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Tag: 2015 election

2015 election: ‘Diezani collected N23bn from three oil marketers’

The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard that a former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke allegedly collected N23billion ($115.01million) from three oil marketers ahead of the 2015 general election.

An investigator, Usman Zakari, said she allegedly distributed the money to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chiefs and others.

Zakari was testifying before Justice Muslim Hassan in the trial of former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide.

She was charged along with former Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Ayo Adeseun; a PDP leader in Oyo State, Chief Olarenwaju Otiti and Mrs Alison-Madueke, who is said to be at large.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused them of conspiring to directly take possession of N650million, which they reasonably ought to have known was part of proceeds of an unlawful act, and without going through a financial institution.

Zakari, the second prosecution witness, said Akinjide and others allegedly received N650million cash in March 2015 at the Dugbe branch of a bank in Ibadan on Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s instructions, and that the money was part of N23billion which the former oil minister kept in the bank.

According to the witness, the N23billion was the naira equivalent of $115.01million which Mrs Alison-Madueke allegedly collected from three oil marketers, including Lano Adesanya, ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, Zakari said the commission received a “Category A intelligence” about a meeting at Mrs Alison-Madueke’s house in December 2014 with the bank’s Managing Director and some oil marketers.

According to Zakari, she told the bank chief that the oil marketers would bring hard currencies to the bank, and that he should keep the money until further directives.

The witness said Autus Integrated Limited took $17.8million to the bank; Northern Belt Oil and Gas lodged $60million; while Mid-Western Oil Services Limited paid $9.5million.

“An individual, Lano Adesanya, brought the sum of $1.8million. Our findings further revealed that the three oil marketers made payment of the sum of $89million and some fractions.

“Investigations further revealed that the then petroleum minister’s aides made available $25million and some fractions in suitcases…,” the witness said.

Zakari said Mrs Alison-Madueke directed the bank to convert the dollars to naira, which was complied with, after which she allegedly directed that the defendants be paid.

“They signed for the money and took it to the residence of the first defendant (Akinjide). The defendants made cash payment of N650million without going through any financial institution, an amount which was more than the amount authorised by law to be paid in cash,” Zakari said.

He said Akinjide and Adeseun “admitted making cash payments in that amount.”

Defence counsel Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) and Michael Lana urged the court to expunge Zakari’s evidence because he did not personally witness the meeting at Mrs Alison-Madueke’s house or the cash withdrawal at the bank.

But, Oyedepo argued that Zakari’s evidence was not hearsay but was based on his investigative findings.

“In view of the fact that the evidence that PW2 gave was the discovery he made in the course of his investigation, the law is settled that such evidence cannot amount to hearsay,” Oyedep said.

Justice Hassan adjourned till March 23.

March 10, 2018
Northern masses were never with Jonathan – Shehu Sani

The Senator representing Kaduna Central, Senator Shehu Sani, said that only a section of Northern elite betrayed former President Goodluck Jonathan during the 2015 election.

Senator Sani said that the overwhelming majority of northern masses were never with Jonathan during the election.

He said that a section of the northern elite who collected huge sums of money from Jonathan gave him the wrong impression that the entire north was with him.

He noted that although it is true that Jonathan appointed many northerners into his government, those he appointed did not tell him the truth that majority of northern masses were against him.

Sani said in a telephone interview that the crippling effect of the Boko Haram insurgency in the north, the fact that many northerners felt that it was the turn of the north to produce the president against Jonathan’s insistence to contest the 2015 election made many northerners to vote against him.

He said that the fact that northern masses were overwhelmingly against the candidature of Jonathan was obvious.

Sani said that a section of the northern elite failed to tell Jonathan the truth about the mood in the north before the election and could actually be said to have betrayed the former president.

April 28, 2017
Buhari assure Nigerians of a better country

President Mohammadu Buhari on Thursday in Kano declared that the change agenda of the All Progressive Congress (APC) will no doubt reflect and create an enduring hope to better the lots of Nigerians contrary to insinuation from some quarter.

Buhari in his message during the launch of the North West National Committee of Buhari Support Groups, (NCBSG) said that efforts and dedication of Nigerians will change our country for the better.

The President’s message, read by Senator Ahmed Lawal said, “I’m happy to send this message of thanks and good will to all organizers and participants on the lunching of National Committee of Buhari Support group taking place today in Kano. Your effort and dedication are very well known to me. You are inviting this part of movement on the APC and change agenda. We must change our country for the better.”

“We must stand by regarding ourselves as examples; change begins with you and I and then all of us in Nigeria. You should carry this message to all corners of our country. It is a bottom up operation in our country. Successes at your level is success for all of and our dear country.”

“I wish you a very successful launching and I looking forward to getting up to date reports of your activities”

The Chairman Board of Trustees of NCBSG, Senator Abu Ibrahim who represents Katsina south senatorial district  told the group from the north west zone that President Buhari is been endorsed for a major interest that will reflect the creation of a new hope for Nigerians in which his committed and determined to achieve.

According to him, “the group was   formed   with   the   mandate   to   coordinate   and organise the affairs of the various Buhari Support Groups that participated in the enthronement and ascension to office of President Muhammadu Buhari through the 2015 election.”

“These pre-existing   support   groups piloted the grassroots initiatives via which our Dear President’s message of hope was delivered to all the nooks and crannies of the country and we intend to keep them as channels of outreach and feedback between the government and the citizenry.

“It is   our desire   therefore   to   use this   gathering   today as   a platform to appreciate and express our profound gratitude to you all.

“When we elected President Muhammadu Buhari into office, we did so with the conviction that our dear nation needed to be put on a new pedestal, for the dreams of our founding fathers to be realised.

“We were convinced of the need to establish a firm foundation   upon   which   a   united,   peaceful   and   prosperous nation can be built by, and for, this and succeeding generations of Nigerians. It is in this regard that I must personally commend all of you for your patience and understanding as our Dear President steers us through the difficult steps necessary to achieve this objective.

“The poor management of the country, especially under the watch of the now opposition PDP, is the reason we have had to endure a harsh economic climate. The signs of a decline in the economy   were   there   a   clear   two   years   before   the   2015 elections.

“It is therefore inexcusable that those who had the responsibility of managing our affairs failed to save for the rainy day and freely helped themselves with our common patrimony, including funds earmarked for restoring peace and security in the land.

“Recent gory news of the recoveries of stolen cash provides proof that some individuals behaved like delinquent juveniles, to paraphrase Mr. President, when they had the opportunity to lead this great nation.

“We must stand firm and resolute to say NEVER AGAIN shall we allow the destiny of Nigeria in the hands of unscrupulous abusers of public trust, wanton riggers of elections and peddlers of thuggery. They should never be allowed to tie down the destiny of this   land   of   inestimable potential, to their whims and caprices.

“As you and I know, when they fail to explain away their glaringly failed stewardship, they resort to name-calling. When that doesn’t deter you, they resort to outright blackmail and threats to life and property. It is our collective duty to restore this nation’s pride because we have no choice.

“This land belongs to all of us and we must be proud to work tirelessly to make it better for our children and our children’s children. Let the naysayers know that we shall never give up this God-given right.”

However, Senators from Katsina, Yobe, Ondo as well as house of representative members and some top government dignitaries and politicians graced the launching.

April 20, 2017
Why PDP didn’t win 2015 election – Makarfi

The factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, on Friday said the party would have won the 2015 presidential election if it had fielded a northern candidate.

Makarfi said the “gang up” by the north against the PDP would not have been possible if the party had presented a northern presidential candidate.

He stated that the party also became too comfortable and stopped communicating with the people to know what they wanted, adding that made it possible for propaganda to be used against the party.

He also said imposition of candidates was partly responsible for the failure and crisis in the party and should not be allowed to continue.

The ex- Kaduna governor said, “PDP would have won the 2015 presidential election straight away with a northern candidate.

“The reason is that, it would have been impossible to make an issue out of this North and South thing. We would have broken the North’s gang up so to say against the PDP.

“Again, we became too comfortable. A little bit of arrogance sometimes. We were not communicating well with the people. Because we were not communicating well, we failed to get what the people were saying, and of course, that made it easier for propaganda to be used against us. And that propaganda went deep that we couldn’t do anything again.”

February 24, 2017
Thank God Jonathan lost 2015 election Niger Delta leader

In the face of the growing criticisms against the present administration’s handling of the economy, the Chairman of the Niger Delta Nationalities Forum in Lagos, Mr. Seigha Manager, has given the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government a pat in the back. He said the president is doing his best in spite of the fact that things are terribly hard.

In a chat with The Nation, Manager noted that if Jonathan had won the election in 2015, he would have been in a big mess with the current oil price. “I doubt if he will not be stoned by Nigerians and even Niger Deltans if the economy could be as bad as it is now. If he had won he would not have left as a great leader that he is today. So, I thank God that he lost the election and it is Buhari that is presently in office and those who believe in him are still hopeful,” he said.

Manager also lauded Federal Government’s decision to dialogue with leaders of Niger Delta region saying: “The dialogue is extremely necessary and even overdue. President Buhari is right in dialoguing with the leaders but for not doing this since 2015, I feel very strongly that he is overwhelmed by the undue pressure and misinformation from either his party or overzealous folks, otherwise as a former head of state, and a former Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) chairman, he should be the most qualified, most guided and most experienced leader to handle the Niger Delta crisis with utmost care.

To bring about lasting peace in the Niger Delta region, Manager said: “The president should look into the issue of amnesty programme and give it everything he can. He should bring in more restive youths into it and pay them their stipend as and when due. Although we talk of the infrastructural development and all sorts of development in Niger Delta, the one that is immediate and can affect the lives of the youth is the amnesty, which is the only successful interventionist programme in Niger Delta. The president should ensure that they are not only trained but counselled at the end of the amnesty programme to be able to fit into the civil society.

“As for other interventionist agencies like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Niger Delta Ministry, the president should make up his mind either to fund them properly or scrap them completely. If he is unable for whatever reason to fund the agencies properly, he should scrap them rather than create the impression that there are so many interventionist agencies in the region and that the government has done so much for them even when they are not properly funded.”

Aside from the amnesty programme, Manager also asked the Federal Government to take another look at allocation of oil blocks. “The allocation of oil blocs and wells to Nigerians without recourse to the Niger Delta people is another issue. The richest woman in Nigeria cum Africa is from the southwest and her source of wealth is oil. The richest man in Nigeria cum Africa is from the northwest and his wealth is largely tied to oil exploit.

“Oil bloc allocation is the prerogative of the president of Nigeria at any point in time and when he allocates, until such allocation is changed by law, it remains so. We are grateful to the late General Sani Abacha, who created Bayelsa State and allocated oil blocs to three deserving Nigeria citizens from the Southeast, Northeast and South-south (Niger Delta).

“These three oil blocs are OPL 244, OPL 245 and OPL 246. OPL 245 was allocated to a Niger Delta citizen and the only one I know to be so. While the other two have enjoyed peace and tranquility in the hands of their owners, that of the Niger Delta citizen, OPL 245, is akin to a bird standing on a tiny rope. Neither the bird nor the rope has seen peace till date.

“It is the only oil bloc that every passing regime has poked into simply because the allottee is a Niger Deltan. It is the only oil bloc that has been allocated, cancelled, later returned to the allottee and then is under probe at any given time. All of this is happening because the allottee is from the Niger Delta, yet the owner does not fall in the bracket of rich persons in Nigeria not to talk of Africa. There are other issues like that.”

He further said: “Recall that Senator Ita Enang once stated on the floor of the Senate how about 85 percent of oil blocs are allocated to northerners and others to the exclusion of Niger Deltans. I am not aware if that situation has changed. Yet, it is the only oil bloc allocated to a Niger Deltan that has become a source of dispute and sought after by others. That is the height of injustice against the Niger Delta people. This is not only wicked but also evil and shameful. President Buhari as a man of integrity must intervene in this matter.

“These are the things that bring restiveness to the Niger Delta. Therefore, I am appealing to Mr. President and even the National Assembly members, whom we know that as at today, have constituted committees again and again to probe this particular oil bloc, to please sympathise with us in the Niger Delta and allow us to have some peace. Let the Niger Deltan who owns the oil bloc own it for good, while the president looks into other issues. But, in all of this, we are watching the role of our legislators.

November 19, 2016
April 11 polls: IGP orders restriction of vehicular movement

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, has ordered restriction of vehicular movement in the 36 states, from 8a.m. to 5p.m. for the governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, on Thursday in Abuja.

The statement explained that the measure was to ensure safety and security during the polls.

“There is no restriction of vehicular movement in the Federal Capital Territory as there is no election taking place there on the said date,’’ the statement said.

It added that the restriction excluded “vehicles on essential duty such as Fire Service, ambulances and vehicles used by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and law enforcement/security agencies.’’

The statement assured that adequate security logistics and manpower had been strategically deployed to achieve conducive atmosphere for the polls.

It said that policemen on election duty had been properly briefed on their roles as stipulated in the Electoral Act.

“They are expected to be professional, non-partisan, civil but firm in their approach and relation to the public.’’

It called on the citizens to remain vigilant and report all suspicious movements or dealings to appropriate police authority.

April 9, 2015
Anxiety as INEC set to decide on February 14 elections

Nigerians are eagerly awaiting the announcement by the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) on whether the February election dates would still hold as scheduled or not.

INEC has held several meetings with stakeholders, Saturday, to brainstorm on the possible way out.

At the moment, a meeting between the chairman of INEC, Attahiru Jega and other electoral officers is underway in Abuja, after which Jega is expected to brief the Press on the decision reached by the electoral umpire.

February 7, 2015
APC promises to build one million houses annually

The All Progressive Congress ‎has said it will build one million houses per annum if elected into power.

The party also disclosed plans ‎to address 17 million housing deficit in the country.

While the APC said it will review the ‎Land Use Act and provide infrastructures to realise the plan, the Peoples Democratic Party said it has commenced plans through mortgage to address the situation.

The APC National Publicity ‎Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the PDP representative, Dr. Catchy Onanoju, spoke at the fourth edition of the Nigeria Political Parties Discussion (NPPD) inter-party debate organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) on Thursday Abuja.

The topic of the debate was – “The Challenges of Housing, Water and Power Supply in Nigeria: What is the Master Plan?”

Mohammed said, “We will use the Land use Act to reform land in a manner that will encourage all states to computerise their lands.

“That’s why we said we will create a mortgage market that we can build one million houses per annum.”

However, Onanoju stated that PDP has committed 50 million Euro bond to finance the mortgage.

“We have also asked the relevant government ‎agencies, especially the Nigeria Mortgage Refinancing Company (NMRC) take active hold of the money.

“We have already partnered 18 states to provide affordable housing from rent to own approach,” he stated.

On water, the PDP representative said Federal Government has provided enough water for power and agriculture through dry season farming and sanitation‎.

He said over 200 dams have been built so far without any form of taxation on the people.

January 22, 2015
2015: Osinbajo woos Nigerians in Diaspora

The Vice Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has taken the party’s campaign to Nigerians in the Diaspora as he woos support of APC-Diaspora, Canada Chapter ahead of the February 14 general elections.

Osinbajo made the move in a video-conference with members of the APC diaspora.

Osinbajo who spoke to members in Toronto, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary and Montreal, said that Nigeria was due for change.

He said that the APC and Nigerians back home yearns for change from the policies of the current administration.

The progress of Nigeria, he said, has been hindered since the Peoples Democratic Party took over in 1999.

He promised that if the APC was elected into power by Nigerians, the party will correct all anomalies of the PDP and restore Nigeria’s lost glory as the pride of Africa.

Osinbajo expressed optimism on the effectiveness and workability of his party’s policies in tackling the socio-economic problems plaguing the country.

According to him, the administration of successive governments led by the PDP has been characterized by graft and corruption, whose effect inhibits the nation’s progress and development.

He said that the APC recognizes corruption as the central issue facing Nigeria, adding that General Muhammadu Buhari, who has a reputation as a strict fighter against corruption will end the pandemic.

Prof. Osinbajo said that the APC recognizes the enormous human resources available to Nigerians abroad, whose skills, talents, knowledge and experience are contributing to the development of other countries around the world.

He added that APC government will identify such talents and integrate them in building a Nigeria of our dream if elected into power.

In separate responses, leaders of APC-Diaspora, Canada Chapter, including the Chairman, Dr. Kayode Alabi, the Patron, Prof Isa Odidi, Vice Chairman, Ibraheem Haruna, and secretary, Rahman Ilupeju assured Prof. Yemi Osinbajo of the full support of Diaspora branches for the party and appealed to Nigerians back home to vote wisely.

They also encouraged Nigerians to objectively analyze issues confronting the nation, assess the performance of the current government and the (PDP) as a whole, in comparison with development witnessed in APC controlled States in Nigeria and the good policies and plans itemized by Osinbajo and choose the path of positive transformation.

Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer, APC-Diaspora, Canada Chapter, Mr. Jerry Solomon, has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the law enforcement agencies to ensure a level playing ground for all aspirants.

He called on INEC and the government to conduct a free and fair election and avoid the use of security apparatus to harass and intimidate electorates.

He said these were the issues that usually lead to post-election violence.

Solomon also advised the political parties and all the stakeholders to emulate Prof. Osinbajo and base their campaign strategy more on issues that borders on how to develop the country rather than attacking each other and using political thugs to cause violence and disturbing the peace of the nation.

Mr. Lekan Olatunde, the facilitator of the program, in his closing remark, thanked all members for making the program a success and assured Prof. Yemi Osinbajo of the commitment and support of APC-Diaspora towards the course of positive change in Nigeria.

January 21, 2015
Jonathan will campaign in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa – Gana

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will take President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election campaign train to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and other states ravaged by Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeastern part of the country.

The Chairman of the PDP fundraising dinner and former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, stated this in Abuja on Monday.

Gana is also the Director, Contact and Mobilisation of the President’s campaign organasation.

Towns and villages in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States have come under bloody attacks by Boko Haram insurgents. Several towns and villages have been seized by the sect members, with hundreds of innocents citizens killed, maimed and abducted by insurgents on a daily basis.

Gana said: “As the Director, Contact and Mobilisation, yes, we will go to the North East, the campaign organisation is going to be inaugurated today (Monday) and because we are organised, the programme is ready.

“North East is in our programme and in fact we are going to campaign in Maiduguri, Yobe and everywhere else and by the grace of God, we shall come back.”
Speaking on the chances of the PDP in the February elections, Prof. Gana said the electorates will go for capacity and experience.

“People will go for experience and capacity and not those that will be experimenting with the new house because we don’t know whether the new house will last after the election.

“People who want to be stable build on solid rock, which is the PDP. The other one is the sand and when you build on sand, it may scatter. Please advise Nigerians to vote for the party that is on the rock.

“This is a critical year for Nigeria, but it will all go well. There won’t be violence, the elections will be free and fair. The winner will be clear, Nigeria will not break up. Anyone who says Nigeria will be divided will be disappointed because Nigerians have become very mature politicians and democrats.”

January 5, 2015