ELECTION 2019: MASS DEFECTIONS WORRY PDP NIGER STATE

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is worried over the defection of its former Niger State Chairman, Abdulrahman Enagi barely a month to the general elections. Enagi defected along two former governorship aspirants, Ahmed Baka and Engr. Hanafi Sudan; and others to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

PDP asked the party’s supporters to remain focused “and refuse to be distracted by the action of a few people”. It described those who defected as moles in the party.

PDP’s State Chairman, Mr. Tanko Beji said that the party was not moved by the series of defections in the last week. “The defectors are good riddance to bad rubbish.”

Enagi, Baka, Sudan and the PDP State Treasurer, Ibrahim Ibeto, and one time President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee and former Minister of Sports, Alhaji Sani Ndanusa, dumped the party recently.

Beji said: “Those that left the party are lone rangers who cannot command 10 supporters in their various wards. The former chairman, the governorship aspirants, treasurer are unpopular Abuja politicians.

2019 ELECTIONS: CAN DECLARES JANUARY 10, DAY Of NATIONAL PRAYER IN NIGERIA

The Christian Association of Nigeria has declared January 10, 2019, a national day of prayers for peaceful, free, fair and credible election in the country and for freedom for Leah Sharibu and others in Boko Haram captivity.

It directed churches nationwide to observe prayers between 11am and 2pm against violence, manipulation, intimidation of voters and other electoral crimes.

The media aide to CAN President, Pastor Bayo Oladeji, said in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, that Christian politicians especially those contesting for offices during the elections, all Christian groups or organisations and all stakeholders were encouraged to participate in the programme.

CAN also urged all Christian groups, denominations, church and block leaders of CAN or their representatives to assemble at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, on January 10 for the important prayer meeting.

It said, “All Christian candidates for all the elective offices or their representatives are also invited as they will be prayed for to be good Ambassadors of Christ before, during and after the election.

“CAN asks all state chairmen and all denominational leaders to organize similar programme and Christian candidates who could not make it to Abuja, especially those who are contesting for state assembly or positions of Governor to attend the one being organised at the state level.”

The statement added that the faithful were to pray for “all Christians contesting one post or the other for the will of God to be done concerning their ambition; That the powerful in our nation will not be able to manipulate the election and edge them out.”

It further asked them to pray for violence-free elections, and that God should stop all groups behind the killings in Nigeria and their financiers.

POPULAR KANO STATE ENTERTAINER STABBED SIX TIMES BY NEIGHBOR FOR 'SINGING ABOUT HIS FATHER' (PHOTOS)

Reports have it that a popular Hausa entertainer in Kano state, identified as Sani Aliyu Wawo but popularly known as “Malam buda mana littafi” was allegedly stabbed by his neighbor with a knife.

According to the victim who is currently recovering after the attack, he was stabbed multiple times on Thursday night while parking his car at his residence in Masaka area of Kofar Mazugal in Kano metropolis..

He alleged that a neighbour, Yusuf Sadiq stabbed him six times over the mistaken assumption that the entertainer was referring to Sadiq’s father in one of his popular songs.

“I was sitting in the car when a neighbour called Yusuf knocked on window. I thought he came to congratulate me for buying a new car. Instead he asked ‘do you recognize me? I’m Yusuf and I come to warn you for abusing my father’,” said the entertainer.

“He moved closer, brought a knife from his gown and stabbed me in the neck,” added Sanin Wawo.

“It was only after he stabbed me six times that I succeeded in breaking the knife. He therefore ran away and left me bleeding,” He asserted.

The entertainer said he was taken to hospital and the incident was reported to the Dala police station in Kano city.

I AM NOT BUHARI’S NIECE, NOT HIS COUSIN, AMINA ZAKARI SPEAKS

Amina Zakari

The newly appointed head of election collation centre for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the 2019 elections, Mrs. Amina Zakari has denied having a consanguinity relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Zakari speaking in an interview with BBC News Igbo distanced herself from the niggling allegation that she is bloodily related to Buhari. Her words, “I am not his niece, I am not his cousin. I was appointed on this same particular job by Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010.

Prior to that I was appointed an A.S to former president Olusegun Obasanjo, and I did my job perfectly”.  Her appointment has generated myriads of criticisms and arguments from opposition’s political parties, Nigerians and Presidency.

Zakari is a princess of Jigawa State. She was born on June 23, 1960 to the late Emir of Kazaure, Hussaini Adamu. She completed her elementary education at Shekara Girls Primary School, Kano in 1971 and had her secondary education at Queens College, Lagos.

Amina Bala Zakari was the former Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission. Her appointment took effect from the directive of the President Muhammadu Buhari following the expiration of the tenure of her predecessor, Attahiru Jega on July 30, 2015.

However, since her appointment, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has delved into captious publications, insisting that she has a blood relationship with Buhari.

Presidency yesterday refuted the allegation and noted that Buhari and Zakari do not share a family relationship. In a statement disclosed by the Senior Special Assistant to Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Presidency averred that “An inter-marriage occurred in their extended families, so the imputation of blood relationship between the President and the electoral commissioner is a simple lie”.   

CHELSEA MIDFIELDER CESC FABREGAS BIDS TEARFUL FAREWELL AHEAD OF MONACO MOVE

The Spain international is on the verge of joining of the Ligue 1 side, and said farewell to his home fans in Saturday's win over Nottingham Forest

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas bid a tearful farewell to the Stamford Bridge crowd on Saturday as he closes in on a move to Monaco. 

The 31-year-old started against Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup third-round tie, wearing the captain's armband for the Blues. 

Fabregas had the perfect opportunity to sign off with a goal, but he saw a 30th-minute penalty saved by Forest goalkeeper Luke Steele. 

With Chelsea up 2-0 late in the game, Fabregas was given a chance to say farewell to the Blues faithful as he was subbed off by manager Maurizio Sarri. 

Fabregas embraced team-mate David Luiz before taking his time exiting the pitch, applauding the Stamford Bridge crowd. 

The Spaniard was seen holding back tears as he made his way to the bench for the last five minutes of Chelsea's victory. 

The emotion Fabregas displayed seemed to confirm his impending move to Monaco.

Fabregas saw his playing time diminish this season, as Sarri prefers to use Jorginho, N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic ahead of the Spaniard in his system. 

After moving from Barcelona in 2014, Fabregas has spent four and a half seasons with the Blues, winning two league titles, one FA Cup and one League Cup. 

He will join a Monaco side managed by his former Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry. The principality side is in the midst of a difficult season, sitting second from bottom in Ligue 1. 

MAURIZIO SARRI URGED TO 'BREAK THE BANK FOR DIEGO COSTA'!

Chelsea have been told they should be looking to splash out on their former forward and seal a second big-money agreement with Atletico Madrid

Peter Crouch has suggested that Maurizio Sarri "breaks the bank" to bring striker Diego Costa back to Stamford Bridge.

The Stoke City striker is adamant that the return of the Brazil-born Spain international would remedy their current problems up front.

He believes that if a top striker is not signed before next season, the Blues will not be title contenders due to their poor goal return.

"I have concerns about whether they will mount a proper title challenge next season," Crouch told newsmen.

"Chelsea have scored the fewest goals of the top six sides. A return of 38 from 21 matches isn't enough to win you a title, no matter how good your defence is.

"The one thing you need is someone to score you 30 goals and they do not have a player like Harry Kane, Mo Salah or Sergio Aguero.

"Not so long ago, they did. Diego Costa would absolutely transform Chelsea's fortunes and, if it was down to me, I'd break the bank to re-sign him.

"You can talk about Gonzalo Higuain or Karim Benzema, but I think Costa would be the one to take Chelsea where they want to be."

Costa won the Premier League  twice in his three seasons at the club but fell out with former boss Antonio Conte, who sold him to Atletico Madrid in 2017 for £59.4 million ($76m).

And Crouch questioned whether the current crop of strikers - Alvaro Morata in particular - would be able to carry the goalscoring burden of a title-chasing side and live up to the examples of Costa and Drogba before him.

He added: "What they need more than anything is the focal point that Drogba, for example, provided. I like Olivier Giroud, and Alvaro Morata is a forward with great technical gifts, but it just does not seem to be happening for him in England. I'm not sure it is going to, either.

"Morata has had some good moments, but not the kind you would expect from someone who arrived for such a big price and it was revealing to hear Zola - who is now Sarri's assistant - admit that the Spaniard is suffering a crisis of confidence.

"There is nothing a striker can experience that is worse - trust me, I know - but he has to keep working."

BARCELONA LEGEND, RONALDINHO, BANNED FROM LEAVING BRAZIL OVER HUGE DEBT CRISIS

Football legend being dragged through the courts in Brazil amid claims his charitable foundation owes fines for breaking environmental rules and has been banned from leaving Brazil by a judge.

The ex-Barcelona is scheduled to appear at the Dubai International Sports Conference this week.

But the 38-year-old has been barred from making the trip to the United Arab Emirates by a court in South America.

Brazilian judge Newton Fabricio demanded that Ronaldinho and his brother Assis Moreira have their passports taken off them by authorities.

The seizure order was made to guarantee the payment of a £1.75million fine imposed on the pair for breaking environmental construction regulations four years ago.

They were prosecuted for causing damage to the environment in the building of the Ronaldinho Gaucho Institute in the Brazilian city of Porto Alegre.

The charity helps work with young and impoverished people in the city and has been lauded for its work.
But authorities are still demanding the fine be paid, and prosecutors say Ronaldinho and his brother have been impossible to pin down over the money.

When the judge first ordered the passports should be seized in November, Ronaldinho was out of Brazil.
And he continued travelling around the world before eventually returning to his home country for the Christmas period.

N30,000 MINIMUM WAGE: FG MEETING WITH LABOUR LEADERS INCONCLUSIVE

Labour and Nigerian government negotiations
January 4, 2019Azeezat Adedigba
The Friday meeting between the federal government and labour unions ended without an agreement.

The meeting was organised to prevent the planned January 8 protest by labour unions.

The planned protest by the labour unions is to demand that President Muhammadu Buhari submit a bill to the parliament for the implementation of N30,000 minimum wage for workers.

While addressing journalists at the end of the Friday meeting, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, said the meeting has been adjourned till 5 p.m. on Monday.

”We are still discussing and will continue on Monday. We need to make further consultations before the issues are concluded,” he said.

In his reaction, the labour minister, Chris Ngige, who led the government delegation, said the government has made progress with the workers.

The meeting, which started at 12:50 p.m., went on recess at 3:20 p.m. and reconvened 4:28 p.m.

The meeting went on break because President Buhari summoned Mr Ngige, the finance minister, Zainab Ahmed, and the budget minister, Udoma Udoma, for an emergency meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has been at loggerheads with the federal government over a new minimum wage.

The NLC and other labour unions demand that the national minimum wage be increased to N30,000 from the current N18,000.

President Muhammadu Buhari has refused to commit to the new proposal. Instead, the president said last year that he would set up a technical committee to review the N30,000 proposed by a tripartite committee earlier set up by the federal government.

State governments have also said they would not be able to pay the N30,000 minimum wage.

NAF NEUTRALISES BANDITS NEAR DOUMBOUROU HILL, ZAMFARA STATE.

Nigerian Air Force Alpha jets

The Nigerian Air Force, says Air Task Force (ATF), of Operation DIRAN MIKIYA has destroyed another armed bandits’ hideout and neutralised several of their fighters near Doumbourou Hill in Zamfara.

Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, who announced this in Abuja, said the operation was carried out on Wednesday.

“The attack was executed yesterday,Jan. 2 , following human intelligence (HUMINT) reports, which were later confirmed by Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), missions, indicating that a large number of bandits, armed with high calibre weapons, regularly assemble at a compound around the foot of the hill before going out on operations.

“Accordingly, the ATF scrambled two Nigerian Air Force (NAF) attack helicopters, supported by an ISR platform, to engage the bandits and destroy their compound.

“The helicopters strafed the target area in successive waves of attack, with the first wave causing some damage to the structures and neutralising some of their fighters.

“The second wave was sequenced to engage the armed bandits as they re-emerged out of their hiding places, thus inflicting further fatalities on them,” he said.

Daramola said that credible HUMINT sources later revealed that the leader of the group was among those killed during the attack.

He said the ATF would continue to work in close coordination with surface forces and other security agencies, to conduct reconnaissance and air interdiction missions with a view to restoring normalcy to the affected States in the North West.

WHAT I EXPECT FROM MY WIFE’S CAMPAIGN TEAM — PRESIDENT BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says he expects the women and youth presidential campaign team led by his wife to exhibit the same loyalty and support they gave him in 2015.

Mr Buhari stated this Thursday while inaugurating the team at the Banquet Hall of the State House presidential villa, Abuja.

Mr Buhari told them that the gathering reminded him of his political struggles over the years and the support he enjoyed from them.

“My association with you has been for very long and is characterized by loyalty to the cause of change,” he said.

The president said his administration has recorded ”numerous landmark achievements”.

He said his mantra of ”change” remains
”unshaken and continues until we return Nigeria on track to assume its rightful place among the comity of nations”.

He reminded the committee that they are expected to support the Presidential Campaign Council which he chairs.

”This shows the importance with which we view the role of women and youths as the backbone of the Nigerian electorate.

”As such, they should be the drivers of our campaign, more so, they are the major direct and indirect beneficiaries of our social investment programmes,” he said.

He tasked the team to remind Nigerians about his plans, good work and achievements.

”Tell the people why they should give us another four years. Our dream is to sustain CHANGE so that all systemic distortions can be corrected and we can enjoy the fruits of being Nigerians under the banner of freedom.

”It is also our hope that our unborn children will inherit a better nation,” he said.

The president also commended all APC members for their unwavering support and commitment to his administration.

”I call on them to redouble their efforts and re-elect us in February, so that they can witness the next level of CHANGE.

”To all Nigerians, I appreciate your love and support. I hope you will renew the mandate you overwhelmingly gave us in 2015. Please do not be distracted, our country is on course.

”I am very pleased to inaugurate the ‘Women and Youth Presidential Campaign Team’. I charge you to reach out to all Nigerians door-to-door and remind them why we need another four years,” the president said.