2019 Elections: PDP Asks IGP, INEC Chairman To Resign, IGP Responds

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders on Thursday called on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to resign ahead of the general elections in 2019.

The party also asked the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to resign his position.

PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, made the call while addressing the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party at its National Secretariat in Abuja.

With 78 days to the polls, the PDP chairman accused the police boss of working for the incumbent to arrest and intimidate its opponents and alleged that the INEC chairman lacked the will and capacity to deliver free and fair elections next year.

Responding, Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, dismissed the allegation and described the call by the main opposition party for the resignation of the police boss as laughable.

Ahead of the general elections in 2019, the Police spokesman stressed that the force has remained apolitical and does not work in favour of any political party.

He, therefore, challenged the PDP to make public or report any case of compromise by the police.

Moshood insisted that the police were only focused on law enforcement and ensuring that the forthcoming elections were conducted peacefully.

2019: Enugu PDP, Ugwuanyi Declare Fasting, Prayers Ahead Campaigns

Barely 48 hours to the commencement of the governorship and state assembly campaigns, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State has declared a one-week fasting and prayers for peaceful and violence-free elections in 2019.

The party appealed to the people and residents of the state to join in observing the prayers.

The state Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of PDP is set to slug it out against a former senator, Chief Ayogu Eze of the All Progressives Congress (APC)  in the gubernatorial election. 

Briefing journalists at the party's campaign office in Enugu on Thursday, the Director-General of the state PDP Campaign Organisation, Dr. Charles Egumgbe, said the party was committed to having a credible election in the state. 

Egumgbe said the prayer and fasting  session will be observed from December 1 to 7, 2018.

The former chairman of PDP in the state, and Commissioner for Water Resources, asked the people to also pray for issue-based, smooth and successful campaigns in the state.

"In keeping with our tradition of entrusting the affairs of the state to the he hands of God, we passionately call on Ndi Enugu to join us as we observe one week of prayers and fasting, from December 1 to 7, for peaceful, transparent and violence-free elections in 2019, which Enugu State is known for.

"We therefore reassure the good people of Enugu State that the PDP-led government will, by God's grace, continue to maintain the tempo of peace and security in the state for them to enjoy more dividends as the true heroes of our democracy," he said.

Egumgbe further disclosed that the reconciliation committee set up after the primaries of the party, and headed by former chairman of the party in the state, Engr. Vita Abba had achieved more than 90 percent reconciliation of aggrieved members, boasting that the party is now stronger than ever.

He stressed that Enugu State remains a PDP state and that anybody who is somebody in the state was made by the party and owe a debt of gratitude to it no matter where they are today.

He thanked the people of the state for their unceasing prayers, support, goodwill and solidarity. Ends 

2019: Abdulsalam-led Committee Lists Conditions for Peaceful Poll, Urges Parties to Adhere to Issue-based Campaign …Parties to sign peace accord December 11

Ahead of the 2019 general election, the National Peace Committee and political parties on Thursday agreed to adopt the 2015 code of conduct model to ensure peaceful and credible conduct of the general election.

As a means to consolidate on the peace efforts, the committee headed by the former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar (rtd) said political parties would meet on December 11 to formally sign a peace agreement for the conduct of the elections.

While presenting the resolutions of the peace committee at a meeting held with political parties on Thursday in Abuja, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, His Grace Hassan Kukah, said the parties have resolved to adopt the same principles that guided the ‘successful’ 2015 elections as a template for ensuring that all stakeholders commit themselves to peaceful election in 2019.

He said the committee and political parties discussed extensively on the need to ensure that politicians create a favourable and conducive environment for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in 2019.

The cleric said: "Furthermore, we discussed the theme of trust as a key ingredient in the conduct of our affairs.  In the end, we have resolved to adopt the same principles that guided the very successful 2015 elections, and therefore commit ourselves to run issue-based campaigns at national, state and local government levels.

“In this, we pledge to refrain from campaigns that will involve religious incitement, ethnic or tribal profiling, both by ourselves and by all agents acting in our names."

As part of efforts to ensure peaceful 2019 elections, the committee said political parties and politicians must refrain from making or sponsoring public statements, pronouncements, declarations or speeches that have the capacity to incite or cause violence, before, during, and after the elections.

It said the parties are also expected to commit themselves to monitoring the adherence to the provisions of the peace accord and to support institutions of government and the security agencies to act and be seen to act with impartiality.

 

Under the initiative, the committee said the political parties and politicians are to forcefully and publicly speak out against provocative utterances, and oppose all acts of electoral violence whether perpetuated by supporters or opponents.

Addressing the chairmen and secretaries of political parties who attended the meeting, Abdusalam admonished them to help stem election violence and the growing practice of hate speech.

According to him, the committee wants a repeat of the 2015 experience with regard to the conduct exhibited by political parties so that 2019 will be peaceful. 

He enjoined political parties and their presidential candidates to run issue-based campaigns.

On his part, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, said the party is very concerned about action of some religious leaders who engaged in acts of hate speech and partisanship.

"It is unhelpful to turn places of worship into political campaign platforms. Politicians should campaign to Nigerians on the basis of what they stand for and not using religious organisations for campaign purposes, that would not help us,” he said.

Speaking on the issues that may characterise the campaigns for the 2019 general election, Oshiomhole said Nigerians have become more enlightened and sophisticated in the way they look at issues, adding that for any candidate to convince the electorate to vote for him, such person must show character and integrity among other capacities.

The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, said Nigerians are particularly worried about the behaviour of the some arms of security agencies which he said tends to portray them as being partisan.

He said the National Peace Committee should also focus attention on engaging the security agencies in order to secure their commitment to good conduct during the elections.

The LP chairman took particular exception to the role of the police in the crisis at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, saying such act does not portray the force as a neutral party in the political contest.

Also, the Chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and National Chairman of Progressive Peoples Alliance, Peter Ameh, commended the Abdulsalam-led peace committee for sustaining the peace efforts.

According to Ameh, the 2019 elections can only be acceptable to Nigerians if the umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ensures that it is conducted in a free, fair and transparent atmosphere.

2019: 20 States Likely to Experience Electoral Violence, CSOs Warn

Ahead of the 2019 general election, the Civil Society Joint Action Committee, a coalition of civil society organisations, has warned against likely election and post elections violence in 20 states.

The Senior Team Manager for the Africa Programme of the Open Society Justice Initiative, Chidi Odinkalu, while briefing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, said the rise in violent killings across Nigeria in 2018 is a cause to worry as the country is yet to record a single week in which multiple violent killings are not reported.

He said: "According to Nigeria Watch, between June 2006 and May 2014, there were about 915 cases of election violence resulting in about 3,934 deaths; the North-central recorded about 1463 deaths; 911 deaths were recorded in Northwest; 644 deaths in the South-south, while 319 and 386 deaths in the Northeast and Southwest respectively."

He explained that based on the factors stated, they are alerting all stakeholders in Nigeria to the states, which from their assessment will likely experience electoral violence in 2019.

The states are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Plateau, Bayelsa, Borno, Zamfara, Kaduna, Cross River, Bauchi, Oyo, Yobe, Benue, Kogi, Nassarawa, Imo, Osun, Ondo and Kano.

He added that the assessment was informed by the fact that these states have unresolved violent crises which have high tendencies to escalate during and after the elections.

"The insurgency in the North-east region, the worsening banditry in Zamfara State, the herdsmen and farmers crises in the Benue State valley, the violent attacks on Shi’ite Muslims in and around Abuja, resource control violence in the South-south and South-east regions of the country, the rise in deadly gang and cult activities everywhere, including the South-west and more, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons across the country are indication of violence. This lethal combination of unabated violence; access to weapons and Nigeria’s propensity for turbulent and fiercely contested elections do not augur well for peace in the 2019 elections," Odinkalu said.  

He highlighted that this month has recorded 209 killings which is an indication of the fact that not only have the killings continued to rise almost unabated, but also that the security institutions have failed again to ensure that their perpetrators are brought to justice.

The organisation leader lamented that the federal government and the security forces have been ineffective in checkmating the swats of cyclical violence, adding that one sure guarantor of peaceful elections is to ensure that both the perpetrators and sponsors of violence in Nigeria are accounted for and punished.

The Executive Director, Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development, Okhiria Agbonsuremi, called on all security agencies especially the police to do their work in a thorough professional manner and also the government should ensure that security agencies are adequately equipped and morally boosted to contain ongoing violence, safeguard lives and property as well as ensure free and fair elections devoid of violence across the country.

"The problem with Nigeria's elections have historically been with the collation and counting, not the voting. We insist that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, the candidates, their parties, the citizens and partners must put this right, and should their candidates lose, they should accept it in good faith. We are particularly keen to see greater participation of women, youths and people living with disabilities in this election," he stated.

Senate Confirms Buhari’s Nominee For EFCC Secretary

The Senate last Wednesday confirmed Olanipekun Olukoyede as the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Olukoyede, who is the current Chief of Staff to the acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, was nominated as secretary to the commission by President Muhammadu Buhari, in a letter dated September 10, 2018.

The Senate had on Tuesday suspended Olukoyede’s confirmation opting to stand down his confirmation after a member of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Isa Misau (PDP, Bauchi Central) accused some committee members of preparing a report without the consent of others.

Misau had also complained that only three of eight members of the committee signed the Endorsement Page of the report.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, then directed the Chairman and members of the committee to meet and deliberate on the issue and re-present the report.

The lawmakers, however, confirmed the EFCC secretary on Wednesday amidst altercations between the chairman of the committee, Chukwuka Utazi, and some other members.

Prior to the confirmation, Misau again raised a point of order accusing Utazi of disobeying the resolution made by the Senate on Tuesday. He said he and other members were still not invited to any meeting.

“There was a resolution of the Senate yesterday on the committee to sit down and look at the report so it can be considered today. I am a member of the committee. Senators Dino, Matthew, Monsurat, Mustapha are members of this committee.

“All of us are waiting to be called to deliberate on this report and we know that there are so many petitions concerning this nominee and this nominee is going to hold a very sensitive office in the EFCC.

“I think it not right for us to just do a shortcut in screening this individual. The rights of the committee members should be considered. If there is any petition against this man, let us look at it. The normal procedure is for the clerk to send a letter of invitation. I don’t know what the interest is.

“I was just sitting here and the chairman came with a document asking me and Dino to sign for him. I think what we are trying to do is not right. Let us step down this report, let the committee sit down and deliberate on it,” he said.

In his response, Utazi reiterated that invitations were before Tuesday sent out to all members of the committee and Misau was absent.

“I’m not giving to making response to ‘trivalities’ and frivolities in this Senate. It is right to inform the Senate that the quorum of our committees is three. We gave notice of meeting on 24th of October. I sent it to the member who is trying to mislead this chamber here. It was also on the Order Paper of that day.

“On the same day, we were going for this meeting, I also informed our colleagues and when we got there, only three people were there. And we did the business of this committee and concluded our activities and came up with a report which we have here.

“Yesterday, I brought it up, the member who was absent, stopped the meeting. He was never there. He only participated in ICPC screening. We have a report here. Let the Senate do the needful and consider what we have done here,” he said.

The Senate, thereafter, resolved into committee of the whole, considered the nomination and confirmed Olukoyede as the EFCC secretary.

Rivers Govt Condemns Army For Stopping Training of Neighbourhood Safety Corps Applicants

 

Rivers State Government and the Nigerian Army are at loggerhead following the disruption of the training of applicants into the state Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency at the state NYSC Orientation Camp, Nonwa in Tai Local Government Area of state on Thursday by the Nigerian army.

While the state government described the army as a political weapon against defenceless Nigerians and warned it to steer clear of the state politics, the 6 Division of the Nigerian army described the Corps as “an illegal militia training camp” and subsequently shut it down for preliminary investigations.

Reacting to the incident, the state Governor, Nyesom Wike, declared that the Nigerian army has been transformed into a political weapon that has abandoned its security responsibilities.

He stated that the disruption of the training of the state Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency training programme by the Nigerian army is the worst act of irresponsibility, aimed at instigating insecurity in the state.

Wike stated this yesterday at Odiokwu, Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state, where he flagged off the construction of a Model Primary Healthcare Centre, Odiokwu Internal roads, Odiokwu-Anwuigboko and Odiokwu-Oyigbo roads.

“The army is not concerned about the killing of soldiers in Borno State. They are only interested in creating insecurity in Rivers State. If you don't want Rivers State to be safe, then Nigeria will not be safe. They want to use their guns against us,” he said.

The governor noted that Zamfara and Kogi States have vigilante outfits which were inaugurated by the Nigerian army and the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government, wondering why the Nigerian army would disrupt a legal training exercise.

"Zamfara and Kogi States have vigilante groups. They inaugurated them and the Chief of Army Staff did nothing. The House of Assembly passed a law approving the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency. The Chief of Army did not challenge the law in court, but today, he sent troops to invade the training camp,” Wike said.

The governor accused the Nigerian army of stoking insecurity in order to attract huge security votes.

According to him, "The army is the agency causing insecurity mainly to attract more security votes in the state. They collected $1 billion from our excess crude account yet our soldiers were killed.

"All they are doing is to intimidate people for political reasons. When you fight a state blessed by God, you will crumble. Nobody can intimidate us in Rivers State.”

Wike explained that the state government worked with the police, the Department of State Security (DSS) and other federal agencies to ensure that only law-abiding citizens were recruited by the state Safety Corps Agency.

"We did not hire boys for political reasons. This has been a transparent process, and that is why the personnel are trained at the NYSC Orientation Camp at Nonwa.

"We involved the police and the DSS to ensure that the trainees are profiled for the good of the society. The main aim of this agency is to assist the security agencies with intelligence and information since there is a lacuna in this regard,” he said.

He declared that the state government would continue with the training even if it meant doing it in Government House.

"No one man has been a Chief of Army Staff forever. Every job has an expiry date. When Buratai leaves office, he will be held to account for his illegal actions.

"If they stop the training elsewhere, personnel of the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency will be trained at the Government House in Port Harcourt,” the governor said.

Also, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Emma Okah, called on the Nigeria army to stay away from partisan politics so that they do not derail the 2019 general election in the state.

He described the actions of the army as an insult to the government and people of state because it was unprovoked and unnecessary.

But in a statement issued by the Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 6 Division Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, titled: ‘Discovery of an Illegal Militia Training Camp’, the army said investigations were on to unravel those behind the camp.

The statement said: “Troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army on November 29, 2018, while on a routine surveillance at Nonwa Gbam, (NYSC Orientation Camp) in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State discovered an illegal militia training camp. The troops met over 100 recruits undergoing military type of training.

“Preliminary investigations into the discovery have commenced in conjunction with sister security agencies in the state to fish out the sponsors of the militia and the training camp.”

Attempt by Factional Speakers to Preside over Anambra Assembly Ends in Fight

Attempts by factions of the Anambra State House of Assembly led by Hon Ikem Uzoezie and Mrs. Rita Maduagwu to take possession of the seat of the Speaker on Thursday resulted in a fight in the chambers of the assembly.

Both factions of the assembly, led by their separate speakers, had arrived at the state assembly complex at about 10a.m. but could not seat for plenary because of the tussle over which of the two speakers should preside over the meeting.

About 22 out of the 30 members of the assembly had three weeks ago removed Speaker Maduagwu, replacing her with Uzoezie. But Maduagwu had quickly denied being sacked, while the Uzoezie faction insisted she remained sacked.

This had led to the sealing of the assembly by police authorities to forestall any breach of peace.

But at about 10:30 p.m. last Wednesday, police unsealed the complex ahead of yesterday sitting, but both factions insisted on their choice of speaker to administer the assembly.

Maduagwu had first entered the chambers and sat on the Speaker’s seat, but latter left when she found out that only two of her supporters were present.

As at 2:30 p.m. when she returned to preside over the assembly, Uzoezie had already taken the Speaker's seat, refusing to give way for Maduagwu, causing uproar in the assembly.

Hon Obinna Emenaka, a pro-Maduagwu lawmaker who recently suffered a vehicle accident, however, engaged a pro-Uzoezie lawmaker, Romanus Obi, in a fight, but other members stopped the fight.

Emenaka who now uses crutches, deployed them in the fight, but was quickly dispossessed of them by another pro-Uzoezie lawmaker, Onyebuchi Offor.

"You are not ashamed of yourself, you were schemed out of the party's primary election in your area and you could not do anything," Emenaka yelled at Obi.

Obi was however urged by members of his faction to keep calm and not to reply.

THISDAY gathered that the bone of contention in the assembly was the refusal of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) to give tickets to most members of the assembly.

It was gathered that all the pro-Uzoezie members of the assembly are those denied ticket by the party to either return to the assembly or to the House of Representatives in 2019 elections.

As at the time of filling this report, all the lawmakers have refused to leave the chambers, with Uzoezie sitting tight on the Speaker's seat, while the refusal of the clerk to make available the mace was still stalling Uzoezie's attempt to preside over the assembly.

Maduagwu was however escorted out of the chambers by her supporters, after pleading and physical attempt to oust Uzoezie from the Speaker's seat failed.

APGA had earlier fingered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the instigator of the crisis, but while reacting to the allegation recently, the state Publicity Secretary of PDP, Nnamdi Nwangwu, asked APGA to look inwards for reasons for the crisis in the party.

Nwangwu last Wednesday described APGA's allegation as ridiculous and unfounded, adding that the party was suffering from internal bleeding, resulting from its "skewed primaries."

He said: "APGA is now pointing fingers at PDP for its internal problems when it is common knowledge that the failure of APGA to conduct credible primaries is responsible for where the party finds itself today.

"The PDP has nothing to benefit from being part of the alleged plot to remove the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano.

"The spurious allegation against the PDP was meant to distract the party as the 2019 state and National Assembly elections draw closer."

Shooting Incident: Both Police Inspector LASTMA Official Confirmed Dead ...CP to prosecute the late Inspector posthumously

An irate mob on Wednesday beat to death a Police Inspector attached to F-SARS Ikeja, Olukunle Olonade, after he shot dead a LASTMA official, Rotimi Adeyemi, 46, who rebuked him for driving against traffic at Iyana-Ipaja roundabout in Lagos State.

The incident was said to have occurred at 6p.m. last Wednesday. Although a team of policemen drafted to the scene rescued him, the inspector died while being rushed to the hospital.

The state Police Command spokesman, CSP Chike Oti, said the police inspector was driving his Toyota Highlander SUV, with registration number LSR 277 BJ against traffic when the unfortunate incident happened.

“The two men vehemently disagreed with each other after the LASTMA official confronted him, however, during the altercation, the Inspector Olonade allegedly shot the LASTMA officer to death,” Oti said.

Consequently, an irate mob, which thought that the shooter was an armed hoodlum since he was on mufti, was said to have beaten him to stupor, however, while “a team of policemen drafted to the scene rescued him, he gave up the ghost while being rushed to the hospital.”

Oti further revealed that corpses of the deceased have been evacuated to the morgue for autopsy.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, has directed that the late police inspector be tried posthumously in orderly room and be recommended for dismissal from the police force.

Ijaw Youths Express Anger over Delay in $13bn Zabazaba Deep Water Project

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide on Thursday said it was seriously concerned over the delay in the signing of the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Zabazaba Deep water project.

In a statement signed by the spokesman of the organisation, Daniel Dasimaka, the group said IYC National President, Oweilaemi Pereotubo, was disturbed that the project might end the way of the Brass Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project.

According to the statement, “We do not want the Zabazaba Deep water project to go the way of the Brass LNG which never saw the light of the day. We want jobs for our youths. We want the local economy of the Niger Delta region as well as the national economy to grow.

"We condemn the unnecessary delay in the signing of the FID for the Zabazaba oilfield. The 2020 first production date of the Zabazaba oilfield may be compromised if the FID remains unsigned."

The $13.5 billion Zabazaba oilfield is located in the Oil Prospecting Lease   (OPL) 245 offshore in the Niger Delta of the Gulf of Guinea in Nigeria.

It was also gathered that Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) are jointly developing the project.

The IYC  said the project would be a major boost to the country’s economy and the local content initiative being promoted and prioritised by the present government.

It noted that the deep water project would support small and medium enterprises in Nigeria following the decision by the developers for in-country fabrication and integration of the topsides of the Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels.

IYC said the Zabazaba deep water field is estimated to hold 560 million barrels of oil equivalent (MBOE), which will increase the country’s daily crude oil production. 

According to the group, when it becomes fully operational, the project is expected to generate at least $8 billion for Nigeria.

"The impact on the Nigerian economy would be unprecedented, and the multiplier effect on the local economies of the catchment areas in the Niger Delta will be huge," the group added.

Agip and Shell acquired OPL 245, which was named the Zabazaba field in 2012 for $1.3 billion. The acquisition has been the subject of serial corruption investigations and prosecutions in Italy and Nigeria.

The IYC noted that the project must not be allowed to die, noting that the fate of many youths in the region hangs on the multi-billion dollar project which is expected to take many Niger Deltans off the streets.

Senators Disagree over Alleged Non Remittance of NPA's N177bn Operational Surplus …Confirm Olukoyede as EFCC scribe

Senators were sharply divided on Wednesday over the authenticity or otherwise of the alleged non remittance of N177billion operational surplus made by the Nigerian Ports Authority ( NPA) into the consolidated federation account.

As the Senate resumed plenary, a  member of the Senate Committee  on Marine Transport, Senator Mohammed Hassan (Yobe South), drew the attention of the Senate to the allegation through a motion moved in accordance with Senate standing orders 42 and 52 .

In moving the motion, Hassan emphasised that against the spirits and provisions of the 1999 Constitution and extant laws of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the agency kept to itself N177billion operational surplus it made from accruing revenues in the 2017 fiscal year without remitting it into the federation account.

According to him, the committee discovered that the agency, in its budget defence of the performance of the 2017 budget in April this year, got N303billion as total operational revenue out of which N125billion was taken by it as operational cost as allowed by extant laws but refused to remit the balance of N177billion realised as surplus into the federation account

He went further to say: "This, to me, and by extension, the Senate, should not be condoned because the Committee  discovered this seven months ago and ordered the agency to do the needful which it has not done up till now.

"Attention of the Senate is being drawn to this impunity because six months down the line, the agency has not complied with the directive of the committee or communicated to it on the matter in anyway."

Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na'Allah (Kebbi South), at this point, cautioned the Senate from believing the allegation made by Hassan, saying there are three categories of income derivable into accounts of any public agency .

He therefore advised the Senate that it would be premature for it to attach legislative seriousness to Hassan's allegation since the figures he quoted are not clear to be in the category of perceived income, drive income or accrued income.

"Mr. President (Senate president), as a lawyer, I studied taxation law, so we should not be in haste to conclude on the submission Hassan has just made," Na'Allah said.

Hassan's allegation against the NPA was further punctured when the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Sani Yerima ( Zamfara West), disassociated himself and other committee members from the allegation.

According to Yerima, Hassan, as a member of the committee, did not raise the issue at any of the committee sittings before raising the alarm on the floor of the Senate.

"As chairman of the committee, I am not aware of this allegation raised against NPA by Hassan, and I don't think any other member of the committee is aware as well," he said.

Also contributing, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North), urged the Senate leadership to compel the committee members to meet over it before bringing it up for general debate on the floor of the Senate in line with procedures and processes of law making.

At this point, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, directed the  Marine Transport Committee  to look into the allegation and report back within three days.

Also yesterday, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede as Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

This was sequel to the presentation of the report of the Committee on Anti- Corruption and Financial Crimes headed by Senator Chukwuka Utasi (Enugu North) for the consideration and confirmation of Olukoyede as EFCC scribe.

The Senate at a ‘Committee of the Whole’ considered the report and approved the appointment of Olukoyede, who until now, was the Chief of Staff to EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

The upper legislative chamber had last Tuesday stepped down the confirmation of the appointment of Olukoyede as Secretary of the EFCC.

This was due to the rejection of the report presented by Utasi by a member of the Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Isa Misau (Bauchi Central), who said only three out of eight members of the committee signed the endorsement page of the report.

In his defence, Utasi said most committee members could not endorse the report due to their involvement in oversight functions in other committees.

Senate President, Saraki, at this point, advised the committee chairman to meet with other members of the committee after plenary last Tuesday to iron out the grey areas and re-present the report yesterday.

Women Protest Invasion of A’Ibom Assembly Complex, Demand Removal of New Police Boss …As police commissioner absolves self from assembly crisis

Less than 24 hours after, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, and the state House of Assembly under the leadership of Onofiok Luke demanded the deployment of the newly posted state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Musa Kimo, thousands of women in state on Wednesday protested against the invasion of the state assembly, demanding the removal of the new state police boss with immediately effect.

The women in the early hours marched along major streets to the state House of Assembly and Government House, calling for the sack of Kimo.

This is coming as the state police commissioner, Kimo, on Wednesday absolved himself of any complacency in the invasion of the state House of Assembly by some lawmakers and hoodlums.

The Police Commissioner, while speaking with journalists in his office, said he has no power to stop any lawmaker from accessing the assembly complex to perform his official duties.

According to him, “For us the Police Force, we have no right, no directive to prevent Mr. A or B from accessing the House of Assembly. It is only the competent court of law that can direct that.

“Policemen, apart from the DPO of the House of Assembly and personnel, there are the ones in the Assembly and no other policemen deplored there.

“But whenever there is violation or crisis, certainly we deploy men 500 metres away from the scene to be able to forestall and checkmate such crisis, and we have to ensure the lawmakers go about their duties without any form of molestation, intimidation or hindrance.

“How can we do that, it is when we are able to ensure that miscreants do not infiltrate the House of Assembly. We cannot successfully do that from the comfort of our offices. We have to be on the field. As at yesterday (Tuesday), that was what we did to ensure that hoodlums do not find their ways to perpetrate evil in the assembly.”

However, the state Governor, Emmanuel and assembly Speaker, Onofiok Luke, had lastTuesday accused the police of aiding the invasion of the chambers of the assembly by the ousted members and thugs allegedly hired by them.

Meanwhile, the protesters were led by the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Glory Edet, the state PDP women leader, Mrs. Mmeme Akpabio, and a former Minister of Lands, Dr. Akon Eyakenyi.

The women stormed the assembly complex at about 9a.m. to express their solidarity for the Speaker and the governor amid what they described as "intimidation by the federal government."

"For the sake of peace in this state, we want the removal of the state Commissioner of Police, Kimo, from our state. We have always had peace, and we want that peace to continue.

“We cannot have a police force that abets such level of illegality that we have witnessed in the House of Assembly. Introducing anything other than peace in Akwa Ibom State is alien to our people.

“When there is crisis anywhere, and women step in, there is always peace. This is why we have stepped in," the Women Affairs Commissioner stated.

Also, the Speaker of the state assembly, Luke, had while addressing the women, urged them to continue to pray for peace in the state and not to be afraid.

He charged them to rise at all times to defend the hard won democracy, noting that the state was peaceful until certain elements decided in August 2018 to declare "Warsaw" in the state.

The state police boss was last week deployed to the state in the heat of the invasion of the state House of Assembly by thugs allegedly loyal to the five sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the assembly.

Last Tuesday, the five former members of the assembly, Nse Ntuen, Idongesit Ituen, Gabriel Toby, Victor Udofia, and Otobong Ndem, reportedly led thugs to attack the state assembly in what the Speaker described as the most scandalous desecration of the state legislature yet.

The assembly however sat and passed a seven-point resolution ordering the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the break in to the chambers of the legislature and desecrating same.

The motion which was moved by the Assembly Leader, Udo Kierian Akpan, and seconded by the Deputy Leader, Ime Okon, in the plenary which had 21 lawmakers in attendance.

The assembly in its resolution banned the former members from going near the premises of the state assembly; passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of Speaker Luke for his leadership qualities and for standing by the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Standing Orders of the assembly.

In the meantime, the assembly has asked the state Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to protect the institution of the House of Assembly and its members, warning them to desist from aiding and abeting the criminal activities of the sacked lawmakers.

It equally resolved to stand strong with the state governor and his government to continue to build a peaceful and stronger Akwa Ibom State.

The assembly equally urged the Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, to immediately redeploy Kimo for allegedly aiding and abeting the criminal activities of the five sacked lawmakers and for supplying them with over 50 policemen to break into the state assembly.

On his part, in order to make peace, Kimo, who said he had served in the state before as a Squadron Commander of Mobile Police 26, assured politicians and political parties in the state of a level playing field , saying he will remain apolitical, non-partisan, just, responsible, reliable and professional in the discharged of his duties.

“We will operate with the fear of God with human face. We will be kind in our dealing with members of the public. We will provide level playing ground for everybody. Our doors are opened to everyone. We are to protect lives and property.” he said.

FG Announces Reduction in Cost of JAMB ...Sets Aside N14.7bn for ECOWAS Biometric Cards

 

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved a reduction in the cost of obtaining Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) application forms from N5, 000 to N3, 500, starting from January 2019.

The FEC meeting, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also announced a cut in the cost of Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) organised by National Examination Council (NECO) from 11, 350 to N9, 850 and that Basic Education Certificate handled by NECO would now be N4, 000 as against N5, 500.

Following the announcement by JAMB that it remitted N7.8billion as proceeds from sales of Unified Tertiary Examinations (UTME) application forms in 2017, the House of Representatives in May 2018 tasked the Federal Ministry of Education to reduce the cost of JAMB forms.

The lawmakers warned JAMB against becoming a revenue generating body at the expense of students (applicants).

Briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting that last over three hours, the Minister of Education, Mr.  Adamu Adamu, said the reduction is as a result of the pleas from parents.

According to him, “Since the new administration came into office as well as a change in management and prudent management by JAMB, we have been able to see that most of what have been charged doesn’t have to be because a lot of it have been siphoned by corrupt officials.

“So, in yielding to parents’ plea, the president directed that we should look into the possibility of reducing the charges.

“So, accordingly, from January 2019, JAMB fees will be reduced from N5, 000 to N3, 500 for UTME; Senior Secondary Certificate Examination charge organised by National Examination Council (NECO) will reduce from 11, 350 to N9, 850 while Basic Education Certificate handled by NECO is reduced from N5, 500 to N4, 000.

“As I said, our concern is not to make money as such because we are not a revenue generating agency. Since we found that JAMB has been able to bring into government coffers about N8 billion, we said we should reduce the burdens on parents.”

Asked if the reduction was a move to woo electorate ahead of 2019 presidential election, Adamu said the underlying factor is that the people must feel good impacts of the government.

“A good thing doesn’t have to have a reason. Whether it is because of election or not, I think parents deserve to have the fees reduced. And I think there is no better time to do a good thing than now," he said.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said the Council also approved 11 ecological interventions projects for N9, 600, 415, 324 in Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Cross River, Adamawa, Bauchi, Jigawa, Niger ABU Zaria, Kaduna States and Abuja.

He said the projects are spread in Lagos - jetty and shoreline protection facilities; flood and erosion control in Oyo town, Oyo State; erosion control of flooded areas/road improvement in Owo, Ondo State; erosion control of flooded areas in Akampa, Cross River; road and stem water defiance in Federal College of Education in Yola, Adamawa State; road and bridges at Dutse Saki village in Buguru Local Government Area in Bauchi State; erosion control at Kazaure in Jigawa State; intervention at Main Campus Phase II Site at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State; erosion and flood control at Kontagunra council area of Niger State; gully erosion and road improvement at Army Post Service Estate, Kurudu, Abuja and erosion and flood control at Asharawa area council in Phase II, Abuja.

The president's spokesman also said the council also approved three industrial wastes combined incinerators for environmental-friendly destruction of counterfeit and substandard regulated products. It was approved for NAFDEC at the sum of N267, 585, 160.

The FEC meeting also approved the business plan for ECOWAS Biometric Cards intended to replace the current ECOWAS Travel Certificate. It is a contractor-financed project that will cost N14.7billion.

Minister of the Interior, Abdurahman Dambazzau, told journalists that the project was according to a recommendation of West African regional leaders since 2016 because the ECOWAS travel papers could easily be faked.

Dambazzau said biometric cards are expected to be issued to about 13 million persons over the next 19 years.

He said in order to make it easier for Nigeria, the project would incorporate the National Identity Number (NIN). It is hoped that the new cards will help safeguard Nigeria's borders.

In his take, the Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Sulaiman Hassan, said the council approved two memos. “The first one is the furnishing of the federal secretariat complexes in three states of the federation, Akwa in Anambra, Gusau in Zamfara and Yenagoa in Bayelsa at the cost of N3.48 billion.

“It is the duty of the federal ministry Power, Works and Housing to provide decent accommodation for federal agencies and other offices in various states of the federation to make their workings easier and more comfortable for better results.

“So these complexes have been completed and ready for inauguration before the end of the year,” he noted.

Fans Sickened after Kim, Kanye West Take Private 747 Jet Meant for Over 600 Passengers

They have been active in supporting the efforts of first responders during California’s recent wildfires, but Kim Kardashian and Kanye West may have fallen out of the good graces of some fans after taking a private Boeing 747 plane on Monday to an unknown location.

People are now questioning how genuine the celebrity couple’s environmental concerns really are.

The 38-year-old reality star took to her Instagram story to share a luxurious tour of a double-decker plane, which included multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, an office, a lounge and a dining room table — which even she admitted was “pretty insane.” Even more insane, however, was the low number of passengers onboard, including people from Team Adidas, the couple themselves, and their personal trainer. A double-decker Boeing 747 is said to accommodate up to 660 people, according to Travel+Leisure.

This luxe ride has been seen by many as a departure from the pair’s recent environmental efforts. Just last week, Kardashian made headlines after appearing on The Ellen Show, where she presented two checks on behalf of her husband and Adidas to a local firefighter’s family and the California Fire Foundation. In addition to the donation, Kardashian told viewers of the People’s Choice Awards on Nov. 11 that “action is necessary” when it comes to supporting people who are working to get the flames under control.

Now, it seems that people are shaming the couple with concerns that their private flight could be fueling those same fires. One person even said that the extravagance of it all “makes me sick.”

CULLED FROM YAHOO

2019 Elections Important to EU, Says Dutch Envoy ...Wike Alleges FG Plans Use of Security to Disrupt Elections in Rivers, Akwa Ibom

The Ambassador of Netherlands  to Nigeria, Mr. Robert Petri, has said the European Union (EU) is interested in the conduct of the 2019 elections and would monitor the process to ensure compliance with standards.

This is as  Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared  that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government, working  in liaison with security agencies, plan to disrupt 2019 Governorship Elections in Rivers and Akwa Ibom States. 

Speaking in Port Harcourt yesterday when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Nyesom Wike,  the Dutch Ambassador, Petri, assured Nigerians that the European Union would closely monitor  the forthcoming  elections to ensure they are  credible. 

His words: "We are getting closer to the general election which are very important . We need free and fair elections conducted under a peaceful environment. 

"The European Union, which we are part of, will be sending monitors for the Presidential and Governorship Elections.  It is important that the elections are conducted in a friendly environment."

He also said the Government of Netherlands is interested in the clean up of Ogoni land.

In his remarks, Wike stated that the federal government plan is to mobilise its rigging security apparatus from all other states to the two states on a later date for the manipulation of the two strategic governorship elections.

The Rivers State governor urged the European Union to pay closer attention to the two elections. 

"When I raised the alarm that the federal government is plotting to plant 800 guns in Rivers State to destabilise the state, it is the truth. It is real. 

"The federal government working with the security agencies is planning to disrupt the 2019 governorship election in Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.  They want to ensure that the elections don't hold with other states, so that they can mobilise security agencies to manipulate  the results", he said.

The governor noted that the international community must work with Nigerians  to ensure that what happened  in Osun State is not repeated in the Niger Delta. 

Wike said if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Police could allow 55 per cent free and fair elections, Nigerians would be happy. 

"As members of the European Union, we want you to use your position to prevail on INEC and security agencies to allow the will of the people. 

"Manipulating the electoral process is corruption.  This administration  claims  that it is fighting corruption, but that is not true. When a PDP member defects, the issue of corruption  against him ends", he said.

The governor stated that the president has refused to sign the amended Electoral Act because they have ulterior motive.

On the clean up of Ogoni,  Wike regretted that the APC federal government has politicised  the exercise, which is only thrown up during elections.