Group Sees Crying Wolf Over Check On Atiku’s Luggage As Part Of Scaremongering Plan

November 13, 2018

The Buhari Media Organization (BMO) has described the hue and cry over checks conducted on the luggage of the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on his arrival in a private jet at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as one of the series of the scaremongering plans which the party had designed ahead of the 2019 general elections.

“This is almost certainly the first of a series of scare mongering agenda hatched in Dubai to paint President Muhammadu Buhari in bad light.”

In a statement today, Tuesday, the group’s chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke accused Atiku and the PDP as well as his media handlers of deliberately misrepresenting a search that was clearly in line with international best practices.

They said that international protocol allows only Presidents and Vice Presidents to be exempted from security screening at any airport in the world, adding that the Presidential task force on trans-border cash movement which is saddled with the responsibility of stemming illicit movement of foreign currencies into and out of the country owes it a duty to ensure clean jobs.

“This task force consists of Immigration, Customs and other security agencies and is known to approach all arriving international aircraft for routine search.

“We know that when Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was in the Customs, he would not condone a situation where his men would neglect to conduct security screening of an incoming private aircraft, regardless of the calibre of individuals on board.

“In fact, was it not the same Atiku Abubakar that led the task force that conducted a search that led to the discovery of a huge cache of cash in an aircraft in 1984?”

Buhari Media Organisation said that if Atiku’s claim that it was the first time he was searched in this country is true, something must have seriously gone wrong with the nation’s security system.

“Let’s not also forget that an elder states man of the calibre of Paul Unongo had alleged in an interview that self same Atiku Abubakar is one of those top Nigerians funding, arming and generally aiding rampaging Fulani herdsmen in their onslaught against the people of Benue, Plateau and Taraba States. It follows of course that he deserved closer monitoring by security agencies.”

The group however said that it was not surprised that the PDP candidate and his allies chose to play to the gallery as a result of what airport authorities have said are routine checks.

“The immediate reaction showed that it was an orchestrated move to embarrass the authorities.

“Those that took to Twitter had probably put together drafts and were waiting for the go-ahead to push out false narratives with the usual refrain of “attack on our democracy.”

It noted that all the opposition figures condemning the security checks on the former vice president would gladly subject themselves to airport security in other countries.

“We have it on good authority that former vice president Atiku even claimed to have lost the key to one of his luggage.

“It is not possible for him or his aides to tell that to any airport security personnel anywhere in the world, no matter how lowly ranked.”

We’re Not Here To Worship, El-Rufai Tells Critics Of His Choice Of Muslim As Running Mate

Editorial staff

November 13, 2018

Governor Nasiru El-Rufai poses in a photo with Hajiya Hadiza Balarabe

Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai has made it clear to the critics of his choice of a Muslim, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe as running mate in the 2019 election, that government house is not where worship is conducted but it is for serious work meant only for competence.

The governor, who received in audience the people of Sanga Local Government Area of the state, who were on a thank-you visit for picking their daughter as deputy governorship candidate, said the choice of his running mate therefore, was based on competence and performance.

“Muslim-Muslim ticket is not a religious ticket but a competent and performance ticket,” the governor said, adding with emphasis that the Government House is not a place for worship but where people work.

According to him, there is no room for religious or sentiments in deciding who he should appoint into any office in the state, even as he noted with regret that most of his Muslim-Muslim ticket critics are those who did not vote for him in the 2015 governorship election.

“The people that have criticized me most on this are people who never voted me in the first place. So, are they not supposed to be celebrating it? In their own opinion, I have made a wrong choice. Then, why are they mourning?”

Earlier, the paramount ruler of Numana in Sanga local government where Dr. Hadiza Balarabe hails from, retired Brigadier-General Aliyu Yamma, said that the choice of their daughter had given them the hope of being in government.

He said that successive administrations had forgotten the people of the area as far as participation in government is concerned.

“The governor couldn’t have made a better choice than the selection of Hadiza. We now feel a sense of belonging in Kaduna government. We are just like Black Americans in Kaduna State.”

Dasuki Protests In Prison, Says He Won’t Appear In Court Again

Editorial staff

November 13, 2018

Former National Security Adviser retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki has protested against his continued detention, vowing not to appear in court again for the continuation of his trial.

In a letter he personally signed and addressed to the Registrar of the Federal High Court Abuja, Dasuki made it clear that he would not be attending any proceeding for his trial since the federal government has proved beyond reasonable doubt that it would not obey any order of the court even if it is in his favour.

In the letter dated November 12, 2018, the Ex-NSA recalled several court judgments which ordered his release from detention since December 2015 which were not obeyed and other decisions that admitted him to bail and which were also refused by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Prevailing circumstances have prompted me to write this letter to the court, the hope of every Nigerian citizens. Unfortunately, it seems to me that the current administration has so much interference with the judicial system, such that it has become practically impossible for the Court to maintain her independence, the administration of justice. My plight is of common Knowledge.

“After the Federal Government failed to comply with all the bail orders and judgement of the ECOWAS court, I further approached the Federal High Court for the enforcement of my fundamental human right. In a judgment delivered by Hon. Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu on July 2, 2018, the court found that my right had been breached and accordingly ordered my release from detention. The conditions whereof the court admitted me to bail have been met, but I have still not been released from custody.

“I am very much apprehensive about the President’s (Buhari) statement, in that my rights will continually be violated and that no order for my release will be honoured by the Federal Government of Nigeria or any of its agencies.

“In reaction to my the judgement of the court enforcing my fundamental human right, an embarrassing statement was credited to Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN, the current Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice on 13 July 2018 after the bail conditions have been met, including the deposit of N1,000,000 with the Registrar of the Federal High Court, stated that irrespective of the judgment directing the said release, the Federal Government would not comply

“At this juncture, it will seem that the Nigerian Government is not inclined to yield or obey the orders of any Court of Law; whether domestic or international. Ironically, the Federal Government still wants to ride on judicial wings to prosecute me, when it does not comply with Orders that proceed from the Court, especially in relation to me

“At this point, I strongly believe that there must be an end to this hypocrisy and lopsided/ partisan rule of law.

“Since the Federal Government has resolved not to comply with judicial Orders directing my release, it is better for the Court to also absolve me of the need to submit myself for further prosecution. Justice should be evenly dispensed, as opposed to same, being in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

At the resume trial today, Tuesday, before Justice Ahmed Rahmat Mohammed, the counsel to Federal Government, Chief Dipo Opeseyi told the court that Dasuki had deliberately refused to come to court because of his anger on certain steps taking by the government against him.

In reaction, Justice Muhammad directed the prosecution to always depose to an affidavit of evidence whenever the former NSA declined to come to court.

The Judge who said he had not received Dasuki’s letter formally however adjourned further trial to November 19.

Federal Govt Awards N206 Contract For Second Niger Bridge, To Be Completed In 36 Months

Editorial staff

November 13, 2018

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola has announced that the Federal Government has awarded N206 billion contract for the main work on the Second Niger Bridge. He said that the job is expected to be completed in 36 months.

Babatunde Fashola who spoke in Abuja in an interactive session with newsmen, said that the contract was awarded to Julius Berger Construction Company and that it would be funded under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF).

According to him, funding the project under PIDF means that work will no longer stop on account of lack of funding.

The minister said that the contract for the main work on the Second Niger Bridge was awarded after the completion of the four phases of the project.

He said that the early works were preliminary projects to be completed before the main work, adding that all the early works were done in the river and not visible from the existing bridge.

According to him, with the award of the main work, there will be a lot of piling works in the water and that is what people will see.

He said that the Lagos-Ibadan expressway and Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road projects would also be funded under PIDF.

Source: NAN.

Buhari’s Stringent Measures Throw PDP Presidential Campaign Into Financial Dilemma – APC

Editorial staff

November 13, 2018

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the stringent measures put in place by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari have thrown the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate and his party into financial dilemma for the presidential campaign.

The APC’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, in a statement today, Tuesday in Abuja, stressed that the PDP is now in a dilemma on how to source funds to run the Atiku Presidential Campaign.

According to him, the PDP’s hope of sourcing campaign funds from public coffers has been dashed, adding: “the presidential candidate (Atiku) expects the party to provide funds for his campaign.

“This is the Buhari era; an era of strict accountability and transparency in the use and application of public funds and not the Jonathan era in 2015 when the national treasury was open to PDP leaders to prosecute the presidential campaign.

“The party leaders are therefore in serious difficulties and dilemma on how to source funds to run the Atiku Presidential Campaign. Some financiers of the party expect that the candidate, having bought the ticket with millions of dollars, should have the financial capacity to run his campaign.

“With the candidate’s expectation that it is the party that will fund his campaign, it is now clear that they are at a crossroads and the chickens have come home to roost.”

Yekini Nabena advised the nation’s anti-corruption agencies to ensure that all sources of campaign fund by the political parties are closely monitored even as he called for the recovery of the funds looted during the Jonathan era.

He said that such recovered funds should be applied for the benefits of the poor masses who he claimed were denied democracy benefits during the 16 years that the PDP was in power.

He said that Nigerians have a better alternative by sticking to President Muhammadu Buhari who he claimed has done so much to ensure better future for them.

But Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe, dismissed Nabena’s claim, saying that the forthcoming election would not be about money but the supreme will of Nigerians.

“Nothing can stop an idea whose time has come. Nothing can stop the zeal of Nigerians to elect the President of their choice.

“This election will not be won by money or lies or propaganda or intimidation but by the supreme will of the Nigerian people as expressed in their vote.

“Atiku Abubakar will be elected as President by Nigerians in February 2019, notwithstanding the machinations of the APC-led administration.”

PDP Cries Out: Buhari Plans To Starve Us Of Fund For Presidential Campaign

Buhari Signs 2018 FCT Appropriation Bill, Extradition Treaty, 3 Others Into Law

Editorial staff

November 12, 2018

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed into law, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Appropriation, Extradition Treaty and other Bills.

The president also assented to the Nigerian Centre For Disease Control And Prevention (Establishment ) Bill, 2018, the Extradition (Amendment ) Bill 2018, National Environmental Standard And Regulations Enforcement Agency (Establishment ) (Amendment ) Bill 2018 and Nigerian Institute Of Mining And Geosciences Jos (Establishment ) Bill, 2018.
Consequent upon the assent, the bills have now become Acts.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, told news men today, Monday that the FCT Appropriation Act, 2018 was made up of aggregate capital and recurrent expenditure of N371.532 billion meant for implementation “up to the financial year ending December 31, 2018.”

Enang said that the Extradition (Amendment) Act, 2018 vests jurisdiction on extradition proceedings henceforth on the Federal High Court and no longer on the Magistrates Court or Magistrates.

According to him, amendment to the Act introduces a new Section 15(2) with the aim of “preventing double jeopardy as protected by Section 36(9) of the Constitution” and in accordance with extraction treaty.

He explained that anyone surrendered to Nigeria in accordance with the treaty could not be arrested, detained, extradited or otherwise dealt with in Nigeria or any other country within the Commonwealth or any other country having same extraditing agreement with Nigeria if the proceedings relate to an offence for which he has been previously convicted or acquitted in the requesting country for which extradition is sought by the Nigerian authorities.

He said that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Establishment Act, 2018) is aimed at promoting, coordinating and facilitating the prevention, detection and control of communicable diseases and other public health emergencies in Nigeria.

According to him, the Act which was submitted by the president as an executive bill on October 17, 2017 to the National Assembly seeks to:

“Develop, maintain and coordinate surveillance systems to collect, analyse and interpret data on diseases of public health importance , in order to detect public health threats, guide health intervention and set public health priorities;

“Lead the response to disease outbreaks, public health emergencies and disasters in order to minimize the impact on health;
“Develop and maintain a network of reference and specialized laboratories for pathogen detection, disease surveillance and outbreak response;
“Develop and maintain guidelines and processes for specimen collection and transportation to reference laboratories including the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard reference laboratories in Nigeria;

“Provide information to the public through multiple platforms on diseases and public health events;
“Provide support and coordinate the control of national and trans-border responses to mass public health emergencies, such as mass casualties, floods, nuclear, biological and chemical terrorism, disease outbreaks and heavy metals poisoning, among others.”

On National Environmental Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Establishment) (Amendment) Act, 2018, Enang said that the fresh amendment to the 2007 Act more succinctly defines matters of appointment to the council, empowers the agency or appropriate person to cause immediate abatement of imminent environmental pollution while appropriate warrant or court order is sought to ensure public safety, among others.

The presidential liasion officer said that the Nigerian Institute Of Mining and Geosciences, Jos (Establishment) Act, 2018 establishes the institute with the objective of providing courses of instruction, training and research in geosciences and mining and producing technicians and such skilled personnel normally required for the mining and related industries.

He said that the Act provides for both the public and private sectors alike, laboratory services for rock and mineral identification, sampling and mineral beneficiation and mineral and metallurgical analysis.
Enang added that the Act authorised the conduct of research in mining, quarrying and related industries as well as skilled training for the artisanal and small scale mining operators; among others.

Britain Jails Couple Who Name Their Son After Hitler

Editorial staff

November 12, 2018

A British couple, 38 year old Claudia Patatas and 22 year old Adam Thomas, have been convicted by the British court for naming their male child after Adolf Hitler. They were accused of being members of a banned far-right group, National Action.

The couple were convicted along with 27 year old Daniel Bogunovic, of being members of the banned organization belonging to late Hitler who was one of the most well-known and reviled political figures in history. As the leader of Nazi Germany, he orchestrated World War II and the Holocaust, events that led to the deaths of at least 40,000,000 people.

Three others have already pleaded guilty to membership of National Action, which was banned by the government after members of the group praised the murder of lawmaker Jo Cox by a Nazi-obsessed loner in 2016.

The court in Birmingham heard that Thomas and Patatas had given their baby the middle name “Adolf” to express their admiration for the leader of the Third Reich.

West Midlands Police posted pictures of the pair posing while holding their baby and a swastika flag. Thomas also posed in KKK robes with his son, and with a crossbow.

Deb Walsh of the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed: “after National Action was banned it went underground and changed its name but it did not disappear.

“These members continued to believe in its racist neo-Nazi world view, remained in contact on encrypted messaging apps, and organized meetings to keep the group going.”

National Action is the first far-right group to be banned in Britain for decades. Far right parties have grown in much of Europe in the last few years; but in Britain they remain on the fringes of political life.

Local police chief Matt Ward said that the group had gathered weapons and researched how to make explosives.

“These individuals were not simply racist fantasists; we now know they were a dangerous, well-structured organization.

“Their aim was to spread neo-Nazi ideology by provoking a race war in the UK and they had spent years acquiring the skills to carry this out.”.

Source: NAN.

War Against Boko Haram: We’ve Acquired New Weapons, Hardware, Buhari Assures

Editorial staff

November 12, 2018

President Buhari meets with Nigerian Community in France on 12th Nov 2018

President Muhammadu Buhari has announced that his government has acquired new sophisticated weapons and hardwares for the Nigerian military to squarely deal finally with remnants of Boko Haram insurgents.

Speaking in Paris, France, today, Monday, at an interactive session with Nigerians residence in France, President Buhari assured that the war against terrorism will be reinforced with new weapons and hardware for the military.

He added that the challenge of abduction and kidnapping in some parts of the country will receive more attention with better gathering of intelligence.

He also assured Nigerians that allocations to the educational sector will be improved as revenue increases, describing the sector as a major engine for the development of any country.

The President said that about five per cent allocated to the education sector is inadequate to propel the desired growth for the economy, pointing that United Nations target of 26 per cent remains ideal.

“We are currently reviewing investments in the entire infrastructure of the country like road, rail and power, including investing more in education. We will certainly need to do more in education.”

President Buhari enjoined Nigerian elites, both at home and Diaspora, to do more in contributing to the educational sector of the country, expressing surprise that the elites tolerated the fall in standards and structures of educational institutions despite oil windfalls in the past that would have made all the difference.

“I am doing my best now to utilize our resources to develop the country. We are already getting results on road, rail and power.

“My frustration is that some people still have plenty stolen money stashed in Europe, U S and other countries.”

President Buhari said that return of stolen assets in some safe havens will bolster the administration’s current effort of investing more in critical infrastructure that directly impact on the livelihood of Nigerians .

“We campaigned on three key issues; security, improving the economy, and fighting corruption, and we have not been controverted by anyone that we have not recorded some results.”

On Nigerians in Diaspora participating in elections, the President admitted that with the population of Nigerians in various countries across the world, they should necessarily be involved in electing leaders.

He said however that Diaspora voting might not be possible in the 2019 general elections because the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been more focused on strengthening and consolidating on its achievements of conducting credible elections within the country.

The President expressed the hope that Diaspora Nigerians may be involved in electing leaders in Nigeria in future.

In her remarks, Nigerian Ambassador to France, Dr. Modupe Enitan Irele, said that Nigerian community in France have demonstrated high sense of responsibility, dedication and morality, adding that the large number of professionals have been encouraged to also contribute to the country’s development.

“Nigerians here are law abiding, peaceful and resourceful.”

Dr. Irele said that President Buhari’s commitment to change will make Nigeria the envy of other African countries.

The Nigerians in Diaspora, who participated in the meeting, raised questions on education, inclusive elections, security infrastructure and the economy.

I’ll Lift 80 Million Nigerians Out Of Poverty – ACPN Presidential Candidate, Ezekwesili

Editorial staff

November 12, 2018

The Presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Dr. Oby Ezekwesili has said that her promise of lifting 80 million Nigerians out of poverty if she is voted as President in the 2019 election is not a fluke.

Ezekwesili, who was Vice-President of World Bank, told news men in Lagos today, Monday that Nigeria is blessed with great people, and a country with great potential like Nigeria should not be associated with high poverty rate.

She said that the poverty narrative has been predominant owing to the consistent dearth of the leadership to build the right capacities to empower the people.

The candidate identified inequality, infrastructural deficit, high rate of illiteracy and poor economic focus as some of the causes of high poverty rate.

Ezekwesili gave the details of her blueprint for achieving her campaign promises, saying that she would massively invest in human capital development of more educated citizens who would be economically empowered.

She promised to pursue a robust housing programme to deliver affording homes to most Nigerians in order to increase access.

“Education and skills development of healthy Nigerian people shall be my number one priority.

“No matter what we do, we would never win the war on poverty without investing massively in human capital development.

“That is why in our ACPN government, education will be the new oil. Education will be the new economy.

“My vision for education is one that will nourish the mind and create a progressive society that competes globally.

“ If our current and future human capital are not educated, they will most likely end up in poverty and our economy will lose the productivity that they would have added.

“We shall launch a root and branch reform of all the levels and phases of education. Early Childcare Education, Basic Education, Secondary Education.

“Special Needs Education and Adult/Informal Education will all be systemically reformed to achieve universal access to quality and relevant education by all Nigerians.

“Education, training and skills development remain the most potent tools of economic and social mobility in all progressive societies.

“Breaking the vicious circle of poor education is crucial for promoting inclusive economic growth and decent jobs for all,” she said.

Ezekwesili promised a national housing programme to reduce the cost of a starter home for families.

“In partnership with the private sector, we will reduce cost of these homes by 50% while increasing quality.

“Within my first 100 days, I would launch a Naija Home Competition that will call for the design of a standard, affordable Nigerian home design which will include two bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom and toilet, and a kitchen.

“At least 80 percent of the homes we will build will be low-cost housing whereby allocation is based on income.

“The recipients will be selected from a pool of qualified applicants through lottery.”

Ezekwesili said that she would drive prosperity in the country by giving the necessary support to start-ups and small-scale enterprises for massive job creation.

The candidate promised to embark on total oil industry and power reforms to stimulate efficiency in both sectors for economic development.

“Also we will pursue a Produce More, Earn More vision that will result in higher productivity, greater competitiveness, higher income, more diversified export earnings from wider sources of economic growth in the economy.”

The ex-minister of education said that she would invest massively in agriculture to diversify the economy and provide more jobs, while health care would receive the needed attention.

Ezekwesili urged Nigerians to trust in her capacity to deliver, saying she had the track record and experience to make the country an economic giant.

Nnamdi Kanu Bans Ohanaeze Ndigbo From South East Indefinitely

Editorial staff

November 12, 2018

Run-away leader of proscribed group Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has banned the Igbo socio cultural group, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo from the South-East for life.

In his Sunday broadcast suspected to be coming from Isreal, Kanu declared: “we are taking our stolen freedom back and nobody will stop us.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo is banned for life. The organisation can hold its irrelevant gatherings in Lagos, Abuja, Sokoto and Kaduna, but not on our land. If Nwodo holds Ohanaeze meeting in Igboland, we will scatter them. Their meeting in MUSON Centre Lagos is irrelevant.

“These are men that met and conspired to kill me. Igbo traditional rulers met at Nike Resort and allegedly accepted money shared through Nnia Nwodo, to support my assassination. I will mention the names of all those who supported Operation Python Dance. I’m waiting for them to grant their usual One Nigeria interview, then, I will decimate them live on air.

“Voting in Nigeria has never brought anything good to the people. From the British who rigged the census of 1953 and 1957 and installed their Fulani puppets, it has been selection, instead of election.

“We have seen people without any known certificate take turns in raping us both politically and economically. This movement of IPOB is saying enough is enough.

“Unfortunately, it was a succession of Igbo men that put us in the mess we are in today, in Nigeria. The same mistake Dr. Azikiwe, Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi and Nzeogwu made, Nnia Nwodo, Dave Umahi and their kinds are repeating today. Nigeria was never meant to be one.

“We all heard the news about Customs Officers who set up 15 roadblocks from Apapa Wharf to Aba main town, all in a bid not just to criminally extort money from our people, but to punish us as a conquered people.

“They are not contented with making us import goods from Lagos which benefits the Yoruba economy and the government of Lagos State.

“Igweocha seaport is only 60 kilometres away, but we are not allowed to use it. We are forced to endure police, army, road safety, NDLEA, Civil Defence and customs checkpoints all the way from Lagos, where the goods are properly cleared and certified to our markets in the East and South.

“No Igbo politician, not a single one, has the mettle to challenge this apartheid system. This is evil. There is no roadblock in the whole of the North, where Boko Haram, Fulani terror herdsmen, armed robbers, kidnappers and various armed groups have made life unbearable for law abiding citizens.

“But, in the peaceful land of Biafra, from Igbake in Edo State to Azumiri and Opobo every kilometre is a roadblock.

“This was the menace Nwodo promised to take up when he was appointed Ohanaeze leader, but, till date, nothing has happened because they sold themselves so cheaply to the caliphate for peanuts. No dignity, no respect, no honour.

“The evil extortion of Biafran businessmen is going on right now in Aba, Abia State. Some of our brothers who imported their goods down to Biafra land were stopped by Nigerian Customs officers after they had cleared their goods in Lagos.

“If our people can learn to stand up against these evil and corrupt government agencies that are hell-bent on extoring and killing our people in their land, things would get a lot better as we march towards the restoration of Biafra.”

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