Breaking: Why I left APC - Governor Ortome

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state who resigned as a member of the state chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) disclosed that he decided to take the action because the party continued to launch attacks on him.

Governor Ortom who today Wednesday, July 25 defected to the Peoples Democratic Party said 10 out of the 17 state lawmakers elected on the platform of the APC are ready to follow him to PDP.

Our source gathered that Ortom made the declaration of his defection during a meeting with local government chairmen and councillors at the new banquet hall of Government House, Makurdi.

It was learnt that thirteen local government chairmen and 276 councillors were in attendance.

Ortom said: “The state chapter has continued to launch an attack on me. Despite the intervention of APC national leadership. This morning, I had wanted to go to Abuja to attend the meeting but some youths in the state refused, they asked me to go back.

“But let me formally inform this gathering that I have forwarded my resignation letter from the APC to the chairman of my council ward and he has promised to join me in the new party.

“As I talk to you, ten (10) out of seventeen (17) state lawmakers of All Progressive Congress, APC are ready to follow me to the new party. May I formally announce to you that I have formally moved to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.”

Meanwhile,the publicity secretary of the APC in Benue, Agbo Terkula resigned both his membership of the party and the position he occupied.

In a letter of resignation, dated Wednesday, July 18, 2018, addressed to the state chairman of the party, Terkula claimed the APC controlled federal government did not represent the interests and yearnings of the people of the state.

”The APC which controls the government at the centre does not represent the yearnings and aspirations of the people of Benue state," he said.

He regretted the unprovoked killings of rural farmers by herdsmen and the displacement of farmlands and the plight of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) in the state. He added that some of the reckless comments by top political appointees of the federal government had exacerbated the killings.

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Without the rule of law Nigeria will be on its way to doom - CJN

Justice Walter Onnoghen, the Chief Justice of the Nigeria, on Tuesday, July 24, said the country was doomed without the rule of law, charging judicial officers to remain steadfast and committed in the build-up to the 2019 general election.

 Onnoghen, gave this charge during the unveiling of the ultra-modern Court of Appeal Complex in Calabar, Cross River state, urging judges to remain firm no matter whose ox was gored.

The CJN urged the judges to always be mindful of the fact that the society depended on the justices and the decision they made.

He said: “I use this opportunity to still call on judicial officers in the country to remain steadfast to their oath of office, the constitution of the country and continue to remember that without the rule of law, the society is doomed.

“Hold firm to the wheels of justice and ensure that when cases are placed on a scale, whichever weighs more should be where the judgment should go. It does not matter whose ox is gored because the society depends on us and that decision you have to take. The society survives because you are courageous enough to tell whoever is wrong that you are wrong.”

Senator Kanu Agabi, a former minister of justice and attorney general of the federation, who spoke on behalf of legal practitioners, commended the judiciary for standing firm and helping to shape the country through the decisions that had helped prevent anarchy.

“The decisions of our courts are shaping the country and by these, the judges have demonstrated their capacity and disposition to save the country from anarchy. They are proving that that is indeed the third arm of government,” he said.

Previously the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, urged prosecutors to prove their cases beyond a reasonable doubt because the court is not a Father Christmas.

Onnoghen made the statement on Monday, May 7, at a workshop for investigators and prosecutors at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja.

“I must emphasise that in all criminal trials, the prosecution must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and this burden is discharged by the prosecution calling witnesses to give compelling evidence against the defendant with relevant exhibits to lend credence to oral evidence as the court is not Father Christmas that will give what you did not ask of it,”Onnoghen said.

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2019: Don’t sell your votes - INEC urges voters

To recognise and appreciate Nigerians in the diaspora for their contributions to national development, the federal government has set aside July 25 as Diaspora Day.

Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), made this known on Monday, July 23, in a statement signed by permanent secretary, political and economic affairs office, Office of the SGF, Gabriel Tanimu Aduda.

The government said the Diaspora Day for 2018 is scheduled to hold on Wednesday and Thursday, July 25 and 26 respectively.

It will be held at Petroleum Technology Development Fund Conference Hall, Abuja, with a theme titled: “Effective Engagement for National Development”.

The news outlet reports further that professionals, experts in various fields, administrators, academia and government officials in Nigeria and diaspora, who will be attracted by the event are expected to interface on diaspora-related issues and proffer solutions towards national development.

Going further, the FG urged the general public to take advantage of the various sessions on the 2-day conference to engage with the diaspora towards national development.

Meanwhile,the chairman, Senate committee on foreign affairs, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, said the upper chamber pushed for diaspora voting in the 2019 general elections.

Sunmonu on Thursday, December 29, said that giving franchise to Nigerians abroad would give the impression that “they are part of the system”, adding that her committee had suggested how Nigerians in the diaspora could vote in future elections.

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Is Saraki, Dogara still in APC to create bigger impact ?

With the political situation in Nigeria towards 2019 general elections and politicians permutations and game change it is obvious that the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives, Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara respectively,may have decided to remain in the All Progressives Congress (APC) for a reason.

The duo refused to join their defecting colleagues on Tuesday, July 24, despite reportedly being among members of the ruling party who had recently had grievances.

Our source reports that some of the lawmakers from Kwara state and a few loyalists to Dogara from Bauchi moved into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

However, report claims Saraki and Dogara are delaying their movements to create a bigger impact on the troubled party.

“For now, Saraki and Dogara are closely watching how the events of yesterday would be responded to by the Presidency, other power brokers and Nigerians.

"However,some school of thoughts said many PDP legislators may also defect to APC soon.

“But one thing is certain, the two principal officers are already out of the APC,very soon they would move to the political party of there choice alongside some governors, more senators and Rep members,” some analyst's been quoted.

Our analyst added that right now, Governors Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) and Samuel Ortom (Benue) may also defect.

The same source reportedly expressed doubts on where Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) stands.

“some time ago APC governors led by Abdulaziz Yari and Kashim Shettima had met with Tambuwal in Sokoto.

“They actually cautioned him against moving to the PDP because he would not get what he wants, which is the presidential ticket'.

Another source as saying there was a huge difference between the defections of nPDP in 2015 and what happened on Tuesday, July 24.

“All those that defected yesterday were much stronger and influential politically in 2015. With the exception of Saraki, many of them have lost out in their states'.

Our source also quoted someone PDP insider as saying the two leaders would leave soon.

“It won’t be long at all. Saraki and Dogara are principal officers in the National ‎Assembly so they don’t want to rock the boat yet. The two officers are like shepherd.

“They can’t stay behind when the flock is gone. So the defection is going to be holistic; they are already half-way into there choice political  party .no doubt about it'. He lamented.

Earlier President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his total commitment to the values of democracy, freedom of choice as well as total willingness to work with all members of the National Assembly, irrespective of their political party, for the benefit of the nation.

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As gale of defections take over APC, governors move to rescue party

Governors in Nigeria elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be meeting in Abuja, the capital of the country, to brainstorm on the best strategy to counter the mass defections that have hit the party.

This revelation is contained in a report by which quoted a source as saying: “More than 20 governors would attend and they have a strong agenda which is to ensure that there would be no ripple effects in the states where we all know the bulk of the problem lies.

“And you know what governors can do; they are all out to fight back because the fight is mostly at the state level; Buhari will definitely defeat whoever the PDP would field as candidate.

“But most importantly, we are not losing sleep because all those that left for the PDP would meet a worst scenario there; there are people who suffered for the PDP and would not agree to be dislodged.

“And you know what? Even Saraki is looking for the presidential ticket. Kwankwaso is also looking for the presidential ticket and do you think the likes of Atiku, Sule Lamido, Makarfi, Shekarau and multitude of presidential aspirants would just swallow their ambitions?

“Common, just wait and see, they would fight themselves to finish ahead of the primaries,” he said.

Currently, the APC has control of 24 of the 36 states in the federation, including Ekiti that the party recently won.

Earlier.President Muhammadu Buhariexpressed his total commitment to the values of democracy, freedom of choice as well as total willingness to work with all members of the National Assembly, irrespective of their political party, for the benefit of the nation.

The president’s statement is in response to the mass defection of some All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday, July 24.

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Despite all odds Senate President Saraki Stormed National Assembly After Police Laid Siege At His House

Senate President Bukola Saraki arrives National Assembly building earlier today

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki stormed Senate chambers majestically as police laid siege at his home.

The moment Senate President Bukola Saraki arrived the Senate chambers while Police laid siege at his home has been captured on camera. He was pictured walking in majestically as other lawmakers cheered him on.

The police had blocked his residence and convoy at Lake Chad Junction, Maitama, Abuja in order to prevent him from leaving without knowing that he was not in the convoy.

Recall that the All Progressives Congress today lost 15 senators elected on the platform of the party to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP

See photos below:

Pictures courtesy skytrendnews.com.

Policemen banned by Lagos CP from operating in mufti, commercial vehicles

The commissioner of police in Lagos state, Imohimi Edgal, has banned police operatives in the state from operating in mufti and commercial vehicles such as yellow buses popularly known as Danfo.

This was disclosed in a statement by the police public relations officer in the state, CSP Chike Oti, in which he stated that unmarked vehicles would only be used occasionally for covert operations targeted at a specific individual or group based on credible intelligence.lt was also stated in the statement that the command was unaware that some unscrupulous individuals impersonate as SARS operatives.

The statement read: "To this end, the CP urges members of the public to take note of the dress code for SARS operatives in the command. The dress code is as follows: 1. A black jacket and a fez cap. 2. In the front of the jacket, the word police is written in white at the top right part. 3. At the bottom left part of the jacket, F-SARS 039 is written there. 4. At the back of the jacket are inscriptions "F-SARS LAGOS," "SCORPION" and a red image of a Scorpion. 5. On the fez cap are inscriptions "F-SARS" and "SCORPION."

"The CP had, on assumption of office, set up a Citizen Complaint Hot Centre (CCHC) with the following telephone lines solely dedicated for lodging complaints against wrong actions of policemen. They are: 1. 08067945296. (2). 08063025274 (3). 08063104759 (4). 08113615350 (5). 08113683077 (6). 08096283148 (7). 08096283173 (8). 08089781657 (9). 08126404930 (10). 08081426895.

"Members of the public are enjoined to always make their complaints against erring policemen including those who violate the patrol guidelines and the dress code by calling any of the lines above. The Command can also be reached on the social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) via @policenglag.

Meanwhile, in a relatef story the police command in Ondo arrested five of its operatives attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) who on Monday, June 18, allegedly brutalised not less than 20 students of Adekunle Ajasin University located in the Akungba Akoko area of the state.

According to the spokesman of the command, Femi Joseph, the SARS operatives included one inspector and four officials of different ranks.

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Atiku, Balarabe Musa, others speak on security siege on Saraki, Ekweremadu

Former Vice President and presidential aspirant of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar and others have reacted to the siege on the residences of Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, by security operatives in Abuja. Atiku

Atiku said the APC should “avoid biting the fingers that gave the party victory in the last general elections.”

He said: “The news of the sieges on the residences of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, is both troubling and unsettling. No democratic nation ought to treat the leadership of its Parliament like common criminals in the course of a political disagreement.

Police cars allegedly blocking the home of the Senate president. Photo source: Bamikole Omisore

“I remind the powers that be that on August 31, 2013, when Senator Bukola Saraki walked out of the Peoples Democratic Party and began the process of joining the All Progressives Congress, there was celebration in their camps.

“I also remind them that their electoral victory, which they have so badly mismanaged today, would not have been possible without the Senate President.

“Power is transient and is also a trust that should only be used for the good and advancement of the people one leads and not for the persecution of real and imagined political opponents.”

He called for “the lifting of the sieges on the persons and homes of Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu by security forces.”

“I remind President Muhammadu Buhari of his public words of solidarity to Senator Saraki after his ordeal of malicious prosecution, which thankfully was brought to a halt by the Supreme Court, and I urge him to live up to those words today and always.”

In a reaction to the siege, the Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, described the action of the security operatives as the manifestation of tyranny in a democratic system.

He said: “I condemn in its entirety the siege on the houses of the Principal Officers of the National Assembly by officers and men of the Nigerian Police.

“The National Assembly as an arm of the government must be accorded the due respect that it deserves. This is tyranny.”

Also in a similar reaction, a former Kaduna state governor, Balarabe Musa, described the siege as bad for Nigeria’s democracy.

According to him, “It’s an unfortunate end of the fight to the death between the Presidency and the Legislature. It’s bad for the country’s democracy. This can result to anything.”

“Yes he should be investigated but that was not the way to do it. Remember we are talking about the Executive and Legislature. The two of the three fundamental institutions of government.

“Now if the Executive and Legislature are not compatible, ‎how can we have peace and progress under this situation? So actually even though the right thing should be done, there are ways and means of doing it in a better way without creating tension in the country.”

“The advice should go to the president. The president should know that he is the chief security officer of the country.

“He is the commander in chief of the armed forces, he is the controller of the resources of the country. So, the last blame lies on the president.”

Our source hint that the convoy of Senate president Bukola Saraki blocked by the operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad unit of the Nigeria Police, from leaving his Maitama residence in Abuja.

The policemen reportedly stormed the residence at about 6a.m. and prevented vehicles from coming in or going out of the home of the Senate president.

Bamikole Omisore, the special assistant to the Senate president, tweeted that the police blocked the Senate president's convoy at Lake chad junction on his way to report to the police headquarters upon the last night invitation by the police received at 8pm.

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Kaduna and Port Harcourt refineries cannot refine any crude oil - NNPC declares

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has disclosed that the Kaduna and Port Harcourt refineries cannot refine any crude oil as they are currently dormant. 

NNPC, which released operational performance of the nation's refineries, stated that refinery in Warri is performing better, as its capacity utilisation has appreciated considerably.

The refineries are the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, Port Harcourt Refining Company and Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company.

According to the NNPC, Port Harcourt and Warri refineries had zero percent capacity utilisation in the month of March, 2018, while Warri refinery had 51.32 per cent in the same month.

According to further analysis, Kaduna refinery remained dormant all through the months of February and March 2018, as it refined no single barrel of crude oil.

The reported stated that the capacity utilisation of Port Harcourt refinery dropped from 24.62 percent in February 2018 to zero per cent in March.

Capacity utilisation of Warri refinery, however, moved up from 8.26 per cent in February 2018 to 51.32 per cent in March. This gave a boost to the consolidated performance of the three refineries in March.

According to the report, their consolidated capacity utilisation closed at 14.41 per cent in March, up from the 13.94 per cent recorded in the preceding month.

The group profit of the NNPC was reduced by N5 billion with the cumulative performance of the refineries.

An operating surplus of N11.7 billion was made by the corporation, a total expense of N354.6 billion was incurred and a revenue of N366.3 billion was generated for the month under review.

The report stated that it had recorded an operating surplus of N16.7 billion, a total expense of N357.6 billion and revenue of N374.4 billion in the preceding month of February 2018.

According to report, the corporation’s profit dropped in March by N5 billion, its total expenditure reduced by N3 billion, while its revenue reduced by N8.1bn.

Meanwhile,out of the 35 firms that expressed interest to establish modular refineries, 13 were given licenses by the Nigerian government.

Maikanti Baru, the group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), made the announcement at the Offshore Technology Conference 2018 Nigeria Oil Industry Award Dinner in the United States, where he was the special guest of honour and received an award.

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