Resettle Bakassi People, National Conference Tells FG

  The National Conference on Tuesday asked the Federal Government to, having lost the ownership of Bakassi Peninsula through the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), come up with a policy of resettlement of Bakassi indigenes.
 The resolution was unanimously adopted following consideration of the Report of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Diaspora Matter headed by Professor Ibrahim Gambari and Ambassador Lawrence Ekpebu, as deputy chairman.
 It was also agreed that there should be a clearly defined operational agenda to guide the implementation of the nation’s foreign policy goals and objectives at four critical levels: Lake Chad Basin Commission; West Africa (ECOWAS), Africa (Africa Union/ECA) and the world at large (United Nations and other fora).
Conference however turned down a proposal that Nigeria should review the Green Tree Agreement it entered in respect of the ICJ ruling on Bakkasi Peninsula with a view to reclaiming the ceded portion of the country’s territory.
 Delegates resolved that government should promote discipline within the Economic Community of West African States through sanctions for violations and rewards for team players.
 Nigeria, Conference also resolved, should use its position to encourage the establishment of what it calls ECOWAS Brigade Standing Force.
To ensure better economic transactions within the West African sub-region through promotion of trade and investment, Nigeria should work towards early introduction of a single currency in ECOWAS
Conference wants the National Assembly to be encouraged to conclude its work on the Bill to create Diaspora Commission so that the president can give his assent.
 The commission is to facilitate the engagement and accrual of full benefits including social capital remittances in the form of knowledge and experience and other dynamic benefits from millions of Nigerians in the Diaspora.
 In addition, Conference proposed that Nigerians in the Diaspora should be included in all relevant state affairs depending on their knowledge and expertise for the development of the nation and not only for cash remittances purposes.
 The conference also proposed that the Ministry of Forewing Affairs develops and publishes travel guides as is being done by other countries to serve as Nigerians travelling to some volatile countries either for business or pleasure.
 As part of the country`s duty to protect and defend the interest of its nationals   wherever they are, including Nigerians serving prison terms in foreign countries, the conference proposed that prisoners exchange between Nigeria and any other country should be on equal terms.
 In carrying out the prisoner’s exchange, the conference stressed the necessity to fully screen any prisoner who purports to be a Nigerian before any prisoner exchange is undertaken. This is to guard against cases of foreign convicts bearing Nigerian passports in foreign jails.
 The conference in its proposal also called for the curtailment of the excesses of first ladies and politicians who frivolously use diplomats abroad for unofficial purposes thereby distracting them from concentrating on their official duties.
 The National Conference also wants the federal government to regulate donations by foreign agencies to Nigerian Non-Governmental Organizations  
The creation of an agency for External Aid that will coordinate all aid giving processes in the country was also part of the conference proposal. The agency which would be a parastatal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would have representatives from the Ministries of Finance, National Planning, Defence, Trade and Industry, Justice as well as Central Bank on its board.

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PDP Can Never Win Rivers State —APC •Says Loss Of Ekiti Will Make Party Stronger

  The All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State Chapter, has dismissed as a fluke, last Saturday’s defeat of the party by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the governorship election in Ekiti State. “This development, which was unexpected, does not portend anything any danger for the APC in 2015, especially in Rivers State. The Ekiti election has come and gone and we have learnt our lessons which will ensure better outings in other elections. That election will go a long way to unite and strengthen us the more to present a better APC to Nigerians for the battle to rescue and reposition Nigeria gets hot,” Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya said. Dr. Ikanya, who was responding to enquiries on the fate of APC in view of what happened in Ekiti, emphatically declared in a statement he issued today in Port Harcourt: “It is erroneous to think that what happened in Ekiti affects or will affect Rivers State politics come 2015. The factors that led us losing Ekiti are well known but totally different from the reality in Rivers State. No matter the challenges or odds, Rivers remains an APC State. I am supremely confident that the good people of Rivers State will renew their covenant with APC with a landslide in 2015.” The Rivers APC Chairman gave an idea of how the party would run the 2015 elections and obliterate PDP in the state. “One thing going for us in River State is that we have a President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP whose hatred for our state and her people is legendary not minding that he is from our sister state Bayelsa and our in-law and we gave him the highest number of votes that made him the President. Our campaign strategy will be centered on this hatred, which has manifested in the hounding of Governor Chibuike Amaechi, the ceding of our oil wells to Bayelsa and Abia states and refusal to direct Akwa Ibom to pay us the proceeds of our oil wells she kept for many years. Mr. President has also refused to site any meaningful project in Rivers State, so how can we support him or any PDP candidate in 2015? “In any case, the feats of the Amaechi administration are enough to give us victory in future elections. These feats, which are well known, include making Port Harcourt the World Book Capital City, eradication of militancy, dogged fight for the oil wells and other rights of Rivers State and her people, as well as award-winning achievements in Education, Agriculture, Health, etc.” Dr. Ikanya said that, in addition to all these, “we will ask the good people of Rivers State to make their choice of the characters and vision of those in PDP (insecurity, ungodly, etc) and the vision and characters in APC (godliness, security and concern for the future of our state). These are the issues for Rivers State to use to decide which of the parties governs River State come 2015.” He concluded by advising APC faithful in the state not to panic or fear about the future of the party, as “Rivers people have since adopted APC as the party of their choice and there is nothing the doomed PDP or any other party can do about that.” 

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Boko Haram Is A Torn In My Flesh- Gov Shettima…Expresses Worry Over Abduction Of Another 60 Women In Borno

‎Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state has confessed that Boko Haram insurgents have become a thorn in his flesh even as he expressed worry over yet another abduction in part of Damboa local government area of the State. The Governor has since directed the chairman of the affected local government area and other government officials from the affected areas to make very urgent but accurate enquiries from communities and report to him as soon as they can.
A statement by the state government today says "While the Governor views the reported abduction with all the seriousness it deserves, he is also worried that weighty developments such as information concerning the abduction of 60 persons requires careful enquiry in order to obtain information that is comprehensive and beyond any reasonable doubt. The Governor is worried that only recently, leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breaders Association was reported refuting media reports that some 30 fulani women were kidnapped at a community in Chibok. The Association relied on what it called comprehensive investigation that involved making enquiries from all of its members not only in the area the kidnapp was said to have taken place but also in the entire Borno State.
"The Governor very much appreciates the urge of the media to inform the public about happenings not only in Borno State but everywhere in the world given the fact that the public has a right to know and they ought to be informed. However, he feels ‎the Nigerian is very competent enough to deploy means by which comprehensive and accurate information can be gotten. The Governor appreciates that both the media and Government at all levels, are working in unusual ways given the nature of the unfortunate insurgency attacks  that have remained persistent in some parts of Borno State. He knows and understands the difficulty but at the same time, he calls for patience at all times so that collectively, the media and government can in giving out information, be sure of exactly what happened, how it happened, when and who is or are involved. Governor Shettima stands by those who have been affected and shares their pains and those of their families even as we await the outcome of enquiries going on, hoping, the outcome will be as soon as possible, without compromising accuracy of information. Governor Shettima once again expresses profound appreciation to the Nigerian and International media for their very critical support which has no doubt been very helpful in the circumstance. The Governor is hopeful that the schoolgirls abducted in Chibok will by the intervention of God, be rescued and so will those recently affected, if ongoing enquiries confirm reports about the unfortunate incident.
"Governor Shettima assures the citizens of Borno State, other Nigerians and the International community that his administration is working very hard, doing all it can and should do, collaborating actively with relevant bodies both the military and community members, to find a lasting solution to the crisis that has been a big thorn in the Governor's flesh. Part of the measures being taken are yielding fruitful results that aim at enhancing security of lives and property in the State. Peace has been relatively achieved in major towns and peace will by God's grace, be achieved, in the entire State within the shortest possible time. The Governor deeply appreciates the patriotic efforts of citizens who have been helping with useful information to counter the unfortunate situation in the State and calls on all good citizens to remain resolute in that regard. Our peace and security, we should always remember, begins with what we tell appropriate institutions that are lawfully established to protect us."

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Gunmen Kill 49 In Attacks In Kaduna, Delta

No fewer than 38 persons have been killed in attacks on two villages in Sanga local government area of Kaduna State in the early hours of today. This is even as dare-devil armed robbers hijacked a bank bullion van in Asaba, Delta state where they killed 11 persons including four policemen escorting the bullion van. Sanga local government Chairman, Emmanuel Adamu who confirmed the number of those killed in media interviews today, said the attack started at about 10pm local time on Monday and lasted till the early hours of Tuesday. According to him “The attack lasted for several hours claiming the lives of 21 people at Kabamu village and 17 at Ankpong village.” He condoled the affected families and appealed to people of the local government to remain calm as security measures were being put in place to forestall a re-occurrence. While reacting to the incident, the State Police Command however said the casualty figure was not up to 38.  According to the state police spokesman, Aminu Lawan "I am not aware of any incident in Sanga where such a number of people were killed."  Residents however said the attacks were carried out by Fulani herdsmen and confirmed the casualty figure given by the Council boss. Meanwhile, armed robbers also today unleashed terror at Ubulu-Okiti along the Benin-Asaba expressway in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State killing four policemen and seven civilians before carting away huge sums of money being conveyed in a bullion van from Agbor in Ika South local council area to the head office of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Asaba, the state capital. According to sources, the robbers numbering about 15 rode in two vehicles and were dressed in red T-shirts and faz caps. Spokesman of the Delta State Police Command, Celestina Kalu while confirming the robbery attack, Feigned ignorance of any casualty in the attack but added that  those injured were receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. “Yes, there was a robbery incident this afternoon when armed robbers ran into our men after robbing a bullion van coming from Agbor. They met our men while escaping after attacking the bullion van. I do not have record about any death as a result of the incident. What I have is that our men were injured and they have been taken to the hospital for medical attention. Even the civilians that were injured have been taken to the hospital as well”, she stated.    

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How Security Operatives Barred Governors From APC Rally In Ekiti

Efforts by some All Progressives Party (APC) governors to attend the party’s mega rally in support of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi’s re-election was frustrated on Thursday by armed security operatives who halted their movement to Ado-Ekiti, citing orders from above. The mega rally which was the APC final rally for the Saturday’s governorship election took place at the newly constructed State Pavillion, in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. The APC governors that were prevented by the security operatives from attending the event are Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi; Governor Rabiu Musa Kwakwaso of Kano; Governor Aliyu Wammakko of Sokoto and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo. While Governor Amaechi’s plane landed at the Akure Airport, he was prevented from entering Ekiti State as he was stopped at Iju, a border town in Ondo State. He returned to Lagos by road after about five hours delay at the spot as the security operatives insisted they had orders from above to ensure he does not enter Ekiti. The armed security operatives rebuffed entreaty from some APC chieftains who pleaded with the soldiers to allow the governor into the state to attend the rally which is within the provision of the Electoral Law. His aircraft was however grounded at the Akure Airport following a ‘fresh order’ barring any plane from landing and taking off from the airport. The aircraft conveying the duo of Governors Kwankwaso and Wammakko was prevented from landing at the Akure Airport, while Edo State Governor, Comrade  Oshiomhole was   prevented from taking off from the Benin Airport. The security operatives that prevented Governor Amaechi were said to have cleared the road for the duo of Minister of State for Defence, Mr Musiliu Obanikoro and his Police affairs counterpart, Jelili Adesiyan, to continue with their journey to Ekiti State. Condemning the development, Governor Fayemi and other APC leaders at the mega rally, described it as a descent to dictatorship, urging Nigerians to resist moves by the federal government to use security operatives to undermine governors and  subvert the will of the citizens. “A situation where State Governors and other citizens can no longer move freely in the country is highly condemnable. This is the height of intolerance. What has happened to freedom of movement, freedom of association, freedom of expression and  freedom of choice, which are well entrenched in the constitution of the country?”, they queried.

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Atiku Warns Against Impunity, Says Nigeria Sliding Into Police State

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned the federal government against turning the country into a police state following the restrictions placed on the way of some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and party members, to attend the campaign rally for their Ekiti State counterpart today.

 A press statement from the media office of the former Vice President noted that the action of the PDP-led federal government in stopping the governors of Kano, Rivers and Edo from attending the APC governorship campaign rally in Ado-Ekiti, in a Gestapo-like manner is capable of turning Nigeria into a Banana Republic where fundamental rights of citizens are trampled upon with impunity.

 The Turaki Adamawa was particularly miffed at the way the federal government has been dragging the military and police into politics warning "the government must stop instigating state security agents paid from tax payers money against helpless, hapless and law abiding Nigerians."

 The APC top chieftain who promised at the party's recent national convention that he would lead the vanguard to unseat the Jonathan administration he described as inept and incompetent, enjoined "our gallant military men should remain focused on securing and protecting the territorial integrity of our great nation, especially in this time of terror attacks and insurgency across the country."
 Atiku also reminded Nigerians "a government that deprives its citizens from access to jobs and education as manifested by the on-going closure of some tertiary institutions, such as polytechnics, to be shut for nearly a year, has alienated itself from the masses and will definitely suffer the repercussion at the polls, use of force or not."

 He stressed that the only viable alternative to the PDP-led government is the APC, which he said, "is a prescription for socio-political peace, progress, equity, security, unity and national development."

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Abuja Court Stops House Of Reps From Probing Petroleum Minister Alison-Madueke Over N10b Scam

Efforts by the House of Representatives to probe how Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke spent over N10 billion of public funds to hire jets for personal pleasure suffered a temporary setback today as Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of the  Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the federal lawmakers to stop the investigation. Justice Ramat Mohammed gave the order at the resumed hearing of the legal action instituted by the Minister against the House of Representatives and the Senate to stop  the plan by the House Committee on Public Accounts to carry out the probe on June 25, 26 and 27. Counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr. Etigwe Uwa (SAN) had asked the court for a preservative order pending the hearing of the substantive suit. He had urged the court to make the order, alleging that a letter dated May 23, 2014, by the House Committee on Public Accounts, inviting his clients for the probe, constituted a disrespect for the court. The plaintiffs are in their substantive suit, asking the court to declare that the National Assembly and the House of Representatives, who are the two defendants in the suit, lack the power to summon them without the consent of President Goodluck Jonathan. The judge in his ruling said the Committee on Public Accounts had no genuine reason to continue the probe on June 25, 26 and 27, 2014, having been aware of the pending suit seeking an order to restrain them from carrying out the investigation. He said the filing of the suit did not amount to usurping the legislative power of the National Assembly as the House Committee had argued in its letter. “The court has inherent power and the duty to intervene to protect its integrity in determining its processes; and the second defendant is bent on interrupting the processes filed in this suit. I hereby direct parties to maintain status quo in the matter from now till the next adjourned date when the matter will be heard,” the judge said. Justice Mohammed said the House of Representatives, in its letter, portrayed itself as if it could not be sued in court, adding that the court was created by section 6(1) of the constitution and given the judicial powers in section 6(6)(b) of the same constitution to determine “disputes between persons or between governments and between governments and persons”. The judge, who quoted the letter of invitation sent to the plaintiffs in his ruling, also dismissed the contention of the House that the suit filed by Alison-Madueke and others amounted to a usurpation of its legislative power. His words: “In fact the quoted portion of the second defendant’s (House of Representatives) letter is simply saying that the suit before this court is an usurpation of its powers under the constitution. The second defendant went as far as calling the conduct of this suit ridiculous and disrepute. “The House of Representatives, [2nd defendants] have issued a second letter to the plaintiff inviting her to appear before its Public Accounts Committee. In the said letter of invitation, the House of Representatives  said it derived its powers from section 4 of the 1999 constitution adding that such powers cannot be usurped by anybody or agent of government as such usurpation would bring the House into great disrepute and ridicule. “Now the 2nd defendant is bent on proceeding with the probe even when it is not only aware of the matter in court but also sent a legal representation. While agreeing that the House is acting within its constitutional powers, where any of its powers is challenged in court, the court can intervene and is so empowered by the provisions of section 6 [1] and [b] of the 1999 constitution. “This provision of the constitution gives the court the powers to determine dispute between persons, government and its agencies and I have not seeing or come across any law that says the National Assembly cannot be sued in court. “No institution should be restrained from carrying its constitutional duties but where in this case, the defendant is aware of the pendency of this case but desires to proceed with the issue before the court, the court has inherent powers to intervene. “Accordingly, I hereby order that all parties should maintain status quo pending the hearing of the suit which is adjourned to July 3, 2014. While I agree that the legislature has constitutional powers to exercise, I cannot, however, agree that where any of the powers of the legislature is being challenged in the court of law, the court should turn its back to the plaintiff for the fear of being accused of usurping the legislative power of the National Assembly.” Counsel for the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Sadauki had earlier urged the court to refuse the application for an interim order insisting that it would amount to determining the relief of the plaintiffs in the substantive suit. He also refused to give an undertaking as requested by the plaintiffs’ counsel that the probe would be stopped pending the determination of the suit, stressing “I cannot stand here and give an undertaking that an arm of government will not carry out its constitutional duty.”

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