Confusion In Ondo: INEC Picks Jimoh Ibrahim As PDP Guber Candidate, Court Picks Jegede

October 27, 2016

There is a clear confusion in Ondo state as the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), has finally declared controversial businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo state even as the court insist that INEC cannot replace Eyitayo Jegede with Jimoh.

The announcement declaring Jimoh as candidate was made today, Thursday, in a statement Signed by the commission’s Secretary, Augusta Ogakwu.

Eyitayo Jegede and Jimoh Ibrahim Ibrahim who belongs to the Modu Sheriff faction of the PDP replace Eyitayo Jegede who was the candidate of the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the party.

This was even as a High Court sitting in Akure restrained INEC from substituting or replacing the name of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the November 26, 2016 governorship election, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) with that of Ibrahim Jimoh.

In the judgment given yesterday, October 26, Justice W R Olamide, said that it would be out of order for INEC to replace or substitute Jegede’s name.

This, according to him would contravene the principles of equity, Justice and fairness.

The judgment read in part: “It is hereby ordered as prayed. The defendant/respondent is hereby restrained either by itself, chairman, commissioners, agents and servants, officers or privies or through any person or persons, howsoever from changing, replacing, removing, substituting or in any manner tampering with the name, Eyitayo Jegede SAN as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the governorship election slated for November 26, 2016 pending the determination of motion on notice.

“In the interest of justice and fair hearing, the Claimant/Applicant is hereby ordered to ensure service of the order herein granted, the motion on notice and originating summoms on the Defendant/Respondent before the next date of hearing”.

In a swift reaction, The PDP in Ondo State has hailed the judgement restraining the INEC from substituting or replacing Jegede’s name with that of Jimoh.

The Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Ondo State, Mr. Banji Okunomo said it is a victory for the nation’s hard earned democracy. [myad]

EFCC Releases Reuben Abati On Bail

Greenbarge Reporters

October 27, 2016

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] has released special adviser to ex President Goodluck Jonathan on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abari on bail.
Abati was let off the hook today, Thursday after having spent about four days in detention on charges that are yet to be made public, but not unconnected with the issue surrounding the $2.2 Billion which the former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki was alleged to have looted.
In releasing on bail, the EFCC asked Dr. Abati to drop his International Passport, amongst other conditions. [myad]

Abuja Mass Rail Transit To Benefit From Proposed $29.96 Billion Foreign Loan – Adeosun

Greenbarge Reporters

October 27, 2016

Abuja Mass Rail Transit project, phase two is expected to get 1.6 billion dollars from the $29.96 Billion which the Federal Government is planning to borrow from the World Bank, African Development Bank, and Japan International Co-operation Agency within the next three years.

The government also planned to borrow from such international financial agencies as the Islamic Development Bank and China EximBank.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun who spoke on the loan in Abuja today, Thursday in a statement by her Special Adviser, Mr. Festus Akanbi, said that other that would benefit from the loan included poverty reduction through social safety net programmes, governance and financial management reforms, among others.

According to the statement, out of the total amount, Federal Government will take $25.8bn and states$ 4.1bn.

A further breakdown shows that $18.3bn will be spent on infrastructure development, with $14.6bn going to federal projects and $3.7bn going to state projects.

The projects billed to benefit from the loans are the Mambila Hydro Electric Power Project, which will get $4.8bn and the Abuja Mass Rail Transit project, phase two getting 1.6 billion dollars.

Also, $3.5bn is slated for the completion of the Railway Modernisation Coastal Project from Calabar to Port Harcourt-Onne Deep Sea Port segment.

About $2.4bn will go to the Lagos-Kano Railway Modernisation project; $1.3bn is specifically for the Lagos-Ibadan segment and $1.1bn will go to the Kano-Kaduna segment.

Also, $4.5bn will go to acquire Euro bonds; $3.5bn will be dedicated to the Federal Government budget support.

The reports says $2.2bn will be sunk in education and health projects at state and federal levels.

Similarly, $1.2bn is set aside for agriculture projects at both levels and $200m is for economic management and statistics.

President Buhari had on Tuesday, forwarded a request to the National Assembly to approve external borrowing plan of $29.96 billion to execute key infrastructure across the country between 2016 and 2018.

Buhari said that the borrowings will target projects across all sectors with special emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, water supply, growth and employment generation.

(NAN). [myad]

Are Opposition Saying Buhari Should Keep Quiet Over $2.2 Billion Loot? Babachir Asks

Greenbarge Reporters

October 27, 2016

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, has asked opposition and those who have been crying that President Muhammadu Buhari is fighting corruption if their intention is that the president should keep quiet and pretend that all is well in the face of the damning relations going on.

“So we should keep quiet and let Nigerians think that everything is ok? That there was no looting. We are in the position we are in because people that came before us preferred to carry our common patrimony and put it in their deposit accounts for their wives and children. What type of country if we decide to play the Ostrich.

“Could we have known for example, that somebody can walk into Central bank, reverse his boot and leave with $2.2 billion raw cash. Could we have known that somebody will sit down and embezzle 40 billion? Look at the type of money they were dispatching.”

Babachir Lawal, who spoke on Channels Television programme, dismissing claims that the ongoing anti-corruption fight is a witch-hunt, saying: “Nigerians most be told what we inherited and majority of Nigerians I can assure you are in favour of what the government is doing. Of course, quite a few that were beneficiaries of this looting will make noise.

“Majority of them that are beneficiaries have access to papers, internet. We are chasing thieves. We are chasing people who took away government money, our money. People who impoverished us.”

The SGF, who also reacted to claims by the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha Buhari that the government of her husband has been hijacked by cabal, said: “I am honoured to be a cabal in this presidency. I have no apologies to make.

“If the President decides that he wants a secretary to the government who is going to work with him, coordinate the activities of his government, who will give him advice, obviously that man should be able to have unfettered access to the President.

“He is supposed to be able to give advice to the president because he is with the president on a daily basis in a manner that others might not have.” [myad]

ExxonMobil Strikes 1-Billion-Barrel Well Off Nigerian Shores

Greenbarge Reporters

October 27, 2016

ExxonMobil has discovered about one billion barrels of oil off Nigeria’s shores.

A statement from the company today, Thursday, confirms the “significant discovery” at Owowo-3 well extends an existing field worked by the U.S. multinational.

ExxonMobil is the operator and owns 27 percent of Owowo as Nigeria’s state oil company holds majority shares. Other partners include Chevron, France’s Total and Chinese-Canadian Nexen.

The news comes the day before ExxonMobil announces third-quarter results.

Oil multinationals in Nigeria are suffering attacks by militants who have slashed production, driving this West African oil giant into recession.

Lagos-based SBM Intelligence risk analysts estimate that ExxonMobil, Dutch-British Shell and Chevron lost $7.1 billion in the first half of this year – some 70 percent of earnings – through militant attacks, low oil prices and weak refinery margins. [myad]

For Strategic Economic Reasons, We Cant’s Run Away From Oil And Gas Now – Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

October 27, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that for strategic economic reasons, Nigeria still needs oil and gas to move ahead.

“The golden era of high oil prices may not be here now, but Oil and Gas resources still remain the most immediate and practical keys out of our present economic crisis.

“Buhari, who launched the Nigeria oil and gas industry road-map, tagged “The 7 Big Wins” to grow oil and gas today in Abuja, insisted that petroleum industry remains critical to the Nigerian economy of today and the future, despite the current challenges.

He emphasized that oil and gas still remain a critical enabler for the successful implementation of his government’s budget as well as the source of funds for laying a strong foundation for a new and more diversified economy.

“As important as it is to ensure that Agriculture, Solid minerals and other critical sectors of the economy are supported to grow and contribute more to the nation’s economy, we still need a virile and efficient oil & gas industry to take care of our foreign exchange requirements.

“This is a national imperative and a core thrust of our economic policy.

Therefore, the task before the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is to maximize the potentials and opportunities across the whole range of the Oil and Gas industry to stimulate our economy in spite of the current challenges.

“To do this certainly requires creativity, innovation, technology and robust partnership amongst various stakeholders.

“There is also a dire need to instill a new culture of transparency and efficiency in the industry, streamline operations along best practices by championing and implementing strategic reforms at every layer of the industry.

“This will help us improve oil and gas production, explore our frontier basins, improve our local refining capacity and above all build sustainable partnerships with the oil producing communities.

“If we are able to plug the leakages, and tighten loose systems that characterized this industry in the days of high oil prices, we are convinced that we can do even more with the little that we are getting at the moment than we did even in the time of plenty.

“As you are aware, recent developments in the Niger Delta have temporarily limited our oil and gas production and supplies. However, let me reaffirm that, whatever challenges we are currently facing in the region, our resolve and capability to work with all stakeholders to restore normalcy will guarantee success.”

President Buhari said that the launched road-map reflects the vision and aspiration of his Administration for this sector even as he asked all the stakeholders to deliver on the expectations contained in the Petroleum Industry Road-map. [myad]

I’m Interested In The Job, Prof. Akinwande Writes Senate, Denies Rejecting It

Greenbarge Reporters

October 27, 2016

Presidential nominee for the Chairmanship of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Professor Akintunde Ibitayo Akinwande, has said that he is interested in the job, debunking the notion in some quarters that he had turned down the offer.

In a letter, dated 26^th October, 2016, to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, sent through the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Sen. Ita Enang, Prof. Akinwande said that he will honour an invitation for screening by the Nigerian Senate after clearing with his current employer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), U S A.

“News reports in Nigeria that I have rejected President Buhari’s nomination to be Chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission have been brought to my attention.

“I have the greatest respect for President Buhari. I am fully behind the change he has brought and is bringing to the way Government business is conducted in Nigeria.

“I am deeply honored that Mr. President and his team thought me worthy for this important national assignment and sought me out for it. I am a tenured professor of electrical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“As such I am contractually constrained to seek formally the consent of the university for a leave of absence before presenting myself to the Senate for screening and if confirmed take on the assignment.”

Professor Akinwande apologized to the Senate Committee for not showing up for the screening process scheduled for Tuesday, October 25, 2017, noting that it was not out of disrespect for the institution.

The academic said that he would be available for the screening after clearance from the MIT. [myad]

Group To Aisha Buhari: Your Media Outburst Breached Values Of Decent Wife Of President

Greenbarge Reporters

October 27, 2016

A group, known as Adamawa League of Women Empowerment, described what they called ‘media outburst’ by Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari as having breached the norms and values of a decent house wife of a serving president.

Speaking to news men today in Yola, the Adamawa state capital, the group’s spokesperson, Ms. Maryam Ibrahim said that the recent comment by Aisha in BBC Hausa Service, where she criticized the administration of her husband, was most unfortunate.

Maryam said that Aisha who is a Fulani woman from Yola did not exhibit the character expected of a Fulani woman who should respect the traditional “pula’aku.”

The women group said that the statement by Aisha had created a negative impression of her status as the wife of the president, saying that it had exposed both her husband and the entire family to ridicule and contempt in the eyes of Nigerians and the world at large.

The women said that the president’s wife action also provided his enemies and opponents an opportunity to attack him.

“It is against this backdrop, that we unanimously condemned Mrs Aisha Buhari BBC interview because it is ill-timed, counter-productive and was done in bad taste.

“Consequently, Mrs Aisha Buhari’s action negates the spirit of Pula’aku, modesty and decorum which are virtues of fulbe (Fulani).

“It is also necessary to point out, that Aisha Buhari’s media outburst has breached the norms and values of a decent house wife of a serving President.

“In fact, she has set a bad precedent that no President’s wife in Nigeria has ever exposed her husband to this state of shame and ridicule.

“However, we would like to use this forum to re-iterate our total support and cooperation to President Muhammadu Buhari in his effort to restore the lost glory of Nigeria as a giant of Africa.” [myad]

Army Nabs Major, Captain, Other Boko Haram Informants On Troup Movements

Greenbarge Reporters

October 27, 2016

The Nigerian Army has arrested a major, a captain and others who have been found to be informants to members of Boko Haram in the North-East.

The Army was said to have opened a discreet investigations into the activities of some of its personnel following the Boko Haram attack on troops’ location in Gashigar, Borno state on October 22. No fewer than 13 soldiers were wounded, while others were missing.

The attack was believed to have worried President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, as a result of which the Army, determined to get to the root of the incident, perused telephone conversation of some of the security personnel and their civilian counterparts and uncovered some suspicious activities.

A military source told Punch that the suspects leaked information on troops’ movement to the insurgents and also raised funds for the sect operations through cattle rustling.

“The President was furious and discussed the matter with the COAS when some of the heads of those units were ambushed by the Boko Haram.

“The Army leadership took out time to screen the communication lines of the officers for several days without making it known.

“The suspicion was that they have links with some civilians and the links were traced. They are giving them vital information concerning the movement of soldiers.

“How come that the Borno State Governor and other officials have not been attacked, yet they ambushed the Chief of Army Staff. They have not attacked civilians but they attacked the COAS.”

Acting Army spokesman has confirmed the development and sadi: “Investigation is ongoing and once we conclude, the suspects would be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.”

Usman had said in a statement on Tuesday that a total of 32 persons, comprising two military officers, two soldiers, two policemen and 26 civilians were in custody for allegedly sabotaging the ongoing operations. [myad]

Nigerians In Ghana Suspend Their President For Allegedly Manipulating Bank Account

Greenbarge Reporters

October 27, 2016

Nigerians in Ghana under the umbrella of All Nigerian Community in Ghana have suspended its President, Moses Owharo, for alleged manipulation of the bank account of the association.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer, Barry Ndu in Owerri, capital of Imo state, Nigeria, today, Thursday, said that the suspension was to allow full investigations into the matter.
According to Ndu, the suspension is the decision of congress of ANC, which held at its secretariat on September 28, ratified by the Board of Trustee, members and delegates from other regions of Ghana.
Ndu said that already the matter has been reported to Ghana Police and that members want the investigation to follow due process of the law so as to unravel the circumstance that led to tampering of ANC United Bank of Africa account.
Ndu said that ANC account was frozen since 2013 due to court action against the body, but that it was recently uncovered that fake resolution purported to have come from the executive council of the association was used to make withdrawal from the account.
It was further revealed that two of the said new signatories were Daniel Obiora and Godwin Onowu, who were neither members of the congress nor executives of the association.
Ndu said: “The congress perceived the action as gross violation of all known rules binding members of ANC.
“For the sake of transparency, due process and in line with the anti-corruption agenda of Nigeria government which all Nigerians must be part of as ambassadors of the country, the executives have decided to immediately suspend Owharo as its president.”
He noted that Owharo had equally been summoned by the body to explain his role in the change of signatories and withdrawals made from the ANC Ghana UBA Account.
But in a swift reaction Owharo told NAN that the allegation was false.
Owharo told NAN in a telephone interview that there was no leadership crisis in ANC in Ghana.
Owharo said: “As I speak with you, I am still the president of ANC, Ghana, and the Nigeria High Commission in Ghana still work with me and so those carrying fake report that I am no longer the president are merely spreading falsehood.” [myad]

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