Amber Rose and her boyfriend Alexander Edwards loved-up in new pictures

And Amber Rose and her boyfriend Alexander Edwards looked more loved-up than ever as they walked hand-in-hand at the Def Jam Pre Grammy Party in LA on Friday.

The model, 35, showed off her famous curves in a figure-hugging Fendi ensemble with branded leggings and a matching t-shirt.

Rap artist dies in car crash on the way to a university gig

A British rap artist has died in car crash while travelling in a taxi on the way to perform a concert at a university.

Blaine Cameron Johnson, who used the stage name Cadet, was a passenger when the vehicle he was in was involved in a collision with a van in Betley, Staffordshire.

The 28-year-old musician from South London was due to play a concert at Keele University. He died at the scene of the accident. The two drivers were taken to hospital with serious injuries, while three other passengers travelling with the rapper were also taken to hospital with injuries.

A statement on Cadet’s Instagram page said: “We, the family of Blaine Cameron Johnson, known as Cadet (Underrated Legend) would like to share the sad news that during the early hours of 9th February, 2019, he passed away as a passenger in a taxi, en route to a performance.

“Right now we the family appreciate your patience and will share with you any information as and when we can. Thanks for your support in advance.”

Fellow rappers paid tribute to Cadet, describing him as “positive” and “humble” man who had an exciting career ahead of him.

Cadet had toured the UK supporting fellow rappers Krept And Konan on their ‘The Long Way Home Tour’.

Krept, who is Cadet’s cousin, posted online: “My life will never be the same again… I can’t believe it. I am heartbroken.”

Yahaya Bello’s wife involved in accident in LG where Osinbajo’s chopper crashed

One week after the helicopter of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo crash-landed in Kabba, Amina Bello, wife of Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, has been involved in a car accident in the area.
Onogwu Muhammed, Bello’s chief press secretary, disclosed this in a statement.
Muhammed said the accident happened around Oshokoshoko area of Kabba while the governor’s wife and some aides were on their way to Isanlu for an All Progressives Congress (APC) woman rally.

He said the aides with the governor’s wife were Kenechi Ajayi, senior special assistant on women and children to the governor; Ejura Edward, senior special assistant to the wife of the governor on women affairs; and Adesoro Olamide.
The chief press secretary who described the accident as “minor” said they all came out unhurt.
“In appreciation to God Almighty for his faithfulness to the New Direction family, the Kogi state government wishes to announce that three aides to the governor and his wife survived an accident this morning,” he said.
“The government appreciate God once again, that all persons are in perfect condition.
“The governors wife’s door-door campaign train continues with their rally to the western senatorial district after a successful two days outing in Kogi east.”

Election: PDM Endorses Atiku, Says, He’ll Get Nigeria Working Again

The Peoples Democratic Movement, a pressure group founded by the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, has endorsed Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The group endorsed Atiku as its choice presidential candidate after a meeting which held in Abuja on Thursday.

“After a careful observation of the socio-economic situation in the country, we have come to the inevitable conclusion of endorsing the candidate of the PDP former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar as our consensus candidate,” it said in a communique signed by Dapo Sarumi, its chairman, among others.

The group expressed confidence in the ability of Atiku to “get Nigeria working again ”

It also urged Nigerians to “look at the condition of the country today in relation to the economy, unemployment, foreign affairs and other sectors and vote overwhelmingly for Atiku.

Also known as Yar’Adua Political Family, PDM called on the nation’s security operatives to be impartial, especially regarding the elections.

The communique lists other resolutions reached by the group to include: “That politicians should refrain from making insidious statements and anyone caught going against this should be duly prosecuted.

“That we demand of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) complies strictly with the provisions of the relevant laws in its conduct of the upcoming series of elections.

“That election monitor groups and other watchdog agencies in the conduct of the election must conduct themselves above board and ensure a hitch-free election in February 16 and on March 2, 2019.

“That Voters should as well conduct themselves in orderly manner by casting their votes and be willing to stand to protect their votes.”

The group was formed in 1987 under the able leadership of Yar’Adua “to be the conscience and voice of the masses.”

Nigeria’s presidential election is a choice between dictator and Kleptocrat – Bloomberg Businessweek

What’s a Nigerian citizen to do when there’s a presidential election coming up and the two leading candidates are a former dictator who’s presided over four years of lackluster growth and an alleged kleptocrat of international repute?

This is the choice facing Africa’s largest oil producer, and by some measures its largest economy, in the Feb. 16 vote. Although the field is crowded, incumbent Muhammadu Buhari, 76, faces his strongest challenge from Atiku Abubakar, 72, who served as vice president from 1999 to 2007 and has tried and failed several times already to secure the top job.

Buhari, who led Nigeria briefly in the 1980s as a dictator, came back to power four years ago via the ballot box. After military rule ended in 1999, he contested several elections unsuccessfully before finally becoming the first opposition figure to win the presidency. (He describes himself as a “converted democrat.”) Voters and pundits alike were optimistic that he could diversify the oil-dependent economy, tackle graft, and end Boko Haram’s deadly insurgency. While the stern former general has succeeded in stamping out some of the corruption that’s long blighted Nigeria, critics say he’s been selective, mostly targeting his political opponents. They also say he’s failed on other issues, nicknaming him “Baba Go-Slow” in reference to his age and sluggish response to crises.

Nigeria’s economy is still smaller on a per capita basis than it was in 2014, when it was hammered by the crash in crude prices. Unemployment has surged to a record 23 percent from 6.4 percent at the end of 2014. The stock market has been the world’s worst performer since Buhari came to office, falling more than 50 percent in dollar terms. Boko Haram militants, some affiliated with Islamic State, continue to wreak havoc in the northeast. Other parts of the country have been roiled by a conflict between farmers and herders that’s led to thousands of deaths.

Abubakar, widely known as Atiku, is a father of 26 who has business interests ranging from oil and gas services to food manufacturing. He’s pledged to loosen the state’s grip on the economy, end the naira’s peg to the dollar, and privatize companies including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corp., which dominates the local energy industry. But for all his market-friendly talk—he admires the late Conservative U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Many Nigerians think he used his past positions in government to enrich himself.

“It’s like a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea,” says Andrew Niagwan, 36, a teacher in the central city of Jos who doesn’t know if he’ll vote. “Buhari’s got good intentions, but he doesn’t seem very capable. Our living standards have dropped in recent years. As for Atiku, Nigerians are wary because of all the allegations surrounding him.”

A U.S. Senate report in 2010 concluded that Abubakar and one of his wives had wired $40 million of “suspect funds” into American accounts and said that his business dealings “raise a host of questions about the nature and source” of his wealth. Although he has denied the claims and has never been indicted at home or abroad, Abubakar hasn’t been able to shake the perception of impropriety. In January he met with lawmakers in Washington after having been banned from the country for more than a decade under a State Department edict against politicians linked to foreign corruption, according to former U.S. officials. (A spokesperson for Abubakar’s campaign denies he’d been banned from the U.S., and the State Department declined to comment on the visit.)

Investors expect Nigerian assets to rise if Abubakar wins. “As much as Buhari has done in terms of tackling corruption, under his guidance the economy has been quite stagnant,” says Christopher Dielmann, an economist at Exotix Capital in London. “The perception is that, under Atiku, a degree of corruption could return to the country, but that might bring with it higher economic growth.”

Still, any bounce could be short-lived. Abubakar may not risk the political fallout from trying to sell state assets or, as he’s also promised, removing a cap that keeps Nigeria’s gasoline prices among the cheapest in the world.

“I’m doubtful there’d be any great change with the economy, no matter who gets elected,” says John Campbell, a former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria who’s now a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington. That’s a major problem, he says, as the United Nations projects Nigeria’s population will double, to 410 million, by 2050. “How on Earth can you grow an economy fast enough to accommodate those numbers?”
New York-based risk consultant Eurasia Group, which included Nigeria on its list of the top 10 global risks for 2019, predicts Buhari will be re-elected. But even if steadier oil prices mean the worst is over, it won’t be an easy four years. “The country might just muddle through for now,” says Amaka Anku, head of Africa at Eurasia. The next election, in 2023, could be an inflection point, she says. “There’s a real chance that a reformist government emerges then.”

BOTTOM LINE – No matter who wins Nigeria’s presidential election, the economy is unlikely to improve, setting up the nation for a humanitarian catastrophe in the coming decades.

I didn’t ask Nigerians to kill any foreigner they see – Gov. El-Rufai

The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has said he never told Nigerians to kill foreigners during elections.
This was in an attempt to clarify a recent statement where he was said to have threatened foreign observers ahead of 2019 presidential election.
Governor El-Rufai had in an interview on NTA during the week, threatened that foreigners who intervene in the forthcoming general elections will “go back in body bags.”

But speaking on Oath TV on Friday evening, the Governor said he had not asked any Nigerian to kill any foreigner they see during elections.
According to him, “The government of Nigeria must invite observers. But if we notice, there is a coordinated plan to delegitmize the election; to already declare the election illegitimate even before they were conducted.

“And it has the support of Nigerian collaborators and foreign interest. And we must speak out.

“We must speak out. And that is what is appearing to be the way the PDP is hobnopping with some of the foreign interests here, we have to make the observation.
“They are here to observe. They are not here to intervene. They are not here to lay the foundations for crisis in Nigeria. Which is what the PDP are preparing for as their last ultimate option and we are aware of it.

“This is the essence of my statement and I don’t want anyone to confuse what i said to mean that Nigerians will kill any foreigner they see.”

Reign of King Pharaoh in Kogi State is coming to an end – Dino Melaye tells Gov. Bello

Senator representing Kogi West, in the National Assembly Dino Melaye has said that the autocratic reign of Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello will soon come to an end in the State.
The embattled Senator who described the governor as another Pharaoh assured Kogites that the Egyptians they see today, they shall see them no more.
Melaye, while addressing newsmen in Lokoja on Friday, described the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Smart Adeyemi as his ‘political wife’.

He assured electorate in the state that their votes will count as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will frustrate all rigging plans in the forthcoming elections.

The embattled Senator was in Lokoja, the state capital, in continuation of his ‘Thank You’ tour of all political wards in Kogi West. He toured communities in Kogi/Koton Karfe local government area of the state on Thursday.
He told the cheering supporters at St. Luke Primary School Adankolo that his opponent, Smart Adeyemi is his good ‘customer’.
“The forthcoming Kogi West senate election is between me and my political wife, Smart Adeyemi. He is my wife. He is a good customer.

“I want to assure you all, by the grace of God, PDP candidates will emerge victorious in the forthcoming elections. Please, let us defend our votes, after voting don’t go home, stay and count your votes. After counting, stay for the announcement. They cannot intimidate us. The reign of King Pharaoh in Kogi state is coming to an end and these Egyptians you see today, you shall see no more. We are going to defeat them mercilessly,” he said.
He expressed confidence that President Muhammadu Buhari will lose the next presidential election.

Melaye said the large crowd of voters that graced each venue of the ‘thank you’ tour is an indication that the people are tired of the Federal and Kogi state governments.
“I feel very happy. The responses across Lokoja are positive. It shows that the people are not happy with the government. This is a referendum against the federal and Kogi state government.

“From the responses so far, it is obvious that the people are living in pervasive hunger. It shows that the non-payment of salaries and pensions have completely disconnected the people from government. It shows there is a lot of work to be done by us when we win elections. We will correct the anomalies.

“The people have decided and we will not allow our elections to be rigged. We have credible information that they sowing military and police uniforms. We will defend our votes, we will defend our votes and PDP will be victorious,” he added.

BODY BAGS ! Kaduna State Governor's statement is unacceptable and should be condemned by all and sundry -NHRC

The National Human Rights Commission( NHRC ) has condemned in strong terms the statement credited to the Kaduna State Governor ,Mallam Nasir El-Rufai warning that foreigners who interfere with the forthcoming elections 'will go back in body bags.'

In a statement by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu Esq in Abuja Friday, the Commission called on politicians to refrain from acts capable of instigating violence ahead of the elections.
According to the Commission the Kaduna State Governor's statement is unacceptable and should be condemned by all and sundry.
The Commission calls on the governor to retract the statement in the light of the dangerous signal it could send to both Nigerians and the international community. 

The Commission stated that it will invoke the weight of the legal instruments within its mandate on the governor and any other persons who may indulge in such hateful statements in the name of politics. It calls on the international observer groups not to be dissuaded from carrying out their official responsibilities during the elections. The Commission promised to monitor and record all forms of hate and dangerous speeches as well as election violence for the purpose of bringing the perpetrators to book. 

The Commission calls on the law enforcement agencies to be vigilant and ensure that they nip in the bud any tendency of electoral violence while maintaining neutrality in the conduct of their official duties

President Mohammed Buhari greatest achievement for the past 3years is erecting a giant broom in Abuja |Nigerians react to giant broom erected at the city gate in Abuja.

What is your take on this massive broom erected at the city gate in Abuja. Give the picture a caption lets see…
Nigerians have taken to the micro-blogging site, Twitter, to react to a giant broom erected at the city gate in Abuja.

Among those who reacted to the massive broom are some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Below are their views:

.@ProfOsinbajo: Sir, Nigerians say we can’t point to a single project initiated, started and completed by our administration in the last 4 years.@MBuhari: Osunbade, ask them to go and see the big broom at Abuja City Gate.Retweet to #SweepOutBuharipic.twitter.com/8NxrqKaUjd— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) 8 February 2019

They have erected a giant broom at Unity Park near Transcorps Hilton in the centre of Abuja and another one directly in front of the city gate.The broom is the symbol of the ruling APC and a symbol of witchcraft.They are invoking dark forces to stay in power but they will fail.— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) 8 February 2019

WORLD LARGEST BROOMAttention: @GWR This is the Largest Broom anybody or group has ever erecting anywhere in the world. This is work of some group of volunteers of @OfficialAPCNg. It deserves your recognition and honourLocation : Abuja Date : 02/07/19 pic.twitter.com/WhEIsT4fWf— magaji ishaku (@ishaku_magaji) 9 February 2019

Why are you people complaining because of this ordinary broom at City Gate?From tomorrow, helicopters will be flying all over Abuja and dropping brooms on everyone’s roof.We die here! pic.twitter.com/TGseuwJ94S— Parodisent General Buhari (@TheMbuhari) 8 February 2019

I hope @OfficialAPCNg is okay ? How do you erect your party emblem in front of a national monument like the Abuja city gate? PDP never tried this rubbish in all their 18 years in power. pic.twitter.com/6GpTFbXelF— Ramz (@ManLikeDavidd) 9 February 2019

Just 1 week to the general elections, the failed @OfficialAPCNg led federal government has erected a statute of a broom at the city gate in Abuja. This is shameful and ridiculous. It’s now clear that he whom the gods wants to destroy, they first make mad. Vote @atikupic.twitter.com/3hiVllrcWL— ibu thomas🇳🇬 (@Hailfinger1) 8 February 2019

Erecting the symbol of APC in front of the Abuja city gate to say the least is impunity taken too far. Is @OfficialAPCNglogo/symbol same as Nigeria’s symbol? @OfficialPDPNigspent 16 years at the centre but did not desecrate Nigeria’s identity and unity. pic.twitter.com/w23XVGT9qq— Jim™️ (@jimbiochore) 9 February 2019

ABUJA NEW MODERN CITY GATEPresident Mohammed Buhari greatest achievement for the past 3years is erecting a giant broom in AbujaThe APC has littered every part of Abuja with Buhari posters and Bill board, the pressure is so high @YemieFASHpic.twitter.com/kvdsttEDhg— Usman Okai Austin (@PDPNYF) 8 February 2019

If this broom was in Port Harcourt, a bonfire would be happening right about now.Abuja people are too chill abeg. pic.twitter.com/D75LTzIVM9— Brian Deji Adeyanju (@BrianJDennis) 8 February 2019

Atiku has gained momentum but Buhari will win -Eurasia Group

Eurasia Group, reputed as the world’s largest political-risk consultancy, says President Muhammadu Buhari will win the February 16 presidential election.

In its final Eurasia Group Politics First election forecast seen by TheCable, the group, which was founded in 1998 by American political scientist Ian Bremmer, said Buhari has a 60 percent probability to win.

“Opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar has regained some momentum in recent weeks, but President Muhammadu Buhari remains favored to win (a 60% probability),” the group said.

“On election day, the ruling All Progressives Congress’s (APC’s) significantly greater control of local political structures and resources—it governs 23 states compared to the opposition’s 12—will boost voter mobilization and solidify Buhari’s advantage.”

In 2015, Eurasia Group tipped Buhari to defeat former president Goodluck Jonathan, changing its stance some weeks to the election, after it had initially chosen the former president to win.

At the time, the group said although it initially tipped “President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election, a number of factors had since changed, and the pendulum had swung to the Buhari’s side”.

ONNOGHEN WILL NOT AFFECT ELECTIONS

 

Onnoghen and BuhariThe group said the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend Walter Onnoghen, the embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria, will not affect the elections.

“Positive news coverage in recent weeks, along with Buhari’s controversial move to suspend Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen over allegations of corruption, have boosted Atiku’s campaign, but it is too late to change the electoral dynamics and Buhari remains favored to win on 16 February,” the group said.

“As we have previously noted, key actors in Atiku’s camp—including his campaign’s director general Bukola Saraki, key powerbroker Governor Nyesom Wike of the oil-rich Rivers state, and southeast governors from his People’s Democratic Party (PDP)—had been disengaged from his election campaign”.

WIKE ANNOYED, SARAKI DISTRACTED

 

Saraki and Wike

The group added that Atiku’s big players have been disengaged from his political campaign, adding that governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be fighting to ensure they win their own elections.

“Wike was annoyed by Atiku’s failure to consult him on key decisions, Saraki remains distracted by a tough Senate reelection battle in Kwara state, and the southeast governors are hampered by many conflicting motivations, including their own lack of political clout (which makes them reluctant to overtly challenge the federal government) and their wariness of Atiku’s running mate Peter Obi, a former governor of the southeastern Anambra state who they view as a political outsider.

“The lack of enthusiasm on the part of some PDP governors is a problem for Atiku because these officials control significant discretionary funds at the state level (known as ‘security votes’) that are easier to access without triggering graft concerns.”

ATIKU’S SUPPORTERS NOT WILLING TO DIE FOR HIM

Buhari’s passionate supporters

The group concluded by saying “Atiku’s voters do not match Buhari’s in passion and are unlikely to risk their lives on the streets for him”.

“Though Buhari’s decision to suspend the chief justice triggered widespread criticism and stoked passions (along with fears about a more autocratic Buhari second term), many voters blame the judiciary for not moving quicker to force Onnoghen’s resignation after he admitted he had violated rules regarding declaration of assets.

“Thus, should Atiku lose, as we expect, there will be few motivated stakeholders to encourage or instigate serious violence. Instead, we expect PDP governors to quickly turn their attention to fighting to retain their own jobs in state elections on 2 March”

A few weeks ago, Eurasia Group said Buhari will continue as a politically weak president, while Atiku may retract his pledge made during campaign season.

Buhari won’t get 50% of votes in Bauchi – APC lawmaker

A member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Aminu Tukur, has vowed that President Muhammadu Buhari will not get up to 50 per cent of the votes in the state in next week’s presidential election.

Tukur said that for supporting the re-election bid of Governor Mohammed Abubabakar, Buhari would not receive from the people the kind of support he had been enjoying from the state.

Tukur, who represents Lere/Bula Constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, said, “Buhari cannot decide the fate of the people of Bauchi State if he had 90 per cent supporters in 2015, this time around, he has less than 50 per cent.

“By raising the hands of Governor Mohammed Abubabakar, he (Buhari) defeated himself. Even the President will definitely not find it easy in Bauchi State this time around. I am one of those that will not vote for him again.”

The lawmaker further accused the state government of allegedly failing to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

Tukur said, “The present government in Bauchi State is a failure; we have never had a government that is so loose, corrupt and inept in the way it handles things like this time around. A government that has served for more than three years and seven months has no N50m worth of project in any local government area of the state, despite the huge money that accrues to the state.”

Those who incite violence in Nigeria’s election must be held accountable -US

Michael Pompeo, the United States secretary of state, says those who interfere in Nigeria’s election must be held accountable.

In a statement released by the US state department, Pompeo said the elections are Nigeria’s opportunity to solidify its place as the democratic leader in Africa.

“The United States government supports a free, fair, transparent, and peaceful election that reflects the will of the Nigerian people,” Pompeo said.

“It is critical that the Independent National Electoral Commission operates free from outside pressure and intimidation and in a totally objective manner.

“Nigerian security services must provide a safe and secure environment for the Nigerian people to exercise their rights. Those who interfere in the electoral process or incite violence must be held to account.

“The upcoming elections are an opportunity for Nigeria to solidify its place as a democratic leader in Africa.”

On Tuesday, Nasir el-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna state, had said foreigners who try to meddle in Nigeria’s elections would be returned to their home countries in body bags.

His comment has raised concern across the international community.

The European Union immediately released a statement to say that it will not be deterred by the comments, adding that it had been observing elections in Nigeria since 1999.

“We are aware of the comments by the Governor of Kaduna about non-interference by foreigners during a talk show on the elections Tuesday 5 February,” the statement read.

“The EU only deploys an election observation mission when it is invited to do so by the authorities of a country. The EU has been invited to observe all of the general elections in Nigeria since 1999. Thus this is the sixth time the EU is observing elections in Nigeria.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission invited the EU to deploy an observation mission for the 2019 general elections.”

‘He will deliver on the job’ — Fashola endorses Sanwo-Olu

Babatunde Fashola, minister of power, works and housing, says Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos state, is in the best position to lead the state.

Speaking at a pre-campaign event in Surulere, Lagos on Friday, the ex-governor said Sanwo-Olu displayed his “competence” when he served as a commissioner under him.

“I am in a vantage position to tell Lagosians about the readiness of Babajide Sanwo-Olu to govern our state,” he said.

“He served under me as a commissioner and I can attest to his competence. He is a man with a Midas touch and has national outlook. He delivered on tasks given to him and I have no doubt he will deliver if he is charge.

“He is positioned to lead and he is ever ready to lead. I know he is prepared for this job and he will deliver.”

Fashola also hailed the decision of the Coalition of Political Parties in Lagos State (COPPILS), to adopt the candidacy of President Muhammadu Buhari and Sanwo-Olu as their presidential and governorship candidates respectively.

He said the APC was poised to take the country to the “Next Level” with investments in infrastructure and employment to drive economic growth and development.

EFCC accuses 10 banks of money laundering

Ibrahim Magu, the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has accused 10 unnamed commercial banks of money laundering.
Magu stated this on Friday, while speaking at a round table meeting with managing directors of financial institutions in Nigeria.

The EFCC boss spoke on the theme: “Roles and Obligations of Managing Directors of Banks in Nigeria in Curbing Vote Buying During an Election, Illicit Financial Flows and Other Related Matters in Nigeria”.
He said: “It is worrisome to note that in 2018, statistics available to the EFCC shows that out of about 28 commercial banks in Nigeria, 10 banks evacuated out of Nigeria through Travelex Nigeria Limited the sums of GBP- 50,832,560; USD-8,057,756; EURO-39,986,560 and RAND-7,500,000. The reasons for these evacuations are still sketchy. We must note that the impact of illicit financial flows from the country undermine the stability and integrity of the financial institutions.”

According to Magu, intelligence reports have shown that banks are aiding their customers to receive foreign financial inflows to their accounts in neighbouring countries, where they have branches like Ghana, Republic of Niger and other West African countries.

“The money is then couriered into Nigeria through the land borders to circumvent declaration and reporting,” he stated.

Describing them as “gatekeepers”, Magu said no country could control illicit financial flows, without the cooperation of financial institutions.

Wike reveals why Atiku must defeat Buhari in presidential poll

Nyesom Wike, the Governor of Rivers states, has described the presidential election as a contest between “darkness and light”, stressing the need for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters, to work hard for the victory of their candidate, Atiku Abubakar 
Wike stated this at Emohua Local Government Area of the state, while campaigning for his re-election on Friday.

According to him, it was time for the PDP to reclaim power at the centre and save Nigeria and Nigerians.
“Why are we saying that we must support Atiku Abubakar? Why are we saying that PDP must come back to the Federal Government?
“We are saying so because we are tired of being in darkness.
“This is a war between darkness and light,” Wike said.

PDP accuses Buhari’s govt of stopping Atiku’s rally in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of shutting down the Pld Parade Ground, Garki, Abuja, where Atiku Abubakar, its presidential candidate, was supposed to use for a rally on Saturday.

In a statement on Friday, the party said payment had been made and the venue had been secure until it was told by officials managing the facility that there was an order that the facility should not be used by Atiku.

The party accused President Muhammadu Buhari of doing everything to stop Atiku but vowed to fight on.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) decries the directive by the Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to shut down the venue for its Presidential campaign mega rally in Abuja billed for Saturday, as an act of desperation,” the statement read.

“It may interest Nigerians to know that the PDP duly paid and secured permission to host our mega rally at the Old Parade Ground, in Garki Area of Abuja, only for the officials of the facility to inform our party this morning that they have been “ordered” to shut down the venue and frustrate our mega rally for no just cause.

“Such resort to self-help further exposes the irredeemable insensitivity of the Buhari Presidency and the APC.

“The overwhelming popularity of the peoples candidate, Atiku Abubakar, which points to an imminent crushing defeat that awaits President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 16, Presidential election has pushed the Buhari Presidency into a panic mode,” the party said in a statement signed by Kola Ologbondiyan, its spokesman.

The opposition party alleged that Buhari had become jittery over “spontaneous mammoth crowd of Nigerians at Atiku Abubakar’s rallies across the country, leading to the desperation to frustrate our rallies, resort to smear campaigns, vandalizing of our campaign materials and denial of venues, in APC controlled states, as was the case in Kano state recently”.

We don't believe in politics of godfathers and endorsements" -Sowore reacts to Soyinka’s endorsement of Moghalu

Omoyele Sowore, candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has reacted to Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka’s endorsement of Kinglsey Moghalu for President.

Recall that Soyinka had endorsed Moghalu, candidate of Young Progressive Party (YPP), saying the decision was reached after months of rigorous analyses.

However, Sowore said his team does not believe in the politics of godfatherism endorsements.

In a statement on Friday by Dr. Malcolm Fabiyi, Director-General of his presidential campaign, Sowore said the only opinions that matter are not those of privilege, power, status, or fame but that of the electorates.

The statement reads: “For the past year, Omoyele Sowore, leader of the Take it Back Movement and presidential candidate of the AAC has travelled across the 6 geopolitical zones, travelled to over 200 cities and towns within Nigeria, and engaged extensively with Nigerians at home and abroad to share his vision for birthing a vibrant and prosperous nation. Those consultations and engagements have created the broadest coalition of Nigerians that our nation has ever seen.

“On our platform, those previously considered inconsequential – the voiceless, the teeming poor and the forgotten youth – have found a voice and an outlet for the realisation of a nation that works for all of her people 

“We have said from the beginning that we do not believe in the politics of godfathers, godmothers or endorsements. Indeed, we seek to create a nation where the only opinions that matters, and where the only voices of influence are not those of privilege, power, status, or fame. The only endorsement that matters to us is the one the Nigerian people have already given us. We are the voice of the Nigerian people, and the only organic platform that will represent the interest of the Nigerian masses.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there is no presidential candidate that can boast of the antecedents, the history of principled engagement, and the sacrificial participation in the struggle to move Nigeria forward that Omoyele Sowore has displayed over the last 30 years.

“From the fight to reverse the annulment of the June 12th 1993 elections, to the restoration of democracy in 1999, to the truncation of Obasanjo’s 3rd term bid, to the exposure of the Yar’Adua cabal’s bid to deny a constitutional transfer of power to a minority president, to the courageous real-time release of the 2015 poll results that helped to safeguard and ensure free and fair elections, Sowore has been at the forefront of pivotal political events of in country.

“No other candidate has had this level of engagement. No other candidate can speak of a thirty-year consistency in their service to the nation. No other candidate has worked for the Nigerian people as thoroughly and comprehensively as Sowore has done. No other candidate speaks to the aspirations of the Nigerian people with the authenticity that Sowore does. That authenticity is what has powered our party to becoming one of the three largest parties in the nation.

“We want to assure Nigerians that on February 16th, the African Action Congress will be on the ballot. On that day, Sowore and the AAC will get the only endorsement that matters when the Nigerian people vote to elect him as the next president of Nigeria. On February 16th 2019, the Nigwrian people will speak with one voice, and that onerous voice of reason will trounce the dictates of godfatherism.”

Truck conveying V.P Osinbajo’s crashed chopper, breaks down in Iyara, Kogi State.

APC’s 12m votes claim is plot to rig 2019 poll – Atiku

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC’s) claim that it already has 12 million votes is plot to rig next Saturday’s election.
Atiku in a statement yesterday by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, said “the APC has been huffing and puffing about how it already has 12 million votes in the kitty even before the votes are cast and in spite of the deservedly huge acceptance of the PDP across the nooks and crannies of the country.”
The former Vice President said APC’s attempts to rig the election if implemented would earn the ruling party the people’s wrath.
“The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had on Thursday said that President Muhammadu Buhari has 12 million voters that have been with them over the years.
“Based on the result of the poll by Williams and Associates, Nigerians see that the percentage of voters who have indicated their interest to vote in next week’s election has gone up 17.4% (from 63% in 2015 to 74% in 2019), representing an 11% increase in voter turnout against what it was in 2015.

“When we apply this to the 2019 registered voter base of 84 million, we get to a total of 40.4 million votes to be cast on February 16.
“We also note that the Williams & Associates poll not only predicted an Atiku win, but it demonstrated in unmistaken terms that 42% more Nigerians believe that Atiku will be the next president over Buhari,” Atiku said.

We’ll generate $30b, 1.5m jobs from `Made in Nigeria for Export’ – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says the implementation of the Federal Government’s Made in Nigeria for Exports (MINE) will generate 30 billion dollars and create 1.5million jobs by 2025.

MINE is a presidential special priority intervention programme implemented by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, but under Buhari’s direct supervision.

The president stated this at the signing of agreement between Nigeria Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Investment Company and Strategic Investment Partners at the State House, Abuja on Friday.

According to him, MINE is using Special Economic Zones to achieve the objectives of boosting the share of manufacturing in Gross Domestic Product to 20 per cent.

“Under my direct supervision, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment is implementing Project MINE (Made in Nigeria for Exports) as a Presidential special priority intervention using Special Economic Zones to achieve the objectives of; boosting manufacturing’s share of GDP to 20%, generating $30bn in annual export earnings; and creating 1.5 million new jobs all by 2025.

“In order to achieve these ambitious objectives, we are implementing a comprehensive plan including but not limited to the following:

“We have set up the Nigeria SEZ Investment Company Limited as a vehicle for participating in Public Private Partnerships involving Federal and State governments and local and foreign private investors.

“This company will develop new Special Economic Zones all over the country, offering advanced infrastructure and facilities at competitive costs,’’ he said.

The president revealed that the projects in the pilot phase included Enyimba Economic City, Funtua Cotton Cluster and Lekki Model Industrial Park.

He announced that experienced SEZ developers and operators were needed to partner with the government to upgrade its Free Trade Zones in Calabar and Kano, and to offer first-class standards of infrastructure and facilities.

He said: “Whilst we await the completion of the process of bringing in these investors, the Federal Executive Council has approved the award of contracts in excess of N19.45 billion for the needed investment in Calabar and Kano Free Trade Zones and work is currently ongoing.

“This is the highest amount of capital investment ever in the history of these zones.’’

The President said the federal government had allocated funds to upgrade the capabilities of management and the systems in the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, to strengthen it as a regulator of the SEZ.

He added that government was also allocating substantial resources to the provision of “outside the fence” infrastructure to ensure that SEZ are connected to global, regional and domestic markets.

“We are reviewing our incentive framework to ensure competitiveness relative to the other countries with whom we are in the race to attract export oriented global manufacturing investment.

“We will extend the early successes we have achieved in Ease of Doing Business to the areas critical to globally competitive export-oriented manufacturing operations,’’ he said.

The president thanked the investment partners including the Africa Export and Import Bank (AFREXIM); Africa Finance Corporation (AFC); Bank of Industry (BOI); Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and the African Development Bank (AFDB) for their support for the initiative.

Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Okechukwu Enelamah, explained that the agreement would actualise the nation’s industrialisation agenda and provision of infrastructural facilities.

He thanked the president for approving resources to attract world class advisers for the implementation of the initiative.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those who signed the agreement included President Afreximbank, Dr Benedict Oramah; the Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Mr Olukayode Pitan and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, Mr Uche Orji.

Ortom to EFCC: Prosecute Akume for fleecing Benue of N2bn

Ortom-Akume

THE lingering rift between Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and his estranged political benefactor, Senator George Akume, has taken a new twist as the governor has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to prosecute Senator Akume for allegedly fleecing the state of N2 billion in 2007.
Governor Ortom, who was reacting to an allegation by Senator Akume at the recent All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential rally in Makurdi that he was the richest governor in North Central, said the former governor should be questioned on the said fund which he allegedly withdrew from the state coffers at the twilight of his administration.

Ortom said: “I was a millionaire before I became governor and those of you who are in Benue State know. But because of my public office, I had to resign from the chairmanship of my company when I became a minister.

“The company is doing fine, borrowing money from NEXIM Bank, Bank of Industry and Central Bank Agriculture Develop-ment Programme. You can check and confirm.

“Akume, who was governor for eight years, you would recall, took N2 billion from the state coffers before leaving office. Up till today, the case is still with EFCC. It’s just that he is in APC so, nobody is concerned about prosecuting him, but he should be prosecuted.

“That is why I am saying that EFCC has become a department in APC, otherwise Akume would have gone to jail by now if he were prosecuted.

“Where did he get money to build the palace that he has in Makurdi with all the houses that he has around this town? What about the ones he bought? Where did he get money to build the house he is living in Abuja?”

Akume’s camp

Reacting to the allegation on behalf of Senator Akume, his then Special Assistant and former Special Adviser to Governor Ortom, Mr. Abua Yaji, said the allegation was baseless.

He said: “That is outright falsehood. Senator Akume did not hand over to Ortom, he handed over to Gabriel Suswam and if there was anything like that, Akume was the most investigated former governor after he handed over power.

“There were over five panels that came to investigate him and they gave him a clean bill.

“So Akume cannot be drawn into mudslinging with Ortom. He served the state for eight years and had a lot of security challenges, including the Taraba, Jukun, Kutev/Tiv crisis.

“When he was leaving office, salaries that were not paid were still in the coffers of the government, when Suswam came he paid with the funds.

“Akume awarded road contracts and paid upfront before leaving office. When Suswam came, he had a smooth takeover.

“If Ortom feels Akume did wrong, he should take him to court even through private prosecution.”

Armed thugs attack Governor’s convoy

•Governor Ishaku

Armed youths alleged to be members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) today attacked and broke vehicles in the convoy of Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba state during President Muhamadu Buhari’s presidential campaign in Jalingo.

This was disclosed by Bala Danhabu, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Darius on media and publicity during a press briefing at government house in Jalingo.

Danhabu said the armed youths attacked the convoy on its way out of the airport when he accompanied president Buhari after the president concluded the campaign in the state capital.

“Governor Ishaku’s convoy was attacked on its way out of the airport where the governor, his deputy, Haruna Manu and other senior members of the government had gone to see off President Buhari at the end of the presidential visit.”

“The governor’s car and several other cars in the convoy including that of the state Commissioner of police and a special adviser to the governor were damaged.”

“Thugs, most of who were recruited from neighbouring states to create the false impression that APC enjoys a large following in the state, came heavily armed. They carried guns, cutlasses and sticks which they displayed openly in the full glare of security agencies who merely looked the other.”

“On the eve of President Buhari’s visit, thugs hired by APC Leadership in the state had gone round Jalingo metropolis and it’s environs and destroyed PDP posters and bill boards.”

“They were given cover by security agencies who fired gunshots to scare away those may dare to confront them.”

•Sourced from a Tribune report

Two feared dead at Buhari’s rally in Jalingo

Two persons were feared dead on Thursday during the presidential rally of the All Progressives Congress in Jalingo, Taraba state capital.

Our reporter reported that the incident occurred as a result of overcrowding witnessed at the venue of the rally, the Jolly Nyame Stadium.
The rally was attended by thousands of APC supporters from across the 16 local government areas of the state.
It was gathered that the victims were rushed to hospital in ambulances stationed at the venue.

The crowd also disrupted vehicular movement for several hours on Jalingo-Yola road.
President Muhammdu Buhari is seeking re-election in the presidential election slated for February 16. Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party is his main challenger.

Rivers APC asks INEC to postpone elections

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone elections in the state.

INEC had disqualified the APC from contesting the election over the crisis which affected its primaries.
There are two factions of the party in the state. One led by Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation while Magnus Abe, a serving senator, leads the other faction.
Tonye Princewill, director of strategic communications for the campaign of Tonye Cole, guber candidate of the Amaechi factio, said conducting the election without the APC will be “an exercise in futility”.
He said giving the APC candidates an extension of time to go about their campaigns is necessary because of the “disruption by legal tussle”.
“Of course we are not yet on the ballot, it’s a process. INEC by now has received the first order and in another day or so, will receive the second one,” he said.
“Then their lawyers will advise them and at a meeting of the powers that be, a decision will be taken.
“That decision will be to obey the law. We expect nothing less. If they don’t, then it will be lawful to be lawless in a lawless society. There will be no elections in Rivers state. We knew Wike had penetrated the judiciary, every day the signs are revealed.
“We know he has also penetrated some of our security agencies, but we do not want to believe he has penetrated our electoral body at the highest levels. We are soon about to find out. Let us be patient. These things take time. Our money, that he is using, will be traced to its last hiding place when he leaves office. We know a lot about who he is working with. Money leaves a trace. And in this government, corruption will always come with consequences.”
The statement said having gone round the state, Cole deserves to be elected on March 2.

It added that Nyesom Wike, governor of the state, was taking advantage of the crisis in the APC in Rivers.
“Our candidate, Tonye Cole, has gone from ward to ward in every LGA and had done 236 wards out of 319 before a judge. Magnus and Wike stopped him using the law,” the statement read.
“Magnus is not our focus. He is our lost brother whom we wish well. His room is there, if he returns. Our focus is Wike and nothing will distract us from demystifying his perceived grassroots’ appeal, his supposed strong man status and his recent Mungo park-like discovery of Spirituality.
“Tonye Cole and others must be allowed to finish their campaigns. Anything short of that cannot be just and we will contest it. INEC should get ready for the Presidential elections, but State House of Assembly, National Assembly and the Governorship elections must be a separate exercise set aside for a special date.
“All eyes are now on INEC as the fate of Rivers state now hangs in their balance. Will Wike be given a free ride back into Government house or will the never say die attitude of Tonye Cole emerge from the ashes of court judgements? Very soon, all will be revealed.”

SDP withdraws from Presidential Race, endorses Buhari.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has announced its withdrawal from the Feb. 16, presidential election and adopts the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, for the poll.
This was part of the resolutions of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party in Abuja on Thursday.
According to the NEC, “we cannot campaign, we cannot do anything because of the protracted legal issue and we feel that it is impeccable to technically withdraw from the presidential election.
“We want to focus on the National Assembly, Governorship and State House of Assemblies election for which we have fielded candidates across the country.

“We are therefore adopting the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, as our preferred candidate for the Feb. 16 election.”

Return campaign funds or face legal action, ACPN threatens Ezekwesili

The Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) has demanded that Oby Ezekwesili, former presidential candidate of the party, return all funds generated during her campaign.
On Wednesday, Ezekwesili had accounted for “every penny” spent on her campaign.

The former minister said the campaign raised N48,957,416.00, $17,645.00, and £200, from October 1, 2018 to February 2, 2019, before she withdrew from the presidential race.
But speaking at a press briefing, Ganiyu Galadima, national chairman of the party, faulted the statement of account presented by Ezekwesili, saying the party “rejects in entirety everything she submitted”.
He said the accounts rendered by her was unacceptable, while alleging that there was no transparency in what was stated.
“We are rejecting everything she submitted in entirety, we want to know all the content of the accounts and see the accounts because at the end of the day it is not the presidential candidate that INEC will hold responsible according to the law but the party, and whatever any candidate generated for his or her campaign belongs to the party,” he said.
“For somebody who want to contest for presidency, all you could generate for period of three months was just N43 million and spent everything by herself. She could not even disclose to the party the sources of the fund and how much she was able to generate.

“We want to know the full disclosure of all the accounts she opened because when you look at the statement she made available there are four different accounts which we didn’t know anything about.

“Look at the Omoyele Sowore, he publicly disclosed on a national TV recently that his campaign has been about to generate about N99 million with the party. In addition, he has also told the world how these money could be traced.
“So why is there no transparency in Madam Ezekwesili’s project? That is the bone of contention. We are expecting that she will respond at the appropriate time but if she doesn’t, we may be compelled to go to court to seek for order of Mandamus.”

Breaking: Several children burnt as fire razes Monguno IDP camp

Several children are said to have been burnt as fire razed the Monguno Internally Displaced People’s IDP, camp in Borno State.
Fire engulfed the camp on Thursday and according to news flash on Television Continental, unknown number of children were said to have been burnt in the inferno.

BREAKING: ASUU Suspends Nationwide Strike After Three Months

The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its nationwide industrial action.

National President of the union, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, announced this on Thursday during a press briefing at the Nigeria Labour Congress complex in Abuja.
The striking lecturers took the decision after a meeting with representatives of the Federal Government led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige.

The meeting came hours before Professor Ogunyemi announced the decision of ASUU to suspend the strike.

It had in attendance leaders of the union and government representatives such as the permanent secretaries at the ministries of Education, as well as Labour and Employment, and some directors from the ministries

Nigerians Mark World Condom Day In Abuja (Photos)

Nigerians came out in their numbers to mark the world condom day in the Federal Capital Territory.
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has drawn the attention of Nigerians to the advantages inherent in proper use of condom, Punch Mero reports.In marking the 2019 World Condom Day in Abuja on Thursday, the AHF held a rally at the Federal Capital Territory to sensitive the public to the correct use of condom.

See more photos of the event below

2019 election: US Government speaks on supporting Atiku, Buhari

The Consul General of the United States of America to Nigeria, Ambassador John Bay, on Thursday insisted the US Government was not supporting any candidate in the presidential election which would hold on February 16.

Bay said the US was only interested in free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor òf Bayelsa State on Media Relations, Fidelis Soriwei, quoted the US Consul General to have made the comment, while paying a courtesy call on the Governor at the Government House, Yenagoa.


He said: “The US does not have a candidate in this election. We are looking for a free, fair, credible and peaceful process, a process that allows the choice of the Nigerian citizens to come through.

“So, we are going to spend some time with the governor and chat about different things we might be able to do to better the situation and anything we can do to help before leaving here for Port Harcourt tomorrow.”

Wheelbarrow pushers in Gboko convey corpse of their member in a truck for burial. PHOTOS.

Wheelbarrow pushers association in Gboko local government,Benue State today conveyed the corpse of their dead colleague in a truck for burial.The SSA to the state governor  and chairman wheel barrow pushers Association Lubem Chia Cena Man led members of wheelbarrow pushers also know as Agbero to mourn their dead member,Pius Gowon ,they matched round Gboko town from General Hospital through Shaahu and finally laid him to rest.