Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has formally defected from All Progressives Congress(APC) to Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), an action long expected.

Tambuwal made the announcement while addressing supporters at Government House, Sokoto on Wednesday.

He tweeted:I have consulted widely especially with the people of Sokoto and they have confidently assured me of my next political move. I hereby defect officially to the @OfficialPDPNig.

Tambuwal, a lawyer and former speaker of the House of Representatives, is the third governor to defect to PDP, following the footsteps of Samuel Ortom of Benue and Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara.

By defecting, Tambuwal has now crossed the red line, in his relationship with his godfather, Senator Aliyu Wammako, who played a lot of role to instal him as governor in 2015. Wammako remains a pillar of APC and has reportedly warned Tambuwal about the political gamble.

But the former speaker, who has a presidential ambition and was also a former member of the Peoples Democratic Party, up till 2014, when he joined the APC, was adamant.

NAN learnt that he does not have the support of all members of the state legislature and his former cabinet, leading to the dissolution of the cabinet, several weeks ago.

Tambuwal, 52, was born 10 January 1966. He attended Usmanu Danfodiyo University, where he obtained his law degree.

Source: NAN

By Victor Adeoti

An election observer and monitoring group, Yiaga Africa, has described vote buying as a new way of elections rigging by politicians in Nigeria.

Cynthia Mbamalu, the Projector Director of the NGO, said this on Wednesday in Osogbo at a Media Round Table Discussion tagged Watching The Vote during Sept. 22 governorship election in Osun.

Mbamalu said vote-buying was becoming a threat to Nigeria electoral process, adding that all hands must be on deck to put an end to the menace.

She said, Now a days, the more money you give, the more votes you get and this is becoming a problem and a challenge to our electoral process.

Mbamalu said since the introduction of card reader machines, election rigging had reduced to the barest minimum but that the new way found by politicians to compromise electoral process was vote-buying.

On Osun election, she said the NGO would deploy 500 election observers in 250 polling units across the state.
Mbamalu explained that the organisation would also engage in voter education before the election.

She said the primary objective of the project was to help promote free, fair, peaceful, credible and legitimate elections in Nigeria in accordance with international and regional standards.

Also speaking, Safiya Bichi, the Pre-election Observation Manager, said the NGO would embark on pre-election observation between Aug.4 and Sept.19.

Bichi said the essence of the pre-election observation was to find out what could be an impediment to a credible election.

On his part, Paul James, the Training Manager, said the NGO would be using PVT methodology to observe the governorship election in the state.

According to James, PVT is an advanced Election Day observation methodology that uses well established statistical principles and sophisticated information technology.

The PVT allows Yiaga Africa to present an accurate and comprehensive assessment of the election processes, James said.

Source: NAN

The Federal High Court Abuja, on Wednesday, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) for flagrant disobedience of court orders.

Justice Stephen Pam gave the order following Yakubus absence in court for the third time.

On July 5 and 10, Justice Pam ordered Mahmoud to appear in court and show cause why he should not be sent to prison for contempt of court.

At the resumed hearing, Mr Adegboyega Awomolo, (SAN), counsel to Mahmoud told the court that his client was absent in court because he was attending an urgent national assignment in Mali.

Justice Pam in a short ruling held that the reason given by Mahmoud was not tenable because he had refused three times to honour the court summons to defend the contempt charge against him.

The charges were brought against the INEC chairman by Mr Ejike Oguebego, for his refusal to recognise him as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in Anambra in compliance with a Supreme Court judgment of Dec. 2014.

Justice Pam maintained that the court would not fold its hands and allow a party who was a professor of law to turn it into a toothless dog.

It is sad that the contemnor and his counsel, a senior lawyer, have chosen not to obey the orders of this court in respect of this contempt charge.

The contempt of the contemnor to this court can no longer be tolerated and it should not be allowed to fester, the judge said.

The judge faulted the letter by Awomolo dated July 27 making an excuse for the INEC chairmans absence in court on the grounds that the letter of Awomolo contradicted that of the INEC chairman dated July 29.

Justice Pam thereby ordered that Mahmoud should be arrested for his flagrant disobedience of court orders by refusing to appear in court and adjourned the matter until Aug. 8

A bench warrant is hereby issued against Prof. Yakubu Mahmoud, INEC Chaiman, this repeated act of disobedience to court order to show cause can no longer be accepted by this court.

Earlier, the court struck out the fresh motion filed by Awomolo on July 31 for stay of proceedings pending the outcome of an appeal on the matter.

The judge struck out the motion on the grounds that it was in contravention of Section 360 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, (ACJA) which did not allow a stay of proceedings in a criminal matter.

It will be recalled that Oguebego had initiated contempt proceedings against the INEC Chairman for refusing to comply with a Supreme Court judgment of Dec. 2014 to recognise him as PDP chairman.

Counsel to Oguebego, Mr James Odiba had prayed the court to commit Mahmoud to prison for not obeying the order.

He had told that court that on the contrary, INEC and its chairman were relating with another faction of the PDP in Anambra.

In an interview with newsmen, Awomolo said that the judgment on which the contempt proceeding was initiated was delivered in 2014 when Mahmoud was not yet INEC chairman.

Odiba, however, also told newsmen that government was a continuum and it behoved on whoever was in office to obey the judgment adding that no one was above the law

Source: NAN

A Sokoto legislator has made a stunning claim of bribery against Gov.Aminu Tambuwal, who left the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday.

The member of the state House of Assembly, who declined to follow the governor to the PDP, said he was offered N13 million by the governor as an inducement to dump the APC.

He said he rejected the money and appeared to insinuate that the 18 other members who followed Tambuwal to the PDP accepted the bribed. The claim has not been verified.

The legislator, who belongs to the camp of former Governor Aliyu Wammako, said he and 11 other members of the house rejected Tambuwals bribe.

We were offered N13 million each to move to the PDP. I, along with 11 other members of the housedeclined the offer and remain inthe party with which we were elected.

We remain loyal to APC, our leader Sen. Aliyu Wamakko and President Mohammadu Buhari. We cannot join PDP because we cannot return to darkness which the opposition party represents, having experienced the light in APC.

No amount of intimidation, political harassment as well as monetary inducement will make us change our political stand.

We are happy with the recent political development in our state and we will continue to work towards promoting the lofty ideals of our party, he said.

He said he and 11 other colleagues rejected the bribed to join the PDP because they have their names to protect.

We have since embarked on house to house sensitization to our teeming supporters on why we remain in our party and why we want them to remain politically committed

We want everybody to remain loyal to our party leaders ,shun political thuggery and violence because as progressive we must be seen to be promoting peaceful coexistence for the overall political growth of our party he said.

He called on APC teeming supportersto participate in the ongoing continuous voters registration exercise.

Any body that offers you money, collect it because it is your money that is supposed to be used in providing democracy dividends but diverted for selfish interests, he said.

Tambuwal, 52, defected to the PDP in a huge ceremony in Sokoto today. His deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, remains in APC.

Source: NAN

Protests in Zimbabwes historic elections turned bloody on Wednesday as a man was shot dead during demonstrations over alleged vote fraud and President Emmerson Mnangagwa appealed for calm.

The man died after soldiers fired live ammunition during opposition protests in downtown Harare, AFP reporters said.

The polls the first since autocratic president Robert Mugabe was forced out by a brief military takeover in November had offered Zimbabwe the chance of turning the page on a brutal chapter of its past.

But the mood quickly descended into anger and chaos as supporters of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) opposition declared they had been cheated.

You said you were better than Mugabe you are the picture of Mugabe, shouted one young male protester wearing a white T-shirt. We need security for the people.

Official results showed that the ruling ZANU-PF party had easily won the most seats in the parliamentary ballot strengthening Mnangagwas prospects of holding onto power in the key presidential vote.

MDC supporters burnt tyres and pulled down street signs as protests spread from the party headquarters in Harare.

Now is the time for responsibility and above all, peace, wrote Mnangagwa on his verified Twitter account.

At this crucial time, I call on everyone to desist from provocative declarations and statements.

European Union observers had earlier said they found an improved political climate in the elections but an un-level playing field and lack of trust in the process.

It called for transparency in the release of results.

EU chief observer Elmar Brok said there were efforts to undermine the free expression of the will of the electors through inducements, soft intimidation, pressure and coercion to try to ensure a vote in favour of the ruling party.

On many occasions, preparation, financing, media and hopefully not in the counting it was advantageous for the ruling party, he told AFP.

Mnangagwa, 75, had promised a free and fair vote after the military ushered him to power in November when Mugabe was forced to resign.

Under Mugabes 37-year reign, elections were often marred by fraud and deadly violence, with the EU observers banned since 2002.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) said Wednesday that of 210 parliamentary seats, 153 had been counted with ZANU-PF winning 110 and the MDC Alliance 41.

The results are biased, trying to give the impression that ZANU has won, said Lawrence Maguranyi, 21, an MDC supporter and university student protesting at the party headquarters.

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, 40, said the presidential results were fraudulent.

ZEC seeks to reverse the peoples presidential election victory. The strategy is meant to prepare Zim mentally to accept fake presidential results, he tweeted. We won the popular vote and will defend it!

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari will begin a 10-day working holiday in London from August 3, the media adviser, Femi Adesina said on Wednesday.

In compliance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, a letter has been transmitted to the President of the Senate, and the Speaker, House of Representatives to that effect, Adesina said.

According to the statement, while the President is on vacation, the Vice President will be act as President.

Source: NAN

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to end the wide-ranging probe into Russian election meddling and possible ties between his campaign and Moscow, slamming it as a disgrace to the country.

The presidents latest tweet on the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller came on the second day of the trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort on unrelated bank and tax fraud charges that nevertheless stemmed from the probe.

This is a terrible situation and Attorney General Jeff Sessions should stop this Rigged Witch Hunt right now, before it continues to stain our country any further, Trump said.

He claimed Mueller was totally conflicted and denounced his probe as a disgrace to USA.

It was Trumps most direct demand yet that Sessions, who infuriated the president by recusing himself from the investigation, intervene to end the probe.

It comes amid mounting pressure as Mueller delves into whether Trumps campaign colluded with Russias attempt to sway the election in the Republicans favor and if the president sought to obstruct justice during the investigation by firing former FBI director James Comey.

Russian Collusion with the Trump Campaign, one of the most successful in history, is a TOTAL HOAX, Trump said Wednesday on Twitter.

The first trial arising from the investigation opened Tuesday with prosecutors accusing Manafort of hiding from US tax authorities millions of dollars from past lobbying work for the pro-Russia president of Ukraine, and failing to report his foreign bank accounts.

In a tweet, Trump portrayed his former campaign chief as a respected adviser to prominent US political leaders like Ronald Reagan and Bob Dole.

He worked for me for a very short time. Why didnt government tell me that he was under investigation. These old charges have nothing to do with Collusion a Hoax! Trump fumed.

Source: NAN

Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed on Tuesday took the long awaited decision to switch from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The defection of the Governor was relayed in a terse statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA), on Media and Communication, Dr Muyideen Akorede in Ilorin on Tuesday.

It was timed to coincide with a similar declaration by his mentor, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who announced on Twitter his exit from the APC.

Following due consultations with the people and in response to calls by major stakeholder groups in the state, Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed today defected to the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), the statement said.

According to the statement, Gov Ahmed declared that APC can no longer serve as a platform for achieving the aspirations and expectations of his people.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the Governor held a meeting with APC stakeholders last week Thursday where the people prevailed on him to lead them to the PDP.

Ahmed is the second APC governor to join the PDP, following Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state. Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal is expected to join them.

Source: NAN

The President of the Senate Dr Bukola Saraki has officially quit the All Progressives Congress (APC). This coincided with a similar action by Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed of Kwara State, who also announced that he was leaving the party for the Peoples Democratic Party.

In a tweet on his twitter handle @BukolaSaraki, Saraki announced that he had decided to take leave of the APC.

He wrote: I wish to inform Nigerians that, after extensive consultations, I have decided to take my leave of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

I wish to inform Nigerians that, after extensive consultations, I have decided to take my leave of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki)

Saraki was however silent on joining any other party.

Meanwhile, Governor Ahmed also declared his decision to dump the APC for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ahmed in a a tweet on his twitter handle @AbdulfataAhmed, said: Following consultations and in response to calls by major stakeholders in the state, I have moved to the PDP as APC can no longer serve as a platform for achieving the aspirations and expectations of my people.

Following consultations and in response to calls by major stakeholders in the state, I have moved to the PDP as APC can no longer serve as a platform for achieving the aspirations and expectations of my people.

Alh Abdulfatah Ahmed (@AbdulfataAhmed)

The departure of the duo came as an anti-climax as it was long expected, since the duo had openly romanced with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in recent months.

Sarakis resignation also came amidst expectations that the APC would formally expel him and Speaker Yakubu Dogara from the party.

Both senior members of the ruling party had been accused of disloyalty and anti-party activities, the latest of which was the joint statement issued by the duo accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of masterminding the political crisis in Benue state.

On Monday, the National Working Committee of the APC stripped Saraki and Governor Ahmed of the control of the partys structure in the state, by dissolving the executives from the ward to the state level, an indication that the party was finished with them.

The party appointed a caretaker committee to take control of the party affairs. The party hinged its action on the partys constitution.

Source: NAN

LeBron James, the basketball superstar called out President Donald Trump on Monday night for escalating racial tensions.

Hes kinda used sports to kinda divide us, James told CNNs Don Lemon. And thats something that I cant relate to because I know that sport was the first time I was around someone white.

Trump has repeatedly slammed professional athletes, some for refusing to visit the White House as has been customary after championships, and others for kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice.

Sports has never been something that divides people, said James. Its always been something that brings someone together.
James also said that while racism has always been around, Trump has enabled some of the racists.

The president in charge now has given people, they dont care now they throw it in your face now, he said.

Lemon asked James what he would say to Trump if he was sitting across the table from him.

I would never sit across from him, James said. Ive sit across from Barack [Obama] though.

James, who signed with the Los Angeles Lakers last month, was speaking to Lemon at the opening of the I Promise school for at-risk children, a joint venture between his foundation and Akron Public Schools.

*First reported by The Des Moines Register.

Source: NAN

Senate president Bukola Saraki finally bowed out of the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday, after weeks of speculations and expectations.

I wish to inform Nigerians that, after extensive consultations, I have decided to take my leave of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Saraki said on his Twitter feed.

Abdulfattah Ahmed, Governor of Kwara State and Sarakis protege also declared his exit from the APC, simultaneously, with his boss

Sarakis exit from the party was an anti-climax as he had openly romanced with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, of which he was a member until 2014.

The resignation also came amidst expectations that the APC would formally expel him and Speaker Yakubu Dogara from the party.

Both senior members of the ruling party had been accused of disloyalty and anti-party activities, the latest of which was the joint statement issued by the duo accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of masterminding the political crisis in Benue state.

On Monday, the National Working Committee of the APC stripped Saraki and Governor Ahmed of the control of the partys structure in the state, by dissolving the executives from the ward to the state level, an indication that the party was finished with them.

The party appointed a caretaker committee to take control of the party affairs. The party hinged its action on the partys constitution.

Source: NAN

The University of Ibadan on Tuesday renamed its Arts Theatre after Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka. The university also named the Practical Theatre as Geoffrey Axworthy studio.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Axworthy was the founding Director of the School of Drama of the university in 1962.

Soyinka was also the founding head when the school was transformed into a full Department of Theatre Arts in 1970.

Speaking at the unveiling of the theatre, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, said the event marked a landmark in the history of the university.

The vice-chancellor said the two iconic figures had played significant roles in the development of the department and the growth of performing arts in the country.

According to him, the quest to rename the theatre after Soyinka received the approval of the Senate at its meeting in October 2017.

But the honour being conferred on Prof. Wole Soyinka today belongs to a special class.

Not only is he being honoured during his lifetime, he is physically present to receive it in good health of body and mind, he said.

According to him, the theatre was constructed in 1956 to provide a forum for performances and other forms of entertainment.

Now that the Arts Theatre is being renamed, we are hopeful that the new vision for Wole Soyinka Theatre will be realised sooner than later with the active support of benevolent philanthropists and well-meaning corporate organisations, he said.

In his remarks, Soyinka said he was happy to be in the university, adding that he was in a familiar environment with lots of memories.

This is a place of memories for me, I also felt contented co-honouring me with Geoffrey Axworthy who fought so hard to make the department what it is today.

It is very easy to forget pioneer, but I have to say that our successors here have a sense of history, so, I must thank you all for this, he said.

The Nobel Laureate, however, urged the lecturers and students of the department to continue to make it great with creative production.

You all should try and have fun like we used to and continue to make the department great with creative productions, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2nd Geoffrey Axworthy lecture entitled, Geoffrey Axworthy and the Modern Nigerian Theatre, was delivered by Prof. Ahmed Yerima, the Vice-Chancellor of Reedeemer University, Ede, Osun.

Yerima said Axworthy used his position as the Director of the School of Drama to influence policy development and implementation.

Axworthy, he said, also promoted the relationship between the town and the gown.

NAN reports that Soyinka was a student at the University of Ibadan between 1952 and 1954.

He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986.

Dignitaries at the event included Prof. Femi Osofisan, John Pepper Clerk, Dr Kolade Musoro and Chief Gbenga Arulogun

Source: NAN

By Ebere Agozie

Alhaji Ibrahim Goni, Conservator General, National Parks Service (NPS), says 107 rangers lost their lives worldwide in the line of duty between July 31, 2017 and July 31 2018.

Goni disclosed this while delivering the speech of the President of the International Rangers Federation (IRF) at the 2018 World International Day celebration in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said that the natural world was under immense pressure through the loss of species, habitat destruction, climate change, and environmental crime issues.

These challenges need urgent attention and the many solutions to the problems varied and are complex, therefore rangers must play critical frontline role in defending our natural heritage, now and always into the future.
The Conservator-General gave assurance that the service was working tirelessly to strengthen and equip its officers for effective park patrols.

He noted that the service had obsolete and low calibre firearms and ammunition and required, as an immediate measure, light arms and ammunition for effective park operations.

We are working in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Directorate of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force in fighting insurgency, banditry and cattle rustling in the park.

This will help reduce the constant conflicts between the park staff and cattle grazers in the park as a result of the lack of designated cattle routes and functional grazing reserves, which had led to death of many staff and others getting maimed.

We will rehabilitate access roads to ease park surveillance and anti-poaching patrol to boost wildlife viewing, and enhance park monitoring and evaluation, he said.

Dr Okeyoyin Okedeji, Assistant Conservator -General, Ecological Resource Management of the service, gave a roll call of the fallen heroes.

We lost 107 rangers worldwide, Africa 63, Nigeria 3 and a total of 29 officers died in active service since the inception of the National Park, he said.

In his good will message, Dr Rufus Ebegba, Director General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), congratulated the rangers who risked their lives to protect the environment.

I give you my gallant salute for preserving and conserving our natural resources.

I also congratulate the Conservator-General for what he has been doing in reviving the National Park to meet the international standard and wish that rangers are properly kited and well armed for law enforcement.

Our country is very dangerous when it comes to enforcing the law, people lose their lives trying to protect the law, he said.

Mr Jonah Moses, one of the rangers, thanked the Conservator General for the training given to the rangers to be able to carry out their jobs effectively.

The Service in conjunction with Health is Wealth for life sustainability in Africa as part of the world rangers celebration, held a Medical Outreach programme on Malaria Testing and Treatment in three Park Headquarters Neighbouring Communities.

The communities are Kuchigoro, Karemajiji and Ruga all in the Federal Capital Territory.

Source: NAN

The Buhari administration is deploying a 1000-strong mixed force, comprising the army, air force, police and the civil defence to launch counterattacks on the bandits terrorising the villages and towns of Zamfara State.

Following directives by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has also begun the deployment of fighter aircraft to Katsina, the airport with the closest proximity to Zamfara State to make for immediate and effective response to the menace posed by the bandits.

“This had not been possible in the past because there was no fuel depot facility in Katsina, but NAF has devised a way around the problem”, Malam Garba Shehu, the SSA Media to the President explained.

According to him, the President has also authorised the engagement by NAF, of advanced satellite surveillance technology to help in accurate detection of movement and locations of the bandits.

“The government had to go to this extent because of the limitations of conventional surveillance, as the use of satellite technology could make the task of NAF less problematic. Following directives from the President, at the weekend, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar, was in Gusau where he met the Deputy Governor of the State”, Garba said.

“The Chief of Air Staff reiterated the President’s pledge that he would never abandon victims of attacks to their fate, reaffirming that security remains one of the cardinal pillars of his campaign promises and no leader would be happy to see his own citizens killed by criminal groups across the country”.

The new presidential directive followed renewed attacks by bandits in some areas of the state. On July 24, bandits struck attacked villages in Mashema District of Zurmi local government area.

The army arrested three of the suspected bandits. But on Saturday, irate youths in Zurmi town, attacked the community police station demanding that officers should hand over the three suspected bandits arrested by the army to them.

The Public Relations Officer of the state police command, SP Muhammad Shehu who confirmed the incident to newsmen in Gusau on Sunday said the police station was attacked on Saturday evening.

Shehu said that the angry youths also burnt down a vehicle and some motorcycles at the station.

On Sunday, the Speaker of Zamfara state house of assembly, Alhaji Sanusi Rikiji reported the kidnap of 15 persons on Saturday in Maradun local government area of the state.

The latest directive by the president to beef up security in the state may contain future security breaches.

According to Garba, President Buhari since 2015 has kept faith with his promises to re-equip and motivate the country’s military and other security services.The army and other security services are now better equipped and motivated to face their responsibilities.

“The Presidency, therefore, appealed to all Nigerians to unite and speak with one voice on security issues and urged politicians to stop exploiting national security challenges.

“Those praying for the President to fail in this effort can be likened to one stabbing oneself in the heart and celebrating about it. In this regard, security should not be reduced to petty politics as doing so could only embolden the terrorists and other murderous gangs”.

Senator Sefiu Adegbenga Kaka has declared his intention to join the governorship race in Ogun state, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

Kaka, who was deputy of Governor Olusegun Osoba, from 1999-2003, made the declaration in Abeokuta on Monday.

He spoke at a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun State council secretariat at Oke Ilewo.

As a former Senator, he represented Ogun East from 2011-2015.

I am your man, I have the experience, the integrity and commitment, he told the newsmen.

He said as Ogun State stands today, there is ample room for improvement in agriculture, education, healthcare, employment and empowerment of our youth and female folks, rural development, sports and tourism.

Kaka was born on 14 April 1952, to a Muslim family in Ijebu-Igbo. He was educated at Ijebu Muslim College and graduated in 1972.

He later went to University of Ibadan, where he bagged a degree in Agriculture and University of Lagos, where he got an MBA in 1985.

He had been commissioner in different ministries in the state and Chairman and member of numerous Boards of Corporation and Parastatals.

In politics, he was the vice-chairman, Alliance for Democracy in Ogun State before he was named the Deputy Governor, to run with Osoba.

He won the 2011 race into the senate as the candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria, beating candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN).

Source: NAN

By Peter Okolie

The Senate has approved the reimbursement of N37.9 billion out of N43.5 billion expended by Anambra Government for the rehabilitation of some federal roads in the state.

Sen. Victor Umeh (APGA-Anambra)made the disclosure at the inauguration of the Awka North Local Government Chapter of his Campaign Organisationat Isu-Aniocha near Awka on Monday.

Umeh, who represents Anambra Central Senatorial District, saidthe Senate has approved various refunds to 21 states for various monies spent on federal projects, particularly roads.

Anambra had a claim of N43 billion over time but the Senate secured approval for N37. 9 billion for Anambra.

Our hope is that the Federal Government will pay this money as quickly as possible because Gov. Willie Obiano is in a hurry to execute more projects, Umeh told the party faithful.

Umeh, who is the Chairman House Committee on Labour and Productivity, commended Obianos passion toward developing the state.

He also described his recent victory at the Election Petition Tribunal in Awka as victory for democracy and Nigeria.

I was happy the tribunal dismissed the petition with harsh words. We will now move on without distraction, he said.

Umeh appealed to oppositions to rather join forces with him and the party to develop the state.

According to him, APGA has done so much to make turn the fortunes of the state.

Obiano and APGA legislators are doing well. I believe that it is Gods will that APGA is in Anambra to solve its problems, he said.

He expressed confidence that with two Senators and six House of Representatives members, the party would further make inroad in the 2019 general elections.

The Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Nkem Okeke, who described Umeh as a performing senator, urged members of the constituency to support the senators re-election bid.

Source: NAN

The presidents of Somalia and Eritrea on Monday signed an agreement to establish diplomatic ties after over a decade of animosity, in the latest lightning rapprochement between Horn of Africa rivals.

The two countries will establish diplomatic relations and exchange ambassadors, read a joint declaration on brotherly relations signed in Asmara by Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Mohamed.

The declaration came just three weeks after Ethiopia and Eritrea declared an end to two decades of conflict, rapidly restoring diplomatic ties and flights between their capitals.

The history of the three nations, and their fallouts, have been intertwined.

Somalia and Eritrea were once close. Under Somali dictator Siad Barre, the military regime in Mogadishu backed Eritreas long fight for independence from Ethiopia, which was attained in 1993.

In 1998 Ethiopia and Eritrea began a bloody two-year war over their shared border which left 80,000 dead before settling into a bitter cold war.

After the fall of Barre in 1991, Somalia fell into chaos.

By around 2006, it became the site of what observers called a proxy war between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Ethiopia backed a weak interim government in Mogadishu while Eritrea was accused of backing the Islamic militants fighting to overthrow it, a charge it denied.

The United Nations Security Council in 2009 imposed an arms embargo and targeted sanctions on Eritrea for its alleged support of the Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab militants, which continue to launch regular deadly attacks despite losing territory in recent years.

The declaration placed special emphasis on its support for the Somali government.

Eritrea strongly supports the political independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia as well as the efforts of the people and government of Somalia to restore the countrys rightful stature and achieve the lofty aspirations of its people, it said.The document, posted on Eritreas information ministry website, also said the two nations will endeavor to forge intimate political, economic, social, cultural as well as defense and security cooperation.

They will in addition work in unison to foster regional peace, stability and economic integration.

At a state banquet on Sunday, Afwerki bemoaned the gloomy post-Cold War history of the Horn of Africa.

He said the region had been destroyed by ethnic and clan cleavages and external pillage and internal thievery in the speech which also lashed out at the micromanagement of anarchy by the United Nations and NGOs.

Under these bleak realities, interventionist and expansionist regional agendas in the name of religion, cultural intoxication under various extremist ideologies, terrorism, piracy, human trafficking, as well as trade in weapons and narcotics became the new normal, he said, according to a speech posted on the information ministrys website.

Source: NAN

Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, have described the move by eight members of the Benue House of Assembly to impeach Governor Samuel Ortom as illegal.

In a joint statement, the two leaders, who are being expected to join the Peoples Democratic Party, from the All Progressives Congress, said the move was a desecration of the legislative sanctity.

In a joint statement on Monday, they condemned a situation where 22 other members, the majority, are kept away from the Assembly Complex by the police.

Saraki and Dogara called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the police to order and stop them being used to achieve political purposes.

We have monitored closely the development in Benue State in which the impeached Speaker, Terkimbir Ikyange, led seven other members to serve impeachment notice on the state Governor, Samuel Ortom, while the 22 other members who constitute more than two-third majority have been prevented from having access to the chamber. We believe this is illegality and does not conform to parliamentary procedure on impeachment.

We also note with surprise the role of the Police in this undemocratic event in which the minority is seeking to impeach a Governor against the position of the majority. We believe it is the sacred institution of the legislature that is being desecrated and rubbished in all these negative developments.

The situation in Benue State House of Assembly has grave implication for the nations democracy and it represents a throw-back to the period of dictatorship in our country. It also represents how the Nigeria Police are being misused to achieve political end. In a statement recently, the Presidency derisively referred to an era in the past where a minority number of legislators was used to impeach Governors who were unfriendly with the Federal Government. What we are seeing in Benue now is a return to that inglorious era.

We believe this unlawful and unconstitutional move to impeach Governor Samuel Ortom by a minority should be condemned by all lovers of democracy, at home and abroad. We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the police to order and prevent a break-down of law and order. We also call on friends of Nigeria in the international community to lend their voice in condemning the perpetration of illegalities and actions that can subvert our democracy.

There is already a tense atmosphere in Benue State following the recent killings. Nobody should encourage any action or move which may exacerbate the security situation in the North Central State. As leaders of the Federal legislature, we are ready to work with our colleagues in both chambers of the National Assembly to prevent any attempt to destroy any state legislature or use it to derail democracy, Saraki and Dogara stated.

Press Statement

Source: NAN

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday arraigned three officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos and charged them with receiving N179.8 million stolen money as bribe from former oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The men,Yemi Akinwunmi, Atiba Dickson and OgunmodedeOladayo, docked before Justice Muslim Hassan, of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi are being tried on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, diversion of public funds and money laundering.

The defendants- -were alleged to have collected the slush funds in the build-up to the 2015 presidential election.

Investigation revealed that the money was disbursed to some chieftains and members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as well as some retired staff of INEC in Ogun State to compromise the 2015 general elections.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them.

In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed that the defendants be remanded in prison custody.

However, counsel to the defendant, Ayo Ogungbesan, moved an oral application for bail on behalf of his clients.

In refusing the bail application, the judge held that the defence counsel must make a formal application for bail on behalf of his clients.

Consequently, Justice Hassan adjourned the matter to August 6, 2018 for hearing of the bail application and ordered the defendants to be remanded prison custody.

Source: NAN

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo has finally dumped his deputy, Mr Eze Madumere, who has been locked in a fight for political supremacy against him.

Madumere was impeached on Monday by 19 out of the 27 members of the state assembly, despite his 11th hour effort to stop the process by the court.

The Speaker of the House, Acho Ihim, said the impeachment followed the outcome of a report of a seven-man panel which was constituted by the Chief Judge of the state to investigate allegations of gross misconduct.

He was accused of being absent from work without reasons for three months and also failing to perform constitutional duties like attending state executive and state security council meetings.

He was also accused of failure to attend meetings with the Governor and other government functionaries as well as an alleged concealment of felonious act in the United States.

Madumere had tried to stop the impeachment process, instituting several actions in the court. Hearing was slated to begin today.

Madumere, in his first suit against the state Chief Judge, the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly and the Imo State House of Assembly, contested the validity of the Assemblys motion and the Speakers request to the Chief Judge to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate the alleged gross misconduct levelled against him.

Apparently irked by failure of the defendants to respect the pendency of the suit, the deputy governor again filed two fresh suits against the defendants in the original suit and the seven-man panelists. Joined in the fresh suit as the second to eight defendants, are Nze Saba Nze, Charles Okoro, Barth N. Opara, Mr. Chika Anosike, Mr. Nwokocha Chidozie, Mrs. Olivia Nwanekezi and Amadi Chidinma.

The deputy governor urged the court to determine whether the Chief Judge can legally constitute a panel of seven persons of unquestionable integrity, to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct against the plaintiff, by the Speaker and the Imo State House of Assembly, during the pendency of suit number HOW/531/2018, which he instituted against the Chief Judge, the Speaker and the Imo State House of Assembly, in respect of the invalidity of the Assemblys motion and the Speakers request to the Chief Judge to constitute the said panel.

According to Madumeres 12-paragraph affidavit, the defendants were duly served with the originating summons and other processes in the suit on July 16, 2018, and they were aware of the pendency of the said suit.

He equally prayed the Court to, among other things, set aside the appointment of seven persons by the Chief Judge, as members of the panel to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct made against him, by the Speaker and the State House of Assembly.

In the second suit, the Deputy Governor then sought an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the panel and the Speaker, from investigating or continuing to investigate the allegations made against him, or sitting or continuing to sit, or to inquire or continuing to inquire, or deliberate or continuing to deliberate on the aforesaid allegations of gross misconduct against the plaintiff, or make any findings or continue to make findings against the plaintiff, pending the determination of this suit.

Another prayer before the Court is an order restraining the Speaker and Imo State House of Assembly, from receiving or accepting or acting on any report presented by the second to eight defendants, pending the determination of this suit.

Source: NAN