11 ex-Jonathan’s ministers set to join APC

As many as 11 former Ministers, who served under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, may soon defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the Nation, their planned defection is all part of the ongoing realigment in the political circle.

Some of them are believed to be looking for soft landing, as President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war continues in full force.

The defection of Umar Idris, a former Minister of Transport, from PDP to APC last weekend, was seen as a “pilot test” for the ex-Ministers, who are mostly from the North.

He allegedly told Jonathan that “it is only politically expedient for him to leave PDP in Gombe State”.

There are rumours he might run for Governor in 2019.

“Some of them have opened talks discreetly with some key figures in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

They are bidding time on when to cross over. But ex-Minister Umar Idris braved the odds to defect last weekend,” a top source, who spoke in confidence, told the Nation.

“I think they do not want to lose out in the scheme of things. It is becoming obvious that the crisis in PDP might lead to the emergence of another party”, he added.

Another source said: “Contrary to what you have been fed with, it is the APC that is reaching out to like minds in the former cabinet of ex-President Jonathan.

“Some of us have been under intense pressure to defect because of the crisis in PDP.”

Some of the ex-Ministers under investigation are Nurudeen Mohammed; Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro; Bashir Yuguda; former Minister of Power, Mohammed Wakil; Bala Mohammed; Diezani Alison-Madueke; Oloye Jumoke Akinjide; Amb. Aminu Wali; Prof. Viola Onwuliri; ex-Minister Nenadi Usman; ex-Minister Senator Joel Ikenya and Femi Fani-Kayode.

Buhari’s daughter’s wedding put on hold over expensive gifts

The wedding ceremony between Zahra, daughter of Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari and the son of Maiduguri billionaire businessman, Mohammed Indimi, which is scheduled for December 4, 2016, has been put on hold indefinitely, sources close to the first family said.

Speaking on the postponed wedding, the sources said the wedding was put on hold following insistence of President Muhammadu Buhari that he was not comfortable with the attention his daughter’s wedding was receiving in the media, particularly with news of customised wedding boxes as gifts to Zahra, costing a whopping N44m.

Sources said introduction ceremony between both families had earlier held at the Aso Villa, Abuja on Friday, November 18, but the wedding programme itself scheduled between Wednesday 30th November and Sunday 4th December, 2016, is supposed to be a low-key celebration as the President desires it to be a simple and an intimate ceremony to be attended by only close family and friends.

“But the whole media attention has changed everything now and the President is not happy,” our source said.

It was also gathered that the President who has ordered that a security check be conducted on Ahmed and his source of stupendous wealth, is also not comfortable with the groom’s father, Alhaji Mohammed Indimi’s perceived closeness to ex-President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, who is believed to be against the emergence of Buhari in 2015.

Sources said President Buhari who had such information at his disposal before consenting to the marriage may have been prevailed upon by his closest political allies to have a rethink on giving out his daughter to the Indimis.

Zahra, 21-years old has been in the news recently following circulation on the social media of images of her expensive wedding gifts.

She is reported to have received about 30 customized LV (Louis Vuitton) boxes from the family of her husband-to-be, Ahmed Indimi.

“The LV boxes have Zahra’s name customized as ZBI (Zara Buhari Indimi).

“The LV bags which total about 30 and allegedly cost about £120, 000 (approximately N47,144,502, using the official rate of N392.87 to a pound) are said to have been delivered to Zahra in 30 exotic cars,” our source said.

Abuja residents lament as prostitutes convert Utako community to brothels

The leader of Utako Community, Abuja, Alhaji Abdullahi Isha, has cried out to the police over the invasion of the area by commercial sex workers, otherwise know as prostitutes.

According to the monarch, the presence of the prostitutes had equally attracted men of questionable characters to the community.

Isah, who made this disclosure during the Federal Capital Territory Eminent Persons Forum organised by the police on Tuesday in Abuja, urged on the FCT Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Mustafa, to come to the rescue of his community.

He said, “I want to call the attention of the Commissioner of Police to the activities of prostitutes who have taken over my community.

“Their population in the community has increased in recent times and they are also attracting criminal elements. We want the police to come and address the situation before things get out of hand.”

Also speaking at the forum, a participant, who is a retired commissioner of police, Lawrence Alobi, called on the FCT residents to support the police financially, noting that the Force was not getting enough funding for its operations.

He enjoined the residents of the area to emulate Lagos State, which he said empowered the police with vehicles, helicopters and other equipment to enable them to perform their responsibilities more effectively.

“Let us all support the police financially, even with N100 every month. You can’t send a child to fetch water with empty hands,” he stated.

Presenting what he described as his scorecard, Mustafa said the FCT Police Command had arrested 408 suspects, prosecuted 247 and secured the conviction of 216 between August and October, 2016.

He also explained that his men recovered from suspects, 42 firearms, 250 ammunition, 27 bags of cannabis, 72 vehicles, 44 motorcycles, and over N3mn cash.

The CP said, “Having identified through intelligence that ‘one chance’ robbers have designated certain spots they use as shrines to dispossess their victims, the command has launched a campaign to destroy the shrines and a lot of shrines have so far been destroyed. The operation will be sustained.”

Recently, the chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, Abdullahi Candido had condemned in strong terms the conversion of shops at the Nyanya market, Abuja into brothels, residential houses and schools.‎

Nationwide blackout looms as Egbin power generation drops to172MW

Nigeria is set to experience a prolonged epileptic power supply as generation from the Egbin station crashed to a record low of 172 megawatts on Tuesday, down from 1,085MW on March 15.

According to industry data, eight of the nation’s 26 power plants were idle on Tuesday.

Generation from Egbin, which is located in Lagos, with an installed capacity of 1,320MW, was said to have been limited to 172MW largely due to gas supply shortages.

Its units ST3, 4 and 5 were out due to gas constraints; ST1 was said to have tripped on generator CB trouble, and ST2 was not on spinning reserve due to a management decision.

The nation recorded a total system collapse on Thursday, November 24, the second time this month and the 20th time this year, the data showed.

The total national power generation fell to 3,224MW on Tuesday, down from 3,574.2MW on Monday.

Eight of the nation’s power generating plants, including Olorunsogo II in Ogun State and Ibom Power in Cross River, were completely idle on Tuesday.

Other plants, which did not generate any megawatts of electricity as of Tuesday, were Afam IV & V, Rivers IPP, Trans-Amadi, AES, ASCO and Gbarain.

Olorunsogo’s units GT1, 2, 3, 4 and ST2 were said to be out due to gas constraints, while ST1 was out on maintenance.

The GT1 unit of Ibom Power was out on guide vane problem, while GT2 and 3 were out due to maintenance of the gas station for 45 days since October 21.

According to a Punch report, twelve units of Afam IV & V were said to have been de-commissioned and scrapped; units GT13, 14, 15 and 16 were out on blade failure; GT17 and 18 were out due to burnt generator transformer, while GT19 and 20 were awaiting major overhaul.

River IPP’s unit GT1 was reportedly out due to gas constraints, while Trans-Amadi’s GT1, 2 and 4 were out due to gas constraints and GT3 out on fault.

The AES was said to be out of production; ASCO’s GT1 was shut down due to leakage in the furnace, and Gbarain’s GT2 was out due to gas constraints.

N4.7bn fraud: Obanikoro returns N134m to EFCC, promises to repay N450m in 2017

There are indications that a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, on Monday returned N30m to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The latest refund brings the total amount of money he has returned to the EFCC to N134m.

“Obanikoro came on Monday and presented a draft of about N30m. Initially we did not want to collect it because it is small compared to what he is supposed to have given us. However, the legal department advised us to collect it,” Punch quoted an insider as saying.

Obanikoro had in October returned N104m to the commission.

The ex-minister, who returned to Nigeria last month after spending about 15 months in the United States, was accused of receiving N4.7bn from the Office of the National Security Adviser under the leadership of Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).

Obanikoro had said in his statement of oath at the EFCC that after receiving the money in 2014, he gave N1.219bn to the then governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, while N1.3bn was given to the PDP candidate in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

He also confessed to giving Fayose a separate $5.377m at Spotless Hotel in Ekiti State in the presence of party leaders, including the then PDP Secretary, Mr. Tope Aluko.

Obanikoro was said to have kept about N785m for himself, which he allegedly spent while campaigning ahead of the PDP governorship primary in Lagos State. Mr. Jimi Agbaje won the primary.

However, the EFCC asked Obanikoro to return about N584m out of which he had already returned N134m.

At the EFCC office on Monday, Obanikoro promised the detectives that he would return the remaining N450m in 2017.

The source added, “About N450m is remaining and Obanikoro has promised to pay the rest in 2017. He will also be reporting at our office every two weeks.”

At the Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba last week, Mr. Alade Sunday, a manager with a commercial bank, narrated how Obanikoro delivered about N1.219bn to Fayose’s aide, Abiodun Agbele, for onward transmission to his boss.

He had also said it took the cashiers about 10 days to count the money.

Sunday had said Obanikoro flew with the cash to Akure Airport and the money was loaded into bullion vans.

He had said, “When we got to the airport, we waited for some minutes before the aircraft arrived. When the aircraft offloaded its passengers, one of them appeared to me to be Senator Musliu Obanikoro and the other one appeared to be his ADC, Adewale.

“Agbele walked up to them and had a discussion with them. Thereafter, he signalled me to bring the van. Bags loaded with cash were loaded into the van and Obanikoro’s ADC, Agbele and I drove back to the bank.”

APC suspends Shehu Sani indefinitely

Senator Shehu Sani, who is representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, has been suspended indefinitely, by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Thisday, Sani’s suspension was conveyed in a letter addressed to him.

The letter was signed by the Secretary of the APC in his Ward 6, Tudun Wada ward, Kaduna, Mallam Awal Abdulhamid Garba.

It read: “As you are aware, your suspension from the party for a period of eleven months elapsed today, being November 29, 2016.

“The suspension which was in line with the constitution of our great party, was to enable you to defend yourself against illegalities committed by you against the party as well as breach of its constitution.

“We expected the period of your suspension to give you the grace of being remorseful, but you rather chose to play otherwise, and this made our party to be vulnerable to disunity, disharmony and further shattering the existing peace mechanism within our ward and the state at large.

“Therefore, in consideration of the constitutional provisions as contained in Article 21 (A) i, ii, iii, v, vi, and vii of the constitution of the APC, you are hereby suspended indefinitely from active participation of APC activities.

“This is in conformity with article 21 (D) i-(F) which provides punishment for any erring member of the party.

“With this letter, you are hereby warned to abide by the party’s decision.”

23bn Diezani bribe: EFCC to prosecute 100 electoral officials

Indications emerged Tuesday night that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is set to charge over 100 electoral officials for allegedly receiving part of the $115m (N23bn) disbursed by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, during the countdown to the 2015 presidential election.

It was gathered that the acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, would meet tomorrow (Thursday) in Abuja to clean the charges that would be filed against the suspects.

While some of the officials would only face dismissal for breach of INEC rules, a majority of them would be arraigned by the EFCC.

Punch reports that some of the officials, who have returned a total sum of N400m, may not face prosecution.

At the meeting, Magu is expected to present a report on the investigation while the INEC boss would make recommendations.

A source at the EFCC said, “You will recall that the EFCC started investigating the INEC officials in the South-South in March and we arrested several officials, including the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State during the 2015 election, Gesila Khan.

“However, further investigations revealed that the bribery took place across Nigeria and so, all the EFCC zonal offices started conducting investigations simultaneously.

We have sent reports to the chairman and he is expected to meet with the INEC chairman on Thursday. Some of the electoral officials were not INEC employees but ad hoc staff. Some of the officials collected money through their bank accounts while some collected cash.”

The EFCC had, in April, arrested the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the 2015 elections in Rivers State, Mrs. Gesila Khan, and other officials of INEC that conducted elections in Delta an Akwa Ibom states.

Khan had been quizzed by the Department of State Services in July last year but was never charged.

The residences of all the suspects were subsequently searched and incriminating documents were recovered by the commission.

According to impeccable sources at the EFCC, Khan, who is now the REC in Cross River State, allegedly received N185.8m ahead of the March 28 and April 11, 2015 elections.

The source also revealed that the EFCC had arrested one Fidelia Omoile who was the INEC electoral officer in Isoko-South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The detective gave the names of some other detained officers as: Godwin Maiyaki, Gambo Balanga, Bukar Benisheik, Dukku, Jibril Muhammed, Billiri, Dunguma Dogona, Funakaye, Mohammed Wanka, Kaltungo, Ishaku Yusuf, Kwami, Suleiman Isawa, Babagana Malami, Shongom, and Nuhu Samuel.

Justice Abang is a cancer, he’s destroying Nigeria’s judiciary – Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has described the controversial Federal High Court judge, Justice Okon Abang, as a cancer that is capable of destroying the entire judiciary in Nigeria if nothing is done to curb his excesses.

The governor, who said Justice Abang was now seeing his position as a judge as a means of getting at anyone that is opposed to him, disclosed that; “Just because I criticised him and called for his sack based on his fraudulent practices as established by the Court of  Appeal in its judgment on August 18, 2016 and November 24, 2016, he hurriedly granted an interlocutory order against me on a matter pending before another judge.”

Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose reiterated his call to the National Judicial Council (NJC) to save the judiciary from Abang’s embarrassment by sending him out of the bench.

“I am, however, not surprised that Justice Abang, whom I have publicly said should be sacked by the NJC because of his unprofessional practices as established by the Court of Appeal in its judgment on August 18, 2016 and November 24, 2016, opted to get at me through strange and obnoxious proceedings,” the governor said.

He said; “If Justice Abang is an honourable person, he would have declined to handle the matter, let alone granting an indefinite order less than 48 hours that I called for his sack.

“However, because Justice Abang is not honourable, those desperately looking for means to get at me and are ready to enlist the support of anyone that is amenable, including the Satan, rushed to him last Friday and secured an exparte order with interlocutory nature the same day the application was filed.

“How could a judge have granted order on matter that is before another court of coordinate jurisdiction and such an order will be granted the same day?

The governor maintained that Justice Abang was nothing but a cancer that is eating deep into the judiciary and by extension the entire country if he is allowed to continue as a judge.

“It is on record that justices of the Appeal Court described Justice Abang judgments as fraudulent and that he raped democracy. They went further to say that he (Abang) embarked on a wild goose chase; spoke from both sides of his mouth and acted like Father Christmas. In saner climes, he should do is to resign because that is a clear indictment on his personality and character.

“Therefore, I insist that the NJC should wade into Justice Abang’s fraudulent judgments with a view to showing him the way out of the bench so that our judiciary can redeem its image,” Governor Fayose said.

Ondo Election: INEC manipulated results to favour Akeredolu – PDP

Following the defeat of its candidate, Eyitayo Jegede in the Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has alleged that the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, manipulated the poll to favour the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Recall that Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was declared winner of the keenly contested election after polling 244, 842 votes to beat his closest challenger, Jegede who polled 150, 380 votes.

Reacting to the outcome of the poll, the National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, in a statement issued on Monday rejected the outcome of the poll, insisting it will appeal the result.

The party described the result declared by the INEC as a “charade and not the true reflection of the will of the people of Ondo State.”

According to the statement, PDP claimed that INEC has “graduated from inconclusive elections as seen in Kogi, Bayelsa, Osun, FCT, Imo, Nassarawa and some other previous by-elections in the Country to ‘Advanced Election Rigging’, as in the case of Edo and Ondo States Gubernatorial Elections.”

It reads further, “In view of the fact that the election was blatantly manipulated from the beginning to the end to favour the APC, we vehemently reject the results of the November 26, 2016 gubernatorial election in Ondo State. The election and all actions leading to it fall short of laid down principles guiding conduct of elections in Nigeria.

“We have instructed our candidate and the Ondo State Chapter of our party to proceed to the Tribunal to challenge the outcome of the election. We call on the judiciary to redeem Nigeria’s image on this matter as we request for the total cancellation of the election in Ondo State.

“It is common knowledge that the APC agents openly bought votes of the electorates in the full glare of security operatives who did nothing to prevent such dastardly violation of the Electoral Law.

“It is not surprising that the electorates in Ondo state became so vulnerable to the corruptive influence of the APC because of the harsh economic situation in the country inflicted on Nigerians by the APC administration which have indeed made all Nigerians virtually beggars in their own country.

“Nigerians will recall that we had persistently called for the postponement of the Election before Saturday, for at least two weeks to enable our party campaign and prepare properly for this election as a result of the setback orchestrated by Justice Okon Abang and the charlatans in PDP who allowed themselves to be used by the APC to destroy our chances in the Ondo State Election.

“The actions of INEC in collaboration with the APC led administration left us no time to campaign and sell our candidate and party manifesto to the electorates in Ondo State. Our persistent call for the postponement of the election which was backed and supported by more than 20 other political parties were all rejected by INEC which were acting the script of the APC.

“It was a carefully planned and well orchestrated strategy to rig the election well in advance by preventing the PDP from planning and campaigning for the election. The APC has hereby introduced a new formula of rigging election in Nigeria.”

Also, the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, had yesterday claimed that the INEC connived with APC to rig the Ondo Governorship election in advance.

We brought in Buhari to save Nigeria – Obasanjo

A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has said that he and four other eminent Nigerians brought President Muhammadu Buhari to power just to salvage the country from its current woes.

He said they took the decision when they felt that the country was on the edge of collapsing.

Obasanjo said, “Three or four of us from different part of the country got together and said to ourselves what do we do?

“We said what is the problem with us and why are we still not growing. We got talking and knew we needed to do something.

“What do we need to deal with for this Nigeria of ours to become what God has created it to be. A land flowing with milk and honey, that is the intention of God for creating Nigeria.”

The former President, who was quoted as making this statement on Thursday at a reception held in his honour at the Government House, Yola, Taraba State, said so far, Buhari had not disappointed the country.

He said, “So far, Buhari has not disappointed us. I trust him, he will not fail Nigerians. I know he will overcome the challenges the country is currently facing.”

He, however, said Nigeria needed to get its acts right in the area of politics, governance and leadership for the country to develop.

The Cable reports that Obasanjo vowed never to return to the Peoples Democratic Party on which platform he served as president for eight years.

Obasanjo said, “In the part of the country where I come from, there is a saying that you cannot say ‘good night’ and come back to say ‘good evening’ in the same place.

“So for me, it is good night for the PDP and that is all.”

People steal left, right, centre in Buhari’s government – Buba Galadima

A member of the Board of Trustees, BoT, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and a close ally of President Muhammadu Buhari right from the days in the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Buba Galadima, has stated that nothing has changed in terms of corruption and looting of public funds in the present government.

He said, “People are just stealing left, right and centre because of their initial fear that when this government comes in, they would be chased is no more there. So, it is business as usual in everything.”

He said Nigeria is not only on a reverse gear, but on a standstill.

Galadima was speaking with the Tribune at the weekend, where he noted that no aspect of the economy has witnessed development so far, saying that, “At least if it is not on a reverse gear it is on a standstill.”

According to him, some elements of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, are still controlling affairs in the country.

“People who call the shots for 16 years still call the shots. So, how do you expect the government to move forward? Talk to any of the ministers individually and hear them talk.

“In all human endeavours, there is no development. A lot of money was pumped into the economy and one is not seeing the impact of the money that was put into the economy.

“The reason is simple, the government of change has not changed the personnel of those they call names every day.

“They only decide they are giving money and they pay themselves because nobody has checked or cross checked or investigated what commitment the previous government held.”

Nigeria: 'Nigeria Has Highest Prevalence of Obstetric Fistula'

The United Nation Children Fund (UNICEF) at the weekend revealed that over 0.4 to 0.8million women suffer from obstetric fistula (OF) in Nigeria, ranking the country as highest prevalence of Obstetric Fistula in the world.

The UNICEF gender and development specialist, Venera Zakirova made this known while delivering a presentation on child marriage in Abuja.

According to her, "unfortunately OF is mostly as a result of early marriages forced on adolescent girls who have not fully developed to handle the rigorous exercise of delivery.

"About 20,000 new cases of OF occur annually and 90% of these cases go untreated, making the women or girls go through discrimination by suffering hard delivery, death of their babies or end up with OF and be ostracised by her family and communities".

Earlier the representative of UN Women at the function, Desmond Osemeje noted that November 25, 2016 commences a 16 day activism against gender based violence which will last until December 10, 2016.

The Editor in chief Africa Development Information, Rotimj Sankore speaking on the negative impact of child marriage said 43% of girl children are subjected to child marriage.

He added that child marriage is the biggest reason why girls drop out of schools widening the gender inequality gaps.

Naira loses 85% of value in two years – CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria says the naira has lost about 85 per cent of its value in the last two years and there is a need for risks managers in banks to be on top of their job because of the risks facing the banking sector.

The Director, Banking and Payment System, CBN, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins, said this in a presentation at a round-table discussion organised by the Risk Managers Association of Nigeria in Lagos on Friday.

She said the Nigerian economy, including the banking sector, was facing various kinds of risks occasioned by the challenges of high inflation, naira depreciation, oil price crash and decline in manufacturing output.

As a result, the CBN director urged risk managers to rise to the task of maintaining robust risk management practice in the banking sector.

Martins said, “There is a need to avoid the situation the world experienced during the global financial crisis through the use of regulations and standards. During the global financial crisis, risk managers got significant amount of the blame.

“The nation’s Gross Domestic Product has contracted by 2.2 per cent, inflation has gone up to above 18 per cent, the currency has depreciated by about 85 per cent in the past two years, and manufacturing has contracted by three per cent.”

Martins, who is also a member of the Board of Trustees of RIMAN, added, “The oil that we produce, apart from the price, has fallen by about 70 per cent. The volume has also contracted a great deal and banks are exposed to manufacturing, oil and gas, and to the government.

“The government’s revenue has declined. Non-performing loans have increased. We do have a very cocktail of risks in our hands. What is the 

How Jonathan’s administration misappropriated N420 billion meant for Niger Delta projects – Usani

Niger Delta affairs Minister, Usani Uguru Usani, has disclosed how previous administrations collected over N420 billion for projects in the Niger Delta but ended up not executing any.

Usani was speaking to journalists in Calabar over the weekend, where he noted that Niger Delta Affairs Ministry never existed until now.

According to him, “There was an amorphous organisation called a ministry. But there was no ministry. So, attempting to get things in proper perspectives became the first responsibility, which, so far, is beginning to take proper shape.”

He said he met on ground an “organised chaos and a deliberate action of disorder.

“It was a situation where people thought that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was a platform for collecting and sharing.

“That is the reason we had more than N420 billion disbursed in the ministry and the rate of project completion was just 12 per cent. There was so much waste.

 “In every state of the Niger Delta, there are housing estates of two-bedroom and three-bedroom units. They have skills acquisitions centres. Only one has been completed and donated to the Federal University Otuoke.

“The rest are not complete, like the popular East West road, which seems to characterise the image of the ministry.”

“What we are trying to do is reward contractors who have shown true diligence in execution and should be encouraged by being mobilised further to return to site.

“And those who are in liability against the recent mobilisation are requested or advised to return to site until they get to the level of project execution that will be commensurable to what they have gained financially.”

He recalled that the East West road, “was first awarded in 2006. One decade has passed and it has not been completed. Yet, it is of so much economic and social importance to the region.”

Anenih is called ‘Mr Fix it’ because he helped put Nigeria in present fix – Timi Frank

Suspended Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Timi Frank, has risen in defense of former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar over claims made by erstwhile chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, urging the latter to stop making disparaging comments at old age and quietly retire from politics.

Anenih had revealed in his book titled, ‘My Life and Nigerian Politics’ that Atiku wanted to become the President in 2003 when former President, Olusegun Obasanjo was contesting for a second term, stressing that he stopped former vice president from succeeding the then president .

But Frank maintained that Anenih did not tell the true story of what transpired on his 2003 account, explaining that over 22 PDP governors were strongly behind Atiku to contest the Presidency but he stepped down for his boss because of his loyalty. He added that the Mr. Fix it, the retiring politician is called was because he helped to place Nigeria and Nigerians in the present fix the country is in.

Speaking in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, Frank challenged Anenih to tell Nigerians “one good thing he will be remembered for or be retired from political stage quietly,” adding that he should be “apologizing to Nigerians for the damage he and others have done to Nigeria and “even to his own political party, PDP, as it is obvious today.

The statement said it was out of place for the ex-minister of Works and Housing to describe Atiku as an ambitious politician, “when he himself was more desperate than Atiku who had opportunity to become President in the past but remained loyal to his boss”.

Buhari wants institutions of higher learning to focus on research

BENIN – PRESIDENT Mohammadu Buhari has tasked universities and higher institutions of learning in the country to channel their time and resources on research and innovation that will enhance the nation’s economic development. The president who was represented by Prof. Ramon Yusuf, gave the charge at the 42nd convocation ceremony of the University of Benin, Benin City weekend. He said the institutions must think outside the box and concentrate on their core values which are research and innovation in order to get the nation out of the woods noting that such would be more effective if they partner industries to achieving that feat. “I urged the universities to focus on their core mandate and it is clear that the chances of achieving greater heights and contributing more meaningfully to the national development are much higher than when they focus, channel their energies and resources into focal areas of core competency than when they spread themselves totally especially in the milieu of economic implementing. “Another aspect in our universities that require a focus is the area of research and innovation which constitute an important component of the mandate of universities. In deed, it is a well known fact that no nation can develop or make meaningful progress without a solid research and development culture. ” Therefore, universities should pay closer attention to research and innovation with the ultimate aim of generating new knowledge and developing new product and pattern that will catalyze the much needed industrialization of Nigeria” he said. Speaking also, the pro-chancellor, University of Benin, Senator Effiong Dickson Bob, said with the institution limited resources, it has been able to sustain the developmental strides and has improved on the standard set by its previous administrations in the area of ICT infrastructure, academic research and creating an harmonious environment for learning. On the part of the chancellor, His Highness, Muhammad Sanusi II, Sarkin Kano, he charged the vice chancellor and his team to redouble their effort by taking the quantum leap that will lunch the university into the league of 21st century universities by initiating programs, researches and community services in which critical areas as impact projects, eco-innovation, skills development and entrepreneurship. In his part, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki said his government was bent on addressing and investing massively in the technical and vocational education of the people of the state, stressing that they are critical to the economic survival of any given nation. On the part of the vice chancellor, Prof. F.F. O. Orumwense, while commending president Mohammadu Buhari for his avowed commitment to deliver on quality education to Nigerians, said the university has remained the most innovative, the most sought after in this part of the world adding that the institution has also recorded a huge feat as she presents her first sets of graduands of the national institute of legislative studies for the convocation.

NIGERIAN CLUBS SHARE 240 MILLION NAIRA LOOT RECOVERED BY ANTI-GRAFT EFCC

Top Nigerian clubs including Nembe City have been paid their share of 240 million Naira recovered by anti-graft agency EFCC from a television broadcast agent.

The cash was paid into the Club Owners Association account.

EFCC are set to recover another 100 million Naira from the TV broadcast agent as well as a former sponsor of the league.

The clubs to benefit from this largesse will be those who featured in the now defunct Nigeria Premier League (NPL).

It was also understood that some principal executives during the NPL era were also paid off from this recovered money.

Television rights sales during the NPL era were shrouded in controversies amid allegations of brazen fraud.

It was alleged that the league got less than 10% of the broadcast cash over a period of six years. 

Nana Bonsu has been named best goalkeeper in the 2015/2016 Nigerian Premier League.

The former Ghana U17 gloves man was impressive as his side Enugu Rangers won the title.

Bonsu had won the player of the month award in February.

He joined the Nigerian giants after he was released by AshantiGold SC during the transfer period.

House of Rep­resentatives stole N500bn – Hon Abdulmumin Ji­brin

The House of Rep­resentatives in the past 10 years got N1. 271trillion as statu­tory allocation, from which the sum N500 billion was stolen in the name of running cost, sacked Appropriation Committee Chairman, Hon Abdulmumin Ji­brin, has said.

In a statement he is­sued at the weekend, Jibrin gave the break­down of the 10 years’ allocation as follows: “In 2006, the lawmak­ers got N49.3 billion, in 2007 (N59.80 billion), N112.56 billion for 2008.

“In 2009, N106.64 billion; 2010, N127. 78 billion; 2011, N150 bil­lion; 2012, N150 bil­lion; 2013, N150 bil­lion; 2014, N150 billion; 2015, N120 billion and 2016, N115 billion”, he said.

Jibril explained that the National Assembly’s allocation is a first line charge in the budget which makes it a prior­ity and mandatory pay­ment from the federa­tion account

He said: The utilisa­tion of this allocation which is the internal budget of the House has remained the most opaque in the entire world. When the alloca­tion is received, the run­ning cost of members which comes up to al­most half the allocation is deducted.

“No member has a copy of the internal bud­get of the House which shows how the balance is spent. It is important to note that the running cost excludes salaries of legislative aides many of whom are ghost staff and other expenditures.

“The balance which is more than sufficient but for corruption is what is expected to be used to run the activities of the NASS. But, severally, the House still inserts some of its expenditure in the federal government budget especially capital supplementation under service wide vote.

Police Inspector kills Driver for giving ‘small bribe’

The Niger state po­lice command has arrested one of its police officer named as inspector Isa Mohd who was reported to have shot to death a J5 Bus driver and injured his conductor in early hours of Saturday at a check point along Tegina-La­gos Road in Mashegu Local Government area of Niger state.

Eye witness account said the police officer who is an inspector by rank had demanded for a tip from the driver who in the process did not give something sub­stantial which resulted to an argument and as the driver turn to walk toward his vehicle, the inspector cock and fired at him.

The bullet pierced through the edge of the driver abdomen went out through his back killing him on the spot before hitting his con­ductor on the leg living him with a fracture but was immediately rush to a nearby hospital.

The situation infuri­ated members of the public who decided to barricades the road and were later join by drivers to protest the killing of one of their colleagues.

The police public relation officer of the command, DSP Bala Elkana when contacted confirmed the the in­cidence saying “ The police man has been ar­rested and detained.

He said the com­missioner of police CP Zubairu Abubakar has ordered for an in-depth investigation in to the case and that the police officer will be tried in police orderly room”

He however advised members of the public to remain calm, as inves­tigation is going on say­ing that “ it has been a long while now without recording this type of reckless killing by the of­ficers of NPF since when an order was directed to stop given weapon to junior police officers on duty that takes alcohols.

Obaje: My Deal With Spartak Moscow Almost Done

Nigerian striker, Godwin Obaje is set to sign a contract with Russian side, Spartak Moscow after impressing during a two week trials with the club, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

Obaje was the top scorer in the Nigeria Professional Football League in the 2015/2016  season scoring 18 goals for Wikki Tourists who finished in the third position in the table.

"It was a successful trials for me as they (Spartak Moscow) were impressed with my performance in training sessions," the former JUTH FC striker told Completesportsnigeria.com on arrival from Russia on Monday.

"My agent is in talks with the club officials and every other details will be sorted out soon.

" It is my dream to play in Europe and I hope to actualise that this time around."

The forward was close to securing a transfer to Slovakian side, AS Trencin last year but the move broke down over contractual disputes.

Pinnick embarks on ‘VIP scouting’ trip to Europe

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has travelled to Europe, in a bid to convince some young Nigerian footballers, to commit their international future to Nigeria.

Pinnick had at several times stated that some of the best youngsters in Europe, will one day switch their allegiance and play for the Super Eagles.

A reliable source at the NFF told Sports Vanguard at the weekend, that Pinnick in his official memo to the NFF, stated that he was embarking on what he described as ‘VIP scouting’ of players.

However, this has attracted some criticism, as some are questioning if the NFF boss is now the chief coach of the national team, to be embarking on such scouting trips.

“Well the president has gone on his now famous ‘VIP scouting’ but if you ask me, I will say it is ill timed because this a time the federation is said to be going through some financial stress,” a source who preferred anonimity told the newspaper.

“You saw what happened to the Falconets who were stranded after they returned from the world cup because the NFF could not even give them their local fares not to talk of their backlog of allowances and bonuses.”

Pinnick had previously told journalists in Abuja, that the vision is for a young Super Eagles squad, to conquer the world by 2022.

“The initial plan was to take our players in the various clubs but now what we are trying to do is what we call VIP scouting, talking to these young players that are playing abroad to play for their fatherland,” he said.

Buhari jailed me 18 months for being rich – Tony Anenih

Chief Tony Anenih has said that President Muhammadu Buhari jailed him for 18 months during his military administration, because he was wealthy.

The former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Board of Trustees was in prison between March 1984 and August 1985.

Writing in his biography titled ‘My Life and Nigerian Politics’, which was launched in Abuja over the weekend, Anenih stated that Buhari went about arresting politicians arbitrarily.

He said: “The military regime of General Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon threw me into detention for 18 months on the basis of an anonymous petition that as a prominent and wealthy politician and leader of the NPN in Bendel State, the military administrator would not find his footing unless I was removed from the scene.

“I was sent to Kirikiri Prisons where I spent three months before I was transferred to Ikoyi Prisons.”

The retired police officer, who announced his retirement from politics last week, insists he did not deserve such treatment.

Anenih added: “I must emphasise it again and again that I did nothing wrong to anyone, the government or the state to merit a detention. My crime was that I was a wealthy, influential and highly respected politician.”

Ondo election: Jonathan tells Jegede to concede defeat

Baring any last minute change of mind, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the just concluded governorship election in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, may show the spirit of sportsmanship and extend a congratulatory hand to the winner, Rotimi Akeredolu of the APC.

 Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was declared winner of the keenly contested election after polling 244, 842 votes to beat his closest challenger, Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party, who polled 150, 380 votes.

Following the announcement of the final result, congratulatory messages have been pouring in for the governor-elect, Akeredolu from every corner.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President, Bukola Saraki and many governors have felicitated with him on his emergence as the next governor of the Sunshine State.

However, sources within the party hinted our reporter that former president, Goodluck Jonathan was among the first callers of the PDP candidate, Jegede when the result was announced.

According to our source, Jonathan asked him to concede defeat in the best interest of the people, having fought hard thus far.

“Dr. Goodluck (Jonathan) was among the first persons that called him (Jegede) even before the result was announced. He pointedly told him to be a ‘gentleman’ and congratulate anybody who would eventually emerge winner.

“When the result was announced, he (Jonathan) called again and reminded him (Jegede) not to forget their earlier discussion,” the source said.

According to our source, Jegede is willing to accept defeat but some top party members in the state are still considering challenging the result in court.

“Left for Jegede, he is not desperate. He is ready to let go but his party members and sponsors are considering going to court, hence his statement that he was still studying the result”, the source added.

Earlier, the PDP candidate had in a statement said it was too early to decide his next line of action.

He said: “it is too early to decide on what to do as a person. My party the PDP, will decide what to do. We are still consulting with those that matter so as to know the next line of action.

“I know we have won the heart of the people and I should thank our people for standing by us and for their show of love and their steadfastness.

‘We are studying the situation and in the fullness of time you will know what the position of the party is.

“The events that led to the election are known to you and I. We had 48 hours to prepare for the election. I was cleared by the court on Wednesday and had only Thursday to campaign and on Saturday I had to go for election.”