Sept 11 - Sept 17 News

r4SEPT 11 – SEPT 17 NEWS
Ajimobi Loses At Tribunal

The Oyo State National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in
Ibadan, on Tuesday dismissed the petition filed by a former governor of the state Abiola
Ajimobi, challenging the declaration and return of Senator Kola Balogun as the senator
representing, Oyo south senatorial district.
The tribunal held that the petition filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress
(APC) in February 23 general elections lack merit and the petitioner was unable to
convince the tribunal that the election was induced.
The Tribunal chaired by Justice Anthony Akpovi therefore upheld the election of Senator
Muhammad Kola Balogun as the senator representing Oyo South Senatorial district.
Meanwhile, the senator described the victory as victory for democracy.
He said, “I give thanks to Almighty God. What an erudite judgement. That means there is
hope for the common man. It is victory for democracy.
The election was revolutionary. People voted against recklessness, abuse of power and the
government running away from the norm of good governance. If Ajimobi wants to continue
to combat against Lord, let him continue.”
Shiites Have Right To Practice Faith – Falana

Activist-lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) on Tuesday said Shiite members have the right to practice their
religion.
He recalled that the Federal government clarified IMN’s proscription to the effect that the fundamental
right of the Shiites to freedom of religion has not been abrogated.
“To the extent that the Shiites are observing a religious rite, it is callous and highhanded on the part of
the Sunnis in government to authorise the police to massacre them.
“It is unacceptable to kill religious worshippers by officials of the federal and state governments that
are currently negotiating and bribing bandits and kidnappers,” Falana said
Why Corruption Persists In Nigeria — Lumumba

A former director of the Kenyan anti-corruption agency, Prof. Patrick Lumumba, on Tuesday said the
reason why corruption still thrived in the country was because the people were not yet tired of the
practice.
He said in a society such as Nigeria where people still celebrated those that fraudulently enriched
themselves, corruption would continue to thrive.
Speaking at the opening session of the 49th annual conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants
of Nigeria, he said the day Nigerians would become tired of corrupt practices, the actions that would
follow would put an end to graft.
He said, “The task of nation building is a collective responsibility. If you are an accountant, you have to
do your work by ensuring that the right records are kept and that the truth is told.
“Corruption is a crime against humanity. Experiences have demonstrated that if a people in a country
are sufficiently fed up, they will rise up. In Romanian, we saw that the people themselves were
dissatisfied with the conduct of their party officials and they changed the attitude of the leadership.
“Sometimes, I think Nigerians and many Africans are not fed up. Because the day we are fed up, things
will begin to change.”
The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Finance Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, who also
spoke at the event called on ICAN to introduce courses that would prepare accountants for the fight
against corruption.
See Nigerian Slave Girl who was also Queen

Victoria’s Daughter
Sara Forbes Bonetta was in 1843 at Oke Odan, Ogun State. Her small village was raided by a
Dahomeyan army in 1884 by King Ghezo,the most notorious slave trading monarch in West Africa in
the early 19th century. This attack led the death of her parent and she ended up as a slave at the age of
five. although Intended by her captors to become a human sacrifice,the girl was not killed and remained
at Gezo’s Court until 1849 when British Commander Frederick Forbes’s landed the HMS Bonetta in
Dahomey to persuade Gezo to give up slave raiding and trading.
She was rescued by Captain Frederick E. Forbes of the Royal Navy, who convinced King Ghezo of
Dahomey to give her to Queen Victoria and also renamed her Sara Forbes Bonetta, Bonetta after his
ship HMS Bonetta. Due to her special skills and talents at that tender age;Commander Forbes wrote
that “She is a perfect genius; she now speaks English well, and [has] great talent for music… She is far
in advance of any white child of her age in aptness of learning, and strength of mind and affection…”.
She eventally got the attraction of queen victoria,and by november 1850,sarah was taken to Great
Britian where the Queen entrusted her care to the Schoen family in Palm Cottage, Gillingham.Also The
Queen declared Sarah her goddaughter and paid her tutorial expenses. This eventally made Young
Sarah became a regular visitor to Windsor Castle.
As this couldn’t last so long,becasue less than a year after she arrived, however, young Bonetta
developed a cough believed to be caused by the climate of Great Britain. Queen Victoria arranged for
her to be sent to what she believed was a better climate for Bonetta in Sierra Leone. There she was
educated at the Female Institution, a Church Missionary Society school in Freetown. Bonetta excelled
in music and academic studies but was unhappy prompting the Queen to bring her back to England in
1855.
In August 1862,Sarah got married to marry Captain James Pinson Labulo Davies, a 31-year-old
wealthy Yoruba businessman from Sierra Leone;after the permmission was granted by the queen.The
couple married in an elaborate wedding at St. Nicholas Church in Brighton, England. Sarah arrived at
the ceremony in an entourage that included ten carriages. The couple lived in Bristol, England briefly
before returning to Sierra Leone.
Being a successful businessman,Captain Davies after their wedding,moved back to their native
Africa.They gave birth to their first baby in 1863 who under Queen’s permission named her
Victoria[after the queen’s name],thereby making her Queen’s goddaughter as well.Other Children are
:-Arthur Davies (1871), and Stella Davies (1873).Sarah enjoyed a very close relationship with the
queen a close relationship with Queen Victoria to the point such that she[sarah] and Bishop Samuel
Ajayi Crowther were the only Lagos indigènes the Royal Navy had standing orders to evacuate in the
event of an uprising in Lagos.
Sara Forbes Bonetta died of tuberculosis on 15 August 1880 at the age of 37 years in the city of
Funchal, the capital of Madeira Island, a Portuguese island located in the Atlantic ocean.But her
descendant still lives in lagos till today.
Insurgents Not In Control Of Any Nigerian Territory, Buratai
Insists
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, said yesterday that the Nigerian military had
denied Boko Haram and Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP) physical presence in any
part of the Nigerian territory.
Buratai also said the deployment of troops during internal operations was in support of the police as the
lead security agency.
Speaking in Abuja at a summit tagged: Terrorism, Insurgency and Incidence of Electoral Violence in
Nigeria: Role of Security Agencies,” organised by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development
(NEPAD) and the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Buratai said the military had made significant
progress in protecting lives and property, especially in the North-east where it denied terrorists physical
presence.
The position of the army chief, however, contrasted with the recent position of the Borno State
Governor, Professor Babagana Zullum, and some communities in the state who had faulted the super
camp war strategy of the Nigerian Army prompting the declaration of loss of confidence in the military.
The military has also countered the declaration, saying that it liberated 22 local government areas of the
state since 2015.
“We have made significant progress in ensuring that lives and property of the citizens are secured,
particularly in the North-east where the Boko Haram terrorists have been denied physical presence in
any Nigeria territory.
“The Nigerian Army understands fully the fact that keeping the peace either at the national level and
international level requires that we adhere to the extant rules of engagement. Where there are
infractions or violations of human rights of the citizens, appropriate disciplinary measures are applied,”
Buratai added.
He said the measure was aimed at upholding and maintaining the trust and confidence of the populace
as well as the dignity of the Nigerian Army.
The army chief said many officers and soldiers had been killed and would continue to be killed in order
to protect the country.
On deployment of troops during internal operations, Buratai said troop deployment was done in support
of the police as the lead security agency.
“As you are all aware, security and development are like Siamese twins and they move in the same
direction. We therefore continuing to dissipate our energy, some of us have paid the supreme price and
would continue to do so if need be in upholding the sanctity and integrity of our nation.
“We rely on the oath of allegiance we all swore at different points of our lives while joining the service.
Let me therefore use this platform to say that the personnel of the Nigerian Army are deployed in all
the geopolitical zones of the country to assist the police and by extension the civil authority to keep the
peace,” he said.
Buhari Vows To Tackle 77% Rise In Crude Oil Theft
President Muhammadu Buhari, has vowed to bring crude oil theft to its kneels by looking at practical
solutions to the menace.
The President gave the assurance at the ongoing 24th World Energy Congress (WEC) in Abu Dhabi,
United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.
Buhari’s pledge may not be unconnected with the 77 per cent rise in oil pipeline vandalism as
contained in the June monthly report of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with 106
pipeline breaches in June, up from just 60 in May.
Represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipreye Sylva, Buhari said the
Federal Government would deliver Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) on at least four key projects
within the nation’s oil and gas industry by the end of last quarter this year.
He said his vision was to bequeath a vibrant petroleum industry that will guarantee long term strategic
investments and prosperity for Nigerians.
“My plan is to ensure that during my tenure, four Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) are taken. I am
sure that within the next quarter, we should be able to conclude on some of these FIDs so as to grow
the industry,” the Minister stated.
The Minister also highlighted gas development as part of government priority to fast track the
industrialization drive of the country.
“As you are aware, we are focusing on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline project which will
address some of our power issues and encourage the setting up of local industries and businesses along
different areas in Nigeria.”
Sylva also shed more light on the imperative of rehabilitating the nation’s refineries, saying that it was
unsustainable for Nigeria to continue to import petroleum products.
The Minister further stated that while private investment in the refining sector is encouraged,
Government should focus more on the repair of its existing refineries.
“People are talking about modular refineries, we know that modular refineries are part of the solution
but they can only be part of the solution and not the solutions themselves. So, we are going to try to
encourage modular refineries but before that, we are going to really focus on repairing the existing
refineries to ensure that we are back on stream very shortly,” Sylva added.
He maintained that government was also looking at the issue of reducing the cost of production through
robust engagement with the International Oil Companies (IOCs) towards getting best value for all
stakeholders.
According to the Minister, Nigeria needed to lend its voice to global energy fora as they remain some
of the best platforms where major decisions that impact the global energy landscape are taken.
Meanwhile, Nigerian oil exports, reports say, is increasingly heading to Los Angeles refineries due to
limited pipeline link from Shale production but report fears the favourable export window may soon
shut
The report said that Nigeria’s oil earlier displaced by U.S. shale, has found an unlikely new outlet this
year to the coast of the continental United States that is farthest from the Nigeria’s shores.
The shale boom has upended the global market, turning the United States from a keen buyer of
Nigerian oil to an aggressive competitor.
Xenophobia: First Batch Of 320 Nigerians Set To Return From

South Africa Today
The Consul General of Nigeria in Johannesburg, Godwin Adama, has said that the first batch of the
Nigerian returnees from South Africa would depart South Africa for Lagos on Wednesday.
According to Mr Adama who spoke to the the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview
that the first batch of returnees, are expected to depart South Africa by 9:00 a.m Wednesday.
The consul general also disclosed that Air peace had indicated interest to evacuate over 600 Nigerians
that were willing to return home following the latest xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
“The first flight leaves by 09:00 hours this Wednesday with about 320 passengers and the second batch
will leave on Thursday all things being equal.
“We have over 600 who had indicated interest. All things being equal, without any hitches, the plane
will take off by 09:00 hours this Wednesday.
“The manifest for the first flight is ready, and we are working on the next flight,” he said.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on Monday called for the immediate evacuation of Nigerians
willing to return home from South Africa following the latest attacks on Nigerians and other African
nationals.
Buhari gave the directive when he received a report of the special envoy to South Africa, the Director-
General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Abubakar.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the chairman of Air Peace Mr Allen Onyema, had last
week volunteered to send aircraft to evacuate Nigerians who wished to return home for free.
“Air Peace is willing to support the Nigerian Government’s efforts in this matter by deploying our
B777 aircraft to evacuate Nigerians back home,” Onyema said.
Mr Oyema advised the returnees against making payment to anyone for their flights to Lagos.
Onyema urged the returning Nigerians to be wary of unauthorised persons, reportedly collecting $1,000
from them, adding that none of them should pay for the flights.
He said, his airline is particularly concerned about the safety of Nigerians in South Africans following
the attacks.
“We have not designated or recruited any agent in South Africa to collect money on behalf of Air
Peace.
“So, nobody should pay money to anyone or group of persons posing as Air Peace agent or staff.
“Any Nigerian who has paid money for repatriation to Nigeria with Air Peace should request for a
refund and report to appropriate authorities,” he said.
The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, had also pledged
the Federal Government’s support to any Nigerian that wanted to return home.
Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa said this after a closed-door meeting with the Senate Committee on Diaspora and
Non-Governmental Organisations in Abuja.
She said that the returnees would be encouraged to enroll and participate in the various social
intervention programmes of the government.
“We will encourage them to enroll in small scale entrepreneurial programmes with the Bank of Industry
under the social investment programme. So, there are things that they can do’’, she said.
Court Summons Okorocha Over Alleged Breach Of Peace

Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo State. Photo/OwelleRochas/
Imo State Magistrate Court sitting in Owerri has ordered former Governor Rochas Okorocha to appear
before it on October 8, 2019, for alleged breach of public peace.
The summons dated September 5, which had the state’s attorney-general as the complainant, also
ordered that Okorocha, who is now representing Imo West in the Senate, should be served “by pasting
same at his Spibat residence and publishing same in any daily newspaper within the state.”
The order reads, “It is hereby ordered that the defendant appears in court on October 8, 2019 to show
cause why he should not be ordered to enter into a recognisance for keeping the peace and to be of
good behaviour towards the complainant.
“Complaint has made that you (Okorocha) have consistently been in the deplorable habit of fomenting
trouble and inciting your supporters to disobey the government of the day; that you have been in the
habit of making seditious and inciting statements against the government.”
Meanwhile, Okorocha, through his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, denied fomenting
any trouble, describing the order as embarrassing and a bad example.
In another development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo West has rejected the ruling of the
election petition tribunal on the March 9, 2019 senatorial election in the area, describing it as
unacceptable, miscarriage of justice and a rape on democracy.
The tribunal sitting in Abuja had on Monday sustained the declaration of the All Progressives Congress
(APC) candidate, Okorocha, as the winner of the poll.
Speaking to newsmen in Owerri yesterday, Imo West PDP chairman, Chief Alloy Igwe, said that the
election was marred by violence and irregularities, and as such should not have stood.
He said the party would stand behind its candidate, Jones Onyereri, to seek a better judgement at the
Court of Appeal that would represent the true mandate of the people.
“We feel very bad over the judgement. We look at it as one that has deprived people of their right of
participation in politics. It is a rape of people’s representation,” he said.
In the same vein, some political leaders in the area, including Chief Chris Anyiam and Nze Eze
Ugochukwu, have described the tribunal’s verdict as an aberration to the ethos of democracy.
Okorocha Speaks On Dumping APC, Says He Brought
Oshiomhole
The immediate past governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has lamented the humiliating
treatment meted out to him by his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in spite of his sacrifices
and financial contributions to the party.
Okorocha, the senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, told newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday
that he got evil reward from APC for his commitment to the course of the party, especially in the South
East.
He noted that he had to go contrary to his kinsmen and political associates just to ensure that the party
was placed on a sound footing in Imo and in the South East, but was surprised that he rewarded with
suspension.
“If you recall, I was called all sorts of names like ‘Okoro Hausa’ and that I was building mosques and
all that were associated with it.
“But I kept deaf ears because I felt that I was on the right course with my people.
“I was instrumental to bringing Adams Oshiomhole as national chairman of the APC and he cannot
deny that fact.
“I took the troubles of APC in the South East and the APC I see now can easily tell Gov. Emeka
Ihedioha to come to its fold if only he can fight Rochas.
“That is really an unfortunate situation and it has weakened my spirit and my faith to the party because
I thought we are family working to advance the course of this nation.
“But the way it is going, it does not look like there will be a solution. And there seems to be silence
everywhere.
”I don’t even know my stand about my suspension because for some time, I don’t know what is
happening in APC.
“But for the silence all over, it just looks as if it is normal.
“So, I am just waiting and thinking of what next to do but I am still a member of APC and I love the
party and will support it,” Okorocha said.
FG To Deliver Four Key Oil, Gas Projects By Year End – Timi

Sylva
The Federal Government has revealed plans to deliver Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) on at least
four key projects within the nation’s oil and gas industry by the end of last quarter this year. The
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipreye Sylva, disclosed this while speaking at the
ongoing 24th World Energy Congress (WEC) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday. Sylva,
who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the event, said his vision was to bequeath a vibrant
petroleum industry which shall guarantee long term strategic investments and prosperity for Nigerians.
“My plan is to ensure that during my tenure, four Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) are taken. I am
sure that within the next quarter, we should be able to conclude on some of these FIDs so as to grow
the industry,” the minister said in a statement circulated by NNPC today. The minister also highlighted
gas development as part of government’s priority to fast track the industrialization drive of the country.
“As you are aware, we are focusing on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline project which will
address some of our power issues and encourage the setting up of local industries and businesses along
different areas in Nigeria.” Sylva also shed more light on the imperative of rehabilitating the nation’s
refineries, saying that it was unsustainable for Nigeria to continue to import petroleum products.
The minister further stated that while private investment in the refining sector is encouraged,
government should focus more on the repair of its existing refineries. “People are talking about
modular refineries; we know that modular refineries are part of the solution but they can only be part of
the solution and not the solutions themselves. So, we are going to try to encourage modular refineries
but before that, we are going to really focus on repairing the existing refineries to ensure that we are
back on stream very shortly,” Sylva added.
Describing crude oil theft as “intractable”, Sylva said government was looking at practicable solutions
to the menace. He maintained that government was also looking at the issue of reducing the cost of
production through robust engagement with the International Oil Companies (IOCs) towards getting
best value for all stakeholders.
FG Issued N13.7 Billion For Expenditure On Basic Healthcare

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, had declared that a total of N13.775 billion was issued for
the take-off of the first phase of an expense under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), out
of which N6.5 billion were granted to 15 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Edo, Katsina, Yobe, Delta, Adamawa, Bauchi, Anambra, Kaduna, Imo, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Ebonyi and
Plateau states happened amidst the ones that got the first tranche of the healthcare fund.
Speaking at the official disbursement of the first tranche Tuesday, Ehanire said the 15 states and the
FCT, that were already benefitting from the disbursement were those that had met the eligibility criteria
set as at February 2019, adding that other states which have now met the eligibility criteria will be
accommodated.
He said the BHCPF was to be administered through three gateways, namely, the NHIS, NPHCDA and
the Federal Ministry of Health; adding that in the NHIS gateway, the National Health Insurance
Scheme through the State Health Insurance Schemes will purchase a Basic Minimum Package of
Healthcare Services for all participating Nigerians.
Enahire said: “Today, it is with deep pleasure and high expectations that I am here before you all to
officially launch the first phase of disbursement of funds to benefitting states through the NHIS
Gateway. For this initial phase of disbursement, a total of N13.775 billion has been released, of which
the National Health Insurance Scheme will be disbursing N6.5 billion to fifteen states plus the FCT
which had met the eligibility criteria as at February 2019.”
The minister commended the Executive Secretary of NHIS, Prof. Mohammed Sambo, and the
management of NHIS, for initiating the necessary reforms for repositioning the scheme and ensuring
accountability and transparency in the BHCPF disbursement process.
He said that it was the expectation of the federal government that the money will be judiciously utilized
by the benefiting states which will, in turn, reduce the hardship experienced by many Nigerians.
Prof. Sambo pledged that NHIS will continue with the ongoing reforms aimed at achieving value
reorientation, transparency, accountability and accelerating the attainment of universal health coverage.
BIAFRA: Read Full Speech Of Nnamdi Kanu as

he addresses the European Parliament — Aba
City Blog
Below is a full text of his address to the EU Parliament which was made available to news men by
IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful:
BIAFRA BRIEFING FOR THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT…
Nigeria in Crisis
There is a crisis in Nigeria. The Nigerian State has never been at peace with itself and recent events
amplify this pending emergency.
And, as has been the case since independence from Britain in 1960, Biafrans are the easy target of the
lack of a credible Nigerian state. Nigeria governs without the consent of all within its borders. Nigeria
claims to be ruled by law, but in effect there is a de facto lawlessness in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s epidemic of violence flowing from the North is well documented. In 2014 the Global
Terrorism Index judged Fulani militants to be the fourth most deadly terror group in the world, behind
Boko Haram, Isis and the Taliban.
Lawlessness is always one step ahead of the Government. In response, the Government, when it is
convenient for it to do so, attempts to give a veneer of legality to the lawlessness. Recent proposed land
reforms across Nigeria do just that. The Fulani herders from the North are increasingly encroaching on
the settled farmers of the South/South East. This includes Biafra. As Amnesty International has
reported, there were more than 2,000 deaths in 2018 linked to this land crisis. Instead of seeking to
address the violence, the Government has sought to condone it and legitimise the land grab.
There is an underlying problem in the North which has to do with climate change and encroaching
desertification due to overgrazing and deforestation. This has drawn Fulani herdsmen further south and
led to violence against Biafran farmers seeking to defend their land and crops. The fertile farming lands
of Biafra are very attractive to the Fulani.
To address this land crisis, the Government, the President of which is Fulani, sought to establish the
RUGA scheme (an acronym for Rural Grazing Area – or is it, as some suggest, a Fulani word?)
whereby Fulani herders could officially move into areas and absorb land as part of a Government co-
ordinated programme across Nigeria.
Is this an attempt to develop settled land practices for the Fulani, or, as is the experience of Biafrans, is
the drive behind RUGA an attempt to Fulanise (or Islamise) Biafraland and force out Biafrans?
Biafrans who stand up to the Fulani are killed. Because of the uproar across Nigeria, the RUGA
settlement programme has been suspended, but the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP)
remains in place. This programme advocates ranching. How different is it from RUGA? For Biafrans
the effect is the same. They are forced from their land and will be killed if they do not make way for the
Fulani.
Nigeria: The Problem, Not the Solution

Nigeria has always been a fiction. The state we now know as Nigeria was created for British
administrative and colonial convenience in 1914. An audacious move by the British, but no surprises in
Empire. Britain’s Nigeria drew together disparate people into one entity.
To over simplify, to the North are the Muslims. Two ethnic groups dominate the North, the Hausa and
Fulani. The Fulani are now in the ascendency. One hundred years ago these were semi-nomadic,
pastoral people. Many Fulani continue to live as herders. The South is mainly Christian and in the
South East there is also a vibrant Jewish tradition. The rural communities in the South/South East tend
to be settled farmers. The principal ethnic group in the South is the Yoruba.
The South East is the region that makes up Biafraland or Biafra. There is a coherence to Biafra. Its
western border is the River Niger and it incorporates most of the Niger delta. The eastern border is
Cameroon. To the west, across the Niger, are the Yoruba. In the north are the Muslim people. Despite
colonisation and being forcibly absorbed into Nigeria, Biafrans are defined by common values and a
shared sense of identity. Biafrans don’t all speak the same language. Many Biafrans are Igbo speakers.
Other Biafrans speak Urhobo-Isoko, Ijaw-Epie-Ogbia, Ogoni, Efik, Annang, Eket-, Oron-Ibibio, Ogoja,
Ejagham, Igala, Idoma, Ibani and Igbanke among others.
To put Biafra in its Nigerian geo-political context, Biafraland is made up of the following Provinces:
Rivers Province, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Imo, Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Bayelsa and Delta.
Fulani herdsman have shown great interest in those provinces that form the central belt of Biafra, such
as Enugu.
The Biafran War (1967-1970)

With independence, the persecution of Biafrans started. One colonial master was replaced by another,
although, and without endorsing British rule, Biafrans fared better under the British than they have
under Nigerian dominance.
First, the Biafrans who had been transplanted to the North by the British were massacred. Those that
survived fled back to Biafra. The oppression and intimidation did not cease. In 1967, Biafra was left
with no choice but to proclaim independence. Nigeria declared war.
Biafra didn’t stand a chance. The conflict turned the Cold War on its head. The Soviet Union and
Britain actively supported Nigeria. “Biafra, Britain’s Shame” was how many described the UK
position. French compassion was gratefully received but it could do little to protect the fledgling state.
America’s neutrality in effect backed Nigeria. China was silent. The UN was hopeless. Biafra was
doomed. Starved into submission, after three years the Biafrans surrendered. At least 2 million Biafrans
perished.
The atrocities, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against Biafra during the Biafran
War remain unaccounted for. Was it an attempt at genocide? Biafrans were considered an existential
threat to the state. The killings were indiscriminate. All Biafrans were targeted.
Biafra Subjugated
After the war, Biafrans slowly rebuilt their world. But, as far as Nigeria was concerned, they were not
and never had been Biafrans. They were Nigerians from the South East or Igbo-speaking Nigerians.
The Biafran War was airbrushed out of the Nigerian consciousness. Biafrans could only whisper about
their loss. Joining the global Biafran diaspora was one option for those who could get out. Others
remained in Biafraland, their Biafran identity amongst themselves, undiminished.
Nigeria continues to prioritise crushing assertions of Biafran identity. Even peacefully commemorating
the War risks arrest, detention, prohibited ill-treatment or being shot.
In recent years the Nigerian state authorities have conducted three orchestrated campaigns against
Biafrans. The three Operation Python Dance campaigns have been battles against Biafrans. The first
campaign was in 2016, the second in 2017 and the third is ongoing. They are designed to undermine
calls for Biafran self-determination.
Operation Python Dance campaigns intimidate. Serious and systemic human rights violations are
carried out by state forces with impunity.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is the main organisation which represents all peoples who
consider themselves to be Biafran. IPOB has one principal purpose, IPOB calls for the recognition of
the Biafran people’s right to self-determination. IPOB pursues the right to self-determination for
Biafrans without the use of force. IPOB upholds human rights. IPOB rejects violence.
The Nigerian authorities target organisations calling for Biafran self-determination, most notably IPOB.
Being found with IPOB symbols can result in an individual being disappeared. Arrest is inevitable. And
now that IPOB has been proscribed, prison sentences are harsh.
The IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has been targeted, harassed and persecuted by the authorities. He has
been unlawfully detained, subjected to prohibited ill-treatment and unfair trials. It is a miracle that he’s
alive. Following an attack on his home, he was forced into involuntary exile. Many of those defending
him were killed or disappeared. There is still a warrant out for his arrest.
Biafrans, supported by IPOB, respond cannily to these targeted attacks organising stay-at-home days
each 30th May, the day Biafra declared independence in 1967. No one in Biafraland goes to work that
day and the economy, along with everything else, grinds to a halt. As Nigeria denies the human rights
of Biafrans, the Biafrans become more skilled in honing those rights. IPOB remains committed to non-
violent campaigning.
A Right to Self-Determination for Biafra
International law is clear in relation to self-determination.
Where there is a credible claim for self-determination the only way to resolve the issue is by holding a
referendum which complies with international standards. IPOB is calling for a referendum. It is for that
reason the Nigerian authorities have sought to brand IPOB as a terrorist organisation. The EU, the UK
and the US have all rejected the labelling of IPOB as a terrorist group. They know that IPOB seeks
only to uphold human rights.
Impunity for Northerners?

It is not only the direct attacks on Biafrans by the Nigerian state that perpetuate the intimidation and
torment of Biafrans. Nigeria’s policies of accommodating Northerners have a direct impact on
Biafrans. No different to 1967, Northerners act with impunity in Biafraland.
The current land crisis in Biafra caused by Fulani herders is just one more chapter of brutality facing
the Biafran people carried out with the tacit support of the Nigerian state. Despite the apparent
suspension of RUGA, Northerners continue to threaten Southerners, including Biafrans. They will have
no peace if Fulanis are not allowed to establish the RUGA scheme, the Fulani say.
This land crisis throws into sharp relief Nigeria’s crisis. The Government of Nigeria is, to all intents
and purposes, giving land to Fulani herders from the North which belongs to Biafran farmers. These are
the same Biafrans who legitimately claim their right to self-determination.
Biafran farmers live in fear. The farmers of Ebonyi and Enugu are particularly affected. This torment
must end. Biafra is entitled to resolve its own future and security.
Why Self-Determination Matters

IPOB has always called for creative solutions to recognise Biafrans’ right to self-determination.
However, what is clear is that the existing model of the Nigerian constitution is fatally flawed. It
continues to cause harm to all within the jurisdiction and it is unsustainable.
Nigeria may once have worked for the British as a colonial administration. It has never worked as an
independent state. To this extent it is a failed state. Nigeria is an artificial vehicle which buttresses those
with power, or aspirations for power. As there is no legitimacy to the state of Nigeria, there is no rule of
law. Law is used as a tool of coercion by the authorities to crush opposition. Others, such as the Fulani
herders, simply ignore the law and act with impunity.
Biafra: Africa’s Future

Biafran pleas for self-determination are ignored by the international community. Why are Biafran
voices not heard? Resolving Biafra’s legitimate claim for self-determination will resolve Nigeria’s
crisis. Biafra is a forgotten global crisis. IPOB believes that by resolving Biafra’s right to self-
determination, Africa’s peaceful future will be revealed. To that extent, Biafra is Africa’s future. The
effects of Nigeria’s permanent state of conflict resonate across the continent.
Signed:
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu
Leader
Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
FG Proposes N9.79 Trillion Budget For 2020

The minister of finance, budget and national planning, Zainab Ahmed, says the federal government will
propose about N9.79 trillion as total expenditure in the 2020 budget to the National Assembly.
Ahmed made the disclosure at a public consultation forum with civil society groups and agencies on
the draft 2020-2022 Medium Term Expenditure Framework on Tuesday, September 10, Premium
Times reports.
Legit.ng notes that the figure represents a 9.75 percent increase from the N8.916 trillion spending for
2019. Ahmed said the budget’s key assumptions were based on crude oil price of $55 per barrel, against
$60 per barrel in 2018, an oil production capacity of 2.18 million barrels per day, and exchange rate of
N305 to the dollar.
She added that inflation rate for the year is projected at an average of 10.81 percent, with nominal
consumption figure of about N122.75 trillion and nominal gross domestic product of N142.96 trillion.
The government has pegged the GDP growth rate at about 2.93 percent.
Ikpeazu Addresses Igbo People In USA, Defies IPOB

Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, governor of Abia State was the Special guest of honour at the 28th Annual
Convention of the Ngwa National Association of United States of America which held in Atlanta,
Georgia, USA.
Governor Ikpeazu showed his appreciation to Ngwa people and Abians in the diaspora for contributing
constantly in diverse forms to the development of Abia State while addressing the convention, Igbere
TV reports.
The guest of Honour thanked members of the association especially for the priceless containers of vital
medical equipments and supplies they periodically send to Abia State. He also urged them to never
relent in thinking about how they can continue to contribute to the development of Abia State.
Igbere TV reports that he also assured them of the commitment of his administration to comprehensive
infrastructural development in Abia State and urged them to be good ambassadors of the State in all
their endeavours.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President of Ngwa National Association of USA, Chief Innocent
Abakwue, thanked the Governor for honouring their invitation and noted that regular interface between
the Governor and Abians in the Diaspora was important to bridge information gaps and keep the people
informed about developments back home.
Highlight of the event were Special Cultural dances to welcome the Governor by Ngwa Women and
Youths.
Some of those in attendance included the Member Representing Obingwa West State Constituency in
the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Thomas Nkoro, Hon. Justice L. T. C. Eruba, President of
Ngwa Patriots, Chief Okey Ahiwe, A Commissioner in ASOPADEC, Chief Uzo Ihuka, General
Manager of ASPIMMS, Dr. A.C.B. Agbazuere, Chairman of Tunnel End Construction, Chief
Enyinnaya Nwafor, among others.
Governor Ikpeazu has since returned to Nigeria.
I Was Hated, Called “okoro Hausa” Because Of APC –

Okorocha
Sen. Rochas Okorocha, the immediate past governor of Imo, has lamented the humiliating treatment
meted out to him by his party the All Progressives Congress (APC), in spite of his sacrifices and
financial contributions to the party.
Okorocha, the senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, told newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday
that he got evil reward from APC for his commitment to the course of the party especially in the South
East.
He noted that he had to go contrary to his kinsmen and political associates just to ensure that the party
was placed on a sound footing in Imo and in the South East, but was surprised that he reward was
suspension.
“If you recall I was called all sorts of names like ‘Okoro Hausa’ and that I was building mosques and
all that were associated with it.
“But I kept deaf ears because I felt that I was on the right course with my people.
“I was instrumental to bringing Adams Oshiomhole as national chairman of the APC and he cannot
deny that fact.
“I took the troubles of APC in the South East and the APC I see now can easily tell Gov. Emeka
Ihedioha to come to its fold if only he can fight Rochas.
“That is really an unfortunate situation and it has weakened my spirit and my faith to the party because
I thought we are family working to advance the course of this nation.
“But the way it is going, it does not look like there will be a solution. And there seems to be silence
everywhere.
”I don’t even know my stand about my suspension because for some time, I don’t know what is
happening in APC.
“But for the silence all over, it just looks as if it is normal.
“So, I am just waiting and thinking of what next to do but I am still a member of APC and I love the
party and will support it,” Okorocha said.
According to Okorocha, there is need for a change in the party’s leadership to ensure the party does not
collapse after the exit of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Okorocha added that Buhari’s reputation appeared to be the binding factor of APC in addition to the
fact that the North was arguably the major decider in Nigeria politics.
“I have never thought of leaving the party; I feel that time will take care of most things but my only
worry is that the party may disappear with the exit of President Buhari.
“For the moment, Buhari seems to be the strongest pillar upon which this party is built.
“If nothing is done to correct the injustices in our party at the national level, then, I fear that this party
may disappear with Buhari’s exit.
“Our party is already busy thinking about presidency in 2023 and not supporting the issue of
governance which is what we have right now.
“The score of our party or its assessment depends on what we have done with governance and what we
have done with politics.
“These are some of the problems we have and thinking that being APC is a platform to catch political
power.
“People have begun to zone where the president will come from and where he will not come from,
leaving the issue of governance; so, these have been some of the challenges we have as a party but I
hope they will be addressed.
“But that cannot be complete unless we do some surgical movement in the leadership of the party,”
Okorocha added.
He noted that Nigerians would judge their leaders on the basis of what they had done as a government
before they could decide what to do with them in 2023.
The former Imo governor further said that he was not in a hurry to make decisions on the next line of
action following his suspension from the party.
He, however, revealed that his inlaw, Mr Uche Nwosu, would return to APC from AA if he eventually
reclaimed his governorship mandate.
On the allegations of misappropriation of funds during his tenure as the governor of Imo, Okorocha
challenged Gov. Ihedioha to try to surpass his record rather than the negative campaign against his
administration.
He also said: “I challenge any government to do 50 per cent of what I achieved in Imo. I left N48.5
billion for the new government to take off.
“It is either the government of Ihedioha is confused or it is not relevant, if not, no normal thinking
person will begin to witch-hunt me after all that I achieved in Imo.”
He blamed his travails on some unnamed top leaders of the APC whom he accused of conniving with
opposition elements in the state to undermine him politically.
Okorocha commended the judiciary for upholding his election describing the tribunal’s ruling as a
“proof of his innocence” after INEC accused him of obtaining victory through duress.
Igbos Through Amadioha (Kamalu) Held

Secrets To The Atomic Bomb Before Albert
Einstein - Obi Nwakanma - IGBO DEFENDER
Today, we bring you excerpts from a write-up by the historian Mazi Obi Nwakanma in Vanguard that
places an ancient connection between the legendary Kamalu a.k.a Amadioha and the invention of the
atomic bomb. Read on below:
The Igbo themselves have the story of Kamalu, who took the impudent title “Amadioha” –
and who destroyed the ancient world, and was himself blown to smithereens as he and his
scientists experimented with “orisha-Akalum” or the “ore of the heavens,” or “Igwe” in his
bid to create a powerful, all-conquering weapon of war.
Amadioha’s recklessness remains a cautionary tale among the Igbo to this day, and you
often hear the Igbo say, “onye emena ihe Ike” (let no one mess with energy), or “Anyi
maara dowe ike” (We know the secret laws of energy, we just sealed it that no one should
use it).
That ancient secret was unraveled by Einstein, and thus the Atomic bomb.
Following Amadioha’s heresy, the Igbo abrogated the making of kings, forbade human
sacrifice, and established a religion of peace.
They dispersed in great numbers from their ancient habitations by the Atlantic in search of
new habitations. Obatala and his group settled in Ife. And the story of these great Igbo
settlements traverse the world.
There are five sub-nations of the Igbo: the Agbaja, the Oru, the Isu, the Nri, and the Idu.
That is why they say, “Isee!” or “Ihi aa!” at the end of the kolanut ritual that commemorates
this filial unity, and its invocation of peace, and its summoning of the ancestral spirit.
The Idu, who call themselves Benin today, are part of the larger Igbo, and are possibly the
bridge with the Yoruba.
The value of Ooni Enitan’s assertion is the necessity for strategic collaboration between
these groups who must understand that the Igbo, Yoruba, Igala, Nupe, Jukun, and so many
of the cultures in the West and Central West Africa have so much more in common, and
must work together for their own security and prosperity. Of that, I endorse.
Do you agree with Mazi Obi Nwakanma? The Ooni of Ife recently said Igbos were the first in the
world to discover wealth.
How Blacks Were Taught Crime By Whites - Seun Kuti

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwSoVrIK1EM
Saipem, Daewoo, Chiyoda Win $10bn NLNG Train 7 Project

SCD Group, a Joint Venture consortium comprising Saipem, Daewoo and Chiyoda, was Wednesday,
announced the preferred bidder for the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, I NLNG, Train 7 project.
The SCD JV Consortium would be undertaking the Engineering, Procurement and Construction, EPC,
project for the Train 7.
The consortium was announced in Abuja, at the Signing of the Letter of Intent for the NLNG Train 7
EPC contract.
Managing Director of the NLNG, Mr. Tony Attah, stated that Letter of Intent is a percusor to the
commencement of the project, while he disclosed that the Final Investment Decision for the Train 7
would be signed by October ending.
The Train 7 project is expected to boost NLNG capacity from 22 million tonnes to 30 million tonnes,
while it would boost Nigeria’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, production, thereby, helping to reduce
import of the commodity.
"As A Mother, I Cannot Order Police To Shoot At Students"-

Erelu Bisi Fayemi
Yesterday, September 10th 2019, there was a crisis at Oye town in Oye Local Government, Ekiti State,
while I was on an empowerment and advocacy tour to engage with women across the State. The tour
commenced on Monday September 9th, with visits to two local governments which were hugely
successful and peaceful.
On September 10th, we were billed to visit three local governments – Moba, Ilejemeje and Oye. The
first two stops were just like the ones before – peaceful with no incident. While we were at Ilejemeje,
we received a call from our advance security team that students of the Federal University of Oye
(FUOYE) were protesting a lack of electricity in Oye town. We were told that more information would
be provided on the situation. Shortly after we received word that the students had dispersed and the
coast was clear for my visit.
When my convoy got to the Oye-Isan junction, we were met by a convoy of excited Okada riders who
led us into Oye town. We made a stop at the primary healthcare center along the road for me to present
delivery kits to pregnant women. There was no sign of any trouble. We proceeded to the venue of my
town hall meeting at the civic center with women in Oye Local Government. The atmosphere was very
peaceful, the women were singing and dancing and there was nothing to indicate that anything was
amiss. I stopped at the tent erected for the mobile health clinic in front of the civic center to greet the
elderly patients who were being attended to, and I also went to greet the beneficiaries of the Food Bank
for the ederly project (Ounje Arugbo), who were assembled under another tent. I then proceeded into
the hall for the program.
Half-way through our event, there was a disturbance outside. The FUOYE students (and possibly
infiltrated by local thugs) had re-grouped and were trying to get into the venue. The security officers
prevented this from happening. We finished our program, and by the time we got outside, we found that
vehicles from my convoy and those of my guests that were parked outside the venue had been
vandalised. As we were driving out of Oye town, we encountered at least two road blocks that the
students had mounted to prevent the movement of vehicles. I could see students/thugs throwing stones
and large sticks at us as we drove by.
However, the casualties that were recorded did not take place while I was there. There are eye-
witnesses, photographs and video footage to confirm this.
There are reports circulating that the crisis occurred because I refused to address the protesting
students. This is totally false. I did not encounter any group of students when I got to Oye town. They
had dispersed before my arrival, and when they regrouped I was inside the venue. It is possible, as I
stated earlier, that the group that came to the venue trying to gain access with sticks and stones in hand
might have included local hoodlums, but there was no way of telling the difference.
I am scandalized and shocked beyond words to hear that I instructed security officers to shoot at
students.
Yesterday morning, as I was driving past my office in Ado-Ekiti, a group of women were gathered
there to protest. They are members of a Female Sweepers Association, who were protesting a cut in
their monthly salary by the previous administration. They wanted me to help them. They were very
polite and pleasant. I listened to them and promised to pass on their message to the appropriate
authorities. These two protests happened on the same day. If I had met a group of protesting students,
as a social justice activist myself, I would have listened to their complaints and addressed them. I
firmly believe in citizens’ rights to protest on issues of concern.
I am deeply saddened that at least one fatality has been recorded. As a mother my heart bleeds. All
these students are my children, and no mother prays to weep over their offspring.
I extend my sincere condolences to the family concerned, and I wish those who are still receiving
treatment a speedy recovery.
The Obirinkete Tour has been suspended pending a review of what transpired yesterday. I thank friends
and all members of the public who have expressed concern over this. God bless you all.
Erelu Bisi Fayemi

First Lady Ekiti State
No Evidence That The 2019 Election Was Rigged For Or By

Buhari - Tribunal Rules
The Presidential Tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, stroke out the petition of Atiku Abubakar,
alleging that the Feb. 23 presidential election was rigged in Buhari’s favour, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV recalls that the former vice president and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had
alleged that the national election was rigged by Buhari and his party, the APC.
But delivering judgement, the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Garba, said the petitioners failed to
prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.
The Presidential Tribunal, therefore, dismissed the petition for lacking merit.
Why We Dismissed Atiku’s Petition Challenging Buhari In Its

Entirety - Tribunal
The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, dismissed the petition of
Atiku Abubakar challenging President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election, in its entirety, Igbere TV
reports.
Igbere TV reports that the five-man panel of justices led by Justice Mohammed Garba, held that the
petitioners (Atiku, PDP) failed to “evidently prove” their case beyond “reasonable doubt.”
“The petitioners have a duty to prove all the allegations which are criminal in nature beyond reasonable
doubt,” the lead judge (Mohammed Garba) said in his ruling.
He listed some of the allegations the PDP and Atiku raised in their petition to include, ‘compromised
printing of election materials’, ‘manipulation of ballot boxes’, ‘manipulation of card readers’, and
‘manipulation of accreditation and collation'.
Others are, manipulation of security agencies and militarisation of election, manipulation of election
materials’ delivery, arbitrary arrest of petitioners’ supporters and massive thumb-printing of ballot
papers.
“Under these issues, the petitioners alleged the election was marred by irregularities, misuse of scarce
resources, manipulation of result sheets, over-voting, wrongful recording of results, intimidation of
voters among others in 11 ‘focal states’,”Justice Garba said.
Igbere TV reports that the petitioners’ 11 focal states are, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano,
Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Yobe and Zamfara States.
The tribunal insisted that the allegations levelled under issues 4 and 5 (above) were criminal in nature
that must be proved beyond reasonable doubt.
The tribunal also said the petitioners failed to discharge the burden of proof that Buhari was not elected
by a majority of lawful votes.
Igbere TV reports that three members of the five-man panel of justices agreed with the lead judge
(Mohammed Garba) in his ruling.
The Tribunal, therefore, stroke out the entire petition of Atiku and the PDP against Buhari and the APC,
for lacking merit, and failure to evidently prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.
More details later…
Rivers Has All It Takes To Fight The PDP - Wike Threatens

Again
Can a house divided against itself stand?
While the PDP is busy hoping for the best at the Presidential Elections Petition Tribunal, Wike has
again issued a threat to bring down the PDP over the Minority Leadership of the House of
Representatives.
Illegal Emergence of HOR Minority Leader: Governor Wike lambasts PDP Investigative
Committee
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has lambasted the Committee set up by the
Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) to investigate the illegal emergence of Ndudi Elumelu as
the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, declaring that the committee is the
most corrupt in the history of the party.
Speaking in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Governor Wike thanked Former Deputy Speaker
of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Austin Opara, for withdrawing from the tainted
committee by not allowing himself to be entangled in the illegal outcome of the
committee's activities.
He said: "The Committee set up by the PDP on the illegal emergence of Ndudi Elumelu is
the most corrupt committee ever set up by the party.
"We thank our worthy son, Rt Hon Austin Opara for withdrawing from that committee, so
that he is not entangled in the illegal activities of the tainted committee ".
Governor Wike warned the party not to toy with Rivers State as it is not in the interest of
the party to do so.
He said: "We are warning PDP to be careful not to toy with Rivers State. Rivers State has
all it takes to withstand the PDP and fight the party to a standstill.
"The Rivers State Governor is not one of those Governors that anyone can cajole.
"The Rivers State Governor is not one of those Governors that will kowtow to their illicit
activities ".
Simeon Nwakaudu,
Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.
11th September, 2019.

N537m Debt: Court Clears Duke After N350m Payment
A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday cleared a former Cross River State governor Mr
Donald Duke of his N537,334,360.77 debt to Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria
(AMCON) after he paid N350 million as final settlement.
The court discharged its August 21 interim order which had permitted AMCON and the United
Bank for Africa (UBA) to seize Duke’s properties and funds in his accounts.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo cleared Duke following settlement terms filed and moved by AMCON’s
legal team from Benson Reeds Legal Practitioners, Abuja.
AMCON counsel, Mrs Juliet Benson, told the judge that Duke had fulfilled the terms of the out-
of-court settlement and both parties had agreed to the terms.
“I hereby pray the court to adopt the terms of settlement as the judgment of court,” Benson said.
Duke’s counsel, Mr Edoigiawerie Omoruyi confirmed that his client had “shown good faith by
promptly making the payment of over N350m which parties all agreed to.
Read Also: I’ll pay my N537m debt in 12 hours, Duke begs court
“I join my colleagues in praying the court to enter our terms of settlement as the full and final
judgment of court.”
In a bench ruling, Justice Oweibo upheld their prayers.
The judge added: “All orders in the case stands discharged.”
AMCON had on August 8 sealed off Duke’s Ikoyi home following the interim order.
Justice Oweibo, on September 3, upheld Duke’s prayer and adjourned till September yesterday,
for a report of settlement, after Duke promised to pay off the debt.
Stonehedge Investment Ltd, Duke and his wife, Owanari Bob-Manuel Duke, were first to third
defendants in the suit.
3 Major Reasons Atiku Case Was Thrown Out Of Tribunal

3 REASONS WHY ATIKU STOOD NO CHANCE AT THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
PETITION TRIBUNAL
1. His petition was filled with so many contradictions, that for every claim he made, he made
another claim that contradicted the other. Take for instance: In his petition Atiku said that the card
readers used during the election transmitted results that showed he got over 16 million votes. By
this Atiku relied on the optimum working of card readers across the country to establish his claim
- yet the same Atiku in the same petition says the same card readers were barely used in 11
Northern States.
2. He based his petition on a non-existent server. Atiku claimed that INEC had a server where
votes were allegedly transmitted through card readers. This is the most ridiculous claim yet.
Why? One, the electoral laws do not provide for electoral transmission of results. Two, because
there is no such provision, there was no such transmission by any means. The only means by
which results were collated and tabulated were through paper forms at polling units. Atiku then
claims that Card Readers were used to transmit votes tabulated. This is foolish. Because nobody
votes on card readers. For votes to be transmitted via any device, you would have to have voted
the party of your choice on that device. Nobody voted on card readers. The card readers were
used before voting to accredit voters. Thus the card readers can only tell you the number of voters
and those who voted, but not who they voted for. Atiku thinks everyone is as foolish as he is.
3. Atiku believes President Buhari does not have the required certificate to qualify to run for
President. Now that is really dumb. How did a man rise to become a General in the Nigerian
Army if he did not have a certificate. It simply does not make sense. Yet President Buhari has
provided from the records of WAEC and CAMBRIDEG the transcripts of his Senior School
Leaving Certificate: That is the West African School Certificate. This is the minimum
requirement expected by law. His classmates have also come forward to affirm that he indeed was
their classmate and that they sat for these exams together. Recall that President Buhari has
maintained that his certificates got missing during a raid by some Army Officers on his residence
during the 1985 coup against him.
Enugu Procures 100 Innoson Vans, 260 others For Security

Agencies
Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on Wednesday, unveiled to newsmen in
Enugu, the new vehicles purchased by his administration to enhance security operations at the
community level.
Gov. Ugwuanyi, who took the journalists round the premises of the Government House to show
them the vehicles, used the opportunity to brief them on the efforts of his administration to
decisively tackle the recent security challenges in the state.
The vehicles include 100 pieces of Innoson Hilux vans for use by the Nigerian Army, Nigeria
Police Force and Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, among others, for security
operations.
The remaining 260 vehicles, which were approved during the governor’s recent security meeting
with all the members of the State Assembly, Local Government Council Chairmen, the Director
of State Services (DSS) and the Security Chiefs of DSS in the council areas, will be distributed to
the 260 electoral wards in the state.
The security vehicles will be deployed to provide services for community policing,
Vigilante/Neighborhood Watch and Forest Guard operations.
The governor disclosed that the state government intends to engage the State Assembly and
partner Ndi Enugu, home and abroad, to set up a Security Trust Fund that will ensure efficient
security operations in the state.
He further disclosed that the state government will also purchase motorcycles as well as bicycles,
adding that it equally intends to partner churches and other organizations for intelligence
gathering, among other strategies.
5 States That Received The Highest Revenue Allocation In

H1 2019
-Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Rivers and Lagos states received the bulk of federal revenue in
the first half of 2019.
- An analysis of FAAC disbursements for H1 2019 showed that the three tiers of
government shared a total of N3.842 trillion.
- Here’s a look at how much each of the five Nigerian states received during the period
Five Nigerian states received highest disbursement from the federal allocation in the first half of
2019, according to an analysis by Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
(NEITI).
The analysis of FAAC disbursements for H1 2019 showed that the three levels of governments
shared a total disbursement of N3.842 trillion.
The figure was 2.61% lower than the N3.946 trillion disbursed in the first half of 2018 but
37.79% higher than the N2.788 trillion disbursed in the first half of 2017.
According to the report, the Federal Government (FG) received the highest revenue, followed by
state governments, with local governments receiving the lowest revenue.
Out of the N3.842 trillion generated in the first half of 2019, the federal government received
N1.599 trillion, representing 41.61% of the total amount disbursed.
Furthermore, the state governments received N1.335 trillion as a share of the national revenue
while local governments received N792 billion.
Business Insider SSA looks at five Nigerian states with the highest revenue share within the
period:
Delta
H1 2019: N108.7 billion
Akwa Ibom
H1 2019: N 86.12 billion
Rivers
H1 2019: N75.84 billion
Bayelsa
H1 2019: N66.76 billion
Lagos
H1 2019: N58.1 billion
EFCC Arrests 30-year-old Graduate For Alleged $4m

Internet Fraud
EFCC Arrests 30-year-old Graduate For Alleged $4m Internet Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal office, has arrested one
John Ani Chukwuebuka for his alleged involvement in computer-related fraud, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV gathered that the suspect, a 30-year-old graduate, was arrested on August 5, 2019 in
the Jakande-Lekki Area of Lagos during a collaborative operation by the EFCC and the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, FBI.
Chukwuebuka alongside his conspirators, Idowu Adetokunbo Taiwo and Sherrif Shoaga (still at
large) allegedly engaged in Business Email Compromise, BEC, where they redirected the sum of
$4,000,000.00 (Four Million United States Dollar) to several accounts between 2016 and 2018.
A Nissan car was recovered from the suspect at the point of his arrest.
The suspect will be arraigned in court soon.

Tribunal Judgment Is Victory For Nigerians, Says President
Buhari
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
TRIBUNAL JUDGMENT IS VICTORY FOR NIGERIANS, SAYS PRESIDENT BUHARI
President Muhammadu Buhari says the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on the
February 23, 2019 poll, is victory for Nigerians who trooped out to overwhelmingly elect him for
a second term in office.
“Good conscience fears no evil report. I was unperturbed all along, because I knew Nigerians
freely gave us the mandate. We are now vindicated,” the President declares.
He dedicates the victory to God, and to Nigerians, while also commending the judiciary for
“dispensing justice without fear or favour.”
President Buhari extends a hand of fellowship to those who had felt aggrieved at the outcome of
the election, and went to court, noting that it was within their democratic rights.
He notes, however, that with the pronouncement of the judiciary, “it is time for the country to
move forward as one cohesive body, putting behind us all bickering and potential distractions
over an election in which Nigerians spoke clearly and resoundingly.”
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
September 11, 2019
We’re Going To Supreme Court – Atiku’s Lawyer Says In

Reaction To Tribunal Ruling
The judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) will be challenged at the
Supreme Court, the legal team of Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP), has said.
Mr Abubakar is challenging the election that produced President Muhammadu Buhari for another
term of four years.
The petition of the former vice president and his party was dismissed in its entirety, by the PEPT
led by Justice Mohammed Garba, as failing to prove beyond reasonable doubt why the petitioners
should be declared winner of the February 23 exercise.
Addressing the media after the ruling, a member of the legal team of the petitioners, Mike
Ozekhome, said the judgement will be challenged.
“It (judgement) is worrisome, we will appeal that judgement,” Mr Ozekhome said.
As at press time, the former number two citizen is yet to react to the decision of the tribunal.
FG Raises VAT To 7.2%. To Seek National Assembly

Approval
The federal executive council (FEC) has approved an increase in value added tax (VAT) rate from
5% to 7.2%.
Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, budget and national planning, disclosed this to state house
correspondents at the end of the cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
However, this is subject to an amendment of the VAT act of 1994 by the national assembly.
VAT replaced the sales tax in 1994 and was pegged at 5% by the military government of Sani
Abacha.
In 2007, former president Olusegun Obasanjo increased VAT to 10% on the eve of his departure
from office but it was reversed by his successor, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, following opposition
from labour.
Wednesday’s FEC meeting, which started at 11am and ended at 6:12pm, was presided over by
President Muhammadu Buhari.
Ahmed said FEC directed immediate consultations with states, local governments and other
relevant stakeholders before the new rate takes effect in 2020.
Governor Wike Congratulates President Buhari

GOVERNOR WIKE CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT BUHARI, URGES HIM TO USE
HIS VICTORY TO WORK FOR ALL NIGERIANS
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari
on the validation of his election by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
In a statement on Wednesday, Governor Wike urged President Muhammadu Buhari to use his
victory to work for all Nigerians, irrespective of their political leanings
Governor Wike called on the President to work towards the unity of the country, noting that the
country is divided
Simeon Nwakaudu,
“They Have Rigged The Courts Too” - Fani-kayode Reacts

To Buhari’s Victory
Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of Aviation and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) has reacted to the Presidential Election Tribunal judgment that dismissed the petition of
the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate Atiku Abubakar challenging the victory of
President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 election, Igbere TV reports.
The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, dismissed the
petition of Atiku Abubakar challenging President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election, in its
entirety, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV reports that the five-man panel of justices led by Justice Mohammed Garba, held that
the petitioners (Atiku, PDP) failed to “evidently prove” their case beyond “reasonable doubt.”
The tribunal insisted that the allegations levelled under issues 4 and 5 (above) were criminal in
nature that must be proved beyond reasonable doubt.
The tribunal also said the petitioners failed to discharge the burden of proof that Buhari was not
elected by a majority of lawful votes.
Igbere TV reports that three members of the five-man panel of justices agreed with the lead judge
(Mohammed Garba) in his ruling.
The Tribunal, therefore, stroke out the entire petition of Atiku and the PDP against Buhari and the
APC, for lacking merit, and failure to evidently prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.
Reacting to the development, Fani-Kayode said; “If anyone is surprised by today's ruling in the
@Atiku/@MBuhari case then they still don't understand the nature of the beast we are fighting
and the gravity of the situation we are in.They didn't just rig the election,they rigged the courts
too!They control ALL 3 arms of Govt.!”
Buba Galadima: Nigerians Are Mourning Buhari’s Victory

At Tribunal
Alhaji Buba Galadima, a spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general
elections, on Wednesday said Nigerians have been thrown into a mourning mood following the
victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the Tribunal.
Galadima, who spoke on Channels Television, said many Nigerians believed they have been
robbed.
The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal had held that Atiku Abubakar and the PDP had failed
to discharge the burden of proof of the allegation of non-qualification of President Muhammadu
Buhari to contest the February 23 general election.
Atiku had told the tribunal to nullify Buhari’s election and declare him the authentic winner of
the election.
But delivering judgment, Justice Mohammed Garba, held that evidence before the court shows
that Buhari won the election.
Tribunal: Yahaya Bello Congratulates Buhari, Urges Atiku

To Accept Verdict
Kogi State Governor, Mr Yahaya Bello, has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his
victory at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT), Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV had reported that the Tribunal, Wednesday, upheld Buhari’s re-election, striking out all
petitions brought against him by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku
Abubakar.
In a statement obtained by Igbere TV, Bello hailed the Tribunal’s verdict, urging the PDP and
Atiku to “accept the outcome in good faith” and “join hands with the President to move the
nation forward.”
The governor, who is currently seeking re-election on the platform of his party, the All
Progressives Congress (APC), also wished the President a successful second term.
He said the Tribunal’s judgement “has demonstrated again that the judiciary remains unimpressed
by gimmickry and unfair media opinions planted by litigants.”
“The Judiciary”, he affirmed, “has again proved itself strong in the protection of democracy and
the rule of law in Nigeria”.
He said he had never entertained any iota of doubt about today’s outcome “because it was clear
that Nigerians voted overwhelmingly to re-elect the President.”
He described President Muhammadu Buhari as a “man of the people” and “a peace-loving

statesman.”
Governor Bello said that “the decision of the Tribunal will definitely go a long way to solidify the
faith of the masses in the courts”, and felicitated with the APC and Nigerians at home and in the
diaspora.
Nwogu N. Nwogu Felicitates With President Buhari Over

Victory At The Tribunal
The Abia State Nominee to the the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Chief Nwogu Nna Nwogu has lauded the victory of President Muhamadu Buhari at the Tribunal
as a landmark Judgment, Hon. Nwogu expressed joy over the judgment stating that it has given
the people more confidence and hope towards the Nigerian judiciary.
He noted that Nigerians gave Mr. President their mandate because of his untainted integrity and
the wonderful work he is doing.
He said the verdict has once again proved Mr. President’s popularity and added that the 2019
presidential election, gave Nigerians the opportunity to pay President Buhari back for his good
works.
He said this victory has truly proved that the Nigerian judiciary is truly the last hope of the
oppressed and are equipped to sustain our nascent democracy, he pleaded with the opposition to
accept the judgement in good faith and join hands with Mr. President towards his dream of
building a nation we all will be proud to call a home.
In a statement signed by Hon. Nwogu N. Nwogu he enjoined Nigerians to understand that

President Buhari is a true democrat whose love for the country is unprecedented and asked the
people to key into Mr. Presidents anti-corruption crusade in order to rid our nation of corruption,
he said “Mr. Presidents integrity should be emulated by all and that was why I have always
supported and worked with him right from his days in ANPP”
He congratulated President Buhari, all the stakeholders and members of the APC, and urged them
to be magnanimous even in the face of victory.
Ibom Air Delivers Its 50,000th Passenger, Awards Certificate

&other Packages
JUST IN!!! Ibom Air Delivers Its 50,000th Passenger, Awards Certificate, Other
Packages(Photos)
Ibom Air, a commercial airline owned by the Akwa Ibom government, on Tuesday, delivered its
50,000th passenger to her destination, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV reports that the 50,000th passenger, Ms Ruth Nsaka was handed a ’50,000th Passenger
Certificate’, which entitles her to a free return ticket on any of Ibom Air’s routes.
She was also upgraded to the airline Premium Economy cabin for her flight and treated with lots
of Ibom Air goodies.
Speaking during the official handing over of the certificate, Ms Nsaka said : “I can’t believe this.
This is my first flight on Ibom Air. I have heard so much about the airline and it’s services and
looked forward to this first experience. And now this! I’m calling my Mom”.
Below is a statement made available to Igbere TV by Ibom Air management,
"On Tuesday 10th September 2019, exactly three months and a day since we began commercial
flight operations, Ibom Air carried our 50,000th passenger. And what a pleasant surprise it was
when at the ‘count up’ during the boarding of flight Z4100 from Uyo to Lagos, passenger number
50,000 turned out to be first time Ibom Air traveler, Ms Ruth Nsaka."
"Ms Nsaka was ‘ambushed’ by an excited team of Ibom Air Executives led by Chief Operating
Officer Mr George Uriesi. She was handed a ’50,000th Passenger Certificate’, which entitles her
to a free return ticket on any of Ibom Air’s routes. She was also upgraded to our Premium
Economy cabin for her flight and treated with lots of Ibom Air goodies."
"Completely blown away by the surprise, Ms Nsaka said “I can’t believe this. This is my first
flight on Ibom Air. I have heard so much about the airline and it’s services and looked forward to
this first experience. And now this! I’m calling my Mom”. And indeed she called her Mom who
spoke to the crew at the end of the flight and thanked them for the recognition of her daughter."
"Ibom Air Chief Operating Officer, Mr George Uriesi said “this is one of the ways in which Ibom
Air will be giving back to our customers and the communities in which we operate."
"We are excited to carry our 50,000th passenger within three months of operations and heartily
congratulate Ms Nsaka for being ‘the one’! We are thankful for the support of our passengers and
thoroughly excited about the future”.
Stay with Igbere TV. Africa's No1 Community TV.

Akpabio Loses At Tribunal
Minister of Niger Delta and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on
Wednesday, lost out at the Election Petition Tribunal, Igbere TV reports.
This comes as the Tribunal sitting in Uyo, dismissed his petition challenging the election of
Senator Chris Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Igbere TV reports that the Tribunal which ruled in favour of the PDP and its candidate, was
headed by Justice W. O Akanbi, as Chairman.
Details soon…
Tribunal: Senate Congratulates Buhari, Pledges Support

Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his
victory at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV had reported that the tribunal, Wednesday, upheld Buhari’s re-election, striking out all
Abubakar.
Reacting to the development in a statement obtained by Igbere TV, Lawan said, “The judgment of
the tribunal has again put a judicial seal on the mandate freely given to the president by the
Nigerian people in the February 23 presidential election.”
He urged the President to accept the affirmation of his election as a reminder of the confidence of
Nigerians in his capacity to continue to lead Nigeria towards its manifest destiny of greatness.
The Senate President said the Nigerian people have great expectations from the Next Level
Agenda of the President and further pledged the full cooperation of the National Assembly with
the Executive in the pursuit of the best interest of the Nigerian people.
Lawan also commended the petitioners for using the judicial window prescribed by the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in seeking redress for their grievances and urged
them to join hands with the govt and the Nigerian people in the important task of nation-building.
In the statement which was signed by Mr Ola Awoniyi, his Special Adviser on Media, the Senate
President also congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its National Chairman,
Adams Oshiomhole, on today's outing.
Tribunal Judgment: Festus Keyamo Congratulates Buhari
At Home
Minister of State for Niger Delta, Mr Festus Keyamo, on Wednesday, visited President
Muhammad Buhari in his house over his victory at the Election Tribunal, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV had reported that the five-man panel tribunal, Wednesday, upheld Buhari’s re-election,
striking out all petitions brought against him by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its
candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Taking to Twitter to announce his visit, while congratulating Buhari, Minister Keyamo wrote;
I went straight from the court to congratulate Mr. President at home for the well thought out
and incisive judgment of the Court of Appeal affirming his victory in the 2019 Presidential
election.
https://mobile.twitter.com/fkeyamo/status/1171857264657018881
Governor Yahaya Bello Sprays Money On Passersby At

Gwagwalada
There was a gridlock after the Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, sprayed money at Gwagwalada,
along the Abuja – Lokoja road on Wednesday.
Bello, who was on his way from Abuja heading to Lokoja, with his long convoy slowed down at
Madam Mercy junction and brought out a wrapped three bundles of N500 notes and threw them out at
passersby.
Our reporter, who was caught up in the gridlock which lasted for just ten minutes, observed as the
governor wind down the glass of his vehicle and displayed eight of his fingers (4+4) while some motor
park touts at the popular Wazobia Park were seen hailing the governor as they rushed to grab the
money.
It was further observed as some pedestrians, petty traders by the road side as well as some commercial
motorcyclists abandoned their motorcycles and scrambled for the money.
Fayose Speaks On Congratulatory Message To President Buhari

Over Tribunal Victor
The immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has denied issuing any congratulatory
message to President Buhari over his victory at the Presidential Election Tribunal.
The petition filed by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was yesterday struck out in
its entirety in favor of President Buhari.
Reacting to the news, Fayose dissociated himself from any congratulatory message to President Buhari
that might have been issued in his behalf.
According to him, he can’t author such statement because his party will appeal the judgment of the
Presidential Election Tribunal.
Tribunal Judgment: Femi Fani-Kayode Calls Nigeria 'A Zoo'

A FARCICAL, PRIMITIVE AND NONSENSICAL RULING
If anyone is surprised by yesterday's farcical and primitive ruling in the Atiku /Buhari election case
then they still don't understand the nature of the beast we are fighting and the gravity of the situation
we are in.
Sadly the same thing will happen at the Supreme Court. I saw all this coming long and I said and wrote
it. The Buhari Government and the ruling APC did not just rig the election, they rigged the courts too!
Today the dark forces of the deep state control ALL three arms of Government, namely the Executive,
the Judiciary and the Legislature.
That is how bad it is and that is what you get when you live in a zoo!
They have turned Nigeria into a bananna republic where the law of the jungle prevails and where one
man, who is seized of and filled with a singularly demonic spirit, controls the the lives of over 200
million people and bends the fortunes of the entire nation according to his whims and caprices! This is
tyranny in its purest and rawest form.
They have everything they want, they control the entire pervasive system, they are firmly entrenched
and they believe that they have figured out how they will stay in power indefinately.
Like the makers and owners of the ill-fated and infamous ship the Titanic they believe and boast that
they are indestructable and that not even God can stop or sink them.
Ans their failure to consider the God factor in their wicked endeavours and devlish enterprise is their
greatness flaw and weakness. It is a grave error which will result in their undoing.
Like the Titanic, they will hit an iceberg and they will sink. Their end will be sudden and tragic and
they will be a reference point of the utter folly of all those who believe that they are greater and more
powerful than the Lord their maker.
Man propses and God disposes. Permit me to assure you that the God of Job and Jonah is still alive and
in the fullness of time He will shock them. He will do this not for Atiku's sake but for the glory of His
holy name.
The next few months will be very interesting and the salvation of our nation, despite all we see and
hear, is at hand. Just continue to pray, have faith in God and be patient: it is His fight and not ours.
He is awesome in battle and He never fails. He has never forsaken His own and He has never lost a
war! I assure you that the Egyptians you see today, you shall see them no more.
Even as Sennacherub, with all his boasting and in all his earthly power and glory, was struck down by
his own sons in the temple of his strange god, so it shall be for our oppressors and the tyrants that hold
sway in our land.
No justice, no peace!
September 12
Ambode Congratulates Buhari On Victory At Election Tribunal

Former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari
on his victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV reports that the Tribunal on Wednesday ruled that President Buhari of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) won the February 23, 2019 presidential election fairly.
It dismissed a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate,
Atiku Abubakar, against the election results declared by the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC).
Mr Ambode, in a statement by his media aide, Habib Aruna, said the ruling by the tribunal was a
validation of the second term mandate of the people given to President Buhari to continue the strides of
development and to take Nigeria to the next level.
“I join millions of Nigerians, the leadership of our great party and all members of our party across the
nation to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari on this well-deserved victory at the Tribunal. This
victory is a validation of the confidence in the President’s re-election and a testament to the fact that the
people are happy with the progress made by his administration and are keen to see four more years of
progressive governance,” Ambode said.
He urged all supporters of the party and Nigerians in general to rally round President Buhari in his
quest to return Nigeria to the path of greatness and respectability.
Nigeria Army,82 Division Enugu Get New GOC
1. In line with the recent routine posting and appointment released by the Nigerian Army , which also
mandated change of General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division Nigerian Army, the newly
posted in Acting General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Brigadier General Lasisi Adegboye has
officially assumed command following a successful handing and taking over ceremony with the posted
out General Officer Commanding, Major General Abubakar Maikobi, held today Wednesday
September 2019 at the Headquarter 82 Division Enugu.
2. This development has brought to an end a successful tour of duty by Major General Abubakar Sadiq
Maikobi as GOC 82 Division as he will be proceeding to Defence Headquarters Abuja to take up his
new appointment as Director Campaign Planning. Consequently, Brigadier General Lasisi Adegboye,
will with effect from date commence his tour of duty as the GOC 82 Division following his posting
from Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, Kaduna State, where he served as Director Joint
Services.
3. In his farewell remarks, Major General Maikobi recounted the achievements of the 82 Division
during the period he served as GOC, especially in the area of improved security situation within the
Divisions Area of Responsibility and while thanking God for the heights attained, he attributed the
successes to the Officers and men for their unalloyed loyalty, support and cooperation as well as
commitment to duty. He further urged them to extend the same loyalty and cooperation to the new
General Officer Commanding.
4. Brigadier General Lasisi Adegboye during his remarks congratulated the outgoing General Officer
Commanding 82 Division for a successful tour of duty and also commended the Officers and men of
the Division for the support accorded to his predecessor. He however stated that he wasnt surprised by
his predecessors achievements having known his track records as well as the standard of discipline
required of Officer and men of the 82 Division, assuring that he will sustained and work towards
improving the legacies by Major General Maikobi. Recall that Brigadier General Adegboye has
previously served as Command 82 Division Garrison from January 2017 to January 2019.
5. You are please requested to disseminate this information to the general public. Your cooperation is
anticipated as usual.
ALIYU YUSUF
Colonel
DeputyDirector Army Public Relations 82 Division
source : StateReporter News
Tribunal: "If Buhari Can Do It, All Agberos Can"- Ikenga Imo
Ugochinyere
Tribunal: Shehu Sani’s Tweet As Atiku, PDP Lose

Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has reacted to the victory of President
Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT), Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV had reported that the tribunal, Wednesday, upheld Buhari’s re-election, striking out all
Abubakar.
Reacting to the development in a tweet sighted by Igbere TV, Sani wrote;
“All yea who climbeth the mount Sinai today, hoping to see the Sun riseth from the West can now
descend and head to Damascus, and taketh along with thee a stock of olive and pots of water from the
Euphrates. The journey ahead is of the Lord.”
https://twitter.com/ShehuSani/status/1171864692333121536?s=19
UN Chief Guterres Said He Supports The Plan By Cameroon’s

President To Dialogue
UN chief Antonio #Guterres has said he supports the plan by #Cameroon’s President Paul #Biya to
hold a ‘national dialogue’ in a bid to resolve the #Anglophone crisis.
More than 2,000 people have been killed as English-speaking separatists demand independence in the
Northwest and Southwest regions.
More than 500,000 have been forced from their homes as a result.
As Forest Guards Come Alive In Enugu

According to the Greek philosopher, Aristotle, the state exists for the sake of life, and continues for the
sake of the best life. On his part, Thomas Hobbes believes that life in the absence of political order
would be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short, hence the need for a social contract wherein citizens
surrender themselves to a sovereign or an assembly of men in exchange for security.
Unfortunately, although Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution declares that, “The security and
welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” insecurity has been on the upward
trajectory.
Today, it is as though all the demons of banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism, insurgency,
rape, mindless killings and cult wars, among others, have been let loose on Nigeria from hell. In his
state of insecurity briefing in Kaduna in April this year, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr.
Mohammed Adamu, released details of violent crimes between January and March this year, which
made Nigerians shiver. According to him, criminals mowed down 1,071 people. There were 212 major
armed robbery incidents and 175 banditry incidents.
The spike in crime is no respecter of status. Even the North West, where President Muhammadu Buhari
hails from, is worse off, with the district head of Daura, the President’s hometown, kidnapped and held
captive for about three months. The Abuja-Kaduna Road has been virtually abandoned to kidnappers.
Thus, Nigerians need not be reminded that a fire that consumed the tortoise and his hardened shell
would simply lick up the chicken with a feathered gown.
Dilemma of state governors
Although the Constitution recognises the governors as chief security officers of their states, the same
Constitution retains the tradition of unitary police introduced by the General Yakubu Gowon regime
and effectively robs the governors of the power to take charge of security of life and property in their
states. Section 214 (1) of the Constitution provides, “There shall be a police force for Nigeria, which
shall be known as the Nigeria Police Force.” However, the same portion adds, “subject to the
provisions of this section, no other police force shall be established for the federation or any part
thereof.”
Again, while Section 215 (4) authorises the governor of a state to “give a lawful directive to the
commissioner of police of that state”, it adds that “before carrying out any such directions … the
commissioner of police may request that the matter be referred to the President.” This is a monumental
abnormally in a federal system, which has led some governors to throw their hands in the air in despair.
The former governor of Zamfara State and chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Abdul’aziz
Yari, once said he had resigned his responsibility as chief security officer of Zamfara. Speaking to
newsmen in Talata-Mafara after attacks by bandits that left over 30 people dead in June 2018, Yari
lamented: “We have been facing serious security challenges over the years, but, in spite of being
governor and chief security officer of the state, I cannot direct security officers on what to do nor
sanction them when they err. As chief security officer, the nomenclature is just a name.”
The Enugu, South-East example
Despite the constitutional constraints some states such as Enugu have been creative about security
through close synergy with the federal security agencies. Enugu has been adjudged by heads of various
security agencies, like the police and the army, as one of the safest states. The governor highlighted
how he goes about internal security and his plans to consolidate the gains in his second term
inauguration speech last May.
“Investors and investments can only thrive in a secure and peaceful environment. We have, therefore,
invested heavily in securing life and property. We have provided massive logistical support to the
various security agencies. We also launched the Enugu State Security/Neighbourhood Watch
Endowment Fund and inaugurated Neighbourhood Watch associations to operate in our communities,
under the supervision of the federal security agencies, in keeping with our extant laws. The result of
our efforts is that Enugu State is one of the most peaceful and secure states of the federation today.
“Security remains our utmost priority. We will continue to invest state energies and resources to
improve security in Enugu State. The Neighbourhood Watch will remain an important component of
the state’s security architecture. We will continue to vet, train, retrain, retool, and rejig them to boost
their capacity and effectively address their local peculiarities,” he said.
In line with the determination to keep Enugu secure, Enugu State announced, after various security
meetings with the security agencies and key stakeholders like council chairmen, traditional and
religious leaders, town unions, introduced air surveillance, additional joint patrols of security services,
and additional joint service checkpoints at strategic points. The state is currently strengthening the
neighbourhood watch groups. Not only has their numbers been increased to 5,200, the governor
introduced monthly stipends and additional training.
Forest Guards
However, the ongoing recruitment of 1,700 Forest Guards stands Enugu taller than other states in
addressing security concerns in the country. This is in line with the resolution of the South-East
Governors Forum to set up this layer of security body as well as a committee and a centre for South-
East integrated security monitoring/intelligence gathering to be centrally located in Enugu.
Briefing newsmen after their July meeting, the forum’s chairman, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi
State, said: “The forum has resolved to key into the Federal Government’s community policing
programme and that forest guards would be established in each state and roads cleared up to 50 metres
into the bush to have a clear view of roads ahead.”
The introduction of Forest Guards has received accolades across the nation. Many believe that their
presence in the forests would help to reassure farmers of safety and make the forests inhabitable for
criminals, who now prefer to operate from the forests. The good thing also is that they will be vetted
and recruited by the Department of State Security (DSS) desk in each LGA. They will be trained and
supervised by federal security agencies.
“The Forest Guards is a good example of thinking out of the box, which others should emulate. Unlike
in other places where nothing changes after the wailing over killings, the governor of Enugu State has
put in additional security measures. That is the only hope that things will change because you cannot
keep doing the same thing over and over and expect a different result,” Dr. Amechi Anakwue, presenter
of Political Platform, a programme on Raypower Radio, said recently.
Also applauding the move, president of the Enugu State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Alex
Ogbonnia, commended the governor for introducing the Forest Guards, describing it as “novel in our
clime.” He said it was an opportunity for the people of Enugu to safeguard Enugu territory.
“Now, there will be no hiding place for the criminal elements, who now use the cover of the bushes to
perpetrate crimes. Also, the move will take 1,700 youth out of unemployment. This alone will naturally
reduce crimes induced by unemployment,” he said.
The deputy minority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, has also thrown
his weight behind the introduction of Forest Guards: “The ongoing recruitment of Forest Guards across
the state as well as the manpower boost and monthly stipends for the Neighbourhood Watch will
further enhance security in the state.”
The initiative has also been welcomed across political divides. In a statement by the chairman of the
Enugu State chapter of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, Hon. Adonys Igwe, and the
secretary, Chief Cesar Mbaonu, the body said that it showed that the “governor is highly determined
and committed to nipping in the bud the monstrous activities of these hoodlums, who are terrorising
our people, especially in the rural communities.”
Meanwhile, information emanating from Tuesday’s meeting at Government House, Enugu, where the
state director of the DSS briefed the governor, leadership of the House of Assembly, and 17 council
chairmen, showed that 3,963 persons applied for the job, 2,646 were shortlisted and screened, 879
persons have been engaged, while the remaining 821 applicants will be screened and engaged in two
weeks, to bring the total to 1,700 Forest Guards. Also, the state will procure 260 patrol vehicles and
260 motorcycles to be distributed to the 260 electoral wards in the state, in addition to communication
gadgets for optimum performance.
As the Forest Guards come alive in Enugu, residents are upbeat that the initiative would help sustain
Enugu’s place as one of the most peaceful and secure states in Nigeria. Many are also of the view that
the success of the initiative in Enugu will encourage other states to follow suit.
Why I Created Police Affairs, Special Duties Ministries, By

Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday explained why he created new ministries and merged
others.
He created the ministries of Police Affairs, Power and the Special Duties and Inter-Governmental
Affairs and merged the Ministry of National Planning Ministry to Finance.
The Power Ministry was created out of the Ministry of Power, Works & Housing.
Presiding over the maiden Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the President said: “To enhance
service delivery, we decided to restructure some functions which led to the creation of new ministries
to achieve our goal of economic diversification and inclusive growth.
“For example, we merged the Ministry of Finance with that of Budget and National Planning, we also
created a ministry for humanitarian affairs and disasters management and social development to fully
institutionalised our various interventions that support some of the poorest and most distressed citizens
of our country.
Read Also: Governors hail Buhari

“Furthermore, we split the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and Ministry of Transportation and
Aviation to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our infrastructure delivery programmes and
projects.
“On security, keeping in mind the need to improve on our achievements we created the Ministry of
Police Affairs with the purpose to oversee the development and implementation of strategies that will
enhance Nigeria’s internal security in synergy with other security and intelligence agencies, this will
include supporting the re-establishment of civil authority in the liberated areas of the Northeast.
“We also created a new Ministry of Special Duties & Inter-Governmental Affairs, this ministry will
manage key projects and initiatives of the presidency.
“The minister’s role will include coordinating of multi-agencies and inter-ministry functions as
designated by the President.”
Opening the weekly meeting, Buhari urged the ministers brace for the challenges of delivering the Next
Level mandate to the citizenry. He reminded them that his administration cannot afford to fail
Nigerians.
Reminding them of the oath they took three weeks ago, he urged them to give selfless service to the
nation.
The President said: “Let me make a few remarks at the maiden Next Level Federal Executive Council
Meeting. The safety, security and prosperity of Nigeria’s 200 million people are our responsibility, we
must not fail them.”
The President said that Nigerians voted for him on February 23 to accomplish three major areas of
securing the nation, diversifying an inclusive economy that will end poverty and fighting corruption.
EFCC Reveals How 'past Govts Spent N15b On Governors’

Security Aides’
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday said past administrations
collected N15 billion as security votes between 2003 and 2018.
The commission stressed that the funds were spent to settle the security men who used to mill around
serving governors.
The agency’s Zonal Head Isyaku Sharu said this in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the 26th edition of
Media Parliament lecture of the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Speaking on the topic, titled: Anti-Corruption Fight in Nigeria, Progress and Challenges: The Kwara
Sstate Experience, Sharu admitted that corruption had become endemic in the country.
The zonal head said the EFCC was established in the state following several complaints from the
residents.
Read Also: BREAKING: N92m, $169,850 recovered from Yahoo Boys in 38 days, say EFCC, FBI
He said: “The continuous complaints of the people of Kwara State became much louder in the periods
ending the Year 2018 wherein the Acting Executive Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, had to
create the Ilorin Zonal Office of the commission to look into the long-standing persistent economic and
financial crimes issues in the state.
“It is noteworthy that Kwara is one of the first created states, as far back as May 27, 1967, and has had
several leaders. But the state has over the years not maximised its potentials largely due to the alleged
cases of mismanagement and embezzlement of the state’s resources.”
Sharu, who noted that though the commission resumed in the state in February, added: “In the course of
carrying out our assignment, we have noticed with great disappointment that the people of Kwara State
are sometimes scared of exposing the corrupt and bad eggs amongst them.”
But he assured the residents that despite the obstacle, the commission secured 26 convictions,
recovered several properties ranging from hotels, plaza, residential apartments, fleet of cars and
hundreds of millions of cash, which were all forfeited to the Federal Government.
The zonal head also said the anti-graft agency had checked cybercrimes, popularly called “Yahoo
Yahoo”, in Kwara, Kogi and Ekiti states, its areas of operation.
Sharu said the commission had created awareness on corruption through public enlightenment
campaigns in schools and among National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.
The zonal head urged journalists to assist the commission in sensitising the people on its long-lasting
values which abhor illicit and fraudulent tendencies.
Kwara State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mallam Attahiru Madami, urged journalists to
help eradicate corruption from the society.
“We no longer practise our family value system, which abhors bad behaviours and bad name. Our
leaders are no longer leading by what they say and they don’t live by example,” he said.
Yul Edochie Reacts To Tribunal's Verdict On Buhari Vs Atiku,
Slams The Judiciary
Yul Edochie, Governorship Candidate of Democratic Peoples Congress (DPC) in 2017 Anambra
gubernatorial election, has reacted to the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal verdict between
President Muhammadu Buhari of APC and Atiku Abubakar of PDP.
Buhari had yesterday, defeated the Presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, who dragged
him to court challenging President Buhari's qualification to contest for the election.
The Tribunal in their rulings, stated that there was no law that disqualified President Buhari from
contesting the 2019 elections.
Reacting, Mr. Edochie, a Nollywood actor, recalled how he gathered "all his certificates up to
University degree and attach them to the form he submitted to INEC", in bid to contest for the 2017
Anambra state governorship election.
When I ran for Governor I had to gather all my certificates up to my University degree and
attach them to my form.
Now you people are telling me I don’t even need those certificates to be President
The highest office in the country?
Chai! Nigerian judiciary diaris God oo!
Justice Sheriff Hafizu Speaks On Akpabio At Tribunal

A member of the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State,
Justice Sheriff Hafizu has said there was a preponderance of evidence to prove that the Minister of
Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio was robbed of victory in the February 23 National
Assembly election.
Justice Hafizu in a split judgement on September 11, 2019, held that it was his view that Senator
Akpabio overwhelmingly won the election and ought to have been returned as the duly elected Senator
for Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District.
Engr Chris Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was declared winner of the Akwa Ibom
North-West Senatorial District by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Senator Akpabio had challenged Ekpenyong's declaration at the National Assembly Elections Petition
Tribunal sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom citing unlawful cancellation of his collated votes by INEC to give
his opponent an edge in the election.
Delivering judgement on the petition Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice W. O. Akanbi with the
concurrence of Justice Ebetu dismissed the petition and upheld the declaration of Engr Ekpenyong as
the winner of the February 23 National Assembly elections into Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial
District.
However, in his dissenting judgement, Justice Hafizu held that the contention of the Respondents that
Senator Akpabio ought to have called unit polling agents to prove his case was wrong since Akpabio
had not challenged the results of the units and therefore there was nothing to prove.
According to Justice Hafizu, the case of Senator Akpabio centred on cancellation of duly collated votes
at INEC office which went beyond the units. He cited the case of Dr William who had admitted during
trial that Senator Akpabio's votes were altered in INEC office in Uyo on the instructions of the Resident
Electoral Commissioner, Mr Mike Igini and said such alterations were unlawful.
He said he found merit in the Petitioner's case that his collated votes which showed that he won the
election was surreptitiously and unilaterally cancelled by an INEC official so as to hand over victory to
Engr Ekpenyong.
Justice Hafizu also held that from the evidence adduced during the trial it was obvious that the
Returning Officer had cancelled the votes of Obot Akara Local Government Area due to an established
case of over-voting and said it was wrong for the same cancelled result to be revalidated in INEC office
in Uyo.
The Minority Judge held that the Witnesses paraded by the Respondents were unreliable as they gave
contradictory evidence during trial. He cited cases of witnesses who had alleged that they were
abducted by APC thugs and forced to thumbprint for the party only for card reader reports to put a lie to
such claim, a contention that the majority judgement glossed over.
According to Justice Hafizu, INEC was wrong to have cancelled the 61,329 votes garnered by APC in
Essien Udim Local Government Area against PDP score of 9,050 votes. He said the unlawful
cancellation of the votes was a clear case of robbery since it did not follow the due process of INEC
guidelines.
The majority judgement also glossed over evidence that was given in the case including certified true
copies of results released by INEC which were tendered by the Petitioners. It also remained mute on
the Police reports that the elections were free, fair and credible.
Accordingly, Justice Hafizu voided the declaration of Engr Ekpenyong as the winner of the election
and declared his return invalid. He also declared Senator Akpabio as the winner of the election having
garnered majority of the lawful votes and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to
present a certificate of return to Senator Akpabio as the duly elected Senator of Akwa Ibom North-West
Senatorial District.
Attendees and lawyers at the Tribunal openly applauded the judgement of Justice Hafizu, describing it
as sound and bound to stand the test of time and devoid of any pecuniary consideration but justice
delivery. Supporters of Senator Akpabio jubilated and congratulated themselves on the minority
judgement.
Counsel to Senator Akpabio, Mr Adekunle Oyesanya, SAN praised Justice Hafizu for his courage in
giving the dissenting judges represented the position of the law.
It would be recalled that a lawyer and human right activist, Barrister Leo Ekpenyong had raised an
alarm penultimate week in a widely published article: "Judgement for sale" alleged that two members
of the National Assembly elections petition tribunal in Akwa Ibom State had been compromised
predicting that there would be a split in the judgement the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District
matter.
PDP, Atiku Should Apologise To Nigerians, Instead Of Appealing

– Lai Mohammed
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has
asked the PDP and its presidential candidate in the last elections to
apologise to Nigerians for “willfully distracting” the Buhari
Administration with an election petition.
Mr Lai Mohammed said instead of appealing the ruling of Wednesday’s Presidential Election Petition
Tribunal, the opposition party should be apologizing to Nigerians for trying to distract the present
government.
In a statement issued in St Petersburg, Russian Federation, on Thursday, the Minister said while the
PDP and its candidate reserve the right to pursue their petition to the highest level, they will be better
served by dropping their toga of
desperation and realizing that there is a limit to tomfoolery.
”Nigerians are tired of this orchestrated distraction, and will rather wish that the opposition, having lost
at the polls and in court, will now join hands with the government to move Nigeria to the next level.
”This is more so that the judgement validating the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari was
unanimous that the petition lacked merit, that the petitioners failed to prove any of the grounds upon
which their case was anchored and that President Buhari is eminently qualified to contest the poll,” he
said.
Alhaji Mohammed said instead of casting aspersion on the judiciary with their poorly-framed reaction
to the ruling of the Tribunal, the PDP and its candidate should be thanking their stars that they are not
being prosecuted for coming to court with a fraudulently-obtained evidence.
”It is intriguing that a party that trumpets the rule of law at every turn will present, in open court,
evidence it claimed to have obtained by hacking into a supposed INEC server. Don’t they realize this is
a criminal act for which they are liable? Instead of threatening to head to the Supreme Court, driven
more by ego than commonsense, they should be sorry for allowing desperation to overwhelm their
sense of reasoning. Enough is enough,” he said.
The Minister commended the Tribunal for not only doing justice to the case but for explaining, in
painstaking details that lasted hours, how it arrived at its judgement.
”We also thank Nigerians, who voted massively to re-elect President Buhari, for their continued
support,” he said
”Nigerians are tired of this orchestrated distraction, and will rather wish that the opposition, having lost
at the polls and in court, will now join hands with the government to move Nigeria to the next level.
”This is more so that the judgement validating the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari was
unanimous that the petition lacked merit, that the petitioners failed to prove any of the grounds upon
which their case was anchored and that President Buhari is eminently qualified to contest the poll,” he
said.
Uzoma Asagwara Wins Legislative Seat In Canada, Makes

History
- Uzoma Asagwara, a Nigerian-Canadian, has been elected into the country's legislature in the
Manitoba province
- The Nigerian-Canadian said that she is glad that the new black representatives in the province are a
reflection of the minorities in the community
- It should be noted that she was among the three black people that were elected in the legislature in its
150-year history
Xenophobia: Abike Dabiri Receives 187 Returnees, Promises

Stipend, Loan
About 188 Nigerians who departed South Africa on Wednesday over xenophobic attacks in the country
arrived Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV reports that they arrived at about 9:30p.m. and were received by Chairman of Nigerians in
Diaspora Commission (NIDComm), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and officials of Immigration Service and
NEMA.
Recall we had reported sometime last week that Chairman of Air Peace volunteered to air lift those
interested to return home free of charge, following a presidential order for them to be evacuated
immediately.
Speaking when she received the returnees at the Lagos airport, Dabiri-Erewa assured that the Federal
Government would support those who had resolved to return back to the country from South Africa.
According to her, over 640 of them have indicated interest to return home (Nigeria) in the last one
week.
“The Bank of Industry will also be here to offer some entrepreneurship programme and some support
to start a small business and there would be some stipends for transportation and take home”, he said.
“We are also going to profile them and for those who want to get any training, they will decide what
kind of training they want to do and the Bank of Industry will be there to provide it”, Dabiri-Erewa
added.
Rivers APC Crisis: Magnus Abe Cry As Factional Chair Pledge

Loyalty To Amaechi
Information Parrot Nigeria
The faction of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State loyal to Senator Magnus Abe has vowed
not to participate in the party’s congresses expected to begin on September 17.
This was disclosed by a former Attorney General of the state, Worgu Boms who spoke on behalf of the
faction. Mr. Boms said it was wrong for the National Working Committee of the party to fix dates for
congresses without resolving the crisis in the party in the state.
A communique read by Mr.Boms reads below in part:
“The party is again treading the route of exclusion and disdain for the rights and feelings of members.
This plunged Rivers APC into a needless crisis, resulting in the party being denied participation in the
general elections.
“As critical stakeholders, bearing in mind the circumstance of the party in the state, we were not
consulted by the NWC in appointing a caretaker committee in Rivers nor does the committee reflect
the diversity of the party in the state.
“The so-called caretakers are simply cronies of the Minister of Transportation (Rotimi Amaechi). Their
objective and purpose is clear; they were parties and participants in the actions that brought the party
on its knees in Rivers.
“We urge all members of the APC in Rivers to remain steadfast in pursuit of justice. Based on extant
judicial procurement and the Governor Solomon Lalong’s Committee report adopted by the NWC,
where congresses could not hold, existing executives manage the affairs of the party. Chief Odike, by
the rules, should have been consulted as Chairman, Rivers APC.”
Meanwhile, a report reaching Information Parrot Nigeria indicates that the Chairman of the Senator
Abe faction of Rivers State APC, Chief Peter Odike has dumped that faction and vowed to work with
the mainstream of the party in the state led by the minister of Transportation, Mr.Rotimi Amaechi.
Chief Odike who was a deputy chairman during the tenure of the former excecutive led by Chief
Davies Ibiamu became a tool used by the Abe Faction to achieve its pursuit which eventually led the
party into having no candidates for the 2019 polls.
However, Chief Odike confirming his new decision said:
"We have suffered as a Party. It's time for us to rebuild the party. There is no Victor, no Vanquished."
"we can't continue like this."
He maintained that the only way for the party to overcome it's challenges is to embrace peace and work
with the Caretaker Committee.
Senator Magnus Abe was yet to react to the new move by Chief Odike as at press time
Institutionalization Of Blame Game: A Case Study Of APC

Akwa Ibom State
Being the text of the Press Conference on the judgements of the National and State Assemblies election
Petition Tribunal by the Peoples Democratic Party Akwa Ibom State.
When the idiomatic expression a bad Workman blames his tools was birthed, we are certain that it was
prophetically providing the most apt words to describe the ill preparedness, scaremongering and
buckpassing attitude of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State. How else can you describe
people who protested the location of the Tribunal before the tribunal was even constituted? Since then,
They have been shouting to high Heaven over non-existent issues. When the tribunal started, they filed
processes that were manifestly and incurably defective. Now that the natural consequences of their
actions have manifested, instead of taking a sincere introspection, they have decided to apply their
stock in trade - pass the buck.
Let us undertake an analysis of their cases and why they failed:

In the case against Pat Ifon, the APC and their candidate filed the petition with a wrong heading of the
court, wrong name of the Federal Constituency, non-compliance with Electoral Act and inability to
prove allegations of corrupt practices in line with Section 135 of the Evidence Act. How is the PDP or
the Tribunal responsible for fatal mistakes made by the lawyers of the APC?
In Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, the Petitioners claimed that “ in majority of the polling
units in that Federal Constituency, electoral materials were hijacked and therefore elections could not
hold and many of the voters were disenfranchised”. The tribunal held and correctly too, that in proof of
this allegation, the petitioners did not lead evidence to substantiate their claim by showing hijacking in
majority of the over 270 polling units in the federal Constituency. It held further that the few units
where the APC called witnesses, even if the results there were canceled or given to the APC, the figures
from the unchallenged units(which were in the majority) will not alter the result as declared by INEC.
For disenfranchisement, is it not amazing that the petitioner did not call any disenfranchised voter to
testify? What could the tribunal have done in this case, other than to hold that their claims were not
substantiated?
In Victor Antai’s case, the entire Petition was fraught with unimaginable mistakes, which the petitioners
and their counsel conceded, for example the petitioner intermittently used Uyo and Oron federal
Constituencies in his petition; used grounds alien to the Electoral Act in seeking redress and sought
contradictory reliefs. Additionally, they filed an affidavit where 23 paragraphs therein, contained vague,
imprecise and nebulous claims of alleged errors occurring at polling units, without stating the exact
polling units where these alleged errors happened. The petitioners in their characteristic untidy manner,
brought witnesses who were either totally confused or were certified liars. Their PW3 stated that he did
not vote and did not see when results were entered, but insisted that he knows there was manipulation-
nothing more witless has ever been said since the creation of man.
In Godswill Akpabio’s case

The majority judgement of the tribunal is a soothing balm to the people of Ikot Ekpene senatorial
district (North West)who massively rejected him at the polls.They ensured that he lost convincingly in
eight LGAs, had a slim victory in one. He supervised a reign of terror and harassment against his
people in Essien Udim but still could not get a result to fertilize his ill-fated return to the senate. The
judgement is therefore a confirmation of the sanctity of the ballot and the tribunal must be commended
for their integrity and resoluteness. They stood against financial inducement, intimidation and
blackmail to deliver a majority judgement that is firmly rooted in Law and reflective of the socio-
political temperature of the Senatorial District. The world can only imagine the pressure that the
tribunal would have come under from the National Comedian and ignoble proponent of “what money
cannot do, more money can do”. Truly God has shown himself mightier than men, who think
themselves powerful.
We wish to remind the APC, especially their youths who recently through their State Youth Leader,
issued a press statement demanding among other things that “ the President Muhammad Buhari,the
National chairman APC and other stakeholders of the ruling party should not sit back to watch this
injustice done yet again to the APC family in Akwa Ibom State”, that this is a call for extra judicial
intervention, which if read alongside their 2015 exposed playbook and the following intimidation of the
judiciary that was witnessed then, indicates their desperation to subvert justice, which is most
condemnable and anti-democratic. We challenge them, like we have done severally, to produce any
thread of evidence , against the judges, apart from the habitual blackmail occasioned by a warped
thought process inherent in their party. If they have any issue against the judges they should direct their
petition to the NJC. Again, we refer the APC to the ruling in the Bulkachuwa’s recusal demand which
remains in force as of date “Concerning the complaints of the petitioners/applicants to the extent that
the affinity between the Honourable President of this court will engender a likelihood of bias on the
part of the Honourable President of this court if she remains the Presiding Justice, I am of the firm view
that enough materials have not been placed before this court to show that the Presiding Justice of this
panel is likely to be biased against the petitioners/applicants in the hearing and determination of the
petition...I am of the view that the fact that the Honourable President of this court is the wife of
Honourable Adamu Mohammed Bulkachuwa and the mother of Aliyu Haidir Abubakar are not weighty
enough to impute likelihood of bias against the President of the Court of Appeal. The two of them are
not parties to the petition before us, and have not shown to be listed as witnesses of the 3rd respondent
(the APC) in the petition before us...There is no allegation made against the spouse or the son of the
Honourable President of this court in the petition of the petitioners/applicants...Their relationship with
the Presiding Justice of this panel is not at all capable of causing likelihood of bias against any of the
parties in the petition...The full court has been empanelled consisting of five Justices of this court, in
full appreciation of the importance of due process and just dispensation of justice in the hearing and
determination of this case relating to the presidential election, notwithstanding that the court will be
duly constituted if it consists of at least three Justices of the Court of Appeal..“.
Justice Ijohor did not sit alone but with two other judges and her husband was not a party before the
tribunal and therefore was very competent to hear and determine the matters before the tribunal. Justice
Ijohor and indeed any other Tribunal Judge cannot be held responsible for the way the APC cases went,
especially considering the fact that they had known ab initio that they had no case, but only approached
the tribunal as a face-saving mechanism, while earnestly seeking for federal appointments.
We urge the general public to ignore the illogical, baseless, senseless and slow-witted utterances made
by the All Progressives Congress Akwa Ibom state and treat them as their usual straw-clutching antics
and the last kicks of a dying horse. The people have stated through their votes that Akwa Ibom state is
not a fertile ground for the APC and will never be...That is the inevitable truth!
Comrade Ini Ememobong, ANIPR,

State Publicity Secretary
Peoples Democratic Party,
Akwa Ibom State
12092019
Federal Government To Constructs Bridges, Roads Across Niger
State
The Federal Government is set to construct major roads and bridges across Niger state, the state
government has announced.
The Federal Executive Council approved, among others, the award of contracts for the construction of
two bridges at Kontagora-Rijau road at the cost of N1.12billion.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu while briefing
State House Correspondents on the outcome of the maiden FEC meeting held yesterday at the
Presidential Council Chamber, Abuja.
According to the Minister, the Kontagora-Bangi road was also pencilled down and construction of the
road will cost N20.3 billion, with a completion period of 48 months.
Further, the Minister added that the council also approved N10.6billion for the construction of Baro
Port road in Niger state.
We express gratitude to Federal Government but especially to the people of Niger State who added
their voices to that of the state government to arrest the attention of the Federal Government.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, the Niger state governor had registered the people’s discontent to the
Federal Government, inviting them to act.
In recent times, the people of Niger state have experienced no small hardship as rain and ceaseless
movement of heavy-duty vehicles have badly damaged the roads.
This has made the people place the state government under pressure
Increment Of VAT To 7.2%: Nigerians Slam FG

Nigerians have reacted with outrage to the approval of an increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) rate in
the country from 5 per cent to 7.2 per cent by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV reports that the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed,
announced the approval after the FEC meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.
She said stakeholders, including the National Assembly and the states, would have to agree on the date
expected to be in 2020.
“We also reported to council and council has agreed that we start the process toward the increase of the
VAT rate. We are proposing and council has agreed, increase in the VAT rate from 5 per cent to 7.2 per
cent,” she said.
Nigerians have expressed disappointment with the government over the increase.
Xenophobia: FG Gives Loan, 9GB Data, N40,000 Airtime To

South African Returnees
The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has
said that the Nigerians returning from South Africa will receive sim cards with airtime worth N40,000
and 9GB of valid data for two months.
Mrs Dabiri-Erewa disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement through Gabriel Odu for Media Unit of
the Commission, when she received the first batch of 187 Nigerians on-board an Air Peace Flight at the
Murtala Muhammed Airport.
She also stated that returnees will receive transport stipend to convey them to their various destinations,
as well as a soft loan from the Bank of Industry to support those interested in small trade and
businesses.
Mrs Dabiri-Erewa added that a program of reintegration will be put in place subsequently. Also
officials of the Bank of Industry were on hand to brief them.
Commending the Management of Air Peace for the kind gesture, the Chairman Hon Dabiri-Erewa said
a total of 187 Nigerians were evacuated, amongst whom over 30 were children.
About 317 were initially billed to return on the flight which experienced over 15 hours delay by the
South African authorities.
The development follows a directive from President Muhammadu Buhari to evacuate Nigerians in
South Africa willing to return home due to renewed xenophobic uprisings.
The president gave the order after receiving the report of the special envoy whom he dispatched to
South Africa over xenophobic attacks.
The Nigerian Returnees with joy and excitement at the reception they received on their return home, all
got up to render the National Anthem thanking President Buhari, the Chairman of Air Peace as well as
the Consul General in South Africa and the High Commission in Pretoria for their efforts in ensuring a
successful return home to Nigeria.
The Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa therefore urged other
Nigerians in South Africa to remain peaceful and good Ambassadors as the Federal Government is
making firmer strategies for their safety and security in that country.
Meanwhile, arrangements for airlift of Second Batch of Nigerians from South Africa are underway.
FG Approves $5.3bn For Ibadan-kano Standard Rail Project

-amaechi
The Federal Government has approved 5.3 billion dollars for the Ibadan-Kano standard gauge rail
project, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation said.
The minister disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by his media aide, Mr Israel
Ibeleme after the 3rd Maritime Stakeholders Interactive Forum held in Lagos.
“Yesterday, we got approval to complete the 5.3billion dollar Ibadan to Kano rail project and we have
also applied for funding to commence coastal rail for the Port-Harcourt to Warri segment.”
Amaechi explained that the minister of Transportation, State, Gbemisola Saraki, has been assigned the
responsibilities of overseeing all the maritime agencies.
He will be focusing on the Railway sector.
“In my first term as Minister, I completely abandoned the maritime sector to the Heads of agencies.
“This time around that would not be happening again as I have instructed that the Minister of
Transportation for State should personally supervise the maritime agencies, while I just oversee what is
happening.
“There are two things that I have discussed with President Muhammadu Buhari that I will be focusing
on in this second term as a Minister and they are maritime security and the Single Window project.
“I have assured government that by the end of 2020, we should have the Single Window at our
maritime sector.”
President Muhammadu Buhari directed the establishment of the single window platform that would
integrate all government agencies at all the entry points into the country to promote trade and boost
security.
Presidential Tribunal Verdict, True Reflection Of People's Wish,

Says Kwara Gov
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on
his well-deserved victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
"Given the unprecedented margin of victory that Mr. President recorded in our state, Kwara, and the
very glaring acceptability of his candidature across the country, I have always known that any legal
challenge to his victory was just an academic exercise because the people have spoken clearly,"
AbdulRazaq said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.
"Without predudice to the right of the opposition to seek redress as they did, the judgment of the
presidential election tribunal only affirmed the position of the people of Nigeria who appreciate the
discipline, integrity, patriotism, and commitment of Mr. President to a better Nigeria."
He said the judgment was a victory for the ordinary Nigerians who stood for many hours on the queue
to cast their ballot in the election.
AbdulRazaq also commended the erudition of the President's legal team who the Governor said
remained focus "even in the face of every-day propaganda by the opposition."
He called on Nigerians across party lines to rally round the President to deliver more dividends of
democracy.
Wike: Why I Congratulated Buhari On Tribunal Victory

Why I congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari by Governor Wike
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has explained that he congratulated President
Muhammadu Buhari after the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal confirmed his election because it
is better to offer public congratulations than visit the President at night.
Governor Wike said that unlike some Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) who visit
President Muhammadu Buhari at night, he made his declaration public because it came from the heart.
He spoke at the Funeral Service in honour of Late Madam Blessing Awuse, Mother of Onha Sergent
Chidi Awuse, at the St Luke's Anglican Church, Emohua on Thursday.
He said: " I am sure all of you are surprised that I congratulated Buhari. Is it not good for me to
congratulate him, than to go to his house in the night?"
"So many PDP Govenrors go to see him in his house in the night. I have never gone and I will not go. I
won't go."
"We are the only state that the Federal Government refused to pay us our money used to execute
Federal projects because I don't go to see him in the night and I won't go. He is not my friend, he is not
doing well, but he won in court, should I say that the court did wrong, no."
"President Buhari, congratulations and carry Nigerians along. Unify the country, the country is too
divided. I am saying what is right. What I will do, I will do, what I will not do, I will not do".
Governor Wike said politics is a game of interest, noting that Rivers people in the All Progressives
Congress are under obligation to attract Federal benefits to the state.
'Politics is a game of interest. And my only interest is Rivers State . Anything that is against the interest
of Rivers State, I will not agree.
"These people sold us out, thinking that they are doing Governor Wike. It is the State that you are
offending, because I am just one person ".
Governor Wike expressed displeasure that Rivers State has key links to President Muhammadu Buhari
from the State, yet the East West Road, the seaports and other Federal projects have been completely
neglected since 2015. He said nothing indicates that Rivers State has prominent APC members working
with President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Rivers State Governor maintained that Rivers State is a Christian state. He said that the facts of
Rivers being a Christian State will not be changed by negative propaganda and falsehood targeted at his
person. He said he never demolished a Mosque as was falsely circulated by some mischief makers.
He said Rivers State is a major oil producing State that deserves major projects from the Federal
Government.
"We produce oil . They should not punish Rivers State because of me. I am just one individual. We
have not benefited anything from the Federal Government. The only thing we have benefited is the
abuse they heap on me.
"They turned the NDDC into a cash cow to sponsor elections against us. Nobody protested that
anomaly. Now they want us to protest because someone did not nominate the management of NDDC
this time.
"Since 2015, NDDC has not had its governing board, but nobody protested. I will not be dragged into
such protests ", he said.
On the passage of Late Mrs Blessing Awuse, Mother of Ohna Sergeant Awuse, Governor Wike said she
lived a fulfilled life and raised disciplined and trustworthy children. He said that her burial is a
celebration of life.
Chief Mourner, Ohna Sergeant Awuse thanked the Rivers State Governor for his love and friendship.
He said the Rivers State Governor always intervenes at the most critical time.
Anglican Bishop of Ikwerre Diocese, Rt Rev Blessing Enyindah praised the Rivers State Governor for
his commitment to the development of the state.
He urged the Rivers State Governor to continue with his good works. He said that Governor Wike
should focus on the people in all his programmes.
Simeon Nwakaudu,
Paul Ibe: Lai Mohammed Smoking Weed – Atiku’s Aide Replies

For asking Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to
apologize to Nigerians rather than appeal his loss at the election tribunal, Lai Mohammed, Information
Minister, has been told that he’s smoking weed.
Mr Abubakar lost his case at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) where he challenged
the outcome of the election that ushered in President Muhammadu Buhari into his second and final
term as a democratic leader.
In delivering judgement Wednesday, the tribunal struck out the entire petition of the former vice
president for failing to prove beyond reasonable doubt why the PDP candidate and his party should be
declared winner of the February 23 exercise.
Reacting to the decision of the PEPT, Mr Mohammed urged the PDP candidate, popularly known as
Atiku, to apologize to Nigerians and shelve reported plans to challenge the decision of the tribunal at
the highest court in the land.
Although he is yet to react to the judgement, TODAY POLITICS reports that legal counsel to the
former vice president had hinted of plans to appeal the ruling.
”It is intriguing that a party that trumpets the rule of law at every turn will present, in open court,
evidence it claimed to have obtained by hacking into a supposed INEC server,” a statement from Segun
Adeyemi, media aide to the minister, partly read.
“Don’t they realize this is a criminal act for which they are liable? Instead of threatening to head to the
Supreme Court, driven more by ego than commonsense, they should be sorry for allowing desperation
to overwhelm their sense of reasoning. Enough is enough,” Mr Adeyemi quoted his principal, who is in
Russia, to have said.
Responding, Paul Ibe, media aide to Atiku said asking his principal to apologize indicated that the
minister was under the influence of smoked weed.
“Lai: Atiku should apologise to Nigerians,” Mr Ibe said in a tweet Thursday.
“Me: For real? What type of weed are you smoking? It can only be #CertifiedWeed,” he added.
Buhari, APC Women Leaders Meet In Aso Rock

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met with National, Zonal, State and FCT Women leaders
of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The meeting started at the Presidential Villa, Abuja around 3pm.
The women were believed to have played great roles in the February 2019 Presidential reelection of
President Buhari across the country.
The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report
See more here https://thickmatch.com/buhari-apc-women-leaders-meet-aso-rock/
President @MBuhari received @OfficialAPCNg

National, State, Zonal and FCT Women Leaders at the State House today. The delegation
was led by the National Women Leader Haijya Salamatu Baiwa; Party Chairman Adams
Oshiomhole also attended the meeting. #AsoVillaToday
https://mobile.twitter.com/NGRPresident/status/1172183312493895681
We Won’t Cause More Hardship For Nigerians – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja assured Nigerians that the Federal Government
will not inflict additional hardship on citizens.
The President spoke while receiving the new executive of Trade Union Congress (TUC) led by its
President, Comrade Quadri Olaleye, at the State House, Abuja.
The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Mallam Garba
Shehu, said “On fuel prices, I agree with you on the need to eliminate corruption and inefficiencies in
the sector. I want to assure you that, as an Administration, we have no intention of inflicting any
additional hardship on Nigerians,’’
Dino Melaye Hails Wike Amid Controversial Congratulatory

Message To Buhari
Senator Dino Melaye has hailed Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, amid the controversy following
the governor’s congratulatory message to President Muhammadu Buhari on his victory at the
Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV reports that Wike broke ranks among his party faithful when he congratulated Buhari on
Wednesday despite his party vowing to appeal the judgement.
In a tweet on Thursday, Melaye hailed the governor, calling him the “pride of modern day Democracy
in Nigeria.”
He, however, did not state the reason why he praised the governor.
“Governor Wike (National Governor) of Rivers State. I salute you, God bless you and keep you. You
are the pride of modern day Democracy in Nigeria. Nothing do you Mr Project… Carry Gooooooooo,”
Melaye wrote.
Wike had also on Wednesday warned PDP against toying with Rivers.
He said he was dismayed over the committee set up by his party to investigate the emergence of Ndudi
Elumelu as the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
Wike described the committee as the most corrupt in the history of PDP.
“We are warning PDP to be careful not to toy with Rivers State. The state has all it takes to withstand
the PDP and fight the party to a standstill. Rivers governor is not one of those governors that anyone
can cajole. He is not one of those governors that will kowtow to illicit activities,” he said.
Bayelsa & Kogi Governorship Elections: INEC To Disqualify

Candidates Below 30
“Not Too Young To Run”: INEC To Disqualify Candidates Below 30 In Bayelsa, Kogi Guber
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it will disqualify ‘underage
candidates’ in the November 16 2019 Bayelsa and Kogi States gubernatorial election, Igbere TV
reports.
This was as the Commission expressed its resolve to publish the personal particulars of all candidates
in the forthcoming polls in both Kogi and Bayelsa states.
According to INEC, in a statement obtained by Igbere TV from its Twitter handle on Thursday, some of
the nominated candidates fall below the age limit allowed by the Electoral Act.
https://twitter.com/inecnigeria/status/1172124999597068288?s=19
The statement signed by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter
Education Committee, Festus Okoye said the particulars of all candidates would be published on the
notice boards in its offices in both states on Friday.
“Under the “Not Too Young to Run Act”, candidates standing for governorship elections are expected
to have attained the age of 30”, he said.
But the Commission said its preliminary review of candidates’ particulars showed a breach of the law,
as most of the candidates fall below age 30.
“The publication of the personal particulars of nominees is for members of the public to make any
claims and objections regarding these candidates, as required by law.
“Similarly, the Commission has observed from a preliminary review of the list and personal particulars
submitted by the political parties that some of the Governorship and Deputy-Governorship candidates
are below the minimum age prescribed by the Constitution for these positions”, the statement added.
Although, INEC has no legal power to disqualify candidates legitimately forwarded to it by political
parties, the electoral umpire said it would notify concerned parties and as well consider further action.
“The Commission will notify the concerned parties soon and subsequently consider further action”, the
statement said.
The statement added; “in accordance with the Electoral Act and in line with the Timetable and
Schedule of Activities for the Bayelsa State and Kogi State Governorship elections, the Commission
will on Friday 13th September 2019 publish the personal particulars of nominated candidates for the
elections.
“The personal particulars of the nominees will be published on the notice boards of our offices in
Yenagoa and Lokoja.
“As required by law, the Commission monitored the primaries of the political parties and the list of
aspirants who emerged has since been published on our website and other platforms.
“From our records, 64 political parties conducted primaries in Bayelsa State as against 59 in Kogi
State. Out of these, 52 political parties for Bayelsa State and 49 for Kogi state respectively submitted
the list of candidates and their personal particulars at the close of nomination at 6pm on Monday 9th
September 2019.
“While some of the political parties that conducted primaries did not submit any list and personal
particulars of candidates, a few failed to submit within the time limit prescribed by the Commission.
“Out of the 101 nominees for the two States, 91 are male, representing 90 per cent, while 10 are
female, representing 10 per cent of all the nominees. Of the 52 nominees for Bayelsa State, 6 are
female, while 46 are male.
“The corresponding figures for Kogi State are 4 female and 45 male nominees.
“As we continue to prepare for the Bayelsa and Kogi Governorship elections scheduled for Saturday
16th November 2019, the Commission once more reminds the political parties of the timelines in the
Timetable and Schedule of Activities and requests strict compliance with them.
“We look forward to working with the parties and all stakeholders to make the forthcoming elections in
the two States free, fair and credible”.
Police Arrest Sarkin Wakan Kano Nazir Ahmad Over Anti-

Gaduje Albums
Sarkin wakan Kano, Nazir Ahmad, has been arrested for allegedly releasing two uncensored musical
albums. The albums, which were released about three years ago, were said to have violated some
provisions of the state censorship board laws
In the said albums Gidan Sarauta and Sai Hakuri, the crowned royal court singer was said to have
openly criticized the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
The singer was arrested on Wednesday in his residence at Darmanawa quarters by the police. The
spokesman, Kano state police command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the arrest, saying that the
singer was arrested on the orders of the court. He said, “The court ordered his arrest and we complied
with the order and we have already handed him over to the court.”
Reacting in a statement on Thursday, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa who is the spokesman to PDP’s
governorship candidate in the last election described the arrest as illegal and a ploy to silence the
opposition in the state.
He said, “Uniformed security personnel believed to be from Criminal Investigation Department of

Kano State Police Command working on the orders Kano State Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje
through the state Censorship Board have arrested the popular musician as part of the crackdown
operation launched on the members of the opposition party, the PDP. “Nazir’s brother Musbahu M.
Ahmad who is also the chairman of Kannywood Kwankwasiyya support group said his brother’s arrest
may likely be connected to a musical video he produced four years ago, alleging that he was taken
away simply because of his support for the promotion good governance in Kano and Nigeria.
“We urge all security apparatus working in Kano state to as a matter of accountability stay away from
being used for political victimization and blackmail which would not in any way frighten constructive
criticism on the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
“You may recall that our members, Salisu Yahaya Hotoro, Sunusi Oscar, Rufaidah Ahmed and Alhaji
Muhammad Yakasai who are supporters of Kwankwasiyya movement were arrested and charged to
courts for various cases that are seen to be merely a political victimization in recent times,” the
statement read.
The Executive Secretary Kano State Censorship Board, Isma’ila Afakallah, could not be reached for
comment over the issue.
Gbajabiamila Seeks Closer Ties With UAE

There is a need for closer bilateral relationships between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirate (UAE),
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has said.
The Speaker, who received the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirate to Nigeria in his office during a
courtesy visit on Thursday assured that expedited legislative action would be taken on outstanding
bilateral agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two countries as soon as the House
resumes from its annual vacation.
Stating that Nigeria is a country that seeks cooperation with other countries for the benefit of the
people, the Speaker noted that UAE is a model State with remarkable growth, which Nigeria hopes to
replicate.
He said: "For us, we always look for cooperation, we always look for friends who can enhance and
grow our relationships as a legislature, even as a country.
"Of course, yours is a model State, your remarkable growth and development over the years is
something we all look to replicate here in Nigeria.
"There's is no doubt or question that we want to open up new shores, new avenues, new frontiers
beyond our traditional trading partners and UAE obviously is already calling and yearning for
investments and bilateral relationships that cut across borders between the two countries.
"On the Agreements which you talked about, I'm well aware that we have domesticated some, you said
about six of them, two are outstanding, we will take these up as soon as we get back from the annual
vacation.
"We will fast track the process to make things easier between the two countries.
"I just want to encourage you, as we encourage ourselves that we need to cement the areas with some
grey areas.
"President Muhammadu Buhari has been there because he is interested in exploring avenues for good
working and bilateral relationships between our two countries"
The Speaker also expressed the desire of the House of Representatives to work closely with the UAE
legislature after its November national election, adding that both can benefit from each other.
"We look forward to your elections and looking forward to the parliamentary relations.
Earlier in his remarks, the Ambassador said the courtesy visit was intended to seek closer ties with the
House of Representatives considering several engagements and opportunities between the two
countries in the past.
This, he said led to the signing of six Agreements between the two in 2016, with four ratified before
President Buhari's visit to UAE in April 2019 which led successful outcomes on economic, investment,
climate change, humanitarian and other sectors of the two countries.
He informed the Speaker of the six bilateral Agreements between the two countries and the need to
domesticate those that have been ratified while soliciting for expedited action of the outstanding ones.
According to the Ambassador, the Agreements have implications on the economy, investments and for
people who would want to establish themselves in Nigeria or UAE and access global markets.
“why I Handed Over Nigeria’s Treasury To Women” – President

Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja said placing women in strategic positions of his
government, like the financial sector, is to ensure effective management of limited resources available,
and promote a stronger sense of inclusiveness.
POLITICS NIGERIA learned that President Buhari said he preferred women to oversee the economic
and financial hub of the country, Ministry of Finance, as they can readily deploy their experience in
aligning resources with the needs of the country, explaining that the nation also had many female
technocrats with local and international experiences on economy and finance.
The President gave the insight into his preferred choice for Ministers of Finance while receiving a
delegation of National, Zonal, State and FCT Women leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
led by the party Women Leader, Hajiya Salamatu Umaru Baiwa at the State House.
“I am happy that I can defend myself very effectively on this issue. The APC party leader is my
witness. Since the coming into power of this administration I have handed over the treasury to women.
“Even at household level, you hand over the money to women to manage. It can be taken to the level of
managing the country’s treasury as well. I have consistently given it to women. It is strategic.
“I am conscious of the leadership roles of women in the society and by my action, I have justified my
belief,’’ President Buhari said.
The President reiterated that his administration will ensure inclusiveness for women and youths,
especially in the second term, by providing more access to facilities that will enable spread of Small
and Medium Scale Enterprises, and encourage more interest in agriculture.
President Buhari said the traditional and subsistence style of farming should be replaced with
commercialized and business-oriented techniques.
“We have to move away from the traditional ways of farming that were practiced in the pre-colonial
and colonial era,’’ he added.
The President said he instructed the ministers to work with traditional institutions to encourage interest
in farming, with the Central Bank of Nigeria readily providing loans at low interest rates and longer
periods of repayment.
“On unemployment, I know there is no able bodied person that went back to the farm in the last three
years that regretted the action,’’ he added.
In her remarks, the APC Woman Leader congratulated the President for his victory at the polls and the
tribunal, commending the administration for its efforts in managing the affairs of the country, which
provided the impetus for the vigorous campaigns.
Baiwa said women were particularly pleased and willing to vote for the President because the
government deliberately formulated some policies to favour and empower women, like the social
intervention Trader Moni.
She said the APC had many resourceful and loyal women that would contribute to the success of the
administration, while commending the President for giving women strategic positions in the
government.
“Our prayer is that God will give you the tenacity to overcome all obstacles,’’ the Woman Leader said.
Akeredolu Procures Another Set of Motorcycles, Trucks To Fight

Insecurity
... As Operation ‘Amotekun’ Set To Take-Off In South West
Following the recommendations of the South West Security Summit, held in Ibadan, the Oyo State
capital, the Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin
Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, has procured over 100 motorcycles and twenty trucks for the take-off of
the ‘Amotekun’ Security arrangement.
‘Amotekun’ is a code name for the security arrangements of the south west Governors, as part of the
resolutions to tackle the growing wave of insecurity in the region.
For a start, the Ondo State government, under the leadership of Governor Akeredolu procured the items
to aid the jobs of the personnel that would be employed to secure the areas, with more expected to
follow.
Jonah Jang's Aide Delivered Cash In Ghana-must-go Bags To

Him
A prosecution witness, Musa Sunday, who is testifying against a former governor of Plateau State,
Jonah Jang, in an alleged N6.2billion fraud, on September 12, 2019, narrated to a State High Court,
sitting in Jos, Plateau State, how his aide conveyed cash to him at the Government House.
POLITICS NIGERIA learned that Jang and the aide, Yusuf Pam, a cashier at the Office of the Secretary
to the State Government, SSG, are accused of colluding to divert state funds to personal use and are
standing trial before Justice Daniel Longji.
Sunday, who is testifying as the 11th prosecution witness, while being cross-examined by Mike
Ozekhome, SAN, counsel for Jang, gave a vivid description of how Pam, during investigations into the
alleged fraud, took him through the hidden back passage through which he usually used to take cash to
Jang.
He said: “The new Government House is located at the outskirt of town amidst a lot of buildings.
“Amongst the buildings was the office of the SSG of the state where Pam and the EFCC detectives
reported their arrival to the SSG.
“From the SSG's office we were led to the Government Office, the Governor’s office, a storey-building
with two doors one at the main entrance and at the back exit.
“There, Pam showed us how he delivered cash in ‘Ghana must go’ bags to the former Governor.
“He had clearly said and even showed me the back entrances where the cash was stacked and given to
the governor.”
While identifying Exhibit P62, a response from the Plateau State House of Assembly dated July 19,
2018 and September 2014, alongside the letter from the EFCC requesting for information, Musa told
the court that investigations revealed that memos were written by the Commission of Finance, who was
involved in seeking approval for the disbursement of the funds involved in the alleged fraud.
“However, the monies were further transferred from Plateau State One account to OSSG account where
the second defendant withdrew cash and delivered to the first defendant,” he said.
While trying to infer that the prosecution of Jang was political, Ozekhome questioned the witness, as to
why it took four years before the former governor, who contested under the Peoples Political Party,
PDP, was arraigned in court.
“Four years later, Jang was charged on April 4, 2018, and don’t you think this has a political
undertone?” Ozekhome queried.
So between 2014 and 2018 when the petition was received and when he was first charged to court, it
took four years, don’t you think this has a political undertone?” Ozekhome queried.
Replying, Sunday said: There are laid down procedures following investigation, the legal team take up
the cases and charge them to court. All these processes takes time.”
Under cross-examination, the witness further confirmed that about $100,000 was deposited in a single
day into the Standard Chartered Bank.
He said: “On the May 6, 2014 $50,000 cash deposit in tranches of $10,000 five times and on May 7,
2014.
“Yakubu Jang, son of the first defendant was among the persons who deposited monies into the
account.”
The case has been adjourned to September 13, 2019.
CBN Releases The Full List Of States And Amount Given As

Bailouts
CBN Releases Full List Of States Given Bailouts and the amount awarded
___________________________________
Abia (N14.152bn)
Adamawa( N2.378bn)
Bauchi (N8.60bn)
Bayelsa (N12.85bn)
Benue(N28.013bn)
Borno(N7.680bn)
Cross River(N7.856bn)
Delta( N10.036bn)
Ebonyi(N4.063bn)
Edo(N3.167bn)
Ekiti (N9.604bn)
Enugu (N4.207bn)
Gombe (N16.459bn)
Imo (N26.806bn)
Kastina (N3.304bn)
Kebbi (N0.690bn)
Kogi (N50.842bn)
Kwara (N4.320bn)
Nasarawa (N8.317bn)
Niger (N4.306bn)
Ogun (N20.00bn)
Ondo (N14.686bn)
Osun(N34.988bn)
Oyo( N26.606bn )
Plateau (N5.357bn)
Sokoto (N10.093bn)
Zamfara (N10.02bn)
Tinubu Will Pay For Undermining Yoruba Leaders – Bode

George
Chief Olabode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
has said Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former Lagos State governor and National Leader of the ruling All
Progressives Congress (APC) would be punished for moving against Yoruba leaders in Afenifere who
assisted him politically to where he is today.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Independent, George, the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland urged
Tinubu to collect a Bible from his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who is an Assistant Pastor of the
Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG and read Psalm 73 to get a proper perspective of life.
“If he (Tinubu) thinks he has money, he is mistaken because money is not everything. Nobody has ever
died with all his assets buried with him. He should go and read the Holy Book Psalm 73”.
“He can borrow the Bible from his wife because she is a Deacon and see what the Almighty God can
do which he did before during the time of David”.
“Why is he claiming to be all-in-all? Can he be perpetual? So, sponsoring people and undermining the
people who actually brought him to limelight is unfair. There is retributive justice. He will pay for it”
he said.
Gbemi Saraki To Oversee Maritime Sector, Amaechi To Oversee

Railway Sector
Gbemisola Saraki will supervise activities in the Nigerian Maritime Sector in her capacity as the
Minister of State Transportation, while the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amechi will focus on the
railway sector.
This was announced in a statement released earlier today by the Ministry of Transport.
According to Amechi, “In my first term as Minister, I completely abandoned the maritime sector to the
Heads of agencies. “This time around that would not be happening again as I have instructed that the
Minister of Transportation for State should personally supervise the maritime agencies, while I just
oversee what is happening.
“There are two things that I have discussed with President Muhammadu Buhari that I will be focusing
on in this second term as a Minister and they are maritime security and the Single Window project.
“I have assured the government that by the end of 2020, we should have the Single Window at our
maritime sector.”
President Muhammadu Buhari directed the establishment of the single window platform that would
integrate all government agencies at all the entry points into the country to promote trade and boost
security.
The statement was issued today in Abuja by the media aide to the Minister of Transport, Israel Ibeleme
after the 3rd Maritime Stakeholders Interactive Forum held in Lagos.
Burial Of 3 Shiite Members Shot Dead By Police In Bauchi

AThree Shiites Hussaini Haruna, Huzaifa Adamu, and Huzaifa Sunusi who were brutally killed by the
police under during the annual Ashura procession in Bauchi have been buried.
The prayer was led by Sheikh Muhammad Abbare Bauchi this evening in their hometown.
Buhari Will Take 10m Nigerians Out Of Poverty In 10 Years —

Osinbajo
Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has said that 10 million Nigerian would be out of poverty in the
next 10 years.
Osimbajo made this promise on Thursday at Abdullahi Fodio Palace in Birnin Kebbi when he paid a
courtesy visit to the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to take 10 millions Nigerian out of poverty in the next 10
years, we believe very strongly we can achieve it in collaboration with the state governor.
“We are here in Kebbi for several things and to promote National Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises and petty traders’ businesses, and to inspect the renovation of the market in the state,” he
said.
According to the Vice President, the National Micro and Medium Enterprises scheme is a scheme that
is designed to develop the business of petty traders in the country, which can alleviate the level of
poverty in the country.
“We give petty traders N10,000, when they pay back we increase it to N20,000.
“This is a very good program which is designed to help hard-working citizens of this country. They
should be able to have support from the government no matter how little it is,” he said
He commended the traditional ruler, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar, for collaborating with security
agencies in fighting insecurity in the state.
Tribunal: Why I Ordered Boycott Of 2019 Elections – Nnamdi

Kanu
Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has said that he called for the
boycott of 2019 elections because he knew that President Muhammadu Buhari would rig the elections,
Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV reports that Mr Kanu’s comments follow the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition
Tribunal on Wednesday which upheld President Buhari’s election and dismissed the petitions of the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate in the election, Atiku Abubakar.
Kanu, in a tweet on Thursday, said he warned Nigerians ahead of time.
“I warned you all but you would not listen. When they vetoed the Electoral Bill & proceeded to
illegally sack Onnoghen, sensible people knew it was game over,” he said.
“I ordered a boycott because I knew dictatorships always rig elections. My Jan 29, 2019 tweet below is
a polite reminder.”
Atiku and PDP have confirmed they would be appealing the judgement at the Supreme Court.
Babatunde Fowler Receives National Peace Awards As Most
Organised MDA In Nigeria
A non governemntal organization, focused on peace campaigns and the recognition of persons who
have made significant impacts at improving peace across Nigeria have decorated the Chairman of
Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr. Babatunde Fowler, with the prestigious National Peace Awards, as
"The Most Organised MDA in Nigeria.
Speaking with the President of the Messengers of Peace and Convener of the National Peace Awards,
Dr. Suleiman Adejoh congratulated the "revenue revolutionist" and commended his efforts in the FIRS,
stating that the award and recognition was in view of his intellectual impact and capacity at ensuring a
sound a smooth improvement of the revenue and tax sector.
He also stressed that the Federal Inland Revenue Service under Dr. Babatunde Fowler has been a
channel through which infant agencies, resourceful programs and empowerment projects across Nigeria
are promoted and supported, throigh the CSR mandate of the institution.
Unlike other MDAs, the FIRS, under Babatunde Fowler has been quite innovative, creative and are
working tirelessly to sustain efforts of the agency towards realising its revenue generation target via
taxes, as well as through the new initiative in the digitalisation of tax operations in Nigeria.
Since assumption of office, the FIRS Boss has been made commendable successes in the revenue
sector, which includes his record breaking success in 2018 with the highest revenue collection in the
history of Nigeria of N5.3 trillion. More than half revenue came from the non-oil sector, which was
quite impressive.
The National Peace Awards, which was held in Abuja and organised by the Messengers of Peace will
also be unveiling a new symbol of recognition, strictly for those who have played pragmatic roles in the
sustainability of peace across all sectors. The new "Peace Messenger" plate number will be unveiled
soon, as the agency has concluded it endorsements and acceptance by relevant national organisations in
Nigeria.
Adams Oshiomhole Danced To Celebrate Buhari's Tribunal

Victory Last Night
See how APC Chairman Adams Oshiomole celebrated Buhari's tribunal victory last night, his dance
step got people confused, as many wondered what kind of dance is it called?
A five-man panel tribunal, Wednesday, upheld Buhari’s re-election, striking out all petitions brought
against him by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
While congratulating President Buhari, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, National Chairman of the All
Progressives Congress (APC), was seen serving us some dance move.
Still on the mood of celebration, Adams Oshiomole was seen showing of his dance skills in celebration
of President Buhari Victory at the tribunal.
This is an incredible dance by Oshiomole, this dance got people talking, the man really nailed it. Watch
the video below.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2UvA1-nZeA/
Enugu Airport Ready Before Christmas -aviation Minister

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has said that the Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu, will be opened for
local and international commercial flights before Christmas.
Speaking on Channels Television, the minister said that work was ongoing and if there was sufficient
funding to complete repairs on the dilapidated runway, the Federal government would reopen it before
Christmas.
“Work is ongoing. If everything is equal and we get all of the funding, we intend to reopen it before
Christmas. Work does not necessarily mean the bringing of equipment into the airport to begin the
reconstruction of that particular airport or runway; work entails the planning, mobilising people for
work and the actual work itself. The planning is even more important than the work itself because when
you plan very well, you succeed.
“This runway closed itself because it actually failed and we kept trying to get it to function very well
but it kept failing on a daily basis. We were very afraid that what happened in Port Harcourt many
years ago could happen on this runway because in Port Harcourt, it was failing and the then Ministry of
Aviation was doing the best they could to keep the runway safe, but unfortunately, the runway started to
fail like mad and when Air France landed, it got stuck. It took two years and a half to get the runway
back to function properly.
“Every airport will have its maintenance programme with the facility management and then set things
in place now so as to be able to do maintenance as at when due and if it needs total resurfacing and
reconstruction , we would do all of that,” Sirika said.
Following regulatory framework to shut down the Akanu Ibiam airport, the Federal government
announced in May that the airport would be closed and domestic flights would be diverted to Sam
Mbakwe Cargo Airport, Owerri, while international flights would be diverted to Port Harcourt.
The Federal government through the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), issued a shutdown
date on August 24, 2019, for rehabilitation of the runway and upgrade of its facilities to meet
international standard.
PEPT: Atiku Will Appeal Judgment - Peter Obi's Close Ally
Reveals
A close ally to the People's Democratic Party Vice Presidential candidate in the 2019 election, Peter
Obi, Mr. Charles Mouka , has revealed that the candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar will appeal
the rulings of the Presidential Election Tribunal at the Supreme Court.
Igbere TV had reported that the petition of the former vice president and his party was dismissed in its
entirety, by the PEPT led by Justice Mohammed Garba, as failing to prove beyond reasonable doubt
why the petitioners should be declared winner of the February 23 exercise.
Speaking over the outcome of the tribunal, Mouka said

PDP lawyers have requested from the court for the release of the judgment paper within 24 hours to
enable them study for appeal to the Supreme court.
He said : "Buhari (APC) wins Atiku (PDP) at the Appeal Court Tribunal yesterday and PDP lawyer
requests from the court for the release of the judgment paper within 24 hours to enable its study for
appeal to the Supreme court."
"Friends thank God for its intriguing outcome and let our hearts and our minds remain fixed at
discerning and understanding his intentions for all that God allow are always for our good (Gen 37: 25-
28, 41:12-57). "
"Lets continue to trust him on our hopes and expectations."
Assembly Nominate House Leader To Represent North Central

Zone Of Kogi State
Hon. Bello Abdullahi Balogun, House Leader, Kogi State House of Assembly, nominated to represent
the North Central Geopolitical Zone at the forum of Majority Leaders of State Legislators in Nigeria,
VAM reports.
Hon. Bello Abdullahi, the Majority leader of Kogi State House of Assembly was on September 10th,
2019 in Abuja, unanimously nominated by members of the North Central Geopolitical Zone of the
forum of Majority Leaders of State Legislators in Nigeria to take charge of the affairs of North Central
zone in the forum.
Bello Abdullahi (Credit: Media Aide)
According to the forum members, Hon. Bello Abdullahi was nominated because of his brilliance
performance in the House and at Constituency level.
Hon. Bello Abdullahi in his acceptance speech, thanked the members of the forum for the confidence
reposed in him and promised to take every member of the House along as he progresses with the
responsibility saddled with his office as the representative of north central geopolitical zone.
He further pledged to work effectively with his colleagues from other zones to ensure that the aim and
objectives of the forum are collectively achieved.
Shehu Sani's Tweet About Rochas Okorocha

In what appears as a mixture of mockery and advice, Senator Shehu Sani has teased former Governor
Rochas Okorocha, asking him to return to his former party, Igbere TV reports.
Okorocha has been in the news lately as his successor and Imo Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, continues
with state-backed crackdown on his (Okorocha)’s properties.
This is even as the former governor is seen lamenting alleged unfair treatment by his party, the ruling
All Progressives Congress (APC), and its leadership.
Igbere TV recalls that Okorocha has, on several occasion, publicly disagreed with the party's national
chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
He had accused the chairman of being behind his ordeals in the party, blaming him for the fallout of the
APC in Imo, and his controversial senatorial election.
Reacting to the development in a tweet sighted by Igbere TV on Thursday, Sani, a former senator
representing Kaduna Central, wrote;
“Oh yea Rochas; thee hath wandered for so long in the desert of Egypt, searching for Gold under the
foot of the Pharaohs and casting Idols in Bronze. Return to thy brethren and seek forgiveness of thy
Lord that thee shalt be cured of thy leprosy.”
Nigerian Activist Puts Up Obituary Anticipating Death In Hands

Of Security Agent
A human rights activist, Ayomide Oluwaremilekun Oseni, has uploaded what he described as his
obituary picture on social media.
Oseni said it was necessary to do so in anticipation that he might die in the hands of President
Muhammadu Buhari-sanctioned security agents who would likely want to prevent the proposed
September 18 #RevolutionNow open-air symposium slated to hold in Nigeria and other places.
The Nigerian activist was arrested last August and remained in detention for almost two weeks for
staging a one-man protest at the National Stadium in Surulere.
“In case Muhammadu Buhari, @MBuhari decides to kill us again on September 18, 2019, and I
die…This is my obituary picture, I died a revolutionist…#RevolutionNow #FreeSowore
#RevolutionIsNow #RevolutionProtest,” he tweeted @Daddy_aoo.
FG Vows To Keep Borders Shut Till

Neighbouring Countries Comply
Nigeria borders will remain closed until neighbouring countries respect Nigeria’s policy on food
ban and other contraband importation.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Comptroller General of Customs, Hammed Ali, during a visit
to Maigatari border in Jigawa State.
Maigatari border town connects Nigeria and Niger republic.
Ali while addressing custom personnel and community leaders at the border town lamented that
criminals are coming in through Nigeria’s porous borders to perpetrate crimes freely.
“Most of the criminals are not citizens of Nigeria. They come in at will and go out at will because our
borders are so porous. They come and create havoc and they disappear.
“This is why the President directed that we should go on and embark on this drill to ensure that we put
into place a proper procedure for in and outflow of people.
“We must also get our neighbours to agree with us on the protocols of transit routes,” Ali said.
According to him, Nigeria has enough food and is willing to go to all extent to ensure its borders are no
longer porous
The Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, said the Federal
Government’s directive was important to ensure that people do not enter into Nigeria or leave Nigeria
through illegal means.
“A border is a place where there are immigration and customs.
If you want to enter into Nigeria, there is a border. The rule is that you pass through the border. If you
are going pass through the border, carry your documents with you,” he said
The comptroller customs also explained in an interview with journalists that the border closure has
yielded positive results and will remain closed till neigbouring countries cooperate with the Nigerian
government.
Nigeria has shut its borders with neighbouring countries including, Benin Republic and Niger for about
a month.
Seme border, which borders Lagos with Benin Republic and through which a large volume of imported
materials, legal and illegal, arrive Nigeria.
Then border closure according to President Buhari is curb smuggling and importation of food items
that have been banned.
The Devastating Impact Of Overpopulation And

Corruption On Nigerians
Over the past two centuries, there has been a powerful increase in the global population, which
demographers call it population explosion. The world's population will reach seven billion but it
is noteworthy that despite the global trend towards demographic stabilization, the birth rate in
Africa is not falling.
On average, there are 5.6 children per woman in Nigeria, 6.4 in Somalia, even during the civil war, and
7.6 in Niger. There are many reasons: thanks to modern medicine, infant mortality has fallen, but
Africans are in no hurry to limit the number of children.
Women are still regarded as sex objects to breed or make babies, therefore, Africans practically do not
use contraceptives and family planning does not exist.
This approach is characteristic of both the Muslim and Christian communities in Africa. There is an
exponential growth of the young population, which 'eats' all the fruits of economic growth.
A frightening figure alerted all Muslim countries, especially Arab ones and experts predict an increase
in the population of the Earth by 2045 to 9 billion people.
In a dominantly Muslim country like Nigeria, it is practically impossible to pursue a birth control
policy at the government level, thus, overpopulation has taken its toll on Nigeria today, forcing them to
leave the country in large numbers.
According to ‘WorldOmeters,’ the current population of Nigeria is 201,971,724, as of Wednesday,
September 11, 2019, based on the latest United Nations estimates. Like many African countries, the
fact that corruption has increased sharply, also the lack of knowledge to utilize resources have
deepened the woes of common Nigerians, forcing them to spread like a virus.
Nigeria, according to Transparency International, is one of the most corrupt countries in the world,
ranking 136th out of 175 countries with a CPI score of 27/100. Corruption in this country is no longer a
scandal and now considered an integral part of the system.
The sad part of Nigeria’s crisis is that many of its population can’t live peacefully in any country
without committing a crime. Almost in every country overseas, there is a criminal Nigerian community.
They make wars among themselves; trade-in drugs and do prostitution. There is no European country
free from crime perpetrated by Nigerians.
The alarm on the Nigerian phenomenon is in the violent nature like the mafia method, combined with
sacrificial rites. Like parasites, they feed on the masses of migrants from Africa and often heavily in
human trafficking. Even though other African nationals commit crimes, the disturbing part is by
Nigerians.
The Nigerian Gang Targeting Refugees In Sicily, Italy
This has portrayed Nigerians to be the worst criminals on the surface of the earth today but are they?
The true fact is Nigeria nationals in prisons across Asia and Europe are more than any African
nationals.
Apart from drugs, human trafficking, and prostitution, in Europe and other places, many have to fall
victims to false lottery and fake currencies transactions.
What is happening in South Africa today, shouldn’t have occurred but the criminal activities of some
Nigerians have escalated the violence to affect the decent once. The important question which we can’t
ignore is how can Nigeria prevent more babies in such a populated country?
While African leaders don’t often see overpopulation as a threat, it is always an issue of concern to
Europe and the United States of America. Europe is now chocked with African immigrants without any
solution, yet thousands are leaving the continent daily in dangerous ways towards Europe. This is
creating pressure for the Europeans.
The truth has never been spoken about Aids, Ebola, Lassa fever and other biological weapons to reduce
the world population which have taken a devastating impact on Africa today but that's not the end.
If African leaders don’t find a way to control their population, God only knows the strange disease
which will wipe out multitudes of Africans after Aids and Ebola.
https://www.modernghana.com/news/954766/the-devastating-impact-of-overpopulation-and-corr.html
Anambra State Govt Commends Air Peace Boss For Bringing

Nigerians Home
The Anambra State government has praised the founder and chairman of Nigeria’s biggest airline, Mr
Allen Onyema, for what it called his unprecedented patriotic gesture in bringing back free of charge
yesterday 147 Nigerians from South Africa afraid of their safety in the ongoing xenophobic attacks
against African and Asian immigrants in the rainbow nation.

The commendation is contained in a statement today in Awka, the Anambra State capital, by the state
Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C. Don Adinuba, who explained that the
government decided to commend Mr Onyema after a meeting in the Governor’s Lodge this afternoon
at which Governor Willie Obiano presided.

Adinuba explained that the “huge humanitarian gesture is the latest in a series of philanthropic
activities by the Air Peace chairman which Governor Obiano recognized in his public declaration last
July 2 when he stated that Mr Onyema was driven by sheer patriotism rather than profit by starting
direct flights into Shirjah and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates at less than 50% of the tariffs charged
by foreign carriers”.

The Anambra State government noted that “no persons, not even our suffering and frightened people in
South Africa, sought free flights when Chief Onyema decided to offer one of his planes to the former
apartheid country to bring our distressed people home at no charge to them.

“The flight must have cost him at least N50m in view of the fact that the machine spent an additional
two nights in at Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, causing the airline to pay more to
the South African aviation authorities.

“We also note that Chief Onyema didn’t know any of the persons he lifted all the way from
Johannesburg free. He was only moved by sheer patriotism and love of humanity, especially the
downtrodden and the distressed.

“As is already well known, Chief Onyema went into airline business five years ago to create jobs for
Nigerians, enhance business opportunities in the industry for our citizens and enhance Nigeria’s
presence in global business.

“He exemplifies the principle of solidarity with the human family and commitment to the common
good”.

The Anambra State government, while encouraging the Federal Government to do everything within its
power to bring back as soon as possible over 500 Nigerians who have signified interest in leaving
South Africa immediately, thanked all Nigerians for supporting the Federal Government’s robust
response to the latest wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

“The Nigerian people are far more united than most people seem to appreciate”, Adinuba quoted
Governor Obiano as observing, adding, “It is only when we act as one united family that we make
progress and the world takes more seriously”.
Next Level. Nigeria’s Total Foreign Trade Rose To N8.603

Trillion
Nigeria’s total trade with its foreign trade partners rose to N8.603 trillion in the second quarter (Q2) of
2019, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said in its latest report.
The value of total trade in Q2 was higher by 4.4% when compared to first quarter (Q1) 2019, but
24.2% higher when compared with Q2, 2018. The N8.6 trillion general trade value comprises of
46.6% imports valued at N4,007 trillion and 53.4% exports worth N4,596.2 trillion.
In Q2 2019, total trade grew by 4.42% compared to Q1 2019, and by 24.16% relative to Q2 2018.
Combined with the Q1 2019 performance, the value of total trade as at half year 2019 was
15.43% higher than for the same period in 2018.
In Q2 2019, the value of total imports rose by 8.20% compared to Q1 2019, and by 65.21% over the
corresponding quarter of 2018. The value of imports for the first half of 2019 rose 43.63% over the
corresponding period in 2018.
The value of imported Agricultural products was 5.79% higher in Q2, 2019 than Q1 2019, and 11.33%
higher than Q2, 2018.
The value of total exports in Q2 2019 increased by 1.34% against the level recorded in Q1, 2019 and
2.06% when compared with its value in Q2, 2018. The value of exports for the first half of 2019 fell by
1% compared to the first half of 2018.
The NBS said Nigeria’s trade balance remains favourable, valued at N588.8 billion. However, the trade
balance declined by 63.14% relative to the same period in 2018, while the value of total trade was
15.43% higher at half year 2019 than for the same period in 2018.
According to the statistics board, the performance was largely as a result of stronger growth in the
value of imports far outpacing growth in the value of exports which rose only marginally. The value of
total exports has remained relatively stable since 2018, but the value of imports has maintained its
steady rise, hence the decline in trade balance since mid-2018.
The report attributed the slower growth in exports to a combination of slower growth in the value of
crude oil exports and decline in the value of non-crude oil exports in the period under review. In Q2,
2019 crude oil remained the major export as it accounted for 85.6% (N3,934.6 billion) of total exports
while non-crude oil exports contributed 14.37% (N661.6billion).
On a year on year basis, the value of crude oil exports was 4.4% higher in Q2 2019 than in Q2 2018,
and 16.52% higher than in Q1 2019. At half year 2019, the value of crude oil exports declined only
slightly by -0.5% relative to half year 2018. On the other hand, the value of non-crude oil exports
declined by almost 3% as at half year 2019, by 10% relative to Q2 2018 and by 43% relative to Q1
2019.
Nevertheless, excluding all oil-related commodity exports, the value of non-oil exports rose by 4.1% in
Q2 2019 relative to Q2 2018, and by almost 5% at half year 2019 relative to the same period in 2018.
Xenophobia Attack: FG Wants Compensation For Nigerians –

Dabiri-erewa
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, says the Federal
Government is pressing for compensation for affected Nigerians in the recent xenophobic attacks in
South Africa.
Dabiri-Erewa stated this at the maiden Diaspora Lecture of Federal University of Technology, Akure
(FUTA).
The lecture was entitled: “Role of Africans in Diaspora in the Transformation of a University of
Technology.”
Dabiri–Erewa, who was represented by Mr Abdul-Rahman Balogun, her Special Assistant on Media,
noted that the Nigerian government was also putting in place measures to ensure perpetrators were
prosecuted and justice is given.
According to her, those that have been evacuated to Nigeria would be well taken care of.
Dabiri-Erewa also enjoined all state governments to create a Diaspora Desk, saying Nigeria has the
highest diaspora potentials in Africa and the third in the world.
Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Otuoke, and guest lecturer at
the occasion, said Nigerian universities of technology should ensure that they have foreign students’
enrolment through scholarship programme for them.
Aluko, also a Special Adviser and Director-General, Office of Transformation, Strategy and Delivery
Office in Ekiti, urged universities to sustain regular academic calendar.
He also called for a conducive environment for learning in universities while parents should develop
scientific mindset in their children.
“We need to start to develop scientific minds in all our children. We should not stop them from being
inquisitive and they should walk in groups because nobody achieves anything individually.
” They should be given little problems to solve right from their primary school level,” he said.
In his remarks, Prof. Joseph Fuwape, the Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, said that Africa was blessed with
great human and material resources.
Fuwape noted that Nigerians in particular had continued to contribute immensely to the global
economy.
He promised that FUTA would give fresh impetus to collaboration between researchers in Nigeria and
abroad to promote national development.
“This programme would assist us a great deal to identify gaps in transformation trajectory needed for
Africa to take its pride of place in the comity of nations,” he added.
Dabiri-Erewa, Dr Mohammed Mustapha Lecky and Dr Babatope Agbeyo were given Goodwill
Ambassador awards by FUTA management.
'Free Sowore' Massive Global Protests To Be Staged

A massive global protests will be held on September 18 and 19 in demand for the release of Omoyele
Sowore, the presidential candidate of the Africa Action Congress, AAC.
Sowore was arrested by the Department for State Security, DSS, and has been kept in detention on
grounds that he is being sponsored by foreign elements to destabilize the Buhari administration.
This was after he planned a protest tagged Revolution Now which called for proper governance from
public office holders in Nigeria.
A new wave of protests will now be staged to demand the release of Sowore who has now spent 41
days in detention.
The protests will take place in Nigeria and also at the country’s embassy in Germany, Italy, Spain and
the Netherlands all on the 18th of September.
Another round will be staged at the United Nations General Assembly in New York and at the Nigerian
embassy in Canada on September 19.
20 Governors Refuse To Appoint Commissioners

As nine out of the twenty-nine Governors across the country celebrate 100 days of remarkable
achievements in office after the 2019 elections having appointed Commissioners in accordance to the
law, the Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku and 19 others may only have economic stagnation and
infrastructural deprivation as their sole achievements.
In a letter written to the Taraba State House of Assembly by a Jalingo based lawyer and human right
activist, Barr Bilyaminu Lukman Maihanchi, SecretReporters learned that Darius Ishaku who was
sworn into office on May 29, 2019, following his supposed victory at the polls has been running a one-
man show in the state following his refusal in appointing and swearing-in Commissioners after more
than three months into his administration, a violation of Section 192 (1) and (2) of the 1999
constitution.
However, Ishaku is not the only one who has turned the affairs of the state into a one-man business
investment, SecretReporters can report authoritatively, as Governors of Nassarawa, Adamawa, Bauchi,
Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Kano, Niger, Plateau, Zamfara, Yobe, Gombe as well as Enugu, Osun, Cross
Rivers, Kwara, Ogun, Rivers, Taraba and Abia State are not left out of this charade.
In blatant defiance of section 195 (1) of the 1999 constitution which provides that “there shall be an
Attorney General for each state who shall be the Chief Law Officer of the state and Commissioner for
Justice of the Government of that state”, Gov. Ishaku chose to join the bandwagon of lawbreakers who
have also usurped the powers of the judiciary in the state with their vehement refusal in appointing an
Attorney General and Commissioners in their state.
With the likes of Nyesom Wike of Rivers State appointing just two Commissioners, Governor Ben
Ayade of Cross River State who seems to be proficient in appointing persons criticised by
Crossriverians as Commissioners but have resorted to running a one-man show in other to clear his
name, others have kept mum. On the other hand, findings showed that Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has
also refused to appoint Commissioners due to fears that he might be sent packing from the government
house following the weight of the case filed by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) at the Election Petition Tribunal challenging his victory at the polls.
“Since the inception of the Governor’s second tenure, his government has been operating without a
Chief Law Officer & Commissioners as constitutionally guaranteed, and it’s a duty-bound
constitutionally for the Governor to hold regular meetings with his Deputy Governor and all
Commissioners of the Government for the performance of his functions. His failure or refusal to
appoint an Attorney General, with his Commissioners and to hold regular meetings for 3 months is an
act of gross misconduct in the performance of his office and call for his impeachment” the lawyer
stated. More so, due to the absence of an Executive Council in the state as provided for in the
constitution, a source who spoke to our correspondence squealed that these Governors has usurped the
powers of the judiciary and Commissioners and has begun high-level looting and embezzlement of
public funds through the award of fake and suspicious contracts to his cronies and loyalists who act as
the conduit pipe through which the money is funnelled to personal accounts. “…the act has negatively
affected the welfare of the people of Taraba State, a larger percentage of the people who voted for the
Governor thinking that he will work assiduously towards their betterment are disappointed and regret
ever voting him in the first place”. Bilyaminu also stated.
Having termed the action of these Governors as a case of gross misconduct, the Jalingo based human
right activist called on the State House of Assembly to immediately expedite actions towards the
impeachment of Gov. Ishaku within seven (7) days in other to prevent him from further breaking every
known law in the state.
Bauchi Governor Refunds Unicef's N15 Million Meant For

Malnutrition Intervention
Bauchi State government has paid up N15 million as a refund to the United Nations Children’s Fund
(UNICEF) for its Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and other interventions in the state.
The state's governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, approved the immediate refund of N15 million to
the State UNICEF Field Office during an
interactive session with its officials led by the state Chief Field Officer, Bhanu Pathak.
The governor was responding to a request by UNICEF for the state government to refund the money
not utilized by the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BSPHCDA) during the last
administration, Daily Trust reports.
Senator Mohammed frowned at the spending of N732 million by the previous administration without
proper documentation.
He said he would continue to ensure payment of counterpart funding to enable the state to access more
interventions from donor agencies.
Governor Mohammed also promised the readiness of his administration to

fill the human capital gap in the state for effective implementation of projects by development partners.
Bhanu Pathak said UNICEF supported the implementation of five programs in health, education,
sanitation, nutrition, and child protection.
According to him, the organization has set aside N270 million for the supply of commodities to treat
malnourished children.
He, therefore, appealed to the governor to allocate more resources for tackling malnutrition in the state.
Ohanaeze Youth Say Buhari’s Victory Shortest Way To Igbo

Presidency 2023
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, has on Thursday advised the candidate of the Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP, in the February 23, 2019 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to accept
defeat, noting that President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory is the shortest route for an Igbo Presidency
come 2023.
The group through its President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro congratulated the victorious
Buhari and asked Atiku to concede and accept defeat even though he has the constitutional rights to
appeal the decision of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, PEPT, at the supreme Court.
“We accept this validation of President Buhari’s mandate as the shortest route to have an Igbo man
succeed him as President in 2023. “It’s historic that during the 2003 Presidential campaign when
General Muhammadu Buhari was the flag bearer of ANPP with late Senator Chuba Okadigbo, Buhari
came to Umuahia during the 2003 ANPP gubernatorial flag off campaign of Chief Enyinnaya Abaribe,
and said” I’m destined to be the man that will handover to an Igbo man as President”, 20 years later by
2023, the prophecy is sure to be accomplish.
President Muhammadu Buhari should give massive projects and empowerment to the South East as a
prompt response to some few Igbo detractors who erroneously see him as a tribalistic leader who hates
Igbo. “He should reward the South East with projects and we urge Igbo to work towards getting
Nigeria President of Igbo stock in 2023 by being less critic of him. It’s time to genuinely build bridges
ahead of 2023".
Ore Residents Get Electricity After 20 Years Blackout

Twenty years after Ore, the headquarters of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, was
disconnected for non-payment of electricity bills, the community and others in the council have been
reconnected to the national grid.
The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Klick Konnect Networks International Ltd, Mr. Alex Ajipe, who
disclosed this through a letter to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, said the reconnection was made
possible by the intervention of the governor.
Ajipe facilitated the Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub where several companies are situated.
He said the conglomerate at Ore reconnected the communities as part of the Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) of the companies.
The letter said: “The most significant development is that we must thank you for your intervention.
Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub and their entire host community have just been electrified.
“This is very significant to the host community, who has had no electricity for close to two decades. It
is also significant to the Linyi investors, who had relied on self-generated, expensive sources to power
their equipment.”
Besides reconnection to the national grid, Ajipe said the presence of the Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub in
Ore has increased the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the government.
Other CSR of the Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub, he said, included the provision of transformers in order to
ensure steady, stable electricity supply and provision of potable water.
Nigerian 'Uzoma Asagwara' Elected Into Legislative Seat In

Canada
Asagwara was one of three black people in the 150-year history of the Manitoba legislative house,
CBC News reports.
She has been working within her community as a psychiatric nurse and for long has been a community
activist in Winnipeg.
Until Tuesday's vote, no black person had ever been elected to the Manitoba Legislature in the 150-year
history of this province.
Uzoma said she is grateful to everyone, who has supported them long before the election.
The Nigerian-Canadian is not only a politician and activist, she is also an athlete.
Asagwara, a first-generation Canadian whose parents are Nigerian, has worked as a psychiatric nurse
and is a longtime community activist in Winnipeg's core.
Speaking on her victory, Mrs Asagwara said, “This is a historic moment for our team and our
communities.”
Mrs Asagwara said that being one of the first Black Member of the Legislative Assembly elected in
Manitoba was “wonderful…incredible,” and a “sign that folks are really making sure that our elected
officials reflect the communities they serve.”
Judge Who Gave Minority Judgment In Favour Of Senator

Akpabio Abandons Tribunal
The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Uyo led by Justice W. O Akanbi was
thrown into confusion on Thursday, September 11, 2019, as one of the judges of the three man panel,
Justice Hafizu Tahir abandoned sitting on the Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal
Constituency seat.
Accordingly, only two members of the panel gave judgment in the case filed by Emmanuel Akpan of
the All Progressives Congress, APC challenging the election of Nsikak Ekong of the People’s
Democratic Party, PDP held Thursday night.
The Tribunal struck out the petition filed by Akpan against Ekong.
Justice Tahir is the judge who on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, gave minority judgment in favour of
Senator Godswill Akpabio’s petition, as the winner of the Akwa Ibom NorthWest Senatorial seat in the
February 23, 2019, senatorial election.
The speculation in the state capital on Friday following his absence at the Tribunal is that he (Tahir)
walked out of the tribunal in protest after giving the minority judgment in the case between Ekpenyong
and Akpabio.
Sources in the state even alleged that he’s abandoning the tribunal may not be unconnected with his
(Tahir) failure to convince other two judges of the panel to sway judgment in favour of Akpabio.
However at the resumed sitting of the Tribunal by 11.30pm on Thursday, the majority judgment read by
the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice W. O. Akanbi, agreed that INEC was justified in cancellation of
results inwards where there were widespread thuggery and election violence and thus held that by the
majority of valid votes cast at units where there were peaceful conduct of elections, Nsikak Ekong who
stood elections on the platform of the PDP won the elections as declared by INEC.
On the issue of canceled votes which was contended by the petitioners, the court referred to the
guidelines of the 3rd Respondent (INEC) which provided that any unit or Ward where elections, where
marred by thuggery and violence, would result in outright cancellation.
It held that the tribunal was confronted with testimonies by ward and unit officers who testified and
presented pieces of evidence that showed no accreditation and elections in the affected places.
Relying on testimonies by subpoenaed INEC officials and other witnesses, the Tribunal condemned the
inhuman treatment on officials and voters by the APC in the election.
The Tribunal also maintained that the INEC official Dr. Williams Olosunde (RW14) was right in
playing along with the armed thugs to save the lives of the officials, maintaining that it would have
been impossible to resist the threats at gunpoint, which is why the returning officer said he managed to
escape without announcing any result.
“RW 14 told us the circumstances he canceled the result, and given the circumstances, it would be
wrong to say that Dr. Olusunde acted arbitrarily.
“Dr. Olosunde also told us that he saw the frightened look on the faces of the polling and ward officers
that came with the thugs to the collation centre”, and this justified his decision to play along with the
perpetrators.
He relied on the testimony of Olusunde that he never announced the winner of the election and gave no
agents a copy of the result until actual verification was later done in line with INEC guidelines at the
INEC office in Uyo on Monday, adding that the returning officer and electoral officer had the right to
report the anomalies to the commission.
“On whether or not the election was conducted in substantial compliance with the electoral act 2011 as
amended.
“We cannot but believe the testimony of the Respondents witnesses R1 – R11, who spoke based on
what they saw, while the petitioner’s witnesses mainly Wards and local government agents merely
spoke on what they were told.”
“The petitioners have failed to prove their petition and the petition is hereby struck out.”, the Tribunal
stated.
The tribunal also dismissed the joining of the 4th-5th Respondents in the suit by the petitioner.
However, the judgment on the federal constituency seat sealed the National Assembly election petitions
sitting in the state.
Femi Fani-Kayode: My Wife Has Banned Me From Discussing
Politics At Dining Table
Former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has said that his wife, Precious Chikwendu, has banned
him from discussing politics at the dining table, Igbere TV reports.
Mr Fani-Kayode dedicated his early Friday tweet to his wife, saying she spent Thursday night telling
him to begin wearing jeans and T-shirts again.
Resigning to his fate, he said: “What can I say? I guess it’s a woman’s world now!”
The tweet read: “I dedicate this tweet to my darling wife, Mama Aragorn, who spent the whole of last
night telling me how she wants me to start wearing jeans and T-shirts again and who has banned me
from discussing politics at the dining table.� What can I say? I guess it’s a woman’s world now!”
Igbere TV recalls that Fani-Kayode and Precious Chikwendu got married in 2014. Precious won the
Miss United Nations (world) beauty pageant in 2014.
The former minister has been married four times. His first marriage was to Saratu Atta in 1987 but they
were divorced by 1990.
Dino Melaye Unable To 'stand' At Resumed Hearing Of His

Criminal Trial In Abuja
Dino Melaye, the senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District on Thursday, September 12th
informed the FCT High Court in Apo, Abuja, that he was injured and could not stand in the dock to
continue his criminal trial.
The senator is facing a six count criminal charges of attempted suicide, escape from police custody,
damage to police property, mischief’s, and threat to public servants.
The trial judge had at last sitting on May 28, 2019 adjourned the case to September 11, 18 and October
3, 2019 for continuation of hearing and examination of witnesses by the defence counsel.
But Melaye was “assisted” to enter the court room by two of his aides who claimed he could not walk
alone.
Benson Igbanoi (who stood in for Mike Ozekhome) informed the trial court that he was injured in the
last Governorship primary election conducted in Lokoja last week Tuesday when gunmen invaded the
stadium, venue of the primary.
Justice Sylvester Orji, in his ruling, accepted the defendant’s plea and adjourned to October 3 and 10,
2019, for the defendant to open and close his case.
Oluseun Onigbinde Appointed As Technical Adviser Budget &

Planning, Under Buhari
Co-founder and chief executive officer of BudgIT, a budget watchdog, Oluseun Onigbinde, has been
appointed into the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV reports that news of Mr Onigbinde’s appointment as technical adviser (budget and planning)
under the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning broke on Friday.
Onigbinde is known to have been vocal in his criticism of Buhari’s administration.
In 2014, Onigbinde made the list of finalists for the Young Business Leader of the Year Award of
CNBC Africa.
Others who made the list included Seth Akumani (Ghana) and Christian Ngan (Cameroon).
FUOYE Killings: Nigerians Demand Justice, Drag Bisi Fayemi

Nigerians are demanding justice and a thorough investigation into the killing of students of the Federal
University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, Igbere TV reports.
This is even as the Governor's Wife, Bisi Fayemi, is being dragged on social media for reportedly
ordering the shooting, an allegation she has since denied.
Igbere TV had reported that the students were protesting lack of electricity and water on their campus,
when they had a clash with the police attached to the Governor’s wife convoy.
The First was said to have visited the area for another event, when the SUG President requested she
addressed the protesting students.
An eyewitness told Igbere TV that the students went berserk after one of the security officers reportedly
slapped the SUG president, prompting them to retaliate.
The once peaceful protest got violent, as the police officers called for reinforcements with at least two
armoured vehicles, cracking down on the runaway students.
At least, four students lost their lives in the incident which last for hours, with many injured still lying
in different hospitals within Oye town, Ekiti State.
The incident forced the university to proscribe the student union activities, shut down the school
indefinitely, and ordered the students to vacate their halls of residence.
Meanwhile, the university Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Soremekun, has constituted a panel to
unravel the circumstances leading to the Tuesday’s protest by students and the alleged attack on Bisi
Fayemi.
The vice-chancellor said that the 12-man investigative panel headed by Prof. Abayomi Fasina, a
Deputy Vice-Chancellor in the institution, would also suggest ways to prevent a recurrence, reports
Igbere TV.
"Out Of Poverty In 10 Years, Osinbajo Didn't Say 10, But 100

Million Nigerians"
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has denied saying President Muhammadu Buhari will take 10 million
Nigerians out of poverty, Igbere TV reports.
Reports had it on Thursday that Osinbajo said President Buhari would take 10 million Nigerians out of
poverty in the next 10 years.
He reportedly made the pledge when he paid homage at the palace of Emir of Gwandu, HRH
Muhammadu Bashar, in Kebbi State.
But reacting to the controversies surrounding the statement, Osinbajo said he never said 10 million
Nigerians but 100.
The Vice President, who spoke through his Media Aide Laolu Akande, in a tweet sighted by Igbere TV,
on Friday, wrote;
FOR THE RECORDS: VP Osinbajo said earlier today @ Emir of Gwandu's palace in
Kebbi that "the President has promised that by the Grace of God, we will take 100m
Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years." The VP could'nt have said 10m Nigerians. Please
ignore any misleading reports.
https://mobile.twitter.com/akandeoj/status/1172274364089286656
‘if We Conduct Election In Abia North Twenty Times, I Will

Win’ – Orji Kalu Declares
-Party Leadership Mobilizes Support.
Chief Whip of the 9th Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has declared that he would win repetitively if
elections were conducted 20 times in the entire Abia North Senatorial Zone.
This is following the September 9th judgement of the Abia State Election Petition Tribunal which
ordered for supplementary elections in some units of Abia North Senatorial Zone.
Kalu stated this on Thursday when the APC party Chieftains in Abia state led by its Chairman Hon.
Donatus Nwankpa and the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Uchechukwu Ogah, paid him a
solidarity courtesy visit in Abuja.
The party leadership stated that they would challenge the ruling at the appeal court however, they were
ready to face the supplementary election to retain the Chief Whip of the 9th Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu.
Nwankpa, who spoke on behalf of the delegation also seized the occasion to announce the rejection of
the Abia State nominee on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
He said, "We are here today in solidarity with the Chief Whip of the Senate. We are ready to be part of
the election even if elections were to be held today.
"We are ready to appeal the judgement.
"There were flaws in the judgment Senator Orji Uzor Kalu' case as declared by the tribunal. He has not
been sacked. The court has not asked that his certificate of return should be withdrawn.
"He remains the Chief Whip of the 9th Senate and all things being equal, nothing would change it.
"What happened was a temporary set back and a distraction to the APC in Abia."
He said the people of Abia - North were ready at all times to vote the former Governor of the state,
nothing that if election was to be held twenty times, Orji Uzor Kalu would be returned.
“We are ready to appeal that judgement. You know how President Muhammadu Buhari’s case was
delivered on yesterday (Wednesday) and that further exposed the flaws in Kalu’s case.
The APC chairman, who addressed journalists after the courtesy visit, said the party in the state rejected
the NDDC nominee because he was not known to the party. "
He said, The APC in Abia State rejected the NDDC nominee. He is not known to the party and he
cannot represent the interest of our people well.
"We have asked the Abia representatives in the Senate to reject him whenever he appear for screening."
In the entourage, was the Minister of Mines and Solid Development, Dr. Uche Chukwu Okay who
insisted that, Orji Uzor Kalu’s seat was not declared vacant, saying that, “he remains our leader in the
party, he remains our leader in the state.
In his remark, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu explained that he would not lose sleep over the development,
emphasising that he would win election anytime.
“In Abia North, we are not losing sleep. In Nigeria, if we conduct election in Abia North twenty times,
I will win”, the lawmaker insisted.
“The sanctity of Court anywhere in the world is that if one is displeased with judgement, he can
approach the upper Court and that is what I will do.
“I was not removed, I wasn’t sacked as reported in the media. The Court didn’t asked someone else to
be sworn-in, in my place. We have our votes in tact and since the law allows me to appeal, I will appeal
the judgement.”
The lawmaker said Courts don’t award remedies not sought for, hence, he remained the lawmaker
while pursuing the case in the Appeal Court.
Source: https://abacityblog.com/2019/09/13/if-we-conduct-election-in-abia-north-twenty-times-i-will-
win-orji-kalu-declares/
Insecurity: Operation ‘amotekun’ Set To Take-off In South West

As Akeredolu Procures Motorcycles , Trucks,
Following the recommendations of the South West Security Summit, held in Ibadan, the Oyo State
capital, the Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin
Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, has procured over 100 motorcycles and twenty trucks for the take-off of
the ‘Amotekun’ Security arrangement.
‘Amotekun’ is a code name for the security arrangements of the south west Governors, as part of the
resolutions to tackle the growing wave of insecurity in the region.
For a start, the Ondo State government, under the leadership of Governor Akeredolu procured the items
to aid the jobs of the personnel that would be employed to secure the areas, with more expected to
follow.
Xenophobia: South Africans Attack Pakistanis, Loot Their

Shops
Days after stealing and vandalising some of the Nigerians stores and properties in South Africa, South
Africans move towards the Pakistanis by looting their shops.
Watch the video below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neNR_ivcoUk
100 Days Of Buhari Aka ‘baba-go-slow’ By Fredrick Nwabufo
How do you measure the virility of an administration; its potency to impregnate the economy,
infrastructure and welfare of citizens? Should it be in the first 100 days of its life; in two or four years?
Well, I will measure in the little steps, in actions and in the agenda.
100 days may be too short to gauge the failure of a government, but it is certainly not brief to check for
signs of health or of convalescence. In medical science, symptoms are typically expected to improve in
three days after the administration of medicine.
In 2015, when President Buhari took charge of the country; his ‘’body language’’ was vaunted to be
doing much of the governance. In the first few weeks of the administration, there was appreciable
stability in power supply. This was largely credited to the president’s body language, even at the time
there was no cabinet.
Also, the anti-graft agencies rammed up effort in naming ‘’looters’’ and making arrests – in the
orthodox Nigerian style of ‘’eye service’’. There were reports of some civil servants returning their loot
as well.
At the time, there was a prognosis of a healthy economy and claims of resilient security – the dispatch
of Boko Haram insurgents and the recovery of captured territories. It all appeared to be a good start for
the administration. A new sheriff was in town and his ‘’body language’’ is doing the magic.
Months after the ‘’spell of body language’’, Nigeria slid into a recession; herder-farmer clashes took on
a frightening gait; bandits went on a rampage; Nigeria’s minister of power, works and housing was now
dubbed, ‘’minister of darkness’’ for chronic power failures with the national grid collapsing as much as
21 times in a year (2016).
So, if the administration was to be examined by the positive noises in its first 100 days in 2015, it will
have a relatively good score. But the overall score after a full term of four years is at best, abysmal.
And now that the myth of body language has been busted, what does the future portend for Nigerians
judging by the actions/agenda of the second Buhari administration in 100 days?
Personally, my optimism is measured. Really, hinging on the Next Level agenda of the administration,
where is the hope? What is different? What will change?
I spoke with Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, who explained to me that the Next Level agenda is
about consolidation. And then I asked, ‘’consolidation on what?”
Here is a partial rendition of that conversation.
Femi Adesina: ‘’The ‘Next Level’ is a level of consolidation. The agenda remains the same. The
priorities remain the same. Secure the country, fight corruption, revive the economy, and under reviving
the economy, provide jobs for Nigerians, particularly the young generation.
Under the ‘Next Level’; it is a level of jobs, it is a level of power generation; it is a level of education.
The curriculum is going to be tweaked with emphasis on science and technology. It is a level of
healthcare because it is a healthy citizenry that can compete in the country and beyond. So it is a level
in which there is going to be empowerment of the different strata of society. There is going to be a
people’s money bank to take care of the lower rung of the ladder. There is going to be an entrepreneurs’
bank to take care of people at the middle rung- SMEs and all that. So these things have been said over
and over and over.’’
Again, I ask, what is different? What is to come? And is this it? If the agenda is to build on what is not
there, where is the hope? Also, governance appears to be in a slumber – no motion, no direction.
I do not want to be hasty in passing judgment on the administration. But I pray the Buhari
administration proves all doubters, naysayers, wailers and measured optimists like me wrong.
It is all for the good of the country.
Nobody In Nigeria Lies Like El-rufai - Reno Omokri

Recently, Nasir El-Rufai, a man I know quite well as one of the most destructive and vindictive liars in
existence, came out publicly to caution people against lying. When I read his words, I was appalled!
Here was a man who had told the most harrowing lies.
El-Rufai has not just told lies, but his lies have probably led to the deaths of people. Lies which set
Nigeria back years. And this man now presents himself as a champion of truth. Really? Are Nigerians
that gullible? I am afraid we are.
El-Rufai’s grandstanding was so brazen that it reminded me of Scripture which says in 2 Corinthians
11:14 as follows:
“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”
At a book launch on September 11, 2019, Mr. El-Rufai, who is currently the Governor of Kaduna State
said:
“If you want to tweet anything about Kaduna be very careful because I am watching and …we have a
very very strong law to get you.”
I have never seen anything so hypocritical. A liar of the highest order presenting himself as a champion
for truth? No way. My conscience could not take it. If all Nigerians were cowards and fearful of him, I,
Reno Omokri, will not be one of them.
I will now present a list of Nasir El-Rufai’s lies and show how he is most guilty of the law that he
introduced in Kaduna, allegedly to stop liars. I encourage him to charge me to court and I will expose
this Father of Liars in court.
On September 8, 2014, Nasit El-Rufai falsely accused former President Jonathan and then President of
the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor of founding and funding Boko Haram to
the tune of N50 billion.
On that day he tweeted as follows:

“Those interested in understanding the metamorphosis and variants of Boko Haram will find this
compilation helpful.”
El-Rufai then attached a phoney document alleging that “Christians with the aim of using it to tarnish
the name of Islam” were actually behind Boko Haram. He thereafter claimed that former President
Jonathan had funded this conspiracy against Islam.
Here is a link to the tweet in which this repugnant fellow, Nasir El-Rufai, who is one accusing others of
lying and threatening them, falsely accused the body of Christ
https://twitter.com/elrufai/status/508917550747774976?s=21
The false information he tweeted above had prior to that been repeated by El-Rufai at an event at
Portcullis House in Parliament, England. I paid a young man to attend that event and record what Nasir
El-Rufai said, just in case his demonic lying tendencies get the better of him and he denies this.
Because of this propaganda, there was an upsurge in attacks against Christians in Northern Nigeria and
dissension rose among the rank and file of the military as Northern Muslim officers and men began to
be suspicious of their Southern Christian officers and men.
Furthermore, according to the UK

Charity, Open Doors, killings and attacks against Christians and churches peaked at just about the time
El-Rufai made this reckless lie (Please see https://www.opendoorsuk.org/about/how-we-
help/advocacy/nigeria-report-12). Read it and decide for yourself if El-Rufai has the blood of
Christians on his hands.
Even before this, El-Rufai had tweeted a tweet insulting Our Lord and Saviour, The Messiah, Christ
our Lord. The tweet is so repugnant that I cannot quote it here. But you may choose to Google it
yourself.
An ex official in President Obasanjo’s government admitted that Nasir El-Rufai once told him that "a
Fulani will come to your home and even tuck you into bed but his objective is to find out what side of
the bed you are sleeping on so he can stab you later at night".
Interestingly, this same Nasir El-Rufai, who is notorious for spreading falsehood, engineered the arrest
and prosecution of one Audu Maikori, who erroneously tweeted about some killings in Kaduna that had
not happened and almost immediately apologised after he learnt of his errors.
Even before that, El-Rufai had been lying with damaging effect.
In 2010, when Yar'adua was battling for life, El-Rufai was spreading lies about a so-called Cabal
around his wife Turai Yar’adua. Did you believe him?
Well, if you did, you should read page 272 of ‘Power, Politics and Death: A Front-row Account of
Nigeria Under the Late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua’, written by former ThisDay editor and
spokesman to President Yar'adua, Segun Adeniyi. I quote excerpts below.
"On the way, Balat, himself a former minister in Obasanjo’s government, asked, ‘Segun, this cabal
thing, were you really a member?’ Before I could respond, former Federal Capital Territory minister,
Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, who played a prominent role in the campaign that eventually brought Jonathan
to power, interjected, ‘There was no cabal, WE CREATED THE MYTH IN THE MEDIA TO
NEUTRALIZE TURAI'.
What type of man would tell lies against a woman in Turai's condition of 2009 when she was so
distraught about her husband's health? That man is El-Rufai!
Again, on October 1, 2015 Nasir El-Rufai falsely alleged that former President Jonathan spent a
whopping N64 billion on Independence Day celebrations, during his tenure when in fact only N333
million was spent.
Till today, Nasir El-Rufai has not apologised to the public and to the former President for such an
egregious lie. You can read how he was exposed by yourself here
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/194047-nigerian-govt-counters-el-rufais-claim-
jonathan-spent-n64bn-on-independence-anniversaries.html
Moreover, El-Rufai’s former boss, Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who brought him to the limelight,
had this to say about Nasir El-Rufai in his book: My Watch Volume 2 as follows:
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological. Why does he do it? He is brilliant and
smart. I grant him that also. Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent and
brilliance. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to
anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir el-Rufai.
He barefacedly lied which he did to me against his colleagues and so-called friends. I have heard of
how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who was like, in the African setting, his
foster father. I shuddered when I heard the story of what he did to his half-brother in the Air Force who
is senior to him in age.”
Given such a long and illusory history as a liar, it is quite brazen for El-Rufai to now turn around and
rebrand himself as an advocate for truth. But as El-Rufai once told me himself, ‘Nigerians have a short
memory’. That is what he is banking on.
Reno Omokri
Thinker. #1 Bestselling author of Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years. Avid
traveller. Table Shaker. Buhari Tormentor. Sharer of the Gospel, not the gossip.
https://m.facebook.com/1152008079/posts/10219213221738662?sfns=mo
After EU Invitation, Nnamdi Kanu Set To Visit UN, Washington

DC For Biafra
A few days after Mazi Nnamdi Kanu's visit to the European parliament, in Brussels, where he was
invited to brief the parliamentarians on the agitation of IPOB and what the new Biafra will mean for
Africa, the IPOB has announced another visitation by their leader.
This time, he would be visiting the United Nations, UN, and Washington DC, for the restoration of
Biafra.
Media and Publicity Secretary of the Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB, Emma Powerful, disclosed
this in a statement, yesterday.
Speaking on Kanu's invitation by the EU, Powerful said IPOB’s invitation to the parliament signified
that the pro-Biafra group was not only respected but regarded as a force for good in Africa.
He noted that events in Brussels had confirmed that Biafra restoration project was divinely ordained,
“hence all efforts by the Nigerian Government to intimidate and bully the organisers failed
spectacularly.”
He assured that the seed of Biafra self-determination had been planted in the heart of the EU.
“The more the Nigerian state fight IPOB, the stronger and more resolute we become. All their efforts
failed woefully because (Chukwu Okike Abiama) God Almighty the creator of heaven and earth is on
the side of the Biafran people.“
Powerful said Mazi Kanu assured every Biafran after the meeting that his next diplomatic mission
would be to the United Nations, saying that the diplomatic moves was designed to take Biafra freedom
to another level, way beyond the imagination of the Nigerian government, before the end of this year.
He said Kanu promised Biafrans that he would be in Washington DC and United Nations to which the
crowd erupted in spontaneous applause.
Seyi Makinde Appoints Bolaji Ayorinde & Yemi Aderibigbe As

Aides
On Thursday, Mr. Makinde approved the appointment of the governorship candidate of the Social
Democratic Party (SDP), Bolaji Ayorinde, as Special Counsel to the Governor of Oyo State.
Also, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and candidate of the party for the
Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the February 23 House of Representatives election, Yemi
Aderibigbe, was appointed as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Local Government and
Chieftaincy Affairs.
The appointments were contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor,
Taiwo Adisa.
Buhari Departs Nigeria For Burkina Faso

President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Nigeria on Saturday for Burkina Faso, Igbere TV reports.
A statement obtained by Igbere TV said the President is attending the one-day ECOWAS’ Heads of
State and Government Extraordinary Summit on Counter-Terrorism, in the country.
The statement issued by Mr Femi Adesina, Buhari’s Spokesman, said the summit was necessitated by
the growing threat of terrorism in the West African sub-region.
“The ECOWAS leaders at the summit will review different initiatives taken so far, and redefine the
priority intervention areas for the containment of the worrisome attacks in the area”, he said.
Adesina noted that the decision to convene the Summit was reached at the 55th Ordinary Session of the
ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja on June 29, 2019.
“President Buhari recognises the imperative of collective actions in the fight against terrorism, and will
continue to partner with ECOWAS member states and international organisations to address the
menace.”
The statement added, “In Ouagadougou, ECOWAS leaders are expected to adopt a priority action plan
on counter-terrorism and put in place a mechanism to monitor the implementation of the measures
adopted towards ensuring lasting peace in the sub-region.”
President Buhari will be accompanied by Governors Abubakar Bello, Dapo Abiodun and Okezie
Ikpeazu of Niger, Ogun and Abia States respectively; as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Geoffrey Onyeama, and the Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Magashi (retd).
Also on the President’s entourage are the National Security Adviser, Maj-General Babagana Monguno
(retd) and Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.
“The President is expected back in Abuja at the end of the Summit”, the statement added.
Chukwuka Okonjo Is Dead! Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Father Dies
Former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has lost her father, Obi (Prof) Chukwuka Okonjo,
Obi of Ogwashi Uku, Aniocha South L.G.A, Delta State. His Royal Majesty Obi (Prof) Chukuka
Okonjo died at the age of 91 in the United States of America.
The late monarch, who was a professor of mathematics, ascended the throne of his ancestors in 2007.
He obtained his A’ levels as an external student of the University of London before proceeding to
United States of America where he bagged two degrees in Economics and History from University of
Maryland, College Park and an MBA from University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He is pursuing a
doctorate in Business Administration from University of Paris, in France.
Once You Can Read And Write, You Can Contest In Any
Election - Tanko Yakassai
“Once you can read and write and understand, you are presumed to have attained the equivalent
of a secondary school certificate and can, therefore, stand for elections at any level,” Alhaji Tanko
Yakassai said.
A famous northern politician, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, has praised the presidential election petition
tribunal for its verdict in favour of President Muhammadu Buhari
- Yakassai said that the ruling of the tribunal ended a lot of speculations about President Buhari's
academic qualification
- The politician said that once a person is literate and has a secondary school certificate, he or she can
contest in any election in Nigeria
Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, a northern politician famous in the second republic politician, has appreciated
the efforts of the presidential election petition tribunal in the case between President Muhammadu
Buhari and Atiku Abubakar.
Yakassai said that the verdict of the tribunal on Wednesday, September 11, put to an end to the
arguments and petitions about President Buhari's academic qualification in relation to the last
presidential election, The Sun reports.
The renowned northern politician stated that according to the tribunal, once a candidate can read and
write with at least a secondary school certificate, such a person can contest in any election in Nigeria.
He said: “Once you can read and write and understand, you are presumed to have attained the
equivalent of a secondary school certificate and can, therefore, stand for elections at any level.”
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that James Akinloye, president of the Initiative to Save Democracy, had
outlined three reasons why Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
for the 2019 presidential election, could not defeat President Muhammadu Buhari of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) at
the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) .
In a piece published on Leadership, Akinloye said that Atiku’s petition was filled with many
contradictions. Legit.ng notes that the analyst pointed out that Atiku, a former vice president of Nigeria,
had said card readers had shown that he got over 16 million votes; yet, at another point, said that the
same card readers were barely used in 11 northern states.
Ex-au Envoy Urges Nigeria, South Africa To Revive Commission

A FORMER Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) to
Liberia and ex-Under-Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Akin O. Fayomi, has
urged Nigeria and South Africa to revive their moribund Binational Commission (BNC).
Fayomi said the BNC covers diplomatic relations, including political, economic, military, trade and
investment, consular matters, Diaspora issues, cultural, among others.
He said: “The African Union Commission (AUC) has been curiously silent on xenophobia. Not even a
statement has been issued! Obviously, it is powerless. I don’t think we should wait or rely on the AUC
or any of its organs, like the African Commission on Human Rights, before we take actions. Obviously,
our destiny is in our hands.”
According to him, the Federal Government’s response to the attacks on Nigerians in South Africa is in
the right direction, “although rather measured”.
Fayomi added: “I believe that diplomacy and dialogue is the way to go. But we should wield the big
stick at the same time. Recalling our High Commissioner to that country and sending to them a special
envoy are encouraging. The government needs to do more.
“We should let the Government of South Africa know the repercussion of their inactions. We know that
they can do much more to stop these xenophobic or Afro-phobic attacks on our people. But they seem
to be folding their arms, calling it criminality, making inciting statements and all that.
“We should let them know that we can go beyond dialogue and resort to suspending diplomatic
relations; closing down some or all of the South African-owned business entities in Nigeria; expelling
all their nationals in our country.
“However, we must give diplomacy a chance. In this case, a more vigorous approach will be to
resuscitate the moribund Bi-National Commission (BNC) that we have with South Africa. This began
during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. It was at the level of the vice-
presidents of the two countries then – Atiku Abubakar and Jacob Zuma.
“The BNC covers the whole gamut of diplomatic relations, including political, economic, military,
trade and investment, consular matters, diaspora issues, cultural, among others. If the BNC is activated,
all manner of issues will be on the table for discussion.”
Also, the Presiding Pastor of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has offered
to assist in conveying more Nigerians willing to return from South Africa.
This is as the list of Nigerians willing to return to the country has risen beyond 1,000.
It was learnt that the list has more people still coming forward to be documented.
The evacuation of next batch of those ready to return home is likely to take place tomorrow, it was
learnt.
PDP Rejects Decision To Increase VAT, Urges NASS To Protect

Nigerians
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned and totally rejected the decision by the Federal
Government to increase the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 5% to excruciating 7.2%, saying Nigerians
cannot bear such burden under the prevailing agonizing economic situation.
The party says the decision is anti-people, suppressive and further confirmed the Buhari Presidency as
extremely exploitative, inconsiderate and absolutely insensitive to the sufferings which it has plunged
Nigerians into in the last four years.
The PDP insists that the decision to increase VAT on already impoverished citizens is in bad faith and
cannot be justified under any guise.
“Indeed, only an administration that does not have the mandate of the people can seek to adopt such
oppressive stance against its citizens.
“President Buhari ought to be aware that an increase in VAT will worsen our decrepit economy and put
more pressure on families and business as it will result in increase in costs of goods and services that
have direct bearing on the welfare of the people.
“Our party charges the Buhari Presidency not to further punish Nigerians by imposing harsh tax regime
to make up for its crass incompetence and lack of capacity to effectively harness and manage our
resources to create wealth for the benefit of the people” PDP stated.
READ ALSO Military, police stationed at Shoprite Abuja

The party in a statement by its spokesman, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan said the decision to increase VAT is
more painful because the government cannot account for much of the resources under its disposal.
“It is more painful that the Buhari Presidency cannot give account of the huge resources at its disposal,
including the taxes it has been collecting in the last four years, most of which are frittered to service the
wasteful lifestyle of the cabal at the Presidency and APC chieftains.
“Instead of foisting more tax burden on Nigerians, the PDP charges President Buhari to account for and
recover the over N14 trillion oil money established to have been stolen under his watch in the last four
years,” the PDP claimed.
The party said it is disheartening that at the time Nigerians ought to be enjoying the economic recovery
and empowerment blueprint set out by its Presidential candidate – Atiku Abubakar, which included
slash in taxes and levies, they are rather faced with an unjustifiable and indefensible tax increase.
The PDP therefore urged the National Assembly to protect Nigerians and save the nation from collapse
by rejecting the government’s decision which the party termed as “injurious”.
Kogi: Dino Melaye Rejects PDP Campaign Council

Chairmanship Offer
“Let me state categorically that I have turned down the position of Director-General of the PDP Kogi
State Governorship Campaign Council. I wish PDP all the best. When truth is a casualty there is chaos.
Senator Dino Melaye”
Senator Dino Melaye
Political Appointment Saga: Seun Onigbinde Cannot Leave
Twitter — Budgit’s Spoke
Spokesman of BudgIT, Shakir Akorede, has said that the company’s co-founder and chief executive,
Seun Onigbinde, could not have left Twitter.
Mr Onigbinde’s Twitter account went offline moments after news of his appointment as technical
adviser (budget and planning) in the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning broke on
Friday.
Onigbinde is known to have been vocal in his criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari’s
administration.
The BudgIT boss came under heavy criticism on social media for accepting the appointment.
Speaking with newsmen on Friday in a personal capacity, Mr Akorede said the BudgIT boss could not
have deleted his account to escape reactions over the appointment.
“I know Seun, he would never run away from Twitter. It was a platform on which he talked about
governance issues. He didn’t delete his Twitter account, it might have been deactivated,” he said.
Akorede added that Nigerians should be happy that they have someone who they can hold accountable
in government.
I Didn’t Expect Anything From Tribunal -archbishop Tunde

Adeleye
The Anglican Bishop of the Niger Delta Province, Arch Bishop Tunde Adeleye, has stated that he
didn’t expect anything to the contrary to the tribunal verdict on the last presidential election.
Besides, he insisted that even as the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal favoured
the ruling APC led by President Muhammadu Buhari, the present crop of leadership have no capacity
to clean up the country.
Speaking to journalists on national issues at the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Anglican Communion,
Calabar, on Friday, Adeleye said he would have been very surprised if the tribunal had delivered
anything short of what Nigerians watched and heard on Wednesday.
He said: “I did not expect a different outcome from the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal but the
present leadership of the country has no capacity to clean up the country.
“I would have been very surprised to hear anything different from what we heard. I’m not a lawyer but
look at it, they say you don’t have to present your certificate before you are elected, but the system I am
used to is properly organized, and orchestrated by norms and decorum. It’s not a place where you can
come and rigmarole or (perform) magical display of law (and) say you don’t have to present your
certificate.
“Nigeria needs to be cleaned up but the people to clean it up are not born; it’s not these people that can
clean it up, not one of them can clean it up. The system is bad,” he stated.
Expressing displeasure at the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, Adeleye, who doubles
as the Chairman, Christian Council of Nigeria, South-South zone, said the quest for greener pastures by
Nigerian youths was an indication that over 70% of them has no future in the country.
And to reverse the trend, he enjoined the present leadership of the country to come up with a
comprehensive development plan that could cater for the citizens and make life more meaningful than
to enable the youths sit back and contribute to national developing.
“I think Nigerian government did not have the right understanding and projection of the threat posed by
zenophobia and took things for granted as they did not respond early. I am sure they did not imagine
things will come to this and took things for granted.”
He deplored the rising case kidnapping, failing infrastructure, faltering economy and lack of basic
amenities in the country as reasons why people leave the country stressing that presently in Nigeria, the
only thing that moves the country is when a cow dies otherwise, nothing moves our leaders.
Osinbajo To Represent Nigeria At Mugabe’s State Funeral

Saturday
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will be representing President Muhammadu Buhari at the state funeral
for former President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe on Saturday.
Prof. Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, confirmed the Vice President’s attendance in a statement
on Friday.
Osinbajo will be joining other African leaders and heads of state expected at the occasion scheduled for
the country’s National Stadium in Harare.
Heads of state expected to attend the funeral include President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and
President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya.
Mugabe, who was Zimbabwean Prime Minister and later President for 37 years altogether, up until
2017, died last week at the age of 95 in a Singaporean Hospital.
The Vice President, accompanied on the trip by senior government officials, would be leaving for
Harare Friday and is expected back in Nigeria later on Saturday.
Zulfat Suara Is First Muslim Lawmaker In Tennesse US

Onegoodhead.com has been following Zulfat Suara after this post 'Meet Zulfat Suara - First Muslim
Set To Be Elected In Tennessee US" on August 9 here on NL
Onegoodhead in the post reported that she contested for one of the five Nashville Metro Council
advanced seats in Tennessee on August 1 2019, Suara is also running in the general runoff election on
September 12, 2019, after advancing from the general election on August 1
ZULFAT SUARA biography can now be spiced with ‘member of the Nashville City Council’, member
of the Tennessee Women’s Political Caucus and the American Muslim Advisory Council, The Election
Board after her victory confirmed her as the first Muslim lawmaker elected to the Metro Nashville
Council.
Excited Zulfat Suara after her victory For the Metro Council at Large reacting to her history-making
win, saying she’s proud of her diverse support-base which she takes as a mandate for the council to
help create a “NASHVILLE FOR ALL”
Suara finished second in the general election, falling just short of avoiding this runoff. She said she
hopes her election sends a message of unity to the city and to the country.
Popular opinion suggest that Cities are known to have a different culture than the rest of the state, and
even country. They are more educated, diverse, and therefore more tolerant of each other. and here is a
testimony from a voter.
“I voted for her because she is a CPA – good person to have around when budgets are being prepared-
and because she cares about our schools, and they need caring about. I am glad she won and hope she
serves us well on the Council. You folks that are freaking out about her religion have much to learn.”
See Zulfat Suara Biography:

https://onegoodhead.com/biography-zulfat-zuara-nashville-metro/
Watch Moments after her victory:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2WxL2gJ8yA/
Buhari: ‘FEC Meeting Saved Me From Tribunal Trauma’

President Muhammmadu Buhari has opened up on how the federal executive council (FEC) meeting
saved him from being traumatised while awaiting the outcome of the judgement of the presidential
tribunal.
The first FEC meeting of Buhari’s second term coincided with the period the tribunal gave its verdict
on the petition of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), filed
against the president’s victory.
The tribunal upheld Buhari’s victory at the February 23 presidential election.

In his response to the verdict, the president had said: “I was unperturbed all along, because I knew
Nigerians freely gave us the mandate. We are now vindicated.”
But speaking when governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) visited him at the presidential
villa, Abuja, on Friday, Buhari said the cabinet meeting distracted him from activities at the tribunal.
“On this judgement, again it was a fabulous coincidence that it came almost the same time the first
Federal Executive Council meeting of this government was taking place,” he said.
“It lasted about the same time with the judgement. I thank God for that because I think would have
gone into trauma or something. So I was busy trying to concentrate on the memo.
“The first memo was on the budget and it took more than five hours. So, while you were doing your
thing for nine hours, we were doing ours for about seven hours here.
“It is a very interesting coincidence and I thank God for it because I would have been in trauma or
something of that sort. So thank you very much for sharing the glory with us. What I will say to your
congratulations, the chairman of the party and the governors is that we must make sure that we really
institutionalized the party, so that when we leave the stage the party will continue to lead.”
Former Vice President, Atiku, Mourns Okonjo-iweala’s Father

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has condoled with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, over the
death of her father, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV had reported that Okonjo-Iweala, a former Minister of Finance, lost her father, Obi (Prof)
Chukwuka Okonjo, on Friday.
Okonjo, who was the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State,
died in the United States, aged 91.
Reacting to the development in a tweet sighted by Igbere TV on Friday, Atiku, presidential candidate of
the PDP in the 2019 poll, wrote;
“Obi Prof Chukuka Okonjo, immediate past Obi of Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State, was a man of many
parts. He left behind indelible footprints. On behalf of my family, I condole with Dr (Mrs) @NOIweala
on the loss of her dear father. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Onyejeocha, Ekwunife, NASS Dissociate Selves From

"Fictitious" Online Award Poll
High ranking female lawmakers of the 9th National Assembly have dissociated themselves from an
online poll, being organized by what they called “a suspicious and manipulative group,” the Nigerian
Assembly Newspapers (NASSNEWS).
They claimed that they have been inundated with calls from Nigerians and well-wishers over the
“MOST ACTIVE FEMALE LAWMAKER OF THE YEAR” Award online contest, and which they
knew nothing about, and that it has become very embarrassing to them.
The National Assembly management and the Press Corp have equally distanced themselves from the
event, under the Nigeria Assembly Newspaper Orientation & Awards Ceremony and being organized
by the Nigerian Assembly Newspapers (NASSNEWS), while describing it as “inappropriate and
unprofessional.”
“NASS management is not involved in any such contest, the person who has been using the National
Assembly name under the guise of a publisher of (NASSNews) has been warned by the Director of
Information, and appropriate action will soon be taken by the management against those using the
name of the National Assembly inappropriately,” said, Dr. Jerry Uhuo, Deputy Director, Research and
Information, for the National Assembly management.
The organisers did not state the criteria for arriving at the names of the “Most Active Female
Lawmakers of the Year,” listed persons in the online poll, fueling further speculations that the motive
behind the award is less than noble.
In a disclaimer, Hon. Nkeiru Onyejeocha, the Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives and
Member, representing Isuikwato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, who was leading the poll as at the
time of compiling this report, has asked the organisers of the award to discontinue the exercise or have
her name removed from the contest.
“Hon. Nkeiru Onyejeocha is a principal officer and high ranking member of the National Assembly and
therefore, cannot entertain such an arrangement that is not supported by the relevant professional media
bodies and recognized by the National Assembly management.
“We have asked our dynamic and enthusiastic supporters, friends and well-wishers home and abroad,
who have shown some relative interest in an online poll in which she is listed along with other female
lawmakers as contenders for the “MOST ACTIVE FEMALE LAWMAKER OF THE YEAR” Award,
to henceforth disregard, ignore and jettison the contest.
“Notwithstanding the fact that some of our young and passionate supporters have taken it upon
themselves to ensure that the image, personality and integrity of the Distinguished lawmaker is
defended at all times by participating in the poll, we have since discovered upon a thorough
investigation that the contest is a manipulated arrangement designed to scam and extort the listed
lawmakers.
“Our findings also reveal that the entire arrangement under the Nigeria Assembly Newspaper
Orientation & Awards Ceremony and being organized by the Nigerian Assembly Newspapers
(NASSNEWS), is terribly lacking in credibility and has neither the support of the National Assembly
Press Corp or recognition of the National Assembly management,” Raphael Dare, a media consultant to
the lawmaker said in the disclaimer.
On her part, Senator Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central), in a statement by her Senior Legislative Aide,
Dr. Chike Amobi informed the general public that a notice has been sent to the organizers of this
contest to kindly remove her name from the list of contestants.
“The general public is hereby advised that Senator Uche Ekwunife is neither participating in, nor
soliciting for anyone’s votes in the said contest. She actually just became aware of this contest through
social media, and neither volunteered for, nor accepted to be included in the contest,” Ekwunife’s
disclaimer added.
The chairperson, House of Reps Press Corps, Mrs. Grace Ike, who has confirmed that the the National
Assembly press corps, is on top of the matter and it will soon take an appropriate action against the
organisers.
Another journalist who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that most the lawmakers listed
selected for the award were not aware, while describing it as “a scam” invented to extort the lawmakers
or sow a seed of discontent among them
The source has however advised the National Assembly management to take an immediate decisive
action against the organisers of the award, while also tasking members of the press corps to issue a
statement, dissociating the body from the suspicious group.
It is also gathered that the female lawmakers from the Northern part of the country, listed in the online
contest, Senator Aishatu Dahiru and Hon. Aishatu Dukku would soon be sending a message to the
organisers to remove their names from the controversial online poll.
PDP Challenges Wike To Prove Allegation Of Corruption

Against Members
The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged Rivers State
Governor, Nyesom Wike, to prove his allegation against members of a committee set up to investigate
issues surrounding the emergence of Ndudi Elumelu as minority leader of the House of
Representatives.
Mr Elumelu was elected minority leader against the wish of PDP which favoured Kingsley Chinda.
Wike, who was also opposed to Elumelu’s emergence, accused the committee members of plotting to
favour Elumelu in the report.
“The committee set up by the PDP on the illegal emergence of Ndudi Elumelu is the most corrupt
committee ever set up by the party,” Wike said on Wednesday after hailing Austin Opara for
withdrawing from the committee.
Other members of the committee include David Mark, Adolphus Wabara, and Ibrahim Mantu who are
all members of the BoT.
In reaction to Wike’s accusations, PDP BoT chairman, Walid Jubril, challenged any member of the
party with proof of allegations against any member of the committee to speak out instead of casting
aspersions on the members.
He said the board would meet next Thursday to deliberate on the committee’s report and make a
decision.
"I will not condemn any member of the committee without any proof of evidence of corruption. I
challenge anybody anywhere to provide proof of the allegations of corruption,” he said.
“He who alleges must show evidence of corruption. It is not enough to accuse anyone of any
wrongdoing. I call on anyone; both party members and non-party members to come forward with
evidence of corruption and you will see what the BoT will do.”
Kalu, PDP Chieftain, Reacts To Buhari’s Tribunal Victory, Says

Atiku Will Bounce
LAGOS – Chief Emeka C. Kalu, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and Director General of
Atikulated Agenda Worldwide, has expressed disappointment over Wednesday’s declaration of
President Muhammadu Buhari as the winner of the 2019 presidential election, saying by the decision,
the judiciary has lost its last opportunity to redeem its already battered image.
Kalu, also the Director-General of Global Initiative for Good Governance (GIGG), who spoke through
a statement issued by Comr. Amos Kalu, his Media and Publicity aide, the tragedy was not because the
judgment did not favour the PDP and Atiku, but that bad precedent had been set in Nigeria by the
judiciary, which Nigerians had looked upon as the last hope of the common man.
He said although the judgment was not altogether unexpected, he wondered why some people were
celebrating what he termed exhibition of ineptitude and wanton display of legal subversion, which he
maintained had never been experienced before anywhere in the world.
Dr Kalu stressed: “Today, justice was subverted and the judiciary further exposed themselves after
losing their only opportunity to redden their already battered image.
“The outcome of Wednesday’s verdict was not unexpected. But, upholding every iota of falsehood just
to please few people against the will of the majority of Nigerians is what beats my imagination,
because, among every other wrong, our judiciary has succeeded in making Nigerians understand that
education is a scam.
“From today going forward, it is clear and profound that beating yourself black and blue to acquire a
certificate in Nigeria is a farce as all you need to do is to take a picture with your principal and
classmates.
“Even if you dropped out of school, or never started any, just make sure you appear in school
photographs, keep it and wait. That is the part that is making me weep for Nigeria. How did we get to
this crossroads in the first instance?” he asked.
Kalu further threw more light on the assertion of most people that he and other supporters that had
refused to give up on Atiku were milking him, insisting that such impression was childish as he was
actually investing more in actualising what he believed that Nigeria would stand to benefit if Atiku was
given the opportunity to steer the ship of a prosperous Nigeria.
He maintained that Atiku’s experience, both in politics and civilian circle, had given him the edge over
trials and errors as he had proven over the years to be progressive, productive and hardworking.
“I laugh when people erroneously talk about milking Atiku as if every belief of a man must be equated
with monetary inducement. No! Our support is borne out of belief in a better Nigeria and we will
continue to invest in it until Nigeria is emancipated. That is the real deal.
“Since the judiciary has decided to rob herself in the mud, we will pursue this to a logical conclusion
by meeting them at the Supreme Court because it is never over until it is over.
“The judiciary is the last hope of the common man and we will continue to demand justice until Nigeria
masses are placated. Atiku is coming because #DemocracyWon today, the truth will always win,” Kalu
stressed.
ICPC Seals Amaju Pinnick’s Lagos Residence
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has sealed the
Lagos residence of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, Igbere TV
reports.
Igbere TV reports that the move comes as part of the commission’s investigation into the activities of
the football body.
The apartment is situated at Parkview estate in Ikoyi, Lagos.
ICPC had earlier on Friday sealed the Abuja residence of the NFF second Vice President, Shehu Dikko.
The commission launched investigation into NFF’s activities following allegations of corruption.
Why Lawyers Slept During Presidential Elections Tribunal

Judgement
Lawyers sleeping during Buhari, Atiku Presidential elections tribunal ruling
The last may not have been heard on what really transpired inside the courtroom on Wednesday, a day
the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal that held its proceedings at the Court of Appeal Headquarters
in Abuja, dismissed the petition that sought to nullify President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election.
It is no longer news that the petition marked CA/PEPC/002/2019, which was jointly filed by the
opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was
unanimously dismissed by the Justice Mohammed Garba-led five-man panel tribunal as grossly lacking
in merit, the news, however, is that a cross-section of lawyers, slept almost all through the proceeding.
Though the cause of their shared-slumber could not be ascertained, their picture which went viral on
various social media platforms, elicited varied reactions from other legal practitioners who shared their
thoughts. It will be recalled that the judgement which commenced at about 9:30 am last Wednesday,
lasted for over nine hours, though the tribunal had shortly after it delivered reserved rulings on eleven
pending motions that were filed by all the parties in the matter, okayed a short break that lasted about
20 minutes. The panel reconvened to deliver its judgment on the substantive petition that alleged that
the February 23 presidential poll was rigged in favour of President Buhari and the ruling All
Progressives Congress, APC. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had on February
27, declared that Buhari won the presidential contest with 15,191,847 votes to defeat his closest rival,
Atiku, who it said polled a total of 11,262,978 votes.
However, in their joint petition, Atiku and his party, insisted that data they secured from INEC’s back-
end server, revealed that contrary to the result that was announced, they defeated President Buhari with
over 1.6million votes The petitioners maintained that proper collation and summation of the
presidential election would show that contrary to what INEC declared, Atiku, garnered a total of
18,356,732 votes, ahead of Buhari who they said got a total of 16,741,430 votes. They alleged that
INEC had at various stages of the election, unlawful allocated votes to President Buhari, insisting that
the announced result did not represent the lawful valid votes cast.
Atiku and PDP further alleged that in some states, INEC deducted lawful votes that accrued to him, in
its bid to ensure that Buhari was returned back to office. Aside challenging the outcome of the election
in 11 states of the federation, the petitioners, alleged that President Buhari lied about his educational
qualifications in an affidavit he attached to the Form CF 001 he submitted to INEC for the purpose of
the presidential poll. Meanwhile, in its judgment, the tribunal held that the petitioners grossly failed to
establish any of their allegations, even as it resolved all the five issues that were distilled out in the
petition in favour of the respondents- INEC, President Buhari and the APC. Declaring that President
Buhari was “eminently” qualified to vie for presidency whether or not he attached his certificates, the
tribunal held that the petitioners were unable to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the election was
characterized by widespread irregularities, especially in the 11 focal states in the Northern part of the
country.
The tribunal was of the view that no law mandated President Buhari to present his certificate, stressing
that the affidavit he deposed and submitted to INEC, presupposed that he possessed all the
qualifications he claimed in the Form CF001. Meantime, while the judgement was going on, a group of
lawyers who coincidentally sat together in one part of the courtroom were busy snoring, to the
discomfort of their neighbours.
Even though it was not readily discernible if their action was a planned protest against the tribunal,
some of their colleagues that weighed-in on the matter, said it could have been fuelled by “bizarre”
reasons the judgement was anchored on, while others blamed it on fatigue. A constitutional lawyer, Mr.
Johnmary Jideobi said: “Sleeping during Court proceedings is rather a rare occurrence as witnessed on
the day the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal [PEPT] delivered its judgement.
“This could be attributed to different reasons. One, recall that we are in the season of election petition
across different states of the federation where most of those lawyers have been actively involved in
ventilating the electoral grievances of their respective clients. “Resultantly, we have cases of tiredness
arising from massive litigation and general overwhelming workload. I think it was just being human
that some of those lawyers were overcome by nature at the time the PEPT was delivering its decision”.
On his part, a senior lawyer and member of President Buhari’s legal team, Mr. Kayode Ajulo, said he
was not aware that some lawyers dozed-off, adding on a second thought that it could be that they were
only meditating. He said: “No lawyers slept in court to my knowledge; in fact it is forbidden that
lawyers should sleep in their temple of justice being ministers in the temple. Maybe, they were
meditating. “Seriously, there is no room to sleep in the court, particularly when a judgment is given,
lawyers are to be on alert, follow the judgment and take notes. I was in the court and we all listened
with rapt attention. Although, some lawyers may focus their minds for a brief period of time in silence,
to write and meditate”.
Another constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Nkereuwem Akpan, argued that the ratio
decidendi of the judgement was sufficient enough to induce sleep. According to him, “Those guys slept
off because they saw the rather embarrassing direction the judgment was heading”. Attacking the
judgement itself, Chief Akpan said: “It is with regret that I find myself unable to agree in any material
particulars with the findings, reasoning and conclusions reached by my lords in the PEPT. “The real
danger is that given our doctrine of stare decisis or what is ordinarily referred to as judicial precedents
– a doctrine that enjoins inferior courts to adopt and follow the judgments of superior courts in the
hierarchy (unless they can distinguish the facts and circumstances of the decisions of superior courts).
This judgment is worrisome, surprising, confusing and truly untenable. “I am confident that Supreme
Court will upturn the judgment otherwise if allowed to stand, it is going to be problematic for want of a
better word to use.
“The findings of the tribunal with regards to those documents tendered by both parties and in particular
the set of documents relating to the issue of whether or not the President had the basic educational
qualifications, with the greatest respect to their lordships, is not supported whether in law or equity.
Even the most vociferous supporters of the government are scratching their head.
Most surprising is the finding that Mohammed is the same as Muhammadu. “At the law school we
were taught that misspelling on a certificate is fatal. Just a few weeks ago I read in the papers that an
Adviser to the President was suspended because of discrepancy on his WAEC certificate.
Are we going to have two sets of rules in our jurisprudence?”, he queried. Similarly, a Civil Society
Activist, Mr. Ariyo-Dare Atoye, said: “First, the Court of Appeal judgement in the Atiku vs Buhari
petition was the longest in the anal of judicial verdicts in Nigeria. “It stretched to almost 9 hours.
Unfortunately, the most tempting thing to do to nature is for the human being to sit inactive under a
reasonable environment. Nature abhors vacuum and the call of nature could be very heavy on you,
sitting inactive for more than 8 hours.
“We cannot also discountenanced the very fact the voyage of unexciting discovery embarked upon by
the judges, also significantly detached the lawyers who were seated, from the judgement. A judicial
verdict that is rich in justice would have sustained their interests in the judgement and averted the
sleeping distraction”, he added.
Kashamu Dissociates Himself From Defection Of His Followers

To APC
Over 1,000 members of the People’s Democratic Party from Ogun East Senatorial district of Ogun state
have defected to the All Progressives Congress in the State.
The decampees were said to be loyalists of the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic
Party in the state during the 2019 general election, Senator Buruji Kashamu.
Leader of the decampees, Otunba Kolawole Akinyemi, said they decided to join the progressives as a
result of landmark work done by the Governor so far attest to his sagacity and sincerity of purpose. He
added that they would join hands with the Governor in moving the State forward.
Receiving them, Tunji Egbetokun, the Senior Special Adviser on political matters to the State
Governor, Dapo Abiodun. Receiving them, Egbetokun who stood in for Gov. Abiodun said the
decampees have made the right choice by joining the progressives, assuring them that the party would
ensure fairness, equity and justice for all its members at all times, irrespective of when they join the
party. Egbetokun said, “our party is open to all, even members of other parties. You have come at the
right time. In our party, we do not discriminate as we give due recognition to all members irrespective
of how long they have been members or their social standing”. While promising that the Dapo
Abiodun’s administration would not disappoint members by formulating and executing policies and
programmes that have a positive impact on the socio-economic well-being of the people, he urged the
party faithful to remain resolute and not engage in activities that would bring the name of the into
disrepute.
He charged the new members to bring in more people into the party, he, however, stressed that the
administration would not stifle oppositions, as “competition becomes sweeter when there are
opponents”. In his remark, the State Secretary of the Party, Engr. Ayo Olubori appreciated the people
for coming on board. He applauded their strong desire to build the future of the State with Prince Dapo
Abiodun and urged them to bring in new members to the party and work towards its progress and that
of the State.
But, in his reaction, Kashamu dissociated himself from the PDP defectors, saying the action did not get
his blessing.
A statement issued by his Media Adviser, Austin Oniyokor, quoted Senator Kashamu as saying that, “I
do not have any problem with any one or a group of people exercising their right to freedom of
association but such must be done responsibly and not with elements of lies, blackmail and outright
subterfuge.
“Kola Akinyemi and his co-travellers should desist from dropping my name in their political
prostitution and voyage of anywhere ‘belle face’. I dissociate myself and my genuine followers from
this group of desperados.
Their movement to the APC in Ogun State does not have my blessings.” Kashamu further stated that
while it is true that he has canvassed support for the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led Administration in the
overall interest of the state, such should not be misconstrued to mean that he has defected to the APC or
authorised any of his followers and associates to do so.
“It is true that politics is dynamic. If there is going to be any political alignment or movement in the
future, it is going to be a collective decision with the buy-in of all stakeholders. And it will be done
openly, not in the less than the honourable manner that these characters have done theirs.” The
immediate past Senator, who represented Ogun East Senatorial District at the 8th National Assembly,
urged all PDP members to keep faith with the party and continue to work for its interest and growth.
Vanguard
Imo Government Commissions Two Modern Firefighting Trucks

The Imo State government on Friday, September 13 commission two firefighting trucks at the Imo
State Government House, Leakers.ng reports.
Leakers.ng gathers that the firefighting trucks were Commissioned by the deputy governor of Imo state,
Rt.Hon. Alphonsus Irona.
Federal Fire Service of Nigeria on its official Twitter account revealed that the firefighting mobile
assets were deployed to the state for takeoff of newly created Zonal headquarters in the South East.
The Controller General Liman A. Ibrahim said that significant number of firefighters were also
deployed to man the equipment and complement the efforts of the state fire Service in the newly
created Zone “J” comprising of Abia and Imo with Headquarters in Owerri.
Court Vacates Forfeiture Order On Okorocha’s Properties

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt Rivers State has vacated a forfeiture order secured by the
Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on some properties belonging to former Imo
Governor Rochas Okorocha and some members of his family.
The anti-graft agency had early this month obtained the court’s orders for the interim forfeiture of
assets traced to the former governor, his wife, Nneoma Nkechi and their daughter.
The properties are: “a 16 – block 96 – flat structure and an eight – bungalow multimillion naira estate,
hotel, two schools, shopping plaza, supermarket, hospital and four vehicles.
“The same were known to those close to the state as, East High College, East High Academy,
Willowood Hotel, House of Freeda, Dews of Hope hospital and Market Square Supermarket.”
The commission in an earlier statement said it would like to know how Rochas Foundation and “other
accomplices” acquired and or converted some of the property for personal use.
It alleged that a prima facie cases had been established against the suspects, which they would answer
to.
Vacating the Order, the presiding Judge, Kolawole Omotoso, lifted the forfeiture order on some of the
properties especially the schools to enable students to resume for the new academic year.
The court however made another Order restraining the respondents (Okorocha and family members)
from selling any of the properties pending the conclusion of investigation by the EFCC.
The development followed the submission by Okorocha’s Lawyer, Okey Amaechi, that the forfeiture
order displayed on the school gates would negatively affect resumption of academic activities in the
new session, insisting that parents would be discouraged to register their children and wards in the
schools.
Meanwhile the EFCC had asked the Court to exclude two of the properties earlier listed in the
forfeiture order after it was discovered that they were not owned by the former governor or any of his
family members.
Shehu Sani: The Problem Is Not Going To Farm But Coming

Back
Former Senator Representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani has made Mockery of call to go back to the
Farm by the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The president had on different occasions in the past called on Nigerians especially the youth to go back
to farm in his effort to diversify the contry's economy from oil driven to Agriculture and for job
Creation purposes.
To Beef up security and enforce compliance with the existing ECOWAS protocols on movement
among neighboring countries, Nigerian Borders were closed by the security agencies.
In his Tweet, Shehu Sani said " they closed the border and want you to go to the farm; there's no
problem with going to the farm, the problem is coming back from the farm"
https://www.pressmanng.com/2019/09/the-problem-is-not-going-to-farm-but.html?m=1
We Will Make Oyo Fastest Growing Economy In Nigeria — Gov

Makinde
The Governor, who stated this while addressing a two-day retreat for members of his executive council
and senior aides, said that to achieve this end, his administration would leverage on agriculture value
chain amongA statement by the Chief Press Secrwtary to the Governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa quoted the
Governor as telling members of his cabinet at the retreat with the theme: “Taking Oyo State from
Poverty to Prosperity (P2P),” held at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan,
that his government was looking towards resounding successes in the four key pillars of the
administration.
The statement named the four pillars of the government as including Health, Education, Security and
Economic expansion through Agricultural value chain.
The statement further quoted Makinde as saying that he was aware of the magnitude of the
responsibility bestowed on him and that he could not let the people of Oyo State down.
He promised to deliver on the vision he has for the state.
Makinde said: “Today, I have another chance to share my vision with you. With the number of times I
have had to repeat this vision, I would not forget it even if I wanted to. “And so today, I am going to be
talking about the roadmap to prosperity in Oyo State.
“I have chosen to keep in clear focus, the four pillars of development upon which we are building the
prosperity of Oyo State: the Economy, Education, Healthcare and Security. Permit me to restate my
visions for these areas and to share with you what we have done so far to make these visions a reality.
Indeed, visions exist in the realm of imagination. In keying into a vision, we are hoping that what we
imagined will come to reality. “This is why in expressing visions, people often ask: What will success
look like?”
Governor Makinde stated that successes in the four key areas of his administration would include
making the Oyo State economy the fastest growing in the country; delivery of qualitative education that
equip students for life after school; and making Oyo State safer and promoting qualitative healthcare
delivery service.
“My vision is to make Oyo State the fastest growing economy in Nigeria. To achieve this end, we have
to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. That is why one of the two Executive Bills
we have so far, transmitted to the Oyo State House of Assembly is the Oyo State Investment Promotion
Agency Bill. The bill is to initiate, promote and facilitate investments in the state.
“Policies alone cannot drive growth; we need to decide where to direct investment that will stimulate
growth. Therefore, one of the sectors we will be leveraging is agriculture. I’m happy our Commissioner
for Agriculture, Honourable Muyiwa Jacob Ojekunle, understands this vision and has made it his own.
Already, we have entered into a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement with agritech company,
Farmcrowdy to commence a three-year plan working with 50,000 farmers to boost agribusiness in Oyo
State.
FG Approves Construction/Rehabilitation Of 15 Roads At

N182b
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday
approved about N182 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of various roads across the country.
The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, said this while briefing State
House Correspondents on the outcome of the maiden FEC meeting held at the Presidential Council
Chamber, Abuja.
The roads are:
1. Lagos-Badagry express road to Benin Republic, at the cost of N15,297,762,234.22
2. The construction of two bridges at Kontagora-Rijau rod at the cost of N1.12 billion.
3. Construction of additional lane on Kano-Katsina road, at the cost of N9.4 billion.
4. Construction of Kontagora-Bangi road in Niger state, at the cost of N20.3 billion.
5. Rehabilitation of outer Marina-Bonny Camp road and Eko bridge, at the sum of N9.2
billion.
6. Rehabilitation of Ibori-Idomi western road in Edo state at the cost of N4.5 billion.
7. Construction of Ilogu-Ireni road in Kwara and Osun states, at the sum of N18.41 billion.
8. Construction of Wudil bridge along Kano-Maiduguri road, at the cost of N2.5 billion.
9. Rehabilitation of Wukari-Ibi road in Taraba state, at the sum of N12.3 billion.
10. Construction of Baro Port road in Niger state at the sum of N10.6 billion.
11. Rehabilitation of Ajingi-Kafin Hausa road in Jigawa state at the cost of N25 billion.
12. Rehabilitation of Abba-Owerri road at the cost of N6.98 billion.
13. Rehabilitation of Kaliyari-Damaturu road in Yobe state at a cost of N16.9 billion.
14. Construction of Yaba-Yangoji road in the Federal Capital Territory, N17.3 billion.
15. Rehabilitation of two outstanding sections of Nnnewi-Okigwe road in Imo and

Anambra states at the sum of N12.7 billion.
Oye Protest: Ekiti Govt Visits, Condoles With Families Of

Slain Fuoye Students
OYE PROTEST: EKITI GOVERNMENT VISITS, CONDOLES WITH FAMILIES OF SLAIN
FUOYE STUDENTS
The Ekiti State government has commiserated with the families of Joseph Okunofua and Kehinde
Dada, students of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) who lost their lives during
Tuesday’s protest in Oye-Ekiti.
The government delegation comprising the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Biodun
Oyebanji; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Biodun Omoleye; Commissioner for Women
Affairs and Social development, Chief (Mrs) Moji Fafure; Commissioner for Environment, Hon
Gbenga Ageyo; lawmaker representing Ido/Osi 1 at the State Assembly, Hon. Abiodun Fawekun,
and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr (Mrs) Enuice Oladimeji, visited the two
families in Ido-Ekiti and Usi –Ekiti on Friday afternoon.
The delegation led by Hon. Oyebanji visited Mrs Esther Okunofua, mother of Joseph, who was a
300 level student of Biology Education in Ido -Ekiti and Mr and Mrs Adedayo Dada, parents of
Kehinde Dada in Usi Ekiti.
Oyebanji said the visit was at the instance the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; who was
saddened by the unfortunate incident, adding that the visit was to demonstrate that the state
government share in their grief and to encourage them during the trying period.
“On the instruction of the governor, delegation of the government is here to condole with the
families that lost their loved ones during the unfortunate incident that happened in Oye Ekiti. We
are here to commiserate, encourage them to take heart and to assure them that government is with
them in this trying period”, Oyebanji said.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Chief (Mrs) Moji Fafure who
also spoke with the parents in Yoruba language urged the parents of the deceased to take solace in
the word of God as no amount of counselling can fill the vacuum created by the irreparable loss.
She also prayed for the families.
“The Governor and his wife sent their condolence messages. They share in your grief over the
unfortunate incident and they prayed that God in His mercies will not allow a reoccurrence. The
loss is painful but it is our prayer that the Almighty God will keep your remaining children safe.
Never again will you bury any of your children”, she said.
At the resident of the late Kehinde Dada, the deceased’s elder brother, Bankole Dada thanked the
government delegation for sharing in their grief.
Deputy Gov’s Brother Decamps Ahead Of Governorship

Election
Younger brother to the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Prince Gabriel Jonah, has decamped
from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Igbere TV reports.
This comes weeks after the PDP governorship primaries which produced the party's flag bearer
for the November 16, 2019 gubernatorial election.
Igbere TV learned that Jonah, leader of the Otita Force Political Dynasty in Nembe Local
Government Area, has already joined the opposition APC in Bayelsa State.
Information available to Igbere TV indicate that Prince Jonah would be formally received in a
large gathering by Leader of the APC in Bayelsa and Minister of Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva.
VAT: FG Says It Proposed 7.5 Percent Increase, Not 7.2
Percent
Igberetv reports that the Federal Government clarified that it proposed 7.5 Percent increse in
Value Added Tax (VAT) and not 7.2 percent which is being circulated on the media.
The Special Adviser, Media and Communications, to the Minister of Finance, Budget and
National Planning, Mr. Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, said in a statement that the proposed VAT
increase “from 5 percent to 7.5 percent is sequel to the recommendation of the Presidential
technical advisory committee.”
He said that the increase, if correctly implemented, could bring in huge revenues, which would
actually reduce the fiscal deficit burden.
He further stated that the Federal Government had earlier in the year set up a technical advisory
committee comprising competent and leading economists from both public and private sectors
chaired by an Economist, Mr. Bismack Rewane.
Our South African Classmates Bully, Tell Us To Leave Their

Country – Nigerians
Xenophobia: Our South African classmates bully, tell us to leave their country – Nigerian pupils
Afeez Hanafi
Up till 1 am in the early hours of Thursday, more than three hours after their arrival at the Murtala
Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos from South Africa, Richard Simon was full of life. He
and his peers aged between four and six played gleefully inside the lighted pilgrims’ hall of the airport,
racing against one another to catch a small round plastic object one of them thrown up into the air.
They showed no sign of sleeping soon.
Most of them are beginners in South African schools and could barely keep memories of the harsh
treatment they and their parents went through in the Rainbow country in the wake of xenophobic
attacks. To them, a return to their fatherland came with no hard feelings – at least for now. “I am happy
to be here,” Simon quipped in response to our correspondent’s question as he ran after his playmate,
Sandra, five, who was also chasing after the object.
But for older ones who are in their teens, returning home is a mixed tale of excitement and sadness, just
as it is for their parents. While the parents lived in fears of imminent attacks by South African mobs,
the children grappled with frequent discrimination among their native classmates who saw them as
strangers.
Since xenophobia became pronounced in the country about three years ago, Ogechi Maduagwu, a
Grade 8 pupil in Johannesburg, has been struggling hard to cope with the growing trauma of racism at
the school that should have shielded her from social oppression. “My classmates from South Africa talk
down to Nigerian pupils. They are racists. Anytime, we have a little misunderstanding and they are
moody, they would tell us, ‘Go back to your country. We don’t need you here!’ It was that bad! She
exclaimed, mimicking her bullies.
To her and many Nigerian pupils evacuated to the country on Wednesday night, it was a big break from
the manacles of repression and the dawn of a new life. “I am happy to come back home,” the 13-year-
old native of Imo State said amid hearty smiles.
Ogechi could not hide her excitement as she posed for photographs with her siblings, Ijoma, 16 and
nine-year-old Ngozi, who are also returnees. With their relatives waiting outside the premises to receive
them after documentation, they were elated that they would now live among the people who love and
care for them.
She said, “I will miss my teachers and my friends from other countries. It’s sad for me to leave South
Africa because of the quality of education I had there. But what is important is my safety. I was on
scholarship which I had to forfeit because of this crisis. It’s really, really painful.”
Her elder sister, Ijoma, a Grade 11 pupil, confirmed the toxic relationship they endured in school
at the hands of their South African counterparts. Other than the country’s educational system
which she described as “perfect,” Ijoma had no regret relocating to Nigeria in the heat of
dehumanising treatments she frequently went through.
“The crisis in town and the discrimination in my school have become unbearable. So my parents
decided that my sisters and I should come back home to continue with our studies. We live in
Johannesburg with our parents. People are dying and their shops are burnt. Our parents are still in
South Africa. They will soon join us,” she revealed.
Chubby and cheerful, Oyinkansola Ogunfolaji sat on a long steel chair in the hall devouring a plate of
rice she and other returnees were served. Like Ogechi and Ijoma, the 12-year-old Ogun State indigene
was a victim of verbal assault in school. According to the Grade 7 pupil, the past three years of her
schooling in Mabopane, a suburb of Pretoria, came with painful memories she could not easily erase.
Aside from her class teacher and her best friend whom she would probably miss dearly because of their
role in mitigating the impact of the racist slurs on her, parting ways with her South African classmates
was a moment she had wished, long before now.
“I was discriminated against because I am a Nigerian. It was only two people I could rely on in school
– my class teacher and my best friend, who are South Africans. Any time a South African classmate
bullied me, I looked up to them. They would give me good advice. My classmates would tell me they
don’t need me in their country and that I should go back to my home (in Nigeria). They would say I am
too black to be in South Africa,” she lamented, almost in tears.
Despite learning in such an unfriendly environment, the teenage girl did not let the resentment affect
her studies. She consistently found inner strength amidst the rising hatred and devised intellectual
means to get back at her oppressors.
“So far, I have won nine awards in subjects including Afrikaans, English, Mathematics, Economics and
Management Sciences, Social Sciences and Life Skills. I feel bad because no one would remember me
for my achievements and it would be like all my hard work has gone down the drain.
“Now that I am in Nigeria, I will try my best to cope here. My dad is not back yet. He wants to take
care of our property there. We have a house and two cars. He has a shop where he sells refrigerators.
He wants to sell everything because of the attacks so that he could also relocate back to Nigeria,” she
added.
‘I won’t miss my classmates’
His facial expression said it all. Michael, as his mother wanted him to be identified, was very excited to
return to Nigeria. And when he bared his soul to our correspondent on the isolated life he had to
contend with in school, it was discernible that he indeed had a cause to rejoice. For the 15-year-old boy,
it was freedom worth celebrating.
“I was in Grade 9 in South Africa,” he began. “I was on 60 per cent scholarship and it is sad I would
lose it. But I am very happy to be back to Nigeria because of the discrimination I went through in South
Africa. I won’t miss my South African classmates there.
“They were very discriminatory in so many ways. The kind of jokes they cracked with foreigners are
killing. When there is a misunderstanding between them and foreign pupils, their co-citizens would
support them and shout at the foreigners to go back to their country.
“I don’t have a sense of belonging in the school. They want us to realise that we are not one of them. If
we complain to our teachers, they will correct them but after a while, they will resume the
discriminatory act.”
Michael’s mother, a native of Delta State, who gave her name simply as Felicia, said the trauma was as
gruelling as his son painted it. A teacher at a special school in Pretoria, the mother of three said she had
to come back to Nigeria after six years in South Africa because she didn’t want her children’s lifestyle
to be influenced by such crude behaviour.
“Racism is much. It’s very traumatising and we feel like we don’t have a place. Even in school, they
discriminate against foreigners, especially Nigerians. Their kids would tell our children to go back to
their country. It’s really very sad and my experience has made me appreciate my country more.
“I hope our leaders will look into things that make us travel out. I have been there for six years. Their
education system is perfect. How my children will blend with the system here is a headache for me
because I never thought we would return to Nigeria this soon. However, I can’t continue to raise my
children in an environment that is filled with bitterness and resentment,” she said, walking up to join a
queue where returnees were being given new SIM cards.
However, the narrative was different for Adediwura Beckley, a Grade 9 pupil in Pretoria. She was
lucky to be in the company of South African classmates who treated her like one of them. “I will
miss my friends, my teachers and my school,” she revealed with a sense of nostalgia.
“On Tuesday when I went to school and told my teachers and friends that I was going back to Nigeria,
they were sad. They were crying and were very emotional. I hope and pray that I will be able to catch
up because I really fitted in nicely with my South African friends. We were like siblings and it was
amazing.”
We lost everything, came home empty-handed – Returnees
Ibe Jonas, 34, was a renowned auto spare parts dealer in Pretoria. With a stock estimated at 1,200,000
Rands (about N29m), the Orlu, Imo State indigene was a ‘big man’ among his colleagues; highly
revered. Unfortunately, all that he laboured for in the last 14 years when he left Nigeria was reduced to
ashes penultimate Sunday by South Africans irate youths who were uncomfortable with his success
story “in a foreign land.”
“I lost everything,” he bemoaned, noting there is no end in sight to the horror of xenophobic attacks.
“But I am very happy that I am back to my country alive. They burnt down my shop. If I had the
money I lost to that attack, I would be a big man in Nigeria. Unfortunately, I could not salvage
anything. I came back empty-handed, except for some of my clothes and shoes.
“Only God and our government can help me because I don’t have any means to sustain myself. I ought
to have got married. It was because of the crisis that I decided not to raise a family there. A lot of
people are crying over there, they want to come back.”
Another returnee, Charity Okafor, from Enugu State was correspondingly embittered. She travelled to
Brett, Pretoria North-West four years ago in search of greener pastures. A graduate and a fashion
designer, she struck a chord with a number of clients as her business grew in leaps and bounds.
Sadly four months ago, the livelihood she strove to build crumbled before her eyes. The 33-year-old
nursing mother ran for dear life as assailants set her shop ablaze. She lost all she had toiled for.
She said, “We struggled to survive there. We woke up early in a bid to make ends meet, yet they see us
as threats to them. They felt we make money at their expense. If we go to their clinic and we don’t
speak their local language, they would not attend to us. It was really awful. The discrimination was so
much.
“If you want to rent an apartment in some places, they won’t attend to you simply because you are a
Nigerian. I came back with my child. My husband will join us later. I thank God I’m home now; at
least this is my country. I am ready to face the challenges here. I know it is not easy coming back home
with nothing, but my life is first. If there is life, there is hope. I am a graduate and I’m not lazy. I will
survive.”
Six years into their sojourn abroad, Chinyere Okafor and her son hastily returned to Nigeria with just
two bags that contain their personal belongings, leaving their wealth behind in South Africa. In the
recent time when racist attacks took a turn for the worse in the nation, every minute came with
uncertainties that perpetually put the mother and child in shock.
“Animals are better than those people,” Okafor thundered, adding that Nigerians especially are targets
of xenophobia.
She added, “The worst part is that you don’t know what they can do in the next 30 minutes. They can
just enter your house and stab you. Some of us, our husbands are still there because of our property.
“For instance, my husband repairs and sells cars there. He has two cars he wants to sell so he could
come back with something.
“There is a place called Location in Johannesburg. If they kill foreigners there, no one would know.
The news came up on Monday that foreigners, especially women and their children at Pretoria West
which is the centre of South Africa and close to the government house should run for dear life. My
child stopped school two months ago because they were kidnapping foreigners.
“Even at the South African airport, they didn’t want to release us to come back to Nigeria. It was when
we started to protest that they freed us.”
Make our country attractive to live, victims beg
The mother of one of the pupils Saturday PUNCH spoke with, Mrs Adejoke Beckley, urged the
government to improve on the educational standard in the country so that her children would not regret
coming back home.
She stated, “The educational standard in South Africa cannot be compared with what is going on here.
That was why we initially refused to come home. At age six when children are in Grade 1, they can
read already. One of the reasons why I came back home is the trauma that my kids are going through.
They are traumatised.
“They couldn’t sleep at night and we don’t know if our house will be the next target. We have been
there for five years and seven months.”
Felicia, a teacher in South Africa, urged the government to ease the process of obtaining loans to enable
people to start up their own businesses.
She said, “There are no proper documentation here and no support from the government. For instance,
if you want to do a business here, you have to struggle on your own to start. But back there in South
Africa, it is easy to get loans with a soft landing. They have a lot of incentives being given to their
citizens who are into business. The government has a lot of work to do to make life convenient for the
people.”
Commenting on the accounts of the returnees, a professor of psychology, Oni Fagboungbe, said the
victims, especially the children, would battle with the trauma of their nasty experience.
The don stated, “Traumatic experience is nothing palatable. It is something that lingers on for a long
time and leads to depression, hatred and so many things. Once somebody’s cognition is affected by
traumatic experience, the person will need experts to get out of it.
“When it comes to socialisation with other children, the suspicion will be there because they are going
to experience cognitive dissonance. They may find it difficult to trust children here because of their
experience in South Africa. They may also find it difficult to trust adults here because the older South
Africans treated them and their parents badly. But gradually as children whose memories are not as
deep as that of adults, they will cope faster than the adults.”
Fagboungbe said even after exploring counselling and other corrective measures, there could be a
relapse the moment a victim received a stimulus that triggered their sad experience.
He called for special provisions to help the returnees tackle the trauma and enjoined the government to
properly reintegrate them back to the society.
He added, “If we say the experience will not affect their living in Nigeria negatively, we are deceiving
ourselves. They will get out of it but it will take time. They will quickly get out of it if the Nigerian
government can provide what they missed in South Africa. So it would become an issue of elimination
by substitution.”
While addressing the returnees on Wednesday night, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora
Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, promised that the government would empower them. But how
soon the promise, like many of its kinds, would come to fruition – if at all – remains a mystery. For
now, they believe that when there is life, there is hope. They are exultant to return to their fatherland,
but how long the happiness will last remains to be seen.
Xenophobic Rage: Why We Don’t Want To Return Home

As the Air Peace aircraft that brought the first batch of 188 Nigerian returnees from South Africa,
landed at the tarmac of the Muritala Mohammed International Airport , Lagos, Wednesday night,
the returnees were welcomed into the warmth arms of some government officials and relatives,
amidst different expressions on their faces.
Six hundred others who willingly decided to return home, in order to escape the xenophobic
attacks in South Africa, are still awaiting their turn to board the next available flight.
But with a record of over 30,000 Nigerians living in South Africa, one would have expected the
number of returnees to be more that 688.
Investigation by Saturday Vanguard on why the number of voluntary returnees is low, showed
that most Nigerians are still weighing the option. Meanwhile, back in South Africa, foreign
nationals among who are Nigerians, are still locked indoors for fear of further attacks, with their
work places still a shadow of what they used to be.
In a telephone conversation with some of them in different provinces, they blamed the economic
condition back home in Nigeria, as the major reason they are reluctant to return.
One of them, Ferdnard Ikechukwu , who was asked why he did not use the opportunity of the free
flight back to Nigeria, said, “ Come to Nigeria to do what? Is the situation there better than what
we have here? Are Boko Haram not killing people at will? Are there no militia groups who take
laws into their hands and waste innocent lives in Nigeria? What about all the killings back home
by bandits, herdsmen kidnappers? What has the government done to address them?
“ Besides, will government give me job? Will I return and fold my hands watching my aged
parents feed me , my wife and children? I will rather remain here and pray for God’s protection”.
Electricity
Another Nigerian, Osasoyen Idemia, said “ Government is saying we should come home when
there are no plans on ground for us. If the Nigerian government will address the issue of
electricity, about 75% of Nigerians in South Africa will return home because our work needs
unhindered electricity supply. If there is constant electricity supply in Nigeria, Nigerians who
have invested here in South Africa will return home. This is an essential need government must
address”.
On his part, Mr Uche Ozioma, said, “ It is not as if I do not want to return home. But I have
already established a business here. I have been here for 20 years and I have branches in seven
provinces. I have four children, all graduates. Two of them are married to South Africans. I go
home (Nigeria ) every December to spend Christmas with my parents and relatives. Tell me, if I
leave here, where would I start from ?”
Another Nigerian Edome Asemota , said, “ I can’t leave because there is no hope for me back
home. I came into South Africa, three years ago, having spent five years in Nigeria without a job.
I did all kinds of menial jobs to eke a living, while in Nigeria, yet , I could not rent one-room
apartment. Besides, pressure was on me to get married because I am an only child.
“My course mate back in the university invited me to South Africa three years ago. I started as a
sales boy in a car mart in Malvern , a suburb of Johannesburg. I also help people wash cars. At
least I could save reasonable amount. The only problem here is the xenophobic attacks. My
prayer is that God will spare my life”.
Cause of attacks
Also, an auto parts dealer, who simply gave his name as Dino, attributed the cause of the attacks
on Nigerians and nationals from other African countries to what he described as lackadaisical
attitude of the South African Government to checkmate excesses of the perpetrators of the
attacks.
Dino said, “ The attacks are perpetrated by youths who live in hostels. These hostels are in
Hillbrow, Malvern, Orlando and almost all the provinces. They are homes provided by
government to jobless people. Aside this, they are paid monthly.
“Those living in the homes are being used by some government officials to distort the country.
They target foreign nationals because that is the only way to gain international attention. They
launch attack any time they want money from government. By the time they get the money, the
whole place will be calm.
“ There has been call to scrap these hostels and give these people jobs. But they are not ready to
work because they are used to getting free money. Claims that South African women go after men
from other countries and abandon their men is not false. Their women accuse their men of not
spending much on them as men from other countries do.
“ At the moment , everyone is indoors. Fortunately, the ongoing crisis is not only affecting
Nigerians and other foreign nationals. It is also affecting South Africans because some of them
owned the burnt shops we rented for our businesses. Also some buildings that were destroyed are
owned by South Africans.
For instance, I have three South Africans as employees. Like me, they have not reported to work
since last Monday’s attack. The solution is not in Nigerians or other African countries nationals
leaving South Africa. It is left in the hands of the South African government to address activities
of these hostel boys”.
Two Ministers Suspected As Moles In $9.6bn P&ID
Judgment Debt
Insinuations in some quarters that the $9.6bn damages secured by P&ID against the federal
government in respect of the latter’s purported failure to honour a contractual agreement it had
with the former was arranged by some interests to defraud the government may not be far from
the truth if feelers from the inner circles of the Presidential Villa are anything to go by.
Sentry gathered during the week that some suspected moles in the President’s cabinet are urging
the federal government to pay the $9.6bn ordered by the courts for purportedly breaching its
contractual agreement with the Irish firm.
At a session held in Aso Rock between President Buhari and some members of his cabinet on
how to tackle the debt overhang, two ministers suspected to be serving other interests were said
to have been adamant that the Federal Government should initiate “necessary action” to pay the
foreign company the sum specified by the courts.
The ministers in question were even said to have recommended two people who should meet with
the representatives of P&ID to negotiate the terms for the payment of the debt.
But President Buhari was said to have put his foot down, saying that the federal government was
prepared for a fight to the finish with P&ID on the matter.
The President’s declaration of his resolve was said to have put the two ministers in very
uncomfortable positions and they are now doing everything they can to regain the President’s
confidence.
President Buhari Leaves For Burkina Faso For ECOWAS

Counterterrorism Summit
Buhari attends ECOWAS Counterterrorism Summit in Burkina Faso
– Osinbajo Goes To Zimbabawe For Mugabe’s Funeral
President Muhammadu Buhari departs Abuja today to attend a one-day ECOWAS Heads of State
and Government Extraordinary Summit on Counter-Terrorism, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
His vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo will head to Zimbabwe to participate in the state funeral for the
late former President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.
Given the growing threat of terrorism in the sub-region, the West African leaders had called for
the Summit to review different initiatives taken so far, and redefine the priority intervention areas
for the containment of the worrisome attacks in the area.
The decision to convene the Summit was reached at the 55th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS
Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja on June 29, 2019.
President Buhari recognises the imperative of collective actions in the fight against terrorism and
will continue to partner with ECOWAS member states and international organisations to address
the menace.
In Ouagadougou, ECOWAS leaders are expected to adopt a priority action plan on counter-
terrorism and put in place a mechanism to monitor the implementation of the measures adopted
towards ensuring lasting peace in the sub-region.
President Buhari will be accompanied by Governors Abubakar Bello, Dapo Abiodun and Okezie
Ikpeazu of Niger, Ogun and Abia state respectively; as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Geoffrey Onyeama, and the Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Magashi (retd).
Also on the President’s entourage are the National Security Adviser, Maj-General Babagana
Monguno (retd) and Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ahmed Rufai
Abubakar.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina in a statement yesterday
explained that the President is expected back in Abuja at the end of the Summit.
Meanwhile, Senior Special Assistant to Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, in
a statement, yesterday explained that Prof. Osinbajo is expected to join other African leaders,
Heads of State at the funeral taking place at Zimbabwe’s National Stadium in Harare.
Heads of State expected to attend the funeral include President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa
and President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya. Mugabe, who was Zimbabwean Prime Minister and
later President for 37 years altogether, up until 2017, died last week at the age of 95 in a
Singaporean Hospital.
The Vice President, accompanied on the trip by senior government officials, left for Harare
yesterday. He is expected back in Nigeria later today.
How Alfa Belgore Helped P&ID To Defeat Nigeria

For the former Chief Justice, it was all business.
Nicholas Ibekwe
It did not matter that he was providing an expert legal opinion against his country whose
judiciary he once headed. It did not matter that Nigeria stood to lose the case on account of
his testimony, neither did it matter that offering such service to a foreign company was
illegal.
All that mattered, it seems, was money.
PREMIUM TIMES can today confirm that a key legal argument the British firm, P&ID
Limited, used in securing the humongous arbitral award of $9.6 billion (N3.2 trillion)
against Nigeria was provided by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Alfa Belgore.
Acting as a legal consultant, Mr Belgore, head of the Supreme Court between 2006 and
2008, painstakingly analysed Nigeria’s laws, exploited its shortcomings and cited case laws
for the benefit of the firm.
In August 2019, the UK’s Business & Property Courts granted P&ID’s request to enforce a
2013 award against Nigeria by a three-member arbitration tribunal.
The tribunal relied on the Arbitration Act 1996 (England and Wales) and the Nigerian
Arbitration and Conciliation Act 2004.
The amount standing against Nigeria is about 20 per cent of the country’s foreign reserves,
and if executed, the consequences will be unpleasant for every Nigerian, Finance Minister
Zainab Ahmed said.
Lawyers say the case presented a clear conflict of interest, and more importantly, that Mr
Belgore violated the constitution by choosing to offer his service to a P&ID. Section 5 of
the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution prohibits former presidents, vice presidents,
Chief Justice of Nigeria, governors and deputy governors from working for foreign
companies or enterprises.
Mr Belgore’s legal advice to P&ID
Process and Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID) accuses the Nigerian government of
breaching a 2010 gas contract agreement. Based on that allegation, the UK tribunal
accepted Mr Belgore’s opinion with two members of the tribunal – Lord Hoffman and Sir
Anthony Evans – ruling that the British Virgin Island firm is entitled to $6.6billion in
damages plus interest until the amount is paid. A third member – Nigeria’s Bayo Ojo – gave
a dissenting opinion, saying P&ID should be paid not more than $250million.
PREMIUM TIMES has obtained full details of the advice provided by Mr Belgore to
rubbish the Nigerian government’s defence in the suit.
In the written legal advice offered to P&ID, Mr Belgore, who is still a member of the
National Council of State, a key advisory body to Nigerian presidents, specifically admitted
that he was working for a foreign company.
“I have been instructed on behalf of Process and Industrial Developments Limited

(“P&ID”), a company incorporated in the territory of the Virgins Island (“BVI”), to prepare
a statement addressed to the Arbitral tribunal in answer to the questions put to me by P&ID
in connection with this arbitration,” he wrote.
Justice Alfa Belgore: By working for P&ID, the former CJN violated the constitution
He further explained that he was providing the legal opinion for the benefit of P&ID’s
solicitors, Harcus Sinclair LLP, which had provided him with the preliminary objections,
the Memorandum of Understanding between P&ID and the government, and a copy of the
gas supply and processing agreement between P&ID and the government.
He explained that he considered several legal texts, statutes and case reports as well as
evidence to prepare the report which he admitted will be used in arbitration against Nigeria.
“This report has been prepared solely for the use of this arbitration,” he said. “I understand
that the report will be made available to the Arbitral Tribunal, the Ministry of Petroleum
Resources of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and their respective legal advisers and other
witnesses or experts.”
After affirming that he was competent to give the legal advice in the case as well as stand
as an expert witness, he explained that two questions were posed to him:
“Whether or not the Ministry lacked legal and/or contractual capacity to validly enter into
the GSPA as alleged, and whether or not the GSPA is void as a result.”
“Whether or not the claimant failed to comply with the provision of section 54 of the
Companies and Allied Matter Act, Cap C20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004
(“CAMA”), as alleged and if so whether the GSPA is void and /or affected by illegality, as a
result.”
He then presented extensive legal arguments to puncture the defence by Nigerian

government lawyers.
Summarising his response to the first question Mr Belgore said, “In my opinion, the
Ministry entered into the GSPA as an organ of Government. As such the GSPA is binding
on the Government and the Ministry is correctly named as a defendant in its capacity as an
organ of Government.”
On the second questions, he said, “In my opinion there was no breach of section 54 of the
Companies and Allied Matters Act because: (i) a separate Nigeria corporation was set up on
21 July 2006, in compliance with section 54; (ii) in an event, P&ID was not “carrying on
business” by entering into the GSPA; and (iii) even of the execution of the GSPA had
constituted “carrying on business” within the meaning of section 54, the Ministry has
waived its right to rely upon section 54 and/or is estopped from so relying.”
Even after he stepped down as chief justice, Mr Belgore remained a powerful figure within
the Nigerian government. He is a member of the National Council of State, an organ of the
Nigerian Government that advises the executive on policymaking. He is also the
chairperson of the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage, Nigerian National Honours
Award Committee and Central Working Group of Nigeria Vision 20:20.20.
Some commentators wonder why a man who remained so deeply connected with the
Nigerian government would provide help for an adversary of the same administration.
A constitution violation — Lawyers react

Lawyers who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES said Mr Belgore was in clear violation of the
Constitution for working for P&ID and should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“The Constitution does not define what employment means, I have gone back to the
Interpretation Act, the Interpretation Act is also quiet. But my sense is this: it is a simple
straightforward interpretation,” Abdul Mahmud, an Abuja-based lawyer, told PREMIUM
TIMES. “They are prohibited from service and employment from foreign companies. I
think by virtue of Section 5(1) of the fifth schedule of the Constitution, he is barred. He is
prohibited from doing any work for foreign companies or enterprises, P&ID is not a
Nigerian company, is not registered in Nigeria. So, it is a foreign enterprise.”
He said the matter transcends the morality of a former chief judicial officer of the country
working against the interest of the country. But rather a legal and Constitutional matter and
should be treated as such.
“If you look at Subsection 2 of Section 5, it specifically mentions the office of the
President, Vice President, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Governor and Deputy Governor of a
state. But the operative section is Section 1. Section 1 says retired public officers who have
held officers to which this paragraph applies. And Section 2 explicitly states the offices
which include the Chief Justice of Nigeria is in breach of section 5(1&2) of the Fifth
Schedule Part 1 of the Constitution.”
He said Mr Belgore should be made to face trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal as
specified by law.
“So, he can be hauled to the Code of Conduct Tribunal. It is a breach. And only the Code of
Conduct Tribunal has exclusive jurisdiction over matters devolving around Code of
Conduct. It is no longer a moral question; it is a Constitutional and legal question.”
He, however, said with the widespread impunity in the country he was not hopeful that the
law would be allowed to take its course.
“It is very strange,” Mr Mahmud continued. “We operate in a country where people infract
on the law and there are no consequences. It is a practice that we see everywhere today in
our country because public institutions responsible for protecting the health of our
Constitution are not performing their roles. I won’t be surprised if Belgore is taken to the
Code of Conduct tribunal people will throw up all sorts of shenanigans, be ethnic, be it,
class, etc. That is our country.”
Ezenwa Nwagwu, a lawyer, and the Chairman, Partners for Electoral Reform (PER), said
Mr Belgore’s PI& action reflected the character of the Nigerian political elites.
“What you are dealing with is the character of the Nigerian ruling elites. They expect
patriotism from other people but in every way, they are driven by greed,” he told
PREMIUM TIMES on the telephone.
He said despite Mr Belgore being in clear violation of the Constitution he may not be made
to face the consequences of his action.
“In clear violation of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, will there be any sanction?
Will those who have the responsibility to deal with the issue deal with it? They will still
waive it the way they waive every other thing.
“But basically, in line with what you have read, there is no argument to whether he has
violated or breached the Code of Conduct by rendering service to a foreign company after
holding office as the highest judicial officer of the land. There is something not sitting well
about that,” he said.
Mr Belgore could not be reached to comment for this story. When this reporter dialled his
known telephone line, a man who identified himself as a staff of the former CJN said his
boss could not be reached for comment.
When asked if the reporter should send questions via SMS, the staff member requested to
know what the question was about. When told, he said there was no need to send text
messages to Mr Belgore about the matter.
Mr Belgore holds Nigeria’s second-highest award, the Grand Commander of the Order of
the Niger (GCON). In 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him the Chairman of
the Committee on National Honours Award.
As a former CJN, he is a member of the Nigerian Council of State, which is chaired by the
incumbent president, is made up of past Presidents and Head of States of the country,
former CJN, President of the Senate, Speaker of House of Representatives and all
governors of the 36 states of the country, the minister of Justice and the Secretary to the
Government of the Federation. By working for PI&, the former CJN violated the
Constitution)
Kogi State Government Introduces Mobile Clinics

In order to expand the coverage of the healthcare delivery service to the people and to reach out
to those in most remotest localities across the state, The Kogi State Government in collaboration
with Coolink Integrated Services Ltd,Triple A +, Gillead Quantum Health Systems and Mercy
International Medical Mission, inc, USA has embarked on Door-Door Healthcare Initiative
through mobile hospital.
This mobile clinics is equipped with state of the art medical facilities to carry out all forms of
surgeries; minor and major.
Surgeries such as ;
�Herniorraphy
�Lump excision
�Appendectomy
�Urological surgeries
�Caesarean section
�Myomectomy
�Hydrocoelectomy
�Tuboplasty
�In growing toe nail removal
�Circumcision
�And any other uncomplicated surgeries will be carried out smoothly by the Door-Door Free
Healthcare Initiative.
Bayelsa, Kogi Elections: INEC Uncovers Underage

Governorship Candidates
Ahead of the November 16 governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi states, the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) says some political parties submitted governorship and
deputy-governorship candidates that are below the minimum age prescribed by the constitution
for the positions.
Under the “Not Too Young to Run Act” signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari,
candidates standing for governorship elections are expected to have attained the age of 35 to be
eligible.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee
(IVEC), Festus Okoye, said yesterday in Abuja that the commission will notify the concerned
parties soon and subsequently consider further action.
He said in accordance with the Electoral Act and in line with the timetable and schedule of
activities for the Bayelsa and Kogi states governorship elections, INEC will on Friday 13th
September 2019 publish the personal particulars of nominated candidates for the elections.
He said the personal particulars of the nominees will be published on the notice boards of INEC
offices in Yenagoa and Lokoja.
“From our records, 64 political parties conducted primaries in Bayelsa State as against 59 in Kogi
State. Out of these, 52 political parties for Bayelsa State and 49 for Kogi State respectively
submitted the list of candidates and their personal particulars at the close of nomination at 6pm
on Monday 9th September 2019.
“While some of the political parties that conducted the primaries did not submit any list and
personal particulars of candidates, a few failed to submit within the time limit prescribed by the
commission.
“Out of the 101 nominees for the two states, 91 are males, representing 90 percent, while 10 are
females, representing 10 percent of all the nominees. Of the 52 nominees for Bayelsa State, 6 are
females, while 46 are males. The corresponding figures for Kogi State are 4 female and 45 male
nominees,” Okoye said.
Lawan, Gbajabiamila, CJN Tanko Muhammad, Others
Under Probe
The Federal Government has commenced an investigation into bank accounts belonging
to Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Reps Femi Gbajabiamila and other
principal officers of the National Assembly.
The probe which is conducted by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) is also
investigating accounts owned by Nigeria judges including the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN),
Tanko Muhammad.
A letter dated Sept. 10, 2019, and signed by NFIU Associate Director, Analysis and Compliance,
Fehintola Salisu, stated that the Chief Compliance Officers of banks were directed to release the
account details of all legislators and judiciary officials in the country.
The Financial Intelligence agency further asked the banks to provide account names, numbers
and transaction details of the top civil servants.
NFIU listed judges and national assembly members but failed to listany member of the executive
arm of government for the same investigation.
The letter with reference: NFIU/ACCFT/ACCOBANKS/VOL.I/877/PO5IA29 reads: “Request

for information on: All accounts of: the National Assembly, National Judicial Council (NJC), all
the members of the National Assembly, principal officers (management) of the National
Assembly Service Commission, (and) of principal officers of the judiciary.(NAN)
Returnees: Xenophobic Attacks Have Official Approval

...Back to Nigeria in pains: ‘We left our wives, children in South Africa’
.....‘We came back with nothing’
Despite the great relief that they were finally back to Nigeria, most of the returnees from
South Africa, following repeated xenophobic attacks, expressed mixed emotions as they
recounted different heartrending stories of abuse, torture, violence in the hands of their
South African hosts.
Segun Salau, 32, who hails from Ondo State, had spent five years living with his sister who
had a stall in South Africa. He said he lived in constant fear and apprehension for those five
years because of xenophobia. The latest attack, he said, was the last straw, as his sister’s
stall was entirely looted and destroyed.
“There is no reason for me to go back there. The last attack was the third xenophobic attack
I experienced in South Africa,” Salau said.
Forty eight-year-old Paul, one of the returnees, said there were no job opportunities for
foreigners in South Africa so the foreigners struggle to build their businesses only to be
envied by the South Africans.
He said he was a spare parts seller with a big yard in Johannesburg. But he faced threats
from South Africans on a daily basis until his yard was finally burnt down during the recent
attack, with many vehicles lost.
“I always lodged complaints with the police whenever my scrap yard is being vandalized,
but because I am a foreigner, the police would tell me, ‘we are coming, we are coming’,
and for four hours, I would still be at the station. At the end of the day, they would get there
and just chase them away, and nothing happens. No arrests.
“I lost everything there in the last attack. You know what the cops once told me? They
said, ‘you come here to complain; when you go and build your house by the bank of
an ocean, what do you expect the shark to feed on?’ That was the statement of the
South African police.
“I was in South Africa for five years, and experienced xenophobic attack three times.”
Victor Uche Nwocha, from Abia State, said after 12 years of living in Johannesburg and
struggling to build a business, he came home with nothing and worse still, left his wife and
daughter behind in South Africa.
Nwocha, who supplies pastries to some big stores in Johannesburg, said the shops and
properties of his clients were burnt down.
“I went to South Africa on May 15, 2007 in search of greener pasture because I come from
a family of eight. When I got to South Africa, it wasn’t that rosy. So, I started building my
own little business. After a while, the business started booming and growing. I was based in
Johannesburg; I didn’t go to any other place.
“When they accuse Nigerians of peddling drugs, I don’t even know the colour of any drug.
I bake this pastry we call Chin-chin in Nigeria and supply to top stores. I built this business
from the scratch and supply to some Pakistanis, Bangladeshi, Sudanese nationals that own
big shops. But all of a sudden, they started burning their shops and victimizing us.”
According to him, the intervention of Air Peace was a life-saver. “Since last year, my mum
has been asking me to come back home. The old woman even excommunicated me because
I couldn’t come back.
“We didn’t deliberately sit there in the name of enjoying South Africa because they are not
offering us anything apart from the little business we were doing. I only stayed back
because I was trying to gather a little more money and then come back home.”
“Now, I have nothing again. I left my daughter and my wife. My wife is from Cameroon. I
left a daughter who’s one and a half years old because I can’t bring everybody. I also have
to come and see my mum who cries everyday that she wants me alive.
Such were the highly emotional accounts at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport
(MMIA) Lagos on Wednesday night when Nigerian returnees arrived from South Africa.
After over 12 hours of delay at the OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, and
long hours of waiting at the Lagos airport to receive the returnees, the Air Peace B777
aircraft conveying them touched down at the cargo terminal of the airport amidst
excitement.
South Africa was like hell – Returnees
The returnees were full of life as they disembarked from the aircraft to the warm reception
of officials of the Federal Government comprising the National Emergency Management
Agency (NEMA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian
Immigration Service (NIS), among others.
The tales of their ordeals in the hands of South Africans were as harrowing as they were
heartrending. Speaker after speaker all had the same or similar experiences though in
different dimensions. According to them, the xenophobic attacks were allegedly triggered
by the sheer envy of the progress made by Nigerians in South Africa. They said contrary to
insinuations, not all Nigerians resident in South Africa were involved in drug.
Most worrisome to them was the fact that the locals unleashed violence on them without
security officials taking any action to stop them.
‘Nigerians in South Africa not drug peddlers’
Victor Nwocha said despite the negative perception about Nigerians in South Africa being
drug peddlers, many of them were into legitimate businesses.
“All Nigerians in South Africa are not drug peddlers,” he declared, adding that he had many
South African employees who later turned against him.
“What is happening is not really xenophobia because they are only after blacks. They are
just unnecessarily angry. If the government and Ramaphosa are not delivering, they should
not vent their anger on their fellow blacks. I know how many times they dragged me from
school because I was paying that ANC tuition fees. Look at what South Africa paid me
with. I left everything. I left my little baby, I left her sleeping, and I came here because I
don’t want my mother to die.”
“Chief Allen Onyema has really tried. Again, we must applaud our consulate. They really
stood for us. The South Africans still tried to frustrate us because we would have come in
very early. We came to the consulate since 4am, and they kept turning us up and down
because they didn’t want the press to show what was happening.
‘Every crime is blamed on Nigerians’
Lanre Emmanuel from Ogun State said despite the difficulty of living in South Africa,
many Nigerians managed to build genuine businesses which were destroyed in the twinkle
of an eye. He said there is an existing stereotype in South Africa which portrays every
Nigerian as a criminal or drug pusher.
“I was into buying and selling of cars. They burnt two of my cars. I came back with
nothing. A Tanzanian killed a taxi driver, and they took it out on Nigerians. In South Africa,
whenever a crime is committed, they believe it was done by a Nigerian. I think those people
are sick. You can’t sleep with your two eyes closed in that country.”
Now that they are back home, he said they would need government’s help to rise again
having lost everything they laboured to achieve for many years.
Emmanuel said: “I can never go back there. If government can help us, we would be glad
because we came with nothing.
“Most of us were made to sign an undertaking not to enter South Africa in the next five
years. I don’t care because I’m not going back there again. We spent almost six hours at the
airport; we had to start shouting that we were going home, and not coming back.”
Richard Kehinde, another indigene of Ondo State, alleged that xenophobia in South
Africa had official approval, saying it was caused by the envy of Nigerians whom he
said were industrious.
He said, “My experience was terrible, I don’t want to explain it. Their leaders would see the
truth and never say it. All these attacks are as a result of envy. They know we are a very
hard-working people. They know we are very strong; so they just envy us for nothing sake.
We created our own businesses in that country. Nigerians are always singled out. They go
to Nigerian homes; drag them all out and kill them.
“I hope everything would be okay now that we are home. Our government can assist us
with a little token to start our lives again because they destroyed everything we laboured
for, we don’t have anything again.”
Daily Trust Saturday reports that the returnees were provided with SIM cards with N40,000
worth of airtime and 9GB of data valid for two months as well as transport fare to their
respective destinations.
But beyond that, some of the returnees said they had acquired some skills which the Federal
Government can tap into.
“Some of us while in South Africa acquired business and other skills. If only the Federal
Government of Nigeria would take advantage of that and tap from our skills, it would be
very beneficial,” one of the returnees said.
It would be recalled that violent attacks by South Africans on Nigerians and their
businesses in early August this year led to a diplomatic tension between the two countries.
The Nigerian government thereafter decided to repatriate about 600 citizens from South
Africa.
Nigeria’s foremost airline, Air Peace, came to the rescue by offering to evacuate the
stranded Nigerians back home free of charge. President Muhammadu Buhari welcomed the
idea and gave his nod while the Nigerian Consulate in South Africa facilitated the process
of registering the voluntary returnees.
At the end of the registration, over 700 people were registered out of which only 187
formed the first batch which arrived the airport on Wednesday.
The South African authorities, especially the immigration, reportedly erected several road
blocks to prevent massive repatriation of Nigerians, according to the returnees who narrated
that the country was not happy that Nigeria was repatriating its people.
Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa,

confirmed that the South African government frustrated the flight “for no just reason” but
assured that the issue would be handled at a higher level.
She said: “The flight was delayed for no just reason at all but despite all those frustrations,
you could see the excitement, you could see the joy. They frustrated us deliberately. Out of
317, Air Peace was able to bring 187. But they have landed and we are glad to receive
them.”
Daily Trust Saturday learnt that the next flight is expected either on Saturday or Sunday
barring any unforeseen occurrence as the Consulate interfaces with the South African
authorities to get clearance for the flight to avoid a repeat of Wednesday’s incident at the
airport where some Nigerians billed to return home were allegedly turned back.
Chairman of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema, said the airline is ready to evacuate all
Nigerians willing to return home.
“We are ready tomorrow, if the South African government agrees. I was told that they
picked up some people and said they wanted to ask them how they entered into the country
in the first place but I thought these people are now leaving your country, so they should
have been left to go home. However, we are waiting for the Nigerian High Commission to
inform us of the next time. If they tell us to leave for South Africa this night, I have enough
pilots to go into this aircraft and go back to South Africa this night.”
Timi Alaibe Sues PDP, Others Over Bayelsa Governorship

Primary
Former managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe,
has sued the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the outcome of the Bayelsa State
governorship primary.
The party had named Senator Douye Diri, who represents Bayelsa Central at the National
Assembly, as its candidate for the November 16 governorship election at the primary held on
September 3.
Unsatisfied with Diri’s emergence, Mr Alaibe on Friday approached the Federal High Court in
Yenagoa with an application for cancellation of the result of the primary election based on cited
procedural flaws.
The suit filed pursuant to Order 3(9) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019,
seeks answers to questions bordering on non-adherence to the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2010, the Peoples Democratic Party Constitution and
Election Guidelines, by the state chapter of the party in the conduct of the ward congresses,
inclusion of local government council officials in the delegates list and the procedure for
inclusion of three ad-hoc delegates.
Citing specific sections of relevant laws and guidelines, Alaibe is asking the court to examine the
entire processes that resulted in the primaries and rule in his favour in the light of alleged
violations committed.
Listed as defendants in the suit with reference number FHC/YNG/CS/99/2019 are the PDP, Diri,
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Embeleakpo Alale for himself and
representing the elected local government chairmen, vice-chairmen and councillors of the PDP
allowed to be delegates in the primary election.
Also joined in the suit as defendant is Doubra Kumokou, for himself and on behalf of the three
ad-hoc delegates allowed to be delegates at the elective State Congress.
Alaibe, a former special adviser to the president on Niger Delta affairs, wants the court to
determine whether the pre-election actions and inactions of the defendants satisfied conditions
specified in relevant sections of Nigeria’s Constitution, the Electoral Acts and certain sections of
the PDP Constitution.
He is praying the court to declare the entire processes unconstitutional and the declaration of
Senator Diri as the winner be declared invalid having failed to comply with relevant sections of
the laws governing such processes.
Alaibe is also seeking an order setting aside the submission of Diri’s name to INEC by the PDP
as its candidate in the governorship election coming up on November 16, 2019 in view of the
several legal and procedural infractions cited.
He wants the court to order the conduct of fresh primary elections for the nomination and
sponsorship of the candidate for the governorship election in Bayelsa State.
No date has yet been fixed for hearing in the case.
How A Yoruba Woman Led Revolution In 1844 To Free

Slaves In Cuba
The 800s, in the Americas and Europe, was an interesting and busy era, which was filled with
noble resistance and revolts from Black men and women all over the world. At that point in
history, slavery had been abolished but was still practiced in many parts of America and Europe.
Black men and women who were descendants of Africans taken into captivity and slavery were
becoming bolder in their need for freedom from the harsh treatments on the plantation in the
Caribbean. The Caribbean and America were where Africans suffered the most at the hands of slave
masters and plantation overseers.
But no matter how hard the white slavers tried to break the spirit of the Black people; the resilient
Black spirit fought back. And every time there was a revolt, it shocked and reminded the white en-
slavers that “the spirit of the Africans were as hard as the back of a thousand years old Iroko tree.”
As the years went by, more and more Africans started to revolt. Although their leaders were
caught and killed in some cases, in general, the enslaved Africans were waking up aggressively. It
was in that unflinching demand for freedom that the legend and achievements of Carlota Lucumi
were born.
Carlota was still a slave as of 1843 and was still laboring and enslaved in sugar plantations in
Mantazas, Cuba, called Triunvirato. At that point, her rank had risen among the enslaved
Africans, and so she had some influence in the community of the slaves. So, for months, she and
five other slaves planned to revolt against their masters.
Her counterparts were named Firmina (a woman), Filipe Lucumi, Eduardo, Narciso, and Manuel
Ganga. They stroke on the 5th of November 1843, setting multiple houses on their plantation on fire,
including the house which was used in punishing slaves. They attacked the Mayor and Julian Luis
Alfonso, who was the sole owner of the plantation.
The tale of bravery and revolt of Carlota spread like wildfire throughout Cuba. And in its wake, over 5
plantations had their slaves rising up and killing as many white enslavers as they could find. They were
hungry for freedom, and they took it by force.
Carlota was so fierce in the battle that she celebrated the success of her revolution by striking down the
daughter of an overseer with her machete. The overseer’s daughter was named María de Regla.
The revolution raged on, and she was captured by white soldiers and tortured. They tied her body to her
horses and forced them to drag her till she died. When her followers found her body on the morning of
November 6, 1943, on the Triunvirato estate, they were enraged and rioted angrily, stormed the estate
killing as many whites as they saw. The revolution would come to an end, as the white soldiers
overpowered the Blacks, with their superior firepower.
The revolt ended after Carlota’s death, but its legacy lived on and was the major motivation for the
Cuban independence struggle. Her rebellion sent a hard shock to the heart of the white society in Cuba.
Till today, Carlota is a major element in Cuban history, for her role in leading one of the biggest revolts
in during slavery.
She was kidnaped at the age of 10 from the Kingdom of Benin where she was born and taken into
slavery. One would expect that the harsh realities of slavery would have broken the resilient
African spirit of a 10-year-old girl, but it didn’t. From that tender age, she wanted freedom. And
she grew up to become a fierce fighter and liberator.
Her last name Lucumi is gotten from her ethnic group, the Lucumi people, who are Afro-Brazilians
descended from the Yoruba of present-day Nigeria and the Benin Republic. Their tribe was greatly
feared in Cuba, just like the Maroons. They were known for leading revolts and establishing their own
settlements.
Aisha Alhassan Decamps To PDP

A former minister for women affairs, Jumai Alhassan popularly known as “Mama Taraba” has
dumped the United Democratic Party, UDP for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Politics Nigeria gathered that Alhassan, at a meeting in her Jalingo Residence, explained that her
defection to the PDP was based on an opinion poll carried out at a stakeholders’ meeting.
She revealed that she had no other option than to follow the decision of the majority members of
the party.
It will be recalled that Alhassan contested for governorship on the platform of the UDP in the
2019 general elections and lost.
Nigerian Woman & Her Child Sleep At Nigerian Consulate

In South Africa (Video)
A young mother, sleeping at the Nigerian Consulate with her child, says she has no choice but to
try to go back to her home country.
She's among a number of Nigerian nationals who have fled their South African homes to safety,
amidst attacks on foreign nationals.
Earlier this week, a number of Nigerians flew home on a flight organised by their government.
A second flight, scheduled to take off on Thursday, saw a number of delays.
It's unclear when the next flight to Nigeria will take off.
Speaking on the steps of the consulate, while holding her young child, the woman said, "I'm
leaving South Africa because of the fight and it affect my area a lot. They burnt all the shops,
some houses and even my flat. They came there. So I just have to leave".
She said she would wait there until there are enough buses to transport her to the airport.
The woman, who has been living in South Africa for five years now, says she doesn't know if
she'll ever come back.
She's hopeful that when she returns to Nigeria, her family will be able to help her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucajZ-ESukw
Gov. Umahi Changing The Narrative Of Ebonyi State
Ebonyi State Governor, David Nweze Umahi is currently changing the narrative of the entire
state.
It is imperative to note that before the coming of Umahi, Ebonyi was seen as the dust of the
nation but now, the state is being referred as ‘small London’.
Indeed, the rejected stone has now become the cornerstone.
This is because of the numerous projects initiated by Umahi ever since he assumed office.
It is imperative to note that it is Gov. Umahi that first started building roads with concretes which
has earned him many nicknames, ‘Master of infrastructure, Master of Good Roads, Workerholic
Governor’ among others.
In Nigeria, many states are begging Ebonyians to loan them Gov. Umahi to govern them for few
months as if we are talking football. This might sound funny, but that’s the truth.
In terms of empowerment, Umahi has empowered many Ebonyians through various programmes
initiated by him.
It is pertinent to note that Umahi’s first term was not just characterised by concrete or rigid
pavement roads, overhead bridges, construction of public buildings, classroom blocks, markets,
hospitals, street lights.
The governor also ran an unparalleled empowerment programme.
However, Umahi is not yet done with Ebonyi State with his good works in trying to change the
narrative of the state entirely.
Some of the projects being done by the governor include,
1)Ebonyi Ring Roads
2)Building of New International Airport
3)Industrial Clusters
4)Biomass Gasification Power Project
5)Ebonyi Waste Recycling Plan
6)Storage Facilities
7)Construction of New Stadium
Indeed, Ebonyi is gradually turning to a small London.

And Umahi is indeed changing the narrative of Ebonyi State.
Gov. Umahi Commences Construction Of Old Abakaliki-

enugu Road
Ebonyi State Governor, David Nweze Umahi has commenced the construction of Old Abakaliki-
Enugu Road, Igbere TV reports.
Speaking with Igbere TV correspondent during the inspection, Special Assistant to the Governor
on New Media, Mr. Francis Nwaze said the road was in a very bad shape after the Asphalt
coating done by previous administration before Umahi came into office.
He noted that students, lecturers and the general road users who ply the road were worried as it
seems that the road was forgotten not until the day that the transformation governor visited the
permanent site campus of the University and made promise to construct the road.
He assured that the road will soon be completed.
He said : “Observers have maintained that the Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Nweze
Umahi, FNSE, FNATE is the only governor who has the habit of fulfilling all his promises
without leaving any stone unturned neither is he sentimental. It has been gathered that all
promises he made during his first term were fulfilled even before he rounded off his first two
years as the governor.”
” I am just leaving the site of the road that primarily connects Abakaliki with Ishieke
Campus/Permanent site of Ebonyi State University which was hitherto the old Abakaliki-Enugu
Expressway. The road was in a very bad shape after the Asphalt coating before this administration
which ended up making the road to retain the worse in the entire state.”
“Students, lecturers and the general road users who ply the road were mostly worried as it seems
that the road was forgotten not until the day that the transformation governor visited the
permanent site campus of the University and made promise to construct the road. It actually
caused jubilation and celebration among the users on hearing the governor intention on the road.”
“To the glory of God and the will of a promise keeping governor, the road as at today is heavily
under construction with high speed and quality touch of the governor.”
“Whenever and wherever, a state under quick transformation is mentioned in Nigeria, Ebonyi
State is usually on top of the lips of everyone. We give it all to Governor Umahi for always
identifying and giving quick attention to the locations that require his immidiate attention.”
Stay with Igbere TV. Africa’s No1 Community TV.

Seun Onigbinde: I Didn't Delete My Twitter Account, I Ran
Out Of Data
The Director and Co-founder of BudgIT, Mr Seun Onigbinde, has denied deleting his Twitter
account following his appointment by the President Muhammadu Buhari led government, Igbere
TV reports.
Igbere TV had reported on Friday that Mr Onigbinde was appointed by the federal government as
a Technical Adviser at the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, in Abuja.
The data analyst, who often criticised the Buhari administration, deactivated his Twitter account
after some users reacted negatively to the appointment, saying such was not expected of the
BudgIT co-founder.
But reacting 24 hours after he reactivated his account, Onigbinde said he did not deactivate the
handle due to the criticism, saying he was only out of data.
In a tweet sighted by Igbere TV on Saturday, the BudgIT boss wrote;
“The truth is I didn't deactivate/delete my account because of the advisory role. Those who
follow me keenly know that I do sometimes to declutter & focus.
“I didn't know yesterday morning would be the day. But, I knew it would come.
“I am also glad that I wasn't online. I ran of airtime & Data. Maybe if I read everything, I would
have lost my emotional balance.
“I am grateful in all things. I pray to do my best & not undermine the values I mentioned in my
note.
“If my tweets hurt you, I am sorry.
“Everything said had a context that was also packed with emotions and expectations.
“May the Lord make it easy. May our voice be strong.”
100 Innoson Jeeps: Governor Ugwuanyi Trends Online

Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, is currently trending online after he
patronized Nigerian-made Innoson Motors, Igbere TV reports.
This is even as political pundits have been heaping praises on the Governor for unveiling new
strategies to tame security challenges in the state.
Igbere TV had reported that Gov. Ugwuanyi, on Wednesday, unveiled the new vehicles purchased
to enhance security operations at the community level.
The vehicles include 100 pieces of Innoson Hilux vans for use by the Nigerian Army, Police and
the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), among others.
The remaining 260 vehicles, which were approved during the governor’s recent security meeting
with all the members of the State Assembly, Local Government Council Chairmen, the Director
of State Services (DSS) and the Security Chiefs of DSS in the council areas, will be distributed to
the 260 electoral wards in the state.
The security vehicles will be deployed to provide services for community policing,
Vigilante/Neighborhood Watch and Forest Guard operations.
The governor said his administration will also purchase motorcycles as well as bicycles, adding
that it equally intends to partner churches and other organizations for intelligence gathering,
among other strategies.
Tribunal: Man Attacked For Celebrating Buhari’s Victory,

Minister Reacts
Minister of Niger Delta (State), Mr Festus Keyamo, has promised to foot the medical bills of an
APC supporter who was attacked in his (Keyamo)’s hometown, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV had reported that the victim, Elvis Omoiri, was attacked in Effurun area of Delta State,
while celebrating the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the Election Tribunal.
It was learnt that Omoiri was stabbed repeatedly following argument that ensued between him
and his neighbour, Best Uduophori, over the ruling of the Tribunal which affirmed the election of
President Buhari on Wednesday.
The argument between the duo was said to have degenerated into violence when one Mr
Uduophori, believed to be member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reportedly broke
bottles to attack his victim.
Igbere TV gathered that the victim is currently battling for his life at a hospital in the city over the
injuries he sustained on his neck, head and other parts of his body.
Reacting to the development in a tweet sighted by Igbere TV on Saturday, Mr Keyamo said he

had taken up the case, while also assuring the victim of justice.
“I have already taken up this matter. I sent one of my SA’s to the hospital & asked them to send
me all the medical bills. I also spoke with the victim & assured him of justice. I then contacted
the DCO of Ekpan Police Station to ensure the culprit is arrested and brought to book”, he wrote.
https://twitter.com/fkeyamo/status/1172893002928414726?s=19
Nigeria Has Disintegrated Already, 2023 Election Should Not
Hold – Kalu
Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, a former Finance Minister, at the weekend, said that Nigeria is already a
disintegrated country but still being held together by a false sense of unity.
Kalu, a World Bank trained economist, urged on the Nigerian Government to postpone the 2023
elections to give way to address the myriads of problems facing the nation.
“We have already disintegrated; it is just that it is not so easy. We have this false sense of
something holding us together,” he was quoted by the Sun.
“We have already disintegrated, by the time you are afraid to move around a city, you are afraid
because there is lawlessness out there, you are also afraid because if something happens to you,
you are on your own. It is not zero, but it’s not very far from zero.
“What I’m emphasising is that the enforcement of the law; if you are robbed, injured, if you are
dispossessed and you know that there is somebody there whose duty is to bring remedy in some
form, you will take the risk.
“What happens when you begin to suspect that if something happens to you, you don’t have a
cover? At that point what is the difference between talking of disintegration; you are already
disintegrated.
“It takes a lot to kill a country; you can never tell how long it took God to form all these things.
Of course, He has the supreme power, he formed them in no time at all, but look at the earth, look
at the trees, the rivers, the mountains, the structures, etc, it is not so easy to tear them apart, but
because it is not so easy to tear them to pieces, you also get a false sense that maybe something is
still holding us together.
“We are already in piece and pieces; we are already cut into different communities to a large
extent. The point is, because of the gravity of the situation, no country should allow itself to get
down, quite down well as we have gotten. Also look at Africa, with a few exceptions. Look at
what is happening in South Africa.
“As a minister, I was in Angola and we had so much respect because of what we did, Nigeria was
always counted among the frontline states, even though we were miles away from South Africa.
“In the fifties, we were sending lawyers to defend the Mao Mao leaders in East Africa, thereafter,
we had lawyers, judges in high demands all over Africa and beyond in the international system.
“Highly respected Nigerians were there; we still do to some extent. By and large, we have lost
about 80 per cent of what we had at the dawn of independence.
“Taking all what I have just said, 2023 is just around the corner. If around the corner we have all
these problems, the issue of presidency, I’m not just talking for the Igbo, but for any other group,
it is better for us to push 2023 election forward and resolve our problems, even if we have to
delay by one year or two years.
“Some will argue that we have had so many elections and we clap for ourselves. So many
elections, but look at how the country is and we are still in courts, and at a level where it is
believed that it is being negotiated not by judicial process, but by extra judicial processes,
politics, and financial muscles, ethnic, and religious considerations. Addressing these problems is
far more important issue than 2023.”
KOWA Party Appoints 26-year-old Banke Ilori As National

Publicity Secretary
Kowa Party on Saturday announced the appointment of Adebanke Ilori, 26, a legal practitioner as
its Acting National Publicity Secretary.
In the appointment letter sent to Adebanke, the National Chairman, Comrade Mark Adebayo,
charged her to discharge her responsibilities to the best of her abilities and promised the
cooperation and support of all the members of the party.
Professor Oluremi Sonaiya, the party’s Presidential candidate in the 2015 elections, stated that
she was confident Adebanke’s appointment is a positive development for the party.
Adebanke Ilori is a Lawyer and the Executive Director of Raising New Voices Initiative, a non
governmental organization working on youth representation in governance and the organization
behind the #BreakTheHold campaign crowdfunding the campaign of 25 young people into the
House of Representatives.
She is also the Managing Editor of Lawyard.ng, a leading online platform for interactions around
the practice of law in Nigeria.
She is an Alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, the Nigerian Law School Bwari Abuja,
Fredrich Ebert Stiftung Open Minds Young Voices Fellowship, YALI West Africa Regional
Leadership Centre and Bridgewater State University under the Mandela Washington Fellowship
where she studied Public Management.
Her six years work and volunteer experience spans across public interest litigation, corporate law,
development and inclusive governance. She joined the party in 2015 and was the erstwhile
Secretary of the National Youth Caucus.
Adebanke would serve in the role pending the Party’s National Convention where a substantive
National Publicity Secretary would be elected.
Nnamdi Kanu: "Fulani Assassins Loitering In My House In
A White Toyota Hilux"
The leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has alleged that some
suspected Fulani Assassins are currently loitering in front of his house in Isiama-Afaraukwu,
Abia State, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV recalls that since last year, Kanu has been out of Nigeria following a python dance by
the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration in South East, Nigeria.
In a statement made available to Igbere TV on Saturday, Kanu said the Fulani Assassins are in
white Toyota Hilux and urged them to retrace their steps.
He said :
The Fulani assassins in a white Toyota Hilux loitering in front of my house in Isiama-
Afaraukwu tonight better retrace their steps. Whoever sent them will be exposed and held
accountable. The Efulefus that invited them on this dark day are in for one almighty shock.
https://mobile.twitter.com/MaziNnamdiKanu/status/1172957018644209665
Shehu Sani Reacts To 7.2% VAT

Senator Shehu Sani has reacted to the recent increment in Value Added Tax (VAT) by the President
Muhammadu Buhari led federal government, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV had reported that President Buhari, in the last FEC meeting held on Wednesday, approved a
two per cent increase in VAT to move it from the current five to seven per cent.
The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, who made the disclosure, however, said the implementation
will not take effect until the approval by the National Assembly.
Reacting to the development in a tweet sighted by Igbere TV on Saturday, the former Senator
representing Kaduna Central, wrote;
“Peter is for VAT,Paul is for new Minimum wage.”
Igbere TV could deduce that the Kaduna born politician meant the President Buhari led administration
was 'robbing Peter (masses) to pay Paul' (workers’).
Fani-Kayode Compares Obasanjo And Buhari
Former Minister of Aviation, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, has compared President Muhammadu Buhari with
ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, Igbere TV reports.
In a tweet sighted by Igbere TV on Saturday on his Twitter handle, Fani-Kayode historically compared
events leading to their reign in government.
FFK wrote; “OBJ was in power from 1976 to 1979. He gave up power, was in jail for 3 years and came
back to power 20 years later in 1999.
“Buhari was in power from 1983 to 1985. He was removed from power, was in jail for 3 years and
came back to power 30 years later in 2015.”
“Awesome God!”
What do you think?
I Am Daniel, Lions Can't Stop Me... -- Dino Melaye

Igberetv captured a tweet by Dino Melaye today saying:
"I am Daniel, Lions Can't Stop Me..."
It should be recalled that he had earlier rejected the position of Director-General of the PDP Kogi State
Governorship Campaign Council, which was offered to him after he failed to win the PDP ticket for
Governorship election in Kogi State.
ICPC asked to probe ex-Oyo gov Ajimobi

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has been asked to
probe the various allegations of corrupt practices leveled against the immediate past Governor of Oyo
state, Abiola Ajimobi, by his successor, Seyi Makinde.
Debo Adeniran, Executive Chairman, CACOL, made the call in a letter addressed to the ICPC
chairman, dated Saturday September 14, 2019.
In the copy made available to DAILY POST, the body recalled that Makinde had revealed how Ajimobi
carted away most of the Government-owned vehicles.
“These vehicles were illegally taken away and were not paid for by those involved. Also, many of the
vehicles were never bought by officials of the past administration. There is nowhere in the public
service that a governor is allowed to gift public property to cronies like a Santa Claus”, it read.
“The Governor also made a claim about his predecessor on the money meant for project which was
diverted, what he met on ground was a situation where a project for which money was allocated, got
only about 10% of the total funds for execution.
“We also have it on record governor Makinde’s revelations about how public funds that belonged to the
good people of Oyo state were looted and shared by Ajimobi and others: 50% goes back to the
Governor, 30% to the appointee who allocated the project out of which 10% goes to the Governor’s
wife. His vow to not allow a repeat of such official heist gives cause for support.
“In his resolve to not allow those who looted the treasury of the state go scot free, the incumbent Oyo
state governor has vowed to probe the alleged corrupt practice, adding that he would soon establish an
anti-graft agency to address mismanagement of public funds. In giving full vent to this, governor
Makinde informed on how he has sent a bill to the state assembly to establish an anti-graft agency that
will probe the corrupt practices of the past administration.
“It is instructive to note that, Section 7 (1) a and b of the EFCC Establishment Act vested the power in
your Commission to, “cause investigations to be conducted as to whether any person, corporate body or
organization has committed an offence under this Act or other law relating to economic and financial
crimes or cause investigation to be conducted into the properties of any person if it appears to the
Commission that the person’s lifestyle and extent of the properties are not justified by his source of
income. We are therefore requesting that the ICPC should cause an investigation of Senator Abiola
Ajimobi on the said allegations in line with the power vested in the Commission.
“The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) as group of organization with the
objective of fighting corruption and corrupt persons at all level would not want, or encourage anyone to
jump into any conclusion on any allegation without availing those alleged the opportunity to defend
themselves.
“We therefore have reasons to believe that the matter raised by Oyo state incumbent governor is
weighty enough to attract the interest and concern of the two major anti-corruption agencies in the
country (the ICPC and EFCC) to warrant a complete investigation and eventual invitation of ex-
governor Ajimobi for questioning and made to have his days in court, if he is found culpable as alleged,
without any hints of bias.
“We are ready and willing to avail your agency of necessary cooperation in ensuring that justice is
manifestly done on this matter.”
Aisha Yesufu: I Got My NYSC Even Before Buhari Wrote His
Cambridge
Right Activist and co-covener of Bring Back Our Girls movement, A'isha Yesufu has become active
again in Twitter after she has not been heard for sometime.
She shared a post saying. "Just Know may name is A'isha Yesufu i am more than a Twitter handle! I am
a force to be reckoned with! A force here on earth on God's own terms & will quit on God's own terms.
I have attachment to nothing even life itself! As for integrity i don't mouth it, I Act It!"
A follower just went and commented "the woman that did her NYSC before getting her first degree is
back..Welcome back Dr. Aisha Yesufu.
A'isha is a well known critic of President Muhammadu Buhari.
She replied "Thank you. I actually got it even before Muhammadu Buhari wrote his Cambridge"
Tribunal: Presidency condemns media report, says Buhari

retracted nothing
The Presidency has condemned what it described as ”a twisted story with malicious intent” which was
published in Saturday Punch of Sept. 14, with the headline; “Tribunal: Buhari retracts, confesses he
was under tension.”
The news story was derived from what the President said when he received All Progressives Congress
(APC) governors, who had come to felicitate with him at State House, Abuja on Friday.
The President’s spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, said the newspaper
was being mischievous by trying to link up what the president said in an earlier statement (on the
judgment) with his remarks during the Friday visit.
The statement read part: ”Referring specifically to judgment day by the tribunal, which coincided with
the maiden meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), President Buhari had said: “It was a
fabulous coincidence that it came almost the same time the first FEC meeting of this government was
taking place.
“It lasted about the same time with the judgment. I thank God for that because I think I would have
gone into trauma or something. So, I was busy trying to concentrate on the memos.
”An elementary understanding of the English language shows that President Buhari was talking
specifically of the day and time of the court ruling, not before.
”Saturday Punch went further to say that the President’s remarks amounted to a retraction of his earlier
statement, in which he said he had been unperturbed about the judicial challenge to his electoral
victory.
”Hear the statement personally approved earlier on Wednesday by the President: ‘Good conscience
fears no evil report. I was unperturbed all along because I knew Nigerians freely gave us the mandate.
We are now vindicated.’
”I was unperturbed all along… Was that referring to judgment day? A simple comprehension of English
language indicates otherwise. It referred to the many months the case lasted in court.”
Buhari To West African Leaders: It’s Time To Stamp Out

Terrorism
President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the West African leaders to stamp out terrorism in the sub-
region at this point in time. President Buhari gave the charge in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina
Faso, in his speech at the Extraordinary Summit of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and
Government on Counter-Terrorism. Buhari joined other ECOWAS leaders for the special one-day
Summit, which was also attended by leaders of Chad and Mauritania.
The president, who called on ECOWAS leaders not to allow terrorist groups destabilise the region, said
terrorism had become a major security threat across the globe. “Our region has made commendable
progress in the realization of its regional integration and we must not allow terrorist groups to
destabilize our Community and undermine the aspirations of our people for a safe, secure and
prosperous environment.
“It is, therefore, our collective responsibility not to let up but to win the fight against terrorism and
stamp out the scourge from our region,” Buhari also said. He warned, in a statement issued by his
Special Adviser on Media Media and Publicity Femi Adesina, that the activities of terrorist groups
constituted a grave danger to peace and security in West Africa, the wider Sahel and the global
community. Speaking on the experience of Nigeria in fighting the scourge, the president said: “As a
major victim of Boko Haram terrorist activities, Nigeria has remained resolute in efforts to combat and
eradicate them in all their forms and manifestations. “Our counter-terrorism strategy, which includes
prevention, prosecution and reconstruction is also in full compliance with the Yamoussoukro counter-
terrorism strategy adopted by ECOWAS Member States.
“In combating terrorism and addressing the resultant humanitarian crisis, through regional and
international collaboration, ECOWAS, as a Regional Economic Cooperation, would need in partnership
with the African Union, to galvanise international support and solidarity to combat and defeat this
menace in our region.” Buhari, who used the occasion to brief the regional leaders on the situation in
the Lake Chad Basin and the operations of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), described as
tragic, the situation in Lake Chad Basin, historically a bastion of rich culture and civilization, an area
abundant in natural resources providing livelihoods to tens of millions of people. He said the area had
become an abode for terrorist groups and extremists whose primitive intent was wanton destruction of
lives of innocent citizens and property as well as public infrastructure.
The president said the achievements recorded so far by MNJTF in their operations remained an
exemplary model of regional collaboration.
See The Savagely Reply Reno Omokri Gave To His Troll That
Got People Talking
Sometimes people mock High profile people and get away with it but this is not same to Akinwande
Jonathan Oludiya who tried to shame Reno Omokri through his name but he got more than he
bargained for.
See the post below.
Dear Akinwande Jonathan Oludiya,
The word is barking, not 'backing'. You are an example of why I bark. A dog barks to warn of danger.
Your profile says you are a graduate. Why should I not bark when a graduate can't construct a proper
sentence? I know nowadays certificates don’t matter and you can become President by swearing an
affidavit, but at least I have to make an effort to sanitise my beloved country. Your namesake built 165
almajiri schools. Please, find one to attend. May God bless you!
#FreeLeahSharibu #RenosNuggets
Femi Fani-Kayode: ‘Fulanis Are The Greatest Danger To

Nigeria's Unity’
A former Minister of Aviation, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, has alleged that Fulanis pose a danger to
Nigeria's stability, peace and unity, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV reports that Fani-Kayode made the claims on his verified Twitter handle, @realFFK, on
Saturday (yesterday).
He accused the group of having insatiable lust for power, alleging that President Muhammadu Buhari
has Islamisation agenda for the country.
“The greatest danger to Nigeria's stability, peace and unity is the insolent and rappacious disposition
and insatiable lust for power of the Fulani hegemonists coupled with the Fulanisation and Islamisation
agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari”, he said.
“You cannot possibly comprehend the mindboggling mess that our country is in, let alone get us out of
it, until you fully appreciate this fundamental and basic point. For the last 59 years as a nation we have
been swimming in one big massive soakaway and the stench is unbearable”, Fani-Kayode added.
Buhari’s Government Might End Due To Killing Of Our

Members – Shiite Leader
Malam Muhammad Adamu, the leader of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria in Gombe State
has decried the continuous killing of its members which according to him has gotten the attention of the
international community.
Condemning the recent killing of its members during the Ashura procession which the police denied,
Adamu told Punch that the continous killing of its members may signal the end of President Buhari's
government. He also described it as a violation of their rights.
Adamu said, “Those who kill us don’t know we have a creator, they think they are the creator but they
will receive their rewards from this time to hereafter. It is now clear that the government does not
respect the law. The international community is interested in what is happening in Nigeria and the
incessant killing of our members.
“Many have not stopped wondering what our offence is to the Federal Government. The continuous
violation of our rights may be a sign that the end of the government is close. Members should carry on
with their religion as they believe.”
RUGA: Ganduje says project on course as he

receives committee's report - Politico
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has disclosed that the state government is ready to implement
the RUGA project, meant to resettle herdsmen and boost economic activities.
Ganduje stated this on Saturday in Kano while receiving the report on the establishment of Ruga and
Milk Market in Kano State.
According to him, apart from tackling insecurity, the RUGA settlement project will change the socio-
economic status of Fulani herdsmen and open new revenue outflow to government.
“Don’t bother yourself with RUGA or whatever name it is called, the fact remains that Fulanis must be
settled and enjoy basic social amenities like any other citizen.
“They need to be educated. Education is key. We are also thinking of establishing modern Abbatoir, so
that haulage of cattle from North to South would be replaced with transportation of processed meat,” he
explained.
Ganduje revealed that his administration was in talks with the Islamic Development Bank on the issue,
assuring that the talk had reached advance stage.
“We are now at the implementation stage of our collaboration, to tell you how serious we are,” the
governor added.
Earlier, Chairman of the committee, Dr Jibrilla Mohammed, revealed that they visited five forests in
the state before resolving to recommend Dansoshiya Forest in Kiru Local Government area for the
project.
According to him, other forests visited were Panyabo in Doguwa, Duddrum Gaya in Ajingi, Dunawa in
Makoda and Bichi local governments areas.
“After deliberations and considerations of the aims and objectives of government on the project, the
committee settled for Dansoshiya forest in Kiru local government for the initial take-off of the project,”
he said.
According to the chairman, Dansoshiya forest has the advantage of being very large with sizeable
number of Fulani settlements and good arable land for grass cultivation.
Mohammed said the committee also recommended two model houses of 2 bedrooms, which would be
built in form of clusters of six houses.
“The committee recommended other facilities like, industrial borehole, veterinary clinic, dispensary,
earth dam, milk collection centre, primary school, Islamiyyah school, Mosque, and security outpost. All
these are included in the masterplan,” he disclosed.
On the establishment of milk market, the committee recommended Dangwauro as the most ideal site to
establish the Model Milk Market, because of easy access to the milk producing areas.
Mohammed said that in the proposed milk market there would be provision for cold rooms, toilets and
stores among other facilities
Dolapo Osinbajo: People On The Internet Live On Borrowed

Robs
People on the Internet do not look like themselves when you see them, they live on borrowed
robs. - Dolapo Osinbajo
Dolapo Osinbajo, the wife of the Vice President, has appealed to Nigerian youths to desist from
copying the lifestyle of people on the Internet as it is a "mere illusion."
She gave the advice on Saturday, September 14th during a Town Hall Meeting with Benue Youth held
at the New Banquet Hall, Benue Government House, Makurdi.
According to her, most internet users live on borrowed robes to impress their fans, they are living
illusionary lifestyles that are not in conformity with reality.
“The people on the Internet do not even look like themselves when you see them, they live
on borrowed robs. Internet is just an illusion. It is a cartoon. This generation has everything
to be happy; during our youthful days, we had no phones, no internet, yet we were happy
and have produced great Nigerians for you today.
“You need to be responsible else your generation will end up with pilots, medical doctors,
nurses, engineers, bankers, security personnels etc that may be all drug addicts, ” she
advised.
She said a Nigerian child needed to be priceless, top class and should not be seen as a cheap product
that can be purchased with as little as recharge card and further appealed to youth using internet to be
cautions of their activities on the net as responsible companies at the moment, investigate applicants’
records including those on internet before hiring.
“A Nigerian prince and princess should have a good background, they should not be bought
by a mere recharge card. The child that has made himself or herself Unclad today on the
internet cannot be employed in any responsible company in Nigeria tomorrow, because
they will check their internet records before employing now.
“Nigeria is waiting for you; the things you do today determine your tomorrow, don’t eat
your tomorrow today. Everyone is waiting for you, everyone is praying for you, ” she
cautioned.
Buhari And Nana Akufo-Addo Laughing In Burkina Faso

The photo was captured as both leaders attended the extra ordinary ECOWAS summit on counter
terrorism in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso on September 14th.
Igbere TV reported earlier that President Muhammadu Buhari departed Nigeria on Saturday September
14 2019 to attend one-day ECOWAS Heads of State & Govt Extraordinary Summit on Counter-
Terrorism, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
This was made known in the State House press that released released on Friday night.
In the statement, it was stated that "Given the growing threat of terrorism in the sub-region, the West
African leaders had called for the Summit to review different initiatives taken so far, and redefine the
priority intervention areas for the containment of the worrisome attacks in the area.”
Trouble In PDP: Mass Defection Looms After Tribunal Verdict

There is trouble in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party following former Vice President Atiku
Abubakar’s loss at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal on Wednesday, SUNDAY PUNCH has
learnt.
The development, it was gathered, has made some members of Board of Trustees of the PDP to travel
to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday (today) to engage in what one of our correspondents
gathered was tagged ‘‘strategic consultation’’ with Atiku.
The meeting, it was learnt, was necessitated as a result of wrangling among senior members of the
party.
Investigations also showed that the allegation by the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, that
some governors of the party were visiting President Muhammadu Buhari at night was also causing
ripples among its senior members.
Wike had also alleged that members of the committee set up by the BoT to investigate the emergence
of Ndudi Elumelu as the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives were corrupt.
While the PDP and Atiku rejected the tribunal’s judgment and had signified their intention to approach
the Supreme Court, Wike had congratulated Buhari.
Already, it was learnt that some members of the party had been strategising on how to defect from the
PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Atiku is said to have been residing in the UAE for some time now.
The Chairman, PDP BoT, Senator Walid Jibrin, confirmed the trip to one of our correspondents in a
telephone interview.
Walid said, “Yes. The PDP BoT members will travel on Saturday to Dubai to see our presidential
candidate, Atiku Abubakar as part of our strategic consultation. The consultation is going to be nation-
wide. He is the first person we will meet for the consultation.”
It could not be confirmed how many members of the PDP BoT were on the trip. It was, however,
confirmed that Walid and the Secretary of the board, Senator Adolphus Wabara, made the trip.
According to him, the BoT will meet on Thursday to deliberate and decide on Ayu’s committee report.
The committee was set up by the BoT to investigate the emergence of Elumelu as the Minority Leader
in the House of Representatives.
Wike accused the Iyorcha Ayu committee of being corrupt when a member of the committee, Austin
Okpara visited him to inform him that he had resigned his membership.
Walid said he did not know why Austin Opara left the committee.
He said, “We have three other committees and the outcome of the Ayu committee will not be in
isolation of other committees like the Tom Ikimi Disciplinary Committee and the Senator Adolphus
Wabara committee. It is true that the committee has submitted its report but the BoT will meet on
Thursday next week to discuss and make a decision on the recommendations.
“I don’t know why he left. It was when the report of the committee was submitted that I noticed that he
did not sign and his column for signature was not signed.
‘‘I am not a member of the committee. Since the inauguration of the committee, I have not spoken to
them, I have not visited or interfered with their work or given any input in the course of their work.
“He did not write or tell me why he left or did not sign after the submission of their work. As far as I’m
concerned, I will leave that for discussion next Thursday when the BoT will meet.”
It was also learnt that the mass defection is said to have further been fuelled by the outcome of the
party’s governorship primaries in both Bayelsa and Kogi states.
The outcome of the primaries had been rejected by some aspirants, who accused the party of being
biased.
For example, a former Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Timi Alaibe, is believed to be
planning to ditch the PDP following the outcome of the Bayelsa State governorship primary.
Senator Douye Diri, an ally of the outgoing governor of the state, Seriake Dickson, was declared the
winner of the primary.
Diri, who represents Bayelsa Central at the National Assembly, defeated 19 other aspirants to emerge as
the PDP candidate for the November 16 governorship election in the state.
He polled a total of 561 votes to win the governorship ticket while Alaibe came second with 365 votes.
Both Diri and Alaibe are from the same Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.
Alaibe had complained about the number of delegates accredited for the primary, saying the newly-
elected local government chairmen in the state were not expected to be allowed to vote.
He based his complaint on the non-compliance with the party’s constitution which gives a specific
number of months occupiers of such offices are to spend before they could qualify as delegates.
‘‘But in total disregard for norms and laid down procedure, the party neglected that and allowed the
impunity to reign. We will know how far that can take them,’’ a source close to the aspirant told one of
our correspondents.
It was learnt that Alaibe was under pressure to dump the PDP and pick the ticket of another political
party.
A loyalist of Alaibe, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he and others were waiting for the
former presidential aide to take a decision on what to do.
‘‘We are waiting for him to return. Though his name is not yet with the Independent National Electoral
Commission, there is a window for substitution of names,’’ the source added.
Alaibe heads to court, seeks fresh PDP gov primaries
Meanwhile, Alaibe has filed a suit at the Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, asking for the
cancellation of the primary.
A statement on Saturday by the administrative secretary of the Timi Alaibe Campaign Organisation,
Prof Seiyefa Brisibe, said Alaibe filed the application on Friday in his quest to redress the alleged
“procedural flaws” which he claimed were recorded in the poll.
“The suit filed pursuant to Order 3 (9) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 seeking
answers to questions bordering on obvious non-adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2010, the PDP Constitution and Electoral Guidelines, by the state chapter
of the party in the conduct of the ward congresses, inclusion of local government council officials in
the delegates list and the procedure for inclusion of three ad hoc delegates,” the statement said.
In the suit with reference number FHC/YNG/CS/99/2019, the aggrieved aspirant listed as defendants
the PDP; Senator Douye Diri, governorship candidate; the INEC and one Embeleakpo Alale for himself
and representing the elected council chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors of the PDP who were
allowed to be delegates at the elective State Congress of the PDP in Bayelsa State held on September 3,
2019.
“He wants the court to order the conduct of fresh primary election for the nomination and sponsorship
of the candidate for the governorship election in Bayelsa State,” the statement added.
The emergence of David Lyon as the governorship candidate of the APC and the naming of a serving
Senator, Biobaramakuma Degi-Eremienyo as his running mate, may further compound the PDP’s
problem in the state.
Degi-Eremienyo, who is the senator representing Bayelsa East, was a commissioner for Local
Government Affairs under the regime of former President Goodluck Jonathan, when the latter served as
the governor of the state.
The choice of Lyon’s running mate is also said to be generating more crisis for the party.
Dickson is said to be scheming to impose the senator representing the western senatorial district,
Lawrence Erwujkpor, in order to pave the way for his emergence as the next senator.
PDP candidate says APC can’t win credible poll in Bayelsa
Diri, however, said the APC was not in a position to win a free and fair election in the state, even at the
councillorship level.
He has, therefore, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to
remain neutral during the election.
Diri, who addressed journalists in Abuja on Thursday, said if there was a level playing field, the PDP
would emerge victorious.
He said, “We have a fight ahead of us but I don’t see our opponents as being so strong on the ground to
defeat the PDP. If we have a free, fair and transparent election, the APC cannot win even a
councillorship election in Bayelsa State. It is all the hype about federal might by using the security
apparatus to intimidate or using INEC to write results.
‘‘Our appeal is that the security agencies must be professional. INEC must remain an unbiased umpire.
If there is a level playing field, the opponents are neither here nor there to contest in this election.”
He expressed his willingness to continue to reach out to the 20 aspirants that contested against him
during the primary with a view to winning them to his side.
A participant in the PDP governorship primary, Mr Keniebi Okoko, had, however, identified frequent
defections by politicians from one political party to another as the bane of democracy in Nigeria.
Why Dino rejected to lead party campaign in Kogi
In Kogi State, Senator Dino Melaye is also said to be angry over the outcome of the party’s
governorship primary, where he emerged fourth with 70 votes.
Musa Wada, a younger brother of the immediate past Governor Idris Wada, who also contested the
ticket, scored 748 votes to clinch the party ticket.
Melaye, who had yet to come out of the anger over the outcome of the primary, had also rejected the
position of the Director-General of Wada Governorship Campaign Committee given to him by the
national leadership of the party.
Sources close to the Senator representing Kogi West in the Senate, had asked for a fresh primary, but
his request was turned down.
One of Melaye’s confidants, who spoke with one of our correspondents, said the senator was consulted
before he was named the DG of the campaign.
He said, ‘‘But after he thought over it, he decided to reject it. He was of the opinion that the party
betrayed him and was going to use him again. Melaye had asked that another primary be held after the
first one was disrupted and there was shooting.
‘‘He believed that he was sacrificed by the national leadership of the party because he is not from the
majority tribe in the state.’’
Melaye, via his verified social media accounts on Friday, rejected the offer. His rejection also signified
his anger against the party.
“I wish the PDP all the best. When truth is a casualty, there is chaos,” he added.
No cause for worry, says party
When asked about the subtle threats by some party members in Bayelsa State to defect following the
outcome of the governorship primaries, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan,
said the party was not aware of any such plans.
“We are not aware of any defection plans, but I must tell you that the PDP is a big family and if we
have issues, we have ways of resolving them internally,” he said.
Also speaking on Wike’s congratulatory message to the President on his victory at the tribunal,
especially when his party had decided to appeal the judgment, Ologbondiyan said there was no cause
for worry. He described Wike as one of the committed members of the party.
He said, “Governor Wike is one of our committed members and the fact that he congratulated the
President is no cause for alarm.”
Ologbondiyan, however, said the drama and celebration in the camp of the APC would be short-lived
when the Supreme Court rules on its (PDP) appeal.
He said, “We had a judicial process and our responsibility is to explore that process. We know as a
party that we have a solid case and our candidate made a very beautiful presentation at the tribunal and
so we are relying on the errors made by the tribunal to appeal the judgment at the Supreme Court.”
September 15
Presidential Amnesty Office: Buhari’s Ministers Battle For

Cronies
.Amaechi Wants Dokubo Retained
.Sylva Schemes For Tompolo’s Man
Less than one month after their inauguration as members of the Federal Executive Council
(FEC), two of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Ministers, Rotimi Amaechi (Transport) and
Timipre Sylva (State, Petroleum) are in a supremacy battle.
The two ministers, both former governors from the oil rich Niger Delta region, are
scheming to install their cronies as the head of the Presidential Amnesty Office.
As this development unfolded, it remained unclear if President Buhari would relieve the
current occupier of the office, Professor Charles Dokubo, who was appointed in March last
year.
Sunday Independent gathered from credible sources that while Amaechi had been pleading
for the retention of Dokubo, Sylva was said to have reached an agreement with the ex-
warlord and leader of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta
(MEND), Chief Government Ekpomupolo, otherwise known as Tompolo, to pave way for
one Chief Daniel Otuaro.
Daniel Otuaro is the younger brother of Kingsley Otuaro, the Deputy Governor of Delta
State and an ally of Tompolo.
Consequently, both Amaechi and Sylva had deployed pseudo campaign groups to outwit
one another.
A presidential source familiar with the imbroglio told Sunday Independent that while Sylva
had the support of the President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, in the push for Tompolo’s
nominee, Amaechi, whose relationship with Kyari appeared frosty, was being backed by the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
Kyari’s preference for Sylva’s choice (Otuaro) notwithstanding being his main albatross,
according to our source, as he had been the strong link with the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP).
“For now, the situation appears dicey. No one can say exactly where the pendulum will
swing. We do not know whether the current man will go or not. But, from all indications,
there is a supremacy battle between Amaechi and Sylva as they both want the slot for their
preferred persons.
“As for Amaechi, he is pushing for the retention of Dokubo, but he does not have the
support of the Chief of Staff, who is not a friend to the man (Amaechi), he is now relying
on the SGF to do his job for him.
“Ordinarily, Sylva would not have had a problem, but the man he is pushing for is a known
and strong PDP, and Tompolo man from the Ijaw area of Delta. That I think is a major
challenge for him to clear,” said our source.
The source added that Amaechi was still pained that he was ignored in the build up to the
compilation of the list of the Governing Board and management of the Niger Delta
Development Commission (NDDC).
Meanwhile, the Egbema Peace and Security Group (EPSG), has called on President Buhari
to reject what it called an ill-motivated statement against Otuaro’s choice as the
Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
This is coming against the backdrop of last Friday’s petition by a pressure group, Niger
Delta Force (NDF), calling on the President not to go ahead with the appointment of
Otuaro, Delta State’s Deputy Governor’s brother and a personal assistant to Tompolo.
The group said: “Mr. President, it has become imperative to draw your attention to the
untoward activities by some officials in your government whose selfish interests were
undermining your integrity and fight against corruption. And we urge you to be wary of
Otuaro.”
However, in a statement signed by EPSG, Coordinator, Mr. Kari Ebipade, it stated that,
“While it is utterly unnecessary to respond to such baseless statements actuated by malice
we make bold to state that Otuaro is and remains the best hand needed to give the office the
required managerial expertise in furtherance of the federal government’s peace and
developmental plans for the volatile Niger Delta region.
“The only way to change the storyline of leadership malaise is by appointing an

experienced hand who is abreast with the region, and enjoys the collaborative relationship
with the major stakeholders of the region.
“It is on this note that we restate our unmitigated resolve to join the call for Otuaro to be
considered for the job. Otuaro who has lived all his life in the Niger Delta possesses the
skill, intelligence and proficiency needed to revamp the programme towards the
achievement of the ideology upon which the program was initiated.
“Otuaro’s choice has no match or parallel in every facet in terms of general acceptability,
intelligence, mastery of the Niger Delta region, academic qualification, amongst others. He
is a major character that the Federal Government, stakeholders and the entire Niger Delta
region urgently needs to steer the leadership of the program to its desired destination.
“We therefore appeal to the Federal Government to reject the ill-motivated statement
against Otuaro sponsored by faceless and slanderous elements that derive pleasure in the
under-development of the Niger Delta region.
“We urge the Federal Government never to give these traducers any opportunity to interfere
with the current state of peace in the region. Their denigrating smears against Otuaro are
borne out of fear that with his emergence as the amnesty boss, there will be no leeway from
which they could attempt to sabotage peace in the region,” the statement added.
The Presidential Amnesty Office recently denied a report alleging the involvement of the
President’s wife, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, in the sacking of staff members of the office.
Mr. Murphy Ganagana, the Special Assistant (Media) to the Coordinator, Presidential
Amnesty Programme, Prof. Charles Dokubo, in a statement in Abuja, described the report
as a “fairy tale.’’
An online platform had alleged that Mrs. Buhari gave the coordinator of PAP a directive to
sack the affected workers for allegedly leaking documents of an alleged contract scam.
Ganagana said the report further alleged that Dokubo had told some unnamed senior
officials of the Amnesty Programme that he got a directive from Aisha to sack some staff
members.
He noted that the Office of the President’s wife does not interfere in the affairs of PAP and
has, at no time, requested or directed Prof. Dokubo to sack any staff member of the
Amnesty Office.
Ganagana said that contrary to the report, no official of PAP was sacked for any reason
whatsoever, and there was no contract scam at the Amnesty Office.
“The report is standing truth on its head; its claim that Prof. Dokubo was tongue-lashed by
senior officials of the Presidency who queried him over leaked deals is a wicked lie.
“Prof. Dokubo was neither invited nor queried by the Presidency over leaked deals or
documents and he did not get any directive to sack any staff member of the Amnesty
Office.
“The latest missile fired at Prof. Dokubo and the Amnesty Programme is in reaction to a
recent failed attempt which crumbled and missed its target following a lucid presentation of
facts on the alleged N3.2bn contract scam by the Amnesty Office to members of the public.
“We wish to reiterate that there is no contract scam in the Amnesty Programme, just as no
staff (member) has been sacked either on a directive by the First Lady or for any other
reason whatsoever,” Ganagana added.
He, however, said it should be emphasised that as a public agency, officials of PAP engaged
either as consultants or civil servants were subject to Public Service Rules 030302 to
030306 relating to disciplinary procedures for misconduct.
“To this end, six staff (members) of the Amnesty Office comprising four consultants and
two civil servants were recently suspended from duty for breaching provisions of the Public
Services Rules.
“They are expected to appear before a legally constituted panel in accordance with statutory
procedure.”
Biafra: ‘I Am Ready To Join IPOB, But...’ — Rochas Okorocha
Senator Rochas Okorocha has hinted at the possibility of joining the Indigenous People of Biafra,
IPOB, Igbere TV can report.
But Mr Okorocha said he will only join the group if its supreme leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is able to
convince him to do so.
The IPOB is a secessionist group that seeks a referendum for the independence of the Igbo ethnic group
of Nigeria, and creation of a Biafran state.
Supporters of Biafran independence are from the Igbo, Izon (Ijaw), Anang, Igbanke (Edo), Ishekiri,
Urhobo, Igala, Idoma and other ethnic groups within the map of defunct Biafra state.
IPOB claims that Biafrans are marginalized by the government in Abuja through lack of resource
distribution, poor investment, and an unfair heavily militarized presence in their region.
The Nigerian government once cracked down on IPOB members who peacefully protested due to
Kanu's arrest and incarceration despite various courts rulings for his release, reports Igbere TV.
Today, IPOB have metamorphosed from a group to a movement of the Indegenious Biafran population
who are fed up with the Nigerian depleting state. Biafrans all over the world have identified with the
movement, thereby making IPOB to be a face of Biafra restoration movement.
But Okorocha, immediate past Governor of Imo State, now Senator representing Imo North, said he is
yet to truly understand what the group is looking for.
Okorocha, who admitted knowing members of the organisation, added it is his duty to have a chat with
them as a father.
He, however, said that they must convince him on why he must join IPOB and where it is taking Igbos
to.
“In the first place, IPOB is not different from other similar groups from other parts of the country, but it
is just the packaging and name that have always been the problem,” he was quoted by The Sun.
“I don’t know what we plan to achieve by isolating ourselves from the rest of the country. And until
IPOB answers the question, the leaders might not know how to handle it.
“When you say IPOB, are they trying to call for another sovereign nation? If they want to use this as a
way of correcting certain injustices meted to the Igbo, then they should change the name to start with.
“When Oduduwa, Arewa or Niger Delta youths talk, they don’t call for a sovereign nation. For Igbo to
become a country of their own, they have to think about the consequences.
“Personally, I don’t think it is good for the Igbo to become isolated from other nations and tribes in this
country.
“Although the young men may have grievances, they should package them properly for the world to
understand what they are fighting for.
“To be honest with you, I don’t know what IPOB is looking for till date. I don’t know what the agenda
of IPOB are and where they are planning to take Ndigbo to.
“The leaders seem to have kept quiet for too long. As our children, we need to guild them and let them
know that they cannot be talking about sovereignty within a nation.
“What programme do they have in the first place? What has IPOB done about the Igbo killed in South
Africa? Is it not surprising that they have not done anything?
“I challenge all the Igbo to return from South Africa, India and other parts of the world, converge on
Onitsha market and let us see what will happen.
“I don’t think the Igbo need IPOB at this point; it is rather a distraction that is not good for our political
future. It might be the reason we are not doing well politically, yet we are adding more danger to it.
“They are our children; we love them and need to bring them closer. So, it is the failure of leadership in
Igboland that should be blamed. We are not showing good leadership to these boys.
“They are children and look at how they attacked Ekweremadu, but how have the attack or threat to
other political leaders solved the problem of Igbo in Nigeria?
“How has it corrected the problem of marginalisation of Igbo in Nigeria? They are beating up people in
the name of IPOB in Owerri, Aba and other towns, but how has that solved the problem?
“I think IPOB is rather waging war against ourselves which should not be. I am looking forward to
meeting with them anytime to address this issue and if they convince me, I will follow them and if I
convince them, they should follow me.
“Can we have a meeting where the Igbo will meet with these IPOB, MASSOB and those other
associations to find a common ground because whether they are bad, good or evil, they are our
brothers, children, sons and daughters?
“I cannot lay claim that I don’t know them because they are Igbo and it is my duty to have a chat with
them as a father. They must convince me on why I must join IPOB and where it is taking us to.
“I have told them to join APC because through APC, Igbo man might become president and if they
have contrary view, they can look for alternative. IPOB needs to explain where they want to take
Ndigbo to.”
Buhari, Other West African Presidents Agree Billion-dollar Anti-

terrorism Plan
West African leaders on Saturday announced a billion-dollar plan to fight the rising problem of jihadist
violence in the region, at a summit in Burkina Faso.
The plan, to be funded from 2020 to 2024, was announced at end of the Economic Community Summit
of West African States in Ouagadougou, where the ECOWAS nations were joined by Mauritania and
Chad.
ECOWAS had decided to mobilise "the financial resources of up to a billion dollars for the fight against
terrorism", said Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou.
The money, paid into a common fund, would help reinforce the military operations of the nations
involved -- and those of the joint military operations in the region.
Full details of the plan would be presented to the next ECOWAS summit in December.
The fight against the rising tide of jihadist violence in the region has so far been hampered by a lack of
funds.
The G5 Sahel, a joint task force, was created in 2014 to try to tackle the problem, backed by former
colonial power France.
From July 2017, it pooled troops from Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger in a bid to
drive back the jihadist groups.
But a lack of finance, training and equipment, limited their effectiveness and their numbers. For the
moment, the force numbers 4,000 troops, when 5,000 were originally planned.
ECOWAS -- the Economic Community of West African States -- brings together 15 countries whose
economies range from regional heavyweights Nigeria and Ivory Coast to impoverished Liberia and
Sierra Leone.
Landlocked Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are non-coastal states, Agence France Presse reports.
Why African Politicians Need Consultants – Former APCA
Chair, Okanlawon
Former interim chairman, Association of Political Consultants-Africa (APCA), Nigerian chapter, Semiu
Okanlawon, has advised aspiring political office holders to engage political consultants, Igbere TV
reports.
Igbere TV reports that Okanlawon, who was speaking to journalists at the conclusion of the fourth
political summit of the organisation held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Friday said political aspirations
in the 21st century goes beyond putting together haphazard structures.
He stated that the organisation in Africa, which is an affiliate of the International Association of
Political Consultants (IAPC), presents great opportunities for professionals in the area of political
mobilisations, fundraising, surveys, lobbying, media and messaging and other vital areas to horn their
skills towards delivering on their mandates.
“Since the umbrella body, IAPC was founded in 1968, political consultants have impacted greatly in
different countries especially the United States, Canada and many European countries. Africa as a
whole does not appear to have taken the advantage and that has taken its toll on the delivery of political
aspirations and even when candidates finally get elected.
“This is the area we have focused on building since the APCA was formed in South Africa at our
maiden summit. There are challenges in ensuring many African countries get cracking but certainly,
there have been improvements since 2016 after the first summit. The second held in Nigeria and third
in Kenya last year have moved the organisation forward.
“In Nigeria, as well as in other African countries, we are calling on politicians to critically review their
engagements and take advantage of the special skills which professionals have acquired to improve
their engagements,” Okanlawon added
He disclosed that as part of the summit, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Bola Tinubu, was
honoured during the association’s Diamond Award while president of the African chapter, Kehinde
Bamigbetan, announced Temitope Lakisokun as new chairman for the Nigerian chapter.
Tinubu was represented at the presentation of the award by another APC chieftain, Mutiu Are.
Border Closure: Benin, Niger Economies Under Pressure

…no respite until neighbouring countries end smuggling
•Customs inaugurate 2 armoured anti-smuggling vessels

•Niger bans importation of foreign (parboiled) rice from Benin
As the anti-smuggling and anti-oil theft borders patrol operation launched recently by the
Federal Government of Nigeria, enters its day 26 today, indications are that the economies
of Benin and Niger Republics have come under severe pressure even as the Government of
Niger Republic has banned the importation of foreign (parboiled) rice into the country in an
effort to persuade Nigeria to re-open the borders.
The people of Niger Republic do not eat parboil rice (they eat white rice), but importers
based in Benin and Nigeria import parboiled rice to Benin Republic in very large quantities
and then re-export same to Niger, Chad and Cameroon (all Nigeria’s next door neighbours)
for smuggling into Nigeria where parboiled rice is eaten.
This is coming as the National Security Adviser (NSA) Maj. Gen. Mohammed Babagana
Monguno (rtd) has disclosed that the ongoing border security operation, code-named
‘Exercise ‘Swift Response’, will continue in the four geo-political zones of the country
until Nigeria’s neighbours take decisive action to ensure that their countries no longer serve
as transit points for smuggling of goods into or out of Nigeria.
Speaking at the inauguration of two armoured anti-smuggling patrol vessels acquired by the
Nigerian Customs Service, on Thursday in Lagos, Maj. Gen. Monguno said President
Muhammadu Buhari had already conveyed to the leaders of the neighbouring countries that
the operation will continue until neighbours ensure smuggling into or out of Nigeria stops.
He said: “The bottomline of what Mr. President is saying is that if it is in the interest of
neighbouring countries to allow all these dangerous items to transit their territories into
Nigeria, so that they can collect transit charges, then it is in Nigeria’s national interest to
shut our borders.”
Maj. Gen. Moguno added that the operation has been very successful and did not give any
indication that it will end soon.
Sunday Telegraph learnt that as the border hurts the economy of Niger Republic, President
of the country, Mahamadou Issoufou had pleaded that the borders be reopened, but Nigeria
had told him to first of all stop smuggling of rice and other products across the borders into
Nigeria.
To this end, President Issoufou had on September 5, placed a ban on the importation of the
foreign (parboil) rice from Benin Republic.
In a circular to all the Customs formations and relevant Government Agencies in Niger a
copy of which was made available to PRNigerian; the Nigerien government said that the
ban took effect from September 5, 2019.
The DIG in-charge of Customs Service in Niamey, Mr. Oumarou Amadou said revenant
agencies of government are to comply strictly or face severe sanctions.
Recall that when the President of Benin Republic, Patrice Guillaume Athanase Talon met
with President Buhari at the recent Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African
Development (TICAD 7) in Yokohama, Japan; he had pleaded that the border operation be
brought to an end.
Meanwhile, the Controller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) has said at the
commissioning of the two anti-smuggling patrol vessels in Lagos that Nigeria’s quest for
non-oil revenue is a largely dependent on the Nigerian Customs Service to fight smuggling
and bring it to the barest minimum.
According to him, experience has shown that whenever smugglers face stiff enforcement
by Customs anti-smuggling operatives on the land, they turn to the waterways to carry out
their illegal trade.
He added: “Unfortunately, before now the Service has been weak on the water arising from
the lack of seagoing vessels to effectively to checkmate smugglers on the high sea. This
situation led to the death of nine Customs Marine officers while confronting deadly petrol
smugglers on the sea in 2014.
He explained that the two seagoing vessels are well equipped with necessary firepower and
other requirements for long time water patrol is in line with the ongoing repositioning of
the Service to effectively deliver its mandate to the nation.
Col. Ali said: “With these vessels, I hope smugglers will no longer take advantage of NCS
vulnerability on water to smuggle in contraband. NCS Marine operatives can now sail to
intersect them right on the high sea.
“The timing of this commissioning is strategic as it will on the immediate boost the
ongoing joint security Ex-Swift Response on the water and henceforth remain symbol of
NCS strength on the sea the NCS as a present unbundling of the Service now has four
marine Commands, namely Western marine, Easter Maritime, North western marine and
North Eastern marine Command. It is therefore the resolve of management that smugglers
find no space to operate either on land, air or sea.”
How Atiku May Defeat Buhari At The Supreme Court

During the proceedings of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal led by Mohammed Garba, on
Wednesday, a lot of issues were treated.
On the issue of Buhari's certificate, the tribunal ruled that President Buhari is qualified to contest the
election stating that Buhari's certificate from the Nigeria military is higher than the Secondary School
Certificate stated as a minimum academic requirement for the election by the constitution.
On the issue of INEC Server, it ruled that the manual provided by INEC made no room for the
electronic transmission of the results; and that smart card cannot take the place of the voters' register
until amendments are made to the Electoral Act to that effect.
The panel said that Atiku failed to call relevant witnesses, who could have enriched and added value to
his petition.
The tribunal said that the former Vice President of Nigeria called ward collation agents instead of
polling units agents and that the panel could not rely on the account of hearsay, which formed the
fulcrum of the statement of the witnesses he brought forward.
Chairman of the tribunal dismissed the allegation that the INEC and APC connived with the military
authorities and other security agents to manipulate and influence the outcome of the election in favour
of President Buhari.
He said that the allegations of misconduct by the military linking them to corrupt practices and non-
compliance with electoral act could not be substantiated.
Garba also held that the petitioner could not bring forward anybody among those he claimed were
arrested to testify.
The panel added that the evidence available before it could not support that claim and make it to
invalidate the presidential election.
The panel therefore dismissed the petition and affirmed President Buhari’s victory at the poll.
Atiku and PDP rejected the judgement and stated that they will appeal to the Supreme Court.
APC Leader, Adams Oshiomhole, on Thursday, mocked the PDP, saying that the Supreme Court would
merely adopt the judgment of the tribunal, since the opposition really had no evidence to substantiate
its petition.
It is now clear that Atiku and his lawyers will go back to the drawing board to make corrections on
where they failed in the tribunal in order to come out with a better presentation at the Supreme Court,
while also hoping that the Supreme Court will see things in a different light.
Timi Frank Seeks Visa Ban Against The PEPT 5 Justices

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress
(APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on the international community to place visa restrictions on the
five justices of the Appeal Court that presided over the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT)
over gross miscarriage of justice and flagrant breach of the Constitution.
Frank also called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Supreme to review the tribunal’s
ruling and sanction the Justices for deliberate perversion of justice.
Reacting to the recent judgement of the PEPT in favour of the presidential candidate of the APC, Frank
in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday, said it was obvious that the judgement
was written by elements in the presidency.
He said that he is convinced that the PEPT’s ruling that it is not necessary to present certificates to
contest for political offices in the country has created problem for the nation’s education sector as it
would now be difficult to convince children to go to school or tell those in school to study hard to attain
excellence in their educational pursuit.
He however, called on the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom, United Nations and other
critical democratic stakeholders to take a punitive step against the five justices led by Justice
Mohammed Lawal Garba, by placing them and their families on visa ban.
According to Frank, both local and international election observers had raised questions about the
conduct of the election, particularly unjustified interventions by security forces in favuor of Buhari and
the APC, "they said the voting process wasn’t transparent and the Nigerian civil society group, a
coalition made up of over 70 civic groups that monitored the balloting also said the outcome wasn’t
credible.
“Yet the presiding justices of the PEPT in giving their judgment said the election was credible and
dismissed the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their Presidential Candidate, Alhaji
Atiku Abubakar.
“This outcome was was only possible because the judgement was written by the presidency.
"I therefore call on the international community such as the US, UK, EU and others to place a visa ban
on the five justices of the PEPT and members of their immediate family.
"The onus is on the Supreme Court to show Nigerians and the world that the judiciary is indeed the
hope of the common man; it is incumbent on them to show that they are indeed independent and have
not been colonized and made a rubber stamp of the executive in view of the unthinkable verdict
of the five justices of the PEPT.
“They simply turned the judiciary into a black market where justice was measured and sold to the
highest bidder. The executive has always accused the judiciary of corruption and the five justices have
just confirmed it by this judgment.
"They have brought shame on the Nigerian judiciary and must be sanctioned appropriately by the NJC
to serve as a deterrent to others and restore sanity to the judiciary,” he said.
Frank called on the international community to help Nigeria, saying the country "is at a point where it
may have civil unrest or a break up as many regions have resumed agitation following the hope-
dashing verdict.
“The international community should place visa restrictions on these five Justices like they have done
to some corrupt politicians that participated in rigging the last general elections.
"Since these five Justices have traded away the opportunity to redeem the country’s democracy by
ridding it of electoral fraud, the Supreme Court must now be courageous enough to rectify this judicial
fraud in order to save Nigeria from collapse. Show Nigerians that the judiciary is still the last hope of
the common man," Frank said.
He called on the apex court to save the the Judiciary from the onslaught against it by the executive, and
failure to reverse PEPT’s ridiculous verdict would inevitably render the judiciary toothless.
Signed
Comrade Timi Frank
Political Activist
Abuja.
Igbos Should Be Grateful To Awolowo For His Role During Civil

War – Opadokun
Chief Ayo Opadokun, elder statesman and Secretary-General of the National Democratic Coalition
(NADECO) has described as untrue the claims that the late Obafemi Awolowo betrayed the Eastern
Region during the Nigerian civil war which lasted from 6th July 1967 to 15th January 1970.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Daily Independent, Opadokum said if there is anybody to
whom the Igbos should express gratitude for his role in the civil war, it is Awolowo.
“It is the height of mischief for anyone to claim that Awolowo betrayed the Igbos during the civil war.
Many of them have been indoctrinated to so think and behave over the years. If there is anybody the
Igbos should appreciate, it is Awolowo”.
"How could he have betrayed them? Some of them it is what their so-called elders have told them
without finding out the truth of the situation. Are they claiming he betrayed them by not following them
when they were seceding? Awolowo took a risk of going to sit down with Ojukwu and discussed
intimately with him and that is why he said openly that “ If by act of omission or commission, the East
was forced to secede from Nigeria, the West will follow. The language was categorical and Awo was
not a flippant talker. What was the act of omission and commission that had been done by the North
that forced the East to secede? In spite of all the efforts that Awolowo made, our people in activism like
Wole Soyinka ,the first African Nobel Laureate in Literature and the late Prof Sam Aluko all went to
the East to go and persuade Ojukwu not to go to war. How can they say Awolowo betrayed Igbos? It is
undeserved, unnecessary, unwarranted transferred aggression. They will say Awolowo said he will
secede, but he failed to do so".
"They also claimed that as a Federal Commissioner for Finance, he gave them one pounds and called
for a change of the currency. Let them show modicum of decency and intelligence about warfare. How
do you bring war to an end and what usually happens to the losing side anywhere in the world? In the
American Civil War, for almost 100 years, nobody from the South which lost during the war was able
to gain any prominence in political ascendancy. In the Nigerian case, what is it that the Igbos have not
gotten here? They have been Vice-Presidents and they were totally in charge under Obasanjo and
Jonathan’s government".
"I hate to say this because I have respectable, decent friends among the Igbos. The Yorubas are not
supposed to be the enemy they created for themselves because Yorubas have done their best for the
Igbo race. Before the civil war, when the revenge coup was going to take place on 29th of July, our
own governor, Adekunle Fajuyi sacrificed his life that his guest, Aguiyi- Ironsi will not be taken away.
He said if they are taking Ironsi away, they should take him as well. He made himself a martyr".
"I have not seen any Igbo man who really could do a thing like that. That is to show the extent to which
the Yoruba man can be loyal. When the civil war took place, all the houses that the Igbos left in
Yorubaland, not only in Lagos, people kept the rent and when they returned after the war, they were
given. There is no doubt about it, from the statistics of the Igbo leaders and their organisations, over 75
to 80 percent of the assets of the Igbos that are not in their hometown are in Yorubaland".
"Yorubas are the most accommodating but it is the Yoruba man that they transferred aggression on and
accuse of all sorts of things. Even in this era of social media, some comments you read can be very
worrisome but amusing. Some of them ignorantly describe Yoruba people as cowards. Since the
beginning of politics in Nigeria, the Yoruba people have always been at the forefront. Each time, there
were serious agitations for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria and for the sustenance of the rule of
law, the Yorubas have always had the highest percentage of those who will bear the brunt of
incarceration, violence, intimidation and repression. Go to the police stations and find out those who
are arrested during protests, 85 percent of them are Yoruba people".
"Even during the June 12 struggle, as at that time, apart from my decent friends among the Igbo leaders
who are seriously committed like us, the rest will say let the Yorubas go and face the music while they
were wining and dining with Abacha throughout. They made a lot of money out of it. Till tomorrow,
some of them are still doing that but we have no grudge against them. When you see some of them
claiming to be human rights activists here, let them go to their own territory to go and do the agitations
and see whether they can bring out critical people out as followers"
How Jonathan Signed Himself Into Trouble With Fourth

Amendment Bill 2015
Ex-president resisted intense pressures to use impeachment, emergency declaration to annex more
states ahead of 2015 polls
Olawale Olaleye
Sizzling details of some of the behind-the-scene power games during the five years reign of
former President Goodluck Jonathan are beginning to surface, one of which was how the
former president had already signed himself into trouble with the Fourth Amendment Bill
2015, if not for the last minute intervention by his former Minister of Justice and Attorney
General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke.
Apart from this, the former president also endured intense pressure from prominent
members of the political class, who wanted him to use his office to annex more states ahead
of the 2015 general election, using the impeachment tool and the declaration of a state of
emergency in supposedly vulnerable states.
Sharing some of these personal experiences in his latest book titled: “Burden of Service”,
Adoke, who claimed to have travelled shortly after the 2015 elections, returned to his desk
to discover the president had signed the Fourth Amendment Bill 2015, without running it
by his office, as was the normal practice.
Unfortunately, by signing the controversial bill, initiated by the seventh National Assembly
into law, it would mean that certain crucial powers of successive presidents would have
been taken away and handed over to the federal lawmakers, the senate especially, because
they were purely self-serving provisions, he argued.
For example, Adoke noted in his book that the law would have “taken away the power of
the president to assent to constitutional amendments. That meant that the legislature would,
on its own amend the constitution and it would become operational without the consent of
the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Two, the bill sought to make presiding officers of the National Assembly life members of
the National Council of State. Only former presidents/Heads of State and Chief Justices of
Nigeria were permanent members.
“Three, the bill sought to put presiding officers of the National Assembly on life pensions
irrespective of the duration of their service. Four, the bill also granted immunity to the
lawmakers in the same vein as the president, vice-president, governors and deputy
governors”, he explained.
Ths, upon his return from his vacation shortly before the administration left office, Adoke
said he had learnt that the president, apparently having stooped to pressure from vested
interests, had not only signed the bill into law, it was waiting to be transmitted back to the
National Assembly, when he halted the whole process.
“I quickly placed a call to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration,
Mr. Matt Aikhionbare, to confirm if, the president had signed the bill. Upon confirmation
that he had, I requested Aikhionbare not to transmit the instrument to the National
Assembly, as I needed to discuss some of the amendments with the president.
“I felt I owed a duty to the nation to prevent such a calamity as the amendments were
fraught with irregularities and were done without due process. Immediately, I rushed over
to the Presidential Villa. I met the SGF, Anyim, with the president. When I asked the
president if it was true that the National Assembly had sent the constitution amendment bill
to him and if he had signed it, he confirmed that he assented to the bill ‘a few minutes ago.”
With this clarification, Adoke said he quickly explained to him some of the contentious
provisions in the amendments, which if not addressed, would be anti-development
especially, the cost of catering to the life pensions of the lawmakers as well as conceding
immunity to them, adding that a majority of the people would think it was deliberate on the
part of the president because he had just lost an election, more so that he had a few days
more in office.
“I further enumerated some other lapses in the bill, including the fact that the thresholds for
amendments in respect of provisions of chapter two and four were not met; some policies
verging on the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy, which are not
justifiable, being in chapter two, were moved to chapter four, which made them justiciable.
Moreover, I pointed out the economic and financial implications of the items being
introduced by the bill”, he said.
It was at this point the president, according to him, knew he had just signed himself into
trouble, particularly, having allegedly realised some of the far-reaching implications that the
amendments connoted, such as the bifurcation of the office of the AGF and Ministry of
Justice portfolio, of which he (Adoke) had been a strong advocate.
“The president looked genuinely surprised and promptly withdrew his assent. He directed
me to prepare a memorandum, elucidating all the issues I had raised and why he would
have to veto the bill. Then I pressed him for the reason he had not sent the bill to the
ministry of justice, contrary to the usual practice.
“His response showed that he was put under pressure by certain senators to sign the bill as
time was of the essence. Even as he made the explanation and handed me the bill to review,
it still left a bad taste in my mouth to think that he would sacrifice the benefit of a sound
legal advice on crucial amendments to the constitution on the altar of exigency.”
However, the news that he (Adoke) was the reason Jonathan withdrew his assent had
allegedly set him against some of the senators, who were waiting to benefit immensely
from the bill, including Senator Esther Nnenadi Usman, whom he claimed had gone to lie
against him to Jonathan that he was a Buhari boy and that he was working in Buhari’s
interest.
She was said to have buttressed her point to the president by accusing him of allegedly
confiding in the then Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu that he was a Buhari boy
and would do everything possible to protect the powers Buhari deserves to enjoy as
president, adding that she came up with the story, because she had boasted to her colleague
senators that she would get the president to sign the bill again into law.
Adoke, however, said he didn’t realise how much damage they had done to his person and
his relationship with Jonathan until it dawned on him that the president had also bought into
the lies that he was Buhari’s boy to the extent that he confronted him with the allegation.
“On May 12, 2015, we held the last National Security Council meeting under the Jonathan
administration. After the meeting, the president asked me to see him in his office. There, he
confronted me with the accusation that he was told I had prevailed on him to withdraw his
assent to the amendments, because I was a Buhari boy.
“I found the allegation ridiculous. I was being accused of disloyalty by the very president to
whom I had given my total and unalloyed loyalty. I was devastated and sad. Within myself,
I went down memory lane, recalling some instances, when I could have betrayed him, but
had stood firmly by him,” including the pressure to contribute to Buhari’s campaign like
many of his cabinet members allegedly did but which he refused.
He said the leadership of the seventh National Assembly did not however give up on the
bill as they went back to make some adjustments, leaving behind the life pension and
immunity provisions. But while capitalising on time, he employed technical delay till it was
impossible for the president to sign himself into trouble again.
“They kept calling me frantically to find out if the president had signed it, and I kept giving
excuses. But I knew I was not going to advise the president to sign that bill. I knew that if
the president had signed it, he would have signed himself into trouble. I knew that many
stakeholders would have gone to court to challenge it. I refused.
“As at the night we went for the dissolution of the FEC, it was too late for the president to
sign. I told him that the amended version was actually sent to me but that it was too late for
him to sign. I advised him to allow the bill go to the next assembly to do the proper thing.
That was how the self-serving bill ended up not being signed,” he narrated.
On some of the alleged surreptitious moves to get the president to annex as many states as
possible, either through instigated impeachments or declarations of a state of emergency as
part of moves to strengthen the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ahead of the 2015
elections, especially after the exit of some five governors and others had clearly affected
the fortunes of the party, Adoke said his insistence on what was right had resented some
power blocs to the extent that they openly pushed for his removal.
In chapter fifteen of his book tagged, “The Impeachment Menace”, spanning through pages
149 to 153 and which comes under Part IV, with the theme: The Challenges, The
Controversies, Adoke said the successful impeachment of a former governor of Adamawa
State, Murtala Nyako under questionable circumstances had emboldened certain elements
in the system, who cared less about the health of the nation but their narrow political
interest.
Although a known critic of the president and member of the APC, Adoke thought that the
former president should have been happy about the fate that befell Nyako.
“Perhaps, the president was conscious of a possible constitutional crisis, given that the
deputy governor, Chief James Nggilari, was forced to resign at the same time. The
president might have known that there was a political scheme afoot.
“It was not an ordinary impeachment. Removing Nyako and Nggilari at the same time
would automatically make the speaker, Alhaji Umaru Fintiri, the acting governor. At that
time, there was a lot of indiscipline in the PDP. The Adamawa legislators had their way and
illegally and wrongfully forced Nggilari to resign and subsequently removed the governor.”
Fintiri, who is the current governor of Adamawa, was eventually sworn-in as expected
before a Federal High Court, Abuja, reversed the forced resignation of Nggilari, who was
subsequently sworn in, saving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the
troubles of conducting a bye-election, which had earlier been slated but called off in the
light of the new development.
However, seeing that the Adamawa scheme had succeeded, the team behind the
impeachment plots had moved to Nasarawa State, another APC state, where unfortunately
for them, then governor, Tanko Al-Makura, was smarter and had moved ahead of the
lawmakers, calling those necessary for intervention, including the possibility of having
influenced the choice of the panel members set up by the judge to investigate him.
But those behind the plot refused to give up even after the panel had cleared the governor
and sought audience with the president, asking for support to remove the governor at all
cost, adding that it was all to strengthen his chances during the 2015 elections.
This time, however, the president sought Adoke’s opinion and he objected to any
unconstitutional move to remove a governor. Besides, then PDP National Chairman,
Ahmed Muazu, also came under fire for refusing to support unconstitutional moves to
remove Al-Makura.
“A former member of the House of Representatives from Nasarawa State, Alhaji Aliyu
wadada, who used to be the Chairman of the House Committee on Securities and Exchange
Commission, came to see me in my office. They said they had been told that the president
would be calling a meeting, so, they came to solicit my support to enable the impeachment
to succeed.
“My analysis of the critical issues presented to them a simple case: the committee had
already submitted its report in accordance with the constitution; it was not permissible to
discuss the report any further as the issues had been rested. In the light of the constitutional
provision, there was nothing that could be dome.
“The only option available to the legislators was to start the entire process afresh. That, I
opined, would in itself be a wasteful exercise and could even be viewed as a witch-hunt.
They agreed with my opinion and it was resolved that the legislators should be advised to
sheathe their swords in compliance with the provisions of the constitution,” explained
Adoke, who claimed his legal position finally rested the case, also noted that the decision
by these elements to employ the instrument of emergency declaration was even more
resolute and serious than the illegal impeachment of governors as they were prepared to
damn the consequences just to have their way since their projection was the 2015 elections.
He said former president Olusegun Obasanjo was amongst those who wanted Jonathan to
arbitrarily use his emergency power to weigh heavily on some states, including asking the
former president to invoke this power on Ogun State under former governor Gbenga
Daniel, who was at the period at loggerheads with Obasanjo.
According to him, many of the former president’s critics were angry with his idea of
declaring state of emergency, particularly having done so in the three states of Adamawa,
Borno and Yobe in the thick of the security crises in the North East without removing the
governors.
“President Jonathan, predictably, came under criticism from commentators, who felt he
should have removed the local government chairmen as well as governors in the affected
states. Why declare a state of emergency and retain governors? That was what many
commentators said. The opportunity for Jonathan’s foes to describe him as a weak leader
emerged yet again.
“Because declaration of state of emergency had been wrongly used by Obasanjo to remove
governors, whom he had political differences with, those who thought they loved Jonathan
more than himself kept clamouring for it to be used to checkmate governors.
“Obasanjo, still thinking the state of emergency could rightfully be used politically and
illegally the way he had applied it during his tenure, tried to mount some pressure on
President Jonathan in his early days in office in 2010 to apply it to the Ogun crisis, his
home state.
“When the president asked for my view, I felt the crisis had not reached a boiling point
where he would need to declare a state of emergency. I further pointed out that there were
enough provisions under Section 11 of the constitution to deal with situations, where the
House of Assembly of a state is unable to sit.
“The constitution provides for the functions of such a state assembly to be taken over by the
National Assembly”, he explained, insisting that the removal of governors in the event of
such a decision was unconstitutional.
Adoke, therefore, said “One of the arguments I used in convincing the president was to
draw his attention to the fact that he also had the powers to declare a state of emergency all
over the federation.
“I then asked that: ‘For instance, Mr. President, if the country is at war, and you have to
declare a state of emergency, would you remove yourself from office and appoint an
administrator to oversee the affairs of the country?’ He agreed with me. He could see that it
was illogical to remove a governor on account of a state of emergency being declared.”
Yet, he noted that, “The potential political gain was glaring. The hawks piled pressure on
the president to extend the state of emergency by another six months and remove the three
governors. This would take us into 2014, when the politicking for the 2015 general election
would be in top gear.”
He further explained that, “Two ministers even drafted a declaration of emergency speech
and took it to the president. They named three retired generals to be appointed as
administrators of the affected states. President then decided to ask me to make a
presentation to the FEC on my position, apparently because he did not want to do anything
illegal.”
After marshaling his points especially his warning that since the declaration of state of
emergency is a shared responsibility between the president and the legislature, the
lawmakers could refuse to approve it, a situation that would have diminished the president,
two ministers – a lawyer and politician – he said stood up to him and engaged him
needlessly.
“I became an enemy of many people in government, who accused me of misleading the
president. After the FEC meeting, some ministers began instigating the Ijaw leader, Chief
Edwin Clark, against me.
“They said it was ‘one man’ with a ‘bogus title’ of ‘Attorney General of the Federation’
who prevented the president from removing the governors and replacing them with
administrators.
“From what filtered to me, Clark was very angry with me and even suggested that the
president ‘should remove that Attorney General’. But the president always had my back,”
he noted.
Imo State Secretariat Gets Electricity, After Seven Years Of

Darkness
After seven years of working without public power supply, Imo State civil servants, at the weekend,
had cause to smile, as power was restored at the state secretariat on Port Harcourt Road, Owerri.
The State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, while campaigning a few months ago, promised to restore power,
which had been disconnected by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), over non-
payment of accumulated bills, running into millions of naira.
Ihedioha, who had opened talks with the EEDC on ways to clear the debt, directed the state-owned Imo
Power and Rural Electricity Agency (I- POREA), headed by its Director General, Dr. Albert Okorogu,
to restore power at the secretariat without delay.
Xenophobia: Ramaphosa Sends Special Delegation To Nigeria,

Seven Other Countries
The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa has sent out special envoys to deliver messages of
solidarity to several Heads of State and Governments across Africa.
The team, comprising former minister in the presidency, Mr Jeff Radebe, Ambassador Kingsley
Mmabolo and Dr. Khulu Mbatha, will visit Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, the Democratic
Republic of Congo and Zambia.
News9naija reports that the Special Envoys will deliver a message from President Ramaphosa
regarding the incidents of violence that recently erupted in some parts of South Africa, which resulted
in attacks on foreign nationals and destruction of their properties.
They are also expected to reassure fellow African countries that South Africa is committed to the ideals
of pan-African unity and to the rule of law.
Beyond that, they will also brief governments in the identified countries about the steps that the South
African government is taking to bring a stop to the attacks and to hold the perpetrators to account.
News9naija earlier reported that 188 Nigerians where successfully evacuated from South Africa via an
Air Peace Airline, following an order by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Seun Onigbinde: Buhari’s Media Team Rejects Appointment Of

BudgIT Co-Founder
Buhari Media Organisation has rejected the appointment of the co-founder and chief executive of
BudgIT, Seun Onigbinde, as technical adviser to the minister of finance, budget and national planning,
Zainab Ahmed.
News of Mr Onigbinde’s appointment broke on Friday.
The BudgIT boss, known to have been vocal in his criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari’s
administration, came under intense attack on social media for accepting the appointment.
In a statement on Sunday signed by BMO chairman, Niyi Akinsiju, and secretary Cassidy Madueke, the
organisation said Onigbinde’s acceptance of the appointment shows he lacks honour.
“Seun Onigbinde lacks honour and integrity, which are characters known of President Buhari, and thus
could not be in the same team with him,” the statement said.
“He has severally described the President with the most distasteful terms and has shown, especially on
social media, that he sees nothing good in the administration of President Buhari.
“Onigbinde had also gone to the shameful extent of describing those who support the President and his
administration as ‘ethnic jingoists’. He once referred to the President as ‘incompetent’ and accused him
of being a dictator committing illegality.
“We cannot but wonder that this same man accepted an appointment to serve in this same
administration he has described in the most odious terms. It shows he lacks honour.”
The group also called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to reject Onigbinde’s appointment and
call for his removal from the government, adding that “there are countless supporters of the President
who have more powerful backgrounds and records, who are better qualified.”
Obaseki, Oshiomhole Meet At Sam Igbe's 90th Birthday
National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and his successor, Governor Godwin
Obaseki, were spotted recently together at a public function, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV reports that both leaders were spotted on Saturday in Benin City, at the 90th birthday
anniversary of Chief Sam Igbe, the Iyase of Benin Kingdom.
This will be the first time Oshiomhole and his successor, who have been at loggerheads over the
control of Edo Assembly, will be seen together at a public function.
Igbere TV understands that Obaseki, who have openly confronted his predecessor accusing him of
skimming to deny him a second ticket, have been avoiding him in recent times.
The Iyase’s birthday ceremony, Igbere TV gathered, held at Our Saviour Church, Diocese of Benin
Anglican Communion, where Obaseki described the celebrant as an icon of the Benin culture.
Some say the Governor was disrespectful for not standing to greet his benefactor and godfather, what
do you think? Watch closely!
South Africans Take To The Streets Pleading That Nigerians

Forgive (video)
Following the xenophobia attacks on Nigerians, South Africans have taken to the streets pleading that
Nigerians forgive them.
Here is a Video of the Moment where South Africans troop out in Masses carrying banners and asking
for forgiveness from Nigerians after weeks of Xenophobic attacks.
Recall that last week South Africans attacked majorly Nigerians living in South Africa, accusing them
of drug peddling and other social vices which caused the Deportation of more than 500 Nigerians from
South Africa.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7GWWYvM-FE
Repair Works On Suleja-minna Road Almost Done - Niger Govt

The Niger state government has said the repair works on the bad sections of Suleja-Minna have since
resumed and will be completed very soon.
Engineer Abubakar Sadeeq Balarabe, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure in
a statement said rivers of heavy-duty vehicles have been provided with alternative routes and are
advised to start plying the route.
"In the meantime, while the construction of Lambata to Kwakuti has been completed by the Niger State
Government, the construction of the remaining section from Kwakuti to Chanchaga will resume
immediately after the ongoing fixing of the bad portions.
"We wish to thank the public for the enduring patience and appeal to them to continue to cooperate
with the state government and law enforcement officers" he added.
Why I Am Dumping PDP For APC ― Former Kogi Speaker,

Olafemi
The People's Democratic Party (PDP) may have it tough in the upcoming governorship election in Kogi
State. There are strong indication that major stakeholders in the party are set to decamp to the All
Progressive Congress (APC).
Igberetv gathered that some strong members of the party paid a courtesy called on governor Yahaya
Bello in Abuja and promised to decamp and work for his re-election in November.
Sources reliable to Igberetv around the Lugard House also disclosed that one of the strong members of
PDP in the state and former acting governor of the state, Chief Clarence Olafemi recently paid a visit to
the governor at Lugard House Lokoja.
It was further gathered that both parties had a fruitful discussion as Olafemi is aiming to decamp back
to APC.
However, Chief Clarence Olafemi has cleared the air on why he visited the governor saying he visited
the governor because of impunity in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said he will soon dump PDP for APC in the state.
He noted that PDP has cheated on him several times and he cannot continue to stay in the party. He
pointed out that he is one of the strong member of PDP in the state, yet the National Working
Committee of the party failed to recognize his impute and effort for the party.
His words,” I was the running mate to Jubril Issah Echocho in 2015 governorship primary election of
the party but we were later replaced by the party and brought in Captain Idris Wada and Yomi Awoniyi
as running mate without any reason.
“In 2019 general election, I was one of the Senatorial aspirants from Kogi West, I was denied from
contesting as the party imposed Senator Dino Melaye who just decamped from APC back to PDP.
“My Governorship aspirant in the just concluded primary of the party, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Idris
was denied of the Governorship ticket of the party by some power to be in the party and gave victory to
Engineer Musa Wada because they hate Alhaji Ibrahim Idris the former governor of the state.
“With all these impunities, how do you expect me to continue staying in PDP? I am not the first person
to decamp from one party to another. President Mohammadu Buhari and my mentor Alhaji Abubakar
Atiku all decamped from one party to another. I am not going to be the first or the last.
I had a fruitful discussion with Governor Yahaya Bello and I am very satisfied with the outcome of our
meeting.
Chief Olafemi, who is also the former speaker Kogi State House of Assembly noted that he will follow
the due process when he is going to decamp from PDP to APC stressing that he will do it openly
because it is a rightful decision.
Nigeria must accept restructuring or dissolution

—Yoruba leader, Prof Akintoye
Leader of the Yoruba World Congress, emeritus Prof Banji Akintoye, is a former Head of the
Department of History, University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State.
He tells FEMI MAKINDE in this interview that his organisation will work with all groups to
defend Yorubaland
You were elected the leader of the Yoruba people on August 22 by some groups but it took you almost
one month to respond to this offer. Why?
I had to make consultations and I consulted widely before I responded. I deeply appreciate the
organisations and the leaders who met in Ibadan on August 22 and took the step of electing me. I am
convinced that all of them, individually and collectively, were motivated to take this step because of the
desire to see the interests of our Yoruba nation further advanced. This is more so because of the
circumstances in which we Yoruba people find ourselves today in the context of Nigeria. My message
to all Yoruba people now is that we need to unite. The danger facing the Yoruba nation is great. We are
under invasion and we need to unite to defend Yorubaland.
How do you intend to get this done?
We intend to work with everybody who is interested in defending Yorubaland. With all of us working
as a determined team through the instrumentality of a worldwide Yoruba organisation, we shall work
closely and positively with, and give encouragement and assistance to the tens of organisations that are
standing up for the defence of our Yoruba nation and the protection and promotion of our nation’s
interests. We shall commit ourselves to all efforts to move our Yoruba people forward and upward
again in the direction that would revive their vitality, enterprising character, creative energy, love of
elegance, and love of sensitive, dutiful and decent leadership and governance. We shall commit to
fostering and promoting ideas and agendas that will open wide doors of opportunities to our youths and
our women. We shall commit ourselves to serious efforts to forge the quality of Yoruba unity and
morality that will impart serious strength, confidence, sense of national oneness, and sense of duty to
our people – to the Yoruba farmer on his or her farm, the Yoruba worker in his or her place of work, the
Yoruba entrepreneur and businessperson creating or managing a business in the daunting terrain of
Nigeria, the Yoruba teachers and their students in our educational institutions, the Yoruba trader in her
trading, the Yoruba craftsman in his workshop, etc. We commit ourselves to relating and interacting
positively, without discrimination, with the Yoruba politician, the elected Yoruba public official and
professional bureaucrat at every level of government in Nigeria, the governments of all our Yoruba
states, and the governments of our LGAs, all to the end that they will all consciously employ their
positions, their power and their influence for uplifting, uniting, empowering and enriching our Yoruba
nation.
What is the relationship between your group and Afenifere?
Afenifere exists as a very prominent organisation and I will respect it as such. That is all I can say.
But is your group different from Afenifere?
We are creating a worldwide Yoruba organisation. It is different from Afenifere and I am sure you
know that there are many groups different from Afenifere. Afenifere is just one of the groups. We have
Yoruba Assembly, ARG, Yoruba Council of Elders, Yoruba Unity Forum and others like that. But our
organisation is going to be a worldwide Yoruba organisation.
What is the name of your organisation?
We are calling it Yoruba World Congress. We haven’t announced it yet but your medium might be the
first to announce it.
What is your position on Ruga?
Whatever Ruga is, Yorubaland is not for a thing like that. What Ruga is Fulani settlement and when
they settle there they will begin to oppress those living or farming close to their settlements.
Yorubaland is a no-go-area for Ruga. There is no land for Ruga here and that is our position, that is the
position of our people. This is the time for our people to support all the governors in Yorubaland
irrespective of their political parties. We are not talking politics and we want our people to support the
governors to reject this because we are aware there is pressure on them. We need to support them to do
the right thing and we must let them know that we are not hostile towards them in any way. We are not
thinking about party affiliation and we should respect them as our elected leaders. But they must
defend our Yoruba nation and we will support them in whatever they do to defend our ( Yoruba) nation.
This is the time to close ranks and defend our land. They should lead and we will follow them.
South-West governors have established a security outfit to tackle insecurity in the land. How do you
view this?
This is a good one. We are going to thank them for this. It is good they are thinking and working
towards addressing the insecurity problem in the region. We will meet the Chairman of South-West
Governors’ Forum which is the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu. We don’t know much about
the outfit and we will not hesitate to offer advice if we see how they can achieve the desired result. We
will work with them. Our group is populated by people with expertise and who know the terrain very
well. We are building an organisation that is replete with expertise in security, economy and other
areas.
About 123 northern youths entering into Lagos State were recently intercepted and questioned by
security agents and released. Are you satisfied with this?
That is a danger. Some days before those boys were arrested, our organisation got information that 40
vehicles would bring some youths to the South-West. Those ones that were questioned were just some
of them. They could not arrest them because they are Fulani and that the Federal Government of
Nigeria is protecting them. That the Federal Government is protecting Fulani people against our people
even right here in Yorubaland is obvious. There are people that were attacked by Fulani people in their
farms and they ran to the police but the police said they could not do anything against the Fulani people
because the government is backing them. They will lose their jobs if they arrest Fulani people no matter
what they do. There have been cases where Yoruba farmers arrested Fulani herdsmen destroying their
farms and who were engaged in other criminal activities, they took them to the police but the police
said they didn’t have the authority to arrest them. That is what is happening and that was why Gen.
Theophilus Danjuma said the military were colluding with the Fulani herdsmen killing his people.
Danjuma is correct because he spoke from the position of knowledge. He saw the happening and he
interviewed some of the troops. Most of the rich people traveling to Ondo and Ekiti states now go by
air from Lagos and when they land in Akure Airport, they hire security personnel to escort them to their
various towns. We are a people under an invasion, we are under siege
Why do you think Nigerians are always attacked in South Africa and other parts of the world?
Nigerians are always attacked because our image is horrible. We are seen as highly corrupt, immoral
and destructive people. People in some countries don’t want us anymore. The impunity here- some of
our people want to carry them abroad.
But it is surprising that South Africans could be killing Nigerians and destroying their legitimate
businesses. We don’t deserve this at all. Even if some of our people are bad, they are not supposed to be
killed and maimed by South Africans considering the role Nigeria and Nigerians played when they
were fighting for their freedom. Nigeria played a major role and this was one of the reasons they
eventually became free. We supported them massively, we gave them financial support, diplomatic
support and all kinds of support. Killing Nigerians in South Africa is very wrong. But their economy
will suffer if they succeed in chasing Nigerians and other Africans out of their country. Their reputation
in the world will also suffer.
The governments of Nigeria and South Africa should investigate what led to the brutal attacks against
Nigerians. I think there is the need to investigate this. Even if they say Nigerians are bad and are into
drugs, I am sure that not all Nigerians there are bad. From the stories that we have heard, South African
policemen join their youths to attack Nigerians and ask them to leave their country. That is why the two
governments need to investigate this thing. They sent a delegation led by Oliver Thambo to Nigeria in
1980 when apartheid was growing stronger and we (Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs) made
recommendations to President Shehu Shagari that we needed to support South Africa.
There are claims that many Nigerians are trooping out of the country because of the poor economic
situation in the country. Is this true?
That is correct. The poor economic situation is driving many abroad to seek greener pastures but
Nigerians are not running overseas because of the economy alone, insecurity is driving many away
from the country as well. Nigerian youths are lining up day and night in front of embassies begging for
visas to travel out of the country. Those who can’t afford that are helping themselves by traveling
across the Sahara Desert sailing in rickety boats across the Mediterranean to get to Europe. Many of
them die regularly in their bid to get to Europe.
Has your view on restructuring changed?
Restructuring is absolutely necessary for the survival of Nigeria. If Nigeria does not restructure itself, it
will have to accept the dissolution of itself. If we delay to restructure any much longer, then there may
be no Nigeria to talk about.
There are claims that the South-East has overtaken the South-West in the area of educational
development. What is the reason for this?
No, this is not true. South-East has not overtaken us. The cumulative effect of our earlier start in
education will for a long time put the South-West ahead of any part of Africa not only Nigeria.
Educational standard has gone down all over Nigeria and that is what the people controlling
government at the centre want. In the midst of their efforts to devalue education, some may be claiming
to have overtaken the South-West.
Are you saying those controlling government at the centre are deliberately doing this or what?
The reason is that the Fulani controllers of the Federal Government who the British handed over the
control of the country to at independence are afraid of education. This is not because of Islam but
because of their ethnic interest. If Hausa kids are flooding to school the way Yoruba kids and Igbo kids
and others have been doing, what do you think will happen to the Fulani tiny population in the
country? The Fulani are about six million while the Hausa people are about 47 million. This small
number of people hold the position in Hausaland. They developed the almajiri system to make sure
Hausa kids do not go to school. Rather than creating schools for children, they get Quranic teachers
who may have 500 kids or more. At times, the teachers may use the kids for farming and even send
them out to go and fend for themselves.
Is it correct to say that almajiri system is contributing to insecurity in the northern part of the country?
Yes it is. When you have a huge population of the youth with no education, no skills roaming around, it
is a time bomb. The problem will even spread to other parts of the country later. So, it is a big problem.
What is your reaction to the state of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway?
The road is no doubt the busiest in the country and work has been going on it for so many years. The
people in power are not really interested in doing it and it is the same thing with the road that leads to
Apapa where the nation is making so much money. The road that leads to the port where we make so
much money is so bad just like the roads that lead to Badagry. The roads were allowed to deteriorate
despite their importance to the economy of our country. They were allowed to deteriorate because they
ate in the South-West. There are other roads that are also very bad all over the South-West. There is no
road between Akure and Ado-Ekiti. The last time I traveled to Ado-Ekiti from Akure instead of 25
miles the driver took me through Igbara which was about 70 kilometers to Ado-Ekiti.
Are you saying they would not have allowed it to deteriorate if the road was not in the South-West?
If it was in the North, it would have been done long ago. They would not even have allowed it to
deteriorate. Nobody would have been suffering on these roads if they were in the North.
The Federal Government has started making efforts to fight insecurity in the South-West. How do you
view this?
The Federal Government is not interested in fighting insecurity caused by Fulani herdsmen anywhere
in the country and not just the insecurity in the South West. I was in Benue State as part of the
delegation of the South-West, South-East, South-South and the Middle Belt to commiserate with the
people of the state after the massacre and the massive destruction of property by herdsmen in Benue in
January 2018. Governor Samuel Ortom said the attackers, herdsmen, gave them a notice before they
struck. He also read a letter written to the state by herdsmen after the attack notifying them of another
attack which promised to be more brutal than the previous ones. They wrote in the letter that the land
not only in Benue State but land all over Nigeria belongs to the Fulani and that they had mobilised
Fulani people from all over West Africa to reclaim their land. They said they had accumulated
weapons and money to carry out this and that the Federal Government could not stop them. We
southerners have been superficial in our understanding of this matter. There is a well coordinated plan
to conquer the peoples of Nigeria. There is a programme of ethnic cleansing going on in front of us and
we are not rising up to stop this. This is not politics, this is war.
Do you mean Fulani people are behind this plan to conquer the entire country?
Yes, they are.
Are Yoruba people prepared to defend their land?
They are not but I pray they will be. More and more Yoruba people are waking up to this reality that the
land is under siege. The only thing is that Yoruba nation is potentially powerful to defend itself.
Are you making efforts to bring the Oodua People’s Congress which are in different factions together?
Really, what I knew before I returned to Nigeria was the OPC under Gani Adams who is now our Aare
Ona Kakanfo, we invited him and he came to America and we were impressed by what he said. But
when I came back I realised that there are factions. In the interest of the Yoruba nation, we need to beg
them to come together and work for the interest of our land.
Are you working with other Yoruba organisations?
There are many Yoruba organisations that are doing well. There are many of them that are doing well,
they may not have huge resources but the little they have, they are doing well with it. We are working
with all of them, we need to encourage everybody.
There are claims that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the leader of Yoruba nation. Does this affect you in any
way?
I don’t think anybody is making that claim. I have never heard of it. That is what I can say.
But will you work with prominent Yoruba leaders like Tinubu and others?
It is duty of the Yoruba leadership of today to be totally non-partisan, to see Yoruba nation as a family
and not to interfere in partisan politics. This is how we are going to do it. In 2015, I led a delegation of
Oodua Foundation and we visited every important Yoruba political leader and the Obas and leaders of
major civic organisations. We visited Chief Olu Falae, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu,
Chief Bode George. We visited them in their homes and when the All Progressives Congress won the
election and our plea to them was that Yoruba people should close ranks because Tinubu had been able
to achieve to his aim and we all should work to see how our nation would benefit from it. We appealed
to them to stop attacking him and Chief Bode George was gracious enough and said he would no
longer attack Tinubu politically. He made the promise. That is my attitude and I am too old to play
partisan politics and Yoruba nation needs a non-partisan leadership.
Will you want presidency to be zoned to the South-West in 2023?
I want Yoruba people to have the best in 2023 .
Umahi Appoints Ex-deputy Speaker, Brothers, 180 Others As

Aides
The Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi has approved the appointment of two former
members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, EBSHA, including ex-deputy speaker, Mrs Dorothy
Obasi and one hundred and eighty (180) others as Senior Technical Assistants, STA.
Also appointed are the former ALGON chairman of Ebonyi state, Barr. Igberi Nweme and three
brothers of the governor, Maxwell Umahi , Edmond A. Umahi, Ogbonna Agwu Umahi as Executive
Assistant and Senior technical Assistant, STA.
Umahi also appointed the brother of the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,
Nwebonyi Godwin and the former Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Francis Agwu as his Executive
Assistants, a position which the Governor created newly to further enhance smooth running of his
administration and empowerment of the citizens in the state.
In a statement signed by the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Chief Clement Nweke, the Governor
also appointed other 179 persons as Executive Assistants, Senior Technical Assistants and Technical
Assistants.
The new appointees are to report to the office of the Principal Secretary to the Governor with their
Credentials from 16th September, 2019, for their documentation.
The statement said: “His Excellency, Engr. (Chief) David Umahi Nweze Governor of Ebonyi State, has
approved the appointment of the under listed persons as Executive Assistants, Senior Technical
Assistants and Technical Assistants to the Governor of Ebonyi State.”
Police Speaks On Alleged Invasion Of Nnamdi Kanu’s Residence
Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Abia state Command, on Sunday denied invading the country home of the
leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in Isiama Afra-Ukwu Ibeku in
Umuahia.
However, the command’s spokesperson, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna speaking to newsmen in the state on
Sunday said Kanu’s home was never besieged by security agents.
He said: “Why would security agents besiege Kanu’s home?
“Kanu, I’m sure is not around and in his Afara-Ukwu home. I’m sure for now is safe.
“You know these days, people spread rumours anyhow.”
Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB on Saturday alleged that the federal government in
collaboration with Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, were planning to kill members of Nnamdi
Kanu’s family who are living in his compound in Isiama, Afaraukwu in Umuahia.
Xenophobia: Nigeria Is Overreacting To Attacks - Clayson

Monyela
From the statement ,you see will see that our strength lies in our corporate voice,if only we
can speak in one voice to promote Nigeria products, the international community will buy-
in thereby boosting our foreign capital inflow,creating jobs and growing our economy.
It was Nigerians and not our politicians that made Nollywood global
Lets Share the positive information on social media of Made in Nigeria products,whether made in the
West,North,East or Southern part of Nigeria.it will only profit us all
Clayson Monyela, a spokesperson to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation

(DIRCO) faults the reaction of Nigeria to the rent xenophobic attack in the country
- Monyela says Nigeria is the most vocal country in reacting to the attacks despite the fact that
not a single Nigerian was killed in the incident
- The official insists that there were no Nigerian casualties during the public violence in South
Africa
Clayson Monyela, a spokesperson to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
(DIRCO) in South Africa has accused Nigeria of overreacting to the recent xenophobic attack in the
country.
The Cable on Sunday, September 15, stated that Monyela was reported by a South African platform,
City Press, to have said that Nigeria was the most vocal in reacting to the attacks despite the fact that
not a single Nigerian was killed in the incident
“A challenge was thrown back at them to play their part in addressing the big challenge of
international migration.
He called on countries to create a conducive environment that will not force citizens to leave their
countries in droves and only react when there is a problem in the receiving country.
The official said xenophobia was a general problem not only South Africa but in the UK, US and other
countries where foreign nationals reside.
Monyela stated that there was engagements with Nigerian envoy sent by President Buhari to South
Africa with a view to ensuring that diplomatic ties between both countries remain intact.
In another report, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has dispatched three special envoys
to seven African countries to deliver messages of pan-African unity and solidarity following
xenophobic attacks in South Africa, the presidency said on Sunday, September 15.
The special envoys will deliver a message from Ramaphosa regarding the incidents of violence that
recently erupted in some parts of South Africa, which have manifested in attacks on foreign nationals
and destruction of property, presidential spokesperson, Khusela Diko, said
Legit.ng gathered that the envoys will reassure fellow African countries that South Africa is committed
to the ideals of pan-African unity and solidarity, Diko said.
Oyo State: PDP Wins At Tribunal, Trash APC

The House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ibadan has upheld the elections of two
legislators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Oyo State Assembly, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV reports that the three-man panel of justices Tribunal led by D. M. Igyuse upheld the elections
of Messrs Olasunkanmi Babalola (Egbeda State Constituency) and Akeem Adeshina (Iwajowa State
Constituency).
Igbere TV had reported that the duo were dragged before the Tribunal by their All Progressives
Congress (APC) opponents in the last general election to challenge their victory.
Babalola, who is the Deputy Majority leader of the Oyo Assembly, was dragged to the Tribunal by Mr
Olalekan Usman, while Adeshina was challenged at the Tribunal by Mr Johnson Eroyalesun.
In its ruling on Monday, the Tribunal dismissed the separate petitions on account that the petitioners
could neither prove nor establish their claims of irregularities in the election.
September 16
“Why I'm Yet To Constitute My Cabinet” - Governor Ganduje

Explains
Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has given reasons for not constituting his cabinet,
almost four months after he was sworn in for a second-term. He however said the announcement is
imminent.
In a foreign radio interview conducted in Hausa, Ganduje said the process of nominating
Commissioners in his second term has taken a lot longer time, due to the emergence of different forces
that supported him during the 2019 election.
“Some of my former commissioners will be re-nominated while others will not. However, those that
are not returning, as commissioners will still be accommodated in the government.” he said.
In 2015, Ganduje ran for election as a candidate of the Kwankwasiyya group within the APC. It was
therefore easy for the group to agree on their nominees for commissioners even before Ganduje took
the oath of office.
However in 2019, running as the head of his own Gandujiyya faction, Ganduje needed the support of
other political blocs in order to defeat the Kwankwasiyya candidate after the group decamped to the
opposition PDP.
Among the politicians who supported him were former governor, now Senator Ibrahim Shekarau and
former deputy governor, Prof Hafiz Abubakar.
MASSOB Insists On Independence Of Biafra, Iwuanyanwu Says

Igbo Didn't Cause War
MASSOB Insists On Independent State Of Biafra, Iwuanyanwu Says Igbo Didn't Cause Civil
War
ent for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) says realizing independence for
Biafra from Nigeria would end the numerous forms of slavery the Igbo suffer in the country.
Leader of MASSOB, Uchenna Madu, stated in Awgu, Enugu State, during the 20th-anniversary
celebration of the group, that there was no going back in the struggle for the Biafra republic.
MASSOB, he added, was committed to the quest for an independent state of Biafra.
Madu said, “These undeniable realities are the reasons the Nigerian state is afraid of Biafra, which
represents the truth they cannot legitimately counter.
“Biafra speaks of the truth Nigeria know they are guilty of; so out of weakness, jittery and fear, Nigeria
resorts to repression, persecution, killings, and detention of Biafran agitators.
“MASSOB has resolved that 20 years of our long walk to freedom can never be jeopardized,
compromised or corrupted. The reformation and rededication of our committed and consistent efforts in
the actualization of Biafra has brought back our lost confidence and trust on Biafra’s actualization.
“MASSOB shall never relent in its non-violent Biafra struggle because the truth shall always prevail
over falsehood,” he said.
In a related vein, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu said the Igbo were not the remote cause of the 1966
military coup that culminated in the Nigerian civil war.
Speaking at an event in Owerri, Imo State, at the weekend, he said, “The coup that started the civil war
was not caused by Igbo, but because they didn’t have the media, they were linked to it. People outside
Igbo land then controlled all media.
“The propaganda was against the Igbo, who were projected as very greedy and over-ambitious.”
Tribunal Victory: Tinubu Congratulates Ogun Governor

ALL Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has congratulated Ogun
State Governor Dapo Abiodun over the judgment of the state’s Governorship Election Petition Tribunal
affirming his victory in the March poll.
Asiwaju Tinubu said the APC candidate truly deserved the victory, “despite the intimidation,
harassment and violence unleashed on your numerous supporters and other shenanigans perpetrated by
known opposition elements within and outside our party, APC”.
The tribunal, headed by Justice Yusuf Halilu, threw out the petition filed by Abdulkadir Adekunle
Akinlade and the Allied People’s Movement (APM).
The judge held that the petitioners “not only failed, but also irredeemably failed” to prove their
allegations of over-voting and substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
In a congratulatory letter to Abiodun, dated September 15, which he personally signed, Asiwaju Tinubu
said: “Saturday’s judgment of the Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal affirming your
electoral victory has further demonstrated that your election was indeed a true reflection of the wishes
of your people.
“We were all living witnesses to the fact that despite the intimidation, harassment and violence
unleashed on your numerous supporters and other shenanigans perpetrated by known opposition
elements within and outside our party, APC, you emerged victorious because the people of Ogun stood
by you.
“Undaunted by all of that, you ran a clean, peaceful, issues-based campaign. You were, by far, the most
popular and most qualified of the governorship candidates, hence your election. You truly deserve your
victory.
“This is now time to extend your hand of fellowship to the APM candidate and others who contested
against you and indeed other stakeholders in the state. You must re-dedicate yourself to re-uniting the
people and be the governor for all.
“Ogun State deserves development; Ogun State deserves industrialisation. Having made success in
your private multi-sectoral entrepreneurial life, you are best placed to replicate this in Ogun. This you
must do within the shortest possible time.
“Once again, I congratulate you and wish you God’s guidance in the daunting, but not insurmountable
tasks, ahead of you.”
How Military’s Super Camp Strategy Aids Boko Haram To Hold

Positions
The Super Camp strategy adopted by the military in the war against insurgency in the North-east may
have given the terrorists opportunity to occupy more territories from where they launch assaults on the
troops, THISDAY investigation has revealed.
Under the SuperCamp strategy, the military, in what appeared like a tactical retreat, pulled out its
battalions from all the camps occupied by troops and relocated them to heavily fortified cities where
their brigade headquarters are located.
In the wake of criticism from Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum and some communities in
the state, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, had said the Super Camp was the way to
victory, adding that the Nigerian Army was expanding on the idea to defeat the insurgents.
He had disclosed that 20 super camps had been established so far and described the concept as “the
concentration of formidable fighting forces in strongholds that have the capacity for swift mobility.
“This requires the forces to be proactive, dogged, and capable of making bold offensives at all times to
defeat the adversary by denying freedom of action.
“To support the super camp concept, we have inducted more manpower and equipment in this theatre.”
But THISDAY gathered that as the soldiers concentrated inside these heavily-guarded Super Camps, all
the military posts previously occupied by the troops were taken over by the terrorists, thus making it
difficult for soldiers to venture outside the super camps without falling victims to landmines and
ambush by the terrorists.
Zulum had at a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari complained that the super camp strategy
was “unwise and not working” and lamented that the withdrawal of troops from many towns to be
concentrated on a particular area was the reason for the increasing attacks on Borno communities by
insurgents.
The governor’s disapproval was followed by a letter by some communities to Buhari urging a review of
the security situation, adding that they have lost confidence in the military following incessant attacks
by the insurgents without appropriate response from the troops.
Two soldiers who returned from the war in the North-east at the weekend told THISDAY that Boko
Haram fighters are now moving freely in all the areas the troops had withdrawn from, thereby
complicating the war.
“Concentration of troops in one location has brought setback to the war. Boko Haram fighters are
moving freely in all the areas our troops withdrew from. They lay mines freely and ambush soldiers.
Each time troops go for ‘clearance exercise,’ the casualties are very heavy because of landmines and
ambush by Boko Haram. Before they came up with this idea of Super Camp, soldiers were everywhere
keeping watch over the dangerous routes,” one of the soldiers said.
He added that the movement of soldiers has become endangered because of the landmines and ambush
by Boko Haram who have taken over all the military posts previously occupied by the soldiers.
According to him, in one of the most recent attacks, the terrorists ambushed troops going from
Damaturu to Biu and snatched four gun trucks and N15 million from the soldiers after killing one
soldier and wounding another.
“The soldiers were going to Biu from Damaturu. The N15 million cash was for their feeding and ration
allowance,” he said.
Another soldier cited the case of the 155 Battalion, which he said had withdrawn from Banki Junction
in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
“All the troops at Banki Junction and along the road withdrew to the Brigade Headquarters at Bama
where they formed the Super Camp. Banki Junction is where they built Abu Ali Shooting Range in
honour of Lt. Col. Abu Ali who died in the war. There is a filling station and a mosque at the junction.
Soldiers of 155 Battalion were worshipping at the mosque and using the filling station as park because
it was not destroyed. But as I am talking to you, Boko Haram is using the shooting range and
worshipping at the mosque and moving freely in that axis because of the withdrawal of the troops.
Soldiers serving at the Brigade Headquarters at Bama must pass through this junction before they go to
Maiduguri. They must pass through this junction before they go to Gwoza, which has link to Adamawa
State. They must pass through this junction before they go to the main Banki town, which is the
boundary with Cameroon. With Boko Haram moving freely and laying mines in these places, it is now
difficult for soldiers to leave their base in Bama,” he stated.
According to him, as part of the war strategy, soldiers who were stationed at Pulka have been moved to
their Brigade Headquarters in Gwoza.
He said it is now dangerous for soldiers or civilians within Maiduguri to go beyond Konduga Local
Government Area.
“If you go beyond Konduga, you are in an enemy territory because soldiers have withdrawn from those
places,” he added.
But when contacted, the Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Olusegun
Adeniyi, invited THISDAY to Maiduguri for on-the-spot assessment.
He volunteered to take THISDAY round the affected areas to get the actual first-hand knowledge of the
war situation.
Discos’ Collection Efficiency Drops Despite Tariff Hike

The collection efficiency of power distribution companies witnessed a drop in the first quarter of the
year despite an increase in the total billing to electricity consumers by the power firms .
In the first quarter , the electricity bill to customers by the 11 power distributors rose to N 182. 8 bn ,
but the Discos only recorded an aggregate collection of N 116. 9 bn , representing 64 . 1 per cent
collection efficiency .
This indicated a drop when compared to their performance in the fourth quarter of 2018 , as it was
gathered that in Q4 of 2018 , the power firms billed customers a total of N 172. 5 bn and collected the
sum of N 117. 5 bn , representing 68 . 1 per cent collection efficiency .
An analysis of their performances in the fourth quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of this year , based
on data obtained from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission on Sunday in Abuja , also
showed that the remittances of the Discos to the power market dropped in Q1 2019 .
In its 2019 first quarter report , NERC stated that the financial viability of the Nigeria Electricity
Supply Industry was still the most significant challenge threatening the sustainability of the power
sector .
It noted that as reported in the preceding quarterly reports , the liquidity challenge was partly due to the
non - implementation of cost - reflective tariffs , high technical and commercial losses exacerbated by
energy theft , and consumers ’ apathy to payments under the widely prevailing practice of estimated
billing .
The regulator said , “ The total billing to electricity consumers by the 11 Discos rose to N 182. 8 bn in
the first quarter of 2019 but only an aggregate collection of N 116. 9 bn , representing 64 . 1 per cent
collection efficiency was achieved , a 4 . 1 percentage points decrease from the last quarter of 2018 .
“ The level of collection efficiency during the quarter under review indicates that a sum of N 3 . 6 out
of every N 10 worth of energy sold during the first quarter of 2019 remains uncollected as and when
due . ”
The commission explained that the severity of the liquidity challenge in NESI was further reflected in
the settlement rate of energy invoices issued by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company and the
Market Operator to Discos , as well as the payment by special and international customers.
It said , “ During the first quarter of 2019 , the 11 Discos were issued a total invoice of N 190. 1 bn for
energy received from NBET and for service charge by the MO , but only a sum of N 52 . 8 bn
( approximately 28 per cent ) of the total invoice was settled , indicating a significant deficit of N 137.
3 bn .
“ Whereas the collection efficiency ranges from 40 per cent ( Kaduna Disco) to 84 per cent ( Ikeja
Disco) , remittance performance ranges from 10 per cent ( Jos Disco) to 43 per cent ( Ikeja Disco) . ”
Alfa Belgore & P&ID: Who Is Salihu Modibbo Alfa Belgore?

This Is The Most Dangerous Man In Nigeria
He was a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, an enviable position that made him the high priest of the
Nigerian Constitution. A seer who took oath to serve Nigeria and his fellow citizens by helping all
aggrieved to understand the spirit and letter of the Constitution.
But he was dangerous. Yes, Alfa Belgore has been allegedly identified as the man who helped a foreign
company(P&ID) to win an award of $9.6 billion against Nigeria.
They paid, and he dissected loopholes in the Constitution as a legal expert to P&ID: “Acting as a
legal consultant, Mr Belgore, head of the Supreme Court between 2006 and 2008, painstakingly
analysed Nigeria’s laws, exploited its shortcomings and cited case laws for the benefit of the
firm.”
He is the most dangerous man in Nigeria. Yes, we have Yahoo Boys, 419ers, corporate raiders,
and their cousins, but that a former Chief Justice can use his knowledge of Nigerian law in this
way is despicable. Nigeria trained him to master those laws; today, he has paid us this way. I hope
this is fake news – but Premium Times is never known for one.
Unfortunately, Justice Belgore is not alone – people sign contracts to defraud Nigeria in London,
California and Beijing because of personal gains. That remains the Nigerian demon – no
patriotism.
I am not a lawyer but this man should be excommunicated in the club of learned gentlemen even if he
has not broken any written code. He is unworthy to serve
For the former Chief Justice, it was all business.
It did not matter that he was providing an expert legal opinion against his country whose judiciary he
once headed. It did not matter that Nigeria stood to lose the case on account of his testimony, neither
did it matter that offering such service to a foreign company was illegal.
All that mattered, it seems, was money.
PREMIUM TIMES can today confirm that a key legal argument the British firm, P&ID Limited, used
in securing the humongous arbitral award of $9.6 billion (N3.2 trillion) against Nigeria was provided
by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Alfa Belgore.
Acting as a legal consultant, Mr Belgore, head of the Supreme Court between 2006 and 2008,
painstakingly analysed Nigeria’s laws, exploited its shortcomings and cited case laws for the benefit of
the firm.
And he did break a written law, according to the Constitution. He is the most dangerous man in Nigeria
and should be arrested and tried! I hope he has enough money to defend himself – stupid man.
Section 5 of the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution prohibits former presidents, vice presidents,
Chief Justice of Nigeria, governors and deputy governors from working for foreign companies or
enterprises.
PREMIUM TIMES has obtained full details of the advice provided by Mr Belgore to rubbish the
Nigerian government’s defence in the suit.
In the written legal advice offered to P&ID, Mr Belgore, who is still a member of the National
Council of State, a key advisory body to Nigerian presidents, specifically admitted that he was
working for a foreign company.
“I have been instructed on behalf of Process and Industrial Developments Limited (“P&ID”), a
company incorporated in the territory of the Virgins Island (“BVI”), to prepare a statement
addressed to the Arbitral tribunal in answer to the questions put to me by P&ID in connection
with this arbitration,” he wrote
He then presented extensive legal arguments to puncture the defence by Nigerian government lawyers.
Oyo Guber Poll: Governor Makinde Knows Fate Today As

Tribunal Delivers Judgement
The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ibadan will today, deliver judgment in a
petition seeking to upturn the election of Engr. Seyi Makinde as Governor of Oyo State, Igbere TV
reports.
Igbere TV reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Bayo
Adelabu, are challenging the victory of Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the March
9, 2019 poll.
The APC and its candidate are alleging that Makinde of the PDP was not “elected by lawful votes”,
insisting that the election was marred with “wide violence” and “massive rigging”.
But the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is urging the Tribunal to dismiss the
petition for “lacking in substance” and being “grossly unmeritorious.”
INEC said that the petitioners erroneously put the burden of proof on the Commission, “whereas the
responsibility of proof lies on the petitioners”.
The electoral umpire also claimed that majority of the 38 witnesses called by the petitioners confirmed
that the March 9 guber poll conducted by it complied strictly with the Electoral Act.
The three-man panel of justices of the Governorship Election Tribunal which is expected to deliver
judgment today, is led by Justice Sirajo Muhammed, as Chairman, reports Igbere TV.
Sowore Asks For Bail In Fresh Court Application

The Convener of #RevolutionNow protest, Mr Omoyele Sowore, who is being held by the Department
of State Services, has asked for bail in liberal terms in a fresh application he filed before the Federal
High Court in Abuja.
Sowore filed the fresh application on Friday after his failed bid to have the court hear his earlier one
challenging the detention order issued against him by Justice Taiwo Taiwo on July 8, 2019.
The affidavit he filed in support of the application stated in part, “That the applicant (Sowore) herein
has never been charged with any criminal offence whatsoever.
“That the Nigeria police also conducted investigation on the matter and made its findings public.
“That the persons who participated in the protests of August 5, 2019, were charged with the offence of
unlawful assembly at the Magistrates’ Court in Ebute Meta, Lagos State, Osogbo in Osun State and
Calabar (Cross River).
“That on the August 9, 2019, the applicant filed an application to set aside, discharge and/or vacate the
said ex parte order permitting his detention for 45 days.”
The security agency had accused Sowore, the SaharaReporters publisher and presidential candidate of
the African Action Congress in the last February 2019 poll, of planning to topple the President
Muhammadu Buhari government, through the protest.
Sowore denied the coup allegations insisting that he only mobilised Nigerians to protest against bad
governance and other vices.
Following an ex parte application by the DSS, Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the same Abuja division of the
Federal High Court, on August 8, issued a detention order permitting the security agency to hold the
activist for 45 days to enable it to conclude investigations.
On August 9, 2018, Sowore, through his lead counsel, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), filed a motion
challenging the detention order.
But the efforts of his team of lawyers to make the court to hear the application which was filed over a
month ago, have yet to yield any result.
In his fresh application which he filed on Friday, Sowore’s lawyers argued that the DSS had completed
its investigations, adding that by Section 28 (4) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013 “a
person detained pursuant to Section 27 (1) can be admitted to bail by this honourable court.”
One of his lawyers, Marshal Abubakar, who deposed to the affidavit filed in support of the application,
prayed the court grant bail to Sowore in liberal terms.
He added that the activist had responsible persons who could stand as sureties for him.
The supporting affidavit read in part, “That no criminal charge whatsoever has been brought against the
applicant herein.
“That the applicant undertakes not to interfere with the investigation of this case or make contacts with
the witnesses of the respondent.”
Xenophobia: Obasanjo’s Letter To South Africa's Mangosuthu

Buthelezi
…Urges Nigeria, others to report at AU
Tunji Bosun, Abeokuta
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has urged the African countries, whose citizens were affected by
xenophobic attacks in South Africa to report to the African Union.
Obasanjo also advised the affected countries include Nigeria to take other measures if the first option
did not yield the desired results.
Obasanjo stated this on Monday in his latest letter written to the founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party,
in South Africa, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
The former president said he wanted the affected African countries to table appropriate motions at the
African Union as a first option and consider other measures if the situation continues unabated.
Obasanjo, who described xenophobic attacks on foreigners by South Africans as a great disservice to
Africa, called for urgent reconciliation between the xenophobic countries and South Africa.
He said, “For any African country to encourage or allow or not seriously sanction xenophobia against
Africans in their country is a great disservice not only to the country where xenophobia takes place and
the countries of the victims concerned, but also a great disservice to the whole of Africa and black race.
“At this juncture, there is need for fence-mending, reconciliation and wound-binding between South
Africa and the countries whose citizens have been victims of xenophobia and afrophobia in South
Africa.
“As a suggestion, South Africa should send emissaries to the countries concerned to explain, apologise
and agree on the way forward for mutual understanding, accommodation, reconciliation, and binding
the wound to promote unity, concord, and brotherhood in Africa.
“Repatriation of Nigerians from South Africa is obviously not a permanent solution. At best it is
palliative. But the hurt will still remain for some time. Neither is revenge a desirable solution. Mutual
understanding and acknowledgement of what needs to be done on all sides is imperative and getting
down to doing them is the solution that will serve Nigeria and South Africa and indeed Africa well
particularly in this era of Africa Continental Free Trade Area opportunities.
“Nigeria and South Africa must stand together to champion African cause and to jointly shepherd
African development, unity, cooperation, security, and progress to make the 21st century Africa’s
century”.
Meet Professor Muhaffidavit Buhari, GCFR.
Affidavit in B. Sc (Herdsmenology), M. Sc (Ruganomics), PhD
(Advanced Ruganomics) University of PEPT.
Report: Nigeria Loses $600m Annually To Illegal Fishing
Nigeria is losing $600 million annually to illegal and unreported fishing by foreign vessels as a
result of lack of equipment such as Automatic Identification System (AIS) and Vessel Monitoring
System (VMS), and adequate manpower to police the country’s vast coastline, THISDAY’s
investigation has revealed.
THISDAY gathered that the country also spends $800 million annually on fish importation, being
the fourth largest importer of fish in the world, after China, Japan and the United States.
Nigeria imports frozen fish varieties, including mackerel (locally called Titus or alaran), herrings
(locally called shawa), horse mackerel (locally called kote), blue whiting (locally called panla),
Argentina silus (locally called ojuyobo) and the popular croaker fish.
Investigation further revealed that the country’s top suppliers are the United States and Chile, but fish is
also sourced from Europe, Asia as well as a few African countries, including Mauritania, Algeria and
Mauritius.
According to documents obtained by THISDAY from the Federal Department of Fisheries in

Lagos, Nigeria’s annual fish demand is estimated at 3.32 million metric tonnes while domestic
production is only about 1.12 million metric tonnes.
This leaves a deficit of 2.2 million metric tonnes, which is largely supplied through importation.
The document titled, “Fisheries Crime Activities in West Africa Coastal Region,” showed that Nigeria
spends about $800 million (N324 billion) to import fish to bridge the supply gap.
According to the document, Nigeria in 2018 imported fish worth $71 million, $56 million, $43 million
and $174 million from Iceland, Russia, Norway and Netherlands respectively.
The document also showed that West Africa remains a global hotspot for illegal fishing with estimated
losses of $2.9 billion.
The document further revealed that over 450 Chinese vessels fish illegally in Nigeria and the
coast of West Africa, adding that, “a survey carried out by the West Africa Task Force showed
that over 37 per cent of all fish caught in West Africa are caught illegally with China, Taiwan,
Russia, South Korea, Spain, France and Thailand being the main countries responsible.
“This is aside vessels from other countries and artisanal fishing in Nigeria inland water ways in
areas such as Badore, Epe and coastal areas in Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers states.”
Nigeria has a coastline of 853 kilometres, which borders the Atlantic Ocean in the Gulf of Guinea.
The limits of Nigeria’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) are 12 nautical miles
(nm) and 200 nm respectively.
The total area of the continental shelf in the EEZ is approximately 37,900 km².
THISDAY gathered that Nigeria needs equipment like the AIS and VMS, both of which use satellite
tracking to transmit vessel locations.
“AIS was designed as a collision avoidance tool and is required for vessels over a certain size by
international law and some smaller vessels by national regulation. VMS is a bespoke fisheries
management system regulated at the national and regional level. VMS data have traditionally been
proprietary but governments are increasingly sharing these data publicly for greater fisheries
transparency, ” the document stated.
Meanwhile, an official of the Federal Department of Fisheries who spoke to THISDAY on

condition of anonymity blamed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency
(NIMASA) and the Nigerian Navy for usurping the role of the department, which he said is
constitutionally responsible to the protection of Nigeria’s fish resources.
He called on the federal government to create a ministry of fisheries and marine resources to
effectively harness Nigeria’s abundant ocean resource
“Government agencies are supposed to collaborate but that is not the case. However, any vessel
we give letter of consent or assurance to bring a vessel into Nigeria has to go to NIMASA for
registration. That is what Sea Fisheries Act says. We also collaborate on the issue of the
International Maritime Organisation (IMO) number, which is a unique number issued to a
vessels for life until it is scraped. It is through that number that we detect vessels that are being
used for illegal fishing,” he said.
He added that fisheries over the world have been suffering from illegal exploitation, which undermines
the sustainability of marine living resources and threatens food security as well as the economic, social
and political stability of coastal states.
“These crimes have been identified by the Interpol and its partners as transnational in nature and
involving organised criminal networks,” he stated.
Also, when THISDAY visited Badore area in Lagos, which is the main research site of the Nigeria
Institute of Oceanography, locals narrated how several vessels trawl illegally at night unchecked.
According to a resident, Mr. Babatunde Akinyemi, “we are not allowed to go near the water to
fish but at night we see people fishing and no one arrest them. This is also happening around
other communities in this locality.”
N50b Bond For Road Projects, Others –igbasan
The N50 billion bond recently approved by the Ondo State House of Assembly is to be expended on
major roads in the state in order to bring relief to the citizens, The hope has learnt.
Among the road projects are the Atijere-Aboto, Okeagbe-Afin-Eshe-Ogbagi, Araromi/Lekki, Ore
flyover and the newly flagged off Oda road.
The hint was dropped by the state Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Pastor Emmanuel
Igbasan during an interview with The Hope.
He said infrastructural development and security are the major impectus that drive the economy and
noted that investment in infrastructure particularly road is a right investment.
His words:”Two things drive the economy, one is infrastructure and the second is security. These are
the two critical elements that attract investments. For example, the new industrial park in Ore has been
connected to the national grid. So, we expect influx of industries and companies into that area. That is
the magic. If we create the environment, other things will fall in place.
When these people produce their goods, they need good roads to move on. So, constructing roads is
laying a good foundation for sustainable economic growth,” he maintained.
The commissioner said the people can now start to estimate the quantum of the benefits that would be
derived from these projects when completed because of the cost of transport that will be greatly
reduced .
He said for now, the state is yet to configure its productive index to be able to tell the economic
benefits of à specific project.
He said the bond is not even enough to pay the outstanding money of contracts already awarded in the
state. “Let me take Atijere road that was just re-awarded last week. When it was awarded in 2016, it
was N12 billion, but when this administration reviewed that contract when the former contractor
refused to do anything, we re-awarded it for N8 billion, saving the state N4 billion and yet we have not
given the contractor a dime.
So if one road is gulping N8 billion, what about the 28.9 kilometers Akoko/Irun side for another 8 to
N12 billion, the Araromi- Lekki road, the dualization of Oda road. I can go on and on. By the time I
mention 10 projects, N50 billion is gone. Is it the Ore Flyover that work is ongoing. That is about N8
billion project,” he added.
He listed other projects that will benefit from the bond to include the ongoing ultra modern 500
UNIMED Teaching Hospital Complex, reticulation of dams, rural electrification among others.
Igbasan who said bond has always been one of the means to balance state budget and as well gives
room for borrowing, submitted that N50 billion for Ondo State Government is just a tip of an iceberg
compared to the masses oriented projects lined up for the people.
He said taking a bond is the best thing to happen in order to ensure that work continues, saying
Akeredolu led administration has performed creditably well in all the five critical areas set for the
administration.
On the implementation of the State 2019 budget, Igbasan declared that the budget as at June was 54
percent implemented and that it was on a positive side, saying that there is quarterly assessment of the
budget where the report of projects execution will be reviewed.
He said the 2018 budget of progress has laid solid foundation for the 2019 budget of leveraging the
gains of 2018 which he said was in tandem with the development and strategic plan of the government.
The commissioner was optimistic that 2020 budget will be signed into law before the end of this year.
On the focus of the 2020 budget, Igbasan said it will focus on impacting lives of the people positively,
their businesses and their environments
Katsina Senator Drills 5 Motorize Boreholes In Daura

The Senator representing Katsina North Senatorial District, Ahmed Babba-Kaita, has commenced
drilling of five motorized boreholes across some selected communities in Daura Local Government
Area as part of his constituency project.
Malam Lawal Shinku, the Senior Legislative Aide to Babba-Kaita stated this to the Nigeria News
Agency at one of the project site in Daura on Monday.
Shinku said that the projects were expected to be completed within one month.
The aide said the boreholes would be drilled in five communities that include Ganga, Kofar Arewa,
Dannakola, Gara and Kurneji villages.
“A 1,000 litre capacity water tank will be mounted on each of the boreholes to ensure adequate water
supply.
“The project is part of our efforts to boost water supply in the communities.”
Shinku added that the senator recently established computer centres in Zango, Sandamu, Bindawa and
Mani Local Government Areas to promote computer literacy in the areas.
He said the centres, each with capacity to accommodate 50 people, are fully functional while
competent resource persons have been employed to man them for effective service delivery.
Shinku added that the lawmaker had also facilitated the procurement and installation of 500KVA
transformers in Maiadua and Sandamu local government areas to improve power supply.
Fulani Herdsmen From Chad, Niger To Benefit From Fg’s

Livestock Plan
Fulani herdsmen from Chad, Niger and other neighbouring countries will benefit from the National
Livestock Transformation Plan, the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has said.
Mohammed, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, said since Fulani
herdsmen are nomadic, it would be inappropriate to deprive them from benefitting from the livestock
plan just because they are not from Nigeria.
The initiative will be 80 per cent funded by the Federal Government while the states would provide 20
per cent counterpart funding and the grazing land.
The governor, whose state is among those that will be part of the initiative, said Fulani exist in many
countries across Africa and share a brotherhood which transcends boundaries.
When asked how the government would ensure that only Nigerians benefit from the livestock plan,
Mohammed said, “I think there is a lot of mistrust and misconception as regards the Fulani man. The
Fulani man is a global or African person. He moves from The Gambia to Senegal and his nationality is
Fulani.
“As a person I may have my relations in Cameroon but they are also Fulani. I am a Fulani man from
my maternal side, we will just have to take this as our own heritage, something that is African. So we
cannot just close our borders and say the Fulani man is just a Nigerian.
“In most cases, the crisis is precipitated by those outside Nigeria. When there is a reprisal, it is not the
Fulani man within Nigeria that causes it. It is that culture of getting revenge which is embedded in the
traditional Fulani man that attracts reprisal.”
When asked if it was right to allow foreigners to benefit from Nigerian taxpayers’ money, the governor
said it was proper.
He said Fulani don’t actually have one single nationality since they are nomadic in nature.
Mohammed said “We are already accommodating them. Do you delineate and really know who is not a
Nigerian Fulani man?
“They are all Nigerians because their identity, their citizenship is Nigerian even though they have
relatives from all over the world. So, presumably they are Nigerians because they move all over and
have relations all over. That is why our population in Nigeria is fluid.”
When asked if there would be any form of documentation for the Fulani herdsmen coming into Nigeria
from other countries, the governor said, “Yes. This will give Nigeria the opportunity of having proper
documentation and knowing the demography because the Fulani man settles anywhere he can feed his
cattle.”
The livestock plan which is being championed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo seeks to put herdsmen
and their livestock in designated colonies which will give them the opportunity of exploiting the
livestock value chain.
While many northern states have embraced it, their southern counterparts have rejected it.
Seun Onigbinde Resigns His Appointment

Oluseun Onigbinde
Sep 16 · 2 min read
AN UPDATE ON MY RECENT APPOINTMENT
Friends,
Kindly recall that I sent out a note recently on my interest to seek new experiences and that
I would be working as a Technical Adviser to the Minister of State for Budget and National
Planning for a short period.
It is clear that recent media reports about my appointment have created a complex
narrative, which I believe would engender an atmosphere of mistrust, as I planned to
proceed.
Upon further reflections on the furore that has been generated by my new role as the
Technical Adviser to the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, I humbly
resign the appointment.
I am very grateful to the Honourable Minister, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, for believing in
my expertise and I also thank everyone who sent his or her congratulations to me in the
short period. I have also been humbled by the faith and belief that numerous persons have
expressed in me.
My sincere interest is to see a Nigeria that grows and optimises resources for the benefits of
all Nigerians.
My loyalty to the good cause of our nation, Nigeria compelled me to accept the call to
provide technical skills and this experience has more than strengthened it.
I also want to wish the Nigerian Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, well. I
will always be of help to the federal government in my capacity as the Director of BudgIT,
a critical fiscal transparency group, as I have been to several agencies. I would also work to
ensure that BudgIT continues to build civic awareness on the right of every Nigerian to
know how public resources are managed.
Thank you all.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
https://medium.com/@seunonigbinde/an-update-on-my-recent-appointment-bcd9095d96e9
Seun Onigbinde Resignation: Oby Ezekwesil, Banky W, Others

React
Former Education Minister and The convener of the Bring Back Our Girls Movement, Oby Ezekwesili
reacts as Seun Onigbinde, a critic of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress
(APC) government who was recently appointed Technical Adviser at the Ministry of Budget and
National Planning by the same government, has resigned the appointment.
The Co-founder of BudgIT joined the Buhari administration as the Technical Adviser at the Ministry of
Budget and National Planning and confirmed the development through his Medium account.
His appointment by the same government he had criticized in the past four years generated
controversies as the development did not go down well with some Nigerians.
Man Condemns Resignation Of Seun Onigbinde. Blames
Nigerians
Dr. Dipo Awojide, a Nigerian entrepreneur and educationist, has taken to the micro-blogging to
condemn the resignation of appointment by Seun Onigbinde as technical adviser to the minister of state
for budget and national planning, Igbere TV reports.
News of Mr Onigbinde’s appointment as technical adviser (budget and planning) under the Federal
Ministry of Budget and National Planning broke on Friday.
Igbere TV reports that Mr Onigbinde made the announcement of Monday in an article shared on his
official Twitter handle as a result of outrage the follows his appointment.
Mr Dipo while reacting to the development blamed Nigerians for making Seun Onigbinde to resign his
appointment.
Read his full tweets below; “We need the best of the best in government. We need our best
brains/clever minds to help Ministers, Senators and even the President get the work of governance
done.
Its a shame that we have lost 2 brilliant guys over Twitter madness. First it was Olu Onemola, now
Seun Onigbinde.
Young people let hatred and toxic stupidity becloud their judgement.
They abuse intellectuals and troll anyone who dares have a different opinion. Its a shame really. Big big
shame what is going on.
Seun Onigbinde has ran a brand that manages projects running into millions of dollars on a yearly basis
for the last 5 or 6 years.
He is CLEARLY competent to advice a Minister. Now that he has resigned, I hope he won't be replaced
by an incompetent and unexposed yes man.”
Alleged N6.9bn Fraud: Trial Of Fayose Is Set To Resume Oct. 21

The trial of former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, will now resume on Oct. 21 before a
Federal High Court in Lagos, Igberetv reports.
Fayose is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Ccommission (EFCC) over
N6.9billion fraud and money laundering charges.
He was first arraigned on Oct. 22. 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun, alongside a company,
Spotless Investment Ltd, on 11 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering offences.
He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on Oct. 24, 2018, in the sum of N50
million with sureties in like sum.
The defendant was subsequently re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, on July 2.
He had also pleaded not guilty to the charges and was allowed to continue on the earlier bail granted.
After his re-arraignment, Justice Aneke had granted leave for the defendant to travel aborad for
medicals.
The court had however, ordered that his International passport be returned to the court, on or before
Sept. 16.
Aneke had then adjourned the case until Sept. 16, 17, 18, and 19 and also to Oct. 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25
for continuation of trial.
Meanwhile, the case will now come up on Oct. 21, as Judges are away for the annual judges
conference, which takes place after the annual long vacation of the court.
Igberetv gathered that during the pendency of the charge before Justice Olatoregun, EFCC had opened
trial on Nov. 19, 2018, and had so far called 13 witnesses out of the15 listed.
However, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon.Justice Adamu Abdu-kafarati had transferred
the case from Olatoregun, to Aneke, following a petition by the EFCC.
During trial before Olatoregun. the prosecution had called witnesses, from several commercial banks,
as well as a former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro.
According to the charge, on June 17, 2014, Fayose and one Abiodun Agbele were said to have taken
possession of the sum of N1.2 billion, for purposes of funding his gubernatorial election campaign in
Ekiti, which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.
Fayose was alleged to have received a cash payment of the sum of five million dollars, (about N1.8
billion) from the then Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through
any financial institution.
He was also alleged to have retained the sum of N300 million in his account and took control of the
aggregate sums of about N622 million which sum he reasonably ought to have known formed part of
crime proceeds.
Fayose was alleged to have procured De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd, to retain the aggregate sums
of N851 million which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.
Besides, the defendant was alleged to have used the aggregate sums of about N1.6 billion to acquire
properties in Lagos and Abuja, which sums he reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime
proceeds.
He was also alleged to have used the sum of N200 million, to acquire a property in Abuja, in the name
of his elder sister Moji Oladeji, which sum he ought to know also forms crime proceeds.
The offences contravenes the provisions of sections 15(1), 15 (2), 15 (3), 16(2)(b), 16 (d), and 18 (c) of
the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.
Buhari Receives South African President's Special Envoy

#Xenophobia; President Buhari this afternoon, received Mr. Jett Radebe a Special Envoy from
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Recall that president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa sent special envoys to deliver messages of
solidarity to several Heads of State and Governments across Africa after he was embarrassed by
Zimbabweans on Saturday afternoon as he addressed mourners at Robert Mugabe’s state funeral in the
capital.
I’ll Quit Politics If PDP Fails To Capture Anambra In 2021- Prof
ABC Nwosu
A former Minister of Health , Prof ABC Nwosu , has said he will quit politics if the Peoples
Democratic Party fails to win the governorship seat of Anambra State in 2021 .
Nwosu , a Board of Trustees member of the PDP stated this during a South -East Stakeholders’ meeting
held in Awka , the Anambra State .
Speaking at the meeting with the theme, “Putting Anambra State into political track of the South- East
States ” , Nwosu said the PDP had been denying itself the opportunity of taking over the state because
of selfishness , greed, and bickering.
He said , “ Oseloka Obaze did not become governor of Anambra in 2017 because of betrayal from
party members .
“ If PDP does not win Anambra state in 2021 , I will leave politics and PDP. And that will mean PDP
will never come to power in Anambra again . ”
He urged party members in the state to be united and work towards winning the 2021 governorship
election in the state .
Speaking, the Anambra State chairman of the party , Ndubuisi Nwobu . said the party would not “do
any form of merchandising in its primaries ” .
He urged those interested in contesting the governorship election to go and seek the support of the
people and not hoping that they could induce the party to hand them the ticket on a silver platter.
“ Our zonal chairman , may I tell you that Anambra PDP is very easy people to govern. I found this out
since I became the state chairman of the party .
“ All you need to cage an Anambra man is to keep telling him the truth. As elections approach, I want
to say that there will not be any form of merchandising during this election. The primary election of the
party will be very transparent .
“ If you tell Anambra people the truth, they are very easy to handle . Do not listen to people who will
come with money because they need the ticket . What Anambra man does not like is asking him , ‘
what can you do ?”
Xenophobia: S’African Envoy Meets Buhari, Apologizes To

Nigeria
President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, has formally apologized to Nigeria following the attack on
her citizens in South Africa, Igbere TV reports.
Ramaphosa’s apology was conveyed by his special envoy, Jeff Radebe, who met President
Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, on Monday.
Igbere TV had reported that the South African president, on Sunday, despatched a special envoy to visit
Nigeria and six other countries, to convey his regret concerning the widely condemned attacks.
This followed the humiliation he suffered at the hands of Zimbabweans during Mugabe’s funeral on
Saturday, where he was publicly booed over the recent attacks.
Igbere TV learned that Ramaphosa’s envoy was accompanied to the Presidential Villa, on Monday, by
the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Bobby Moroe.
Femi Adesina Threatens John Ameh, PUNCH State House

Reporter
The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina , on
Monday , unleashed a torrent of abuse and threats on PUNCH ’s State House Correspondent, Mr John
Ameh .
Ameh and other journalists were at the Press Gallery of the Presidential Villa , Abuja when Adesina , a
former President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors , walked in and , without exchanging courtesies ,
began to scream and gesticulate aggressively at our correspondent in the full glare of his colleagues .
“ What was that rubbish you people wrote on Saturday ? Adesina asked , referencing a story published
by one of our newspapers , Saturday PUNCH , on Saturday .
“ Did you say that Mr President did not approve the statement ? Let me tell you , if you want to last
here, you had better be careful !”
The presidential aide then walked away before our correspondent could utter a word in response.
Our correspondent gathered that Adesina had also threatened to bar members of the State House Press
Corps from ‘open coverage’ of the President ’s events .
The Saturday PUNCH story , “ Tribunal : Buhari retracts , confesses he was under pressure ” had
quoted Buhari as telling some leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress who visited him on
Friday that he was under tension while the tribunal delivered its judgment on Wednesday .
The president ’ s admission, our correspondent noted in the story published on Saturday , was contrary
to an earlier statement issued by Adesina in which he claimed that the President had not experienced
any anxiety over the proceedings of the election tribunal .
Adesina had issued a statement on Sunday , attacking this newspaper and its journalists . The insult-
laden statement was deemed unsuitable for publication by the newspaper ’ s editors and , therefore ,
ignored .
Adesina ’s conduct calls to mind the decision of former Security Officer , Bashir Abubakar , to
summarily expel this newspaper ’s former State House correspondent, Olalekan Adetayo , from the
Presidential Villa in April 2017 .
Abubakar claimed two articles , “ Fresh anxiety in Aso Rock over Buhari’ s poor health” and “ Seat of
power ’s event centres going into extinction ,” authored by Adetayo were uncomplimentary .
Abubakar had summoned Adetayo to his office, briefly detained him and compelled him to write a
statement before directing that his accreditation tag be withdrawn .
The police officer also ordered security operatives to escort the journalist out of the villa .
Reacting to the outrage that greeted the CSO ’s overreach at the time , Adesina , in a series of tweets,
had reiterated what he described as President Buhari’ s commitment to press freedom .
“ We weren ’ t consulted in the media office by the CSO before he expelled The PUNCH reporter .
President Buhari is committed to press freedom .
“ An amicable solution would be found to The Punch ’s reporter matter. President Buhari does not
intend to muzzle the media in any way ,” Adesina tweeted .
Drag South Africa To Icc, Bolaji Akinyemi Tells Fg

A former Nigerian foreign Minister Bolaji Akinyemi has urged the Buhari led federal government not
to ignore the damages and harm done by the People of South Africa to Nigerians and foreign nationals
in their country which according to him amounted to crimes against humanity.
South African mobs had besieged properties that were owned Nigerians and heavily attacked them even
killing many Nigerians and butchering others in very horrific ways all in the name of xenophobia.
He noted with dismay how the security officials in South Africa watched and even aided the mobs to
kill and destroy properties belong to Nigerians.
Makinde’s Election As Oyo Gov Upheld In Six-hour Tribunal

Judgement
THE governorship election tribunal sitting in Ibadan, on Monday, upheld INEC’s declaration of
candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the March 9 governorship election in Oyo State,
Oluseyi Makinde as the winner of the election.
Reading the judgment in the petition EPT/OY/GOV/01/2019, filed by Adebayo Adelabu and All
Progressives Congress (APC) against INEC, Oluseyi Makinde, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), head
of tribunal, Justice Sirajo Muhammed held that the petitioners failed to prove allegations of over-
voting, corrupt practices, substantial noncompliance with the electoral act 2010, while most of the
petitioners’ witnesses based their evidence on hearsay, not direct eyewitnesses accounts.
Muhammed also pointed to the failure of the petitioners to plead any alternative scores against that
released by INEC and prove over-voting which was a statutory basis for cancellation of results,
according to the electoral act.
The tribunal head held that the petitioner failed to tender voters register, relate statement of results to a
specific unit or constituency to show that there was over-voting and that if removed will substantially
affect result of the election.
The tribunal also ruled out the allegation of anomalies, wrongful collation of results or unaccounted
ballot papers, noting that no law compelled an accredited voter to vote.
Also noting that the petitioner presented 37 polling unit agents out of 1,426 polling units challenged,
Muhammed held that 1,389 units were therefore deemed abandoned.
However, the tribunal invalidated the result of unit 003, ward 09, Ido local government because the
returning officer produced two different results.
Other members of the three man panel that delivered the six-hour-long judgement were Mussa Bazza
and Elizabeth Orji.
In the petition dated March 29, 2019, filed by Adebayo Adelabu and All Progressives Congress (APC),
against INEC’s declaration of Makinde as winner of the election, the petitioners asked the tribunal to
nullify the governorship election for substantial noncompliance with the electoral act 2010 (as
amended) and order a fresh election.
Two arrested for allegedly stealing electronic cable

The petitioners, Adelabu and APC had argued that the election should be declared invalid alleging of
corrupt practices, improper accreditation, over-voting, inaccurate ballot accounting, infractions,
alterations, cancellations and irregularities in form EC8A.
Furthermore, the petitioners alleged disenfranchisement of voters in some polling units, mere allocation
of figures for the PDP by INEC, adding that PDP’s candidate, Makinde was not duly elected by the
majority of lawful voters.
As evidence to buttress its arguments, the petitioner had tendered 69 witnesses and 4,164 exhibits
before the tribunal.
However, INEC, as the first respondent, replied denying allegations of irregularities and
disenfranchisement of voters, asking the tribunal to dismiss the petition.
Specifically, INEC hinged its call for the dismissal of the petition on the failure of petitioners to point
at specific polling units where voters were disenfranchised and failure to prove irreconcilable entries.
In their separate replies, Makinde and PDP regarded the petition as epileptic, unmeritorious, frivolous
and lacking in merit, calling for the petition to be struck out.
Their counsels had argued that the petition’s applications were fill of uncertainty, imprecise and vague.
It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), through the state
collation officer, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe had returned Makinde elected in the March 9
governorship election having polled 515,621 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Chief Adebayo
Adelabu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who had 357,982 votes.
Jubilation As Ugwuanyi Inaugurates Abandoned 8.8km Eha

Amufu-nkalagu Road
…Reiterates commitment to rural development
There was jubilation in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State on Monday, as Governor
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi inaugurated the 8.8km reconstructed portion of Ikem-Eha Amufu-Nkalagu road,
which was abandoned over 36 years ago.
The 8.8km road, which was reconstructed for the people of the agrarian community of Eha Amufu in
Isi-Uzo L.G.A, is a gateway to the North through Obollo-Afor connecting Ebonyi State through
Nkalagu and provides access to the Nigercem Factory at Nkalagu that used to be the mainstay of the
economy and tourist attraction to the Eastern Nigeria.
The road is also one of the hitherto abandoned critical infrastructure and legacy projects in the rural
areas, executed by Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration in line with its rural development policy.
Inaugurating the road, Gov. Ugwuanyi stated that “this project is part of our deliberate efforts to
provide critical infrastructure to the rural communities to improve the quality of life, ease evacuation of
agricultural produce and facilitate market linkages, improve earnings amongst rural population,
stimulate local commerce and ultimately reduce poverty while curtailing rural-urban migration”.
The governor, who maintained that “integrated rural development and inclusive governance are the
major planks of our administration”, disclosed that “we have vigorously pursued these objectives
through numerous strategic rural infrastructural interventions”.
Describing the road as one of the oldest Federal Roads in the country, built before the Nigerian Civil
War, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who was accompanied by the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward
Ubosi, his colleagues, and the member representing Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency, Hon.
Prince Cornelius Nnaji, among others, revealed that it was last rehabilitated in 1981 by the
administration of Senator Jim Nwobodo as Governor of old Anambra State.
Appreciating the jubilant mood of the people of the area who came out en masse to witness the event,
the governor said: “We are encouraged by the happy faces of the people from communities in Eha
Amufu and environs that we see here today. I congratulate you, the true heroes of democracy for you
deserve this and even more”.
According to him, “your prayers and sincere support have been our major sources of strength and
inspiration. We are in government to alleviate the sufferings of our people and we remain irrevocably
committed to this mission”.
Earlier in his welcome remark, the Chairman of Isi-Uzo L.G.A, Dr. Benjamin Edeoga, on behalf of the
people of the council, thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for remembering Eha Amufu community and its
environs after over three decades of neglect, pointing out that “this road had been a death trap for the
past 30 years and nobody had touched it until you came and rescued us”.
His words: “Your Excellency, our people are very happy because you have wiped away our tears. You
have been addressing our plights. You are the David of our time. We have not seen it so good like this.
It is when you came on board that this road that had been abandoned was asphalted. Thank you, Your
Excellency, God will continue to strengthen you and bless you”.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Augustine Nnamani,
who is an indigene of the council, the Commissioner-nominee from the council, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga,
the traditional rulers, and others, appreciated Gov. Ugwuanyi for the indelible footprints he has left in
their area through the provision of legacy projects such as roads and inter-state bridges and
appointments of their sons and daughters into sensitive government positions.
IPOB: There Was No Plan To Arrest Kanu's Father-- Abia CP

The Abia State Police Command has debunked claims by the leadership of the Indigenous People of
Biafra (IPOB) that its personnel were planning to arrest the father of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, Igberetv
reports.
IPOB had at the weekend raised alarm about the presence of policemen and other security personnel
around the home of their leader. This is even as they (IPOB) claimed that the target of the security
agencies was to arrest Kanu’s father who reportedly arrived his compound almost two years after his
compound was invaded by soldiers.
On Monday, the State Police Commissioner, CP Ene Okon said “What IPOB has given to you people is
completely false.
“As a matter of fact, we received intelligence report that IPOB is going to have a meeting in Nnamdi
Kanu’s house.
“They prepared also for a protest over the alleged killing of their members during the operation Python
Dance and as an organization that is charged with maintenance of law and order and to ensure peace,
based on the intelligence that we gathered, we have to fortify the already existing police points within
the area which has been there for the past two years.
“All what we did is to put in more number of police in that area to ensure that there is peace in that
area. No policeman entered Nnamdi Kanu’s house or his father’s house.
“IPOB is pushing out propaganda to blackmail the police. The police didn’t even know whether Nnandi
Kanu’s father is at home or not. Under what offence will the police go to arrest Nnamdi Kanu’s father;
a 90-years-old man?
“If police is anyone to arrest, it is Nnamdi Kanu that the police will arrest because he has been declared
wanted and not the father.
“It is a mere propaganda or blackmail to win the sympathy of the Igbos by the IPOB. Remember that
IPOB has been proscribed by law and they remain proscribed.
“Any of their activities and gathering is illegal. If we get intelligence of their gathering which will
disrupt the peace of the area, I don’t think that we should sit back and look at them disturbing the peace
of the area,” Okon stated
Power Minister Assures Nigerians Of Stable Electricity Supply

The Minister of Power, Mr Sale Mamman, says the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari
will deliver uninterrupted power supply to Nigerians before the end of its tenure.
Mamman said the completion of all major power projects in the country would bring about stable and
quality electricity supply.
He gave the assurance after the inspection of the 215-megawatts Kaduna Power Plant, 132/33KV
Kudenda Substation and Mando transmission line in Kaduna on Friday, according to a statement on
Sunday.
Mamman, who was in company with the Minister of State, Mr Goddy Agba, said aside from increasing
generation capacity, the Kudenda Substation would provide voltage support to Kaduna, Kano and Jos
and improve the quality of electricity distributed to the public.
He expressed satisfaction with the level and quality of work done on the projects but warned
contractors against any delay in the completion of the projects.
Buhari Constitutes Economic Team: Charles Soludo, Others Get

New Appointments
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, in Abuja, approved the constitution of an
Economic Advisory Council (EAC), Igbere TV reports.
A statement obtained by Igbere TV issued by Buhari’s Spokesman, Femi Adesina, said the council will
replace the current Economic Management Team (EMT) and will be reporting directly to the President.
Igbere TV recalls that the now disbanded EMT had Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as chairman, who
presides over the weekly meetings and receive reports from it directly. With the latest development,
Osinbajo will no longer be in charge but Buhari.
“The Economic Advisory Council (EAC) will advise the President on economic policy matters,
including fiscal analysis, economic growth and a range of internal and global economic issues working
with the relevant cabinet members and heads of monetary and fiscal agencies.
“The EAC will have monthly technical sessions as well as scheduled quarterly meetings with the
President. The Chairman may, however, request for unscheduled meetings if the need arises”, the
statement issued by Adesina added.
The statement listed the following names as members of the newly constituted Council:
1. Prof. Doyin Salami – Chairman
2. Dr. Mohammed Sagagi – Vice-Chairman
3. Prof. Ode Ojowu – Member
4. Dr. Shehu Yahaya – Member
5. Dr. Iyabo Masha – Member
6. Prof. Chukwuma Soludo – Member

7. Mr. Bismark Rewane – Member
8. Dr. Mohammed Adaya Salisu – Secretary (Senior Special Assistant to the President, Development
Policy)
President Buhari Decries Attack On Saudi Oil Refinery Plants;

Assures Of Nigeria
President Muhammadu Buhari says the Federal Republic of Nigeria stands in solidarity with the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, following drone attacks yesterday on the refinery plants at Khurais and
Abqaiq.
“We in Nigeria once experienced attacks on our own oil facilities. Those who sought, by doing so, to
undermine governments of the day did not succeed then – nor at any time.
“The identities of those who sent the drones to attack the Saudi refineries, and from where, may not yet
be known. Still, these attacks similarly represent economic warfare aimed at damaging a government,
but, in reality, always and only damaging innocent citizens’ livelihoods: those with no place, nor cause,
to be harmed,” the President said.
“The attackers of Saudi Arabia will win no friends in the international community for their actions –
whoever they may be, and however certain they be in their cause,” the Nigerian leader added.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
September 16, 2019
Kidnap: Gunmen Abduct Bayelsa PDP Guber Aspirant’s

Brother, Three Others
Unknown gunmen abducted a stalwart of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) worldwide and younger
brother of governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Comrade Robert Igali, and
three others along Elele Community in Rivers State while on a visit to Bayelsa State bound accident
victims in the hospital.
The accident victims, according to eyewitness account, were returning from the marriage ceremony of
one of the aide of the member representing Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency in the House of
Representatives, Hon. Preye Oseke.
We gathered that they were returning from the marriage ceremony which they attended in Mbaise
Council Area of Imo State when the bus they boarded got involved in an accident.
It was further learnt that Igali and three of his friend, on hearing the news rushed to the scene of the
accident from Yenagoa, were kidnapped by unknown gunmen at Madonna University Teaching
Hospital in Elele Community where the accident victims were receiving treatment.
According to eyewitness account, one Mr. Prince Ekete who was also involved in the accident died on
the spot alongside the driver.
One of the accident victims, who is said to be responding to treatment at the time of filing this report,
Miss. Dini Adiva, posted these words on Facebook some hours ago: “i see you all, I can’t reply all your
posts & messages for now but I am grateful.’
“Also pray for those that were kidnapped while trying to make arrangements to move us from Madonna
University, Elele to Yenagoa, that they come out unhurt’.
“This is a trying time for me and I know it will pass. I appreciate all your love and support, I’m yet to
seat upright and walk, it will take me some time. Ebinebo Stample and others too are recuperating
well.’
Leadership gathered that the kidnappers, lured the team of sympathisers to a bush within the Madonna
Teaching Hospital with a phone call that the mobile phones of the victims were with them.
‘Upon getting to the spot, the gunmen came out with A.K.47 riffles and abducted them. They
threatened to kill them.’ a close source said.
The incident, according to the source occurred on Sunday morning.
The kidnappers, according to sources, have contacted the family of Igali, and said to be demanding N5
million as ransom of their son and others.
Ogun Citizens Dominate Returnees From South Africa

Ogun State has the highest number of the 187 returnees evacuated from South Africa last week.
The Federal Government did a profile of the recent victims of xenophobic attacks in South Africa who
had willingly accepted to return to the country.
The profile showed that the first batch of the 187 returnees are from 16 states of the federation.
Chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, (NIDCOM) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, appealed to state
governments to support then returnees.
Already, letters of appeal have been sent to the states to solicit for their interventions.
Bank of Industry (BOI) and some telecommunication companies have also provided some support.
NIDCOM boss who gave an update on the returnees at a press conference on Tuesday said that among
the returnees were over 30 children and a widow who has four children.
She also revealed that from the profiling, Ogun State has the highest number of 30, followed by Imo
State with 28 while Kogi and Benue have the least number of one each.
The states of returnees are – Abia – 7, Anambra 13, Benue 1, Delta 15, Ebonyi 2, Edo 13, Ekiti 6 and
Enugu 7.
Others are Imo 28, Kogi 1, Kwara 3, Lagos 7, Ogun 30, Osun 6, Ondo 6 and Oyo 23.
She said that her commission was already communicating with every state listed.
She added that information had already been sent to the states but they will take the final decision.
According to her, the widow with four children is from Ondo State.
PDP Hails Tribunal Judgment On Oyo Guber … Commends

Makinde On Delivery
September 16, 2019
Press Statement
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hails the upholding of the victory of Oyo State Governor Seyi
Makinde by the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, describing it as victory for democracy, justice
and the people of Oyo state, who gave him their mandate at the March 9 governorship election.
The party says the jubilant atmosphere across the state over the verdict is a clear testimony that the
judgment fulfilled the desires and expectations of the people of Oyo state.
The people of Oyo state are particularly overjoyed with the judgment because of Governor Makinde’s
demonstrated capacity and commitment to deliver good governance in all sectors of life in the state.
The PDP in congratulating Governor Makinde and the people of Oyo state, also commends the
governor for his zeal in repositioning the state and urged him not to relent in his vision to turn around
the fortunes of the people.
The party also commends the members of the tribunal for their courage in delivering justice in spite of
the shenanigans and manipulations of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
Sen. Kalu Lauds President Buhari Over Inauguration Of

Economic Advisory Council
Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Orji Kalu, on Monday, commended President Muhammadu
Buhari for inaugurating an Economic Advisory Council (EAC) chaired by Professor Doyin Salami,
Igbere TV reports.
While applauding President Buhari’s efforts in fixing the nation's economy, Kanu expressed confidence
in the membership of the council.
The former governor noted that the members of the team are people with integrity and vast experience
in their respective fields.
While charging the new team to work collectively with the organised private sector (OPS), relevant
government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), the academia and other stakeholders in a
bid to retool the economy, Kalu stressed that government must sustain pragmatic programmes and
policies that will enhance the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) in the country.
The former governor, who is a big player in the Nigerian economy, emphasized the imperative of
pragmatic monetary and fiscal policies in promoting sustainable development.
In a statement signed by his media office and made available to Igbere TV on Monday, Kalu stated that
with the inauguration of the EAC, the President has demonstrated his determination to build a strong
and robust economy.
He said, " the constitution of an Economic Advisory Council (EAC) by President Buhari is a welcome
and timely development.
"The EAC will play a crucial role in complementing the efforts of the President in fixing Nigeria's
economy.
" The government must drive policies that will create a conducive business atmosphere for local and
foreign investors.
"The team must review the current economic policies in a bid to stimulate growth and development".
The former governor while calling on government to grant concessions inform of tax holidays, import
duty waivers and export promotion and expansion grants to the agricultural, manufacturing and
industrial sectors, noting that the economic base of the country must be diversified for national well
being.
Kalu, who wished the newly constituted team success in their national assignment, urged the Organised
Private Sector (OPS) and other stakeholders to support the President in its determination to reposition
the country.
Flooding Imminent As Rivers Niger, Benue Rise

Many states across the country will witness more floods following the rise in the water levels of
Nigeria ’ s two major rivers – River Niger and River Benue , the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency
declared on Monday .
NIHSA is the Federal Government’ s agency that has the mandate of monitoring all the major rivers in
Nigeria including the trans - boundary rivers Niger and Benue , among other functions .
The agency stated that one of the latest information it received on September 6 , 2019 , from the
headquarters of the Niger Basin Authority in Niamey, Niger Republic , confirmed steady rise into the
Red Alert Zone up to 6 . 26 metres of the flood level of River Niger monitored in Niamey.
The Director- General , NIHSA , Clement Nze , explained that flood alerts were graded as Yellow Alert
, 5 . 5 m to 5 . 8 m ; Orange Alert , 5 . 8 m to 6 . 2 m; and Red Alert , 6 . 2 m and above .
Details to come …
Kogi Gov’ship: Mass Defection Looms In PDP

There are indications that all may not be well in the camp of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
governorship candidate in Kogi State, following an impending mass defection from the opposition
party.
The dust raised by the primary election that produced Engr Musa Wada is yet to settle as more PDP
chieftains in the state have expressed their willingness to either defect to the opposition APC or stay
within PDP and work against the party.
A PDP chieftain from Kogi West told our correspondent that all is not well with the party, just as
he said the controversy that trailed the primary election may have ruined the chances of the
party to return to power soon.
According to the chieftain who does not want his name in print because, PDP may have turned
the November 16 election to a no contest for the incumbent governor, Yahaya Bello.
He said, “One of the founding fathers of the party in PDP and a former acting governor in the
State, Hon. Clarence Olafemi is already gone. In Kogi politics, the fear of the likes of Olafemi is
the beginning of wisdom. He was a former Minority Leader if the State Assembly; a former
Speaker of the State House of Assembly and a former Acting Governor. For him to openly declare
for Bello, it means the PDP is just waiting to collapse completely.
“Alh. Ibrahim Idris is our leader in Kogi State. He was Governor for 9 years and also brought Capt.
Idris Wada. The way and manner his son, Abu Ibro was treated during the primary was unfair and an
insult on our leader. There is no way PDP can be the same again.
To add to the insults, Sam Aro was made the running mate to a greenhorn. Sam Aro was a former
House of Reps members who has lost his last two elections. He is no more a force in Yagba politics.
Hon Sunday Karimi is more on ground in Yagba.
“The cream of people behind Abu Ibro are the real PDP people. And right now, they have made up their
mind to work against Engr Musa Wada”.
Confirming this, the former acting governor, Clarence Olafemi, said yesterday that his visit at the
weekend to Governor Bello was because of impunity in PDP and that he may be dumping the PDP for
APC soon.
Speaking at his residence in Lokoja on Sunday, Olafemi noted that PDP has cheated on him
several times and he cannot continue to stay in the party.
He noted: “I am one of the strong members of PDP in the state, yet the National Working
Committee of the party failed to recognise my input and effort for the party. I was the running
mate to Jubril Isah in 2015 governorship primary election of the party but we were later replaced
by the party and brought in Captain Idris Wada and Yomi Awoniyi as running mate without any
reason.”
“In 2019 general election, I was one of the Senatorial aspirants from Kogi west, I was denied
from contesting as the party imposed Senator Dino Melaye who just decamped from APC back to
PDP.
“My governorship aspirant in the just concluded primary of the party, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Idris,
was denied of the Governorship ticket of the party by some power to be in the party and gave victory to
Engr. Musa Wada because they hate Alhaji Ibrahim Idris the former governor of the state. With all these
impunities how do you expect me to continue staying in PDP? I’m not the first person to decamp from
one party to another.”
“President Mohammadu Buhari and my mentor Alhaji Abubakar Atiku all decamped from one party to
another. Am not going to be the first or the last. I had a fruitful discussion with Governor Yahaya Bello
and am very satisfied with the outcome of our meeting.”
Olafemi who was also former speaker Kogi state House of Assembly noted that he will follow due
process when he is going to decamp from PDP to APC stressing that he will do it openly and very soon.
Also, shortly after the primary, Engr Wada made moves to reconcile the party, with a visit to Sen Dino
Melaye and it was thought to be all peace until Dino Melaye rejected his appointment to head the
campaign as Director General.
Sen. Melaye made some disparaging remarks to announce his rejection of the appointment, despite
being visited by the National Chairman of the party, predicting a chaotic future for the party.
In Kogi East, virtually all the PDP leaders in the camp of Ibrahim Idris have moved to the APC.
Also, a source close to the candidate of the PDP candidate told our reporter in confidence that the
candidate is under pressure from his creditors even as he scouts for funds to prosecute the election.
He said, “I must confess to you that the only hope we have is if Alh. Ibrahim Idris will forgive us and
support Engr Wada. Suleiman Idris did his best for us to defeat his brother, Abu Ibro during the
primary. But I am aware funds were borrowed to execute the primary.
“Strategically, we targeted the primary election and didn’t bother to visit everywhere in the buildup to
the primary. Now, those creditors are making life difficult for us by demanding for their money as
things look tight for us.
“Capt Idris Wada has shown great spirit of sportsmanship but he can’t match that with funds. He
couldn’t even fund his primary properly. So the only hope we have now is to persuade Alhaji Ibro to
support us”.
Dino Melaye Speaks On Dumping PDP, Returning To APC

Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Dino Melaye, has denied
allegation that he was planning to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All
Progressives Congress (APC).
Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Dino Melaye, has
denied allegation that he was planning to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All
Progressives Congress (APC).
Melaye made the denial on Monday via his official twitter handle.
According to him, only ‘foolish and stupid’ people will decamp from PDP to APC.
The Senator also stated that APC will be defeated in forthcoming Kogi governorship election.
“Only compound fools and people with degree in stupidity will leave PDP for APC. APC will be
defeated in Kogi State,” Melaye tweeted.
Recall that the Senator rejected the party’s appointment as the Director-General of the Kogi State
PDP Governorship Campaign Council.
His tweet last Friday rejecting the offer sparked speculations that the Senator might dump the PDP.
He had tweeted, “Let me state categorically that I have turned down the position of the Director-
General of the Kogi State Governorship Campaign Council.
“I wish PDP all the best.
“When truth is a casualty, there is chaos.”
September 17
10 Things You Need To Know About "Security Votes"

(1.) Security votes are monies earned by all elected government officials in Nigeria. ( Governors,
legislators, Local government Chairmen, Counsellors, etc).
(2.) The security votes are deducted from the state's monthly federal allocations.
(3.) It is said to be the first deduction that governors make when they see their state's "bank alerts". This
is, irrespective of whether civil servants salaries are being owed in the state or not.
(4.) The security vote is a monthly affair.
(5.) Security vote is an invention by the military junta. It was originally intended for military
administrators to carry out intelligence gathering, to help secure the ruling regime from coups, or to
attend to other security challenges.
(6.) The security votes are usually unappropriated. In other words, they are not spent for the purpose for
which they were designed for.
(7.) Security votes are never accounted for. In other words, the monies ultimately find their ways into
the private pockets of politicians.
(8.) It is not backed by any law.
(9.) It is unconstitutional.
(10.) This is one of the many frauds that the Nigerian system has given legitimacy to.
***************
Care to know how much your state governors earn as security votes?
If yes, then check the list below and see why politicians kill themselves to sustain or entrench
themselves in office.
Enugu: N600m/month.
Anambra: N850m/month (about 10billion annually).
Abia state: N700m/month (about N8.4billion annually).
Imo: N4billion annually.
Cross river state: N500m/month (about N6 billion annually).
Rivers state: N1.5billion/ monthly (about N18 billion annually).
Akwa Ibom state: N1.8Billion monthly (about N21.6 billion annually).
Edo state: N900m/month (as at 2008).

Delta state: N2Billion/monthly ( about N24billon annually).
*Bayelsa state: No Record Available.
Lagos state: N17.149Billion annually [N15.559B (Public order and safety) + N1.59B (Social
Protection)].
Ondo state: N600m/month (about N7.2 billion annually).
Osun state: N400m/month (N4.8 billion annually).
Oyo state: Not Specified but the Governor draws his security votes from annual "General
Administration" budget which is N44.559 Billion annually.
Ogun state: N80m - N100m/ month. (about N960m - N1.2billion/ annually).
Ekiiti state: N100m monthly ( about N1.2 billion annually).
Nassarawa state: N100Million Monthly (N1.2 billion annually).
Kwara state: No Record Available.
Borno state: N9.675billion annually.
Yobe state: N3.8billion annually.
Taraba State: N200m/month (about N2.4billion annually).
Bauchi state: N17billion annually.
Adamawa state: No Record Available.
Gombe state: No Record Available.
Kano State: No record available.
Kaduna state: N4.556bn billion annually. (N2.1 billion as security vote and another N2.7 billion tagged
“Security Vote (Preventive and Supportive)” for the SSG’s office.)
Katsina state: N211 million annually.
Zamfara state: N600m/monthly (N7.2billion annually).

Kebbi state: No Record Available.
Sokoto state: No Record Available.
Jigawa state: No Record Available.
Benue state: Not Specified. But N37.1 billion allocation to personnel and overhead costs annually
which cover security vote, among others.
Niger state: Not Specified. But the Governor draws his security votes from annual N15.7 billion for
general administration
Plateau state: N2.6billion annually.
Kogi state: N400m monthly (about N4.8 billion annually).
Copied
EROSION SACKS AMAWBIA COMMUNITY 300 HOMES

CUT OFF 4,000 SCHOOL CHILDREN OUT OF SCHOOLS
TWO ESCAPE DEATH
When schools resumed yesterday no fewer that four thousand pupils and students could not return to
their schools as vehicular movements have become impossible and school children had to carry their
boxes across the gully.
Also farm lands and buildings under construction along Adebebe-Nise road now hang on the cliff as the
next heavy rain would surely sweep them into the Obibia River in the area.
Yabagi Sani: South-East Leaders Treating IPOB Issue With Kid

Gloves
Engr. Yabagi Sani, National Chairman of Action Democratic Party (ADP) in this interview with
JOY ANIGBOGU, spoke on the role of youths in national development, recent activities of
Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and other issues. Excerpts:
Recently you held a maiden national youth summit. What did you plan to achieve?
We believe that for youths to bounce back to reckoning, they need the backings and support of
governments. They have to be educated, employed and empowered socially, politically and financially.
Unfortunately the leadership cadre in Nigeria is filled with aged politicians who think nation building is
their exclusive preserve and as such youth should not be given a chance. Perhaps, their stand explains
why though youths are said to be leaders of tomorrow, that future never comes.
The national youth summit is another testimony to the pride of place ADP has for young men and
women as well as persons living with disability who by the ADP compulsory and constitutional
provisions, must occupy 25 percent of Party Executive and all other elective and appointive positions
from the National, State, Local Government down to the unit level.
Hence our decision to hold this Youth Summit, the first of its kind in the history of our Party, with the
theme: “Building Bridges Amongst Youth Across Continents” and the reason we have invited one of
the youngest members of the British Conservative Party with a rising profile from the United Kingdom,
“Mr. Jaymey Mclvor” as our Guest Speaker.
How can you describe the recent activities of Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) abroad, attack
of Ekweremadu in Germany and their attempt to meet with Mr. President in Japan?
The IPOB activity can be viewed from both political and economical angles. When people start
thinking that they are not part and parcel of what should belong to them, there is problem. If the
unemployment level is not as high as it is I don’t think people would want to leave the country, because
they have seen that nothing is happening that would give them confidence, that is why what happened
in Japan took place in the first place. I think that the political aspect of it is what the president should be
able to solve but also my message to the South East is that if they want to have leadership of the
country, they should exhibit discipline and maturity. Today we are talking about power shift and the
South-East says power should return to them. It is a political issue that the South-East at this time
should understand that what happened in Japan gave them a bad name. Would Mr. President hand over
power to his enemies if he has to make that choice? The reality is that Nigeria as we have today would
go beyond where we are when power at national level ceases to be an issue based on merit.
What is your view about the opinion in some quarters that Mr. President is treating Fulani
herders with kid’s gloves?
Being a former head of State, I cannot see any reason why he cannot take effective measures to handle
the issue of Fulani herdsmen, banditry, kidnapping and what have you. If the president cannot take care
of the security and welfare of the people, what is the use of the government if it cannot tackle the issue
of security and welfare of the people? Whatever it is that is standing between the president and these
issues. I think that by now he should have been able to jettison those things.
Do you believe in power shift in the country?
As a political party, we are for all-inclusiveness. We believe in justice and fair play. We allow
democracy to have its way because when you allow democracy to have its way then you can begin to
talk about good governance. The reality we have today in terms of deciding who gets what, I think the
South-East people should do better if they begin to act with maturity and sense of responsibility. What
is four years in the life of a nation? If in four years’ time you are going to have the opportunity to rule
the country, wait until it comes to you, then do what you like with it. When you start to act not only in
the country but outside the country, giving the country a bad name, the consequences may be huge
when you need the support of other regions. People would begin to ask if they share the sentiments of
one Nigeria. I know that in Nigeria if care is not taken, because the impression that the South-East may
likely want to consider seceding, Yoruba may take the next presidency, in spite of the fact that they
have just finished. If you see that the South-East cannot be controlled with what IPOB is doing, then
why do you want to give power to those who cannot control their erring members?
What if the South-East region refutes the allegation that IPOB represents it?
A question was asked as to why President failed to control the Fulani herdsmen because they believe
that Buhari is a Fulani man and should be able to take care of them. Similarly people can start inferring
that South-East should be able to take care of IPOB. Just as you can say that Buhari has failed because
you think that he possesses other avenues he can explore aside being the president to solve this
problem. We can also say that for reasons best known to the South-East people, they are treating IPOB
with kids gloves. We saw the case of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), former President Olusegun
Obasanjo ordered they be shot at sight, but we saw some governors of the South-West using them, till
today. It will do the South-East good to tackle the issue of IPOB, just like Buhari should call Fulani
herdsmen to order.
El-Rufai has said that the North will not handover power in 2023. What is your view?
He was probably speaking for All Progressives Congress (APC) not ADP.
What do you think about the speculation in some quarters that Buhari is planning to handover to
Tinubu?
It is not exclusive right of APC to present the next president. Nigerians should decide who would
emerge and not APC. The APC would bring its candidate and others too would bring theirs and Nigeria
would decide who the next president would be. Awakening the consciousness of the people and making
sure that the electoral laws are amended to give level playing ground, ensuring that power is held
accountable. Nigerians should speak out. The important thing is that the press must be alive to the need
to change the scenario. It should be in the vanguard. Systems that are more entrenched than Nigeria did
it. We had Obama as president of United Sates of America. We also have Trump, which is more
revolutionary. It means that change is possible.
Don’t you think that it was unfair for the president to have asked the Governors of Taraba and
Benue States to answer questions to the killings in Taraba, when we know that governors are not
in control of the military and police?
They are the security chiefs in their States. Administratively, the commissioner of police is under the
governor but functionally he is under the Inspector General of Police (IGP) which means that they are
supposed to explore the administrative relationship between the commissioner of police and the
governors to ensure that some of those things happening are checked. The commissioner of police and
other agencies in that State sit in a security meeting every week. If the President asked the governors to
account, he was right because the governors are heads of the security meetings that they hold in their
States.
Seun Onigbinde: Aye Dee "BudgITng Funded By A CIA Front"

Mukhtar Daniya popularly known as Aye Dee, has stated that BudgITng which is co-founded by Seun
Onigbinde, is funded by a company used as a front by the CIA.
Recall that Seun Onigbinde tendered his resignation yesterday, few days after he accepted a Federal
Government role despite being a staunch critic of the Buhari administration.
Reacting to Seun Onigbinde’s appointment by the Nigerian government, Aye Dee stated that it showed
a lack of intelligence.
In another series of tweets, Aye Dee stated that foreign agendas are pushed by embedding agents in
government.
Oyo Guber: APC Rejects Tribunal Ruling
The All Progressives Congress(APC) in Oyo State said on Monday that it received the judgment of the
Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in the state with dismay, Igberetv reports.
The party’s Publicity Secretary, Dr Azeez Olatunde, said in a statement on Monday in Ibadan that the
State Working Committee would refer the ruling to its legal team for necessary recommendations.
Igberetv reports that the three-member tribunal led by Justice Muhammed Sirajo had in their
unanimous judgment dismissed the petition filed by Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the APC candidate in the
governorship election for lack of merit.
Adelabu had dragged Gov. Seyi Makinde, who is the PDP candidate in the election, before the tribunal
to challenge his victory at the poll.
“The State Working Committee of the Party in its proactive manner has decided to refer the tribunal
ruling to our team of legal experts for necessary recommendations which the party hopes to follow
appropriately,” it said.
It thanked members of the party for being law-abiding and urged them as well as sympathisers to await
the party’s next line of action in due course.
116,623 Cases Pending In Federal High Courts - Chief Judge

John Tsoho
The Acting Chief Judge (CJ) of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho has promised to work
towards improved efficiency and workers’ welfare as he revealed that about 116,623 cases are pending
in the courts.
Speaking at the beginning of the 2019/2010 new legal year of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice
John Tsoho said 16,144 cases were filed this quarter alone out of which 12,692 had been disposed off.
The Chief Judge who hailed court’s judges for their contributions to the promotion of democracy
especially the efficient handling of election matters, also promised to ensure the appointment of more
judges for the court due to the high volume of pending cases.
“From the reports received, about 116,623 cases are pending in the Federal High Court; 16,144 cases
were filed in this quarter alone in which 12,692 have been disposed off.
“It is obvious that the judges were over-burdened with work in the last legal year. We, therefore, need
to engage more judicial officers to help out.
“However, it does appear that there was no provision for appointment of judges in the current budget.
“I will make efforts to discuss with the relevant stakeholders to see to the possibility of facilitating the
recruitment of more judicial officers in the course of the year" he said.
Profile Of Members of Buhari's New Economic Advisory

Council
Here is what you need to know about the appointees.
1. Doyin Salami
He is a senior lecturer at Lagos Business School where he leads sessions in the economic environment
of business. He has also served as director of programmes for five years until January 2005.
Mr. Salami is a doctoral degree graduate of Queen Mary College, University of London. His research
interests include corporate long-term financial management; macroeconomic policy; corporate
competitiveness and risk management; and characteristics of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
He served as member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria and had been a
member of the Federal Government’s Economic Management Team.
2. Bismarck J. Rewane
Mr Rewane is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company

Limited in Lagos.
He has more than thirty years of experience as an Economist, Banker & Financial Analyst. He is a
Chartered member of the Institute of Bankers of England and Wales and a Fellow of The Nigerian
Institute of Bankers.
3. Chukwuma C. Soludo
The former CBN governor was born on 28th July, 1960, and hails from Aguata Local Government Area
of Anambra State. After his secondary school education, he proceeded to the University of Nigeria,
Nsukka, where he graduated with a first class degree in Economics. He also undertook his postgraduate
and doctorate degrees in Economics from the same University winning on both occasions, the prize for
the best graduating student.
Mr Soludo, a professor, had cumulative four years of post-doctoral training in some of the world’s most
prestigious institutions, including: The Brookings Institution, Washington, DC; University of
Cambridge, UK, as Smuts Research Fellow and Fellow of the Wolfson College; the UN Economic
Commission for Africa as a Post-Doctoral Fellow; University of Warwick as a Visiting scholar and
Visiting Research Scholar at Center for African Economies, University of Oxford (with funding by the
Rhodes committee). He also attended over a dozen specialized courses and has had extensive research,
teaching and consultancy works in different areas of economics.
He has worked at the World Bank both as a short and long-term consultant since 1993 and also at the
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa.
4. Sheu Yahaya
Prior to his appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Development Bank of Nigeria Plc
(DBN) in March 2017, Mr Yahaya was the Bank’s Interim Managing Director.
He has an outstanding career in Academia and Development Finance, having held several management
and executive roles, including Executive Director at the African Development Bank and member,
Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Before joining the African Development Bank, he served as Deputy General Manager at Nigeria
Export-Import Bank (NEXIM). He was a lecturer in Macroeconomics at the Department of Economics
in University of Sussex, UK and Head of Economics Department in Bayero University kano, Nigeria.
5. Ode Ojowu
Ode Ojowu (born August 16, 1948) is a Nigerian economics professor and a former Chief Executive of
the National Planning Commission. He was also Chief Economic Adviser to Former President
Olusegun Obasanjo between 2004 and 2005.
He has held positions at the International Monetary Bank, the World Bank, and the United Nations
Development Programme .He was a professor of economics at the University of Jos.
In 2008 Ojowu was appointed head of the governing council of the Benue State University.
6.Mohammed Sagagi
Mr Sagagi has a Certificate Course in Making Markets Work for the Poor from Springfield Center,
Durham UK; PhD (Economics) from University of Warwick, Coventry, England (1985) with thesis on
Commercial Policy and Industrialization in Nigeria; and M Sc. (Economics) from the University of
Warwick, Coventry, England (1981).
He bagged his B Sc. in Economics with First Class Hons. from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,
Nigeria in 1977. He serves as Political Economy and Government Relations Adviser at a DFID-funded
Programme on Skills Development and Entrepreneurship (Mafita) in Northern Nigeria.
He is an Economist and Development Consultant with a strong academic background and extensive
private sector experience in Nigeria. His expertise and ability to carry out research, conduct diagnostic
studies, design interventions as well as formulate practical development strategies.
According to his details, he has interests in political economy and sustainability of interventions- and
play crucial roles in ensuring that Political Economy and sustainability issues are (a) integral to design
and (b) part of the day-to-day management of all interventions. He has participated in a number of
Federal, State and Local Governments of Nigeria reform programmes.
7. Salisu Mohammed
Born in 1959 in Mamudo, Potiskum LGA, Yobe State, Mr. Salisu is married with 3 children. He bagged
PhD in Economics from Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom (1990). His thesis was titled
Oil Exports and the Nigerian Economy: An Econometric Study. He also bagged MSc degree in
Economics from University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria in1986 and BSc (FIRST CLASS HONS)
in Economics also from University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria, in 1982.
8. IYABO MASHA
Iyabo Masha is a global economist with a demonstrated history of working in central banking and
financial markets, economic management, international lending, finance and development. Strong
focus on macroeconomic stabilization policy research and implementation.
She has worked with the International Monetary Fund since 2003 in Washington D.C. Metro Area.
According to her, the assignments in more than 10 emerging markets (Asian and African countries)
focus on comprehensive economic management including: (i) policy reform advisory services and
dialogue with governments (ii) financing and lending programs; (iii) analytic research and economic
modeling and forecasting. Specifically, she helps design for national governments and central banks,
implementable solutions specific to their circumstance.
She also ensures that key economic and financial policy reforms are focused on fiscal and debt
sustainability; foreign reserve adequacy; improving the transmission mechanism of monetary policy;
achieving depth, safety and soundness in the financial sector; and managing capital flight.
She worked at Central Bank of Nigeria’s Research Department between 1998 and 2003. She also
worked with the World Bank between 1997 and 1998 as well as the IRIS Center, University of
Maryland at College Park as a consultant.
She is the immediate past IMF Representative for Sierra Leone.
FFK Tells President Buhari What To Do With Letter Of Apology

From South Africa
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, FFK, has advised President Buhari on what to do with
the letter of apology sent by President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa.
Recall that President Buhari welcomed a South African envoy which came with the letter of apology
from President Ramaphosa over the xenophobic attacks suffered by Nigerians in his country.
Reacting to the news of the envoy’s arrival, FFK stated that President Buhari should use the letter of
apology as a toilet paper.
Wike Won Election, Says APC Witness

The African Action Congress (AAC) collation agent for Rivers State governorship election, Nenye
Kocha, has testified that Governor Nyesom Wike won the March 9 election.
Kocha, who testified as AAC’s star witness yesterday, said there was no time the AAC candidate led in
the race during collation of results.
He told the tribunal that the party had only 418 agents across the 4,442 units. As a new party, it was
only able to clear four House of Assembly candidates and one governorship candidate, he added.
According to Kocha, Donatus Bariko, from Gokana council, and Henry Iyala, from Degema council,
who testified for Awara as party collation agents, were not party members but imposters.
Kocha admitted that the party no longer had a deputy governorship candidate following the withdrawal
of Chief Akpo Bomba Yeeh from the race. According to him, the AAC won in only two councils –
Akuku-Toru and Oyigbo – as declared by INEC.
He said most of the witnesses presented by Biokpomabo Awara initially were not members of AAC.
The witness said AAC started in August 2018 and prepared for the election two days after it was
adopted by APC.
A certified video clip was also presented by AAC, through its subpoenaed witness, Osademe Joseph.
The video proved Wike won the governorship election after collation of results between April 2 and 3.
Osademe told the tribunal that he was one of the producers of the live broadcast of election results
collation between April 2 and 3, at INEC’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.
In the video clip, INEC declared Wike winner of the poll with 888,264 votes ahead of AAC candidate,
Awara, who came second with 173, 859 votes.
The video also confirmed the collation and declaration of Obio Akpor council results and non-
declaration of Gokana and Abua/Odual councils.
The matter was adjourned till today.
1,723 Contractors Received N70bn Without Mobilising To Site

―Reps
…As Contractors Move to Halt Probe
By Tordue Salem – Abuja

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee on abandoned Projects in Niger Delta has
discovered that a total of 1,723 contractors had collected a total of N70.495 billion without
mobilising to the site.
Recall that at last week sitting of the panel, the Auditor General of the Federation (AuGF),
had disclosed that N64.4 billion was wasted by the NDDC as mobilisation fees on
abandoned projects in the Niger Delta region.
But the Accountant General of the Federation’s (AGF) Report submitted to the ad hoc
committee and obtained by Vanguard, shows that 1,723 contractors never went to the site
after collecting N70,495,993,761 billion.
The report indicates that “90 per cent of these contracts were awarded between 2011 and
2012. It needs to be strengthened that some of these contractors have three to four jobs with
their mobilization payments without reporting to site”
It further stated that “one can, therefore, imagine why the region is not developed when a
developmental programme is being awarded as a contract to be completed within six
months and the contractor would collect mobilization without reporting to site.
“The report above excluded those contractors that collected mobilization and reported to
the site but with insignificant achievement before abandoning the projects. This equally
excluded those in which the commission has declared their projects as stalled.
“It is a common practice for the commission’s contractors to collect mobilization and refuse
to move to site. The blame for this should not only go to the contractors but equally to the
management of NDDC, who awarded contracts that were not in existence, that is contracts
without identification of the site, resulting to non-reporting to site by the contractor.
“Besides the above, it was also observed that about 50 per cent of the contractors who
claimed they have executed their various contracts specifications and completed with
supporting engineers valuation certificate were later found out by the team that some
merely collected money for work not executed”.
Details of the contracts show that in Abia state, out of N17.641bn contract sum, N2.027bn
was paid for 32 projects, in Akwa Ibom, N4.229bn paid out of N31.681bn contract for 64
projects; in Bayelsa N4.970bn paid out of N27.647bn contract for 80 projects; in Cross
River, N2.065bn paid out of N13.451bn for 29 projects, while Delta has 99 projects for
which N7.836bn has been paid out of N31.765bn.
In Edo state, N2.065bn has been paid for 51 projects out of N13.927bn; in Imo, N1.859bn
paid out for 33 projects out of N13.184bn while Ondo and Rivers have 50 and 106 projects
for which N6.173bn and N13.146bn have been paid out of N29.977bn and N56.717bn
contracts respectively.
The report said “in the auditor’s opinion, this ugly trend will continue in the system in as
much as the same class of people were recycling in the management and board of the
commission”
Meanwhile, the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele is to
appear before the probe panel investigating projects abandoned by the NDDC on Thursday.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai confirmed this in a chat with
newsmen yesterday.
Ossai explained that though the CBN governor was to appear before the committee on
Tuesday, the letter of invitation was delayed so the committee had to reschedule it to
Thursday.
But it was further gathered that there is pressure on the leadership of the House to dissolve
the investigating committee following the sordid revelations coming out from the probe so
far.
An insider in the committee confided in our correspondent that some of the indicted
companies and contractors were using fronts to impress on the leadership of the House to
stop the committee from further probe.
“I can confirm to you that the work of this committee has sent jitters to most of the
contractors and companies that either collected payments without going to site or those who
collected and later abandoned the sites and they are running helter-skelter trying to use
some people in the House to influence the House leadership to dissolve the ad hoc
committee. We have heard rumours like this.
“But I know who the honourable speaker Femi Gbajabiamila is; he will not listen to
anybody that comes with such a complaint, so we are not bothered. We are doing our job
and we have told the chairman not to be shaken but to remain resolute and I can assure you,
we will get to the root of this rot.
“It is a shame that a commission that was established to redress the injustice done to the
Niger Delta region is being turned into a bazaar for sharing contracts and not executing
them. All Niger Delta indigenes involved in this shameful and criminal acts should bow
their heads in shame”, the lawmaker stated.
We Are Working To Make Our Economy Grow As Fast As

China's - Minister Of Finance
Zainab Ahmed, Nigeria's Minister of Finance, Budget and National planning, says the Buhari-led
administration is working hard to ensure that the economy grows as fast as that of China and that of
other world powers.
Igbere TV reports that Ahmed made this known on Monday September 16th at a news conference on
the forthcoming 25th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja.
According to the Minister, the Federal government is working hard to move the country to the top 100
on the ease of doing business ranking as steps have been taken towards making the country investment-
friendly and competitive.
Disclosing efforts taken so far to move the economy forward, the Minister said
“We have established a competitiveness advisory council and special economic zones (SEZs) in the six
geo-political zones, as a vehicle for partnering with the private sector.
The initiative is in line with the modern trend of providing infrastructure to business clusters to
improve and boost economic activities in such zones as found in China and other fast-growing
economies. We believe that these initiatives will improve trade balances, investment and create jobs.”
she said
Ebonyi State Unveils Her New Government House
Seun Onigbinde: My Resignation Has Nothing To Do With

Bashing I Received Online
Seun Onigbinde has stated that his resignation from the Buhari-led administration had nothing to do
with the attacks he received online following his appointment.
Onigbinde, the Co-founder of BudgIT, yesterday announced his resignation as the Technical Adviser to
the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba. His resignation came after his
appointment was greeted with shock and disapproval by Nigerians. Many felt he should never take an
appointment with the same government his has openly criticised and worked against.
ECOWAS Appeals To Nigeria To Reopen Borders

The ECOWAS Parliament on Monday appealed to the Nigerian government to reopen its closed
borders as it hampers on the implementation of free trade movement within the ECOWAS region.
Speaker of the Parliament, Hon. Moustapha Cisse Lo made the call in a statement at the opening of the
2nd Extra-Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Monrovia, Liberia.
He added that the border closure poses a threat to the implementation of the Protocol on the Free
Movement of Persons at a time when Africa need to intensify efforts for effective abolition of barriers
within the Community.
Cisse Lo, however, urged the government to find a permanent solution to the challenge of smuggling,
rather than closing the borders, which was not a lasting solution.
“In the same vein, the closure of the Nigerian borders with Benin more than a month ago and Niger
more recently is a hindrance to the achievement of the Community’s main objective, which is to
achieve the creation of a prosperous, borderless West African region where peace and harmony prevail.
“The ECOWAS Parliament calls for compliance with Community provisions and thus calls for the
reopening of borders and a coordinated fight against smuggling in the region;
“The root causes of this recurrent situation must be studied with a view to finding a permanent
solution,” he added.
He also condemned the Xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, saying that it had constituted
real threats to African integration.
“At the time of our session, serious events are taking place on our continent and should be given
special attention.
“Indeed, in South Africa, in recent weeks, we have witnessed an upsurge in extremely violent
xenophobic acts.
“These sad images of Africa, these painful events and the tensions they generate challenge us as elected
representatives of our peoples, we are extremely concerned and deeply outraged.
“The ECOWAS Parliament calls on the South African authorities to assume their responsibility by
guaranteeing all their foreign nationals the right to life, physical integrity and free movement.
“We also call on all African States and the African Union to adopt diligent initiatives to restore peace
and security and ensure a return to calm in South Africa and all other States.
Cisse Lo, however, expresses the readiness of the Parliament to discuss the 2020 budget of the
ECOWAS Community.
He said that the agenda of the extraordinary session was to adopt Parliament’s draft Budget for 2020
financial year, as well as the revision of Rule 13 of the Rules of Procedure of the Fourth Parliament
devoted to the Inaugural Session.
He said that an Ad Hoc Committee was set up to prepare a preliminary draft of Parliament’s Budget for
the year 2020.
According to him, the report of the said Ad Hoc Committee was transmitted and examined by the
Bureau of Parliament at its last meeting held in Monrovia.
“Parliament’s competent committee, in particular, the Administration, Finance and Budget Control
Committee, after approval by Parliament will report to the Plenary.
“This is an opportunity for each of us, honourable colleagues, to impose a rigorous discipline on
ourselves in order to examine the preliminary draft Budget 2020 carefully and objectively.
” I remain convinced that we will be diligent and punctual so that the full treatment of our agenda can
be accomplished under good and fruitful conditions,” he said. (NAN)
Minimum Wage: FG, Labour Meeting End In Deadlock Again

The discussions between the Federal Government and the Joint National Public Service Negotiating
Council over the N30,000 national minimum wage ended in a deadlock again as both parties refused to
shift ground.
A source in the labour movement said after the meeting held on Monday that the representatives of
government were not serious.
The PUNCH reported that although Buhari had signed a new minimum wage into law on April 18,
2019, the negotiations between the Federal Government and the JNPSNC had earlier broken down due
to unresolved irreconcilable differences in their proposals.
The last negotiation which was supposed to hold on September 4, was suspended on Tuesday last week
and rescheduled to hold on Monday September 16 at the instance of the officials.
While the Federal Government proposed 9.5 per cent salary increase for employees on grade levels 07
to 14 and five per cent for those on grade levels 15 to 17, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade
Union Congress of Nigeria were demanding 30 per cent increase for officers on grade levels 07 to 14
and 25 per cent increase for grade levels 15 to 17.
A labour source said, “We have discovered that the government is not serious at all; a mandate was
given to the government side to take the position of labour and government’s team to President
Muhammadu Buhari and report back at the meeting.
“But we discovered that they didn’t do it; they are just taking us for a ride. So, we are reporting that the
meeting was deadlocked and our next line of action will be to report to our parent unions.”
Nigeria Agency Lists 13 States To Experience More Flooding

The Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Clement Nze, on
Monday said 13 states would witness more floods following the rise in the water levels of River Niger
and River Benue.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, he listed Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo,
Anambra, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Adamawa, Taraba and Benue as being among states to experience
flooding because of the steady rise of the River Benue owing to the local rainfall with attendant heavy
inflows from the tributaries of the river.
He said water from six of the nine countries that make up the Niger Basin Authority was pouring into
the country and could lead to severeflooding in those states.
He said Nigeria was on flood red alert and the flood sighted in the Niger Republic was expected to
arrive the Nigerian border throughKebbi State yesterday.
Don’t Waste Your Time Going To Supreme Court, Sagay

Counsels Atiku
Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption
(PACAC) has counseled Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
in the 2019 general elections not to go to the Supreme Court.
Speaking in a chat with Daily Independent, Sagay said lawyers with good knowledge of Election Laws
know that Atiku’s petition against Buhari’s victory is a futile exercise.
” I think any lawyer who knows anything about Election Law would have realised that Atiku’s petition
against President Buhari’s victory was futile” Sagay said.
Ngozi Okonjo-iweala's Family Fight Over Late Father's Throne

The family of Obi Chukwuka Okonjo, the late father of former Coordinating Minister of the Economy,
Ngozi Okonjo Iweala is reportedly enmeshed in a fight over the unauthorised announcement of the
death of the 91-year-old King of Ogwashi-Uku community in Aniocha South Local Government Area
of Delta State and the successor of the late monarch.
The former Minister was accused by her uncle, Patrick Okonjo of hijacking the functions of the royal
family and men who should traditionally announce the death of the traditional ruler and also anointing
her younger brother as a successor to the throne without the approval of the ruling council.
The statement read in part, “It is sacrilegious of Ogwashi-Uku custom and tradition for a
princess to announce the transition of a monarch or proclaim another. It is a purely
traditional function.
“Late Okonjo was never an Obi of Ogwashi-Uku under our tradition but a mere regent.
Accordingly, his first child cannot be Obi as deceitfully inferred by Ngozi.”
The Royal Family however debunked claims of Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo being installed wrongly as
the King of Ogwashi-Uku community.
“We want to make this known: Patrick Okonjo does not speak for the family; he speaks
only for himself as he has always done" a statement released by the acting Diokpa; Umu
Obi Obahai Royal family, Prince Emmanuel Ohei and others read in part.
The statement also revealed that the new Obi was rounding off some traditional rites and would soon
begin his reign.
2023: Anyone Preventing Igbo Presidency Is Unpatriotic –

Statesmen Declare
Prominent Nigerians have given the quest for Igbo presidency a boost, insisting that the nation’s
highest political office should go to the south-east in 2019. Speaking with Daily Sun, the prominent
Nigerians, including the former head, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Nigerian Army,
Major-Gen Ishola Williams, said supporting the south-east to produce President Muhammadu Buhari’s
successor in 2019 is the right thing to do.
Legit.ng gathers that Williams, in reaction to reports that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, national leader of the
All Progressives Congress (APC), is nursing presidential ambitions for 2019, insisted that the next
president should come from the south-east, even though he noted that Tinubu has a right to contest.
He said: “Obasanjo has gone for two terms; Yar’Adua, who did not complete his two terms, had
Jonathan who did it for him. In addition, he (Jonathan) had one term, and Buhari making two terms
now. We have been rotating it. “Secondly, a Yoruba man as vice president, two terms. Why don’t we
have an Igbo president and somebody from the Middle Belt as vice president? That is what I am
looking for? Any ethnic group in this country can produce one very good leader.” Also echoing
Williams’ view, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, a former Kaduna state governor, said there should at least be
rotation of power among the four basic zones – North, south-south, south-west and south-east. He said
2019 appears the ideal time for power rotation between the North and South to be balanced,
considering the fact that the south-east is the only major zone that has not occupied the presidential
seat.
He said: “The North has had it so many times; the south-west had it twice, the south-south had it once
and south-east is yet to have it. So, for the sake of justice and giving them a sense of belonging, the
south-east should have its time. “There is no sentiment attached to that. Let the south-east have it so
that Nigerians can compare what the south-east will do with what the North, south-west and south-
south have done.”
Musa insisted that there are great Nigerians from the south-east. He added: “As far as I am concerned,
for the sake of justice, national unity, peace and progressive development in the country, the south-east
should have the presidency in 2023. “Anybody who is preventing the south-east from having it is
definitely unpatriotic and is endangering the unity of the country.” In the same vein, another elder
statesman, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP), also backed the south-east to produce the country’s next president.
He said: “The North has occupied the position of presidency; the south-west has occupied that same
seat as well as the south-south. So, if all others have occupied that position, why not Ndigbo? If Ndigbo
are serious, they should be supported in 2019 presidential poll.”
The executive secretary of Anti-Corruption and Research-Based Data Initiative (ARDI), Dennis
Aghanya, warned Igbos against any further cyberattack on the president. Aghanya urged the Igbos to
focus more on planning a succession strategy after the president in 2023.
Aghanya, in a statement said: “Ndigbo should desist from this self-destructive tendency by chasing
after Buhari’s certificate and strategize for the 2023 presidency.”
Kwara Schools Reject Bukola Saraki's School Materials

Donated For Students
Schools in Kwara State would not accept any instructional materials with pictures of any personality,
according to a statement issued by Press Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital
Development, Yakub K. Aliagan.
This follows allegations that instructional materials donated to public schools in Kwara from the
Mandate Office of former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki had pictures or other insignias of the
former senate president.
Information on social media also alleged that those materials were rejected at the schools and there
have been calls on the government to speak on the development.
The statement claimed that the state government was not aware of the distribution of the instructional
materials in the first instance.
The statement read, “The appropriate thing to do is to send those materials to the Ministry of
Education, which has a statutory duty of vetting learning materials for quality control and then approve
such for distribution.
Not doing so was a violation of a basic rule, which is key to strengthening our institutions and keeping
standards.
“Besides, it is wrong for anyone to emblazon their images or personal logos on instructional materials
made with public resources for distribution in public schools.
The said materials were some sort of Constituency Projects, which had been approved and funded by
the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“It is instructive to note that the Kwara State Ministry of Education recently approached Governor
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to mass-produce instructional materials with his picture emblazoned on
them ahead of school resumption and the governor rejected the proposal on the ground that there
should be no personalisation of projects executed with public funds,” it said.
"Thousands Will Be Employed In Oil And Gas Sector" - APC

Promises
In a Tweet published on the APC official page, the party has promised Nigerians of the jobs coming for
thousands as the investment to build the 614 kilometers has pipeline has begun.
They wrote...
"After 13 years and failure of funding, Nigeria finally gets $2.5bn investment to build the 614KM gas
pipeline from Ajaokuta oil field through Kaduna and Kano. It would come with the new 1,350MW
(Abuja),900MW (Kaduna) & 2,350MW (Kano) power projects. Thousands will be employed."
Judicial Coup D'etat In Nigeria By Femi Aribisala

We just went through the worst presidential election in Nigeria’s history. To add insult to injury, we
have now been assaulted with the worst judicial verdict in the history of Nigeria. The presidential
election petitions tribunal (PEPT) delivered a judgment on Atiku’s petition against INEC’s declaration
of President Muhammadu Buhari as the winner of the February 2019 presidential election, and it was
one of the most outrageous judicial verdicts I have ever heard.
One of my late mother’s favourite expressions was a Yoruba proverb which talks of asking someone to
buy a monkey. The understanding is that nobody would ever agree to such a transaction.
The verdict of the PEPT is an insult to the intelligence of Nigerians. In broad daylight, the judiciary not
only tried to sell Nigerians monkeys, they even tried to sell us dead monkeys. Nobody, except of course
APC members and the president’s yes men, are buying them. The verdict is not only preposterous, if it
is not overthrown and thrown into the dustbin by the Supreme Court, it will spell the end of free and
fair elections in Nigeria and it will provide a precedence that will ensure that the unity of the country is
no longer tenable.
At its most fundamental, the verdict institutionalizes mediocrity in Nigeria. To some extent, that was
the message of the presidential election. A do-nothing government that presided over Nigeria
degradation to the status of the poverty capital of the world used this very deplorable credential as the
springboard to declaring itself re-elected by an even greater majority than before. In effect, if the result
is to be believed, Nigerians voted for government failure.
The government campaigned for re-election without a policy or a program beyond stating
grandiloquently that it was taking Nigeria to the “next level.” Next level of what? Now we know. The
government’s next level is one where truth has fallen in the street and equity cannot enter. It is a level
where black is white and white is black. It is a level where boko is now haram. In the new Nigeria
proclaimed by the government and its handpicked erudite judges, nobody needs to go to school
anymore.
Old Nigeria
Chinua Achebe says: “There was a country.” In the Nigeria where I was born and bred, education was
supreme. In the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo instituted a program of free education for all
in order to ensure that there is “no child left behind.” I was the last born in a family of 5 children; 4
boys and 1 girl. My “old man,” Dr. T.S.B. Aribisala, went to Government College, Ibadan (GCI); the
premier primary school in the Western Region. All my older brothers also went to GCI, according to
family tradition.
I was determined to follow suit. To do this, I had to study hard to pass the entrance examination. Then
we had to spend 4 days in GCI where we were taught new things. On the fifth day, we had to take an
exam based on the new things we were taught. I again managed to pass the exam. I then spent 5 years
in GCI after which I took the WASC. As a result, unlike President Buhari, I have a school-leaving
certificate and a WASC certificate. My certificate is not fictitious. It is not with the military or anyone
else.
From there, I continued to St. George’s English School Rome, where I did my “A-Levels.” I then went
to Warwick University, Coventry, England where I obtained my Bachelor of Arts degree. From there I
went to Johns Hopkins University in the United States where I obtained a Master of Arts degree.
Finally, I went to St. Catherine’s College, Oxford University in Oxford, England, where I obtained a
Ph.D. degree.
I did all this because I understood what is apparently lost on the judges of the PEPT: education is a
passport to success in life.
In my last year at Oxford, I was interviewed for jobs in organisations I did not even apply to, such as
Bank of America and Citibank. I was even flown to Paris for an interview with the World Bank. At
every instance, I insisted I was going back to Nigeria. I did not see why so much should have been
invested in my education, only to then use it to the advantage of the more developed countries. As far
as I was concerned, Nigeria needed me.
I have gone to great lengths to spell out my educational background in order to explain why I am so
disgusted to understand that education is no longer of any use in the Nigeria of today. According to the
“learned” judges of the PEPT, nobody needs a certificate any longer in order to qualify for anything in
Nigeria. You can simply sign an affidavit, even a false one, and claim your certificate is with someone.
Even if the person says he never received your certificate, your word is good enough in 21st century
Nigeria.
The learned judges of the PEPT have laid the foundation for a Nigeria of nincompoops. Our famous
“next level” is now a level of mediocrities and mediocres. Even as we now have a president that the
judges have declared eminently qualified without the proof of a certificate, even so, we can now have
judges who are eminently qualified by word of mouth. Pilots can now be taken at their word that they
can fly jumbo jets.
If, like me, you have been dismayed that Nigeria has not yet come near to actualizing its potential, then
the news from the courts is that things are going to go from bad to worse. Just for the sake ensuring that
President Buhari remains in power without having to satisfy the statutory requirement that he has a
school-leaving certificate or its equivalent, the judges have declared that, henceforth, educational
certificates are inconsequential in Nigeria.
Call to action
This is simply unacceptable. The question is what are right-thinking Nigerians going to do about this?
Are we just going to be quiet as some people bring Nigeria down to the next level of ignorance and
substandard? No! We must shout at the rooftops with one accord that this prejudicial and corrosive
judgment must not be allowed to stand.
Atiku has opted to appeal this travesty of justice at the Supreme Court. But some of us no longer have
any hope whatsoever in the Nigerian judiciary. Clearly, the judiciary is now in the pocket of the
executive; as evident in the fact that every item in this jaundiced judgment was delivered unanimously
by the judges.
Many of us were suspicious of the situation where the chief justice of Nigeria was unlawfully removed
by the president, to be replaced by a handpicked successor. It was then up to the new chief justice to
pick the five judges of the PEPT. Imagine our surprise when we also saw leaked pictures of the tribunal
judges breaking fast with the president in Aso Rock. Clearly, the whole PEPT process was not
transparent. Everything about it was shady. Moreover, it was done with arrogance and impunity.
The contempt that this government has for right-thinking Nigerians is evident in the fact that, after this
bogus verdict of the courts was delivered, Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture,
asked Atiku, whose mandate was stolen in broad daylight, to apologise to Nigerians for taking the
matter to court.
Mohammed is supposed to be a lawyer, so you wonder where he ever heard of a litigant issuing an
apology for losing a case in court. But in the headlong attempt to ingratiate himself to the president,
Mohammed has apparently forgotten about his legal pedigree, in the same manner that the eminent
jurists of the PEPT threw all legal reasoning out of the window.
Maradona verdict
Observe the flowing. Atiku pointed out that the president committed outright perjury. He swore on oath
that he went to schools that were nonexistent at the time he claimed to have attended them. He also
swore on oath that his certificate was with the military. But the military responded that they did not
have his certificate.
How do the eminent jurists handle this open and shut case? They simply ignored it. They did not deal
with it at all. This is all well and good under the circumstances because if they had addressed the
matter, they might have come up with a new and original redefinition of perjury peculiar to Nigerian
jurisprudence that will completely exonerate the president. They may even tell us that perjury is not
perjury if what you claim exists is actually non-existent.
What about the president’s nonexistent school certificate? The judges of the PEPT decided to call what
does not exist as if it did. They took on the role of Cambridge WASC and simply awarded the president
his non-existent certificate. They claimed to be satisfied the certificate exists without seeing it. They
insisted the certificate the president listed in his affidavit did not have to be attached, not minding the
fact that INEC form CF001 clearly states that, before you swear to an affidavit, you must attach the
evidence of your qualifications.
With regard to the issue of the INEC back server which had a different result from the one INEC
declared publicly, the eminent jurists decided unanimously to contradict themselves. The presiding
justice who spoke a nonexistent certificate into existence now declared that the existence of the back
server was not proven. However, he failed to synchronise this view with that of his unanimous
colleagues.
Justice Joseph Ikyegh who gave the second judgment said the petitioners recklessly hacked into the
non-existent server and shamelessly presented the material they found there to the court. However, he
failed to explain how it was possible to hack into a server that does not exist. Another justice, Justice
Oseji, said the petitioners proved the issue of the server and agreed that the server was used to store the
votes. But he noted that INEC called no evidence to make its case. Does this thereby exonerate INEC?
What about the fundamental flaw whereby the total number of votes where the elections did not take
place nullified the difference between the votes awarded to Atiku and Buhari. This anomaly clearly
proved too much for the tribunal to handle. Therefore, the judges simply ignored it and said nothing
whatsoever about this.
Bye-bye democracy
The judges of the PEPT not only delivered judgment on the Atiku/Buhari case, they also sounded the
death knell of democracy in Nigeria. From the legal somersaults that they embarked on in order to
preserve the president in power, they have ensured that no election can be free and fair in Nigeria again
at the presidential level. Henceforth, they have given the incumbent a license to rig. It does not matter
how formidable the case; the incumbent president can be expected to prevail because the issue will not
be decided on the matter of law but on prejudice.
The upshot of all this is that it is a waste of time casting votes in any future presidential election. The
incumbent president or party will rig the election and prevail at the courts.
Shocking Similarities And Differences Between Prof. Salami And

Prof Soludo
While the debate on who ought to be the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council is still on-going
among Nigerians online. Please find some striking similarities and differences between Prof. Adedoyin
Salami and Prof. Charles Soludo.
Prof. Salami was born in Ogun state (The state in the Southwest Nigeria which has produced the richest
and highly educated Yorubas.)
Prof Soludo was born in Anambra state (The state in the Eastern Nigeria which has produced the
richest and highly educated Igbos)
Prof. Salami had his doctorate degree in 1989

Prof, Soludo had his doctorate degree in 1989
Both of them are ECONOMISTS
Prof. Salami was born on the 4th of April 1963

Prof. Soludo was born on the 28th of July 1960
Adedoyin Salami's research interests include issues in corporate long-term financial management;
macroeconomic policy; corporate competitiveness and risk management; and characteristics of Small
and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Chukwuma has been trained and involved in research, teaching and auditing in such disciplines as the
multi-country macro econometric modelling, techniques of computable general equilibrium modelling,
survey methodology and panel data econometrics, among others.
Prof. Salami is a 1989 doctorate degree graduate in Economics of Queen Mary College, University of
London
Prof Soludo had all his degrees in Nigeria and at ONLY ONE university - University of Nigeria,
Nsukka (BSc 1984, MSc 1987 PhD 1989)
Both of them are lecturers.
Prof Salami seems to be more of a Consultant

Prof Soludo seems to be more of an Academic
‘the New Economic Team Should Tell Buhari How He

Mismanaged The Economy’ - Oby
A former Minister of Education and 2019 presidential aspirant, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, has reacted to the
constitution of an Economic Team by President Muhammadu Buhari, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV had reported that President Buhari, on Monday, announced the constitution of an eight-man
Economic Advisory Council (EAC), with Adedoyin Rasaq Salami as Chairman.
A statement obtained by Igbere TV issued by Buhari’s Spokesman, Femi Adesina, said the Council will
replace the current Economic Management Team (EMT) led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and will
be reporting directly to the President.
Reacting to the development, the former Minister expressed optimism that the Council would tell the
President “how he mismanaged the economy in the last four years”.
Ezekwesili, who acknowledged that the new Council has strong membership, however, said the
development was not new in the American system which Nigeria “copied”.
She described the just disbanded Economic Management Team (EMT) led by Vice President Yemi
Osinbajo as ‘figure head’, alleging that the VP was not directly in charge.
Read below, a transcript of the full tweets by the former Minister as brought to you by Igbere TV...
“The setting up a Council of Economic Advisors is in itself one of the features of the
American Presidential system which we copied.
Strong membership & that’s really great.
“I hope the first thing they do is tell the President how he mismanaged the Economy in the
last 4 years.
“For those who will jump on this timeline to say, “it was not the President that was in
charge of the Economy. It was the VP chairing the Economic Team” please don’t bother.
The President was managing the conomy. All those BAD Monetary Policy decisions were
made by him.
“Two, the President was managing the Economy. All those strange Fiscal Policy decisions
were made by him.
“Both the CBN Governor and the Ministers of Finance were not acting based on any
Economic Management Team decisions. For WIA. Now at least the pretense is over about
Economy.
“The EMT was in reality chaired by the VP who had no power over Core Economic Policy
decisions. The other side of the Presidency did not mind having him be the cannon fodder
for all the extremely Bad Economic Policy decisions.
“A President, not VP runs the Economy. I know that.
“The remit of the Council of Economic Advisers seems to suggest it rightly as “External
Visitors” who meet monthly and then meet the President Quarterly. If so, setting it up as a
full replacement of the EMT which should remain as the Technical Team that it should be is
a mistake.
“The proper structure of that their EMT should have had is two levels of hierarchical
control:
An EMT Meeting chaired by the President with his VP as Vice Chair.
An EMT Technical Meeting chaired by the Minister of Finance with CORE Technical
Members.
“Structure is Everything.
“When people say the VP during our time in government “was in charge of the Economy” ,
I always correct them.
The VP was simply Chair of the National Council on Privatization and also the National
Econonic Council (a meeting of Federal Government & States(Governors). Not EMT.
“A combination of a Two-Layered Structure of the EMT plus Council of Economic

Advisers of the calibre of minds just appointed would be brilliant.
It would bring 3 things together:
1. Topmost Political power.
2. Coordinated Internal Technical Skills.
3. Input of External Skills.
“The Economy which is currently stuck in a steady state of Low-Equilibrium Growth needs
a 24/7 level of engagement of:
1. Topmost Political power (that’s ready to discard outdated and pseudo-socialist ideas)
2. Coordinated Internal Competent Skills.
3. Brilliant external Skills.
“Hopefully, our couple of outstanding eggheads that are named to the Council of Economic
Advisers will ignore all those genuflecting sycophancy that surrounds @MBuhari and tell
him the kind of Truth that annoys them but which must be heard for our Economy to Grow
and Prosper.”
Abba Kyari, El Rufai & Co Opens War Against Osinbajo Ahead

Of 2023
*VP'S RISING PROFILE WORRIES ASO ROCK CABAL
*Plot to sabotage Southwest bid for presidency by clipping Osinbajo's wings
In apparent bid to further its 2023 ambitions, the Cabal in the Presidency has taken decisive steps to
neutralize the VP, seen as one of the most influential elements of the Buhari administration from the
South and cut him off any significant engagements with the Nigerian people.
Last night the VP and the EMT he chairs was suddenly replaced by an Economic Advisory Council
which will report directly to the President. Shocked Nigerians have expressed dismay at the curious
need to unceremoniously terminate the EMT composed of the VP, several ministers replacing same
with a private sector Advisory Council.
But that was by no means the beginning of the Cabal's moves. When Buhari announced the ministers'
portfolios and created a new Ministry of Social DEVELOPMENT, Humanitarian & Disaster
Management, many saw the hands of the Cabal trying to take away the most popular and acclaimed
programs of the Buhari administration from the VP. How that move is to be done remains to be seen.
Earlier, the story was also making the rounds that Buhari's Chief of Staff, ABBA Kyari was in
collaboration with Babagana Kingibe, Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna, John Fayemi of Ekiti & Senator
Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun to take over power from Buhari in 2023.
To achieve this scheme, the team concluded early that it was necessary to pull down the rising profile
of the VP & drive a wedge between him & the President as quickly as possible.
This became especially urgent as the South West was being discussed as the Zone to produce the next
President after Buhari.
With the Economic Management Team dissolved and the Social Investment Programmes consigned to
a Ministry, it is clear that that the Cabal has somehow confused and blindsided the President to render
his VP redundant.
What happens in the coming days will show how successful or not, the controversially powerful Cabal
really is, as it steps up on its 2023 anti-Southwest mission.
Written by Baba Ahmed
$11m Alleged Fraud: Obinwanne Okeke Pleads Not Guilty,

Remanded In Prison
Obinwanne Okeke, the 31-year-old Nigerian held by American authorities for alleged fraud, entered a
plea of not guilty to two counts of wire and computer fraud at his first hearing on Monday.
The presiding judge at the Newport News, Virginia, federal courthouse, declared the case as
“complex,” but said Mr Okeke should be remanded in prison until February 18, 2020 when the trial
would continue. He appeared in court at about 2 p.m. and waived his right to a speedy trial.
The appearance came a week after a federal grand jury examined the evidence gathered by the F.B.I.
and presented by the United States Department of Justice and found Mr Okeke guilty as charged and
recommended him for trial.
Upon conviction, the jury also said Mr Okeke should be made to forfeit at least $11 million in asset and
an emerald shaped diamond engagement ring found on him when he was first arrested by federal agents
as he was about leaving the U.S. on August 6.
The Monday’s appearance marked the commencement of Mr Okeke’s criminal trial since he was
arrested and remanded in custody of the U.S. Marshals Service more than a month ago.
Read also: Internet Fraud: Court grants one of 80 FBI suspects N27 million bail
He had made previous appearances before separate judges for preliminary hearings in his bail
applications — all of which were declined.
Mr Okeke, known in Nigeria as ‘millionaire entrepreneur’ Invictus Obi, was accused by the F.B.I. of
orchestrating the theft of $11 million from a foreign subsidiary of American heavy equipment
manufacturer, Caterpillar.Using the infamous business email compromise scheme, Mr Okeke and his
alleged accomplices spoofed Unatrac officials into making illicit transfers of about $11 million over
several weeks in the first half of 2018.
Investigators said those who worked with Mr Okeke remained at large, and continued to seal crucial
references to them in the case.
Dozens of other Nigerians have been arrested in largely unconnected fraud busts by American
authorities since Mr Okeke was taken into custody.
Many of those cases were also traced to business email compromise, a process of targeting unwary
business executives now commonly deployed across intricate networks of cybercriminals.
He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted, as well as the possibility of forfeiting any ill-gotten
acquisitions traced to him. Officials familiar with the trial told PREMIUM TIMES the evidence against
Mr Okeke was compelling enough to elicit a guilty plea from him.
But since he had decided to go through the lengthy trial road, he could face maximum sentences with
additional punitive liabilities if ultimately found guilty.By the time he returns to court in February
2020, he would have spent six months behind bars, and could still spend more time in the course of the
trial as authorities continue to mark him as a flight
Governor AbdulRazaq Nominates Joana Nnazua Kolo, 26-year-

old As Commissioner
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has nominated a 26-year-old for a commissioner
role in his administration, Igbere TV reports.
The chief press secretary of the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, made this known in a statement obtained by
Igbere TV on Tuesday.
Joana Nnazua Kolo, 26, is from the Edu local government area of the state.
Ms Kolo, the youngest commissioner-nominee in the state’s history, is a 2018 graduate of Library
Science from the Kwara State University (KWASU).
She is an ardent advocate of community development.
The governor also nominated three other women in his prospective cabinet.
Mrs Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu, Arinola Fatimoh Lawal and Aisha Ahman Pategi were among the
names forwarded to the House of Assembly.
Mrs. Folashade Omoniyi was also nominated as the new Chairperson of the Kwara State Internal
Revenue Service (KW-IRS).
T.Y Danjuma, Governors, Others Perpetrate Evil Under
Farmers-herders' Crisis to undermine Buhari presidency - Ex-
Senate President Ebute
Third Republic Senate President, Chief Ameh Ebute, has accused some respected politicians, serving
governors and elder statesmen of leveraging on the Famers-herders’ clashes to discredit President
Muhammadu Buhari's administration.
The highly-revered ex-lawmaker made this known in a paper presented at a One Day International
Conference on Good Governance and Accountability in Government organised by the Coalition for
Civil Society Organizations for Change and Good Governance on Tuesday in Abuja.
In his piece titled “Appraising 100 Days of President Buhari on the saddle and building a nation where
justice shall reign”, Chief Ebute gave an honest assessment of the president's second term thus far.
According to him, out of desperation for power, certain well-known politicians have either taken to
sponsoring violence or simply turned blind eyes to clashes around them for their selfish gains.
In the forefront, as stated by Mr Ebute, is former Defence Minister, LT Gen TY Danjuma (Rtd) who he
claims has surprisingly remained mute despite the farmers/herders in his state, Taraba, because those
affected are not from his ethnicity.
The former number 3 citizen also fingered the opposition of fuelling the wave of violence, going as far
as allegedly sponsoring the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) – thus keeping to their vow to make
the country ungovernable for Mr Buhari.
Despite these conspiracy, however, Chief Ebute hailed the pesident for remaining resolute and focused,
holding firm to his transparent and accountable ideals.
While admitting that the positive signs points towards path to greatness for the country, the ex-Senate
President urged Nigerians to embrace the excellent governance philosophy of Mr Buhari.
Read excerpts from the paper below:
It is no longer a secret that the various security challenges facing Nigeria predate the Administration of
President Muhammadu Buhari. It is on the heels that before 2015, there has been insinuation in certain
quarters about the sponsorship of violence as a means of achieving political, religious, and ethnic goals
by elite politicians.
These politicians whom in some instances are referred to as senior citizens or elderly political leaders
have exploited ethnic and religious clashes to their advantage. A good example suffices in Taraba state
where a former minister of Defence is silent over the killings in Taraba state because those being killed
are not from his ethnicity.
The Taraba state killings raise the question as regards the sincerity of heart and of the purpose of
supposed elderly political leaders in Nigeria who have been exploiting situations for their personal and
selfish gains. They turn a deaf ear if the victims of such nefarious activities are not from their ethnicity
and also feign ignorance if their kin perpetrated acts of violence. When factions of political elites
compete for political power at the national level based on identity, groups emerge at the subnational
level in Defence of these identities.
Also, those that lost in the 2019 general elections in Nigeria have vowed to make the country
ungovernable, and this explains why despite the efforts of government, some of these issues won't go
away. I believe that they intend to cause the disintegration of Nigeria and to paint a picture of
incapacity before the eyes of the international community.
Nonetheless, some of us conversant with the dynamics involved in the contemporary Nigerian society
would readily attest to the fact that the killings and kidnappings, as well as the rise in cases of armed
banditry, is as a result of what members of the opposition have plotted thinking that Nigerians would be
gullible.
They have deployed huge resources to make the country ungovernable, they have also engaged the
services of both local and international media to escalate issues to their advantage, not minding the
consequences of their actions.
They have also adopted a negative narrative in the clashes between farmers and herders. In the wisdom
of members of the opposition, the farmers-herders conflict must be construed in such a way that would
make the citizens lose faith in the present Administration. While this is not only despicable, it is also an
indication that those that failed to actualize their political ambitions at the general elections have
refused to move on with their lives. However, instead, they have chosen this dishonourable path of
fuelling ethnic and religious conflict aimed at distracting and destabilizing and distracting the
Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Most politicians hide under cover of farmers-herders' crisis to perpetrate evil in the society. They arm
and sponsor militia groups to wreak havoc. This much has been witnessed in situations where there has
been a hasty ascribing any form of crime or criminality to a particular ethnicity or religion.
For example, we have seen situations where people from southeast Nigeria have been arrested
masquerading as herdsmen after committing a crime or engage in any criminal behaviour. I also recall a
particular episode that happened in Ghana, where a Nigerian man was arrested after killing three
persons. He claimed to be a Fulani herdsman but couldn't speak Hausa or pronounced a word in Fulani.
That is the irony of the situation we face as it stands today. People are masquerading under different
umbrellas to perpetuate evil and passing the blame on ethnicity or religion, which would ultimately
lead to reprisal attacks on innocent people going about their normal businesses. The cases presented in
the Benue-Taraba axis gives us a hint on how the political elites have continued to exploit the situation
for their benefits.
The political elites understanding the gullibility of their subjects have formed the habit of taking
advantage of communal clashes to paint a particular ethnicity or religion in a bad light just in an
attempt to be able to perpetuate their nefarious activities thereby causing unrest in the polity.
It is most worrisome that in a state like Taraba, the government would choose to play petty and feign
ignorance to the monster they created. I am particularly pained that a personality such as Lt. Gen.
Theophilus Danjuma would condescend so low as meddling in petty politics despite what he has
benefitted from Nigeria.
The likes of Danjuma and his cohorts have indeed shown that they do not have the interest of the
country at heart. This is also on the heels that some CSOs have been able to expose the fact that a high
ranking member of the opposition is behind the wave of violent protests by members of the Islamic
Movement in Nigeria (IMN) with huge sums of monies.
While I consider such acts as despicable, I am gladdened with the fact that Nigerians didn't sell their
birthrights for a plate of porridge. Indeed, Nigerians were wise when they cast their votes for integrity,
accountability, and transparency. If the reverse has been the case, I am sure there would have been no
country called Nigeria today due to the wickedness of these individuals parading themselves as elder
statesmen.
I believe that the traditional rulers must rise to the challenge instead of blaming the table of President
Muhammadu Buhari. They must understand the dynamics involved in the farmers-herders' crisis and
realize that it is merely the act of political elites manipulating the system to their advantage, and at the
detriment of peace and tranquillity in the system.
A good example can be seen in Zamfara state where peaceful engagements and collaboration with
security agencies have helped to tame the nagging problem of insecurity. Also, the South-West
Governors have been holding meetings on how to support the security agencies to address the
insecurity situation.
However, some governors who have exhibited a high level of incompetence are still bent on passing the
blame on President Muhammadu Buhari, whereas they are the Chief Security Officers of their
respective states and they draw security votes every month.
The democratic experience in Nigeria has not come without its challenges. Some of us have witnessed
Nigeria in its lowest, so much so that we feared for the worst to happen. However, our hopes were
rekindled with the advent of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration, which by all standard is a
worthy example of accountability and transparency in governance.
Nigeria indeed got it right in 2015, as well as 2019 with the way and manner the government has
carried on since then. So in this context of this conference, which is the first 100 days in office of
President Muhammadu Buhari, I am convinced to say the foundation for economic growth has been
laid.
As an elder statesman, I have witnessed administrations in Nigeria, and I dare say that the level of
commitment displayed by President Muhammadu Buhari in the governance of Nigeria is equal to none.
The first 100 days in office of President Muhammadu Buhari is filled with hopes for Nigeria. All the
critical sectors of the economy are receiving the required attention, and it is sufficing to say that
President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed displayed an unalloyed commitment to the growth and
development of Nigeria and as such it behoves on all well-meaning Nigerians to lend its support to this
Administration in its quest to building a country of our dreams for this generation and generations to
come.
Civil society organizations (CSOs) are often assumed to be institutions that facilitate communication
between citizens and policymakers. However, CSO advocacy is only as effective as the space allowed
by the government, the resources available from funders, and their internal capacity.
Emerging trends point to the fact that the Muhammadu Buhari led Administration has indeed
highlighted to Nigerians that when there is a will, there would always be away. This much the
Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has displayed in the first 100 days in office.
This is noteworthy that despite the conspiracy to paint the Administration of President Muhammadu
Buhari in a bad light, the high level of transparency and accountability displayed has indeed negated
the plot to make the country ungovernable.
The first 100 days in office of President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed proved to Nigerians that
indeed Nigeria is on the path of greatness. I cannot but align with the vision and mission of this
Administration, and I encourage the generality of Nigerians to do same because never in the history of
Nigeria have we experienced such display of sincerity of heart and purpose and a rare demonstration of
commitment to the advancement of Nigeria as a country.
The leaders and the led should embrace the excellent governance philosophy if development
administration is to meet the underlying rationale it stands for. Both the leaders and the led have their
roles to play to embrace good governance and strengthen development administration. Highly
developed nations can attest to the promotion of national development through the application of good
governance in their development administration.
Buhari Directs Osinbajo To Seek Approvals For Agencies Under
Him
President Muhammadu Buhari has directed Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to, henceforth,
seek presidential approvals for agencies under his supervision, TheCable can report.
Under the laws setting up the agencies, the president is empowered to give final approvals
but TheCable understands that the provisions were not followed during the first term.
TheCable learnt that the directive to follow due process was issued via a presidential memo
on Monday.
Currently, Osinbajo is the chairman of the governing boards of the National Emergency
Management Agency (NEMA), the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and the Border
Communities Development Agency (BCDA).
He is also the chairman of the board of directors of the Niger Delta Power Holding
Company (NDPHC), a limited liability company owned by the federal government and
Niger Delta states.
With the new memo, the vice-president will now have to seek approvals for contract
awards, annual reports, annual accounts, power to borrow, and power to make regulations,
among other key functions.
On Monday, Buhari appointed and Economic Advisory Council (EAC) and disbanded the
Economic Management Team led by Osinbajo.
Buhari had appointed Osinbajo chairman of EMT during his first term, although the
position was held my ministers of finance under previous administrations.
There are unconfirmed reports that NEMA and National Social Investment Programme
(NSIP) will now be moved from the office of the VP to the newly created ministry of
humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, headed by Sadiya Umar
Farouq.
By law, the vice-president is the chairman of NEMA, NBC and BCDA but the acts also
state that presidential approvals are needed for some key decisions and actions.
Sections 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 24 of the NEMA act provides that “funding,
expenditure, contract awards and regulations” must receive presidential approval.
Sections 24, 25, 27, 28 and 33 of the NBC act empower the president to direct on annual
reports, annual accounts, power to borrow and power to invest.
Under the BCDA law, the president also has similar powers.
“Suffice it to say the president has finally taken control of his government,” a minister, who
confirmed the development, told TheCable.
IMO STATE: Hon Chike Okafor of APC Sworn-In
The past member representing Okigwe South federal constituency under the APC, Hon. Deacon Chike
Okafor, has been sworn-in for the second term following a tribunal victory over Hon Emeka Nwajiuba
of the Accord party.
This is coming after Hon. Nwajiuba hast been given a portfolio under the present government to serve
as a Minister. Information reaching us has it that Emeka Nwajiuba did not appeal the case, thus making
Hon. Chike Okafor to be the substantial representative of the Okigwe Southern in the green chambers.
This is the first time anyone is going for a second tenure in this federal constituency, as there has been a
modus operandi for rotatory system amongs the local governments involved, i.e Ehime Mbano, Obowo
and Ihitte-Uboma LGAs.
Hon. Okafor has broken the record, and people of the constituency hope he delivers effectively as he
serves for another four years.
Osun Best In Rural Access, Mobility Project – World Bank

The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Africa Region, Rachid Banmessaoud, has
declared Osun State as the best among participating states in Nigeria in the World Bank Rural
Access and Mobility Project 2.
A statement by Ismail Omipidan, the Chief Press Secretary to Osun State government, on Sunday said
the World Bank chief made the disclosure in a ‘Commendable Performance Letter,’ addressed to the
state government.
Banmessaoud, in his letter, also said Osun had been recognised by World Bank Task Team Leaders as a
strong performer in project implementation.
The letter read in part, “This is to appreciate your support and state’s participation in the just concluded
Nigeria Portfolio Performance Awards ceremony hosted by the World Bank Country Office in Abuja,
and to congratulate you on your state’s commendable performance which led to winning of the best
performing state under the Rural Access and Mobility Project 2 (RAMP 2).
“Osun has also been recognised by World Bank Task Team Leaders as a strong performer in project
implementation.
“The event recognised the performance of project implementation teams across the state and federal
institutions. Furthermore, state delegates were afforded the opportunity to network and share
knowledge with their colleagues from other states.”
The body invited Osun to its “FY20 Country Portfolio Performance Review which will focus on
strengthening the coordination mechanism at state level to ensure Nigeria meets the FY20 Portfolio
Performance Indicator Targets.”
Fayose left N57bn unpaid salaries, pension

arrears, Gov Fayemi claims
Governor. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has revealed that the workers in the state civil service were
currently being owed N57billion as arrears of unpaid salaries and emoluments.
The governor said this at a meeting he had with the civil servants as well as a cross-section of labour
leaders at the Government House, Ado Ekiti.
He said that his administration was making frantic efforts to defray the backlogs which he said would
be done in phases.
Fayemi claimed the trend was caused by irregular payments of salaries and pensions by the immediate
past administration of Mr Ayodele Fayose.
He said the arrears covered outstanding salaries, pensions, promotion arrears, leave bonuses and other
emoluments from 2014 till October 2018 when he assumed office.
The governor also said he was not part of the people that were opposed to local government autonomy.
He said the local governments in the state were currently being given unfettered access to administer
their own funds without interference from his government.
He said he would honour his earlier pledge to pay all the outstanding workers’ benefits.
He clarified that some would be given immediate attention, while some would be defrayed by
instalmental.
He said, “It is sad to reel out such a homongous figure, because it can create panic for you and I.
” But let me say that we cannot pay everything in one fell swoop, but the 2019 promotion arrears will
be given immediate attention while others will be defrayed by installment.
” It becomes difficult to pay once because Ekiti gets a little above N5billion monthly, with the state
getting like N3billion, while the local governments receive little above N2billion monthly “, he said.
On the issue of local government autonomy, Fayemi said he was never opposed to the idea of giving
financial independence to the third tier of government, being the closest to the grassroots.
“I am not opposed to it. Since I came back as governor, not even one naira of the local government
money was being administered by me.
” I have allowed the councils to manage whatever comes to them.”
Fayemi said that the state under him was considering alternative power supply option to shore up the
one being supplied to the state from national grid.
He said he was planning the alternative because the current supply was grossly inadequate and
crippling economic activities in the state.
He also said that he had earmarked some funds for the Ministry of Environment to undertake erosion
and flood control projects in some towns.
Fayemi said that this was because of the recent flooding that ravaged Ado Ekiti and other towns, of
which many civil servants were major victims.
He also said that he would discuss the acute shortage of manpower in the health sector with the Health
Management Board (HMB) when it was raised by the labour leaders.
He said that he would ascertain the actual statistics and how to fill the missing gaps in the health sector.
The Chairman of the Public Service Joint Negotiating Council, Kayode Fatomiluyi, had called the
attention of the governor to the chronic shortage of manpower in the health sector.
Fatomiluyi said, “Over 1,000 nurses were at HMB in 2014 during your first term, Your Excellency Sir.
“But today, we have less than 500 to manage 22 health facilities across the state.
“The Governor must do something about this,” he said.
Some of the other labour union leaders in the state that attended the meeting include: Kolapo Olatunde
of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Sola Adigun of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
They also pleaded that issues that had to do with the benefits of workers must be given utmost priority.
They urged the governor to use his connection as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to fast
track the implementation of the new minimum wage for workers.
Osun State demanded N150 Million from Local Governments

each month for OYES
The 30 local governments in Osun state have received their full allocation for the month of July but the
Adegboyega Oyetola administration is accused of forcing each of the councils to pay the state N5
million.
Sources close to the matter informed SaharaReporters that they were still being urged to credit the state
account in order for the state government to pay salaries.
One source accused state officials of saying, "return it back, return it back" referring to the allocation.
“We have started receiving autonomy,” another source told SaharaReporters. “We were made to return
so much to the state. We were asked to return N5 million as salary for OYES. That is the Osun Youth
Empowerment Scheme Cadet.”
“In each of the local governments we don’t have the same number of OYES cadet but we were asked to
return N5 million flat (each).”
The source added that each local government was ordered to contribute to the counterpart funding for
the implementation of the federal government-backed home-school feeding programme.
“If I am paying, you are supposed to be my responsibility. You are supposed to be answerable to me but
those things are directly under the supervision of the state government."
A local government official said workers' salaries for August had yet to be paid as of the time of filing
this report.
Jare Adebisi, who heads the ministry in charge of local government operations in the absence of a duly
inaugurated cabinet, had in a response to claims that the state habitually paid staff in either the second
or third week of the preceding month, told SaharaReporters that salaries were paid on either the first or
second week.
Adebisi had also denied that the state owed local government officials, insisting that the state
government was paying the salaries of local government workers.
In August, SaharaReporters reported that the state disbursed funds to the statutory account of each local
government from the joint account where state and local government monthly allocations are sent to,
only three times between February 2018 and June 2019.
Obaseki'll Win Re-election Without Oshiomhole

A former Political Adviser to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Mr. Charles Idahosa, has said that
Governor Godwin Obaseki would win re-election in 2020 even without the support of Oshiomhole.
Idahosa said Governor Obaseki has won the heart of the people through infrastructural projects that cut
across the state and bringing sanity to governance.
Speaking in a chat with newsmen in Benin City, Idahosa said the quarrel between Oshiomhole and
Obaseki would be difficult to settle because it emanated from envy and jealousy.
Idahosa stated that Oshiomhole was being intimidated by the records of Obaseki’s achievements.
He said Obaseki has performed 85 percent in three years against Oshiomhole’s 45 percent performance
in eight years.
According to him, “Oshiomhole said he brought only one Commissioner. That is a lie. Oshiomhole
brought the Deputy Governor, he brought the APC State Chairman, he brought the SSG.
“The main issue between Oshiomhole and Obaseki has not been brought to the fore. We know they are
busy working underground to stop Obaseki but nobody can stop Obaseki from having his eight years.
“Obaseki’s record is so intimidating. Oshiomhole wants to be the lone star in the state. The truth is that
Oshiomhole is envious and jealous of Obaseki..”
Details shortly…
Kwara State Governor Nominates 4 Women Commissioners

Kwara State Governor, Mr. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has nominated four women Commissioners in
his cabinet, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV gathered that the Governor has sent the list of the Commissioners-designates to the state
assembly for confirmation.
A statement sighted by Igbere TV on Governor Abdulrazaq’s official Twitter handle, hinted that a
twenty-six year old was among the nominees.
“Today, we forwarded an all-women four Commisioner-nominees to the State House of Assembly.
“The list includes 26 year-old Joana Nnazua Kolo, Aisha Ahman Pategi, Arinola Fatima Lawal and Mrs
Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu.
“Also Mrs Folashade Omoniyi, former MD/CEO of FBN Mortgages Limited, has been nominated as
the new Chairperson of KW-IRS. She would succeed Prof Murtala Awodun whose tenure expires
soon.” the statement added.
South Africa Refuses Air Peace Landing Permit

Few hours to the evacuation of at least 320 Nigerians from South Africa, following the ongoing
xenophobic attacks in that country, the South African Government has denied Air Peace the landing
permit needed to evacuate willing Nigerians.
The airline had planned to depart Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport
(MMIA), Lagos on Monday night, but as at 3 am on Tuesday, the airline was yet to be granted landing
permit.
Recall that Air Peace had Wednesday last week evacuated 178 willing Nigerians from South Africa, but
the immigration authority in that country frustrated the airline and the willing Nigerians from departing
the country.
The airline had planned to evacuate 317 Nigerians in the first batch of the exercise, but several of the
processed Nigerians were re-profiled, leading to disembarkment of some of the Nigerians from the
aircraft.
The flight was delayed for over 10 hours in South Africa by the airport authority.
Mr Allen Onyema, the Chairman of Air Peace, in an interview with our correspondent, confirmed the
latest development to our colleagues.
He said that all efforts by the airline to get landing permit in South Africa proved abortive as at 3 am on
Tuesday.
”We did not take off by 1 am as scheduled because South African authorities are yet to give us landing
permit. We are hopeful that they will give us the permit.
“Our crew waited till 3 am but when the permit did not come, they went back to the hotel. Once we get
the permit we will set off to South Africa. We don’t want to speculate but we are hopeful they will give
the permit.”
Sanwo-olu Calls For Accelerated Approval Of Badagry, Lekki

Seaports
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday called on the Nigerian Ports Authority
(NPA) to accelerate the process of giving approval to the State’s request to build two seaports in Lekki
and Badagry.
The Governor said the State had already deployed resources and manpower to the construction of the
seaports, which, he said, were being initiated to complement the capacities of the existing ports in
Apapa and Tin Can Island.
Sanwo-Olu spoke while receiving members of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on
Ports Decongestion led by Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, said Lagos needed two additional ports which
would serve the State and also build the national economy.
He said: “Lagos needs to have two other ports which would not only serve us, but also build the
national economy. We have initiated the development of Lekki seaport, which has started. We are
building another port in Badagry.
“But, we are still in conversation with the NPA to grant the approval, because we have added five
developers, financiers and partners on the Badagry port. If we can finish the construction of both
seaports, it would free up the congestion in Apapa axis and create new business hub for our people.”
The Governor said the Federal Government’s move to grow non-oil sector and boost the economy
would be rewarding if the capacities of existing seaports were efficiently maximised. He pointed out
the need to enhance the efficiency of the Apapa and Tin Can Island seaports for improved non-oil
revenue generation, stressing that the decongestion of the two ports was long overdue.
Sanwo-Olu said his visit to the two Lagos ports within 48 hours after he assumed office was an
indication of the strategic role of the two seaports were playing in sustaining the state’s 24-hour
economy.
He said the setting up of a joint Taskforce by the State and the Federal Government to tackle gridlocks
along the routes leading to the Ports was a step to prepare the ground for full decongestion of the
facilities, urging that the effort should be complemented with a total overhaul of the seaports’
operations for improved efficiency.
He said: “Smooth operation of the Lagos seaports is not only critical to sustaining our commerce in
Lagos State, it is also critical to the growth of the national economy. If, in truth, we want to be serious
about developing non-oil sector to boost the economy, it is important for us to take proper action and
decision on our seaports because they have great potential to completely transform the national
economy.
“More importantly, we need to look for solution that will reflect on the two port gateways of this
nation, which are the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports. It is clear that those ports are overwhelmed,
because the level of yearly turnout coming out of them has since doubled.”
The move by Lagos Government to build two additional ports, Sanwo-Olu pointed out, was part of the
measures being undertaken by the State to support the Federal Government’s effort to decongest and
reduce pressure on the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.
Hon. Yakub said the ad-hoc committee was set up by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to
investigate the cause of congestion of the seaports, with the task to give recommendation towards
solving the existing challenges for non-oil businesses to thrive.
Describing the seaports as “critical gateways”, the lawmaker promised that the recommendation to be
submitted by the committee would lead to the maximum utilisation of the seaports as well as generate
jobs for the youths.
He said: “The House of Representatives believes the seaports are critical gateways for exchange of
consumer goods. If our seaports are not functioning optimally, our economy would be sick. We will
handle this oversight function with the urgency it demands to turn around our ports and make them
efficient.”
APGA Hails Soludo’s Appointment Into Presidential Economic

Council
The National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Ozonkpu Dr. Victor Ike Oye, has
congratulated the former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo on his
appointment as a member of the newly-constituted presidential economic advisory council.
In a press statement issued in Abuja today, Oye described the appointment as well-deserved, timely and
auspicious.
Dr. Oye expressed happiness at the appointment which he said was a plus for APGA as the party's
manifesto would rub off positively on the work of the council.
He praised President Muhammadu Buhari for the courage in constituting the Council, especially at this
critical time of our national development.
The APGA National Chairman warned detractors who might want to politicize the appointment of
Soludo whom he said, was strong member of APGA, adding that the party threw its weight behind the
appointment.
According to Ozonkpu Oye, he was confident that Soludo would discharge himself creditably having
contributed to the restructuring and rescucitating of the economy in times of crisis in the past.
He prayed God to grant the council the grace and wisdom needed to perform their duty with
unremitting commitment and ingenuity so that the economy would bounce back within a short time to
alleviate the sufferings of the people.
VP Osinbajo Inaugurates Committee To Recover N5 Trillion

AMCON Debts
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday, inaugurated a Special Committee to recover the N5 trillion
debts owed the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Igbere TV reports.
Personal Assistant to the President on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, disclosed this in a statement sighted
by Igbere TV on his Twitter handle on Tuesday.
A statement subsequently issued by Osinbajo’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu
Akande, also confirmed the development.
Members of the committee include Heads and Representatives of Agencies such as AMCON; the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU);
the ICPC; Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC); and the
Federal Ministry of Justice.
“One of the terms of reference is for the committee to prepare a report, giving us a sense of what the
time lines will be”, the VP told the members.
“About 67 per cent of the outstanding N5tn debt is said to be owed by just 20 individuals/entities”, the
statement partly read.
Reps Threaten Onyeama, Lawmakers Invite Allen Onyema, Air
Peace Boss
The House of Representatives has accused the Minister of Foreign Affairs , Geoffrey
Onyeama, of ignoring summons by the lawmakers to address them on the spate of
xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa .
The Speaker , Femi Gbajabiamila , in his remarks after a long debate on the attacks at the
plenary on Tuesday , said he had been told that the ministry failed to answer several
invitations by the Chairman , House Committee on Foreign Affairs , Buba Yusuf .
“ It is unfortunate that in all those occasions , the minister has not responded to the
Chairman ’ s invitations , ” he said .
While the Speaker alleged that Onyeama also refused to answer when the leadership of the
House stepped into the matter , he warned ministers against shunning invitations by the
parliament .
Gbajabiamila , who threatened that the lawmakers would invoke relevant sections of the
Constitution against erring Federal Government officials, he said he would report Onyeama
to President Muhammadu Buhari .
The Speaker also announced that Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema , had been invited
to appear before the lawmakers on Wednesday to appreciate him for offering free services
to evacuate stranded Nigerians in South Africa.
While disclosing that the Air Peace boss was to appear in plenary on Tuesday , the Speaker
said Onyema was on the same day airlifting another batch of Nigerians from the country.
Airport: Umahi Reacts To Report On Refusal To Compensate

3000 House Owners
The Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, Tuesday, berated those who protested against the
sitting of a cargo International Airport approved by President Mohammadu Buhari for the state.
Thickmatch reports'
Recall that Thickmatch.com reported that Aguogboriga, Umuoghara community in Ezza North local
government area of Ebonyi State had on Monday protested and rejected the sitting of the airport in their
community.
But the governor while reacting to the development, said such protest was a distraction to his
administration and called on the general public to disregard such, adding that it was the handwork of
the opposition.
Umahi, who spoke to journalists in Abakaliki, through the commissioner for information and state
orientation, Barr. Uchenna Orji denied any refusal by the governor to pay compensation to those whose
houses were marked for demolition.
He said nothing will stop the state government from constructing the airport in the said approved site,
adding that all land belongs to the government and called on the protesters to vacate the marked areas.
“Some villagers in Umuoghara community in Ezza North LGA, protested yesterday and impressions
were given out. We were actually worried because newsmen were there.
“We needed to put the record straight. As a matter of fact, the state government under the leadership of
the governor Chief David Umahi has a plan to develop the state and needed to build an international
airport for the state.
“The stakeholders of Umuoghara community were consulted about the area to site the international
airport. Considerations were given on the area of centrality and it fell on Ezza north and part of Ezza
south LGAs.
“The governor did not only consult stakeholders but also held a meeting with the owners of the lands
and decisions were reached on where to site the airport, that will be central to the people of the state in
general.
“The governor has severally met with the stakeholders and owners of the lands and the issue of
compensation was also resolved. It was agreed that enumeration is made so that issues of building and
economic trees affected can be compensated.
“Before this administration, the people of Ezza north were so neglected and the governor said such a
thing will not happen at his own time. I, therefore, call on the general public to treat the protest with the
wave of the hand. It is just an orchestration of people who think that they could blackmail the
responsible government led by Chief David Umahi,” he stated. Thickmatch.com Reports'
Nigeria’s Domestic Revenue Among World’s Lowest —bill Gates

American billionaire and philanthropist, Bill Gates, has said that Nigeria has one of the lowest
domestic revenues at just six per cent of GDP compared to 15 per cent in some other countries.
This, he said, is perhaps one of the reasons why the largest black nation has a problem with providing
basic health infrastructure.
Gates said this via a teleconference with select journalists ahead of the release of the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers report 2019.
Responding to a question on how Nigeria could address some of its challenges, he said, “One challenge
that Nigeria has is that the amount of money that the government raises domestically is quite small
compared to other countries.
“A lot of countries at that level will be raising closer to 15 per cent of GDP and Nigeria is one of the
lowest in the world down at about six per cent. And so, it is a huge challenge that when you want to
fund infrastructure, health, education, all those things, that over time the tax collection, the domestic
resources are going to have to go up quite a bit.”
The Microsoft co-founder said the government also needed to do more to gain the confidence of the
people because the citizens could be discouraged from paying taxes if they see that taxes are not being
properly utilised.
He added, “That’s a long-term effort and I think partly by making sure the current resources are spent
well like on primary health care, you gain the credibility that the citizens will say, okay, we want more
of these things. If we don’t raise the quality, you can get into a trap where they don’t feel like paying
the taxes actually has that much impact, and so they’re not supportive of that.”
Gates lamented that many countries that were not as wealthy as Nigeria had better health care systems.
“If I had one wish for Nigeria, it would be that the quality and funding of the primary health care
system would achieve the level of some other countries that are lower income but have done a better
job with the primary health care system. So, it definitely is doable,” he said.
The philanthropist said now that the country had virtually defeated polio, his foundation would look at
strengthening health care centres.
He said his foundation had been collaborating with Aliko Dangote in helping Nigeria to address some
of its challenges.
Gates said he holds video conferences with at least six northern governors regularly, adding that there
were some things northern Nigeria could learn from the South.
Nigeria and other African nations had in 2001 signed the Abuja Declaration which seeks to allocate at
least 15 per cent of their annual budget to improve the health sector and urged donor countries to scale
up support.
Over 18 years later, Nigeria has failed to do so.
The country still has one of the world’s worst health indicators
The Federal Government had last week announced plans to increase Value Added tax from 5 per cent to
7.5 per cent, a move that has sparked outrage especially among the organised labour.
FG Gives Mdas September 20 To Submit 2020 Budget Details

The Federal Government has set the deadline for the submission of the 2020 budget proposals by
Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) for Friday, September 20, 2019.
This was disclosed in the 2020 Budget Call Circular released by the Budget Office of the Federation on
Monday, which set out the requirements and instructions that must be satisfied and followed ahead of
preparations of the 2020 Federal Government of Nigeria Budget Proposal.
The document, obtained by Business Post, directed the MDAs to take into consideration the policies
and strategies contained in the 2020 – 2022 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal
Strategy Paper (FSP) which outlines Nigeria’s development priorities.
“Ministries are required to make their submissions online using the GIFMIS Budget Preparation
Module not later than Friday, 20th September, 2019.
“The Chief Executive/Accounting Officers must endorse hard copies of their budget submissions,
attesting to their correctness and compliance with this Circular using the attached Annexure 1,” the
circular said.
MDAs were further told to consider the key parameters which align with the global and domestic
economic outlook, such as oil price of $55 per barrel; 2.18 million barrel per day production; inflation
rate at 10.81 percent; GDP growth rate of 2.93 percent; and exchange rate of N305/$.
In accordance with the 2020 – 2022 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper,
the aggregate FGN revenue available for budget for the 2020 fiscal year was projected at N7.7 billion.
According to the document, the aggregate expenditure level was projected at N10 billion, made up of
Statutory Transfers of N531.49 billion, Debt Service of N2,452.60 billion, Sinking Fund of N296
billion Recurrent (non-debt) expenditure of N4,844.97 billion and Capital expenditure (exclusive of
capital in Statutory Transfers) of N1,877.22 billion of which MDAs Capital expenditure is N1.01
billion.
In line with the Federal Government’s Open Government Partnership all MDAs have been advised to
upload their respective 2020 budget proposals on the website of their ministries, departments or
agencies within one week after the 2020 Budget proposal is submitted to the National Assembly
ostensibly by the end of this month.
Both the executive and the legislative arms of government hope to return the country to a budget cycle
of January to December.
Buhari Dissolves (SPIP) Panel for Recovery of Public Property

President Muhammadu Buhari has dissolved the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the
Recovery of Public Property (SPIP) as currently constituted with Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla as Chairman.
President Muhammadu Buhari has dissolved the Special Presidential Investigation Panel
for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP) as currently constituted with Mr. Okoi Obono-
Obla as Chairman.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been directed to
immediately take over all outstanding investigations and other activities of the SPIP.
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser on Media and
publicity, Chief Femi Adesina.
The panel was established in August 2017 by the then Acting President, Prof. Yemi
Osinbajo, SAN to investigate specifically mandated cases of corruption, abuse of office and
similar offences by public officers.
President Buhari, according to the statement, thanked all members of the dissolved panel
for their services.
“The President looks forward to receiving the final Independent Corrupt Practices and other
related offences Commission (ICPC) report on the ongoing investigations of the dissolved
panel’s Chairman,” it stated.
Xenophobic Attacks: We Won’t Report South Africa To UN –

FG
...As hope brightens for compensation of Nigerians
Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has said the Federal government won’t
table the issue of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa at the 74th United
Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States of America.
This is even as the minister said avenues are currently being explored to secure
compensation for Nigerians whose businesses were attacked in South Africa.
Onyeama who spoke ahead of Nigeria’s participation in the 74th UNGA, said the issue of
migration will be discussed in the context of the United Nations Compact on Migration.
Onyeama noted that migration is a global issue, adding that with regard to South Africa, the
United Nations was not a forum to sort out the crisis that had just happened in South Africa.
“We haven’t got to that stage yet. And I don’t think it is necessary. I think it is something
we can sort out ourselves. We have that capacity and belief to do that,” Onyeama said.
On the issue of compensating Nigerians whose businesses were attacked in South Africa,
Onyeama said what President Cyril Ramaphosa’s envoy to President Buhari said was that
South African laws required all businesses to be insured against various things, including
things like riot and others.
“So, if you suffer looting and damage, in their argument, that it should be covered under the
insurance that you should have taken out because the law requires you to take that
insurance out and that it is not the government that will insure you because the insurance
companies are there to insure you and that if you don’t have that insurance, you are actually
in breach of their laws,” Onyeama said.
Onyeama, however, said that the Federal government was looking for other means and
argument to secure compensation for those who lost property.
“We are looking at the South Africa-Nigeria business agreement. It is actually expired at the
moment, but it still protects those businesses that were established before the period of the
agreement between Nigeria and South Africa. And within that, it is envisaged that there will
be compensation for businesses or investors. It is actually an investor- protection agreement
between the two countries.
“So, we have to look at that also to see to what extent that covers the situation we have at
the moment. And also, and most importantly, is that Mr President will be going to South
Africa on October 3. There is a bi-national commission between South Africa and Nigeria.
It has been agreed that this commission will now be at the level of the heads of state.
“So, it will be the only bi-national agreement this country has at the level of heads of state.
And within the framework of this bi-national commission, we will go there to discuss all
issues of importance to both countries and also signed various agreements,” Onyeama
added.
Onyeama further said the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa and the Consulate
General had been directed to compile all the losses suffered by Nigerians, the details of all
Nigerians killed throughout the period of xenophobic attacks.
“We are reliably informed that no Nigerian was killed during this last crisis, but of course in
the past, and to give us all the details. We are compiling all the detail information with
regard to Nigerians in South Africa, including also, the criminal elements, the acts of
criminality being caused by Nigerians – drug trafficking, human trafficking and the killing
of a lot of Nigerians in South Africa by Nigerians which apparently is actually that the
majority of Nigerians being killed in South Africa, we are informed, are actually by
Nigerians.
“We are going to look at all that and we will raise with the South Africans, all these issues
and agree on a mechanism to address all of them,” Onyeama stated.
Nigeria's Problem Is The South Not The North -

Fani Kayode
He wrote...
"The problem of Nigeria is not the north: it is the south. The north has strong, united and courageous
leaders who put the northern interest before the Nigerian interest. The south has weak,divided and
cowardly leaders who put the Nigerian interest before the southern interest."
Again Buhari Reacts To His Victory At The Tribunal,

Commends Abba Kyari (Parody)
Starboy : Congratulations sir. It was a well deserved judicial victory. A masterstroke of jurisprudence.
Bubu: Toor.. Madalla.. Everything went according to flan. Abba is a master.
Starboy: I must confess sir. I was entertaining some serious misgivings at some point. They had a good
case.
Bubu :Was she also on the tribunal?
Starboy: Who sir?
Bubu: Miss Gibbons? The person you were entertaining?
Starboy: Misgivings sir. It's a way of saying I was seriously worried.
Bubu: Shege! Osunbade! You are always getting worried over nothing.
Starboy: He had a good case sir.
Bubu: He should take his case to God.
Starboy: Atiku says he is taking it to the Supreme Court.
Bubu: Supreme Court of what?
Starboy : What do you mean sir?

Bubu: Supreme Court of what?
Starboy : Of Nigeria sir
Bubu: Toor.. Madalla. As long as it is Nigeria there is no froblem. Tanko is in control.
Starboy : What if they call me as a witness? I know the truth of this matter. As a pastor I can't lie under
oath sir.
Bubu: You will lie as a lawyer then. Lawyers lie all the time, look at Keyamo.
Starboy: But sir ! I can be disbarred. My licence to practice law might be withdrawn.
Bubu: Wallahi! You have nothing to pear. If they withdraw your license you will use apidavit.
EMT: Osinbajo’s Position As VP Has Become Totally Irrelevant

– Afenifere
Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere on Tuesday said the dissolution of the Economic
Management Team (EMT) headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo by President Muhammadu Buhari
is clearly a vote of no confidence in a loud indictment.
Speaking in a chat with INDEPENDENT, Yinka Odumakin, the organisation’s National Publicity
Secretary said Osinbajo’s position has become totally redundant and irrelevant.
“It is clearly a vote of no confidence and a loud indictment. His position has become totally redundant
and irrelevant.
“Unfortunately, politicians don’t relinquish positions here except they are forced out,” he said.
BIAFRA: Igbos Are The Most Humiliated People In Nigeria –

Nnamdi Kanu
The Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has described the Igbo
people in particular and Biafrans in general as the most traumatization and dehumanization (distressed
and Humiliated) people in Nigeria, who out of their willingness to survive and resilience against all
odds, remained afloat in the country.
“in spite of their traumatization and dehumanization, we are historically known to be industrious and
hard-working people, who have shunned looting and exhibiting kleptomaniac and terrorist characters,
yet have been deliberately denied the sense of belonging and pride in the Nigeria project.
Nnamdi Kanu in an address he delivered to the European Parliament during his interactive session with
them, which he made available through the groups Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful,
said that many heinous crimes, that calls for justice and needs to be redressed, have been committed
against the Igbos and Biafrans in general, by successive Nigerian governments, particularly the present
administration in the country.
He said that IPOB will continue to seek redress against the alleged tyrannical regime of Nigeria who
has since become habitual pogromists, at the African Union, in the European Court of Human Rights,
the United States and the International Criminal Court.
“The same governments have over the years perpetrated unchecked genocide against Biafrans, aiding
and abating raping, maiming, mutilation and killing of unarmed civil populations with impunity and no
regard for young or old, women and children.
“Those leaders must be held accountable and the world must not allow them to keep getting away with
their crimes against humanity, misgovernance, impunity, human right abuses and deliberate strategic
and systematic destruction of our region, environment and infrastructure and the unending killings of
my people.
“Distinguished Parliamentarians, this is the 21st century. Barbarism and psychopathic dictatorships in
any form or manner, especially in Africa, should not be tolerated. We are no longer in the Dark Ages;
therefore, human beings, especially those charged with the governance, protection, welfare and well
being of others must adhere to civilized rules and norms.”
Road Construction: Nkalagu Hail Ugwuanyi For Remembering

Them After 35 Yrs After
35-years after the Eha-Amufu-Nkalagu road was abandoned by previous governments, Governor
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has set another record with the massive reconstruction of the road, which links
Enugu to Ebonyi.
Findings by Igbere TV revealed that the hitherto dilapidated road which was last maintained by the
Governor Jim Nwobodo led administration of old Anambra State is now wearing a new look.
Igbere TV news crew, who were in transit to Ebonyi State to cover an event, had to stop at the project
site for an on-spot assessment.
Some members of the community who were interviewed by our correspondents, could not hide their
joy but heaped praises on Governor Ugwuanyi.
One of them, Mr. Emeka Odoh who is a civil servant in the community has this to say; “We are very
grateful to the Governor for remembering us after 35 years of abandonment by past administrations.”
35-years after the Eha-Amufu-Nkalagu road was abandoned by previous governments, Governor
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has set another record with the massive reconstruction of the road, which links
Enugu to Ebonyi.
Findings by Igbere TV revealed that the hitherto dilapidated road which was last maintained by the
Governor Jim Nwobodo led administration of old Anambra State is now wearing a new look.
Igbere TV news crew, who were in transit to Ebonyi State to cover an event, had to stop at the project
site for an on-spot assessment.
Some members of the community who were interviewed by our correspondents, could not hide their
joy but heaped praises on Governor Ugwuanyi.
One of them, Mr. Emeka Odoh who is a civil servant in the community has this to say; “We are very
grateful to the Governor for remembering us after 35 years of abandonment by past administrations.”
“This road was done last by Governor Jim Nwobodo. We made complaints about its bad state for many
years now but it seems those governments were not interested. Thank God for giving us a loving
Governor like Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who always understands the yearnings of the people he governs. This
is a sign of better things to happen in our community”, he added.
On her part, Mrs Jane Abonyi, a petty trader, said, “Governor Ugwuanyi is an answer to our prayer. We
the traders find it so hard to move our products to the town where people demand for it. Eha-Amufu
people are doing well in Agriculture but the bad road is always a very big problem to us. God will bless
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for remembering us.”
An indigene of Ebonyi State, Mr Onyeka Okoro, added, “Since I was born, I haven’t seen any kind of
work being done on this road. This road has become so bad, especially during rainy season. The
Government of Enugu State Government has really done very well by working on this road. The people
of Ebonyi State will be happy with this development, as this road connects to Ebonyi State through
Nkalagu”.
The 8.8 Km road was commissioned by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Monday, 16th September 2019
amidst wild jubilation by locals.
Igbere TV recalls that the Enugu State Government led by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, had earlier
made a campaign of intensive rural development in the state.
Crash Reduction: FRSC Bars Dangote Trucks On Roads From
7pm To 7am
Worried by the incessant road crashes involving trucks from Dangote Group, which have led to deaths
of many motorists, the management of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has directed the company’s
drivers not to ply any road in the country from the hours of 7pm to 7am.
In a statement obtained by Business Post on Tuesday, the agency threatened to impound any truck
belonging to the firm violating this directive.
“Dangote Trucks not allowed to drive from 7pm to 7am, any of the company’s truck found around that
time will be impounded at sight,” the statement said.
It said further that, “Foreign number plates on the company’s trucks to be replaced with Nigeria
Number Plates before 31 December, 2019,” adding that, “Periodic and random driver’s eye check
should be conducted for the fleet drivers.”
Also, FRSC ordered that, “All Dangote trucks to be fully installed with Speed Limiting Device before
December 31, 2019,” while the company is expected to “provide details of any driver who commits
traffic infraction to FRSC for subjection to Emotional Stability Test.”
Dangote is further required to “provide details of any driver who runs away after a crash to FRSC for
flagging on the database so as to track such drivers and prevent reissuance of NDL,” while “FRSC and
Dangote Group [are] to commence a joint effort to ensure that all abandoned or broken down Dangote
Trucks are towed within the next 30 days commencing from September 18 to October 17, 2019,” with
all Dangote trucks expected “to have at least a mini first aid box.”
Business Post gathered that these decisions were reached after a meeting between the road agency and
the conglomerate.
In the statement signed by the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, the meeting was part
of the ongoing concerted efforts by the corps to reduce the rate of occurrence of crashes involving
articulated vehicles and also ensure prompt removal of broken-down vehicles on the highways.
“There is need for the company to be strict in its recruitment process for drivers; requirements such as
age for both entry and retirement should be made a priority issue to avoid under age driving and
maintain a fixed age for retirement,” Mr Kazeem quoted the Corps Marshal, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, as
saying during the meeting.
To achieve the aforementioned, Mr Oyeyemi charged the group to establish more driving schools and
also make it open to the public so that drivers and would be drivers can apply for training as this will
go a long way in making the highways safer for all to use.
Responding, head of the delegation, Mr Juan Carlos Rincom, appreciated the FRSC for its unwavering
commitment to sanitising the highways and pledged the company’s willingness to carry out all
resolutions made in the meeting.
Abia North: "Release True Copy Of Judgment" - Lawyer Begs

Tribunal
Following the judgment of the National and State Assembly Election Petition Panel sitting in Umuahia,
Abia state on Abia North Senatorial District, a lawyer based in the state, Edwin Nkole Esq, has pleaded
with the three-man panel headed by Justice Cornelius Akintayo to release the true copy of the judgment
of the tribunal to parties in the suit, Igbere TV reports.
Speaking with Igbere TV correspondent on Monday, Edwin Nkole Esq faulted the panel for what he
described as "unprofessional conduct and a deliberate plot to circumvent the judicial and electoral
processes".
He noted that a true copy of the judgment is needed by affected parties for appropriate legal actions.
His words, “owing to the delay in the release of judgment, it is clear that it is a deliberate attempt by
the panel to sabotage the judicial process.
“The judgment should be made available to all parties not later than seven days from the date the
judgment was delivered."
More details soon…
Buhari Will Soon Render Osinbajo, Tinubu's Loyalists In APC

Impotent- Ozekhome
Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, on Tuesday said President Muhammadu Buhari will soon render Vice
President Yemi Osinbajo and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to Asiwaju Bola
Tinubu impotent in the coming days.
Speaking in a chat with Daily Independent, Ozekhome who said the battle for the heart and soul of the
2023 presidential election has already begun said President Buhari will also make them feel
accommodated in APC and ultimately discard them.
One thing I want to assure Nigerians is that going by the trajectory of President Buhari’s persona, the
VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo and the Tinubu group will be rendered more and more impotent,
unaccommodated and discarded.
“The battle for the heart and soul of 2023 has already earnestly begun. Read my lips,” he said
Osinbajo Followed Due Process In Supervision Of Agencies –

Presidency
The Presidency has dismissed reports that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo did not follow ‘due process’ in
the supervision of agencies under his watch.
In a statement by Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Office
of the Vice President, Presidency noted that report by an online platform, The Cable, was false.
“Our attention has been drawn to a sensational report by The Cable published on September 17, 2019,
which claims that His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, has directed Vice President Yemi
Osinbajo, SAN, to seek approvals for agencies under him.
“The report suggests, falsely, that agencies under the supervision of the Vice President do not normally
comply with established rules where presidential approvals are required.
“This is obviously misleading and aims only to plant seeds of discord in the Presidency, while
attempting to create unnecessary national hysteria.
“The agencies in question are established by law and the Vice President has always insisted on due
compliance with the enabling statutes and other established regulations.
“Depending on the particular scope of activity in question, agencies may require management approval
only, at the level of the Director-General or Chief Executive Officer. In this category falls the great
majority of their day-to-day activities.
“However, other activities, or procurement, with value exceeding a certain threshold, require Board
approval. These may get to the agency Board chaired by the Vice President.
“In a few cases where Presidential approval is required, the Director-General must seek such approval
from the President, through the Vice President.
“These rules have always guided the activities of statutory agencies and the ones under the Vice
President’s supervision have always been so guided.
“To claim that in the first term of the Buhari administration, agencies of government have not been
complying with the provisions (of getting final approvals from the President) is false, and the attempt
to suggest the Vice President’s complicity in such irregularities is simply mischievous and
reprehensible.
“The effective and mutually respecting relationship between the President and the Vice President is
well known to Nigerians and it is futile to insinuate otherwise.
“Even though the Vice President has a statutory role as Board Chairman of some government agencies
under his office, with appropriate approval limits, which often do not include contract approvals; it is
ludicrous to even insinuate that a Board Chairman approves contracts.
“Evidently, the Federal Executive Council, which oversees Federal Ministries and agencies of
government, is chaired by the President, and it is in its purview to approve or ratify award of contracts
within the prescribed threshold.
“The Vice President remains committed to the service of his fatherland and will continue to do so
despite the purveyors of fake news. We urge media organizations, as gatekeepers, to uphold truth,
balance, fairness and objectivity in their reports.”
You Shall Arrest And Tire – Nigerian Man Replies EFCC Post
On Instagram
Nigerian Man has Replied EFCC post on Instagram, following the large Number of arrested internet
Fraudsters in the country.
The Economic and Financial Crime commission (EFCC) has arrested a Large Number of Nigerians
who Indulged in Internet Fraud and Money Laundering Recently. The Youths are Trooping into Internet
Fraud; also Known as Yahoo Yahoo Due to Lack of Jobs and Economic Challenges in the Country.
After EFCC Posted about one Chijioke Iwu who was Bagged Three Months Imprisonment for internet
Fraud, A Nigerian Man Reacted;
HIS COMMENT:
Tell the government to build more prisons since you said y’all are going to be a fool then what’s the
point build more prison coz you never see nada. You shall arrest tire trust me.
More Reaction;
Wish 100 Nig IG user can jst report dis der rubbish acct, they dnt believe in social media a man video
on everywhere concerning the rice custom steal from his warehouse Mr Mugu tell ur boys to
investigate the root of d matter, bet in d next 10yrs u and Buhari will be dead and remember ur kids
will b alive and c what will happen to dem
Another Reaction;
Stop harassing these young lads , are they the problem in Nigeria ? Do us a favour , start from the
House � of Representatives, house � of assembly, Senate house � and see if Nigeria won’t be a
better place to live . Shame you efcc are starting from the scratch , Stop � and start from the head and
see how Nigeria will move forward . Nigeria is a ship � and ship don’t sail in pool .
Obiano Has Failed Still Trending On Twitter After 2 Days

The angry people of Anambra State took their grievance to the Social Media with the hashtags:
#ObianoFailed and #ObianoHasFailed. The trend, which started yesterday's morning is still trending
today.
Below are some of the tweets

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r4SEPT 11 – SEPT 17 NEWS

Ajimobi Loses At Tribunal

Meanwhile, the senator described the victory as victory for democracy.

Shiites Have Right To Practice Faith – Falana

Why Corruption Persists In Nigeria — Lumumba

See Nigerian Slave Girl who was also Queen

Xenophobia: First Batch Of 320 Nigerians Set To Return From

Court Summons Okorocha Over Alleged Breach Of Peace

“But for the silence all over, it just looks as if it is normal.

FG To Deliver Four Key Oil, Gas Projects By Year End – Timi

FG Issued N13.7 Billion For Expenditure On Basic Healthcare

BIAFRA: Read Full Speech Of Nnamdi Kanu as

Nigeria: The Problem, Not the Solution

The Biafran War (1967-1970)

Impunity for Northerners?

Why Self-Determination Matters

Biafra: Africa’s Future

FG Proposes N9.79 Trillion Budget For 2020

Ikpeazu Addresses Igbo People In USA, Defies IPOB

Governor Ikpeazu has since returned to Nigeria.

I Was Hated, Called “okoro Hausa” Because Of APC –

“But for the silence all over, it just looks as if it is normal.

Igbos Through Amadioha (Kamalu) Held

How Blacks Were Taught Crime By Whites - Seun Kuti

Saipem, Daewoo, Chiyoda Win $10bn NLNG Train 7 Project

"As A Mother, I Cannot Order Police To Shoot At Students"-

Erelu Bisi Fayemi

No Evidence That The 2019 Election Was Rigged For Or By

Why We Dismissed Atiku’s Petition Challenging Buhari In Its

Rivers Has All It Takes To Fight The PDP - Wike Threatens

Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.

11th September, 2019.

In a bench ruling, Justice Oweibo upheld their prayers.

The judge added: “All orders in the case stands discharged.”

3 Major Reasons Atiku Case Was Thrown Out Of Tribunal

Enugu Procures 100 Innoson Vans, 260 others For Security

5 States That Received The Highest Revenue Allocation In

H1 2019: N108.7 billion

H1 2019: N75.84 billion

H1 2019: N66.76 billion

H1 2019: N58.1 billion

EFCC Arrests 30-year-old Graduate For Alleged $4m

The suspect will be arraigned in court soon.

TRIBUNAL JUDGMENT IS VICTORY FOR NIGERIANS, SAYS PRESIDENT BUHARI

We’re Going To Supreme Court – Atiku’s Lawyer Says In

“It (judgement) is worrisome, we will appeal that judgement,” Mr Ozekhome said.

FG Raises VAT To 7.2%. To Seek National Assembly

Governor Wike Congratulates President Buhari

“They Have Rigged The Courts Too” - Fani-kayode Reacts

Buba Galadima: Nigerians Are Mourning Buhari’s Victory

Tribunal: Yahaya Bello Congratulates Buhari, Urges Atiku

He described President Muhammadu Buhari as a “man of the people” and “a peace-loving

Nwogu N. Nwogu Felicitates With President Buhari Over

In a statement signed by Hon. Nwogu N. Nwogu he enjoined Nigerians to understand that

Ibom Air Delivers Its 50,000th Passenger, Awards Certificate

Below is a statement made available to Igbere TV by Ibom Air management,

Stay with Igbere TV. Africa's No1 Community TV.

Tribunal: Senate Congratulates Buhari, Pledges Support

Governor Yahaya Bello Sprays Money On Passersby At