Sahara Reporters Latest News Friday 25th January 2019
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 25/01/19
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target=_blank>Ezekwesili Describes Galadima’s Allegations As ‘Baseless’
Obiageli Ezekwesili, presidential candidate of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), has described the allegations by Ganiyu Galadima, National Chairman of the party, that she was never really serious about her presidential ambition as “baseless”.
Speaking through Ozioma Ubabukoh, her media aide, Ezekwesili described Galadima’s claim that she was contesting to negotiate to be Minister of Finance as a figment of his imagination.
The former Education Minister withdrew from the race on Thursday morning after “extensive discussions with Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora”, citing the need to “focus on helping to build a veritable coalition to ensure a viable alternative to the #APCPDP in the forthcoming elections”.
“It is my ardent belief that this broad coalition for a viable alternative has now become more than ever before, an urgent mission for and on behalf of Nigerian citizens,” she had said. “I have therefore chosen to lead the way in demonstrating the much needed patriotic sacrifice for our national revival and redirection.”
However, Galadima, who was Ezekwesili’s running mate until she announced her withdrawal from the race, called a press conference during which he claimed the BringBackOurGirls activist never really wanted to be President but only wanted to use the position to negotiate for the position of Finance Minister.
He also said by withdrawing, Ezekwesili had only pre-empted the party’s decision to withdraw support for her, after which he announced the party’s decision to endorse President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid.
There were financial allegations as well, as Galadima said: “We also seek this medium to inform our former presidential candidate, Dr Ezekwesili, to return to the party all the property in her possession, especially the various donations that she has been receiving from all over the world. Whatever she had received belongs to the party and we must render account to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). So, it is mandatory. We are aware of all the accounts she and her aides had opened for this election to which donations were made.”
But reacting to the allegations, Ubabukoh said Galadima’s claims are baseless.
“The allegations are unfounded and a figment of his imagination,” he said. “Galadima has always been opposed to discussions concerning leading a coalition simply because of personal gains, rather than on national interest.”
He added that Ezekwesili will host a world press conference next week, where she would address the allegations raised by Galadima and state the way forward for the coalition movement.
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E2%80%94-apc-nwc-disowns-hope-uzodinmas-expulsion target=_blank>BREAKING: ‘He Remains In Our Party’ — APC NWC Disowns Hope Uzodinma’s ‘Expulsion’
The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the expulsion of Hope Uzodinma, its governorship candidate in Imo State, by the state chapter of the party.
Earlier on Thursday, the Imo APC had announced Uzodinma’s expulsion for supporting the candidate of another party, as well as engaging in anti-party activities.
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Imo APC Expels Governorship Candidate, Hope Uzodinma
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However, a statement by Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the APC National Publicity Secretary, on Thursday evening, referred to Uzodinma’s expulsion as “null and void”.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party APC, has been drawn to the purported expulsion of our governorship candidate in Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, through a statement signed by the former chairman of the party in Imo State, Mr Dan Nwafor.
“We want to state categorically that the former Imo State Working Committee of the APC led by Mr Nwafor was dissolved after majority of members of our party in Imo State lost confidence in their ability to lead the party to victory in the forthcoming general elections, especially due to their involvement in several anti party activities.
“Consequently, the NWC had since set up a Caretaker Committee in Imo State led by Chief Marcelinus Nlemigbo to pilot the affairs of the party in Imo State. Therefore, Mr. Nlemigbo remains the only recognised Imo State Chairman and any decision which do not emanate from this recognised Caretaker Committee as regards the affairs of the APC in Imo State is null and void.”
The party also reaffirmed its position on not tolerating indiscipline on the part of members and urged them to remain steadfast in their support.
The statement continued: “We call on our teeming supporters in Imo State to remain steadfast and disregard such reports as it does not have the blessings of the NWC.
“The NWC is paying keen attention to events as they unfold in Imo State and the party would always take appropriate measures to protect the interests of the party.
“Let it be stated clearly that APC would not tolerate indiscipline from any member of the party under any guise.
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target=_blank>A Message For Atiku? US Says It Has No Preferred Candidate In Nigeria’s Presidential Election
With 23 days to the presidential election in Nigeria, the United States government has announced that it does not support any candidate particular candidate.
There have been recent attempts to rope the US government into the credibility of Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whom the ruling All Progressives Congres (APC) consistently said could not enter the US for fear of being arrested for alleged corruption. However, when it became clear Atiku was on the verge of receiving US visa, Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information, urged the US not to grant it, saying such move could be misinterpreted as support for the PDP candidate.
Atiku has now travelled to the US and returned to Nigeria, with his supporters turning the trip to an image-burnishing campaign issue. But the US government, though not mentioning any name, insists it has no favourites ahead of the February 16 presidential election.
A statement by the US government on the forthcoming elections read: “The United States government does not support any specific candidate or party in Nigeria’s upcoming elections. The United States supports the Nigerian democratic process itself. We support a genuinely free, fair, transparent, and peaceful electoral process.
“We will not hesitate to consider consequences — including visa restrictions — for those found to be responsible for election-related violence or undermining the democratic process. Under U.S. immigration law, certain violations may also lead to restrictions on family members.”
The US government urged all candidates to sign the peace pledge and ensure they play their part in ensuring a peaceful election.
Similarly, the United Kingdom affirmed its commitment to credible and peaceful elections in Nigeria, adding that it would not endorse any candidate in the coming election.
“We and our international partners remain committed supporters of Nigeria’s democracy. We do not support any party or individual and believe that the Nigerian people should be able to choose their leaders in an environment free from hate speech and insecurity,” a statement by the UK read.
The UK, however, said it would be backing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and key stakeholders to help deliver credible elections and peaceful electoral process.
It also spoke against electoral violence while stating that perpetrators of violence would face legal consequences.
“Our monitors will, in particular, be looking out for any attempts to encourage or use violence to influence the elections, including on social media. We would like to remind all Nigerians that where the UK is aware of such attempts, these may have consequences for individuals. These could include their eligibility to travel to the UK, their ability to access UK based funds or lead to prosecution under international law.”
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E2%80%94-soldiers-flee-boko-haram-strikes-yobe target=_blank>‘Confusion In The Whole Town’ — Soldiers Flee As Boko Haram Strikes In Yobe
Site of a bomb explosion in Maiduguri , Borno State
Two persons have been killed and an unverified number of persons have been abducted as Boko Haram insurgents invaded Gaidam in Yobe State.
According to security sources, the terrorists stormed the town in utility vehicles at about 5:30pm on Wednesday, which was the market day, and started shooting sporadically.
They burnt down some houses and looted foodstuffs.
A vigilante source told SaharaReporters that residents and troops were aware of the impending attack, because the insurgents had sent a letter of warning.
Narrating the incident, the source said: “As you know, yesterday was our market day in Gaidam, so they took advantage and came in large convoys and started shooting. There was confusion in the whole town. They overpowered the troops and the soldiers eventually fled. We lost two persons and several others were injured. Some persons were also abducted.”
A local official, who preferred not to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the press on the issue, said the invaders outnumbered and overpowered the troops at Gaidam town.
“They succeeded in torching part of the military base in Gaidam and burnt down two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC). Some houses were also burnt down after after they looted foodstuffs and textile materials.
“The soldiers fled after they were overpowered and the invaders voluntarily withdrew from the town.”
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target=_blank>After Ezekwesili, Durotoye, Sowore Reaffirms ‘Commitment To A Coalition Effort’
Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has restated his commitment to “coalition talks” if they arise.
He stated this in response to the decision by Oby Ezekwesili to step down as the presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).
Ezekwesili had announced her withdrawal from the race earlier on Thursday, premising her decision on consultations and the need to work with a coalition.
Sowore commended her decision, stating that Ezekwesili’s participation in the presidential race brought a level of enrichment to the discourse on national affairs, in the effort to chart a new course of development for the country.
A statement by Sowore, issued on Thursday, read: “Earlier today, Dr Oby Ezekwesili stepped down from the presidential race. I want to thank Dr Ezekwesili for her service to the Nigerian nation. Her participation in the presidential race enriched the level of discourse and demonstrated that a new breed of committed and patriotic individuals, who are not part of the establishment parties, have emerged to offer Nigeria a new direction.
“Dr Ezekwesili’s departure from the presidential race and her renewal of her commitment to a progressive platform that will reclaim Nigeria from 20 years of corruption and inept leadership under the APC and PDP, has renewed calls from a broad section of Nigerians for coalition talks.
“I have always believed that it will take a true partnership of progressives and committed patriots to move this nation forward. It is not just politically pragmatic to do so, it is the way that I have always worked. Every political battle that I have waged on the behalf of the Nigerian people has been done through coalitions and partnerships. For instance, it took a coalition that involved the students’ movement, pro-democracy organisations, progressive politicians, human rights groups and labour unions to fight against the annulment of the June 12, 1993 elections. A similar coalition was necessary to force the military out of our power and restore democracy in 1999. That is why the TakeItBack Movement and the African Action Congress have remained supportive of various efforts towards building a unified platform. We have never ceased talking, engaging and working with other organizations, parties and individuals, towards building a unifying platform.”
He also thanked Fela Durotoye, presidential candidate of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), who has also indicated his readiness to step down if coalition talks come up and another candidate emerges through a “transparent process”.
The statement continued: “I also want to thank my brother Fela Durotoye for his public reaffirmation of his commitment to that process. It is important that Nigerians know that for the last four months my team and I have been in discussions at various times, under various auspices, with the Durotoye, Moghalu, Ezekwesili and Duke teams. I reaffirm my commitment to that effort.
“We will continue to push forward with our goal of reclaiming Nigeria, conscious of the fact that this is a vision that is shared by tens of millions of our fellow country men and women. United we stand!”
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E2%80%99s-weed-fredrick-nwabufo target=_blank>If only Oby Ezekwesili Had Taken Sowore’s Weed By Fredrick Nwabufo
What was Oby Ezekwesili’s agenda? What was her interest? And what was her endgame?
A few weeks to the general election, Ezekwesili woke up marketing the illusion that she was “Esther”; the destined liberator of Nigerians. She claimed she was running for president under the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).
Before her political interest, she founded the “Red-Card Movement”, the so-called third force, which only had bite on Twitter. She claimed the goal was to deracinate the APC and to bury the PDP.
But like the BringBackOurGirls group she rode like a rodeo to irrelevance, Ezekwesili huffed with the Red-Card Movement until it lost breath; then came her political ambition.
Really, sometimes, I think she is afraid of becoming a relic; a has-been; hence her nagging relevance chase.
However, issues surrounding her sudden volte-face indicate she was not just chasing relevance with the aborted presidential ambition. There was supposedly “a pot of gold” to be grabbed at the end of the “rainbow”.
The national chairman of her party, Gani Galadima said she only wanted to use the platform to negotiate for the position of finance minister, and that she did not show any sign of seriousness in her campaign. So was it a gambit? Did she not have faith in her cause? Or did she not have the balls to follow through?
Also, there are reports that about N169 million was allegedly made in donations to her campaign. Though it is doubtful that Ezekwesili was in the race for money, but very believable if it is for power and position.
Surprisingly, her party, the ACPN, has endorsed President Buhari’s candidature. This further creates a credibility crisis for madam Oby.
Today, I took Omoyele Sowore’s “weed”, and I wished Ezekwesili had some too. In the sizzling full-frontal interaction with him, I was moved by the depth of his guts. Sowore is no joker.
Sowore is a man who strongly believes in his candidature. He is not in the race for “pecuniary or ministerial position” negotiations. And I strongly doubt if he would cave in to any form of pressure to let go. He believes in his cause.
In fact, when I told him Nigerians were gravitating towards the APC and the PDP, he quickly shot it down and asked me to provide evidence. He seems determined to see the end of the ballot.
There have been speculations that the so-called third force, represented by Ezekwesili and Fela Durotoye, are the jokers of the APC, and that they are in the race to inflict damage on the other side – the PDP. This is not certain. But what is certain is that Sowore is not in this league, and he is determined to inflict mass casualty on both the APC and the PDP.
Fredrick is media personality.
Facebook: Fredrick Nwabufo, Twitter: FredrickNwabufo
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target=_blank>EXCLUSIVE: Obasanjo, Sanusi Among Those Who Convinced Ezekwesili To Step Down
Olusegun Obasanjo, former President and Sanusi Lamido, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), are among high-ranking Nigerians who convinced Obiageli Ezewesili, candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), to withdraw from the 2019 presidential race.
Ezekwesili withdrew from the race on Thursday morning after “extensive discussions with Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora”, citing the need to “focus on helping to build a veritable coalition to ensure a viable alternative to the #APCPDP in the forthcoming elections”.
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BREAKING: Ezekwesili Withdraws From Presidential Race
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“It is my ardent belief that this broad coalition for a viable alternative has now become more than ever before, an urgent mission for and on behalf of Nigerian citizens,” she had said. “I have therefore chosen to lead the way in demonstrating the much needed patriotic sacrifice for our national revival and redirection.”
Talks for the emergence of a consensus candidate under the Presidential Aspirants Coming Together (PACT) initiative were on earlier in the campaign. While seven candidates — notably Tope Fasua, presidential candidate of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP) and Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) — pulled out of it, 11 more — including Fela Durotoye, presidential candidate of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) and Kingsley Moghalu, candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), stayed till the end. Durotoye emerged the winner, but Moghalu refused to step down, after which Ezekwesili herself joined the race.
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Fela Durotoye Emerges PACT Consensus Presidential Candidate
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However, after monitoring the performance of candidates at Saturday’s presidential debate organised by the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) and the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG), some concerned Nigerians became convinced that two of those candidates — Ezekwesili and Moghalu — could defeat President Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They, therefore, began a series of “intense talks” towards presenting just one candidate.
SaharaReporters understands that these talks, which began on Sunday and continued till Tuesday, received big inputs from Obasanjo, Sanusi and the international community, notably the European Union (EU). Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, was also credited with some faint involvement in the talks, but sources very close to him told SaharaReporters that this is very unlikely, as he prefers to stay out of the politics of electioneering.
“The international community was involved,” a diplomatic source deeply involved in the talks told SaharaReporters on Thursday evening.
“They were here before the debate, and afterwards they held several meetings in Abuja. You also had a former President who pretends to be supporting Atiku. I will tell you for free that Obasanjo’s support of Atiku is not genuine. He wants a coalition but he agreed to support Atiku so that in the event that the coalition does not work, Atiku will be a better President than Buhari is for him.”
A second source with extensive knowledge of northern Nigeria politics also told SaharaReporters about the influence of Sanusi, the Emir of Kano, on Ezekwesili’s withdrawal.
“Sanusi has been involved, too. He is the chief sponsor of Moghalu. He is the one mobilising the northern elites for Moghalu,” he said. “That is where Moghalu has always got his confidence from. Sanusi believes in Ezekwesili too, but he and some others feel that Moghalu, being a man, will pull more weight.”
The source, though, expressed doubts that Moghalu would step down for anyone should the new idea of a consensus candidate produce someone other than him.
“You know Moghalu will never step down for anybody,” he said. “Now, somebody has to sacrifice his/her ambition, and the woman wants to sacrifice hers so that in the coming days others will also sacrifice theirs.
“You’ve seen also that ACPN also will never support a coalition. Galadima never wanted a coalition; he has always said that in 2015 when he was the candidate of the party, the party came fourth in the presidential election. And now that the party has Oby as the flagbearer, they will definitely win the election.”
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BREAKING: ACPN Disowns Ezekwesili, Endorses Buhari’s Second Term Bid
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Already, Galadima, the National Chairman of ACPN, has disowned Ezekwesili, claiming that she never wanted to be President in the first place but only wanted to use the position to negotiate for the position of Finance Minister. However, SaharaReporters understands that this is unlikely, as Ezekweisli, since leaving office as Minister of Education in April 2007, is privately known to have turned down ministerial offers from two presidents.
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Two Months Late! INEC Rejects Ezekwesili’s Withdrawal From Presidential Election
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also turned down her withdrawal, saying it came in two months after the deadline.
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target=_blank>Driver Escapes, Two Arrested As NSCDC Seizes Tanker With 33,000 Litres Of Crude Oil
Two suspected oil bunkers have been arrested by officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ondo State.
The two suspects were nabbed with a tanker carrying 33,000 litres of what was suspected to be adulterated crude oil.
The suspects are Francis Ogbe and Analogbe Kelvin.
Pedro Awili, the Commandant of the NSCDC in Ondo State, who made the disclosure in Akure, said the two suspects were arrested with a towing vehicle on January 19 along the Benin/Lagos express way at Ore, in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, while on their way to Lagos.
He said investigation showed that the tanker was coming from Port Harcourt in Rivers State before it was intercepted, while the driver of the vehicle escaped from the scene.
According to Awili, the two suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigation.
“The truck has the registration number: Lagos LSB 08 XM, and conveyed 33,000 litres of suspected crude oil. The suspects and the exhibits will be charged to court upon completion of investigation of the case,” Awili said.
Awili warned individuals to desist from dealing with illegal petroleum products or face the wrath of the law.
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target=_blank>Two Months Late! INEC Rejects Ezekwesili’s Withdrawal From Presidential Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is impossible for any presidential candidate to withdraw from the contest at this stage in the race.
This was the position of Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman.
Oby Ezekwesili, presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), had announced her decision to withdraw from the race earlier on Thursday.
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BREAKING: Ezekwesili Withdraws From Presidential Race
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Her party had, however, taken a contrary position on what led to the decision, and berated her for carrying out activities without the knowledge of the party. ACPN has also declared its support for President Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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BREAKING: ACPN Disowns Ezekwesili, Endorses Buhari’s Second Term Bid
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Meanwhile, INEC has stressed that Ezekwesili’s withdrawal from participating as a contestant in the presidential elections is not possible.
“It is impossible for any presidential candidate to withdraw from the race now,” Oyekanmi said.
“According to the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2019 general election, the last day for withdrawal by candidates or replacement of withdrawn candidates by political parties was 17th November, 2018 for presidential and National Assembly elections. Therefore, the deadline for Ezekwesili or any candidate in that category to withdraw or be replaced has passed.”
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Schools Have Final Say On Hijab, Kenyan Supreme Court Rules
A Supreme Court sitting in Kenya has ruled that every school reserves the right to determine rules as it relates to school uniform.
According to Daily Nation, Supreme Court judges Njoki Ndung’u and Jackton Ojwang gave the ruling after reading the judgment on appeal by Methodist Church over wearing of hijabs in school.
The court ruled in a majority decision that an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal went against the school uniform policy.
In September 2016, the Court of Appeal had ruled that students in public schools should be allowed to items depicting their religious affiliations, on their school uniforms.
The Methodist Church had, however, challenged the ruling at the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court overturned the ruling on Thursday, premising its decision on the basis that every school had the right to determine its rules.
The Methodist Church sponsors St. Paul’s Kiwanjani Secondary School in Isiolo, Kenya.
A similar situation is playing out at the International School Ibadan (ISI), where the preference of some parents for their wards to wear the hijab has been opposed by the school management
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