Victims of Xenophonic attacks housed at police stations

Victims of Xenophonic attacks housed at police stations



Following series of Xenophobic attack that has left over a thousand immigrants homeless in South Africa and several dead, many have taken refuge at the South African police stations in Durban.


According to the South African police, angry locals in the eastern port city of Durban carrying out these attacks have vowed to push the immigrants out.


A Nigerian PHD holder has been rumoured dead, but according to Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner, Ambassador Martin Cobham, there is no record of a dead Nigerian so far.

A high crime rate and a lack of jobs among other things have been blamed on foreigners by some indigenes.

President rejects constitutional amendments

President rejects constitutional amendments



President Goodluck Jonathan has rejected the amendments made to the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly, according to reports.


The President is said to have rejected the changes because they did not comply with the provisions of Section 9 (3) of the Constitution.


News of the rejection was disclosed to Punch by a senior government official who chose to remain anonymous.


“The President has vetoed the constitution amendment and he has sent it back to the National Assembly,” the source said.


“The amendment did not meet the provision of Section 9 (3) of the constitution which talks about the need for four fifth of the National Assembly to agree with the amendment,” he added.


Jonathan is said to have rejected the document on Monday, April 13, 2015 and returned it to the Assembly.


The amendment and a letter accompanying will expectedly be read on the floors of the Senate and the House of Representatives any time from Wednesday, April 14.


Section 9 (3) of the Constitution reads:


“An Act of the National Assembly for the purpose of altering the provisions of this section, section 8 or Chapter IV of this Constitution shall not be passed by either House of the National Assembly unless the proposal is approved by the votes of not less than four-fifths majority of all the members of each House, and also approved by resolution of the House of Assembly of not less than two-third of all states.”


The rejected amendment seeks to approve the separation of the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation from that of Minister of Justice.

President explains why he rejected constitutional amendment

President explains why he rejected constitutional amendment



President Goodluck Jonathan has given reasons for his rejection of the constitution amendment bill forwarded to him by the National Assembly.


Jonathan rejected the amendment on Monday, April 13, 2015 and returned it to the legislative house.


In a letter titled, “Re: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Fourth Alteration Act, 2015,” the President raised 13 grounds on the basis of which he vetoed the bill.


The letter, which was addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, was read at plenary on Wednesday, April 15.


In the letter, Jonathan explained that it would be unconstitutional for him to assent to the bill owing to certain inconsistencies and lack of clarity on the passage of the bill.


He also questioned the power the National Assembly has to assume on itself the power to pass any constitutional amendment without the assent of the President.


The President also disagreed with provisions which sought to reduce the power of the President and allow the National Judicial Council, NJC, to appoint the Attorney-General of the Federation.


Jonathan further cited Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that any alteration to the constitution can only be effected by the votes of not less than four-fifths majority of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives and subsequently, approved by a resolution of not less than two-thirds of all the state houses of assembly.


The President said that the National Assembly has not provide any evidence to show that the requirements were met.


 He also disagreed with the amendment of Section 84, which provides a new office of the Accountant-General of the Federal Government, apart from the Accountant-General of the Federation, saying the amendment has not addressed the funding requirements for the establishment of the office.


“In view of the foregoing and the absence of credible evidence that the Act satisfied the strict requirements of Section 9 (3) of the 1999 Constitution, it will be unconstitutional for me to assent to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) Act, 2015,” Jonathan said.


“I therefore withhold my assent and accordingly remit it to the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he concluded.


Jonathan's letter was said to have come as a shock to the legislators but they were reportedly stopped from debating it by Senate President, David Mark.

Stop The Attacks On Igbos’ MASSOB Warns T.Y Danjuma, Oba Of Lagos As Ralph Uwazurike Align With Asari Dokubo

Stop The Attacks On Igbos’ MASSOB Warns T.Y Danjuma, Oba Of Lagos As Ralph Uwazurike Align With Asari Dokubo


The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has warned the former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Y. Danjuma and Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu to stop making cynical statements against the Igbos and their
leadership.

Sources said that Ex-Niger Delta militant, Asari Dokubo held a private meeting with the leader of MASSOB, Ralph Uwazurike at Buguma Toru LGA of Rivers State recently. Purpose of their meeting was not disclosed.

A statement issued by MASSOB leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike said that MASSOB would not keep its hand akimbo and watch the name of its founder being dragged to the mud in the name of playing politics.

Chief Uwazuruike was reacting to a statement credited to Gen. Danjuma that the Nigerian /Biafran Civil war was prolonged because the Biafran warlord, Late Dim. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, did not concede victory when Enugu fell.

The MASSOB leader said that Gen. Yakubu Gowon refused to abide by the Aburi Accord because people like Gen. Danjuma advised him not to abide by the accord and thereby prolonged the war and caused the blood flow.

Uwazuruike who spoke through his personal Assistant and the Nnewi North Regional Administrator, Emmanuel Omenka said, “he has been insulting Ojukwu, what is the concern of Ojukwu in the conceding of victory to General Mohammadu Buahri
(rtd) by President Goodluck Jonathan”.

“If Danjuma and his cohorts did not support Gowon, the war would have been averted”, he declared.

On the statement which was credited to the Oba Rilwan Akiolu of lagos state that Igbos in Lagos would perish in the Lagoon within seven days if they failed to vote for the All Progressive Congress, APC gubernatorial candidate, MASSOB reiterated that the Oba’s threat was that of a dreaming man.

“The threat is null and void and of no effect because the Oba has no such power to threaten Igboman”, he
stated.

Court lifts ban on ex-President’s book

Court lifts ban on ex-President’s book



A High Court in Abuja has lifted the ban on the autobiography of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo.


The ruling was made on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 by Justice Valentine Ashi, who also ordered that seized copies of the book, titled “My Watch”, be released.


Ashi had granted the order which placed a ban on production and distribution of the book in December 2014.


This was pursuant to a plea made by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Buruji Kashamu as part of a N20bn libel suit against Obasanjo.


Kashamu obtained an injunction to that effect on December 10, 2014, after claiming that parts of the book were related to the subject matter of the libel suit.


The PDP chieftain alleged that Obasanjo had described him as a wanted drug baron in the book.


The former President’s autobiography also contains criticisms against President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar among others.

People Should Not Expect Change Immediately” Buhari Tries To Tweak His Promises & Timelines

People Should Not Expect Change Immediately” Buhari Tries To Tweak His Promises & Timelines


Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari, the president-elect, has once again reinstated commitment to ensuring positive change in the polity.

NewsWireNGR recalls that during the campaigns the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Maj-Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) who started his promises in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Uyo in Akwa Ibom State vowed to ensure immediate overhaul of the economy & security.

But the promise to revive the ‘ailing economy of the country’ is being revisited with the statements being made after the elections.

Buhari has however urged Nigerians not to expect immediate results from the newly elected administration after it takes office on May 29, The Nation reports.

The All Progressives Congress politician made a claim on April 15, Wednesday, in his hometown Daura, Katsina state, when visited by some senators and reps.

“People should not expect change immediately because of accumulation of problems in the country. There is need for more time and prayer from the public for the incoming administration to handle matters and bring change.

“I am affirming my commitment to fighting economic sabotage, insecurity, bribery and corruption.”

Alhaji Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar, Jigawa state governor-elect, who was also among Buhari’s guests, vowed to support the incoming All Progressives Congress government’s policies to bring positive change.

In a letter Buhari wrote to Nigerians outlining his 100 days in office promises. He outlined several actions he will take in his first one hundred days as Nigeria’s president if voted into office. Find a quick reminder of some of the things promised within 100 days in office below….

Buhari in a document highlighting this said he would publicly declare his assets and liabilities, if voted into power.

He said he would encourage political appointees in his administration to also declare their assets publicly.

In the document titled, “I pledge to Nigeria” Buhari also said that all his political appointees would only earn salaries and allowances as prescribed by the Revenue and Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission.

He said, “I pledge to publicly declare my assets and liabilities, encourage all my appointees to publicity declare their assets and liabilities as a pre-condition for appointment.

“All political appointees will only earn the salaries and allowances determined by the RMFAC.”

While pledging to personally lead the war against corruption in the country, Buhari also said that he would inaugurate the National Council on Procurement as stipulated in the Procurement Act.

He added that the Federal Executive Council, which he said had been turned to a weekly session of contract bazaar, would be made to concentrate on its principal function of policy making.

He said that he would also work with the National Assembly towards the immediate enactment of a Whistle Blower Act.

On the other ways to strengthen the anti-graft war, he said, “We will work with the National Assembly to strengthen the Independent Corruption Practices and other related Offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission by guaranteeing institutional autonomy, including financial and prosecutorial independence and security of tenure of officials.

“We will also make the Financial Intelligence Unit of the EFCC autonomous and operational; encourage proactive disclosure of information by government institutions in the spirit of the Freedom of Information Act.”

He also promised that his government would work with the leadership of the National Assembly and the judiciary to cut down the cost of governance.

On insurgency and insecurity in the country, the former head of state said that he had had the rare privilege of serving the country in the military in various capacities and rose to the rank of a major general and Commander -in -Chief of the Armed Forces, he would defend the integrity of the nation.

“I pledge, as Commander-in-Chief, to lead from the front and not behind in the comfort and security of Aso Rock, to boost the morale of fighting forces and the generality of all Nigerians,” he said.

On the fate of the kidnapped Chibok girls, Buhari said that as a father, he had been feeling the pain of the victims of insurgency, kidnapping and violence whether “they are widows and orphans of the military, paramilitary, civilians and parents or the Chibok girls.

No going back on governor’s impeachment,’ APC lawmakers say

No going back on governor’s impeachment,’ APC lawmakers say



The 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly have said that they would proceed with plans to impeach Governor Ayo Fayose despite a recent Supreme Court ruling upholding his June 2014 election victory.


The lawmakers stated further that Fayose must answer to the allegations levelled against him.


This was stated by the Speaker of the Assembly, Adewale Omirin, who added that a notice of gross misconduct had been forwarded to the governor and his deputy, Olusola Eleka.


“The impeachment process will proceed; we are expecting the Chief Judge to act soon on our letter asking him to set up a seven-member panel. There is no going back on the process. The matter is set for the next stage,” Omirin told Punch through his media aide, Wole Olujobi.


“It is about the governor breaching the Constitution. We are guided by the Constitution. There are laid down rules and regulations that guide the conduct of public office holders. Once you commit an infraction, you have to face the consequence. The governor has to answer the allegations; the Assembly will give him a fair hearing. We will follow every step,” he added.


Fayose in response stated that the lawmakers’ decision to continue with the impeachment plot is “an idea that is distant to common sense.”


The Supreme Court on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 held that Fayose had been validly elected into office and dismissed the petition filed against the governor by the APC.
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