The National Secretary of Alliance for Democracy (AD), Mr Rafiu Salau, has urged politicians to always consider the ideology and manifesto of any political party before joining it. . Salau made the call in Abuja on Tuesday in an interview in Abuja. . He said that defection was a normal trend, but politicians should allow ideologies to be their guiding principle when considering to defect. . “Defection is normal in a democratic setting, especially a multi-party state like ours, but party ideology should be considered by politicians in deciding to leave or stay in a political party,” he said. .…
Author: David Folami
The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited, NPDC, has distanced itself from publications alleging that denied receiving the sum of US$6 billion from its parent company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation being proceeds from NPDC’s oil and gas operations. . In a press statement by Mr. Victor Briggs, Managing Director of NPDC; the company stated that “the reports are misleading and do not reflect the contents of what was submitted to the Senate Committee on Finance” . Mr. Briggs posited that “For the avoidance of doubt, NPDC in its submission stated that the funding relationship between NNPC and NPDC provides for proceeds…
The Ogun Comptroller of Prisons, Mr Adams Babatunde-Lawal, on Tuesday said that no fewer than 24, 207 inmates lived in prisons across the state in 2013. . Babatunde-Lawal in Abeokuta said that the figure represented inmates in all the five prisons in the state. . According to him, the inmates were made up of 23,794 males and 413 females. . “We take good care of the inmates in all our prisons in line with the directives of our Comptroller General and we exhibit a high level of professionalism in handling them to prevent jail break. . “We have vehicles that…
The Police in Sokoto State on Tuesday confirmed the murder of a 56-year old man, Mallami Aliyu, by his 25-year-old son on Sunday. . The Spokesman of the Police Command in the state, DSP El-Mustapha Sani, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Sokoto. . Sani said that the incident happened about 2a.m on Sunday. . “The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday at the Kofar Marke area of Sokoto city in Sokoto North Local Government Area. . “The 25-year-old … allegedly killed and buried his 56-year-old father, Mallami Aliyu,’’ he said. . Sani said the suspect had been…
The death toll from a school massacre in Yobe by suspected Boko Haram Islamists on Tuesday has risen to 43, a hospital source in the troubled northeastern Yobe state said. . “Ambulances have been bringing in bodies from Federal Government College in (the town of Buni Yadi,” a senior medical source at the Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital in Yobe’s capital Damaturu told AFP. “So far 43 bodies have been brought and are lying at the morgue,” he said, requesting anonymity as he was not authorised to discuss death tolls. . Yobe’s police chief Sanusi Rufai told AFP that 29 people…
The Nigeria Police Force has paraded ten suspects arrested in connection with the torture, murder and sodomy of three females accused of stealing pepper in the Ejigbo area of Lagos State. . The Police PPRO, Mr. Frank Mba, who briefed the press, also declared four other suspects at large wanted while promising that justice will be ensured in the prosecution of the suspects. . The event which is popularly known as the Ejigbo 3 took place in February 2013.
The Ondo State Government has announced the death of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Adesina Samuel Ajayi, representing Odigbo Constituency 11. . Dr. Rotimi Adelola, the Secretary to the State Government in a statement, said the death occurred in the course of a protracted battle with Cancer of the Urinary Bladder. . The late speaker during his life time, the statement said,was a bridge builder, a man of integrity and a reliable team player who placed the interest of the state above personal consideration. . “The Ondo state government received the news of the death of…
A former National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has emphasised the need for Nigerians to support those in leadership positions at all levels to ensure national development. . He stated this on Tuesday in Abuja when the Goodluck Support Group, a political pressure group affiliated to the PDP paid him a courtesy call. . “Support your leaders because they are your embodiment of your originality, what we do not own we cannot take care off it. . “We need to believe and support our own to ensure good governance and development in all sectors,’’ Tukur said. . He…
The 2014 Appropriation Bill passed second reading at the Senate on Tuesday as Senators continue to ask for more funding for agriculture, judiciary, security and decried over bloating in non priority areas. . When the Senate resumed debate on the budget, several Senators, in their contribution, said that so many on-going projects had been neglected while areas that should have less appropriation had large sums. . Sen. Gbenga Kaka (APC-Ogun), in his contribution, said that it was appalling that the agriculture sector, which was capable of employing a teeming number of youths, had very little allocation. . “Agriculture is capable…
A mammoth crowd at the Liberation Stadium for the rally. Eleven individuals died following a stampede. . Mr Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has cautioned politicians against early campaign to avoid overheating the polity. . Idowu made the call in an interview with on Monday in Lagos. . He said that INEC had issued timetable which clearly indicated the timeline for commencing campaign by political parties and candidates in the country. . According to him, the commission has repeatedly warned political players to always abide by the provision of the Electoral Act…
The EFCC on Monday re-arraigned three pastors for allegedly defrauding Angel Estate Residents Association in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos of N7.9 million. . The defendants, David Eshiet, (44), Samson Ugbara, (47) and Adesanmi Aderoju, (43), were re-arraigned before Justice Kudirat Jose of an Ikeja High Court. . They are facing a six-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and uttering. . Reports have it that the defendants were previously arraigned on March 13, 2013 before Justice Olabisi Akinlade. . The trio had pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of N500,000 each.…
Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Monday in Ikeja met with the state`s delegates to the forthcoming National Conference on the state `s agenda for the conference. . The six delegates include a former Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing, Alhaji Femi Okunnu and a former Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr Supo Shasore. . Others are Mr Rabiu Oluwa, Mr Waheed Ayeni, Prof. Tunde Samuel and Mrs Funmilayo Bashorun. . Fashola said at the meeting that the state would present its position on issues affecting it and the country strongly at the conference, with a view to getting…
The Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Mr Joseph Mbu, on Monday, gave a 24 hour deadline to motorists with tinted glass vehicles to obtain the necessary permit or be arrested. . Mbu, who gave the ultimatum at a news briefing on the security situation in the territory, warned that from Wednesday, Feb. 26, vehicles plying the territory without registration numbers would be arrested. . He said “I want to make this pronouncement now. If you do not have a tinted glass vehicle permit, formally approved by the Inspector-General of Police, and you are not permitted to have tinted glass…
A former Chief Whip, Kwara House of Assembly, Chief Iyiola Oyedepo, on Monday said the results of the 2015 general elections would mark the end of Saraki’s hegemony in the state politics. . Oyedepo, who is also a staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the observation in an interview in Ilorin. . He said that the party had become “a unity rally“ and indivisible entity to flush out the long reign of Saraki in the state. . Oyedepo described the dream of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to perpetrate itself in power in Kwara as a “dream…
President Goodluck Jonathan has noted that Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is still the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. The president made the disclosure during the presidential media chat on Monday, stressing that he was only suspended to give room for investigation into the allegation of financial recklessness levelled against him. . He assured that Sanusi will be restored to his position if he is not guilty at the end of the investigation.
The Northern States Governors Forum has paid tribute to the first Executive President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who turns 89 on Tuesday, describing him as “a statesman of uncommon pedigree’’. . The forum’s Chairman, Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger, said in Minna on Monday that Shagari played politics without bitterness and placed topmost premium on the values and virtues of constitutional democracy. . “Shagari’s politics eschews bitterness. Even opponents concede that he is a disciplined man, whose life symbolises a rejection of the corrupting influences that distract the commitment of some leaders.’’ . The forum said in a statement…
President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulate former President Shehu Shagari, who will turn 89 on Tuesday. . In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, said Jonathan personally wrote the congratulatory message to the former president. . He said Jonathan in the letter, praised shagari’s continued dedication to the unity and well-being of the nation. . “On behalf of the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and on my own behalf, I write to felicitate with you as you celebrate your 89th birthday anniversary. . “May Almighty Allah ceaselessly prosper you…
The peace of Otuoke, hometown of President Goodluck Jonathan in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State was Sunday night violated by gunmen who abducted a prominent chief of the community said to be a cousin to President Goodluck Jonathan. . We learnt that the victim, identified as Chief Inengite Nitabai, aged 70 was kidnapped at about 9pm by ten heavily armed men. . The kidnapped Chief is described as the traditional head of the compound from which the President hails from, according to a community source. . “Nitabai is the cousin of President Goodluck Jonathan, and was kidnapped from…
Austin Avuru, MD/CEO Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, says the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) will herald a new vista of opportunity in the offshore industry as the introduction of both “fiscal and non-fiscal enablers in the Petroleum Industry Bill could add significant value to the economics of offshore investments such that PIB only erodes between 10 -15% of the remaining value of existing and new offshore investments in Nigeria.” . Avuru made the declaration during his presentation at the IP Week, London 2014. . Avuru, who spoke on the theme, “Petroleum Industry Bill: Increasing Investment Opportunities in…
The immediate past Minister of Police Affairs, Retired Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade, on Saturday declared his intention to run for Ekiti governorship election. . Reports also have it that Olubolade declared in Ado Ekiti at a reception in his honour by members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Ekiti chapter. . It can also be reported that Olubolade resigned his position as the Minister of Police Affairs to vie for the governorship position. . He said that he would not borrow money from the capital market to finance the state if elected. . He also said that his administration would…