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Tag: Bukola Saraki

  • Obasanjo, Saraki, Okorocha arrive Monrovia for Weah’s inauguration

    Obasanjo, Saraki, Okorocha arrive Monrovia for Weah’s inauguration

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki,  arrived Monrovia on Monday morning for the swearing in of Liberia’s President-elect, George Weah.

    Obasanjo’s plane touched down at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) at 8:01 a.m. (9 a.m. Nigerian time)  while Saraki arrived at 9:02 a.m.

    Obasanjo

    On hand to receive them were the Nigerian Ambassador to Liberia, Mr James Dimka; Force Commander for the United Nations Mission in Liberia, Maj.-Gen. Salihu Uba,  among other officials.

    Speaking to newsmen, Obasanjo said he was a proud  to witness a peaceful democratic transfer of power in Liberia  considering the huge sacrifices made by Nigeria for peace and stability in the country.

    “I am very happy over what is happening in Liberia today and I congratulate my brothers and sisters in this great country,” he said.

    A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent in Monrovia covering the inauguration reports that Saraki was accompanied by Senators Philip Aduda  and Osita Izunaso.

    Saraki

    Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo arrived minutes before the senate’s  helmsman.

    The airport is witnessing an influx of special guests from Africa and around the world, including current and former heads of states.

    Former Super Eagles midfielder, Austin Okocha, was  among the international soccer stars already in the country.

    Okocha arrived at 9.54 a.m. into the warm embrace of soccer fans and government officials from other countries that fell over themselves to take photographs with the football legend.

    NAN

  • Buhari, Senate leadership meet in Aso Rock 

    Buhari, Senate leadership meet in Aso Rock 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday night met with the leadership of the Nigerian Senate at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The Senate President, Bukola Saraki led the delegation.

    Speaking at the end of the meeting, Saraki said that they were at the Villa to brief the President on the decisions and resolutions of the Senate regarding the Benue crisis.

    Asked what the President’s response was,  Saraki said that the President received the team and it’s briefs very well.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters (Senate), Ita Enang commended the Senate for robust debate on the crisis devoid of sentiments.

  • Armed Forces Day: Saraki seeks enhanced welfare for military

    Armed Forces Day: Saraki seeks enhanced welfare for military

    Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Monday called on the Federal Government and military authorities to prioritize the welfare of both their serving and retired personnel, in view of the enormous sacrifices they render to sustain the peace and security of the country.

    Saraki, according to a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, made the call after laying a wreath at the National Arcade to commemorate the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He lauded the national attention being accorded the nation’s armed forces through the annual celebration of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, and said it is time to do more for members of of the armed forces still serving and those who have retired, while not neglecting the families of the fallen heroes.

    Saraki said: “I must commend the Federal Government for its commitment to ensure that the nation’s armed forces are fully catered for in terms of operational logistics and welfare packages. But there is room for more when you consider that these are men who have given their all and continue to give their all for the security, stability and prosperity of the country.

    “While serving members of the armed forces must be made to feel that their effort at protecting the territorial integrity of the country and assisting in the maintenance of law and order internally – often at the risk of their very lives – is not in vain, the welfare of the immediate families of all our fallen heroes must be given due consideration,” he stated.

    While commending the leadership and members of the Nigerian armed forces for their continuous support to civil authorities in ensuring the safety of lives and property in all parts of the country, he called on them not to relent in restoring peace to all troubled parts of the country.

    He pledged that the National Assembly will continue to ensure that all bills relating to the armed forces’ operation and welfare are given accelerated consideration and passage from time to time.

    Earlier in a social media post, the Senate President thanked members of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their commitment to keeping the nation safe.

    His post:

  • 2019: PDP begins search for presidential flag bearer

    2019: PDP begins search for presidential flag bearer

    Key stakeholders and power blocs within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have begun the covert search for an acceptable candidate that will fly the party’s flag in the 2019 presidential election.

    The party has also renewed its pressure on the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, former Kano State Governor, Senator Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso and other prominent chieftains that dumped the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014.

    Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP, Senator Walid Jibrin, who dropped the hint in Abuja on Tuesday, also confirmed that the party was already weighing options regarding the suitability of the array of aspirants lining up for the job.

    Jibrin spoke at Legacy House, the party’s campaign headquarters while addressing a PDP youth group, Ward-To-Ward that paid him a courtesy visit. He, however, clarified that the search is restricted to aspirants from the North.

    “We are all doing what we can in the North with all the leaders to identify who is the best candidate to rule this country. The best person that will take away power from the ruling party because 2019 is our own. 2019 is for PDP.

    “We as a party, have agreed that the President of Nigeria in 2019 should come from the North. I enjoin you to support the North to bring and give you a very capable President; never-a-no-do-well President, a good qualitative President.

    Describing the return of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to the PDP as a good omen, Jibrin said the party was expecting more of the chieftains that dump the PDP for the APC before the 2015 general elections.

    He listed Saraki and Kwankwaso as key among those expected to rejoin the PDP, adding that others being expected to return to the party include serving National Assembly members and former governors.

    Jibrin said: “We are also expecting a big return of some of our former governors, our National Assembly members and very renowned party followers. And when this is done, which will be done very quickly, then the party will now come to its stable stand.

    “We should encourage everybody who has left us to come back and reunite with us. We will not hate anyone or deprive anybody. It is a good omen for this party that we should receive people.

    “We are therefore calling on the Senate President Bukola Saraki, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and all our former legislators who have left this party to come back quickly”.
    ‎
    The BoT chair also disclosed that the party has constituted a special reconciliation committee headed by a former President of the Senate, David Mark.

    According to him, the Mark committee has been mandated to mediate in grievances among BoT members that disagreed over the choice of chairmanship candidate at the December 9 national convention of the party.

    Some of the BoT members had openly taken sides with their preferred candidates, a development that Jibrin said was divisive and tended to erode the neutrality of the BoT as the conscience of the party.

    Jibrin regretted that members of the BoT had remained neutral before that chairmanship campaign, but that along the line, some members decided to give open support to some aspirants. This he said, had left the BoT members divided.

    The BoT chair commended the role played by the party’s governors in the convention in which Prince Uche Secondus emerged as National Chairman.

    He credited the governors with the success of the convention, adding that all the party’s 11 governors gave the necessary support to ensure Secondus’ emergence.

  • Residents groan as water scarcity hits Ilorin

    Residents groan as water scarcity hits Ilorin

    Residents of Ilorin and its environs are apparently groaning following perennial water scarcity which has resurfaced in the city.

    The residents of Ilorin town would have to walk a distance to fetch water for drinking and for other domestic use.

    Many residents are sourcing water from motorized borehole drilled by the privileged individuals in their areas.

    Some residents at Emir’s road, Balogun Fulani, Taiwo road, Okelele, Gambari and Baboko among others said that the pitiable situation had become a recurring decimal in the Kwara capital.

    They asserted that the state government was doing little to ameliorate the suffering of the people.

    Read also: LWC urges Lagosians to use water wisely

    “No sooner that dry season sets in; we begin to experience water scarcity in earnest.

    “It has become a perennial experience that government will need to urgently address with short and long term measures”, Ronke Asekunlowo said.

    Dr Oba La’aro, a staff of the University of Ilorin, decried situation where water supply in the capital was receding into a village size supply.

    According to him, substantial number of the residents would have to troop out in search of water every morning and evening.

    Mr Abdulrazaq Akorede, the state Commissioner for Water Resource while reacting, said the problem of water shortage in Ilorin would soon be resolved once the ongoing water reticulation project is completed.

    He expressed optimism that with the level of works done so far, saying that the project would be completed in the next four to five months.

    The Commissioner, however, lamented that some facilities of the water project were being destroyed by some vandals, which he said was affecting the progress of the project.

    He explained that both the state and the Federal Governments had carried out interventions on some water projects in the state.

    According to him, there was an ongoing expansion of Malete waterworks and Agba Dam waterworks, which is almost completed.

    The construction of the Malete waterworks, he said was facilitated by the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and would be completed soon and inaugurated.

    He added that the state government would also work on the Oyun waterworks.

    He said that the government appreciated the patience of people of the state while the project lasts.

    NAN

  • NNPC’s Subsidy Fraud, A Must Probe -ADP

    NNPC’s Subsidy Fraud, A Must Probe -ADP

    The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has mandated the National Assembly both the upper and lower chambers to wade into the subsidy controversy and probe it.
    In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday, by the ADP Lagos Spokesman, Prince Adelaja Adeoye, he said that the discrepancies in the subsidy claim has further created tensions, controversies and doubts in the minds of Nigerians. While he explain in details, he called on the Senate President Bukola Saraki to urgently set up a committee to look into the subsidy controversy.
    According to ADP, the current fuel scarcity that has left Nigerians in a sorry state, in this festive season, has revealed monumental fraud in the NNPC, through its involvement in secret payment of subsidy. This is of huge significance because, the Buhari’s government had told Nigerians that subsidy was removed in early 2016, the party said. 
    The party said further that, it could be recalled that in the wake of the present fuel scarcity, the APC government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, had blamed the problem on major oil marketers, whom it alleged were asking for an increase in the pump price of fuel. However, the oil marketers later countered the allegation, maintaining that their problem with the government, was far from the alleged demand for pump price increase; and went on to reveal that they were being owed huge sum by the FG in subsidy payment.
    The revelation, immediately prompted an outcry from Nigerians who demanded to known what subsidy, the marketers were talking about, taken into account that the Buhari’s government had told the nation, in early 2016 that fuel subsidy has been removed, a development, which lead to the increase in pump price from N87 to N145.
    In their explanation in May 2016, through VP Osinbajo, the FG explained that the fuel subsidy removal as follows;
    “First, the real issue is not a removal of subsidy. At $40 a barrel there isn’t much of a subsidy to remove.” Explaining further, VP Osinbajo said;
    “We realised that we were left with only one option. This was to allow independent marketers and any Nigerian entity to source their own foreign exchange and import fuel. We expect that foreign exchange will be sourced at an average of about N285 to the dollar, (current interbank rate). They would then be restricted to selling at a price between N135 and N145 per litre.
    What this meant was that Marketers were importing fuel and selling as dictated by the market forces, with little government regulation to avoid excessive pricing of the sales of fuel to the Nigerian masses.
    Also, Speaking with Nigerians in October 2016, in an interactive session in Berlin, Buhari said, “There are things that are happening, and if such had happened before there would have been major riot, like the removal of subsidy on fuel,” further confirming Osinbajo’s earlier claims.
    These are the reasons ADP said its in total disbelief to hear that there was still anything called subsidy, associated with fuel. Hence, in a swift reaction, and to cover this fraud or probably to silence Nigerians who kept demanding for an explanation of this sudden subsidy claim, the party noted that the VP Osinbajo told the nation that NNPC and not the federal government is responsible for the subsidy payment. In his words, “NNPC and not the Federal Government pays for the fuel subsidy that has emerged with the N171 landing cost as against the official retail price of N145.”
    ADP said it is calling on the Nigerian Senate to do the needful by investigating the NNPC’s fraud, to save Nigeria from the monumental fraud supervised by GMD Maikanti Baru and his team at NNPC happening in the open and to the knowledge of Buhari, the party concluded.
  • Saraki, Ahmed, Emir for Quranic competition

    Saraki, Ahmed, Emir for Quranic competition

    Senate President Bukola Saraki, Kwara state Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Emir of Ilorin are expected to grace the finals of this year’s quranic competition.

    The finals of the competition, organized by the state Quranic competition committee, holds between 28th and 29th of this month at the state’s stadium complex.

    The chief host is the chairman , Kwara state Arabic board, Dr. Abdulkadir Juma’ Al-Salman, the co-host is the Danmadami of Ilorin and chairman, state Quranic Committee, Alhaji Sheu Abdulgafar.

    Spokesperson of the committee, Alhaji Nuhu Isa said that the proprietor of Baraje Centre for Arabic and Islamic studies, Ilorin, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje would be the chairman of the occasion while Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Netherlands, Dr. Nimatallahi Akanbi would be the chairperson. A Sharia court Khadi, Justice AbdulLateef Kamaldeen is the guest lecturer.

    The finals would produce the state’s reciters for the national contest coming up in Katsina between 2nd February and 11, 2018.

    The statement added that the reciters had gone through the local government and senatorial level contests to qualify for the finals where the state’s representatives for the national contest would emerge.

    The statement said those who excelled in the competition would be presented with prizes on at the closing ceremony on 30th December at the state stadium complex, Ilorin.

  • Senate postpones deliberation on FG’s plan to withdraw $1bn

    Senate postpones deliberation on FG’s plan to withdraw $1bn

    The Senate on Thursday, postponed deliberation on the proposed withdrawal of one billion dollars from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) by the Federal Government, to fight insurgency and other security concerns across the country.

    The action followed an observation by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu on the floor of the senate on the matter.

    Ekweremadu had observed that deliberation on the matter was slated for Thursday and expressed surprise that it was not listed on the Order Paper.

    The senate thereafter moved the matter to the next legislative day, after its recess, following the absence of Sen. Sam Anyanwu who was meant to present the motion on the floor.

    In his remarks, Senate President Bukola Saraki, assured the lawmakers that the matter would be treated as a matter of priority upon resumption, adding that it would be listed as first item for consideration.

    Read also: Senate  to Fed Govt: don’t sell National Theatre, TBS

    He said, “The issue would have come up today but Sen. Sam Anyanwu could not present the motion today.

    “He pleaded for more time and I agree that we move it to another legislative day, which is when we resume. It will be the first item on the Order Paper.

    “It is an important motion that we cannot take if the person that moved it is not here. It cannot be delegated. I assure you that we will take it.

    “Our party will not spend money that did not follow due process. I am assuring you that the money will not be spent until we come here and debate on it,’’ he said.

    The National Economic Council( NEC ) had last week in its meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, agreed to withdraw one billion dollars from the ECA to be used in tackling insecurity in the country.

    NAN

  • Asset declaration: Appeal Court quashes Saraki’ acquittal by CCT

    Asset declaration: Appeal Court quashes Saraki’ acquittal by CCT

     

    … Senate president to lose seat if convicted

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to return to the Code of Conduct Tribunal for his false asset declaration trial.

    A three-man panel of the appellate court led by Justice Tinuade Akomolafe Wilson held that the prosecution was able to establish a prima facie case against Saraki in three of the 18 charges brought against him and subsequently quashed the remaining 15.

    The charges are on count 4, 5 and 6 and bordered on his alleged failure to declare houses he acquired in Abuja and Lagos.

    The court ordered that the case be remitted back to the tribunal for the Senate president to enter his defence.

    If convicted by the CCT, the Senate president may be banned from holding public office for years as the tribunal is not empowered by the constitution to jail erring public officers.

    The CCT had on June 14 upheld Saraki’s no-case submission and acquitted him on the false assets declaration charges.

    The charges:

    Count 4 – That you, DR. Olubukola Abubakar Saraki on or about 3rd June, 2011 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Tribunal did make a false declaration in the Assets Declaration Form for Public Officers at the end of your tenure of office as Governor of Kwara State in 2011 by your refusal to declare Plot 37A, Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos which you acquired between2007 and 2008 through your company Carlisle Properties Limited from the Implementation Committee on Federal Government Landed Properties for a total sum of N325, 000,000.00 (Three Hundred and Twenty-Five Million Naira) and you thereby committed an offence under section 15 (1) & (2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap. C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and as incorporated under paragraphs 11 (1), & (2) of part l, Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and punishable under Section 23 (2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act and as incorporated under paragraph 18 of Part l, Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

    Count 5 – That you, Dr. Olubukola Abubakar Saraki, while being the executive governor of Kwara State on or about 18th September, 2003 within the jurisdiction of this honourable tribunal do make a false declaration in the assets declaration form for public officers on the assumption of office as governor of Kwara State by your refusal to declare No. 1  Tagus Street, Maitama, Abuja, otherwise known as Plot 2482 Cadastral Zone, Abuja, which you claimed in your end of tenure asset declaration form in 2011 to have acquired in November 1999 from one David Baba Akawu and thereby committed an offence under section 15 (1) and (2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act,  Cap C15  Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and is incorporated under paragraphs (1) (1) and (2) of Part I. Fifth Schedule to 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended.

    Count 6 – That you, Dr. Olubukola Abubakar Saraki, on or about 16th September, 2003 within the jurisdiction of this honourable tribunal do make a false declaration in the assets declaration form for public officers upon assumption of office in the year 2003 as governor of Kwara State by your refusal to declare No. 3 Tagus Street, Maitama, Abuja, otherwise known as Plot 2481 Cadastral Zone, Abuja, which you acquired through your company Carlisle Properties Limited from one Alhaji Attahiru Adamu before your assumption of office and you thereby committed an offence under Section 15 (1) and (2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

    Read Also: Appeal Court upholds High Court’s verdict on Akungba-Akoko stool

  • Saraki, Kwankwaso, others should return home – PDP

    Saraki, Kwankwaso, others should return home – PDP

    The Board of Trustees of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) has called on aggrieved members who left the party to follow the footsteps of former Vice President Abubakar Atiku “and return home.”

    The Chairman of the board, Sen. Walid Jibrin, made the call while briefing journalists on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said “as the party joyfully welcomes Atiku back to his home PDP, we are equally waiting to receive more members.

    “We are waiting for the President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, other senators, members of House of Representatives and APC governors who left the PDP.

    “Let all of us unite and take back power from APC come 2019.”

    Read also:I represent new face of PDP – Dokpesi

    Ahead of the December 9 PDP Convention, Jibrin urged aspirants to develop the spirit of sportsmanship.

    He urged aspirants to accept the verdict of delegates, cooperate with the winners and remain loyal to the party as power comes from God.

    Jibrin said the BoT had not anointed any contestant, saying the board was ready to work with whoever emerged victorious.

    “I want to assure our party members that whoever emerges as National Chairman, the BoT is ready to cooperate and work with him or her for the progress of the party.

    “I will like to reiterate our position that the BoT has not anointed any candidates for now,” he said.

    He commended the Judiciary for saving Nigeria’s democracy by putting and end to the crisis in the party.

    NAN