2019 Presidential Election: Nothern Political leaders Forum met in Abuja

Ahead of the 2019 presidential election, elders and top political figured in the northern part of Nigeria have met in Abuja with the sole target of brainstorming and coming up with strategies for the selection of a consensus candidate.

Under the aegis of the Northern Elders and Stakeholders, the northern leaders met explaining that the meeting was aimed at seeking ways for an acceptable person who would fly the zone’s presidential flag.

The report said the meeting was convened by a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Bello Mohammed; a former deputy Senate president, Ibrahim Mantu, and Senator Paul Zannan

A former governor of Niger state, Babangida Aliyu; Senator Bala Mande and Senator Solomon Ewuga; Professor Ango Abdullahi, a former vice-chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; a former governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa; a prominent lawyer, Awwal Yadudu, and Alhaji Bala Mohammed were at the meeting.

The report said the meeting, chaired by Tanko Yakassai, a chieftain of the Northern Elders Forum, was also connected with the widespread complaint about the government of President Muhammadu Buhari as well as his health status.

Yakassai reportedly said the group was non-partisan, adding: “The purpose of our meeting is not to form a political party. Our meeting was not to support any candidate; we don’t even know the candidates yet. The purpose is to see how to bring about unity of purpose in the north.

“Our main preoccupation is how to unite the North to relate better with the rest of Nigeria on a common ground.

“We are a political group but non-partisan (almost) all political parties were here, we are fighting for unity of the country we are not having anybody in mind, we want to have a common purpose.”

Explaining the reason the meeting was convened, Bello Mohammed said: “After due consideration of the current political situation in the country, it becomes highly expedient to convene a conversation of critical Northern Elders and Stakeholders to deliberate on the best way forward for the region.

“The conversation was necessitated by the need for us to deliberate and reach an acceptable choice for representation, given that the 2019 presidency has been zoned to the North.

“From what is apparent in the political arena today, it is clear that the major political operators have agreed that in the forthcoming 2019 general elections, it is the turn of the north to produce the president.

“From what we have seen earlier, it has always been zoned to the north but the decision on what to do and who to present has never been a northern decision.

“What we want is that this time round, let us have the opportunity to come together so that whatever is decided for the north, it is the northern leaders who decide it and then we get support from other regions.

“If we are able to do that, then we should be able to produce a leadership for this country that would be just, equitable and lead us to nation’s development which is eluding us. That is the reason why we are here.”

A communique released by the elders after the gathering also read: “This meeting is hereby established as a standing forum for the Northern Region to be known as Northern Political Leaders Forum.

“Five sub-committees are hereby set up to address the various issues challenging the northern region. The sub-committee during the summit are security sub-committee; political sub-committee; northern unity sub-committee; the 2019 election sub-committee and the restructuring of Nigeria sub-committee.

“The details of the members will be announced in due course.

“The meeting has approved the holding of a northern political submit on March 15, 2018 to commemorate the attainment of self-government of the Northern Region in 1959.

“The reports of the committees will be delivered and deliberated on at the said northern political summit.”

2019: Kwakwaso kicks off presidential campaign in Anambra

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (APC-Kano Central) has kicked off his 2019 presidential campaign with a visit to Anambra on Thursday, February 8, New Telegraph reports.

During his visit to the southeast state, Kwankwaso, who is also a former governor of Kano state, met with the Hausa community in the state and the leadership of his group in the state, the Kwakwaso Movement, which is led by Eddy Ndiche.
Our source also gathered that on arrival in the state, Kwankwaso also paid a courtesy call to the traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Alex Onyido, who reportedly gave him a royal blessing.

The senator then moved to Ndiche’s house, where he noted that his first hurdle would be to emerge victorious at the primaries of the All Progressive Congress, as he addressed his group. To this end, he asked for support to achieve his goal.

The APC chieftain stated that his decision to contest for the presidency was informed by the economic meltdown and incessant killings in the country.

He said: “I am in this contest because I want to restore the lost glory of the country. I have come to see the people of the state and thank them for their support to me.

“The southeast region is important in this journey because we cannot do without them. I need your support.

“Election is not a do-or-die and my successor, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who is opposing my ambition should have a rethink and join me to better the welfare of Nigerians.

“The only hurdle before us is the primary election. I assure you, if I am able to win the primaries, winning the main election will not be difficult because I know I will win."

He called on the federal government to show more concern towards the governed, as he lamented over the recent killings in the country.

The senator also commended the Hausa community for coming out in large numbers to welcome him.

Speaking at the occasion, Ndiche lauded the senator for making time for the visit despite his busy schedule and assured him that Anambra state would support his ambition.

N3.9billion airport fund diversion: A politically inspired libel - Oduah

Senator Stella Oduah has frowned at a recent media report suggesting there was massive funds diversion under her watch as Nigeria's minister of aviation

The report made reference to a N3.9 billion reserved for airport renovation.

In a statement Oduah described the report as the work of her political detractors hell-bent on tarnishing her image as elections approaches.

Senator Oduah says her political detractors are upset about her popularity in Anambra North Senatorial District

The senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District also frowned at the newspaper who published the report for stooping to an unprofessional level by publishing unverified information without recourse to her.

She stressed that the content of the report was completely untrue, adding those behind the report were unhappy with her overwhelming popularity.

Part of the statement read: “My attention has been called to a publication by The Nation in their newspaper of 6th February, 2018 in which it was stated that N3.9 billion of the money meant for installation of security devices at the airports was traced to a firm belonging to me and others.

“It is very unprofessional and indeed shameful for a seemingly reputable newspaper like The Nation to make such wild accusations without verifying the source of their information and without any recourse to me.

“This is purely the handiwork of my political detractors who are uncomfortable with my overwhelming popularity as a Senator representing my zone.

“It is not surprising that those tales are coming at a time when the general election and political parties primaries for the election are at the corner, with my detractors piqued with the staunch resolution of my people to re-elect me as senator.

“What is surprising is how a once respectable newspaper will descend so low to run the errand of political libel.”

Oduah insisted that the statements contained in the publication were completely false and should be disregarded.

“At no time was any money meant for contracts under my watch as the aviation minister diverted to any company belonging to me neither did I pay back any loan from any such funds.

“All contracts awarded by ministry of aviation under me followed due process and as for the contract under reference, the said contract was executed.

“As the minister of aviation, I committed myself to the service of my country to the very best of my ability and as it is widely acknowledged, my record and performance as the Minister of Aviation remain laudable and unbeatable.

“What we did in aviation was so far reaching that it had never been done before, it was so unprecedented.

“If you remember how just Abuja airport used to be: one used to literally find it impossible to use the rest rooms there. To get into the lounge where people sit was impossible, most motor parks were better than what we had at the airport whether it is Lagos, Abuja, Sokoto.

“We took them on and efficiently and in a very timely manner changed every single one of them: and we did not just change that we changed the safety of the Nigerian airspace.

“Before we were having accidents literally every six months but we made sure that the safety of Nigerian passengers was prioritised to ensure that the landing gears, the flight gadgets, every single thing that will make Nigerian airspace the airspace that it is today, recognised by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), it had never been done before.

“I challenge anybody to just do a spreadsheet; How aviation was before, How I made aviation and how aviation is today. In all honesty if the person does not give me 120 per cent it means that they cannot add.

“It is thus natural to expect odious reactions from some elements whose greatest political punches are calumny,” she said.

The former minister therefore cautioned the news medium to refrain from playing into the hands of political detractors who intend to ride on them to score cheap political points.

“Anyone in my position will be constrained to seek redress in a law court against the publisher of such news, but suffice it to pass a word of caution to the authors of that libel at this stage,” she said.

Similarly, Senator Oduah has refuted recent media reports accusing her of evading invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement, Oduah described the reports as mischievous, adding that it was geared towards pitching the EFCC against her.

Reports in some national dailies and online media had indicated that Senator Oduah was evading invitation to the commission to defend a N9.4 billion contract awarded during her time as aviation minister.source naij.com

Jagaba Adams APC.Rep finally joins PDP

Jagaba Adams, (Kagarko/Kachia) who was a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has formerly decamped to the House of Representatives on Thursday, February 8, when he identified himself as a member of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

The lawmaker made this former declaration while contributing to a motion of urgent public importance on the need to add Kaduna and Plateau to a list of states under the siege of herdsmen.

He said: “I'm Hon Jagaba Adams Jagaba and I am of the Peoples Democratic Party.”

This statement triggered jubilation in the PDP camp, prompting the PDP lawmakers to congratulate the minority leader, Leo Ogor.

However, the speaker, Yakubu Dogara, who presided over the plenary, however, said that Jagaba remained a member of the APC until he officially informs the House, Premium Times reports.

Jagaba Adams had in 2018 formally dumped Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Meanwhile Alhaji Shuaibu Iyah of PDP Suleja constituency in Niger state, on Tuesday, February 6, announced his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a letter read on the floor of the House by the speaker, Alhaji Ahmed Marafa, the lawmaker said: “He was joining the APC following his resignation from the PDP on whose platform he was elected in February 2016."

The News Agency Nigeria (NAN) reports that the announcement of Iyah’s defection was greeted with wild jubilation by other APC lawmakers in the House.

Lagos Sets for 24-hour power supply

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos has signed seven bills into law among which is the one to guarantee 24-hour power supply in line with the vision of his administration to boost the economy and make the state globally competitive.

The bills include the "Lagos state electric power reform law, amended land use charge law, school of nursing law, cooperative college law, cancer research institute law, amended customary court law and the Yoruba language preservation and promotion law," a statement by the Habib Aruna, the governor's media aide, said.

The attorney-general and justice commissioner, Adeniji Kazeem, who spoke on the importance of the laws, said the development was a great day for the state as it signpost the commencement of the journey to further advance the dividends of democracy to the people.

“This is a great day; the governor has just signed these bills into law and this shows that the House of Assembly is working in tandem with the executive.

"It also shows that Lagos is working. These laws are going to benefit the people of Lagos State and this is what the people are looking for in terms of the dividends of democracy," Kazeem said.

Olawale Oluwo, the energy and mineral resources minister, said the power sector reform law would allow the state government to intervene in major areas of the power value chain to the overall benefit of the people.

“One, the law puts the government in a position to be able to extend our guarantee to private sector participants who will come and generate power for us and by this guarantee, we are putting the balance sheet of our State on the table and assuring investors that as they generate power, they will get paid.

“Second, is to help the distribution companies to upgrade their infrastructure because if they generate the power and their infrastructure is still where it is today, clearly they will not have the capacity to carry the incremental power.

"The third area of intervention is that it empowers us to be able to open up the gas market in Lagos so that we can have gas on a consistent basis and that is how we can attain the 24-hour power supply," he said.

Oluwo said the law would also enable the state government to collaborate with the distribution companies to collect tariff from customers efficiently in a way that the said guarantee would not crystallize, while in the area of enforcement, the law will prevent power theft.

“What has happened today is that the first power theft law in Nigeria has been signed today by Governor Ambode and this is the first time any government in Nigeria will institutionalise the power theft law.

“It criminalizes power infraction. What we have seen before is that people tamper with and bypass meters and at the end of the day they are arrested and nothing happens but the new law provides for jail terms as well as fines and all sorts of forbearance such that if you tamper with electrical installations, if you import fake electrical materials into this state, you are liable to be prosecuted,” Oluwo explained.

Kehinde Bamigbetan, the information commissioner, also said the signing of the laws aptly confirmed the commitment of Governor Ambode to institutionalize and enshrine good governance.

“Among the bills is the amended customary law which is very important because for a long time the customary court system in the local government has been shut down because of the bill and with this revision, the customary court in local government will spring back to life and that means that many of the activities in the local government which require arbitration and dispute resolution which had been in abeyance so far will now come back in full stream.

“Another one is the Yoruba promotion bill and for the first time it will become normal for you to be admitted into any of our tertiary institutions with a credit in Yoruba language and Yoruba will now become a major requirement for you to engage in normal business communication in Lagos state.

"This is a clear and conscious commitment to the position which Lagos state prides Yoruba language as the cultural vehicle for us to be able to articulate our position and it also shows that Lagos has furthered recognised the importance of language as a vehicle for development,”Bamigbetan said.
In a relatedn story Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday, February 7, assured the Nigerian army of his administration's readiness to support and scale up the operations of the military against kidnapping, smuggling, armed robbery, illegal oil bunkering and other security challenges in the state

Nigerian Air Force announces operational units in 3 states

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has announced plans by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to establish a Forward Operational Base (FOB) in Taraba state to further tackle the incessant herdsmen-farmers clash in the country.

Abubakar disclosed the plans while delivering a lecture to participants of National Defence College (NDC) Course 26 in Abuja adding that there were plans to establish a ‘Quick Response Wing’ along the Benue-Nassarawa axis.

Air Marshal Abubakar also spoke on the current and likely threats as well as contingencies from the perspective of air operations.

He then elucidated on his vision for the NAF while also highlighting current efforts at actualizing it.

Some of the initiatives, according to an official statement obtained by NAIJ.com, included the establishment of new commands and some units, improvement in human capacity development, improved aircraft serviceability and logistics support as well as enhanced personnel welfare.

The statement said the CAS spoke about the efforts being made in the area of research and development towards improved self-sufficiency, as a result of which the NAF is currently making great savings in foreign exchange.

He equally examined the challenges and constraints to the NAF’s air power effectiveness discussed the strategies to countering them.

In his remarks, the commandant of NDC, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo, declared that “You cannot win any war today without an effective and virile air force.”

He commended the current NAF leadership for taking a lot of laudable and unprecedented steps, especially in the area of technological development, in a bid to reposition the security organisation for greatness.

He particularly cited the recent feats by the NAF in locally designing and producing an operational unmanned aerial vehicle, among many other breakthroughs in the area of research and development.

Fuel queues: NNPC programmes two cargoes per day for February

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has programmed to bring in two cargoes of petrol per day for the rest of February 2018 to boost supply.

The move is in a bid to keep the country wet with petrol and eradicate the fuel queues that have resurfaced in some cities.

The two cargoes is 50 million litres making a total of 100 million litres that will be brought in per day for the rest of February to increase supply and replenish strategic reserves.

Also, to enhance supply, 45 million litres of petrol was discharged from ships into jetties across the country on Tuesday, February 6.

Prior to the fresh 45 million litres discharge, there was 324 million litres of petrol on land and 432 million litres in marine storage making a total of 756 million litres, enough to last for 22 days at 35 million daily consumption rate.

The jetties that received the 45 million litres shipments include Nacj, Apapa; Bop, Apapa; Techo Jetty, Lagos; Dutchess, Oghara; Vine Jetty, Calabar; Chipet Jetty, Lagos; and ECM Jetty, Calabar.

To ensure efficient distribution of the product to depots in the hinterland, the Nigerian Pipeline and Storage Company (NPSC), a midstream subsidiary of the NNPC, has been mandated to fix relevant pipelines to facilitate seamless pumping, in addition to massive trucking arrangement that is in place.

The corporation assured Nigerians that with the measures in place, the fuel queues being experienced in some cities would soon be a thing of the past.

Similarly, as part of efforts to sanitize the fuel supply and distribution system to eliminate the queues, the NNPC has stepped up the arrest and prosecution of erring marketers and fuel hawkers across the country.

British grandmother on death row loses appeal

Image:Linda Carty is one of more than 50 women on death row across the US.

A British grandmother who has spent more than 15 years on death row in Texas has lost an appeal to the state's highest criminal court.

Linda Carty was sentenced to death after being convicted of the murder of her neighbour in Houston in May 2001.

Prosecutors alleged that Carty, now 59, had hired three men to kidnap Joana Rodridguez and her newborn son.

She planned to keep the child and pass it off as her own, they said.

But Carty has always maintained her innocence and her lawyers say she was convicted largely on the word of her co-accused.

She was granted a new hearing by the appeals court in 2016 to present what she claimed was new evidence proving her innocence.

Carty argued prosecutors had coerced witnesses and withheld evidence.

Image:Carty's case has received celebrity backing and the support of Bianca Jagger

But a judge dismissed that appeal, saying there was overwhelming evidence of her guilt, and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has now confirmed his decision.

Carty was born on the Caribbean island of St Kitts when it was still subject to British rule and she retains a UK passport.

The Foreign Office has supported her cause and expressed concern about the prospect of her facing execution.

In an interview with Sky News on death row at Huntsville Prison in 2012, Carty protested her innocence and pleaded for more assistance from the UK.She said: "I am 110% innocent.

"We are British. I can't wash off my nationality with soap and water. I am going to always be British.

"I won't get up and ask the British Government to go out in the public and lobby for me had I known that I am guilty because then it would be an embarrassment not only to myself and my family but also the country that I love.

Image:An employee of legal action charity Reprieve

"So for me when I say I am innocent and that I didn't commit this crime I mean that."

Her case has received celebrity backing and the support of campaigners at the human rights organisation Reprieve.

But the US Supreme Court refused to take up her case in 2010 and her legal options have continued to narrow.

She is one of more than 50 women on death rows across the United States, six of them in Texas.

The state has carried out more than a third of all of the executions since the US restored the death penalty in 1976.

But the number of executions being carried out has continued to decline across the country. Texas, which saw 40 executions in 2000, carried out seven last year..Skynews.