House Of Reps Takes Over Rivers State House Of Assembly Functions

The House of Reps this afternoon announced that the National Assembly should take over the functions of the Rivers State House Of Assembly until such a time that peace,security and decorum is guaranteed.

[SEE VIDEO] BLOODSHED AT RIVERS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

The political feud between President Goodluck Jonathan and Rivers state governor, Chibuike Amaechi, spilled into a deadly clash Tuesday on the grounds of the Rivers state House of Assembly, between state lawmakers with ties to both sides, leaving at least four members injured.

Actress Fathia Balogun,Iyabo Ojo In Near Fight @ Toyin Aimakhu's Wedding

RAMADAN! Senator Saraki Donates 100 Million To Feed Senatorial District

"Yesterday, on behalf of my family and I, I donated the sum of 100 Million Naira

AMAECHI: Junaid Muhammad Blasts ‘Illiterate’ Patience Jonathan

 Popular political critic, Junaid Mohammad has shown concern over the recent crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) warning that they are soon going to cause a major security crisis in Rivers State.

Pix of the day! Our Commander In Chief

‘Ogun Governorship Not a Do-or-die Affair’

A governorship aspirant in Ogun State , Hon. Sikirulai Olawale Ogundele, who is also a two-term lawmaker at the State House of Assembly, where he represented Ifo Constituency I,  has declared that the 2015 governorship election in the state will not be a do-or-die affair.

Ogundele,  who also served as chairman, Ifo Local Government Area of the state in 2007, stated this in Abeokuta, the state capital , while declaring his intention to  contest under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with a promise to give the state a face-lift.

“The (2015) race is not going to be do-or-die affair. It is God’s dream and the electorate are my godfathers. If I don’t contest, people will ask me why have I not come to reciprocate my success in Ifo, Ogun State. It is our turn in Egba,” he stated at a meeting with journalists where he made his intention known, saying  if that fails,  it would not come to Egba in the next 24 years.

He said he’s contesting under PDP platform but not in the hands of those he described as  unfaithful party members, stating “I am contesting on the platform of the PDP that is nationally recognised. PDP is my party and I will be committed to my party.”

According to Ogundele, “I am aware of the OGD camp, comprising GNI, Sina Kawonise, Hon Sarafa Tunji Isola; they are credible, but I am more credible than they do. We are not in the same level. The party leaders know our pedigree, antecedents and they know whom to pick.

“Money is just secondary to winning election these days. My credibility is more than billions of naira. If somebody tells you PDP is dead in this state, you must definitely check that person. PDP is waxing stronger.”

While speaking on Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s government, he said Amosun is running a penny-wise pounds-foolish administration and policies.

“His (Amosun) policies have always been penny-wise-pounds-foolish, he makes policies and reverses them. He promised to make education free; if you make education free,  it will not be qualitative.

“At a time, Ogun State tax payers became the highest tax payers. He revokes the certificate of occupancy of many and killed businesses in the state. His policies are anti-people, obnoxious,” he said.

95 ships to arrive Lagos ports from July 3 to July 28

(NAN) The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), on Wednesday said that 95 ships carrying various cargoes would sail into Lagos ports from July 3 to July.28.


This is contained in NPA’s daily publication, ``Shipping Position’’ made available to newsmen in Lagos.


The document indicated that the ships were carrying boats, petroleum products, bulk fertilizer, new and used vehicles and frozen fish.


It said that some of the ships would sail in with steel products, bulk malt, bulk salt, general cargo, bulk urea, steel products, bulk wheat, containers and crude palm-oil.


The NPA reported that five ships, laden with bulk malt, bulk fertilizer and bulk wheat, were waiting to berth to discharge their cargoes.


It said that seven fuel-laden ships were also waiting to berth and discharge petrol.


The NPA said that the ships would berth at Single Buoy Mooring (SBM), Atlas Cove Jetty (ACJ), and Bulk Oil Plant (BOP). (NAN)

APC, danger to Nigeria — Ezeife

Third Republic governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, in this interview with ALLWELL OKPI, states that adopting a two-party system would help Nigeria overcome its political woes

 President Goodluck Jonathan recently suggested a two-party political system for the country. Do you agree with him?

I’m a staunch supporter of a two-party system. It is the best for the country because it is based on distinct ideologies – the conservatives on one side and the progressives on the other side. If we want to adopt it, then we should have the courage to register the National Republican Convention again. The Social Democratic Party has already been re-registered and many people are showing interest.

Considering the present political situation, is Nigeria ripe for such?

The situation on the ground does not seem to encourage the establishment of a proper two-party system based on ideological distinction. The All Progressives Congress cannot be a part of a proper two-party system. In fact, APC constitutes a danger to Nigeria. It is only complicating our political situation because it is not based on ideology.

Has the two-party system been effective in Nigeria and other countries?

When Ibrahim Babangida wanted to transit to civilian rule, he empanelled ex-permanent secretaries to prepare a transition programme. I was one of them. We analysed the situation of the country and we came to a conclusion that Nigeria has two major religions – Islam and Christianity – but there are the pagans. Nigeria has tribes – Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and others. We looked at the country and decided that the only way to unite this country was by establishing a two-party political system. So, it was the ex-permanent secretaries that proposed it to IBB and he announced it to Nigerians. Because he was the one that announced it, people thought it was a military idea and people opposed it. But in practice, the bonding that happened in Nigeria during that period is better than the bonding that has happened at other times in this country since amalgamation. If somebody from Sokoto State is going to Anambra State in those days, it was like he was going home. If you were a member of the SDP in Sokoto, and you came to Anambra where I was the governor, you would feel at home. You would have no fear. The same thing happened between states where the National Republican Convention was in charge. Someone from Enugu NRC could go to Kano, which was another NRC state and feel at home. All the governors were like one; there was no division. In practice, the two-party system has proven to be superior to all other alternatives. In theory, the two-party system is clearly better than other alternatives. In the United State of America, you have the conservatives called the Republicans and the libertarians called the Democrats. Anywhere you have uncountable number of political parties, you will have many problems. It is no use. An example is Israel. In a two-party system, you have two strong parties. One may be stronger than the other in one area, but rigging of elections will be minimal compared to the large-scale rigging that will now have under multi-party system. I usually say that in a two-party system, giant will meet giant and they will negotiate. But now, we have a situation where a giant meet Lilliputians and there is no negotiation. In any way you look at it, the two-party system is superior. To balance the two-party system, the only thing we have to do is to allow independent candidacy.

Assuming we have a situation where some Nigerians do not believe in any of the two parties. What options do such people have?

Like I said, to give a breathing space, the two-party system should allow space for independent candidates. We should be clamouring for a two-party system plus independent candidacy in order to satisfy the aspirations of people who may disagree with the two main parties.

Are you saying the people who do not conform to the two major parties cannot form political organisations to support independent candidates?

No, people will be free to form smaller political parties but they will not be funded by the government. It does not take away the right of Nigerians to form political associations. It is just that other political associations outside the two main political parties would be independent of the two-party system.

You said SDP and NRC should be re-registered. Do you recommend that Nigeria should return to the early 1990s when the two parties reigned?

That is the best thing, if we can find a way to go there. Every Nigerian should know that that is the best for the country.

But don’t you think the ideologies that governed those parties and the conduct of politicians then have been eroded from today’s politics?

No. There is something called conservatism and there is something called progressivism. These are international ideologies. They don’t get eroded. Sometimes some people are convergent. So, there can be progressivism, conservatism and convergence.

The suggestion of a two-party system today is based the emergence of the All Progressives Congress as a giant umbrella of major opposition parties to challenge the ruling Peoples Democratic Party. Do you think PDP and APC fit into the conservative-versus-progressive mould of a two-party system?  

APC clearly does not qualify as an alternative party. Like I said before, APC has no ideology and it is therefore not good for Nigeria.

What of PDP?

PDP has no ideology but it is not the fault of the party. It occurred that way because of how things happened. I was a founding member of G34. When Abubakar Abdusalami came up with the idea of taking Nigeria to civil rule, I proposed that since members of the G34 were the credible people at that time, we should break into two – some into a conservative group, following their own ideologies, and some into a progressive group. There were many progressives and many conservatives in G34. But it turned out that nobody wanted to be in the opposition. About seven people agreed with me but it was overruled because the majority wanted to be opulent; nobody wanted to be in the opposition; nobody wanted to lose election and grow as opposition. So, people from different parties, including SDP and NRC, joined the PDP. As a result, PDP from the start became a party of ideological strange bed fellows. It is not the fault of PDP; it was the way things happened when the military handed over to civilians.

As Nigeria prepares for the 2015 general elections, how can the country arrive at the type of two-party system that existed in the SDP-NRC era?

We need to evolve. There is no way to do it by fiat. If we have a determined government, Nigeria can become the super power that it is supposed to be. Maybe from there, we can re-register NRC. SDP has been re-registered. We need some support for these two bodies. Just any show of interest or intervention by government can spark up growth and development within these parties.

Can a two-party system also answer the question of the different regions of the country seeking their slot at the presidency?

Two-party system has nothing to do with who becomes President. The Presidency will be a matter of rotation among the geopolitical zones. We can just end up with the South-East, then after that, it will be free for all. Then, we can have the six zones nominate presidential candidates and we will choose based on meritocracy.

COURT GRANT DEATH SENTENCE FOR POLICE OFFICER WHO KILLED WIFE FOR RITUAL

The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the death sentence passed on Usman Maigari, a former policeman, for killing his wife, Sa’adatu.

Delivering judgment, Justice Mary Peter-Odili held that the appellant’s appeal lacked merit.

“In conclusion, therefore, I have to state that this appeal lacks merit and I dismiss it.

“I affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeal which affirmed the decision, conviction and sentence of the appellant for culpable homicide punishable by death.

“I order that the sentence as passed by the trial High Court be carried out,’’ she said.

The appeal emanated from the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Judicial Division.

The appellant was arraigned before the Sokoto State High Court on one count charge of culpable homicide punishable with death contrary to section 221(a) of the Penal Code.

On Feb 22, 2006, leave was granted to the respondent to amend the charge.

The appellant pleaded not guilty to the charge but the respondent called seven witnesses and tendered numerous exhibits to prove the case.

However, the appellant testified in his own defence and did not call any other witness.

The trial judge, Abbas, convicted the appellant and sentenced him to death by hanging.

Dissatisfied with the decision, the appellant approached the Court of Appeal which upheld the conviction and sentence.

Again, not satisfied, the appellant appealed the decision of the appellate court to the Supreme Court on May 13, 2010.

Mr. Maigari had approached the court to determine whether the Court of Appeal was right in holding that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. He further prayed the apex court to determine whether the Court of Appeal had not considered his submissions before affirming his conviction.

The appellant committed the offence on January 11, 1999, at his house in Yabo, Yabo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The former police officer had strangulated his wife to death for ritual purposes and conveyed her corpse and dumped it in a culvert near Janzomo Village along Kanjiji-Shagari road.

The death sentence will only be carried out if the Sokoto Governor approves the death warrant. A similar death sentence approved by the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, and carried out recently was condemned by local and international right groups.

DRUG TRAFFICKING: NDLEA, ARMY RAID MUSHIN, RECOVER 3,166.15KG OF CANNABIS, COCAINE, HEROIN & METHAMPHETAMINE

A combined team of officers with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Army have carried out a raid on Akala area of Mushin, a notorious criminal hideout in Lagos. The operation which lasted several hours at the weekend led to the arrest of 47 suspected drug traffickers and addicts with the seizure of 3,166.15kg of narcotics including cannabis, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency Ahmadu Giade commended the Nigerian Army Commander, 9 Brigade Lagos, Brigadier General Adeniyi Oyebade for giving the needed back-up because of the notoriety of the area. “The Agency will continue to gather intelligence reports and conduct raids on criminal hideouts. We are prepared to clean-up Lagos. This operation is a pointer to the fact that no criminal location is invincible. The understanding and cooperation of the Nigerian Army is highly commendable” Giade stated.In his reaction, Brig. General Oyebade urged stakeholders to support the NDLEA in the eradication of illegal drugs in our society. In his words, “illicit drugs induce crime and aggravate insecurity. Considering the problem of drugs we are ready to assist the NDLEA whenever they call on. I also urge other stakeholders to partner with the Agency in making the country drug-free”.NDLEA Lagos State commander, Mr. Aliyu Sule said that a cannabis warehouse was discovered during the raid operation. A total of 47 suspected drug traffickers including addicts were apprehended. They include 42 males and five females. “An illegal warehouse was discovered at the scene of operation where 3,166.15kg of drugs mainly cannabis was seized. There were also 31.4 grammes of heroin, 292 grammes of cocaine and 1.9 grammes of methamphetamine which were prepared in pinches meant for local consumption” Sule stated.The commander added that the operation is the second raid on Akala in the last seven days. The first operation according to him led to the seizure of 187.355kg of cannabis.It will be recalled that the NDLEA Chairman met with Governor Babatunde Fashola in February 2013 where the Agency solicited for State support on how to arrest the rise of drug trafficking syndicates following the discovery of several methamphetamine production laboratories in the State.Investigation has commenced and all those found culpable shall be prosecuted while the addicts shall be placed on counselling. 

DRUG SUSPECT HIDES CANNABIS IN BITTER LEAF

Obianwo Josiah Okwuchukwu

A suspected drug trafficker has hidden 2kg of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis inside a consignment of dried bitter leaf. Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) made the discovery during search operation at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. Two persons were apprehended with 3.700kg of narcotics. A substance that tested positive for methamphetamine weighing 1.700kg hidden in a false bottom of luggage was also detected during the outward clearance of Arik air passengers to Monrovia.Both suspects who are from Anambra State have claimed ownership of the drugs. They also stated in their confessional statements that they were enticed by the monetary reward offered by their sponsors. In the words of 53 year old Obianwo Josiah Okwuchukwu, “I have lived in Monrovia for the past five years. I work in a cinema in order to sustain myself and family. My problem began when I lost all my savings to the war in Sierra Leone. I have been living from hand to mouth. My situation was so bad that I agreed to smuggle the drugs for 2,000 dollars”. Obianwo has a wife and four children living in Lagos.The other suspect, Ifeanyi Okafor said that he lost 87,000 dollars to fraudsters. “I am an importer of baby clothes. My business was going on fine until I lost 87,000 dollars to fraudsters. In fact, I am yet to recover from that tragic incident that reduced me into a beggar. I was smuggling the 2kg of cannabis for a fee of 1,400 dollars. It was carefully packaged but unfortunately the officers detected it” Ifeanyi stated.Reacting to the latest arrests, NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade said that stiffer penalty is one of the effective strategies of drug control. In his words, “no doubt, stiffer penalties remain one of the effective ways of addressing the problem of drug trafficking in the country. If a 53 year old man knows that if caught with drugs, he will spend the next 15 years in jail, there will be some restraint”.The suspects will soon be charged to court.According to the NDLEA Airport commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, both suspects were caught during routine check. “A 53 year old Obianwo Josiah Okwuchukwu concealed 1.700kg of methamphetamine in his luggage on his way to Monrovia, Liberia while Ifeanyi Okafor, 38, concealed 2kg of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis sativa in a bag containing dried bitter leaf vegetable meant for export to Doha, Qatar.