The Vice Presidential candidates that participated in the 2019 debate that held on Friday night, December 14th, were Ganiyu Galadima of the ACPN, Khadijah Abdullahi-Iya of the ANN, Professor Yemi Osinbajo of the APC, Peter Obi of the PDP and Umma Getso of the YPP.
According to FFK, apart from Peter Obi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the other candidates were an embarassing and distasteful joke.
Drama ensued at the Akwa Ibom international airport on Friday December 14th when President Buhari's wife, Aisha Buhari, visited the state for a political meeting.
Wife of the current state governor, Martha Udom, was on hand at the airport to receive Mrs Buhari. However, the immediate past first lady of the state, Ekaette Akpabio, was also at the airport with her team to welcome Mrs Buhari.
Trouble started when Mrs Udom insisted that it was in her position as the current first lady to receive Mrs Buhari. Mrs Akpabio' team refused and both sides started exchanging words and pushing themselves.
On Wednesday morning, Lagos State PDP governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje in a series of Tweets called out his opponent, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on a number of issues.
Then he stirred up an ethnic issue where he took a swipe at the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akinolu, making reference to the 2015 statement where he said, 'Jimi is my blood relation, and I told him he can never be Governor in Lagos now and if you [the crowd] do what I want then Lagos will continue to be prosperous for you, if you go against this you will be banished to the water! Finished!”
Jimi Agbaje in hisTtweet this morning, said, 'on Lagos and the Igbos: the narrative that Lagos dislikes the Igbos is extremely false. Oh yes, Lagos does not dislike the Igbos, your political establishment does. The royal utterance of 2015 is still fresh on the mind of the entire electorate'.
Paul Usoro(SAN), who is the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, has arrived at the Federal High Court in Lagos for his arraignment on money laundering charges.
Mr Usoro was accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, of converting and laundering a sum of N1.4 billion belonging to the Akwa Ibom State Government.
Quite a number of lawyers led by Wole Olanipekun SAN are currently defending the NBA President.
With one tweet, President Trump praised his current secretary of state, Mike Pompeo and dragged the heck out of his predecessor, Rex Tillerson, calling him dumb and lazy.
In the president's words, 'Mike Pompeo is doing a great job, I am very proud of him. His predecessor, Rex Tillerson, didn’t have the mental capacity needed. He was dumb as a rock and I couldn’t get rid of him fast enough. He was lazy as hell. Now it is a whole new ballgame, great spirit at State'.
Rex Tillerson was fired by President Trump back in March 2018.
The 2018 Global Terrorism Index was released this week and Nigeria was named the third most terrorised Nation in the world at the moment. The index placed Nigeria after war-torn countries like Iraq and Afghanistan.
The report also shows that there is a drop in the number of deaths linked to terrorism. According to the report, total deaths from terrorism in Nigeria fell to 1,532 in 2017, a drop of 16% from the previous year.
Keyamo in this Tweet says that there is something this government is doing better than the previous government in the fight against terrorist attack.
A Lagos governorship candidate, Babatunde Gbadamosi is scared for his life and has taken to social media to cry out saying his life is in danger and some people want to murder him.
In his words, 'In this same Lagos State, when Engineer Funsho Williams looked likely to win the 2007 elections, he was murdered by "persons unknown". I want the world to know now that some political personages in Lagos State are making plans to murder me if they can't stop me democratically'.
Funsho Williams relied on Police protection but he was still murdered, in fact, the very night he went to make a formal complaint to the police at Zone 2 Police Headquarters at Onikan about a threat to his life, he did not live to see the next day.
My would-be murderers will soon send their minions to come and troll this announcement, to make me look like I'm crying wolf, just as they did to Funsho. My life is at risk, but I will not relent in the quest to free Lagos State from modern day SLAVE MASTERS.
President Buhari will on Friday December 7th, hold a special Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
According to this tweet from Asorock's official handle, the agenda of the meeting is for the president and other members to look critically into the 2019 budget. FEC meetings usually hold on Wednesdays.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned Joel Madaki and Felix Bilishan Tagwame, before Justice A.M. Anka of the Federal High Court, Yola, Adamawa State, on four counts bordering on conspiracy, misappropriation and diversion of funds.
Investigation into the $115million fraud involving Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, was linked to them. It was further revealed that the said funds were exchanged to an equivalent sum of N23, 299,705,000 and was used for the 2015 presidential election. Substantial amount of the funds, investigations showed, were shared to some staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC across the nation by Fidelity Bank on behalf of Madueke.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Chief Madaki, Amb. Hassan Adamu (now at large) sometimes in March 2015 at Yola, Adamawa State of Nigeria within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable court, did conspire amongst yourselves to accept cash payment of the sum of Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira only (N450,000,000) from one Shaba Mohammed, Head of Operations, Yola Branch of Fidelity Bank, Adamawa State, which sum exceeded the amount authorized by law and thereby committed and offence contrary to section 18 (1) (a) of the Money Laundering (prohibition) (amended) Act. 2012 and punishable under section 16 (2) (b) of the Same Act”.
Another count reads: “That you Chief Joel Madaki, Felix Bilishan Tagwame and Amb. Hassan Adamu (now at large) sometimes in March 2015 at Yola, Adamawa State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire amongst yourselves to make cash payment of the sum of Four Hundred and Thirty Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira (N439,940,000) which sum exceeded the amount authorized by law and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(1) (a) of the money laundering (prohibited) (amended) Act, 2012 and punishable under section 16 (2) (b) of the same act”.
They pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. Prosecuting counsel, A.M. Labaran asked for a date for trial to commence and urged the Court to remand them in prison custody.
Defence counsel, A.T. Shehu, however, moved applications for bail. The application for bail, was however, opposed by the prosecution. Justice Anka, after listening to the various arguments, granted them bail in the sum of N200million and surety in like sum.
“The surety must be 50 years or above, residing within the court jurisdiction, the surety must submit his bank statements to the registry of the court, to also swear to affidavit of means, the surety must have permanent voters card and national ID card, the surety must submit two passport photographs to the court, the surety must have verifiable phone numbers, the address of the surety to be verified by the court and the prosecution,” the judge added.
The matter has been adjourned to February 5, 2019 for trial.
George W. Bush was photographed slipping a piece of candy to Michelle Obama today as they waited for his father's funeral to begin.
Former presidents and the current president of the United States of America gathered in the Washington National Cathedral on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, for the funeral of the 41st president of the United States of America, George W.H. Bush.
His son, former President George W. Bush is close friends with Michelle Obama and they exchanged a beautiful moment just before the state funeral began.
George W. Bush was seen leaning over in front of Donald Trump and Melania Trump to slip a piece of sweet into the hand of former First Lady Mrs Obama. He was greeting his predecessors and his successors when he passed the sweet to Michelle to the amusement of Barack Obama.
This isn't the first time something like this has happened between the pair. Back in September George W. Bush was pictured sneaking candy to Michelle Obama during Senator John McCain's funeral. The photo went viral at the time and Ms. Obama commented on it, saying:
"I didn't realize at the time that anybody noticed what we were doing."
"He is my partner in crime at every major thing where all the formers gather… So we're together all the time and I love him to death.
"He's a wonderful man. He's a funny man.
"It was a simple gesture. He was getting a cough drop from Laura - they were old cough drops, they were in a White House box."
President Buhari has returned to Abuja from Poland where he went to participate at the 24th Session of the Conference of the Parties under the UN framework Convention on Climate Change.
Two powerful presidential aides are holding my husband and Nigeria hostage – Aisha Buhari
On Tuesday, wife of the President, Aisha Buhari lamented that two powerful personalities have constituted themselves as a cog in the wheel of speedy development of the country.
Aisha Buhari, who spoke at a conference organized by Project 4+4 in Abuja, however, did not mention the names of the powerful persons.
The First Lady explained that the government had achieved a lot but could have achieved more or even achieved all it had planned for in one year but for two people in government who will never allow things to move fast.
She said that she was disappointed in men who rather than fight these two men, go to them in the night begging for favours.
”I have realized that Senator Babafemi Ojodu, Special Adviser, political, to the President, and Dr. Hajo Sani, and wife of the Vice-President, Mrs Osinbajo, are not comfortable with my saying this and want me to confine myself to my prepared speech but we must say the truth” she said.
The President’s wife insisted that the powerful duo were retrogressive elements preventing the government from moving forward.
A former Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, is seeking to quash money laundering charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as he files a “no-case” submission before Justice A.R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
In the no-case submission dated November 6th 2018, and filed through his counsel, Anone Usman, Yakubu aked the court to strike out the charges against him, and discharge and acquit him, arguing that “the evidence led by the prosecution’s seven witnesses did not establish a case” against him, necessitating him to defend himself.
Recall that a special operation conducted by EFCC operatives on 3rd February, 2017 on a building belonging to Yakubu in Kaduna state, yielded the recovery of a staggering sum of $9,772,800 (Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Seven Two Thousand, Eight Hundred United States Dollars) and another sum of £74,000 (Seventy Four Thousand Pound Sterling) cash that was hidden in a fire proof safe.
EFCC closed its case against him on October 17th 2018, after calling the seventh witness Suleiman Mohammed, an operative with the Commission, who testified as to how operatives on February 3, 2017 recovered $9,772,000 and £74,000 stashed in a huge fire proof safe in a building belonging to him located at Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna State. The Court also that day admitted in evidence, a 32GB memory card and two mini discs, which contained the recording of the raid. . . Yakubu who is facing a six-count charge bordering on money laundering and false declaration of assets, was expected to open his defence on December 5. .
Usman while asking the court for a date to argue its no-case submission said, “We urge the Court to grant us a date for parties to adopt the processes in respect of the application”.
There was no representation from the prosecution during proceedings.
Justice Mohammed, thereafter, adjourned the matter to January 17, 2019 for “adoption of processes and hearing” and directed that “hearing notice be issued on the prosecution”.
The governorship candidate of National Interest Party and the second female gubernatorial aspirant Oyo State has ever had, Bolanle Sarumi-Aliyu has pledged her support for the DSIgate Skill for Free 2019 project.
She made this known during the Oyo Governorship Debate organized by Beat and Naija FM and supported by DSIgate where she promised to sponsor the registration of 100,000 people for the project.
This she declared, is her own way of empowering the people of Oyo state to achieve financial independence. According to her, the matter of minimum wage is a non-issue in a state where most structures are set to frustrate the efforts of hardworking Nigerians.
DSIgate has responded to this development by showing her readiness to train the people of Oyo State by mid-January. DSIgate Skill for Free 2019 aims to empower 5 million Nigerians Across the 36 States and the FCT.
With our headquarters situated in Oyo State, it is only fair we start making our mark from the place we call home.
You can register here www.dsigate.com to benefit from DSIgate Vocational Skills.
PDP Governorship candidate in Lagos, Jimi Agbaje, has raised alarm after his campaign boards and posters were destroyed by unknown persons.
Posting via his twitter handle, Jimi wrote
''Early this morning our boards were vandalized and removed just as campaign commenced. Some of our deployment staff were also threatened with violence and warned to desist.
Fellow Lagosians we must stand against this sort of tyranny. This is no ordinary election. This is a fight for #Freedom. A fight for Democracy. A fight for Lagos. We will not be silent and we will not be oppressed or suppressed into a corner. This time around, Democracy must win
Watch the video he shared below
Early this morning our boards were vandalized and removed just as campaign commenced. Some of our deployment staff were also threatened with violence and warned to desist. pic.twitter.com/EzpRDH7JpZ — Jimi Agbaje (@jimiagbaje) December 1, 2018
Yesterday evening November 30th, former president Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, paid a visit to the site of the 7-storey building that collapsed in New GRA. Port Harcourt in Rivers state on Friday November 23rd. After one week, over 100 persons are still said to be trapped in the rubble.
Jonathan appealed to the rescue team to hasten their efforts at rescuing those still trapped in the building. See more photos below
President Buhari has sent a condolence message to the people and government of Rivers State, including the families of the deceased, over the loss of lives after a 7-storey building collapsed.
The President in his statement says he shares in the grief with families who lost loved ones, and prays for the recuperation of those that sustained injuries.
President Buhari commends the State Government for the urgent steps taken to unravel the cause of the accident, provide healthcare for victims and ensure safety in the future.
The President prays that the almighty God will comfort all those who lost loved ones, and grant grace of quick recovery to the injured.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promoted 2,209 members of its staff in its 2018 promotion exercise.
Malam Mohammed Haruna, INEC National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja. According to Haruna 847 junior and 1,362 senior staff were promoted after the commission considered the report of its Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee (AFDC).
“In furtherance to the Commission’s commitment to the welfare of its staff, 2,209 were promoted. Out of a total of 927 junior staff who sat for the 2018 promotion examinations, 847 passed and were promoted accordingly.
Of the 1,847 senior staff who took the exams, 1,517 passed. However, 1,362 were promoted in accordance with the existing vacancies.
Out of this number, 315 persons were promoted to Directorate Cadre, eight of whom have become Directors,” he said.
The new fee for the exam's registration form will take effect from January 2019.
JAMB Registrar had earlier said the call for UTME registration fee was baseless. (Naijanews)
The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB has explained the reason why the cost of Unified Tertiary and Matriculation Examination (UTME) form was reduced.
The Board said the registration fee was reduced to in order to alleviate the burden of the cost of the examination on parents.
The Board's Head of Media, Dr Fabian Benjamin said this in a statement on Wednesday, November 28, 2018, while reacting to the reduction of UTME and SSCE fees announced by the Federal Government. X Advertisement
Candidates writing UTME at a CBT centre (PM news)
The statement reads:
“In Mr President’s determination to alleviate poverty and ensure that every Nigerian desirous of tertiary education is not deprived, the government had introduced policies and incentive to boost the economy of ordinary Nigerians and has seen this reduction as a platform to bring more Nigerians on the tertiary education template.
“The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board had in less than two years shown commitment to the avowed direction of the President Buhari-led administration by returning over 15 billion.
“Government had deliberated extensively on how to ensure that every Nigerian benefited from the prudent management of resources in JAMB and came up with the fee reduction.
“The Board has been charged to sustain its known inclusiveness, transparency, accountability and the enviable position it is occupying amongst global examination bodies.”
On Wednesday, November 28, 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari approved a reduction in the cost of the Unified Tertiary Examination and Matriculation Examination (UTME) form to N3500.
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State, yesterday, urged the Inspector General of Police to reactivate the charges of forgery and conspiracy to forge a police report for which the former governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, was standing trial before assuming office in November 2010.
The PDP recalled that Aregbesola and one other person were facing a six count charge before an Abuja High Court for allegedly forging and presenting a fake police report to an election petition tribunal in 2007.
In a statement by state chairman of the party, Soji Adagunodo argued that now that Aregbesola no longer enjoys constitutional immunity, the Inspector General of Police was duty bound to arrest him and present him before the court to prove his innocence in the charge.
While recalling that it was on the basis of the forged police report that the Appellate tribunal in Ibadan ordered a retrial of Aregbesola’s petition in 2009, Adagunodo said it was curious that the former governor and his party abandoned the report when their petition went back for trail in the same year.
The Party said since time does not run against the state in criminal matters, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police have no excuse whatsoever to abandon the case of forgery against the former governor.
