Oshiomhonle faces imminent rebellion as APC lawmakers give him marching orders

As moves to sack Adamawa executives of the All Progressives Congress, APC, thickens, eight House of Assembly members from the state have threatened defection should the national secretariat of the party sacks the Ibrahim Bilal led party exco in the state.
Recall that former Secretary to the Federation, Babachir Lawal, Nuhu Ribadu, Mahmood Halilu Ahmad, Bello Tukur and other party stalwarts in the state had earlier petitioned the party national chairman, Adams Oshiomole to sack the state executive over alleged injustice going on under Mr Bilal’s nose.

They argued that out of the three gubernatorial aspirants that have purchased and submitted their forms, none of them was screened out by the party, “and yet the State Excos have made up their mind that they can only consider one aspirant.

“This is contrary to the principles of natural justice and fairness as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“There is no way this set of state Exco and the Local Government counterparts will accord other aspirants a level playing field in the coming primaries elections in Adamawa State.”

However, in a swift reaction, the lawmakers, who are the party’s caucus in the National Assembly, said any move to sack Ibrahim Bilal led executive would meet its wrath, vowing to leave the party if such decision is taken.

Spokesman of the caucus and member representing Michika/ Madagali constituency, Adamu Kamale, who disclosed this to newsmen on Friday, said they were in full support of Mr Bilal and Governor Jibrila Bindow.

“We heard of the sinister moves by few elements in the party, who are hell-bent in ousting the state executives led by Ibrahim Bilal.

‘’We will not condone it and any attempt to dissolve them will cause our wrath, we will dump the party if they are dissolved.

‘’We, eight members of the House of Representatives have sat and unanimously endorsed the state EXCO led by Mr Bilal and our amiable governor Bindow.

‘’We are saying this unequivocally that we are all for Bindow and Bilal, no shaking,” Mr Kamale said.

Source: Daily global.

Buhari to new DG DSS: Have we ever met before?

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday in Abuja, met for the first time, with the newly appointed Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja

When Bichi was ushered into the president’s office by protocol officials, he was asked by the president if they had met before.

The new DG, however, `confessed’ that he was seeing President Buhari face-to-face for the first time in his life. The meeting of the president and the DSS boss went into a closed door session. President Buhari, on Sept. 13, appointed Bichi, as new Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS). Bichi, who replaced Lawal Daura, the former DG of the DSS, is a core Secret Service operative, said Malam Garba Shehu, the senior special assistant to the president on media. 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. The new Director-General began his career in the security division of the Cabinet Office in Kano, from where he joined the defunct Nigerian Security Organisation (NSO), the precursor of the present DSS. Bichi had 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. The new DSS boss comes to the job with skills in intelligence gathering, research analysis, conflict management, general investigation, risk and vulnerability operations, counter intelligence and protective operation and human resources management. In the course of his career, Bichi had 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 Director at State Service Academy

Source: Vanguard.

Sanwo-Olu: Ambode reportedly gets ministerial offer as APC leaders pressure governor to step down

National and Lagos state leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have continued their pressure on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode not to contest the forthcoming governorship primary.

They are asking him to step down for Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the preferred candidate of APC leader, Bola Tinubu.

A similar push is being made by the Mandate Movement, a group loyal to Tinubu.

Despite pleas by many prominent and influential Nigerians across the country, the Jagaban seems to have made up his mind.

According to party chieftain, since Tinubu controls the party structure, Ambode might be defeated at the primary and it would be better for him to avoid such situation.

But Ambode has remained resolute, insisting that he would prefer to participate in the primary.

A source told Punch, “Ambode was told to step down and forget his second term ambition. He was told to publicly endorse Sanwo-Olu as his successor.

“He was promised a ministerial appointment after the APC might have won the presidential election. He was even told to pick a ministry of his choice.

“But Ambode seems not to be pleased with the directives of the leaders as he declined the ministerial dangle.

“He also told them to allow the APC primary process to continue as planned. For now, the meeting is still continuing and there is no compromise in sight.”

Meanwhile, the meeting of the Governor’s Advisory Council, APC’s state highest advisory political organ, has taken briefing on the three aspirants – Ambode, Sanwo-Olu and Dr Femi Hamzat.

The body was also said to have advised the party to shift the primary to September 29, 2018, instead of the September 25which it planned to hold the primary

FG approves mandatory use of national ID number from Jan 1, 2019

The Federal Government has approved the mandatory use of the national identity number beginning January 1, 2019.

The National Identity Management Commission made this known on Wednesday in a statement signed by its Head, Corporate Communications, Loveday Ogbonna.

The statement revealed that the “Federal Executive Council has approved the immediate commencement of the implementation of a strategic roadmap for Digital Identity Ecosystem in Nigeria at its meeting, held on Wednesday, September 12th, 2018 and chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.”

According to the Director-General/CEO of NIMC, Aliyu Aziz, the FEC approval of the Identity Ecosystem will bring into full force the implementation of the provisions of the NIMC Act 23, 2007, which include the enforcement of the mandatory use of the National Identification Number by January 1, 2019 and the application of appropriate sanctions and penalties on defaulters as provided under Section 28 of the NIMC Act and Regulations.”

He added that the project falls in line with the Federal Government’s efforts to reposition the country’s status in the global economy, towards achieving the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan launched in April 2017.

He said the ERGP is designed “as an omnibus strategy for the government to meet the critical needs of the citizenry in areas such as food security, energy, transport, human capital development, but more critically developing a local digital economy.

Aziz explained that all agencies of government and the private sector who are directly or indirectly in the business of data capture and service provision requiring identification of persons should note that: Guidelines, processes, procedures for licensing public and private sector organisation will be published soon.

The NIMC has the mandate to establish, own, operate, maintain and manage the National Identity Database in Nigeria.

Source: Punch.

Buhari orders IGP not to invite Adeleke before election Buhari orders IGP not to invite Adeleke before election

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police, not to invite Ademola Adeleke, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun state, before Saturday.

The police had asked Adeleke to immediately appear at the force headquarters in Abuja over alleged examination malpractice.

But a presidential source told reporters on Wednesday that Buhari had ordered the IGP not to go ahead with the invitation until the governorship election is over.

Adeleke is one of the four strong contenders in Saturday’s exercise.

Earlier, Jimoh Moshood, force public relations officer, had said charges of examination malpractice, criminal conspiracy, impersonation, and breach of duty had been filed against Adeleke and others at a federal high court in Abuja.

Moshood said Adeleke connived with four persons identified as Sikiru Adeleke, Aregbesola Mufutau (principal of Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School, Egbedore LGA, Osun), Gbadamosi Thomas Ojo (school official responsible for the registration of candidates for NECO), and Dare Olutope (school teacher who facilitated the crime).

He had asked them to report to the special investigation panel at the force headquarters in Abuja.

Adeleke was summoned few hours after the West African Examination Council (WAEC) confirmed that he sat for its examination in 1981.

The council had informed an FCT high court that Adeleke sat for its examination in 1981, contrary to insinuations that he did not.

Source: The Cable

FG suspends national carrier, Nigeria Air indefinitely

The Federal Government has suspended the National Carrier, Nigeria Air, procurement indefinitely.
The Minister of State Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja while briefing newsmen.

He said the federal government took the decision to suspend the procurement of Nigeria Air at the federal executive council meeting.
Sirika didn’t give any specific reasons for the suspension.
Details later…

Capt Bishop: PDP MUST TAKE THE FIGHT TO MOHAMMADU BUHARI'S BACKYARD TO HAVE ANY SLIGHTEST CHANCE OF VICTORY IN 2019

Rumors have been doing the rounds in the social media and other media outlets that the PDP nomination for the Presidential election next year has been narrowed to a few money bags, the National Assembly and Governors Caucuses to the detriment of other aspirants who don't belong to any of these groups. I can't say authoritatively that this political miscalculation is the case, if it is, the PDP has not learned anything from its past indiscretions, therefore doomed forever.

Unless we are suffering from amnesia, our memories should be our ultimate guide that not too long ago these same groups in the party gave the party Ali Modu Sheriff, a colossal failure in judgement and fatal mistake that almost led to the total annihilation and collapse of the party except for a few party leaders and members who stepped in, stepped up and ended the drift to that self-inflicted calamity.

The drum of self-destruction has started to sound again. PDP leaders will be ill-advised to take the bait by following and dancing to such tune.

If the party is to succeed, its leaders must listen to the voice of the people which in fact and divinely is the voice of God. The party must show and prove that it learned from the lessons of the past few years by jettisoning the pre-2015 mindset and practices. The persistence of such mindset and practices will lead to miscalculation of catastrophic and disastrous outcome.

This battle must be fought and won in Mohammadu Buhari's own backyard, so to triumph, the PDP must take the battle to Mohammadu Buhari's backyard.

The major opposition party will be delusional to assume President Buhari will be defeated on issues of bad economy, insecurity and other obvious failures of the administration. President Buhari still remains very popular amongst his base in the north of Nigeria and his supporters continue to back him in those areas and make up excuses for him even in the face of these obvious and colossal failures of his government.

To break the bond between the president and these his supporters, the PDP must provide these people with a credible  alternative to the president. The president enjoys this massive support from his base because of the unfounded and misguided belief that he's incorruptible, he has integrity and he's not an elitist. Fortunately and thankfully, such person(s) with same attributes perceived to be inherent in the president  exist in the ranks of the current PDP aspirants, and party members know such people.

It is therefore Paramount the party takes its time and organize a free, fair and transparent national convention devoid of delegate buying, arm twisting and imposition. In a free, fair and transparent primary, the right candidate who represents the will and mandate of generality of  party members will not only emerge but will defeat President Buhari next year. Anything short, the PDP would not only repeat the mistakes of the past but it will be eternally doomed.

Capt Bishop C. Johnson ( US Army Rtd) is a National Defense and Military Strategist, National Political Commentator and a Democracy Advocate

Cumberland county man drowns.

A man’s body was found in a trailer on Riverland Drive in the Cedar Creek community, said Lt. Sean Swain, a spokesman for the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

Swain said deputies and rescue workers could see the body through the window but could not retrieve him because of the swift water surrounding the trailer, which is off Tabor Church Road near the Cape Fear River.

First responders went to the area late Tuesday looking for a body reported to be there, Cumberland County spokeswoman Sally Shutt said.

The search team included the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, EMS, the Cedar Creek Fire Department, city and county boats and a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force Team from New York, officials said.

Swain said Wednesday that deputies went to the man’s home earlier to tell him about a mandatory evacuation. He said the man refused to leave.

A positive identification has not yet been made, Swain said. Swain said the trailer is full of water.

Ekiti Election Tribunal Moves Sitting To Abuja

Its decision to move sitting to Abuja is to hear the petition filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kolapo Olusola challenging the victory of Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

This follows the application for relocation of the sitting venue by all parties involved on Monday, citing security risks around the Ado Ekiti venue.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Suleiman Belgore, had earlier given the notification of moving its sitting to a place that would be communicated to all parties.

On Day 2 Of Work As Finance Minister, Protesters Block Zainab Ahmed From Entering Her Office

Members of the Nigeria Airways branch of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners on Tuesday prevented the Acting Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, from gaining entry into her office during a peaceful protest to demand the non-payment of their 14 years' pension arears.

The Minister was forced to alight from her official vehicle when they refused to vacate the gate, to appeal to the protesting senior citizens.

During the protest, the pensioners displayed placards and took over the main gate of the ministry, obstructing human and vehicular movement, particularly the staff who were resuming for duty.

Addressing the protesters, Ahmed asked for time to enable her get appropriate briefing on the issue, and also requested a proper meeting with the leadership of the group so as to agree on a payment schedule that will be mutually convenient.

She stated that the 14-year arears of payment would have accumulated into a huge sum, and might not be easy to liquidate in one payment, hence a mutually agreed mode would be necessary.

The protesters therefore presented a copy of their protest letter to the Minister and vacated the gate to allow her access into the premises.

They demanded the payment of their areas totalling N45.3 billion, which they said had been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari since 2017.

The protesters also asked the Minister to maintain open and continuous contact with the leadership of the union for development and information regarding their pension.

Source: Sahara reporters. 

Togo announces referendum, legislative election dates

Togo will hold legislative and local elections in December as well as a referendum on constitutional reform.

"We will hold the local elections and the referendum on December 16, and on December 20 we will organise legislative elections," national election commission chief Kodjona Kadanga said on Tuesday.


"We are technically prepared. I can assure you that we have sufficient balloting material as well as people. There are no problems on our side."

Kadanga did not specify what reforms were envisaged.

Togo's latest political crisis started in August when large numbers of people rallied against the administration of President Faure Gnassingbe.


Mass anti-government rallies have repeatedly been held across the country since 2017, with protesters demanding an end to the 50-year rule by the Gnassingbe family and constitutional reform, including a two-term limit for presidents.

Nationwide demonstrations have led to clashes between security forces and protesters that have turned deadly.

The opposition is demanding a return to the 1992 constitution, which included a two-term limit for presidents, effective retroactively so Gnassingbe cannot be a candidate in the next vote in 2020.

Calls for institutional reform also include reinstating a two-round voting system and allowing diaspora to cast ballots in elections.

More than half of Togo's 7.5 million population is under 25. These people have only known life under the rule of Gnassingbe and his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema.

The ruling family's dynasty started in 1967 when Eyadema seized power in a coup.

Source: Aljazeera

Biafra: Kalu reveals Nnamdi Kanu’s location after meeting with IBB

Former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, on Tuesday said the leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is in London.

He claimed that Kanu fled to the United Kingdom during the time the military were looking for him.

Kalu disclosed this in an interview with newsmen after meeting former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi, IBB, in Minna.

He said: “Nnamdi Kanu is where I told you he is, he is in London. He is safe”.

Kalu explained that he visited IBB to canvass support for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Kalu explained that his campaign for President Buhari had nothing to do with the South-East getting the presidency in 2023 or his perceived presidential ambition.

On the crises over the emergence of candidates at the forthcoming primary election nationwide, Kalu said conflict of interests were normal in politics.

“The crisis is part of political development, if there is no crisis there will not be political development. Crisis is what makes political development there must be crisis and there must be solution”.

The former Governor and his entourage arrived at Babangida’s Hilltop residence Tuesday afternoon in three black Toyota SUVs and two Hillux Vans.

Kalu was ushered into the guest room, where he held a 2-hour closed-door meeting with IBB.

Source: Daily post .

IMO 2019: Imo Groups move to announce a template to select next governor

Hope rises for the enthronement of good governance in Imo State as notable Professional Bodies and Associations shall be announcing the TEMPLATE for selection of the next Imo Governor on Thursday, 20th September 2018 in a World Press Conference at NBA Bar Centre, High Court Premises, Owerri by 11:am. All Imolites are invited to follow up with the programme and join the march for the emergence of a governor we deserve.

Chief Emeka Diwe,
PG Orlu zurumee,
Amalgamation Coordinator.

Barr. Damian Nosike,
NBA Chairman,
Secretary.

Chief Fidel Onyeneke,
Media Executive/Chairman Template Committee.

Chief Martin Opara,
President, Olu Owerri/
Director Public Communication.

Presidency reacts as EFCC tells Customs to watch, arrest Fayose

By Fikayo Olowolagba

The Presidency has reacted to a letter by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), instructing the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, to monitor and arrest Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose anytime he wants to run away from the country.

Our source had reported that the agency in a letter signed by its Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, to the Comptroller-General of Customs, urged the service to place the outgoing Ekiti governor on the watch list and ensure he does not escape.

Reacting to the development, Buhari’s Aide on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie on her Twitter page called on Nigerians to join hands with the EFCC to ensure Fayose defends his integrity or lack of it.

She assured Nigerians that corruption under the Buhari administration will be defeated in high places.

Onochie wrote “It’s not just the customs; every Nigerian should stand by EFCC so Gov. Ayo Fayose is given the opportunity to defend his integrity or lack of it.

“Together, we will defeat corruption in high places.”

Source Daily trust.

Yet again,Governor Belo's convoy crashes.

The convoy of Kogi state governor was reported to have involved in an auto crash.
This happened along airport road Abuja. The level of casualties is not known at the point of publication. 

Details loading.......

War of Armageddon? Russia blames Israel after military plane shot down off Syria

Russia has said Syria shot down one of its military planes - but laid the blame for the deaths of the 15 personnel on board with Israel.

The defence ministry said Israeli jets put the Il-20 plane into the path of Syrian air defence systems on Monday after failing to give Moscow enough warning of a strike on Syrian targets.

The Il-20 disappeared off the radar at about 23:00 local time (20:00 GMT).

Israel is yet to comment on the allegations.

A tour of Syria - with the Russian military
Russia and Turkey to create Syria buffer zone
Israel rarely acknowledges carrying out strikes on Syria, but an Israeli military official recently said it had hit more than 200 Iranian targets in Syria over the past 18 months.

The Israeli government is concerned by what it calls Iran's "military entrenchment" in Syria, as well as shipments of Iranian weapons to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is fighting alongside Syrian government forces.

What exactly happened?

The details are murky, and Russia's account of the incident has yet to be verified.

According to reports, Monday's incident occurred about 35km (22 miles) from the Syrian coast as the Ilyushin Il-20 aircraft was returning to Russia's Hmeimim airbase near the north-western city of Latakia.

Russia's Tass news agency says the Il-20 plane "disappeared during an attack by four Israeli F-16 jets on Syrian facilities in Latakia province".

Reports on Syrian state media spoke of an attack in the area shortly before the plane disappeared. According to Sana news agency, the military said it had intercepted "enemy missiles coming from the open sea towards the city of Latakia".

Syrian television also reported explosions over the sky in Latakia just before 22:00. Thirty minutes later, the Sana Facebook page reported that Syrian air defences had responded to enemy missiles.

The Israeli military refused to comment on reports its planes had targeted facilities in the Latakia area on Monday, saying: "We don't comment on foreign reports."

A number of people were initially blamed after the plane disappeared, but on Tuesday the Russian defence ministry said the aircraft was accidentally shot down by Syria.

What does Russia accuse Israel of doing?
In a statement, Russia said Israel's "irresponsible actions" were to blame, saying it was given less than a minute's warning ahead of the strikes, which was not enough time to get the military surveillance plane out of the way.

"The Israeli planes deliberately created a dangerous situation for surface ships and aircraft in the area," a defence ministry spokesman said.

The spokesman accused Israeli pilots of "using the Russian airplane as a cover", putting it "in the line of fire coming from Syrian air defence systems".

Photos 'reveal' Russia jet damage at Hmeimim base

Why is there a war in Syria?

The plane, the spokesman continued, was shot down by a Syrian missile.

"As a result of the irresponsible actions by the Israeli military, 15 Russian servicemen have died," the spokesman said.

It is not possible to verify any of these claims.

In a phone call on Tuesday, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told his Israeli counterpart Avigdor Lieberman the blame "fully rests with Israel", adding that Russia "reserves the right to take further steps in response".

Are the accusations fair?

Analysis by Jonathan Marcus, BBC Defence Correspondent.

Russia's anger is real. But the question is, are the Russians attributing blame fairly?

The charges are two-fold. Long-standing and up to now effective information-sharing broke down.

The Israeli Air Force has Russian-speaking air traffic controllers able to communicate with their Russian opposite numbers. But Moscow says they were informed of the Israeli raid with only one minute's notice.

Secondly Russia charges - more seriously - that the Israelis used the large radar signature of the Ilyushin turbo-prop to mask their own aircraft.

But the radar signatures of the relatively slow Ilyushin and four nimble F-16 jets are radically different.

Furthermore, the Syrian air defences should have known the Russian plane was in-bound, whatever the Israelis were doing.

There may be several contributory factors in this tragedy. Russia cannot publicly castigate its Syrian allies. In private things may be rather different.

Why is a Russian aircraft in Syria?

Russia began military strikes in Syria in 2015 after a request from President Bashar al-Assad, who has stayed in power despite seven years of civil war which has so far killed more than 350,000 people.

The Russian military said in April of this year it had also spent 18 months helping to rebuild the air defence system, according to the UK's Guardian newspaper.

Hmeimim is Russia's main base for air strikes on rebel groups in Syria - strikes that have enabled President Assad's forces to recover much lost ground since 2015.

Russia says its air strikes only target "terrorists", but activists have said they mainly hit mainstream rebel fighters and civilians.

According to The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, at least 7,928 civilians and 10,069 combatants have been killed in Russian strikes.

Russia has also suffered personnel losses, including the deaths of 39 people when a Russian military transport plane crashed as it attempted to land at Hmeimim in March.

Source: BBC

Nigeria Is Facing Serious Revenue Challenges, Says Zainab Ahmed

The supervising Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, has said that Nigeria is facing serious revenue challenges and assured that the ministry will do everything possible to shore up the revenue base of the country.

The minister stated this on Monday when she assumed duties at the Ministry of Finance.

She said, “We have very serious revenue challenges and it is up to us to make sure we shore up the revenue base of the country.

“The President has a lot of confidence that we can do this if we work together. You are working for the President and at the end of the day, you’re working for the benefit of the citizens”.

She promised to work diligently to ensure that the country attains greater economic stability.

She charged the management staff of the Ministry to do all within their power to justify the confidence of the President in their ability to achieve a much needed economic turnaround in the country.

In a statement by the Director Information, Hassan Dodo, Ahmed expressed her readiness to ensure that there is “harmonious working relationship with the Permanent Secretary and management of the Ministry, whom she said are highly skilled”.

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Mahmoud Isa-Dutse assured that the management and staff of the Ministry will give her all the needed support in her duties.

Until her New role as the Supervising Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed is the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning.

She was directed to oversee the Ministry of Finance by President Muhammadu Buhari , after the resignation of former Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun on Friday, September 14, 2018.

She is a Fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), a member of the Nigerian Institute of Taxation and the Nigerian Institute of Management. (NIM)

Source: Channels

I’ll teach you how to defeat Tinubu in Lagos, Saraki tells Lagos PDP

By Daud Olatunji & Gabriel Olawale -LAGOS

Senate President and presidential aspirant of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Bukola Saraki, yesterday, excited members of the party in Lagos as he assured them that he will do everything within his reach to ensure PDP produced the next governor of the state.

 Saraki, who spoke at the PDP secretariat in Lagos State, where he was endorsed as favourite candidate, said he had the medicine of the man terrorizing Lagos State. He said: “What you have been fighting for many years, you will have it during the coming election because you now have somebody that has intention and charisma to deal with those disturbing you.

 “I have a medicine of the man who regards himself as godfather terrorising Lagos State. We have their formula, come next year, PDP will take over Lagos.” Saraki warned Nigerians to be mindful of presidential aspirants promising to restructure Nigeria, if elected president. He said restructuring agenda was not something a president could single-handedly promise as it required the input of the legislature. He said:  “Many aspirants will tell you that they will restructure Nigeria, but don’t let them deceive you because restructuring is not something only a president can do because certain laws also need to change. “So you need a president that has political sagacity to carry people along. But there are very few aspirants today that possess such charisma. Once I assume office, I will devolve more powers to the state.’’

On unemployment, Saraki said no government could create enough jobs, stressing that it was only private sector that could do so. He said: “You need a president that can speak private sector language. So, this is the time to elect the right president to lead the country. “In Nigeria, we are at the crossroads and we need to save the soul of this country because we have not been so divided like we are currently across the country.

In his response, Acting Chairman of Lagos State PDP, Alhaji Wali Hassan, assured the Senate President of their support, even as he commended him for the love he had for the party in Lagos. Bola Tinubu “As you can all see, he had his primary and secondary school education in Lagos and his wife is a Lagosian, so we are going to support him,” Hassan said.

On his entourage were former Minister of State for Power, Alhaji Mohammed Wakili; immediate past governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada; Dr. Doyin Okupe, former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan; Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye; and Chairman of the defunct nPDP, Kawu Baraje, among others. Buhari presiding over a divided Nigeria.

Meanwhile, while meeting with delegates in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Saraki described Nigeria under the control of President Muhammadu Buhari as a divided nation, where citizens don’t have a sense of belonging. He said: “Today in Nigeria, we are here at the crossroads. The country is divided and to unite the country, we need someone who will make everybody feel a sense of belonging. Today, there is no sense belonging in some parts of the country. “We need a president that rules and represents Nigeria. We want a president where everybody will say they belong here. Where there is no unity, there can never be progress. After unity, we can talk about development and progress".

Source: Vanguard

Offa robbery: Court summons Saraki over fresh criminal complaint

Ade Adesomoju, Abuja

A Grade I Area Court in Aco Estate, Lugbe, Abuja, has ordered the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to serve a summons on the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to compel him to face a criminal complaint initiated against him by a private lawyer in respect of the bloody bank robbery in which many died in Offa, Kwara State, earlier this year.

The criminal complaint was initiated by an Abuja-based lawyer and rights activist, Oluwatosin Ojaomo, whose lawyer told the court on Monday that the IGP had given assurance that the necessary court papers would be served on the Senate President.

The police had said their investigations linked Saraki to the kingpin of the robbery operation.

The Senate President is the sole defendant in the criminal complaint initiated by the private lawyer.

The criminal complaint marked, CR/196/2018, was said to have been initiated by Ojaomo under Section 89(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

It sought Saraki to be summoned for allegedly ignoring police invitation to answer to an allegation involving the investigation of the suspects of the Offa robbery.

The complaint stated that Saraki’s alleged refusal to honour the invitation amounted to obstructing a criminal investigation and disobeying a public officer carrying out a lawful responsibility.

This alleged conduct, it said, was an offence punishable under Section 136 and 149 of the Penal Code Law.

The judge handling the case at the Grade 1 Area Court, Aco Estate, Lugbe, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Abdullahi Garuba Ogbede, had, on September 10 this year, ordered the issuance of a summons on Idris following Saraki’s absence from court.

On Monday, the complainant’s lawyer, Mr E. S. Marcus, said he was informed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police in the Legal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, identified as Mahmoud, that the IGP had directed the legal unit to ensure the prompt service of the court papers on Saraki before the next hearing date of October 3, 2018.

He said, “The defendant is not in court. At the last date, the court issued a witness summons on the IGP to come and show cause why the police failed to effect service of the criminal summons, warrant of arrest and other processes on the defendant.

“The witness summons was served on the Nigeria Police Force by the court’s registry.

“However, we received a call from DSP Mahmoud of the Legal Department of the Nigeria Police Force headquarters, that the matter has been assigned by the IGP to a particular unit of the NPF to effect the service of the summons on the defendant and arrest him.”

Marcus explained in court on Monday that his client, who was supposed to bear the responsibility of serving Saraki with the complaint, had to resort to seeking the IGP’s involvement in accordance with Section 122 of the ACJA, when it became difficult for him to serve the Senate President.

According to the lawyer, the Inspector-General of Police is required, under the law, to either produce the defendant in court or attend court to explain why the defendant was absent.

He then applied to the court to grant a short adjournment to enable the police to serve the processes on Saraki.

The judge, Ogbede, granted Marcus’ request and adjourned the case till October 3.

The criminal complaint against the Senate President read, “Criminal complaint brought pursuant to Section 89(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. Please, cause a summons for a direct criminal complaint on the defendant on the following terms:

“That you, Dr Bukola Saraki, on or about the 24th day of July, 2018 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did refuse to honour the invitation of the Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police Force to report at the police headquarters in FCT, Abuja to answer to  an allegation involving the investigation of  some criminal suspects involved in a case which the Nigeria Police  defendant accordingly.”

Source: Punch

World’s First Hydrogen Train Rolled Out In Germany

Germany on Monday rolled out the world’s first hydrogen-powered train, signalling the start of a push to challenge the might of polluting diesel trains with costlier but more eco-friendly technology.

Two bright blue Coradia iLint trains, built by French TGV-maker Alstom, began running a 100-kilometre (62-mile) route between the towns and cities of Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervoerde and Buxtehude in northern Germany — a stretch normally plied by diesel trains.

“The world’s first hydrogen train is entering into commercial service and is ready for serial production,” Alstom CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge said at an unveiling ceremony in Bremervoerde, the station where the trains will be refuelled with hydrogen.

Alstom has said it plans to deliver another 14 of the zero-emissions trains to Lower Saxony state by 2021, with other German states also expressing an interest.

Hydrogen trains are equipped with fuel cells that produce electricity through a combination of hydrogen and oxygen, a process that leaves steam and water as the only emissions.

Excess energy is stored in ion-lithium batteries on board the train.

The Coradia iLint trains can run for around 1,000 kilometres on a single tank of hydrogen, similar to the range of diesel trains.

Alstom is betting on the technology as a greener, quieter alternative to diesel on non-electrified railway lines — an attractive prospect to many German cities scrambling to combat air pollution.

“Sure, buying a hydrogen train is somewhat more expensive than a diesel train, but it is cheaper to run,” Stefan Schrank, the project’s manager at Alstom, told AFP.

Other countries are also looking into hydrogen trains, Alstom said, including Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Italy and Canada.

In France, the government has already said it wants the first hydrogen train to be on the rails by 2022

Source : Channels

Panic as fighter jets fly over Aso Rock villa, NASS as staff scampers

There was pandemonium in Abuja at about 1.30p.m, on Monday, as a two fighter jets and a Boeing military plane flew across the Three Arms Zone.

The Three Arms Zone houses the Presidential Villa, the National Assembly and the Supreme Court.

The area is ordinarily a ‘no fly zone’, but the three planes defied it.

Our correspondent, who was in the National Assembly when the incident occurred, saw some staff scampering for safety, when one of the fighter jets flew very close to the roofs of the of the buildings.

As at the time of filing in this report, it could not be ascertained what could have warranted the incident.

Source: The Sun.

Linda Ikeji puts to bed.

The billionaire Nigerian blogger Linda Ikeji who took to the media few months ago heavily pregnant has put to bed.
She is now a mother of a bousing baby boy.

Details loading. . . .

CBN: Banks To Pay N10,000 Fine For Each Failed Transaction Not Reversed Within 24 Hours

The Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed banks to pay N10,000 for each failed transaction based on customers’ complaints not reversed within 24 hours.

This was contained in a circular by the apex bank, which also noted that the same fine shall apply for issues relating to the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System Instant Payment (NIP).

In the circular dated September 13, 2018, the new regulation sets out to provide a framework for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) transactions in the country.

The circular read: “A failed NIP transaction not reversed into customer’s account within 24 hours based on complaints of sender and/or beneficiary. N10,000.00 per item.

“Delayed application of inward NIP into beneficiary’s accounts beyond 4 minutes. Based on complaints of sender and/ or beneficiary. N10,000.00 per item.”

The circular entitled: ‘Regulation on Instant (Inter-Bank) Electronic Funds Transfer Services In Nigeria’, also gave sanctions for erroneous funds transfers.

It read: “Whenever a credit has been erroneously applied to the customer’s account with the Receiving Entity, the customer shall promptly notify the Receiving Entity and authorize the reversal of such erroneous credit.

“Where the customer account is unfunded, the customer shall provide funds within 24 hours, failure to provide funds shall be a ground for watch-listing of the customer in the banking industry, Credit Bureau and reporting to law enforcement agencies.”

For recalled transfers due to customer error, the circular noted that: “Where a customer claims to have made a transfer in error, the following provisions shall apply: Where the beneficiary is known to the complainant, the Sending Entity shall encourage the complainant to contact the beneficiary for an amicable settlement; where the beneficiary is not known to the complainant or a known beneficiary refused to effect a refund to the complainant, the Sending Entity having received a tenable claim from customer shall notify the Receiving Entity who shall place a lien on the amount in the account of the beneficiary and thereafter obtain the consent of the beneficiary to execute refund.

“Where the beneficiary does not give consent, the internal auditors of the Sending and Receiving Entities shall mediate between the two customers within 2 weeks of the complaint to resolve the issue, and their decision shall be final. Accordingly, the lien on the amount in the beneficiary’s account shall not last more than 2 weeks.

“Where the contested beneficiary has utilised the fund such that lien could not be placed, and he/she refuses to fund the beneficiary account to facilitate refund, the Receiving Entity’s Internal Auditors shall watch-list the customer’s BVN and the Sending Entity may report the incident to law enforcement agencies".

Source: Sahara reporters. 

2019: You Have My Support, IBB Tells Saraki

The former military ruler, President Ibrahim Babangida has supported the Presidential bid of the Senate President Bukola Saraki.

He pledged his support on Sunday when the Senate President visited him at his hilltop resident in Minna, the Niger State capital.

He (IBB) told Saraki that “You have my support” as he runs for Presidency under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to IBB, he believes the unity, economic development and security of the country are key principles that should drive the leadership in Nigeria.

He said that the Senate President has got the right objectives for a campaign for leadership of the country.

“You have got the objectives for leadership,” he told Saraki.

General Babangida says like his other colleagues in the military, he holds the unity of the country dearly in his heart.

Source: Channels

Certificate forgery: Adeosun must return salaries, face trial, PDP insists.

The Peoples Democratic Party has said the former Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, who resigned her appointment on Friday, must be made to refund the salaries and allowances that she collected.

The party said the refund should start from her days as commissioner in Ogun State from where she was appointed as the minister of finance.

The main opposition party also said Adeosun, who has dual citizenship, must be made to name those who assisted her to allegedly forge her National Youth Service Corps exemption certificate.

The National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, stated this in an interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja on Sunday.

He said if Adeosun named those that helped her, she would save the country from embarrassment arising from activities that members of the cartel would carry out in the future.

Secondus said it was not enough for Adeosun to resign, she must be made to face the law to serve as a deterrent to others.

He added that failure to take action would show that the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari remained partial in its fight against corruption.

Secondus said, “With the impunity that this government is known for, there is no way the minister would have resigned if not because we are in an election year.”

The PDP boss stated that if the minister were to be a woman of honour and the Buhari administration was serious about the fight against corruption, Adeosun ought to have resigned from her job or be sacked the day the scandal became public knowledge.

He said, “We expect the minister return all the money she had collected either as salaries or allowances before this scandal.

“She must calculate what she collected since her days as a commissioner in Ogun State up till the day she packed her belongings and left the ministry of finance and pay same to the coffers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“She must show Nigerians the teller with which she paid the money. This will enable Nigerians to know that she has done the needful.

“Also, we need to know the identities of those who helped her procure the fake NYSC discharged certificate. The government needs to clean the place of such characters.”

Secondus also asked Adeosun to return to Nigeria and serve her fatherland since the law did not exempt her from taking part in the NYSC scheme.

SERAP, CACOL seek further probe, Adeosun’s extradition

Also, two civil society organisations – the Socio-Economic Right and Accountability Project and the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership – said Adeosun’s leaving Nigeria should not stall her prosecution for certificate forgery.

They added that Nigeria should begin the process of her extradition from the United Kingdom.

The SERAP Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said, “The former minister’s exit from the country must not stop the prosecution of a forgery case. I understand that Nigeria has a good relationship with the United Kingdom and could extradite anyone wanted for any criminal allegation in the country.”

Also, the CACOL Director, Debo Adeniran, said, “We desire that she should be prosecuted, and that she was able to flee the country is a tragedy. It is an affront on the anti-corruption efforts of the present administration.  We thought that as soon as she admitted the matter, she should have been promptly invited. This should not be the end of the case.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Chief Okey Nwosu, said systemic failure in the Federal Government allowed the former minister to scale through her screening and later escape from the country after the certificate forgery allegation was confirmed.

Nwosu said, “There was supposed to be a thorough screening and I wonder if that was done. Also, the allegation had been on for more than two months and the law enforcement agencies kept mute about it. They did not need her resignation before inviting her. The system is not working and the leaders who said they are fighting corruption are not truthful.”

APC says ex-minister’s action honourable

But the APC said Adeosun’s resignation and the acceptance of same by President Muhammadu Buhari demonstrated the strength of character and integrity of the Buhari-led administration.

This was contained in a statement by the acting National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Yekini Nabena, on Sunday.

In the statement titled, ‘Kemi Adeosun: Salute to Honour and Integrity,’ Nabena said the actions of the former minister and the President exemplified the administration’s responsiveness to issues of national importance.

The statement read in part, “The news that the National Youth Service Corps exemption certificate tendered by the former finance minister was not genuine has been well-reported.

“Like all responsive and responsible governments concerned about the truth and due process, the Federal Government undertook a diligent investigation into the allegation. Now that the report of the investigation is out, the right thing has been done.

“The honorable minister has taken the path of honour and resigned. We congratulate Mrs Adeosun for her action.

“In President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration of integrity and transparency, no officer of government with a modicum of questionable conduct or integrity should stay in office.

“In the past PDP-led administrations, the country was held down by corrupt and irresponsible public officers who refused to honour invitations from the National Assembly; who closed down national airports against perceived political adversaries; bought luxurious bullet-proof vehicles with public funds at inflated prices; locked out National Assembly members, forcing federal lawmakers to climb high barricades in order to assess the legislative chamber.

“It was these acts of corruption, impunity, irresponsibility and executive rascality that made Nigerians to vote in the President Buhari administration in 2015… to put a stop to such undemocratic practices.”

Meanwhile, the PDP has asked the National Assembly to open an investigation into alleged stealing of over N10trn by the cabal in the presidency.

The party alleged that the fraud took place under Adeosun’s watch as finance minister.

The PDP said its position was predicated on allegations that the Presidency and the APC, being aware of the former minister’s NYSC exemption certificate liability, used her to steal trillions of naira from the national treasury.

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, on Sunday, urged the parliament to probe the books of the finance ministry during Adeosun’s tenure, as well as the ministry of petroleum resources, which is under Buhari.

The PDP said the probe would expose those behind the alleged N9trn fraudulent oil contracts detailed in a leaked NNPC memo, the N1.4trn fraudulent oil subsidy regime and the alleged diverted N1.1trn worth of crude oil through 18 illegal companies linked with APC interests, among others.

The statement read in part, “The PDP also insists that Mrs Adeosun must be made to explain how the $321m repatriated by Switzerland was opened up for re-looting by the presidency cabal and corrupt APC leaders while she told Nigerians through the media that the fund was being transferred to the poor and vulnerable household under a discredited social safety nets system.

“Adeosun must be made to tell Nigerians how a cabinet minister close to President Buhari directly stole $16.9m (about N7bn) from the returned $321m as non-existent legal fees before the fund became an Automated Teller Machine for members of the presidency cabal and the APC leaders.

“The former minister should also be made to expose where the pressure that compromised the system for the stealing of over N25bn National Health Insurance Scheme fund from the Treasury Single Account was initiated.”

The acting National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Yekini Nabena, had yet to respond as of press time.

A text message sent to him was not replied to as of 9.15pm.

Source: Punch 

Why Can’t We Talk About Biafra When Every Thing In Nigeria Is Full Of Injustice - Chaly Boy Blasts FG

NBA's Kanu’s message was right, why can’t we talk about Biafra when Nigeria is full of injustice.

Everywhere you go in Nigeria one thing is common, INJUSTICE.

We have been in this battle since after Nigeria Independence of 1960 This has been the story of many Nigerians every since then it doesn’t matter where you are from We are all in this mess together You have no one to blame but yourselves It is now or never Now your real freedom and destiny lies in your hand It is time to make a decision It is time to take action The Time Now Because My Mumu Don Do.

BUSTED!! APC Lawmaker Caught Bathing At A Market In Osun State Ahead Of Election

PC lawmaker, Hon Timothy Owoeye, was reportedly caught while taking his bath at a market in Osun State, an alleged ritual ahead of the election scheduled to take place in the state soon.

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The APC lawmaker who is a Majority leader and also represents Ilesa West State Constituency in the State’s House of Assembly, was spotted begging residents of the area after he was caught red-handed in the fetish act at the market.

Hon Timothy Owoeye is the Majority Leader of the Current State House of Assembly representing Ilesa East State Constituency in the Assembly.

Hon Owoeye was born on 24th August 1972. He attended St Peter’s School Ilesa (1978-1985) for his primary education. He attended C.A.C Commercial High School (1985-1991) where he completed his Senior School Certificate Examination.

He proceeded to Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, (1995-1997) where he got his diploma in Local Government Studies and University of Ado-Ekiti (2001-2004). Hon Owoeye graduated with a degree in Political Science in 2005 from the University.

He represented his people between 1999-2002 as a Councilor, Ward 10 of Ilesa East Local Government. He has been a member of the State House of Assembly since 2007 when he was the Minority Leader in the Fourth Assembly.

  Dem Don Catch Hon Timothy Owoeye of APC of Ilesa West State Constituency insidr Osun State House of Assembly (Majority Leader) wey dey bath inside market to take do juju.#PidginBlogNG pic.twitter.com/JhWZDEfwWk

— Pidgin Blog Nigeria (@PidginBlogNG) September 15, 2018

And also….
Hon Timothy Owoeye, the Majority Leader of the Osun State House of Assembly (OSHA), representing Ilesa East State Constituency on the platform of All Progressive Party (APC) having a ritual bath inside the market.

All for power and position?
SMH [💁] pic.twitter.com/IQf4Yt1PVr

— Gbemi Dennis [™] (@GbemiDennis) September 15, 2018

Source: 101 Eyewitness

PDP’s Adeleke Yet To Arrive For #OsunDebate

Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ademola Adeleke, has yet to arrive at the Osun State Governorship debate organised by Channels Television.

As at 7:49 p.m. Adeleke was not yet seen at the debate while the other four candidates of the ADP, SDP, ADC, and APC were present.

The debate started with the candidates of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Moshood Adeoti; Social Democratic Party (SDP), Iyiola Omisore and African Democratic Congress (ADC), Fatai Akinbade present.

Oyetola later arrived after the national anthem had been recited and the three candidates have introduced themselves, reading their profile.

Source: Channels

Saraki fires back; I cannot be impeached, I will never step down as Senate President

By Wole Mosadomi Minna-

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has boasted that he can never be impeached as the Senate President hinging his stand on the fact that the All Progressives Congress, (APC) championing the cause are minorities at upper chambers and therefore don’t have the powers to carry out the impeachment threat.

Besides that, Saraki also made it clear that he can never step down as Senate President as being demanded by the APC pointing out that succumbing to such calls will only amount to sacrificing the national interest of the country for personal interest. The Senate President who made these clarifications while answering questions from Journalists in Minna, Niger state Sunday as part of his presidential campaign said, “The APC members know that we are in the majority and whatever they want to do they know that they don’t have the number”.
“The other kite they are trying to fly is asking me to step down from my seat, but I can tell you that this cannot be possible as I will not step down.” “One thing is very clear and that is to say that I will not sacrifice the interest of the country for my personal interest and in the last three years as a Senate president, I have demonstrated that my interest is second to that of national interest,” he remarked. He condemned the calls from various quatres on the Senate to suspend its recess and resume adding that it was a collective decision by all members to adjourn and that their recess is under the ambit of law and has therefore not contravened any section of the procedures and that they will reconvene when it is time for them to resume from the break. According to him, “We did not adjourn the Senate in the dark; there was a procedure where at the end of the session there was a vote and it was seconded that we should go on the annual recess. “So it wasn’t anything done in the secret, everybody was there. It is not that some few people met somewhere and took the decision. “Everybody participated and everybody took the decision that we should adjourn for a normal annual recess. ” We took a similar decision last year and even two years ago and we agreed to resume on a certain date and it was the agreed date that we resumed, so there is nothing abnormal about the senate adjournment this year and what we are after is a country rooted in the rule of law and a democratic process,” he further remarked. “What is important to me is to ensure the independence of the three arms of the government, to allow rule of law, to ensure that we respect the democratic process,” he declared. On his Presidential ambition, the Senate President said his ambition is to unite all Nigerians no matter their ethnic, religion and political lenient. According to him, “the country needs a President that can unite everybody, the country needs a leader where all Nigerians will have sense of belonging, the country needs a youthful president, the country needs a President that understands how the executive and legislature work together and not in an environment where there is no harmony.” On whether he still has control of Kwara state, Saraki said,”the people of the state know their leader and we are not the type that patronize the electorate few months to elections and disappear after such elections and resurface years after. “We are with our people election or no election and we will continue to be with them and the people will also continue to embrace us all the time so, the 2019 general elections will surely determine who the leader is so let us wait till then,” he declared.

Source: Vanguard