Kwankwaso: Buhari’s government is the first time I see only children on the line or queue trying to vote

Senator representing Kano Central in the national assembly, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, says the recent underage voters seen during the last local council poll in Kano state was the first in Nigeria’s history.

The senator disclosed this in an  interview with Osasu Igbinedion on The Osasu Show. According to Kwankwaso, such can only happen in an election contested by only one party. He said the scenario will be different in 2019, since the people are aware of the ‘mago mago’ and would be forced to send the children home if the show up at the venue of the elections.

He advised the All Progressive Congress (APC) to do much more that they have done in the last three years to earned the trust of Nigerians and make sure that by 2019, the APC can win easily.

“This last one year is very crucial for the party, the government and the country.” He said

“I think they (children) were invited to go and thumbprint because the real people were not there, the Kwakwansiya and the PDP weren’t there.

“This is the first time I can see only children on the line or queue trying to vote I am seeing the type of thing that is happening.

“The issue of decamping or leaving APC is not on the table now. We are looking at how the various stakeholders in our party will look at the situation, not only in Kano but there are many other places that something should be done

“People who understand democracy go into politics first and foremost as politicians. From 1991 to date, I contested 16 elections and won 14 and lost two.”

2019 Guber-Race: lbe Kachikwu Debunked Reports

The minister of state for petroleum resources, Ibe Kachikwu, has refuted reports that he would be contesting for the Delta state gubernatorial election in 2019.

The reports which were carried by some online news portal infuriated the minister who described them as "fictitious, baseless and mischievous".

Kachikwu debunked the rumoured governorship ambition while speaking with newsmen in Abuja.

The minister said the rumour of his governorship ambition at this time is a serious disservice to the efforts being made by the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to fix the challenges in the country's petroleum sector.

He added: “The enormity of the problems the current administration met on ground in the petroleum sector is one that requires a great deal of focus and commitment to tackle and by God’s grace, we will get there. So we can do without some of these distractions that blow hot air and heat up the polity without addressing the immediate needs of the citizenry.

“At the moment we need to support Mr President in his drive to reform the petroleum sector, so putting unnecessary pressure on those directly working with him will not only distract but could delay the process as, given the enormity of the problems, all hands must be on deck to achieve the kind of reform needed in the sector.”

The minister said he remains committed to his duty of supervising the president's ongoing reforms at the petroleum sector and helping him achieve his campaign promises to the people of Nigeria. He called on well meaning Nigerians to render their support to the federal government's efforts to reform the petroleum sector.

Kachikwu warned those responsible for the reports to desist from playing politics with his name and allow him to concentrate on his national assignment in Abuja.

Meanwhile some previouse reports noted that.The Conscience of the Niger (TCN) revealed that Ibe Kachikwu, Nigeria's petroleum minister, had no interest in contesting for the Delta state gubernatorial election in 2019.

TCN said claims that Kachikwu was eyeing becoming a governor in the next election is being championed by mischievous people to embarrass the minister.

In a statement made available to journalists Mitai Okeroghene, said: “Dr Kachikwu is not stupid. He is a technocrat and not a politician and has not in any form or shape shown indications of wanting to contest election, and so, it stands to reason that those behind his posters flooding Abuja have a sinister plot to achieve and their message is also clearly directed at their target audience, hence, the choice of Abuja as their location for the posters."

NASS. Confirms Buhari's Rejection of Peace Corps of Nigeria Establishment Bill.

The National assembly has confirmed President Muhammadu Buhari's rejection of the proposed Peace Corps of Nigeria establishment bill.

The Cable reports that the president conveyed his rejection of the bill in a letter read during plenary on Tuesday, February 27, by Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house.

The national assembly passed the bill in 2015, after a prolonged battle involving the organisation and the nation’s security agencies.

Buhari cited security concerns and financial burden of funding the organisation by the government as his reasons for rejection of the bill.

Sources said the president is bowing to security advice not to assent the bill which has faced lots of controversies. The bill approved by the National Assembly was earlier sent to the president in December 2017 through the legislative clerk, Sani Omolori

However, it was gathered that a 30-day window period which is needed for the president to append his signature on the bill has elapsed.

Presidency unveils how President Buhari should be addressed now

The federal government has released a new directive on how President Muhammadu Buhari should be addressed at formal functions.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, gave the directive in a circular sent to ministries, departments and agencies of the federal government.

Mustapha said it becomes necessary to have a standard format for addressing the President at such formal occasions.

He said: “Government has observed with concern the inconsistent manner in which the President, federal republic of Nigeria is addressed during official and private functions. It has therefore become necessary to have a standard format for addressing him at such formal occasions,” Mustapha wrote in the circular dated January 26.

“To this end, Mr. President shall henceforth be addressed as ‘‘MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.’’ except in purely Armed forces programmes, where “COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA” will be added.

“All concerned persons should accordingly be guided and ensure strict compliance with the contents of this circular.”

This new directive indicates the president, though a retired major general, is not to be addressed by that military rank at formal functions.

The President.Muhammadu Buhari, dropped the title ‘General’ from his name after he was sworn in on May 29,2015.

His media team disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, May 17, in Abuja.

The statement had read: “From May 29, 2015, the president-elect and vice-president-elect are to be respectively known and addressed as Muhammadu Buhari, President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Deeper Life Ministry Seals Socio-Economic Development Pact with Lagosians

The general superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, has pledged the commitment of the church to continue to attract development and socio-economic activities to Lagos.

Pastor Kumuyi's church also sealed a pact with communities in and around its Gbagada, Lagos headquarters towards to ensure that this dream comes though.

The pact which will see the it continuously invest in opening of the various sections of the community through the creation and improvement of access roads, would involve the collaboration of members of the communities.

It was sealed at a townhall meeting between the leadership of the church and representatives of interest groups in and around the Gbagada area. Kumuyi was represented by Pastor Phillip Oluwi.

The man of God said his church was already a member of the community and that the growth and progress of the church must positively and directly reflect on the lives of the people and the socio-economic growth of the area.

Some of the Christian leaders who attended the townhall meeting. Credit: The church media arm

Kumuyi, who said the town hall meeting became necessary ahead of the opening of the church's ultra-modern headquarters, expressed the preparedness of the church to always create opportunities for a two-way communication designed to sustain a regime of mutual understanding with the people.

“We are interested in building and development this community. Our growth as a church cannot be said to be complete if it does not positively rub off on the rest of the community,” he stated.

According to him, the church had already installed traffic lights in a number of places around the community with a view to easing human and vehicular movement and is committed to partnering with the Lagos state government to ensure that other developmental projects that will make life more meaningful are attracted.
 Deeper Life constructed a bridge to link the community with its environs and ease traffic in the area.

The bridge, was scheduled to be commissioned by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 as part of the church’s social investment projects.

Speaking at the event, another senior pastor of the church, Alfred Oghene, referred to the soon-to-be unveiled church headquarters as a tourist attraction that would attract visitors from all over the world.

He expressed the belief that such a development would contribute towards boosting the economy of the area and that of Lagos state in general.

He said the church had already trained more than 200 youths who would work with the Lagos state Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) towards facilitating vehicular and human movement.

At the town hall meeting, leaders of the community, including traditional rulers, market leaders and community development associations of the various parts of the neighbourhood spoke about areas that needed intervention and issues of mutual interest.

Transparency international Corruption lndex-Shehu Sani Mocks FG.

All Progressives Congress (APC) senator representing Kaduna Central Shehu Sani has slammed the federal government of Nigeria for faulting the country's rating in the latest corruption index of the Transparency International.

In a tweet on Saturday, February 24, Senator Sani wondered why the Nigerian government always welcomed only good ratings and not the poor ones for where it is failing.

He wondered why the government thinks knowing who the board members of the international organization are plays is important in the outcome of the recent report.

He tweeted:

Presidency has alredy questioned the criteria or facts used by Transparency International, the anti-corruption watchdog to rank the country 148th least corrupt in the world.

In a statement by spokesman, Garba Shehu, the government questioned the method used by TI to arrive at what it called TI’s ”very misleading and unfair conclusions in its assessment of the federal government’s efforts in this anti-corruption crusade”.

Government said while it welcomes constructive criticisms from the anti-corruption watchdog, the organisation has a responsibility to reflect the larger picture of the concrete and verifiable achievements of the Buhari administration since it came into office in May 2015.

How GEJ Became Yar'adua's Running Mate - Ex-PDP Chairman

A former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmadu Ali has revealed how Goodluck Jonathan emerged as the running mate for late president, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua after the party’s convention in 2006.
 Ali who is a retired army colonel said Jonathan preferred to remain as governor of Bayelsa state but they were able to convince to change his mind.

In his biography titled “The many colours of a rainbow: A biography of Senator Amadu Adah Ali” and written by Gideon S. Tseja, the former PDP chairman said the trio of him, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Tony Anenih had to take quick action after PDP governors were scheming to hijack the plot.

He said Yar’Adua was selected as presidential candidate in 2007 ahead of other governors because he was the only one not under the radar of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

He said: “Amongst all the PDP governors who wanted to contest for president, he (Yar’Adua) was the only one on whom the EFCC could not find any evidence of corruption or misappropriation of funds. He left over N6 billion for his successor in the state coffers while other governors left virtually nothing. He was reluctant to contest for president.”

Read the excerpt from the below: Even before the final results of the primaries were tallied, it was clear to the party leaders that Yar’Adua was going to win hands down. They—President Obasanjo, Chairman, BOT, Chief Anenih and the National Chairman, Dr Amadu Ali—decided to shift their attention to the nomination of a running mate on the PDP ticket, the man who would be vice president if Yar’Adua won the presidency.

“Congratulations”, the chairman began unceremoniously. “It is a well-deserved victory, and the party will give you all the support you need to win the presidential election.” He (Ali) paused for a moment as the president and the others also gave Yar’Adua their congratulations. “Peter Odili will be your running mate. He came third in our search for a presidential candidate. Governor Ahmed Makarfi came second in our score. For equity, the running mate had to come from the south.”

There was silence as everybody waited for Yar’Adua to react. Finally, looking away and avoiding the eyes of the chairman, he mumbled with his characteristic shy demeanour, “Thank you sir, but I would request…”

“You request what? The party produced you and the party will also produce the VP!” thundered the chairman.

“Let us try to give him time”, Obasanjo tried to intervene.

“We don’t have time sir. We need to move fast. You can never tell what mischief is being planned right now. Did you see any of the governors towards the end of the election at the Square?” It was true that the governors had mysteriously disappeared when Yar’Adua’s victory became a certainty.

He (Ali) turned to Yar’Adua and continued his instructions to him. “Go and write your acceptance speech. Say something like this: ‘I would like to inform you that after due consideration and consultation with the party, I have selected Peter Odili, the executive governor of Rivers State, to run with me on the same ticket’. I want a copy of the speech and make sure Peter Odili’s name is on it!”

Yar’Adua went away and came back with the speech as directed indicating that Peter Odili would be his running mate, but it was clear that he was not happy. Pressure was brought to bear on the president to intervene and allow Yar’Adua to choose a VP he felt he could work with.

“Amadu”, said Chief Obasanjo, “don’t be too harsh on the young man. Let’s give him twenty four hours…”

“Twenty four hours! But…” the chairman was going to argue.

“I know what you mean”, Obasanjo cut him off, “but let us give him twenty four hours.”

It had been a long day. Tired and hungry the chairman went home dreaming of eating something, taking a long drink and flipping into bed to catch some rest. This was about 1.00PM on the day of the convention.

Meanwhile, unknown to the president, PDP governors were holding a secret meeting of their own to influence the choice of VP candidate. Clearly, they were not in favour of Peter Odili which the party leadership was contemplating. Even before Ali could digest this information (provided by his wife), he got a frantic call from Obasanjo. He, too, had got some information about the governors’ plot.

“Amadu, come quick!”

“But you know we have just…”

“Come, please and don’t argue. Quick, quick!”

The dream about taking some rest evaporated as Ali doubled back to meet the president at the Aso Rock Villa.

He (Obasanjo) told the Senator about the governors’ meeting. “We must act quickly or the governors will hijack this thing. Anenih is on his way and I have already summoned Yar’Adua. If he hasn’t thought of a running mate, then we must impose one on him.”

This had been the senator’s position exactly, all along.

As soon as Yar’Adua arrived, the president told him without any preamble, “Now, name your running mate, now, now. We don’t have twenty four hours.”

“Goodluck Jonathan,” he said without hesitation. He had obviously thought about it or tutored to mention the name. Immediately, Jonathan was sent for.

When Jonathan arrived a little later, the president said, “We have summoned you here to offer to you the position of Vice President. What do you think?’

Jonathan was stunned. He was obviously not expecting this and had not remotely considered the possibility. He opened his mouth as if to say something but nothing came out.

The president seeing his discomfiture added helpfully, “This decision was taken after a long process. We just want to know what your opinion is.”

Finally, Jonathan found voice, although he was disconcerted by this development.

“Well”, he began tentatively, “If I had a choice, I would prefer to remain as governor. I know the job. I know where I stopped. But this VP…I don’t know what it entails.” After a look of disapproval from the chairman and the president, he added quickly, “but if you want me to serve in that position, I accept.”

YarAdua turned to Jonathan and asked him, “Would you like to be my running mate?”

“Yes sir.”

President Obasanjo turned to the Chairman and said, “Amadu, take him to my parlour. The television crew are on their way for a press conference. You and Chief Anenih should stand on either side of him and let him announce the name of his running mate.”

The governors were still at their meeting scheming how to influence the choice of vice president when Yar’Adua announced his running mate to the public in the foyer of the presidential villa. The announcement was carried Live on NTA and other networks. This put paid to the PDP governors’ plot to nominate a vice presidential candidate.

Meanwhile, Niger Delta activist and former minister for environment, AnnKio Briggs warned that any one joining former President Obasanjo to “fight” President Muhammadu Buhari, does so at his or her own risk.

Annkio-Briggs Briggs in a statement on Friday, February 23, also noted that contrary to claims in some quarters that former President Goodluck Jonathan did a lot for the Ijaw nation including ensuring the election of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Obasanjo only did so for his “selfish reasons.”

Mugabe Opens Up on Wife Reactions After Leaving Office

Former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe has revealed that his wife, Grace cries daily, over the harassment she receives, especially over her bogus doctorate degree.

It was the first time that the former Zimbabwe leader would speak on the emotional torment of his wife, three months after he was forced to step down by the military, according to a report by South Africa’s News 24.

Mugabe reportedly gave this insight into the former first family at a meeting with African Union chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat during a courtesy call he made to the Mugabes at their Blue Roof Harare mansion.

The former leader also told Mahamat that he doesn’t feel safe and that his pension has not been paid by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“They told you I was safe, but how can I be in this environment?” Mugabe reportedly told Faki at the meeting on 19 February.

“My wife is crying daily. They are persecuting her…

What am I without my wife and family? We area not safe,” the Zimbabwe Independent quoted Mugabe as saying, citing “detailed notes” supplied by officials who attended the meeting. Mugabe said his wife was being harassed over her PhD from the University of Zimbabwe.

Last week UZ Vice Chancellor Levi Nyagura was arrested for alleged abuse of office for awarding her the degree in 2014. Critics say her thesis is nowhere near PhD standard.

Mugabe reportedly insisted to Faki the PhD was genuine: “I used to see her here working hard day and night. I would assist her here and there, so how can someone wake up and claim she didn’t work for it? This is harassment.”

According to the leaked notes, Mugabe told Faki that Mnangagwa’s appointment as president was illegal, and appealed to the AU to help restore democracy in the country.

“We want you to assist to restore normalcy and democracy in the country and stop this thing of ruling through guns,” he reportedly said.

Mahamat had earlier visited President Emmerson Mnangagwa and tweeted about the double visits.

The Zimbabwean government had withdrawn the security details attached to the first lady last month.

The former Zimbabwean first lady's securities were withdrawn after she was kicked out of the ruling Zanu-PF party where she was the leader of the women's league.

It was gathered that Grace no longer has team of security agents dedicated to her and may have to depend on the team that is assigned to her husband, the former president.

Source: NAN

Legendary Bollywood actress Sridevi dead at 54

Bollywood actress, Sridevi has died of cardiac arrest in Dubai aged 54.

The film star, who starred in more than 300 movies, died while attending a family wedding in Dubai, family members confirmed to the Indian Express website that the actress passed away on Saturday, February 24.

The beautiful actress who was born August 13, 1963 made her film debut as a child actor at the age of four in Thunaivan then laterin the movie Julie, which marked her first foray into Bollywood at the age of 12.

Her first leading Bollywood role came in the 1979 Hindi film Solva Sawan. Other movies include; Mawaali (1983), Tohfa (1984), Mr. India (1987), Chandni (1989), Lamhe (1991) and Gumrah (1993).

She is survived by her husband, Boney Kapoor, and daughters Jhanvi and Khushi.