BREAKING! MERCY IS BBNAIJA 2019 WINNER

Mercy has won the BBNaija TV show for 2019.

Details soon ........

BREAKING.... ROCHAS ARRESTED BY EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arrested the immediate past Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, his wife, Nkechi Okorocha, Gerald Okorocha and Okey Okorocha.

The EFCC which stormed Ogboko also saw the commission sealing the ex-governor’s Eastern Palm University, Ogboko.

This is a developing story…

BREAKING ......! SUPREME COURT STOPS ALL ZAMFARA APC ELECTION WINNERS, DECLARES PDP CANDIDATES WINNERS.

The Supreme Court has voided the victory of the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State in the last general elections.

Those affected are candidates for the governorship, National and state assemblies’ elections held on February 23 and March 11, 2019.

A five-man panel of the Supreme Court, in a unanimous judgment on Friday, held that the APC in Zamfara State did not conduct valid primaries from which its candidates emerged.

After holding that the APC had no valid candidates for the elections, the panel, led by Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, declared that the first runner-ups, who scored the second highest votes and the required spread are winners.

Candidates of the APC had won all the seats contested, including outgoing Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, who won a Senatorial seat,with candidates of the PDP emerging first runner-ups in most cases.

In the lead judgment by Justice Paul Galumje, the court upheld the earlier judgment by the Court of Appeal in Sokoto and dismiss the three appeal the affected APC candidates filed.

Justice Galumje said, since the APC had no valid candidates, having not conducted valid primaries, the votes recorded by its candidates are wasted votes.

BREAKING! CCT SACKS ONNOGHEN AS CJN ORDERS FORFEITURE OF ALL UNDECLARED MONIES AND ASSETS

The Code of Conduct Tribunal has convicted the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen of breach of Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

Reading the lead judgment, the tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar, ordered the immediate removal of Onnoghen from office as the CJN, Chairman of the National Judicial Council and the Chairman of the Federal Judicial Service Commission.

The tribunal also ordered the forfeiture of the five accounts which defendant failed to declare as part of his assets.

The tribunal also ordered the furfeiture of the money in the five accounts which Onnoghen allegedly failed to declare, to the Federal Goverment.

BREAKING: SUSPENDED CJN ONNOGHEN RESIGNS

Walter Onnoghen has resigned as the chief justice of Nigeria “with immediate effect”.

He turned in his resignation letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday evening, April 4, 2019, a day after the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended that he be compulsorily retired for misconduct.

By virtue of section 306 of the 1999 constitution, his resignation takes immediate effect.

Section 306 says “(1) Save as otherwise provided in this section, any person who is appointed, elected or otherwise selected to any office established by this Constitution may resign from that office by writing under his hand addressed to the authority or person by whom he was appointed, elected or selected. (2) The resignation of any person from any office established by this Constitution shall take effect when the writing signifying the resignation is received by the authority or person to whom it is addressed or by any person authorised by that authority or person to receive it.”

The resignation, TheCable understands, was the “best possible option” for Onnoghen under the current circumstance.

It will also save Buhari from having to get two-thirds majority of the senate to confirm Onnoghen’s retirement as stipulated in Section 292 (1) of the 1999 constitution which says a “judicial officer shall not be removed from his office or appointment before his age of retirement except in the following circumstances – (a) in the case of – (i) Chief Justice of Nigeria… by the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate.”

Buhari may not be able to muster the needed majority

BREAKING: BRITISH MPs REJECTS BREXIT DEAL FOR THE 3RD TIME

British MPs on Friday rejected Prime Minister Theresa May’s deal for leaving the European Union for a third time, raising the spectre of a “no deal” exit or a long delay to the process.

Sitting in an extraordinary session in the House of Commons, MPs rejected the text negotiated with European leaders last year by 344 votes to 286.

AFP

BREAKING: MAN U APPOINTS SOLSKJAER FULL TIME MANAGER

Manchester United have announced that current caretaker manager and former striker, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, has been appointed as the club’s full-time manager on a three-year contract.

Solskjær scored 126 goals in 366 appearances for United between 1996 and 2007 and also managed the club’s reserve team until the end of 2010.

He was appointed caretaker manager on 19 December 2018 and won his first eight games in charge on the way to an overall record of 14 victories and two draws in 19 games, amassing more Premier League points than any other club during that time.

“From the first day I arrived, I felt at home at this special club,” said Solskjær. “This is the job that I always dreamed of doing and I’m beyond excited to have the chance to lead the club long-term and hopefully deliver the continued success that our amazing fans deserve.”

Ed Woodward, Executive Vice Chairman, comments: “Since coming in as caretaker manager in December, the results Ole has delivered speak for themselves

APPEAL COURT UPTURNS HIGH COURTS'S RULING ON ZAMFARA GUBER POLLS

The Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto State, led by Justice Tom Yakubu, has set aside the judgement of a Zamfara High Court on the All Progressives Congress primary election that produced the party’s candidates for the governorship, National and State Assembly elections.

Detail later…

(NAN)

BREAKING .... GOV ORTOM OF PDP DECLARED WINNER OF GUBER CONTEST

 

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has been re-elected for a second term.

The Returning Officer in the state, Professor Maimako Sebastian declared him winner after he polled 434,473 votes to beat his closest rival and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Emmanuel Jime who got 345,155 votes – a margin of 89,318.

BREAKING .... PDP COASTING TO VICTORY IN BAUCHI GUBER POLLS

The Bauchi state gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Bala Mohammed, has increased the margin of his lead in the governorship election.

Mohammed garnered 6,376 votes in the just concluded re-run election, as against 5,117 votes scored by  incumbent governor Mohammed Abdullahi of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Result of the re-run was announced in Bauchi on Sunday by the governorship election Returning Officer, Prof. Mohammed Kyari, Vice Chancellor of Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola.

Kyari however said he was not in a position to make any pronoumement regarding the overall winner of the governorship election in the state due to the suit before a  Federal High Court, Abuja over the collation of results in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that outcome of the election in respect of 19 out of the 20 Local Government Areas in the state,  earlier conducted on March 9, indicated that Mohammed polled 469,512 votes while Abubakar scored 465, 453 votes.

With the release of the re-run election result, conducted in 36 polling units across 15 Local Government Areas,  the total votes scored by Mohammed increased to 475,888 votes, while that of Abubakar rose to 470, 570 votes, a difference of 5,318 votes.

With the conclusion of the supplementary elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state is awaiting the decision of the Federal High Court  in Abuja on the collation of results of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area, before determining the governor-elect.

Incumbent governor, Mohammed Abubakar, had dragged INEC to court to challenge the decision of the electoral body directing the continuation of collation of results of the area, having earlier declared same as inconclusive.

Judgement on the matter had  been fixed for Monday, March 25.

BE READY FOR VAT INCREASE - FIRS

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), on Tuesday, urged Nigerians to brace for an increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) by between 35 and 50 per cent in 2019.

This will raise the VAT from the current five per cent to between 6.75 and 7.25 per cent.

The Chairman of FIRS, Mr Babatunde Fowler, dropped the hint when he appeared alongside other top officials in the Federal Ministry of Finance before the Senate Committee on Finance in Abuja.

He said the impending VAT increase was one of the areas being looked at by FIRS to meet its 2019 revenue generation target of N8 trillion.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the officials appeared before the committee to give details of the 2019-2021 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper.

Fowler’s announcement came shortly after the Senate passed the National Minimum Wage Act (Amendment) Bill in which it approved N30, 000 as the new minimum wage for the workers in the country. (NAN)

Breaking ..... OTUNBA GBENGA DANIEL RESIGNS FROM ACTIVE POLITICS.

Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former Governor of Ogun State, has resign from active politics.

He has also resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In his letter to the national chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, Daniel said he decided to leave the scene to “rejuvenate my charity based organization, the Gateway Front Foundation (GFF) which will literally continue to dispense succor to our people in need, address and assist in the areas of some of their health challenges.

“I also plan on resuscitation of the non-partisan Political Leadership Academy (POLA) which I established some years ago as a platform of political education to our citizens.”

Full text of letter below

The National Chairman,
Peoples Democratic Party,
Wadata Plaza, Michael Okpara Street
Wuse Zone II, Abuja

Attention: Prince Uche Secondus

Mr. Chairman,

Resignation from Partisan Politics

This is to inform you of my intention to resign from active and partisan politics with effect from today, the 14th day of March, 2019.
My decision in this regard is entirely personal to me and having served in various capacities, including as Governor of Ogun State, I have resolved to immerse myself in some other vocations and take on some new challenges.

Preamble
My Political Journey so far

I joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State on Sunday, the 9th of September, 2001 at an event which was described as one of the most ceremonial political rallies in our recent political history in the South Western part of Nigeria. We rose from that rally to create a highly robust and effective political campaign machinery which resulted in an electoral victory for the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State in 2003; this movement and vibration affected the politics of the region positively with a victory in five (5) states of the South West.

I served as Governor of Ogun State for eight (8) years and our administration till today remains a point of reference in terms of physical, social, economic, educational and human capital development since the State was created in 1976.

Notwithstanding these widely acclaimed achievements however, our party, the Peoples Democratic Party ran into trouble waters towards the end of our administration (about the year 2009) which led to the sad loss in the election of 2011, and regrettably ten (10) years after the party has been unable to resolve those internal disputes and challenges.

Meanwhile, the PDP in Ogun State was confronted with a very difficult situation in matter of choice. Whereas the national leadership of our party, recognized one candidate for the 2019 election, by court pronouncements another candidate, and in compliance with those court orders, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognized was on the INEC list. The candidates recognized by INEC were not acceptable to the national leadership of the party. Our situation was then compounded because the candidate which the court and INEC recognized and accepted as valid has also been expelled by the party. This was the dilemma we found ourself as we approached the March 9, 2019 Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

Going forward, we have responded to the yearnings of our people and joined others in emplacing an administration that we believe will better serve the interests of our people than what currently exists. The rest they say is now history.

I must say that looking back, I do not have any regrets over that patriotic choice and decision, especially as several of our citizens, leaders and stakeholders in the state and outside have commended that singular action. Many stakeholders within and outside Ogun State feel fulfilled, excited and grateful about our decision to join others in putting a stop to a regime that was believed to be against the collective and general welfare of our people.

Let me also add, that in the last few months, I have had one of the rare privileges of traveling round the entire length and breadth of our great country on at least two occasions; the first being during my campaigns to become the National Chairman of our great party, and later as the Director General of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organization (APCO).

I must sincerely admit that in the course of all these travels, I have built a network of contacts, of friends and associates in a mutually rewarding relationships which I cherished most and greatly too. I am therefore persuaded that I have fewer points to make and prove in my Political journeys in partisan politics.

My decision to quit partisan politics notwithstanding, I have decided to rejuvenate my charity based organization, the Gateway Front Foundation (GFF) which will literally continue to dispense succor to our people in need, address and assist in the areas of some of their health challenges; I also plan on resuscitation of the non-partisan Political Leadership Academy (POLA) which I established some years ago as a platform of political education to our citizens.

Without doubt, I will miss the company of my friends and associates and all those relationships I built in the course of the years all over the country..
While I crave for your kind understanding, accept assurances of my highest regards.

Yours faithfully,

Otunba (Engr.) Gbenga Daniel, FNSE, FNAEng
Governor of Ogun State (2003-2011).

Cc:
His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar GCON
Chairman, Board of Trustees (PDP)

BREAKING .....CONFUSION IN BOKO HARAM CAMP OVER LEADERSHIP

The Headquarters of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has said the leadership of Boko Haram is in disarray after a sustained air and land operation, tagged Operation Yancin Tafki.

A statement yesterday from the spokesperson of the MNJTF, Colonel Timothy Antigha in N’Djamena, Chad said, “information from captured and defected Boko Haram fighters indicates that the leadership of Boko Haram terrorist network has been overwhelmed and are currently in disarray.”

He said, “The former fighters who are receiving humane attention further divulged that morale and fighting spirit of Boko Haram fighters is very low as a result of growing insecurity and the inability to replenish stranded fighters in the islands with food, medicine, and ammunition.”

He recalled that an integral part of Operation Yancin Tafki has been a series of well-coordinated day and night Human Intelligence as well as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

He said these are conducted by the Air Forces of the Lake Chad Basin countries; Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria, leading to successful and devastating air interdictions.

He said the morale of the terror fighters is at its lowest, while desperation has also set in, leading to intrigues and in-fighting.

Atigha said, “reliable sources say internal crisis led to change of Boko Haram leadership on 3 March 2019, it could be recalled that the Islamic State West Africa Province announced the sack of the former Boko Haram Chief, Abu Mus’ab AL Barnawi and the appointment of Abu Abdullahi Ibn Umar AL Barnawi.”

CONCLUDE ON THE SIDE OF DEMOCRACY - ATIKU WARNS INEC

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for declaring elections in some states inconclusive.

INEC had announcement postponement of polls in Benue, Sokoto, Adamawa, Rivers and Adamawa, amid accusations that it was a plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) federal government to overturn likely victories of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Reacting, the PDP presidential candidate, warned INEC to be on the part of the people.

He tweeted: “Anti-democratic forces are at work. My counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission is as follows: Conclude on the side of democracy.

“Conclude on the side of the people. Conclude on the side of the constitution. Conclude o the side of Nigeria.”

Earlier, the PDP advised INEC to end its alleged manipulative schemes and immediately declare the result of the March 9, 2019 governorship elections in affected states.

Kola Ologbondinyan, in a statement, said the development was a premeditated plan by the APC-led Federal Government to use the instrument of INEC and security agencies to truncate the wishes of the people.

BREAKING .... PDP WINS KANO GUBER CONTEST

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Abba Kabir-Yusuf, has got the highest number of votes from results of the 44 Local Governments in Kano State.

He has won the governorship election in Nasarawa Local Government Area, the only local government that delayed the final announcement of governorship election result in the state.

After collation of results from 10 wards of the local government, PDP scored 54,349 votes while the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), scored 34,297 votes.

BUHARI FIRES CBN GOVERNOR EMEFIELE

President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

CBN sources told Elombah News that Emefiele has also been asked to hand over to an unnamed successor within 2 weeks.

Details shortly…

COURT SACKS PDP GUBER CANDIDATE IN KANO

A federal high court in Kano, on Monday, sacked the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in the state, Abba Yusuf.

This development is coming exactly five (5) days to the governorship and state house of assembly election

The court nullified the primary election that led to Yusuf’s emergence as the party’s candidate in the election.

Yusuf, who is the anointed governorship candidate of Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, is the main challenger of the incumbent governor of the state, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

A PDP gubernatorial aspirant, Ali Amin-little, had approached the court, challenging the process that led to his emergence as PDP gubernatorial candidate.

In his ruling, the judge, Lewis Allagoa, said the PDP did not conduct governorship primary election in Kano.

He ordered that the PDP conduct fresh primary election between today and Saturday, March 9.

I HAVE NOT RESIGNED YET - OSIBANJO

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has reacted to rumours making the rounds that he has allegedly threatened to resign his office.

Reports on social media suggest that Osinbajo was allegedly barred from an emergency security meeting that President Muhammadu Buhari held with Security Chiefs and some governors on Tuesday.

The Vice President was quoted on social media as allegedly saying, “I wasn’t informed of the meeting, when I heard, I was refused entrance. Yet, Governors were allowed to attend”

But reacting to the reports, Osinbajo said: “Misleading/FAKE news is on the rise especially in this season when Nigerians will make a choice about who will govern them for the next four years.

“I have not resigned! I remain committed to the service of the Nigerian people under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said in a tweet accompanied with a video.

MAY GOD PUNISH ALL WHO DO NOT LUV BUHARI - Religious Preacher

Check out @buba_galadima’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/buba_galadima/status/1097125050359132160?s=09

BREAKING..... APC CALLS FOR AN EMERGENCY CAUCUS MEETING

The ruling All Progressives Congress APC has scheduled an emergency caucus meeting for Monday.

This, according to reports, is to enable the party restrategise after the postponement of the general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.

APC The meeting, slated for 11am would, breaking from tradition, hold at the national secretariat of the party as opposed to its usual venue, the Presidential Villa, Vanguard reports.

Court Grants Ex-SGF Babachir Lawal Speedy Bail

AFederal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to the former Secretary-General of the Federation, Babachir Lawal and two others.

Recall the Ex-SGF who has been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had yesterday applied for bail over a 10 count charge of fraudulent diversion of funds meant for the clearing of evasive plants on the North East.

Justice Jude Okeke who presided over the case, granted Babachir and two others bail in the sum of N50m each with one surety.

CCT ORDERS ARREST OF WALTER ONNOGHEN

The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja, has Issued Bench Warrant Against  the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen,

The tribunal on Wednesday further ordered top securities in the country to arrest and produce him for trial on Friday.

This is a developing story…

NIGERIAN JUDICIARY UNDER THREAT - UN

The United Nations, UN, has warned thatthe suspension and replacement of theChief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen is in contravention of International Human Rights standards on independence of the judiciary and separation of powers.UN Special Repporteur on theindependence of judges and lawyers, Diego Garcia-Sayan, who stated today ina statement, noted that: “International human rights standards provide that judges may be dismissed only on serious grounds of misconduct or incompetence. Any decision to suspend or remove a judge from office should be fair and should be taken by an independent authority such as a judicial council or a court.

“The dismissal of judges without following procedures laid down by the law and without effective judicial protection being available to contest the dismissal is incompatible with the independence of the judiciary.”

Garcia-Sayan noted that the Chief Justice, Walter Onnoghen was suspended on 25 January 2019 and replaced by Ibrahim Tanko Mohammad, adding that four separate Nigerian courts – the Court of Appeal, the National Industrial Court and the two Federal High Courts – had already ordered a stay of proceedings in the Tribunal.

The statement further noted that : “The President of Nigeria said he had acted in compliance with an order issued two days earlier by a tribunal established under the Constitution to decide on alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct for Public Officials. Moreover, the said order upon which the suspension was based, was issued ex-parte while the motion on notice on the same subject was adjourned the day before by the issuing court.

“All State institutions must abide by the decisions of national courts and tribunals. In the case of Chief Justice Onnoghen, four national courts hierarchically superior to the Code of Conduct Tribunal had already ordered a stay of proceedings, and the Tribunal had in a previous case, 8 months earlier, held that it lacked jurisdiction over cases involving judicial officers, which should be processed by the National Judicial Council.”

Some of the judges handling the case of the Chief Justice and the defence lawyers, Mr Garcia-Sayan disclosed, have been subject to serious threats, pressures and interferences. “I am seriously concerned at such allegations, which may constitute, if proven, grave attacks to the independence of the judiciary and the free exercise of the legal profession.”

“One of the senior advocates defending the Chief Justice was arrested on Wednesday by security agencies. Lawyers play an essential role in securing access to justice, and should never suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or other sanctions for action taken in accordance with recognized professional duties, standards and ethics,” added Mr. García-Sayán.

The UN expert expressed his concerns to the Nigerian Government, noting that he will continue to the follow events.

ARMY REDEPLOYS SENIOR OFFICERS

The Nigerian Army top Hierachy has approved the redeployment of Military senior officers.

Col. Sagir Musa was appointed as acting Director Army Public Relations. He replaces Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, who voluntarily retired from the service on Thursday.

Musa’s predecessor, A.A. Yusuf, was transferred to Nigerian Army 82 Division in Enugu after spending barely four days as acting army spokesperson.

John Agim, a brigadier-general and spokesperson for the Defence Headquarters since January 2018, has been removed. He was replaced by Onyema Nwachukwu, a colonel who was the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army operations in the Boko Haram war.

The fresh redeployment also affected N.J. Okah, a brigadier-general, who has been posted from Nigerian Army Institute of Technology and Environmental Studies (NAITES) to Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics and appointed the acting director of engineering services.

From Army Headquarters’ department of policy and plans, M.A. Masanawa, a brigadier-general, was posted to ACADA and appointed commander; while H.T. Wesley, a brigadier-general, was posted from Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordinance Corps to Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics and named the director of clothing and store.

Also, H.G. Tafida, a brigadier-general, was transferred from Nigerian Army Central Workshop Rigachukwu to Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics and appointed the director of engineering and maintenance

Another brigadier general, B.A. Ilori, has been posted to Army Headquarters department of policy and plans and appointed the deputy director of equipment procurement.

Also, A.A. Adereti, a brigadier-general, was posted to National Defence College and appointed directing staff.

A colonel, A.D. Isa, replaced Mr Nwachukwu as the spokesperson for the Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole. The new acting corps commander of Nigerian Army Medical Corps is S. Adama, a colonel.

O.G. Olaniyi, a colonel, was posted from Nigerian Army School of Music to Nigerian Army Band Corps and appointed acting director; while E.I. Okoro and I.P. Bindul, both colonels, were posted to Army War College Nigeria as directing staff. Other officers who were not named were said to have been redeployed.

RMAFC: PREIDENT BUHARI CONSTITUTES NEW BOARD

President Muhammadu Buhari has forwarded to the Senate for confirmation, the names of thirty (30) nominees as Chairman and Commissioners of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

This is in accordance with the provision of Section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),

The names were conveyed in a letter signed by the President to the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, asking for expeditious consideration and confirmation of the appointments.

Below are the names, states of origin and positions of the nominees respectively.

S/N

STATE

NAME

POSITION

1.

Ebonyi

Engr. Elias Mbam

Chairman

2.

Abia

Chris Alozie Akomas

Commissioner

3.

Akwa Ibom

Ayang Sunday Okon

Commissioner

4.

Anambra

Chima Philip Okafor

Commissioner

5.

Bauchi

Prof. Isa B. Mohammed

Commissioner

6.

Benue

Samuel Adaa Maagbe

Commissioner

7.

Cross River

Ntufam Eyo Nsa Whiley

Commissioner

8.

Delta

Mr. Andrew Ogheneovo Agbaga

Commissioner

9.

Ebonyi

Barr. Patrick Nworu Mgbebu

Commissioner

10.

Edo

Mr. Victor Eboigbe

Commissioner

11.

Ekiti

Amujo Philip Ajayi

Commissioner

12.

Enugu

Mrs. Maria Chinyere Aniobi

Commissioner

13.

FCT

Hon. Musa Tanko Abari

Commissioner

14.

Gombe

Mohammed Kabeer Usman

Commissioner

15.

Jigawa

Alhaji Ahmed Mahmoud Gumel

Commissioner

16.

Katsina

Alh. Kabir Muhammad Mashi

Commissioner

17.

Kano

Barr. Umar Farouk Abdullahi

Commissioner

18.

Kebbi

Rilwan Hussein Abarshi

Commissioner

19.

Kogi

Hon. Suleiman Kokori Abdul

Commissioner

20.

Kwara

Abdullahi Shuaibu Yaman

Commissioner

21.

Lagos

Dr. Wright Olusegun Adekunle

Commissioner

22.

Nasarawa

Aliyu A. Abdulkadir

Commissioner

23.

Niger

Ibrahim Bako Bagudu Shettima

Commissioner

24.

Ogun

Mr. Fari Adebayo

Commissioner

25.

Ondo

Mr. Tokunbo Ajasin

Commissioner

26.

Oyo

Kolade Daniel Abimbola

Commissioner

27.

Plateau

Mr. Alexander Shaiyen

Commissioner

28.

Rivers

Wenah Asondu Temple

Commissioner

29.

Yobe

Alhaji Modu Aji Juluri

Commissioner

30.

Zamfara

Abubakar Sadiq A. Gusau

Commissioner

ATIKU WILL UNITE NIGERIANS - SARAKI

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has assured Nigerians that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, would “unite Nigerians, provide jobs and end insecurity,” if elected.

Saraki spoke during the PDP Presidential campaign rally on Friday in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports.

He appealed to the electorate to support Abubakar’s bid by turning in “at least 2 million votes out of the 2.5 million registered voters in the state”.

Also speaking, the chairman of the PDP, Mr Uche Secondus, said that Atiku had the magic wand to end the killing and poverty in the country.

He decried the prevailing insecurity in the state and assured Nigerians that Atiku would end the killings and guarantee stability for the people.

Gov Samuel Ortom, in his speech, affirmed that the Benue people had not benefited from the President Muhmmadu Buhari administration.

“The APC-led administration has neglected the Benue people, especially in the area of placements.

“I want Benue to vote Atiku for president because of his sound economic knowledge; I am confident that he will deploy this knowledge into initiating policies that will create jobs,” he said.

Ortom also expressed optimism that Atiku, if elected, would ensure that the Anti-Open Grazing Law was fully implemented.

“Atiku has the capacity to deliver and will not subject his presidency to the whims and caprices of a cabal,” Ortom claimed.

GOD WILL PUNISH PDP - BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday declared that only God will punish the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for looting Nigeria’s treasury while in power for 16 years.

Buhari, however, stated that his administration will go after those it can apprehend and ensure they face the full arm of the law.

Speaking when he received local and international support groups at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the president reiterated that his administration met an empty treasury upon resumption in 2015.

He said: “With the large scale abuse of trust, only God can give them punishment. But those we can touch, we will get them prosecuted. Properties confiscated should be sold and the money put into treasury.

“I have said this for the umpteenth time and I have challenged them to prove me wrong.

“In those 16 years of PDP rule, Nigeria was getting 2.1 million times 100 (2.1 million barrels by $100 per barrel) everyday, but when we came on board, the price fell to between $37-38 and hung around $40-$50.

“I went to the Central Bank of Nigeria and asked him for money and he said there was no money.”

BREAKING.... NO APC GUBER CANDIDATE IN RIVERS - SUPREME COURT

The Supreme Court has upheld a judgement by the Court of Appeal affirming the judgment of Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the Rivers State High Court that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is ineligible to field candidates in the upcoming general elections in the state.

2019 Polls. Police Redeploy Commissioners to States.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment and deployment of 37 Command Commissioners of Police for the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Their appointment came following recommendation by the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, to the Commission.
With the approval, Lagos, Kwara, Kogi and other states now have new Commissioners of Police while the Commissioners of Police in charge of FCT, Borno and few other states’ appointment were revalidated.
With the approval, CP Mu’azu Zubairu will take over from CP Edgal Imohimi as the new Commissioner of Police Lagos State.
Details of the approval and deployment are contained in a statement signed by the Commission’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani.

The Commissioners of Police and the states they are deployed to are:

Buba Sanusi, Katsina State;
Mohammed Wakili, Kano State;
Rabiu Ladodo, Jigawa State;
Ahmed Iliyasu, Ogun State;
Mu’azu Zubairu, Lagos State;
Ibrahim Sabo, Niger State;
Alkassam Sanusi, Taraba State; Garba M. Mukaddas, Adamawa State;
Omololu Bishi, Benue State; Bola Longe, Nassarawa State;
Isaac Akinmoyede, Plateau State; Odumosu Hakeem, Edo State; Olushola David, Bayelsa State; Adeleke Yinka, Delta State;
Austin Iwero Agbonlahor,
Cross Rivers State;
Bashir Makama, Akwa Ibom State; Awosola Awotunde, Ebonyi State; Belel Usman, Rivers State;
Bello Makwashi, Gombe State and Abdulrahman Ahmed, Kaduna State.”
Bala Ciroma, FCT;
Egbetokun Kayode, Kwara State; Hakeem Busari, Kogi State;
Asuquo Amba, Ekiti state; Galadanchi Dasuki, Imo State; Suleiman Balarabe, Enugu State; Dandaura Mustapha, Anambra State; Etim Ene Okon, Abia state;
Ibrahim Kaoje, Sokoto state; Celestine Okoye, Zamfara State; Garba Danjuma, Kebbi State; Abiodun Ige, Osun State;
Undie Adie, Ondo State;
Olukolu Shina, Oyo State;
Ali Janga, Bauchi State;
Damian Chukwu, Bornu State and Sumonu Abdulmalik, Yobe State.”

According to the Commission, the CPs are expected to proceed immediately to their new commands ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The Chairman of the Commission, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, charged them to quickly settle at their new posts and ensure that the forth-coming general elections in their various commands are peaceful, free, fair and transparent.

He also stated that the country cannot afford any disruption of the elections anywhere as the world was looking up to Nigeria for a proof that its democracy has continued to mature.
The Commission also said its approval has been conveyed to the acting Inspector General of Police for implementation.

VP Osinbajo's Helicopter Crash Lands

The chopper carrying Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and members of his team crash-landed in Kabba, Kogi state.

This was disclosed by Laolu Akande, senior special assistant to the vice-president on media and publicity.

The Vice President is safe.

 

HERDERS/FARMERS: ATIKU PROPOSES GRAZING LOTS

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, said on Wednesday that anti-open grazing laws in some states would be reviewed for compatibility with the Nigerian Constitution.

The former vice president said at a town hall Wednesday night that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees free movement of citizens, and suggested that herders should not be an exception.

Mr Abubakar said if the governments through extension services could educate herders, the income the latter would generate from beef and milk would be higher.

Mr Abubakar’s proposal could conflict with the position of Benue, Taraba and Ekiti states, where strict anti-open grazing routes have been in enforcement since 2016.

The states have said they would not back down on the law, despite repeated warnings by President Muhammadu Buhari that the law was antagonistic towards the predominantly Fulani herders.

Mr Abubakar, a Fulani, is also widely believed to own large investment in livestock.

The governors in Taraba and Benue States are of the same Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Mr Abubakar, but it is unclear how they would react to Mr Abubakar’s position, which they had countered when Mr Buhari suggested it.

Ekiti State’s anti-open grazing law was implemented by Ayodele Fayose of the PDP while governor, but the state is now being run by Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress who was elected governor last July.

Still, Mr Abubakar said, if elected, he would implement policies geared towards establishing reserves for nomadic herdsmen.

Even though he acknowledged that open grazing is a way of life for the Fulani herders, the nomadic education would help reduce the culture while increasing interest in grazing reserves for modern rearing of livestock, he said.

Vote For All APC Candidates Nationwide - Buhari Reverses Self

President Muhammadu Buhari has countered insinuations that he did not campaign for Imo state governorship candidate of the ALL progressives Congress, APC, assuring members of the party that he is fully behind the party and its candidates in every state of the federation, and campaigning for them wherever he goes.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, dismissed insinuations that President Buhari did not show full support for the APC while campaigning yesterday in Imo State, a state that has made headlines recently for the fractiousness within the ruling party there which has led to disagreements with the state governor, Rochas Okorocha.

“The massive crowd that gathered to welcome President Buhari in Imo State was made up of not only supporters of the APC in the state, but also supporters of other parties who are united by their love for the President and their desire to see him re-elected, despite the local candidates they support,” Shehu said.

He explained that President Buhari’s consciousness of this obviously-mixed crowd was the reason why he did not speak only about support for the APC during the campaign, but also encouraged the people to vote according to their consciences.

According to the presidential spokesman, “While President Buhari is fully behind APC, he welcomes endorsements from those who do not belong to the ruling party but is also sensitive to their support for non-APC candidates at the local level. It would have been insensitive of him to offend his non-APC supporters by ignoring their local affiliations.”

Shehu noted President Buhari’s open endorsement of Hope Uzodinma, the APC gubernatorial candidate in Imo State, whose hand the President raised high before the crowd at the campaign rally.

“President Buhari is for the APC in every state and there is no doubt about that, despite his immense cross-party support,” he said.

BREAKING.... Appeal Court Refuses To Grant Onnoghen's Suit Seeking To Stop Trial At CCT

An Appeal Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by the suspended chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, seeking a stay of execution on his on-going trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The Court said the nature of the charges levelled against Onnoghen warrants that proceeding at the CCT continue.

The court in a ruling on Wednesday said the request brought by Mr Onnoghen “was brought in a vacuum,” without a proper backing of legal provisions why it should have been granted.

According to the appellate court, Mr Onnoghen’s lawyers had argued that their application was brought because the tribunal, on January 14 refused to entertain their request challenging the jurisdiction of the court with other motions before proceeding with the main trial.

The court, however, read through the words used during the January 14 adjournment of the tribunal wherein the CCT slated January 22 for hearing of motions in the matter.

“Matter is hereby adjourned till Tuesday. Motions to be taken,” said Justice Abdul Aboki while reading through the tribunal’s ruling on January 14.

“The above stated decision is an adjournment for motions filed by the two parties,” the appeal court ruled. According to the appellate court, the words used by the tribunal did not suggest the submissions made by the applicant. The court questioned the likelihood of its jurisdiction to grant such order as requested, given the evidence before it.

“A court has inherent jurisdiction to grant stay of proceedings where it is certified that enough evidence has been given for such,” said Mr Aboki who read the ruling with two other judges.

BREAKING.......OBASANJO BOMBS BUHARI IN LAGOS

President Olusegun Obasanjo has told guests at the ongoing Island Club Quarterly Business Lecture holding in Lagos Wednesday that he never had to transmit a letter asking the VP Atiku Abubakar to Act as Acting President because he was never away from the Country for 103 days.

The former president was reacting to a criticism that he never trusted his VP to the extent of giving him charge over National responsibilities as acting President. He said "one of the most ridiculous criticism i have received for supporting Atiku is that i never trusted him, that is nit correct".

"The constitution clearly says that when the President is away, the Vice President automatically takes over".

The Lecture is ongoing in Lagos as we report. More details soon......

POLICE COMMISSION PROMOTES NEW DIGs

The Police Service Commission has approved the appointment of eight Deputy Inspector Generals of Police and the re -constitution of the Management Team of the Nigeria Police Force based on zonal representation with effect from Monday , January , 28th , 2019 .

The approval was the high - point of the 4 th plenary meeting of the Commission held in Abuja on Monday and Tuesday , January 28 th and 29 th, 2019 and presided over by its chairman , Alhaji Musiliu , Smith, a retired Inspector - General of Police .
Spokesperson of the Commission , Ikechukwu Ani said the Commission approved the appointment of eight Deputy Inspectors - General of Police with one of them, Usman Yakubu , promoted and to proceed on terminal leave .

Others are Aminchi Samaila Baraya , the most senior AIG from North East who will represent the Zone in the management team , Usman Tilli Abubakar , representing the North West ; Abdulmajid Ali , former Assistant Inspector-General of Police , representing North Central and Fredrick Taiwo Lakanu , former AIG, Operations and until his appointment, the Force Secretary , representing the South West .
He was also former CP , Imo state , and had also headed SARS , Lagos .
Also in the team are Godwin Nwobodo , former AIG , Boarder Patrol , presently AIG, Zone 7 , Abuja and former CP, Courses, at the Police Academy , POLAC , Wudil , Kano representing South East , Anthony Ogbizi Michael , former CP, Ebonyi and Delta states representing South South and Yakubu Jibrin from North Central but appointed on seniority consideration .
The Commission also approved the retirement of seven former DIGs .
Chairman of the Commission , Alhaji Smith, charged the new management team to give the acting Inspector General of Police maximum cooperation and support to move the Force forward .
He pledged the guidance of the Commission to the new team and reminded them that they are coming in at a very critical time in the life of our nation .
According to him , “You must be dedicated and committed to ensuring the sustenance of our nation ’s democracy . You must get prepared to confront the challenges that will come your way and also ensure that the forthcoming general elections are free , fair and credible and citizens guaranteed their freedom to choose their leaders without hindrance” .
The approval has been conveyed to the acting Inspector General of Police for implementation in a letter signed by the chairman .

NJC MEETING: Council Gives Onnoghen, Mohammed 7 Days To Answer Petitions Against Them.

The National Judicial Council has concluded its meeting held in Abuja Tuesday.

The NJC has given the suspended CJN Walter Onnoghen as well as the Acting CJN Mohammed Tanko seven days to respond to the petitions leveled against them.

Details soon......

88 Doctors Resign In Kogi Over Poor Conditions Of Service.

The Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, has called on Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi to reverse the ‘current internal drift’ of doctors and other healthcare workers in the state.

The association made the appeal in a statement issued to newsmen in Lokoja on Monday by the state NMA Chairman, Dr Kabiru Zubair.

This followed the exit of 88 medical doctors from the state public service.

The association however felicitated with the governor on the celebration of his third year anniversary in office and for making healthcare one of his five thematic areas.

According to Mr Zubair, “Under this administration, a total of 88 doctors have left the Kogi Civil Service; previously, 79 doctors left plus another nine who had succeeded in securing new employment recently.

“Doctors and other healthcare workers remained the drivers of healthcare delivery anywhere in the world.

“Steps such as the payment of outstanding salary arrears of doctors and other healthcare workers, implementation of the corrected CONMESS, promotion and annual step increment, among others, are needed to reverse this unfortunate trend.

“As you commence your fourth year in office, the NMA as the custodian of the health of the people is ready and willing to partner with state government to improve the health sector in Kogi.’’

Mr Zubair said that the association equally felicitated with the Deputy Governor, the SSG, the Chief of Staff, Commissioner for Health, Special Adviser on Health Matters and the entire cabinet members for sustaining the progress made thus far.

Mr Bello was sworn-in as the fourth civilian governor of Kogi by the satte Chief Judge, Justice Nasir Ajanah, on Jan. 27, 2016.

Mr Zubair, however, commended the state government and Bello for some positive steps the government had taken in repositioning the health sector in the state.

IMO: Don't Come Near Our Presidential Campaign Rally - APC Tells Uche Nwosu

The All Progressives Congress (APC) warns the Action Alliance and Uche Nwosu not to come close to Buhari's campaign rally.

President Muhammadu Buhari will be in Imo state as part of his campaign rally ahead of the presidential election.

The APC notes that it does not have any arrangement with the AA on the platform on which Uche Nwosu will contest the governorship position

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly warned the Action Alliance and its governorship candidate in Imo state, Uche Nwosu, not to come close to its campaign rallies as there is no arrangement with the duo.

The APC said this just as the Action Alliance said it was endorsing President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 16, 2019, election.

The president is expected at the rally on Tuesday, January 29, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

Vanguard reports that the statement containing the warning was signed by Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the party’s national publicity secretary, insisting that it was not in any arrangement with the Action Alliance over the platform on which Nwosu will run for governor.

“The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC has been drawn to alleged plans by non-APC members to cause crisis at the Tuesday, January 29, 2019, scheduled Presidential rally of our great party, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, in Owerri, Imo state.

“Information available to us revealed plans by particularly, the members of the Action Alliance (AA) to storm the venue to create mayhem as they seek to hijack the APC campaign to promote the troubled ambition of their governorship candidate, Uche Nwosu.

“You would recall that the AA governorship candidate recently held his govermorship rally at the same Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, without APC members interfering or disturbing their programme.

“Therefore, we want to state very clearly that the scheduled rally is an APC rally and the party has no alliance with any political party and would not tolerate attempts by some persons under any guise to create chaotic atmosphere at the venue of our rally,” the statement said.

Legit.ng earlier reported that the Action Alliance (AA) recently reiterated its support for President Buhari ahead of the February 16, 2019, presidential election thus leaving its earlier endorsement of Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The report said the declaration of the AA for Buhari, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was made by Kenneth Udeze, the party’s national chairman.

It was learnt that Udeze said this when he joined the governorship candidate of the party in Imo state, Uche Nwosu, during the flag-off of the latter’s campaign.

ONNOGHEN: NJC Meeting Ongoing

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has commenced the emergency meeting scheduled for Tuesday in Abuja.

On the list of the agenda for the meeting is the suspension of Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Onnoghen was suspended last Friday by President Muhammadu Buhari. Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad was sworn in to take his place in acting capacity.

Onnoghen was suspended on a directive by the Code of Conduct Tribunal over allegations of fraudulent declaration of assets.

Details soon...

House Of Reps Approves N30,000 As Minimum Wage

ABUJA-House of Representatives on Tuesday approved N30.000 as new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

The House also approved a clause that would make the new bill operational on the date it would be assented to by the president.

A public hearing was conducted on the new bill yesterday consequent upon the accelerated hearing accorded to the Bill by the House.

The House has countered the National Council of State, NCS and the State Governors who had earlier at an emergency meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja approved N27.000.

Meanwhile, the House has formally adjourned plenary to February 19 due to the Presidential and National Assembly elections that would hold February 16.

BREAKING...... President Buhari Swears in New Chief Justice Of Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari has suspended the Chief Justice of Nigeira (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, pending the completion of his trial at the Code of Condcut Tribunal.

President Buhari announced the suspension at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja today.

BREAKING......COURT JAILS INEC OFFICIAL 7 YEARS IN PRISON

Two former officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have bagged 7 years in prison each for offences bordering on money laundering to the tune of N264.8 million.

Mr Christian Nwosu, a former Administrative Secretary of INEC in Kwara state, and one Tijani Bachir, were sentenced to seven years in prison by a Federal High Court in Lagos.

Justice Mohammed Idris of the said court had found the two former INEC officials guilty of the offences on Thursday.

More details soon ..........!