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Tag: fresh plot

  • PDP alleges fresh plot to smear Adeleke

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged fresh plots by some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to smear the reputation of its candidate in the Osun State governorship election, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

    Adeleke has been having a running legal battle with the APC over alleged falsification of his Secondary School Leaving Certificate.

    In a statement yesterday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the main opposition party accused some unnamed APC leaders of knitting ludicrous allegation that Adeleke’s Secondary School Testimonial was forged.

    According to Ologbondiyan, the PDP already has information on how the APC used a former commissioner in the state to reach out to certain top security officers to use the fabrications to arrest and embarrass Adeleke and the Principal of his school, Ede Muslim High School, Ede, Mr. Kadili Adejare Abass.

    The PDP said it has also been fully informed of how huge sums of money has allegedly been forwarded as bribe to the compromised security agents to arraign and humiliate Adeleke and Mr. Adejare Abass on fabricated charges, even when they know they cannot prove any case.

    The party further claimed to be in possession of intelligence of attempts by agents of the APC to hack into Adeleke’s former school files, with the view to mutilating relevant academic documents, just to get at the lawmaker, not minding the harm such would cause other students of the school,” the party said.

    The PDP counselled the APC to accept its defeat in the Osun Governorship Election and desist from acts of mischief against Senator Adeleke, saying that such attempts will come to naught.

    The party also charged Nigerians, particularly the people of Osun, to continue to be at the alert in resisting what it described as the “noxious schemes” of the APC against their will as a people.

  • Fresh plot against Magu

    Fresh plot against Magu

    •EFCC ‘not probing Kyari’

    WHO sent some security agents to the home of the President’s Chief of Staff (COS), Mr. Abba Kyari, on January 7?

    That was the poser raised in intelligence circles yesterday amid indication of a fresh plot to remove Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu by implicating him in the alleged “phantom invasion” of Kyari’s residence.

    The EFCC said yesterday that it was not investigating Kyari, adding that it did not deploy its operatives in his Defence House quarters.

    The alleged invasion was said to have been hatched by some forces and targeted at provoking President Muhammadu Buhari to sack Magu.

    The Nation learnt that some security agents were deployed in the highly fortified Defence House in the night to protect Kyari from being arrested.

    It was learnt that soldiers at the sentry did not allow the agents in because there were no EFCC operatives in sight.

    The security men merely acted on “false alert”, it was learnt.

    A source, who pleaded not to be named because of the “sensitivity of the matter”, said: “In the past few weeks, the plot to remove Magu has been heightened by some forces who are still uncomfortable with his continued stay in office. Apart from the attack on his farmhouse, he has been receiving threat messages and representations by some National Assembly members to sack him. It has reached a level that Magu now keeps his itinerary to himself and aborts some official trips.

    “The phantom attempt to arrest the Chief of Staff was a script to create a wedge between the Presidency and Magu because EFCC operatives were not deployed in Defence House penultimate Sunday.

    “The military sentry at the Defence House was shocked to see a deployment of some security agents coming at midnight to protect the Chief of Staff without any signal of a threat to his life or plans to arrest him.

    “The armed soldiers insisted on a directive from above before the security agents could gain access to the Defence House. They turned back the operatives from the House.

    “It was obvious that the security agents acted on a false alert because when calls were placed to Magu, he said he did not order any operation. This development buoyed the determination of the soldiers in Defence House to resist the security agents.”

    The source added: “Some forces were just desperate to take advantage of any situation to get Magu out of EFCC.”

    In a statement last night by its Acting Head of Media and Publicity, Samie Amaddin, the EFCC said it was not probing Kyari and did not make any attempt to arrest him.

    “Ordinarily, we would have ignored the report and allow it to end up in the dustbin of history, for that is where it actually belongs, but for the fact that it is a follow–up to an earlier similar report also titled: EFCC’s attempt to arrest Abba Kyari sparks panic in Aso Rock, which we considered an attempt to silence the commission from carrying on with its constitutional duties of fighting corruption; we have considered it necessary to clarify issues in relation thereof.

    “For the purpose of clarification, the modus operandi of the EFCC does not accommodate the alleged invasion as the modus operandi of the commission has always been to scrutinise petitions upon receipt, look at the petition on the face value, if it has merit and to carry out preliminary investigation to establish a prima facie case.

    “Once all these requirements are satisfied, the suspect(s) is (are) invited for questioning and interrogation and his (their) statement(s) taken under caution.

    “All these are prelude to arraignment in a competent court of jurisdiction and a suspect who is being invited for interrogation is formally sent an invitation letter to that effect.

    “The so-called invasion is entirely alien to the established mode of operations of the EFCC, established over the last one-and-a-half decades in line with international best practices.

    “Firstly, the commission will like to state that it is not investigating Mr. Kyari nor is it aware of any petition against him.

    “Secondly,  EFCC does not ‘invade’ the homes or offices of anyone the commission wishes to interact with in furtherance of the discharge of its mandate.

    “The commission will properly notify and invite any person it wants to assist it in the resolution of any matter under examination.

    “Thirdly, EFCC does not go to carry out invitations or arrests in the middle of the night. As a transparent organisation the commission carries out all its operations in broad daylight.

    “These and other standard operational procedures are what guide the activities of the commission and which have earned it worldwide acclaim over the years.

    “The commission was therefore taken aback when an online medium went public with the story of a purported “impending arrest”. EFCC does not do speculative investigations or arrests. Therefore, the action of those behind the false reports could best be described as shouting wolf where none exists.

    “It must be underscored that EFCC makes it a point of duty and professional responsibility to act within the ambit of the law. The commission cannot be intimated and crying wolf by anyone cannot stop the commission from carrying out its constitutional responsibility.”

  • National Assembly in fresh bid to sack Magu

    National Assembly in fresh bid to sack Magu

    •Buhari glosses over demand •Anxiety in President’s camp as confirmation of 45 nominees stalled in Senate

    In spite of a dinner rapprochement in the week, the National Assembly has launched a fresh plot for the removal of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

    The lawmakers made the demand for Magu’s exit at a dinner with President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday night.

    There were indications that the Assembly might use the removal of Magu as a condition for the consideration of all outstanding appointments in the Senate.

    The latest onslaught by the National Assembly has however created anxiety in Buhari’s camp because of the stalling of the confirmation of the appointment of over 45 nominees in the Senate.

    But Buhari, who listened calmly, allegedly glossed over the request for Magu’s replacement.

    According to reliable source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, a Senator from the South-West re-echoed the need for the removal of Magu at the rapprochement dinner.

    It was learnt that the Senator was supported by a principal officer of the House of Representatives who was hitherto an ardent supporter of Magu.

    The top source said: “The face-off between the Executive and the National Assembly over Magu reared its ugly head again at a dinner the President had with the principal officers of the legislature.

    “What was meant for a new rapprochement by the two arms was turned into an agitation session with a Senator from the South-West demanding the sack of the Acting EFCC chairman.

    “The Senator wanted to know why the resolution of the Senate on Magu was not complied with.

    “Although a principal officer from the House of Representatives actually backed the Senator, the President was non-committal. He actually glossed over the request.

    “The lawmakers felt a bit shocked that the President was not forthcoming on their request.”

    “Apart from the concern over Magu, a principal officer of the House of Representatives also shocked the President on how he raised issues over non-appointment of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) into key positions.

    “The affected principal officer said lack of empowerment of APC members was making loyalty to the government difficult.”

    Findings however revealed that the President was “non-committal” because there are more than seven suits in the court over Magu’s continued stay in office.

    A presidency source said: “By his nature, the President does not act on the spur of the moment. He takes decision after considering all angles to it. He is always saying that he will account for his action in the Hereafter. He likes to be fair to all based on empirical evidence.

    “It is also subjudice for the President to make comments because the row over Magu’s confirmation has generated many matters in court. The lawmakers ought to know better on this.

    “The presidency is awaiting pronouncement by the court on this appointee. In the spirit of fairness, the President has no choice than to allow the status quo to remain. In fact, the Senate is a party to some of these cases.

    “Beyond the cases, there were other issues which cropped up including allegations against Magu which the President discovered were unfounded.

    “Although some forces in government wanted Magu out, there is also international dimension to it. Some donor agencies and a few countries collaborating with Nigeria on anti-corruption war were okay with the performance of Magu.

    “The President must weigh all options because the Magu saga is at the heart of the anti-corruption campaign which has defined this government.”

    But the National Assembly, especially the Senate, might go back to the trenches against the Executive over Magu.

    It was learnt that the Senate might not immediately decide the fate of over 45 nominees from the Executive because of its outstanding concern over Magu.

    It was gathered that the latest development has made some strategists of the President to meet on how to find political solution to the “row” over Magu.

    One of the key strategists said: “We are aware of the plot to stall the confirmation of these appointees since August but we will lobby the Senate to have a rethink.

    “The grouses of the Senate against Magu should not be tied to other appointees’ confirmation. We believe the President has started the rapprochement and the two arms will find a common ground.

    “Even the row over Magu is resolvable if the two arms can strike a political compromise.”

    Some of the  appointees awaiting confirmation are those of the National Pension Commission; the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB);  the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); the new CBN Deputy Governor and members of the Monitoring Policy Committee (MPC); Chairman and chairman  of the Board of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) among others.

    The list in the ICPC  includes Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman; Musa Abubakar   Secretary; and commissioners : Grace Chinda; Okolo Titus; Olubukola Balogun; Sam Ewang; Adamu Bello; Hannatu Mohammed; Abdullahi Saidu; Yahaya Daud;  and Khamis Mailantarki in the National Pension Commission, there are Alhaji Ali Usman Ahmed (Chairman);  Mr. Funso Doherty-Director-General with other Executive Commissioners  on the board like  Mr. Manasseh T. Denga; Abubakar Z. Magawata; Ben Oviosun;  and  Nyerere Anyim.

    At the Code of Conduct Bureau, we have Dr. Muhamma Isah (Chairman); and members including Murtala Kankia; Emmanuel E. Attah-; Danjuma Sado; Ubolo I. Okpanachi; Ken Madaki Alkali; Prof. S. F. Ogundare; Ganiyu Hamzat; Saad A. Abubakar and Dr. Vincent Nwanli

    FERMA board comprises Mr. Tunde Lemo (chairman); Nurudeen Rafindadi ; Buba Abdullahi ; Babagana Aji ; Shehu Abdullahi and Loretta Aniagolu; Mujaidu Dako ; Vincent Kolawole; Chukwunwike Uzo ; Olubunmi Siyanbola ; Abdulrazak Ma ‘aji ; Saidu Abdulkadir and Peter Osawe .

    Others are Aishah Ahmed as new Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and members of the Monetary Policy Committee of the CBN including Adeola Adenikinju; Aliyu Sanusi; Robert Asogwa and Asheikh Maidugu .

     

  • Ministerial screening: Fresh plot to stop Amaechi thickens

    Ministerial screening: Fresh plot to stop Amaechi thickens

    •APC, PDP senators flex  muscles

    Senators elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are fuming over fresh plot by their Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterparts to stop the Red Chamber from approving the nomination of former River State Governor, Mr. Chubuike Rotimi Amaechi, as minister.

    The PDP Senators are understood to have returned to the drawing board to restrategise after Amaechi appeared before the Senate on Thursday for screening.

    Amaechi responded to questions from only All Progressives Congress (APC) senators, following the decision of the PDP Senators to abstain from asking him questions because, according to the Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, “we have just received Senator Samuel Anyawu’s report on the petition on corruption against Amaechi.”

    This sparked a war of words between Senate Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume and Akpabio.

    Amaechi’s screening was delayed until Thursday on account of opposition by the PDP Senators.

    Reports from their camp yesterday suggested that they are not prepared to back down from their opposition to Amaechi who defected from the PDP to the APC in 2014 and went on to play a key role in the defeat of the PDP in the last elections.

    They are still bitter that Senate President Bukola Saraki ignored the consideration of the Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions report on alleged fraud against Amaechi and called him for screening.

    The committee’s report, presented by Chairman of the panel minutes before Amaechi was ushered into the Senate chamber for screening, is said to have recommended that Amaechi be advised to go and clear himself since issues in the petition against him is in court.

    It was also gathered that the issue of Amaechi was discussed at a closed door meeting the Senate held before the screening began.

    The opposition Senators accused Saraki of breaching Senate rules by side tracking the report, and opted for Amaechi’s screening.

    A reliable source in the Senate said: “It was the consensus that Amaechi should be advised to go and clear himself of allegations of fraud, according to the recommendation of the Ethics Committee.”

    He added: “We believe that Amaechi should not have been screened in the first place.

    “That he was screened does not give us a good image especially in the light of the fight against corruption.

    “What impression have they created by screening him? What image have they given to the Senate? Are they saying that the petition has no merit?

    “These are some of the issues.”

    The South-South senator said that they met after plenary on Thursday to decide “our next line when the actual confirmation comes up next week.”

    Their decision is to oppose Amaechi’s confirmation next week.

    He noted that “Amaechi has only been screed in fragrant abuse of our rules but he has not been confirmed.

    “We will still raise our voice to oppose his confirmation because his screening did not follow due process. The screening cannot past due diligence test.”

    He said that “even if the Senate President does not mention the report whenever Amaechi’s confirmation comes up, we are going to raise the issue of the report and the consideration of the report because we have the right to be heard.”

    But an APC senator close to the leadership of the Senate dismissed the PDP Senators’ move to frustrate Amaechi’s confirmation as a non-issue.

    The North East lawmaker insisted that “when we get to the bridge we’ll cross it.

    “We are not new to all these schemings and attempts to force back the hand of the clock.

    “Do the PDP senators you are talking about have the number to block the confirmation of any nominee? Even if we go for division of the house, do they have the number to stop the confirmation of any nominee not just Amaechi?

    “Politics remains a game of number and as at today, the APC has the ace in the Senate. Nobody can take that away from us. PDP senators or the party itself cannot stop the confirmation of any nominee because they remain the opposition in the chamber.”

    He noted that the Senate could not have stopped the screening of Amaechi based on “mere allegation.”

  • PDP governors in fresh plot to replace Amaechi

    PDP governors in fresh plot to replace Amaechi

    After a two-week lull, the Governors Forum crisis is set to return. The newly formed PDP Governors Forum plans to select a candidate who will replace Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as the the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).

    A meeting has been convened for today by the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Chief Godswill Akpabio, even with Amaechi is out of the country on official duty.

    But Northern governors have launched a counter-plot, saying PDP Governors Forum cannot dictate to a larger body of the NGF.

    The Northern governors are also suspecting that the Presidency is behind the plot to crown one of them as the new NGF chair to foreclose power shift to the North in 2015.

    Amaechi has, however, said he has not withdrawn from the race to seek a second term in office as NGF chair.

    Amaechi, tenure is expected to end in May and no date has been fixed for the election by the NGF.

    But since a fortnight ago when the NGF poll was postponed till May, the relationship between the Presidency and Amaechi has degenerated.

    Attempts by some pro-Presidency forces to instigate the Rivers State House of Assembly against Amaechi backfired last week, with the Assembly passing a vote of confidence on the governor.

    Some ministers were implicated in the botched moves to instigate the Rivers State House of Assembly against the governor.

    It was also gathered that anti-graft agencies might be deployed in Rivers State as part of a grand plot to check “the Amaechi phenomenon”.

    The Presidency also claimed that it had received security reports indicating that Amaechi is planning to launch a media war against it and some members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    It was alleged that a secret committee has been raised to “deal with President Goodluck Jonathan and a few isolated ministers”.

    Today’s meeting to select Amaechi’s successor is said to be the first stage to “displace the governor psychologically”.

    The meeting was said to have been deliberately fixed for Monday, following security reports that Amaechi is out of the country on an official assignment.

    A source said: “They know that Amaechi is away. They summoned a meeting of PDP Governors Forum to select a candidate for the Forum for NGF election.”

    Three governors are believed ot have been short-listed for consideration as Amaechi’s successor.

    The governors are Gabriel Suswam (Benue); Ibrahim Shema (Katsina); and Isa Yuguda (Bauchi).

    According to sources, two of the three governors may be selected for NGF and the Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF).

    It was gathered that while Isa Yuguda may be tipped as Amaechi’s successor. Suswam may emerge as the chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum to replace Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, who spark the controversy on “four-year agreement” which President Goodluck Jonathan had allegedly with PDP governors in 2011.

    A governor, who spoke in confidence, said: “A meeting of PDP Governors Forum will hold on Monday with the sole agenda of choosing a candidate who will replace Amaechi as the next chairman of the NGF.

    “The candidate will be presented by the PDP governors to others in the Nigeria Governors Forum as their preferred choice. They also want to compel all PDP governors to endorse the said candidate.

    “There is, however, a problem as most governors from the North are querying why the PDP Governors Forum will dictate to the NGF, which is a body of all the 36 governors.

    “We are likely to have a stormy session because Amaechi is officially away and his successor cannot be chosen by PDP Governors Forum in his absence. At least, commonsense dictates that Amaechi should exercise the Right of First Refusal in this instance.

    “That is why some Northern governors have launched a counter-plot to prevail on PDP Governors Forum to shelve moves to select a candidate as its nominee for NGF chairman.

    “We need to hear from Amaechi whether he is interested in second term or not. Those planning this seem to have a pre-determined agenda. Why should they decide to shave a man’s head in his absence?

    “They have even restricted the PDP Governors Forum’s choice to three candidates considered loyal to the President.”

    Another source added: “I think these forces have made up their mind on Isa Yuguda for NGF and Gabriel Suswam for Northern States Governors Forum chair. They have decided to dump Shema because of the row his candidacy has generated in the last few weeks.

    “Some had even claimed that after becoming the NGF chairman, Shema might be the vice-presidential candidate to President Goodluck Jonathan. All these issues have worked against Shema.

    “These anti-Amaechi forces are trying to present Yuguda as a neutral candidate but all the governors are aware that he is pro-presidency.

    “They have started talking to governors one by one as if they are school boys.

    “The opposition governors will not accept imposition by the PDP Governors Forum at all. This may have implications for the survival of NGF.”

    As at press time, a reliable source in Amaechi’s camp said: “Well, as we are talking, the governor told me as follows: ‘I have not withdrawn from the race; I will contest in May.’ It is unfortunate that they want to meet in Abuja to select a candidate to replace Governor Amaechi.

    “Al I can tell you is that they cannot go far; their plot will not succeed at all.”