Month: October 2018

2019 ELECTIONS : Senate committee approves Buhari’s N242bn virement request

Emporium Reporters

The Senate Committee on Appropriation has approved President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for the virement of N242 billion under the 2018 Appropriation Act to conduct the 2019 general elections. Chairman of the committee, Sen. Danjuma Goje, who stated this at the committees meeting on Wednesday, said the decision would be laid before the full house for consideration at plenary on Thursday. Goje said the decision to approve the president’s request was informed by the urgent need for funds by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to begin preparations for the polls.…

KILLINGS: Matters Arising From the Plateau

Emporium Reporters

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, is compelled to express its shock and stupefaction on the tragic bloodbath and savagery emanating for the umpteenth time from Plateau State. Formerly a haven of peace and a pride to the nation, Plateau State, especially the three Local Government Areas of Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South, has relapsed into a state of anomie, a condition of intermittent, internecine and seemingly intractable violence.   At…

Nigerian traders in Ghana petition Buhari over locked shops … As Abike Dabiri calls for Calm

Emporium Reporters

Delegations of National Association of Nigerian Traders in Ghana (NANTS) and Nigerian Union of Traders Association, Ghana (NUTAG) on Tuesday stormed Abuja to protest continuous locking of over 400 Nigerian shops in Ghana by the Ghanaian authority.   The petition which was addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari was received by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora in Abuja.   Presenting the petition, Barr. Ken Ukaoha, NANTS President-General, lamented that the discrimination against Nigerian traders in Ghana dated back to 2007 when they…

Lessons from the Ambode gamble By Louis Odion, FNGE

Emporium Reporters

Like Poenix in the storybook, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos seems on the rebound after political cruxifixion at the APC Golgotha. In his post-defeat broadcast last Wednesday, grace and sobriety had replaced the bile and bitterness in his tongue only three days earlier when he thrust a blunt dagger at the jugular of Jide Sanwo-Olu, his opponent to the ticket for the 2019 governorship. The voice we heard in that speech was no longer of a rebel, but a penitent covered in ashes and sackcloth at the party altar. His…

Saraki Pays Tribute to Baba Sala

Emporium Reporters

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has expressed sadness over the death of ace comedian and actor, Moses Olaiya Adejumo, popularly known as Baba Sala. Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, described the late comedian as a prolific artiste who contributed immensely to the development of the nation’s movie industry in particular and arts and culture in general, during his lifetime. Saraki said: “Baba Sala was a legend who through dint of hard work, tenacity and creative inventiveness,…

APC SENATORS MEET OVER SARAKI AS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY RESUMES …Atiku, others move to save NASS leaders

Emporium Reporters

Some senators of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had an emergency meeting last night over the fate of Senate President Bukola Saraki, Daily Trust reports. The senators, it was gathered, met at a location in Abuja to decide on how to go about the removal of the Senate President following his defection from the ruling APC to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Although details of the meeting could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that the senators debated seriously on Saraki with…

IBB Disowns Social Media Account

Emporium Reporters

The former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has disowned a purported Twitter handle “General ibbro.” A statement from General Babangida media office said that the former military ruler does not have or operate any social media platform. The media office also denied a claim that said General Babangida used one of the social media platform to make political statement . The statement said ” We would like to state categorically that, the said messages that occupied social media and online press are views of ‘Fake and unreliable individuals’, therefore…

Fayose Threatens To Dump PDP

Emporium Reporters

The outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has threatened to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the National Convention held on Saturday in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. Punch reports that the governor hinted the paper’s correspondent on Monday that he would renounce his “membership of the PDP anytime from now.” He added, “After consultations, I will speak clearly to Nigerians”

APC PRIMARIES: GOV SANI-BELLO CALLS FOR CALM …Distance Self From Automatic Ticket for NASS Members

Emporium Reporters
Gov Sani Bello

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello has enjoined contestants, their supporters and stakeholders in the just concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in the state to remain calm and peaceful. Governor Sani-Bello in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, assured all stakeholders of peaceful resolution of the outcome of the primaries elections in the state. The Governor noted that the adoption of direct primaries system in the state was aimed at providing level playing field for all aspirants, creating opportunities for participation by party…

Saraki Congratulates Atiku, Lauds PDP, Members for Sucessful Convention

Emporium Reporters

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has congratulated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, for emerging as the Presidential flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the just concluded national convention of the party held in Port Harcourt. Saraki in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu also commended the delegates to the convention and members of the organizing committee, led by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, for holding a convention in which a candidate was elected in a free, fair,…