We Are Now in APC Pro Amaechi Lawmakers

The 25 pro-Governor Chibuike Amaechi lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly have unanimously dumped the party that brought them to power, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The lawmakers formally announced their defection to the All Progressives Congress, (APC) on Wednesday.
About 13 of them were present at the sitting where the announcement was made.
Declaring this during plenary, Leader of the House, Chidi Lloyd, said they have ceased to be members of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP).
Lloyd added that further correspondence to them should bear the APC.
“The 25 pro-Amaechi lawmakers have asked me to declare our formal defection to the All
Progressives Congress, (APC).
“Henceforth, 25 of us should be referred to as All Progressives Congress members.
“We are telling the world today that we are all members of the All Progressives Congress. All
correspondence to us should describe us as APC members”.
On his part, the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Leyii Kwanee said the defection became imperative following their continuous suspension by the leadership of the PDP in the state.
Kwanee noted that the members craved for a platform to allow them run elections as 2015
approached.
Responding to the defection, the Speaker of the House, Otelemaba Dan-Amachree requested other
members to formally document their decision.
Meanwhile, one of the pro-Amaechi lawmakers, Golden Chioma, who was kidnapped by gunmen, has been freed by his abductors.
His release, Wednesday morning, came less than 24 hours after the seventh Legislative Assembly,
in a motion of urgent attention, appealed to the suspected kidnappers to free him unhurt.
The lawmaker, who is representing Etche Constituency 2 and Chairman, House Committee
on Judiciary, was abducted by unknown gunmen on Tuesday, July 8, 2014, in Diobu axis of Port
Harcourt.
Leader of the House, Chidi Lloyd confirmed the development to the media in Port Harcourt.
It could not be ascertained if ransom was paid before he regained freedom.

Mimiko Will Not Decamp To PDP

Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State- Olusegun Mimiko, Mr. Eni Akinsola has cleared the air on the news making the round that his boss has perfected all plans to join the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP], assuring that Mimiko will never dump the Labour Party [LP] for the PDP.
Akinsola, who today featured on the monthly guest forum of the State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State chapter, tagged ‘ Platform’ explained that the Governor, as a politician couldn’t have been afraid of taking bold political steps when necessary.
He added that most of the political decisions taken by his boss were made public and were taken in the interest of the people not for his selfish interest.
It will be recalled sometimes last month, when it was reported in the national dailies that Mimiko had been directed by the Presidency to decamp to the PDP since President Goodluck Jonathan will soon declare his ambition for 2015 general elections.
But according to the CPS, ” when Mimiko wanted to scamp from the Alliance for Democracy in 2003 to the PDP, the decision was made public and he also made it clear to everybody when he was dumping the PDP for the Labour Party to pursue his political aspiration.”
He explained that the governor has been busy building structure for the party in the South West and across the country to turn the party to a beautiful bride in the country, noting that the Governor could not leave the house he has built for another party.
The CPS however described the said rumour as the handiwork of detractors.
Asked why political activities of the ruling party seem to have been dwindled since the beginning of the second term of the Governor, Akinsola denied this saying, the LP has not gone to sleep and is still active politically.
He explained that for the past six weeks, LP members do meet on weekly basis across the units and wards in the state to strategize and re-engineer the party to win future elections in the state and the country.
” I want to tell you that government has not gone to sleep in Ondo state. LP is still very active, we always meet weekly till today for the past six weeks.
We have just commissioned some new projects while other ones will soon be commissioned. ” he said
The Governor’s media aide then assured the people of the state that his boss will deliver all his electoral promises before the expiration of his second term, saying that ”the people of the state will continue to witness positive development .
Akinsola also said there was no plan to impeach the State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, urging the public to disregard such rumour.
He stated that the Assembly had never moved such a motion against Olanusi and that the Deputy Governor was still performing his constitutional duties in the state, without any problem.
He said” as far as I know, the Ondo State House of Assembly has a good relationship with the Executive, and there is no plan to impeach the Deputy Governor. If you go to Alhaji’s office now, you will meet him there working without any problem. “

Another APC Governor Faces Impeachment

Adamawa State lawmakers yesterday received the report of the investigative panel instituted to probe Governor Murtala Nyako, just as their colleagues in Nasarawa State also moved against the governor, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura: he was served an impeachment notice.
Both governors belong to Nigeria’s main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The national leadership of the party has condemned the latest move in Nasarawa State.
But Governor Al-Makura seems unperturbed. He alleged that the lawmakers were financially induced to embark on the impeachment. He fingered the Presidency and a serving minister as the masterminds of the plot to unseat him.
Speaker of the Nasarawa State Assembly Alhaji Musa Ahmed Mohammed yesterday directed the clerk to serve Governor Al-Makura an impeachment notice following a motion of public interest raised by the deputy majority leader of the House, Mr Yahaya Usman (PDP, Umaisha/Ugya), during plenary in Lafia.
Usman had presented a document before the Assembly cataloguing allegations of gross misconduct against the governor, which he said was signed by 20 of the 24 members of the Assembly.
“I am on my feet to raise a motion under the matter of public interest and I will go direct to read the document I have in my hand: this is a notice of impeachment of Gov. Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State for gross misconduct and for the violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, today being the 14th July, 2014.
“Twenty members out of the 24 members of this House unanimously endorsed to serve Governor Tanko Al-Makura notice of impeachment.”
Of the 24 state assembly members, only four belong to the ruling APC, in the state while 20 are of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Alhaji Musa Ahmed Mohammed (PDP, Nasarawa Central), the speaker of the House, who officially received the impeachment notice, said it had complied with the provisions of the 1999 constitution (as amended).
The speaker subsequently directed the clerk of the House, Ego Maikeffi, to serve the impeachment notice on Governor Al-Makura immediately.
He said, “In the event that Governor Tanko Al-Makura cannot be reached for service, the clerk is directed to serve him with the impeachment notice through the media.”
LEADERSHIP had in its July 3, 2014, edition reported that 20 state lawmakers had, at a secret meeting held at a guest house in highbrow Asokoro District, Abuja, concluded plans to remove the governor.
Commenting on the notice, Governor Al-Makura’s special adviser on special duties, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, accused some unseen hands in the Presidency of being behind the impeachment notice.
He alleged that proxies which include a serving minister from Nasarawa State, some lawmakers in the National Assembly and a points-man from the south- south who is currently serving in the National Conference are the arrowheads of the plot to unseat the governor.
Abdullahi accused those behind the scenes of selling the impeachment dummy to the Presidency for the PDP to reclaim the governorship of the state while the south-south politician allegedly disbursed N30 million each to the 20 lawmakers as inducement.
The special assistant said the bribe was given to the lawmakers in US Dollars on Sunday and had the support of the deputy governor, Damishi Luka, whom he (Abdulahi) accused of a longstanding ambition to become the state governor with Speaker Mohammed as deputy.
The deputy governor, less than a year ago, defected from the APC to PDP, a move that was viewed by many as signalling a frosty relationship between him and Governor Al-Makura.
Similarly, an elder statesman from the state, Alhaji Abdullahi Bako, while commenting on the development, expressed disgust on the matter, saying interference in the state affairs by the Presidency is uncalled for and saddening.
Incidentally, the impeachment notice comes on a day President Goodluck Jonathan commissioned the largest rice farm in Africa situated in Doma, Nasarawa State.
No shaking – Al-Makura
But Al-Makura’s mien shows a man without worry. He said he would not fret over the move by the lawmakers to impeach him. He said he did not commit any constitutional infraction to warrant such move against him.
The governor, who spoke through his commissioner for information, Hon. Hamza Elayo, said: “The governor is not bothered about this latest move. He is not shaking because he has not breached the 1999 Constitution (as amended). “We are yet to receive any notice and, until we get it, we react appropriately.
Please note that the governor is serving the state to the satisfaction of the people and there is no cause for alarm,” he said.
PDP destablising APC-controlled states – Oyegun
Meanwhile, the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday said the display of power of impunity against governments and governors of states controlled by their members is a clear indication that the federal government on the watch of President Goodluck Jonathan could breed dire consequences.
The national chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, stated this in Benin City, the Edo State capital, when he led a high-powered delegation of leaders and members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party on a solidarity visit to Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the Government House over the lingering crisis in the state House of Assembly.
Oyegun noted that, with the unstable political scenarios in Rivers, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Kano and now Edo State, it was clear to the opposition party that the forces of the federal government and the PDP were out to destabilize the APC with “a properly mapped out war against the APC and to destabilize” it. He stated: “What is going on and what the party has come to realize is that there is a properly mapped out war against the APC, to destabilize the APC. While you are going through your travails here, we are also trying to contain the fires that have been emitting in Adamawa; we are preparing for the one they are promising in Nasarawa State and so on and so forth and the bombs have started exploding in Kano.”
He assured Oshiomhole that the party is solidly behind him and the 15 APC lawmakers in the legislative arm of government in the state over the failure of the PDP legislators to obey various court orders and the use of security agencies as against their constitutional roles of protection of life and property but have reduced themselves to a willing tool in the hands of the powers that be at the Aso Rock in Abuja.
They cited what it called the political “travails” being orchestrated against the governors of Rivers, Edo and three others in the northern part of the country where the APC is holding sway in the government and governance.
“Against all odds you have stood firm and we want to thank you that this is the new spirit of the new APC, for the simple reason that you are not alone in the most current attack and destabilization of APC governments and governors. Before you is, of course, the imitable Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State whose travails are still far from being over, but I am glad and surprised today when he said that he was just from a security council meeting.” Oshiomhole in his remarks said he would not be distracted by the activities of the PDP lawmakers and the national leadership of the party.
While thanking the party leaders for their sense of commitment and visit to the state, he said by the action of the embattled PDP lawmakers they were out to procure 13 out of the 24 members in the House to block every executive bill, frustrate the 2015 budget and equally put a stop to the developmental initiatives of government in the state.
“Because the PDP is so frightened by our record of achievements and the fact that every day they lament that my crime is that whereas people knew that this state was grossly mismanaged they were unable to put scale on the level of mismanagement, but each time they see the six-lane roads across Benin; the huge urban renewal programme we sustained, the massive development, health centres, free education up to secondary school level, free bus services for pupils, whether they are private or public schools; people can now imagine how much they have lost in 10 years.”
He maintained that as long as this generation of Edo people is alive the PDP has no hope in Edo State, stressing that all they are doing is simply designed to destabilize the state. The governor decried that the PDP legislators were the ones that are in contempt of the courts after they have collected about N75million to defect from the APC to the PDP and to prosecute their evil plot against the state and the people.
Among the delegation on the solidarity visit were Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Abia State Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, ex-governor of Kwara State Senator Bukola Saraki, minority leader of the House of Representatives Hon. Femi Gbajamila, former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, and APC national publicity secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
Uncertainty looms over Nyako as House convenes emergency sitting today.
Uncertainty has pervaded the Adamawa landscape as the state House of Assembly convenes an emergency meeting today, even as the seven-man panel submitted its report before the speaker of the House, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
Many in the state are afraid that the impeachment card may be in the offing for both Governor Murtala Nyako and his deputy Bala James Ngilari who might have been indicted by the reports following their failure to honour the invitation extended to them by the seven- man panel.
In a telephone chat, the chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon. Adamu Kamale, told LEADERSHIP correspondent that the House had announced the convoking of an emergency meeting although he could not disclose what the meeting was all about.
The panel conducted a two-day sitting on Friday and Saturday following which it submitted its report before the speaker of the House of Assembly at the State Assembly complex in Yobe.
However, the seven-man panel constituted by the former acting chief judge of the state, Mammadi, finally submitted its report to the speaker on Monday.
The seven-man panel, which stormed the state House of Assembly Complex at exactly 2:20pm, came amidst impregnable security provided by stern-looking soldiers who were wielding AK-47 assault rifles.
While presenting the report, the chairman of the seven-man committee, Mallam Buba Kaigama, said the committee has discharged its mandate and has compiled a comprehensive report following the sittings of the panel.
He said both the governor and his deputy were given the opportunity to respond to the allegations of gross misconduct against them in line with the mandate of the committee but they blatantly refused to use the opportunity to grace the panel’s sittings in order to give their own account.
“The panel is submitting its report in accordance with section 188 subsection 5 of the constitution. Despite the initial hitches, we were able to conduct our sittings and both the governor and his deputy were given the opportunity to respond which they refused,” Kaigama said, adding that the panel has admitted six exhibits on allegations against the deputy governor while it admitted 24 exhibits on allegations against the governor. He said that the panel preferred its report in four volumes which include letter of appointment of members, proceedings of the panel, exhibits tendered during the proceedings and report of the panel.
He added that there was nothing hasty in the way the panel conducted its proceedings, saying that it sat for two days where the complainant (the House of Assembly) attended and gave its evidence but the two respondents refused to attend the sittings and hence the submission of the committee’s report.
Kaigama however refused to disclose the outcome of the investigation, saying “we have submitted the report to the right channel; you can go to them”.
On the issue surrounding the legality of the substituted service of notice of appearance on the governor and his deputy, the chairman said the panel did not default as it has followed the procedures given to it which stipulates pasting the notices of appearance at the premises of the governor and his deputy.
“We pasted it according to the law but we don’t have judicial powers to arrest them but we use alternative service. I am not a judge but I have followed the procedures given to me.”
During his speech on the occasion, the speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly thanked the panel for a job well done. The speaker assured the panel that its report would be used judiciously in the interest of the state and democracy, saying that the House would consider the report at the appropriate time during its plenary session.
However, the speaker of the State House of Assembly stormed out of the premises immediately after receiving the report.

APC Lost Another Governor

Few hours after his Dupty, Bala Ngilari tendered his resignation letter, Governor Murtala Nyako of
Adamawa State has been impeached by the Adamawa state House of Assembly, bringing the
weeks of intense debate over the governor’s fate to an abrupt end.
Recall that Nyako has been in a political battle over his continued stay in office following allegation of gross misconduct levelled against him and his Deputy by the highly dominated PDP state Assembly.
Nyako’s impeachment and Ngilari’s resignation, has created an opportunity for the Speaker , Alhaji Umaru Fintiri to act in the capacity of an Acting Governor.
His impeachment however followed the adoption of the report of the Panel submitted to the House by Seventeen of the 25 members of the House.
Speaker Umaru Fintiri read the report on the floor of the House.
The report found the governor guilty of all 16 allegations of gross misconduct leveled against him.
Reacting to the report, a motion for the Governor’s impeachment was immediately moved by Jerry Kumdisi, member representing Gombi constituency and was supported by Kwamoti Laori, the Deputy speaker of the Assembly.
Consequently, all the 18 members at the meeting agreed with the resolution and signed that the
Governor be removed.
It was further resolved that the Speaker , Fintiri, be sworn in as the state’s acting governor.

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola Accuses FG.

The Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola has taken a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the second time in forty-eight hours.
The state’s helmsman had accused the PDP-led FG of abandoning the Apapa axis of the metropolis for long, a situation that has led to the regular horrific traffic jam.
Inspecting the roads in the area at the weekend, he said, “Businesses are shutting down, people are living a very traumatic life. I just wonder why everything is falling into pieces under this federal government. Everything about the country is falling into pieces, and Apapa has not been
spared.”
“The port cannot be managed. The fuel distribution cannot be managed without causing so much pain. The roads have been destroyed.
People are sleeping on the road because the central government cannot effectively manage the distribution of fuel.
Continuing his attack on the PDP yesterday, he questioned the use of the Gani Fawehinmi Park at Ojota for a political gathering.
Fashola said the party had no shame “otherwise, it wouldn’t have used a park it once described as cosmetic and a waste of money”.
Last week Friday, the PDP organised a rally at the Gani Fawehinmi Park, where the Ekiti State governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, addressed his party supporters and asked the APC to get set to vacate leadership positions in the South-west region.
Speaking after the 2014 Tree Planting Campaign at Sangotedo in Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area of the state, Governor Fashola said: “They lied, they forgot what they said. They complained that the park was cosmetic. They have forgotten that the park was cosmetic; have they now forgotten that the park is elitist?. They have no shame in their unthinking inconsistency”.
“All over the state, wherever you go, you will see
scores of parks and millions of trees at different stages of development. Our uninformed and unable opponents criticised this initiative; they called it cosmetic and elitist.”
The governor added that PDP clearly demonstrated their ignorance because the environment was also the new economy.
“They are ignorant people. What they called cosmetic and elitist has developed our economy;
it has created jobs and has put food on the tables of many people who would otherwise be unemployed.”

Ogoni UNEP Report is One Reason I Left PDP - Amaechi

Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi has
declared that failure of the People’s Democratic
Party (PDP) led Federal government to implement
the United Nations Environmental Protection
Agency (UNEP) report on Ogoniland was part of
the reasons why he left the party.
Amaechi spoke on Sunday at the thanksgiving
celebration of former Council Chairman of Khana
Local Government Area, Gregory Nwidam at St.
Dominic’s Catholic Church, Bane.
Amaechi said the PDP led Federal Government
lack the political will to implement the UNEP
report to make the environment habitable for the
people of Ogoni, including the provision of water
and other infrastructural development.
“After the verification and recommendation by the
Agency to the Federal Government, they have
refused to release the sum of One million dollars
for the clean-up and development of the area. As
I am talking to you today, the Federal Government
is doing nothing about the UNEP report. One
million dollars is about 160 billion naira, but the
Federal Government has been spending billions in
other places. But, you need to ask yourselves one
question, what did Ogoni do against the federal
government that they cannot release 160 billion
naira to save your environment. That is the
reason I left PDP for APC, because, our interest is
not protected in PDP. So, when they cannot give
the people of Ogoni 160 billion naira, which is not
even enough for their kids to travel around
America and London, if they cannot give to Ogoni
people, why should you vote them?” he said.
“What you should do is to punish them with your
votes by voting them out in 2015. When you vote,
you are not fighting for me, you are fighting for
yourselves because, I have served as a Speaker
for 8 years and also Governor for 8 years, what I
need from God is long life. You need to fight for
yourselves and save Rivers State as well,”
Amaechi said.
The governor urged the people of Khana and all
Rivers people to register and identify with the All
Progressives Congress (APC) in order to vote out
the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the 2015
general elections.
“Let me assure you that APC will win in 2015 in
Rivers State. You owe me a duty to get registered
with APC. Go and register during the voters’
registration and get your voters card. I want to
thank the people of Bane community and Khana
people for their support, especially the celebrant,
Hon. Gregory Nwidam for his promise that the
people of Khana LGA will ensure APC wins in
Rivers State in 2015,” Amaechi said.
Amaechi also advised supporters of the APC in
the State to resist any attempt by the PDP to use
police and the military to intimidate and
manipulate the 2015 elections against the will of
the electorates.
“The PDP said they will bring Police and Army.
Let them bring them, but, you should know that
they are also human beings. On that day of the
election, I will be at the front. There is nothing
police will shoot that I have not inhaled before.
There is no cell that they have not locked me up
as a student leader. There is no amount of
slapping and beating I have not passed through
in those days. There is nothing new that the
Federal Government has not done to me. So, I
want to prepare you the APC for that day. When
you vote, seat down at the polling unit and let
them count the votes and announce the results,
so that they won’t rig us out. Don’t vote for PDP.
For me, politics is not about my brother or my
father, politics is about me and my interest. So, it
is about you and your interest,” He said.
Amaechi noted that his administration has built
link roads, Model Primary and Secondary Schools
as well as Health Centres to improve Ogoni land
and other ethnic groups in the State in contrast
to the Federal Government.
He said, “What has Federal Government done for
the people of Ogoni. If I have not done anything, I
have built Roads, Primary and Secondary Schools
as well as Health Centres in Ogoni land. There
are two areas I have focused since I became
governor, Ogoni and Etche Local Government
areas. I have also taken development to other
parts of the State. In Ogoni, I started with rural
road construction including agricultural
investment to employ Ogoni people. So, when
former Senator Lee Maebe said, are Ogoni people
monkeys? I asked him to go back to school. This
is because, the reason for establishing that farm
in Tai LGA, even after we paid the owners of the
land, was to create employment opportunities for
the Ogoni people who work and get their daily
living from that source. That farm is 2,000
hectares of land while the one we got from Etche
was 5,000 hectares of land. This is a way of
improving the living standard of the people in
these areas. And, until I leave office, I will
continue to drive development in the state.”
The governor said soon, he will address the
people of the State on the on recent state of
Federal allocations to the State.
“I will address the State in the next one week or
more to tell them about the consistent shortfall of
our allocations from the Federal Government.
Even though the Federal Government said it is oil
theft. We have lost almost half of our revenue.
We don’t have enough money to run our
government, and we need funds to be able to
govern the state. But, let me assure you that we
will continue to raise money to complete our
projects,” Amaechi said.
Earlier, Hon. Gregory Bariledum Nwidam and the
Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial
District, Sen. Magnus Abe had promised Governor
Amaechi, that the people of Bane Community and
Khana Local Government Area were ready to
massively vote for the All Progressives Congress
in the 2015 general elections.
Press Unit
Government House, PH.
July 14, 2014

APC plotting to Destabilize PDP in Rivers State

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said it had unearthed plans by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to sponsor youth to destabilize the former in the Rivers State.
According to the PDP, the plans included a scheme to sponsor individuals that would claim
to be a faction of the party.
The State Chairman of the PDP, Bro Felix Obuah, said such plot could not succeed because the PDP was “democratically intact” in the state and did not have any internal squabbles.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Jerry Needam, Obuah described such
plans as “criminal and the crudest form of playing politics.”
Obuah enjoined all party members and supporters to be at alert and be wary of such plot by “desperadoes whose stock in trade is to cause crisis because of what they stand to benefit in such a chaotic situation.”
He also urged security agencies to be alive to such plot, “which aim is nothing short of plunging the state in another round of crisis as though it’s a political problem.”
“Notwithstanding, the PDP as a focused and law abiding party will not succumb to such cheap blackmail and will stop at nothing to follow due process to campaign and clinch all the elective offices in the State in 2015 general
elections,” Obuah was quoted as saying.

Keshi To Be Paid 10m Monthly

Stephen Keshi , who earlier announced that his contract as the head coach of the Super Eagles had expired, has presented the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with his requests to return as the coach.
African Football on Tuesday, reported that Keshi told President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan that he will sign a new deal if the NFF agrees to pay him N10million a month.
In his initial contract, he received N5million
He reportedly made the demand when he met President Jonathan at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, when he arrived from the world tournament in Brazil. Keshi is said to have demanded for upfront payment to avoid delays he had with his former deal, and to recall his former assistant Sylvanus Okpalla.
“He also wanted what he called a free hand as regards his team selection and preparations, saying he no longer wishes to deal with the technical committee.He also wanted Okpalla back to his backroom staff.
The President has assured him that his demands will be considered.” claimed a source.
The news comes after reports that he got a $260,000 pay for the World Cup.

Rivers State Government To Borrow $280m

The Rivers State Government understand the leadership of Governor Rotimi Amaechi has submitted a proposal to the Rivers State House of Assembly on a request to borrow the sum of $280m over 43billion naira. The said money according to the governor is to provide portable water supply to the whole Rivers State as well as for Sanitation.
LNN gathered that the house of Assembly has approved of the proposal but requested the presence of the Hon. Commissioner for water resources to appear before it to give detail on how this loan would be used effectively.
The said load is to be gotten from World Bank and West African Development Bank. $200m is to be gotten from WAD Bank while $80m is to be gotten from World Bank.
The leader of the Anti Governor Amaechi in the Rivers State House of Assembly Hon. Evans Bipi has wondered why a governor who has less than a year to leave office would go about borrowing such amount of money. Hon. Evans accused the governor of borrowing such amount of money to support his political ambition and the APC come 2015 and has warned the Federal government and both the World Bank and the West African Development Bank to desist from doing business with the governor.
Similarly, the PDP in Rivers State under the chairmanship of Obua Felix has condemned in strong terms the move by the governor and the RHA to borrow the sum of $280m from world Bank. The media aid to the chairman Jerry Needam accused the governor of making the state a debtor state saying the governor is yet to pay the 80b naira he borrowed three months ago. He therefore calls on the people of Rivers State to rise and resist this unwarranted borrowing by the governor.
Meanwhile, the said loan is to be repaid in 22years which will attract 3% interest after the first 8years as grace.

Impeachment Investigation Panel Inaugurated Despite Declaration of Work Free Day

Monday and Tuesday is declared  as work-free days in Adamawa state by the state government, the controversial seven-member investigative panel inaugurated by the Acting Chief Judge of Adamawa State, Ambrose Mammadi, today commenced investigation into
allegations of gross misconduct by Governor Murtala Nyako and his Deputy, Bala Ngilari Nyanko who is to be investigated by the Committee has been under intense pressure following the move by the PDP dominated state
Assembly to impeach him.
Reacting to the move, Mr. Nyako declared Monday and Tuesday as work-free days to allow citizens pray for peace in the state. However, most analysts are of the opinion that it was another way of frustrating the committee’s attempt to investigate him and his Deputy.
A statement issued on behalf of the Acting Chief Judge by the Registrar of the State High Court, Abubakar Babayola announced the composition of the committee.
“The Hon. Acting Chief Judge Hon. Justice Ambrose D. Mammadi by the powers vested in him under Section 185(5) of the 1999 constitution as (amended) has approved the appointment of seven (7) Man Panel to investigate allegations of Gross Misconduct of the Executive Governor of Adamawa State Admiral Murtala Nyako and the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State Mr. Bala Ngilari,” the registrar had said.
The committee is chaired by Buba Kaimaga from Mubi Northern Zone.
The other members are Laraba Hassan, Michika Northern Zone; Njidda Kito, Song Central Zone; Joshua Abu, Hong Central Zone; Binanu Esthon, Guyuk Southern Zone; Sa’ad Lawan, Mayo-Belwa, Southern Zone; and Esthon Gapsiso, Genye Southern Zone.
Relatively the committee has defiled the state government’s order, and is currently sitting amidst tight security at J & J Holiday Villa, located at Atirwucha close in Karewa GRA, Yola, Premium Times had reported.
As at the time of this report, it could not be ascertained whether Nyako and his Deputy, Bala Ngilari, will appear before the committee to clear themselves of the allegations.

Adamawa State Acting Chief Judge's Tenure Expired Today

The tenure of the acting Chief Judge of Adamawa State, Ambrose Mammadi, expired today, a few hours before he was due to inaugurate a seven-member committee to
investigate whether Governor Murtala Nyako has committed impeachable offenses.
The Adamawa State legislature constituted the panel to look into allegations of gross misconduct leveled against Mr. Nyako.
Justice Mamadi, who was expected to swear in the panel tomorrow, began his acting appointment as chief judge on April 7, 2014. His three-month tenure as acting governor expires by midnight today—July 6, 2014 (Nigerian time).
A source in Adamawa State told SaharaReporters that it was unclear whether the acting chief judge would go ahead with swearing in the impeachment panel tomorrow.
In a curious development, a source told SaharaReporters that a contingent of soldiers had taken positions near and around the acting judge’s official residence. The source said the heavy presence of the military could mean that
some interests were pressuring the chief judge to play a role in ensuring that the governor is impeached. But a security source in Yola, the state capital, claimed that the soldiers were posted to the judge’s residence to ensure that he would not be attacked by thugs hired by any of
the competing political groups in the state.
Governor Nyako, who is serving his second term after his reelection on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Most of the members of the state assembly are PDP faithful.

A Student Kills His Father

A 21-year-old 300 level student of Redeemer’s University, Tolani Ajayi, has been arrested by the Ogun state Police Command for killing his 60- year-old father, Mr. Charles Ajayi, (SAN) at the Redemption camp, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on the 3rd of July.
Confirming the report, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement released today, said that the suspect did not only kill his father but shared his body into a box, and dumped it in a nearby bush at Canaan Land Street.
Read statement below:
“The DPO, Redemption Camp, SP Olaiya Martins, had led a team of detectives and some members of the community, who noticed the strange attitude of the suspect while dumping a box, to the point, where the body of the late SAN was dumped.
“They thereafter traced the ground marks of the dragged box from where the suspect dumped the dad’s corpse to the house of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria,where they met the suspect in a relaxed mood in the house. Upon interrogation, the suspect earlier lied that his dad had gone on evangelism before he eventually confessed to the
crime when he was taken to the Redemption Camp Divisional Headquarters.
“He stated further that the problem arose when his father confronted him for not responding to all the prayer points he(the deceased) was raising, claiming that the father slapped him. He said he went mad and went straight to the kitchen to pick up a knife to stab him and later a cutlass to cut his throat and killed him.”

APC and the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole Jittery Over The Soaring Popularity of PDP

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party,
PDP, has said the APC and the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole are now jittery over the soaring popularity of the PDP in the state and have resorted to orchestrating crisis in a spirited move to stop the trend.
The party also accused Governor Oshiomhole of “stirring up the political crisis in Edo State to prevent an official investigation into findings that he has been squandering the state’s resources, including huge levies and taxes to finance his campaign for Vice Presidency instead of settling down to develop the state”.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh in a statement on Sunday said Governor Oshiomhole was also embittered by the acceptance of his followers including his aides, top government functionaries, legislators and influential APC leaders into the popular PDP train, while his quest to join was roundly rejected on account of his
undemocratic tendencies.
According to the statement, “Having lost the confidence and support of the people due to his despotic, anti-people and undemocratic tendencies, coupled with his colossal
administrative failures, Governor Oshiomhole has resorted to violence and blackmail to intimidate and subdue them in line with the agenda of his party, the APC.
“This frenetic effort to subvert the will of the people is foolhardy and compares to a fabled tale of a man attempting to eclipse the moon with hands. The fact that Edo is home to the PDP has never been in doubt. In fact, what is happening in Edo State is clearly a case of water finding its level.
“We are aware that Governor Oshiomhole and the APC leaders have been having sleepless nights since the discovery of his mismanagement of the state’s resources for parochial agenda and the continued defections of influential APC members to the PDP and are as such bent at contriving a quick-fix to stem the tide.
“Part of the survival strategy is the spreading of wild allegations and instigating the crisis in Edo State House of Assembly to disorganize and compromise the legislature. The macabre dance playing out in Edo Assembly is an expression of defeatism or rather a terminal symptom of a decadent regime, so afraid that in the circumstances of unrestrained freedom, its hackneyed popularity in Edo will collapse.
“What else would have prompted the relocation of the state legislature to the governor’s office on the stage managed renovation of the assembly complex if not a calculated plot to intimidate and compromise the lawmakers and prevent them from carrying out their constitutional duties of checking the excesses of the state executive under Governor Oshiomhole?
“We however wish to inform the Edo State governor and the APC that their machinations will lead them to nowhere. They must understand that they have not only failed the people but have also betrayed them. The people of Edo State are no fools and cannot continue to stay under an administration that has no regard for them.
“Nobody wants to continue to support a fascist regime that has shown untold penchant for oppression and brutality; a despotic system that continues to impose multiple taxes and levies on the people to promote parochial interests and exercises its whims with reckless abandon.
“The APC and its government in Edo State have since disconnected from the people. They have refused to be accountable and that is why the people have abandoned them for the PDP where they found a level playing ground to canvass and fully realize their aspirations and yearnings as a people and individuals.
“While we restate our position that Governor Adams Oshiomhole is the centrifuge of crisis in Edo State, we call on all well-meaning Nigerians to note this and hold him and the APC responsible in the case of any break down of law and order in the state”.

Nyako - Jonathan Has no Hands in My Crisis

The Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako has disassociated President Goodluck Jonathan of blame in the ongoing impeachment process by the state House of Assembly.
The governor reacting yesterday evening, blamed ‘some senior citizens’ of Adamawa based in Abuja for the political crisis rocking the state.
“The presidency is not planning a plot to remove me from office contrary to speculations,” he said.
“We know that Adamawa state is full of intellectuals, when issues arise, we use different approaches to address it. That is the cause of the political differences we have, but no much outside interference.
“I came with certain conclusions of all the issues raised. There is nothing too serious.
“Three months ago, the house itself passed a verdict praising the administration for being transparent and for performing well and I don’t want them to lose that faith.”
Continuing, he said that after carefully studying the situation, he believes that “all the omissions and commissions raised are not prosecutable and are not the type to take somebody to court about whether he is guilty or not guilty,” he said.
The governor thanked the workers for their patience in the face of owed salaries. He said he was working to ensure that the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, de-freezes the state’s accounts.
“I plead with the EFCC to defreeze our account, Adamawa is a poor state and depends only on Federal Allocation to pay its salary so that our people can have reprieve during the Ramadan.
“If that is not successful, I will challenge it in court since a Supreme Court has already said the EFCC has no reason to freeze any account.
“Very soon, all forces of reconciliation will be set in motion. We will use our kinship, traditional and religious leaders to calm down the situation,” Nyako added.
It would be recalled that Adamawa State acting Chief Judge on Friday set up a seven-member panel to investigate the allegations levelled against the governor by the lawmakers.

Borno Police Seized Abuja Based Newspapers

The Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima has asked the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Lawan Tanko to seize copies of an Abuja based newspaper, the National Trail.
The police chief was equally asked to seize the vehicle belonging to ex-commissioner for Information, Home Affairs and Culture in the state, Mr. Inuwa Bwala, who is believed to be behind the negative press the government is suffering.
Speaking with the former commissioner on phone, he told DailyPost that security operatives arrested his distributor in Maiduguri and ordered him to give them all copies of National Trail newspapers of last week in his possession, which he did under duress.
Bwala, who is the publisher of the National Trail Newspaper, also alleged that the governor ordered that security operatives should trail his vehicle
and seize it.
He added that “as far as I am concerned, there is no letter given to me officially that I have been sacked, and no due process was followed.
“For whatever reason, I was told that this is the order the Governor gave the commissioner of police Borno State, according to security operatives who went looking for my distributor as well as my vehicle.
“I don’t know why they should descend so low. We are not in the military era. Whatever is happening to Borno State government now is a fallout of their evil deeds. I do not want to be provoked into drawing a battle line with the government. I think if I am provoked to react, they would not like every word that I am going to put on paper. They should know that I have been the Commissioner for Information in the state and that means a lot”.
When a journalist spoke with the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Gideon Jibril to comment on the said order by the police commissioner to seize the National Trail Newspaper in Maiduguri and the order to also
seize the vehicle of the former Commissioner, he denied knowledge of the incident.
DailyPost attempts to get the Police Commissioner, Lawan Tanko to speak
on the incident did not yield result as all his phone numbers were not going through as at the time of this report.

What Hugging Means in the Dream Land.

By Heather Long
Exploring the meaning of dreams can involve
delving into fears, aspirations, hopes and
readiness for emotional support. Hugging in a
dream can mean many things, depending on the
context in which the hug occurs. An embrace is a
symbolic gesture that can mean different things
to different people, but there is an underlying
feeling of interconnectedness that appears to be
consistent.
Whom Are You Hugging?
The meaning of being hugged in a dream changes
based on whom you hug. Mothers who dream of
hugging their children, for example, are signs of a
positive, protective and trusting bond. It’s not
uncommon for a pregnant woman to dream of
holding, hugging and loving the baby she is
carrying.
Possible meanings can apply to your personal
experience with dreams about embracing
someone:
Dreams can have many layers, and meaning can
emerge from both literal and symbolic
representations. For example, an enemy may be
an ex-lover or a former girlfriend, and hugging
this individual can be expression of grief and loss.
Does the dream mean you should reach out to
that person? Not necessarily. It could just mean
that you miss the relationship, but this doesn't
necessarily mean that you miss the specific
individual.
The thrill of hugging a stranger can represent the
encouragement to be open to new relationships.
How do you tell the difference? If the stranger
hugs you and you feel trapped, confined or
uncomfortable, then it could be a warning to
avoid the situation. If you hug the stranger and
experience the same feelings of anxiety, it could
illustrate the need to press past personal barriers
for the new experience.
What if you and the stranger both reach out for
the hug at the same time? That is an
encouragement to accept opportunities when they
come your way. That opportunity doesn’t have to
be another person, but a chance at a new job, a
new education or other.
Spiritual Awakening
Many Native American tribes saw hugging in a
dream as a sign of a person’s willingness to
accept change. Awakening requires overcoming a
fear of being judged, personal insight, and the
desire to exceed personal boundaries. As children,
hugs were a great source of comfort and safety.
The act of embracing the unknown suggests that
contentment and satisfaction can be achieved
when one steps beyond your comfort zone.
Psychological Exploration of Dreams
Psychiatrist Carl Jung was not the first to
study dreams, but his work in dream analysis is
among the best known to professional
researchers and pop culture alike. It was Jung
who advocated that dreams must be interpreted
on an individual level, taken in context with the
dreamer. Jung believed that dreams could be
approached from two different perspectives, the
objective and the subjective.
The objective approach identifies objects and
people in the dream as exactly what they appear.
The dream of your child is a dream of your child,
etc. In the subjective context, the person, place or
thing represents of something else. Jung believed
that it was the dreamer who could identify when
the dream was subjective or objective.
Not All Dreams Have to Have Meaning
Everyone dreams, and many dreams go
unremembered. In dreams, as in life, sometimes a
hug is just a hug, but if you are experiencing
recurring dreams about embracing, then it could
be a sign that the symbol is important to you. In
addition, if the dream prevents you from resting
well, it can be a sign that you may need to
explore sleep problems or disorders as a possible
contributor to the restlessness.

Govt. Nyako Days in Office Are Numbered

Adamawa State acting chief judge, Ambrose Mammadi, has constituted a seven-
member committee to investigate allegations of
gross misconduct levelled against Governor
Murtala Nyako and his Deputy, Bala Ngilari, by
the State House of Assembly.
A statement yesterday, signed by the Chief
Registrar of the state High Court, Abubakar
Bayola, disclosed that the chief judge in line with
his constitutional responsibility, has constituted
the committee as demanded by the lawmakers.
“The Hon. Acting Chief Judge Hon. Justice
Ambrose D. Mammadi by the powers vested in
him under Section 185(5) of the 1999 constitution
as (amended) has approved the appointment of
seven (7) Man Panel to investigate allegations of
Gross Misconduct of the Executive Governor of
Adamawa State Admiral Murtala Nyako and the
Deputy Governor of Adamawa State Mr. Bala
Ngilari,” it said.
The committee is chaired by Buba Kaimaga from
Mubi Northern Zone.
Other members are Laraba Hassan, Michika
Northern Zone; Njidda Kito, Song Central Zone;
Joshua Abu, Hong Central Zone; Binanu Esthon,
Guyuk Southern Zone; Sa’ad Lawan, Mayo-Belwa,
Southern Zone; and Esthon Gapsiso, Genye
Southern Zone.
The statement added that the committee
members would be sworn in at a later,
unannounced date.
The latest development is a clear indication that
Mr. Nyako’s days in office are numbered.
He is accused of corruption and mismanagement
of state funds by the Peoples Democratic Party,
PDP, dominated legislature.
Presently, accounts of the Adamawa government
remain frozen on the orders of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

More States To Be Created Soon

THE National Conference on Thursday voted for the creation of 18 more states in the country.
The creation of new states was one of the decisions taken by the delegates at their plenary while considering the report of the Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government.
Apart from the 18 new states proposed, the conference said a separate state-yet-to-be named should be carved out of the South-East to bring the number of the states in the zone to
six.
In creating a new state from the South-East geopolitical zone, the conference said the
creation would correct the imbalance of the zone
having the least number of states.
In the existing 36 states arrangement, each zone
has six states with only the North-West having
seven states.
The new states proposed by the conference are:
Aba, to be carved out of the present Abia State;
Katagum, from Bauchi State; Ijebu, from Ogun
State; Amana, from former Sardauna Province;
Apa, from Benue State; Anioma, from Delta State,
Savannah, from Borno State; and Etiti, from
South-East.
Others are Njaba/Anim, from Anambra and Imo
states; Gurara, from Kaduna State; Ghari, from
Kano State; Adada, New Oyo from Oyo State;
Orachi, from Rivers State; Ogoja, from Cross
River State; and Kainji, from Kebbi and Niger
states.
Two other states, one each from the South-East
and South-West zones, are also yet to be
named.
It was agreed by the delegates that the 18 new
states would be shared among the six zones in a
manner that no zone would have more states
than the other.
Though it was also agreed that states were free
to have their constitutions, the request to change
the name of Adamawa State to Gongola State
was overwhelmingly rejected by the delegates.
The delegates also voted that the Presidency
should rotate among the six geopolitical zones of
the country.
They said the rotation should be between the
northern and southern regions.
It was also agreed by the delegates that in the
case of death, impeachment or incapacitation of
the President, the deputy would no longer
assume office automatically.
Rather, they said that the Vice President should
only act as President for a period of 90 days
within which another election should hold.
“In the absence of the death of the President, the
Vice President shall act as President for a period
of 90 days within which an election to the office
of the President shall be held,” the conference
said.
The delegates argued that since the office of the
President would be rotated among the six
geopolitical zones, it would be unfair to allow the
Vice President to take the turn of another zone
by automatically assuming power.
President Goodluck Jonathan, a southerner from
Bayelsa State, had assumed the Presidency in
2010 following the death of former President
Umaru Yar’Adua, a northerner from Katsina
State.
The delegates rejected the proposal that the
President should be in office for a single term of
six years, and favoured the present arrangement
of two terms of four years each.
It was also agreed that the President and his
deputy should run on a joint ticket, thereby
rejecting the recommendation that the President
should pick his deputy among members of the
National Assembly after he must have won.
The conference also supported the bicameral
legislature. This implies that there would still be
the Senate and the House of Representatives.
It was also agreed that the office of the governor
should rotate among the three senatorial
districts in the state while the office of the
chairman of a local government council should
rotate among the components in the local
government areas.
The conference also recommended that that the
Independent National Electoral Commission
should divide each council to two or three equal
parts as the case maybe for the purpose of
electing the local government chairman.
The delegates rejected a motion that the number
of states in Nigeria should not be more than 55.
However, a delegate, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN,
condemned the decision to create more states.
He said the action was at variance with the
decisions and resolutions earlier taken by the
conference on the need by government to cut
cost.
“Having regard to the several resolutions of the
National Conference on the need to reduce the
cost of governance, I found the recommendation
for the creation of additional 18 states rather
contradictory,” Falana said.
The conference also said that a referendum
should be conducted in each of the states that
want to merge with 65 per cent of the eligible
voters in each of those states approving merger
and that the National Assembly, by resolutions
passed by a single majority of membership,
should approve such merger.
On the running of local governments, the
delegates said that states were free to create or
reduce the number of local governments within
their territory.
It was agreed that all government officials must
use made in Nigeria cars.
The conference also agreed that the old national
anthem, “Nigeria we hail thee…” should be
adopted in place of the current one.
Probably to show their preference for the old
anthem, all the delegates rose to sing it to the
surprise of the leadership of the conference.
Another delegate and a SAN, Chief Mike
Ozekhome, who spoke to one of our
correspondents after the plenary, said, “I stand
by the recommendation; we have recommended
that 18 more states and an additional state
should be created for the Igbo, they are the only
one with five states.
‘‘With 54 states I believe that government would
be brought closer to the people.”
However, a Nigerian Bar Association presidential
aspirant, Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN, said, “I don’t
think that creation of more states will solve the
problem of underdevelopment. I don’t think that
it will solve the problem of bureaucracy in the
society. What I think we should focus on is the
delivery of dividends of democracy to Nigerians. I
don’t support creation of more states.”

Nasarawa Assembly Plans To Impeach Governor

The ‘hurricane’ of impeachment threat against
some state governors appears to have had a stop
in Nasarawa state as members of the state’s
legislature have begun moves to unseat Governor
Tanko Al-Makura.DailyPost gathered that no
fewer than 20 lawmakers on the platform of the
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, met in Abuja on
Tuesday evening to discuss the plan.
They reportedly met at a guest house in Asokoro
district of the capital city.
It is, however, alleged that the Presidency and the
PDP have bought into members’ plan which
would see the party regain control of the state.
The Deputy Governor, Damishi Luka, is often
accused of being behind previous alleged
impeachment moves by the PDP-dominated
House of Assembly against Governor Al-Makura.
Special Adviser on Special Duties, Abdullahi
Mohammed, who reacted said the plot had been
ongoing, adding that the governor was not
intimidated by the distractions.
“They are going about dropping the name of Mr
President, saying the Minister of petroleum and
some PDP governors have indicated interest in
footing the bills,” he said.Meanwhile, the national
Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, has
challenged the governor and his supporters to
show proof that his party, was behind the plot.
He urged the governor to face the lawmakers and
answer charges against him.
“People should be reasonable enough to know
that there is a wide range of difference between
the legislature and the executive; their roles are
different even though complementary,” he said.
“The PDP has no business in Nasarawa
Assembly’s move to impeach their governor, if at
all; neither is the Presidency involved.
“What we have come to notice is that whenever
an APC governor has crisis in his state, he cries
foul to the rooftop; he accuses the PDP. I think it
will do Nigerians a great service for the governor
to either show evidence of the allegations or keep
quiet.
“In the alternative, if there is need, the governor
should face the state lawmakers to explain his
actions and inactions; after all, his party claims
to be a party of democrats and progressives, so
they should allow the lawmakers to do their job, if
any. They should count us out of their problems.”

Adamawa Assembly directs state Chief Justice to investigate Nyako

Adamawa State House of Assembly yesterday proved its resolve to impeach Governor Murtala Nyako and his Deputy, James Ngilari, as it directed Acting Chief judge, Justice Ambrose Mamadi to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of “gross misconduct” levelled against the Governor and his Deputy, Mr James Ngilari.
The panel is expected to submit its report within
one week.
The Assembly’s resolution was sequel to two documents signed and verified by the Speaker,
Alhaji Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri, who is one of the 20
out of the 25-member state legislature, supporting the duo ousted.
The lawmakers, who had earlier signed the
impeachment notice, reiterated their resolve to
pursue the impeachment move to its logical
conclusion, even as they expressed support for
the Speaker’s action.
But the lawmakers may have gone against a subsisting court order, restraining them from going ahead with the planned impeachment,
pending the determination of a suit instituted by the governor.
They however, explained that their decision to ask
the CJ to constitute the panel was taken after both Nyako and his Deputy failed to defend themselves over the allegations of gross
misconduct.
During plenary, they adopted “The Panel of Investigation Rules of Procedure of Adamawa State”, which Fintiri said should include a
chairman, a secretary and five others.
“The panel shall, in the course of its proceedings,
adopt the ordinary rules of fair hearing. The panel
may, however, in its discretion, be guided by the
High Court Civil Rules of Adamawa State and the
provisions of the Evidence Act, 2009.”
The procedure also requires that evidence adduced before the panel may be oral or
documentary, and that the evidence shall be led
in the first instance in proof of an allegation;
evidence may be led in the next instance in
rebuttal of the allegation.
It also stated that the panel may regulate the
time for giving of evidence or making of an application or final submission by witnesses or parties or counsel on their behalf and the panel’s decision in this regard shall be final.
Reacting, the lead lawyer to Nyako, Mr Ayo Akam,
who held briefs for Kanu Aganbi at a Yola High
Court sitting, described the action of the Adamawa House of Assembly as a contempt of
court as the court.
“If they go ahead to pass a resolution to ask the
chief judge to constitute the seven-man panel,
that will be a violation of the court order,’’ he
said.
The counsel added that “We will consult our
clients on whether to enforce the order or let it
be.”

New Ministers Confirmed

The Upper Chamber of the National Assembly has
confirmed former Kano State governor, Ibrahim
Shekarau, as a Minister of the Federal Republic.
The former presidential candidate in the 2011
election was confirmed alongside others
nominated by President Goodluck Jonathan.
The other nominees confirmed are Abu Bulama
from Yobe State, Stephen Oru from Delta State,
and Adedayo Adeyeye from Ekiti State.
The new Ministers were appointed following the
resignation of some former Ministers to include
Yerima Ngama, former Minister of state for
Finance; Caleb Olubolade, former Minister of
police affairs; and Godsday Orubebe, former
Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs.
More to come.

Edo State Assembly Crisis, Deputy Speaker Impeached

The Deputy Speaker of the
Edo State House of Assembly – Festus Ebea , on
Wednesday, impeached on allegations of misconduct and misdemeanour and elected Victor Edoror to replace him.
This act thickens an on-going crisis which began
after four members of the House were suspended
on allegation of misconduct.
After their suspension, the four lawmakers and
five other members of the State House held a session and suspended the speaker and few other members of the House, insisting that they had been suspended without an offence.
Prior to their suspension, the suspended lawmakers had decamped from the All
Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party. There were talks that the Deputy Speaker, Ebea was also making plans to decamp to the PDP.
However, 15 Lawmakers belonging to the APC
carried out the impeachment at the Old Assembly Complex inside the Edo State Government House owing to ongoing renovations at the premises of the Edo State House of Assembly.
“This renovation work going on there was caused
by the fact that the former Deputy Speaker and a
group of aides forcibly entered the place, destroying doors and windows.
“Of course, we had to repair them and put them
back to shape,” Speaker of the House, Uyi Igbe
said, maintaining that they will have to continue
carrying out their duties in the old Chambers for
now and that the crisis has not stopped them from working.
Although 15 lawmakers sat for plenary, 16 signed
the impeachment. The 16th person was reportedly
Abdulrazak Momoh, the PDP lawmaker yet to be suspended.
Our correspondent reported heavy Police presence
at the premises of the Edo State House of Assembly.

A Non Governmental Organisation Has Dragged FG To Court

A Non Governmental
Organisation (NGO), Socio-Economic Rights and
Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged the
Federal Government to court following the withdrawal of corruption charges
against the son of late military ruler, Gen. Sani
Abacha, Muhammed Abacha,
Respondents in the suit are President Goodluck
Jonathan and the Attorney General of the
Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke.
In the suit filed by SERAP Executive Director,
Adetokunbo Mumuni and Oyindamola Musa on
behalf of the organisation at the Federal High
Court sitting in Lagos, the NGO argued that
Section 15 (5) of the 1999 Constitution provided
that “the state shall abolish all corrupt practices
and abuse of power.”
It said as such, the respondents are to prevent
the exploitation of Nigeria’s human and natural
resources for any reasons other than for the good
of the community.
It is also of the view that in cases of corruption,
the respondents will ensure diligent and effective
prosecution of suspected perpetrators.
The reliefs being sought include a declaration that
the withdrawal of N446.3billion corruption
charges/suit against Muhammed Abacha is illegal
and unconstitutional having regard to Section
174(3) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which
provides that the second defendant in the exercise
of his power to undertake criminal proceedings
shall have regard to the public interest, interest of
justice and the need to prevent abuse of legal
process.
It also include an order directing the defendants
to reinstate the corruption charges/suit against
Muhammed Abacha forthwith
SERAP insists that, “The good faith nature of the
obligations assumed by Nigeria under the UN
convention does not grant discretion to the
defendants to refuse to prosecute, recover stolen
assets and end the impunity of perpetrators.”
“It is submitted that there are no exceptional
circumstances warranting the withdrawal of the
corruption charges/suit against Muhammed
Abacha by the defendants.”

Jamb Releases Cut-Off Marks

The Joint Admission and Matriculations Board,
JAMB, has released the cut-off marks for the
2014 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination,
UTME.
The board retained the existing 180 cut-off mark
for admission into universities in Nigeria.
It also pegged the cut-off marks for admission
into Polytechnics and Colleges of Education (COE)
at 150.
The board arrived at this after a debate by
stakeholders, including Vice Chancellors, Rectors
and Provosts at the fifth combined policy meeting
on admissions to tertiary institutions held at the
National Universities Commission (NUC), Abuja.
JAMB Registrar and Chief Executive, Professor
‘Dibu Ojerinde, who made this disclosure while
speaking with newsmen, said the decisions were
unanimously accepted by all stakeholders at the
meeting.
Chairman of the Board, Mr Eze, however, urged
the institutions to strictly adhere to 60:40 Science
to Arts ratio for conventional institutions and the
70:30 Technology to non-Technology ratio for
specialised institutions, which were aimed at
entrenching the technical advancement of the
country.
Eze equally urged both federal and state-owned
institutions to abide by the guidelines approved
by their proprietors to promote unity, integration,
geographical spread and equity.
“Accordingly, the 45:35:20 admissions quota for
the merit, catchment area and educationally-less-
developed states criteria should be complied with
by federal institutions.” He said.

Senator Annie Okonkwo, has finally resigned from APC

The immediate past interim Deputy National
Chairman (South) of the All Progressives
Congress (APC), Senator Annie Okonkwo, has
finally resigned his membership of the party,
alleging the party has no good intentions for the
South-east people.
Okonkwo, who is also the President of C21, an
Igbo socio-political group, in a statement he
personally signed yesterday, said he resigned his
membership because of the party’s scruffy
promises, lack of internal party democracy and
clannish and sectional disposition of the
leadership.
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the party
had suspended Okonkwo on January 6 this year
over what it described as anti-party activities
during the Anambra 2013 governorship election.
But according to him, “My suspension was
investigated by Senator Kabiru Gaya’s Committee
and exonerated me from all allegations.
“I stepped down my gubernatorial ambition for
peace to be in the party but instead of being
hailed for this sacrifice, I was hunted and
hounded which orchestrated my suspension from
duty as Deputy National Chairman (South) on a
trumped up petition of anti-party activities,”
Okonkwo stated.
“The National Chairman of the party is aware of
my involvement in the formation of this party from
the onset when all members were given the
onerous task of setting up a party to epitomise
change.”
In all of these assignments, he stated: “I
committed myself
financially, mentally and socially. I believed firmly
in the lofty ideal we had jointly and severally set
for ourselves.”
Further, the statement said: “The conviviality,
genre and comradespirit I had hoped for among
the progressives in the formation of this party has
taken flight. What I see now is a gathering of non
progressives that do not have the interest of the
party at heart hence my decision to quit the
party.”
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/okonkwo-
finally-resigns-from-apc/182315/

Tinubu Laments The Way Elections are Conducted Nigeria

National leader of the All Progressives Congress,
APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has stated that since
Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999, most of
the elections in the country have been full of
irregularities and frauds. Tinubu said the
development was a mockery of democracy.
The former Lagos State governor gave this
disclosure during the inaugural lecture of the
Freedom House Democracy Lecture series in
Lagos on Monday.
Speaking on the recently concluded governorship
election in Ekiti State, where Ayo Fayose of the
PDP was declared winner, Tinubu said stopping
key APC members from travelling into Ekiti state
prior to th election was undemocratic.
According to him, “Instead of being the periodic
celebration of democracy, elections in Nigeria
have generally mocked the very notion of
democracy they are supposed to uphold. Worst
has been what comes after elections.
“Since the winner often is not chosen by the
people but by some subterranean process, he
continues to dishonour the people while resorting
to that subterranean process in how he rules.
Generally, these office holders believe they have
the inborn right to rule instead of been given a
duty to govern.
“For the most part, elections have become a
perverse form of modern coronation. Instead of
choosing public servants, elections in Nigeria
have been basically to select a new aristocracy,
an elected royalty.”
Also speaking at the event, Rivers State Governor,
Rotimi Amaechi, called on Nigerians to mobilise
for street protest as a way to stop stealing by
public funds, adding that pelting of guilty public
leaders could also deter them from diverting
government funds for their private use.
He said, “The only way to stop us from stealing
is to stone us. The followers are equally guilty as
the leadership. The institutions are already
compromised and there is no alternative to them.
Nigerians seem not be against corruption but
they are against how long you stay being corrupt.
Don’t expect those in public office to fight
corruption.”