Tuesday, 17 March 2015

We’ll gladly receive Gbemi Saraki, says APC

The All Progressives Congress in Kwara State on Monday said it would gladly receive one of the governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Gbemi Saraki, if she finally decides to defect from the PDP to the APC.

The Kwara APC Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari, in an interview with journalists, said Saraki’s defection would be a welcome development to APC.

He, however, said she had yet to officially inform the APC that she wants to defect.

There are insinuations that she may soon defect to APC because of the alleged unfair treatment from PDP to her.

Buhari said, “We will gladly receive her. It will be a good development for her to defect. However, she has yet to consult us at the party level. Everything is still in the realms of rumour.

“If the politician decides to come to APC she is welcomed. APC is a larger house that can accommodate everybody. It is good for her to make up her mind at the appropriate time. It is clear to all in the state and the entire country that APC is the party to beat in the forthcoming elections. Nobody wants to belong to a sinking party like the PDP.”

But the state PDP Secretary, Alhaji Hassan Razaq, said the party is still urging Saraki not to defect to APC.

He stated that it might not be a good political decision for her to defect to APC, having invested significantly in PDP.

Razaq said, “At this critical time in the life of our party in the state, we believe that all hands must be on deck to sustain the party and lead it to victory in the forthcoming polls.

“As a party, we believe Senator Gbemi Saraki has made invaluable contributions and sacrifices for the PDP in the state and beyond. We particularly noted her maturity and sportsmanship before, during and after the party primaries which produced distinguished Senator Simeon

Ajibola as the party’s governorship candidate for the April 11 governorship election in the state.

“It would therefore be sad if such an individual, who has immensely uplifted the party in the state, abandons the house she has built at its time of need. This is Kwara PDP’s time of need and we urge Senator Saraki to remain in the party and see through the struggle for the liberation of the masses.”

Woman Dies After Spending First Night With Married Man She Met On Facebook -

Another Facebook lover has died in Lagos a few years after Cynthia Osokogwu, the daughter of a retired miliitary officer, was allegedly lured to Lagos by her Facebook lover, drugged, raped and murdered in Festac Town.

The latest victim, identfied as Adekemi Faboro, who teaches at a private nursery and primary school, in Ojota,died in Ogba area of Lagos last weekend while on a date with her married Facebook lover, Christopher Ezekiel, for the first time.

Sources told P.M.NEWS that Ezekiel, a father of two, came from Ibadan, Oyo State, southwest Nigeria, to visit Adekemi in Lagos State, for the first time on the fateful day, after he met her on Facebook.

Investigation by PM.NEWS revealed that trouble started for Ezekiel, an engineering staff of an electrical company based in Shagamu and who resides at 8, Orelope Street, Ibadan, when Adekemi started coughing severely at mid night in her home, at 5, Folorunsho Street, off Ajayi Road, Ogba.

And when the situation was getting out of hand, tenants who suspected foul play, rushed her to Ifako General Hospital where she died.

Ezekiel was subsequently arrested by the police at Pen Cinema Police Station while the corpse of Adekemi was deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.

The cause of her sudden death could not be ascertained at the time of this report.

P.M.NEWS findings also revealed that Ezekiel’s wife works with Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in Ibadan.

When P.M.NEWS visited Pen Cinema Police Station, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO in charge of the station, Mr. Achinyan Z. Fera, a Chief Superintendent of Police was said to have gone to Area ‘G’ Police Command, Ogba to meet with the Area Commander

However, a source who craved for anonymity at the station confirmed the arrest of Ezekiel, adding that investigations are ongoing.

Meanwhile, some of Adekemi’s friends on Facebook have been mourning her, with some expressing shock over her sudden death.

Joyce Ante said: “May the Lord comfort your aged parents, the entire family and Calvary church.”

Olatimehin Ebenezer said: “I was shocked about your death RIP (ORE), while Olu Blues said: “My best friend ever, it’s come as a surprise for me to believe this. Can someone tell me this is not true, or am I dreaming? R.I.P.”

Omosunle Mary mourned: “My sister, it is unbelivable. We love you sister Kemi omo Faboro ‘Iya Ido’ but God loves you more.”

“Your demise is so incredible, I can’t believe it, but I believe you are resting in the bosom of the Lord,” said Ayandeji Opeyemi.

Soyode Famuwagun Elizabeth said: “I will miss you my beautiful sister. Rest in God’s bosom because he loves you very much.”

Ante Ruth wrote on her Facebook wall: “Oh my God!!!! why did Aunty Kemi have to leave so soon? This is unbelievable and so sad. My only comfort is that you knew Christ and served him to the end. Hope you are enjoying your new home right there with the Father. Continue to rest in His bosom because he loves you more than we do. RIP Aunty Kemooo.”

http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/03/16/another-facebook-lover-dies-in-lagos/

Nigerian Government Cuts Electricity Tariff By 50%

The Nigerian government has announced a reduction in electricity tariffs by half.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission on Wednesday announced the immediate review of electricity tariffs by about 50 per cent.
The Chairman of the Commission, Sam Amadi, who announced the review in Abuja, said the reduction, which takes effect from the end of March, followed the regulatory agency’s decision to remove collection losses from customer tariff under the multi-year tariff order.

Mr. Amadi said following the approval of the multi-year tariff order, MYTO 2.1 in January 1, 2015, the Commission had received several complaints and petitions against the decision, which resulted in astronomical increases in tariff across the different consumer categories.

He noted particularly the petition by industrial and commercial consumers under the auspices of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, which demanded a drastic reduction of their tariffs.
The two categories of consumers had cited the negative impact of their increased tariffs, which they said were threatening their businesses, leading to massive job losses.

Following the review of the petitions, Mr. Amadi said the Commission conducted public hearings to gather evidence from all consumer classes on the affordability of the new tariff.
Again, he said the Commission had
consulted with the Chief Executive Officers of the Distribution Companies before deciding to intervene by reviewing the tariffs.

Besides, the Chairman said the Commission also decided to review the technical and financial assumptions of multi-year tariff order 2.1.
The reviews, he noted, were in line with the provisions of the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act 2005 and the Business Rules of the Commission’s mandate, which allow such a decision on a petition by an interested party within 60 days.

He said findings from the various reviews showed that the major cause of the spiralling consumer tariffs was the huge aggregate technical commercial and collection losses.
Some distribution companies have
complained that the collection losses, which are passed to consumers, raised the final tariffs by as much as an average of 80 and 103 per cent.
“The Commission has been listening to consumers’ complaints and taking full account of the impact of the high tariff on consumers and the Nigerian economy,”

Mr. Amadi said.
“Therefore, the Commission has reviewed the basis of the MYTO 2.1 assumptions and has determined that it is inappropriate to transfer to consumers collection losses that are controllable by the DISCOs (distribution companies),” he announced.

Tinubu Warns Jonathan Against Fani-kayode

Former Lagos State governor and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to be wary of former Aviation Minister and the Director of Media and Publicity, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode.

Speaking on Monday in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media, Mr. Sunday Dare and titled: ‘Femi Fani-Kayode is an Epistle of Deceit as he Continues to Battle the Truth,’ Tinubu said Fani-Kayode could say anything against anybody for as long as he gets power.

The APC leader was reacting to claim by Fani-Kayode that government is not misusing the vehicles of state power to oppress the opposition, backing his claims with quotes from the Bible and claiming that APC leaders are wicked.

“The things that FFK (Fani-Kayode) said to us about Jonathan in private will remain private. But Jonathan would be wise to watch his back whenever he is dealing with this bugle for hire. The man has changed position so many times that he must feel like a tired chameleon on a spinning wheel of many colors. He is confused what colour he should be. The only thing he knows is that he will soon change hue again.

According to Tinubu: “Those of us in the APC know him for what he is. It was roughly a year ago that FFK tried to join the APC. In attempting to integrate himself, he spewed endless venom against his current boss. Because we knew him, we held him at arm’s length.

“The man is willing to say anything for a taste of power and to wiggle his way into some office or another. When he saw the door closed to him, he predictably bolted. His exit remains our gain. History will mark it as a key point in the development of the APC.

“If you doubt what I say, review carefully FFK’s statement on why he returned to the PDP, it is an epistle of deceit. Examine its allegations. He lists several purported statements made by APC figures that allegedly soured him on the party.

“His allegations against the party members are inaccurate. Here, the dates of the alleged statements are more than the purported content that are important. By his own admission, every alleged statement he attributed to an APC figure took place before FFK tried to join the party. A consummate media hound, he must have been aware of the so-called offensive statements prior to seeking space under the APC banner.

“The statements did not deter him from joining. They also were not the reason he departed. He left because, although a fledging party, we were wise enough not to give him a position of importance. He did not leave because he feared the APC would lead him astray. He left because we did not give him the chance to lead us astray.

“Soon enough, Fani-Kayode will discover that in the new Nigeria and in the responsible government to come, his tawdry skills will not be required. He can then go home and look in the mirror to see what he has made of himself.”

He claimed that Fani-Kayode’s antics of deceit is aimed at deflecting public attention away from the dirty tricks and tactics the government is set to deploy in order to oppress and intimidate key APC figures during these final days before the March 28 election.

“FFK should proceed carefully with the use to which he puts his tongue. Not every word a person speaks is a lark that evaporates the moment after its expression. FFK ropes his tongue in danger when he, of all people, uses the Bible to ridicule others. He must be careful for he does not mock man. He mocks a Higher Power and should be wary of his excesses in this regard.

“When FFK looks in the mirror he thinks he sees a man who should be Pope. Instead, what he should see is a man guilty of more public lies than any Nigerian of his generation. Perhaps FFK can delude himself because his memory is short while his ambition is long. His hope is that our memories are even shorter. Here he is wrong again.”

Nigerians Should Appreciate Nation’s Armed Forces – GEJ

President Goodluck Jonathan has stated that any leader in the country who involves the military in the nation’s political activities is reckless. He stressed that the nation’s armed forces must be appreciated by all Nigerians and be insulated from politics.

Jonathan made his statement while receiving a cheque of N1m from Dotun Oyetunde in support of the nation’s armed forces, The Punch reports. The presentation was made before a meeting of the Security Council presided over by the president.

Jonathan confessed that he always feels bad when he hears people making insulting statements about the nation’s military.

“We must continue to commend men of the Nigerian armed forces. A nation must honour men of its armed forces.

“All the nations that we emulate and build our democracy after do not insult their military.

“They must be appreciated and insulated from politics. I feel bad when leaders robe military into our day to day political activities. That is reckless.

“These men stay in the rain while we are under roofs. They stay awake for us to sleep well” , he said.

Continuing his statement, Jonathan acknowledged the support the military is currently receiving from Nigerians. But he also called on other Nigerians to follow the example of those who have been donating money and helping the Nigerian army. According to the president, the assistance could be channeled through the chief of defence staff, the national security adviser on the minister of defence.

Speaking on his decision to donate money, Oyetunde said that he and his wife were moved by the plight of troops in the hands of the Boko Haram sect. The donor also expressed his surprise that everybody seemed to be criticising the military and their actions.

Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, the chief of defence staff, while introducing the donor, told the president that the military had received various donations such as drugs, bags of rice and cartons of instant noodles among other things.

He further added that when he received Oyetunde’s message, he discussed it with the national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, who suggested that the donor should personally present the cheque to the president during the meeting.

Meanwile, the Nigerian army has carried out a number of successful operations against the Boko Haram terrorist group. On Monday, March 16, it recaptured the northeastern city of Bama in Borno state from members of the sect.

Follow NAIJ.COM on Twitter!

JiJi.ng – Sell phones, cars, clothes, furniture to real people

Write review and get real money – Tips.naij.com

OPC's Armed Protest: Jonathan Wants To Set Nigeria On Fire If He Loses

Nigeria President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan has been accused of being hell bent on returning for a second term in office by any means necessary thus massively bribing militant groups across the country to cause chaos, before, during and after the rescheduled elections, so that if he loses, Nigeria will not know peace.

This allegation was contained in a press release by the Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Groups (COSEG ) signed by its Chairman, Ifedayo Ogunlana; and Secretary, Rasaq Olokoba; after an emergency meeting of the group in Lagos on Tuesday, 17th March, 2015 where issues bothering on the 2015 elections and the recent walk carried out by militia groups in Lagos on Monday, 16th March, 2015 were discussed.

The group disclosed that from its intelligence gathering, many groups are mobilised by the presidency through the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, stressing that insisting on the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) boss few days to the rescheduled general elections is unnecessary, diversionary and invitation to chaos.

According to COSEG, “the desperation of President Jonathan is taking a dangerous dimension with the massive mobilisation of militia groups across the country to cause trouble before, during and after the rescheduled general elections. Let it be known to Jonathan and his handlers that Nigeria is bigger than any individual, no matter how highly placed. The call for the sack of the INEC chairman some few days to the 2015 general elections is uncalled for, reckless and diversionary which may lead to anarchy”

Continuing, the group stated that, “though we recognize their rights to freely assemble and protest, we however view the show of shame displayed by members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) on Monday, 16th March, 2015 in Lagos as an insult on the people of Yoruba land and the security agencies as militia boys were seen brazenly shooting sporadically to scare innocent citizens going to their various places of work.

“Many of them could hardly make it to their offices due to traffic snarl caused by the open display of guns, machetes, charms and other dangerous ammunition. While we will not blame them for their partisanship, but the open brigandage is uncalled for, inciting and irresponsible, especially under the cover of the security agencies,” the group averred.

The group however stated that the entire world should hold President Jonathan responsible for any break down of law and order before, during and after the general elections as he is seeking a second term in office by all means necessary and that from the cover given the gun wielding militia on Monday, 16th March, 2015 in Lagos, it’s just a signal that our security agencies are compromised“.

The group however posited that the people of Yorubaland will determine where to vote irrespective of the antics of these anti democracy elements masquerading as democrats, maintaining that a day a reckoning is around the corner.

“We want to make it clear to the dollar sharing and desperate presidency that responsible and peace loving as well progressive Yoruba people who are in the majority do not have guns to wield round, but have permanent voters card (PVCs) to wield so as to vote out this tyrannical government that is desperate to rule over us again even without our consent. The show of shame going in Nigeria clearly show that President Jonathan lack the requisite ability to lead a nation like ours again, however, anyone who feels otherwise is either unpatriotic or corrupt who does not wish Nigeria well,” the group concluded.

The Coalition of Oodua Self-Determination Groups (COSEG) is a pan-Yoruba socio-political pressure organization.

It is one of the umbrella organization for Yoruba self-determination groups. The COSEG has not only brought together the various Yoruba organizations, but has also made overtures to self-determination groups of other ethnicities and regions of Nigeria which, while representing different interests, are united in their opposition to the current federal structure, and hence the federal government, of Nigeria.

They have been known to express their views on issues ranging from politics to other Yoruba-related problems. They express concern and advice on topics that might, in the long run, affect Yoruba welfare via press statements and releases.

Follow NAIJ.COM on Twitter!

JiJi.ng – Sell phones, cars, clothes, furniture to real people

Write review and get real money – Tips.naij.com

Israeli Producing Card Reader Jammers – APC

SHARE THIS

TAGS

The All Progressives Congress has said that it had exposed a plan by President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party to render card readers ineffective on Election Day, with a view to justifying their fears about the use of the card readers and ultimately scuttle the polls.

The party said in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed: “We can authoritatively inform Nigerians that the morbid fear of card readers by the Jonathan-led government and the PDP has now been translated into concrete action: They have hired an Israeli, Gyora Berger, to do the dirty job of jamming the card readers.

“To those who might accuse us of crying wolf, they should realise that every alarm we have raised in the past has been true, including that the Jonathan Administration was pushing for the postponement of the elections and that they are mortally afraid of the use of PVCs and card readers.”
The opposition party said the Israeli was hired specifically to develop three prototype card reader jammers, and had already developed three of such jammers (25 metres, 50 metres and 100 metres range) to be carried in the pockets of trusted PDP stalwarts on Election Day with a view to disabling the card readers within the state radius.

It also alleged that apart from disabling the card readers, the jammers would also disable all telephones, iPads, etc, within the state radius of those carrying them on their persons.
“An order has been placed for 75,000 pieces of the jammers at a cost of $200 per piece, bringing the total cost to $15 million.

The jammers will be air-freighted to Nigeria next week,” it added.
“The plan is to deploy the card jammers to the areas deemed to be the strongholds of the APC, such as the North-west, North-east, North-central and the South-west.

“It is the planned procurement of the jammers that have given the confidence to the Administration and party officials to continuously boast that Buhari will never rule Nigeria, and also the reason why a chieftain of the PDP boasted last week that the card readers won’t work, thus advising INEC to make alternative arrangements.”

The party said the Israeli, who had agreed to do the dirty job for a desperate Jonathan Administration and the PDP, was an enemy of Nigeria and Nigerians.
It said he “does not mind if the nation burns, as long as he has collected his pay for the dirty job for which he has been hired.”

The APC said because it had become a movement being propelled by the people themselves, “it is difficult, if not impossible, for the Jonathan Administration and the PDP to succeed in their devilish intentions of rigging, sabotaging or scuttling the forthcoming polls.”

“We have consistently said power resides in the people, irrespective of what the government of the day might think. When the people are determined to vote out any government, no amount of money, evil plots and shenanigans can save that government, as the Jonathan Administration will find out in two weeks.”
But the Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO), Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has described the APC’s allegation as wild and baseless.

In a statement yesterday, Fani-Kayode said the federal government and the PDP did not have any plans to sabotage the card readers and did not need to indulge in such shady, sinister and tardy practices.

“We view this wild and baseless allegation with amusement,” he said. “Frankly, the APC deserves to be pitied. So desperate are they for power that their latest strategy is to come up with a different lie for every day of the week.

“They have lost control of their senses; their imagination has gone wild and they see things that are simply not there.
“This latest allegation is absurd; it is not rooted in truth; it is irrational and it is illogical. It is clear that the opposition are already preparing the grounds and making excuses for their own defeat.
“They are running scared and they are already preparing the minds of their supporters for their imminent failure at the polls.

“Instead of saying something tangible and attempting to ginger up and encourage their supporters, all they indulge in is giving them a daily dose of sub-standard fairy tales and dirty lies.

“They should stop all this nonsense and desist from making these wild and baseless allegations.
“President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP do not have any plans to sabotage the card readers and neither do we need to indulge in such shady, sinister and tardy practices.

“We look forward to the elections, which will commence in two weeks time, and we have no doubt that the overwhelming number of the Nigerian people will vote for our candidates and support our party.”