IYANDA'SBLOG

01/31/21

Buhari's APC Membership Revalidation With 10 APC Governors Wasteful, Disgraceful, Irresponsible – AAC

The African Action Congress has described President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress as disgraceful after 10 governors belonging to the party accompanied the President to revalidate his membership of their party in his hometown, Daura in Katsina State on Saturday.

Ahmad Lawan, President of the Senate, was also part of the President’s entourage.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, had disclosed the members of the entourage in a statement, saying, “The President’s registration exercise in Daura was attended by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; 10 governors, including the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, who is the Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee, and other party stalwarts.”

However, a statement on Sunday by the AAC, formed by the 2019 presidential candidate Omoyele Soyore, described the actions of the APC stalwarts as wasteful.

The statement by Ameen Abdul, Chairmen of the AAC, Federal Capital Territory, on Sunday, titled, ‘Buhari’s APC membership revalidation trip; A Crystal Display Of Resource Wastefulness, Cluelessness and Idleness By Buhari's APC,’ also noted that the action was irresponsible.

It read in part, “The President has once again shown to the globe how idle and irresponsible he and his party men can be with taxpayers’ monies and national resources.

“The needless revalidation of membership of a clearly demystified and politically evaporated party like the APC, is a clear pointer and reminder that the current leadership lacks every human and technological know-how to move Nigeria and Nigerians to the desired next level.

“Buhari's led APC has not failed to ridicule and disgrace Nigeria before the global community every time the opportunity supplies itself. A simple digital computation would have saved the country and her citizens this disgrace and wasteful adventure of taxpayers’ money.

“It would have also brought about verifiable data of Nigerians who are members of the APC and not their usual way of manipulating figures as accustomed with their nature.

“The governors would have been seen as responsible if only they had supplied such energy into development, security, employment and education of their constituents other than lazing around in Daura, while abandoning their constitutional responsibility!”

Beyond the issue of wastefulness, the party also frowned upon Buhari’s violation of the COVID-19 protocols, especially as the President had on Wednesday signed a new law prescribing six-month jail term for persons convicted for disobeying any COVID-19 guideline.

Although most of the provisions were already in place, the legal instrument provided a basis for the prosecution of defaulters.

As provided in the Quarantine Act, section 34 of the new law states that any offence under the regulation is punishable by a fine or a term of six months imprisonment or both.

The law provides for the maintenance of physical distance in gatherings, while all persons in such public places must, among other things, wear face masks, wash their hands and have their temperature checked before entering such venues.

It also restricts gathering of more than 50 persons in an enclosed space “except for religious purposes, in which case the gathering shall not exceed 50 percent capacity of the space”.

It further mandates institutions such as schools, banks and worship centres to enforce existing guidelines to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

However, the President failed to adhere to the protocols, thereby violating the law during the validation of his membership of the APC at Sarkin Yara Ward in Daura.

On the violation, the AAC said, “Aside from being a jamboree, waste of national resources, show of idleness, total cluelessness on the usage of technology and a concrete show of no vision, the President also went there to flout the order he signed recently to convict anyone seen in a public space without a face mask.

“It is clear that the APC has lost touch with the people and contemporary realities amidst poverty, insecurity, unemployment, educational bankruptcy, bad healthcare facilities and sardonic corruption in the land if Buhari's major concern and priority is on membership revalidation and baseless trips.”

Politics News AddThis : Original Author : Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements :
https://ift.tt/36tjO85

Buhari's APC Membership Revalidation With 10 APC Governors Wasteful, Disgraceful, Irresponsible – AAC

Ahmad Lawan, President of the Senate, was also part of the President’s entourage.

However, a statement on Sunday by the AAC, formed by the 2019 presidential candidate Omoyele Soyore, described the actions of the APC stalwarts as wasteful.

It read in part, “The President has once again shown to the globe how idle and irresponsible he and his party men can be with taxpayers’ monies and national resources.

“It would have also brought about verifiable data of Nigerians who are members of the APC and not their usual way of manipulating figures as accustomed with their nature.

Although most of the provisions were already in place, the legal instrument provided a basis for the prosecution of defaulters.

As provided in the Quarantine Act, section 34 of the new law states that any offence under the regulation is punishable by a fine or a term of six months imprisonment or both.

It also restricts gathering of more than 50 persons in an enclosed space “except for religious purposes, in which case the gathering shall not exceed 50 percent capacity of the space”.

It further mandates institutions such as schools, banks and worship centres to enforce existing guidelines to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

However, the President failed to adhere to the protocols, thereby violating the law during the validation of his membership of the APC at Sarkin Yara Ward in Daura.

Politics News AddThis : Original Author : Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements :
https://ift.tt/36tjO85

Lagos Police Arrest Female Armed Robbery Suspect, 14 Others

Hakeem Odumosu

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 15 armed robbery suspects, including a lady, a statement on Sunday signed by its spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, read.

Ogunjobi, in the statement, said that the suspects were picked up at various locations in Lagos following reports on their criminal activities.

Hakeem Odumosu

“The police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command, between Friday 29th and Saturday 30th January, 2021, arrested 13 suspected traffic robbers in Oshodi and Ketu (Alausa) areas of the state, as it intensifies efforts in mopping up criminals suspected to be attacking motorists and commuters in traffic,” it read.

“The arrest came on the heels of the four-day surveillance on blackspots in Oshodi and Alausa (Ketu) with a view to weeding out criminals in the areas where it was reliably gathered that the suspects, most of whom pretend to be load carriers in Oshodi, abscond with travellers' loads at dawn and at night. It has also been gathered that they often attack and rob unsuspecting Lagosians, especially travellers and commuters, in the areas.

“The suspects were picked up by the Rapid Response Squad's (RRS) Commander, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi-led team between 10:45pm on Friday and 4:30am on Saturday at Oshodi Oke and Alausa respectively.

“The suspects that were picked up in Oshodi included Tinuola Ajibola, male, (18); Adeniji Farouk, male, (16); Wale Ajetunmobi, male, (24); Chibueze Okasa, male, (17); Taiwo Goodluck, male, (36); Sodiq Timileyin, male, (23); Salami Alex, male, (21); Umar Abubakar, male, (20); Micheal Iroaja, male, (36); Abba Mohammed, male; (20) and Mukaila Fasepe, male, (43). While the other two suspects, Saviour Nwoko (21) and Ayomide David (19) were caught in the act by the team at different locations, with (a) machete and stolen phones in Alausa, Lagos.

“David, alias Sharwama, one of the suspects and ex-convict, has disclosed to the police that his gang used to operate along Olowopopo Road, Ojodu and Ojota.

“In another development, police operatives attached to the Meiran Division of the command arrested two suspected armed robbers at Ikola Ipaja Bridge, while on pin down point, on 27th January, 2021 at 11.20pm. The suspects were stopped on a motorbike before they were arrested and searched. Upon searching them, one locally-made pistol, charms and weed suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from them.

“The two suspects are Oluwadamilare Folami, male, 22 and Desire Chukwu, female, 21.”

CRIME Police News AddThis : Original Author : Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements :
https://ift.tt/30pDTsG

Crisis Rocks Kaduna PDP As Faction Emerges

All seems not to be well with the Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a new faction known as the ‘Restoration Group’ has emerged with a plan to form a parallel leadership.

The new faction has a former Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Dogara Mato, and former PDP senatorial candidate, Ubale, as members.

Addressing a news conference at the end of their meeting on Saturday, the group vowed to set up a parallel party secretariat if its members fail to see what they termed as the right approach and right attitude towards faithful and loyal members.

It faulted the last congress that produced the ward, local and state executives of the party, insisting it would not recognise the current chairman in the state, Hassan Hyet, and other executive members of the party due to what it termed as their illegal emergence.

The group also claimed that due process and adherence to the party’s election guidelines were not followed during the congress.

Therefore, according to the group, all the elected members will not be recognised as leaders of the party.

Politics News AddThis : Original Author : Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements :
https://ift.tt/2OsabvX

Crisis Rocks Kaduna PDP As Faction Emerges

The new faction has a former Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Dogara Mato, and former PDP senatorial candidate, Ubale, as members.

The group also claimed that due process and adherence to the party’s election guidelines were not followed during the congress.

Therefore, according to the group, all the elected members will not be recognised as leaders of the party.

Politics News AddThis : Original Author : Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements :
https://ift.tt/2OsabvX

India Man Narrates Experience Hiring ‘Honest Nigerian’ After Dad Claims People From Nigeria Tend To Cheat

An Indian man, Adi Suja, has said his father warned him to be wary of people from Nigeria after he (father) got to know he hired a Nigerian.

Suja, who is the founder and Chief Growth Officer of The Growth Club, disclosed this on his LinkedIn page.

He said the Nigerian who has worked with him for the past 8 months has however proved his father wrong.

He said, “Yes, he's from Nigeria. He's one of our writers. Nigeria? Be careful. Nigerians tend to cheat. When we started offering content marketing services, one of our first content hires was a Nigerian.

“When we found him on Upwork, he'd been looking for work for months. We gave him a test task. Good writing. Research. He put time into his work.

“We hired him. Over the next 8 months, he created content for multiple clients & partners. Worked with us through cash slumps. Irregular deadlines & requirements.

“After a Skype call with him one day, my dad popped a question: 'Who's Rodgers? Saw you having a call with him. Where is he from?' Yes, he's from Nigeria. He's one of our writers.

“Nigeria? Be careful. Nigerians tend to cheat. I didn't know what to say. Couldn't get my mind off it even after I got back to work. My dad was wrong. Gullibility & some bad experiences had caused my dad to not trust Nigerians.

“I know: They have a bad rep because of some scammers. But when we generalise an entire nation based on the actions of a few. We're stooping down to the level of the dimwits who run the scams.

“I think it's high time we focus on the qualities Africans should be known for: Hard work, passion & culture.”

Reacting, another Indian, Vishal Vasudev Nair, said, “Adi, I have been working in Nigeria for past 5 years, as in every country, there are good people and bad people. Let me say 90% of Nigerians are good and want to earn their money through hard work. They are the most hard-working chaps I have ever met.”

Business News AddThis : Original Author : Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements :
https://ift.tt/36tUNK6

Saudi human rights under new spotlight in Biden era

Ethiopia's Tigray crisis: What a blind man's death reveals

Now and then: Iceland's vanishing glaciers

Three lives, one message: Stop killing Mexico's transgender women

Romania's young history fans battle to save imperial spa resort

Saba Sahar: 'I survived a Taliban assassination attempt'

Life in a Day 2020: Kevin Macdonald says documentary 'reinforces everyone's similarities'

Have US police departments become too militarised?

Impostor syndrome: 'I feel like I don't deserve my success'

Sack National Security Adviser, Monguno Over Worsening Banditry, Zamfara Residents Tell Buhari

NSA Monguno

Some residents of Zamfara State have called for the sacking of the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, over the worsening state of insecurity and incessant attacks by bandits in the state.

The residents, who spoke with SaharaReporters, said the NSA has failed in his duty to coordinate the security affairs of the country as expected of him.

NSA Babagana Monguno

This is coming less than a week after President Muhammadu Buhari changed the service chiefs in the country.

According to media reports, not less than 20 persons have been killed by bandits in different parts of Zamfara in January 2020 alone.

The latest attack occurred on Thursday when bandits killed two people and vandalised properties in Magarya community, hometown of the Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Nasiru Muazu Magarya.

The residents, who claimed to have been victims of bandit attacks, noted that the new service chiefs would be handicapped by Monguno's alleged ineptitude in the task of securing the country.

“The NSA advises the president on the actions to take. If the service chiefs were changed and the NSA remains, the new service chiefs will not make meaningful achievements.

“The NSA has proven that he is a very incompetent person. He cannot coordinate the security affairs of the country very well, so he is supposed to go,” said Umaru, a resident of Zurmi Local Government Area in the state.

Another resident, who introduced him simply as Usman, queried why the president decided to retain Monguno in the recent security shake-up in the country.

He said: “The NSA should also go since the service chiefs have been changed because of incompetence and worsening security situation in the country.

“If the service chiefs were changed because of that, what is the NSA still doing on his seat; he is supposed to be changed too.

“He is supposed to coordinate the security affairs of the country but the security has deteriorated under him. If service chiefs could be changed then he should also go.”

The residents also lamented the unchecked attacks by bandits, forcing many residents to flee the state.

They also urged the president to ensure there is more military presence in the state to prevent further deaths and destruction of property.

“We have witnessed so many deaths and destruction of property, so we are calling on the president to direct the service chiefs to deploy more police and soldiers to the state,” the residents said.

Insecurity News AddThis : Original Author : Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements :
https://ift.tt/2PmUvMn

40% Of Nigerian Lawmakers, Over 12 Governors Are Gays, Nigerian Actor, Uche Maduagwu Alleges

Nollywood actor, Uche Maduagwu.

Nollywood actor, Uche Maduagwu, has alleged that 40 percent of the current lawmakers and over 12 state governors are homosexuals but are in the closet.

Maduagwu, who recently disclosed that he is gay, also called on the US President, Joe Biden, to place sanctions on the Nigerian government over the 2014 anti-gay law.

Nollywood actor, Uche Maduagwu.

The law was signed by ex-president Goodluck Jonathan and it prohibits all forms of gay relationships in Nigeria. The law also states that a 14-year jail term awaits anyone caught in an act of homosexuality.

However, Maduagwu, known for attacking other actors and important personalities via his Instagram page asked the new US President to sanction the Nigerian government over the law.

He said, “Dear President Joe Biden. I am proudly gay, and I beg you to place sanctions on Nigerian government for its inhuman laws against law-abiding homosexuals.

“This same government pampers wicked Fulani herdsmen who kidnap and cause trouble in the southern part of Nigeria.

“We are tired and scared despite the fact that more than 40 percent of current legislatures and over twelve governors are homosexuals in naija (Nigeria); why the hypocrisy?”

Sex News AddThis : Original Author : Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements :
https://ift.tt/3t9AbjQ

Makinde's N65m Car Gifts For Adedibu's Widow, N45m For Taye Currency, Others Cause Controversy In PDP

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has spent about N2 billion on cars for his loyalists in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and state House of Assembly, SaharaReporters has learnt.

A source close to the government informed SaharaReporters that Makinde purchased a 2020 Toyota Prado SUV worth N65 million for Alhaja Abosede Adedibu, wife of the late political leader in Ibadan, Chief Lamidi Adedibu.

The source further revealed that a 2020 model of SUV worth N45 million, was also given to a Fuji musician in Ibadan, Taye Currency, while a 2020 Toyota LX 570 SUV was bought for Mutiat Ladoja, wife of a former governor of the state, Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja.

Also, each of the state executive committee of the party also got over N2 million worth of car gift from the governor as reward for their support for him.

Governor Makinde had in December 2019 obtained N2 billion loan to purchase cars for 32 members of Oyo State House of Assembly.

The loan made a former prosecutor with the Special Presidential Panel on Recovery of Public Property, Tosin Ojaomo, to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over fraud allegations in the purchase of about N1.03bn worth of official cars for members of the Oyo State House of Asembly.

According to the petition dated December 7, 2020, the contract, which was executed by a firm (name withheld), was for the procurement of 33 Toyota Camry cars for the House of Assembly members and the Clerk at N759m as well as two Toyota Hilux pick-up vans for the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, at N40m.

Two Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs valued at N106m were also purchased for the Deputy Speaker, Abiodun Fadeyi, and as Ogundoyin’s back-up vehicles, the petition stated.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that Ojaomo, in his petition, alleged that the contract was for the supply of new 2019 vehicle models but noted that refurbished models were supplied instead.

The lawyer claimed that the contract was fraudulently arranged to favour the contractor instead of Elizade Motors and Mandilas Motors which also tendered quotations.

He added that the alleged scam was discovered when some of the 33 cars supplied by the contractor started having mechanical and electrical problems few days after delivery to the lawmakers.

Ojaomo, therefore, asked the EFCC to recover the full contract sum from the firm.

The petition read in part, “My petition stemmed from recent findings that the sum of N1,031,380,000 earmarked by the Oyo State Assembly for the purchase of vehicles for honourable members of the House was diverted by the Speaker and Deputy Speaker with the connivance of a company contracted to handle the purchase and supply of cars to the House members.

“The contract was awarded for the supply of brand new Toyota Camry 2019 models but instead of supplying new cars, he went ahead to supply refurbished vehicles and cleaned up the mileage in order to make them look like new ones.”

When asked about the probe, the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said, “Petitions go through a vetting process and it is premature to comment further at this stage.”

The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Kazeem Olayanju, described the allegations as false.

“I was not able to reach the Speaker to hear from him but from my little findings, they are false allegations,” he stated.

A strong member of the party in Egbeda Local Government Area of the state, who spoke on condition of anonymity, demanded explanation over Makinde's car gifts as reward for loyalty.

He said many PDP members are not happy with the style of leadership of the party in the recent time, saying, "We have done our best. Our comon members are not really getting anything from the party while some are being rewarded with car gifts."

Another member who confirmed the story to SaharaReporters said though he didn't know the price of those cars, they were well deserved gifts for the beneficiaries.

Corruption Politics Scandal News AddThis : Original Author : Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements :
https://ift.tt/3tbiEru

Makinde's N65m Car Gifts For Adedibu's Widow, N45m For Taye Currency, Others Cause Controversy In PDP

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has spent about N2 billion on cars for his loyalists in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and state House of Assembly, SaharaReporters has learnt.