The Parliamentary Support Group of the Senate and House of Representatives has unveiled what transpired at the Tuesdays emergency secret meeting of the National Assembly (NASS).

The group said that all members that spoke at the joint session were mainly members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC-Kano), said in a statement in Abuja, on behalf of the group.

A joint session for the National Assembly on Tuesday passed a 12 point resolution calling on the executive to implement them or risk a constitutional sanction.

Almost all the members and senators that spoke at the Executive Session are of the PDP while members of the APC declined joining the discussion to avoid a rowdy confrontation, he said .

He observed that the Speaker, House of Representatives, tactically refused to make any comment at the session even after the Senate President took time to explain the issues which are mostly personal.

He alleged that a known ally of the Senate President from Kwara, Rep Rasak Atunwa, drafted what was adopted as the resolution of the session without allowing for voting.

It is disturbing and raised many questions of pre-determined intentions, Jibrin said.

He said most of the issues raised during the session, concerning the fight against corruption, insecurity and the rule of law have earlier been severally discussed in the Senate and the House and various resolutions passed.

We commend the efforts of Mr President in the fight against corruption, tackling of the insecurity challenges and respect for rule of law and democratic institutions. Mr President is known for his non-interference policy.

Every Senator or Member of the House who has corruption or criminal allegation against him or her should clear his or her name without dragging the entire institution of the National Assembly into the matter, Jibrin said.

He advised the National Assembly to look inward and address issues suffocating senators and members with dissenting or contrary opinion through coercion or extra legal means.

We must exercise caution at this delicate period not to over-heat the polity with statements that are capable of dividing the country, embarrassing us before the watching world and creating friction between the legislature and the executive, specifically Mr President.

We wish to reaffirm our support to Mr President as he works assiduously towards dealing with the challenges of our country, Jibrin said. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has asked rapper Folarin Falana aka Falz to withdraw his ‘This is Nigeria’ video and apologise to Muslims for using girls dressed in Hijab in the video or face legal action within the next 7 days.

Falz has explained that he used the ladies in Hijab to push more awareness about the Chibok girls still in Boko Haram captivity and the need to rescue them as soon as possible.

In a statement released by MURIC's director Ishaq Akintola, the group said the dancers in the video in no way depict the situation of the Chibok girls. The group described the video as “thoughtless, insensitive and highly provocative,”

“MURIC rejects Falz’ explanation that the girls in hijab in his ‘Shaku Shaku’ dance symbolize the Chibok girls because nothing in the video indicates that the girls represent the Chibok girls. At least none of the Chibok girls have been seen dancing like a drunkard. They are always in pensive mood. Do they have any cause to be dancing? Are they happy? The video manifests ethnic bias against Fulanis while it ignored the criminal activities of ethnic militia of the Middle Belt who have also massacred Fulanis and rustled their cattle in their thousands. It is a hate video. This video has the potential of causing religious crisis of unprecedented dimension. It is an assault on the self-dignity of every Muslim. It is freedom of expression gone haywire. We therefore demand its withdrawal and an apology to Nigerian Muslims within seven days or the authors and their agents will face legal action if they fail to comply. Only the scenes portraying police brutality and the money-swallowing snake in the video are near the truth” the statement read

The group called on the National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to ban the video.

“We call the attention of security agencies to this hate action. We remind Nigerians of the outcome of similar provocative actions in the past and their unpalatable outcomes. The National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB), a regulatory agency set up by Act No. 85 of 1993 to regulate films and the video industry has a case to answer. ‘Shaku Shaku’ video was shot and released under its watch. Instead of going violent, Nigerian Muslims should take those behind the ‘Shaku Shaku’ video to court in order to serve as a deterrent to others. We therefore give notice of impending legal action against the artist behind the ‘Shaku Shaku’ video unless the latter is withdrawn and an apology is widely published within seven days.” the statement read

Source: LIB

The Nasarawa State Ministry of Health has dismissed as untrue the reports of Cholera outbreak in Keffi Local Government Area of the state.

Dr Ibrahim Adamu, Director of Public health at the Ministry, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that there was no confirmed case of cholera outbreak in the state as erroneously reported in some national dailies.

Adamu said the samples taken from the suspected cases at Angwan-Lambu, a suburb of Keffi where the alleged outbreak was reported have not proven positive to cholera.

We have cases of some persons presenting with diarrhea and are being treated with antibiotics but cholera has not been established.

Meanwhile, about five persons are currently under observation and samples taken from them is being tested, Adamu said.

Adamu said the state government had taken measures to curtail the outbreak and spread of communicable diseases through sustained sensitisation campaigns.

He, however, called on the people to observe strict environmental and personal hygiene, especially when handling consumables.

Source: NAN

The Fouad Oki-led group of the All Progressives Congress (APC)in Lagos on Tuesday faulted the inauguration of Alhaji Tunde Balogun as the state party chairman by the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie -Oyegun.

The inauguration of the chairman was done on Monday,along with 33 other state chairmen.

Oki, who convened a parallel state congress of the party on May 19, challenging the group led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, faulted the action in a statement he issued in Lagos.

Oki accused Oyegun as being compromised and said his group would do everything possible to challenge the illegality.

I am certain we have not not heard the last of this. Truth is we knew they were going to do what they did because the Oyegun-led NWC is full of weaklings.

But we are undaunted in our resolve and we will continue to show resilience on the struggle to free our people from the shackles of a bigot, he said.

The inauguration of Balogun was in contrast to an earlier decision of the National Working Committee (NWC)of the party which overruled the main congress over issues of legality.

The Publicity Secretary of the party ,Malam Bolaji Abdullahi had explained that the NWC overruled the main congress held at the ACME Road Secretariat because it was based on 57 councils instead of the constitutional 20.

He added that the party could not have discountenanced the congress organised by Oki as it was held in the recognised 20 council areas.

The spokesman, however, said a five-man committee, headed by the Deputy National Chairman(North) had been set up to resolve the knotty issues.

However, Oyegun at the inauguration told the new chairmen in crisis states like Lagos ,Rivers and others not to inaugurate executive members as the party was working on harmonised committee members in the affected states.

Oki called on President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to prevail on Oyegun-led NWC to reverse the inauguration.

He also called on NWC members to do everything possible to ensure that its earlier decision on congresses was upheld.

The Fouad Oki group is believed to be sponsored by Muiz Banire, the national legal adviser of the APC.

1.Abia Hon. Donatus E. Nwankpa

2.Adamawa Alh. Ibrahim Bilal

3.Akwa Ibom Hon. Ini Okopido

4.Anambra Barr. Emeka Ibe

5.Bauchi Alh Uba Ahmed Nana

6.Bayelsa Jonathan L. Amos

7.Benue Comrade Abba Yari

8.Borno Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori

9.Cross River Hon. Godwin Etim John

10.Delta Chief Cyril Abeye Ogodo

11.Ebonyi Pastor Eze Nwachukwu Eze

12.Edo Anslem U. Ojezua

13.Ekiti No Congress

14.Enugu Dr. Ben Nwoye

15.Gombe Nitte K. Amangal

16.Imo Dr. Hillary Eke

17.Jigawa Hon. Ado Sani Kiri

18.Kaduna Air Commodore Emmanuel Jekeda (Rtd.)

19.Kano Abdullahi Abass

20.Katsina Shittu S. Shittu

21.Kebbi Arc. Bala Sani Kangiwa

22.Kogi Abdullahi Bello

23.Kwara Hon. Ishola Balogun Fulani

24.Lagos Alh. Tunde Balogun

25.Nasarawa Philip Tatari Shekwo

26.Niger Engr. Muhammed Liman

27.Ogun Chief Dikia Adebisi

28.Ondo Engr. Ade Adetimehin

29.Osun No Congress

30.Oyo Chief Akin Oke

31.Plateau Hon. Letep M. Dabang

32.Rivers Ojukaye Amachree

33.Sokoto Hon. Isa S. Achida

34.Taraba Alh. Abdulmumini Vaki

35.Yobe Alh. Adamu Chilariye

36.Zamfara Alh. Lawal M. Liman

37.FCT Hon. Abdulmalik Usman

Source: NAN

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who are found to be corrupt, risk being sacked and prosecuted, Mr Mutiu Agboke, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, has said.

Agboke who gave the warning on Tuesday in Ibadan at the maiden Ramadan lecture organised by the commission, said thatINEC would not hesitate in sacking and prosecuting any of its staff involved in corrupt practices.

The theme of the lecture was Free, Fair and Credible Election Role of INEC from Islamic Perspective.

Agboke said the mandate of the commission was to make election processes transparent, impartial, credible, free and fair.

INEC has no interest in any of the political parties but to carry out its constitutional responsibilities. Officers who compromise the process risk sack and prosecution.

Any INEC personnel that compromises the process risks his or her job and will be jailed.

The commission is trying its best as regards the welfare of staff and it is looking inward to improve on the welfare package.

All these are to ensure that our staff do not look up to some politicians for inducement of any kind, he said.

He urged Nigerians to have trust in the electoral body, saying there was no reason for skepticism about its ability to conduct credible polls.

The chairman of the occasion, Mr Waheed Oyewole, urged INEC in the state to build on the successes recorded during June 2 Ibarapa East State Constituency by-election.

Oyewole, who is the chairman of Intra Party Advisory Commission(IPAC) in Oyo State, pledged that political parties would abide with electoral laws and support all efforts aimed at promoting credible, free and fair elections.

Chief Adebayo Oyero, a former President-General of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, advocated sanctions for violators of electoral laws irrespective of their status.

Prof. Hafeez Oladosu of the University of Ibadan, who was the guest lecturer, admonished INEC personnel to be just in dealing with all political parties.

Source: NAN

The National Assembly(NASS) has given the Executive arm of government conditions that must be met to avert the invocation of the Constitutional Powers of the Parliament.

This was the outcome of an emergency executive joint session of both chambers of the National Legislature on Tuesday.

The lawmakers who met for over three hours in closed door, gave the executive certain conditions including, addressing the current security situation in the country.

They frowned at the constant harassment of legislators and other political actors, especially those who seem to hold a contrary view from the executive or those who are critical of the executive arm.

The legislative arm called on the executive to show sincerity in the fight against corruption, adhere to the rule of law and refrain from the intimidation of Nigerians.

They insisted that they may be forced to invoke their constitutional powers if the conditions were not met.

1.The Security Agencies must be given marching orders to contain all the sustained killings of Nigerians and protect the lives and properties of Nigerians as this is the primary duty for any responsible government.

2.The systemic harassment by the executive of perceived political opponents people with contrary opinions in the legislature and the judiciary by the police and other security agencies must stop.

3.There must be strict adherence to the rule of law and protection for all citizens by the President and all his appointees.

4.The President must be held accountable for the actions of his appointees and must be ready to sanction, those that carry out any act, that will ridicule or endanger the country and our democracy.

5.The government should show sincerity in the fight against corruption by not being selective and also prosecute current appointees that have cases pending against them.

6.The sanctity of the National Assembly should be protected and preserved by the federal government and prosecute those who invaded the Senate to seize the mace.

7.Democratic elections must be competitive and inclusive by removing the current reign of fear and intimidation particularly as we approach the forthcoming 2019 elections.

8.The National Assembly will liaise with the international community through the IPU, the APU, ECOWAS Parliament, Pan-African Parliament, EU, US Congress and the United Nations to secure our democracy. The National Assembly will also engage with civil society organisations, trade unions and NGOs to further deepen and protect our democracy.

Source: NAN

A former governor of Ekiti state and also a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Engr. Olusegun Oni, on Tuesday told his supporters to work for the success of the partys candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in the July 14 gubernatorial election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oni, who came second in the partys primary, made the declaration in Ifaki-Ekiti while addressing his campaign council chairmen and team members from the 16 local government areas of the state.

If you are really loyal to Chief Segun Oni and believe in my principles, we must keep this party alive and work together as one by remaining committed and dedicated to its success in the July 14 election.

We remain in APC. We are to work for the party and it has a candidate in the person of Dr Kayode Fayemi. We have a duty to help the Nigerian political process to further evolve.

The idea of aspirants jumping ship after primaries must be discouraged. If we won, we would have expected others to remain and work with us.

Oni also assured his supporters that their interests would be adequately protected.

The partys candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who arrived before the meeting, promised to carry everybody along in the administration of the state if elected as governor.

The party had 33 aspirants during the primary, that simply means that we have 33 leaders in the state.

I want to assure everyone that no one would be left behind in the governance of the state.

I hold everybody in high regard and I want to appeal to you to join hands with me as the candidate of the party to ensure that we take over the governance of the state.

Anything done for me is for the party and I am saying that we shall all reap the fruit together, he said.

Source: NAN

The National Assembly(NASS) has tabled a list of demands before the Muhammadu Buhari administration, asking it to implement them, lest they invoke the Constitutional Powers of the Parliament.

The demands were listed as part of the outcome of an emergency executive joint session of both chambers of the National Assembly on Tuesday. The meeting passed a vote of confidence on Senator Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, now the subject of police investigation over the 5 April robbery in Offa, Kwara state.

In contrast, the National Assembly members passed a vote of no-confidence on the Inspector General of police, who they want the president to remove because of what they considered to be his outright disregard for constitutional authority of both the executive and the legislature.

Thelawmakers who met for over three hours in closed door, did not spell out what the constitutional powers of the Parliament, is but legal pundits said the only power they have is to set in motion an impeachment proceedings against the President.

Among the list of demands, the legislators want the Buhari administration to address the current security situation in the country.

They frowned at the constant harassment of legislators and other political actors, especially those who seem to hold a contrary view from the executive or those who are critical of the executive arm.

The legislative arm called on the executive to show sincerity in the fight against corruption, adhere to the rule of law and refrain from the intimidation of Nigerians.

They threatened that they may be forced to invoke their constitutional powers if the conditions were not met.

1.The Security Agencies must be given marching orders to contain all the sustained killings of Nigerians and protect the lives and properties of Nigerians as this is the primary duty for any responsible government.

2.The systemic harassment by the executive of perceived political opponents people with contrary opinions in the legislature and the judiciary by the police and other security agencies must stop.

3.There must be strict adherence to the rule of law and protection for all citizens by the President and all his appointees.

4.The President must be held accountable for the actions of his appointees and must be ready to sanction, those that carry out any act, that will ridicule or endanger the country and our democracy.

5.The government should show sincerity in the fight against corruption by not being selective and also prosecute current appointees that have cases pending against them.

6.The sanctity of the National Assembly should be protected and preserved by the federal government and prosecute those who invaded the Senate to seize the mace.

7.Democratic elections must be competitive and inclusive by removing the current reign of fear and intimidation particularly as we approach the forthcoming 2019 elections.

8.The National Assembly will liaise with the international community through the IPU, the APU, ECOWAS Parliament, Pan-African Parliament, EU, US Congress and the United Nations to secure our democracy. The National Assembly will also engage with civil society organisations, trade unions and NGOs to further deepen and protect our democracy.

Source: NAN

A huge crowd gathered at Ndola Central Police Station after a girl of Masala township in Ndola, Zambia who was believed to have died two years ago walked back to her parents’ home on Sunday.

Her parents say the girl identified as Winnie Lufunja died after an illness and was buried at age 17, reports Zambia Daily Mail.

The parents narrated that the body of their late daughter even went through a church service and body viewing before it was buried.

Winnie was buried three days after her demise on November 12, 2016 in grave number 73, according to the Ndola City Council books.

Her bones are still there, according to the findings of an exhumation done on Monday, along with the blue blanket, bottle and other items that her mother identified.

The parents have also submitted the death certificate and birth certificate to the police to help establish the truth.

The parents and the “resurrected” Winnie are currently at the Police station, awaiting a DNA test to confirm if she truly returned from the dead.

Source: Punch NG

The 11-year-old marriage of a pastor at Rhema Pentecostal Church International in Sango-Ota area of Ogun state has hit the rocks as an Agege Customary Court in Lagos on Monday severed the union.

The marriage between the pastor, Ijeoma Okoli, and her husband, Ifeanyi Okoli, was dissolved over domestic violence.

The President of the court, Mrs. Ibironke Elabor said she observed that the estranged couple was tired of the marriage as all efforts aimed at reconciling them had failed.

“Since both parties consented to the dissolution of the marriage; this court has no choice but to dissolve the marriage.

“The court hereby pronounce the marriage between Mrs Ijeoma Okoli and Mr Ifeanyi Okoli dissolved today, both parties henceforth cease
to be husband and wife,” she ruled.

The court president gave the custody of the two children of the marriage to the petitioner and instructed the respondent to pay N20,000 monthly for their upkeep, education and other bills.

“Both parties are free to go their separate ways without any hindrance or molestation.”

Earlier, Ijeoma, 36, a mother of two, who lives at Salako St., Ogba, Lagos told the court that she was fed up with her husband’s bad character.

“My husband is aggressive, untrustworthy and troublesome.

“He failed to tell me that he is addicted to drugs which l later discovered after our traditional marriage in 2007,” she said.

The petitioner told the court that her husband no longer love and care for her, and was nonchalant about the welfare of their children.

“I want peace, l do not want any problem in my life, the court should end our marriage as I do not love him again.”

The petitioner, an indigene of Delta, described her husband as a drug addict, saying he has become aggressive towards her and the
children.

“As a result of the drugs, he has become very violent and he abuses me and the children by pouncing on us when he is angry; he may
kill us one day if I do not end the marriage.

“I joined him in India in 2009 after I had our first child, when I got to India I realized that my husband is a drug addict.

“The marriage is toxic full of domestic violence, verbal abuses and threats to life.”

Ijeoma also said she had been separated from her husband since 2013, when she and her children returned to Nigeria from India.

She added: “I have been responsible for our children’s upkeep and I am the one who pays their school fees.

“My husband is violent and l can no longer bear the pains; l do not want to lose my life.

“I pray the court to separate us so that I can live comfortably with my children.”

She pleaded with the court to grant her custody of their children and to help facilitate the return of the bride price Ifeanyi paid in accordance to their tradition.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the petitioner’s husband, Ifeanyi, did not appear in court but had given his consent for the dissolution of the marriage.

Source: Daily Post NG, NAN