FG to sanction immigrants that overstays their legal period

Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced a new sanction regime against immigrants who ‘overstay’ in the country without the necessary approval.

The sanction, which depends on the number of days such a foreigner overstayed in the country, ranges from $200 (N72,000) to $4000 (N.18m).

A document signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior and made available to our correspondent, indicated that a foreigner would be adjudged to have overstayed in the country once such exceeded 56 days.

The sanction, however does not apply to citizens of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) who can enter Nigeria and reside in the country without entry visas.

Non-ECOWAS visitor who intended to stay in Nigeria for a period exceeding 56 days, but not beyond 90 days aggregate would be sanctioned with a fine of $200 or the naira equivalent, while a visitor who stayed beyond 90 days, but not exceeding 180 days aggregate would be sanctioned with the sum of $1000 or its naira equivalent.

Besides, any non-ECOWAS visitor who intended to stay in Nigeria or who stayed for a period exceeding 180 days, but not beyond 365 days aggregate in the country would pay to the government the sum of $2000 or its Naira equivalent.

Also, any non-ECOWAS visitor who over stayed in the country without authorization or regularization would, in addition pay penalty of $4000 or its Naira equivalent.

However, it was gathered that several foreigners especially from China, Malaysia and Indonesia have been sanctioned by the government for violating the regulations.

At the international airports nationwide, a source close to the ministry confided in our correspondent that the government gave the services to a private firm, CONTEC Services, which collects the charges on behalf of the Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS).

It was gathered that rather than such affected foreigner to pay the sum to immigration officers, the concessionaire, CONTEC, sanctioned such visitor with the sums, depending on the offence while a receipt or teller is issued to immigration services for record purposes.

The source said: “The Federal Government had to introduce this new regime in order to checkmate foreigners who abuse visas granted them by the government. It was discovered that some of them intentionally overstay in Nigeria without regularizing their papers. This, the government will not agree with and will do everything humanly possible to stop such abuse.

“However, in order to prevent corruption or leakages in the system, the government gave out the concession to a firm, CONTEC Service, who liaise with officials of Immigration at various points for the remittance of the sanction fee. What the concessionaire does is that it issues them a sanction ticket, which the visitor pays to a particular bank. So far, the regime is free of any corrupt practices and our men at various stations are cooperating with the officials.”

AMCON Debtor List: Ifeanyi Ubah, Jimoh Ibrahim, 103 others owe over N900B.

Business magnates, Ifeanyi Ubah and Jimoh Ibrahim are top on a list of 105 high-profile Nigerians who collectively owe the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) the jumbo sum of N906.109 billion.

AMCON made the list of 105 individuals and companies public after running out of patience with repeated failed promises of repayment on the part of the debtors.

Apart from Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited owned by Ifeanyi Ubah, other top debtors on the list include NICON Investments Limited which was possessed by Jimoh Ibrahim, Bi-Courtney Limited owned by Wale Babalakin, Josephdam and Sons Limited which is owned by the Kuteyi family and the Cross River State government run Tinapa Business Resort.

The release of the list is coming some years after the ‘indebted individuals’ list was released by AMCON, as a reminder to the debtors who have refused to pay up despite several warnings.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AMCON, Ahmed Kuru, had, earlier in the year, mentioned plans by the corporation to publish the list of delinquent debtors and directors who have failed to reach or refused to reach a settlement resolution with the corporation.

Kuru said that with the deadline given to the debtors ticking away, the body is set for a ‘name and shame’ of the defaulters as there will be no more period of grace as they did not utilize the one earlier given to them.

A breakdown of the debt reveals that Capital Oil and Gas is indebted to the tune of N115.952 billion while Wale Babalakin whose name appears on both Bi-Courtney Limited and Roygate Properties Limited, owes N69.642 billion.

Former Governor of Enugu State and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Enugu East Senatorial Candidate, Chimaroke Nnamani, is indebted to the tune of N42.49 with his name appearing under Iorna Global Resources, Sammy Beth Interbiz Limited, Camden Resources Limited, Riverside Logistics Limited and Rainbownet Limited.

Other debtors on the list include Senator Buruji Kashamu who is said to owe AMCON N13.015 billion; former Minister of Power, Professor Bart Nnaji, whose name showed up as an executive of Geometric Power Limited, is indebted to the tune of N29.844 billion.

Ex-Governor Fayose appears in Court over N30.8 billion fraud allegation

.....Remanded in EFCC pending bail application

The immediate past Governor of Ekiti, Ayodele Fayose, yesterday ( Monday), October 22, appeared before a Federal High Court, Lagos, charged with N30.8 billion fraud.

Fayose is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, on an 11-count charge of N30.8 billion fraud.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that he, however, pleaded innocence of the offences.

After the arraignment of the accused, the defence counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), who is a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), informed the court of a motion on notice for the bail of the accused.

He told the court that same had been served on the prosecution.

In response, the EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, confirmed service of the bail application, but told the court that he required time to reply.

Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, consequently, adjourned the case until October 24 for the hearing of the bail application.

Meanwhile, following a plea by defence counsel on the temporary remand of Fayose, the court ordered that he be remanded in custody of the EFCC pending bail.

The ex-governor reportedly arrived around 8.30am, in a White Toyota Hiace bus with an Abuja number plate: BWR-630AT, in company of officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and officers of the Nigerian Police Force.

The embattled former governor appeared in court in a gloomy look with a large number of supporters on hand. Below are Read more:

UN contradicts NPC, says Nigeria’s population now 195.9m

.....says Nigeria has the highest fertility rate in the World !

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says 76 percent of Nigerians are between ages 0 to 24, as the country’s population hits 195.9 million.

In its UNFPA state of world population report themed “The power of choice: Reproductive rights and the demographic,” the UN agency revealed that 148.8 million Nigerians are under the age of 25.

This is at conflict with National Population Commission (NPC) figures, which stated that Nigeria’s population was at 198 million as early as April 2018.

Eze Duruiheoma, NPC chairman, had said this in New York while delivering Nigeria’s statement on sustainable cities, human mobility and international migration at the 51st session of commission on population and development.

“Nigeria remains the most populous in Africa, the seventh globally with an estimated population of over 198 million,” Duruiheoma had said.

The UNFPA report added that 44 percent of Nigeria’s population is aged 0 to 14, while 32 percent are aged 14 to 24.

The UN agency also revealed that Nigeria has one of the highest fertility rates in the world, with less than 20 percent of married women in urban communities using a modern contraceptive method.

In rural communities within the country, less than 10 percent of married women use a modern contraceptive method, UNFPA added.

“No country can yet claim to have made reproductive rights a reality for all. Choices are limited for far too many women,” the report read.

“And this means that there are still millions of people who are having more—or fewer—children than they would like, with implications not only for individuals, but also for communities, institutions, economies, labour markets and entire nations.”

Nigeria’s population is expected to double between now and 2050.

source:Development Cable

EFCC obtains court order to detain Fayose for 2 weeks

The EFCC has obtained a warrant to detain former governor Fayose for two weeks.

The order was granted by an FCT high court

It was gathered that the governor could spend longer than two weeks with the EFCC as the order is subject to renewal

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, October 17, said it has obtained a two-weeks remand order to keep the past governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, in custody.

EFCC obtained the order from a Federal Capital Territory high court. It was also gathered that the order is subject to renewal which means that the governor could spend longer than two weeks if the need arises.

Sources at the commission said the former governor could also be released before the expiration of the said order.

“We have obtained a court order to hold Fayose for at least two weeks pending investigation.

He could be released earlier or later than two weeks depending on the outcome of investigation," a source said.

Another source also said aside the already known allegation of receiving N1.3 billion from the office of the national security adviser through Musiliu Obanikoro, a former minister of state for defence, Fayose had other allegations against him.

The source said Fayose was also being probed for allegedly receiving kickbacks from government contractors through his aide, Abiodun Agbele, who is currently standing trial for fraud.

“We have many cases against Fayose being handled by three different teams. We cannot just arraign him immediately. We want to do a thorough job “

EFCC had earlier asked Fayose to return N1.3 billion he allegedly received from a former national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

The former governor was asked to write a statement to explain details of how he spent the N1.3 billion allegedly received from Dasuki.

A source at the EFCC said the former governor is however, denying the receipt of any money from Dasuki through Obanikoro. Oby

Gov Fayose Bids Farewell To Ekiti People

......Decline invitation to attend Fayemi's inauguration

Chief Executive of Ekiti State, Governor Ayo Fayose last Friday evening officially handed over the State’s affairs to the Head of Service (HOS), Dr Gbenga Faseluka.

Governor Fayose, who has turned down an invitation to attend in-coming Governor Kayode Fayemi’s swearing-in slated for Tuesday, October 16, 2018, also inaugurated the new Speaker’s Lodge named after the impeached Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Kolawole Oluwawole

In an emotion-ladden speech at a special cabinet meeting held inside the new Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Governor Fayose said everything that has a beginning must surely have an end

The meeting that top government officials hinted was his last as State Governor, had Mr Fayose bidding farewell to Ekiti people as they prepare for Dr Fayemi’s the formal swearing-in as his successor and next Governor.

Governor Fayose told the meeting, attended by traditional rulers, the State lawmakers, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, and senior government functionaries, that history would be kind to him considering the efficient management of resources entrusted in his care by the Ekiti people.

Pledging availability anytime he is called upon for an inquest into his management of the State’s affairs during the four year tenure, Governor Fayose said; “What has a beginning must have an end. It is not the number of years spent but the quantity and quality of achievements.”

Describing himself as “a man who came, saw and conquered”, Fayose said; “I can’t finish all, I have done my best. History will be kind on me as a man who has given his best to the people. I will remember all for your support, I bear no grudges against anyone.”

He thanked the people for their support, Fayose and urged them to cooperate with the incoming administration to take the state to greater heights.

“I thank the people of the state for their cooperation and urge them to extend same to the incoming administration

“There should never be a vacuum; our priority in Ekiti must be the discharge of our duties”, he said.

Speaking at the ceremony on behalf of others State Executive Council members, the Commissioner for Finance, Toyin Ojo and Commissioner for Works, Mrs Funmi Ogun thanked Governor Fayose for giving them the opportunity to serve the State.  –With agency report

Federal High Court upholds Buhari's Executive Order 6 on seizure of property linked to corruption

The Federal High Court, Abuja has held that President Muhammadu Buhari’s Executive Order 6 is in line with the 1999 Constitution. 

The judge, Ijeoma Ojukwu, made the pronouncement while delivering judgment in a suit filed by two lawyers; Ikenga Ugochinyere and Kenneth Udeze, challenging the legitimacy of the order. Mrs Ojukwu held that it was within the powers of the president, as granted by the constitution, to issue Executive Orders for the execution of policies by the executive arm of government provided such orders respected the principles of separation of powers. 

 She also said that the Executive Order 6 did not violate the right of citizens to own property. According to her, it is rather informed by Mr Buhari’s willingness to save suspected property from being dissipated. While insisting that the order was constitutional, Mrs Ojukwu, however, cautioned that the powers given to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) under the order must be exercised in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. She held that although the order seemed to give the AGF discretion as to when to seek permission of the court to seize any suspected property, he must at all times, obtain a court order before seizing any asset. Executive order 6 which was recently signed by the president empowers the AGF to liaise with relevant investigative agencies to temporarily seize properties linked with corruption. The properties are to be seized pending investigation and conclusion of trial, to prevent the dissipation of such assets. The two lawyers went to court challenging the order on the grounds that it violated peoples’ rights to own property and denied fair hearing to owners of any property against which the order was executed. They argued that by the provisions of Sections 5, 36 and 43 of the constitution, the president lacked the powers to issue the executive order. They contended that by issuing the executive order, the president allegedly encroached on the constitutionally guaranteed right of citizens to own properties. The plaintiffs had urged the court to restrain both defendants; the president and the AGF from enforcing it.

Atiku Abubakar : The US Senate Subcommittee report that finally nailed him over corruption allegations

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has for a long time been challenging Nigerians who accused him of being corrupt to come forward and prove it. So far nobody has come forward.

Well, PMNEWS has received a report on how Atiku was the subject of a probe ten years ago, by a United States Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, chaired by Senator Carl Levin.

The report detailed how Atiku Abubakar while still the vice president of Nigeria between 2000 and 2008, used offshore companies to siphon millions of dollars to his fourth wife in the United States, Jennifer Douglas.

Specifically, the report said Jennifer Douglas, an American citizen, helped her husband bring over $40 million in suspect funds into the United States through wire transfers sent by offshore corporations to U.S. bank accounts.

In 2004, the then President Bush barred Atiku and other corrupt politically exposed persons from being issued visa to the United States.

The US Senate probe was motivated by US government concern about corruption in the Third World and its corrosive effects on the development of honest government, democratic principles, and the rule of law.

“It is also blamed for distorting markets, deterring investment, deepening poverty, undermining international aid efforts, and fostering crime. Some have drawn connections between corruption, failed states, and terrorism. Corruption also continues to be a massive problem. The World Bank has estimated that $1 trillion in bribes alone exchange hands worldwide each year,” the committee noted in its bulky report.

Atiku was not the only foreign Politically Exposed Person(PEP) probed by the committee. He had company in Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, now the 48-year-old son of Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mbasogo, the President of Equatorial Guinea (EG), late President of Gabon, Omar Bongo and three Angolan PEP accounts, involving an Angolan arms dealer, an Angolan government official, and a small Angolan private bank.

The committee submitted its report on 4 February 2010, three years after Atiku left office.

The report unveiled violations of US laws by Atiku and his fourth wife, Jennifer Douglas. It also included revelations about Siemens bribe paid into one of the accounts, and it possibly provided the basis for Atiku being barred from entering the United States, since then.

This Report examines how politically powerful foreign officials, their relatives, and close associates – referred to in international agreements as Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) – have used the services of U.S. professionals and financial institutions to bring large amounts of suspect funds into the United States to advance their interests. Using four case histories, this Report shows how some PEPs have used U.S. lawyers, real estate and escrow agents, lobbyists, bankers, and even university officials, to circumvent U.S. anti-money laundering and anti- corruption safeguards. This Report also offers recommendations to stop the abuses.

Here is a summary of the report:

Atiku Case History.

From 2000 to 2008, Jennifer Douglas, a U.S. citizen and the fourth wife of Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and former candidate for President of Nigeria, helped her husband bring over $40 million in suspect funds into the United States through wire transfers sent by offshore corporations to U.S. bank accounts.

In a 2008 civil complaint, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission alleged that Ms. Douglas received over $2 million in bribe payments in 2001 and 2002, from Siemens AG, a major German corporation.

While Ms. Douglas denies wrongdoing, Siemens has already pleaded guilty to U.S. criminal charges and settled civil charges related to bribery and told the Subcommittee that it sent the payments to one of her U.S. accounts.

In 2007, Mr. Atiku was the subject of corruption allegations in Nigeria related to the Petroleum Technology Development Fund.

Of the $40 million in suspect funds, $25 million was wire transferred by offshore corporations into more than 30 U.S. bank accounts opened by Ms. Douglas, primarily by Guernsey Trust Company Nigeria Ltd., LetsGo Ltd. Inc., and Sima Holding Ltd.

The U.S. banks maintaining those accounts were, at times, unaware of her PEP status, and they allowed multiple, large offshore wire transfers into her accounts. As each bank began to question the offshore wire transfers, Ms. Douglas indicated that all of the funds came from her husband and professed little familiarity with the offshore corporations actually sending her money.

When one bank closed her account due to the offshore wire transfers, her lawyer helped convince other banks to provide a new account. In addition, two of the offshore corporations wire transferred about $14 million over five years to American University in Washington, D.C., to pay for consulting services related to the development of a Nigerian university founded by Mr. Atiku Abubakar.

American University accepted the wire transfers without asking about the identity of the offshore corporations or the source of their funds, because under current law, the University had no legal obligation to inquire.

Executive Summary

Combating corruption is a key U.S. value and goal, due to its corrosive effects on the rule of law, economic development, and democratic principles. In 2001, the Patriot Act made the acceptance of foreign corruption proceeds a U.S. money laundering offense for the first time, and required banks to apply enhanced scrutiny to private banking accounts opened for senior foreign political figures, their relatives, and close associates. In 2003, the United States supported the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, now ratified by over 140 countries. Also in 2003, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) formed an investigative group dedicated to combating foreign corruption by PEPs. In 2004, President Bush issued Presidential Proclamation 7750 denying U.S. visas to foreign officials involved with corruption, and Congress later enacted supporting legislation. A 2009 study sponsored by the World Bank analyzed PEP controls worldwide and recommended stronger measures to reduce corruption.

The Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (Subcommittee) initiated this investigation to learn how U.S. laws apply to PEPs utilizing the domestic financial system, and examine how foreign senior political figures, their relatives, and close associates may be circumventing or undermining anti-money laundering (AML) and PEP controls to bring funds that may be the product of foreign corruption into the United States. It is the latest in a series of Subcommittee hearings examining foreign corruption and its U.S. aiders and abettors.

During the course of its investigation, the Subcommittee staff conducted over 100 interviews, including interviews of lawyers, real estate agents, escrow agents, lobbyists, bankers, university professionals, and government officials. The Subcommittee issued over 50 subpoenas and reviewed millions of pages of documents, including bank records, correspondence, contracts, emails, property records, flight records, news articles, and court pleadings. In addition, the Subcommittee consulted with foreign officials, international organizations, financial regulators, and experts in anti-money laundering and anti-corruption efforts.

Spray Naira at ceremonies/events and go to 6months Jail, or N50,000 Fine

...Sale of Naira Notes at Parties also carry same punishment

Concerned by the alarming rate of mutilation and abuse of Naira notes in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has dusted its books to sanction. erring individuals and groups found culpable of the  act.

Consequently, the Bankers Committee said those who ‘spray’ Naira notes at parties risk going to jail for six months or paying a N50,000 fine.

The committee said last Thursday that mobile courts are now to summarily try and penalize those abusing the national currency, especially at social functions.

CBN’s spokesman, Mr Isaac Okorafor said the police and the Ministry of Justice would be actively involved in this sanitization operation, adding that mobile courts will be deployed nationwide to effectively address this financial menace.

According to Okorafor, “If a celebrant is dancing and you spray him/her, you may go to jail from the party venue because the law enforcement agents will be there, waiting to arrest you.

“It is the duty of law enforcement agencies to catch offenders and take them to court. Our collaboration with the police will intensify as we move to implement the mobile court for offenders.”

Okorafor, who urged Nigerians to refrain from abusing the national currency in using cash as a gift item, said; “If you want to give, put the money in an envelope, and give it the celebrant. Let’s know that anybody hawking and writing on the naira will face six months in jail or N50,000 or both.”

In his remarks, Managing Director of First Securities Discount House (FSDH) Merchant Bank, Mrs Handa Ambah said people selling Naira notes would no longer go punished.

Mrs Ambah insisted that Nigerians must be made to have respect for the nation’s currency, stressing however that; “The fact that you cannot spray money at parties does not mean that you cannot put money in an envelope and pass it to the celebrants.” – With agency report

APC Delegates endorse Buhari as Presidential candidate for 2019 General Election

The  delegates at the national convention of the All Progressives Congress,(APC) have affirmed President Muhammadu Buhari as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2019 general elections.

According to the tally of votes from the direct primaries held at various states, President Muhammadu Buhari scored over 14.8 million votes.

The figure was affirmed at the convention in Abuja  early today.

It is noteworthy that prior to his affirmation, Buhari was the sole presidential candidate of the party.

Buhari eventually  accepted  his nomination as the presidential candidate at convention.

President Buhari promptly launched his campaign for a second term in office early this (Sunday) morning after being overwhelmingly endorsed as candidate by 14,842,072 members of the All Progressives Congress(APC) across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory(FCT).

Taunting the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, which had governed Nigeria for 16 years, up till May 2015, President Buhari asked the party, also holding its convention simultaneously in Port Harcourt, what it did with all the money earned under its watch.

“Fellow Nigerians, think how much PDP Governments earned between 1999 to 2015. Think what they did with it.

Infrastructure down! Security down! 18 local governments of Nigeria under control of a hostile army of insurgents. Reserves depleted! Bankruptcy around the corner.

“​What did they do with your money?”, Buhari asked in a tone indicative of fireworks to be expected in the weeks ahead for the electioneering campaign.

President Buhari thanked all eligible members of the party who stepped down their ambition to allow him emerge as the party’s sole aspirant and now its candidate.

“I thank you all for your encouragement and support, and I will not disappoint the people of Nigeria,”he said.

The president paid special tribute to the party’s national leadership and its founding fathers and the National Presidential Convention Committee for organising what he called a perfect convention.

He maintained that the Federal Government was tackling corruption head-on, and it is also rebuilding the economy and developing infrastructure, saying that the APC was proud of its achievements.

He also said that his recent interactions with the international community have been very encouraging, adding that the international community was giving the Nigerian government the necessary support.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 14.8 million votes that Buhari received from APC members in a direct primary was announced early Sunday morning by the Ekiti State Governor elect, Dr Kayode Fayemi who was the chairman APC Presidential Primary Election Committee. Fayemi had also chaired the APC Convention in Lagos in 2014 that elected Buhari as the party’s candidate.

The result was later affirmed by no fewer than 7,000 delegates from across the federation and the FCT through a yes vote.

The delegates were made up of three from each Local Government Area elected at the party’s recent state Congresses aside the statutory delegates.

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo who is the Chairman APC National Presidential Convention Committee, described Buhari as the antidote for all political locusts”.

“He is the insecticide for all political termites and the saviour of the oppressed and downtrodden, and the best president for the people.

“We are impressed by his exemplary honesty, sincerity and commitment to a greater Nigeria,”he said, adding that President Buhari has positively impacted on the lives of Nigerians in the last three and half years.

He called on Nigerians to vote for him again in 2019 to enable him consolidate on his achievements and take the country to greater heights.

Ajimobi said the convention had opened a new chapter in Nigeria’s political history and called on APC members not to succumb or be distracted by the negative propaganda of the opposition.

“We have a job to do, let us all join hands with President Buhari and roll up our sleeves for the task ahead,”he said.

Mr Adams Oshiomhole, the APC National Chairman formally presented President Buhari to the convention as the party’s 2019 presidential candidate, amidst cheers from delegates and other party members.

“I hereby formally present President Muhammadu Buhari as the candidate of our party for the 2019 presidential election to everyone here and to Nigerians, and by the grace of God, victory shall be ours,”he said.

Present at the convention, were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, APC Governors, National Assembly members and party delegates from the 36 states and FCT.

Saraki, Bafarawa, Atiku, Jang & others in last minute appeal to PDP delegates to clinch Presidential ticket !

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Senate President Bukola Saraki made 11th hour pitches to woo the undecided among the 3,600 delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party attending the national convention in Port Harcourt to elect a presidential candidate.

Atiku promised to build Nigeria’s economy by creating wealth and jobs if elected to represent the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019 election.

He also said he would provide healthcare to Nigerians.

‘’Four years ago, the people of Nigeria voted for change; today they are not happy with the change they received; government has become less transparent.

”I ask for your support in picking the PDP ticket; together we can truly get Nigeria working again.

Sen. Bukola Saraki urged all the 3, 600 delegates at the convention to vote for him.

He stated that the people need a leader like he in the 21 century, adding that poverty is affecting Nigeria but

”Unfortunately poverty does not know party, ethnicity or religion.”

He blamed issues of poverty on what he alleged to be APC’s poor governance and appealed to the delegates to vote for him for a government of inclusion which according to him, is what Nigeria needs now.

”If you want a 21st century leader, you will vote for me. A vote for me is a vote for the youth, for inclusive governance,” he said.

Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo  said that he has solutions to Nigeria’s problems, adding, ‘’I am highly experienced to lead Nigeria as a president”.

Attahiru Bafarawa  said that he would  implement the resolutions  of the past national conferences and  would take Nigeria to greater heights.

Jonah Jang pledged quality leadership and to right the wrongs of past leadership while securing Nigeria at all sphere.

Datti Ahmed spoke about his capacity to provide quality leadership.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that voting was yet to commence as at 1:25 a.m.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt the aspirants were late in arriving the venue due to their inability to arrive at a consensus candidate or those who should step down, to reduce the contestants.

NAN learnt that delegates may favour aspirants who remain party faithful since 2014, when the party imploded and not aspirants who dumped the party and returned recently.

Police invites Saraki,Bruce & Melaye over public disturbance, damage to government property

The Nigerian Police Force on Friday, October 5, accused Senators Dino Melaye and Ben Murray-Bruce and Senate President Bukola Saraki of leading a violent protest, attacking police officers and disturbing public peace. 

The police also accused the senators of pushing and hitting the policemen to forcefully enter the Force Headquarters to cause damage to police equipment and government properties 

The police issued a statement inviting the senators to the Force Headquarters on Monday, 8th October, 2018 for investigation on what transpired between them and the officers. 

The statement signed by the police public relation officer, Jimoh Moshood was released on Friday, October 5, few hours after the PDP chieftains protested the Osun poll result at the INEC secretariat in Abuja.

 The police statement said: "Senator Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Ben Bruce who were captured on camera to have been involved in the disturbance of public peace and public safety, unlawful blockade of Shehu Shagari way for several hours preventing motorists, road users and other members of the public from having access and passage on the highway thereby disturbing public peace and public safety and causing innocent people to scamper for safety and violent attack on policemen posted to ensure security of the Force Headquarters, pushing and hitting the policemen to forcefully enter the Force Headquarters to cause damage to police equipment and government properties are hereby invited to report themselves to the IGP Monitoring Unit at the Force Headquarters on Monday, 8th October, 2018 for investigation. 

PDP chieftains leading members to protest rs, unruly and violent protesters who are   of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in their hundreds with thugs and miscreants inside several trucks and vehicles blocked the Shehu Shagari way in front of the Nigeria Police Force, Headquarters creating a gridlock of traffic on the highway and preventing motorists, road users and other members of the public from having access and passage on Shehu Shagari way thereby disturbing public peace and public safety and causing innocent people to scamper for safety, suddenly the unruly/violent protesters surge and rushed violently on the Policemen posted to ensure safety of the Force Headquarters premises, pushing and hitting the Policemen to forcefully enter the Force Headquarters to cause damage to Police equipment and Government properties. 

"The Police team headed by a very senior police officer despite the provocation, after issuing words of proclamation, warning this unruly PDP protesters who were chanting war songs of ”we no go gree o, we no go gree, we no go gree”, charged the Police personnel who used minimum force and dispersed them." Senator Melaye clashes with police officers during the October 5 protest in Abuja.

 The police claimed thet the senators were caught on camera leading thugs to damage government properties. 

"Senator Dino Melaye, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce and others yet to be identified were recorded on Camera pushing Policemen to forcefully enter the Force Headquarters to damage and destroy Police equipment and Government properties while Senator Bukola Saraki was at the scene of the attack in his car also captured on camera along with hundreds of miscreants and thugs in the acts of disturbance of public peace and public safety, unlawful blockade of Shehu Shagari way for several hours preventing motorists, road users and other members of the public from having access and passage on the highway thereby disturbing public peace and public safety and causing innocent people to scamper for safety. 

"The Inspector General of Police has directed immediate investigation into this unprovoked and unwarranted attack on the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and the Force Headquarters premises which is against the law and condemnable. 

The Force will do everything within the law to bring all perpetrators of this crime to justice, no matter how highly placed. "Consequently, Senator Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Ben Bruce who were captured on camera to have been involved in the disturbance of public peace and public safety, unlawful blockade of Shehu Shagari way for several hours preventing motorists, road users and other members of the public from having access and passage on the highway thereby disturbing public peace and public safety and causing innocent people to scamper for safety and violent attack on Policemen posted to ensure security of the Force Headquarters, pushing and hitting the Policemen to forcefully enter the Force Headquarters to cause damage to Police equipment and Government properties are hereby invited to report themselves to the IGP Monitoring Unit at the Force Headquarters on Monday, 8th October, 2018 for investigation. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeria’s #1 news app "Members of the public in the FCT are implored to remain calm as the situation is under control. Further development will be communicated to the public soon," the statement reads. 

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, representing Bayelsa east senatorial district, accused the Nigeria Police Force of attacking him and others with teargass on Friday, October 5, during a protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s office in Abuja. 

The senator on his Twitter page claimed that gunshots were also fired during the peaceful protest. 

He shared a video of the protest, but not much could be deduced from it to substantiate his allegations.

LAGOS APC GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY: Ambode finally out !

....Polls 72,901 votes against Sanwo-Olu's 970,851

The end may have come to the decision of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to seek a second term in office on the platform of the APC.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC)  has upheld the governorship primary election held in the state on Tuesday.

There had been confusion on the status of the exercise held in 245 wards.

While the Clement Ebri-led electoral panel set up by NWC to supervise the poll cancelled the exercise, the state chapter insisted the exercise stands.

Ebri had told a press conference in Lagos that his committee was unaware of the primary conducted by the State Working Committee (SWC) because it did not follow the committee’s guidelines.

He, therefore, cancelled it and ordered a fresh exercise for Wednesday.

However, the State Chairman, Tunde Balogun later declared the Managing Director of Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ambode’s sole challenger as winner of the election.

In resolving the matter, the party’s National Chairman,  Adams Oshiomhole has overruled the Ebri committee.

Oshiomhole said it was wrong for the committee to annul an election that had been held, saying the proper thing to do was for the results to be declared, and whoever was dissatisfied should complain.

“The election has been held, anyone who is aggrieved should complain after the declaration of results,” he said,

He noted that the committee clearly overreached its brief.

According to the National Chairman, the committee’s brief was to supervise and not conduct the election, explaining that it was practically impossible for a panel of seven or so to conduct and micro manage an election held in 245 wards of 20 local government areas of the state.

Saying, the will of the people must be respected, Oshiomhole directed Ebri to collate and release the results of the poll without fail.

Following this development, the Ebri Committee would adopt the results announced last night by Balogun.

 Sanwo-Olu according to Balogun polled 970,851 votes to defeat Ambode, who polled 72,901 votes.

@Bounce