IYANDA'SBLOG

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Rescuers are working quietly so they can hear any sounds from survivors of the deadly landslip.

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Thousands attend ceremonies to mark the centenary of the end of World War One.

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The death toll increases after 14 more bodies are discovered in the destroyed town of Paradise.

Seven people have been allegedly murdered by suspected herdsmen while working on their farms in Kaduna.

The incident occurred on Friday evening at Jan Tsani, behind Kurgi Sabon Layi Kakangi ward in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to a relative of one of the victims, who preferred not to be named, the attackers overpowered the victims while they were working on their farms and fled the scene immediately they sighted the security guards in the community (Yan Sakai) who chased them into a nearby bush.

The locals were said to have arrived the scene shortly after the incident, and they made frantic efforts to apprehend the attackers. The hoodlums eventually escaped through a forest in the area.

The source said the Police could not go to the area because of its volatile nature and activities of herdsmen and kidnappers, which had become rampant.

"The Police cannot go to the area because they are afraid of being attacked by the herdsmen. Even if you call them, they will not come, but we have local vigilantes in the village," one of the villagers, said.

He said the entire village had been thrown into mourning, adding that a similar incident happened a few weeks ago.

He also called on government to expedite action in restoring peace to the area.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has revealed plans to establish a base in Birnin Gwari forest, with a view to curtailing the incessant killing of innocent citizens in the state.

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Lawmaker Beaten Up As Ondo Assembly Speaker, Deputy Are Impeached Lawmaker Beaten Up As Ondo Assembly Speaker, Deputy Are Impeached

On Friday, Honourable Bamidele Oloyelogun was removed as Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, alongside his Deputy, Honourable Ogundeji Iroju.

This video captures a bit of how events unfolded, including the physical assault on a lawmaker.

Oloyelogun, representing Ifedore Constituency, and Ogundeji, representing Odigbo Constituency II, were removed by two-third majority of the Assembly over alleged "gross misconduct and incompetence, and exhaustion of the budget allocation to the Assembly running into N1.5billion". See Also Sahara Reporters BREAKING: Journalists Chased Out With Broken Bottles As Hoodlums Take Over Ondo Assembly 0 Comments 1 Day Ago

Honourable Olamide George, representing Akure North Constituency, was elected as the new Speaker, while Abimbola Fajolu, representing Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo, was elected as the new Deputy Speaker.

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Lawmaker Beaten Up As Ondo Assembly Speaker, Deputy Are Impeached Lawmaker Beaten Up As Ondo Assembly Speaker, Deputy Are Impeached

On Friday, Honourable Bamidele Oloyelogun was removed as Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, alongside his Deputy, Honourable Ogundeji Iroju.

This video captures a bit of how events unfolded, including the physical assault on a lawmaker.

Oloyelogun, representing Ifedore Constituency, and Ogundeji, representing Odigbo Constituency II, were removed by two-third majority of the Assembly over alleged "gross misconduct and incompetence, and exhaustion of the budget allocation to the Assembly running into N1.5billion". See Also Sahara Reporters BREAKING: Journalists Chased Out With Broken Bottles As Hoodlums Take Over Ondo Assembly 0 Comments 1 Day Ago

Honourable Olamide George, representing Akure North Constituency, was elected as the new Speaker, while Abimbola Fajolu, representing Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo, was elected as the new Deputy Speaker.

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There was pandemonium in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Saturday evening as Boko Haram attacked at least two villages in the state and attempted to gain entry into the state capital.

The attack occurred in Bale Shuwari and Jimine, two villages linking up with Giwa Barracks area some 12 kilometres from Maiduguri. During the attack, houses were set ablaze.

As the insurgents neared Maiduguri and the gunshots got heavier, residents were seen fleeing their homes in their hundreds.

The Military responded by deploying a helicopter to provide support for ground troops heading towards the scene. 

SaharaReporters understands that the soldiers succeeded in temporarily repelling the insurgents, and that the gun battle is still ongoing.

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A vaccination programme is being hampered by armed rebel groups, health officials warn.

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Some 1.5 million Indian soldiers served in World War One, and over 74,000 of them lost their lives.

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At Kholofelo Moholola's school, 6% of girls got pregnant in a single year.

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The poems of Violet Nicolson, who published under a man's name, were hugely popular.

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Iran may be open to a new deal, but not with this president, argues US foreign policy expert PJ Crowley.

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Tampons, drones and more surprising innovations from World War One that changed the world.

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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has become a pop culture icon as well as the liberal face of the Supreme Court.

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The Catholic Church has announced a new focus on the role of women – but is it enough?

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Chineke! is Europe's first orchestra with a majority of black and ethnic minority musicians.

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President John Magufuli sacks two ministers and threatens to deploy the military over nut crisis.

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Archaeologists reveal mummified cats and scarab beetles found in recently discovered tombs near Cairo.

Nasir el-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, has said there isn't a "single thinking brain left in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He stated this in his response to the party's reaction on his statement regarding the party's vice-presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

On Friday, el-Rufai had specifically referred to Peter Obi as a "tribal bigot". See Also Sahara Reporters Peter Obi Is A Tribal Bigot, Says el-Rufai 0 Comments 1 Day Ago

The governor's comment had generated varying reactions, and the PDP had responded to el-Rufai's expression with a press statement.

The statement read in part: "We therefore [advise] @elrufai to face the myriad of problems he has caused in Kaduna State for which the people have resolved to vote him out and stop his attempt to further foul the nation’s political space by making comments capable of stoking religious and ethnic division".

However, el-Rufai took to Twitter on Saturday to respond to the PDP.

The governor berated the PDP for its "cluelessness", and alluded to Peter Obi being "not fit to be VP of Nigeria".

His statement was contained in a series of tweets that read: "I never respond to cluelessness, compounded by bad English. There isn’t a single thinking brain left in PDP....sad, only Wendell Simlins and their sort......sigh! We will meet first on February 16, 2019 - my birthday by the way..... then March 2 in sha Allah - Goodbye.....- Nasir."

"Any person that doesn’t recognize the human right of every citizen to move freely, live and work in any part of Nigeria, but implies that though foreigners can observe elections in his state, other Nigerians may only do so in their states of origin is not fit to be VP of Nigeria!"

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Nasir el-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, has said there isn't a "single thinking brain left in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He stated this in his response to the party's reaction on his statement regarding the party's vice-presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

On Friday, el-Rufai had specifically referred to Peter Obi as a "tribal bigot". See Also Politics Peter Obi Is A Tribal Bigot, Says el-Rufai 0 Comments 1 Day Ago

The governor's comment had generated varying reactions, and the PDP had responded to el-Rufai's expression with a press statement.

The statement read in part: "We therefore [advise] @elrufai to face the myriad of problems he has caused in Kaduna State for which the people have resolved to vote him out and stop his attempt to further foul the nation’s political space by making comments capable of stoking religious and ethnic division".

However, el-Rufai took to Twitter on Saturday to respond to the PDP.

The governor berated the PDP for its "cluelessness", and alluded to Peter Obi being "not fit to be VP of Nigeria".

His statement was contained in a series of tweets that read: "I never respond to cluelessness, compounded by bad English. There isn’t a single thinking brain left in PDP....sad, only Wendell Simlins and their sort......sigh! We will meet first on February 16, 2019 - my birthday by the way..... then March 2 in sha Allah - Goodbye.....- Nasir."

"Any person that doesn’t recognize the human right of every citizen to move freely, live and work in any part of Nigeria, but implies that though foreigners can observe elections in his state, other Nigerians may only do so in their states of origin is not fit to be VP of Nigeria!"

Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Nasir el-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, has said there isn't a "single thinking brain left in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He stated this in his response to the party's reaction on his statement regarding the party's vice-presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

On Friday, el-Rufai had specifically referred to Peter Obi as a "tribal bigot". See Also Sahara Reporters Peter Obi Is A Tribal Bigot, Says el-Rufai 0 Comments 1 Day Ago

The governor's comment had generated varying reactions, and the PDP had responded to el-Rufai's expression with a press statement.

The statement read in part: "We therefore [advise] @elrufai to face the myriad of problems he has caused in Kaduna State for which the people have resolved to vote him out and stop his attempt to further foul the nation’s political space by making comments capable of stoking religious and ethnic division".

However, el-Rufai took to Twitter on Saturday to respond to the PDP.

The governor berated the PDP for its "cluelessness", and alluded to Peter Obi being "not fit to be VP of Nigeria".

His statement was contained in a series of tweets that read: "I never respond to cluelessness, compounded by bad English. There isn’t a single thinking brain left in PDP....sad, only Wendell Simlins and their sort......sigh! We will meet first on February 16, 2019 - my birthday by the way..... then March 2 in sha Allah - Goodbye.....- Nasir."

"Any person that doesn’t recognize the human right of every citizen to move freely, live and work in any part of Nigeria, but implies that though foreigners can observe elections in his state, other Nigerians may only do so in their states of origin is not fit to be VP of Nigeria!"

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As usual, the frenzy is back as the elections draw near. Various narratives are traded by multiple groups and political parties on why electorates should give them their votes. Some have promised heaven and earth. Some have started implementing a new minimum wage. Some have also begun distributing political offices. As usual, this frenzied feeling is and has remained the norm from time immemorial.

I am worried for two reasons. One is the fact that those that helped in higher proportion in destroying Nigeria in the last 16 years are now parading themselves as that messiah Nigeria needs. Secondly, is that we might be cursed as a nation always to turn a blind eye to good things. I must add that there is indeed a thin line between a blessing and a curse. For 16 years, we were cursed with bad leadership. For three years we have been blessed with excellent and purposeful leadership. And yet, we are complaining and making a comparison.

I recall when a senior colleague of mine once jokingly argued that even Jesus Christ cannot fix Nigeria’s numerous problems in three years because they are multifaceted. He said: “Fixing Nigeria would take a minimum of 10 uninterrupted years of solid and purposeful leadership.” And I agreed with him instantly.

The story of Nigeria could be likened to a mother that gave birth and was bleeding continuously, and the doctors initially ignored and left her to her fate, not until God sent a helper her way that figured out what was wrong, and the bleeding stooped. Mind you; she had lost so much blood that she had to be placed on life support with blood transfusion. Now, do we expect that the woman in question would rise to her feet the next day or in three days? The answer is no. She won't. She would be monitored. She would be given stabilization medication, and gradually the healing process would begin.

The above narrative explains Nigeria before the coming of the administration of President Muhammdu Buhari. You don’t have to like his face. But what you must like is the fact that he has brought Nigeria from that comatose state to a seating position through his numerous offerings in critical sectors of the economy.  President Muhammadu Buhari has reset the country and taken it through the surgical knife. He has used three years to build a solid foundation in education by removing institutional corruption that once permeated the system. Transportation is back, and our roads are wearing new looks.

Sometime last week, I stumbled on a report by one of the major newspapers in Nigeria titled “despite cash crunch, Buhari’s road constructions across Nigeria continues” and I was pleased that gradually, the truth is coming out for Nigerians to be the judge. Also in another report, it was stated that the Buhari led administration kick-started the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) to aid economic recovery, taking the country out of her worst recession in 29 years, despite fall in oil prices.

In an unprecedented move in the annals of the country, the Buhari-led administration has expended a whopping N1.2 trillion on capital/infrastructure projects nationwide. Flashback to those dark years when a particular political party held sway. Would these monies not end up in private pockets? Your guess is as good as mine. Nigeria today is showing prospects of walking once again after years of comatose. And to think that some architects of Nigeria’s misfortune are still parading themselves as patriotic individuals gives me goose pimples. That I ask, are we that gullible? 

Still under the Buhari administration, in three years, there was a practical implementation of the Treasury Single Account, which resulted in an increase in government revenue by over N3 trillion as well as entrenching transparency and accountability. There is also the implementation of the Bank Verification Number (BVN), thus tackling corruption by plugging loopholes for siphoning of public fund and tracking of illicit funds through multiple accounts.

The country has also witnessed a massive investment in agriculture in the last three years. An example is the Anchors Borrowers Programme to improve local produce, improving fertilizer distribution and access across states through the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative. And in my opinion, this initiative has led to a reduction in rice imports as a result of the government’s policies that have encouraged massive rice production across Nigeria. This much was corroborated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) when it stated that the volume of rice imported into the country had declined drastically in 2018 despite “political demand.”.

Has anyone heard of the Graduates-in-Agriculture Scheme in several states of the federation, a self-driven, government-assisted programme by which our young men and women are stopping their endless wait for white-collar jobs and creating wealth for themselves and the nation? What about the audacious Social Investment Programme to the tune of N500 billion, the most massive pro-poor programme in our nation’s history, and the most extensive social safety net in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Are we even aware that in three years, 11 of the dead 33 fertilizer plants in Nigeria have been resuscitated? Are we also aware that for the first time in more than 45 years, the Mambila Power Plant is set to take off with the allocation of $5.6billion for its realization and an expected 3,050 MW output upon completion?

Again, last year, the World Bank ranked Nigeria among the top 10 reforming economies in the world because the government is spending more on infrastructure than previous administrations. The list is endless. So much so that I ask again. Is there a thin line between a blessing and a curse?

The Buhari administration is building lasting legacies for Nigeria and Nigerians. This much I have tried to highlight, as the elections draw near. My expository might not be suitable for some people that are against the progress of this country. But trust me, what Nigeria needs at this critical moment of our existence is a continuity of the legacies that are being put in place. If the PDP could not do a fraction of what has been done in three years, do we have a reason to express reservations about the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to the Nigerian cause?

If not for anything, we know the simple fact that in all that he does, the sincerity of heart and purpose are his trademarks. In my opinion, with a Buhari at the helms of affairs in Nigeria post-2019, Nigeria would be great. We won’t fall for the trick anymore by allowing those that plunged our commonwealth to have access to it again because it is not business as usual. I see a great country called Nigeria. I look at the prospects, and I know the president. And the president is Muhammadu Buhari. It, therefore, behoves on all of us that means well for this country to ensure that President Muhammdu Buhari returns in 2019. If we don’t rise to this challenge and we allow this opportunity to slip. History won’t be kind to us. A word is enough for the wise.

Kolawole, PhD, a university teacher writes from Keffi

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Gbade Gabriel has emerged the winner of the Ken Saro-Wiwa Prize for Review at the 2018 Lagos Book and Art Festival.

He was announced as the winner on Friday at the Freedom Park, Lagos.

The annual competition is designed to encourage culture of critical engagement of the written text or any work of art.

It is the third edition of the prize that was launched at the 17th edition in 2015, which focused on reviews of any two of the books of the writer, environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, who was murdered on November 10, 1995. Literature researcher, Benson Eluma won the first edition. There was no competition in 2016.

The 2017 edition focus was on Niyi Osundare’s poetry collections. Writer and journalist, Henry Chiemeke, won the N100,000 prize money for his review of Osundare’s 'Tender Moments: Love Poems'.

For the 2018 edition, contestants were expected to review three of Tunde Kelani’s films.

Kelani, who turned 70 in March, is the second festival honouree for the year; the other being the master painter and teacher, Kolade Oshinowo, who clocked 70 in March.

According to the judges, a total of nine entries were received, out of which Abayomi Folaranmi, Tunde Onikoyi and Gbade Gabriel were shortlisted.

The award will be presented by Veteran Filmmaker Tunde Kelani on Sunday.

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Gbade Gabriel has emerged the winner of the Ken Saro-Wiwa Prize for Review at the 2018 Lagos Book and Art Festival.

He was announced as the winner on Friday at the Freedom Park, Lagos.

The annual competition is designed to encourage culture of critical engagement of the written text or any work of art.

It is the third edition of the prize that was launched at the 17th edition in 2015, which focused on reviews of any two of the books of the writer, environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, who was murdered on November 10, 1995. Literature researcher, Benson Eluma won the first edition. There was no competition in 2016.

The 2017 edition focus was on Niyi Osundare’s poetry collections. Writer and journalist, Henry Chiemeke, won the N100,000 prize money for his review of Osundare’s 'Tender Moments: Love Poems'.

For the 2018 edition, contestants were expected to review three of Tunde Kelani’s films.

Kelani, who turned 70 in March, is the second festival honouree for the year; the other being the master painter and teacher, Kolade Oshinowo, who clocked 70 in March.

According to the judges, a total of nine entries were received, out of which Abayomi Folaranmi, Tunde Onikoyi and Gbade Gabriel were shortlisted.

The award will be presented by Veteran Filmmaker Tunde Kelani on Sunday.

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A civil society group has labelled the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a “wicked version of witchcraft” suffering from “masses rejection syndrome” for questioning the Social Intervention Programme (SIP) of the Federal Government.

There was a rowdy session at the Senate last Wednesday when Abiodun Olujimi, the Senator representing Ekiti South at the National Assembly on the platform of the PDP, accused the present administration of politicising the social intervention programme. See Also Breaking News BREAKING: Senate In Rowdy Session Over 'Politicisation' Of Buhari's Social Intervention Programme 0 Comments 3 Days Ago

However, the group said the PDP has no moral right to query the SIP scheme aimed at alleviating poverty in the country.

In a statement on Friday, Itodo Gideon, President of the group, noted that the PDP was already anticipating defeat ahead of the 2019 general election, hence its move to seek sympathisers.

The statement read: "Good Governance Initiative has followed with interest the accusation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the Social Intervention Programme (SIP) of President Muhammadu Buhari amounted to vote buying, but we have come to conclusion that the party is prematurely mourning its loss ahead of the 2019 general election and must be suffering from ‘Masses Rejection Syndrome’ (MRS).

“Only a party that has lost touch with reality will claim that SIP, Sure-P, TraderMoni and other schemes that directly put money in the pockets of Nigerians are meant to induce people for the reelection of President Buhari.

"These programmes are in reality the foundation to building a system of economic safety nets for the vulnerable as practised in other countries. The knowledge that the PDP failed woefully to introduce similar schemes, particularly one not meant to reward party urchins, made it conclude that President Buhari’s programmes are meant for vote buying, even when beneficiaries are drawn from across party lines. The whimpering of the PDP is therefore a clear sign that it is forecasting a resounding defeat for itself at the general election.

“PDP’s pain at this looming defeat is understandable because the kind of failure it has to its credit takes a political party 50 years of hard work to recover from, and that is only when it is contrite enough to stop insulting the populace by condemning programmes meant to improve their lot. Its current illusion is therefore not necessary, as it will only further isolate it from the people with the potential to deny Nigerians of a virile opposition.

“Our candid counsel to the PDP is for it to stop chasing shadows and face the reality that President Buhari and Nigerians have a contract that met expectations and will be renewed beyond 2019. No amount of propaganda can terminate the contract, especially since there has been no better offer to rival what Nigerians are getting other than the empty lies emanating from the PDP.

“It is most reassuring that the PDP would have to keep learning from the way President Buhari has positively affected the lives of Nigerians through the numerous projects he has delivered to the citizens.”

Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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A civil society group has labelled the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a “wicked version of witchcraft” suffering from “masses rejection syndrome” for questioning the Social Intervention Programme (SIP) of the Federal Government.

There was a rowdy session at the Senate last Wednesday when Abiodun Olujimi, the Senator representing Ekiti South at the National Assembly on the platform of the PDP, accused the present administration of politicising the social intervention programme. See Also Breaking News BREAKING: Senate In Rowdy Session Over 'Politicisation' Of Buhari's Social Intervention Programme 0 Comments 3 Days Ago

However, the group said the PDP has no moral right to query the SIP scheme aimed at alleviating poverty in the country.

In a statement on Friday, Itodo Gideon, President of the group, noted that the PDP was already anticipating defeat ahead of the 2019 general election, hence its move to seek sympathisers.

The statement read: "Good Governance Initiative has followed with interest the accusation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the Social Intervention Programme (SIP) of President Muhammadu Buhari amounted to vote buying, but we have come to conclusion that the party is prematurely mourning its loss ahead of the 2019 general election and must be suffering from ‘Masses Rejection Syndrome’ (MRS).

“Only a party that has lost touch with reality will claim that SIP, Sure-P, TraderMoni and other schemes that directly put money in the pockets of Nigerians are meant to induce people for the reelection of President Buhari.

"These programmes are in reality the foundation to building a system of economic safety nets for the vulnerable as practised in other countries. The knowledge that the PDP failed woefully to introduce similar schemes, particularly one not meant to reward party urchins, made it conclude that President Buhari’s programmes are meant for vote buying, even when beneficiaries are drawn from across party lines. The whimpering of the PDP is therefore a clear sign that it is forecasting a resounding defeat for itself at the general election.

“PDP’s pain at this looming defeat is understandable because the kind of failure it has to its credit takes a political party 50 years of hard work to recover from, and that is only when it is contrite enough to stop insulting the populace by condemning programmes meant to improve their lot. Its current illusion is therefore not necessary, as it will only further isolate it from the people with the potential to deny Nigerians of a virile opposition.

“Our candid counsel to the PDP is for it to stop chasing shadows and face the reality that President Buhari and Nigerians have a contract that met expectations and will be renewed beyond 2019. No amount of propaganda can terminate the contract, especially since there has been no better offer to rival what Nigerians are getting other than the empty lies emanating from the PDP.

“It is most reassuring that the PDP would have to keep learning from the way President Buhari has positively affected the lives of Nigerians through the numerous projects he has delivered to the citizens.”

Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2zK4Md3

A civil society group has labelled the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a “wicked version of witchcraft” suffering from “masses rejection syndrome” for questioning the Social Intervention Programme (SIP) of the Federal Government.

There was a rowdy session at the Senate last Wednesday when Abiodun Olujimi, the Senator representing Ekiti South at the National Assembly on the platform of the PDP, accused the present administration of politicising the social intervention programme. See Also Breaking News BREAKING: Senate In Rowdy Session Over 'Politicisation' Of Buhari's Social Intervention Programme 0 Comments 3 Days Ago

However, the group said the PDP has no moral right to query the SIP scheme aimed at alleviating poverty in the country.

In a statement on Friday, Itodo Gideon, President of the group, noted that the PDP was already anticipating defeat ahead of the 2019 general election, hence its move to seek sympathisers.

The statement read: "Good Governance Initiative has followed with interest the accusation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the Social Intervention Programme (SIP) of President Muhammadu Buhari amounted to vote buying, but we have come to conclusion that the party is prematurely mourning its loss ahead of the 2019 general election and must be suffering from ‘Masses Rejection Syndrome’ (MRS).

“Only a party that has lost touch with reality will claim that SIP, Sure-P, TraderMoni and other schemes that directly put money in the pockets of Nigerians are meant to induce people for the reelection of President Buhari.

"These programmes are in reality the foundation to building a system of economic safety nets for the vulnerable as practised in other countries. The knowledge that the PDP failed woefully to introduce similar schemes, particularly one not meant to reward party urchins, made it conclude that President Buhari’s programmes are meant for vote buying, even when beneficiaries are drawn from across party lines. The whimpering of the PDP is therefore a clear sign that it is forecasting a resounding defeat for itself at the general election.

“PDP’s pain at this looming defeat is understandable because the kind of failure it has to its credit takes a political party 50 years of hard work to recover from, and that is only when it is contrite enough to stop insulting the populace by condemning programmes meant to improve their lot. Its current illusion is therefore not necessary, as it will only further isolate it from the people with the potential to deny Nigerians of a virile opposition.

“Our candid counsel to the PDP is for it to stop chasing shadows and face the reality that President Buhari and Nigerians have a contract that met expectations and will be renewed beyond 2019. No amount of propaganda can terminate the contract, especially since there has been no better offer to rival what Nigerians are getting other than the empty lies emanating from the PDP.

“It is most reassuring that the PDP would have to keep learning from the way President Buhari has positively affected the lives of Nigerians through the numerous projects he has delivered to the citizens.”

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The Delta State Police Command has lost one of its officers to the bullets of armed hoodlums in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

Service rifles were also stolen during the incident.

SaharaReporters learnt that the policemen were on their routine stop-and-search duty on Friday at about 8pm at the Kowen Plaza, Asaba, when armed hoodlums emerged from nowhere and began to rain bullets on the team. The incident led to the death of one of the officers and two service rifles and a pistol belonging to the policemen were taken away by the hoodlums.

An eyewitness said other policemen on duty in the area at the time of the attack escaped, while the air was rented with sporadic gunshots as residents scampered for safety.

Confirming the incident to our correspondent, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Mustafa, disclosed that the attack occurred between the hours of 7pm and 8pm on Friday.

The Police boss, however, said investigation is already on, noting that the Police will get to the bottom of the matter and those involved would be brought to book.

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The Delta State Police Command has lost one of its officers to the bullets of armed hoodlums in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

Service rifles were also stolen during the incident.

SaharaReporters learnt that the policemen were on their routine stop-and-search duty on Friday at about 8pm at the Kowen Plaza, Asaba, when armed hoodlums emerged from nowhere and began to rain bullets on the team. The incident led to the death of one of the officers and two service rifles and a pistol belonging to the policemen were taken away by the hoodlums.

An eyewitness said other policemen on duty in the area at the time of the attack escaped, while the air was rented with sporadic gunshots as residents scampered for safety.

Confirming the incident to our correspondent, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Mustafa, disclosed that the attack occurred between the hours of 7pm and 8pm on Friday.

The Police boss, however, said investigation is already on, noting that the Police will get to the bottom of the matter and those involved would be brought to book.

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Four Catholic priests kidnapped in Delta State last week have been freed.

The priests were said to be returning from a function when they were abducted by gunmen and a N20 million ransom was demanded for their freedom.

A priest in Asaba, the Delta State capital, who preferred not to be named, told our correspondent that the kidnapped priests regained their freedom on Friday through the efforts of the Police.

He said: "Although a ransom was paid, we won't mention the amount. They initially demanded for N20 million ransom, but there was a negotiation."

The priest, however, gave the names of the freed priests as Victor Adigboluja of Ijebu Ode Diocese; Anthony Otegbola of Abeokuta Diocese; Joseph Ediae of Benin Archdiocese, and Emmanuel Obadjere of Warri Diocese.

"I can confirm to you that they have all been taken to the hospital for medical treatment and some persons connected to the unholy act have also been arrested by the Police," he said.

When contacted by SaharaReporters, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Mustafa, confirmed the release of the priests. He added that some persons have also been apprehended in connection to the crime.

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