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Bad Condition

October 8, 2018

By Oji Odu

Stakeholders in the nations are not happy with the huge amount of money spent by Nigerians to fuel their generators annually. But are Nigerians perturbed by the said amount? Based on the tight economic situation in the country, do Nigerians have such amount of money to spend on fuel for their generators?

At a recent workshop on energy in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital which was organised by TEDX, a global non-profit organization interested in spreading ideas for societal growth and development, participants raised an alarm that Nigerians were spending about one trillion naira annually to provide electricity for themselves as a result of the poor state of the power sector.

They expressed regret that had the Nigerian power sector been effective, such a huge amount of money expended on private electricity supply through the purchase of fuel, generators and for generator maintenance should have been utilized on other areas of need such as health and education.

In his speech, an energy expert, Eyo Ekpo, stated that Nigeria would not grow as far as the country did not have enough energy as individuals would not develop if the economy remained undeveloped.

“In the energy sector today, private persons generate 65,000MW spending about N1tn, whereas the national grid generates 6,500MW. The grid supplies 4,000 to 5,000mw. Less than 30 per cent of the N50bn charged the customers manage to get to the owners,” Ekpo said.

He lamented that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission had abdicated its responsibility to the National Electricity Bulk Trader on issues concerning market design while some consumers had refused to pay the correct tariff.

Speaking further on the problems facing the power sector, Ekpo said, “Oil may be pushing Nigeria’s GDP, but power ought to add value to ourselves because no idea works without power. There is N5bn payment gap, which the FG said it would close (pay). But this never gets paid, leaving the sector staggering due to unpaid subsidy. We have a rural electricity agency that concentrates in supplying power to urban universities and markets instead of the rural areas.”

He suggested that Nigeria should begin to use technology to fight energy theft and added that the country could learn from India. “Nigeria is nowhere close to India in energy theft, but they (India) used technology to fight it to a huge success. Citizens can take out law suits to compel Discos to do what is right. The nation should begin to arrest high net worth consumers or big men who openly use much, but pay little.”

The Magazine’s investigations reveal that MTN, the nations largest mobile telecommunications operator spends over N30.5 billion yearly on diesel to power its many generators in the country while the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria(MAN) revealed that its members spend over N130 billion to power their generators annually.

All these data and expressed fears are not new to Nigerians. In 2017, a similar alarm was raised by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara who said that it was unacceptable for Nigerians to be spending five billion dollars yearly to fuel their generators. The leader of the nations Green legislative chambers said the House will support the Executive to find a permanent solution to this. Over a year after, the situation remains unchanged. The House has not raised such bills, neither has the Executive.

In a chat with Segun Adeniyi, an energy expert, he said: “ Nigerians are no disturbed by such data showing that they spend so much to power their generators. The truth is that most homes do not have enough money to eat, talk less of buying fuel to power their generators when the lights go off. Where is the money?” he queried.

Adeniyi said that the money they must be referring to should be those by the manufacturers and the wealthy few in the society. “ Government is the worse culprit in owing electricity services. That is why they don’t want to enact laws to strength the power sector. They are always interested in their elections not on how to better the country,” he added.

In a similar chat with Okorie John who operates a cold room within the Ketu axis, he showed indifference to the fears of experts. “ They only express fears for us, and that is it. Of what good is their worry when it cannot change the situation? Of what benefit is it with a selfish government which does not think about the good of its people? They should fear for themselves and leave us alone to our faith,” he lamented.

Customs: Women Rice Smugglers On Prowl In Seme

Bayo Bernard

October 8, 2018

By Bayo Bernard

At the time Nigerian and Republic of Benin diplomats met in Cotounou on October 1, 2018 to mark Nigeria’s 58 Independence, a number of very daring women smugglers were also busy plotting how to smuggle banned foreign rice into the country.

To them, the diplomats may be concerned with how to facilitate bilateral relations between the two countries, on their part, they will busy themselves on how to improve strategies to outwit security agents working along that route to prevent smuggling of foreign parboiled rice into the country.

These rice hustlers, as they are known have succeeded in smuggling thousands bags of foreign parboiled rice through Seme into Nigeria.

According to investigations, no fewer than 2000 bags of foreign rice are snuggled into the country through this method alone daily.

The women are not operating as a formal cartel, but because they meet each other on the route on the daily basis, their affinity has become so strong, so much so that it’s not unusual to find them in the bus sharing tips on how to beat law enforcement agents trying to stop them from doing the illegal trade.

When the magazine ran into some of them last week, on the way to Seme, their boisterous discussion did not betray the fact that they have become experts on evading uniform men who are always ready to apprehend.

From all indications, nothing placed on their paths by the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, will be strong enough to deter them.

They are prepared to enlist all known methods to outwit men and officers of customs positioned along the Lagos/ Badadry expressway from being apprehended.

They seem to be succeeding and the reason is not far-fetched, they are doing the business as if their lives depended on it.

There are tens of customs officers from Seme Area Command stationed along the road, apart from officers from the Federal Operations Unit, FOU and the recently formed Comptroller General of Customs, Strike Force, to keep the smuggles at bay.

The officers appear not smart as these women.

The Rice Millers Importers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (RIMIDAN) had disclosed recently that about two million tons of parboiled rice is smuggled into Nigeria annually.

Investigations indicate that more than 40 percent of that figure pass through the Seme border, the international border between Nigeria and French speaking Benin Republic.

A large portion of this is ferried by the young and middle aged women, who are hardly noticed.

How do they manage to get the rice through the highly ‘policed’ Seme border, Badagry expressway and eventually into the Nigerian market?

Their method is very simple and ingenious to say the least. The women simply buy one bag of rice in Cotonou with as low as N8000 to N9000, which they then divide into two or more places.

They then arrange with transporters who help them conceal the ‘contraband’ in the vehicle at agreed terms, en route Lagos.

One bag of rice may be insignificant to the undiscerning mind, but some traders told the magazine that this method is very effective, and does not attract the risk, for instance, of a truck load of rice, which can easily draw the attention of Customs and other law enforcement agents along the route.

Everything being equal, as much as N3000 profit margin can be realized on a bag of rice by the time it landed in the Nigerian market.

“If I can successfully bring in three to four bags daily without being caught, I think it’s okay for me,” one trader told the magazine.

The women told the magazine that, rice smuggling has become a way of life for them, and that they devised the method to counter government anti-smuggling methods.

They however admitted that the method is not water tight ‘on a bad day you can run into the customs and your goods will be seized,” one lady smuggler told the magazine.

According to a trader who simply identified herself as Kafayat, she has been smuggling rice for years. She explained that the method has been working for her, though there were times she ran into trouble with customs.

On the daily basis, she manages to ‘bring’ in three to four bags of rice” if God helped me and I’m not caught” she said.

Another smuggler, simply identified as Ngozi said she has been doing the business for some years. “There are times when they seized my goods but most times, I have escaped,” she stated.

She explained that she travels to Cotonou with her younger sisters “when I buy two bags of rice, we divide them into four parts. I will carry two portions, while my sister also does the same. We will enter different vehicles. When we get back to Lagos, we now join them together and sell to customers,” Ngozi said.

According to analysts, this method must have been overlooked by the authorities, as very insignificant in the quantum of rice smuggled into

Since the women are many, experts insist that this channel alone has been used to ferry thousands of bags of rice into the country on a yearly basis.

“if one person succeed in bringing three bags to the market daily, multiply that by 20 days, without the weekends, that’s 60 bags per trader. Besides, weekend is even the best time for smugglers. Now imagine how many bags this translates to in a year,” Uche Emmanuel, a business analyst familiar with border trade told the magazine.

Who then should take the blame? Experts insist that the problem should not be blamed on complacency on the part of men and officers of the NCS alone.

Uba Garba: At the Nigeria Embassy, Cotonou

The Customs Area Controller, Seme Command, Comptroller Muhammed Uba Garba, on assumption of office, three months ago affirmed the readiness of men and officers of the command to tighten the noose on smuggling around the area.

To achieve this, Comptroller Garba has spent the last few weeks consulting with major stakeholders in the area, including traditional rulers on how to end rice smuggling and other contrabands.

The controller recently told the magazine that he will succeed where his predecessors have failed. Some analysts insist that he has a robust anti-smuggling record.

But the smugglers have remained unfazed. What this means is that Garba and his men will have to do more to contain the smugglers.

Same with FOU officers and CG strike force posted to that route to mount guard against smugglers.

Some officers told the magazine that they are unaware of the damage been done by these ‘petty’ women smugglers.

According to one officer, there is an understanding among officers on duty to allow ‘passage’ as long as ‘it’s not more than half bag of rice, but the owner must pay as low as N500 or N1000 at the check point.”

The officer said since these smugglers are mostly women, they allow them to go on “compassionate” ground.

“We all know what’s happening in the country, and for a woman to go through that risk: officers are sometimes disarmed whenever they are caught and they start begging,” one officer said.

The Nigerian government has placed a ban on rice importation through land borders. The President Muhammadu Buhari government has since directed the Nigerian Customs Service to enforce the policy on all land borders across the country.

It’s Criminal to Allocate Votes – Madumere

The Source

October 8, 2018

The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, has taken exception to the result of the purported governorship primary election rerun, where the unknown persons parading themselves as committee apportioned votes to him, describing same as monumental fraud.

In a statement on his behalf by his Special Assistant, Uche Onwuchekwa, Madumere described the alleged action of Governor Rochas Okorocha – led election committee as not only mischievous but morally unacceptable. He reminded the purported committee of the resolution of Imo All Progressives Congress Stakeholders (Coalition) not to go into any repeat of primary elections owing to the fact that the leadership, aspirants and members of the our great party were never consulted albeit informed of any election.

However, last Friday, October 5, 2018, Six of the governorship aspirants jointly addressed newsmen, informing the leadership of the party and Nigerians at large that they stand by October 1, 2018 governorship election conducted by Alhaji Ahmed Gulak led Committee where Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma came first followed by the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere.

It will also be recalled that yesterday, October 6, 2018, at the Party headquarters, 6 aspirants who are, Prince Eze Madumere, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Sir Jude Ejiogu, Sir George Eche, Chief Chris Nlemoha and Commodore Peter Gbujie (rtd), reiterated their stance to boycott the election following the fact that they were unaware of the purported primary elections and because of the pendency of legal suit, originating summon and motion of interlocutory injunction from a court competent jurisdiction, Abuja restraining any further APC primary elections in the State until the determination of the matter before it.

The Deputy Governor therefore wondered why impunity has continued to rein supreme in the State unabated.

He therefore took exception to allotments of votes to them having opted out, an act he described as fraud.

Meanwhile, he also averred that their group of 6 aspirants has been vindicated as Governor Okorocha’s brother-in-law, Chief Chuks Ololo who also pulled out of the purported exercise, wondering why Imo All Progressives Congress governorship primary election should be between Governor Okorocha’s son-in-law, Mr. Uche Nwosu and his estate Manager, Mr. Chima Anozie.

PDP Primaries: How the Five Musketeers’ intervention raised the Tempo for Atiku’s Emergence

Uche Mbah

October 8, 2018

By Uche Mbah

Although the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Primaries have come and gone, facts are emerging on how the table turned in favor of the Waziri of Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar. Though it has been known that the PDP Presidential candidate has been on the drive for the presidency for three consecutive times and that he is the most prepared of the lot to take up the challenges of the presidency, it still came as a surprise to pundits why he won the election with such a clear margin.

In the run-up towards the primary elections, there have been speculations on who will carry the day. This Magazine had reported on the alleged influence of the five king- makers who were said to have tacitly endorsed the Sokoto state Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to become the PDP flag bearer. Sources indicate also that Tambuwal had been the choice of the Caliphate who were said to have been unhappy with the Buhari Government because of the continued incarceration of Sambo Dasuki, the former National Security Adviser under the Presidency of Goodluck Jonathan.

But as the elections went underway in Port Harcourt, a surprise came in the way that Bukola Saraki, the Senate President and Party Leader, was making inroads into the delegates enclaves. Before long, he was having consultations with different groups. He met the National assembly delegates, delegates from different states and ethnic Nationalities. Meanwhile Tambuwal is said to be riding on the goodwill of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and, according to those in the know, the establishment. Before midnight, there were three of them at the top-Saraki, Tambuwal and Atiku. Then it happened.

Those who are in the know said that about one o’clock in the morning, as the voting was underway, a former head of the then State Security Services, SSS, under a former Military president appeared in the stadium. It was said that he flew into Port Harcourt from Abuja on a mission. He was said to have walked straight to the former president Goodluck Jonathan and conferred with him briefly. He was said to have also conferred with Atiku, Saraki and Tambuwal, and the heads of the delegates. The he allegedly left. “The gods have spoken”, said the source from the South south, laughing, “and then began a complete turnover in the fortune of the former Vice President”. This was in apparent reference to former military president Ibrahim Babangida, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, retired General Abulsalam Abubakar, retired General Theophilus Danjuma and Retired General Garba Wushishi.

In the end Atiku won.

In his acceptance speech, Atiku acknowledged the role played by former President Obasanjo, his former boss, in his being able to contest-an extension of an Olive Branch to the retired General who has been known to have vowed never to allow him become president. “If the majority of the Generals agree, Obasanjo may have no choice than to follow in the spirit of oneness”, the source concluded.

Obasanjo has not officially congratulated Atiku.

Nigeria is badly broken, only restructuring can save her – John Gbor, APGA presidential candidate

The Source

October 8, 2018

The Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, (APGA), retired Major General John Wilson Terwase Gbor yesterday in Abuja pledged that, his administration would protect every Nigerian no matter where the person lived.

In his acceptance speech after he was endorsed by his party, General Gbor unveiled a five-point agenda which, he said, would promote national security, peace and prosperity of all Nigerians no matter where they lived in the world.

The five point agenda which he described as his “irrevocable covenant with Nigerians” are: true federalism based on fiscal restructuring, security, economic reconstruction driven by private enterprise, social agenda and a presidential initiative that places empowerment of women and the youth as the key driver of national renaissance.

General Gbor told the APGA delegates to the special convention where he was unveiled with his running mate, Chief Jerry Chukwueke, that Nigeria was badly broken yearning to be repaired. But he said that it is only a pragmatic and progressive leader, not just a president that could rescue the country from the deplorable situation. “We need a President who believes that all lives matter and works proactively to protect lives and properties of all Nigerians”, he said, to the applause of the audience.

Offering himself as the new face of hope in the midst of despair, Gbor said that under his leadership, the Federal Government would take steps to revitalize the non-oil sector, reduce the national debt, promote agriculture and above all, work “for the prosperity of all Nigerians where NO ONE AND NO PLACE IS LEFT BEHIND”.

Expatiating on his economic recovery plan, Gbor said: “In line with APGA’s commitment to restructuring, my administration will vigorously pursue the entrenchment of true federalism which promotes productivity and competitiveness among the federating units.

“Thus, instead of the present misguided emphasis on cake sharing which accounts for high level of corruption, the APGA-led Federal Government, under my leadership, will promote the emergence of viable, competitive and sustainable economic entities that will unleash the creative potentials of Nigerians. The end result of such competitive entities will be wealth creation, job opportunities, social harmony and national security.”

Dismissing the fear of those who argue that restructuring could lead to disintegration, Gbor said: “The truth is that fiscal federalism and national unity are not mutually exclusive. What a restructured Nigeria will achieve is that, we shall move away from the cake sharing formula which breeds laziness and rent seekers to cake baking which unleashes the creative energies of Nigerians especially the youth”.

National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Oye who unveiled the presidential candidate and his running mate assured Nigerians that the party was poised to produce governors in at least eight states of the federation. He hinged his hope on the party’s belief that the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were in disarray in those states. Besides, he stated that APGA was robbed of victory in Nasarawa and Abia States in 2015 and that the party would reclaim the mandates in 2019.

Buhari Campaign Organisation Reacts To Atiku’s Victory

The Source

October 7, 2018

By Festus Keyamo

We wish to congratulate His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on his emergence as the candidate of the PDP in respect of the forth-coming 2019 Presidential Election.

However, we note with interest all the reports in the media as to massive vote-buying at the PDP primaries (especially with foreign currency). We contrast this with the speech of President MuhammaduBuhari in the 2014 APC Convention when he said as follows:

“I have always served Nigeria to the best of my ability. I have always tried to give more to the nation than it has given me. This is the principle of service that has guided my public life. Thus, I am not a rich person. I can’t give you a fistful of dollars or naira to purchase your support. Even if I could, I would not do so. The fate of this nation is not up for sale”.

There were also media reports in the 2014 APC National Convention that AlhajiAtikuAbubakarfreely used the same method of massive vote-buying in foreign currency, but he came a distant third. Till date, he has not denied those media reports. The claim therefore that the process that produce him now as a candidate of the PDP was free, fair and transparent is suspect.

It is therefore clear that going into this election the issues that will agitate the minds of Nigerians most would be centered around the credibility of the candidate of the opposition and the kind of values he brings into our politics.

Nigerians would ask themselves whether he can be trusted with our national resources with this proclivity for “dollarising” the political arena, thereby taking us back to the warped values from which PresidentBuhari is trying to extricate the nation. One wonders what such a candidate would do with public funds.

Nigerians would also note with interest the verdict of Atiku’sformer boss when he was Vice President on his credibility and integrity, calling him unprintable names at different occasions. Nigerians would note that in all of these occasions, AtikuAbubakar had never defended these allegations against him by his former boss, but continues to court his support and cooperation.

Nigerians would want to know how candidate AtikuAbubakar intends to inspire a nation to believe in his ability to fight corruption in the face of very damning reports both locally and internationally concerning his records on corruption whilst he was in public service as a Customs Officer and later when he was Vice President of Nigeria.

We note with amusement that on many occasions AlhajiAtikuAbubakar has tried to claim some credit for certain “achievements” during the tenure of President Obasanjo when he was Vice President because, according to him, he was “part of that Government”. We also wish to remind Nigerians that as much as he claims the credit, he must be prepared to accept joint liability for all that happened in that Government. He cannot blow hot and cold. In due time we shall talk about all these.

Taking all the above into considerations, Nigerians would rightly ask whether a leopard can indeed change its skin despite all the sweet talk they expect to hear from the opposition candidate during the election.

Finally, in the history of elections in Nigeria, the choices before Nigerians have never been clearer than now: Nigerians would have to decide between a candidate with a history full of credibility crises, damning reports on corruption both home and abroad and another candidate, (the incumbent President) with an unblemished record in public service.

Thank you.

FESTUS KEYAMO, SAN, FCIArb(UK)

Director, Strategic Communications,

President MuhammaduBuhari Campaign Organisation

(Official Spokesperson).

PDP Presidential Ticket: How Atiku Won; May Pick Obi as Running Mate

The Source

October 7, 2018

By Chidiebere Onyemaizu

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s victory in the People’s Democratic Party, PDP presidential primaries, has forced the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC back to the drawing board, The Source has been informed. Reliable party sources confided in the Magazine that APC strategists will, in the coming days; step up mudslinging of the PDP and its presidential candidate. According to one of the sources, APC’s fervent prayer was for Atiku not to win the PDP ticket. The source: “The party is quite aware that Atiku is the only one among the PDP aspirants capable of dislodging president Buhari from office next year…we are going to lay Atiku and PDP’s sins before Nigerians, but we are equally going back to the drawing board to fashion out more potent means of stopping him, his victory is bad for the APC”.

With 1,532 votes, Atiku’s dusted 12 other fellow aspirants to pick the PDP ticket. Governor Tambuwal came second with 693 votes, Senate President, Dr.Bukola Saraki is third with 317 votes. Senator Rabiu Kwakwaso scored 158 votes, Gombe state Governor, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwanbo got 111 votes, Sule Lamido 96 votes, Ahmed Makarfi 74 votes, Saminu Turaki 65votes, Attahiru Bafarawa 48 votes, David Mark 35 votes, Senator Jonah Jang, 19 votes and Datti Ahmed 5 votes.

Bukola Saraki — **Saraki:Conceded defeat on behalf aspirants**

The keenly contested primaries which held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, began on Saturday, October 6 and was concluded at some minutes past 1pm Sunday 7th October, 2018, about 11 hours to the end of INEC’s deadline for the submission of candidates’ names for the various elective offices by parties. Atiku’s victory confirms his camp’s emphatic declaration that he would carry the day in Port Harcourt. His loyalists had spoken to The Source few hours to the commencement of the convention, saying their principal would spring surprises at the end of the exercise.

Bookmakers had tipped Sokoto state governor and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal for the PDP presidential ticket as virtually all governors of the party were said to be supporting him. However, this magazine has learnt that political intrigues, critical permutations and stark political realities, were to dramatically tilt the contest to Atiku’s favour hours before the exercise commenced. Other sources who were at the convention and who followed Atiku’s campaign for the PDP ticket disagree. They insist the former VP’s sterling qualities and his unassailable edge over the rest of the aspirants got him victory.

Political analysts are of the view that delegates to the PDP convention took into cognizance the fact that Atiku has name recognition – his name easily connects among the generality of Nigerians across religious and ethnic strata. The delegates, according to analysts must have reasoned that a candidate that can uproot APC and Buhari from office must be one with a national outlook and deep war chest.

To many delegates, Atiku fits perfectly into the above description. His supporters told the magazine that apart from being detribalized, the PDP presidential candidate is also urbane. According to them, his cosmopolitan nature ensures that he has friends across culture, religion and even parties, in addition to being a creator of wealth, employer of labour and promoter of quality education.

The American University of Nigeria which he established in his native Adamawa state with auxiliary nursery, primary and secondary schools stands out as one of the elegant testimonies of Atiku’s contributions to the education sector. Many also point to INTEL, one of his companies employing hundreds of Nigerians with most top directors from the Southern part of the country as evidence of his job creation and pan-Nigerian traits.

While other contestants started the restructuring sing-song after they had declared their presidential ambitions, many pro-structuring advocates regard such promises as afterthought and halfhearted, Atiku had long before he returned to the PDP, been canvassing for the restructuring of Nigeria. Analysts, therefore, believe the former VP’s strong views on the issue of the restructuring of the country swayed Southern and Middle Belt delegates to cast their votes for him.

In his acceptance speech, Atiku praised Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa who was the convention committee chairman for organising what he described as the freest, fairest and most democratic presidential primaries ever witnessed in Nigeria. The PDP presidential candidate thanked the delegates for choosing him and appealed for the closing of ranks to wrestle power from the APC next year. He also reached out to his estranged former boss, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, eulogizing him. According to Atiku, he learnt under the tutelage of the former leader, saying without Obasanjo, he wouldn’t have made any success in the political arena.

Unlike past PDP presidential primaries, the event in Port Harcourt was rancor free prompting all the aspirants to openly pledge to work for the election of Atiku as the next president. Dr. Saraki who spoke for the defeated aspirants said they were all ready to go to the field for Atiku.

**Peter Obi: The odds favour him for VP**

Born 71 years ago, Atiku, a former Customs officer who was vice president under Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007, has a long history with the chase for presidential tickets and the presidency itself, spanning over 25 years. In the 1993 Jos convention of the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP, he came third behind Babagana Kingibe for the party’s presidential ticket. Atiku became the beautiful bride in the ensuing run-off between the eventual winner, the late MKO Abiola and Kingibe. Abiola was to win the ticket after Atiku stood down from the race and asked his supporters to cast their votes for him.

As a sitting Vice President, Atiku in 2007, broke ranks with his boss, Obasanjo and the PDP to vie for the presidency on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, AC, losing to the PDP candidate, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. In 2014, he squared up against Buhari for the APC presidential ticket and lost, coming a humiliating third behind the then Kano State Governor, Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso who incidentally was also his opponent in the just concluded PDP Port Harcourt convention.

With the PDP presidential ticket in Atiku’s kitty, the party and its presidential candidate are now saddled with selecting a suitable Vice presidential candidate. Behind the scenes maneuvers by certain interests in the South west to have the position zoned to the region notwithstanding, multiple party sources told this Magazine that the PDP has settled for the South east for the VP slot. “What is now being considered is between the trio of former Governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and Former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala who is the most suitable to run with our presidential candidate”, one of the sources told The Source .

Another source was emphatic that former governor Obi has since been penciled down by Atiku as his running mate: “What attracted His Excellency to Obi was the former governor’s sterling performance while in office, especially his shrewd management of financial resources. I can confidently tell you that Peter Obi is Atiku’s running mate”, he said.

If former Governor Obi eventually emerges Atiku’s running mate, that will be the second time he would pair with an “Obi” in his quest for the presidency. In 2007, Atiku picked Senator Ben Obi, also from Anambra state, as his running mate under the AC platform.

Customs: We Said So

Bayo Bernard

October 6, 2018

By Bayo Bernard

On August 20, The Source magazine published a story titled “Customs Mulls Promotion of Officers: Comptroller Musa Tops List.” The magazine had predicted that the former Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Musa Jibrin was among deserving officers penciled down for promotion by the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali(rtd).

It was also mentioned in the story that another shake-up was imminent in the service, few weeks after the NCS management redeployed over 70 officers across the country.

Thus less than 50 days after that publication, the NCS, yesterday released an official statement to the effect that, Comptroller Jibrin, alongside others has now been promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General of Customs, ACG, Finance, Administration and Technical Services, FATS.

According to a statement signed by NCS, Public Relations Officer, Joseph Attah, a deputy controller of customs, Sanusi Umar has now been promoted Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, in charge of Human Resources and Development, HRD, Abdullahi Babani is now ACG, Tariff and Trade, T&T while Christopher Odibu is now ACG, Zone B headquarters.

Those affected in the current shake-up are DCG Aminu Dahgaladima, moved from Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection to FATS, DCG Ronke Olubiyi from HRD to Strategic Research and Policy, DCG Augustine Chidi from SR&P to Ei&I and ACG David Chikan from HRD to Commandant, Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada.

The redeployment also affected other seven ACGs and two comptrollers.

Attah said the promotion was part of the CGC’s anti-smuggling effort and the NCS leadership to enhance revenue generation for the federal government.

You can also read this :

Customs Mulls Promotion of Officers

PDP Presidential Ticket: Tambuwal May Be Crowned In Port Harcourt

The Source

October 6, 2018

By Chidiebere Onyemaizu

The die is cast and all is set for the October 7 – 8, 2018 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, national convention in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, to pick its flagbearer for the 2019 presidential election.

However, the convention may turn out a mere crowning of the Sokoto state Governor, Aminu Tambuwal than elective primary, The Source has been told.

Multiple sources hinted that the event may be an almost walk over for the youthful Sokoto Governor and former Speaker of the House of Representatives who returned to the PDP in July after a three year sojourn in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. It has been learnt that all PDP governors secretly met few days ago and resolved to back Tambuwal.

The governors, after extensive deliberations agreed the cap fits Tambuwal as he is one of the about four aspirants among the 12 PDP presidential aspirants without any blemish.

It could not be confirmed if Gombe Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo a loyal party man, who is also an aspirant was at the meeting. Well grounded, with solid education and credentials, many delegates seem also to be rooting for him. He is also without blemish.

But more delegates, allegedly on instructions from their governors may vote Tambuwal. For instance, Rivers state delegates have openly named the Sokoto governor as their choice. Also, on instructions from former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, The Rt. Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, a very close friend of Tambuwal, Imo state delegates will vote for him. Ihedioha has already promised him 80 per cent of Imo delegates.

The APC- led federal government, allegedly acting through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, PDP sources inform, has concluded plans to arrest and file alleged corruption charges against any of the aspirants whose files are before it if chosen by the PDP.

As a sitting governor with immunity, the Governors agreed the alleged APC plot will have no effect on Tambuwal. Besides, his youthfulness is a plus.

The Northern political class, including serving and retired military chiefs, former Heads of state, influential monarchs and academics, this magazine gathered, have equally thrown their weight behind him.

It has also emerged that some APC governors and National Assembly members who are not happy with their party and things generally are secretly working for Tambuwal’s emergence as PDP presidential candidate and subsequently the next president. But, some other sources deny this, and confided in us: “If, indeed some APC governors are doing that, it is to encourage the PDP to avoid an Atiku Abubarkar choice who they think will give President Buhari a fight in every which way.”

Meanwhile, for the expected crowning of Tambuwal, about eight of the aspirants have, reportedly agreed to step down for him a few hours to the convention while two more will do so at the convention ground.

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, at press time, was still pressing ahead with his aspiration. A member of his camp who spoke to The Source was confident that his principal would spring spectacular political surprises at the convention. “Hold your breath, watch out and see how things will turn out in Port Harcourt. Many will be confounded; the ticket is Atiku’s to pick. Just watch out”, he told the magazine

APGA Set to Unveil Gbor as Presidential Candidate for 2019

The Source

October 6, 2018

The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) party is set to reenact the momentum that catapulted it to national prominence a few years ago when it holds its special convention on Sunday, October 7, 2018. The special convention is specifically to adopt the party’s presidential candidate for the 2019 general elections in Nigeria, General John Gbor from Benue State.

Already, the Barcelona Hotel venue of the convention in the ever busy Wuse 2 District of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, is bustling with activities, preparatory to hosting its special guests.

The Chairman of the party’s convention planning committee, Wing Commander Joe Anyika disclosed Friday that, apart from a speech by the Chairman of the party, Dr. Victor Oye, the other notable speaker will be the chairman of the party’s board of trustees, BOT, Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Willy Obiano.

Sunday’s event stands out for many reasons. Apart from being the last party to hold its convention, this will mark the first time that APGA, the third largest party in Nigeria, will be fielding a presidential candidate since 2011 when its late leader, Ikemba Nnewi Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu ran for office.

Barring last minutes changes, the delegates to the convention will be expected to ratify the party’s sole presidential candidate, major General John Gbor (Rtd.) who has already chosen Lagos-based businessman, Chief Jerry Chukwueke, from Imo State as his running mate.

The political mill is already abuzz with the view that the choice of General Gbor from Benue State is the party’s way of emphatically announcing its arrival as a national party thereby shedding, once and for all, the toga of a regional party. But before now, APGA had maintained a steady transformation especially with the spectacular performance of its gubernatorial candidate in Nasarawa State in 2015, Mr. Labaran Maku. Besides, the party has also produced legislators in Taraba and some other states.

To most political watchers, the 2019 election provides the party an opportunity to break into greater reckoning. Several reasons account for this line of thought. Disenchantment among voters, who have lost fate in the two leading political parties, the ruling All Progressive Congress party, APC, and the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP, ranks among the strongest points in favour of APGA.

Added to this is the appeal of APGA as a people-oriented party, a point that is boosted by the sterling performance of successive APGA Administrations in Anambra State with Willie Obiano holding aloft the banner of people-oriented service.

Should the convention go as planned, the expected emergence of General Gbor and Chukwueke as presidential candidate and running mate, respectively, will add impetus to the appeal of the party. Gbor is completely new to the political scene and though Chukwueke has had a stint running for office, like Gbor, he does not bring any baggage to the table; a claim that not many politicians can confidently make.

Feelers from the presidential campaign team in Abuja indicate that General Gbor will use his acceptance speech to outline about five covenants he would enter into with Nigerians. Predictably, Gbor who retired from the army in 2004 will place security on top of his covenant document. Others are restructuring, the post-oil economy, women and youth empowerment and infrastructure.

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