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PDP: Secondus In The Eye Of The Storm, As Mass Exodus Further Rocks PDP |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Uche Secondus

…..His Chairmanship Position Under Threat

By Akinwale Kasali

The past few weeks have been turbulent for the major opposition Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. It has witnessed  defection from its fold to the ruling Party, All Progressives Congress, APC.

Though, the South-West PDP has described the defection of Senator Iyiola Omisore and 2019 Presidential Campaign Director of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel to the APC,as funny and laughable.

The party said, “that will be the first time politicians in Nigeria will be decamping from APC to APC.”

“To us in the South-West PDP, APC can keep celebrating defections from the party back to the party. The party can even tell Nigerians tomorrow that President Muhammadu Buhari has defected to the APC, that won’t still change the fact that its government from federal to States have failed woefully.

“It is on record that Otunba Gbenga Daniel openly declared and worked for the APC in the 2019 governorship election in Ogun State. He did that less than 72 hours after the PDP lost the presidential election in which he was the campaign Director-General.

“Since 2019, his main men have been holding key appointments in the APC government of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

“As for Senator Omisore, even a five-year-old baby knows that he has been in APC since 2018 and he openly campaigned for APC during the 2019 general elections.

“He was even appointed as Sub-Chairman of Finance Committee for the inauguration of President Buhari for a second term.

“So, which defection are they talking about again? Is its a second wave of defection or revalidation of defection?

“It appears that either the APC is so desperate to continue with the deceit about its existence and acceptability in the minds of Nigerians or some people are looking for money or appointment against integrity, hence this news of defection from APC to APC.”

But, the gale of defection that has rocked the PDP has once again questioned the clout, political prowess and sagacity of the Party’s National Chairman, Uche Secondus.

The alignment and realignment among the PDP Stalwarts that jump ship to the APC is certainly because of personal interest ahead of 2023.

It would be recalled that Governor Nyesom Wike, who was once an ally of Secondus, had questioned his influence and called for the dissolving of the Party’s National Working Committee following the defection of Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi to the APC.

Within the space of One Year, bigwigs in the PDP have jumped ship to the APC.

Few months ago, the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee received some PDP bigwigs who jumped ship into its fold.

PDP Chieftain and strong voices like former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; former National Chairman of the PDP and Senator Barnabas Gemade have dumped PDP for APC.

Others are; National Assembly Chief Whip, Jimoh Ibrahim, former Head of Service of the Federation, Danladi Kifasi, Sen Isa Hamma Misau, Alhaji Salisu Takai, Senator Elisha Abbo from Adamawa State, and many others.

Majority of the defectors attributed their decisions to alleged poor handling of issues and injustice in the PDP, a claim that was rebuffed by the opposition Party leadership.

With the political twists and turns, the polity is twitching while the main political actors in the APC have been relentlessly meeting and wooing bigwigs in the PDP.

For Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Aviation and Campaign Director of former President Goodluck  Jonathan during the 2015 Election, has been dilly- dallying over his position.

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State had announced the defection of the controversial and strong voice in the PDP to APC, but h has been economical with the truth about his romance with the APC.

If the said speculation comes to reality, it basically means that the PDP is hesding for the woods.

Lieutenant-General Azubuike Ihejirika, former Chief of Army Staff under former President Jonathan administration has also announced entry into the APC, alongside many House of Representatives members.

This has showed the perceived incompetence of Secondus to lead the PDP aright, however, triggering a move to sack him as the Party’s National Chairman.

Secondus can be described like the proverbial Cat with Nine Lives, having survived series of sack moves since the party lost the 2019 general elections, and after Governor Umahi defection.

In an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, the Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, had debunked calls for the sack  Secondus, stressing that  the NWC have reposed confidence in him.

No doubt, Secondus is jittery and sad over the turnout of events in this past weeks, as the mass exodus continue to stare at him in the face.

The PDP had been planning to wrestle power from the APC afree its 16 years of Democratic interruption came to an abrupt end in 2015. They are gunning to take back power in 2023.

The PDP top echelon, our correspondent gathered, is jittery and worried over the mass exodus of its leaders to the ruling party.

In saving the face of the Party and creating a formidable force ahead of 2023, the PDP recently inaugurated a National Reconciliation Committee headed by former Senate President,  Bukola Abubakar Saraki, to initiate peace and return the party to its “lost grounds”.

The committee has been meeting with key party stalwarts across the country, including former President Jonathan, in the wave of his speculated romance with the APC.

On the other hand, the PDP 2019 Election Review Committee headed by the Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, is meeting with party stakeholders to unravel what led to the party’s defeat at the 2019 polls.

The Bala-led committee has met with a former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar and many others.

Political analysts of the opinion that the Reconciliation Committee set up by the PDP may and may not achieve its purpose, as the PDP is presently believe to be on life support, following major Stalwarts that left the Party.

It will be recalled that before Gbenga Daniel jumped ship to the APC, the South-West PDP led by Governor Oluwaseyi Makinde paid him a courtesy visit to strategize on moving the Party forward ahead of the 2023 Election.

Also, it discussed and admonished every warring members in the PDP fold to sheath their swords and bury their hatchets. Weeks after the meeting, Daniel announced his Defection.

This puts the reconciliation process in a fix.

However, the Onus falls on the PDP leadership and the remaining top notch Stalwarts in its fold to brainstorm on how to weather the storm and clear the hurdles before it and reclaim power in 2023. Perhaps?

All Set For Gov Akeredolu’s Inauguration For Second Term |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Rotimi Akeredolu - Ondo Communal Clash

By Ayodele Oni

Only 500 guests are expected to grace the inauguration ceremony of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa  scheduled to hold on Wednesday, in Akure, Ondo state capital.

Chairman, inauguration committee, who is the deputy governor elect, disclosed on Friday while unveiling the programme for the one week event.

He explained that guests would be restricted for the events due to the global pandemic, Covid 19, ravaging the world over.

The deputy governor-elect pointed out that “it is important to stress that attendance at every function will be strictly by invitation. This is in order to control crowd and reduce the risks associated with COVID -19.

“In other words, the venues will be a no-go areas for individuals without official invitation cards. For more emphasis, the DOME which sits full capacity of 1,800 guests will now sit 500 for the inauguration while it will accommodate only 400 for the state Dinner later in the evening.”

The one week event is expected to feature lecture, dinner, schools debate, commissioning of projects, gyration by Kegites, foundation laying ceremony of new governor’s lodge, jumat and Thanksgiving service.

The committee chairman stated further that part of the inauguration ceremony has been dedicated to honour youths in the state that have distinguished themselves in their careers.

“The Schools debate and presentation of awards won by Ondo State Public school is a well-thought-out component of the Inauguration ceremonies with a specific focus to elevate and celebrate our youths in the state.

“It is also to serve as the melting pot for the general public consisting of Parent, Teachers and Students and Government thereby ensuring the involvement of all layers in the society in the enthroning of the Government they truly voted in.

“Aside above, Governor Akeredolu believes in the involvement of the younger generation in the journey to the future and will seize every opportunity to promote their excellence in conduct and scholarship in public space.

“This is why the schools debate provides our children who have excelled in the qualifier series an opportunity to demonstrate, before our very eyes, knowledge, competence and scholarly versatility renowned with Ondo state.

“In the same event, Mr Governor will receive in public glare, the presentation of trophies, awards and laurels won by our children in public schools, at national and international collegiate competitions.”

Gas Flaring: Group Gives Buhari Seven Days Ultimatum |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

An anti-corruptuon group, Human and Environmental Development Agenda, HEDA Resource Center, has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to release details of companies flaring gas in Nigeria.

The President, who doubles as the Petroleum Minister,  was asked to release the names within the seven days.

In a letter addressed to him, the group said Nigeria is losing not less than N89 billion to gas flaring, a huge fund that could be harnessed to boost the country’s economy.

According to HEDA, Gas is flared in Nigeria daily with huge losses to national revenue running into billions of dollars.

Buhari, a former military ruler who was, at a point during Military dictatorship charge of Petroleum,   Minister for Petroleum, and later  Chairman, Petroleum Trust Fund, under late dictator Gen Sanni Abacha is currently the country’s elected President and Minister of Petroleum Resources.

In a statement, the  anti-corruption Group said President Buhari has enormous experience in the field of petroleum exploration in the country and should immediately release the names of the culprits.

The Chariman of the Group, Olanrewaju Suraju, who signed the letter said that dealing with gas flaring can save Nigeria from its floundering economic fortunes and help revive ailing infrastructures.

HEDA is, also, requesting for the names of all the oil and gas companies flaring gas in Nigeria, the volume of gas flared by each company, the amount of penalties due to be paid for gas flared, and the actual amount of penalties paid within the period.

The anti-graft group warned that failing to release the names is a violation of Nigeria’s commitment to international convention on Gas flaring.

“We call on you Mr President to release the names of companies flaring gas in Nigeria. You have to do this urgently to save the country. We are losing billions of dollars to gas flaring. Its like a huge pipe drain. No serious country will ever allow this to happen,” HEDA said

The group regretted that the projected revenue from gas flare penalty in 2019 was N4, 727, 500, 000 whereas the actual revenue, as per Ministry of Finance records, was a humongous N94, 088, 562, 903. Weak or insufficient enforcement monitoring would have resulted in the loss of N89, 361, 0562, 903

HEDA said due to recent decline in oil revenue, the Nigerian government commenced an endless journey of obtaining loans even from potentially harmful sources. It has reviewed its budget, abandoned its subsidy policy and is exploring new avenues of augmenting income to fill the financial void necessitated by the economic challenges of COVID-19.

HEDA said many positive possibilities available are not being tapped. “One of these possibilities is the penalty statutorily imposed on oil and gas companies that continue to flare gas in Nigeria. This penalty is either not being collected as appropriate or is being under-collected with the attendant negative economic consequences to Nigeria and Nigerians,” HEDA said

It said the Gas flaring Prevention of Waste and Pollution Regulations law of 2018, is well pursued and enforced can bail out Nigeria from her growing economic misfortunes.

HEDA recalled that the Associated Gas Re-Injection Act, mandatory gas flare penalties payments by the oil and gas companies were imposed including

  1. a) U$0.50 <10,000 bopd & U$2.00 >10,000 bopd (irrespective of whether the flaring is Routine or Non–Routine Flaring … (unless in cases of war, community disturbance, insurrection, storm, etc. beyond the reasonable control of the Producer)
  2. b) An additional payment of $2.50/1000scf/d within the Oil Mining Lease or Marginal Field for each day the Producer breaches and/or fails to meet the regulations
  3. c) In the event of continued or egregious breaches, the possibility of a) suspension of operations (curtailment of production) and/or b) termination of producer’s licence.

HEDA said “The latest flare tracker being managed by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) shows that between 2012 and 2020, Nigeria flared 1.7billion cubic feet of gas ostensibly from the 179 Flare sites. It shows further that the flared gas captured from eight locations (Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Lagos and Rivers respectively) were valued at $6 billion and that if the oil companies flaring gas had paid the penalties, Nigeria could have earned $3.4 billion dollars.”

HEDA said the Nigerian authorities initiated a number of actions to reaffirm its commitment to end gas flaring in all oil fields but that low enforcement regime has hampered an otherwise good policy.

“Specifically, the Government ratified the Paris Climate Change Agreement and is a signatory to the Global Gas Flaring Partnership (GGFR) principles for global flare-out by 2030 whilst committing to a national flare-out target by year 2020.  Unfortunately, the year 2020 has come and gone with the Nigerian government and the oil and gas companies not meeting set target. A number of reasons have been adduced for this, the most important being lack of political will and absence of enforcement of applicable laws” said HEDA in the letter.

HEDA said it strongly believes that effective enforcement and compliance will strengthen revenue figures and induce greater development, promote clean and sustainable environment, protect livelihood of citizens of oil producing communities and entrench good governance in the country.

The group said “It is historically imperative and politically inescapable that you must take action to debar unpatriotic actions and continued disservice to the nation by the concerned oil and gas companies and their respective functionaries. The country, more than ever before, needs to harness the full value-added potentials of its gas resources, terminate gas flare permanently and the attendant devastating environmental and human impacts it has on local communities in the Niger Delta in particular, nationally and globally as well, and augments revenues accruable to the federation account, through gas flaring penalty payments”

HEDA said the initiative is predicated on transparency, accountability, probity, curtailment, if not complete elimination of otiose vulnerability coupled with the high level of uncertainty confronting the oil and gas sector in Nigeria and to assist in putting an end to the many haemorrhaging points in the polity so as to achieve sustainable development goals (SDG).

It said the names when released will strengthen the country’s good health and wellbeing, access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, pro-climate change positioning, reduced environmental ill health and social impacts on the  livelihoods of the host communities, eliminate waste of natural resources in the immediate environment and catalyze socio-economic benefits from gas flare capture, among other benefits.

Power Failure: NERC Wades In To Stop Incessant Grid Collapse

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By Tosin Olatokunbo

The National Electricity Regulatory commission, NERC has unfolded a two-fold action plan to improve power supply in the country, which include holding the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN responsible for failure to deliver contracted load allocation to DISCOS and forcing the latter to pay for load rejection.

The NERC said the federal government could no longer ignore a situation where the two organizations failed to manage power load which has led to incessant collapse of the national grid.

Within the week, the national grid collapsed again leading to power failure in many parts of the country.

Electricity consumers in the country have decried constant power grid collapses which lead to power outages and disruptions of businesses in the country.

DISCOS have also been blamed for not releasing loads allocated to them due to facility constraint.

Experts, however, blamed power distribution firms for lack of capacity to absorb loads from generation companies, GENCOS, a situation that has pegged power available to consumers around 4000 and 5000 mega watts.

NERC guideline says “DisCos shall nominate a minimum of their load allocation based on hourly capacity declared by generating plants operating under NBET’s Power Purchase Agreements,” the guideline stated.

“Where a DisCo’s average energy offtake at the end of a monthly market settlement period is lower than its load allocation based on 6.0(c) above, the DisCo shall be liable to pay capacity charges in line with its load allocation and energy charge based on metered energy intake in the month.

“Where it is established that a Disco’s average energy offtake from the transmission is lower than its load allocation based on 6.0(c) above, the DisCo shall be liable to pay TCN liquidated damages (LD) based on the approved tariff (N/kWh) of TCN.

“Where a DisCo’s average energy offtake over a period of one month has exceeded its load allocation as in 6.0(c) above, the DisCo shall only be liable to pay capacity charges based on its load allocation and energy cost based on metered energy offtake in the month.”

Imo: Omokiri, Igbo Leaders Decry Military Attack On Orlu

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Reno Omokiri has joined other prominent Nigerians who have knocked the military for laying siege on Orlu, Imo state in search of members of the Eastern Security Network, ESN. The ESN was established by the Nnamdi Kanu led IPOB to provide security in the south east but has recently come under attack by Nigeria security forces.

On Thursday, the Nigerian military were seen carrying out airstrikes in the town. Some footage of the airstrikes shared online by residents showed people running in panic as they tried to escape being hit by bullets.

In another, viral videos, a helicopter belonging to Nigerian military was seen shooting into communities as residents scamper for safety. Another video also showed a child crying and calling on the mother to save her from being hurt.

But Omokiri said the attack on Orlu is a misplaced priority on the part of the country’s security forces. According to him, the military should be concerned on how to rescue over 40 school children kidnapped by bandits in Niger state.  Omokiri, a former spokesman for ex-President Goodluck Jonathan said it was wrong for the military to attack ESN who are trying to rid the south east of criminality such as arm banditry, kidnapping and killer herdsmen.

Reno Omokri
Omokiri Condemns Military Siege

The former presidential aide who spoke on Arise Television programme said “the government did not send gunship and helicopters” against bandits who are abducting people in the north, adding that the Buhari administration has not shown seriousness in tackling insecurity in the country.

Meanwhile, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB has condemned the operation. Uchenna Madu, MASSOB leader in the state said in a statement, that the military operation was an attack on Igbo people calling on the human rights and international communities to intervene to save lives.

The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, condemned what is claimed was “indiscriminate shooting by soldiers in Orlu and Orsu under whatever guise,” calling on the military to “immediately relocate its operation to Borno State and other northern states ravaged by Boko Haram terrorists and insurgent.”

NLC NEC Meets, Canvasses Review Of Power Sector Privatisation Law |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
NLC NEC Meeting in Abuja

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigeria Labour Congres (NLC) rose from its National Executive Committee(NEC) meeting on Thursday with a call on the Federal Government for a review of the power sector privatization programme.

According to the NLC, this it been long overdue for review since the law provides for a review of the privatization program every two years.

The NEC, also, advocated for the reduction of the cost of gas to 1.5 cents and  the scrapping of the use of US and Nigeria inflation rates to determine the cost of gas to power distribution companies, GENCOs.

These were contained in a communique signed by Ayuba Wabba,

President; and Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary issued at the end of its NEC meeting, in Abuja.

The NEC also called on the Government to step up on the mass distribution of meters to electricity consumers all over Nigeria.

In order to ensure strict follow up and compliance, the NLC NEC recommended the setting up of an oversight taskforce outside the purview of NERC and DISCO.

Other decisions by the NLC  were “NEC resolved to reject deregulation as long as it is import driven. NEC reiterated the traditional position of Congress that government should rehabilitate and revamp Nigeria’s local refineries as a sustainable solution to incessant increases in the pump price of petrol.

“The NEC posited that Nigeria’s refineries can be made to work in a short time once government asserts the political will to do so.

“NEC also urged the Nigerian government to find ways and means to shield Nigerian citizens from the volatilities in the international crude oil market.

“It demanded that the template used in determining the pump price of PMS which includes inbuilt charges and inflationary trend should be reviewed to the benefit of Nigerians. NEC called for modular refineries in order to bring down the price of diesel;

“The NEC rejected the concession of Nigeria’s airports and other considerations for privatization describing such as great disservice to the Nigerian people and a betrayal of the efforts of Nigerian workers especially those employed in the aviation sector;

“The NEC warned that it would take very drastic action against state governments that have refused to pay the new national minimum wage and minimum pension which benefit had already been eroded by the escalating inflation in the country.

“NEC also resolved to view the refusal to pay the new national minimum wage by state governments as demanded by the law as an act of criminality, betrayal of the oath of office sworn by state chief executives and a dangerous adventure in anarchy.

“The NEC-in-Session directed all states where the national minimum wage of N30000 is yet to be paid to immediately proceed on industrial action.”

Dr Junaid Mohammed Dies; Dikko Inde, Too |The Source

By
The Source
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0
Abdulahi Dikko and Junaid Mohammed

By Chidi Onyewuchi

Nigeria recorded two high profile deaths on Thursday, February 18, 2021.

Cerebral critique, Politician, Medical Doctor, Controversial, blunt, and Second Republic House of Representatives Member, Dr Junaid Mohammed, died at the age of 73.

Nobody heard he was ill. But his son, Suleiman, who confirmed his death, said his father died after an illness which lasted for three days, only.

Junaid Mohammed will be remembered for his strong views on National issues, and for speaking truth to power. He was a Reporter’s delight.

Earlier, before Dr Junaid Mohammed’s death was announced, the immediate past Controller of Customs, Abdullahi Inde Dikko, died at the age of 60.

Until his head, after what was said to be a protracted illness, Dikko was having a running battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which confiscated his house, allegedly,  worth over a billion Naira, and an array of posh cars.

Mourning the death of Mohammed and Dikko, the Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, said in a statement that the North has lost two patriots.

The statement, signed by its Spokesman, Abdulazeez Suleiman, reads: ” The Coalition of Northern Groups has received, with deep pain, the touching news of the death of two Northern Patriots, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde and Dr. Junaid Mohamed on Thursday, February 18, 2021.

“The two noble gentlemen had played critical roles in the quest for the rebirth and promotion of Northern culture and values, while providing meaningful mentorship and guidance to the youths.

“The contributions of Inde and Mohammed, as guides, counsellors, leaders and patrons to the development of several Northern initiatives, including the CNG, are indeed, unquantifiable.”

Inde Dikko was from Katsina  State, while Mohammed was from Kano State.

Illegal Detention: Ondo Attorney General Halts Trial Of CJ’s Sibling |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Olupelumi Fagboyegun

By Ayodele Oni

The trial of a relation of the Chief Judge of Ondo state, Justice Akeredolu, on spurious charges may have been halted.

This followed a directive from the office of the Attorney General, (AG) of the state that the suit against Olupelumi Fagboyegun pending at the Chief Magistrate Court, Owo,  be discontinued.

Acting on the power conferred on the office of the AG by section 211 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the office said it was no longer interested in the prosecution of the accused person.

A report of the investigation carried out by the State’s former Commissioner of Justice,  Sir Charles Titiloye, directed contending parties in the case to seek resolution of their dispute through a civil action or other means of alternative dispute resolution.

The former AG  had invited the state Judicial Service Commission to investigate issues relating to the delay in the hearing of the case before the magistrate court.

The office of the AG, also, referred the matter to the Ondo state House of Assembly for investigation.

A viral video, early in the week, featured Pelumi Fagboyegun, who alleged that the state Judiciary and Courts were being used by the Chief Judge, Oluwatoyin Akeredolu to prosecute him unjustly.

He  also alleged that he has been kept in custody in the past three years on trumped up criminal allegation of unlawful entry into his father’s house.

Pelumi, who claimed that he is also a biological son of the late industrialist in Ondo state, Olajide Fagboyegun, who died in 2008, begged Nigerians to come to his rescue.

In the two minutes video, he claimed that he had been arraigned in court five times before different Judges handling the case against him.

Justice Akeredolu had denied the allegation and an earlier report from the AG’s office had cleared her of any wrongdoing in the matter.

Fani-Kayode Mocks Saraki Over Appeal To Former Jonathan Not To Leave PDP |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Saraki visits Jonathan

By Akinwale Kasali

The past week has witnessed Carpet Crossing from top Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chieftains to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The gale of the defection train is, however, moving on a high speed, forcing former Senate President, Bukola  Saraki, to lead a reconciliation Committee of the PDP on a visit to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at his Abuja residence.

There have been speculations that the former President could jump ship to the APC, following appeals and pressure from the ruling Party to have him in their fold.

It was also speculated that the APC  was even promising to give Jonathan the 2023 Presidential ticket of the Party.

Addressing Journalists after the meeting, Saraki said “Jonathan is a no-go area for the APC, no matter how much the APC tries.”

The speculation over Jonathan began on his last birthday when an APC delegation, comprising of a number of the party’s Governors, including Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, who is also the Chairman of the APC National Caretaker Committee, went to wish him well, a courtesy his party, the PDP did not extend to him. Since then, the speculation has been strong, mainly being fuelled by a couple of people in the PDP, interested in the office of the President in 2023.

In deed, the Media Aide to  Prince Secondus, National Chairman, Ike Abonyi, wrote a scathing article, attacking Jonathan. It is not on record that the party called him to order.

However, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has taken to his Twitter handle to mock the former Kwara State Governor that it was ironic for Saraki to be part of the team after he (Saraki) left the PDP in 2014, causing Jonathan the 2015 presidential re-election.

The visit of the PDP reconciliation committee came amid rumour that the ruling All Progressives Congress was planning to offer Jonathan a presidential ticket and pair him with in 2023 with Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-rufai.

Speaking about the visit, FFK wrote: “Interesting to note that the man that led the team to GEJ’s house to appeal to him not to leave the PDP yesterday is the same man that led the rebellion against him & the defection of Governors from the same party in 2014 & cost him the 2015 presidential election. What an irony!” he said.

Last week, the media was awash with the said defection of Fani-Kayode to the APC. Kogi  State Governor, Yahaya Bello, confirmed the defection, even though Fani-Kayode lamely denied  it.

However, the Director General of the Progressive Governors Forum, Mr Lukeman, who had opposed the defection of Fani-Kayode   to the APC, and appealed to the leadership of the party to reject him, was to issue another statement, thanking the party for rejecting Fani-Kayode.

Fani-Kayode did not counter Lukeman’s claim of being rejected the membership of the party.

In 2014, Saraki was one of the PDP heavyweights that defected to the APC, causing the PDP to lose power to the APC.

But after the victory, he was treated so badly in the APC, and persecuted no end.

He was then forced to dump the APC and went back to the PDP.

Insecurity: Buratai Indicts Government, Says There Are Too Many Ungovernable Spaces |The Source

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0

By Adesina Soyooye

For Nigerians, hoping for a quick solution to the unprecedented insecurity in the country, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, rtd., says they should perish the hope.

He says it would take, at least, the next 20 years to deal with insecurity in Nigeria.

Buratai’s present stand runs contrary to the impression he always gave while he was in office as the COAS.

While in office, he usually said the terrorists had been decimated. And that the war on terrorism had been won, as the military was only clearing remnants of the terrorists. The song has changed, and the right tone public.

Appearing before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Adamu Muhammad  Bulkachuwa, APC, Bauchi North, on Thursday, Buratai said the situation goes beyond the Military.

The Senate Committee is screening Buratai and other immediate past  Service Chiefs, nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari as Non-career Ambassadors.

Warfare has permeated the society, he disclosed. He indicted the Government for leaving what he called many “ungovernable spaces.”  Meaning: there is no Government presence in most rural communities hit most by terrorism.

Buratai: ” The Military alone cannot solve this. There should be hospitals, schools, roads and good governance. There are many  ungovernable spaces in those areas.”

At the time of this report, the screening of the Service Chiefs, whose nomination, by the President, as Non-career Ambassadors drew mixed feelings, was still on-going.

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