A Woman killed while preaching early morning in Abuja

A female early morning preacher was yesterday found dead in Bolar – pipeline area of Kubwa in Abuja.

The woman is believed to be a wife of a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Residents of the area claimed that they heard her preach as usual around 5am but found her lifeless body around 6am.

A male resident, who sought anonymity said, he heard her voice early in the morning.

He said: “I heard her voice as usual in the morning around 5am preaching and at a point, her voice faded.

“By the time I woke up to start my morning chores, I started hearing people say that a dead body has been found in my area.

“On getting there, I discovered that it was the body of the woman preacher. She is such a nice and jovial person, she doesn’t deserve to die at all and if at all, not in that manner.”

On how the woman was found, he said: “She was practically slaughtered. Her legs were injured and she was lying in the pool of her own blood before policemen came to evacuate her body.

Another resident simply known as Idris said: “I heard her preaching today like every normal day.

“Later on, I heard someone screaming but because of the security situation in the country, I decided not to come out.

“By the time I came out, I saw people gathered discussing the death of the woman. I believe if most people had come out when she screamed, she would have been saved.

Another resident, Uju lamented the security situation in the area despite paying for security levies.

She said: “To think that we pay for security and this place is not protected is saddening.

“What is the work of the security men? Most times when you are coming home late, you will find them sleeping and in some cases, you don’t even see them at all.

“I think something has to be done urgently to beef up the security in this area because no one deserves to be killed.

When a call was placed to the security outfit in charge of the area, Sam & Co to get the details, its head Mr. Sam, said: “I saw a deep cut on one side of her stomach and her leg.

“She was not stabbed. I feel if she was stabbed, we would have met her gasping for breath. But when we got to her place because we heard someone shouting blood of Jesus repeatedly, she was already gone.

“The community has two points of entry and we were asked to close one of the entries because a meeting was to be held in the morning. So, we were there doing that around 5am when Muslims were going for prayers and the Christians who went for vigil were returning.

“This is a woman who preaches every morning. She always admonishes people to repent and that the kingdom of God is at hand.

“We heard someone shouting the blood of Jesus and we noticed that the rate at which the person was calling the blood of Jesus was too much. But before we got there, she was in the pool of her blood.”

He said her corpse was taken to phase four police station for further investigations.

The FCT command’s Spokesman, ASP Anjuguri Manzah told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) some suspects have been arrested over the incident.

“We have made some arrests and they are helping in our investigation.

“The commissioner of police has ordered the homicide section of the command to take over the investigation of the case,” he said.

The spokesman, however, did not mention the number of suspects arrested.

He said that personnel of the command had visited the scene of the incident and investigation had started.

Contacted, the Federal Capital Territory Police Public Relations Officer, ASP AnjuguriManzah initially said he was not aware of the incident.

Hours later when our reporter called back, Manzah said: “I have not confirmed because they changed the DPO and I don’t have the new DPO’s number.”

He however pleaded for more time to get details.

All efforts to reach him for updates as at the time of filing this report proved abortive.

MEND gives FG 2 weeks to open talks with Tompolo, others

•Asks govt to begin dialogue with its Aaron Team, Tompolo
•Rejects negotiation involving NSA
• Says Avengers are criminals

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to commence dialogue with its “Aaron Team,” including a repentant militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, to end the bombing of oil installations and Niger Delta militancy.

It, however, declared that the dialogue must not be coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), since most of the issues surrounding the Niger Delta question were on the exclusive legislative list and the proposed dialogue was not an interrogatory session.

MEND described members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) as criminals, who had been holding the Federal Government to ransom and forcing concessions.

The NDA members, according to MEND, also engage in militancy for their own personal aggrandizement.

The militant group (MEND) stated these yesterday in an online statement by its Spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo.

It expressed displeasure that successive governments and the International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the crude oil and gas-rich Niger Delta had repeatedly reneged on agreements entered into with the people of the region and also owing the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) billions of naira in withheld funds.

MEND said: “Government is at liberty to negotiate with arm-twisting unions and criminal groups like the NDA, so long as such negotiations are done in the national interest.

“MEND is not opposed to government’s plan to negotiate with the recalcitrant NDA through the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA). Government must, however, not delude itself into thinking that negotiation with the NDA was tied to the resolution of the Niger Delta question.

“Negotiation with NDA is merely a temporary respite, as another opportunistic group is lurking in the shadows, but dialogue and resolution of the Niger Delta question will be a sustainable solution for all stakeholders.”

It added that, “MEND had repeatedly reiterated that the Niger Delta struggle was beyond attacks on oil installations. In fact, destruction of oil and gas pipelines is an elementary course in guerilla warfare, which can be carried out by any militant group.”

The group also stated that it (MEND) stopped attacks on oil installations more than two years ago, when the group unilaterally declared a ceasefire of hostilities on May 30, 2014 against Nigeria’s key economic and strategic interests.

It noted that since it declared ceasefire, it had relentlessly sought to engage the Federal Government in a sincere dialogue on the release of those it described as “Prisoners of Conscience,” including Henry and Charles Okah, as well as addressing the root issues bedeviling the Niger Delta, without success.

MEND stated that on January 6, 2015, when it realised that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, an indigene of Otuoke in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State, was not interested in dialogue on the Niger Delta question, the group endorsed Muhammadu Buhari as its candidate in the 2015 presidential election; in the belief that President Buhari would sincerely welcome dialogue.

The militant group said: “There is a marked distinction between negotiation with criminals and fraudsters who force concessions from government, using the strategy of attacks on oil installations, on the one hand; and dialogue with genuine militant groups, such as MEND, who are committed to meaningfully engage government on the vexed Niger Delta question, on the other hand.

“While the former (NDA members) engage in militancy for their own personal aggrandizement, the latter (MEND members) are patriots, who are fighting a just cause and are equally desirous of peace, stability and development of the Niger Delta region for the common good.

“As unfolding events in Nigeria have since revealed, the major challenge of President Buhari’s government lies in its inability to distinguish between negotiation with criminal elements such as the NDA, who are sabotaging the nation’s economy and whose demands range from the mundane to the outright ridiculous and dialogue on the Niger Delta question with a serious-minded group such as MEND.

“The way and manner criminal gangs, such as the NDA, hold government to ransom and force concessions, is exactly the same way and manner pressure groups such as PENGASSAN, NUPENG or even the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) often times hold government to ransom, regardless of the risks posed by their actions to the national economy and to the lives of ordinary Nigerians. The only difference is that NDA ups the ante with its senseless and unprovoked attacks on oil installations.”

MEND faulted the stance of some Niger Delta leaders and called on President Buhari to refrain from being deceived by the recent visit of the Amayanabo of Twon-Brass in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, to the Presidential Villa, under the pretext of a hurriedly-formed Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact Group (NDDCG).

The group said: “Throughout the six-year tragic reign of former President Goodluck Jonathan, King Diette-Spiff said or did nothing on record to draw the attention of the former President to the resolution of the Niger Delta question. He and other elders and elite of the region, including Chief Edwin Clark, certain ex- militants, tribal assemblies such as the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and a coterie of so-called Niger Delta activists embarrassingly kept mute and turned a blind eye during the six years of colossal waste, unmitigated corruption, monumental fraud in the unsustainable amnesty programme, environmental decay and neglect, infrastructural stagnation such as the wicked and criminal abandonment of the East-West Road project, among others.

“Regardless of the fact that there is a consensus of opinion that the Federal Government is not sincere about the kind of dialogue advocated by MEND, the group has nevertheless named an Aaron Team, comprising the following persons: Henry Odein Ajumogobia, SAN (Rivers)-Team Leader, Bismark Jemide Rewane (Delta)-awaiting re-confirmation, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa (Cross River), High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Delta)-awaiting  confirmation, Ledum Mitee Esq. (Rivers), Lawson Omokhodion (Edo), Ibanga Isine (Akwa Ibom), Senator Adolphus Wabara (Abia), Alfred Isename (Edo) and Timipa Jenkins Okponipere Esq. (Bayelsa)-Team Secretary.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the MEND’s Aaron Team shall not dialogue with the NSA, given that the office of the NSA lacks executive power.”

The militant group also hoped that the Federal Government would reach out to the Aaron Team Leader (Ajumogobia), to signal government’s intention to commence the dialogue.

MEND added that if after the two-week ultimatum and it did not hear from the Federal

Government, the militant group would assume that the Buhari’s administration was truly not sincere about dialogue on the Niger Delta question, but would prefer to respond only to the threat of violence or industrial action.

THE NATION 

Obanikoro loaded plane with N1.29b for Fayose

• Ex-minister ordered soldiers to break airport security gate
for bullion van
•$25,000 paid for the two flights to Akure
•Money withdrawn from bank but no records of transaction

Fresh insights into how a former Minister of Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro allegedly loaded a chartered aircraft with N1, 299, 490b for transfer to Governor Ayodele Fayose through an associate, Abiodun Agbele has been revealed.

The cash was transferred through HS125-800 5N-BMT belonging to Gyro Air Limited.

The first flight was filled with N724.5million cash to the extent that there was no seat for any crew member or the ex-Minister.

It was during the second flight with N494.990m that Obanikoro, his Aide-de-Camp, Lieutenant Colonel A.O Adewale, and crew member joined the trip to Akure Airport.

Records indicated yesterday that for each of the trip, Obanikoro paid $12,500 making a total of $25,000.

The EFCC has retrieved the footage details of Obanikoro’s movement at the airport and the flight schedule of the aircraft.

According to fresh evidence obtained by the EFCC, the ex-Minister had defied security gate at the airport in Lagos to move a bullion van to the apron of the chartered wing to off-load the cash.

Although the security men at the airport resisted the use of the security gate, the ex-Minister ordered soldiers to break all barriers for the bullion van to get to the apron.

A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Contrary to his attacks on EFCC, we have retrieved the footage and details of how he ordered soldiers to break the barriers at the reserved security gate at Lagos Airport for a bullion van to go to the apron of the chartered service wing.

“He defied security men at the airport and refused to subject the bullion van to any screening contrary to aviation rules. In fact, apart from financial crimes, the ex-Minister and his accomplices have outstanding allegations against them for violating aviation safety rules or regulations.

“The aircraft made two shuttles to Akure Airport on June 17, 2014. Our investigation revealed that during the first flight, about N724.5million was offloaded from the bullion into the aircraft. The cash occupied all the space to the extent that there was nowhere to sit by the crew and the ex-Minister.

“But when the balance of N494.990m was loaded into the aircraft for the second trip, Obanikoro, his ADC, one highly-placed person from the South-West, and the crew were able to make the trip.

“Let him continue to make noise in the United States instead of coming home to clear his name. We have interacted with the aviation staff on ground on the said date.  We have identified the owner of the aircraft to be a member of the sacked management of Skye Bank Plc.”

Meanwhile, there were indications yesterday that the ex-Minister paid $25,000 for the two flights to Akure at $12,500 each.

Another source confirmed that the aircraft belonged a member of the sacked management of Skye Bank Plc.

“We have evidence of the payment of $25,000 to Gyro Air Limited for the two flights to Akure. And Zenith Bank confirmed how Fayose’s associate, Agbele, brought the cash into its branch in Akure to keep as sundry funds.”

Responding to a question, the source said: “From our findings, the Minister and Fayose fought over N80million missing from the total cash.

“They had a shouting match until reasons prevailed between the two politicians on the whereabouts of the N80million.”

An Investigating Officer of the EFCC, Tosin Owobo during the week opened up at the  Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti on how the N1, 299,490,000.00 was wired into Governor Ayodele Fayose’s accounts by one of his associates, Abiodun Agbele.

Owobo, who swore to an affidavit, said: “That the total sum of N 1, 219,490,000 (One billion, two hundred and nineteen million, four hundred and ninety thousand naira) was conveyed to Akure Airport by Senator Obanikoro through a chartered aircraft with Registration No: HS125-800 5N-BMT belonging to Gyro Air Limited.”

“That on the 17th day of June, 2014, Mr. Alade Oluseye in the company of one Abiodun Agbele a front of the Applicant (Fayose), went to the Akure Airport wherein they took cash delivery of the sum of N724,500,000.00 from Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and his acclaimed Aide-de-Camp Lieutenant Colonel A.O Adewale.

“That on the 18th day of June, 2014, another sum of N494, 990,000 was also delivered to Mr. Alade Oluseye by the said Minister in the same manner.

“ That the total sum of N 1, 219,490,000 (One billion, two hundred and nineteen million, four hundred and ninety thousand naira) was conveyed to Akure Airport by Senator Obanikoro through a chartered aircraft with Registration No: HS125-800 5N-BMT belonging to Gyro Air Limited.

THE NATION 

Buhari writes Senate to confirm Magu as EFCC boss

Following his impressive performance, there were strong indications yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari has written the Senate seeking the confirmation of Mr. Ibrahim Magu as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Magu is the fourth chairman of the agency. Others before him are Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Mrs. Farida Waziri and Mallam Ibrahim Lamorde.

According to findings, the letter was forwarded to the Senate through his Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang.

It was gathered that the President opted for Magu because of his “record-breaking performance, transparency, integrity and exceptional courage” since his appointment as the acting chairman of EFCC on November 9, 2015.

Magu was recently promoted to the post of a Deputy Commissioner of Police based on his good performance.

His nomination as the substantive chairman of EFCC was said to be in line with Section 2(1) (a) of the EFCC Act.

The section reads in part: “The commission shall consist of the following members – (a) a chairman who shall (i) be the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the commission; (ii) be a serving or retired member of any government security or law enforcement agency not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police or equivalent; and (iii) possess not less than 15 years cognate experience.”

When contacted, Enang was not forthcoming on the President’s letter.

He said, “It is not my job to speak on communication between the President and the Senate but it is my responsibility to work on communication between the two arms of government. I cannot say yes or no to your enquiry.”

As at May, the EFCC under Magu had secured140 convictions in six months.

The list included the following: a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Raymond Temisan Omatseye (five years for N1.5n contract scam); a Lagos Court Registrar, Mrs. Rosulu Idowu Oluronke (10 years for $8.4m); a  former  Chairman, Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of the Kogi State, Gabriel Daudu(154 years for N1.4billion fraud); ex-Adamawa Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, John Elias Babani (10 years for N51.5m); George Uboh (three years for selling vehicles belonging to the defunct Police Equipment Fund).

The EFCC also secured a court order to extradite a former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPM), Ehi Okonyomon to the United Kingdom to face charges of corruption and money laundering on the N750m polymer bribery scandal.

It also got another order to extradite a Nigerian fugitive, Franca Asemota to the UK for prosecution of trafficking of minors.

THE NATION 

20 Policemen invading Ekiti to arrest govt officials, assembly members, PDP leaders on Monday - Govt alleges

Ekiti State Government has raised the alarm over alleged invasion of the State by Policemen on Sunday, to begin indiscriminate arrest of top officials of the government, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as members of the State House of Assembly on Monday based on frivolous petitions orchestrated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) over governorship election that the party lost two years ago.


The government alleged that the 20 Policemen to be led by one ACP Olusola Oke, a native of Isan Ekiti, hometown of the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi were already in Alagbon, Lagos ready to move to Ekiti by 9am on Sunday in three white coloured Toyota Hummer buses.

In a statement issued by the Special Assistant to the State Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the government alleged that All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders like Femi Falana (SAN), Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Yinka Akerele and others were coordinating the invasion in their desperation to destabilise the State because of Governor Ayodele Fayose’s perceived opposition to the inhuman policies of the federal government.

"We have been reliably informed that the latest onslaught against the PDP government of Mr Ayodele Fayose is to begin on Monday, using the police to arrest top government officials, PDP leaders across the 16 local government areas and members of the House of Assembly. "

ACP Olusola Oke, who is to lead the over 20 policemen to carry out the operation is said to be a native of Isan Ekiti, hometown of the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi. ACP Olusola Oke is equally the immediate past Assistant Commissioner in charge of Operations and now the AC X-Squad, FCID, Abuja.

"The operation is allegedly being funded by a former governor from the South South while a prominent aide of President Mohammadu Buhari is said to be directly coordinating. "ACP Olusola Oke will be accompanied by CSP Ayodele, CSP Enang, four Inspectors and others," the statement read.

The government said all attempts by the APC to return to power through the backdoor will fail, adding that the party should rather prepare for 2018 instead of running from the Army, DSS, EFCC and now the police.

The government also cautioned the APC led federal government not to destroy democracy in the country by muscling opposition, alerting the international community to take note of the danger facing democracy in the country.

the world's hottest couple!

Can't wait for them to make it official...and eventually have babies together! Rihanna & Drake! Even Jay Z and Beyonce, Brad and Angie, can't touch this!.

Follow My Example 2face Idibia Tells Nigerian Youths

2Face Idibia now 2Baba has called on youths to look beyond his weaknesses and follow his example.
Speaking in an interview with CNBC Africa , monitored by Vanguard, the music legend noted people have confessed they have achieved success by emulating him.He said

“I have heard people say that I have mentored them, I would like to say that I am just doing my own thing and I am trying to grow and if you see the positive ways that I am following, follow it. “I’m human, many things take place in people’s lives so I want them to follow my good example.

How they mislead our leaders - By Dele Momodu

In his Thisday Column this week, Ovation publisher Dele Momodu wrote about the quality of appointments we are seeing lately in Buhari's government, describing it as 'appallingly lacklustre'. He also criticized the way the president broke the Ramadan fast with so much fanfare at the State House and talked about Buhari's new fashion sense, calling it 'overly flamboyant'. Read more..

"I’m back this week with my weekly epistle to fellow Nigerians and Africans. You must be wondering about the title of my article today, especially the word “they” and who it refers to ultimately. You don’t have to guess too much as I will explain to you in a jiffy. The “they” are those groups of men and women who litter the corridors of power in our dear beloved country Nigeria.

They are some wonderful people who understand how to manoeuvre their ways through the labyrinth of power. They are professional hijackers who know how to hold powerful people, particularly our leaders, hostage. Nigerians usually call them the cabal or Mafia or whatever nomenclature is in vogue at the time. Truth is, they exist in reality.

What is often baffling is that these folks perch like rattlesnakes and pounce at the slightest opportunity on the men of power. They inflict their poison and, sooner than later, their victim begins to behave unusually, even sometimes irrationally. The more the poison permeates the body, the more the victim sinks deeper into the abyss and onlookers begin to observe a complete transformation and transfiguration. Surprisingly, these guys were and are never around during the struggles. Once the struggle is over, they crawl out of whatever holes they were ensconced in whilst things were hot! And they soon become the greatest beneficiaries of a campaign they never partook of. Trust me, every government has them. If you ask me, it is one reason most of our governments have failed so spectacularly.

My preamble is predicated on my deep observation of what is going on in Nigeria at the moment. I can say I know President Muhammadu Buhari reasonably well even if I was a latter day convert to Buharism. But once I got hooked like a drug addict, I was ready to go the whole hog and I have never looked back. Buhari’s appeal is based on his populist credentials. We all saw him as a man of the people and a Mr Scrooge who would never waste scarce resources on frivolities. But the “they” of Nigeria have repackaged Baba to the extent that many now refer to him as the “Gucci President”. Every fashion designer’s delight, as he has become a veritable fashion trendsetter. Of course, this is not to denigrate the President because his previous austere style suits him as much as his now trendy look becomes him! The fact is that by his handsome, gangling and fit nature, the President will always appear impeccably turned out and well groomed. However, now, his paraphernalia of power has become somehow bloated and overly flamboyant as well. How are the mighty changing!

The existing theory is that President Buhari has inadvertently fallen victim of political 419ners who have persuaded him about how powerful a Nigerian President is and why he must play the part always by being overtly fashionable. I’m sorry to say that they are stylishly setting Baba up for monumental failure. I expect their agents to swarm the internet and abuse anyone who dare say anything about the grand scam currently going on but it won’t be strange. Every government I have known since I became an adult had such acolytes to sing their praises and hold them up as infallible. But no sooner than the baton of power changes than they disappear only to reappear sometime and somewhere in the no distant future screaming adulations of the unsuspecting new leader.

I vividly remember the period of the Shehu Shagari Presidency. The poor teacher and humble farmer could do no wrong. There was a popular Yoruba song specially composed and sang for him: “Oluwa lo yan Shagari, Shehu Shagari…” Shagari’s apotheosis was instantly assured. Those who saw the rot in the outlandishly profligate government were tagged dangerous dissidents and told to shut their traps up. Wole Soyinka, our own William Shakespeare, was one of the most vociferous critics at the time.

As days climbed days and months rode on months, the Shagari government became neurotic and saw enemies everywhere real or imagined. Out of fear for its safety and stability, the Nigeria Police Force was over-militarised as if in competition with the Nigerian Army. We watched incredulously as the police under the iron grip of probably the most powerful Inspector-General Police Nigeria ever employed, Mr Sunday Adewusi, became ostensibly omnipotent. The Shagari government controlled the heavens and the earth. The 1983 general elections was the last straw that broke the back of that government.

The end came on December 31, 1983. A terse announcement by a relatively unknown soldier at the time, named Sani Abacha, shattered the invincibility of the Shagari regime into smithereens. A new Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari and his ‘deputy’, Babatunde Idiagbon were promptly installed. They in turn wasted no time in pronouncing the direction of their government which was predicated on ‘war against indiscipline’ (WAI). That war encapsulated everything that was wrong with Nigeria. While it was a worthwhile, expedient and necessary move, the government failed to understand the complexity of Nigerians. Our people love the concept of change in the metaphysical sense but not in any way that hurts them and their families or friends. That was the reality that soon hit Buhari and Idiagbon like thunderbolts. While they were busy jailing and punishing the corrupt politicians, they were undoubtedly amassing enemies. They were goaded on by fifth columnists within and before long, it was time to strike. The end came on August 27, 1985.

The same Abacha who announced Buhari’s arrival pronounced his departure. It was such a cruel twist of fate. A supposedly friendlier, humane and urbane Head of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, was catapulted on to the national stage. He was projected as Buhari’s fairer alter ego. He opened up the cells and disgraced and humiliated politicians in their various stages of dilapidation spilled out like locusts. Buhari immediately became the bad guy and Babangida the benevolent dictator.

Where Buhari was stern-faced, Babangida wore his famous toothy smile like the archetypal good guy. That was it. Everything Buhari had built got dismantled. The solid foundation of discipline and incorruptibility he was laying was uprooted in one fell swoop! Nigerians’ penchant for good life and happy living won the day.

It wasn’t long before the “they” started digging the grave for Babangida himself. He assembled arguably one of the best teams ever, no doubt, but it remains a mystery who his real advisers were that persuaded him to turn Nigeria into a game of football. His sobriquet of Maradona, though very apt, was also an albatross. He dribbled so much and resorted to endless transition time tables. So much so, that he eventually dribbled himself into scoring an own goal. Politicians were banned and unbanned according to the whims and caprices of one man. When the elections eventually took place, on June 12, 1993, they were programmed to fail spectacularly.

Till this day no one knows what truly happened that led to our best elections ever being truncated and annulled. Pity that none of the influencers in the Nigerian polity could dissuade Babangida from committing this unfortunate and costly hara-kiri. Even worse, no one or group has come out to say they advised him against such perfidious act but he did not listen. Nigeria is yet to recover from that stupendous tragedy.

The fall came on August 27, 1993, when he suddenly stepped aside and handed over to a lame duck Interim National Government (ING) headed by Chief Ernest ‘Degunle Shonekan.

This government was as weak as they come. It lacked the liver to deliver on revalidating the annulled mandate freely given to the winner of the Presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola. This would have enjoyed the wide support of the people but sadly such opportunity was missed by the inept team and the interim government was soon sacked by General Sani Abacha. Babangida had apparently set up the ING with a view to returning as a civilian President but man proposes and God disposes. His nemesis was Abacha his erstwhile compatriot and friend!

The understanding when Abacha seized power in a military coup was that he was going to right the wrongs of the June 12 elections, clean up the remnants of the Babangida loyalists and give power back to the man elected freely by Nigerians.

That turned out to be a classic case of naiveté at its most ludicrous. The man simply collected power pronto and sat down pretty. No Jupiter was going to remove him from that gilded cage. The Abacha government failed like others to learn the lessons of history and most importantly that no leader had ever succeeded in enslaving Nigerians…

I’ve deliberately taken us down memory lane to demonstrate how the demons of power have sentenced Nigeria perpetually to stupidity and backwardness. And it seems a fool at 56 is almost irredeemable from its tomfoolery unless a miracle happens. That’s the miracle we gave to President Buhari last year on a platter of gold after his fourth attempt. But things seem to be spiralling out of control. I know the President would be told all is well by those benefitting from the current state of things but, walahi, I will always tell Baba the truth. I’ve come to see him as the last hope of the masses and if he fails we all fail.

The first truth is that this government is looking too elitist and ceremonial. I’m not sure this is intentional. The amount of time, energy and resources being deployed on hosting this and that is becoming ridiculous. Whoever suggested that the President should break Ramadan fasts with so much fanfare did not do any good for a government with too many horrendous challenges. If I had any influence in this government, I will advise that government needs to demonstrate its commitments and seriousness at tackling the intractable problems. We should see pictures of brainstorming sessions. We should have and see a brilliant economic team at work.

We should see the President supervising projects nationwide in his jackboots. We should see the President appointing the many Nigerian geniuses that litter every part of the world to assist him use the power God has bestowed on him to benefit ordinary Nigerians. The qualities of appointments we are seeing lately have become appallingly lacklustre. This is not the best Nigeria can offer.

I do not really care if even if all appointees come from Daura, I would leave that agitations to others, who may be myopic or selfish. I’m more interested in the merit, competence and patriotism of such people. President Buhari can make do with a star-studded team regardless of political and religious affiliations. It is never too late to CHANGE!

No plan to retrench workers – Aregbesola

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state on Friday said the ongoing restructuring and reforms in all the state-owned tertiary institutions were not aimed at retrenching workers as being speculated.

Aregbesola said this at the inauguration of a N140 million e-Library and N34.4 million ultra-modern lecture hall at the state College of Education, Ila-Orangun.

The governor, who described the speculation as baseless, said the idea behind the restructuring exercise was not to witch-hunt but to improve the quality of lecturers.

He said his administration would not do anything that would inflict pains on workers and residents of the state.

“The restructuring is aimed at bringing up the quality of the lecturers.

“ I must also add that the government has no intention of witch-hunting or victimising anyone for his or her religious, political or ideological leaning.

“You will all agree that there have been many innovations in education and those still teaching with the knowledge they acquired 20 years ago have fallen behind time.

“We must also improve the quality of our teachers, if we want to improve the quality of education we are giving to the young ones.

“This puts to rest the false, unfounded and malicious speculation that the government is closing down these schools.

“What we are trying to do is to ensure everyone is qualified and fits into the bigger picture of the education we are providing in the state,” he said.

In his address, the Provost of the institution, Prof. Isaac Olayinka Oyewole, said that the new library would accommodate 2,000 users at a time.

Oyewole said with the new e-library, the institution could conveniently boast of housing a modern digital library unit.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Mr Niyi Akande, said the council was working toward transforming the college into a degree awarding institution.

THE NATION 

Police uncovers fresh plot to attack Ogun community

Armed policemen have taken over the whole of Sagamu, Ogun State, blocking both remote and strategic entrances to the boisterous town, following plans by suspected cultists to wreck further violence on residents.

Rampaging cultists are said to have perfected plans to visit Sagamu and neigbouring villages with sustained violence in a cult – war – driven reprisal attack, the Police hinted, but assured that they would be tackled.

It was learnt that the cultists had planned to storm Sagamu from Ago – Iwoye between Friday or Saturday.

The spokesman of Ogun Police Command, Mr.Muyiwa Adejobi, who made this known to reporters, hinted that the Command have also got information that some prominent chiefs in Emuren in Sagamu Local Government Area  of the state were harbouring and promoting the cult groups.

Adejobi, a Superintendent of Police blamed the incident on a cult group which went to Emuren and killed the goat a rival group had planned to slaughter in celebration of its anniversary leading to a reprisal attack.

According to him, 17 suspected cultists have been arrested in Ago – Iwoye while 23 others were arrested in connection with violence in Emuren and two other communities.

It should be recalled that on Thursday, the cultists unleashed mayhem in Igbosoro, an Ogun community, allegedly killing at least eight persons, including a pregnant woman.

The pregnant woman was said to be married to a cultist who disappeared when the hoodlums came looking for him his Igbosoro residence.

Earlier, some suspected hoodlums had also struck at Fakale, Emuren and Igbosoro communities, leaving no fewer than seven persons dead in the aftermath of the raids.

It was gathered that among the victims of the latest attack was the son of the Baale (community leader) of Fakale.

The cultists, suspected to be members of the Black Axe confraternity, who were said to be celebrating their annual orientation known as 7/7 (July 7) shot and injured residents.

Adejobi said:”On Wednesday, the cult group went to Emuren and killed the goat of other rival group for celebration and they went angrily to attack them back but they have their target. The command did not have the record of those killed, they are hurting themselves and they have their targets and at least to an extent we thank God they have not been killing.

“But today (Friday) we have information that some of them are from that community, they are been invited into Emuren community. We have allegation that some traditional chiefs are harbouring and promoting them.We are going to spread the scope of our investigation to unravel this and if it is true, any community leader that is involved in promoting cultism will be dealt with accordingly or face the wrath of the law.

He added: “We have 12 suspects from that angle. In Emuren alone we have arrested  three suspects, they said one of them is a son to a Chief, we are still investigating, we have another one arrested in other community, we went on all round operation, we have additional 12 just for today(Friday), making 17 suspects. In Emuren specifically which is the conflict theatre, we have three persons. We are working on them and we are going to subdue them, is not only in this place, all together in the State now we have 40.

“In Ago-Iwoye we have 17 persons arrested and as I speak with you we have information that they are coming again with their new boss to attack Sagamu, the Divisional Police Officer of Sagamu is on the express now.They (the Police) have block all the entrances into Sagamu. They want to cause problem and unrest for us in Ogun State and we are going to tackle them and we are going to puncture their tyres.

Court affirms candidacy of Ubah, Oduah, others for 2015 elections

A Federal High Court in Abuja Friday upheld the candidacy of former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, Senator Andy Ubah and others for last year’s national and state legislative election in Anambra State.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola, in a judgment Friday, held that the list of candidates, containing the name of Oduah, Andy Ubah and others, submitted to the Independent National Executive Committee (NEC) of the People’s Democratic Party was the authentic list of candidates.

The judgment was on a suit by Senator Annie Okonkwo, Chukwunedum Chris Ubah and 42 others, who were listed as candidates in the list submitted to INEC by the Abia State Executive Committee of the PDP.

The plaintiffs had among others, challenged the decision of INEC to substitute their names earlier published on INEC’s website prior to the election with those contained in the list submitted to it by the party’s NEC.

They urged the court to void INEC’s decision to replace their names with those of Oduah, Andy Ubah and others.

In his judgment Friday, Justice Ademola resolved the four issues he identified for determination against the plaintiff.

The judge faulted the plaintiffs’ contention that INEC having published their names first, it could not replace them with a list of other people without a valid order of court.

Justice Ademola said the mere publication of the plaintiffs’ names on INEC’s website was without any legal consequences and did not qualify them to be regarded as the authentic candidates of the party.

“The state Executive of a party or any organ of the party at the state level lacks the power to sponsor candidates. It is only the primary election conducted by the National Executive or their delegates that can validly conduct primary to produce its candidates.

“The 1st to 44 plaintiffs were not the through candidates of the 17the defendant (PDP), but products of illegally contrived primary by the Anambra PDP, which is a complete illegality,” the judge said.

Justice Ademola, who referred to the January 29, 2016 judgment and February 24, 2016 ruling of the Supreme Court on similar issues involving parties in the case, held that the apex court’s judgment and ruling were not in favour of the plaintiffs in this case.

The judge, who also referred to an earlier judgment by the late Justice Evoh Chukwu (also of the Federal High Court, Abuja), said the judgment only upheld the legitimacy of the Ejike Oguebego-led state Executive of the PDP in Anambra.

Justice Ademola held that the fact that Justice Chukwu’s judgment upheld the legitimacy of Oguebego-state EXCO of the PDP in Anambra State does not confer on it the power to nominate candidates for the party.

He said political parties, being national organisations, the power to nominate/select candidates for a party resides with its National Executive Council, not the state Executive Council.

He dismissed the suit, but made no order as to cost.

THE NATION 

Court adjourns Metuh’s case to Oct 27

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday adjourned the case of the embattled PDP spokesman, Mr Olisah Metuh, till Oct. 27 and Oct. 31.

The judge, Justice Okon Abang, while announcing the new date for the case at about 4:45 p.m said that the case had to be adjourned because he would not have judicial time to hear it.

“The matter was adjourned on July 4 to July 7 for continuation of trial at the instance of the parties but the Federal Government declared July 7 as a public holiday.

“I directed my secretary to call all the parties in the matter and inform them that the matter will be heard today. All the parties are in court including the defence witness.

“I have no judicial time to take this matter as the court has sat all day and the time is far spent.

“Today is the last day before the court’s vacation that will be commencing on July 11 so the matter will be heard after the vacation.”

Abang added that even though he was a vacation judge, the matter could not be heard during the vacation except with the consent of the parties.

Mr Onyeachi Ikpeazu (SAN), counsel to Metuh,said his team would prefer to rest during the vacation.

He said that they could not appear in court on July 7 because of the public holiday and that the day was already far spent.

He said that they were willing to take a new date adding that the parties were,however, willing to comply with the directive of the court

But the prosecuting counsel, Mr Sylvanus Tahir, said that the prosecution was willing to continue the matter during the vacation.

Tahir said that the argument that the case could not hold on July 7, which was the actual date it was adjourned to and so should be adjourned again, was not tenable.

“If a farmer was to go to the farm yesterday and it rained that won’t stop him from going to the farm the next day.

“Even though the court has been sitting all day, the defendants have expressed their desire to go on with the case.

“So, saying that because the matter was not heard on the actual day it was adjourned to because of the public holiday and so it should not go on today is not a good reason.”

Mr Tochukwu Onwubufo (SAN), a member of the defence team swiftly asked the court to discountenance the farmer argument canvassed by Tahir as to why the matter should not be adjourned.

Onwubufo said this was because the farmer was not bound by rules while the court had rules regulating its conduct.

“This farmer logic does not apply here as this court is guided by rules and regulations and so it is wrong to tell the court to disregard the point that July 7 was a public holiday.

“The declaration of the public holiday was a statement recognised by law,” he said.

Abang adjourned the matter till Oct. 27 and Oct. 30 for continuation of hearing of the defence’s case.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court would commence its vacation on July 11 to Sept. 12.

THE NATION