Hold PDP, APC responsible for crisis in Ondo State – SDP

The Ondo State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has asked security agents to be proactive in combating criminal activities ahead of the governorship election in the state.
The party made the call following protests over the release of the final list of governorship candidates for the November 26 governorship election.
Its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Remi Olayiwola, in a statement said the protests that trailed the removal of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede’s name and its replacement with Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has to do with the flag bearer of only one out of the 28 participating political parties in the election.

Buhari behind Ibrahim’s emergence as Ondo PDP candidate – Babatope

A member, Board of Trustees, Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of being behind the emergence of business mogul, Jimoh Ibrahim, as the candidate of the opposition party in the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election.
In a text message on Sunday, Babatope said Buhari manipulated the political events in Ondo State in order to favour Ibrahim and set the state on the path of dictatorship.
He called on Nigerians to resist what he described as President Buhari’s ploy to destroy democracy in the country.
Babatope said the declaration of Ibrahim as the governorship candidate of the PDP in Ondo State was designed by Buhari and the All Progressives Congress to electorally manipulate the governorship election.
The former minister of transport warned that the future of the nation’s democracy was fraught

We will reconstruct Boko Haram-damaged North-east – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday inaugurated the Presidential Committee on the North East Initiative, PCNI, under the chairmanship of Theophilus Danjuma, a retired general.
At a brief event at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Mr. Buhari said the committee, which is to coordinate the reconstruction of the Boko Haram-damaged north-east, will exist for three years.
Read Mr. Buhari’s full speech at the inauguration below:
Today marks an important milestone in our desire and determination to restore normalcy and stability to the North Eastern part of our country.
The devastation to human lives and livelihoods by the insurgency in the North East is severe, with more than an estimated 20,000 persons killed, an estimated 2.4 million persons displaced and billions of naira worth of personal and public assets destroyed.
Many humanitarian intervention efforts, national and international, have worked over time to

Ondo guber: Parties sign peace pact, coalition wants INEC to defend democracy

As part of measures to ensure violence-free polls, candidates in the governorship election yesterday signed a peace pact in Akure, the state capital.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, said the police conducted the deal, which also involved party chairmen, secretaries and legal officers.
She said: “The politicians signed the peace pact to run issues-based campaigns before and during the election. They also agreed to refrain from campaigns of calumny, religious sentiments, ethnic chauvinism or tribal jingoism, both by themselves and all agents in their names.”
She announced that over 24, 000 officers and men would be deployed from the Force Headquarters for the polls, The CP condemned the violence that took place recently at Owo, despite the peace talks with party chieftains and stakeholders.She said the police was on the trail of those who carried out the violence, adding that they would be prosecuted as a deterrent to others.
The governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Mrs. Olamide Falana, and the

Ondo guber: Jimoh Ibrahim remains PDP candidate – Oladipo

The National Secretary of the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Wale Oladipo, yesterday, insisted that Mr Jimoh Ibrahim remains the party’s candidate for the Ondo State governorship election.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, Professor Oladipo said Ibrahim emerged as the party’s candidate in a duly conducted primaries.
According to him, the Independent National Electoral Commission as an umpire should be neutral and abide by the ruling of an Abuja High Court which said that only the candidate from Sheriff faction of the party should be recognised.
He said Ondo State was very important to the party and it would do everything possible to keep it.
“We are determined to keep Ondo State. The NWC decided that for us to win that election, we need to give full backing to our candidate, Jimoh Ibrahim” he said.

APC can’t observe rule of law in anti-graft fight – Segun Oni

Deputy national chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Engr. Segun Oni, has ruled out the possibility of giving a chance to the rule of law in the ongoing fight against corruption by President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
Speaking with newsmen at the party national secretariat in Abuja yesterday, the deputy national chairman revealed that “if you leave this war in the hand of people who would not be able to prosecute it, it means we give up and God forbid that we should fail.”
He said: “People who are talking about rule of law and so on, how much have we achieved by rule of law? Are they saying there is no corruption? If there is corruption, what has been achieved in stopping it? Or we should now say we cannot stop it then we should institutionalise it?
“At one stage, there must be a stop. In Ghana, Rawlings applied a measure. God forbid that in Nigeria here we should leave things until people get so frustrated. It cannot continue, things cannot continue the way it is, everybody knows corrupt people, but everybody is keeping their

APGA crisis deepens as party disowns Vice Chairman

Ifeatu Obiokoye, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, said the party never held its National Working Committee meeting, as claimed by Vice-Chairman, South East zone, Nwabueze Okafor.
Obiokoye, via a statement he issued on Wednesday in Abuja, said no such meeting held anywhere.
Okafor said on Monday that APGA’s NWC held a meeting under his chairmanship to ratify the purported suspension of the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Victor Oye.
Obiokoye said: “APGA wishes to assure members and well wishers of the great party that no such meeting of APGA NWC was ever held at anytime or in any place where such decision was ever taken.

The demons of President Goodluck Jonathan

Few articles in print can be as troubling as “The Spiritual Side of Aso Villa,” published by former Nigeria presidential adviser Reuben Abati on October 14.
Mr. Abati’s account portrays the Nigerian seat of power under Mr. Goodluck Jonathan as having being under spiritual bondage, and suggests that performance was impossible.
The situation was so bad under Mr. Jonathan that staff were always falling sick, according to the account. Men routinely reported they had become impotent, and their wives comforted themselves with sex videos and toys. Mysterious fires were common in homes of villa staff.
It was so bad that someone warned the writer that he was “coming to the villa using Lux soap, but that most people around the place always bathed in the morning with blood. Goat blood. Ram blood. Whatever animal blood…He said there were persons in the Villa walking upside down…”
A pastor told Abati the villa was full of evil spirits and too much human sacrifice. Someone always died. People “lost daughters and sons, brothers and uncles, mothers and fathers…”
Faulty presidential aircraft, one enduring a bird strike in Kenya. In Norway, a helicopter bearing President Jonathan almost crashing.

Fix infrastructure before wooing investors – APGA tells Ikpeazu

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance has urged Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to address the problem of poor infrastructure, multiple taxation and insecurity before wooing foreign investors to the state.
The party noted that if the governor was actually serious about bringing investors to the state, he should provide an enabling environment that would make prospective investors willing to invest in Abia.
The party stated this on Saturday in a statement issued by its state Chairman, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, in Umuahia, the state capital.
APGA posited that the lull in government activities, especially in terms of project execution and

Ondo APC, INEC bicker over rigging allegation

The All Progressives Congress in Ondo State has called on the police and the Department of State Services to thoroughly investigate the activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission in the state.
The APC alleged that the commission was working with the Peoples Democratic Party to rig the upcoming governorship poll.
The party, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, said there was the need for a total overhaul of INEC ahead of the November 26 governorship election in the state.
Adesanya accused the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Segun Agbaje, and the commission’s Administrative Secretary, Kabir Omosanya, of collaborating with a faction of the PDP in the state to rig the election.
He alleged that the two officers of the commission had been working with key loyalists of

PDP govt spent N2.1bn on sweets, juice – Kaduna commissioner

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mohammad Abdullahi, on Saturday, alleged that the previous Peoples Democratic Party-led administration in the state spent N2.1billion on sweets, juice and food, annually.
Mr. Abdullahi made this known in Kaduna at a round table discussion on the Kaduna State 2017 budget proposal, organised by the Kaduna State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ.
The commissioner also revealed that N500 million was spent, annually, on purchase of newspapers by the PDP administration.
He, however, stated that the All Progressives Congress-led administration had since decided to cut down on such expenses by channelling the funds to infrastructural development.

House c’tee queries non-remittance of N38m

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has queried the management of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Kano State for non-remittance of N38.8 million Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to the federation account, and the non-payment of tax amounting to N21 million.
The committee headed by Hon. Kingsley Chinda, said the discoveries emanated from the report of the Auditor General of the Federation from 2011 to 2013, and berated the officials for not remitting tax to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Chinda mandated the hospital management to provide the committee with details of all bank accounts it operates.
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Salihu Muhammad however explained that the hospital was unable to get a Tax Identification Number (TIN) from FIRS for the year 2012. The TIN was eventually procured, and payments made, he said.

70 Ondo graduate farmers get Mimiko’s N25m loan

Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has disbursed N25 million to 70 young agro-farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs to enable them start their own agricultural ventures.
Mimiko noted that it was in line with his administration’s resolve to support micro and small businesses, create wealth and increase food production in the state.
The loan is at a single interest rate of 2.5 per cent for a period of two years with a moratorium period of six months.

Edo Gov-elect Obaseki states support for traditional institution

The Edo State Governor-elect, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, yesterday, expressed his avowed commitment towards uplifting the traditional institutions in the state, saying, “My loyalty to the Royal family, the Benin tradition and the entire traditional institutions in the state is unalloyed.”
The Governor-elect, in a congratulatory message to the 40th Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, said, for guidance and advice, he would be counting on the Oba to succeed as Governor.

Gov. Emmanuel promises transparency in government

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has said that he will soon constitute another State Executive Council, adding that the process will be meticulous and transparent.
Emmanuel, who spoke in Uyo on Friday, said he was committed to moving the state forward and building a culture of excellence in service.
The governor had dissolved the State Executive Council last Saturday, instructing the permanent

Senate’ll pass laws to end recession – Saraki

The Senate is committed to passing laws that will help end the country’s worst economic recession in decades by attracting private investment in roads, rail and the ports.
The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, said this in an interview with Bloomberg at his residence in Abuja on Friday.
“We have 11 bills that we have identified as bills that we need to pass to get the economy up and running. We are looking at how the private sector can take major trunk roads away from the government, and how the railway too can be taken away from the government,” he explained.
He said the monetary and fiscal authorities needed to work together to achieve macro-economic stability and enable a free-floating foreign exchange regime, so that the local currency, which is he noted was “undervalued,” would finds its real value and win investors’ confidence.
The country is facing its biggest economic crisis in 25 years with the collapse in the prices of

Openion:Does Buhari have the courage to change Nigeria?

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has given an insight into how he became the number two citizen of Nigeria, though he was not a politician, in the midst of the intrigues and build up to the 2015 general elections.
Osinbajo’s explanation came Wednesday night against the backdrop of the controversy trailing how he has nominated and his eventual emergence as the Vice President.
A portion of a recently-launched book by Professor John Paden on Buhari, titled “Muhammadu Buhari: Challenges of Leadership,” claimed that Osinbajo emerged as Vice President despite pressure against it by a national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Paden stated that the former Lagos State governor had wanted the Vice President’s role for himself and not Osinbajo.

Our government is just unveiling – Ambode

Barely a year and six months in office, the governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has disclosed that his administration is making tremendous progress but added that what he has achieved so far was just a tip of the iceberg.
He asserted that the administration has just started unveiling what it has in stock for the citizens of the state.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, while receiving a delegation of young professionals in the state led by former President of the Student Union Governing Council, Federal University of Technology Akure, Mr. Wale Adelakun, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, said the administration will not rest on its oars until it meets the yearnings of the people to the best of their expectations.
According to Ajanaku, “There are over eight thousand federal and state roads in Lagos, with most of the road networks linking the rural areas with the urban areas in deplorable conditions;

Negative comments can jeopardise Chibok girls release – FG

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has appealed to commentators and analysts to refrain from making statements that can jeopardise the release of the Chibok girls who are still in captivity.
A press statement by the Special Adviser to the Minister, Segun Adeyemi, said Mohammed made the appeal at a special thanksgiving church service and reunion of the 21 girls with their families, yesterday in Abuja.
“They are many reckless analysts and commentators who are not helping the situation. We still have many of our children in captivity. Therefore, we have to be careful with the kind of comments that we make. We must not make comments that will make the release of these girls difficult or impossible”, he said.
Alhaji Mohammed, who quoted from the scriptures stating: “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them,” said those who doubted the sincerity and commitment of the present administration to the safe release of the abducted Chibok girls have been disappointed.

APC chieftain urges Nigerians to pray for return of other Chibok girls

Sequel to the release of 21 out of over 200 girls abducted in Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno state in 2014 by members of Boko Haram Sect, Nigerians have been urged to continue to intercede through prayers for the safe return of others still in captive.
A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Osun state, Elder Peter Babalola, who in a statement signed by his media assistant, Busayo Afolabi, copies of which were made available to newsmen in Osogbo, disclosed this and commended the doggedness of Nigerian government in securing the release of the girls.
Babalola noted that the abduction of the girls, which sparked global outrage, marked a sad chapter in the annals of history of the country, and stressed that the development, coupled with reported cases of rights abuse and child labour, has given the country bad image.
According to him, the harrowing experience the abduction caused government and the people,

Ondo guber: PDP factions quarrel over choice of candidate

Unless the crisis rocking the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is resolved, its choice of governorship candidate may pose a challenge at the polls.
While the party’s national caretaker committee had insisted that Eyitayo Jegede is its candidate, a court ruling on Friday in Abuja, declared Jimoh Ibrahim as the governorship candidate.
Jegede belongs to the Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee, while Ibrahim is a member of the Ali Modu-Sheriff’s camp.
The committee had last week rejected the court ruling.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Dayo Adeyeye, the party said: “The Ruling of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja does not in any way affect the matter of the PDP’s candidacy in the forthcoming governorship election.
“The governorship issue was not the matter before Justice Abang in the suit. The matter before

Ondo SDP picks female candidate for deputy governor

As part of strategies to win the November 26 polls, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has picked a female deputy governorship candidate, Modupe Akindele-Martins, to complement its standard-bearer, Dr. Olu Agunloye.
The SDP, which at the weekend in Akure announced Modupe Akindele-Martins as deputy governorship candidate, said it was in fulfillment of the country’s policy on 35 per cent affirmative action.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Alfa Mohammed, who made the announced her choice, said the party adopted it as a winning strategy.
He explained that many variables were considered before picking her.
Mohammed added that only the SDP had yielded to the clamour by the to have a gender-sensitive ticket.
According to him, the role of women in the society cannot be over-emphasised, noting that apart

APC sets to ride on PDP’s waning popularity in Ekiti – Chieftain

Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State, Dr. Adebayo Orire, has said that his party will ride on the waning popularity of the present Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, government in the state to power through the forthcoming 2018 governorship election.
Orire, a governorship hopeful, said the present administration in the state had already played into the hands of the APC through alleged non–performance, adding that his party was waiting in the wings to defeat the PDP at the poll.
The medical doctor and politician told journalists in Ado-Ekiti at the weekend that all the APC needed to do for victory was to put its house in order and be united to be able to wrest power

Listen to your wife – Reps tell Buhari

Some members of the House of Representatives, yesterday, threw their weight behind wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, for her bravery in speaking out on the state of the All Progressives Congress, APC-led administration in Nigeria.
The lawmakers’ verdict was unanimous at the weekend as they advised President Muhammadu Buhari to listen to his wife’s counsel and use it to better his administration.
Chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Budget, Timothy Golu, in his reaction to the first lady’s interview with BBC, said Mrs. Buhari was closer to her husband than any other person and as such, understood him better.

Edo guber: INEC conducted best election – CNPP

Edo state chapter of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, at the weekend described the just concluded September 28 governorship election in the state as the best ever conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC since the exit of Professor Attahiru Jega.
State chairman of CNPP Roy Oribhabor, who spoke at a press briefing in Benin City, said the APC administration provided enabling environment for opposition parties to campaign across the state without intimidation.
He equally commended the efforts of security agencies in ensuring that the election was devoid of killings and assassination unlike what happened in River State in 2105.
It, however, expressed doubt over the credibility of the results from Orhiomwon local government

Southwest PDP leaders call for chairmanship zoning to region

Calls for zoning of the National Chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the southwest again resurfaced at an enlarged stakeholders and leaders’ forum in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
In a nine-point communique read by a former Minister of Sports, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, leaders of the PDP from all the southwest states in Nigeria resolved to support the ongoing reconciliation move by the national leadership of the party.
They, however, noted that all interests must be considered and harmonised.

Senate condemns invasion of Judges homes, refuses to summon DSS boss

The Senate on Tuesday condemned the invasion‎ of the residences of Judges by operatives of the Department of State Services over allegations of corruption.
The Upper Chamber however kicked against the request to summon the Director General of the DSS, Lawal Daura, to explain why his men invaded the Judges’ residences without recourse to the National Judicial Council.

I have no regret writing a petition against Aregbesola – Justice Oloyode

A retired judge of the Osun State High Court, Justice Olamide Oloyede, has said she has no regret writing a petition against Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and his deputy, Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori.
Oloyede who is currently a Senior Lecturer of Law at the Lead City University, Ibadan, equally apologised for the use of some inappropriate words in her petition.
The retired judge had last year petitioned the Osun State House of Assembly, asking it to investigate an alleged mismanagement of the state’s funds by Aregbesola which later led to her compulsory retirement by the National Judicial Council (NJC) at its 77th meeting.
She stressed this while featuring on Rave FM’s News and Current Affairs interview programme” Frank Talk” in Osogbo and monitored by THISDAY monday.
Justice Oloyede also asserted that judicial officers in the country are not adequately empowered

Okorocha blames recession on neglect of agric sector

The Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has said that the current economic challenges facing the nation came as a result of total neglect of the Agricultural sector by the country’s past leaders, stressing that before the advent of oil, agriculture provided over 70 per cent of the employment and resources of the country and 75 percent of the country’s foreign reserve.
Governor Okorocha spoke when the officers from the Nigeria Defence College (NDC) paid courtesy call on him at the Government House on Monday October 10, 2016 explaining that before now, with agriculture playing dominant role in the economy and resources of the nation, the country was regarded as a rich nation but regretted that the discovery of oil made Nigerians lazy and the resultant effect is what is called recession today.
The governor told the officers who were in Owerri for a course with the Theme “Enhancing Food

Crackdown on judiciary, threat to democracy – A’Ibom PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State has urged Nigerians to resist attempts by the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government to scuttle the nation’s democracy.
The PDP Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr. Ini Ememobong, on Monday in Uyo, described the arrest of judges by the Department of State Services as “burglary and kidnapping.”
According to him, if Nigerians and professional bodies did not defend democracy and the

Ebonyi commissioners get N19m car each

Governor David Umahi has handed over N19 million 2016 Prado Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) to each member of the Ebonyi State Executive Council to boost their performance.
Umahi, who handed over the cars to the commissioners yesterday in Abakaliki, said that they

Court adjourns trial of Ondo APC chief till November 3

A Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned the trial of the Ondo South Senatorial District leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Dr. Taiwo Malumi, till November 3 and 4 2016.
The medical doctor was arraigned before the court by the Nigeria Police Force’s Special Fraud Unit (SFU), on allegation of N40 million fraud.
In a one-count criminal charge marked, FHC/L/302C/16, was alleged to have fraudulently obtained under false pretence, the sum of N40 million from one Nick Shaiyen, the managing director of a company, Whitehall Management Limited.
He was alleged to have obtained the money under the pretext that he wanted to sell to Shaiyen a property known as Unit B9, situated at Funtai Court 3, Ruxton Street, Ikoyi, Lagos which he claimed to be free from all encumbrances.
According to the prosecuting officer, Mr. Ekong Sunday, the offence committed by the APC

Ogun Gov. Amosun swears in 57 LG chairmen

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State on Monday swore in the 57 newly elected local government and local council development areas chairmen with a call to fast track development at the grassroots.
The swearing in ceremony was held at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta.
The State Independent Electoral Agency on Saturday conducted election into the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas of the state.
Amosun, who promised to fund the local administration, urged the chairmen to replicate the programmes of the state government at their respective areas.
The governor gave the assurance that the council areas would be assisted to develop in their

INEC chairman declines comments on Edo guber poll

Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday declined comments on the recent Edo governorship election.
Yakubu who spoke in an interview with journalists shortly after the Convocation lecture and Award ceremony of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, said the occasion was for academics and not for elections, saying he could only talk on the issues.
In another development, INEC has expressed concern over the level of inaccuracy associated with the media coverage of elections in recent times.
Asked to comment on his experience outside the academia at the NDA event, especially in the light of the recent governorship election in Edo State and the allegations that INEC and not the All Progressives Congress (APC) contested the elections against the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Yakubu maintained that the occasion was not about the election and decline to respond to the question.
“This is not about elections, today’s occasion is about academia, it is about honour, so let’s talk

Senate makes fresh move to amend CCB, CCT Act

The Senate, yesterday, made fresh move to amend the Act, which established the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), with a bill which has passed through its first reading.
The Upper Chamber had in April tinkered with the idea in a bill sponsored by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (PDP, Delta North). It was, however, withdrawn due to public outcry, as it coincided with ongoing trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, by the CCT over alleged false declaration of assets.
But at yesterday’s plenary, the bill resurfaced through another sponsor, Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South). It reads: “Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2016 (HB. 320)- First Reading.”
The CCT, meanwhile, has adjourned the trial of Saraki to November 7, 2016.The move was at the

Don’t be politicians’ appendages – INEC boss to journalists

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has cautioned media practitioners against subjecting themselves to the whims and caprices of politicians or serve any personal or group interest.
Yakubu said although social media had become an effective tool in reporting elections as well as citizens’ political behaviours, especially among young voters, urging practitioners to consider national interest, peace and stability of the country in reporting electoral issues.
The INEC chair, who was represented by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Prof. Jacob Jatau, stated this yesterday in Abuja at a public lecture organised by The Electoral Institute under INEC.
The lecture themed: “Media and Election Reportage: An Assessment of Professional and Ethical Issues,” will be the 13th Public lecture organised by the Institute.
He said as the nation “draws closer to another major election, there is the need for closer

Crisis rocks Ekiti Assembly over plot to recall lawmaker

The crisis of confidence between the Ekiti State House of Assembly and Governor Ayo Fayose has claimed a victim, as a member representing Ikole Constituency 1, Gboyega Aribisogan was, yesterday, removed as Information Committee Chairman and immediately replaced with his colleague representing Oye Constituency 1, Samuel Omotoso.
The removal of the embattled lawmaker is believed to be a prelude to his recall from the Assembly.
Aribisogan was accused of holding secret meetings with some aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state and Senator representing Ogun East, Buruji Kashamu and a Lagos-based lawyer.

Ondo guber: We rejected panel’s report on primary election – APC NWC

The crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress appears far from over as party leaders have continued to give conflicting versions over the controversial Ondo State governorship primary of the party.
The APC’s National Vice-Chairman (South-South), Hilliard Eta, who spoke on behalf of other members of the party’s National Working Committee on Wednesday in Abuja, faulted the claim by his South-West counterpart, Pius Akinyelure, on the NWC’s decision on the appeal panel on the primary.
Akinyelure had alleged that the party’s National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun; National Secretary, Mai Buni’ and the National Organising Secretary, Osita Izunaso, were the brains behind the “rigging” of the said primary election.
Eta described Akinyelure’s claim as false and an attempt to please an unnamed benefactor.

APC will lose Ondo guber race with Akeredolu as candidate – Abraham

The first runner-up of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Ondo State, Dr. Segun Abraham, has said the party will lose the election if Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) is not dropped as its flag-bearer.
Abraham added that Akeredolu as APC candidate for the November 26 governorship election would smear the anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Government, “if the flawed primary which produced him is not annulled.”
Abraham stated this in his reaction to the recent clash between his supporters and Akeredolu’s at the party’s state secretariat on Tuesday.
The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Abayomi Adesanya, has however defended Akeredolu’s emergence as APC’s flag-bearer, saying it is divine.
He said: “APC is a very disciplined party and a congress of progressives across the country. I don’t expect someone of Abraham’s calibre to be so diversionary now that all hands are on deck to work for the victory of the party.”
Though Adesanya said there might be some imperfection in the primary, which he said is peculiar

Buhari does things in spartan way – Tinubu

The National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari does things in a spartan way.
Tinubu who used the opportunity of the launch of a book on President Muhammadu Buhari also said that Buhari has always been and is still on a mission to fix Nigeria.
The APC leader was one of the four reviewers of the book, titled; “Muhammadu Buhari – The challenges of leadership in Nigeria.’
The book in three parts and 24 chapters was written by Prof. John Paden, who had also written a remarkable book on Sir Ahmadu Bello, first premier of Northern Nigeria.
The former governor of Lagos State, described Paden’s latest book as “educative and informative reading and timely narrative.’’
He described President Buhari “as a true democrat, a disciplined and focused person right from his youthful days till his present position.’’
Tinubu said that Buhari was in haste to bring changes as a young leader, while “Buhari as an older leader is now slow and steady.’’

Buhari’s opponents vowed he would never occupy Aso Rock –Gowon

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has revealed how President Muhammadu Buhari was told by his opponents that he would never see, enter and occupy the Aso Presidential Villa as the President of Nigeria.
Buhari ran for the highest position in the country for four consecutive times before defeating incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 presidential election to occupy the seat.
Buhari contested against President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003. In 2007, he lost to late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
Gowon spoke yesterday at the public presentation of the president’s authorized biography written by Professor John Paden, an American author with special interest in the economic and political development of Nigeria.
The former head of state, who served as chairman of the event, also told the audience that Buhari deserved every commendation and criticism.

Jega urges Buhari to fulfil campaign promises, re-examine policies

Executive Secretary, National Mosque, Abuja, Alhaji Ibrahim Jega, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to re-examine his administration’s policies and ensure he fulfilled the promises he made to the electorate during the 2015 election.
He also advised the All Progressives Congress (APC) to go back to the drawing board and look critically at its manifesto to find out the level to which they have fulfilled the promises made to Nigerians.
Speaking in Abuja, Jega reminded the APC that the mandate was given to them by the people and by extension, God Almighty.
He said: “If you are not accountable to the people now, they will be accountable to God Almighty. A promise is a debt they must fulfil. For somebody to be religious or Godly, he must match his words with action. If you say I will give you water, give the people the water. If you say I will give you road, give people the road”.

Wike, PDP responsible for insecurity in Rivers – APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has alleged that Governor Nyesom Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are responsible for the high level of insecurity in the state.
The party insisted that the immediate past administration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was not responsible for present security challenges facing the state as claimed by Wike during a thanksgiving church service at Okrika last Sunday.
APC, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday by its state chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, regretted that both the governor and the PDP have refused to accept responsibility for their actions and ask for forgiveness from men of God.
Ikanya said, “Of late, we have watched as Gov. Nyesom Wike amuses himself about taking away the guns he gave to his foot soldiers to kill and maim for him to become governor. But what he is doing is the height of dishonesty. We ask: how do you grant amnesty to a people before retrieving arms from them?
“The truth remains that governor Nyesom Wike and the PDP created the Frankenstein Monster of insecurity troubling innocent Rivers people and residents of the State and they are too dishonest to accept responsibility for their actions and ask for forgiveness from God – not even when they

Why Ekiti can’t access N4bn UBEC fund – Fayose

Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has explained that the state cannot access over N4 billion from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) because of the diversion of N850 million by the previous administration in 2012.
Speaking during a meeting with members and leaders of the Ekiti State chapter of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) in Ado-Ekiti, Governor Fayose said that the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) lack the resources to execute most of its projects due to the diversion of the funds which led to the suspension of the state from UBEC activities.
The governor said that a Parents’ Summit would soon be held in the state to further sensitise parents on their roles in the provision of quality education for their children.
Describing parents and teachers as the two most critical stakeholders in the sector, the Governor added that all critical stakeholders in the education sector must be alive to‎ their responsibilities to

PDP factions to meet Jonathan, governors on peace deal

In furtherance of the new peace efforts embarked upon by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee (NCC) and the faction led by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff have resolved to meet with former President Goodluck Jonathan and the governors elected on its platform to intimate them of the reconciliation plans.
The meeting with the former president and governors is scheduled to take place between Wednesday and Thursday and will be followed by consultative engagements with other key organs of the party including the Board of Trustees (BoT) and the party’s National Caucus.
It was gathered that the meeting, which is at the instance of Senators Makarfi and Sheriff, is meant to brief the party’s key stakeholders on their new understanding, to solicit their support and input on the best way to achieve a lasting peace in the party.
Discussions on a fresh convention to elect a national leadership for the party will also be on the

Nasarawa govt proffers solution against recession

Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, said his administration has designed a “pragmatic action” to save the state from the present economic recession.
The governor said the challenges the nation is facing on account of recession required a pragmatic approach, by adopting strategies that involve engaging meaningfully with the private sector.
Governor Al-Makura disclosed this at the weekend in Lafia during a media chat to mark the 20th anniversary of the creation of the State.
“This is why we have embarked on measures and actions that will open up new opportunities. In

Run Nigeria as business – Gov. Umahi tells FG

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi, has said unless Nigeria is run as a business, it will be far from its desired goal of being one of the top economies in the world.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Abakaliki, the state capital, Umahi said government should play less politics and focus on growing the economy through polices targeted at industrialization of the country.
Umahi noted that the country cannot be great if it is still divided along religious and ethnic lines neither will it be able to achieve technological advancement if it does not focus on the education sector.
On the economy, Umahi said the instability of the naira at the parallel market has made it difficult for businesses to plan. The naira had in the space of two week dropped in value from N420 to N480 to the dollar.

How we plotted PDP’s ouster – Tinubu

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Monday in Abuja gave a historical account of how the ruling party came to being and brought to a sudden end the reign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Reviewing the book, “Muhammadu Buhari: The Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria” written by Professor John Paden, during its launch in Abuja, Tinubu provided a rare insight into the challenges faced by political parties that came together to form an alliance that produced the APC, which eventually ended the reign of PDP.
According to him, to defeat PDP, which had boasted it would rule Nigeria for 60 years, a political alliance had to be formed.
He said: “In forming the ‘new’ party, we had three challenges. The first was learning the right lessons from the aborted attempt at political cooperation in 2011. Fortunately, both the ACN and CPC regretted our inability to conclude a pact in 2011.
“We agreed that there would be no recrimination over what did not happen before. We agreed there would be an intensified effort to forge the united effort that eluded us in 2011.

Rivers Gov. Wike pardons 6 life-sentence criminals

Rivers State governor, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, has granted pardon to six inmates who are serving life imprisonment imposed on them upon conviction by a Court of Law.
A statement issued by state attorney-general and commissioner for Justice, Emma Aguma, in Port Harcourt, yesterday, also stated that the governor granted pardon to three condemned criminals, who were awaiting execution in Port Harcourt Prisons, in pursuant to the powers conferred on him by section 212 (1) (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
The statement gave the names of the those on life imprisonment who were pardoned as Chukwuemeka O. Emeka, Akara Etteh, Emmanuel Ihenebiri, Samuel Amadi, Sgt. James Mordi and

Blame 1999 Constitution for lack of savings, not past regimes – Akinyemi

Nigeria’s constitution does not make a provision for government savings and lawyers yesterday failed to agree on whether it was enough reason for the country’s failure to save for its future.
Going by Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, reckless government expenditures cannot be adequately blamed on former leaders, Bolaji Akinyemi, a professor of political science and Nigeria’s former external affairs minister said in a statement.
“It is thoroughly misleading to isolate and demonise past regimes for the situation where Nigeria has no savings; the fault is in the 1999 Constitution (Section 162), which makes it mandatory for all monies collected by the Federal Government — with a few exceptions — to be deposited into a central account and to be distributed, among the Federal, State and Local Governments.”
A group, Lower Niger Congress, in agreeing with Akinyemi’s position, said the sentence in the preamble of the 1999 Constitution “falsely asserts and presupposes a meeting and an agreement among the peoples of Nigeria. It is this false claim that is at the core of the fraudulence of that constitution of 1999 and all it contains and creates, including the very Nigeria itself as one political union, the 36 states, 774 local councils, the federal Exclusive List, the quota system and all other shenanigans therein,” said Mr. Tony Nnadi, a lawyer and Secretary General of the Lower