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  • Senate may pass 2019 budget in April

    The Senate Tuesday resumed the consideration of the general principles of the 2019 Appropriation Bill with more knocks on the budget.

    The upper chamber slated the passage of the N8.83 trillion budget estimates for next month.

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, after the conclusion of the debate of the general principles of the fiscal document, gave the Appropriation Committee where the budget proposal was referred to, two weeks to turn in its report for consideration and passage.

    The upper chamber resolved to ignore heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, who may fail to appear before the sub-committees to defend their budget proposals.

    Sub-committees were mandated to adopt the proposals as submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari to a joint session of the National Assembly at the event that any MDA failed to appear before them.

    The lawmakers resolved, like it was the case in the past, not to run after heads of MDAs who may refuse to appear before the sub-committees to defend their budget proposals and estimates.

    Saraki gave the Appropriation Committee the deadline of April 2, 2019 to submit its report for the consideration of the Senate.

    Read Also: Minimum wage: NLC wants quick implementation, commends Senate

    He said, “The relevant committees should swing into action and ensure that they conclude work on this budget within two weeks. The Committee on Appropriations should submit its report on the 2nd of April so that we can pass the budget.

    “Let me also add that the various committees should not run or force any head of agency to appear. If they don’t appear before the given time, adopt what was submitted by the President and submit your report. That is what you should do.”

    In his contribution to the debate of the general principles of the budget, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, (Abia South) said that the 2019 budget christened “budget consolidation” is actually “a budget of consolidation of poverty.”

    Abaribe who noted that the budget projections did not support the entire template of the budget estimates insisted that fiscal document cannot be implemented.

    The Federal Government, he said, should as a matter of urgent, prepare and send entire new budget by September, for the National Assembly work on.

    Abaribe said: “People who draft budgets for the President give it different names. They write it with their hands in cheek. It means we are paying more debt than spending on projects. When they say budget of consolidation, they are consolidating poverty. This budget will not be implementable.

    “You can see that where we are is just consolidation of poverty. Let them leave this budget. Time is far spent. Let them bring a new budget by September. This budget is a waste of time. I don’t know the essence of this budget they have brought here. Let’s move on to something more important.”

    Senator Suleiman Adokwe, on his own noted that poor allocation and releases to fund capital projects is a major challenge the Executive must tackle for economic growth.

    Adokwe said, “My major problem with the budget is that not much has been voted for capital projects. Year in, year out, we have the same poor allocation to capital projects. Agencies continue to waste money on recurrent expenditure. Even the release of funds for capital projects, has fallen below our expectations.

    “There should be 100 percent release of funds for capital projects. There should also be monitoring of capital projects to ensure that monies released are not misappropriated.”

    Senator Ben Murray Bruce canvassed the scrapping of moribund agencies.

    The Bayelsa State Senator noted that some of the agencies were established in the 1960s and had outlived their relevance.

    He said: “This budget is not different from the one they presented three years ago. There are agencies that were set up in the 1960s. They should be scrapped. We have two percent of Nigerians who are civil servants consuming about 45 percent of our annual budget. We spend trillions on fuel subsidy, but isn’t in our budget. I don’t know what kind of voodoo accounting is this.

    “We need to remove the fuel subsidy. We need to take it out. It is a terrible thing. I am not sure the Labour or Nigerians will complain. They will support the move and ensure that we spend the money on other sectors. This is the right thing to do.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari, when picking his ministers should select smart people and not those current ones who can’t think outside the box. There are brilliant people here who can do better. I don’t know why we select people who are not smart.”

    Senator Matthew Urhoghide, asked the Federal Government to take steps to explore more alternative sources of income to fund its annual budgets.

    He said: “Budgeting has become an annual ritual. We have not been able to put a balanced budget on the table. A serious country must ensure that it has a serious source of income to grow its economy. Even MDAs that are supposed to generate revenues don’t do that anymore.

    “When we keep talking about budgets every year, it becomes an exercise in futility. We need to sit down and talk about how to ensure that the lives of our people are better. Once this budget is referred to the committees, I know that heads of MDAs will not appear as at when due and in the end, they will blame us.“

  • Senior INEC staff kidnapped in Jigawa

    A senior staff of the Independent National Electorate Commission (INEC) in Jigawa state has been kidnapped in the state.

    He was reportedly kidnapped last Friday.

    The kidnapped staff identified as Mr. Mahadi Hassan, is a Pension Desk Officer of the Commission in Jigawa State INEC office.

    It was gathered Hassan was picked by gunmen along Gwiwa road Gwiwa local government area in the state.

    The INEC Head of Department voter education and Publicity Mr John Kaiwa confirmed the incident.

    He lamented Hassan has been missing since Friday.

    Read Also: Bauchi: INEC halts announcement of result

    He added that the kidnappers were yet to contact the commission or the victim’s family on any amount of ransom.

    When contacted, Jigawa Commissioner of Police Bala Zama Senchi‎ said the command was yet to receive any report related to the kidnap of INEC staff in the state.

    “As I am speaking to you, we have not received any report in relation to the kidnap of any INEC staff. I just heard it for the first time from you,” he said.

    The commissioner promised to contact all people related to the matter and get back with updates.

  • Catholic Bishops to El-Rufai: convene stakeholders meeting over Kaduna killings

    The Catholic Bishops of Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province have appealed to Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to as a matter of urgency convene a stakeholders’ meeting that will help in addressing the incessant killings in Kajuru LGA and its environs.

    The call was contained in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the province, His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Manoso Ndagoso of Kaduna Archdiocese and Secretary, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. John Mamasa Niriing (OSA) of Kano Diocese.

    The Bishops lamented the resumption of what they considered as the mindless killings in the Kajuru area of Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State have come to them with a great shock again.

    They noted with dismay that in the last four months alone, the communities have suffered a chain of tragedies, which climaxed with the gruesome murder of their paramount Chief, the Agwom Adara, Mr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima last October.

    “We had hoped that this tragedy would alert the State Government of the seriousness of the tragedy and alert all sides of the urgency of peaceful co-existence.

    “Unfortunately, the situation seems to be growing worse among the communities around Adara land.

    “While the people of Adara still have no traditional ruler, their other leaders have been rounded up under various allegations and have been in detention for a few weeks now.

    “Clearly, these developments have exposed the Adara people to physical, cultural and psychological insecurity.

    “Although these killings continue to carry such labels as farmer herder clashes, ethno-religious and reprisal killings, they do not explain the existential threat that this poses for the faith of our people in a united Nigeria.

    Read Also: Kaduna: PRP guber candidate disowns party, concedes defeat to El-Rufai

    “It is increasingly clear that the perpetrators of these dastardly acts are not acting as lone rangers. These killings have shown every sign of being well planned, well-co-ordinated and targeted.”

    They lamented thousands of the communities have lost lives, homes and all their life savings and earnings.

    “Ours are communities of farmers and herders. The rains will soon be here,” the Bishop stated.

    The Catholic Bishops therefore appealed to the state government to convoke a stakeholders meeting and as well commence a judicial process.

    According to them: “We appeal to the Kaduna State Government to consider convening a Stake Holders’ Meeting made up of representatives of a wide segment of the entire state.

    “Such a meeting will include the political and business elite, senior citizens and statesmen and women, civil society groups etc.

    “This meeting will help us work towards putting the history of violence behind us and laying the foundation for the genuine development and integration of the people of the state.

    “Second, we call for the commencement of a judicial process leading to the trial of anyone judged to be involved in the violence while setting free those who are innocent. This will help to build more trust among our people.“

  • Senate refers nominated RMAFC members to committee for screening

    The Senate has referred the 30 nominated Chairman and Commissioners of Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to its Committee on National Planning for screening.

    This followed a motion moved by the Leader of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan at plenary on Tuesday.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had urged the Senate to consider and confirm the appointment of the nominees in accordance with Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (Amended).

    Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki asked the committee to exercise due diligence during the screening and report back to the senate within two weeks.

    Engr. Elias Mbam from Ebonyi State was nominated as Chairman while Chris Akomas (Abia), Ayang Okon (Akwa Ibom), Chima Okafor (Anambra), Isa Mohammed (Bauchi State) and Samuel Maagbe (Benue) were nominated as commissioners.

    Others nominees were Ntufam Whiley (Cross River), Andrew Agbaga (Delta), Patrick Mgbebu (Ebonyi), Victor Eboigbe (Edo), Amujo Ajayi (Ekiti), Maria Aniobi (Enugu State), Musa Abari (FCT), and Mohammed Usman (Gombe State).

    Also nominated were Ahmed Gumel (Jigawa), Kabir Mashi (Katsina State), Umar Abdullahi (Kano State), Rilwan Abarshi (Kebbi), Suleiman Abdul (Kogi) Abdullahi Yaman (Kwara), Wright Adekunle (Lagos State) and Aliyu Abdulkadir (Nasarawa).

    Others were Ibrahim Shettima (Niger), Fari Adebayo (Ogun), Tokunbo Ajasin (Ondo State), Kolade Abimbola (Oyo State), Alexander Shaiyen (Plateau), Wenah Temple (Rivers), Modu Juluri (Yobe) and Abubakar Gusau (Zamfara).

    RMAFC is a Federal Government establishment saddled with the responsibility of monitoring accruals to and disbursement of revenue from the Federation Account

    It reviews the revenue allocation formulae and principles in operation to ensure conformity with the changing realities.

    The commission also advises the Federal, State and Local Governments on fiscal efficiency and methods by which their revenue is to be increased.

    Furthermore, the commission determines remuneration appropriate to holders of offices as specified in Parts A and B of the First Schedule to the Act establishing it, among others.(NAN)

  • Jitters in Obiano’s cabinet over sack threat

    Threats by Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state to relieve some of his appointees of their duties has sent panic to members of his cabinet.

    Obiano had in a message to mark the first anniversary of his government’s second term in office, threatened to change any underperforming aides in his cabinet.

    A source from government circles who refused to be mentioned cited pruning of cost of governance as major reason for the shake off.

    According to the source, the governor has not been impressed with the output of some of the aides, having not measured up to his expectations.

    The source said, “Some of these appointments were made for political expediency. But from the look of things, we can’t continue with such huge retinue of aides. They must be pruned down in the interest of everybody.

    “Besides, the governor wants to make a mark at this last lap of his administration. It not a time to gamble.

    Read Also: I’ll remove underperforming aides, says Obiano

    “He wants to remain focused and expand the state economic performance in the next three years.”

    The aides likely to be affected in the shake off, according to the source, were community liaison officers without offices but have been taking advantage of their position to exploit unsuspecting residents, especially in the rural areas.

    Reacting, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba, said he was not aware of the planned layoff.

    “I’m not aware of the plan to dissolve the cabinet. They are all rumours,” he said.

  • Four journalists brutalised in Osun protest

    Irate youths in Ilesa, Osun State on Monday brutalised four journalists during their protest against Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over the disconnection of electricity in Ijesha zone.

    It was gathered the IBEDC management disconnected electricity in parts of Ilesa when some staff of the company during their official duty were assaulted by the youths in Olomilagbala and Bolorunduro communities of Ilesa East Local Government in Osun state.

    The youths also allegedly have attacked Ilesa business hub of IBEDC on Thursday March 14 and beat the staffs of the company, accusing the company of poor power distribution, extortion and over billing.

    The aggrieved youths started their protest on Sunday and continued the unrest on Monday at Isokun area of town, where the IBEDC power station is located when they attacked the journalists covering the demonstration.

    On sighting the journalists, who came into the town from Osogbo road, the irate youths, armed with cutlasses cudgels and other dangerous weapons, reportedly descended on them to vent their anger.

    The attacked journalists are Television Continental (TVC) reporter Rafiu Muhammad and his camera man, Taiwo Adu, and the Channels Television reporter, Shittu Abdulfatai and his camera man, Sheu Kadri.

    It was further gathered that the protesting youths were also on rampage for more than two hours.

    The protesters also damaged the official car of the General Manager of Uniq Radio F. M. and the crew van of the Freedom Television.

    They broke the windscreen of the car and destroyed the recording cameras of the two stations.

    Earlier in the day, the youths were said to have barricaded major roads leading into the town and causing vehicular logjam for many hours.

    Osun State governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, has promised to pay medical bills of the attacked journalists, who are on admission at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Adeniyi Adesina, who visited the injured journalists in the hospital, delivered the governor’s message to them, assuring that the state government would offset the bills for their medical treatment.

    In a related development, the State High Court sitting in Ilesa, Osun State has directed the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to restore electricity to Ilesa and its environs.

    In his ruling on Monday, the presiding judge, Justice A. L. Adegoke, directed the IBEDC to restore the supply of electricity with immediate effect.

    Justice Adegoke stated that the decision of the electricity distribution company of throwing the entire Ijesaland into darkness was an illegality.

    Also, the Osun State House of Assembly has directed the House Committee on Public Petition to meet with management of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and representatives of affected areas in Ijeshaland to look for a way to resolve the dispute between the two parties.

    The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam, gave the directive after the Assembly member representing Ilesha West, Hon. Tajudeen Famuyide, raised the issue Under Matter of Public Importance.

    Hon. Famuyide explained that electricity distribution company had withdrawn it service from Ijesha land leaving the area in total darkness due to faceoff between staff of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and some youths in Ilesha.

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council has condemned the attack on its members at Olomilagbala, Bolorunduro, Ilesa East Local Government, on Monday in totality, describing it as uncivilized and barbaric.

    In a statement by the Osun State NUJ chairman, Mr. Kehinde Ayantunji, said:  “Four journalists, namely : Shitu Abdulfatai of the Channels TV, his Camera man, Kadri Kabir,  Rafiu Hammed of TV Continental, (TVC) and his Camera man, Taiwo Adu were among those  attacked  by suspected thugs. The newsmen were in Ilesa in the early hours of Monday to cover the protest embarked upon by irate youths over power outage in Ijesaland.”

    Ayantunji further described the attackers as crude, adding that the union would do everything possible to make sure that the perpetrators face must ice.

    The chairman, who acknowledged prompt intervention of some good Samaritans in rescuing the journalists, said: “We are shocked and seriously disturbed by the ruthless attack on  four of our members  today in Ilesa. We consider the attack as bestial, barbaric and uncivilized; and a declaration of war against journalists who were performing their constitutional responsibility.

    “It is indeed regrettable that those who were striving hard to ensure that the legitimate grievances of the people are brought to the attention of concerned authorities now became object of attack. The attack was so brutal to the extent that Taiwo Adu of TVC and Kadir Kabir of Channels could not stand on their feet. They were callously hit with bottle and various dangerous objects and held captive for about an hour with serious humiliation.

    “They are currently on admission at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo. Their Cameras and other gadgets worth millions of naira were completely destroyed. While we recognize right of protest as a fundamental right, it must not be allowed to degenerate to the level of being hijacked by hoodlums in which journalists unfortunately became victims.”

    Ayantunji called on security agencies to swiftly swing into action and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book without delay.

  • Ex-agitators to Buhari: ignore calls for Dokubo’s removal

    A coalition of ex-agitators’ groups from Kalabari extraction of Ijaw nation in Niger Delta region Monday took to the streets of Port Harcourt in support of the Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Prof. Charles Quaker Dokubo in office.

    The youths numbering over 100 staged a peaceful procession from the Port Harcourt Polo club to the Amnesty liaison office in the GRA area of the city, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to ignore the call, describing the masterminds as distractors and mean on the region and country in general.

    Similar protest also by ex-militant youths was reportedly held in Bayelsa last week, but not in favour of the amnesty Boss, the protesters apparently called for his sack from office, on the grounds of incompetence and alleged looting of amnesty training facility in the state (Bayelsa) by unknown persons.

    But the kalabari youths Monday described Dokubo who doubles as Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs a professional, caring and listening father who have changed the face of amnesty office, the youths of the region and by extension resulting in the peace being witnessed in the region, adding that those calling for his removal are faceless and think no good for the region.

    The groups are, Kalabari Indigenous Movement, Niger Delta Ex-agitators forum, Niger Delta Ex-agitators forum for Good Governance, Niger Delta Advocates of Peace, Progressive Youths Movement of Niger Delta and Concerned Aggrieved Youths of Niger Delta.

    The aggrieved youths who displayed pal-cards and banners with inscriptions that captured their position and identity chanted songs as they moved.

    Some of the write-ups read, “Dokubo is doing well, leave him alone”, “Bayelsa, Kalabari are Ijaw”, ” Don’t Destroy Ijaw Unity”, “President Buhari we love you, do not pay attention to the enemies of Niger Delta”, ” Enough is enough”, “Amnesty is not only for Bayelsa”, ” Stop the pull him down syndrome” among others.

    Speaking on behalf of the protesters at the amnesty office, the leader of the march, Sepiribo Douglas, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to Ignore the insinuations of the disgruntled politicians plotting the removal of Prof. Dokubo.

    They said Prof. Dokubo does not deserve the call to be removed but instead he deserves to be comm3nded and applauded for his ingenuity in running the affairs of the office and the youths involved, which in their believe have changed the narratives of the amnesty office.

    They said, “We are happy that our son has all it takes to occupy the position. He is an astute Professor, a think-tank, visionary and a pragmatist. Since he became the Special Adviser, he has promptly and regularly paid ex-agitators and has also brought out a laudable blue print to transform the lives or ex-agitators and the rural communities in the Niger Delta region.”

    Read Also: Buhari on makeup polls: I won’t influence results

    In their judgements, Prof. Dokubo ranks best among the former personnel who headed the office before him, stressing that he has within first year in office cleared all indebtedness to ex-agitators and maintained regular and prompt payments, and also pushed for and implemented the decentralization of the office to states in the region.

    They commended him for his numerous achievements he has recorded in his one year anniversary and advised him to do more for the region in order to leave a legacy that Kalabari people would be proud of.

    “We are not unaware of the spurious protest in Bayelsa by faceless sponsors who were power hungry, and we are yet to come to terms as to the why a fellow Ijaw person(s) will be plotting to remove their own and we are asking if Kalabari is not Ijaw,” they lamented.

    He appealed to Ijaw elders and leaders to caution these individuals from Ijaw land scheming to remove Prof. Dokubo for the sake of the unity of Ijaw nation.

    He congratulated President Muhammadu on his re-election in the just concluded elections and assured him of the support of Kalabari people.

    Responding, the Manager, Rivers state Liaison office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Alabo Fenibo M.M. Jack, promised to take their message to the Special Adviser in Abuja.

    Jack, who was represented by the head, Administrative matters, Mr. Diepreye Robert, appealed to the protesters to remains peaceful and law abiding in their protest, and pledged to get to the root of the unfortunate vandalism and looting of the Amnesty office in Bayelsa state leading to the issues arising.

  • Court to decide ex-SEC DG, Gwarzo’s fate on April 12

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has scheduled ruling for April 12 to determine whether or not to uphold the no-case submission made by suspended Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mounir Gwarzo and an Executive Commissioner in the agency, Zakawanu Garuba.

    Gwarzo and Garuba are being tried on an amended five-count charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

    They are accused of misappropriating public funds estimated at N115million and conferring corrupt advantage on a public officer.

    The defendants resorted to making a no-case submission at the conclusion of the prosecution’s case.

    Lawyers to the defendants, Abdulhakem Mustapha (SAN) and Robert Emukpoeruo, as well as prosecution lawyer, Raheem Adesina, adopted their written submissions on Monday, following which the trial judge, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf fixed April 12 for ruling.

    Mustapha (for Gwarzo) urged the court to uphold his client’s no-case submission and hold that the prosecution has failed to lead sufficient evidence to warrant requiring the 1st defendant to enter a defence.

    He said the no-case submission was brought under sections 302 and 303 of the Administration if Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

    Mustapha argued that the prosecution failed to make out any prima facie case against his client. He added that the evidence adduced were all contradictory.

    He noted that the prosecution, in its written address in opposition to the submission, relied on the law on certain political office holders, but admitted that SEC was not listed in the law.

    Mustapha urged the court to dismiss the charge, and discharge and acquit the 1st defendant.

    Emukpoeruo (for Garuba), argued in similar vein and urged the court to discharge and acquit his client.

    In his counter-submission, Adesina urged the court to dismiss the defendants’ no-case submissions and order them to enter their defence.

    Adesina argued that there was the need for the defendants to explain to the court where they get the severance package from since there was nowhere in Exhibit ICPC 3 before the court where severance package was mention.

    According to him, there was no single word of severance benefit in the SEC Board resolution if July, 2002 (Exhibit ICPC 3), adding that what was approved and collected was severance benefit when the first defendant never retired from SEC.

    Earlier, Adesina informed the court about an amendment to the charge, following which the defendants took fresh plea and pleaded not guilty.

  • Niger Delta Minister worked against us, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Niger Delta Affairs Minister Usani Usani of working with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rob the party of victory in the just- concluded elections in Cross River state.

    The party also rejected outcome of the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly election, saying its candidates were denied participation by INEC, which allegedly delisted their names on the eve of the election despite an order of stay of execution by the Court of Appeal.

    APC National Vice Chairman south south , Ntufam Hilliard Eta, its governorship candidate , Senator John Owa-Enoh and Cross River chairman Sir John Ochala, said their agents were sent away from the polling units on the excuse that the party was not part of the election.

    They explained party supporters were left confused as to the participation of the party in the election, only for the Resident Electoral Commission to call the party governorship candidate at about 2.00pm on Election Day on the restoration of his name to the ballot box.

    Eta explained the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs did not hide the fact that he was in support of the party candidate, stressing that he has always worked hand in hand with the PDP led government in the state.

    He said: “The National Assembly and Governorship/State Assembly elections organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Cross River State on Saturday February 23 and Saturday March 9, 2019, respectively, were, at its best, a sham that cannot stand the test of time.

    “The contest was not just between the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates on one hand and the candidates of other parties that participated in the exercise on the other hand but between the APC candidates on one hand and the ruling party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party, the INEC, the Security forces and Gov Ben Ayade’s organized thugs on the other.

    “The Etim John-led faction of the party was the one INEC collected list of party agents from instead of collecting from the authentic party exco led by Sir John Ochala.

    “These anti-party agents (Etim John and co) colluded with PDP to subvert the will of the people.

    “There is nothing more devastating and compromising than the attitude of the state INEC REC Dr. Frankland Briyai who on the eve of the Presidential/National Assembly elections on February 22, addressed the press and unilaterally announced the delisting of our candidates purportedly on the orders of a High Court whereas the matter was already in the domain of the Appeal Court from where a stay of execution order was secured. INEC indeed, did the bidding of Gov. Ben Ayade.

    “For instance, at the just concluded Governorship/State Assembly Elections, about (12) twelve out of the eighteen (18) Local Government Returning Officers were from Obudu, the home Local Government Area of Governor Ben Ayade.

    “This is outside the fact that all the Returning Officers are and were card carrying members of the PDP. Party agents who complained about this were rebuffed and this accounted for why the state Collation agent of the party walked out of the collation Centre.

    “At first, INEC Headquarters delayed taking the decision about getting our candidates’ names back on the candidates’ list and even when it finally did, the decision only got communicated to Calabar in the afternoon of the Election Day.

    “The State INEC REC called our governorship candidate Sen. John Owan Enoh at about 12.30pm on Saturday, the Election Day to ‘congratulate’ him that he had just received the list containing his name.

    “The implication of the above was huge. Majority of voters who even turned out to vote were unsure of his candidacy. Several lost interest. Party Agents were sent home on the false premise that Sen. Owan Enoh was not on the ballot.

  • Police Job: PSC to commence screening soon

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has said it will soon commence the screening exercise of candidates who applied into the Nigeria Police Force as Constables.

    10,000 slot was advertised for the job but at the close of the recruitment portal in January this year, the Commission received 315,032 applications.

    The final analysis of the applications received by the Commission showed that 271,068 males applied, 43,785 female applications were received, 24 applicants did not indicate their gender while 155 applications were inconclusive.

    A statement in Abuja on Monday by the Commission’s Spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani stated that a date will be fixed soon for the screening.

    Ani said the explanation was necessary following the huge turnout of candidates to the various Police Commands across the country for the screening without invitation by the Commission.

    Read Also: Police recover gun, phones from two robbery suspects

    The statement reads: “The Police Service Commission wishes to state that it is yet to commence the screening exercise for candidates who applied for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force. The commission has also not invited any candidate for screening.

    “The Commission is surprised to note that some Nigerians besieged the State Commands of the Nigeria Police throughout the country for a screening exercise not scheduled by the Commission and for which no applicant was invited.

    “Applicants are hereby advised to ignore any statement on this as it did not originate from the commission. The commission will soon notify shortlisted candidates of a date for the commencement of the exercise.”