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APC’s “Change Mantra” Has Caused Uncertainty, Difficulties, and Economic Collapse- Atiku

By
Ola Akinola
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0

***Says only PDP government can end insecurity, bring about peace.

Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, claimed that the country’s economic collapse, insecurity, and misery were the only results of the All Progressives Congress (APC) change mantra.

Atiku asserted that only the PDP can end insecurity and bring peace to Niger and, by extension, Nigeria while speaking at a PDP presidential campaign rally in Minna, Niger state.

“We pray that God bring peace to the state. You know that only PDP can bring peace to Niger. When PDP was in power from 1999 to 2015 was there insecurity in Niger? We want to assure you that if you return PDP we will eliminate insecurity in Niger.

“We also assure you that the Baro port that the PDP first constructed before you demanded for change, now have you seen the change? What did the change brought? Insecurity, hardship and economic meltdown. We appeal to you to return PDP for improved security, development and other things in Niger and the country at large,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of PDP presidential campaign council and governor of Akwa-Ibom state, Udom Emmanuel said that when elected, Atiku will ensure that Niger state recovers its lost glory.

He said that Atiku is the only man with experience that can take the nation to where it is supposed to be.

He said: “We are here with our candidate, the man with capacity, the only man with experience, the man that will take Nigeria to where Nigeria would have been, if PDP had continued in government. He’s the man that will bring the geometric progression of our economic prosperity.

“Niger used to host a lot of economic activities, we do not call Niger power state in vain.”

Lamenting how the APC has destroyed the country, Governor Emmanuel said, “before now in 2015, when we want to buy motorcycle it was 80,000 naira, but today how much is motorcycle, can you vote for such party that has brought hardship?

“How much is a bag of rice now, how much was it in 2015, will you vote for such party again. The only man that will make sure you have enough milk in your tea, that will make sure you can afford a bag of rice is Atiku Abubakar. Atiku will make sure our youths are employed, will restore security and prosperity.”

Also lamenting the havoc caused by the APC in the past seven years, the PDP Vice Presidential candidate and governor of Delta state, Ifeanyi Okowa said, “in the last eight years, the APC government has done a great damage to Nigeria. They brought poverty to us, they brought insecurity to us, they have divided Nigeria and that is not what we want as a people.”

Describing the kind of person Atiku is, Okowa said that PDP has brought a father, “a man who is humble, a man who is ready to care for you, a man who is ready to love all Nigerians, a man who does not care whether you are a Muslim or a Christian, he is ready to attend to your needs and that is Atiku Abubakar.

“We are very convinced that he is able to unite Nigeria again. We are very convinced that he is able to work with all, particularly the security agencies to make sure that we have peace in this country again.

“We are very convinced that he is able to make our industries to grow, so that the youths of this country can have jobs again. We are vey convinced that he is able to make sure that youths will be able to have meaningful education and that is what we want in this nation. We cannot continue to destroy the future of Nigeria. We cannot continue to destroy the future of our youths.”

The National Chairman of PDP, Senator Iyorcha Ayu welcomed those who returned to PDP.

He noted that with the enough mineral resources in Niger, the state ought not to suffer poverty, adding that the government of APC, which promised of given security failed.

He said: “Niger state, unknown to so many people, has the highest concentration of mineral resources ranging from gold to every other thing possible under the ground. But unfortunately, under the APC, Niger state is almost the headquarter of poverty. It is also the headquarters of insecurity.

“At some point, 10 of the local governments in Niger state were occupied by bandits, yet we have a government that promised that it will give you change, it will give you security, it will give you development.”

Fr. Achi: CAN Begs Authorities To Improve Internal , External Security

By
Toyin Adebayo
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***condoles with Catholic Church over the death of Fr. Isaac Achi

The President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Archbishop Daniel C. Okoh, has appeals to the authorities to improve our internal and external security framework to stop future occurrences of such incidents that led to Fr. Achi’s sudden demise.

He, however, condoled the Catholic Church over the death of Fr. Isaac Achi.

This was contained in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen in Abuja stated that: “With deep sympathy, the national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) wishes to condole with the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and the entire Catholic faithful in the country on the gruesome murder of Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi, the Parish Priest of Ss Peter and Paul Church, Kafin-Koro in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State, a few days ago.

“Fr. Achi, who was buried on Friday, has earned his place as a committed servant of God and minister of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ on account of the high standards of ethics and devotion with which he discharged his responsibilities as a religious leader.

“His death is a sad development at a time his parishioners and by extension other Christians in the country can benefit more from his leadership and sense of direction. It is a big loss to the Church in which he played major roles as priest, guardian and philanthropist to many needy members of our society. Because of these impeccable records, he lives in our hearts. His indelible footprints tell us that he will always be part of the journey of many believers in Nigeria and the world at large.

“As we condole with the entire Catholic Church at this moment of grief, CAN appeals to the authorities to improve our internal and external security framework to stop future occurrences of such incidents that led to Fr. Achi’s sudden demise.

“May his soul rest in perfect peace, Amen!”, the statement further stated.

Six Pupils Abducts in Nasarawa State

By
Nnenna Nwankwo
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Six students from Alwaza Primary School in Nasarawa State’s Doma Local Government Area have reportedly been abducted by unidentified gunmen who are thought to be bandits.

DSP Ramhan Nansel, a police public relations officer (PPRO), confirmed the tragic occurrence to the correspondent in Lafia and claimed that, based on an initial inquiry, children aged seven to eight were abducted on their way to school on Friday at around 7:10 a.m.

A joint team of police, military, and vigilantes have already been mobilized to the region for a search operation, according to DSP Nansel.

According to him,” We are on the trail of the abductors and Maiyaki Muhammed-Baba, Commissioner of Police (CP) has also visited the scene for on the spot assessment,” he added.

He explained that the Police had met with the management of the school and the parents of the victims.

The Police spokesperson called on the public to informs the Police in case of any information that could lead to the rescue of the victims and arrest of the perpetrators.

Senators, Police, PenCom, Others disagree Over Proposed Police Pension Board

By
Saladin Babagana
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On Friday, there was disagreement on the proposed creation of the Police Pension Board among senators, the Police and groups of retired police officers, the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

PENCOM, the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria, and the NLC opposed the idea, which was backed by senators, the police, and organisations of retired police officers.

On the strength of a bill sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume, stakeholders have unanimously endorsed the Senate’s proposal to establish the Nigeria Police Special Forces Academy (APC Borno South).

The agreement and disagreement on the establishment of Police Pension Board happened during the Public Hearing held on the bill sponsored for that purpose by Senator Elisha Abbo (APC Adamawa North).

Speaking at the public hearing, the Inspector -General of Police, Alkali Baba represented by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Sanusi Lemu, said the Police required a distinct board on its own for management and administration of pensions of retired Police personnel in the mode of the Military Pension Board.

He said: “The Police as clearly stated by the title of the bill “Police Pension Board Establishment Bill 2022,” deserved to have a separate body for management and administration of Pensions of its retirees .

“Exiting the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), being run and managed by PENCOM, is long overdue for the Police on account of poor services being subjected to .

“The proposed board, will boost the morale of Police Personnel to dispassionately discharge their duties of fighting crimes.”

In their renarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Dauda Haliru Jika, sponsor of the bill, Senator Elisha Abbo and Senator Ali Ndume, said the Police deserved to be given special treatment being enjoyed by the Military with a special pension board.

They, however, face opposition when the Director-General of PENCOM, Aisha Dahiru who said allowing the Police to exit CPS, will amount to taking the country back to the dark ages of mismanagement of pension fund which landed the country with N1.6trillion liabilities in June 2004 when the scheme started.

Also opposing the proposal, the Chief Executive Officer of Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria, Oguche Agudah, admonished the committee and by extension the Senate, not to legislate liabilities .

He said since the proposed body will be solely funded by budgetary allocations, adding that avoidable burden will be placed on the federal government currently battling with N10.7trillion budget deficit in 2023 fiscal year .

He said: “We cannot in good faith, legislate liabilities.”.

In his presentation while opposition the proposal, the President of NLC, Ayuba Waba insisted on prompt payment of gratuities of retired police personnel or those who died in active service .

He said the proposed Police Pension Board is well envisioned but the problem is sustainability as regards funding, saying “the mistake of moving from known to unknown, should not be made.

The Senate Committee on Police Affairs is however, expected to present its report to the Senate when it reconvene next week Tuesday.

PMS Pump Cost Won’t Rise—Sylva

By
Saladin Babagana
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Timipre Sylva, the Minister of State in charge of Petroleum Resources, has refuted claims that the cost of Premium Motor Spirit has increased (PMS).

This is stated in a statement that Horatius Egua, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources’ Senior Advisor (Media & Communications), has signed.

President Muhammadu Buhari has not approved any price increases for PMS, as has been rumored, according to a statement released by Sylva on Friday in Abuja.

According to him: “President Muhammadu Buhari has not approved any increase in the price of PMS or any other petroleum product for that matter. There is no reason for President Muhammadu Buhari to renege on his earlier promise not to approve any increase in the price of PMS at this time. Mr President is sensitive to the plights of the ordinary Nigerian and has said repeatedly that he understands the challenges of the ordinary Nigerian and would not want to cause untold hardship for the electorates’.

“Government will not approve any increase of PMS secretly without due consultations with the relevant stakeholders. The President has not directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) or any agency for that matter to increase the price of fuel. This is not the time for any price increase in pump price of PMS” Sylva stated further.

The Minister noted that “What is playing out is the handiwork of mischief makers and those planing to discredit the achievements of Mr President in the oil and gas sector of the economy. I appeal to Nigerians to remain calm and law abiding as the government is working hard to bring normalcy to fuel supply and distribution in the country”.

Robbers raid UNIZIK off-campus hostels, leaving many injured , 9 rapped.

By
Gladys Phillip
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In the early hours of Friday, a group of suspected armed robbers raided over thirty off-campus hostels where students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka reside. No less than 17 students suffered various degrees of injuries, and about nine female students are alleged to have been sexually assaulted.

Around 12.30 am on Thursday night, the robbers, who were estimated to number over 20, stormed the Ifite Road in Awka, where the hostels were situated, shooting randomly and robbing from room to room and hostel to hostel. This uncontested crime spree lasted for about three hours.

A student of the university who would not want her name mentioned told reporters that the robbers were heavily armed with guns axes and matchets going from room to room rapping female students and robbing them phones , ipads and money.

“We were at the hostel when we had gunshots that lasted for about ten minutes and we ran for our lives because they have not gotten to our own hostel and we had hide at the back of some shops in the area”

“Then we had loud noise of female students shouting for help but nobody could summon the courage to stop them because they are well armed”

“Those that attempted to resist were beaten blue black and many people got injured but I cannot say the number of people affected.”

“One of the female students that was rapped is a virgin and they rapped her twice and we are holding her because she wants to commit suicide”

The student further narrated that:

“The number of hostels in Ifite -Awka is about 300 and including upstairs and bungalows but from what we got after the incident more than seventeen students were injured and that number of those rapped may be nine or ten or even twelve”.

It was however gathered that a call was placed to Governor Charles Soludo who ordered security operatives to battle the robbers but before they could arrive the operation was almost over.

It will be recalled that four days before the incident suspected robbers have been visiting restaurants and bars robbing students and bar owners at gun point between 7pm and 9 pm which has resulted in the restaurants closing early while some students have fled their hostels for fear of attacks.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer DSP Tochukwu Ikenga who confirmed the incident:

“Our men on getting wind of the information got to Ifite Awka and was able to battle the criminals “

No figure of arrest were given by the  police as according to him making it public would interrupt investigations.

Meanwhile there was a joint meeting between the University Authorities and the security operatives which also had in attendance a representative of the Anambra state government#

Unknown Herdsmen Invade Another Edo Community, Kill 3 People, and Kidnap 12

By
Mosali Edunosa
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MoreCommunity Protest Abduction In The White House

Just over two weeks after the kidnapping of over 20 people at the Igueben railway station, suspected herdsmen allegedly attacked the Emokpae community in Edo State’s Ovia North East Local Government Area, murdering three people and adopting 12 others, including schoolchildren.The event occurred on Wednesday afternoon, according to the group’s leader, Commander Egua, who was speaking to reporters at the Edo State Government House during a peaceful demonstration.He claimed that suspected Fulani herdsmen ambushed and kidnapped other market women and the bus carrying their children as they returned from school. The bus was then taken into the forest.Egua said the Herdsmen who appeared from the bush have killed three of their persons already while others are still being held captive.”I am commander Egua, commander in charge of Agor Emokpae environ under Edo State Security Network .” Yesterday, as at 3pm, when our children were returning from school from the neighbouring community, the Herdsmen invaded the road, took our children even the bike men that went to take them from the school, they were also kidnapped in the process. “One minibus that was also taken passengers to the nearby community was stopped and the passengers were also kidnapped.”As we speak, 15 persons have already been kidnapped and three of them are already been killed by the Herdsmen”, he said.Egua said they have decided to take the protest to the government house having heard about how the governor mobilized all the security agencies in the state to rescue the over 20 train passengers kidnapped by Herdsmen recently at Igueben.”So, we have come to solicit the help of the government because we heard of an incident that happened at Igueben were about 20 persons were kidnapped, they mobilized all the security agencies in the state in freeing their hostages.”So, the government should rise up and act fast”, he said. When asked if the kidnappers have contacted them for ransom, he said “the information we just got before we left the community, a woman that was also kidnapped in the community has called her family saying the kidnappers have asked her to bring N20m”Another protester, Esther Matthew, appealed to the state government to help rescue her husband from the hands of the kidnappers ” I am here to beg our governor, our father, to help me. “They have kidnapped my husband and my son and my brother who went to rescue them, they have also killed him. We have seen his dead body”, the 28 years old woman said. Also lamenting the adoption of her children, Mrs Gift Omoruyi said her two children were also kidnapped “My two children were coming from school when they were kidnapped. The boy is 13 while the girl, is 15”, she said.When contacted, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor said he was not aware of the incident.

Keyamo’s Suit , A Disgrace To The Legal Profession- Atiku Campaign

By
Ola Akinola
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0

Festus Keyamo (SAN), the chief spokesperson for the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, was called an embarrassment to the legal profession by the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Council on Friday because of his lawsuit against the former vice president Atiku Abubakar.

Festus Keyamo, the state’s minister of labor and employment, followed through on his promise to sue Atiku, the PDP’s presidential candidate, for allegedly engaging in corrupt activities on Friday.

When the EFCC, ICPC, and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) were given a 72-hour deadline to detain, question, and prosecute Atiku for allegedly stealing public funds, Keyamo brought the three anti-graft organizations to court and joined Atiku in the January 20, 2023 lawsuit.

Listed as First defendant is Atiku Abubakar Campaign Office in Wuse II Abuja while second defendant is Federal Secretariat Complex, Annex III, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja.

The Third defendant is Plot 802, Constitution Avenue,Central Area, Abuja while the 4th defendant is Plot 301/302, Institution and Research Cadastral, District Jabi, Abuja.

Announcing the suit on Friday on Twitter, Keyamo wrote: “#ATIKUGATE: Following the expiration of my 72-hour ultimatum, I have proceeded to the Federal High Court, Abuja suing Atiku, CCB, ICPC & EFCC and asking for invitation/arrest and investigation of Atiku over the SPV saga. I have a rich history of such battles and I am not stopping.”

However, speaking with DAILY INDEPENDENT, Dr. Daniel Bwala, a legal expert and spokesperson of the Atiku Campaign Council described Keyamo’s suit as laughable.

He said “I saw the processes that was filed by the spokesman of APC against our candidate and he joined, very strangely in addition to the EFCC and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), he joined address of buildings”.

” This is laughable because even students of law in universities or chambers attachments during Law School, they know the legality or otherwise of personalities that can sue or be sued. They know whether the case is one that is dead or arrival or not”.

“Secondly, it is so intriguing that somebody who is a serving Minister of the cabinet is also appearing in court by proxy using his own chambers”.

“We have even heard that their campaign is struggling due to lack of finances while some people are using this case as means of getting their own professional fees”.

“Otherwise all you need to do is just to go to the streets and ask University students of law who can sue and be sued and juxtapose that with the address of buildings that he put there as defendants. It is a embarrassment to the legal profession, quite frankly”.

Supreme Court declares Akpabio APC candidate for the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District

By
Roland Edet
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Godswill Akpabio will represent the All Progressives Congress in the upcoming general elections in the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, the Supreme Court confirmed on Friday.
Justice Ibrahim Saulawa stated in a lead opinion that the “appeal wins on the merits and is permitted.”

The decision was made in response to an appeal Akpabio filed against the Court of Appeal Abuja’s decision to overturn his victory at the Federal High Court Abuja.

In arriving at the decision, the Supreme Court in a unanimous judgement said each of the 10 issues formulated by the appellant was resolved in his favour, and against the respondent.

The Supreme Court held that the court below lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case, adding that whatever decision arrived at by the court amounted to nullity.
It would be recalled that the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal had on November 14, 2022, set aside the judgment of Federal High Court Abuja, removing Godswill Akpabio as the All Progressives Congress candidate for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.
A three-member panel of Justices led by Justice Danlami Senchi held that Akpabio failed to file a proof of arguments within the time provided by the rules.
The panel further ruled that Akpabio, having contested the presidential primary of the APC, could not participate in the valid primary of the party held on May 27 and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which produced Udom Ekpoudom as a candidate.
But Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court Abuja, had on September 22, 2022, ordered the INEC to reinstate Senator Akpabio as APC’s candidate, being the candidate nominated by the party in the second primary of June 9.
The trial court had directed INEC to accept the former Minister of Niger Delta as the APC flagbearer.
Justice Nwite also ordered INEC to publish Akpabio’s name as APC senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom North/West senatorial district in 2023, stating that the Commission acted illegally by refusing to accept and publish the former governor’s name when it was submitted to it by the APC as its candidate.
Justice Nwite added that Akpabio was validly nominated as the Akwa – Ibom North/West Senatorial District candidate of the APC from the primary conducted by the party’s National Working Committee on June 9, 2022.
The trial Judge faulted INEC for electing to monitor the May 27 primary, conducted by an illegal faction of the party led by Augustine Ekanem as against the June 9, primary authorized conducted by the APC NWC.

Court Overturns Order For Ekweremadu’s 40 Properties To Be Temporarily Forfeited

By
Roland Edet
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An decision for the temporary confiscation of 40 landed properties owned by the troubled former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremmadu, was overturned by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In the UK, Ekweremmadu and his wife are currently on trial for allegedly violating a ban on organ harvesting.

On an ex-parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Justice Inyang Ekwo had directed that Ekweremadu lose the 40 properties in the interim in November 2022.

However, ruling on Friday on an application by Ekweremadu challenging the ex parte order, Justice Ekwo held, “I find the Applicant has established the grounds upon which this action is predicated by credible evidence and this application ought to succeed on the merit and I so hold.

“Consequently, I make the following orders:
“An order is hereby made setting aside the interim forfeiture order of the properties of Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his companies made by this Court on 4th day of November, 2022, upon the ex parte Originating Motion filed by the Economic and Finance Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 27th July, 2022.

“The entire proceeding initiated by the Respondent is hereby set aside” Justice Ekwo ordered.

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