The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Breakdown

  • DIG: we stopped rally to prevent breakdown of law and order

    Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Habila Joshak said yesterday that the proposed rally of the People’s Democratic Party

    (PDP) in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital was stopped to prevent possible breakdown of law and order.

    The police boss added that no party will be allowed to hold any rally not approved by the police until the Saturday’s election is held.

    Joshak, who is the overall commander of security operations for the

    Ekiti State governorship election, said the PDP did not obtain police permit for the botched rally.

    The police chief, who addressed reporters earlier in the day before the Government House drama occurred, described the action as a “pre-emptive measure” that was adopted because of the tense situation in the state.

    Joshak said: “Because of the tense situation, we had to do what we did. We heard that His Excellency (Fayose) was doing something in the Government House, the cyclists narrowed the road but we won’t go and block his place.

    “We don’t want people to gather and start another rally because dispersing them with smoke is not the best. The pre-emptive measure was okay.

    “It is better to be pre-emptive by ensuring that the situation did not degenerate.”

    Joshak added: “We are not here to usurp the authority of Governor Fayose. We are not here to rubbish him because he represents the People.

    “But we are not going to allow any unauthorised rally that can trigger violence in the state. You can see that the state is tensed up.

    “As law enforcement agents, we must be proactive and take actions that can prevent crisis rather than trying to quell it after it might have broken out.”

    Joshak said the security details of Very Important Personalities (VIPs) in Ekiti will be withdrawn on Saturday to give all parties participating in the election a level playing field.

    The DIG explained that he will work with one Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Mr. H.H. Karma and three Commissioners of Police – Ali Janga, J.B. Kokumo and G.B. Umar, who will man each of the senatorial districts.

    Joshak said they had contacted Fayose’s security details and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Kayode Fayemi as well as other top government officials to report at 6am at the Police Headquarters in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday.

    He said: “We won’t allow anybody to go to the polling booth with armed

    Men; this is a breach of the Electoral Act.

    “We have contacted them and they have to be here before election commences. This election must not be compromised. They will be documented and whoever defies this will be sanctioned, because they have been contacted.”

    Joshak urged his men not to work for any political party, saying any police officer found exhibiting partisanship will have himself to blame.

    “Those who want to create posts where votes are going to be bought will be disappointed. We are not going allow it.

    “If you cast your votes, you can keep a distance and protect your votes, but if you snatch the ballot, we will cut off your hands; if you run with it, we will stop your legs.

    “If you come out with masquerade on the day of election, we will get it arrested and unmask the man behind it.”

    “My men will be civil, so people are free to come out to vote. Nobody will be harassed; that is not part of our duties.

  • ‘Killing of worshippers reflection of breakdown of law’

    A group has described the killing of 17 worshippers on New Year’s Day in Omoku,  headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government of Rivers State, as a reflection of breakdown of law and order.

    The body, Ikwerre Youth Movement (IYM) International, spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt.

    IYM, through its President-General Azubike Wanjoku, who represents Ikwerre in the House of Assembly, urged Governor Nyesom Wike to rescue the situation.

    Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi and Governor Nyesom Wike are Ikwerre.

    Amaechi is an indigene of Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government and Wike hails from Rumueprikom, Port Harcourt in Obio/Akpor.

    IYM cried out over cult-related activities and shooting in Ikwerre communities of Omademe, Omerelu, Ubima, Apani and kidnapping in Ubima, all in Ikwerre Local Government and Abonnema, the headquarters of Akuku-Toru Council.

    It described the ugly development as a bad omen in the new year.

    Ikwerre youths said: “We regret that Rivers State is involved in senseless massacre, while other states have begun to execute development agenda.

    “Rivers government should seek the cooperation of stakeholders at local governments and relevant security agencies to find solution to the resurgence of killings, kidnappings and shootings.

    “Rather than for the government to shift blames and call for redeployment of security chiefs, the energy should be channelled into building a formidable front to fight insecurity.”

    IYM enjoined the people to remain calm and law-abiding. It implored security agencies to arrest and prosecute the criminals, to act as a deterrent to others.

  • Saraki: we’ll give breakdown of National Assembly’s N115b budget

    Saraki: we’ll give breakdown of National Assembly’s N115b budget

    Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday promised to give details of the N115 billion National Assembly 2016 budget “section by section”.

    The lawmakers’ budget, he said, will be put into the public domain as against the practice of one item.

    He spoke at the inauguration of the renovated Senate Press Corps at the National Assembly, Abuja.

    Saraki’s response may be a tacit reply to corruption charges levelled against the National Assembly by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in its   letter to federal lawmakers.

    He said it was wrong for anybody to hold an individual or group of people solely responsible for what happened in the past.

    The Senate president noted that rather than trading words on the problems of the country, what was needed from stakeholders was collective participation for the good of Nigerians.

    He said: “We’ve been here since 1999 to the recent past when things were not done right; we are part of it.

    “I was there; you were there and every other political office holder was there.

    “My own view from the Eighth National Assembly is that the time for collective participation for the good of Nigerians is here with us in line with the change mantra of this administration.

    “We are on the same page for things to be done differently.

    “I think what we need now from stakeholders, is more of cooperation, encouragement and participation as opposed to trying to hold one person responsible for the mistakes of the past that we are part of. It is clearly not the right thing needed now.

    “I appeal to you and Nigerians that we should work together, just as I assure you that we will do well here in the National Assembly to practically complement the change agenda.”

    Saraki added that the National Assembly would come up with an amendment bill on the procurement process to ensure strict and transparent implementation of the N6.08 trillion 2016 budget.

    He added that “before we put our signatories to it, we need to be sure of its implementability.”

    The Senate president noted that if the 2016 budget was going to be realistic and successful, emphasis should be on the non-oil and independent revenue-generating sources.

    He reiterated that the Eighth Senate would focus on the revenue-generating areas and to ensure that leakages are blocked.

    Saraki added that though the 2016 budget proposal was ambitious, it could be achieved if all that was necessary to make it work was put in place.

    Asked if the 2016 budget was implementable in view of the dwindling price of crude oil at the international market, Saraki said: “I think this is one of the reasons why we are having the MDAs defend their proposals before the committees to be able to test some of the scenarios and some of the assumptions, particularly on the revenue side. If you look at the revenue, of about N3.8 trillion, N3 trillion is coming from non-oil and independent revenue.

    “The success of the budget, in my view, is less on the benchmark. It is more on those two items – non-oil revenue and independent revenue – and that is why we directed our Committee on Finance and other relevant committees to scrutinise the revenue side.

    “Even the Senate leadership intends to engage the ministries as well to check those two lines, because that is where the questions come on whether it is achievable. Before we put our signatures to it, we need to be sure those funds are there.

    “I believe they are ambitious but it is a good sign, because it begins to make us less dependent on oil. Because if N830 billion is coming from oil revenue and it is only 23 per cent. So, even if the price of oil goes down or up, we are not really so much vulnerable than that of the time oil revenue was accounting for 70 of our revenue. From that point of view, I believe that once we can do that, it is achievable.”

    He also advised the executive to put a proper plan in place for implementing the budget now that the National Assembly is working to pass it in record time.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said the Press Centre was refurbished to create a befitting working environment for journalists reporting the activities of the Senate.

     

  • Janet Jackson debunks cancer breakdown

    Janet Jackson has debunked the rumour indicating she is down with cancer.

    The singer took to her Instagram page early Thursday morning to inform her fans that, though she has been asked to take things easy, she is recovering and will still be on stage at her Unbreakable concert bill to hold on February 15th 2016 at the Sprint Center.

    “Remember… believe it when you hear it from my lips. The rumors are untrue, I do not have cancer. I’m recovering. My doctors have approved my concerts as scheduled in Europe, and as I promised, the postponed shows will be rescheduled. Thank you for your prayers and love.”

    This followed the post on her Instagram page on December 24, 2015, which reads: “Hey you guys… Happy Holidays to each and every one of you. I need you to know, I learned today, from my doctors that I must have surgery soon. It breaks my heart to tell you that I am forced to postpone the Unbreakable Tour until the spring. Every date will be rescheduled. Please hold on to your tickets. They will be honoured in a special way when the new schedule is announced. Please pray for me, my family and our entire company during this difficult time. There will be no further comment. I love you all so much and I’m ever grateful for your understanding and your love. Gon’ b alright.”

    In preparation for the concert, Janet has partnered with Uber   to give free rides to her US tour dates.”

  • Breakdown of accord: Four APGA Reps set to defect to PDP

    Breakdown of accord: Four APGA Reps set to defect to PDP

    •Ekwunife, Ogene, Azubogu, Egwuatu  dump APGA for PDP

    Ahead of 2015 poll, four members of the House of Representatives have accepted to defect from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The move is the first in the series of steps by the PDP to regain the control of Anambra State which it lost to APGA in the last eight years.

    The development also signposted the breakdown of an accord between APGA and PDP in Anambra State.

    The PDP had reached out to the four APGA lawmakers through a number of meetings in the last few weeks.

    It was gathered that the move was part of plans by the PDP to secure majority control of the House and make inroad into Anambra State.

    The four Representatives who have had what a source described as “high-level talks” with the PDP leadership  are the Chairman, House committee on Environment and Leader of the Anambra State caucus in the House, Hon. (Mrs.) Lilian Uche Ekwunife; the Deputy chairman, Media and  Public Affairs Committee, representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Hon.Victor Afam Ogene;  member representing Nnewi North / Nnewi South / Ekwusigo Federal Constituency and Deputy chairman, Committee on Capital Market, Hon. Chris Azubogu,; and Hon. Cyril Egwuatu of Onitsha North / Onitsha South Federal Constituency.

    It was learnt that with the negotiated defection of the four lawmakers, PDP will be in control of the 10 out of the 11 Anambra seats in the House of Representatives.

    The PDP secured five seats during the 2011 poll and an APGA member Hon. Charles (Odedo, Idemili North/Idemili South Federal Constituency) had earlier defected to the ruling party.

    A PDP source said: “We are already planning ahead for 2015 poll. This is why we are reaching out to critical stakeholders as part of the overall objective of securing the Southeast for President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP.

    “We have had tangible discussions with these four lawmakers, who will defect to PDP anytime from now.

    “We have always had unwritten working accord with APGA, it will be incorrect to say PDP is betraying the ruling party in Anambra State.”

    According to one of the sources close to the lawmakers, their defection followed alleged frustration by APGA in Anambra State.

    The source said: “The decision to leave APGA is hinged on two planks: the need to offer total support to the re-election efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015; and the persistent marginalisation / disregard for the federal lawmakers in the running of the party’s affairs in their home state of Anambra.

    “Would anyone believe that in a party we ought to be important stakeholders, we were never allowed to nominate any member of the various transition committees that ran the local government councils – a misnomer that continued with the election of council chairmen solely chosen by a handful of party administrators, who also appointed supervisory councilors?

    “This sordid state of affairs has led to massive disillusionment among our teeming supporters and a broad spectrum of party faithful, leading to unending legal suits in the battle for the soul of the party.”

    Another source said: “Were it not for the sacrifice of leaders like Ekwunife, do you think APGA would have won the governorship poll in Anambra State.

    “Yet, the same leaders who worked tirelessly for the party are being ignored, marginalised and even their political bases are being eroded.”

    Angered by their alleged marginalisation, one of the affected House members said: “Though I am not from Anambra North Senatorial district, I supported and campaigned vigorously for the governorship slot to shift to that area because hitherto, nobody from the North senatorial zone had been governor of the state since its creation.

    “But after we collectively delivered the position to that zone, they (North) have resorted to the monopolisation of power, with about 80 percent of Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), Special Assistants (SAs), and Executive Assistants (EAs) coming from the zone.

    “In addition, the North has continued to hold onto the critical positions of governor and speaker, which in a democracy is a misnomer because it will not promote accountability and prudent use of resources; yet in the midst of all these, the leadership of the party has blatantly refused to convene any party meeting where these issues would be discussed”, the legislator fumed.

    An aide to Hon. Ogene (who is said to be away on a one-week programme abroad), Mr. Edward Dibiana, confirmed that there were several overtures to the lawmakers.

    He however added that Ogene is still in APGA unless the political tempo in the state dictated otherwise.

    Dibiana added: “This is electioneering period and every political party is either trying to retain members in its fold by offering them automatic tickets, or seeking to poach others, using the same offer.

    “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are neck- deep in this game of wits, but as I speak with you, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene is still a member of APGA, but in the changing tides of politics, I can’t predict what will happen tomorrow “.

    A source in APGA said: “What will PDP gain in decimating this great party? Must all Nigerians belong to the ruling party? We have been warning our leaders, including former Governor Peter Obi against romancing with PDP.

    “If they think the Igbo will move en masse to PDP, they are joking. I think those defecting are unsure of their political future and chose to pitch tent with PDP. Let us see how far they can go.

    “All I can tell you is that Governor Willy Obiano is not marginaliSing anybody at all.”