Tinubu supports Buhari to achieve 2023 presidential ambition –Saraki

Bola Tinubu and Bukola Saraki

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has said that the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, supports President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election only with the hope that he should succeed Buhari in 2023.

Saraki said this in a declaration on Monday in response to an open letter written by Tinubu on Sunday.

The former Lagos State governor, in his letter had said the Senate President dumped the APC because of his Presidential ambition and egocentric quest for power, in place of excellent governance.

However, in a statement titled, ‘The Tinubu rhetoric — My response,’ Saraki said while Tinubu was appointed the head of the APC’s reconciliation committee, he (Tinubu) reached out to him (Saraki) and admitted that he was also not satisfied with Buhari’s performance, but that he would remain in the party.

Saraki added, “but, throughout those meetings, the bone of contention between me and him was that, while I expressed issues that there has been nothing on ground to guarantee me that the administrative style and attitude might change in the next four years in a manner that will permit us deliver the positive changes we promised to our people, he (Tinubu) expressed a robust opinion that he would rather ‘support a Buhari at the hospital stretcher’ to get a 2nd term because in 2023, power will shift to the South-west.

“This Tinubu’s point of view was not only expressed to me however to numerous of my colleagues. So much for acting in national interest.

“It is clear that while my personal decision was primarily based on protecting collective, national interest, Tinubu will instead stay with the identified inadequacies in the government for the sake of fulfilling and preserving his presidential ambition in 2023.

“This new position of Tinubu has only validated inconsistency, specifically when one reviews his antecedents over time.”

Saraki stated Tinubu was nevertheless sulking over the truth that he (Saraki) was one of those who opposed Tinubu’s bid to become the running mate of candidate Buhari in 2014.

He added, “again, permit me to reiterate my position that my unsure and complicated relationship with Tinubu has been constantly defined through the event of 2014 while myself and other leaders of the APC opposed the Muslim-Muslim ticket arrangement about to be foisted at the APC for the 2015 polls.

“It should be noted that he has not forgotten the fact that I took the bull by the horns and told him that in the interest of the country, he have to accept the need for the party to provide a balanced ticket for the 2015 general elections in terms of religion and geo-political zones.

“Since that time, he has been very active, plotting at every point to undermine me, within and outside the national assembly.”

I regret imposing Emmanuel on Akwa Ibom as governor –Akpabio

Former Senate Minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, has expressed regrets for what he referred to as “imposing” the Akwa Ibom state governor, Udom Emmanuel, on the people of the state.

Apologising before a crowd at Ikot Ekpene Plaza, Akpabio, who returned from his mother-in-law’s burial at Enugu on Sunday evening, said Emmanuel was the greatest mistake he made in a rush, and requested to be forgiven.

The immediate past governor,  Akpabio, who represents Akwa Ibom North West in the Senate, stated that Emmanuel “is a mistake that ought to be corrected in 2019.”

“Udom (Emmanuel) is a mistake that have to be corrected in 2019. All hands must be on deck to make sure that the error is corrected for a people-orientated leadership under the ruling All Progressives Congress at the centre.”

In step with him, “Emmanuel’s administration has failed the people,” forcing him to take decisive moves to correct the anomaly for posterity to be fair on him.

Akpabio spoke of the prevalence of starvation and deprivation in Akwa Ibom state since the Emmanuel administration assumed power, adding that it was time for “holistic action” to liberate the state from the shackles of horrific governance.

Akpabio had, in the run up to the 2015 elections, declared Emmanuel, then Secretary to the state government, next in line to succeed him, even when 26 aspirants jostled for the post.

Accounts freezing: Akwa Ibom govt sues EFCC for N50bn

The Akwa Ibom state government said it had filed a N50bn lawsuit in opposition to the economic and financial Crimes commission for freezing its accounts.

In line with the government, the lawsuit is a response to the illegal freezing of its accounts by the Federal government agency for 72 hours, noting that the development crippled both the economy and the reputation of the state.

The case is contained in suit No: FHE/UY/CS/137/18 between the attorney general of Akwa Ibom state as claimant, and the economic and financial Crimes commission, attorney general of the Federal, Zenith bank plc, Skye bank plc and United bank for Africa plc as defendants.

The claimant requested, “whether the accounts of Akwa Ibom state government held with banks or financial institutions fall inside the financial crimes enforcement purview of section 34 of the economic and financial Crimes commission (established) Act 2004, or

“Whether the account of Akwa Ibom state government with a bank or financial institution can be subjected to a freezing order pursuant to section 34 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (established) Act 2004.”

The writ of summons dated August 17, 2018, issued via chief Assam Assam (SAN) of Lex Fori partners, and made available to journalists in Uyo on Saturday, asked the defendants to cause an appearance to be entered within 30 days after service or risk judgement given in their absence.

The attorney general and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Uwemedimo Nwoko, revealed that the anti-graft agency did not have constitutional powers to freeze any state government’s account in Nigeria.

He stated, “there may be no basis even in the constitution of Nigeria or any other permitting law made by anybody whether the national assembly or the state assembly or another convention that authorises any federal agency or any agency to close down the account of a state government as done by the EFCC.

“I need to state absolutely that even if there was to be an investigation that the EFCC was carrying out about whether there has been any fraud committed against Akwa Ibom state in that circumstance, it have to be the government of Akwa Ibom that should be the sufferer, so there was no foundation for freezing the accounts.”

He said the freezing of the state government’s accounts for 72 hours hampered the economic, security and business operations inside the state, including that a few prospective investors within the state diverted their investments elsewhere, thereby subjecting the state to massive economic loss.

“That singular strive of freezing the accounts of the state government was shutting down the state. Akwa Ibom state was brought down on its knees; it was an attempt to paralyse and completely demobilise the activity of the state.

“We couldn't reply to economic, security and business exigencies. most significantly, the investors that were coming to Akwa Ibom began to have a second notion and became concerned about the status of their investment.

“Individuals who were on their way to the state began to go back. So, we suffered unquantifiable losses,” he said.

Nwoko, who described the EFCC’s denial of the freezing of the state account as a face-saving approach, added that the state authorities had proof to show that its accounts have been frozen.

Just in: Brighton 3-2 MAN UTD, Red Devils Underperformed

Brighton have done it again! another trip to seaside has been damp and dismal for United and Mourinho.

It is a first-half blitz from a fantastic Brighton, who did everything proper this afternoon, however so many of those United men underperformed.

Pogba scored last-minute. The Frenchman did not use the same run-up as last week. in this event he ran up and smashed his strike into the roof of the net, giving Ryan no chance.

Lots's been said about how dreadful United were at the back, which they've, but they've additionally been horrible going ahead.

Brighton get off the mark of their premier League campaign with a great 3-2 victory over Manchester United. goals from Glenn Murray, Shane Duffy and Pascal Gross secured the win, which was incredibly comfortable for the home side, regardless of goals from Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba for the red Devils.

Chris Hughton's guys produced a strong level of intensity in the first half to overpower United, at the same time as they kept them at bay for the majority of the second half. Jose Mourinho can be furious with his side's display, which was sloppy in the first half and then ineffectual in the final third in the 2nd period. The Portuguese will not be a happy man this night.

5,853 N-power beneficiaries posted to workplaces in Gombe

No fewer than 5,853 2nd batch beneficiaries of the Federal government’s N-power programme had been posted to places of their primary assignments in Gombe state.

Focal person officer of the Vice- President and the special Adviser to the Gombe state Governor on Social investment, Hajiya Maryam Mele, disclosed in Gombe on Friday.

She stated that 5,853 had been a success out of the 21,000 people who applied for the programme in the state.

“After free selections at the national office, 8,000 were selected for verification and approximately 7,000 were validated as some did not show up.

“80 percent of people who applied had fake certificates, a few had been over aged whilst 5,853 have been a success,” she said.

Mele stated that the beneficiaries were from the 11 local government areas of the state and have been posted to work under N-Agro, N-teach and N-health.

“We've a total of 2,792 beneficiaries from Gombe North senatorial district out of which N-health has 291, N-teach has 1,517 and N-Agro has 995.

“A total of 1,963 beneficiaries were from Gombe South senatorial district out of which 225 had been allotted to N-health, N-educate has 1,288, and N-Agro has 450.

“And 1,097 beneficiaries had been from Gombe central senatorial district out of which N-health had 123; N-teach had 639 and N-Agro had 335,” she said.

She added that 203 non-graduates from Gombe, Funakaye, Biliri, Yamaltu/Deba and Kaltungo local government areas, who applied in 2016, benefited under the N-build programme.

She added that 29 beneficiaries from Gombe local Governmwent, being the first batch for the programme in the state, and trained on automobile, were lately posted to four LGAs.

She advised the beneficiaries to commit themselves to duty and exhibit proper character traits in service delivery.

Mele commended President Muhammad Buhari for the initiative and Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo for his support and the successful implementation of the programme in the state.

She also commended the efforts of Maryam Uwais, the special Assistant to President Buhari on Social investment support, for the successful implementation of four intervention programmes in the state under her office.