Lai Mohammed’ll Be Minister Without Portfolio – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described Lai Mohammed, spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as “a quarrelsome and misguided individual” who will end up as a minister without portfolio in President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

It also branded him “completely unfit” to hold a responsible national office in a democratic government.

In a statement on Saturday, Olisa Metuh, national publicity secretary of the party, said that the cantankerous nature, resort to personal attacks and uncouth description of a rival political party by the APC spokesman while responding to critical issues were indicative of his background, pedigree, upbringing and emptiness as a low life.

The party advised the APC spokesman to “shed his offensive narcissist tendencies even in his desperation not to end up being a minister without a portfolio”.

The PDP admonished Mohammed that “having been a beneficiary of the benevolence and forgiving spirit of the senate president, one would expect him now to be mature, decent, civil and more organised in his responses to public comments”.

In a statement on Friday, Mohammed had advised the PDP to cast away its “ugly past” or face the risk of going down.

BOMBSHELL: My Ministers NOT Up To 21, Most of Those Screened’ll Be Bench Warmers – Buhari

Punch News – President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday gave an insight into the shape his cabinet would take, saying the country would be lucky if his administration is able to have half the number (21) of the 42 ministers that operated under the last administration.

He said he only sent names of 36 ministerial nominees to the Senate for confirmation because the constitution stipulates that each state of the federation must have representatives in his cabinet.

He said not all the 36 nominees would be ministers as some of them would only sit in the cabinet in order to meet that constitutional provision.

Buhari disclosed this in an interview he granted the Nigerian Television Authority and Channels TV shortly before he left New Delhi where he participated in the third summit of the India-Africa Forum.

The President was asked whether his reduction of the number of ministers from 42 as it was under former President Goodluck Jonathan to 36 would result into the reduction of the number of Ministries, Departments and Agencies and eventual purging of the civil service.

Buhari said, “There was no reduction (of ministers) to 36. What the constitution says, and we cannot work outside the constitution, is that there must be a cabinet representative from each state.

“Yes, there used to be 42 ministers, I think we will be lucky if we can have half of that now because we cannot afford it.

“Others may not be substantive ministers but they will sit in the cabinet because that is what the constitution says and we cannot operate outside the constitution.”

When asked specifically whether he will reduce the number of ministers, Buhari said, “Of course! Unless you can volunteer to be paying them (ministers).”

When asked the criteria used in compiling his ministerial nominees, the President explained that his three previous attempts at the Presidency afforded him the opportunity of knowing many Nigerians.

He said that experience afforded him the opportunity of knowing those who fell by the wayside when the journey became tough and those who soldiered on.

“I have just talked about Nigerians, especially the elite, sitting and reflecting on serious national issues.

“How many times did I attempt to be the President of Nigeria? How many times did I end up in the Supreme Court? Does is it mean every time, I don’t know people in this country?

“I know people who we were going together but fell by the wayside because it was too tough. You know I contested in 2003, 2007, 2011. I think Nigerians should stop taking things for granted as far as we are concerned,” he said.

When confronted with the fact that one of his nominees caused division among senators elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, the President said the nominee must be one of those suggested to him.

“This is a team work. I said I know people but there are people (nominees) that I accepted from other people in our team that I trust without even knowing them.

“Maybe the one that has problem in the National Assembly, I doubt if I have ever met him in my life.

“But then, I am working with others. I did not walk into the Presidency alone. I have to depend on all the other three tiers of government from all parts of the country.

“We thank God and technology that this time around, we are able to make it,” the President said.

When the President was asked to react to the claim that his administration is slow in the development of infrastructure, Buhari wondered where the government would get the money from.

He said he inherited a country that was vandalised materially and morally.

He said it got to a stage that the government could not afford to pay salaries.

The President recalled that the situation degenerated to a level that the Federal Government had to help 27 of the 36 states to pay salaries.

Buhari said, “Where is the money? You must have known that the Federal Government had to help 27 of the 36 states to pay salaries.

“Nigeria cannot pay salaries. The Federal Government itself had to summon the governor of the Central Bank to see how it would pay salaries not to talk of the agreements we signed with foreign countries, counterpart funding and so on.

“This country was materially vandalised and morally so and you are in a position to know even more than myself unless you are testing my knowledge whether I know it or not.”

When asked to be categorical on whether the country is broke, Buhari replied, “Of course, Nigeria is broke.”

The President denied allegation that his administration had been selective in its anti-corruption war.

He said he had not lost sleep on the allegation because those indicted would be confronted with documents that incriminated them.

Buhari identified unnamed prominent Nigerians as those constituting stumbling blocks to the anti-graft war, saying their target is to discourage the government from going ahead with the war.

He said, “I cannot tell you offhand how much we have recovered (in looted funds) but those who said we have been selective, if they have not been involved in corruption, they would not mind; they will even encourage us to get whoever has compromised his position in the trust given to them.

“So, I see it in the papers, I watch it on the screen but I have never lost sleep over it because those who are not corrupt should only encourage us to even do more.

“But those who are interested, those who have abused the trust will go to any length including bribing people to give false information.

“I have not been selective. Whoever is caught, the documents that incriminate him or her will be used to prosecute him (or her) for Nigerians to know really who has abused trust.

“The stumbling blocks are big, corrupt Nigerians that have the capacity to compromise the integrity of a lot of people, either the law enforcement agencies or journalists to make sure that they discourage the government from pursuing them and recovering public funds from them or punishing them. Those who aspire to public office, we will make sure what they are going to get is service and not looting.”

On the timeline given the Nigerian military to end insurgency, Buhari said he remained optimistic that the feat could be achieved.

He said it should be a source of worry to Nigerians that before now, Nigerian military and other law enforcement agencies were getting accolades across the world when they could not secure 14 of the nation’s 774 local government areas before a change in government.

“The main objective is to get rid of Boko Haram whether it is within the time limit we gave to the military or outside of it, we remain focused in our objective and we will support them.

“Government will support the military and other law enforcement agencies to make sure that Boko Haram is removed from Nigeria and from our neighbours in the Lake Chad Basin Commission countries.

“I am an optimistic person. I am sorry for those who have already given up. I remain confident that our military and other law enforcement agencies are more than equal to the task.

“Don’t forget that I made an earlier statement to the effect that the Nigerian military and police earned accolades all over the world: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, etc.

“They earned international respect and then here you are, the Nigerian military and other law enforcement agencies could not secure 14 local governments out of 774 until the government was changed.

“I think Nigerians should sit and reflect about what they should get worried about and about how to support the administration,” he added.

Responding to a question on whether it is true that some looters have started returning their loot secretly to government coffers, Buhari said, “I do not want to let the cat out of the bag now.”

When told that his name sends shivers down the spines of some Nigerians, Buhari said he did not want to be feared but be respected.

“I don’t want to believe you. I will like to believe you if you say Nigerians respect me but I don’t want to be feared, I want to be respected,” the President said.

Buhari said he would like to be remembered as a leader who did not only fight the civil war, but one that also fought corruption to a standstill.

“If we survive it, I want to be remembered that Nigerians have found out that I was genuine; I was a real patriot, not that I only fought the civil war but that I fought corruption to a standstill,” he said.

He described a grant promised Nigeria by India during his visit as a great relief.

He said, “It is a major relief. It will solve our unemployment problems and if goods and services are produced, our foreign exchange will not suffer so much. All that the Indian companies will be asking for is the repatriation of their profit which is part of the agreement and then some essential raw materials which are not available in Nigeria.

“I think the benefit is very clear.”

Posted via Blogaway

Saraki’s Trial: Drama, CONFUSION As 2 Appeal Court Judges Give Contradictory Judgements

Vanguard News – The propriety of the 13-count criminal charge against the Senate President, Dr. Olubukola Saraki has created a sharp division among Appeal Court Justices.

Whereas Justice Moore Adumein dismissed the appeal that was lodged by Saraki as lacking in merit, another member of the panel, Justice ‎ J.E. Ekanem upheld the appeal, declaring the charge before the CCT as incompetent.

Justice Ekanem specifically quashed the charge and discharged Saraki on the basis that the Deputy Director at the Ministry of Justice, M. M. S. Hassan who signed the charge, did not specify who authorised him to initiate the ‎criminal proceeding.

“A look at the charge showed that Mr. Hassan instituted the action pursuant to section 24 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 2004 which permits only the Attorney General of the Federation to initiate criminal proceedings”.

Justice Ekanem stressed that though the constitution permits the Solicitor-General of the Federation, SGF, to commence criminal action in the absence of the AGF, he said that Hassan failed to produce any document showing that he was properly authorised by th‎e SGF.

“The opening paragraph of the letter Hassan sent to the CCT on September 11, wherein he applied to commence trial against the appellant is very instructive.

“He merely said ‘ I am authorised to file this action’ but did not say that he was authorised by the Solicitor-General. He went short of identifying who authorised him.

“It is therefore my view that the charge before the tribunal is incompetent. It is for this view that I hold that this appeal has succeeded and I hereby set-aside the charge and discharge the accused person”, ‎Justice Ekanem held.

However, the third member of the panel , Justice M. Mustapha, concurred with the lead verdict which declined to quash the charge against Saraki.

Earlier, leader of the panel, Justice Adumein dismissed Saraki’s appeal, saying he should go to the tribunal to answer the charge against him.

He held that Justice Danladi Umar-led tribunal was properly constituted to try the offences against Saraki, noting that he was not charged in his official capacity, but as an individual.

‎Justice Adumein placed reliance on paragraph 15(1) of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution and section 20(2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 2004, ‎and held that the two-man panel of Justices at the tribunal formed a quorum to entertain the charge.

“The above provisions are very clear and unambiguous and should be given their ordinary meaning. This is in line with ‎the golden rule of interpretation. There is no provision on minimum number of members which the tribunal must have before it can sit to hear cases”.

Justice Adumein held that the charge was competently instituted, saying the tribunal had the requisite powers to issue bench warrant against Saraki.

He dismissed all five grounds of appeal that Saraki filed before the court for want of merit.
Saraki had gone before the appellate court to query the legality of the charge against him.

He was among other offences, alleged to have owned and operated foreign bank accounts while being a public officer.

However, aside challenging the charge, Saraki also queried the constitutionality of the warrant of arrest that was initially issued against him by Chairman of the CCT, Justice Umar.

Besides, the embattled Senate President, through his team of lawyers led by a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. J.B. Daudu, SAN, wants the higher court to ascertain whether the Justice Umar-led panel subscribed to the appropriate legal procedure when ‎it ordered him to mount the dock and enter his plea to the charge despite preliminary objections against his trial.

He described the criminal proceeding that was initiated against him by the Federal Ministry of Justice as‎ “a politically motivated witch-hunt”.
‎
He begged the appellate court to quash the proceeding of the tribunal and discharge him, a request that was refused by two members of the appeal court panel today.

Posted via Blogaway

Saraki Suffers Setback As Court Okays CCT’s Corruption Trial

An effort by Senate President Bukola Saraki to stop his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has been thwarted.

The appeal court has upheld the trial of the Senate president on 13 counts over a false assets’ declaration.

In a ruling this morning, October 30, Justice Moore Adumen of the Court of Appeal, reading the unanimous verdict of the three-man panel, said the tribunal, which tried the Senate president on September 22 and on October 21, was properly constituted, PM news reports.

Adumen added that the tribunal led by Danladi Umar could sit with the chairman and one other member.

Indicating why the verdict was delayed, Adumen said that the earlier scheduled date, October 19, had to be shifted at the eleventh hour, because the justices had to struggle to reach an agreement.

Adumen noted that the justices relied on section 28 of the Interpretation Act to reach the decision.

The CCB had filed a 13-count corruption charge against Saraki for failing to declare his assets fully, alleging that he misused state funds to purchase private assets while serving as Kwara state governor.

However, Saraki’s lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN) had urged the court to expeditiously determine his client’s appeal on the grounds that time was very important in the on-going case.

Along with the appeal, the Senate president’s lawyers also filed an application seeking for proceedings before the CCT to cease pending the determination of his appeal. Saraki wanted the appellate court to stop his trial at the CCT.

Posted via Blogaway

Presidency Reveals Details On Inauguration of Ministers, Portfolios

Report According to Daily Trust suggests that President Muhammadu Buhari is to assign portfolio and administer the oath of office on his ministers “most likely on Wednesday”.

A source at the Presidency, who craved anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the issue, disclosed this to Daily Trust yesterday.

“The first major official assignment before Mr President in November is the inauguration of his cabinet. Arrangements have already been made for this and this [will]most likely happen on Wednesday”, the source said.
In the same vein, an aide to one of the ministers-designate also told our correspondent last night that his principal had received a message from the Presidency that the inauguration would take place on Wednesday.

“The inauguration is taking place Wednesday next week, according to what I heard my boss saying this (yesterday) afternoon,” the aide said.

But the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said only the president would communicate when he would inaugurate his cabinet.

Adesina, who said he could not confirm exactly when the ministers-designate would be sworn in, added they would have to notify their family members.

Posted via Blogaway

Court To Deliver Judgement Today On Saraki’s CCT Trial | You’ll Be Shocked Why Today

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, will today, deliver judgment in the appeal seeking to quash the 13-count criminal charge pending against the Senate President, Dr. Olubukola Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT.

The appellate court had earlier adjourned its verdict on the matter indefinitely, a situation that forced the Justice Danladi Umar-led tribunal to defer hearing on the case against Saraki till November 5, to await the outcome of the appeal.

The tribunal took the decision to suspend full-blown hearing on the criminal case after the Justice Moore Adumein panel of the appeal court, on October 21, postponed its judgement without adducing any reason.

A source at the appellate court who spoke to Vanguard on ground of anonymity that day, insisted that the “eleventh-hour deferment of judgment on Saraki’s appeal”, was not unconnected with the just concluded screening of Ministerial nominees that were forwarded to the Senate by the Presidency.

Saraki is in his appeal, challenging the legal propriety of the 13-count charge that was preferred against him by the Federal Ministry of Justice.

He was among other offences, alleged to have owned and operated foreign bank accounts while being a public officer.

However, aside challenging the charge, Saraki also queried the constitutionality of the warrant of arrest that was initially issued against him by Chairman of the CCT, Justice Umar.

Besides, the embattled Senate President, through his team of lawyers led by a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. J.B. Daudu, SAN, wants the higher court to ascertain whether the Justice Umar-led panel subscribed to the appropriate legal procedure when it ordered him to mount the dock and enter his plea to the charge despite preliminary objections against his trial.

He raised 12 grounds of appeal against the CCT, supported by a 16-paragraphed affidavit and four exhibits.

Saraki also deposed another 17-paragraphed affidavit of urgency, wherein he urged the higher court to intervene and protect him from what he described as “a politically motivated witch-hunt”.

Out of the 12-grounds, five of them are basically seeking to invalidate the charge against Saraki.

He is begging the appellate court to suspend the proceeding of the tribunal pending the hearing and determination of his substantive appeal against the Justice Umar-led panel.

The appellate court had on October 8, okayed accelerated hearing on the matter.

Meantime, the federal Government, while urging the appellate court to dismiss the appeal, maintained that it has garnered sufficient evidence to establish that Saraki, as a public officer, acquired several assets beyond his legitimate earnings.

FG, through its lead prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, equally told the appellate court that five witnesses it lined-up against the Senate President, have all expressed their readiness to appear before the CCT tomorrow to testify and tender exhibits against him.

Among those that FG billed to give oral testimony against Saraki included the erstwhile Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and present governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

Specifically, El-Rufai is expected to testify that he was the one that sold one of the assets that Saraki bought in Abuja, which the government alleged that he failed to list among the assets he acquired while in office as the governor of Kwara State.

The prosecuting counsel, told the appellate court that Saraki has already been furnished with all the proof of evidence against him, including copies of four separate assets declaration forms that he earlier submitted before the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB.

Therefore, FG, urged the appellate court to dismiss the appeal and order Saraki to go to the CCT and clear his name.

Saraki had through his lawyer, Mr. Daudu, SAN, argued that the CCT erred in law by going ahead with his trial despite that fact that “it was not properly constituted”.

He contended that whereas the constitution provided for a three-man panel to sit over cases brought before the tribunal, he said that only two Justices sat on September 22 when he was docked.

According to him, the composition of the tribunal was in violation of paragraphs 15(1) of the 1999 constitution, as amended.

Daudu maintained that the tribunal was wrong in assuming criminal jurisdiction against the Senate President when it was not listed in the constitution as a superior court of record.

He described the CCT as an “inferior court”, saying it does not in any way, share concurrent jurisdiction with the Federal High Court.

He therefore urged the appeal court to nullify the proceedings of the tribunal against Saraki and also set aside the criminal charges filed against him by the federal government for being illegal and unlawful.

Nevertheless, FG, bent on going ahead with the case, asked the appellate court to dismiss Saraki’s arguments as baseless and grossly lacking in merit.
Jacobs, SAN, argued that the tribunal was properly constituted and empowered to try the accused person.

He urged the court to invoke the Interpretation Act to resolve the issue on whether the two-man panel had indeed formed a quorum as envisaged by the law.
More so, the prosecuting counsel submitted that the tribunal has criminal jurisdiction hence the use of words like “guilty” and “punishment” in the law that established it.

“We urge your lordships to dismiss this appeal and order the appellate to go before the CCT and face criminal charges against him. We have gathered enough evidence to prove that he made anticipatory assets declaration”, Rotimi added.

Saraki was in the charge before the CCT, marked ABT/01/15 and dated September 11, 2015, alleged to have falsely declared his assets, contrary to the constitutionally requirement.

He was accused of deliberately manipulating the assets declaration form that he filed prior to his assumption of office as the Senate President, by making anticipatory declaration of assets.

The offence was said to have been committed while Saraki held sway as a governor.

He was also accused of breaching section 2 of the CCB and Tribunal Act, an offence punishable under section 23(2) of the Act and paragraph 9 of the said Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

FG alleged that Saraki claimed that he owned and acquired No 15A and 15B Mc Donald, Ikoyi, Lagos, through his company, Carlisle Properties Limited in 2000, when the said property was actually sold by the Implementation Committee of the Federal Government landed properties in 2006 to his companies, Tiny Tee Limited and Vitti Oil Limited for the aggregate sum of N396, 150, 000, 00.

He was alleged to have made false declaration on or about June 3, 2011, by refusing to declare plot 2A Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, which he acquired between 2007 and 2008 through his company from the Central Bank of Nigeria for a total sum of N325, 000, 000, 00.

Similarly, Saraki was said to have refused to declare No1 Tagnus street, Maitama, Abuja, which he claimed to have acquired in November 1996 from one David Baba Akawu.

Some of his alleged offence while in office as governor, which are said to be punishable under section 15(1) and (2) of the CCB and Tribunal Act, Cap C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, were allegedly committed between October 2006 and May 2007.

His actions were classified as a gross violation of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.

Saraki has since pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.

BREAKING: PDP’s Plateau Gov. Candidate Pwajok Dies 2 Days After He Lost At Tribunal

Few days after tribunal lost, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Plateau State, Senator Gyang Nyam Pwajok died.

Senator Pwajok recently lost the case against Governor Silas Lalong of the All Progressives Congress at the election tribunal.

Senator Gyang died of kidney related disease in India according to a family source.

His death has been confirmed by PDP Spokesman, Olisah Metuh,

Saraki In A FIX As PDP Senators Threaten To Withdraw Support For Him Over Amaechi

There are indications that senators belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and those belonging to the All Progressives Congress (APC) are preparing for a showdown over the confirmation of some ministerial nominees.

The ministerial screening came to an end yesterday, October 28, and after the screening, the PDP Senate caucus held a meeting where they reportedly took a position against the confirmation of Rotimi Amaechi, Vanguard reports.

A source alleged that they vowed to withdraw their support for the Senate President Bukola Saraki should he force Amaechi’s confirmation.

Amaechi is in the bad books of the PDP for his role in the defeat of the former ruling party, PDP in the 2015 general elections.

The PDP caucus are also against the confirmation of the ministerial nominee from Cross River state, Usani Uguru. This is because during his screening, he said “God forbid” to a question as to his membership of the PDP.

After their meeting which lasted for just thirty minutes, the PDP senators refused speaking to newsmen.

READ ALSO: Amaechi’s Screening: Senate Acted Within Rights – Presidency

However, some who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the meeting resolved that before Amaechi’s confirmation, the Senate ethics committee report must be considered.

One of the sources also said the PDP senators resolved not to allow Usani Uguru to be confirmed today.

It was gathered that another meeting of the PDP caucus would be held before the confirmation.

Meanwhile, APC senators are said to have scheduled a caucus meeting this morning before commencement of plenary where they will be fine-tuning their strategies to push through all the nominees.

After his screening was deferred twice, the former Rivers state governor was finally screened on Thursday, October 22 by the Senate and the exercise left PDP senators alleging betrayal by the APC.

Recall that during Amaechi’s screening, the PDP senators refused to ask him any question. They resolved not to consider Amaechi’s nomination unless the report of the Senate committee on ethics and privileges on the petitions filed against the former Rivers State governor was brought forward for consideration first.

The confirmation process of the ministerial nominees is expected to hold today. The ruling of the Senate President would be final and can only be challenged when a senator calls for a division and it is at this point that PDP senators may challenge whatever decision Saraki takes on Amaechi and Uguru.

LIVE: Nigeria Senate Continues Ministerial Screening

The Senate will today, October 27, continue another round of ministerial screening as more nominees are expected to answer question raised on the floor of the House.

A little drama took centre stage at the last ministerial screening exercise after former governor of Rivers state Rotimi Amaechi kept PDP senators mum as he answered questions.

In all, 25 ministerial nominees have been screened while 18 have been confirmed as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The 18 confirmed ministers are: Udoma Udo Udoma (Akwa Ibom state), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti state), Audu Ogbeh (Benue state), Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi state), Osagie Ehanire (Edo state), Abdulrahman Dambazau (Kano state), Lai Mohammed (Kwara state), Amina J Mohammed (Gombe state), Suleiman Adamu (Jigawa state) and Ibrahim Jibril (Nasarawa state), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos state), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu (Delta state), Abubakar Malami (Kebbi state), Chris Ngige (Anambra state), Aisha Jummai Alhassan (Taraba state), Solomon Dalong (Plateau state), Kemi Adeosun (Ogun state), Hadi Sirika (Katsina state).

Senate president Bukola Saraki walks into the Red Chamber

However, six nominees are expected to take turns today in the screening exercise.

Speaking outside the Red Chamber, Senator Babajide Omoworare, chairman committee Rules and Business said: “Six nominees will be screened today, while the remaining five will be taken tomorrow. At the conclusion of the ministerial screening on Wednesday, October 28, the Senate can then focus on the screening of the INEC chairman and the five INEC commissioners.”

Naij.com is live at the Red Chamber to bring you minute-by-minute account of the screening exercise. Refresh your browser for fresh updates.

15:45: A little drama unfold as Minority Leader Senator Godswill Akpabio stands to criticize Pastor Usani Uguru’s response to a question where he was asked if he has worked with any PDP senators. Usani’s response: “God Forbid” was greeted with extreme repugnance among the PDP senators. Usani is however quick to tender an apology for his remark.

15:38: Usani Uguru is being quizzed by Senators.

15:33: Pastor Usani Usani Uguru (Cross River state) is asked to introduce himself.

Pastor Usani Usani Uguru undergoing screening

15:30: After answering few questions Brigadier Mansur Mohammed Dan’ali (rtd) (Zamfara state) is told to bow and go. Last ministerial nominee to be screened today is Pastor Usani Usani Uguru.

15:23: Dan Ali says: “Deadline in the military like the December dead line on tackling insurgency is progressive.”

15:16: Dan Ali says: “Nigeria soldiers are among the best soldiers in the world if well taken care of.”

15:15: Dan Ali says: “Every leader must have three qualities to be a military leader. They are Intergrity, Honesty and Transparency.”

15:13: Dan Ali is now being asked questions by Distinguished Senators.

15:07: Dan Ali is asked to introduce himself.

Dan Ali undergoing ministerial screening

15:05: After answering series of questions Zainab Ahmed (Kaduna state) is told to bow and go. Next to be screened is Brigadier Mansur Mohammed Dan’ali (rtd) (Zamfara state).

15:02: Ahmed says: “Accountants must be transparent and accountable in all our dealings to promote anti-corruption stance.”

14:56: More questions for Zainab Ahmed.

14:55: Ahmed says: “If we unify to fight corruption and impunity, we will not continue to have unemployment.”

14:53: Ahmed says: “I am pained about the kidnap of the Chibok Girls. I will however suggest we push and support the fight against Boko Haram which the President has already started.”

14:50: Ahmed is asked to pledge her loyalty to Nigeria and she goes ahead to recite the NATIONAL PLEDGE.

14:44: More questions for Zainab Ahmed.

14:42: Ahmed says: “There is corruption in Nigeria like every other country, but the problem with ours is impunity.”

14:38: Ahmed says: “The role of tax in development is fundamental. Tax is very important.”

14:36: Ahmed says: “The Oil and Gas sector has enough leakages. One of the leakages is the management of our oil refineries.”

14:30: Ahmed is now being quizzed by Senators.

Zainab Ahmed undergoing screening

14:21: Zainab Shamshuna Ahmed is asked to introduce herself.

14:20: After answering series of question, Geoffrey Onyeama (Enugu state) is told to take a bow and go. Next to be screened is Zainab Ahmed (Kaduna state).

14:17: Onyeama says: “Prison should be a place where prisoners cannot be reformed.”

14:15: Onyeama says: “Our Justice system shouldn’t be only about penalizing.”

14:10: More questions for Onyeama.

14:02: Onyeama says: “I worked closely with late Bola Ige.”

14:00: Onyeama says: “Nigeria is country that is deeply respected. With all my years of touring, I don’t have the passport of any other country except my country. This is because I believe in my country.”

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and Senate Leader Ali Ndume watch on as Geoffrey Onyeama answers question raised on the floor of the House.

13:55: Onyeama says: “One of the ways of resuscitating the economy is investing in roads development. The regulatory framework of the Nigeria Capital Market has to be strong which will bring in more investors.”

13:42: Onyeama is now being quizzed by senators.

13:30: Geoffrey Onyeama (Enugu state) is asked to introduce himself by Senate President Bukola Saraki

Geoffrey Onyeama undergoing screening

13:25: After responding to Saraki’s only question Abubakar Bawa Bwari is told to bow and go. Next to be screened is Geoffrey Onyeama.

12:23: Bwari says: “Right now I cannot say exactly what I will do, I have to go in first to see the areas that needs to be touched. We need to look at the master plan and see the areas that need to be developed. There are some areas in the FCT that harbour hoodlums, we need to look into all that.”

13:22: Senate President Bukola Saraki throws a poser to Abubakar Bawa Bwari. Saraki to Bwari: “If you are given FCT, can you share with us your own ideas that you will implement in that sector.”

13:20: Abubakar Bawa Bwari says: “We have an opportunity to build our country to the dreams of our children and the expectations of our allies.”

13:15: Abubakar Bawa Bwari says: “You don’t need a jersey to serve your country.” 

13:10: Abubakar Bawa Bwari reads out his accomplishments and speaks about his knowledge of the round leather game, Football.

13:06: Abubakar Bawa Bwari (Niger state) is asked to introduce himself.

Abubakar Bawa Bwari undergoing ministerial screening

13:04: After answering several questions raised on the floor of the House for more than one hour, Professor Isaac Adewole (Osun state) is asked to bow and leave. Next to be screened in Abubakar Bawa Bwari who replaced Musa Ibeto after President Buhari withdrew his nomination.

13:01: Adewole says: “If I am made Minister of Health, I will make sure the MRO Project in your state doesn’t rot.

13:00: Adewole on delivery in Churches: “Quite a number of things are fundamentally wrong, people believe in other forces. “bout 40 to 60% women in Nigeria give birth to children without adequate supervision, Some women cannot afford delivery fees in hospitals, we need to partner with Churches to ensure safety. Some health institutions charge as much as 20 to 30,000 for child delivery. We need to train more midwives.”

12:50: More questions for Professor Isaac Adewole

12:49: Adewole on Doctors and Housemanship: “What we need is a connection between Health and Education.”

12:46: Adewole says: “As a teacher and a professor, I tell my students that your certificate is a visa, it will not get you your flight ticket. Your skill will get you your flight ticket.”

12:45: Adewole says: “The funding system in the university is uneven and anti-development. So in term of the funding dynamics, things must change.”

12:35: More questions for Professor Isaac Adewole.

12:33: Adewole says: “No doctor should leave school wothout being I.T compliant.”

12:29: Adewole on privatisation of primary care: “If there is enough funding, there should be no need for privatization.”

12:28: Adewole says: “We need a health management information robust system.” 

12:26: Adewole says: “We need to build an incentive into our health care system. It is happening in Kwara, Ondo & Adamawa states.”

12:25: Adewole on Nigerians leaving the country: “Every human being seeks for greener pastures. What we need to do is improve our environment.”

12:24: Adewole says: ‘The issue of brain-drain is complex and not just peculiar to Nigeria.”

12:21: More questions for Professor Isaac Adewole

12:19: Adewole says: “We can reduce the rate of Infant Mortality and Maternal Mortality to an acceptable rate.”

12:17: Adewole says: “What we need is a well updated, well upgraded and a well functional Health Care System. About 60% of Nigerians go to private clinics, we need to regulate the Health Care System in Nigeria.”

12:15: Adewole says: “We need to include Public Health Education in everything we do.”

12:14: Adewole says: “I am one of those who believe that leadership cannot be stolen or grabbed.” 

12:13: Adewole says: “Prostrate Cancer is the leading form of cancer among men.”

12:12: Adewole says: “Spontaneous abortions occur because the pregnancy is deformed.”

12:08: More questions for Professor Isaac Adewole.

12:07: Adewole on being an Activist: “I still remain an Activist, the only thing that has changed is that I am more matured.”

12:06: Adewole on Abortion: “Lots of women die from abortion, we need to create a sexual education to enlighten these girls to make them sin no more.”

12:04: Adewole on Cancer: “People need to understand cancer, we can manage it if we do. Though we have cancer among young ones, but cancer is a disease of the old age.”

12:02: Adewole on Cutlism: “We should look at intelligence methods and also enlightened parents. It worked for us at University of Ibadan.”

12:00: Adewole says: “We need to put money in Education. We need to recognize Education as Vital to the Economy.”

11:58: Adewole says: “We need to follow through that University are well funded and staff motivated.”

11:55: Adewole says: “I have dedicated my life into preventing issues such as maternal mortality, infant mortality. I promise to serve with patriotism and commitment; I shall bring my modest experience to serve.”

11:50: Professor Adewole is now being quizzed by Senators

Professor Isaac Adewole undergoing screening.

11:44: Saraki asks Professor Adewole to introduce himself.

11:42: First to be screened today is Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole (Osun state). He is the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.

11:40: After discussing other matters, the Senate moves into the committee of a whole to commence the ministerial screening. Six nominees will be screened today. They will be screened in this order: Isaac Folorunso, Bawa Bwari, Geoffrey Onyeama, Zainab Ahmed, Dan Ali, Usani Uguru

11:17: Senate Leader Ali Ndume and Clerk of the Senate moves ahead for the Presentation of Six (6) Bills facing their respective First Readings as the Senate discuss other matters before the ministerial screening commences.

11:10: Senate President Bukola Saraki welcomes students of Akwa-Ibom State University who are present in the gallery to observe Senate Proceedings.

11:08: Saraki reads an announcement from President Buhari for an appointment of National Population Commission.

11:05: Senate Whip Senator Adeyeye calls for order, urges the distinguished senators to take their respective seats.

10:59: Saraki takes the Official Prayer for the day.

10:55: The Senate President Bukola Saraki has arrived. He exchanges hand shakes with distinguished Senators as he makes his way to his seat.

10:45: Some Distinguished Senators already seated in the gallery as the atmosphere is calm going into today’s ministerial screening.

New Ooni Of Ife Emerges

Osun state governor, Rauf Aregbesola has announced Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi as the new Ooni of Ife.

This is coming barely three months after the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade. Prince Ogunwusi is from the Giesi ruling house and he is the 51st Ooni of Ile-Ife. In a press statement by the state governor, the kingmakers of Ife had done all the necessary pre-requisites and communicated the choice of Prince Ogunwusi to his office for approval.

Therefore, Ogunwusi takes over from Oba Sijuade, who died on July 28, 2015 in a London hospital.

See statement below:

The new Ooni of Ife is a 40-year old real estate entrepreneur. He attended The Polytechnic, Ibadan, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy.  He is currently the Managing Director of Howard Roark Gardens Limited which is undertaking multi-million naira Jacob Mews Estate project in Yaba and the Lakeview real estate development in Lekki.

Buhari Makes U-Turn On December Deadline For Boko Haram

President Muhammadu Buhari has made a U-turn on his earlier mandate to the Nigerian armed forces to end Boko Haram menace by December this year.

This was contained in a message conveyed by Babachir Lawal, Secretary to the Government of the Federation during a visit to palaces, hospitals and Government Houses of Borno and Adamawa states.

The SGF on Saturday, October 24, speaking during the visit said the continuous detonation of Improvised Explosive Devices by the terrorists might result to a longer time in completely eradicating the sect.

“As I said a few times in the past, desperate actions such as the detonation of IEDs will take a longer time to eradicate even as our optimism continues to grow that Boko Haram as a fighting force will be crushed by the year end.

“After that, we hope all displaced communities will be returned to their towns and villages. But even when this is about to happen, there will still remain vital tests and challenges,” he said.

He, however, stressed the administration’s desire to crush the sect by December.

Responding to the president’s assertion, Governors of Borno and Adamawa, Kashim Shettima and Senator Jibrilla Bindow expressed gratitude to Buhari for having them at heart in these tragic moments. They also thanked the president for his commitment towards the eradication of terrorism as well as efforts to secure the nation.

The Federal Government sent a delegation to condole with the people and governments of Borno and Adamawa states following the recent Boko Haram attacks that claimed several lives in the area.

The delegation which was led by the SGF comprised others like; the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Mala Mai Buni; a member of the House of Representatives, Mohammed Tahir Munguno; a Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SGF, Bukar Maina; a chieftain of the APC, Alhaji Modi Aliyu Mahmood.

A suicide bomber suspected to be a member of the deadly Boko Haram sect on Friday, October 23 attacked a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno state. The Nigerian army just yesterday, October 24, recorded huge success in its fight against the extremist sect as reports have it that the terrorists were sacked from most of their vital camps.

BREAKING: Suicide Bombers Attack Borno Again

Less than 24 hours after suicide bombers in two separate attacks struck a mosque in Maiduguri and a new central mosque in Yola, three female suicide bombers have attacked two communities in Borno, on Saturday, October 24.

The incident happened in Dala and Yazare, suburbs located some 4km away from Maiduguri, along the Biu-Maiduguri road.

According to Premium Times, the two female suicide bombers found their way into a crowded suburb of the troubled city with one of them succeeding in blowing off her self while the second got arrested and disarmed before she could trigger off the explosive belt worn under her garment, security sources said.

In the report, an operative of the Civillian-JTF said: “They were two suicide bombers, one was arrested now, but the other was able to detonate the bomb.”

As soon as the bomb blast happened, Nigerians and some other media had already taken to twitter:

There had also been an onslaught early Friday, October 23, as Muslims gather at a mosque to observe morning prayers in the old GRA area in the troubled Maiduguri.

The Friday explosion was said to have been carried out by a suspected lone suicide bomber whose two accomplices escaped when some vigilant members of the community accosted them on their suspicious movements.

Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state and the birthplace of Boko Haram since 2002, has been the centre of the six-year-old terrorism and repeatedly attacked since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office.

The city is attacked almost on a weekly basis. This latest attack occurred days after at least 30 people were killed when two suicide bombers had also attacked a mosque in the Mulai area of the state.

Although Buhari promised to end insurgency by December but the militants have refused to give up as they continually launch bomb attacks on cities.

The Nigerian military had given a final warning in a last statement issued recently: “This is to finally warn all Boko Haram terrorists wherever they are, to desist from all acts of terrorism, surrender themselves and face the law now. We wish to inform them that we are aware of all their hideouts, camps and enclaves.”

Judge’s Bid To Stop Saraki’s Trial Thwarted, But DSS Director Rallies To Senator’s Aid

Justice Auta had assigned the case to Justice Ibrahim Buba, a judge with a reputation for granting injunctions that permanently protect corrupt politicians in Nigeria. But as Justice Buba was about to grant an injunction ordering the Code of Conduct Tribunal to stop Senator Saraki’s trial, an EFCC lawyer showed up. The lawyer’s unexpected appearance threw Justice Buba off balance. The EFCC lawyer told Justice Buba that all the defendants had not been served the notice and urged him not to grant any orders, reminding him that the public was watching the case closely.

Embattled Senate President, Bukola Saraki, made another effort today to use shady legal maneuvers to obtain a court order stopping his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in AbujaAbuja

 Sahara reporter learned that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Ibrahim Auta, personally conspired with Mr. Saraki to secure the court order, and traveled to Lagos to oversee the process. However, the legal plot was upended when a lawyer for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who was tipped off about the legal hanky-panky, appeared in court. 

Justice Auta had assigned the case to Justice Ibrahim Buba, a judge with a reputation for granting injunctions that permanently protect corrupt politicians in Nigeria. But as Justice Buba was about to grant an injunction ordering the Code of Conduct Tribunal to stop Senator Saraki’s trial, an EFCC lawyer showed up. The lawyer’s unexpected appearance threw Justice Buba off balance. The EFCC lawyer told Justice Buba that all the defendants had not been served the notice and urged him not to grant any orders, reminding him that the public was watching the case closely.

A flustered Justice Buba then adjourned the case till November 2, 2015, telling Mr. Saraki’s lawyers to ensure that they put other defendants on notice.

Mr. Saraki’s decision to seek an injunction to stop his trial from another high court stemmed from the failure of theCourt of Appeal to issue such an order last Monday. SaharaReporters had stymied a plot by the appellate court to stop Mr. Saraki’s trial by exposing that former Supreme Court justice, Alfa Belgore, had brokered a deal with the justices to derail the senator’s continued prosecution.

A legal observer told SaharaReporters that it was curious that the Code of Conduct Tribunal agreed to adjourn its case until the Court of Appeal gave its ruling on Mr. Saraki’s appeal. “However, the fact that Senator Saraki and his lawyers decided to approach another high court today might mean that the Court of Appeal justices may have backed out of the deal to stop the trial,” said the expert.

Meanwhile, a politically connected source in Abuja told SaharaReporters that some officials of the Muhammadu Buhari administration were making efforts to halt Mr. Saraki’s trial administratively. According to this source, the Director General of Department of State Security (DSS), Lawal Musa Daura, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, had been pressuring the Code of Conduct Tribunal to find a way to halt Mr. Saraki’s trial. 

Another source in the Ministry of Justice also told SaharaReporters that there were moves to remove Rotimi Jacobs as the prosecutor in Mr. Saraki’s case. The source said Mr. Jacobs was perceived as too principled and resolute to be party to an administrative arrangement that would scuttle the case. 

Wenger asks Gunners to silence critics

Arsene Wenger has challenged his Arsenal stars to silence the critics once and for all by making a sustained challenge for the Premier League title.
Wenger’s side have endured plenty of flak from pundits and even Arsenal fans in recent years after a series of underwhelming attempts to win the title for the first time since 2004.
Those doubters grew even more vocal when the Gunners made a spluttering start to the season, but they have responded with an impressive run which peaked on Tuesday with a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Arsenal return to domestic action when Everton visit the Emirates Stadium on Saturday and Wenger wants another strong performance to convince the cynics that they can last the pace in the title race.
“You gain credibility through consistency and when people think this could be a game where we could slip a bit and you respond in a positive way,” Wenger said.

Arsene Wenger Photo: Arsenal.com
“It shows that our consistency is questioned by many people which is not based on mathematics and statistics, but more on preconceived ideas and it is down to us to change people’s minds.
“The longer we last (at the top), the more people will give us credit for it.”
Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne is relishing the chance to inspire his first derby victory against Manchester United when the Premier League leaders visit Old Trafford on Sunday.
De Bruyne will experience the hostility and passion of the Manchester derby for the first time following his £55 million ($84 million) move from Wolfsburg in August.
The 24-year-old Belgian has already made a big impact at City and added to his popularity with the stoppage-time goal that clinched a crucial Champions League win against Sevilla on Wednesday.
From the Denis Law flick that effectively relegated United in 1974 all the way through to Mario Balotelli’s unveiling of his “Why Always Me” t-shirt during a 6-1 romp four years ago, City fans have always reserved a special place in their hearts for players who can inflict misery on the old enemy.
Now De Bruyne, who has five goals in nine appearances for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, has set his sights on joining the select group of City stars who have tormented United.
“I am very excited. These are the moments you live for as a player,” De Bruyne said.
“There will be a lot of atmosphere. Great games and derbies are the most important games for the fans. Hopefully we can do good on Sunday.”
– Memorable contribution –
City have won on three of their last four visits to Old Trafford, but they lost 4-2 there last season, a result United surprisingly achieved without a goal from Wayne Rooney.
With 11 career goals in the Manchester derby, Rooney has been a constant menace to City and the United captain, whose brilliant overhead kick to win the derby in 2011, would dearly love to mark his 30th birthday on Saturday with another memorable contribution.
A Rooney-inspired triumph would be especially timely as Louis van Gaal’s team will leapfrog City to the top of the table if they win and Arsenal drop points against Everton.
After a dismal start to their title defence, Chelsea can only look on enviously as their rivals step up their bids to take the trophy from Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are languishing 10 points behind City in 12th place after a campaign scarred by lacklustre displays, rumours of dressing room rifts and outbursts from the increasingly tetchy Jose Mourinho.
Yet Chelsea captain John Terry has seen encouraging signs in the last week following a 2-0 win over Aston Villa and a gritty goalless draw against Dynamo Kiev.
“We are a great side and we will get there with the hunger and the ambition that is in the squad,” Terry said.
On Sunday, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will take charge of his first home Premier League match when Southampton visit Anfield.
Sam Allardyce is looking for his first win as Sunderland manager when arch rivals Newcastle make the short trip to the Stadium on Light.

The Black Cats were beaten at West Bromwich Albion in Allardyce’s first game last weekend, but they haven’t lost against Newcastle since 2011.

Fixtures (1400GMT unless stated)
Saturday
Arsenal v Everton (1630GMT), Aston Villa v Swansea, Leicester v Crystal Palace, Norwich v West Brom, Stoke v Watford, West Ham v Chelsea
Sunday
Bournemouth v Tottenham (1305 GMT), Liverpool v Southampton (1515 GMT), Manchester United v Manchester City (1305 GMT), Sunderland v Newcastle (1100 GMT)

Bomb Blast Hits Another Mosque In Yola

The National Emergency Management Agency has released the casualty figure in bomb attack on a mosque in Yola, the Adamawa state capital.

Sani Datti, a spokesperson for the agency, revealed that 27 people were killed, 96 were injured and evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre in Yola and the Specialist Hospital Jimeta.

Few hours after suicide bomber struck at a mosque in Maiduguri, another bombing was reported in a mosque in Jimeta area of Yola the Adamawa state capital.

The explosion happened as worshippers were observing the weekly Jumaat service.

“They planted the bomb inside the mosque and many lives were lost in the attack, because of the number of worshipers there,” the source said.

Sani Dati, spokesperson of the Adamawa state emergency management agency, told The Cable that he was unaware of the attack but pledged to make findings.

“Yola or Maiduguri? I am not aware of any attack in Yola, let me make some calls and get back to you,” he said.

More that 17 people have been confirmed dead and 73 others injured. Many of the Muslim faithfuls were leaving the mosque just after their Friday prayers when the incident occured.

One volunteer at the Jambutu Juma’at mosque, who assisted in the rescue effort, said: “This mosque was nearly built and this was the first prayers in it.

“While worshippers had risen for the prayers to start after the sermon by the imam, there was a huge blast in the premises.

“There was confusion and dozens of worshippers lay on the ground in blood. We are still sifting through the victims to separate the dead from the injured.

“We’re talking of scores of people dead and injured.”

Another rescuer, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s bad. The casualties are definitely going to be huge.

“The explosion happened in the midst of a large congregation of worshippers. We still don’t have a definite toll but certainly the toll will be high.”

Nigerians immediately reacted on Twitter, attacking President Muhammadu Buhari, who promised to end the deadly insurgency.

The Yola attack occurred hours after a similar explosion happened in a mosque in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

More than 28 people killed and many others injured in the deadly onslaught.

No group has claimed responsibility for both attacks. However, a terrorist sect Boko Haram, has carried out similar attacks in the past.

Bomb Blast Hits Another Mosque In Yola

Few hours after suicide bomber struck at a mosque in Maiduguri, another bombing has been reported in a mosque in Jimeta area of Yola the Adamawa state capital.
The explosion happened as worshippers were observing the weekly Jumaat service, and scored of worshippers are feared dead and wounded.
“They planted the bomb inside the mosque and many lives were lost in the attack, because of the number of worshipers there,” the source said.
Sani Dati, spokesperson of the Adamawa state emergency management agency, told The Cable that he was unaware of the attack but pledged to make findings.
“Yola or Maiduguri? I am not aware of any attack in Yola, let me make some calls and get back to you,” he said.
More that 17 people have been confirmed dead and 73 others injured. Many of the Muslim faithfuls were leaving the mosque just after their Friday prayers when the incident occured.
Nigerians immediately reacted on Twitter, attacking President Muhammadu Buhari, who promised to end the deadly insurgency.
The Yola attack occurred hours after a similar explosion happened in a mosque in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.
More than 28 people killed and many others injured in the deadly onslaught.

No group has claimed responsibility for both attacks. However, a terrorist sect Boko Haram, has carried out similar attacks in the past.

Suicide Bomber Attacks Maiduguri Mosque

A suicide bomber supposed to be a member of the deadly Boko Haram sect has attacked a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno state.

The onslaught occurred early today, October 23, as Muslims gather at a mosque to observe morning prayers in the old GRA area in the troubled city.

According to Sahara Reporters a yet to be determined number of Muslim worshippers have been killed.
the witness informed about 18 victims:
The explosion was carried out by a suspected lone suicide bomber, whose two accomplices escaped, when some vigilant members of the community accosted them on their suspicious movements.

Premium Times reports that two explosions, according to residents happened in Jiddari Polo area at about 5am when Muslims were performing the first congregational prayer of Friday.

Security personnel have cordoned the area while rescue and aide workers tried to evacuate corpses and wounded victims.

A spokesperson of the local Civilian-JTF, Abbas Gava, told newsmen that “it was two bomb explosion in a mosque in Jiddari Polo,  very close to the Federal High Court complex. We are still trying to get the correct figure of casualties”.
Another civilian JTF operative, who spoke anonymously from the scene of the bomb blast confirmed that “so far, we have evacuated 18 bodies to the hospital alongside many injured ones that are almost lifeless”.
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to end the activities of the insurgents by December and the Nigerian Military in a last statement issued reads: “This is to finally warn all Boko Haram terrorists wherever they are, to desist from all acts of terrorism, surrender themselves and face the law now. We wish to inform them that we are aware of all their hideouts, camps and enclaves.”

Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State and the birthplace of Boko Haram in 2002, has been the epicentre of the six-year-old terrorismand repeatedly attacked since Buhari assumed office.

The city is attacked almost on a weekly basis. This latest attack occurred days after at least 30 people were killed when two suicide bombers attacked a mosque in the Mulai area.

Saraki’s travails not masterminded by APC – Gbajabiamila

You are here : Home » News »
Saraki’s travails not masterminded by APC – Gbajabiamila
October 23, 2015 at 8:07 am in News FacebookTwitterSMSWhatsApp
By Levinus Nwabughiogu
ABUJA – Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila yesterday said that absolute peace and tranquility has returned to the National Assembly especially the House of Representatives.
He stated that members were now on the same page and were determined to enact people-orientated legislations for the country.
It will be recalled that the House was engulfed by leadership crisis arising from the selection of the presiding and principal officers after its inauguration in June.

Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila
Gbajabiamila who spoke to State House Correspondents after a private meeting with president Mohammadu Buhari at the presidential villa in Abuja however noted that current travails of the senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki, saying the woes do not have anything to do with All Progressives Congress, APC as a political party.
He dismissed the application of political solution to the matter, believing that the law would run its full cause.
He said: “This is just a routine visit to Mr. president; one arm of government visiting another arm. You know the important role of the House, I being in charge of government business in the House, we discussed the issue of budget and a few other House keeping matters to further cement the relationship between the House and the President.
“Everything that has a beginning has an end. I don’t think and I don’t know if there is any leadership crisis in the National Assembly. I’m not sure at what you’re alluding to; I’m not in the Senate. But the little I understand is that there is an issue involved with the Senate President. That has nothing to do with the APC.
“That has to do with the issue of law and I’m sure the Senate President is being surely represented and he will have his day in court. If the matter comes up, I don’t think it’s an APC issue; it’s not an APC issue at all. There is no crisis, not in the House.
“I can’t comment and promote things that are unsubstantiated. You know the problem is a constitutional legal problem and I don’t know how you can treat constitutional legal problem politically. If that be the case, perhaps I may not know.”
Gbajabiamila also submitted that the allocation of committees would not stir up controversy in the House.
“It would be handled by members of the House. The correct thing is that Justice is done, equity is done and once that is done, then there not going to be a problem.
“There’re are a 180 or 190 committee slots on the issues of the committees while their issue of deputies and chairmen while there 360 members. So, whichever way it falls out, the important thing is the fallout that is not based on equity, then there may be a problem”, he said.
The Majority also mulled support for the zero budgeting system of the federal government, stressing that there has to be justification for monies expended.
“Absolutely, we understand the logic. Unlike the envelop budget system, which had issues under the best circumstances. Zero budget where everything starts from scratch, they have to justify every penny. It’s part of the government efforts to block leakages and the House is in firm support.”
On the position of the House on President Buhari’s anti- corruption war, Gbajabiamila stated that every member of the National Assembly supports the fight against graft.
“God help any member of the NASS that is not disposed to it. This is the most critical cankerworm that is destroying the fabric of the society. Any member of the Senate or the House that is against that fight… So, in answer to your question, any member of the House that is disposed to that fight, and I believe all members are”, he said.

Suicide bomber kills six in Borno

A suicide bomber killed six people in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, on Friday, the country’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said.
The agency said at least 17 other people were injured and taken to hospital after the blast at a mosque during early morning prayers.

Celebration After Amaechi's Ministerial Screening (Pictures)

This was in the Senate Building immediately after his screening. More photos below...          

Re-broadcast this News Post, Share with your Friends: