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  • INEC server: Scammers deceived Atiku, says APC

    National Vice Chairman, North East of the All Progressives Congress (APC), comrade Mustapha Salihu has said that former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar was deceived by con men into believing that there was an INEC server used for the transmission of election results during the last Presidential election.

    Comrade Salihu told newsmen in an interview after a meeting of stakeholders of the party from Adamawa state that from the judgement of the tribunal it is clear that there was no server recognised by law anywhere and so, could not have been used for the election.

    He insisted that those who told the former Vice President of the existence of a server succeeded in scamming him, stressing that even though his lawyers did a good job trying to present his case, they could not establish a prima facie case.

    He said “some people jobbed them, took their money telling them there was INEC server somewhere when that was not true and so, they could not establish a prima facie case.

    “Even though their lawyer did a good job trying to present their case, it was dismissed because there was no substance. This is a victory for Nigeria and the Nigerian people and not for APC alone. We have now done away with the distractions and this government is going to deliver the dividends of democracy and the next level is assured.

    “The outcome of the tribunal was something that was expected. All the cases canvassed by the opposition are frivolous because you cannot say that an army general who serves as military commanding officer, Head of State, Minister and President of Federal Republic of Nigeria for four years does not have credentials”.

    Speaking on the essence of the meeting, Salihu said “this is a meeting of stakeholders, Adamawa APC. You saw the calibre of people that turned out. The meeting is actually meant for us to have consultation with each other and discuss on the matter border on the development of the party.

    “To God be the glory, we have achieved a lot. A committee has been set up to further deepen the consultation and reconciliation. This meeting intends to synergize and rebuild the party in Adamawa state.

    Read Also; INEC to publish names, particulars of candidates for Kogi, Bayelsa polls

    “Politics is war without bloodshed. When people put their interest and vie for position, there will be discrepancies and some people will gain while others will lose. At the end of the day, we all come together and work

    “We are aware that some people from various ideological divide contested for various positions and some people won, some people lost. Some people agreed and disagreed and at the end, we agreed and we entered election as one people and we did our best.

    “The Committee we have set up now is to do a SWAT analysis of the election, see what went wrong and what need to be fixed. We expect them to come up with a comprehensive report on how to fix the party.

    “The main agenda for the committee is to seek ways of reconciliation because we know that some people will feel aggrieved. So, they are supposed to carry out deep-rooted consultation, door to door diplomacy. We expect the committee to visit everybody that feel aggrieved, discuss with them and find a way of reconciling them.”

  • Melaye declines PDP’s appointment as DG Kogi Guber Campaign Council

    Senator Dino Melaye has rejected his appointment as the Director-General of the Kogi State Governorship Campaign Council by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

    Melaye made this known on Friday via his Twitter handle @dino-melaye.

    The party’s National Publicity Secretary,  Kola Ologbondiyan had told newsmen that Melaye has been appointed the DG of Kogi State Governorship Campaign Council.

    Read Also: Kogi West: Melaye appeals verdict

    However, declining the offer, Melaye wrote: “Let me state categorically that I have turned down the position of the Director-General of the Kogi State Governorship Campaign Council.

    “I wish PDP all the best. When truth is a casualty, there is chaos.”

     

  • Mixed feelings as Budgit’s Onigbinde becomes Technical Adviser in Budget Ministry

    There were mixed feelings on Friday as the appointment of Budgit’s founder, Seun Onigbinde as Technical Adviser in the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning became public knowledge.

    The civic tech organisation, which he founded, has been at the forefront of transparency, accountability and engagements on public finance.

    Besides, Onigbinde has been a foremost critic of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, declaring it has been operating without transparency.

    Nigerians took to the social media immediately the appointment was confirmed to express divergent views on the development.

    While some hailed Onigbinde for the boldness to accept the job considering his vociferous attacks on the administration, others criticised him.

    They declared he has been bought over by the administration, claiming he has lost the voice to hold the government accountable by taking the appointment.

    Former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr Joe Abah, said by taking the appointment, Onigbinde has justified his belief against extremism.

    According to him: “I am pleased that Seun Onigbinde has been given an appointment by the Federal Govt.

    “When I tell young people not to be too extreme, they abuse me as “Fencist.”

    “In 2015, you are all in for Buhari. 2019, you are all in against Buhari. Your country is bigger than Buhari. Think am o.”

    Read Also: FG orders NCC to block 9.2m sim cards

    Dr. Dípò Awójídé tweeted: “Congratulations to Seun Onigbinde on the appointment.

    “Kudos to the Federal Government for snapping up such a smart and energetic young man. We need the best of the best in government. I mean, we need our best brains!”

    But some maintained the appointment was more or less a reward for a non-APC member.

    Tweeting at the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, Abu Abdullahi, said: “The appointment of Seun Onigbinde as your adviser is rather unfortunate.

    ‘’He worked against the re-election of PMB during the last election. Please see below excerpts of some of his tweets. I suggest you consider another person pls.’’

    Badru Rafiu said: “I don’t rate any of you that criticize Buhari’s government or any government for that matter.
    “You’re all fraudulent. I owned an ad agency & I know a top influencer here paid almost N7m to tweet. You all respect him & love him. But he knows I know he is a fraud. Seun Onigbinde is.”

  • FUOYE protest: Ekiti govt. visits, commiserates with families of slain students

    The Ekiti State government has commiserated with the families of Joseph Okunofua and Kehinde Dada, students of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) who lost their lives during Tuesday’s protest in Oye-Ekiti.

    The government delegation comprising the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Biodun Oyebanji; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Biodun Omoleye; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social development, Chief (Mrs) Moji Fafure; Commissioner for Environment, Hon Gbenga Ageyo; lawmaker representing Ido/Osi 1 at the State Assembly, Hon. Abiodun Fawekun, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr (Mrs) Enuice Oladimeji, visited the two families in Ido-Ekiti and Usi-Ekiti on Friday afternoon.

    The delegation led by Hon. Oyebanji visited Mrs Esther Okunofua, mother of Joseph, who was a 300 level student of Biology Education in Ido -Ekiti and Mr. and Mrs. Adedayo Dada, parents of Kehinde Dada in Usi Ekiti.

    Oyebanji said the visit was at the instance the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; who was saddened by the unfortunate incident, adding that the visit was to demonstrate that the state government shares in their grief and to encourage them during the trying period.

    Read Also: FUOYE killings: NANS demands Judicial Panel of Enquiry

    “On the instruction of the governor, delegation of the government is here to condole with the families that lost their loved ones during the unfortunate incident that happened in Oye Ekiti. We are here to commiserate, encourage them to take heart and to assure them that government is with them in this trying period,” Oyebanji said.

    The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Chief (Mrs) Moji Fafure who also spoke with the parents in Yoruba language urged the parents of the deceased to take solace in the word of God as no amount of counselling can fill the vacuum created by the irreparable loss. She also prayed for the families.

    “The Governor and his wife sent their condolence messages. They share in your grief over the unfortunate incident and they prayed that God in His mercies will not allow a reoccurrence. The loss is painful but it is our prayer that the Almighty God will keep your remaining children safe. Never again will you bury any of your children,” she said.

    At the resident of the late Kehinde Dada, the deceased’s elder brother, Bankole Dada thanked the government delegation for sharing in their grief.

  • Kogi poll: INEC clears Bello, Wada, Akpoti, Abanida, 47 others

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared 51 candidates and their deputies to contest the Nov. 16 governorship election in Kogi.

    The names of the cleared candidates and their details were on Friday made public in Lokoja by the INEC.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that five of those cleared as governorship candidates are women while the rest are men.

    It was also observed that seven women were cleared to contest the election as deputy governors.

    Those cleared to contest the election include the incumbent governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Musa Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mrs Justina Abanida od the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    Also given the nod to contest tue governorship election are Miss Natadha Akppti of the SDP, Mr Ibrahim Itodo of ZLP, Mr Idris Abegunde of NNPP, Mr Abu Omogani, UPC, Abdulahi Mohammed, Accord Party, Mr Abdulmalik Mohammed, HDP , Mr Shaibu Sani Teidi, YDP and Me Dele Bello-Williams of the GDPN.

    Others are Mr Umar Zekeri ABP, Mr Chinga David, YPP, Mr Ndako Tanko, ADP, Mr Kabir Abdulwasiu, AAC, Mr Abdulhamid Yusuf, AAP, Mrs Anne Oluwaseun , DPC, Mr Danjuma Mohammed, MRDD, Mr Mohammed Dangana, NCP, Mr Alonge Methusela, Mega Party, Mr Niyi Ejibunu, AGAP, Mr Abdulrazak Emeje, UDP, and Mr Godwin Atawodi, DA.

    Read Also: INEC server: Scammers deceived Atiku, says APC

    Me Ephraim Medupin, AD, Mr Musa Sadiq, APP, Mr Victor Akubo, UPP, Mrs Harirat Yakibu, LP, Mr Alfa Oboy, JMPP, Mr Atiku Isah, ANP, Mr Ayodele Ajibola, PRP, , Sheik Ibrahim Jibril, APGA, Mr Samuel Abolarin, ASD, Mr Okpanachi Nichol, KOWA, Rev. Moses Dridu, PPN, Mr Ikwueje Samuel, PDC, and Mr Jimoh Yusuf, MAJA, were also cleared for the election.

    The INEC also cleared Mr Orugun Emmanuel of ANRP, Mrs Grace Adepoju, MMN, Mr Idris Isah, CAP, Mr Sule Daniel, SNG, , Mr Mohammed Aliu, NPC, Mr Noah Abiodun, PPA, Mr Obagaye Raphael, BNPP, Mr Yisuf Dantale, APM, Mr Usman Imam, DP, Mr Victor Akubo, GPN, Mr Ukuwonu Joseph, PPN, Mr Elegbe Amos, PDC, Mr Usman Salifu, ANDP and Mr Yusuf Nagari of APA.

  • Street protests can’t change our leaders, says Charly Boy

    The convener of ‘OurMumuDonDo Movement’,Charles Oputa, a.k.a “Charly boy”,is calling it quits with street protests having come to the realization that “street protest will not change our leaders .”

    Charlyboy told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that successive Nigerian political leaders have remained insensitive to the plights of ordinary Nigerians over the years and are not moved by such protests to hold them accountable.

    Charlyboy also known as ‘Areafada’, lamented that for almost six decades of Nigeria’s independence, its citizens are yet to experience ‘freedom from bad leadership’.

    He said he is, therefore, boycotting street protests over national issues, and urged advocates of good governance and patriotic Nigerians to resort to engaging the leaders through other non-violence avenues.

    The 68-years-old activist, self acclaimed “President of frustrated Nigerians’, recounted how he spent a better part of his life fighting for the rights of ordinary Nigerians.

    He said that in some cases, he went to the streets to champion the fights for the rights of those he never knew.

    “I have spent over 40 years of my life leading protest for a better society, and I can tell you that street protest will not change our leaders,” he said.

    “My father always told me back then that whenever I see injustice, I should fight it because it may come to affect me someday too, and that is my motivation for fighting injustice over these years.

    Read Also: Court orders police to pay Charly Boy N50m

    “On several occasions, I have been tortured by the Nigerian police and the military for standing up to authorities to ask questions.

    “However, on some occasions, I have been regarded as their friends, depending on the sensibility of those in power.

    “I am not a professional protester, so now I have decided to use other means to hold leaders accountable.”

    The former president of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) said that he decided to use music as a tool to inspire ordinary Nigerians, especially youths toward holding leaders accountable.

    He explained that he was leading an advocacy and enlightenment campaign ‘Na We Be Government” and decided to go back to music, his age-long passion to call citizens to participate in nation building.

    “All over the word, the Arts, especially music have been used to inspire people and change narratives towards a better society.

    “I did not go into music for money, but for the passion of it, and this time I am using it to awake the consciousness of all Nigerians toward building the country they desire.

    “A lot of Nigerians have given up on their country because of bad leadership over the years, and do not believe they have a say in the affairs of their country.

    “It is time they are reminded that power truly belongs to them and there is a social contract between them and elected political leaders.

    “Citizens will do their part and political leaders should also fulfill their obligations as promised in their manifesto, and as required by the constitution,” he said.

    An avid supporter of Okada riders in Nigeria, he is known to have championed many protests, especially when it affects the down-trodden in the society.

    In the mid-nineties Charlyboy fought for the rights of military pensioners during the Abacha-led military administration by marching to the Ministry of Defence Headquarters in Abuja to demand payment of their pension arrears.

    He had also spearheaded campaigns for Nigerian widows, and was founder of the “Save Nigeria from Nigeria’’ campaign, and he was arrested alongside other activists for civil disobedience during the fuel subsidy protest in 2012.

  • Visa to Switzerland costs only N50,000, says Migration Adviser

    The Migration Adviser to the Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria, Ms Jolands Pfister Herren, has said that it only cost N50,000 to secure a visa to travel to Switzerland from Nigeria.

    Ms. Herren who cautioned Nigerians against falling prey to human traffickers or embarking on irregular migration said it was better to visit embassies and get answers.

    She spoke in Benin City at a two-day stakeholders consultation to combat and prevent human trafficking in Edo State tagged “Community Action to Combat Human Trafficking.”

    Herren said the Swizz-funded project being implemented by the Women Aid Collective (WACOL) was aimed to facilitate greater networking amongst stakeholders and to institutionalise early warning systems to prevent human trafficking and irregular migration.

    Read Also; Seven countries Nigerians can visit without visa

    She said the project aimed to engage traditional institutions and religious leaders in the state to sensitize and mobilise communities.

    According to her, “The fight against trafficking in persons constitutes a strategic area of intervention of the Swiss foreign policy on migration.

    “Switzerland is committed to staying engaged in the fight against human trafficking, sees it as a long term undertaking and is keen on exploring innovative and concrete ways of addressing this issue.”

    Executive Director, WACOL, Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo said the group is committed to ensuring safe migration options and safety measures to combat human trafficking and unsafe migration.

    Prof. Ezeilo said the group opted to explore other ways to tackle the menace of human trafficking.

    Benin Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) stressed the need to institutionalize early warning mechanism to prevent human trafficking at the community and grassroot level in Edo State.

    Nwanwenne said human trafficking is degrading and dehumanising as well as violates the human rights of the victims.

  • FEC meeting helped me survive PEPT ruling – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said he was not traumatised while the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal delivered it judgment on Wednesday.

    The judgement was delivered in favour of President Buhari as the winner of the February 2019 election against the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    Speaking while receiving governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Aso Rock, the President said that he was not traumatised as he was presiding over the Federal Executive Council meeting throughout the duration of the judgement at the Court of Appeal.

    He said: “On this judgement, again it was a fabulous coincidence that it came almost the same time the first Federal Executive Council meeting of this government was taking place. It lasted about the same time with the judgement.

    Read Also: Buhari, APC govs meet in Abuja

    “I thank God for that because I think would have gone into trauma or something. So I was busy trying to concentrate on the memo.

    “The first memo was on the budget and it took more than five hours. So, while you were doing your thing for nine hours, we were doing our for about seven hours here.

    “It is a very interesting coincidence and I thank God for it because I would have been in trauma or something of that sort.
    So thank very much for sharing the glory with us. What I will say to you congratulations the chairman of the party and the governors is that we make sure that we really institutionalized the party, so that when we leave the stage the party will continue to lead.”

    Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu said they were in the Villa to congratulate the President over the judgement.

    Those at the meeting included Governors of Osun, Plateau, Kano, Kebbi, Niger, Kogi, Yobe, Ogun, Jigawa, Borno, Lagos.

    Also at the meeting were the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.

  • Nigerian dies in UK’s detention centre

    The Home Office in the United Kingdom is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a Nigerian in the country’s largest detention centre.

    The yet to be named immigration detainee was found dead in his cell in Harmondsworth removal centre on Thursday evening.

    The deceased is believed to be in his forties.

    The Independent reports that he was discovered lying still in his cell by another detainee.

    Tapiwa Furumdi, 24, who has been in Harmondsworth for a year, was in the cell next to his when he died.

    Furumdi,from Zimbabwe,according to The Independent , said he heard the deceased expressing shock and anger.

    “Someone had gone into the room and found a body and started making noise. Apparently he was already dead. I heard something like: ‘This bloody immigration, look what they’re doing to us’,” he said.

    “When I looked in the room, his tongue looked all bloated out of his mouth. I’m still shaken up by it.”

    Furumdisaid officers attended the scene quite quickly, but that “it was quite apparent that he was already dead”. He said it was not clear how he had died.

    Read Also: Building, prison fence collapse in Onitsha

    The 24-year-old said he didn’t know the man well, but that he was a “quiet guy”, adding: “He kept himself to himself, a really private person. He didn’t talk much at all.

    “I don’t think he was happy in here. It’s sad. I felt sorry for the guy.”

    A Home Office spokesperson said: “Any death in detention is a tragic event and our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of [the deceased].

    “The welfare of all those in our care is of the utmost importance. All deaths in immigration detention are subject to investigation by the police, the coroner and the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.”

    The government has rejected widespread calls to end the indefinite detention of immigrants in the UK, claiming a time limit would “severely constrain” the ability to maintain effective immigration control.

    Campaigners have long urged ministers to introduce a 28-day limit on how long people can be detained in removal centres, saying the system is severely damaging for the wellbeing of detainees.

  • JUST IN: Buhari, APC govs meet in Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met with state governors elected under the platform of All Progressives Congress at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    News Agency of Nigeria reports that the agenda of the meeting, which started around 3: 00 p.m., was unknown as of the time of filing this report.

    NAN reports that the governors were led by the Chairman of the APC Progressives Governors, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State.

    Read Also: Buhari meets Akpabio, Sirika, Onu

    NAN also observed that the governors, who were meeting the president for the first time since the Wednesday Presidential Election Petition Tribunal’s judgment which upheld the election of President Buhari, may use the opportunity to congratulate him.

    Others attending the meeting include the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiohmole, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari.

    (NAN)