Insurgency: LCBC To Spend N13bn On N’East, Others.

The Lake Chad  Basin  Commission said it had articulated an emergency development program of  about  N13 billion to complement the ongoing war on Boko Haram in the North-East and areas affected by insurgency.

The Executive Secretary of the LCBC, Sanusi Abdulahi, said this at the meeting of Ministers of Defence, Chiefs of Defence Staff of the  Lake Chad Basin  Commission member states and Benin in Abuja on Tuesday.

He noted that the Heads of State and Government of LCBC member states have directed the Commission to develop an emergency development initiative on the Boko  Haram security threat.

According to him, the Head of states and Government of LCBC member states had also  directed that the development initiative should be implemented in areas affected by the insurgency.

He said, “We have therefore articulated an emergency development programme for the sum of 38.5 billion francs or about  N13 billion and the money will be implemented as follows:  Region of Lac and Hadjar Lamis in Chad Republic, Far North Region of Cameroon, Regions of Diffa and Zinder in Niger Republic.

“Other areas where the development would be implemented include States of Borno, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Jigawa and Kano in Nigeria.”

Abdulahi stated that the overall objective of the programme, which would last 18 months in the first phase, is the reduction of poverty through the implementation of development activities in the regions.

The initiative, he added, would also combat the causes and conditions that precipitate insecurity, adding that the programme would specifically undertake actions that generate revenues through agro-pastoral, business enterprises.

“It will also strengthen the capacity of youth, women and vulnerable groups by financing social and professional integration skill acquisition,” he said

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Group cautions Jonathan over new appointments, contracts

The South-East Coordinator of Buhari Mass Movement, Mr. Steve Ndubuokwu, has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to stop making new appointments and reverse all contracts he awarded after the elections. Ndubuokwu said the recent appointments of Jonathan were questionable, urging the President not to continue with policies that could make the incoming government vindictive. He stated this while addressing a cross section of journalists in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Tuesday. The group also condemned the severance packages to be paid to the President and top political appointees. The statement read, “How can a government award contracts that it will not be there to supervise? This is irrational and unacceptable. The N3.24bn to be paid to appointees, which is 300 percent of their basic salary, is outrageous and beyond our imagination. This amount can go a long way to build so many hospitals, provide infrastructure and repair federal roads in the country.” The group said it wondered why such an amount of money would be paid to a few people, whereas majority of Nigerians were living in abject poverty. It added, “Given the colossal amount of money being paid as salaries and allowances to political office holders, they do not need or deserve severance allowances.”

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APC govt will ask looters to return money – El-Rufai

Kaduna State Governor-elect and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir el-Rufai, said on Tuesday that the incoming government of Muhammadu Buhari would ask corrupt politicians to return every kobo stolen by them. He also said that the Buhari administration would inherit a huge debt from the Goodluck Jonathan government. The governor-elect told executive members of the National Union of Textile Garments and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, who visited him in Kaduna, that such politicians must be ready to return all ill-gotten funds after May 29. He however said those (politicians) who were not corrupt had no cause to fear. According to him, the measure was imperative because the All Progressives Congress-led government would be in a dire financial strait on assumption of office. El-Rufai said, “We will politely ask those who stole government money to return the funds. This is because the people, who are in government now, are there to work for themselves. But the APC government is made up of people who are ready to work for the masses and the betterment of the country. “We will work with the textile unions to ensure that the lives of the average Nigerians get better.” The ex-minister also decried the poor state of the textile industry in Kaduna State and gave assurance that his administration would revamp it. He lamented the current employment figure of 1,600 people in the textile sector, describing it as unacceptable. El-Rufai added that the textile industry in Kaduna alone used to employ about 33,000 workers. According to him , the APC government will revive the industry so that it can generate employment and impact on the lives of the people. He said, “We have met at a forum of northern governors-elect and we decided to ensure the revival of the textile industry. It is a shame that the largest economy in Africa imports textile materials from Senegal and other countries.” The President of the union, Oladele Hunsu, recalled el-Rufai’s feat as minister of the FCT and urged him (el-Rufai) to take steps towards reviving the textile industry.

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President Jonathan’s last Council of State meeting was attended by Obasanjo, Buhari, others

The Last Council of State meeting with President Jonathan in his administration at the presidential villa Abuja was attended by nigerian past leaders at the meeting includes president elect Gen Muhammadu Buhari, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Gen Ibrahim Babangida, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar and Chief Ernest Shonekan. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo who is also present at the meeting came 40 minutes late. He got their 12.10pm when the meeting started 11.30. State Governors of Ogun, Ondo, Sokoto, Rivers, Kaduna, Bayelsa, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Benue, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Zamfara, Niger, Plateau, Cross River and Taraba State are also present at the meeting while Deputy governors of Kano, Kogi, Oyo and Yobe States represented their state governors. Senate President David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal and former Chief Justices of Nigeria including Muhammadu Uwais, Alfa Belgore and Idris Kutigi are also present at the meeting.

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Igbo group slams APC Vice Chairman for slapping Enugu guber

Barrister Okey Ezea

An Asaba-based socio-cultural group, Nsukka Platform, has condemned in strong terms, an alleged assault on the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barrister Okey Ezea, by the National Vice Chairman (South-East) of the party, Chief Emma Enukwu.

The group in a statement made available to journalists in Asaba on Tuesday tasked the president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari to uphold the principles of equity, justice and fairness in picking his ministerial nominee from Enugu state.

Chief Enukwu was reported to have slapped Ezea at a meeting of South-East chieftains of APC in Abuja where the governorship candidate was said to have made a case for Enugu North Senatorial district to produce the minister in the incoming administration.

The statement signed by Dr. Pius Ike and Dr. Leo Abonyi, chairman and secretary respectively of the group, specifically appealed to Buhari to pick his ministerial nominee from Enugu North senatorial district (Nsukka Cultural Zone), noting that, the zone has not produced a minister since the return of democracy in 1999.

The group hailed Buhari for insisting on appointing only loyal members of his party, APC with technical competence and integrity into his cabinet, explaining that the disposition has given Nigerians hope that he is poised to fulfill his promise to fight corruption.

“While we in Nsukka Platform Asaba salute him for this stance, we equally urge him to go further and ensure equity, justice and fair play in choosing the right people to occupy the ministerial seats,” it read.

The group posited that only two of the three senatorial districts (Enugu East and West) have been producing ministers since 1999, lamenting that Enugu North produced its last minister in 1979 during the Second Republic, in the person of Chief D.C. Ugwu who was Minister of Health.

“Since the country returned to civilian rule in 1999, the Nsukka people that constitute over 50 per cent of electorate of Enugu state, have not produced a single minister. All the ministers appointed from the state hail from Enugu East and Enugu West Senatorial Districts.

“These ministers include Chief Frank Nweke Jnr. and Prof. Bath Nnaji from Enugu East and Chief Dubem Onyia, Mrs Fidelia Njeze and Prof. Chinedu Nebo, the current Minister of Power from Enugu West.

“On this premise therefore, the Nsukka Platform Asaba calls on Gen. Buhari to appoint a technically competent and credible loyal member of the APC from Enugu north. By so doing, Buhari will have proven that his administration is totally against marginalization which has glaringly characterized the appointment of ministers from Enugu State by the past and present administrations in the country. Needless to say that tested and trusted professionals of impeccable character abound in Nsukka land,” the statement explained.

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Photos from the Council of State meeting today

Past Nigerian leaders including president-elect Gen. Buhari, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Gen Ibrahim Babangida, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Ernest Shonekan attended today's Council of State meeting which is President Jonathan's last as a president. See more pics after the cut...

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Photo of Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II when he was a child

The little boy in the photo is the current Emir of Kano and former CBN governor, Muhammadu Sanusi II. He was being introduced by his father, Sir Muhammadu Sanusi to the then British Secretary of State. Photo credit: Seemeseenigeria

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Group To Buhari: Don’t Allow Use of EFCC for Persecution

A Civil Rights Group, Transparency Coalition of Nigeria (TCN) has called on the President-Elect, General Mohammed Buhari to insulate the EFCC from being manipulated by politicians to witch hunt perceived enemies when he assumes office. In a statement issued by its Secretary General, Mr Peter Gimba in Abuja on Tuesday, the TCN said it was concerned about the use of the EFCC for political purposes by the executive arm in years past, an act it said had undermined the credibility of the anti-crime commission and attempts to enshrine transparency in all government business. ‘The reasons for the establishment of the EFCC remains genuine and the case for the commission remains strong. However, the perceived use of the EFCC by the executive to muzzle or intimidate its real or perceived opponents into submission is a worrisome development that has diminished public confidence in the EFCC and raised questions about the government’s commitment to due process, accountability and transparency. TCN therefore calls on the President-elect, General Mohammadu Buhari to strengthen the EFCC and insulate it from political control, especially by those who seek to use the commission as a weapon of intimidation and blackmail targeted at political opponents”. TCN claimed that the practice of using EFCC for political ends has led to a litany of unproven cases that some politicians are using to blackmail opponents who are victims of political persecution through the agency of the EFCC. The group argued that the use of pending EFCC cases in hate campaigns against perceived political opponents further contributes to the erosion of public confidence in the commission apart from the injury inflicted on the reputation of the affected individuals. Continuing, TCN stressed that just as any accused person is innocent until proven guilty by a court of law, EFCC cases should not be taken as prove of wrongdoing on the part of the accused. On the leadership of the forthcoming national assembly, TCN canvassed the election of principal officers with a known commitment to rule of law, due process, and transparency so that the legislative and the executive arms can work in tandem to stamp out corruption and impunity while instilling transparency in the country. Stressing that National Assembly, especially the Senate, has members-elect with good track records of probity and transparency in their previous positions, the group maintained that the Assembly needs a leadership that is commitment to transparency and a willingness to open the legislative arm to greater public scrutiny and participation, in order to enhance public confidence in the National Assembly.

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EFCC to amend charges in Nnamani’s N5bn fraud case

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has pleaded for more time to amend its court papers in the trial of a former Governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani. Nnamani, his erstwhile aide, Sunday Anyaogu, and six companies have been standing trial since 2007. They are being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly laundering a sum of N5bn, believed to be proceeds of unlawful conducts. The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Yunusa, had on March 25, 2015, granted an application by the EFCC to separate the trial of the ex-governor from that of the six companies. The accused companies are Rainbownet Nigeria Limited, Hillgate Nigeria Limited, Cosmo FM, Capital City Automobile Nigeria Limited, Renaissance University Teaching Hospital and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School. The commission had opted to try them separately in order to prevent their assets from being eroded as the entire trial had dragged without much progress over the last seven years due to Nnamani’s ill health. Nnamani, who contested the April 11, 2015 election but lost the bid to represent Enugu East Senatorial District, had on occasions taken court’s permission to travel abroad for medical treatment. His lawyer, Mr. Rickey Tarfa (SAN), said his client was suffering from complications of a heart surgery which he had had to undergo. At the resumed proceedings on Monday, the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Kelvin Uzozie, sought for an adjournment to be able to amend the court papers in line with the move to commence separate trial. As the request was not opposed by Tarfa, Yunusa consequently granted the prayer and adjourned till May 19, 2015, for continuation of trial. Judges who have handled Nnamani’s trial since it began in 2007 include Justice Tijani Abubakar, who handed it over to Justice Charles Archibong. Archibong presided over the trial until his retirement. The ex-governor and his co-accused allegedly lodged the laundered N5bn in a secret account, with the aim of concealing its source. The accused also allegedly failed to comply with the lawful inquiry by the EFCC. The offences were said to contravene the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004 and the EFCC Act, 20004.

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Salaries: Rivers’ assembly dares Amaechi, summons nine aides

THE Rivers State House of Assembly appears to be on a head-on collision with the state Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, over civil servants’ unpaid salaries. The lawmakers, who expressed shock at the contrasting reports on the unpaid salaries of workers and the state’s economy, summoned nine of the governor’s aides to appear before the House by 10am on Tuesday (today) to make clarification on the issues. Those invited, according to the lawmakers who sat on Monday, are commissioners for Information, Finance, Tourism, Health, Power, Works, Agriculture, Budget and Transport. Also, heads of ministries, departments and agencies summoned by the House include the Accountant-General, Chairmen of Board of Internal Revenue, Rivers State Assembly Service Commission and Secondary School Management Board. This will be the first time the House would summon nine of the governor’s aides to give explanation on the state of Rivers’ economy and unpaid workers’ salaries. The House had observed that while the state government was insisting that it had paid salaries of civil servants up to March 2015, there were reports that were contrary to such claim. Meanwhile, the state House of Assembly has suspended three local government caretaker committee chairmen. The lawmakers said the suspension became necessary following reports of financial recklessness and insecurity within the chairmen’s council areas. Those suspended are Cassidy Ikegbidi (Ahoada East), Ojukaye Flag-Amachree (Asari-Toru) and Derick Mene (Khana). An ad hoc committee was immediately set up to investigate allegations against the affected council chairmen. However, prior to the assembly’s decision to summon the commissioners and heads of MDAs, the Deputy Leader of the House, Mr. Nname Ewor, had during the 169th legislative session presented two motions. Ewor, who represents Ahoada East Constituency 1, had raised the alarm over the level of insecurity and mismanagement of public funds, adding that the situation was common in the three affected local government areas. The lawmaker said, “In these three councils, human lives have been rendered insignificant and financial frugality has been jettisoned to the waste bin. The local government areas are drifting to the Hobbesian State of Nature.” Also, the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Leyii Kwanee, explained that the decision of the House was not aimed at witch-hunting anybody. Kwanee, who presided over the sitting of the House, expressed worry that reports on the state’s economy was not encouraging. He added that the development necessitated the invitation of some top government officials to the House for some explanations on the issue.. “As an arm of government, we are not out to witch-hunt the executive. But we are out to strengthen things. “You are aware that the seventh Assembly is gradually coming to an end. I want to tell you that it is better started than never. We have been seeing a lot of conflicting reports. “The other day, the Commissioner for Information (Mrs. Ibim Semenitari) was on air saying that they (workers) have been paid up to March. So, we feel very embarrassed as an arm of government.” Describing the motion on suspension of the caretaker committee chairmen as timely, Kwanee pointed out that the council chairmen should be held accountable for whatever happened in their various areas.

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Presidency: Jonathan Lost to Evil Conspiracies

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe

•  Says he is leaving office a fulfilled man  with excellent records

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, on Sunday said that President Goodluck Jonathan fought against evil conspiracies both locally and internationally in his bid to deliver good governance but was unfortunately misunderstood by many Nigerians who mistook his good nature and intentions for weakness.

He however said the President is leaving office as a fulfilled man who was "excellent in achievement, humility, tranquility  and simplicity."

In a comment posted on his Facebook page after a thanksgiving service held for the out-going President at the State House chapel on Sunday, Okupe said:  "Nigerians mistook meekness for weakness, restraint for lack of strength, reticence for inaction, calmness for indecisiveness."

While noting that the thanksgiving service was emotional for him and other friends of the President who attended, Okupe insisted that despite losing the elections, President Jonathan remains the greatest President Nigeria ever had and that "he triumphed because of the inherent goodness that God has deposited in him."

The Presidential aide said Jonathan meant what he said and stood by them even to his own detriment and to the detriment of those who believed in him.

Okupe noted that though President Jonathan lost the elections, he triumphed because of his commitment to the peace of Nigeria which made him declare that his ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian.

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AFN Fair to Home-based Athletes, Says Ogba

Solomon Ogba

Duro Ikhazuagbe
The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Solomon Ogba, has insisted that Nigerian youths in the diasporas wishing to represent the country in track and field are not going to be denied the opportunities to do so long as they are eligible.

Reacting for the first time to the accusation leveled against the AFN by Blessing Okagbare of promoting the foreign -based athletes above those living in the country, Ogba dismissed such accusations as not tenable.

He also described as incorrect accusations in a section of the sporting media that the federation was neglecting athletes based in the country while at the same time supporting their counterparts based abroad.

Ogba, who led Team Nigeria’s track and field athletes to win a gold medal in the 4x200m event of the IAAF World Relays in Bahamas penultimate weekend, said that the board of the AFN since its inauguration in May 2013, has done more for the locally-based athletes than any other federation.

“This season alone, we have had three camps for athletes that participated in the African youth and junior championships and those that went for invitational relay in Kenya. We have also organised two competitions, the All Comers in Abuja and Lagos, apart from the DK Olukoya junior championships,” stressed the former Delta State sports commissioner.

Ogba revealed that though it is the responsibility of states athletics associations and athletic clubs to organise conditioning camps and prepare athletes for a new season, yet the AFN has taken up the responsibility to ensure that home-based athletes are in good shape for the start of each season.

Despite the zero subvention from the National Sports Commission (NSC) and lack of support from corporate bodies, Ogba revealed that AFN still organises a league.

“We don’t get any support either from the government or corporate Nigeria, yet we have consistently organised a Golden League, thanks to great sacrifice from my board members and staff of the AFN. We give cash incentives to home-based athletes with prospect of doing well in major championships’’.

The AFN president also said that many of the home-based athletes, especially those with very good prospects have enjoyed generous assistance from the federation.

“For our home-based athletes to get the needed international exposure, we arranged for them to participate in about five international competitions this year alone. They were in Ethiopia, Mauritius, Kenya, USA and Bahamas. Their participation in these events was made possible through great sacrifice by the board when funding and assistance was not coming from any quarter,” further observed the federation chief.

Ogba said he was not aware of any board amongst the national federations that were inaugurated in May 2013 that has done more than AFN in terms of winning laurels at continental and global stage as well as organising competitions at home and providing support for home-based athletes.

Ogba posits that his board deserves commendation rather than condemnation for the good work it has done since May 2013.

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After Paying IntelS over N1 trillion, FG Moves to Acquire 10 Per cent Equity

Late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero

•  Concerns mount as INTELS’ shareholder takes over as MD of NPA, in clear impunity and conflict of interest

John Iwori   

There is a growing concern among industry stakeholders over the recent moves by the federal government to acquire ten per cent equity of the Integrated Services Nigeria Limited (INTELS) in the dying days of the President Goodluck Jonathan's administration, which analysts believed will reinforce the monopoly of the private company in the critical maritime sector using the resources of the federal government of Nigeria.

The worry arises from the revelations from a report, which shows that the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) had indeed paid INTELS the sum of $5.2 billion (about N1.04tr) over the years.

INTELS, which was hitherto known as Nicotes, which started business in the 80’s is the exclusive concessionaire of Onne, Warri and Calabar ports.

According to reports made available to THISDAY, it was discovered that the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, owns ten per cent equity of INTELS, while the original investors and the late Shehu Yar'Adua owned 50 and 20 per cent equity respectively.

Stakeholders therefore find it curious that the late emir’s son, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado-Bayero was recently appointed the Managing Director of the NPA, in what many see as not only an act of gross impunity, but also a manifest case of conflict of interest.

He resumed office April 30.

It is even more worrisome that the Federal Government is making moves to acquire the shareholding of the late emir, while his son superintends over the affairs of the NPA.

It is even more curious that the former Managing Director, Mallam Habib Abdullahi was removed because he was opposed to the move by the federal government to buy the 10 per cent equity in INTELS.

In his letter to the federal government through the inter-ministerial committee on the acquisition of the 10 per cent equity, the former Managing Director wrote that: "Venturing directly into the shareholding of a private partner may conpromise the neutrality of NPA as landlord and the federal government as umpire in the industry".

He further said that in the light of the prevailing controversy concerning INTELS' alleged monopolistic activities, buying into INTELS' shares will generate discomfort among players in Nigerian Port industry and make the NPA vulnerable giving that it (NPA) has ongoing participation with other development partners.
Following this memo, Abdullahi was removed as Managing Director and the son of a major shareholder, Alhaji Lamido Ado-Bayero was appointed.

Maritime operators who spoke to THISDAY last night are worried that the monopoly hitherto enjoyed by INTELS in the operations of the ports will only get worse with the major owner of INTELS now presiding as the managing director of the ports.

“This will surely stymied operations of the ports and I can assure you that this is not good for our economy”, as source said last night.

INTELS took over the running of the ports following the conclusion of the economic reforms in the nation’s seaports during the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

The exercise, which was midwifed by the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) divested the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), that is the day-to-day running of the ports from the government agency to private operators.

According to the report which was obtained by THISDAY at the weekend, INTELS has monopolised the services rendered by the authority in Onne Port Complex and the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone to the detriment of other operators in the maritime industry and beyond.

The report also showed that in the areas of its operations, the company has edged out its competitors as it now provides services previously rendered by NPA and in the process raking in millions of naira as profit.

The report said it is pertinent for the federal government to review its relation with the company to ensure that its competitors are not made to continue to hold the short end of the stick.

According to the report, it is not proper for the federal government to buy into the shares of the company as it is proposed in certain quarters. Venturing into the share holding of a private company by the federal government will jeopardise the position of NPA as a government umpire that ought to be neutral in the port industry.

It hinged its position on the fact that INTELS is yet to be, publicly quoted company as it still largely a private entity with several interests at stake.

In a seeming defence of government's move a senior government official last night confirmed that Abdullahi's memo came to an inter-ministerial committee comprising the ministers of Justice, Transport and Commerce and Industry.

When ask why government wants to buy into the shares of a private company which collects revenue on behalf of federal government and has relationship with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the official said government was considering the move as a way of raising revenue given that a free trade zone is not taxable.

He however assured that the government will take a second look at everything, "and we will come out will a win-win situation".

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Northern leaders pay courtesy visit to president elect Gen. Buhari....[Photos]

 Northern Elders Forum pay General Buhari courtesy visit to president elect, General Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.....See more photos below after the cut

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President Jonathan should not be scared of persecution - APC

Read the APC press statement below...

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the incoming Buhari Administration will not persecute anyone, contrary to statements credited to President Goodluck Jonathan. In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said, however, that those who have played poker with the nation’s destiny must be willing and eager to clear their conscience before man and God.

"That the President-elect is a man of integrity is not an issue for debate, and he has made it clear that he will not be bogged down by endless probes.

"However, the hands of the incoming government will not be tied by those who have chosen to play the victim and exhibit a persecution mentality. Whoever has any reason to be afraid must lay bare such reason before Nigerians,” the party said. It said that under the climate of change that Nigerians have ushered in with their votes, only the guilty needs to be afraid, and those with a guilty conscience, on account of their actions in the public sphere, must clear such so they can be at peace with themselves.

"The last time we checked, this does not fit the definition of persecution,” APC said. The party wondered why the President chose a public forum to express his fears when he could have done so privately during his meetings with the President-elect.

"Since the presidential election was won and lost, the President and the President-elect have met privately a number of times. Why didn’t President Jonathan express his apprehensions during these meetings? ”Even if the two have not met, the President could have reached out to the President-elect over any fears that he may be nursing, instead of engaging in an action that seems like he was being preemptive and seeking to curry public sympathy,” it said

APC insisted that the priority of the incoming government will be the welfare and security of the long-suffering people of Nigeria, and enjoined all citizens to support the Administration in charting a new path for the country – away from the rapaciousness and impunity of the past years.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed
National Publicity Secretary All Progressives Congress (APC) Abuja,
May 11th 2015

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Nigeria’s economy won’t collapse – Okonjo-Iweala

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Sunday night said that despite the various challenges facing the country, the national economy will not collapse. The minister, in a statement issued by her Special Adviser on Communications, Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, said this during a chat with some journalists. In the statement, she said that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan had put in place solid economic legacies for the incoming government, noting that allegations that the economy was in ruins were untrue. She said, “Despite the economic challenges the country is facing, the Jonathan administration is leaving some solid economic legacies for the incoming Buhari government. So, the allegations that the economy is in ruins are absolutely untrue. “The significant achievements in several sectors attest to this. We cannot take away the fact that the Jonathan administration, in spite of the challenges caused by 50 per cent decline in the price of oil, has made a clear and measurable difference in many important areas and anyone who says nothing has been done and nothing is being left behind is being very unfair to facts and to history. “Attempts to rewrite history will not stand. You cannot just wipe the slate clean for political reasons. We are not perfect but no one can take away the fact that we are leaving some good legacies behind.” The minister also advised politicians and opinion leaders not to denigrate the economy because negative and false comments on the economy could have negative impact the economy, the exchange rate, the stock market and reduce investor confidence. She said, “These negative and unsubstantiated comments are not wise because they can lead to what we do not want for the economy. “There is nothing wrong with factual assessments of the economy; I have always told Nigerians the truth about the economy. But sweeping and negative statements are not in the interest of the country.”

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Returning, newly-elected members differ on N’Assembly turnover

The argument of the re-elected federal lawmakers that large numbers of newly-elected members in the 8th National Assembly would rob the nation of quality legislation because of their inexperience has been countered by the latter. Some of the ranking senators and returning House of Representatives members who expressed fears that the high turnover would adversely affect their job in the incoming 8th National Assembly include Senate President, David Mark; his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu; and Senator Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North). Others include Senators Kabir Marafa (Zamfara Central), Ali Ndume (Borno South) and Akinade Fijabi, a ranking member of the House of Representatives. Investigations by our correspondent revealed that more than 70 per cent of the lawmakers in the current 7th National Assembly would not be inaugurated on June 4, having been defeated in the last general election. Mark had lamented that legislative activities would have a very slow start because most of the members are new and would require a lot of time to learn the procedure. He said, “Obviously, when people are new, it takes time to adjust and learn the procedure. It is even going to take them time to find their ways round the National Assembly building itself. It will be a very slow start.” Mark argued that if the returning members were more, things would start a lot more quickly but that a situation where more than 70 members are new would slow down legislative business. Ekweremadu, Lawan, Marafa, Ndume and Fijabi, in separate interviews, also supported the argument of Mark, adding that the nation would start all over again the capacity building for the incoming lawmakers instead of allowing experienced ones to continue in office. But newly-elected members, like Rt. Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu (APC Oyo Central); Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East); Ben Bruce (Bayelsa East); Stella Oduah (Anambra North) and Chike Okafor, representing Okigwe South Federal Constituency, disagreed with the ranking parliamentarians. They told our correspondent in separate interviews that many newly- elected members into the Senate had been in the House of Representatives while quite a number of the newly-elected House of Representatives members had had legislative experiences in the state Houses of Assembly. Sunmonu, who is the current Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the legislative proceedings and procedure are the same at both the state and federal levels, adding that it would not be difficult for many of them to catch up with the practice in the National Assembly. Stella Oduah, Bruce and Okafor also said that the one-week induction programme organised for them by the National Institute for Legislative Studies had also broadened their knowledge on various aspects of lawmaking. Okafor, a former Commissioner for Finance in Imo State, described as incorrect, insinuations that the huge presence of fresh lawmakers in both chambers would slow down legislative business due to their inexperience. He said rather than being liabilities, the newly elected parliamentarians in both chambers would be great assets to the nation. He argued that many of the newcomers were professionals from different fields of human endeavours and that quite a good number of them had had legislative experiences at state Houses of Assembly. The lawmaker-elect also said that since the National Assembly share similar House rules, it will not be difficult for the incoming federal lawmakers to utilise their experiences at the state levels and integrate themselves fully into the system. Okafor said, “I don’t believe the huge presence of fresh lawmakers will affect legislative activities at the federal parliament in the incoming 8th National Assembly. “We have quite a number of the elected lawmakers who already had legislative experiences at the lower houses, even as presiding officers. “Arguments, debates and rules are the same. We have our individual experiences and knowledge. We are going to enjoy robust and quality lawmaking session and there won’t be any setback in our activities. “We have high calibre of professionals from different fields now coming to the National Assembly and this will bring progress instead of setback. [url]http://www.punchng.com/news/returning-newly-elected-members-differ-on-nassembly-turnover[/url]

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Speakership: North-West backs Gbajabiamila

A leader of the All Progressives Congress in the North-West, has said that the zone’s candidate in the race for the Speaker, House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin, will step down for the South-West candidate, Femi Gbajabiamila. The chieftain, who is also a ranking senator-elect, told our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday that the party leaders, in a bid to ensure that the South-West produce the speaker, had agreed to convince Jibrin to run as deputy to Gbajabiamila. Our correspondent observed that the figure of both zones in the House of Representatives is almost half of the entire population of the lawmakers in the lower chamber. The senator, who preferred anonymity, said that both Gbajabiamila and Jibrin would address a joint news conference at the Oyo/Osun hall at the Transcorp Hotel in Abuja on Monday (today) by 11.00am. He said, “With this development, the APC has effectively resolved the issue of speaker and deputy speaker respectively in the House of Representatives. It is now left for it to resolve the Senate issue. “The calculation is that if the North-East emerges as Senate President, and the South-West gets the Speaker, no aspirant from the North-East can emerge Deputy Speaker. It will automatically go to the North-West.” When contacted, Jibrin said, “I am ready to abide by the decision of the party in the interest of Nigeria.” Meanwhile, cracks seemed to have emerged within the North-East caucus of the party with some of them throwing their weights behind Senator AhmadLawan, while others are pitching their tents with either SenatorsDanjuma Goje and Ali Ndume. Eleven out of the 13 APC senators elect for the 8th Senate from the North East geo-political zone had 11 days ago, precisely May 1, 2015, vehemently kicked against the endorsement their counterparts from the North West zone. The eleven senators led by Goje ( Gombe Central) submitted at the media briefing where they disowned Lawan, that though as Senators from the North East, they wanted the APC national leadership to zone the post to the zone, they were completely against the endorsement of Ahmad Lawan by the 20 APC senators-elect from the North-West. Surprisingly on Friday, one of the arrow heads of the anti-Lawan endorsement, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, issued a statement on behalf of the Yobe lawmakers in the National Assembly, endorsing Lawan’s ambition.

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Gen. Sani Abacha With Yasser Arafat A Day Before His Death ( Photo )

Gen. Sani Abacha with Yasser Arafat on Sunday, June 7, 1998, Abacha died the next day.

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President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari On The Shuttle Bus

President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari on the shuttle bus at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja earlier today.

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