Power Sector Illegally Sold, Fashola Says

The Federal Government and labour agreed yesterday that the power sector was illegally privatised but they differed on how to redress the “illegality.”

Labour leaders are demanding for the cancellation of the sale and reversal of 45 percent increase in tariff effected in February.

However, the government said though it agreed the deal was fraudulent there were legal issues that might make it impossible to reverse the sale.

Speaking at a Senate public hearing on the electricity tariff yesterday, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said government’s interests were illegitimately sold to some private businesses.

The Senate, CCT and the politics of Saraki’s trial By Reuben Abati

The present Senate serving the Nigerian people runs the risk of being remembered as the worst since 1999.  Public Relations Consultants and media officials of this particular Senate have done their part flooding both the print and the online media with details of how productive the Bukola Saraki-led Senate has been, and they have been quite aggressive in telling us about 30 important Bills which when passed, will change the face of Nigeria and deliver change.

The Senate according to one report has considered over 125 bills, debated over 48 motions, and passed three bills. But nobody is apparently impressed. During the Jonathan administration, the Senate was the better regarded of the two legislative chambers. While members of the House of Representatives in the Seventh Assembly behaved as if they were a band of students’ unionists, the then Red Chamber projected an image of maturity and temperance, even if it was also self-serving! With the 8th Assembly, the House of Representatives, apart from the shameful resort to physical combat over the distribution of “juicy” committees in November 2015, has shown itself to be better organized than the present Senate. The critical difference is that of leadership. It is one of management. It is a matter of weight and politics. 

Wike lacks capacity to govern Rivers state - Amaechi

Former Rivers State governor and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has accused his successor, governor Nyesom  Wike of lacking the political will and capacity to govern Rivers State.

Amaechi stated this on Sunday at an APC rally in Rumueme, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, ahead of the state and national assembly elections on Saturday.

On the 2016 Nigeria Budget

By The Guardian's Editorial Board

Nigeria's 2016 Budget which has been submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly, like any budget, should not be a mere expression of figures and facts. A national budget is an embodiment of a country’s strategic and policy priorities, and the politics and processes that throw them up. In these key areas, the 2016 spending plan before the National Assembly certainly can be substantially improved upon.

Budgeting is indeed intensely a political matter as both expenditures and revenues are about allocation of resources among competing constituencies within a political environment. What is of importance to the citizenry, constituencies and society at large is expressed through the political and democratic process.

Ekiti Election: Aluko Presents Evidence, Claiming The Election Was Rigged During His Interview on Channels Television.

Mr Tope-Aluko, A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State is insisting that the Ekiti State governorship election was rigged, tendering evidences on how some areas were blocked in the state during the election.

On Politics Today on Sunday, Mr Tope Aluko gave a breakdown of how the election was rigged in favour of the PDP governorship candidate, now Governor, Ayodele Fayose.

Explaining a process he alleged was used in rigging the election, he said: “Before the Primaries, we had this believe that because Jonathan was coming out for second term and because we are going to be the first election in the south-west, at a meeting, we told him (former President Goodluck Jonathan) that north-east, north-west and north-central may not be too sure for him because the Hausas are clamouring for presidency and that you now have south-east and south-south, you must manage the south-west”.

$2.1bn arms fraud: I will testify against Dasuki and others at ICC- Senator Ndume

Senate Majority leader, Senator Ali Ndume says he is willing to testify against former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki and all those indicted in the $2.1billion arms deal at the International Criminal Court, ICC. Ndume said this in an interview with Daily Trust, while applauding the efforts of human rights Lawyer, Femi Falana, who says he will be approaching ICC to try all those indicted in the fraud with charges of War crimes.

Has anything really changed in Nigeria under President Buhari?

Shaibu Stephen Ojate 

By Shaibu Stephen Ojate

The Nigerian political atmosphere has been clouded with all manner of praises and commendations on President Buhari’s fight against corruption and also his resolves to bring corrupt public officials to book.

Many have adjudged President Buhari’s administration as one good thing that has happened in the history of Nigeria. These pundits posited that even if this is the only thing President Buhari could do in his four years term in office, they would be very grateful and applaud him. They have consistently maintained that President Buhari is the only President in the history of Nigeria who has taken anti-corruption fight to a higher level.

Also, the opposition on their part maintained that President Buhari’s fight against corruption is selective adding that he was just after his perceived enemies rather than make it encompassing.

INEC declares Seriake Dickson winner of Bayelsa governorship election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday night declared the incumbent governor of Bayelsa State and the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the Bayelsa governorship election, Seriake Dickson, has the winner of the election.

 Dickson defeated his closest rival Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC). state.

In the result announced by Professor Zana Akpagu, the returning officer of the governorship election, Dickson got a total of 134, 998 while Sylva, a former governor of the state, polled a total of 86, 852. 

The Trent Names Goodluck Jonathan As Person Of The Year 2015

One of Nigeria's most influential online newspapers, The Trent has named former President Goodluck Jonathan Person of the Year 2015.

"We are delighted to launch our Person of the Year Award with such a deserving statesman," the newspaper's, President and Executive Editor, Ms. Aziza Uko told journalists in Lagos, Monday. "This marks our second anniversary and our Editorial Board decided to launch this award to celebrate the best among us, to present to the country, especially, the young generation, real symbols of hope."

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?

I delivered $47 million in 11 suitcases to Dasuki – Ex-director

More shocking revelations have come on how huge cash estimated at $2billion meant for arms purchase was allegedly diverted by key government officials and politicians during the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Presidency.

A former Director of Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Mr. Shuaibu Salisu, said $47million was withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 11 suit cases.

He said he suspected that the cash might have been given to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He, however, said as a civil servant, he was innocent because he only carried out instructions from the ex-National Security Adviser, Mr. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki.

Appeal Court upholds Kashamu’s election

The Court of Appeal in Ibadan dismissed the verdict of a lower election petition tribunal in Ogun State which had earlier nullified the election of Senator Buruji Kashamu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and declared him winner of the election.

Prince Dapo Abiodun of the APC, had challenged the victory of senator Kashamu representing Ogun East senatorial district in the March 28 election saying the election had lots of irregularities and that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, erred by declaring Kashamu winner of the election. The tribunal ordered a re-run of the election in 91 out of 110 polling units in the senatorial district.

I won’t be available as Yahaya Bello’s deputy - Faleke declares

Kogi State APC deputy governorship candidate, Abiodun Faleke who ran with late Prince Audu Abubakar in the November 21st governorship election, says he would not be available to be sworn-in as the deputy of the governor-elect, Yahaya Bello on January 27, 2016. Faleke said this at a press briefing in Kabba, Kogi state yesterday December 7th.

“I will not disappoint Prince Abubakar Audu. I, James Abiodun Faleke, will not be there for the swearing-in if we don’t finish the case before the January 27, 2016. Nobody consulted me before making me a deputy to Bello. He too did not consult me. I have made my position known to the party leadership on this. I am not ready to betray and disappoint Prince Abubakar Audu.”he said

Court of Appeal upholds Dino Melaye's election

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja this morning upheld the election of Dino Melaye as the Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial district in the senate. PDP candidate in the April election, Smart Adeyemi had challenged the victory of Melaye at the polls. The court in its ruling, struck out Adeyemi's suit, saying it lacked merit.

I Have No Problems With Tinubu + He Single Handedly Defeated PDP - Tunde Bakare

Oh dear, Pastor Tunde Bakare has denied having any issues with APC Chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and says, those who say he usually attacks Tinubu do not know what they are saying, because he praises him instead. According to the G.O, Tinubu is a good politician who he respects and he is someone who single handedly defeated PDP. And guess what? We believe him because men of God do not lie. Here’s what he told The News… As usual he answered the question brilliantly!

Q: When we look at the campaign of PMB, we saw Asiwaju Tinubu as his backbone, he played a leading role in the emergence of Buhari as President. Recently in the church, I heard I wasn’t there, that you attacked Jonathan and Tinubu and when I look at your comment on Tinubu, I see that you always attack him, I want to ask, why?

EFCC detains Shuaibu Salisu, others over $2bn arms deal

About 20 top officials of the previous administration, who were alleged to have played active roles in the disappearance of $2 billion meant for the procurement of arms and ammunition for the country’s armed forces were taken into custody by the Economic and Finance Crimes Commission, EFCC, for questioning.

Some of the officials taken into custody are the former Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda and a former Director of Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Shuaibu Salisu.

The former minister, who worked under Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was still being questioned by operatives of the EFCC in Abuja as at last night.

Shuaibu Salisu was said to have been arrested and detained for a while over various payments that he allegedly made.

A source in the EFCC confirmed that the sons of many top-ranking PDP officials were also found to have received various sums of money under the guise of supplying weapons for the armed forces but did not deliver.

To Nigeria's new Minister of Power, Works And Housing

Article written by Endsng's Perry Brimah. Read below...

Dear Minister Babatunde Fashola, 

As do the rest of the country, I congratulate you on your recent appointment as Nigeria's Minister of Power, Works and Housing. I wish you the best and hope pray and plan to support you to bring out the best for Nigeria and Nigerians whom you pledge and are appointed to serve. It is because we are lagging behind by decades that I write you in all urgency. 

We have no time to waste. There are just a few matters I will like to press. I am certain you have the capacity to deliver; I just wish to emphasize and stress what we need delivered.

Nigeria Has Always Been For The Rich

PDP did not make a mistake fielding Jonathn, FFK says

Former spokesperson of the PDP Presidential campaign, Olufemi Olu-Kayode aka FFK says PDP did not make a mistake fielding former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate during the last election. FFK tweeted this in reaction to a statement credited to Raymond Dokpesi, saying that PDP erred in making Jonathan its presidential candidate in the last presidential election.

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.

Why Buhari removed Ibrahim Lamorde as EFCC chairman

Yesterday,Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ibrahim Lamorde was replaced with Ibrahim Magu and  a statement by president Buhari's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said, “Mr. Magu, who is an Assistant Commissioner of Police, is to take over from Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, who is proceeding on terminal leave ahead of the formal expiration of his tenure in February, next year,”

 According to the Nation,a Presidency source says Lamorde’s exit was conveyed to him early in the day but his exit was handled  with dignity by the President.A source, who spoke in confidence  said: