Miyetti Allah under fire for seeking Saraki’s removal

• PDP issues 24-hour ultimatum to Buhari for group’s leaders’ arrest
• Ortom, HURIWA, others denounce inflammatory statement
• MACBAN distances self from ‘partisan’ Benue member
• Lawmakers vow to resist Senate president’s ejection

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) drew the ire of some Nigerians and groups yesterday after one of the leaders of the herders’ organisation became embroiled in the ongoing political drama involving Senate President Bukola Saraki.

One Alhaji Garus Galolo, said to be Miyetti Allah’s Benue State coordinator, had in an interview with a national daily added his voice to the repeated call by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Saraki’s resignation, following his defection to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Galolo said: “Saraki ought not to be in office again as Senate President. More so, Saraki has failed to coordinate and organise the National Assembly to offer quality legislation that Nigerians need.

“Nigerians are in dire need of people that have the interest of the masses. Miyetti Allah is looking for a leader that would preside over the affairs of the Senate with ultimate respect for the executive and the judiciary, not someone like Senator Saraki that would always scheme to outdo the Presidency.

“We are tired of Saraki’s style of leadership at the National Assembly. Therefore, we are now warning him to honourably resign his position as president of the Senate or we will force him out.”

Galolo’s position, however, drew intense backlash, forcing the group’s national body to distance itself from the statement, in what might have been an attempt to amend MACBAN’s embattled public image.

But this was not before the PDP condemned the speech and issued an ultimatum. “In the light of these treasonable and inciting utterances by Miyetti Allah, we demand that President Muhammadu Buhari, should within the next 24 hours, order the arrest and commence the immediate trial of the leadership of this group, otherwise Nigerians will henceforth hold him directly responsible for the utterances and actions of Miyetti Allah,” it said in a statement by Spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan.

According to the party, “This unguarded statement by Miyetti Allah has exposed the synergy between the ruling party and some troublesome elements, who are being used to stoke division and create the violent crises that have resulted in daily bloodlettings in various parts of the country.

“It is now abundantly clear to Nigerians that those fomenting crises, including the bloody clashes in Benue, Taraba, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Edo, Borno, Yobe, Enugu, Kogi, Adamawa and other states in our country, have political backers, who now want to channel them to achieve their unpatriotic quest to subvert our constitution and forcefully take over the National Assembly.”

The PDP claimed Miyetti Allah “has always represented the military wing of the APC and the Buhari presidency,” noting: “It is incontrovertible that they have now become the fourth arm of government that can determine when and how to forcefully remove the number three citizen, the president of the Senate.

“It is common knowledge that Mr. President has come under heavy public criticisms on how his body language has condoned the unguarded utterances and actions of these characters.”

Also denouncing the statement, Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, said it was “becoming clear by the day that the Miyetti Allah has not only assumed the position of the ruling party but is also influential to decisions of governance in this country.”

He said this was not the first time Miyetti Allah groups have made inflammatory statements. “The other time, the groups held press conferences and threatened to unleash terror on Benue people. They made real their threats and came out to claim responsibility for the killing of over 500 innocent Benue people between January and this month.”

Ortom added: “Miyetti Allah and the APC now sound like one association with similar objectives. Nigerians should compare the tone of APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole when he threatened that the party would force Saraki out of office if he failed to resign and the latest threat by MACBAN to forcefully evict the senator from office. The words are similar, the motive the same and the agenda also one.”

On its part, pro-democracy group, Movement for Democratic Change (MDG), asked Buhari to call MACBAN to order. It said the group simply “echoed the mindset and plans of its paymasters and those giving it state support.”

A non-governmental organisation, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), also condemned the statement and urged the heads of the nation’s security agencies to rein in the group.

Meanwhile, issuing the disclaimer, MACBAN’s national secretary, Baba Uthman Ngelzarma, was quoted as saying: “The attention of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has been drawn to an interview granted by one Garus Gololo in Makurdi (in a newspaper) titled, ‘Resign or we will force you out’ – Miyetti Allah to Saraki. This statement is unfortunate. I will categorically state that Garos Gololo spoke in his personal capacity and has no mandate to speak on behalf of the association.

“Miyetti Allah is a non-partisan association with no interest in the political terrain and we can’t meddle in the affairs of political actors thereby compounding our already obvious challenges.

“I therefore urge all and sundry to disregard this statement. This statement is not from MACBAN and should be disregarded in its entirety. We take exception to this statement. Garos Gololo is entirely on his own and will be sanctioned accordingly. We cannot afford to add to the many challenges we are confronted with.

“I’m therefore appealing to the general public to disregard this statement as it is coming from someone who doesn’t have the mandate of the association to speak on its behalf.”

In a related development, PDP senators yesterday vowed they would resist efforts by their APC counterparts to remove Saraki whenever the chamber reconvenes.

They affirmed this in a statement jointly signed by Senators Rafiu Ibrahim and Isah Misau on behalf of the party’s lawmakers.

Africa: Kofi Annan - Buhari, Saraki, Dogara, Govs, Others Pay Tribute

Tributes poured in from across the world including Nigeria where President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, former President Goodluck Jonathan and some state governors extolled the virtues of the former UN scribe, Kofi Annan.

Buhari commiserated with the government and people of Ghana over the passage.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, stated that his principal called President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana from London to commiserate with him.

According to the statement, the President told his Ghanaian colleague that all Nigerians and ECOWAS member-countries shared in the deep loss, considering the strategic influence of the former scribe in global affairs and his vision for the repositioning of the West Coast and Africa.

The statement said, “As the first elected staff of the United Nations to lead the world organisation and first African to win the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the United Nations, the President noted that Annan’s humility, nobility and love for humanity set him apart for global greatness, achieving recognition and commendation for the reform of the United Nations’ bureaucracy and multiple interventions to bring peace to the world”.

End of golden era in politics – Saraki

In his own tribute, Saraki described the demise of Kofi Annan as the end of a golden era in global politics and international relations.

Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the late Annan as the quintessential African diplomat on the global plane and a citizen of the world, who deployed his vast capacities to tackle intractable global challenges ranging from hunger, conflict, epidemic and restoration of peace in war-torn countries.

He noted that many developing nations benefitted immensely from the humanitarian efforts of the late Annan during lifetime as he was able to raise the concerns and challenges confronting hitherto forgotten peoples and nations in the Assembly of world powers.


“Annan was the quintessential African Diplomat who bestrode the world stage with dignity, finesse, admirable restraint and wisdom. He was a diplomat’s diplomat. He dedicated his immense expertise, experience and energies to resolving some of the world’s most pressing problems and conflicts, including most recently, the Rohingya refugee crisis. He was a citizen of the world”, the Senate President said.

Huge loss to Africa, humanity – Dogara

Speaker Yakubu Dogara described the death of Annan as a huge loss to Africa and humanity.

Reacting to the news of demise of the former UN chief scribe via his official Twitter handle @YakubDogara, Dogara said Annan had etched his name on the sands of time as a true son of Africa, quintessential leader and accomplished diplomat who dedicated his life time to the progress of humanity.

He added that the late Ghanaian diplomat was a true global ambassador who used his life to promote peace across the world.

Death, a sad loss to humanity – Jonathan

Former President Jonathan described the deceased as an icon of peace and a great son of Africa.

In a tribute, Jonathan noted that his extensive reforms reinvigorated the UN systems and positively impacted international relations.

A statement by the former President’s spokesman, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, further described the passing on of the former U.N. scribe as a sad loss to humanity.

He was a shining light – Obaseki

Governor Godwin Obaseki, on his part, commiserated with Ghana and the family of Annan.

In a statement, Obaseki said Annan was a shining light of the African continent, who strode like a colossus in the diplomatic community and worked tirelessly for a peaceful and fair world.

“I received the news of the passing of Kofi Annan with a heavy heart. He lived a noble, courageous life and was an example of excellence in public service. From his humble beginning in Ghana, Annan grew to conquer the world, displaying an expert understanding of the complexities of the world and working to entrench the respect for human rights in the UN system. I commend his impact on global peace”, he said.

Annan was a global icon – Tinubu

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also mourning Annan, said he distinguished himself as an international statesman, global icon, finest diplomat and tireless champion of human rights for all, saying his diplomatic achievements, both before or after becoming the UN Secretary-General, are legion.

“Specifically, he will be remembered for his important contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS epidemic, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, and his commitment to defending vulnerable populations the world over, demonstrated by his key role in the development of the UN’s epoch-making Responsibility to Protect doctrine.”, Tinubu said.

“His time at the UN was also remarkable for his role in ensuring stability of democratic governments in Africa and intervention in conflict resolution around the world aimed at achieving world peace.

“Kofi Annan spearheaded several initiatives on Africa, including his chairmanship of the Africa Progress Panel and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). He provided leadership in developing the Millennium Development Goals, which made poverty eradication an achievable global imperative.

He lived true to his reputation and recognition as Noble Peace Prize Laureate because he was an advocate of world peace and development throughout”

Amosun mourns

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State described the Nobel Laureate as a global statesman, consummate technocrat and accomplished diplomat.

In a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Otunba Adedayo Adeneye, Amosun said Annan will be remembered for championing respect for human rights, peace, unity and justice, globally.

“Late Mr. Kofi Annan, relentlessly worked towards peaceful coexistence and sustainable development round the world, as a two-term UN secretary general.

“The contributions of this distinguished diplomat of international repute, in promoting peace and mitigating violence, particularly in Middle East and Africa, is commendable and worthy of emulation”, the governor added.

Annan was Africa’s gift to the world – Dakwambo

Governor Ibrahim Dakwambo of Gombe State said Annan was Africa’s gift to the world. “As Secretary General of the United Nations, the second African but the first black man to hold that position, Annan was the perfect advertisement copy for the African heritage of diligence, resilience, brilliance, humaneness and all the virtues that make up impeccable character. On his watch, the world witnessed but survived terrible wars, violent disagreements and catastrophic disasters”, Dakwambo said.

We had numerous meetings – Peter Obi

In his own reaction, former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, described Annan as a true representative of Africa. He recalled his numerous meetings with him in Nigeria and outside Nigeria, and how Annan’s preoccupation was how to develop Africa along the right paths.

He was a diplomat par excellence – Harriman family

The Ambassador Leslie and Chief Hope Harriman family also mourned Annan for his tenacity of purpose on the world stage which they said brought pride to Africa.

Reminiscing the bond between the Harriman family and the Annan family of Ghana, Ms. Temi Harriman, in a statement on behalf of the two families, recalled Annan as a civilised, urbane and a patriotic African. She particularly remembered fond memories the Harrimans had with the Annan family and the fellowship the three patriarchs had among themselves that distilled down to their families.

“A diplomat par excellence, a great son of Ghana, who made Africa proud on the world stage. He had an aristocratic and elegant mien and became the first United Nations secretary-general hired from within the United Nations system,” she said.

“He was a most civilised, urbane man. We pray for his eternal repose and for his family at this time.”

2019: Fresh crisis brews in Oyo PDP over governorship candidate

A fresh crisis similar to what robbed the Peoples Democratic Party of electoral victory in 2015 is again brewing following alleged unpopular decision by some chieftains of the party in Oyo South Senatorial District to endorse Egnr Seyi Makinde as the party’s governorship candidate in the 2019 election.

The decision was said to have been taken at a meeting held in Ibadan. PDP through its spokesman, Mr Lukman Agboluaje described the said endorsement as a charade and huge joke. “This is a charade as it did not follow even the minimum condition of due process of arriving at a candidate as critical and genuine stakeholders from the senatorial district were deliberately sidelined”.

Among those said to be absent at the meeting were Alhaji Azeem Gbolarumi, former governor of Oyo State, Barrister Lana, Mr Muraina Ajibola, Senator Kamorudeen Adedibu and other prominent leaders from the district. “Even some of the leaders that were present were not privy to the meeting’s agenda as none was made available to them prior to this impromptu arrangement.

For example, a gubernatorial aspirant, Engr. Femi Babalola who was reportedly lured to the meeting was amazed at the turn of event.” Another leader, Alhaja Bose Adedibu, wife of the former strongman of Ibadan politics, late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu was said to have cautioned them against taking this path.

“We want to make it categorically clear that the Oyo State PDP gubernatorial ticket is not for sale. We are also using this medium to appraise our members that we have a rebranded P.D.P which has departed from its shameful past where leaders sold the destiny of their followers for a mess of porridge.

Those who still cling to the past are reminded that the political terrain has changed.” “When the time comes the choice of the party flag bearer shall follow due process in accordance to its constitution and electoral guidelines”.


"We are therefore appealing to our loyal party members to remain calm and await the directives of genuine organs and leaders of the party that are constitutionally saddled with this responsibility, ” the party stated.

Atiku mocks Buhari for celebrating ‘800metres trek’

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has mocked President Muhammadu Buhari for publicizing his ‘800metres trek’.

Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu had on Tuesday said that the 800 metres trek embarked upon by the president from the Eid ground to his private residence in Daura, Katsina State is an indication of his fitness to seek re-election in 2019.

Reacting, Atiku posted a photo of him working out in his gym.

The Wazirin Adamawa said he jogs more than mile and doesn’t make noise about it.

He wrote on his Twitter page on Wednesday: “I regularly jog more than a mile & exercise, but it will be pedestrian of me to ask Nigerians to vote for me because of that.

“I want my party – the PDP, and Nigerians, to vote for me because I WORK not because I WALK. I will work to create jobs. I won’t walk to create an illusion.”

Buhari recalls military days, reveals conversation with Gowon

President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that he spent most of his military days in the southern part of Nigeria.

He also revealed that he has personally called Gen. Yakubu Gowon to thank him for his contribution to Nigeria’s unity. Buhari spoke in Daura on Tuesday when he received National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members currently serving in the community.

Reaffirming his support to the scheme established in 1973, the President told the corps members: “It is better to know all the country than for people to be state-inclined.

“I always look forward to meeting the NYSC team because since I served mostly in the south when I was in the military, some people in Lagos the only thing they know is the sea.

“For them (NYSC members) to be brought to the desert or near the Sahel region is a very difficult thing but it will make an impact on Nigeria.

“I have personally spoken to Gen. Gowon to thank him for having the initiative to start the NYSC programme. It is very good for Nigeria,” he said.

In his remarks, the Corps Liaison Officer, Jibrin Ishak, thanked the President for prioritizing the welfare and a secured future of the Nigerian youths through his style of leadership and developmental initiatives.
Festusur.blogspot.com
‘‘The voice of the people is the voice of God and by the grace of God, we pray that in 2019 you will continue to be President of Nigeria to do more for us,’’ Ishak said.

The representative of the corps members prayed God to sustain the President with good health, long life and prosperity. The President donated a bull, 10 bags of rice and half-a-million naira to the corps members.

'Tinubu Told Me He Doesn’t Like Buhari’s ‘Style Of Government’, Saraki explodes

Bukola Saraki, President of the Senate, says Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), once admitted to him his “displeasure with the style of the government” of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Saraki said this on Monday while reacting to Sunday’s statement by Tinubu on his defection from the ruling party to the Peoples Democratic Party.

On Sunday, Tinubu had said the exits of Aminu Tambuwal and Saraki from the APC “had nothing to do with governance of the nation”.

“It was about forging a personal ambition predicated on the defeat of progressive reform not the advancement of it,” he said.

“Much the same for Senate President Saraki. Returning to the PDP, he harbors dreams of the presidency but Tambuwal’s ambition will dwarf Saraki’s when the two collide. If Saraki had remained in the APC, he would be unable to reclaim his Senate seat let alone the Senate Presidency. He thus bolted because he lusts for the presidency but was promised by the PDP, at least, a return to his position in the Senate.”

However, responding on Monday, Saraki said Tinubu was well-aware of his true grievances, and that even Tinubu himself had “also mentioned that he had equally suffered disrespect from the same government which we all worked to put in office”.

“Tinubu himself will recall that during the various meetings he had with me at the time he was pursuing reconciliation within the APC, I raised all the above issues,” Saraki said.

“I can also vividly recall that he himself always expressed his displeasure with the style of the government and also mentioned that he had equally suffered disrespect from the same government which we all worked to put in office. I also made the point that whatever travails I have gone through in the last three years belong to the past and will not shape my decisions now and in the future.

THE FULL STATEMENT

 I have always restrained from joining issues in the media with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and this is based on my respect for him. However, I will not allow him to create a wrong, false and mischievous impression about the reasons for my decision to exit the All Progressives Congress (APC) and present his prejudice as facts for public consumption.

I have been consistent in my complaints to all leaders of the APC, including Tinubu, that a situation where the National Assembly is not constructively engaged or carried along in key policy decisions, particularly those that will eventually require legislative approval, is not in the best interest of the nation. No genuine leader of the legislature will be comfortable that the Presidency will simply write a terse letter to the National Assembly on key issues which the federal legislature is expected to later deliberate upon and give its approval. The Buhari administration consistently treats the legislature with contempt and acts as if the lawmaking body should be an appendage of the Executive. To me, this is unacceptable.

In the same way, I find it very objectionable that many stakeholders who worked strenuously to get the administration into office have now been excluded in the government and not consulted on key decisions as necessary and expected. In fact, some of them are treated as pariahs. A party that ignores justice, equity and inclusion as basic pre-conditions for peace, unity and stability cannot sustain its membership and leadership.

Let me redirect the attention of the former Governor of Lagos State to the aspect of my July 31, 2018, statement announcing my exit from APC in which I emphasized that the decision “has been inescapably imposed on me by certain elements and forces within the APC who have ensured that the minimum conditions for peace, cooperation, inclusion and a general sense of belonging did not exist”.

In that statement, I further noted that those APC elements “have done everything to ensure that the basic rules of party administration, which should promote harmonious relations among the various elements within the party were blatantly disregarded. All governance principles which were required for a healthy functioning of the party and the government were deliberately violated or undermined. And all entreaties for justice, equity and fairness as basic precondition for peace and unity, not only within the party, but also the country at large, were simply ignored, or employed as additional pretext for further exclusion. The experience of my people and associates in the past three years is that they have suffered alienation and have been treated as outsiders in their own party. Thus, many have become disaffected and disenchanted. At the same time, opportunities to seek redress and correct these anomalies were deliberately blocked as a government-within-a-government had formed an impregnable wall and left in the cold, everyone else who was not recognized as “one of us”. This is why my people, like all self-respecting people would do, decided to seek accommodation elsewhere”.

Tinubu himself will recall that during the various meetings he had with me at the time he was pursuing reconciliation within the APC, I raised all the above issues. I can also vividly recall that he himself always expressed his displeasure with the style of the government and also mentioned that he had equally suffered disrespect from the same government which we all worked to put in office. I also made the point that whatever travails I have gone through in the last three years belong to the past and will not shape my decisions now and in the future.

However, during those meetings, the point of disagreement between Tinubu and I is that while I expressed my worries that there is nothing on ground to assure me that the administrative style and attitude would change in the next four years in a manner that will enable us to deliver the positive changes we promised to our people, he (Tinubu) expressed a strong opinion that he would rather ‘support a Buhari on the hospital stretcher’ to get a second term because in 2023, power will shift to the South-west. This viewpoint of Tinubu’s was not only expressed to me but to several of my colleagues. So much for acting in national interest.

It is clear that while my own decision is based on protecting the collective national interest, Tinubu will rather live with the identified inadequacies of the government for the sake of fulfilling and preserving his presidential ambition in 2023. This new position of Tinubu has only demonstrated inconsistency — particularly when one reviews his antecedents over the years.
Again, let me reiterate my position that my uncertain and complex relationship with Tinubu has been continually defined by the event of 2014 when myself and other leaders of the APC opposed the Muslim-Muslim ticket arrangement about to be foisted on the APC for the 2015 polls. It should be noted that he has not forgotten the fact that I took the bull by the horns and told him that in the interest of the country, he should accept the need for the party to present a balanced ticket for the 2015 General Elections in terms of religion and geo-political zones. Since that time he has been very active; plotting at every point to undermine me, both within and outside the National Assembly.

It is a surprise to me that Asiwaju Tinubu is still peddling the falsehood about the fact that my defection is about automatic ticket and sharing of resources. Members of the public will recall that when the issue of my decision to quit APC came to the fore and many APC leaders were holding meetings with me, a newspaper owned by the same Tinubu published a false report about the promise of automatic tickets, oil blocks and other benefits. I immediately rebutted their claims and categorically stated that I never discussed any such personal and pecuniary benefits with anybody. My challenge that anybody who has contrary facts should come forward with them still remains open.

Kwankwaso suggests zone that should produce PDP presidential candidate

A former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwakwaso, has advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to pick its presidential candidate from the North West.

The aspirant said this would help the party win in 2019 as the region has the highest voter population.

Kwankwaso spoke in Benin on Monday while addressing PDP delegates and members during his nationwide tour.

His words: “If you are selecting a candidate, you have to under this circumstances look at the geography, history and population of the country.

“It is a common knowledge based on previous census that Kano State is the most populous state and North West is the most populous region in the country.

“The South South and South East are very solid in the PDP. I believe that with what we will do in the North and what will come out in the South West, PDP will be victorious in the 2019 presidential election.”

The former Minister of Defence appealed to the party to check the facts and figures before selecting its candidate. “Everyone can contest to get the party’s ticket and getting it is one thing, but the most important thing is winning the election. I am better qualified for the ticket.

“I am in the PDP to add value and I believe it is only Kwankwaso that can bring this to table in all the states of the federation,” he said.

NFF crisis: Dalung insists on Supreme Court judgement, says Osinbajo’s intervention temporarily

Nigeria’s Minister for Sports, Solomon Dalung, has reacted to the intervention of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo which saved Nigeria from being suspended by FIFA on Monday.

FIFA had threatened to suspend Nigeria from all her activities after the Amaju Pinnick-led executive board was prevented from carrying out its duties at the NFF. However, the sanction was averted after Osinbajo, in a letter to the world football governing body, declared the government’s support for the Pinnick-led board.

But Dalung, in a press statement on Tuesday, has said the issue cannot be resolved with short-term measures, insisting that the matter has a subsisting judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“This crisis cannot be solved with a temporary measure or scratched on the surface. The intervention of the Vice President should not be viewed as different from an attempt to abate an escalating situation.

“As a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, who took oath of office to protect and defend the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I will prefer to stand with the Rule of Law instead of the opinion of men.

“I want to appeal to Nigerians to remain calm and give support to the NFF Elders Stakeholders Reconciliation Committee which is made up of reputable past presidents and General Secretaries of the NFF with vast knowledge, experience and competence to resolve this crisis once and for all.

“We are a constitutional democracy and the doctrine of separation of powers is the foundation of democratic experience, therefore, the Rule of Law is the only mechanism that guarantees liberty and freedom of citizens.

“This administration was elected on the change mantra meaning that impunity has no accommodation anywhere, so Nigerians must learn to believe and practice the doctrine of the Rule of Law. I believe we shall overcome this if we remain within the confines and dictates of the laws of our country.

“As we celebrate Sallah, let’s remain law-abiding citizens,” Dalung said.

Senator stuns Gov Udom Emmanuel, fails to decamp to PDP

It was a huge disappointment for supporters of Governor Udom Emmanuel, yesterday, when Senator Etang Umoyo, who was touted to return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, failed to show up at the PDP Eket Senatorial District rally for the endorsement of the governor for a second term.

No explanation was offered by the organizers of the event for the ex-Senator’s absence but a family source claimed the ex-Senator was hospitalized on Sunday.

Senator Umoyo, who represented Eket senatorial district from 1992 to 1993 last Friday, held a chaotic meeting with some APC members in Esit Eket, his local government area to inform them of his decamping, and the party members present challenged him with angry speeches.

and placards, accusing him of receiving N10 million from the governor to destroy the APC in Esit Eket.

To make up for the vocal ex-Senator’s absence at the endorsement rally, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, the Director-General of Udom’s Campaign Organisation hurriedly announced the defection of three APC members who are not from Eket senatorial district and called the PDP state chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo to receive.

Biafra Zionists leader, Onwuka, members re-arrested

Several members of the Biafra Zionists Federation, BZF, were early Monday morning reportedly arrested in Enugu. The pro-Biafra agitators were nabbed alongside their self-acclaimed leader, Barr. Benjamin Onwuka.

A combined team of security operatives made up of the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Nigeria Police were said to have been involved in the operation.

Festusur.blogspot.com learnt that they were arrested after another failed attempt to enter the Enugu Government House for the inauguration of Biafra.

A source hinted that they had marched from the Presidential Road, through Rangers Avenue, but were stopped at the Bissala Road entry to the Government House by security operatives.

Deputy Leader of the group, Mazi Ambrose Ugwu, who confirmed the arrest to journalists, said, “our people were prevented from entering the Enugu Government House, after which they were arrested and taken away.

“I learnt they were arrested by men of the DSS and the police.

“Right now, I don’t know how many of them that were arrested; I also don’t know where they took them to,” Ugwu said.

Festusur.blogspot.com recalls that the Enugu State Police Command had on Sunday warned the Zionists not to get close the Enugu Government House as they would be made to face the law squarely.

Onwuka had also on May 30 made a similar attempt, leading to his arrest and remand in prison. But 24 hours after his release, he announced August 20 as new date for his Biafra inauguration,claiming that the United States and Israel were behind him.

Both the Police and the DSS are yet to issue official statements on the reported arrest.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Enugu Police Command, SP Ebere Amaraizu, when contacted, said he should be given some time.

However, It is reported that armoured personnel carriers and security operatives were still stationed within the roads leading to the Enugu Government House as of the time of filing this report.

BREAKING: NECO releases June/July 2018 SSCE results

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the June/July 2018 Senior Secondary Schools Certificate Examination results.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the acting Registrar of the Council, Abubakar Gana.


Gana said out of the 1,041,536 candidates who sat for the examinations, only 742,455 of the candidates got at least five credit passes including Mathematics and the English Language.

He added that a total number of 20,181 candidates were involved in examination malpractices, less than the figure of 2017.

Tambuwal blasts Tinubu, reveals what APC national leader did when he was denied Buhari’s vice presidency in 2015

The Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, has said that he has what it takes to defeat President Muhammadu Buhari in any political platform.

The Governor said that if he wanted to remain in the APC and battle the party’s ticket with Buhari, he would have done so and win the presidency.

The Governor made this known in his reaction to the statement by the APC National Leader, Ahmed Tinubu, about his exit from the ruling party.

According to a statement on the State’s Twitter handle, @sokotogovthouse, Tambuwal said that Tinubu tried to rock the boat when he was denied as Buhari’s Vice President, adding that the former Lagos Governor thinks everyone was like him.

“If I wanted to and if the Presidency is what (why) Ahmed Tinubu thinks I defected, I could contest with President Buhari under the APC. I have what it takes to have contested with Mr. President.”

“Tinubu tried to rock the boat when he was denied Buhari’s vice presidency. He thinks every other person could behave his way. If I wanted to contest under the APC as president, I could have done so and only the votes could have produced a winner.”

He added that Tinubu’s statement could serve as a confirmation that there was no internal democracy in the ruling party. He added, “In any case, Tinubu is confessing that there is no level-playing ground for all members of the APC; that there is no internal democracy in it and that some people were denied their right to internal democracy.”

The former Lagos State Governor had on Sunday alleged that Tambuwal wants to become president, the reason for his exit from APC: “Governor Tambuwal’s exit can be distilled to one cause. He covets the Presidency. However, he had not the stomach to challenge President Buhari in a primary. Tambuwal felt further insulted that he would be compelled to face a direct primary just to retain the governorship.

Gov Bindow speaks on dumping APC for PDP

Governor Mohammed Bindow of Adamawa State has reacted to reports that he is set to join the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Bindow said the reports making the rounds was ‘false and mischievous’.

His reaction was contained in a statement on Sunday by the State’s Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh.

He said “There is absolutely no truth whatsoever about the said news item. “It is unfortunate, mischievous and figment of the imagination of whoever is the source of the misinformation.

“For the avoidance of doubt, His Excellency Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla Bindow has neither indicated intention to defect from APC nor entered into any form of discussions with anyone for the purpose of changing party.

“This kind of information is increasingly manifesting as a propaganda tool for opposition in Adamawa State due to the fact that they have lost all means of convincing the electorate to go against the glaring achievements of Governor Bindow which is unparalleled in the history of Adamawa state.”

He said that the state APC-led government was happy that the opposition PDP in the state had realised that Bindow was a performer.

“The PDP has found no candidate with the credentials to defeat Governor Bindow, hence their desire to have him to fly their flag in the 2019 elections.

“That is totally out of question, Governor Bindow is an APC governor; he will remain in APC,” he stated.

Why we visited APC national women leader – Enugu Chairman, Nwoye

The Enugu State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has said the visit to the national women leader of the party, Hajia Salamatu Baiwa Umar-Eluma was to commiserate with her over the demise of her mother, Hajia Zainab Abdulahi.

Late Hajia Abdulahi, who passed on last Wednesday, August 15, in a private hospital in her community Ayingba, Dekina local government area of Kogi State, died at the age of 79.

Condoling Hajia Eluma, at the weekend, during a condolence visit to the bereaved family at Ayingba, the Enugu State APC chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye, who led the state delegation, described death as a necessary end for every human.

He said: “we received with sadness the demise of your lovely mother, and that is why we have come to mourn with you and your family. Though, we know how painful and devastated it is to lose a mother, but we should not mourn like unbelievers “From every indication, mama was a great woman, and that was why she was able to lay solid foundation for you and your siblings.”

“We are here today to mourn with you as the mother of all progressive women in Nigeria,” Nwoye stated.

Responding on behalf of the family, the APC national woman leader, who was a former Director in the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, had expressed appreciation to members of the Enugu APC for coming to share in their pain.

“I consider this visit a great honour, because you are the first state chapter of our party to pay me condolence. I want to say that I, and my family really appreciate. I lack words to express my joy on this visit, Mr. chairman, you have done noble.

“My beloved women of Enugu APC, count on me always, I will always be there for you, I will continue to be your advocate. But please, try to support your chairman at all times for the progress of our great party in your state,” she said.

Oshiomhole, others not excused in Buhari’s vow to jail more thieves – APC

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has said that its members, even those in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet will not be excused in the fight against corruption.

The Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena, in a statement yesterday, challenged Nigerians to petition the anti-corruption agencies against any person they considered corrupt.

The APC was reacting to the barrage of attacks that trailed the threat from President Buhari to jail corrupt persons on arrival from London.

The All Progressive Congress, APC, has said that its members, even those in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet will not be excused in the fight against corruption.

The Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena, in a statement yesterday, challenged Nigerians to petition the anti-corruption agencies against any person they considered corrupt.

The APC was reacting to the barrage of attacks that trailed the threat from President Buhari to jail corrupt persons on arrival from London.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and other Nigerians had demanded that Buhari should start the jailing with the ruling party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal and others.

The party stated, “It is not true that Mr. President is targeting opposition by that statement.

“We are all in this country to know that a serving APC Senator is currently facing trial over corruption.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has said that its members, even those in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet will not be excused in the fight against corruption.

The Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena, in a statement yesterday, challenged Nigerians to petition the anti-corruption agencies against any person they considered corrupt.

The APC was reacting to the barrage of attacks that trailed the threat from President Buhari to jail corrupt persons on arrival from London.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and other Nigerians had demanded that Buhari should start the jailing with the ruling party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal and others.

The party stated, “It is not true that Mr. President is targeting opposition by that statement.

“We are all in this country to know that a serving APC Senator is currently facing trial over corruption.

“When he said he is going to jail more people, he was not targeting only the opposition.

“The law will always take its course and it does not matter where he starts. If Nigerians want Mr President to prosecute Oshiomhole or anyone close to the President, they should do the needful.

“If anyone can establish any case against them, let the law takes its course.

“Nobody is shielding anybody and we challenge the judiciary to live up to the expectations of Nigerians in handling corruption cases.”

BREAKING: Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary-General Dies In Switzerland Hospital After short Illness.

Former UN Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize winner Kofi Annan has died at age 80, a UN agency confirmed Saturday.

Annan, who was born in Ghana in 1938, served as the seventh UN Secretary-General, from 1997 to 2006, and was the first to rise from within the ranks of the United Nations staff.

He had been a member of The Elders, a group of global leaders working for human rights, since it was founded in 2007. In 2013, he became its chairman.

The UN Migration Agency tweeted: “Today we mourn the loss of a great man, a leader, and a visionary.”

Today we mourn the loss of a great man, a leader, and a visionary: former @UN Secretary General @KofiAnnan. A life well lived. A life worth celebrating. pic.twitter.com/z51WTB4Y65 — IOM – UN Migration (@UNmigration) August 18, 2018
Annan was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the United Nations in 2001 “for their work for a better organized and more peaceful world.”

He was married with three children.

Kofi Atta Annan,born 8 April 1938, was a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1997 to December 2006. Annan and the UN were the co-recipients of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize. He was the founder and chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation, as well as chairman of The Elders, an international organization founded by Nelson Mandela. Born in Kumasi, Annan went on to study economics at Macalester College, international relations from the Graduate Institute Geneva and management at MIT.

 Annan joined the UN in 1962, working for the World Health Organization’s Geneva office. He went on to work in several capacities at the UN Headquarters including serving as the Under-Secretary-General for peacekeeping between March 1992 and December 1996. He was appointed as the Secretary-General on 13 December 1996 by the Security Council, and later confirmed by the General Assembly, making him the first office holder to be elected from the UN staff itself. He was re-elected for a second term in 2001, and was succeeded as Secretary-General by Ban Ki-moon on 1 January 2007.

As the Secretary-General, Annan reformed the UN bureaucracy; worked to combat HIV, especially in Africa; and launched the UN Global Compact. He has been criticized for not expanding the Security Council and faced calls for resignation after an investigation into the Oil-for-Food Programme.

 After leaving the UN, he founded the Kofi Annan Foundation in 2007 to work on international development. In 2012, Annan was the UN–Arab League Joint Special Representative for Syria, to help find a resolution to the ongoing conflict there. Annan quit after becoming frustrated with the UN’s lack of progress with regard to conflict resolution. In September 2016, Annan was appointed to lead a UN commission to investigate the Rohingya crisis.

Kofi Annan died on the morning of 18 August 2018 at a hospital in Switzerland after short illness.