Olisa Metuh released from prison

the national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Chief Olisa Metuh has been released on bail.
A picture of the Metuh taken after his release which was sent to Naij.com by the PDP director of new media, Deji Adeyanju,  showed the PDP spokesman felicitating with friends.

Olisa Metuh after his release: photo sent in by the PDP director of new media Deji Adeyanju

Adeyanju told Naij.com that the PDP spokesperson left the court in the evening on Thursday, January 28 after meeting his bail condition. 

“We were able to finish everything in the court at about 7 pm and left immediately,” Adeyanju said.

Metuh’s Special Adviser, Richard Ihediwa also confirmed to Naij.com that the PDP spokesperson has been released.

“I can now confirm to you that I am with him now, yes, he is fine and he is in high spirit,” Ihediwa said.

Metuh who is facing a seven counts of money laundering involving the sum of N400m, part of the $2.1bn arms fund which he allegedly collected from former national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, was granted bail in the sum of N300m and two sureties in like sum by a Federal High Court in Abuju on Friday, January 22, but was remanded in prison pending when he fulfilled his bail condition.

The arrest and handcuffing of the embattled PDP spokesman has generated backlash from members of the opposition who have accused the President Muhammadu Buhari of using the anti-corruption agencies and other institutions of state to subject accused persons like Metuh to inhuman treatment.

The PDP also described the cuffing of Metuh while he appeared in court as an action meant to deride the party as well as taint the party as a party of corrupt individuals even when they were yet to be convicted by any competent court.
But the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) defended the manner Metuh was treated stating that that putting handcuffs on Metuh was at the discretion of the prison officer, who supervised his court appearance and that it was within the law.

Meanwhile, the Federal High Court has adjourned Olisa Metuh’s case to Thursday, February 4, for continuation of trial.

PDP denies spending N8.7b for presidential campaign

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected reports that it spent about N8.7 billion for the 2015 presidential election campaigns.
It alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) might have made inputs into the report and challenged Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), the authors, to show proof that it was authentic and reliable.

In another development, PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, said the party was taking steps measures to stop wealthy persons from hijacking the party as the leadership was desirous to return the party to the ordinary people.

CSJ had in Abuja on Tuesday, said that its research into party finances and expenses particularly for the 2015 presidential election campaigns showed that the PDP and the APC jointly spent about N11.6 billion in the exercise.
It said while the PDP spent N8.7 billion or 82 per cent of the total amount, the APC spent N2.9 billion representing 20 per cent of the total amount at the campaigns.

Responding to inquiries from The Guardian, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh said: “The figure is very subjective because the authors could not show how they arrived at what they published. And I do not know how they arrived at the figure unless they got it from the APC. The authors of the figure should show proof that it is genuine.”

“Furthermore, as the spokesman of the PDP, I cannot talk on the presidential campaign funds because I was not directly involved in the management of campaigns funds at that time.”

Source: The Guardian

Corruption: Buhari descends on civil servants

By Clifford Ndujihe & Levinus Nwabughiogu

 Disturbed by the rot and thriving corruption in the
civil service, which has cost the country trillions of naira,
President Muhammadu Buhari has taken his anti-graft war
to the sector.
He has ordered that all outstanding audit queries which had
piled up over the years be resolved within the next 30 days.
Confirming the presidential directive, Senior Special
Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Malam
Garba Shehu, said the unanswered audit queries sounded
unsavoury to the President who, on hearing it, expressed his
displeasure.
An audit query is the request for an explanation by the
Auditor-General of the Federation over improprieties
discovered in the Accountant-General of the Federation’s
report. The report is done quarterly.
By law (Civil Services Re-organization Decree No. 43 of
1988), the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation
supervises the accounts of federal
and extra-ministerial department; collates, presents and
publishes statutory financial statements of account required
by the Minister of Finance; conducts routine and in-depth
inspection of the books of accounts of federal ministries and
extra-ministerial department to ensure compliance with
rules, regulations, policies, and internal audit guides;
investigates cases of fraud, loss of funds, assets and store
items and other financial malpractices in ministries/extra-
ministerial department; ensures revenue monitoring and
accounting; provides a system for the monitoring of the
accounts of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies and
ensures timely submission of all financial statements to the
Auditor-General of the Federation.
If the Auditor-General is dissatisfied with the reports, he
issues queries. Audit queries are also used to check fraud as
the ‘ghost workers’ phenomenon.
Over time, an avalanche of these queries have not been
answered, a development that has created a huge tunnel for
graft through unaccounted expenditures, misappropriation
and miscalculation of funds running into trillions of naira.
The measure is used to check unspent budgets, which are
expected to be returned to the treasury.
Following the disappointing manner the queries were
handled, President Buhari directed that any civil servant
who failed to answer audit queries within 24 hours,
henceforth, would face a disciplinary action.
These are part of the marching orders Buhari gave the
Auditor-General of the Federation, Vanguard gathered.
The orders followed the discovery of a plethora of
unanswered audit queries which spanned a long period of
time, running into years, under previous administrations.

Era of impunity is gone

Garba Shehu stated that President Buhari was irrevocably
committed to tackling administrative and bureaucratic
corruption head-on.
He said: “The era of impunity is gone. The President is taking
the war on corruption to the civil service. He is not happy
that standard operating procedures and financial
regulations are no longer being observed as they should.

“President Buhari will ensure that public officials and civil
servants in the service of the Federal Government pay a
heavy price from now on for violating financial regulations
or disregarding audit queries.”
He added that the President was determined to put an end
to the present situation in which, rather than respond to
legitimate audit queries, violators of financial regulations in
the Federal. Government resort to threatening, bribing or
mounting other forms of social pressures on auditors.
“On his watch, President Buhari wants to see firm action
against those who violate extant financial regulations, not
the prevarications and shenanigans that went on in the past
in the form of endless probes and public inquiries,”
the
Presidential spokesman said.
Probe Siemens, Halliburton, other scandals, Igbo leaders
urge Buhari
This came as Igbo leaders on the plank of Igbo Leaders of
Thought, ILT, led by Professor Ben Nwabueze (SAN) urged
President Buhari to extend his probe of past administrations
to 1999.
However, the call to extend the probe beyond the Dr
Goodluck Jonathan’s administration was opposed by former
Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi,
who argued that late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and
Jonathan should have probed the former President
Olusegun Obasanjo regime, if they had any issues with his
government.

Commending President Buhari over his anti-graft war and
calling on all Nigerians to support the crusade in the interest
of the country, the Igbo leaders, however, said that making
the probe extensive will lead to a “change that will endure.”
In a statement by Evangelist Elliot Uko, Deputy Secretary,
ILT, founder, Igbo Youth Movement, IYM, and Leader, South-
East Democratic Coalition, SEDC, the Igbo leaders said: ‘’The
promise of change to the ugly manner things have been
done in our country for decades, inspires hope among the
citizenry.
“Talk about probe, prosecution and the eventual return of
looted funds to the coffers of government is a wonderful,
exciting and a most welcome idea.
“President Buhari’s corrupt-free image goes a long way here
to inspire hope and confidence that this exercise will help
send the necessary signal to public officials, that the era of
mindless looting and siphoning of public funds is over.
“We support the probe, prosecution of looters and return of
all stolen common wealth of Nigerians over the years. We
also ask our countrymen to support this needful and timely
exercise.

“But we have two worries:
-Firstly, we plead that the exercise
be totally free of political vendetta as that would taint the
credibility of the whole exercise.
-Secondly, we wonder why
the exercise would be restricted only to the immediate past
regime. Does that mean that the notorious Siemens and
Halliburton bribery scandals have been rested forever?
“Are we saying that the glaring corrupt cases of 1999-2007
are closed cases? Is it morally right to target only the last
regime while exonerating the 1999-2007 sleaze-infested
regime? Will the deliberate isolation of the last regime alone
for probe not give the impression of a political vendetta?
Why is it so compelling to look away and leave out the
1999-2007 era?
“We conclude by pleading with our countrymen to support
the probe because corruption remains one of the four great
problems facing our country. Others are ethnicity and
nepotism, religious bigotry and the mother of all problems:
unjust political structure.
“It is important we thoughtfully appraise the impact of
singling out only one regime for probe and prosecution
while giving others a clean bill of health.
“The exercise must not be seen as political and divisive, as
the essence and noble goal will be lost. If the change we
profess is real, then false starts must be avoided.’’

Buhari has no business probing Obasanjo’s regime
—Gbagi

Opposing the extension of the probe to Obasanjo’s
administration, Gbagi said: “Whatever was done in 1999,
there was a president before this president. It was the duty
of Jonathan to have probed the government that he took
over from. Buhari has no business going to a government
which is not back-to-back with him. The Jonathan
administration is back-to-back with him.
“Whatever negativity there was with regards to the
Jonathan’s government will have effect on the Buhari
government. Buhari cannot be going to the 1999 regime.
What concerns him by law and every fact of life is the
Jonathan’s government.”
.

First Time Senator Akpabio Elected Minority Leader

Former Akwa Ibom state governor and senator
representing Akwa Ibom North-West, Godswill Akpabio,
has emerged Senate minority leader.

Senate President Bukola Saraki announced Akpabio as the
Senate minority leader on Tuesday July 28, shortly after the
Senate resumed from recess.
Akpabio had earlier been picked by the Peoples Democratic
Party caucus in the Senate at meeting held yesterday to
forge a common ground on the distribution of principal
officers that was allotted to the main opposition party in the
Senate.
According to Channels, Saraki also announced the name of
others principal officers which was contained in a letter
submitted by the PDP caucus in the Senate.

Deputy minority leader went to Senator Emmanuel Bwacha
while Senator Philip Aduda becomes Minority Whip and
Senator Bioudun Olujimi emerged Deputy Minority Whip.
When Senator Kabiru Marafa raised a point of order alerting
the Senate that the nomination of Senator Akpabio violated
the Senate rules on ranking.
He was promptly ruled out of order by the Senate president,
after the deputy Senate president explained that the
constitution allows every lawmaker, irrespective of ranking,
to aspire for the seats of principal officers.
However, senators at the plenary passed a vote of
confidence on the principal officers of the Senate and
warned that the police and security agents should not to be
used by any person to blackmail Senators and their spouses
Meanwhile, Akpabio emergence came as a surprised to
many senators as the standing rules of the senate exempts
first-term senators from holding principal position..

What Obama And Buhari Discussed During The Meeting

Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina has just taken to
his Twitter account to disclose what was said during the
meeting between Muhammadu Buhari and Barack
Obama .
In the first official encounter of the politicians, President
Obama characterized his Nigerian colleague as a “man of
integrity”.
Speaking further about the role of Nigeria on the African
continent, Obama was quoted as saying by Adesina:
“Wherever Nigeria goes, Africa goes. The continent’s destiny
is tied to Nigeria’s.”
The American president stressed the importance of keeping
Nigeria united, because a divided country can never
succeed.

“Turn the diversity of Nigeria to source of strength.”
Regarding the battle against Boko Haram insurgency, Obama
advised Buhari to combine military action with social and
economic programmes.
According to Sahara Reporters Obama expressed
confidence:
“President Buhari has a very clear agenda of defeating Boko
Haram and extremists of all sorts… and of rooting out the
corruption that has too often held back the economic growth
and prosperity of his country.”
Premium Times also reports with reference to Barack
Obama that the US will partner with Nigeria so that the
country “ends up being not only an anchor of prosperity and
stability in the eastern part of the continent, but can also be
an outstanding role model for developing countries around
the world”.
He also said that he would discuss with Buhari the most
effective ways of cooperation to end insurgency and how the
American side can help Nigeria.
He further pledged US commitment to cooperating with
Nigeria as long as the country “remains on course”.
See the extract from Obama’s speech as provided by The
Punch:
“It is a great pleasure to welcome President Buhari and his
delegation here in the White House for his first visit since the
historic election that took place. Nigeria is obviously one of
the most important countries in the world; one of the most
important countries in the African continent.
“Recently, we saw an election in which a peaceful transition
to a new government took place. Nevertheless, the people of
Nigeria understand that only through a peaceful political
process that change can take place.
“President Buhari came into office with reputation for
integrity and a very clear agenda: that is to make sure that
he brings safety, security and peace to his country. He is
very concerned about the spread and the violence that is
taking place there and the atrocities and has a very clear
agenda in defeating Boko Haram and extremists.
“I want to emphasise how much I appreciate President
Buhari’s work so far. I have seen him put together a team,
so we can do everything that we can to help him succeed
and help the people of Nigeria succeed.”
Obama also promised that his country would continue to
assist Nigeria in ensuring political stability in the country,
Africa and the world.

Apart from that, the American leader addressed members of
Buhari’s entourage, urging the five accompanying governors,
so as other officials, to assist President Buhari.
The Nigerian leader, on his part, thanked his colleague for
the invitation and said that it was partially diplomatic
pressure from the US and international community that
helped Nigeria conduct democratic elections.


***
UPDATE: Full script as provided by Premium Times:



PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, it’s a great pleasure to welcome
President Buhari and his delegation here to the Oval Office
for his first visit since the historic election that took place.
Nigeria is obviously one of the important countries in the
world and one of the most important countries in the
African continent. Recently, we saw an election in which a
peaceful transition to a new government took place. And it
was an affirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to democracy, a
recognition that although Nigeria is a big country and a
diverse country with many different parts, nevertheless the
people of Nigeria understand that only through a peaceful
political process can change take place.
President Buhari comes into office with a reputation for
integrity and a very clear agenda, and that is to make sure
that he is bringing safety and security and peace to his
country.
He’s very concerned about the spread of Boko Haram and
the violence that’s taken place there, and the atrocities that
they’ve carried out, and has a very clear agenda in defeating
Boko Haram and extremists of all sorts inside of his country.
And he has a very clear agenda with respect to rooting out
the corruption that too often has held back the economic
growth and prosperity of his country.
On both these issues, we’re looking forward to hearing more
about his plans and how the United States can partner with
Nigeria so that Nigeria ends up being an anchor not only of
prosperity and stability in the eastern part of the continent,
but can also be an outstanding role model for developing
countries around the world.
And we very much look forward to talking about security
issues, how we can cooperate on counter-terrorism. We’re
looking forward to discussing how we can be helpful in
addressing some of the corruption issues that have held
Nigeria back, and unleashing the incredible talent of the
Nigerian people.
We all recognize that some of the best business people in
the world are from Nigeria, and they thrive as they travel to
other countries, but we want to make sure that they’re also
helping folks thrive in Nigeria.
We’re also going to have an opportunity to talk about some
of the other areas where Nigeria has taken leadership — in
public health issues, fighting tragedies like Ebola. Nigeria
has an outstanding track record working with us to eradicate
polio, and that gives us a framework and a template to
continue to work on public health issues throughout the
western part of Africa, as well as throughout the
subcontinent.
We’ll have a chance to talk about issues of climate change,
electrification. As many of you know, Power Africa is one of
our top priorities, making sure that we’re electrifying the
continent so that it can grow faster and more people have
access to the power that they need.
So we’ve got a busy agenda, but I want to emphasize how
much I appreciate President Buhari’s work so far. I’m
looking forward to seeing him put together his team so that
we can do everything that we can to help him succeed and
help the people of Nigeria succeed. Because if they’re
successful and doing well, that will have a ripple effect not
only in West Africa, but throughout the world.
So thank you very much.


PRESIDENT BUHARI: Nigeria will remain ever grateful to
President Obama and the United States for making Nigeria
to consolidate its gains on a democratic system. The visit of
the Secretary of State, when he visited Nigeria to see the
president and the whole government of Nigeria, see the
chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission for
Nigeria, and saw the operation was very clear and a positive
trend that saw us through for this credible election we had.
And the maintenance of pressure by the United States,
mainly, and Europe, to make sure that the elections were
free, fair and credible led us to where we are now. It would
have been almost impossible if the United States did not
maintain the pressure on the former Nigerian government,
but they would not accept anything less constitutional as far
as the processes of the election are concerned. We will ever
remain grateful to you because there are fundamental
objectives that are identify all of Nigeria’s people’s Congress
— security, economy, employment especially of youth, and
then fighting corruption.
We are extremely happy that the United States had made it
absolutely clear before the election that they are prepared
to help Nigeria in this aspect. And this is why I am here, and
I am very grateful for the invitation Mr. President extended
to me.
Thank you very much, Mr. President.


PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you so much.
***.

Buhari Sacks Service Chiefs; Names Replacements

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed new service
chiefs following the sacking of military service chiefs ,
reports reaching biggieblog.com says.

In a press release, Mr Buhari appointed Major-General
Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin as Chief of Defence Staff;
Major-General T.Y. Buratai as Chief of Army Staff; Rear
Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as Chief of Naval Staff.
Others include Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar asChief of
Air Staff; Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan as Chief of
Defence Intelligence.
The president also appointed Major-General Babagana
Monguno (rtd.) as the new National Security Adviser taking
over from Sambo Dasuki who resigned last week.
The Chiefs relieved of their appointments on Monday, July
13, include Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah,
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin and Air
Chief Marshal Alex Badeh.

The move is coming on the heels of the renewed onslaught
by the deadly Boko Haram sect across Northern Nigeria.


See the full press release below:

PRESIDENT BUHARI APPOINTS NEW SERVICE CHIEFS AND
NSA

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the following
appointments:

1. Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin – Chief of
Defence Staff;

2. Major-General T.Y. Buratai – Chief of Army Staff

3. Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas – Chief of Naval Staff

4. Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar – Chief of Air Staff

5. Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan – Chief of Defence
Intelligence

6. Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd.) – National
Security Adviser

  The new Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Olonishakin
(N/6901) hails from Ekiti State. Until his appointment as
Chief of Defence Staff today, he was the Head of the Nigerian
Army Training and Doctrine Command in Minna, Niger State.
The new Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Buratai hails from
Borno State. Until his new appointment today, he was the
Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force which has
its headquarters in Ndjamena. Maj-Gen. Buratai has
previously served as Commander of the Nigerian Army’s 2nd
Brigade in Port Harcourt and Commander of the Nigerian
Army School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna State.

   The new Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibas (NN/0746)
hails from Cross River State. He enlisted into the Nigerian
Defence Academy as a member of the 26th Regular Course
in 1979 and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in
1983. His previous appointments include: Naval Provost
Marshal, Chief Staff Officer, Naval Training Command, Chief
of Administration, Naval Headquarters, Flag Officer
Commanding Western Naval Command and Chief of
Logistics, Naval Headquarters. Until his appointment as
Chief of Naval Staff, he was the Chief Executive Officer of
Navy Holdings Limited.
  
   The new Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar
(NAF/1433) hails from Bauchi State. His previous
appointments include: Chief of Standards and Evaluation,
NAF Headquarters; Chief of Defence Communications and
Air Officer Commanding, NAF Training Command. Until his
new appointment today as Chief of Air Staff, he was the
Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters.
The new Service Chiefs will hold their appointments in an
acting capacity until confirmed by the Senate.
President Buhari thanks the outgoing Service Chiefs and
National Security Adviser for their services to the nation and
wishes them well in their future endeavours.


Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity).

How Buhari Is Looking For Saints

Editor’s note: Emmanuel Bello has described the probable
reasons why President Muhammadu Buhari is still looking
for his ministers. He narrates two tales of his epic search for
the men and women, who would make or mar the Buhari’s
records in office.


Story highlights:

Spiritual way the president is going about ministers;
The tale about Buhari’s ministers;
APC governors make a list of five top people;
Ministers will be human beings with all their foibles;
These angels will finally unveiled in the “fullness of time.”
(Today Newspaper) – I don’t know about you but I have
heard plenty chatters, concerning President Buhari’s near
elusive search for ministers (read, angels).
Yes, they could only be angels, judging by the painstaking,
almost spiritual way the president is going about it. Looking
for saints in a country full of sinners was never going to be
easy, anyway.
The first tale I heard was how one bright morning, President
Buhari drew up a list of his best 19 Nigerians and showed
his aides. The aides studied the list and started laughing.
Half of the names on the ministerial list were either dead or
down with old-age related illnesses, such as rheumatism
and stroke. Obviously, Buhari didn’t have this information.
While I haven’t independently verified the story, I won’t put
it past this president. Anyone who exhumes the legendary
Ahmed Joda and appoints him head of a transition
committee is capable of anything.
The second story said the president directed the All
Progressives Congress (APC) governors to make a list of five
top people in their states who can be appointed into various
positions. The excited men went home and drew up the list.
After receiving their submission, Buhari perfunctorily asked:
“Are you sure these are your best hands?” They all answered
in the affirmative. After a few minutes of looking at the list
again, the president repeated the question. The governors,
almost bemused now, bawled out that the list was the best
they could possibly cobble together.
The next thing the president did shocked them. He handed
them the list and said “ since these are the best hands you
have got, why not use them in your individual states? Why
bring them to Abuja when they could be more useful to you
in your state? Please, keep them and ensure you use them
to develop your states. If all APC states become symbols of
good governance, the entire nation would be better for it.
So, take them back to your states.”
Needless to say, the governors left in a huff. Now, this tale
may well be fictional as I wasn’t there to verify, but it is
being quipped that the president has said he would not get
his ministers from the state governors.
If he won’t pick their team for them, why should they pick
his? This makes sense but when you ponder where Buhari
would get his ministers and Special Advisers, you are forced
to think twice about this wisdom.
First, whether he likes it or not, for a certain spread and
balance, his nominees would have to come from the states.
It is as simple as that. And Buhari can’t know the states
better than the governors.
Secondly, they would be human beings with all their foibles.
But above all, they would be fellow Nigerians with all the
traits of our countrymen and women. They would be
Nigerians, who are adept in the game of eating a slice of the
pie. They would be Nigerians, who know exactly how a
minister ought to live the big life.

Believe me, there is a template already for how ministers
should live, dating to the earliest period of our modern life.
Have you forgotten the flamboyant Festus Okotieboh and
other heroes past? There exists an unwritten manual on the
number of cars, personal aides, and even accommodation
the big men should have. I don’t know how the president
plans to change all of that. A minister is a minister.
Or are we about to have a set of ministers who would live in
our neighborhoods, dress like us, drive in the same traffic
and, God forbid, even go to the same markets? If the
president thinks that by delaying and praying deep into the
night, he would eventually get a bunch of angels as his team,
then he is in for a reality slap. Where is he going to find such
men and women? It is like looking for the perfect spouse.
There is no such creature.
And the president has another headache, as he plans to pick
only 19 ministers from a country of 36 states and 170
million people. The question is what criteria is he going to
use? Age, pedigree, credibility profile, competence, electoral
value or his personal relationship with the fellows?
Maybe, that is why the framers of the nation’s constitution
said the Federal Executive Council should consist of, at least,
one nominee from the 36 states – a provision Buhari doesn’t
like.
Those who defend the president say a minister each from
the states would be too expensive in a time of austerity. But
what do you do about this constitutional provision? Ignore it
and get a tribe of lawyers, chasing you? Under the old
dispensation, getting your ministers wasn’t such a big deal.
The president would have been relaxed by now, allowing the
governors to slug the matter out. And back at the states, it
would have been a rat race as the governors and the
henchmen spend hours, figuring out what names to send to
the president.
In the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state, for example, it
would have just been a matter of zoning. So, if the governor
and his deputy were from, say zone A and zone B, the next
thing is for the minister to come from Zone C.
Balancing and a certain amount of fairness were the
watchword of the PDP as far allocation of offices was
concerned. Another crucial credential was the electoral
value of the nominee. Even now, in most states, the
governors would pick a team that would best deliver them
the badly needed votes on re-election day. What of
competence? Well, that is important too, but strategic
positing of people for electoral success is the number one
consideration.
In any case, most of the appointees at the state levels are,
sometimes, professionals in various fields. A doctor, for
instance, may grab the ministry of health as commissioner,
while a financial expert heads the finance ministry. A lawyer
in the team may end up becoming the Attorney General,
while a reporter normally gets the information portfolio. The
other appointments might just be reward for the victory
(jobs for the boys). And there is nothing outlandish about
this.
When people have laboured to usher in a government, they
sure deserve a piece of the action, don’t you think? I hope
the president knows all of these, as he continues his epic
search for the men and women, who would make or mar his
records in office. For the rest of us, we are excitedly waiting
to see who these angels are when he finally unveils them in
the “fullness of time.”
.

What Anglican Bishop Is Saying About Buhari

Bishop Emeritus of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican
Communion), Rev. Adebola Ademowo has said that he
knows President Muhammadu Buhari will do well in
spite of the impatience among Nigerians.
Ademowo made this known in an interview with the News
Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Friday, July 10.

The cleric further explained that Buhari was only being
systematic in view of the fact that change was a gradual
process.
“They (Nigerians) shouldn’t be impatient at all because the
man is just going from one step to another and I know that
he is going to do well.
“President Buhari is a very thorough person, he is as straight
as a ruler, and he has started work, so, the man is going to
take us out of the woods.
“I have very strong faith in what he is doing, he is
impeccable, the man cannot be corrupted, everything is on
course the way they are going they mean business and they
are doing well.
 “So, they should just forge ahead and know that beyond the
tunnel, there is, there is hope. Nigeria is great and it will
continue to be great.”
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice
President Yemi Osinbajo had announced that they will take
only 50% of their approved salaries ..

Drama as Court sends ex-Gov Sule Lamido to prison

By AbduSalam Muhammed

KANO -There was a mild drama Thursday in Kano between former Governor of Jigawa state, Alhaji Sule Lamido and the Deputy Chief Registrar of Federal High court, Barrister Solomon Akpedah when the former was excused to move to a waiting van for a journey to Kano central prison.

The Peoples Democratic Party stalwart was docked over a 28-count charge alongside his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, and one Wada Abubakar in connection with alleged corruption and money laundering of over N1.34 billion.

The former governor shortly after he lost his freedom, following the refusal of the court to grant his bail application exclaimed, ‘you mean I’m now a prisoner.’

But the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court, Solomon Akpedah who was handy responded swiftly to cool a heavily traumatised Jigawa born politician, as he quickly said ‘no sir, you are not a prisoner’

Justice Evelyn Anyadike while ruling on the bail application said that all the four accused persons should be remanded in Kano prison pending the appointment of a vacation judge to decide the veracity and other wise of the application.

Justice Anyadike said, “the case is hereby adjourned for hearing to September 28th, while the four accused persons are to be remanded in prison custody in Kano”.

The trial Judge who explained that she was in Kano by Fiat, further ruled that “the case will be handed over to a vacation Judge to listen to the bail application while the Judiciary goes on vacation next Monday.

How Buhari can change Nigeria in 100 days —Ikokwu

SECOND Republic politician and one of the founders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Guy Ike Ikokwu, wants all Nigerians to rally round President Muhammadu Buhari, to actualise his change agenda or the country will pay direly for it.

Assessing the performance of the president since he took over the reins of power 38 days ago, the lawyer and former Anambra State chairman of the defunct Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP), said Buhari’s wind change could be made to blow good tidings for Nigerians within 100 days, if the needful is done. His words: \

By Clifford Ndujihe,     Deputy Political Editor

Nigerians enamoured by Buhari’s change mantra

The whole of Nigerian nationalities in the last five months of this year have been enormously enamoured by the change mantra of the Buhari’s and the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign ideology, which was vividly summarized on issues of insecurity, economy and corruption, gross unemployment and electricity.

Since President Buhari’s inauguration a month ago, he has been engrossed on the resolution of these issues and his ruling political party, APC, has also been engrossed in the issues of governance and the objective rather than the subjective criteria for the implementation of the mantra.

Brewing impatience

The Nigerian public is in some way becoming impatient with the seeming lack of progress as had been expected for the wind of change.

In view of the fact that our constitution, supposedly federal in character enshrines the doctrine of the separation of powers and democratic principles and processes, one must not be tempted as had been in the distant past to believe that a departure from the above principles would legitimize the diverse methods for the actualization of the mantra.

Buhari’s initial good steps

Although President Buhari’s constituency covers the whole country, it does not necessary guarantee that his style of governance should be unitary rather than federal. At the presidential level, it is his duty to tackle the issue of insecurity which requires both military, political and international solutions. He realizes these facts and has to the delight of Nigerians and with his background as a former military personnel of the rank of a general and astute administrator of the areas in the North East zone of six states, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, has taken on the challenge by visiting our neighbouring West African states, attending a meeting in Britain, the G7 meeting of major powers, and scheduled a visit to Cameroon and the United States of America for the urgent resolution of the insurrection of the Boko Haram.

President Buhari on the issue of the economy and corruption has begun the probe of the NNPC and the recovery of several trillions of Naira looted by previous administrations and public and private moguls. It should be understood that many public servants and civil servants are indeed richer in wealth and style of living than some who are still serving or may have retired or opted out of service with their stolen billions, including ministers and commissioners.

Pervasive graft, economic depravity

It is also known and admitted that corruption pervades the very fabric of the Nigerian nation in both private and public sectors, and among all classes of individuals and professions and trade and among the various federal, states and local government structures of all the existing and previous political parties and colorations.

Restructuring the polity: This economic depravity is systemic in nature which is why President Buhari should vigorously, on the basis of the separation of powers, hand over to the legislature at the national and states levels, the urgent and immediate task of restructuring the nation.

President Jonathan had handed over to President Buhari and the National Assembly the 2014 reports of the Abuja National Conference on the issue of restructuring the nation into a viable fiscal federal culture. The National Assembly has spent some billions of Naira like the Jonathan administration in discussing and enumerating several constitutional issues which have to be corrected as a result of the immense lapses of the 1999 constitution, which was more unitary than federal in character.

The 1999 constitution was enthroned by the previous military regime rather than the people of Nigeria.

Diversification of economy

For the diversification of the economy which was part of the change mantra there must be an immediate devolution of powers from the central Abuja level to the zones and states. Several issues which are exclusive to the central government today should really be concurrent to enable the Nigerian economy grow at a greater pace than it is now.

It will also enable our economy to stop being a mono oil product economy to a diversified macro and multiple product economy which with discipline and zonal competition can grow at a rate of not less than 12 per cent per annum as China had done.

For instance, the federal government should no longer be the sole authority in the oil and power sectors of the economy. Local governments should no longer be sustained by the federal government but should be organized and funded were necessary by the state governments.

Cultural ambience

The system of government best suitable to our cultural ambiance is the parliamentary system where the state governor or premier or administrator is elected by his own constituency and has a seat in the legislature. Most Nigerians do not like the present system of executive governance in the states whereby the governors of all political parties are financially reckless and absolutely abusing their powers which has personalized the system of governance without any mode of accountability. In a parliamentary system a governor who is unable to pay the wages of its statutory workers would certainly lose his seat in a vote of no confidence and be replaced by another commissioner. This system strengthens the position of the political parties during and after elections.

It reduces the evil of corruption which was enhanced by the military which abolished our parliamentary democracy into the executive personalized unitary system.

Virtually all the previous and present governors of the states in Nigeria are guilty of financial recklessness and indictment by the EFCC and have used the false doctrine of immunity to shroud their economic misdeeds. The 2014 Abuja confab decisions have certainly taken care of most of these problems.

Reducing cost of governance

The other crucial issue on the economy which Buhari and the APC should immediately address is the issue of the cost of governance across the country. It should be reduced by 50 per cent and it should be made a constitutional issue that the capital expenditure ratio should not be less than 60 per cent while the recurrent expenditure should never be more than 40 per cent. The national and state legislative expenditure as well as those of the Executive and administration should be reduced by half and their number should also be trimmed down. Constituency projects, wardrobe allowance, bogus travelling allowances and too many vehicles should be reduced or scrapped. Imagine the recent case of where over 20 vehicles were retrieved from the wives of a state governor.

Indeed the recurrent expenditure in most cases should be 30 per cent so that privatization and governance of the economy should be the mode rather than the exception.

 Actualising change in 100 days

The yearning of the majority of Nigerians can be achieved this year within the next 100 days if President Buhari’s administration takes the bull by the horn. The reduction of the ministerial appointees at the central and state levels should be guaranteed constitutionally.

Imagine the smallest state in the South-East recently appointing more commissioners than other states. This state is one of those wallowing in huge public debt, unfinished projects and unpaid salaries and pensions. A state in the South-West is guilty of this enormous profligacy of unpaid salaries, while financial recklessness and abuse of powers is dominant and the governor is one of those chanting the change mantra.

The resultant change will be manifest and the issue of patience will endear itself to the majority of Nigerians who are prepared to make sacrifices today for a better future for their children born and unborn and for the new Nigerian Nation.

Both the presidency and the legislature at the National Assembly have 100 days each for the transformation agenda in their change mantra. If the Boko Haram insurrection is not suppressed in the Northern Region, to make way for the economic transformation of the North East zone, in particular, Nigerians will become disillusioned.

On the other hand, the National Assembly can within the next 100 days achieve the constitutional restructuring of the nation into a truly federal nation with a truly fiscal federal structure in other to pave the way for the diversification of the economy, enhancement of education and employment and a rapid increase in the electrification of the urban and rural areas of the country.

The time is now and Nigerians have the capacity to claim the above areas of transformation and change mantra. This change can come but if it doesn’t, it would lead to total disillusionment, disenfranchisement, apathy, inequities and separatist tendencies of all sorts to our own political, economic, social and cultural detriment.