The Lamido of Adamawa, a first class paramount traditional ruler in Adamawa State, Muhammad Mustafa Barkindo, has De-robed a former Governor of the state, Murtala Nyako of the traditional tile of Sarkin Yamma and dismissed him from the Emirate Council.

The Lamido also De-robed Nayko’s son, Abdul’Aziz, of the traditional titles of Sarkin Matasa. Abdul’Aziz is representative of Adamawa Central Senatorial District.
In a statement, the Lamido himself said that the decision to strip them of the titles was because they have been indicted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and arraigned before a court of law for alleged corruption.
Nyako was impeached as governor by the state House of Assembly in 2014, but the impeachment was later declared illegal by the Court of Appeal. The Court did not however order for his reinstatement.
Nyako is presently at the Supreme Court asking it to return him to office based on the ruling of the Court of Appeal, an action that has pitched him against Governor Muhammad Jibrilla Bindow.
Nyako had appointed the monarch’s son as Commissioner when he was governor. [myad]

The senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu has said that his boss was just joking when he referred to his wife, Aisha as belonging to his kitchen and other room.

In a tweet today, Garba Shehu: “my friend, can’t leader get a sense of humour anymore? Mr. President laughed before that statement was made. He was obviously throwing banter”

The spokesman said that politics sometimes, should be spiced with humour, adding: “those of us close to him (President Buhari), know there is never a dull moment with him. Mr. President respects the place of women in our society. He believes in the abilities of women.

“One of Nigeria’s most sensitive offices today is headed by a woman, Mrs. Adeosun. This is an evidence of the confidence he reposes on women.” [myad]

President Muhammadu Buhari has alluded to his wife, Aisha, as belonging to opposition party whom he cannot satisfy.
He said: “So, I claim superior knowledge over her (Aisha) and the rest of the opposition because in the end I have succeeded. It’s not easy to satisfy the whole Nigerian opposition parties or to participate in the government.”
President Buhari was reacting to statement credited to his wife during an interview on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that it was only a few people who were not even members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that chose most of the appointees for the President, and that if things continue the way they are, she would not campaign for her husband’s second term bid in 2019.
The President, who spoke to news men in Berlin, the capital of Germany where he is currently undertaking an official visit, said: “I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room.
“So I claim superior knowledge over her and the rest of the opposition because in the end I have succeeded.
“It’s not easy to satisfy the whole Nigerian opposition parties or to participate in the government.”
Aisha Buhari, in the BBC interview that her husband “does not know” most of the top officials he appointed to office.
She said that President Buhari has not indicated whether or not he will seek re-election in 2019, but that if he decides to contest, he would have to shake up his cabinet to get her support.
“He is yet to tell me (if he will seek re-election) but I have decided as his wife, that if things continue like this up to 2019, I will not go out and campaign again and ask any woman to vote like I did before. I will never do it again.”
Mrs. Buhari also gave indication of something which has caused silent anger amongst some leaders of the APC.
She said that some of the President’s appointees did not share the vision of his party and were appointed because of the influence of a “few people.
“Some people are sitting down in their homes folding their arms only for them to be called to come and head an agency or a ministerial position.”
Asked to name those who had hijacked the government, she refused, saying: “You will know them if you watch television.”
One name that has been repeatedly mentioned as having a strong influence in Mr. Buhari’s appointments is his cousin, Mamman Daura.
Daura, who holds no official position, is said to be the most powerful man in the presidency and is said to have Buhari’s ears.
There have been rumours within the Aso Villa of him having clashes with Aisha Buhari over his influence on her husband.
On whether the president is in charge of his administration, Mrs. Buhari said: “that is left for the people to decide.”
The BBC quotes its reporter Naziru Mikailu, as saying in Abuja that Mrs. Buhari’s decision to go public with her concerns may shock many people, but that it shows the level of discontent with the President’s leadership. [myad]

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has suspended two assistant directors, six senior officers, five other officers who are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye who made the disclosure today, Friday in his office, said that the suspension is in line with the Public Service Rule 030406.

The Rule states: “where a prima facie case, the nature of which is serious, has been established against an officer and it is considered necessary in the public interest that he/she should forthwith be prohibited from carrying out his/her duties, pending the determination of the case.”

He gave the names of those who have been suspended as the follows:-

• Engr. Suleiman Idris – Assistant Director, Transportation Secretariat
• Idris Usman – Assistant Director, Engineering Services Department, FCDA
• Mohammed Ishaq – Chief Planning Officer, Urban & Regional Planning Department
• Helen Olokpo – Principal Town Planning Officer, Urban & Regional Planning Department
• Bamidele Olaitan – Principal Education Officer, Education Secretariat
• Ambrose Samchi – Principal Accountant, Treasury Services Department
• Hassan Argungu – Principal Land Officer, AGIS
• Saba Mohammed – Senior Data Officer, AGIS
• Yusuf Baba – Senior Administrative Officer, AGIS
• Abdullahi Musa – Senior Administrative Officer, Deeds Registrar’s Office
• Abraham Murtala Belel – Senior Accountant, Treasury Services Department
• Andrew Gwani – Land Officer
• Abdulmalik Teina – Senior Accountant, Treasury Services Department. [myad]
  

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that with more negotiations going on with Boko Haram insurgents, more Chibok girls, abducted by the insurgents from their school in Borno in April 2014 will soon be released.
Twenty of such girls were released and eventually handed over to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja yesterday, Thursday.
Speaking at a joint press conference with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel today, Friday in Berlin, President Buhari said negotiations will continue until all the girls secure their freedom.
“On the Chibok girls, we have been able to secure the release of 21 of them, so over 100 more are still in the hands of the terrorists somewhere in the Lake Chad Basin area which include Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria.
“In getting this 21 out, we hope we will get enough intelligence to go about securing the rest of them.
“We are very grateful to the UN for their participation in trying to secure the release of these girls.
“Please don’t forget that as a result of terrorism in Nigeria, no fewer than 37,000 Nigerians were killed by Boko Haram.
“Right now we have about two million people in IDP camps, 60 per cent of them are women and children and 60 per cent of those children are orphaned.
“This is a major challenge for government; we have to provide face infrastructure especially for education and health, take them back to their villages and towns and reintegrate them so that they can have normal life.”
The President thanked the German government for its humanitarian assistance and support for Nigeria in dealing with the effects of terrorism. [myad]