Politics

15Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Isa Pantami Criticises Clerics Who Go Into Politics (Throwback Video)

Isa Pantami expressing his utter rejection of public service. He condemned his colleagues who took public appointments and vowed never to join them. President Buhari ignored this and other views of Mr Pantami’s and put him in charge of Nigeria’s crucial telecoms infrastructure. https://youtu.be/RZyqJjcAMiA

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15Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

7,200 Joysticks Found In A Ship From Nigeria, Impounded In China – FFK

Omo it's like we go begin get personal security for our joysticks or better still only me go go sell my own instead of someone else stealing it and sell it. But China sef, can any good thing come from China? Everything about them is today today there is no tomorrow or future Africa is finished. A ship from Nigeria has been impounded in China whilst trying to smuggle in 7,200 joysticks. Hundreds of thousands of Nigerian joysticks are smuggled into China every year. Nigeria is the worlds largest exporter of joysticks & this is why kidnapping & ritual killings are rife here. What do the Chinese do with these joysticks & why are they obsessed with Nigerian ones in particular? This is not joke but a serious question. The Chinese should leave our joysticks alone & tho...

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15Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Minister Of Power, Sale Mamman Expresses Regret Over Power Outages

I sincerely regret the recent Power outages across the Nation and the difficulties it has brought with it, and wish to assure my Fellow Nigerians that everyone involved is working assiduously to restore the National grid to its previous historical levels and exceed that. The problem is caused by the breakdown of some National Integrated Power Plants supplying electricity to the national grid. The plants are namely, Sapele, Afam, Olonrunsogo, Omotosho, Ibom, Egbin, Alaoji and Ihovbor. The Jebba Power Plant was shut down for annual maintenance. Seven other integrated Power plants, namely Geregu, Sepele, Omotosho, Gbarain, Omuku, Paras and Alaoji are experiencing gas constraints while the Shiroro hydroelectric power plant has water management issues. Reactions.

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15Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

PDP Mobilises Tambuwal, Obaseki, Saraki To Stop Governor Ayade’s Defection

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has mobilised Governors Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and the party’s reconciliation committee headed by a former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to persuade the Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, to rethink plans to defect from the main opposition party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). THISDAY learnt that the move followed the threat by 18 elected local government chairmen and 196 councillors in the state to defect from the PDP if the party fails to repeat its state congress. The chairmen and councillors yesterday met with members of the NWC in Abuja during which they served the defection threat. The delegation, led by the Chairman...

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15Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

“Don’t Play The Ostrich” – Obaseki Replies Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed On Printing Of N60 Billion

1. While we do not want to join issues with the @FinMinNigeria, we believe it is our duty to offer useful advice for the benefit of our country. 2. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, @ZShamsuna should rally Nigerians to stem the obvious fiscal slide facing our country. 3. Rather than play the Ostrich, we urge the government to take urgent steps to end the current monetary rascality, so as to prevent the prevailing economic challenge from degenerating further. 4. We believe it is imperative to approach the Nigerian project with all sense of responsibility and commitment and not play to the gallery because ultimately, time shall be the judge of us all. Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki

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15Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni Weds Abacha’s Daughter, Gumsu Abacha

Yobe Governor, Mai Mala Buni Wed Gumsu Abacha the daughter of late fmr head of state General Sani Abacha..

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15Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

PDP South West Congress Election Was A Scam – Fayose

Fayose made the allegation when he featured on Politics Today, a Channels Television Programme, on Wednesday. On Monday, the party held a congress to determine its zonal leaders in the region, after a series of postponements and leadership tussle. The congress was expected to lay to rest the leadership tussle between Fayose and Makinde, who were at loggerheads over who controls the party in the zone. At the much-awaited congress in Osogbo, Taofeeq Arapaja, a former deputy governor of Oyo state who was backed by Makinde, won the PDP south-west chairmanship seat with 343 votes to defeat Eddy Olafeso, the immediate past national vice-chairman (south-west) — and a candidate of Fayose — who polled 330 votes. Speaking on what transpired at the election, Fayose claimed that the el...

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15Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Qatar To Invest $5 Billion In Nigeria’s Economy

The FG has disclosed that the Middle-East nation of Qatar is set to invest in the Nigerian economy the sum of $5 billion. The Federal Government has said that the oil-rich state of Qatar plans to invest $5 billion in the Nigerian economy. According to a statement by the Deputy Director of Information, State House, Mr Abiodun Oladunjoye, this disclosure was made by the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, while speaking at a farewell dinner in honour of Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to the state of Qatar, Ambassador Yakubu Ahmed, who is also the outgoing Director of Protocol at State House. Onyeama said that there had been discussions with Qatar on partnership with Nigeria’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, for significant investments in the region of $5 billion in the ...

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15Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

I Have No Problem With EFCC Arresting Me – Okorocha

The embattled former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has said that there is nothing wrong for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arresting him to answer some questions arising from numerous petitions against him. This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday night by Okorocha’s Special Adviser (Media), Sam Onwuemeodo. The senator, representing Imo West Senatorial District in the Senate, also accused the Imo State government of fuelling his ordeal via petitions written against him to the anti-graft agency, noting that as a result, legal actions instituted against the commission were pending at various courts. The statement, which was released following the phone calls put to the Senate Committee Chairman on Culture and Tourism’s Media Aide, said: “We...

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15Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

FG To Auction ₦150 Billion Bonds In April – Debt Management Office

The Debt Management Office on Wednesday disclosed that the Federal Government would offer N150bn bonds for subscription in April. A circular by the DMO on its website showed that the breakdown of bonds comprised of three bonds worth N50bn each. They are 10-year reopening bond to be offered at the rate of 16.2884 per cent and to mature in March 2027; a 15- year reopening bond to be offered at 12.5 per cent and mature in March 2035; and the third and longest bond which is a 25-yeaer reopening bond to be offered at 9.8 per cent and mature in July 2045. According to the DMO, the bonds which would be auctioned on April 21, 2021 have a settlement date of April 23, 2021. The DMO had earlier disclosed that the Federal Government’s bonds for March worth N150bn which were auctioned wer...

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15Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Lagos Special Status: Ahmad Lawan, Femi Gbajabiamila, Sanwo-Olu Meet

Today, I met with the Senate President @DrAhmadLawan at his residence. Also present was the Speaker of House of Representatives @femigbaja. I commended the stability of @nassnigeria and the necessary cooperation with the FG on important issues of governance. I also used the opportunity to discuss issues of fundamental interest to the progress of Lagos State. I implored @nassnigeria to support our demand for a special status and funding for our state due to the burden we carry as the commercial centre and melting pot of the country.  

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15Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

States Face Cash Crunch, Salaries Swallow Revenues, Federal Govt Seeks More Fund

Two top officials of the Muhammadu Buhari regime on Wednesday indicated that the country urgently needed more funds to run government and provide basic amenities for Nigerians. Although the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, in an interview with the State House correspondents faulted a claim by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, that the Federal Government printed between N50bn and N60bn in March, she said there was a need to improve revenue to run government. On his part, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, at the 2021 retreat for members of the technical sub-committee on cash management, stated that there was increasing pressure on government funds. The minister and the accountant-general of the federation said these as inv...

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15Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

2023: Fresh Crisis In PDP Over Saraki’s Rumoured Presidential Bid

The rumoured presidential bid of Bukola Saraki, for­mer Senate President, is already causing ripples in Nigeria’s major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Even though he has not signified intention to contest, Saraki, who came third behind Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and former Vice President Atiku Abu­bakar (the eventual winner) in the 2018 presidential primary of the PDP is said to be nursing the amin Port Harcourt, Rivers State, bition to occupy the highest political office in the land in 2023. ­ In November 2020, Saraki, a former two-time governor of Kwara State, was appoint­ed as the chairman of the PDP’s Reconciliation and Strategy Committee with the main responsibilities of rec­onciling aggrieved members and wooing new members into its fold ahea...

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15Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

I Will Be Very Upset If This Government Increases Price Of Petrol Again – Sagay

Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), speaks on latest developments in the polity in this interview with TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI. Excerpts: The federal government few weeks ago approved $1.5bn in funding to repair the Port Harcourt refinery, which was closed two years ago. This has continued to generate mixed reactions from Nigerians, as some have argued that it should have been sold in its present state. What is your take on that? I want to take refuge in my ignorance because I was shocked when I heard the amount to be used in repairing the refinery. $1.5 billion just to repair? Honestly, I was shocked. I thought we could get a brand new, excellent refinery with that money. I also listened to the Minister of State for Petro...

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14Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Woman Turns Down Marriage Proposal Over Insult On Kwankwaso

A Kano woman, who identified herself as Lubna Ali, said that she rejected a marriage proposal following a disrespectfully act against a former Governor of Kano State, Senator, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Lubna said that she would rather die single than marry someone who had no respect for her political hero. Lubna, who said she started idolizing the former governor since her days in JSS 1 in 2003, noted that the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement is more than a political leader to her. She said: “Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso means much more than a political leader to me, he is a father and mentor. “I turned down a marriage proposal due to a disrespectful act against my mentor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, even though he does not know me in person.” The lady added that she ha...

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14Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Senate Confirms Halilu Shaba As NASRDA DG

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Dr. Halilu Shaba as the Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency. The red chamber gave the approval following the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology at plenary in Abuja, chaired by Senator Uche Ekwunife. The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, asked the Senate to confirm Shaba as DG NASRDA. In the letter, Buhari urged the lawmakers to give his request an accelerated consideration. Shaba had been in acting capacity as DG of the agency following the expiration of the two-term tenure of Professor Seidu Mohammed in June 2020. The Agency had earlier, on July 2, 2019, announced the appointment of Mr Jonathan...

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14Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari Was Expected To Appoint Ezekwesili As Minister – Omojuwa

Blogger and social media influencer, Japheth Omojuwa, has said the then All Progressives Congress candidate in the 2015 presidential election, Muhammadu Buhari, was expected to appoint a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, as a member of his cabinet. The blogger also disclosed that Ezekwesili played some role during the 2015 electioneering because of the expectation that she would be made a minister in Buhari’s cabinet but the President did not appoint the ex-minister as a member of his cabinet when he assumed office. Omojuwa, who said he has a 10-year relationship with the former minister beginning from 2012, stated this in a letter written by his lawyer, Boonyameen Lawal of Babalakin & Co Legal Practitioners. The letter dated April 14, 2021 was titled, ‘Demand ...

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14Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

APC Denies Zoning Presidency To The South, National Chairman To North

The Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has distanced itself from a zoning arrangement list in circulation. The zoning arrangement for major national elective offices and for positions in the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) allegedly released by the party went viral on social media. The purported arrangement was titled: “BREAKING: APC announces zoning arrangement ahead of 2023 election year. APC 2023 presidential ticket zoning and National Working Committee.” By the list the presidential ticket is zoned to South, Vice President – North, Senate President – South, Deputy Senate President – North while Speaker – North and Deputy Speaker – South. For the National Working Committee zoning, the list...

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14Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

We Have Deployed Ebubeagu, Security Operatives To Troubled Areas – Governor Umahi

The Chairman of South East Governors' Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Engineer David Nweze Umahi says the newly launched Ebubeagu Security outfit has been deployed to quell pockets of disturbances in parts of the zone. Governor Umahi stated this while featuring on Channels Television Breakfast Programme "Sunrise" on Wednesday. The Governor while stating that the Security outfit was already doing tremendously well in assisting other conventional security apparatus to combat kidnapping, banditry and other forms of crimes in the zone, noted that Governors of the Zone would ensure adequate funding of the outfit to guarantee optimum productivity. The Forum Chairman also appealed for assistance from the Federal Government to enable States to domesticate the fight against insecur...

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14Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Moghalu Urges Young Nigerians To Effect Good Governance With Social Platforms

Nigerian creative industry and social media "influencers" have resolved to increase their engagement with governance, politics and public policy in order to create a better future for the country’s large youth population. At the first Elevating Youth Voices Virtual Summit held last weekend on April 10 and hosted by the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation (IGET), a think tank headed by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor Professor Kingsley Moghalu, musical and movie stars Jude ("MI") Abaga, Kate Henshaw, Regina Askia Williams and Joseph Benjamin, as well as social media opinion leaders and #EndSARS activists Sandra Ezekwesili, Rinu Oduola, Catherine Obianuju ( "DJ Switch") Udeh, and technology lawyer Timi Olagunju set out an agenda for greater youth ...

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14Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Federal Allocation: Why Obaseki’s Revelation Should Worry Us All – Oke Umurhohwo

On Thursday, Nigerians were left in distress after the Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki, revealed that the federal government printed N60 billion to augment allocation shared for March. "We are in trouble, huge financial trouble," Obaseki who appeared not comfortable with the unproductive nature of the country noted and then went on to note that "When we got FAAC for March, the federal government printed additional N50-N60 billion to top-up for us to share." And to stress the extent of the problem, Obaseki said "This April, we will go to Abuja and share. By the end of this year, our total borrowings are going to be within N15-N16 trillion. Imagine a family that is just borrowing without any means to pay back and nobody is looking at that, everybody is looking at 2023, everybody is...

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14Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

2023: Saraki presidential campaign posters flood Abuja

Posters of the immediate past president of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, were sighted in conspicuous areas of Abuja on Tuesday, fueling speculations that he might soon declare his intention to contest the 2023 presidential election. . Our correspondent sighted some of the posters at the Wuse area of the nation’s capital and at the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, popularly known as Wadata House in Abuja. . Saraki’s picture was displayed in the poster tagged, “Reset Nigeria 2023: Abubakar Bukola Saraki for President”. . The media aide of the former senate president, Yusuph Olaniyonu, however, told our correspondent in a telephone interview that he knew nothing about it. . He said, “If Senator Bukola Saraki wanted to contest for president, he will address a ...

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14Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Legislature, Judiciary Autonomy: Governors Oppose Buhari Executive Order 10

The Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, on Tuesday said state governors were not opposed to financial autonomy for the judiciary and the legislature. Lalong, who stated this in an interview with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum press corps in Abuja, however, faulted the Executive Order 10, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) signed into law last year. The Plateau State governor, who is also the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, said the Federal Government could not force states to implement financial autonomy for the judiciary and legislature. Lalong said that there were measures that must be taken before the autonomy could be implemented. He added that state governors would meet with the leadership of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria on Wednesday (today) w...

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14Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Electoral Offences Bill: Political Parties, Officials Risk ₦50 Million Fine

In order to guarantee the sanctity of the ballot and as well engender a credible electoral process in the country ahead of the 2023 general election, the National Assembly has made far-reaching provisions in the Electoral Offences Commission Bill and the Electoral Act (2010) Amendment Bill (2020) which are under consideration and will soon be passed into law. Both legislations are to discourage underhand dealings and malpractices in the nation’s electoral process. In the proposals included in the proposed electoral law, candidates who submit false credentials and their political parties would be fined N5million and N50million apiece for that infraction, plus a possible jailtime for the offender. Consequently, the Electoral Act (2010) Amendment Bill (2020) is currently at an ad...

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14Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Thousands Of Adamawa Youths Declare Support For Yahaya Bello 2023

No fewer than five thousand youths gathered in Yola, the state capital of Adamawa to declare their love for and support for the 2023 youthful presidency agenda. The people of Adamawa State declared that Governor Yahaya Bello is a young Nigerian who have become a national bridge builder and an example to all politicians in the country, saying that his qualities on unifying Nigeria through tribal and religious tolerance is what the country needs come 2023. The people declared this when the Bello Ambassadors Network, a non governmental organization launched it's state chapter in Adamawa to pressure the Kogi State Governor to join the 2023 presidential race. The National Coordinator of the Organisation, Anthony Edogbo and the former lawmaker in the Adamawa State House of Assembly,...

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14Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

EFCC Is Not A Slaughter House, I Was Only Invited – Okorocha

A former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has broken his silence on his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged misappropriation of public funds. Okorocha was arrested by the EFCC operatives at about 4:10pm on Tuesday at his Unity House office located at Garki, Abuja. Speaking through Sam Onwuemeodo, his media aide, Okorocha said since the anti-graft agency was doing its job, he would cooperate with the officials. Although an EFCC official, who spoke with Daily Trust off the record, confirmed Okorocha’s arrest, the former governor claimed he was invited by the anti-graft agency. “To us, the Commission is doing its job and should be given the needed co-operation. And Okorocha being a law-abiding citizen, would always cooperate with t...

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14Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Kidnappings: We Are Praying For You – Pastor Adeboye To Gov. El-Rufai

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has described Nasir El-Rufai, Kaduna state governor, as a “tender-hearted” man. The cleric said this on Tuesday when he visited the Kaduna governor at the state government house. Adeboye said he will be praying for El-Rufai, adding that “when God gets to work, then the world will see it and will glorify the name of God. “We know that you have a problem that only God can solve. The problem is far beyond the abilities of any human being. “I know you are tender-hearted, I know how you must be feeling when the kidnappings are going on especially when school children are being kidnapped. “We are praying for you and I believe God is going to answer the prayers. I am assuring you that the...

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14Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Sowore Applied For A Grant In My Name Without Informing Me – Tosin Adeniji

Activist, Tosin Adeniji @callmerahila has called out Omoyele Sowore for allegedly applying a grant in her name without informing her. Read her tweets below: @YeleSowore It's sad that you of all people could take advantage of my predicament. I went to prison last year November over #EndSARS but you decided to apply for a grant in my name without informing me, before, during, and after the application was made. Not even my consent, yet we live under the same roof. Fast forward to January, I found out that a grant was applied for in my name but since you @YeleSowore was in detention I had to ask your lawyer @TopeAkinyod because I found out that he was the lawyer involved in the process. He admitted they you both applied for a grant in my name but you didn't tell me because he...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Garba Shehu Denies Commenting On Twitter Picking Ghana As Africa HQ

Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu has denied commenting on the choice of Ghana as Twitter’s headquarters for its Africa operations. Several media outlets (not Qed.ng) quoted Mr Shehu as knocking Twitter for its decision made public by the tech company’s CEO Jack Dorsey on Monday. But Shehu said in a tweet on Tuesday that he did not make any comment on the matter. “I did not comment on the Twitter choice of Ghana as their Africa base. There are many who have the same names with me. It will be mistaken of anyone to attribute a quote to me or even the Presidency that my verified handles did not bear,” he said. While Shehu did not speak on the matter, presidential aide Tolu Ogunlesi downplayed the development, saying Facebook had also announced that it would be opening an office i...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Governor Tambuwal Buys Ford Explorer For 20 Judges In Sokoto

Governor Aminu Tambuwal has doled out eye-catching Sport Utility Vehicles, Ford Explorer, to 20 judges in Sokoto. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the gesture was to boost senior judicial officers’ morale, just as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has urged the judiciary not to be partial in delivering judgments. Mr stated this on Monday while speaking at the inauguration of the reconstructed Sokoto High Court complex. He noted that as the last hope of the masses, the judiciary should remain impartial at all times. The justice minister commended Governor Aminu Tambuwal for reconstructing the complex and equipping it with state-of-the-art facilities. “This should be a morale booster towards effective justice delivery. ...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Ballot, Not Courts, Should Determine Election Winners – Goodluck Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for the strengthening of the nation’s electoral laws in a way that only the ballot paper, and not the courts, is allowed to determine the winners of elections. The former President stressed that the standard practice is that the electoral management bodies exercise the sole responsibility of returning candidates and declaring winners while the judiciary complements by either upholding declared results or nullifying flawed elections and ordering a rerun. The former president stated this on Monday in an interaction with reporters during a visit to TOSTV Network studios in Abuja. He said: “I had already made a public statement on that to the effect that the ballot paper and not the judiciary should determine who wins elections or sele...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari Rejected Scholarship List Because No Northerner On It – First Class Graduate, Chidozie Ojobor

Nigerians React To First-Class Graduate's Claim Buhari Rejected List Of Scholarship Beneficiaries Because There Was No Northerner Nigerians on social media have continued to react to claims by a first-class graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and current doctoral student of the University of Toronto, Chidozie Ojobor, that President Muhammadu Buhari sacrificed merit for federal character upon his election. Ojobor had revealed how he and several other first-class graduates of institutions across Nigeria were shortlisted to take the Presidential Special Scholarship (PRESSID) designed by former President Goodluck Jonathan, exclusively for first-class Nigerian graduates who wanted to further their studies in any university across the world. According to him, he had taken ...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

$1.5Bn Repair: Nigerians Won’t Forgive FG If PH Refinery Packs Up Again – Sagay

 Nigerians will come hard on the federal government, especially Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum, if the Port Harcourt refinery fails to deliver at optimal capacity after $1.5 billion is spent on its rehabilitation. Professor Itse Sagay SAN, Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), who disclosed this in an exclusive interview with DAILY INDEPENDENT said he was shocked when he heard the refinery will be repaired with $1.5billion. According to him, he believed that Nigeria can get a brand new refinery with $1.5billion rather than spending the huge sum on the Port Harcourt refinery, which is more of a scrap. While praying for the refinery to function effectively just the way the Minister has promised, Sagay said Nigerians may even ca...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Register With New Security Outfit & Join Your Ancestors – IPOB On Ebubeagu

Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, have warned youths in the Southeast against joining the newly established security outfit for the region, known as Ebubeagu to spy its own Eastern Security Network, ESN. IPOB gave the warning on Tuesday via a statement issued by its spokesman, Emma Powerful. IPOB, in the statement, condemned the formation of another security network by the Southeastern Governors, stating that the establishment of Ebubeagu was against the already existing ESN. The statement reads in part: “Biafrans will not be deceived by this purported EBUBEAGU security outfit which is a huge joke. South-East governors set up the outfit probably to fulfil all righteousness or to spy on ESN to curry favour from their Fulani slave masters. “We, therefore, warn...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Daily Independent Retracts Pantami Terrorist Story

RETRACTION RE: Disquiet As America Places Nigerian Minister On Watchlist Our attention has been drawn to the story with the above title, published in the Sunday Independent newspaper of April 11, 2021. We have since realized that the information contained in the story has not been verified to be true. The Minister mentioned in the story, Alhaji Isa Ali Ibrahim, also known as Sheikh Pantami, is not known to be on American Terror Watch List, nor is he linked to terror organisations. We regret and sincerely apologise for the embarrassment our story has caused the Honourable Minister whom we hold in high regard. - Editor

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

#HarassBuhariOutofLondon Protest Suspended Over Ramadan

The #HarassBuhariOutofLondon protest has been temporarily suspended to allow President Muhammadu Buhari observe the Ramadan fast, convener of the protest Reno Omokri announced on Tuesday. The suspension followed announcement by the Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar that Ramadan would start in the country on Tuesday, April 13. Mr Omokri, a former presidential aide, has been leading the #HarassBuhariOutofLondon protest since the president travelled to London for medical check-up. Announcing the suspension, Omokri also urged the group led by Sahara Reporters’ publisher Omoyele Sowore to suspend its protest. “Due to the Ramadan fast which began today, we have decided to temporarily suspend #HarassBuhariOutofLondon to allow General @MBuhari observe his fast in peace. I call o...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

EFCC Arrests Rochas Okorocha For Money Laundering

Former Governor of Imo state, Rochas Anayo Okorocha has been arrested by the Economic and Financial crimes commission, EFCC for Money Laundering. Okorocha was arrested by EFCC officials on Tuesday in Abuja.

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Zonal Congresses: PDP Seeks To Dislodge APC, Return To Power In 2023

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s major opposition political party, is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to return to power which it lost to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 presidential election. One major way the Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee (NWC) is trying to achieve this is to organise a rancour-free congresses nationwide and elect loyal party executives who can deliver the six geo-political zones to the party in the 2023 general elections. Speaking with our correspondent on Monday, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) said the party leadership is also trying to use the successes of the congresses to close ranks so that they will go into the 2023 election as a united family. He said, “The zonal offices are p...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

El-Rufai Announces Plan To Lay Off Public Servants In Kaduna

The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday, made known his plan to disengage some public servants in the state for fiscal reasons. This was contained in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Muyiwa Adekeye. Mr Adekeye stated that the decision was one of the necessary moves to salvage the state’s finances. He said a significant amount of the statutory federal allocations is being spent on the wages of public servants monthly. A part of the statement read “Therefore, the state government has no choice but to shed some weight and reduce the size of the public service. It is a painful but necessary step to take, for the sake of the majority of the people of this state. “The public service of the state with less than 100,000 employees and their families) cannot be...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Wike Mandated Our Transition Panel To Destroy Amaechi Politically – Henry Ugboma

A member of Wike’s transition committee, now Chief Medical Director of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Prof. Henry Ugboma, has accused the Rivers State Governor of setting an agenda to discredit his predecessor and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi. Speaking on Arise TV programme on Monday, Ugboma stated that tarnishing Amaechi’s image was Wike’s number one agenda even before his inauguration as governor of the state. Ugboma said, “I can rightly tell you that the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has this paranoid issue against the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi. I noticed this as a member of the Peoples’ Democratic Party and that was one of the reasons I left the party. “I was a member of the transition committee set up by Wike imme...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Attack On Ebonyi Community Not By Fulani Herdsmen – Kelechi Igwe

The Ebonyi State government has said the attack on the people of Umuogudu Akpu-Ngbo Community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the State, in the early hours of Monday, was not carried out by Fulani herdsmen. DAILY POST had reported that attackers started shooting sporadically in the community, killing at least four persons. Reacting, Mr Monday Uzor, Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Dr Kelechi Igwe, in a statement released to newsmen said preliminary investigations showed that the attack was not carried out by Fulani herdsmen as being speculated in different quarters. “Ebonyi State Government has received with dismay violent attack on the people of Umuogudu Akpu-Ngbo Community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of Monday. “Preliminary investigat...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Youths Who Engage In Thuggery Shouldn’t Ask For Democratic Dividends – Orji Kalu

Chief Whip of the Senate and Senator representing Abia North, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has asked youths who make themselves available for thuggery and election manipulation to stop asking for democratic dividends, saying they lack the moral justification to demand such. While accusing some youths of constituting a challenge to democracy, the former Abia governor while addressing constituents in Arochukwu recently urged them to make themselves instruments of democratic consolidation and growth. He expressed sadness that some youths mortgage their future and that of others when they receive stipends for the purpose of disrupting electoral process. "People should be ashamed that they are still doing thuggery. Then why are you crying for democratic dividends? "You should not ask for ...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

General Attahiru Tells Reps To Invite Ex-Service Chiefs Over Arms Procurement

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, has told the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the Purchase, Use and Control of Arms, Ammunition and Related Hardware by Military, Paramilitary and Other Law Enforcement Agencies in Nigeria to invite his predecessors to shed more light on the arms procurement. Attahiru stated this on Monday, in Abuja when he appeared before the Ad hoc committee investigating arms purchase in the last ten years. Though he did not mention any name, his predecessors during the year under review included, Lt-Gen Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd) who was the COAS between September 2010 – January 2014, Lt-Gen Kenneth Minimah (rtd) who was the COAS between January 2014 – July 2015 and Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai (rtd). Attahiru said he was ea...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Why We Overlooked Over-Voting At PDP South West Congress – Fayose

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has said he and others chose to overlook over-voting at the PDP Southwest zonal congress because of the interest of the party. In the election held on Monday, Governor Seyi Makinde’s candidate, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja narrowly defeated Fayose’s candidate, Dr. Eddy Olafeso to become the PDP Chairman, Southwest. Arapaja polled 343 votes to defeat Olafeso, who got 330 votes. But Fayose, in series of tweets late Monday night congratulated Arapaja on his emergence as the Southwest Zonal Chairman of the PDP. “Like I said in my speech at the beginning of the congress that we should win together and we have indeed won together. “Whatever may be our reservations on the issue of over-voting, we have chosen to look at the larger pic...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Local Government Poll: I Will Not Select Chairmen, Says Governor Abiodun

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has assured that the next council chairmen in the state would not be appointed, but democratically elected by the people, just as he also pledged that the forthcoming poll will be free and fair Penpushing reports that Abiodun made this known at an event held in Abeokuta to welcome new members into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and urged the new entrants to continue to work hard towards the continued development of the party and the state. “Very soon, the time table for the election will be released, we will not appoint chairmen for you at all, chairmanship will not be by appointment, it will be by election, everyone should continue to work hard,,” he said. The Governor emphasised that his administration would continue...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Reps Propose Upward Review Of Derivation Fund From 13 To 20 Per Cent

The House of Representatives will on resumption from the Easter recess, commence debate on the general principle of a bill which seeks to increase 13 per cent derivation fund to 20 per cent. The private member bill was sponsored by Hon Kingsley Chima. According to the ‘Explanatory Memorandum’, the proposed bill “seeks to alter Section 162(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, in order to cure the inherent imbalance and insufficiency of fund and development-driven agitations based on the revenue from natural resources.” In line with the legislative principles, the bill is to be referred to the Special Ad-hoc Committee on Constitutional Amendment chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Idris Wase, for further legislative action. Clause 2 of th...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Criminals Planning Attacks On Airports, FG Alerts Security Agents

The Federal Government has alerted airport security chiefs across the country of impending attacks by suspected criminals. To this end, the government through the Ministry of Aviation has alerted the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to beef up security across the airports. FAAN’s Deputy General Manager in charge of Administration and Logistics, S.M. Mamman, issued a memo to airport chiefs of security to review security measures to stave off the attacks. The airports listed included Kaduna, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Kano, Abuja, and Lagos. The memo read: “I am directed to convey an alert from the Ministry of Aviation regarding security threats by criminal elements against Airports in Nigeria and to request for the immediate enumeration of necessary countermeasures for t...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Konshisha Crisis: Ortom Apologizes To Families Of Slain Soldiers

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has apologized to the bereaved families of the 12 soldiers who were ambushed and killed about a week ago by armed bandits at Bonta community in Konshisha Local Government Area, LGA, of the state. The Governor also condoled President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chief of Army Staff and the leadership of the armed forces in the country over the murder of the military personnel in the state. Speaking Monday at the funeral of the personnel at the Wurukum Military Cemetery in Makurdi the Governor who condemned the murder and described it as unfortunate promised to collaborate with the military to apprehend the masterminds of the dastardly act. “I condole Mr President who is the Commander-In-Chief of the armed forces, the Chief of Army Staff and indeed ...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

“Don’t Leave Imo, Those After You Are After Me Too” – Uzodinma To Northerners

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has assured the northern community in the state of the government’s determination to protect them and their property. Also, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Hope Uzodimma on Gender and Vulnerable Persons (Men) and the Garkuwan Hausa (shield of Hausa community), Imo State, Hon Sulaiman Ibrahim Sulaiman, described as untrue reports that Hausas are leaving Imo. He described Imo State as the safest place for them to live. The Governor, who also debunked the rumour that the northern community in Imo are leaving in droves, said that they had no need to leave, adding that they are part and parcel of Imo State. “This is where you live. This is where you do your business. You are stakeholders in Imo State. “Nobody will drive you away,” ...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Taofeek Arapaja Emerges South-West PDP Zonal Chairman

Former Oyo Deputy Governor Taofeek Arapaja has won the southwest chairmanship seat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was declared winner of the hotly contested poll by chairman of the Congress and Benue Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu. Arapaja, who belongs to the camp of Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde, polled 343 votes to defeat Dr Eddy Olafeso, who scored 330. Olafeso is of the camp of former Ekiti Governor Ago Fayose.

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