BREAKING: Buhari Arrives Imo to Commission Projects, Despite IPOB's Threat | AgegePulse Magazine

  

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

President Muhammadu Buhari arriving Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, Imo State

Buhari lands in Imo

President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in Owerri, the Imo State capital to commission yet to be ascertained a number of projects.

Buhari landed at the Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri and was received by dignitaries.

Governor Hope Uzodinma had earlier stated that the President is in the state to commission some projects through a Facebook post.

He wrote, “It is with a heart full of gratitude that I, on behalf of the good people of Imo State, welcome His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR to the Eastern Heartland on a working visit to commission some of our completed people-oriented projects.

“Mr. President, we are delighted to have you in Imo State on this august occasion despite your tight schedules and it’s our pleasure that while in Imo State, you will enjoy the hospitality and conviviality of our people.”

APC crisis: Buhari orders Osinbajo to intervene | AgegePulse Magazine VP meets Ministers Malami, Keyamo, Fashola, Lai Mohammed

By  Ayodele Ifasakin 

• Tension in states as congresses take off •Party threatens sanctions for parallel congress

 

L-R: Buhari, Buni, Osinbajo 

Worried by the impact of the judgment of the Supreme Court on the fate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday directed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to meet with all ministers who are lawyers in his cabinet.

The move was meant to douse the tension sparked by the minority ruling of the apex court on the legality of actions taken by the party’s Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), headed by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State.

But many of the state chapters of the party were still in the grip of tension last night as they prepared for the ward congresses today.

At least one state, Kwara, may hold parallel congresses despite threat yesterday by the CECPC to sanction any one organising a parallel congress.

Sequel to Buhari’s directive, Osinbajo summoned a session with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), Works Minister Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Minister of State for Labour and Employment Festus Keyamo (SAN) and Information and Culture Minister  Lai Mohammed.

The session debated the status of the CECPC chairman and whether the party should proceed with the ward congresses beginning today.

Buhari was awaiting a feedback from the Vice President to enable him give a clear directive.

A reliable source said the majority of participants at yesterday’s session “spoke in the right direction and supported the suspension of the congresses in order to avoid any consequence on the party’s fortunes in 2023.

“They also favoured a proposal to ask Buni to step aside in the light of the judgment.

“But Malami at the meeting said there won’t be any legal or constitutional obstacles if Buni leads the caretaker committee to conduct the congresses. 

They were of the strong opinion that the judgment does not affect the status of Buni or APC.

“Those concerned also pleaded that Buni should not be disgraced out of his seat. They demanded an ingenuous way of resolving the aftermath of the judgment of the Supreme Court.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The VP is expected to get back to the President on the aggregate opinion of the meeting. 

Although the President mandated him to take appropriate decision, he will still defer to the number one leader.”

The President was yet to take his final decision at press time.

It was also gathered that there had been no communication between the Vice President and Buni on the next step by the party.

However, Buni, in a statement through his Director-General for Press and Media Affairs, Mamman Mohammed, insisted that the Ward Congresses would   go ahead.

He pleaded with APC members nationwide to be peaceful during the congresses.

He asked members to “place the party and members interest above personal interests” and warned that the APC would “not hesitate to take decisive measures against anyone who deliberately sabotages the congresses.”

“We have come a long way repositioning the party. We have reconciled many groups and individuals. We must not allow personal interests in this election to divide us and draw us back,” he said.

Organise parallel congress, get sanctioned, CECPC warns

The Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, in a similar warning, said the party would sanction any individual or group that holds a parallel congress.

Akpanudoedehe reminded all party members and stakeholders of the National Executive Council (NEC) resolution of 8th December 2020, which he claimed subsists and extends to the conduct of party members during the congresses.

He said: “For purposes of clarity, may I re-state the relevant point in the resolution to wit: All pending litigations instituted by members against the party should be withdrawn forthwith, and going forward, no member should institute matters against the party without exhausting the internal mechanism for conflict resolution as enshrined in the party’s constitution.

“Consequent upon the above, party members should please note that:

“(i) All activities that may be carried out by persons to put the party and its officers in a bad light before, during and after the congresses should be jettisoned.

“(ii) All activities or processes leading up to the congresses and thereafter which do not have the approval of the CECPC are exercises in futility. This is to say that: any purported; parallel congress, a parallel party organ, and or parallel party office, is, to say the least, a nullity.

“These divisive activities will not be tolerated.

“(iii) For the avoidance of doubt, the party shall deploy the full weight of the law as stipulated in section 21(D) of our party’s Constitution on anyone who perpetrates such unlawful Act(s) and also on their sponsors.

“All persons who are affected by Article 31 of our Constitution should apply for waivers as stipulated under sub. Section 3 of the said Article 31, is also clearly spelt out in the “Special provisions” of our guidelines.”

Also yesterday, member of the CECPC, Prof. Mamman Tahir, at a press conference at the party’s national secretariat, told newsmen of the resolve of the committee to go ahead with the exercise, having obtained the approval of the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

He said the party relied on the office of the Attorney General of the Federation for guidance and it was convinced that the party was doing the right thing.

His words: “I am here to reconfirm that our Congresses are on course to hold tomorrow and this Committee is working closely with the Attorney-General of the Federation. And he has offered advice that we are on good ground and we are comfortable with that position. So our programmes will continue to roll on in the normal course of things.

“So we want to assure teeming members of the APC across the country to come out and elect officers at the ward level. This party believes so much in grassroots politics, grassroots democracy; that is the strength of the party.

 

“So we encourage all members to come out tomorrow and elect leaders of their choice at that level before we move to the next stage of our democratisation process and constitution of the leadership of the party.

“This is in a nutshell the message from the party and the Secretariat. That the court hasn’t made any pronouncement or any judgement that undermines our position. And you don’t go into speculating what the courts will do in the future. So, we’re comfortable with our position.”

It was also learnt that governors elected on the platform of the APC held an emergency meeting in Abuja on Thursday night to review the situation, and proceeded to endorse the position of the CECPC

The meeting, which took place at the Asokoro residence of one of the governors, also resolved to call for a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) as soon as the President returns from his UK trip.

Kwara APC set for parallel congress on Saturday

Loyalists of Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed in the Kwara State chapter of the party said yesterday that they had secured nomination forms for all its aspirants in the state.

The caretaker legal adviser of the party in the state, Barrister Ladi Mustapha, told reporters in Ilorin that the Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa-led faction was prepared for the congresses provided every other thing remains constant.

He said the Bashir Bolarinwa Omolaja-led executive of the party had notified relevant agencies as required by the Electoral Act 2006 (As Amended).

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Supreme Court ruling on Jegede Vs. Rotimi Akeredolu Governorship election should be bold enough on the wall of justice that Hon. Bashir Ọmọlaja Bolarinwa’s chairmanship is as solid, in law, as the Rock of Gibraltar,” he said.

Court stops APC congresses in Imo

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday warned the APC to desist from proceeding with today’s ward congresses in Imo State pending the hearing of a suit filed by Okey Anyikwa, APC Chairman in Ideato South Local Government Area.

The Applicant had approached the Court for an injunction restraining the APC from going ahead with the congresses because of the judgment of the Appeal Court that upheld the tenure of the State EXCO elected in 2018.

Justice Valentine Oriji threatened to invalidate the outcome of congresses should the party disregard the position of the Court.

Oriji ordered that all actions regarding the APC congresses in the state should be stayed, pending the hearing of the application slated for August 10.

Ward congress in open contest, says Uzodinma

But Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State said the congresses would be based on the party’s guidelines that make the process an open contest.

He said the exercise should be devoid of writing and submission of list of favoured members by party leaders.

He said that the congress must be that of the people and for the people and that the least that can be tolerated is affirmation of preferred candidates by the people in line with the APC guidelines.

The governor spoke on Friday at the Government House Owerri during a stakeholders meeting of leaders of the party drawn from the 27 LGAs of the state.

He seized the opportunity to congratulate the APC leaders for their solidarity and show of interest in the affairs of the party so far, thanking all for the successes recorded in the past one year and the synergy and harmonious relationship currently being experienced in the party.

Governor Uzodimma informed that the APC in Imo State today represents a new order of inclusiveness, poised to work together to win all elections in the state.

APC sues for peaceful congress in Lagos

Ahead of the ward congresses, the national leadership of the APC yesterday implored leaders and members to cooperate with one another to ensure a peaceful congress in Lagos State.

Speaking during a stakeholders meeting organised by the APC National Committee on Ward Congress for Lagos State with party leaders in Ikeja yesterday, the committee chairman, Dr. Bashiru Ruwangodiya, said the congresses would be done in line with the guidelines set by APC Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) for election of 26 ward executives in each of the 377 wards in Lagos State.

Party executives who are expected to emerge through the ward congresses in the 377 wards in Lagos on Saturday are: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Legal Adviser, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Youth Leader, Women Leader and Auditor, among others.

Ruwangodiya said  the the mode of electing the party executives at ward level is either through consensus or election as stipulated by the party’s constitution, adding that the winner would be determined by simple majority of votes cast.

However, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, said the party had agreed on a consensus arrangement for its ward executives.

Oladejo said the consensus arrangement was agreed at the stakeholders meetings held in all the 20 local government areas (LGAs) and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs).

According to him, stakeholders in each of the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs agreed on consensus arrangement to produce ward executives in order to engender unity.

“The meeting was sequel to the directive of the National Caretaker Committee to bring all party leaders and members together to rub minds on the forthcoming congresses towards achieving cohesion and acceptable consensus.

“The various meetings agreed on the desirability of a consensus arrangement that will consider all interests and unite the party as we count down to the next national elections,” Oladejo said.

The spokesman said that stakeholders admonished all members to participate actively in the congresses and uphold party discipline at all times.

Oladejo said the event at various council areas gave the newly elected local government chairmen, vice-chairmen and councilors opportunity to express their commitment and appreciation to the party for the mandate to serve the people.

APC youths protest in Osun over consensus congress

Scores of APC members in Osun State under the aegis of Youth Wings yesterday protested against the arrangement for today’s ward congresses. The protesters claimed they had no access to nomination forms for the various elective offices.

The protesters moved from Aregbe junction at about 4 pm to Ogo-Oluwa area with placards and banners, chanting democracy songs. The protest led to a gridlock on the road.

Some of the placards carried inscriptions such as: “We say no to consensus”; “We want free and fair congress”; “We say no to imposition”; and “We say no to party members’ harassment”.

We were not hijacked – Chairman Osun APC Congress Committee

The Chairman of APC, Osun State Congress Committee, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye yesterday denied a rumour that he and other committee members were kidnapped by bandits or hijacked by some people in the state.

Elegbeleye during a meeting with Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and other party leaders in the state ahead of the ward congresses said logistics forced them to arrive the state late.

“The idea that Osun Committee members have been kidnapped is a lie. I have not been kidnapped by any bandit. We are just arriving in your state. Nobody kidnapped us,” he said.

Governor Oyetola stressed that the congresses should not be used to create problems in the party and that is why the National Secretariat advised the way of consensus.

Earlier, the APC Caretaker Chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun explained that “as recommended by the National Secretariat we have adopted consensus in Osun for the purpose of the smooth running of the party.

 

“Things have been properly done. Our homework has been done properly. Our fathers and leaders have scrutinised the 332 wards that we have in Osun.

“We have concluded the exercise that will lead us to a very good congress tomorrow. The state government has provided adequate security across the state. We are peace-loving.”

Consensus list ready in Ondo

The list of party ward executives to be affirmed during the ward congresses of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State is ready.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and other stakeholders of the Ondo APC had agreed to conduct the congresses using the consensus method.

The purpose was to avoid rancorous elections that might lead to litigations and factions.

It was gathered that the Ondo APC also set up committees to look into complaints of some members that they were not carried along in compiling the list.

Acting Chairman of Ondo APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, said the ward congresses would be conducted in a family way.

Adetimehin said leaders of the party want to remain united after the congresses.

He said the Supreme Court ruling affirming the election of Governor Akeredolu has further united the party.

Abe asks loyalists to boycott ward congress

A former Senator representing Rivers South East, Mr. Magnus Abe, yesterday asked his loyalists in the party to boycott the congresses in the interest of peace and tranquility.

Abe is currently locked in a battle for the soul of the party in the state with Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi.

Addressing his supporters in Port Harcout ahead of the congress, Abe said that all efforts to restore peace within the party in the state had failed.

He appealed to them to bury the hatchet and allow peace to prevail during the exercise while he continues to engage the national leadership of the party on settling the issues.

Amaechi loyalists accuse Abe of trying to stop congresses

The Rotimi Amaechi faction of the APC in the state yesterday accused the faction led by Senator Abe of plotting to stop the congresses of the party in the state through a court order.

The APC faction, through its spokesman, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, claimed that at about 4 pm yesterday, members of Abe’s Unity House in the company of their lawyers were spotted at the premises of the Judiciary in furtherance of the plot.

Nwuke said: “We have learnt that at about 4pm today, Friday, 30th July, 2021, Senator Abe’s lawyers were filing papers to stop the APC from going along with its planned congress as approved by the National Secretariat.

“We have further learnt that the Chief Judge of the State who was still within the court premises may any moment from now assign the matter to a judge who would be expected to issue a restraining order.

“We are not surprised by the existence of the plot which was put to the test before the 2019 elections by Senator Magnus Abe and his external collaborators.

“It has become necessary to inform members of the public, including our teeming supporters, of the existence of the plot that is being hatched to obstruct the conduct of the congress.

“It is quite clear by now that each time the APC plans to deepen its internal democracy through processes that would enable members test their popularity, certain paper tigers in our midst who lack active grassroots support connive with their friends in the other party to file frivolous cases.

“In the meantime, we urge our members to remain calm. We wish to assure the people of Rivers State, particularly our supporters, that no matter how long it takes to obtain justice, our party shall secure legal reliefs, which would guarantee the right of our members to pursue their legitimate aspirations. This is our promise.”

Group begs ex-senate president, Nnamani, to save Enugu APC

A group in Enugu State, APC Grassroots Vanguards, yesterday appealed to former Senate president, Dr. Ken Nnamani, to use his position to save the party from collapse in the state.

The group, which said it was not satisfied with the situation of things in the party in the state, appealed to Nnamani to ensure “a total shift to more result oriented individuals who are willing to pay the supreme price of not compromising the party faithful’s aspirations”.

Chairman of the group, Hon Nsude Oguejiofor, said: “It’s time to say no to impositions and planting of fake people as APC leaders who are APC in the morning but PDP during the night. We’re optimistic that a new dawn will be here in Enugu APC and with the team on board, including the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Geoffrey Onyeama our leader, the ugly rhetoric in the activities of the party will be a thing of the past”.

Akwa Ibom APC elders kick against consensus

Elders of the APC in Akwa Ibom State kicked against consensus arrangement for the planned congresses.

The APC elders said the consensus arrangement was unpopular and not in the best interest of the party.

They said only an elective congress would unite and strengthen the party ahead of the 2023 elections in the state.

In a communique at the end of a meeting in Uyo, the APC Elders accused the Acting National Secretary of the party, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, of manipulating the activities of the party in the state for his own personal benefit.

It is impossible for PDP to disqualify APC’s presidential candidate in 2023, says Omo-Agege

Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, insisted yesterday that it is impossible for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any other political party to get the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) disqualified in 2023.

The Deputy Senate President, in his second statement on the implication of the minority ruling of the Supreme Court on the status of the APC CECPC chair, asked those canvassing that the ward congresses of the APC be postponed in view of the ruling to “eschew mischievous behaviours and deliberate attempts at misinterpreting and misrepresenting the law to satisfy an egocentric agenda.”

“It is elementary knowledge that complaints touching on the nomination or election of leaders of a political party or issues as to membership of a political party are matters exclusively within the internal affairs of a political party and are not justiciable,” he said.

Omo-Agege added: “The Supreme Court in the case of UFOMBA V. INEC & ORS (2017) LPELR-42079 (SC), Pp. 46-48, paras. D-B, clearly held thus:

‘…The issue now is, are claims against the nomination of members or leaders of the political party justifiable? My simple answer to that question is a capital NO. The law is trite that Courts jurisdiction is ousted in matters dealing with internal affairs or resolution of a political party regarding nomination or leadership of that political party as in this instant case…’

“How the process of electing the leaders or Executives of the APC on Saturday, 31st day of July, 2021, can be relied upon by the PDP or any other opposition party, to disqualify our candidates in 2023, is what beats my imagination.

“Assuming but not conceding, that the grievances (if any) arising from the Congresses would amount or qualify as a pre-election dispute and assuming the PDP or any other opposition  party has the right to challenge the outcome of the Congresses, such a right of action will not last in perpetuity. “

S/Court ruling has invalidated existence of APC, says PDP

Weighing in on the controversy yesterday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the ruling of the Supreme Court had technically invalidated the existence of the APC as one of the political parties in Nigeria.

Spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, told reporters in Abuja that by virtue of the ruling, the APC now lacks the statutory structure to operate as a political party in the country.

Ologbondiyan said the pronouncement of the Supreme Court “clearly pointed to the nullity of APC’s subsistence and activities as a political party for having a sitting governor, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, as its Chairman, in total violation of section 183 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as well as the provisions of Article 17(4) of the APC constitution.

“A further interpretation of the pronouncement of the Supreme Court showed that all activities of the APC under Mai Mala Buni, including nomination of candidates for elections, agreements, official decision reached, establishment of committees for statutory activities as well as its planned ward, local government and states congresses now hang loosely on the threat of invalidity.

“The fate of the APC as a defunct party is already sealed and the party cannot come out of this self-inflicted quagmire even if it engages in the drama of appointing a new National Chairman in place of Mai Mala Buni.

“This is because the APC has become statutorily vacuous, without a valid National Working Committee, without a valid National Executive Committee (NEC) and without a valid Board of Trustees (BoT) to legally initiate or carry out any official function, including convoking any platform for the administration of the party. It is end of the road for the APC.

“In this regard, the PDP counsels all aspirants for the planned APC ward, local government and state congresses as well as the national convention to note that the APC is now in a state of ‘let the buyer beware’.

“Such intending aspirants should be cautious of putting their precious time and resources in a damaged vehicle that has come to the end of an ill-fated journey.”

The Nation

Buhari Extends Lockdown For Another 14 Days

Here is the address from President Muhammad Buhari in a live broadcast

ADDRESS BY H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE EXTENSION OF COVID- 19 PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN AT THE STATE HOUSE, ABUJA
MONDAY, 13TH APRIL, 2020

1.   Fellow Nigerians

2.   In my address on Sunday, 29th March, 2020, I asked the residents of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory to stay at home for an initial period of fourteen days starting from Monday, 30th March 2020.

3.   Many State Governments also introduced similar restrictions.

4.   As your democratically elected leaders, we made this very difficult decision knowing fully well it will severely disrupt your livelihoods and bring undue hardship to you, your loved ones and your communities.

5.   However, such sacrifices are needed to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our country. They were necessary to save lives.

6.   Our objective was, and still remains, to contain the spread of the Coronavirus and to provide space, time and resources for an aggressive and collective action.

7.   The level of compliance to the COVID-19 guidelines issued has been generally good across the country. I wish to thank you all most sincerely for the great sacrifice you are making for each other at this critical time.



8.   I will take this opportunity to recognise the massive support from our traditional rulers, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) during this pandemic.

9.   I also acknowledge the support and contributions received from public spirited individuals, the business community and our international partners and friends.

10.       I must also thank the media houses, celebrities and other public figures for the great work they are doing in sensitizing our citizens on hygienic practices, social distancing and issues associated with social gatherings.


11.       As a result of the overwhelming support and cooperation received, we were able to achieve a lot during these 14 days of initial lockdown.

12.       We implemented comprehensive public health measures that intensified our case identification, testing, isolation and contact tracing capabilities.



13.       To date, we have identified 92% of all identified contacts while doubling the number of testing laboratories in the country and raising our testing capacity to 1,500 tests per day.



14.       We also trained over 7,000 Healthcare workers on infection prevention and control while deploying NCDC teams to 19 states of the federation.



15.       Lagos and Abuja today have the capacity to admit some 1,000 patients each across several treatment centres.



16.       Many State Governments have also made provisions for isolation wards and treatment centres. We will also build similar centers near our airports and land borders.



17.       Using our resources and those provided through donations, we will adequately equip and man these centres in the coming weeks. Already, health care workers across all the treatment centers have been provided with the personal protective equipment that they need to safely carry out the care they provide.



18.       Our hope and prayers are that we do not have to use all these centres. But we will be ready for all eventualities.



19.       At this point, I must recognise the incredible work being done by our healthcare workers and volunteers across the country especially in frontline areas of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory.



20.       You are our heroes and as a nation, we will forever remain grateful for your sacrifice during this very difficult time. More measures to motivate our health care workers are being introduced which we will announce in the coming weeks.



21.       As a nation, we are on the right track to win the fight against COVID-19.



22.       However, I remain concerned about the increase in number of confirmed cases and deaths being reported across the world and in Nigeria specifically.



23.       On 30th March 2020, when we started our lockdown in conforming with medical and scientific advice, the total number of confirmed cases across the world was over 780,000.



24.       Yesterday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases globally was over one million, eight hundred and fifty thousand. This figure is more than double in two weeks!



25.       In the last fourteen days alone, over 70,000 people have died due to this disease.



26.       In the same period, we have seen the health system of even the most developed nations being overwhelmed by this virus.



27.       Here in Nigeria, we had 131 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 12 States on 30th March 2020. We had two fatalities then.



28.       This morning, Nigeria had 323 confirmed cases in twenty States. Unfortunately we now have ten fatalities. Lagos State remains the center and accounts for 54% of the confirmed cases in Nigeria. When combined with the FCT, the two locations represent over 71% of the confirmed cases in Nigeria.



29.       Most of our efforts will continue to focus in these two locations.



30.       Majority of the confirmed cases in Lagos and the FCT are individuals with recent international travel history or those that came into contact with returnees from international trips.



31.       By closing our airports and land borders and putting strict conditions for seaport activities, we have reduced the impact of external factors on our country. However, the increase in the number of States with positive cases is alarming.



32.       The National Centre for Disease Control has informed me that, a large proportion of new infections are now occurring in our communities, through person-to-person contacts. So we must pay attention to the danger of close contact between person to person.



33.       At this point, I will remind all Nigerians to continue to take responsibility for the recommended measures to prevent transmission, including maintaining physical distancing, good personal hygiene and staying at home.



34.       In addition, I have signed the Quarantine Order in this regard and additional regulations to provide clarity in respect of the control measures for the COVID-19 pandemic which will be released soon.





35.       The public health response to COVID-19 is built on our ability to detect, test and admit cases as well as trace all their contacts. While I note some appreciable progress, we can achieve a lot more.



36.       Today, the cessation of movement, physical distancing measures and the prohibition of mass gatherings remain the most efficient and effective way of reducing the transmission of the virus. By sustaining these measures, combined with extensive testing and contact tracing, we can take control and limit the spread of the disease.



37.       Our approach to the virus remains in 2 steps - First, to protect the lives of our fellow Nigerians and residents living here and second, to preserve the livelihoods of workers and business owners.



38.       With this in mind and having carefully considered the briefings and Report from the Presidential Task Force and the various options offered, it has become necessary to extend the current restriction of movement in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT for another 14 days effective from 11:59 pm on Monday, 13th of April, 2020. I am therefore once again asking you all to work with Government in this fight.


39.       This is not a joke. It is a matter of life and death. Mosques in Makkah and Madina have been closed. The Pope celebrated Mass on an empty St. Peter’s Square. The famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris held Easter Mass with less than 10 people. India, Italy and France are in complete lockdown. Other countries are in the process of following suit. We can not be lax.

40.       The previously issued guidelines on exempted services shall remain.

41.       This is a difficult decision to take, but I am convinced that this is the right decision. The evidence is clear.

42.       The repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action are unimaginable.

43.       We must not lose the gains achieved thus far. We must not allow a rapid increase in community transmission. We must endure a little longer.


44.       I will therefore take this opportunity to urge you all to notify the relevant authorities if you or your loved ones develop any symptoms. I will also ask our health care professionals to redouble their efforts to identify all suspected cases, bring them into care and prevent transmission to others.



45.       No country can afford the full impact of a sustained restriction of movement on its economy. I am fully aware of the great difficulties experienced especially by those who earn a daily wage such as traders, dayworkers, artisans and manual workers.



46.       For this group, their sustenance depends on their ability to go out. Their livelihoods depend on them mingling with others and about seeking work. But despite these realities we must not change the restrictions.



47.       In the past two weeks, we announced palliative measures such as food distribution, cash transfers and loans repayment waivers to ease the pains of our restrictive policies during this difficult time. These palliatives will be sustained.



48.       I have also directed that the current social register be expanded from 2.6 million households to 3.6 million households in the next two weeks. This means we will support an additional one million homes with our social investment programs. A technical committee is working on this and will submit a report to me by the end of this week.





49.       The Security Agencies have risen to the challenges posed by this unprecedented situation with gallantry and I commend them. I urge them to continue to maintain utmost vigilance, firmness as well as restraint in enforcing the restriction orders while not neglecting statutory security responsibilities.



50.       Fellow Nigerians, follow the instructions on social distancing. The irresponsibility of the few can lead to the death of the many. Your freedom ends where other people’s rights begin.



51.       The response of our State Governors has been particularly impressive, especially in aligning their policies and actions to those of the Federal Government.



52.       In the coming weeks, I want to assure you that the Federal Government, through the Presidential Task Force, will do whatever it takes to support you in this very difficult period. I have no doubt that, by working together and carefully following the rules, we shall get over this pandemic.

             

53.       I must also thank the Legislative arm of Government for all its support and donations in this very difficult period. This collaboration is critical to the short and long-term success of all the measures that we have instituted in response to the pandemic.





54.       As a result of this pandemic, the world as we know it has changed. The way we interact with each other, conduct our businesses and trade, travel, educate our children and earn our livelihoods will be different.



55.       To ensure our economy adapts to this new reality, I am directing the Ministers of Industry, Trade and Investment, Communication and Digital Economy, Science and Technology, Transportation, Aviation, Interior, Health, Works and Housing, Labour and Employment and Education to jointly develop a comprehensive policy for a “Nigerian economy functioning with COVID-19”.



56.       The Ministers will be supported by the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and Economic Sustainability Committee in executing this mandate.



57.       I am also directing the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the National Security Adviser, the Vice Chairman, National Food Security Council and the Chairman, Presidential Fertiliser Initiative to work with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to ensure the impact of this pandemic on our 2020 farming season is minimized.



58.       Finally, I want to thank the members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for all their hard work so far. Indeed, the patriotism shown in your work is exemplary and highly commendable.



59.       Fellow Nigerians, I have no doubt that by working together and carefully following the rules, we shall get over this pandemic and emerge stronger in the end.



60.       I thank you all for listening and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

BREAKING: Court strikes out Atiku’s Kenyan ICT expert’s evidence on server

*Says it is unreliable, mere hearsay

AgegePulse Magazine

The PEPT has struck out the evidence given by the Kenyan Information and Communication Technology (ICT) expert, David Njorga invited as the 59th petitioners witnesses to establish their claim that INEC transmitted results to a server during the last presidential election.

In the judgment still being read in the petition by Atiku Abubakar and the PDP, the court held classified the evidence by Njorga as hearsay evidence because he claimed to have sourced the information about s supposed INEC server from a third party website: www.factsdontlieng.com.

Justice Mohammed Garba said the court cannot rely on such unbelievable evidence as presented by Njorga to hold that there actually exists a server.

The judge also dismissed the evidence by the petitioners’ witness number 60 (Gbenga Joseph) who claimed to be a statistician.


He noted that Joseph admitted during cross-examination that he has no professional certification.

Justice Garba said the evidence by both witnesses, who the petitioners described as their expert witnesses, did not qualify as such

The Nation

Insecurity: Buhari has approved community policing — IG

AgegePulse Magazine

President Muhammed Buhari has approved the adoption of a community police system to combat growing security threats across Nigeria, the IG of Police has said.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, made the announcement Tuesday at the Forum of Northern Traditional Rulers in Kaduna.

The event deliberated on critical security issues, especially as they affect the north.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the Federal Government would announce a new policy on community policing for better service delivery.

Mr Osinbajo said it would pave the way for modern policing in the country.
He assured that the establishment of community policing would not take away the powers of the national police.
Speaking in Kaduna on Tuesday, the inspector general said the NPF has achieved major successes in addressing security and safety threats in recent times.

Mr Adamu said the success was appreciable since the launch of ‘Operation Puff Adder’.

“It is a citizen-centred and community policing approach which will lead to more sustainable successes in the management of internal safety and security threats,” he said.

Mr Adamu said the Community Policing Model envisaged for the country will involve the establishment and utilisation of the Special Constables.

The IGP said Special Constables Model is mirrored after the Police Community Support Officers Standard in the United Kingdom policing architecture.

He said it will be tailored to align with the existing traditional security structure in Northern Nigeria.

“The Special Constables will be drawn from members of the community to serve as voluntary community police officers under the coordination of the Nigeria Police Force.

“This new drive is in line with the expressed desire and directives of the President, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR,” he said.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, and other top government functionaries, said traditional rulers are strategic actors within the community policing architecture.

They said the traditional institutional structure present a unique framework which if properly engaged could enhance the attainment of community policing practices.

Premium Times
AgegePulseTv

Buhari to Ambode: Your performance is satisfactory

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday; he gave the Lagos State governor, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode a pass mark for the audacious projects he has delivered to the people and congratulated him for his giant strides in the state.

He said: “The Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has performed satisfactorily in delivering governance to the people of Lagos and we should all congratulate him for working for the good people of Lagos State.”

He spoke at the Oshodi Interchange, where he had come to commission the project and flagged off the Bus Reform Initiative with 820 medium and large capacity buses at the Oshodi.

President Buhari had earlier commissioned the Institute of Maternal and Child Health, (Ayinke House), and the Lagos Theatre project at Oregun, in the Ojota area of the state, and the 10-lane Airport Road, all of which began in 2017.



Buhari singled out Lagos as the only state he would be visiting twice within two years, having come to the state March 29 last year when he commissioned the Ikeja Bus Terminal.

He said: “I also came here in February during our campaign and I am very grateful to all of you for voting our government back into office and pledge my total commitment to taking our country to the peak of our development and growth.

Buhari was accompanied to Lagos by Governor Ibikunle Amosun, (Ogun), Senator Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Alhaji Bindo Jibrilla (Adamawa), Mr Philip Shaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, and the Governor-elect of Lagos State Mr Babajide Sanwoolu and his deputy Dr Obafemi Kadiri Amzat.

Also on the president’s entourage are the Minister of Communications Dr Adebayo Shittu, and the Special Adviser to the President on Media Mr. Femi Adesina among others.

Buhari said he is happy that Ambode is leaving impressive legacies that would have a huge impact on the people of the state.

Read Also: Buhari arrives Lagos on working visit
He said the terminals when fully operational will ensure that commuters are made more comfortable as they wait for more comfortable buses that will move them faster, better and cheaper.

Highlighting the contributions of the Federal Government to the state’s infrastructure, Buhari said recently the Federal Government approved the repair of Oworonsoki-Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, which was last touched in the past 40 years, while the Lagos-Ibaan standard gauge rail line is almost at the completion stage.

When completed, the rail line would complement efforts to improve intermodal transportation as more passengers and cargo movement will be moved by rail.

Vanguard

REVEALED: Buhari Revokes All Nigeria's Oil Well Licenses, Orders NNPC to Take Over Operations

AgegePulse Magazine

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to take over the operatorship of the oil wells from 30th April, 2019 and be confirmed 2nd May, 2019.

You recall that while Atiku was boasting of selling off NNPC if elected, President Buhari was assuring Nigerians of returning ownership of oil wells back to Nigerians.

According to a leaked memo from the presidency to GMD of NNPC, the President ordered revocation of the oil wells from Shell PDC and mandated NNPC to take over operations from 30th April, 2019.

Obviously, the move to collect Nigeria's oil wells from acclaimed owners of Nigeria has began in earnest.

Breaking: Buhari Re-Elected President For Next Four Years

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari, has been declared winner of the Presidential election held on February 23, 2019.

Buhari, who is the incumbent President, defeated the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, to emerge winner in the keenly contested poll.

Announcing the final results of the election on Wednesday, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said President Buhari polled a total of 15,191,847 to defeat his closest rival and the PDP candidate, Atiku, who polled 11,262,978.



From start, Buhari proved to be the man to beat, leading all other candidates and ending with a wide margin of almost four million votes ahead of Atiku, and drawing his largest block of votes from the core Northern states.

The 76-year-old Buhari won in a total of 19 states, scoring the statutory 25 per cent of total votes cast in those states, while his main challenger, Atiku, won in 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory.



The announcement of Buhari as winner brings to an end six days of an electoral process that began effectively after a week of postponement, prompted by logistical challenges in the distribution of electoral materials, according to INEC.

The shift in the date of the Presidential and National Assembly elections to February 23 from February 16 had triggered outrage across the country, heightening tension among the citizens and the political parties, with the ruling APC and main opposition PDP accusing each other of colluding with INEC to influence the outcome of the elections.

It also generated concern among local and international observer missions, casting doubt about the credibility of the process.

The fears were soon dispelled as INEC stepped up its communication with stakeholders, offering the assurance that it was set to deliver a free, fair and credible election.

Buhari’s victory comes amid protest by the main opposition party against what it describes as lack of level playing field in the run-up to the presidential election, as well as observed lapses in the electoral process, including alleged over-voting, vote buying and other forms of electoral manipulations.

The PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, had declared that the results as being announced by INEC in Abuja were unacceptable by the party.



The party called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to halt the collation and announcement of results, insisting that the outcomes were not valid.

Also echoing the PDP National Chairman in a statement on Tuesday, the Deputy Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Tanimu Turaki, said, “We have evidence from the smart card reader accreditation data that what is being announced by INEC has been seriously tampered with and manipulated.”

He stated further, “The PDP predicates its demand on available evidence to the effect that data from the card readers are being reconfigured to suit the manipulations, rigging, and over-voting already carried out during the election in some states by the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

The election this year is the sixth since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999. Buhari was first elected President in 2015, on his fourth attempt to lead the country.

Channels Tv

Breaking: Buhari Appoints Adamu New IGP

AgegePulse Magazine

President Muhammadu Buhari has Approved the Appointment of Adamu Mohammed as the acting Inspector General of Police.

Adamu has Served as the Commissioner Of Police in Enugu State and currently the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone Five, in Benin ,Edo State.

AIG Abubakar Adamu Mohammed is to take over from outgoing Inspector General Of Police Ibrahim Idris.

Mr Mohammed was born on November 9, 1961. He enlisted in the police in 1986. He has a bachelor in geography.

He was at one time a director of peacekeeping operations. He is a former police commissioner in Enugu and was an AIG in charge Zone 5.

He is currently a directing staff member at the National Institute of policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, near Jos, Plateau State.

His elevation would imminently see several deputy inspectors-general purged from service, an exercise that would be reminiscent of how Mr Buhari sacked DIGs when he named Mr Idris as IG in June 2016.

Book Launch: “My Transition Hours” - Goodluck Jonathan

President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo are among the dignitaries expected at the launch of “My Transition Hours”, the autobiography of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The event is billed to hold at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, on November 20.

While Buhari is the special guest of honour, Obasanjo is the occasion’s chairman.

The presidents of Guinea, Togo, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Gambia, Niger, Mali and Ivory Coast are also expected at the occasion.

Former President Dramani Mahama of Ghana; Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida, and Abdulsalami Abubakar, former military heads of states, are among the expected guests.

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Namadi Sambo, Jonathan’s deputy between 2011 and 2015, will also grace the occasion.

Theophilus Danjuma, former minister of defence, is the chief book presenter, while Salihu Alfa-Belgore, former chief justice of the federation, will review the book.

A sample of the invitation letter signed by Bashir Yuguda, a former minister, who is chairman of the book presentation committee, said My Transition Hours “gives some insight into the 2015 presidential election and also reflects on some key decisions by the former president while in office.”

Adeboye Prays For Buhari, Osinbajo

AgegePulse Magazine


...called on Nigerians to celebrate the God of Nigeria

Pastor Mrs Folu Adeboye, the Wife of the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has urged Nigerians to call on God to defend the country against enemies fighting its peace and prosperity.

Adeboye also called on Nigerians to celebrate the God of Nigeria for His unmerited favours upon the nation, when she led faithful to offer special prayers for God’s intervention on the country’s numerous challenges.



She led the special prayer for the nation on Friday night during the 17th Annual Abuja Special Holy Ghost Service at RCCG Camp, KM 23, Auta-Gurgu Village, Abuja-Keffi Expressway, Nassarawa State. Thousands of faithful called on God to defend the country against enemies fighting against its peace and to intervene in the overall affairs of the nation.  Fondly called as Mummy G.O., led the congregation to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) and those in authority at all levels for God to give them direction in leading the affairs of Nigeria.

 “O God intervene and direct the government to make policies that will benefit your people and our nation, “ she prayed. Adeboye urged Christians to pray for peace and tranquility of the nation, especially as the nation was preparing for the forthcoming general elections. “Prince of Peace, please let your peace reign in Nigeria. Arise oh Lord and defend Nigeria,” she said. She prophesied that Nigeria would arise again to glory and honour for other nations to see.

 Mummy G.O. enjoined Christians to pray to God for forgiveness of sins that had befallen the nation and to have His mercies on the people. “We plead for the forgiveness of ancestral sins, idolatry, murder, stealing, greed, selfishness and other sins that might be working against our progress as a nation; we ask for forgiveness in all realms for our nation.

“Imbibe in us the spirit of the fear of God in all our undertakings as leaders and citizens of this nation and let Nigeria be God’s own nation with peace, progress and prosperity in Jesus mighty name,” she prayed. Adeboye enjoined Christians to embrace righteousness for the country to move forward.

Vaguard

What Tinubu said about Atiku, Oshiomhole after Wednesday’s meeting with Buhari

Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has dismissed the threat posed by Atiku Abubakar, who is the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

After meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, Tinubu was asked if he is jittery about the strategy meeting convened by Atiku in Dubai, to unseat Buhari.

“We don’t fear. Whether it is in the jungle, or it is in Dubai or it is in Abu Dhabi, people are free to meet and strategise in anyway they want but we are not going back to the illusion of the PDP.


“It is not possible, Nigerians will not do that. They say slow and steady wins the race. We inherited that from our forefathers and knowledgeable people. We can’t go back to the pit that we inherited for 16 years. They can strategise from anywhere but a leopard cannot change it skin,” he told State House correspondents.

He said the meeting with Buhari was about “the nation, the country, our people, peace, stability and economic progress”.

Asked if he was in support of the call for Adams Oshiomhole’s removal as APC national chairman, Tinubu said: “No. We all have to respect party supremacy. You were all here when we had the congress, we elected the new executives, the convention we had it, the NEC was formed and we surrendered to avoid conflict, to avoid domination, to avoid abuses of power, we surrendered our rights, all rights to the national working committee headed by Adams Oshiomhole.


“That the national working committee should set up electoral bodies to supervise various state congresses and elections. We signed for it. So, if it is not in our individual favour, so be it. We gave three options: consensus, where there is no consensus because if you are more than two or three and you cannot agree to one candidate, you go to the next level.

“The next level is the stakeholders’ delegate election and you have to be supervised by the national working committee of the party, national election committee of the party. That shows party supremacy.

“We had the freest option, the less cumbersome is to open direct primary, line up and count the number, 1,2,3. If you win, you win and if you fail, go home. Then appeal committee was set up to listen to all appeals, internal mechanism for conflict resolution. It was there, you cannot turn round against that, you cannot turn against all of that.

“No. Party is supreme, party must be respected, abuses will not do it and anger will not do it. It is party politics, somebody will win and somebody will lose… too bad

Daily Trust

I’ll continue to hold Jonathan in high esteem – Buhari

By Anthony Ogbonna

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he would continue to hold the former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, in high esteem because he (Jonathan) conceded defeat at the 2015 presidential election.


Jonathan and Buhari President Buhari made the statement on Thursday night when he hosted members of the Kannywood entertainment industry to a dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Buhari, while recalling his political struggles since 2003 when he made his first attempt to clinch the presidential seat, lauded Jonathan for accepting defeat in the 2015 general elections.

According to him, “I’ll continue to hold former president Jonathan in high esteem as a result of that singular act.

“He (Jonathan) was in power as Deputy Governor, Governor (Bayelsa), Vice-President and President, all for about 10 years and he voluntarily accepted defeat and surrendered power to me,’’ he said. Buhari also reassured that the brutal activities of the Boko Haram sect in the country  would soon become history.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan who contested under the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had called and congratulated the then, victorious

Buhari Bans '50 High-Profile' Persons From Travelling Out of Nigeria

Below are the names of the High-Profile Persons

_*1. Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd)*_
_*2  AVM. Alex Badeh*_
_*3. Air Marshal Adesola Amosu*_
_*4. Malam Isa Yuguda*_
_*5. Saminu Turaki(Jigawa)*_
_*6. Murtala Nyako (Adamawa)*_
_*7. Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo)*_
_*8. Gabriel Suswam (Benue)*_
_*9.  Rasheed Ladoja (Oyo)*_
_*10. Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia)*_
_*11. Danjuma Goje (Gombe)*_
_*12. Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto)*_
_*13. Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger)*_
_*14. Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu);*_
_*15. Sule Lamido (Jigawa);*_
_*16. Gbenga Daniel (Ogun);*_
_*17. Ibrahim Shehu Shema (Katsina)*_
_*18. Nenadi Usman*_
_*19.  Bashir Yuguda*_
_*20. Jumoke Akinjide;*_
_*21.  Bala Mohammed;*_
_*22. Abba Moro;*_
_*23. Femi Fani-Kayode;*_
_*24. Ahmadu Fintiri.*_
_*25. Vice Admiral A. D. Jibrin*_
_*26. Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar;*_
_*27. Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero*_
_*28. High Chief Raymond Dokpesi;*_
_*29. Waripamowei Dudafa*_
_*39. Justice Innocent Umezulike (former Chief Judge of Enugu State,)*_
_*31. Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia;*_
_*32. Olisa Metuh*_
_*33. Chief Jide Omokore*_
_*34. Ricky Tarfa;*_
_*35. Dele Belgore (SAN).*_
_*36. SOLOMON WOMBO*_
_*37. RICHARD GBANDE*_
_*38. BILLIAMINU ABDULLAHI*_
_*39. SHOLOLA OMOLARA*_
_*40. CHUKWUDUMEME ONWUAMADIKE “EVANS*_
_*41. DR. SA AD AYINLA ALANAMU*_
_*42. PROF. (SENATOR) DAVID IORNEM,*_
_*43. SEN. SANI AHMED YERIMA*_
_*44. SENATOR ADESEYE OGUNLEWE*_
_*45. PROF. OLUSOLA OYEOLE,*_
_*46. MOSES OLUSOLA ILESANMI*_
_*47. ANDREW YAKUBU (former NNPC GMD,)*_
_*48. ALIYU AKWE DOMA*_
_*49. AIR VICE MARSHAL OLUTAYO OGUNTOYIBO*_
_*50. OLUGBENGA OBADINA*_

APC primaries: Buhari urges losers to emulate Ambode

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday appealed to all aspirants who lost during the recent primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the country not to abandon the party but rather emulate Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode who despite his loss decided to stick with the party.

He urged them to demonstrate sportsmanship by accepting the outcomes without bitterness or resentment.

Buhari made the appeal in a statement made available to journalists by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

The President also congratulated winners of the primaries and asked them to be magnanimous in victory.

“In every competition, someone has to win and someone has to lose, but those who lost should not abandon the party or lose their enthusiasm for the advancement of the party,” Buhari said.

He specifically advised Nigerian politicians to learn from several aspirants like Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, “who despite his loss didn’t abandon the APC for another party because he was angry over the outcome of the governorship primaries.’’

The President added, “The larger interest of our party is greater than our individual ambitions, and we should, therefore, work together for its success, despite our losses.

“In politics, we shouldn’t lose hope permanently because tomorrow could present another opportunity for us to contest again and win.

“Losers of the primaries should always put the party first because we are in it together to serve the country, and I am always proud of our members who demonstrate sportsmanship and a good party spirit.”

The President also enjoined the winners “to show grace in victory instead of mocking the losers, as such action is capable of destroying party unity and cohesion. The tent is large enough for us.”

He added that “those elected should see their positions as a public trust instead of abusing their mandates to amass personal wealth at the expense of the ordinary voters who voted them into power.’’

Osun must remain APC state, says Buhari

Femi Makinde, Osogbo

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the electorate in Osun State to vote for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, in the election coming up on Saturday.

Buhari, who stormed the Osogbo City Stadium on Tuesday to solicit for votes for the APC candidate, urged the people of the state to support Oyetola. He also tasked the electorate to prevent corrupt politicians from coming to power in the state.

The President lauded the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola which has been in power for the past eight years, saying his performance had given the party the reason to celebrate and to be hopeful that the party’s candidate in the poll would emerge victorious.

Buhari described the governorship candidate of the party as the right man for the job while urging the electorate to vote Oyetola in order to continue with the development witnessed under the Aregbesola’s administration.

Buhari said, “Today, we are here to celebrate the past. On Saturday, your love and friendliness are clear for us to see. Some years ago, I was here with so many of you to get support for Governor Aregbesola for a second term. I was in Osun in 2015 for the presidential campaign.  I returned in October 2016 to commission Osogbo Government High School, one of the 11 mega schools constructed by Aregbesola.

“We are here to thank the Almighty God for the successful eight years of APC government in this state under the leadership of Rauf Aregbesola. We are also here to pray Almighty God to save us and consolidate on this through Gboyega Oyetola.

Buhari, Ajimobi, Akiolu make last-minute moves to save Ambode

Dayo Oketola, Sesan Olufowobi and Success Nwogu

President Muhammadu Buhari, Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi; and Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, have embarked on a last-minute move to save Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, from an impending loss of the state All Progressives Congress ticket for the 2019 governorship election.

There had been reports that Ambode was no longer in the good books of an APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, which might endanger his second term bid.

But the tension became palpable on Tuesday when two new aspirants under the APC umbrella – Dr Obafemi Hamzat and Jide Sanwoolu – emerged to vie for the governorship ticket with Ambode in the direct party primary billed to come up in two weeks’ time.

Hamzat and Sanwoolu, former commissioners in the state, were said to have claimed to have Tinubu’s backing.

Ambode was also said to have the APC national leader’s backing when he declared intention to go for a second term on Monday.

However, impeccable sources within the ruling party said on Wednesday that the prominent personalities including the President, the monarch and Ajimobi had stepped in to resolve the crisis, noting that the matter would be resolved.

“There are serious moves to end the crisis. Many people, including the President have waded in. And it is not yet too late for the issue to be resolved,” said the source.

“President Buhari, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Oba Rilwan Akiolu are making efforts to ensure that the matter is resolved and Ambode’s second term bid is not terminated,” the source added.

Another source said there was no problem between Ambode and his political father, Tinubu, but the governor was believed to have drawn the ire of party leaders and key supporters when he allegedly sidelined them from his administration.

Reminded that many APC members in the state were of the opinion that Ambode might fail to clinch the APC governorship ticket having been abandoned by the 57 local council chairmen in the state, the source said there was no cause for alarm.

He said the President, who was a father to all the APC members, would resolve the logjam.

Another source said the party elders, who were said to have sponsored Sanwoolu, had decided to open discussion on Ambode after pressure from different quarters.

Punch

Why Buhari uncompromising, power drunk - Atiku

Olusola Fabiyi and Oladimeji Ramon

A former Vice-President,  Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has expressed the fear that the 2019 presidential election may not be free with President Muhammadu Buhari, a retired military man, now leading the country.

He said unlike former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was in power during the 2015 general elections and was “much more level-headed” being a “peaceful, (and) very patriotic Nigerian,” the country was now dealing with “a retired general, (who is) very uncompromising, also power-drunk; (and) who will not be ready to leave power without a fight.”

An AFP report quoted Atiku, a presidential aspirant on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, as saying on Monday evening that these were “some of my fears for the current elections.”

“The characters that are involved this time, as far as the leadership of this country is concerned, are different from 2015,” he said.

Atiku also tasked Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) to explain to Nigerians the decision by the Federal Government to share $322m Abacha’s loot and also begged for a fresh $328m loan from China.

The new loan is said to be for Information and Communications Technology development.

Atiku was reacting to Osinbajo’s response to the former Vice President’s reaction to the need to restructure the country.

Atiku accused Osinbajo of not being coherent in his arguments, saying he was merely jumping from one topic to the other.

He said, “I must say that his dovetailing into the area of the economy does not explain certain facts such as the fact that the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics reported in December 2017 that Nigeria lost 7.9 million jobs in the 21 month period under review.

“If the Vice President cannot see that losing 7.9 million jobs in 21 months while creating 500,000 jobs is a deficit, then I do not know what to say to the honourable professor.

“Professor Osinbajo also harps on ‘prudence in public finance,’ but he fails to show the wisdom in sharing out $322m of Abacha funds to the poor only to take a loan of $328m from the Chinese the very next month. Many Nigerians, myself included, see this as imprudence.

“Finally, while the Vice President is not exactly correct when he says ‘In four years from 2010 to 2014, the PDP government earned the highest oil revenues in Nigeria’s history, $381.9bn. By contrast, the Buhari administration has earned $121bn from May 2015 to June 2018’, let us for the sake of argument say that he is right.”

Atiku further said that while he was the Vice President in 2006, Nigeria’s Economic Management Team, of which he was a prominent member, paid off Nigeria’s entire foreign debt of $30bn, at a time when he said the country was earning one third of what the Buhari administration is currently earning from oil. So, such arguments are puerile at best.

He advised the Vice President to choose whether he was for restructuring or whether he was against it and stick to his choice.

He said it was not in the interest of the professor of law to be jumping from one argument to the other without any clear point.

He rejected Osinbajo’s assertion that his (Atiku’s ) ideas on restructuring were vague, saying restructuring was a necessity, not an option.

In a statement he signed in Abuja on Tuesday, he accused Osinbajo of making a U-turn on the issue of restructuring.

The former Vice President said of Osinbajo, “Faced with an avalanche of public condemnation for his 360-degree turn on the concept of restructuring, it is understandable that the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has written to Premium Times to douse the tension his comments created. However, in doing so, the Vice President should not attempt to revise history by saying that he spoke against ‘geographic restructuring.’

“I have been in the forefront of the discourse on restructuring since the 1995 Abacha Constitutional Conference and to the best of my knowledge, there has not been any term like ‘geographic restructuring’.

Punch

2019: Akiolu Endorses Buhari, Ambode, Obasa

The Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Rilwan Osuolale Akiolu has called on Nigerians particularly Lagosians to ensure the return of President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and Hon Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni in the 2019 general elections.

The quartet  are: the President of Nigeria, Governor of Lagos State, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the Deputy Speaker of same Assembly respectively.


The Lagos monarch made this statement on Saturday in his palace when Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures paid him a courtesy visit in the course of their quarterly meeting in Lagos.


Oba Akiolu described the quartet as having performed excellently well in their course of duty.


"They have done well. And going by their performances during the few years that they have been saddled with the leadership positions, they have shown to all and sundry that they can do more if given the opportunity again," he said.


The Lagos monarch stated further advised politicians to work for the interest and welfare of Nigerians. "Politicians can only do this by settling their differences amicably. Politics is characterised by allignment and re-allignment of personnel but in doing this, politicians should not take actions or make utterances that can heat up the polity.


"We should ensure that we live in peace and harmony and that's when the country can grow and develop. Through this, Nigerians will enjoy real dividends of democracy," Oba Akiolu said.


The Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly and Chairman of the Conference I Speakers, Rt. Hon. Ismaila Kamba described Oba Akiolu as a man of honour and integrity. "As a policeman, I know you as an upright man and as a traditional ruler, you are still on the path of truth and the Rule of Law. I admire your courage and I thank you for taking time to host us," he said.


The host Speaker, Rt. Hon. Obasa described Oba Akiolu as a supporter of truth and an agitator for justice. "He has been a pillar of support for us. He has always stand by us and we have been drinking positively from his fountain of knowedge and wisdom," Rt. Hon Obasa said.

SIEGE AT SARAKI’S RESIDENCE STAGE-MANAGED, SAYS JIMOH MOSHOOD

Jimoh Moshood, spokesman of the Nigeria police force, says the siege at the residence of Senate President Bukola Saraki was “stage-managed for public sentiments”.

Speaking on a Channels TV programme on Wednesday, Moshood said the force had no hand in the incident.
In the early hours of Tuesday, some police vehicles and officers were seen stationed at the entrance of the senate president’s residence in Abuja.

Footage which emerged online also suggested that the officers were trying to block his convoy from leaving the area, although Saraki later made it to the national assembly.

The incident generated widespread criticisms of the force, with some Nigerians describing it as a “clampdown on the nation’s democracy”.
But speaking on the programme, Moshood said there was no official command for a deployment of police officers to the senate president’s house.

“We have the responsibility to protect him so we can’t block him. If we were expecting him at 8am, why should we block him?” he said.

He said over 140 security personnel of the police are attached to the national assembly “and about 40 are attached to the senate president, including other units”.
“So what happened yesterday was not a blockade by the security personnel from the force. The personnel seen in the footage are those attached (to) the convoy of the senate president and to his residence. Those you see are those attached to him,” Moshood said.

“The IGP has directed an investigation into the incident. The ADC has been invited, he should be with the principal all the time. So if he is not aware of the whereabouts, we want to know why. Why should we go and block an empty house?

“The video footage was circulated in the media to embarrass us. These are leaders of the legislature who we have the responsibility to protect. So we should allow the investigation to be completed before we give you the outcome of investigation.”
Saraki is being investigated for his alleged connection with suspects arrested over the Offa bank robbery incident in Kwara.

-Cable