Minister Of Power Housing Babatunde Fashola SAN Blames PDP For Abandoned Federal Government Projects

The Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola SAN, on Monday blamed the Peoples Democratic Party for abandoned Federal Government projects across the country.

He stated this while inspecting the building project of the Federal Secretariat, Awka, Anambra State.officialogomedia.blogspot.com

He described corruption during the PDP era as monumental, adding, “They looted our collective destiny, prospects, jobs and so on.

“That’s why the masses are suffering today. That’s why there are no jobs. But we (APC) are trying to bring back smiles on the faces of Nigerians.”

He said the 18-kilometre Umunya axis of the Onitsha/Enugu Expressway would be completed in May 2019, while the Federal Secretariat,  Awka, the state capital, would  be completed in the first quarter of next year.

Fashola said the President Muhammadu Buhari government inherited those projects because past governments failed to complete them as a result of corruption.

“They awarded the contract without paying contractors and when you don’t pay contractors, you create problems down the labour ladder.

“For instance, the contract for this federal secretariat was awarded in 2012 by the previous administration without making funds available for its completion. If the money meant for it was not stolen, it would have been completed before now.

“We are bringing back what was denied the people in the past to them; that’s the difference between a development administration and a corrupt regime”, the minister stated.

Buhari Pockets $9.6Billion Over-Deducted Tax From Oil Companies, CBN Has No Record.

Buhari Pockets $9.6Billion Over-Deducted Tax From Oil Companies, CBN Has No Record.officialogomedia.blogspot.com

Buhari and NNPC have carted away the $9.6Billion Excess Tax Benefits from the Joint Venture Partners (JVPs). 

Hope For Nigeria revealed that this over-deducted tax benefit was recovered by the NNPC on September 6, 2016. The taxes were on major capital projects and Oil swap contracts from the JVSs.  

Up till This day, President and Oil Minister, Muhammadu Buhari, has pocketed this $9.6Billion and not a kobo was remitted to the Federation account and Nigerians were offered no explanation on the whereabouts of this fund. 

$9.6billion according to Hope For Nigeria is equivalent to N3.7Trillion and is about 61% of 2016 budget (N6.07Trillion). And Nigerian's were questioning why our Booming economy suddenly went into recession in less than a year of Buhari's administration. 

This is one of the reasons 2017 and 2018 Budgets Capital projects are not executed. 

The Nigerian Senate has passed a resolution calling on the Central Bank of Nigeria to suspend the ATM card maintenance charges

The Nigerian Senate has passed a resolution calling on the Central Bank of Nigeria to suspend the ATM card maintenance charges being deducted from customers’ accounts per month. They also called on commercial banks to configure their machines to dispense up to N40,000 per withdrawal.

The Nigerian Senate passed a resolution calling on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to suspend the excessive ATM card maintenance charges being deducted from customers. This resolution came as part of a motion on the illicit and excessive bank charges on customers accounts, sponsored by Senator Olugbenga Ashafa (Lagos East, APC).

The Senate also called on commercial banks operating in the country to configure their machines to dispense up to N40,000 per withdrawal pending the outcome of the investigation by the Senate committees tasked with investigating the excessive and illicit bank charges.

Speaking on the Motion, the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki said: “This is a motion that affects the lives of every Nigerian — irrespective of what part of the country you come from or whatever political affiliation you might have. This is why we are here: to always defend and protect the interests of the Nigerian people.”

The Senate President stated that the Senate must work to ensure that the Senate’s resolutions on the excessive bank charges goes beyond the debate stage, so that whatever action the Upper Legislative Chamber takes, would come into effect.

“This Senate has done this many times before; when there was a hike in the mobile telecommunication data charges, we intervened and put an end to that. When there were discrepancies and increases in electricity prices, we also took action. We have done this on a number of similar cases. Therefore, on this, I want us to take effective resolutions,” Saraki said.

Other Senators who contributed to the debate, called on banks to review their charges.

“The common man is also a victim,” said Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, “Banks declare profits and you wonder where these profits are coming from — it’s from the sweat of the common man. Let us come up with a law that puts banks on their toes.”

“It won’t be out of place to institute a committee that will call on the CBN to tell us what these charges are about. The Senate by fiat should abolish charges if they can’t be verified,” said Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah.

“The Senate must take a serious stand on this issue. Nigerians are really suffering. The banking system is not encouraging. I had an issue, took it to the bank and was refunded but how many Nigerians can do this? The issue needs to be addressed,” stated Senator Kabiru Gaya.

“For me, this is a major step that we are taking. This is because I introduced the first ATM machine that came into Nigeria over 25-years ago,” the Senate President, Dr. Saraki told his colleagues, “Now, after 25-years, we should have grown out of these excessive charges and moved on. So, I believe that this something that we must address to create an environment that protects all Nigerians, because these kind of charges in this economy affects everyone.”

The Senate further directed its Committees on Banking, Insurance & other Financial Institutions and Finance to conduct an investigation into the propriety of ATM card maintenance charges in comparison with international best practices and report back to the Senate.

The Senate also directed the aforementioned committees to invited the Governor of the CBN to appear before it to explain why the official charges as approved by the CBN are skewed in favour of the banking institutions as against the ordinary customers of the banks.

Finally, the Senate called on the Consumer Protection Council to look into the various complaints of excess and unnecessary charges by Nigerian Banks.

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose kept to his word of coming to EFCC office after the anti-graft agency invited him over for questioning.

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose kept to his word of coming to EFCC office after the anti-graft agency invited him over for questioning.

However one of the highlight of his arrival at EFCC office, was the T-shirt he wore. The inscription on the T-shirt reads ‘EFCC I’m here’. Fayose was accompanied to the anti-graft agency’s office by Governor Nyesom Wike and some of his supporters.

Recall that during a farewell dinner organised for him by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Fayose said he will not beg the anti-graft agency for bail. The governor said he will intensify his criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I will be there on Tuesday. I am not begging for any bail. It is up to them. If they want me, they should just give me a bed. I have done my bed bedclothes, I have done my pillowcase, I have my English and Yoruba bibles,” Fayose said.

“I am prepared for them. Nobody should worry about me. Only cowards die many times before their deaths.

“Tell them at the villa. My name is Ayo Fayose. My name is Peter the rock. Let me say to you that by the grace of God, I will be at the EFCC by 1pm on Tuesday. I am not a coward, never. Let it be said to them that today is their own and tomorrow is our own. I am coming

“As soon as I leave the EFCC I will talk more than what I have said before. There is no way a Buhari will match an Atiku when you put the two of them side by side, comment by comment, clarity by clarity of tongue.”

Fayose had on Monday said despite his promise to present himself at the EFCC office, there were plans to invade his residence.

“It is known to the public that I offered to make myself available at the EFCC office today.However, as I write,there are strange movements around my residence & I’m aware of planned invasion any moment from now. Despite this, I’ll be at the commission’s office tomorrow as promised.

EFCC Seals Fayose House Over fraud

As  the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) digs deeper into the graft accusation against ex-governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, it has released photos of his properties.

Fayose’s houses captured by EFCC

The Spokesman for the Commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, released copies of the pictures on Wednesdayofficialogomedia.blogspot.com

According to him, the properties were uncovered while the anti-graft agency was investigating the allegations of corruption against the former governor.

He alleged that Mr Fayose purchased the property with the money he purportedly received from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki.

“In the course of investigating corruption allegations against ex-governor Ayodele Fayose, especially the N1.3billion which he collected from the office of the National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki, the Commission unearthed evidence that he laundered the funds into the acquisition of properties in choice locations in Abuja and Lagos,” Mr Wilson alleged.

The EFCC released the pictures a day after the former governor arrived at its head office in Abuja, in company with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and a former minister, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, among other well-wishers.

Fayose had in September promised to report at the anti-corruption agency’s office after handing over government to his successor, Governor Kayode Fayemi.

Mr. Lere Olayinka, the media aide to Fayose, says his boss has since denied the allegations and insisted that he should be charged to court.

“Today is his second day in EFCC custody and I can say that his spirit is high, and his will remains very strong,” he said on Wednesday.

Olayinka: “The commission has started its usual lies by claiming that it discovered houses bought by Fayose with public fund.

“Nigerians should recall that in 2016, operatives of this same EFCC attempted to seal up a guest house located at Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja, claiming that it belonged to Fayose. Whereas, the building belonged to a retired Army genaral.

THE SENATE THROW OUT PRESIDENT BUHARI OVER ELECTORAL BILL

   THE SENATE THROW OUT PRESIDENT BUHARI OVER ELECTORAL BILL

Nigeria Senate passes electoral act into law Veto's the President

The Nigeria Senate has passed the Electoral Act No. 6 (2010 Amendment) Bill 2017 into law veto's the assent of the president . With the following;

1. INEC is now mandated to keep a National Electronic Register of Election Results as a distinct database or repository of polling unit by polling unit results for all elections conducted by INEC.officialogomedia blogspot.com

2. Presiding Officers must now instantly transmit accreditation data and results from Polling Units to various collation centers. Presiding officer who contravene this shall be imprisoned for at least 5 years (no option of fine).

3. All Presiding Officer must now first record accreditation data and polling results on INEC’s prescribed forms before transmitting them. The data/result recorded must be the same with what they transmitted.

4. INEC now has unfettered powers to conduct elections by electronic voting.

5. Besides manual registers, INEC is now mandated to keep Electronic registers of voters.

6. INEC is now mandated to publish voters’ registers on its official website(s) for public scrutiny at least 30 days before a general election and any INEC staff who is responsible for this but fails to act as prescribed shall be liable on conviction to 6 months’ imprisonment.

7. There shall now be full biometric accreditation of voters with Smart Card Readers and/or other technological devices, as INEC may introduce for elections from time to time.

8. Collation of election result is now mainly electronic, as transmitted unit results will help to determine final results on real time basis.

9. INEC is now mandated to record details of electoral materials – quantities, serial numbers used to conduct elections (for proper tracking).

10. A political party whose candidate dies after commencement of an election and before the declaration of the result of that election now has a 14-day window to conduct a fresh primary in order for INEC to conduct a fresh election within 21 days of the death of the party’s candidate;


11. Political parties’ Polling Agents are now entitled to inspect originals of electoral materials before commencement of election and any Presiding Officer who violates this provision of the law shall be imprisoned for at least1 year.

12. No political party can impose qualification/
disqualification criteria, measures or conditions on any Nigerian for the purpose of nomination for elective offices, except as provided in the 1999 Constitution.

13. Any INEC official who disobeys a tribunal order for inspection of electoral materials shall be imprisoned for 2 year. ~ Usman Sheneni J

14. All members of political parties are now eligible to determine the ad-hoc delegates to elect candidates of parties in indirect primaries. The capacity of party executives to unduly influence or rig party primaries has been reasonably curtailed, if not totally removed.

15. Parties can no longer impose arbitrary nomination fees on political aspirants. The Bill passed prescribes limits for each elective office as follows:
(a) One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N150,000) for a Ward Councillorship aspirant in the FCT;
(b) Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N250,000) for an Area Council Chairmanship aspirant in the FCT;
(c) Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) for a House of Assembly aspirant;
(d) One Million Naira (N1,000,000) for a House of Representatives aspirant;
(e) Two Million Naira (N2,000,000) for a Senatorial aspirant;
(f) Five Million naira (N5,000,000) for a Governorship aspirant; and
(g) Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000) for a Presidential aspirant.

16. Relying on the powers of the National Assembly in Paragraph 11 of Part II (Concurrent Legislative List) of the Second Schedule (Legislative Powers) to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Senate also passed measures reforming procedures regulating Local Government Elections. State Independent Electoral Commissions can no longer conduct elections that do not meet minimum standards of credibility.

17. The election of a winner of an election can no longer be challenged on grounds of qualification, if the he (winner) satisfied the applicable requirements of sections 65, 106, 131 or 177 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and he is not, as may be applicable, in breach of sections 66, 107, 137 or 182 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. [For example, a person’s election cannot be challenged on the ground that he did not pay tax, as this is not a qualifying condition under the Constitution.]

President Buhari Ask Religious Leaders Not To Get Involved In Enthusiast Politics Else They Get Public Disregard

                                                 

President Buhari Ask Religious Leaders Not To Get Involved In Enthusiast Politics Else They Get Public Disregard

President Buhari gave the advice while delivering his speech at the Interfaith Conference held at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

“Having witnessed the roles our religious leaders have been playing so far, I appeal to them to eschew partisan politics and appeal to their respective members to read the manifestos of each political party, discuss and pray for God’s guidance before casting their votes.officialogomedia.blogspot.com

President Buhari also said Religious leaders should not be seen to involve themselves in enthusiast politics or political disagreement. Otherwise, they risk losing their status.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejects restrictment attempt by the Buhari Presidency

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejects restrictment  attempt by the Buhari Presidency  

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejects restrictment  attempt by the Buhari Presidency to foist a full-blown fascism on our country, beginning with the placement of illegal travel restrictions on Nigerians.

What this means is that all Nigerians, particularly, opposition members, members of the business community and religious leaders, have become endangered and stand the risk of state violence under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

The party said this harsh step is clearly targeted at members of the opposition parties, realized political enemies of President Muhammadu Buhari, well-meaning Nigerians, including members of the business community, religious leaders, former political leaders and traditional rulers, who are realized to be averse to President Buhari’s re-election bid.

The PDP further notes that this “decree” is a direct clampdown on our democratic order and an overthrow of rights of our citizenry as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

We hope this is not a ploy to harm certain eminent Nigerians on the claims of resisting travel restrictions.

The alter position PDP invites all to note how the APC and the Buhari Presidency are pushing our nation to the brinks but restates that no amount of intimidation, harassment and foisting of fascism will deter Nigerians from their determination to rally on the platform of the PDP to oust the incompetent, anti-people and repressive APC administration, come 2019.

The whole world can now see how fascism is fast taking over our democracy and judicial system and how the Buhari administration, by fiat, has directly ordered that citizens be secretly trailed, their movements and financial transactions restricted by government agencies, without recourse to due process of the law.officialogomedia.blogspot,com

While the PDP notes that the Buhari Presidency has gone into panic mode since the popular emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as PDP Presidential candidate and the spontaneous jubilation his emergence has evoked across the country, the party maintains that the resort to total clamp down on the opposition

and our supporters will be totally unacceptable.

The party said this harsh step is clearly targeted at members of the opposition parties, realized political enemies of President Muhammadu Buhari, well-meaning Nigerians, including members of the business community, religious leaders, former political leaders and traditional rulers, who are realized to be averse to President Buhari’s re-election bid.

The PDP further notes that this “decree” is a direct clampdown on our democratic order and an overthrow of rights of our citizenry as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The PDP therefore alerts the international community to hold the Buhari Presidency responsible should any harm befall any opposition leader, key members of the business community and religious leaders across the country as we march towards the 2019 general elections.

The whole world can now see how fascism is fast taking over our democracy and judicial system and how the Buhari administration, by fiat, has directly ordered that citizens be secretly trailed, their movements and financial transactions restricted by government agencies, without recourse to due process of the law.

While the PDP notes that the Buhari Presidency has gone into panic mode since the popular emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as PDP Presidential candidate and the spontaneous jubilation his emergence has evoked across the country, the party maintains that the resort to total clamp down on the opposition

and our supporters will be totally unacceptable.

This fight will end on May 29, 2019!

Chief Ayiri Emami,The Chieftain in Delta State Decamps From APC To PDP In Support OfAtiku.

  

Chief Ayiri Emami,The Chieftain in Delta State Decamps From APC To PDP In Support Of Atiku.

As the 2019 elections draws near, there are strong indication that Warri Billionaire and All Progressive Congress chieftain in Delta state, Chief Ayiri Emami may have dumped President Mohammed Buhari for the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubaka.

DELTA DECIDES gathered that the decision to support the former vice president was reached immediately after the PDP presidential primary held in Port Harcourt.

An origin which desire anonymity disclosed that an in  door meeting was held in Warri. The root mean who was privy to the meeting named Hon. Godwin Abigor among others in attendance.officialogomedia.blogspot.com

Efforts by a reporter to get Emami’s reaction proved bootless as his mobile line was not reachable by the time of carrying out this report

Peter Obi As Atiku Abubakar Running Mate S-East PDP Leaders Speaks Against It.

      Peter Obi As Atiku Abubakar Running Mate S-East,

PDP Leaders Speaks Against It.

South East leaders of the PDP have raised objection on the mode the party’s presidential running mate, Mr. Peter Obi was chosen and announced without their consultation. The leaders who meet in Enugu, on Saturday, said they  heard about Obi’s choice in the social media and felt stilted by the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The Chairpeson of the South East Governor Forum of PDP and governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, who addressed newsmen after the meeting however said that Abubakar will meet with South East leaders over the choice of his running mate.

 Umahi revealed that Abubakar sent in message during their emergency meeting informing them that he was out of the country on a short period and pleaded with them to remain calm that he will be coming down to the zone to dialogue with leaders.officialogomedia.blogspot.com

“We saw news flying up and down saying that our presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has picked a running mate from the zone. We were shocked because we were not consulted. While we were meeting, Atiku sent message that he travelled out of the country for a short period.

Peter Obi As Atiku Abubakar Runing Mate. 

He promised to come down and meet with South East leaders” The meeting was attended by Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu and Deputy Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, Senators Sam Egwu, Theodore Orji and other members of the National Assembly from the zone and other major stakeholders.

National Vice Chairman of the PDP for South East, Deacon Austin Umahi, who also dressed party members at the zonal party office said “We addressed many issues on how to ensure that PDP progresses and do better than it did in past elections in south east. We congratulate our presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and we are conveniced that 2019 will be actualizes. 

There is no rejection, he is our son. However, Peter Obi’s Man and former Secretary of Anambra state, Mr. Oseloka Obaze while reacting to the decision of the meeting said “The decision has left some people here a little bit disenchanted because they believe there was no transperency.

 “We must understand that never in the history of this country, NPN, PDP, had a candidate ever consulted on a zonal basis. they chose their candidate and they announce it. I do not understand why our case has to be different, apparently some people want to play games.”

“Peter Obi is our son and he is from the south east. we are not rejecting anybody but we are saying we are not aware but as leaders of south east said you cannot shave a Man in his absence. The people of the south east need to know, that is our stand. 

“A burning issue came up, the issue of Vice President slot to South East and our leaders in the south east, the governors, the national Assembly members came together to appreciate the Party for the recognition of South East and keeping to their promise to give the vice Presidential slot to South East.

“However, South East leaders met and said they are not yet aware that something like that happened. But one good thing is our discussion with our Presidential candidate. He will be travelling tonight and he has promised when he comes back he is going to discuss with the leadership of the south east, that we are waiting, that we hope is going to be very fruitful. But one thing is very very certain, PDP is assured that 2019 is our year.

(PDP) Cheiftain Chinedu Eya,By Name Has DeclaredTthat Lagos Residents Were Prepared To Re-elect Governor Akinwunmi Ambode .

    (PDP) Cheiftain  Chinedu Eya,By Name Has DeclaredTthat Lagos Residents 

      Were Prepared To Re-elect Governor Akinwunmi Ambode .

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cheiftain  Chinedu Eya, by name has declared that Lagos residents were prepared to re-elect Governor Akinwunmi Ambode if the latter could simply dump the All Progressives Congress (APC).officialogomedia.blogspot.com

The governor is currently deserted as critical stakeholders in the state have pitch tents with his rival, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Eya declared that Ambode would win in 2019 if he decides to fly the ticket of any other political party.

"I want the governor to disregard the recent endorsement of Mr Sanwo Olu by over 36 lawmakers in the state, as that can never take the place of over 20 million Lagosians who are ready to return their working governor come 2019, under any other platform,” he said.


In a statement personally signed by the PDP chieftain, who earlier promised to sell his Lagos house to help the governor purchase a PDP ticket, charged Ambode to disregard the recent endorsement of his opponent, Sanwo Olu by 36 lawmakers of state’s House of Assembly as well as the pressure on him to stand down from 2019 elections.

He described the move against Ambode as a ‘mockery of God's supremacy’.


“Like I said last week, I am willing to sell off my building in Lagos here to purchase nomination and expression of interest forms for Governor Ambode, even if he chooses to contest under any other platform other than the PDP, in the case of his orchestrated loss in the APC's primary, following the pervading gang up against him.

"The Lawmakers and their pay masters are playing God. But they will receive the shock of their lives as over 20 million Lagosians are willing to support Governor Ambode, even if he flies any other party's flag in the contest.

A High Court in Rivers state has forced the sum of N600m on EFCC in faultless damages

A High Court in Rivers state has forced the sum of N600m on faultless damages on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for investigating and subsequently declaring two officials of the Rivers State government wanted

Justice George Omereji in a fundamental human rights matter brought by the Accountant General of Rivers state, Frederick Abere and a retired Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local government Affairs, Lekia Bukpo, restated that the EFCC has no right to investigate the State government or its officials.

Justice Omereji said he was embarrassed by the actions of the anti-graft agency; EFCC who he said failed to appeal the judgments against it but resorted to self-help by inviting the officials.officialogomedia.blogspot.com

He added that the EFCC should first vacate the subsisting order made by Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court before taking any action on accounts of the State government.

Justice George Omereji also said the letter of invitation of the EFCC was in disobedience to the court order and malicious, adding that only the Rivers State House of Assembly has the right to investigate the financial activities of the State government.

The court, however, declared that three hundred million Naira each be paid by EFCC to Federick Abere and Lekia Biokpo as  damages.

“We have a government that does not obey court orders. That is why my clients decided to come to court to reinforce that order.

“The N300m is penal for damages in favour of my clients. maintaining  court order. The EFCC knows what to do,” Udenna said,the ex- Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili was issued  a court order from the Federal High Court in 2007 ordering the EFCC, ICPC, security and other federal government agencies from carrying out the financial activities of Rivers State government and its officials.