South/West APC accuses Buhari of ethnic-based appointments

South-West states’ chairmen of the APC, have decried the pattern of appointments by President Buhari, saying all of them had ethnic slant.

They said aside his spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, every other appointments so far made by Buhari have been from the core North and all of them northern Muslims. The party chairmen vowed not to recognise the emergence of Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara until the crisis in the National Assembly is resolved by the party.

In a joint statement they issued yesterday, the chairmen vowed to resist any attempt by some elements in the party to humiliate the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The statement was signed by Chief Henry Ajomale (Lagos), Prince Gboyega Famoodun (Osun), Alhaji Roqeeb Adeniji (Ogun), Chief Akin Oke of Oyo State, Chief Olajide Awe (Ekiti) and Mr. Isaac Kekemeke, (Ondo).

According to them, if this move is not halted, the reaction of the region could have dire consequences.

The APC chairmen insisted that “the two presiding officers of the National Assembly should apologise to the party to avoid compounding their problems.”
They warned that they would soon break their silence over the ill-treatment of Tinubu by some elements in the APC.

The chairmen urged “those trying either to intimidate or embarrass Tinubu to retrace their steps as the South-West’s response will shock everyone to the foundation.”
Tinubu had rejected the emergence of Saraki, insisting that the Senate President should apologise to him for the coup.

But Tinubu, who controls the party in the South-West seems to be alone on this matter as President Muhammadu Buhari and key APC officials had accepted Saraki and Dogara as NASS leaders.

NAN

Charlyboy condemns same-sex marriage

Charles Oputa, also known as Charlyboy, has raised concern over the practice of same-sex marriage and advised that it should not be allowed in Nigeria.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the current trend in which many countries legalised same-sex marriages was worrisome.
The AreaFada was reacting to the recent decision of the U.S. Supreme Court that legalised same-sex marriage in the country. He also said that same–sex marriage was un-African and should not be tolerated under the guise of civilization and right.

“I understand people talk about right and civilisation but same-sex marriage is un-African, and we should not encourage it here.
“It is deeply disappointing and worrisome that the U.S. Supreme Court could uphold same-sex marriage.
“I have never been the one to beef about people’s sexual preferences but this is taking it too far.
“What is marriage equality? You can’t redefine marriage by judicial fiat.
“In all cultures, secular or religious, marriage is between a man and a woman.
“It is said that every child has a right to be raised by two parents; a father and a mother, both are important and are not interchangeable.
“The sad reality that so many children are deprived of this right because of the crisis in traditional marriages does not make it any less important,” he said.

Former INEC chairman Prof Jega resumes as a University lecturer

Professor Jega who retired as INEC Chairman on June 30th resumed as a lecturer at the department of Political Science, Bayero University Kano today July 6th. Professor Jega had said he would be returning to the classroom to teach once he retires as INEC chairman. See photos of him on the school campus...

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Obey party’s directive, Gbajabiamila tells Dogara

Hope for resolving the leadership tussle in the House of Representatives dimmed on yesterday as a one-on-one meeting between the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, and a former Minority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, failed to make a headway.

Findings showed that the two sides had met in Abuja ahead of another intervention meeting on the crisis by a committee of three set up by the governors of the All Progressives Congress.

The governors had nominated Sokoto State Governor, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House, to chair the small committee.

However, investigations revealed that at the earlier meeting between Dogara and Gbajabiamila’s groups, the speaker had offered Gbajabiamila the chairmanship of the Ad Hoc Committee on Constitution Review.

The influential and heavily-funded committee deals with issues relating to amendment of the 1999 Constitution and the added responsibility of looking at the report of the 2014 National Conference.

It was learnt that with an estimated yearly funding of about N1bn, the committee would spend around N4bn between 2015 and 2019.

Under the relevant rules of the House, the committee is usually chaired by the Deputy Speaker (in this instance, Mr. Yusuf Lasun), with members drawn from the six geo-political zones.

But, investigations showed that Dogara was willing to give the position to Gbajabiamila in exchange for the position of House Majority Leader.

It was gathered that to make this possible, the House might have to amend its rules to accommodate the transfer of the responsibility from Lasun to Gbajabiamila, as part of efforts to resolve the leadership tussle within the majority All Progressives Congress caucus.

The former minority leader was said to have promptly rejected the offer, insisting on becoming the majority leader in compliance with the decision of the APC.

 The former minority leader was said to have argued that the issue was not about heading committees but to instill party discipline and “sustain good governance.”

 Also, the Gbajabiamila-led group met with the Governor Aminu Tambuwal-led three member committee, in an undisclosed location in Abuja, yesterday (Sunday). At the meeting, Gbajabiamila refused to shift ground.

He pointedly told the Governor Aminu Tambuwal-led committee that the onus was on Dogara group to respect the party’s position.

Suspected Ikorodu bank robbers arrested

Four members of the robbery gang, which unleashed terror on two commercial banks in the Ipakodo, Ikorodu area of Lagos two weeks ago.

The suspected robbers were arrested from Okitipupa, Ondo State, and Ikorodu, Lagos State, while three Sport Utility Vehicles allegedly bought from the proceeds of the robbery were recovered.

The suspects’ names were given as Monday Akpan, Bright Agbojule, the third identified simply as Jafaru, and one Baba Ibeji.

On Wednesday, June 24, the gang, which was reportedly led by a woman, had stormed the Ebute-Ipakodo branches of the First Bank and Zenith Bank at about 8.30am, and carted away millions of naira.

The robbers, who overwhelmed policemen from the Ipakodo division, were said to have carted away about N60m from the Zenith Bank’s strong room, while N20m were stolen from the bank’s ATM room.

The suspects, who dared policemen to confront them, later escaped in two speedboats at the Ipakodo jetty, Ikorodu.

Four persons, including a bank customer, who were hit by bullets during the one-hour operation, were taken to the General Hospital, Ikorodu.

It was gathered that the four members of the gang were arrested by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, in an operation involving a former SARS commander, SP Abba Kyari, and an officer, DSP James Okeke.

The arrest was the break that the police needed, adding that the suspect later led policemen to arrest other members of the gang. A police source said, “The soldiers were on a stop-and-search and they found the suspect, identified only as Baba Ibeji, while on his way to his home town in Okitipupa, Ondo State. “During a search, they found bundles of new N1,000 notes with bank seals in his bag.

“The soldiers, who were also aware of the bank robbery in Lagos, smelt a rat and contacted the Lagos State Police Command on the development.

“The former CP, Kayode Aderanti, immediately contacted experienced hands in SARS for the interview of the suspect. The suspect gave the contacts and names of other suspects. The operatives subsequently mobilised more officers to Ikorodu and made some arrests. Three suspects were picked up by the police in Ikorodu.

The suspects would be paraded on Monday (today) at the state command headquarters, Ikeja. It was learnt that efforts were still being intensified to get other members of the gang, which reportedly numbered about 15.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the arrests in a text message. He said, “The Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, will parade the suspects on Monday, as he hands over to the new CP, Fatai Owoseni, at the command headquarter

Boko Haram bombers attack Jos mosque, road, scores killed

Scores of people were believed to have lost their lives as two suicide bombers detonated their bombs in Jos, the Plateau State capital this(Sunday) night. Details of the blasts are sketchy as of the time of writing.

It is gathered that the first bomb went off at a restaurant opposite the Bauchi road campus of the University of Jos at about 9.15pm, while the second one exploded at a mosque near Yan Tyre (tyre market) area of Dilimi Junction, along the same Bauchi road about 15 minutes later.

While the casualty figure from the first blast was given by an eyewitness as 15, the figure from the second blast at the mosque could not be ascertained. The latest incident occurred less than five months after a similar bomb was detonated where the first bomb went off.

It was learnt that while the first bomb might have been detonated by a suicide bomber as it happened inside a restaurant, the insurgent might have used a rocket launcher to attack the mosque.

According to an eyewitness, the front of the mosque is usually crowded as it serves as the location where the leader of the Izalla sect, Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, normally performs the tafsir (breaking of fast). The insurgents were said to have targeted worshippers who usually stay around after the breaking of fast.

The insurgents were said to have started shooting sporadically to beat a barricade mounted by security men in front of the mosque before launching the attack.

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Emmanuel Abuh, who confirmed the twin blast, said men of the anti-bomb squad had been dispatched to the area. He explained that the exact casualty figure and the extent of damage could not be ascertained until the men cleared the area.

Abua added, “It is too early to give any figure. We have dispatched our men there and we are expecting feedback from them.”

Alleged forgery of Senate Rules: IGP summons Ekweremadu

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, has summoned the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, over alleged forgery of the Senate Rules.

Ekweremadu is expected to appear before a team of investigators at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

National Publicity Secretary of the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, confirmed the invitation at a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday.

Details later.

Six die in Yobe Redeemed Church bombing

The Police in Yobe State on Sunday confirmed the killing of six persons in a suicide bomb attack on a church in Potiskum.

Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Mr. Toyin Gbadegesin, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Damaturu that the death included the suicide bomber.

The police spokesman said, “A male suicide bomber detonated a bomb at Redeem Church at Jigawa area of Potiskum, killing five on the spot.

“A female member of the church, who sustained injuries, also died while receiving treatment in the hospital.”

He said the injured were receiving treatment at various health facilities in the area.

NAN recalls that Potiskum last suffered a twin suicide attack on June 15, in which 10 people were killed and several others injured.

Potiskum, the commercial hub of Yobe state, has been the site of multiple deadly attacks blamed on militant Islamist group Boko Haram. The town last suffered a twin suicide attack on June 15, in which 10 people were killed and several others injured. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

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