Atiku Dissociates Self From Defecting Supporters To PDP

A former Vice President and chieftain of the All progressives Congress, APC, Atiku Abubakar, has denied knowledge of the groups of politicians who announced their defection to the PDP from the APC.

Atiku said in a statement by his media office in Abuja that he remains a committed member of the APC and urged that the purported defections of these groups be discountenanced.

A total of 120 so-called pro-Atiku support groups on Tuesday defected from the APC to the PDP.

They dumped the APC for the ruling PDP at an elaborate ceremony held at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

FEC APPROVES FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF CONFAB REPORT.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) wednesday formally approved for the full implementation of the recommendations contained in the 2014 National Conference Report.
The immediate past supervising Minister of Information, Chief Edem Duke disclosed this to newsmen after the FEC meeting.
Chief Edem Duke who was joined by the Secretary to the government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim said the cabinet members hailed the report and commended delegates to the conference for a job well done.
He said council also appealed to Nigerians to look at the document and follow up its implementation by government.

JONATHAN SWEARS IN MINISTERS, NAMES OBANIKORO FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday swore in the new set of ministers cleared by the Senate.
Embattled former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, (Lagos) was sworn in as the Minister of State Foreign Affairs II, while Nicholas Ada (Benue) is now the Minister of State Foreign Affairs I.
Mr. Obanikoro had resigned his appointment to run for the Lagos governorship ticket under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, but lost to Jimi Agbaje.
Mr. Obanikoro’s nomination and final clearance by the Senate had been embroiled in controversy as he was fingered in the Ekiti State rigging scandal evidenced by an audio recording.
Nigerians including the major opposition party, All Progressives Congress, opposed his nomination but the Senate President David Mark, said Mr. Obanikoro’s clearance was constitutional and in line with the Senate’s tradition.

Knocks for Jonathan, PDP over OPC’s Lagos protest

Lagosians recovered yesterday from the hangover of Monday’s pro-Goodluck Jonathan protest that crippled parts of the city to condemn the marchers and their sponsors.

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola led the castigation of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC)-led protests.

Members of the outlawed group, acting under security cover, smashed their way through Ikorodu Road while campaigning for President Jonathan’s re-election and calling for the removal of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega.

Switzerland Bank Set to release $380 million Abacha loot

 

Switzerland will return to Nigeria, about $380 million (360 million euros) linked to ex- military dictator Gen. Sani Abacha, Geneva’s public prosecutor said yesterday.

The release of this cash may bring to an end the 16-year case on the funds.

Gen. Abacha died in office in 1998 after a five-year iron-fist rule. He was seen as extremely corrupt and faced criticism over his human rights abuses.

PDM Allegedlly Hoodwink By Govenrnnor Mimiko To ENDORSE President Jonathan

Some former members of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), a political machinery that was the brain child of the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, have revealed how the embattled governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko, bribed leaders of the party to endorse President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term.

Bode Ajewole and Gov. OIusegun Mimiko revealed this Monday shortly after the endorsement press conference at the Adegbemile Cultural Centre Press in Akure on  by the members of the group under the banner of Atiku and the PDM.

The group, which has members across the Southwest states of the country through its leader, Bode Ajewole said their decision to endorse Jonathan was hinged on the position of Jonathan to implement the recommendations of last year’s National Conference immediately he is reelected.

Buhari: I won’t tamper with press freedom

 

The Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday said he will not tamper with press freedom if elected as a President on March 28.
He also said a change revolution is imminent in the country without firing a shot.
Buhari, who gave the assurance at an interactive session with members of the Newspaper  Proprietors Association of Nigeria( NPAN) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors ( NGE) in Abuja restated that he will not engage in a debate with President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said: “I want to give you my full assurances that in this democratic dispensation, I will ensure that the Nigerian constitution is upheld. This includes respect for the media, respect for the right to free expression and freedom of speech. Page 1 of 2 any of you are aware of Decree 4 of 1984, which was heavily criticised.

CANCELLING METROLINE, A MAJOR MISTAKE –JAKANDE

              
The first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, on Tuesday, said that the cancellation of the Lagos metroline project in 1985 was a major mistake and disservice to many Nigerians.
Jakande spoke in Lagos during the launch of a book which chronicled his life in politics and journalism.
The book, entitled, ‘Jakande: Leadership in Action’ is written by Dr. Bola Olaosebikan, who told the audience at the event that the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), was not responsible for the cancellation of the project.
Jakande said, “Reflecting on the metroline project, I think it is a major disservice to many Nigerians. Imagine how many people would have benefitted. It would have made life easier and changed the face of transport in Lagos. Whoever cancelled it or gave the advice towards its cancellation didn’t do right.”

BUHARI IS NIGERIA’S MANDELA —OKOROCHA

IMO State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has likened the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) to late Dr. Nelson Mandela of South Africa and urged Nigerians to give him the mandate to steer and stabilise the ship of state. Addressing Imo State indigenes who gathered on the banner of Imo State Towns Development Association Lagos (ISTDAL) at a colourful reception for him at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, Okorocha said at 72, the only thing uppermost in Buhari’s mind was to clear the rot in the polity and move on.

Video: Pregnant Silverbird TV staff murdered, boyfriend fingered

A pregnant staff of Silverbird Television in Lagos, Aisha Noble Mustapha, has been reportedly murdered in mysterious circumstances in the evening of Saturday, March 14, 2015, on her way back from her office.
The beautiful lady was stabbed 11 times on her way to her house in Ogudu GRA, and left in the pool of her blood.
Her boyfriend who is currently in police cell, according to insiders, is being fingered as the culprit. The reason for the suspicion is that in recent times, they have been having frequent disagreement over issues bordering on infidelity and unfaithfulness.