Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts

Governor blames Buhari for naira crash

Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose, has blamed President Muhammadu Buhari for the continuous fall of the naira, saying the currency was stronger under Goodluck Jonathan's administration.

With the US Dollar exchanging for N350 as the time of filing this report, Fayose said the President lacks the mental capacity to resolve the economic challenges confronting the country.

He said Buhari's foreign trips is a sign that he is insensitive to the hardship confronting Nigerians.

In a statement released by his special assistant on public communications and new media, Lere Olayinka, he said after nine months in office, the President has not formed an economic team or articulated his policy direction.

The statement reads: “It is the height of insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians that the president, who just returned from trips to France and United Kingdom, will again be traveling to Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar from February 20 to 27, spending seven days out of Nigeria in what they called ‘three-nation tour.

“Travelling from one country to another won’t solve any of our problems because I have not seen where foreigners assist any nation to develop. The president should know that Nigerians are suffering and they do not need their President to junket around the world, to alleviate their sufferings.

“Nigerians should prevail on President Buhari to stay at home and govern the country… It is worrisome that President Buhari does not have any economic team and there is no policy direction yet, despite spending close to nine months in office.

“The implication of the president’s obvious lack of the required mental capacity to tackle the nation’s economic problems and the resultant effects are human right abuses, prices of goods and services skyrocketing, daily retrenchment of workers, folding up of businesses, states finding it difficult to pay workers salary and the Federal Government not being able to prepare common budget.”

On the dollar crash, he said: “Dollar has gone double since Dr Goodluck Jonathan left office, with US Dollar exchanging for N350 as at today, Foreign Reserve is declining on daily basis, Boko Haram insurgents have come back even stronger than they were when Buhari assumed office and Nigerians are now being made to pay more for electricity that is not available for them to use."

“Most importantly, prices of foodstuffs, newsprint, medicine among others have gone over the roof. Should we still continue to attribute all these to Jonathan or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)?

“Even former Central Bank Governor (CBN) and Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is saying that President Buhari’s anti-corruption stance is totally inconsistent with the forex regime he supported and that the Federal Government Forex Policy encourages corruption and rent-seeking.

“Funny enough, some people are already talking about President Buhari’s second term not minding the reality that anybody thinking about Buhari’s second term is only planning to snuff life out of Nigerians.”

Fayose is known to criticising Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC), almost on a daily basis.

A former governor of Ekiti state, Niyi Adebayo, had earlier today said Fayose is making a mockery of the state, noting the APC leadership is doing everything possible to take power from him by the next political dispensation.

Senate to pass budget before March 31, says Ndume

The Senate will pass this year’s budget before the end of next month, Ali Ndume said yesterday.

The Senate leader said the 2015 budget would end next month and it was the desire of the Senate to pass the 2016 budget before that time.

Ndume said contrary to reports in the media, the Senate did not suspend its passage indefinitely, but only said February 25 “may not be feasible”.

The Senate leader noted that it was the wish of the National Assembly to pass the budget five weeks before the expiry of the period set for the implementation of the 2015 budget.

But he explained that it would not be possible due to some errors.

His words: “We have not postponed it indefinitely; we are saying that with the developments we are seeing, the February 25 deadline may not be realistic.

“That is why we now said that going by this, it is not possible to say we will come back on February 25 and say this is the budget; we are not saying that we have suspended it indefinitely.

“The reason we fixed February 25 was because we wanted to have a gap of five weeks,” he said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The Senate leader said the gap would have enabled the Senate fix whatever issues that needed to be handled before the March 31 deadline for the implementation of the 2015 budget.

The leadership of the National Assembly, Ndume said, met with ministers to iron out the grey areas and make corrections to the contentious areas.

He assured Nigerians that the Senate would ensure strict compliance with the implementation of the budget.

Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, yesterday exonerated President Muhammadu Buhari for the inconsistencies in the 2016 budget.

The lawmaker, who made the statement while receiving leaders of the National Association of Nigerians Students in Abuja at the weekend, said the civil servants should be blamed.

He said: “I’m going to absolve the President; but I’m not going to absolve the people that put it in. Why I must absolve the President, I will tell you.

“The job was done by civil servants; it’s always been done by civil servants

The President does not sit in a ministry, he doesn’t know what’s going on in a ministry or what they need or do not need.

“The argument can be that the buck stops at his desk. I agree with that. He must take responsibility. Under the constitution, he has the right to delegate his work to ministers. And he delegated the issue of budget and planning to the minister of Budget and Planning.

“Where I think the ball was dropped, was with the minister of Budget and Planning. Because after the civil servants, whether intentionally or not, did what they did, it was for the minister of Budget and National Planning to vet and scrutinise those things before coming to the House, or the National Assembly. It’s not for the President to do so.”

The lawmaker reminded the students that it was Buhari who first drew the attention of Nigerians to the issues in the budget.

Also, Senator Gbenga Ashafa yesterday assured Nigerians that the 2016 budget would be transparently passed and that there won’t be hidden figures.

Speaking with reporters in Lagos at the weekend, Ashafa promised that the Presidency and the National Assembly would not cover up for any shortcomings in the budget.

He assured the citizens that they would get the best from the budget.

Finance minister says 23,000 ghost workers were discovered in civil service

The minister of finance, Kemi Adeosun revealed that 23,000 ghost workers were discovered in the federal civil service.

Daily Post reports that Adeosun said the ghost workers will be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

She made this revelation while addressing, the Senate committee on Finance, during her budget defence session.

Adeosun also said banks that worked with the civil servants to defraud the government will also be prosecuted.

She said “We will not only sack them, we will ensure the recovery of the money they have been collecting over the years from the Federal government.”

The finance minister also said Nigeria's decision to collect government payments in one bank account will help limit state borrowing, reduce payment delays and curb corruption.

During the visit of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) boss, Christine Lagarde Adeosun also said Nigeria plans up to $5 bln borrowing from sources including Eurobonds.

The minister has also hinted that the government was working on the introduction of performance-related pay for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), to motivate improved revenue collection and reduce corruption.

Buhari has plunged Nigerian economy into recession says Utomi

The possibility of the Nigerian economy plunging into recession in 2016 is not in doubt, going by the poor economic policy direction of President Muhammadu Buhari. Professor Pat Utomi has maintained.

As crude oil prices dive lower, threatening to dip below $30 a barrel for the first time since the financial crisis of 2008, commodity economies around the world are catching a cold.

The collapse of oil price is already taking its toll on the Nigerian economy. As it stands, there is no light at the end of the tunnel yet. Nigeria’s situation is further worsened by the current government’s delay in enacting sound fiscal and monetary policies.

Investors across the world are losing their investments in stock and property owners are also suffering losses as a result of depreciation in currencies.

The Naira is currently under intense pressure, the situation has depleted Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves, with policy makers now left with a difficult decision to make: either allow the currency to move in a wider range against the dollar or raise interest rates.

However, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele has promised to stabilize the Naira without devaluing the currency.

President Muhammadu Buhari has also backed the CBN’s monetary policies, which have raised questions about its sustainability.

Two former Central bank governors, have disapproved the current policies initiated under Buhari, aimed at amelioration the situation. They have both called for more flexibility in the management of the country’s currency.

Amechi says he is discussing with President Buhari on national carrier

The Ministry of Transport says it has commenced discussion with President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the nation has a national carrier.

The Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja while defending the 2016 budget of the ministry before the Senate Committee on Aviation.

"I do not want to say much on the national carrier because the ministry is still discussing with President Muhammadu Buhari.

"The national carrier we are working on will not be like Nigeria Airways.

"A lot of investors are interested, so the government will not be fully involved but will provide policies,’’ he said.

Amaechi said that the ministry would soon commence `extensive audit’ of the renovation of the nation’s airports carried out by the past administration.

He said that the ministry was poised to ensure that the aviation industry was better positioned to meet international standards.

The minister also said that the ministry was working on expanding the runways of the airports to ensure safety of passengers.

He assured the committee that the 2016 budget would bring about the desired change in the aviation sector, when passed.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, said that the deplorable state of the nation’s airports called for concern.

He urged the minister to ensure that adequate steps were taken to reposition the nation’s airports.

The lawmaker, however, observed that the ministry included some projects contained in the first phase of the airport remodeling in the 2016 budget when work was almost 99 per cent completed.

N31b fraud: Anenih, George, Odili, others may refund N630m slush fund

Some former and serving Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the House of Representatives may have to refund about N600million allegedly shared to them under the last dispensation for the purpose of seeking re-election.

Several bigwigs of the party who allegedly partook of the slush funds are also expected to return to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) the amount each of them collected.

Such PDP stalwarts include Bode George, Yerima Abdullahi; Peter Odili; Attahiru Bafarawa; Jim Nwobodo; Ahmadu Ali, and Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi who all got (N100m /$30,000) each. Others are Bello Sarkin Yaki (N200m); BAM Properties(N300m); Dalhatu Investment Limited(N1.5billion); Tony Anenih (N260m); and Iyorchia Ayu’s company ( N345m)

Investigation revealed that some former and serving members of the House of Representatives got N380million public funds to campaign for re-election.

The sum was allegedly transferred to Belsha Nigeria Limited’s bank account controlled by Bello Matanwalle for distribution to support some members of the House of Representatives for their re-election campaigns.

The beneficiary Reps allegedly collected sums ranging between N10million and N50million.

The Nation gathered that the N380million was not only the slush fund made available to the Reps seeking re-election.

Some of them, sources familiar with the disbursement said yesterday, got their share directly from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

In one of the payment mandates, Ref. No: ACCT/87/VOL.3/72 which was sent to the Branch Manager of Zenith Bank, K. City Plaza Branch, Wuse II Abuja, a new member of the House was given N50million through GTB Account 0022471014 while a ranking member smiled home with N150million remitted into UBA account 1007130385.

Yet, another Representative got his share through UBA account 1014721695 for N50million.

The EFCC has already retrieved more payment vouchers involving some members of the House.

It was learnt that the list might soon be out detailing how the affected Representatives.

A top source in the anti-graft agency said: “As we go into the trial of some accused persons, our ultimate goal is to retrieve looted funds. We will certainly ask most of these beneficiaries to refund the public funds illegally disbursed to them.

“We are eager to collect the funds back in order to channel them into the development of the nation.

“Some of these bigwigs have been making overtures to the EFCC to allow them to make refund instead of being put on trial.

“As President Muhammadu Buhari said, we will publish the list of those who may make refunds.

“A few of them will serve as our witnesses in court against accused persons.

“But we are looking for some of them who were invited but managed to sneak out of the country.

“Whatever the case and wherever they are hiding, we will bring them to justice.”

Meanwhile, fresh facts emerged last night on how some of the PDP leaders benefitted from the slush funds.

A former presidential aide, who was an insider, said: “Actually, most of the party leaders were always going to the former President Goodluck Jonathan for assistance in preparation for the 2015 poll. The usual refrain of Jonathan was ‘leave your account details with my aide’ and after some days, they got alert without cross checking where the money came from.

“The ex-president would thereafter send the bank details and instructions to the former National Security Adviser, Mr. Sambo Dasuki to disburse from the security votes and other funds in ONSA.

“I think he might have given verbal instructions in most cases but there is sufficient evidence of a few requests forwarded to the ex-NSA from the Villa.”

Asked why the ONSA was saddled with the responsibility of disbursement of funds, the source said, “the ONSA used to manage the president’s security votes, operation and maintenance of the Presidential Fleet and other exigencies including special welfare of ex-Presidents/ Heads of State.

“The ex-NSA got involved because Jonathan discovered that each time he directed that funds be disbursed, most beneficiaries were not getting the cash. He had trust in the ex-NSA and decided to saddle him with the responsibility.”

Responding to a question, the source said: “Some members of the PDP Contact and Mobilization Committee got their share directly from a former National Chairman of the party, Alh. Adamu Muazu at his residence.

“Some of these funds given to Muazu came from the former Minister of State for Finance, Amb. Bashir Yuguda.

“Yuguda also became part of the disbursement because of the trust reposed in him by the former First Family. In fact, Yuguda got his appointment at the behest of the ex-First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.

“The former First Lady’s path crossed with Yuguda when the latter was Nigeria’s Ambassador to UAE.

“For always hosting Mrs. Jonathan very well in Dubai, she spotted him as a responsible diplomat and pushed through in making him a Minister. When campaign funds were being mismanaged, the Jonathan opted for Yuguda too because of the ‘trust’ he had in him. “Old friendship and loyalty made Yuguda to be part of this scandal rocking the nation.”

In a Statement of Witness/ Caution which he wrote on oath, Yuguda admitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he gave N600million cash to six chairmen of the Contact and Mobilization Committees of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) for the 2015 general Election.

He listed the beneficiaries as Bode George (South-West); Amb. Yerima Abdullahi (North-East); Peter Odili( South-South); Attahiru Bafarawa (North-West); Jim Nwobodo( South -East); North-Central(Ahmadu Ali).

George, Nwobodo and Odili have denied collecting cash from Yuguda. The former Rivers State Governor said he received N100m from the PDP for purposes of elelction mobilisation in the South-South zones.

Bode George admitted that only $30,000 was given to the South-West Contact and Mobilization Committee.

He also said he instructed Jabbama Limited to transfer N300million to BAM Properties whose account was given to him by a former National Chairman of PDP, Bello Haliru transferred to Jabbama Ada Global Services.

Only ex-Governor Attahiru Bafarawa admitted that he collected N100million from Yuguda through Sagir Attahiru.

The ex-Minister said: “For the cash disbursement of N600million, it was meant for the six zonal chairmen for Contact and Mobilization Committees for Election of 2015. The chairmen are Bode George (South-West); Amb. Yerima Abdullahi ( North-East); Peter Odili( South-South); Attahiru Bafarawa( North-East); Jim Nwobodo( South -East); North-Central(Ahmadu Ali). The sum of N100million was given to each chairman. I gave the money in company of Prof. Alkali, who was former Political Adviser to former President. The zonal chairmen are for the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). I also instructed Jabbama Limited to transfer the sum of N100m to Dalhatu Limited on the request of Attahiru Bafarawa.

“I also remember that Bello Sarkin Yaki was among the people that the then NSA instructed that I send the sum of N200million to. He was the PDP gubernatorial candidate in Kebbi State.”

Yuguda, who claimed that he had liaised with Stallion Limited, gave the details of other disbursements.

He added: “I knew the chairman of Stallion Limited whose second name I cannot remember. Between December 2014 to June 2015, on the instruction of the then NSA, I introduced Jabbama Limited to a staff of the company on the instruction of the chairman.

“When the account was in credit, disbursement was made from time to time on the instruction of the then NSA. Part in foreign exchange or transfers.

“I wish to add that sometime in February 2015, I instructed Jabbama to transfer the sum of N300m to BAM Properties. The account was given to me by Bello Haliru as one of the people the former NSA requested me to give money. I also remember that Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi was sent the sum of N100million on the instruction of the then NSA.

“Further to my statement of 30th November, 2015, I have brought the sum of $829,800(equivalent to N200m) and a N600m was given to me to distribute to the six PDP Zonal Committee chairmen. I don’t know who are the directors of Dalhatu Investment Limited but funds were transferred to the company’s account on the instruction of Dalhatu Bafarawa for the total amount of N1.5billion received from the then NSA by Jabbama Limited.

“I shall endeavour to recover the sum of N600million given to the six zonal PDP committee chairmen, while I appeal to the commission to use their machineries to trace the remaining balance of the money transferred to various accounts.”

The former Minister however denied receiving another N200million credited to him.

“I have been shown transaction of N200million from the Office of the Accountant-General to Jabbama which Jabbama said it’s on my instruction but I cannot remember this instruction until I crosscheck,” he said.

The charges against Yuguda read in part: “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Bashir Yuguda whilst being the Minister of State for Finance between 5th February and 16th April 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: an aggregate sum of N1.1billion being part of the funds in the account of the National Security Adviser with CBN committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property when you transferred same to the account of Jabbama Ada Global Services Nigeria Limited for the purpose of financing the campaign of PDP in the 2015 general election and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.

“That you, Bashir Yuguda whilst being Minister of State for Finance between 23rd December 2014 and 10th February, 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dishonestly misappropriated certain property to wit: an aggregate sum of $9,809,619 which was an equivalent of the aggregate sum of N1,950,000 belonging to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which sum was transferred to Jabbama Ada Global Services to be converted into the said dollars and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 309 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.”

Governor Ayo Fayose withdraws lawsuit against APC lawmakers

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, yesterday withdrew the suit against the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) members of the state House of Assembly from impeaching him and his Deputy, Kolapo Olusola.

In the suit, the plaintiffs, including speaker of the House of Assembly which is occupied by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) factional Speaker, Olugbemi Joseph Dele; Ekiti State House of Assembly, Fayose and Olusola through their counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN), had approached the court seeking to stop impeachment moves against the governor. The suit however had already been struck out by Justice Ahmed Mohammed.

When the matter was called for hearing yesterday, counsel to the plaintiffs, Raji, informed the court of his client’s intention to withdraw the case. The plaintiff’s counsel did not give any reason for the withdrawal.

Xenophobic Attacks: Zuma calls Jonathan, pleads for support

President Jacob Zuma has had telephonic discussions with President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria on recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, according to a statement by the South African presidency.

The two Presidents reaffirmed the warm and cordial relations between South Africa and Nigeria and pledged that the two countries will continue to work together for the good of their peoples and the continent as a whole.

President Jonathan expressed his support for the efforts of South Africa to arrest the attacks on foreign nationals and to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, including foreign nationals and those from the African continent, in particular who bore the brunt of the attacks earlier this month.

President Zuma will attend the inauguration of the President-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Muhammadu Buhari, next month.

6 Reasons We're Impeaching Governor Dakingari -Kebbi Lawmakers

12 out of 24 members of the Kebbi state house of assembly have served Governor Saidu Usman Dakingari an impeachment notice.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that the 12 lawmakers in the impeachment notice listed 6 sins the governor has committed. Dakingari's sins include;

•That Governor Sa’idu Dakingari committed grave violation of the provision of Section 5(1)(a) of the Kebbi State Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Bureau Law,2006 in that the Chairman of the Bureau is to be a retired Civil Servant, but the Governor appointed a serving Permanent Secretary/Solicitor General of the State Ministry of justice, Barr Aminu Usman as Chairman of the Bureau;

•That the governor committed gross misconduct by accessing and obtaining a loan facility to the tune of N2 billion from Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Support Fund set up by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) allegedly without obtaining the necessary confirmation of 2/3 majority of the Assembly, which was opposed by nine of 24 members;

•That the Governors continues work with unelected Local Government Councils in the State whose tenure in office already expired on or about the 18th September,2014, two years after Oath of office as provided by Section 18(1) of Kebbi State Local Government Law, 2008 and thereby committed a gross misconduct;
•That between the period of January 2015 – April 2015, the governor allegedly misappropriated the sum of N1,800,862,672.00 from the State Government funds in the name of General Election 2015 even when there is no provision for that expenditure in the Appropriation Law 2015;

•The Governor,alleged misappropriated the sum of N965,000, 000.00 in the name of the official visits of Mr President, Vice President and First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between November 2014 to March, 2015 and that Mr Vice President and First Lady did not make any official visit to Kebbi State within the said period thereby committed gross misconduct;

•That the governor issued the renovation and furnishing of the Presidential Lodge and other government lodges at the cost of N558, 560, 416.00 to unknown contractor in September 2011 and thereafter within two months period that was between October 2014 – November, 2014, the governor alleged wrongly inflated the cost of renovation and furnishing to the tune of N1, 347, 373, 906.54k.That the contract sum was increased by the sum of N788, 813, 490.54k thereby committed misconduct

APC suspends zoning

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended the zoning of offices, especially in the National Assembly, reports New Telegraph.

The suspension is to defuse tension following the jostling for positions by lawmakers from both chambers.

All deliberations on the zoning formula have been suspended till after May 29 when the new government would have been inaugurated.

The decision to suspend all deliberations until after May 29 was taken after the President- elect, Muhammadu Buhari intervened.

Buhari was said to be disturbed by the dangerous media slant the issue has taken.

Read more at New Telegraph.

FULL LIST -Buhari's 19-Member Transition Committee

Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria's president-elect today inaugurated a 19-member transition.

See full committee list :

1. Mal. Ahmed Joda – Chairman

2. Dr Doyin Salami – Vice-Chairman

3. Mr Boss Mustapha

4. Mal. Muhammad Hayatuddin

5. Alh. Abubakar Malami SAN

6. Brig. Gen. Lawal Jafaru Isa

7. Sen. Hadi Sirika

8. Sen. Audu Ogbeh

9. Barrister Dalong

10. Mrs Bola Adesola

11. Mr Wale Edun

12. Mrs Nike Aboderin

13. Dr Ogbonnaya Onu

14. Mr Festus Odimegwu

15. Chief John Oyegun

16. Gov. Rotimi Amaechi

17. Dr. Tam David West

18. Alh. Lai Mohammed

19 Mal. Adamu Adamu – Secretary

AIT Chairman to Buhari: You Are Powerless Here, Old Dictator

Daar Communications chairman, Raymond Dokpesi has stated that General Muhammadu Buhari lacks the power (constitutionally) to stop the TV station from covering his activities.

Daily Indepedent reports this story, saying that Buhari's decision to bar the radio station on Monday was like Nigeria going back to the Decree 4 era, which was enacted by Buhari's junta back in the day as a muzzle on the press of his time.

Dokpesi said: “I am sure that the President-elect needs to be reminded of Decree 4, and he should be clearly reminded that Section 32 of the constitution makes it mandatory for the media to hold public officials accountable to the people.

“The president-elect said that he does not want to be covered by AIT, but AIT has a responsibility to the Nigerian public to report the things that are happening.

“There are three national networks available for national coverage in Nigeria, the NTA, AIT and Silverbirds. You cannot stop a foremost private station from reporting in Nigeria, it brings us back to Decree 4 era.”

He said that AIT is a private entity and is therefore free to air what it feels like:

“If they had produced their own documentary to say this is what we want and AIT did not publish it, then that is another matter.

“What is obviously very clear is the fact that AIT believes that the historical information about the President-elect that were ran, were factually correct.

“Nothing was done to defame him or impinge on his character or integrity."

I Was Not Walked Out - Mu’azu

The National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Adamu Mu’azu, has denied reports that he was walked out of a meeting by governors of the party at Akwa Ibom governors lodge in Asokoro.

Reports circulating in the media speculated that Muazu was evicted from a governors forum meeting by angry governors who accused him of betraying the party at the just concluded presidential elections.
Reacting to these reports, the party chairman on Wednesday, April 29 said nothing of such nature occurred.

However, the dismal outing of the PDP in the 2015 general elections has seen Mu’azu lose popularity among several PDP bigwigs.

The plot to unseat him has thickened as he has been blamed for the inability of the party to do well at the polls in the north in particular and the nation in general.

But the spokesman of the national chairman, Tony Amadi, told Leadership that Mu’azu was not bundled out of the meeting.

He said “If they said he was bundled out of the meeting where was his security details? If they attempt to bundle out the chairman there would have been a shoot out between the security details of Mu’azu and the governors and nobody wants that. Don’t forget you are talking about a former governor and a national chairman of a political party.

“What we are doing in the party now is how to restrategise and bounce back.”

He further lambasted those calling for Mu’azu to resign, noting that most of them failed to deliver their states at the polls.

Michael Igbinedion convicted, to be sentenced April 30

The Federal High Court in Benin City, the Edo State capital, has convicted Michael Igbinedion, the younger brother of Edo State former governor Lucky Igbinedion of three and seven count charges bothering on money laundering, misappropriation of funds and abuse of office.

Michael, together with Eboigbodin and their companies; Gava Corporation Limited; Romrig Nigeria Limited; PML Securities Company Limited and PML Nigeria Limited were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 81- count charge.

According to reports, the judgement was read for close to four hours, after which the presiding judge, Justice J. Liman, called for a recess. The sitting was later called a day.

Their sentencing has however been scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2015.

Protesting workers lock out Anyim over N1.2b allowances

THERE was a protest yesterday at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). The workers are demanding the payment of N1.2 billion allowances.

The staff who had earlier planned the protest for Tuesday postponed it till yesterday as SGF Anyim Pius Anyim was away from the office.

The angry staff blocked all the entrances around 2pm when Anyim arrived the office.

The staff said they had petitioned Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chair Ibrahim Lamorde over the matter.

The EFCC Chairman, it was said, visited the SGF after receiving the petition. This could, however, not be confirmed last night.

The angry civil servants gave Anyim a 24-hour ultimatum to pay the allowances.

When contacted on telephone last night, the Special Adviser on Media to the SGF, Sam Nwabasi, told The Nation that the office was surprised with the figure being thrown up as no money has been mentioned in the earlier discussions between the unions and the management.

According to him, the union had earlier demanded for 18 items, including erecting an ATM machine and a canteen in the office.

He said that management had looked into their demands and communicated back its responses to the union. They have been waiting for them to make their views known to management on the proposals.

But rather than come back to the management, he said that they took the action and made the spurious monetary allegations.

Buhari not aware of AIT barring order' - party says

President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari has instructed that all his aides must only operate within the space their official role stipulates.

As contained in a statement released in Abuja, on Wednesday, April 29, by Mallam Garba Shehu, the Director of Media and Publicity of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Buhari was not consulted or informed before the statement barring the African Independent Television (AIT) went out.

“I would like everyone to henceforth stay within his or her defined area of responsibility,” Buhari was quoted as saying.

The statement said the President-elect only knew about the story of him barring AIT from covering his activities after it had generated public racket.

“The time of change has come, and we must avoid making the same mistakes that the outgoing government made,” Buhari said.

According to Shehu, the retired Major General has however instructed all his staff to desist from all matters relating to the media. He said only his official media team should handle media-related issues.

FG demands corpses of executed Nigerians in Indonesia for decent burial

The Federal Government has described the execution of four Nigerians by Indonesian authorities over drug offences as a disappointment.

In a statement on Wednesday, April 29, by the Public Communications Division of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, the government has requested the immediate repatriation of the corpses of the executed persons in order for them to be given a decent burial in their various communities.

The government extends its condolences to the families of the deceased.

The statement says, “The Federal Government of Nigeria has received with deep disappointment, news of the execution of four Nigerians, Messrs Martin Anderson, Okwudili Oyatanze, Jaminu Abashin and Sylvester Obiekwe by the government of Indonesia for drug-related offences.

“These executions have taken place despite spirited pleas for clemency made at the highest level by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and more recently Ambassador Aminu Wali, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on April 21, 2015, during the 10th Anniversary of the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership Summit, which took place in Jakarta, Indonesia,

“The Federal Government wishes to express its condolences to the families of the deceased. It has asked the Indonesian Government for the repatriation of the remains of the executed persons, so that they can be accorded decent burial in their various communities.

“The Federal Government seizes this opportunity to once again, warn all Nigerians to desist from drug trafficking and other offences that attract maximum punishment in several countries of the world. The Federal Government will continue to promote the welfare and protect the lives of Nigerians abroad, no matter their circumstances.

“Furthermore, government is committed to engage the government of Indonesia and other friendly countries regarding the conclusion of Prisoner Transfer Agreements and other bilateral means of safeguarding the interest and welfare of Nigerians.”

Buhari, AtikuTwo leaders hold 'private' meeting in Abuja

President-elect Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, April 29 met with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at the Defence House in Abuja for a ‘private’ meeting.

It is believed that the two leaders met over issues surrounding the zoning of offices, but Atiku said the discussion was private.

“We just discussed private matters,” he said while addressing newsmen after the meeting.

On the zoning of offices, Atiku said, “That is too early. This is something the leadership and the party is handling. I believe it will be resolved before the House is reconvened (in June).”

Atiku stressed that Nigerians should not expect the Buhari government to effect the changes the country needs overnight, noting it will be gradual.

“Really, changes will come. The President-elect has assured the people that, but it will not just come overnight; it has to be gradual. Definitely, there will be positive change in that matter but it will be gradual,” he said.

Fayose pays labour for prolonged strike to stall impeachment process' - APC alleges

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has alleged that the state government is planning to talk the state civil servants into embarking on a prolonged labour crisis, in order to frustrate the impeachment proceedings instituted against the governor, Ayo Fayose, by the APC lawmakers in the state Assembly.

Speaking in a statement on Wednesday, April 29, in Ado Ekiti, Taiwo Olatubosun, the Publicity Secretary of the party cautioned the organised labour not to sacrifice general interest for selfish interest.

It was also alleged that some labour leaders have received huge sum of money from the government for various solidarity rallies in the last six months.

Olatubosun said plans for a politically-motivated industrial action that will last till the middle of June is in the works by the compromised labour leaders.

He said two options were put before the labour leaders at a meeting with Fayose on April 27 – they were to either choose to force a prolonged holiday from May 29 till the first week of June or for the government to trigger workers’ anger through half payment of April salary, that will force workers to embark on indefinite strike. He said the leaders chose the second option.

“To set the planned strike in motion, the governor has offered to pay half salary for April, which labour would reject, leading to a disagreement that would spark a strike action,” Olatubosun further said.

Nigeria: I'm President Until May 29 -Jonathan Warns Buhari Against Parallel Govt

President Goodluck Jonathan today reminded Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria's president-elect that he is still President till May 29.

The President also warned Buhari against running a parallel government. According to DAILY TRUST, the National Planning Minister Abubakar Sulaiman disclosed this to State House journalists after today’s the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

The minister said the Federal Government took exception to some of the terms of reference of the transition committee set up by Buhari. He warned that President Jonathan’s magnanimity should not be misconstrued as cowardice.