PRESIDENT BUHARI SIGNS PEACE ACCORD

Details of the the peace accord signed by some presidential aspirants ahead of 2019 general elections has been released. The accord is an undertaking by all the presidential candidates to ensure peaceful and rancour free campaigns before, during and after the 2019 general elections. The peace accord, which was also signed by all presidential candidates before the 2015 election, is the brainchild of former head of state, Abdusalami Abubakar. According to Premium Times, Below are the agreement signed at the event which was held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja 1. To run issue-based campaigns at national, state and local government levels; In this, we pledge to refrain from campaigns that will involve religious incitement ethnic or tribal profiling, both by ourselves and by all agents acting in our names; 2. To refrain from making or causing to make in our names or that of our party, any public statements, pronouncements, declarations or speeches that have the capacity to incite any form of violence before, during and after the elections; 3. To commit themselves and political parties to the monitoring of the adherence to the accord by a National Peace Committee made up of respected statesmen and women, traditional and religious leaders; 4. To support all the institutions of government including INEC and security agencies to act and be seen to act with impartiality 5. To forcefully and publicly speak out against provocative utterances and oppose all acts of electoral violence, whether perpetrated by supporters and/or opponents.

Hon Emakpor visits Barr. EI Adoh-Ogbuta

Hon Emakpor aka the Obama paid a visit to consult the Deputy national Legal Adviser,Barr. EI Adoh-Ogbuta over the weekend. The atmosphere was charged owing to the crowd that arrived the place of our leader with Hon Emakpor.After all said and done,Barr Adoh advised that as a family,we should pursue our aspirations diligently without blackmail and scandalizing others. Emekume Vincent SA to the Deputy National legal Adviser

BARR E.I ADOH-OGBUTA (ALL PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS NATIONAL LEGAL ADVISER)

It was a day to remember as Christ faithfuls of Corpus Christi Catholic church Obiaruku launched/unveiled their harvest 2018 banner. The Chief launcher of the day, our very own National Deputy Legal Adviser of the All Progressive Congress Barr (Sir) E.I Adoh-Ogbuta was there in person to do justice to a task he is used to doing.It was a successful exercise.

COMRADE VINCENT EMEKUME SA MEDIA AND PUBLICITY

Engr (mrs) Doris Uboh Consults for Senate

August 28th 2018 will not be forgotten in hurry as the Engr (Mrs) Doris Uboh campaign team got to the home of the National Deputy legal adviser of the All Progressive Congress in the person of Sir (Barr) E.I Adoh-Ogbuta for consultation and notification of interest. At about 3:30 pm she arrived with her entourage and was received by the party's national leader who was on hand to welcome her and her team. During her speech,she charismatically told the National leader Deputy Legal dviser and all present that she is interested in the Delta North Senatorial ticket to represent the zone at the Senate. She went on to reel out her experience as a lawmaker.How she attracted projects to her constituency as a Representative and how she intend to do same if she gets the ticket to the Senate. The Deputy National Legal Adviser of the All Progressive Congress (APC),Barr (Sir) E.I Adoh-Ogbuta KSM advised her and all present to work together to achieve the needed victory in the forthcoming general election in Nigeria and Delta State.He told all present to work together with aspirants to smoothen APC ascension to power in Delta State. Barr (Sir) Adoh-Ogbuta admonished all present to jettison the idea of fighting within the party to ensure that our victory is a collective one. EMEKUME VINCENT Media Assistant to the National Deputy Legal Adviser All Progressive Congress(APC)

Uduaghan Confirms Plan To Defect To APC And Dump PDP.

ASABA- FORMER Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Udaughan, has finally confirmed that he will dump the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, for the All Progressives Congress, APC. Speaking on phone to Vanguard, Thursday evening, the former governor said there was pressure on him to come to APC, but it was not an affair of the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. “The situation is more from the situation on ground in PDP and my political future. I am also looking at my political future and those of my followers. I have studied the political terrain and I believe the Delta should not be in opposition,” he said. Asked if Comrade Oshiomhole had discussed his movement to APC with him, Uduaghan said: Yes, I am talking with Oshiomhole, we are discussing like old colleagues, it is not a pressure, he would wish that I come over, but I also told him that I have a leader, Chief James Onanefe Ibori and they should have a discussion with him.” An APC chieftain, who spoke to Vanguard corroborated Uduaghan’s claim, saying: “Uduaghan and Oshiomhole are ex-governors and friends, so when the matter came up regarding Uduaghan joining APC, he made it clear that he has a political leader, who is Chief James Ibori.” His words: “He told Oshiomhole and those, who spoke to him to discuss with Ibori because as far as he is concerned, there is no competition between him (Oshiomhole) and Ibori over who is his political leader. Ibori is his leader and I do not think that Oshiomhole will contest that.” The stalwart added: “There are a lot of issues and undercurrents regarding Uduaghan and his movement to APC, which will not be dragged to the media just now. We have to watch.” Findings by Vanguard indicated that the former governor may in the next few days register as an APC member and pick the party’s senatorial ticket for a battle with Senator James Manager for the Delta South senatorial ticket. He is also expected to work with other APC leaders in the state, including Chief Great Ogboru, who he defeated in the gubernatorial elections to deliver the state to APC in 2019. Uduaghan’s new move after many thought that he had been pacified by Chief Ibori, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and others will certainly change political calculations in the state for 2019. His decision to join APC has also enlivened many of his followers, who were taken aback at his initial resolution to stay back after some PDP leaders rushed to appeal to him.

THE BUHARI FACTOR

President Muhammadu Buhari and some ministers have returned the sum of N118 billion to the national treasury as unused capital budget for the 2017 fiscal year This amount represents 8.1 percent of N1.4 trillion which was the total capital budget released and almost four times the size of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) budget in 2017, which was N30.3billion. Out of the N10.9billion released to the presidency as its capital budget, only N10.7 billion was utilised leaving a total of N200million as unused which was returned to the treasury according to the document. According to a document titled, “2017 capital performance for ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) as at June 12, 2018” obtained from office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Babatunde Fashola of the Ministry of Works, Power and Housing topped the list of Ministers with highest amount of capital budget balance returned to the government coffer. While Ministries of Works, Power and Housing has N66.9billion, Ministry of Trade and Investment returned N22.8 billion as unused capital budget. Other ministries and agencies of the Federal Government in the category of top ten unused capital budget include, Office of the National Security Adviser with N6.1billion, Ministry of Finance, N4.3billion, Ministry of Health N3.5billion, office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation N3 billion. Also, Ministry of Education has N1.8b, while Ministry of Solid Minerals and Water Resources with N1.4b and N1.1b respectively. The National Population Commission (NPC) has N33.4 million, Ministry of Environment with N24.8 million and Head of Service, N13.1 million. The Ministry of Youth Development has N1.9 million followed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs which has N2.5 million and Ministry of Labour and Employment that has N3.2million, Others are Ministry of Interior, N4.5million, Fiscal Responsibility Commission N5.7 million, Niger Delta Ministry, N5.9 million and Defence which has N6.9million. This amounted to N101.5million. However, the National Emergency Agency (NEMA) whose emergency readiness has been suspect has as much as N193million unused capital budget. Out of the total releases which stood at N266 million, only N72.5 million was utilized leaving a balance of N193.5 million at a time the agency’s air ambulance and rescue helicopters were grounded over expired insurance policy that cost between N20million and N17 million for the two aircraft respectively. The document also revealed that the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) did not utilize the entire N375 million released to it for capital project while the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) also failed to use its allocation of N298 million. DAILY POST reports that the execution of the 2017 budget was also adversely impacted by the late passage of the Budget as well as the shortfall in the expected oil and non-oil revenue receipts. This has never happened before in Nigeria. GOD BLESS NIGERIA.

Makarfi deserves to win PDP ticket for 2019

I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news to some who may consider it so. I gave it straight to you last week when I told you that Sen. Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi should be the PDP Nominee for President. And now I have even more awful, depressing news for you: Makarfi WILL WIN in August . This wretched, ignorant, dangerous Buhari and full time miscue is not going to be our next president again but President Makarfi! Go ahead and say the words, ‘cause you’ll be saying them for the next four years: "TO UNIFY NIGERIA AND CREATE A PEACEFUL SECURED ENVIRONMENT IS A NATIONAL PROJECT" -PRESIDENT MAKARFI. Never in my life have I wanted to be proven wrong more than I do right now. I can see what you’re doing right now. You’re shaking your head wildly – “No, VICTOR , this won’t happen!” Unfortunately, you are living in a bubble that comes with an adjoining echo chamber where you and your friends are convinced the Nigerian people are not going to elect an unpopular Man for President. You need to exit that bubble right now. You need to stop living in denial and face the truth which you know deep down is very, very real. Trying to soothe yourself with the facts – “67% of the electorate are youth & women, people of young adults under 40 and Makarfi will win a majority of of them!” – The Nigeria Youth Project (NYP) – “people aren’t going to vote for a failed administration of the APC against their own best interests!” – We can’t handle much more bad news from Barkin Ladi, Southern Kaduna, Zamfara, Birnin Gwari to Yola, Jalingo, Benue, Nasarawa and Nigeria Delta. So our mental state goes to default when something scary is actually, truly happening. The first priority of any administration is her people but we have seen how the people are abandoned for Love of Cows against Human Dignity. Nigerians are now saying our President seems to have lost control of his administrative truck, trying to tell us only by prayers we can be save. Well, folks, this isn’t an accident. It is happening. And if you believe there is any among the Presidential aspirant who has the capacity to beat a UNIFIER Per Excellent with facts and smarts and logic, then you obviously missed the past years he spent in Kaduna as governor who manages complicity and galvanized a people into one indivisible entity. As of today, as things stand now, PDP enjoys a formidable front built solidly by Sen Makarfi a true PDP General, the political Doctor of our generation,The People's Unifier. I believe this is going to happen, no aspirant will want to loose to nothing but surely something good like A Unifier – and in order to deal with it, I need the stakeholders to ensure that a man tested and trusted over times deserves 100% support for a RESCUE MISSION PART III... (KADUNA 1ST MISSION, PDP 2ND MISSION AND NOW NIGERIA 3RD ) We must first acknowledge it, and then maybe, just maybe, we can find a way out to harmonize all interests into 'The Unifier Rescue Mission' to avoid the mess we’re in. Don’t get me wrong. I have great hope for the country I live in. Things can only get better if PDP and others agree to send the Unifier on this very important mission. However, I need to assure you my humble friends that his mission shall address immediately the following: (1) The already Depressed Nigeria youth who are considered lazy by a government they practically brought to power. (2) He will fix the made depressed National Assembly, a constituency he shared affection . (3) Already hungry and depressed Nigerians whose hopes and aspirations are being killed daily. (4) A Country that desperately needs Unity, Peace and Security to guarantee Socioeconomic and Political Restructuring. (5) The restoration of our National Dignity and Cultural Values in the face of our International Business Relations. Sentiments aside, Makarfi deserves PDP's ticket for the Unifying Narratives and make great a responsible leader for all. (c)Victor Mathew Bobai Northwest Nigeria. #MakarfiTheUnifier #MakarfiForPresident2019

THIS GANG UP AGAINST PMB WILL FAIL BECAUSE IT IS WITH WRONG MOTIVE

Obasanjo removed Senate Presidents at will, removed any opposing voice, removed Fayose for a small insult, removed Ladoja with thugs in Ibadan....Who are you calling "DICTATOR"? Muhammadu Buhari......... Obasanjo withheld Lagos State fund for 3 years, not minding how Lagosians would eat, Yaradua got there and released the fund... NASS members were abusing Buhari openly, messing up everything at will, Fayose has been abusing Buhari for 4 years now..... Not a single State in Nigeria has been denied their constitutional rights because of politics till date, all their funds, Paris fund, bail out, FAAC etc... But who is the DICTATOR? BUHARI. Jonathan ensured that NASS opposition members were locked out including Tambuwa the Speaker of the house. They had to climb gate to gain access..... Jonathan empowered OPCs in Lagos and they were destroying anything in Ikorodu to Ojota that looked like opposition party. Organization of DSS was used to invade APC secretariat, Journalist arrested and Newspapers siezed, we forgot all these.... Ekiti was militarised, Fayose was given power from Aso rock to order Military guys at will. Fayemi the incumbent at that moment was rendered powerless that he was shouting when Police commissioner was used by PDP and a guy was shot...All these videos and pictures are still here (google is your friend)... But who is the dictator? BUHARI. Jonatahn met FX+ECA at $62 billion+. He DEPLETED it to less than $30 Billion in 5 years Jonathan sold crude oil for 5 years at an average of $100 per barrel of 2.2 million daily (2010-2014). Did he add a DIME to Nigeria purse in 5 years? NO. Buhari the ILLITERATE sold oil at an average of $50 of less than 700,000 barrel at some points because of militancy, yet had moved that FX to $47 Billion in 3 years. Don't say how much did he borrow if you don't even have the figure borrowed between 2010-2015 without adding a dime to FX. Who is the ILLITERATE? BUHARIIII. Jide Omokore, Aluko and oil goddess Alinson made an oil deal of N1 trillion and chose not to remit to Nigeria under GEJ. Did anyone raise eyebrow? INTEL of Atiku refused to remit to NPA, not until last year that "ordinary" Hadiza the NPA boss challenged INTEL and insisted the funds must be remitted. A Christian Professor had been leading JAMB all through Obasanjo to Jonathan yet for 40 years of JAMB, only N52 Million was remitted to FG.A Muslim Professor who was appointed just in two years of handling JAMB remitted over N15 Billion.FIFTEEN BILLION ooO. So who is following after righteousness? For five years Okonjo Iweala was paying over 45,000 ghost workers unabated, yet just within 3 years, "ordinary" Kemi Adeosun removed such nonsense.I ask again who is more effective? Ordinary Abuja metro lane took 11 years from OBJ period that he initiated it. Stop dividing us over religion, who is fooling who? Less wake up

POLICE TO ARREST SENATE PRESIDENT,SEN BUKOLA SARAKI

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said he had no objections to any plan by the police to arrest Senate President Bukola Saraki over a string of murder cases in Kwara State, facta team has learnt. The president received Inspector-General Ibrahim Idris at the State House on Friday afternoon, during which he was told of at least 20 murders allegedly linked to Mr Saraki in his home state, according to multiple sources briefed of the meeting. Sources said the police chief arrived at the State House with a cornucopia of homicide investigation documents relating to Mr Saraki. The top lawmaker could be arrested any day from now following the president’s position that the law should run its course insofar as detectives have sufficient facts to file charges. Already, the police have declared Mr Saraki a person of interest in the deadly robbery incident in Offa, the second-largest settlement in Kwara State. The police said at least 17 persons, including nine police officers, were killed and five banks raided in the April 5 attack.

PDP To Buhari: Not Too Young To Run is PDP Initiative :IN YOUR 16 YEARS IN POWER WHY DID YOU NOT INITIATE IT?

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lampoons President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for attempting to parade themselves as the architects of the ‘Not Too Young to Run Act’, which was sponsored and pursued by the PDP members in the National Assembly and State houses of assembly. It is instructive to note that President Buhari had no input whatsoever in the bill; never showed any support or enthusiasm towards the initiative and had no option than to perform a mandatory constitutional duty of assenting to the bill, as a clear reflection of the mood of the nation, given that the bill had already found an easy passage to the crucibles of the required approval of two-third of states in the federation. This development is indeed a democratic victory for the Nigerian youths over forces, particularly, the APC, that had hitherto disdained and disregarded them as lazy and inconsequential, but had to succumb to the dictates of the law and pressure by the youths and the PDP. The party commends the sponsor of the bill, Hon. Tony Nwulu (PDP, Lagos), other legislators who supported the process and the resilience of the Nigerian youths in getting the initiative through, in line with the vision of the PDP to allow younger Nigerians to actively participate in elective positions in governance at all levels. In preparation for the passage of the bill, the PDP had since launched our ‘Generation Next Movement’, which has already put younger Nigerians at vantage positions to participate in elective positions ahead of the 2019 general elections. In line with the ‘Generation Next Movement’, the rebranded PDP among other pro-youth incentives, has since approved certain critical clauses and waivers so that the young people will actively vie for positions in the 2019 general elections. In line with our dream of providing enabling environment for youths participation in elections and governance, the PDP, after winning in 2019, will further lower the age qualification to entrench our vision that ‘whoever can vote can be voted for’, which is a global standard. The PDP therefore urged the Nigerian youths to immediately take advantage of the Generation Next platform and incentives already established by the repositioned PDP and actively participate in the collective quest to rescue our nation from the misrule of the APC. Signed: Kola Ologbondiyan National Publicity Secretary

EKITI ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON FAYEMI(HE SHOULD BE DISMISSED AND JAILED)

Police ‘arrest politician behind Ekiti shooting’ as APC points finger at Fayose’s govt The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti says the state government is responsible for the shooting of Opeyemi Bamidele, a former member of the house of representatives. Bamidele was shot on Friday at the party’s secretariat during a reception organised for Kayode Fayemi, the governorship candidate for the July 14 election in Ekiti. Fayemi who resigned his ministerial appointment on Wednesday had returned to the state to kick off his campaign. Taiwo Olatunbosun, Ekiti APC publicity secretary, accused Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti governor, of spearheading the disruption. “It was a smooth ride from Akure Airport to Ikere-Ekiti where thousands of supporters came out to give him a rousing welcome,” the statement read. “Ikere-Ekiti journey to Ado-Ekiti, a distance of about nine kilometres, lasted two hours in a heavy traffic that was punctuated by four gunmen suspected to be agents of the state government who strategically positioned themselves at the party’s secretariat in Ado-Ekiti for the attack. “They fired gunshots aimed at Fayemi but hit a former lawmaker, Opeyemi Bamidele, after the former minister had taken a few steps forward before the bullets hit the target.” The party said one of the assailants dressed in mobile police uniform was apprehended and he is now helping the police in their investigation. Apart from Bamidele, the party said, “other victims in the hospital included Olabode Joshua, Olanrewaju Gbenga, Adebayo Ogunjemilehin, Ogunmodede Oluwole and Alex Adeleye”. POLICE ‘ARREST POLITICIAN BEHIND SHOOTING’ Meanwhile, Caleb Ikechukwu, the Ekiti police spokesman, told TheCable that a politician masterminded the shooting. Ikechukwu said the politician, who “has also been arrested,” conspired with the policeman to carry out the act. The policeman, he said, was posted to a bank in Lagos but travelled to Ekiti for an “illegal duty”. “At about 17:00 hours, a policeman who accidentally shot Opeyemi Bamidele and one other has been arrested. The policeman is in our custody now,” he said. “He is attached to 20 police mobile force (PMF) in Ikeja Lagos. He left where he was posted on bank guard duty somewhere in Ikeja for illegal duty in Ekiti state. “A politician conspired with the policeman and removed him from where he was posted in Lagos and both came to Ekiti for unofficial reasons. The politician has also been arrested. “The victims of the accidental discharge are currently responding to treatment at the hospital, and also the policeman who was mobbed is also responding to treatment in our protective custody.” The police PRO said he can’t disclose the identity of the politician as investigations are still ongoing. Lere Olayinka, Fayose’s spokesman, was not available for comment. Immediately the politician was arrested, both Lere Olayinka and Fayose refused picking their calls.

BREAKING NEWS: COURT RESTRAINS APC FROM RECOGNISING CYRIL OGODO OR ANY OTHER PERSON AS DELTA APC CHAIRMAN

• _The Real Battle Between David and The Goliaths of Delta State APC, Begins Few days ago when Chief Fred Obe attended the APC NWC - ordered State Congress on the 21st of May, 2018, at Asaba, political myopics, short-sighted analysts and arm-chair critics heated the airwaves with self-serving, subjective and half-baked politically incorrect publications. While some were claiming and celebrating victory despite knowing that all is not well, others wondered why Barr. (Chief) Fred Obe attended such a predetermined Congress. However, while responding to one of such malicious publications, we stated categorically that Chief Fred Obe attended the said Congress for a reason, which we said then, shall be unfolded in due course. The reason, we can now reveal, was to ensure the enthronement of internal democracy in Delta APC In furtherance of that objective, and as God will have it, the Team Fred Obe headed by the *very articulate, fearless and dogged fighter, Barr. (Chief) Fred Obe, who is undoubtedly the only Candidate that openly declared his interest to contest for the Chairmanship position of Delta APC, toured the 25 LGAs of the State to canvass for the support of Party members, met all the criteria for qualification as per NEC's zoning decision and duly participated in the APC NWC-sanctioned State Congress*, despite sundry undemocratic attempts to deny him his right to franchise, *has successfully secured an ex parte order from the Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba, restraining Chief Cyril Ogodo or any other person from parading themselves as Delta State APC Chairman*. The order also restrains the John Odigie Oyegun-led APC National Working Committee from recognising and/or dealing with Chief Cyril Ogodo or any other person as Delta State APC Chairman. It is instructive to note that Barr. (Chief) Fred Obe, who expended a lot of time, energy and resources to reach the real grassroots people of APC in Delta State and who was widely endorsed across the 25 LGAs and who was/is undeniably the most acceptable candidate for the Delta State APC Chairmanship, was not defeated in a free and fair contest but was undermined by godfathers, who appear unconcerned about the growth of the party and competent leadership in the State. The godfathers, who worked unfairly to undermine Chief Fred Obe, appear more concerned with a political party that can be solely and selfishly controlled for their personal political gains. More disturbing was the position taken by several political jobbers, who were heard making PDP-like statements, e.g "that now that Fred Obe has been successfully schemed out, he should just move on", "that this thing has been arranged from above", "that any person without godfathers and connection cannot go anywhere in APC", etc. Yet some others, who are always very vocal in self-righteous indignation when injustice is done to them or any of their own, suddenly developed collective amnesia, making it look like injustice is only injustice if meted out to them or their own, forgetting that God is God of justice for all. However, these unprogressive elements grossly underrated the man (Fred Obe) who was shortchanged. Unfortunately for them, Chief Fred Obe totally subscribes to Wole Soyinka's injunction to mankind in his epic novel "The Man Die". Indeed, today, the man in any Delta APC person will die who submits meekly to oppression and impunity. The injustice and oppression the Delta APC godfathers sought to mete on Chief Fred Obe potends grave danger for the Delta APC as a whole as an opposition party seeking to dislodge an entrenched ruling party (PDP) from power. If such oppression and injustice is allowed to take root today, tomorrow it may be another qualified and capable Councillorship Aspirant, LGA Chairmanship Aspirant, House of Assembly Aspirant, House of Representatives Aspirant, an Aspiring Senator or a Governorship Aspirant that might be the next victim of impunity. This is why it is imperative for a “Third Force” to arise within the Delta APC to fearlessly challenge the undemocratic, draconian, and arbitrary attempts of the clashing divisive tendencies and stop the looming implosion of the Delta APC. At this juncture, we wish to once again reaffirm and reiterate our total commitment and determination to wrestle the soul of Delta State APC from the hands of the godfathers, who are fighting a destructive and divisive winners-take-all battle for the soul of the party in Delta State and return the party to the ordinary party men and women as it ought to be in a sane democracy. We are aware that this fight is similar to the famous David and Goliath fight, as the forces we contend against are not mere men but highly powerful and domineering godfathers that are enjoying the backings of other influential Italian-Mafia-like godfathers and political powers-that-be. These godfathers in Delta APC have consistently boasted of their wealth, connections and ability to outsmart others and do whatever suits their political fantasy. In spite of the formidable odds, our hope and trust (Team Fred Obe), like David in the Bible, rest in the Lord who created heaven and earth and who is a respecter of no man. We want to assure every faithful Delta APC party man and woman that we will neither retreat nor surrender in this battle until internal democracy is fully enthroned in Delta State APC, in such a way that any "Mr. Nobody", who is acceptable to the majority of Delta APC faithfuls can get into any position by merit and not on the say-so of any godfather and thereby distinguish the APC from the PDP. Lastly, as a political party that is determined to bring positive and meaningful “Change” to the corridors of power and our national life, it is the responsibility of every well meaning APC member to stand up and fight for the enthronement of transparency, accountability, fairness, and internal democracy in our party. We are therefore calling on all party faithfuls in Delta State APC to join this struggle for a better and stronger APC in our dear State by rescuing our party from the hands of domineering and divisive godfathers, so that we can have a United APC family that will be totally focus on our journey to the targeted “Promised Land” ahead of the general elections in 2019. On our part, The *Team Fred Obe*, do hereby solemnly pledge to continue to fight for the enthronement of internal democracy within the Delta APC. We are fully prepared for a very long and bruising battle for the redemption of the soul of Delta APC. God bless Delta APC!!! Signed: Mc Paul, Media Director *FOR: TEAM FRED OBE*

Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso (PRESIDENT NIGERIANS YEARN TO HAVE)

Dr. (Engr.) Mohammed Rabi'u Musa popularly known as Rabiu Kwankwaso was born on 21 October 1956 in Kwankwaso village of Madobi Local Government Area of Kano State. His father, Malam Musa Salihu, was the village head of Kwankwaso and now the District Head of Madobi. Young Rabi’u started Islamic school at the age of four and later enrolled in Primary School in Kwankwaso (1962 - 1969). He attended Kwankwaso Primary School, Gwarzo Boarding Senior School, Wudil Craft School (1970 – 1972)and Kano Technical College before proceeding to Kaduna Polytechnic where he did both his National Diploma, and Higher National Diploma. He did Postgraduate Studies in the United Kingdom at Middlesex Polytechnic (1982 - 1983) and Loughborough University of Technology (1983 -1985) where he got his Master's Degree in Water Engineering and University of Nottingham (1987 – 1991). Kwankwaso was an active student leader during his school days and was an elected official of the Kano State Students Association. Rabi’u Kwankwaso started work as an artisan craftsman in 1975 with Water Resources Engineering and Construction Agency (WRECA). It was after seven years working that he went to the UK for further studies. During that time, he intermittently attended some certificate courses at Derby National Water Council in 1982, Derby Water Industrial Training in 1985 and London Industrial Water Training in 1985. In all, Kwankwaso worked with Kano State government for 17 years and rose through the cadre of the civil service to the rank of Principal Engineer. Kwankwaso’s first significant act as a politician was when he became an active student leader during his school days and was an elected official of the Kano State Students Association. In 1991, he resigned from government work and vied for election into the Federal House of Representatives. He recalled “In fact, I had to battle my employers before they allowed me to retire, because they felt so much was being in invested on me. But I felt the only way I could make better contributions to humanity was in politics.” He joined partisan politics in the aborted Third Republic where he contested elections to the House of Representatives in 1992. His becoming the Deputy Speaker in the House brought him to the limelight of national politics. He was also elected to be one the delegates and representatives from Kano for the 1995 Constitutional Conference. He built his political empire with the support of numerous political movements, groups, and factions and solid endorsements and of political giants almost all. Rabiu Kwankwaso was then seen as the heir apparent to the political dynasty of Sheu Musa Yar'adua, Mallam Abubakar Rimi and Mallam Aminu Kano of blessed memories. He then became the first governor of Kano State in the fourth republic (1999 - 2003). His swearing in ceremony at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano metropolis was witnessed by millions of urban and rural citizens of the state as well as members of the diplomatic corps. It was a day that residents of the ancient city of Kano will not forget in a hurry and will live to remember as it marked the beginning of a visionary and revolutionary leadership. It also served as the foundation laying ceremony for the transformation of the state into an economic powerhouse as well as the economic and commercial nerve centre of northern Nigeria.Thereafter, he became the Defense Minister (2003 – 2006) and Presidential Special Envoy to Somalia and Darfur (2006 – 2007). Kwankwaso was the party leader in Kano and was nominated into the party's most powerful political of the then ruling party - Board of Trustees. He was also shortlisted for ambassadorial appointment which he refused due to his burning desire to remain in the country and contribute his quota towards the development of this great country. He later accepted to serve as a board member representing Northwest region of Nigeria in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) from 2009 to 2010 Consequently, he re-contested in the 2011 gubernatorial poll and won the election, thus staging a comeback to the governorship seat in Kano state with an outstanding difference of sixty three thousand plus votes, his party won three quarters of the house of assembly seats, by winning 30 out of the total 40 seats in the state. Kwankwaso contested the presidential primaries nomination and came second to the current president Muhammad Buhari. He then swapped to contest the senatorial seat for Kano Central Senatorial District which he won and now serving in the committee for National Planning & Economic Affairs. The Kwakwansiyya slogan and Red cap identity definitely did not come by accident, rather it was a result of the track of records of probity, tested and trusted leadership Kwakwanso demonstrated in his administration as its tagged Amaana in response to Kwakwansiyya. One would therefore be inquisitive to ask the meaning of Amana. A Kano man will be quick to tell you that it is trust that characterised the administration of affable humanist and administrator per excellence. He is indeed tagged as one of the most amazing leaders in Nigeria. Those who love him consider him to be a supersonic person whose achievements speaks before his sound. His achievements were really massive in the areas of education, rural electrification, health, infrastructural development, industrialization, agriculture, housing and in fact, every works of live. He was able to establish a State University of Technology at Wudil, he introduced Free Feeding for Primary School Students in the State which led the United Nations to recognise his effort in that direction. His electrification programme in the rural areas recorded great successes. He was able to give the Federal Government a property that was turned into the Nigeria Law School at Bagauda. He built a number of bridges in the rural areas and introduce free natal programme for pregnant mothers. These landmark achievements of Kwankwaso as governor of Kano states are extremely massive numbering over 10,000 projects and 10,000,000 lives touched directly and indirectly. One of the most notable achievements in the area of financial prudency and management was the measures that jerked up the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state from N400 million to about N2 Billion monthly. In ensuring fiscal discipline, Gov. Kwankwaso was able to make capital expenditure higher than recurrent votes (2012: 63% capital, 37% recurrent; 2013 75% capital, 25% recurrent) and achieved up to 85% budget implementation in 2012 and 2013. He is the first governor to achieve 2:1 ratio in favour of capital vote.

NPDP rolls out Saraki, Dogara, Tambuwal, Kwankwanso, 20 senators, 30 Reps to salvage Nigeria

The New Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, bloc in the All Progressives Congress, APC, is rolling out a list of high profile politicians to help it achieve the goal of rescuing the country from the security and economic challenges facing it as it. Among its adherents are 20 senators and 30 members of the House of Representatives, including the two top presiding officers of the National Assembly, Senate President  Bukola Abubakar Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara. Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State is the only serving governor listed, though the statement alluded to the support of other serving and former governors. A statement issued by the chairman of the nPDP bloc, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, said the group was pleased to meet to reappraise its situation in the polity following its earlier letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on the disenchantment of those who came from the bloc on the manner they had been treated by the government. Baraje, in the statement said: “Nigerians may recall that members of the former New PDP Block within the All Progressives Congress (APC) addressed a letter dated April 27, 2018 to the Chairman of APC where we informed the party of our grievances and expectations from both the party and government of President Muhammadu Buhari. “Following this development, the party invited us and we honoured their invitation for a meeting. We met with the leadership of the party last week during which we resolved to report the outcome of our meeting to our members and stakeholders before arriving at any decision or proceeding with the next phase of discussions or actions with the APC and government. “I am glad to inform you therefore that we have briefed our members at a meeting convened in Abuja on Wednesday, 23rd May 2018 where we reviewed the state of the nation and our party, APC and constituted Committees on various issues especially on how to rescue Nigeria from economic, social, political and especially security challenges. “The meeting was well attended by members of the nPDP including serving and former Governors, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, and other aggrieved APC   stakeholders. “Those that attended the meeting include: HE Sen. (Dr.) Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON, President of the Senate, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR, Governor of Sokoto State, Sen. Rabiu M.   Kwankwaso, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Admiral Murtala Nyako (Rtd), Sen. Mohammad Adamu Aliero, Sen. Danjuma Goje, Sen. John Owan Enoh, Sen. Emmanuel Andy Uba, Sen. Dr. Ibrahim Gobir, Sen. Rufai Ibrahim, Sen. Ibrahim A. Danbaba, Sen.   Suleman Nazif, Sen. Isa Hamma Misau, Sen. Muhammed Ubali Shitu, Sen. Shehu Sani, Sen. Dino Melaye, Sen. Suleiman O. Hunkuyi, Sen. Shaaba Lafiagi, Sen. Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Sen. David Umaru, Sen. Barnabas Gemade, Alh. Abubakar K. Baraje, Chairman Former nPDP, Rep. Aminu S. Shagari, Rep. Kabiru Marafa Achida, Rt. Hon. Isa M. Ashiru, Hon. Muh’d Musa Soba, Hon. Mark Gbillah, Rep. Sani Mohd Rano, Rep. Garba Umar Durbunde, Rep. Aliyu Madaki, Rep. Zakari Mohammed, Hon. Rufai Ahmed Chachangi, Hon. Razak Atunwa, Hon. Emmanuel M. Udende, Hon. Hassan Saleh, Hon. Nasiru Garo Sule, Hon. Orker Jev, Hon. Aliyu Ahman Pategi, Hon. Isah Halilu B., Hon. Rabiu Garba Kaugama, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, Hon. Ismaila A. Gadaka, Hon. Lado Suleja, Hon. Dickson Tarkighir, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole, Hon. Dr. Bode Ayorinde, Hon. U. Danjuma Shida, Hon. Danburam Nuhu, Hon. Sunday Adepoju, Hon. Sani Zorro, Hon. Ahmed Garba Bichi, Hon. Garba Ibrahim Mohammed and a host of others.

BEDC LICENCE MUST NOT BE RENEWED(EPILEPTIC POWER PROVIDERS)

Funke Osibudu led management team of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company has failed the expectations of the people on what the unbundling of the power sector which was hoped to address the perennial energy challenge of the nation seek to achieve. As a distributor or retailer in the electricity value chain, it has further caused more pains and anguish to the people it was expected to assuage their tiredness under the management of the defunct PHCN. The situation wasn’t as bad as it is today under BEDC as it was under NEPA or PHCN. Succinctly, their operational licence must not be renewed by the Federal Government due to their high level of inefficiency and incompetence as exhibited over the years of operation. In November, 2018, their licence will be expiring; this is an urgent call to the President Buhari’s led federal government not to consider its renewal. Among their many sins are enumerated below and not limited to the following: 1. BEDC managed by Vigeo Power Limited is a lawless company and does not respect decisions of NERC and court orders. Only recently a court slammed it with a N10m compensation to a customer whom the NERC forum had already decided its case but BEDC went ahead to arrest him with the police while the matter subsisted in court. 2. It uses police to harass customers in debt recovery. 3. It uses military personnel attached to some white foreigners working with it to abuse the human rights of citizens who are their customers over little issues as protests by communities when they get disconnected without due process and for debt recovery. 4. BEDC management is fond of accusing a whole community of owing and putting them in darkness until the amount alleged to be owed is fully paid, whereas it is a case of few individuals owing because prepaid meter owners cannot be said to be owing rather it is the other way round. 5. Refusal to supply meters so as to further exploit citizens with outrageous estimated billing. 6. BEDC will never replace a faulty transformer or bad poles. Communities and individuals are forced to buy these items themselves and BEDC compelling the purchasers to say it is a donation to BEDC if they want them connected. 7. Customer service is very poor and discouraging. 8. Poor remunerations for the inadequate staff. 9. High handedness of Funke Osibudu on mild issues. 10. Operation of special lines with up to 24 hours supply to some customers while a majority of their customers barely enjoy three hours of constant supply daily. The people of Edo & Delta States are sincerely tired of the operations of the BEDC and its activities and urge the federal government to act before the state is plunged into total anarchy and disorderliness by the attempt renewal of their licence. We are wholeheartedly in support of the criminalization of estimated billing bill currently under consideration by House of Representatives. Comrade Osazee Edigin Public Relations Officer Edo Civil Society Organisations 28A, Erie Street, Off Sokponba Road, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. www.edocso.org

SENATOR RABIU MUSA KWANKWASO'S AIDE,YUNUSA DANGWANI FREED AFTER 3 MONTHS IN DETENTION

SSS frees Kwankwaso’s aide, Yunusa Dangwani, after 3 months in detention The State Security Service, SSS, on Monday night released a stalwart of the Kwankwasiya movement, Yunusa Dangwani, after spending 84 days in detention. Mr Danwani, a former chief of staff to a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, was arrested on March 21 at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on his way to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj. The politician was arrested for allegedly engaging one Captain Abdullahi to circulate an inciting text message to people, including a member of the governor’s family. The House of Representatives on April 12 resolved to investigate allegation of abuse of fundamental rights by the SSS regarding the arrest of Mr Dangwani. The House resolution was sequel to a motion under matters of urgent public importance by Ali Madaki (Kano-APC) on the “Abuse of the fundamental rights provisions of constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended) by the Department of State Service (DSS)’’. “Refusing him access to legal representation and family violated his right to dignity as a person and on clear violation of section 34 (1)(a) of the 1999 constitution,” he said. In objection to Mr Madaki’s remark, Aminu Suleiman (Kano-APC), said Mr Dangwani’s arrest followed issues of high security concerns against Kano State government. According to him, the medical doctor-cum-politician was fingered in an alleged terrorism scare in Kano state for which he was picked and brought to Abuja. “I want to guide the House. If we allow this motion, it means we are intimidating the security agencies and we will be the first to say, they are incompetent and not serious,” he said. But on May 3, an FCT High Court sitting at Apo ordered the release of Mr Dangwani and ordered the SSS to pay the sum of N10million as damages to him.

ALL PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS(SELFLESS JOHN ODIGIE OYEGUN)

Breaking news!!! I will not seek second term – Oyegun The National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun has finally broken his prolonged silence on his future as the National Chairman of the APC, saying he has decided to step aside and not re-contest the position at the forth coming national, convention. President Muhammadu Buhari had openly endorsed the immediate past governor of Edo State and Chief Oyegun’s kinsman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for the National chairmanship position. He told newsmen Friday night at his residence that it was his personal conviction not to seek re-election, but will always be available to serve the party, adding that it was in the best interest of the party for him not to seek another term in office. Oyegun said even though he had desired to re-contest the position he has decided that in the interest of the party, he will not be seeking reelection and has therefore decided to withdraw from the race. He said “I have taken this decision without prejudice to my commitment to the party in helping to solve some of the subsisting and emerging difficult issues and my ability to continue to provide necessary leadership. “However, I believe that the party faces difficult days ahead and all critical stakeholders in its leadership would be required to bind together for a common purpose. Therefore, the less contentious our national convention is the better for the party. “I have always sought to be part of solving the problem of APC. I do not intend to be part of the problems for APC to solve. It is for this reason I hereby declare that I will not be seeking re-election as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). “However, I will continue to perform my functions as the National Chairman of the party till my tenure officially ends on Monday the 25th of June when. New set of party executives will be inaugurated.” Oyegun said the decision to have the present Executive remain in office in an interim capacity was to avoid going into the 2019 elections as a divided house, saying “with the 2019 general elections looming on the horizon, some of us consider it to be in the best interest of the party to go into the elections as a united fighting force, rather than one that was potentially weakened by internal conflict arising from competitive congresses. “It was for this reason that we canvassed and obtained the NEC decision of February 27 asking all executives of the party to continue in office in acting capacity for another period of twelve months.” He said that it was within his constitutional right to seek another term in office, believing that his experience and familiarity with some of the most important issues that must be at the top of the political agenda which put him in the best position to lead the party into another election. He acknowledged the fact the even without declaring his interest to seek another term, several top stakeholders of the party at all levels began to rally round him, saying “I believe that these loyal party men and women instinctively choose to support me, because they recognized what was in the best interest of the party at that point in time. “Quite fundamentally, they were demonstrating their love and commitment for the party, realizing that perhaps, what was needed most at this point in time in our history as a political party is experience and stability. “We have conducted the congresses in all the 36 states and the FCT, we have set a date for the national convention. Now that the convention committee has invited interested aspirants to obtain forms to contest into the various national positions, it has become necessary for me to state my position. “I have consulted widely with my family, friends and associates. Even though i had the desire to re-contest as the National Chairman of the party, I have decided that it is ultimately in the best interest of the party for me to withdraw from the race.”

Reordering of elections by National Assembly(Inconsistency)

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu Let me begin by saying that the National Assembly itself is established by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended. Section 47 of the Constitution provides that, “There shall be a National Assembly for the Federation which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives”. This provision of the constitution shows clearly that the National Assembly itself is a creature of the constitution. The constitution, which is the ground-norm of all other laws in the land including any Act made by the National Assembly, also provides for legislative powers exercisable by the same National Assembly. Section 4(1) of the Constitution provides that “The Legislative powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be vested in a National Assembly for the Federation which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives… for the peace, order and good Government of the Federation or any part thereof”… Suffice it to say that the National Assembly also derives its legislative powers from the same constitution. Now, Section 1(1) of the constitution provides that: “This Constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on all authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” Section 1(3) provides that “If any other law (this time, Electoral Act) is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and that law shall to the extent of the inconsistency be void”. Therefore, I hereby opine that the effect of Section 1(1) and Section 1(3) is that the Constitution has a binding force either on the National Assembly as an Authority or senators and members of House of Reps as individual persons. Section 153(1)(f) of the Constitution provides for the establishment of the Independent National Electoral Commission just as Section 47 of the Constitution as herein above mentioned, provides for the establishment of National Assembly. The composition and powers of INEC are as contained in Part 1 of the Third Schedule of this Constitution. For the purpose of this piece, Paragraph 15(a) which provides that: “The Commission (INEC) shall have power to Organise, Undertake and Supervise all elections to the offices of the President and Vice President, Governor and Deputy Governor of a state and to the membership of the Senate, the House of Representatives and the House of Assembly of each State of the Federation”. I therefore, humbly opine that the effect of Section 153 (1) (f) of the Constitution and paragraph 15 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution is that the INEC shall even conduct elections in the order stated in the constitution, that is, from President to Governor and finally or lastly membership of the Senate, the House of Representatives and the House of Assembly of each state of the Federation. Alternatively, since the commission shall have power to organise, undertake and supervise all elections to the offices of the President and Vice President, Governor and Deputy Governor of a state and to the membership of the Senate, the House of Representatives and the House of Assembly of each state of the federation, and the literary meaning of the word, “Organise”, simply means arrange systematically, order. Therefore, the constitution by virtue of these provisions has given the commission (INEC) power to arrange systematically or order elections as it deems fit and necessary without any input from the National Assembly or the executives. And so far, Section 1(3) of the Constitution says, “If any other law (this time, Electoral Act) is inconsistent with the provisions of the constitution, this constitution shall prevail and that other law shall to the extent of inconsistency be void.” I dare submit therefore that the part of the amendment to the Electoral Act touching on the reorder of elections is void ab initio. Since it is in conflict with the power constitutionally given to the commission, I hereby urge the members of the National Assembly to stop unnecessarily heating up the polity. Similarly, I urge the National Independent Electoral Commission to challenge this unconstitutional amendment to the Electoral Act in a competent court of jurisdiction. The rule of law is the bedrock of democracy. #TheSupremacyoftheConstitution

Tony 4 Senate 2019

Commeth the hour, Commeth the Messiah: MEET ONYEMA TONY ISHIEKWENE - OTI for SENATE 2019. Born at Abraka in today's Ethiope Local Government Area of Delta State, on December 28, 1963 Onyema Tony Ishiekwene, is a native of Umuebu and Obiaruku both in Ukwuani Local Government area of Delta State. He was and remains a pace setter in almost every endeavour he engages in. He gained his first degree ( BSc Finance ) in 1984 from the Ivy League University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1984 graduating along side the current CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, former Governor Charles Chukuma Soludo, and former Deputy Governor, Babatunde Lemo. He was to start his working career at the flagship global Reinsurance conglomerate, "Royal Exchange Assurance" as Financial Analyst in October 1985 just after his NYSC, but some forces of darkness (Enemies within) decided to withhold the Interview Letter from his view and attention, and those forces determined to stop the glowing star diverted him away from the Nigerian scene, where he was already a star aged 21. He found himself stuck in the United Kingdom, against his wish, having lost his return ticket to those same dark forces such that he could not return to Nigeria to attend interviews at Central Bank of Nigeria, NAL Merchant Bank, UBA and Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, where chief Christopher Enuenwosu, an Anioma Economist from Abbi, Ndokwa West LG held sway as Acting Managing Director in 1985. Disappointed and dejected but unbroken this Anioma giant decided to defer his Financial career and turn adversity into advantage by enrolling at the London School of International Business, where he bagged Post Graduate Diploma, PGD, in International Marketing & Finance in 1987. Thereafter he registered with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) - the Gold Standard in World Class Accountancy Studies wherein he started his training at the former London Guildhall Polytechnic now London Metropolitan University. Ishiekwene had a stint at the Accountancy Tutors PLC., a private institution dedicated to the teaching and learning of Professional Accounting and passed out in 1991 with distinctions which ultimately qualified him as a World Class in Strategic Planning, Control and Audit & Financial Management and that is the apex of Global World Class Professional Examination. That programme earned him Associate membership (ACMA) of the Institute in March 1995. Between 1992 and 1994, he studied Computing at the London College of Computer and Business at Britton Road, Oval gaining a Diploma in Data Base Management in 1993, and another Diploma in System Analysis, Design and Control in 1994 and was admitted an Associate member of the British Computer Professionals ( AACP ) in February 1995. He furthered his quest for academic excellence into the University of Greenwich, Eltham campus, School of PCET,London SE9, for his PGCE (FE) in September 1996 and completed the programme in record 10 months in July 1997. OTI had a stint in lecturing at Newham College of further Education where he taught Financial Accounting, IT Applications, Reports & Returns to Intermediate AAT, and Cost and Management Accounting to AAT Finalists and almost simultaneously he taught Cost Accounting and Management Accounting Techniques to ACCA & CIMA students at the Metropolitan College London at Kingsland Road, Hackney E8 on part - time basis. This great son of Anioma left teaching in 1998 as he returned to his primary calling - Professional Accounting taking up a job at Saint Michael and London Voluntary Service Council both of which are Non Governmental Organisations, NGOs managing Charity Accounts. He later went into Commercial Accounting in a contract that lasted for one year as Europe, Middle East and Africa, EMEA, Management Accountant at BRIVIC Plc. (An FTSE 250 FMCG- SOFT DRINK COMPANY) holding the position of Sales & Profit; Budget Analysis for markets in those three regions and Channels. Additionally, OTI worked as a Finance Manager for Oval House Theatre, a South London based Performing Arts & Education Centre between 2003 and 2013 where he performed his duties with clinical efficiency and professional aptitude, obtaining A* from the UK's Charity Commission in 9 out of 10 Statutory Accounts filed by Oval House. As a Financial Accounting wizard, OTI worked as Financial Accountant- Fixed Assets and Payroll administration with the Amnesty International between 2014 and 2015. Desirous of bringing his experience to bear on his fatherland, Ishiekwene returned to Nigeria where he founded a Financial Management Consultancy firm known as Tony Ishiekwene Konsult, Global. Apart from being a renowned financial expert, OTI is an astute politician, Public Affairs Analyst, Community Leader of repute... For the sake of performing his civic duty in solidarity with the good people of Delta State, his good friend, Olorogun O'tega Emerhor, in 2015 general elections he came home to cast his vote for his friend so that the oil-rich state could be counted among the league of democratised Nigerian states. When he wins as the Senator representing Delta North, OTI hopes to dedicate his victory to the GOOD PEOPLE OF ANIOMA Nation and to the memory of his late friend and school mate, Clement Ngbor Ojie, with whom he was involved in ghastly motor accident some years ago. While he survived by dint of the grace of God, his friend wasn't as lucky. On the crest of Anioma unity and accelerated development, OTI drives his campaign. STAND UP AND BE COUNTED AMONG POSITIVE CHANGE AGENTS.

Onyema Tony Ishiekwene

Commeth the hour, Commeth the Messiah: MEET ONYEMA TONY ISHIEKWENE - OTI for SENATE 2019. Born at Abraka in today's Ethiope Local Government Area of Delta State, on December 28, 1963 Onyema Tony Ishiekwene, is a native of Umuebu and Obiaruku both in Ukwuani Local Government area of Delta State. He was and remains a pace setter in almost every endeavour he engages in. He gained his first degree ( BSc Finance ) in 1984 from the Ivy League University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1984 graduating along side the current CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, former Governor Charles Chukuma Soludo, and former Deputy Governor, Babatunde Lemo. He was to start his working career at the flagship global Reinsurance conglomerate, "Royal Exchange Assurance" as Financial Analyst in October 1985 just after his NYSC, but some forces of darkness (Enemies within) decided to withhold the Interview Letter from his view and attention, and those forces determined to stop the glowing star diverted him away from the Nigerian scene, where he was already a star aged 21. He found himself stuck in the United Kingdom, against his wish, having lost his return ticket to those same dark forces such that he could not return to Nigeria to attend interviews at Central Bank of Nigeria, NAL Merchant Bank, UBA and Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, where chief Christopher Enuenwosu, an Anioma Economist from Abbi, Ndokwa West LG held sway as Acting Managing Director in 1985. Disappointed and dejected but unbroken this Anioma giant decided to defer his Financial career and turn adversity into advantage by enrolling at the London School of International Business, where he bagged Post Graduate Diploma, PGD, in International Marketing & Finance in 1987. Thereafter he registered with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) - the Gold Standard in World Class Accountancy Studies wherein he started his training at the former London Guildhall Polytechnic now London Metropolitan University. Ishiekwene had a stint at the Accountancy Tutors PLC., a private institution dedicated to the teaching and learning of Professional Accounting and passed out in 1991 with distinctions which ultimately qualified him as a World Class in Strategic Planning, Control and Audit & Financial Management and that is the apex of Global World Class Professional Examination. That programme earned him Associate membership (ACMA) of the Institute in March 1995. Between 1992 and 1994, he studied Computing at the London College of Computer and Business at Britton Road, Oval gaining a Diploma in Data Base Management in 1993, and another Diploma in System Analysis, Design and Control in 1994 and was admitted an Associate member of the British Computer Professionals ( AACP ) in February 1995. He furthered his quest for academic excellence into the University of Greenwich, Eltham campus, School of PCET,London SE9, for his PGCE (FE) in September 1996 and completed the programme in record 10 months in July 1997. OTI had a stint in lecturing at Newham College of further Education where he taught Financial Accounting, IT Applications, Reports & Returns to Intermediate AAT, and Cost and Management Accounting to AAT Finalists and almost simultaneously he taught Cost Accounting and Management Accounting Techniques to ACCA & CIMA students at the Metropolitan College London at Kingsland Road, Hackney E8 on part - time basis. This great son of Anioma left teaching in 1998 as he returned to his primary calling - Professional Accounting taking up a job at Saint Michael and London Voluntary Service Council both of which are Non Governmental Organisations, NGOs managing Charity Accounts. He later went into Commercial Accounting in a contract that lasted for one year as Europe, Middle East and Africa, EMEA, Management Accountant at BRIVIC Plc. (An FTSE 250 FMCG- SOFT DRINK COMPANY) holding the position of Sales & Profit; Budget Analysis for markets in those three regions and Channels. Additionally, OTI worked as a Finance Manager for Oval House Theatre, a South London based Performing Arts & Education Centre between 2003 and 2013 where he performed his duties with clinical efficiency and professional aptitude, obtaining A* from the UK's Charity Commission in 9 out of 10 Statutory Accounts filed by Oval House. As a Financial Accounting wizard, OTI worked as Financial Accountant- Fixed Assets and Payroll administration with the Amnesty International between 2014 and 2015. Desirous of bringing his experience to bear on his fatherland, Ishiekwene returned to Nigeria where he founded a Financial Management Consultancy firm known as Tony Ishiekwene Konsult, Global. Apart from being a renowned financial expert, OTI is an astute politician, Public Affairs Analyst, Community Leader of repute... For the sake of performing his civic duty in solidarity with the good people of Delta State, his good friend, Olorogun O'tega Emerhor, in 2015 general elections he came home to cast his vote for his friend so that the oil-rich state could be counted among the league of democratised Nigerian states. When he wins as the Senator representing Delta North, OTI hopes to dedicate his victory to the GOOD PEOPLE OF ANIOMA Nation and to the memory of his late friend and school mate, Clement Ngbor Ojie, with whom he was involved in ghastly motor accident some years ago. While he survived by dint of the grace of God, his friend wasn't as lucky. On the crest of Anioma unity and accelerated development, OTI drives his campaign. STAND UP AND BE COUNTED AMONG POSITIVE CHANGE AGENTS.

Obasanjo's coalition

A political movement proposed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo is launching this Wednesday at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. Mr. Obasanjo suggested the formation of the movement in his recent critical special statement on President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration. The former president had argued in the statement that the ruling All Progressives Congress and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party were incapable of repositioning Nigeria, having lost the confidence of the electorate. Mr. Obasanjo is not present at the ongoing launch in Abuja, but two former PDP governors, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Donald Duke, were in attendance. Mr. Oyinlola, a former governor of Osun State, said the movement is not yet a political party. If and when we come to an agreement that we must metaphose into a political party, then we will, Mr. Oyinlola said. “We’re not a political party, at least, for now,” he said. He acknowledged that for the movement to make electoral impact in the manner described by Mr. Obasanjo in his letter, its proponents would need to follow the Constitution and register it as a political party. “We recognise the facts that by the dictates of the Constitution, you can only contest on the platform of a political party,” said Mr. Oyinlola, who was the national secretary of the PDP before joining the APC in 2014 after his controversial removal from his position in the then-ruling party. Mr. Oyinlola also responded to critics who see the movement as an attempt to legitimise the legacy of Mr. Obasanjo who governed as a democratically elected president between 1999-2007. “To say that we are legitimising OBJ’s legacy is a bit off the mark,” he said. Mr. Oyinlola said the leaders of the movement are not necessarily eyeing political offices to benefit themselves, saying their aim is to help leave a better tomorrow for the younger generation. The leaders of the movement said Nigerians have been through a lot in the hands of the political elite and canvassed a fresh alternative for citizens by 2019.

WHAT THE PRESIDENT CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH, PROF OLUSOJI AJAYI SAID ABOUT BUHARI

"I am not praising Buhari but nobody can say we have found billions in Buhari's account. Previous leaders have been wasteful. Before now a contract of N2m can go to N2bn without anybody asking questions. "They said by 2010, Nigeria will be among the first 20 economies I countered it that it was a mirage. If you tell me Nigeria in the next 10 years will rank among the best I will not counter it because our economy is being well managed. "The reason I would have wanted Buhari to continue in 2019 is to solidify and build on some structures he has laid so that if anybody is coming, on board, it would be difficult to destroy." Initially he said, "We have a President who does not believe in ostentatious lifestyle. He has no house in London, no house in Dubai. May God give Buhari a few more years and those to take over from him would build on it. There are still few people like Buhari." THE NATION SUNDAY JANUARY 28,2018

ONYEMA TONY ISHIEKWENE

ONYEMA TONY ISHIEKWENE - OTI for SENATE 2019.

Born in Obiaruku in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, on December 28, 1963 Onyema Tony Ishiekwene, is a 1984 graduate of Finance of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He proceeded to the United Kingdom where he bagged Post Graduate Diploma, PGD, in International Marketing & Finance in 1986 and he registered with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants - the Gold Standard in World Class Accountancy Studies wherein he started his training at the former London Guildhall Polytechnic now London Metropolitan University. Ishiekwene had a stint at the Accountancy Tutors PLC., a private institution dedicated to the learning and teaching of Professional Accounting and passed out in 1991 with distinctions which ultimately qualified him as a World Class in Strategic Planning & Financial Management and that is the apex of Global World Class Professional Examination. That programme earned him Associate membership of the Institute in March 1995. He furthered his quest for academic excellence into the University of Greenwich, Eltham London SE9, for his PGCE (FE) in September 1997. Again, OTI had a stint in lecturing at Newham College of further Education where he taught Financial Accounting, IT Applications & Reports and Return to Intermediate AAT and Cost & Management Accounting to AAT Finalists- and simultaneously he taught at the Metropolitan College London at Kingsland Road, Hackney E8 on part - time basis teaching Cost & Management Accounting and Financial Management to CIMA and ACCA professional Accounting students. This great son of Anioma left teaching in 1998 as he returned to his primary calling - Professional Accounting taking up a job at Saint Michael and London Voluntary Service Council, London N7 both of which are Non Governmental Organisations, NGOs managing Charity Accounts. He later went into Commercial Accounting in a contract that lasted for one year with Europe, Middle East and Africa, EMA, Management Accountant at BRIVIC Plc. (An FTSE 250 FMCG- SOFT DRINK COMPANY) holding the position of Sales & Profit; Budget Analysis for markets in those three regions. Additionally, OTI worked as a Finance Manager for Oval House Theatre, a South London based Performing Arts & Education Centre between 2003 and 2013 where he performed his duties with clinical efficiency and professional aptitude. As a Financial Accounting wizard, OTI worked with the Amnesty International, at their International Secretariat in London WC1, as Financial Accountant- Fixed Assets and Payroll Administration between 2014 and 2015. When he wins as the Senator representing Delta North, OTI hopes to dedicate his victory to the GOOD PEOPLE OF ANIOMA Nation and to the memory of his late friend and school mate, Clement Ngbor Ojie, with whom he was involved in ghastly motor accident some years ago. While he survived by dint of the grace of God, his friend wasn't as lucky. On the crest of Anioma unity and accelerated development, OTI drives his campaign. STAND UP AND BE COUNTED AMONG POSITIVE CHANGE AGENTS Come. Emekume Vincent.

Nigeria Inspector General of Police and Kano show of shame.

There is no doubt that Nigeria is gradually sliding into a police state going by the stomach-churning advice by the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Rabiu Yusuf, that a former state governor and current senator, Rabiu Kwankwaso, should shelve his scheduled January 30 visit to Kano, his home state. What is going on, for God’s sake, in Kano State? Why have the police, acting in tandem with the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, decided to declare Kwankwaso more or less a persona non grata in his own state? The police are trying to unconscionably abridge the freedom of movement and civil liberties of Kwankwaso. But as of the time of writing this piece, Kwankwaso had reportedly said the police cannot stop him from going to Kano to peacefully see his constituents. He is very right on that score. The former governor should not be left alone to fight this unconstitutionality. All well-meaning Nigerians must condemn the unsophisticated approach by the state to suppress Kwankwaso and upstage his seemingly robust political structure. Advising the former governor to suspend his planned visit to Kano is patently wrong. It offends the spirit of fair dealing. That piece of advice is bad news which has the potential of far-reaching implications for the polity. If the police gambit is allowed to succeed, the state governor can continue to influence or instigate the police commissioner to adopt the same strategy over and again to perpetually keep Kwankwaso away from the state. At the moment, there is tension in a vast majority of the states and the police commissioners in those states have not advised or barred representatives of the people or politicians from their states. Since it is an open secret that Kwankwaso, who gave President Muhammadu Buhari a good fight for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress in the 2014 presidential primary, is nursing a presidential ambition in 2019, the strategy of the chief security officer of the state and the police commissioner might have been orchestrated to terribly hurt Kwankwaso’s political and logistical mobilisation that should naturally begin from his home state. But the government’s action to unnerve Kwankwaso, to say the least, is an affront on democratic ethos. Popular participation in democratic engagements should neither be under enemy control nor held hostage by a self-imposing police state as it is grotesquely manifesting in Kano. This official disposition is primordial, anachronistic and tendentious in its form, shape and texture as well as counter-productive to the democratic testimonial of the APC-controlled government. How sadly have the police become petty, partial and partisan of the ruling government such that a leader of the ruling party can be subjected to this kind of treatment? But the joke is on the police, the government and the APC: first, that they do not have the capacity or the temperament to accommodate seeming opposition from within their ranks; and, second, that they cannot ensure simple security for Kwankwaso, his supporters and public facilities. By the way, is Kwankwaso going to Kano to organise or lead a violent protest? Certainly not, except agents of the state decide to infiltrate the group of his supporters and try to precipitate violence from within in order to justify the preconceived advice by the police to keep him away; and, for as long as possible. If that is not the case, I do not see anything difficult in the police providing protection for Kwankwanso and the crowd of supporters that would welcome him to Kano. After all, the police have been giving protection to pro-government protest marches. Why have they considered Kwankwaso’s historic visit to Kano a difficult event to handle? If the fear expressed by the police commissioner as to the possibility of disgruntled elements hijacking the visit is real, then what that simply explicates is that the disgruntled elements would certainly not be from the camp or among the supporters of Kwankwaso but from the governor’s camp. It is not a secret that there is no love lost between the two leaders. It therefore will not cost the state government too much to sustain the grounds of “tensed atmosphere” to keep Kwankwaso away from the state. Apparently, Ganduje is gripped by a morbid fear occasioned by the popularity of his former boss and predecessor in office. Kwankwaso’s political structure in Kano is pervasive and solid. Ganduje’s deputy, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, is a product of that structure. Following the cold war, Ganduje has reportedly sidelined Abubakar. The professor, according to media reports, has said he would dump Ganduje and return to the classroom at the Bayero University at the end of his first term in 2019. The governor is fast losing grips. But he has quickly done a few things in order to preserve his position: alignment with President Muhammadu Buhari in the calculations that he would be able to use that to clinch the party’s ticket and also re-election. He also enlisted in the group of seven governors that stormed Abuja while the 73 Nigerians massacred in Benue by Fulani herdsmen were being buried in Makurdi, to mollycoddle the President to run again for the Presidency in 2019. Clinching a second term in office may not be a smooth ride for Ganduje given the nature of Kano politics, which predisposes the people to most of the times diverge from mainstream parties that hold the levers of power in Abuja. Such unpredictable political tenacity to embrace opposition politics has, indeed, defined Kano as the archetypical hotbed of North-West politics. Kwankwaso himself was a victim in 2003 when he was denied re-election by the people who voted for Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau on the platform of the All Nigeria People’s Party instead. This is the historical example, nay reality that Ganduje will have to contend with. There is no doubt that Kwankwaso has become the real issue in Kano politics. As it is, even when he has not made any statements that could be construed to be critical of the APC-led Federal Government, the fear of his deft political moves has become the beginning of wisdom to the party leadership in the state. Why should they not fear Kwankwaso who, as governor, delivered about two million of Kano votes, even if somewhat controversial, to Buhari in the 2015 presidential election? But the way they are going about trying to tame him is certainly a crying aberration in a democracy.

Loyal Godsons and rebellious ones(kano case)

If things go according to plan, the streets of Kano City will be littered tomorrow with shredded campaign vests, rumpled campaign wrappers, trampled red caps, broken skulls and injured limps in an Apocalyptic clash between Kwankwasiyya and Gandujiyya, two factions of the ruling All Progressives Congress [APC] respectively loyal to former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and current governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Both factions are determined to go ahead with rallies provocatively fixed for the same day, same venue, same time and under the same party flag, supposedly in preparation for February 10 local government elections but actually as muscle flexing and test run for this year’s party primaries and next year’s general elections. Neither side wants to be the first to blink, since this is a contest of egos. The police are not helping matters with their warning to Kwankwasiyya to stay away. Police’s posture will only harden positions since Kwankwasiyya sees it as taking sides. While Kwankwaso keeps his distance from the State House, Ganduje performs almost every Friday prayer at State House and is prominent among the governors campaigning for President Buhari’s second term. By now Nigerians are used to seeing political godsons turn against their godfathers. Since 1999, every powerful Nigerian politician who anointed another person as a state governor or as president lived to regret it, with a few exceptions. I have counted nearly thirty Nigerian godfathers that were repudiated by their anointed godsons soon after they won elections. The most notorious case was in Anambra State in 2003 when Governor Chris Ngige was abducted by his godfather, Chris Ubah. Ngige had even been made to write a post-dated resignation letter in case he failed to toe the line. This experience did not stop Governor Willie Obiano from repudiating his godfather, former governor Peter Obi, as soon as he took over in 2014. In neighbouring Enugu State, Governor Chimaroke Nnamani anointed his chief of staff Sullivan Chime to succeed him in 2007 but the godson soon rebelled. In 2007 outgoing Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu anointed two governors, Ikedi Ohakim in Imo and Theodore Orji in Abia. The latter was elected when he was cooling his heels in prison but both men quickly rebelled against Kanu. In Bayelsa State, the Jonathans kicked out Governor Timipre Sylva to make room for Seriake Dickson but by 2015 they were ready to kick out Dickson too. He was only saved because the Jonathans were kicked out before him. In Oyo State, godfather Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu had a nasty fight with his godson Governor Rashidi Ladoja, allegedly over the sharing of monthly security vote. Godfathers repudiating godsons is strictly pan-Nigerian. In Kwara State, Oloye Dr. Olusola Saraki became the most serially repudiated godfather in Nigerian politics. Between 1979 and 2003 he anointed five governors in Kwara. Four of them, Adamu Attah, Cornelius Adebayo, Shaba Lafiagi and Admiral Mohammed Lawal fell out with Oloye fairly quickly. The fifth, Oloye’s own son Dr. Bukola Saraki also fell out with him in 2010 over succession. In Kebbi State, Governor Sa’idu Dakingari spectacularly fell out with the man who anointed him, former governor Muhammed Adamu Aleiro. In Zamfara, Governor Mamuda Shinkafi quickly repudiated Alhaji Ahmed Sani, Yariman Bakura, who made Shinkafi the only deputy governor in Nigeria to become a governor in 2007. In Kaduna State, Governor Ahmed Makarfi anointed Mohammed Namadi Sambo to succeed him with only weeks to the election but the two men quickly fell apart. The same thing happened in Nasarawa State where Governor Aliyu Doma quickly fell out with his anointer, former governor Abdullahi Adamu. In Adamawa, Governor Murtala Nyako’s honeymoon with godfather Prof Jibril Aminu was very brief and in Gombe, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo quickly turned against his godfather, former governor Mohammed Danjuma Goje. In Borno, the falling out between godfather Ali Modu Sheriff and godson Governor Kashim Shettima took a while to unfold. Not just governors but presidential godsons also rebelled. In 2007 departing President Olusegun Obasanjo personally handpicked Alhaji Umaru Yar’adua to succeed him and also picked Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as the deputy. Obasanjo then made himself chairman of PDP’s board of trustees and said that board would henceforth make national policy while the government implements it. As soon as Yar’adua was sworn in, he repudiated that arrangement and the godfather-godson fight began. When Jonathan succeeded Yar’adua he also fell out with the godfather. Thus, godfather-godson quarrel in Nigeria occurs at all levels of government, in all regions, in all tribes, in most states and in all seasons. To be sure, there were a few successful cases of anointment in Nigerian politics. The most successful godfather in Nigeria, the one who experienced the fewest rebellions in relation to the number of governors he anointed, is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Though he serially installed governors in Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states, none rebelled openly, though there was underground friction with Babatunde Raji Fashola and Dr. Kayode Fayemi. Other successful godfather/godson cases were Vice President Atiku Abubakar/Governor Boni Haruna in Adamawa; Vice President Namadi Sambo and Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero in Kaduna; ex-governors James Ibori/Emmanuel Uduaghan in Delta; former governors Ibrahim Idris/Idris Wada in Kogi as well as Dr. Bukola Saraki/Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in Kwara. Also quiet, so far, are Governor Aminu Tambuwal/former governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko in Sokoto; General T.Y. Danjuma and Governor Darius Ishaku in Taraba; and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole/Governor Andrew Obaseki in Edo. To that extent the political fallout between Kwankwaso and Ganduje was not a novelty in Nigerian politics. What is new is the too early start of the fall out, the level of mobilisation, the firm consolidation of the two camps and the potential for violence as evidenced by their rhetoric and gambits. A godfather is understandably offended when, after lending his name, time, money, political experience, political network and other resources to anoint a godson, the latter pulls away once he is ensconced in Government House. Many godfathers sulk in private and pray that the godson comes to grief one day. Some take vengeful steps where they can. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is however a different kind of godfather. During his second term as governor he created a movement called Kwankwasiyya designed to ensure that he sits on top of the pile of Kano politics for years to come. The movement adopted a red cap as its symbol and its name was emblazoned at the top of school buildings and hospitals. Its leader then lunged for the presidency and he finished second in the APC primary, beating Atiku Abubakar to third place. Meanwhile he arranged for a stop gap senatorial candidate, who quickly resigned and gave him the ticket to the Senate. Kwankwaso is angry that President Buhari did not accord him a prime place in the federal administration in recognition of his second place finish in the primary. On top of that, Governor Ganduje began to repudiate Kwankwaso’s legacy and question his record in 2011-15 which had been widely touted as stellar. Kwankwasiyya’s top political goal for 2019 is to bring down Ganduje, demolish his movement and install a loyal Kwankwasiyya man in the Government House. By dividing Kano State’s APC down the middle, Kwankwasiyya could be setting the party up for possible defeat in 2019, possibly by another Kwankwaso opponent, former governor and state PDP leader Malam Ibrahim Shekarau. It could even team up with one opponent against another and could be setting the stage for defection to another party. For President Buhari, who is already uncertain whether North Central and South West will remain with him in 2019, dividing up Kano’s huge vote bank is a huge risk indeed. It is his biggest 2019 political risk factor after Tinubu, Third Force and herdsmen/farmers clashes.

The All Progressive Congress approach

Mature Response compared to what Metuh,Fani Kayode and Doyin Okpe did sequel to 2015 election PRESS STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND CULTURE, ALHAJI LAI MOHAMMED, ON WEDNESDAY, 24 JAN. 2018 We have read the press statement by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the State of the Nation. For the record, Chief Obasanjo is a patriot, and he has proven this time and time again. We appreciate what he said concerning the Administration's performance in two out of the three key issues that formed the plank of its campaign: Fighting corruption and tackling insurgency. Specifically, the former President said President Buhari must be given credit for his achievement so far in these two areas. We thank him for this. Apparently, the former President believes that the Administration does not deserve a pass mark in the area of the economy, which is the third of our three-pronged campaign promises. We have no doubt that in the face of massive challenges in this area, this Administration has availed itself creditably. We believe that Chief Obasanjo, because of his very busy schedule, may not have been fully availed of developments in the government's efforts to revamp the economy, which was battered by the consequences of over-dependence on a commodity as well as unprecedented pillaging of the treasury. Today, most of the indices by which an economy is measured are looking up. Permit me to say, however, that Nigeria would not have exited recession through a mere order or if the Administration had not made use of ''good Nigerians'' who could help. This Administration is making steady progress in its determined effort to revamp the economy, and the results are showing: * Foreign Reserves have peaked at $40b, the highest level in about four years, and up from $24 billion just a year ago, even though when we came in, the price of oil had crashed woefully. * According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBC), headline inflation has fallen for 11 consecutive months, standing at 15.37% as at Dec. 2017. This is the lowest inflation rate since Jan 2017, and it has met and surpassed the target set for inflation in the Administration's Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). * Our determined implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) has stopped the hemorrhaging of the treasury. Some 108 billion Naira has been saved from removal of maintenance fees payable to banks, pre-TSA. The nation is being saved 24.7 billion Naira monthly with the full implementation of the TSA. * The elimination of ghost workers has saved the nation 120 billion Naira * At about 1.8 billion dollars, the capital inflows in the second quarter of 2017 were almost double the $908 million in the first quarter. * In the wake of a stable Naira and increased investment inflows, Nigeria’s stock market emerged one of the best-performing in the world, delivering returns in excess of 40 percent. * Nigeria rose 24 places on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranking, and earned a place on the List of Top 10 Reformers in the world. * According to Q3 2017 figures, agriculture export is up year-on-year by 25%, solid minerals exports are up year-on-year by 78%, raw materials exports are up 70% year-on-year and manufactured goods exports are up 22% year-on-year. * Government agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service are reporting highest-ever revenue collection, while JAMB, under the new management appointed by President Buhari in 2016, remitted N7.8 billion to the coffers of the federal government. The total amount remitted by JAMB between 2010 and 2016 was a paltry N51 million! These positive indices may not have immediately impacted positively on Nigerians, but Nigerians will definitely get a new lease of life a short while from now. This is because the good news from the agricultural sector, which is recording a bumper harvest, will bring down the cost of foodstuffs, especially such staple as rice, and our massive Social Investment Programme will ease the pain of the most vulnerable in the society. When we assumed office in 2015, some 6 million farmers were involved in rice production. Thanks to the Anchor Borrowers' programme of this Administration, we have grown that number to over 12 million farmers. The result is that our rice import from Thailand alone has dropped from 644 metric tonnes to 22,000 MT in just two years. This is phenomenal. Apart from rice, Nigeria is also doing well in other grains, especially Millet, Sorghum and Maize. We are now the second largest producer of sorghum after the US, the third in millet after India and our breweries are now enjoying local sourcing of those commodities. For maize, we are producing 10 million tons while we need about 13 million tons for both human and animal nutrition. Nigeria leads the world in the yam and cassava production. We account for 70% of the world's yam production. In two years, we hope to be the world's largest exporter of yam! Overall, our ambition is that agriculture should rise from 25% to 40% of GDP, so that we can banish poverty and overcome our economic anxiety. Our Social Investment Programme is Nigeria’s most ambitious social welfare programme ever. Currently, 5.2 million primary school children in 28,249 schools in 19 states are being fed daily; 200,000 unemployed graduates have enlisted into the N-power Job Scheme, and a quarter of a million loans already distributed to artisans, traders, and farmers. Finally, our investment in infrastructure is simply unprecedented. This is because infrastructure is key to faster economic growth and development. Here is a synopsis of what we have done in this area: * Power Generation at an all-time high of 7,000mw and all can be transmitted * RAIL: Lagos-Kano Standard Gauge is on. Lagos-Ibadan sector ready 2019, Kano-Kaduna ready 2019; The entire stretch ready 2021; Negotiations on for Coastal Rail covering 15 cities from Lagos to Calabar. * ROAD: 25 major highways being funded with the N100b Sukuk Bond, and all geo-political zones are benefitting equally This Administration is not unaware of the enormity of the challenges facing the nation, but we are up to the task. We have taken the bull by the horns, and long-suffering Nigerians will begin to experience a new lease of life as our efforts yield fruits. We will not go into a state of funk for whatever reason. On the Herders/Farmers' clashes, this Administration is determined to end the crisis resulting from this once and for all, not minding the fact that the clashes predate us. we urge Nigerians to have faith in the Administration's ability to resolve the crisis, and to watch out for concrete measures in this regard. On whether or not President Muhammadu Buhari should run for another term, it is true that many Nigerians have been calling on the President to run again, while others are opposed to his return. However, we believe this issue is a distraction for the President at this time. This is because Mr. President spends every waking hour tackling the enormous challenges facing the nation, most of which were bequeathed to his Administration by successive past Administrations. He is committed to fulfilling the mandate given to him by Nigerians in 2015. And that's where we are right now! Finally, we have no reason to believe that former President Obasanjo has any motive beyond the well-being of the nation in issuing his Special Press Statement. We have also taken his admonition in good faith, and we thank him most sincerely for taking time off his busy schedule to pen such a long statement. Mature approach rather than calling him names after all, he is a Nigerian.PDP and others must learn.