How Man Beat And Killed His Wife In Gboko, Benue State

A Gboko based tanker driver,Mr. Terkaa Ushir of Tse Abuul, Ushongo local government area of Benue State yesterday allegedly beat and axed down his wife, Mrs. Lucy Wasem (29 years) to death.

The father of the deceased, Mr. Daniel Ahura Akighir of No. 42 OSU Kyambe street, Gboko East, told World Link Newspaper that “Last friday ,my son Inlaw, Mr. Terkaa of Joseph of Tia street, Gboko North and his wife (my daughter) came to my house for counseling and settlement over their matrimonial issues, but after a long discussion my daughter refused to return to her husband’s house.


According to her, the husband’s recent odd behaviors were a threat to her life”.
Mr. Akighir (68) Who is an indigene of Tsambe, Kunav, in Vandekya LGA of Benue state explained further that, ” yesterday, My daughter, Wasem who came back from morning mass and told us (me and her mother) that, her husband, Terkaa invited her for settlement and we were glad hence was our desire for their reunion”.
The tearful Akighir stated further that, ” an eyewitness told me that (on reaching there, her husband locked her in their one room apartment, beat, strangled and axed my daughter to death. Neighbors attempts to save my daughter proved abortive as the door was locked and bugle proofed)

The bereaved father also told this medium that, after ensuring the death of his wife, Mr. Terkaa escaped through the back window. After several attempts, the door was forced open only to discovered the lifeless body of Wasem under the mattress with deep cuts on her neck, head in pool of blood. Two axes and hammer were found in the room stained with blood.


According to the bereaved family, the body of Late. Mrs. Wasem Terkaa has since been deposited in a mortuary at the General Hospital Gboko,while the case has been reported at the Gboko Police “A” Division while the accused father has been put behind the counter to get more information of where about his son.

When contacted, the DPO in charge of A Division, ASP Amodu Yahaya declined comments as according to him only the state PPRO can address the press on the issue.
Late Wasem Terkaa Ushir is survived by two children, both parents, five siblings and husband who is at large.”


B4 you all start coming here to blame the husband

It doesn't make sense 4 d husband to call her 4 settlement nd den kill her nd leave her private parts jst like dat

This is wat actually happened

Husband : calls wife into the room
Wife: enters room(with facial expression of anger)

Husband : pls let us settle this matter i am sorry
Wife: thats wat u always say nd den u do it again useless man

Husband : i said i am sorry(looking a bit angry)
Wife : see ur mate ar living in 3 bedroom flat comfortably... But all u do is starve me nd d children in dis ur 1 room nd go around pursuing women with ur truck

Husband : (slaps wife)
Wife : (screams)terkaa You will kill me today(rushes to the door, locks it, puts d key in her bra)

Husband : you are very stupid
Wife : comes close to husband nd starts fighting him

They hand wrestle for bit...

Husband: (trying to avoid her blow)
Wide: (seeing she's not inflicting enough pain, bites him on the hand deep)

Husband : ahhhh ( angrily starts beating up wife)

Wife : you will kill me today (breaks free frm husband, rushes to the cupboard, brings out a hammer)

Husband : lucy don't try me o lucy
Wife: throws hammer at husband nd misses

Husband : rushes towards wife
Wife: (seeing husband drawing close rushes to pick up an axe)

Husband : (seeing wife picking up axe, grabs her collects the axe pushes her to the floor)
Wife : (stands up, rushes to the other end of the room nd picks up the second axe)

( Survival status kicks 4 both parties nd @ dis point anybdy can kill anybdy out of survival instincts)

Husband : hits wife first.... Sees his mistake.... Escapes frm the window

Underlining assumption :
1. The husband couldn't hav called her nd locked d door immediately

2. The husband couldn't hav used 2 axes nd a hammer jst to kill one woman

3 It has been proven that the female starts every domestic fight either by their words or action during conversation

4 99% of wat causes a quarrel btw a couple is either s*x related or money related

5. 99% of men will slap a woman who calls dem "useless ' or compares them to" their mates"

6. Since it's a 1 room apartment objects like axe nd hammer will be close @ any point in time

http://www.naijabazeline.net/2017/08/21/reason-why-man-beats-and-axed-his-wife-to-death-in-gboko-benue-state-finally-revealed-must-read/

Fulani Herdsmen To Drag Fayose To Court Over Comments About Buhari

Fulani Herdsmen, under the aegis of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, on Monday threatened to institute legal action against the Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, for making disparaging and uncomplimentary statements on President Mohammed Buhari’s health.

The National Coordinator of the body, Alhaji Garus Gololo, who disclosed this at a news conference in Makurdi, asked Fayose to immediately tender an unreserved apology to all Nigerians and Buhari, otherwise, Fulani herdsmen would take legal action against him.

Gololo said that Fayose abandoned his constitutional duty of providing good governance to his people, which he was elected for, to attack Buhari while on a hospital bed.

He said, “We MACBA have met at our level here and resolved that the Ekiti State governor should publicly apologise to Nigeria’s President who he had mocked and made several comments he is not morally and professionally supposed to.

“We know that while other Nigerians were praying for PMB quick recovery, Fayose was praying for Mr. President to die. He even went ahead asking people to begin to address him as the next president of Nigeria while Buhari is still alive, but thank God, Buhari did not die.

“So, our president is back to the country to continue with the governance of Nigeria. It is now our turn to demand Fayose to apologize or we will go after him legally.”

He maintained that those who said Buhari is dead have seen him alive addressing Nigerians.

The coordinator welcomed the President back home and reminded him of the need to be focused on the fight against corruption and securing Nigeria from those he described as enemies of progress who do not mean well for this country.

http://somtoo.co/news/fulani-herdsmen-threaten-to-sue-fayose-over-buhari/

Rats Damage President Buhari's Office - Garba Shehu

President Muhammadu Buhari, who resumed duties Monday after a 103-day medical vacation abroad, will operate from his official residence until the completion of the renovation of his office, the Presidency said Monday.


The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Shehu Garba, told THISDAY that the president’s office needed renovation because of its devastation by rodents during the president’s long period of absence.

“Following the three months period of disuse, rodents have caused a lot of damage to the furniture and the air conditioning units,” he said, explaining that it was impossible for his boss to operate from the office in that condition.

Garba, however, said this would not affect the effectiveness of Buhari’s work since the residence has an annex to the office, adding that the president had been carrying out his duties from home since he resumed.

Saying he could not tell when the renovation would be completed, the presidential spokesperson stated that the maintenance company that was seen at work Monday at the Presidential Villa by THISDAY had been asked to speed up its pace of work.

The president had Monday morning met with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and other senior aides, including the Chief of Staff, Mr. Abba Kyari, at his official residence, where he signed a letter informing the National Assembly that he had resumed duties.

The president’s decision to work from home got a nod from the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun, who said it was in order, explaining that what was important was that the president would do his job.

“What is important is that the job gets done. Whether he does it from his bedroom, or his sitting room, or his ante room, it does not matter. Let the job be done. And the job will be done,” he told ARISE TV, a THISDAY Newspaper sister broadcast network, Monday.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/08/22/buhari-works-from-home-pending-renovation-of-office/

ASUU Strike: Why FG Will Not Meet Lecturers’ Demands – Presidency

The Presidency has said that the industrial action declared by ASUU on Monday was totally unnecessary.

This was said by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, who also indicated that the amount of money being demanded by the union was unrealizable.

Shehu spoke in an interview on Channels Television’s programme, Sunrise Daily yesterday.

According to him, the leaders of ASUU were aware of the fact that the current administration inherited the agreements based on which the industrial action was declared.

He said ASUU was also aware that the Federal Government had set up a committee on the matter.

Shehu gave an indication that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government might not be able to meet the huge financial obligation the striking lecturers were demanding since the N850bn debt was more than the total allocation to the Ministry of Education in the 2017 Budget, which he put at N369bn.

Shehu said, “Governments enter into agreements that they can pay for. Ability to pay is a key requirement in going into agreements.

“Since President Buhari assumed office, he has sent words out there in form of a warning to all government institutions that they should not go into negotiations and agreements that they cannot pay for; but get clearance.

“I understand that they are talking about debts owed their members to the tune of N850bn. If I am correct, the entire appropriation for the Ministry of Education for this year is N369bn. So where do they want us to get the money from?

“We have inherited these agreements and we are not running away from them. Government has set up a committee led by (Dr Wale) Babalakin. They are already sitting. Why didn’t they sit down and negotiate?

“This strike is totally unnecessary. The issues can be resolved, especially where we have full understanding of where we are coming from. The governments that signed those agreements did not deem it fit to implement because the capacity was not there.

“If they are ready, they can sit down and discuss with the committee that has capable and qualified people as members.

“They want all the problems to go with a wave of the hand. They want all the answers to all their problems at a go. There is an avenue that the government has opened for them for dialogue and it is not closed yet.”

http://fabinfos.com/ASUU-strike-fg-will-not-meet-lecturers-demands-presidency/

Jonathan Built Only Federal University In Buhari’s State, Omokri Replies Garba

Reno Omokri, a former aide of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has told Garba Shehu, senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, that the only federal university in Katsina state was built by the last administration.

Federal University Dutsin, Katsina, is one of the nine universities which Jonathan founded in February 2011.

In a statement on Tuesday, Omokri said Shehu’s claim that there was no capital project completed under Jonathan “further exposes his intellectual laziness and failing memory”.

“It is quite sad that Garba Shehu does not know that oil constitutes only 15 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP and thus a fall in the price of oil should not lead to a collapse of the Nigerian economy as has been experienced under President Buhari,” the statement read.

“If Garba and his boss are willing to learn, the Jonathan Foundation and the Peoples Democratic Party can arrange a course for them to be tutored on the subject-how to grow your economy to be the largest in Africa. We make bold that we are experienced in that area.

“Obviously Garba Shehu has forgotten that when his boss was commissioning the Abuja-Kaduna 187KM fast railway that enables Nigerians work in Abuja and live in Kaduna, he was forced to admit that the project was conceived, built and completed by the Jonathan administration.

“At that event, President Muhammadu Buhari said about the $1.5 billion project and I quote ‘This project was conceived by a previous administration, started by the last government.’ My question to Mr. Shehu is this-who is a liar between him and his boss?

“I also urge Garba Shehu to take note of the fact that the only Federal University in his boss’s home state of Katsina was built by the Jonathan administration in addition to 13 other universities and 165 Almajiri schools built all over Nigeria. For people who don’t value education, I am not surprised that they see this as “nothing to show!”

Reacting to Shehu’s claims that 21 states owed salaries during the previous regime, Omokri asked if the presidential aide does not know that Nigeria is a federation and as such, the federal government cannot control the states.

“No wonder they are against restructuring and want to throw the report of the 2014 National Conference into the dustbin,” he said.

“Mr. Garba Shehu would do well to remember that his boss promised Nigerians 3 million jobs every year. Rather, according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, 4.58 million jobs, created by the Jonathan led PDP administration, were lost in his boss’s first year.”

Omokri said the Jonathan administration revived the “moribund” Nigerian Railways Corporation, adding that it is “laughable” for Shehu to cite the fight against corruption and the terror war as major achievements of the Buhari administration.

While questioning the present administration’s claim that Boko Haram has been “technically defeated,” he asked: “How can a defeated Boko Haram now have the ability to kidnap policewomen and oil explorers? How can a defeated Boko Haram attack military formations? How can a defeated Boko Haram carry out more suicide bombings in the last eight months than at any other time in Nigeria’s history?”

“Garba Shehu can continue living in his fool’s paradise but he should give Nigerians more credit than to issue the pathetic tissue of lies that he called a response to former President Jonathan’s comments at this past weekend’s non elective Congress of the PDP.

“The time for propaganda is long gone. Anybody who wants to differ should speak to those issues raised, and not boasts about accomplishments that are not visible. The succeeding administration has been on the saddle for more than half of its four-year tenure.”

Source: https://www.thecable.ng/omokri-garba-shehu-stop-boasting-invisible-feats-time-propaganda-long-gone

Pay TV Revolution: Nigerians To Save N9.34tr From Subscription

By Olabisi Olaleye

It has been estimated that about 29 million households may be free from the yoke of pay television monthly subscriptions when the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) finally activates 34 other states in the country with its digital switch over.

This means that most households, which presently cough out between N6,000 and N38,000 for set-top box (STB – decoder) and monthly subscription fees of between N3,500 and N2,000 depending on the bouquet (package), to access content that may not even be watched owing to poor signal from Pay TV service providers, will have their expenditure cut substantially when this innovation gathers critical mass.

But ahead of this pay cut, the Federal Government said it has fixed price of N1,500 for the purchase of STBs and an annual digital access fee of N1,000.

Already, activated STBs for Jos and Abuja have risen to 105,077 and 283,414 respectively. But by the time STBs are activated for the remaining 34 states, more households would be saved trillions of naira, our investigations reveal.

Under the prevailing Pay TV regime, an average household subscribes to the service with N3,500 and in 12 months that would amount to N42,000 and about N420,000 in 10 years if rates are not hiked along the line.

However, there are other higher premium packages that go for between N9,500 and N12,000 for the elite class while blue chip organisations, government agencies and media owners subscribe heavily to the high end premium monthly to access local and foreign contents.

According to Daily Sun’s calculations, if 29 million households subscribe to N3,500 monthly, private Pay TV firms would be raking in an average of N101.2 billion monthly and over N1.218 trillion yearly.

For government’s STBs, 29 million subscribe at N1,000 annually, could amount to N29 billion. This, however, does not include the Federal Government agencies that pay premium packages.

Aside the projected N9.34 trillion savings from the project, analysts believe that over 8 million job opportunities that would alleviate poverty in the long run would be available because the Federal Government had issued a similar directive with Kenya on the local production of STBs.

According to Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed, at least 30 regional channels and 10 national channels catering for local music, news, film, children’s programming and sports, would be created once Nigeria completes full broadcast switch over.

“With 29 million TV households in Nigeria requiring STB or Smart TV, thousands of jobs will be created by the companies licensed to produce the boxes. Besides the licensed companies producing the STBs, hundreds of thousands of jobs will also be created from television production. These will include the production of music and movies, with the active participation of Nollywood, which would move to push for subscription for Video On Demand on the STB and online.

“The TV industry is also expected to experience an increase in number of writers, lighting, sound, camera and editing professionals as well as actors, installers to supply the market with STBs, TV sets and dongles, increase in television and online advertising, as well as the need to create apps to offer goods and services for interaction and entertainment at every level,” Mohammed said.

Meanwhile, some angry stakeholders believe that MultiChoice’s and Startimes’ subscription rates have hit subscribers like lightning and the thinking is that they have no justification for such high rates besides taking advantage of the lack of alternatives in the sector.

At a recent forum, MultiChoice Nigeria CEO, Mr. John Ugbe, who spoke to journalists, acknowledged that increment in price was always painful and “we are very mindful of this. However, they are sometimes necessary for businesses to provide service to their consumers and also provide necessary returns to stakeholders.

They ensure that we can continue to provide quality entertainment to our subscribers even with the rising costs and inflation. It is because of the prevailing economic situation and rising cost of content and our other inputs that we have had to increase the cost of subscriptions and this has affected all the other entities across the continent.”

Meanwhile, Director General of NBC, Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, for his part assured Nigerians that NBC remained committed to the highest standards of broadcast regulation in the country.

“We will do everything to assist the growth of our industry; we will continue to provide the ambiance for the flowering of broadcasting in our country. But we would never tolerate a regime of impunity, refusal to obey the law or being cavalier with licensing issues, especially a prompt payment of license fees.

Recall that the local production of STBs came to the limelight when the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) gave a deadline for a digital switch over (DSO).

The DSO is the process of changing from analogue to digital TV broadcasting. Today, more people are familiar with analogue broadcasting having a restricted choice of programming due to limited space for channels; having to tune the TV to their region to pick up broadcasts or play with the antennae to get a smooth, uninterrupted signal.

Although Nigeria missed the deadlines twice in 2012 and 2015, it was able to sail through in June 2017.

http://sunnewsonline.com/pay-tv-revolution-nigerians-to-save-n9-34tr-from-subscription-investigation/

$90 Billion Loot: Diezani Finally Breaks Silence

Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison Madueke has finally spoken on several allegations of financial impropriety levelled against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Diezani said she never stole Nigeria’s money.

The former Minister made the claim in a statement she issued yesterday.

She said the anti-graft agency was taking advantage of her silence to try and convict her in the media hence her response.

Recall that the EFCC had alleged that Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former minister of Petroleum Resources, by an order of a Federal High Court has forfeited $153.3 million to the Federal Government.

Diezani’s statement, which was made available to newsmen in Abuja, reads, “I wish to state I cannot forfeit what was never mine.

“I do not know the basis on which the EFCC has chosen to say that I am the owner of these funds as no evidence was provided to me before the order was obtained, and they have not, in fact, served me with the order or any evidence since they obtained it.”

“Let me re-state categorically as I have always maintained, for the record, I have not and will never steal money from or defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria. I am willing to respond to charges brought against me that follow duly laid down procedures,” she said.

The former Minister dared the EFCC to without further delay, publish details of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC’s accounts from where the said $153.3 million was taken.

She also said that the report that Italian prosecutors indicted her for sharing in the loot of the $1.3 billion OPL 245 oil block deal, which involved Malabu and the Joint Venture Multinational partners, ENI (AGIP) and Royal Dutch was false.

She continued, “Let me once again state for the record that this is another figment of the author’s imagination, which, given the persistent bid to ensure my destruction and stick all of the sins of the corruption that plagued oil and gas sector in the last 30 years upon my head, probably emanated from the EFCC itself.

“Let me clear the history of OPL 245, otherwise known as Malabu. You will find a full chronology in the attached report that I made to the House of Representatives in late 2011 (Annex 2A/Annex-2B).

“In 2010, shortly after I was appointed as Minister of Petroleum Resources, the issue of OPL 245 was brought to my attention. I looked into the case and immediately became aware of the inherent and long standing sensitivities around this issue.

“It became clear from the onset that this case was not within the direct purview of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, but, in the main, was centered around issues of law.

“By this time, there was already an International Centre for Settlement of Investment Dispute (ICSID) investigation and claims against the FGN running into billions of dollars.

“Therefore, we took directives from the Chief Legal Officer of the nation; the Attorney General and Minister of Justice. In all of these matters due process was followed to the letter at all times.

“I wish to categorically state that I have never held any discussions on this matter, with any individuals or entities outside of official channels.

“As Minister of Petroleum Resources, I did not participate in any activity relating to financial payments on the Malabu matter, other than those statutorily mandated to the Minister of Petroleum Resources by the Petroleum Act.

“My role in this matter was purely a statutory, one as required by law in the Petroleum Act 3.

“In response, I have chosen not to insult, accuse or demonise any person or persons. In spite of all the allegations that have been made against me, not one has been factually proven.

“I remain very proud of the fact that all the policies, tenets and plans that I initiated in the oil and gas sector are still underpinning the entire structure. This is because they were put in place with the good of the entire nation and its people in mind.

“They were not factional or tribal, neither were they based on religious bias.

“I am a woman from the Niger Delta, who, through perseverance and sheer hard work rose to one of the highest positions in the country’s premier International Oil Company, and in tune with my ethos of hard work, I earned the prestigious British Foreign and Commonwealth Chevening Scholarship Award and was, thereafter, admitted to my MBA programme at the World renowned Cambridge University,” she said.

http://dailypost.ng/2017/08/15/90-billion-loot-diezani-finally-breaks-silence/

Illegal Chinese Miners Arrested In Plateau, Fayemi Fumes At Security Operatives

Following the arrest of 20 illegal miners, including eight Chinese citizens  in Plateau State on the order of the National Security Adviser, Ali Monguno, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, has accused security operatives of aiding and abetting illegal mining activities.

The former Governor of Ekiti now Minister of Mines and Steel Development, who addressed security operatives in Kampani Zurak village in Bashar chiefdom of the state, said;


“It is sad that security operatives are giving them (illegal miners) security cover. If not, why do people guard this site?” the minister said. Fayemi described the illegal miners as economic saboteurs. .

“These miners are illegal. Government did not give them permission to do this, they are economic saboteurs. This cannot happen anywhere else in the world and we will not allow it anywhere in Nigeria. We do not want these miners,” a fuming Mr. Fayemi told the security agents.

Also speaking on the incident, the Governor of the State, Simon Lalong, said government would sanction any traditional ruler found to have connived with the miners to exploit the community. Lalong also threatened to transfer the divisional police officer in charge of Wase LGA for allowing the illegal miners excavate the land.

Lalong, who was visibly furious over the activities of the miners, alleged that the miners excavate minerals from the site worth N5 billion monthly. In 2014, this community lost over 10 people due to contaminated water following activities of the illegal miners.

http://www.lailasblog.com/illegal-chinese-miners-arrested-plateau-minister-mines-fumes-security-operatives/

Buhari Earns $58bn In 27 Months To Jonathan’s $454bn In 6 Years

Nigeria’s earnings from oil production and sales in the 27 months President Muhammadu Buhari has been in office is far less than what the previous government led by ex-president Goodluck Jonathan earned in one year, Daily Sun can authoritatively reveal.

Since the Buhari government came to power, oil price has been in the all-time low, to the extent that a barrel of oil once sold for $27. Previous oil price peaked at $120 per barrel once, during the Jonathan’s government.

According to figures from the Organisation of Oil Producing Exporting Countries (OPEC) on Nigeria’s oil earnings since 2010 till date, the Buhari government has raked in $58 billion since coming to office.

A breakdown of the oil revenue by the Buhari government showed that between June and December 2015, the government earned $16 billion. In 2016, the Buhari government earned $26 billion, while it has raked in $16 billion this year, between January and July. The statistics showed that the Jonathan government earned a total of $453.5 billion between 2010 and 2015.

A breakdown of the Jonathan government’s earning showed that $70.7 billion was earned in 2010, $100.1 billion in 2011 and $96.9 billion in 2012.

Also, the Jonathan government earned $86.9 billion in 2013, $77.9 billion in 2014 and $21 billion between January and May 2015.

Meanwhile, the Buhari government has received kudos from the European Union (EU) and the United States government over its prudence in managing scarce resources.

According to EU officials, who pleaded anonymity, the Buhari government has shown responsibility in managing funds, in the face of low revenue.

The official said it was commendable that even when Nigeria’s revenue has nose-dived, the Buhari government has been able to meet its obligations.

“The EU is impressed that the Nigerian government has been afloat despite the drop in oil earning. From what we gathered, the government has been meeting its obligations. This is commendable,” he said.

When reminded that the Federal Government had borrowed to finance the budget, he said this was acceptable, as no country would survive without borrowing. He said as long as there was conscious effort to fight corruption, whatever money borrowed will be used for the purpose it was meant.

“There is no problem about borrowing, as long as the money is used for the stated purpose. We have seen this in Nigeria under the current government. This is good development,” the EU official said.

On the part of the United States, the country’s official said the Nigerian government had shown fiscal responsibility.

According to a top US official, who would not want to be mentioned, for a government that is not earning much money to be running shows the ingenuity in economic management.

He said that the Buhari government has shown determination to ensure that government revenue was not frittered away by corrupt officials, adding: “This is the greatest plus for the Nigerian government.”

The US officials said if the Buhari government could keep afloat in economic distress, it means that the government would do more for the country if the economic were buoyant.

In another development, the Presidency has said that the President Buhari administration was handed an economy ravaged by years of mismanagement and corruption.

In a statement, Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, while reacting to statements credited to former president Jonathan and Senator Ahmed Makarfi, the Caretaker Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said: “Under the previous administration, there was money but now things are very hard.”

The presidential aide added: “It is understandable that Dr. Jonathan kept his comments short, because a cursory look at any sector clearly indicated that he and his government presided over the most monumental and tragic economic mismanagement recorded in our national history.

“The oil sector boomed under his tenure, with oil prices as high as 120 dollars and peace in the Nigeria Delta. Nigeria earned unprecedented dollar revenues. Sadly, that is where the story turns sour.

“There is nothing to show for the revenues earned; no major capital project was completed, neither power generation, road development, rail nor agriculture benefited from the windfall earnings.

“Rather, the administration presided over the diversion of oil revenues on such a massive scale that even without the protection now accorded to Whistle blowers, the then Central Bank Governor blew not only a whistle but a trumpet.”

Highlighting the atrocities perpetrated under Jonathan’s government, Shehu said: “Indeed the president once celebrated having the largest number of private jets, whilst our youths languished without jobs, our fields stood idle and our factories began the layoff of workers.

“Government simply reticulated oil revenue through personal spending by corrupt leaders, wasteful expenses and salaries. This was done rather than investing in what would grow the economy. Economies grow due to capital investment in assets like seaports, airports, power plants, railways, roads and housing.”

He lamented that Nigeria could not record a single major infrastructural project in the last 10 years, saying, “in short the money was mismanaged. Shehu said President Buhari’s administration was left with the task of facing serious economic challenges from the oil majors, which included the demand for six billion dollars owed by Nigeria for oil that had already been sold or stolen.

He said it was only aggressive borrowing by the Ministry of Finance, under Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that prevented Federal Government from also owing salaries.

“The economic wisdom of borrowing to pay recurrent bills is a questionable one, particularly as those paid would have included over 45,000 that have subsequently been removed by the Buhari led administration as ghost workers.

“It also included the lavish costs of chartering private jets, first class travel and other wasteful acts that have been eliminated under this administration. To compound the problem, the government was borrowing heavily and owed contractors and international oil companies.”

On what the Buhari government is doing, Shehu said it had also increased spending on capital projects, especially on infrastructure needed to make Nigerian businesses competitive and create jobs. He said government had blocked the leakages that allowed its revenues to be siphoned into private hands while focusing on other key sectors that could create jobs and or generate revenue such as agriculture, solid minerals and manufacturing.

According to him, if these things had been done when the oil price was as high as 120 dollars per barrel, Nigeria will not be in the current predicament.

“We would not be suffering now if we had no cash reserves but we had power, or a rail system, or good roads, or good housing. But we don’t have money and we don’t have the projects either’” he said.

http://sunnewsonline.com/buhari-earns-58bn-in-27-months-to-jonathans-454bn-in-6-years/

Nigeria Will Never Be Restructured - Shehu Sani

Kaduna central senator, Shehu Sani has openly stated that Nigeria will never be restructured before or after the 2019 elections.

Sani cautioned Nigerians not to be fooled adding that politicians are engaging in cheap talks about restructuring in order to buy time before the campaign for the next round of general elections commences and then buries the issue of restructuring.

In post on his social media page, Sani wrote;

"No ‘restructuring’ will take place before 2019; it will be all talks, storms and ‘buying of time’ until the drumbeat of elections eclipse that of ‘restructuring

Restructuring will be in the campaign manual of all Nigerian political parties for 2019 general elections.

Some will even back it up with documents both soft and hard copies. Some will even share DVDs of how the polity will be restructured.After the elections then ‘the Government needs to settle down’; then the ‘Government need to study the document’,”

http://politicsngr.com/2017/08/12/nigeria-will-never-restructured-senator-shehu-sani

I am only staying in London because of my Doctors - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that he is in fine health and is only obeying the orders of his Doctors by remaining in London.

Buhari said that there was a tremendous improvement in his health and wishes to return home, "but I've learnt to obey my doctor's orders, rather than be the one issuing the orders. Here, the doctor is absolutely in charge."

The President spoke while receiving the presidential media team, and the Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters, at Abuja House, London, on Saturday. Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, led the visiting team, accompanied by Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity; Mallam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, and Lauretta Onochie, Personal Assistant on Digital/Online Media.

Also, there was Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters.When the team expressed delight at the much-improved health of the President, he retorted: "I feel I could go home, but the doctors are in charge. I've now learnt to obey orders, rather than be obeyed."

On how he felt hearing different conjectures about his health, an amused President Buhari said he followed events at home closely, lauding Nigerian television stations, and the media generally, for keeping him informed.

When told that prayers were going on fervently for him, not only in Nigeria, but all over Africa, and round the world, a delighted President said: "What we did in The Gambia early this year fetched us a lot of goodwill on the African continent. It gave us a lot of latitude. I thank all those who are praying. May God reward them."

President Buhari sent appreciation to all Nigerians, expressing hope that he would be with them soon.

http://politicsngr.com/2017/08/12/staying-london-doctors-buhari/

"PDP Will Reclaim Power In 2019" - Jonathan Speaks At PDP Convention

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday inAbuja announced that the Peoples Democratic Party had returned from limbo and would reclaim power in 2019.

Jonathan asserted this in his address at the party’s a special national convention. He said that the party’s achievements while in power would rekindle the confidence of the electorate to vote it back in power in the 2019 general elections.

"The party is indeed back to reclaim its prime position as the party to lead Nigeria to greatness. "As a human institution, we cannot claim to be perfect and as a political party, our accomplishments up to 2015 are clear for every Nigerian to see,’’ he said.

According to Jonathan, the achievements of the party while in power are ample evidence to demonstrate that PDP is a party of vision and accomplishments.

Highlighting achievements of the party, he said that elections conducted from 2011 by the government controlled by PDP met globally-accepted standard. "We succeeded in doing that because of the leverage and the autonomy we gave to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

"PDP is a party that wants to place Nigeria in a position to compete favourably with other countries,’’he said.

On the economy, the former president said that PDP provided focused leadership through institutional and sectoral reforms which impacted positively on the country, especially in the last four years of our tenure.

"We tamed inflation at a single digit, maintained price stability, and drove the economy to become thelargest in Africa.

“We also made Nigeria to be the number one foreign direct investment destination in the continent,’’ he said.

According to him, in 2012, PDP ensured that prices of food remained stable in spite of flood which affected 50 per cent of farmlands along the flood plains of river Niger and Benue.

Jonathan said that the country was able to regain its goodwill internationally because the PDP pursued programmes and policies that were not only rewarding but were copied by other countries across the globe.

"We can recall that our agricultural transformation agenda transformed key agricultural value chains, boosted local production and created a new generation of young commercial farmers.

"The introduction of electronic wallet checked corrupt practices in the distribution of fertilizer andenabled farmers to get fertilizer like all other agro inputs.

“In the same vein, the YouWin programme empowered a crop of young Nigerians to go into entrepreneurship and in turn employed others,’’ he said.

Jonathan said that though his administration did not block all the loopholes, it came up with strong innovations to fight corruption. According to him, we introduced the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and the Treasury Single Account (TSA) which has helped to reduce corruption.

“Government is run by policies, the creative thinking, brains in the executive council and in the civil servants were harnessed to get to where we are. “If elected in 2019, PDP will fight poverty and ensure that food prices are reduced,’’ he added, andurged Nigerians to partner the party to restore good life in the country.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/politics/pdp-will-reclaim-power-in-2019-says-jonathan/209710.html?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C6748677579

Lagos residents find human parts in another den

There was confusion at the Ile Zik bus stop, along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway on Thursday after a suspected kidnappers’ den was uncovered around a drainage channel.

It was learnt that two “mentally-ill” persons and two others found around the spot were picked up by the police.

Decomposed human intestines, a kidney, as well as items such as a cutlass, pairs of slippers, underwear, clothes, condoms, among others, were allegedly discovered in some black spots linking the drains.

The discovery came barely 48 hours after a similar den was uncovered at Obadeyi bus stop along the same expressway.

Residents had seen some persons in tattered clothes at about 1pm hovering around a spot, where a bag covered with black nylon was kept.

It was gathered that the “mad man” took to his heels as the residents confronted his female counterparts with inquiries on their mission in the area.

A resident, who gave his name only as Joshua, said the fleeing suspect confirmed their suspicion and made them search the spots around the drains, during which the items were uncovered.

He said, “We saw a woman who dressed like a mad person loitering around the drains and we challenged her. At a spot, we saw a bag covered with black nylon. We found some plastic bottles in the bag. While we were emptying the bag and questioning the woman, we saw another ‘mad man’ close to the area. He tried to run away, but people gave him a chase and arrested him.

“While questioning and beating them, policemen came and took them away. We discovered something wrapped in nylon inside the bag. When we opened it, we saw a human kidney and intestines. They were later set ablaze.”

Another witness, Bayo George, said the ‘mad woman’ was popularly called Iya Ibadan and had been staying around the area for long, adding that residents had been monitoring her movement since the Obadeyi incident.

“people challenged her and while talking to her, they discovered a lot of new items in one of the bags she covered with tyres. The other man usually sits around this area too.

“we approached her again to ask her some questions and in the process, she ran into hiding in a bush along the drains. We brought her out with some nylons.

“When we emptied the contents of the nylons, we saw new and old female items like pants, bra, toothbrush, lip sticks, bags, a small Bible, comb, cosmetics, a sachet tomato, keys, pairs of shoes, cigarette, glass cup, drinks, and other items.”

One Gbenga Folawiyo said two receipts of drug prescriptions bearing the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital,Ikeja, for a five-year-old, were recovered from her.

He said, “The registration number on one of the receipts is 062181. The two drug descriptions were dated June 28 and July 3, 2017 with N4,800 and N9,600 written on the two receipts respectively.

“N11,500 was boldly written on a paper and placed on the top of the nylon that contained the human parts. Three other persons were also arrested and taken to the Isokoko Police Station. Criminal activities have been on in this area for many years.”

A lady, who did not disclose her name, said she narrowly escaped from some suspected kidnappers at the bus stop two weeks ago.

“I boarded a bus at Ikeja and a few minutes later, I discovered that a lot of people inside the bus had slept off as we were about to reach Ile Zik. I started shouting and the conductor was surprised that I was not asleep.

“When they noticed that a car was coming behind us, they turned back at Ile-Zik and went to stop the car at National bus stop. Immediately they stopped the car, the passengers woke up. I gave testimony in church last week to appreciate God,” she said.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, said the police would investigate the incident.

He said, “We swung into action to protect some people from jungle justice. Most of these people are destitute; they live anywhere. It is unfair; let us investigate and come up with our findings. If truly they found human parts, what was the essence of setting them ablaze.

John Paul Mwirigi, Kenya’s Youngest Member Of Parliament

Ever heard the saying “if one wants something, he’ll find a way”? Well that aptly summarizes the inspirational grass-to-grace story of John Paul Mwirigi, who just broke Kenya’s record for the youngest elected member of parliament. He is yet to turn 24.

Mwirigi ran against veteran politicians who are members of established political parties, yet he managed to secure a resounding victory, polling a total of 19 366 votes (39.39%) and will soon be headed off to represent his people in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city.

POOR FAMILY, ‘POOR’ CAMPAIGN
Mwirigi is the sixth child of eight children from his parents. He still lives in his family home – a local granary in the community.

His campaign may well be the cheapest in the history of Kenyan politics. Reports had it that the youngster printed no campaign posters because he was broke and could not afford it.

To make up for his lack of cash, Mwirigi opted for a door-to-door campaign and according to reports, he knocked on the doors of almost every household in his Igembe South constituency.
Also, Mwirigi told reporters that he carried out his campaign home visits on foot until he received support from his former colleagues – commercial motorcycle operators also known as boda boda (or in Nigeria, okada) riders.

Mwirigi said he usually rode boda boda whenever he was on holiday in order to raise money.

I HAD A DREAM
Speaking to newsmen shortly before the elections, Mwirigi said he first expressed interest in politics while in Form 3 (Nigeria’s equivalent of Junior Secondary three) at Kirindine Day Secondary School.

“I had a dream where I was tabling a motion in parliament while I was in Form 3. That is when I started asking my fellow students to start campaigning for me since I would need their vote in 2017.

“I have held leadership positions in school and in my neighbourhood. Since I come from a humble background, I understand the issues that affect the residents. My key agenda will be to transform the lives of the people.
Mwirigi said his first agenda would be supporting agribusiness activities, promote entrepreneurship and nurturing talents.

DEFEATED CURRENT DEPUTY GOVERNOR, RULING PARTY
Mwirigi’s victory can best be likened to the popular innuendo of man biting a dog. Among his many contenders was Raphael Muriungi, a veteran politician by all standards who is currently the Deputy Governor of Meru County.

Muriungi, a graduate of the University of London, was also former Member of Parliament between 2003 and 2007 as well as former Assistant Minister of Tourism from 2005 to 2008.

But all those counted for nothing as he finished fifth in the election with a paltry 2,202 votes, many places behind the undergraduate Mwirigi.

The closest challenger to Mwirigi was Joseph Mwereria of the Jubilee Party, which is President Uhuru Kenyatta’s party. He scored a total of 15 977 votes, more than 3000 less than Mwirigi.

NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN
Mwirigi’s electoral victory has yet again added another fillip to the ongoing agitation for the removal or lowering of the constitutional age requirement for running for elective positions in Nigeria.
Nigeria appears to be the biggest African country where it is very difficult, if not impossible, for young people to run for elective positions.

In the recently concluded general election in Ghana, history was made when Francisca Oteng-Mensah, a female law student, defeated an incumbent lawmaker to become Ghana’s youngest ever legislator at the age of 22.

As it stands currently in Nigeria, one is not eligible to run for a seat into a state house of assembly or the house of representatives until one is 30 years old. To run for the senate, one must have attained the age of 35 and for Presidency, 40.

However, a constitutional amendment to reduce the age requirements has been approved by both chambers of the National Assembly. The amendments also include provision for independent candidature in the electoral process. The President is yet to sign the amendments into law.

Source: https://icirnigeria.org/hes-23-broke-jobless-and-an-orphan-meet-john-paul-mwirigi-kenyas-youngest-mp/

Even Buhari’s Doctors In The UK Don’t Know What Is Wrong With Him – Independent

UK Doctors Yet To Diagnose President Buhari’s Ailment
*Why He Is Being Kept Under Close Watch

Despite several months of medication and intensive care in the United Kingdom (UK), President Muhammadu Buhari’s doctors are yet to diagnose what the president’s illness is all about, INDEPENDENT has learnt.

According to credible source in the presidency, despite series of tests and treatments from renowned medical practitioners both within and outside the UK, nobody has been able to pinpoint what ails the president except that he has completely lost his appetite for food.


The failure of the presidency to tell Nigerians the actual state of health of the president has fueled speculations in the country with many alleging that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is guilty of what it accused the then ruling party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) when the late President Umaru Yar’Adua held sway.

But according to our source, “Those accusing the presidency of being economical with the truth on the actual state of health of the president are missing the point because you can only disclose what you know.

“As at today, nobody knows the kind of ailment battling Mr. President. Even his doctors in the UK don’t know what is wrong with him. Lots of tests have been done; in fact they have done everything humanly possible but they still can’t detect what is wrong with him. That is why the doctors have decided to place him under long observation to see if they can diagnose what is wrong with him on the long run.

“For those of us who are close to President Buhari, he can’t stay for a long time without food. He doesn’t have the endurance for long fasting and that is why those referring to him as a religious fanatic are wrong. Here is a man who doesn’t joke with his food but suddenly once he takes a spoon, he throws up. And you know if you don’t eat for a long time, you become weak and emaciated.

“When the condition became critical, they have to devise other means of feeding him, but we’re happy at the level of significant progress he has made in the last couple of weeks”, he said.


He also debunked the claim by some online news media that the president is being treated for acute prostate cancer or battling with Crohn’s disease, a medical condition that could have affected his digestive system.

“From the information we have, every organ of the president is working perfectly. The only problem is his inability to eat well due to loss of appetite. That is why some people are alleging that the president may have been poisoned or under some kind of spiritual attack”, he noted.

Although President Muhammadu Buhari’s first active year in office which was from May 29, 2015 to 2016 was frost with some minor challenges, especially delays associated with appointing his cabinet members, the frustrations and criticism that greeted it left much to be desired.

No sooner had he sorted out some of these issues to settle down to the business of governance came his health challenges.

The first time he took a vacation to undergo medical check-up in London, the United Kingdom was in February 2016.

He left the shores of Nigeria for the United Kingdom for a six-day vacation from

February 5 to February 10, 2016. After a formal letter was written to the National Assembly leadership he transferred powers to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, had explained that the letter to the National Assembly was in compliance with Section 145 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution.

The spokesperson had assured Nigerians of the well-being of the president and the need not to panic over the state of his health.


He had hinged the vacation on the need for the president to take a break from work as he had worked non-stop for eight months and could break down like every other person.

On January 19, 2017, shortly after resolving the leadership crisis in The Gambia, where Yahaya Jammeh was recalcitrant to hand over power to his successor, President Buhari fell ill again and had to leave the country on another vacation.

As usual, he wrote Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, before bidding Nigeria goodbye to examine his health on January 23, 2017 to be precise.

Nigerians were sympathetic and in fact showed understanding that the president needs to take care of his health issues so that he could function maximally as the nation’s leader.

However, when the 10-day medical leave began to extend to several weeks, rumours began to fly over the actual date of his return, deepening suspicions that his health was far worse than officials were publicly admitting.


Finally, on March 9, 2017, the president returned to wild jubilations in some parts of the country and to the relief of Nigerians.

Despite attempts by his spokesmen to conceal his health challenges, Buhari revealed to Nigerians when he came back that he had never felt “so sick” in his entire life.

Upon returning, his absence in public functions, including skipping the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings gave room for more speculations, prompting concerned Nigerians to suggest he take another leave to rest more and recover fully.

Upon return, he said, “I deliberately came back towards the weekend, so that the Vice President (Yemi Osinbajo) will continue and I will continue to rest. All I will need is to do further follow ups within some weeks.”

Having weighed options available to him and sensed that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo was doing well in the governance of the country, Buhari jetted out again, shortly after he took inventory of 82 school girls abducted by the dreaded Boko Haram sect in Chibok, Borno State in April 2014.

He left on Sunday, May 7, 2017, and has spent about 94 days undergoing medical care also in the UK.

Despite the fact that the acting president, some caucus members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), including the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and selected governors who have gone to pay him solidarity visit and came back with assurances that he would soon return, the date for his eventual return is still unknown.

http://independent.ng/uk-doctors-yet-diagnose-president-buharis-ailment/

Countdown to 2019: 12 top politicians to watch

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the timetable for the 2019 elections in March this year. The next presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on February 16, 2019. 

With only a year and a half to go before the election, the body language of many prominent politicians, especially in the two major political parties, is that the battle for the coveted presidential seat has already begun. We take a look at 12 powerful politicians to watch ahead of the 2019 presidential race.

Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has not declared his interest in seeking a second term but the possibility that he will do so cannot be ruled out as his loyalists and political associates have continued to fly that kite with oracular enthusiasm. The Progressive Governors Forum Chairman, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, in February this year reportedly asked his fellows in the South-East not to talk about an Igbo presidency until after Buhari’s tenure, saying the president has a tenure to work for four or eight years according to the zoning arrangement of the ruling APC.

Buhari defeated former President Goodluck Jonathan during the 2015 elections that was widely adjudged to be free and fair; thus becoming the first Nigerian politician to defeat a sitting president through the ballot box. While he is about to complete his first two years in office as an elected civilian president of Nigeria there is the big question as to whether or not he would seek re-election. Although he is yet to declare his intention, the constitution of Nigeria allows a sitting president to seek re-election after his first term of four years. Having emerged as president on the mantra of change, Buhari’s major political strength lies in his incorruptible credentials that have made him very popular among Nigerians, especially in the North. 

The fight against insurgency in the North-East as well as his anti-corruption crusade is seen as his major achievements in his first term.  Serious health challenges since January this year however cast a big question mark on Buhari’s political future. He has been out of the country seeking medical attention for most of this year, which has raised doubts that he will seek another term in 2019. Even if he does not seek a second term however, the popular incumbent president could be a decisive factor in determining who flies the APC flag in 2019. 

Yemi Osinbajo

Professor Yemi Osinbajo was a relatively lightweight Vice President around President Muhammadu Buhari’s overwhelming political personality but his political stock greatly increased this year when he became the Acting President. An intellectually hefty Law professor and Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a very eloquent pastor, Osinbajo has impressed Nigerians during his acting tenure at the top. He does not however have a political base of his own, being a product of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s political machine to which he has remained a loyal follower. If Buhari does not seek a second term in 2019, Osinbajo will loom large in APC calculations even though regional calculations within the party could affect his chances. He must also contend with the ambitions of Tinubu, who wanted to be Buhari’s running mate in 2015; he only yielded to the religious factor and nominated Osinbajo instead. If however Buhari is unable to complete his first term, Osinbajo will become substantive president and it will thereafter become difficult to stop him within APC. 

Atiku Abubakar

A former Vice President for eight years, Atiku Abubakar is a political heavyweight in Nigeria with considerable political machinery especially in Northern Nigeria. Atiku, who never hides his presidential ambition, had contested the 2007 presidential election on the platform of the defunct Action Congress (AC) after realizing that he could not get the PDP ticket because of his frosty relationship with then President Obasanjo. Atiku also contested for the PDP presidential ticket against President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011. He again vied for APC’s ticket in 2014 against President Buhari, finishing third at the Lagos convention. 

Could 2019 be his year? The action, body language and utterances of the Waziri of Adamawa are enough to show seriousness. In the past year Atiku suddenly became a vocal voice for restructuring. This is seen as a strategy to woo the South-South and South-East, regions where Buhari is not popular. In the North, Atiku’s strategy is to insist on a “power shift” to the North East. He has been saying since 1999 that the North West has marginalised the North East in top political offices. Those strategies are backed by very deep pockets and one of the greatest determinations in Nigerian politics. Atiku celebrated his 70th birthday recently and his renewed determination probably stems from a calculation that 2019, when he will be 72, is his last chance.

Atiku’s political reputation over the years has been harmed by his frequent change of political parties in pursuit of his presidential ambition. In the run up to 2019, it is possible that he may again return to PDP. He is already laying grounds for that because last week he attacked APC as a party without internal democracy. 

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Former two-term governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one of the biggest power brokers in Nigerian politics, the effective political leader of the South West states. President Muhammadu Buhari admitted this much in his acceptance speech after being declared winner of the 2015 election. Tinubu however believes that Buhari’s administration has not accorded to him recognition and influence commensurate to his contribution in 2015. He was also frustrated by the leadership that emerged in both Senate and House of Representatives against his wishes, and he is also at war against party national chairman John Oyegun.

Tinubu said early this year that if Buhari does not run in 2019, he will consider running himself. Tinubu is the South West politician best placed to replicate Chief Moshood Abiola’s 1993 feat. He has firm control over his base and the Jagaban Borgu also has deep reach into the North. His ambitions could however be complicated by the further rise of his protégé, Osinbajo. This is especially true if Osinbajo becomes substantive president before 2019.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso was governor of Kano State from 1999-2003 and after losing his re-election bid in 2003, he bounced back as governor in 2011-2015. In-between he was Obasanjo’s Defence Minister in 2003-07 and he is now a senator. During his governorship tenure Kwankwaso gained a reputation nationally as a wunderkind who rapidly churned out inventive social and infrastructural projects and created twenty different higher institutions in Kano State. He also finished second to Buhari in APC’s 2014 presidential primaries.

Since 2015 however, in-fighting within the Kano State APC has greatly dented Kwankwaso’s political standing. His own former deputy’s administration created a question mark around Kwankwaso’s achievements and claimed that he left behind a huge debt and many uncompleted projects. Even though the former governor is relatively low key in the Senate, his Kwankwasiyya political movement is still very strong in Kano and has spread its tentacles to other states. Some observers say that Kwankwaso’s number one priority in 2019 is to deny Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje a second term, a political project that he might place over and above his presidential ambition.

Bukola Saraki

A former two-term governor of Kwara State, former chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and current Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki aims to succeed where his father, the late Senator Abubakar Olusola Saraki stopped just short. Saraki has defied political gravity so far and would certainly fancy his chances of becoming President, especially if the incumbent does not run. 

Saraki briefly entered PDP’s presidential primaries in 2010 but bowed out when the Adamu Ciroma panel adopted Atiku Abubakar as the sole Northern candidate to run against Goodluck Jonathan. Saraki’s defection to APC in 2014 was a major contributor to the party’s eventual success. He snatched the Senate Presidency against the wishes of Buhari, Tinubu and APC leaders in 2015 and has kept the Senate remarkably united behind himself with deft political moves since last year.

He has a loyal base in Kwara State too, where Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed recognizes him as leader of the ruling APC in Kwara State. Although he is wealthy, well known nationally and has a firm control of his state, his presidential ambition is unpopular among diehard Buhari supporters in the North, who see him as the effective “opposition leader” to the Buhari presidency. APC loyalists also accuse Saraki of anti-party activity, since PDP senators helped him to clinch the Senate Presidency and still stand solidly behind him. 

Sule Lamido

Former two-term governor of Jigawa State Alhaji Sule Lamido has already commenced campaigning for the PDP ticket ahead of 2019. In April last year he reportedly told newsmen in his village, Bamaina in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of the State, “If my party finds me worthy of the party’s presidential ticket to serve Nigeria, I will thank God and oblige.” Two weeks after he was released on bail from prison over allegation of incitement preferred against him by the Jigawa State Government in May this year Lamido unveiled his 2019 presidential bid during a dinner for the 36 state chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Abuja.

Lamido  is one of the most experienced politicians in Nigeria today, having been a prominent PRP member of the House of Representatives in the Second Republic and was a leading member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the Third Republic. Lamido was also Obasanjo’s Foreign Affairs Minister in 1999-2003. As governor of Jigawa, he earned kudos for executing many worthwhile infrastructural projects including roads, airport and a state university. Throughout his political career however, Lamido’s reputation is that of a political hothead who is known for controversies and ruffling political feathers. It might yet prove to be the quality PDP needs in 2019.

Nasir El Rufai

Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and current Governor of Kaduna State Malam Nasir El Rufa’i is widely known to nurse ambitions to succeed Buhari as president. The stint of this “accidental public servant” in national politics and governance since 1999 has been a mixture of courage, inventiveness, epic controversy and not a little dare devilry.

As Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) in 1999-2003 he pursued privatisation of public enterprises with great courage but also a lot of controversy. As Obasanjo’s FCT Minister in 2003-07 el-Rufa’i innovatively sanitised Abuja but was accused of insensitivity in demolishing slums and illegal buildings. 

He was one of the pioneers in APC’s formation in 2013 and he struck a very close relationship with his former adversary Buhari, who encouraged and supported him to become the governor of Kaduna State. As governor, el-Rufai is credited with dynamism but also with epic controversy such as demolishing of houses that encroached school quarters, sale of government quarters, a poorly executed school feeding program, unending quarrels with political opponents and initially poor handling of trouble in southern Kaduna State.

His opponents alleged that el-Rufai was angling to become vice president if Buhari fails to complete his term. Early this year a memo that the Kaduna governor wrote to Buhari providing solutions to many national problems was leaked, allegedly by persons close to Buhari who wanted to portray el-Rufa’i as overambitious. Nasiru el-Rufai’s potentially biggest obstacle is zoning within APC, which could zone his North West region out of 2019 presidential calculations even though it is the country’s most populous region and also its most solidly pro-APC zone. Everything considered, this man with a small body frame but giant intellect and ambitions is a man to watch in 2019.

Kashim Shettima

Two months ago Borno State’s Governor Kashim Shettima suddenly came under a sustained social media attack from invisible quarters. Political pundits later traced the attacks to Atiku Abubakar’s hyper-active media office, which they said identified him as a likely obstacle in Atiku’s way. The non-controversial Shettima has not indicated his ambition to run for the Presidency in 2019 though Danlami Kubo, Deputy Speaker of Borno State Assembly, reportedly said earlier this year that Governor Kashim Shettima should be considered as Nigeria’s future ruler. 

According to pundits, Atiku’s team calculated that if Buhari does not run in 2019, APC’s 24 state governors would seize the initiative and insist that one of them should be the next party leader. Within their ranks, they are likely to maintain the ticket in the North, where most APC supporters are. Within the North, they could well decide to zone the ticket to the North East since the populous North West zone has produced many leaders since 1999 including President Yar’adua, former Vice President Namadi Sambo and Buhari. APC has four serving governors in the North East of which two are first termers.

Of the second term governors, Shettima has a much higher profile as a former top banker and university lecturer who tackled his state’s devastating Boko Haram problem with courage and dynamism, including efforts to rebuild shattered communities so that IDPs can return home. He is also the chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum [NSGF] and has recently been engaged in efforts to get Arewa Youth groups to cancel their Igbo quit notice. It is for these reasons that this undeclared candidate is one of the top men to watch in 2019.

Rochas Okorocha

Governor Okorocha is not new at taking shots at the nation’s Presidency. In 1999, Okorocha competed in the primaries to be PDP candidate for governor of Imo State but lost to Achike Udenwa. He then moved to All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) but was unsuccessful in his quest for the party’s ticket for the presidency in 2003 and thereafter returned to PDP. 

Okorocha formed the Action Alliance (AA) in 2005, planning to become its presidential candidate for the 2007 elections. He finished second to Alhaji Umaru Yar’adua in PDP’s 2007 presidential primaries. After that Okorocha decamped to All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), on which platform he won election as governor of Imo State in 2011.  He then carried his APGA faction into APC in 2013.

Rochas Okorocha is chairman of APC governors’ forum and does not hide his presidential ambitions. As APC’s most prominent Igbo politician, his calculation is that he should get the ticket when APC zones the presidency to Igboland in 2019 or 2023. 

Ahmed Makarfi

Senator Ahmed Makarfi was governor of Kaduna State from 1999 to 2007. Within the eight years he was in office, he was able to mitigate religious and ethnic violence in the state and has through that feat projected himself as an objective and fair-minded leader. 

His outstanding performance in the state’s infrastructural development with his sharp focus on rural roads, rural water and rural electrification shot him into national limelight. Makarfi was a senator in 2007-15 where he chaired the committee on Appropriation. Even though he lost the bid to return a third time in 2015, his profile rose further when PDP governors and party members appointed him Chairman of the party at a convention which held in Port-Harcourt last year. Since then he had been battling for the position with former governor of Borno State Ali Modu Sheriff, until recently when the Supreme Court ruled in his favour. 

Makarfi is expected to relinquish the PDP chairmanship which has been zoned to the Southwest but he is already a likely candidate for its presidential ticket, which was zoned to the North, especially given the trust key members of the party, especially serving governors, have in him. 

Aminu Waziri Tambuwal

Governor of Sokoto State Aminu Waziri Tambuwal is often mentioned as an important APC contender for president if Buhari does not run in 2019. Tambuwal developed a wide national reputation after he clinched the post of Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2011 against the wishes of the ruling PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan but with the full backing of ACN leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. In four years he also kept the House remarkably united and became a prominent voice on the national scene admired for his intellect and level-headedness.

Tambuwal fell out with Jonathan and his wife, Patience over many issues and in late 2014 he defected to APC. He did not contest the party’s presidential primaries but instead picked its governorship ticket and became governor of Sokoto State. He is however said to have lost Tinubu’s support because he supported Yakubu Dogara to succeed him as Speaker against Tinubu’s candidate, current House Leader Femi Gbajiamila. Still, Tambuwal is a visible option to succeed Buhari in 2019.

Culled:  Dailytrust