Wednesday, 26 March 2014

Mimiko signs Contributory Pension, Land Use Charges bills into law

Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, yesterday signed the controversial Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and Land Use Charges bills into law.
The CPS bill is being criticised by the State workers who had earlier protested against it at the State House of Assembly.
Governor Mimiko said the Bill was passed and signed into law in the interest of the civil servants who will benefit immensely from the scheme.

Addressing government functionaries at the Cocoa banquet hall of the government house in Akure, Mimiko said the poor sensitization of workers on the benefits of the bill was the reason behind the controversy.
The governor who further revealed that the Contributory Pension

APC, PDP and succession battle in Sokoto

POLITICS is in the air in the caliphate. The two main political parties-the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)- have returned to the drawing board. Ahead of next year’s governorship election, a lot of scheming, permutations and other partian activites are on. Many aspirants are erecting billboards, pasting posters and organising rallies. Political watchers contend that a fierce governorship battle is underway in Sokoto State.
The APC governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, is locked in a supremacy battle with his predecessor and defector to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa. The governor has boasted that the ruling party will rule the state beyond 2015. But, Bafarawa has dismissed the statement as a product of illusion, saying that power will shift to the PDP next year.
In 2007, the two gladiators became political foes. When circumstances

Ekiti 2014 ...

APC not afraid of ‘federal might’ —Tinubu’s in-law
Reported by:IBUOLA OMONIYI
AS campaigns officially kicked off in Ekiti State on Sunday, ahead of the June governorship election in the state, the lawmaker representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency II in the House of Representatives, Mr Oyetunde Ojo, has said that the Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and their party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), have projects to campaign with in the coming election and, therefore, were sure of a second term for the governor.
Ojo, who is the chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Communications, while addressing newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, declared that the APC was not afraid of the so-called federal might in

Mr Opeyemi Bamidele, a member of the House of Representatives, on Tuesday emerged as the Labour Party candidate in the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti.
Bamidele, a lawyer and former Commissioner for Information in Lagos State,

National Conference: Tempers rise as delegates fail to agree on voting procedure

“Having waited for it for over 20 years, for this, Mr. Chairman we are here to make history. I will suggest that we support two-third majority,” Gani Adams.
The Chairman of the National Conference, Idris Kutigi, on Monday averted what could have been the first major crisis on the floor of the Conference.
The Conference, which had adjourned for one week to enable delegates receive and study some of the working documents supplied to them, had reconvened to among other things adopt its draft Rules of Procedure.
The debate started when a delegate, Mike Ozekhome, opened debate on Order

10,000 Nigerians to own houses in 2014, says Okonjo-Iweala

The Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Monday said 10,000 Nigerians would own houses in 2014 through the Nigerian Mortgage Refinancing Company (NMRC).
Okonjo-Iweala stated this at a Stakeholders Housing Summit in Abuja.
She said that the government had already received funds for the programme from the World Bank and additional 25 million dollars (about N4.1 billion) for micro financing and mass housing initiative.
She said the 25 million dollars would be utilised for the mass housing initiative and to help persons at the bottom of the society to repair their old houses.
She assured that the NMRC would begin operations
at the end of June, 2014.
Okonjo-Iweala said that money would be pushed into the system if state governors would be ready to release Certificates of Ownership of Lands.
The minister said that the summit would come up with the criteria for accessing the mortgage loans.
She described the progarmme as “a very important milestone” of the Federal Government in its effort to provide affordable housing for all Nigerians.
Okonjo-Iweala said that government would ensure that the project was realisable.
“We are here to ensure that at the end of this year, so many Nigerians will say that as a result of this initiative, they have been able to buy a piece of land to construct their houses.
“ I am hoping that at the end of this occasion, we would have launched an initiative where 10,000 Nigerians who do not have houses today will have access to housing,’’ she stressed.
Okonjo-Iweala also said that the new mortgage system

Nigeria can’t survive another period of PDP’s misrule, says Aregbesola

•APC fixes Osun primary for April 12
Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola said yesterday that Nigeria may not survive another period of misrule by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He urged Nigerians to work towards replacing the ruling party at the centre.
Aregbesola spoke at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretariat in Abuja after submitting his nomination form for the August 9 governorship election.
He said: “Politicians, particularly in our type of society, can celebrate any political power, but not just any politician. We are politicians with passion for the people and zeal for change. It is the combination of those two things that informed commitment to give Nigeria a rebirth. Going through the years of the PDP’s bad management of our nation, it is the duty of patriots to work
assiduously for their replacement. I do not think our nation can survive another period of misrule by the PDP.”
Telling the APC National Deputy Chairman, Aminu Masari; National Organising Secretary Senator Osita Ozinaso and others the achievements of his administration, Aregbesola that he wants a second term in office to complete the work he has started.
He said: “To continue the good work we started in November, 2010, we decided to seek re-election. We have obtained the nomination form and I am joyfully here to seek the nomination of the party to again run for the governorship position in Osun.”
Aregbesola said his administration has almost completed 10-kilometre roads in each local government and is “processing 1,000 kilometres of roads that are 70 per cent completed”.
He said his administration met a destroyed healthcare sector and is rehabilitating nine hospitals.
The governor said he set up a social security scheme for the elderly, which gives stipends to the aged monthly; created jobs for youths and serve nutritious free meals to about 300,000 pupils

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday called for investigation into what it termed “needless deaths” of some job seekers at some venues of job test conducted by Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Former Head of State and national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd), has urged Nigerians not to look beyond the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, if they want answers to the formation, growth and sustenance of the Boko Haram insurgency in the country.

He stated this in response to a claim by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, that Buhari’s directive to his supporters prior to the 2011 elections that they should unleash violence should he lose and his allegory of the “bloody monkey and baboon in respect of the 2015″,

PDP Primaries: Fayemi Accuses Jonathan Of Plotting To Unleash Mayhem On Ekiti With Fayose’s Victory

Posted by: daniel on March 25, 2014

Following last Saturday’s Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship primaries elections, which produced former Governor Ayo Fayose as the party’s flag-bearer amid protests from his co-aspirants, the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of manipulating the process to favour Fayose with the aim of using him to unleash violence on the state ahead of the June 21 governorship poll.

Fayose has denied the allegations, saying he would instead let the elections

2015: Rivers PDP says no zoning arrangement

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State has said the slot for who becomes the next Governor of the state in 2015 is not open to any individual.
This is coming on the heels of criticisms and condemnations trailing the endorsement of the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike for the Governorship position in the state by different groups and individuals.
It could be recalled that a group of Orashi and Ogoni politicians announced the endorsement of the Minister.

Over the weekend, a prominent politician from the Etche region of the state

Nigerians in The Netherlands have been assured by President Goodluck Jonathan that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would soon be passed by the National Assembly.

This is contained in a statement issued by the President’s

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday assured Nigerians in The Netherlands that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would soon be passed by the National Assembly.
This is contained in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, in Abuja.
It stated that Jonathan gave the assurance at an interactive session with Nigerians residing in The Netherlands.

Imposition Of Candidates Must Stop In APC – Okorocha

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has urged the All Progressives Congress, APC, to put an end to the culture of imposition of candidates in order to be ahead of the competition.

This formed part of his remarks at the inaugural Progressive Governors-Legislative-Civil Society Roundtable in Abuja, on Monday.
The roundtable was tagged ‘Improving Governance through transparent budgeting, accountability and effective public financial management.’
Okorocha, who is chairman of the PGF, comprising all the governors of the 16 APC-controlled states in the country, said he was aligning himself to comments made by a previous speaker to the effect that 2015 general election was for the opposition party to win or lose.
According to him, the outcome of the recent public opinion polls conducted by APC’s foreign consultant is a true reflection of what is on ground, noting that for the APC to form the government in 2015, it must seek to stand out from the pack.
Okorocha said, “Our victory is in our hands, it is left for us to make it or mar

Almakura sues for peace as PDP, APC members clash in Lafia

Several cars were smashed in Lafia on Monday when APC and PDP supporters clashed at a ceremony to inaugurate local government officials elected on Saturday.
The state electoral commission had on Sunday declared that APC won six chairmanship seats against PDP’s four while results from three councils were declared inconclusive
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the violence broke out at the gate of Nasarawa Government House, venue of the inauguration, when supporters of both parties, chanting slogans of their

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has continue to call on President Goodluck Jonathan to visit all parts of the country, including the crisis-ridden northern region. The party said Jonathan was the father of the nation, hence must embark on such journey.
The APC in a statement in Lagos, by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohanmed, reminded Jonathan that he was yet to visit Yobe State, one month after the gruesome murder of many school children in the state, to commiserate with the government and the victims’

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday constituted a five-member team to handle the campaign of its candidate, Mr Ayo Fayose, for the June 21 governorship election Ekiti State.

The Ekiti State Chapter of the party made this known in a statement signed by its State Secretary, Dr Tope Aluko on Monday in Ado- Ekiti.
The statement named a lawyer and businessman, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, as the Director-General of the campaign team.
A former State Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Associatuion (NBA) and one-time Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Owoseni Ajayi was named the Deputy Director-General.
Others members are, a retired woman permanent secretary, Dr Modupe Alade, who will serve as Secretary, while Chief Awodunmula will serve as Treasurer and Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, as Director of publicity.

NIS recruitment fallout: Abba Moro’s family begs Nigerians for forgiveness

The family of Interior Minister, Comrade Abba Moro, has apologised to Nigerians over the poor handling of the recruitment exercise of Nigerian Immigration Service, which led to the death of 19 applicants, penultimate Saturday.
The visibly troubled family, however flayed the consultancy firm that handled the exercise, saying that, if it had done its job well, the unfortunate incident would have been averted.
A statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the Spokesperson of the family and Nephew to the Minister, Major Agbo, called on Nigerians to “exercise patience to enable the investigation panel come out with findings as to what really went wrong”, adding that the findings

Governor Aregbesola has done more than enough for Osun people – APC

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Osun State Chapter has declared that the state government under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has excellently done well for the people of the state.
The party in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Barrister Kunle Oyatomi, called on the citizens of state to disregard PDP agents reportedly going about accusing Governor Rauf Aregbesola of “not empowering people since he became governor.”
“What they actually mean is that Aregbesola did not allow the fraudulent

A former Minister of Youths Development, Barrister Inuwa Abdulkadir, has called on Nigerians to vote out president Goodluck Jonathan during the 2015 presidential election, saying that the president is not capable of leading the nation.
According to Abdulkadir, the incessant massacre of well meaning Nigerians, increase in kidnapping cases and other crimes show that Jonathan is not capable of spearheading the affairs of the nation.
“How could people trust that, that man (Jonathan) is capable of preventing the

The Police command in Osun on Tuesday warned politicians against engaging in acts capable of undermining peace in the Aug. 9 governorship election in the state.

Mr Ibrahim Maishanu, Osun Commissioner of Police, gave the warning while responding to questions from journalists on the just concluded Continuous Voters’ Registration (CVR) and other security matters in Osogbo.
Maishanu said that if politicians

Ekiti: PDP Governorship Candidate To Emerge Saturday

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, flag bearer for the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State, will emerge on Saturday.

The date for the party’s governorship primaries was announced by the national leadership of PDP after its meeting in Abuja on Monday.
All the 14 aspirants, who were cleared for the exercise, are to take part

Ekiti: INEC To Display Voters’ Register Today

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Public Relations Officer in Ekiti, Taiwo Gbadegesin, has disclosed that the names of all registered voters

The Ousn State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has pleaded with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to extend the voters’ registration exercise which came to a close on Monday.

Osun APC’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi

Acting governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar has relieved 24 special advisers to the state government of their duties and appointed new ones in their place.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government,

former-president-of-nigeria-chief-olusegun-obasanjo984367289

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday expressed his disdain for dubious and untrustworthy people, saying he never want to have anything to do with them. Obasanjo went further to say that he is one of the easiest persons to work with, contrary to the belief in some quarters that he is hostile and unaccommodating.

He made these views known yesterday at his hilltop mansion in Abeokuta,

A non-governmental organisation, Tell Nigeria Initiative, TNI, has pleaded with President Goodluck Jonathan to make known his intention to contest the 2015 presidential elections, stressing that the issue of security required the collective efforts of all and sundry, who should see it as everybody’s business, rather than the sole responsibility of government.

TNI, in a statement by its Director-General, Mr Godwin Okaka, also urged Nigerians to support what it described as the proactive government of President Jonathan, who it said, represents a

The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Monday struck out a suit challenging the eligibility of President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2015 general election.

The suit, instituted by Shuaibu Lili and one other, had

Ministerial Slot Divides Kwara PDP

Major stakeholders in the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are currently embroiled in an underground battle over, who among them, would pick the state ministerial slot.

The state’s slot became vacant following the sacking of former minister of sports, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Though it was highly speculated that Senator Gbemisola Saraki was earlier pencilled down for the ministerial appointment, stiff opposition from other stakeholders of the party, who are equally interested

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has berated the All Progressives Congress, APC, saying it should be ashamed of itself for seeking to play politics with the unfortunate death of Nigerians at a stampede that occurred during the recruitment exercise by the Nigeria Immigration Service on Saturday.

Interim National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had earlier on Sunday issued a statement heaping the blame of the incident that led to the death of over a dozen applicants on the PDP-led Federal Government, accusing it of non-performance and ineptitude.
In his counter-reaction, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh said the APC had again showed that it lacked respect for human life.
The rejoinder by PDP said the opposition party lacked class, and that its attempt to politicise the unfortunate incident was a clear manifestation of its Janjaweed ideology.
The ruling party said it was despicable for the APC to condescend

The President of the Movers of Nigeria, Mr. Ifeanyi Okonkwo, yesterday decried the non-participation of constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, SAN, at the national conference, which will be inaugurated later today (Monday) in Abuja.

Okonkwo, who made this known in Enugu, said noted that most people had yet to come to terms with Nwabueze’s decision not to participate in the conference.
President Goodluck Jonathan had earlier appointed Nwabueze as member of the Presidential Committee on National Dialogue but he turned down the appointment, citing his ill-health. When he was also chosen by Ndigbo alongside former Vice President Alex Ekwueme to lead Igbo

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called for a thorough forensic audit of all the accounts and financial transactions of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, from 2009, when Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi assumed duties as governor of the apex bank till date.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, on Sunday, PDP also demanded that the audit must establish and publish all movement of monies from the CBN accounts such as contract sums, donations and other extra budgetary spending during the period in question.
Mr. Sanusi was suspended as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria by President Goodluck Jonathan

Former Ogun State governor, Olusegun Osoba, has expressed confidence in the ability of the national conference to bring about a better Nigeria.

Osoba, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday after his accreditation that the calibre of the delegates to the conference gave him hope.
The APC chieftain said that he and other delegates to the conference were determined to ensure that the gathering “makes the difference in the life of the country”.
He said, “I have great hope in this conference and I am confident that with the guidance of God, we shall make a huge difference.
“We want to tell Nigerians that we are determined to make a difference at this conference. The calibre

At least 19 people were reported dead among over 500, 000 applicants that turned up at some centres of the test for the NIS jobs.
The Interim National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement in Lagos, described the incidence as a direct consequence of 15 years of misrule by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led federal government.
Information Nigeria reports that the ruling PDP has since

Ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Sunday, took his took his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the cleaners, saying it was owing him a great debt of gratitude.

He also charged the leadership of PDP to concentrate on improving lives of the people, redressing the parlous state of the nation’s economy and stem the tide of insecurity, rather than distorting history.
The former VP, who boasted that he owed the

The General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor W.F Kumuyi, has tasked Nigerians on the need to vote for credible candidates in the 2015 general elections.

Kumuyi made the appeal in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, during the ministry’s two-day crusade, which took place on Friday and Saturday in Yenagoa.
The soft-spoken preacher noted that political sovereignty belonged to the people. He therefore asked Nigerians not to vote based on sentimental reasons but for people that could deliver

‘PDP does not recognise needs of common man’

PDP

Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Jigawa state, Alhaji Ishaq Hadejia has said that the public need to understand that PDP is a party that does not recognise the needs of common man, describing it as capitalists party. Speaking while addressing Newsmen on the recent demolishing exercise going on in Dutse metropolitan, Ishaq Hadejia said the current demolition of over one thousand structures mostly belong to the less privilege peoples living in the state capital by Lamido’s government is totally wrong
and unfair which can also led to the massive unemployment and aggravating poverty

Ekiti 2014: PDP Aspirant Accuses APC of Manipulating Voters Registration

Mr Dare Bejide, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of manipulating the on-going voter registration in the state.

Bejide is claiming that the APC imported mercenaries into the state to register fake voters. "Allowing the poll robbers to go unchallenged may spell doom for the June 21 election. We are not going
to tolerate this; INEC and security agents must act now before it is too late", Bejide said.

Meanwhile, the APC has Chairman in the state, Chief Jide Awe, dismissed the allegation, and described those behind it as idle and frustrated.

APC and road map for a new Nigeria

Maj-Gen. Mohammadu Buhari (retd.)

The All Progressives Congress recently held its inaugural national summit and unveiled a draft code of ethics/manifesto, which may serve as a new beginning for opposition politics in the country.

The opposition All Progressives Congress recently stirred up a controversy when it announced the findings of an opinion poll, conducted on its behalf by KA Research Limited, a privately owned international campaign strategist/research company, based in Brussels, Belgium, as well as Istanbul, Turkey.

Its revelation that the poll scored the President Goodluck Jonathan-administration

2015: INEC to sanction campaign ban violators

Lokoja - The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on Thursday said that politicians violating the ban on campaign for the 2015 elections will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kogi State, Segun Agbaje said this during a meeting with party leaders in Lokoja.

He described the action as a clear danger to the free and fair conduct of the coming general elections.

Agbaje said that indiscriminate mounting of billboards, pasting of posters and hanging of banners by aspirants had become a worrisome trend overheating the polity.

He told party leaders to wait till November for campaign, adding

PHOTO CREDIT: LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPER

Dr Kunle Olajide from Ekiti State has been named to replace Chief Afe Babalola on the request of the elder statesmen as delegate to the National Conference.

This is contained in a statement signed by Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, in Abuja on Thursday.
Similarly, Alhaji Ibrahim Yaro, the Etsu of Bwari, replaces Alhaji Ismail Mohammed, Sarki of Karshi, on the request of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria.
The statement adds that Mrs Millicent Okoronkwo replaces

I’ve Not Resigned As Defence Minister – Gusau

FROM LEFT: FORMER SUPERVISING MINISTER OF DEFENCE, MR LABARAN MAKU; PERMANENT SECRETARY, ALHAJI ALIYU ISMA’ILA; THE NEW MINISTER, RETIRED GEN. ALIYU GUSAU AND CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF, AIR CHIEF MARSHAL ALEX BADEH, AT THE ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE BY THE NEW MINISTER OF DEFENCE IN ABUJA ON FRIDAY (7/3/14).

As the Presidency on Wednesday doused tension over speculations that the newly appointed Minister of Defence, Gen. Aliyu Gusau had resigned from the position to which he was sworn in about a week ago, the man in the eye of the storm has also spoken out to dismiss the rumour as untrue.

The social media was awash with reports yesterday that the highly respected spy-chief had tendered his resignation letter following a purported rift between him and top brass of the Nigerian military.
The news was given further credence when Gusau

President Goodluck Jonathan has embarked on a two-day working visit to Katsina State.

During his visit, the president will commission the new Government House and a ring road in the state capital.
He will also inspect several ongoing projects in the state including a youth craft village, the Rimi Wind Mill, the Karkanda Stadium, the Federal University, the Katsina Fonghai Initiative, Zobbe Dam and the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) new secretariat in the state.
President Jonathan is also scheduled to pay homage to the Emir of Katsina, Dr Abdulmumini Kabir Usman.
He is expected to return to Abuja later today.

Kerosene Subsidy Scam: My Reputation Not Under Threat, Says Okonjo-Iweala

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has taken what might be considered a firm step to insulate herself from the corruption bazaar taking place under the current dispensation, following revelations by the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has been claiming payments for subsidy on kerosene, despite the fact that it has not benefitted end-users, Nigerians.

INEC to distribute permanent voter cards in June

IIorin - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, said the distribution of permanent voter cards to eligible voters, would take place between June and September 2014.

The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, disclosed this in IIorin, while delivering a lecture on challenges of a fraud-free election under a democratic dispensation in Nigeria.

The lecture which was at the instance of Mustapha Akanbi Foundation

The national Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Chief Ikpe Etokudo, yesterday, disclosed that the national leadership had not handed over the party structure in Ogun State to former governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

The LP spokesperson, who made this known at the party secretariat in Abeokuta,

President Goodluck Jonathan will formally receive the Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Dameshi Luka, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP.

The reception will be held on May 10, the PDP Chairman in the state

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (R), ACKNOWLEDGING TRADITIONAL DANCERS

HERALDING HIS ARRIVAL FOR THE GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY FOR SECOND

NIGER BRIDGE IN ONITSHA ON MONDAY (10/3/14). LEFT IS GOV. PETER OBI OF

ANAMBRA.

Yobe School Massacre: Stop Your Electioneering Campaigns And Visit Yobe State – APC Tells Jonathan

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reiterated its call to President Goodluck Jonathan to take time off his premature electioneering campaign to visit Yobe State to condole with the bereaved families of the innocent pupils that were killed in cold blood by Boko Haram gunmen last month.

inconceivable that a fortnight after the heart-wrenching killings of more than 29 schoolchildren, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has not deemed it fit to visit the state.

APC said far from being a mere formality, such a visit will provide great succour to the families of the victims, reassure them and other residents of the state that their government has not abandoned them to their fate, and also serve as a morale booster for our gallant troops, who are in the battle-front

Secretary's suspension will not affect us- Osun PDP

Osogbo - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun has said that the suspension of its secretary would not affect its fortune in the August 9 governorship election

APC says fuel shortage a deliberate govt ploy

Abuja - The All Progressives Congress (APC) has blamed the fuel scarcity on the People’s Democratic Party-led Federal Government.

According to APC, the government was “acting out a clandestine script to increase fuel prices through the back door.”

According to the party, the ongoing nationwide fuel scarcity may have been induced to make higher fuel prices a “fait accompli for Nigerians.”

In a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday

Ekiti committee receives 71 requests for new councils

Ado-Ekiti- The committee constituted by the Ekiti Government on creation of new local governments has received 71 requests.

The chairman of the committee, retired Justice Akin Ajakaiye, said this at a news conference on Monday in Ado- Ekiti,

He said his committee would begin work immediately by treating all the memoranda received from the communities.

"We are not saying the figure is high or low,

Aspirants disqualified from PDP primaries

Abuja - The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Screening Committee has disqualified 13 aspirants to participate in the Party’s gubernatorial primary election slated for Saturday.

The committee disqualified Bode Olowoporoku, Peter Obafemi and Bosede Dada from contesting the election for various reasons.

Aspirants cleared to contest by the committee include the former Governor of the State, Ayo Fayose, Oluwadare Bajide, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd) and Prince Adedayo Adeyeye.

Also cleared are Adeyanju Sunday, Erelu Ogundipe, Abiodun Aluko, Adewale Aribisala, Oladeji Omoyeni, Olubenga Aluko, Oluropo Ogunbolude, Dr Omolara Adubiaro and Ajayi Ayodeji.

Chairman of the committee, Victor Ndoma-Egba, disclosed the shortlist.

The chairman said other aspirants were disqualified for failing

Senator Yisa Braimoh

Senator Yisa Braimoh represented Edo North in the Senate (2007 – 2011) on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. In this interview with John Alechenu, he speaks about the proposed National Conference and the growing number of ex-governors jostling to get to the Senate

As one from the South-South zone, what is your position on the National Conference?

The National Conference has come at a right time. There is the necessity for our people, ethnic nationalities, groups, and others to talk and that is what the President Goodluck

Atiku commends Jonathan on 2nd Niger Bridge ground-breaking

Nsukka - Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Monday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the ground breaking ceremony that kick-started the construction of the second Niger Bridge.

Atiku made the commendation in Nsukka at the 16th annual conference of the African Council for Communication Education.

He said the bridge, when completed, would boost economic activates and transport in the South East and its environs.

Atiku said the bridge was overdue, adding that the ground-breaking should have been done before now.

He urged participants at the conference, titled “Communication, Children and the Youth in the 21st Century” to find ways to bring back the 10 million out-of-school children to school.

“The conference should find ways that will bring back to school the 10 million

APC urges President Jonathan to visit Yobe

Abuja - The All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to visit Yobe to commiserate with the families of students of Federal Government College, Bunu-Yadi killed by the Boko Haram insurgents

APC defends "Janjaweed" manifesto

Abuja - The opposition party said the comment of the ruling party was a furtherance of on-going campaign to pigeon-hole the APC as an Islamic party, rather than engage in an informed critique of the roadmap.

The manifesto was described as “Janjaweed Ideology.”

“On a more dangerous level, it shows that the PDP will not relent from engaging in Islamophobia by using the Boko Haram crisis in a part of the country to stereotype Muslims and paint them as terrorists, even when it is obvious that majority of Muslims do not support the heinous crimes being perpetrated by the sect,” APC's Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said in a statement.

He said the party wondered why the PDP, in reacting to the APC's Road Map, would be making an allusion to the despicable Janjaweed militia which is wreaking havoc in Sudan's Western Darfur region, saying this is nothing short of religious escapism and a dangerous attempt to whip up religious sentiments against people of a certain faith.

“The only reason that the PDP used the word 'Janjaweed' is because the militia that goes by that name comprises mostly, if not exclusively, of people of Arab/Muslim stock in Sudan. This has further confirmed our fears that there is a clear attempt by the PDP, led by President Goodluck Jonathan, to divide Nigerians along religious lines as never before in the history of our country and to use religious as a political tool - a very dangerous move that can only result in religious warfare, from which no country that engages in it has ever survived intact. Or how else can one explain the continuous attempt by the PDP, despite warnings from right thinking people and groups, to cast people of a certain faith, who constitute half of our country's population, as either terrorists or terror sympathizers/sponsors, or to label the APC as an Islamic party just to hang it? Couldn't the PDP have criticized our Road Map without resorting to its well-worn, dangerous game of religious blackmail,” Mohammed queried.

He said the party challenged the PDP to unveil its own roadmap for Nigerians to see and compare, rather than attempt to attack the opposition's message.

“'We will not allow our roadmap to be buried on the altar of diversionary rhetoric by the do-nothing PDP. Therefore, in the days and weeks ahead, we will be highlighting the key areas of the document for all Nigerians to see.”

He said the PDP roadmap centred on job creation, zero

PDP sticks to its guns on APC manifesto

“The PDP maintained that the ideology of APC is the same as the Janjaweed as well as the Anti-Balaka and the Seleka of the Central African Republic whose ideology is completely anarchists.
The ruling party insisted that it will be out of place for anybody to associate APC

Orji emerges new chairman of South-East govs forum

Enugu- Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State has emerged as the new Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, succeeding Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra.

Announcing Orji’s emergence in Enugu on Sunday, the outgoing chairman of the forum, Governor Obi said he was elected after consultations and agreement among the governors.

Obi called on the new chairman to ensure effective cooperation for the development of the zone.

In his acceptance speech, Orji promised to do his best to project issues concerning the zone in order to take it to greater heights.

"I know it is a very big task but with the cooperation of my colleagues, the task will be easy to accomplish.

"What I pledge is that I will put in my best for the South East as chairman of the governors’ forum to move the zone to the next level.

"I need every person’s cooperation especially the media in order to accomplish this singular task,’’ he said.

The meeting was attended by Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu and his colleague from Ebonyi, Martins Elechi, as well as stakeholders from the zone.

Saturday, 8 March 2014

Disaffection within Niger PDP

PDP constitutes caretaker committee for Kano

Abuja - The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has constituted a caretaker committee to pilot the affairs of the Kano State Chapter of the party.

Olisa Metuh, the party`s National Publicity Secretary, said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja that the committee would be chaired by Muhammad Mana.

The statement added that Aminu Nana would serve as the Secretary.

It expressed happiness with the outgoing Kano Caretaker Committee for the peaceful resolution of all issues and the successful integration of old and new members of the party.

This, it noted, was a confirmation of the commitment and determination of the Kano PDP to ensure that the party emerged victorious in the 2015 general elections.

Similarly the NWC has directed the conduct of new congresses in the state, local government and ward chapters of the party in Kwara.

It also commended members of the Kwara Caretaker Committee of the party for their good work.

The statement said that the congresses in the state, local government and ward chapters would be conducted and supervised by the party`s National Secretariat.

Mimiko’s govt: Five years on

That Governor Olusegun Mimiko is five years in the saddle as the elected Governor of Ondo State is no news. It is equally no news that Mimiko is the first elected Governor of Ondo State whose second term election still remains standing.

Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko

What is news, to me, and to the good people of the Sunshine State, is that five years on, both Mimiko and his government are still popular with the people as the blessings of God and the dividends of democracy continue to flow unabated.

In this piece, we shall enumerate a few, only a very few, dividends of democracy, that is, concrete laudable achievements of the Mimiko administration since February 2009. But before then, we need to look at the issue of the success of the administration.

Why has the Mimiko regime succeeded this far? Why is it still succeeding? All we need do here is dabble into the difficult realm of speculation.

Those two questions above, to many, sound too simple. Yes, the Mimiko Government has succeeded so far and is still succeeding because of hard-work

PDP laughs off APC manifesto

Abuja - The ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) has ridiculed the manifesto released by All Progressives Congress (APC).

PDP described the manifesto as "a product of a Janjaweed ideology, a roadmap to anarchy which is typical of all anti-democratic coalitions. "
The ruling party said the manifesto "lacks character, depth and completely addressed no issue."

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the campaign manifesto, which ranked security of lives and property law gave no clue

Opposition sets out its vision for government

Abuja - The main opposition party has unveiled what it hopes will be a blueprint for winning power when voters go to the polls to elect a new president and parliament.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), buoyed by a wave of defections from President Goodluck Jonathan's ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), called the manifesto a "Road Map to a New Nigeria".

The 10-point plan prioritised the fight against corruption, tackling insecurity and made a bold pledge to create more than seven million new jobs across the country.

Provisions were also outlined for free primary

Fashola gives hope at APC summit

Last Thursday, All Progressives Congress, APC, held its inaugural National Summit in Abuja. The day heralded the beginning of journey to a new agenda with esteemed speakers and panelists as well as a long list of skilled, capable contributors who attended the event.

Among personalities and national leaders at the event were: National leaders, Major General Mohammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ogbonnaya Onu and Chief Bisi Akande; members of the Interim National Executive Committee; Governors and members of the Party’s Strategy Committee which includes : Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Garba MuhammedGadi, AbdulazeezAbubakar Yari, Senator Osita Izunaso, MallamNasir El-Rufai, Senator BunmiAdetunmbi, Hon. Pally Iriase, HajiaHadizaBala-Usman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Mr. Jimi Lawal, AlhajiNasirAlikoki and the young man who manages the committee’s secretariat, Mr. Terfa Tilley-Gyado.

“Our party owes them a huge debt of gratitude for their incredible work on both the Code of Ethics and the Roadmap to a New Nigeria,” Governor Babatunde Fashola stated in his address.The governor explained why APC is the next party for the rein of nation’s administration come 2015.

APC National Summit: From left, Oyo State Governor Senator Ajumobi , Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, Rivers State Governor and Rotimi Amechi at APC National Summit, tagged “A New Party for Nigeria” held in Abuja.

Fashola’s speech read:

“This is a historic day not only for the APC but also for our nation. The work we begin today is the work that will build a New Nigeria; a future when there

Gov primaries will split Ekiti PDP -Aluko

National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Adamu Mu’Azu

President Goodluck Jonathan’s recent visit to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, is part of a greater plan by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party to reverse the gains made by the opposition in the state.

The recent visit of President Goodluck Jonathan and other leading figures in the Peoples Democratic Party to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, will remain indelible in the annals of political development in the ‘State of Harmony’.

Jonathan’s visit to the state attracted a crowd

APC has no candidate to compete against Jonathan – Osom

Publicity Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party, Bayelsa State chapter, Mr. Makbere Osom

In this interview with SIMON UTEBOR, Publicity Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party, Bayelsa State chapter, Mr. Makbere Osom, speaks about APC’s incursion into the state and the chances of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015

How is the PDP taking the emergence of APC in Bayelsa State?

In political strides, parties must emerge if politics is to be played as a plurality for the citizenry to be able to judge which one has the best of manifestoes to offer them. It is welcome as much as democracy welcomes it.

Don’t you think the APC is a threat to the ruling PDP in the state?

It is not a threat in anyway. The Peoples Democratic Party is a threat to the All Progressives Congress because it has come to wrest power. PDP has found

National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Adamu Mu’Azu

Jonathan’s visit to the state attracted a crowd never before assembled by an opposition political party seeking to displace a party in power.

The battle for political space between

Wednesday, 26 March 2014

Tuesday, 25 March 2014

PDP Primaries: Fayemi Accuses Jonathan Of Plotting To Unleash Mayhem On Ekiti With Fayose’s Victory

Thursday, 20 March 2014

Tuesday, 18 March 2014

Monday, 17 March 2014

Friday, 14 March 2014

Thursday, 13 March 2014

Wednesday, 12 March 2014

Tuesday, 11 March 2014

Monday, 10 March 2014

Saturday, 8 March 2014

Friday, 7 March 2014

Thursday, 6 March 2014

Index Labels