Buhari And The Demons In His Party

The All Progressives Congress appears to have given its enemies a stick to beat the party. For two weeks now, the governing party has been at war with itself over the sharing of offices. And it’s getting messier.

In a gesture of serial defiance, the Senate not only rejected the party’s choice of candidates for Senate president and deputy, it also rejected the party’s list for other principal officers. The gangrene has spread to the House.

For its part, the Peoples Democratic Party is simply beside itself in an Fun of mockery. Its officials cannot believe their worst wishes will come true so soon. They are quietly stoking the flames, anxious to regroup and seize the current crisis in the APC as their resurrection launch pad.

And what better way to start than for Ike Ekweremadu to get a foot in the door as deputy Senate president in a deal that has taken the PDP out of the ICU?

That’s politics. Yet it is precisely in an attempt to prevent the variety of renegade politics that beset the PDP four years ago – when Aminu Tambuwal defied his party – that the APC has refused to sweep the current crisis under the carpet.

Oil Marketers, NUPENG, PENGASSAN Call Off Strike, To Begin Lifting Fuel Today

The major oil marketers association of Nigeria (MOMAN) has reached an agreement with the federal government to begin lifting of petroleum products across the country “in six hours”.

Petrol Scarcity: NARTO Suspends Strike

Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria on Friday reached an

agreement with the National Association of Road Transport Owners to suspend their strike,

according to an official.

Fuel Crisis: Marketers Deny Receiving Payment From Govt, Strike Continues

Despite the claim by the Federal Government that N156 billion was released on Thursday to oil marketers to facilitate the quick
resolution of the current fuel crisis, the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), has said normal lifting of fuel will not resume till their members’ accounts are duly credited by the banks.

As at 4.35 p.m. on Thursday, the Executive Secretary, Depot & Petroleum Products Marketers Association(DAPPMA), Odufemi
Adewole, told PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview that none of its members and their counterparts in the Major Oil Marketers Association(MOMAN), had confirmed receiving any payment.

Those Who Squandered Jonathan’s 'N2 Trillion' Campaign Largesse

Despite spirited denial by Dr Reuben Abatti, Special Adviser, Media & Publicity to President Goodluck Jonathan, insiders have begun to reveal faces of those who allegedly mismanaged about N2 trillion meant to influence voters in Southwest and across the country. Here are those behind the alleged campaign fund loot.

• FORMER LAGOS GUBER CANDIDATE FINGERED

It’s not once he had aspired to govern Lagos without success. The former lawmaker had cornered many other political appointments in this democratic dispensation.

That’s why he was in the position to disburse millions of dollars on behalf of Jonathan. Disappointingly, he couldn't even deliver aspiring lawmakers who depended on him. Jonathan also lost in his ‘territory’.

• TIME TO PROBE ANOTHER PARTY CHIEFTAIN

Equivalent of a retired Army General, this PDP chieftain also benefitted from the controversial N2 trillion campaign funds. A member of the PDP Board of Trustees, the godfather of many influential politicians in South west who also backed a guber candidate, allegedly pocketed over 70 million dollars (N14 billion!) From the controversial Jonathan campaign largesse.

• A FORMER SENATOR AND FIVE MILLION PHANTOM SOUVENIRS

A former female Senator and one- time political appointee of a two- term- Nigerian president has also been linked with the largely- missing N2 trillion Jonathan campaign funds. From branded party vests, to caps and sundry gift items, we were told, the powerful politician didn't really deliver.

• NORTHERN FEMALE BILLIONAIRE ALSO INDICTED

When this billionaire business woman started romancing Aso Rock, we didn't know she was in for the income not just the outcome. A bosom friend of the first family, she allegedly took it upon herself to reach her northern kinsmen, but all the funds said to be the highest ever allocated didn't get to them. Thus, PDP lost woefully in the region. She also failed to deliver her own blood and state.

• IT WAS GOOD BUSINESS FOR A GUBER CANDIDATE

Having all the ideas without the funds to implement them is not the wish of any ambitious politician.

So, when a guber candidate saw the huge war chest of his sponsors, he made sure he keyed into the system. And after the election has been contested and won, insiders say, the business man who didn’t go a borrowing certainly won’t go a sorrowing. Notwithstanding the loan he allegedly secured from a bank, his book keepers say he wouldn't pay back so much.

• LAGOS CAMPAIGN COORDINATORS STILL SMILING…

With some five Lagos Presidential campaign coordinators allegedly moblized to the tune of some 150 Million dollars (that’s about N30 billion!) one expected they should deliver the APC-controlled states to the PDP. The rest, like they say is now history. The bottom line is all of them wouldn’t escape an audit.

• THE NOT- SO -ROYAL FATHERS

The 2015 general election welcomed another category of ‘bribe takers’. And that is some of our monarchs who allegedly collected millions of dollars from Jonathan to influence their subjects whose votes he needed badly in South west.

That was how part of the N2 trillion was shared.

• MORE BENEFICIARIES LITTER S/WEST

Desirous to capture the south west geo- political zone, Jonathan’s handlers were ready to spend any amount to woe voters. To realise this, the funds were channelled through powerful party members, including a controversial politician who is now senator-elect.

PDP leaders in the region were also involved in the disbursement of the campaign largesse now tearing the party apart.

• POWER TO THE WOMEN

From a pet project committed to promoting peace across the country, Nigerian women mainly in the ruling PDP strongly demanded their share of the party’s campaign funds. ENCOMIUM Weekly was reliably informed that their ‘leader’ who toured almost the 36 states and the FCT, abusing Jonathan’s opponents got billions that need to be properly audited.

It was even gathered that she had to fight the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization Director General for equal and adequate funding. The powerful woman was so devastated after her party’s loss that she has been out of circulation since then.

• SOUTH- SOUTH LEADERS

Though South-South was not really a problem for Jonathan, he needed to motivate those working for him. But the battle for the soul of Rivers state required much more funding. So, a guber candidate and a former minister was bankrolled to deliver the state hitherto under the firm grip of the Governor (Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amechi) who was also the Director General of the opposition APC Presidential Campaign Organization. Report of how Rivers PDP chieftains shared their ‘allocation’ might also be probed.

• REPENTANT NORTHERN REBELS

It has also been alleged that some of the PDP leaders who dumped the party and later returned, got largely unaccounted funds from the campaign largess.

• OIL MOGUL’s IMAGE ALMOST TARNISHED

He formed a formidable national pro-Jonathan campaign structure that got a huge amount from Mr. President’s ‘friends’.

Though, he got commendation from party leaders, including Jonathan at the grand finale of the presidential campaign, the oil mogul’s account might equally be audited to ascertain if his image has not been ‘Tarnished’.

• WHO GOT WHAT IN SOUTH EAST

Jonathan didn't necessarily had to break the banks to get the votes of South East, but money sure exchanged hands. And since much needed to be spent in Imo state where Governor Okorocha had a surging popularity, his team had to mobilize stakeholders to ‘appease’ their people. From the leader of the party in the zone to current and former ministers as well as a one- time governor who recently joined the party, money was not a problem in the zone.

In Anambra, for instance, prominent politicians got billions of Naira to win the APGA -controlled state.

Source: Encomium

Remove Fuel Subsidy, Face Our Wrath' - NLC, TUC Warn FG

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have warned against any move by the government to remove subsidy from petroleum products.

Nigeria’s National Assembly had passed the 2015 appropriation bill without allocating any money for subsidy payment.

Speaking on Wednesday, Deputy President of the NLC and chairman of the joint May Day celebration of the NLC and TUC, Peter Adeyemi, told journalists that organised Labour believed that government had never subsidised petroleum products.

Fuel Scarcity: Jonathan Orders Marketers To Be Paid

To halt the current fuel scarcity ravaging the country, the Federal Government yesterday as­sured it would pay Major Oil Marketers Association of Ni­geria (MOMAN) about N156 billion today.

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala,stated this at the World Customs Day event held in Abuja yesterday. The Minister said the payment of N156 billion represents the remaining tranche of the N256.2 billion debt owed MOMAN in subsidy claims.

Must Read - Ten Reasons Why Buhari Will Succeed

All the unbelievers will be disappointed. From day one you guys have promised and projected one disappointment or the other, but Buhari has always defeated all negativities.

Here is my take:

1. His party:

The APC is a party we all can see its origin and evolution. It grew from nothing and gradually/rapidly gain traction through deliberate efforts not accidents. The party was built from scratch. The PDP on the other hand was just put together in 1997 - 1998 and since then had never been tested. This is the time for PDP to start building their party for the very first time. Unlike APC, they don't have the will and enthusiasm. Just a quest to get power come 2019 (and if they fail, the rats will jump off the sinking boat faster than they came).

Six Countries Reject Alison-Madueke’s Asylum Request

No fewer than six countries have already refused to grant an asylum request by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, the Business Council for Africa (BCA) said in its just-released monthly report, noting that about US$ 1 trillion is the latest estimated figure of the looting of the Nigerian treasury between 1960 and 2005 alone.

The report, dated March 2015, focused extensively on Nigeria’s general elections. It said the notorious Minister, whose impunity is known to have been closely-protected by President Goodluck Jonathan, will be coming under the microscope for the first time in her Ministerial career.

Breaking News: Supreme Court Upholds Fayose's Election

Nigeria’s Supreme Court has dismissed the suit by the All Progressives Congress, challenging the eligibility of Governor Ayodele Fayose to contest the 21 June, 2014 election in the state.

APC wins in 13 states, PDP wins in 4 States in The Result So far

Winners of Saturday’s governorship election began to emerge on Sunday afternoon with the All Progressives Congress topping the Peoples Democratic Party in the results so far released by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Ambode of APC Has won The Gubernatorial Race in Lagos

With over 90% of votes collated across Lagos state Saharareporters
can conclusively state that Akinwunmi Ambode of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) has won majority of votes cast during
Saturday's gubernatorial election in Lagos state.

Jonathan Feigns Ignorance of Wife's Whereabout

President Goodluck Jonathan at about 1:45pm Saturday said he was

still expecting his wife, Dame Patience, at his community in Otuoke,Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, to participate in the electoral process.

Results Of Lagos Governorship, House Of Assembly Polls

This is a compilation of results from polling units monitor by our

reporters in Lagos state. However, only INEC has the power to declare winner.

I Won't Appoint PDP Defectors As Ministers - Buhari

President - elect Muhammadu Buhari said the All Progressives

Congress (APC) has nothing to fear over mass defection of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members to the party.

For Fear Of Probe, Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke Flees To London…Feigns Sickness As Cover To Escape

Barely two months to the inauguration of a new government, the fear of the President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari is already driving corrupt officials who wield enormous power under the out-going Goodluck Jonathan administration, out of the country. Buhari has declared that the fight against corruption will be a major drive of his in-coming administration.iReports-ng.com gathered that following her failure to get President Jonathan and ex-Head of state, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar secure a soft landing deal for her from Gen Buhari last weekend, controversial Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister, Mrs Diezani Alison Madueke has fled the country to the United Kingdom, from where she might escape to a safe haven.

It was gathered that Diezani who has a plethora of corruption allegations against her left the country through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Monday aboard a British Airways flight. A reliable source in the presidential villa told iReports-ng.com that “madam had to take off far ahead of the inauguration of the government of Gen Buhari because she is scared he may turn his searchlight on the oil sector.” Ironically, the minister who is widely known to travel around in private jets had to travel this time in the first class cabin of the British Airways flight.

When contacted to confirm the Minister’s whereabout, one of her aides who pleaded for anonymity confirmed Mrs Alison-Madueke indeed left the country on Monday morning but gave a different reason for the trip. According to the minister’s aide “it is true the Hon. Minister traveled but she went to take care of her health because she has been down medically and she needs proper medical attention.”

SALARY OF NIGERIAN SENATORS.

THIS IS WHY EVERYBODY WANTS TO GO TO ABUJA.

If you don't understand why those who are in Abuja don't want to return and those who want to go are doing so at all cost, look at this information.

SPECIAL REPORT: 

SALARY OF NIGERIAN SENATORS.

After reading through this Special Report, any shred of doubt in the reader's mind that Nigeria is doomed and heading for a headlong, downward plummeting will simply dissipate. The details of the remuneration of an average Nigerian Senator is detailed below:

APC Has Won 214 House of Reps’ Seats

The All Progressives Congress will firmly be in control of the 8th House of Representatives as the majority party with over 214 members.

There are a total of 360 seats in the second chamber of the National Assembly.

Figures emerging from the outcome of the March 28 National Assembly poll, show that APC members are now 214, against the Peoples Democratic Party, which has 125 lawmakers.

APC Wins 64 Seats In The Senate, Now Has Majority Status

The result of the National Assembly election declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Tuesday has shown that the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, now has the majority status in the 109 membership Senate.

Before last Saturday’s election, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, enjoyed the majority status in the Senate with 64 members while the APC had 41.

Labour Party, the Accord Party and the Social Democratic Party, shared the remaining five seats.

Following the declaration of last Saturday’s results, APC will now have 64 senators; the PDP, 45; and the Labour Party, one.

Orubebe- I Regret My Action

Former Niger Delta Affairs Minister Elder Godsday Orubebe last night apologised for his during the release of elections results in Abuja. He regretted that he allowed his emotion to betray him.

He pleaded with Niger Delta youths not to perpetrate violence because of the election of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

Orubebe, who held up proceedings for about 30 minutes, told reporters in Abuja: ”Election is a passionate thing and I really regret what took place this morning. I was unnecessarily pushed by Jega to get to that level.