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Tuesday, October 9, 2018

APC, PDP Senators, Reps Draw Battle Line

 

File Photo
The National Assembly resumes plenary today amidst tension over alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to take over its leadership.
Sources told Daily Independent that APC lawmakers are spoiling for a fight with the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) lawmakers over control of the National Assembly.
However, the battle for the control of the National Assembly, a lawmaker, who does not want his name mentioned, told our correspondent may be postponed to Wednesday following the death of Funke Adedoyin representing Irepodun/Isin Ekiti/Oke Ero Constituency of Kwara State.
The lawmaker further disclosed that the National Assembly will follow its tradition, pay respect for the late member and adjourn sitting to the following day.
It would be recalled that before the National Assembly went on break about eleven weeks ago, there were skirmishes by the APC to impeach the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki.
The defection of Yakubu Dogara, the Speaker, House of Representatives, would this week add tension to the already charged atmosphere.
APC lawmakers are spoiling for a fight over the leadership of the National Assembly now headed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers who were until recently of the APC.
The APC lawmakers’ argument is that the opposition party cannot control the National Assembly.
While the two presiding officers in the Senate, Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, belong to the PDP with just 48 senators out of 109, the number one presiding officer in the House, Dogara, also belongs to the PDP in a House with about 196 APC members out of the available 360 seats.
Saraki and Dogara defected from the APC to the PDP during the recess, at different times, on account of irreconcilable differences they had with the APC leadership at different levels.
The National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, has not hidden his anger over Saraki’s control of the National Assembly, vowing that he would be removed.
The plans of the ruling party to take action against Saraki’s leadership of the Senate was revealed on Saturday by leader of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, who declared that minority will not be allowed to rule over the majority at both chambers of the National Assembly on resumption.
He had said, “I want Nigerians to know that the number of senators of APC in the Senate remains the largest. I want to call the attention of everyone here to the fact that democracy, as defined by people, remains government of the majority, where minority will always have their say.
“Those who cannot remember that there was a time in this country when nine was greater than 16, I want to remind them that we have come to that point again.
“Now, we have our chamber dominated and occupied by minority leaders. They remain minority leaders occupying our positions.
Those who refuse to follow the part of honour and integrity by exiting, we will send them out with ignominy.
“I want to assure everyone here that 2019 is going to be a walkover for Mr. President, by the grace of God. It will see APC winning more than 24 states.
“We will have a National Assembly where vast majority of senators will be from the APC and in the House of Representatives.
“We want to have a National Assembly that will, at all times, work with Mr. President, day and night, to deliver to Nigerians what we have lost over the years.
“The leadership of the National Assembly has shown to us that they are not prepared to be loyal to this administration.
“On Tuesday (today), we will be going back to the National Assembly when our recess is over. We intend to force through a lot of things and pass that budget for INEC and the security agencies for the 2019 election.
“If we cannot convince them, we intend to force through the foreign plan for this administration. Some people have taken our mandate and run away with it. We intend to fight, defend, and promote the interest of this party at all cost.”
Meanwhile, Senator Biodun Olujimi has advised APC senators to drop their plans to remove Senate President Bukola Saraki as the National Assembly resumes today.
He was speaking in response to the threat by Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan, that the ruling APC would effect a change in the leadership of the National Assembly on resumption.
Speaking to newsmen on Monday, Olujimi said: “The Senate leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, should not cause tension and problem in the Senate.
“He should not promise the All Progressives Congress what he cannot deliver. Nigerians should hold him responsible if the Senate is unable to sit because the leadership of the Senate is not by party affiliation; it is through an election among all the senators.
“Lawan should be reminded that the election of the present presiding officers of the Senate was done even when he was not present.
“He should be reminded that responsible senators who attended the inauguration of the Senate as announced by President Muhammadu Buhari elected the presiding officers and that Ahmad Lawan, as the Senate leader, should be conversant with the procedure for the removal of presiding officers, and for the avoidance of doubt, the Senate is solidly behind the presiding officers and we will resist any attempt that will offset the calm situation in the Senate.
“The Senate leader should please note that we are returning to handle all outstanding issues and he should be held responsible if we are not able to accomplish them. We ask him, as one of the principal officers of the Senate, to refrain from beating the drums of war that will do no one any good.
“We have resolved as senators of the Federal Republic to face our duties squarely and pray that no one distracts us. 
The unity of the Senate is more important than anybody’s inordinate ambition.”
Source: Daily Independent
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Mourinho’s 825 days hotel bill hits £500,000


[FILE] Manchester United’s Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho reacts ahead of the Champions League group H football match between Manchester United and Valencia at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on October 2, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Lindsey PARNABY
If Jose Mourinho is eventually sacked by Manchester United, at least, he will not have the added stress of selling a house.
Mourinho has been living in Manchester for 825 days since setting up base at the Lowry Hotel on July 6, 2016, but is yet to lay down permanent roots in the city.
His family base remains in the capital as his daughter — Matilde — graduated from London’s University of Arts in the summer and his son — Jose Mourinho Jnr — played for Fulham until April 2017.
The Portuguese tactician has a contract at Old Trafford until 2020, but has still decided to remain in a hotel rather than purchase a Cheshire mansion.
Mourinho is often pictured on the steps of the Lowry Hotel, where he is welcomed by a doorman every time he arrives at the five-star accommodation.
The Manchester United boss, who was said to have come close to losing his job at the weekend before his side came from two goals down to win 3-2, lives in one of the hotel’s luxury Riverside Suites.
A Riverside Suite is priced at £600 on their website which means Mourinho has shelled out around £500,000 since moving to Manchester if he has been paying the average online price.
The suites are ‘large enough for a selection of soft sofas with restful river views’ and ‘a separate lounge and dining area with a small kitchenette for the thrill of entertaining in a five star hotel’.
There is one Riverside Suite on each floor of the hotel, which are described as having ‘the feeling of a stylish private apartment’.
Each has a view overlooking the River Irwell, which runs through Manchester, and are all individually designed around abstract artwork by internationally acclaimed Oldham-born artist, Alan Rankle.
Each room features a piece of Rankle’s art on a 4mx2.5m upholstered headboard, curved around the bed, with mirrors strategically placed to allow guests to view the artist’s work from multiple angles.
The air-conditioned suites all come with sofas and chairs, each have two entrances, a desk and a separate lounge and dining area with enough space to entertain four guests for dinner or hold meetings.
There is a walk-in wardrobe, en-suite bathroom with separate shower, an in-room bar and a safe. Tea and coffee making facilities are included, along with a fridge and coffee machine.
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NLC pickets Chinese firms over alleged maltreatment of workers

EFCC urges court to re-assign Magu’s confirmation suit

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday picketed three Chinese mining firms in Ogun State over alleged inhuman treatment of workers.
The NLC, in conjunction with the Nigeria Union of Mine Workers (NUMW) accused the companies of maltreating their Nigerian employees, contrary to the country’s labour law.
The affected companies are A and B, Multi Verse and Abstar, located in Obafemi Owode Local Council Area of the state.
They were led by the state NLC Chairman, Comrade Akeem Ambali, who also accused the companies of underpaying their workers below the existing N18, 000 minimum wage.
Other allegations were that, most of the employees are casual workers who operate under “poor and unfriendly environment.”
Also included is the firm’s refusal for the employees to join a union to articulate their welfare.
The action began at 11:00 a.m., with the protesters carrying placards with various inscriptions as: “Enough of despotic business ideology by the Chinese,” “Who owns the land?” We Africans.”
Ambali told The Guardian that the protest was aimed at curbing anti-workers’ interest against Nigerian employees.
He said: “We are here to defend the interest of the workers and we are closing down the companies over anti-workers actions against them by their Chinese employers.
“The workers are not being paid the minimum wage, and even the Chinese firms have refused to allowed them to unionise, because they know that they would definitely fight for their rights.”

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2019: Atiku’s camp speaks on reaching agreement with power brokers to clinch PDP ticket

Spokesman of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation, Segun Sowunmi, has claimed that his principal and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, did not clinch the party’s ticket by entering into alliance with power brokers.
He said this while reacting to claims in some quarters that Atiku had to make a lot of commitments to those who supported him to clinch the ticket.
Sowunmi told Daily Trust: “What alliance with power brokers? Which power brokers? There were 12 aspirants there and all of them went to the ballot.
“Everyman went to the ballot believing they had the chance of winning. It was only when the votes were counted that every man saw the number of votes he got. That is the beauty of a transparent democratic process.”
“When you are going into an election, you put in your best, but there is always a 13th hour when you must wait for the verdict of history,” he said.
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2019: Atiku’s camp speaks on reaching agreement with power brokers to clinch PDP ticket

Spokesman of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation, Segun Sowunmi, has claimed that his principal and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, did not clinch the party’s ticket by entering into alliance with power brokers.
He said this while reacting to claims in some quarters that Atiku had to make a lot of commitments to those who supported him to clinch the ticket.
Sowunmi told Daily Trust: “What alliance with power brokers? Which power brokers? There were 12 aspirants there and all of them went to the ballot.
“Everyman went to the ballot believing they had the chance of winning. It was only when the votes were counted that every man saw the number of votes he got. That is the beauty of a transparent democratic process.”
“When you are going into an election, you put in your best, but there is always a 13th hour when you must wait for the verdict of history,” he said.
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Zinedine Zidane Gives Condition For Manchester United Switch

 

Zinedine Zidane
Manchester United face having to agree to a Zinedine Zidane transfer demand if they are to appoint him as Jose Mourinho’s successor.
The Frenchman remains the overwhelming favourite to replace Mourinho, despite recent comments made by his agent.
However, the Independent claim that Zidane moving to United hinges on whether Ed Woodward will meet his request.
The Frenchman wants a big say in transfers – having had little-to-no say on such deals at Real Madrid – if he is to make a premature return to management.
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Tinubu Wades Into Herdsmen vs Farmers Clashes, Reveals How To End The Crisis

Chief Bola Tinubu, an All Progressives Congress chieftain, has asked the government to immediately convert unused land to grazing routes as this will curb incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen.
Punch Metro reports that Tinubu said this in Abuja on Monday at a national summit on conflict resolution.
The event, which was organised by The Nation and TV Continental, was themed: ‘Towards an Enduring Peace.’
He said, “The government must help herders gradually shift from their traditional nomadic existence to a more static lifestyle.  We have to face the reality that modernity is making the nomadic way counterproductive and inefficient.
“Unoccupied, isolated land can quickly be turned into grazing areas in the affected states. In the long run, this will enable herders to better maintain their livestock and thus their own livelihood.”
Tinubu, who was represented by an Executive Commissioner of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Sunday Dare, said contrary to speculations, the crisis was not caused by religious or political differences but by water scarcity.
The former governor of Lagos State said the desertification in most parts of the North had caused herders to move southward with their cattle in search of greener pastures.
He added, “An acutely thirsty man remembers neither Bible nor Quran very well until his thirst is quenched. Dire need often pushes a man to behave as if bereft of compassion for a person in equally dire circumstance.
“No doubt the problem has exacerbated during the past decade. We must assume climate change plays a role.”
As a long-term solution to the crisis, Tinubu recommended that water catchment and conservation systems such as the prudent use of dams and irrigation sub-systems maintainable at the local level must be developed.
Also speaking, a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, noted that the crisis had nothing to do with the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari was a Fulani man.
Ribadu, who is also a chieftain of the APC, said, on the contrary, most nomadic Fulani herders felt marginalised under the Buhari government.
He said, “People have continued to misunderstand what is going on. President Buhari has nothing to do with what is going on. In fact, the Fulani are even angry with him because they think he has abandoned them.
“They think he is listening to the others and that he meets people from Benue, Plateau and never gave them an audience.
“They are saying that he gave billions of naira to others as victims but has not given them anything. But the Buhari I know is just an honest man. He is not taking sides in this struggle, but he cannot change himself because he is a Fulani man or claim that he is no more a Fulani man because it has become an issue.”
Ribadu said many of the herders were migrating southwards not only because of desertification but also because of the high rate of insecurity in the North.
He said sadly, the nomadic Fulani are never given a sense of belonging wherever they go because they are not landowners.
The former EFCC boss added, “You can hardly see any nomadic Fulani man that is part of a state assembly or the National Assembly and they form about 15 to 20 million of the population and they are marginalised. They are not in any way benefiting from what is happening in the country today.
“There has been only one attempt to address the problem and that was the nomadic education programme. Many of those who participated in the nomadic education programme are PhD holders today and those that are working are helping their communities. Other than that, I have not seen any effort geared towards solving their problem.”
In his remarks, the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Abdullahi Bodejo, said some of the solutions to the current crisis included the immediate suspension of the anti-grazing law as well as the release of herders arrested in Benue in the course of enforcing the law.
Bodejo also urged the military to stop aerial bombardment of pastoralist communities but should rather employ an intelligence-based approach to the crisis.
He added, “The recent anti-grazing laws enacted by some states should be suspended as the laws have become a recipe for conflicts.
“The immediate release from detention of hundreds of pastoralists languishing in jails without trial particularly those arrested in Benue on the pretext of violating anti-grazing laws.”
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Friday, October 5, 2018

PDP Presidential Ticket: Mark denies stepping down

…Cautions against unguarded utterances

By Dirisu Yakubu
ABUJA- Immediate past Senate President and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential aspirant, Senator David Mark has denied backing out of the race even as he cautioned some aspirants and their supporters making unguarded statements about the national convention not to reduce the exercise to a joke saying the quest to be president of Nigeria is a serious business.
MARK AND SARAKI
A statement signed by his media assistant ,Paul Mumeh quoted the lawmaker as saying governanve “is serious business. Those who have nothing to offer should honorably quit from the race instead of degenerating to purveyors of fake news and rumour peddlers”.
Senator Mark was reacting to speculation by one of the presidential aspirants that named him and two others to have stepped down for the said aspirant.
He added, “Those who are afraid of contest have no business in the race. I came into the race well prepared after due consultations with various groups. The positive outcome of my consultations across the country and the overwhelming endorsements encouraged me to vie.
“The PDP is a big family. Nobody should insinuate what does not exist. I’m not aware of any meeting where it was discussed or agreed that anyone should step down for another. What I’m aware of is that delegates should vote and let the votes count”.
He urged delegates to trust him saying, “I have a clear road map on how the nation can get out of the woods and restore the pride and dignity of Nigeria before the global community once more”.
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IGP invites Saraki, Dino Melaye, Ben Bruce for questioning over PDP protest

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has invited the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and Senators Dino Melaye and Ben Bruce over their alleged involvement in the disturbance of public peace and safety in the FCT.
Bruce had alleged that police attacked leaders and members of PDP, who were protesting against the outcome of the Osun State Governorship election at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
Reacting, the Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood said in a statement on Friday in Abuja that the politicians were invited to report themselves to the IGP Monitoring Unit at the Force Headquarters on Monday, 8th October, 2018 for investigation.
The statement reads: “Senator Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Ben Bruce who were captured on camera to have been involved in the disturbance of public peace and public safety, unlawful blockade of Shehu Shagari way for several hours preventing motorists, road users and other members of the public from having access and passage on the highway thereby disturbing public peace and public safety and causing innocent people to scamper for safety and violent attack on Policemen posted to ensure security of the Force Headquarters, pushing and hitting the Policemen to forcefully enter the Force Headquarters to cause damage to Police equipment and Government properties are hereby invited to report themselves to the IGP Monitoring Unit at the Force Headquarters on Monday, 8th October, 2018 for investigation.
“Today at about 1330Hrs, unruly and violent protesters who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in their hundreds with thugs and miscreants inside several trucks and vehicles blocked the Shehu Shagari way in front of the Nigeria Police Force, Headquarters creating a gridlock of traffic on the highway and preventing motorists, road users and other members of the public from having access and passage on Shehu Shagari way thereby disturbing public peace and public safety and causing innocent people to scamper for safety, suddenly the unruly/violent protesters surge and rushed violently on the Policemen posted to ensure safety of the Force Headquarters premises, pushing and hitting the Policemen to forcefully enter the Force Headquarters to cause damage to Police equipment and Government properties.
“The Police team headed by a very Senior Police Officer despite the provocation, after issuing words of proclamation, warning this unruly PDP protesters who were chanting war songs of ”we no go gree o, we no go gree, we no go gree”, charged the Police personnel who used minimum force and dispersed them.
“Senator Dino Melaye, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce and others yet to be identified were recorded on Camera pushing Policemen to forcefully enter the Force Headquarters to damage and destroy Police equipment and Government properties while Senator Bukola Saraki was at the scene of the attack in his car also captured on camera along with hundreds of miscreants and thugs in the acts of disturbance of public peace and public safety, unlawful blockade of Shehu Shagari way for several hours preventing motorists, road users and other members of the public from having access and passage on the highway thereby disturbing public peace and public safety and causing innocent people to scamper for safety.
“The Inspector General of Police has directed immediate investigation into this unprovoked and unwarranted attack on the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and the Force Headquarters premises which is against the law and condemnable. The Force will do everything within the law to bring all perpetrators of this crime to justice, no matter how highly placed.
“Consequently, Senator Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Ben Bruce who were captured on camera to have been involved in the disturbance of public peace and public safety, unlawful blockade of Shehu Shagari way for several hours preventing motorists, road users and other members of the public from having access and passage on the highway thereby disturbing public peace and public safety and causing innocent people to scamper for safety and violent attack on Policemen posted to ensure security of the Force Headquarters, pushing and hitting the Policemen to forcefully enter the Force Headquarters to cause damage to Police equipment and Government properties are hereby invited to report themselves to the IGP Monitoring Unit at the Force Headquarters on Monday, 8th October, 2018 for investigation.
“Members of the public in the FCT are implored to remain calm as the situation is under control. Further development will be communicated to the public soon.”
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Drama As Senator Dino Melaye Angrily Confronts Policemen At INEC Head Office (Video)

The lawmaker representing Kogi west, Dino Melaye, put up “a show of bravery” during the protest staged by some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Abuja on Friday.
Led by Senate President Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, PDP chieftains stormed INEC office over the Osun state governorship election.
Isiaka Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner of the exercise which the PDP claimed Ademola Adeleke, its candidate, won.
Melaye was among the PDP members who asked INEC to declare Adeleke winner.
In a video which Ben Murray-Bruce, senator representing Bayelsa east, posted on social media, Melaye was seen arguing with policemen stationed at the head office of the commission.
About four officers shoved Melaye but the senator who branded a cap with the inscription: SDM (Senator Dino Melaye), stood his ground.
At that point, his supporters in the crowd started chanting “Dino! Dino! Dino!”.
Watch the video below:
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SANWO-OLU: The task before him

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

It’s no longer news  that the junior officer of the incumbent Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, who is the Managing Director, of Lagos State Development and Property Corporation, LSDPC, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu may take over the exalted office of the Governor in 2019 if he win the state election. He has emerged the candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC.
Sanwo-Olu
No doubt, events of the last few days in the state have witnessed intense political activities that have gripped the attention of the nation and created palpable tension in the polity. But after intrigues and political maneuvering in the race for guber ticket  the time has now come for the state to move forward in order that the gains of the last three and half years could be consolidated.
Sanwo-Olu had before and after victory enumerated why he wanted Ambode’s job.
In his acceptance speech after victory at the primary, he said it was time to roll up his sleeves to face the challenges in the state.
In the spirit of party’s supremacy, Sanwo-Olu whole-heartedly, promised inclusive governance across board. Though, the outgoing Governor promised same at inception he got carried away in the corridors of power, no thanks to his own attitude, bad advisers and to a large extent, some of his aides.
Ambode was having it good, until the ship hit the rock with the leaders of the party who called for his removal. They were championed by Cardinal James Odunbanku, popularly called “Baba Eto”, who has not hidden his disdain for the governor.
It was gathered that at a point, Asiwaju was considering pardoning Ambode but party leaders stood their ground and threatened to also move against Tinubu if he did not heed their call.
A one time loyal member of Tinbu’s caucus who later fell out of favour before his final return to the fold, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro once affirmed: “Politics or no Politics, Tinubu gave birth to me politically, he introduced me to the real politics of Lagos. I was a successful player in his team but I decided to coach a team against his team.
“Then, I realized that either he didn’t teach me everything enough about politics for me to defeat him or because a master’s Joker remains in his chest and it is unteachable. I have been with him, I have been against him, I know better now. I will never be against him again till I die”
Obanikoro’s affirmation should serve as lesson to Ambode who just went through an ordinary loyalty test and failed.
Ambode, thus became the second Nigeria’s state governor to be denied a second term in office by his party. Former Anambra State Governor, Chinwoke Mbadinuju was the first in the category.
It was a contest that arrested not only the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari, APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, but also Nigerians in diaspora.
The episodes started like a joke but gradually snowballed into conflagration of sort consuming Ambode at the end of the seemingly show of strength.
Ambode was accused of being personally  vindictive of anyone that criticized him.
However, as residents look up for a new dawn   in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu is expected to restore the lost glory of the state.
For example, the case of the Chaplain of the Church of Christ, Alausa, is expected to be reopened and restored. Ambode had thrown the chaplain and his family out of their residence within 24 hours   because the man did not “recognize” his power wife, Bolanle in a church event.
Ambode also ejected the mother of the former National Legal adviser, Muiz Banire from government quarters house because Banire was said to have opposed him.
Sanwo-Olu is also expected to reabsorb the over 25, 000 Lagos State Waste Management Authority,   LAWMA, and deal with the issue of Visionscape , an environmental company engaged by Ambode but which has failed Lagos residents, making Lagos a very filthy city.
The flood and traffic in Lagos, particularly, the Apapa   gridlock , Badagry Road and pot holes on Lagos roads are expected to be tackled headlong.
The comatose projects left by former Governor Babatunde Fashola, like Badagry Expressway, the Light rail Project, Housing projects will be revived and awarded to more competent contractors by involving party leaders.
Sanwo-Olu is expected to give free hands to commissioners, respect party structures, thereby building the party, people and policies, among others.
The structures include: All powerful Mandate Political Group founded by the Asiwaju himself, the Governor’s Advisory Council, National Assembly members, members of the state House of Assembly, Chairmen of almost 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, and wards. Market women and men led by Asiwaju’s first daughter, Mrs. Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja of Nigeria, among other stakeholders.
The last straw that broke the camel’s back for Ambode was when his deputy, on Tuesday, October 2, Adebule publicly denied his boss. She completely disowned Ambode.
Adebule who probably had read the hand writing on the wall, at her Ward A and D, Iba LCDA, during the guber primary, along with some of her aides, carrying posters of Sanwo-Olu, said : “The party has chosen a man and it is that man that I will support and follow. I have no doubt that anybody who emerges today as the candidate of the party will have my support. I choose to stay with my party at this time.
“My party has spoken and I have no doubt to state that on the position of my party. I stand. It is a very clear election as you can see. People are voting in line with the dictates of the party. We have voted for the person who the leaders of the party have chosen. It is an overwhelming experience as you can see it, and we will continue to support the party and abide by its rules.”
Adebule statement came as a rude shock to civil servants in Alausa, the seat of power, as many tongues were left wagging over what would be the fate of Ambode as he seemed to be a lone ranger.
Sooner than later, news started filtering in that more commissioners (Names-withheld) in his cabinet have pitched tent with Sanwo-Olu.
The usual boisterous activities in the state house have come to an abysmal level as the entire place is a shadow, a reflection of the fact that his allies have started keeping some distance in order to be relevant in the incoming government.
However, few of his closest commissioners, after his defeat had to advise him to save some honour by conceding defeat in order to douse the already heightened tension within the party and the state.
“The centre of attraction has changed,”a party leader said.
According to Comfort Obi, a public analyst, ‘“Ambode’s rejection by everybody is unprecedented. It was total. Never in the history of politics has any rejection been this overwhelming. It is like a bad dream.
“His fall should be a lesson for people who forget those who made them in life, or helped make them, once they find their feet. They not only forget, they run the person down behind, even publicly. Fact is: such attitude is a sin before God and man.
“It beats me that Ambode could attempt to tango with Tinubu. For now, Tinubu is the most powerful, the most influential politician, not only in Lagos, but in the South west. He commands followership. And loyalty. But that’s because Tinubu, on the average, has a forgiving heart, and rewards loyalty. When he sneezes, Lagos shakes.”
The man Sanwo-Olu
APC governorship candidate in Lagos state, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, was born on June 25, 1965 in Lagos. He had a fairly good upbringing, in the midst of a well groomed Christian family.
Most of Sanwo-Olu graduated from the prestigious University of Lagos, where he studied and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Surveying. Shortly after obtaining his B.Sc., he proceeded to acquire his Masters Degree. He re-enrolled into the University of Lagos and duly obtained his MBA in Surveying.
While Sanwo-Olu is a trained and certified surveyor, he has a strong knack for business. He enrolled at the Lagos Business School, where he acquired his advanced business training and duly obtained his degree in Business Administration. He also attended the Business School in London, where he obtained his MBA.
Sanwo-Olu, as a corporate guru who knows the importance of governance, enrolled at the United States’ Kennedy Institute of Government. He was aptly trained in the area of government administration and civil responsibilities.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is a trained Surveyor, started his career on a much different path. He was able to carve out a desired career path for himself and subsequently started out as a banker. He was, to say the least, highly successful in his chosen field of banking.
Sanwo-Olu, who hails from a Christian home, is happily married with kids. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is married to Dr. (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.
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Saraki’s former aide emerges Kebbi PDP candidate

A former chief of Staff to Senate President Bukola Saraki, Senator Issa Galaudu, has emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate in Kebbi State.Declared him winner at the end of the exercise, the returning officer for primary election, Alhaji Ado Dati, said out of the four aspirants, Galaudu scored 1,072 votes.He explained that a total of 2,226 delegates were accredited, while the invalid votes was 20, saying the exercise, held at the Gwuandangwaji Creative Centre in Birnin Kebbi was free and fair.
In his response, Galaudu thanked the delegates for supporting his candidature and appealled to the other aspirants to join hands with him to ensure the party’s victory at the polls, expressing his readiness to operate an open-door policy.
A former governor of the state and current senator representing Kebbi Central, Mohammed Adamu Aliero, was returned unopposed in Birnin Kebbi, as was
Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu. Meanwhile, following the recent flood disasters that affected some farmlands and residents, the Kebbi state government has commenced the distribution of relief materials and over N200m to the victims.
Briefing newsmen on the development, Chairman of the Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Sani Dododo, said the gestures was part of government’s commitments towards reducing the suffering of the people.
Dododo, who was on inspection tour to the two stores where some of the items were kept in Birnin Kebbi, warned that government would punished any official found tampering with the items.Dandi, Koko-Besse, Zuru, Dakingari, Bagudo, Nganski and Yauri Councils were devastated by the flood, while those along the banks of River Niger recorded lost of lives and property.Items to be distributed include bags of millets, maize, guinea corn, rice, roofing sheets, bags of cements, cloths, rubber buckets, blankets and other household items.
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Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Presidential ticket: PDP unveils new plans, speaks on preferred candidate

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has unveiled new plans in its bid to hold a transparent, fair and credible national convention on Sunday.
The party said it hopes to produce an acceptable presidential candidate on Sunday.
According to the main opposition party, the national convention, which will hold in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, on Sunday, would be of an international standard that would be envied by other political parties.
This views were conveyed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbindiyan on Tuesday.
Ologbindiyan spoke with journalists in Abuja, where he stated that the PDP would show to the world that it was democratic in the conduct of its internal affairs.
He said unlike in the past when presidential aspirants were not allowed to nominate agents to represent them during delegates’ elections, the National Working Committee had chosen to broaden their participation by giving them the opportunity to nominate two people each into the accreditation and electoral committees respectively
He said, “Each of the Presidential aspirants will nominate two people into the accreditation committee and another two into the electoral committee.
“This is to ensure that none of the aspirants is left in the dark as to what the party is doing concerning the convention.
“The PDP will publish names of all the delegates and make same available to our Presidential aspirants before the convention. We have nothing to fear or hide on that issue.”
When asked about the quality of a presidential candidate that the party would produce, the PDP mouthpiece said that the party was looking forward to the emergence of a candidate with the capacity to quickly revamp the economy.
He said aim was to bring to an end what he described as “the disastrous stewardship of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress administration.”
He added, “The PDP has no interest in a particular aspirant. We are hopeful that whoever emerges on Saturday will be a man with the economic wizardry to turn around the fortunes of this country.
“The party is out to make sure we have a credible primary election and the process will be clean, transparent and acceptable to the majority of Nigerians.”
On whether the aspirants were forced into accepting Port Harcourt as the host of the convention, Ologbondiyan answered no, adding that members of the National Executive Committee, as well as all Presidential aspirants, unanimously settled for the state.
He added that chairmen of the respective state chapters would introduce their delegates at the convention venue “in the spirit of openness.”
Allaying fears of possible post-convention crisis, Ologbondiyan said should any arise, “the party has its internal conflict resolution mechanisms to deal with such.”
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Why I Declared Babajide Sanwo-olu Winner - APC Chairman

 

Babjide Sanwo-Olu
Interesting days are ahead, as more dramas are likely to unfold after the primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) appeared to have struck a chord of division in the ruling party.
Against the declaration of the National Working Committee (NWC)of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a winner has emerged in the Lagos governorship primary election.
Mr Babjide Sanwo-Olu was declared winner Tuesday with a wide margin.
It was like a kingdom divided against itself for some Lagos residents who had thought it was over with the election after the NWC declared it illegal and without credibility.
Fake election materials were used, the NWC claimed, but the APC in Lagos was on a cruise drive with the process to the letter. After collating and announcing the result, with Mr Sanwo-Olu polling 970,851 while Governor Akinwunmi Ambode got 72,901 votes, the chairman of the APC in Lagos, Mr Tunde Balogun, said the people had spoken.
He then gave reasons it was necessary to announce the result of the primary that had been dubbed illegal.
“For me, as a party chairman, to see a vast number of people to come out and vote and then say that no primary took place will be to cast shame to the party and its leadership, this I shall not do. 
“The party faithful have spoken, and it is their voice that is paramount. 
“The Lagos chapter of APC is committed to honouring their choice.
"Their decision must stand as the true expression of APC in Lagos.
"To embark on any other course will be to betray our members, state and the core principle of progress and democracy upon which the APC is founded”.
He then highlighted that the NWC members that had cancelled the election were in direct opposition to the spirit of democracy.
"Those persons who now claim this election did not take place stand in direct opposition to the spirit of democracy and the express will of APC members in Lagos state. 
"Such a move is also at variance with the President's strict adherence to the principle of transparency, openness and participatory democracy,” he added.
Lagos residents will have to wait and see where the entire drama will lead to.
With the result announced, the incumbent Governor becomes the first Governor of Lagos State to lose a second term bid since 1999. 
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Real Madrid suffer shock Champions League defeat as Man Utd stutter again

(L-R) Arsenal’s Spanish defender Hector Bellerin, Arsenal’s Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka and Arsenal’s English striker Danny Welbeck celebrate their first goal an own goal scored by Watford’s Northern Irish defender Craig Cathcart during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Watford at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 29, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS/
Champions League holders Real Madrid slumped to a rare defeat in the competition as they went down 1-0 away to CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, while Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United misfired again in a 0-0 draw with Valencia.
While Bayern Munich were also held by Ajax, it was a happier evening for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City as they beat Hoffenheim 2-1, and Juventus were also comfortable winners thanks to Paulo Dybala’s hat-trick.
Real were not expected to struggle in Group G as they look to continue their recent dominance of the Champions League, but Julen Lopetegui’s side went behind inside two minutes in Moscow following a mistake by Toni Kroos.
The German’s drilled backpass turned into a gift for Nikola Vlasic, and the winger on loan from Everton fired past Keylor Navas to put CSKA ahead.
Casemiro hit the post in the first half — one of three attempts that found the woodwork for the visitors — but Real were weakened by the absences of Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos, while Luka Modric started on the bench.
CSKA held on, despite having goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev sent off in injury time, and they move above Real to the top of Group G.
“I am sure we will soon be scoring again and winning again,” said Lopetegui, whose team have not found the net in three matches.
It was only Madrid’s third defeat in the Champions League group stage this decade, but Real will nevertheless expect to bounce back next against Czech champions Viktoria Plzen, who were crushed 5-0 by Roma.
Edin Dzeko scored a hat-trick for the Italian side, with Cengiz Under and Justin Kluivert also netting.
At Old Trafford, the pressure continued to build on Mourinho as United produced another insipid attacking display in their goalless stalemate with Valencia.
They are now four games without a win, and Mourinho’s decision to recall Alexis Sanchez — after dropping the Chilean for the weekend defeat at West Ham United — failed to pay off.
“Our attacking players aren’t in their best moments of confidence and individual level,” moaned Mourinho. “We thought with three or four chances we would score and win the game.”
Dybala shines in Ronaldo absence
Mourinho’s side are second in Group H, two points behind Juventus.
Juve eased to victory against 10-man Young Boys in Turin, with Dybala scoring a hat-trick to take centre stage in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was serving a one-game ban.
“We were without Cristiano, and at times it is easier with him in the side, but we have to be a great team both with and without him,” said Dybala.
Guardiola saw Manchester City come from behind to beat Hoffenheim in Germany in Group F.
David Silva scored three minutes from time to get the Premier League champions back on track after they started their campaign with a 2-1 home defeat against Lyon.
Ishak Belfodil had put Hoffenheim ahead after just 44 seconds, but Sergio Aguero equalised in the eighth minute before Silva’s late winner.
“This competition isn’t always a red carpet. Manchester City is a fantastic club, but we don’t have a history of having to fight and we fought for absolutely everything here,” said Guardiola.
“This is one of the happiest days I have had at this club as it will help us going forward.”
City next face Shakhtar Donetsk, who squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Lyon in France, in a game played behind closed doors.
Brazilian forward Junior Moraes scored twice for Shakhtar, but Lyon fought back to draw with goals from Moussa Dembele and Leo Dubois.
It was a good result for Lyon, whose fans were missing as a punishment for trouble at a game against CSKA last season, and they now top the group.
Meanwhile, Bayern could not hang on to the early lead given to them against Ajax when Mats Hummels headed in Arjen Robben’s cross. Young full-back Noussair Mazraoui equalised to give the Dutch side a 1-1 draw.
Those sides are level atop Group E ahead of Benfica, who won 3-2 in a thriller at AEK Athens with Alfa Semedo scoring the deciding goal.
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Champions League: Dybala speaks on playing without Ronaldo in Juventus 3-0 win

Juventus star, Paulo Dybala, has revealed what it felt like playing without star man, Cristiano Ronaldo after he netted hat-trick in the Portuguese’s absence during the Champions League last night.
The Argentine admitted it was difficult playing without Ronaldo on the pitch even after he scored three goals.
He said he needed to work on his partnership with the former Real Madrid star.
Dybala scored a hat-trick in Juventus’ 3-0 Champions League thrashing of Young Boys at the Allianz Stadium.
Ronaldo missed the Champions League tie through suspension.
The hat-trick took Dybala’s tally for the season to four for the season from seven games, netting just once in the league.
“Today even without Cristiano we played a great team match,” he told post match press conference.
“Without him it is not easy, but we must remain focused regardless of Ronaldo.”
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Ambode did well in office, but he isn’t a good party man – Tinubu

The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said on Tuesday that though Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has done well in office, he has not been a good party man, according to a report by Punch.
Tinubu said this today while giving reason why the party has decided to withdraw support for the governor who wished to go for a second term.
He stressed that the decision to abandon Ambode for Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu was beyond him, adding that he was only doing the wishes of the party, which had entrusted him with its leadership.
Tinubu spoke with journalists at Ward C, Ikeja Local Government Area, after the conclusion of voting in the Lagos APC governorship primary.5
Asked why he withdrew his support for Ambode, Tinubu said,
“Who did I support in 2014? Ambode. Life is dynamic. It’s those who made me the leader of the structure in Lagos who said it was what they want. It’s only if you have followers that you’re a leader in democracy.
“If I look back and I don’t find them again; if I don’t respond to them, if I fail to accede to their request, I would have failed the leadership test.
“This is not personal; it is beyond me as a person. Every democratic constitution is preceded by ‘We, the people’. So, I had to submit myself to the wishes and the yearnings of our party.
“This is an elixir for the general election. Ambode Akin, he’s doing well, yes; he hasn’t been a good party man; not only the glamour, not only about brick and mortal. A talent is determined by character. For you to become an influential person, you have to respond to the yearnings of the people. This is politics; democracy, one man, one vote.”
Tinubu dismissed the suggestion that the development in Lagos State could negatively affect the fortune of the party at the national level in 2019.
He also described the direct primary as the best, saying it had helped to eliminate intra-party corruption.
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I’ll lead PDP to victory – Ihedioha

By Chidi Nkwopara, OWERRI.

The newly elected Imo State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has assured members of his party that he will lead the party to victory, in next year’s general elections.
Ihedioha
Chief Ihedioha gave the assurance while fielding questions from journalists yesterday, in Owerri.
“Honestly, I am humbled by this victory. I thank God. I am grateful to my party members, who have again exhibited unflinching faith in me, to fly the PDP flag, in next year’s general elections. God willing, I will lead them to victory”, Ihedioha said.
The obviously elated PDP gubernatorial candidate, appealed to his fellow contestants to join hands with him, in actualizing their collective aspiration of sacking the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the Government House, Owerri.
“I passionately appeal to my colleagues, who aspired alongside with me, to join hands with me to not only build our party, but also reclaim victory and take Imo to where it should be”, Ihedioha said.
He assured the contestants that “there is no victor and no vanquished”, even as he pointed out that Imo people now know him better.
Moving his attention to Imolites, the PDP gubernatorial candidate urged them to “keep hope alive”, stressing that PDP has bounced back stronger and rebranded.
Meanwhile, the State PDP Chairman, Chief Charles Babatunde Ezekwem, has described the smooth conduct of the gubernatorial primary as “victory for the party and it’s loyalists”.
Chief Ezekwem made his feelings known in Owerri, while reacting in an interview, on the outcome of the party primary.
“Without being told, you can agree with me that the process was transparent and every party man or woman, ought to be satisfied with the outcome. There are no suspicions, allegations or insinuations that will negatively affect the PDP, during the 2019 general elections”, Ezekwem said.
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Sanwo-Olu Thanks Ambode For ‘A Good Fight,’ In New Video

One of the frontline aspirants in the Lagos All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has appreciated Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, thanking him for what he described as ‘a good fight.’ 
Sanwo-Olu who has been publicly endorsed by the National Leader of the APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, after the poll on Tuesday night, praised governor Akinwunmi Ambode for allowing the direct primary to ‘come to stay.’
“I think it is important that I also thank the executive governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode for a good fight. I want to thank him for giving us the opportunity, to let this direct primary come to stay and we were able to have it.
“I want to thank him. I want to wish him the very best in the remainder of his tenure as the executive governor of Lagos State,” Sanwo-Olu said in the video.
Sanwo-Olu also appreciated his supporters and Lagos residents promising that he will not take them for granted.
“You have all worked tirelessly for the level we are now. I am indeed grateful and appreciate all your efforts.
“Lagosians, with what you have done for me, I cannot take you for granted. I will cherish it for the rest of my life.”
Sanwo-Olu’s public address comes amidst disagreement between Lagos APC Chairman, Tunde Balogun and Chairman of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) panel, Clement Ebri.
While Balogun insisted that a primary election was held with delegates from 245 wards in attendance, Clement Ebri said the poll has been postponed indefinitely.
Balogun said the result declared at the poll stands as party agents for the two aspirants – Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Jide Sanwo-Olu were present.

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BREAKING: APC NWC Panel Declares Sanwo-Olu Winner Of Lagos Primary

The National Working Committee (NWC) panel of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which conducted the governorship primary in Lagos State, has declared Babajide Sanwo-Olu winner of the poll held on Tuesday.
Chairman of the panel, Clement Ebri, made the declaration on Wednesday in Lagos.
Ebri had earlier on Tuesday postponed the poll saying it was necessary due to political tension in the state.
The result of the primary election as announced by the Lagos State Chairman of the APC, Tunde Balogun on Tuesday night showed Jide Sanwo-Olu had 970,851 votes while Governor Akinwunmi Ambode got 72,901 votes.
Sanwo-Olu in a video after the election on Tuesday night appreciated Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, thanking him for putting up what he described as ‘a good fight.’
He also appreciated his supporters and Lagos residents promising that he will not take them for granted.

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Ambode: Lagos Assembly speaks on fighting governor over election money

The Lagos State House of Assembly has reacted to allegation that the move to impeach Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was for selfish reasons....