Senate President Saraki Upset Over The Leaking Of Secret APC Meeting To Discuss His Trial

Embattled Senate President Bukola Saraki is enraged over a story broken by SaharaReporters on Wednesday that he met with All Progressives Congress (APC) bigwigs, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to beg them about his forthcoming trial for corruption.
Embattled Senate President Bukola Saraki is enraged over a story broken by SaharaReporters on Wednesday that he met with All Progressives Congress (APC) bigwigs, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to beg them about his forthcoming trial for corruption.                      Sarakai reportedly drew the attention of the meeting to tweets emanating from SaharaReporters indicating that went to beg party leaders concerning how best to end his corruption trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal which starts on March 10.

The meeting was held in the office of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.  

Following his complaints at the meeting, his media aide also sent text messages to SaharaReporters claiming they had seen text messages our reporters sent to party leaders about the event.

A source at the meeting disclosed that largely owing to speculation in the media; Saraki’s case was not brought up at the meeting.

SaharaReporters authoritatively learnt from APC insiders that Saraki had mobilized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and APC chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, to discuss the trial at the meeting, a point which informed the decision to hold it behind closed doors. 

A spokesperson for the office of the VP later issued a statement stating that the meeting by APC leaders was very successful. Saharareporters learnt that the party leaders discussed upcoming elections in Ondo, Edo and other areas across the country.

Prior to today’s meeting, Saraki had sent religious leaders from Ilorin to help beg Tinubu.  He also sent the Senate Majority leader, Ali Ndume, to help beg President Buhari to halt the trial.

However, a Presidency source told SaharaReporters today that President Muhammad Buhari will not intervene in Saraki’s trial under any circumstances.

As it did previously, Saraki’s legal team has decided to stage a walkout on the judge when the trial resumes in two weeks.

Sunday Oliseh resigns as Super Eagles coach

Sunday Oliseh has announced his resignation as Super Eagles Coach.

The former Nigerian International announced his decision to end his increasingly controversial tenure on Twitter early this morning.

He attributed the decision to lack of support and contract violations by the Nigerian Football Federation.

The 41-year-old, who was appointed as the Super Eagles Head Coach in July 2015, has had a tough time leading the National team with a poor run of results recently. He had recently had to apologise to the NFF and Nigerians after posting a video in which he attacked his critics. Earlier in his tenure he had fallen out with former Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, leading to the latter’s decision to quit the team. Oliseh noted that he was, however, grateful for the opportunity to lead the Super Eagles.

Details of his resignation remain unclear as the NFF has yet to comment on the matter.

Moro for trial over Immigration jobs scandal

             

 ALL is set for the trial of former Minister of Interior Abba Moro, a former Permanent Secretary and a director over the N650million proceeds of the Immigration recruitment scandal.

The three suspects were re-invited by the Economice and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ahead of their arraignment in court today by the anti-graft agency.

The fate of  a former Comptroller-General  of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mr. David Parradang, was unknown as at press time.

About 6.5million applied for 5,000 immigration jobs but the conduct of the test in March, 2014 led to the death of 15 applicants. Scores were injured in stampede in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Minna.         
Each applicant paid N1,000.

Although Moro blamed the former Comptroller-General of Immigration for the incidents, those loyal to Parradang traced the tragedy to Moro and those they described as his business partners

The EFCC  stepped into the job scandal to ascertain the whereabouts of the N650 million proceeds of the exercise.

A highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence, said last night: “We have detained Moro, a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior and a director.

“We need to tidy up a few things but it is likely that these former public officers will be arraigned in court any moment from now. I think they might go to court on Tuesday (today)  from detention.

“No one can account for the whereabouts of the N650million collected from applicants. Out of the fees, N212million was budgeted for the March 2014 recruitment exercise but N45million was eventually released and some officers still helped themselves with it.

“So far about N167million meant for logistics on the test day could not be accounted for by anyone or group. “

Some of the issues that arose from the investigation are:

• Why did the ministry sideline Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prison Service Board?
• What accounted for the engagement of a consultancy firm, Drexel Technical Nigeria Limited and at what cost?
• Did the  consultancy firm serve as a front for some powers that be?
• Why has the ministry refused to refund the fees to applicants?

Besides, there were evidence of financial mismanagement.

On Parradang’s fate, the EFCC source said: “We have not taken a decision on him. But do not forget that we also quizzed him.”

The Secretary to the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prison Service Board, Mr. Sylvanus Tapgun, told the former Senator Atiku Bagudu-led Senate Committee on Interior, that the consultant released N45million out of N212million requested by the board for the conduct of the exercise.

Tapgun said Drexel Technical Nigeria Limited – the consultant who anchored the exercise on behalf of the ministry— provided only the N45million as “discretionary contribution” for the screening.

He admitted that the development created “serious logistics problems on the day of the exercise.”

Earlier, Moro, said Parradang should be held responsible for the tragedy.

He said Parradang abandoned the important recruitment exercise for birthday parties in Jos.

Moro said: “If I prevented Mr. Parradang from carrying out the job of recruitment as Minister of Interior, did I go with his sense of responsibility of knowing how not to conduct employment without budgetary provision and utter disregard for extant rules?

“Yes, I wrote to the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice to seek clarification to guide the Board when I discovered that the Presidential Committee assisting the Board had assumed a life of its own and was conducting the recruitment rather than assist the Board.

“What value was Parradang adding to the work of the Presidential Committee when on March 15, 2014 he abandoned his duty to provide leadership to the conduct of the recruitment to attend birthday parties in Jos?

“The same way he chose to gallivant in America and the UK during the 2014 Promotion Exercise against official advice.

More troubles for PDP as leaders ask National Chairman to resign

A group of concerned Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stakeholders and elders has called on the new National Chairman of the party, Ali Modu-Sheriff, to resign.

The group, under the aegis of PDP Rescue Group led by Wilberforce Juta, who also contested for PDP chairmanship, made the call during a news conference on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr. Juta said that the party leaders were upset about Mr. Modu-Sheriff’s appointment as PDP national chairman.

He said “most PDP members did not see in Sheriff a model of impeccable integrity that the party badly needed to lead it at this critical moment.

“We are upset by the decision of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party in appointing Ali Modu-Sheriff as national chairman.

“We are convinced that this decision is against the will and wish of the generality of members.

“We know for a fact the North-East Zonal wing, having been directed by the National Caucus of the party to forward nominees from the zone, did not nominate Modu-Sheriff for the position of national chairman.

“Consequently, Modu-Sheriff should do the needful by stepping down honourably as it is evident that party members nationwide have overwhelmingly rejected him.”

He said that the current leadership crisis in PDP was a challenge to every Nigerian.

He emphasised that “having the PDP destroyed by acts of error of judgment as being witnessed now is denying Nigeria of a strong opposition party that is badly needed if Nigeria’s democracy is to be strengthened and all tendencies toward civilian dictatorship checked.

“The crisis must challenge all party members to action to halt the party from further drift. The plan of PDP Rescue Group is to mobilise party members and leaders to help attain this noble goal.

“It is, therefore, critical if the PDP must come back to national reckoning, that we remodel its leadership on the platform of honesty as required by the party manifesto.”

He then urged all party organs to rise to the challenge by insisting on the removal of Mr. Modu-Sheriff.

Mr. Juta also urged the different organs, as well as past and present leaders to commence the search for persons with high integrity, strategic insight and fear of God Almighty to lead the party.

“It is our considered view that we endeavour to elect only those with discernible traits,” he said.

He called for early Congresses and National Convention of the party to elect new leaders as the term of the current leadership was due to end in March 2016.

He said “under no guise should the tenure of the current leadership of the party be extended, if we must make the needed fresh beginning.”

While answering questions, former President of the Senate, Adolphus Wabara, who is the Deputy Chairman of the group, said Mr. Modu-Sheriff’s appointment was imposed on the party.

A former Deputy Governor of Sokoto Sate and Secretary of the group, Mukhtari Shagari, also called on Mr. Modu-Sheriff to resign.

Mr. Shagari added that leaders of the party could not sit down and allow the party to die.

Others at the briefing include John Odey, Kabiru Mohammed, Akilu Indabawa, Umar Ardo, Bashir Maidugu, Mohammed Kabir, Pogu Bitrus, Lancelot Anyanya, and Muyiwa Oladimeji.

Ooni of Ife appointed UNN chancellor

– Obab Adeeye becomes the youngest chancellor in Nigeria with his recent appointment 

– The monarch has been applauded for his efforts to promote unity 

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi as the chancellor of the University of Nigeria. His appointment is historically significant as he is the youngest chancellor in Nigeria The Nation reports that Yera Moses Olafare who is the director of media, Ooni’s palace said the appointment was made on Thursday, February 18. In a statement issued by the director of media, the president was commended for recognizing the Ooni’s promotion of unity in the country.

“Ile Oodua is thankful to the people’s President Mohammadu Buhari of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the appointment of Ooni, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, as the chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN” “This appointment would develop further and enable the monarch to build more bridges of friendship most especially across the Niger.” The statement added that Oba Ogunwusi was ready to promote unity in the university with his influence. The statements reads: “It is incontrovertible today that Ooni Ogunwusi is a bridge builder and being the youngest chancellor appointed for the only university bearing “Nigeria” is worth the celebration.

“His appointment as chancellor, University Of Nigeria, Nsuka is considered as a positive sign that can further enhance peaceful coexistence of our dear nation as it was clearly stated in the letter of appointment written and signed by honorable minister of education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu on behalf of Mr President that Kabiyesi’ appointment is based on his wealth of experience and his capacity to manage men and resources which he has demonstrated in the administration of his Kingdom in the last three months.” The Ife monarch has been since as an agent of unity since he was installed.  He rewrote history when he visited Ibadan for the thanksgiving ceremony of the Alaafin of Oyo. The Ooni has reiterated that God ordered him to promote peace and unity with his position.