Touching: Keshi's funeral rites begin (Photos)

The funeral rites of the late Stephen Keshi started with a mass service at the St. Paul Catholic Church in Benin on Thursday, July 28.

The event was well attended by family members, top members of the Nigeria Football Federation, ex-internationals and a host of other well wishers.

It was confirmed that the service will be followed by a novelty match in the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin.

The former Super Eagles captain and coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi died in Benin on June 8, after he was said to have complained of a leg ailment.

However, his remains will depart Benin City for Asaba after the church service on Thursday, July 28, to Delta state from 1:15pm. On arrival, there will be lying in state ceremony at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Indoor Hall, Asaba, from 3:15pm, while a service of songs/vigil mass will hold at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah, Delta state by 6:00pm same day.

Friday, July 29, 2016, the body leaves Asaba for Illah by 7am, and there will be a brief stopover at the Ogbelani Palace for traditional rites as a palace chief by 8:00am, followed by lying in state at his family home, Ukpologwu Quarters, Illah, from 8:30am.

The requiem mass will take place at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah, by 10:00am after which interment will hold at his family compound, Ukpologwu Quarters, Illah, from 12:30pm. Entertainment of guests will be at Omorka Primary School Playground by 12:30pm.

The burial ceremonies will be rounded off on Sunday, July 31, with a thanksgiving mass at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah, by 10:00am.

Undertakers carrying the corpse

Coffin of the late tactician

Delegates of the Nigeria Football federation led by its president Amaju Pinick

Children of the late tac tician

Refund Billions of Naira Jonathan, Igbinedion Gave To You, Ize-Iyamu Tells Oshiomhole

Osagie Ize-Iyamu.              Adams  Oshiomhole

The Edo State Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has asked Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State to refund the billions of naira he collected from former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Governor Lucky Igbinedion, since he is now talking about refunding the N700 million Jonathan gave to Edo PDP during the 2015 presidential election.

He stated this during the presentation of a book entitled, ‘’Breach Of Trust — an eyewitness account of political events in Edo State before and under Adams Oshiomhole’s watch’’, written by Oshiomhole’s former Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Mr. Orobosa Omo-Ojo.

While defending the money Edo State PDP received from former President Jonathan during the 2015, Ize-Iyamu said he had explained to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that he never benefited from the N700 million given to the state PDP, saying the record on how the fund was disbursed is already with the EFCC.

He described Oshiomhole’s action as hypocritical, adding that he was also a benefactor of such fund in the past.

According to the PDP governorship candidate, ‘’Now that Oshiomhole is talking about refunding the money former President Goodluck Jonathan gave to Edo State PDP — during the presidential election, he should also refund the billions of naira he collected from Jonathan in 2012 during the presidential election. Oshiomhole collected the money from Jonathan and worked against his then party, Action Congress of Nigeria in that election. He betrayed his party. ‘’He should also refund over a billion naira the former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, gave to him during the 2007 governorship election in Edo State. It a well known fact that it was Chief Igbinedion who brought him into ACN and gave him money he used for the election.’’

Ize-Iyamu added that Oshiomhole and his ‘’puppet governorship candidate’’ in the September 10 election, Godwin Obasekei, could no longer be trusted by Edo people again because they had betrayed everybody who helped them into offices in the past. ‘’Look around Oshiomhole, everybody who worked for him in the past have deserted him, because he betrayed them. He has betrayed teachers, judiciary workers, Okada riders, market women, political associates and Edo people in general. He can never be trusted again’’, he added.

On his part, the author of the book, Mr. Orobosa Omo-Ojo, while welcoming invited guests to the presentation of the book, which took place at University of Benin, Edo State, said, damaging relationship is a little price to pay when Oshiomhole is faced with a life-and-death political threat.

The immediate past commissioner of Transport in Edo State added, ‘’Sun Tzu’s approach to warfare, where deception is vital, plays a significant role in Oshiomhole’s administration  to him all is fair and as a result, Dennis Osadebey Avenue has become a killing field for truth and a breeding ground for deception.’’

Omo-Ojo told a story how in the wake of the APC presidential election primary election, Oshiomhole surprisingly informed his commissioners and other aides of a slight change in his name. ‘’That was not the first time he would tinker with his name. During the 2007 campaigns, we had to worry about Aliyu or Aliu, until a communion service arranged by distinguished Senator Roland Owie was conducted by Rev. Father Theophilus Uwaifo to prove to the public that, indeed, Oshiomhole was not an atheist’’, the former commissioner added.

‘’This time around, he would want us to emphasise Eric as his first name. Although, he gave no reason for the change in his name, it was obvious to most commissioners that it was a ploy to secure the position of running mate to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

‘’His action was in connection with the misconception about his faith by many people. The Oshiomhole’s vice-presidential candidate ambition was a complete disaster in terms of resources, emotion ego bruising. ‘’One of his close kinsmen, who was a fellow member in the State Executive Council, told a tittle-tattle story of how our dear governor lost close to half a billion naira to an intermediary network working for an APC leader from South- West, Nigeria.

‘’Few weeks after the presidential primary, I drew the attention of the governor to the non-compliance of his directive by his media team—on the effective use of Eric as his first name. Oshiomhole dismissed me in anger, saying, Orobosa, you bother so much about details and for your information that is not necessary now.’’ Omo-Ojo further stated that Oshiomhole’s decision to adopt Eric as his first name and his follow-up decision to drop same without consideration for his brand net-worth is a reflective of his spontaneous leadership style — that has positioned his achievement as transitional gain.

He added, ‘’Eight years of bits and pieces of impulsive projects will ultimately fade away moments after he leaves office. One of the most significant disadvantages of Oshiomhole’s impulsive management behaviour is that his stewardship has led to destabilisation in the state. His hallmark is rapid change of expectations and he offered us no real level of consistency in terms of expected measurable outputs.

‘’Oshiomhole campaigned with an end to godfatherism, but it is obvious that his main goal is to become the new godfather of Edo politics, hence the imposition of candidates in total disrespect for party internal democracy has been the order of the day.’’

He stated that credible Edo sons and daughters who joined the APC because of Muhammadu Buhari and John Odigie Oyegun’s chairmanship of APC were denied space in the party by Oshiomhole.

Buhari to IBB, Gusau : Tell Nigerians why you removed me from office

By Soni Daniel

Abuja: Thirty one years after his administration was toppled in a military coup, President Muhammadu Buhari has finally opened up on why he was sacked.

Buhari said in an exclusive interview granted The Interview, that he was removed from office because he was planning to purge the military hierarchy of corruption.

Buhari, who has not spared the military even in his ongoing anti-corruption war, said senior military leaders, led by former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida and General Aliyu Gusau, removed him in August 1985, to save themselves from his wrath.

In an exclusive interview published in the current edition of The Interview magazine, Buhari challenged Babangida and Gusau to tell the truth on why they carried out the coup against him.

“I learnt,” he said, “that Aliyu Gusau, who was in charge of intelligence, took import licence from the ministry of commerce which was in charge of supplies and gave it to Alhaji Mai Deribe.

"It was worth N100,000, a lot of money at that time. I confronted them and took the case to the Army council in a memo...I wanted Gusau punished."

In a statement on www: theinterview.com.ng, the Managing Director/Editor-in-chief of The Interview, Azu Ishiekwene, said, “This is one edition that won’t let sleeping dogs lie.”

But in an earlier edition of the magazine last December, Babangida had said that that there was nothing in the memo which Buhari said he submitted to the Army council.

IBB said: "Don't forget that I was one of Buhari’s closest aides. I was the chief of army staff. So, I had an important position, an important role to play within that administration. I don't think it had to do with a memo.”

But in a tone which suggested that the past may neither have been forgotten nor forgiven, Buhari challenged Babangida and Gusau to come clean on why they removed him, asking The Interview to choose whose story to believe.

He also fielded questions about his health, the 2016 budget, the pace of his government, former President Goodluck Jonathan and why Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola was handed three ministerial portfolios.

Fight those who try to stop you from practising Islam - Sultan of Sokoto

Sa'ad Abubakar, The Sultan of Sokoto

The President General of the Nigerian Supreme
Council for Islamic Affairs and Sultan of Sokoto,
Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on Muslims to fight
any body or group that attempts to stop them
from performing their religious obligations.

He said, ”the only thing that will make me to act
or ask you to act is only when somebody or a
group or some other nations decide to stop us
from performing our religious obligations. That is
the only way we can fight somebody.”

He made the statement while speaking at a
conference organised by Da’wah Co-ordination
Council of Nigeria.

The Sultan also warned Muslim clerics against
preaching hate messages.

According to him, “When somebody or a group or
some other nations decide to stop us from
performing our religious obligations, we must
never take laws into our hands. We must not be
law officers. We do not do that in Islam.
“We do not force anybody to join Islam. There is
no compulsion in Islam.

“Our good deeds, good actions and good
interactions as Muslims will give that very bright
light to everybody what Islam is and that is what
brings people to join us.

“Those who do not want to come as Muslims are
free to stay with us and continue working with
us to make this country a much better place.
“Whoever wants to fight you, do not fight him;
leave him alone. Be very patient.

“The only thing that will make me to act or ask
you to act is only when somebody or a group or
some other nations decide to stop us from
performing our religious obligations. That is the
only way we can fight somebody.

“But if I am allowed to pursue my religious
obligations, say my prayers and pay my zakat
and so many other things, I have no problem
with anybody. To you, your religion and to me,
my religion.”

Restructuring is inevitable irrespective of who is against it now

By Dele Sobowale

“The rate of change in our time is so swift, that an individual of ordinary length of life, will be called on to face novel situations, which have no parallel in the past. The fixed person for the fixed duties, who in the old society was such a “God-send”, will in the future be a public danger.”—Alfred North Whitehead, 1861-1947.

“Those who make peaceful [change] impossible, will make violent [change] inevitable.” President John Kennedy, 1917-1963.

Kennedy’s statement, perhaps his most widely quoted observation, slightly amended, not to frighten people, was made to Latin American diplomats on March 12, 1962. It is a befitting reminder to those who are opposed to the idea of restructuring Nigeria today – including President Buhari  and Vice President Osinbajo.

If it needs repeating, I was a fanatical Buhari supporter from 2011 till recently. And, until a better leader emerges, Buhari, with all his faults (and they keep growing daily), still has my vote. However, when the issue is restructuring, he can forget about me for support. In fact, I can state categorically that restructuring is inevitable.

Just in case anybody thinks this is a Christian or Southern issue, let me remind readers what happened when Obasanjo as President once proclaimed that the unity of Nigeria was not negotiable. I wrote an article pointing out to him that neither his father, whose birth date he does not know, nor mine who was born in 1890, was born a Nigerian. My grandfather who was born in 1828 was even far removed from any geographical expression (apologies to Awolowo) called Nigeria. If one bloody Englishman can gather my ancestors together and  name them Nigerians, why can I not reject that name? After all, I was christened Jacob, I dropped it for Biola in 1960. Why can we not sit at a conference to determine what we want to be called?Why for God’s sake.

At any rate, restructuring is inevitable and the signs of a total breakdown of the existing structure are there for all to see. Only a liar would deny that the present federal structure of thirty-six (36) states and seven hundred and seventy-four (774) Local governments had long lost its usefulness and necessity. Even that structure was imposed on “captured” Nigerians by badly educated military Heads of State, HoS – starting with Gowon. A brief history is necessary at this point.

All the military HoS, leading armed robbers of the peoples sovereignty, except Buhari and Abubakar, had by fiat, and at the point of guns trained at us, forced us to accept state creation accomplished on basis that were never discussed with the people. Gowon took us from four regions to twelve states. Murtala/Obasanjo increased the number of states to nineteen. Babangida, the most destructive of them all, started by adding two – to make it twenty-one states. Then, in one fit of rage, jumped to thirty states. Abacha finished the demolition job by adding six more to take us to the present situation. Each time the state multiplication took place, the governors and other officials of the new states were allowed to earn the same salaries and other entitlements as the original states. So today, the governors of Osun and Oyo each take home the same amount the Oyo governor earned before the break-up. Anambra State had become Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi  states in the hands of the military destroyers. Sokoto had given birth to Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara. In the process, they created all the economically unviable states which had been dependent on crude oil revenue and which cannot now exist on their own as the price of crude had gone to the basement. Yet, there is no light at the end of the dark tunnel.

The states have collapsed as economic units and nothing in the near future will revive them. The Federal government, like a father dressed in rags, wanting to bail-out his equally destitute kids, cuts a sorry figure and will end up making things worse for all concerned. If Buhari’s military colleagues got us into this mess, why on earth can’t we get ourselves out of it without one of them standing in the way of the only meaningful change Nigeria needs today.

It is not only the states, created by those who did not love Nigeria, that are in dire straits. The Federal Government itself is in a big mess. All those talking about diversification forget that it requires peace and loads of money to achieve that. Peace has eluded us for some time and is not in sight. Money we certainly don’t have. We don’t even have the money that would be required to pay all the debt due for this year – with aggregate revenue only sixty per cent of what was budgeted by wishful thinkers in November/December last year. They were warned that the budget was over-ambitious. But, as usual they refused to listen. A Federal Government going begging is not the one to lead the way to diversification or anything else. Those truths point to a need to take another look at the fundamental structure of governance in Nigeria.

“Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide, in the strife of truth and falsehood…” James Russell Lowell, 1819-1891. (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ,  p 254)

This is not a matter of being for or against Buhari. I like Buhari and this is stated not because I am afraid of anything. After what Abacha did to me, nobody scares me anymore. But, I like the truth more. As the states collapse one by one, restructuring will become inevitable. Buhari is standing in front of a moving train. “An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come.” Victor Hugo, 1802-1885.

MANAGING STREET TRADING IN NIGERIA –2

“The intention is not to take food away from anybody’s mouth. It is to make sure that a megacity like Lagos aiming to be a smart city cannot allow the level of degeneration that we have on our highways”.

Mr Steve Ayorinde, Lagos State Commissioner for Information.

“The government seems to be fighting on the part of the oppressors..the government does not look at the issue of reckless driving anymore; the government has shifted its attention away from drivers who do not obey traffic rules.” Mr Debo Adeniran, of Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders.

The two statements were lifted from a national newspaper, illustrate how many different perspectives there are on street trading and what should be done about it. Steve and Debo could just as easily have been Commissioner and “Concerned Citizen” from any state of Nigeria.  Obviously, the fact that there are different views on the matter would indicate to governors wanting to enact and enforce such laws to pause before proceeding. The chances are they will legislate in vain. Just as obvious is the need for mediators to emerge in every state to work out compromises which might work better.

Ayorinde and Adeniran would appear to take two extreme positions which on the surface are totally irreconcilable. But, on second thoughts, they are not. One thing those holding the two positions can agree upon is the fact that total ban and unlimited street trading are not only unworkable, they are not mutually exclusive. Compromises can be reached which meet the needs of each city, town and even village or community. Those compromises must be found and nurtured for the benefit of the people of Nigeria which remains a nation of street traders.

Since government is in the best position to act, let me point out a flaw in the statement made by my former “pen-pusher” colleague, Steve Ayorinde. Stating that government has no intention to take food from peoples’ mouth is meaningless when it introduces a law which does precisely that to millions of people living in the state. Good intentions are never enough. In fact, one of the oldest sayings has warned us that “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” If care is not taken we might be on the road to hell on this issue.

And to Adeniran, a question will point to the fault in his position which seems to divert from the issue involved. Is it because there are no reckless drivers, hold-ups and accidents on the world’s best known major highways that we don’t have street trading on them? The answer is a clear NO!. Street traders don’t emerge on American British, French and even South African highways because those societies have cautioned their traders and they observe limits. Unlimited street trading is inimical to every society. It must be checked by all of us.

The rest of us can help by refusing, as start, to buy anything offered on the major highways in our cities.

ENTERTAINMENT: Handsome Nollywood actor talks about being gay

Frederick Leonard 

– Frederick Leonard denied being gay

– The handsome Nollywood actor revealed his love for women

– He debunked the idea of him being loose with women either

For a while now, there have been rumours that handsome actor, Frederick Leonard is a "not sexually straight."

The Nollywood actor cum model has addressed the speculation that he is gay. The handsome actor who has being on and off the industry also talked about his kind of women while telling his would be wife and girlfriend to note that his mother is his first love. He also talk about marriage break ups. Excerpts

There’s this rumour that you are gay, can you clarify it?

I don’t have anything against homosexuals because I don’t have a right as a human being who is imperfect to judge them. But I am not a homosexual. As much as I don’t have anything against them, it’s their lives and they have a right to live anyhow they want. Mind you, punishment for that is 14 years imprisonment in Nigeria, so if you are caught, you are in for it. I am not part of them and I will never be part of them. I love women anytime, any day. So, I don’t see a reason why I will look the other way round. My loving women don’t mean that I am loose; I just appreciate them a lot.

Who is your kind of woman?

A woman who knows God. I am not asking for an ugly woman, but I am not also looking for a beautiful one. She must have a good family background because being with a woman goes beyond looks; it goes beyond physical compatibility, it goes beyond a lot of things. I am looking at how industrious a woman is because ideas turn into money. She might not be the type that goes out every day but what ideas do you have so when we share ideas, we can come up with something. A woman who understands the value of what I call family unit; a woman who understands that divorce is not an option. A woman who believes that when she comes into my life, that we are going to work hard to make it work. I don’t want to have kids from various women.

ENTERTAINMENT: Genevieve vs Omotola; who dresses better?

Omotola.                            Genevieve

Today we bring you fashion comparisons, so you can let us know who you think dresses better.

Nigerian actresses still impress us with lovely and sensational outfits to red carpet events. Some of them just never disappoint, while some are not very gifted when it comes to dressing.

Today, we bring you two delectable actress, Genevieve Nnaji and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde who have both proved to be fashionistas with their daring looks from time to time on red carpets and their social media pages.

Both ladies have a style that will give Hollywood ladies a run for their money,  although their style is kind of similar, they always love to keep it classy, simple and amazing.
Genevieve Nnaji: Genevieve is most definitely one of the most beautiful and talented actresses in Africa, she is also such a style icon.
she understands that there is a different look for every occasion. Every single time, she brings her A-game whether she is on the red carpet of an award-show, at a wedding, or just attending an informal event. Genevieve absolutely slays all the time.

Check out 5 styles from Genevieve:

Omotola: What other words can be used to describe the fashion style of Omotola? Chic, sophisticated and classy but I will rather go for simply Omosexy!

Both ladies look fab and stunning but the ball is in your court as readers to decide who wins and become our fashionista of the week. What do you think?

ENTERTAINMENT: Handsome Nollywood actor talks about his love life

Frederick Leonard

– Frederick Leonard denied being gay

– The handsome Nollywood actor revealed his love for women

– He debunked the idea of him being loose with women either

For a while now, there have been rumours that handsome actor, Frederick Leonard is a "not sexually straight."

The Nollywood actor cum model has addressed the speculation that he is gay. The handsome actor who has being on and off the industry also talked about his kind of women while telling his would be wife and girlfriend to note that his mother is his first love. He also talk about marriage break ups. Excerpts

There’s this rumour that you are gay, can you clarify it?

I don’t have anything against homosexuals because I don’t have a right as a human being who is imperfect to judge them. But I am not a homosexual. As much as I don’t have anything against them, it’s their lives and they have a right to live anyhow they want. Mind you, punishment for that is 14 years imprisonment in Nigeria, so if you are caught, you are in for it. I am not part of them and I will never be part of them. I love women anytime, any day. So, I don’t see a reason why I will look the other way round. My loving women don’t mean that I am loose; I just appreciate them a lot.

Who is your kind of woman?

A woman who knows God. I am not asking for an ugly woman, but I am not also looking for a beautiful one. She must have a good family background because being with a woman goes beyond looks; it goes beyond physical compatibility, it goes beyond a lot of things. I am looking at how industrious a woman is because ideas turn into money. She might not be the type that goes out every day but what ideas do you have so when we share ideas, we can come up with something. A woman who understands the value of what I call family unit; a woman who understands that divorce is not an option. A woman who believes that when she comes into my life, that we are going to work hard to make it work. I don’t want to have kids from various women.

Speaker Dogara, other Principal Officers accused of massive corruption

Speaker Yakubu Dogara

– Embattled ex-chairman committee on appropriations, Adulmumin Jibrin has spoken out over his case

– Jibrin says Honourable Yakubu Dogara the House of Reps Speaker is out to blackmail him

– The Rep representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency says he is been harassed by security agents

Four principal members of the Nigerian House of Representatives including Speaker Yakubu Dogara have been accused of padding the budget with N40 billion and using the police to harass, monitor and intimidate Abdulmunin Jibrin, the former chairman of the House committee on appropriations.

Speaker Yakubu Dogara and other principal officers accused of massive corruption
The disclosure was made by Jibrin’s lawyers on Friday, July 22.

In a statement titled: “ATTEMPT TO BLACKMAIL AND HARASS OUR CLIENT HONOURABLE ABDULMUMIN JIBRIN PhD MBA WITH A VIEW TO OBSTRUCT JUSTICE” the lawyers laid their clients claims.

The statement reads: “We, (The Law Offices Of Messrs HAMMART & CO, LAW BOND SOLICITORS and DOKA CHAMBERS) are Counsel to Honourable Abdulmumin Jibrin PhD,MBA, member of the House of Representatives representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal
Constituency of Kano State and until his resignation on the 21st of July 2016,the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation.

Our attention has been drawn to the subterranean and clandestine efforts of the following: 1. Speaker Yakubu Dogara, 2. Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun, 3. House Whip Hon. ALHASSAN Ado Doguwa, and 4. House Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor.

The above quartet have resorted to blackmail our Client into silence and to further harass his person and family using the instrument of the obstructive coercion and perversion of due process by deploying, albeit illegally some elements of the Nigeria Police.

You will recall that our Client is in dispute with the said quartet over his refusal and
inability to admit into the National Budget of 2016, the sum of about 30 Billion Naira at the behest of these quartet and also his refusal to cover up the decision of Speaker Dogara and others’ unilateral decision to distribute to themselves 40 Billion Naira out of the 100 Billion Naira allocated to the entire National Assembly in addition to what our Client considers as wasteful projects of over 20 Billion Naira to their (quartet) various constituencies.

WE WANT TO STATE UNEQUIVOCALLLY THAT OUR CLIENT STANDS BY THE ABOVE ASSERTION AND WILL AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME PROVE SAME.

We now have it on good authority that these quartet acting in concert are at the moment using some elements within the police to monitor, harass, intimidate and hound our client into an unwarranted detention with the purpose of inhibiting his right to move freely and to express himself as contained in Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended); the purpose of their antics is to upturn the narrative and paint our client as the black sheep in the flock, and cleverly presenting themselves as transparent angels.

Accordingly, we have made appropriate representations to the Inspector General of Police and other relevant security agencies in the Country drawing their attention to this unwarranted and ill intentioned steps taken by these quartet and not to allow themselves (security agencies) to be used to execute the personal objectives of these quartet; more so appropriate legal action has been taken by our client, as a law abiding citizen, to protect his fundamental rights as guaranteed by our laws.

Finally, we hasten to advise Speaker Dogara and the 3 other principal officers mentioned here not to descend to the narrow aim of dragging the institution of the House of
Representatives into their personal fight and to note that by virtue of the institution he leads and as a lawyer, he should act within the confines of the Rule of Law and allow the House of Representatives to institute a special investigation into this matter where our Client will have the opportunity earlier denied him by the quartet to testify and provide evidence against them BECAUSE he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.

"I am a demi-god!" Fayose makes outrageous claim; strikes Buhari

Fayose.                                 Buhari

– Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state has claimed that he is  a demi-god

-Fayose said he is heaven sent for the liberation of the oppressed

– The Ekiti state governor has labelled the Buhari-led government as a charade

Governor Ayodele Fayose has described the current government led by President Muhammadu Buhari as ‘one chance.,’ stressing that the APC has failed the Nigerian people.

Governor Fayose says the APC has not tended to the needs of the Nigerian people.
The governor, who was a guest on FRESH 105.9FM Ibadan, said he was sent from heaven as a demigod to liberate the people of Ekiti.

Fayose said that Ekiti state would be in economic bondage until 2036 because of debts allegedly collected by former Governor Kayode Fayemi, which had tied his hand.

The governor also insisted that he owed no one any apology for accusing Aisha Buhari of corruption.

He said: “I didn’t collect money for election from anybody.

“My father had prayed for me that if I continue to be righteous, Ekiti people will serve me forever. I was sent from heaven as a demi god.”

On Aisha Buhari, he said: “Aisha Buhari is as guilty as me on corrupt charges. Nobody can win any battle against me.

“APC is a government of ‘one chance’. Everything I’ve predicted would happen in Nigeria are happening, some have happened.

“Buhari can’t take Nigeria out of the woods. Food security is better than general security, hence my ‘stomach Infrastructure’ policy. Ekiti will be in economic bondages until 2036 because of debts collected by former Governor Kayode Fayemi, so my hands are tied”.

Meanwhile, Aisha Buhari is planning to visit the United States (US) this August.  According to an official invitation letter obtained by Sahara Reporters, the First Lady of Nigeria is to stay in America from 1 August to 10.

I have not defected to PDP - Senate President Bukola Saraki

Senator Bukola Saraki

President Bukola Saraki, Thursday, refuted media reports speculating that he has defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, saying he remained committed to the ideals and agenda of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Read about the rumor of his defection here: EXCLUSIVE: Senate President Bukola Saraki returns to PDP

This came as Saraki was present at the PDP Senate’s caucus meeting on Wednesday.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Social Media, Bamikole Omishore, Saraki said he was not prepared to leave a party he that he “helped midwife and worked for its victory in the 2015 elections”.

Omishore said Saraki attended the PDP event in “his official capacity as Senate President and chairman, National Assembly”.

The statement read:

“He attended the end of session event of the PDP caucus yesterday evening and spent only 30 minutes before leaving the members to continue with the event.

“The Senate President would like to assure every Nigerian that he is committed to the APC-led government and appreciates the confidence reposed in him and the APC during the 2015 General Elections.”

Those are the words of Senate President reassuring all Nigerians that he is still very much loyal to his political party, the All Progressive Congress (APC)

Passengers ambush Amaechi at Abuja-Kaduna railway

– The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, carried out a final check on the Abuja-Kaduna railway project

– Passengers at the rail line persuaded theminister to reduce the transport fare from N600 to N500

– The minister gave in to the pleas and reduced the fare

The federal government was ambushed by passengers of Abuja-Kaduna rail line on Thursday, July 21.

This happened when Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation, was on an inspection tour of the train from Idu station to Jere station and back to Idu in preparation for the flagging off of the Abuja-Kaduna rail line come Tuesday by President Muhammadu Buhari, Vanguard reports.

The passengers asked Amaechi to reduce the transport fare
The passengers who were in their numbers persuaded the minister to bring down the train fare from N600 to N500 for economy class with first class going for N900.

Amaechi, who was accompanied by the national chairman of his party, All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie Oyegun, could not but submit to the plea of the passengers.

Considering their plea, he reduced the train ticket from N600 for economy to N500.

Speaking at the Idu station of the rail line in Abuja, he said: “we are ready to go. From the things we have seen today (yesterday), we are set to go. This test run exercise has been on for over a month. We said it was going to run for two weeks but we allowed it for six weeks so that everybody can use it.”

Amaechi had earlier announced that the test ride of the rail project that started in June was successful, therefore the long-awaited Abuja-Kaduna railway will be inaugurated on July 26 in Idu, Abuja.

Commercial services would reportedly start immediately after the official launch.

Reps to donate N100,000 each to IDPs

House of Rep in session

– Nigerian lawmakers have resolved to contribute N100,000 each from their July salaries as donation to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Northeast

– The House of Representatives plans to raise the sum of N36million as donation to the IDPs

– The House urged the federal government to consider the immediate adoption of a national policy on IDPs

Following the problems of food shortages and poor sanitary conditions presently rocking the camps of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), the House of Representatives has resolved to contribute the sum of N36million.

According to a report on Leadership, the money will be used for the welfare of the IDPs in the Northeast.

A motion moved by Hon. Mohammed Sani Zorro called on each member to contribute the sum of N100,000 from their July salaries to raise the required sum.

Some IDPs

The House of Representatives has resolved to contribute the sum of N36million as donation to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Northeast.

Speaking at the House, Zorro said over 50,000 malnourished children are currently facing imminent threat of death as a result of acute nutrition-deficit and inhuman conditions. He said they lack food, basic medical care, water and sanitation

Hence, the lawmaker noted that the current hardship faced by IDPs called for serious concern.

On its part, the House urged the federal government to consider the immediate adoption of a national policy on IDPs and to immediately appoint a substantive federal commissioner for refugees, IDPs, migrants and returnees.

The House also called on the government to deploy a sustained humanitarian protection and assistance protocol for an effective, efficient and verifiable supply of food and non-food items to the IDPs in the Northeast.

Recently, the medical and humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières issued a statement saying some 24,000 refugees are in poor health, with at least 30 people, mostly children, dying every day.

According to the United Nations, over 200,000 people, mainly children, are at the risk of dying from malnutrition in Borno state.

The UN humanitarian coordinator for Nigeria, Mohammed Safieldin, made this shocking revelation at an emergency meeting with donor agencies and the Borno state government in Abuja on Monday, June 27.

Safieldin disclosed that if nothing is done to scale up interventions for food and medicare to refugees, the camps are on the verge of losing five children every hour.

SHOCKING! Kogi youths attack Senator Dino Melaye

Senator Melaye

--Melaye should be suspended, he is a disgrace - Kogi youths

– Kogi youths have labelled Senator Melaye as a disgrace to his people

– The youths call for the suspension of the senator after staging a protest against him at the National Assembly

– The youths say they would continue to stage their protest at the National Assembly until their demand is met

A youth group from Kogi state, Kogi Youths For Good Governance, has called for the suspension of Sen Dino Melaye following his altercation with Sen Oluremi Tinubu.

This comes even as the group staged a protest at the National Assembly on Thursday, July 21.

According to the coordinator of the group, Leke Richard, Senator Melaye has disgrace his constituency and the Nigerian Senate, Leadership reports.

Richard said they have already commenced the process to recall him (Melaye).

The group which stormed the premises at 9am, brandishing placards with inscriptions such as, “Dino Melaye is a disgrace to the Senate” and “We need development not fighting women”, warned that they would continue to stage their protest at the National Assembly until their demand is met.

Reports had last week emerged of a clash between Sen Melaye, representing Kogi West Senatorial District and Tinubu, representing Lagos Central, in a Senate close door session, where the Kogi Senator was alleged to have threatened to beat and impregnate his Lagos female counterpart.

Melaye has since denied threatening to either beat or impregnate her but admitted to the use of harsh words, while Tinubu had also written a petition to the Inspector General of Police, the Senate and the APC.

She later said she had forgiven Melaye as a Christian but maintained she won’t be intimidated.

10 reasons why President Buhari should dialogue with Niger Delta Avengers

Niger Delta Avengers (L) and President Muhammadu Buhari (R)

– President Muhammadu Buhari has been threatened by the Niger Delta Avengers

– The life-wire of Nigeria’s economy for now is crude oil

– The Niger Delta region should be highly prioritised when it comes to making Nigeria a greater nation

There have been arguments and counter-arguments regarding the issue of the federal government discussing with the Niger Delta Avengers. The militant group may be seen by some Nigerians as constituting nuisance, however, this is far from the truth.

It should be recalled that the Avengers recently made mockery of the Nigerian navy when some naval officers who ought to have arrest them drowned in the creek and died. This is a strong signal to the federal government that the technical-know-how to face this well-sophisticated group is not there.

Another thing the government should remember is that it is not an act of cowardice if it talks to the various militant groups in the region.

Below are some of the reasons for a genuine round-table discussion with the Avengers

1. Economic reasons

No one will like anybody who bites the finger that feeds him. Ever before Nigeria got her independence in 1960 that oil was discovered in Oloibiri in the South-south region, the economic potential of the Niger Delta had been seen. Fast-forward to 2016, Nigeria has earned trillions of dollars from the region. As the militants continue with their attacks, the nation is losing millions of dollars daily, which in turn is affecting the revenue of the country.

Nigerians should ask themselves why the country is broke. Apart from dwindling oil prices and a battered economy, the drop in oil production has affected the number of barrels of crude oil produced by the country. This has even made Nigeria to lose its respect among OPEC members.

2. Justice and equity

A negotiation with the Avengers is not all about settling like the amnesty programme of the Yar Adua/Jonathan years. The dialogue will be such that deals with all the grievances boiling in the hearts of those who took up arms against the state. Even if the government monetised the negotiation, it will still be back to square one. At least who is crying could be crying not because he was beaten up, but probably he could be crying because he is not happy with someone did to him.

The government should be fair to the Niger Delta region and see what the dialogue will eventually lead to, because a listening leader is a great leader

3. To curb youth restiveness

Nigeria has not fully come out of the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast region. There is hardly any state in the country which did not feel the tension generated by the insurgents when they reigned supreme. There was a time a rumour went round Nigeria that Boko Haram terrorists would invade Lagos. It should be recalled then that everybody developed high fever suddenly, especially Lagos who were scared of how a problem in the North could spill to the South.

It should be noted that restiveness do spread like wild fire. An instance was the recent attack on some areas in Ikorodu and the abduction of a monarch around Iba area, both in Lagos of recent by suspected Niger Delta militants.

A society will peaceful coexistence ensures growth and development.


4. It will reduce environmental pollution

The Niger Delta region had challenges of oil spillage before the militants started bombing oil pipelines and other facilities. The effect of all these nefarious activities is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The poor citizens of the region who are farmers or fishermen suffer due to environmental pollution. Other effects include people coming up with respiratory tract infections and disease, an imbalance in the ecosystem, environmental degradation, among others.

5. 2019 general elections

President Buhari’s All Progressive Congress (APC) will also be thinking of returning to the centre after 2019 presidential election. Either the current president seeks a second term or the APC substitutes Buhari with someone else, the party will want to continue to rule Nigeria.

Before the APC will tell Nigerians to again vote for the party, the reality of a negotiation could be used to win over the electorates from the Niger Delta region, where the APC did not win a single state in 2011 general elections.

6. Buhari is a listening president

President Muhammadu Buhari himself said his administration is in talks with Niger Delta militants. The president said this at a farewell audience on Thursday, July 21, with Michael Zinner, the outgoing Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria at the state House.

President Buhari said his government is having a dialogue with the militants through oil companies and law-enforcement agencies, in a move to find a lasting solution to insecurity in the region. Buhari also noted that his government is studying the instruments of the Amnesty Programme inherited from the previous administration, with a view to carrying out commitments made that were undelivered.

The president should be applauded for this as he would have thought over the dialogue-solution as the probable way out of the quagmire.

7. Buhari is not anti south-south

Nigeria’s number one citizen has said is several times he is a president for all Nigerians no matter the region or language. Buhari first demonstrated this with his famous line of ‘I belong to all and belong to nobody’ in his inauguration speech on Friday, May 29, 2015.

With all sense of modesty, the president has shown this. Nigerians should also remember that the federal government has initiated the project to clean up the Niger Delta region o foil spills.

8. Curbs pipeline vandalism

The president will not continue to fold his arms or stand at akimbo and watch the Avengers blow up all pipelines. Some people could say, the militants are just destroying their region. The truth is that this is far from the truth because the oil pipelines are not just Niger Delta region but for all Nigerians, as the money gotten from the oil transported by the pipelines is for all Nigerians. The people will starve if no more money is generated as income from the sales of petroleum.

Nigerian citizens should also remember that gas supplied by some of the pipelines are used to generate power. It was one of the reasons the minister of power, works and housing Babatunde Fashola said power generation has dropped significantly in the country because some of the pipelines which supply gas have been blown up by the militants.

9. Boosts oil production

The country’s daily oil production has significantly dropped. Therefore, the revenue of the country is on the slide.  This downward movement will continue as long as nothing is done to talk to the Avengers, However, a negotiation with the militants will help boost crude oil production, and in turn increase Nigeria’s revenue.

10. The unity of the country is at stake

Niger Delta Avengers pose a big threat to the unity of Nigeria. The group is not just talking, but backing it up with actions. This is because what started as a child’s play has led to fear in the minds of people in the indigene.

There are some countries that an agitation not as much as that of the Avengers led to their disintegration. It is high time the federal government did the needful in order to wish militancy farewell for good.

Chaos in Edo as Oshiomhole is fingered in malpractice

– A tensed atmosphere hangs over Edo state as preparations for the gubernatorial election gets underway

– PDP has accused the APC of plotting to rig the September 10 governorship election

– Governor Oshiomhole has been scandalised

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised the red flag over an alleged plot to rig by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

PDP has accused Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the APC of trying to rig the forthcoming Edo elections.

PDP claims the APC is trying to rig the September 10 governorship election, hence the party called on government institutions and security agencies not work with the APC in subverting the will of the Edo people.

At a campaign rally for the party’s governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, in Uzebba, Own West Local Government Area, the party also challenged the outgoing governor to declare how much rights a private company allegedly close to the APC candidate, Godwin Obaseki has invested in the Edo University, Iyamho (EUI).

State chairman of the PDP, Dan Orbih, who made the remark, said state officials had lately been boasting of perfecting a plan to rig the election even as he vowed that the people of the state would like citizens of Turkey force out those who try to impose themselves on them.

He said: “President Buhari has never intervened in any election before now, so we hope Edo State will not be an exception.

Nobody can use INEC, police, army or EFCC to rig the PDP out. “I want to tell Oshiomhole that Edo people are prepared to behave the way the civilian population in Turkey behaved when the soldiers marched against them.

We will resist any attempt to subvert the will of the Edo people; we stand on a very solid ground knowing fully well that Oshiomhole has failed Edo people.”

Also speaking, Ize-Iyamu described as sheer wickedness the total neglect of Owan people politically and economically by the government of Oshiomhole and promised to focus his attention on the proper development of the locality if he gets elected.

He promised that a PDP government would tar the Uzebba and Okpujie township roads which he said have been abandoned, just as he promised to employ more teachers in the schools in the locality.

In a similar development, a foremost traditional ruler in Edo Central Senatorial District, the Izuware of Ujiogba, has taken a swipe at the Ehidiamen of Opoji over what he described as the latter’s denial of last Saturday adoption of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, by traditional rulers in the Edo Central.

The traditional ruler noted that there was no dissenting voice when the adoption of Ize-Iyamu was raised at the meeting that was attended by 32 traditional rulers in Esan Land including the Ehidiamen of Opoji.

He said: “He was not even aware that our closed-door meeting was recorded. He said we will eat the Comrade Governor’s money and vote our choice. We have the recording. As he was saying it, we knew he will still deny it.

“For him now to say we do not have the right to endorse anybody is an error. On that day, I spoke my mind because we only have two teachers in the primary school in my area and two teachers in the secondary school. That is the truth,” he said.

Meanwhile, the citizens of Edo state have been promised a reward of 200,000 jobs if they vote for Godwin Obaseki, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

According to Vanguard, Obaseki made this known during the flag off of his campaign at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin on Saturday, July 16.

Obaseki, during the campaign, also informed that his administration would focus on job creation, entrepreneurship and industrialisation, if he gets into power.

He noted that agriculture and skills acquisition would form bulk of the job creation channels, with agriculture, especially, moving from subsistence to commercial.

FG likely to force Nigerians to pay General Taxes soon - Emefiele, CBN Governor

Quoting Vanguard News by Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

ABUJA— THE Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, yesterday, painted a gloomy picture of the economy during a closed-door meeting with senators.

Vanguard gathered that the CBN governor told the senators that it was frightening that the nation was experiencing economic stagnation and inflation at the same time, explaining that ordinarily, both were not supposed to happen simultaneously.

A source said he expressed concern that the economy was gloomy, stagnant and worsening as a result.

According to the source, Emefiele, who noted that the economy was biting on all, with almost all activities crippled, said indices that would have made the economy grow were not in place at the moment.

He was also said to have made reference  to the renewed bombing of pipelines by Niger Delta Avengers as one of the factors pulling down the economy.

The CBN governor was said to have Iinked  these occurrences, especially with respect to the over 70 per cent decline in oil prices from about S116 per barrel in June 2014 to about $30 per barrel earlier in the year.

FG may not be able to pay workers' salaries

Vanguard further gathered that the CBN governor told the lawmakers that if the present situation in the country continued, the Federal Government might not be able to pay salaries of its workers with effect from October this year. He also said Nigerians would be forced to pay general taxes which would not exclude petroleum products.

Emefiele, who was with the senators for an hour, was said to have presented a comprehensive account of the economy in the last one year which, according to him, had been characterised by external shocks, including sharp decline in commodity prices, geo-political tensions along important global trading routes and tightening monetary policy in the United States.

Senate backs CBN’s policies

The Senate was, however, said to have expressed sympathy with the CBN governor because of the depth of the economic problems which, it noted, had global influence, and threw its weight behind new policies introduced by the CBN to turn the economy around.

It backed the monetary policies of the CBN, noting that at the end of the day, such policies would help to increase local production, create jobs in the country, safeguard the nation’s commonwealth as well as expand economic opportunities and growth in Nigeria.

The Senate in a statement after the executive session, however, stressed the need for all to put hands together to seek long term solutions to the nation’s underlying problem of non-diversification of foreign exchange earning and revenues, rather than pointing fingers or apportioning blames.

The statement read:  “After the presentation, many distinguished senators asked a host of pertinent questions and raised issues concerning the banking system, the slippage in economic growth for the first quarter of 2016, the gradual rise in inflation, fall in foreign exchange reserves, and policy coordination between the fiscal and monetary authorities.

"Following an exhaustive response by both the governor and his team, the Senate acknowledged that these are, indeed, difficult times all over the world and not just in Nigeria.

“The Senate also acknowledged the pains that many people may be facing at this time, especially in the light of increases in price of electricity and fuels. But having carefully considered the policies of the CBN, the Senate would Iike to commend and support these policies because they are mostly geared towards increasing local production, creating jobs here in Nigeria, safeguarding our commonweaith, and expanding economic opportunities and growth in Nigeria.

"It is critical that we all put hands together to seek long term solutions to our underlying problem of non-diversification of foreign exchange earning and revenues, rather than pointing fingers or apportioning blames.

"The Senate believes strongly in the resilience of the Nigerian economy and the ingenuity of the Nigerian people and as such, we are confident that we will all puII through these difficulties and come out as a much better, equitable, and prosperous nation.”

Finance Minister to appear today

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, said the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, would today appear before the Senate to brief it on the state of the economy and issues relating to the implementation of 2016 budget.

Asked why the meeting with the CBN governor was held behind closed doors, Senator Bruce explained that it became imperative to hold the meeting in an exclusive manner because some economic matters could be explosive, if held in the open.

EXCLUSIVE: Senate President Bukola Saraki returns to PDP

Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Nigeria's Senate President.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki has returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigerian Times can exclusively report. Saraki met with the PDP caucus this evening at the Abuja home of his deputy in the Senate, Ike Ekeremadu at the Apo Legislative Quarters. After the meeting,Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Senate President, led a group of senators to Goodluck Jonathan’s Maitama home to brief him. The meeting with Jonathan is on going at press time.

Saraki has been facing prosecution at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for falsely declare assets.

A source who was at the meeting told Nigerian Times that Saraki, who has faced persecution from the leadership of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) decided to leave the party and return to the PDP, which he left in 2014 with five PDP Governors.
The source said Saraki says he will use the PDP as a platform to actualize his ambition. He added that Saraki is likely to take with him to the PDP, APC Senators loyal to him. This would affect the balance of power in the Senate as the PDP would most like upturn the APC’s majority in the Red Chamber.

“Saraki has finally had it with the APC and the Buhari government. He believes he has faced enough embarassment and persecution from them after his investments to help the party wrest power from the PDP, ” our source said. Last week, he was in Sokoto, on the pretext of condoling the family of late Umaru Shinkaffi. But sources familiar with the Saraki travails told this Newspaper that he met with the Sultan of sokoto to prevail on President Mohammadu Buhari to pull back his loyalists are who bent on sending Saraki to jail. And as a last ditch effort, he got former senate presidents to visit Buhari earlier in the week.

Saraki’s defection back to the PDP will not come as a surprise to watchers of Nigerian politics. Since his emergence as President of the Senate, he has been at odds with his party, the APC over what the party feels was his decision to present himself as candidate for the Senate Presidency against the party’s wish. The APC’s preferred candidate, was Ahmed Lawan.

Senator Tinubu doles out N75m for a protest against me - Dino Melaye

Senator Dino Melaye

Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Sen. Dino Melaye has posted on his Facebook page, an allegation accusing Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who represents Lagos Central Senatorial District, of doling out N75 million to women activists to protest against him tomorrow (Wednesday), in Abuja.

Recall that Senator Tinubu, yesterday, wrote to the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, seeking protection from attack by Melaye, following a raging war of words between both Senators, since last week.

Senator Tinubu's letter to IGP

In the Facebook post titled: ‘Tinubu plans anti-Melaye protests in Abuja, splashes N75m on Kemi Nelson, others,’ Melaye quoted one Professor Taibat Majekodunmi, National President of the Committee for the Defence of Women’s Rights (CDWR) as saying: "We have it on good authority that N75 million has been released by Senator Oluremi Tinubu to Kemi Nelson through Tinubu’s sister called Funlola. The money is to organise a protest in Abuja on Wednesday against the chairman, Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dino Melaye, with 1,000 protesters from Lagos.

"The protesters have booked for 300 rooms in some in hotels in Abuja. Why did she not organise a protest against the hardship of Nigerian women and widows. As we speak, Alade market in Ogba area of Lagos has been destroyed and all the women rendered shopless. Oluremi Tinubu did not organise protest about that.

"Women were killed in Kano and Abuja and Mrs. Tinubu is the chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs. She did not organise protest over these killings. Mrs. Tinubu has not protested against the skyrocketed price of tomatoes in the market. In the same vein, kerosene is now over N200 per litre and she didn’t organised any protest to that effect.

"Instead, she has taken advantage of the prevailing poverty in the land to hire hungry women in the land to partake in an unproductive protest against Dino Melaye. Women like Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, Hajiya Gambosa Sawaba, Sarah Jubril, fought for woman race without attacking any man. Oluremi Tinubu should emulate the likes of Margaret Thatcher, Indira Ghandhi, Benazir Bhutto and our own dear Dora Akunyili.

"You can imagine what N75 million will do in the lives of widows and hungry Nigerian women. We dare Mrs. Tinubu to go ahead with her planned N75 million protest in Abuja. We will also mobilise Nigerian women against this ostentatious display of wealth while the average Nigerian women wallow in abject poverty.”

"The protesters have already stormed Abuja and have booked for 300 rooms in many hotels," alleges the statement.

The tussle is increasing on daily basis.

Fresh poll shows President Buhari's popularity among Nigerians (Details)

President Mohammadu Buhari

– The NOI polls reports that the popularity of President Buhari has nose-dived since the last month

– There is also a decline in the approval of the president across 5 geopolitical zones

– However, Buhari claimed that Nigerians still love him

The latest  poll conducted by NOI Polls, a West Africa’s leading polling services organisation, shows that President Muhammadu Buhari has lost some of his supporters  in the last month.

Buhari’s approval rating for June has plummeted to 39% from the 48% he received in May, This Day reports.

The results of the poll were made available to the reporters, in Abuja.

It indicates the lowest approval rating started 13 months ago. The president’s rating was highest in October, peaking at 80%.

“This latest score represents a 9-point decline when compared to the rating in May which stood at 48%, the investigators said.


In February, President Buhari’s rating, according to the poll, stood at 57%.

The economic analyst told journalists that there is no doubt that the economy is currently facing a lot of crises.

The report also disclosed a decline in the approval of the country’s leader across 5 geopolitical zones, when compared to the month of May.

“The North-east, zone with 59%. On the other hand the South-east and South-south zones had the least approval rating of 8% and 24% respectively,” it added.

Buhari’s rating on sectoral bases showed that Nigerians were discontented in the areas of conflict resolution, agriculture and food security with scores of 28 and 21 % correspondingly.

This came just several days after the president while reacting to reports from a recent survey which showed that his approval ratings have fallen claimed that Nigerians still love him.

A national survey by the Centre for Democracy and Development entitled the Buharimeter Report, had said: “We can also infer that there are still gaps between campaign promises, public expectations, government policies and actions. These need to be aligned properly going forward.”