Ten out of twelve aspirants for the All Progressives Party (APC) primaries have alleged intimidation

Ten out of twelve aspirants for the All Progressives Party (APC) primaries have alleged intimidation and harassment of party officials by an "interest group." This was contained in a letter addressed to the National Chairman, John Odigie Oyegun and signed by the following aspirants; Prof Osermiemen Osunbor, Pius Odubu, Chris Ogiemwonyi, Charles Airhiavbere, Ken Imasuagbon, Austin Emuan, Blessing Agbomhere,Tina Agbarha, Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula and Comrade Peter Esele. The letter read in part; "There has remained consistent harassment and intimidation of party officials and political appointees on account of their support for aspirants of their choice. "The latest of these acts of impunity and desperation to win at all cost is the purchase and or collections of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) by force or inducement by agents of a particular aspirant with a view to undermining a free and fair process of nomination beginning with accreditation of delegates. "Most of the aspirants have been denied access to delegates during campaigns by a certain notorious thug who has consistently threatened Oredo delegates against meeting with aspirants other than hiss preferred aspirant. "In view of the incessant harassment and intimidation of delegates, the party should ensure that the right of the delegates to vote in secrecy is protected an guaranteed. "That the National Working Committee should direct all those in possession of PVCs belonging to any delegate (s) or any person to return he PVCs to their owners forthwith or face sanction from the party. "That the National Working Committee shoul direct the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to arrest, investigate and prosecute all those involved in the collection or purchase of PVCs in Edo state. They urged the National Working Committee to engage security agencies before, during and after the primaries.

senate says we failed to plan for economy

• Senators mull measures to fight recession • Buhari sends 47 envoy-nominees list to upper chamber • President names Akabueze Budget Office’s DG An occasion that was supposed to be an exuberant celebration of the one year’s anniversary of the Senate yesterday became one of sober reflection at the upper legislative chamber over the dismal state of the nation’s economy. The occasion, however, was not lacking in suggestions on how to reverse the negative trends in the economy. Leading other senators, Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki noted that as a nation, “we have failed to take the necessary steps in policy and legislations that would set us on the path to developing the kind of economy that we desire.” Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday unveiled a list of 47 nominees sent to it by President Muhammadu Buhari for confirmation as ambassadors. The list, as read out by Saraki at the commencement of the session, contained only the names of pure career public servants. Saraki informed senators of the president’s plea that the screening and confirmation of the nominees be given accelerated consideration. Saraki said: “The collapse in oil price has without doubt brought huge shock to our economy on a scale that perhaps has never been experienced before. This requires us to develop creative strategies that would stimulate business and investments into other sectors.” On measures adopted by the Senate to address the economic problems through legislative interventions, the Senate president said: “The Ease of Doing Business Report that ranks our country 167 out of 189 countries is not likely to attract business into our economy. This Senate understands this. With the support from our international development partners, organised private sector, we commissioned an expert report which identified 54 extant laws that must be reviewed and brought in line with international best practices in order to open up our economy up for private investments and business.” Other legislative actions the Senate had taken to address the issue according to Saraki include the processing and passage of some series of legislations directly related to reviving the economy. “This legislative intervention yielded about 15 major economic reform bills and seven business environment bills. Some of these bills have since entered the dockets of the Senate and are at various stages of consideration as some also have been passed by the Senate. “Chief among those passed include the Electronic Transaction Bill 2015; Debt Recovery and Insolvency bill 2015 and; the Railway Bill which is being considered through the final lap. All these bills represent a watershed in economic and business legislations in our country,” he said. Continuing, Saraki noted that: “The Electronic Transaction Bill 2015 for example, will be the first legal framework ever in our country that provides the legal foundation for electronic signatures and guarantees predictability in contracts made electronically. “Once signed into law, this bill will offer full protection to contracts entered into via emails, and transactions conducted with online shops, electronic commerce and services platforms, which are currently not provided for in our laws. “By passing this bill, the Senate has given legitimacy and local application to the United Nations Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts, which was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 23rd November 2005.” He also included the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Repeal and Amendment Bill 2015 as another important bill that has emerged from the Senate’s interventions. The senator who represents Bayelsa East District, Ben Bruce, took a very critical look at government’s approach towards redeeming Nigerians from the current economic shackles and declared that the budget must be structured in such a manner that pays at least 50 per cent attention to capital projects. “We celebrate one year in office but I am very troubled by our economy. A lot of things have gone wrong and we have no time to fix the problems. Everybody complains that the price of oil has caused the decline of economy. But everybody must understand that the oil sector contributes 50 percent to the Gross Domestic Product which cannot all of a sudden have a negative growth of minus .36 per cent. We have a very serious problem coupled with the fact that 18,000 babies are born in Nigeria everyday more than the whole of Western Europe combined and population growth with the declining economic growth is a terrible combination to have. This is coupled with the fact that after one year the budget has not been implemented as the Minister of Finance has said. “Now, let me make a request to President Buhari. When the budget for next year is presented, he must give the Minister of Finance a direct instruction: recurrent expenditure should not exceed 50 per cent of the budget”, Bruce said. Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Olusola Adeyeye drew the attention of his colleagues to the series of problems bedeviling the nation in addition to the challenge of imminent economic recession. Adeyeye said: “No matter the political party we belong to, the country is in a turmoil. The economy is in a bad shape. Insecurity is very high. Unemployment is unimaginable. The next one year must not be like the last one year. We must make a difference.” Also speaking on the general state of affairs in the country, Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio warned that if something urgent was not done, Nigeria would be plunged into crisis. He noted that “In the South-south, people have abandoned their homes because of activities of Niger Delta Avengers. The north is under turmoil. The South-east is boiling because of agitation. The South-west is the only peaceful area. “I want to urge the APC to market this country very well. They must change the way they talk about Nigeria. Things need to change,” Akpabio submitted. Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu in his remarks, said only God gives power. He called on detractors to leave the Red Chamber alone. “I am proud of our accomplishments as a Senate. When we started, we were divided along the lines of Unity Forum, Like Minds and non-aligned, but today we are united as one indivisible Senate, working for the progress of our nation. “To our detractors, let me just say that there is God. It is God that gives power and He gives to whoever he wants.‎ It does not make any sense people wasting their time and energy plotting the downfall of others,” he said. Meanwhile, the Senate declared that it has initiated a total number of 300 bills between June 2015 till date. Addressing a press conference shortly after the session, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Babajide Omoworare disclosed that of the 300 bills introduced into the senate only four were executive bills, adding that the rest were sponsored by senators. According to him, out of these 300 bills, “186 bills are at the first reading stage, while 45 have been read the second time and referred to the various committees for further legislative action.” The President’s list of envoy-nominees include Obinna Chukwuemeka, Salisu Umoru, Iyan Udoh, Okeke Vivian, Liman Munir, Edem Jane, Mohammed Hassan, Martin Cobham, Janet Molegbo, Itegbuoye Sunday, Olatunde Adesesan and Lilian Onu. Others are Manaja Isa, Ngozi Ukeje, Bello Husseini, Enoch Ducci, Garba Baba, Usman Aliyu, Umar Salisu, Momoh Omeiza, Kadiri Audu, Balogun Hakeem, Nosa Ahmed, Ibrahim Isa, Bankole Adeoye and Ibidapo Obe. Other ambassadorial nominees are Ogundaro Sakirat, Eric Belgam, Ateru Haliru, Ramota Bulima, Musa Mamman, Kabiru Bala, Adamu Shuaibu, D.A. Agiv, T.K. Gonglong, Ibrahim Hamza, K.C. Nwachukwu and Q.R. Wolu. The list also had E.K. Oguntuwase, A.I. Paragauda, L.A. Gasharga, Olufemi Abikoye, Abubakar Ibrahim, Rabiu Kawu, Janet Bisong and Adekunbi Habeebat. Besides, Special Adviser to the President on Budget Matters and former Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Ben Akabueze, was yesterday appointed the new Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation. He swapped position with Alhaji Tijani Abdullahi, who was also named the new Special Adviser to the President on Planning. No reason was given for the latest development, but a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointments.

Book haram trapped in sambisa forest

Members of the Boko Haram sect are now trapped in Sambisa Forest, Borno State, the Nigerian Army has said. According to the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Lucky Irabor, the ongoing rains are frustrating the group’s activities. “What we have now done is to reduce the capacity they have in Sambisa and the same way they have made it difficult for us to reach them, we have also made life unbearable for them,” Irabor said at a news conference, according to The Cable. “If they remain there they are on their own but if they come out and surrender we are here to receive them,” he added. Irabor had earlier urged Boko Haram terrorists who wish to surrender to do so before it is too late.

militant slam MEND for calling them criminals

The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) have accused the Governor of Edo state, Adams Oshiomhole and ex-Governor of Bayelsa state, Timipre Silva of encouraging the Movement For the Emancipation of The Niger Delta (MEND). The militant group also called MEND criminals, adding that their days of crime are over. The Niger Delta Avengers also said their agenda is to liberate the people of the region and not to run after pipeline contracts. They also accused ex militant leaders like Boyloaf and Ateke Tom of carrying out several crimes in the Niger Delta. The militants in a statement obtained from their official website, and signed by its spokesman, Brig.Gen Mudoch Agbinibo said: "We appeal to the general public and all sane minds on the activities of Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to disregards all purported statements and misplaced threat emanating from disbanded criminal elements like the so-called MEND (Movement For the Emancipation of The Niger Delta) that are political sidekicks and desperations from Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state, Mr. Timipre Silva and their political paymasters to hold their political party to the jugular of the affairs of the Niger Delta Region. "That our struggle is focused on the liberation of the People of Niger Delta from decades of divisive rule and exclusion. We are watching keenly their regretful efforts at rebranding and regrouping criminal elements in the region for their short political gains and territories. "The NDA is unperturbed, we have mandate that is clearly a departure of those old tactics of the defunct so-called MEND that was indulged in kidnapping, hostage taking, Sea piracy, illegal oil bunkering, bank robberies and social crimes, the likes of Boyloafs, Ateke Toms, were associated to in their days in the name struggle. "The wind of change in the Niger Delta struggle has come, we are are young, smart, and focused Niger deltans. Our mandate is to liberate the Niger Delta people; we don’t run after pipeline contracts. "God bless the Niger Delta People."

Governor fayose of EKITI state commends president Buhari for negotiating with militants

The Governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose has commended President Buhari for agreeing to dialogue with militants in the Niger Delta region. Fayose also called on the Federal Government to show commitment to the dialogue so as to win the militants’ trust. He also told members of the negotiation committee that the responsibility before them is important, and called on them to be sincere. The Governor described the oil rich Niger Delta as the ‘goose that lays the golden egg,’ adding that it is not wise to sustain a military operation in the region. Fayose, speaking through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, also said “If our daily crude oil production of 2.2 million barrels per day had been sustained, Nigeria would have been having savings in the Excess Crude Account by now. “Crude oil bench mark is $38 per barrel while the oil is now being sold at $50 per barrel, meaning that we would have been having $12 per barrel saved in the Excess Crude Account.”

Tips on how to find the photographer for your wedding

Tips on how to find your photographer 1.) Do your research. Research the photographer. Know his previous work with what client. Also check the quality of his work if that’s what you want for your wedding. 2.) Negotiate Price. After finding the photographer, you need to ask a lot of questions like how many hours do they shoot for. What time of the day are they shooting (from the making up of the bride till when?) 3.) When do they close? Do they leave when the cake has been cut or will they leave during prayers or after the after-party? 4.) Let him know the special moments you want him to photograph like kissing the bride, the first dance and so on. 5.) How many albums will you be getting or how many CDs will he be making? Is he going to put the photos on his blog or website or his social media accounts? 6.) The best way to pick your vendor is by going with your gut feeling. Sometimes you just pick him/her because you love the photographer and trust he will do a great job.

Femi Fani-Kayode has said that the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is suffering from hallucinations and dementia.

The spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign organization, Femi Fani-Kayode has said that the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is suffering from hallucinations and dementia. Fani-Kayode stated this in response to Tinubu’s allegation that President Goodluck Jonathan had offered him the Vice Presidential slot for a proposed interim government. The PDP spokesperson however dismissed Tinubu’s claims as false and baseless saying that the APC leader was simply being plagued by his sins. A statement released by Fani-Kayode reads: “These allegations are baseless and false. These people have become prisoners of their own delusions and they have become victims of their horrific and terrifying hallucinations. “We are not in the least bit interested in the formation of an interim government and we are even less interested in participating in any contraption in which Bola Tinubu would play any role. “Those that killed Funso Williams know who they are and it is very clear that his spirit is now tormenting his murderers. Let them be fully aware of this: whoever it was that killed Funso William will suffer the judgment of God both in this life and in the life hereafter. God would see to that. “It is not true that anyone is trying to frame Tinubu for murder and it is not true that anyone from our government approached him to be the Vice President of anything. It is clear that he has an overinflated opinion of himself and he is suffering from the most extreme form and manifestation of paranoia. “The man is hiding from his own shadow and the fear of his party losing at the polls later this month is giving him sleepless nights. Whether he, Buhari and their APC like it or not, they will be devastated at the polls and they would suffer a crushing and irreparable defeat. “The everlasting confusion that would ensue in their camp after suffering this defeat will never be forgotten. The truth is this: the dementia in which Tinubu is suffering from has come as a consequence of his numerous sins. He should settle all these issues with God and leave us alone.” Tinubu had also alleged that the attacks on his person were as a result of his refusal to participate in the plot. 'Jola Sotubo is a Senior Associate at Pulse. ‘Jola is a lawyer by profession, a photographer by training and a writer at heart. She believes that the status quo is never good enough and that life is best lived to the fullest. Email: monjola.sotubo@ringier.ng.