Buhari Orders FEC Members With Political Ambitions To Resign

Buhari Orders FEC Members With Political Ambitions To Resign

Abuja – President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that all members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) running for elective offices to submit their letters of resignation on or before Monday the 16th of May, 2022.

The Minister of information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council meeting.

Those affected are Ministers of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio; Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu; Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, who have all joined the presidential race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Others are the Minister of State Mines and Steel, Uche Ogar, who is running for the governorship position in Abia State, and the Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, who declared her ambition to contest for the senatorial seat in Plateau State.

Mr. Mohammed stressed that this mandate excludes the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo because he is an elected member of the cabinet.

He affirmed that any amendment or additions to this directive will be disseminated accordingly.

The Minister added that if the need arises, the directive might involve political appointees.

ASUU Strike: Senate Will Bring Back FG/ASUU To Negotiation Table – Lawan

ASUU Strike: Senate Will Bring Back FG/ASUU To Negotiation Table – Lawan

….Urges students to avoid confrontation

Abuja – The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan said on Tuesday that the Senate will intervene in the lingering dispute between the Federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) by bringing back the two parties to the negotiation table.

Lawan made the promise to the officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS) who were led to his office by a concerned Methodist Bishop, Dr. Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha.

The NANS President, Sunday Asefon who spoke for his other colleagues lamented their continued stay at home and disruption of their academic programme and urged the Senate President to intervene in the dispute between the Federal government and the University teachers.

Responding, the Senate President expressed unhappiness about the turn of events, recalling that the Senate had intervened in the past before everything broke down again.

He however promised that the Senate would wade in again and expressed optimism that the issues would soon be resolved.

“You are in the right place. We are going to intervene. We will make concerted and sustained efforts to bring back ASUU and the Federal government to the negotiating table so that we are able to resolve as quickly as possible those issues that are now very knotty and have stopped our Universities from reopening, that is now making our students walking the streets all over the country.

“But I want to appeal to you too, since we are going to make effort to bring back everybody back to the negotiating table, you should give us a chance to do that believing that we are going to find a solution because it is not only enough to bring them back to the negotiating table, but we will participate and I want to make sure that we find the solution when we start the negotiation again.

“Now that you have come here, we are going to make sure that everybody in this sector especially those in public sector who has responsibility and mandate perform their functions. We will make sure they do that.

“Because you have come, I think we also have some tonic enough in us. Time is of essence and we must do whatever is necessary to get this issue resolved.

Also responding to the threat by the students to distrupt political activities, Lawan appealed to them to continue in the path of consultation and avoid confrontation.

“I want to also advise, I don’t think it will be necessary to distrupt political activities. We shouldn’t do that and we don’t need to do that. 
‘What we need to do is to continue to follow the path of consultation, consolidation and avoid confrontation. It is when you emphasise consultation, it is much easier for us to find something that you can consolidate.

“Your prayer that you want the Federal government and ASUU back to negotiate and resolve the issues. We have taken this prayer. We have endorsed it and we will work for it as quickly as possible.

“It is an opportunity for me also to appeal to ASUU to suspend this strike period because there is no way ASUU can negotiate with the Federal government when it is on strike. So it is an opportunity for us to have them, at least create a window, suspend the strike for a certain period and let us see how far we can go.

“I want to be very positive that we are going to resolve this issue as soon as possible by the Grace of God,” Lawan said.

The Senate President said the 2009 agreement which is the Crux of the matter was not properly thought out before it was signed.

“Somebody just wanted ASUU to go back to the classroom and just signed everything there.We must understand that there are things that when we promise we should do, we must do,” Lawan said.

Nasarawa: We’re Ready To Host Inaugural Investment Summit – Gov Sule

Nasarawa: We’re Ready To Host Inaugural Investment Summit – Gov Sule

Lafia – Engineer Sule of Nasarawa State has said the state is ready and prepared to host its inaugural investment summit scheduled for tomorrow and next.

Engineer Sule stated this on Tuesday, shortly after inspecting the Lafia airport ahead of the arrival of the former Ghanian president, John Dramani Mahama.

Dramani is expected to fly into Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital later in the day.

Chatting with the Government House press crew shortly after inspecting the airport, Engineer Sule emphasized that his administration is ready to host the investment summit and that Nasarawa State has made all the preparations to be able to host investors and to show investors the way, opportunity and prospects that exist in the state, so that they can invest.

The Governor explained that unlike what most people frequent, the summit being hosted by Nasarawa State is not economic but an investment summit, with the people being invited being investors that will directly invest in the areas of mining and agriculture.

“Usually, people just go and attend economic summits but ours is a little different. It’s not an economic summit, it’s actually an investment summit. The people we are inviting are people that are investing directly in the areas of mining and agriculture. That’s the main focus of our approach,” Engineer Sule stated.

He explained however that, other investors will also participate in the summit since there are several areas in Nasarawa State with prospects and potentials, especially in housing development, health care, education, amongst others.

The Governor used the opportunity to appreciate the organising committee for the summit, top government functionaries, management and staff of the Nasarawa State Investment Development Agency (NASIDA), for all the efforts put in place towards hosting the investment summit.

Engineer Sule particularly thanked members of the state economic advisory council led by renowned banker and lawyer, Professor Konye Ajayi, for the collective ideas to host the investment summit.

As the first Nasarawa State investment summit holds tomorrow, Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, former Emir of Kano, HRH Muhammad Sanusi II and the President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, are expected to grace the opening ceremony.

Also expected at the event is the Vice President Islamic Development Bank Dr. Mansur Muhtar.

2023: Governor Sule Submits Nomination Form

2023: Governor Sule Submits Nomination Form

….Says only the best will emerge APC presidential candidate

Abuja -. Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has submitted his nomination and expression of interest forms to the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Engineer Sule submitted the completed forms to the National Organising Secretary of the party, Suleiman Argungu, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, on Monday.

This is just as the Governor hinted that, in spite of the high number of aspirants seeking to fly the flag of the ruling party for the presidential election, only the best will eventually emerge as the presidential candidate of the party.

Speaking to journalists shortly after submitting his forms, Engineer Sule appreciated the leadership of the party at the national level, for the orderliness, capacity and competence demonstrated while conducting the exercise.

Engineer Sule described the exercise as exciting, especially that the form he just submitted was bought on his behalf by common people that came together to raise funds to purchase the forms for him.

“Its a more exciting thing for me personally, because this form that I just submitted was purchased for me by the common people in Nasarawa State.

“People that got together, raising N1000, N100 here, N200 here, they were able to raise the funds to buy the form for me. That is what is even more exciting for me in the submission of this forms,” he stated.

Commenting on the high number of aspirants seeking to fly the flag of the ruling APC in the presidential election, the Governor assured that only the best will be selected to emerge as the presidential candidate of the party.

“The more people are showing interest, the more it’s proven to the world how exciting the party is. Whatever is good, will attract people.

“There are so many other parties that we don’t even have a single person purchasing any form out of the 18 registered political parties. In fact, if we have 100 people who are showing interest, it clearly shows that at the end of the day, we will select the best,” Engineer Sule said.

Engineer Sule used the opportunity of the parley to clarify issues suggesting that he only intended to stay for a single term in office, stressing that he never made such statement.

According to the Governor, the same opposition flying the false claim, sent their agent to ask how Engineer Sule feels when people say he is a one-term governor.

“What happened was that the same opposition that are showing it actually sent somebody to ask me what will be my reaction about people who are calling me one-term. And I said to them, if God Almighty makes it one term, I Abdullahi Sule, will be more than happy to spend my one term and go back,” he stated.

The Governor pointed out the opposition is merely scared of going into the election against him.

“They are bringing this up because they are afraid. They should not be afraid of Abdullahi Sule, they should come and make it one term, it’s not too late. They should come and beat me at the polls,” he challenged the opposition.

On the letter of withdrawal issued by the national secretariat of the party for aspirants to sign, Engineer Sule said he will sign the form only after seeking necessary explanation.

Engineer Sule was accompanied on the trip to submit his forms by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, Senators Umaru Tanko Almakura and Godiya Akwashiki, members of the APC State working committee, other critical stakeholders and party stalwarts.

Revealed! How APC Governor Paid N100m To Lure Jonathan Into 2023 Race

Revealed! How APC Governor Paid N100m To Lure Jonathan Into 2023 Race

Abuja -. A search by a leading newspaper in Nigeria, DailyTrust has shown that a serving northern governor, name withheld, actually the N100 million to the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) for tye procurement of the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms.

The motive of the transaction was a part of the agenda by some powerful APC members to draft former President Goodluck Jonathan into the 2023 presidential race.

A group called Nomadic Pastoralists and the Almajiri Communities led by one Ibrahim Abdullahi had picked up the forms on Jonathan’s behalf on Monday, claiming they paid for them.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after picking the forms, Abdullahi said they decided to purchase the forms for Jonathan to enable him stage a comeback and continue with the good work he had started.

But hours after the news went viral, Jonathan’s Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, said his principal did not authorise the purchase of the forms but thanked the donors for their concern.

He also said Jonathan was not in the presidential race of the ruling party.

Daily Trust gathered from sources that a serving northern governor credited the APC Collection Account domiciled with Heritage Bank, with N100m.

The bank had also in a letter dated May 9, 2022 told the APC that it received the amount.

The letter was titled, ‘Notification of credit into account: All Progressives Congress (APC) Collections Account: 5600007616’.

Daily Trust had reported how two influential governors from the northern part of the country are plotting the return bid of Jonathan.

Multiple sources, who are in the know, said two governors, close to President Muhammadu Buhari, have secured the buy-in of a section of the presidency to actualise their agenda of drafting the former president into the presidential race.

While one of the governors is from the North West, the other is from the North East geopolitical zone.

The two governors have been playing key roles in the affairs of the APC in the last few years.

In the last seven years, the former president has not been attending activities of his party.

This is just as his romance with President Buhari and top shots of the ruling party takes the centre stage, a development that has pitched him against opposition leaders in the country.

The purchase of presidential forms for Jonathan changed the whole discussion around the 2023 presidency. (MetroWatch)

Earling Haaland’s Manchester City Move Confirmed

Manchester City has confirmed a deal has been reached with Borussia Dortmund to sign Erling Haaland this summer.

The Premier League champions confirmed this in a tweet from their official handle.

It read: “Manchester City can confirm that we have reached an agreement in principle with Borussia Dortmund for the transfer of striker Erling Haaland to the Club on 1st July 2022.

“The transfer remains subject to the Club finalising terms with the player.”

A clause in his contract means Haaland is available for just £62m this summer.

Guardiola will finally land a striker, just 12 months after City were frustrated in a £150m move for Harry Kane.

Senate Passes Bill To Enact Arbitration And Mediation Act, Three Others For Concurrence

Senate Passes Bill To Enact Arbitration And Mediation Act, Three Others For Concurrence

 Abuja – The Senate, on Tuesday, passed a bill to enact the Arbitration and Mediation Act to provide for a unified legal framework for the settlement of commercial disputes.

Also passed were there other bills for concurrence from the House of Representatives by the chamber after a clause-by-clause consideration by the Committee of the Whole.

The bills include: Federal Medical Centre Ogoja, Cross-River State (Establishment) Bill, 2022; Federal Medical Centre Igboora, Oyo State (Establishment) Bill, 2021; and Advertising Regulatory Council Bill, 2022.

The four bills for concurrence were sponsored by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North). 
The Senate Leader, in his lead debate, said that the Arbitration and Mediation Act, 2022, seeks to repeal the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, Cap A18, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

He disclosed that the piece of legislation recognizes and enforces the New York convention on foreign arbitration awards to any award made in Nigeria or in any contracting state arising out of international commercial arbitration.

He added that it also seeks the application of the Singapore convention on the international settlement agreements resulting from mediation. 
The four bills for concurrence were passed by the Senate after a clause-by-clause consideration by the Committee of the Whole.

Meanwhile, a bill to repeal the National Secondary Education Commission Act, Tuesday, scaled second reading in the Senate.

The bill seeks to enact the National Senior Secondary Education Act, 2022, to prescribe minimum standards for senior secondary education in Nigeria. 

Sponsor of the bill, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, I’m his lead debate on the general principles, said the bill makes provision for the management of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission Fund – as a source of government intervention towards repositioning Senior Secondary Schools in Nigeria. 

The bill after consideration was referred by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to the Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary) for further legislative work. 

The Committee was given four weeks to report back to the chamber in plenary.

IGP Congratulates New CRAN Excos

…Charges journalists on Balanced Crime Reportage

Abuja – The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has congratulated the newly elected President of the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN), Olalekan Olabulo of the Tribune Newspaper, and other elected Executive Officials at the Association’s general elections held on Friday 6th May, 2022 in Lagos State.

This congratulatory message was contained in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi made available to Peionews.

According to the statement, the IGP noted that the new officials are individuals who have dignified and distinguished themselves in their various media fora, adding that the election is a recognition of their years of selfless service and commitment to value.

He equally appreciated the outgoing officials led by the immediate past president, Sunday Odita, of the Guardian Newspaper, for their labor at maintaining a friendly mien while carrying out their statutory responsibilities.

The IGP while assuring of his administration’s commitment to leave no stone unturned in the fight against crimes and criminality in the country, urges the new officials to work collectively and closely with the Nigeria Police Force in ensuring a balanced reportage while the Force collaborates with CRAN for a safe, secured and peaceful country in general. 

FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,FORCE HEADQUARTERSABUJA

Senate Amends Electoral Act, Includes Statutory Delegates In Party Congresses, Conventions

Senate Amends Electoral Act, Includes Statutory Delegates In Party Congresses, Conventions

Abuja – The Senate on Tuesday altered the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and provided for the participation of statutory delegates in the conventions, congresses or meetings of political parties in Nigeria.

The expeditious consideration followed the suspension of relevant Senate Rules to pave the way for the First, Second and Third Reading of the bill same day.

Titled, “A bill for an Act to Amend the 2022 Electoral Act No. 13 and for other Related Matters, 2022 (SB 1002),” the proposed legislation was sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta Central).

Statutory delegates include the President, Vice President, State and National Assembly members, Governors and their deputies, Chairmen of Councils, Councillors, National Working Committee of political parties, Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of political parties amongst others.

In his Lead Debate, Senator Omo-Agege said the amendment became necessary to correct an ‘unintended error’ in the Electoral Act signed by President Muhammadu Buhari this year.

This, he noted, would ensure the participation of both satutory and elected delegates in the conventions, congresses of political parties.

“As couched, Section 84(8) of the Electoral Act, 2022 does not provide for the participation of what is generally known as ‘statutory delegates’ in the conventions, congresses or meetings of political parties.

“The extant subsection only clearly provides for the participation of elected delegates in the conventions, congresses or meetings of political parties held to nominate candidates of political parties.

“This is an unintended error, and we can only correct it with this amendment now before us,” he said.

Seconding the motion, Senator Uche Ekwunife (PDP, Anambra Central) said the amendment would ensure that statutory delegates were not disenfranchised in the primaries of political parties to elect candidates for the 2023 General Election.

After the First and Second Reading of the Bill, Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (APC, Kebbi North), moved for the suspension of Rule 80 (1) of the Senate State Order to allow for the clause-by-clause consideration of the bill by Committee of the Whole.

Speaking after the approval, Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan who presided over the session, explained that the move was an ’emergency effort to ensure’ that statutory delegates were not disenfranchised in the forthcoming primaries of political parties.

He said after the processes are concluded in both chambers of the National Assembly, the bill would be transmitted to the Executive for assent within the week.

Jonathan Distances Self From Procured APC Presidential Nomination Form

Jonathan Distances Self From Procured APC Presidential Nomination Form

Abuja – Former President Goodluck Jonathan has distanced himself from the purported purchase of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination and expression of interests form by a northern group.

Peionews recalls that on Monday evening, the media (both electronic and online) was awash with news that Jonathan has joined the race for the 2023 presidential election under the platform of the APC after the northern group procured one hundred million naira (N100m) nomination and expression of interests form for him.

But Jonathan in a swift reaction via statement signed by his Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, made available to Peionews correspondent, said he was not aware of this bid and did not authorize it.

The statement reads in full:

Re: PURPORTED PURCHASE OF APC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION FORM FOR FORMER PRESIDENT JONATHAN

It has come to the notice of His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, that a group has purportedly purchased Presidential Nomination and Expression of Interest forms, of the All Progressives Congress (the APC), in his name.
We wish to categorically state that Dr. Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorize it.

While we appreciate the overwhelming request by a cross-section of Nigerians, for Dr. Jonathan to make himself available for the 2023 Presidential election, we wish to state that he has not in any way, committed himself to this request.

We thank the general public for their concern, as we continue to encourage citizen participation in the affairs of the country.

Ikechukwu Eze
Media Adviser to H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.