Desmond Elliot Receives his Certificate of Return

  

Nollywood star Actor Desmond Elliot who won the Lagos state House of Assembly seat for Surulere constituency I, received his certificate of return today April 29th. 

 

Culled from my celebrity and i

Pics: Buhari receives Canadian, Tanzanian, German ambassadors in Abuja

President-elect, Gen Buhari met with the ambassadors of Canada, Amb. Perry John Calderwood (above) Germany Ambassador, Michael Zenner and Tanzania Ambassador, Daniel Ole Njoolay, in Abuja today April 28th. See more photos after the cut...

Culled from NTA News Blog

Breaking News: See Full Text of NNPC forensic audit report

It's Finally here, Click here to download NNPC forensic audit report

APC accuses Jonathan of ‘last-minute dubious activities’

The All Progressives Congress has threatened to probe the outgoing administration of President Goodluck Jonathan over some “last-minute dubious activities” ahead of the May 29 handover.

The party alleged that the outgoing administration had been looting the nation’s resources, hurriedly recruiting into the public service and privatisatising key financial institutions.

The APC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Sunday, said such actions would have serious repercussions after May 29.


It said apart from media reports of such anomalies, the party had received reliable information from members of the public about some dubious actions by key officials of the outgoing Jonathan administration.

The party said while the Jonathan administration remains in charge until the midnight of May 29, it was important for the outgoing administration not to create any more problems for the incoming government than it had already done, or to tie the new government’s hands through some suspicious actions.

The APC said although the Buhari administration would not needlessly probe the Jonathan administration, it would look into all actions taken by Jonathan’s administration after the March 28 presidential election.

The statement read, ‘’For example, the National Council on Privatisation, which is headed by the Vice-President, has just approved the financial bid opening for transaction advisers for the privatisation of the three development finance institutions in the country – the Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry and Nigeria Commodity Exchange. The question is: What is the rationale for rushing this exercise with just weeks left for this administration?

“Also, there have been reports, not refuted, of a planned hurried recruitment into the Nigeria Immigration Service, after a previous attempt ended in a national tragedy and the fleecing of innocent job seekers by mindless Federal Government officials.

Apart from the fact that this last-minute recruitment is suspect, it is irregular.

“The Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board is only empowered to recruit, promote and discipline only senior officers (levels eight and above). The power to recruit, promote and discipline junior officers is vested in the different services, in this case the Nigeria Immigration Service.

“Therefore, the recruitment exercise now being conducted by the federal civil service under the auspices of the Presidential Committee to Assist on Immigration Recruitment usurps the functions of the board as it relates to the recruitment of Senior Officers (level 08) and that of the immigration service as it relates to Junior Officers (levels 07 and below).”

The party also called the attention of Jonathan to a published report that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, plans to use the Federal Capital Development Authority to carry out a secret employment of no fewer than 500 workers before the end of the month.

‘’We do not know if this report, as well as others, is true. But if indeed these rushed privatisation and hurried recruitment exercises – in the twilight of the Jonathan administration – are true, they raise serious questions concerning the reasons behind such actions.”

The APC urged Jonathan to call his officials to order in order to save him of embarrassment.

It said it was such recklessness that led to the downfall of Jonathan’s administration and it would be unfair to bequeath such to the Buhari administration.

It added, “We are therefore compelled to call on President Jonathan to call his officials to order, lest they engage in actions that can later embarrass his administration.

Pix from Uche Jombo’s Baby Shower

 
   
  
  
 

21-year-old, 124 others bag First Class in University of Lagos ( UNILAG)

UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rahamon Bello

A 21-year-old graduate of Chemical Engineering, Akinpelumi Korede, has emerged as the overall best graduating student of the University of Lagos in the 2013/2014 academic session, the school authorities said on Friday.

Korede led 124 others who also had First Class degree from the institution in the said graduation year.

Addressing journalists ahead of the institution’s convocation ceremony scheduled for next week, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rahamon Bello, said a total of 10,600 students would graduate from the institution this year.


According to him, 5,836 undergraduate students, representing about 55 per cent of the total figure, would be awarded various diplomas, certificates and degrees, and 4,764 would be awarded postgraduate degrees across its 12 faculties and the distance-learning institute.

Bello added that the event would hold between April 28 and April 30, starting with a convocation lecture on Monday, April 27, 2015.

He said, “Of the undergraduate category, a total of 125 graduating students finished in the First Class Division, 1,664 in Second Class Upper Division, 2,827 in Second Class Lower Division, 963 in Third Class, 90 with Pass degrees while 167 are with unclassified degrees in Medicine and Pharmacy.

“For postgraduate students, the university will be graduating a total of 103 Doctor of Philosophy, while there are 4,330 with Master’s degrees and 331 with post-graduate diplomas. The best Doctorate student is Akpan Emmanuel.”
Culled from NTA News Blog

Boko Haram Renames Itself ‘Islamic State In West Africa’, Shares New Pix

 
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President Jonathan Now Dealing With Those Who Betrayed Him – Festus Keyamo

 
  
      

Buhari Sues for Legislative Harmony-Onyebuchi Ezigbo

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President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II,

•  As Kogi, Kwara leaders pay solidarity visit

The president-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), on Tuesday made an appeal to the incoming members of the National Assembly to eschew divisive tendencies and work together to help his government realise the expectations of Nigerians.

Buhari, who gave the charge when he received a delegation of leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Kogi and Kwara States during a congratulatory visit in Abuja, also tasked the judiciary to be ready to discharge its constitutional roles of ensuring justice at all times.

While speaking on the expectations from the incoming government, Buhari urged the newly elected members of the National Assembly on the APC platform to try to work with their colleagues across the country to ensure that the expected gains of the change in administration are realised.

He also asked them to be mindful of the yearnings of the people to see meaningful change, and so they should try to work towards achieving that.

Similarly, Buhari told another delegation from Kwara State led by the Senate Committee Chairman on Environment and Ecology, Senator Bukola Saraki, that his expectation is that the relationship between his administration and the lawmakers would be cordial.

He urged the incoming National Assembly members not to be antagonistic by trying to always frustrate executive bills.
According to Buhari, lawmakers should always relate with their people at the grassroots, warning that abandoning their constituents might be to their detriment if they hope to seek re-election.

As for the judiciary, the president-elect said he expects them as the interpreters of the law to be ready to do their job, adding that it is only when there is justice and fairness that peace and development can thrive.
"For whatever reason, we will try to protect them and provide for their welfare so that they will be able to discharge their duties without fear or favour," he said.

He also said his government would try to provide adequate security for the people and to make governance accountable to the people.
Former Kogi State Governor Abubakar Audu, who led the delegation of lawmakers to meet with Buhari said the Kogi people have through their massive vote for the APC made it clear that they are with the incoming administration.

He said the state’s delegation had come to congratulate the president-elect and to draw his attention to some of the needs of the people.
Audu, who was accompanied by newly elected senators from Kogi, made particular reference to the abandoned Ajaokuta Steel project, expressing the hope that the APC-led federal government would take necessary steps towards reviving it.

"We want assure you that the whole Kogi is in support of you and will back your administration 100%. Our people are behind you 100% and whenever you need our attention you can be sure that we will be ready to do so," he said.

On his part, the Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said his people expects that having massively voted for APC, the party would not hesitate to cede the position of Senate president to them.

When asked if his mission was to lobby Buhari for the Senate president's job Saraki said it was part of their agenda.

Culled from Thisday

Nigerians Protest Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa-Tobi Soniyi, Damilola Oyedele, Senator Iroegbu and Adibe Emenyonu

South African High Commissioner in Nigeria, Ambassador Lulu Mguni

• Threaten S’African firms
• FG summons S’African High Commissioner
• SERAP recommends legal action
•   Nigerian envoy, others meet Zulu king

The rising toll of deaths from the xenophobic attacks on black foreigners including Nigerians, in South Africa has provoked mass protests in several Nigerian cities, where the protesters have issued clear threats to South African firms and business concerns that unless the attacks are stopped, South African investments in Nigeria will suffer similar fates as Nigerian businesses in South Africa.
Yesterday’s protests spread from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja to Benin City, the Edo State capital.

The growing protest and umbrage among Nigerians over the attacks, perhaps forced the federal government  monday, to summon the South African High Commissioner in Nigeria, Ambassador Lulu Mguni, to register its displeasure over the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans.

The attacks have claimed the lives of six people and saw to the looting of stores and properties belonging to Nigerians and other foreigners.
THISDAY gathered that Mguni was summoned to a closed-door meeting with the Minister of State II for Foreign Affairs, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, at about 4pm monday.

The spokesperson of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Mr. Ogbole Amedu Ode, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation, but he did not provide more details on the meeting. He however said a press release would be issued over the development.

Meanwhile, Nigerians under the auspices of One Africa Initiative (OAI) have threatened to unleash its anger on South Africa’s investments in Nigeria.

Piqued by the killings, the group embarked on a peaceful protest yesterday to some offices owned by South African citizens in Abuja including MTN Nigeria, Shoprite stores, the South African High Commission, as well as the United States of America (USA) Embassy where they ended the protest.

In a statement jointly signed by the convener, Mr. Paul Edeh, Founder/ President Brekete Family, Ordinary Ahmad Isah, PMAN Ambassador and gospel artiste Phil Roberts, Jakins Yusuf, Dorathy Joseph and Favour Johnson, OAI threatened to carry out a retaliatory action against South African companies in Nigeria, if the attacks as well as looting and arson against its citizens persist.

Part of the statement read: “Perhaps some of those perpetuating this crime against humanity have forgotten the role Nigeria played towards their independence. They have forgotten so quickly that South Africans also live in Nigeria and also have huge investments.
"Ironically, no Nigerian has attacked MTN, DSTV, Shoprite and many more which are all South African-owned companies since they commenced business in Nigeria.”

The protesters warned the South African High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mguni, to mediate in the ugly development or risk being harassed and embarrassed by Nigerian citizens.

"We are one Africa and together we fought slavery and we conquered; we are one Africa and together we fought colonialism and we conquered; we are one Africa and together we fought  apartheid in South Africa and we conquered; we are one Africa and together we will fight xenophobic attacks on Africans and together we will conquer,” the group said.

Responding, Mguni commended the protesters for their peaceful conduct and assured them that the commission had listened to the group’s outcry and promised to convey the message to the South African government.

"Your pain is our own pain.  We have cordial relationship with Nigerians; yes of course a lot of problems are on the ground but we said beyond this, let us remain friends," he said.

In the same vein, a representative of the US Embassy who preferred anonymity assured Nigerians that the message by the protesters would be delivered to the US Ambassador, John Eintwistle.

Also, the managements of MTN and DSTV unanimously condemned the cowardly acts of violence against fellow Africans by South Africans and advocated equality and freedom for all Africans living in the Mandela country.

But despite the peaceable remarks by the South African firms, some youths, under the aegis of The Flagship, have threatened to shut down all South African firms operating in Nigeria.

The aggrieved youths made the threat yesterday during another protest at the office of telecommunications giant, MTN, on 3rd East Circular road, Muritala Muhammed Way, Benin City, capital of Edo State.

The protesters also had placards with several inscriptions, some of which read: "Xenophobia is ‎Inhuman," "Zuma Call Your Boys to Order" and "S/Africans Can't be Making Money From us and Killing us."

The group’s spokesperson, Austin Enabulele, described the attacks as inhuman and condemnable, adding that the protest was a warning to the South African government to put a stop to the attacks on Nigerians or risk losing its foreign investments.

"We are all Africans; we wonder why they should attack our fellow Nigerians who are doing their legitimate businesses in South Africa, when we have shown them love to operate in Nigeria.

"We have come here to say to (President Jacob) Zuma to call his people to order because if he fails to call them to order, we will do the needful. We are aware of all their businesses in Nigeria; we know of MTN; we know of Shoprite; we know of Multichoice company and we know of every other company that belongs to South Africa.

"We will shut down all their services, if they continue the killing of our brothers and sisters. So, we have come here to tell them to put an end to the killing of our brothers and sisters who are doing their legitimate jobs in South Africa," Enabulele said.

Also speaking, the Vice-President of the group, Gloria Noren, decried what she described as the ingratitude of South Africans, whom she said had received financial support from Nigeria during the apartheid era.

She also urged the federal government to commence the immediate evacuation of Nigerians from the crisis-ridden country, in order to forestall further havoc.

In a related development, Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner in Pretoria, Ambassador Martin Cobhams, alongside other African ambassadors, faith-based organisations and civil society groups monday met with Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini whose comments were said to have triggered the latest rounds of violence.

He provided details of the meeting in a telephone interview with THISDAY.
“The king addressed the crowd and diplomatic corps…he condemned the violence and called for peaceful co-existence among South Africans and other Africans. He also called for the re-integration of those who were displaced by the attacks, and asked the South African government to continue to make efforts to ensure that foreigners are protected," he said.

But despite his new disposition to foreigners, he failed to apologise or take blame for the incendiary comments he made which provoked the umbrage.

“He did not apologise, on account that royals do not apologise, I learnt,” Cobhams added.
The envoy however noted that calm has been restored to the troubled areas with normalcy gradually returning, adding that many stores remain closed but there are expectations that they would soon be opened.

Cobhams advised Nigerians doing business in South Africa to consider insurance policies to protect and provide safety nets in unforeseen circumstances such as this.

He disclosed that there are no talks of compensation yet, but expressed the personal opinion that such would likely feature in the Nigeria-South Africa Binational Commission which would come up in Abuja later this year.

But away from the protests, a civil society organisation, Alliance for Africa (AFA), has called on the Africa Union (AU) to investigate the role played by the South African government, agencies and traditional institutions in instigating the attacks on foreign nationals living in South Africa.

AFA said the host government did not do enough to protect African nationals who were attacked by South Africans.
In a statement, which was signed by AFA's Executive Director, Iheoma Obibi, the group called on the AU to also tackle the rising cases of xenophobia associated with unemployment within the African continent.

The statement read: "We are specifically calling on the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who hails from KwaZulu-Natal Province, where the attacks started to continue to denounce and use her good offices to bring perpetrators of the ongoing violence against foreign nationals in her South African homeland to justice."

It also called on African human rights institutions, commissions and courts to intervene by calling to question the South African government’s inability to safeguard the lives and properties of migrant Africa citizens within its borders and its inability to mitigate the repeating instances of jungle justice meted out to fellow black African citizens including women and children.

Also, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to “urgently take legal action against the South African government before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to seek effective remedies, including adequate compensation, for Nigerian victims of xenophobic attacks in South Africa."

In a statement yesterday by SERAP’s Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the organisation said: “Several Nigerians have been attacked and have lost more than 21 million Rand (N21billion) in the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa. This is unacceptable as it clearly violates the obligations of South Africa under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. These serious human rights abuses call for strong and decisive action from our government.”
Both South Africa and Nigeria have ratified the African Charter.

"If President Goodluck Jonathan is to side with the victims and ensure that they receive adequate compensation he has to immediately instruct the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, SAN to urgently file an inter-state communication before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights,” the organisation stated.
SERAP said there was no better time for Jonathan to do this as the African Commission would be meeting this week in Banjul, The Gambia, for its 56th Ordinary Session.

Articles 48 and 49 read together with Article 47 provide the legal basis for Nigeria to submit communication against South Africa for violations of the right to life and non-discrimination provisions of the Charter.

The organisation also said: “By taking the proposed legal action against South Africa, the Jonathan government will be giving Nigerians in South Africa the best parting-gift ever while also sending a powerful message to the authorities there that Nigeria will no longer accept the inadequate response by South Africa to blatant attacks against our citizens.”

The Nigerian government led by outgoing President Jonathan was expected to begin evacuating its nationals from South Africa today, as the death toll rises from the serial xenophobic attacks on foreigners in Durban, Johannesburg and other cities. Nigerians in South Africa have already lost more than N21 million, or over $105,000, since the violence broke out last month, according to local media reports.

The Nigerian Consul-General in South Africa, Uche Ajulu-Okeke, said Nigerian nationals living in South Africa have suffered a slew of property damages and losses including burned businesses, looted shops, scorched cars and stolen vehicles.

“Nigerians have compiled damage to their property and it is totalling about 1.2 million rand or N21 million, which will be sent to the federal government for further action,” Ajulu-Okeke told the News Agency of Nigeria in a telephone interview Sunday.  “I have also visited the site of the attacks in Johannesburg to assess the damage, and it was enormous.”

At least seven people have died in the anti-immigrant attacks in South Africa in the past week alone, Reuters reported.
The wave of attacks on Africans from other countries began at the end of March in the coastal city of Durban and has spread to other parts of the country, forcing thousands of migrants to leave their homes.

The attacks in South Africa have targeted African migrants whom locals accuse of stealing their jobs and businesses. It’s the deadliest spread of xenophobic violence South Africa has seen since 2008, when at least 67 people were killed.

“The xenophobic attacks in South Africa is a reflection of the crisis of governance in Africa as reflected by the worsening poverty and unemployment rate in the continent,” the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions said in a joint statement yesterday.

Culled from Thisday

Dangote: Business Backs Nigeria, Tasks Buhari on Unemployment, Economy-Eddy Odivwri

President of Dangote Group of Companies and richest man in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote

President of Dangote Group of Companies and richest man in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote,  has declared that following the successful conduct of the Nigerian elections and the smooth ongoing transition programme, the business community in the country is set to back the in-coming administration of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd).

In an exclusive interview with THISDAY, Dangote noted that by conceding defeat, President Goodluck Jonathan has buoyed the confidence of investors all over the world, which he said is “growing and mounting”, while the investors are keen on coming to invest in the country.

Dangote, who expressed hope in the rebound of the Nigerian economy, explained that the huge potential latent in the country offer a great hope of a stronger Nigeria.
He said the business community would wax stronger if the president-elect tackles some urgent needs of the economy.

He listed the top priorities to include unemployment, increased power generation and corruption.

On unemployment, the richest man in Africa argued that given the high rate of unemployment in the country, the Buhari administration should hit the ground running on this concern especially as it is a nation-wide challenge.  He believes there is a need to declare an emergency on unemployment as a way of jump-starting a solution pack for the problem.

“It is a great and pervasive problem in Nigeria. But the point must be made that it is not peculiarly a Nigerian problem. All over the world, there are growing issues of unemployment. And what we are saying is that the in-coming government can achieve a remarkable success in this regard if it declares an emergency on unemployment and tackle it decisively. You know the organised private sector will or should play a key role in this. And that is why we are concerned,” Dangote explained.

While speaking on the imperative of generating and distributing more power, the richest man in Africa urged the Buhari administration to revisit the ongoing privatisation programme in the energy sector with a view to growing the energy capacity of the country.
He reasoned that with increased electricity output, the industrial capacity in the country would increase remarkably and this would in turn increase productivity, which could only be supported by increased manpower in the various companies.

Beside the industrial growth it could trigger, Dangote observed that even the small and medium scale businesses which are dying because of insufficient energy supply, would begin to experience boom again, stressing that “and you never can tell the number of people this segment of businesses can engage”.

Nigeria is currently generating less than 3,800 megawatts.
The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) was unbundled in August 2013, with 15 new companies taking over its services.

This has been generally compressed into the generating, transmission and distribution companies.

Speaking further, Dangote bemoaned the damage corruption has done to the Nigerian economy. He observed that ‘it is a big cankerworm that has really eaten deep into the fabric of our nation”, adding that “ we must therefore be decisive in dealing with the monster, if we must rescue and grow Nigeria”.

“The malaise of corruption is a threat to the survival of the Nigeria economy, no doubt. We must all therefore rise in unison to tackle the menace both in the public and private sector of the economy. The Buhari-led government can show a lot of strength on this issue by showing direction, by demonstrating commitment to ridding every sector of the economy of this malaise.

"I can tell you that a lot will change in Nigeria if this issue is tackled decisively,” Dangote said.

Dangote is rated by Forbes Magazine to be worth $21.6 billion.

His major businesses span cement production, sugar production as well as several other business concerns. He recently got into the oil and gas sector with a plan to build a refinery with the capacity to process 650,000 barrels per day, thus making it the single largest stream in the world.

Dangote said though the initial plan was to have 450,000bpd refining capacity, he had since gone back to the drawing board to have a bigger plant because he believes that Nigeria as a leading producer of crude oil should also be credited with such local refining capacity.

Describing the present situation where Nigeria produces crude but goes abroad to buy refined products as unacceptable, Dangote had explained that his refinery was ready to reverse the trend just as it has successfully done in other sectors like sugar and cement.

Culled from Thisday

Man trekking from Lagos to Abuja to fulfil Buhari Betting gets royal welcome in Niger (PHOTO)

 

You must have heard of the 33-year-old man, Hasheem Suleiman, who vowed to walk from Lagos to Abuja if General Muhammadu Buhari won his election.
He kept to his promise and has become an overnight sensation as he treks through several towns and cities to get to his destination.
Suleiman, who started the trek about 13 days ago, got to Niger state and was royally welcomed  in Bida and Agaie towns.
He was warmly received by Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, at his Wadata Palace, and the emir of Agaie, Alhaji Yusuf Nuhu.
According to Leadership,he arrived at Agaie, a distance of about 50 kilometres from Bida, where he was hosted by the Etsu Nupe and hailed by a crowd of admirers.

Also at Agaie, a crowd of admirers, including the emir of Agaie, Alhaji Yusuf Nuhu, gave the traveller a warm reception in his palace.Asked why he embarked on such a mission, Suleiman said he wanted to fulfill a promise he made two years ago.

“I made the promise for this mission to show my love for the leader of the masses, General Muhammadu Buhari, and for the 13-day journey I have embarked upon, I have condemned five pairs of canvass shoes.”

 

He noted that on setting out, he had made adequate financial provisions for cross-country trek, but that since the journey started, he had not spent anything from the money since he had been warmly welcomed in every town or village he had passed.

 

Culled from NTA News

Jonathan rejects amended constitution

President Goodluck Jonathan has rejected the amendments made to the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly,

A top government official who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent on Tuesday that Jonathan vetoed the amendment on Monday.

The official said the decision of the President not to sign the document was because the amendment did not meet the provisions of Section 9 (3) of the 1999 Constitution.


The source explained that with the return of the document by the President, the letter accompanying it might be read on the floors of the two chambers of the National Assembly any time from Wednesday (today).

He said, “The President has vetoed the constitution amendment and he has sent it back to the National Assembly.

“The amendment did not meet the provision of Section 9 (3) of the constitution which talks about the need for four fifth of the National Assembly to agree with the amendment.”

Section 9 (3) of the Constitution reads:

“An Act of the National Assembly for the purpose of altering the provisions of this section, section 8 or Chapter IV of this Constitution shall not be passed by either House of the National Assembly unless the proposal is approved by the votes of not less than four-fifths majority of all the members of each House, and also approved by resolution of the House of Assembly of not less than two-third of all states.”

The rejected amended constitution granted approval for the separation of the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation from that of Minister/Commissioner of Justice.

Culled from Punch

Impeachment: We will Defend Fayose with Our Blood, Vow Ekiti PDP Lawmakers-Olakiitan Victor

Ayo Fayose

• Tension mounts as S’Court delivers judgment on guber election tuesday

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers in the Ekiti State House of Assembly on Monday pledged to defend Governor Ayodele Fayose with the last drop of their blood, to prevent his impeachment by the 19 lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At a press conference in Ado Ekiti the factional Speaker of the assembly Hon Dele Olugbemi, accused some leaders of the APC in the South-west of sponsoring the  impeachment plot, saying he was invited to two meetings to be part of the conspiracy.

Meanwhile, there was uneasy calm in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital yesterday as news spread round the city that  the Supreme Court would  today deliver judgment in the disputed June 21, 2014 gubernatorial election in the state.
Olugbemi, who was flanked by other PDP  lawmakers, refused to mention the APC leaders allegedly involved in the impeachment plot against Fayose, but said the meetings he held with the leaders took place  in Osogbo and somewhere in Lagos.

The factional Speaker alleged that the deal the APC leaders wanted to broker with him was how he could relinquish his speakership for the speaker of the APC caucus, Hon Adewale Omirin to take over, so that Fayose could be emasculated and become an easy prey.

“Just recently, I was invited  to Osun and Lagos States at midnight. They thought I could be easily bribed and be co-opted into unholy alliance to remove Fayose. I want to tell you that the impeachment is real because  I am involved in the plan and I know those that are involved.

“I can’t imagine myself being part of the plot to remove a man that was overwhelmingly voted for by the people. The reason for my involvement brought about the tentative withdrawal  of the suit filed by APC lawmakers against me, challenging  Omirin’s removal from court.

“But  I want to say that I will mention names if they go ahead with the plan. We want to also say that we the  defendants in the suits want the continuation of the suits, we don’t want withdrawal because due process would have to be followed  in a constitutional matter like this.

“I want to say again that we are solidly behind Fayose. We are also ready to defend the mandate freely given to him by the people of the state, even if it will cost us our lives,” Olugbemi said.

Olugbemi pointed out that Omirin started displaying enmity against Fayose  right from the day of the latter’s inauguration, and alleged that the rival Speaker  stayed away from the ceremony due to political acrimony.

“This time calls for sober reflection. Why is impeachment always coming up each time Fayose is in government? Those outside Ekiti cannot determine our fate for us and I will never be part of conspiracy that will make Ekiti to hate me forever because Fayose is a man of the people.”

Referring to the suit  numbers FHC/ABJ/CS/ 885/2014 and FHC/L/CS/ 1823/2014  filed by Omirin in opposition to his speakership, Olugbemi contended that the import of the action  was that Omirin had conceded that he is no longer the Speaker of the assembly.

“We have had enough political instability in Ekiti State and this time around, those who caused Ekiti State imbroglio in 2006 will not be allowed to destabilise the state just because their party has been
voted out of power.

“Governor Fayose was elected to govern Ekiti State for four years and those throwing stones from Lagos and Osun States are warned to desist, lest they incur the wrath of Ekiti people “Having been defeated in the entire 16 councils in Ekiti State in five elections: governorship, senatorial, presidential, House of
Representatives and  the House of Assembly within 10 months, it should behoove on the APC lawmakers and their sponsors that they are not wanted in the state,” he said.

However, there was tension in Ado-Ekiti yesterday as news spread round the city that  the Supreme Court will today deliver judgment in the disputed June 21, 2014 gubernatorial election in the state.

The incumbent governor, Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party defeated  the then governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi  in all the 16 local government areas of the state. Investigation by THISDAY  revealed that what  actually fuelled the apprehension was the fact that the judgment is coming midway into the plot to remove Fayose by the 19 members of the APC in the state assembly over alleged gross misconduct.

Checks revealed that people were seen in clusters across the streets of Ado Ekiti metropolis discussing the development.

Many thought the victory recorded by Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in the March 28 might swing the pendulum in favour of the APC, the party that is challenging Fayose’s victory.

Speaking on the development,  Fayose, in a statewide broadcast asked residents to maintain the peace and go about their lawful duties.

He  warned that nobody must do anything to plunge the state into chaos, saying the peace of the state was paramount to his government and that nothing would be spared to sustain the relative peace being enjoyed by the people.

Fayose, who thanked the people for voting overwhelmingly for PDP candidates in the just concluded state assembly election, said their action had further proved that what he was enjoying was a genuine mandate and not a stolen one has being peddled.

The governor  said he was of the belief that God would vindicate him at the end of the day, and that he would triumph over whatever plans mounted to truncate his tenure by individuals or groups of people.

A civil servant, Mr. Adelodun Okunola who works in state Local Government Service Commission,  said he had nothing much to comment on the Supreme Court judgment of tomorrow, saying what was paramount to him was peaceful coexistence of people of the state.

A farmer, Mr. Sunday Adelowo said he did not believe that people should express anxiety over the judgment since both the Election Petition Tribunal and the Appeal Court had earlier ruled in favour of the governor at various instances.

As at the time of filling these reports, men of the Nigeria police were still keeping vigil at their various places where they were posted since outbreak of impeachment crisis last week, while a couple of patrol vans were sighted moving around the state capital.

Culled from Thisday

Check out what Arab billionaire wedding looks like. Photos from Sultan of Brunei's son's wedding

Sultan of Brunei was once the richest man in the world. He was toppled many years ago by Bill Gates but he's still loaded and one of the richest men in the world. The youngest child, 31 year old Prince Abdul Malik, who is the second in line to become the next Sultan, got married today to 22 year old Data Analyst DayangkuHaji Bolkiah in a spectacular ceremony at the monarch's 1,788-room palace in Brunei's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.

The billionaire monarch went all out for this wedding. The bride and groom wore gold outfits with diamonds. The bride's shoes were made with extra diamonds and she carried a bouquet made of gems rather than flower. Her tiara, necklace, brooch, bracelet and ring are all made of diamonds, studded with emeralds.

Christian Louboutin heels added with diamonds

This is the Sultan of Brunei

For their second wedding outfit, the Prince a ceremonial military outfit embellished with diamond epaulettes and collar. His new wife dazzled in a diamond and ruby crown, a matching necklace, a brooch, and a huge diamond ring in a platinum setting worn on her right hand.

Photo credit: Reuters