I NEVER INSTRUCTED EFCC To STOP AKPABIO'S PROBE – PRESIDENT BUHARI

 President Muhammadu Buhari has denied insinuations that he asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to stop the probe of a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, after the latter joined the All Progressives Congress last year.

Buhari said this during an interview aired on Arise TV which was monitored by our correspondent.

The President described as unfair allegations that he was protecting some corrupt persons in his government while those in the opposition were being hounded.

When asked why Akpabio, who was under probe for allegedly diverting N100bn was left untouched, Buhari said he did not know but he did not instruct the EFCC to do so.

The President said he had formed the habit of following due process since his ouster as head of state in 1985 when he was fighting corruption through rash methods.

He said, “I don’t think Akpabio, when he moved to the APC, that I said he should be left alone. I cannot remember asking the EFCC, the ICPC, the police or anybody to spare any corrupt person or incompetent person.

“I haven’t done it and I challenge you to expose any.”

When asked if the anti-graft agencies were acting in line with his body language, he said, “Why should they fear my body language?”

WHY SERVICE CHIEFS HAVE NOT BEEN CHANGED BY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari has given reasons why he has not changed the security service chiefs. Buhari in an interview on Arise TV, Monday night, said that “the head (c-in-c) has to be very careful on removal of the service chiefs because you don’t know the ambition of the ones coming up.”

Adeshida “My understanding of security is that, when you have a case of emergency, you have to be careful, with tampering with the head of services. This is again one of my personal experiences.

I have been a governor, I have been a minister, I have been a head of state, I came back, I tried to come back to this office three times but lucky on the fourth time,” Buhari said. “I am measuring the options critically, when you have a case of emergency, if you don’t wait for an appropriate time to do it, then you create competition within the service.

There are so many ambitious people waiting, only one man can be chief of army staff in the army, only one man can be the inspector-general of police. Don’t forget that it was this administration that appointed all the three.”

ATIKU REVEALS PLANS TO HANDOVER PART OF BORNO STATE TO BOKO HARAM FOR PEACE.

The people's democratic party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar reveals his plan for peace with Boko Haram in exchange for limited autonomy in Borno state and oil

A memorandum titled “New Deal for Security of the Nation” issued by Abubakar’s Campaign Team spokesperson, Prince Kassim Afegbua, gave the first glimpse of Atiku’s plan for peace with the terrorist organization.

The memorandum reveals in broad terms a plan to hand over a swathe of land comprising of some 30,000 square kilometers in Borno state into a semi-autonomous government headed by Boko Haram. In order to ensure the fulfillment of security requirements, the future Boko government will be limited in various aspects such as foreign relations, procurement of arms, and access to the international banking system. Additionally, the handover of territories will be conducted gradually over the span of 3 years and depend on Boko Haram’s full compliance with the peace agreement. Funding for the new administration will be based on a profit sharing scheme with the federal government that will allocate as much as a 2% stake in the nation’s oil proceeds.

This new plan is in line with previous statements by Atiku regarding Boko Haram where he expressed his familiarity with the history and motives of the terrorist group. In such a statement in November, Abubakar said “I happen to know how Boko Haram came into being. They were offshoots of political thuggery. Politicians used those boys in Boko Haram to win elections and then abandoned them and then there were no jobs for them.”

DON’T RE-ELECT GOVERNORS WHO FAILED TO PAY SALARIES, PRESIDENT BUHARI WARNS NIGERIANS

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians not to re-elect governors who failed in their first terms, especially those who failed to pay civil servants salaries even after collecting bailouts from the federal government.

Mr Buhari, who is also seeking reelection on the platform of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), said Nigerians’ votes should go for competence.

Mr Buhari, who spoke with the Hausa service of the Voice of America, which was aired Tuesday morning, said he saw no justification in governors collecting bailout funds from the federal government and still failing to pay wages.

The president was quoted as saying, “I wonder how these governors are able to sleep knowing that they have refused to pay workers their wages.

“These workers have families to cater for, they pay rent, pay school fees, Hospital bills and food for their families.”

Mr Buhari said the Nigerian Constitution gives governors the independence to spend their funds without interference and that is why some are abusing that privilege by refusing to work for the people.

The president advised Nigerians to use their voting rights to make sure that they only vote for people who would deliver.

On the fight against corruption being undertaken by his administration, the president said unlike before, he now uses democratic means.

He said being democratic in fighting corruption is slow but assured that the objectives will eventually be achieved.

2019 ELECTION: FEDERAL HIGH COURT RESTRAINS INEC FROM ACCEPTING ANY CANDIDATES FROM RIVERS APC

▪Federal High Court nullifies direct and indirect primaries of Rivers State APC

▪Declares that Rivers State APC cannot present any candidates for the Governorship , Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly elections 

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Monday restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) for the 2019 General elections in Rivers State .

The court also nullified all nominations of the APC  in Rivers State for the forthcoming elections in 2019.

The court ruled specifically that the  APC cannot participate in the Governorship,Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly elections during the 2019 polls in Rivers State. 

Justice Kolawole  Omotosho in his judgment  in the suit filed by Senator Magnus Abe and others versus Rivers APC and others declared the APC for failing to respect the law must bear the consequences of her disobedience of the law.

Justice Omotosho stated that the Direct and indirect primaries of the Rivers State APC are illegal, null and void.

The court further declared that both the Direct and indirect primaries were held during the pendancy of the suit at the Rivers State High Court. 

According to the court, the APC conducted the indirect primaries  in gross disrespect of the pending suit before Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the Rivers State High Court. 

He noted that the judgment  of Justice Chinwendu Nwogu nullifying the primaries of the APC in Rivers State is yet to be set aside by an appellate court, hence it remains valid.

The court, therefore held that the names sent by the Amaechi  faction and the National Working Committee  of the APC to INEC for the 2019 General elections  were illegal and should be disregarded . 

He posited that the Direct primaries conducted by the Senator Magnus Abe faction were illegal because  the National Working Committee of APC did not monitor or participate in the processes.

Justice Omotosho added that Justice Chinwendu Nwogu was clear when he nullified all primaries and congresses held during the pendancy of the suit, which included the Direct primaries conducted by the Abe faction.

He said that both the Senator Magnus Abe and the Amaechi factions have no leg to stand in view of the judgment, hence both factions are disqualified from participating in the elections. 

The court held that the APC in Rivers State has no power to nominate and sponsor any candidates  for the 2019 General elections. 

Justice Omotosho condemned  the invasion of the Rivers State High Court during the hearing of the suit, saying that actions must be taken to check the excesses of persons interested in destroying the rule of law.

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.