The Nation Newspaper

Tag: cancel

  • Airlines cancel more flights over bad weather

    Domestic airlines on Thursday canceled more flights over poor visibility on major routes from Lagos  and Abuja into Enugu, Calabar and  Benin.

    Arising from the bad weather airplanes scheduled to fly from Abuja and Lagos into airports in South Eastern and South South routes could not leave their aerodromes on account of en route weather indicating less than 800 meters, the minimum prescribed by regulatory authorities.

    Investigations by The Nation revealed that many passengers remained stranded at airports nationwide as airlines oscillated from delayed , rescheduled to cancelled flights .

    At the Lagos Airport general aviation terminal one, hundreds of passengers remained stranded for hours awaiting when airlines will announce their scheduled flights.

    Same sour experience prevailed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two , Lagos where airlines continue to either cancel or reschedule flights.

  • Time to cancel

    To allow the N9 trillion contracts to survive is to make illegality a shining light

    As the week wound to an end, the tempest over the N9 trillion contracts awarded by the NNPC still shakes the polity.  It is not enough that we are appalled by the staggering sum or the unfathomable silence of the country’s chief executive.

    We must at this stage go to the point where we demand that since the contracts were awarded against the letter and spirit of the law, President Muhammadu Buhari should review the transactions with a view to terminating them. That is the only step that will resolve the issue.

    It is clear no credible defence came from the office of Dr. Maikanti Baru, the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the NNPC. His points were sometimes evasive, at other times imperious but always without respect for either the grundnorm, the Nigerian constitution, or the immediate NNPC Act, or both. The argument that the contracts were not contracts but an offer for the other party to measure their value in crude oil actually is so puerile it seems the man takes Nigerians for fools. He fails to acknowledge the meaning of contract, which points to an agreement between two or more parties. Do the barrels of crude oil not have value?

    Secondly, Baru said he did not need to consult the board or the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu. That claim flouts the law and gloats over its impunity. It spurns section 6 (c) of the NNPC Act that imbues the board with the approving authority to enter into agreements with external entities. That eliminates the claims by Dr. Baru that such powers rest with the tender’s board. By making the tender’s board the approving authority he makes himself the owner of the process rather than the law. The GMD approves the members of the tender’s board, so that makes it beholden to him. For him to see the tender’s board as the be-all and end-all of contracts is to make Dr. Baru the alpha and omega of contracts. It belittles the democratic nature of our system and throws open the door of manipulation and corrupt enrichment.

    There have also been recriminations, one of which was the charge that Kachikwu is guilty of what he accused Baru’s NNPC of committing. As the cliché goes, two wrongs don’t make a right. By making that claim is Dr. Baru not admitting that he subverted the genuine process?

    The president called for an audience with the Minister of State, and we are not privy to their conversation. Neither has any statement been made public about it. But he must have value as the Minister of State, hence he appointed him to that position and made him the chairman of the NNPC board.

    If he – the president – sides with Baru, it means he undermined his own appointee and passed over his head. When such things happen, it does not only signal a disdain for order but it spews out favouritism, a charge now familiar in this presidential terrain.

    Again, the constitution says that he delegates his position to ministers and not to any other office. Hence section 148 (1) says “the president may, in his description, assign to the vice president or any minister of the Government of the Federation responsibility for any business of Government of the Federation, including the administration of any office of government.” This impels the president not to work with Dr. Baru but with Dr. Kachikwu. If he operates as Minister of Petroleum, then he could not have been on duty when the contracts were allegedly awarded. So, in his absence as Petroleum Minister, the Acting Petroleum Minister was Dr. Kachikwu and not the NNPC GMD.

    If the contract was awarded with his approval when he was on medical leave, it was illegal and even impeachable. It would have shown disdain for the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who was Acting President.

    Again, Dr. Baru showed no evidence of complying with the constitutional provision that forbids any deal without compliance with the Public Procurement Act, and that implies the process must go through the corridors of the Bureau of Public Procurement and the National Council of Public Procurement.

    Some confusion rent the issue until Prof. Osinbajo’s clarification that it was loans, not contracts, he approved. So, the matter still goes straight back to the  president. It is dangerous that Dr. Baru claims he does not need the board. For what purpose was the board set up? It is no sinecure entity. If its role is to supervise the workings of the corporation, it means contracts above $20 million dollars ought to have its attention. Apparently, it has not. He says the board is to “review” and “advise.” Those are heavy words in officialdom. When a superior reviews, it means it has the power to accept and reject. To advise also means to order or instruct.

    It is also shocking that while Dr. Baru’s position denies the sum total of the contracts is N9 trillion or $25 billion, it merely described Kachikwu’s alleged figures as “humongous.” He has not told us the actual sum, according to him.

    This goes into the fundamental problem of the Dr. Baru defence: its lack of transparency. It baffles us that in spite of the inconsistencies of the report, the president has not yet addressed the issue. It is obvious either Kachikwu or Baru has flouted the law. Kachikwu if he lied, Baru if he lied. Calls for reconciliation are not even patriotic. What we want is to reconcile the claims with the truth. That means all the documents in the matter should be brought to the public space. We hope the Senate, not an exemplar in such matters, will do a good job investigating the matter. We should not forget that the money is outside the nation’s budget.

    Dr. Baru was silent on the appointments. It was bad enough that Buhari gave us an ethnically contemptuous board. Baru’s lack of board consultation before making his appointments only shows that he finds the president’s example of lofty disdain worth aping.

    President Buhari may claim he respects probity, but with his acceptance of Baru’s conduct, his war of corruption has lost traction and moral authority. He can only redeem his name by cancelling the deals and allowing the process to start over according to the laws of the land.

  • SOUTH AFRICA 1-1 NIGERIA: Bafana cancel Musa’s goal

    SOUTH AFRICA 1-1 NIGERIA: Bafana cancel Musa’s goal

    SuperEagles of Nigeria were forced to a 1-1 draw by Bafana Bafana of South Africa in an international friendly match played at the Mbombela Stadium.

    Ahmed Musa thought he had handed the Super Eagles a victory, before Bongani Zungu salvaged a draw for Bafana Bafana.

    CSKA Moscow forward Musa was handed the captain’s arm band for the Nigerian side. The speedy star deputised as the skipper of the side in the absence of Vincent Enyeama, who was ruled out of the match as a result of back problem.

    Warri Wolves goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, who impressed in training, pipped Kano Pillars’ goal minder Theophilus Afelokhai to the number one spot.

    Germany-based Leon Balogun, Middlesbrough’s Kenneth Omeruo, Chima Akas and Nelson Ogbonnaya started as the back four.

    SS Lazio ace Ogenyi Onazi, Reading’s Hope Akpan and exciting youngster Kingsley Sokari all played in midfield while Gent’s Moses Simon, Ahmed Musa and Aaron Samuel played upfront.

    The first save of the game was made by Itumeleng Khune and it was an easy one from Aaron Samuel’s free kick.

    South Africa come close after working the ball forward and Bongani Zungu had his shot tipped over by Daniel Akpeyi, before the Warri Wolves goal minder was at alert to prevent a goal bound header.

    Nigeria’s attack led by the tireless Aaron Samuel was putting some pressure on Bafana Bafana defence, who held firm.

    There was an early blow for the Super Eagles when Kenneth Omeruo was taken off for an injury and he was replaced by former Sunshine Stars skipper Godfrey Oboabona.

    Both teams came close to scoring in the opening 24 minutes. But they were not precise in their attacking play. Bafana Bafana came close to grabbing the first goal of the match. Tokelo Rantie broke free, but his shot was blocked by the big frame of Leon Balogun.

    Some impressive build up play from Bafana Bafana ended up with Andile Jali’s shot being deflected over the Nigeria goal.

    Andile Jali almost got some reward for chasing down Daniel Akpeyi. It only went out for a throw, but it was indicative of the pressure the South African players were applying to the Nigerians when in possession.

    A South Africa free-kick was blazed past the Nigeria goal. It was off target but not a bad effort.

    Another South African free-kick ended up in a goal-kick, before Nigeria’s Aaron Samuel fired a shot just wide of Itumeleng Khune’s goal. First half of the match ended 0-0.

    South Africa’s pressure on the Nigeria defence paid off, as substitute John Ogu got a yellow card. Nigeria had a free kick from a deep position. In the end it was neither a shot nor a cross and the ball went harmlessly over Itumeleng Khune’s goal.

    South Africa were awarded a well deserved penalty kick when Thulani Serero managed to get the ball out of his feet just in time to be fouled by Godfrey Oboabona and the match referee pointed straight to the spot in the 61st minute.

    Daniel Akpeyi saved Andile Jali’s spot kick and the clearance on the follow up was almost an own goal, but it bounced off the post and was eventually cleared out to safety.

    Nigeria applied the high pressure and almost got an opportunity from it, but South Africa managed to clear.

    Some good football from South Africa got Erick Mathoho to the byline, but there was nobody waiting for his cutback. It was the kind of play that might have cut through the defence if there was somebody waiting in the box to get on the end of it. South Africa had the chance to sneak a late winner with a free kick. It was not far out the box and quite central, making this a pretty good chance to finally beat Daniel Akpeyi.

    Sibusiso Khumalo’s effort took a deflection and went out for a corner as South Africa kept up the pressure. The corner was deep and relatively tame, allowing Daniel Akpeyi to come out and gather it with ease.

    Ahmed Musa then silenced the hosts in 85th minute from a wonderful strike. He cut in from the left flank and curled it into the far corner. Itumeleng Khune just got his fingertips to it but he couldn’t keep it out of the top corner. It was a great goal.

    South Africa pressed forward for a much needed equaliser and were rewarded at added time. Thusa Phala saw his effort parried by Daniel Apkeyi to the path of Bongani Zungu who bundled the ball home.

    How they started:

    Super Eagles Starting XI: Daniel Akpeyi, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Nelson Ogbonnaya, Chima Akas, Hope Akpan, Ogenyi Onazi, Kingsley Sokari, Moses Simon, Aaron Samuel, Ahmed Musa (c)

    Substitutes: Aluko, Babatunde, Afelokhai, Latifu, Akanbi, Oboabona, Egwuekwe, Ukoh, Ighalo, Ogu

    South Africa Starting XI: Itumeleng Khune, Thulani Hlatshwayo (c), Eric Mathoho, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thabo Matlaba, Oupa Manyisa, Bongani Zungu, Andile Jali, Thulani Serero, Tokelo Rantie, Sibusiso Vilakazi

    Substitutes: Mabokgwane, Khuzwayo, Nhlapo, Cardoso, Khumalo, Mokotjo, Alexander, Masango, Patosi, Phala, Majoro, Ntshangase

  • More petitions filed to cancel elections

    More petitions filed to cancel elections

    It certainly hasn’t been the very best of times for embattled President of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF), Amaju Pinnick following ascension to office, as SL10.ng can report that more petitions have been filed with the NFF Electoral Appeals committee to have the September 30 elections completely cancelled.

    Former NFF executive committee member and contestant for the position of first Vice President in the September 30 elections, Muazu Suleiman has also joined the list of petitioners praying for the election which brought Pinnick in as the NFF President to be cancelled due to some ‘inconsistencies’.

    “The electoral committee in 2010 didn’t shy away from doing the right thing as they knocked off certain candidates and they couldn’t contest because the President came from the northern part of Nigeria. The same thing when it came to the state.

    “As far as the North-West geopolitical zone was concerned, the election was conducted and Shehu Adamu from Kaduna State emerged in the first round and the second member was to be elected in the second round and Sabo Babayaro was knocked off because he also was from Kaduna State.

    That is how it should have been done this time because we can’t have two members from the same state.

    “This is the problem and this is the inconsistency and the injustice that I have seen and I am praying for the election to be cancelled,” he said.

  • ‘Kano by-elections: Why INEC cannot cancel results’

    Despite alleged irregularities, which marred the by-elections into two constituencies in the Kano State House of Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) said it is handicapped by the Electoral Act from cancelling the poll results.

    Only a tribunal or court can nullify election results, according to the Electoral Act.

    But there were indications last night that INEC would not defend the results of the by-elections before any court or tribunal.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had swept the poll in Gaya and Garko constituencies.

    In Gaya, the PDP candidate polled 42,696, while candidates of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) scored 2,379 and 970.

    Also, in Garko, the PDP candidate scored 53,895, ANPP polled scored 2,168 and CPC, 1331.

    Although the elections were marred by irregularities and the conduct of the poll condemned by INEC, the commission said the aggrieved parties could only go to court or any tribunal.

    A National Commissioner in INEC said: “We would have loved to cancel the results, but we cannot do that because the Electoral Act does not empower us to do so.

    “If there are obvious lapses and outright rigging, the aggrieved parties will only depend on an Election Petitions Tribunal or a court to nullify such results.

    “This is why INEC is asking for more powers to make it independent to take a decisive decision on glaring electoral malpractice.

    “With the present law, over-charged electorate could resort to self-help.”

    Responding to a question, the National Commissioner said: “From field reports, the management of INEC will not defend the results of the by-elections before any tribunal or court.

    “We have decided to be as truthful and sincere as possible. We have no time to defend falsehood, irregularities or electoral malpractice. We cannot be seeing spending tax-payers’ money to defend electoral misconduct.”

    The Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, said: “It is only a tribunal or a court that can make a pronouncement on the validity of any election.

    “ Section 68 1 ( c ) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) says declaration of a result shall be final, subject to a review by a tribunal or court in an election petition proceeding.”

    INEC had in a statement through Idowu decried the by-elections.

    The statement said: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received reports of assault, intimidation and harassment of voters and election officials during the by-elections into Gaya and Garko constituencies in Kano State held on Saturday, February 2, 2013.

    “Field reports available to the commission showed that mobs of armed youths disrupted the electoral process in some areas, harassing and intimidating innocent voters. Electoral officials were also intimidated, harassed and threatened, while some INEC supervisory officials were assaulted.

    “The commission is highly disappointed that the culture of thuggery, intolerance and unruly conduct by partisans yet bedevil the electoral process in our country.

    “Regrettably, reports also showed that despite the overwhelming show of force by armed youths during the Kano State by-election, security agents failed to intervene.”

  • Flooding forces NYSC to cancel passing-out ceremony in Bayelsa

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Bayelsa will not conduct a passing-out ceremony for 2011 Batch ‘C’ corps members because of the flood disaster in the state, an official said.

    The NYSC Public Relations Officer in Bayelsa, Mr Pius Iyamah, spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa yesterday.

    Iyamah said: “The passing-out which is scheduled to hold on October 18, 2012 without the usual ceremony.

    “We will assemble them at the secretariat and call out their names to receive their certificates due to the situation in the state occasioned by the flood disaster.”

    Iyamah disclosed that the ongoing distribution of relief materials to flood victims had compelled the NYSC to shelve the ceremony.

    The Yenagoa City Hall normally used for the passing out ceremony by the NYSC has been turned to a storage centre for relief materials, he said.

    The flood has also affected social and economic activities in Yenagoa, as almost every available space has been taken over by flood victims.

    The victims are currently camped at the Indoor halls of Samson Siasia Sports Stadium, Bishop Dimeri Grammar School, and the premises of Community Primary School in Ovom, among others.