Nov 14 - Nov 16 News

November 14

Calls For Probe Of Tinubu Smack Of Political Vendetta — APC

Youths
A group, APC National Awareness for Youth Vanguard, has called on the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) to call its members to order over their calls for probe of APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola
Ahmed Tinubu. The group, in a statement by its national coordinator, Alhaji Muktar Abubakar, said
calling on the anti-graft agency to investigate the APC leader for having a bullion van parked in his
premises smacked of political vendetta since he contributed to the defeat of the PDP in the last polls.
The group said the motive behind the submission of a petition to the EFCC was suspect because things
of that nature were usually done with discretion given the sensitivity of the work of the commission.

“But what we saw was a gathering of attention seeking urchins making all manner of claims against
one of the most respected politicians in Nigeria today,” the statement added. The group said while it
was not in any way disturbed by the submission of the PDP youths, there was need for it to put things
in their proper perspectives on what the petition was all about.

“The claim that the APC leader parked a bullion van in his house hence should be investigated by the
EFCC is not only preposterous but lacks basis. “This is because nobody has ever questioned the source
of income of the APC leader as he has submitted himself to scrutiny the two times he ran as governor
of Lagos State and all his companies are registered and known to Nigerians,” the group stated.

PDP Ignores Court Order, Holds Election In Lagos

Despite a court order stopping the conduct of fresh election of new members of the state working
committee (SWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the National Working Committee (NWC)
yesterday went ahead with the congress. Daily Trust reports that Justice T. A. O. Oyekan-Abdullahi of
the Lagos High Court had ordered that status quo should remain in the affairs of the PDP in Lagos
State. This followed a suit filed against the proposed special election for state executive positions of the
party.

The suit has the PDP, Senator Ben Obi, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and
four others as defendants. But the representatives of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the
party sent in to conduct the election converged at an Hotel in Lagos yesterday where the special
election was conducted with Deji Doherty, a former Governorship candidate of the party, emerging as
chairman. Senator Obi who is the chairman of the three-man panel sent in by the NWC said the
election had 68 delegates approved by NWC of the party but only 45 delegates voted at the election.
Doherty garnered 27 votes to emerge winner, while Omotanwa Kudirat, scored 21 votes to come
second. Doherty described the election of new executive as a new beginning and new chapter in the
history of Lagos PDP.

However, Dr. Adegbola Dominic, the party chairman loyal to Chief Bode George, a former Deputy
National Chairman of the party, described the conduct of the election as contempt of court, saying the
law will take its course. “One is just surprised that some people who are expected to know better
attended that show of shame,” he said.

Reps Committee Pledges Open Investigation Of NDDC Boss’

Sack
The House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has
promised to conduct a thorough investigation into the sudden sack of acting Managing Director of
NDDC.

The Chairman of the committee Rep. Olubumi Tunji-Ojo (APC-Ondo) made the pledge in an interview
with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that in line with the mandate given to the committee by the House, the appointment of a three-
man NDDC Interim Management Committee would be thoroughly probed.

He said that the investigation would be all encompassing and that the committee was going to be fair to
all.

“We are going to look at all the laws, you can be sure that at the end of the day, our recommendations
will be based on the rule of law for the benefit of the people.

“We want to have a commission that would provide good roads, a commission that will bring succor to
the lives of the people of the Niger Delta and take them to the next level,”he said.

Tunji-Ojo said that the outcome of the investigation would bring an end to the brouhaha surrounding
the appointment and the sack.

According to the lawmaker, the House wants to ensure that the laws are followed and that the
investigation will reveal that.

He said that if the government had erred, the committee would be courageous enough to report on the
floor of the House.

“We owe the Niger Delta people a truthful investigation, we owe them uprightness, we owe them an
investigation that will lead to the fulfillment of the mandate of the commission,” he said.

Tunji-Ojo said that he was not impressed by the way the commission was being operated at the
moment.

According to him, this is November 2019 and we do not have a budget for 2019, it is an aberration; it
shows lawlessness on the part of the organisation.

He said that President Muhammadu Buhari had presented the 2020 budget to the assembly but the
NDDC was yet to present the 2019 budget.

The chairman said that he was out to ensure that the commission works for Nigeria, for the oil rich
region and for the society at large.

“In four years time, we will leave a commission that the rule of law will reign supreme in all areas of
operations.

“When this is done, development will come, transparency will come and accountability will follow.

“But when procurement and finical regulation are not obeyed, you will get what you have now; it is
sad, NDDC is not the only intervention commission in the country but it is always in the news for the
wrong reasons,” he said.

Earlier, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila mandated NDDC
Committee to investigate the issues surrounding the sack of the acting MD.

This followed a motion of Urgent Matter of Public Importance by Rep. Nicholas Ossai (PDP-Delta) at
the plenary.

Ossai said that the law establishing the commission provided that its management and administration
shall be the responsibility of the its Governing Board.

He said that on Oct. 29, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari announced the appointment of 15 new
NDDC Board Members, whose names were thereafter sent to the Senate for confirmation.

According to him, in the evening that same day, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill
Akpabio, announced the sacking of the acting Managing Director of NDDC and the appointment of a
three-man NDDC Interim Management Committee.

“The speed and curiosity with which the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs hurriedly set up a three-man
Interim Management Committee is stunning and suspicious,”he said.
FEC Approves N1.7bn For Construction Of Jetty At Bonny
Island
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has approved the
sum of N1.7 billion for the construction of jetty at the Bonny Island in Rivers.

Minister of State for Transportation Gbemisola Saraki made the disclosure while briefing State House
correspondents on Wednesday after the FEC meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“Today, the Ministry of Transportation presented a memo for the approval of award of contract for the
construction of jetty at Bonny Island in Rivers State.

“This approval was sought and was duly given.

“Some years ago, we had a jetty at Bonny Island; it collapsed and now creating a huge problem for tug
boats and pilotage.

“So, what happened is that the pilot’s lounge is actually in Bonny; so boats used come all the way from
Port Harcourt to pick up the pilots.

“It was advertised in late 2017 and today, the council gave approval in the tune of N1.7 billion and it
will be completed in 15 months.’’

On the bill proposing death penalty for hate speech at the National Assembly, Saraki said it had not yet
become a law, adding that hate speech was also in the Cyber crime Act.

She said that the sponsor of the bill might have put the death penalty there, but it had not become an
Act.

“ I think we are jumping the gun a bit, like you said he is proposing the bill; it is not yet an act.

“Be that as it may, there is a law already in Nigeria, the Cybercrime Act that has the hate speech aspect
in it.

“I stand to be corrected; I think it was passed 2014/2015; I am not particularly sure but there is a law
that takes care of that.

“Because cybercrime now a major issue and as your know internationally, world over, everybody is
concerned about it being the new frontier to fight crime.

“So hate speech is within that cybercrime aspect,’’ she said.

NGO Deploy 130 Election Observers To Monitor Kogi And
Bayelsa Poll
IgbereTV reports that a non-governmental organisation (NGO) has deployed 130 election observers to
monitor the November 16 governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi states.

The group, Youth and Public Safety Awareness Initiative (YPSAI), said 80 among the observers would
be deployed after training to Kogi while the remaining 50 would be deployed to Bayelsa.

List Of All Governorship Candidates For Kogi 2019 Election

NGG brings to you all the List of Governorship Candidates for 2019 Kogi State Election.
A: Abdullahi Muhammed
AAC: Muhammadul-Kabir A.
AD: Medupin Ephraim
ADC: Justina Abanida
ADP: Ndakwo Tanko
ANRP: Orugun Emmanuel
APC: Bello Yahaya
APGA: Ibrahim Sheikh
GDPN: Bello Dele
GPN: Victor Akubo
HDP: Abdulmalik Adama
JMPP: Alfa Oboy
MAJA: Jimoh Yusuf
NCP: Muhammed Dangana
PDP: Musa Wada
PPN: Ukwumonu Idachaba
PPP: Moses Drisu
PRP: Ayodele Ajibola
SDP: Natasha Akpoti
UDP: Abdulrazaq Emeje
UPC: Abuh Omogami
YDP: Shuibu Seidi
YYP: Aisha Audu
ZLP: Suleiman Mikhail

Political Parties: 24
Governorship Candidates: 24
Male Candidates: 21
Female Candidates: 3

Source: https://ngg.ng/2019/11/14/list-of-all-governorship-candidates-for-kogi-2019-election/
Greed, Obsession For Power Driving Oshiomhole’s Actions –
Edo APC Chair, Ojezua
Barr. Anselm Ojezua is the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state. In this
interview with TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI, he speaks on why the party suspended the national chairman
of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, planned defection of Pastor Osagie Ize- Iyamu and other
sundry issues in the state. Excerpts:

The Edo state chapter of the APC under your leadership on Tuesday suspended the national chairman
of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Why was that decision taken?

Well, we already knew over time that he had a hand in all these destabilising elements that have been
parading themselves in these past few months. But events of the last 48 hours confirmed to us that
Oshiomhole was not just behind it, he is also desperate to retain power in Edo state for whatever
reasons I don’t know. But it is an act of desperation, obsession for power and insatiable greed. That is
what I believe is driving all his actions.

Lawrence Okah, the former State Secretary of the party was earlier suspended but he has now been
sacked. What was his role in the whole of this crisis rocking the party?

All I know is that the guy, Lawrence Okah has limitations mentally. His entire plot to destabilise the
party failed woefully as soon as he predicated his actions on the State Working Committee. It meant
that he lacked understanding of the constitution of the party as having to do with any officer. It is only
the State Executive Committee that can remove an officer of the party, not the Working Committee. So,
if he went and gave money to some people; because I heard that it was the national chairman who gave
him money to come and spend in Benin. He spent part of the money but I don’t think they succeeded in
getting what they wanted to buy. He has been exposed and he has been expelled from the party.

Okah also issued another statement yesterday saying the State Working Committee has passed a vote of
no confidence on you. What is your reaction to that?

Like I just told you, in this matter, the State Working Committee is irrelevant except as being members
of the State Executive Committee. The State Executive Committee met yesterday, including all the
local government chairmen; that means yesterday, we had 40 of us together. What is left is about eight;
three party chairmen and five others. Can eight people override 40? That is practically impossible. So,
that already tells you that their actions amount to nullity. They just believe that because Oshiomhole is
the national chairman, he has become the Commander-in- Chief and we say no! There is no such thing
in our constitution. Even Oshiomhole as big as he is as the national chairman, is subject to the
constitution of the party.

Osagie Ize- Iyamu, the governorship candidate of the PDP in the 2016 governorship election has
intimated journalists that he is returning to APC. What value do you think he would add to your party?
Well, he hasn’t told me yet that he is joining the APC. But I want to assure you that if he comes, he will
meet us here. We are at home.

As the state chairman of the party, what do you think is the way forward out of this lingering crisis so
that Edo APC can be united ahead of next year’s governorship election?

The only solution is that, let Oshiomhole just leave Edo State APC to run itself. He has a huge job in
Abuja as the national chairman of the party. With all that is going on in the party nationwide, he needs
more than 24 hours to do his job. So, why is he concerning himself with what we used in making stew
in Benin City? Why should he worry himself with our affairs, trying to interfere in every issue? He
went to gather around him those who fought him throughout the period he was governor when we
stood by him. Those who fought against him are now the people he is using to destabilise the party and
he expects to succeed. How can that be?

Don’t you think the Edo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will want to latch on to
this crisis in your party?

They are not strong enough. You can see now that they are already in deeper crisis with the suspension
of some of their key leaders. They are disorganised and disintegrating, so we don’t see them as a threat
at all. The only strong force in Benin is Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Are you sure he is going to win if he seeks re-election?

I am very sure; I am very confident that we will win. I am also very confident that our party members
will be reasonable and they will do what is normal by giving the right of first refusal to the incumbent,
particularly when he has done well.

You recently threatened to suspend or even expel members of Edo People Movement (EPM) from the
APC. What informed this decision?

Anybody that is organising a parallel group in the party will have to contend with us. There is no better
way to destroy a party than to encourage factionalisation. We have zero tolerance for that and the
constitution states very expressly that it is not acceptable and we will deal with it.

It has also been alleged that the national chairman will focus his attention on Edo after the conclusion
of the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections. How prepared are you for his onslaught given his
combative nature?

He will meet us here. We are here as a family waiting for him.

Buhari Knows Nothing About His Govt – Arewa
Youth Consultative Forum
Arewa youths insist Buhari not in charge of govt, reveals those ‘controlling’ president The Arewa
Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, on Monday, insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari was not in
charge of his government.
In an exclusive chat, AYCF President General, Yerima Shettima, stated that “a team of cabals” are in
charge of the All Progressives Congress, APC-led government and not Buhari. Shettima was
responding to Buhari’s insistence that he was in charge of his government and not his Chief of Staff,
Abba Kyari as widely speculated.
In a statement forwarded through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu,
Buhari had warned that there cannot be anyone too powerful for him to control.
The President is in absolute control of his government. The media should stop attributing non-existent
powers to some people
There cannot be anyone too powerful for President Buhari to control,” the statement had read.
However, Shettima disagreed with the declaration of the president.
According to Shettima: “I totally disagree with Buhari, from the day this present cabinet was formed
and Buhari asked his ministers to report to his Chief of Staff, I knew he’s not in charge of this
government.
What do you expect when they choose to tell Buhari what he wants to hear and deprive him of what he
is supposed to know? “They keep him where he just signs papers without even inspecting the
documents, something is wrong somewhere.
“It’s high time patriotic Nigerians all came together, irrespective of where we come from and protect
our democracy because it has been threatened.”

How Oshiomhole's Plot To Install Caretaker Committee In Edo

APC Was Aborted
Details emerged on Wednesday on why Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
suspended Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and also sacked its Secretary, Lawrence Okah.

Speaking with our correspondent, multiple party sources said the action was taken against Oshiomhole
after it was discovered that he was using Okah and few others to cause crisis in the party.

A credible source said Barr. Anselm Ojezua quickly moved after realising that Oshiomhole’s intention
is to instigate crisis in the state chapter of the party and then constitute a caretaker committee that will
be loyal to him to manage the party’s affairs.
Ojezua, who became the chairman of the party in 2014 when Oshiomhole was governor of Edo State, is
fiercely loyal to the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, who is having a running battle with Oshiomhole
over the control of political structures in the state.

According to our source, Okah who is a loyalist of Oshiomhole was trying to coerce some members of
the State Working Committee to revolt against Ojezua’s leadership.

“The national chairman was suspended when his clandestine move to cause crisis in the Edo State
chapter of the party was exposed.

“Having realised that the Anselm Ojezua-led Working Committee was on the side of Governor
Obaseki, he tried to engineer a crisis in the party so that the National Working Committee (NWC) can
step in by setting up a caretaker committee whose members will be loyalists of the national chairman.

“Their secret was exposed and the leadership of the party who are already fed up with the national
chairman’s undue interference in their affairs suspended him”, he said.

Sources said Okah who was fronting for Oshiomhole was said to have collated signatories of some
executive members at his residence.

However, his plot was blown open when auditor of the Edo APC, Comrade Timothy Osadolor, returned
the N1 million he was given to sign the vote of no confidence notice on Ojezua.

Osadolor, who distanced himself from the document purporting to remove Ojezua from office, said
they were taken in a commando style to the residence of Okah where they were forced to sign the
document.

Giving details of the incident, Osadolor explained that they were invited by a colleague for a meeting
from where they were whisked to Okah’s residence.

He said he was threatened and asked to sign the document if he wanted to leave the residence alive.

He stated that he had to append a fake signature against his name to regain freedom.

According to him, “What happened, to the best of my knowledge, is an act of desperation taken too far.
We were taken in a commando style to the house of the state secretary, where I was forced to sign the
documents purportedly removing Anslem Ojezua.

“There were just eight or nine signatures on the document. My name was badly spelt. I didn’t draw
their attention to it but had to play along by signing the document with a fake signature.”

The Financial Secretary, Princess Golda Oribhabor-Onwuka, also said she signed the document under
duress.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, Ojezua said Oshiomhole
was the one sponsoring dissidents in the party because of his obsession for power.

“Well, we already knew over time that he had a hand in all these destabilising elements that have been
parading themselves in these past few months.

“But events of the last 48 hours confirmed to us that Oshiomhole was not just behind it, he is also
desperate to retain power in Edo State for whatever reasons I don’t know. But it is an act of
desperation, obsession for power and insatiable greed. That is what I believe is driving all his actions”.

Also speaking on why Okah was sacked, Ojezua said he was given money to buy over loyal party
members to Oshiomhole’s camp, a move which failed woefully.

“All I know is that the guy, Lawrence Okah, has limitations mentally. His entire plot to destabilise the
party failed woefully as soon as he predicated his actions on the State Working Committee”

“It meant that he lacked understanding of the constitution of the party as having to do with any officer.
It is only the State Executive Committee that can remove an officer of the party, not the Working
Committee.

Nullifying Recruitment Of 10,000 Constables Will Cause

Economic Loss — AGF
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami says nullifying the
recruitment for 10,000 police constables will cause economic loss for the country. His submission is
contained in a counter affidavit filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja opposing the suit by the
Police Service Commission seeking to quash the recruitment of 10,000 constables. The commission
had filed the action in September challenging the recruitment exercise for 10, 000 new Police
Constables embarked by the Nigerian Police Force.

But in a counter-affidavit filed through the Office of the Solicitor-General of the Federation and
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Dayo Apata, the AGF is contending that the recruitment was
not stated by the Nigerian Constitution as a function of the PSC. The AGF said the recruitment exercise
had gone through significant stages with millions of naira already spent in the process, stressing that
“That nullifying the current exercise will occasion serious economic loss to the country.” Justice
Inyang Ekwo yesterday fixed November 20 to enable the AGF serve lawyers with copies of the counter
affidavit filed.
NT: See How your company can land you in
trouble when hate speech bill becomes law
On Tuesday, the senate reintroduced the bill seeking to prohibit hate speech in the country. The bill
entitled, “National Commission for the Prohibition of Hate Speeches Bill 2019” is being sponsored by
Sabi Abdullahi, deputy majority whip of the senate.
The proposed legislation has sparked outrage and condemnation over some of its provisions. In the
previous assembly, Abdullahi sponsored the same bill, but it did make it through to third reading.
The current bill prescribes death penalty for hate speech and the establishment a commission to
prohibit it.
Here are some highlights of the bill:
WHAT CONSTITUTES AN OFFENCE?
According to the bill, a person who uses, publishes, presents, produces, plays, provided, distributes
and/or directs the performance of any material, written and or visual which is threatening, abusive or
insulting or involves the use of threatening, abusive or insulting words or behavior commits an offence
if such person intends thereby to stir up ethnic hatred, or having regard to all the circumstances, ethnic
hatred is likely to be stirred up against any person or persons from such an ethnic group in Nigeria.
DEATH BY HANGING
Section 4 (2) of the bill provides that any person found to have committed this offence shall be liable to
life imprisonment and where the act causes any loss of life, the person shall be punished through death
by hanging.
Section 6 (1) provides that any person who knowingly utters words to incite feelings of contempt,
hatred, hostility, violence or discrimination against any person, group or community on the basis of
ethnicity or race, commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a
term not less than five years, or to a fine of not less than N10 million or both.
NOT JUST INDIVIDUALS CAN BE FOUND GUILTY
The bill says in the case of an offence committed by a body of persons where the body of persons is a
corporate body, every director, trustee and officer of that body corporate shall also be deemed to be
guilty of that offence; and
(b) where the body of persons is a firm, every partner of that firm shall also be deemed to be guilty of
that offence.
Going by this, the fate of individuals in organisations are tied to their colleagues.
ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMISSION
Section 9 (1) provides for the establishment of a commission to be known as the Independent National
Commission for the Prohibition of Hate Speeches.
Section 9 (2) provides that the commission shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a
common seal and shall, in its corporate name, be capable of
(a) Suing and being sued,
(b) Purchasing or otherwise acquiring, holding, charging or disposing of movable and immovable
property;
(c) Borrowing or lending money; and
(d) Doing or performing all other things or acts for the furtherance of the provision of this Act which
may lawfully be done of performed by a body corporate.
Section 10 (1) provides that the headquarters of the commission shall be in Abuja, but the commission
may establish branch offices in each of the states of the federation in Nigeria.
The bill is not yet a law so it cannot take effect.

NT: Senate gives one condition to kill ‘hate

speech’ bill. See the One condition Here
The senate says it will quash the hate speech bill if it realises that the bill could bring about hardship for
Nigerians.
Godiya Akwashiki, vice-chairman of senate committee on media, said this while addressing journalists
in Abuja on Wednesday.
The proposed legislation was reintroduced on Tuesday shortly after the upper legislative chamber
introduced a bill to regulate social media.
Many Nigerians including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have opposed the bill described as an
attempt to clamp down on freedom of speech in the country.
Akwashiki, however, said whether it will be passed or not depends on the impact it would have on the
lives of Nigerians.
“If it is a bill that will represent the wishes and interests, it would scale second reading. (But) if it is a
bill that would create hardship, or bring crisis for the people of  Nigeria, I want to assure that it will be
killed on the floor of the Senate by other senators when it comes for second reading,” he said.
“Yes, it has not been mentioned for the second time on the floor of the senate; even if it scales second
reading, it will protect your interests and give immunity without fear or favour. I want to assure you.
He also urged Nigerians to be patient and allow the bill go through the normal legislative process,
especially as the bill had only been called for first reading.
“I want to urge Nigerians to exercise patience with the senate because it is not wise or legally right for
me to discuss a bill that has not been mentioned for the second time on the floor of the senate,” he said.
“It is just like you are trying to discuss somebody’s sickness when you have not approached a doctor. I
want to urge you to be patient, when the Bill comes for second then you will know where the bill is
heading.”

APC NWC Upholds Suspension Of Edo Party’s Chairman

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has upheld the
suspension of the suspension of the party’s chairman in Edo, Mr Anslem Ojezua, by 11 of 16 members
of the State Working Committee (SWC).

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Lanre Issa-Onilu, the party said that the
party’s state working committee had fulfilled the required conditions after it reviewed the process that
led to Ojezua’s suspension.

“The meeting of the NWC, which held today, at the Party’s National Secretariat received a notification
of the suspension of the Edo APC Chairman, Anslem Ojezua by 11 of 16 members of the Edo Working
Committee (SWC).

“We have reviewed the process they followed and conclude that they have fulfilled the required
conditions.

“We therefore uphold the suspension of the Edo APC Chairman, Anslem Ojezua while we await the
outcome of the fact-finding and reconciliation committee,” Issa-Onilu said.

According to him, the NWC’s objective and cause of action is strictly to address the root causes of the
disputations and reconcile all parties to make our great party even stronger.

The party’s spokesman said that the political development within the party ranks in Edo Swas deeply
disturbed by the recent turn of events.

“We note that this is happening in spite of the various steps the party has taken to find an amicable
resolution.

“We recall that party leaders such as the Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Gov. Kayode
Fayemi of Ekiti and Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of
Kebbi and other eminent party leaders, had all tried at various times to ensure that the issues do not
escalate.

“Sadly, these interventions have not yielded the desirable results.

“However, the immediate concern of the NWC is how to ensure that unity returns to the ranks of the
party in Edo.
“In achieving this, we have decided to constitute a high-power fact-finding and reconciliation
committee of party leaders to meet with all disputing parties to ensure that all issues are addressed and
resolved,” he said.

70-year-old Ogun Bridge About To Collapse

The people of Iseyin in Oyo State have urged the Federal Government to find a solution to the
dilapidated Odo-Ogun bridge along Iseyin-Oyo road.
They said it would soon collapse and might cause loss of lives and property.
In a statement to reporters yesterday signed by the National President of Iseyin Development Union
(I.D.U.), Alhaji Bayo Raji, it was revealed that the bridge was built over 70 years ago, while the road
from Iseyin to Oyo has collapsed.
Motorists plying Oyo-Iseyin route recently protested the neglect of the road by the Federal
Government, causing hardship for travellers plying the road with goods.
The group, however, hailed Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for heeding the call of the Oke-ogun
people to reconstruct the Iseyin-Moniya road, which was abandoned by past administrations.
Raji said the governor was worthy of praise because of the way he has been working since the
inception of his administration, especially by providing social services such as free education, health
care services, agricultural revamping and sustainable economic drive.
He said: “We need to reiterate the fact that Oke-Ogun area has 60 per cent of landmass, which is
majorly serving the agricultural sector. The Federal Government has been making fervent campaign
about reinventing agriculture. But without good roads, this will not work.

Read Also: Oyo state revokes contract with West Africa ENRG

“The Iseyin-Oyo road has collapsed and the Odo-Ogun bridge is apt to describe the condition of the
road. The bridge is over 70 years old and has claimed several lives in the past. We implore the Federal
Government to expedite action by making the road good again so that the people can enjoy the
dividends of democracy.
“The national body of this organisation wants to use this medium to thank Governor Makinde for the
re-award of the road contract between Iseyin and Moniya in Ibadan. This is a blessing and it has
brought joy, not only to the people of Iseyin, but also Oke-Ogun people.
“This is because the Moniya-Iseyin road serves as the gateway to Oke-Ogun, which covers 60 per cent
of landmass of Oyo State. It is the food basket of a large proportion of Nigeria that is beyond Oyo
State.”
Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun said Iseyin people have
done well by appreciating the governor, who he noted would never abandon them for supporting him
during the last governorship election.
Obaseki: “No One Made Me Governor”
As the crisis within the APC in Edo state deepens, Governor Godwin Obaseki, the state governor,
yesterday denied claims made by supporters of his predecessor and APC National Chairman, Adams
Oshiomole, that the latter facilitated his emergence as governor of the state.

Obaseki denied the claims at a meeting organised by members of the APC in the state to ratify the
suspension of Oshiomole from the party. He stressed that no one made him a governor and that his
emergence as a governor is by the grace of God.

Speaking at the meeting, Obaseki who has been in a running battle with Oshiomole, the APC National
Chairman, said he is not happy with the recent political developments in the state, especially the
disruptions from a once-trusted leader who has thrown caution to the wind to cause disaffection among
APC members in the state.

While speaking to the party faithfuls, the governor said when he first met Oshiomhole 12 years ago,
they shared a common interest in salvaging Edo State but all that has changed in recent times.

"I am not an ungrateful person. No one made me governor. I became governor by God’s grace, with the
support of many other people. If God had said I would not be governor, no way would I have been a
governor. It is wrong for someone to say he made me governor.

“No one gave me money. The funds Oshiomhole initially raised for his governorship ambition was
raised by me in Lagos. If I can raise money for him for his election, why would I not be able to raise
money for my own election.

If you came into power on some basic principles, do not expect to change those principles because you
have certain ambition. If you came to power believing no man is God, then the day you start to play
God, you will get the consequences.” Obaseki said.

El-Rufai Will Never Be President - Abiodun Ogunyemi, Bishop

Of Zaria
The Bishop of Zaria, Rt Rev Abiodun Ogunyemi has denounced the Archbishop of Kaduna and the
general secretary of the Anglican Consultative Council for paying what he termed as a “humiliating
visit” to Governor Nasir El-Rufai to apologise for criticising him over a plan to demolish the St
George’s Cathedral in the university town.

Ogunyemi said the apology was all an attempt to make the governor look good in preparation for a
possible presidential ambition in 2023. But to Ogunyemi, the apology boiled to nought, according to a
statement he published on the church’s website, zariadiocese.org.ng.

“The governor should know that he will never be president of Nigeria. I speak prophetically as a
servant of the living God,” the Bishop of Zaria said.

“Let fake Christians and religious spies placed in our church by a particular religion be aware of the
consequences of their actions because heaven is watching. May the Lord expose these spies in our
midst on Jesus Name.

In fact their actions now show very clearly that they are working for an interest against the church. The
Lord in His mercies will raise help to deliver His church from fake Christians, fake converts and
novices,” the bishop said.

The bishops that drew the ire of Ogunyomi are the Most Rev. Ali Buba Lamido, Archbishop of Kaduna
Province and the Bishop of Wusasa, and the former Archbishop of Kaduna and current ACC leader, Dr.
Josiah Idowu-Fearon and the general secretary of the Anglican Consultative Council.

Ogunyemi said the Anglican leaders have placed loyalty to Muslim politicians over loyalty to the
Church of Nigeria.

He singled out Lamido for special venom, accusing him of compromising Christian standards and the
truth and he and Idowu-Fearon for ”their intrigues with the government of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

According to a report written by George Conger in Anglican.ink , the dispute arose over the attempted
seizure by the Kaduna State government of St George’s Cathedral in Zaria.

Your Life Is In Hands Of The Court - Judge Tells Journalist,

Agba Jalingo
Judge of the federal high court in Cross River state's capital Calabar, Simon Amobeda has revealed that
he told Agba Jalingo, the journalist arrested on charges of disturbance of public peace and treason over
his publication and social media posts about Governor Ben Ayade that his life is now in the hands of
the court.

Recounting what transpired in court on Tuesday November 12 as Jalingo appeared for trial on
Wednesday November 13, Amobeda said he made the statement after the defence counsel Adeyinka
Olumide-Fusika walked out during a court session.

The Federal High Court Judge also alleged that the senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) had a habit of
shouting in the court.

Amobeda who further disclosed that he was accused of conniving with the prosecution by Olumide-
Fusika, added that the case will go on with or without him.

“In the three times he appeared before the court, the first time he was to bring down the court, the
second time he was gentle, the third time yesterday he was shouting on top of his voice. I refuse to be
intimidated,” Amobeda said.

Also backing his statement by with the case of Saro-Wiwa, Amobeda said “Late Gani Fawehinmi
walked out on the tribunal in Ogoni matter. What happened? The matter went on and Ken Saro-Wiwa
was convicted and sentenced to death.”

Olumide-Fusika clashed with the Federal High Court Judge after he granted leave to the prosecution to
mask its witnesses; journalists, friends, family and supporters of Jalingo were sent out of the court
room as a result of this. Amobeda however insisted that the aggrieved defence counsel should approach
the Court of Appeal over the ruling.

Nigeria Police Force Has Arraigned The Editor Of Newsdigest,

Gidado Yushau
Police Arraign Young Editor, Campus Journalist over Report on Presidential Adviser’s Factory The
Nigeria Police Force has arraigned the young Editor of NewsDigest, Abuja-based online newspaper,
Gidado Yushau and award-winning Campus Journalist, Alfred Olufemi before a magistrate court in
Ilorin Metropolis. They were arraigned over a petition from a company owned by the just appointed
Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Finance and Economy, Dr. Sarah Alade over an
investigative report on hemp smoking published on 19 May 2018. The investigative report titled:

“Inside Kwara factory where Indian hemp smoking is ‘legalized,” was authored by Mr Olufemi, a
student journalist from one of the premier universities in the country. According to the report, Hillcrest
Agro-Allied Industry, one of the groups of companies owned by the former Deputy Governor of
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Sarah Alade tolerated the smoking of cigarettes, as well as Indian
hemp by workers within its vicinity. The report also stated that the industry refused to respond to
Olufemi’s inquiry on the disturbing situation after he had put several calls and text messages to the
industry’s hotlines. Police operatives earlier arrested the platform’s professional webmaster, Adebowale
Adekoya in Lagos and Gidado Yushau in Abuja before taking them to Ilorin for further questioning.

Olufemi Alfred voluntarily submitted himself to the police later in Ilorin. According to the police, their
arrest was based on a petition received from the company’s management, which debunked the claims in
the publication. However, on Tuesday, the two defendants (Gidado and Alfred) were charged with
Criminal conspiracy and defamation against Sections 97 and 192 of the penal code.

The First Information Report (FIR) obtained by PRNigeria averred that the two defendants “criminally
conspired to tarnish the name and image of Hillcrest Agro-Allied Industries” Both Messrs Shuaib and
Olufemi pleaded not guilty before a Magistrate Court in Ilorin Metropolis Following the bail
application made by the defence counsel, Barrister Usman Kola Belgore, the Chief Magistrate of the
Court, Magistrate A.O Muhammed released the defendants on grounds of recognition and that they are
innocent until proven otherwise. The conditions of bail include two sureties each who are relatives of
the defendants with a bail bond of two hundred thousand naira(N200,000.00) The case was adjourned
for hearing on January 13. Earlier, Messrs Gidado Shuaib and Adekoya were detained and subsequently
released by the Kwara State Police Command after they were thoroughly quizzed for publishing the
investigative report.

The reporter of the story, Alfred Olufemi is a university student and an investigative journalist whose
works have appeared in major news media in Nigeria. He is a recipient of News Editor Award of the
Nigerian Universities Merit Award (NUMA) 2018, Campus journalist of the year 2018 and
Investigative Reporter of the Year at the 2019 Campus Journalism Award. One of his award-winning
investigative reports include “Kwara communities where pregnant women abandon health centres for
herbalist,” and the report on the factory belonging to Buhari’s Adviser, Sarah Alade.

We Will Monitor Bayelsa Governorship Election Closely - U.S

The United States says it will monitor the governorship election in Bayelsa state closely, and would
consider consequences for violators of electoral rules.

This was made known by Claire Pierangelo, US consul general in Nigeria, during a press briefing in
Lagos, on Wednesday.

Pierangelo said, “We are going to consider what consequences we are going to impose. As friend of
Nigeria and its people, we will follow the election closely. We will be out there in the field observing
the election,” she said.

“I am aware that many other foreign, international organizations will also be on the ground in Bayelsa.
We will work closely with our colleagues and partners in the international community to promote a
credible process that will benefit the people of Bayelsa.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had scheduled the gubernatorial election in
both Bayelsa and Kogi states for November 16th.

The consul general therefore urged INEC to operate “free from outside pressure and intimidation and in
a totally objective manner.”

“Voter intimidation, vote buying, interference by security forces, and violence cannot be tolerated. The
professional conduct of all stakeholders – especially security forces – is crucial for free, fair, credible,
transparent and peaceful elections,” she said.

“The Nigerian security services must provide a safe, secure, and impartial environment for the people
of Bayelsa to exercise their right to vote. Political actors, political parties, bloggers and other
influencers must not engage in hate speech or incite violence. People who engage in such conduct must
be held accountable.
“I encourage all eligible voters in Bayelsa to participate in the upcoming election and exercise their
political franchise. A large turnout will enhance the credibility of the election and Nigeria’s democratic
reputation. I would especially ask that every effort be made to boost the participation of women, youth
and people living with disabilities.”

13 Killed, 10 Injured In Multiple Accidents On Lagos-ibadan

Expressway
No fewer than 13 persons were killed on Wednesday in a multiple accident along the Lagos-Ibadan
Expressway.

Ten other persons were injured in the fatal crash, which occurred around Saapade, Remo North Local
Government Area of Ogun State.

No fewer than 13 persons were killed on Wednesday in a multiple accident along the Lagos-Ibadan
Expressway. Ten other persons were injured in the fatal crash, which occurred around Saapade, Remo
North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The state Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Florence Okpe, confirmed the
incident in a statement made available to New Telegraph. Okpe disclosed that the mishap happened
about 5:00pm where a diversion was created by a construction company working on the highway.

The official said the crash involved three vehicles – a yellow Mazda bus marked KTU93XW, white
Toyota bus with registration number KEY847XA and a MAN Diesel truck with registration number
KAB97XA.
She explained that the Lagos-bound truck, which was speeding, suffered a tyre burst and veered off its
lane colliding into two commuter buses heading towards Ibadan. According to her, a total of 37 people,
comprising 20 male adults, 15 female adults and two female children were involved in the accident.

“The people injured in the crash were 10, comprising four male adults and six female adults, which
unfortunately killed 13 people which comprising four male adults, seven female adults and two female
children,” she said.
Okpe stated that the injured victims were rushed to Victory Hospital, Ogere for medical treatment while
the corpses of the dead were deposited at a mortuary in Ipara, Ogun State. She quoted the Sector
Commander, Clement Oladele, as requesting relations of the crash victims to contact the FRSC
command in Ogere.

She added: “The Sector Commander has again reiterated that this incident would have been avoided
where motorists driving along diversion areas at construction zones, observe maximum speed limit of
50 kilometres per hour and avoid overtaking till clearly out of diversion areas to avoid head on
collision.
“Passengers inside vehicles being driven recklessly should caution their drivers and where they refused
to be cautioned, the FRSC should be contacted on the FRSC toll free number 122.”

Buhari VS Atiku: Supreme Court To Deliver Full Verdict

Tomorrow
The Supreme Court will give a detailed explanation on Friday, November 15th why it dismissed on 30
October the appeal by Atiku Abubakar and his party, the PDP against the election of President
Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress.

The apex court on Wednesday, November 13th notified lawyers to parties in the appeal to
come for the reasons behind its verdict. The notice signed by Ibrahim Gold, a Registrar at
the Supreme Court reads: “IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA HOLDEN AT
ABUJA. SC 1211/2019: Atiku Abubakar & anor V. INEC & 2 Ors.
“TAKE NOTICE that the REASONS FOR THE JUDGEMENT delivered on Wednesday
the 30th day of October 2019 in the above named Appeal will be listed before the Supreme
Court of Nigeria on Friday the 15th day of November, 2019 at 9.00am.
“AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that in accordance with the Supreme Court Rules, this
Notice is deemed sufficiently served on you if it is delivered on your telephone”.

In a unanimous ruling on October 30, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad
said the panel had come to the conclusion that the appeal lacked merit.
“Having gone through the briefs for over two weeks we have come to the conclusion that this appeal
lacks merit. This appeal is hereby dismissed. Reason will be given at a date to be communicated to
parties”, the CJN declared.
He also said the detailed reasons would be given later.

Customs Seek Return Of Import Tax On Petroleum Products

The Nigeria Customs Service is seeking the reintroduction of import tax on petroleum products.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col Hameed Ali, said this at the 2020 budget defence before the
House of Representatives Committee on Customs.

The Federal Government in 2004 suspended the tax on imported petroleum products.

Before the suspension, a tax of N1.50 per litre of any petroleum product was paid by importers of fuel.

Speaking on the development, Ali said it had become imperative to reintroduce the tax regime in line
with global best practices.

He noted that currently, the same type of tax was being implemented in about 36 countries at an
average of $2.24 per gallon.
He said, “The petroleum tax regime of 2004 before its suspension imposed N1.50 per litre. It is the
considered opinion of the Service that this regime be reintroduced in line with international best
practices as it’s currently operational in over 36 countries at an average of $2.24 per gallon.”

The Custom boss also stated that he had forwarded a proposal for a downward review of vehicle tariff
to the Finance Ministry for consideration.

He said the service was proposing that Customs duty on imported vehicles should remain 35 per cent
while the levy be reduced from the current 35 per cent to between five and 10 per cent.

According to him, the proposal, if approved, will encourage compliance and boost revenue as the 70
per cent import duty and levy is encouraging smuggling of vehicles

On the issue of porous border, Ali said Nigeria has about 4,070km of land, adding that in the dry
season, the entire part of the North is usually accessible by road.

He said the service was currently working with the Nigerian Air Force on the deployment of geospatial
technology so as to check the trend.

He added, “That is why you see motorcycles ferrying rice every now and then as shown in some
videos. That is why we want to leverage technology to deal with it. Mr President has already approved
e-Customs.

“We’re working with the air force on geospatial technology that will be deployed. Our officers are
being trained by the air force. They will work to make the borders secure. Part of the ongoing drill is to
develop an action plan and we’re making progress.”

PMB Call 4 Mass Action In 2003 Is More Insidious Than

Sowore’s Call 4 Revolution
Political Analyst and fixer, Matthew Chima Amadi says President Muhammadu Buhari call for mass
action in 2003 when he lost the presidential election to Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is more
insidious than to incarcerated SaharaReporters Publisher Omoyele Sowore call for revolution.

He said in a series of tweets on his official twitter handle, in reaction to Buhari’s administration
continue incarceration of Sowore despite being granted bail by a Federal High Court for a second time,
but he is yet to regain his freedom despite fulfilling his bail conditions.

Recall that Sowore was arrested in the early hours of Saturday, August 3, 2019, after announcing his
plan to stage a nationwide protest tagged #RevolutionNow.
Sowore was subsequently flown to Abuja where he has been detained.

The refusal of the DSS to release Sowore as ordered by the court, has prompted nationwide outrage and
protests at the agency’s headquarters.

The DSS on Tuesday, November 12, assaulted some protesters who were demanding Sowore’s release.

He tweets read, “As I sauntered towards the lifts at the Hilton around 1am late April in 2003, I
wondered what was so urgent that warranted Baba summoning me that late. I knocked at his the door
of his Suite and he personally ushered me in.I walked in to see Chief Tony Anenih also seated.”

“I bowed and greeted Chief Anenih and as was customary with me,I sat on the floor very close to
Baba’s feet and looked down trying to avoid making eye contacts(my late godfather, Alh Garba Koko
was like a father to me). Both men were pensive.”

“For a brief 60 seconds nobody spoke, then Baba said to me, “Amadi, Buhari wants to throw this
nation into a crises. We need to have a ready troop of demonstrators to repudiate this his disgusting
call. How fast can you put it together”.

I told him that was not a problem. I waited for Chief Anenih to say something but “Mr Fixer” kept
mute. I then spoke again. “Baba, with due respect, can I express a difference of opinion?”

“Immediately, Chief Anenih who looked disinterested before this time became animated. Baba asked
me to speak. I told both revered men that organizing a team of demonstrators to my mind was walking
into Buhari’s trap.”

“I told them that one of two things could happen:a counter force would confront ours on the streets
which could lead to violence or they would arrange theirs on another day & may have a larger crowd to
surpass ours.”

“We have no right to prevent theirs from holding without being accused of stifling free speech. I
advised that we should rather put in place a forum or an event organized by an independent
organization but that would attract influential Nigerians and opinion leaders who would repudiate
Buhari’s call and ask him to tow the path of constitutional order.”

“I argued that no political, religious,business or academic leader in Nigeria would openly back a losing
candidate so there won’t be the possibility of a pushback from Buhari’s camp thereby leaving ours as
the predominant narrative.”

“I also argued further that if our plan was successful, Buhari would be firmly on the defensive and
would take the only honorable way out for him:approach the courts. I stopped speaking and bowed my
head again looking at the floor. There was quiet.”
Then Chief Anenih spoke for the first time but only with a question directed at my godfather. “Can he
be trusted to pull it off?” Baba answered him immediately.
“He doesn’t take no for answer. He will break down walls to get it done”. Chief then addressed me
directly: “my son, this is your show. We are not involved.
Anything you need shall be provided”. Baba then gently tapped me and asked me to see him later that
day for logistical support. I left both men. But hey, Mazi, why are you conspiring with old men against
Buhari in 2003? Let me explain.
The 2003 elections was over and predictably, Buhari lost by over eleven million votes to the PDP’s
Obasanjo.
However,rather than concede defeat to Obasanjo and perhaps congratulate him, Buhari showed the first
signs of his penchant for anarchy: he called for a MASS ACTION against the Obasanjo government.
Yes, Buhari asked citizens to rise in defiance against constitutional order and to engage in a violent shut
down of government( REVOLUTION).The same “offense” that his government is punishing Sowore
for today.Buhari obstinately refused to go the tribunals.
He was more vested in rousing public sentiments against the OBJ government towards achieving his
Mass Action call. He was already gaining traction as the media had started to give him headlines,
thereby creating palpable tension in the country.
This was the background when Alh Koko who was OBJ’s SA PDP Affairs and the North West
Coordinator of his re-election and Chief Anenih, the Deputy National Coordinator, summoned me to
the Hilton. I quickly assembled my team and we got to work.We went to the Yar’Adua Center and
booked the venue for an event in May.
I then penciled down names of notable and well respected Nigerians from all works of life. Then I
started my cross country tours. One of the visits took me to a State in the South South where I sat down
with a well respected first class traditional ruler from there.
I spoke with the wily monarch & told him that he was going to be scheduled to speak after my opening
speech as the Co-Host and that he should make a short speech and end it with NO TO MASS ACTION,
YES TO DUE PROCESS. Told him that it would set the stage for what will happen that Night. He
agreed. After our meeting and as I made to leave, he told me that he wanted a small favour from
government.
I told him that I was not representing the government. He said he just wanted me to try. He said he
didn’t want to die without having a National honours award. I told him that he deserved it after
everything he had done for Nigeria. I left him. Then I proceeded to the North to balance it with another
traditional ruler. Long story short , we mobilized effectively.
Then I went to see the then PDP chairman, Chief Audu Ogbeh to personally invite him to the event and
to brief him. I then scheduled a meeting with some of my friends in the media.
Briefed them and told them that nothing but headlines the next day was good enough.We mapped out
plans to ensure that the news coming out from the event would be hyped enough to get the nation’s
attention.
Then I moved to NTA to negotiate with them. They wanted a live coverage which I rejected. Told them
to just give us 6 minutes during the 9pm news. I knew that a live coverage will give the event away as a
sponsored one thereby betraying my pact with Chief Anenih. D-day came and trust the PDP, the venue
was filled to the brim. Then the show started.
Speaker after speaker rose in condemnation of the Mass Action call by Buhari. By the time Alh Koko
rose to speak, the No to Mass Action chant was already reverberating all over the atrium hall of the
Yar’Adua Centre where the event was holding.
Then the icing on the cake was the oratorical prowess of the PDP Chair, Chief Audu Ogbeh. With well
marshaled points, he made it clear to Buhari that approaching the courts was the only acceptable option
left for him in a democracy. No name calling, no threats , just intellectually engaging arguments.
It was political oratory at its best. Various groups( women, youth and business leaders) lent their voices
too. It was a befitting response to Buhari. The event ended.
Well, the reports the next was resounding:Nigerians had rejected Mass Action.Buhari approached the
courts.
I have brought back this story for two reasons:to remind PMB that Sowore’s call for a revolution is in
no way more insidious than his call for Mass Action in 2003.A call that was dealt with not with crass
disregard for the rule of law but with civility.
The second reason is to remind those in charge of the PDP these days that being silent over Sowore’s
travails as the main opposition party- even when there are fundamental disagreements that exists
between the party and Sowore ,does not forebode well for us as a party.
The reality is that Sowore should not have been in the vanguard of the pushback to the tyranny of this
administration, it was and still is the primary responsibility of the PDP as the main opposition party to
provide leadership and direction.
We may disagree with his style, but his message must not be lost on us. The party is in the process of
reinventing itself, what better opportunity than this will beckon again for the party to side with a truly
nationalistic struggle.
We must jettison ego trips and realign with causes that affect the masses the most no matter who else is
in the trenches with us. At the height of the Occupy rallies, Comrades had to accommodate the likes of
Elrufai and Dino just to achieve our aim. This must be re-enacted.
To end this thread, let me assure readers that the wish of that traditional ruler was granted. I paid a visit
to then SGF Chief Ufot Ekaete and related to him the patriotism of this traditional ruler. The Monarch
was later bestowed with a CON title. That’s how you use power.
Farooq Kperogi Raises Alarm Over Threat To Life
United States of America based Nigerian academic, media scholar at Kennesaw State University,
Georgia, Professor Farooq Kperogi has raised an alarm over alleged plot by one Dr. Bello Inua Anka to
harm him in bid to silence his criticism of the administration President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Prof. Farooq said he was being threatened over a video he
shared on his facebook wall showing Buhari’s uncle, Mamman Daura celebrating his 80th birthday
with (more than 30!) family members and government officials in a posh London hotel while people
starve to death in Nigeria.

Titled “A Buhari Relative is Threatening Me Over the Mamman Daura London Birthday Video”, “I
didn’t shoot the video. It isn’t exclusive to me. In fact, it had already done the social media rounds
before I shared it on my social media handles.”

See his statement below…

A man by the name of Dr. Bello Inua Anka, who is married into the Muhammadu Buhari family, is
threatening me over the PUBLICLY available video that I—and thousands of other Nigerians—shared
on social media showing de facto president Mamman Daura celebrating his 80th birthday with (more
than 30!) family members and government officials in a posh London hotel while people starve to
death in Nigeria. (See screenshots of his threats).

He asked me— and reached out to a valued friend of mine to prevail upon me— to take down the video
on the excuse that his children are in it and that they’re being endangered. How? As I told him, I
haven’t seen anyone say anything about any child in the video. Everyone’s focus is on the hypocrisy of
closing the borders at home, insisting that traumatized, poverty-stricken people live within their means,
using security agencies to physically humiliate and harass poor people for eating foreign rice, etc. while
Buhari’s family members, and a few favored ones, live off the fat of the land at home and abroad, even
going so far as to celebrate the birthday of Buhari’s nephew in London— with ministers and senators in
tow. Not even Jonathan was this insensitive and hypocritical.

EFCC's Witness Contradicts Himself In Court

On Giving Money To Obasanjo | DAMMYLINK
Bashir Mohammed, an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission witness who made claims of
giving former President Olusegun Obasanjo the naira equivalent of $140,000 allegedly contradicted
himself in court on Wednesday November 13. 
In the statement which was admitted by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, Bashir said to be the first
prosecution witness in the trial of Abdulahi Babalele (son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku
Abubakar) contradicted his earlier statement of giving the money to Obasanjo personally by saying that
he gave the money to “one man” whose identity he did not know.
At the commencement of trial on Wednesday, the defence counsel Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) told
the witness to read one of the extra judicial statements made to the EFCC on March 11. 
Bashir read out loud: “I collected the dollars cash from Dan Asabe and I called Abdullahi
and he told me to take the money to Ogun State to Obasanjo’s library.”

“When I got to the library, I met a man who asked if I am Bashir and I said yes. He asked:
where is the message from Abdullahi? And I gave him the money. I don’t know the name of
the person I gave the money but I can identify the office. “

Ozekhome argued that the witness contradicted his evidence on Monday November 11. 
He said: “Yesterday, you said you gave Obasanjo $140,000 personally in his house, but in
this your statement today, you wrote that you gave the money to a man in the library that
you don’t even know his name.

“You told the court yesterday that you changed N50,400,000 that was transferred to you but
in your statement we have seen N53million and N52.5million that was transferred to you. “

The case in which Babalele was accused of laundering $140,000 in the build-up to the 2019 general
elections was adjourned to January 29 for further proceedings. 

One Dead, Many Injured As APC And PDP Thugs Clash In

Nembe, Bayelsa State
A PDP governorship campaign yesterday was disrupted by serious shooting after unidentified armed
men stormed the King Koko Square, Nembe, Bayelsa state.

A driver of Outside Broadcasting Van (OB Van) attached to Radio Bayelsa, Simon Onu, was reportedly
killed after he was hit by one of the stray bullets that flew uncontrollably at the local government area
following sustained gunshots by the thugs.

Many sustained injuries while trying to escape from the violent scene.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/B41mWgOJr5H/

Just In!!! Senators Rochas,orji Kalu Meet Chart Way Forward

For Igbo Nation
Former Governor of Imo State and Senator Representating Imo West Senatorial District, Rochas
Okorocha on Wednesday evening played host to former Abia State governor and Senator Representing
Abia North, Senator. Orji Uzor Kalu at his Abuja residence.
It was learnt that both Senator Orji Uzor Kalu who also doubles as the Chief Whip of the Senate and
Rochas Okorocha engaged in discussions of national interest.

According to sources both leaders also discussed on a charting a way forward for the Igbo race.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe Asks "Would Lai

Mohammed Be Alive Today If The Death..
“If the death by hanging hate speech law was in place during Jonathan’s administration, do you think
Lai Mohammed would be alive today?”- Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe asks
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has joined other Nigerians to reject the death by hanging Hate Speech bill
that has passed first reading in the Senate.
Speaking on Channels TV, Senator Abaribe wondered if the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai
Mohammed, would be alive if the law was enacted during the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
According to Abaribe, Lai Mohammed said so many unprintable things about Jonathan when he was
still President and Lai Mohammed’s right to express his opinion was not trampled upon.
When asked to comment on the controversial bill, Senate Abaribe responded
In forming my thoughts, I would want to read out some things for you just to put it in context.
”A government that is unwilling to take responsibility for anything should not be counted upon. A
government has repsonsibility to protect its citizens and not engage in blame game. Now this President
has finally owned up to his globally acknowledged incompetence. Never in the history of any nation
has incompetence and cluelessnes been exhibited by any leader as being exhibited today in this
government. This government is running the country aground with a combination of incompetence and
corruption. The fact of this government(sic) has nothing to do with ethnicity but a manifestation of
incompetence, cluelessness and inferiority complex.
These were the words of Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information between 2012 and 2014. I bet
you that anybody who says this today, they would say it is hate speech. They would say you have called
the president incompetent and they will jail you. That is why when you say you have the need to
circumscribe people’s rights, you should also remember the past. If a hate speech bill which advocates
death by hanging was in place between 2012 and 2014 when Lai Mohammed was making these acerbic
statements against the Jonathan administration, do you think he will be alive today?
The right to hold an opinion, make an opinion, is an inalienable right of every citizen of Nigeria and
when somebody who used to use this, shows up today and now says no you can’t do it for what he did
in the past, that tells you that it’s nothing but intolerance and driving us towards an authoritarian
government and I am saying that every Nigerian should wake up to fact that they don’t mean well for
us” he said
APC Has No Governorship Candidate In Bayelsa - Court
The Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State has ruled that the All Progressives Congress
(APC) has no candidate for the Saturday governorship election in the state.

Details shortly…

Vote According To Your Conscience ― Kogi Professionals

Kogi Professionals in Kaduna State (KPKS) have called on voters in the state to ignore the threat of
violence in the build-up to Saturday’s governorship election and vote only according to their
consciences.

In a statement issued in Kaduna, the group expressed concern at the boldness and audacity of political
thugs but enjoined Kogi voters to “reflect deeply, consider future implications for the state and its
people and decide on how best to love the state forward”.

The statement jointly signed by Isa Ainoko and Mrs Mercy Ipinmisho noted that “cultists, thugs and
praise singers are now being treated like royalty by politicians” in Kogi State, emboldening them to
“dare to unleash mayhem in the presence of the Inspector-General of Police and INEC chairman”

“It is extremely reprehensible that a state that is completely lacking in all the indices of development
and progress is also the state where extremely audacious thugs can attack a female governorship
aspirant in the presence of both the Inspector-General of Police and the Chairman of INEC.

Kogi/Bayelsa Elections: We Won't Accept Any 11th-hour

Judgements – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has foreclosed any adjustment to its
arrangement for the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections on account of recently delivered
court judgments.

Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who disclosed this on Tuesday in Lokoja,
during a stakeholders’ meeting/signing of peace accord among political parties and candidates, also
assured INEC was ready to conduct next Saturday’s election.

He declared all non-sensitive materials had been delivered to the commission’s office in Lokoja while
the sensitive materials had been delivered to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The INEC boss also emphasised the essential value of the Smart Card Readers (SRC), saying their use
is mandatory in accordance with the regulations and guidance of the commission for the conduct of
elections.

Yakubu however, appealed to all stakeholders to help the INEC in making the exercise a peaceful and
successful exercise, saying that all the efforts of the commission to deliver a free, fair and peaceful
election require the support and commitment of all stakeholders.

According to him: “I would like to assure the people of Kogi State that our preparations will not be
affected by the judgement delivered five days ago in which a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja
ordered the Commission to include a political party on the ballot.

“Although the judgement is at variance with the decision of another Federal High Court in Abuja
delivered ten days earlier which affirmed the propriety of the Commission’s action in a similar case by
another political party, INEC has a consistent record of obeying court orders.

“However, we will consider legitimate steps to address the conflicting judgements by courts of
coordinate jurisdiction in the interest of our electoral jurisprudence.

“Furthermore, with four days to the Governorship elections, two more cases challenging the
decision of the Commission on the validity of candidates’ nominations have been reserved for
judgement in Bayelsa and Kogi States.

“In addition, there are twelve (12) cases of intra-party disputes filed by aspirants from different
political parties challenging the conduct of their own primaries and nomination of candidates,
some of which have been reserved for judgement in the next few days.

“I must admit that the plethora of court cases and conflicting judgements delivered on the eve of
elections in Nigeria are stressful to the Commission and costly to the nation.

Read Also; Kogi guber: PDP, SDP distributing cloned Bello gears to armed thugs – APC
“However, I wish to reassure the people of Bayelsa and Kogi States that learning from experience, the
Commission has taken steps to ensure that the elections on Saturday in the two States are not affected
by any eleventh hour judgement.

“With only four days to the election, how prepared is the Commission? The short answer is that we are
ready.

“So far, the Commission has successfully implemented 12 out of our 14-point plan for the election as
required by law.

“The Commission has delivered all non-sensitive materials for the election to our office here in Lokoja.

“The sensitive materials for the Governorship and Kogi West Senatorial Re-run elections are also
ready.

“As usual, they are being handled by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The normal process of
inspection and distribution of sensitive materials within the State will be done in the presence of party
agents, security agencies, observers and the media.

“The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Kogi State will communicate the date and time for
stakeholders’ inspection and the arrangements for deployment in line with the Commission’s
established procedure.

“For emphasis, let me reiterate that the Smart Card Readers (SCRs) have been configured.

“It is mandatory to use the SCRs for voter accreditation and authentication in line with the
Commission’s regulations and guidelines for the conduct of elections.

“Let me also reiterate that voter inducement in all forms, including vote-buying at polling units is a
violation of the law.

“The ban on the use of mobile phones and other photographic devices in the voting cubicles is still in
force and will be strictly enforced and monitored.”

JUST IN: Senate Swears-in Biodun Olujimi

The Senate on Thursday swore-in Senator Biodun Olujimi as the Senator representing Ekiti South
Senatorial District at the National Assembly.

Olujimi, garbed in a coffee-brown attire, was sworn-in by the upper chamber, following an oath
administered by the Clerk of Senate, Nelson Ayewoh, at exactly 10:40 immediately after the
commencement of plenary.

The lawmaker, who was the Minority Leader in the Eighth Senate, was last week declared winner of
the 2019 Senatorial election by the Kaduna Division of the Court of Appeal.

Rep Wants Oil Companies, DPRS To Relocate From Niger Delta

A motion seeking the relocation of headquarters of oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria and its
regulators to states where they have dominant operations is before the House of Representatives.
According to the sponsor of the motion, Hon. Farah Dagogo, representing Degema/ Bonny Federal
Constituency from Rivers State, the motion has been submitted to the leadership of the House
alongside another motion, urging the Federal Government to liberalize investment in solid minerals

He explained that the motion on relocation is fundamental as it would afford the oil companies and its
regulators to have a first-hand experience of ‘obnoxious and heinous policies’ they have visited on ‘oil-
bearing communities and states’ that ‘now languish with devastation resulting from oil exploration
activities’.
He expressed deep concerns that the activities of the oil companies have not only been detrimental to
the environment where they operate but have also exposed the inhabitants of the affected communities
and states to health hazards.
“Sadly, they have relocated their operational headquarters from these areas where they have committed
loads of atrocities to supposed safe havens. Revenues, job employments, tax applicable to the states and
other benefits that could be used to assuage those affected by these practices are rather hosted in cities
far from their exploitations. As a representative of those affected by these injustices, they have asked
me to speak and I have started the process and I’m confident my colleagues in the House will key into
it because it is all about the people, ” he said.
Regulators of the Oil and Gas companies expected to be affected by the relocations include;
Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, National Petroleum Investment Management Services,
NAPIMS, The Products and Pipelines Marketing Company, PPMC, and Nigerian Petroleum Exchange,
NIPEX.
He explained that the motion on liberalizing investment in Solid Minerals would enable the country to
not only diversify from its mono economy status but create employment and revenues that could be a
solution to the frequent borrowing to run the country’s budget.

” As a member of the National Assembly, it is our duty to also speak for Nigerians. This is about the
people, the people come first before political parties. That is what the motion on the need for the
Government to liberalize investment in Solid Minerals is all about. Our focus should not be on only oil,
we have gold, coal, iron ore, limestone, Bitumen and several others. If we tap from all of these, there
will be supersonic economy boom. Massive employments, large scale investments and most
fundamental, these incessant recourses to taking humongous loans to finance our budget will be fully
addressed.
Earlier, Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) National Vice President, South-South,
Comrade Louis Okeleke who paid the Lawmaker, a courtesy call, reminded him that his ascension from
the State Assembly to the National Assembly was laced with huge expectations, especially from the
South-South.
He encouraged the member to continually build on the enduring legacies he left at the State Assembly
by pursuing impactful laws that would be beneficial to the people.
“We know of your capabilities and capacities, especially those of us from the South-South. I had the
opportunity of observing you at close quarters when you were the House Committee Chairman on
Education in the Rivers State House of Assembly and your performances speak volume. We expect that
you would do even better at the National Assembly, “he added.
Others on the entourage included; Comfort Otuene, (Chairman, PASAN, Rivers State), Amonia Amaso,
(Secretary PASAN, Rivers State) and Siso Simeon (Ex Officio, South-South Zone)
Lawan Swears In Senator Olujimi As Adeyeye’s Replacement
Senate President Ahmad Lawan has administered the oath of office on Senator Biodun Olujimi as
Senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District.

Olujimi replaces former Senate spokesperson, Adedayo Adeyeye, whose election was nullified by both
the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Ado Ekiti and the Court of Appeal in Kaduna.

The Appeal Court judgment, which was initially scheduled to be delivered in Ado Ekiti, was moved to
Kaduna for security reasons.

The tribunal in Ado Ekiti on September 9 nullified declaration of Adeyeye as winner of the February 23
senatorial election.

In the judgment, the tribunal nullified elections in some polling units which left Olujimi polling 54,894
votes to defeat Adeyeye, who scored 52,243 votes.

Bill To Establish S/west Development Commission Scales First

Reading In Senate
A Bill to establish the South West Development Commission (SWDC) on Thursday scaled first reading
in the Senate.

The Bill titled: “South West Development Commission (Est, etc) Bill, 2019” was sponsored by a
former Governor of Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun Central, Ibikunle Amosun.

It could be recalled that upon the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
and North East Development Commission (NEDC), other geopolitical zones in the country have been
clamouring that a similar intervention agency be created to take care of their needs.

The South East Development Commission (SEDC) was on Wednesday (yesterday) reintroduced in the
Senate by Senator Stella Oduah representing Anambra North.

Greed, Obsession For Power Driving Oshiomhole’s Actions –

Edo APC Chair, Ojezua
Barr. Anselm Ojezua is the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state. In this
interview with TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI, he speaks on why the party suspended the national chairman
of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, planned defection of Pastor Osagie Ize- Iyamu and other
sundry issues in the state. Excerpts:

The Edo state chapter of the APC under your leadership on Tuesday suspended the national chairman
of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Why was that decision taken?
Well, we already knew over time that he had a hand in all these destabilising elements that have been
parading themselves in these past few months. But events of the last 48 hours confirmed to us that
Oshiomhole was not just behind it, he is also desperate to retain power in Edo state for whatever
reasons I don’t know. But it is an act of desperation, obsession for power and insatiable greed. That is
what I believe is driving all his actions.

Lawrence Okah, the former State Secretary of the party was earlier suspended but he has now been
sacked. What was his role in the whole of this crisis rocking the party?

All I know is that the guy, Lawrence Okah has limitations mentally. His entire plot to destabilise the
party failed woefully as soon as he predicated his actions on the State Working Committee. It meant
that he lacked understanding of the constitution of the party as having to do with any officer. It is only
the State Executive Committee that can remove an officer of the party, not the Working Committee. So,
if he went and gave money to some people; because I heard that it was the national chairman who gave
him money to come and spend in Benin. He spent part of the money but I don’t think they succeeded in
getting what they wanted to buy. He has been exposed and he has been expelled from the party.

Okah also issued another statement yesterday saying the State Working Committee has passed a vote of
no confidence on you. What is your reaction to that?

Like I just told you, in this matter, the State Working Committee is irrelevant except as being members
of the State Executive Committee. The State Executive Committee met yesterday, including all the
local government chairmen; that means yesterday, we had 40 of us together. What is left is about eight;
three party chairmen and five others. Can eight people override 40? That is practically impossible. So,
that already tells you that their actions amount to nullity. They just believe that because Oshiomhole is
the national chairman, he has become the Commander-in- Chief and we say no! There is no such thing
in our constitution. Even Oshiomhole as big as he is as the national chairman, is subject to the
constitution of the party.

Osagie Ize- Iyamu, the governorship candidate of the PDP in the 2016 governorship election has
intimated journalists that he is returning to APC. What value do you think he would add to your party?

Well, he hasn’t told me yet that he is joining the APC. But I want to assure you that if he comes, he will
meet us here. We are at home.

As the state chairman of the party, what do you think is the way forward out of this lingering crisis so
that Edo APC can be united ahead of next year’s governorship election?

The only solution is that, let Oshiomhole just leave Edo State APC to run itself. He has a huge job in
Abuja as the national chairman of the party. With all that is going on in the party nationwide, he needs
more than 24 hours to do his job. So, why is he concerning himself with what we used in making stew
in Benin City? Why should he worry himself with our affairs, trying to interfere in every issue? He
went to gather around him those who fought him throughout the period he was governor when we
stood by him. Those who fought against him are now the people he is using to destabilise the party and
he expects to succeed. How can that be?

Don’t you think the Edo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will want to latch on to
this crisis in your party?

They are not strong enough. You can see now that they are already in deeper crisis with the suspension
of some of their key leaders. They are disorganised and disintegrating, so we don’t see them as a threat
at all. The only strong force in Benin is Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Are you sure he is going to win if he seeks re-election?

I am very sure; I am very confident that we will win. I am also very confident that our party members
will be reasonable and they will do what is normal by giving the right of first refusal to the incumbent,
particularly when he has done well.

You recently threatened to suspend or even expel members of Edo People Movement (EPM) from the
APC. What informed this decision?

Anybody that is organising a parallel group in the party will have to contend with us. There is no better
way to destroy a party than to encourage factionalisation. We have zero tolerance for that and the
constitution states very expressly that it is not acceptable and we will deal with it.

It has also been alleged that the national chairman will focus his attention on Edo after the conclusion
of the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections. How prepared are you for his onslaught given his
combative nature?

He will meet us here. We are here as a family waiting for him.

No Single Bank Robbery Since I Became Governor - Ikpeazu

The Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has stated that infrastructure and security are top
priorities of his government, saying the state has not recorded any incident of bank robbery since he
came on board in 2015.

Speaking with newsmen in Umuahia, Governor Ikpeazu expressed gratitude to God for the feat he has
achieved in securing the state, adding that God is behind it.

"Infrastructure and security are strong enablers that drive trade and commerce. Since our administration
came on board, there has not been a single case of bank robbery. I give God the glory, I’m not boasting.
If there are things we have done to secure our environment, all the glory goes to God. When it comes to
things around security, I take it to God in prayer" he said.

He also said that companies that closed down in Abia at the heat of insecurity are beginning to come
back to business.

Akpabio, APC Threaten To Boycott Rerun Election

Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio and his party, the All Progressives Congress
(APC) have threatened to boycott the rerun ordered by the Court of Appeal in Essien Udim local
government area.

The rerun is to determine the actual winner of the Akwa Ibom Northwest senatorial district between
Akpabio and the incumbent, Senator Chris Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Akpabio and his party have insisted that they won’t participate in the rerun if the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) does not remove the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC),
Mike Igini, from the state.

The appellate court last Saturday ruled that Ekpenyong did not win in Essien Udim, Akpabio’s council
area and therefore ordered a rerun in 90 days.

But the Director-General of Godswill Akpabio Campaign Organisation, Dr. Chris Akpan, in Uyo
yesterday gave the indication that his principal may back out of the election.

Akpan said there was no guarantee that INEC in the state under Igini would be unbiased in the conduct
of the rerun, insisting that a new electoral umpire must be assigned to carry out the exercise.

“What will be the need for Akpabio to participate in the rerun with Igini as the State INEC REC? Of
course he (Igini) is going to repeat the fraud he committed in the last election.

“We insist that there must be a level playing ground for everybody. With Igini the ground will not be
level so we won’t participate.

“That is the position of my party and also my position as the DG of Akpabio’s campaign organisation.

“Why shouldn’t INEC do away with him (Igini)? We had complained about this man but they allowed
him work against the APC and its candidates in the last election,” he said.

Kogi 2019: Natasha Akpoti Drags Yahaya Bello To Court Over

Eligibility Status
Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi, Natasha Akpoti, has filed a suit
against Governor Yahaya Bello, challenging his fitness to contest for the November 16 governorship
election.

The case will be heard on Friday, a day to Election Day, before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal
High Court, Abuja.

Akpoti listed the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) as 1st and 2nd defendants respectively.

The suit dated October 10 and marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1221/2019, filed by Mike Ozekhome, on
Akpoti’s behalf, seeks the court’s determination on the eligibility of Mr Bello in the Saturday election,
having allegedly involved in double registration as a voter.

Akpoti said: “That by his wilful act of making double registration as a voter, Yahaya Bello, candidate
of the 1st defendant is not a fit and proper person to be allowed by the 2nd defendant to vote or be
voted for in the forthcoming Kogi state governorship election, having committed act of electoral fraud.

“That Mr. Yahaya Bello, the candidate of the 1st defendant, was initially registered as a voter sometime
in 2011 in Abuja, by the 2nd defendant.

“That Bello, the candidate of the 1st defendant, again fraudulently procured from the 2nd defendant a
second registration as a voter on 23rd May 2017 at Government House, Lokoja, while his 2011 first
registration as a voter in Abuja was still live, extant and subsisting.

“That the said Yahaya Bello, the candidate of the 1st defendant, carried out the double registration with
the 2nd defendant so as to scuttle due electoral process.

“That such a person is not a fit and proper person to vote for in any election, let alone for the high
office of the governor of a state.”

Akpoti had on Tuesday raised alarm after she was attacked by thugs suspected to be loyal to Bello at
the political stakeholders meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) in Lokoja.

Wike Receives Goodluck Jonathan And Patience At Rivers

Government House
H.E Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, recieved former Nigerian President, H.E Goodluck Jonathan and Dame
Patience Jonathan at the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt.

It is unclear what the former president and his wife came to do at Rivers State Government House but it
may related to Bayelsa State governorship election
Sowore Vs Buhari - The Guardian UK Calls Nigeria 'A Climate
Of Fear'
‘Climate of fear’: Nigeria intensifies crackdown on journalists

Fisayo Soyombo was eating an evening snack in Lagos in late October when a colleague called to warn
him about a plan hatched by Nigerian government officials at a clandestine meeting to arrest him.

Hours earlier, the second in a three-part undercover series by the Abuja-based investigative journalist
on corruption in Nigeria’s criminal justice system had been published.

“I made two more calls that night [to government sources] and it was clear I was in trouble,” Soyombo
said. According to all three contacts, the government wanted to prosecute him under a law
criminalising certain types of communication with inmates.

Soyombo pulled out of a public event he had travelled to Lagos for, and went into hiding.

Had he been detained, Soyombo would have been the latest victim of a crackdown on the media and
freedom of speech this year in Nigeria, which is 12th out of 13 on the Committee to Protect Journalists’
Impunity Index, a ranking of countries with the worst records of unsolved murders of journalists.

Soyombo said he received a lot of support on social media in the days after he went into hiding, and
that the plan to arrest him has seemingly been dropped. The Nigerian correctional service eventually
released a statement saying work could be done to clean up the system, and that it had “no intention of
arresting or harassing” Soyombo.

At least three journalists are currently detained in Nigeria.

Omoyele Sowore, an activist and founder of the New York-based online news agency Sahara
Reporters, was taken by secret police from a hotel room in Lagos in August. Sowore, who stood as a
candidate in February’s presidential elections and usually lives in the US, has been charged with
treason, cyberstalking and money laundering for allegedly sharing false and insulting information about
the president, Muhammadu Buhari. Despite being granted bail earlier this month his lawyers said they
were denied access to him, and he remains in detention and is currently on hunger strike.

Jones Abiri, the publisher and editor-in-chief of the Weekly Source newspaper, was arrested in May and
charged with cybercrime, sabotage and terrorism. The case related to 2016 allegations of links to rebels
in the Niger Delta, after which he was detained by Nigeria’s intelligence agency for two years without
trial.

In the southern state of Cross River, Agba Jalingo, who publishes the Cross River Watch paper, was
arrested in August, days after the publication of an article about alleged corruption. Jalingo has been
charged with treason and a bail request has been declined.

Human rights activists and civil society groups say that the muzzling of the press under Buhari has
raised the spectre of a return to the dark days of military rule in Nigeria.

Buhari, a former army general who has been president since 2015, was also Nigeria’s head of state in
the mid-1980s, when he took power in a military coup. At the time he introduced the draconian Public
Officers (Protection Against False Accusation) law, better known as Decree 4. The law targeted the
press, criminalising the publication of information deemed injurious to the junta.

“These [recent] incidents suggest a disturbing trend towards repression of freedom of expression and
create a climate of fear which may stifle the media,” said Anietie Ewang, Nigeria researcher at Human
Rights Watch. “Throwing reporters in jail for doing their job of informing the public sends a chilling
message to journalists, activists and citizens.”

Soyombo said gagging the press was a misuse of power. “It is an irony that a president and state
governors who ascended to power via the polls can suddenly not tolerate dissent,” he said.

Court Grants APC Right To Participate In Bayelsa

Governorship Election
Appeal Court Grants Stay Of Execution, Allows APC To Participate In Bayelsa Guber Poll

The Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, has granted a Stay of Execution on the
judgment of the Federal High Court in Yenagoa barring the All Progressives Congress (APC) from
participating in Saturday, November 16 gubernatorial election.

Jack Ma Meets With Yemi Osinbajo In Abuja

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo receives the co-founder and former Executive Chairman of popular
Chinese e-commerce firm Alibaba Group, Jack Ma in Abuja today.

The Vice President took to his twitter page to appreciate the richest man in China, Jack Ma with the
caption saying..

It was a pleasure receiving Jack Ma today at the office.

Thank you for acknowledging Nigeria's role in Africa and the world.

By leading a team of investors to Nigeria, I hope you see as we do, investment

opportunities in Africa's digital economy, infrastructure and her people.
Bayelsa Governorship: INEC Reacts To Court Judgement
Disqualifying APC
The electoral commission, INEC, has reacted to a Federal High Court ruling which invalidated the
candidacy of David Lyon, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming
election in Bayelsa State.

PREMIUM TIMES reported Thursday how the High Court in Yenegoa, on Thursday declared that the
APC does not have a governorship candidate in the election taking place on Saturday.

The court presided over by Justice Jane Inyang ruled that the governorship primary conducted by the
APC in the oil-rich state was not done in compliance with the guidelines and the constitution of the
party, and, therefore, the party has no candidate.

The APC is yet to react to the development, coming barely two days before electorates hit the polls.
When contacted, the party’s spokesperson, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said it will soon communicate its reaction
via a statement.

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday had also disqualified Mr Lyon’s running mate,
Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, from participating in the forthcoming election on the grounds that he
provided conflicting information on the documents he presented to INEC.

In its reaction, INEC said the election will go on despite the disqualification of the APC candidate.

“The court did not say INEC should stop the election”, said Sarian Dangosu, INEC publicity secretary
in Bayelsa.

“The court only said those who do not have candidates will be disallowed therefore, the other 43
candidates will go to the polls,” she noted.

APC conundrum
Saturday polls in Bayelsa was expected to be a straight race between candidates of the APC and the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but for the controversy trailing Mr Lyon’s emergence.

Mr Lyon, a relatively unknown aspirant then, defeated five other aspirants in the APC governorship
primary in September, including Heineken Lokpobiri, a former minister of state for agriculture and
rural development, who was seen by many as a front-runner in the race.

Mr Lokpobiri scored 571 votes, the second-lowest in the primary, while Mr Lyon, who had the backing
of the Minister of State for Petroleum and former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, had 42,138
votes.
Many party chieftains said the primaries left much to be desired, accusing the party national chairman,
Adams Oshiomhole, of conducting another undemocratic election.

Felix Oboro, a party chieftain and former senator from Bayelsa, said Mr Lokpobiri would have made a
better governorship candidate for the APC.

He said Mr Lyon has an obscure background. Nobody knows anything about him, he said.

After the primaries, Mr Lokpobiri approached the court, asking it to declare him, and not Mr Lyon, the
authentic candidate of the APC.

If Thursday’s ruling stands, the ruling APC will suffer yet another defeat caused by internal wrangling
within the party hierarchy.

It was the same internal party crisis that caused APC loses in states such as Zamfara and with Rivers. In
Rivers, the party’s candidates were disqualified before the general elections and thus could not take part
while in Zamfara, the candidates who had earlier been declared winners were disqualified by the
Supreme Court and opposition candidates then declared winners. Like Bayelsa, in both Rivers and
Zamfara, the cases were taken to court by aggrieved APC members.

Nigeria Meets Benin, Niger Over Border Closure

Nigeria is locked in a meeting with neighbouring countries over the recent border closure.

The Tripartite Committee Meeting by the Foreign Ministers of Nigeria, Benin and Niger Republic is to
consider the conditions put forward by Nigeria before the land borders can be opened for goods
importation.

The Federal Government Committee had met fortnight ago setting conditions for reopening of the
country’s borders for goods importation from neighbouring countries.

Nigeria also insisted that neighbouring countries must respect the Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS) rules of origin if they must bring goods into the country.

Details shortly…

Non-conveyance Of NEC: Oshiomhole Unfair To Buhari – APC

Governors
Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have said that the non-conveyance of the Party’s
NEC meeting by its Chairman Adam’s Oshiomhole was unfair to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The governors under the aegis of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) noted with displeasure that
it has been over 14 months since the last NEC was held in August 2019.

Mr Salihu Lukman, the Director-General of the Forum while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Thursday,
said that a National Executive Council meeting of the party had become necessary to address some of
the brewing crisis in the party.

He recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had appealed to the party’s leadership to institutionalise
the party’s by following rules of the party.

According to him, Oshiomhole should be fair to President Muhammadu Buhari because the president
has promised not to interfere with the affairs of the party and has demonstrated confidence on the
party’s leadership ability to manage the party’s affairs.

He said that it was also a breach of the party’s constitutional that the NEC had not been held in over
one year when the party’s constitution provides that it be held every quarter.

The director-general recalled that Oshiomhole had on May 10, 2018 made declaration speech that he
would ensure that all organs of the party regularly meet to promote internal democracy as stipulated by
the party’s constitution.

“For instance article 25 of APC constitution provides that National Convention shall be held once in
two years, NEC meeting holds every quarter and National Working Committee (NWC) meeting once
every month,” he said.

Lukman, who said that the party held its last NEC meeting in August 2018 ,said that all party’s leaders
needed to insist that NEC meeting should be convened.

The party officials had also made similar demand on Wednesday in a statement.

Port Of Ondo Project Gains Momentum As Akeredolu Receives

Implementation Plan
The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, on Thursday, November 14, 2019
received the Outline of Business Case, OBC, which comprehensively states the Project Implementation
Plan for the proposed Port of Ondo.

The presentation was made by the project Consortium comprising a Spanish firm, Ocean Infrastructure
Management, OIM, its Nigerian Partner, Franchise and Business Solutions Ltd, FBS; in the presence of
officials of Nigerian Port Authority and coordinated by the Consultant to Ondo State Government on
the project, Amiable Consultancy and Logistics Services Ltd.

Governor Akeredolu said his administration would give everything into actualising the project speedily
in view of its derivable benefits not only to the economy of the state and the country but to the entire
West African subregion.

He said: "Port of Ondo will be less than 45 minutes to Lagos by road and by water, it will be
shorter. With the location, Ondo will becomes a nerve center. Citing the port here is one of the
best thing that will happen to, not just Ondo, but Nigeria. We are not ready to waste any time.
We are ready to give all the support. We are serious about this port. We are very serious about it

“Look at the draft , it’s not found in any other place in Nigeri. We keep dredging when we have a
natural dredge in Ondo State. I’m told that mother ship can berth in port Ondo. Let us look at
the report. Let’s focus on the viability of the port Ondo."

The representative of the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) Mrs Elizabeth Awuletey described the project
as the dawn of a new era in the state.

Oyetola Presents N119.5 Billion Budget For 2020

…infrastructure, education, health, agriculture take lion share

Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Thursday laid before the State House of Assembly the
2020 appropriation bill put at N119, 550,401,040.00.

Critical sectors like infrastructure, education, health, water and sanitation and agriculture top the list of
allocations in that order.

The 2020 budget, tagged “Budget of Restoration” was prepared with the sole aim of meeting the
critical needs, yearnings and aspirations of the citizens in line with the state Developmental Plans, the
governor said.

On Expenditure, personnel takes N36,465,191,230.00 (30.50%); Overhead has N20,009,802,760.00

and consolidated revenue fund takes N1,200,000,000.00.

Recurrent expenditure was put at N57,674,993,990.00 while the capital expenditure was put at
N61,875,407,050.00.

The breakdown of the budget further shows that the Infrastructure sector takes the largest chunk with a
total sum of N9,318,841,640.00 (15.06%) followed by Water and Sanitation sector with a sum of N7,
581,241,350.00. (12.25%), while N6,517,762,830.00 (10.53%) was budgeted for the Education sector.

Governance and Administration sector has N4,323,555,790.00 (6.99%) while N4,311,456,450.00

(6.97%) was budgeted for Health sector.
Agriculture sector has N2,363,716,760.00 (3.82%); Security, Law and Justice Sector,
N1,425,784,530.00; Environment sector has N736,347,190.00 (1.19%); Commerce and Industry sector
N638,851,490.00 (1.03%); Economic Planning and Budget sector N345,864,600.00 (0.56%).

Other are: Information and Communication N205, 380,210.00 (0.33%) and Social Development and
Welfare N129,930,370.00 (0.21%) .

Addressing the House during the presentation of the budget, Governor Oyetola said the administration
was irrevocably committed to raising the standard of living of the citizens by ensuring judicious
implementation of the budgetary provision.

He noted that the 2020 Draft Budget was crafted based on the State of Osun Development Plan (2019-
2028), Medium Term Sector Strategy (2020-2022), Thank You Tour Report and Department for
International Development (UK-DFID) supported Citizens’ Need Assessment carried out in 30 Local
Governments and one Area Office.

“I stand to assure the good people of Osun that this administration will continue to pursue judiciously,
the formulation and implementation of policies, programmes and projects that will bring about the
restoration and the sustainable growth of our dear State as will be unfolded in the proposed Year 2020
Estimates.

“Since the 2020 draft Budget is in line with State of Osun Development Plans, 2019-2028, our major
focus is to meet the yearnings of the good people of the state and the completion of the ongoing
projects.

“It is indeed with a high sense of duty, therefore, that I present the appropriation bill for the 2020 fiscal
year. I, therefore, acknowledge the maturity, discipline and patriotism behind your individual and
collective conducts so far in your bid to uphold the tenets of democratic governance”, Oyetola said.

The Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye, promised that the House will not
hesitate to give the appropriation bill a speedy passage.

He assured that the members are set and ready to collaborate with the governor and other arms to move
the State forward.

“We are solidly behind you. Nothing can shake this government as I am confident that APC
government has come to stay in Osun”, the Speaker added.

Tricycle Riders In Abuja Dares Govt, Resumes Work

Tricycle Riders In Abuja popularly called Maruwa or Keke has defied the government directives
banning their activities in Abuja. Some riders were seen in some part of Abuja going about their normal
business. A rider who spoke to #AfricaGotTalents correspondent Said they were asked to go about their
normal business by their union leadership.

Why Are The Borders In North Open While The Borders In The
South Closed
In the House of Reps it has been revealed that the Borders in the North are Open!

Why are the Borders in the North Open at Night while the Borders in the South shut?

Something is wrong.
https://twitter.com/olushola_shola/status/1194973367549464577
https://twitter.com/AishaYesufu/status/1194974169890459648?s=19

Nigeria Donates $300,000 To Support South Sudan’s Army

The Federal Government has pledged its support towards ending the conflict in South Sudan with a
$300,000 (N108,450,000.00) donation to the unified South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).

Nearly 120 child soldiers freed in South Sudan he contribution will be applied to the provision of food
items and medicines to the Cantonment Sites, where the different armies from the African Union (AU)
are being selected, trained and deployed as unified South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).

El-Rufai Kneels Down, Begs Kogi People To Forgive Yahaya

Bello
Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State went all out on Thursday, going down on his knees to
canvass support for Governor Yahaya Bello’s re-election bid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPOUIMqfkGY

El-Rufai who is also the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Gubernatorial Campaign in Kogi
State made the gesture at a mega rally held for the governor in the state capital Lokoja.

“Many people say Yahaya Bello is young and that he has fought many people. For every one that the
governor has offended, I am asking all of you to forgive him. He is young, he is supposed to make
mistakes. When you are young, you make mistakes, but you are supposed to learn from him. On his
behalf, I am kneeling down to beg all of you to forgive Yahaya Bello if he has offended you,” the
governor said.

Beyond seeking forgiveness for whatever mistakes the governor had made, Governor El-Rufai praised
him for his performance and took a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party, urging the people to “bury
PDP once and for all”.

He claimed that although the PDP had ruled the state for a long time, they “have done nothing” in the
state.

“In the past four years, the progress recorded by the APC government under Governor Yahaya Bello is
more than what the PDP has tried to do in 13 years,” he said.

Whatever might have happened in the first tenure of Governor Bello, El-Rufai appealed to the people
to know that he cares about the people of Kogi State.

Singing Bello’s praises, El-Rufai said, “He cares about this state, he has brought progress to this state,
he has brought young people into government, he has brought women into government. He has brought
physical progress; he has cleared salary arrears that he inherited from previous governments.
“You must all come out and support him. I beg you all.”

Among those who canvassed support for the Kogi governor at the rally ahead of Saturday’s election
were the wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari; wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo;
and the National Chairman of the APC, Mr Adams Oshiomhole.

Bills To Establish South-east Development Commission Scales

First Reading
Bills seeking to establish the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) and South-West
Development Commission (SWDC) have scaled their first reading in the Nigerian Senate.

The bills to create the SEDC and SWDC were sponspored by Senator Stella Oduah (PDP, Anambra
North) and Senator Ibikunle Amosun respectively.

It was further gathered that the SEDC bill which also seeks the establishment of a governing board for
the commission which shall include one person from other geopolitical zones in the country, was
passed by the Eight Senate but failed to receive presidential assent.

Clause 15 (2a) of each of the bills stipulates that the equivalent of 10 percent of the total monthly
statutory allocation due to the member states of the commission shall be from the federation account.

Appeal Court Clears Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo For Bayelsa

Election
BREAKING: Appeal Court Clears APC To Participate In Bayelsa Governorship Election*

A Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has cleared the All Progressives Congress (APC) to participate in
Saturday's Governorship Election in Bayelsa State.

The Appeal Court made the following orders:

The appellate court also cleared the APC Deputy Gov candidate, Senator Biobarakuma Degi-
Eremienyo for the November 16 election.
This followed Thursday's stay of execution granted by the Appeal Court on a High Court order
disqualifying the APC Deputy Governorship candidate

The appeal court ruled That the status quo ante bellum which existed on or before the 19th September,
2019 when the suit was filed be maintained pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on
Notice.

3. The Motion on Notice to be heard on 20th November, 2019 and the Respondents to be served with
the Motion on Notice and and copy of the Court Order.

Timipre Sylva Says Appeal Court Has Granted APC Stay Of

Execution
The Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, has said that the Court of Appeal in Abuja
has granted stay of execution on the judgement delivered by the Federal High Court nullifying the
primaries of the APC ahead of the Saturday election.

Details shortly…

Buhari/Mamman Daura Told Facebook And Twitter To Take

Down Video - Kperogi
Buhari/Mamman Daura Told Facebook and Twitter to Take Down Video of Mamman Daura
Celebrating Birthday in London--THREAD

The Buhari/Mamman Daura government has managed to persuade Facebook and Twitter that the video
I shared of the children, grandchildren, in-laws, and Nigerian

Why are they embarrassed by the video? They haven't realized that by this action they've made the
video even more popular. The forbidden fruit, they say, tastes the sweetest. These Buhari/Mamman
Daura folks obviously have the IQ of their shoe sizes.

Hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of people have already seen, shared, and downloaded the
video. Only imbeciles lock the barn door after the horse has bolted.
https://twitter.com/farooqkperogi/status/1195018595757121538?s=19
A/court Sacks PDP Lawmaker, Orders INEC To Issue
Certificate Of Return To APC
Court of Appeal in Calabar on Thursday, November 14, 2019 nullified the State Assembly
election in Mbo State Constituency of Akwa Ibom, which had the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,
candidate, Okon Asukwo as the winner.

The appellate court, however, declared Effiong Johnson of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
winner and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission lNEC to issue Certificate of
Return to the APC candidate.

However, PDP in the state in reaction to the ruling, said the party would accept the verdict in good
faith.

The PDP State Publicity Secretary, Barr. Ini Ememobong, noted that since there was ‘no other avenue
of legal adjudication on this matter and the court process being part of the electoral system, the
outcome must be respected whether favorable or not!’

The statement read, “We have been briefed by the State Legal Adviser of our party, Goddy Umoh Esq,
on the judgement of the Court of Appeal in the appeal filed in respect of Mbo State Constituency
wherein the appellate court allowed the appeal and declared the candidate of the APC, Chief Effiong
Johnson as the winner of the elections.

“As a law abiding institution, we respect the judgment, since there is no other avenue of legal
adjudication on this matter. The court process is a part of the electoral system and must be respected
whether the outcome is favorable or not.”

The PDP, therefore, urged its supporters in Mbo to receive the judgement with maturity and conduct
themselves in a peaceful manner.

APC Governors Disown Call For Oshiomhole’s Resignation

Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have disassociated
themselves from a call by the Director General of Progressive Governors Forum, Saliu Lukman on
Wednesday in Abuja, asking the APC National Chairman to call the NEC meeting or resign.

They said the statement did not emanate and could not have emanated from the Progressive Governors
Forum.

A source close to one of the governors, said: “The Director General is on his own sponsored errand”.

It was also learnt there has been no meeting of the Progressives Governors Forum or that of the forum’s
executives to deliberate on current issues that could have warranted such volatile statement credited to
the Director General.

APC National Vice Chairman (South-South), Hilliard Eta, dismissed Lukman’s statement, saying the
director general was “speaking for himself”.

The Publicity Secretary of APC Caretaker Committee in Ogun State, Mr. Tunde Oladunjoye, when
contacted, stated neither the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, nor the party at the state was
part of such demand.

“I am sure that our Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, was not part of such demand and could not have
been part of it. Apart from the fact that the Progressive Governors Forum has not met to deliberate on
such issues, there are laid down rules and procedures for calling the National Executive Council (NEC)
Meeting of the Party,” he said.

Citing Section 12.3 of the APC constitution, Oladunjoye said: “the composition of the NEC of the Party
is very clear, and I am sure no discerning Governor or leader of the party will demand for convocation
of NEC in the absence of the President and no wise Chairman will make such a move.”

Nigeria To Form Border Force With Neighbors Benin And Niger

To Fight Smuggling
ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria and neighboring countries Benin and Niger have agreed to set up a
joint border patrol force to tackle smuggling between the West African countries, they said in a
communique on Thursday.

Foreign ministers from the three countries met to discuss smuggling following a decision by regional
giant Nigeria, which has Africa's largest economy and biggest population, to close its land borders to
trade until at least Jan. 31, 2020.

Nigeria launched a partial border closure in August to tackle smuggling of rice and other goods. And
last month the head of customs confirmed that all trade via land borders had been halted indefinitely.

The joint communique from the meeting in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, said the Benin and Niger
delegations had appealed for the immediate re-opening of Nigeria's borders.

The concerns were noted and the delegates agreed on the "establishment of a joint border patrol
team comprising the police, customs, immigration, navy and state security services of the three
countries", the communique said.

The force will hold its first meeting in Abuja on Nov. 25 and 26 and will later advise on the re-
opening of the borders.
The delegates also agreed that the ministers of finance and trade from the countries would set up
a committee to promote intra-regional trade, and said they would ensure people crossing their
borders would display travel documents recognized by the Economic Community of West
African States regional bloc.

Since taking office in 2015, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has introduced policies aimed at
curbing imports and smuggling, to boost local production.

Despite being Africa's top crude oil producer, Nigeria imports most of its refined fuel due to the
moribund state of its refineries.

Some 10-20% of Nigerian fuel is then smuggled to neighboring countries, according to the Major
Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, as gasoline is heavily subsidized in the country and prices
are higher in neighboring countries.

In July, Nigeria signed up to the African Continental Free Trade Area, a project to create a $3.4 trillion
economic bloc, despite its fears that it could be flooded with cheap goods from competitive neighbors.

NNPC Secures $1.16m US Grant For 1,350MW Abuja Power

Plant
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the United States Trade and Development
Agency (USTDA) have concluded arrangement to sign a $1.16 million dollar grant as part funding for
the NNPC-Abuja Independent Power Project (IPP). The corporation disclosed this in a statement by Mr
Samson Makoji, Acting Spokesman for NNPC, in Abuja on Thursday.

He said that the arrangement was the outcome of a business meeting between the Management of
NNPC and the USTDA at the NNPC Towers. Makoji noted that both parties agreed to close out the
deal on Dec. 1, adding that the IPP was modeled to generate 1,350 megawatts of electricity to alleviate
the power challenge in the country.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari, said the plan by the corporation to
build the 1,350MW power plant in Abuja was part of the national strategy to monetize the abundant
natural gas resources in the country. He added that the USDTA grant was to complement the ongoing
feed project in order to make the Abuja IPP initiative more bankable for strategic investors’
participation. “As a state-owned oil company and enabler organisation, we know that our investment in
the Abuja 1,350mw IPP will increase energy supply level with great impact on the nation’s economy.
“Therefore, the USTDA grant is timely to make it a bankable project that would attract foreign direct
investment into the country,” he said.

The GMD assured the U.S. team that every money given as grant to the corporation would be fully
utilised and accounted for. “This company is focused on making our systems and processes transparent
and accountable and that is why we are engaging world class institutions with good track record in
execution of our projects,” the GMD explained. He called on the USTDA to look beyond feasibility
studies to actual delivery of the project, stressing that the power plant project has a lot of viable
investment opportunities.

In her remark, the Country Manager, Power Africa and the leader of the USTDA delegation, Jullian
Foerster, stated that her organisation was determined to work with the corporation to sign off on the
grant not later than Dec.1. She said that USTDA was open to other business opportunities in the
coming year, 2020, noting that NNPC’s strategic role as a key player in the oil and gas industry made
the U.S. Agency to “jump at the opportunity to work on this deal” of providing support in the form of a
grant. (NAN)

Sowore: President Buhari Booed By Nigerians In London

People gathered at the Abuja House in London to boo a Nigerian official they believed to be President
Muhammadu Buhari.

The protesters gathered in front of the building to boo the official who was driven in a black painted car
with a Nigerian diplomatic plate number (FGN1).

The videos of the protest were published Thursday night on several social media platforms.

Many of the protesters carried placards calling for freedom for the detained publisher of Sahara
Reporters, Omoyele Sowore. Others condemned the treatment of the leader of the Shiite movement in
Nigeria, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

“Buhari, Stop Poisoning Sheikh Zakzaky,” one of the placards read.

“Omoyele Sowore is not a criminal,” another placard read.

Mr Buhari is currently in London for what the presidency described as a private visit.

He has spent over a week in the UK during which he has continued to perform the functions of the
Nigerian president including signing a bill into law.

The Nigerian government or the embassy in the UK is yet to issue a statement on the matter.

The protesters shouted ‘ole, ole, ole…’ meaning ‘thief, thief, thief….’ while mentioning the name of
the Nigerian president.

They also condemned the disrespect for the courts by the Nigerian government.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=700BOj9o5Do
We decided to work with Buhari because fight
between Legislature and Executive does not help
anyone
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, said that the 9th National Assembly decided to work in
harmony with the Executive to enhance productivity in governance.
Lawan stated this in Abuja at his investiture as a fellow of Geoinformation Society of Nigeria
(GEOSON).
His Special Adviser (Media), Ola Awoniyi made this known in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
According to Lawan, a good working relationship between the two arms of government would also
forestall the anxiety and instability that a rancorous relationship could bring about.
“The past uneasy relationship between the Legislature and the Executive was not helpful to anyone.
“We made a conscious decision this year, 2019 when we ran for the Office of President of the Senate.
“We told ourselves that we are first and foremost representatives of Nigerians. We came on different
platforms, vehicles that took us to the construction site.
“And of course, at the construction site, all of us are supposed to work together to construct that
structure,”Lawan said.
He said that to avoid the pitfall of the past, there was a conscious decision to have a National Assembly,
particularly the Senate that was bi-partisan and work for the collective interest of the people.
Lawan said that the 9th National Assembly would support President Muhammadu Buhari because “we
believe that fight between the Legislature and the Executive does not help anyone.”

How Sowore Can Be Released - Buhari’s Aide,

Onochie
President Muhammadu Buhari’s Personal Assistant on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, has reacted to
the continued detention of activist Omoyele Sowore by the Department of State Services, DSS.
Onochie charged Sowore’s sureties to go with necessary documentation to the secret police so the
activist can be released. She made the remark while faulting the drama surrounding the continued
detention of Sowore.
Onochie, who took to her Twitter handle wrote: “I don’t know why everything has to be a chore with
those who know too much.
Why can’t sureties in Sowore’s case go to do the necessary Documentation at the DSS so he can go
home? “Why all these drama? Luckily, Nigeria is no longer a joke so everyone will learn.
Eventually!” Sowore is currently held in custody of the secret police against court order. Last
Wednesday, a Federal High Court in Abuja, ordered the release of Sowore alongside Olawale Adebayo.
The DSS was yet to comply with the order and claimed that no surety had come to take Sowore on bail.
Few days ago, a group of protesters led by Deji Adeyanju alleged that they were given N1m to stop the
protest demanding for Sowore’s release.
Just yesterday, DSS said it will release Sowore if his sureties come forward for documentation.

Your Action Shows Yahaya Bello Does Not

Deserve 2nd Term - PDP Mocks El-Rufai
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the public apology and kneeling by the Chairman of the
APC Kogi state campaign council and Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, confirms that even the
APC agrees that Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, does not merit a second term.
Governor El-Rufai knelt before the people of Kogi State, asking them to forgive Governor Yahaya
Bello for any wrong he had done. He begged the Kogi indigents during a campaign for Governor
Yahaya ahead of the state’s governorship election this Saturday, November 16th.
In a statement released by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP claimed that El-Rufai kneeling at
the campaign rally is a direct confirmation that the ”failed Governor Bello cannot lay claim to any
genuine vote at the November 16th governorship election”.
Read the remaining part of the statement below ”The PDP notes that the Edo State deputy governor,
Philip Shuaibu, also knelt before the Kogi people to beg for Yahaya Bello which further shows that it is
public knowledge that the governor misused the opportunity given to him to lead the state.
Unfortunately, the apology is coming too late in the day and cannot be accepted by the people of Kogi
state, whose lives, Yahaya Bello had turned into a living hell in the last four year.
Moreover, Yahaya Bello openly confirmed that he is irredeemable as he stood without any sign of
remorse while El-Rufai and the Edo State deputy governor begged the unimpressed scanty crowd.
Governor El-Rufai and the APC ought to have counseled Yahaya Bello at the time he was busy
suppressing, insulting, abusing and making life unbearable for the people of Kogi state as if there will
not be a day of reckoning.
The irreversible fact is that the day of reckoning has come. The people of Kogi state have moved
beyond Yahaya Bello and the APC.
They are already moving on with the PDP candidate, Engr. Musa Wada, in their determination for a
new order in their state and there is no looking back. PDP advises Governor El-Rufai to assist
Governor Bello in preparing his handover notes as he will surely face a crushing defeat at the polls,
come Saturday November 16th”.
'Forgive Yahaya Bello' - Aisha Buhari Begs Kogi People Over
Unpaid Salaries
First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has said Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State was unable to pay salaries
because of the verification exercise that was organised for civil servants in the state.

Aisha said since the verification exercise ended, all civil servants on the government’s payroll had been
receiving regular salary.

The President’s wife, therefore, asked the people of the state to forgive Bello if any of them was
negatively affected, urging them to forget what they once suffered.

Aisha said this at the All Progressives Congress rally in Lokoja yesterday, shortly after Kaduna State
Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, had knelt down before the crowd, asking them to forgive their governor.

Addressing the crowd, Mrs. Buhari said, “Let me refer back to Kaduna State governor’s speech where
he had to kneel and say the people should forgive and forget.

“Also, my husband used to emphasise on salaries. It took a while before the Kogi salaries could be
settled after a long time of verification.

“But this time, vote for him for continuity of payment of salary on time.”

Mrs. Buhari subsequently invited the governor to the podium, saying, “I want Yahaya Bello to talk to
you about timely payment of salary.”

Addressing the crowd, the governor said, “We have been paying on time. “The civil servants can attest
to that.

“Your Excellency, you directed, you supported and we cleared the salary arrears and we shall continue
to pay on time.”

Claire Pierangelo Says US Could Impose Visa Ban On Violent

Bayelsa Politicians
The United States Consul General, Claire Pierangelo, has said the US government could impose a visa
ban, among other punitive measures, on perpetrators of violence in the coming Bayelsa State
governorship election.

Pierangelo said despite the difficult terrain, the US would mobilise observers to the state to ensure a
free, fair and transparent process.
She urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to be objective and operate without pressure
and intimidation, adding that security agencies must also avoid interfering with the process.

The envoy, who spoke during a briefing on Wednesday at the US Consulate General on the Victoria
Island, Lagos State, said she had already spoken to the leading political actors in the state, adding that
the US was committed to ensuring a peaceful election in Bayelsa on Saturday.

She stated, “I recently returned from Bayelsa as part of my first trip to the Niger Delta region since
assuming my role as the consul-general.

“In all of my public and private engagements with key stakeholders, I expressed the US expectations
regarding an electoral outcome that reflects the will of the people of Bayelsa.

“We will be out there in the field observing the election. I am aware that many other foreign and
international organisations will also be on the ground in Bayelsa.

“We will work closely with our colleagues and partners in the international community to promote a
credible process that will benefit the people of Bayelsa,” she added.

While urging security agencies to provide a safe and impartial environment for residents to exercise
their franchise, Pierangelo insisted that voter intimidation, vote buying and violence would not be
tolerated.

She asked that women, the youth and people living with disabilities should be encouraged to
participate.

“We call on all candidates and their supporters to reject election-related violence. The US and the
international community will be watching the election closely in order to deter potential instigators of
violence or those who seek to undermine the democratic process,” she added.

The consul general said if presented with verifiable evidence of election violence, “the US could
impose a visa ban on those indicted.”

November 15
Hammed Ali: The second strongman of Buhari's
presidency - Qwenu!
On Wednesday, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali,
refused to honour an invite by the House of Representatives over the extrajudicial killings by men of
the service in Ogun State border towns. For many people who have been following political
developments involving Ali since 2015, this won’t be a surprise. 
Earlier in the week, a member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Sikirat Ajibola, representing
Idiroko/Ipokia State Constituency, had petitioned the federal parliament over the alleged illegal
activities by men of the NCS.
The House had referred the petition to the Committee on Public Petitions, which held its investigative
hearing on Wednesday where the Customs boss was expected to appear.
Speaking on the non-appearance of the Customs boss, the acting Chairman of the committee, Mr Lawal
Kenken, said, “from the stamp of the Comptroller-General’s office, they were served this hearing notice
and notice of the petition was received by the Nigeria Customs on November 6, 2019. Today is
November 13, which means they received it seven days ago, and they are not here.
This is not the first time Ali will be putting off such invitations. In fact, he chooses which one to
honour, and which one to reject. 
During the 8th Senate, there were also several heated face-offs between Senators and the Hameed Ali.
He had once shunned the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions investigating the
purchase of a bulletproof Range Rover by the upper legislative chamber. The then Chairman of
the committee, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, said members of the committee waited for the Customs boss
or his representative to no avail. 
In another situation with the 8th Senate, he was asked to appear in his uniform, but Ali would have
none of that. He would always appear in his ‘kaftan’ to any function, official or not.
Ali has a lot in similarity to the Chief of Staff to President Buhari, Abba Kyari. They both can get away
with anything they do. They have unfettered access to the President, probably more than the Vice
President and the National Assembly in many cases. The same also goes for his decision. It’s usually
like he implements them from the office of the President, with no room for questioning, review, or
public scrutiny.

We’ll Regulate Social Media Despite Criticism –

FG
The Federal Government has announced that it will regulate social media despite the criticism from all
corners.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed who disclosed this while speaking to online
publishers stated that they won’t be detered by any outcry against it.
Lai pointed out that Nigeria is not alone in this and further added that there are many options open to
government in regulating the social media apart from enacting new laws.
“In recent days, as you must be aware, the campaign has assumed a heightened dimension, especially
after we announced, on Oct. 29th 2019, our plan to sanitise the social media.
“Let me say, straight on, that the intense debate – and the debate has indeed been intense – that has
been generated by our announcement, is a welcome development. This is because the announcement
has pushed the issue of the social media to the front burner. We can only benefit from such debate.
“We have been monitoring the debate. Some analysts and commentators have supported our plan while
others have opposed it. “An interesting part of the debate has been that even those who oppose the
regulation have acknowledged the dangers inherent in the irresponsible use of the social media,
especially by anarchists and non-patriots.
“We thank everyone who has spoken out, and we hope the debate will continue.”
He insisted that the Federal Government is not trying to stiffle free speech nor muzzle the media by the
move which according to him will not be unilateral.
He said: “In the first instance, we have not told anyone how we plan to go about the regulation. This is
because this will not be a unilateral process. It will involve all stakeholders coming together to chart the
path forward. Let me announce here that we have just kick-started the process.
“We have dispatched letters inviting representatives of the media, civil society, technology and security
experts, online publishers, bloggers, relevant agencies of government, etc, for this purpose.
“In the second instance, there are many options open to us in regulating the social media. Apart from
enacting new laws, we can also leverage on technology, working with the big techies like Facebook,
Twitter, Whatsapp, Instagram to check the spread of fake news and hate speech.
“It is therefore premature for anyone to say ‘Oh, there are enough laws already to deal with social
media deviants’. In essence, the committee we plan to set up will determine the best option for us to
use.
“Again, the fear of stifling free speech or muzzling the media is totally unfounded. We have no such
plan. As we speak, people are on the social media criticising the Administration.
“We have no problem with that because it is part of democracy. People are using the traditional media
to criticise the Administration.
Why not? This is a democracy and there should be plurality of opinions. But our concern has to do with
the abuse of the social media by those who are bent on spreading fake news and hate speech, and the
dangers inherent in that for our national peace and unity. We have no hidden agenda.
“As I have said many times, no responsible government will sit by and allow fake news and hate
speech to dominate its media space because of the capacity of this menace to exploit our national fault
lines to set us against each other and trigger a national conflagration.
“Finally, and for the avoidance of doubt, while we welcome a robust debate on this issue, the criticisms
in certain quarters will not stop us from going ahead with our efforts to sanitize the social media space.
“It is the right thing to do in the circumstances. And we are not alone in doing this. Countries around
the world are as concerned as we are, and they are doing something about the social media.
“The list is long: Germany, UK, Singapore, China, South Korea, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, etc

Nigerian Air Force Helicopter Crash Lands In Enugu

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Thursday revealed that one of its helicopter crashed in the process of
landing in Enugu State, Praizenews report.

In a statement the Nigerian Air Force on their official Twitter page, details of the incident which
occurred after a routine flight on Thursday were still sketchy.

The terse statement reads,

“@NigAirForce Helicopter has crashed on landing in Enugu after a routine flight today.
Fortunately, there were no fatalities or injuries to any crew member or persons on the
ground.

“@CAS_AMSadique has directed that a Board of Inquiry be constituted to determine the

causes of the accident.

“Nigeria Air Force continues to solicit the understanding & support of the general public as
it daily strives to ensure the security of Nigeria and Nigerians.”

"Not All Bad Roads Belong To FG, Most Bad Roads Belong To
States" - Zainab Ahmed
The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed has told Nigerians that not all bad roads in their state are the
responsiblity of the Federal Government.

Zainab who spoke to newsmen after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday
November 13, stated that some roads are the responsibility of the state and local governments.

Though admitting the FG has not done enough to address the infrastuctural decay, she added that some
financial instruments have been accessed by the Nigerian government to fix some collapsing roads.

“I also want to remind you that for the past two years, we have issued Sukuk bonds. In 2017, it was for
the construction of 25 roads. In 2018, 23 roads and there is also another one that is being processed.

“We have a lot of roads in the country, but not every road you see is the responsibility of the federal
government. The major arterial roads are the ones that are the responsibility of the federal government.

“Majority of the roads in the country are within the purview and responsibility of states as well as local
governments.
“Have we done enough? No, not yet, that is why we are trying to do more including raising special
funds to make sure that roads and other infrastructure are being addressed," the minister said.

Zainab further disclosed that the Ministry of Works has gotten most of the money in the annual budget
presented by the Buhari-led administration.

“Our fiscal space is tight, resources are limited but at the time we have funds to release, the highest
proportion goes to power, transport, works and housing. Also, we have introduced some measures that
have seen private sector participants getting involved in road construction.

“One of these measures is the Road Infrastructure Task Credit Scheme that Mr President approved by
executive order earlier this year. So far, we have 17 companies that are carrying out 19 roads across the
six geo-political zones," Zainab added.

IG Appoints New CPs For Lagos, Kano, Ogun, Others

The Police High Command last night announced new postings of Police Commissioners for Lagos,
Ogun, Kano and four other states.

A statement issued by Force PRO and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Frank Mba, said the
posting takes immediate effect.

Details of the redeployment shows that CP Nkereuwem A. Akpan is the new CP for Cross River State,
while CP Kenneth Ebrimson takes charge of Akwa Ibom State Police Command.

Ogun State Police Command would be headed by CP Imohimi D. Edgal, while CP Habu Sani Amadu is
now in charge Kano State Police Command even as CP Lawal Jimeta is appointed CP Edo State.

The statement said CP Philip Sule Maku would head Bauchi State Command even as Acting CP
Odumosu H Olusegun heads Lagos Command.

Mba said the Inspector-General of Police charged the newly posted officers to ensure the consolidation
and improvement on the gains of their predecessors in the areas of public safety and crime fighting.

He also directed the new Commissioners of Police to work with relevant stakeholders in adopting
aggressive, proactive and community-based crime prevention strategies to combat crime in their Areas
of Responsibility.

“In addition, the Inspector General of Police enjoined the citizens of the affected states to accord the
new CPs maximum cooperation to ensure they succeed in the realisation of their mandate”.
Dino Melaye: Gunmen Fired At My Brother's House
IgbereTV reports that Dino Melaye said that some gunmen fired gunshots at his brothers house early on
Friday morning ahead of Saturday's gubernatorial and senatorial re-run elections in Kogi state.

Dino Melaye broke the news on Twitter. He wrote:

Gun men fired sporadically @ my brother in his house @ Aiyetoro Gbede around 4:30am this
morning. I Thank God they failed. We shall surely overcome

Obaseki Proposes N34bn Welfare Package For Workers In 2020

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state has earmarked the sum of N34 billion for workers’ welfare in
the 2020 budget.

The fund is part of the state’s 2020 budget proposal of N177.601 billion he presented to the State
House of Assembly on Wednesday.

He said the fund was indication of his “commitment to implement the new minimum wage and building
capacity of actors within government bureaucracy.”

Top on the priority of the budget estimate christened ‘Budget of Consolidation’ are workers welfare,
education, infrastructure, health, industrialisation, sports, security, pension and gratuities.

The workers’ welfare projection represents 31 percent increase in allocations for personnel cost
compared to the 2019 fiscal year.

The budget comprises N85.539 billion for recurrent and N92.062 billion for capital expenditure, based
on a $55 per barrel bench mark for crude oil and average daily production of 1.8m barrels per day as
well as an increase in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR),

A breakdown of the budget showed that Security Trust Fund got N2 billion; Pension and Gratuities,
N14 billion; Contribution to the State Health Insurance Scheme, N1 billion; Primary Health Care
Reform, N1 billion.

Others are: the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme, N8 billion;
Constituency Development Programme, N6 billion; National Sports Festival, N3 billion; and the
Industrial Park, which will gulp N3 billion.
Sowore Speaks From Custody, Says Buhari Out To Destroy
Civic Space
Detained social activist, publisher and politician, Omoyele Sowore, has spoken out from the custody of
the State Security Service, telling PREMIUM TIMES he is being held as part of a grand scheme by the
Buhari administration to shut down Nigeria’s civic space.

Mr Sowore called a PREMIUM TIMES’ reporter on Thursday afternoon, in a rare move to directly
send out a message to the public.

It was a message of courage, defiance and hope for both his teeming supporters and the Nigerian
downtrodden people.

The Sahara Reporters’ publisher said he would remain undeterred by the controversial tactics of the
current government, which have seen him held in perpetual custody against the order of a federal judge.

Mr Sowore, a former student union activist who confronted military regimes and went to jail for it, was
arrested in August in connection with his #RevolutionNow campaign — a series of nationwide protests
he had planned with other activists to demand a better Nigeria.
The protests were planned to commence on August 5 across 21 towns and cities, with public awareness
escalating as the day drew closer.

But suddenly on August 3, armed SSS officers broke into an apartment Mr Sowore was occupying with
some of his closest associates in Lagos. He was taken away in the midnight raid that was captured by
security cameras.
The arrest elicited outrage from Nigerians, with many slamming the SSS’ brutal tactics as yet another
state-sponsored violence against unarmed citizens.

Members of the movement also warned that Mr Sowore’s detention — which they deemed illegal and
unwarranted — would bolster rather than dampen a wave of resistance to decades of bad governance
that many believed had worsened under President Muhammadu Buhari.

Grand plot thwarted

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES from custody, Mr Sowore said the demand for his sureties was an
attempt to intimidate them into pulling out.

“Their aim is to intimidate my sureties by subjecting them to undue maltreatment,” Mr Sowore

said. “It is part of a grand plot to hold me hostage because they have failed to find anything
illegal to pin on me.”

“But we know what they want to do and we will not allow it to happen,” he added.
Although the SSS has repeatedly asserted its respect for the Nigerian judicial and the rule of law in
general, the agency has a history of repression, violation of citizens’ rights and disobedience of court
decisions.

SSS was the agency at the heart of most allegations of attacks on Nigerians during the brutal military
eras of Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha. Several Nigerians were jailed, physically attacked or
killed as Mr Abacha moved to clear all obstacles to his authoritarian regime.

Despite attempts to reform the agency as Nigeria attained democracy in 1999, critics say the SSS,
founded in 1986, has remained wedded to its brutal and anti-democratic past.

Hale, hearty
Mr Sowore lamented that he had “not seen sunshine since he was detained except when taken to court.”
Only three people have been allowed to see him since August 3, which includes his lawyers and the
person responsible for his feeding.

Even though Mr Sowore said he cannot wait to reunite with his associates and loved ones, he said he
had come to a fresh realisation that the SSS would continue to disregard court pronouncements and
would not release him anytime soon.

“Last night, they gave us phones and cable TV,” Mr Sowore said. “This indicates that they have
no intention of complying with court orders to release me anytime soon.’’

Mr Sowore said he will continue to fight for the downtrodden, and wanted the world to know that the
Buhari administration has been stifling civil liberties in Nigeria.

“The world should know that I remain unbroken and in high spirits,” Mr Sowore said. “I will
continue to fight for the Nigerian people, ensure that the people are not shortchanged and
corruption is driven underground.”

“I will continue to stand up for the downtrodden,” he said.

Mr Sowore said all those who support him should not be discouraged because the masses will prevail
in the battle against anti-democratic forces.

“The ultimate mission is to intimidate all critical voices and shut down the nation’s civic space,” Mr
Sowore said. “But this will not happen and we shall overcome.”

ICPC Uncovers N12.9bn Padded As Personnel Cost In Mdas

The chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC),
Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, has said the anti-graft agency restrained the release of over N12 billion
padded into the personnel cost of some ministries and agencies.
He made this known on Thursday during a press briefing on the outcome of the first phase of the
Commission’s Constituency Tracking Project exercise.
He, however, did not tell which ministries or agencies the discoveries were made.
How Nigeria Men Now Naturally and permanently boost their bedroom performance and regain
confidence
He said as part of its prevention mandate, the commission embarks on System Study by going into
ministries, agencies, and departments of government, including anybody, using public funds, to look at
how the funds have been utilized.
He said, “About a month and a half ago, we restrained N9.2 billion from going out; when you look at
the budget, and what has been appropriated, and how it is to be used, I can tell you authoritatively that
there is still budget padding.”
“As at this moment, we have had an additional N3 billion and hopefully, by the time we finish, we
would have saved the government in personnel cost only,” he added.
He explained that the practice is due to weak oversight on the ministries and agencies for which the
ICPC is putting such oversight in place by checking their personnel vote that is not exhausted.
He noted that in some instances, “they have collected more than they need to pay salaries, it’s very
simple logic, and we restrained the money and invited the agencies to attest to what we found…they
did not dispute it.”
“We simply communicated with the ministry of finance and said we would have stopped this money,
but it’s on the e-government platform, can you take this money away, and that was done,” he explained.
He said, “Basically, the way it happens is that the agency will request that appropriation saying they
have one hundred staff and the salary for one hundred staff is one billion and the government prioritizes
wages, but in the payment you would find out they have paid everybody and there is money left.”
“So why did they ask for N1 billion in the first place, the other people did not exist, they are ghosts,
and since the money is on the government information and financial management system, we can see it
and we said take this money,” he added.
He said ICPC investigation shows that agencies were able to use fund meant for salaries on travels,
Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) and other things that they should not have done.
He also said the ICPC is evaluating the vulnerability of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of
government in what it calls the ethics compliance score card, in order to reduce the opacity of
government business and reduce corruption.
He said during the system study review it found in one ministry, that about N3 billion moved within a
month.
He said the ICPC arrested fifty-nine directors from that ministry to explain how their accounts were
used to take government money and in some instances such accounts were block and monies were
recovered.

Prof. Attahiru Jega: Nigeria Electoral Process Has Been Flawed

IgbereTV reports that Prof. Attahiru Jega, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) has said that historically, Nigeria electoral process has been flawed.

Jega said this in Ibadan on Thursday while delivering a lecture to mark the 71st Foundation Day and
Convocation of the University of Ibadan.

He said: “It is generally recognised that fortifying democracy is vital to sustainable development, but
what is not as widely acknowledged is that improving the integrity of elections is key to democratic
development.

“Sustainable electoral process with requite integrity is the panacea for democratic development in
Nigeria and in all African countries struggling with the challenges of democratisation.

“The Nigerian electoral process has historically been flawed and repleted with profound challenges in
all three key phases of electoral administration pre-election, election and post-election phases.

“All stakeholders, therefore, must play a positive role in bridging these gaps,” he said.

Jega called for improvements for electoral integrity and sustainable democratic development through
determined efforts, creative and innovative deployment of national resources and endowment.

He said improvements were needed in the areas of legal and regulatory framework for elections,
utilisation of technology, inclusiveness, transparency, accountability and competitiveness.

“It is quite possible to bring about a thriving democracy in Nigeria in spite of evident challenges.

“It would only require a more serious and purposeful engagement with and in the electoral process by
all the key stakeholders.

“To ensure that it brings the desired quality representation and elected public office holders who are
responsible and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the citizens”, Jega added.

Those Profiting From Oshiomhole, Obaseki Rift Want It To

Worsen – Afegbua
Prince Kassim Afegbua was the Honourable Commissioner of Information and Orientation during
Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s tenure. He witnessed all the internal intrigues that gave birth to the
Obaseki Governorship in 2016 and has therefore condemned the present political impasse that has
enveloped the state in recent times. Afegbua, who is now a member of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP), in this interview with TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI in Benin City, cautioned the parties to the
political crisis. Excerpts:

You have maintained some silence for some time now despite the fact that your state of Edo has
remained in political turmoil, why the silence?

Well, there are times in your life when you choose to watch events from the rear before you take a
position, especially an informed position that will not make you appear stupid in the eyes of the public
or the undiscerning minds. Yes, it is true that I was an insider in the political economy of Edo state that
gave birth to the present government under Governor Godwin Obaseki. I have elected to be quiet for a
long time because I thought all entreaties that were being put forward will yield the desired result. I
made personal effort to the two main actors because they are my friends, but the outcome has not
yielded the desired result.

For me, Governor Obaseki has a greater responsibility to reach out to people because he is the one that
would be seeking a reelection, and not Comrade Oshiomhole. By virtue of the present position of
Oshiomhole, he still functions as the leader and boss of the Governor if you take into account the very
important elevated position of the National Chairman of the APC. But those who are profiting from this
political impasse would rather wish for a continuation of the political crisis for its pecuniary benefits to
them. So, when I spoke to both persons, the National Chairman was willing to sit for dialogue, but the
Governor felt he was not going to sit down on any reconciliatory meeting to examine the issues. At
some point, Dangote, Fayemi and El-Rufai also intervened, but it ended up in naught.

What do you think in your opinion could be the rationale for this political battle. Is it about re-election,
independence or a combination of the two?
You see, there is too much pride and ego in this business of political impasse coruscating the political
landscape of Edo state. If you cast your mind back to the campaigns in 2016, you will almost think it
was Comrade Oshiomhole that was seeking a third term. In the political economy of Edo state, Godwin
Obaseki, as an economic adviser to Comrade Oshiomhole, was largely unknown across the state.
Selling him to the electorates was a tall order. Coupled with this was the fact that he had never voted in
Edo state. His family, the Obasekis are prominent in the state especially Gaius Obaseki, the former
NNPC GMD, and another Oyuiki Obaseki, now late, then there is another DonPedro Obaseki, who
enjoys some public space popularity. The current Governor, not being a politician and being one of the
Edos in diaspora, was largely unknown.

So, because of his closeness to Oshiomhole through Aliko Dangote and other mutual friends,
Oshiomhole fell for his friends to make Obaseki succeed him. How to make that happen became
another herculean task, bearing in mind the very strong and popular candidate of the PDP, Pastor
Osagie Ize- Iyamu. Oshiomhole deployed all his arsenal into the fray, offended his Deputy, worked
against all other aspirants, spear-headed the campaign and ensured that every political appointee
delivers his polling unit and by extension his ward to guarantee an Obaseki victory. The candidate on
his part had not acquired the nuances of political speech making, so he rarely spoke for three minutes
during campaigns. He was stage shy and hadn’t acquired enough footnotes to deliver his message.
Patrick Obahiagbon who was Oshiomhole’s Chief of Staff also deployed his oratory to the fullest to be
able to withstand the competition posed by the opposition PDP…

(cuts in)…So, what then happened?

I think the point of crisis has to do with the 2019 election primaries of the APC which the state chapter
conducted and was cancelled by the National Office of the APC. By virtue of the APC constitution and
also PDP, state chapters of parties are not allowed to conduct primaries for the positions being
contested except Local Government Election. The Governor didn’t welcome the cancellation. He was
therefore livid with anger when he saw the delegation of the national office coming down to Benin City
for another primaries. If that was not done, just like Zamfara state, APC would have lost all the
contested positions to the opposition PDP in Edo state. Added to this was the complaint by the
Governor that Comrade Oshiomhole appoints Edo sons and daughters without consulting him. But
from what I could decipher, it appears there are people who are profiting from the impasse and would
rather wish the situation persists in order for them to make some cool money in the process. At the
point of the primaries, the Governor appeared to have taken a decision to seek independence and be
alone.

But there those members of the APC who feel the Governor abandoned them when he became
Governor and thus decided to form what is now known as Edo Peoples’ Movement (EPM), How do
you react to that?

Yes, before I joined PDP in August of 2018, I witnessed the internal undercurrents of the APC at the
inception till August 2018. The complaints started almost immediately when Governor Obaseki was
sworn-in. The people he gave appointment to were not in the reckoning of those who worked
assiduously for his election. It does appear he wanted to cut a picture of his own man while doing away
with those who burnt the proverbial midnight oil to secure his victory. Those people were expectedly
angry and felt used by Comrade Oshiomhole who prevailed on them to market Godwin Obaseki.

Nnamdi Kanu: IPOB Won’t Stop International Diplomatic

Onslaught
Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has vowed not to stop the group’s
international diplomatic onslaught.

Mr Kanu has been propagating IPOB’s agenda through Radio Biafra in London and visits to foreign
parliaments.

In a tweet on Thursday night, he said: “IPOB will continue the International diplomatic onslaught.”

The group, which is supposedly seeking secession on behalf of the Igbo from Nigeria, had in August
attacked former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu while on a visit to Nuremberg, Germany.

Senator Ekweremadu was billed to give a keynote address at the Second Annual Cultural Festival and
Convention organised by Ndi-Igbo Germany.

He was, however, prevented from entering the venue of the gathering after being accused by IPOB
members of conspiring with the Federal Government to proscribe the group in the South East and the
killing of its followers.

https://twitter.com/MaziNnamdiKanu/status/1195066831893139461?s=19

Bayelsa Poll: PVC Sold For N500, YIAGA Indicts Electorate In

Pre-election Report
WHILE it still remains sketchy if the governorship election would hold as planned in Bayelsa State on
Saturday, Watching the Vote Project of YIAGA AFRICA, Thursday accused electorate in the state of
selling their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) for cash.

The Not for Profit election monitoring group in Bayelsa described PVC trading as a predominant
electoral offense recorded just two days to the election.

“The buying and selling of PVCs was one of the predominant election malpractices recorded in the pre-
election environment. The findings from all four observation reports revealed that PVCs were
purchased for N500,” the report stated.

Implication of the trend, the observers noted, could undermine the credibility of the electioneering
process by manipulating the procedures of accreditation and voting.

In addition, the group highlighted the likelihood of selected voters being disenfranchised due to
flooding in riverine communities. The affected communities include Southern Ijaw,
Kolokuma/Opokuma, Ekeremor, Sagbama, and Yenagoa Local Government Areas.

While describing flooding as a major problem to the planned poll, YIAGA expressed concerns on poor
documentation, revealing where voters in flooded communities are located or relocated YAIGA noted
that this development before the polls would greatly hamper the process of democracy.

Other issues of concern on the Bayelsa Governorship election include high-security threats, recruitment
of thugs and arms stockpiling for which locations like Brass, Southern Ijaw, Sagbama and Yenagoa
have been flagged are factors that might lead to low voter’s participation.

Over 70% of Nigeria food exports get rejected

abroad – NAFDAC
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, yesterday explained
the rationale behind its adoption of the GS1 standards for traceability in food and consumer product
goods, disclosing that over 70 per cent of Nigerian food export gets rejected abroad.
Speaking during a sensitisation campaign on traceability of food and other consumer products in
Lagos, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Christianah Adeyeye said Nigeria must wake up in
terms of the power and blessings that it has to export its products and whatever it manufactures.
Adeyeye who noted that the rejection was a huge loss of money  and investment said  NAFDAC was
ready to tackle the problems surrounding importation and exportation of products to ensure that Nigeria
is not missing in the global field.
Stating that the GS1 track and trace would help Nigeria in terms exportation of its produce, she said:
“Without verification and track and trace of whatever products that are going abroad we will not be
able to play on the global field.   Why are track and trace very important?  It is important because when
things happen and you want to do a recall. You need robust chain management to get the recall of the
products. “
She said onwards, NAFDAC will ensure that the product it would approve will be a product of quality
and if there is going to be any infiltration it will be able to track and trace it. “Our NAFDAC number is
going to immune into the bar-coding so that people will know when they are scanning that they are
going to scan NAFDAC number.  Part of what we are doing now is to eliminate a situation where
people now fake our numbers.  So by the year 2025, we should have about 70 per cent of our traders
using bar-coding for traceability.
Giving reasons why the products are rejected, Adeyeye said “Most of the exporters don’t go through
NAFDAC and after taking a shortcut at the other end they get to the other side there is no shortcut, the
product will be destroyed but NAFDAC also needs to enlighten the public because people don’t know. 
“We have to enlighten the public more about the role of NAFDAC in exportation because of we have to
test whether there is pesticide residues, moles in the food. We have to do all sort of testing because if
we don’t when it get to the other side it will be destroyed.
She explained that the sensitisation meeting by the agency for people involved in food production and
exportation was to ensure that the food, water, vegetables and all kinds of food Nigerians consume, are
of good quality. She said right now NAFDAC has a robust team of agencies involved in exports like
the Shippers council, SON, Customs etc. on the ground.
“To be of quality, we need to check to make sure that where they came from is of quality and where
they are going or the way they go through the supply chain.  The meeting is about verification of the
food and also tracking the food where is going to because of you and I are the customers that consume
these foods. If we don’t know the source of it then we don’t know if it is of quality. Of course, it has to
go through NAFDAC so part of what we are trying to reinforce is to ensure that our customer is first in
terms of the quality of the food or the product whether is water it doesn’t really matter the product that
they are getting.
Speaking, Representative of GS1, Mr Kunle Oye-Igbemo said GSI traceability standards help in food
and product safety as well as ensuring accurate and more rapid detection and determination of
counterfeit products and instances of authorized distribution.
Supreme Court: Buhari ’Eminently Qualified’ To Contest
The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that President Muhammadu Buhari was “eminently qualified” to
contest the February 23 presidential election.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, prepared the full judgment of the apex court
which is being read by Justice John Okoro.

The full judgment delivered on Friday was to provide explanations for the apex court’s summary
decision of October 30 which dismissed the appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential
candidate, Atiku Abubakar challenging the victory of Buhari at the February 23 presidential poll.

In the full judgment of the apex court delivered on Friday, the court affirmed the decision of the
Presidential Election Petition Tribunal which held that Buhari possessed the requisite educational
qualification to contest the poll.

It held that the Nigerian Constitution only required a candidate contesting the presidential election to be
educated up to secondary education even when the candidate does not possess the certificate.

It added that by virtue of the provisions of the Constitution, a candidate who possesses a primary
school certificate and has worked in the public or private service for a period not less than 10 years, and
can read, write and communicate in the English language to the satisfaction of INEC is qualified to
contest.

It also held that contrary to the contention of the appellants, Buhari did not submit false information
about his educational qualification to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

It also ruled that the appellants failed to prove that the www.factsdontlie.ng from which the appellants
downloaded the results of the election which they relied on, belonged to INEC.

The Supreme Court also said the appellants failed to prove the alleged irregularities including
overvoting.

It added that the appellants merely dumped documents on the lower court without calling witnesses to
demonstrate them.

It ruled that it was alarming that the appellants only called five polling unit agents across the entire
polling units in the country in their attempt to prove the alleged non-compliance with the provisions of
the Electoral Act.

The judgment is still being delivered.

Atiku’s Lawyers Boycott Supreme Court
Lawyers representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate in the 2019
elections, Atiku Abubakar, on Friday shunned the Supreme Court.

The apex court had fixed Friday to give its reasons for the dismissal of their appeal challenging the
outcome of the February 23 presidential election.

All of the over 20 senior lawyers and over 30 juniors stayed away from the court.

However, lawyers who represent President Muhammadu Buhari, his party, the All Progressives
Congress; and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were in court.

The Supreme Court led by Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad, had on October 30
dismissed Atiku and PDP’s appeal, announcing that it would give reasons for its decision on a date to
be later announced (Friday).

Kogi Guber: Court adjourns suit challenging Bello’s eligibility

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, adjourned continuation of hearing on the suit challenging
whether Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi is fit to contest in the Nov. 16 governorship election till Nov. 21.

The presiding judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, who adjourned the case, said the decision was to afford
Gov. Bello, who sought to be joined in the matter, a fair hearing.

Justice Ekwo said all preliminary objections in the suit would be taken in the adjourned date and any
party absent on the day would be deemed to have adopted them.

NAN reports that Bello had, through his lawyer, Mike Enahoro, filed a motion to be joined in the case
on Friday.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, who acknowledged receipt of the motion hinted
that the motion sought to stop the court’s proceeding on the matter.

He, however, argued that the motion be thrown out considering that the election is Saturday.

On his part, Counsel to the APC, Abdulwahab Mohammed, said he would need more time to study the
motion.

However, Counsel to INEC, Alhassan Umar, SAN, said he had no objection to the motion.

The suit, dated Oct. 10 and marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1221/2019, filed by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN,
on Akpoti’s behalf, sought the court’s determination on the eligibility of Governor Bello in the Saturday
election, having allegedly involved in double registration as a voter.

Akpoti said “that by his wilful act of making double registration as a voter, Yahaya Bello, candidate of
the 1st defendant is not a fit and proper person to be allowed by the 2nd defendant to vote or be voted
for in the forthcoming Kogi state governorship election, having committed acts of electoral fraud.

“That Mr Yahaya Bella. the candidate of the 1st Defendant. was initially registered as a voter sometime
in 2011 in Abuja, by the 2nd defendant.

“That Bello. the candidate of the 1st defendant again fraudulently procured from the 2nd defendant. a
second registration as a voter on May 23, 2017, at Government House, Lokoja, while his 2011 first
registration as a voter in Abuja was still live, extant and subsisting.

“That the said Yahaya Bello, the candidate of the 1st defendant carried out the double registration with
the 2nd defendant so as to scuttle due electoral process.

“That such a person is not a fit and proper person to vote for in any election, let alone for the high
office of the governor of a state.”

FG To Ban Importation Of Steel Products - Mines & Steel

Minister
The Nigerian government has announced plans to ban the importation of steel products into the county
to encourage local investors in the sector.⁣
⁣
“My ultimate aim is that we ban steel importation into the country totally,” Nigeria’s Mines and Steel
Development Minister Olamilekan Adegbite said.⁣

“⁣ But before we do that, we must be able to satisfy local consumption from local production and have
some excess for export, that is where we are heading,”
the minister said.⁣

I⁣ f it comes into effect, the ban will be a part of Nigeria’s tilt towards protectionism. The country closed
its borders in August to limit smuggling in of rice and illegal export of petroleum products.⁣

Embrace Agriculture: Prince Eze Madumere Urges Nigerian

Youths
Prince Ezeakonobi Madumere, The leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Imo State and
former Deputy Governor of Imo State has urged The Nigerian youths to embrace agriculture and
key into the Federal Government's agricultural policies which is a panacea for wealth creation and
reduction of unemployment among the youths.
He described the Anchor Borrower Programme, as a policy initiative by the Federal Government which
is designed to support smallholder farmers by providing them with the requisite training, tools and
funds at single digit interest rates which will enable improved cultivation of key agricultural items such
as maize, soybeans, rice, cotton and wheat.

Prince Eze Madumere described the Agricultural sector as a major employer of labour, providing
employment to about a third of the Nigeria's population.

He noted that Nigeria has 84 million hectares of arable land and less than a third of that is cultivated.
Nigeria possesses nearly 279 billion cubic meters of surface water, yet potential sources of irrigation
from two of the major rivers in Africa – the Niger and Benue Rivers remain unexploited.

He stated that there would be food security, improved employment generation and revenue base if
Nigerian youths can embrace agriculture instead of waiting for white collar Jobs.

The Imo Apc Stalwart called on various state Government to identify critical success factors that will
drive agricultural programs among the youths, review their Policy and Regulatory framework, Land
Access, Infrastructure, Security, Finance, Inputs, Market Access and make Agriculture more attractive
to the Nigerian youths.

Appeal Court Dismisses Ogboru’s Appeal, Upholds Okowa’s

Victory As Delta Gov
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed the case filed by the candidate of the All Progressives
Congress (APC), Great Ogboru on the March 2019 Governorship Elections in Delta state for lacking in
merit.

A unanimous decision by a panel of five justices affirmed the decisions of the tribunal which upheld
the victory of Ifeanyi Okowa as Governor of the state.

Mr. Ogboru had approached the appellate court in a bid to upturn the September judgement of the
elections tribunal that dismissed its petition seeking the cancellation of the March 2019 elections in
which Okowa was declared a winner for lacking in merit.

The APC candidate who appealed on 37 grounds stated that the tribunal erred on the point of law.

He contended that the total number of votes declared for the PDP candidate outnumbered the total
number of accredited voters during the elections.

But the appeal court ruled in favour of the respondent, Ifeanyi Okowa on the ground that the appellant
is unable to prove the case.
The panel also held that the appellant was unable to mention at least one accredited voters who did not
vote in the election, nor was he able to call at least an agent of the political party who on the point of
law is the most qualified person to testify in a case of over-voting.

The court, however, dismissed the entire appeal for lacking in merit.

It affirmed the decisions of the tribunal which upheld the victory of Ifeanyi Okowa in the March 2019
governorship election.

No cost was however awarded against the appellant.

Yola University Chaplain, Prof. Felix Ilesani, Kidnapped

IgbereTV reports that gunmen have kidnapped Prof Felix Ilesani of Department of Urban and Regional
Planning, Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola, Adamawa State.

Prof Ilesani was kidnapped on Thursday night from his residence at the staff quarters of the university
campus in Girei, headquarters of Girei Local Government Area of the state.

Prof Illesani is the chaplain of Trinity Chapel, located on the main campus of the university.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Suleiman Nguroje, said the Chief Security Officer of the
university has reported the development to the police. He said police officers had been drafted to rescue
the victim and arrest the abductors.

The federal university is now becoming a comfortable ground for kidnappers who always go for high-
ranked staff members

Just last month, a professor of Soil Science in the university, Adamu Zata, was kidnapped. This is the
second time Adamu Zata would be kidnapped after his October 2018 kidnap.

Akeredolu Receives Ahmad Lawan, Others In Ondo

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Friday, November 15, 2019 received
the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and other principal officers of the Senate at the Government
House, Alagbaka, Akure.

The Senate President, alongside Senator Ajayi Borrofice, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, Senator Opeyemi
Bamidele and other senators are in the state to visit one of their own, Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, who
was involved in a road accident recently.

Receiving the lawmakers at the Government House, Arakunrin Akeredolu thanked the Senate President
for deeming it fit to come by himself and visit Senator Tofowomo.

According to the Governor, the decision of the Senate President to leave the seat of power in Abuja to
visit Tofowomo has demonstrated his good leadership quality.

He said:" The senate President, let me thank you for your consideration and decision to stop by. Sir,
that you, as the President of the Senate, left Abuja to be here to see one of your own, Senator Nicholas
Tofowomo has demostrated your very good leadership quality. You could have sent any of your
member, but that you led this wonderful team to pay him a visit, we thank you sir.

"Your decision to see the senate as one is wonderful. Even within the party, we argue, there will be
different opinions. The nation is the most important thing .

"We have a President that’s so respected all over the world we all respect him, we must work with him.
I thank you for this decision of the spirit of oneness."

Earlier, the Senate President informed the Governor that he was in the state with other Principal
officers to visit one of the members who was involved in an accident.

He said:"We also felt we should pay you this visit to thank you for giving us this kind of warm
treatment since we arrived at the airport. We are going to Ondo to visit one of our colleagues who was
involved in an accident . We want to go and pray with him and take the message of the senate that we
are with him at all time.

"In the senate today, we all work together. It’s a conscious decision of the senate that all of us work
together to give the required support to the Federal Government to perform Well in the country. We all
want to see the security improve and we want to see an economy that works for everyone and all of us
are in this."

Olabode Richard Olatunde

Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
November 15, 2019

Breaking News: Gov Makinde Allegedly Attacked In Kogi Hotel

Governor Seyi Makinde has reportedly been attacked in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital.

People believed to be armed and masked security men, who appeared in police uniforms, were said to
have stormed the hotel around noon.

Makinde is the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Kogi State Campaign Council.
He is in Kogi in his capacity as the Chairman of that Council.
It was confirmed that the hooded security operatives arrived the Suitorial Hotels, Lokoja, located along
Stadium Road, Lokoja, where the Governor and some members of the PDP Campaign Council are
lodged at about 12.50 pm, on Friday, shooting sporadically and attempting to break into the hotel
rooms.

It was gathered the some of the hooded security operatives scaled the fence of the Hotel and attempted
to enter the rooms.

A melee was set off as the security operatives attached to the Governor of Oyo state were said to have
resisted the invaders.

Within a short while, some residents nearby also gathered to resist the invading gunmen.

Details later…

Appeal Court Restores David Lyon As Bayelsa APC

Governorship Candidate
An Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has restored Hon David Lyon as the All
Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the November 16 governorship election.

The appellant Court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) not to remove
Lyon as the candidate of the party based on an earlier ruling by Justice Jane Inyang of the Federal High
Court who nullified the governorship primary election that produce Lyon.

The Appellant Court order followed an ex parte motion filed by Lyon through his counsel challenging
the judgment of Justice Inyang.

Nigerian Woman Made History By Becoming The First

Immigrant And Black To Win Council seat in Bangor, US
A Nigerian immigrant and legal professional, Angela Okafor made history on Tuesday, November 5,
when she turned the first black to win a councillor seat for Bangor Metropolis Council in Maine,
United States of America.
Okafor and the others elected were sworn in during a ceremony at Bangor City Hall on Wednesday,
Novembr 13.
Okafor, from Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, became a United
States Citizen earlier this year. Angela and her husband, Ben, who owns two pharmacies, live in Bangor
with their three kids.
As a foreign trained and American licensed attorney, she worked in the dish room washing department
because she did not get a fair opportunity.
Currently, Angela owns a law practice, an international market, and a hair care business. She served on
the Board of the Maine Multicultural Center, and guest lectured at Eastern Maine Community College.
She works with students and business bodies and started an affinity group. She is an occasional
columnist at Amjambo Africa. She is a public and inspirational speaker. Angela won the Trailblazer
award from Empower the Immigrant Woman.
Months after becoming an American citizen, Angela became the first immigrant and first person of
color to serve on the Bangor City Council.

"It doesn’t matter where you come from and it doesn’t matter the challenges you face. It’s about how
you use the challenges. If it’s a challenge you can use it to push yourself harder. The challenge made
me work harder. I’m grateful that I got this." said Okafor.

Sarah Nichols, City Council Chair, said, "City government, all levels of government are open to all. It’s
not for the few. I think it’s really important in terms of showcasing what this community is made of."

Taking to her Facebook page, Angela Okafor shared her excitement over making history

"I am still literally unbelievably shaken by what we did tonight! I had tried calling my dad in Nigeria to
inform him that his little girl who was not sure of going to college let alone studying Law has just made
history in the greatest Country in the planet earth!!! Thank you for every advice, time, financial
support, good wishes, prayers, childcare, and especially to those who told me I could not!!! Your doubt
of me pushed me to defy those odds!! Thank you for being God's unwilling tool to get me working
harder!!! To every little child there, what you have control over is where your power is. I started as the
underdog but by reaching out, asking questions, listening, asking again, I got you all on my side!!! I
personally knocked on more than 1,000 doors, spoke to uncountable more on the streets, at the stores,
at kids games, practices and activities. You had me drop off my cards on trash cans so I can stay away
from your dogs that I am petrified of ( you do not want to see me around a dog). It is not who you were
born as but what you make of who you are!!! Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!!! I cant even
coordinate my thoughts . Thank you to everyone who stuck out their neck for me! But now the real
hard work begins!!! I will be needing your help more now! I do not know my left from my right but
will be counting on your ideas and advices and holding me accountable respectfully and with love!!!
Please do not put a bag of salt on my head and become a rain maker after me!!! We did the hard part!
Now let's roll up our sleeves and get to work on the real things!!!
https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2019/11/photos-from-the-swearing-in-ceremony-of-nigerian-woman-
angela-okafor-who-made-history-by-becoming-the-first-immigrant-and-black-to-win-council-seat-in-
bangor-us.html
Freight Forwarders Commend WACT On Improved Service
Delivery in Onne Port
Freight forwarders operating at Onne Port, Rivers State have commended the West Africa Container
Terminal (WACT) over its improved service delivery which they stated had resulted in reduction in
waiting time of ships to zero, leading to reduced vessel turnaround time.

The freight forwarders also commended WACT for its investment in cargo handling equipment in
response to unprecedented growth in container volume at the port.

This year, WACT has invested $14 million (N5 billion) in the acquisition of modern cargo handling
equipment including two Mobile Harbour Cranes, 14 specialised terminal trucks and two reach
stackers.

The Chairman, Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN), Onne Port, Chief
Gabriel Okonkwo, said: “To be very frank with you about WACT operation, there has been substantial
increase in import volume and to measure up with that, they have acquired a lot of equipment to ease
cargo clearance and we commend them for that because they are doing very well. Every week, they
receive between three to four ships. They are keeping up with the demand, they can receive vessels, do
loading and drop containers for examination, all at the same time.”

On his part, Chairman, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF),
Onne Port, Chief Emma Nnwamkpa, said, “WACT is operating very well. They brought new
equipment over the last six months, so we don’t have any delays in working at the facility.”

Also speaking, Chairman, Flat and Cargo Trailer Drivers Association, Comrade Adolphus Ugwu, said
the upgrade and massive investment at the terminal have brought about high level of efficiency at the
facility.

Nigeria Debt Profile In Comparison To Other Countries

We are the 7th most populated nation in the world with all types of economic and infrastructural
challenges, I have often heard countrymen complaining about our soaring debt profile but looking at
this info published by visualcapitalist .com I started wondering if we are really borrowing enough.
Nations like United State, Japan, China, Italy, Germany and United Kingdom top the list. Is there
something we are missing?

At continental level Africa has 1.9% of total world debt which is the lowest with Asia and Pasific
having 34.8% followed by North America 34.2%. At the country level the top 3 countries which I
mentioned above actually owed 57.8% of total debt. Which is a whopping $39trillion of the 69 trillion
world debt. Leaving the rest of the world to share the crumbs falling from their dining table.

President Obasanjo and the then minister of finance spent most of their tenure lobbying for debt relief
for the country which they achieved and that was considered a great achievement.

My question is, why are the biggest debtors doing great and they are not complaining while some of
them even lend to us from what they themselves borrowed? Nigerian ranked 47 in the world with 0.2%
of the world debt and most importantly 27.3% debt to gdp. We owe $109 billion compare to Japan
which I think is the worst debtor with aprox $12 trillion, 17% with debt to gdp 237%.

Maybe we need to borrow more to build infrastructures and invest in research. Economists, what do
you think?

Visualizing $69 Trillion of World Debt in One Infographic

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/69-trillion-of-world-debt-in-one-infographic/
Thugs Attacked Seyi Makinde In Lokoja (Video)
Thugs believed to be for the opposition in Kogi state earlier today invaded gov. Seyi Makinde's Hotel
but were repelled by his security personnel.

In the video, an angry supporter was heard saying "the oppression is too much" severally.

The Kogi State governorship election comes up tomorrow the 16th of November 2019.

Seyi Makinde, other top PDP governors and party stakeholders are in Kogi state on a solidarity visit to
support the election of Engr. Musa Wada of the PDP

Some of his guards were seeing pulling out their pistols from beneath their belts in readiness for any
eventuality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4iMtx1st-E

Dozie Nwankwo Issued Certificate Of Return, Receives

Accolades From Supporters
Hon. Dozie Nwankwo Issued Certificate Of Return, Receives Accolades From Supporters

It was indeed a great celebration for the people of Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia Federal Constituency in
Anambra state, as Hon. Dozie Nwankwo (Onye Ndozi) finally receives his Certificate of Return from
the Independent National Electoral Commision in Abuja yesterday. The APGA candidate and grassroot
mobilizer, has earlier appealed the ruling of the tribunal which upheld the election of PDP's Candidate,
Hon. Valentine Ayika.

This presentation of the certificate of Return to Hon. Dozie of APGA came few days after the judgment
of the Court of Appeal in Enugu, sacked Hon. Valentine as the Member Representing
Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia Federal constituency and immediately ordered INEC to issue the
Certificate of Return to the APGA Candidate, who was truely and credibly elected by the people.

Hon. Dozie Nwankwo has continuously received an outpour of congratulatory messages and goodwill
prayers from people of Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia federal constituency in Anambra state. The young
and committed astute politician and erudite leader received the Certificate amidst cheers from friends,
family members, party members and supporter from his constituency. He will be sworn-in at the
national assembly by the Speaker of the house in the coming days.

In celebrating his victory, the President of the reknowned Peace Ambassador Agency, Amb. Kingsley
Amafibe has joined Nigerians and well meaning people of Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia federal
constituency to congratulate Hon. Dozie on his well-deserved victory.
In the words of Amb. Kingsley, he says, "the truth cannot be swept under the carpet, surely justice will
eventually take it place. I am so happy and much elated to be part of the team that stood firmly and
confidently as the mandate of Hon. Dozie is returned and today we celebrate his victory and we have
no doubt that his leadership and representation of Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia federal constituency in
Federal House of Representative will bring unequivocal and responsive development to the entire
constituency".

Aisha Buhari Supports Yahaya Bello’s Second Term Bid, Gets

Blasted
First Lady Aisha Buhari has come under attack on social media for supporting the second term bid of
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

Mrs Buhari was at the All Progressives Congress rally in Lokoja on Thursday alongside party leaders –
national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole; Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State – and others.

She joined in begging Kogi people to forgive Bello for not paying civil servants.

Nigerians on Twitter have accused Aisha of hypocrisy, saying she accused Buhari’s government of
being hijacked by a cabal which did not have the people’s best interest at heart, yet she was supporting
a governor who is owing salaries.

PDP Berates APC For Attacking Gov. Makinde, Musa Wada,

Other PDP Leaders
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) berates the All Progressives Congress (APC) for sending armed
thugs to invade the venue of the meeting of its leaders, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde
and the PDP candidate, Engr. Musa Wada, in Lokoja on Friday.

The party says that several hooded APC thugs, armed with automatic rifles and other dangerous
weapons, invaded the venue of the meeting which had Governor Makinde, Engr. Wada, his running
mate, Hon. Samuel Aro, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, as well as other
party chieftains in attendance.

It took the resistance of the security personnel attached to Governor Makinde to save the situation,
which would have turned calamitous, as the people of Kogi who were around the venue were already
poised for a stiff confrontation.

The PDP says the APC ought to have known by now that their reliance on thugs and violence cannot
thrive, as the people are ready to defend their state in this election.

The party therefore urges in the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu to caution the APC as
well as put every measure in place to check the activities of APC’s thugs so as to ensure a hitch free,
transparent and credible election on Saturday.

The PDP calls on the people of Kogi state to remain alert and resolute in their determination to assert
their will despite the machinations designed to undermine their spirit at the election.

It also states that Nigerians should hold the APC and Governor Yahaya Bello responsible should any
harm whatsoever befall any PDP member during the period of the election.

Signed

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
Nigerian Laws Doesn't Require Certificate For Elections -
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court on Friday held that President Muhammadu Buhari was right not to have submitted
his academic credentials to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The apex court stated this while giving a reason for dismissing the appeal by the Peoples Democratic
Party, PDP, and its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

According to the court, Buhari was eminently qualified to contest the last presidential election.

The court held that contrary to claim by the appellants, no law requires a candidate to submit his/her
academic certificates to the electoral umpire before being allowed to contest the election.

The Supreme Court also held that the constitution does not require one to possess a secondary school
certificate to be qualified to run for the presidency.

It added that schooling up to secondary school, without possessing the result of the final examination
was sufficient.

The Supreme Court further explained that Buhari did not only show that he has a secondary certificate
and rose to the rank of Major General in the Army, attended military training, became the nation’s Head
of State, could communicate in English and possessed a primary school leaving certificate, all to the
satisfaction of INEC.

The three-man panel of the court upheld the decision of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, on
the issues of Buhari’s qualification and possession of relevant certificates.

The apex court resolved issues 1 and 2 against the PDP and Atiku

Kogi Election: CDD Raises Alarm Over Vote Buying In Lokoja,

Koton Karfe Lgas
LESS than 24 hours to the commencement of 2019 Kogi State governorship election, Centre for
Democracy and Development (CDD), a not-for-profit advocacy organisation has raised alarm about the
incident of vote buying in Kogi State.

In a press release signed by CDD director, Idayat Hassan and shared with The ICIR, CDD said its
observers have witnessed the distribution of gift items such as Ankara textile materials and bags of rice
in Lokoja and Koton Karfe Local Government Areas.

Also, INEC Supervising Presiding Officers (SPO) have been induced with cash across the 21 Local
Government Areas of the State, CDD has disclosed.

A major political party has approached INEC officials “with bribes of USD1,000 to buy them over,”

CDD said this finding was also confirmed from Bureau de Change (BDC) Operators in Lokoja who
were interviewed.

“The BDC operators report that there are has been an upsurge in the number of customers calling to
change USD1000 to Naira.”

Mrs. Hassan said the use of financial inducement to subvert the credibility of the electoral process is
antithetical to the democratic ethos.

“CDD condemns in the strongest possible terms all forms of inducement of poll officials. The Electoral
Act 2010 (as amended) expressly frowns at bribery and all forms of inducement of poll officials.

“Specifically, Section 124(4) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended states: ‘Any person who commits
the offence of bribery is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of N500,000 or imprisonment for 12
months or both'”.

Edo Crisis: Allow Obaseki Rule For 8 Years , Idahosa Tells

Oshiomhole
Charles Idahosa, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state has said the only
solution to the political crisis in the state for the national chairman of the party, Comrade Adams
Oshiomhole to leave Governor Godwin Obaseki alone and allow him to govern the state without undue
interference.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Independent, Idahosa, who was a former political adviser to
Oshiomhole said it is unfortunate that the national chairman is gambling with the only state APC has in
the South-South.

“Oshiomhole must make a retreat and let the governor rule for eight years. I have said these times and
numbers again. Just look at what happened here. People are picked up in the night taken to the house of
the Secretary and you are forcing them to sign”.

“Let the former Secretary show us a video clip where they had a meeting and decision was taken to
suspend the state chairman. No such meeting ever took place”.

“For a national chairman to be involved in this kind of wrangling his home state is very strange. We are
talking about the only APC state in the South- South and we are gambling with it. Look at Bayelsa
now, we don’t have a candidate.
“That is the implication of the judgment which disqualified the running mate of the APC governorship
candidate and it is a joint ticket,” he said

Anti-Social Media Bill: Femi Fani-Kayode Blasts Buhari & Lai

Mohammed
The attempt by the Buhari government to regulate Social Media through the introduction of Anti Social
Media Bill which has passed Senate’s first reading continues to create confusion and generate huge
criticism from the Nigerian Populace.

Femi Fani kayode, a former Minister of Aviation took his turn to severely criticize and continually to
kick against this show of shame by this government trying to silence Nigerians and kill all oppositions.

Today, the former Minister of Aviation took to his twitter handle @realFFK to make his stand heard.

FFK said there is no amount of criticism that can stop this administration from regulating the social
media platforms.

FFK said
No amount of criticisms will deter the government from going ahead with the proposed
measure to regulate social media space.

– @Mohammed_Lai I expected no less from you & your boss. You came into power on the
wings of social media and now you want to kill it. You will FAIL!

Buhari On His Way Back To Nigeria From London

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to arrive in Nigeria late Friday, sources close to the
presidency have told PREMIUM TIMES.

The president’s flight was said to have taken off from Stansted Airport, London, at about 3:27 p.m.
Nigerian time.

Sources at the presidency said they have been asked to be at the airport by 7:30 p.m. to welcome the
president, who is expected to arrive at about 9 p.m.

The president has been on a 15–day “private visit” in the United Kingdom since November 2. He was
due to return on November 17.

On Thursday, a Nigerian diplomatic car believed to have been carrying the president was booed by an
angry mob in the UK.

Many of the protesters carried placards calling for freedom for the detained publisher of Sahara
Reporters, Omoyele Sowore. Others condemned the treatment of the leader of the Shiite movement in
Nigeria, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
“Buhari, Stop Poisoning Sheikh Zakzaky,” one of the placards read.

“Omoyele Sowore is not a criminal,” another placard read.

Customs To Begin Electronic Clearance For Imported, Exported

Goods
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it has obtained approval from President Muhammadu Buhari
to begin electronic process for clearing imported and exported goods. The Comptroller General of
Customs, Col. Hameed Ali Rtd disclosed this on Friday at the graduation ceremony of 40 officers from
the Senior Course 3 session at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College in Gwagwalada,
Abuja. Col. Ali said the E-Customs deployment will transform the operations of the Service, providing
for faster clearance of goods.

When this happens, Ali said, “Export and import processing will be paperless. Your performance
evaluation report will not be written on paper and will fill it online and your superior will assess you
online.” He challenged Customs operatives to have a mindset of training to adopt the skills once the
clearance technology is deployed. Ali also noted that the College will have its name changed to
Training and Doctrine Command following the Board’s approval. The Commandant of the College,
acting Deputy Comptroller General, Elisha Chikan said the College had graduated two other Senior
sets since 2017.

He said, “Although 40 students were admitted for the course, today we are graduating 39 because we
lost one of them. Among the graduands are 13 female officers. Chikan charged them to become better
ambassadors of the College, noting that the set were the best among the three Senior courses conducted
so far.

El-Zakzaky, Dasuki chose to be with us because we are taking

care of them - DSS
The Department of State Services (DSS) says Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in
Nigeria (IMN), Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser (NSA), chose to remain in its custody
because it is taking good care of them.

Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesman, said this while absolving the secret police from the illegal detention
of some notable persons undergoing trials in court.

The agency has come under fire over the continued detention of Omoyele Sowore, convener of
RevolutionNow Movement, despite two court orders for his release.

In a statement on Friday, Afunanya said Sowore, El-Zakzaky and Dasuki appealed to the court to
remand them in its custody rather than send them to prison.

“There has been outcry about alleged illegal detention of some notable persons undergoing trials at the
Courts and disobedience to Court Orders by the Service. To put the records straight, the Service wishes
to advert public attention to the circumstances that warranted the custody of Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.)
and Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky in its facility,” the statement read.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the duo had appealed to the Courts to be left in the custody of the Service
instead of being taken to the Correctional Centres. Well-meaning Nigerians are equally witnesses to the
case of Omoleye Sowore, who, on a similar order of the Court, was to be remanded at the Kuje or
Suleja Centre, but preferred to be kept at the DSS.

“Everyone, also, saw what eventually played out with El-Zakzaky, when he opted to be returned to the
custody of the Service even as the Court had granted him leave to seek medical care in India. These
were choices these personalities made on their own volition.”

Afunanya said the DSS has treated the men with “the best courtesies” as “they are allowed access to
people and use of other facilities like telephones, gymnasium, TV, newspapers and medical facilities.”

He said the families of the detained persons bring them food of their choices everyday, adding that
“there could not have been better treatments than these”.

“Against the wrong perception that the Service held these persons in defiance to Court Orders, it is
obvious, by the above explanations, that they rather chose be looked after by the DSS. The reason for
such choice is not farfetched. It is simply because the Service’s holding facilities are good and within
acceptable international standards,” it read.

While Sowore was arrested in August, Dasuki and El-Zakzaky have been in detention since 2015.

2023 Igbo President - Yoruba Declare Support For Ndi-igbo

Supports PANPIEC
PRESS RELEASE

PANPIEC SECRETARY GENERAL KOLA ALAYANDE ASSURES OF SOUTH WEST SUPPORT

TO NIGERIA PRESIDENCY OF IGBO EXTRACTION IN 2023. ASK ANY CONTENDER FROM
THE ZONE TO STEP ASIDE.
AS PANPIEC CONTINUES ITS NATIONWIDE CONSULTATION

The Secretary General of the Pan Nigeria Presidency of Igbo Extraction Coalition, PANPIEC, HON
KOLA ALAYANDE has assured Ndigbo that when the chips are down , Yorubas who are known for
social justice and equity would fully support the Nigeria Presidency of Igbo extraction in 2023.
Hon Alayande stated this in a Press Conference at Ibadan , the Oyo state capital . He noted that the only
root to Nigeria political stability in 2023 and beyond is to make an Igbo man the President of Nigeria
then. Other zones of the country have occupied the seat he stated and now its Igbo turn to do so for
equity and justice. He thanked Gen Ishola Williams and Afenifere Chieftains for the support to the
project and assured that notwithstanding some grandstandings from some parts of the country, it would
work. He asked some political actors from the South West presently grandstanding for the position to
halt such moves as it would be against the unity and future stability of the country.
He noted that the group is still consulting major stakholders in the country and before long would
establish its presence in all nook and cranny of Nigeria including tertiary schools, markets and other
places. He noted that the group has set up a BOT made of two eminent Nigerians per zone and the
names would soon be announced. He also stated that the group would soon appoint state , zonal and
diaspora co-ordinatots , including national youth and woman leaders.
He called on all Nigerians and all the political parties in Nigeria to identify with this equitable project.

Lagos To Begin Payment Of N35,000 Minimum Wage

November; See New Salary Scale
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has concluded arrangement to pay N35,000 as the new
minimum wage for workers beginning from November, 2019.

The decision was arrived at after series of meetings and discussions between the Lagos State Joint
Public Service Negotiating Council (JNC) and Lagos State Government as witnessed by the Nigeria
Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) on the payment of the New Minimum Wage
to Lagos State Public Sector Workers on Friday.

Comrade Rasaq Adio Falade, State Chairman, JNC said necessary terms of settlement and agreement
were reached after the end of the meeting on Friday.

The National Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (NJPSNC) and the Federal Government’s
Negotiations and Consequential Adjustment of Salaries had produced the following figures on
Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS): GL. 01-06=N30,000; GL. 07=23.2%; GL.
08=20%; GL. 09=19%; GL. 10-14=16% and GL. 15-17=14%.

However, Falade said in consonance with the pronouncements of Sanwo-Olu, the government agreed to
pay N35,000 as minimum wage.

He said government had agreed to pay GL. 01-06=N35,000.09;. GL. 07=30%; GL. 08-10=25%; GL.
12-14=22.5% and GL. 15-17=20%.

Falade added that payment of allowances peculiar to certain professions/sectors such as health workers,
medical personnel, teachers, and so on, embedded in their respective Consolidated Salary Structures
(e.g. CONHESS, CONMESS, CONTISS, etc) shall be paid for those stated items (e.g. Hazard, Call,
Shift, etc) at such rates as provided in the various salaries of government approved in 2011.

He disclosed that the payment of the New Minimum Wage at the consequential adjustment rates shall
commence in Lagos State in the November, 2019 salary cycle.

“The New Minimum Wage Act came into effect on the 18th April, 2019 as such, it was agreed that
payment of the six and half months arrears shall be be made and concluded by the first quarter of year
2020,” he said.

Below is the breakdown:

LAGOS STATE SALARIES CONSEQUENTIAL ADJUSTMENT/INCREASE

a. GL. 01-06=N35,000.09
b. GL. 07=30%
c. GL. 08-10=25%
d. GL. 12-14=22.5%
e. GL. 15-17=20%

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SALARIES CONSEQUENTIAL ADJUSTMENT/INCREASE

a. GL. 01-06=N30,000
b. GL. 07=23.2%
c. GL. 08=20%
d. GL. 09=19%
e. GL. 10-14=16%
f. GL. 15-17=14%

Reno Blasts Aisha -"forgive Your Husband's Family, Before

Begging For Gov Bello"
Reno Omokri has come out to rebuke Aisha Buhari, wife of President Buhari for urging the
people of Kogi State to forgive their governor, Yahaya Bello.
The former aide to Goodluck Jonathan said Aisha Buhari should forgive the family of her husband’s
nephew, Mamman Daura, if she wants the people of Kogi to forgive Bello who is currently owing
salaries.
Mrs Buhari had made the appeal on Thursday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally held in
the Kogi, ahead of the governorship election slated to hold on November 16, 2019.
She assured the residents that salaries will be paid in the state following the President’s intervention.
Aisha urged the citizens to forget Bello’s wrongdoings in the state, adding that they will not be
disappointed if they vote for him.
However, Omokri in a tweet on Friday wrote: “If @AishaMBuhari wants Kogi people to forgive
Yahaya Bello, who has not paid them salary for years (not months), then she should also forgive
Mamman Daura and his family and invite them back to Aso Rock.  What is good for Kogi should be
good for Aisha!”
If @AishaMBuhari wants Kogi people to forgive Yahaya Bello, who has not paid them
salary for years (not months), then she should also forgive Mamman Daura and his family
and invite them back to Aso Rock. What is good for Kogi should be good for Aisha!
#TableShaker #RenosDarts

— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) November 15, 2019

.@aishambuhari could not tolerate her own in-laws, and chased them out of Aso Rock.
Now, she wants to prevent Kogi people from chasing their own outlaw, Yahaya Bello, out
of government house. Aisha, he who comes to equity must come with clean hands!
#TableShaker #RenosDarts

— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) November 15, 2019

Buhari Returns To Nigeria After 15 Day Private Holiday In

London
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGe4Scyo0eg

Nnamdi Azikiwe 15th Posthumous Birthday: Anambra Declares

Monday Public Holiday
The Anambra State Government has declared Monday, 18th November, 2019 work free day In
commemoration Of Zik’s 115th Posthumous Birthday.

The announcement was contained in statement by the Head of Service of Anambra State, Mr Harry
Udua.

The statement which was made available to News9naija reads;

"This is to inform the public that Anambra state government has declared Monday, 18th November,
2019 as work free day for everyone in Anambra state.

This is in commemoration of the birthday of Late Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (Owelle of Onitsha),
former President of Nigeria.
Announcer

Barrister Harry Uduh

Head of Service
Anambra State"

Gov. Yahaya Bello Perfects Plans To Rig Tomorrow’s Election –

Dino Melaye
Senator Dino Melaye, alleged that Gov Yahaya Bello has put everything in place to rig tomorrow’s
elections.

Melaye, claimed that Bello has perfect his plans to rig the election scheduled on Saturday, 16th to
favour, Yahaya Bello and Smart Adeyemi.

He said that he has video evidence of the alleged plot said it was hatched during a meeting between
Bello and his thugs last night.

NT: Akwa Ibom, Benue, Rivers tops HIV

prevalence rate in Nigeria. See Where Your
states is and Statistics here
Akwa Ibom, Benue, Rivers tops HIV prevalence rate in Nigeria.
Akwa Ibom 5.6%
Benue 4.9%
Rivers 3.8%
Taraba 2.7%
Anambra 2.4%
Enugu 2.1%
Abia 2.1%
Delta 1.9%
Nasarawa 1.9%
Edo 1.8%
Bayelsa 1.8%
Cross River 1.7%
Imo 1.6%
Plateau 1.5%
FCT 1.5%
Lagos 1.3%
Borno 1.3%
Adamawa 1.3%
Ogun 1.2%
Gombe 1.2%
Kaduna 1.0%
Kogi 1.0%
Kwara 1.0%
Ondo 0.9%
Osun 0.9%
Oyo 0.9%
Ebonyi 0.8%
Niger 0.7%
Ekiti 0.7%
Kebbi 0.6%
Kano 0.5%
Zamfara 0.5%
Yobe 0.4%
Bauchi 0.4%
Sokoto 0.4%
Jigawa 0.3%
Katsina 0.3%
National Prevalence Rate: 1.4%
Source; NATIONAL AGENCY FOR CONTROL OF AIDS www.naca.gov.ng

NAQS Laments Loss Of $80m On Hibiscus Export Within Two

Years
Nigeria lost 80 million dollars, an equivalent of 28.8 billion naira in the last two farming seasons
due to the lull in the export of Hibiscus flower (zobo), the Director-General of Nigeria
Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Dr Vincent Isegbe, has said.

In a chat with journalists, on Thursday, in his office in Abuja, Dr Isegbe lamented that ‘’the lingering
ban on the export of the product to Mexico, the largest importer of Nigerian hibiscus has had the effect
of freezing one of Nigeria’s most significant foreign revenue streams in the agricultural sector.’’

He explained that Mexico suspended the export of Hibiscus flowers from Nigeria in 2017, on
account of the presence of a storage pest in some cargoes which originated from our country.

Since then, NAQS, which is the lead agency responsible for facilitating international trade in
Nigerian agricultural commodities, is working hard to reopen the gateway of the Mexican market
to Nigerian Hibiscus as soon as possible.
According to him: ‘’We are desperate to achieve the resumption of export to our largest Hibiscus
trading partner. Thousands of jobs are at stake too.

“We have developed a work plan in consultation with relevant stakeholders across the value chain
(namely, Hibiscus farmers, suppliers, transporters and cleaners) to serve as a pathway to regaining
Nigerian access to the Mexican market.

“This work plan aims to get everyone on the same page in the interest of achieving industry-wide
compliance with the applicable export grade standards for Hibiscus.’’

Dr Isegbe disclosed that the implementation of the work plan stands at 90 per cent. He called on
all stakeholders to rally round NAQS to push the work plan to the finish line.

November 16

El-Rufai Says He Fully Supports The Closure Of Nigerian Land

Borders
Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai has backed the Federal Government’s decision to close
Nigeria’s land borders.

El-Rufai was a special guest at the graduation of Senior Course Three of the Nigeria Customs
Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja on Friday, November 15th said it is unfair for
smaller countries to be sabotaging a big country like Nigeria.

He said the step taken was commendable. He explained that Nigeria like any other country likes to
trade with other countries but added that there must be fairness. The Governor noted that closure of the
borders should be sustained until there were established deals that covered every country.

“The partial closure of borders is highly commendable. Nigeria is the largest country in West Africa
and the continent and it is clear that our neighbours are using our openness and brotherhood to trade, to
exploit us.

“I fully support and subscribe to the closure of borders and we should sustain it for as long as possible.
We need to do this for our country to have a fair deal and for our manufacturers to be protected. All
those talking about free trade or preaching about it today closed their borders for centuries and decades
ago.

“Nigeria must grow its internal capacity, we will not do so if we allow our neighbours to use the
porosity of our borders to sabotage our economy,’’ he explained.
Hate Speech Bill: Wole Soyinka Writes Nigerian Senate
Prof Wole Soyinka has written a letter addressed to the senate over the introduction of the bill on hate
speech which recently scaled its first reading.

The Nobel Laureate who wondered why killing should be used to curb hate speech, stated that the
motives are spectacularly dubious and aimed at silencing the voices of criticism.

Soyinka stated that with the proposed penalty for hate speech, the national assembly is psyching its
ranks to pronounce themselves affiliates of inhuman aberrations.

His letter read; I hope you will excuse me for distracting you from your onerous duties, but I am a
current sufferer – and I am not alone – from a persistent nightmare. That affliction has been induced by
your most recent approach to addressing an acknowledged problem that affects, not only Nigerians, but
the entire global community. The nightmare consists of the fear of waking up one morning to discover
that one’s name has been cited among those helpless victims on behalf of whom a repellent legislation
is about to be enacted.

?The likelihood in my case is especially acute. Yes, indeed, it is no Fake News that I have denounced
the purveyors of public lies and hate material as the very scum of the earth. I have called them names
that come close to enrolling me among the very reprobates we all so fervently denounce. From Abuja,
through Paris, London, Sochi, Dar es Salaam, Chandrigah, etc. etc., I have utilized every
availableplatform to highlight their perverse mentality and call for concerted action against their hyper-
activism against humanity in general. I have singled out the Nigerian species of this criminal pursuit as
an especially virulent breed, as a subhuman aberration without conscience, incapable of remorse,
sustained by abnormal reserves of sadism. I have closed down dozens of fake sites instituted over my
name, and set in motion mechanisms for the pursuit of those who steal my identity, even where the
content is quite harmless, even positive. Only recently, in Paris, I proposed that judicial mitigation
under the recognition of crime passionnel should be considered forvictims of Fake News who ‘lose
control’ on physically encountering their violators. As you may have discerned so far, I again, and
unapologetically, exploit this very development to reiterate my detestation and contempt for such
pestilences that plague our humanity.

?However, dear legislators, consider more deeply the path on which you have chosen to embark. I
invite you to reflect quite objectively on the company into which you are about to throw yourselves,
and the consequences for the very nation you represent – including its social psyche. You are about to
corrupt youthful impression, to join the brigade of closet psychopaths for whom the only solution to
any social malaise from the trite to the profoundly affective is – Kill! Is this what humanity and society
are all about?

?You are psyching up your ranks to pronounce yourselves affiliates of inhuman aberrations such as
Boko Haram, Isis (Da’esh), al Shabbab , nomadic cow herders etc. etc. for whom killing is the only
response for real or imagined wrongs, perceptions of entitlement and/or deprivation, sense of
righteousness and generally – concept of a thoroughly sanitized community of mortals. You are sending
out applications to join the ranks of those inadequate males who believe that the only cure for adultery
is to bury a woman up to her neck in earth and reduce her head to a pulp under a rain of stones. You
affirm yourselves – not for the first time, alas! –allies of those who believe that death is the appropriate
cure for that physiological conditioning which, through no fault of theirs, attract them to others of the
same sex. You pronounce yourselves clones of demented rulers like Yahayah Jahmeh of Gambia who
preached that we all cut off the heads of homosexuals and poison alleged witches -– and so on and on
down a dismal list of silent, instinctive killers who have somehow managed to manipulate themselves
into the corridors of ‘legitimatized’ — or illicit recesses of – Power and Force.

By the way, are you aware that a school of thought passionately believes that thieves such as Yahayah
Jahmeh, formerly of Gambia, Omar Bashir of the Sudan etc in company of numerous members of
African leadership elite, including this very Nigerian society, deserve no less than the death penalty for
pilfering public resources, and on a scale that continues to stagger even the most inured in this nation?
Do you really, as presumably analytical minds, believe that a facile and final recourse to the gallows or
a fusillade of bullets at the stake, is the sole remedy to the phenomenon of the diffuse classifications
possible under the abuse of communication and the sowing of hate among people? How precise is the
definition of ‘hate’ when it becomes a yardstick for the extinction of even one human life?
Haunting,hopefully, our collective conscience as a nation, even till today, is recollection of a clique of
social army reformers who instituted, and carried out the execution citizens under a retroactive law. Yet
others wiped out entire communities as collective punishment for the loss of members of their elite
class, the military. And surely it is too soon to dismiss memory of the mass decimation of a religious
group, theShi’ites, for obstructing the passage of a motorcade of that same elite class. These are classic
instances of murder, albeit under the immunity of power legitimation.

?Your motivations are also spectacularly dubious. Silencing the voices of criticism is a perennial
preoccupation of power, but we know that a far more penetrative form of death, spelling the end of
social vitality and relevance is incurred when human voices are silenced. Try and imagine how many
“deserved” executions would be taking place in this nation right now – beginning with nearly all of you
in the exalted homes of legislation – if Boko Haram had succeeded in subjugating this nation under its
creed. Well, do not even bother with imagination, which is not as common a faculty as we tend to
assume – simply check with neighbouring Mali how many, convicted of crimes against faith, Mr.
Answar Dine eliminated during his brief sway in northern Mali. Or remain within this nation itself —
check the statistics of death inflicted from indiscriminate bombings of the thriving concourses of
humanity – schools, markets, motor parks, media houses, churches, mosques, shrines by believers in
the doctrine of death as divine solution to the very crime of existence outside their narrow and
perverted set of beliefs. Consider the fate of Uganda if Joseph Kony had indeed succeeded in his
mission of converting Ugandans to his doctrine of – Salvation or Death!

These are not imaginary scenarios. That quick but facile option – killing – has become the current
emblem of this very nation, effectively replacing the green-white-green!Something has collapsed. The
carefully calibrated structures of fellow feeling, supposedly inculcated from infancy, lie in ruins. Life is
now held cheap, casual, and trite. Students kill for the thrill of it, and for assertion of cultic supremacy.
Kidnappers collect ransom yet kill. They kill even intermediary couriers. Fetishists kill in pursuit of
illusions of instant wealth. Others, highly placed, kill for political office, and yet others to cover up
criminalities by the deployment of killers. You cannot claim ignorance that there have been identified,
over the past few decades, consortiums of killers who actually advertise their trade in select circles and
canvass for clients. Your businessmen – and women – have used them. So have politicians.

And now, you wish to add, to this culture of rampaging morbidity, the state empowered deaths of those
dregs of society who titillate themselves with corrosive narratives from diseased minds, and boost their
meaningless lives with the degradation of others? Are they even worth the cost of the hangman’s
noose? No. True, governance has a responsibility to protect its citizens, but social malefactors must be
fought and neutralized through far more painstaking methods. Reformed if possible, exposed and
publicly humiliated,punished and compelled to make restitution where their actions have caused pain,
anguish and destruction. That option, we know, is the more arduous path, but then, where did you
obtain the notion that you were elected to occupy cushy, stress-free armchairs?

?When a section of this national community wanted to execute a lady called Safiyat for alleged
adultery some years ago – and through the singularly revolting means of stoning to death — the nation
rose above religious partisanship inrepudiation of this barbaric trivialization of human life. We continue
to rail against the solution of death as penalty against those whose sexual orientation is different from
ours, and thereby offends the sensibilities of others. I await persuasion, offered through objective, not
emotive arguments, that this new extension of the homicidal imperative is fundamentally different from
those other globally repudiated candidates for the killing route to social sanitation.

?For now, may I passionately plead with you to consider that the coarsening and debasement of youth
sensibility – already too far gone – through the trivialization of life – is a spectre that may return to
haunt you if coming generations are taught that it is “cool to kill”. Remember that example, especially
by leadership, is a hundred times more explicit and enduring than the mere propagation of any counter-
doctrine. Do not embrace the awful responsibility of impressing homicide as a way of life on the ethical
template of coming generations. The chickens have a way of coming home to roost. I may be wrong of
course, but their droppings already foul the common air we all breathe. Just take a deep breath, look
around you, and re-consider.

Military Treats Over 300 Mushin Residents In Free Medical

Outreach
More than 300 residents of Mushin, on Thursday, benefitted from a free medical outreach organised by
the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) in Oshodi, Lagos.

At the medical outreach which held at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Papa Ajao, military doctors,
lab scientists, nurses and caregivers offered various services including test and treatment for malaria,
optical and dental concerns, HIV, Hepatitis and sugar screenings as well as immunisation of children
with measles-second dose.

Cardiovascular experts were also available to counsel residents on ways to prevent or manage heart
related diseases.

According to NAFRC Commandant Air Vice Marshal (AVM), Abubakar-Sadick Liman, the maiden
medical rhapsody was part of efforts to improve civil-military relations, adding that Mushin piloted the
project because it is the centre’s host community.

He said those whose cases needed further attention would be referred to the NAFRC medical centre,
where they would also be treated at no cost to them.

“I would like to correct the wrong impression that military medical facilities do not attend to civilians. I
would like you to purge your minds of this erroneous notion as our medical facilities are open to all
categories of civilians. No one will harass or deny you access as long as your mission is clearly stated
at our gates.

“It is usually said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. Therefore, this medical outreach will in no
small way contribute to the health of this community,” he said.

The Nation reports that beneficiaries with optical or dental issues were given free correctional
toothpastes and eyeglasses while all who registered received free treated mosquito nets.

Appreciating the Commandant for the gesture, Chairman Mushin Local Government Area (LGA)
Emmanuel Gbamgboye said it would go a long way to improve the health of the people.

He said the free medical outreach would complement ongoing efforts by the local government,
stressing that there were mobile clinics stationed at strategic locations that provide free services to the
people.

Gbamgboye said his government renovated six PHCs last week, adding that they have been supporting
the General Hospital in Mushin to deliver better services to the people.

“We have a mini General Hospital at Igbowo which we are trying to equip. We have changed some of
our service to 24 hours and have been buying a lot of equipments. We also have Mobile Clinic on
monthly basis which renders free service to our people.

“We have rehabilitated some schools and even some NGOs are supporting us in that regard. I have
done over 28 roads since I assumed office and we are doing about eight road projects now.
“Presently, Ifelodun, Igbira Street, Sobowale, Olanubi, among others are under construction. We have
over 600 streets in Mushin and we are doing our best,” he said.

Remembering Biafra in border closure

Motor Park economists say we are approaching El Dorado as Nigeria’s land borders remain shut. I
know nothing about paper economics since most practitioners say different things each returning day.
Some big guns in Abuja think this new development will boost local production. There is just no way
to run away from Biafra because the present situation takes many back to the Civil War years.
Biafra’s land, sea and air borders were blockaded by Nigeria, supported by Russian fighter jets manned
by Egyptian pilots. World powers, except of course, the United States and France looked elsewhere as
atrocity reigned.
The Biafrans did not go to bed, they put on their thinking cap. That is exactly what I want Nigerians to
do. It is not enough to announce that local farmers are smiling to the banks.
I expect government to factor other things that go beyond producing rice in Abakaliki. What does it
take to move the product beyond Ebonyi State?
Beyond politics, we know that Lagos is the most populous state in the country. A good rice farmer in
Abakaliki would, of course, love to take advantage of the huge market.
After escaping pot holes in Enugu, Anambra and Delta states, danger stares him in the face. The Ijebu
Ode-Sagamu axis is a nightmare. Moving on the Sagamu-Lagos highway is the height of gridlock and
that coupled with fear of bandits and herdsmen from Ofosu to Ore.
Ours is a country of consumers. We import almost everything. Nigeria does not plan at all. We cannot
even produce tissue paper to wipe our dirty bum after feeding fat on foreign goods.
As a kid, I began to recite ‘necessity is the mother of invention.’ That was a common jingle in Biafra.
With borders militarized, the people looked inwards.
Biafra became a mass of industry. Everyone was involved even in the midst of starvation. Medical
equipment was scarce but there was a way out and it was home grown.
Professor Theodore Okeahialam, who was part of it all paints a humble picture of the feat achieved.
Okeahialam said:”That was a period of exciting Igbo scientific innovation just like the use of coconut
water as intravenous fluid by doctors to treat wounded soldiers as emergencies.”
According to the professor of Paediatrics, that leap by Biafran doctors did not go unnoticed by the
globe.
“It later proved to be scientifically sound and was reviewed in international medical journals later.”
Radio Biafra had many prominent names. People like Chinua Achebe, Uche Chukwumerije and
Cyprian Ekwensi made contributions. At the time the war ended in January 1970, it was headed by Sam
Nwaneri.
Okokon Ndem’s voice was sharper than an AK -47 bullet. The way he made announcements, many
Biafrans believed their troops were just miles short of capturing Gen. Yakubu Gowon alive.
It was believed that Radio Biafra operated from Enugu which had fallen into federal hands as early as
1967. Many wondered how Gen. Emeka Ojukwu held on to that miracle.
However, the man who made Radio Biafra stay on, was Heron Okeahialam, an Electrical/Electronics
engineer, trained in the United Kingdom. While he moved the station from one secret location to
another, bullets and fighter bombers were unable to detect it. Prof. Okeahialam is his elder brother.
Prof. Okeahialam said: “Heron converted Radio Biafra from medium to short wave, for wider
coverage.”
It was indeed a mobile station. It moved from Enugu to Umuahia and by the end of the war was
operating from Obodoukwu Urualla in today’s Ideato area of Imo State.
“At one time,” Prof. Okeahialam added, “the transmitter was in Otulu during the war and a long palm
tree was used to mount the aerial.”
Col. Olu Obasanjo who received the instrument of surrender as General Officer Commanding, Third
Marine Commando Division of the Nigeria Army could not but marvel at what was Radio Biafra.
Locating it was like a wild goose chase. Accompanied by battle tested troops, Obasanjo waltzed
through rough terrain in his official Mercedes Benz car, NA 116, until mission was accomplished.
He said:”The station was well camouflaged from both ground and air by trees and palm fronds which
were changed regularly. It was a perfect job.”
Trust Obasanjo, he came battle ready and was after Okokon Ndem. The broadcaster outsmarted him by
disappearing into the undergrowth. An enraged OBJ threatened to flog Ikoneto demons out of the man.
When Okokon Ndem eventually surfaced, the soldiers who would have been ordered to cane him were
carried away. They hailed and took photographs with the non-Igbo Biafran.
Accompanying Obasanjo was another non-Igbo, Gen. Philip Asuquo Effiong, president of Biafra in the
absence of Gen. Emeka Ojukwu who was flown out in his Grey Ghost by Captain Frank Osakwe.
Obasanjo asked some of the Radio Biafra workers to accompany him to Lagos where they would be
reabsorbed by Radio Nigeria. Okeahialam declined. In 1976, he could not say no to Imo State
governor, Lt. Commander Ndubuisi Kanu.
Kanu saddled Okeahialam with the responsibility of setting up the Imo Broadcasting Service [IBS].
Okeahialam attended St. Joseph’s College, Sasse, Cameroon before proceeding to Professional
Technial College, Southampton. He bagged a higher degree from the University of Cyracuse.
The engineer also lived up to his initials of H.O.D. when appointed H.O.D. Electrical/Electronics
Engineering department, IMT Enugu.
Biafran scientists did great things. They made beer from cassava. Engine oil came out of coconut. They
manufactured ‘Ogbunigwe’ rockets and built Red devil armoured cars. There were refineries. Airports
sprang up in Uli, Uga and Obilagu.
Among the scientists were Gordian  Ezekwem, Col. Ejike Ebenezer Aghanya, Willy Achukwu,Frank
Ndili, Felix Oragwu, Ezekiel Izuogu, Sam Orji, Frank Mbanefo, Benjamin Nwosu and Roy Umenyi.
They belonged to the Research And Production Unit [RAP].
In all this, there is a lesson for Nigeria. Biafrans were pushed to the wall by Nigeria. They reacted by
looking inwards. Today, Nigeria’s land borders are closed. Nigerians should wake up from slumber and
do something.
No serious government ever toed the path of discrimination. You cannot throw away merit and expect
development. It would be a national shame if Nigerians miss this opportunity.

Goodluck Jonathan: Political Office, Public Fund Reveal

Person's True Character
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has accused Nigerian politicians of undermining the electoral
system in Nigeria.

Jonathan who spoke in Port Harcourt during the presentation of a book by Gabriel Toby, a former
deputy governor of Rivers on Thursday November 14, called for the adoption of electronic system of
voting to curb electoral malpractices as he stated that the country would not have deteriorated to this
point if people’s votes mattered.

He admitted that there is an assumption that every politician is useless but averred that people don't
change when elected into public office. The Bayelsa-born politician insisted that what happens is we
vote for people we do not know.

He said: “The assumption is that every politician is useless, but the question of whether people change
when they are elected into public office is something political analysts, researchers should unravel.

“However, I believe that people do not change when they get into political office, rather we voted for
people we do not know.

“It is difficult to know people until you give the person political office and public funds to spend, that’s
when you know the true character of such fellow.

"Another key issue is that we do not vote people into leadership offices, they use different means to get
into office.

“When we develop as a nation to a point where our votes count, when people vote who they believe in,
the behaviour of politicians will change.”
Ramas Azuzu: Yahaya Bello Endorsed By 'Oracles And Spirits’
To Win
Kogi election: Anambra spiritualist predicts victory for Bello/Onoja
• Caution INEC

Ahead of the Kogi State governorship election, slated for Saturday, 16th November 2019, an Anambra
based Spiritualist, Dr Ramas Azuzu, the Founder and Spiritual Leader of Liberation Temple of the
Absolute God, has prophecied that the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji
Yahaya Bello and his running mate, Mr Onoja, would be declared winner of the contest without
hindrance.

Asuzu, gave the prophecy while speaking with newsmen at his Temple home in NRI, Anaocha Local
Government Area of Anambra state on Friday.

According to him, since this election build-up, I have been asking questions at the spiritual realm, I
consulted the spirits, the ancestors and the oracles; what they all told me is that Governor Bello, would
be reelected to complete his second term in office.

“Though, before the spiritual consultation, I had a dream where the father of Governor Bello, was
raining blessings before a large congregation, saying God Almighty has accepted and endorsed his son
to consolidate on the ongoing economic achievement of President Mohammadu Buhari-led Federal
Government,

In 2015, I prophesied Buhari victory against Goodluck Jonathan, it worked, In 2019 Presidential
election, I also predicted the second term victory of President Buhari, it worked.

Again, I prophesied the emergence of Governor Fayemi of Ekiti and his Osun State counterpart, Mr
Oyetola, respectively in 2018, where they both defeated their closest rivals, it also worked. So
Governor Yahaya Bello of the APC will also defeat his arch-rival, Engr Musa Wada of the People
Democratic Party PDP, in a landslide, he said.

He, however, warned that there might be little upheaval over the outcome of the election but called on
other Nigeria Clergies to pray hard against post-election violence in Kogi State.

On the achievement of president Buhari, Asuzu, who is also called Ezeji ofor Ndi Igbo (custodian of
Igbo culture), described the Buhari-led administration as the best since the returned of Democracy in
Nigeria, in 1999.

Asuzu said even if I am a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sympathiser, it would not becloud me of my
spiritual vision.
“As a person, I remain a strong member in Anambra PDP, I support their programmes. but that will not
make me change what I see as a prophet, I am the crowned custodian of Igbo culture and worshiper of
the Absolute God, PDP may be good for the electorates, but they will not win in Kogi state on
Saturday, he maintains.

He urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Prof. Mamood
Yakubu, to caution his staff not to allow politicians to seduce them with money for the sake of
credibility.

In the case of Bayelsa state election, the spiritualist said he is yet to receive revelation from God.

Kano ‘Chip Whip’: DSS Arrests Fake Number Plate Producers

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have
apprehended some syndicates in Kano and Kebbi states in connection with the production of illegal
number plates including the fake Kano ‘ Chip Whip’ Number Plate.

According to Bisi Kazeem, the Public Education Officer of FRSC, upon sighting the illegal number
plate, the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi directed the Kano state Sector Commander, Corps
Commander Zubairu Mato to collaborate with security agencies to fish out the syndicates involved in
producing fake number plates in the state.

“Consequent upon the directive, DSS Kano State was intimated and immediately swung into action to
arrest the perpetrators and bring them to book.

On Tuesday 12th Nov, 2019 DSS raided the following areas in Kano state; Sabon Gari, Kofar Ruwa,
Gidan Boss (Kofar Mazugal) Kofar Wambai (Yan Robobi) and Naibawa Zaria road.

At Sabon Gari, a suspect was arrested and subsequently charged to Court for production of fake
number plates. The suspect was apprehended while digging the ground to hide the illegal number plates
in his possession to evade arrest,” he said in a statement.

Reacting to the successes recorded in the operation, the State Director, DSS Kano state promised to
sustain the tempo of clamping down on producers of fake number plates in the state.

In a similar operation, the Corps arrested some syndicates at the Dodaru market, Gwandu Local
Government Area of Kebbi state who specialise in selling illegal Number Plates to motorcyclists.

The suspects were arraigned on Friday before the Chief Magistrate Court 1 Birnin Kebbi. The accused
pleaded not guilty but were remanded in prison custody by the Chief Magistrate till 28 November, 2019
when the case will be represented for hearing.

The Corps Marshal who expressed satisfaction over the fruitful synergy thanked the Director General
DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi for the prompt professional response deployed to arrest the perpetrators of
this high level of illegality.

He therefore called on all Nigerians who have vital information about any individual involved in the
illegal act to provide such to the Corps for necessary actions.

Thugs Snatched Election Materials Brought To Community

Secondary School, Anyigba

Thugs believed to be APC's have just now snatched election materials designated for Community
Secondary School, Anyigba.

This was made known by the PDP Deputy Communications Director, Mr. Austin Okai on his
Facebook page.

Revealed: How Akpabio, Omo-agege Fell Out Over NDDC

Board Appointments
IT has been revealed that the SMS war between the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-
Agege, and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, as reported by this column
last Saturday, was provoked by the manner the members of the board of the Niger Delta Development
Commission (NDDC) were picked.

An impeccable Presidency source told Sentry that contrary to popular belief, Senator Akpabio actually
made an input into the appointment of the board members but was irked that the member he nominated
was not made the chairman or managing director of the commission, hence his decision to constitute a
three-man interim management committee to manage the board’s affairs.

As the story goes, President Muhammadu Buhari had told Senator Omo-Agege, who is said to be very
close to the Villa, that he needed upright and competent people to run the affairs of NDDC because he
believed that the huge sums hitherto pumped into the commission had not been well utilised by its
managers. This was the basis upon which Buhari told some Niger Delta leaders who visited him in Aso
Rock recently that a forensic audit would be carried out on the commission.

Omo-Agege, however, felt that it would not be fair for him to nominate the commission’s members
without inputs from other Niger Delta leaders. He therefore contacted the National Chairman of the All
Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; former Bayelsa State governor, Chief
Timipre Silver as well as Akpabio and some other Niger Delta leaders who nominated a name each.
But it was Oshiomhole’s nominee, Dr. Pius Odubu, who became the commission’s new chairman,
while Omo-Agege’s nominee, Bernard Okumagba, became the managing director.
Irked by the development, Akpabio constituted an interim management committee, even though he
knew that the board would be cleared and there was even somebody already acting as MD.

Few days ago, the House of Representatives ordered Akpabio’s interim management to quit because
there is a board in place and the MD is part of it. Everybody is now awaiting President Buhari’s arrival
from his trip abroad to inaugurate the new board.

Akpabio’s bid to take charge because he did not choose the chairman or the MD of NDDC led to the
angry text he exchanged with Omo-Agege which SENTRY reported last week.

Bayelsa Election: Jonathan Decries Late Arrival Of Voting

Materials In Otuoke
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed disappointment over the late arrival of election
materials to his Polling Unit 39, Ward 13, in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa
State.

Jonathan, who expected to cast his vote, stepped out of his house at 8.30 a.m. but met only journalists
as the Independent National Electoral Commission officials were yet to arrive at the venue.

“Are you an electoral officer, where are they?” The former president asked a journalist at the venue.

“Well this is where I will vote, but since they are not here yet, let me go back inside.

“You see now, youths of nowadays, you need to do more,” he stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that as of the time of filing this report at 10.30 a.m, no official had
arrived at the polling unit with materials for the exercise.

CDD: INEC Officials Offered $1,000 To Influence Kogi Election

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) says a political party is bribing officials of the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kogi state with up to $1,000 to buy them over
and get them to do their bidding on election day.

In a statement issued on Friday, CDD said trained observers deployed in different parts of the state
confirmed the information.

It said some bureau de change (BDC) operators within the state have “witnessed an upsurge in the
number of customers calling to change USD1000 to Naira.”

“There are indications that a lot of money has been set aside for vote buying on Saturday. Already, our
observers have noted the distribution of gift items such as ankara textile materials and rice in Lokoja
and Koton Karfe local government areas,” CDD said.

“The use of financial inducement to subvert the credibility of the electoral process is antithetical to the
democratic ethos.

“CDD condemns in the strongest possible terms all forms of inducement of poll officials. The Electoral
Act 2010 (as amended) expressly frowns at bribery and all forms of inducement of poll officials.

“CDD calls on the anti-corruption agencies, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission
(ICPC) to thoroughly investigate these reports in order to hold to account the perpetrators of these
electoral crimes.”

Kogi Election: SDP Agent Allegedly Knocked Down With

Charms
IgbereTV reports that Abdulaziz Lawal, the SDP agent was allegedly knocked down with charms at
Obeiba Ward, Ihima, Okehi Local Government, Kogi State.

Thousands of Kogi residents will today cast their votes for the candidates of their choice in a keenly
contested governorship election.

A total of 24 parties are taking part in the election. Although the registered voters in the state are
1,646,350, about 1,485,828 (90.2%) have collected their PVCs and are thus ready to vote in the 21
local governments of the state.

The incumbent governor, Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC), hails from the central
district of the state and hopes to make history as the first governorship candidate outside of Kogi East
Senatorial District to be elected as governor.

His major challenger, Musa Wada, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is from Kogi
East, the region with nearly twice the voting population of each of the other two districts. This setting
offers an interesting contest with Kogi West having the potential to be the battleground for both
candidates.

The build-up to today’s polls has been marked by violence, intimidation and outright attacks on
candidates and their supporters. The development has given rise to apprehensions that the turnout of
voters could be low.

The opposition parties are also not certain the police would be professional and impartial. The invasion
of the hotel hosting the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, who is Chairman of the PDP campaign
Council, also cast doubts on the police neutrality.
Although the battle is expected to be between the two main political parties, the APC and the PDP, the
effects of other participating political parties cannot be underestimated. The Social Democratic Party’s
Natasha Akpoti, Aisha Audu of the Young Peoples Party, Dele Bello-Williams of the Grassroots
Development Party of Nigeria and Justina Abanida of the African Democratic Congress have the
potential of affecting the fortunes of the two leading candidates, perhaps marginally.

The police have assured they would provide adequate security for voters, electoral officers and
materials. Whether the voters trust the police enough to turn out en masse would be seen on Saturday.

BREAKING: Hoodlums Attack Dino Melaye’s Polling Unit,

Cart Away Ballot Box
Thugs just attacked the polling unit where Dino Melaye voted.

The hoodlums who came in black hillux van and Honda Civic saloon car broke one of the boxes and
carted away the other, shooting into the air.
Those who were yet to vote scamper for safety as the thugs arrived the unit.

Kogi Election: What PDP Candidate, Wada Said After Casting

Vote
The Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Engr. Musa Wada in Kogi State has
cast his vote.

Wada was seen casting his vote at his polling unit on Saturday.

Speaking after voting, Wada applauded the INEC and security officials who foiled the attempt by some
thugs allegedly sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to disrupt the election.

He expressed confidence that he will emerge winner if the peace and orderly conduct of the polls is
allowed to continue without any form of disruption.

Wada said: “The atmosphere is peaceful but some APC thugs tried to sabotage the process.

“I am happy the voting process has started and I believe I will emerge, winner of this election,

“If it continues this way I’ll say we would have a peaceful election but it’s too early to decide. It can all
change because of those miscreants but I’ve warned the people and security agents to be vigilant.”
President Buhari Speaks On 35 Persons Reportedly Sacked
From VP Osinbajo's Office
President Buhari has reacted to reports of 35 persons reportedly dismissed from the office of the Vice
President, Yemi Osinbajo. Reports were rife online early this month that the alleged silent war between
the President and his Vice had taken a different dimension with the president terminating the
appointment of 35 aides of the Vice President. Nigerians were of the opinion that the move was to
stiffle Osinbajo and get him to resign.

Reacting to the reports, the President said it is regretable that such a thing can be politicised. According
to him

They said 35 people were sacked in Vice President's office. We just created a Ministry and we
reorganized and people are giving it ethnic and political dimension. It is unfortunate'' he said

Watch a video of him speaking on the matter below

https://www.instagram.com/p/B47D8SDpqkX/

Dino Melaye: Sunday Faleke Led Thugs Who Shot And Carted
Away Ballot Box
Shortly after I left my pooling unit one Sunday Faleke led thugs who shot sporadically and carted away
the ballot box

https://twitter.com/dino_melaye/status/1195640886983634944?s=19

Dino Melaye Pays Woman Frying Bean Cake Near A Voting

Area To Share To Voters
Here is the moment PDP senatorial candidate, Dino Melaye paid a woman frying bean cake (akara)
near a voting area to fry and share bean cake to those present at the centre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjd9Fu72MZk

Orji Kalu Lectures Senate, FG On Agriculture, Makes

Reference To Ogbomosho Mango
Chief Whip of the Senate , Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has called on the Federal Government to focus on
the establishment of processing mini - industries in every state of the Federation to boost the
Agricultural Sector of the economy.
The former Governor expressed that the mini - industries would ensure that cash crops like cashew,
groundnut etc were processed into products thus creating a value chain for export and employment in
the Agricultural sector.

Senator Kalu (Abia-North) who is also the Vice-chairman of the Senate committee Banking,Insurance
and other financial institutions, commended the Federal Government's efforts in building Silos (storage
facilities) across the country, he however pointed that most of them were not being put into use.

These formed part of Senator Kalu's contributions to a motion during the Senate plenary on Thursday
sequel to the consideration of a motion on “The need for continuous implementation of policy reforms
for the diversification of the Nigerian economy through the Agricultural and Solid Minerals Sectors.”
The motion was sponsored by Senator Ibikunle Amosun (APC, Ogun Central) and co-sponsored by 59
other senators.

According to Amosun, available statistics show that the contribution of crude petroleum and natural gas
to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined from 14.95 percent in 2011 to 9.61 percent in
2015 while the agricultural sector contributed 23.35 and 23.11 percent, respectively, to the GDP during
the periods.

Kalu in his contribution to the motion said;

"A lot of cash crops were produced but were neither sold nor consumed because the prices were going
down in supporting this motion I would like to encourage the Federal government of Nigeria to also
extend a mini - industry scheme for processing food either maize, groundnut, chew nuts and other cash
crops that we produce in this country.

"During the early days of China they started by producing food for consumption only ans the people
can be fed with and after feeding the people the next step was processing. As Governor in 2006 we
produced a lot of cassava but the produce could not be exported. So I encourage the Federal
Government to recapitalize the bank of Agriculture because the bank of Agriculture is not doing
enough.

" For certain reasons the Bank of Agriculture are not doing anything, they are not doing enough in
making available facilities , loans and so on to farmers. I also call on the Federal Government to pump
more grants to Agriculture.

"In supporting this motion I want the mini industries that were established all over the states in
Nigeria , like Mao of China was able to establish mini industries in China but when you produce a lot
of these foods without processing and converting them to secondary matter, it ends up not being useful
to society.

I know in the "Ogbomosho" Oyo State for example a lot of mangos are produced but we still end up
importing mango juice into the country.

"If the Federal Government can provide a Special fund for the creation of Mini-Agro industries people
in that area can process the mangoes or store them in silos( storage facilities). We have a lot of Silos
that the Federal Government built all over Nigeria but they are not being put into use , but if you want
to make use of it they will say no its owned by the Federal Government. I know one in Umuahia -
Okigwe expressway. I have seen many and even applied to make use of it to store palm kernels but the
request was not granted.

The market money was 500 Billion why do you want to give away 500 billion when 10 billion could
have been given to states to establish mini industries and Agricultural plants so that they can process
these crops and it could generate employment and create wealth.

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, said heads of agriculture and solid minerals ministries
should come up with road maps on what they wanted to achieve within the next four years on the
diversification policy.

Hold Yahaya Bello Responsible If Anything Happens In Kogi

Today - Ayo Fayose
Immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose late yesterday night asked Nigerians to hold
Kogi state Governor responsible should anything happen to anyone today as the state holds its
Governorship election.

Fayose was reacting to the attack on Natasha Akpoti and the alleged attempted attack on Oyo state
governor, Seyi Makinde.

From the persistent attack on Natasha Akpoti and today's use of masked policemen to attack Gov. Seyi
Makinde, it is obvious that Gov Yahaya Bello is averse to free & fair elections. Should anything happen
to anyone in Kogi tomorrow,Nigerians should hold Yahaya Bello accountable.

VIDEO: Suspected Thugs Storm Kogi PDP Governorship

Candidate’s Polling Unit
Suspected thugs have attempted to snatch ballot papers in the Odu Ward 4, Odu-Ogboyaga ward 1 of
Dekina local government area in Kogi state, where the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr
Musa Wada cast his vote.

The thugs were confronted by youths and security officials who threw stones and objects to secure the
electoral materials.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjwB_LIGxyI
Bayelsa Decides: Goodluck Jonathan And Wife Finally Cast
Their Vote
Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience Jonathan, have cast their votes at ward 13,
polling unit 39 in Otuoke, Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State, Legit.ng can report.

The former president and his wife voted at about 11:30am on Saturday, November 16.

After casting their votes, Jonathan addressed the media, expressing his displeasure at the electoral
process.

Road To Douye Diri's Community Flooded

...Electoral officials, journalists conveyed by canoes

Road to the polling unit of Peoples Democratic Party Governorship Candidate, in Bayelsa State,
Senator Douye Diri, was flooded forcing Electoral observers and journalists to access the area by
canoes.

Residents heading for Diri’s Unit 4 ward 6 in Sampou, Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area,
also patronised canoe paddlers, who collected N50 each from them to convey them to the unit.

Electoral officers and ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were
conveyed through the flooded road to the unit by Hilux vans.

The officers and the materials arrived the unit at about 10am.

Bayelsa Election: David Lyon Cast His Vote

#BayelsaDecide2019: APC Guber Candidate David Lyon Cast his Vote ...Says he will win by landslide

The APC Governorship Candidate Hon. David Lyon Cast his Vote at exactly 11:00 hours in his
hometown Olugbobiri.

Hon. David Lyon who casted is vote at Unit 001 Olodiama Ward 4 in Southern Ijaw Local Government
area, Bayelsa State. Says he will win the contest by landslide

Edward Onoja Cast His Vote With A Flag

At the ongoing Kogi election, Kogi state Deputy Governor Edward Onoja turned up with a flag to cast
his vote, Praizenews report.
Kogi: Bello, APC Forcing INEC, NYSC Officials To Sign
Prefilled Results Sheets
THE Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday said that suspected agents of the Kogi State Governor,
Alhaji Yahaya Bello, of the All Progressives Congress allegedly were threatening and forcing INEC
presiding officers, including NYSC members to endorse prefilled results sheets in favour of the APC,
in some local government areas during the November 16 elections.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement, said the alleged
electoral offence occurred in Okene and Okehi Local Government Areas in Kogi Central Senatorial
zone.
He alleged that the governor and the All Progressives Congress were desperate to allocate fictitious
votes and fabricate results in their favour in the areas.
He said, “Given the magnitude of the manipulation, the PDP urges INEC not to accept any results
coming from the Okene and Okehi LGAs as they have already been compromised. Moreover, the PDP
and other stakeholders in this election will never accept manipulated results coming from the two local
government areas.
“The party also calls on security agencies to immediately detail a reinforced team to Okene and Okehi
to save the lives of the presiding officers and the NYSC members from the APC and agents of Yahaya
Bello.
“INEC and security officials must take immediate steps to arrest the situation as the development is
already causing tension and could lead to the electorate having no option than to resort to self-help to
defend their democratic rights.”
He also urges INEC to note that the APC was allegedly manipulating the electoral process, causing
deliberate delays and swapping of election materials, all in a bid to cause confusion in the process.
He said, “For instance, in Kabba/Bunu Okekoko Ward Unit 9, the baby units have been reduced from
two to one, a situation that will lead to disenfranchising of voters to reduce votes belonging to the PDP.
“Also the serial number on the ballot papers brought to the area is different from numbers on ballot
papers released in Abuja for the area. Such swapping of ballot papers is a deliberate ploy to cause
confusion and derail the electoral process in PDP stronghold.”
He therefore urged INEC to immediately correct all the alleged anomalies as, according to him, every
genuine vote cast must be made to count in this election.
Meanwhile, Journalists covering election process in Ayetoro area of Kogi State were allegedly attacked
by some angry youths after thugs carted away ballot boxes at ward 01, unit 004, where Dino Melaye
had earlier voted.
Thugs numbering about 10 invaded the polling unit in two Hilux vans an Honda Civic car, shooting
into the air and targeted the ballot boxes.
The ballot boxes were eventually taken away while some boys in the community chased the vehicles
with no success.
A young man simply identified as Dami, who just left a local eatery and was passing through the
polling unit was shot in the leg and rushed to hospital.
Enraged by the action of the thugs, youths in the community blocked roads leading to the area with
tyres which they set on fire.
Those attacked includes The Nation (Tony Akowe), Splash FM and others were trapped in the violence
that ensued.
When eventually the journalists made their way out of the community, they were attacked with the
vehicle damaged.

BayelsaDecides: I’m Disappointed – Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan after casting his vote at his hometown polling unit, Otueke,
Bayelsa State, has said that he was not happy at what he observed.
He said this on Saturday while addressing newsmen after casting his vote some minutes after 11am.
“I arrived the polling unit around 8:19am and there was no conduct of election, no journalist to observe
the election,’’
He further said that throughout his participation in monitoring elections in many African countries that
he had never seen where election officials arrived at polling units so late.
“I didn’t meet any electoral observer, nofficial of Independent National Electoral Commission and even
voters. We should learn to do things differently,” he said

Clampdown On Illegally Orphanages: Anambra Government

Uncoveres Child Labor Camp
Clampdown On Illegally Orphanages Continues As Commissioner for Women Affairs, Uncoveres
Child Labour Camp;

In continuation of the Clampdown on illegal community children homes in the state, the Anambra State
Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Lady Ndidi Mezue, has this time around uncovered a
suspected labour camp where children age between two to fifteen are kept in a filthy environment and
subjected to back breaking farm work at poultry, fishery and piggery, in a home registered as
orphanage.

The home located at Enugu Agidi was discovered during the ongoing inspection of orphanages in
Anambra State by the taskforce, led by the Honorable Commissioner.

It was discovered that, the children numbering about 23, were brought to the center by their parents
with the hope they are getting education. The honorable commissioner, on seeing the unconducive and
filthy environment where the children are kept, subsequently arrested the home manager and rescued
the children who gave the names of their communities and pleaded to be reunited with their families.

The team finally visted other homes in Nise, Amawbia, and three others at Awka, made
recommendations on where improvements are needed.
https://www.news9naija.com.ng/2019/11/15/clampdown-on-illegally-orphanages-anambra-
government-uncoveres-child-labor-camp/

INEC Cancels Election In Ologi, Bayelsa Community Over

Violence
Voting has been cancelled in Ologi (Ward 03) of Ogbia Local Government Area (LGA), a senior
electoral official has said, following a violent incident that included “seizing” of an electoral official.

The official, Ukuachukwu Orji, who is the INEC supervisory resident electoral commissioner for
Ogbia LGA, said members of the Ologi community forcibly prevented election in the riverine area.

“As our people (electoral officers) were coming into the community after crossing the river, they seized
them and the materials and burnt all the materials.”

“They chased our people away and seized some but the military rescued them.”

Mr Orji, who is originally the REC for Anambra State, spoke in Otuoke (Ward 13 of Ogbia LGA)
where President Goodluck Jonathan and his family voted.

He said election in the community was then cancelled as a consequence of the violence.

He expressed satisfaction that election has been smooth in other communities that form the LGA,
except in Ologi.

The governorship election in Bayelsa State is being held in all the eight local government areas of the
state.

Charles Idahosa: Igbos Don’t Deserve Presidency In 2023, They

Will Get VP Slot
Chief Charles Idahosa, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said the Igbos cannot
achieve presidency in 2023 because there is no APC presence in any of the five states in the South-
East.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Independent, Idahosa said the Igbos have themselves to blame by
ignoring President Muhammadu Buhari’s advice to vote for the APC in the last presidential election so
as to brighten their chances in 2023.
The former Political Adviser to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole said he foresees a situation where the
Igbos will vote massively for Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) in the 2019 general elections if he decides to contest in 2023.

Idahosa who blamed the Igbos for abandoning the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the party
founded by the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu said the Igbos will get the vice-presidency
slot again in 2023.

“Forget the Igbos! They have shot themselves in the leg. It is a very funny demand. Why will anyone
want to give Igbos presidency when there is no APC in the zone at all? The only party that could have
given Igbo presidency is the APC.

“Buhari told them but they decided to vote PDP. Now, from all indications, they will rather support
Atiku for the presidency again because the Vice- President position will still go the South-East.

“I see Atiku running again because the 2019 presidential election is the nearest Atiku has come. So, I
don’t think the Igbos deserve presidency because if they do, they ought to have planned properly. The
late Emeka Ojukwu gave them APGA but they threw it away. So, under which party will they get
presidency?” he asked.

Kogi Election: Prominent PDP Leaders Missing

Some prominent members of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in Mopa town, headquarter of
MopAmuro Local Government Area of Kogi State are missing and are suspected to have been arrested.

There is however popular allegation that about 20 members were arrested by the security agencies.

Those affected include Dr. John Ayodele aka Delex, Hon. Jones Daniel, Hon. Olajuwon Michael (Neta)
and Hon. Rotimi Ajayi (Rosco). They were said to have been arrested by men of Special Anti-Robbery
Squad, SARS in the wee hours of Friday.

An eye witness who craved anonymity said the men were arrested from the house of Ayodele, a
community leader and strong supporter the PDP candidate, Engr. Musa Wada. He explained that those
arrested with Ayodele chose to stay in his house “because they considered the place safe.”

PM News reports that a list of members of opposition parties which the police would arrest before the
Saturday election has been in circulation.

It is not clear where Ayodele and his co-travellers are being detained as at press time. Efforts to reach
the police on the matter proved abortive
Soldiers Allowing APC Agents To Rig, Chased People Away –
Natasha Akpoti
The Social Democratic Party, SDP, governorship candidate in Kogi State, Natasha Akpoti, has accused
soldiers of electoral malpractice, IgbereTV reports.

Akpoti alleged that soldiers chased electorates away at the Kuroko 2 polling unit in Adavi Local
Government Area of the state while allowing agents of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to rig
freely.

She raised the alarm in a tweet, on Saturday.

Akpoti tweeted: “Happening now!!! Soldiers just arrived Kuroko 2, Adavi LGA chasing people away
while allowing APC agents to rig freely.”

https://twitter.com/NatashaAkpoti/status/1195615955407245312?s=19
Reno Omokri Apologises As He Gets Schooled
By Toyin Saraki In Epic Thread
Goodluck Jonathan's former aide and huge critic of President Buhari, Reno Omokri, bites off more than
he can chew as he comes for Toyin Saraki, wife to ex-Senate President.
In a post on Twitter, Reno Omokri juxtaposed a picture of Queen Elizabeth of England carrying her bag
and umbrella, with a picture of Toyin Saraki walking while her aides carry her bag and umbrella.
He captioned the picture with a quote that irked Toyin, Saraki:

In response
to this, she replied him in a thread that bespoke maturity and class:
Which resulted in him apologizing to her and "craving her forgiveness.":
JUST IN: INEC Cancels Election In Bayelsa Over Violence
Voting has been cancelled in Ologi (Ward 03) of Ogbia Local Government Area (LGA), a senior
electoral official has said, following a violent incident that included “seizing” of an electoral official.
The official, Ukuachukwu Orji, who is the INEC supervisory resident electoral commissioner for
Ogbia LGA, said members of the Ologi community forcibly prevented election in the riverine area.
“As our people (electoral officers) were coming into the community after crossing the river, they seized
them and the materials and burnt all the materials.”
“They chased our people away and seized some but the military rescued them.”
Mr Orji, who is originally the REC for Anambra State, spoke in Otuoke (Ward 13 of Ogbia LGA)
where President Goodluck Jonathan and his family voted.
He said election in the community was then cancelled as a consequence of the violence.
He expressed satisfaction that election has been smooth in other communities that form the LGA,
except in Ologi.
The governorship election in Bayelsa State is being held in all the eight local government areas of the
state.

Lyon Praises INEC, Says Process Peaceful

The Bayelsa State Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief David Lyon,
has described the ongoing election in the state as peaceful.
Lyon, who hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct so far,
advised the people to remain peaceful throughout the exercise.
Casting his vote at Olugbobiri Ward 4, Unit 1, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Lyon said
nobody should create problems to disrupt the poll.
Read Also; Lyon alerts security agencies on movement of thugs, arms
He said: “Today process is very peaceful. I have seen what INEC has been doing all this while. It is
going very peacefully and that’s what we are advising everyone to go peacefully and vote
“Go with your card to your units, vote and leave the place, not to come and create problem, but guide
your vote that’s what we are telling everybody.
Lyon, who voted at about 1;18pm, said he was sure of victory

40, 000 Persons Displaced By Floods In Borno – United Nations

The United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), has expressed concern
over the conditions of more than 40,000 displaced persons affected by flood in Rann, Kalabalge Local
Government Area (LGA) of Borno.

In a statement issued in Maiduguri on Saturday, OCHA said the affected persons including women and
children lacked access to food and basic services due to floods which submerged Rann, Kalabalge LGA
headquarters, and its environs on Nov. 7.

OCHA attributed the flood to the release of excess water from Kaalia River, neighbouring Cameroon,
in the statement signed by its Head of Communication Eve Sabbagh.

It said that the flood damaged an estimated 4, 000 hectares of farmlands and destroyed crops, which
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Rann mainly depended on for food.
The UN agency lamented that the area was difficult to access for humanitarian assistance due to the
high level of insecurity and dilapidated road.

“Stranded populations are running short of food and those who can afford it are paying high sums to be
transported to the other areas, putting their lives at risks while crossing the river or running for safety.

“More than 300 people from Rann have managed to reach Ngala, a town some 40 kilometers away
from the area, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), they managed to leave
Rann before the road became impassable.

“Humanitarian partners are mobilising resources to reach the stranded population via the UN
Humanitarian Air Services, until access is secured for small boats.

“Providing food is the main priority, along with water, shelters and emergency health services,” OCHA
said in the statement.

The UN agency revealed further that more than 100, 000 people were also affected by severe floods in
seven local government areas of Adamawa since Oct. 27, occasioned by torrential rainfall and overflow
of water from rivers Niger and Benue.

It explained that the flood caused displacement to about 19, 000 people, adding that government had set
up nine IDP camps, to facilitate effective response to affected persons.

It also said that the UN and humanitarian partners had scaled up assistance in Adamawa and provided
reproductive health kits to more than 56, 000 people, 400 families received non-food items and 4, 000
other families got farming inputs.

According to the UN agency, also more than 300, 000 persons are affected in Adamawa and Borno in
the worst flood disaster since 2012.

OCHA noted that the damage was five-times higher than expected in the humanitarian contingency
plan, which was based on an average from previous floods.

“The latest flood is coming at a time when the rainy season would usually be over, compounding an
already dire humanitarian situation in two of the three states most affected by the 10-year old conflict,
with 7.1 million people in need of urgent assistance this year.

“The 2019 Humanitarian Response Plan for Nigeria is seeking 848 million dollars to assist 6.2 million
people and is 60 per cent funded so far,” OCHA added. (NAN)
Dino Melaye: Thugs Caught By Police Have Confessed That
Sunday Faleke Sent Them
IgbereTV reports that Dino Melaye has said that some of the thugs who carted away ballot boxes in his
polling unit has been arrested by the police. The confessed that Sunday Faleke, aide to governor
Yahaya Bello sent them

Dino Melaye posted on Twitter:

5 of the thugs who came to disrupt election in my unit have been arrested and have made
confessional statements to the fact that Sunday Faleke aide of Yahaya Bello sent them. One
of the cars used is also in police custody. Taofik isah was arrested and wrote a caution
statement.

https://twitter.com/dino_melaye/status/1195684070287716352?s=19

Dino Melaye: Sadly the 2 People Shot At My Polling Unit Has

Just Died
Dino Melaye has said that the two people shot at his polling unit during irregularities in the Kogi
election has been confirmed dead, IgbereTV reports.

He posted on Twitter

Sadly the 2 people shot in my pooling unit just died. May thier soul rest in peace. Sunday Faleke,
Taofik Isah and Co will explain.

Kogi Election: Policemen Flee As Thugs Break Into Polling Unit

Policemen deployed at polling unit 006, Asuta ward, Kabba/Bunu local government area of Kogi state,
fled on Saturday after suspected thugs took over the unit.

At least five of the officers escaped through a nearby bush shortly after irate youth surrounded the
voting area, destroying election materials.

The rate of violence has been high in Kabba/Bunu, where senatorial and governorship elections are
holding.

TheCable had reported how officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
abandoned polling unit 001, Asuta ward in Kabba/Bunu following beating from suspected thugs.

Voting ended before 11am but some persons in the community disrupted the exercise, forcing the
electoral officials to leave their duty post.
When TheCable got there at 2pm, counting of votes had not commenced.

At polling unit 006, Asuta ward, still in Kabba/Bunu, voting has ended but INEC ad hoc staff
complained about violence.

At units 001 and 006, Asuta ward, Kabba/Bunu, votes were being counted with the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) leading when some youth started pouring water and drinks on the ballot papers.

Journalists and INEC ad hoc staff were threatened and chased away.

There were also reports of destruction of ballot papers across polling units in Ijumu local government
areas in Kogi.

BREAKING: Kogi Guber. APC Deputy Governorship

Candidate Onoja Loses Polling Unit
BREAKING: Kogi Guber. APC Deputy Governorship candidate Onoja Loses Polling unit to PDP

The Deputy governorship candidate of the All progressive Congress in Kogi state Edward Onoja has
lost his polling unit to the PDP

Natasha Akpoti Loses Polling Unit To Yahaya Bello

#KogiDecides: Yahaya Bello narrowly defeats Natasha Akpoti in her polling unit

Natasha Akpoti, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the Kogi election,
has been defeated at her polling unit.

Yahaya Bello, the incumbent governor and APC candidate, secured 78 votes while Ms Akpoti secured
76 votes

However, the PDP did not record any vote as the election was keenly contested by Mr Bello and Ms
Akpoti

Both Mr Bello and Ms Akpoti are from the same part of the state.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Ms Akpoti criticised the conduct of the election in her Kogi Central
senatorial district.

“This is definitely not an election, this is almost like a war zone and the sad thing is military personnel
and security agents around there are doing nothing while thugs harass the SDP agents.
“There is no election happening in Kogi central, so I can imagine what is happening in other parts of
the state. The level of violence is unprecedented,” she said after casting her vote.

Bayelsadecides: Two Feared Dead, As Hoodlums Abort Election

In Opolo
As Bayelsans throng out in their numbers to vote for a new governor, the electorate at units 7 and 9 in
Opolo are being disenfranchised.

This, was even as, two supporters of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) were feared dead and were
rushed to the hospital immediately.

Trouble started when, some armed thugs appeared at the voting centre, at a time the election materials
were been conveyed, preventing the Adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) from offloading the materials.

"They said there was not going to be any election except we allowed them thump print all for the APC.
We insisted election must hold, but they started shooting and everyone became scared.

"Go there and see blood everywhere. They shot two guys who have been taken to the hospital. We don't
want to lose our lives.

"Since they don't want the election in their area, we are leaving, because our lives are more important
to us", a female Corps Member posted to the area (name withheld) told our reporter.

One of the locals who identified himself as Frank, also told our reporter that the thugs were believed to
be working for the All Progressive Congress (APC), as they insisted that all votes must be done in
favour of the party.

He said, "the Hoodlums came to Opolo near the town hall and cut the hand of one of the PDP boys and
shot one in the head, they have been taken for treatment.

"The boys ran back to Udeme Hotel after their action", saying, he believed they were lodged in a hotel
belonging to a former federal lawmaker.

When our reporter visited the scene, operatives of the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services
had taken over the environment, providing security for the election materials which were to be returned
to INEC office, Yenagoa.
Dino Melaye: Ballot Box Snatching, Shooting Going Everywhere
In Lokoja Town
OMG! Ballot box snatching, shooting going everywhere in Lokoja town.

Fehintolu, Lokoja club, Lokongoma & Adankolo polling units ballot boxes carried away.

https://twitter.com/dino_melaye/status/1195718124022181894?s=19

#bayelsadecides: INEC Officials Abducted In Yenagoa, As 3

Missing In Sagbama
INEC officials on election duty have been abducted in Bumodi-Bgbene community in Ekpetiama clan
of Yenagoa Local Government Area.
According to an eye witness, the officials were rounded up by some irate youths suspected to be thugs
and taken to a building within where they were locked up and held incommunicado.
In Angiama community of Southern Ijaw, election materials meant for the area were intercepted and
hijacked by suspected thugs.
According to one of the officials who is also an NYSC member (names withheld) who managed to
escape from the scene, said one of the police personnel, a woman was pushed into a creek but is alive,
while three officials whereabouts are unknown.

#BayelsaDecides : 2 PDP supporters shot, angry

women protest
At least three persons have been shot and stabbed at Opolo Ward 5 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State during
Saturday’s poll by suspected political thugs.

Those injured had been rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa for treatment.

Our Correspondent ran into women in peaceful protest against an alleged invasion by party thugs who
invaded various polling units carrying dangerous weapons and shooting sporadically.

They carried various placards with various inscriptions, which read, “No elections in Ward 5.” “Federal
Government, Come to our aid,” “We have been denied our rights to vote in Ward 5.” among others.

Doris, one of the leaders of the protesting women told our Correspondent that One Pere and another
person simply called Prince were shot, while an elderly man was stabbed on the leg.

The women were protesting in the presence of the Police at the time of time our Correspondent ran into
them.

They accused security agencies of allegedly giving covers to the rampaging armed thugs to chase out
those they felt would not vote for their preferred candidate.

Also, there was skirmish at Agudama Epie Unit 9 Ward 4 where a suspected party agent was chased
away and was nearly mobbed until policemen on patrol rescued him.

He was rescued by policemen on election duty.

A mild drama ensured when the photographs our Correspondent took when the party agent was being
rescued by a team of policemen led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, were forcefully
deleted by the policemen who initially seized the mobile phone but released after appeal.

The policemen said although they were captured on camera rescuing the party agent as part of their
duty, they did not want to captured on camera.

“We didn’t say you should not do your job as Journalists, because I am doing mine by rescuing the
Party Agent, but don’t take my picture,” he said.

In Toru-Orua in Sagbama Local government area, Governor Seriake Dickson could not vote as
scheduled because his polling unit was submerged by flood.

An ad-hoc arrangements were made for him and his wife to vote.

After casting his vote, he complained of reported cases of violence in some parts of the state.

In Tombia and Amassoma, the village of the late Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the former Governor of
Bayelsa State, visited by our Correspondent, election was peaceful.

Kogi Election: INEC Official Abducted In Lokoja

An unidentified official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been abducted
in SUBEB polling unit in Lokoja.

The abduction occured after gunmen shot sporadically into the air while voting was going on.

It was gathered voters scampered for safety before the gunmen went away with the official.
Meanwhile, voting has ended at Bishop Crowther LGEA Primary School Lokoja.

Sorting of votes and counting of ballots will commence by 2pm.

Dickson Calls For Cancellation Of Election In Nembe, Southern
Ijaw
Governor Seriake Dickson has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to
cancel the election in parts of the state where the exercise was characterised by brigandage, hijacking
of electoral materials and personnel.

A statement from the Bayelsa State Government said Dickson particularly called for outright
cancellation of the exercise in Nembe Local Government.

He said that the thugs were sponsored by pipeline surveillance contractors, Mr Gabriel Jonah and one
Kodjo Sam.

The statement said: “I call on the Chairman of INEC to issue an order cancelling the process in all the
wards, in all the local government areas affected, in all the wards and units, where materials have been
stolen or hijacked, where officials have been kidnapped and held hostage to enable the APC cook up
non-existing figures.”

He said what is happening in the state is an orchestrated plan by the APC-led Federal Government to
foist a one party system on the country.

According to the governor, rogue elements in the Nigeria Army connived with the APC thugs to
perpetrate electoral fraud and insecurity in some parts of Southern Ijaw, Ekeremor and Ogbia and even
the state capital, Yenagoa.

Governor Dickson, who highlighted the gruesome killings during the PDP campaign in Nembe, noted
that what is going on in Bayelsa is a charade and not a democracy.

He said some of the PDP supporters who were attacked during the campaign in Nembe are still gasping
for breath on their hospital beds and called on the APC-led federal government to live up to its primary
responsibility of protecting lives and property of Nigerians.

Read Also; Dickson votes, alleges hijacking of voting materials

“Materials meant for Eniwari community, Opuama ward, most locations in Southern Ijaw as we earlier
predicted were hijacked.

“As everyone knows, the APC has no foothold in Bayelsa to win an election but they have an armed
militia, surveillance contractors who kill and maim for the APC. They also have the Nigerian Army and
rogue elements of the Police Force working in concert with them to deny the citizens of these
communities their right to vote.
“So as we are speaking, in our country, in this day and age, gun wielding militia men with the aid of
security forces have overrun the election officials and most of the electoral officials in Southern Ijaw.

“These officials as we speak have been kidnapped and held hostage. This has been the lot, this has been
what we’ve been managing since 2015, with APC at the center, not caring about the lived and dignity
of our people. The APC at the center are too hungry and determined to make Nigeria a one party state.

“The president has to wake up and do something. What is going on in Bayelsa in the name of election
is not a democracy. I call on the President to call on the security agents particularly the Army to stop
desecrating Democratic governance and subjecting the image of the country to ridicule.

“I call on the Inspector General of Police to be true to his professional calling and direct the DIG and
all the security operatives to protect the people of Bayelsa.

“I do not want to be pushed to call on them to defend and protect themselves.”

Osinbajo’s 35 Aides: Buhari Clears The Air, Says They Only

Created New Ministry
President Muhammadu Buhari has explained that 35 aides were not sacked from the Office of the Vice
President instead they were redeployed to a new ministry.

The President who fielded questions from NTA State House Correspondent at the Presidential Wing of
the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, upon his return from a private visit from the United
Kingdom described the interpretations of his directives as a sack as ‘unfortunate’.

The President described what happened as a re-organisation and not a sacking, stressing that, a new
ministry has recently been created, that is, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and
Social Development.

“They said 35 people were sacked in the Vice President’s office but we just created a ministry and we
reorganized but people are giving it an ethnic and political dimension. It is unfortunate,” the President
said.

It would be recalled that while media report had widely reported the sack of 35 aides including the
circulation of a list of those sacked, informed sources insisted that what the President directed was a
redeployment and not a sack.

The President’s comment in the NTA interview last night on arrival from his UK private trip indicated
that although some Presidential aides had confirmed the sacking of 35 aides, the President only gave
express instructions for redeployment to ministries not sacking.
Meanwhile, President Buhari assured Nigerians that he was more energized and ready for work. “We
are going to work harder to be accountable and try to make Nigerians see why we do certain things.
Accountability from bottom to top is absolutely necessary,” he said.

It would be recalled that some people had reported and claimed that President Buhari had sacked 35
aides in the Office of the Vice President to whittle down the powers and influence of the Vice
President.

Some also claimed that the sacking of the 35 aides were to reduce the influence of the Vice President
ahead of 2023 elections and were masterminded by a certain cabal with the Presidency.

The Presidency has however always maintained that the President and his deputy, Prof Osinbajo enjoy
a very good relationship.

Bayelsa Election: Boat Carrying Four Journalists Capsizes In

Nun River
A boat conveying journalists across flooded parts of Sampou community on Nun River in Kolokuma
Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa capsized and threw the four occupants into the water.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the boat was carrying four journalists covering the
governorship elections.

The journalists were returning from the polling station when the incident happened and left the victims
submerged but the timely intervention of sympathisers rescued the journalists whose mobile phones,
cameras and recorders were drenched.

A stretch of about 200 metres along the road, leading to polling unit 4, Ward 6, where the candidate of
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Sen. Douye Diri voted was flooded, compelling the journalists to
resort to local canoes to cross.

The flood had delayed the setup of polling stations across the flooded community to about 10.16 a.m,
two hours behind schedule.

The flood submerged many parts of Amasoma, Yenagoa and parts of Sagbama, a development that
displaced polling stations.

Diri who voted at about 10.35 a.m. observed that the elections were peaceful in his area but regretted
that he got reports of electoral fraud, violence in Nembe, Opolo and Enewari and other parts of the
state.
Bayelsa: David Lyon Commends INEC For Peaceful Conduct Of
Election
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State Chief David
Lyon, has described the ongoing election in the state as peaceful.

Lyon, who cast his vote at Olugbobiri Ward 4, Unit 1, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the
state at 1:18 p.m., said he was sure of victory and sue for peace in the state.

He also warned against any attempt to disrupt the poll.

The APC candidate also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the
conduct of the election and advised the people to remain peaceful throughout the exercise.

Lyon said: “Today process is very peaceful. I have seen what INEC has been doing all this while. It is
going very peacefully and that’s what we are advising everyone to go peacefully and vote.

“Go with your card to your units, vote and leave the place, not to come and create a problem, but guide
your vote that’s what we are telling everybody.”

Protest Rocks INEC Office In Kogi As PDP Youth Allege

Attempt To Manipulate Poll
There is an ongoing protest by some youth in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State who are
loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over alleged moves to manipulate election results.

The youth, who stormed the INEC secretariat in Dekina town in their hundreds, insisted that the
individuals they saw crossing to their community from another local government through the river
would not be allowed to enter the INEC office with their bags.

One of the protesters who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES, Abubakar Galadima, said they suspected that
the alleged intruders were bringing doctored results from neighbouring Bassa Local Government Area
of the state.

But one of the accused, who identified himself simply as Mr Adeleke, said they were collation officers
for the 12 wards in the local government area.

Mr Adeleke, who said he was a lecturer at Federal University, Oyè Ekiti, said they were to be issued
identity cards at the INEC office and so did not bring anyone to identify them.

It took the intervention of police officers to calm the enraged crowd.

The officers had to offload the contents of the bags carried by each of the accused before they
reluctantly dispersed.

What An Israeli Who Lived In Plateau State For 5 Years Said

About Nigeria
The Israeli agronomist named Ian Kedem was responding to a question on Quora that said "Why is
Nigeria such a terrible country?" Reading his response, you can see him trying not to hurt our feeling.
Yet, he ended up hitting the nail on the head and - as if we are the nail - it hurts. For me, however, what
hurts most is that, his remarks may still go on deaf ears. See what he said:

I'm an Israeli that lived in Nigeria for 5 years working on an agricultural project in Plateau State.

Nigeria is no better or no worse than any other country in the world. Every country has it's advantages
and dis-advantages.

The leadership is the biggest Nigerian problem with rife corruption and lack of basic humanity.

The Nigerian people are suffering from a lack of leadership and too much religious dogma.

One of the main problems with Nigerians is that they are too tolerant of their politicians. No
strikes or protest marches for justice. They have come to terms with the fact that they have to
bribe a government official, customs officer, police officer, immigration officer just to progress in
life.

I am refering to the bold lines my people. What do you think about what he said?

Breaking News: Appeal Court Affirms Gov. Sani Bello's Election

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja today unanimously dismissed the appeal filed by the PDP and its
candidate and upheld the election of Alhaji (Dr) Abubakar Sani Bello as Governor of Niger State.

More details to come.

Nigerian States By Number Of Children Women Have By 45

Years. - NDHS 2018/19
Latest data released by the NDHS 2018 (National Demographic and Health Survey) sponsored by the
global DHS program shows the average number of children that women by the ages of 40 - 49 across
the 36 states of the federation and the F.C.T have had. Lagos and Bayelsa states in the Southern part of
the country have the lowest number of children by the ages 45-49 years at 3.7 and 3.8 respectively
while Kebbi, Katsina and Jigawa women by the age have produced an average of 9.2 children. Here is
what the full report reveals.
Follow link for the full report:

State ranking:

STATE : NUMBER OF CHILDREN

Kebbi : 9.2
Katsina : 9.2
Jigawa : 9.2
Bauchi : 8.1
Kano : 8.0
Sokoto : 8.0
Yobe : 8.0
Gombe : 7.7
Zamfara : 7.6
Kaduna : 7.1
Taraba : 6.6
Niger : 6.4
Borno : 6.4
Nassarawa : 6.2
Adamawa : 6.2
Plateau : 6.0
Kogi : 5.8
Ebonyi : 5.7
Kwara : 5.4
Benue : 5.4
Edo : 5.2
Ondo : 5.1
Ekiti : 5.1
Cross River : 5.1
Osun : 4.9
Akwa Ibom : 4.8
Enugu : 4.8
FCT-Abuja : 4.8
Oyo : 4.7
Delta : 4.7
Anambra : 4.5
Imo : 4.3
Ogun : 4.1
Rivers : 4.1
Abia : 4.1
Bayelsa : 3.8
Lagos : 3.7
Dino Melaye Vs Smart Adeyemi: Results Of Kogi West
Senatorial Rerun - Daily Post
Melaye vs Smart Adeyemi: Live Results from collation centre

Kogi West Senatorial District Re-Run

Kabba Bunnu LG

Reg Voters -74789

Acc. Voters- 26,916

APC – 15,037
PDP – 8974

VALID VOTES- 24223

Rej Votes- 406
Total Votes Cast – 24629

Cancellation from 6 RAs

24 Polling Units Affected
21,391 registered voters affected
#KogiDecides2019

Results have started coming in from the Kogi West senatorial district in the battle between Senators
Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Smart Adeyemi of the All Progressives
Congress, APC.

Melaye and Adeyemi are engaged in a fresh battle of who occupies the Kogi West senatorial district
after the former, who is the sitting lawmaker lost in court.

The Court of Appeal declared the seat vacant when it upheld the decision of the Tribunal, which had
earlier sacked Dino Melaye.

Melaye is running on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while Adeyemi is carrying
the APC’s flag.

The Court of Appeal agreed with the tribunal, which ordered a fresh election in Kogi West Senatorial
District.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, fixed a fresh election for Saturday Nov. 16.

Here are results of the election from collation centres across the State.

Ward : 10
LG : Yagba east
Senatorial District : Kogi West
Ilafin(Oke-dori)
SENATORIAL :
APC : 79
PDP : 74

PU : 03
Ward : 10
LG : Yagba east
Senatorial District : Kogi West
Odogbe
APC : 106..
PDP : 76
PU : 01
Ward : 08 LG : Yagba east
Senatorial District : Kogi West
Makutu (2)
APC : 120
PDP : 274
SDP: 1
ADC:1

PU : 02
Ward : 03(Odo Ere/Oke Ere)
LG : Yagba West
Senatorial District : Kogi West

APC : 73
PDP : 122

PU : 01 Ward : 07
LG : Yagba east
Senatorial District : Kogi West
Makutu (2)
APC : 120
PDP : 274
SDP: 1
ADC:1

PU 001, Takete Mopamuro LGA.

APC: 84
PDP : 85
SDP: 2
AD: 1
VOID : 1

PU : 03
Ward : 03(Odo Ere/Oke Ere)
LG : Yagba West
Senatorial District : Kogi West
Kogi State
Oja Ope (03)
APC : 74
PDP : 109

Polling unit 002 Orokere Police Station Frontage, Mopamuro LGA.

APC: 30
NEPP: 2
PDP : 120

Lokoja Ward E
Pu 003, Kabawa
Apc – 68
Pdp – 126
Sdp – 5

PU : Okutadudu
Ward : 03(Odo Ere/Oke Ere)
LG : Yagba West
Senatorial District : Kogi West
Kogi State
Okutadudu PU
SENATORIAL :
APC : 35
PDP : 143

PU : 07
Ward : 03(Odo Ere/Oke Ere)
LG : Yagba West
Senatorial District : Kogi West
Kogi State
Obayagba (07)
SENATORIAL :
APC : 54
PDP : 79

PU 001, Orokere Bus stop Area, Mopamuro LGA.

Senatorial Election Results

APC : 23
PDP : 142
SDP: 1
NCP : 1

PU : 12
Ward : 03(Odo Ere/Oke Ere)
LG : Yagba West
Senatorial District : Kogi West Kogi State
Obayagba (012)
SENATORIAL :
APC : 57
PDP : 72

PU 006, Open Space orokere along Takete Road, Mopamuro LGA.

.
PDP: 151
APC : 37
SDP: 2
ADC: 1

Bill Gates Surpasses Jeff Bezos, Reclaims Richest Person On

Earth
Jeff Bezos had ended Bill Gates’ 24-year run as the richest man in 2018 with a net worth of $160
billion.

NDTV reports that Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has officially surpassed Amazon CEO Jeff
Bezos as world’s richest person on Earth with a net worth of $110 billion – according to the latest
Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Jeff Bezos had ended Bill Gates’ 24-year run as the richest man in 2018 with a net worth of $160
billion.

CNN report has it that Bill Gates regained the lead on Friday after Microsoft stock went up nearly 48
per cent this year, helping boost the value of his stake in the tech giant.

Amazon’s Cloud arm AWS losing $10 billion Pentagon project to Microsoft has also helped the Satya
Nadella-led company gain on the stock market.
Border Closure: Ghana Businesses May Fold Up By The End Of
The Year - GCCI
A number of local businesses could fold up by the end of the year if the issue of the Nigeria border
closure is not resolved immediately.

According to the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), local businesses in the Ashanti
Region, in particular, were losing about $3 million a week with the threat of a possible shutdown.

This came to light following a tour of some selected companies by officials of the chamber to gauge the
mood, assess performance and strategise for the way forward.

Among the companies a team from the GCCI visited were Angel Group of Companies, Uni-Jay
Fashion and Asamoa Yamoa Farms, all in Kumasi.

The National President of the Chamber, Nana Apiagyei Dankawoso I, who led the team on the tour,
commended business owners for their resilience in the face of the challenge.

He gave an assurance that the border would possibly be reopened this week to allow passage of goods
from Ghana as well as boost business between the two countries.

While waiting for that to materialise, however, Nana Dankawoso urged businesses to leverage
technology and explore new opportunities and destinations beyond Nigeria in order to remain relevant.

He said since the government employed just six per cent of the country’s workforce, the private sector
ought to be supported to enable it to employ more people, else the problem with unemployment could
exacerbate.

Kogi Gubernatorial Election: Dino Accuses Yahaya Bello Of

Sponsoring Thugs
Senator in the 8th National Assembly and Kogi west P.D.P Senatorial candidate, Dino Melaye has
accused All Progressive Congress and the incumbent Governor, Yahaya Bello of sponsoring thugs in
other to take power at all cost.

Dino who made this known while reacting to attack on his polling uint by the ploitical thugs said he his
confident that he will win the election despite violence and thuggery during the election.

Those that led the attack have been apprehended by security agency and they have filled report
mentioning who sent them: he said.
Melaye further stressed that the attack was not a suprise to him, as the police have been earlier
informed on the possible area of violence and those prone to ballot box snatching.
He said, if the election is conducted 100 times he has confident that he would win.

Bayelsadecides: Dickson Records Landslide Victory For Pdp In

Polling Unit
Bayelsa state governor, Henry Seriake Dickson has recorded landslide victory in his polling unit in
Oriewari ward 2, unit 5 in Toro-Orua, Sagbama local government.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP recorded 1906 votes in the unit to defeat the All Progressives
Congress, APC with only 5 votes.

Dickson had earlier in the day while casting his vote accused security agencies in the state of
collaborating with APC to rig his party out of the race.

More results are coming in as at the time of filling the report.

Meanwhile the APC is in early lead in Yenegoa, the state capital of Bayelsa in the governorship
election in the state.

The APC also recorded massive lead in Nembe ward 3, unit 2 , with its governorship candidate, David
Lyon polling 1,000 votes against the 22 votes recorded by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic
Party, PDP, Senator Douye Diri.

Kogi Governorship Election 2019 Results From Polling Units By

Daily Post
Results of the governorship election in Kogi State have started coming in from different polling units in
the 21 Local Government Areas in the State.

DAILY POST reports that candidates of over 20 political parties are jostling for the seat of the State
number one citizen.

However, many would expect either the incumbent governor, Yahaha Bello or Musa Wada, the
candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to emerge as the winner.

Here are results being announced by INEC officials in polling units:

Adavi LG
WARD: 02
POLLING UNIT 001
Results
APC: 103
PDP: 1
APGA: 1

Adavi LG
WARD: 02
POLLING UNIT 002

APC: 259
PDP: 3
SDP : 3

PU : 03
Ward : 10
LG : Yagba east
Senatorial District : Kogi West

POLLING UNIT RESULTS

Odogbe
SENATORIAL :
APC : 106
PDP : 76

GUBERNATORIAL
APC : 112
PDP : 72
SDP:4

Adavi LG
WARD: 10
POLLING UNIT 028

APC: 961
PDP: 8 SDP: 18

INEC LGA office, Collation Center, Ogori/ Magongo

Ward 6 Result:
Registered Voters: 1110
Accredited voters: 497
Total valid votes: 487
Rejected votes: 10
Total Votes Cast: 499
ANRP: 1
ADC: 1
APC: 273
PDP: 167
SDP: 47

PU : 03
Ward : 10
LG : Yagba east
Senatorial District : Kogi West

POLLING UNIT RESULTS

Odogbe
SENATORIAL :
APC : 106..
PDP : 76

GUBERNATORIAL :
APC : 112
PDP : 72
SDP:4

INEC LGA office, Collation Center, Ogori/ Magongo

Ward 07 (Ugugu) Result:
Registered Voters: 2016
Accredited Voters: 652
Total valid votes: 636
Rejected votes: 16
Total Votes Cast: 652
APC: 364
PDP: 264
PPN: 2
SDP: 6

INEC LGA office, Collation Center, Ogori/ Magongo

Ward 10 (Oturu-opou)
Registered Voters: 1933
Total valid votes: 727
Rejected votes: 10
Total Votes Cast: 737

A: 1
ADC: 2
APC: 433
PDP: 271
PPN: 1
SDP: 18

PU : 01
Ward : 08 LG : Yagba east
Senatorial District : Kogi West

POLLING UNIT RESULTS

Makutu (2)

SENATORIAL :
APC : 120
PDP : 274
SDP: 1
ADC:1

GUBERNATORIAL :
APC : 124
PDP : 270
ADC:1
SDP:1

Adavi LG
WARD: 09
POLLING UNIT 014

Results
APC: 491
PDP: 0

Results from PU 014, Ward 10, Ibaji LGA

Governorship Election
APC – 71
PDP- 97
SDP- 7
Invalid – 13
Total number of vali votes- 175
Accredited voters- 188
Total number on register- 520.

Adavi LG
WARD: 06
POLLING UNIT 006

Results

APC: 340
PDP: 1
APGA: 3
ADC : 2

Adavi LG
WARD: 06
POLLING UNIT 009

Results

APC: 254
PDP: 1
APGA: 2

Adavi LG
WARD: 10
POLLING UNIT 012

APC: 541
PDP: 0
UPC: 0

Adavi LG
WARD: 10
POLLING UNIT 013

APC: 684
PDP: 0
5:02 PM
Adavi LG
WARD: 10
POLLING UNIT 028

Results

APC: 961
PDP: 8
SDP: 18

Adavi LG
WARD: 10
POLLING UNIT 003

Results

APC: 488
PDP: 1

PU : 01 Ward : 07
LG : Yagba east
Senatorial District : Kogi West

POLLING UNIT RESULTS

Makutu (1)
SENATORIAL :
APC : 103
PDP : 232

GUBERNATORIAL :
APC : 98
PDP : 223

ANKPA LG Ankpa Township Opulegba, beside roundabout

PU 001

Governorship Election Result

PDP – 318
APC – 94
PPN – 3
SDP- 5
APM – 1
NCP – 1
ADC 1

PU : 07
Ward : 03(Odo Ere/Oke Ere)
LG : Yagba West
Senatorial District : Kogi West
Kogi State

POLLING UNIT RESULTS

Obayagba (07)
SENATORIAL :

APC : 54
PDP : 79

GUBERNATORIAL :
APC : 50
PDP : 91

3:32pm.

Open space II, Ileteju, Ogori. PU 002. Ogori/Magongo.

Total votes: 139

Invalid Votes: 0

APC: 98
PDP: 37
SDP: 3
ADP: 1

Polling unit 002 Orokere Police Station Frontage, Mopamuro LGA.

Governorship Election Results.

APC: 33
PDP: 117
SDP: 2
SENATORIAL ELECTION RESULT.
APC: 30
NEPP: 2
PDP : 120

PU : 03
Ward : 03(Odo Ere/Oke Ere)
LG : Yagba West
Senatorial District : Kogi West
Kogi State

POLLING UNIT RESULTS

Oja Ope (03)

SENATORIAL :
APC : 74
PDP : 109

GUBERNATORIAL :
APC : 79
PDP : 108

3: 34pm PU12; Ward 1, Bassa LGA

Gubernatorial Result
SDP:3
ADC:2
PPP:1
PRP: 1
PPN: 2
ANRP:2
AAC: 2
AD: 1
UDP: 1
APGA:1
APC:74
PDP:141
INVALID: 13
Total no of registered voters:471

PU 001, Takete Mopamuro LGA.

Governorship Election Results.
APC: 81
PDP: 85
SDP: 3
ADC: 1
AD: 1

SENATORIAL ELECTION RESULTS.

APC: 84
PDP : 85
SDP: 2
AD: 1
VOID : 1

Ward 10, PU 003 – Nagazi Farm centre. Adavi local govt, Kogi state.

YDP: 1
APC: 452
PDP 1
APGA 1

Orokere Bus stop Area, Mopamuro LGA.

APC : 23
PDP : 146
SDP: 1

Election Result
ANKPA LG Ankpa Suburb I
Islamic Primary School PU 004
Invalid votes – 9
Accredited Votes 401
PDP – 336
APC – 45
SDP – 2
PPN – 1
NCP – 2
ADC- 1
OKENE LG
WARD: 10
UNIT 008

APC: 248
SDP 01

LGEA/RCM Sch. Obinoyin II. PU 008. Ogori/Magongo LGA.

Total Votes: 118

Rejected Votes: 4

APC: 57
PDP: 43
SDP: 13
NCP: 1

Adavi LG
WARD: 02
POLLING UNIT 001

APC: 91
SDP 1
PDP: 1

AJAOKUTA LGA, GANAJA PU 017

Apc 252
PDP 86
Sdp 2
ADP 1

Open space – Obinoyin-Magongo IV. 006. Ogori/Magongo LGA.

Total votes: 68
Invalid Votes: 3
Valid votes: 65

SDP: 1
PDP: 18
APC: 46
KOGI, Owolli APA

PU 002

Idah LG

PDP 211

APC 88

SDP 1

2:56pm.

LGEA/RCM Sch, Obinoyin. PU 004. Obinoyin. Ogori/Magongo LGA.

Total votes: 72
Invalid Votes: 1

APC: 41
PDP: 21
SDP: 8
ANRP: 1

Gov. Bello wins in Natasha Akpoti’s PU 019, Ward 01, Obeiba/Ihima, Okehi LG

APC: 78

SDP: 76

Open space III. PU 003. Obinoyin. OGORI MAGONGO.

Total: 131
Invalid Votes: 9
Valid votes: 122

SDP: 7
PDP: 24
APC: 91
2:14pm. Open space IV. Obinoyin. Ogori/Magongo LGA

Total votes: 81
Rejected: 1
SDP: 3
PDP: 18
APC: 59

PU 003, Ward 3, Bassa LGA

Total no of registered voters: 615

ANRP: 1
ADC: 1
SDP: 9
PDP: 88
APC: 178

Invalid 2

Rejected 1.

Ward 06, PU 002, Idah LG.

Total number of voters – 516

Invalid – 8

SDP – 2
APC – 25
PDP – 187

How Saraki Sold Kwara Amusement Park For N100million

Ilorin Amusement Park was sold in the year 2010 by the administration of Dr Bukola Saraki at the rate
of N100million.

The company that bought the premises is called Artee Group.

The company was invited by the former Governor to build a private shopping mall and the premises
was sold to them for that purpose without the knowledge of the owners or appropriate government
Ministry in charge of the park.
Following conflicting information about the status of the premises, a committee set up by the Kwara
State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to review sales of government properties from 1999 till date
led by Senator Makanjuola Ajadi investigated the premises as part of its committee work and came up
with its findings.

In the report submitted to the Kwara State Governor in July 2019, it was established that:
Kwara State Amusement Park was established in the 70’s along Unity Taiwo road, Ilorin.

The park used to be famous for recreational activities, and it also serves as centre for Armed Forces
Remembrance Day for fallen heroes.

According to the report, before the place was converted to an Amusement Park in the 70's, it used to be
the Yidi Praying ground for Ilorin community, before the Yidi was relocated to its present location.

Investigation shows that, the Amusement Park premises was owned by Ile Nda family and was donated
to Ilorin Community, to be used as Yidi praying ground, when the old Yidi was to be relocated.

The premises was used as Yidi praying ground for some years, until in the 70's, when the Yidi praying
ground was moved to its present location and the premises was converted to Amusement Park.

Before the premises was converted to Amusement Park, Ile Nda family was consulted and the family
accepted that the premises be converted to Amusement Park in public interest.

However, in 2010, a company brought in by Dr Bukola Saraki, Artee Group requested for a suitable
location for the purpose of building a shopping mall and among the sites visited were flower garden, a
site besides metropolitan square and the Amusement park and out of the 3 sites visited, Amusement
Park was chosen as the most suitable location for the company's proposed business.

Kwara State Government, under the leadership of Dr Bukola Saraki helped the company acquire the
land and it was offered to them at the rate of N125million.

On April 14, 2010, the company wrote to government, requesting for reduction in the price of premises
to N62million because according to them, global financial crisis had affected their businesses globally.
The former governor, partially granted their request and the price was reduced from N125million to
N100million. The company paid N100million to government and all documents relating to the
premises were processed in their name by the Bureau of lands.

In 2013, Ministry of Environment, under whose custody, the park was domiciled got directive from
government to vacate the premises for a new owner and to move out all their belongings. The ministry
said it is not involved in any decision to sell the premises to any group or individual, it only got
directive from government to move out and it complied.
To shed more light on the ownership of the premises, Senator Ajadi led committee invited concerned
citizens who had reportedly taken the state government to court over the premises and one Alh. Saliu
Duro Garba came to make some clarifications.

Alh Saliu confirmed that Bukola Saraki led state government was dragged to court over the sale of the
premises by concerned citizens.

Alh Salihu Duro explained that, Ile Nda family gave the land to Ilorin community for the purpose of
yidi praying ground and that when Yidi was moved, they were pleased when the premises was
converted to Amusement park since it was for public good.

However, the family felt enraged when they heard about the purported sales of the premises to private
entity and they expressed their opposition to the sale and transfer of the premises, especially when the
proposed Shopping Mall maybe used for gambling and other activities against the Islamic principles
Ilorin is known for.

He maintained that, they are ready to withdraw the court case instituted against government on
condition that the property would remain an amusement park for public use.

It was observed that, the whole process of selling the Amusement Park didn’t follow due process at all.

Apart from the fact that government has no right to sell a property they do not own, the ministry in
charge of the premises prior to the sale was not duly informed and no document could be found
regarding the sale.

Also, the basis of reducing the sales value of the premises from N125million to N100million as
requested by the company was not genuine and has no bearing on the state.

It was therefore recommended that government should reverse the sale of the premises, as the land
doesn’t belong to government.

Government is also advise to invite the concerned group and make an out of court settlement with
them.

Since the whole transaction process is shaddy and non-transparent, government should review the
whole process, retrieve the property and find alternative site for Artee Group, and if they are not
satisfied, government should refund their payment of N100million.

After retrieving the premises, government should remodel it for its primary purpose of recreation
activities and make it more viable.
*Kwara Must Change*

Jonathan’s Kinsmen Celebrate PDP’s Defeat

Kinsmen of former President Goodluck Jonathan in Kolo, Ogbia Local Government Area trooped out
to celebrate the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ward 9.

They took over the road leading to Ogbia Town immediately the results of the 13 units in Ward 9 were
announced by electoral officials and APC was declared the winner of the ward.

Some of them flew the flag of APC while others used their brooms to sweep the road saying they had
suffered under the current PDP government.

Some of them said they were given as much as N10,000 but that they rejected the money because they
were United and determined to vote out PDP.

“We are happy because we won the PDP in all the units” one of them, who failed to mention his name
out of excitement said.

Also in Eppie-Atissa in Yenagoa, residents took over the road jubilating over the defeat of the PDP in
the area.

APC Wins Governorship Election In Dino Melaye Polling Unit,

Dino Wins Senatorial
Results of the election in Kogi state are already trickling in drops. Senator Dino Melaye who represents
Kogi West in the Nigerian Senate just shared the result of his own polling unit.

The results show that his party PDP lost to APC for the governorship race, while the PDP won in the
Senatorial race.

See his Tweet Here

My polling unit ward E unit O5
Governor
APC 227
PDP 200
For SENATE
APC 243
PDP 248

https://mobile.twitter.com/dino_melaye/status/1195783218865344512
Bayelsa Governorship Election 2019 Results From Polling Units
By Daily Post
Bayelsa Decides: Live Results from polling units

Results of the governorship election in Bayelsa State have started coming in from different polling
units in the 8 Local Government Areas in the State.

DAILY POST reports that over 20 political parties presented candidates for the election.

However, many would expect the result to go either the way of the All Progressives Congress, APC
candidate, David Lyon or Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Follow this thread for results as being announced by INEC officials at polling units:

Ward 1 PU 009 AKPARANTA COMMUNITY, OGBOLOMABIRI 1 NEMBE

APC – 67
PDP -20

Ward 1 PU 007, St luke school compound, Ogbolomabiri 1, Nembe Bayelsa State

Apc- 112
Pdp – 0
Accord -3
AD – 2
LP -3

Ward 2 PU 001 Isoukiri compound/post office, Ogbolomabiri 2, Nembe Bayelsa State

APC -111
PDP -3

Ward 2 PU 009, Beleupogu, ogbolomabiri 2

Apc- 170
Pdp- 6

Ward 2, PU 14 Chief Amange square Ogbolomabiri 2, Nembe Bayelsa State

Apc -492
Pdp – 29
Rejected votes – 4

PU9, Ward 4, Agudama-Epie, Yenagoa LG

APC: 789
PDP: 54

PU4, Ward 4, Agudama-Epie, Yenagoa LG, Bayelsa

APC: 649
PDP: 74

PU2, Ward 1, Yenagoa LG, Bayelsa

APC: 108
PDP: 51

PU9, Atissa Ward 1, Yenegoa LG, Bayelsa

APC: 94
PDP: 77

PU12, Ward 4, Agudama-Epie, Yenagoa LG, Bayelsa

APC: 368
PDP: 24

Ward 1, PU001, Ogbolomabiri 1 isoukiri 1 Nembe:

APC – 590
PDP – 10

Ward 1, PU 2, Okiye ewoama Polling unit, Ogbolomabiri 1 Nembe:

APC-900
PDP-5
Accord-6

Ward 2, PU 7, Agbutubu Polo/market square Polling unit, Nembe:

APC – 557
PDP – 43

Opume Unity 012

Opume, Ogbia
Results:
APC – 28
PDP – 26

PU04, Ward 7, Orubiri town-square, Opokuma north, Kolokuma /Opukuma

PDP: 105

APC: 57

PU 01, Ward 1, Ogbolomabiri Isoukiri 1, Nembe

APC: 590

PDP: 10

PU 02, Ward 1, Okiye Ewoama, Ogbolomabiri 1, Nembe

APC: 900

PDP: 5

PU 07, Ward 2, Agbutubu Polo/market-square, Nembe

APC: 557

PDP: 43

Ward 1, PU001, Ogbolomabiri 1 isoukiri 1 Nembe:

APC – 590
PDP – 10

Ward 1, PU 2, Okiye ewoama Polling unit, Ogbolomabiri 1 Nembe:

APC-900
PDP-5
Accord-6

Ward 2, PU 7, Agbutubu Polo/market square Polling unit, Nembe:

APC – 557
PDP – 43

PU05, Ward 1, Attissa, Yenagoa

APC – 144
PDP – 90
PU004, Ward 7, orubiri town Square, Opokuma North, Kolokuma /Opukuma, Bayelsa state
Result
PDP 105
APC 57
A0
AAC 0
PDM 0
PRP 0
PU016, Ward 5, etierebau town Square, Kolokuma /Opukuma

PDP 80
APC 37
A5
AAC 1
PDM 0
PRP 1

PU003, Ward 8, kigbegha open space, Kolokuma /Opukuma

PDP 82
APC 37
A0
AAC 0
PDM 0
PRP 0

PU 020, Igababa, Opume Ogbia LGA

Accredited voters: 120

Valid votes: 119
Rejected votes: 1
APC: 85
PDP: 33

PU 023 – Opume, Akipelai, Ogbia LGA

Accredited Votes – 142

Valid Votes -137
Rejected Votes – 06
APC – 142
PDP – 39

PU004, Ward 2, kaiama/Olobiri, Kolokuma /Opukuma, Bayelsa state

Election Result

PDP 87
APC 70
A6
AAC 1
PDM 1
PRP 1

Oshiomhole Must Recognise Obaseki As The Current Champion

Of Edo State-Ohonbamu
Paul Ohonbamu, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, has said Governor
Godwin Obaseki’s efforts to liberate himself from the yoke of godfatherism of his predecessor,
Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is what is responsible for the political crisis in the state.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Daily Independent, Ohonbamu also said that despite leaving
office as governor, Oshiomhole who is the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress
(APC) still want to continue the dominance of the political affairs of the state like he did when he was
governor of the state for eight years.

He advised Oshiomhole to accept the fact that Obaseki, by virtue of his position as the governor of the
state is the current champion of the state, adding that another current champion will emerge after he
must have completed his second term in office.

“First and foremost, the governor has been a man who has been on a path of positive trajectory. There
are political undertones to what is happening.”

The national chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole has a dominating posture when he was governor of
Edo state. He was a colossus and all other men merely peeped under his huge feet to find themselves
dishonourable graves.

“Oshiomhole was a governor maximally. But nowhere is a new governor in Edo that Oshiomhole does
not want. Despite leaving office as governor and Governor Obaseki in charge as the number one citizen
of Edo, Oshiomhole wants that dominance to continue.
Oshiomhole must realise that he is no longer the governor and there is no way you can have the best of
two worlds.

There is nowhere in the world that we have a permanent champion. What exists in the world is the
current champion and Obaseki by virtue of his position is the current champion in Edo.

“Five years from now which will be the terminus of his second term, another governor will emerge in
Edo who will be the current champion. This is something Oshiomhole has failed to realise and it is the
tendency of Obaseki to liberate himself that is the problem now,” he said

Nigeria Border Closure: ECOWAS Forms Committee

Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have encouraged member
states affected by the closure of Nigerian land borders to continue consultations to reach a solution
acceptable to all parties.

In a communique issued at the end of the ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit in Niger last Friday, the
authority of heads of state chose the President of Burkina Faso, Mr Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, who
is the ECOWAS Champion for the free movement of people and goods, to lead working sessions
between ministers in charge of Trade and Finance of Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria and
Togo.

A tripartite meeting between Nigeria, Benin and Niger was also planned to find a solution to the border
closure .

"These meetings will seek to deepen discussions on trade among member states in the sub-region," the
communique added.

Even though the Niger Summit focused mainly on the political crisis in Guinea Bissau, but the heads of
state also took time to discuss the situation of the closure of the Nigerian borders.

Briefings

"The authority was briefed on the border closure between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the
Republic of Benin on one hand, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Niger on the
other hand, " the communique said.

It further stated that the summit noted ongoing actions being taken by the ECOWAS Commission with
the deployment of a task force on the free movement of goods and persons.
Kogi: Massive Thumbprinting Of Ballot Papers At PDP
Candidate’s Polling Unit
A PREMIUM TIMES journalist on Saturday caught a supporter of the Peoples Demcratic Party (PDP)
voting multiple times at the polling unit of the opposition party’s candidate, Musa Wada.

Mr Wada voted at Polling Unit 001 in Ward 4, Odu- Ogbeyaga area of Dekina Local Government Area
at about 10:15 a.m.

At around 12:30 p.m., the PDP candidate was still around the polling unit observing the exercise
alongside his supporters.

Mr Wada, who spoke exclusively with PREMIUM TIMES shortly after casting his vote, had accused
‘APC thugs’ of attempting to snatch ballot boxes.

He said the thugs were repelled by the youth of the community and a handful of security operatives.

However, his unidentified supporter had his thumbprint on over 50 ballot papers as observed by this
reporter.

The multiple voting was done on the table of the electoral officers with police and civil defense officers
present.

Another supporter who appears to be in his late 40s was also seen hastening the multiple voter and his
accomplices up. He told them that they were going to 400.

Earlier before the multiple voting started, this reporter witnessed a party agent who was furious with
the INEC Presiding Officer, Samuel Imoukhuede.

Meanwhile, when PREMIUM TIMES approached Mr Imoukhuede, he claimed the agents, who wanted
to carry out an “illegal” activity, were angry because he was not co-operating with them.

Asides the electoral fraud, there was shooting at intervals by a man from Mr Wada’s convoy, who was
dressed in a suit.

This reporter saw voters and observers running helter skelter when they heard the gunshots.

There are 24 candidates jostling for the number one seat in Lugard House, the Kogi State Government
House.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kcf4z_5ZeIE
Troops Renovate Road Leading To Boko Haram Hideout In
Borno
The Nigerian Army has maintained its onslaught against Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters.

The gallant troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have left no stone unturned in its bid to totally wipe out
the fleeing insurgents.

As seen in some photos that went viral on social media a couple of months ago, the troops were
pictured constructing a bridge leading to secret hideout of the radical Islamic sect.

Yet again, the gallant troops have displayed selflessness and rare patriotism.

This time around, though, the troops proved that they are not only engaged in the counter insurgency
operations but are also working hard to mend the abandoned roads into the areas.

The gallant troops of Sector 3 Operation Lafiya Dole were spotted fixing bad portions of the road from
Monguno-Kekeno-Cross Kauwa, Borno State.

It will be recalled that no fewer than 50 Boko Haram fighters were killed by the Nigerian Army around
the said road in April.

Ghana Nigeria Trade War. The Speech That Pissed Off Nigeria's
President
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTn2zcGF-jg

Gov Dickson Accuses Military Hierarchy Of Compromising

Security In Bayelsa Poll
The Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has accused the General
Officer Commanding (GOC), 6th Division of the Nigerian Army, of compromising security in favour
of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Governor said that, even though Gen. Sarham has been transfered to the Nigerian Defence
Academy, Kaduna, he refused to move and waited behind to supervise the use of the Army to
perpetrate heinous electoral crimes and irregularities in the Bayelsa guber polls.

He noted that the GOC and the Brigade Commander of the Artillery Brigade, attached soldiers to all
APC leaders in all the wards who they use to terrorize people from one polling unit to another.

The Governor added that the GOC moved to Yenagoa to personally supervise the undemocratic and
illegal activities of the Army in the Bayelsa polls, using the Brigade Commander of the Artillery
Brigade as the commander of his soldiers in the orgy of violence on Bayelsans.

Major General Sarham was reportedly expected to handover to his successor, Major General Felix
Aguguo, on November 5, but was said to have aborted the handing over process till after the Bayelsa
governorship poll.

It would be recalled that the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Moses
Cleopas, had alerted the nation of a plot by the APC to use the GOC and the Nigerian Army to
undermine security during governorship poll in Bayelsa.

“I am accusing the GOC of of the 6th Brigade, Major General Sharham Jamil of delaying his handing
over process after his transfer to the Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna, to perfect this illegal mission
of rigging the election in Bayelsa.

“He and the Brigade Commander of Artillery Brigade, Elele, Lt Col Wase, are the ones attaching
soldiers to all APC chieftains in every Ward to rig the election in all the polling units.

"I understand that because of the desperation of the Federal Government, the GOC 6th Division, Port
Harcourt, Gen. Sarham who is known as the commander of the APC Army rigging wing, refused to
move even with his transfer to the NDA as commandant and I wonder what lessons he will be giving to
those young cadet officers.

“General Sarham has defied his transfer posting and has stayed back to complete his mission of rigging
Bayelsa for APC.

“General Sarham has moved to Yenagoa some days back and he’s there now breathing down on
everybody and using soldiers everywhere to terrorize, intimidate and to arrest our people.

"So gentlemen, let me say once again, this election, you should allow the people of Bayelsa to vote,
anywhere the people of Bayelsa have the opportunity to vote, they will vote PDP. They will vote for the
candidate of our party. APC knows that and that is why the desperation is so high.

“I call on the President of the Federal Republic, even though he has decided to look the other way since
2015 when Timipre Silva, his right hand man was deployed to kill and terrorize our people.

“The President has to wake up and do something; this is not a democracy; what is going on in Bayelsa
in the name of an election is not a democracy.

“The observers are everywhere and everyone knows what is going on. I call on the president to call the
security forces, the Army to do what is right, I call on the Inspector General of Police to be true to his
professional calling and direct the DIG and all police officers to protect the people of Bayelsa State.
“I do not want to be pushed to the level of calling them to defend and protect themselves, I would not
want to do that, but please, there is so much a people can take in the hands of their brothers and sisters
in the name of an election", Governor Dickson lamented.

Court Removes Imo State PDP Lawmaker, Obinna Onwubuariri

Orders Fresh Elections
An Appeal Court sitting in Owerri on Saturday sacked Obinna Onwubuariri the member representing
Isiala Mbano/Onuimo/Okigwe Federal constituency of Imo in the House of representatives.

The Chairman of the Panel, Justice R.N Pemu, who read the judgment, said that the election that
brought Onwubuariri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to power in Feb. 23 was not in tandem
with the electoral act of 2010, as amended.

The appellant court said the lower court was right to have ordered a fresh election in the federal
constituency.

Pemu also said the petitioner, Miriam Onuoha of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was able to
prove her allegations of over-voting, mutilation of figures and violence which marred the election.

The court, therefore, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the
certificate of return it had earlier issued Onwubuariri and conduct a fresh election in the entire federal
constituency within 90 days.

The tribunal had sacked Onwubuariri, but the lawmaker dissatisfied with the judgment, appealed the
judgment.

The court also nullified the election of Mrs Uju Onwudiwe of the Action Alliance (AA) representing
Njaba State Constituency and ordered fresh elections in 12 polling units in Njaba state constituency
within 90 days.

The PDP candidate, Mr Charles Abia had challenged the victory of Onwudiwe in the appellant court.