Mark set for record senate presidency re-election

Some senators-elect from the north central region of the country converged Friday on the senate press centre to address journalists on their preferred choice of senate president for the next senate session.

It turned out that they want David Mark, the incumbent senate president representing Benue South senatorial district, to lead the seventh senate. This declaration of support is coming after the ceding of the post to the zone by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to the senators-elect, Mr Mark has led the national assembly successfully. "He was able to introduce the ‘doctrine of necessity' to resolve a near political crisis that almost tore Nigeria (apart) last year through his doggedness and commitment to ensuring that Nigeria moves forward," said one of them, Zainab Kure (PDP - Niger South).

The endorsement of the incumbent senate president to lead the next senate by senators-elect from his region was the climax of a series of public endorsements and antics by the incumbent senate president to ensure his re-election into office, which would be a record.

Mr Mark has had his sight set on leading the next senate from way back as the last quarter of 2010; he has carefully orchestrated his manoeuvres ever since.

His first endorsement came late last year when he supposedly entered into an agreement with the president for mutual support to reclaim their respective offices. The frequency of endorsements has surged since he secured re-election to be a member of the next senate.

Mr Mark is also said to have won the favour of his party for the job following a recent power-sharing deal which doled out the senate presidency to the north central region of the country.

Gunmen attack Benue A C N guber candidate’s convoy

Party faithful were thrown into mourning yesterday as unknown gunmen shot and killed a key member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Benue State, Charles Ayede at Kadarko on Lafia-Makurdi Road in Nassarawa State.

A stalwart of the party in the state, Senator J.K.N Waku, told our correspondent that another member of the ACN governorship campaign team, Adam Maagbe, was with the late Ayede in the same vehicle, heading to Makurdi from Abuja ahead of the ACN governorship candidate in the April 26 governorship poll, Prof. Torkuma Ugba.

After the killing of Ayede, Ugba, who was also coming from Abuja, was quickly alerted and he aborted his journey to Makurdi for safety reasons.

The journey from Abuja was said to have been smooth until they got to Kardako in Nasarawa State, where a car overtook them and sprayed their vehicle with bullets and killing Ayede on the spot, while Maagbe, a former NITEL Director sustained serious injuries and was receiving treatment in a private hospital.

The late Ayede worked with the Nigerian Television Authority (HTA) and the National Orientation Aagency (NOA) before joining Ugba’s campaign team in the last general election.

Okorocha shocks Ohakim, imposes embargo on Imo govt accounts

The out-going Imo State administration has expressed shock that the governor-elect, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has written to banks placing embargo on the state government’s accounts until he is sworn in.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Nze Elvis Agukwe, who made government’s stand known at a press conference in Owerri, also said that Governor IKedi Ohakim was not afraid of any inquiries that may be made about his activities during his tenure.

“You can imagine the level of shock with which the Governor received reports that the governor-elect, acting through his Chief of Staff, Prince Eze Madumere, has written to banks, holding the state government’s accounts,placing embargo on the accounts until Chief Okorocha is sworn in on May 29, 2011”, Agukwe fumed.

While saying that Okorocha’s action was illegal and unconstitutional, adding that there is nothing like the office of the governor elect and the Nigerian Constitution does not recognize two governors at a time.

“The action of Chief Okorocha is already grinding government machinery to a halt. As I talk to you, civil servants in the state are bcomin restive because banks, evidently acting under the instruction of Chief Okorocha, have refused to release cheques for their April salaries”, Agukwe said.

The Commissioner wondered why Okorocha was in a haste to frustrate Ohakim, even after he (Ohakim) has shown faith in the collective interest and aspiration of Imo people.

Ministerial list tears Osun PDP apart

The Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State is far from being on top of the crisis bedevilling it, as aggrieved members under the aegis of Osun PDP Rebirth are mobilising supporters against a list of potential ministers and other nominees for federal appointments purportedly forwarded by the party executive in the state.

The group, which has leaders and members across the 30 local government councils, have lately held several meetings, where they clamoured for immediate dissolution of the present EXCO.

The group wants an interim state working committee to be formed to oversee the affairs of the party before congresses are held and to also inaugurate a Truth and Reconciliation Committee which will rebuild the party from the ward to the state level in order to rekindle public confidence in the Osun PDP.

Since the the ruling PDP in the state was sacked in last November Appeal Court judgement, the party’s popularity has waned tremendously.

Senate presidency: Mark’s support swells up to 77 senators

Support for the re-election of Senator David Mark swelled further at the weekend as a total of 77 senators across the geo-political zones, political parties and senators from the North-Central yesterday threw their weight behind his re-election.

Addressing senate correspondents at the NationalAssembly yesterday , Senator Zainab Kure who highlighted the achievements of the Senate President David Mark in the last four years said Mark remains the only candidate who has the ability and experience to steer the leadership of the National Assembly for the next four years.

According to Senator Kure from Niger state, the mature way senator Mark handled proceedings and his outstanding leadership qualities made the amendment of the electoral reform possible.

She also said the ‘doctrine of necessity’, which saved the country from a political logjam occasioned by the ill health of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was achieved through the very vast experience of the Senate president David Mark.

“We believe that it’s our responsibility to support him because, we feel he is the best man for that position, he has done an excellent job as the senate president.

Reps Speaker: South West PDP Caucus Endorses -Ajibola

The Southwest Caucus of the PDP has endorsed the candidature of Muraina Ajibola for Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Reports say that the endorsement was made at a meeting held at the hill-top residence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo by the caucus in Abeokuta on Thursday.

It was learned that the meeting also deliberated on the petitions, filed by the party before various tribunals, challenging the outcome of the just-concluded general elections.

Sources close to the meeting told newsmen that Ajibola, a second-term member of the House of Representatives, hails from Ibarapa in Oyo State.

“With an experienced legislator like Ajibola, he is sure to hold all the members of the house together; he will not just be learning to climb the rope,” the source said.

Although none of those who attended the meeting was ready to volunteer information, it was, however, learnt that there was no strong opposition to the choice of Ajibola.

Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, the PDP National Vice-Chairman, Southwest, declined comments when approached by newsmen, advising reporters to seek audience with Obasanjo.

Jonathan , PDP governors in cold war over cabinet

Determined to put in place an efficient cabinet, President Goodluck Jonathan has decided to put all recommended nominees on equal footing.

He has directed the governors of the Peoples Democratic Party governors to submit their nominees through the National Secretariat of the party, a decision many governors are uncomfortable with. Until now, governors sent the list of nominees for ministers to the President-elect without any input from either the states or national executives of the PDP.

Investigation by our correspondent showed that many governors trying to forward the list of their ministerial nominees directly to the Presidential Villa were shocked when directed to route same through the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It was learnt that the President took the step to avoid undue pressure from the governors and place all nominees on the same benchmark.

PDP ratifies zoning formula .S’East loses bid for Senate President, Speaker . Ex-Governor Muazu tipped as PDP chairman

The enlarged National Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has ratified the zoning formula of the party, signalling the possible re-emergence of Senator David Mark as Senate President while Hon. Muraina Ajibola (PDP, Oyo) is set to emerge as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. With this development, the South-East geo-political zone has lost its bid for the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The party has also set machinery in motion for the emergence of a new national chairman of the party from the North-East zone in March 2012. These were some of the key decisions taken late Tuesday night by the Caucus at its emergency meeting held in the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Impeccable sources at the meeting told National Mirror that the Caucus adopted wholesale the zoning formula presented to it by the National Working Committee.

The arrangement zoned the President of the Senate to the North-Central, the Speaker of the House of Representative to the South-West, the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) to the South- East and the National Chairman of the party to the North-East zone. The South-East is also to produce the Deputy Senate President. Already, the President has gone to the South- South zone while the North-West got the position of the Vice-President. With this development, the coast appears clear for Senate President David Mark to retain his position while Ajibola is set to emerge as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Court stops INEC from issuing certificates of return Two senators, 10 Reps-elect affected

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday refused to give 12 of the 53 persons elected in the just concluded general elections in Katsina State their certificates of return, following a court order. The 41 others were given their certificates of return by INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega. Among those denied the certificates were two Senators- elect and 10 elected members of the House of Representatives.

Jega said the commission was restrained by court to present the certificates to the 12 candidates. Jega, represented by INEC commissioner in charge of Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, Ambassador Ahmed Moh’d Wali, said: “The commission, being one that recognises court order, has no option than to abide with the order.” He said 14 political parties participated in the elections in the state and that 10 contested for the governorship poll of which the ruing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won. He said nine parties contested for three senatorial zones which were won by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), while 11 parties participated in the state assembly election.

Those given the certificates of return include Governor Ibrahim Shema (PDP), Senator Abu Ibrahim and five elected members of the House of Representatives and 34 for the House of Assembly. Shema commended INEC for conducting credible elections, despite the huge challenges before the commission. He, however, condemned the post-election violence which erupted in some parts of the North in the wake of the presidential poll in which many people were killed, including some members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). In Borno State, 42 winners of the general elections were given their certificates of return. Among them were 28 elected into the House of Assembly, 10 elected into the House of Representatives, three senators-elect and the governor-elect. Presenting the certificate to the winners at the INEC head office in Maiduguri, the state capital, INEC Commissioner in charge of Borno, Yobe and Bauchi states, Col. Mohammed Hammanga, urged them to provide good governance to the people.

How Lawal, Ex-Minister, Stole N24.5 Billion - EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday informed a Federal High Court in Abuja how a former minister of works, Dr. Hassan Muhammad Lawal, allegedly stole N24.4 billion frm the federal government.

The anti-graft agency had brought Lawal to court on a 25-count charge and named Adeogba Ademola, Digital Toll Coy Ltd., Okala Philip Yakubu, Thahal Paul, Swede Control Intertex Ltd., Proman Vital ventures Ltd., PEB 04 Nig. Ltd., and Lassa Ltd as co-accused persons.

The EFCC had claimed that Lawal conspired with the other accused persons, using some firms as fronts to appropriate the public funds while serving as minister of works between 2006 and 2009.

The commission also alleged the accused persons conspired to defraud the federal government to the tune of N24.4 billion, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 17 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2004 and also punishable under section 14(1) of the same Act.

The N24.36 billion is the total amount of money meant to finance the construction of dual carriage bridge across River Benue at Bagana with equity participation between the federal government, Kogi and Nasarawa states.

The EFCC had alleged that the accused persons fraudulently converted the entire project sum through a proxy.

Reps summon Bankole over fraud allegations

Dimeji Bankole, the speaker of the House of Representatives, is to respond today to fresh allegations of fraud raised against him by his colleagues in an unprecedented move which has further highlighted the cracks within the house, barely weeks to its end of session.

Mr Bankole is expected to answer to allegations that he raised unauthorised loans from a bank - which in a way has led to the delay in the payment of members' allowances - and that he unilaterally ordered the suspension of the house's sitting last week.

Lawmakers agreed to delay a proposal for Mr Bankole's suspension until he personally answers to the accusations raised by Dino Melaye, the leader of a group of 11 members suspended last year for a similar allegation.

The speaker was also criticised for his decision to "unceremoniously" adjourn the house sitting last week, and for locking out members yesterday as they reported for plenary without notice.

"This house is a house of order and what happened is a breach of the rules of this house," Mr. Melaye told his colleagues when the house finally convened late afternoon after the deputy speaker, Usman Nafada, who presided, intervened. "There is leadership failure except you don't want to speak the truth." The rare decision, coming as the house draws nearer to its final plenary date of June 4, showcased the financial crisis that have rocked the lower federal legislature that has been troubled throughout its four year tenure, with scarcely investigated graft allegations.

Fayemi sacks heads of educational institutions in Ekiti

The Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, yesterday fired the Vice Chancellors of the three state-owned universities and the provost of the only College of Education in the state.

The government said their removal, which was with immediate effect, was in preparation for the commencement of the repositioning of the education sector in the state.

Mr Fayemi, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mojeed Jamiu ordered the vice chancellors to hand over to the most senior professor in their universities.

Those affected include the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD), Dipo Kolawole, who had just spent two out of his five-year term in the position. Others are the vice chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, Ifaki-Ekiti (USTI), Samuel Oye Bandele and that of the University of Education, Ikere-Ekiti (TUNEDIK), Akin Ogunlade.

The acting Provost of the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti has also been replaced Francesca Aladejana of the Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University , Ile-Ife , Nigeria in the sweep.

Court orders AGF, EFCC to release detained Akingbola, Atuche’s wife

Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered EFCC to Akingbola, his wife Elizabeth, and of his Platinum Habib Bank (BankPHB) counterpart, Francis Atuche, being held in the commission’s custody.

Justices Charles Achibong and Fatimat Nyako gave the orders while ruling on separate ex-parte applications by Akingbola and Mrs. Atuche.

Nyako, however, refused a similar application by Mr. Atuche, but ordered him to put the EFCC on notice by serving the copies on the commission. She adjourned the matter till tomorrow for hearing.

Ruling on Mrs. Atuche’s application yesterday, specifically ordered the EFCC and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), to either release her or produce her before the court tomorrow.

Justice Achibong, whose order in respect of Akingbola was given last Friday, had directed the EFCC to release him, pending the determination of his motion for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights.

He directed that the order should operate as a stay of all actions, including his planned re-arraignment by the EFCC pending the determination of the said motion. He adjourned further hearing to May 18.

Tension eases in Imo

After 10 days of political maneuvering, the Imo State governorship poll has been won by the flag bearer of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in this year’s governorship election, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

This has indeed eased off the tension that has built up in the state since some of the elections in some councils were suspended by INEC on Wednesday April 27, 2011.

Okorocha, who polled 336,859 votes beat his closest rival and governor of the state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, who scored 290,496 votes. Ohakim is the candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP).

Announcing the result, which was concluded on Friday May 6, 2011, the Returning Officer of the Election and Vice chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, near Umuahia, Professor Hilary Edeoga, said, Okorocha satisfied the provisions of the Electoral Act by scoring the highest number of valid votes and therefore winner of the election.

It will be recalled that following the notice of some irregularities during the April 26, 2011 governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cancelled the result of four councils namely: Oguta, Ohaji/Egbema and Mbaitolu.

The commission directed that Supplementary Election should be held in the three councils and that of Ngor Okpala and Orji ward in Owerri North where election did not take place on April 26, 2011. But on Friday following the disagreement in Oguta council over the late arrival of election materials, the council poll was cancelled by INEC.

Judiciary strike frustrates elections tribunal in Delta

The strike embarked upon by judiciary workers in Delta State on Monday stalled the proceedings at the Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tribunal failed to sit on arrival at the venue designated for it, as the premises had been locked by the workers, who were on strike.

The striking workers pasted notices around the courts stating that the action would last indefinitely in the state.

The Secretary of the tribunal, Deborah Musa, told NAN that the strike had paralysed activities in the tribunal.

“We arrived for work this morning and found the whole place locked up and we saw the notice that judiciary workers in the state are on an indefinite strike.

“I quickly rushed to look for the leaders of the workers and for more than one hour I begged them to come and open the premises so that we can evacuate our files and other items,” she said.

Asked where she would put the files, Mrs Musa said, “I don’t really know where I am taking them to.

You know, we don’t know anywhere or anybody here. Maybe I will put them in my hotel room in the meantime.”

Harmonised salary

When contacted, the Vice-Chairman of the Judiciary Workers Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), James Onanowe, said, “the workers want to be included in the harmonised public service salary.”

He said that the union resorted to strike when the state government failed to respond to its letter on the issue dated April 4.

He added that the decision to embark on the strike was taken by the union’s leadership on Friday, adding that “before we took that decision, we exhaustively deliberated on the matter.”

Explosion rocks PPMC Warri depot

There was an explosion yesterday at the Tanker Loading Bay of the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), near the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company, Delta State.
The explosion shook the complex and the nearby Ubeji and Ekpan communities.
Residents thought an attack by militants was on, particularly against the backdrop of last week’s threat by the Coalition of Niger Delta Militants to attack oil facilities.
The Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesperson, Lt-Col. Timothy Antigha, ruled out sabotage.
He said the Task Force was on top of the security situation in the Niger Delta.
Lt-Col.Antigha advised residents to go about their businesses while security agents ascertained the cause of the explosion.
The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the parent company of the PPMC and the Warri Refinery, was yet to make an official statement on the incident last night.
It was gathered that the explosion was caused by a petroleum tanker that caught fire while waiting to load at the facility.
Sources said the tanker, which had an electrical problem, was ignited by a spark from a component, when the driver started the truck.
The explosion led to panic particularly among other tanker drivers and agents of the various marketers in the vicinity.
A source said: “People started running helter-skelter because of the explosion and the fire.
“People who didn’t know the cause initially thought it was a bomb explosion.
“Those who ran away later came back to evacuate their vehicles and other belongings.”
Though there were no reports of any death, it was gathered that some workers around the facility suffered minor injuries during the stampede.
A combined fire fighting squad deployed from the Shell Petroleum Development Company, NNPC, and other oil firms were battling to put out the fire at the time of this report.

UCH begins free cancer screening

Following increasing incidence of oral cancer in the country, a week-long free dental screening for cancer of the head, neck and mouth commenced at the University College Hos-pital (UCH), Ibadan, on Monday.

The free screening, being organised by the Oral Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Initiative, in conjunction with Head and Neck Cancer Alliance, United State of America, Dr Ifeolu Akinmoladun said, would be extended to Idikan today and Bodija market tomorrow.

Dr Akinmoladun, who said the public needed to be aware of the menace, added that “many of the cases of oral cancer that we are seeing are not pleasant.”

He added that many of the cases came at a time when little or nothing could be done to help the patients.

“Many people do not recognise the symptoms of these cancers, which underscore the impor-tance of everyone getting screened properly, not just those at high risk, such as tobacco and alcohol users.

The oral cancer expert said common signs of oral cancer included red or white patches in the mouth, a change in voice or hoarseness, sore throat that did not subside, or pain or swelling in the mouth or neck.

He warned that if these symptoms were found to persist more than two weeks, such victims should report promptly at the hospital.

Dr Akinmoladun said cases of sore in the mouth, difficulty in speaking or swallowing, difficulty in breathing, ear pain and bleeding from the nose must be reported at the hospital for immediate screening.

Dr Akinmoladun, who warned against oral sex, use of various forms of tobacco and alcohol, added that “when you see oral cancer in younger people who do not smoke, oral sex could be one of the reasons.”

Women lobby for 15 ministerial positions, 35 per cent of federal appointments

VARIOUS women groups in the country are lobbying President Goodluck Jonathan to concede 15 ministerial posts and 35 per cent of other federal appointments to women.

Acting under the auspices of Gender Affirmative Action and the 100 Group Platforms, the women said the demand was based on the president’s pre-election campaign promises.

They noted that the president had unequivocally declared that he would give women 35 per cent of all appointments if re-elected following the massive support he enjoyed during the campaign.

“Nigerian women, who form the bulk of voters, translated their large turnout into massive votes for the president during the elections. It is now time for our president, who has proved to be a man of his words and integrity to honour his promise of 35 per cent appointments to women,”the women said.

Their demand is coming against the backdrop of last week’s retreat by Jonathan with PDP leadership at Obudu Cattle Ranch over zoning of offices and the new federal cabinet.

The women contended that the fulfillment of the promise would be in tandem with the commitment of President Jonathan to adequate representation of women in the structures of the newly elected government and parliament.This, they said,would be in line with the National Gender Policy, the 35 per cent Affirmative Action of the Beijing conference in China and international instruments, to which Nigeria is a signatory.

They requested that a minimum of 15 ministerial appointments should be given to women even as they insisted that the list of advisory personnel should reflect at least 35 per cent of women.

Yuguda dedicates Certificate of Return to slain NYSC members

Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has dedicated his Certificate of Return to the nine NYSC members killed in the state during the recent post-election violence.

Yuguda announced this in Bauchi on Monday while addressing newsmen after he was presented with the certificate for a second term by INEC.

He described the slain NYSC members as heroes of democracy whose legacies must be kept alive.

Yuguda, who commiserated with the families of the affected corps members, said all suspects arrested in connection with the violence would be prosecuted and punished.

The governor also assured the families of the slain corps members of adequate compensation.

``However, there is no amount of compensation that will replace the lives of the deceased but we will only try to assuage the pains they are presently going through,’’ he added.

He also commended the parents of the deceased for their courage and fortitude in bearing their loss.

Yuguda said his administration was determined and ready to protect the lives and property of every resident in the state irrespective of ethnic, religious or political inclinations.

The governor said his administration would ensure that every corps member posted to the state had a memorable service year, adding that automatic employment would be offered to those ready to stay. (NAN)

Akala insists on paying N18,000 minimum to workers

The out-going Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, has insisted on implementing the N18,000 minimum wage for the workers in the state to the state workers before leaving office.

He spoke in response to the warning by the Governor elect, Senator Abiola Ajimobi that he should not sign the implementation of the said wage.

Ajimobi said doing so would be tantamount to undermining the in-coming administration and it would be unfair now that the Governor was at the twilight of his tenure.

Governor Akala, in a statement signed by his Special Adviserr on Public Communication, Prince Dotun Oyelade, regretted his inability to accede to the request under any circumstance, saying that the promise to pay the minimum wage, which he voluntarily made on Tuesday March 29, 2011, a clear 29 days before the gubernatorial election, had become a covenant between him and the workers.

The governor Akala took exception to the description of his action as suspicious and controversial adding that he gave the promise with a conviction that he would be the one to implement it.

“What kind of leader will I be, if I have to acquiesce to reneging on a promise I made to my people?
I wish to leave behind a legacy of policy consistency”, he said.

He disagreed with Ajimobi that it was morally wrong for him to initiate a project that he would not implement.
Akala said, “ while it is morally and legally correct for him to effect minimum wage, governance is a continuum and its entity remains potent until the last admissible date.

In any case, the former Governor Lam Adesina sealed a whooping N1.8 billion contract for an International Market and Water Projects in the dying days of his Administration, while Senator Ladoja increased workers’ salaries and allowances a few days before his departure.The workers in Oyo State will enjoy minimum wage of N18,000 from May 1, 2011 and it is their right to reject the offer.