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In 2014, thousands of people paralysed parts of Hong Kong for months demanding to choose their own leader.

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We have to "try that much harder" to get girls an education, UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed tells BBC 100 Women.

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Tijuana residents take to the streets after the arrival of the first members of a migrant caravan.

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Angry protests break out in the Mexican border city over migrants hoping to seek US asylum.

President Muhammadu Buhari has launched his campaign for the 2019 presidential election.

With the theme, 'Next Level', Buhari unveiled his achievements, as well as his plans for Nigeria if he secures a second term as president of the country.

The programme held on Sunday in Abuja.

FULL TEXT OF BUHARI'S SPEECH

Four years ago, we promised Nigerians real change – in what we do and how we do it. Nigerians sent a clear message in the last election, and our platform offered a new, ambitious plan for a secure, prosperous and corruption-free country. We have worked hard to fulfil our promises – and while the road may have been difficult, over the last three and a half years, we have laid the foundations for a strong, stable and prosperous country for the majority of our people. Foundational work is not often visible, neither is it glamorous – but it is vital to achieving the kind of country we desire. Judging by the prior depth of decay, deterioration and disrepair that Nigeria had sunken into, we are certain that these past few years have put us in good stead to trudge on the Next Level of building an even stronger nation for our people.

First things had to come first.

We were a nation at war – but we delivered on our commitment to secure the territorial integrity of our nation in the face of a raging insurgency that devastated many parts of the North East. We liberated 17 Local Government Areas from the grip of insurgency. Brokering and sustaining peace in the Niger Delta has also been crucial to stabilising the polity. Despite the difficult circumstances presented by weak oil prices and reduced oil production, we delivered on our commitment to make public investments to spur economic growth, job creation, and broad-based prosperity. Agriculture continues to expand our economic base, as do our investments in deficient infrastructure across the length and breadth of this nation. We implemented a responsible and transparent fiscal plan for the challenging economic times that saw us doing more even with lesser oil revenues. Grand scale corruption perpetrated at the highest level of government is now a thing of the past, just as the Treasury Single Account (TSA) has made it more difficult for ministries, departments and agencies to exercise the unrestrained liberties that helped foster a climate conducive to corruption. The nation’s wealth is now being invested in capital projects to expand infrastructure and connect people, goods and opportunities by rail, road and air. Also, the Federal Government supported state governments with bailouts that enabled them to pay workers on their payroll.

We took an unprecedented step towards creating a fairer and more equitable society by implementing Africa’s biggest social investment programme. Through the National Social Investment Programme, we are providing direct support to over 13 million Nigerians who need it by giving relief and assistance to unemployed youth, our children, the weak and vulnerable as well as small and medium businesses. But even as we lay the foundation for a stable and prosperous nation, we acknowledge there is still much to do. The Next Levelof effort focuses on job creation across various sectors. From an enlargement of the N-Power programme to investing in technology and creative sector jobs to agriculture and revolutionising access to credit for entrepreneurs and artisans, there is scope for over 15 million new jobs. The march away from a mono-economy must continue with our industrialisation plan coming to fore. With specific plans underway to exploit the comparative advantage of the geopolitical zones and different states by developing 6 Industrial Parks and 109 Special Production and Processing Centres (SPPCs) across each senatorial district, our incremental move away from oil dependence is assured. In addition, our development of the Special Economic Zones will quickly concretise our Made in Nigeria for Export (MINE) plan. To sustain food production and value addition, our mechanisation policy for agriculture will make tractors and processors easily accessible and available for farmers across Nigeria. We will continue a wide scale training policy, prioritising technology to reach the demography of young people within the productive sector on a massive scale even as we create jobs and growth within our economy.

We believe that our people who are still in poverty have a direct way out and up through our expanded National Social Investment Programme. We believe we can implement the painstaking and comprehensive policy and work we have done to bring an end to the perennial conflict between farmers and herders – a conflict which is heightened by a struggle for land, water and pasture and the effects of climate change and every now and then, opportunistic and cynical manipulation by political actors. We are implementing a blend of measures that ensures that justice, order, modernisation and new economic paradigms emerge.

Perhaps our biggest ambition yet is the overhaul of our education sector. Every child counts – and simply, whatever it takes to prepare our teachers, curriculum and classrooms to attain the right educational goals that grow our country, will be done. We will remodel 10,000 schools every year and retrain our teachers to impart science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics using coding, animation, robotics to re-interpret our curriculum. We know that to succeed, moral integrity and conscience must continue to form the dominant character of our nation and its leadership. Corruption is an existential threat to Nigeria. Despite the gains we have made in closing the gates, we know that there is still much ground to cover to stop systemic corruption. We are committed to deepening the work we started this first term such that the nation’s assets and resources continue to be organised and utilised to do good for the common man. The next four years will be quite significant for our country. Nigeria is faced with a choice to keep building a new Nigeria- making a break from its tainted past which favoured an opportunistic few. Our choices will shape us – our economic security and our future prosperity.

Nigeria, more than ever before, needs a stable and people-focused government to move the agenda for our country forward. Join us on this journey to the Next Level of a prosperous, strong and stable Nigeria!

Nigerians, we are all going higher!

Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2OOdf4p

President Muhammadu Buhari has launched his campaign for the 2019 presidential election.

With the theme, 'Next Level', Buhari unveiled his achievements, as well as his plans for Nigeria if he secures a second term as president of the country.

The programme held on Sunday in Abuja.

FULL TEXT OF BUHARI'S SPEECH

Four years ago, we promised Nigerians real change – in what we do and how we do it. Nigerians sent a clear message in the last election, and our platform offered a new, ambitious plan for a secure, prosperous and corruption-free country. We have worked hard to fulfil our promises – and while the road may have been difficult, over the last three and a half years, we have laid the foundations for a strong, stable and prosperous country for the majority of our people. Foundational work is not often visible, neither is it glamorous – but it is vital to achieving the kind of country we desire. Judging by the prior depth of decay, deterioration and disrepair that Nigeria had sunken into, we are certain that these past few years have put us in good stead to trudge on the Next Level of building an even stronger nation for our people.

First things had to come first.

We were a nation at war – but we delivered on our commitment to secure the territorial integrity of our nation in the face of a raging insurgency that devastated many parts of the North East. We liberated 17 Local Government Areas from the grip of insurgency. Brokering and sustaining peace in the Niger Delta has also been crucial to stabilising the polity. Despite the difficult circumstances presented by weak oil prices and reduced oil production, we delivered on our commitment to make public investments to spur economic growth, job creation, and broad-based prosperity. Agriculture continues to expand our economic base, as do our investments in deficient infrastructure across the length and breadth of this nation. We implemented a responsible and transparent fiscal plan for the challenging economic times that saw us doing more even with lesser oil revenues. Grand scale corruption perpetrated at the highest level of government is now a thing of the past, just as the Treasury Single Account (TSA) has made it more difficult for ministries, departments and agencies to exercise the unrestrained liberties that helped foster a climate conducive to corruption. The nation’s wealth is now being invested in capital projects to expand infrastructure and connect people, goods and opportunities by rail, road and air. Also, the Federal Government supported state governments with bailouts that enabled them to pay workers on their payroll.

We took an unprecedented step towards creating a fairer and more equitable society by implementing Africa’s biggest social investment programme. Through the National Social Investment Programme, we are providing direct support to over 13 million Nigerians who need it by giving relief and assistance to unemployed youth, our children, the weak and vulnerable as well as small and medium businesses. But even as we lay the foundation for a stable and prosperous nation, we acknowledge there is still much to do. The Next Levelof effort focuses on job creation across various sectors. From an enlargement of the N-Power programme to investing in technology and creative sector jobs to agriculture and revolutionising access to credit for entrepreneurs and artisans, there is scope for over 15 million new jobs. The march away from a mono-economy must continue with our industrialisation plan coming to fore. With specific plans underway to exploit the comparative advantage of the geopolitical zones and different states by developing 6 Industrial Parks and 109 Special Production and Processing Centres (SPPCs) across each senatorial district, our incremental move away from oil dependence is assured. In addition, our development of the Special Economic Zones will quickly concretise our Made in Nigeria for Export (MINE) plan. To sustain food production and value addition, our mechanisation policy for agriculture will make tractors and processors easily accessible and available for farmers across Nigeria. We will continue a wide scale training policy, prioritising technology to reach the demography of young people within the productive sector on a massive scale even as we create jobs and growth within our economy.

We believe that our people who are still in poverty have a direct way out and up through our expanded National Social Investment Programme. We believe we can implement the painstaking and comprehensive policy and work we have done to bring an end to the perennial conflict between farmers and herders – a conflict which is heightened by a struggle for land, water and pasture and the effects of climate change and every now and then, opportunistic and cynical manipulation by political actors. We are implementing a blend of measures that ensures that justice, order, modernisation and new economic paradigms emerge.

Perhaps our biggest ambition yet is the overhaul of our education sector. Every child counts – and simply, whatever it takes to prepare our teachers, curriculum and classrooms to attain the right educational goals that grow our country, will be done. We will remodel 10,000 schools every year and retrain our teachers to impart science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics using coding, animation, robotics to re-interpret our curriculum. We know that to succeed, moral integrity and conscience must continue to form the dominant character of our nation and its leadership. Corruption is an existential threat to Nigeria. Despite the gains we have made in closing the gates, we know that there is still much ground to cover to stop systemic corruption. We are committed to deepening the work we started this first term such that the nation’s assets and resources continue to be organised and utilised to do good for the common man. The next four years will be quite significant for our country. Nigeria is faced with a choice to keep building a new Nigeria- making a break from its tainted past which favoured an opportunistic few. Our choices will shape us – our economic security and our future prosperity.

Nigeria, more than ever before, needs a stable and people-focused government to move the agenda for our country forward. Join us on this journey to the Next Level of a prosperous, strong and stable Nigeria!

Nigerians, we are all going higher!

Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2OOdf4p

President Muhammadu Buhari has launched his campaign for the 2019 presidential election.

With the theme, 'Next Level', Buhari unveiled his achievements, as well as his plans for Nigeria if he secures a second term as president of the country.

The programme held on Sunday in Abuja.

FULL TEXT OF BUHARI'S SPEECH

Four years ago, we promised Nigerians real change – in what we do and how we do it. Nigerians sent a clear message in the last election, and our platform offered a new, ambitious plan for a secure, prosperous and corruption-free country. We have worked hard to fulfil our promises – and while the road may have been difficult, over the last three and a half years, we have laid the foundations for a strong, stable and prosperous country for the majority of our people. Foundational work is not often visible, neither is it glamorous – but it is vital to achieving the kind of country we desire. Judging by the prior depth of decay, deterioration and disrepair that Nigeria had sunken into, we are certain that these past few years have put us in good stead to trudge on the Next Level of building an even stronger nation for our people.

First things had to come first.

We were a nation at war – but we delivered on our commitment to secure the territorial integrity of our nation in the face of a raging insurgency that devastated many parts of the North East. We liberated 17 Local Government Areas from the grip of insurgency. Brokering and sustaining peace in the Niger Delta has also been crucial to stabilising the polity. Despite the difficult circumstances presented by weak oil prices and reduced oil production, we delivered on our commitment to make public investments to spur economic growth, job creation, and broad-based prosperity. Agriculture continues to expand our economic base, as do our investments in deficient infrastructure across the length and breadth of this nation. We implemented a responsible and transparent fiscal plan for the challenging economic times that saw us doing more even with lesser oil revenues. Grand scale corruption perpetrated at the highest level of government is now a thing of the past, just as the Treasury Single Account (TSA) has made it more difficult for ministries, departments and agencies to exercise the unrestrained liberties that helped foster a climate conducive to corruption. The nation’s wealth is now being invested in capital projects to expand infrastructure and connect people, goods and opportunities by rail, road and air. Also, the Federal Government supported state governments with bailouts that enabled them to pay workers on their payroll.

We took an unprecedented step towards creating a fairer and more equitable society by implementing Africa’s biggest social investment programme. Through the National Social Investment Programme, we are providing direct support to over 13 million Nigerians who need it by giving relief and assistance to unemployed youth, our children, the weak and vulnerable as well as small and medium businesses. But even as we lay the foundation for a stable and prosperous nation, we acknowledge there is still much to do. The Next Levelof effort focuses on job creation across various sectors. From an enlargement of the N-Power programme to investing in technology and creative sector jobs to agriculture and revolutionising access to credit for entrepreneurs and artisans, there is scope for over 15 million new jobs. The march away from a mono-economy must continue with our industrialisation plan coming to fore. With specific plans underway to exploit the comparative advantage of the geopolitical zones and different states by developing 6 Industrial Parks and 109 Special Production and Processing Centres (SPPCs) across each senatorial district, our incremental move away from oil dependence is assured. In addition, our development of the Special Economic Zones will quickly concretise our Made in Nigeria for Export (MINE) plan. To sustain food production and value addition, our mechanisation policy for agriculture will make tractors and processors easily accessible and available for farmers across Nigeria. We will continue a wide scale training policy, prioritising technology to reach the demography of young people within the productive sector on a massive scale even as we create jobs and growth within our economy.

We believe that our people who are still in poverty have a direct way out and up through our expanded National Social Investment Programme. We believe we can implement the painstaking and comprehensive policy and work we have done to bring an end to the perennial conflict between farmers and herders – a conflict which is heightened by a struggle for land, water and pasture and the effects of climate change and every now and then, opportunistic and cynical manipulation by political actors. We are implementing a blend of measures that ensures that justice, order, modernisation and new economic paradigms emerge.

Perhaps our biggest ambition yet is the overhaul of our education sector. Every child counts – and simply, whatever it takes to prepare our teachers, curriculum and classrooms to attain the right educational goals that grow our country, will be done. We will remodel 10,000 schools every year and retrain our teachers to impart science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics using coding, animation, robotics to re-interpret our curriculum. We know that to succeed, moral integrity and conscience must continue to form the dominant character of our nation and its leadership. Corruption is an existential threat to Nigeria. Despite the gains we have made in closing the gates, we know that there is still much ground to cover to stop systemic corruption. We are committed to deepening the work we started this first term such that the nation’s assets and resources continue to be organised and utilised to do good for the common man. The next four years will be quite significant for our country. Nigeria is faced with a choice to keep building a new Nigeria- making a break from its tainted past which favoured an opportunistic few. Our choices will shape us – our economic security and our future prosperity.

Nigeria, more than ever before, needs a stable and people-focused government to move the agenda for our country forward. Join us on this journey to the Next Level of a prosperous, strong and stable Nigeria!

Nigerians, we are all going higher!

Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2OOdf4p

Troops of the 24 Support Engineer Regiment Abakaliki have rescued a child locked up in a house in Ebonyi.

The child was discovered during a search-and-rescue operation for a soldier, L/Cpl Oluwabukunmi Fadoju, who has been missing since September 17, 2018.

When the soldiers got to Onunwakpu in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on November 16, 2018, they were said to have discovered the malnourished child locked up in a house.

The child was seated on what appeared to be charms and was picking leaves from the ground to eat.

The charms were burnt and the child was given some bananas and biscuits. He was, thereafter, taken to the Medical Reception Station for treatment.

The child has been handed over to the Ebonyi State Government.

News of the child's discovery was announced by the Army on its Twitter handle.

Human Rights Military News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2zjvgCz

Troops of the 24 Support Engineer Regiment Abakaliki have rescued a child locked up in a house in Ebonyi.

The child was discovered during a search-and-rescue operation for a soldier, L/Cpl Oluwabukunmi Fadoju, who has been missing since September 17, 2018.

When the soldiers got to Onunwakpu in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on November 16, 2018, they were said to have discovered the malnourished child locked up in a house.

The child was seated on what appeared to be charms and was picking leaves from the ground to eat.

The charms were burnt and the child was given some bananas and biscuits. He was, thereafter, taken to the Medical Reception Station for treatment.

The child has been handed over to the Ebonyi State Government.

News of the child's discovery was announced by the Army on its Twitter handle.

Human Rights Military News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2zjvgCz

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The rebel group says it is halting drone and missile strikes against the Saudi-led coalition.

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BBC 100 Women has announced its list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2018.

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A raid on the Karachi Press Club has breached a decades-old truce with police, writes M Ilyas Khan.

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The multimillionaire Dutch businessman who risks his life racing off road motorbikes.

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Journalist Zeinab Mohammed Salih looks at the contentious issue of fashion in Islamic-ruled Sudan.

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Ha Jae-heon lost his legs to a North Korean mine but says rowing gave him the strength to recover.

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Alan Garcia requested asylum after he was banned from leaving Peru amid corruption allegations.

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The Finnish leader is not sure where Donald Trump got the idea that Finland rakes its forest floors.

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Democratic Senator Bill Nelson concedes after a fraught and protracted recounting process.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has filed a suit against a radio presenter, Akanda Oro, popularly known as Awikonko, for accusing Obasanjo of complicity in the murder of Bola Ige.

According to The Punch, Oro, also an online journalist, was said on live radio that Obasanjo killed Ige.

Awikonko was quoted as saying: “Obasanjo’s murder of Bola Ige, if not for the shortage of time, I would have listed the names of those murdered by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo during his regime. Bloodshed during Obasanjo Aremu’s regime was too much (foolish old man).

“There are repercussions for every evil deed done… In case you hear of my death, do not be sad. Perhaps this is the only mission I have been sent by God to accomplish. The fellow that killed a whole minister of justice and attorney general of the federation went scot-free.

“So, what will it cost him to kill me, a commoner? Let him go and commit suicide or take himself before Ogun shrine to swear that he does not know anything about the murder of Bola Ige and Marshall Harry or that all his children die in his lifetime.”

However, in the suit filed by his lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), Obasanjo said the allegations were malicious and false and demanded N1billion from the journalist in damages.

The suit filed before Justice O.A. Adenyi of Apo Federal Capital Territory High Court with number FCT/HC/CV/2920/18, called for Awikonko to retract the publication.

It read in part: “A declaration that the publication complained of are false, malicious, unjustified, injurious, scornful, distasteful, unsavoury and have exposed the claimant to public odium, ridicule and disdain both nationally and internationally.

“A declaration that the words complained of do not constitute a valid exercise by the defendant of his freedom of speech.

“The sum of one billion naira only against the defendant as general damages for the defamation of the claimant’s hard earned reputation.”

Legal Breaking News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), requesting him to “promptly, thoroughly and effectively investigate the allegation that Senate President Bukola Saraki spent between N200m and N400m in every state, except the six South-West states, to influence the outcome of the 2015 elections for the All Progressives Congress (APC)".

The organisation also urged INEC to “investigate the sources of other cases of apparently unexplained campaign financing and contributions for the 2015 elections by politicians and supporters of the two main political parties, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)"

SERAP urged INEC to collaborate with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the investigation.

A statement by Ms Bamisope Adeyanju, SERAP Senior Legal Adviser on Sunday, referred to the audio recording attributed to a meeting between Saraki and some loyalists, during which the Senate President was quoted as stating that he spent billions of Naira as investment in the 2015 APC presidential campaign, across 30 states of the federation. See Also Sahara Reporters TRENDING: I Paid Billions To Campaign For Buhari In 30 States In 2015, Says Saraki 0 Comments 22 Hours Ago

In the letter dated November 17, 2018 and signed by its senior legal adviser Bamisope Adeyanju, SERAP said: “Allegation that one politician spent billions of Naira on elections in several states of the country to support a political party if not thoroughly, and transparently investigated and prosecuted would undermine the public faith in the country’s democracy. It also risks distorting electoral processes and reversing the gains in the democratic and electoral processes that have been recorded since the return of democracy in 1999.

“Such spending, if allowed to continue, can shape policy-making after elections, and improperly influence the decisions taken by the country’s elected representatives who will most likely consider their contributions to political parties’ campaign as ‘investment’ and thus seek returns on their purported investment to achieve electoral success for their party.

"Probing the sources of such spending would improve transparency and accountability in campaign spending and contributions. This is essential to curb abuse and mismanagement of Nigeria’s resources, help to balance political competition, foster the integrity of officeholders, rebuild citizens’ trust in the political system’s integrity, as well as ensure that electoral processes and elected officials are not compromised by uncontrolled and unaccountable campaign funding.

The letter copied Ibrahim Magu, acting EFCC Chairman; Dr. Musa Usman Abubakar, acting ICPC Chairman, and Professor Itse Sagay, Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC).

The letter continued: “Unexplained and unregulated spending to influence the outcome of any election can distort the electoral competition and lead to state capture by wealthy politicians and individuals.

“SERAP urges you to prosecute anyone suspected to be involved and/or complicit in the alleged unexplained campaign spending, if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence of violations of international standards and national laws. We request that you take steps within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter, failing which SERAP will institute legal proceedings to compel you and the INEC to discharge your constitutional and statutory responsibilities in the public interest.”

“Unexplained and unregulated spending on election campaign would encourage politicians to divert public resources for political purposes rather than ensuring and directing critical spending for socio-economic development of the country, including on improving access to public services such as electricity, health, water, and education.

“Campaign financing such as the spending allegedly disclosed by the Senate President undermines public trust and confidence in politicians and poses serious corruption risks, as it can blur the line between state and party politics, encourage the use of national resources to fund and influence elections. Such huge spending by an individual can even be converted into a conduit for money laundering.

“SERAP urges you to publicly clarify to politicians and political parties ceilings for campaign spending and contributions, and to insist that all political parties and politicians disclose sources of their spending for the 2019 elections. INEC should also require all political parties to sign ‘transparency pacts’ that would mandate candidates and their sponsors to disclose the identities of donors and publish all spending and contributions on their party website and in the press before the 2019 elections.

“SERAP therefore urges you to investigate the sources of campaign financing and contributions by Saraki and by other politicians and other individuals to APC and PDP if INEC is ever to rein in the role of money and level the playing field for candidates and political parties in the 2019 general election.

“INEC should carry out the investigation and prosecution in collaboration with the ICPC and EFCC, and send a strong message to politicians and political parties that INEC under your leadership would not tolerate any infringement of the democratic and electoral processes ahead of the 2019 general elections.

“SERAP notes that international law has increasingly recognised the importance of transparency for mitigating corruption in party politics and using disclosure of political financing as a means to improve it. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) to which Nigeria is a state party obligates states to enhance transparency in the funding of candidates for elected public office and, where applicable, the funding of political parties. Similarly, the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, which Nigeria has also ratified requires states to incorporate the principle of transparency into funding of political parties.

“Further, Sections 225 and 226 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) affirms the powers of INEC to monitor, inquire into and assess campaign finances, and a party’s source of and management of funds, while Section 228 provides sanctions with regard to party finance and campaign finance.

“According to Section 91(2) and 91(3) of the Electoral Act, the maximum election expenses to be incurred by a candidate at a presidential and governorship election shall be one billion naira only and two hundred million naira only respectively. Also, Section 91(4) of the Electoral Act states that the maximum election expenses to be incurred by a candidate for a senatorial and House of Representatives election shall be N40m only and N20m only respectively.”

 

“According to reports, Senate President Bukola Saraki allegedly claimed in an audio clip while addressing Peoples Democratic Party that he spent between N200m and N400m in every state except the six South-West states, to influence the outcome of the elections for the All Progressives Congress. Saraki reportedly said “Out of the 36 states, I paid election money in 30. Some collected N300m, while some collected N400m, some collected N200m. The only states where I had nothing to do with was in the South-West. Even on the phone, I was calling and giving banks instructions.”

Corruption Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), requesting him to “promptly, thoroughly and effectively investigate the allegation that Senate President Bukola Saraki spent between N200m and N400m in every state, except the six South-West states, to influence the outcome of the 2015 elections for the All Progressives Congress (APC)".

The organisation also urged INEC to “investigate the sources of other cases of apparently unexplained campaign financing and contributions for the 2015 elections by politicians and supporters of the two main political parties, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)"

SERAP urged INEC to collaborate with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the investigation.

A statement by Ms Bamisope Adeyanju, SERAP Senior Legal Adviser on Sunday, referred to the audio recording attributed to a meeting between Saraki and some loyalists, during which the Senate President was quoted as stating that he spent billions of Naira as investment in the 2015 APC presidential campaign, across 30 states of the federation. See Also Elections TRENDING: I Paid Billions To Campaign For Buhari In 30 States In 2015, Says Saraki 0 Comments 22 Hours Ago

In the letter dated November 17, 2018 and signed by its senior legal adviser Bamisope Adeyanju, SERAP said: “Allegation that one politician spent billions of Naira on elections in several states of the country to support a political party if not thoroughly, and transparently investigated and prosecuted would undermine the public faith in the country’s democracy. It also risks distorting electoral processes and reversing the gains in the democratic and electoral processes that have been recorded since the return of democracy in 1999.

“Such spending, if allowed to continue, can shape policy-making after elections, and improperly influence the decisions taken by the country’s elected representatives who will most likely consider their contributions to political parties’ campaign as ‘investment’ and thus seek returns on their purported investment to achieve electoral success for their party.

"Probing the sources of such spending would improve transparency and accountability in campaign spending and contributions. This is essential to curb abuse and mismanagement of Nigeria’s resources, help to balance political competition, foster the integrity of officeholders, rebuild citizens’ trust in the political system’s integrity, as well as ensure that electoral processes and elected officials are not compromised by uncontrolled and unaccountable campaign funding.

The letter copied Ibrahim Magu, acting EFCC Chairman; Dr. Musa Usman Abubakar, acting ICPC Chairman, and Professor Itse Sagay, Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC).

The letter continued: “Unexplained and unregulated spending to influence the outcome of any election can distort the electoral competition and lead to state capture by wealthy politicians and individuals.

“SERAP urges you to prosecute anyone suspected to be involved and/or complicit in the alleged unexplained campaign spending, if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence of violations of international standards and national laws. We request that you take steps within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter, failing which SERAP will institute legal proceedings to compel you and the INEC to discharge your constitutional and statutory responsibilities in the public interest.”

“Unexplained and unregulated spending on election campaign would encourage politicians to divert public resources for political purposes rather than ensuring and directing critical spending for socio-economic development of the country, including on improving access to public services such as electricity, health, water, and education.

“Campaign financing such as the spending allegedly disclosed by the Senate President undermines public trust and confidence in politicians and poses serious corruption risks, as it can blur the line between state and party politics, encourage the use of national resources to fund and influence elections. Such huge spending by an individual can even be converted into a conduit for money laundering.

“SERAP urges you to publicly clarify to politicians and political parties ceilings for campaign spending and contributions, and to insist that all political parties and politicians disclose sources of their spending for the 2019 elections. INEC should also require all political parties to sign ‘transparency pacts’ that would mandate candidates and their sponsors to disclose the identities of donors and publish all spending and contributions on their party website and in the press before the 2019 elections.

“SERAP therefore urges you to investigate the sources of campaign financing and contributions by Saraki and by other politicians and other individuals to APC and PDP if INEC is ever to rein in the role of money and level the playing field for candidates and political parties in the 2019 general election.

“INEC should carry out the investigation and prosecution in collaboration with the ICPC and EFCC, and send a strong message to politicians and political parties that INEC under your leadership would not tolerate any infringement of the democratic and electoral processes ahead of the 2019 general elections.

“SERAP notes that international law has increasingly recognised the importance of transparency for mitigating corruption in party politics and using disclosure of political financing as a means to improve it. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) to which Nigeria is a state party obligates states to enhance transparency in the funding of candidates for elected public office and, where applicable, the funding of political parties. Similarly, the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, which Nigeria has also ratified requires states to incorporate the principle of transparency into funding of political parties.

“Further, Sections 225 and 226 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) affirms the powers of INEC to monitor, inquire into and assess campaign finances, and a party’s source of and management of funds, while Section 228 provides sanctions with regard to party finance and campaign finance.

“According to Section 91(2) and 91(3) of the Electoral Act, the maximum election expenses to be incurred by a candidate at a presidential and governorship election shall be one billion naira only and two hundred million naira only respectively. Also, Section 91(4) of the Electoral Act states that the maximum election expenses to be incurred by a candidate for a senatorial and House of Representatives election shall be N40m only and N20m only respectively.”

 

“According to reports, Senate President Bukola Saraki allegedly claimed in an audio clip while addressing Peoples Democratic Party that he spent between N200m and N400m in every state except the six South-West states, to influence the outcome of the elections for the All Progressives Congress. Saraki reportedly said “Out of the 36 states, I paid election money in 30. Some collected N300m, while some collected N400m, some collected N200m. The only states where I had nothing to do with was in the South-West. Even on the phone, I was calling and giving banks instructions.”

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), requesting him to “promptly, thoroughly and effectively investigate the allegation that Senate President Bukola Saraki spent between N200m and N400m in every state, except the six South-West states, to influence the outcome of the 2015 elections for the All Progressives Congress (APC)".

The organisation also urged INEC to “investigate the sources of other cases of apparently unexplained campaign financing and contributions for the 2015 elections by politicians and supporters of the two main political parties, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)"

SERAP urged INEC to collaborate with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the investigation.

A statement by Ms Bamisope Adeyanju, SERAP Senior Legal Adviser on Sunday, referred to the audio recording attributed to a meeting between Saraki and some loyalists, during which the Senate President was quoted as stating that he spent billions of Naira as investment in the 2015 APC presidential campaign, across 30 states of the federation. See Also Elections TRENDING: I Paid Billions To Campaign For Buhari In 30 States In 2015, Says Saraki 0 Comments 22 Hours Ago

In the letter dated November 17, 2018 and signed by its senior legal adviser Bamisope Adeyanju, SERAP said: “Allegation that one politician spent billions of Naira on elections in several states of the country to support a political party if not thoroughly, and transparently investigated and prosecuted would undermine the public faith in the country’s democracy. It also risks distorting electoral processes and reversing the gains in the democratic and electoral processes that have been recorded since the return of democracy in 1999.

“Such spending, if allowed to continue, can shape policy-making after elections, and improperly influence the decisions taken by the country’s elected representatives who will most likely consider their contributions to political parties’ campaign as ‘investment’ and thus seek returns on their purported investment to achieve electoral success for their party.

"Probing the sources of such spending would improve transparency and accountability in campaign spending and contributions. This is essential to curb abuse and mismanagement of Nigeria’s resources, help to balance political competition, foster the integrity of officeholders, rebuild citizens’ trust in the political system’s integrity, as well as ensure that electoral processes and elected officials are not compromised by uncontrolled and unaccountable campaign funding.

The letter copied Ibrahim Magu, acting EFCC Chairman; Dr. Musa Usman Abubakar, acting ICPC Chairman, and Professor Itse Sagay, Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC).

The letter continued: “Unexplained and unregulated spending to influence the outcome of any election can distort the electoral competition and lead to state capture by wealthy politicians and individuals.

“SERAP urges you to prosecute anyone suspected to be involved and/or complicit in the alleged unexplained campaign spending, if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence of violations of international standards and national laws. We request that you take steps within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter, failing which SERAP will institute legal proceedings to compel you and the INEC to discharge your constitutional and statutory responsibilities in the public interest.”

“Unexplained and unregulated spending on election campaign would encourage politicians to divert public resources for political purposes rather than ensuring and directing critical spending for socio-economic development of the country, including on improving access to public services such as electricity, health, water, and education.

“Campaign financing such as the spending allegedly disclosed by the Senate President undermines public trust and confidence in politicians and poses serious corruption risks, as it can blur the line between state and party politics, encourage the use of national resources to fund and influence elections. Such huge spending by an individual can even be converted into a conduit for money laundering.

“SERAP urges you to publicly clarify to politicians and political parties ceilings for campaign spending and contributions, and to insist that all political parties and politicians disclose sources of their spending for the 2019 elections. INEC should also require all political parties to sign ‘transparency pacts’ that would mandate candidates and their sponsors to disclose the identities of donors and publish all spending and contributions on their party website and in the press before the 2019 elections.

“SERAP therefore urges you to investigate the sources of campaign financing and contributions by Saraki and by other politicians and other individuals to APC and PDP if INEC is ever to rein in the role of money and level the playing field for candidates and political parties in the 2019 general election.

“INEC should carry out the investigation and prosecution in collaboration with the ICPC and EFCC, and send a strong message to politicians and political parties that INEC under your leadership would not tolerate any infringement of the democratic and electoral processes ahead of the 2019 general elections.

“SERAP notes that international law has increasingly recognised the importance of transparency for mitigating corruption in party politics and using disclosure of political financing as a means to improve it. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) to which Nigeria is a state party obligates states to enhance transparency in the funding of candidates for elected public office and, where applicable, the funding of political parties. Similarly, the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, which Nigeria has also ratified requires states to incorporate the principle of transparency into funding of political parties.

“Further, Sections 225 and 226 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) affirms the powers of INEC to monitor, inquire into and assess campaign finances, and a party’s source of and management of funds, while Section 228 provides sanctions with regard to party finance and campaign finance.

“According to Section 91(2) and 91(3) of the Electoral Act, the maximum election expenses to be incurred by a candidate at a presidential and governorship election shall be one billion naira only and two hundred million naira only respectively. Also, Section 91(4) of the Electoral Act states that the maximum election expenses to be incurred by a candidate for a senatorial and House of Representatives election shall be N40m only and N20m only respectively.”

 

“According to reports, Senate President Bukola Saraki allegedly claimed in an audio clip while addressing Peoples Democratic Party that he spent between N200m and N400m in every state except the six South-West states, to influence the outcome of the elections for the All Progressives Congress. Saraki reportedly said “Out of the 36 states, I paid election money in 30. Some collected N300m, while some collected N400m, some collected N200m. The only states where I had nothing to do with was in the South-West. Even on the phone, I was calling and giving banks instructions.”

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Labour Demands For New Minimum Wage In Nigeria GL Trends

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on workers across the country, especially government employees, to vote against any governor unwilling to implement the new national minimum wage of N30,000 monthly.

NLC insisted that there was no way a governor would not be able to pay the new minimum wage.

This position was canvassed over the weekend at the Lagos Airport by the NLC Vice-President, Comrade Amaechi Asugwuni, during the inauguration of the new National Administrative Council (NAC) of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE).

Asugwuni declared that the electorate had the power to vote out such governors in the forthcoming general election in 2019 and urged them to use the power of their votes.

Asugwuni, however, noted that some governors had officially written to the NLC that they would implement the new minimum wage as soon as it went through the required processes.

“I am telling Nigerians that any governor that undermines the payment of minimum wage should be voted out. They are hiding under the governors’ forum not to pay, but they have confirmed to us and written us that they can pay the minimum wage. N30,000 is not even the money that can take anybody home. The President as a matter of urgency should transmit that minimum wage document to the National Assembly," he said.

Asugwuni declared that there was no going back on the new minimum wage and urged workers to "gear up for the great battle ahead".

He called on the newly inaugurated executive of NUATE to put their house in order and forge ahead, stating that the aviation industry remained one of the strongest affiliates of the NLC.

Asugwuni said he had confidence in the new executive to ensure that the welfare of workers in the aviation sector remained paramount and urged that everybody be carried along in decision making.

He said some unions would disintegrate after elections, but noted that NUATE had remained stronger after the election, indicating that there was unity among them.

The NLC boss urged the elected officers to continue to work with the president, as he alone could not steer the leadership of the union to greater heights without the cooperation of all.

The new President of NUATE, Comrade Ben Nnabue, in his remarks after the inauguration, promised to carry everybody along by remaining focused in executing his programmes.

Nnabue assured the organisation that no worker would be allowed to be victimised by the management under his regime, and warned that issues affecting members would be handled with utmost care. He said with the inauguration of NUATE NAC, the union was set to commence action on its activities.

While thanking the NLC Vice President for honouring the invitation, he noted that the executives would strive to play according to the rules.

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Labour Demands For New Minimum Wage In Nigeria GL Trends

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on workers across the country, especially government employees, to vote against any governor unwilling to implement the new national minimum wage of N30,000 monthly.

NLC insisted that there was no way a governor would not be able to pay the new minimum wage.

This position was canvassed over the weekend at the Lagos Airport by the NLC Vice-President, Comrade Amaechi Asugwuni, during the inauguration of the new National Administrative Council (NAC) of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE).

Asugwuni declared that the electorate had the power to vote out such governors in the forthcoming general election in 2019 and urged them to use the power of their votes.

Asugwuni, however, noted that some governors had officially written to the NLC that they would implement the new minimum wage as soon as it went through the required processes.

“I am telling Nigerians that any governor that undermines the payment of minimum wage should be voted out. They are hiding under the governors’ forum not to pay, but they have confirmed to us and written us that they can pay the minimum wage. N30,000 is not even the money that can take anybody home. The President as a matter of urgency should transmit that minimum wage document to the National Assembly," he said.

Asugwuni declared that there was no going back on the new minimum wage and urged workers to "gear up for the great battle ahead".

He called on the newly inaugurated executive of NUATE to put their house in order and forge ahead, stating that the aviation industry remained one of the strongest affiliates of the NLC.

Asugwuni said he had confidence in the new executive to ensure that the welfare of workers in the aviation sector remained paramount and urged that everybody be carried along in decision making.

He said some unions would disintegrate after elections, but noted that NUATE had remained stronger after the election, indicating that there was unity among them.

The NLC boss urged the elected officers to continue to work with the president, as he alone could not steer the leadership of the union to greater heights without the cooperation of all.

The new President of NUATE, Comrade Ben Nnabue, in his remarks after the inauguration, promised to carry everybody along by remaining focused in executing his programmes.

Nnabue assured the organisation that no worker would be allowed to be victimised by the management under his regime, and warned that issues affecting members would be handled with utmost care. He said with the inauguration of NUATE NAC, the union was set to commence action on its activities.

While thanking the NLC Vice President for honouring the invitation, he noted that the executives would strive to play according to the rules.

Elections LABOR/WORKERS' RIGHTS Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2RnxS9l

Labour Demands For New Minimum Wage In Nigeria GL Trends

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on workers across the country, especially government employees, to vote against any governor unwilling to implement the new national minimum wage of N30,000 monthly.

NLC insisted that there was no way a governor would not be able to pay the new minimum wage.

This position was canvassed over the weekend at the Lagos Airport by the NLC Vice-President, Comrade Amaechi Asugwuni, during the inauguration of the new National Administrative Council (NAC) of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE).

Asugwuni declared that the electorate had the power to vote out such governors in the forthcoming general election in 2019 and urged them to use the power of their votes.

Asugwuni, however, noted that some governors had officially written to the NLC that they would implement the new minimum wage as soon as it went through the required processes.

“I am telling Nigerians that any governor that undermines the payment of minimum wage should be voted out. They are hiding under the governors’ forum not to pay, but they have confirmed to us and written us that they can pay the minimum wage. N30,000 is not even the money that can take anybody home. The President as a matter of urgency should transmit that minimum wage document to the National Assembly," he said.

Asugwuni declared that there was no going back on the new minimum wage and urged workers to "gear up for the great battle ahead".

He called on the newly inaugurated executive of NUATE to put their house in order and forge ahead, stating that the aviation industry remained one of the strongest affiliates of the NLC.

Asugwuni said he had confidence in the new executive to ensure that the welfare of workers in the aviation sector remained paramount and urged that everybody be carried along in decision making.

He said some unions would disintegrate after elections, but noted that NUATE had remained stronger after the election, indicating that there was unity among them.

The NLC boss urged the elected officers to continue to work with the president, as he alone could not steer the leadership of the union to greater heights without the cooperation of all.

The new President of NUATE, Comrade Ben Nnabue, in his remarks after the inauguration, promised to carry everybody along by remaining focused in executing his programmes.

Nnabue assured the organisation that no worker would be allowed to be victimised by the management under his regime, and warned that issues affecting members would be handled with utmost care. He said with the inauguration of NUATE NAC, the union was set to commence action on its activities.

While thanking the NLC Vice President for honouring the invitation, he noted that the executives would strive to play according to the rules.

Elections LABOR/WORKERS' RIGHTS Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Lawmakers of the Ondo State House of Assembly have petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, over threats to their lives and families as a result of the impeachment saga in the parliamentary house.

According to the 18 lawmakers, they no longer feel secure as the claim that members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) led by their Chairman, Jacob Adebo, popularly known as ‘Idajo’, have threatened to deal with them and their families if they return to the state Assembly complex.

The lawmakers alleged that although some of them have taken refuge in villages and remote areas of the state, while some injured during the attack on the state assembly were still in the hospital, their families are now being trailed by members of the NURTW in the state.

They claim in the petition that the Ondo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ade Adetimehin, stormed the complex and supported the actions of the NURTW members, while policemen and other security agents drafted to the house looked away.

SaharaReporters exclusively obtained the copies of the petition, dated November 10, 2018, which copied the office of the President, Vice-President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations), Assistant Inspector General of Police and the Director General, Directorate of State Services.

Olamide George, the new Speaker; Fajolu Abimbola, Deputy Speaker, and Araoyinbo Olugbenga Joseph, Majority Leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly jointly signed the copies of the petition, which was also addressed to the State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Chairman of the APC National Working Committee.

The lawmakers also demanded the immediate redeployment of the State Commissioner of Police, Gbenga Adeyanju, whom they claimed is always on the side of the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.

THE PETITION IN FULL:

Dear Sir,

ASSAULT, THREAT TO LIFE AND ABUSE OF AUTHORITY BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, ONDO STATE COMMAND, GBENGA ADEYANJU, GOVERNOR OLUWAROTIMI AKEREDOLU (SAN) AND THE APC ONDO STATE CHAIRMAN ADE ADETIMEHIN

We the undersigned being the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Majority Leader on behalf of members of the Ondo State House of Assembly present this petition of Assault, Threat to Life, and Abuse of Authority by the above mentioned persons.

We sat in the House of Assembly of Ondo State on Friday 9th November 2018 for the purpose of conducting House business, among which was the removal of Rt (Hon) Oleyeloogun Bamidele and Iroju Ogundeji, erstwhile Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.

After a new Speaker and Deputy Speaker had emerged, the former Speaker stormed the Chamber along with thugs and proceeded to disrupt the proceedings by physically assaulting Hon. Mrs. Jumoke Akindele, whom he had apparently learnt was the pro tem Speaker as well as some other members.

The House adjourned to the Speaker’s office after the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide George and Rt. Hon. Abimbola Fajolu had taken the oath of office.

We suddenly saw the Chairman of APC in the state; Ade Adetimehin who came threatening that he has the authority of the Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to deal with anyone who would not heed his plea to return the erstwhile Speaker Hon Oleyeloogun to office.

Following closely after this was the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, Mr. Gbenga Adeyanju, who stated clearly that he had express instructions of Governor Akeredolu to “evacuate and flush out" every member from the House by all means possible.

It is instructive at this point that we had, among ourselves, restored peace and the presence of the Police was definitely not necessary.

Mr. Adeyanju came in with not less than fifty battle-ready, fatigue-wearing men of the Police to physically assault honourable members by slapping, pushing and hitting them. This to us is embarrassing as men of the Police force are meant to be enforcers of the law and not law breakers.

He and his men came into the office of the Speaker without any just cause or invitation, stayed in and assumed command. He personally initiated the move of forcefully pushing out the journalists, aides and assembly staff, gave instructions for the seizure of the gadgets and cameras, and forbade them from any further coverage, threatening to lock and detain anybody who goes against his directive. This is the height of assault in a democratic setting.

Naturally, we did explain to him that the impeachment exercise was carried out based upon the constitutionally demanded signature of not less than 18 members of the House and offered him a copy of the proceedings, which he collected and tore into shreds in our presence.

The Chairman of the APC, the former Speaker and the CP had a 60-second discussion at the Speaker’s conference room, as subsequent events would show, they have invited and summoned via telephone calls the Chairman of the Ondo State Chapter of the NURTW, Mr. Jacob Adebo, A.K.A. Idajo who came into the House of Assembly with not less than two hundred thugs who came with different sizes of guns, axes, machetes, charms, cudgels, broken bottles and other dangerous weapons, and immediately started shooting uncontrollably, sporadically inside the assembly complex, attacking everybody violently.

They destroyed several vehicles and even structures worth millions of Naira, beat up mercilessly hundreds of people. As we speak, honourable members, staff, and visitors to the assembly complex are hospitalised in different hospitals across the state receiving treatment as they battle for survival.

It is instructive that in spite of the heavy presence of the Police officers, the CP who had showed his disaffection and unsatisfactory conduct stood arms akimbo supervising the thugs as the violent acts were playing out without lifting a finger to stop or even attempt to control them.

All the policemen and officers simply looked on. Those we turned to inform us that they had instructions from the CP who in turn had instructions from the Governor not to intervene as the NURTW thugs had a field day.

When a few conscientious officers attempted to rescue one of us, even the clothing of a DSS officer who offered help to stop the ravaging thugs was torn, the CP was heard to the hearing of many of us to encourage the demonic acts displayed by the thugs as he affirmed plainly that whatever happens here is as a result of the trouble she (female Honourable) initiated and caused for herself.

It would interest you, Sir that in the entire operation, the CP merely stood on the balcony and put his arm on the balustrade laughing and “gisting” with another female officer while all this was going on. This is shameful and uncomplimentary of a senior police officer who remains the cause of the public disgrace that enveloped the assembly.

It was obvious even to the blind that the NURTW Chairman, Idajo and his goons came with intent to kill and maim, destroy and disrupt, make the assembly complex unsafe for humans, yet the Commissioner of Police looked on while they had a field day.

Sir, to the hearing of the Commissioner, 'Idajo' and his men threatened that they would go to the home of each of the members and kill them and their family members. As we speak, most of us have our families in Akure, unsafe and unsecured, and those of us who are not in hospitals have taken ourselves to a remote village in our state. Even now, our lives and those of our family members are in great danger as 'Idajo' and his men are still on the prowl looking for whom they would destroy.

Understandably sir, we can no longer entrust our safety into the hands of the Police in Ondo State as Commissioner Adeyanju has shown without any doubt that he would always dance to the tune of Governor Akeredolu.

We humbly appeal to you to please save our souls from destruction being peddled by the men of the NURTW in Ondo State under the evil leadership of 'Idajo' who seems to also have the police as his backing and shield.

Furthermore, we also appeal to you to cause investigation into CP Adeyanju’s actions in the circumstance and immediately redeploy him outside of Ondo State as his activities in the state have shown that he will always be a destructive willing tool in the hands of the Governor to pillage our budding democracy.

The House of Assembly is an arm of government and the Police of Ondo State particularly under CP Adeyanju have always lent themselves to the Executive as instrument of oppression against this arm upon which the baby of democracy lays. As such, we hereby request for police protection for the 18 members of the House of Assembly. We also demanded that the duo of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and Chairman of APC, Ade Adetimehin be investigated and unfortunate saga be exposed.

We demand for the arrest and full prosecution of 'Idajo' and his henchmen whom we are sure are close friends and allies of the Commissioner of Police Adeyanju in their unjustified belief that the only person they came to serve is the Governor of Ondo State and his wishes.

Do accept our profound appreciation for a quick response to this petition, as our lives have been unjustifiable disrupted and put on hold since the unwarranted assault on us.

We attached herewith pictorial evidence of this unfortunate incident and thank for your anticipated quick intervention.

Also, attached sir, is the Notice of impeachment duly signed by the 18 members of the House being two-third member of our 26-member House.

Do accept the assurance of our utmost loyalty. Warmest regards

Signed

Hon. Araoyinbo Olugbenga Joseph, Majority Leader, Ondo State House of Assembly

Rt. Hon. Fajolu Abimbola, Deputy Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly

Rt. Hon. Olamide George, Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly

Police News Petitions AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Lawmakers of the Ondo State House of Assembly have petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, over threats to their lives and families as a result of the impeachment saga in the parliamentary house.

According to the 18 lawmakers, they no longer feel secure as the claim that members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) led by their Chairman, Jacob Adebo, popularly known as ‘Idajo’, have threatened to deal with them and their families if they return to the state Assembly complex.

The lawmakers alleged that although some of them have taken refuge in villages and remote areas of the state, while some injured during the attack on the state assembly were still in the hospital, their families are now being trailed by members of the NURTW in the state.

They claim in the petition that the Ondo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ade Adetimehin, stormed the complex and supported the actions of the NURTW members, while policemen and other security agents drafted to the house looked away.

SaharaReporters exclusively obtained the copies of the petition, dated November 10, 2018, which copied the office of the President, Vice-President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations), Assistant Inspector General of Police and the Director General, Directorate of State Services.

Olamide George, the new Speaker; Fajolu Abimbola, Deputy Speaker, and Araoyinbo Olugbenga Joseph, Majority Leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly jointly signed the copies of the petition, which was also addressed to the State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Chairman of the APC National Working Committee.

The lawmakers also demanded the immediate redeployment of the State Commissioner of Police, Gbenga Adeyanju, whom they claimed is always on the side of the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.

THE PETITION IN FULL:

Dear Sir,

ASSAULT, THREAT TO LIFE AND ABUSE OF AUTHORITY BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, ONDO STATE COMMAND, GBENGA ADEYANJU, GOVERNOR OLUWAROTIMI AKEREDOLU (SAN) AND THE APC ONDO STATE CHAIRMAN ADE ADETIMEHIN

We the undersigned being the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Majority Leader on behalf of members of the Ondo State House of Assembly present this petition of Assault, Threat to Life, and Abuse of Authority by the above mentioned persons.

We sat in the House of Assembly of Ondo State on Friday 9th November 2018 for the purpose of conducting House business, among which was the removal of Rt (Hon) Oleyeloogun Bamidele and Iroju Ogundeji, erstwhile Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.

After a new Speaker and Deputy Speaker had emerged, the former Speaker stormed the Chamber along with thugs and proceeded to disrupt the proceedings by physically assaulting Hon. Mrs. Jumoke Akindele, whom he had apparently learnt was the pro tem Speaker as well as some other members.

The House adjourned to the Speaker’s office after the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide George and Rt. Hon. Abimbola Fajolu had taken the oath of office.

We suddenly saw the Chairman of APC in the state; Ade Adetimehin who came threatening that he has the authority of the Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to deal with anyone who would not heed his plea to return the erstwhile Speaker Hon Oleyeloogun to office.

Following closely after this was the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, Mr. Gbenga Adeyanju, who stated clearly that he had express instructions of Governor Akeredolu to “evacuate and flush out" every member from the House by all means possible.

It is instructive at this point that we had, among ourselves, restored peace and the presence of the Police was definitely not necessary.

Mr. Adeyanju came in with not less than fifty battle-ready, fatigue-wearing men of the Police to physically assault honourable members by slapping, pushing and hitting them. This to us is embarrassing as men of the Police force are meant to be enforcers of the law and not law breakers.

He and his men came into the office of the Speaker without any just cause or invitation, stayed in and assumed command. He personally initiated the move of forcefully pushing out the journalists, aides and assembly staff, gave instructions for the seizure of the gadgets and cameras, and forbade them from any further coverage, threatening to lock and detain anybody who goes against his directive. This is the height of assault in a democratic setting.

Naturally, we did explain to him that the impeachment exercise was carried out based upon the constitutionally demanded signature of not less than 18 members of the House and offered him a copy of the proceedings, which he collected and tore into shreds in our presence.

The Chairman of the APC, the former Speaker and the CP had a 60-second discussion at the Speaker’s conference room, as subsequent events would show, they have invited and summoned via telephone calls the Chairman of the Ondo State Chapter of the NURTW, Mr. Jacob Adebo, A.K.A. Idajo who came into the House of Assembly with not less than two hundred thugs who came with different sizes of guns, axes, machetes, charms, cudgels, broken bottles and other dangerous weapons, and immediately started shooting uncontrollably, sporadically inside the assembly complex, attacking everybody violently.

They destroyed several vehicles and even structures worth millions of Naira, beat up mercilessly hundreds of people. As we speak, honourable members, staff, and visitors to the assembly complex are hospitalised in different hospitals across the state receiving treatment as they battle for survival.

It is instructive that in spite of the heavy presence of the Police officers, the CP who had showed his disaffection and unsatisfactory conduct stood arms akimbo supervising the thugs as the violent acts were playing out without lifting a finger to stop or even attempt to control them.

All the policemen and officers simply looked on. Those we turned to inform us that they had instructions from the CP who in turn had instructions from the Governor not to intervene as the NURTW thugs had a field day.

When a few conscientious officers attempted to rescue one of us, even the clothing of a DSS officer who offered help to stop the ravaging thugs was torn, the CP was heard to the hearing of many of us to encourage the demonic acts displayed by the thugs as he affirmed plainly that whatever happens here is as a result of the trouble she (female Honourable) initiated and caused for herself.

It would interest you, Sir that in the entire operation, the CP merely stood on the balcony and put his arm on the balustrade laughing and “gisting” with another female officer while all this was going on. This is shameful and uncomplimentary of a senior police officer who remains the cause of the public disgrace that enveloped the assembly.

It was obvious even to the blind that the NURTW Chairman, Idajo and his goons came with intent to kill and maim, destroy and disrupt, make the assembly complex unsafe for humans, yet the Commissioner of Police looked on while they had a field day.

Sir, to the hearing of the Commissioner, 'Idajo' and his men threatened that they would go to the home of each of the members and kill them and their family members. As we speak, most of us have our families in Akure, unsafe and unsecured, and those of us who are not in hospitals have taken ourselves to a remote village in our state. Even now, our lives and those of our family members are in great danger as 'Idajo' and his men are still on the prowl looking for whom they would destroy.

Understandably sir, we can no longer entrust our safety into the hands of the Police in Ondo State as Commissioner Adeyanju has shown without any doubt that he would always dance to the tune of Governor Akeredolu.

We humbly appeal to you to please save our souls from destruction being peddled by the men of the NURTW in Ondo State under the evil leadership of 'Idajo' who seems to also have the police as his backing and shield.

Furthermore, we also appeal to you to cause investigation into CP Adeyanju’s actions in the circumstance and immediately redeploy him outside of Ondo State as his activities in the state have shown that he will always be a destructive willing tool in the hands of the Governor to pillage our budding democracy.

The House of Assembly is an arm of government and the Police of Ondo State particularly under CP Adeyanju have always lent themselves to the Executive as instrument of oppression against this arm upon which the baby of democracy lays. As such, we hereby request for police protection for the 18 members of the House of Assembly. We also demanded that the duo of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and Chairman of APC, Ade Adetimehin be investigated and unfortunate saga be exposed.

We demand for the arrest and full prosecution of 'Idajo' and his henchmen whom we are sure are close friends and allies of the Commissioner of Police Adeyanju in their unjustified belief that the only person they came to serve is the Governor of Ondo State and his wishes.

Do accept our profound appreciation for a quick response to this petition, as our lives have been unjustifiable disrupted and put on hold since the unwarranted assault on us.

We attached herewith pictorial evidence of this unfortunate incident and thank for your anticipated quick intervention.

Also, attached sir, is the Notice of impeachment duly signed by the 18 members of the House being two-third member of our 26-member House.

Do accept the assurance of our utmost loyalty. Warmest regards

Signed

Hon. Araoyinbo Olugbenga Joseph, Majority Leader, Ondo State House of Assembly

Rt. Hon. Fajolu Abimbola, Deputy Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly

Rt. Hon. Olamide George, Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly

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