Photos: 50 NGOs stage protest against arrested judges in Abuja

Coalition of 50 NGOs are currently staging a massive protest in Abuja against alleged corrupt practices in the judiciary. The protesters are demanding that the recently arrested serving Judges/Justices should step down until they have cleared their names in court. More photos after the cut.

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Vandal destroys Donald Trump's Hollywood Walk of Fame star (photos)

Donald Trump’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has been destroyed with a pick-ax. The US Republican presidential candidate's star which was awarded to him in 2007 and located at 6801 Hollywood Blvd, was smashed up early today by one Jamie Otis, who took credit for the destruction. Otis posed as a construction worker to fool anyone walking past.


Smashing the embedded terrazzo and brass star to bits, he claims he intends to auction off the removed star to raise money for the women who have come forward to accuse Trump of sexually assaulting them over the decades. Los Angeles police are investigating the case.

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3000 oil workers sacked-NUPENG chairman says, issues 21-day ultimatum to FG to stop mass sack

Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers NUPENG, Igwe Achese, today disclosed that oil giant, Chevron, has folded up in the Eastern part of the country, leaving 1500 people out of jobs without entitlements.

Achese made the disclosure at the end of a meeting of the Central Working Committee of the union held in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

Accoridng to him, over 3000 oil workers in Nigeria have so far lost their jobs due to the Economic recession. Achese on behalf of the union, issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal government to stop the mass sack in the oil sector or they would embark on a total strike.

“It is painful to say as I address you, Chevron has wound up in the East and their offices closed. A total of 1,500 workers were sacked without their entitlements and nobody is saying anything. As we speak, many companies have left and many others are winding up to go.

Many oil companies are winding up, including ExxonMobil, Pan Ocean, Sapiem Ground Petroleum, and Hercules Offshore Nigeria Limited. About 3,000 workers have already been sacked by the various oil companies. NUPENG will take all necessary action to drive home its demands if FG failed to act in 21 days.

We are 100% in support against anti-corruption, but there must be respite for Nigerians. Right now, our members and even those in other sectors are no longer able to pay school fees for their children and even afford rents. Worse still, those being sacked now are so treated without commitment to proper terminal benefits”he said

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ICPC reacts to the reported sack of its Chairman, Ekpo Nta by President Buhari

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC has denied receiving any letter from the Federal Government informing its Chairman, Ekpo Nta to proceed on compulsory leave beginning from today, October 26th.



Below is a statement signed by the Commissioner, Public Enlightenment and Spokesperson for the Commission, Edet Ufot and dated October 26th:


"The attention of the Management of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has been drawn to the report of above title in the Vanguard newspaper of 26th October, 2016 authored by one Ben Agande and replicated under different titles by some other online and traditional publications.

The report purports that ICPC is in receipt of a letter from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, informing the Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, “to proceed on compulsory leave beginning from today, October 26”. It goes further to impute perceived reasons for the alleged “sack” of the Chairman while quoting an anonymous “ICPC source”. No such letter or letters have been received in the Commission.

ICPC has brought this matter to the attention of the relevant authorities for appropriate action."

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Stomach Infrastructure: Food items given to Ekiti people to celebrate Fayose's 2nd year in office

To celebrate Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose's second year in office, aside from commissioning of structures built in the state and laying of foundations for new projects, his Stomach Infrastructure program handed out food items to residents in Ado and Afao Ekiti. More photos after the cut.

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Family of businessman, Goodie Ibru declared wanted by EFFC says he's in the UK for medical treatment

The family of businessman Mr Goodie Ibru, has reacted to by the announcement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), declaring him wanted over allegation of capital market fraud, money laundering and diversion of funds.

The anti-graft agency's Head of Media and Publicity, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement explained that Mr Ibru diverted billions of naira and assets of Ikeja Hotels Plc, owners of Sheraton Hotel, Federal Palace Hotel and Capital Hotel; owner of Sheraton Hotel Abuja to his personal benefit.


In a statement obtained by Channels TV on Thursday, the family described the EFCC’s action as scandalous, misleading and unfortunate and created the impression that Mr Ibru was on the run.
They added that the businessman had earlier responded to the agency’s invitation for an interview on July 25.

The family explained further that he was in the United Kingdom for medical treatment, but promised to honour the invitation on his return in the first week of November. They described the allegation leveled on him by the EFCC as an indication of bias into an investigation of an issue that borders primarily on family misunderstanding, which they said the anti-graft agency was fully aware of.

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Invasion of judges homes by DSS is a threat to the independence of the judiciary- NJC

The National Judicial Council has described the invasion of homes and arest of some serving and suspended judges by agents of the Department of Security Services (DSS) as a threat to the independence of the judiciary...

In a statement released last night, the council said no judicial officer who is under any form of investigation should be invited by any institution in the country, including the DSS, without complying with the rule of law and due process.

DSS officials last Saturday, stormed the homes of some judges alleged to have been involved in corrupt practices and arrested them. The affected judges namely Justices Okoro and Ngwuta of the Supreme Court; Justice Muhammad Ladan Tsamiya of the Court of Appeal; Justice Kabiru Auta of the Kano High Court; Justice Mu’azu Pindiga of the Gombe High Court; Justice Ibrahim Auta, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria; and Justice Adeniyi Ademola, were however released on grounds of self recognition on Monday October 10th.

According to Thisday, the NJC in its statement maintained it had never shielded any judge from investigation. Part of the NJC's statement reads

“That it maintains its earlier decision that no judicial officer shall be invited by any institution, including the DSS, without complying with the rule of law and due process. That explains why when the DSS wrote to the council by letter Ref. No. LSC.960/4 dated 14th September 2016, to direct Hon. Justice Mu’azu Pindiga to appear before it, the Hon., the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council directed the Hon. Chief Judge of Gombe State to ask Hon. Justice Mu’azu Pindiga to report to DSS, which His Lordship did.

That the National Judicial Council has never shielded, nor will it shield any judicial officer who has committed any misconduct. That the Department of State Services is an agency in the presidency and its functions as specified in the statute establishing it, is primarily concerned with the internal security of the country. That the action of the DSS is a denigration of the entire judiciary, as an institution. That by the act of the DSS, judicial officers are now being subjected to insecurity, as criminals might take advantage of the recent incidents to invade their residences under the guise of being security agents. The council vehemently denounces a situation whereby the psyche of judicial officers in the federation is subjected to a level where they would be afraid to discharge their constitutional judicial functions, without fear or favour, intimidation, victimisation or suppression.

The council will not compromise the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. The council wishes to reassure the public that any person who has a genuine complaint against any judicial officer is at liberty to bring it up to the council for consideration, after following due process vide its Judicial Discipline Regulations.”

The NJC added that at the end of it two-day meeting, it unanimously agreed to recommend Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, as the most senior, suitable and competent justice of the Supreme Court to President Muhammadu Buhari for appointment as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), to succeed Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who retires from office on the 10th November 2016.

‎The statement further read: “At its last emergency meeting, which was held on 11th October 2016, Council decided among other matters, as follows:
“That the council is a creation, by virtue of Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, with its powers specified in Paragraph 21 of Part One of the Third Schedule whereof.

“That by virtue of Section 160 of the 1999 Constitution, council fashioned out: i) Judicial Discipline Regulations; ii) Revised NJC Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the appointment of judicial officers of all superior courts of record; iii) Code of Conduct for judicial officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and‎ iv) National Judicial Policy to inter-alia, regulate its own procedure while exercising its constitutional powers.

“That Section 158(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, has unequivocally provided for the independence of the National Judicial Council vis-à-vis directing or controlling it by any authority or person while exercising its powers.

“‎Reiterated its absolute confidence in the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and its unwavering determination to uphold the principles of democracy, separation of powers and the rule of law enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended and the United Nations Charter, of which Nigeria is a member.

“‎That it shall continue to support the President Buhari administration in its fight against corruption in all its ramifications in the federation; and in cleansing the judiciary of corrupt judicial officers.”

The council further addressed the issues as they affected each of the affected judges.

In the case of Justice Ngwuta, it stated that the public was aware that Ngwuta, a justice of the Supreme Court, was arrested after his house was invaded by heavily armed and masked operatives of the DSS on Friday, 7th October 2016.
“The operatives did not leave his house until noon of the following day, when he was whisked away to the (“DSS”) office,” it revealed.

In the case of Justice Okoro‎, the council stated that the residence of Justice Okoro, a justice of Supreme Court, was raided in the same manner and was arrested by the same operatives of the DSS.
It stated that “contrary to the claim by the DSS and as published in the electronic and print media, council has never received any petition against the aforesaid judicial officers: Hon. Justices Ngwuta and Okoro of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, by the DSS”.
In the case of Justice Muhammed Ladan Tsamiya of the Court of Appeal, the council said that ‎at its meeting held on 29th September 2016, it found him culpable of professional misconduct contrary to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers and the provisions of Section 292 of the constitution.
NJC said that it accordingly recommended him to Buhari for compulsory retirement from office, following the petition written by one Mr. Nnamdi Iro Oji for demanding the sum of N200 million bribe.
The council said: “It is to be stressed that from the evidence before the it, Hon. Justice Ladan Tsamiya did not receive the N200 million bribe. The petitioner adduced evidence to support his allegation that Hon. Justice Tsamiya only demanded for the money.
“In the exercise of its power, council suspended Justice Tsamiya from office, pending when the president will act on the recommendation. And Mr. President has approved the recommendation of the council and compulsorily retired His Lordship from office yesterday the 12th day of October, 2016.”
On Justice I. A. Umezuluke, the Chief Judge of the Enugu State, the council ‎revealed that it also recommended him for compulsory retirement from office to the Enugu State governor for gross misconduct, pursuant to the petition written against him by Mr. Peter Eze.
It stated that the judge remained suspended, pending the time the Enugu governor would act on its recommendation.
With respect to Justice A.F. Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the council said there was a petition written against him by ‎Hon. Jenkins Duviegiane Gwebe on allegations bordering on corrupt practices.
It disclosed: “Currently, a committee of the council is investigating the allegation. ‎There is no other petition against Hon. Justice Ademola from DSS pending at the National Judicial Council.”
In the case of Justice Kabiru Auta of the Kano State High Court, the council said he was investigated based on allegations of corrupt practices levelled against him in a petition by one Alhaji Kabiru Yakassai.
NJC added that it had recommended the judge to the governor of Kano State for removal from office by dismissal.
It said: “Council wrote separately to the AIG Kano Zone 1, for the police to prosecute Hon. Justice Auta. Council has suspended His Lordship from office pending when the governor will act on its recommendation.”
On Justice Pindiga of the Gombe State High Court, the council said it received a petition from DSS against him alleging ‎corrupt practices against him.
“The DSS had alleged that the ‎‎ judge, in a bid to illegally enrich himself, perfected plans through third party proxies/conduits, with a view to influencing the outcome of the election tribunal in the governorship polls in favour of the incumbent Governor Nyesom Wike (of Rivers State).
“It was also alleged ‎that further ongoing discreet investigation, Justice Pindiga was observed to have illegally enriched himself through corrupt means.
“Part of the illegitimate proceeds suspected to have accrued to Pindiga include the underlisted: a) Two (2) completed blocks of six (6) units of two bedroom flats in Federal Low Cost Estate in Gombe metropolis; b) Four (4) units of bungalows in another part of the estate; c) An uncompleted property at GRA in Gombe metropolis; d) a Mercedes Benz C300 car in the name of MUBAJJAL; e) a Toyota Venza-Model SUV.
“The DSS also alleged that from all indications, it was apparent that Pindiga, who is a very senior justice in Gombe State, was highly corrupt,” the NJC disclosed.
The council further stated that DSS alleged that “Pindiga’s continuous stay as a justice in any capacity would likely embarrass the current administration and pervert the cause of justice.
“In view of the foregoing, it strongly advised that immediate necessary administrative and judicial measures be taken on him, including appropriate sanctions and trial to set a precedent to others of his like,” NJC alleged.
The council said the‎ complaint was not supported by a verifying affidavit deposed to by the DSS, as required by the National Judicial Council Discipline Regulations 2014.
The council said the petition should have been disregarded for non-compliance with the National Judicial Council Regulations, but by letter Ref. No. NJC/S.15/HC.GM/5/1/128 dated 19th April, 2016, the DSS was notified and requested to comply and to depose to a verifying affidavit in support of the allegations of corrupt practices levelled against the Hon. Judge, and that the DSS deposed to the verifying affidavit following which Justice Pindiga responded to the allegations against him by DSS.
NJC said: “Thereafter, a committee comprising members of the council investigated the allegations of corrupt practices. Both parties – the DSS and Hon. Justice Mu’azu Pindiga, together with their witnesses and counsel – appeared before the panel set up by council in compliance with the National Judicial Discipline Regulations and Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, on the right to fair hearing.
“The DSS was represented by a Director, S. U. Gambo, Esq. who is also a legal practitioner in the department and Hon Justice Pindiga was represented by Joe Agi (SAN).
“At the end of the investigation, the DSS could not substantiate any of the allegations of corrupt practices either by documentary or oral evidence against the Hon. Justice Pindiga.
“Consequently, at its Meeting of 15th July, 2016, Council decided to exonerate Hon. Justice Pindiga of the allegations of corrupt practices levelled against him by DSS.
“The Council’s decision was conveyed to Hon. Justice Pindiga in a letter Ref. No. NJC/HC.GM/5/1/132 of 9th August, 2016 and copied the DSS.”
In the case of Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, the council said: “Council is aware that DSS had written a complaint alleging corrupt practices and professional misconduct against Hon. Justice Dimgba by a letter Ref. No. LSD.158/2/31 dated 5th August 2016.
“At its meeting of 29th September 2016, council constituted a fact finding committee comprising its members to investigate the allegation.
“During the last emergency meeting of the council, it received a report from Hon. Justice Nnamdi Dimgba that his residence was also raided and ransacked; and in the process, his nephew and driver were man-handled, using a wrong search warrant which was not meant for the search of his house.
“The committee has commenced the process of investigating the allegations before the recent unfortunate raid and search of Hon. Justice Dimgba’s residence,” it said.
The NJC said it had also meticulously considered the entire unfolding events that led to the arrest of the judicial officers and the misinformation and disinformation making the rounds in both the electronic and print media that the DSS acted thus because the National Judicial Council was shielding the judicial officers from investigation and prosecution for corrupt practices and professional misconduct.
It noted particularly that from the available records, the DSS forwarded only two separate complaints containing allegations of corrupt practices against Justice Pindiga and corrupt practices and professional misconduct against Justice Dimgba.

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Raid and arrest of judges sad and deeply regrettable -Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmud Muhammed

Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Mahmud Mohammed has described the arrest and raids on homes of some judges by Department of State Service, DSS as "saddening and deeply regrettable"


The CJN stated this at the valedictory session in honour of a retired Supreme Court Justice, Suleiman Galadima, in Abuja on Monday..




"It is indeed very saddened and deeply regrettable, the distressing and unfortunate incident which occurred on Friday 7 October and Saturday 8 October 2016."


He urged Nigerians to remain calm, saying that an emergency meeting of the National Judicial Council, NJC, will take place today, during which the matter will be thoroughly looked into.


"However, I must appeal to all Nigerians to remain calm and prayerful, as an emergency meeting of the National Judicial Council (NJC) will take place tomorrow ‎[today] to comprehensively look into the matter. I must express my sincere appreciation to the executive of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) ably led by the president, Abubakar Mahmoud, and indeed all members of the legal professions, for their ‎prompt action and continued support," he said.


Speaking at the event, NBA President Abubakar Mahmoud insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari should call the security agencies responsible for the arrest of the judges to order.


"We viewed these actions as illegal and unconstitutional and a threat to the independence of the judiciary and must be aimed at intimidating the judiciary and the legal profession. These military style operations are totally unacceptable in a democratic society. They are unacceptable against private citizens but even more against serving justices of superior courts."


Mahmud said the NBA rejected the explanations and justification by the presidency that the operations were targeted at corruption and not the judiciary.


"We find it absurd that the presidency will accept assurances from DSS that it followed due process of the law. We maintain our position that these operations are illegal and unconstitutional. I want to reiterate that the position of the NBA is not aimed at protecting any judge. We are not also shielding any judges from investigation from charges of corruption," he said.


Commenting on the divisions among lawyers over the arrests and raids of the judges’ houses in the middle of the night by masked armed men, he said:


"We do not accept it. This portends real danger to the Nigerian democracy. It is contrary to all civilised norms and accepted standards"


He advised the DSS to restrict itself to its constitutional and statutory duties as according to him, DSS core mandate is to guaranteeing internal national security.

"It is not its responsibility to conduct sting operations on judges for corruption or ‎professional misconduct in the middle of the night," he said

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Female police officer criticized for carrying the the bag of Anambra state first lady, Ebele Obiano

The photo was shared on Facebook page and many Nigerians are criticising the police officer for carrying the First Lady's bag. Shouldn't she have?

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Donald Trump lashes out at US House Speaker, Paul Ryan

The man that holds the highest Republican seat in the US, House Speaker Paul Ryan has turned his back on Donald Trump. Ryan told other Republican members during a conference call that he could no longer support Trump following his lewd remarks about women.

Trump, in true fashion, took to his Twitter account to blast Ryan, labeling him weak & ineffective

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NDDC board: Senate rejects two of President Buhari's nominees

The Senate today rejected two of President Buhari's nomination as members of the board of the Niger Delta Development Company NDDC. The rejected nominees are Olatokunbo Ajasin, son of the former governor of Ondo State, late Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin and Donatus Enyinnah from Abia state.
The senate committee on Niger Delta while presenting its report on the screening of the nominees, said both men were dropped on the ground that their nominations breached the NDDC Act as they are not from oil-producing areas of their respective states. Sixteen out of the 19 nominees were confirmed. The nominee for Imo state was not confirmed because he failed to show up for the screening. See list of the nominees after the cut.

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APC secretariat in Delta State padlocked, calabash with eggs, white native chalk placed at the gate (photos)

The APC Secretariat at Asaba, Delta State is locked with a padlock painted the red colour. Also, a calabash containing eggs, white native chalk tied with red cloth was found at the front gate. Photo credit: Ossai Ovie

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EFCC returns seized 48 houses belonging to former Bayelsa state governor, Timipre Sylva

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has returned 48 houses seized from former Bayelsa state governor, Timipre Sylva. The antigraft agency during the Jonathan administration in 2013, had dragged Sylva before a Federal high court over allegations of misappropriation of N6.46 billion state funds when he was governor of the state between 2009 and 2012. His assets were subsequently seized during his trial.

Among properties seized and have been returned are a mansion at 3 River Niger Street, plot 3192 Cadastral zone AO, Maitama District Abuja; nine units (comprising six one bedroom and 3 two bedroom apartments) at 8 Sefadu Street Wuse zone 2, plot 262 Cadastral zone AO2, Wuse Abuja; and 2 units duplexes at 5 Oguta Street, plot 906 Cadastral zone Wuse 11 Abuja.

Others are: a duplex at Plot 1271 Nike Street Cadastral zone AO5, Maitama District Abuja; a duplex at Phase 1 Unit No. 1 (Villa 1) Palm Springs Gold Estate, Cachez Turkey Projects Limited, Mpape, Abuja; 10 units of one-room apartments at 8 Mistrata Street plot 232 Cadastral zone Wuse 11 Abuja; 5 units duplexes at Plot No 1070 Dakibiyu District Cadastral zone B10, Abuja; 16 units service apartments at Plot 1181 Thaba Tseka Crescent, Off IBB Way, Wuse 11, Abuja and 3 units of three- bedroom flats at No. 1 Mubi Close, Plot 766. Cadastral Zone A01, Garki, Abuja. Sylva was first arraigned on Tuesday June 5, 2012.

The "Keep Off" inscription by EFCC on the properties have been removed..

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Bola Tinubu demands John Odigie-Oyegun resignation over Ondo APC governorship primaries

National Leader of APC, Bola Tinubu, has reportedly asked for the immediate resignation of the party's National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun. According to Vanguard, Tinubu made the demand in a stinking communiqué sent to Oyegun and other party chieftains.

The former Lagos state governor in the letter accused Oyegun of interfering and sabotaging the will of democracy in Ondo State by overriding the decision of the party's appeal panel that asked for a fresh governorship primary following investigations that showed that the delegates’ list used had been tampered with.
He alleged that APC was now under threat of being suffocated by anti-democratic forces pretending to be progressives, His communique reads
“The APC, a party born of the quest for democratic good governance, is under critical threat by those who managed to be in the party but never of it. From the party’s inception, the principles of democratic fairness and justice were to guide APC internal deliberations. Party founders realized that only by intramural fair dealing could the party remain faithful to the progressive ideals that we presented to the Nigerian electorate as our governing creed. If the party could not justly govern itself, it would find it difficult to establish and maintain just government throughout the nation. In essence, the party was the embodiment of a democratic promise made between its members as well as a democratic vow made to the public. Evidently, some errant members believe promises and vows are mere words to be easily spoken and more easily broken.
Chairman John Oyegun has breached these good pledges in a most overt and brazen display. In doing so, Oyegun has dealt a heavy blow to the very party he professes to lead. It is an awful parent who suffocates his own child for the sake of a few naira. The party was supposed to buttress APC members elected to government at all levels. Because of Oyegun’s conduct of our affairs, the party is rapidly becoming an albatross to those it was meant to help. Oyegun’s comportment regarding the Ondo State primary will become the textbook definition of political treachery and malfeasance of the basest order. In early September, the state primary was held. A purported winner was named. Having faith in the ways of the party, Tinubu publicly accepted what he assumed to be a verdict honestly derived. As a democrat, one must face the possibility of defeat and accept such as outcome with as much grace as one would embrace victory. One of the few bright spots during the conduct of the primaries was Jigawa Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar. He chaired the primary convention with decorum and impartiality. He was unaware that a tampered list had been slipped into the process. Indeed within hours of the announcement, news began to filter in that gravely disturbed me. Credible allegations of fraud troubled the waters. The delegate list had been materially altered by someone in a strategic position to so do. The names of over 150 valid delegates were excised to make room for an equal number of impostors. This was not a clerical error. The alteration was wilfully executed that the primary would be directed toward a chosen end that bore nothing in common with the will of most state party members. A cunning few had tried to deceive the many into believing they were outnumbered. A conspiracy to steal the Ondo primary had been uncovered. Fortunately, the grand deception afoot had been unable to cover its tracks fast enough. Truth began to cry for justice. “Several candidates filed petitions contesting the result. The party established an investigative board to review the evidence.
In a two to one decision, the panel found the delegate roster had suffered tampering. The panel recommended that a new primary should be held using the valid delegate list. This recommendation was tabled before the National Working Committee (NWC). After many hours of deliberations spanning several days, a final vote was held by the NWC. Before hand, NWC members agreed that the decision of the majority would become the stance of the party. Such is the way of democracy. The NWC voted six against five to cancel the fraudulent results and hold an honest primary. For a moment, it seemed the party would restore its integrity by giving democracy a chance.
However, those who sought to scam an entire state would not let the vote of 11 people spoil their enterprise. After the NWC vote, a noticeably agitated Chairman Oyegun proposed the NWC engage in prayer before concluding the meeting. Adhering to this chairman’s request, NWC members began to pray. Seeing that the others had taken his bait, Oyegun used the prayerful interlude to secretly excuse himself from the meeting. Contravening the NWC decision and in violation of all rules of fundamental decency, Oyegun decided to safeguard the fraud done in Ondo by perpetrating a greater fraud. Oyegun arrogated to himself the right to submit the name of Rotimi Akeredolu to INEC as the candidate of the party. Truth has finally come to light. There exists a regressive element in the party that cares nothing for the progressive ideas upon which this party was founded. They joined the APC because it was the best ride available at the time. Now they want to guide the party into the ditch. They want to turn the party into a soulless entity incapable of doing good, just like they are. When such a person tastes power, they shed all good restraint. They come to abuse the trust given them as if they are the owners of that trust and not its mere custodians. These people did little to build the party but now will do much to wreck it. Our party was to stand for change. Oyegun and his fellows seem to be on a different wave length. They are the cohort of Unchange.
The APC wants to guide Nigeria into a better tomorrow. Oyegun and the cohort of unchange want to pull Nigeria back into the past where rigging and vote stealing were the old and new testaments of politics. They want the people to think that there is no alternative to their reactionary system of skewed politics and imperious government. Thus, they seek to turn the APC into a factory of the very political malpractices the people soundly rejected in the past election. To choke the APC in this manner is to kill the chance for progressive reform for the foreseeable future. Much more than the Ondo primary is at stake. Oyegun has revealed his team’s game plan: It is the destruction of progressive politics and governance on behalf of the people. As party chairman, Oyegun was supposed to protect our internal processes and be an impartial arbiter, a person in whom all had confidence. Instead, he donned the garment of a confident man, duping the NWC, the party, and INEC in one fell blow. He has robbed APC members in Ondo State of the chance to pick in a fair manner who they believe is the best candidate. As such, he has broken faith with the party and probably has broken a few laws. The consequences of what he has done are more expansive than a man of his scope can fathom,” Tinubu said as he said that Oyegun must have been under some major sinister influence as to allow what happened. “With strong expectation, we await a response to Oyegun’s wrongdoing from those who clamored so long and loudly about Tinubu’s alleged role in the Ondo primary. Leading into the primary, a prominent lawyer from Ondo published lengthy missives alleging that Tinubu was a malicious hand intent on rigging the primary. His letters spoke of his great love for democracy and justice. Though Oyegun has assaulted democracy in a most public and vulgar way, this lawyer’s prolific pen will remain stilled. He dare not publish a word about this travesty. His silence will be sign for all who care to decipher its meaning. The plan was to point the accusing finger at Tinubu. With everyone focused on Tinubu, they would have distracted all attention from the heist they had set in motion. As fate would have it, the trickery they hoped to conduct in the shadows has come to light. Those who so actively attributed imaginary wrong to Tinubu now stand dumb and mute in the face of confirmed impropriety. They remain silent for reasons they cannot divulge.
Oyegun and his ilk turn out to be gangsters adorned in the tunic of party authority. Oyegun has engaged in the strange math where five is greater than six. This smacks of how the PDP conducted its affairs and orchestrated its own downfall. Tinubu disparaged such malpractice when it was not in his party. Tinubu surely disowns it now that it has invaded the party he helped bring to fruition. Tinubu has consciously refused to hold any official position with the party to avoid the perception that he was trying to control all and sundry. Tinubu has even kept his peace for some time despite many things that happened within the party that were not quite right. He exercised this forbearance because the party is young. A collective endeavor cannot avoid the mistakes and errors of organizational newness and evolution. Yet, the wrongs Oyegun committed had nothing to do with newness or the mistakes occasioned by the path of reform. His actions are in the nature of the old wrongs that have afflicted our national politics much too long. If Oyegun wants to walk backward into the past, he has every right to it. However, he has no right to drag the party or any of us with him. Against our choosing. The informal title of national leader of the party was given to Tinubu at the onset which he accepted it as a sign from those who wished to recognize my contributions to the party’s formation. It is an honorific title which he has been proud to wear until today. I would rather not have any title yet reside in a party that honors democracy than hold a title in a party that says it honors me but that treats justice with indecency. I find greater honour and comfort where democracy and fairness are found and respected. Oyegun has done the irredeemable. His coup is an insult to party and to patriot, to reason and to the reform agenda of this government. To remain silent would be to admit the defeat of the reform and progressive change many have labored to bring forth.
While the forces resistant to change and reform are strong, Tinubu dare not submit to them. Tinubu encourages all party members not to submit to them. If we acquiesce in this wrong, the one greater than this shall cascade upon us. “Oyegun’s transgressions are a warning. He is but the mercenary of forces that seek to return the nation to the old ways. If they get away with this infraction, no telling what or whom they will undermine tomorrow. Much is at stake. On the chopping block, lies the future of the political party in which the majority of voters had placed their confidence. To rescue the party, Oyegun must go. He has shown that he and democratic fair play cannot exist in the same party at the same time. If Tinubu is to choose between John Oyegun and progress toward a better Nigeria, the choice has already been made. For those who care about the party, who care about Nigeria and its chance for a better tomorrow, now is the time to stand against this brewing evil before it grows to encompass all we have built and all we hold dear.”

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Recession: I can't predict when its will be over- Adeosun

Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, says she cannot predict when the current economic recession will end. ‎Adeosun said this during an interview with newsmen over the weekend.

“I don’t want to predict when we will get out of recession. Let me tell you that we will get into growth and that’s how you get out of recession, because of the stimulus that we are providing. ‎It may take longer than we would like, but we will definitely get out of it. We are already seeing some positive signs in agriculture and solid minerals and with what we are trying to do with other sectors, I am very sure we will get out of it soon.”she said

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FG to begin deployment of career diplomats as Ambassadors by December

This is according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama who disclosed this via his twitter handle.

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Governor of Bayelsa state Henry Seriake Dickson & wife Rachael welcome quadruplets

Bayelsa state Gov. Henry Seriake Dickson's wife, Dr. Rachael, has welcomed quadruplets. A statement signed and released by Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dickson, revealed this today. It read:

“The season of celebrations continues in the family of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State as his wife, the First Lady, Dr. Rachael Dickson just put to bed in the United States of America.
She was delivered of a quadruplet; a bouncing baby boy and three beautiful baby girls. Mother and children are doing well. This is particularly good news for the family and Bayelsans because this bundle of joy is coming after many years of praying and waiting upon the Lord. Governor Dickson thanks friends, family members and Bayelsans for their prayers and support and enjoins them to continue to pray for the family”.

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Make una leave Patience -Charly Boy

The latest unconfirmed gist heating up the social media is about former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who is spitting fire on EFCC for freezing her accounts containing about 6.3 billion Naira, claiming that she is being deprived of her right to her hard-earned money. Yes o, however you wan look am, she worked for that money!

Why are people suddenly upset? Isn't it the same Naija people who have been shouting, "bring back our corruption", since the country slipped into recession? Dia ris God ooooo!!!

Since 1978 or so, we have been living on corruption money, and hailing the thieves. Haba Naija, I tire for una. Abegi make we hear word and make we read something useful on this social highway. Una dey provoke say dem see billions for Mama Peace account.

And so?

When will we ever learn? Yes, a country deserves the kind of leadership it gets because those who rule us are from amongst us, they are not from Ghana or Togo. How many times will we let a thief into our house? The first time should be enough. The second time, lets take that as one chance. The third time means we are stupid. If we, the followers are not like our leaders, why haven't we done anything to stop the looting of our resources??

Countries that don’t have brave youths, prosecutors, fearless judges, good policing and fearless citizens will instead, have plenty of thieves, many killers and even stupid leaders. Since we have settled for people deceiving people and it has become our way of life let's roll over and die or accept everything we see that assaults our intelligence and impoverish us.

Wetin???

For if you suffer your people to be ill-educated, and their manners to be corrupted from their infancy,and then punish them for those crimes to which their first education disposed them, what else is to be concluded from this, but that you first make thieves and then punish them?


We have been living on corruption money long before now and we didn't care.

I know that looters will be looted, while time and tide will make most of us mercenaries . For long, our leaders have used deception and misdirection as their tools. We don’t believe in hard work, when a false face and a good line of bullshit can do so much more.

As for us the masses, we are all waiting for our turn to steal something from some place, Kai, our mumu is vexing me joor.

So how can we effectively create this new dawn when most of us are all guilty.

Now Baba has come to fight corruption, but I can swear that he is alone in this fight. Because most of the people in his kitchen are corrupt. Yes o.

Till there are grave consequences for people who break the law, people who steal public funds, known corrupt people who are till today in leadership positions, nothing will change. This too will come to pass and nothing go happen. Dem go settle, and back to business as usual.

Has anyone one been thrown into prison since this war on corruption started? My people, abegi, make we use our brain.

I just pray that one day one day, there will be no hiding place for people who ruined this country.

For those who took what they didn't earn, may judgement await them! It is only from then that things will begin to truly change.

The injustices stink...tufiakwa!!!

I don talk my own sha.

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N5bn reportedly found in account of an Army General's daughter

EFCC operatives have reportedly found N5 billion lodged in an account operated by the daughter of an Army General. According to an official in the antigraft agency who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Sun, investigations so far carried out into the account, showed that N10 million was sometimes deposited 5 to 6 times within a day.

The source stated that the Army general's daughter is under 30 and recently got married. The account officer, a lady who manages the account was subsequently invited by the EFCC. She gave useful information which led to the invitation of the Army General’s daughter towards the last week of August. The source stated that she pleaded for more time to enable her attend to her infant child.

The young nursing mother eventually turned up with her mother, baby, husband and lawyer about two weeks ago. And for two days, she faced interrogation though she was not detained because she is a nursing mother. “Details of the account show that cash deposits of about N10 million were consistently paid into the account sometimes five or six times a day. The money so far deposited into that account and another in London should well be over N5 billion”, the source said.

Investigators also discovered that even though the lady was still a student in the United Kingdom, hundreds of thousands of Pound Sterling were wired into the bank account of a London based firm’s bank account for her. The firm, Carrington Whyte Consulting with Flat 4, Grove End Gardens 33 Grove End Road NW8 9LL London, as its address, was curiously registered around June 2014 and shortly after, the funds began to hit its bank account from Nigeria in torrents.

Though the Army General’s daughter is currently on administrative bail, she is however, expected to report back for further interrogation next week. “We had to study her last statements, juxtapose them with our findings and draw up fresh questions for her and with which we confront her next week”, the source explained.

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Recession: People are not so interested in who brought us here but how to get out of it- Saraki

The senate today resumed its plenary after its long recess. Senate President Bukola Saraki, who presided over today's plenary, said the senators cannot afford any more distractions as they have to now focus on how to help rescue the nation from its current economic recession.


According to him, Nigerians are not so interested in who brought us here but how are more interested on how to get out of the current challenges.


The senate will tomorrow September 21st begin deliberations on the current economic recession. Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Budget and National Planning Udoma Udo Udoma, Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele and others are expected to appear before the house.

See more tweets below...

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