APC ANNOUNCES MEMBERS OF PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN COUNCIL 2019

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has released the names of members of its Presidential Campaign Council for the 2019 elections. They are as follows:


CHAIRMAN
President Muhammadu Buhari

CO-CHAIRMAN
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

DEPUTY CHAIRMEN
1.   The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

2.   The APC National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomole

VICE CHAIRMAN NORTH
Senator George Akume

VICE CHAIRMAN SOUTH
Senator Ken Nnamani

DIRECTOR GENERAL
His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi

DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL (OPERATIONS)
Senator A.O. Mamora

DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL (COORDINATION)
Arch. Waziri Bulama

SECRETARY
1.   Adamu Adamu

2.   Dele Alake

ZONAL DIRECTORS
a.   North West: Senator Aliyu M. Wamakko

b.  North East: Senator Muh’d Ali Ndume

c.    North Central: Senator Abdullahi Adamu

d.  South West: Sola Oke, SAN

e.   South East: Sharon Ikeazor

f.     South South: Senator Godswill Akpabio

DIRECTORATES
a.            Director,  Buhari Support Groups - Dr. Mahmoud Mohammed

b.           Director,  Strategic Communications - Festus Keyamo, SAN

a.    Deputy Director- Abike Dabiri- Erewa

c.            Director, Contact & Mobilization -  Hadiza Bala Usman

a.    Deputy Director South -Victor Eboigre

b.   Deputy Director North- Senator Bashir Nalado

d.           Director, Election Planning & Monitoring - Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN

a.    Deputy Director I-  Baba Kura Abba Jato

b.   Deputy Director II-Chief Emani Ayiri

e.            Director, Logistics – Dr. Pius Odubu

a.    Deputy Director- Senator Umanah Umanah

b.   Deputy Director II- Nasiru Danu

f.              Director, Policy Research & Strategy- Prof Abdulrahman  Oba

a.    Deputy Director- Prof. A.K. Usman

g.     Director, Youth Mobilization- Hon. Tony Nwoye assisted by the APC Youth Leader  sadiq

a. Deputy Director North- Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed

b.   Deputy Director South -  Jasper Azuatalam

h.           Director, Admin- Onari Brown

a.    Deputy Director I- Chris Hassan

b.   Deputy Director II- Abubakar Magaji Gasau

i. Director,  Women Mobilization- Woman Leader Salamatu Baiwa

a.    Deputy Director North – Binta Mu’azu

b.   Deputy Director South - Adejoke Orelope Adefulire

j. Director Security – Gen. A. . Dambazzau

a.    Deputy Directors - Brigadier General Gambo and Mr. U. Ukoma

k. Director Legal – Emeka Ngige, SAN

a.    Deputy Director- Prof. Maman Lawan Yusufari

l.   Director Field Opertaions- Mallam Nuhu Ribadu

M.   Director Finance - Wale Edun

        Deputy Director ….Alhaji Adamu Fadan

SPECIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO MR. PRESIDENT
1.   Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

2.   Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

3.   Senator Ahmed Lawan (Senate Leader)

4.   Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila ( Leader of the House )

5.   APC Party National Chairman  Comrade Adams Oshiomole

6.   Alhaji  Aliko Dangote.

7.   Mr. Femi Otedola

COUNCIL MEMBERS
1.   Chief Bisi Akande

2.   Chief John Oyegun

3.   Senator Ita Enang

4.   All APC serving Senators

5.   All APC serving and former Governors

6.   All APC Members of the House of Representatives

7.   All members of the National Working Committee of the APC

8.   All Zonal Women Leaders

STATE COORDINATORS
1. Governors are to serve as State Coordinators in their respective states

2. Gubernatorial Candidates in non- APC States will serve as State Coordinators in their respective states

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
December 28, 2018

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I AM PAINED BY THE PLIGHT OF PENSIONERS - UGWUMBA UCHE NWOSU

The governorship candidate of the Action Alliance in Imo State, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu has promised to find a lasting solution to the plight of pensioners in the State. He regretted that our senior citizens are being subjected to avoidable pains before they could get their legitimate entitlements and blamed corruption in the civil service for what seems to be the albatross of the present administration. He promised to overhaul the pension system as soon as he takes over as the governor of Imo State in 2019.

"I am pained that our senior citizens have to go through avoidable rigours before getting their legitimate entitlements. It is also unfortunate that after these rigorous verifications, they still do not get paid what they are entitled to and when they are entitled to them. There is no reason why these senior citizens should not get paid for their years of service to our State. Some of them are the teachers who taught us, others served us in different capacities in the civil service. Now, that they are old and retired, they deserve to be paid without any hassles."

Speaking when the Imo Future Initiative, a pressure group, paid a consultative visit to him in his residence at Eziama Obaire, the frontline governorship candidate explained that he has set a plan in place to ensure that all pension arrears are cleared off within his first six months in office, if the present administration does not succeed in paying off the accumulated arrears. When asked by  a member of the delegation why he didn't give the present Government the plan considering that till recently he was the Chief of staff to the same government that is owing these pension arrears, he explained that there is a difference between an aide and the governor.

"My duty as Chief of Staff was to make suggestions, while the governor decides whether to implement such suggestions or not. I didn't have powers to do anything on my own. As governor, I shall implement those ideas that are beneficial to our people and make sure that our pensioners smile again. I know what the problems are and I also understand the predicament of the present administration in solving that problem once and for all. I shall step on toes, no matter how big those toes are."

He thanked the group for identifying with him and urged them to stand with him in his vision to move Imo State forward as encapsulated in the three Cs of Continuity, Consolidation and Correction.

Signed,

Onwuasoanya FCC Jones

Director, Media and Publicity

Ugwumba Uche Nwosu Campaign Organization

27th December, 2018.

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Ibikunle Amosun, meets Buhari, presents APM’s adoption letter to President

Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, returned to the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday amid the threats by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, to expel him from the ruling party.

Ibikunle Amosun visited the President in company with the National Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement, Alhaji Yusuf  Dantalle.

This time around, Amosun’s mission was to formally present a letter from the APM to Buhari, adopting him as the party’s presidential candidate.

Recall that Amosun and the APC at the national levels are on the war path over the choice of a candidate other than his, as the party’s governorship ticket holder for the 2019 polls.

The governor’s preferred candidate and member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Adekunle Akinlade, has since defected from the APC to the APM as the latter’s governorship candidate.

A number of Amosun’s loyalists and aides had also exited the APC, though the governor still holds on to his own APC membership card.

Speaking with State House correspondents after emerging from the meeting with Buhari,

Ibikunle Amosun said he merely kept a promise he earlier made to bring the adoption letter to the President personally.

The governor said, “You will recall that just last week, we made public that the APM had adopted President Buhari as the presidential candidate.

“I had promised to bring the letter they (APM) had given me to present to him and that is what we came to do today. And you know Mr. President is a very gracious human being; he is a man with a good heart.

“He said if a party has adopted him, it is only fair he acknowledges the party and the chairman. That is why we are here.

“I have said that anybody that is for President Muhammadu Buhari is for me. We will embrace such a party, such persons, such an organisation wholeheartedly, and that is what I am doing and that is what we are doing in Ogun State.

“Clearly, Mr. President will have massive votes in Ogun State in the coming election.”

When he was asked to react to Oshiomhole’s expulsion threats, Amosun said his mission to the Villa was not to discuss Oshiomhole.

He said, “I don’t want to comment on that. We came for this (adoption letter). Let us restrict ourselves to this. I want my President to win. What else do you want? We must win, that is it!”

Also speaking, Yusuf- Dantalle claimed that the APM took the decision to adopt Buhari because the party members believed in him to continue to lead the country.

“Personally, I believe in him and the reason being that I love my country and I don’t have any other country apart from Nigeria. And Buhari is the only man with the sincerity of intent to take Nigeria to the next level.

“This is not the Nigeria I was born into but I see that Nigeria is coming back only through Buhari,” he said.

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There’s high threat of kidnap throughout Nigeria, says UK

The United Kingdom has said there is a high threat of kidnap throughout Nigeria.

It also warned its nationals against travelling to the North-East, saying that the security environment in the region deteriorated in 2018.

Except it is really essential, the UK cautioned its citizens against travelling to Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina and Kano states , among others.

In its foreign travel advice as of December 24, 2018, the British government also observed that protests were becoming increasingly frequent in Abuja as the presidential election in February 2019 approaches.

“The Islamic Movement in Nigeria continues to protest in central Abuja, which have been held daily since January 7, 2018. While protests are usually peaceful, they have the potential to turn violent,” the UK government said.

“Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in the country. Most attacks occur in the North-East, particularly in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe states, it added.

The UK also asked its nationals – 117,000 of whom visit Nigeria every year – to avoid places of worship, shopping malls, hotels, camps for displaced people, among others.

It added, “There’s a high threat of kidnap throughout the country. Kidnap can be motivated by criminality or terrorism, and could be carried out for financial or political gain.”

As of press time, the Presidency had yet to respond to our correspondent’s request for comments, as calls to Mr Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, were not answered.

A text message sent to his phone had also yet to be replied to as of the time of filing this report.

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Saraki gives reasons Buhari should be removed come 2019

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has said that the present administration has brought so much hardship on Nigerians.

He called on Nigerians to ensure the removal of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2019.

Saraki spoke Tuesday during a programme aired on four Radio stations, including Radio Nigeria (Harmony FM) Idofian, Royal FM, Sobi FM, and Radio Kwara.

Saraki said, “Times are very hard for the masses as a result of the level of poverty in the country. Without sentiment, the present government has failed Nigerians. They must, therefore, ensure they vote for a leader that will address poverty and revive the economy, said Saraki.

“Nigerians will vote in February 2019 but the business community has already passed a vote of no confidence on this present government.

“I, therefore, urged Nigerians to vote out this government and vote a man that will restore investors’ confidence and get Nigeria working again. It is only one party that loves the common people and that’s our party, the PDP.

“I’m in politics to serve my people. When I campaigned in 2015, I pledged to Nigerians that my former party, APC will address the issues of insecurity, unemployment, and poverty but unfortunately the party has failed on all these three scorelines.

“I thank God Almighty for the position that was given to Kwara as the number three citizen. We have cut across our zonal intervention projects in the state which wasn’t possible in the first four years as a floor member at the 7th Senate because ranking members add more value to the community/constituency.”

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Mexican governor, senator killed in helicopter crash

The Mexican governor of Puebla and her husband, a senator and former governor, were killed on Monday in a helicopter crash, the country’s president said.

“My deepest condolences to the relatives of Senator Rafael Moreno Valle and his wife, governor of Puebla Martha Erika Alonso,” President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador wrote on Twitter.

“I assume the commitment to investigate the causes” and “tell the truth about what happened,” Lopez Obrador wrote.

The helicopter’s two pilots and an assistant to the senator also died in the crash.

The aircraft went down 10 minutes after taking off in the Santa Maria Coronango area of Puebla, and the cause of the crash is still unknown.

Alonso was sworn in as governor on December 14 after an electoral tribunal certified her victory in July polls.

She was the first woman to occupy the position in Puebla, where her husband was governor from 2011 to 2017.

According to the local constitution, the state legislature will have to appoint an interim governor and to call an extraordinary vote that must be held in three to five months.

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Two Priests Kidnapped By Unknown Gunmen In Anambra State

Two Catholic Priests have been abducted by unknown gunmen while coming from Onitsha to prepare for the visit of Cardinal Arinze to the town.

The priests, whose names are yet to be disclosed are said to be clergymen in charge of St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, Umueze Anam.

They were kidnapped at Nneyi village, Umuleri area on their way to Umueze Anam. Also Read: 13 Soldiers, Police Officer Killed In Boko Haram Ambush

Confirming the report, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Haruna Muhammed in a press statement said that at about 7: 25pm on Monday, a patrol team attached to Otuocha Division recovered a light grey Toyota Corolla Car with REG NO FST 689 FL.

Haruna said the vehicle was abandoned at Nneyi Umueri road.

However, a preliminary investigation revealed that the car belonged to a one of the Reverend Fathers who was kidnapped.

The police spokesperson revealed that the case is under investigation and efforts are ongoing to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to Justice.

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13 Soldiers, Police Officer Killed In Boko Haram Ambush

The Nigerian Army says Boko Haram terrorists have killed at least 10 soldiers and one police officer in an ambush in Borno State.

Deputy Director of Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole Theatre Command, Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday.

According to him, the security operatives attached to 1 Division were on escort duty along Damaturu – Maiduguri Road when the incident occurred.

Colonel Nwachukwu regretted that the troops fought through the ambush staged by the terrorists but lost their lives in the process.

“The gallant troops engaged the terrorists in a firefight, courageously wading through the ambush,” he said.

“Sadly, 13 military and police personnel, including a police officer paid the supreme price while extricating themselves from the ambush.”

The Theatre Command spokesperson, however, said the Army has since commenced a clearance operation to pursue and eliminate the terrorist ambush party.

He added that the bodies of the gallant soldiers and the policeman have been evacuated.

Nwachukwu also revealed that a soldier wounded in the ambush was already receiving treatment.

He said elsewhere, troops repelled an attack by the insurgents on a Forward Operational Base at Kukareta in Damaturu Local Government Area of Yobe state.

During the attack which also occurred on Christmas Eve, the Theatre Command spokesperson said one soldier was injured while several of the insurgents were killed.

“The terrorists who attacked the location at about 6. 30 pm met with prompt and fierce response of the vigilant troops who engaged and overpowered them, killing several of the terrorists,” he said.

In the face of recent attacks on military personnel and locations in the North East, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has insisted that the terrorist group has been defeated.

In his Christmas message to troops on Tuesday, he said the military has recorded huge success in its onslaught against the insurgents, although they have resorted to propaganda in their activities.

“It is evident that you have defeated the Boko Haram Terrorists,” the Army chief said. “Thus, they have now resorted to employing propaganda in order to demoralise you by spreading false messages of strength and invincibility.”

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Beyond redemption

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha is controversially in the news again. These days, his undisguised and unapologetic efforts to have his son-in-law succeed him grab the headlines regularly.

The latest development connected with Okorocha’s politics of succession is his alleged refusal to allow his party, All Progressives Congress (APC), use the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, for the launch of its governorship election campaign. Okorocha is opposed to the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma. He is supporting his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, who is running for governor on the platform of Action Alliance (AA). Okorocha and members of his cabinet made a statement by boycotting the December 21 APC campaign.

APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole asked rhetorically: “How can you explain that an APC governor will deny an APC candidate the use of the stadium that is built with taxpayers’ money from Imo State?”

It is indeed inexplicable that Okorocha would work against his own party. But it is understandable given his desperation to hand over power to Nwosu. Only a power desperado would carry on the way Okorocha has been carrying on. It is glaring that Okorocha would do anything to achieve his succession plan.

Okorocha’s response through his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, only made the matter more puzzling. His spokesman said:   ”Since Governor Rochas Okorocha became governor in 2011, the Dan Anyiam Stadium has always been made available for all the political parties and candidates to use, not minding the political affiliations.”

He added: “The stadium is the property of Imo people and Chief Uzodinma would not have been denied the opportunity of using the facility for the flag-off of his campaign if he had asked or applied for it. He never applied to use the stadium, especially when a press release had been issued days before the flag-off of his campaign that the governor had directed that the stadium should be released free to political parties and candidates who would like to use it for their rallies or for other political activities."

Clearly, one of the parties is lying. Apart from the stadium issue, Oshiomhole said at the APC event: “Let me say it without fear of contradiction that those who are printing President Muhammadu Buhari’s posters, putting his face and their own faces because their faces are unknown, their party is unknown and they will put Buhari’s face and put the logo of an unknown party, those ones are fake.” Is Okorocha involved?

It looks like Okorocha is beyond redemption.

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Amnesty Int’l report credible, too many killings in the land – TY Danjuma

ABUJA – Former minister of defense, General T.Y Danjuma (Rtd), has decried the deplorable security situation in the country, saying there are too many killings in Nigeria.

Danjuma, who stated this at the 11th Festival of Praise with the theme “Sing out! Our God reigns” which held in Abuja yesterday, cited the latest Amnesty International Report on the security situation in the North East as being credible.

He charged Nigerians to eschew bitterness and imbibe the virtue of peace and tolerance as the nation prepares for the 2019 General elections.

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Afenifere, Ohanaeze, PDP knock Yemi Osinbajo for wooing Yoruba with 2023 presidency

The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere; Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus, and the African Action Congress on Sunday faulted a statement credited to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo that the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election would guarantee South-West Presidency in 2023.

Osinbajo, who on Saturday went on a house-to-house campaign in Oyo, Oyo State, and held a 45-minute closed-door meeting with the Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, said the 2019 presidential election mattered to the Yoruba people of the South-West because the geopolitical zone had a larger interest in 2023.

“Yoruba have a lot to contribute to Nigeria for the 2019 elections. It is for us, Yoruba; if you understand, it is for us. We are not looking at 2019, but in 2023. If we don’t get it now, it may take some time again,” Osinbajo had said.

But Afenifere’s spokesperson, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, in an interview with one of our correspondents, wondered what the Yoruba people had gained since Osinbajo became Vice-President.

He noted that Yemi Osinbajo had so far opposed all the things that were dear to the Yoruba people, including restructuring.

Odumakin said, “In the four years that he (Osinbajo) has been vice-president, what has he done for the Yoruba people?

“All the things that are dear to the Yoruba, he has opposed including restructuring; he has sided with the oppressors of the Yoruba people.

“When they killed the Yoruba evangelist of the Redeemed Christian Church of God under his nose in Abuja as vice-president, did he say a word? But because he wants to contest the election in 2023 — himself, (Asiwaju Bola) Tinubu and (Babatunde) Fashola are fighting for election — he now remembers that he’s a Yoruba man and he wants to come and spread division among us.

“In the midst of all that we are going through, throughout Yoruba land today, beggars are all over the place. There never used to be beggars in Yoruba land. That Osinbajo is getting people to queue for N10,000.00, which is insulting and a mockery of poverty, shows how much these people have destroyed the lives of our people.”

The Afenifere spokesman restated that in 2019, what the Yoruba wanted was a restructuring of Nigeria by means of true federalism.

He noted that the Yoruba would only support a candidate with plans for restructuring.

“We have had an eight-year presidency. The Ijaw have had six years. The North has had more than everybody. But what is their lot? It’s poverty.

“We don’t want to stay under this arrangement. The arrangement we want is where we will have control over our fears and for every citizen of Nigeria to develop at their own pace.

“That is certainly what we want and that is what Buhari, Osinbajo and the All Progressives Congress have said they don’t want. We will reject that at the polls,” he said. Nigeria’ll remain in darkness until S’East leads – Ohanaeze

But Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Sunday said Nigeria would continue to wallow in “abject socio-political, economic and developmental blindness until an Igbo man becomes the President.”

It said anything done in Nigeria without the active cooperation and participation of the lgbo would always crumble.

The spokesman for the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Uche Achi-Okpaga, said this in an interview with one of our correspondents while reacting to a statement by Osinbajo that the South-West would produce the President in 2023 after President Buhari.

In buttressing his point, Achi-Okpaga listed former public office holders from the South-East who made positive impacts while serving the country.

He said, “I do not expect Prof. Osinbajo to say a different thing. The 2023 Yoruba Presidency is a plot presumably well hatched and efforts are being exerted to win it successfully as dramatized in the public pronouncements earlier by Fashola and now the bleeding utterances of Osinbajo.

“However, l am dumbfounded that these are men that believe in the existence of God but, perhaps unwittingly, do not believe in the God factor.

“The Igbo are the descendants of King David, the man after God’s heart. Anything you do in Nigeria without the active cooperation and participation of the lgbo would always crumble as exemplified in the present administration of PMB. The Igbo are to Nigeria what Israel is to the world today.

“Take my word today, until an Igbo man leads, Nigeria will continue to wallow in abject socio-political, economic and developmental blindness. The late Prof Dora Akunyili was brought in and she did justice to NAFDAC’s perennial, protracted and seemingly intractable impasse.

“Prof. (Chukwuma) Soludo was brought in and he brought sanity into the banking system. Today, Nigerians can deposit their money and go to sleep with their eyes closed.

“Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was brought in and she spearheaded debt relief for Nigeria (already dismantled by the present administration.)

“You can attest to how Prof. (Onyebuchi) Chukwu, as Minister of Health, clinically dealt with the Ebola virus under Goodluck Jonathan.

“The list is endless. Simply put, the Igbo will lead Nigeria when the Lord decrees it, all clandestine plots notwithstanding.”

Also, the PDP Presidential Campaign Council on its part said the APC and the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency in their desperation to hang onto power had resorted to trading with the lure of 2023 Presidency.

In a statement signed by one of the council’s spokespersons, Mr. Kassim Afegbua, it said the present government had promised both the South-East and South-West geopolitical zones the 2023 Presidency in exchange for votes.

The statement read, “Giving out two promises has exposed the insincerity and dubious intention of the Buhari-led Federal Government with the people of the South-East and South-West geopolitical zones with empty promises of bequeathing power to the two zones at the same time in 2023.

“This is why Nigerians cannot take the APC and the Buhari Presidency’s seriously any longer as we prepare for the 2019 elections.

“Speaking on behalf of President Buhari in Owerri last week, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, told the APC that the President would hand over the reins of power to a south-easterner while calling on the people to support Mr. President.

“Meanwhile, the Vice-President also told leaders of the South-West to support the re-election of President Buhari so as to get the Presidency in 2023.”

According to the council, two principal officers of the same government cannot be fooling Nigerians with vainglorious promises all in the name of re-election.

It stated that such discordant tunes by the first and second citizens of Nigeria had exposed lack of synergy and display of double standard and doublespeak by the chieftains of a government, he alleged, had continued to display wanton desperation to hold onto power at all costs in the face of monumental failure.

It added, “How can the President be promising south-easterners the Presidency when his Vice-President is also promising the south-westerners same position in 2023, all in the name of 2019 re-election?

“This is a clear show of deceit, desperation, crass insincerity and hypocrisy of the highest order. This is a clarion call on south-easterners not to trust such carrot being dangled before them as it has become obvious that this government neither fulfills promises nor keeps any covenant.

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Amosun – I don’t fear Buhari, I fear only God

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, on Saturday said there was no truth in the media report that quoted him as saying he fears President Muhammadu.

“To put the record straight, I never said I fear President Muhammadu Buhari. I only said I fear God. I don’t fear President Buhari,” Amosun said during the 2018 Christmas Carol and Service of Nine Lessons organised by the state government in Abeokuta, the state capital.

The governor had earlier been quoted to have said that he fears God and Buhari while addressing leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta shortly after the National Working Committee inaugurated the state caretaker committee.

The NWC had on Friday inaugurated the caretaker committee for the state to replace the embattled state executive led by Chief Derin Adebiyi.

While reacting to the media report, Amosun said he was shocked to read on the pages of newspapers on Saturday that he fears God and Buhari.

He said, “You know this is our time as politicians, a time when politicians will call black, blue.

“Yesterday (Friday), I held a  meeting with our people, and the way I started was that, I was brought up to fear God.

“But I saw newspapers this morning (Saturday) that Amosun says he fears  God and Buhari.

“No! It is only God I fear, the one that is alive, the only one that will say a thing no one can change. That is the only God that I fear.

“Of course, I respect President Buhari. I love him and he loves me too. I know him, he fears God because he is from God. He doesn’t beg for respect, he commands and earns it. So, it is only God that I fear.”

In his message, the Secretary-General, Anglican Communion Worldwide, Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, attributed  Nigeria’s problems to what he described as scanty knowledge of both the Bible and the Quran.

He said politicians were using religion negatively to divide the country and he also enjoined citizens to refuse such act.

He said, “Our major problem in this country today is that so many people have scanty knowledge and understanding of the Quran and the Bible and they tend to propagate that little understanding of the word of God and anyone who does not agree with them will be seen as an enemy.

“For the Christians, the real problem is sin because it was sin that caused reincarnation and that is why Jesus came as sacrifice and as ransom for men.

“Jesus is a word that came in human flesh and as a result, he is a messenger and his mission is to save the people from their sins.

“Meanwhile, God expects us all to humble ourselves but our politicians are negatively using religion to divide us in this country and the time has come for all us to say no to them.”

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I am not neglecting any part of Nigeria, Buhari tells South-East

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said that his administration was not neglecting any part of the country.

Buhari, who spoke through the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, during the inauguration of a multi-billion naira water project at Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, said he loves Igbo people.

The President said that the people of the South-East geopolitical zone should rest assured that he woulld fulfil every promise he made to them.

The minister said, “President Muhammadu Buhari holds Igbo people in high esteem and will do everything within his reach and power to fulfil his promises to the people of the region.”

He explained that the water project, which was initiated by Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu (Imo North), was appropriated in the 2019 budget estimate.

According to Adamu, the project will make clean water available to the people of Ehime Mbano.

Speaking at the event, Uwajumogu said his constituents would support Buhari’s re-election bid.

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$2.8bn EFCC Confiscated At Enugu Airport: ‘It Was A Legitimate Operation’ — Union Bank.

The management of Union Bank has explained that the men who were arrested at the Enugu Airport by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were on a legitimate assignment.

EFCC operatives had paraded two men on Friday as alleged fraudsters who were in possession of $2.8 million.

In tweets posted on its official Twitter page, Union Bank explained that the operation was licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“Movement of cash across states is routine for all bank. Bankers Warehouse is licensed by CBN to provide Cash-in-Transit services,” the bank said.

“We are surprised by the release of a news bulletin prior to the completion of @officialefcc investigation. This is a legitimate and routine operation consistent with banking.”

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EFCC arrests two at Enugu Airport for ‘carrying’ $2.8m cash for ‘some notable banks’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Enugu Zonal Office, on Thursday, December 20, 2018, intercepted $2.8million (Two Million, Eight Hundred Thousand United State Dollars), from two people, suspected to be money launderers, at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

The suspects, namely Ighoh Augustine and Ezekwe Emmanuel, allegedly working for a company: Bankers Warehouse, were nabbed based on intelligence report.

Upon their arrests, they were caught with consignments of two suitcases, containing $1.4 million each, totalling $2.8 million, at the departure lounge of the airport while about to board an Arik Air evening flight to Lagos.

During interrogation, the suspects confessed that they have been in the business of conveying cash for “some notable banks”, for over six years and were in the process of doing same for Union Bank Plc, located at New Market, Onitsha, Anambra State, when they were caught.

The suspects further confessed that they had so far carried out such assignments, “four times this year”.

They are presently giving useful information to operatives of the Commission, and will be charged to court soon.

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Interpol issues arrest warrant for Allison-Madueke as FG commences extradition process

The International Police have issued an arrest warrant for former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke following a request by the Federal Government to the agency.

An impeccable source stated that the necessary charges had been filed and attached to the extradition request by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

By this request, all Interpol member countries were obliged to arrest the former minister anywhere she is seen on their territories.

Madueke had been holed up in London, United Kingdom for over three years. Attached to the extradition request, our correspondent gathered, was the November 4, 2018 order for her arrest by Justice Valentine Ashi of the FCT High Court.

The court had directed the Inspector-General of Police; the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Director-General of the State Security Service and all heads of other agencies to apprehend the ex-petroleum minister.

The judge further directed that the order which was signed by the court registrar, E. Balami, should be attached to a warrant for execution on Madueke.

The source said, “We have filed the necessary processes and the Interpol has red-flagged Allison-Madueke. This means that the extradition process has been kickstarted and the former minister may be arrested by the United Kingdom police or any police agency all over the world and repatriated to Nigeria.”

Checks on the Interpol website, however, indicated that the accused person had not been listed.

Only the profiles of two male Nigerians-Ehirobo Nathaniel, 53, and Ernest Kenel, 49-wanted for advance fee fraud- were listed on the website.

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APC to query Amosun, Okorocha for anti-party activities

The All Progressives Congress has resolved to query the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; and his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha, for alleged anti-party activities.

Our correspondent learned that the decision was part of resolutions reached at the National Working Committee meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday where the state, local government and ward executives committees in the two states were dissolved.

A member of the NWC said, “The party has sent letters to the governors to explain what has been attributed to them in the media and their commitment to the party’s ideals. We want to give them a fair hearing.”

Meanwhile, the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday inaugurated a nine-member caretaker committee for the Imo APC.

The committee chaired by Mr.  Marcellinus Nlemigbo would superintend over the affairs of the party in the state.

Other members are Ugochukwu Nzekwe (Deputy Chairman), Lady Love Ineh (Secretary), Enyinna Onuegbu, Canice Nwachukwu, Mrs. Josephine Nnorom (woman leader), Paul Para, Chief Linus Ineoha (Organising Secretary) and Nicholas Osuagwu (Zonal Chairman).

Inaugurating the committee, Oshiomhole said the party would begin the campaign of its Imo State governorship candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma, on Friday in Owerri, the state capital.

He urged members of the committee to close ranks with Uzodinma and other candidates of the party by mobilizing supporters across the state to ensure victory in the 2019 polls.

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Aggrieved APGA Members Demand Resignation Of National Chairman, Victor Oye

Some aggrieved members and aspirants in the All Progressive Grand Alliance, (APGA) have called for the resignation of the National Chairman of the party, Victor Oye.

The aspirants are also demanding for a refund of money spent on buying Expression of Interest Form and Delegates Form.

The aspirants claimed that they were short-changed during the primary election in Anambra state. They added that the National Working Committee led by the National Chairman of the Party, Mr. Oye, fraudulently collected huge sums of money to the tune of about N1billion from them for their participation in the failed primary election.

Special Adviser to Anambra State Governor on Political Matters and Secretary to the APGA Primary Election Reconciliation Committee, Ifeatu Obi-Okoye in reaction to the demands of the members and aspirants called for restraint.

According to him, demanding anyone’s sack at this critical time may not augur well with the party. He added that most of the issues raised by the aggrieved members have been addressed.

“One way or the other, we have addressed most of the issues. This question of removal of national chairman, we think that the timing is not in the best interest of all of us. Elections are coming up in February, we cannot afford to go into issues like that with all its distractions and litigations,” he said.

However, the leader of the aggrieved aspirants, Onyeka Mbaso, an aspirant for Nnewi North and Federal Constituency claimed that even the Reconciliation Committee raised by the leader and Chairman of Board of Trustees of the party, Governor Willie Obiano, to address the anomalies was suppressed by some strangers that have invaded the party.

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Minimum Wage: Labour Threatens To Strike Again

Labour leaders have again threatened to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike if the Federal Government fails to transmit the new minimum wage structure to the National Assembly on or before December 31, 2018.

The leaders who met in Lagos on Thursday said they will not be part of the planned High-Powered Technical Committee as announced by President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2019 budget presentation.

They insisted that all discussions have ended on the new minimum wage as the labour union has since taken a stand.

This comes just a day after President Muhammadu Buhari told the National Assembly that he will send a bill on the implementation of the new minimum wage, soon.

He said this while presenting the 2019 Budget proposal before the joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday.

The President said: “We have included the implementation for the National Minimum Wage. I will be sending a Bill to this National Assembly, on this.”

He added that he had directed the setting up of a technical committee to look at the mode of implementation.

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How Uche Nwosu Was Booed At Dan Anyiam Stadium

It was a tale of mixed feelings for chief Uche Nwosu, the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance, AA, last weekend when Church worshippers felt uncomfortable with his desire to speak to the congregation during a worship service.

Trumpeta correspondent last Friday night, was at the Dan Anyiam stadium to witness an event organized by Assemblies of God Church through its gospel minister, Rev. Bethel Nwanebu. The annual program tagged -Send down the rain- saw the worshippers humiliate Nwosu a former Chief of Staff to the Governor and Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s son-in-law.

Our correspondent noted that trouble for Nwosu started when Pastor Nwanebu at about 2 of the next day of discreetly ushered in Uche Nwosu, Action Alliance, AA, governorship flag bearer in the state with a subtle introduction and an announcement that he is representing Okorocha, Imo state number one citizen at the venue.

The mentioning of the name was replied with thunderous rejection as the congregation booed and jeered for over three minutes before the host managed to appeal to them to listen to Nwosu as he has a message for them.

While climbing the podium, Nwosu chanted the song ‘I can see everything turning around … ‘ the crowd joined in the song but sang it anticlockwise. Sure, they were singing ‘I can see everything turning around for your failure.’ Not yet satisfied with the embarrassment, some of the worshippers openly went further to ask why Nwosu should be sent by the governor as a representative when the Deputy, Prince Eze Madumere is available. Still not satisfied, the crowd started chanting “Uche Nwosu go away”

Trumpeta learned that the host pastor nearly lost his voice appealing to the congregation to keep calm. The last straw which broke the camels back was when he claimed to be a member of the Assembly of God Church and this got the people shouting: Uche Nwosu go, Uche Ogbuagu win. The boo intensified and not a word of his speeches was heard. It was by 2:50 am that Nwosu left the venue with his entourage after the frustrating encounter.

TRUMPETA

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HERE ARE SOME OF THE PROMINENT NAMES THAT HELPED SEND BUHARI TO ASO ROCK

1. Dr. Oby Ezekwesili
2. Fela Durotoye
3. Atiku Abubakar
4. Omoyele Sowore
5. Donald Duke
6. Chief Obasanjo
7. Professor Charles Soludo
8. Pastor Tunde Bakare
9. Pastor Sunday Adelaja
10. Father Ejike Mbaka
11. Professor Pastor Yemi Osibanjo
12. Professor Tam David West
13. Professor Wole Soyinka
14. Rev. Chris Okotie
15. Professor Pat Utomi
16 El-Rufai
17 Dino Melaye
18 Lai Mohammed
19 Bola Tinubu
20 Rotimi Amaechi
21. Dr. Perry Brimah among others.
These people actually believed that Buhari had what it takes to lead Nigeria into a first world.
These people went to school. Many are professors. Some claimed to have direct access to God.
Some are gifted with "prophecies".
They read history. They understood international relations. They understood how societies work or so we thought.
They were more than 20 years old in 1983 when Buhari shot himself to power.
They saw Buhari murder innocent Nigerians in 1983
They saw Buhari destroy the economy in 1983
They saw the role Buhari played in Abacha's government.
They read all the threats of violence by Buhari against the nation.
They saw Buhari harass Lam Adesina the Oyo State Governor due to Fulani herdsmen conflicts with locals in Oyo State.
They saw Buhari lead the sharia protest that claimed the lives of innocent Nigerians in 2001.
They saw Buhari and his minions open the gate of hell on innocent Nigerians when he lost the presidential election in 2011.
If Buhari was not speaking and defending his Fulani heritage he would be fighting to defend his religious heritage.
Never for once did he defend Nigeria or gave an interview on how to rebuild the economy, education, power, health etc.
They saw everything this man did. They knew him too well to miss the little details of his violent life.
But they were united in hatred.
Hatred for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. One among the few Nigeria leaders that actually wanted Nigeria to work.
Hatred became a unifying force to push forward a false narrative.
They exploited his humility.
They exploited his kindness.
They exploited his humanity
They danced and made merry in Ojota. They ate, drank and danced away the destiny of a nation. How come the thought that Nigeria could be a better nation under PMB/APC than under the able leadership of Jonathan/PDP if not for hate?
Saints Tinubu, Amaechi, Fashola etc led the chorus against ‘corrupt’ Goodluck Jonathan.
Tinubu a private jet owner and owner of Lagos, Amaechi a private jet owner and funder of Buhari campaign, wanted corrupt’ Goodluck Jonathan out.
But the people did not see the moral paradox because you see - hate is a unifying factor.
They mobilized thugs to stone a sitting President.
They harassed his family wherever they went.
Because they are from the hated minority who must NOT be king.
For Kings must come from the Fulani lineage. Jonathan is Ijaw. Ijaws should not be Kings.
Jonathan must not loot also.
For looters must come from enablers of evil.
These are intellectuals.
Amongst whom are Pastors and Prophets
Wisdom failed
Prophesies failed
If WAEC issued fake WAEC attestation to Buhari
It is possible many Nigerian "intellectuals" are working with fake certificates.
Now all those who brought, sponsored and supported this calamity called Buhari/APC, with looted state funds, told lies, deceived by propaganda, made false publications as sponsored in support of the cabal, those who become rich by means of promoting the cabal against the innocent are here again to tell us who's best to be President of Nigeria by 2019. Nigeria was 90% a better nation under GEJ than we see it today under PMB.
Believe it or not, Nigeria is in a coma without even oxygen to sustain her life for another one year.
The tragedy of a people
The tragedy of a country
Nigeria is calling
Nigeria is dying
Whether you are pagan - it doesn't matter.
Whether you are Christian - it doesn't matter
Whether you are a Moslem - that is not important
Whether you are a traditionalist - you all are needed
As long as you are human and still care for humanity - You are needed
For a country without a soul is dangerous to human habitation.
And a nation without conscience is a curse to its people.
We all are standing on the podium of history.
Humanity beckons.
Surely our children will read the roles we played in the salvation or annihilation of humanity
~ #AVeryConcernedNigerian

NewsRescue

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GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE PRESS RELEASE

IMO STATE GOVERNMENT HAS PAID N2.111BILLION TO LAND OWNERS – GOVERNOR ROCHAS OKOROCHA

-ADDS THAT N233MILLION HAS ALSO BEEN EARMARKED FOR FURTHER PAYMENTS

Governor Rochas Okorocha has disclosed that his administration has paid N2.111billion (Two Billion, One Hundred and Eleven Million Naira) as compensations to owners of lands acquired by the administration for developmental purposes.

The governor who made the disclosure while presenting the 2019 Budget of N276b tagged “Budget of Consolidation and Economic Stability” at the Imo State House of Assembly on Thursday, December 13, 2018 said, the money was paid to owners of lands acquired at Irete, Orji, Avu, New Arugo, among others, adding that the compensations included traditional rites and compensatory plots.

According to the governor, N233.3million has also been set aside for the payment of other land owners for various land acquisitions in the State, stating that arrangement has also been completed for the establishment of an Industrial Park at Ohaji/Egbema as well as Industrial Estate at Ngor Okpala, assuring that all these Projects would be completed in 2019.

The governor further explained “within the period under review, the administration acquired 215 hectares of land at Ngor Okpala for the establishment of Air Force Base, acquired 50 hectares at Uborji Okuku in Owerri West Local Government for the establishment of a mega city and re-acquired 700 hectares from land owners of Avu, Nekede, Obinze and Ihiagwa for the development of Imo Centenary City along Port-Harcourt Road, Owerri.”

According to him, “Government has also re-acquired Federal site and services for the re-location of the Police Headquarters to Port-Harcourt Road and another land at Avu for the relocation of all the mechanics in the Capital City. These projects have reached advanced stages”.

He continued, “Government has previously reacquired the following sites; Shell Camp Quarters, Old Orji Mechanic Village, Ubomiri Residential Housing Area, Nworie North and Arugo layout for various developmental purposes that will boost the State economy. All these were to further assist the State Government implement the Rescue Mission’s Urban and Regional Development Policy, provide the necessary bite required to achieve the desired goal and restore the Owerri Master Plan vis-à-vis repositioning our Capital City for industrialization”.

The governor said that the cardinal policy of the administration is to protect lives and property of Imo Citizens such that Imo people can carry on their lawful activities without any form of fear. This administration has never taken the Security of Imo Citizens for granted. We have continued in our effort towards ensuring a peaceful and highly secured State by providing the needed support to the law enforcement agencies to ensure the Security of lives and properties”.

He continued “The Imo Security Network and Imo Community Watch in partnership with Federal Security Agencies have made the State uncomfortable for criminals and kidnappers, thereby reducing to the barest minimum, the incidence of criminality in the State. The government will therefore continue to put in place policies and strategies that will further strengthen the Security situation in the State for more efficient and effective governance”.

Sam Onwuemeodo
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

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2019: PDP Will Never Come Back To Aso Rock, Osinbajo Vows

Vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, has vowed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not be allowed to return to power again.

Mr. Osinbajo made the vow on Saturday in Lagos while speaking at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Door-To-Door-Campaign flag off of the Professor Yemi Osinbajo (PYO) Support Group.

He said his principal, Muhammadu Buhari, who seeks a second term in office will not loot the resources of the country, as this is different between the president and other presidential candidates.

“After 16 years of ensuring that the country did not make progress, they want to come back. They will never come back again. We are making progress and we will continue to make progress.

We are going to the next level,” Osinbajo said referring to the PDP which governed the country since the return to democracy in 1999.

The opposition party’s bid to hold sway for 60 years was thwarted by the APC who won the 2015 presidential election.

“Our major problem in Nigeria is corruption; it's not planned. There are so many plans. If you allow the resources of the country to be stolen, no plan can work. The difference between Muhammadu Buhari and any other president is that he will not steal and he will not allow stealing,” the vice president continued.

“The most important thing of all is that we will prevent a situation where people who have stolen our money in the past come back into government. If they do, there won’t be progress no matter what they say.

“The money of this country must be preserved so that it will benefit us all. Education, healthcare, jobs, if you don’t have money, you can’t do them.

“There are only two types of leaders in Nigeria, those who want to steal the money and those want to use the money for the common good.

“If we want progress for our country, we must make sure that we put in place those who want to use the money for the common good, not those who want to steal it,” he said.

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Katsina APC Rep defects to PDP

A member of the House of Representatives from Katsina State, Ibrahim Murtala, has defected from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party.

Murtala, who is representing Matazu/ Musawa Federal Constituency, announced his defection in a letter read by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, on the floor of the house on Tuesday.

In the letter, Murtala said that he wished to inform the house and the general public that he was no longer a card-carrying member of the APC.

The lawmaker said he would from now pursue his political career under the umbrella of the PDP.

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Senate Suspends Confirmation Of EFCC, ICPC Nominees

The Senate has stepped down till further notice the confirmation of nominees for appointment as members of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The decision followed a complaint by some lawmakers that the nominees were not spread across the six geopolitical zones – a situation they described as a violation of the Federal Character Principle.

Lawmakers from the South-South and South East were particularly upset that no nominee for the EFCC is from the region.

The argument for and against the confirmation of the nominees deteriorated to a rowdy session causing the Senate to go into an emergency closed-door meeting.

Afterwards, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, announced that the confirmation of the nominees for both agencies be stepped down till further notice.

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NEDG, BON Pick Five Parties For Presidential Debate

The Nigerian Elections Debate Group (NEDG) and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) have released the names of political parties that will be participating in the 2019 vice presidential and presidential debates.

According to the statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the NEDG, Mr Eddi Emesiri, the parties are Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Young Progressives Party (YPP).

The Vice Presidential debate will hold from 7pm at the congress hall of the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja on Friday, December 14, 2018, while the presidential debate will hold just over a month later, on Saturday, January 19, 2019.

The debates will be transmitted live on all BON member stations and its affiliates as well as live streaming on all social media platforms.

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APC HAS NO GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE IN IMO STATE– ROCHAS OKOROCHA

Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha has insisted that as far as he is concerned, the All Progressives Congress, APC, does not have a governorship candidate in the state ahead of next year’s general election.

He reiterated this yesterday in a statement to by the Imo Commissioner of Information, Patrick Chidiebere, in Owerri, the state capital.

He said: “The governor is in APC, and he had an agreement with AA, to support President Muhammadu Buhari for 2019.

“The governor will be in APC, he will support Buhari. APC in Imo state does not have a candidate as far as we are concerned.

“There was no primary that could choose Hope Uzodimma, as the candidate of the party. If there should be a candidate of APC, it should be Uche Nwosu. Hope Uzodimma, is riding on a stolen mandate.

“Okorocha can never support a man that emerged through a fraudulent process.

“Let me tell you, Hope Uzodimma, is the candidate of Adams Oshiomole, he is not the candidate of Imo APC.

“We in APC, we don’t see him as our candidate. Uzodimma is Oshiomole’s personal candidate

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On Jibril from Sudan

I'm not alleging anything but Here’s a timeline of Buhari’s health travels:

February 5, 2016: Buhari embarked on a six-day medical vacation to London.

June 6, 2016: Buhari takes to the skies for a 10-day medical vacation.
Presidency says Buhari has to travel to deal with a “persistent ear infection”.

January 19, 2017: Buhari is off to London again on a medical vacation.

February 5, 2017: Buhari writes the national assembly, asks lawmakers to extend his London medical leave.

March 10, 2017: Buhari returns to Nigeria but doesn’t resume work immediately. Presidency says “he’s working from home”.

May 7, 2017: Buhari embarks on trip to London for another medical vacation. He returned to Nigeria after 104 days. Yes 104 DAYS. That was how long Buhari spent in London with no information whatsoever as to what was wrong with him, what he was treated of and how much was spent treating him.

Then on August 19, 2017, Buhari returned to Nigeria and it took him a while to resume work because rats have reportedly damaged furnitures in his office after which the Presidency announced that he’ll be working from home.

I'm still not alleging anything but one cannot help but observe that the Buhari that emerged from the 104 days of total information blackout has suddenly become so strong that since August of 2017, an 80 years man that was traveling for medical tourism every two months has not gone for even check up in the past one year, 3 months.

It's either he met Jesus who healed him in London or he's a Jibril from Sudan.

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THE SENATE VETOES PRESIDENT BUHARI OVER ELECTORAL BILL

Nigeria Senate passes electoral act into law overriding the President

The Nigeria Senate has passed the Electoral Act No. 6 (2010 Amendment) Bill 2017 into law overriding the assent of the president . The amended act are as follows;

1. There shall now be full biometric accreditation of voters with Smart Card Readers and/or other technological devices, as INEC may introduce for elections from time to time.

2. Presiding Officers must now instantly transmit accreditation data and results from Polling Units to various collation centers. Presiding officer who contravene this shall be imprisoned for at least 5 years (no option of fine).

3. All Presiding Officer must now first record accreditation data and polling results on INEC’s prescribed forms before transmitting them. The data/result recorded must be the same with what they transmitted.

4. INEC now has unfettered powers to conduct elections by electronic voting.

5. Besides manual registers, INEC is now mandated to keep Electronic registers of voters.

6. INEC is now mandated to publish voters’ registers on its official website(s) for public scrutiny at least 30 days before a general election and any INEC staff who is responsible for this but fails to act as prescribed shall be liable on conviction to 6 months’ imprisonment.

7. INEC is now mandated to keep a National Electronic Register of Election Results as a distinct database or repository of polling unit by polling unit results for all elections conducted by INEC.

8. Collation of election result is now mainly electronic, as transmitted unit results will help to determine final results on real time basis.

9. INEC is now mandated to record details of electoral materials – quantities, serial numbers used to conduct elections (for proper tracking).

10. A political party whose candidate dies after commencement of an election and before the declaration of the result of that election now has a 14-day window to conduct a fresh primary in order for INEC to conduct a fresh election within 21 days of the death of the party’s candidate;

11. Political parties’ Polling Agents are now entitled to inspect originals of electoral materials before commencement of election and any Presiding Officer who violates this provision of the law shall be imprisoned for at least1 year.

12. No political party can impose qualification/disqualification criteria, measures or conditions on any Nigerian for the purpose of nomination for elective offices, except as provided in the 1999 Constitution.

13. The election of a winner of an election can no longer be challenged on grounds of qualification, if the he (winner) satisfied the applicable requirements of sections 65, 106, 131 or 177 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and he is not, as may be applicable, in breach of sections 66, 107, 137 or 182 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. [For example, a person’s election cannot be challenged on the ground that he did not pay tax, as this is not a qualifying condition under the Constitution.

14. All members of political parties are now eligible to determine the ad-hoc delegates to elect candidates of parties in indirect primaries. The capacity of party executives to unduly influence or rig party primaries has been reasonably curtailed, if not totally removed.

15. Parties can no longer impose arbitrary nomination fees on political aspirants. The Bill passed prescribes limits for each elective office as follows:
(a) One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N150,000) for a Ward Councillorship aspirant in the FCT;
(b) Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N250,000) for an Area Council Chairmanship aspirant in the FCT;
(c) Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) for a House of Assembly aspirant;
(d) One Million Naira (N1,000,000) for a House of Representatives aspirant;
(e) Two Million Naira (N2,000,000) for a Senatorial aspirant;
(f) Five Million naira (N5,000,000) for a Governorship aspirant; and
(g) Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000) for a Presidential aspirant.

16. Relying on the powers of the National Assembly in Paragraph 11 of Part II (Concurrent Legislative List) of the Second Schedule (Legislative Powers) to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Senate also passed measures reforming procedures regulating Local Government Elections. State Independent Electoral Commissions can no longer conduct elections that do not meet minimum standards of credibility.

17. Any INEC official who disobeys a tribunal order for inspection of electoral materials shall be imprisoned for 2 year.

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Adams Oshiomole Speaks about DSS invitation, President Buhari and Rochas Okorocha

Here the National chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Oshiomhole speak on his return from US visit.

"DSS have the right to invite any citizen. I drove myself to DSS,I drove myself back after having a conversation with them. As the chairman of party in government, they seek explanation and party positions especially when accusations of disobedience to court orders that might threaten state security are made in some states where some governors are not happy with the outcome of the primaries . My duty is to educate them with facts not sensation"

"Any day DSS will invite any opposition party chairman, they will write to U.N,E.U and even Heaven. Once you are not under immunity, you must subject yourself to institutions. But those who have skeleton in their cupboard will influence the media to exaggerate the invitation.

"President Buhari position remains that every institution must be allowed to discharge their duties without interference. He doesn't interfere in party matters rather, he subjected himself to party constitution. He is not the type of President that interfere in party matters unlike his predecessors"

"Rochas Okorocha is my number one supporter to become the national chairman but I cannot sacrifice the wishes of APC in Imo for personal friendship"

It is petty and junk journalism to say that DSS asked me to resign. Is DSS d NEC or NWC of APC? That's ridiculous" Adams Oshiomole.

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Names of APC Candidates for Imo State House of Assembly submitted to INEC.

Aboh Mbaise LGA - Njoku Chimezie O

Ahiazu Mbaise LGA - Amaefule Magnus I

Ehime Mbano LGA - Anthony Emeka Nduka

Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA - Dr Iheanyi Nwachukwu

Ideato North LGA - Umeh Ikechukwu Sunday

Ideato South LGA - Duru Iheonukara Stanley

Ihitte Uboma LGA - Blessing Ifeyinwa Nwaoba

Ikeduru LGA - Okpara Ifeanyi Christopher

Isiala Mbano LGA - Lady Joy Mbawuike

ISU LGA - Egbule Dorothy Chinyere

Mbaitoli LGA - Oguri Collins C

Ngor Okpala LGA - Okere Stanislaus Ugochukwu

Njaba LGA - Uchenna Polycarp Ekwunazu

Nkwerre LGA - Iwunze Franklin Emmanuel

Nwangele LGA - Nwaka Nnamdi Osinnanna

Obowo LGA - Igbokwe Harrison Onyekachi

Oguta LGA - Nwosu Gilbert Chiedozie

Ohaji Egbema LGA - Orie Emmanuel C

Okigwe LGA - Okey Austin Udeh

Onuimo LGA - Chikezie Justine Onyeka

Orlu LGA - Okonkwo Anthony Ikechukwu

Orsu LGA - Agbabige Francis Uche

Oru East LGA - Oluoha Henry Onwuchekwa

Oru West LGA Obioha Uzoma Tonna

Owerri Municipal Ebere Macdonald Kelechi

Owerri North LGA Anthony Chiaka Ihedoro

Owerri West LGA Noble Abiaso Atulegwu

Note:
This is the official list and can only be substituted through the following means

1) Death of the candidate already submitted before the 2019 general election

2) Court Ruling which may linger to High Court, Appeal Court, Supreme Court

3) Voluntary Withdrawal.
No political party has right/power to substitute already submitted candidates name to INEC, except the candidate himself writes to the party and officially signed for voluntary withdrawal, then the party can write to INEC attaching the letter of withdrawal of the candidate.

At this point, not even the party's NWC, the President or media war can change the law.

IfeanyiCy Njoku

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