BBOG Protesters Not A Security Threat, Soyinka Replies IG

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Staff Reporter

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Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Thursday, warned against the use of force against the #BringBackOurGirls campaigners, saying that the group should be given their space to protest.

He also noted that protests by the group could not be too much as long as the Chibok girls remained Boko Haram captives.

Soyinka said this at a symposium to start the 20th anniversary programme of Halifield Schools, Maryland, Lagos.

The social commentator, who delivered the keynote address, added that peaceful demonstration was a democratic right which could not constitute threats to national security and public order.

The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had on Wednesday, warned the BBOG campaigners against continuing with their street processions, which he said constituted a security threat to public peace and order.

He stated that the police “will not sit on the fence and watch such a scenario unfold.”

But Soyinka, while reacting to the IG’s comments at the occasion, noted that it would be dangerous to forget the missing Chibok girls, saying that it could boost their morale and teach pupils in the country the need to stand up for their rights.

‘‘I saw a report in a national daily that demonstrations on behalf of the Chibok girls pose a threat to national security and I thought, not again. My mind flew back immediately to another governor under whose democratic leadership, parents were tear-gassed for demonstrating peacefully about losing their children in a plane crash in Port Harcourt.

“Democracy is not just about campaigning. It is exercising human rights. It is about helping to build the society. Demonstrations cannot be too much as long as those girls are missing. Demonstrations are an act of solidarity. Wherever they are today, when their mothers demonstrate on their behalf, their morale is raised.

“That is my message to security operatives who get scared of those who are agitating for a cause and fire tear gas at them. They must be treated with utmost respect and must be given their space. It is an act of solidarity for the children. Otherwise, when you stop these demonstrations, you are saying forget about the children,’’ he said.

Soyinka, who also urged the Federal Government and its agencies to speak with one voice, said Nigerians should express solidarity with the missing girls and their families.

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Nigerian Army Replies Amnesty International On Pro-Biafra Killings

Posted on June 10, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Nigerian Army has rejected a report by Amnesty International on Friday accusing Nigerian troops of killing at least 17 unarmed pro-Biafra supporters in south eastern states.

Amnesty International said it conducted extensive research on the attacks and could confirm 17 killings, but said the number could be as high as 50.

In a statement following the report, H.A. Gambo, a colonel and deputy director, Army Public Relations, accused Amnesty International of not verifying its claims and seeking to discredit the Nigerian Army.

“The attention of 82 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to insinuations of misdeed being leveled by Amnesty International against security forces during the MASSOB/IPOB violent protests in Onitsha and environs on 31 May 2016. Accordingly, it is deemed imperative for the wrong and misleading impressions with which the public is being fed to be corrected once and for all,” the statement said.

“The synopsis of occurrence on that fateful day is that elements of MASSOB/IPOB engaged in violent protests which were featured with outright disregard for law and order. In the scenario of anarchy that ensued, the pro-Biafran protesters who had chosen the day to mark the 50th Anniversary of Biafra perpetrated a number of unimaginable atrocities to unhinge the reign of peace, security and stability in several parts of Anambra State.

“A number of persons from the settler communities that hailed from other parts of the country were selected for attack, killed and burnt. 2 personnel of the Nigeria Police were killed, several soldiers were wounded, a Nigeria Police vehicle was completely burnt down while another of the Nigerian Army was vandalized.

“The strategic Niger Bridge at Onitsha was at the verge of being captured particularly with the coordinated reinforcement of the violent protesters from the Asaba end of the Bridge. In addition, wanton destruction of lives and properties were brazenly carried out by the protesters who employed firearms, crude weapons as well as other volatile cocktails such as acid and dynamites. In consequence, law, order and security were grossly threatened across the State and beyond.

“The Nigerian Army in synergy with other security agencies under its constitutional mandates for Military Aid to Civil Authority (MACA) and Military Aid to Civil Power (MACP) acted responsively in order to de-escalate the deteriorating security scenario in-situ. Instructively, the military and other security agencies exercised maximum restraints against the odds of provocative and inexplicable violence that were employed against them by the pro-Biafran protesters.

“The military and of course the other security agencies acted professionally within the extant Rules of Engagement to successful de-escalate the budding anarchy in-situ. It is rather inconceivable for any individual or group to have decided to inundate the general public with an anecdote of unverified narratives in order to discredit the Nigerian Army in the course of carrying out its constitutional duties despite the inexplicable premeditated and unprovoked attacks in the hands of the violent pro-Biafran mob.”

Credit: PremiumTimes

I Will Not Resign, Sheriff Replies Critics

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Staff Reporter

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The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has said that he will not be forced to relinquish the task of rebuilding the party entrusted to him by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP.

Speaking at his first interactive session with journalists at the party’s national secretary in Abuja yesterday, Sheriff said since he was given the major task of rebuilding and repositioning the party, he believed that it was the responsibility of the leadership to decide on his tenure.
Responding to allegations of his links to Boko Haram, Sheriff said there was no one in authority or any court of competent jurisdiction that had ever indicted him for complicity in the criminal acts of the terrorists.

Reacting to calls by some leaders of the PDP to step down to avert a further crisis in the party, Sheriff said such a move was uncalled for, assuring the party’s stakeholders that he would reach out to all aggrieved party men for reconciliation and join forces to rebuild the party.
“I saw the person who was reading at the press conference, Ambassador Wilberforce Juta. He submitted himself to the National Working Committee (NWC) of this party, aspiring to be chairman.

“Also, (Mohammed) Wakil whom you saw on television submitted himself to the NWC to be appointed chairman and votes were cast. The man that was speaking at the press conference (on Sunday) got one vote and he is asking me to resign. Therefore, I will not resign,” he said.

The former Borno State governor insisted that his emergence took place through due process, adding that contrary to the views propagated by his critics in the party that he was imposed on the PDP, he was granted a waiver to contest the Senate seat after joining PDP and was endorsed by a duly constituted NEC.

“I was given an official waiver by the NWC immediately I joined the party when I sought to run for the Senate and my letter of waiver was signed by the National Secretary.

“The leadership of this party, in its wisdom, asked me to lead. If the NEC of this party collectively asked me to lead, I will lead; but not somebody who contested an election and got one vote.

“I think if there is a moral issue, because he should not even have gone on air. However, in this country, people are allowed to say what they like.

“I took over this party; I am here as a national chairman of this party by the grace of all the NEC members of the party. I am here to rebuild the party.

“What time we need to do this job will be determined by the leaders and owners of the party when they sit down collectively to discuss.

“For me, taking over office today, I cannot tell you when I will be leaving, I will only tell you when the party leaders sit down and see what is the immediate time to do this job, and if they decide, I am ready for it.

“The person we saw on the television asking me to resign submitted himself to the NWC for the position and got just one vote, but I will not resign. I do not plan to resign as I was appointed to reposition this party. I will do my job and will not resign,” he said.

Elaborating on his tenure, Sheriff said he was appointed to rebuild the party but the time frame under which this would be done would be the job of the party leaders to decide.

Sheriff expressed regret that PDP was undeservedly pushed to the role of opposition after leading the country for over 16 years.

Credit: ThisDay

APC Replies Sheriff, PDP Over 2019 Election Ambition

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has reacted to a declaration by the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Modu Sheriff, that he would lead his party to reclaim federal power in the 2019 election.

Mr. Sheriff, who was named PDP chairman on Tuesday, made the declaration on Wednesday.

Read APC’s statement below:

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to in reacting to the laughable comments credited to the newly-selected National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ali Modu Sheriff, is mindful of the 16th century English language proverb and nursery rhyme “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride”.

In monitored media reports, Ali Modu Sheriff boasted in Umuahia, the Abia State capital that the ailing PDP which lost power in 2015 will regain control of the federal government in 2019. Ali Modu Sheriff was also quoted saying the PDP would soon come out with its “master plan” to regain power.

The APC is reluctant to join issues with Ali Modu Sheriff’s idle 2019 postulations and would rather join issues that will bring about all-inclusive development in the country.

However, the APC and indeed Nigerians seriously hope the touted “master plan” includes how the PDP and its cronies will return public funds stolen under the PDP’s watch for 16 years.

Nigerians are aware that the current economic hardship and institutional rot was caused by the PDP’s 16-year misrule and pillage. President Muhammadu Buhari has been working assiduously to correct the PDP’s years of damage and bring about people-centric governance. It is baffling how the PDP expects Nigerians to abandon APC’s smooth sailing ship for a sinking and rudderless PDP ship, come 2019.

The 2015 elections has been won and lost. The priority of the present APC administration is to deliver on election promises made by the party to Nigerians who long-desired change of political leadership at the federal level and in many states.

Happily, Nigerians can look back, with relief and attest that since the APC-led administration took over governance, Nigeria is back on the right track – economically and security-wise – and has taken its right of place among the comity of progressive nations.

The widely-acclaimed job creation, social welfare and inclusion programmes proposed by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has been well received. The full implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) by the present administration has greatly plugged revenue leakages.

The presidential directive to the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) to adjust its pricing template to reflect competitive and market driven components has? resulted in a more efficient and realistic pricing system for petroleum products and also brought about constant availability of fuel nationwide.

Nigeria is winning the war against insurgency.

In spite of desperate attempts to discredit ongoing anti-corruption efforts, the war against graft is being won.

In reiterating the recent submission of the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, for the first time in many years, Nigeria now has a solidly positive international image and the president is trying to cash in on this image to help rescue our nation from the throes, the economic morass which the PDP 16-year misrule has plunged Nigeria.

These are clear indicators showing that the APC and the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is on the right track to delivering on its Change Agenda. With the support and prayers of Nigerians, the APC assures that Nigeria will reach its full potential under our leadership.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Saraki Replies Obasanjo Over Corruption Allegation

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Staff Reporter

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The senate president, Bukola Saraki, has reacted to a letter from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to Mr. Saraki and the speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, in which Mr. Obasanjo accused the National Assembly of corruption, greed, impunity and lawlessness.

Mr. Obasanjo’s letter, published on Wednesday, said most members of the 469-member National Assembly were receiving constituency allowances without maintaining constituency offices as the law requires of them.

The former leader said he was distressed by the massive corruption and lawlessness at the National Assembly and other arms and tiers of government.

In Mr. Saraki’s statement, obtained from his media office on Thursday, the senate president assured that the Senate under his leadership was committed to good governance, transparency, accountability, due process and responsiveness to the economic reality of our nation.

“It is for this reason that the legislative chamber has introduced bold and progressive reforms in the management of the finances of the National Assembly,” he said.

He also said he was canvassing making the National Assembly budget open to the public.

Credit: PremiumTimes

APC Replies PDP On Ekweremadu’s Assassination Attempt Allegation

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Staff Reporter

All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted angrily to the allegation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party was behind an alleged assassination attempt on deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu. The party described it as induced hallucination.

The PDP had, through its spokesman, Olisa Metuh, alleged that there was plot to exterminate Ekweremadu and other opposition leaders by the APC, adding that lives of key opposition members were in danger.

Reacting to the allegation, APC Acting National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank, said it was unfortunate that the PDP resorted to cheap blackmail, adding that the party was yet to purge itself of ‘its cheap and manipulative strategies which only helped it to the doldrums that it is in today.”

He also pointed out that it was bemusing and canny of PDP to adopt such cheap and strange propaganda in its attempt to taint the change mantra the APC has sworn to betroth to the nation.

The APC further chided the opposition party for adopting its past known strategy for cheap political gains knowing full well that the APC, unlike the PDP, is known for adherence of the rule of law and respect for the sanctity of life.

Frank urged Nigerians to disregard PDP’s latest propaganda, adding that it was funny that an alleged assassination attempt would be carried out on the country’s number three citizen without any security report, with the police vehemently denying such occurrence even when the SSS and the police formed part of the deputy Senate President’s security detail.

Credit: Sun

I Spent N333m, Not N64bn, Jonathan Replies El-Rufai

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has denied claims by Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State that his administration spent N64 billion to organize Nigeria’s independence celebrations for three years.

According to the governor, Jonathan spent N13 billion in 2011, N15 billion in 2012 and N14 billion in 2013 and N22 billion in 2011, bringing the total to N64 billion.

However, Jonathan denied the claim, saying only N332.6 million was spent during the three-year period and chided el-Rufai for deliberately lying to confuse the public and give his administration a bad name.

Jonathan, who responded to the allegation yesterday, described the huge figure as figment of el-Rufai’s imagination and a fabricated lie by a favour-seeker.

In a statement in Abuja, through his former Minister of National Planning, Minister/Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, Jonathan said: “For the record, a breakdown of our anniversary spending between 2012 to 2014 amounted to N332.6 million.

“We challenge the Office of the Government of the Federation to publish these details for the consumption of the public.

“A breakdown of our spending for this event between 2012 and 2104 goes thus: 2012, N107.6 million; 2013, N45 million and 2014, 180 million. So, the question here is where did the billions, as claimed by el-Rufai, emanate from?”

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You Must Account For Your Actions, APC Replies Jonathan

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has said the incoming Buhari Administration would not persecute anyone, in response to statements credited to President Goodluck Jonathan.

The party however said officials of the outgoing administration must be ready to answer questions regarding their stewardship. Mr. Jonathan had on Sunday said he expects his Ministers and aides to be “persecuted”.

Speaking at a thanksgiving service organized in his honour at the Anglican Church, Life Camp, Abuja, Mr. Jonathan said he believed he lost some allies as well as the March presidential election because of “certain decisions” he took.

“It (the decisions) might be good for the generality of the people but it might affect some people differently,” the president said. “So for ministers and aides who served with me, I sympathize with them, they will be persecuted. And they must be ready for that persecution,” he said.

However, the APC, in a statement in Abuja on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, said those “who played poker with the nation’s destiny must be willing and eager to clear their conscience before man and God.

”That the President-elect is a man of integrity is not an issue for debate, and he has made it clear that he will not be bogged down by endless probes.

”However, the hands of the incoming government will not be tied by those who have chosen to play the victim and exhibit a persecution mentality. Whoever has any reason to be afraid must lay bare such reason before Nigerians,” the party said.

It said that under the climate of change that Nigerians have ushered in with their votes, only the guilty needs to be afraid, and those with a guilty conscience, on account of their actions in the public sphere, must clear such so they can be at peace with themselves.

”The last time we checked, this does not fit the definition of persecution,” the APC said.

The party wondered why the President chose a public forum to express his fears when he could have done so privately during his meetings with the President-elect.

”Since the presidential election was won and lost, the President and the President-elect have met privately a number of times. Why didn’t President Jonathan express his apprehensions during these meetings?

”Even if the two have not met, the President could have reached out to the President-elect over any fears that he may be nursing, instead of engaging in an action that seems like he was being preemptive and seeking to curry public sympathy,” he said.

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El-Rufai Sets Up Transition Committee, Replies Gov. Yero

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Staff Reporter

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Kaduna State Governor-elect, Nasir El-Rufai?,? on Wednesday inaugurated the All Progressives Congress transition committee ahead of his May 29, 2015 assumption of office. The committee ?is? chaired by Mr. El-Rufai’s Chief of Staff when he was Minister of the Federal Capital Territory from 2003 to 2007, Balarabe Lawal.

Mr. El-Rufai’s spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this in a statement issued in the state. According to him, the transition committee consists of experienced technocrats, politicians and other professionals.

The governor-elect ?also officially replied incumbent Governor, Ramalan Yero’s congratulatory letter. Mr. El-Rufai was quoted in his reply to have said “Permit me to most warmly acknowledge your congratulatory message on the occasion of our victory in the gubernatorial election. “I appreciate the grace of your letter and the kind words it contains. I must also put on record that we welcome the spirit behind your phone call that preceded the letter.

“Given the short window that exists between now and the handover, it is our intention to swiftly focus on matters of transition.

The APC has established its own transition committee, chaired by our own Balarabe Abbas Lawal.” Governor Yero in his letter to the Governor-elect described Mr. El-Rufai’s victory as overwhelming and symbolizing collective resolve of the citizenry. Mr. El-Rufai, governorship candidate of the APC defeated incumbent Governor Yero of the PDP on April 11, 2015 in a landslide victory across the state.

Credit: premiumtimesng

Wiz Khalifa Replies Amber Rose In Shady Tweet?

Posted on April 4, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Amber Rose may be praying, dreaming, and hoping that she’ll reconcile with Wiz Khalifa soon, but her estranged husband may not be so keen on getting back together.

Following the model’s public declaration of love for the rapper, Khalifa seemingly responded to his ex amid their divorce proceedings. Between tweets about napping and finding the right HD channel at his house, the 27-year-old sent out this shady subtweet:

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