National Assembly committee begins correction of electoral bill rejected by Bihari

The joint Senate and House of Representatives committee on the electoral act amendment bill has begun work on the electoral act 2010 amendment bill which was rejected by President Muhammadu Buhari over drafting issues.

Our source gathered that the committee announced on Monday, September 17, that it had commenced working on the issues raised by the president.

The chairman of the joint committee, Senator Suleiman Nazif, told journalist that lawmakers were aware that Nigerians were expecting so much from them and have begun the process of reworking the bill.

He promised to give update about the committee’s work on the bill, which had been rejected by Buhari two times.

“I believe that what we are doing is in the best interest of Nigerians,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that voters will be barred from going inside polling booths with their telephones, cameras and any other devices that can record images during the Osun gubernatorial election.

The chairman of the commission, Mahmood Yakubu, made the disclosure on Monday, September 17, in Osogbo at the stakeholders’ forum organised ahead of Saturday September 22 election.

He, however, stated that voters would not be prevented from using their devices at the polling units but would be barred from holding their cameras and telephones from the moment they are issued with ballot papers until they cast their marked ballots inside the ballot boxes.

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I didn't speak to Tinubu about Ambode - Pastor Adeboye

The general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has denied the rumour linking him with a claim that he has spoken with the All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, over the controversy generated by the second term re-election bid of Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos state.

The cleric cleared the dust on Sunday, September 16, through his verified Twitter and Facebook account, adding that he has nothing to do with partisan politics in the state.

Our source notes that Governor Ambode's second term ambition is currently in jeopardy after a fallout with his political godfather and former governor of the state, Asiwaju Tinubu.

Adeboye said he “has not and would not be involved in inter /intraparty politics in Nigeria and anywhere RCCG is present across the world.”

He, however, urged Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) so that they will be able to perform their civic right.

The tweet reads: "Pastor E.A Adeboye advises all well-meaning Nigerians just like him to get their PVCs and exercise their civic duty.”

Although there were indications that Tinubu yet to back down from his decision to find a replacement for the incumbent governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, ahead of the 2019 gubernatorial election.

According to the report, a last minute move made by Oba Rilwan Akiolu and Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, to save Ambode from the looming mess didn't yield a positive result. In order to douse the tension coming out of the issue, Tinubu was reported to have been summoned by President Buhari to Abuja to plead on Ambode's behalf.

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Vote buying: YIAGA-Africa canvasses for laws to address electoral loopholes

A Civil Society Organisation, YIAGA Africa on Friday, September 14, called for adequate laws to address the loopholes in Nigeria's electoral process especially the reoccurring issues of vote buying and selling.

Executive Director, YIAGA-Africa, Mr Samson Itodo made the call at the Watching the Vote (WTV) Series with the theme “Ending the Scourge of Vote Buying and Selling in Nigerian Elections” in Abuja.

Itodo, while presenting a document on “Duly Elected or Duly Purchased,’’ a report on vote buying in the Ekiti election, said Nigeria’s democracy was under threat due to vote buying.

According to him, corruption is a societal challenge that manifests in every facet of life in Nigeria.

“It concerns conducts by the giver and the taker of inappropriate inducement as is the case with perpetrators of vote buying.

“Electoral laws must accommodate the various loopholes for corruption in the conduct of elections and see to the discharge of adequate punishment to offenders,’’ he said.

He lamented that competence and character were no longer the parameters for assessing electoral candidates by Nigerians, stressing that cash-for-vote or “see and buy’’ was emerging as the major determinant of electoral choice which could undermine electoral choices and imperil Nigeria’s democracy.

He said that vote buying also had a tendency to aggravate corruption in public offices as those who hold public mandates were made to seek corrupt means of enriching themselves toward elections.

He informed the audience that YIAGA Africa through its WTV project undertook a post-election investigation to examine the factors that facilitated it.

He said the study, which entailed identifying the chain of operation and methods of vote buying before, during and after elections as well as the implication, identified five drivers.

“Poverty and hunger influence the vulnerability to vote buying. Vote buying is indeed an exploitation of the poor within our society.

“Failure of political office holders to fulfill their campaign promises makes vote selling attractive as citizens look for instant gratification from elections,’’ he added.

He recommended behavioural change as the best measure against vote purchase and other electoral malfeasance, even as he advocated that political positions should be made less attractive by reducing perquisites that awaited successful candidates.

Itodo also called for poverty reduction, a comprehensive war on corruption, restoration of ideological bases for political parties, reversal of rising unemployment and promotion of good governance.

He further suggested improved management of election security, introduction of electronic voting system and enforcement of electoral laws among others.

Meanwhile, YIAGA Africa WTV has expressed concern over the delay in the signing of the electoral amendment bill into law.

The group made its stance known on the delay at a press conference on the status of the electoral amendment bill in Abuja on Monday, September 10.

They called on the executive and National Assembly to work together to conclude all the electoral amendments by the end of September 2018.

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Adeosun has not resigned - Aide insists

An unconfirmed report by Tribune online claims that the minister of finance, Kemi Adeosun, has not resigned her appointment.

Recall that a Nigerian newspaper, Daily Trust, broke the news of her alleged resignation earlier today, September 14.

Adeosun, who was accused of using a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) exemption certificate has not come out to confirm the report of her resignation.

Director of Information, Mr Hassan Dodo, also said he had no information concerning Adeosun’s alleged resignation.

However, an unnamed senior aide of the minister, who spoke with Tribune claimed that the report of the minister's resignation is untrue and merely fabricated to distract her.

The aide said: “It is not true. You should notice that we have not spoken on this matter since July 7 when the issue of NYSC certificate broke.

“It is an agenda that they are pursuing and we will not help them to authenticate that

“Í am here with you. You can also see the other aides and security details at their duty posts.

“Even the Minister is in her office right now carrying on with her work. Don’t mind them."

There was also normalcy at the minister's office with the aides going about their daily activities and the minister was reportedly in her office until 3.55pm when this report was filed.

NAIJ.com earlier reported that Daily Trust said it did not have information about when Adeosun submitted her resignation letter.

The source cited by the newspaper said the resignation followed the allegation of not participating in the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and obtaining a certificate that the NYSC have disowned.

The minister, according to the report, felt that her position is becoming untenable and is hurting President in Muhammadu Buhari in the run up to the 2019 election.

FG replies HSBC, Economists over predictions on 2019 elections

The federal government has described the predictions on the 2019 general elections by two British-based institutions, HSBC and The Economists, as fake and a psychological warfare against the anti-corruption policies of the current administration.

The minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this when he paid an advocacy visit to Channels Television on Friday, September 14.

The minister said: “We have all read that the intelligence unit of the Economist said the PDP will defeat the ruling APC in 2019. We have also read that the international financial institution, HSBC, said Nigeria’s economic development will be stunted if President Buhari gets a second term.

“Let me state clearly that these reports are based on fake premises and, therefore, qualify as fake news. It is a psychological warfare by those who have been badly hit by our policies. Our fight against corruption has meant that many financial institutions, especially banks, that fed fat on the proceeds of corruption are no longer able to do that.

“Also, international publications that used to feed fat on questionable supplements paid for by the federal government have seen a drastic reduction in such patronage, as the administration cuts down on frivolous spending that was the order of the day in the past.

“Therefore, it is natural that these institutions and publications would not wish to see another term for this administration. The truth, however, is that only the good people of Nigeria will determine who presides over the affairs of the country, not any bank or media establishment, irrespective of their influence or self importance.

“The parents and wards of the 8.5 million school children, who are being fed every school day under our home-grown school feeding system, are feeling the impact of this Administration. The more than six million farmers, who have joined rice production since this Administration came on board, know what this government has done.

“Nigerians, who are enjoying more stable electricity after power production has more than doubled, know better. The 500,000 unemployed graduates who have benefitted from our N-Power programme know that these naysayers are only thinking about themselves. So we are not bothered."

Already the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) faulted the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and HSBC, a multinational banking and financial services company, for their report that a second term for President Muhammadu Buhari would stunt the economic development of Nigeria.

The APC in a statement sighted by NAIJ.com said they were nothing but the usual doomsday prophesies about the Nigerian nation.

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Finance minister Kemi Adeosun allegedly resigns

Nigeria’s finance minister, Kemi Adeosun, has allegedly resigned, an unconfirmed report by Daily Trust quoting anonymous sources stated.

The newspaper, however, said it did not have information about when Adeosun submitted her resignation letter.

The source cited by the newspaper said the resignation followed the allegation of not participating in the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and obtaining a certificate that the NYSC have disowned.

The minister, according to the report, felt that her position is becoming untenable and is hurting President in Muhammadu Buhari in the run up to the 2019 election.

At the time of this report, calls made by NAIJ.com to Oluyinka Akintunde, the special adviser on media and communications to Adeosun, were not taken. A text message sent to him asking for confirmation of the development was not also replied.

Earlier, NAIJ.com reported an anti-corruption group, Say No Campaign, called for probe into the certificate scandals involving Senator Ademola Adeleke and the minister of finance, Adeosun.

In a statement signed by its Co-convener, Ezenwa Nwagwu, the group said it has, through the legal instrument of the Freedom Of Information Act, written to the relevant authorities to respond to the allegations against the duo.

Nwagwu said there were obvious discrepancies in the two certificates presented by Senator Adeleke to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stressing that the West African Examination Council (WAEC) needs to verify the authenticity of the result.

Kofi Annan Burial: wife Maria,UN Scribe gives tribute

The widow of the late Kofi Annan, Nane Maria Annan, has thanked Ghana for raising a fine gentleman in the person of her late husband. Nane Maria Annan also thanked God for making Kofi Annan and for bringing him into her life.

Nane made these statements in a tribute to her late husband at his funeral ceremony, which was held at the Accra International Conference Center on Thursday, September 13.

Kofi Annan with wife Nane

In a rather short tribute, Nane said her late husband was such a wonderful man, and that the various statements read by key world representatives were enough to attest to that fact.

She described her late husband as someone who was very compassionate, loving and intelligent. Nane also praised Kofi Annan for being a man of integrity and man full of knowledge.

She further prayed to God to keep her late husband in his bosom. Her tribute attracted a massive applause from those present.

Meanwhile, a daughter of Kofi Annan, Ama Annan, has revealed the beautiful relationship he had with his children.

According to her, the late former UN secretary-general was a peace-loving man, who trained them to live a good life. Ama praised her late father, stressing that she was “lucky to have had him as her father”.

It has also been uncovered that the former UN chief was an avid football lover and player. Tributes to the late diplomat have flowed in from several dignitaries, including President Akufo-Addo, the UN and other international bodies.

The UN also led by its Secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, who paid final respects to late Kofi Annan as the latter was laid to rest on Thursday, September 13, at the military cemetery in Ghana.

The current UN leader, in his remarks at the funeral of his predecessor, paid glowing tributes to Annan, who said goodbye to the world on August 18 in Switzerland at age 80.

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Hurricane Florence: Dramatic Warnings Save Lives with Heighten Fear

More than 10 million people are in the crosshairs of Hurricane Florence as storm force winds move within hours of battering the US east coast.

Despite the potentially devastating hurricane being downgraded to category two on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, the governor of Georgia has joined his counterparts in Virginia and the Carolinas in declaring a state of emergency.

About 1.7 million people have already been told to leave their homes in the latter three states, but some who thought they were safely out of the path of the storm are now desperately working to board up their homes and businesses before its arrival.

One grocery store in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, sported a plea for divine intervention - with forecasters warning that the threat of devastation remains high despite the downgrade.

Nighttime winds have gone from 140mph (225kph) to 115mph (185kph), and further weakening is expected as Florence approaches the coast.

Jeff Byard, an administrator at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said: "Do you want to get hit with a train or do you want to get hit with a cement truck?"

Tropical storm force winds are thought to be just hours away from making landfall in North Carolina.

Its governor, Roy Cooper, told residents "the time to prepare was almost over".

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, he said: "Disaster is at the doorstep and it's coming in."According to the National Hurricane Center, the eye of the hurricane will likely not blow ashore until Friday afternoon local time, after which it will then push westward and bring with it the potential for catastrophic inland flooding.

There have been warnings that any flooding of hog manure pits, coal ash dumps and other industrial sites could have a lasting effect on communities, with tainted water possibly washing into homes and drinking supplies.

Image:People queue to buy propane in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Florence

Two other tropical storms - Isaac and Olivia - have also been in the vicinity this week, with the National Weather Service estimating that some 10.15 million people lived in areas under either hurricane or tropical storm warnings.

In addition to tens of thousands of homes and businesses, five military bases and half a dozen nuclear power plants are also in the path of the storm.

Image:Hurricane Florence is closing in, with large clouds gathering over North Carolina

Image:Donald Trump says the government is ready to assist when required

Duke Energy, the second-largest energy company in the US, said Florence could knock out electricity to three-quarters of its four million customers in the Carolinas.

Workers are being brought in from the Midwest and Florida to help deal with what could be weeks of power outages in the aftermath, the company said.

President Donald Trump - who was criticised for his response to the deadly Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico last year -has said the White House is "absolutely, totally prepared" to provide aid once Florence hits.He said: "We are ready but this is going to be one of the biggest ones to ever hit our country.

"Residents in the path of these devastating storms should comply with all evacuation orders and other emergency instructions. Protection of life is the absolute highest priority and that's what we are doing."

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