Commuters plying the Abuja-Benin expressway in Okpella have called for the immediate rehabilitation of the dilapidated road.
They told Nigerian Pilot that users of the road are groaning in a protracted traffic jam in a section of the road that has virtually collapsed due to erosion.
As a result,a long line of trailer/tankers have built up in the area constituting serious threat to life.
A traditional ruler in the area, High Chief Felix Abu, said the traffic snarl has become a recurring decimal.
He called on the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, to come to the rescue of commuters and the community, saying what is needed is an urgent temporary rehabilitation measure since the contract has already been awarded to Mother Cat Construction Company.
“The situation is disappointing because we have a lot of people who are supposed to represent us on issues like this in government. We have a senator and member of the House of Representatives representing this community. What are they doing?”
He said even though the contract has been awarded, the section were trailers, buses and taxis are stuck has gone from bad to worse, hence commuters now get stuck in traffic gridlock for days.
Another traditional ruler, Chief AbeniKolobo from IddoOkpella, told Nigerian Pilot of tales of woe by pregnant women and sick folks who need to be given urgent attention.
Some of them had to be treated by traditional healers and native doctors because they could not be conveyed to modern medical facilities in Auchi.
“I don’t usually sleep at night. If a tanker driver loses control and collides with another tanker, the whole community will be on fire. That is why we don’t sleep at night. We stay awake to control vehicles because of our safety.”
A commuter, Thomas Ibhafidon, who said he was on his way to Uromi, told Nigerian Pilot that the gridlock can be counted as another failure by government because no security,traffic control or enforcement personnel has been drafted to the area.
When Nigerian Pilot visited the spot in Iddo,Okpela women who needed to answer the call of nature were seen going from house to house and neighboring bushes looking for convenient places where they can relieve themselves.
As night fall approached, many of the passengers began to nurse the fear of armed robbery attack.

203 total views, 82 views today

A 65-year-old man, Matthew Omokhafe, has been arrested for allegedly defiling and impregnating a 13-year-old primary four pupil in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
The Acting Chairman, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Dr. Joan OsaOviawe, disclosed this in a chat with journalists in Benin City, on Friday, noting that the board played an active role in the arrest of the culprit.

According to her, “We took a course of action by visiting and ensuring that the case was transferred from the Akoko-Edo Area Division of the Nigeria Police Division to the State Criminal Investigation Department in the state capital, Benin City.”
Oviawe added that “with the collaborative efforts of the Child Protection Network, CPN, SUBEB was able to handover the child’s custody to the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.”
She assured that the case would be charged to court to ensure that justice is done.
Edo SUBEB has been at the forefront of the fight against child abuse and molestation, spearheading the arrest and prosecution of individuals that put children in state public schools in harm’s way, especially as regards sexual abuse of minors.
The board has been working in tandem with the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to bring succor to the affected children by ensuring their safety.

151 total views, 7 views today

Comrade Esinrogunjo Mubaudeen is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in KwaraState. He spoke to our Kwara Correspondent, Abdulazeez Kayode, on the state of the nation and the need to scrap states independent electoral commissions etc.Excerpts.

As an opposition party candidate in the last local government election, what can you say about opposition parties chance in the 2019 elections?

A lot of things are happening when you talk of party politics, I only see parties as an instrument where every individual can contest an election.We are already hearing different rumors about who is coming to the PDP but we are not intimidated because we are committed members of the PDP that want to liberate the masses sincerely.Our chance of winning elections is very bright because the last local government election signified that the masses want us based on our sincere programmes.
Despite the fact that the All Progressives Congress, APC, rigged the election, all the malpractices they put in place, we were able to identify them. In my own local government I got 26,000 votes and they had 6,000 how can somebody with 6,000 now become chairman? An election that the masses were already jubilating in my favour after they got results from various pooling units,even in the process of their jubilation around the town they were arrested and they are still in court up till now,it is a signal that KwaraState Independent Electoral Commission,KWASIEC, lacks merit and that is why we are calling on the federal government to scrap all state independent electoral bodies because they are only subjected to the views and yearnings of state governments instead of being a neutral body.
When you look at the last local government election we won the ruling party’s candidate, but they went ahead and wrote results in favour of government because they are fully in charge of the state electoral commission. So our chances are very bright in 2019 that the federal Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will be in control.

Do you still have hope in your acclaimed stolen mandate coupled with the fact that it is the Senate president’s local government?

There is nothing like the Senate president’s local government, the local government belongs to the people of KwaraState, he aspired for the position and people voted for him. And now the people arenot getting what they expected from him, they still have that power to vote against him and bring in whoever they want. It is about the masses not an individual. GoodluckJonathan was the president in 2015,Buhari came and they voted Jonathan out despite that he had incumbency power, security, money and whatsoever. Jonathan allowed the people’s mandate to stand by conceding defeat. That was what I expected theSenate president to do, he should have allowed the masses choice to stand and show leadership quality like Jonathan did.
But unfortunately for them, upturning the resulthas caused them more embarrassment. We expected him to say give it to the young man that won the election. Although we are already in court, for instance,they announced 19,000 votes for their candidate and 18,000 for me,while election atAdewole Ward is yet to be conducted with 15,330+ votes in that ward alone which they know is my stronghold. I even said fine, if that is the same result you people announced I still accept it that way let us go back and conduct Adewole Ward election and let the whole world watch, as I am talking to you now there is no councillor in Adewole Ward, that alone is an evidence that there was no election in Adewole.
The electoral law states that a bye-election should beconductedin two weeks and now they have violated it. They deliberately refused to conduct election in Adewole Ward, while their candidate is in office as chairman. I will win them hands down any time they conduct election there. I have taken them to court, let it compelKWASIEC to conduct election there, but it has been adjournment upon adjournment, despite that we are not telling them to give us our stolen mandate, all we are saying is conduct the remaining election in Adewole Ward. That is why we are opposing anything that would be in full control of the state government because it will only be used to their advantage.
Some states like Oyo recently conducted a bye-election and the PDP won in an APC controlled state. The same thing in Kaduna State and they declared them, but in Kwara, they upturned everything. It is so pathetic that democracy is not demonstrated in the Senate president’s state.

Do you think we are politically matured to give full control of local government election to state electoral commissions?

Nobody will ever agree to that because they do not always conduct election, what they do most times is to write results. If it were to be INEC that conducted our election, I would have been in office by now. So how can you support that state independent electoral commissionsshould be in charge of local government election where they openly tell you that they are subjected to the government even before the election? You can imagine KWASIEC saying we are under the state government, while they call it Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission, the worse of it is that aspirants paid tax clearance N250,000, KWASIEC form N250,000 and other payments and you are still telling us that it is government that gives you funds and automatically you must do its bidding and declare their candidates winner. If that is happening at the federal level,Buhari would not have been our president.

What is your view on the current political activities in the country?

You can see! The other time they said PDP is not good when we were approaching the 2015 election and they negotiated with APC. After three years, the same set of people are now reformed APC just eight months to the elections. They are clamouring to come to back to the PDP. Do these people even have integrity? Are they really after the welfare and interest of citizens? All they are pursuing are personal interest. I do not see leadership qualities in anyone of them, I stand to be challenged. If they truly know that they have merit there are lots of political partiesand that is why I respect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.He would have come up with an unpopular party and stand with it to win an election, this is the kind of leader that we need not those that believe they can go and maneuver their ways in a popular party before winning an elections. If rAPC truly believes in its capacity to deliver they should go and form a new political party.

208 total views, 82 views today

The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed the killing of Mr Ismaila Jibrin, a 22-year-old staff of the state Youth Empowerment Scheme (NAYES) by a driver, Ibrahim Danbawa.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Samaila Usman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Keffi that Jibrin was killed by the motorist when he (traffic warden) was on duty at Keffi roundabout controlling traffic.

NAN learnt that Jibrin died from injuries sustained from a vehicle knock-down, following Danbawa’s refusal to obey traffic rules.

The state PPRO, who urged the family members of the deceased and the community to remain calm and be law abiding, also confirmed that the culprit was in police custody.

He said the police would ensure a thorough investigation into the matter and that necessary action would be taken to serve as a deterrent.

“What really happened was that a NAYES officer who was controlling the traffic around the Keffi roundabout was suddenly knocked down by one driver called Danbawa, an indigene of Keffi.

“He was driving against the traffic and when the NAYES officer tried to stop him, he refused to pull up.

“So in the process, he hit the NAYES officer and when he was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, he gave up the ghost,” the police spokesman said.

Usman said that it took the intervention of policemen to douse the tension generated by some officers of the NAYES in the area over the killing of their colleague.

He, however, advised drivers to always obey traffic rules and regulation in the interest of peace and national development.

NAN reports that the state government had engaged young people in the state to serve as traffic wardens, sanitary inspectors and community watchers with a monthly stipend of N10,000. (NAN)

203 total views, 82 views today

The Police Command in the FCT has arrested and dismissed a policeman who allegedly killed an NYSC member, Angela Igwetu, in Abuja.

NAN reports that Igwetu, who was allegedly shot in the early hours of Wednesday around Ceddi Plaza by a police officer, was rushed to the Garki Hospital where she died.

The Commissioner of Polic, Mr Sadiq Bello, disclosed this while addressing newsmen on the incident on Friday in Abuja.

Bello said that necessary disciplinary procedures had been concluded.

“He ( suspect) has been dismissed from the force and arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction and he is currently on remand awaiting trail,” he said.

“It was alleged that the lady, one Angela Igwetu stood up and brought out her head through the sun roof of a Toyota Camry car shouting and calling for help that she was kidnapped,” he said.

He said that the police claimed that they flagged down the vehicle but the driver refused to stop which made the police Inspector to open fire on the vehicle which hit the deceased.

The commissioner said that the command would not condone act of irresponsibility and incivility or outright criminality on the part of officers and men.

“They have always been admonished to be civil to members of the public and be professional in the conduct of their duties,” he said.

He reassured residents of the territory to go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation or harassment as their peace and security were guaranteed at all times.

Bello appealed for calm and understanding from members of the public and family of the deceased as justice would prevail in the matter.

On the killing of the seven policemen, Bello said that the dastardly act would not deter the police from performing its constitutional duties.

He called on members of the public to partner with the police to solve the security challenges in the FCT.

“We owe it a duty to arrest these criminals in order to assuage the souls of these young men so that they don’t die in vain.

“The circumstances surrounding the incident is still very sketchy; however, we want to assure members of the public that we will do whatever is necessary to unravel the mystery surrounding the incident,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) reports that gunmen, on Monday at a roundabout in Galadimawa area of Abuja, killed seven policemen who were on stop-and-search duty operation.( NAN)

174 total views, 82 views today

Longtime political ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, Engineer Buba Galadima, who recently became a foe after dumping the president’s All Progressives Congress, APC, has boasted that he can facilitate the smooth impeachment of the president because he has the contact and majority at the National Assembly.
Buba, whose group recently left the ruling APC and formed the Reformed All Progressives Congress, R-APC, said he has the number in the parliament to sack the president whom he accused of lack of integrity and foresight.
The new chairman of the splinter APC, who spoke on a television programme, said there are many constitutional infractions against the president like disobedience of court orders, refusal to obey provisions of the constitution as it affects the welfare and security of the people which are part of APC’s manifesto but which the president flagrantly declined to implement and obey. “All the promises we made to the people have been jettisoned, none of them were fulfilled,” he said.
While defending the serial name calling against his group by the new national chairman of the APC, former Secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change,CPC, one of the legacy parties which he and Buhari belonged but later metamorphosed into the ruling APC, said he has integrity more than Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and President Buhari.
“They said we are mercenaries. On that side there is no man of character and integrity. We know opportunistic people in the country who became great today by the efforts and sweat of the people.
“Oshiomhole is not an issue; he cannot compare his integrity to my own. We are people of impeccable character,’’Galadima noted,adding that just like the new Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, in the main APC was marginalized, so also was the CPC component of the ruling party.
He disclosed that the CPC alone gave over four million votes to Buhari in the 2015 presidential election and lamented that there was nothing to show for it except harassment and name calling laced with propaganda, notwithstanding the fact that they even sold their belongings to sponsor him.
According to him, his new outfit is in a position to determine who will become president in 2019, adding that “we will teach Buhari a lesson of his life if he says Nigerians don’t matter.”
He boasted that they are going to take back between 75-90 percent of the president’s vote in 2019, warning that the ruling All Progressives Congress is heading to a slide.

123 total views, 123 views today

The Zamfara Police Command, has confirmed that unidentified gunmen killed Alhaji Ibrahim Madawaki, the District Head of Kucheri in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Muhammad Shehu, made the confirmation in a statement in Gusau on Saturday.

Shehu said some unidentified gunmen invaded Kucheri town at about 9:00 p.m. on Friday and killed the district head in front of his house.

He said when the police visited the scene of the crime, they discovered that nothing was removed from his house.

According to him, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Kenneth Ebrimson, has ordered investigation into the incident with a view to apprehending the perpetrators.

Shehu also called on the public to report the activities of suspected hoodlums promptly, so as to enable the police to effectively tackle the security challenges facing the state. (NAN)

453 total views, 140 views today

Few weeks to the September 22nd gubernatorial election in Osun State, the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress,APC has shifted the state governorship primary election.

The election, earlier slated for Saturday 7th of July would now hold on Thursday the 19th of July 2018.

The new time table signed and released by the party’s national secretary Honourable Mai Mala Buni saw the sales of forms to be done between Monday the 9th of July to Wednesday July 11 with the form price pegged at 5.5Mllion Naira.

406 total views, 140 views today

President Buhari reacted to the Supreme Court’s exoneration of the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, saying the nation’s judicial system is working despite the challenges it is facing.

Buhari said no one should be allowed to undermine or break the judicial system.

He said this in a statement made available to journalists by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

The President noted that Saraki took what he described as the tortuous path of using the judicial process and persevered until the highest court in the land pronounced him not guilty.

Buhari recalled that he himself took the same path in the three elections during which he claimed he was rigged out before finally making it at the fourth attempt.

The President said, “I have seen many instances where individuals and groups seek the destruction of the judicial institution in the foolish thinking of saving their skin, instead of going through the painstaking process of establishing their innocence.

“In the case of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, I have seen him take the tortuous path of using the judicial process.

“He persevered, and in the end, the highest court of the land, the Supreme Court, says he is not guilty as charged.

“This is what I have done in the three elections in which I was cheated out before God made it possible for me to come here the fourth time I ran for the office.”

The President said Saraki’s journey from the lowest to the highest court of the land provided an important example for Nigerians to emulate.

336 total views, 146 views today

Coach Janne Andersson of Sweden refused on Saturday to blame his side after their 0-2 loss in the quarter-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup at Samara in Russia.

The coach rather said his team was just not good enough to beat their opponents, England, stating that his players tried their best “to even reach the competition’s last eight stage”.

“We weren’t just good enough to win the game. England are a strong team, especially at set-pieces.

“We even prepared for it, but unfortunately we got caught in one of them.

“Until that corner kick by Ashley Young which gave them the chance to take the lead, we were doing well and had the match under control.

“We even had the opportunity after the break to draw level, but we failed to do so.

“But, we did well overall, because it is not easy to even get to this stage.

“Altogether, we have had a good tournament; that is something to take back home,’’ he said at post-match media conference.

Andersson refused to blame the team’s Al Ain striker, Marcus Berg, who was at the receiving end of blame for the team’s lacklustre performance upfront.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the UAE-based player was in the team’s four matches before Saturday, but failed to score a goal.

“He tried his best, and I am pleased with his contributions to our game. He faced tough opposition in the English defenders,’’ the coach said.

On his future with the national team, Andersson said he was not worried at all because he had a contract with an option of an extension.

“I am not concerned about that now. I have an option of signing a new contract for two years before me. So, I am not worried at all now,’’ he said.

NAN reports that this year’s performance was Sweden’s best since 1994 when they finished third in the U.S.

They were second round losers in 2002 and 2006, and did not even qualify for the finals in 1998, 2010 and 2014. (NAN)

312 total views, 143 views today

England’s coach, Gareth Southgate, on Saturday in Samara said his team was still evolving in spite of their progress to the semi-finals of ongoing FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Southgate said at the post-match conference after his team beat Sweden 2-0 at the Samara Arena in the quarter-finals that the team was just starting to create a new identity.

“We are just starting to establish a different identity from the way people used to know England, with the way we play.

“That’s why I believe I am privileged to work with this team. It is a super team with strong mentality.

“That’s also why I joined the (English) Football Association (FA) five years ago, because I believe playing like this is possible,’’ he said.

Southgate said that he was happy his team was playing the way he and his staff, as well as the players, wanted to be playing.

“We don’t really have any of the world stars yet, but we have young players who are evolving into great players, who want to work hard.

“We their coaches believe in them and believe they can play at a high level.

“Today’s match against Sweden was a huge opportunity for us to prove ourselves and we have done so, and the more remarkable thing is that we are in the semi-finals.

“So, we play the way we want to play, with pride, and the way we should, as a group, brave and inspired to succeed,’’ he said.

The coach, who acknowledged that there were others who contributed to the team’s current success, however, said that his team was still not where it should be in world football.

“I can imagine all the party going on back home in England after this win, but we are not yet finished, and we are not yet the team we should be.

“We are still improving; there are still other players in the team, especially the older ones, who can contribute more.

“Their attitude has been crucial in our getting through two difficult games (against Colombia and Sweden) this week. Standing up to the physical test is a test of resilience for such a young team.

“But we also remember that we couldn’t have been here today without the contributions of others, like Joe Hart who made great efforts against Slovenia during the qualifiers,’’ he said.

Southgate praised Sweden, their quarter-finals victims, saying they still held them in great esteem in spite of the 2-0 win.

“We hold them in high esteem. We are only privileged to be in the semi-finals, because we identified a couple of areas in their game and utilised our observations.

“This helped us to overcome them. But they are a really difficult team to play; if you recall they have in recent years overcome teams like Holland, Italy, France and even Germany.

“That is an incredible achievement. They are strong as a collective unit,’’ he said.

Nigerian Pilot reports that England are reaching the semi-finals for the first time since 1990 in Italy, and have only won the competition once, in 1966. (NAN)

301 total views, 137 views today

Dr Okezie Emenike, an Abuja based physician, said on Saturday that being over weight or under weight could cause infertility.

Emenike told Nigerian Pilot in Abuja that it was important to understand that both underweight and overweight women and men suffered from a higher incidence of infertility.

He added that severe obesity in men had been shown to alter fertility often due to imbalances in hormone regulation tied to sperm production.

He also noted that in many cases, overweight or underweight women would have hormonal disorders, which could cause them to ovulate infrequently or not at all.

“Being underweight or overweight can have negative effects on a man’s sperm, and it can kill a couple’s sex life because weight problems can affect a man’s libido and performance.

“Generally, underweight patients can be encouraged to gain more weight, and this alone often increases their fertility significantly or makes hormonal therapy more successful.

“Many studies have shown a clear and consistent decrease in infertility with increasing female weight.

“Overweight patients who undergo significant weight loss may ovulate without the need for fertility medications,” he said.

He advised patients to maintain an ideal body weight, saying it resulted in the best outcome for fertility therapy. (NAN)

301 total views, 140 views today

England reached its first World Cup semifinal since 1990, comfortably beating Sweden 2-0 with a commanding performance in Samara.
Harry Maguire’s first-half header set the Three Lions on their way to victory, before Dele Alli’s header in the second period ended the match as a contest.

In truth, it was a straightforward victory but England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was in inspired form and was more than a match for the three chances Sweden created.
England now wait to find out which of Croatia or host Russia will be its semifinal opponent

308 total views, 143 views today

Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, did not participate in the mandatory one-year national youth service scheme. Instead, she forged an exemption certificate many years after graduation, PREMIUM TIMES report.

The year-long service, organised by the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), is compulsory for all Nigerians who graduate from universities or equivalent institutions at less than 30 years of age.

In addition to being a requirement for government and private sector jobs in Nigeria, the enabling law prescribes punishment for anyone who absconds from the scheme or forges its certificates.

Eligible Nigerians who skipped the service are liable to be sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and/or N2,000 fine, according to Section 13 of the NYSC law.

Section 13 (3) of the law also prescribes three-year jail term or option of N5,000 fine for anyone who contravenes provision of the law as Mrs Adeosun has done.

Subsection 4 of the same section also criminalises giving false information or illegally obtaining the agency’s certificate. It provides for up to three-year jail term for such offenders.

Mrs Adeosun’s official credentials obtained by PREMIUM TIMES show that the minister parades a purported NYSC exemption certificate, which was issued in September 2009, granting her exemption from the mandatory service on account of age.

306 total views, 149 views today

Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State on Saturday expressed disappointment with the non attendance of governors of the North West to a meeting on the security of the sub region held in Kaduna.

Masari who is the Chairman of the security committee inaugurated by the Northern Governors Forum, said the governors must separate politics with the issue of security that affects the generality of the people.
The meeting attended by the Deputy Governors of Sokoto, Jigawa and Kaduna states also had in attendance Secretaries to the State Governments of the two states, and that of Katsina, as well as various consultants on security.
“The issue of security is more important than politics as it affects life,” Masari said at the opening of the meeting which later went into closed door session.
He said it was important to evolve ways of sustaining attendance not only by the governors, but also their Deputies and SSGs.
“It will not however hinder the discussions or delay the meeting; we must devise means of continuing with the meeting even when the Governors are not in attendance,” he said.
Masari added: “Before we leave, we should have a programme that we can brief our governors, we should not allow this laudable initiative rely only on the availability of governors.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting will also discuss regional integration and economic cooperation among the seven states in the North West.(NAN)

272 total views, 149 views today

Justice Tanko Muhammad of the Supreme Court has said that corruption remains one of the major impediments to Nigeria’s development.

Muhammad said on Saturday in Kano while delivering a key note address at the 11th Annual National Conference of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN), the menace has permeated every level of Nigerian society.

“It is sad that whenever corruption is mentioned, attention goes to public office holders only, however, even the common man is not left out in corruption practices,” he said.

According to him, the country’s development challenges are traceable to high level corruption in public and private life.

“The monster of corruption has grown so big and strong that it has penetrated all aspects of our life.

“As Muslims we must not forget the statement of Prophet Muhammad, Peace be upon him, that Allah has cursed the one who bribes and one bribed,” he added.

Muhammad commended the passage of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition) act, 2015, but said it must be reviewed to meet new challenges posed by e-criminals and protect the public against their evil acts.

In the area of security, Muhammad said that there was need to strength national security and develop ‎strong institutions to meet with challenges of the fast changing and increasingly complicated modern life.

The Judge urged MULAN members to promote national security, respect for human rights, rule of law and fight against corruption.

‎Earlier, President of MULAN, Dr Kamal Dawud, condemned the killings of innocent Nigerians and called on the Federal Government to invest more in curbing the “faceless people and organisations fueling crises all over Nigeria”.

“The government should warn all religious organisations in Nigeria against hate speech, any religious leader that instigates followers should be made to face the law,” he said.

He also called on government at all levels to do what is necessary to make life easier for Nigerians, as well as improve and develop the economy.

The MULAN president appealed to religious and traditional leaders to compliment efforts of the government, by playing positive roles in overcoming the country’s security challenges.

On the 2019 general elections, Kamal said politicians must desist from heating up the polity, and dwelt on issues that would add value to the life of the people.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the conference has as its theme: National Security, Human rights and developmental challenges in the 21st century Nigeria. (NAN)

251 total views, 143 views today

DEPUTY Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Francis Alimikhena has denied dumping the All Progressive Congress (APC) , saying he is still with the ruling party

According to the senator, Nigerians should not mind a statement by some unnamed politicians which read: “Edo state will be having all 3 Senators in the Peoples Democratic Party soon as report has it that Sen Francis Alimikhena is negotiating return to PDP. ‘’

He challenged the sponsors and carriers of the baseless allegation to go ahead and publish the report and the steps he (Alimikhena) has taken so far to join the opposition party. He cautioned the Ihonvbere campaign organization against endangering the ongoing peace and unity across Edo North APC family in their desperation in seeking the APC senatorial ticket which is not available.

Senator Alimikhena who expressed confidence in facing any aspirants in any election said his performance and achievement has laid legislative developmental benchmark in Edo State and his achievement is sufficient to speak for him in any election. He frowned at the publication which he said was deliberate to create disunity between him and his leader Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

“Wondering if these critics are blind to his various empowerment programs and developmental initiatives he said, “as Edo North Senator, sufficient efforts has been made to reinvigorate the Edo North Economy. Dialysis centre has been established, electricity, educational structures, Boreholes, various skills acquisition centres build and equips, massive employment and appointment has been given to Edo North Youths and leaders, Educational Scholarship, Akoko Edo township roads, the dualization of the Agenebode road, several completed roads and more roads are currently in the budget to ensure that all access roads in Edo North are interconnected. Decision has been concluded to ensure the speedy conversion of Auchi Polytechnic into Federal University of Technology and such developmental efforts have multiplier effect in Edo North developmental agenda.

The Edo North Senator has therefore cautioned politicians, Senatorial aspirants in Edo North and those with unprecedented capacity for lies and Blackmailing to thread cautiously. “As major actors in the politics he advise them to avoid making frivolous and unguided utterances that could unwittingly incite the generality of the public and create hostility across the State”.

In a Press Statement issued in Abuja by his Personal Assistant, Benjamin Atu, he condemned the misleading online story and publication against the personality of Senator Francis Alimikhena by one Mr Ekundayo Bright who claims to be the head of media in the Ihonvbere campaign organization and his sponsors has shown disdained for the deputy whip of the senate and this will be the last warning for such misconduct.

According to Benjamin Atu, he said Senator Francis Alimikhena would rather resign from active politics rather than joining the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to fight against his brother who is the APC National Chairman. ‘’Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is Edo North leader and it behoves on all of us to pray for him, support him and join him to achieve the National task given to him rather than creating tension for him and avenue to create division in the Edo North APC.’’

The statement described the sponsors of such an unguided statement as enemy of democracy who do not wish Comrade Adams Oshiomhole well. He urged them to withdrew their words and not distract the efforts of the APC National Chairman in his mission to unite the ruling party.

120 total views, 120 views today

The post Senate chief whip denies dumping APC appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

DEPUTY Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Francis Alimikhena has denied dumping the All Progressive Congress (APC) , saying he is still with the ruling party

According to the senator, Nigerians should not mind a statement by some unnamed politicians which read: “Edo state will be having all 3 Senators in the Peoples Democratic Party soon as report has it that Sen Francis Alimikhena is negotiating return to PDP. ‘’

He challenged the sponsors and carriers of the baseless allegation to go ahead and publish the report and the steps he (Alimikhena) has taken so far to join the opposition party. He cautioned the Ihonvbere campaign organization against endangering the ongoing peace and unity across Edo North APC family in their desperation in seeking the APC senatorial ticket which is not available.

Senator Alimikhena who expressed confidence in facing any aspirants in any election said his performance and achievement has laid legislative developmental benchmark in Edo State and his achievement is sufficient to speak for him in any election. He frowned at the publication which he said was deliberate to create disunity between him and his leader Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

“Wondering if these critics are blind to his various empowerment programs and developmental initiatives he said, “as Edo North Senator, sufficient efforts has been made to reinvigorate the Edo North Economy. Dialysis centre has been established, electricity, educational structures, Boreholes, various skills acquisition centres build and equips, massive employment and appointment has been given to Edo North Youths and leaders, Educational Scholarship, Akoko Edo township roads, the dualization of the Agenebode road, several completed roads and more roads are currently in the budget to ensure that all access roads in Edo North are interconnected. Decision has been concluded to ensure the speedy conversion of Auchi Polytechnic into Federal University of Technology and such developmental efforts have multiplier effect in Edo North developmental agenda.

The Edo North Senator has therefore cautioned politicians, Senatorial aspirants in Edo North and those with unprecedented capacity for lies and Blackmailing to thread cautiously. “As major actors in the politics he advise them to avoid making frivolous and unguided utterances that could unwittingly incite the generality of the public and create hostility across the State”.

In a Press Statement issued in Abuja by his Personal Assistant, Benjamin Atu, he condemned the misleading online story and publication against the personality of Senator Francis Alimikhena by one Mr Ekundayo Bright who claims to be the head of media in the Ihonvbere campaign organization and his sponsors has shown disdained for the deputy whip of the senate and this will be the last warning for such misconduct.

According to Benjamin Atu, he said Senator Francis Alimikhena would rather resign from active politics rather than joining the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to fight against his brother who is the APC National Chairman. ‘’Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is Edo North leader and it behoves on all of us to pray for him, support him and join him to achieve the National task given to him rather than creating tension for him and avenue to create division in the Edo North APC.’’

The statement described the sponsors of such an unguided statement as enemy of democracy who do not wish Comrade Adams Oshiomhole well. He urged them to withdrew their words and not distract the efforts of the APC National Chairman in his mission to unite the ruling party.

120 total views, 120 views today

The post Senate chief whip denies dumping APC appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

Our attention has been drawn to the activities of some people parading themselves as members of a civil society organization demonstrating in front of the National Assembly purportedly asking for the immediate resignation and/or impeachment of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, and linking him with the robbery at Offa, Kwara state.

It is most unfortunate that a group of protesters seen fighting over a stipend of N2,000 distributed by their sponsors who obviously do not mean well for Nigeria and Nigerians by trying to mutilate the high integrity of the National Assembly which is practically the only Arm of Government that is still vibrant, defending Nigerians, asking pertinent questions on the checks and balances of Government as provided by the doctrine of checks and balances in any democratic state.

Let’s face the facts squarely, the protesters carried placards accusing the Senate President of having connections with the Offa bank robbery. But they fail to acknowledge that leaders of the robbery gang had said it very clearly that Saraki did not and has never sent them for the robbery. What could be the reason for asking for his resignation?

It is most unfortunate that despite the gruesome killings of Nigerians going on in Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa, Zamfara, Delta, etc. and kidnapping all over the nation, the sponsors of the faceless group are not asking the right questions.

Killers went on rampage in Plateau State for as much as 7 hours without response from any security agency. You are alive today, but you are not sure of being alive the next minute not due to nature or act of God but because of the menace of herdsmen who are continuously on a killing spree,” the group said.

It also asked “Perhaps, we need to ask; what is the value of a Nigerian life?”

Nigeria has lost over 9 million jobs between 2016 till date. Currently, Nigeria has over-taken India with a higher population, as the poorest nation on this planet earth. This is saddening!

The only arm of government asking pertinent questions on these burning national issues is the legislature. It becomes obvious that sponsors of these orchestrated anti-democratic demonstrations are determined to regress Nigeria to fascism or totalitarianism and as such do not mean any well for the nation.

It becomes inherent that government should call these protesters, under-takers and never-do-well to order and as disassociate herself from these individuals.

However, we warn these individuals and enemies of democracy to desist forthwith as our coalition is determined to commence a mobilization of Nigerians in support of the National Assembly in line with the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

15 total views, 15 views today

The post NASS protest don’t mean well for Nigeria appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari requesting him to use his “leadership position to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN, or any appropriate anti-corruption agencies to without delay investigate widespread allegations of mismanagement and corruption in the spending of security votes by several state governors in Nigeria since the return of democracy in 1999″.

SERAP also urged the President to instruct the Attorney General or appropriate anti-corruption agencies to publish the report of any such investigation including the names of governors that may have benefited from the public funds, and to ensure the recovery of proceeds of corruption.

“We request that you take this step within 14 days of the receipt or publication of this letter, failing which SERAP will institute legal proceedings to compel your government to act in the public interest.”

In the letter dated 6th July, 2018 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Timothy Adewale the organization said, pursuing the matter would ensure that public funds are properly used, adding that state governors would be less likely to misuse or steal security votes, and ultimately improve the ability of state governments to promote, enhance and ensure the security and safety of all Nigerians in their states.

“The lack of transparency and accountability in the spending of security votes is the real cause of many of the security challenges confronting Nigeria. State governments across the country are failing to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians and residents despite huge yearly allocations of security votes to governors. These funds are purportedly appropriated for State security.

“Despite these huge expenditures on security, many state governors are failing to prevent kidnappings, cultism, assassinations and other unlawful killings, maiming of residents and destruction of property.

“SERAP is concerned about the growing allegations of mismanagement, waste, and corrupt practices in the spending of security votes by several state governors.

“Yet, the most general purpose of state power is to provide security for citizens and other residents and to enable them to lead a life that is meaningful to them.”

SERAP opined that each year since the return to civilian rule in 1999, huge public funds are budgeted at all levels of government in Nigeria in the name of security votes.

“According to our information, the amount appropriated as security votes by state governments in Nigeria range between N400 million and N2 billion monthly. Over N1.5 trillion is allocated and expended annually as security votes by governments at all levels in Nigeria, virtually all of which is lost to corruption primarily because the spending of such funds is entirely at the discretion of the public office holder.”

75 total views, 75 views today

The post Probe governors over security votes, SERAP urge Buhari appeared first on Nigerian Pilot News.