BREAKING: ANDP Exclusion: Court Nullifies Diri’s Election As Bayelsa Governor

August 17, 2020

Lawyers at the Presidential election tribunal

Bayelsa Gubernatorial Petition Tribunal has nullified the election of Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State, based on a petition by the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP), complaining that it was unlawfully excluded from participating in the election.

The three-member panel held that the election was unlawful due to the exclusion of Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) and its candidate, King George from the November 16, 2019 governorship election.
The tribunal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a bye election within 90 days
The tribunal’s ruling, which was delivered today, August 17, is however, subject to appeal at the appeal court.

DSS Did Not Invite Ghali Na-Abba Because Of His Attention-Seeking Comments On Buhari – Presidency

Greenbarge Reporters

August 16, 2020

The presidency has said that the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na-Abba was not invited for interrogation by the Department of State Service (DSS) based on his recent comments which it described as irresponsible and attention-seeking, against President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a late night statement, senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said that the “irresponsible comments” on Buhari by Ghali Na-Abba did not get the attention of the presidency.
“The presidency urges the general public to ignore as a publicity stunt publicity, the widely circulated reports alleging that former Speaker Umar Ghali Na-Abbah has been invited by the Department of State Service, DSS over his alledged comments on President Buhari.
“Our findings have revealed that his invitation has nothing to do with the alledged irresponsible utterances by Umar Ghali Na-Abbah, which in any case, did not catch the attention of the Presidency, or of any serious politician for that matter.
“There are serious politicians who talk, and the Presidency responds because such politicians throw jibes which must get attention. Flash in the pan politicians and those who fabricate political relevance don’t bother anyone.
“We advise Na’Abba to distance the presidency from the situation he has found himself and sort himself out accordingly.”

Nigerians Will Continue To Remember Your Services, Buhari Tells Babangida

Editorial staff

August 16, 2020

General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Rtd)

President Muhammadu Buhari has reminded the former military President, rtd General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida that Nigerians will continue to remember his services to the country.

In a terse statement today, August 16, in solidarity as the retired General celebrates his 79th birthday tomorrow, August 17, President Buhari “believes his services to the country will always be remembered.”

The statement, issued by the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, did not however elaborate on the kind of services Babangida rendered for which he would be remembered.

In the three paragraph statement, Buhari joined family, friends and associates to celebrate Babangida whom he described as “elder statesman.”

He prayed that God will continually strengthen Babangida, “grant him good health and longer life.”

Somalian President In Physical Fight With His Deputy

August 15, 2020

Somali president fight with his deputy live on air | Photo credit: Signature Tv

An unexpected drama played out today, August 15, when the President of Somalia, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and his deputy exchanged physical blows to the point of wrestling to the ground.

Report said that they sat close to each other in what seemed like a press briefing but suddenly began to exchange blows without any idea as to what caused the fight.

In the video that has gone viral, it took efforts of a handful of men to separate the two who were busy tearing each other apart.

Those who watched the video described the incident as not only embarrassing but also a very bad example from the people who should be preaching peace and acting as good role models to the entire country.

“They should put their pride aside and apologize to their citizens to ensure that the country remains united.”

Watch the video below:

Amaechi Pleads With NASS To Approve $5.3 Billion China Loan For Ibadan-Kano Rail Line

Editorial staff

August 15, 2020

Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has appealed to the National Assembly to approve the $5.3 billion loan request from China to enable the government to execute the Ibadan-Kano Standard Gauge rail line.

The minister, who spoke today, August 15, at the construction site of the Ibadan Train Station, after a joint inspection of the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail Project with his Transportation Counterpart, minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that $1.6 billion is being expended on the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge rail line and the stations, with $200-$300 million counterpart funds from the Federal Government.

The ministers had inspected the gigantic Ebute Meta Railway Station Building and yard construction work; Apapa Railway Station; Dockyard Station as well as Agege; Kajola; Papalanto; Abeokuta and Ibadan Train Stations, which are at various stages of completion.

This was as the information minister made it clear that the loans being taken from China and elsewhere, are being utilized for infrastructural development to create jobs and provide the basis for economic development.

“There is no better way to answer Nigerians as to what we have done with the money we have borrowed than this trip.”

Lai Mohammed said that there is nothing bad in borrowing, provided the funds are invested in infrastructure rather than services or consumption.

“We didn’t borrow money for services or overhead expenditure. We borrowed money for capital projects: rail; roads; bridges; power – infrastructure generally.”

I’m Battling With Coronavirus In Isolation, Omotola Opens Up

Editorial staff

August 15, 2020

Nollywood star actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has confirmed that she is currently battling with coronavirus.

The 42 years old Omotola, who is popularly called Omosexy, said in an Instagram post today, August 15 that she is however recuperating in isolation.

“Hello all, I know most of you have been wondering where I’ve been. Well, I contracted COVID. I have been ill in Isolation and now getting better. More on this details of this soon,” she wrote.

The screen goddess, however, implored the Lagos State Government to tackle the growing cases of trailer accidents.

“However, I have been reading on the devastating news of how our youths are needlessly dying getting crushed by trailers/containers.

“This is disheartening and has made my heart really troubled. This can happen to anyone and enforcement can’t be taken lightly on this Gov @jidesanwoolu !!! Pls do something!!!!!” Omotola added.

Omotola’s husband, Matthew Ekeinde is a pilot. He recently flew back their kids to Nigeria after they got stranded abroad over the coronavirus pandemic.

It was not immediately clear if he also contracted the virus.

58.52 Million Nigerians Are Employed; 21.77 Million Not Employed – Bureau Of Statistics

Editorial staff

August 15, 2020

File photo of Unemployment Nigeria | Tuck Magazine

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has put the number of Nigerians that are currently being employed at 58.52 million, while 22.94 million Nigerians are engaged in time-related jobs or underemployed, and 35.59 million have full-time employment.

In the figure it released today, August 15, the NBS put the number of Nigerians that currently unemployed at 21.77 million in the second quarter of this year (Q2 2020), compared to 20.93 million in Q3 2018.

The data on the nation’s unemployment rate released after a 20-month interval, also showed that the country’s unemployment rate increased to 27.1 per cent in the second quarter of the year (Q2 2020), compared to 23.1 per cent recorded in Q3 2018.

The NBS noted that the figure represented an increase of 836,969 persons who were without jobs when compared to Q3 2018, adding that unemployment rate is estimated at 11.7 per cent, using the international definition.

According to the NBS data, the working age population is estimated at 112.39 million with an active labour force of 80.29 million, while 32.10 million people are not currently in the labour force.

According to the Labour Force Statistics: “Abridged Labour Force Survey Under COVID-19” report, underemployment rate increased to 28.6 per cent from 20.1 per cent in Q3 2018.

The NBS pointed out that unemployment rate among young people (15-34 years) was 34.9 per cent, up from 29.7 per cent, while the rate of underemployment for the same age group rose to 28.2 per cent from 25.7 per cent in Q3, 2018.

It added that unemployment rate among rural dwellers increased to 28 per cent compared to 23.9 per cent in Q3 2018, while urban dwellers reported a rate of 25.4 per cent up from 21.2 per cent.

Underemployment among rural dwellers, further rose to 31.5 per cent from 22.8 per cent, and for urban dwellers, it increased to 23.2 per cent from 13.7 per cent in Q3, 2018.

Pastor Warns Muslims Not To Kill Kano Musician Over Blasphemy Against Prophet Muhammad

Editorial staff

August 14, 2020

The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has warned that a Kano-based musician, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, should not be killed for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Muhammad, saying that killing him will amount to spilling blood of the innocent.

In a statement today, August 14, Primate Ayodele lectured the judge of the Upper Sharia Court, who sentenced the 22-year-old singer to death that religion preaches love and tolerance, and that killing Yahaya Shariff does not follow what religion preaches.

“If they should kill that young boy, they would be spilling an innocent blood.

“Insurgency is one of the problems in the North. Boko Haram has been killing lots of them yet when Boko Haram members were captured, they were granted amnesty.

“That boy has done nothing that warrants him being condemned to death.”

Yahaya Sharif-Aminu was given an option to appeal the ruling or he will die by hanging.

Mailafiya Says He Got Information About Boko Haram From Fulani Trader In Market

Editorial staff

August 14, 2020

Dr. Obadiah Mailafiya | Photo credit: Intervention.ng

A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Obadiah Mailafia, has admitted he got the information about a Northern Governor leading the Boko Haram insurgents from Fulani traders in a market.

In an interview with BBC Hausa, Mailafia stressed that he got the information from “some Fulani traders” in the market and did not know that his comments would go viral.

Mailafia said that he explained to the DSS what he knew about the incident and apologized for any statements he made that offended others.

He said that he is a fan of President Muhammadu Buhari, adding: “but there are bad people who don’t give him the advice to help him.”

The Northern Governors Forum (NGF) had called on security agencies to investigate Mailafiya’s allegations.

Ondo Deputy Gov Runs From Pillar To Post In Search Of Party, Finally Joins ZLP

Editorial staff

August 14, 2020

Agboola Ajayi | Photo by Daily Post Nigeria

Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, who was elected along with his principal on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), rejected as governorship candidate in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) he defected to, has finally joined the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Agboola Ajayi, who was received into ZLP today, August 14 by the party’s state Chairman, Joseph Akinlaja and the immediate-past governor of Ondo, Olusegun Mimiko, in Akure, the state capital, said that his decision to pitch tent with the ZLP was as a result of the fallout in the primaries of both the PDP and the APC.

“It is obvious that the affirmation of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as candidate of the APC coupled with the seeming failure of the PDP to produce a dependable and formidable alternative has dampened the democratic enthusiasm and morale of the people.

“The hope and rechanneling the energy of the progressive electorates, I am teaming up with members of the ZLP, a chunk of most of the other members and my teeming allies from both the PDP and APC.”

He described the ZLP as a dependable platform to rescue the people of the state from the hands of the current government of APC in the state even as he asked his supporters to join him in the Zenith Labour Party.

He said that there is need to change and take it back from the “nepotistic administration” of Governor Akeredolu.

Meanwhile, the party’s chairman, Akinlaja described the ZLP as the third force that would win the governorship election but pleaded with supporters of the party, especially the youth to shun thuggery and violence.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to be fair, free and transparent in the conduct of the election.

Ex-lawmakers, Kasim Olanrewaju and Olumide Araoyinbo, led some members from the PDP and APC to the ZLP.

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