Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: Politics

  • Buhari Says Akeredolu Will Win Ondo Governorship Poll Fairly

    Buhari Says Akeredolu Will Win Ondo Governorship Poll Fairly

    President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abuja assured that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, would win the October 10 guber election in the state.

    The President urged APC to work diligently and ensure fairness in electoral processes, while returning governorship candidate of the party for second term in office.

    The President, who presented the party’s flag to the candidate at the Presidential Villa, said the reconciliation process in the state branch of the party had provided a solid ground for an easier clear victory for the candidate than he achieved in his first term.

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    Buhari Celebrates His Administration’s Efforts to Contain Spread of Coronavirus Pandemic

    While assuring Akeredolu of the party’s full support, the President said a peaceful and fair election that reflects the will of the people should be upper most.

    He urged adherence to the regulations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and protocols of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, noted that the party’s mechanism for resolving differences was most effective, and would be sustained to strengthen relationships, and project the objectives of the party as people-focused and development oriented.

    READ ALSO: Presidency Describes UK Court Judgement on P&ID as Right and Just

    The APC candidate was presented to the President by the party’s Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mai Mala Buni, who is also Yobe State Governor.

    Photos:

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Buhari Inaugurates APC Tripartite Consultative Committee to Strengthen Party’s Internal Democracy

    Buhari Inaugurates APC Tripartite Consultative Committee to Strengthen Party’s Internal Democracy

    President Muhammadu Buhari Monday inaugurated a Tripartite Consultative Committee of the executive, legislature and leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House in Abuja.

    The President said enhanced consultation within the ruling political party would strengthen its internal democracy, and improve chances of winning elections.

    He added that amicable resolution of conflicts in the party through regular consultations would create more understanding.

    “Let me welcome all of you to this first Consultative Committee of the APC, our members of the National Assembly and the Executive.

    “Our party commands a clear majority in the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Vice President, the distinguished Senate President, the Right Honourable Speaker and I all belong to APC and the working relationships between the executive and the legislative have been excellent so far. Our joint responsibility is to keep things that way and see where we can improve our communication and coordination.

    “But we must admit to ourselves that our party has been too often embroiled in bitter and on occasions, totally unnecessary squabbles costing us seats in legislative and gubernatorial elections. These never should have happened. We are here to make sure such occurrences do not happen again. We must now ensure regular consultations between the party and the governments,” Buhari said.

    The President urged members of the committee to further align objectives of the party and be alive to electoral promises, reminding party members of the need to always move the country forward.

    “I am a firm believer in the doctrine of the separation of powers, which is fundamental to our constitutional democracy. But our practice should be harmonious checks and balances devoid of bitterness and petty rivalry,’’ he noted.

    Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said he had great faith in the consultative committee to help improve governance and achievements of the party, assuring them of his support.

    Members of the consultative committee are: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, Chairman; Senate President, Ahmed Ibrahim Lawal; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege; Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase; Yobe State Governor/Chairman, APC Caretaker Committee, Mai Mala Buni; Senate Majority Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi; and House Majority Leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa.

    Others include: Attorney General/Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari; and Secretary, APC Caretaker Committee, Akpan Udoedehe.

    President Buhari presides over the Inauguration of Executive/Legislative/Party Consultative Committee in State House on 31st Aug 2020

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Buhari, Abiodun Congratulate Adesina over Reelection as President of African Development Bank

    Buhari, Abiodun Congratulate Adesina over Reelection as President of African Development Bank

    President Muhammadu Buhari and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, have congratulated President of African Development Bank, Akinwunmi Adesina, on his re-election for a second term in office.

    Buhari, who felicitated with Adesina on behalf of the Federal Executive Council and Nigerians in general, explained that the news of the victory came during the Council of State meeting, which was attended by former heads of state, Senate President, governors, some ministers, and senior government officials.

    Nigeria’s Akinwunmi Adesina Re-Elected As AfDB President

    Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, applauded reelected president’s versatility, experience at both national and international engagements, saying he believed that Adesina would “further deploy these qualities to energise the pan-African financial institution.”

    He urged him to remain “focused and steadfast in pursuing the noble goals of making life better for Africans through various development plans, already captured as High 5s.”

    The statement explained that the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, announced the good news of Adesina’s reelection to which Buhari led a round of applause immediately, saying: “He (Akinwumi Adesina) deserves it.”

    Adesina Set to Be Re-elected as African Development Bank President This Week

    The Nigerian President extended appreciation to the African Union for its endorsement of Adesina much earlier, and to shareholders of the bank who worked tirelessly to ensure the return of the visionary leader.

    Buhari rejoiced with family, friends and professional colleagues of Adesina over the re-election, while commending members of staff and Board of Governors of the bank for their consistent support for the former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and his management team.

    While pledging full support of his government to ensure a successful tenure for the bank’s leadership, the Nigerian President prayed God to continue to strengthen Adesina and his team for greater good to the continent.

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    In his congratulatory message to Adesina, who hails from Ogun State, Abiodun described his reelection as a blessing to Nigeria.

    “On behalf of the good people of Ogun State, I congratulate Dr. Akinwumi Adesina on his re-election as President of the African Development Bank.

    “It is not surprising, and it is indeed a blessing to our great nation, Nigeria to have retained leadership of the regional institution, when one considers the many developmental contributions by the bank to member countries.

    “I wish him a successful new term that will steadily continue to take the African region to greater heights,” the governor said.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • PSN to CBN: Give Us Special and Dedicated Foreign Exchange Allocation to Promptly Procure Equipment & Raw Materials

    PSN to CBN: Give Us Special and Dedicated Foreign Exchange Allocation to Promptly Procure Equipment & Raw Materials

    Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has made a passionate appeal to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to consider making a special and dedicated allocation of foreign exchange to the healthcare/pharmaceutical companies so that they could procure their machinery/equipment and raw materials in a timely manner.

    PSN, in a statement by its President, Sam Ohuabunwa, noted with pleasure that some healthcare/pharmaceutical companies that applied for the special N100 billion CBN facility have been granted.

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    While pointing out that the majority of the applicants had not yet successful, PSN tasked CBN on the need to expedite the review and approval of many of the outstanding applications, so that the overall impact on industrial capacity, capability and output would be significantly enhanced in line with the noble objectives of the facility, especially as the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic subsists and the need for self-sufficiency in local drug production persists.

    Ohuabunwa added that some successful applicants have been experiencing difficulties in accessing foreign exchange in order to carry out their transactions.

    Salami Panel: Nigeria’s Attorney General denies procuring witness to nail Magu

    According to him, “The feedback we receive is that many of the beneficiary companies are experiencing tremendous difficulties in accessing foreign exchange to pay for the machinery and equipment in order. Many are compelled to source forex from sundry sources at much higher rates than the official CBN rate. The impact of this portends grave danger and may undermine the noble objectives.

    “First, the longer it takes to get the machines and equipment in, the longer it will be for Nigeria to begin to see an enhanced local production.

    “Second, the longer it takes, the more difficult it will be for the benefitting companies to begin production and generate cash flow to meet the interest and repayment obligation, as the moratorium is fast depleting.

    “Third is that with forex at rates higher than the planned or forecasted rates in the business plan, the money received in Naira may no longer be sufficient to meet the stated needs.

    Buhari Approves Appointment of John Momoh as UNILAG Interim Council Chairman

    “And fourth is that the longer the Naira is left in the banks awaiting piecemeal allocation of Forex, the faster the value depreciates by growing inflation and the fewer the number of machinery and equipment or even raw materials that can be bought.

    “All these will put an additional burden on the beneficiary companies when it comes to servicing the loans in a timeous manner.

    “It is because of the foregoing and to preempt any future problems with prompt servicing of the loans that we make this special appeal to the CBN to consider making the special and dedicated allocation of foreign exchange to the beneficiary companies so that they can procure their machinery/equipment and raw materials in a timely manner, in order, that the beneficial effect of this noble program can be quickly realised and repayment made as and at when due so that the CBN will be encouraged to do more for the Pharma Industry and also to other sectors of the economy.

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    “Ideally one would have wished that the loans were granted in two currencies: Foreign currency for equipment purchase and local currency for local purchase (information available in the applications and business plans of beneficiaries). This would have obviated the current challenges being faced by the beneficiary companies.

    “Given the current and well-acclaimed responsiveness of our CBN leadership, it’s our hope that the CBN will accede to our request and help the industry to quickly optimise this earnestly prayed- for and long-awaited lifeline.”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Buhari Approves Appointment of John Momoh as UNILAG Interim Council Chairman

    Buhari Approves Appointment of John Momoh as UNILAG Interim Council Chairman

    President Muham Buhari has approved the appointment of the President of University of Lagos Alumni Association Worldwide, John Momoh, as the Chairman of the university’s Interim Governing Council.

    UNILAG Senate Votes Folashade Ogunsola as New Acting Vice Chancellor

    Momoh, who is Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Channels TV, would among other roles along with council members, ratify the election of the university’s new Acting Vice Chancellor, Folashade Ogunsola.

    UNILAG VC spent unapproved N120m, his sack legal –  says Babalakin

    Ogunsola had emerged victorious with 135 votes, having defeated Prof. Ben Ogbojafor, who scored 31 votes, while one vote was generally described as voided.

    Buhari Constitutes UNILAG Visitation Panel, Suspends Babalakin, Ogundipe

    The result of the election, Echotitbits gathered, has been forwarded to the Governing Council by the Deputy Registrar/Director of Academic Affairs, Olakunle Makinde.

  • PDP asks Gbajabiamila to step aside to aid Corruption Investigation in the House

    PDP asks Gbajabiamila to step aside to aid Corruption Investigation in the House

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has berated the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, over the decision by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership of the House to shut down the sitting of various committees carrying out investigation on the executive arm of government.

    The opposition party alleged that the action was a deliberate design to cover the stench of corruption oozing out of the APC administration.

    “If the Honoruable Speaker is inclined towards allowing the covering of corruption, against the purpose for which he was elected to lead the House, then, he should take a bow and step aside,” PDP said.

    The party charged the Speaker to “stop circumventing the statutory duties of the House of Representative and placing of wedges in the way of the fight against corruption by the legislature.”

    PDP also described “the shutdown order by the APC leadership of the House of Representatives as a clear example of corruption fighting back from within the government circle, which must be condemned by all Nigerians.”

    The party allegedly noted that “such incursion into the activities of the committees is to quench the fight against corruption as well as to frustrate whistle blowers just because APC has become an ocean of corruption where the members are swimming.”

    “It is clear that the shutdown directive is targeted at frustrating revelations from ongoing investigations on the $500 million foreign loan from China, particularly as it relates to the mortgaging of our nation’s sovereignty to China.

    “This is in addition to the investigations into the humongous corruption in government agencies including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) the N300 billion unremitted revenue to the federation account as well as allegations of corruption in government earnings and the expenditure in Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDA’s) under the APC.

    “It is therefore unfortunate that under the Gbajabiamila-led leadership, the basic responsibility of the House of Representatives, which is its oversight on the executive, has just been maimed through a forced holiday on the members of the respective committees and their chairmen.

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    “It is equally distressing that the APC leadership of the House of Representatives is breaching parliamentary rules, practices and procedures to shield APC leaders and their cronies who have been fleecing our nation.

    “Our party therefore holds that any parliament that deliberately frustrates its statutory responsibility to call the activities of the executive to question has lost the essence of its own existence. The leadership that led it into such constitutional suicide must be held culpable.

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    “Indeed, never in our parliamentary history has committee activities been suspended or shut down on the ground of holiday or suspension of plenary.

    “For us in the PDP, it is shocking that the APC leadership of the House of Representatives could by any consideration shut down, its legislative investigation, which is exclusively vested on it under sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), on the guise of being on break.

    “Such an action is calamitous to our democracy,” said PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan.

    The party, however, commended the members of its caucus and other minorities in the National Assembly for standing against corruption and striving to ensure that the APC does not sell Nigerians into slavery with its reckless foreign borrowings.

    “Our party urges the lawmakers not to be deterred but continue in their assignments, as they are only answerable to the Nigerian people,” the statement added.

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    PDP therefore charged the Gbajabiamila-led APC leadership of the House of Representatives to immediately reverse itself as Nigerians expect nothing but seamless investigations without unnecessary interferences and incursions.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • [Leaked Video] PDP to Buhari: Pull in Gambari, Oshiomhole for Questioning

    [Leaked Video] PDP to Buhari: Pull in Gambari, Oshiomhole for Questioning

    Peoples Democratic Party National Campaign Council for Edo State Governorship Election has called out the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency over the trending video showing the sacked National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, and the Chief of Staff to Mr. President, Ibrahim Gambari, at the Presidential Villa, in which alleged discussion on the arrests of certain individuals, ahead of the September 19 governorship election, was held.

    “Nigerians were alarmed by the video in which Oshiomhole was seen emphatically urging the Chief of Staff to Mr. President on the need to clampdown on certain unnamed Nigerians to achieve political suppression and submission ahead of the Edo election.

    File photo of Spokesman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbodiyan.

    “Our National Campaign holds that the presence and involvement of the Chief of Staff to the President and the fact that the discussion held within the precincts of the Presidential Villa, have made the Presidency complicit and place a huge burden on President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Already, there is anxiety in the public space that the discussion between Oshiomhole and Prof. Gambari as captured in the video is an extension of discussions that must have held behind closed doors in the Presidential Villa.

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    “The video has validated earlier revelations of plots by Oshiomhole and the discredited APC governorship candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, to use compromised security operatives being mobilised by certain individuals in the Presidency, to arrest innocent Nigerians, including traditional, faith-based and community leaders on trumped up charges, ahead of Edo State governorship election.

    “It also confirms our stance that Adams Oshiomhole and the APC candidate have completely lost ground in Edo State, hence the plot to clamp down on the people.

    “Nigerians and the people of Edo State now know those to hold responsible should there be cases of illegal arrests, assassinations and unexplained killings, sudden disappearances of prominent people, accidental discharge by federal security operatives and mysterious accidents in the course of this Edo State governorship election.

    “The PDP National Campaign Council on Edo State governorship election charges President Buhari to reassure Nigerians by immediately ordering that Adams Oshiomhole and Prof. Gambari be pulled in for questioning over the video.

    “Anything short of a decisive action on this matter will further indict the Buhari Presidency especially coming on the heels of public anxiety over Mr. President’s widely condemned comment on the use of security forces for elections.

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    Oshiomhole Denies Plot to Stage a Comeback as APC National Chairman

    “Our campaign, however, wants the APC and Oshiomhole to know that their ignoble plots against the people of Edo State have come to naught as the people are at alert and will use every legitimate means available to defend their already expressed will in support of the candidate of our party, the PDP, Governor Godwin Obaseki in this election,” PDP alleged, in a statement by its Secretary, National Campaign Council on Edo State Governorship Election, Kola Ologbondiyan.

    Video:

     

     

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Oshiomhole Denies Plot to Stage a Comeback as APC National Chairman

    Oshiomhole Denies Plot to Stage a Comeback as APC National Chairman

    A former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, Monday met with President Muhammadu Buhari in State House, Abuja.

    Speaking with journalists after his meeting with the President, Oshiomhole debunked allegations recently made by the Director-General of the Progressives Congress Forum (PGF), Salihu Lukman, accusing him of scheming to return as APC national chairman.

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    Oshiomhole, who ia also a former Edo State Governor, described Lukman as a tool allegedly foisted on PGF as director-general by the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Kayode Fayemi.

    According to him, “You want me to engage in a fight with a pig? If you engage in a fight with a pig, the pig already is stained by its nature and you will wear your white garment, and in my own case, khaki to go and wrestle with a pig? I will not.

    “You see, what I want the media to interrogate, how does winning Edo State governorship election translates to returning as the APC national chairman. When I was removed as national chairman, Edo State was APC. So, do I have to win Edo State to become the national chairman? Do I look so unemployed? I’m 68.

    “What they don’t understand is that it is not the office of chairman that made me who I am.

    “So, it takes an empty brain to suggest that Oshiomhole wants to stage a comeback to become the national chairman. For what? To go and do a resit?

    “So, my attitude is not to reply the noise, which is coming from somebody who says he is an employee and appointee of Progressives Governors Forum.

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    “He is just like the cowards that are using him that are not able to come out. Otherwise, you should ask this guy, who is now an election expert.

    “He contested for Senate against Makarfi, he lost. He even contested against Governor Nasir el-Rufai during the primaries and he lost before Fayemi unilaterally appointed him the DG.

    “So, if he is now the spokesman abusing me and all of that, you want to drag me to his level? No!

    “A gentleman does not wrestle with a pig, if you do you will always be stained”, the self styled Oshiomhole said.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Bayelsa Governor Heads to Appeal Court over Tribunal Ruling

    Bayelsa Governor Heads to Appeal Court over Tribunal Ruling

    Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has said he would appeal Monday’s ruling of the state election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja and has consequently instructed his lawyers to file the necessary papers.

    The tribunal, in a majority judgment delivered by Justice Yunusa Musa in the petition brought before it by the Advanced National Democratic Party (ANDP), held that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) unlawfully excluded the party from the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the state.

    READ ALSO: Tribunal nullifies election of Bayelsa governor Diri

    The Justice Musa-led tribunal therefore ordered INEC to conduct a fresh governorship election in Bayelsa State within 90 days.

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    Reacting to the ruling, Diri said he has implicit confidence in the judiciary that he would triumph in the end.

    According to him, “We trust in the judiciary and we are appealing the judgement. With God on our side, we will get justice.

    “This is a court of first instance and I have instructed our lawyers to file an appeal. We have a right of appeal even up to the Supreme Court.”

    The governor, who spoke shortly after the ruling by the tribunal, urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his supporters not to panic and to continue to remain calm and law-abiding.

    Meanwhile, the immediate past Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has urged Bayelsans not to be perturbed by the judgment of the tribunal which annulled the state governorship election on Monday.

    He described the judgment as a temporary setback which does not in law affect the status quo until appeal processes are exhausted.

    The former governor, in a statement by his Media Advisor, Fidelis Soriwei, said PDP and Bayelsa State Government would appeal the judgement.

    He noted that there was no vacancy in Bayelsa State Government House as Diri remains governor until a final decision on the issue was reached at the Supreme Court.

    Dickson urged Bayelsans to go about their lawful duties without any disturbance because of the judgement on the suit filed by ANDP against its purported exclusion in the election by INEC.

    “I urge Bayelsans to remain calm. They shouldn’t misinterpret what took place at the tribunal today.

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    “The judgment is a temporary setback which does not have any effect on the status quo until all processes of appeal are exhausted.

    “There is no vacancy in Bayelsa State Government House. Douye Diri remains Governor until the Supreme Court decides.

    “Of course what this means is that the PDP will appeal this decision,” he said.

  • Just In: Sacked APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole meets President Buhari

    Just In: Sacked APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole meets President Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari is meeting with former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in the State House, Abuja.

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    According to information gathered by Echotitbits, Oshiomhole, who was recently sacked as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party by an Appeal court in Abuja, was sighted dressed in his traditional khaki suit, in company of the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, walking towards the President’s office.

    As at the time of publishing this report, the purpose of Oshiomhole’s meeting with the President is not established.