‘Buhari, el-Rufai should discuss with B’Haram’

The General Overseer, Kingdom of the Love Church of Christ in Lagos State, Prophet Felix Oluyemi has urged northern leaders to initiate dialogue with Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, in order to end insurgency in the North, which has led to the death of thousands of Nigerians.

Oluyemi, who addressed journalists on the state of the nation, in preparation to mark his ministry’s 20th anniversary, said the war against terrorism would end with the intervention of northern leaders.

He said, “The Emirs of Sokoto and Kano, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd), Gen. Abdusallam Abubakar (retd) Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) and Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, among others must come together and seek ways of reaching out to their sons in the sect.

“As elders and leaders of the North, they are the ones that can appeal to their sons to end this insurgency. As leaders, they are the ones that can get information on how best to talk to Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau. Getting across to Shekau and appealing to him does not make them members of the sect. When there was Oodua Peoples Congress crisis in the South-West, Yoruba elders including the Ooni of Ife, intervened and called their sons to order.”

The cleric added that for dialogue with Boko Haram to be fruitful, it has to be initiated by northern leaders.

Rivers: We’ll Surprise APC, PDP In 2015 – APGA

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Rivers State has said it will surprise the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming general elections in the state in 2015.

It also welcomed the on-going war of words between APC and the PDP in the state, saying such development would enable it to gain more grounds in the state before the general elections.

Vice chairman of APGA in Rivers South-East senatorial district, Comrade Sunny Ibiraziah, who spoke to newsmen in Port Harcourt, however advised the people of the state against selling their votes to the highest bidder during the election and to avoid voting into power politicians that will make them suffer for another four years.

Ibiraziah said, “Let us use this opportunity to elect our own to govern over us and show to them that we, the servants can serve even in governance. Be wise, don’t sell your votes for another four years of suffering and smiling; but use it wisely to vote out those kings and rulers and vote in the true servants come 2015 general elections.

“The time has come for the true servants to take over the governance of Rivers State. We have been governed by kings and rulers over the years and it has not gotten into their heads that without the servants, they don’t exist.”

He described APGA as the only peaceful and vibrant party in the state that can win the 2015 general elections in the state and local government levels.

Saraki Was Inspired By God To Join APC – Wife

The wife of the immediate past governor of Kwara State, Mrs Toyin Saraki, has advanced reasons why she supported her husband’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mrs Saraki said her husband’s decision was inspired by God and the wish of the people. The founder of the Wellbeing Foundation said she was satisfied that her husband’s decision was in the best interest of the suffering Nigerian masses.

The former first lady, flanked by her husband, spoke with newsmen in Ilorin on Saturday during her 50th birthday celebration.

The national chairman of APC, Chief Odigie Oyegun led several APC chieftains including the governors of Imo and Ogun states, Rochas Okorocha and Ibikunle Amosun respectively, among other chieftains to the ceremony. Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed played the role of the chief host.

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal led scores of his colleagues to the ceremony.

Oyegun used the occasion to thank Mrs Saraki for supporting what he called the courageous step of Saraki in joining APC.

Saying that APC remains the only party that can salvage the country and return it to the path of greatness, Oyegun sued for the support of Nigerians in the next year’s general election.

He said that the party is determined to salvage the current situation in the country and give Nigerians a truly visionary and progressive leadership.

The highly elated Mrs. Saraki said her husband’s decision to join APC was not driven by selfish desire.

She said, “I trust my husband. I believe that my husband is inspired by God and listen to the wishes of the people and so I will always support him as long as he is with the people.”

She was however full of praises for the people of Kwara state and other Nigerians who turned out en masse to celebrate the golden jubilee with her.

“I thank Almighty God and I thank the wonderful and good people of Kwara state who allowed me into their heart, their home, the community and I thank God that we are all united for the development of Kwara state and the country at large”.

Also speaking, Saraki said he is humbled by the large presence of the crème-de-la-crème especially in the APC and captains of industry such as Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola who trooped to the state for the sake of his wife.

He also spoke on the recent statement by the state APC that there would be no automatic ticket for any aspirant, saying the decision equally applies to him.

“We never planned it (the birthday) like this, the turnout has really humbled us. We feel very humble and we are very grateful to God for the blessing because all the people of Kwara state and Nigeria at large have come to share this special day with us.

On the APC statement, he said, “It is not strange. I think what they are saying is that anybody that has interest can aspire but you know aspiration also must be within reason. You have never been a councillor before and you now say you want to go to House of Representatives or you want to be governor. I think what they are saying is that you must have contributed to the community; people who are in one position and help people would go along way in being a favourite choice in APC. We are not discouraging anybody but again it should be in reason, people must know what they are aspiring for and know their contribution to society”.

Tambuwal, Igbinedion Seek Second Term For Ajimobi

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and the chancellor of the first private university in Nigeria, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Sir Gabriel Igbinedion, have expressed their support for the second term ambition of the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

The duo who spoke at two separate events in the state capital, Ibadan at the weekend showered encomiums on Governor Ajimobi, asking the electorate to give him a second term.

The governor’s special adviser on media, Dr Festus Adedayo said in a statement in Ibadan yesterday that Tambuwal, who was speaking at an empowerment programme organised by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Saheed Fijabi, commended the governor for what he called his brilliant performance and monumental achievements in the state, in spite of the differences in the political affiliations of the people, stating that political affiliations should not be a yardstick for determining good governance.

“I want to appreciate Governor Abiola Ajimobi for his wonderful performance in Oyo State. I have always said this and will keep on saying it that whenever and wherever you identify good leaders who are doing well, you must continue to acknowledge them and commend them for their good works.

“Notwithstanding the political affiliations and political party differences of the people of Oyo State, Governor Ajimobi has continued to meet the need of the people,’’ he remarked.

According to the speaker, since not all Nigerians belong to the same political party, politicians and political office holders should deliver good governance to the people.He noted that the House of Representatives had on many occasions played down political affiliations.

Impeachment: Al-Makura’s fate still hangs in the balance

In this piece, JOHN ALECHENU writes on the seemingly unending drama over the plot by members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly to impeach Governor Umaru Al-Makura.

The successful ouster of erstwhile Governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako, and the removal from office of the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Sunday Oyebuchi, attention has now shifted to Nasarawa State.

Governor Umaru Al-Makura is without doubt facing the greatest battle of his political career yet. Indigenes and residents of the state have been gripped by a high sense of anxiety following attempts by members of the House of Assembly to impeach Al-Makura.

Members of the House earlier met and resolved to serve an impeachment notice on the governor after accusing him of several constitutional breaches.

The notice contained a series of allegations bordering on financial cum administrative malfeasance against the governor.

Clerk of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Ego Abashe, tried but failed to serve the governor the notice.

After several unsuccessful attempts to serve the governor, the Peoples Democratic Party-led House of Assembly resorted to substituted service.

It took several pages of paid advertisements to publish charges leveled against the governor demanding that he responds to them within a given period.

Amongst the allegations are: a case of the missing N2bn from the Local Government Joint Accounts; N3bn SURE-P funds spent by the Local Government Ministry; the alleged disappearance of N700m and N400m Federal Government flood intervention fund to the state.

Before the current face-off, the House had severally complained about the governor’s persistent refusal to implement resolutions passed by it.

Unable to get the governor to respond, the House asked the state Chief Judge to set up a seven-member investigative panel to look into the allegations and make recommendations.

As expected, the situation pitted the opposition All Progressives Congress against the Peoples Democratic Party at the state and federal levels.

The APC is of the view that the battle to force Al-Makura out of office is part of a grand design to decimate the number of states it controls as the nation prepares for the 2015 general elections.

The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said the plot against the sovernor is one of several plots orchestrated against governors on the platform of the APC by the PDP-led federal government. He said the party was not unaware of the desperation of the ruling party to foist itself on the Nigerian people come 2015.

In response, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Alhaji Abdullahi Jalo, dismissed APC’s claims.

He said the PDP at the national level was busy providing quality leadership to Nigerians adding that what was happening in Nasarawa State was purely the internal affair of the state.

No sooner than the chief judge announced the composition of the seven-man panel than members of the House of Assembly began to cry foul.

They demanded for the reconstitution of the panel arguing that those appointed were allies of the governor.

The panel went ahead with its assignment nonetheless. It gave the governor a clean bill of health and quashed all the charges leveled against him.

The relief given to the governor by the seven-member panel constituted by the chief justice of the state appears to be temporary.

Members of the state House of Assembly who were obviously unsatisfied by the action of the panel petitioned the National Judicial Council urging it to investigate the state Chief Judge, Justice Umaru Dikko, for allegedly conniving with the executive in violating the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The decision by the House was contained in a resolution it passed after considering a matter of urgent public interest brought before it by the member representing Udege/Loko, Muhammad Baba Ibaku and seconded by Muhammad Okpede (Doma North).

The lawmakers alleged that the conduct of the chief judge in the impeachment saga was at variance with the provisions of Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The House urged the National Judicial Council to investigate and sanction the chief judge to serve as a deterrent to other judges in the country.

This is even as members of the House suspended one of their own, Tanko Tunga (APC Awe South) for six months for allegedly attempting to snatch the mace during one of the rancorous sittings of the House.

Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Baba Ibaku, said as far as the House was concerned, the seven- member committee did not exist as such; its findings and recommendations remain a nullity.

He said “We don’t have a committee, they were wrongly selected we advised the CJ to re-constitute he slept and the only way we can wake him up is to write petition against him why are you sleeping with wrong people? And that is what we have just done.”

Unlike the case in Adamawa, supporters of governor Al-Makura took to the streets to protest moves by the House to impeach the governor. There were unconfirmed reports of some deaths.

Constituents of some of the members of the House of Assembly threatened to recall their representatives for daring to join those calling for the removal of the governor.

This situation forced some of the members to temporally relocate to Abuja while holding some of their sessions outside of the state House of Assembly Complex.

Spokesperson for the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said “We are not surprised at what is going on. It is part of the impunity being perpetrated by the PDP but we are not in any way worried because the indictment of the governor cannot be justified nor sustained under any circumstance.

“Our stand is that any sitting of the House of Assembly conducted outside Lafia is an illegality and will have no effect. We are aware that the impeachment plot was being instigated by the PDP with the aim of decapitating opposition parties ahead of the 2015.”

President Goodluck Jonathan was widely reported to have advised the lawmakers against impeaching the governor. The President held separate meetings with the embattled governor and the aggrieved legislators in an attempt to broker a deal that will be mutually agreeable to both parties.

It appears that an attempt by Jonathan to intervene in the face-off has not yielded the desired results.

There are indications that the legislators are being prodded by prominent members of the ruling PDP who are indigenes of the state.

Those in this school of thought are of the view that it would not be in the interest of the party to have an opposition governor in charge of affairs less than six months to a major election.

It was learnt that hawks within the ruling party who have the ears of the President are insisting that members of the PDP-led House of Assembly should be given all the necessary tools to impeach the governor “for strategic reasons.”

Moderates are suggesting that pressure should be brought to bear on the governor to make him return to the PDP or he should be asked to resign.

Only on Wednesday, Al-Makura requested for a meeting with the legislators to discuss the deteriorating security situation in the state.

The legislators turned down his request citing the governor’s earlier decision to shun invitations from the House to discuss state matters.

Those familiar with the issue posit that the decision to turn down the governor’s request was to avoid “falling into a trap.”

Pundits argue that some political sins are hardly forgiven. They argue that Al-Makura’s decision to dump the PDP in the pursuit of his political ambition should be considered as such a sin because he not only ditched the party, he went ahead to defeat its candidate in 2011.

Senior Special Assistant, (Public Affairs) to Governor Al-Makura, Mr. Abdulrameed Kwara, expressed sadness that the desperation by proponents of the impeachment move against the governor has led to several acts of illegality.

“I want to tell you that these people are desperate to remove the governor. The mace that was used during one of their sittings is not that of the state Assembly.”

He further alleged that members of the assembly have also resorted to dropping the names of prominent political leaders in the North Central Zone in their bid to garner support.

Kwara expressed confidence that the move against the governor will fail because he remains a popular choice of the people.

Both parties to the dispute are considering the legal options while they explore a political solution to the impasse.

With the 2015 elections barely six months away, the last is yet to be heard about plots to impeach Al-Makura or any other governor considered to have committed an unpardonable political sin.

Adamawa: Boko Haram Advances, Takes Over Minchika

Another strategic town in Adamawa South senatorial zone, Michika, the headquarters of Michika LGA, has been seized by Boko Haram insurgents as they continue to take over towns and villages in Adamawa State.

The seizure of Michika came less than 24 hours after Gulak, the hometown of the incumbent acting governor, Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri, was overrun by the insurgents.

Residents say that the militants have dislodged all the military checkpoints and chased out Nigerian troops after which they hoisted their flag in the township.

Some of the residents who are fleeing the town said efforts by the Nigerian Air Force to dislodge the insurgents proved futile as the jets deployed to fight them failed to attack. The fighter jets continued to hover around the town without attacking the insurgents, sources said.

Nigerian soldiers were said to have deployed more troops and reinforced the armoury at Marraba Mubi to prevent the insurgents from capturing Mubi, another strategic town located less than 30km from Michika.

The state government on Saturday confirmed that the insurgents had captured many towns in the southern zone of the state, leading to the death of many and destruction of property.

When contacted, the spokesman of the state government who hails from the area, Mr Solomon Kumanagar, confirmed that several people were feared killed as the terrorists took control of Gulak and other border towns in Madagali and Michika LGAs of the state.

Kumangar said that, already, Michika and other surrounding villages and towns had then been overrun by the insurgents, just as the effects of the insurgency like displacement of whole villages and towns had created multitudes of internally displaced persons (IDPs) whose management and welfare the government was left to bear.

…Moving towards Mubi

Meanwhile, LEADERSHIP learnt that the Boko Haram insurgents have moved up to Mubi and presently camping at Jigabu Village in the outskirt of the town.

Boko Haram: Jonathan heads for Chad, mobilises stronger alliance

After reportedly declaring a full-scale war against terrorist group Boko Haram, President Goodluck Jonathan will today (Monday) travel to Ndjamena, the capital of Chad, where he is to hold talks with President Idriss Deby.

A statement by presidential spokesman Dr Reuben Abati noted that the president’s visit to that country is in continuation of the federal government’s efforts to forge a stronger alliance against terrorism and violent extremism with Nigeria’s neighbours.

Abati said the talks in Ndjamena between Jonathan and President Deby, who is also the current chairman of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, is sequel to their earlier discussions in Nairobi last week on the sidelines of the African Union Peace and Security Council Summit.

The presidential spokesman continued: “President Jonathan and his host will discuss the further actualization of agreements for greater cooperation against insurgents and terrorists reached by Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon at a meeting in Paris earlier this year.

“Their talks are expected to lead to the strengthening of the Paris Accord on joint border patrols, intelligence sharing and the prevention of the illicit movement of terrorists, criminals, arms and ammunition across shared borders.”

Abati further noted in the statement made available to LEADERSHIP on Sunday that, before returning to Abuja tomorrow (Tuesday), President Jonathan will also be a special guest of honour at an international conference on information technology and communication holding in Ndjamena on the same day.

According to the statement, the president will be accompanied by the national security adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd); the minister of communication technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson; the minister of state for foreign affairs, Dr Nurudeen Mohammed; and the director-general of the National Space Research and Development Agency, Professor Sheidu Mohammed.

David Umaru Loses Re-run On Allegations Of Irregularities

The candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Shem Nuhu Zagbayi has won Niger East by-election amidst allegations of voter inducement, even as the state governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu, said the victory is dedicated to the people.

The PDP in the result announced by the returning officer, Professor Morenikeji O. Oluwole, scored 92,056 votes, APC candidate, David Umaru scored 87, 405 votes, APGA candidate, Isah Bello 2,185 and SDP candidate, Abdullahi Shuaibu Dikko 491 votes.

The result showed that there were 182, 137 valid votes cast and 8,042 invalid votes, making 190,179 votes cast during the election that extended to a supplementary election on Saturday.

He said there were 949,851 registered voters but only 205, 765 voters were accredited for the election, an indication that less than 25 per cent of registered voters of the Niger-east came out to vote.

Meanwhile, there were allegations of voters’ inducement by the APC. According to the publicity secretary of the party, Jonathan Vasta, votes were bought while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agents turned blind eyes.

He said that the victory handed the PDP candidate by the combined effort of the security agents and the INEC was a rape of democracy while the PDP publicity secretary, Mohammed Hassan Saba dismissed the allegation as a cry of a losing party.

Saba expressed the party’s appreciation to the electorate of Niger-east for once again associating with laudable achievements of the PDP-led government of the state by voting for the party.

Also, the governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu said he has dedicated the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Niger East senatorial by-election to the people of Niger State.

Aliyu who made this known at a statewide broadcast yesterday in Minna said the victory of Dr Nuhu Zagbayi overthe All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Barrister David Umaru is a reflection of the confidence the people have in the party.

He expressed satisfaction over the conduct and outcome of the election stating that despite the use of thugs, a level playing ground was the major characteristic of the entire process.

Mimiko’s planned employment of 2,000 teachers deceitful – APC

The All Progressives Congress in Ondo State has described as deceitful, plans by the Ondo State Government to hire 2,000 teachers.

The party in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya, wondered why it took the Governor Olusegun Mimiko administration six years to hire teachers despite the huge allocation the state receives from the Federal Government.

It described Mimiko’s government as one that runs on propaganda. The party said the people of the state should be wary of such recruitments as a similar thing was done for local government staff in 2012 only for them to be tagged ghost workers and sacked by the state government.

It said, “The need to boost the state’s Teaching Service Commission with over 10,000 teachers, has been at the fore of developmental discourse in the state 2009. Why did it take the Mimiko-led administration almost six years to announce recruitment plan, despite the huge revenue allocations to the state?

“If it takes the government six years to embark on recruitment exercise, how many additional years will it take the same government to finally get the teachers into the classrooms to teach our children?

“Would this government, not give the prospective 2,000 teachers the treatment it gave to the workers in the 18 local government areas, recruited under Mimiko’s supervision, through the backdoor a few months to governorship election in 2012? Those workers were consequently tagged ghost workers and sacked immediately after the re-election of Mimiko. How can anyone be sure that the prospective 2,000 teachers will not be labelled ghost workers and sacked after the 2015 general elections?”

The party urged job seekers to be wary of the exercise in order to avoid a repeat of the Nigerian Immigration Service tragedy “where poor and unemployed Nigerian youths were duped to the tune of N6bn by the PDP-led Federal Government”

But the Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, while giving details of the modalities for the recruitment exercise which begins on Monday (today), promised transparency and fairness to all applicants.

He said the exercise would strengthen the educational sector at the secondary school level as the government moves ahead to create a world class standard, adding that “the measure will provide jobs for the burgeoning population of unemployed youths in the state.”

APC kicks as PDP wins Niger by-election

The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Sunday declared Dr. Shem Zagbayi of the Peoples Democratic Party winner of the Niger-East senatorial by-election.

The Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Wole Morenikeji, who announced the result said Zagbayi scored 92,056 votes to defeat David Umaru of the All Progressives Congress, who polled 87, 405 votes.

Isa Bello of the All Progressives Grand Alliance and Mr. Abdulahi Diko of the Social Democratic Party scored 2, 185 and 419 votes respectively.

Morenikeji said the total number of registered voters is 149, 851 and total number of accredited voters who participated in the election stands at 205, 765.

He said total number of valid votes is 182, 137, number of rejected votes 8,042 and total number of votes cast during the exercise is 190, 179.

He said, “The election was contested, that the candidates received the following votes; David Umaru of the APC 87, 405, Isa Bello of APGA, 2, 185 votes, Dr. Shem Zagbayi   of the PDP scored 92,056 votes and Abdulahi Diko of the SDP scored 419 votes.

“That Dr. Shem Zagbayi of the PDP, having certified the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner. And is returned elected, signed by myself the returning officer.”

Governor of Niger State, Babagida Aliyu, dedicated the victory of the PDP to the people of the state.

Aliyu, who made this known at a state broadcast in Minna, said Zagbayi’s victory was a reflection of the confidence the people have in the party. He expressed satisfaction over the conduct and outcome of the election stating that despite the use of thugs, a level-playing field was the major characteristic of the entire process.

However the APC has rejected the result of the election. The spokesman for the party in the state, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, said that the result announced by INEC was unacceptable to the party.

He said, “The party is currently studying the result and will make its position known, but for now the result is unacceptable. We have yet to take a decision on the outcome of the by-election, all I know for now is that the result announced by INEC is not acceptable and in due course the official position of the party will be announced.

“The next line of action on the election will be taken after consultations at the state level. We are also in touch with the national headquarters of the party and our position will be made known.”

The APC publicity secretary wondered what moral right Governor Aliyu had to say that the victory for PDP was a reflection of the confidence the people have in the party when he knew that the conduct of the election contravened the Electoral Act.

ACG, Coscharis motors bicker over N54m contract balance

Assistant Controller-General of Prisons, Bala Salihi, and Coscharis Motors Limited are locked in a battle over non-payment of outstanding balance of N54m by the Nigeria Prison Service in a contract for the supply of 3000 motorcycles valued at N330m.

Coscharis Ltd. had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and accused Salihi of pocketing N54m outstanding balance for 1160 motorcycles it claimed to have supplied to the Bauchi State Zonal Command of the Prison Service, when Salihi was the Zonal Controller in 2010.

It accused the ACG of diverting the outstanding balance for 172 motorcycles supplied to the Prison service personnel in the command under a loan scheme.

But Salihi described as blackmail and mischief, allegations by the motor dealer that he diverted the  outstanding balance for the 172 motorcycles in contention, noting that the documents being tendered by the firm were forged.

The ACG in a statement on Monday in Abuja, refuted the allegations by Coscharis and explained that only 988 motorcycle units were delivered to the Bauchi State Command of the Prison service in 2010,adding that the firm has so far been paid N82,653,319.18 as at December 2012, out of the N108,680,000 contract sum, at N110,000 per unit.

Salihi said Coscharis’ petition to the EFCC  smacked of mischief and blackmail, stressing that it was an attempt to dent his image and bring his name into disrepute.

He challenged Coscharis Ltd, to provide evidence that he diverted N54m or collected any bribe from its officials based on the motorcycles transaction, insisting that all the documents being tendered by the dealer were forged.

He explained that based on approval and a management guarantee letter from the National Headquarters of the Prison Service Cooperative, Abuja, the Bauchi Command of the service had entered into an agreement  with Coscharis Ltd. to supply 3000 motorcycles under a loan scheme to NPS personnel in Bauchi at a cost of N330m payable  within 18 months.

Following the MoU between the Bauchi Prison Command and Osychris Ltd, the ACG said a committee was set up to take delivery of the motorcycles headed by one DCP Mohammed Gombe as Chairman and the Secretary,Prison Service Cooperative and the procurement officer as members.

He said, “I did not take delivery of 1160 motorcycles from Coscharis Motors. To the best of my knowledge, no single Prison Service Cooperative officials was involved in the delivery and distribution of 1160 motorcycles to zonal personnel, but I was made to understand that one James and an Inspector Mohammed Amshi (alias Bamai) now at large, acknowledged fake receipts of 1160 motorcycles and distributed to commands under the zone, not Bauchi Zonal Headquarters staff as claimed by the petitioner.”

Salihi stated that at the end of 2010, he was on a course at Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru and while he was away, nobody contacted him until later when he heard about the faked list of motorcycle beneficiaries.

He said, “The total expected payment to Coscharis motors for 1160 motorcycles was N127,600,000 , but the records of beneficiaries sent to NHQ, Abuja, showed 988 motorcycles valued at N108,680,000, out of which N82,653,319 was paid to Coscharis Access Bank account number 0001598726 at Abuja branch.

“I wish to state clearly that the claim by Coscharis motors on the sum of N54m is not true as all documents they are portraying were not signed by me nor emanated from the zonal office except that the Prison service e-payroll should explain the authority to effect stoppage of deduction or underpayment to the company when the 18 months of repayment  was not reached.”

He stated that the Prison service would only pay a shortfall of N26,026,680 to the motor dealer, insisting that the service would not be responsible for the 172 motorcycles in contention, valued at N18,920,000.

The ACG advised Coscharis to recover  the payment for purported shortfall of 172 motorcycles from its director, Chris Ibe and James, whom he said handled the distribution of the motorcycles along with Inspector Mohammed Amshi, who is said to be on the run.

Jonathan is afraid of Boko Haram, says David-West

A former Minister of Petroleum, Prof Tam David-West, has berated President Goodluck Jonathan for failing to address the security situation in the country.

David-West said he was convinced that the President was afraid of Boko Haram that was why he (Jonathan) refused to visit the parents of the schoolgirls that were kidnapped in Chibok, Borno State over four months ago.

David-West said it was wrong of Jonathan to have invited the parents of the Chibok girls to Abuja instead of going to Chibok to visit them, adding that going to visit them would have given both the parents and Nigerians a psychological boost.

The former minister said this during an interview with Sahara TV, which was monitored by our correspondent.

He said Jonathan had no right to seek a second term in office and urged Nigerians to rise against bad governance. He said it was unfortunate that more Nigerians were being abducted by terrorists.

He described as shocking, the takeover of several towns by Boko Haram members.

He said, “Anyone that is complacent about the state of affairs in the country is an enemy of Nigeria. It is a terrible situation and we should be ashamed, President Jonathan should be ashamed. He is the Commander-in-Chief and the number one security officer and citizen of the state.

“Over 200 of your girls taken away from your territory for the past three months and you are still talking. First, you are not even sure, his wife said nothing happened, then he also did not believe that anything happened and later he changed and said he knows where they are. If you say you know where they are, why can’t you save them?

“With all the security forces in the country, you cannot bring them. Our President is afraid of Boko Haram. He claimed they have infiltrated his cabinet and isn’t he ashamed? Since you know they have infiltrated your cabinet, why don’t you expose them?

“Up till now, he has not gone to Chibok and when he made that cosmetic move to see them, he invited the parents to come to Abuja and when they were going, he gave them money which has now been exposed and that is why Boko Haram has been so because they know that the President is weak.”

David-West said even though he is Jonathan’s kinsman, he would not turn a blind eye to the incompetence of his administration.

Pics: Hundreds of fans storm Australian airport to catch a glimpse of Kim & Kanye

Kim and Kanye are currently in Australia where Kanye is performing some shows. Kanye performed at Adelaide Hindmarsh Stadium on Sunday night and this morning, the power couple headed to the local airport to fly out to Melbourne for Kanye's next performance.

When fans heard, through social media, that Kim and Kanye will be flying commercial and will be passing through the airport, they stormed Adelaide airport to catch a glimpse of the couple. Of course, Kim and Kanye were escorted through the airport by bodyguards and several members of the Australia Federal Police. And according to reports, Kim was especially nice to the fans who came out to see them. Some school children even left school to go to the airport. See more pics after the cut...

More photos from Elite Model Look Nigeria event

Pictured above are ex-beauty queen Munachi Abii, Radio personality Olisa Adibua, and designer Zizi Cardow at the Elite Model Look Nigeria event which took place on Saturday September 6th. See more photos after the cut...

P-Square releases track list of their new album - Double Trouble

P-Square just released the track list of their new album, Double Trouble, which is their 6th studio album. It will drop on Sept. 12th and features a collaboration with T.I, Jermaine Jackson, and Awilo.

Adaeze Yobo opens up on how she met, got pregnant and married Joseph Yobo

Speaking with Sun News, former beauty queen and Joseph Yobo's wife, Adaeze Igwe Yobo, opened up on how they met, how fast they got married, and the joys motherhood. Excerpts below...

How did you meet your hus­band? 
I met him in Nigeria through a friend at an event. From there, we became close friends. I became pregnant and we got married im­mediately. Everything happened in a very short time. A lot of people thought it wasn’t going to work but at that moment, I knew I felt something I had never felt with anyone in my life and I said to myself, why not take that chance? I’m quite prayerful , so I knew there’s no way I could err, though I never planned getting married so early. I had so many dreams of what I wanted in life. Mar­riage was the last thing on my mind. It hap­pened so fast and I thought I should give it a shot. Continue...

So, what attracted you to him? 
When we first met, I didn’t know who he was really. He didn’t know that I was the most beautiful girl in Nigeria. When I knew he was a footballer, I said to myself this relation­ship might not work or lead us anywhere, because of the lifestyle of some footballers who have so many girlfriends.

Do you regret marrying him? 
Not at all. No marriage can ever be perfect. Even my relationship with my mum can never be perfect. I have never regretted any moment with my husband and I always say to my sisters and cousins that I don’t know what I could have been without my hus­band. I wondered the kind of man I would have ended up with if I didn’t marry him. I thank God that He planned my life and I’m living the life He planned for me. God has been gracious to me in every way.

When exactly did you leave Nige­ria? 
As soon as I met my husband, I left the shores of Nigeria for further studies. I went to New York. I got married in 2009 and in 2010, I had my son.

What do you miss about Nige­ria? 
I have been coming for Christmas. I usual­ly spend two weeks intermittently in Nigeria and return , because I’m in school. I’m study­ing New Media in Turkey. I miss Nigeria a lot because of fashion and music back home.

What’s it like being a mother? 
It’s been a wonderful experience being mother to this wonderful son of mine. When the little boy came out from my body, I dis­covered that he’s my first real love. I thought I was in love with my husband not until I saw my son. I have never loved somebody that much in my life.

Do you see anything wrong with this GEJ campaign slogan?

A Pro-GEJ group called 'Goodluck Initiative For Transformation' apparently put this together and spread it around Abuja. People are condemning the use of the slogan as they feel its insensitive and a mockery of the #bringbackourgirls campaign. What do you think?

Another Ebola case confirmed in Lagos + Sister of late PH doctor discharged

The Special Assistant to the Minister of Health on Media and Communication, Dan Nwomeh took to twitter to share some of the statements the minister made during a press conference held earlier today Sept. 8th. There's a new confirmed Ebola case in Lagos and the sister of late Port Harcourt doctor, Enemoah, has been discharged. See more tweets after the cut...

Ice Prince Paying Homage to M.I

Photo of the week

Let me give y'all a translation ... of this pic. 1, M.I is still king. 2, Ice Prince is the most humble Nigerian celeb...next to 2face of course...:-). Translate it anyhow you like. Me I don talk my own...hehe