PDP says, Fielding Jonathan for presidential poll an error

 The Peoples Democratic Party has asked Nigerians to forgive the party for its inability to meet their yearnings in the past 16 years.

 The party also said that fielding former President Goodluck Jonathan as the PDP candidate for the 2015 Presidential election was an error. It added that the party was aware that Nigerians were angry with it because of some actions it took when it was in power.

 The PDP said it was ready to mend fences and this was why it was organising a national conference where all issues affecting the former ruling party would be discussed.

 The Chairman, National Planning Committee of the conference, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, said this at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

 Dokpesi, a chieftain of the party from Edo State, was flanked at the briefing by members of the planning committee of the conference.

Senate begins probe of Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan, others over mismanagement of power funds

Today, the Senate will begin an inquest into alleged mismanagement of funds appropriated to the power sector from the Olusegun Obasanjo civilian administration to date. In a statement by the Clerk of Senate ad hoc Committee on Power, Cletus Ojabo, yesterday, the power sector probe will be in the form of investigative hearing/interactive session.

According to Ojabo,  the investigation would centre on funds appropriated for the power sector since 1999 and the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN.

He said:

Jonathan raised fuel subsidy from N300bn to N1.9trn – Amaechi

Former Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, has accused former President Goodluck Jonathan of increasing the country’s subsidy claim from N300 billion to N1.9trillion all by himself during his administration.

He said:  

“The fuel subsidy was N300 billion under former President Olusegun Obasanjo and it remained the same under late President  Yar’Adua. Within 6 months under President Jonathan, the fuel subsidy rose from N300 billion to N1.9 trillion. Yet, Jonathan wanted more money for fuel subsidy.

“Is it that the country now doubled its population or bought more machines or started manufacturing? As chairman of Governors Forum, I was in a position  to get my share of the N1.9 trillion but I chose the part of honesty and truth, you cannot catch me being dishonest.

“There was a time I walked into a meeting with the president (Goodluck Jonathan)  and at the meeting, the argument was that they wanted more money for oil subsidy. As the chairman of Governors Forum, I stood my ground and told the president I was not going to support that.

EFCC invites Saraki's wife and YarAdua's daughter over allegations of fraud

According to a breaking news report by Premium Times, wife of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Toyin Saraki and one of the daughters of former President Umaru YarÁdua, Zainab Dakingari have been invited by the EFFC over alleged fraud and money laundering.

Mrs Toyin Saraki is being invited by the antigraft agency to answer questions regarding some alleged questionable flow of income into some companies which she has interest in. PT reports that Mrs Saraki is due to appear at EFFC's headquarters on July 28

Zainab Dakingari who is married to the ex-governor of Kebbi state, Saidu Zakingari is being invited by EFFC to answer questions on an alleged N2 billion fraud which was carried out during her husband's tenure. Zainab was meant to appear before EFCC team today but deferred her appointment till July 27th as she is currently out of the country.