The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Bukola Saraki

  • Saraki, Marafa disagree over N2.4bn fuel subsidy daily payment

    Senate President Bukola Saraki and Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources Senator Kabiru Marafa, on Wednesday disagreed over the alleged daily payment of N2.4 billion to subsidise fuel in the country

    Marafa told reporters in Abuja that the country does not pay up to N2.4bn to subsidise fuel daily as claimed by Saraki

    The Senate President had claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was spending N2.4bn to subsidize 50million litres every day.

    Saraki at a programme aired on African Independent Television, yesterday noted that, “It is shocking and alarming that the current administration in the country claimed that Nigerians are consuming 50 million litres of fuel every day and for two years, they did it without appropriation.

    “What type of integrity are we talking about when a government claims to have been spending N2.4 bn?

    “We have a committee set up to look into it but we have always met a brick wall.

    “For two years, we made several cases to the executive that the subsidy claims must be presented for appropriation because we cannot continue to rely on the arguments by the executive was only spending money on under recovery.

    “We have set up a panel to look into it but its activities are being frustrated because we have a government where its executive does not believe that it is accountable to the National Assembly.

    “We have done our part to raise it and to do as much as possible to expose what is going on. The way subsidy is being managed now at 50million a day, is fraud. It’s not possible.”

    Marafa in an interview with reporters sharply disagreed with Saraki.

    The Zamfara Central lawmaker insisted that findings by his committee showed that Nigerians were not consuming more than 30 million of litres of fuel per day.

    He also noted that it was not possible for the country to spend up to N2.4bn ever day to subsidize fuel consumption.

    Marafa said: “It is not possible to spend N2.4bn on subsidy in Nigeria every day. Even though we don’t have the exact figure but it ranges between 25 to 35 million per day, depending on the circumstances.

    “Even if we are selling 30 million litres per day at N145 per litre, it will amount to N4.3bn. If you say that government is subsidizing by N2.4bn, are we saying that government is selling at half of the amount?

    “The landing cost of PMS (Petrol) is N180 that means government is subsidizing maximum N40 naira per litre. If you multiply that with 30 million litres, it cannot be up to N2.4bn.

    “I don’t want to join issues with the Senate President. I don’t know the particular committee he mandated to carry out his investigations but if he said so, it must be for the purpose of winning elections.

    “From the records at my disposal, Nigeria is not consuming 5o million litres per day. It is not possible. Even if the nation is paying subsidy at all, it is being taken from the running cost of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.”

  • Lack of quorum forces Senate to adjourn plenary

    The Senate on Tuesday was forced to adjourn plenary due to lack of quorum.

    This is the second time since June 9, 2015, when the National Assembly was inaugurated that the upper chamber failed to sit due to lack of quorum.

    On November 13, 2018, the Senate was also forced to adjourn sitting following poor attendance.

    Only 10 out of 109 senators attended Tuesday’s aborted sitting.

    The standing rule of the Senate states that not less than 37 senators, (1/3 of the Senate), must be in the chamber to form quorum before the legislative business of the day can commence.

    This provision has however been observed in the breach more often than not since the inauguration of the National Assembly as the issue of quorum is seldom raised.

    After prayer on Tuesday, the Votes and Proceedings of Thursday 17th January 2019 were adopted.

    Around 10:33am, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, raised a Point of Order and cited lack of quorum to continue proceedings and legislative business.

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who presided, agreed with Adeyeye that the Senate lacked quorum to continue proceedings.

    Adeyeye who stood in for the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, moved for adjournment.

    The motion was seconded by the Minority Whip, Senator Philip Aduda.

    Saraki put the motion for adjournment to a voice vote and it was carried.

    The Senate President promptly adjourned sitting to Wednesday, January 23, 2019.

    The Senators who came into the chamber around 10.30am spent less than five minutes before they adjourned.

    Some of the lawmakers were overheard expressing disappointment for the lack of quorum.

    Read Also: Senate urges FG to immortalise Shagari

    One of them, however, said that the poor attendance of senators may not be unconnected with the February 16th, 2019 presidential and National Assembly election.

    Apart from Saraki, Adeyeye, Aduda, other senators in the chamber included Andrew Uchendu, Gbenga Ashafa and Shaaba Lafiagi.

    Others were Emmanuel Bwacha, Francis Alimikhena, Suleiman Adokwe and Gbolahon Dada.

    The Order Paper for Tuesday’s legislative business slated confirmation of three career ambassadors, introduction of a bill on mental health and substance abuse, reports of the committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

    Conference reports were also scheduled to be submitted.

  • Buhari, Obasanjo, Jonathan, others meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed doors with members of the National Council of State at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting started at 11.a.m prompt at the Council Chamber.

    The meeting comprises of past presidents and heads of state, Chief Justices of Nigeria (CJN), leadership of the National Assembly, state governors among others.

    Those at the meeting on Tuesday included former Head of Interim National Government, Ernest Shonekan, Olusegun Obasanjo, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Goodluck Jonathan.

    As soon as he arrived at the Council chamber, Buhari went round to have a handshake with some of the past leaders including Obasanjo.

    Obasanjo also offered the opening Christian prayer while Mohammed Uwais said the Muslim prayer.

    One minute silence was observed in honour of former President Shehu Shagari, and late CJNs Aloysius Katsina Alu and Idris Kutigi

    Former Heads of State Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida and former CJN Mariam Muktar sent apologises for their absence at the meeting.

    Others at the meeting on Tuesday the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former CJN Mohammed Uwais.

    State governors at the meeting included Osun, Kebbi, Zamfara Plateau, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Edo, Lagos, Niger, Borno, Ogun, Ekiti, and Kogi.

    Deputy State governors at the meeting included Bauchi Deputy, Kaduna Deputy, and Rivers Deputy,

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Head of Service, Winifred Oyo-Ita, National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello and Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige.

    Read Also: End ASUU strike now: Buhari orders Ngige

    Without listing the details of the agenda during the opening session, the Secretary to the Government of the Federations, Boss Mustapha said that the meeting will discuss five-point agenda.

    But issues expected to be considered at the meeting included the National minimum wage, and confirmation of the appointment of the acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

    The forthcoming general elections and security of the nation are also expected to engage the attention of the Council of State.

    The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

  • CISS finally breaks silence on suspension of CJN, backs Buhari

    The Centre for International and Strategy Studies, has finally broken its silence on the controversy trailing the suspension of Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
    CISS said the suspension of Onnoghen was a right step in the right direction, adding that the decision was to safeguard the integrity of the judiciary sector.
    There have been mixed reactions following the suspension of Onnoghen as the CJN over issue bodering on corruption.
    While some believe the suspension might have political undertones, others are of the opinion that the suspension was in order as no one is above the law.
     David Bamidele, President, CISS, while addressing a press conference on Sunday, said the suspension of the CJN, Justice Onnoghen by President Buhari in compliance with the order of the CCT was not only reasonable and timely, but necessary to salvage the partly battered image of the Nigerian judiciary.
    He also said the decision was to protect democracy from the class of the few bad characters in the judicial cum political system.
    “In a nation-wide address, the President explained that the decision to suspend Justice Onnoghen was spurred by the wisdom of the CCT,  the only  court which has the lawful mandate to pry into matters of alleged breach of Code of Conduct  prescribed for public officers, pending final determination of the charges  against him at the CCT.
    “About fortnight ago, Nigerians were assailed with the alleged breach of the Code of Conduct laws by the CJN through a petition signed by the Executive Director, Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative, Mr. Dennis Aghanya. According the petitioner, the NGO painstakingly investigated the CJN, which commenced about a year ago. The details of the alleged offences against the CJN are in public domain.
    “But suffice it to say, specifically, the suspended CJN allegedly operated and failed to declare or improperly declared three domiciliary accounts in Standard Chartered Bank with about $3million stashed in them among other charges.
    “The CCT chaired by Justice Danladi Umar began inquest into the allegations by dragging Justice Onnoghen before it for trial in consonance with the stipulations of the law. However, it elicited unnecessary disquiet and judicial ambush of the case, designed to frustrate the trial.
    “There have been frenzied unwarranted or cynical attacks or accusations of President Buhari by ethnic champions and political shenanigans’ and accomplices in the judiciary, who have conveniently ignored the provisions of the law.
    “The critics have found it more convenient to repress the fact of the suspended CJN’s own admission of committing a breach of the Code of Conduct law, which he casually explained it as “mistake or forgetfulness.”
    “Anywhere, the judiciary operates on the basis of law and all operators in the temple of justice ought to thrive on an unquestionable morality and integrity.
    “Where this is lacking as revealed by the preliminary findings of the Code of Conduct on the breaches by the CJN, democracy itself is threatened and it is a path to an inglorious abuse of the rule of law.
    “The few antagonistic to the suspension and trial of Justice Onnoghen are directly seeking a return to the rules of the jungle, where might and position of influence was a guaranteed license to indulge in all manner of unlawful acts unchallengeable.
    “But just last year, the CJN had the moral strength or authority   to preside over the alleged false assets declaration by the President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki when the Senator appealed several aspects of  his trial at the CCT.  Yet, the CJN had skeletons in his cupboard. This is an act that cannot be tolerated in any country.
    “The administration of President Buhari has made it clear from the outset that under his watch, such acts will not be condoned. And therefore, that the Head of the Nigerian judiciary is involved does not insulate him from the proper legal actions by virtue of his position as chorused by others.
    “The efforts of the present government to sanitize and rid the judiciary of corrupt officers shadowed since 2016 when the DSS arrested seven judges, including two Supreme Court judges for alleged corruption during a sting operation. The case of the suspended CJN, Justice Onnoghen is therefore not exceptional.

    Read Also:Onnoghen suspension: Senate heads for Supreme Court

    ‘The ordinary Nigerian has always craved to have a dependable judiciary; a true temple of justice, where all who approach it shall be entitled to equity and fair hearing; a where judgments’ would truly reflect the merits of the dispute before the court for resolution.
    “But sadly, much of  the uprightness  expected from the Nigerian  judiciary is a mirage, as attested in the quantum of petitions against  some judges to the National Judicial Commission (NJC).  In 2016, in the heat of the arrest and trial of some judges, the NJC disclosed that  808  Justices in Nigeria have been  petitioned by Nigerians over allegations of  corrupt practices and professional misconducts.
    ” It exposes the level of discontent in Nigerians over the operations of the judiciary and conduct of judicial officers. And it is unfortunate to understand the Number One Judicial officer in Nigeria is also embroiled in these sordid allegations.
    ” Nigeria is heading to its worse moments in drifting negatively. It is surprising that some accused persons who are arraigned in court approach other courts of even concurrent jurisdiction to obtain injunctions to halt such trials. And some presiding Judges go ahead in their wisdom to grant such frivolous injunctions.”

  • Buhari names Tarfa NEDC chairman

    President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, asked the Senate to confirm Major General Paul Tarfa (retd) as Chairman, Governing Board of the North East Development Commission.

    Buhari in a letter dated January 8, 2019, addressed to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, requested Tarfa’s confirmation in accordance with Section 2(5)(b) of the North East Development Commission(NEDC) Act, 2017.

    Tarfa, a retired Major General was appointed Governor of Oyo State from July 1978 to October 1979.

    Buhari also asked the Senate to confirm Mohammad Goni Alkali as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NEDC.

    Other members of the NEDC include Musa Yashi-Executive Director Humanitarian Affairs, Muhammed Jawa- Executive Director Administration and Finance and Omar Mohammed-Executive Director Operations.

    Others are David Kente-Member Representing North East Zone, Asmau Mohammed-Member Representing North West Zone and Benjamin Adanyi-Member Representing North Central Zone.

    Others are, Olawale Oshun-Member Representing South West, Dr. T. Ekechi-Member Representing South East Zone and Obasuke Mcdonald-Member Representing South South Zone.

    The Senate in October 2016 passed the bill seeking the establishment of North East Development Commission to rebuild the North East region following devastation from insurgency.

    Read Also: Buhari not aware of CJN’s arraignment – Osinbajo

    President Buhari assented to the bill in October, 2017.

    In another letter dated January 7, 2019, Buhari requested the Senate to confirm Modibbo Tukur as a Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

    The request for the confirmation is in accordance with Section 5(1) of the Financial Intelligence Unit Act 2018.

    Buhari urged the Senate to give the request expeditious consideration and passage.

  • Election: Saraki cautions against overheating polity

    The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki has cautioned politicians against overheating the polity ahead the general elections.

    Saraki made this call while delivering his welcome speech at the resumption of plenary on Wednesday.

    The National Assembly had on December 20, 2018, proceeded on Christmas break to resume on January 16.

    He said it was important for political leaders to help reduce tension in the polity by contributing to an atmosphere of moderate political conversations.

    He further called on the Executive to uphold the Constitution and its tenets, particularly basic requirement of separation of power, unity and welfare of the citizens.

    According to him, the exercise of power must be done in the best democratic principles.

    “The former US, President Obama’s Doctrine of Restraint as a key feature in the use of power would be recommended to us in this polity at this crucial time.

    “Some of the reports and occurrences in recent times speak to this need for restraint.

    “Those who exercise power should do their best to avoid any action that stands the risk of being misconstrued as coloured by partisan considerations.”

    On the role of the Judiciary in promoting justice and bringing respect to the country, Saraki said there was a need to respect it as an arm of government.

    “Everyone in the political value chain should therefore do nothing that would raise tension in the country.

    “Nigerians are looking up to leaders who will douse flames that have the potential to threaten the peace and well-being of our country.

    “I urge you, my distinguished colleagues, to bear all this in mind as we move towards the end of this historic Senate.

    “The integrity of the constitution must be preserved at all times; and service to the people in a unified country should be our ultimate goal in all that we do as legislators.

    “I enjoin us all to bear in mind that it should be a contest of ideas. We should eschew ad hominem approaches to political discourse, and communicate our ideas in a civil manner”.

    Saraki also said “the issue of PVCs remains a concern.

    The president of the senate called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to give urgent attention to the matter.

    According to him, issue has similarly been raised about people buying PVCs; this should also be looked into.

    “Let me take this opportunity to reiterate the need for INEC to bring relevant stakeholders together for a dialogue on a way forward to tackle these issues, ahead of the elections.

    “Everything must be done and every sacrifice must be made to ensure free and fair 2019 elections. INEC is encouraged to engage the parties and be transparent in its decision making.

    “It is important that the people are assured of the Commission’s resolve and commitment to credible elections.

    “To all Nigerians, we must have a country after the elections. We all still have to live among ourselves when the polls have closed and the elections are over.

    “The rhetoric leading up to the elections must therefore be mindful of the need for moderation, decorum and respect.

    “To those of us who are contesting, let us remember that our biggest offer is to serve.”

    Read Also: Kwara police deny threat to Saraki’s life

    He equally said, ultimately, the Nigerian people have a right to choose who will represent them at all levels. It is not a do-or-die affair.

    He encouraged all Nigerians to participate in the coming polls and while wishing all a safe 2019 election.

    On the legislature, Saraki assured Nigerians that despite heightened political activities leading to the general elections, the National Assembly would continue its legislative activities.

    Saraki said despite the season, the legislature would work hard to fulfil its mandates as contained in the 1999 Constitution (Amended).

    “Distinguished colleagues, it is an honour to welcome you all back after the festive break.

    “Although, the political season has swung into full gear, it is my hope that you were able to get a bit of rest and you have recharged your batteries, ready to dive back into legislative work with renewed vigour.

    “As evident all around us, the New Year has met our countrymen and women in an anticipatory mood. Spirits are high, because in this year 2019, Nigeria has a date with destiny.

    “But we also know that despite all, the work of leadership must go on; governance must not suffer,” he said.

    The president of the senate urged his colleagues not to relent in ensuring that the 8th Senate brought its legislative agenda to a fitting close.

    “We cannot relent or lose steam on this last lap. We must remain focused and finish strong.

    “This is an epoch making Senate that had, by the end of 2018, passed an unprecedented 257 bills.

    “Many of which are groundbreaking enough to change the game to meet the needs of Nigerians, with the potential to radically transform their lives for the better.

    “Nigerians expect us to continue in this vein, and we owe it to ourselves to meet their expectations.

    “The legacy of the 8th Senate will be written in the legislative footprints that we leave, and the foundation that we lay.”

    He further urged his colleagues to work towards in addressing issues affecting Nigerians, particularly unemployment, lack of economic opportunities and insecurity.

    “The 2019 Elections are just over a month away, and the expectations of Nigerians as the dates draw near, is that we continue to serve as the representatives they voted for.

    “In our work in this chamber, we are expected to rise about the partisan paradigm.

    “We should address our minds to, and always channel our efforts to how we can move our country forward.

    “Nigerians want to see leaders who will not succumb to the partisan instinct in lawmaking. They want to see leaders who will bring new ideas to bear on the challenges confronting the country.

    “These include out-of-school children figures; rebuilding the North East; securing the North West; increasing the Girl Child education as well as how we navigate our way in the economy for higher productivity,” he said.

    NAN

  • Video: Buhari, Osinbajo, others lay wreaths for heroes

    President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday led other top government officials and Service chiefs to lay wreaths in honour of soldiers who died in service in Nigeria and at international assignments.

    The ceremony was to mark the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

    January 15th every year is also dedicated to remembering and appreciating surviving Nigerian military men who have retired from active service.

    It was the fourth time President Buhari as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces was laying the wreath in a democratic setting.

    Buhari was clad in white ‘Babanriga’, just like Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara,

    The wreaths-laying ceremony at the National Arcade in the Three Arms Zone in Abuja came after over a month that the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem and Appeal Fund was launched by the President.

    Read Also: Soldiers’ valour, sacrifice makes a nation – Buratai

    The brief ceremony started around 11.00 a.m. when President Buhari arrived the National Arcade and inspected the guard of honour.

    Christian and Muslim prayers were offered for the departed souls and the nation.

    One minute silence was observed in honour of the departed souls and there was gun salute during the wreath-laying ceremony.

    Vice President Osinbajo, Saraki, Dogara, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, Minister of Defence, Dan Ali Mansur, were among top government officials who also laid wreaths.

    Others that laid wreaths include Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mohammed Bello, Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai and other service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris (performing his last official role).

    President Buhari also signed the register and led the dignitaries to release white pigeons at the no speech making ceremony.
    Top government officials, including cabinet members, attended the ceremony

     

  • IG not after Saraki’s life

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has said he is not after the life of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki’s.

    The Senate President had in a statement at the weekend asked the entire world to hold the IGP responsible if anything untoward happens to himself and members of his family.

    The Force said it sees the claim by the Senate President as criminal defamation, hate speech and insulting.

    The Force also said it did not withdraw police personnel attached to the Senate President and his family.

    Reacting to the allegations raised, the Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood in a statement in Abuja said: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force was drawn to a statement in the media on Friday, 11th January, 2019 credited to the Senate President on the recent political development in Kwara State where he raised allegations that “…the entire world to hold the IGP responsible if anything untoward happens to members of my family and myself and that the Inspector General of Police is after my life” as serially false and mischievous.

    “The Nigeria Police Force wishes to categorically state that all the allegations in the statement of the Senate President are incorrect, misleading and false and should be disregarded and discountenanced by the general Public.

    “The Nigeria Police Force did not give any protection to any political thug or shield any APC thug to go to the family quarters of the Senate President in Agbaji, Ilorin and vandalize houses, shops and inflict wounds with machete on three people as claimed by the Senate President.

    “The Police did not equally receive any complaint or report of gunshot and wounding as claimed by the Senate President in other areas he mentioned such as Adewole/Adeta, Ile-otan and ubandawaki/pakata in Ilorin, Kwara State.”

     He continued: “For avoidance of doubt, there was no complaint reported at any Police Division/Station within Ilorin metropolis or in any other Police Division throughout Kwara State on the 10th and 11th January, 2019 of any attack, wounding, shooting and destruction of any property by any individuals or any political party member. However, Security within Ilorin metropolis and other locations in kwara State has been beefed-up to ensure security of all Nigerians living in the State.

    “It is pertinent to state that all Police personnel attached to the person of the Senate President, his office and family are intact and all the statutory security protection on the person of the Senate President are also accorded him all the time and there was no complaint whatsoever from the Senate President before now to the Police on this.
    “The Force sees this unprovoked and unwarranted attack on person of Inspector General of Police by the Senate President as criminal defamation, hate speech and insulting. No doubt, the statement of the Senate President is evidently his characteristic mind set and pattern of misleading and misinforming the public to unjustifiably deride and castigate the leadership of public institutions such as the Nigeria Police Force.

    “The media will recall that while Senator Dino Melaye was evading arrest by hiding inside his residence in Maitama, Abuja, the Senate President made a statement that the Nigeria Police Force did not send a letter of invitation to the Clerk of the National Assembly by the Police inviting Senator Dino Melaye to report to the Kogi State Police Command for investigation for offence of criminal conspiracy, attempted murder and culpable homicide, this statement by the Senate President on Senator Dino Melaye was however discovered serially and entirely untrue and false, as the Police Investigation Team provided an acknowledged copy of the said letter stamped received on the 24th July, 2018, by the Clerk of the National Assembly.  

    “It is incumbent on the Force to set the record straight and correct the wrong impressions that must have been created in the minds of the general Public and the International Community from the misinformation and misleading account from the Senate President.

    “The Inspector General of Police is not after the life of the Senate President and did not try any trick to implicate the Senate President in some criminal charges as alleged by the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki; the facts are in the public domain about the suspects of the Offa Bank Robbery now being prosecuted who implicated the Senate President on his involvement in the matter.”

    Higlighting the security situation in Lawal state, he said: “The situation report from Kwara State Police Command was that the APC held a Governorship campaign rally at Agbaji in Ilorin came under a sudden attack by suspected PDP thugs, who disrupted the rally, damaged five vehicles and some Keke Napep and wounded two innocent people.

    “The family house of the Senate President was not attacked as being peddled in some social media. Kwara State Police Command has brought the situation under control, normalcy restored and investigation on-going.”

    The Police assured members of the public  that it has no undisguised hostility to the Senate President or his supporters in Kwara State or plan to jeopardize his personal security and that of his immediate and larger family.

    The Force also said it will continue to be apolitical and will ensure adequate security throughout the Country for all political parties, their members and supporters before, during and after the 2019 General Election.

  • PDP accuses APC thugs of attacking Saraki’s family home

    Kwara State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday alleged that political thugs loyal to the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state attacked the Agbaji Ilorin family residence of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

    The party added that APC thugs opened fire on residents of the area, wounding at least 11 persons in the process.

    They also destroyed about 50 exotic cars parked at various locations within Agbaji Quarters.

    PDP said that the APC thugs had on Thursday unleashed violence on the people of Agbaji, Adewole and Pakata areas of Ilorin metropolis.

    Four members of the Peoples Democratic Party were injured during the Thursday’s mayhem.

    The incident, according to residents of the area, started at about 11:30am when fully armed APC thugs stormed their area and shot sporadically into the air to scare people away.

    According to the President of Agbaji Development Association, Alhaji Musa Olanrewaju Yusuf, the rampaging thugs were led by Yahaya Seriki and Musbau Esinrogunjo.

    He said 11 people, who sustained injuries from gunshots were taken to General Hospital, Ilorin and a private medical facility for treatment.

    He said “The APC thugs came around 11:30am and shot sporadically into the air. In fact, they were provided cover by the DPO Adewole Division of Police. At least,  11 people received injuries from gunshots while about 50 cars including that of Imam Aliagan were destroyed.

    “The thugs also carted away four motorbikes and stole money and jewelry from shops deserted by their owners”.

    It was also gathered that the APC thugs spread the violence to Ajikobi and Omoda areas of Ilorin metropolis.

    Commenting on the development, the Director General of the PDP campaign council in the state, Prof. Suleiman Abubakar, said the orgy of violence was being perpetrated by the APC leaders in the state to instill fears in the minds of residence ahead of the coming general elections, having discovered that Kwarans have rejected them.

    He called on security agencies in the state to within 48hours arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of both yesterday and Thursday violence in Ilorin.

    PDP spokesperson in the the state, Tunde Ashaolu, said yesterday’s incident had validated the alarm raised by the Senate President on threat to his life and those of his family and supporters, ” which the police made futile efforts to debunk”.

  • Kwara police deny threat to Saraki’s life

     

    Kwara state police command on Saturday described alleged threat to the life of the Senate President Bukola Saraki as untrue.

    The command also dismissed allegation of threat to any of Senator Saraki’s family members life as well as supporters by members of the command.

    In a statement, state Commissioner of police, Mr Bashir Makama said that

    Senator Bukola Saraki being the number three citizen of the country is held in high esteem by the command.

    He added that he had also been enjoying every security privileges entitled to his office and person.

    Read Also: 2019 election is not about me, says Saraki

    Makama explained that the command as of right has provided a level playing ground for all registered political parties in the state.

    The statement maintained that since the commencement of political activities , suspects arrested for politically motivated crimes and offences from any political party were investigated and prosecuted.

    The statement noted that the Senate President or any of his supporters had never reported any case to any police station in the state of threat to his life, family or any of his supporters.

    He assured the people of Kwara state of the determination of the command to ensure adequate security of their lives and property at all times.