Fayose Describes Ekiti Gubber Poll As Charade

July 16, 2018

Governor Ayodele Fayose, has described the last Saturday’s governorship election in which Dr. Kayode John Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won as a political charade.

A statement today, Monday, by his media man, Idowu Adelusi in Ado-Ekiti quoted Governor Fayose as complaining that the will of Ekiti people had been subverted through the use of brutal force.

Fayose condemned a situation whereby the police, army, civil defence and INEC were used to snatch the collective mandate freely given to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Professor Kolapo Olusola and delivering it to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate which Ekiti people rejected.

“I am Peter Ayodele Fayose, I hold my head high. I can never be suppressed. I don’t lose battles and I will not lose this. I will laugh last. The president should note what the Bible says which applies to him. ”He that wears the armour should not boast as he that removes it.

“It is only Buhari that will pride himself with the security shooting sporadically at polling centres, scaring people to pave the way for the APC thugs to snatch ballot boxes.

“What Buhari has won as referendum from Ekiti people, Nigerians, and international community is shame. If APC has truly won, why is it that there is no jubilation in Ekiti?.

“The victory of Kayode Fayemi is pyricc. We will reclaim the stolen mandate in the court by the power of God,” he said.

Responding to Mallam Garba Shehu, the governor said that being a fair weather friend, he would soon desert his current pay masters.

“Garba Shehu was in the Presidency courtesy Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for eight years and came back for this current dispensation still courtesy Abubakar. “Now, he has abandoned the person who brought him to the limelight. This is not surprising, when he was the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors during the regime of General Sani Abacha, he wined and dined with the maximum ruler. He would go under the cover of darkness to collect money purportedly for editors, but everybody knew what he did then. Nigerians are waiting to nail him in the end.”

No Soldier, Military Vehicle Was Missing In Encounter With Boko Haram – Army

Greenbarge Reporters

July 16, 2018

The Nigerian Army has made it clear that none of its soldiers or vehicles was missing in an encounter with members of the Boko Haram in Bama local government of Borno State as reported by some social and traditional media last week.

In a statement today, Monday, by the Director of Army Public Relations Officer, Brigadier General Texas Chukwu, the Army said that the report is not only untrue but misleading as it was blown out of proportion by the media.

“Contrary to the report, the Nigerian Army wishes to put the record straight on the issue and assure members of the public particularly residents of the North East to disregard the report as their safety is guaranteed.
“The Nigeria Army wishes to state that there was an attempted attack on troops at Kwakwa and Chingori communities in Bama area of Borno State by suspected Boko Haram Terrorists as a result of difficult terrain where our vehicles bugged down. The terrorists also attempted to cart away troops operational vehicles, but were successfully repelled by our gallant troops with the support of the Nigerian Air Force.
“About 22 members of Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised while several others escaped with gunshot wounds. Efforts are being intensified by the troops to get the fleeing members of the Boko Haram terrorists.
“Unfortunately, one officer and a soldier sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention at the military medical facility.
“While the Nigerian Army would not join issues with the media, certain facts must be reported with caution particularly now that numerous successes have been recorded by the troops in the fight against insurgency.
“Members of the public are hereby advised to disregard the report and go about their legitimate businesses as the Nigerian Army is on top of the situation.
“It is my well-thought-out opinion that in future, media practitioners should endeavour to verify facts from the appropriate military authority before rushing to the press.
“Also, the attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a purported story published in Daily Sun of Friday 13 July 2018 captioned ‘’BOKO HARM KILL 5, HOIST FLAG IN ADAMAWA.’’
“The Nigerian Army wishes to state that the story is not only untrue but also misleading.
“Indeed, the Nigerian Army sees the story as a calculated attempt to drag it into mud despite numerous successes recorded against the Boko Haram Terrorists.
“More so, that the large number of civilians’ populace have returned to their ancestral homes where farming, fishing and other economic activities have commenced.
“While the Nigerian Army would not join issues with the Daily Sun reporter in Yola, certain facts must be reported with dignity.
“It is on record that successes so far achieved in the North East are internationally acknowledged.
“The Daily Sun is please advised to retract the story as it is an attempt to erode all the gains the Nigerian Army and other security agencies have so far achieved.
“Members of the public are hereby advised to disregard this publication and go about their lawful activities.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to advised media practitioners to always cross checked their facts before rushing to the press.”

Dasuki May Soon Enjoy Bail

Greenbarge Reporters

July 16, 2018

The former National Security Adviser, retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki may soon enjoy the fruit of the bail granted him by the court as a Federal High Court Judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu has formally endorsed the bail application granted him on July 2.

Dasuki has been in detention camp of Department of State Security Service (DSS) since December 29, 2015 when he was rearrested by security operatives.

Justice Ojukwu endorsed the bail application after Dasuki perfected all the conditions imposed on him by the court.

Family sources gave the hint today, Monday, that the ex-NSA through his associates and well wishers perfected the bail conditions which were verified by the officials of the Federal High Court in confirming their authenticity since last week.

The endorsement of Justice Ojukwu by signing the bail papers today has cleared the way for Dasuki’s release.

Family members, associates and well wishers of the detained NSA were said to have been arriving Abuja in anticipation of his release by the Federal government in compliance with the court order.

After over two years in the detention, the Court had on July 2, 2018 admitted Dasuki on bail in the fundamental human right suit filed by him.

He had applied to the court to admit him to bail on the ground that his detention since 2015 without trial was a breach of his fundamental right to freedom of liberty.

Although charges were filed against Dasuki by the Federal Government in four different High Courts, he was granted bails by the courts but was not allowed to enjoy the bail.

The ECOWAS Court of Justice had also ordered his release and imposed a fine of N15 million on the Federal Government for his unlawful detention but yet the government did not comply with the verdict.

However, in the latest judgement, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu ordered that Dasuki should be released on bail in the sum of N200 million and two sureties in the like sum.

The court said that one of the sureties must be a federal government employee on not less than grade level 16.

In the event of a private person standing as the surety, the court held that the person must have landed property in Abuja.

Justice Ojukwu said the surety must deposit N100 million with the registrar of the court and that the money would be returned to the surety at the end of the trial of the former NSA.

I’m Left Without Political Party Now, Gov Ortom Complains

Greenbarge Reporters

July 16, 2018

Governor Ortom of Benue state who came into office on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has complained that he is now without political party.

Governor Ortom, who spoke today, Monday shortly after swearing in a new special adviser on Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Makurdi, the state capital, said that he had been issued a ‘Red Card’ by the APC.

The governor said that even though he had disagreed with some of the APC’s positions, his affiliation with the party has not been questioned.

The governor, who did give details about who gave him red card and what he did to be so issued the red card said that the strained relationship between him and the party under which he contested the 2015 governorship election in the state has left him without a party now.

You’ve Earned Respect Around The World, Nigerians In Netherlands Tell Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

July 16, 2018

President Muhammadu Buhari met with a delegation of Nigerians in the Diaspora living in Kingdom of the Netherlands | Photo credit: Aso Rock Villa

Nigerian professionals in Netherlands have acknowledged that the fight against corruption in Nigeria has earned President Muhammadu Buhari respect around the world.

Speaking today, Monday, when President Buhari met with members of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO), the Netherlands Chapter, on the sidelines of his Official Visit to The Hague, Netherlands, chairman of NIDO, Nwankpa, commended the President for the war against corruption, “for which you have earned respect around the world.”

He also commended the President for the high improvement in infrastructural development, and for signing into law the Diaspora Commission Bill, which he hoped would “become effective as soon as possible.”

The NIDO Chairman advised the President and security team to accelerate efforts at stopping incessant killings, especially in the North Central even as he called on Nigerians “to play their roles in breaking the cycle of violence, which usually has no winner.”

The professionals presented the gift of an artwork called Light to President Buhari, with Toyin Loyo, the creator of the work saying: “The work is illuminating. You bring light, which will never go out, and which will shine round the clock.”

This was even as President Buhari marvelled at the quality of Nigerian professionals in Netherlands, saying: “you are high quality people. Congratulations on your personal achievements.”

President Buhari said that he is quite pleased with their intellectual and professional achievements.

He lauded them for representing Nigeria well, and for always being in touch with their motherland.

Among those who met President Buhari were Julius Nnamdi Nwankpa, Chairman NIDO, Dr Mustapha Gidado, a specialist in tuberculosis, having oversight over management of the disease in 22 countries, Lola Visser Mabogunje, a performance monitoring expert, Dr Peter Ngene, a research scientist and Assistant Professor at Utrecht University, Engineer Cornelius Obot, a software expert, and Toyin Loyo, an artist and culture enthusiast of international repute.

Ekiti People Voted Freely, According To Their Consciences – British Envoy

Greenbarge Reporters

July 15, 2018

“We have looked around, and the most important thing is that people were able to express their own opinions to vote freely as they wished to vote, and not to be intimidated or induced in any way, to vote according to their consciences for what they think is best for them, for their families and for their communities.”

These are the views of the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright, who is a member of the international observers that monitored yesterday, Saturday governorship election in Ekiti State.

In an interview with news men in Isan-Ekiti, he commended both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies for proper preparation for the election and for composing themselves very well.

“As observers, we will report back to INEC at the end of the day, giving our reports. We are neutral international observers, watching the process in trying to ensure that the exercise is free, fair, credible and indeed peaceful. We are very pleased to be able to be here.”

Arkwright described the election as a precursor to the 2019 general elections in Nigeria, saying: “This election is an important milestone on the road to 2019. In Ekiti itself, it is important for the process to be free, fair, credible and indeed peaceful.”

He emphasized that the International Bureau for the British Government is not supporting one candidate, saying: “we are not supporting one party. But we are supporting the process.”

Arkwright also emphasized that from what he saw, INEC prepared very well for the Ekiti election.

I spoke to the INEC Chairman in Abuja 10 days ago and he said the commission was well prepared. I spoke to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) yesterday, and as far as I can see, the sensitive materials were sent to the polling units in time.

Source: Sunday Sun.

France Lifts World Cup, Beats Croatia 4-2

Greenbarge Reporters

July 15, 2018

France today, Sunday, emerged the World football champions after defeating Croatia 4 goals to two to lift the coveted World Cup in Russia.

The sweat soaked match wa described as full of drama, including a penalty goal, a comedy goal and three fantastic goals. Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe and a Mario Mandzukic own goal see Didier Deschamps’ men crowned World Cup winners.

France took the lead in 18 minutes when Mario Mandzukic scored an own goal from a free-kick

Croatia equalized on 28 minutes when Ivan Perisic pounced with a devastating left-foot finish

France were awarded a penalty in 36 minutes after the use of VAR decided Perisic had handled the ball. After waiting an age to take the spot-kick, Antoine Griezmann duly converted from the penalty spot.

Paul Pogba extended France’s advantage on 59 minutes when he curled home an effort with his left foot. Kylian Mbappe added a fourth just six minutes later with a long-range right-footed strike

Mandzukic pulled one back on 69 minutes when France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made a catastrophic error.

France deserve their crown. They have been assertive in their football and clinical when it mattered the most.

Fayose’s Fall Came With A Thud, Not A Bang, By Garba Shehu

Greenbarge Reporters

July 15, 2018

The people of the politically significant State of Ekiti have spoken against their Governor: outgoing governor Ayodele Fayose, who told them that the governorship election they just had was a referendum on President Muhammadu Buhari. He said candidates Kayode Fayemi and Olusola Eleka were pawns and that he and President Buhari were the actual contestants.

In what observers said was the most intense, and a most angry campaign, the people gave their verdict: Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the one-time governor, declared persona-non-grata is now persona-grata again. President Buhari has won this referendum. The people of the State have sent a clear message. The politics of brinksmanship, assaults, insults, abuses and Robin Hoodism disguised as stomach infrastructure has been rejected in favour of politics of inclusion, development, responsibility and good governance.

President Buhari’s war against corruption and insecurity; the message of agric revolution and infrastructure development and fidelity in resource allocation and management have struck a chord with Ekiti voters, who had been lied to and deceived by Governor Fayose. While the opposition continued to rant at him, President Buhari’s uprightness, coupled with incorruptibility and personal integrity, unmatched by any politician in the country, has again stood the test of time.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) win in Ekiti means that the Party has control over 25 out of the 36 states of the Federation. The party thus becomes the only one in power in the six states of the South-West geopolitical zone.

Besides reinforcing the APC’s position as the only standing pole in the political landscape, it is a credit to the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, against whom all manner of ethnic and religious opposition is being mounted by former President Obasanjo and some of the Asiwaju’s sworn enemies in the sub-region.

With this, the political landscape of the South-West has been transformed. APC’s regional strength has been strengthened and the Asiwaju will be respected even better. Without losing patience and decorum, the Asiwaju has proved that rivals must reconcile and come to terms or lose everything.

This win is equally a huge boost to the APC and its new leadership under Chairman Adams Oshiomole, who got their first baptism of fire in Ekiti. It is, importantly, a big boost to the second term ambition of President Muhammadu Buhari.

For the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which came second in the election in a state that they held sway, it is a loss politically and psychologically. The result of the election has proved that PDP is irreparably broken and dismantled. They have nothing to offer to the country and its people. The message from Ekiti is that no state in Nigeria will vote PDP. Never again.

As for Mr. Fayose and his morbid brand of politics, it is now his time to reconcile himself to the imminent political extinction he faces, his political career sealed for good. Newspapers have mistaken him for a gadfly who creates discomfort for the government at the centre to make it better, but Fayose is a street-type thug. He never fits the role of a gadfly because he thrives on bitter enmity. Opposition does not mean a negative view of everything. Neither does it translate into a licence to abuse your superiors.

The winner of the election, Governor Fayemi’s trajectory from a persona-non-grata to a persona-grata again has given a wave of cheer to APC members all over the country. It has given a fresh hope that fake news, lies and propaganda run only short distances, because they have short legs.

An old proverb says you can’t beat something with nothing. After all the noise, theatricals and drama, Fayose’s fall came with a thud, not a bang: a high-powered nothing.

Garba Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicdity and wrote in from Abuja

Atiku Describes Defeat Of PDP In Ekiti Gubber Poll As ‘Difficult Time’

Greenbarge Reporters

July 15, 2018

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has described the defeat of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (APC) Professor Kolapo Olubunmi Olusola in the Ekiti Governorship election yesterday, Saturday as “these difficult times.”

Reacting to the result of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. John Kayode Fayemi as the winner, Atiku said that he will continue to give solid support to the state chapter of the PDP.

“We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with them through these difficult times,” Atiku said.

Atiku advised all PDP supporters in Ekiti State to remain peaceful and orderly and cooperate with the party at the state and national levels as they determine the next steps.

He commended Professor Kolapo Olubunmi Olusola, who he said has shown great restraint and stands in solidarity with Governor Ayodele Fayose, “whose commitment to the people of Ekiti continues to inspire Nigerians beyond the state.”

This was even as the PDP had rejected the result of the election that gave the victory to the APC candidate, Dr. Fayemi.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, at a news conference today, Sunday in Abuja, described the election result as “a daylight robbery.”

“The PDP rejects in its entirety the results concocted by the APC, and security agencies, in the governorship election in Ekiti State and declared by INEC.”

He said that the PDP is already collating all infractions in the election and would make its next steps public soon in order to reclaim its “stolen mandate.”

“The party rejects the falsified results and declaration of APC candidate, Dr Fayemi, to be the winner of the election, as a daylight robbery, a brazen subversion of the will of the people and direct assault on our democracy.

“From the authentic results flowing directly from the polling centres across the state, it is clear that the PDP candidate, Prof. Olusola-Eleka, incontrovertibly won the election, with very comfortable margin over the APC candidate, only for INEC to allow the alteration of results at the collation centres.

“Painfully, the people of Ekiti State were pillaged; openly brutalized; confronted with the worst form of cruelty and intimidation from security agencies, and their mandate, which they freely gave to the PDP, was snatched at ‘gun point’ by enemies of democracy, who are parading themselves as icons of anti-corruption.

“Nigerians are witnesses to all manipulations by the APC, aided by security agencies and compromised INEC officials, to rig the election, particularly, the audacious alteration and substitution of election results in favour of the APC at the collation centres amidst the brutalization of our agents.”

Ologbondiyan said that the PDP had the details of all the polling units where it won, mostly with very wide margin ahead of the APC.

He alleged that security agencies chased away PDP agents, “then aided the alteration and swapping of such results with those smuggled in by the APC at the collation centres.

“We have the details of the discrepancies between the authentic results from the polling units and the false figures eventually announced by INEC.”

Ologbondiyan said that the party also had details of how APC state governors and federal ministers diverted huge sums of money from their states and ministries to bribe INEC top officials.

He also alleged that the APC bribed security agencies to perfect the brigandage against the people of Ekiti State.

“The PDP holds strongly that there is no way our democracy can survive with an electoral process as witnessed in Ekiti State under President Muhammadu Buhari and the current INEC leadership.

“This bare-faced subversion of the will of the people is a clear recipe for crisis.”

He further described the alleged robbery of the franchise of Ekiti people as “a horrible rape of Nigerian democracy”.

“Finally, let it be known to all that surely, this electoral banditry will not stand.”

When asked of the party’s view on Fayose’s alleged declaration of election result on radio before INEC, Ologbondiyan said the party would investigate what led to that.

Tinubu To Fayemi: Ekiti People’s Futures In Your Safekeeping

Greenbarge Reporters

July 15, 2018

Former Lagos governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) national stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has reminded the victorious party’s candidate in yesterday, Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, that the future of the people in the state has now been placed in his safekeeping.

In a congratulatory message to the governor-elect today, Sunday, Asiwaju Tinubu said: “Dr. Fayemi must keep in remembrance that the people have placed their futures in his safekeeping and he must justify their trust in him by doing all he can do to advance their welfare.”

The APC Chieftain also advised the governor-elect to avoid recriminations but to run an all-inclusive government, reminding him that the people of the state had voted to take a path different from the one on which they had been.
“In Ekiti a chapter has closed and a new one has begun. This was not done by contrivance or artifice, nor was it the product of intimidation or improper influence. This came about because it was the will of the people of Ekiti as expressed and manifested in the conduct of a free and fair election in that state. In voting as they did, the people voted for the state to take a path different from the one on which they had been.

“In voting as they did, the people thus voted for themselves. Here, we must congratulate Dr. Kayode Fayemi and our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the successful campaign that was run and for the confidence the people of Ekiti have shown in transferring the mandate to govern them into our hands.

“I’m confident that Dr. Fayemi will keep faith with the programmes and policies of our party in order to improve the lives of the people of Ekiti. I know Dr. Fayemi will establish an all-inclusive government that involves all stakeholders in his administration and in the governance of the state.

“There was much apprehension and concern leading into the election that the exercise would fall into disorder. It did not. In the end, the election took place as it should for democratic elections are but the peaceful contest of ideas and ideologies. In Ekiti, two clearly different perspectives of governance stood in contest for the people to decide and decide they did.

“I make no bones that I am glad that Dr. Fayemi and the APC won this contest. However, I would be remiss if I did not say a good word about the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Prof. Olusola Kolapo Eleka. He conducted a tough and energetic campaign. He wanted this seat but, in the end, he did not resort to violence to get his way. He allowed the people to make their own decision and for his adherence to this democratic principle, he should be recognized.

“The same must be said of Governor Ayo Fayose. He tried to his utmost to bring his candidate to victory but he did not cross the line by trying to subvert the will of the people through violent means. Dr. Fayemi is a man of integrity and his government will not be one of recrimination. It is a government of the people and as such will focus its attention on helping the people, not suppressing yesterday’s political opponents.

“I urge Governor Fayose and Prof. Kolapo Eleka, as prominent citizens and leaders of Ekiti, to move forward in that same spirit. Let there be an orderly transition from the outgoing to the incoming government. Last and most importantly, let us commend the people of Ekiti. Casting aside all the dire predictions, they conducted themselves with the patience, sobriety and collective wisdom befitting the moment. Instead of turning things upside down, they turned to peace and mutual respect for each other as well as respect for the democratic process.

“Above all else, the election was your election and yesterday was your day! With the choice that you have made, may tomorrow also be your best future.”

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