9JABOARD NEWS

Saturday, October 13, 2018

Buhari Places 50 Prominent Nigerians On Watch-list

The prominent persons have also been restricted from leaving the country, "pending the determination of their cases".

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that no fewer than 50 high-profile Nigerians on watch-list.

The prominent persons have also been restricted from leaving the country, "pending the determination of their cases".

This was contained in a statement by Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the President, on Saturday.

According to the statement, which didn't name the affected individuals, the decision followed the "affirmation of the legality of the Executive Order 6 (EO6)".

The statement read: "Following the instant judicial affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of the Executive Order 6 (EO6), President Muhammadu Buhari has mandated the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice to implement the Order in full force.

"To this end, a number of enforcement procedures are currently in place by which the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies have placed no fewer than 50 high profile persons directly affected by EO6 on watch-list and restricted them from leaving the country pending the determination of their cases.

"Also, the financial transactions of these persons of interest are being monitored by the relevant agencies to ensure that the assets are not dissipated and such persons do not interfere with, nor howsoever corrupt the investigation and litigation processes."

Shehu also assured Nigerians of the administration's determination to uphold the rule of law, and called for cooperation with law enforcement authorities.

The statement continued: "It is instructive to note that EO6 was specifically directed to relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that all assets within a minimum value of N50 million or equivalent, subject to investigation or litigation are protected from dissipation by employing all available lawful means, pending the final determination of any corruption-related matter.

"The Buhari administration reassures all well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians of its commitment to the fight against corruption, in accordance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the general principles of the Rule of Law.

"Accordingly, this administration will uphold the rule of law in all its actions and the right of citizens would be protected as guaranteed by the Constitution.

"We, therefore, enjoin all Nigerians to cooperate with the law enforcement authorities towards ensuring a successful implementation of the Executive Order 6 which is a paradigm-changing policy of the Federal Government in the fight against corruption."

Buhari in closed-door meeting with APC Reps

President Muhammadu Buhari is currently meeting with select members of the House of Representatives.

The meeting is holding inside the new Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting is holding a day after Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan told journalists that APC senators were no longer working to remove Senate President Bukola Saraki from office.

Mr Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara defected to the opposition PDP from the governing APC.

It is, however, not clear if Mr Dogara’s position is one of the matters being discussed today.

Details later…

Court Slams N42.7m Damages On Unity Bank For Unlawful Dismissal Of Director

The judge ordered that Unity Bank should pay Alonge her basic monthly salary of N1.3million, commencing from January 30, 2015 till the date of the judgment. Justice Peters ordered that in addition, Unity Bank should pay Alonge special damages of N42.7million which is the allowances and benefits entitled to her as an Executive Director from January 30, 2015 till the date of the judgment.

The National Industrial Court in Ikoyi, Lagos has ordered Unity Bank to pay Arese Alonge, a former Executive Director of the bank, the sum of N42.7 million in special damages, over unlawful dismissal.

In a judgment on Monday, Justice J.D. Peters held that Unity Bank did not follow the mandatory provisions of Sections 262 and 266 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) in firing Alonge, who had worked in the bank for three months.

Section 262 provides that for a director to be removed, he or she must be served a requisite notice of a meeting, while Section 266 provides the procedures for removal of directors.

Justice Peters said: "I note that for reasons best known to the defendants they chose not to address the issue of service of requisite notice of meeting on the claimant; the pleadings of the defendants are silent on this. Exhibit AA8 which is the letter conveying the alleged board's decision to terminate the appointment of the claimant, did not state the date of the alleged meeting where the decision was taken.

"I find and hold that the claimant was entitled to be served, but not served notice of the board meeting as required by law. "I declare that her removal was in violation of the provision of CAMA particularly Section 266(1) and (2) and the violation renders the meeting invalid by virtue of Section 266(3). l therefore pronounce the said removal of the claimant invalid. The claimant must be deemed to be and is still is the Executive Director of the first defendant. I so pronounce it."

The judge declared that the letter of termination of appointment issued to Alonge by Unity Bank dated January 14, 2015 was null and void and as a result, she is still an executive director of the bank.

"The claimant is to continue to enjoy all the entitlements, benefits, emoluments and all other rights and or privileges attached or appertaining to the office and position of executive director of the first defendant," Justice Peters said.

The judge ordered that Unity Bank should pay Alonge her basic monthly salary of N1.3million, commencing from January 30, 2015 till the date of the judgment.

Justice Peters ordered that in addition, Unity Bank should pay Alonge special damages of N42.7million which is the allowances and benefits entitled to her as an Executive Director from January 30, 2015 till the date of the judgment.

"All the sums due to the claimant under and by virtue of this judgment shall be paid with 15 per cent interest per annum from the date of this judgment until final liquidation. All the terms of this judgment shall be complied with within 30 days from today," he said.

Alonge's claims for N30 million executive director profit sharing entitlement, N250 million general damages and N20 million solicitor's fees were, however, dismissed by the judge. The court also granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the bank or its agents from harassing and intimidating Alonge.

On February 11, 2015, Alonge instituted a suit against Unity Bank and Mr Henry Semenitari, the Managing Director of the bank.

During the court proceedings of February 27, 2017, Alonge, led in evidence by her counsel Mr Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), said her services were engaged on October 1, 2014 and she resumed work immediately, contributing to the key growth of the bank.

She told the court that on January 14, 2015, her appointment was terminated on the basis that her services "were no longer required". Alonge had noted that she was not given any notice of meeting where the purported board's decision to terminate her appointment was made.

Opening their defence on May 31, 2017, Mr Alaba Williams, a staff of the Unity Bank and their sole witness told the court that when Alonge was hired to work for the bank, she had promised to mobilise N50 billion deposit for the bank.

Led in evidence by Mr Paul Eishemomoh, counsel for Unity Bank, Williams, said her inability to deliver on her promises prompted the bank to issue her letters of query dated December 19, 2014 and January 7, 2015. Williams said the claimant's response to the queries was considered by Unity Bank's Governance and Nomination Committee meeting held on January 13, 2015.

He said she was sacked by the bank on January 15, 2015 on the recommendation of the committee due to her alleged non-performance and bad attitude.

19 Persons Killed In Abia Pipeline Explosion

Eye witness account said that the explosion happened in the early hours of Friday and the victims included a nursing mother, three soldiers and dozens of others who were all burnt to death.
No fewer than 19 people were yesterday feared dead following an explosion that occurred at the Osisioma, Abia State axis of the petroleum products pipeline belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Eye witness account said that the explosion happened in the early hours of Friday and the victims included a nursing mother, three soldiers and dozens of others who were all burnt to death.
Several others were said to have sustained various degrees of burns and were rushed to hospitals where medical personnel were battling to save their lives.
The explosion was said to have occurred when NNPC pumped products through old and abandoned pipelines which security agencies understood were no longer used to transport products.
The state commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Benito Eze confirmed that 19 burnt bodies were recovered by his men at the scene of the incident.
Abia State Police Command spokesman, Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna said that the state command was aware of the ugly incident but added that he didn’t have details of what actually happened and the number of casualties.
He said that it was unfortunate that people did not heed the warning by police that people should not scoop petroleum products from ruptured pipelines because of the very high risk to life and property when explosion occurs.
There was great wailing at the scene as village folks trooped out to identify their loved ones who died in the fire incident. The identified bodies were quickly evacuated by relatives.

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Assurance expired? Davido, Chioma’s relationship hits the rocks over ‘infidelity’

The much-celebrated relationship of David ‘Davido’ Adeleke and Chioma Avril Rowland is in troubled waters, TheCable Lifestyle understands.

The lovers are said to be having incessant disagreements over alleged infidelity on the part of the superstar.

“Chioma has been complaining and they are having problems,” according to an insider in the loop of things.

TheCable Lifestyle understands that their disagreement recently reached a head when Chioma confronted the singer over allegations of impregnating yet another woman.

Before their relationship entered a rough patch, the pair was inseparable, often sharing pictures of their trips around the world.

Chioma was also known for accompanying Davido on his foreign performance engagements.

On Chioma’s 23rd birthday, Davido caused a stir on social media when he released a song titled ‘Assurance’ in homage to her.

He also generated a torrent of reactions by presenting her with a N45 million Porshe as a birthday gift. The car came with a plate number which reads ‘Assurance’.

Chioma, an economics undergraduate at Lead City University, is the latest high profile woman Davido will be involved with.

The singer has two children from his former relationships.

Imade Adeleke is the product of his romance with Sophie Momodu while he had Hailey Veronica Adeleke with an Atlanta-based lady popularly known as Amanda ‘Mandy Play’ on Instagram.

BREAKING: Obasanjo's Endorsement Of Atiku 'A Complete Non-Event', Says Buhari Campaign Organisation

"We are inclined to dismiss this gathering and “endorsement” as a complete non-event, but we feel we have a responsibility to Nigerians to remind them of the character and antecedents of these individuals, lest they take Nigerians for granted and see all of us as fools," it said. We do not intend to dwell on all the unprintable things touching on the lack of character, lack of integrity and corruptibility of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar that Chief Obasanjo has repeatedly and consistently told the whole world about up until few weeks ago. These are well-documented and circulated for Nigerians to remember."

The Buhari Campaign Organisation has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s endorsement of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as “complete non-event”.

On Thursday, Obasanjo endorsed Atiku, saying he had learnt his lessons, had reinvented himself, would not be President of just a section of the country, and that he understands the economy better than President Muhammadu Buhari. This is despite several years of demonizing Atiku, notably calling him disloyal and corrupt.

But, responding in a statement by Festus Keyamo, Director of Strategic Communications, the Buhari Campaign Organization said it was “bemused and amused that a character who intends to be President of Nigeria has, for the past eleven years, consistently begged for 'forgiveness' from a man who has consistently and unequivocally called him a very corrupt fellow”.

It said it did not intend to “dwell on all the unprintable things touching on the lack of character, lack of integrity and corruptibility of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar that Chief Obasanjo has repeatedly and consistently told the whole world about up until few weeks ago”, as these are “well-documented and circulated for Nigerians to remember”.

The organistaion acknowledged Obasanjo’s constitutional right to support anyone of his choice, but drew attention of “all God-fearing Nigerians to a character who would use the name of God in vain and in a flip-flop manner in just a matter of weeks”.

“Where is the shame? Where is the honour? Where is the pride?” it asked.

THE FULL STATEMENT

PRESS STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI CAMPAIGN ORGANISATION ON THE SO-CALLED ENDORSEMENT OF ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR BY CHIEF OLUSEGUN OBASANJO

Our attention has just been drawn to the so-called endorsement of the candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party for the forthcoming 2019 Presidential Election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo today at his Presidential Library Complex in Ogun State.

We are inclined to dismiss this gathering and “endorsement” as a complete non-event, but we feel we have a responsibility to Nigerians to remind them of the character and antecedents of these individuals, lest they take Nigerians for granted and see all of us as fools.

We do not intend to dwell on all the unprintable things touching on the lack of character, lack of integrity and corruptibility of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar that Chief Obasanjo has repeatedly and consistently told the whole world about up until few weeks ago. These are well-documented and circulated for Nigerians to remember.

However, we are bemused and amused that a character who intends to be President of Nigeria has, for the past eleven years, consistently begged for “forgiveness” from a man who has consistently and unequivocally called him a very corrupt fellow. We wonder what type of character would not vigorously confront his accuser with facts to show his innocence, but would rather consistently ask for “forgiveness” from him.

The desperation to get the endorsement of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo by the PDP and its candidate is a clear sign that they want to return us to our sordid past where a few people decide who should govern us. In 2014/2015, President Muhammadu Buhari and his team, out of respect and convention, paid courtesy calls on prominent individuals and statesmen in the course of their campaigns when they visited cities in which these individuals lived. However, Nigerians should note that President Buhari was NEVER reported to have groveled and “begged” ANYONE for forgiveness, just to be endorsed as a Presidential candidate. Ultimately, he relied on the people of Nigeria to decide his fate. President Buhari would continue to rely on the endorsement of the people of Nigeria to be re-elected.

Interestingly, just a few weeks ago, specifically on the 4th of August, 2018, Chief Obasanjo was widely reported to have said “God will NEVER forgive me if I support Atiku for President”. Whilst we acknowledge the constitutional right of the ex-president to support anyone of his choice, we draw attention of all God-fearing Nigerians to a character who would use the name of God in vain and in a flip-flop manner in just a matter of weeks. Where is the shame? Where is the honour? Where is the pride?

When a person invokes the curse of God upon himself if he does a particular thing, like Obasanjo has done, and then deliberately does that particularly thing and calls on Nigerians to follow him to receive his curse, Nigerians must flee in the opposite direction. We urge Nigerians NOT to follow this character to receive the curse he invoked upon himself.

We are also constrained to ask Chief Obasanjo about his Coalition For Better Nigeria, otherwise known as Third Force. We hope it is doing well.

We also note with interest the full participation of some “men of God” in the entourage of the Peoples’ Democratic Party for this political re-alignment. We are glad that they have publicly declared their partisan interest and urge all Nigerians to see all their previous, present and future attacks on President Buhari from their pulpits in the context of partisan politics and not in the context of nationalistic or altruistic commitment. We wish them well.

Finally, we see this gathering as a confederate of desperate power-mongers and questionable characters who wish to return us to the era of unbridled corruption. It is significant that the meeting was held in a building which has become the symbol of corruption of the Obasanjo years, where a sitting President collected monies from known government hangers-on and contractors to build a “Presidential Library” in clear violation of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers. We hope President Obasanjo would one day return Governor Ayo Fayose’s Ten Million Naira to that building as Fayose has requested. It is a significant reminder of the difference between the past and the present.

Nigerians would soon be called upon to choose between returning us to the era of corrupt Presidents and their deputies or continuing on this path of transparency and people-oriented Government.
Thank you.

Poor Turnout Of Voters, Confusion As Plateau Holds LG Elections

Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who went round some polling units in Pankshin, Mangu, Bassa, Langtang North, Langtang South and Shendam local governments, observed that the voter turnout was very low.

A poor turnout of voters has been observed in most polling units in Plateau as the state holds elections into its local government councils.

The elections are holding in 14 out of the 17 local governments with Jos North, Jos South, Riyom and Barkin-Ladi left out.

Governor Simon Lalong had hinged the decision to leave out the four local governments on “prevailing security situation’’.

At Youth Centre polling unit in Pankshin central, NAN found less than 10 prospective voters on the queue as at 11.10 a.m.

The situation was the same in the two polling units of Nerr in Pankshin, where NAN met less than a combined total of 12 voters milling around and waiting for the electoral officers.

NAN also found that there was tension in six wards in Pankshin following claims that the electoral officers brought duplicate copies of results sheets.

The wards included Dopkai, Kangmun, Jibilik, Jibam, Kagu ang Jing.

Mr Godwin Nanchin, PDP Organising Secretary in Pankshin Local Government, told NAN that the ploy was to enter results in the duplicate sheets to deceive the electorate at the polling units.

“The results they want will then be entered in the original sheets and announced as authentic,” he said, and vowed that his party would resist such move.

But Mr Jerry Audu, PLASIEC’s Assistant Electoral Officer in Pankshin, told NAN that the distribution of the duplicate copies of the results sheets was not deliberate.

“The duplicate results sheets did not come along with other results materials, but we have sent for the origin results sheets and shall distribute them to the affected wards as soon as they are received,” he told NAN.

At Central Primary School, Langtang South, NAN found a few voters waiting for electoral voters as at 11.20 a.m.

One of the prospective voters, an elderly man, who gave his name as Nimfa Jan, told NAN that he had been waiting since 7.30 a.m.

“I have been waiting and will continue to wait. We are told that the electoral officers are on the way. We hope they will come soon,’’ he said.

Some people, who spoke with NAN, however said that they were not aware that elections into local government councils were being held.

Mrs. Asabe Timkat, who runs a hair salon, told NAN that she was not aware of the election.

“It was just this morning that someone told me that elections will today. We normally get to know of these things when candidates campaign and disrupt traffic. I did not see anyone campaigning,’’ she said.

At Mangu, however, NAN found an appreciable turnout of voters, especially in the polling units located in the centre of the town.

NAN, however, learnt that there was confusion over allegations that the electoral officers had brought fake results sheets, with voters hurling accusations against electoral officers.

Our correspondent also found a sharp division among the voters with some of them insisting that the electoral officers be allowed to perform their duties while others insisted on sighting and snapping the results sheets.

Mr Ben Shignugul, PDP Vice Chairman in Plateau Central, told NAN that he was “very impressed with the turnout of voters’’.

“As you can see, many people are anxious to vote because the local government councils are very important to their lives.

“The councillors are seen as the commissioners while the local government chairman is seen as the governor, so the election and those elected mean a lot for them,’’ he said.

Shignugul, however, expressed fear that the right results might not be determined because of allegations that the electoral officers had brought fake results sheets.

He also alleged that the electoral officers had hinted that the results would not be announced at the polling units, ward or local government collation centres.

“What we are told is that the results will be collated and sent to Jos to be announced there. We think this is not right and shall not accept any foul play,’’ he said.

Shignugul said that many voters had abandoned their farms to cast their votes, and advised the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), to “do the right thing’’.

“We have resolved to resist anything suspicious here. We shall insist and persist until the right thing is done,’’ he said.

At Langtang North, NAN learnt that a commissioner in the Plateau government was allegedly arrested for being in possession of a ballot box stuffed with ballot papers already thumb-printed in favour of one political party.

“Some youths, on learning that the commissioner was thump-printing ballot papers, rushed to his house and forced him to bring out the box,’’ a source, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN.

Mr Domle Simon, PDP Vice Chairman in Plateau South Senatorial Zone, who confirmed the said arrest of the commissioner, claimed that the suspect, along with several others, had been taken to the Police Station.

NAN, however, could not obtain Police confirmation of the arrest as the spokesman of the Plateau Police Command, Mr Tyopev Terna, said he was still “waiting to be briefed’’.

In most local governments, however, NAN found that most business outfits, especially eateries, were in business, while the roads were busy as there were no restrictions in movement.

I Am Confident Of Victory In Taraba – Sen. Aisha Alhassan

Alhassan expressed the optimism on Wednesday in Abuja when she visited the UDP national secretariat with UDP Taraba State Executive to submit the state’s report to the party’s National Chairman, Mr Godson Okoye.

Sen. Aisha Alhassan, former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development and the governorship candidate of the United Democratic Party (UDP) in Taraba, says she is confident of victory in 2019 general elections with her new platform.

She said it was not the name of political party that mattered in winning elections but the structure and followership in any election.

Alhassan, a.k.a. “Mama Taraba’’, as well as her counterpart, the former Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, were disqualified by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship election Screening Committee before the just concluded primaries of the party.

Alhassan said she now had more followers in UDP than she had before because of the injustice that was done to her by APC, saying what APC did had turned out to be a blessing.

“APC is just like a platform like any other political party, you can win election on any platform as long as you have people from the grassroots and you have the structure.

“It is just the name of our platform that is changed. As far as we are concerned, the followership is still intact. In fact we have more followership now.

“Because of the injustice done to me by the APC, we have a lot of sympathies now.

“The request for the UDP membership card now is overwhelming. I have told them to get a big hardcover note book and just be writing the names.

“So far we have printed 120, 000 membership cards within two weeks. People are still asking for more.’’

She assured the party leadership that there was nothing to be afraid of about the coming elections in Taraba, saying UDP is well rooted.
Alhassan said that all her followers, supporters and key stakeholders left the APC to join her in UDP.

“All of us that nurtured the APC to where it was two weeks ago when we moved, completely left the party to the UDP.

“The executives and all that matter moved. The party has no structure any longer in Taraba.’’

The former minister said that if elected governor, she would promote peaceful co-existence among the people, just leadership and adequate security, saying without peace and security there would be no development.

Alhassan was accompanied by the party’s state officials and the 2019 general elections’ candidates in the state as well as a serving member of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Nura Danyoho.

Okoye described Alhassan as a seasoned politician loved by people of her state and Nigerians.

He pledged that the party would work for the victory of Alhassan and its entire candidates across the country in 2019.

Okoye said that Alhassan could have been the governors of Taraba in 2015, adding maybe it was not her time then.

“We believe that this time God will grant her victory because we believe in the superiority of God that it is her time.’’

Pastor Donatus Ozoemena, UPD governorship candidate, Enugu State, also said he did not believe that diversity was the major problem of Nigeria.

Ozoemena said that the U.S. was made up of people from different cultures and beliefs, yet they were still united.

“I came back home from U.S. with the belief that even though they say America is the greatest country on earth, Nigeria has more resources and more intellectuals that can beat U.S.

“I don’t believe that division is the major cause of the problem we are going through.’’

Ozoemena also said that UDP had strong structure to win Enugu governorship election.

Ogunbiyi Accuses Adeleke Of Violating Senatorial Ticket Agreement

“To resolve the crisis arising from the PDP primary, the leadership of the party resolved that Ogunbiyi’s camp should produce a candidate who would deputise Adeleke; they conceded Osun West Senatorial ticket of the party to Ogunbiyi himself and also rationalised other issues for peace to reign."

former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, has accused the governorship candidate of the party, Senator Ademola Adeleke, of backing the Director General of the Adeleke Campaign Organisation, Chief Lere Oyewumi, to violate the peace deal brokered to resolve the crisis between the duo after the party’s primary.

Ogunbiyi, who made the allegation in an interview with our correspondent in Osogbo on Tuesday, spoke through his media aide, Mr Ismail Afolabi.

He said, “To resolve the crisis arising from the PDP primary, the leadership of the party resolved that Ogunbiyi’s camp should produce a candidate who would deputise Adeleke; they conceded Osun West Senatorial ticket of the party to Ogunbiyi himself and also rationalised other issues for peace to reign.

“But the agreement did not see the light of the day. It was breached. Adeleke and his campaign organisation led by Dr Lere Oyewumi picked Hon. Albert Adeogun, an indigene of Ife as the deputy governorship candidate and frustrated the move by the party to substitute Adeogun’s name in line with the said accord. Ogunbiyi and his camp were sidelined thereafter.

“Backed by Adeleke, Lere Oyewumi went all out for the Osun West Senatorial ticket, breached the signed agreement between him and Ogunbiyi while the leadership of the party looked away.”

He added, “Lere contested against himself and yet rolled out results showing that Ogunbiyi participated in the charade he organised in Osogbo, instead of Iwo, the appropriate venue of the exercise. Osun people at the convention were shocked and emotional to see the so-called result of the unfair and highly incredible exercise. It is evident that Osun PDP is sitting on gun powder. We hope that the national leadership of the party will address Lere’s impunity.”

But Adeleke debunked the allegation. Speaking through his media aide, Mr Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke said, “We regard the cock and bull story on the Osun-West senatorial PDP ticket as a mere distraction at a time the PDP and the Adeleke Campaign Organisation are busy preparing for legal presentations to reclaim the stolen mandate of the Osun people. At a time all genuine PDP members are praying and contributing to make the legal battle a success, here we are with fake news of Senator Ademola Adeleke being responsible for the action and conduct of a senior member of the party.”

Oyewumi, when contacted on the telephone, insisted that he won the election in Osun-West while Fadahunsi won the Osun-East ticket, describing Ogunbiyi as a failure.

Oyewumi said, “I am the PDP candidate for the Osun-West Senatorial District. The primary election was conducted on Saturday. The PDP NWC ordered the conduct of the Osun-West and Osun-East primaries yesterday. The election committee was headed by Ambassador Bala Aboki, the same man that was the secretary of the first committee that conducted the Osun Central primary that produced Gani Olaoluwa.”

House Will Resist Non-Use Of Card Readers For 2019 Elections, Dogara Vows

According to the Speaker, “The new Electoral Act amendment bill has provisions that are designed to guarantee free, fair and transparent elections in Nigeria, entrenches the Smart Card Reader and electronic transmission of results, among others,” adding that “the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) supplementary budget bill must also be accorded expeditious consideration.”

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has vowed that the federal lawmakers will resist any attempt to continue to frustrate the enactment of the Electoral Act Amendment bill, particularly the use of card readers for 2019 elections.

Describing such move as an effort to erode the gains of the successes recorded in the 2015 elections, Dogara, in a speech to mark the resumption of the House from its annual recess, said the passage of the bill will address fears that some forces plan to manipulate the forthcoming elections by exploiting loopholes in the Electoral Act as it is presently.

He assured the people that as soon as the assembly settles down to business, the INEC supplementary budget bill must be accorded expeditious consideration.

“The pending issue of the Electoral Act amendment bill, which was unfortunately vetoed by the president, must also be expeditiously considered and passed. The new Electoral Act amendment bill has provisions that are designed to guarantee free, fair and transparent elections in Nigeria. The amendment bill entrenches the Smart Card Reader and electronic transmission of results among others. Any further attempt to frustrate the passing into law of the bill, will be indicative of our desire not to improve on the successes of the 2015 general election as well as further fueling the fears that some, including our international partners, have about some forces who intend to manipulate the forthcoming elections by exploiting identified loopholes in the Electoral Act currently in force,” he stated.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Omokri: Does Buhari Think The Igbo Are Only Good As Drivers And Cooks?

Reno Omokri, the ex-media aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, has questioned President Muhammadu Buhari's stance on tribalism.

Omokri was responding to an interview aired on television, in which the guest was affirming Buhari as a President who is open to accepting people, irrespective of ethnicity. The guest had said Buhari's cook and driver are of Igbo extraction.

However, Omokri berated Buhari for employing the Igbo as cooks and drivers, saying that giving them such positions, rather than headship of military agencies, for instance, is "an insult".

Omokri disclosed his this in a post that read: "This @MBBuhari Campaign gimmick of his Igbo driver and cook is built on lies and is an insult to Igbos [sic] if the only thing Buhari sees them fit for is to drive and cook. They are not a slave race. The most significant thing Buhari has done for the Igbos is Python Dance.

"The Buhari Campaign says Buhari is not tribalistic and claim that his driver and cook are Igbos. First of all, this is a lie. But even if it is true, does it mean that all Buhari thinks Igbos are good for is as drivers and cooks? They can’t head any military agency?