Saraki has disclosed why he met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo

Senate President, Bukola Saraki has disclosed why he met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo  behind closed doors.

Saraki, speaking to newsmen after the meeting on Monday evening, said he was with Obasanjo to make up for his absence during the formal inauguration of the Presidential library held last year.

He said: ”You know I missed the official opening of the library and that is why I have decided to come and see the place and honestly it is beautiful we are very proud of what he has done here”.

When newsmen further questioned him on the crisis in the National Assembly and when the lawmakers will reconvene, Saraki kept mum and hurriedly entered his vehicle.

The meeting between both leaders held at the former President’s pent house, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta

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Senators Welcome Saraki At National Assembly After DSS Invasion

Wild jubilation erupted at the National Assembly after the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki entered the complex this afternoon after DSS invasion earlier in the day.

Saraki greeted the Senators and members of the House of Representatives of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP who have been laying siege at the entrance of the Senate and House of Representatives chambers.

The lawmakers while welcoming Saraki, also chanted songs of praises as show of solidarity.

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Helicopter Gunships, Fighter Aircraft Are Still Deployed To Zamfara State

In compliance with the directives of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed additional troops and air assets along with necessary ground support equipment and logistics facilities to Katsina and Gusau in support of anti-armed banditry operations in the North West..

The deployment began on 29 July 2018 with the NAF C-130H aircraft airlifting required logistics in preparation for the commencement of OPERATION DIRAN MIKIYA, which commenced earlier on Tuesday, 31 July 2018.

The intensive air operation is aimed at seeking out, pursuing and destroying elements engaged in banditry in Zamfara State and environs.

Speaking after launching the Operation, the new Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Special Operations Command (SOC), Air Vice Marshal Samson Akpasa, stated that fighter aircraft, helicopter gunships as well as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms alongside necessary equipment and personnel had been deployed for the conduct of OPERATION DIRAN MIKIYA.

He noted that the Operation, which was being conducted in close coordination with other security agencies, would be executed with precision and high intensity to quickly degrade the armed bandits and pave way for the return of normalcy in the affected areas.

He emphasized that “there would be no hiding place for the armed bandits” as the NAF would be employing all the means at its disposal to detect the movement and locations of the armed bandits.

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PDP welcomes Saraki, Ahmed back ‘home’

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has welcomed the Senate president, Bukola Saraki and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed back to the party.
The duo announced their exit from the ruling party, All Progressive Congress(APC), on Tuesday.

While Ahmed said he was returning to the PDP, which he dumped prior the 2015 general elections, Saraki did not state if he is returning to the PDP.

However, the opposition party has taken its official Twitter account to welcome Saraki and Ahmed back to the party.

“The President of the Nigerian Senate @SPNigeria @NGRSenate Senator Bukola Saraki @bukolasaraki has also dumped the failed and dysfunctional @OfficialAPCNg and has returned to the PDP. @OfficialPDPNig. We welcome him back home,” the PDP said in a post on Twitter.

“The Executive Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed has also dumped the failed and dysfunctional @OfficialAPCNg and has returned to the @OfficialPDPNig. We welcome him back to the PDP family. More are coming,” PDP added

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US reaffirms refusal to accept Russia annexing Crimea

The US government said Wednesday it will not accept Russia’s annexation of the Crimea region from Ukraine, a declaration apparently aimed at highlighting President Donald Trump’s intent to hold the Kremlin accountable for its aggression.
“In concert with allies, partners, and the international community, the United States rejects Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea and pledges to maintain this policy until Ukraine’s territorial integrity is restored,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.
The declaration was released just one hour before Pompeo testifies to Congress about US-Russia ties following Trump’s controversial closed-door summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

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David Cameron In Nigeria to tackle Other Events In History

Here is a rundown of what happened in the past, on this day:

2010
Conrad develops a vaginal gel containing Gilead Science Inc.’s AIDS drug Viread. In a trial in South Africa, scientists announce that the gel has reduced HIV infections by 54%.

2010
A pipeline explosion causes the closure of one of China’s biggest ports, Dalian. The government say that 1,500 tons of oil were spilled.

2010
Two Pakistani Christian brothers are killed after being accused of blasphemy by alleged Pakistani Muslims.

2010
The mastermind behind a cyber malicious software code, Mariposa botnet, is arrested in Slovenia. The software, which steals credit card information, has affected 12 million computers.


2011
Harvard University student of ethics, Aaron Schwartz, is charged with hacking into the MIT computer network to intentions of stealing over 4.5 million academic articles from JSTOR.

2011
NASA releases the first image of the asteroid Vesta shot from its Dawn spacecraft.

2011
David Cameron, Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron is on a visit to Nigeria. He hopes to push the message of trade and democracy.

2011
Muslim and Christian in Jos, Nigeria have engaged in a clash that has left five people dead and 12 injured.

2011
Over 15,000 people are joined together in holy matrimony in Indonesia. Their intention is to receive free marriage certificates.

2012
A Chinese and an Australian man, who are part of an international drug syndicate, are arrested when drugs worth $133 million (N20,969,445,000) were seized.

2012
China indicates interest in offering $20 billion (N3,153,300,000,000) worth of loans to Africa.

2013
Zimbabwe’s first independent television station, 1st TV, goes on air. For 30 years, President Robert Mugabe has held monopoly over the media.

2014
Forbes Media agrees to sell a majority stake to Asian investors. Forbes is worth $475 million (N78,300,425,000).

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Police intimidation worrisome – Fayose cries out

Gov. Ayo Fayose has again raised the alarm that police intimidation of himself, his family, and Ekiti workers has continued unabated days after the Saturday, July 14th governorship election.

According to a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the Governor said that the police had kept a permanent surveillance over the Government House.

They continue to fly helicopters over the Government House and Governor’s Office in a way that compromises the safety and well-being of residents and workers.

Fayose said that the helicopter flies so low that it runs the risk of crashing into high-rise buildings and masts within the premises.

The Governor stated further that, “the noise pollution this causes is enough irritation. This brazen show of naked force and abuse of power is as ungodly as it is undemocratic

“If the security forces belong to all Nigerians and not to President Muhammadu Buhari and APC, it should not be biased in this blatant manner

“It is unprofessional of the security forces to allow themselves be this debased, running APC errands when they are funded with resources that belong to all of us.

“They are obligated by the Constitution to be apolitical and not willing tools in the hands of the powers-that-be

“Once again, I say I will not be intimidated. I will stand on my feet until every injustice is upturned and the freedom and liberties of our people are restored

“The thief runneth when no one pursueth. They are afraid of their shadows”, he added.

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Blackface Sues by 2face Idibia For N50 Million Over Writer Of 'African Queen' (document below)

Looks Like The Beef Between 2face and Blackface just got serious, as the Singer just Throw a N50million lawsuit on his former friend Blackface, Remember the former duos have being fighting on media over the original owner of #Africanqueen which was sang by 2face..

Blackface had accused 2baba that he stole the song from him after he wrote, And refused giving him credit, however 2face denied it and even released a song beefing him...

Now, as of this evening Blackface just shared a screenshot of lawsuit filed by 2face concerning the saga..

See below!

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BREAKING: Buhari orders repatriation of Nigerians stranded in Russia

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the repatriation of Nigerians stranded in Russia after the World Cup.

Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, disclosed this on Monday following reports of scores of Nigerians who travelled for the World Cup but were unable to leave, having discovered that they were swindled.

Shehu said the President has directed Geoffrey Onyeama, minister of foreign affairs and Hadi Sirika, minister of state for aviation, to commence the process of repatriating the Nigerians.

The directive, according to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, is in line with the current administration’s policy to ensure the welfare of Nigerians in every part of the world.

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Saraki Betrayed APC, He's A Traitor & A Double Agent - Yekini Nabena:

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Yekini Nabena, has described Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, as a double agent.

In a statement he personally signed, Nabena challenged Sen. Saraki to declare where he belongs in the current realignments going on in the APC.

Nabena said that though he is free to associate with whomsoever he chooses, he must do so in accordance with the rules of the game, and not try to destroy the party.

He further accused the senate president of betraying the trust of the party by sponsoring rebellion within it, arguing that he learnt nothing from his original betrayal of APC in 2015, when he emerged senate president against the wishes of the party and through manipulative processes that denied the party its right to produce the deputy senate president.

“In recent times, there have been attempts to discredit the leadership of the APC and the Federal Government it controls by a roguish alliance of forces within and outside the party.

“The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has loomed large in this scheme. Saraki has never hidden his sympathy for those who have launched a vicious attack on the APC, a party that gave both him and the nascent mudslingers the platform on which they ply their political careers.

“The APC is not averse to dissenting positions. But we reject deceit in every shade or form. Saraki must declare now where he belongs, whether he is for APC or other political interests.

“He cannot serve God and mammon. He cannot play hide-and-seek. He cannot hide behind his fingers. We are aware that a number of Saraki’s aides and close allies have left APC for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“For example, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje has returned to his former home in PDP; Saraki’s Chief of Staff, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed has withdrawn his membership from APC.

“We are also not unaware of the fact that Saraki is the brawn and the brains of the so-called Reformed All Progressives Congress (rAPC).

“The senate president’s current activities are a betrayal of his position at the last national convention of APC, where he urged the new leadership of the party to carry everyone along in the effort to improve the party and enhance its chances ahead of the impending political contests in the country.

“When he made those comments, we had thought he was sincere and that he would follow through his counsel. But, alas, we were wrong.

“It is clear that Saraki has not learnt any lessons from his initial betrayal of APC in 2015, when he traded off the party’s right to produce the deputy senate president for his selfish ambition of becoming the senate president.

“APC is a democratic institution and Saraki is free to make choices in accordance with the laws of the country. But he cannot continue to take members of APC for a ride.

“Politics is based on trust. Saraki has betrayed the trust reposed on him by the party. If he wants to leave APC, let him leave peacefully, and not try to destroy a house that gave him accommodation when he needed it most. His current attitude can only be the action of a traitor or a double agent,” the statement read.

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Assemblies of God pastor arrested over alleged prophecy against Gov. Okorocha

Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have arrested a pastor in the Assemblies of God Church in Owerri, Chukwuma Okezuo, for allegedly giving prophecies against the state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, during a church service.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, parading the cleric before newsmen on Tuesday, accused him of prophesying during last Sunday’s church service in the Urratta area of Owerri.

The pastor was said to have in his prophecy accused the governor of recruiting young boys in the state with the sole aim of kidnapping children between zero and 10 years for ritual purposes.

The police spokesperson said “The pastor prophesied that Governor Okorocha was allegedly engaging in the ritual exercises towards the 2019 governorship election in the state.

“I parade before you one acclaimed pastor, Chukwuma Okezuo, of Assemblies of God Church. He was arrested during a church service last Sunday at Owaelu Urratta over false prophecies against the person of the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.

“The suspect, while on the pulpit, made false prophecies against the governor that he was recruiting young boys to be kidnapping children between zero and 10 years for ritual purposes.

“He falsely prophesied that the governor was engaging in the ritual purposes with the sole aim of winning the 2019 governorship election and therefore asked the congregation to pray.

“This false prophecy, by this acclaimed pastor, is very malicious and capable of causing rancour, panic, anxiety and disintegrating the state. The Imo State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, Mr Dasuki Galandanchi, will not watch the people jeopardise the peace of the state.

“Religious leaders should be mindful of the things they say. We will charge the suspect to court for legal action,” he said.

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Nigerian newspapers: 10 things you need to know this Wednesday morning

Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:
1. The Imo State House of Assembly has begun proceedings to impeach the Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere. Madumere is being accused by the lawmakers of gross misconduct. In a petition submitted by the Deputy Speaker, Nnanna Ozuruigbo and signed by 13 of the 27 members of the Assembly, the Deputy Governor was accused of abandoning his office for more than three months without permission.

2. Heavy security was on Tuesday mounted in every corner of Ado-Ekiti as President Muhammadu Buhari led top-notchers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Ekiti state for the grand finale of the party’s rally for Saturday’s governorship election in the state. Reports say that it was not easy for people with no direct relevance to the rally to enter the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, as thorough search and scrutiny were carried out by security personnel.

3. France defender, Samuel Umtiti on Tuesday night put his side ahead of Belgium in the 2018 World Cup semi-final fixtures at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Russia. The Barcelona star scored a header in the 51 minutes to give the Les Blues a 1-0 victory over the Roberto Martinez’s men, hence securing their place in the finals of the competition.

4. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and human rights activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome has accused the Federal Government of paying lip services in its fight against corruption. He alleged that those in the ruling All Progressives Congress involved in one corrupt practice or the other were handled as sacred cows. Ozekhome also called for a radical overhauling of the institutional structures so as to enable democracy to thrive in the country.

5. The Federal High Court in Minna, Niger State, has ordered the interim forfeiture of some assets owned by former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu. Report has it that the forfeited assets comprised two duplex houses in Minna, a farmland with 12 chalets and four resort buildings at Birgi Minna, and the sum of N57m. The EFCC is claiming that the assets were proceeds of crimes the former governor was being prosecuted for.

6. Spanish giants, Real Madrid have announced that Cristiano Ronaldo will leave the club in favour of continuing his career with Serie A side, Juventus. The Liga said this in an official statement. He is joining the club in a transfer fee of £100m. The Italian club is also paying €12m in ancillary fees.

7. A University of Ilorin law graduate who was last year denied being called to the Nigerian Bar, Miss Firdaus Amasa has now been called to bar. She was called to Bar with her Hijab on Tuesday in Abuja, the nation’s capital along with other colleagues.

8. The Presidency on Tuesday described the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, between the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, R-APC and 38 other political parties as a coalition of corrupt people. Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, on her Twitter page, stated that the coalition formed against Buhari was full of “partakers and defenders of corruption”.

9. The All Progressives Congress, APC, has called on its aggrieved members to take advantage of its window of reconciliation to have their grievances addressed by the party’s leadership. The party made the call in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Tuesday in Abuja, and said that its leadership was committed to reconciling “genuinely aggrieved” members.

10. Over 50 People were reported to have been killed in fresh attacks on Monday night in several border communities in Adamawa and Taraba states. The attacks were allegedly carried out by Fulani herdsmen against farming communities around Gojefa, Bujum Yashi, Bujum Waya, Sabonlayi and Bujum Kasuwa villages in the Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

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Atiku Talkks on ‘stealing’ public funds, reveals what Obasanjo would have done

Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President, has maintained that he never stole money while in government.

The Waziri of Adamawa, who was the number two man during the administration of former president Olusegun Obasanjo, said his ex-boss would have exposed him if he had stolen “government money.”

Abubakar made this disclosure while speaking with a veteran journalist, Dele Momodu.

He also declared that he was prepared to travel to the United States, US, if the country’s diplomatic authorities approve his application for visa.

Abubakar said he applied for visa at the U.S Embassy but was not granted.

He said Nigerian youth are being hoodwinked by the antics of his detractors, but acknowledged their boldness in challenging him over the U.S. visa baggage and other politically-toxic issues around his ambition.

“The youth have every right to ask and be answered convincingly. The youth of today are confident and bold. No leader can treat them as nobody.

“But in my case, they have been lied to about Atiku and fed with a lot of propaganda.

“If America says come today, I will board the flight and go there soonest.

“I applied to America for visa which was not granted. A man who is afraid of being arrested won’t go near the American Embassy, it is simple logic,” Abubakar said.

He continued, “If America says come today, I will board the flight and go there soonest. Perhaps, America was fed with lies about me. It is normal in politics. The Indian and Kenyan leaders could not visit America at a time. America is not like Nigeria where we convict people on the pages of newspapers.

“I have thrown the challenge repeatedly that anyone who has any corrupt charges against me should come forward. I never stole government money. Do you think President Obasanjo would not have exposed me if there was any such act of stealing?”

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APC chairmen attack Dogara over move to impeach Buhari

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Chairmen of Bogoro, Tafawa Balewa and Dass local governments areas of Bauchi State have slammed the Speaker of the House of Representative, Yakubu Dogara for his alleged involvement in the plot to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari.

Haruna Rikaya, Wakili Amadi and Zubairu Musa who addressed a joint Press Conference at the NUJ Secretariat, Bauchi, said the Speaker’s act was selfish and not in the interest of the constituents whom he represents.

According to them, Dogara had since the last election been at loggers head with the State Governor Mohammed Abubakar even as the party intensifies efforts to reconcile them.

“The Speaker is now indulging in an action capable of not only destabilizing the party but overheating the polity

“Aside the alleged plot to impeach the President, the APC chieftains expressed dismay over Dogara’s failure to show up at the recent wards, local governments and States Congresses conducted by the party in the State ‘without any excuses

“If Buhari could go to Daura to witness the conduct of his ward’s Congress despite his busy schedules, why can’t the speaker come to Bogoro, his local government of origin? Queried Bogoro APC Chairman Haruna Rikaya,” they said.

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8 Edo Indigenes Who Arrived Nigeria From Spain This Morning, Die In Accident

An accident which occurred this morning by 8:30am at the Wictech stretch of the Lagos – Ibadan expressway about two km away from Danco filling station, reportedly claimed the lives of Eight persons, five males and three females, all believed to be Edo indigenes.

The late Edo indigenes who arrived the country from Spain this morning, had chartered the bus marked BEN 313 YX on the fleet of Iyare Motors and were going to Benin City for an engagement, when the accident happened.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of TRACE, Babatunde Akinbiyi, said the driver of the speeding hummer bus ram into the rear of a truck marked MUS 730 XN in bids to overtake it. According to him, seven of the victims died at the accident scene while one other died later. Their remains have been deposited at the morgue of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu where two others rescued alive, were also receiving treatment.

The Nation reported that operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps(TRACE) were sighted evacuating victims, clearing obstructions and directing traffic.

We reported on Sunday that thirteen persons, including seven members of the same family, died in two separate road accidents in Enugu and Niger states.  In Enugu State, a Toyota Carina  E car with registration no CM 960 FKJ conveying a family and a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number ENU 75YY belonging to a mass transit company collided.

Seven family members and one other person died in a road accident which occurred at Ugwu Onyeama on the Onitsha-Enugu axis yesterday morning. The police spokesman in Enugu State, SP Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the incident in a statement issued yesterday. He said following the accident, men of the Traffic Division of the Central Police Station Enugu were alerted and they responded promptly.

In Niger State, five people died in the accident along Minna-Suleja road between Lambata/Kwakuti communities, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said.  The Sector Commander, Yusuf Garba, said the accident involved a white BMW with registration BWR 264 SR and Scana truck with registration number ISR 16 XU.

He attributed the accident to over speeding and dangerous overtaking; adding motorists should always obey speed limits as prescribed by the law and also install speed devise in their vehicles to check over speeding.

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June 12 is Democracy Day, Buhari declares

• Says MKO Abiola won 1993 election
• Govt confers national honours on Abiola, Kingibe, Fawehinmi
• Too late, says Afenifere
• Mark of desperation, affirms PDP
President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola won the 1993 presidential elections but was denied the office by the then Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.Coming eight days (May 29) after the country celebrated Democracy Day, Buhari announced, yesterday, that the anniversary would henceforth be marked on June 12 in honour of the late philanthropist.

Babangida annulled the results of the election widely believed to have been free and fair. Abiola died while struggling to actualise the mandate.Buhari said Abiola would be conferred with the nation’s highest honour, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), reserved exclusively for Nigeria’s presidents.His running mate in the election, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, would be conferred with the second highest honour, the Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON) alongside Nigeria’s foremost pro-democracy activist, the late Gani Fawehinmi.

In a statement, last night, Buhari said: “For the past 18 years, Nigerians have been celebrating May 29, as Democracy Day. That was the date when for the second time in our history, an elected civilian administration took over from a military government.“The first time this happened was on October 21, 1979. But in the view of Nigerians, as shared by this administration, June 12, 1993, was far more symbolic of democracy in the Nigerian context than May 29 or even October 1.

“June 12, 1993 was the day when Nigerians in millions expressed their democratic will in what was undisputedly the freest, fairest and most peaceful election since our Independence. The fact that the then military government did not uphold the outcome of that election does not distract from the democratic credentials of that process.

“Accordingly, after due consultations, the Federal Government has decided that henceforth, June 12 will be celebrated as Democracy Day.“Therefore, government has decided to award, posthumously, the highest honour of the land, GCFR, to the late Chief M.K.O Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 cancelled elections. His running mate as vice president, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, is also to be invested with a GCON. Furthermore, the tireless fighter for human rights and the actualisation of the June 12 elections and indeed for democracy in general, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi is to be awarded the GCON.

“The investiture will take place on Tuesday June 12, 2018, a date which in future years will replace May 29 as a national public holiday in celebration of Nigeria’s Democracy Day.”

Reacting, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, spokesman for Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, said: “Even though we understand that election season is near and the government is doing everything possible to woo the people to its side, the fact President Buhari was humble enough to declare June 12 as Democracy Day is a welcome development.”

The Leader of Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, said: “I think Abiola deserves more than this.” Asked about the timeliness, he said: “This one is too late. Buhari is only trying to please Nigerians because he knew his popularity has waned, as the next general election is approaching.“On the other hand, what is Buhari looking at in the last three years since he became president, considering the fact that Abiola died almost 20 years ago, and we have also been shouting that he (Abiola) should be honoured.”

President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, said the government’s proclamation is victory for all who participated in the pro-democracy struggle. He, however, questioned the essence, calling on the administration to sit up.He added: “Mere declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day is not enough. Abiola should be declared president posthumously and all necessary entitlements given to his family.”

The Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yoruba land, Otunba Gani Adams, noted: “This is one of the best decisions President Buhari has taken since he came to power three years ago. But one more thing we demand from him before the 2019 general election is the restructuring of Nigeria to true federalism. If Mr. President can be bold enough to do this, his name would be written in gold in the nation’s history.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, said: “It is a sign of political desperation for President Buhari to seek to use Chief Abiola’s name as a tool to sway Nigerians in less than 12 months to an election where he (Buhari) is seeking a second term.”It is shocking that the respectable grave of Abiola can be dishonoured by granting a posthumous award to him along with someone who denounced the June 12 mandate and preferred the company of his (Abiola’s) traducers.

“If President Buhari genuinely wants to honour Chief Abiola, he should do so by ending all anti-democratic proclivities of his administration and allow for the rule of law and respect for our constitution.“The PDP, therefore, urges President Buhari to shed his desperate actions in his quest to win the 2019 presidential election, as Nigerians can no longer be deceived by such antics.”

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Threats to impeach Buhari joke of the century – Eze, ex-nPDP spokesman

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze a chieftain of the All Progressoves Congress and erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) has described the threat by members of the National Assembly to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari as a joke of the century

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, Eze expressed dismay over the purported cancellation of the well advertised meeting of the group with the Presidency and the leadership the APC earlier slated for June 2, at the eleventh hour without recourse or notice to both the Presidency and leadership of the party based on the assumed persecution of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

He said, “For my friend and brother, Alh.Kawu Baraje to reduce the activities of a national body like the nPDP to the politics of Kwara State or issues revolving around the Senate President is to some of us from other States and regions of this country as most unkind, regrettable, unfortunate and unacceptable” Eze said.

“As much as I sympathize with my leader the Senate President, Dr Saraki over whatever ordeal he is presently facing, let me reiterate that some of us didn’t join or assist this body to gain relevance in the politics of Nigeria so that we can be protected or excluded from any investigation based on some of our past or present deeds.

“We joined this force (nPDP) in order for us to join other progressives to rescue our nation from the hands of some misguided politicians who were hell-bent on looting our common patrimony with impunity and not to be considered as people above the law. For a national body like the nPDP to call off a sensitive meeting with the Presidency on a mere allegation on one of our leaders is a plot to reduce our political structure to a pressure group void of ideals and principles fighting for the selfishness and rights of few of us instead of assisting the government to find solutions to most of the myriad of challenges currently facing the nation.”

He pleaded with Alh. Kawu Baraje and leaders of the group to henceforth stop acting in such a childish manner that makes the body look foolish and unpatriotic before Nigerians that we sacrificed our lives to serve.

“This advice becomes imperative as those suggesting that we leave the APC are only plotting to dig their political graves and become a laughing stock before Nigerians and the International community.”

Eze further described the ten point agenda by the National Assembly which if President Buhari fails to implement will lead to his impeachment as clownish, laughable, childish and joke of the century.

“It is a pity that a body like the National Assembly that ought to be partners in progress and assisting the Presidency in her efforts to restore sanity into our polity is the one trying to constitute itself as an obstacle to the wheel of progress of the nation but they can be rest assured that patriotic Nigerians will not allow them to succeed.

“The fact remains that President Buhari is on top of most of the issues raised by the National Assembly, what he needs at the moment is the collaboration and cooperation of both members of the National Assembly and Nigerians in tackling both the security and other challenges facing our dear nation and not unwarranted threat of impeachment,” he said.

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Offa roberry: Saraki says he is ready to honour police invitation

Senate President Bukola Saraki has said he will honour The Nigerian Police’s invitation over his alleged connection with the suspects of Offa robbery.

“I have just informed my ADC to get the letter of invitation from @PoliceNG in respect of the allegations raised yesterday — so that I can immediately honour the alleged invitation’, he tweeted.

The police said on Sunday that Saraki was indicted by five leaders of the robbery gang in their confessions.

“Senate President Bukola Saraki has been invited to report to the police to answer allegations indicting him from confessions of five gang leaders arrested for active participation in Offa bank robbery and killing of 33 innocent persons,” police spokesman Jimoh Moshood said in a statement.

But Saraki insisted he had nothing to do with the crime which claimed the lives of 33 persons. He said he was a victim of Inspector-General of Police’s plan to frame him up.

“In a statement by his spokesman, Yusuf Olaniyonu, he said: “Members of the public will remember that on May 16, 2018, I alerted the Senate about the information passed on to me by my state governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, over a plot by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to frame me up by getting some suspected cultists arrested in Ilorin to implicate me.

“It is believed that the time, in that case, the plot in that case aborted the use of the suspected cultists to implicate me. Now, it is the Offa bank robbery suspects that are about to be used.”

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US first lady not to go Canada, Singapore

US First Lady Melania Trump will not accompany the president to the Group of Seven summit in Canada, nor to planned North Korea nuclear talks in Singapore, her spokeswoman said Sunday.

“She will not attend the G7 and there are no plans for her to travel to Singapore at this time,” Stephanie Grisham told AFP.

Melania Trump was hospitalized in May, undergoing an embolization procedure for a “benign” kidney condition, according to Grisham.

Embolization is most frequently used to cut off the flow of blood to a tumor or growth.

The first lady has not participated in a public event since returning from the hospital in mid-May.

She sought to quell speculation about her health last week, tweeting that she was “feeling great” and was at the White House “working hard on behalf of children and the American people!”

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high-level talks hold ahead of Trump-Kim summit by Koreas

North and South Korea held high-level talks Friday to discuss their ongoing efforts to improve ties ahead of a landmark meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un.

The North-South discussions were originally scheduled for earlier this month but were abruptly called off by Pyongyang in response to a joint US-South Korea air force drill.

But a day after “Max Thunder” ended May 25, the North’s leader Kim had a surprise summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the border truce village of Panmunjom — their second, following a historic first meeting in April.

The two Koreas agreed to hold more meetings throughout this month to carry out the agreements reached between their leaders at the April summit, according to a joint statement released following Friday’s talks.

A round of general-level military talks will be held on June 14 to discuss ways to ease tensions and a Red Cross meeting to plan a reunion for war-separated families is scheduled for June 22.

Officials from the two sides will also meet on June 18 to discuss the prospects of fielding a joint team for the Jakarta Asian Games in August.

The two Koreas formed the first-ever unified Korean Olympic team, a joint women’s ice hockey squad, during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

The current rapprochement on the peninsula was triggered by the games, to which the North sent athletes, cheerleaders, and Kim’s sister as an envoy.

The high-level meeting comes as a flurry of diplomacy is underway to lay the groundwork for a historic June 12 summit between Kim and Trump.

Kim’s right-hand man, Kim Yong Chol, is set to deliver a personal letter from Kim to Trump Friday following talks in New York with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, which made what the US diplomat called “real progress” towards the planned summit in Singapore.

Simultaneously, Kim met Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Pyongyang and said the North’s “will for denuclearization of the Korean peninsula still remains unchanged and consistent and fixed”, the state-run KCNA news agency said.

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