Akwa Ibom Assembly confirms 18 nominees as commissioners

The Akwa Ibom House of Assembly on Wednesday confirmed 18 Commissioner Nominees and two Special Advisers as requested by Governor Udom Emmanuel.
The confirmation of the nominees followed their screening by the Committee of the Whole.
The House Leader, Udo Akpan, moved a motion for their confirmation and Aniekan Bassey seconded the motion.
The new commissioners are Paul Udofia, Ime Ekpo, Dr. Nse Essien, Prof. Eno Ikpe, Idoroenyin Udo and Nsikan Nkan.
The others are Uduak Udoinyang, Charles Udo, Orman Esin, Dr. Iniobong Essien, Dr. Dominic Ukpong, Uwemidimo Nwoko and Victor Antai.
The rest are Monday Uko, Dr. Glory Edet, Udoh Ekpenyong, Akan Okon as well as Ephraim Inyang.
The new Special Advisers are Ekong Sampson and Ekemini Umoh.

Reps move to bar acting president, governor from second term

The House of Representatives yesterday moved to bar any person who has acted as president or governor for a period of two years from seeking election to serve beyond one term of four years in office.
The bill, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker Sulaimon Lasun Yussuff specifically noted: “No person who has held office of president or governor of a state or acting as president or governor of a state for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected president or governor, shall be elected to the office of president or governor of a state more than once.”
Lasun, who is also the chairman of the ad hoc committee on constitution review, explained that the aim of the bill is to give constitutional protection to the two-term tradition. He added that by virtue of the provisions of sections 137(1)(b) and 182(1)(b) of the constitution, the president and governor of a state shall serve in those capacities for a maximum period of eight years.
He further argued that the constitution equally envisaged circumstances where a person can be chosen to act as president or governor, including when the president or a governor resigns, dies or is impeached.
This amendment, he said, was inspired by the 22nd amendment to the constitution of the United States which provides: “No person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice and no person who has

I may probe Mimiko if there are established cases of corruption – Akeredolu

The Governor-Elect of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has said despite his pronouncement of not wanting to probe the administration of the outgoing Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, he would not close his eyes if he stumbles upon established cases of wrongdoing.
Akeredolu, however, re-emphasised that he would not deliberately go out to probe Mimiko’s administration.
Speaking with State House correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, Akeredolu said: “At the centre, the government of President Buhari said we must look back in order to move forward.
“He has been there for over a year now.
“Has he instituted a probe?
“Looking back is not a probe and I maintain that I will not probe any administration.
“This is responsible leadership and I am elected to lead the people.

I may dump PDP in 2018 – Fayose

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has given indication of a plan to dump his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, in 2018.
Fayose said he may seek another political platform to fight the battle of who will succeed him as governor.
He said this on Wednesday during a meeting with the members of the Suppliers’ Association of Nigeria, Ikere Ekiti chapter.
He said: “I don’t know the platform I will use for the 2018 election yet and at the appropriate time, I will tell you.
“We are still studying the situation.
“We have to play the game left, right and centre and whoever we are going to use and the platform, you will all be part of the process because party politics is about the people.
“You all saw how people sold their votes in Ondo State.
“I am confident that that will not happen in Ekiti.
“I am close to the people.

You have no sense of shame – Kaduna APC tells Shehu Sani

The Kaduna state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described Shehu Sani, senator representing Kaduna central district, as a man without “sense of shame”.
Salisu Wusono, acting publicity secretary of the party in Kaduna, said this in response to Sani’s earlier statement on his suspension.
Sani had alleged that Nasir el-Rufai, governor of the state, had hijacked the party, and was using it to fight him.
But denying the allegation Wusono accused Sani of representing the politics of “fraud and deceit”.
“As if determined to prove that he is beyond redemption, Shehu Sani penned a pathetic response to his continued suspension from our party that testifies that he is a denizen of the gutter,” he said.
“Anyone that harboured any doubt about the morass in his mind and the decadence of his conduct would now have those uncertainties wiped away. Crassness of language is a twin to crass of conduct.
“His outburst is a confirmation, that he has no sense of shame. He is a man full of tantrums, a busker who simultaneously entertains and distresses people with his shameless antics.
“He has since lost focus and why he was elected to the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the

Ogun PDP suspends Kashamu, six others over anti-party activities, others

The Ogun state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has announced the suspension of some top members.
The chapter said the suspension is with immediate effect.
This is contained in a statement jointly signed by Hon. Sikirulai Olawale Ogundele, State Chairman, and Hon. Olabode Bankole, State Secretary.
It said the development follows the report of a Panel which was constituted in June, 2016 to investigate allegations of financial improprieties, anti-party activities and sundry reckless acts that are capable of bringing the party to disrepute.
“The Panel on several occasions invited some of the above named who were implicated in the misapplication and outright diversion of party funds to defend and acquit themselves of those allegations but they refused to honour the invitation,”
“Based on the preliminary report of the Panel however, submitted to the Executive committee of the Peoples

Security beefed up for hitch free election in Ondo

Security has been beefed up in Ondo state ahead of the November 26 governorship election, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
A NAN correspondent who visited some areas in the state on Thursday reports that armed personnel from the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian Army were stationed at strategic places.
NAN recalls that no fewer than 26,000 police officers were deplored to the state by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris for the election.

Fayose’s aides get ultimatum to retract libelous statements against Fayemi

Former Governor of Ekiti State and Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has given a seven-day ultimatum to a member of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr Samuel Omotoso; and the Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, Lere Olayinka, to retract libelous statements against him on a live television programme aired on the state television on July 6, 2016.
In a letter on behalf of the Minister from the Law Chambers of R.O. Balogun & Co, dated November 19, Fayemi is asking both Omotosho and Olayinka to make a retraction and public apology, which must be given equal prominence like the offending statements and utterances.
They are also to pay Fayemi N100 million for the offending statement within the period, failure of which an action would be filed against them in the law court.
The duo of Omotoso and Olayinka had during a live programme on the Ekiti State Television, tagged: Ejiire, on July 6, 2016 alleged that Fayemi illegally took N1.5 billion from Ekiti State treasury and gave it to

Ondo guber: PDP rejects Soremekun as Chief Returning Officer

The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo state, said it has reliable information that plans are being made to manipulate and rig Saturday’s governorship election.
PDP alleged that to attain the nefarious agenda, INEC has concluded plans to use the same set of people who compromised the Edo election.
Ayo Fadaka, PDP publicity director, in a statement said Professor Kayode Soremekun, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, who served as Chief Returning Officer in Edo State has been recruited to serve as CRO in Ondo State to “use the same template that compromised that election in Ondo State.”
“We hereby warn INEC not to bring Soremekun and his unscrupulous gang to Ondo State. We emphasis that he is not the only Vice Chancellor in Nigeria and as such does not exclusively possess the skill to discharge that responsibility,” the party warned.

Ondo guber: NCP declares support for Akeredolu

Barely 24 hours to the governorship election in Ondo State, the National Conscience Party (NCP), has declared its support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).
The governorship candidate of the NCP in the election, Obayoriju Jimoh Abass, who disclosed this in Akure yesterday, said the support for Akeredolu became necessary because of the pedigree of the APC candidate.
According to him, “After accessing the political situation and the pedigree of all the candidates of the political parties in the election, we have decided to queue behind Akeredolu in the governorship election.”
He added that aside the experience and background of the APC candidate, Akeredolu is contesting the

Training of workers not political – Mimiko

The Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has denied the reports that the current training of workers is politically motivated.
According to Mimiko, the training organised by the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) is to sensitise workers to survive during hard times.
The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Kola Ademujimi, said the criticism by the opposition parties was to discredit the patriotic efforts of the trade unions.
He said it was ridiculous that the opposition would criticise the training, adding that the workers had the choice of deciding whom to vote for at the governorship election.
The one-day seminar held in Akure, was titled: “The Survival of Workers in the Face of Economic Recession in Nigeria.”

One in three child migrants missing after Calais Jungle closure: charity

A bulldozer is used to remove debris as workmen tear down makeshift shelters during the dismantlement of the camp called the "Jungle" in Calais, France, October 27, 2016. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Nearly one in three migrant children tracked by a refugee charity have gone missing since the "Jungle" camp in the northern French town of Calais was dismantled in October, the organization said on Wednesday.

Refugee Youth Service said it could not locate a third of the 179 child migrants it had been tracking since authorities bulldozed the Jungle, home to up to 10,000 people fleeing war or poverty in the Middle East and Africa.

The fate of children staying in the squalid camp where migrants converged in the hope of making it across to Britain, has been a political problem for the British government.

Religious leaders, refugee rights campaign groups and opposition parties have accused Britain of dragging its heels in helping to deal with unaccompanied children.

Refugee Youth Service, which has worked in the Calais camp since November last year, said a lack of

Kuwaitis head to polls hoping to stop austerity

An election campaign meeting in Kuwait City late on November 23, 2016 (AFP Photo/Yasser Al-Zayyat)

 Kuwaitis vote on Saturday for a new parliament they hope will halt austerity measures forced by falling oil revenues in the emirate, known for its cradle-to-grave welfare system.

With the return of opposition groups after a four-year boycott, the outcome of the snap elections is seen as crucial for shaping the domestic politics of the oil-rich Gulf state.

The seventh polls in a decade follow one of the most intense election campaigns seen in Kuwait, with opposition and pro-government candidates trading barbs over corruption and other allegations.

The opposition is being tipped to make a strong showing, with many members of the previous parliament expected to lose their seats, but is likely to fall well short of a majority.

"The return of opposition groups is the most significant development in this election," said analyst Ayed al-Manna.

"The opposition comeback could lead to a national reconciliation after years of bitter disputes," the political scientist told AFP.

Kuwait's parliament is considered the most powerful in the Gulf Arab states thanks to its legislative and

South Africa's biggest union group backs Ramaphosa to succeed Zuma

South Africa's Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa (L) and President Jacob Zuma listen to the national anthem at the opening of Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa February 11, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/File Photo

 South Africa's Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa saw his chances of becoming the country's next leader increase on Thursday when a powerful union group backed him to succeed President Jacob Zuma as head of the ruling party.

Zuma is expected to stand down as African National Congress (ANC) president at a party conference in December next year, ahead of national elections in 2019 when his tenure as the country's president will end.

The debate over who should follow Zuma has heated up since the ANC suffered its worst local election results in August, exposing party divisions.

The ANC's dominance of South Africa since apartheid ended in 1994 means it is widely expected to win the 2019 election, making its next leader almost certain to become president.

No one has declared an ambition to run but informal positioning is well under way, with the ANC split between backers of Ramaphosa, a former anti-apartheid leader popular with investors, and those who

Ondo guber: I remain PDP candidate – Ibrahim

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Jimoh Ibrahim yesterday faulted the Court of Appeal verdict which nullified his candidacy as not having a ‘consequential order.”
Ibrahim described the Appeal Court judgment as “one day ruling”, adding that the Supreme Court would sit on the case today (Thursday)
“I have read the decision of the Court of Appeal delivered today (yesterday) without a consequential order. The ruling failed to specifically say that my name should be substituted by INEC.
“Since there is no consequential order directing INEC to do so, the judgement is therefore not binding on me and INEC cannot remove my name and as such I remain PDP candidate for Saturday’s election.
“But we are optimistic that we have nothing to lose as the Supreme Court sits on same case tomorrow. We

Nigeria structured for wealth sharing, guzzling – Ekweremadu

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has blamed Nigeria’s economic woes on wrong federal structure, which he said had predisposed the country to wealth sharing, indolence, and poor governance since the fall of the First Republic.
He reiterated that restructuring remained the true and lasting solution to the nation’s many woes, as it would promote wealth creation, productivity, good governance, and national development.
He made the assertions at the investiture of Dr. Omede Idris as the 15th President of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, APBN, in Abuja, Thursday night.
Ekweremadu, who said the investiture ceremony came at a most crucial time in the country’s recent history, regretted that the Nigerian economy easily lapsed into recession, while the nation continued to lament over fall in oil price in a knowledge-driven global economy.
He, therefore, expressed worries that calls and attempts to re-engineer the nation’s federalism through restructuring and injection of fiscal federalism had always been unheeded and unsuccessful.

Ondo guber: Jimoh Ibrahim remains PDP candidate

The Justice Ibrahim Salauwa-led panel constituted to hear all appeals from the Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, indefinitely adjourned judgment in the appeal filed by Eyitayo Jegede challenging the verdict of the panel, granting leave to Jegede to appeal against the nomination of Jimoh Ibrahim as the substantive candidate for the November 26 election in Ondo State.
The three-member panel was forced to adjourn the proceedings following an appeal filed by the Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff faction of the PDP before the Supreme Court challenging, among others, the jurisdiction of the panel.
In the motion filed by the Sheriff faction of the party in Ondo State through its counsel Rapheal Oluyede, the three-member panel of the Appeal Court was joined as 5th to 7th respondents. The applicants in the motion led by Prince Biyi Poroye, accused the panel of bias and prayed the apex court to restrain the Justices from further proceedings in the appeals.
The motion served on the panel at about 7:30pm on Thursday night alleged that the three Justices had betrayed their office with the way the appeals have been handled and that they have refused to be bound by

NAGAFF hails Senate’s passage of Maritime University Bill

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders on Friday said the Senate’s passage of the Bill establishing the Maritime University was good for the development of the maritime sector.
The association’s National Publicity Secretary, Stanley Ezenga, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the lawmakers should also push for actual establishment of the university.
Ezenga said: “The passage of the bill is good for the maritime industry.
“What the Senate has done, really shows they are true representatives of the people and that they really mean well for the country.

President Buhari signs eight Bills into Law

President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to eight Bills passed and transmitted to him by the National Assembly.
By this development, the Bills, which border on different sectors, including the economy, automatically become laws.
The new laws are the Prevention of Crime Amendment Act‎ 2016; National Crop Varieties and Livestock Breeds (Registration) Amendment Act‎ 2016; Telecommunications and Postal Offences Amendment Act‎ 2016; and National Agricultural Land Development Authority Amendment Act‎ 2016;
Others are the Produce Enforcement of Export Standards Amendment Act‎ 2016; Agricultural and Rural

Ondo PDP crisis: Why A’Court adjourned indefinitely

The Special Panel of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, established to determine all appeals arising from the ongoing Peoples Democratic Party leadership disputes on Friday adjourned its proceedings indefinitely.
The Chairman of the panel, Justice Ibrahim Salauwa, at the resumption of the day’s proceeding broke the information to the parties.
The Judge said the panel took the decision following a notice of motion for stay from the Supreme Court served on it by the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the PDP.
Salauwa said: “Only yesterday, at about 7pm, we were served a motion from the apex court ordering the panel to discontinue further actions.
“The motion was filed by all the respondent parties in the pending appeals.
“This include the Ali Modu Sheriff, Biyi Poroye, the Executive members of the Ondo State PDP and the Executive members of the South West Zone of the party.
“These parties had approached the apex court to order us from further actions pending the determination of interlocutory appeals they had filed at the apex court.”
The group had approached the Supreme Court following the decision of the Court of Appeal that granted

Akeredolu praises military over arrest of suspected Oke’s armed thugs

The Aketi Media Group of the Akeredolu Campaign Platform has commended the military for its professionalism and vigilance in the arrest of gunmen on the campaign trail of the candidate of the Alliance for Democracy for the governorship election in Ondo State, Olusola Oke.
The men were accosted by military men at a checkpoint in Okitipupa.
They were found with pump action guns, machetes and a digital camera.
The men first claimed to be journalists, but they had no means of identification.
They merely used the camera to disguise as journalists before the military men discovered the guns inside their vehicle.
The suspected thugs were arrested immediately and detained at Okitipupa Military Barracks where they were interrogated.
Reacting to the development, the Director of Communications of the Akeredolu Campaign Platform, Soji Alakuro, berated Oke for allegedly harbouring armed thugs to terrorise innocent citizens in order to precipitate violence before, during and after the election.

Ondo guber: Akeredolu, Mimiko bicker over plots to shift poll

THE campaign organization of the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, alleged that Governor Olusegun Mimiko was working surreptitiously to ensure a postponement of the poll.
In a statement by its Director of Communications, Soji Alakuro, the organisation said the APC candidate, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, is ready for the election and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and security agencies not to succumb to the antics of the governor.
‘’We are aware of the untoward moves and pressures being mounted on INEC as well as friendly security heads in the state by Governor Mimiko on the need to postpone the forth-coming governorship election in the state. As a way of laying a false template for such, the Governor is plotting a three-day street wide protest in the state capital, Akure and other major towns in the state.
Gov Mimiko and Akeredolu, ACN candidate during the last guber election in Ondo State.
“This is planned to hold between November 23 and 25. Undoubtedly, this is a recipe for violence and the

Trump will get wake-up call when he takes office – Obama

President-elect Donald Trump is in for a quick wake-up call and will have to adjust his temperament when he confronts the realities of his new job on Jan. 20, President Barack Obama said on Monday.
In a news conference at the White House, Obama said the freewheeling Trump could not be as outspoken as he was during the long and bitter campaign that ended last week with the Republican’s surprise win over Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Subdued and carefully choosing his words, Obama gave what appeared to be dispassionate advice to his successor free of much of the partisan rancour that marked the election campaign.
“This office has a way of waking you up,” Obama said. “Those aspects of his positions or predispositions that don’t match up with reality, he will find shaken up pretty quick because reality has a way of asserting itself.”
The two men met in the Oval Office last week to begin the transition of power. Obama said on Monday he

Buhari receives economic recovery strategy report

After many months of rigorous planning, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, received the ambitious economic recovery strategy report prepared by his Economic Management Team, EMT, to steer the nation off recession.
The multi-prong strategy, which was prepared by the EMT, in collaboration with the Ministries of Budget and National Planning, Finance, the Presidency and the Central Bank of Nigeria, is to enable the President appreciate the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, ERGP, before setting out to present it to Nigerians next month.
A top source, who is privy to the ERGP, confirmed that President Buhari received the document with a high level of appreciation to the EMT and would gladly make it public early next month.
It was gathered that the ERGP is hinged on five key sectors, namely, macroeconomic policy, economic diversification and growth drivers, competitiveness, social inclusion and jobs, and governance and other

Edo PDP, Ize Iyamu rule out involvement in Obaseki’s govt

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state monday ruled out the possibility of participating in the APC-led government of Godwin Obaseki.
Obaseki in his inaugural speech last Saturday, disclosed the possibility of his administration to extend a hand of fellowship to the opposition parties, remarking that after a hard-fought campaign, he was willing to gather ideas that have been articulated by all parties and integrate them for the transformation of Edo State.
But state PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, at a press conference to x-ray the eights years administration of former governor, Adams Oshiomhole, said the party cannot be part and parcel of an administration whose tenure would terminate at the end of the state election petition tribunal.
Orbih who decried the huge debt profile legacy of Oshiomhole-led government, said the state currently rank the third highest indebted state in Nigeria.
He said not less than N1trillion accrued to the immediate past administration as federal statutory allocation

Saraki urges state assemblies to adopt amended procurement law

The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has advised state Houses of Assembly in the 36 states to adopt the recently amended Public Procurement Act and enact it in order to help local manufacturers in their respective states.
Saraki who was addressing the first set of beneficiaries of the Skill acquisition Training and Empowerment Programme (STEP) initiated by him to empower youths in his home state, Kwara, said the adoption of the new Procurement Act in the states will ensure that state government agencies will join their federal counterparts in putting money in the pockets of citizens while helping to encourage the development of private initiatives among fellow country men and women.
Saraki called on the Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Alli Ahmed, to take the message to his colleagues in other states on the need for legislators to focus on laws that can be enacted to help people out of the current economic recession.
“This is a challenging time for all of us and it requires ingenuity, creativity and thinking out of the box to come

Why I don’t visit US – Atiku

Former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has given explanations over his alleged avoidance of the United States over a purported corruption case for which he was said to be wanted.
Atiku denied that he was avoiding US any travel ban on him. He also faulted the widely held notion about him as a corrupt person, saying if he was corrupt, he would have been convicted by now.
In an interview published in the latest edition of Zero Tolerance Magazine, a publication of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Atiku said he “no longer has compelling reasons” to travel to US, as his family, who used to live there, had relocated.
“There is no travel restriction on me to the United States. After leaving office, I have been to the US severally to visit my family, which has eventually relocated,” he said.
Atiku, however, did not answer the question on when last he visited the US, insisting that the reason for his

Court cleared me of corruption charges cooked up by Obasanjo, El-Rufai, Ribadu – Atiku

The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has given himself a clean slate from corruption tag, saying that court has cleared him of the corruption allegations “cooked up” by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and gazetted by a government white paper during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.
Atiku stated this in the interview granted to the editorial team of the EFCC, which was published in the latest edition of their in-house Magazine, “Zero Tolerance”.
He noted that he is one of the strongest advocate of the anti-corruption war, having pioneered the establishment of the major anti-graft agencies including the EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
He said: “Well, if Atiku Abubakar was corrupt, he would have been found guilty of corruption by all the panels and probes and cases that were brought before the courts.

AD finally accepts Oke as candidate for Ondo poll

The National Legal Adviser of the Alliance for Democracy, Kehinde Aworele, on Monday said that there was no crack in the party’s ranks.
Aworele stated this during the official presentation of flag to the governorship candidate of the party for the November 26 election in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, in Akure.
He said that the initial rift in the party was a mere misunderstanding on issues of Oke’s candidacy, which according to him, has been resolved amicably.
He added that the court case involving the party with its candidate had been withdrawn.
Aworele said: “The virtue of being here with this mammoth crowd shows that there is no crack in AD.”
Also speaking, Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfehinwa, a National Leader of the party, said that the party would rescue the state from “13 years of wilderness” on November 26.

Ondo guber: Be Jega of our time – Groups tell INEC boss

Ahead of the Ondo and Rivers polls, the conveners of the Movement for the Actualisation of Egalitarian Society (MAES) and the Get Involved Campaign has called on the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain resolute, focus and determined
to umpire Ondo State governorship elections as well as the National Assembly elections in Rivers State.
Speaking to newsmen during the weekend the convener, GETINVOLVED CAMPAIGN, comrade Idris Usman raised concerns, over what he described as “faulty conduct of some elections in recent times by INEC, under the leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.”
Comrade Usman also urged Prof Yakubu to bolster up to the electoral standard left behind by his

2019: I never spoke about Atiku’s bid – Bindow

Governor Muhammad Umar Jibrilla Bindow of Adamawa state has denied making any reference to “unconfirmed” presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The governor’s position came against the backdrop of a media report quoting him to have said “it’s either Atiku or nobody for the 2019 Presidency.”
A statement by his Special Assistant, Media and Press Affairs, Martins Dickson, yesterday urged those who must have been offended by such misrepresentation “aimed at tarnishing his image” to shun the report as it did not emanate from him.
“The attention of Adamawa state Governor, Senator Muhammad Umar Jibrilla Bindow, has been drawn to a story on Peoples Daily newspaper of Friday, November 11, 2016, titled: “2019 Presidency: It’s Either Atiku Or Nobody, Says Gov Bindow.”
The governor said “at no time during the flag-off ceremony of the Girei-Pariya-Wuro Bokki last Thursday

Donald Trump elected president of United States

Donald Trump will become the 45th president of the United States after Hillary Clinton called him to concede.
The billionaire is about to go on stage to give a victory speech.
Clinton supporters were seen stony-faced or crying at what was supposed to be her victory rally in New York before being sent home by her campaign manager.
John Podesta insisted her campaign was “not done yet” and would have more to say once Americans wake up.
“They are still counting votes, and every vote counts,” he told the crowd.
But across town a triumphant Mr Trump is preparing to address his supporters.
Early exit polls had provided the Democrats with optimism, but shortly after 2am UK time the

Defection a threat to democracy, embrace politics of ideology – experts

Experts in development work have implored Nigerian politicians to embrace politics of ideology and not defection as a way of promoting democratic values as obtained in the US and major western countries.
The experts, drawn from various works of life arrived at this consensus at a one-day state town hall meeting in Bauchi organized by ACTIONAID Nigeria in partnership with Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative (FAWOYDI).
According to the statakeholders, “defection is a threat to democracy and cannot in anyway replace multi-party system in a country that is desirous of entrenching a lasting democratic culture”.
Speaking on the theme of the meeting, “Making the Electoral Process Citizen Centred: Deepening the gains of the 2015 election”, a political scientist from the Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic Bauchi (ATAPOLY), Comrade Yusuf Abdullahi, described multiparty system as great and must be

Ondo guber: Oke cries out over APC’s plot to stop him

The candidate of the Alliance for Democracy, AD, Chief Olusola Oke, has cried out to President Muhammadu Buhari to save him from a cabal within his government who want to stop him from contesting the November 26, 2016 governorship election in the state.
Speaking through the Director General of Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation, Mr Bola Ilori in Akure yesterday, Oke specifically, fingered the governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Jigawa State and chairman of the APC Primaries Election Committee in Ondo State, Alhaji Badaru, Minister of Works, Raji Fasola, Minister of Solid Minerals, Kayode Fayemi and the Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosu among others as the arrowhead of the plot.
Ilori said their aim is to stop Oke from contesting the election to clear the way for their protégé, Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is also vying for the Ondo State

We’re fulfilling campaign promises – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, said his government has started fulfilling the promises made to Nigerians throughout the Country during his campaigns in 2015, despite some challenges.
He said the 18 months old All Progressives Congress led-government, has recorded a measure of success in areas of security, economy and the anti-graft war and commended the understanding patients of Nigerians.
The President disclosed this on Tuesday during a brief ceremony marking the inauguration of Edo University, Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo state which was built by Governor, Adams Oshiomhole.
According to him, “we are pleased that people understand us gradually. What we are here for and what we intend to do. During my campaign throughout this Country, we emphasised the things. Security, economy and fighting corruption. In each one of them, we have a measure of success

Ondo PDP crisis: Jegede, Ibrahim know fate Thursday

The new Special Court of Appeal Panel constituted to resolve all appeals in the Ondo State PDP governorship candidacy dispute has fixed Thursday for ruling on preliminary motions brought before it.
Justice Ibrahim Salauwa, leading the three-member panel, on Tuesday fixed the date after counsel to parties had argued their applications.
Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, Sen. Ben Obi, Biyi Poroyo, Eyitayo Jegede, and Jimoh Ibrahim are all parties in the matter.
The executive of PDP South West Zone and Ondo State executive members of the party are also interested parties.
The new panel had succeeded the Justice Hannatu Sankey’s panel which disqualified itself on November 2 following accusation of fraud against the members.
The two other justices in the new panel are Igwe Aguba and George Mbaba.
The panel is expected to determine whether Jegede should be granted leave to appeal the October

I’m not new in politics – Jimoh Ibrahim

The factional governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the forthcoming election in Ondo State, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, has declared that he is not new in the politics of the state.
He said he would not embark on an aggressive campaign to win the November 26 governorship election, saying he was on a familiar terrain
He stated this on Monday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, while speaking with journalists.
Ibrahim, who was declared the candidate of the PDP by the Independent National Electoral Commission after receiving a court order, added that he would need little introduction to the electorate in the state.
He said, “This is not my first time of running for the governorship of the state. In 2003, I ran for the governorship election in the state under the All Nigeria Peoples Party. So, politics is not new

Nigerians in U.S. to vote Clinton, predict her victory

The Nigerian community in the U.S. will vote en masse for Democratic party candidate Hillary Clinton ahead of her Republican rival Donald Trump in Tuesday’s presidential election, Mr Michael Adeniyi said.
Adeniyi, who is a former President of a Nigerian U.S.-based group, the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians Inc. (OAN Inc.), said this in an interview with a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Richmond, U.S.
“We have a lot of Nigerians who are Republicans and who support Trump but the majority of Nigerians support Clinton.
“Most Nigerians in the Northeast states like New York, New Jersey, California, among others, support Clinton and I see Clinton winning.
“I think she is qualified for the job, being an experienced wife of a former governor and wife of the president when her husband was president and she was actually involved.
“She was a senator and secretary of state. So, she has learnt the ropes and you can’t compare her against someone who is not experienced,” he said.

Why Trump will win U.S. presidential poll – Supporters

With only hours to the heated U.S. presidential elections, the Republicans have exuded confidence that their nominee, Donald Trump, would win the election and not his rival, Democratic Hillary Clinton.
Some of Mr. Trump’s supporters who spoke to a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the U.S. on Monday said Mrs. Clinton’s support base was fast crumbling.
According to them, the Republican nominee will win all the battleground states to be elected president of the U.S. on Tuesday.
John Fredricks, the Chairman of the Trump Campaign in the State of Virginia said Trump would get more than the required votes to become president.
He said “we are gaining on Hillary Clinton every single day and we feel very confident that by Tuesday, Trump is going to win; we are very confident about that.
“As for the Electoral College and the so-called Blue wall, it is crumbling as we speak and the Electoral College is not as they say they have it, it is a complete mess now.
“We are going to turn the table in the battleground states, including winning Virginia and get

INEC not ready for diaspora voting – expert

A lecturer at the Federal University Dutse in Jigawa, Dr. Abdulhakeem Adejumoh, on Tuesday cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission not to venture into diaspora voting.
Adejumoh said that the commission must learn to conduct perfect elections in the country before allowing Nigerians in diaspora to vote.
He said, “Internal elections still have some issues hence there is need to perfect that before advancing to diaspora participation in Nigeria polls.”
“INEC has no capacity to conduct a diaspora polls because of some intrigues involved,”

Anambra APGA chairman remains suspended – Deputy scribe

The National Deputy Secretary of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Jerry Obasi, on Tuesday insisted that the suspension clamped on the Anambra chairman of the party, Nobert Obi, over alleged anti party activities still stands and remain irrevocable.
Chief Obi was suspended on Friday by 17 out of the 28 member State working Committee of the party following the recommendations of a disciplinary committee which indicted him of various offences.
But Obi and Vice Chairman of Anambra South zone of the party, Titus Anigbogu, said the meeting where the suspension was carried out was illegal as only the chairman had the right to convene such meetings.
Comrade Obasi who spoke to Leadership in Abakaliki said the suspension was carried out in line with constitution of the party.
According to him, “majority of members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party voted to suspend the Chairman”.
On the legality of the meeting, Obasi said the constitution provides that the majority of the SWC have the right to summon a meeting themselves especially if there is an emergency.

APC urges Buhari to crack down on electoral offenders

The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Osun State, yesterday, urged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to address the worsening problem of electoral fraud in the country before it destroys our fledgling democracy.
The party said in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Barr Kunle Oyatomi in Osogbo that, ‘if this was not done, the nation’s democracy which is already seriously at risk from massive corruption will collapse sooner than we imagine.
The APC was reacting to recent revelations by the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Olusegun Agbaje, that PDP chieftains had attempted to bribe him with N500 million when he was

Election can’t take place in Ondo without PDP – Mimiko

The Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has declared that governorship election will not take place in the state on November 26, 2016 if the issue of the candidacy of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was not resolved.
He, however, assured that the issue of the PDP standard bearer in the governorship election would soon be resolved by the appellate court and expressed the assurance that the candidate of the Ahmed Makarfi’s faction of the party, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), would contest the election.
The governor who stated this on Sunday at the PDP stakeholders’ meeting held in Akure, the state capital, said the PDP as a party in Nigeria and Ondo State in particular, is a major stakeholder in election matter and no one can prevent the party from participating in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
“I don’t know how they will do it, it is impossible for them to deny us our right. Justice will stand and Jegede will contest this election. Election can’t take place in Ondo State without the PDP.”
The governor explained that the substitution of name at the Independent National Electoral

Ondo guber: APC appeals to PDP factions to maintain peace

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has called on the two factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to maintain peace and order.
The party said the state is greater than all the political parties participating in the governorship poll.
The Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, said in a statement that the PDP harboured a sinister motive.
Protests erupted in Akure, the state capital, at the weekend, following the substitution of the PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, with Jimoh Ibrahim.

Ondo guber: How N350m bribery allegation stalled PDP’s appeal

Definite hearing in all the appeals pending before the Court of Appeal, Abuja division over the gubernatorial candidate of the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was stalled over a petition alleging that the members of the panel had been bribed with about N350 million to speedily hear the matter.
The Special Court of Appeal panel is led by Justice Hannatu Sankey. The two other members were Justices E. Agim and O.E William-Dawudu.
At the resumed hearing yesterday, counsel to the embattled governorship candidate, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) had announced appearance and noted that the business before the court was to move a motion filed by his client seeking to appeal the judgement of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that removed his name as the candidate of the party.
However, counsel to Jimoh Ibrahim, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised candidate of the party, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN) informed the court that he was just

Akeredolu pledges a women-friendly government

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has promised to give women prominent role if he wins the election.
He spoke yesterday at the party’s secretariat in Akure, the state capital, when he addressed women leaders from wards and local councils.
The candidate pledged to respect the country’s 35 per cent affirmative plan for women.
He, however, urged those who are drifting to other political parties to return to the APC.
Akeredolu told the women that, as founding leaders of the party, they couldn’t afford to go to other parties as strangers.
He said: “We have one united party and we cannot afford to go to a party that has no family

Jimoh Ibrahim making Ondo ungovernable for Mimiko – Group

A group, under the aegis of Movement for Democratic Dividend, MDD, has described the withdrawal of the Justices of the Court of Appeal from the appeal filed by Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party as another step towards bringing chaos in Ondo State and subversion of democracy in Nigeria.
The Appeal Court panel of judges has on Tuesday pulled out of the suit filled before it by Jegede.
The Head of the panel, Jummai Sankey, had during sitting announced the decision of the judges to pull out of the case, saying Biyi Okporoye, Chairman of the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the PDP in Ondo State, had written a petition, accusing them of receiving bribe.
Reacting to the development, however, MDD in a statement in Akure on Tuesday said it was another tactics to rob Eyitayo of his rightful ticket.

Fayose grants herdsmen’s request to join anti-grazing marshals

Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has approved the request of leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), the umbrella body of rearers, to have representation in the anti-grazing marshals.
This was the kernel of a meeting of the governor and MACBAN at the Government House in Ado-Ekiti where they fine-tuned some grey areas in the implementation of the state’s anti-grazing law.
Fayose, at the meeting, which had the state executive members of MACBAN and representatives from across the local councils in the stat‎e in attendance, specifically allayed the fears of the herdsmen and assured them that his government would protect their interest once it did not contravene the law of the land.
He said: “I have no reason to work against the interest of Fulani people or any other ethnic group in the country, but I have the mandate to protect the lives and property of everybody in the state.”

Senators to push special status for Lagos

Four senators have declared support for a special status for Lagos State.
The senators, Sani Yerima (Zamfara), Sam Anyanwu (Imo), Binta Mary Garba (Adamawa), and Adeola Olamilekan (Lagos) gave their support during a courtesy visit to Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday.
The Senate had on October 5 voted against a bill seeking a special status, whereby one per cent of federally generated revenue is paid as a special grant to Lagos State in view of the former Nigerian capital’s socio-economic significance.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Remi Tinubu representing Lagos Central, was rejected after failing a voice vote called by Ike Ekweremadu. Yerima, Anyanwu, Garba and Adeola maintained that approving a special fund for Lagos was important because the state is a mini-Nigeria.
To them, any efforts at making Lagos a better place are aimed at the total wellness of Nigeria.So, they agreed with Ambode that the bill should be revisited.
According to Yerima, Lagos is not just cosmopolitan; it is a small Nigeria, as every state and community in the country has representatives in it.

Ondo guber: PDP states chairmen declare support for Jegede

State Chairmen of th‎e Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have expressed support for Hon. Eyitayo Jegede as the party’s candidate for Ondo State governorship election.
The chairmen, who met on Tuesday after the sitting of the Court of Appeal that heard the appeal filed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi faction against the recognition of Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim as the PDP candidate by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), however, expressed optimistic that justice would be done on the matter.