Authorities of the Bayelsa State Police Command have arraigned 15 persons before the State High Court sitting in Yenagoa for allegedly plotting to kill the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and rob her of her valuables worth over N.3billion. A 17-count charge of conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit felony with armed robbery, malicious injury to property, conspiracy to commit felony, stealing and burglary were filed against the suspects. Those arraigned included Golden Vivian (40 years, Erama Deborah (45yrs),Precious Kingsley (20yrs), Vincent Olabiyi (28yrs),Ebuka Cosmos (25yrs), Williams Alamo (29yrs),Tamunokuro Abaku (32yrs) and Boma Oba (42yrs). Others include Emmanuel…
Author: Emmanuel Anthony
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday, disclosed that issues concerning the Biafran people were before the various arms and agencies of the United Nations, adding that Biafra’s case would no longer be swept under the carpet. The IPOB leader had led a delegation to a series of meetings with various UN agencies and officials at Geneva where he presented Biafra’s plight on Tuesday. Emma Powerful, the IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, in a statement on Thursday, said Kanu’s emergence from the meeting was met with chants of the eulogy by a congregation…
The National Economic Council (NEC) has said that the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) is not meant for cows alone but to address all challenges of animal husbandry in the country. Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi State disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said the NTLP was meant to address farmers/herders crisis. “As the chairman of the sub-committee of NEC on herders/farmers clashes, the NEC was briefed. “The chairman of NEC reminded NEC that the committee was to address the…
Obinna Onwubuariri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a member of the House of Representatives, has been sacked. This is as the National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal in Owerri on Wednesday ordered the withdrawal of his certificate of return. Onwubuariri is representing Isiala Mbano/Onuimo/Okigwe federal constituency of Imo State. The Tribunal chairman, R. Harriman, also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh poll in the constituency within 90 days. He held that the petitioner, Princess Miriam Onuoha, of the All Progressives Congress (PDP) was able to prove her grounds which included over-voting, mutilation of figures, and…
The lower legislative chamber of the National Assembly, on Wednesday, set up a 17-man ad hoc committee to invite the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the federation, Abubakar Malami and his counterpart in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Timipriye Sylva over the recent judgement debt of $9.6 billion by a commercial court in the United Kingdom against Nigeria. The Ministers are to give situational report on the matter and explain the lapse in judgement of time and due diligence in the (miss)handling of the case with a view to finding lasting solutions to the avalanche of extant and…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kogi State, Prof. James Apam, has expressed worries over possible violence during the November 16 governorship election in the state. Apam disclosed this on Tuesday at the unveiling of “Get Out The Vote (GOTV), Voter Education and Stop Violence Against Women In Politics (STOP VAWIP)” campaign projects and multi-stakeholders’ meeting in Lokoja. He said that INEC had, on several occasions, prepared to conduct credible elections and would have always put necessary machinery in place to ensure free, fair and acceptable elections only for such elections to be disrupted by…
A 26-year-old National Youths Service Corps member, Joana Nnazua Kolo, currently serving in Jigawa state has been named among the four women whose names were forwarded to the State House of Assembly as commissioner-nominees by Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday. Miss Kolo who hails from Edu local government area of the state is the youngest commissioner-nominee in the state’s history. She is a 2018 graduate of Library Science from the Kwara State University (KWASU) and a grassroots mobiliser. She is also known as an ardent advocate of community development. If confirmed, she would be Nigeria’s youngest commissioner, taking the…
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday upheld the election of Mr. Seyi Makinde as the authentic Governor of Oyo State. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had in March declared Makinde as the Governor of the state after the election held on Saturday, 9th March 2019. However, not satisfied with the result of the election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu approached the tribunal, urging it to nullify the election result. But, in a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday by Justice Sirajo Muhammed on behalf of the three-member panel,…
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has finally reacted to xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa. Obasanjo in a letter written to the founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party, in South Africa, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi on Tuesday, urged Nigerians and others African countries whose citizens were affected by xenophobic attacks to report to the African Union. The former president further described xenophobic attacks on foreigners by South Africans as a great disservice to Africa. Obasanjo called for urgent reconciliation between the countries affected and South Africa, adding that repatriation and revenge was not the best solution. The…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that 52 political parties and their candidates are ready to participate in the Bayelsa governorship election on November 16. The form to that effect was displayed at INEC office in Yenagoa on Friday. The political parties are Accord, ANRP, ADP, APP and DPP, APGA, BNPP, CAP, PDP, APC, FJPN, Fresh Democractic Party and GPN, among others. Some of the candidates are Mr David Lyon, APC, Sen. Douye Diri, PDP, Azibataram Cameron, ANRP, Mrs Helen Okorodas, ACD. Mr Wilfred Ifogah, INEC Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, told reporters that a total…
Senator Buruji Kashamu has dissociated himself from the defection of over 1000 former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying the action did not get his blessing. A statement issued by his Media Adviser, Austin Oniyokor, quoted Senator Kashamu as saying that, “I do not have any problem with any one or a group of people exercising their right to freedom of association but such must be done responsibly and not with elements of lies, blackmail and outright subterfuge. “Kola Akinyemi and his co-travellers should desist from dropping my name in their political prostitution and voyage of anywhere ‘belle…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday rejected President Muhammadu Buhari’s resolve to increase the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 5 percent to 7.2 percent. It also said Nigerians could not bear such burden under the alleged agonizing economic situation. The opposition party also condemned the decision as anti-people, suppressive and alleged that the Buhari Presidency was exploitative, inconsiderate. PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan took these exemptions in a statement made available to newsmen. Part of the statement reads, “The PDP insists that the decision to increase VAT on already impoverished citizens is in bad faith and cannot be justified under…
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has revealed that he congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari after the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal confirmed his election because he is not a hypocrite like other Governors. Wike said it is better to offer public congratulations than visit the President at night. Governor Wike said that unlike some Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP who visit President Muhammadu Buhari at night, he made his declaration public because it came from the heart. The Rivers State governorship offered the explanation Thursday, at the Funeral Service in honour of Late Madam Blessing Awuse, Mother of Chief Sergent…
Media Mogul, Dele Momodu has reacted to the Presidential Election Tribunal judgment that dismissed the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and its candidate Atiku Abubakar challenging the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 election. The Justice Mohammed Garba-led Tribunal had earlier dismissed Atiku and PDP petition in its entirety. President Buhari’s victory in the 2019 presidential election was upheld by tribunal after it dismissed the petition filed by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The court ruled that Buhari was duly elected as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during the presidential…
President Muhammadu Buhari says the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on the February 23, 2019 poll, is victory for Nigerians who trooped out to overwhelmingly elect him for a second term in office. He also urged his opponent and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join hands with him to move the country forward. “Good conscience fears no evil report. I was unperturbed all along, because I knew Nigerians freely gave us the mandate. We are now vindicated,” the President declared in a statement by his spokesman, Femi Adesina. He said he dedicated the victory to God, and…
The National and State Houses of Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia has affirmed the election of Sen. Theodore Orji, representing Abia Central Senatorial District. Delivering a unanimous judgment on Tuesday, the Chairman of the three-member panel, Justice Adeyinka Adebirigbe, dismissed the petition against Orji on the ground that the petitioner failed to prove allegations of electoral irregularities. Sen. Nkechi Nwaogu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had approached the tribunal to challenge the election of Orji of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for failure to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act. Nwogu specifically alleged irregularities in…
The Oyo State National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ibadan, on Tuesday, struck out a suit filed by the immediate past Governor of Oyo state, Mr. Abiola Ajimobi challenging the victory of Mr. Kola Balogun in Oyo South District. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had in February this year declared Balogun of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the election into the Oyo South senatorial district. But, Ajimobi who contested under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) not satisfied with the result approached the election petition tribunal, praying the court to declare him…
The National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abia State has nullified the election of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. The tribunal also ordered for a rerun election for the Abia North Senatorial District. Kalu was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 23 election. The former Abia state governor is currently the Senate Chief Whip.Mao Ohuabunwa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had challenged his victory at the tribunal.
The National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Ikeja has affirmed the election of Senator Oluremi Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Lagos Central senatorial constituency. The three-man tribunal led by Justice Kunaza Hamidu, in a seven-hour judgment, held that the petition filed by Chief Adesunbo Onitiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the election of Senator Oluremi Tinubu failed as it did not establish any prima facie case against her. “The petition lacked merit and is hereby dismissed. The declaration of Senator Oluremi Tinubu by INEC as the winner of February…
The Delta State National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Asaba, has nullified the election of James Manager, lawmaker representing Delta South Senatorial district. Chairman of the three-man panel, Justice E.I. Ngene, gave the ruling on Saturday. Manager was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).His election was opposed at the tribunal by former governor of the state and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Emmanuel Uduaghan. His lawyer, Thomson Okpoko (SAN), told the tribunal that the February 23 National Assembly elections in the district was marred by massive rigging. He prayed the panel to cancel…
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki’s second term bid might see the light of day if the rumours making the rounds in Benin City about his alleged plan to decamp to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are anything to go by. Recent romance with big PDP chieftains in the state will further attest to the fact that the Edo Peoples Movement (EPM), top members of the APC ruling party in Edo, are not willing to make peace with Obaseki, hence the governor is considering the PDP option. Fillers revealed that Obaseki and the PDP state Chairman, Chief Dan. Orbih, are currently…
The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has lashed out at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over what they described as its inability to conduct proper primaries election. The APC chairman in Ondo State, Ade Adetimehin, who was reacting to the recent PDP governorship primary election in Kogi State, which was allegedly marred by violence, stressed that it shows that the PDP will not be organized if given another opportunity in government. Adetimehin, who stated this at the party’s secretariat in Akure, the Ondo State capital while meeting with APC local government chairmen in the state, stressed…
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has scored the President Muhammadu Buhari administration high as it marks its first 100 days in office. “President Buhari can beat his chest to say I have started well, I have started fast. You cannot call him Baba go slow now, this time he is Baba fast,” Oshiomhole stated in an interaction with journalists in Abuja on Friday. Oshiomhole also outlined some areas of President Buhari’s achievements in 100 days in office. He said: “Everything is about comparison. Because in 2015, after a hundred days we did not…
An All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Bayelsa State, Preye Aganaba, has described the party’s primaries election in the state as a mockery of the democratic process saying the result was written in a hotel in Yenagoa. Aganaba rejected the outcome of the party’s direct primaries and referred to the primaries that produced David Lyon as the candidate of the party as a political hoax and lacking any semblance of credibility. “The process leading to the direct primary election was rife with irregularities and has set a bad precedent for a political party that prides itself as a progressive…
The South African High Commission in Nigeria has shut down operations. This was reported on Thursday by eNCA, a South African media house. It quoted the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s Lunga Ngqengelele, as saying the decision was out of concern for the safety of employees of the embassy. “We have been in communication with the Nigerian government and we have been assured of the protection of the businesses belonging to SA. “Nigerian police quelled the uprising from the Nigerians attacking SA business, we understand that arrests were made. We are pleased that there was no loss of life,”…
The National Assembly/State Houses of Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Enugu has dismissed the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), against the election of Hon. Toby Okechukwu representing Awgu/Oji-River/Aninri in the House of Representatives. This came barely 24 hours after the party also lost in its bid to sack the Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial Zone, Senator Chukwuka Utazi. The suit filed by Barr. Eugene Odo of the APC was also struck out for lack of merit. Similarly, in a judgement that lasted for about 2 and a half hours, the Tribunal held on Wednesday that the…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has obtained orders for the interim forfeiture of assets traced to former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, and his wife. The Head, Enugu Zonal Office of the commission, Mr Usman Imam, disclosed this on Wednesday in Enugu while briefing newsmen on the activities of the commission in the last eight months. Imam said that the commission also obtained similar order on a property traced to a former aide to Okorocha, Mr Paschal Obi, and the former governor’s daughter. He said that the commission had established prima facie cases against the suspects which they…
The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has revealed who will determine President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor on the All Progressives Congress (APC), platform come 2023. According to him, the ruling party will determine which zone will produce the next Nigerian leader at the expiration of Buhari’s tenure. Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai had recently said the party should abandon zoning for competence in 2023. Reacting to this, Ganduje said, “The way I look at it is that, it is an issue between idealism and realism. Idealism is a situation whereby things should be done in accordance with ideas. “If things are done…
South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, on Tuesday, condemned the recent attack on Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country. Ramaphosa, in a tweet on his official Twitter page, said there is no justification for the attack on foreign nationals. He was reacting the looting and burning of businesses and property belonging to foreigners in South Africa which began on Sunday. He said, “I condemn the violence that has been spreading around a number of our provinces in the strongest terms. I’m convening the ministers in the security cluster today to make sure that we keep a close eye on these acts…
More puzzles have beclouded the 2010 ill-fated Gas Supply and Processing Agreement (GSPA) which led to the award of a $9.6billion judgment against Nigeria recently. Preliminary investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) indicated that the contract was signed by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources at the time the late President Umaru Yar’Adua was already in coma. The anti-graft agency is probing the likelihood of the forgery of the signature of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Rilwan Lukman, who was known for his high ethical standards. Detectives are after a former legal director of the Ministry…
