Minimum Wage: FG Rejects N22,500 Governors’ Proposal, Says Ngige

The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, has revealed that the Federal Government has rejected the N22,500 minimum wage proposal by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).

Ngige stated this on Wednesday during a phone interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

“The governors have not even done enough. I told them that this N22,500 is even rejected by the Federal Government,” he said.

Ngige’s comments come 24 hours after NGF unanimously agreed to pay Nigerian workers N22,500 as the new minimum wage as against the current N18,000.

Chairman of the Forum and Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’Aziz Yari, said that the decision of the governors was based on the current realities on the ground.

But Ngige criticised the governors for the figure saying N22,500 is even below the N24,000 agreement by the Federal Government.

He, however, said that all parties on the ground would resume back on negotiations to see that the welfare of the workers is met.

Ngige added, “The national minimum wage is a national legislation being driven by the Federal Government of Nigeria in pursuance to item 34 of the Exclusive Legislative list.

“But you don’t go and make a law which people will disobey at the initial.

“If you make a law and hoax a figure that is not agreeable, which people don’t have the capacity or ability to pay because the International Labour Organisation (ILO) says in those negotiations, the principle is the ability to pay.”

The minister, however, decried that the Chairman of the Tripartite Committee, Ms. Amal Pepple is not in the country.

Ngige explained that despite her absence for two weeks for a medical check-up, the Federal Government would convene partners involved in the minimum wage to deliberate on the issue and arrive on the same page.

Although workers are demanding N30,000 as minimum wage, the minister said that any industrial action being embarked on the aggrieved workers would not resolve the issues at stake.

Again, Buhari Begs Aggrieved Party Aspirants Not to Abandon APC

President Muhammadu Buhari has again appealed to aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants not to leave the party.

The appeal came three weeks after he asked those who failed in their bid to secure the party’s ticket to emulate the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, who lost his reelection ticket but did not leave the ruling party.

The president had a dinner with the aggrieved aspirants at the Presidential Villa last Tuesday night.

Those in attendance included gubernatorial, national and state assembly aspirants who failed to secure the party’s tickets in the forthcoming general election.

Buhari urged them to be patient, remain with the party and work for its success during the 2019 elections.

While briefing State House correspondents after the dinner, a gubernatorial aspirant of Nasarawa State, Aliyu Wadada, said the president assured the aspirants that justice would be done as their cases would be looked into.

According to him, “Beyond just eating at the dinner as a family, we had discussions over the various experiences that aspirants had during the APC primaries, and the president pleaded as well as pacified the aggrieved aspirants to remain resolute and continue to be loyal and committed to Nigeria’s unity which is the most important thing beyond party politics.”

He said the president told them his experiences from the military to civilian eras, adding that “naturally it is never easy when your mandate is forcefully taken but whatever it is, we should remain as a family and the needful shall be done where necessary to ensure that those that genuinely won their primary elections are given their stolen mandate, but that cases that cannot be really proven will have to bear with the outcome; after all, you don’t just divorce yourself from your family because you don’t get what you want.”

A senatorial aspirant from Kebbi State, Sule Sami, said those at the meeting resolved to work hard for Buhari’s reelection in 2019.

“One important thing coming out of the meeting with our president is our resolve to ensure that the president wins next year; we will stay back and fight to ensure that he is returned next year because we are not going to be campaigning for any person other than our president.

“He is our major concern and we will convince the electorate to vote for him because when he returns for a second term in office, we will give him the needed support so that he can continue the good works that he has started.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Ita Enang, also said the meeting went well, adding that the aspirants pledged to work for the success of the party.

Enang said the meeting was one of the greatest steps taken by Buhari and the APC to bring every aggrieved person together, thus paving way for the party’s success in next year elections.

President Buhari Visits Kaduna To Intervene In Crisis

President Muhammadu Buhari is currently in Kaduna State.

His visit is part of efforts aimed at finding a lasting solution to the consistent killings in the state in recent times.

Buhari is expected to meet with religious and traditional leaders as well as other stakeholders.

THEWILL recalls that the paramount Chief of Adara, Agom Maiwada Galadima who had been in the den of his abductors was killed last week.

The Kaduna State Government confirmed this in a statement on Friday and immediately reimposed a 24 hour curfew in some parts of the state following wanton killings.

Four persons including a policeman were killed along Kaduna/Kachia road by the alleged abductors on Friday Oct. 19 before taking away the monarch, his wife and driver.

Both the driver and the wife were freed by the kidnappers, leaving only the chief in their custody.

Alos the Nigeria Police Force has said it had arrested 93 suspects who actively participated in the recent killings in Kaduna State.

Following the killings in Kaduna, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, deployed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, Taiwo Lakanu, to lead a police intervention force to the state to ensure that normalcy return to the area.

Force spokesman, acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, who made the disclosure while addressing newsmen on Monday in Abuja, said that 43 of the suspects were being prosecuted while 50 were still in police custody.

Atiku/Obi‘s Ticket Best Choice to Rebuild Nigeria’s Ailing Economy, Says Egwu

The South East Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chidiebere Egwu, on Tuesday said the choice of Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, as the PDP presidential candidate and former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, as his running mate is the best choice to rebuild Nigeria’s ailing economy and address other challenges facing the country.

He expressed optimism that Atiku would defeat President Muhammadu

Buhari in 2019 as Nigerians were disenchanted with the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government which he said has brought untold hardship, increased unemployment and poverty in the country.

The youth leader who spoke in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, also noted that the youths voted for Atiku massively during the last party national convention of the

because of Atiku’s restructuring agenda and his capacity to rescue the country from the challenges of insecurity, abuse of human rights, rule of law, starvation and unemployment.

Egwu also assured Nigerians that with Obi as Atiku’s running mate, Ndigbo will vote out Buhari in 2019, as according to him, Nigerians have suffered under the Buhari’s administration.

He further noted that though there were skirmishes from the leaders of the

South east on nomination of Obi as the vice presidential candidate, the youths of the zone were not also happy on the way the youth leaders were being relegated to the background in any decision or issue that concerns the zone.

Egwu, who’s also the deputy national president PDP youths, blasted

those criticizing the Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremmadu, and other leaders of the Southeast over their insistence that the process of Obi’s nomination didn’t follow due process, stressing that it amounted to shaving one’s head in his absence.

He said: “We voted for Atiku for some reasons and majority of the youths voted for him. He’s result-oriented. He’s not deterred by what the oppositions are saying and he’s making sure he rescues Nigeria from the challenges it’s facing, especially in economy, insecurity, rule of law among others

“We are committed to making sure we deliver him, and that’s where we

stand.  All the 36 youth state leaders and FCT and the leaders of youths in the six political zones for which I am one of them, have agreed that to work for Atiku and canvass for votes and supports for our presidential candidate.”

“Nigerians are now yearning for positive changes because they’re disenchanted with the APC government which is full of deceit, disappointment, nepotism and visionlessness, abuse of human rights, fake promises among others. A party that believes in manipulating results but this time, whoever thinks that he will manipulate results, should write his will because we won’t tolerate that. We have suffered too much under APC, and we can’t guarantee the future of children if the party continues.”

Minimum Wage Palaver: Labour Unions Protest Nationwide, Insist On November 6 Ultimatum

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday gave the federal government till November 6, 2018, to meet their demands for workers’ pay raise to N30,000 or face an indefinite strike by the workers.

The leaders of the labour unions who are leading protest marches in different parts of the country insisted that the government must approve the sum and nothing less.

In Lagos, the protest caused a gridlock stretching from the Ojuelegba axis of Ikorodu road to Freedom Park in Ojota, Lagos state causing motorists to move slowly behind them.

In Imo State, the workers trooped out to sensitize the public on their demand for 30,000 naira minimum wage.

Also in Taraba, the Labour Union staged a sensitisation rally calling on the Federal Government to meet its demand of 30,000 minimum wage or face an indefinite strike action.

The workers said the sensitisation became necessary as the labour union has remained calm and adopted dialogue with the government since the expiration of the minimum wage review in 2016.

Nigerian Professionals in Las Vegas Express Support for Atiku, Obi

Nigerian top professionals in the medical, legal, finance and other fields living the Las Vegas, United States, have expressed concerned about the state of the Nigerian state, and therefore back the Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi candidacy to coast to victory in the 2019 elections and restore the country’s glory.

When the Medical Director at Grand Desert Medical Services in Las Vegas, hosted the Assistant Director (South East) of the Atiku Campaign Organisation, Hon. Sam Egu, last week at a ‘meet and greet event’ at her home in the exclusive Summerlin suburb of the city, these Nigerians took the opportunity to discuss the way forward and how they can contribute to the imminent turnaround of the Africa’s most populous country.

As guest speaker, Egu stressed the importance of Nigerians in diaspora, whose financial remittances have been the major back bone of Nigerians back home.

He said: “Your influence on the people you support with money back home is a major asset, therefore, you can easily influence more people back home to vote for candidates you believe in.”

Egu further urged them to take more interest in and participate in Nigerian politics.

Furthermore, it was learnt that some of the burning issues on the minds of the Nigerian professionals abroad bothered on the re-structuring of Nigeria, free and fair 2019 elections, turning the economy around and voting rights for Nigerians in the diaspora.

The issue of restructuring Nigeria, according to Egu, is of interest to majority, “with the hope that devolution of powers to the states and local governments will create more sources of income for the country as a whole, instead of the total dependence on oil states will be forced to develop other sources of income. Therefore, Atiku has been favorable to restructuring of Nigeria.”

While fielding questions from those who attended the event, the campaign director said: “As a northerner and businessman with interest in many states across the country, Atiku is one of the most liberal politicians in Nigeria. His clamour for restructuring dated back 15 years ago. He understands the need that more states can get to develop its resources instead of waiting for the monthly allocations from Abuja.”

Egu emphasized that such system is working perfectly in the US, where the states and counties are in charge of education, agriculture, power and others, while the federal government is saddled with few responsibilities like security, customs, immigration, interventions and a few others.

Meanwhile, the Medical Director of Apex Medical Centre, one of the largest centres by an African in Las Vegas, Dr. Dolue Ezeanolue, expressed concern that many Nigerians in the diaspora are skeptical of the ability of the present government to conduct a free and fair election in 2019, considering feelers from the international observers over the just concluded elections in Ekiti and Osun States. But Egu however allayed the fears that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has concrete plans on ground to make sure that 2019 elections are free and fair.

He added: “Atiku’s choice of Obi as his running mate is premised on Obi’s track record as a pragmatic and result-oriented person, who will bring a lot of experience to bear on the economic team, the way the presidential candidate made great choices of Nigerians in the diaspora when he was vice president to former president Olusegun Obasanjo.”

Police Give One-month’s Grace to Motorists Before Commencing Operation Velvet

Rebecca Ejifoma

The Lagos State Police Command has suspended the ongoing operation velvet for a period of one month with effect from October 30 to enable vehicles and motorcycles’ owners time to regularise their documents.

The operation, which aimed at enforcing all relevant traffic laws to restore orderliness on the roads was put on hold for a period of one month based on the appeal of the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and members of the state House of Assembly.

“However, the police command wishes to warn all road users that the grace period should not be interpreted as a period of lawlessness on the roads. It is a time allowed to get the vehicle documents and necessary permits together,” the state police spokesman, CSP Chike Oti, said.

According to him, the Command further warned that it would continue to enforce laws against driving on BRT lanes, parking at unauthorised places thereby causing gridlock, and driving against traffic.

IPMAN Denies Plan to Review Petrol Pump Price from N145 to N95

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Kano Depot branch, has said there is no plan to review pump prices of petrol.

Rumour was making the round on social media that the federal government was planning to reduce the pump price of petroleum from N145 to N95.

However, at a press conference in its office in Kano on Tuesday, the Chairman of the association, Alhaji Bashir Dan-malam, described the report as mere rumours, aimed at deceiving Nigerians in order to achieve a certain political goal.

According to him, the rumours were the handiwork of certain unscrupulous elements, who were jealous of the relative availability of the product, even as the federal government had succeeded in tackling the menace of fuel scarcity, which became a tradition every end of the year.

According to Dan-mallam, he contacted the Managing Director of PPMC, Umar I. Ajiya, on the issue, and he was assured that the report was a blatant lie.

He noted that the rumour peddlers were bent on inciting the people against the federal government, adding that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was doing its best to ensure the availability of the products in the country.

Nigeria Ranking On Governance in Africa Drops

 

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation on Monday revealed that Nigeria scored 47.9 in overall governance, ranking 33 out of 54 countries in Africa.

Although Nigeria increased in ranking from 35 in 2017 to 33 in 2018, the country’s overall score dropped from 48.1 to 47.9.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports, the 2018 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) was launched by the foundation during a live event yesterday.

The report noted that the score is lower than the African average of 49.9 and also lower than the West African average of 54.3.

The report stated that Nigeria received its highest category score in Participation and Human rights, scoring 53.2, and its lowest score in Sustainable Economic Opportunities is 43.5.

It further showed that Nigeria received its highest sub-category score in Participation snagging 62.7 and its lowest in Transparency and Accountability scoring 34.5.

The 2018 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) covers 10 years’ worth of data from 2008 to 2017 inclusively for 54 African countries.

Reflecting on the 2018 Index report, Mo Ibrahim, Chair of the Foundation, said: “There are many positive trends emerging from this year’s index.

“Fifteen countries out of the 34 which register progress in Overall Governance over the last decade even manage to accelerate their pace of improvement in the last five years.

“Among those, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, and Kenya displayed the most impressive progression, stepping up from 41st, 25th and 19th to 22nd, 15th and 11th ranks respectively over the past decade.

“On average on the continent, improvements in indicators related to health and infrastructure stand out. “There are also recent and welcome improvements in Rule of Law and Transparency and Accountability even if scores in the latter are still low,” Ibrahim said.

The Foundation was established in 2006 with a focus on the critical importance of leadership and governance in Africa by providing tools to assess and support progress in leadership and governance.

The IIAG provides an annual assessment of the quality of governance in African countries and is the most comprehensive collection of data on African governance.

Jonathan, Atiku, Makarfi, Nnamani, Turaki, Others Mourn Anenih

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; ex-Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki; former caretaker Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Makarfi, were among other Nigerians who have condoled the family of late Chief Tony Anenih, describing him as a an institution, a colossus, a patriot and mentor to many Nigerians.

The former chairman of PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) died last Sunday at the age of 85 years.

Jonathan in a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Ikechukwu Eze, said the exit of the ‘great nationalist’ and founding member of PDP was a sad loss to the party and the country.

The former president noted that his rich political experience, sincere patriotism and deep wisdom are qualities Nigerians still need to cultivate for national cohesion, growth and development.

According to him, "Late Chief Tony Anenih was a great asset to our dear country.  For a long time, he remained a leading light in our party and in Nigeria's political firmament, charting the course for peace, unity and the entrenchment of true democracy in Nigeria.”

Jonathan added that even at old age and in retirement, Anenih continued to inspire and mentor younger politicians as a demonstration of his deep commitment to Nigeria's growth and progress.

He said he was indeed a leader with an exceptional knack for initiating well-considered strategies for political stability in the country.

Jonathan stressed further that "Anenih served our country diligently in different capacities, distinguishing himself in the security systems, business, politics and peace building.

"He left a legacy of remarkable achievements through selfless service to humanity and deep commitment to peace, democracy, party loyalty and national unity.

"May God Almighty provide succour to his family members, the government and people of Edo State and others who mourn him, and grant his soul eternal rest.”

Also, Atiku described as shocking the news of Anenih’s passing, adding that his death has left a vacuum in the country.

The PDP presidential standard bearer said his roles in ensuring the stability, not only for the party, but also for the country at large, stood him out as a patriot who dedicated his life to the service of humanity.

The former vice president in a statement issued on Monday by his Media Adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe, said Anenih did his best for the country and his death at this time that Nigeria is going into electioneering was saddening.

He said: “Indeed I have lost a great friend of decades. I am particularly pained that Anenih left the stage at the time the party and the country needed his wealth of experience the more, especially in our collective quest to restore good governance and democratic ideals in our country.”

 Also, Markarfi said he was saddened by the news of the passing away of a nationalist, statesman, and democrat, adding that his death came at a time when the country needs statesmen like him.

Makarfi in a statement he personally signed yesterday said: “Anenih excelled in all his callings. He contributed enormously to the development of democratic governance in Nigeria. Personally, I have lost a mentor and a father who stood by me at all times.

“My condolences go to his immediate family, the government and people of Edo State, the PDP family and his larger political associates and indeed Nigerians in general.”

However, when journalists visited the Asokoro residence of late Anenih, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim; former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman; Turaki, Senator Clifford, former Chief of Staff to President Jonathan, Mike Oghiadomhe, were among eminent Nigerians who visited the family.

Turaki said Anenih was not just a father and a mentor but an institution.

“This is one of the saddest days of our lives. Today we are mourning not just a leader, a mentor, a father but somebody who is a colossus, an institution. People like him don’t come by easily every day. We pray that daddy's soul will rest in peace,” he said.

Also, Nnamani said there is no politician in Nigeria that would not respect Anenih’s strategy, planning and  effectiveness.

The former Senate president said PDP showed a lot of strength under his chairmanship, stressing that BoT actually stood out as the conscience of the party and also took PDP to another level.

Nnamani stated: “A big iroko has fallen. It got to a point when he's no more the leader of the PDP alone. He was the leader of the country politically. There is no politician in Nigeria, whether you like him or not, who will not respect his strength of strategy, planning, effectiveness, and that gained him that name ‘Mr. Fix It'.

 “None of our party constitution, both APC, PDP, defines the position of a leader, it is a name he carved out for himself. You cannot go to any section and see the role of a party leader, it doesn’t exist, but every person recognised him as a leader. The party chairman recognised him as a leader. He was able to make difficult, complex political issues sound very simple.”

The Senator representing Edo Central, Clifford, described his death as a rude shock, noting that he was a political leader who played a major role in the senatorial district.

On his part, Oghiadomhe said his death was a great shock to everyone.

According to him, “I didn’t just see him as the leader of PDP; he was the leader of Edo people, a leader of our family. I saw him as a father. He used his experience, his wealth, his knowledge, his capacity to uphold welfare and dignity of other people.

 “He was a man who knew Nigeria and Nigeria knew him; he knew the community and the community knew him, he knew all that he met and above all he knew God.”

Fraudsters Cloning Our Officials’ Facebook Accounts, DSS Alleges

The Department of State Services (DSS) has raised the alarm that some unidentified con artists were cloning the Facebook accounts of its senior officials to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

The DSS in a statement issued on Monday signed by its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Peter Afunanya, said the fraudsters had remained unwavering despite being caught and dealt with by the security agency.

The secret agency, however, warned that the DSS would continue to look for, fish out and adequately punish the suspected scammers of the criminal act.

According to the DSS, “The deceptive and fraudulent activities of certain unscrupulous individuals, who clone Facebook accounts of some DSS senior officials, including that of the immediate past acting Director General, Mr. Matthew Seiyefa, have been brought to the attention of the Service.

“It is to be noted that the scammers use the false accounts with images of the officials to defraud unsuspecting members of the public. In some instances, victims have been promised employment and made to part with various sums of money.

“For the umpteenth time, the Service wishes to restate that it is not recruiting any cadre of its personnel at the moment and does not do so through Facebook or other social media platforms in the event that it is recruiting.

“It also does not charge money in its recruitment. In this regard, the public is advised to be wary of the fraudsters and avoid falling victims. The DSS therefore advises applicants to verify information of recruitment from its formations across the country or send an email to dsspr@dss.gov.ng for confirmation.

“Though the Service has continued to apprehend these criminals, operators of the latest false accounts are strongly warned to desist from this illegality or face the consequences of their actions.”

Trump Says Saudis Staged 'Worst Cover-up Ever' on Khashoggi

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday Saudi authorities staged the "worst cover-up ever" in the killing of prominent journalist Jamal Khashoggi this month, as the United States vowed to revoke visas of some of those believed to be responsible.

Trump spoke hours after Turkey's president, Tayyip Erdogan, dismissed Saudi efforts to blame Khashoggi's death on rogue operatives. Erdogan urged Riyadh to search "from top to bottom" to uncover those behind Khashoggi's death in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, an incident that has prompted global outrage and strained relations between Riyadh and Washington.

Asked by a reporter in the White House Oval Office how the Khashoggi killing could have happened, Trump said: "They had a very bad original concept. It was carried out poorly, and the cover-up was one of the worst in the history of cover-ups."

Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was a U.S. resident and Washington Post columnist.

Trump's comments in recent days have ranged from threatening Saudi Arabia with "very severe" consequences and mentioning possible economic sanctions, to more conciliatory remarks highlighting the country's role as a U.S. ally against Iran and Islamist militants, as well as a major purchaser of U.S. arms.

On Tuesday, Trump said the Khashoggi matter was handled badly by Saudi officials. "Bad deal, should have never been thought of. Somebody really messed up. And they had the worst cover-up ever," Trump said.

Trump did not give his views on who was ultimately responsible. But Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States has identified some of the Saudi government and security officials it believes were involved in Khashoggi's murder and would take appropriate actions including revoking U.S. visas.

As the crisis unfolded over the past three weeks, Saudi Arabia changed its tune on Khashoggi. Riyadh initially denied knowledge of Khashoggi's fate before saying on Saturday he was killed in a fight in the consulate, an account met with skepticism from several Western governments, straining their relations with the world's biggest oil exporter.

Saudi state media said on Saturday King Salman fired five officials over the killing carried out by a 15-man hit team, including Saud al-Qahtani, a top aide who ran social media for Prince Mohammed. According to two intelligence sources, Qahtani ran Khashoggi's killing by giving orders over Skype.

King Salman, 82, has handed the day-to-day running of Saudi Arabia to the 33-year-old crown prince.

Fayemi Denies Collecting N30b from FG in One Week

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has denied the allegation that his government has collected a sum of N30 billion from the federal government within the last one week.

Fayemi said he was determined to run an open-door policy where government’s dealing won’t be shrouded in secrecy, saying nothing has accrued to the state since he took over from Governor Ayodele Fayose on October 16, 2018.

Fayemi was sworn in on October 16 by the Chief Judge of Ekiti State,

Justice Ayodeji Daramola, to superintend over the state affairs for the next four years.

In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media, Yinka Oyebode, in Ado

Ekiti Tuesday, Fayemi said: “The attention of Ekiti State

Government has been drawn to some malicious reports from some quarters that the new administration has received N30 billion from the federal government in the last one week.

“We would have ignored this baseless rumour that is being circulated on social media by some unscrupulous individuals, but for the sake of the public that could be misled in the process.

“The fact remains that the new administration has not received any money from the federal government or any of its agencies since its inauguration a week ago.

“As a responsible government that believes in accountability and transparency, this government will always provide correct information to the people on all its transactions and will not hide anything from the people.

“Members of the public are thereby assured of regular briefings on the

finances and developments in the state. The era of government by deceit and falsehood has ended on October 15, 2018.

“The present administration is focused on meeting its obligations to workers, pensioners and the public and will not be distracted by lies being told by remnants of the crumbled Ayo Fayose dynasty.”

Meanwhile, a leader of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Hon

Bamidele Faparusi, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes

Commission (EFCC) to be diligent in former Governor Fayose’s prosecution over his alleged involvement in N1.3billion arms fund.

Fayose, is presently standing trial in the Federal High Court, Lagos for allegedly collecting the money from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki to fund his governorship campaign in 2014.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, Faparusi said he never expected Fayose to deny collecting the alleged stashed fund with high calibre witnesses already lined up to testify against him.

Faparusi, former member of the House of Representatives, appealed to the anti-graft agency to beam its searchlight on the state, alleging that more corruption was perpetrated by the governor in the execution of some projects.

“The flyover project, which was supposed to be N5.7 billion ended up becoming an albatross to the state as the state ended up paying over N10billion on the project among others.

Buhari Promises Successful Joint Border Control With Benin Republic

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday pledged that Nigeria will work closely with the Republic of Benin to ensure the success of the newly inaugurated Seme-Krake joint border post between both countries.

Buhari stated this at the Seme border during the official handing over ceremony of the joint border post where he described the project, aimed at enhancing the free movement of persons and goods in the region, as ”a symbol of integration that brings together the peoples of Nigeria and Benin.”

According to him, “Indeed, the Seme-Krake joint border is one of the busiest boundary lines not only in West Africa but the whole continent, daily recording huge movement of persons, goods and services.

“Permit me therefore to congratulate my brother, President Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin on the successful completion of this magnificent project.

“As we all know, Nigeria and Benin share many things in common. Hence, the establishment of the Joint Border Post will certainly promote our brotherliness and emphasize our common interest.”

On the benefits of the joint border post, which sits on 17 hectares of land, the President noted that it would enhance trade facilitation by combining border clearance activities in a single location, increase cooperation and coordination of controls, in addition to fostering data and intelligence sharing between Nigeria and Benin Republic.

“The Border Post is strategically important and lies on the Lagos-Cotonou-Lome-Accra-Abidjan corridor, which accounts for about 70 percent of the entire transit traffic in the sub-region.

“The corridor is also part of the Trans-African Highway network. This Joint Border Post with modern enabling facilities is a flagship project in ECOWAS and a good example of regional public assets with a spill-over range of benefits.”

The President also expressed optimism that the facilities at the border post will improve the working conditions of border officials and make them more efficient and effective in carrying out their duties.

He, therefore, urged border officials of both countries to ensure that their operations are carried out within the guiding principles of ECOWAS.

Supreme Court Nullifies APC Primaries In Rivers

The Supreme Court on Monday set-aside an interim order of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, which gave the All Progressives Congress (APC) the nod to conduct its Ward, Local Government and State Congresses in Rivers State.

The apex court, in a judgment that was delivered by Justice Centus Nweze, faulted the appellate court for issuing an order for the stay of execution of a Rivers State High Court order that barred the APC from going ahead with its planned congress, pending the determination of a suit before it.

It noted that the High Court had on the basis of a suit that was lodged by one Abdulahi Umar and 22 others, issued injunctive reliefs that expressesly forbade the party from conducting congress in the state.

The Supreme Court stated that Justice Chiwendu Nwogu of the high court gave the interim order of injunction on May 11, on a day that some hoodlums loyal to a faction of the APC, besieged the high court premises in Port Harcourt.

It observed that despite the attack and the restraining order from the high court, which was further reaffirmed on May 13, the APC which was a Respondent in the matter, went ahead and conducted its Ward, Local Government and State congresses on May 19, 20 and 21.

It said it was baffled that the APC, “in the most impundent manner”, ran to the Court of Appeal to apply for stay of proceeding and execution of the high court order with respect to the suit marked PHC/78/2018.

It observed that while the appellate court declined to stay proceedings of the high court, it however stayed the execution of the May 11 order by Justice Nwogu.

Dissatisfied with the decision, Umar and 22 other litigants who dragged APC to court over their alleged exclusion from the primaries, took the case to the Supreme Court.

They argued through their lawyer, Mr. Henry Bello, that the Court of Appeal engaged in judicial rascality by refusing to abide by Supreme Court decisions on the issue of stay of execution of valid court orders.

The appellants argued that the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal violated the principle of staris-decisis (judicial precedents) and accorded favourable ruling to the APC, even when it was “in grave disobedience to two orders of the lower court”.

They prayed the apex court to set aside the order the Court of Appeal in respect of the case marked CA/PH/198/2018.

Acceding to the Appellants’ prayer, the Supreme Court, held that the appellate court should not have vacated the injunctive order the Rivers state high court issued against the APC on the conduct of its congresses.

Justice Nweze held that the action of the appellate court amounted to “sacrilegious exercise of judicial discretion”, saying it committed “gross insurbodination”, by refusing to abide by precedents already set by the Supreme Court.

He said the appellate court was wrong when it judicially indulged the APC, even in the face of abundant evidence that the Party was in contempt of subsisting court orders.

“It is a very serious matter for any one to flout a positive order of a court and still approach the court for remedy.

“It is unfortunate and wrongful for the Court of Appeal to have entertained a party in contempt of a valid court order to the extent of granting judicial favour by way of staying of execution of an injunctive order when the party at the center of the dispute was in gross contempt of court”, Justice Nweze held.

Stressing that the Respondent acted “in the most impundent manner”, the Supreme Court held: “The simple truth therefore is that when the Respondent applied for stay of execution, it was in gross abuse of a court order”.

“The court guides its power jealously. Regrettably, the lower court condoled the Respondent’s conduct”. The Supreme Court therefore granted “an order setting aside the stay of execution order that the Court of Appeal granted to the APC on June 21.

“This appeal is allowed and the ruling of June 21 is hereby set-aside. That shall be the judgment of this court”, Justice Nweze held. While concurring with the lead verdict, another member of the apex court panel, Justice Inyang Okoro, held that APC’s disobedience to the high court’s order made it ineligible for favourable judicial discretion from the appellate court.

It will be recalled that the Rivers State High Court had in a ruling on May 30, nullified the Ward, Local Government and State congresses of the APC held on May 19, 20 and 21 respectively.

Justice Chiwendu Nwogu maintained that the process that led to the emergence of Ojukaye Flag-Amachree as Rivers Chairman of APC, was fraudulent.

Thus, he ordered the party to return to the status quo of May 11, pending the determination of the substantive suit. Subsequently, the court, on October 10, voided the nomination of Mr Tonye Cole as the gubernatorial flag-bearer of the APC in Rivers State.

Justice Nwogu declared that Ward congresses of APC in Rivers State were illegal, sayin they were not conducted in line with the Party’s guidelines and constitution.

CBN Axes 9 Micro Finance Banks in Niger

 

Nine micro finance banks in Niger State have been axed by the North Central zone of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Secretary of the Association of Micro Finance Banks, Mr. Tsado Daniel, disclosed this in Bida on Monday.

Daniel did not name the banks or their locations but said the axe fell on the banks because "they fell short during the regulation exercise carried out by the CBN."

The secretary made the disclosure while speaking at the inauguration of the Federal Polytechnic Bida micro finance bank, where he also disclosed that there were 34 micro finance banks in the state before the CBN action.

He urged the management and staff of the banks that escaped the CBN hammer "to adhere strictly to the rule of the game" and ensure the survival of the financial organisations while also charging them to protect the investments of their customers.

"Banks do not just die, people kill them. Please do not kill the Federal Polytechnic Bida Micro Finance Bank, ensure you adhere strictly to the rules of the game," he stated.

A representative of the CBN in Minna, Hajia Hassana Mohammed, spoke on the failure of banks, saying: "Insider abuse is another huge factor that contributes to the failure of micro finance banks across Nigeria."

Mohammed advised beneficiaries of loan facilities to stop converting the money to marry more wives or to other unprofitable ventures.

 "Until we stop using business money and loans to get married and buy clothes, businesses in the country will not progress," she declared.

In his address, the Rector of the polytechnic and the Chairman Board of Directors of the polytechnic micro finance bank, Dr. Abubakar Dzukogi, disclosed that the micro finance bank was opened with a capital base of N20 million and aimed to increase it to by 2019.

He stated that the micro finance bank was to make banking transactions easier for students and staff of the school community as well as facilitate the cashless policy of the CBN.

Fayose Arraigned, Remanded in EFCC Custody

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, was on Monday arraigned on an 11-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

Fayose and his company, Spotless Limited, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The judge, Mojisola Olatoregun, ordered that he be remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and then adjourned till October 24 for hearing of his bail application.

According to the EFCC, Fayose received ₦1.2 billion to fund his 2014 gubernatorial campaign in Ekiti State, a sum they said he ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.

Fayose arrived at the court premises at about 8.30a.m, accompanied by EFCC officials and armed police officers.

Femi Fani-Kayode, a former aviation minister and member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was also in court “to show solidarity.”

“I’m here to let people know that he’s not alone, I know what he’s going through because I’ve been there before,” Fani-Kayode told journalists after the court sitting.

Fani-Kayode said the federal government “has subjected every member of the opposition PDP to one form of persecution or another.”

In the charges, the EFCC alleged that on June 17, 2014, Fayose "took possession of the sum of N1, 219,000,000 to fund your 2014 gubernatorial campaign in Ekiti State, which you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing."

He was also alleged to have on the same day "received a cash payment of $5,000,000 from Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, the then Minister of State for Defence, which sum exceeded the amount authorised by law, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 1 and 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16 (2)(b) of the same Act."

In another count, Fayose was accused of "taking control of an aggregate sum of N317,000, 000," which he allegedly deposited into the bank account of Spotless Limited, "a company controlled by you and your family."

He was also accused of "using an aggregate sum of N1,151, 711,573 to acquire chalets 3, 4, 5 and 9 of the property situated at Plot 100 Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, in the name of JJ Technical Service."

Fayose was equally accused of purchasing a property at Plot 1504, Yedsema Street, Maitama, Abuja for N270million from one Rabi Kundili.

The former governor was also alleged to have purchased another property at No.44, Osun Crescent, Maitama, Abuja, for N200million in the name of his elder sister, Moji Oladeji.

Among other allegations, the EFCC further accused Fayose of receiving gratification from a firm, Samchase Nigeria Limited.

After pleading not guilty to the charges, the prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, prayed for a trial date and an order remanding Fayose in the prison custody.

However, the defence counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), told Justice Olatoregun that while he agreed with a trial date, he was opposed to the prayer that his client be remanded in the prison custody.

Agabi said he had already filed a bail application for Fayose, and urged the judge to allow the former governor to return to the custody of the EFCC pending the hearing and determination of the bail application.

Justice Olatoregun granted Agabi's prayer, ordered that Fayose should be remanded in the custody of the EFCC and adjourned till October 24 for the hearing of the bail application.

Amosun Accuses Tinubu, Osoba, Oshiomhole of Complicity in Ogun APC Primaries

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has fingered the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, of conniving with a cabal in Lagos State that wrote a ‘fake’ result which produced Prince Dapo Abiodun as the party’s governorship standard bearer ahead of the 2019 general election.

Amosun made the allegation in an interview Monday shortly after the swearing-in of the new Chief Judge of the Ogun State, Mosunmola Dipeolu, held at the governor’s office in Abeokuta, the state capital.

The embittered governor also fingered “former Governors, Bola Tinubu (Lagos), who is the national leader of the party, and Segun Osoba (Ogun State), as having played a strong role what he described as ‘fraud’, while predicating his argument on the silence of the duo, which he said translated to their consent to the electoral fraud.

"The president already knows that there was no election in Ogun State. He knows that they just went to Lagos and wrote all results, and that all they did was fraud.

"If the National Working Committee (NWC) or the national chairman said there was any election in Ogun State, it was all fraud. That is what I said!”

Amosun, who could not hide his displeasure, insisted that there were no genuine primaries from the NWC of the party, and declared that the only authentic primary was the one which produced his anointed son, Adekunle Akinlade, as the  state governorship candidate.

"President Muhammadu Buhari already knows that there was no election in Ogun State other than the one we held. On the issue of Osoba, Tinubu and co, what we said was that there was silence from their end, and silence means consent.

"We have not heard one word from any of them. Was there any election in Ogun State? They should come out from hiding behind one finger, but can they come out? People at this level should be courageous enough to take position and come to tell us whether there was election or not in the election,” he stated.

Alleged Bribery Video: Kwankwasiyya Supporters Call on EFCC, ICPC to Probe Ganduje

Supporters of former Kano State Governor, Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, under the auspices of Kwankwasiyya Youth Wing, at the weekend called on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to investigate the state Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, over allegation of corruption. 

The members of the group, who are of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also called on the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to urgently wade into the matter to thoroughly investigate the allegation and act according to the law.

In a press conference to mark the 60th birthday of Kwankwaso in Kano on Sunday, the group condemned the allegation, and urged the two anti-graft bodies to as a matter of urgency, embark on a transparent investigation.

It maintained that the investigation over the matter of corruption would uplift the status of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari that holds anti-corruption war as its cardinal principle.

The Kwankwasiyya stalwarts also restated the commitment of Kwankwaso, a senator representing Kano Central, to support PDP and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2019 general election.

According to the Chairman of the group, Kabiru Getso Haruna, "As a culture of Kwankwasiyya disciples, we normally gather every year on a day like this to commemorate the birthday of our leader, not only because of the positions of authority he has held in this country, but because of the unique qualities he possesses.

"He has touched the lives of his subjects. His exceptional and consistent focus on the advancement of the masses has continued to endear us to his ideals."