FULL LIST -Buhari's 19-Member Transition Committee

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.”
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