The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State yesterday described the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Timipre Sylva, as unelectable.
But the APC in a swift reaction declared that the PDP led administration in the state would be sent packing from Creek Haven.
The PDP in a statement by its Secretary, Mr. Keku Godspower frowned at the choice of Sylva, saying that it meant that the APC is not prepared for any serious outing at the election.
Godspower alleged that since Sylva’s emergence, there had been tension and apprehension among Bayelsans, which he attributed to Sylva’s alleged poor human rights record.
While asking the people to vote for the PDP in the election, he also called on the Federal Government to direct its security agencies to take urgent steps to ensure the security of lives and property in the state.
“With the December 5 governorship election around the corner, we call on the people to outrightly reject Sylva’s candidacy. Everybody in Bayelsa knows that Sylva is not electable,” he stated.
Responding, the APC said: “We know the PDP game plan was to prevent the emergence of a strong and popular APC governorship candidate so that they can easily repeat their trademark shenanigan of aborting democratic competition and stealing victory without a contest.
“With that deception, they stole the mandate of the people in 2011, when both Chief Timipre Sylva and Mr. Ndutimi Alaibe were dubiously excluded. All the frenzied disparagement of Sylva now by the PDP is an understandable manifestation of fear and frustration over their impending defeat at the December 5 election. That frenzy is understandable. We will make Dickson history.”
The Operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) carried out a search on the residence of Former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke as part of the multiple investigation being carried our by the commission. Mrs Alison-Madueke was arrested on Friday in London, alongside four other people whose names are yet to be mentioned
The immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, was on Friday arrested in London, PREMIUM TIMES can exclusively and authoritatively report.
The former minister, who was one of the most powerful officials of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, was arrested Friday morning alongside four other people by the UK National Crime Agency.
The identities of the four other people arrested along with her could not be immediately ascertained.
PREMIUM TIMES learnt she was arrested for offences related to bribery and corruption being investigated by the UK National Crime Agency.
Two top British officials in London have confirmed the development to this newspaper. They requested not to be named because they had no permission to speak on the issue.
When contacted, the British High Commission in Nigeria confirmed that some arrests were made Friday but declined to disclose the identities of those involved.
Joseph Abuku, Press and Public Affairs Officer, said, “This morning, five people between the ages of 21 and 60 were arrested on suspicion of bribery and corruption offences. The crimes are being investigated by the National Crime Agency.
“The National Crime Agency does not confirm identity at arrest nor provide information that could be used to corroborate the identity of an arrested individual.”
It is not clear whether the former minister was arrested based on request from the Nigerian government.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on September 27 hinted that those who misappropriated billions of naira belonging to Nigeria’s state oil company NNPC, would soon be prosecuted.
Mr. Buhari said at a meeting with President Xi Jinping of China in New York that his administration was determined to fully sanitize Nigeria’s oil industry and make it totally free of corruption and shady deals.
The President did not, however, say how soon the prosecutions would start or if indeed investigations had been concluded and whether culpable individuals had been identified.
The NNPC under the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan was involved in several shady deals, many of which have been cancelled by the present government.
However, Mrs. Alison-Madueke, accused of several corrupt dealings, has stayed away from Nigeria since Mr. Buhari was sworn-in as president.
Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, denied on Saturday that there is a rift between him and the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, over Thursday’s attack on the Senate President and other dignitaries.
Some protesters reportedly threw sachet water, stones and other objects at dignitaries, including Saraki, during the Sallah on Thursday.
The other dignitaries on the occasion included a former acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, who now is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress; Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad; a member representing Ilorin West and Asa Federal Constituency, Mr Razak Atunwa; and a former Chairman of Federal Character Commission, Prof Oba Abdulraheem.
Others were a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore; the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulu-Gambari; and the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Bashir Muhammed.
Ahmed, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Dr. Muyideen Akorede, described as false, malicious and unfounded, the story published by an online medium, which claimed that Saraki blamed the governor for the miscreants’ attack on the dignitaries.
Ahmed said at no time did Saraki accuse him of leaving the Senate President vulnerable to attack by the miscreants at the Eid Prayer Ground, Ilorin.
He also described as false the report that Saraki got N1bn out of the N4.3bn bailout loan the state government.
“The Senate President neither received any kobo out of the money which was fully used to pay the two-month salary arrears owed state civil servants in August, 2015 nor any other money from the state government,” Ahmed said.
The governor stated that Saraki was fully preoccupied with the onerous task of lawmaking and providing good leadership fpr the National Assembly.
He added that Saraki had no time to either interfere with or control the state’s finances which he said were fully under the jurisdiction of the state government and its authorised officials.
Ahmed said Saraki attended the Ilorin Eid Ground prayers on Thursday not in defiance of any security reports or for any publicity but in fulfillment of his religious obligation.
A Saudi prince has been arrested in Los Angeles for allegedly trying to force a woman to perform oral sex on him at a Beverly Hills mansion.
Prince Majed Abdulaziz Al-Saud was arrested in the early afternoon Wednesday after police were called to the gated compound, Officer Drake Madison, of the Los Angeles police department, told AFP.
He said the 28-year-old prince was arrested on suspicion of forced oral copulation of an adult and spent the night in jail before posting a $300,000 (268,000 euros) bail on Thursday.
Witnesses reported seeing a bleeding woman scream for help as she tried to scale the wall of the property, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The prince, who was also detained for false imprisonment, battery and criminal threats, is due to appear in court on October 19.
If convicted, he faces up to eight years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The State Department said there was no information indicating that the prince enjoys diplomatic immunity.
Many members of the Gulf monarchies have multi-million dollar mansions in Los Angeles, and it is not the first time one has had a run-in with authorities.
Last week, a member of Qatar’s ruling family — Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad al Thani — was questioned by Beverly Hills police after a video surfaced showing a yellow Ferrari speeding through stop signs and past pedestrians.
Residents called police, who determined that Al Thani, a well-known figure in international racing circles, owned the car. He denied that he was driving the vehicle and claimed diplomatic immunity before leaving the country.
In 2013, a Saudi princess was also accused in Los Angeles of enslaving a Kenyan woman as a housemaid, but the charges against Meshael Alayban were eventually dropped.
Michael Clifford, guitarist for the band 5 Seconds of Summer, was set on fire Saturday night when a fireball engulfed him on stage.
The London concert included pyrotechnics where fire would shoot from portions of the stage. Michael was standing too close when a ball of flames lit his hair on fire, badly burning his face.
The show had almost ended -- the band was about to do an encore - but the show abruptly ended and Michael was taken to the hospital.
Michael tweeted that his condition is stable, adding, "What the f***s up. sorry I couldnt finish the encore but at least I look like two face, thanks for worrying."
Here's the craziest part ... he says he's feeling better and he's performing tonight.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that The Kaduna state Police Command on Friday summoned the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Nasir El-Rufai, and two other bigwigs of the party to report for questioning in their offices.
Summoned to appear along with Mr. El-Rufai are Suleiman Hunkuyi and Lawal Yakawada.
Mr. Hunkuyi is the APC senatorial candidate for Kaduna North and chairman of the APC Kaduna state campaign council while Mr. Yakawada, who was secretary to the state government in the Patrick Yakowa government, is a senior member of the APC campaign council.
All three were invited by the deputy commissioner of police in charge of the CID.
Samuel Aruwan, the spokesman for the APC campaign council said, the police have followed up the written invitation with telephone calls.
The intent behind requesting the three top leaders of the opposition to report on the eve of the election is to hold them down until the election ends, Mr. Aruwan said.
It is not clear why the Police want to question the three men but party insiders suggested the invitation has to do with a petition about destruction of billboards in Zaria.
The APC claims it has been a victim of widespread vandalisation of its assets, saying the action of the police “is part of a campaign to slap criminal charges on the opposition for actions for which it has already been victimized”.
In response to the invitation, Yusuf Dankofa, an associate professor of law and counsel to the APC, has written to the police, notifying them that there is an ongoing court action at the Federal High Court in Kaduna regarding the events in Zaria.
In a letter to the commissioner of police, Mr. Dankofa said the pendency of the case prevents the police from taking any action in connection with the matter, as “that would not only amount to an act of sub judice, but would also translate to a total disregard for justice and a further desecration of the hallowed majesty of our courts.”
“In view of this fact that the above mentioned people’s application is before the court, the matter has been further adjourned to the 29th of April 2015 for further arguments and with this the court has been seized of this matter,” Mr. Dankofa said.
The police is yet to respond to Mr. Dankofa’s letter.
Meanwhile, the APC says it has been alerted to a plot to arrest some of its chieftains in Southern Kaduna.
They include party chairman and gubernatorial running-mate, Barnabas Yusuf Bala (Bantex), Mikaiah Tokwak, Ishaya Iko, a retired vice-admiral and Ben Kure, Director General of Kaduna APC Campaign Council.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to Israel's Arab citizens on Monday for remarks he made during last week's parliament election that offended members of the community.
The move appeared to be an attempt to heal rifts and mute criticism at home and in the United States. Netanyahu drew accusations of racism in Israel, especially from its Arab minority, and a White House rebuke when, just a few hours before polling stations were to close across the country, he warned that Arab citizens were voting "in droves."
But President Barack Obama's chief of staff, Denis McDonough, rejected Netanyahu's attempt to distance himself from his comments, telling an Israel advocacy group Monday that the U.S. can't just overlook what Netanyahu said on the eve of his re-election.
Netanyahu, whose Likud Party won re-election in the vote, met with members of the Arab community at the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem on Monday and apologized.
He said he knows his "comments last week offended some Israeli citizens and offended members of the Israeli-Arab community."
"This was never my intent. I apologize for this," Netanyahu said. "I view myself as the prime minister of each and every citizen of Israel, without any prejudice based on religion, ethnicity or gender."
"I view all Israeli citizens as partners in the building of a prosperous and safe state of Israel, for all Israelis," he also said.
A recently established alliance of four small, mostly Arab parties called the Joint List made unprecedented gains in the March 17 election, earning enough votes to make it the third-largest party in Israel's parliament. Arab citizens make up 20 percent of Israel's population. Equality is guaranteed in Israel's laws but many Arabs have long complained of discrimination, mainly in the job and housing market.
Ayman Odeh, the head of the Joint List, told channel 2 TV that Netanyahu's apology was not accepted.
"This is not a real apology," Odeh said. "He incited against citizens who were exercising their basic right to vote for Knesset."
Odeh also accused Netanyahu of "zigzagging" by saying one thing one day and a different another.
In the final days of the campaign, Netanyahu angered the U.S. by taking a tough stance toward the Palestinians and by saying a Palestinian state will not be established on his watch in the current climate of regional chaos and violence. Resolving the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in a two state solution is a key U.S. foreign policy priority.
In his speech to J Street, an Israel advocacy group that is sharply critical of Netanyahu, McDonough warned Israel against annexing the West Bank, where Palestinians hope to establish their future state. He said Netanyahu's prediction that a Palestinian state wouldn't come about on his watch was "very troubling" and questioned Netanyahu's broader commitment to the two-state solution the U.S. and Israel have officially supported for years.
"We cannot simply pretend that these comments were never made," McDonough said.
Obama's decision to dispatch his chief of staff to speak to J Street was seen as another sign that Obama intends to take a tougher tack toward Netanyahu.
Israelis and Palestinians are closely watching to see how U.S. policy will change in practical terms after Netanyahu's success in the elections. Obama has said the U.S. must reevaluate its approach to pursuing Mideast peace because of Netanyahu's comments, and has entertained speculation the U.S. will be less willing to come to Israel's defense in the United Nations. The U.S. has voted against U.N. resolutions supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state, insisting the matter should be negotiated directly with Israel.
Netanyahu's tough talk was part of a last-ditch attempt to spur his more hard-line supporters to the polls after it appeared he was losing voters to a more hawkish party.
Netanyahu defended his election-day remarks in the days after the vote. He told NBC last Thursday that he remains committed to Palestinian statehood - if conditions in the region improve - and to the two-state vision first spelled out in a landmark 2009 speech at Israel's Bar Ilan University. "I haven't changed my policy," he said. "I never retracted my speech."
He told NBC that his government has spent billions in Arab towns to upgrade infrastructure, schools and narrow gaps.
Earlier on Monday, Netanyahu secured a majority of backers in the new parliament and will later be tasked with forming the next government.
Israel's ceremonial president, Reuven Rivlin, has been meeting with the parties in parliament to hear their recommendations before appointing who will form the next coalition government. Kulanu, a new centrist party gave its nod to Netanyahu on Monday, giving him 61 backers out of the 120 in parliament.
Netanyahu appears poised to set up a coalition with hawkish, centrist and religious parties.
Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State, yesterday predicted that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Mohammadu Buhari, would get 90% of votes cast in Kano State during this Saturday’s presidential election.
Kwankwaso stated this when the wife of the APC presidential candidate, Aishatu Buhari paid him a courtesy visit at the government house in Kano.
The governor pointed out that the state has always been pro-Buhari, adding that the people are determined to vote only for APC in the elections.
According to him, more than 80 per cent of people in the state have collected their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, adding that statistics released by INEC showed that Kano has the highest number of voters in the country.
Speaking during the visit, Hajiya Buhari said the APC is proud of Kwankwaso in the way he has been according priority to women development.
U.S President, Barack Obama has called on Nigerians to shun violence and express their views peacefully during the upcoming
Obama in a message to the people of Nigeria said, ‘’Nigeria is a great nation” adding that “you can be proud of the progress you’ve made.
“Together, you won your independence, emerged from military rule, and strengthened democratic institutions. You’ve strived to overcome division and to turn Nigeria’s diversity into a source of strength. You’ve worked hard to improve the lives of your families and to build the largest economy in Africa.’’
Speaking on the election, the U.S President said, ‘’ for elections to be credible, they must be free, fair and peaceful”, adding that ‘’all Nigerians must be able to cast their votes without intimidation or fear.’’
‘’I call on all leaders and candidates to make it clear to their supporters that violence has no place in democratic elections—and that they will not incite, support or engage in any kind of violence—before, during, or after the votes are counted. I call on all Nigerians to peacefully express your views and to reject the voices of those who call for violence.’’
‘’When elections are free and fair, it is the responsibility of all citizens to help keep the peace, no matter who wins. Successful elections and democratic progress will help Nigeria meet the urgent challenges you face today.’’
Speaking on terrorism and insurgency in the nation, Barack Obama said, ‘’Boko Haram, a brutal terrorist group that kills innocent men, women and children must be stopped. Hundreds of kidnapped children deserve to be returned to their families. Nigerians who have been forced to flee deserve to return to their homes.’’
‘’Boko Haram wants to destroy Nigeria and all that you have worked to build. By casting your ballot, you can help secure your nation’s progress. I’m told that there is a saying in your country: to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done. Today, I urge all Nigerians, from all religions, all ethnic groups, and all regions, to come together and keep Nigeria one. And in this task of advancing the security, prosperity, and human rights of all Nigerians, you will continue to have a friend and partner in the United States of America.’’
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will be conducting Nigeria’s presidential election on Saturday March 28 after it was re-scheduled due to security reasons.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is reportedly worried by an order by Justice Abdu Kafarati of the Federal High Court in Abuja for an accelerated hearing in a suit alleging forgery and perjury against the party’s presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari.
A non-governmental organisation, Global Center for Conscious Living Against Corruption, filed a suit asking for an order of mandamus to compel the inspector general of police to investigate allegations of forgery and perjury against Buhari, Vanguard reports.
The suit, with number FHC/ABJ/CS/172/2015 was filed by Professor Andrew Chukwuemerie, SAN.
They are seeking an order of the court to compel police to investigate the “alleged acquisition and possession of the West African School Certificate by Gen. Muhammad Buhari at Provincial Secondary School, Katsina in view of non-production of the said School Certificate of certified true copy thereof”.
The court originating summons, supported by a 31-paragraph affidavit, sworn to by Joy Odoh, averred that the inspector general of police has an obligation under the Nigerian constitution to investigate allegations of forgery and lying on oath made against the APC presidential candidate and that the police had refused to do so despite repeated demands.
According to the group, the allegations of forgery and perjury were too weighty to be ignored by the police, which is obligated to investigate all allegations of crime.
A copy of a letter written by the Test Department of the National Office of the West African Examinations Council in Ghana states that Buhari’s name and records were not in its examinations archive thus suggesting that he was never a candidate for the examination set by the body. This was submitted as one of the exhibits.
The group accused Buhari of lying on oath, saying he ought to be tried for perjury when he declared in an affidavit submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission that his secondary school certificate was with the Military Board, a claim denied by the Board.
The plaintiffs are also asking the court to determine whether by virtue of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Police Act, the inspector general of police is not duty bound to investigate the allegations especially when the APC candidate has not submitted either an original copy or a certified true copy of his secondary school certificate to the INEC as required by law.
Subsequent upon the plaintiffs’ application, the court gave an order for an accelerated hearing and directed the inspector general of police to enter his defence within seven days.
The issue of Buhari’s certificate has generated a lot of controversy. With five days to the presidential election, the attempts to stop Buhari from contesting the election are gaining momentum. Several court cases have challenged his eligibility to participate in the forthcoming election.
The APC has maintained that the court cases are sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because the party is shaken by the emergence of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as its presidential flag bearer.
On March 3 the Court of Appeal in Abuja declared the PDP presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan eligible to seek re-election in the polls.
“Details of the Ph.D Degree of President Goodluck Jonathan in the University of Port Harcourt cannot therefore be made available to you.”
In a response to the Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, a Rivers State-based civil society organization, the university said a request for President Jonathan’s academic records did not fall within the provisions of the FOI law. “The Management of the University has carefully considered your request vis-a-vis the FOI Act,” the university stated in their letter dated 26th February, 2015, and signed by Eric Loveday Osuo Abonemi, the institution’s Legal Officer.
“It is my instructions to inform you that your request does not come within the relevant provisions of the FOI Act for its practicability or for the University to provide such details as requested.
“Details of the Ph.D Degree of President Goodluck Jonathan in the University of Port Harcourt cannot therefore be made available to you.”
The Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law had filed an FOI request, three weeks ago, to the university seeking relevant details of Mr. Jonathan’s doctorate qualifications.
The letter requested the following information relating to the president’s doctorate qualification, citing the provisions of Sections 2 and 4 of the FOI Act, 2011:
1. The title of the president’s doctorate dissertation
2. Year of registration as a doctorate candidate
3. Name of his doctorate supervisor(s)
4. Name of his external examiner(s)
5. Comments/reports of the external examiner of the dissertation/thesis
6. Photocopy of the dissertation/thesis
7. Date of graduation from the university
The organization said it was willing to bear any cost the university might incur in making photocopies of the requested documents and for posting them.
President Jonathan was admitted into the Department of Zoology (now renamed Animal and Environmental Biology), University of Port Harcourt, in 1977, where he graduated with Second Class Honours (Upper Division).
In 1985, Mr. Jonathan obtained a Master of Science degree in Hydrobiology and Fisheries, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Zoology 10 years later.
Both degrees were also from the University of Port Harcourt.
Lately, Mr. Jonathan’s academic qualifications have come under increased scrutiny ahead of the forthcoming general elections. Critics have accused the president of failing to complete his doctorate programme. In a response to an enquiry by Punch Newspaper in January, the university dismissed such claims as having “neither legs nor grounds to stand on”.
The university had also told any person or organization seeking additional information on Mr. Jonathan’s qualifications to contact the school authorities.
“We have absolutely nothing to hide as an institution that has a statutory mandate to advance the frontiers of knowledge,” William Wodi, the university’s Deputy Registrar (Information), had told the newspaper.
It is unclear why the university declined to release Mr. Jonathan’s academic qualifications to the civil society organization after giving that commitment.
Jiti Ogunye, a Lagos-based lawyer, said the president’s academic records ought to be freely available in the university and not be “opaque or hidden”.
“The FOI is applicable to the academic records of a public officer whose academic records are being requested by a Nigerian citizen or a nongovernmental organization duly registered in Nigeria with a view to promoting accountability and transparency in government,” Mr. Ogunye said.
“The academic records of the president are not the medical records of the president in which case a medical officer can say the FOI is exempted, or the records between a lawyer and his client which are covered by the confidentiality rule.”
WHAT THE FOI ACT SAYS
According to Section 14(1) of the FOI ACT, subject to subsection (2), a public institution must deny an application for information that contains personal information and information exempted under this subsection includes:
(a) files and personal information maintained with respect to clients, patients, residents, students, or other individuals receiving social, medical, educational, vocation, financial, supervisory or custodial care or services directly or indirectly from public institutions;…
(2) A public institution shall disclose any information that contains personal information if –
(a) the individual to whom it relates consents to the disclosure; or
(b) the information is publicly available
(3) Where disclosure of any information referred to in this section would be in the public interest, and if the public interest in the disclosure of such information clearly outweighs the protection of the privacy of the individual to whom such information relates, the public institution to whom request for disclosure is made shall disclose such information subject to Section 14(2) of this Act.
Mr. Ogunye said that an institution might attempt to hide under Section 14(1)(a) to decline disclosure of information.
“My argument is, this information is publicly available and ought to be disclosed. The president has said he obtained his Ph.D in that institution, so it’s publicly available,” Mr. Ogunye said.
“So why will an institution refuse to disclose an information that is publicly available? The university has acted wrongly and can be compelled by the suit of the non-governmental organization concerned to disclose the information.”
The historic Parliament Building in Ibadan was over-filled today as prominent Yoruba in all professions, princes and monarchs, governors and former governors, gathered to articulate their aspirations and minimum demands from the Federal Government. The high point of the summit, convened by the illustrious Yoruba retired army general, Alani Akinrinade was the total support given the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari. The summiteers declared unanimously, “It is Buhari or nobody else”.
The historic Parliament Building in Ibadan was over-filled today as prominent Yoruba in all professions, princes and monarchs, governors and former governors, gathered to articulate their aspirations and minimum demands from the Federal Government.
The high point of the summit, convened by the illustrious Yoruba retired army general, Alani Akinrinade was the total support given the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari.
The summiteers declared unanimously, “It is Buhari or nobody else”.
A major proponent of this declaration, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade who was represented by High Chief Eddy Oyewole said, “On 28 March, 2015, let us vote for Buhari”.
He condemned the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for wasting the meager resources of the country by lavishly bribing various individuals and groups to secure their supports.
While Senator Anthony Adefuye strongly stated, “Only a bastard Yoruba will vote for Jonathan, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye said, ‘We will vote en masse for Buhari”.
Shortly after delivering the message sent by the governorship candidate of Accord Party in the state, Senator Rasheed Ladoja that he would go the way of Yoruba people.
Senator Ayo Fasanmi declared, “At this point, we Yorubas should know where we are going. PDP is distributing money to earn wrong votes. Come May 29, we will be happy when Buhari becomes the president of the nation.
“Why would Jonathan appoint ministers two months to the end of his term if not that they want to use all means to steal what is left in the coffer; that is if anything is left? By God’s grace, I, Senator Ayo Fasanmi will vote for Buhari. May 29, Buhari will be sworn in as our president.”
National Chairman, Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG, Honourable Olawale Oshun said that considering the fact that Yoruba people have been suffering marginalisation within the Nigerian state for the past 16 years, Yorubas should vote for leaders who have its interests at heart in order to bring an end to this unacceptable state of affairs.
Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi who decried the high level of maginalisation of Yoruba in the Jonathan led administration said, “We have been subject of brazen marginalization and deliberate attempt to whittle down our historical contributions to the development of Nigeria. It will interest you to note that in the wheel of power at the centre, there are only two Yoruba people. Indeed, out of the 50 most powerful men and women in the executive, legislative, judicial and even security components of power in Nigeria, there are only two Yoruba people. These are the Chief of Staff to the President, whose choice was almost an afterthought and the Accountant General of the Federation.”
Following suit, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of State of Osun joined others in condemning Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, for derailing from the principle of ‘omoluabi” that Yoruba is known for by collecting bribe from a desperate aspirant.
Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President Candidate of APC, in his short remarks, urged Nigerians to be patient at this trying moment assuring that things would soon change for the better when APC takes over government at the centre.
In the communique issued at the end of the summit, the main grievances of the region include: maginalization which has attained the status of deliberate policy of the central government of Nigeria, calculated attempts to invade and subjugate Yoruba land through covert, disguised and even official policies of the Central Government, misguiding some elements in the region for their selfish reasons, decimation of entrepreneurial ambitions of Yoruba people through Federal Institutions and agencies that are supposed to be enablers and facilitators of economic development, near virtual absence of reliable and critical infrastructure of electricity, energy, and transportation which has led to the collapse of economic activities in Yoruba land, absence of proactive, concerted, and visionary leadership in Nigeria, insecurity at the level of state of emergency, and failure of the resolutions of the National Conference to resolve fundamental issues that are prerequisite to a sustainable federalism.
As a result, in the communique, they demanded for regionalism, diversification of economy, holding free, fair, credible and transparent elections as scheduled to commence on Saturday, March 28, 2015, resistance to any form of unelected government, be it Government of National Unity, Interim National Government or howsoever described, repealing of laws and policies that stifle the creativity of the people, dismantling of all pseudo-security agencies that impede peace, harass and terrorise her citizens in order to enforce pre-determined agenda that are not consistent with the wishes of the region, and removal of all bottlenecks in the way of provision of effective and efficient transportation system, electrical power, and petroleum refining infrastructure.
According to the communique, “That the effectiveness of the Federal Government of Nigeria lies on focusing on the critical issues of governance that are common to all components, like defence, national security, foreign affairs, currency and exchange rate, etc, while all other socio-economic responsibilities, especially that of resource control, devolve to the federating units. Yoruba must pursue their destiny in line with the development priorities and ambitions of her people. The creation of a structural environment for effective devolution of powers to the country’s constituent units as a strategic development is imperative. Yoruba people will not hesitate to take our destiny in our own hands in the event of any attempt to compromise our democratic existence.”
Dignitaries at the occasion include: Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, and his deputy, Chief Moses Adeyemo, former governors including: Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Otunba Niyi Adebayo of Ekiti State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola of State of Osun, former Military Governor of the Mid-West State, Samuel Ogbemudia, former Deputy Governor of Ekiti, Modupe Adelabu, Professor Albert Olawale, former Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Professor Wale Omole, and his Ekiti State University counterpart, Professor Akin Oyebode, Professor John Ayoade, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, Senator Bayo Salami, Senator James Kolawole, , The Managing Director of The News Magazine, Bayo Onanuga, President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII, Ambassador Olu Sanu, Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, prominent monarchs in the region including: Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo, Akarigbo Remo, Oba Kolawole Sowemimo of Owode-Egba, Asheyin of Iseyin, Oba Ganiyu Adekunle Ologunebi, and Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola.
A young Ghanaian lady, who has been missing for over a decade recently turned up at the Synagogue Church of all Nations (SCOAN).
The young lady, simply identified as Precious shared the story of how she used to sleep with men of God and very affluent men in society to the congregation at T.B. Joshua’s church on Sunday, March 15, 2015.
According to her, she was an international prostitute and her problem started at the age of 15 when she had an unusual encounter with a man on her way back from school.
“He asked me to give him an apple I had eaten. When he was going, he smiled at me in a weird way. That night, I saw the same man in my dream sleeping with me. I woke up in a pool of blood,”Precious said.
That was how she started hanging out with bad friends and was introduced to drinking and smoking of marijuana. She was later introduced to a lady leading an international prostitution ring by her bad friends and she started sleeping with multiple men every night.
In a bid to ensure success in her new world of prostitution, she was taken to a notorious witchdoctor, who mixed a special cream with the follicles of her vaginal hair for the purpose of seduction.
“I didn’t just drink beer. I would take whisky or hard liquor instead of eating food. As much as I was smoking and drinking is as much as I would get clients.
“I was going out with only big men, oftentimes ministers. I didn’t just go out with any men. Our pictures were in all the big hotels. I would initiate them into our society,” the prostitute stated.
She explained that the witch doctor had given her a dark substance to drop in their drinks and that was how she was able to initiate them.
Seeking even more seductive powers, she returned to the same spiritualist. “I found myself Unclad after drinking from the shrine there. I saw this man putting his mouth on my private parts and blood was coming out,” she confessed.
The witch doctor prepared another cream and this time, it was with her own blood, ground with the particles of a mirror and water from the shrine. A ring and chain with spiritual implications were presented to her.
She said: “I would place the chain on my neck and wear a sexy, dark dress. It would be in the middle of my bosoms. Immediately you set your eyes on me lustfully, you would follow me and get confused.
“The witchdoctor said I should sit in the front seat of the church, wearing a sexy dress. Once the pastor sets his eyes on me, within fifteen minutes, he would call me out, pretend to give me a Bible quotation but actually give me his phone number. Whether he’s married or not, he must sleep with me that same day.
“That’s how I brought down a very great pastor in my country.”
Precious however said she was only able to trap men of God who were not genuine in their Christianity.
“I placed my pictures on Facebook. Whoever you are, as you are looking at my picture, you will begin to self-service yourself,” she stated.
On how she found herself at SCOAN, she said, one day, a man dressed in white apparel met her on the street and requested for money and she gave him grudgingly. He then told her God would bless her for her generosity and advised her to visit Prophet T.B. Joshua’s popular church in Lagos, Nigeria.
“I saw the man in my dream that night repeating the instruction. That is what convinced me to come to The SCOAN for deliverance,” she explained.
Precious cried out at the T.B. Joshua’s church that her life was a mess and she was ready to forsake her old life of prostitution and substance abuse.
“It’s the devil,” T.B. Joshua angrily declared before praying for her and delivering her from the spirit tormenting her.
Testifying a week after her deliverance, she said:”I now vomit at even the scent of smoke,” stating that all urges to take alcohol, smoke and sleep with men had completely gone.
She added that she is actually happy for the first time in her life following her deliverance, while advising young people not to be deceived by the lure of worldly treasures and pleasures.
Pastor T.B. Joshua is famous both in Nigeria and abroad for his religious activities which include miracles and deliverance. He is also known for making predictions about events on the national and international stage.
Recently, he predicted that there would be a plane crash soon in the nation.
The man of God has been involved in a lot of controversies but the biggest occurred last year September when building belonging to his church collapsed, killing people.
Immediate past governor of the Central bank of Nigeria and the reigning Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has alleged that massive corruption is still being perpetrated by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. This was as he stood by his earlier disclosure that $20 billion was missing from the account of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
Sanusi, who disclosed this yesterday while being interviewed by Christine Amanpour on CNN, maintained that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), was right on the level of corruption in the country. He held that the level of corruption in the country was massive and needed to be addressed sufficiently.
ccording to the monarch, “Yes, General Buhari is right on the level of corruption in the country and we need to address this sufficiently.
“We have not helped the situation by living in denial (that the situation does not exist).
“I don’t want to dwell on this because of the time that we are and we are close to an election.”
While maintaining that about $20 billion was missing from the account of the NNPC, which was not remitted to the Federation Account, Sanusi said: “This has not been addressed adequately and from the account of the corporation, about $20 billion was not remitted to the federation account. We need to address this.”
The Kano Emir further called on other northern leaders to rise up and speak against the activities of the terror group, Boko Haram, saying he was not afraid to die as a result of his opposition to the sect.
I have achieved everything that I could achieve. So, what is there to be afraid of?” he asked.
Nick Cannon is back on the dating scene after his six-year marriage to Mariah Carey came to an end earlier this year.
The America's Got Talent host is now romantically linked to model Jessica White and the two are said to be keeping a low profile "out of respect for Nick's family since the divorce is not final."
A source close to the new couple tells E! News that "Jessica and Nick have been friends for some time now," and reiterated that they were "purely just friends" during his marriage to the legendary pop star.
"Jessica fully respected Nick's relationship and would never get in between anything with them. When Nick was going through his breakup Jessica was there for him as a friend," our insider added.
"Jessica been in the studio lately and Nick has been very supportive with her focusing on her music career and giving her some great pointers and direction as she explores her talents. They been spending lots of time together and Nick really enjoys Jessica's free spirit and easy going attitude for life."
Speculation began to swirl of an impending split between Nick and Mariah in April of last year, but the father of two slammed the reports just weeks later in Parade magazine.
"You kind of have to ignore it because every week it's something different, and if you paid attention to it, it actually probably would start really affecting you...There's no merit or truth to it. It's kind of humorous, really. It couldn't be further off from the truth, and it really affects the credibility of the so-called newspapers," he said at time.
Meanwhile, a source close to Mariah told E! News last summer that "there have been issues between them for a while."
Page Six was the first to report the new couple news.
The tragic death of actor Paul Walker lingers over the latest installment in the hugely successful Fast & Furious franchise that made Paul a household name. So when Vin Diesel stopped by to address the audience at an early screening of the film, he was understandably emotional.
"This was a labor of love," says Vin. "It was in some ways the hardest movie I ever had to do."
Clearly, Paul was more than a co-star to the 47-year old actor.
"When the tragedy happened," tells Vin, "I lost my best friend. I lost my brother."
He then gets audibly choked up when a fan yells out, "You got family here, Vin!"
Here's the emotional video.
Furious 7 will hit theaters April 3.
It can't be said enough how many lives Paul Walker touched. His father sat down with ET to share touching memories of his late son. Watch the interview below.
