Why Difficult To Unseat Amaechi — Aide

Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi’s Chief of Staff, Tony Okocha, has guaranteed that the governor would complete his tenure despite alleged plot by six members of the State House of Assembly to unseat him.  

Mr. Okocha said for as long as Rivers people remained behind the governor, resolute in defending the mandate they gave him, it would be impossible to oust him.

He also said the All Progressives Congress, APC, would win the 2015 governorship election.

Mr. Okocha stated this when he played host to the APC Youth League, Rivers State Chapter and Igbo Professionals in Rivers State who paid him a solidarity visit in his office in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Wednesday.

There are alleged moves by some politicians in Abuja to instigate six lawmakers led by Evans Bipi to impeach Mr. Amaechi following the successful removal of his Adamawa State counterpart, Murtala Nyako from office on Tuesday.

Mr. Amaechi, just like Mr. Nyako, is a member of the APC.

Mr. Okocha vowed that what happened in the north-eastern state would not be repeated in Rivers State as the majority of lawmakers who are loyal to both the APC and Mr. Amaechi would not give in to the pressure like their Adamawa counterparts.

Governorship Election: Osun Belong To PDP - Sambo

“I  Namadi Sambo want to assure you that the mandate that was taken through the back door will come back to PDP.”

Vice President has said that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will reclaim Osun State, which was taken “through the back door’’ by the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Mr. Sambo spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at a meeting of the PDP National Campaign Committee for the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 9.

The meeting, according to the vice president, is to mobilise and strategise on how the ruling party will win the election.

“I want to assure you that the mandate that was taken through the back door will come back to PDP, as it was seen after the election in Ekiti State.

“The people will now have the chance to choose for themselves, where they belong, which is the PDP,’’ he said.

The vice president, who spoke before the meeting went into close door, added that the PDP was prepared to repeat the victory it recorded in the June 21 Ekiti governorship election.

“We all know that Osun belong to PDP, those people there now, never went through a successful election,’’ he said.

FIFA Rankings: Nigeria rise to 34th Position

The Super Eagles are now ranked 34th in the world, according to the latest FIFA rankings released today.

Nigeria were eliminated in the second round of the 2014 World Cup, after a decent showing where they also drew 0-0 with Iran, beat Bosnia 1-0 and lost 3-2 to Argentina in the group stages.

This means the African champions are now third in Africa, only behind Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire, who are ranked 24th and 25th respectively.

World champions Germany, are now second in the world after Spain.

Nyako impeachment: PDP cautions APC against inciting the people

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has warned the All Progressives Congress, APC, to desist from making comments that will incite Nigerians.

The PDP’s statement followed developments trailing the impeachment of former Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako.

In a statement signed by the PDP’s national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, the party said, “Our attention has been drawn to yet another inflammatory address by the National Chairman of the APC, John Odigie-Oyegun wherein he resorted to wild and unfounded allegations to cause confusion and incite the people against the President, the PDP and institutions of government.

“While we do not wish to join issues with a party that has become notorious for falsehood, deceit and blackmail, we wish to alert Nigerians that this is part of the orchestrated plot by the APC to discredit and blackmail institutions of government, particularly the legislature, the citadel of democracy and stronghold of the will of the people and ultimately set the stage to destabilize the polity.

“We note that this onslaught against the legislature is not spontaneous.

“Nigerians may indeed recall the vicious attack on the National Assembly early this year wherein the APC also raised a false alarm that federal lawmakers were
being induced with millions of dollars to defect to the PDP.

“We invite Nigerians to note the anti-democratic and anti-Nigeria actions of the APC.

“Indeed, never in the history of this country has an opposition constituted itself into a rebellion against our dear nation and its corporate existence”.

Pastor Kumuyi of Deeper Life denies banning Ipads & phones in his church

The General Overseer of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, has denied media reports that he banned the use of Ipads and Iphones in his church. He released a statement to that effect on his Facebook page.

There was never a time as referred to in the article, when Pastor W.F. Kumuyi made this statement or “BANNED” the use of mobile devices in the Church.

As much as every Christ-loving believer is encouraged to give God his/her full attention when in Church or in any other place, where the Word of God is being taught, this story is HIGHLY MISCHIEVOUS and MISLEADING.

There is no doubt that Technology has its place in the spread of the gospel message as well as believers’ development where such is put into proper use but its misuse or abuse is not encouraged.

Osun 2014: INEC plans to deploy heavy security in Osun, says REC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it was planning heavy security presence during the August 9 governorship election in Osun State as was the case during a similar election held on June 21 in Ekiti State.

The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Segun Agbaje, who spoke in Abuja Wednesday, said the decision was informed by the heightening security situation in the state, arising from the unfriendly utterances of the major political players.

“There will be improved security deployment. I cannot say the level of security deployment in Osun will be less than that of Ekiti. This is because of the utterances of the political leaders and the heavy threat of violence,” he said.

The REC said, of the 1,407,222 total registered voters in the state, INEC has distributed permanent voter card (PVC) to 63 per cent, translating to 792,200 of the registered voters. He said 1,250,569 of such PVC were received from the INEC headquarters as at July 11.

Agbaje said 19 candidates have been cleared to contest the election as at today. He said no voter will be allowed to cast ballot without PVC. He assured that as against the case in Ekiti, any voter with valid voter’s card will be allowed to vote.

He spoke at an event tagged “Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room,” a platform provided by a group, the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) for civil society organistions to assess the level of INEC’s preparedness for the Osun election.

Nigeria inflation hits 8.2 pct in June, highest in 10 months

LAGOS- Nigeria's consumer inflation rose for the fourth straight month in June to hit 8.2 percent, a 10-month high, driven by higher food prices, the statistics bureau said.

Food prices, the biggest contributor to the headline index, jumped 9.8 percent year-on-year in June, after rising 9.7 percent the previous month.

"Prices were pushed higher as a result of higher prices in the bread and cereals, meats, fish, and dairy groups," the National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement.

Consumer inflation in Africa's largest economy and top oil exporter rose from 8 percent in May.

It has crept up from a five-year low of 7.8 percent in October due to rising food prices.

Nigeria's central bank has said it wants to keep inflation between 6 and 9 percent this year and has a longer-term goal of reducing it to around 5 percent by the end of 2015.

"Inflation is likely to become ... a concern to markets in the second half as our forecasts suggest a peak in inflation in August (at) 8.7 percent, close to the upper band of the central bank's target," analysts at Vetiva Capital said in a note.

Luis joins Chelsea: Who is the Blues' new £20m left-back?

Chelsea’s latest recruit will fill a troublesome hole at left-back - but who is the player behind the £20 million fee?

Luis has travelled a far from straightforward path to south west London. His career began in 2003 at the small Brazilian club Figueirense, where he spent just a year before moving to Ajax on loan.

His time with the Dutch giants must have attracted desirous glances- because in August 2005 Real Madrid came calling.

Luis’ spell there was not a happy one- he spent most of his one season at the club with its ‘B’ outfit before moving to Deportivo La Coruna, in what became a permanent deal.

It was with Atletico however that the indefatigable defender really made his name. He signed in July 2010 for a reported €12 million, a year before Diego Simeone arrived at the club.

The bullish Simeone’s tigerlike pressing system turned Luis into a quiet star. He played a crucial part in each of the 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons, during which Atletico collected the UEFA Super Cup, the Europa League and, most memorably, the La Liga title.

Nyako’s Impeachment Has Been Long Overdue- Group

A member of the Save Adamawa Group, Mr Panny Boga, has commended the Adamawa State House of Assembly for impeaching the state governor, describing the impeachment “as long overdue and the best thing that has happened to Adamawa State”.

Mr Boga said the impeachment has vindicated the group, who had earlier accused the governor of 12 of the 20 allegations levelled against him by the State House of Assembly.

“Out of all the impeachable offences, 20 of them raised, 12 were the issues that we raised earlier, adding that “having him impeached at this time, to me is something that has been long overdue and is the best thing that has happened to Adamawa State”.

Debunking claims that there is more than meets the allegations that led to the impeachment, 7 years after Mr Nyako was sworn into power, Mr Boga noted that “this is not the first time” the former governor was handed an impeachment notice “only that this time around it succeeded”, he said.

He noted that “in June 2008, to be precise, he was also served with impeachment notice by a different set of members of the House of Assembly listing 20 allegations” insisting that “the man was a failure”.

‘NASS will not adopt national confab proceedings’

A member representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Jim Adun has reacted to the proceedings in the ongoing National confab stating that it will not see the light of the day.

Honorable Adun, a two-time house of Representative member expressed deep reservations about the Confab added that it will be a slight on the National assembly to adopt proceedings from a selected body to be passed into law

He said whereas members of the National Assembly were elected by the people to represent them and make laws for the good governance of the people, it will be according to him ‘foolhardy’ to think that proceedings from the delegate conference will be adopted.

Adun who is seeking to represent Edo South Senatorial District under the platform of the All Progressive 

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Congress (APC) at the Senate said “I am one individual who is against the national conference. It is an exercise in futility. How do you get unelected people to waste public resources and make recommendations for us to pass into law”

Passengers Injured after South African Airways Aircraft Encounters Turbulence

At least 25 passengers were injured when a passenger jet travelling from South Africa to Hong Kong hit severe turbulence on Wednesday, South African Airways Spokesperson, Tlali Tlali has confirmed.

Tlali said that flight SA286, which took off from Johannesburg, encountered severe turbulence while in the Kuala Lumpur airspace.

He said the crew of the flight immediately requested medical assistance for the passengers, which was arranged and ready on arrival of the aircraft in Hong Kong. 

He said there were 165 passengers on board in addition to the 25 passengers who were injured; three crew members also needed treatment.

Local Hong Kong television channels have reported that several ambulances were on the tarmac when the four-engine Airbus A340-300 touched down and several were transferred to city hospitals.

There were unconfirmed reports that two of the injured were in a serious condition.

Report says it is unclear at this stage whether the aircraft was damaged.

Tragedy: Guard Kills Female Babcock Undergrad at Birthday Party in Ikorodu

Babcock University student identified as Busayo , was shot by a security guard identified as Azeez Ibrahim, during a birthday party on Saturday 5th July 2014, at Mambillah Hotel, Ikorodu, Lagos.

According to Punch, Busayo was  22-year-old and she did not know the person celebrating but she was invited by her boyfriend. All was going fine, until a drunk Ibrahim holding a gun he claimed he seized from some robbers, stormed the scene.

He reportedly mishandled the gun, and fired a bullet which hit Busayo in the neck region.

She was immediately taken to a private hospital where she was confirmed dead.

Police arrested the guard, the assistant manger of the hotel, as well as the victim’s boyfriend.

A tenant of Ibrahim’s house claims he is a caring landlord and some “forces” are behind the act.  (bellanaija)

Our administration’s programmes have affected every home in Osun positively

excerpts

How prepared are you to ensure that a repeat of what happened in Ekiti will not happen in Osun on August 9?

Firstly, I don’t even think about it and that is the interesting part of it. I set about this being cautious of democratic norm.

I said after the Ekiti election that a genuine democrat must be willing and ready to embrace defeat as he or she will embrace victory, provided the election is transparent, credible, free and fair. The real issue is not about the candidate but the quality of the electoral process. Once the quality is good and high, whatever the people say, because they are the ultimate decider of who represents or govern them.

Democratic choices are expected to be correct, good and right but it is not always good, correct and right. To answer the question, long before I assumed this office, I prepared so well for the office in a way that going by the normal run, I should not be working as hard as I am working now for re-election.

As a loyal All Progressives Congress, APC, member, I was disturbed, but as a head of a government that has worked so well with the people, I don’t even see the effect. I look at my engagement with the people, the products of my government, which has not left any home unaffected positively, and I said if election is about acceptance, popularity and impact you have made on the people, we are waiting for what the dictate of democracy would be.

In a credible, transparent, free and fair election, Rauf Aregbesola does not have any worry at all about what people will say about his administration.

What gave you so much confidence about your re-election?
From the day I entered this office, I started my campaign. How many governors walk the streets with their citizens? I have been doing that since the first month in office. How many governors create interactive forum in Nigeria before me? There is none. I was the first governor that devote close to ten hours of continuous engagement on a quarterly basis with the citizens. The people ask any question in no barred hold atmosphere.

Fashola scolds PDP over use of Gani Park

Lagos State governor,Babatunde Fashola  yesterday, berated the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for storming the Gani Fawehinmi Park for a political rally, saying the party had always been vocal in criticising his government for building parks and gardens in the state.

Fashola, who faulted the party’s decision to stage a rally at the popular park constructed by Lagos State government in Eti- Osa local council development area, , last Friday, said the state government was able to create about 28,094 jobs between 2008 and 2013 from tree planting initiative despite accusation that the project was elitist.

Fashola at a tree-planting campaign entitled ‘Life Is Better With Trees’ said: “You will recall that the Gani Fawehinmi Park is one of the products of this Greening and Tree Planting initiative.

There was no park there until we started it in 2012. “When people rallied at that park in Ojota, to protest the anti-people policy of the subsidy removal by our opponents early in the New Year of 2012, people who went there to protest, to rally against this policy, were repelled by heavily armed security personnel.

Ekiti Election: Despite Fayemi’s Concession, Why APC Seeks Invalidation Of Election Result

Dissatisfied with the conduct of the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the weekend filed a petition at the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ado-Ekiti, seeking the invalidation of the results of the election.

While revealing what informed the petition despite that the poll had been adjudged the most transparent in recent times, the interim Chairman of the state chapter of the party, Chief Jide Awe, disclosed to journalists yesterday that he submitted the petition on behalf of the party to the tribunal on Saturday, since the law allows the tribunal to also operate during weekends.

Awe said: “The petition sought the assistance of the tribunal to unravel the hidden facts surrounding the election, because, to us the poll was more of a mechanical exercise than conventional casting of votes.” The APC leader, who explained the grounds of the petition, disclosed that it centred majorly on the alleged manipulations, undue militarisation, impeachment, as well as the corruption charges hanging on the governor-elect.

He claimed that Fayose was not qualified in the first place to participate in the election, aside from the process of the poll’s conduct which he claimed was faulty. He said, “the results of the election were embarrassing to us as a party and we hold the view that there is no smoke without fire.”

He clarified that the petition filed by the party was not at variance with the earlier position of the governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi who accepted defeat and congratulated Mr. Ayo Fayose of PDP who was declared winner by INEC. “The governor does not own the party, it is the party that owns the governor, and so the party can decide for him. You will observe that there is no name of Fayemi on the ballot papers, what was contained on it was name of the party and its logo, so the issue is beyond the governor.”

The chairman added further that “Our candidate, Fayemi only conceded victory to guarantee continued peace that was prevalent in the state at the time as well as allow the siege laid on the state by the military to cease. “You can see that as soon as he announced that he had accepted defeat, the soldiers immediately vacated the state,” he said. (Culled from Osundefender)