Author: Isah Mukhtar

Crossroads
By Chukwudi Ekezie
Abuja, Aug. 21, 2018 (NAN) As the 2019 general elections approach, Nigerians are at a crossroads over the selection of genuine leaders who promote their interest and provide good governance, a lawyer, Mr Patrick Ugochukwu, has said.

Ugochukwu, a Senior Lecturer in Law at Abia State University, expressed the view in an online interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.

He described the current defection of key political actors as disturbing, saying: “This is the greatest cause for concern for Nigerians because they are left with a problem of how to throw out the APC without putting the PDP in power.

“This happened prior to the 2015 elections. The question to ask now is `Are we better off today than in 2015?’

“ It is the same cast of characters who are only showing what they think of themselves as indispensable.

“The movement is not characterized by ideological inclinations but merely to secure nomination for elections.’’

Ugochukwu said the major issues for the populace is the economy, insecurity, among others, which politicians must address.

“We may be out of recession but this has not been translated to kitchen terms language; 90 per cent of states are owing salaries from one month to 11 months.

“There is hunger in the land which has degenerated to helplessness in the system.

“Voters are not sensitised on a national action plan that can take us out of the decay.’’

He said that as electioneering heightened, the security situation in the country would be a major campaign issue.

“ The senseless killings and the failure to stop same may weigh in the mind of the people.’’

Ugochukwu added that the anti-corruption campaign and energy supply were issues that should dominate public discourse.

Ugochukwu said that even as 91 political parties had been registered to participate in the general elections, it was doubtful whether most of them would make any impact.

“These parties no matter their ideologies do not have followers rooted in the pursuit of power by superior argument or persuasion.

“Most of them do not have structures on ground and only exist for press conferences or CNPP activities.

“The only way they can be relevant is by representation proportionate to the votes cast for them instead of the current winner takes all.’’

Ugochukwu described the Third Force proposed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo as self-serving, adding that the former president had the opportunity to lay a solid foundation for the country but failed to do so.

“I do not see them succeeding because they are in it for their personal relevance and this is well known to everybody.

“OBJ, as a former President, could have strengthened the institution called Nigeria but he personalised his tenure and handed same over to those succeeding him.

“They cannot mount a credible election within the short period to 2019 elections,’’ he said.

Ugochukwu said it would be difficult for a new generation of political leaders to emerge under the current political space to change things.

“The only way this can be possible is through the return to parliamentary democracy where every election is local,’’ he said. (NAN)
JCE/SH

======

edited by Sadiya Hamza

Killing

By Edwin Nwachukwu
Lagos, Aug. 14, 2018 (NAN) The President of Nigerian Union in South Africa (NUSA), Mr Adetola Olubajo, on Tuesday decried the inability of the nation’s Consulate office to secure the prosecution of culprits in the killings of Nigerians in South Africa.

Olubajo, who lamented the development while speaking with newsmen in Ikeja, Lagos, said that over 127 Nigerians had been killed by South Africans from January 2016 to date.

According to him, in all the killings, there has not been one justice in favour of Nigerians.

“There have been cases where Nigerians’ international passports have been torn by South African security agencies, without such cases being tackled by the Consulate,’’ Olubajo said.

The NUSA president, however, called on the Federal Government to take the issue of welfare of those living in South Africa more serious, urging it to get to the bottom of the frequent killings.

He suggested that a legal office should be created in the Mission to handle cases involving Nigerians, noting that the Consulate had not done enough in that regard.

“Efforts are not being made by the consulate to protect Nigerians; instead what they do is to tag our citizens as criminals without proper investigation.

“In most cases, government officials try to distort facts by preventing the Federal Government and Nigerians back home from knowing the exact things happening in South Africa.

“In the past, the Consul Generals did credibly to better the welfare of Nigerians living in South Africa. Then it was easy for us to have access to the Consulate office and Mission.

“They always speak out whenever Nigerians are killed or in any other issues concerning us. This was how things were done then,’’ Olubajo said.

He noted that some of the killings were carried out by security agencies and frustrated South African youths, adding that some Nigerians were equally involved in the killings of their compatriots.

Olubajo also faulted the Consulate’s inability to put in place a mechanism for the registration of Nigerians in the foreign land.

We, the union have a register where we ask Nigerians to document themselves.

The union commended the Minister of Foreign Affairs, for his genuine efforts in ensuring that the sufferings of Nigerians were looked into with the establishment of the Early Warning Unit. (NAN)
ENN/PDE
=======
(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)

Election
By Benson Ezugwu
Calabar, Aug. 14, 2018 (NAN) Mrs Abbey Ukpukpen, winner of the last Saturday bye-election into Obudu State Constituency, Cross River House of Assembly has promised to uphold the ideals of her late husband, Mr Stephen Ukpukpen in the Assembly.

Abbey, who contested the election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made the promise this on Tuesday in Calabar while addressing newsmen.

“The overwhelming support displayed by all those that turned out to vote was indeed a vote to honour the memory of my late husband,“ she said.

She enumerated ideals close to her husband’s heart to include “simplicity, approachability, integrity and contentment.“

Ukpukpen, who described her victory as a mark of respect for her late husband by the constituents, thanked the electorate for their overwhelming support and show of solidarity.

“I will like to assure the Obudu people that this new mandate will not deviate from those ideals.

“I will reciprocate this gesture and will do my best to provide them the representation they deserve in the remaining months of the 8th Assembly.“

She also expressed gratitude to the leadership of the party in the state and other stakeholders, including, Gov. Ben Ayade, for making the victory possible. (NAN)
BEN/KOLE/DUA

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Dada Ahm

Bursary
By Stanley Nwanosike
Enugu, Aug. 14, 2018 (NAN) Janet Amu Foundation, an NGO on Tuesday gave cheques of N100,000 each as bursary to 10 indigent students in Aku community in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu state.

Presenting the cheques to beneficiaries in Aku, the Founder of the Foundation, Mr Marcel Amu said that the affected students would continue to receive same amount until they acquired university education.

Amu said that another set of indigent students would be co-opted into the scheme when the beneficiaries would have graduated from university.

He said he was motivated to help the indigent students because he was from a poor background, adding that he had it tough before he could go to school.

“I am a geo-scientist and currently the manager, Joint Ventures Exploration.

“This is just an assistance, especially looking at my background. I was born poor by a woman with one hand who had challenges all her life to ensure that I became somebody in life.

“I felt that since God has been so wonderful to me, despite my humble beginning and all the things I went through in life, I should give something back to the society.

“It does not mean that I have enough but it is my desire to always touch lives.

“We should not wait till we have everything before we can help. People should not see this life as being too difficult that you cannot be of help to others,’’ he said.

According to him, the NGO will go into skills acquisition, help widows and widowers, the sick and other less privileged in the society as soon as its income grows.

On the funding of the foundation, he said that the company was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, adding it would solicit for funds to execute its programmes on the long run.

“At the moment, I am the one sponsoring the activities of the foundation.“

The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the foundation, Dr John Obike-Agu, said that the foundation had put in place rules to ensure that the money meant for the operations of the NGO  was not diverted into other use.

Mr Innocent Didiugwu, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the donour for the gesture and promised that they would make good grades to continue to benefit from the bursary. (NAN)
KSN/JI/DUA
Editing by Joseph Idika/Dada Ahmed

Corpers

By Wale Ojetimi

Sagamu (Ogun) Aug. 13, 2018 (NAN) No fewer than 19 corp members were injured on Monday in a lone accident involving a Nissan Civilian bus at Danco area of Sagamu along Lagos – Ibadan expressway.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the injured corp members were travelling to their places of primary assignment in Ota after the three week orientation exercise which ended on Monday in NYSC Camp, Sagamu.

NAN reports that the injured corp members, comprising nine males and 10 females, were treated at nearby Julius Berger and FRSC clinics while four with critical injuries were taken to the teaching hospital in Sagamu.

No life was lost in the accident.

Some of the corp members told NAN at the scene that the civilian bus, which had no registration number, caught fire after it lost control off the road.

NAN gathered that many corps members lost their valuables, including certificates and other credentials in the accident.

Clement Oladele, Ogun Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who confirmed the incident to NAN, blamed the accident on speed violation.

The FRSC official advised passengers to always caution drivers against over speeding, especially during the rainy season.

“Where such drivers refused to comply, they should call FRSC Toll Free number 122 for FRSC to take necessary disciplinary action against such erring drivers,” he said. (NAN)

WOJ

Edited by Wale Ojetimi

Deportation

By Edwin Nwachukwu
Lagos, Aug. 13, 2018 (NAN) Dubai authorities said it had deported a Swedish woman for taking pictures of an immigration officer during a row at the Dubai International Airport.

The Attorney General of Dubai, His Excellency, Esam Issa Al Humaidan, said in a statement availed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, that its Public Prosecution had completed investigations and closed the case involving the the woman who attempted to enter the UAE with an expired passport.

The Swedish national, Ellie Holman, 44, and daughter were allegedly reported by foreign media to have been detained in Dubai after drinking complimentary glass of wine on Emirates flight at Dubai International Airport on July 13.

They also accused the woman was equally denied water and forced to clean toilets – after she admitted to drinking a glass of wine on the incoming Emirates flight from London.

Al Humaidan said the incident started with the arrival of the accused with her daughter from London Gatwick Airport on board an Emirates flight.

The attorney said that the woman from Kent, England, attempted to enter the country using a Swedish passport, which had already expired on June 10, 2018.

“She was advised by the immigration officers that she could not enter the country with an expired passport.

“She then produced an Iranian passport, and was informed by the officer that she could enter the country by issuing a new temporary visa, which allowed a 96-hour stay, and had to change her departure flight according to the new visa.

“Ms. Hollman refused angrily due to the additional payment of fees the process required, and proceeded to verbally insult the immigration officer and take photos of the officer via her phone,’’ the attorney said in the statement.

Al Humaidan said that a legal claim was issued against Ms. Holman with charges of profanity and photographing a government official at the border crossing, a restricted area.

According to him, the woman and her child remained together in the airport security office for less than 24 hours, while services were provided to them, taking into full account and consideration of her four-year-old daughter.

“Her father received her immediately upon his arrival and they subsequently departed the country. The prosecution decided to drop the charges against Ellie Hollman and to deport her instead,’’ the attorney added. (NAN)
ENN/PDE
=======
(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)

Victory
By Mohammed Lawal

Birnin Kebbi, Aug. 13, 2018 (NAN) The victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the weekend bye-elections signal victory for President Muhammdu Buhari come 2019, according to a House of Representatives aspirant, Alhaji Abu Najakku.

Najakku , who is warming for contest for Birnin Kebbi/Bunza/Kalgo Federal Constituency, Kebbi on the platform of APC, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.

The aspirant also said that the victory was a victory for all progressive Nigerians.

NAN reports that APC emerged victorious in all the two senatorial seats of Katsina and Bauchi states as well as House of Representatives seat in Kogi on Aug.11.

“This is a clear indication that President Muhammadu Buhari will ‘insha-Allah’ win the 2019 presidential election.

“The victory shows that the masses are behind our president because of his good plans for Nigeria as well as what he has done for the entire country.

“I have no doubt in my mind that APC will do it again by recording a landslide victory over other political parties and all these will be possible by the grace of God Almighty.

“Buhari is a gift from Almighty Allah and our prayers for him are that, Allah will increase him in health and wisdom to lead this country to promise land,” he said.

While urging Nigerians to support the policies and programmess of the present administration in the country, Najakku assured that the president would not disappoint them.

The aspirant advised the people to always ensure that they elect people with proven integrity that would not only deliver the goods but deliver them “effectively, effectively, successfully and excellently. “ (NAN)
KLM/ESAN/DUA

Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan APC Gubernatorial Aspirant in Oyo State

Governorship

By Wale Ojetimi

Ibadan, Aug. 12, 2018 (NAN) An All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, has advised youths to be more active in party politics to enable them take up leadership positions.

Unveiling his gubernatorial campaign programme at Oluyole Constituency, Ibadan on Sunday, Olaosebikan said greater participation of youths in politics would strengthen the nation’s democracy and accelerate development.

“Once young people get more active in party politics, we will begin to have more quality, energetic and vibrant people involved in governance and development of the country,’’ he said.

Olaosebikan, one-time council chairman and press secretary to former Gov. Lam Adesina, commended initiators of Not Too Young To Run Act, National Assembly and President Muhammadu Buhari for making it a reality.

He urged all youths above 18 years to register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) in order to make real meaning out of the Not Too Young To Run Act.

Olaosebikan told APC supporters that he had consulted widely and obtained the blessings of critical stakeholders to contest the election.

“I was formally adopted as Oyo State governorship candidate by Oluyole Local Government Chapter of APC and remains only candidate formally adopted by a council for the 2019 gubernatorial election,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the launch of Olaosebikan’s 2019 gubernatorial campaign, themed “Ojo Ola Oyo”, was attended by APC chieftains, including Oyo lawmaker, Muideen Adebolu and State deputy Chairman, Lekan Adeyemo.

Also present at the campaign launch were APC Chairman in Oluyole council area, Alhaji Waheed Akinleye and Oluyole Local Government Chairman, Mr Ayo Abass-Alesinloye, among others. (NAN)

WOJ

Edited by Wale Ojetimi

=================

APC

By Kola Adeyemi

Lokoja, Aug. 12, 2018 (NAN) The Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Haruna Isah, has been declared winner of the Lokoja/Kogi House of Representatives by-election held on Aug.11.

The Returning Officer, Prof. Rotimi Ajayi, who announced the results on Sunday in Lokoja, said Isah polled 26, 860 votes to defeat Alhaji Bashir Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 14, 845 votes.

Ajayi said that Ahmed Imam of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) scored 2, 916 votes, while the candidates of the Accord Party and Alternative Democratic Congress (ADC) scored 149 votes and 2,984 votes, respectively.

The Labour Party scored 90 votes; Democratic Alternative scored 159 votes; while Megga Party of Nigeria scored 50 votes, Ajayi stated.

He said that 19,960 votes from 17 polling units were cancelled due to violence and other malpractices, saying that 15 of the affected polling units were in Lokoja Local Government Area, while two were from Kogi Local Government Area.

Giving a further breakdown of the election results, the Returning Officer said that 51, 669 voters were accredited for the election while only 50,036 actually cast their votes.

According to him, valid votes are 48,165, while rejected votes are 1,871.

The by-election was conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill the vacancy created by the death of the former occupant of the seat, Umar Buba Jibrin, on March 30.

Jibrin was also of the APC. (NAN)
KKA /AMY
Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

Death

Lokoja, Aug. 11, 2018 (NAN) Police in Lokoja have confirmed the death of another person during Saturday’s bye-election to fill the vacant Lokoja /Kogi seat in House of Representatives.

Spokesman of the command, DSP William Aya, who confirmed this to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja on Saturday, said the incident had brought the number of people killed during the election to two.

He said that the latest victim, who he identified as Yadau Umoru was killed at Ugwan Pawa polling unit, in front of Maigari palace while attempting to snatch a ballot box.

According to him, the corpse of the deceased has been deposited in the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja.

An unidentified man had earlier in the day been killed by a mob at the polling unit located by Abuja Electricity Distribution Company’s office in Lokoja, while also attempting to snatch a ballot box.

Aya had told NAN that the identity of the unfortunate man was unknown.

The bye-election which started peacefully, with impressive turnout of voters, later became characterized by vote-buying and violence, including ballot box-snatching.  (NAN)
KKA /OPI