2019: New Mega Party Targets 16 Governors, See List

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Staff Reporter

With an eye firmly fixed on the 2018 governorship polls in Ekiti and Osun States and 2019 general election, the movers of the proposed new mega party are already targeting at least 16 states of the federation whose governors they are confident will decamp to the new party, to bolster their chances of unseating the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The new opposition party is believed to have the tacit support of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that currently controls 11 states in the country, a National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bola Ahmed Tinbubu, and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, a major chieftain of the APC.

Both APC leaders have, however, denied their involvement in the proposed party, saying they remained committed to the APC.

Some of the states being considered for the taking are spread across five crucial geo-political zones of the country, with the calculation that once the new party is able to hold down these states, the others could be turned into battleground states, where it would compete for votes with the APC to shore up its chances in the 2019 elections.

The states already considered to be the strongholds of the proposed mega party are Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu in the South-east; Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Cross River and Bayelsa in the South-south; Osun, Oyo, Ekiti and Lagos in the South-west; Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa in the North East; and for now Benue State in the North-central zone.

Since the governors of the 16 states are seen to be sympathetic to the cause of the mega party, either directly or indirectly, their membership would most likely be taken for granted, while the party is saddled with the task of concentrating on areas where it is considered to be relatively weak.

The movers behind the new party are of the view that if they must make any meaningful impact in the elections in 2018 and 2019, respectively, then certain states are germane to the victory.

However, whilst the backers of the party are working on a winning strategy, the Makarfi-led PDP, sources confirmed yesterday, has expressed disappointment in the way Atiku and Tinubu denied their involvement in the formation of the new party.

The PDP leadership, while trying to empathise with the concerns Atiku and Tinubu might have over the news of their involvement in the proposed party coming out too early in the day, however, some members of the PDP felt that they should have known what they were up against from the outset.

According to a PDP chieftain, “We would have expected Atiku and Tinubu to have been more strategic in their reactions to the news.

“They just proved that they could develop cold feet at the slightest whiff and are not really prepared to take on the challenges that lie ahead. Their denials could be a setback for the mega party, as there is no way the formation can progress with this kind of attitude.

“We know it is going to be tough, but we must be ready to live with the consequences.”
From the perspective of the PDP, the source said the party was on the verge of putting its house in order and was preparing to start a new chapter, adding that once the challenges related to the leadership tussle are cleared, it would be in a better position to fully concentrate on the talks for a new mega party, which he described as the only joker for the 2019 elections.

He said the argument by some concerned observers about the Makarfi-led PDP not really needing an alliance or merger the minute it settles its leadership crisis may be logical, but noted that the battle to unseat an incumbent president in Nigeria was not an easy one to be prosecuted by one party alone however strong, hence the need for co-operation from people of like-minds to pool resources.

He noted that with the PDP going into talks with anyone as a united family, this would give it better grounds for negotiations and that the concerns about anyone selling out or undoing the party would be unfounded once the other faction has been completely neutralised.

“At least, we know that the Ali Modu Sheriff faction is working for and with the APC. So, the fears about the kind of damage they could do would have been adequately checkmated with their exit.
“The collaboration is therefore important and key to the success of our collective plan to take over the government and lead the nation to a better place,” he said.

He described the issue of the presidential candidacy as too early in the day since the consolidation of the proposed party was yet to take place.

“It is true that the APC wing of the proposed party might have been pondering their options on the choice of candidate for the presidency, but the PDP too has its own take on all of this and there are many options from which the ideal candidate can be chosen.

“But first, we need to tidy up the amalgamation and other things will follow,” he said.
The source did not however dismiss the influence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the choice of a presidential candidate for the mega party, but expressed concern about Obasanjo’s opposition to Atiku and former President Goodluck Jonathan, both of whom he said the former president had vowed never to have anything to do with.

“His take on Atiku is particularly worrisome because he once said even if he dies today and Atiku was coasting home to the presidency, he would beg God to let him come back to life, finish him off and then return to God.

“You may want to laugh this off, but it is deep and speaks so much about his disdain for these two persons, Atiku especially,” he said.

STATES ON THE RADAR OF NEW MEGA PARTY

· Lagos
· Oyo
· Osun
· Ekiti
· Enugu
· Ebonyi
· Abia
· Delta
· Bayelsa
· Rivers
· Akwa Ibom
· Cross River
· Taraba
· Gombe

Credit: thisdaylive

Military Releases List Of 55 Wanted Boko Haram Suspects

Posted on November 21, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, has released a banner containing photographs and names of 55 suspected Boko Haram terrorists wanted for various attacks and terror activities in the northeast where the military is currently prosecuting a war
against the insurgents.

He launched the latest batch of the terrorist suspects on Monday in Maiduguri, bringing the total number of those declared wanted by the military since last year to 155.

The Army had late last year published the first set of 100 suspected members of the terrorist sect, Boko Haram wanted by the Nigerian state, and another batch early this year when the launched the Motorbike Battalion in Damboa, Borno State.

“I urge all to facilitate the tracking down the suspects for the good and development of the country,” the defence chief said while releasing the banner at a brief event at the headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maimalari Contonement of the Nigerian Army Maiduguri.

“With this launching of an additional list of wanted terrorists, it is hoped that the public will collaborate to identify the wanted Boko Haram wherever they are,” he added.

He however, urged Boko Haram members who wish to surrender their arms and embrace peace to do so in time so as to benefit from the military Operation Save Corridors programme for repentant terrorists.

Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, noted that the army first published a wanted lists of Boko Haram late 2015, adding that it released the second later.

Buratai said the fresh lists which contained the name and photograph of Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram leader, was the third list released to the public.

He said the military published the list for the purpose of emphasis, urging the people to provide useful information regarding the Boko Haram men. He promised that such information will be treated with secrecy.

Credit: thisdaylive

Senate rejects list of Non-Career Ambassadorial nominees.

Posted on November 15, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The dream of 47 Nigerians to represent this country as Non-career Envoys may have hit the bricks as the Senate on Tuesday resolved that the list of nominees should be sent back to the Presidency.

In a motion ably moved by the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume and seconded by the Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, the Senate cited controversies and plethora of petitions emanating from the list as reason behind its rejection.

Earlier, the Chairman of Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu had submitted that her committee could not commence screening of the Non-career Ambassadorial Nominees due to litany of petitions that saturated the committee secretariat.

“We find it very difficult to commence screening for the Non-career Ambassadorial Nominees. We received over 250 petitions against some of the nominees,” she said.

In his ruling, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki said the list should be reverted to the Presidency, to readjust it before submitting to the Senate.

It could be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari sent a list containing 47 names of Non-career Ambassadorial Nominees to be screened by the Senate.

The list, however, suffered rejection in some quarters. While Senator Philip Aduda queried the non inclusion of FCT indigenes in the list, some Analysts also probed why Lagos State could get 3 nominees and states from the North also got 2 nominees, whereas, Imo State had no representative in the list.

Meet The Iraqi Housewife Who ‘Cooked The Heads’ Of ISIS Fighters, Tops ISIS’ Most Wanted List

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Staff Reporter

“Shut up and stay still,” the woman in black fatigues and a black headscarf snapped over her shoulder at the armed men behind her as she sat down for an interview.

Immediately they went quiet, each adjusting his weapon and standing up straight as if he’d been called to attention.

This is a woman who commands respect, I thought. She keeps a Beretta 9-millimeter pistol in a holster under her left arm. The area around the trigger was silver where the paint had worn off.

The woman in question, 39-year-old Wahida Mohamed — better known as Um Hanadi — leads a force of around 70 men in the area of Shirqat, a town 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Mosul, Iraq. She and her men, part of a tribal militia, recently helped government forces drive ISIS out of the town.

In the man’s world that is rural Iraq, female fighters are a rarity. Um Hanadi is not new to this.

“I began fighting the terrorists in 2004, working with Iraqi security forces and the coalition,” she says. As a result, she attracted the wrath of what eventually became al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, which later morphed into ISIS.

“I received threats from the top leadership of ISIS, including from Abu Bakr (al-Baghdadi) himself,” she says, referring to ISIS’s self-declared caliph.

“But I refused.”

“I’m at the top of their most wanted list,” she brags, “even more than the Prime Minister.”

UNILAG To Screen Candidates Despite List Withdrawal By JAMB

Posted on August 2, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The University of Lagos on Monday says it will go ahead with its screening of prospective candidates for admission into the 2016/2017 academic session as scheduled.

The institution’s Deputy Registrar, (Information), Mr. Toyin Adebule, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

Adebule gave the university’s position against the backdrop of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board withdrawing the list of recommended candidates for admission, earlier sent to the various universities.

JAMB, in the statement signed by its Head of Media and Information, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, stated that the withdrawal was to ensure that the senate of each of the universities performed its statutory functions.

NAN reports that UNILAG had, last month, announced that it would begin screening candidates, who chose the institution as their first choice with a cut-off point of 200 and above, between Wednesday Aug. 3, 2016 and Aug. 24, 2016.

“We want to inform the public that our screening, for candidates that will be admitted for the 2016/17 academic session, will still hold as scheduled from Aug. 3, 2016 to Aug. 24, 2016. It is true that JAMB had sent a list to us, which it had considered as those who met our cut-off point. It is this same list that it withdrew to allow the universities to carry out their admission process as required by the law setting up their senates.

“There are statutory functions meant for all university senates, among which admissions is part one. It is only after selecting the candidates for admission that the senate refers the list to JAMB for confirmation in line with the admission criteria of merit, catchment and educationally disadvantaged states. And so, it is only proper for JAMB to have taken this step, realising that it had taken over the job of the universities’ senates,’’ he said.

Adebule, however, added that the withdrawal of the list did not interfere with UNILAG’s proposed plan to screen its candidates. He added that candidates would be screened based on the authenticity of their results and their course combinations.

Credit: Punch

Rescued Girl, Serah Luka, Not On Our List– Chibok Parents

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Campaigners on Friday questioned a Nigerian military claim that a second Chibok schoolgirl had been rescued, but the army maintained she was one of the 219 abducted by Boko Haram.

Yakubu Nkeki, the head of the Chibok Abducted Girls Parents group, told the AFP the military contacted him before an announcement was made on Wednesday about the discovery of the first girl, Amina Ali.

“We were able to identify her and then establish her parents,” he told AFP. But there was no call before Nigeria’s army announced late Thursday that a second schoolgirl had been rescued.

She was said to be Serah Luka, who was among 97 women and children rescued earlier that day in the Damboa area of the northeastern state of Borno.

She told troops and civilian vigilantes she was a Christian pastor’s daughter originally from Madagali, in neighbouring Adamawa state, and had been in Chibok to sit her exams.

Nkeki said his records showed only two girls with the surname Luka.

“These are Kauna Luka Yana and Naomi Luka Dzakwa. Among the list of parents we have only four priests and none of them is Luka,” he added.

“Among the girls none of them is from Madagali. They were either from Chibok, Damboa, Askira and Uba (all in Borno state). So I can say… that this girl is not among the abducted Chibok girls.

“We were never contacted by the military for verification of the girl’s identity before the announcement was made.”

A human rights activist in Mubi, Adamawa, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitive nature of his work, also said a Serah Luka was not on the list of the missing.

A senior Nigerian military source said it was “beyond reasonable doubt” that the schoolgirl was among the 219 held by the Islamists since the kidnapping on April 14, 2014.

“The military personnel who carried out the rescue operation and the civilian vigilantes who assisted them and those who know the girl confirmed that she is among those abducted,” he said.

“We can only change our position if the principal of the school or the government of Borno state come out and refute this established identity of the girl.”

Credit: AFP

Saraki Announces List Of Committee Chairmen & Vice Chair Of 8th Assembly (See Full List)

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has unveiled the List of Committee Chairmen and Vice Chair of 8th Assembly. See list below:

https://www.facebook.com/bukola.saraki/posts/10153780780889962

List of Committee Chairmen and Vice Chair of 8th Assembly

SPECIAL COMMITTEES

· COMMITTEE ON SELECTION

S/N
Committee
CHAIR
VICE

1.
Committee on Rules & Business
Babajide Omoworare
Ali Ndume

2.
Senate Services Committee
Ibrahim Gobir
Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi

3.
Committee on Ethics & Privileges

Samuel Anyanwu
Bala Ibn Na’allah
4.
Committee on Public Accounts

Andy Uba
Gbolahan Dada
5.
Committee on National Security & Intelligence

Shaaba Lafiagi
David Jonah Jang

STANDING COMMITTEES
6.
Committee on Agriculture

Abdullahi Adamu
Theodore A. Orji
7.
Committee on Air Force

Duro Samuel Faseyi
Ali Wakili
8.
Committee on Army

George Akume
Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba
9.
Committee on Anti – Corruption & Financial Crimes

Godfrey Chukwuka Utazi
Sani Mustapha
10.
Committee on Appropriations
Danjuma Goje
Sunny Ogbuoji

11.
Committee on Aviation
Hope Uzodinma
Bala Ibn Na’allah

12.
Committee on Banking, Insurance & Other Financial Institutions
Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim
Achonu Nneji
13.
Committee on Capital Market
Isiaka Adeleke
Ogola Foster

14.
Committee on Communications
Gilbert Nnaji
Solomon Adeola Olamilekan

15.
Committee on Cooperation & Integration in Africa & NEPAD
Abubakar Sani Danladi
Baba Kaka Garba
16.
Committee on Culture & Tourism
Matthew Urhoghide
Abubakar A. M.

17.
Committee on Customs, Excise & Tariff
Adamu Aliero
Samuel Anyanwu

18.
Committee on Defence
Ahmad Lawan
Jeremiah Useni

19.
Committee on Diaspora & Civil Societies
Rose Oko

20.
Committee on Drugs & Narcotics
Joshua Lidani
Phillip Gyunka

21.
Committee on Downstream Petroleum
Uche Ekwunife
Jibrin Barau

22.
Committee on Ecology & Climate Change
Bukar Abba Ibrahim
Achonu Nneji

23.
Committee on Education (Basic & Secondary)
Aliyu Wamakko
Rose Oko

24.
Committee on Employment, Labour & Productivity
Suleiman Nazif

25.
Committee on Environment
Olaka Johnson Nwogu
Oluremi Tinubu

26.
Committee on Establishment & Public Service
Emmanuel Paulker
Suleiman Nazif

27.
Committee on Committee on Federal Capital Territory
Dino Melaye
Mohammed Hassan

28.
Committee on Federal Character & Inter Governmental Affairs
Salihu Hussain Egye
Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi
29.
Committee on Finance
John Owan Enoh
Umaru Ibrahim Kurfi

30.
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Munsurat Sunmonu
Shehu Sani

31.
Committee on Gas
Bassey Albert Akpan
Abubakar Ahmadu Moallahyidi

32.
Committee on Health
Lanre Tejuosho
Matthew Uroghdide

33.
Committee on Housing
Barnabas Gemade
Francis Alimikhene

34.
Committee on I.C.T & Cybercrime
Buhari Abdulfatai
Ogola Foster

35.
Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission
Abubakar Kyari
Olusola Adeyeye
36.
Committee on Information & National Orientation
Enyinnaya Abaribe
Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba

37.
Committee on Interior
Georgeb Sekibo
Bayero Usman Nafada

38.
Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs
Bayero Usman Nafada

39.
Committee on Industry
Sam Egwu
Buhari Abdulfatai

40.
Committee on Judiciary Human Rights & Legal Matters
David Umaru
Godswill Akpabio

41.
Committee on Land Transport
Olugbenga Ashafa
Phillip Aduda

42.
Committee on Local & Foreign Debts
Shehu Sani
Phillip Gyunka

43.
Committee on Marine Transport
Ahmed Rufai Sani
Ighoyota Amori

44.
Committee on Media & Public Affairs
Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi
Murray Bruce

45.
Committee on Public Procurement
Abdulsalami Ohiare
Joshua Dariye

46.
Committee on National Identity & National Population
Marafa Kabir
Abubakar Sani Danladi

47.
Committee on National Planning & Economic Affairs
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
Yele Omogunwa

48.
Committee on Navy
Isa Hamma Misau
Osinachukwu Ideozu

49.
Committee on Niger Delta
Peter Nwaboshi
Abubakar Abdulrahman

50.
Committee on Police Affairs
Abu Ibrahim
Stella Oduah

51.
Committee on Power
James Manager
Bukar Mustapha

52.
Committee on Primary Health Care & Communicable Diseases
Mao Ohuabunwa
Nelson Efiong

53.
Committee on Privatisation
Ben Murray Bruce
Abdullahi Yahaya

54.
Committee on Science & Technology
Robert Ajayi Boroffice
Marafi Bashir

55.
Committee on Solid Minerals
Joshua Dariye
Rilwan Adesoji

56.
Committee on Special Duties
Murtala Nyako
Sunny Ogbuoji

57.
Committee on Sports
Obinna Joseph Ogba
Marafa Kabir

58.
Committee on States & Local Government
Abdullahi Gumel
Kashamu Buruji

59.
Committee on Tertiary Institutions & TETFUND
Binta Masi Garba
Tijjani Yahaya Kaura

60.
Committee on Trade & Investment
Fatimat Olufunke Raji Rasaki
Sabo Mohammed

61.
Committee on Upstream Petroleum
Donald Omotayo Alaosaodura
Bassey Gershom

62.
Committee on Water Resources
Mohammed Ubali Shittu
Emmanuel Bwacha

63.
Committee on Women Affairs
Oluremi Tinubu
Stella Oduah

64.
Committee on Works
Kabiru Gaya
Clifford Ordia

65.
Committee on Poverty Alleviation & Social Welfare
Ali Wakili

Buhari’s Cabinet List May Be Altered Due To Saraki, Dogara’s Emergence- Report

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as the President of the Senate and Yakubu Dogara as the Speaker of the House of Representatives may have altered the cabinet consideration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Saraki, a former governor of Kwara State, is from North-Central while Dogara hails from Bauchi, North-East. The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, is from the South-East while the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yusuf Lasun, hails from the South-West.

All these officers, except Ekweremadu, are members of the ruling APC. The deputy senate president is the only member of the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party.

President Buhari was said to be waiting for the outcome of the election before making announcement on key appointments in his government.

Apart from the ministers, he was said to be waiting for the election of principal officers of the National Assembly before naming his Secretary to the Government of the Federation, his Chief of Staff and Special Advisers.

Investigations by our correspondent in Abuja indicated that the position of the SGF hitherto reserved for the South-East may now go to another zone because of the emergence of Ekweremadu.

In anticipation that the position would go to the zone, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State was said to have submitted three names to the President.

Those on his list are a former Governor of Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige; a former Governor of old Abia State, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and Prof. Anthony Anwuka.

It was gathered that in the negotiation that brought Saraki to power, the zone agreed to rather go for the position of the deputy senate president instead of the SGF.

The presidential source said, “President Buhari is seriously tinkering with the original list he has for political offices. This is because the emergence of the officers of the National Assembly has affected the original list he has.

“Though he was expecting some elements of surprise in the election, but I think he never bargained for a total disregard to party directive in the election of the officers.”

Read More: punchng

List Predicts Incoming Ministers, What Is Your Take On This?

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Here is a list predicting incoming ministers that will serve under the administration of change. What is your take on this list?

AGF/Min. of Justice – Bar. B. R Fashola – SW;
Min. of Abuja. – Dr. Hussein Dikko – NW;
Min. of Agric – Prof. S. A Garki – NW;
Min. of Works – Dr. Chris Ingige – SE;
Min. of Education- Prof. O. K. Ezekwesili -SE
Others include – Min. of Aviation – Sadiya Farouk – NW;
Min. of Culture/Tourism – James Ocholi – NC;
Min. of Labour & Prod. – Bisi Akande – SW;
Min. of Defence – Gen. Lawal Jafaru Isa – NW;
Min. of Petroleum – Prof. David T- West – SS;
Min. of Finance – Dr. Umar Mutallib – NW;
Min. of Foreign Affairs – Gen. A. Aboki – NC and
Min. of Internal Affairs – Y. M Tuggar – NE
Other distinguished Nigerian who would make the cabinet are
Lagos vibrant Pastor Tunde Bakare as Minister for Special Duties;
Min. of Industries – PST. BD Lawal;
Min. of Solid Min.- Bar. Solomon Dalung – NC;
Min for Science & T – Engr. Segun Oni – SW;
Min. of Health – Prof. Hamid Ahmad – NW;
Min. of Women – Sharon Ikeazor – SE;
Min. for Youth – Umana Umana -SS
The chairman of Leadership Newspapers and former presidential
aspirant, Sam Nda Isaiah is penciled down as Minister of
Information;
Min. of Transport- Timpire Silver – SS;
Min. of Water Res. – Alh. Inuwa Yahaya – NE;
Min. of Commerce- Dr. Fayemi K – SW;
Min. of Sports – Kabir Mustapha- NE
APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dakuku Peterside
would be Minister of Niger Delta.
Other appointments Col. Hameed Ali rtd as EFCC chairman – NE;
Nat. Sec. Adviser – Gen. A. Dambazau -NW;
Presidential Adviser on Agric – Prof. Ango Abdullahi – NW
while President Spokesman would be Alhaji- Lai Muhammed from
the NC.