct or indirect primaries in places where there are people willing to vie for elective positions, insisting that due process must the followed. In a terse press statement, the acting national publicity secretary of APC, Yekini Nabena, noted that, “while consensus is provided for by the party’s constitution, the option is conditional”.
According to him, the option can only apply where no other aspirant has signified interest by obtaining nomination forms for the particular position. The statement reads in part: “Consensus does not foreclose direct or indirect primaries for all elective positions as contained in the resolution of the 6th meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC). “Again, consensus will apply when no other aspirant signify interest (i.e. through purchase of nomination forms) for the position in question.”
- Vanguard

2019: EFCC Will Partner INEC To Monitor Election Spending – Magu

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday said it will partner the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor campaign spending ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The Acting Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu, said this is aimed at addressing the rising cases of vote-buying and improving governance.

He noted that the excessive use of money during elections leads to gross financial abuse and perversion of the electoral process thereby giving room for enthroning bad leadership.

“Before now, it was inconceivable for law enforcement agency to investigate the source of election funding of political parties and their candidates.

“This has led to gross financial abuse and the perversion of the electoral process and consequently enthrone bad leadership which in turn led to corruption and bad governance.

“Our people will hope to gain in this process of disinfecting the electoral process by monitoring the finances of election because it will help to improve governance when good candidates are elected not moneybags,” he said.

Magu added that monitoring election spending will make politicians more circumspect as they prepare for the general elections.

The head of the anti-graft agency said that bank accounts will be monitored for suspicious transactions and warned banks to desist from being collaborators with such politicians

Source: Channels.

Court orders WAEC to produce ledger of Sen Adeleke’s result

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has given an order mandating the West African Examination Council (WAEC), through its Director General or any other designated officer of the council to depose to an affidavit confirming or denying that the Flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke with candidate number 19645/149, sat for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination conducted by the council at Ede Muslim High School, Osun state in May/June 1981, within five days of being served the order.

The court also gave an order compelling WAEC through any of its any designated officers, to produce the ledger containing the results of all candidates that sat for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination conducted by the council at Ede Muslim High School, Osun state in May/June 1981, within five days of being served the order.

The court gave the order while ruling on an application filed by the duo of Wahab Adekunle Raheem and Adam Omosalewa Habeeb against Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke and two others.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Further, the court ordered WAEC to serve on all parties in the suit, the copies of the filed affidavit and ledger within five working days of filing same before the court

The court also made an order abridging the time within which the defendants may enter an appearance and file processes to five days from the day of the service of the originating summons and also granted leave to the defendants to serve Senator Adeleke all Originating Summons and subsequent processes in the suit by substituted means by serving them on any officer or clerk at the Office of the Clerk of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The court, however, refused to grant the order of Interim injunction restraining INEC from recognizing Senator Adeleke as PDP’s candidate for the September 22 election in Osun state pending the hearing of the motion or retraining him from parading himself as the PDP candidate in the forthcoming election.

Source: Tribune

I Like A Man Who Beats Me Up — Actress Wema Sepetu

Popular Tanzanian actress Wema Sepetu has narrated a rather odd trait she likes in a man.

Wema says she likes a man who disciplines her, beats her up. While attending her manager Neema Ndepanya’s birthday celebrations in Salasala, Dar es Salam, Wema told Ijumaa Wikienda that she likes a man who would beat her up once in a while when she’s on the wrong.

“Napenda mwanaume anipe kipigo kidogo siyo mwanaume mnaishi miaka yote, halafu hata kukupiga kofi kidogo hakupigi,” (I like a man who beats me up occasionally, not one I’d to spend several years with without hitting me, even just a slap) she said before breaking into laughter

Minimum wage: Trade union gives FG 14-day ultimatum to complete work

Coalition of Labour unions under the auspices of Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Wednesday gave the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum within which to allow the Tripartite Committee on minimum wage to conclude its work and announced new wages for Nigerian workers.

At a joint press conference addressed by the unions in Lagos, led by TUC President, Bobboi Bala Kaigama, they warned that if government fails to meet the ultimatum which started on Wednesday, they may not guarantee continued industrial peace and harmony in the country.

The demand of the unions was as a result of a statement credited to the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, who had few days ago stated that the committee should adjourn indefinitely to enable him do further consultations with the government.

Kaigama who frowned at the Minister’s statement said the pronouncement came at a time the committee was finalizing its work of arriving at a definite figure for submission to the federal government.

With Or Without APC, I Will Win 2019 Election, Ambode Fires Back

The embattled governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has replied his critics that only Lagos electorates will decide his faith and not APC or any godfather.
Mr. Ambode said, he is unmoved by the news that he will not get a second term ticket under APC because of gang up by some certain interest to field Jide Sanwoolu against him. While chatting with his inner caucus members, he said his performance will decide his political fortune in 2019.

Ambode said he is confident that he will emerge as the next governor of Lagos State, with or without his party APC.

On impeachment threat, Ambode said he has not committed any offence to warrant such moves, he urged Lagosians to remain steadfast and stand together at this time, noting that it is normal for those who wants to subdue the overall interest of all Lagosians for personal and selfish gain to try to undo government. He said, no matter the machinations, they will fail.

Source: Spy Niagara

Zambia is reportedly in talks with China over acquiring its main power company after defaulting on loan repayment.

Zambia is reportedly in talks with China over a possible takeover of the country's electricity company, ZEWASCO, after defaulting on loan repayment.

This is according to a report by Africa Confidential titled Bills, Bonds and even Bigger Debts claiming that Zambia risks losing its sovereignty to China which is bound to seize its national assets once the government defaults on loans.

"A major worry of the IMF and US is that China’s BRI strategy is first to encourage indebtedness, and then to take over strategic national assets when debtors default on repayments. The state electricity company ZESCO is already in talks about a takeover by a Chinese company, AC has learned.

"The long-term outcome could be effective Chinese ownership of the commanding heights of the economy and potentially the biggest loss of national sovereignty since independence,” the report read.

The report also indicates that a number of projects in Zambia are financed by China even though the amount of debt has been piling over the years.

Debt trap diplomacy

"Since President Edgar Lungu came to power, Zambia has signed off on at least US$8 billion in Chinese project finance. Over $5 bn. of this has not been added to the total because Zambia insists the money has not been disbursed, and more large loans are in the pipeline," the report stated.

Zambia is one of the African nations that was in China earlier this week for the China-Africa summit and President Edgar Lungu is reported to have received a grant of $30m for the Lusaka East Multi-facility Economic Zone electrification project.
China has been considered a good partner by many African countries even though there is worry that its loans are burying some of these countries under massive debt.

The East Asian nation has, however, denied engaging in "debt trap" diplomacy adding that it continues lending to Africa on the grounds that the continent still needs debt-funded infrastructure development.

Source: Pulse live.

IPOB accuses Swiss govt of aiding human rights violation in Nigeria

NNEWI—THE Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has accused Swiss government and it’s Embassy in Abuja of aiding and abating the unlawful disappearance of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

IPOB in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary,   Emma Powerful,   also accused the government of Switzerland of collaborating with the Nigerian government in the continued disappearance of  its leader.

“We note with grave sadness, the role the Swiss Embassy in Abuja have played in aiding and abating the unlawful disappearance of our members in Nigeria,  by denying entry Visa to members of Kanu’s family and other first hand witnesses to the Nigerian Army massacre of unarmed civilians at Nnamdi Kanu’s compound in Isiama Afaraukwu on  September 14th 2017.

“This is a clear case of conspiracy between a member of staff of the Swiss Embassy in Abuja and the Nigerian government to deny United Nations investigators access to vital information and facts surrounding the murderous invasion of Nnamdi Kanu’s compound by the Nigerian military.

“Instead of commending the UN for their intervention, the Swiss Embassy chose to act out of character by appearing to support impunity and gross violations of the rights of Kanu’s family to seek justice.

“The conduct of the Swiss Embassy is unbecoming of a civilised country, who by this action, appears to be collaborating with the murderous regime in Nigeria in their persecution of Biafrans.

“It should be pointed out to the Swiss Embassy in Abuja that Prince Emmanuel Kanu, the younger brother of our leader visited the United States of America recently on a two-year multiple entry visa and returned to Nigeria”

IPOB stated that, “With all due respect, it is an indisputable fact that most people seeking to overstay their visa permit would rather prefer to do so in the United States of America than Switzerland. Therefore, the reasons given by the Kogi-born employee at the Swiss Embassy for refusing visas to the Kanu family is laughable.”

IPOB statement also read: “We must also remind the Swiss Embassy that IPOB women in the past months attended a conference in Baltimore, Maryland USA and duly returned to their respective countries of abode after the event.

“We are therefore at a loss to understand why Swiss Embassy chose this line of action when the lives of human beings are at stake.

“We wonder if the Swiss government through its Embassy in Abuja is giving tacit support to abuse of human rights in Nigeria or they are seeking to influence or impede the work of the United Nations.

“The United Nations office  invited Kanu’s family to meet them in Switzerland to ascertain what truly transpired during the massacre of the 14th of September 2017 at Isiama Afaraukwu during Operation Python Dance 2.

“This Nigerian army’s  ugly episode and mindless attack resulted to the disappearance of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, his aged parents and other family members of IPOB since last year.

“It is important we state clearly that our leader’s whereabouts is still unknown since that very unwarranted and unprovoked invasion and attack.

“If  the United Nations has chosen to invite surviving members of Kanu family to a meeting in Geneva to ascertain the facts, more so when the Swiss Embassy has a copy of the letter of invitation,   why is it trying to stop or disrupt the meeting through visas refusal?

“We see this Swiss Embassy’s reluctance to issue the entry visa to Kanu’s family as politically motivated.

“We therefore urge the Swiss government not to allow the travesty to subsist. Otherwise, IPOB will have no option than to regard the Swiss government as an accessory to mass murder and promoter of human rights abuses in Africa.”

Source: Vanguard

The Federal Government has approved the immediate deportation of 36 Indians

The Federal Government has approved the immediate deportation of 36 Indians and 2 Democratic People’s Republic of Korea nationals with immediate effect.

The Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, disclosed this in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mohammed Umar, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Umar said the minister who signed the deportation order on Tuesday, in his Office in Abuja said it was pursuant to section 45 (2, 3 and 4) of the Nigeria Immigration Act 2015.

Mr Dambazau in the statement explained that the Indian nationals gained entry into the country with fake visas and counterfeit Immigration stamps, while the Korean nationals failed to regularise their stay upon the expiration of their contract with Zamfara Government.

Mr Dambazau gave the names of the affected nationals as:Mr AN CHUN SIK and Mr JON SU GYONG of the Democratic People’s Republic Of Korea.

The statement listed the names of the 36 Indian nationals as: -Mr Sajji, Mrs Sajji Arvini, Mrs Sunil Babujumma, Mrs Meemi, Mr Papachi, Mr Deva, Mr Rajani, Mrs Kiran Shivachadra, Mr Shivachadra and Mr Shakthi.

Others the statement said are: Mr Prabhukumar, Mr Rajan, Mr Shree Kumar, Mr Jagandeesh, Mrs Mamathaja, Mrs Sheela, Mr Prasad, Mr Pappa and Ms Nirveni

Also named are: Mr Shambhu Kumar, Mrs Reshma, Mr Ravi Kumar, Mr Iraji, Mrs Jinotha, Mr Kishore, Mr Nageena, Mrs Sheelavathi and Mr. Nentaraju/Santhosh Kumar.

The minister in the statement named other the India nationals as Mrs Sumati, Mr Krishna Lokesh, Mr Santhil, Mr Vasantha, Mr Seebu, Mr Vishwanath, Mr Vishwanth Ramya and Mr Rajeshwari.

He reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari’s determination to empower the Nigeria Immigration Service to enhance enforcement of the nation’s Immigration Laws.

The minister in the statement further stated that all foreign nationals should operate within the provisions of the law as the nation would not compromise its immigration laws

Nigerian Bakers To Increase Price Of Bread

The President of Premium Bread Makers Association of Nigeria, Mr Jemide Tosan, said this at a briefing in Lagos on Monday. He noted that the cost of producing bread has increased due to an increase in prices of baking ingredients.

He pointed out that there is a 57 percent increase in the price of diesel, which is used to power factory generators on a 24-hour basis.

“The challenges we face as a result of the incessant increase in the prices of baking ingredients have rendered most premium bakeries comatose making us to operate at a loss.

“Given the current situation, most premium bakeries may be forced to embark on a price increase, which will further make bread unaffordable to the common man,” he said.

He explained that although the prices of flour, sugar and other baking items had increased threefold in the past three years, there had been no corresponding increase in the prices of premium bread by its members.

He, however, said the association is totally committed to ensuring that Nigerians have healthy, quality, affordable and harmless bread on their tables.

Source: Channels 

Breaking News Immediate Past Zimbabwe President, Robert Mugabe dies @ 93

The longest serving President of the Zimbabwe, Robert Gabriel Mugabe has died.

The 93 year old was on Saturday discharged but he suddenly fell ill while attending Ghana’s independence day on Monday which took his life on arrival to hospital in Singapore.

An autopsy will fully confirm the cause of death, but the former President had been battling prostate cancer.
State officials have not yet released the name of his immediate heir but from the look of things his wife could probably assume his position temporary before proper arrangements are made.

He left behind four children,namely; Bona Mugabe, Robert Peter Mugabe Jr., Chatunga Bellarmine Mugabe, Michael Nhamodzenyika Mugabe and surviving spouse,Grace Mugabe.

Mugabe was Zimbabwean revolutionary and politician who governed the Republic of Zimbabwe as its President since 1987, having previously governed as its Prime Minister from 1980 to 1987. Ideologically an African nationalist and socialist, he has led the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF) party since 1975

2019: We don’t need your trust, Nigerians believe in us – INEC blasts PDP govs

The National Electoral Commission, INEC, has fired back at Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for passing vote of no confidence on it ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The governors alleged that the commission had conducted itself as a tool of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government.

The Chairman of the Forum, who is also the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, signed the communiqué of the meeting on behalf of his colleagues.

“For now, we have no confidence in INEC. The commission has conducted itself as a tool of the APC-led Federal Government, especially with the roles of the Chairman, Prof Mahmud Yakubu, and a National Commissioner, Mrs Amina Zakari,” Fayose had said.

Reacting, however, INEC said Nigerians believed in it to deliver free, fair and credible elections in 2019, noting that it was making efforts to improve on the electoral process.

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, said, “Since the inauguration of the current leadership of INEC in November 2015, the commission has been putting various measures in place to improve and strengthen the electoral process. And in doing so, the commission has also carried all stakeholders along. Not only that, by putting all our cards on the table at all times, INEC has continually demonstrated integrity, transparency and efficiency. The efforts are paying off.

“Only on August 31, the commission brought the Continuous Voter Registration to a close after registering 14.5 million voters in 16 months. The commission has also conducted about 190 different types of elections, including six governorship elections, none of which has been overturned.

“From the feedback we are getting from Nigerians, they are appreciative of our efforts and our pledge is that we will deliver free, fair and credible 2019 general elections.”

Source: Daily post.