President Buhari is not sincere with corruption fight – Sagay

Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, headed President Muhammadu Buhari’s advisory committee on anti-corruption. He speaks with OLAKUNLE TAIWO on the legal implications of the Kogi governorship election, why some key institutions are corrupt, the president’s integrity and his anti-graft crusade, among others. Excerpts:

AS a constitutional lawyer, what do you think would have been the right thing to do in Kogi when the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Prince Audu Abubakar, died before the declaration of the results of the election?

You know the issue is new and there was no provision for such at all in the constitution, but somehow the decision should have been at the discretion of the Attorney-General of the Federation or the prerogative of the court to actually decide which way to go. It was like a lacuna or lawless case, where anybody can just act the way he feels, because there was no provision for it. So, both parties can do what they like and that is just it. Sincerely, there is an extent to which the case can be prosecuted legally, because having no provision for it, it has created a loophole for anybody to act anyhow. We will just be making noise. Therefore, in such a case, the judiciary or anybody can be influenced.

How do you mean sir?

Buhari has performed excellently, say South-South leaders

 South –South politicians, under the aegis of the Politicians and Political Office Holders in the South-South (PPOHSS) have expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for placing Nigeria on the world map for good,  saying he is running a transparent, accountable government and has performed excellently to the envy of his foes.” 

 In a statement issued in Port Harcourt by the National Chairman of PPOHSS, Chief Julius Ikuru, the leaders also eulogized the national chairman of the All Progressives Party (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun for being above board in the discharge of his duties.

 They not only praised Oyegun for elevating politics beyond the mundane levels of wrangling, greed and selfishness but commended him for his commitment to principles in the practice of politics, the rule of law and the best democratic tradition of fairness and justice. 

 The leaders dismissed the allegation of forgery, describing a self-acclaimed APC House of Representatives Candidate, Chief Christopher Anirah and his backers in Delta State as unscrupulous politicians.

 “The allegation of forgery is wide off the mark and misconceived. It is also extremely contradictory in a number of areas, thus exposing the high level of ignorance and wickedness of Anirah and his PDP sponsors.

 The leaders also lauded the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase for not yielding to calculated lies.

 They appealed to journalists to protect Oyegun from undue harassment by self-seeking elements whose stock in trade is to hide under the banner of the media to bring down their imaginary or perceived opponents.

 “Leaders at whatever level must demonstrate a certain degree of decency and exemplary conduct. Desperate politicians, those without ideas and popular goodwill are running away from real issues and resorting to character assassination and personal abuse.

 The leaders advised APC members in Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie Federal Constituency in Delta State to show Anirah the way out of the party.

 The leaders who also affirmed their total support to Oyegun on his quest to develop the party in the zone, urged him to keep up the good works, irrespective of the antics of some detractors who peddle false stories about the party. ”

  “We have a national chairman with a listening ear. We have a chairman that is committed to the development of the party. We have a chairman that is providing responsible, accountable and transparent leadership to the people. The avenue of peaceful dialogue is still available to members.

  “APC is on a mission to change this country. Oyegun is administering the party, with the fear of God and for the good of the people. He believes in merit” the statement said.

 The leaders also expressed their condolences to the people of Bayelsa on the death of the immediate past Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Col. Sam Inokoba

 “Bayelsa has today lost one of its most motivating leaders. Col. Sam Inokoba was not merely a political leader but a role model and an ideal politician.

 “Everything about him was positive. He thought well, he had positive ideas. His contribution as a politician was unparalleled. He has left a void for all of us” the leaders who described the late politician as the people’s chairman said.

 In another development, Niger Delta Leaders on Wednesday praised Chief Timipre Sylva, describing him as an astute administrator, a prudent manager of resources and a distinguished politician,

  “We have examined all the governorship aspirants in Bayelsa State and it is clear to us that Chief Timipre Sylva is the best. He represents a Bayelsa State that is dedicated to serving the best interests of the people; a Bayelsa State which offers hope to the people; a Bayelsa State where things work. Others aspirants in the APC represent narrow, sectional and divisive tendencies which can threaten the unity, peace and progress of the state” the leaders said after a meeting in Abuja.

 Stressing that Sylva is the best governorship aspirant in the state, in terms of performance and commitment to the enlargement and deepening of democracy, the leaders said “he has all it takes to lead the state to success.”

 Speaking glowingly on Sylva’s achievements in the state, spokesperson of Niger Delta People Forum (NDPF), Mrs. Ibifuro Thompson Tatua said the leaders praised him for his patriotic and courageous service as well as acknowledged his capacity to undergo painful but often necessary reforms.

 “We have observed his leadership style at close range and he really excels. He is in the governorship race to bring peace and development to the state. He will restore the confidence of the people in government. He will also reinvent and locate Bayelsa State on the path of sustained growth”

 “The leaders who predicted APC electoral landslide in the December 5, 2015 governorship vote urged APC delegates in the state to make Sylva the party’s touch bearer.

 “The next governor must be a person of proven integrity, experience and compassion for the well-being of the people. Sylva is a man of wisdom, dedication and integrity.

 “Huge numbers of Bayelsans are living in poverty. Sylva will focus on the real issues facing the people. He will give power back to the poor”

 The leaders also commiserated with the family, government and people of Bayelsa State on the death of the immediate Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Col. Sam Inokoba, describing him as an "an extraordinary man and a change agent.

 “We are saddened to hear of the passing of the immediate past Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Bayelsa State, Col. Sam Inokoba.

 Recalling his life as that of service, compassion and excellence, the leaders said “We send our heartfelt condolences to the family and the good people of Bayelsa State.”

 By Fidel Njamanze

Oyegun lauded over Gbajabiamila issue

 Prominent politicians in the South-West geo-political zone on Sunday gave the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun a pat on the back for a job well done.

 They also praised him for cherishing the mood of the people and using the power of the office of the national chairman to promote the interests of the Yoruba people.

 The leaders were happy with Yakubu Dogara’s acceptance of Femi Gbajabiamila as Majority Leader of the House of Representatives and the contributions made by the national chairman of the party.

 They described Oyegun as a transparently impartial father of all.

 In a statement by the chairman of Yoruba Front (YF), Alhaji Ganiyu Alao at the end of an emergency meeting in Surulere, the leaders expressed profound satisfaction with John Odigie-Oyegun’s leadership for the matured way in which the House of Representatives issue was resolved in favour of both Gbajabiamila and the Yoruba nation.

Speaker Dogara Replies Oyegun, Zones Majority Leader To North West

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has replied a letter written by the national Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, John Oyegun, to him on June 23, 2015, directing him to appoint party nominees as principal officers.

Mr. Dogara in his reply, dated July 16, 2015, recalled his earlier claim that a court case instituted by some members on the matter, made it impossible for him to make all necessary consultation on the chairman’s letter.

Mr. Dogara also informed Mr. Oyegun the need to respect Federal Character, and enumerated the tradition of the House of Representatives regarding how Principal officers are elected.

He then proposed to the APC Chairman a list of zoning of principal offices that would best reflect the spirit of Federal character.

APC CRISIS: It Is Dirty, Annoying & Crude To Say I Have Been Bribed - Oyegun

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress , APC, Chief John Oyegun has denied taking bribe to support the agenda of lawmakers that became principal officers of the 8th Assembly, noting that he never did and will never do because he is comfortable enough and does not need their money at 76. Below is what Oyegun said when the leadership of the South-East, South-South Professionals paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja yesterday.

“How many people know me personally, It is annoying, it is dirty, it is crude‎, it is unbecoming and it can only be people who are totally devoid of conscience at any level of humanity that can do things of that nature,” he said.

Senate Crisis: Oyegun's Fate Shaky As APC Caucus Meets

Akande laments effect of disagreement on party’s unity

Chief John Odigie-Oyegun’s political future is hanging in the balance.

TheAll Progressives Congress (APC) chairman should step down, some forces within the party are pushing, ahead of tomorrow’s meeting of the National Caucus Committee.

Odigie-Oyegun’s offence, sources said at the weekend, is his perceived failure to nip in the bud the National Assembly crisis that has shaken the party so much.

Most of the APC governors, some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and party elders are unhappy that Odigie-Oyegun allowed the “crisis to fester”.

NASS crisis: APC Govs meet with Buhari, urge APC Senators to respect the wishes of the party

Following the lingering crises in the National Assembly over the appointment of principal officers in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, APC Governors late Tuesday night had a closed door meeting with Pres. Buhari to discuss on ways to resolve the matter. At the end of the meeting, the Governors called on APC members in the National Assembly to respect the wishes of the party regarding appointment of principal officers. 

APC Forwards Names of Candidates For Principal Positions In NASS To Senate President, Speaker

Chairman of the APC Chief John Odigie-Oyegun yesterday forwarded names of the party's chosen candidates to ocupy principal positions in the National Assembly to Saraki and Dogara. The names which was contained in a letter signed by Chief Odigie-Oyegun reads; 

"Please find below for your necessary action names of principal officers approved by the party, after excessive consultations for the 8th Senate as follows: Senator Ahmed Lawan(Majority Leader)–North-East; Prof. Sola Adeyeye( Chief Whip)–South-West; Sen. George Akume (Deputy Majority Leader)—North-Central; and Sen. Abu Ibrahim(Deputy Chief Whip)—North-West."

APC Governors Demand Resignation of Chairman,

Oyegun Eight Governors of Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), were at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja Tuesday to demand the resignation of its National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. 

Oyegun who was presiding over the party’s NWC meeting at the time, excused himself to meet the governors, including Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Mallam Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger) Senator Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa). 

APC Crisis: Apologise to Me on National Dailies, Tinubu Tells Saraki, Dogara

Although some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC have initiated moves to reconcile the aggrieved camps and bring back peace in the party, its national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is reportedly not yielding to it until his conditions are met.

Vanguard exclusively gathered yesterday that Tinubu who felt greatly slighted by the elections of Senator Bukola Saraki and Rep. Yakubu Dogara as the senate president and the Speaker, House of Representatives respectively against the party’s official candidates, Senator Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabimila had said of what can assuage his anger and that of the party.

Fresh Crisis Brews In APC As Tinubu Posters Disappear From APC’s Secretariat

Fresh crisis brews in APC over Senate posts

The sharing of principal offices in the Senate seems to be creating a fresh crisis in the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The principal offices are the Senate Leader; the Deputy Senate Leader; the Chief Whip and the Deputy Chief Whip.

While the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, is believed to have recommended to the APC National Working Committee that the posit, ions be allocated to the zones, some leaders of the party, especially those from the South-West, want them filled by the party’s hierarchy.

SARAKI VS DOGARA: PRESIDENT BUHARI STEPS IN………

Embarrassed by the needless threats and vitriolic vituperation from the leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as a result of the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara as Ssenate President and  Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively, President Muhammadu Buhari has prevailed on leaders of the party to sheathe their swords.

In fact, it took a personal communication between Mr. President and Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, before the breaks could be applied.

APC Accept Saraki As Senate President

APC finally accept the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki and Speaker Dogara as the Senate president and speaker of the house of representative respectively. The APC leader Chief John Odigie Oyegun said they were duly elected by their colleagues.

He also said the party must wake up to that reality and also live with it. But denied the fact that, the party is aggrieved by the outcome of both elections. He also said, the crisis rocking the party right now will only make it stronger.

Tinubu’s Political Career Is Over - Bode George

A former National Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George, has said that the political career of the National Leader, All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is over.

George said this during a telephone interview with our correspondent while reacting to the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as the Senate President ahead of Senator Ahmed Lawan, who was the preferred candidate of Tinubu.