NASS crisis, normal democratic process – Ahmed

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has said the leadership crisis in the National Assembly is a normal democratic process. He says he is hopeful that the crisis will soon end and pave the way for Nigerians to enjoy the programmes of the All Progressives Congress. Ahmed spoke during an interactive session with journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Sunday. He said, “The National Assembly is going through the normal process of democracy. It is a process we expect to smoothen out and will take us to the level where we will begin to see the result of ‘change’ that will make Nigeria a better place to live in.” The governor added that President Muhammadu Buhari was not slow in his programmes and strategies to reposition and transform Nigeria, explaining that Buhari was laying a solid foundation for better governance and development of the country. Meanwhile, a former Vice-Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Alhaji Moshood Mustapha, has said the crisis in the National Assembly escalated because of the alleged inability of the leadership of the APC to properly address it. He accused the APC leadership of taking sides instead of quickly harmonising the opposing parties, but expressed the hope that he was hopeful that the crisis would soon be amicably resolved. According to him, nationalistic quest should override party supremacy for NASS members, warning against external influence in the National Assembly affairs. Mustapha, who is a former member representing Ilorin West and Asa Federal Constituency, urged Nigerians to be patient with Buhari. He added that it was better for the President to take his time, select credible and competent ministers and aides than to rush and appoint people who would not add value to his administration. Mustapha said, “The National Assembly crisis was unexpected. What do I mean by that? The government that was in power for 16 years had a very vibrant opposition, which has now taken over the rein of power, reversing the former situation. “And in that kind of situation, you expect all sorts of misunderstanding and crisis in the area of interests. When you have that kind of situation, the best thing for the leadership of the party to do, which of course they did not do and which actually led to the aggravation of the whole problem, was to call the whole House to order. “But in a situation where the leadership of the party decided to take side with one faction of the groups, definitely did not augur well for the house. And by and large there is no way we will get peace in the National Assembly except we stop external interference.” Mustapha said the National Assembly was not a political party secretariat, stating that it was an assemblage of people with different political backgrounds, who had an assignment to perform for the nation. According to him, the issue of party platform is therefore secondary when it comes to legislative issues.

NASS crisis, normal democratic process – Ahmed

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has said the leadership crisis in the National Assembly is a normal democratic process. He says he is hopeful that the crisis will soon end and pave the way for Nigerians to enjoy the programmes of the All Progressives Congress. Ahmed spoke during an interactive session with journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Sunday. He said, “The National Assembly is going through the normal process of democracy. It is a process we expect to smoothen out and will take us to the level where we will begin to see the result of ‘change’ that will make Nigeria a better place to live in.” The governor added that President Muhammadu Buhari was not slow in his programmes and strategies to reposition and transform Nigeria, explaining that Buhari was laying a solid foundation for better governance and development of the country. Meanwhile, a former Vice-Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Alhaji Moshood Mustapha, has said the crisis in the National Assembly escalated because of the alleged inability of the leadership of the APC to properly address it. He accused the APC leadership of taking sides instead of quickly harmonising the opposing parties, but expressed the hope that he was hopeful that the crisis would soon be amicably resolved. According to him, nationalistic quest should override party supremacy for NASS members, warning against external influence in the National Assembly affairs. Mustapha, who is a former member representing Ilorin West and Asa Federal Constituency, urged Nigerians to be patient with Buhari. He added that it was better for the President to take his time, select credible and competent ministers and aides than to rush and appoint people who would not add value to his administration. Mustapha said, “The National Assembly crisis was unexpected. What do I mean by that? The government that was in power for 16 years had a very vibrant opposition, which has now taken over the rein of power, reversing the former situation. “And in that kind of situation, you expect all sorts of misunderstanding and crisis in the area of interests. When you have that kind of situation, the best thing for the leadership of the party to do, which of course they did not do and which actually led to the aggravation of the whole problem, was to call the whole House to order. “But in a situation where the leadership of the party decided to take side with one faction of the groups, definitely did not augur well for the house. And by and large there is no way we will get peace in the National Assembly except we stop external interference.” Mustapha said the National Assembly was not a political party secretariat, stating that it was an assemblage of people with different political backgrounds, who had an assignment to perform for the nation. According to him, the issue of party platform is therefore secondary when it comes to legislative issues.

NASS crisis, normal democratic process – Ahmed

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has said the leadership crisis in the National Assembly is a normal democratic process. He says he is hopeful that the crisis will soon end and pave the way for Nigerians to enjoy the programmes of the All Progressives Congress. Ahmed spoke during an interactive session with journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Sunday. He said, “The National Assembly is going through the normal process of democracy. It is a process we expect to smoothen out and will take us to the level where we will begin to see the result of ‘change’ that will make Nigeria a better place to live in.” The governor added that President Muhammadu Buhari was not slow in his programmes and strategies to reposition and transform Nigeria, explaining that Buhari was laying a solid foundation for better governance and development of the country. Meanwhile, a former Vice-Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Alhaji Moshood Mustapha, has said the crisis in the National Assembly escalated because of the alleged inability of the leadership of the APC to properly address it. He accused the APC leadership of taking sides instead of quickly harmonising the opposing parties, but expressed the hope that he was hopeful that the crisis would soon be amicably resolved. According to him, nationalistic quest should override party supremacy for NASS members, warning against external influence in the National Assembly affairs. Mustapha, who is a former member representing Ilorin West and Asa Federal Constituency, urged Nigerians to be patient with Buhari. He added that it was better for the President to take his time, select credible and competent ministers and aides than to rush and appoint people who would not add value to his administration. Mustapha said, “The National Assembly crisis was unexpected. What do I mean by that? The government that was in power for 16 years had a very vibrant opposition, which has now taken over the rein of power, reversing the former situation. “And in that kind of situation, you expect all sorts of misunderstanding and crisis in the area of interests. When you have that kind of situation, the best thing for the leadership of the party to do, which of course they did not do and which actually led to the aggravation of the whole problem, was to call the whole House to order. “But in a situation where the leadership of the party decided to take side with one faction of the groups, definitely did not augur well for the house. And by and large there is no way we will get peace in the National Assembly except we stop external interference.” Mustapha said the National Assembly was not a political party secretariat, stating that it was an assemblage of people with different political backgrounds, who had an assignment to perform for the nation. According to him, the issue of party platform is therefore secondary when it comes to legislative issues.

States yet to get FG’s bailout funds – Oshiomhole

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has said none of the 36 state governors has received ‎his state’s share of the N713.7bn bailout fund from the Federal Government, meant to assist cash-strapped states to pay their workers months of arrears of salaries. Oshiomhole, who disclosed this to journalists shortly after a reception in honour of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, at Sabongida Ora, in Owan West Local Government Area of the state on Saturday, explained that while he was unaware of any disbursement, there were conversations going on between the governors and the Federal Government. The governor added that President Muhammadu Buhari had been “extremely positive” in recognising that he did not want to preside over a country whose workers were not paid. He said the President was also worried about the expenditure of the states as well as measures aimed at the effective management of their resources. Oshiomhole added, “It doesn’t matter who is responsible for it; but at the end of the day, it is simply not acceptable to have a situation in which about 13, 14, 15 states for two, three, four, five, sometimes, one year‎, people have not been paid. “He (President Buhari) is angry with that and he is ready to work doable programmes to deal with that and then, going forward, to ‎look at the structural issues in the expenditure pattern of states because, you see, nobody ever has enough. “The basic law of economics is that resources are scarce in relation to our wants. So, who gets what done has to be a matter of creativity, of priority and of proper costing and project management. “So, I think the good news is that the President is there to stand by us in finding solutions beyond cash giving. Nobody has gotten any one dime. But there is always a time lag between when you conceptualise a solution, when you think through it, when you reach a conclusion and when it begins to manifest. “So for now, no governor, no government has gotten any one naira under the bailout. But the hope is there; the President is determined and we are all working to see that it is done in a way that it benefits the target group, which is that no Nigerian worker should go home at the end of the month without getting a positive alert from his banker.” Oshiomhole, who was part of the President’s delegation to the United States last week, described the outcome of the meeting with the US President, Barack Obama, as a demonstration of commitment to the development of Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation.

Tinubu behind Toyin Saraki’s EFCC ordeal — Sen. Waku

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu A former Vice-Chairman and member, Board of Trustees of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Senator Joseph Waku, has accused the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, of allegedly masterminding the petition that has changed the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, to be invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. According to him, the decision was followed by a promise to help secure a second term for the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde. But Tinubu said Waku should not be taken seriously, as he was broke and needed “a quick fix.” Waku, a leader of the APC, in a statement sent to journalists in Abuja on Saturday, described a situation where Tinubu would be allegedly using his personal relationship with the EFCC Chairman “to embarrass and torment fellow party members” as unfortunate. Waku, in the statement, claimed that his findings showed that Tinubu personally gave the petition to Lamorde under the guise that he was submitting it on behalf of the APC leadership to punish Saraki for working against the party’s leadership on the choice of National Assembly leaders. He said, “I have chosen to speak out on this issue and make my findings on this issue known to the public. After days of painstaking enquiries, I discovered that both Tinubu and Lamorde maintain a mutually beneficial relationship since the days of Lamorde as the EFCC Director of Operations and based in Lagos between 2003 and 2007, when Tinubu was equally the Governor of Lagos. “I also discovered from my findings in EFCC that the so-called petition against Mrs. Saraki was personally given to Lamorde by Tinubu under the guise that he was submitting the petition on behalf of the APC leadership to punish Saraki for working against the party’s leadership on the choice of National Assembly leaders. This was followed by a promise to help secure a second term for Lamorde as EFCC chairman.” The controversial Benue State politician, who once called for military coup few years after the return of democracy, expressed his concern that EFCC “is again being dragged into the political arena to settle political scores like some years ago.” But when SUNDAY PUNCH contacted Tinubu’s Media Adviser, Mr. Sunday Dare, he said, “No one should pay Senator Waku any attention. We know when he is broke and needs a quick fix.” He added, “What he has said is fit for the trash. No one should dignify Waku’s tales by moonlight with any attention or ever take him serious. “For any serious individual with a reputation to protect, Waku is a very poor hire. Waku is an individual with no shred of reputation and a political pariah in his home state. “Tinubu does not run or dictate to the EFCC. And like countless others, Tinubu had also been investigated by the EFCC several times in the past. Tinubu has no hand in the travails of anyone because he is right now very busy, working with others of like minds on how the APC political agenda can set sail as quickly as possible. That is the urgency of now and not the tantrums of the likes of Waku.” Also, some members of the House of Representatives have kicked against Saraki’s wife’s invitation by the EFCC, who is billed to answer the invitation on Tuesday. In a statement signed by the lawmakers representing Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency, Umar Buba Jibril, and another representing Okehi/Adavi Federal Constituency, Muhammad Kabiru Ajanah, on behalf of 25 others in Abuja on Saturday, described the invitation as “highly suspicious.” The group said while it would continue to encourage the EFCC to carry out its legal mandate, it was optimistic that the highly professional anti-graft body, “will not lend itself as a tool to propagate the political agenda of any person or group.” The lawmakers added that they held strongly that the days of using the EFCC to harass and intimidate political opponents were gone, warning that, “We must never return to that dark and dangerous side in our polity.” Several telephone calls, emails and SMS messages to the spokesman of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, on Saturday for his response to the allegation were not replied. However, an Abuja-based Non-Governmental Organisation, Society for Exemplary Leadership and Transparency, in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, dismissed the Like Minds Senators’ political insinuation into the invitation of Mrs Saraki by the EFCC. The group, in the statement signed by Mr. Emmanuel Johnson, asked why the senators could see the invitation as one from a legally constituted agency of the state instead of their “parochial angle.” It said, “It is now clearer than before that this set of senators are, indeed, hindrance to transparent governance promised Nigerians by the APC, and they will scuttle legislations and policies design to enthrone accountability and transparency.” The NGO reminded the senators that it would have been more altruistic if they had also questioned a similar invitation of the daughter of the late former President Umaru Yar’Adua and wife of a former Kebbi State Governor, Hajia Zainab Dakingari by the EFCC. “In view of these, we hasten to ask: why were you silent and did not mention ‘political motivation’ when, recently, other former state governors such as Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Sule Lamido (Jigawa) were invited to account for their years in office?” The statement added.

Female suicide bomber kills 14 in Cameroon

At least 14 people have been killed after a suicide bomber detonated an explosive at a popular night spot in the town of Maroua in northern Cameroon, three days after two attacks there, authorities say. Midjiyawa Bakari, governor of the far northern region of Cameroon, told The Associated Press news agency that authorites were still counting the dead and wounded following Saturday night’s explosion in the Pont Vert district. A local official, who was reportedly at the scene of the attack, told Reuters that the suicide bomber was a woman. While there was no immediate claim of responsibility, fighters from Boko Haram have been blamed for scores of attacks in the region this year. On Wednesday this week, in separate attacks in the town, explosives worn by two young girls detonated, killing at least 20 people and injuring at least another 22. One of the girls was at a central market and the other was at the adjoining Hausa neighbourhood when the explosives detonated. Authorities later told the Associated Press that one of the girls, aged nine, was disguised as a begger before the explosives went off. Boko Haram, which was founded in neighbouring Nigeria, has vowed to attack Cameroon because the country has supported the Nigerian military’s mission to defeat the group.

Probe: Don’t humiliate Jonathan, Igbo group warns Buhari

Igbo Leaders of Thought, a body of eminent Igbo personalities, has warned that the plan to probe the immediate past federal government should not be a ploy to humiliate political opponents of President Muhammadu Buhari, including former President Goodluck Jonathan. The group, led by constitutional lawyer, Professor Ben Nwabueze, also urged Buhari to immediately restructure Nigeria without delay. In a statement titled “Only truth and justice endures,” which was signed by its deputy secretary, Evangelist Elliot Uko, the group said the impending probe must be devoid of “witch-hunting and smear agenda.” It stressed that the probe would be reduced to a jamboree if it becomes an avenue to humiliate political opponents. Using the probe to humiliate political opponents of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government would cause problems for the country, the Igbo Leaders of Thought warned. “Desirable as the probe and prosecution of corrupt officials of the outgone regime is, we must endeavour to avoid witch-hunting and smear agenda. “Only the probe and prosecution of factual, traceable and clearly identifiable cases of abuse of office and misuse of public funds will inspire confidence and receive commendation of the citizenry and the international community. “Humiliating and deliberately degrading political opponents in the guise of probe and prosecution of corrupt officials will only reduce the whole exercise to a jamboree, that could lead to a lot of a acrimony and bad blood which we believe, is the last thing Nigeria needs at the moment,” the group said in the statement. The Igbo Leaders of Thought also insisted on the restructuring of the country into federating units. The proposed restructuring of the country was canvassed by several groups, including the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural body, during the 2014 national constitutional conference. Insisting on restructuring, the Igbo Leaders of Thought argued that it would amount to living in denial to pretend that the current federal structure was sustainable. The group noted that fighting corruption and insurgency alone would not be enough to restore the confidence of Nigerians in the country’s future. Arguing that the current federal structure, which was established by the military, was the bane of contemporary Nigeria, the Igbo Leaders of Thought described the proposed restructuring of the country as urgent. It said, “We believe that Nigerians from all persuasions, political divide, zone or status all agreed that the unity, security, stability of Nigeria should be the priority of all concerned at this juncture of our national growth. “Sincerity of purpose, commitment to what is best for the country and for the good of all should guide actions and steps of our new leaders. “While views and opinions may differ on solutions to the myriad of problems confronting us as a people, truth is usually located somewhere near the court of justice, equity and fair play. “Continuing to pretend that the present political structure is sustainable is clearly to live in denial of reality.”

I’ll ensure polio-free Nigeria – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday promised that his administration will do all within its powers to ensure that no Nigerian child is ever infected with poliomyelitis again. A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, quoted the President as speaking at a brief event organised to mark Nigeria’s successful completion of one year without any reported case of the wild polio virus held inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Buhari further pledged that the Federal Government would mobilise and deploy all necessary resources to efficiently complete the task of eradicating polio from the country. He therefore called on all stakeholders to ensure that every new born child is vaccinated against the virus. “Today, 25th of July, 2015, Nigeria has successfully completed one year without any case reported of the wild polio virus. “Achieving this feat has placed us firmly on the path to eradicating this paralysing disease from our land. “I seize this opportunity to call on state governors, our traditional and religious leaders, the private sector and our mothers and fathers to redouble their efforts to ensure that every child and every new born baby is vaccinated with the polio vaccine and other life saving routine vaccines,” The President was quoted as saying. Buhari thereafter personally vaccinated one of his grandchildren against polio at the occasion. The gesture was meant to demonstrate his commitment to eradicating the virus from Nigeria as well as the safety and efficacy of the polio vaccine. He thanked all Nigerians and foreign partners who have supported the country’s polio eradication programme in several ways. He said he looked forward to the formal declaration of Nigeria as a polio-free country in 2017.

Why I can’t pay workers’ salaries – Aregbesola

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, has once again blamed the failure of his administration to pay workers salaries as at when due on the drop in allocations to the state from the Federation Account. Aregbesola said this Friday night during a chat with newsmen on the sidelines of an award to him for service to humanity by Voice of African Women for Human Dignity, an NGO. The award was presented to Aregbesola at Asokoro, Abuja. The governor said that he was pained by his government’s inability to pay salaries regularly. “I have found it hard to pay the wage bills owing to the declining federal allocation to the state. “Federal allocation to the state has reduced by 40 per cent since 2013, thereby making it difficult for my government to meet its responsibilities,” he said. Aregbesola said the situation became so bad at a point that he resorted to the state’s reserves, which he said also ran out on the payment of salaries. He said administration had already to accumulate debt of N12bn in its bid to ensure that salaries were paid regularly, adding that his government was committed to the people’s welfare. Aregbesola commended the group for the award and promised that it would inspire him to do more for the public. “I got into politics so that I can render quality services to the suffering people of my state because majority of the people are hungry and angry,” he said. At the presentation of the award by Hajia Amina Idris, the president of group, said the award was to appreciate the governor for his service to humanity. “This award of excellence is in recognition of your immense contribution to humanity”, she said. Idris said Aregbesola had been exceptionally helpful in the area of improving child education and promotion of human dignity through lofty programmes.

Five killed, 50 injured in Jos explosion

Five people have been killed while 50 others injured in a chemical explosion at Laminga water treatment plant in Jos, Police Command Spokesman in Plateau State, Emmanuel Abu, says. Details later. . .

Kaduna provides 77 patrol vehicles , 50 motorcycles to Police

Kaduna State Government has procured 77 Hilux vehicles to assist the police in maintaining law and order in the state. Governor Nasiru El-Rufa’i, who disclosed this during a working visit to the Police Command Headquarters in Kaduna, also pledged to provide 50 motorcycles to the command. The governor said the gesture was in appreciation of the tremendous work of the police in securing lives and property in the state. “The police are the first line of defence and I thought it wise to come here first and thank you and to also encourage you. “Also to know the challenges you are facing so that within the resources of the state government, we can do our best to provide you with the tools and equipment necessary for your job. “The vehicles are already being procured as we speak and the motorcycles will follow by God’s grace,” he said. El-Rufa’i charged the police to work harder, be honest and maintain good reputation in order to earn the respect of most Nigerians who view them in bad light. “Our job as government is to see that we provide you with the tools and the environment to work. “I am very proud with the performance of the Nigeria Police, Kaduna State Command. My government will support the security agencies very strongly as they are doing great job here in Kaduna.” The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the governor also visited the police Criminal Investigation Department where he promised to pay fines of those on remand for minor offences. Responding, the Police Commissioner, Mr. Umar Shehu, appreciated the government’s gesture and assured him that they would continue to do their best in providing adequate security in the state. Shehu said the visit was historic as it was the first time any serving governor had visited the command to be acquainted with its challenges.

20Naira Daily Unlimited Free Browsing on MTN with SimpleServer

You must have up to 20naira on your mtn sim go to message and text OK to 7801 After the welcome message you will then first download Android SimpleServer And install it after that …………………………….. Go to your phone settings and locate your APN and set Apn: web.gprs.mtnnigeria.net Proxy: 127.0.0.1 and Port: 8080 and save it ……………………………… Then open the SimpleServer and configure the settings: Proxy host: 10.199.212.2 Proxy Port: 8080 Injection Method: get Injection querry/url: http://mtnng.appplus-sys.com/apps Injection Host: mtnng.appplus-sys.com/apps Injection line: press your enter key 4 times Buffer size: 8092 concurrent connection:10 Log level: debug After that click on the start button and start browsing and downloading. In case your play store or ucbrowser is not opening you will need to download AutoProxy And your phone must be rooted before you can use AutoProxy. Download AutoProxy here and install After that open it and click on the + sign and put the settings: Proxy Host: 127.0.0.1 Proxy Port: 8080 Proxy Type: HTTP Enable Authentication: Tick/Mark the box Proxy Username: web Proxy Password: web After that close the settings and click on: 127.0.0.1:8080 And connect and enjoy. It’s a daily unlimited plan and you must have 20naira before you send the code daily enjoy

List Of People EFCC Have Invited For Questioning Since Buhari Became President

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has been busy in the past few weeks inviting allegedly corrupt Nigerians for questioning. While some of those questioned have been charged to court, others are yet to know their fate. See List of 10 people the EFCC recently invited for questioning Sule Lamido - Immediate past governor of Jigawa state Nduka Obaigbena - A Nigerian media mogul, the founder of Nigerian based African newspaper THISDAY Zainab Dakingari - The daughter of late President Umaru Yar' Adua and wife of immediate past governor of Kebbi State Toyin Saraki - Wife of Senate President and ex Kwara First Lady Aminu Lamido - 36-year old son of ex-Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido Mustapha Lamido - Son of ex-Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido Murtala Nyako - Impeached governor of Adamawa State Abdul-Aziz Nyako - Son of impeached governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako. Abubakar Aliyu - Boss of AA Oil Zulkifikk Abba - Nyako's ex-Political Adviser http://www.247frolic.net/2015/07/list-of-people-efcc-have-invited-for.html

Boko Haram invades Army chief’s town in Borno

The home town of the acting Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Tukur Buratai, in Borno State, has been invaded by the terror group, Boko Haram, who razed virtually every structure standing in the town, including the house of the Army chief. It was gathered that the terrorists also left two persons dead in the attack. Also razed was the house of the former Borno State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Isa Buratai. A resident of Buratai, who fled to Biu, Abubakar Buratai, told our correspondent on the telephone that the Boko Haram insurgents stormed the town at about 3.30am on Tuesday. He said the militants shot indiscriminately, killing two people and burning down the remaining houses that were still standing after most of the houses in Buratai were razed after the first attack on the town. The fleeing resident added, “You should already be aware that our town was attacked sometimes ago and many houses were burnt down. This time around, they burnt the remaining houses in the town including the house of the General and Hon Isa Buratai.” A native of the town, who is resident in Maiduguri, Ibrahim Mohammed, also told our correspondent on the telephone that he received a call from one of his brothers, who fled Buratai, that terrorists had attacked their home town in the early hours of Tuesday, killing two persons and burning down the whole village. Mohammed stated, “It is true they attacked Buratai. I received a call from my brother early this morning informing me that the insurgents have again invaded our home town and killed two persons before razing the remaining structures in the town, including that of COAS and Hon Buratai.”

Boko Haram invades Army chief’s town in Borno

The home town of the acting Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Tukur Buratai, in Borno State, has been invaded by the terror group, Boko Haram, who razed virtually every structure standing in the town, including the house of the Army chief. It was gathered that the terrorists also left two persons dead in the attack. Also razed was the house of the former Borno State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Isa Buratai. A resident of Buratai, who fled to Biu, Abubakar Buratai, told our correspondent on the telephone that the Boko Haram insurgents stormed the town at about 3.30am on Tuesday. He said the militants shot indiscriminately, killing two people and burning down the remaining houses that were still standing after most of the houses in Buratai were razed after the first attack on the town. The fleeing resident added, “You should already be aware that our town was attacked sometimes ago and many houses were burnt down. This time around, they burnt the remaining houses in the town including the house of the General and Hon Isa Buratai.” A native of the town, who is resident in Maiduguri, Ibrahim Mohammed, also told our correspondent on the telephone that he received a call from one of his brothers, who fled Buratai, that terrorists had attacked their home town in the early hours of Tuesday, killing two persons and burning down the whole village. Mohammed stated, “It is true they attacked Buratai. I received a call from my brother early this morning informing me that the insurgents have again invaded our home town and killed two persons before razing the remaining structures in the town, including that of COAS and Hon Buratai.”

Inspection: Peterside wants election materials moved to Abuja

The All Progressives Congress and its governorship candidate in the April 11, 2015 election, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, have asked the state Governorship Election PetitionS Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, to order the Independent National Electoral Commission to move the materials used for the election from Port Harcourt, the state capital, to Abuja, for inspection. APC and Peterside made this request in an application, which they filed following an alleged continued refusal by INEC to obey the order for inspection made by the tribunal on June 11, 2015. Peterside and the APC had on May 3, 2015, filed their petition before the tribunal to challenge the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, Nyesom Wike, in the poll. The petitioners had earlier complained to the Justice Muazu Pindiga-led tribunal that INEC was working with the PDP and Wike to frustrate the inspection of the election materials. Following the petitioners’ complaint, the tribunal on July 9 re-affirmed the order of inspection, directing INEC to comply with it. At the Wednesday’s proceedings, the petitioners’ lawyer, Akin Olujinmi (SAN), informed the court that INEC had refused to yield to the tribunal’s order for inspection. “Your lordship made an order on June 11 for inspection of election materials. The order was restated on July 9. That order has not been obeyed by INEC,” Olujinmi said. He confirmed after the proceedings that he had filed an application seeking an order, compelling INEC to move the election materials to Abuja for inspection since “they have made inspection impossible in Rivers State”. Earlier, Olujinmi urged the tribunal to disregard the arguments canvassed by the respondents, challenging among others, competence of his clients’ petition and proceed to hear the case on merit. The respondents argued through their respective lawyers – Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) for the PDP, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) for Wike and Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) for INEC. Olujinmi argued that the respondents were only raising technical issues rather than allow the petitioners present their case. Olanipekun, while arguing his client’s motion challenging, among others, the competence of the petition, urged the court to strike out some portions of it, including part of the petitioners’ prayers on the ground that they did not comply with the provision of the Electoral Act. Wike is challenging Peterside’s qualification to contest the election, arguing that his (Peterside’s) name was nor sent to INEC within 21 days before his party’s congress as required, a claim Olujinmi denied, insisting that his clients complied with all relevant laws in fielding Peterside for the election. INEC, in its application, is challenging the territorial jurisdiction of the tribunal to sit in Abuja, a position Olujinmi faulted, insisting that the tribunal possesseD the jurisdiction to hear and determine his clients’ petition. The tribunal, which rose shortly after 6pm, fixed July 29 for ruling on the applications by INEC and Wike. It also fixed ruling for July 31 in the application by the PDP.

Bomb Blast At Dadin-Kowa Motor-Park In Gombe This Night

Suspected members of the Boko Haram sect struck at Dadin-Kowa motor park in Gombe state around 7:30 pm on Wednesday. A source that activities are usually low during the period that the attack took place. “Two suicide bombers attacked Dadin Kowa bus station this evening. The park is one of the busiest in the town,” he said. “You get vehicles going to Biu, Maiduguri, Yola but activities are usually low in the evening. So, we just hope that the casualty would not be high.” Fwaje Atajiri, the police public relations officer in the state confirmed the attack, saying the police has cordoned off the area to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation. “It is true that there were bomb attacks in the motor park but the casualty figure is not yet known,” he said. “The injured have been taken to the hospital and the area has been cordoned off to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation to loot people’s property. Details would be made known to you later.”

Bomb Blast At Dadin-Kowa Motor-Park In Gombe This Night

Suspected members of the Boko Haram sect struck at Dadin-Kowa motor park in Gombe state around 7:30 pm on Wednesday. A source that activities are usually low during the period that the attack took place. “Two suicide bombers attacked Dadin Kowa bus station this evening. The park is one of the busiest in the town,” he said. “You get vehicles going to Biu, Maiduguri, Yola but activities are usually low in the evening. So, we just hope that the casualty would not be high.” Fwaje Atajiri, the police public relations officer in the state confirmed the attack, saying the police has cordoned off the area to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation. “It is true that there were bomb attacks in the motor park but the casualty figure is not yet known,” he said. “The injured have been taken to the hospital and the area has been cordoned off to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation to loot people’s property. Details would be made known to you later.”

Jonathan Paid People To Attack Me – Obasanjo

Barely one week, after he defended his choice of successor in 2007, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has pointedly accused former President Goodluck Jonathan of paying people to attack him. Obasanjo, who also reflected on the despotic regime of the late maximum ruler, General Sani Abacha, stated that he would have been killed wrongly for the fathom coup. Speaking on Channels Television programme, Channel Book Club last night, Obasanjo alleged that Jonathan paid people to attack him over his controversial book, “ My Watch”. He claimed that Jonathan paid an activist from the South-West to criticise him. While defending his book, Obasanjo said he did not have any regret on what he wrote, advising those who do not like what he said in the book to also write theirs, “so let the dialogue begin”. On the criticism, trailing his book, Obasanjo said: “ If I have to react to all criticisms people write about me, which most of them are not true, then, I will not have time to do anything really again He stated that what his critics, including Wole Soyinka, said did not bother him. “Wole Soyinka and I have been having running battle. As he has said that it will not end until one of us leaves this world and I have said in this book we re talking about that If he leaves before me, when I get to Heaven and I hope he will be there, he should welcome me. But If I leave before him, I wiil welcome him. “Wole Soyinka is a gifted man, I have always acknowledged that, but he is a bad politician or poltiical analyst and it is my own point of view, he may agree with my own point of view or disagree,” he said.

Jonathan Paid People To Attack Me – Obasanjo

Barely one week, after he defended his choice of successor in 2007, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has pointedly accused former President Goodluck Jonathan of paying people to attack him. Obasanjo, who also reflected on the despotic regime of the late maximum ruler, General Sani Abacha, stated that he would have been killed wrongly for the fathom coup. Speaking on Channels Television programme, Channel Book Club last night, Obasanjo alleged that Jonathan paid people to attack him over his controversial book, “ My Watch”. He claimed that Jonathan paid an activist from the South-West to criticise him. While defending his book, Obasanjo said he did not have any regret on what he wrote, advising those who do not like what he said in the book to also write theirs, “so let the dialogue begin”. On the criticism, trailing his book, Obasanjo said: “ If I have to react to all criticisms people write about me, which most of them are not true, then, I will not have time to do anything really again He stated that what his critics, including Wole Soyinka, said did not bother him. “Wole Soyinka and I have been having running battle. As he has said that it will not end until one of us leaves this world and I have said in this book we re talking about that If he leaves before me, when I get to Heaven and I hope he will be there, he should welcome me. But If I leave before him, I wiil welcome him. “Wole Soyinka is a gifted man, I have always acknowledged that, but he is a bad politician or poltiical analyst and it is my own point of view, he may agree with my own point of view or disagree,” he said.