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  • 2019: APC to win in Cross River – spokesman

    2019: APC to win in Cross River – spokesman

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Cross River has expressed confidence in its ability to win the 2019 general elections including the governorship election in the state.

    Mr Mens Ikpeme, the APC Publicity Secretary in the state, expressed the confidence in an interview in Lagos.

    Ikpeme said he was optimistic of the APC success because of the unimpressive performance of the government of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) in the state.

    “APC in 2019 will run an issue-based campaign and focus on three core areas namely, the fight against corruption, stabilising the economy and the restoration of peace and security in Cross River State,’’ he said.

    The secretary said the party would ensure that its candidates in the 2019 elections were of impeccable character and could deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

    He said the party would also ensure internal democracy and conduct free and fair primaries.

    Read also: ‘INEC is working to achieve credible election in Cross River’

    “APC is the party to beat in Cross River State in the 2019 general elections. We are determined to provide democratic dividends to our people.

    “APC has been sensitising the people of what is happening and the people can see for themselves that we have a government that does not serve their interest.
    “Calabar used to be a beautiful place, but the streets are now being taken over by wastes.

    “We are determined to move the state from its present political squalor to greatness,’’ Ikpeme said.

    He said the APC-led Federal Government was fixing the country’s economy, infrastructure and rebuilding its image at the international level.

    “When we took over in 2015 at the federal level, we promised Nigerians that we will fix the economy, ensure security of lives and property and fight corruption no matter who is involved, and this is what we are doing,” he said.

    NAN

  • Rivers APC Chairman calls for unity ahead of 2019 elections

    Rivers APC Chairman calls for unity ahead of 2019 elections

    Mr Davies Ikanya, Chairman, Rivers All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged members to unite and strengthen the party’s political base ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Ikanya made the appeal when he led a delegation of the party’s state executives in continuation of their sensitisation tour to NGO town in Andoni Local Government Area on Monday.

    Report said the sensitisation visit was in continuation of their tour of the local governments to mobilise the people for 2019 elections.

    They have so far visited 15 of the 23 local government areas.

    “Our coming to NGO town is part of efforts across the 23 local government areas of the state with a view to re-educate our members on the party’s operational guidelines,’’ he said.

    According to him, it is necessary to check the activities of members, especially those who have either consciously or unconsciously engaged in some activities organised by a factional arm of the party in the area.

    Report also said a factional local government executive of the party was earlier formed and led by Mr Mike Amakri, a member of the party in the area.

    The factional group had petitioned against the state Party Chairman, Ikanya, who also hails from the area demanding for his sack.

    Although their demand was not acknowledged, the party chairman said the act was insubordination to the party.

    He said such action was punishable by the law of the party and he therefore, announced the suspension of members of the factional executives.

    Ikanya also inaugurated a caretaker party executives to be led by Mr Jephter Alaka.

    Read also: APC,  others set to boycott Ekiti council poll

    Attributing the activities of the factional group to greed and impatience, he warned members against acts capable of disintegrating the party.

    Ikanya assured the members that the APC in the state was intact and could not be divided by any selfish group because members were all working toward the same goal to deliver victory to the party.

    “APC is like a big house and in every big house people struggle to get something, especially when the thing in question is good but limited to a few persons.

    “Everybody cannot lead at the same time, we should learn to support our leaders with positive inputs that will move our great party forward,’’ he said.

    Ikanya also urged the members to adopt available mechanisms for dispute resolution rather than sponsor unguarded statements in the media as such was not in the interest of the party.

    In the same vein, the state Secretary of the party, Mr Emeka Bekee, applauded the rapid growth of the party in the area and welcomed over 400 new members who defected from other parties to APC.

    He said that the gesture was an indication of victory at the 2019 general elections and urged the members to remain committed to the party.

    The secretary also urged them to take advantage of the ongoing party registration exercise to register new members as well as revalidate their existing information.

    Alaka, the Acting Chairman of the party in the local government, thanked the state executive for handling the issue of factional party activities in the area.

    He promised to strictly follow the party’s guidelines and to ensure that members obtained their voters registration cards from the INEC designated centers.

    NAN

  • Supreme Court rules on Dasuki’s detention March 2

    Supreme Court rules on Dasuki’s detention March 2

    The Supreme Court on Monday fixed March 2 for judgment on an appeal by former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, challenging his alleged indefinite detention.

    The panel of five Justices, led by Dattijo Mohammed, gave the date after counsels to the parties in the case adopted their addresses.

    The ex-NSA had on June 15, 2016 at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, lost his bid to enforce his freedom after securing bails on all the charges against him.

    It is recalled that Dasuki is standing trial for allegedly mismanaging 2.1 billion dollars meant for purchase of arms to fight the Boko Haram insurgents.

    Dasuki’s counsel, Mr Joe Daudu, argued that the decision of the Court of Appeal was erroneous, adding that it was incumbent on the Supreme Court to restore the integrity of all courts.

    Daudu submitted that it was out of place for the court of appeal to scuttle the fundamental rights of a citizen after well-considered decisions of four courts that admitted the applicant to bail.

    He said that his client needed the bail to prepare his defence, adding that he could not have access to security documents while in detention.

    “My Lords, Dasuki is already being treated as a convict, even when none of the charges brought against him has been concluded.

    “We sincerely pray this esteemed court to do the needful by setting aside the decision of the lower court.

    “We also pray the court to momentarily halt the applicant’s trial until the Federal Government obeys the bail order of court,’’ Daudu said.

    Mr Rotimi Jacobs, counsel to EFCC, opposed the appeal, saying that it lacked merit and should be dismissed.

    He said the bail condition granted Dasuki was perfected on December 29, 2015, adding that a warrant of release to that effect was served on the Comptroller of Prisons in Kuje, upon which he was released.

    Jacobs said the Federal Government had not violated his rights, adding that the applicant was only re-arrested by the operatives of the DSS over other fraud allegations.

    He said that it was unfair for the applicant to consider his re-arrest as a disobedience to court’s order on his bail.

    He said that no court bail was targeted at the DSS when granted.

    Read also: Dasuki: Court declines request for arrest warrant against DSS’ DG

    “The EFCC which put Dasuki on trial on criminal charges at the FCT High Court cannot be held responsible for the action of the DSS on the ground that the two agencies are different entities.

    “Besides, My Lords, the appeal court has said there was no existing order against the re-arrest of Dasuki.

    “Suffice to say that there cannot be a disobedience to a non-existing court order.

    “We pray the apex court to affirm the decision of the lower court which ordered the continuation of the applicant’s trial even while he remains in detention,’’ he said.

    Dasuki had approached Supreme Court praying it to set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal which exonerated EFCC from his re-arrest shortly after he perfected his bail conditions.

    He further asked the court to void the ruling of the Federal High Court.

    The trial court had held that DSS and EFCC were distinct agents of the Federal Government, which is the complainant in the charges against the applicant.

    Dasuki had alleged that such pronouncement had given the two agents of government handling the trial to act at variance and against justice.

    NAN

  • Navy urges DSS to hunt sea pirate network in Rivers

    Navy urges DSS to hunt sea pirate network in Rivers

    The Nigerian Navy has called on the Department of State Security ( DSS ) to go after the sponsors of notorious sea pirate network believed to be terrorising costal waterways in Rivers and environs.

    Capt. Victor Choji, the Executive Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship ( NNS ) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt made the call when he handed over five suspected sea pirates to DSS operatives on Wednesday.

    He said aside piracy, the suspects allegedly carried out several kidnappings and robbed vessels as well as innocent commuters and their valuables in the maritime domain of Rivers.

    “The suspects were arrested at various times between October 31, and November 12, following credible intelligence on their involvement in armed robbery at sea, kidnapping and piracy.

    “The suspects have availed us with sufficient information to the extent of their illegal activities within the maritime space of Rivers state.

    “So, we are handing them over to the DSS, so that they can unravel the extent of this network and to also uncover their collaborators and sponsors.

    “We believe that if this is done, then we can nip it (crime) in the bud once and for all, thus bringing peace within the maritime space of Rivers state,” he said.

    Read also: Navy to launch 20 new patrol boats in Delta-Ag.Director

    Choji said the navy had observed that whenever troops destroy illegal refineries and bunkering sites, perpetrators often times mutate to piracy, kidnapping and sea robbery.

    He said the trend was particularly worrisome to the navy but assured that strategic measures had been put in place to tackle the ugly development.

    According to him, the navy has succeeded in reducing illegal bunkering and oil theft to its barest minimum, in collaboration with other security agencies in the state.

    “But, what we are seeing now is actually a mutation of this other crimes to kidnapping and piracy and the likes.

    “However, we have re-strategised, and as such confident that within the shortest times that these crimes at sea would be brought to the barest minimum as well.

    “This will ensure that we have safety and security within the maritime environment for lawful activities to take place,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Police nab armed robber, recover ammunition

    Police nab armed robber, recover ammunition

    The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested an armed robber identified as Agbo Ikechukwu, alias Sugar, in Enugu metropolis.

    Police operatives recovered a locally made pistol with three rounds of live cartridges from him.

    The Command’s Spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, said in a statement on Wednesday that the feat was achieved on December 3 by operatives of Trans Ekulu Division using a well-coordinated intelligence information.

    Amaraizu said the operatives conducted a raid in some suspected spots where they nabbed Ikechukwu, who claimed he hail from Mgbo in Ebonyi but residing at Ogbanokwute Trans Ekulu, in company of his cohorts now at large.

    “Ikechukwu and his cohorts allegedly robbed their victim of some money and other valuables on November 24 and thereafter, escaped,’’ he said.

    He said the suspect had been helping operatives in their investigation into his alleged nefarious activities.

    In a related development, two suspects allegedly involved in the vandalism and stealing of cast pipes at Iva-Head works water scheme had been nabbed by the operatives of the Central Police Station.

    Read also: Police in Katsina arrest 3 undergraduates over murder

    Amaraizu said the two suspects, who were rounded up through intelligence information, gave their names as Sunday Nweke and Chibuike Nwosulor.

    “Police operatives have intensified their crime preventive and control in-line with the directives issued to Divisional Police Officers ( DPOs ) and Formation Commanders by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Danmallam, for a safe and secure environment in the state,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Gaidam present’s N92.182 billion as 2018 appropriation bill

    Gaidam present’s N92.182 billion as 2018 appropriation bill

    Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has presented a total sum of N92,182,336,000 as appropriation Bill for the 2018 fiscal year.

    Gaidam who presented the bill on the floor of the State House of Assembly on Tuesday tagged “Budget of Consolidation and Socio- Economic Rejuvenation” said the budget  is targeted  at meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the people, as well as  “concretize Government’s numerous efforts of uplifting the standard and condition of living of all citizens of the State”.

    He explained that the budget is built on the vision and mission contained  in Yobe State Socio-Economic Reform Agenda, (YOSERA).

    “In the 2018 Budget estimates, this administration proposes to spend the sum of N92,182,336,000 which is expected to be generated from the Treasury Opening Balance, Internally Generated Revenue, Statutory Allocation, Value Added Tax (VAT), Ecological Fund, Excess Crude Oil/Exchange Rate Differential among others,” Gov. Gaidam said.

    The Governor noted that  to achieve far-reaching goals, government intend to spend the sum of N47,447,905,000 or 51.5% to cater for recurrent expenditure and the sum of N44,734,431,000 or 48.5% to cover capital expenditure.

    Enumerating the highlights of the Budget Gov. Gaidam said, “From holistic perspective, the 2018 Budget will enable us to complete all the on-going legacy projects that our administration is bequeathing to our good people and take on new ones, in line with our overall developmental agenda.

    “Therefore, the Ministry of Works, Transport and Energy take the lion share of N17.53 billion to enable government complete the ongoing Damaturu Cargo International Airport and other roads and infrastructural projects across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.

    “This will be done through discipline, probity, transparency, and accountability which are some of the essential hallmarks of good governance,” Gaidam explained.

    In his response, the Speaker, Hon. Dogo thanked the governor for his prudence and accountability in governance, and promised that the budget will be soon be scrutinized to ensure its speedy passage into Law.

    Speaker Dala Dogo also pledged the support of the lawmakers for a smooth partnership to enable the government deliver the dividends of democracy to the common people of the state.

  • Reps adopt 2018-2020 MTEF document

    Reps adopt 2018-2020 MTEF document

    The House of Representatives was in total agreement with the Executive on the set parameters in the 2018-2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework ( MTEF ) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

    This was despite an attempt by Betty Apiafi (PDP, Rivers), to divert attention towards the status of recovered looted fund in funding the 2018 budget.

    Though the House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila reminded the House that the consideration was about MTEF report, the Chairman Committee of Supply, Speaker Yakubu Dogara nonetheless said it has become necessary for the House to investigate the state of independent revenue of government.

    “It is safe to say the 2018 budget will not be funded by recovered looted funds but it is necessary to investigate the independent revenue of government by way of a motion,” he said.

    The consideration went on and the report was adopted without a dissenting voice.

    Before the consideration and rhe adoption of the report of the Committees on Finance, Appropriations, Aids, Loans and Debt Management, Legislative Budget and Research and National Planning and Economic Development on the 2018-2020 MTEF and FSP, the  2018 Appropriation Bill  had scaled second reading on the floor of the lower House without a dissenting voice.

    Following the referral of the document to the joint Committee last week, in his opening remarks Ibrahim Babangida (APC, Katsina) said the Committees took cognizance of the economic realities on ground in relation to global events.

    In consideration of the recommendations, the House resolved that benchmark for crude oil production of  2.3 million barrels per day be retained as proposed by the Executive for the 2018 Budget.

    The House however reviewed upward from $45 per barrel to $47 per barrel as the benchmark for the fiscal year 2018. “This is in consideration of the current positive outlook in the global oil market and expectation that OPEC and other allied oil partnership countries will sustain oil production “cuts deep” into 2018,” Babangida said.

    The ₦305/US Dollar as proposed by the executive for the 2018 Budget was  adopted. Babagida explained that,  “It is also advised that CBN should adopt measures to close the gap between the parallel market and the official exchange rate”.

    The House also adopted projected ₦5.279 trillion for non-oil revenue in 2018, “In addition, revenue generating agencies should intensify efforts on collections and measures that would reduce revenue loss. Specifically, Pioneer status and Tax incentives must be beneficial to the economy,” Babagida said.

    The ₦1.699 trillion new borrowing for 2018 as proposed by the Executive was also adopted. “However, borrowing must be project-tied. In borrowing more, government must remain focused and ensure it is used to fund critical projects that will increase productivity and contribute to financing such debt,” Babangida said.

    The House also adopted the recommendation that a 3.5 percent  growth rate be adopted, especially with the latest figures indicating a doubling of growth rate to 1.4 percent  in third quarter, 2017.

    Furthermore, the National Assembly was also directed to amend the relevant Sections of the Fiscal Responsibility Act and other extant laws.

    The House also approved the$350m borrowing plan for the Kaduna bye pass after being presented by Chairman, Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management, Ajayi Adeyinka.

    The borrowing plan was presented to the House though President Muhammadu Buhari.

  • Convention: Don urges PDP delegates to elect people of integrity

    Convention: Don urges PDP delegates to elect people of integrity

    A Don, Prof. Aloysius Okolie, has advised delegates at the forthcoming Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention in Abuja, to ensure the emergence of people of integrity as national executive of the party.

    Okolie, a Senior Lecturer, Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria Nsukka gave the advice in an interview in Nsukka on Tuesday.

    He said the quality of executive that would emerge from the convention would determine the future of PDP.

    “The type of national executive elected by PDP on Saturday will make or mar the party’s progress and its ambition to reclaim power at the centre in 2019.

    “The party should ensure that those that will be elected are men and women of integrity that have enviable past track records,” he said.

    He also urged delegates to “resist attempt by some political money bags to buy their votes’’, adding that “such will spell doom for the party.’’

    “I advise delegates to place the interest of the party first as that will help the party to enthrone dedicated, transparent and focused leadership.

    “If the delegates have the interest of the party at heart, they must shun all forms of financial inducement and vote according to their conscience.”

    Read also:  PDP convention: Atiku backs Adeniran for chairman

    The don also said the character of whosoever emerged as the PDP national chairman would determine the level of discipline and internal democracy in the party.

    “For any political party to survive as well as remain relevant there must be discipline and internal democracy that will give hope to aspirations of party members.

    “Absence of disciplinary and internal democracy have ruined many political parties and resulted in some members acting with impunity as if the party is their personal enterprise.

    “Saturday’s convention is an opportunity for PDP to get it right and correct its past mistakes, this will strengthen and reposition the party.”

    NAN

  • Court remands sexagenarian in prison for raping teenager

    Court remands sexagenarian in prison for raping teenager

    An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo on Tuesday remanded a sexagenarian, Rafiu Olalekan in Agodi Prison for alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl .

    The Magistrate, Modupeola Olagbenro in her ruling remanded Olalekan in the prison pending the outcome of the case file at the state Directorate of Public Prosecution ( DPP ) as her court does not have jurisdiction to try the case.

    She, thereafter, adjourned the case till January 10, 2018 for mention.

    Report says Olalekan, a farmer from Abedo village near Moniya, Ibadan, is facing a one – count charge of unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor.

    The Police Prosecutor, Cpl. Oluseye Oyebanji told the court that Olalekan on November 20, at about 8 pm at Abedo village allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of the girl in his neighborhood.

    According to Oyebanji, Olalekan was alleged to have been having carnal knowledge of the victim mostly on her way back from school.

    Read also:  Rape: 13-year-old victim’s father cries out for justice

    “On the fateful day, the victim who stays with her grandmother, was running errand for her when Olalekan waylaid her and had carnal knowledge of her without her consent.

    “When the victim’s grandmother could not see her on time, she raised alarm before the victim was seen with Rafiu with the help of the villagers in an uncompleted building,” he said.

    Oyebanji said the offence was reported to the police by the victim’s mother, one Mrs Olaide Kehinde of Sapati area,Yemetu, Ibadan.

    The prosecutor said the offence contravened section 218 of the Criminal Code Cap 38, Vol .II, Laws of Oyo State 2000.

    NAN

  • 2019: No better candidate than Buhari – Marwa

    2019: No better candidate than Buhari – Marwa

    The All Progressives Congress’ (APC) chieftain, Gen. Buba Marwa, on Tuesday, said so far, there was no better presidential candidate for the 2019 presidential election in the APC than President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Marwa, who is also a former military governor of Lagos State, made this disclosure in Yola after a meeting of stakeholders comprising 20 organisations in Adamawa.

    The meeting was organised by the Buba Marwa organisation, where the candidature of Buhari was endorsed for a re-election in 2019.

    Marwa said Buhari administration within the past two years, had recorded some achievements in the area of security, anti-corruption, improved electricity supply and diversification of the economy through agriculture and solid minerals.

    Read also: Buhari to Nigerians: I’ll need your vote in future

    “We are happy with the measures the government is taking in the diversification of the economy, which are already paying off, especially in the agricultural and mining sectors; the improvement has manifested in the recent exit from recession”.

    On the exit of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the APC, Marwa said although, the move was a big loss to the party, it would not affect the chances of APC in Adamawa and even at the national level.

    “No political party would like to lose someone like the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; we assure that his departure will, however, not affect the fortunes of the party at any level.

    NAN