Edo to probe ministry inferno

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  Africcon Report: Edo to probe ministry inferno
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  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  Edo State Government says it will set up a commission of enquiry to look into the circumstances surrounding the fire that gutted the ministry of higher education building in Benin.
  
  The fire, which took place on Wednesday, reportedly started from  the central store in the building
  
  Governor Adams Oshiomhole was quoted to have promised to set up the panel after inspecting the fire scene on Thursday.
  
  He said, “It seems to me that there might be a case of arson. Somebody must have chosen for one reason or the other to destroy some documents for whatever purpose for which we do not readily know.
  
  “If there was no light at the material time, then the question of possible electrical fault does not arise and it is possible that somebody had planted something, maybe to burn the place to destroy some evidence or something.
  
  “I think the thing to do is to set an enquiry to establish what went wrong, at least, to prevent further occurrence and to find out those who might be behind the dastardly act. It is very unfortunate.”

You’re Free To Leave PDP, Tukur Tells Wamakko

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  Africcon Report: You’re Free To Leave PDP, Tukur Tells Wamakko
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  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji. Bamanga Tukur, says Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State would only be exercising his constitutional right if he opted to leave the party.
  
  This is even as the Anyim Pius Anyim-led panel set up by President Goodluck Jonathan on the PDP crisis postponed its meeting to Saturday.
  
  LEADERSHIP Friday learnt last night that the meeting was postponed to ensure that all the members which include six governors to be in attendance.
  
  Meanwhile the national chairman of PDP said that so long as the Sokoto governor remained in the party, he would be bound by the party’s statutes as regards rules and regulations.
  
  On his return from a trip abroad yeaterday, Wamakko, obviously vexed with his suspension from the party, called for Tukur’s sack as chairman. The Sokoto governor accused Tukur of running the PDP like a private estate.
  
  Speaking through his Special Assistant on Media, Prince Oliver Okpala, Tukur  said, “If he has any agenda to leave the PDP, it is within his constitutional right and he is free, but as long as he remains within the PDP, he must align himself with discipline.
  
  “He should not stay in the party and be encouraging insubordination and indiscipline. The leadership of the party under Tukur has regards for party discipline and will never waver.
  
  “Therefore, for him to say Tukur is a political prostitute, does that portray him as a true son? He should express a true sense of respect and discipline because of his position as a governor,” Okpala said.
  
  While condemning the use of insults on the chairman, Okpala said all party fateful must respect constituted party authorities, adding that even the Speaker of the House of Representatives must toe the line of political discipline and comportment.
  
  “When he insults an elderly man like Tukur because he is a governor, then we don’t think he has the moral fibre to remain in office because as a governor he should live by example.

APC faces fresh hurdles over acronym

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  Africcon Report: APC faces fresh hurdles over acronym
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  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  Barely six days after the merger party, the All Progressives Congress approached the Independent National Electoral Commission for registration, another political association, the All Progressive Congress of Nigeria, has threatened to sue over the APC acronym.
  
  National Secretary of APCN, Mr. Oguzie Ikechukwu, in Abuja on Thursday said his party would seek court order restraining INEC from approving the APC acronym for the All Progressives Congress.
  
  Ikechukwu said the APCN was relying on sections 2 and 5 of the Freedom of Information Act to ask INEC to furnish it with the names and applications of any other association laying claim to the APC acronym.
  
  He explained to journalists that the APCN had in a similar letter to INEC dated May 22 asked the commission to furnish it with the name of the group which it claimed had earlier applied for registration with such an acronym.
  
  The commission, had, as part of its party registration requirements, asked the APC, now APCN, to furnish it with the addresses of the national officers as required by section 222(a) of the 1999 Constitution.
  
  This, according to a source, has created tension among leaders of the opposition All Progressives Congress being promoted by three political parties viz: the Action Congress of Nigeria, Congress for Progressive Change and the All Nigeria Peoples Party.
  
  It was however not clear whether the parties’ application to merge and be registered as APC came with names and addresses of their national officers.
  
  The leadership of the merging political parties was unable to choose an interim management team thus leaving the task of signing the necessary INEC documents for the national chairmen, secretaries and treasurers of each of the political parties to sign.
  
  There are fears however that the merger group may suffer the same fate with the rival African People’s Congress which the INEC had earlier rejected its application on similar grounds.
  
  The APCN has vowed to resist any attempt to register any other political association with the APC acronym because it claimed to be the first to approach INEC with its letter of intent to be registered with the APC acronym.
  
  The group which bears the same name and acronym with the merging opposition political parties, All Progressives Congress, commenced its registration process with a letter of intent to the commission on March 5, 2013.
  
  It was the same time another group, the African People’s Congress, also approached the electoral body seeking to be registered with the same acronym.
  
  In a new twist to the tale, the Alliance for Democracy has approached the court asking that it be included alongside INEC as a defendant in a suit filed by the African Peoples Congress against INEC over the refusal to register it.
  
  A statement by the National Legal Adviser to the African Peoples’ Congress, Mr. Kingsley Nandi, on Thursday said AD’s action had been brought to its notice.
  
  He said, “This is to officially confirm that the Alliance for Democracy in a surprise display of political and legal rascality has filed a suit at the Federal High Court Abuja seeking to be joined as a second defendant alongside INEC.
  
  “As a result of inquiries and need to keep the public aware of the stages of our struggle we decided to let the press know.
  
  “Our main suit against INEC (for the upturning of its decision not to register us) at the Federal High Court has reached an advanced stage as all necessary pleadings, affidavit and counter-affidavit have all been filed and exchanged between us and INEC.
  
  “The court has fixed July 5, 2013 for the adoption of our written addresses and possibly judgment in this crucial case which will shape the road map to the 2015 elections.
  
  “Note also that we have filled a counter-ction to stop the new antics of AD by asking the court to strike out the application by AD.”

Oshiomhole Bans Okada in Benin over kidnappings

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  Africcon Report: Oshiomhole Bans Okada in Benin over kidnappings
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  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  The Edo State Government has banned the use and operation of commercial motorcycles (Okada) in Benin City with effect from next Monday. He said the ban is limited to particular areas such as the three
  local Government areas which make up Benin city comprising of Ikpoba Okha, Oredo and Egor Local Government Areas.
  
  The Edo State Governor, Oshiomhole said investigations have shown that criminals use okada to perpetrate crime in the city.
  
  He added that the state has become a raven of criminals.
  
  However the Edo State Government has called on Okada riders to cooperate and bear with the government as they were compelled to make this decision.
  
  In addition, the government said security personals will begin a random check on private security operatives employed by the residents, to ascertain whether they are Nigerians with valid paper and have legal rights to reside there, as investigations reveal that they have largely been the informants in cases of kidnapping in the City.
  
  Therefore Oshiomole urge residents to properly make a round check of those they employ as helps and security personnel.

Anenih’s call for PDP automatic ticket undemocratic — ACF

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  Africcon Report: Anenih’s call for PDP automatic ticket undemocratic — ACF
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  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  The pan northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum, on Wednesday in Kaduna condemned the call by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, Tony Anenih,  for an automatic ticket for President Goodluck Jonathan and state governors in the 2015 elections.
  
  The ACF noted that the suggestion to exclude the President and the governors from primaries was anti-democratic and against the tenets of the Electoral Act.
  
  The Forum at the end of its National Working Committee meeting also condemned the controversy generated by the recent Nigeria Governors’ Forum’s election.
  
  The ACF in a communiqué signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Anthony Sani, appealed to governors and leaders of political parties in the country to live up to their seminal roles of providing order and direction to “our democracy that is premised on liberty, justice, common decency and sanctity of votes cast.”
  
  It read, “The meetings considered the controversy that came from the outcomes of the election in the Nigerian Governors Forum. NWC also reviewed the suggestion by some leadership of the ruling party that incumbents be exempted from party primaries.
  
  “All these developments are not democratic because they seek to stifle internal democracy within our democratic institutions, and, therefore, are inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act on internal democracy within institutions in the polity.”
  
  The ACF said it “welcomed the progress made by the joint meetings between the ACF and the Northern Elders Forum for express purpose of fashioning how best the North can pursue common vision, common objectives, and common strategy, for achieving northern unity and peaceful co-existence needed for meaningful socio-economic and political development, not only of northern region but across the country.”
  
  The communiqué added, “NWC was called to specifically asses the preparations for the AGM of the ACF scheduled to hold on 20th/06/2013, in Kaduna, as well as to review the unfolding events in the polity and development in the efforts to tame proliferation of different fora and groups which profess to speak for the same North.
  
  The meeting welcomed the progress made by the joint meetings between the ACF and the Northern Elders Forum for the express purpose of fashioning how best the North can pursue common vision, common objectives, and common strategy, for achieving northern unity and peaceful coexistence needed for meaningful socio-economic and political development, not only of northern region but across the country.
  
  “Towards this end, ACF endorsed the setting up of the Joint Action Committee of the two groups on how best to pursue the common goals, group cohesion and group coherence needed to make the desired results come to pass.”

Jonathan moves to resolve PDP crises

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  Africcon Report: Jonathan moves to resolve PDP crises
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  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  There were indications in Abuja on Tuesday that the Presidency had set up a secret committee to look into the crises rocking the ruling  Peoples Democratic Party and proffer  solutions to them.
  
  It was gathered that the idea was mooted by some close aides of President Goodluck Jonathan, who advised him to take keen interest in the crises because of his political career and the determination of opposition political parties to merge and wrest power from the PDP in 2015.
  
  The President was said to have also been told by the aides that the gale of suspensions in the PDP was capable of derailing the party.
  
  Those believed to be  in the committee are the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Ogiadohme; the Political Adviser to  the President, Ahmed Gulak;  and some governors.
  
  A Presidency source said the committee would pay specific attention to the suspension of two governors – Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Aliyu Wamakko(Sokoto) – and  the effect of the report of the Independent National Electoral Commission, which queried the manner majority of members of the  PDP  National Working Committee emerged.
  
  Before   the committee was raised, the President was said to have also been told that the suspension of the governors within a spate of two weeks was an indication that the party was not healthy.
  
  Amaechi was suspended because of his refusal to intervene in the State House of Assembly decision to suspend the   executive council of Obiokpor Local Government Council of Rivers State. Wamakko, on the other hand, was suspended because of his alleged insubordination to the PDP National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur.
  
  A governor, who spoke with one of our correspondents, said the leadership of the PDP might have been advising the President wrongly on how to enforce discipline among members.
  
  He said the President might have realised that and that that could be the reason why he set up the committee.
  
  The governor said, “There is no President who fights during his first tenure. Not even former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who we all knew was a ‘strong man.’
  
  “Obasanjo did not fight even when his deputy, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was almost snatching the PDP ticket from him. He did not fight until he got the second term ticket of the party and was also elected.
  
  “The fear among the governors is that if the President could do this to some of us when he is still seeking our cooperation for a second term ticket, what will he do when he gets it and he is eventually elected?
  
  “We have let the President know this and he is acting on it.”
  
  The governor particularly frowned on the reasons adduced for the suspension of Amaechi and Wamakko, saying they were not convincing enough.
  
  He said that the suspension of Wamakko could also send wrong signals to the governors in the North-West, adding that “we all knew what Obasanjo did to bring the zone to the PDP.”
  
  The governor said it would be wrong to allow the zone, which has the largest number of states in the country, to be snatched by the opposition again “due to the misadventure of few people in the party.”
  
  It will also be recalled that the INEC report on the PDP convention, which produced the national officers of the party, had become a source of worry to the Presidency.
  
  Those whose elections were ratified by affirmation instead of election as expected by INEC    were the Deputy NationalChairman, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja; National Organising Secretary, Abubakar Mustapha; National Youth Leader, Alhaji Garba Chima; Deputy National Youth Leader, Dennis Alonger; and Acting National Secretary, Solomon Onwe.
  
  Others were   Senator Umar Ibrahim (deputy national auditor); Hanatu Ulam (deputy national woman leader);  Kema Chikwe (woman leader);  Okechukwu Nnadozie (deputy national treasurer);  Victor Kwom (national legal adviser);  Olisa Metuh (national publicity secretary); and Binta Goje (deputy national publicity secretary).
  
  Eight of these officers are members of the NWC, which sees to the running of the party on a day-to-day basis.
  
  The President was said to have been advised by the governors that it might not be wise to allow these officers to conduct the next presidential primary of the PDP as its result could be a subject of litigation.
  
  This problem, it was also gathered, was one of the reasons why it had been difficult for the PDP to hold its National Executive Committee meeting.
  
  The last meeting was in July 2012, whereas the party constitution stipulates that NEC meeting must be held at least in every quarter.
  
  When contacted, Gulak told one of our correspondents that he had yet to be informed about the workings of the  newly constituted committee.
  
  He said, “Where did you get that from? I am yet to be contacted. I do not know anything about it. If I am a member, I should be contacted.”
  
  Meanwhile, the party has described as a basket of empty shells, the unfolding of All Progressives Congress blueprint by a former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at the British House of Commons in London on Tuesday.
  
  A statement by Metuh described the agenda as grossly lacking in essentials, in fundamentals; deep in cosmetics and devoid of originality.
  
  According to him, the blueprint is   laced with half truths and outright lies and grittily divorced from the substance and incidentals  that ginger national growth.

Okonjo-Iweala Tasked Over Destination Inspection Control

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  Africcon Report: Okonjo-Iweala Tasked Over Destination Inspection Control
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  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  A coalition of civil society group, under the umbrella of Coalition of Civil Society Group for Transparency and Good Governance, has faulted the action of the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on extension of destination inspection on behalf of Nigeria Customs  Service, despite the directive by President Goodluck Jonathan to end outsourcing.
  
  The  coalition also threatened tio file legal action against the minister to seek redress over the matter.
  
  In a statement signed by Amb. Muhammad Bn-Ahmad, Secretary General of the group, which was forwarded to AFRICCON MEDIA, the group said that they were stunned that rather than taking appropriate steps to revert what they described as ugly loss of colossal revenue accruable to Nigeria, they read with dismay comment made by the Minister Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in some national dailies on June 11, 2013, where she claimed as false alleged attempt by the ministry to disallow the Nigerian Customs Service to perform its statutory mandate.
  
  According to the group, they consider it naive for the Minister to have relied on the advice of an independent review committee, to extend contract of the destination inspection, when they have failed to deliver to the terms of earlier agreement.

Sack Corrupt Police, Immigration Officers, Jonathan Orders PSC, CG

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  Africcon Report: Sack Corrupt Police, Immigration Officers, Jonathan Orders PSC, CG
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  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday gave marching orders to the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the new Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, directing them to sack all corrupt officers and other bad eggs in the system.
  
  The president, who gave this directive when he swore-in the new PSC Chairman, Mr Mike Okiro and five members of the commission, implored them to ensure that there was discipline in the force, beginning with promotion exercises which he said must be based on merit.
  
  He also noted that indiscipline and irregularities in staff promotion exercises had been the order of the day in the military and para-military forces resulting in undesirable elements aiding corruption and sleaze that were the main causes of under-performance.
  
  Jonathan also revealed how he was almost tricked into appointing the wrong person during the recent screening and review process of six candidates for the post of the Comptroller General (CG) of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
  
  He observed that most of the candidates for the CG position, rather than deserving the post, ought to have been sacked ever since.
  
  The President disclosed that he came under pressure to sack top police officers between the ranks of Assistant Commissioner and Inspector General over the bombing of Louis Edet House in 2011 by Boko Haram, added, “But I believe there are two things, one is the issue of discipline, and so one of the responsibilities of the Police Service Commission is to instill discipline.
  
  “Another thing I believe is that people who do not merit certain ranks are being promoted to those ranks. One of your responsibilities is to handle promotion. I believe with you only those who merit or deserve promotion should be promoted. Those who deserve to be disciplined or even dismissed must be punished accordingly.”
  
  On how he was presented with wrong persons for screening and appointment as Immigrations CG, Jonathan said, “Few days back I did approve the new comptroller general of immigration. A list of about six was to be reviewed, some were sent from the ministry, and some were picked from among the most senior officers.

PDP Accuses Tinubu Of Brandishing Empty APC Blueprint In UK

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  Africcon Report:  PDP Accuses Tinubu Of Brandishing Empty APC Blueprint In UK
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  From: Africcon Media – NigeriaThe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  has dismissed  the blueprint of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presented at the  British House of Commons by the leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, describing it as “basket of empty shells”.A release made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday and signed by PDP’s national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, described the presentation as a let down.
  
  “It was a let down yesterday as the leader of the ACN, Bola Tinubu, stunned an international audience with the emptiness he unveiled as the emancipation package of the APC. It is an agenda grossly lacking in essentials, in fundamentals; deep in cosmetics, devoid of originality; laced with half  truths and outright lies and grittily divorced from the substance and incidentals  that ginger national growth. It is a basket of promise filled with shells,” Metuh’s statement read.
  
  The PDP described the presentations as unserious, and said the ‘loud silence’ on corruption and the alternative roadmap to  the extant security challenges, which the opposition coalition has made so much noise about, only showed that the opposition remained clueless.
  
  “Members of the British parliament must have giggled and waited in vain for Mr. Tinubu to unveil the much vaunted opposition agenda on anti-terrorism and corruption. Is it that the APC has no answers to these or that Tinubu deliberately skipped them?
  
  “Here, curious minds reflect on two things. The PDP-led Federal Government has applied the master strategy that is already yielding results; thus leaving the opposition bereft of fresh, better dimension as an alternative, or that the man who appeared in the British House of Commons is the least qualified to speak on corruption and terrorism before such a self respecting and well meaning assembly with an in-depth grip on happenings in Nigeria.”

CBN To Banks: Fish Out Boko Haram Accounts Now

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  Africcon Report: CBN To Banks: Fish Out Boko Haram Accounts Now
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  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  Following the decision of the federal government to declare Boko Haram and its cohorts as enemies of the state and terrorists, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has asked banks in the country to fish out any bank accounts that are traceable to the group.
  
  In a circular sent to all the banks yesterday, the CBN asked banks to cross-check their database for the names “Jamaatu Ahis-Sunna Liddaawti Wal Jihad” which is otherwise known as Boko Haram as well as “Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan”.
  
  The circular, which was signed by the acting director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department of the CBN, Nwaoha I.T, said “the federal government of Nigeria in its effort to stem terrorism in the country has proscribed the activities of Jamaatu Ahis-Sunna Liddaawti Wal Jihad otherwise known as Boko Haram sect and Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan in any part of the country. Their activities are consequently declared as terrorism and illegal.
  
  “All banks and other financial institutions (OFIs) are by this letter required to check their database for the names ‘Jamaatu Ahis-Sunna Liddaawti Wal Jihad’ otherwise known as Boko Haram sect and ‘Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan’ as well as their associates and to report the same to the Central Bank of Nigeria.
  
  “Where no accounts or business relationship are maintained for any proscribed names, other associates, a nil return should be rendered”.
  
  The federal government had in its May 24, 2013 Gazette declared the activities of the two groups as acts of terrorism and proscribing  their activities and restraining any group or person from relating with them.

Governor Wamakko Returns To A Tumultuous Welcome

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  Africcon Report: Governor Wamakko Returns To A Tumultuous Welcome
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  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  Sokoto State governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko yesterday arrived in Nigeria after his suspension from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but couldn’t land at the Sokoto airport on time because of the crowd.
  
  The governor who came in company of another plane conveying federal lawmakers from the state had to hover in the air for a long time before turning back to Kaduna.
  
  The first plane conveying federal lawmakers from the state landed at 4:15pm while the plane conveying Governor Wamakko was expected to land two minutes later but couldn’t make it because supporters crowded the tarmac.
  
  The majority of the crowd which included party loyalists, opposition party members, solidarity groups as well as area boys crowded every nook and cranny of the state, including roads leading to the airport, even as they continued to chant heroic welcoming songs for the governor.
  
  Governor Wamakko was recently suspended from the PDP while he was out of the country.
  
  Some of the youths who spoke to LEADERSHIP at the airport maintained that come rain, come shine they were behind Wamakko, even as others described his suspension by the ruling PDP as a mistake which the party will regret should it fail to do the right thing in good time.
  
  A Dornier 328 aircraft carrying Governor Wamakko aborted landing at the Sokoto airport yesterday as a huge crowd of his supporters defied security order and invaded the runway.
  
  The governor who was returning from Abuja on an official trip could not land as expected around 4:15 pm as his supporters virtually trooped to the sterile area of the airport apparently to welcome him back home.
  
  Sensing the danger of landing the aircraft amidst the crowd, the duty controller subsequently advised the pilot to abort landing and divert to Kaduna airport.
  
  The managing director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Mazi Nnamdi Udoh, commended the initiative of the duty controller and all other security agencies, particularly officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria for putting the situation under control.
  
  The special assistant, media, to aviation minister Stella Oduah, Mr Joe Obi, also in a statement said, “The safety and security precautionary measure followed the near-breakdown of law and order at the Sokoto airport by an unruly crowd of Wamakko supporters who broke the fence and was on their way to the tarmac, apparently to welcome the governor.
  
  “Effort by security personnel to prevent the breach of security and movement into the prohibited and restricted areas of the airport was met with stiff resistance from the crowd.”
  
  He said the governor and other passengers on board had since returned and landed safely at the airport, after the unruly crowd had been successfully restrained from entering the restricted zone.
  
  Speaking with journalists in Sokoto yesterday, Governor Wamakko said his suspension from the PDP had not changed his loyalty to the ruling party and that he remained a loyal member of the PDP.
  
  Gov wants Bamanga Tukur removed
  
  Meanwhile governor Wamakko yesterday assured that himself and all his teeming supporters will continue to be in the ruling PDP.
  
  Wamakko stated this, while addressing a mammoth crowd of party loyalists who came in thousands to the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport and Government House, Sokoto to welcome him back to the state from his recent visit to The Netherlands, he then stressed that he has done more than enough for the party.
  
  He also called for the immediate removal of the PDP national chairman, Bamanga Turkur, saying that only genuine internal democracy in the party can salvage the party ahead of the 2015 general elections.
  
  “I have also being a loyal and proud member of the party and I have being helping in ensuring its growth and unity both here in the state, other states and at the national level ,’’ the governor recounted”.
  
  The governor further assured party faithful that the people of Sokoto State are not fighting PDP but injustice and unfairness.
  
  Wamakko, who recommended Bamanga Tukur’s sack on grounds of incompetence then said, ‘Tukur is running the affairs of PDP as more of a private enterprise’.
  
  According to him, the PDP was practically non-existent in Sokoto when he took over the affairs of the party in the state, just as he recalled that the party (PDP), however, won 2011 elections in the State right from councillor to the governor.
  
  While assuring that he is and will continue to be a proud member of the party, Wamakko noted that, PDP members in Sokoto State cannot be intimidate or harassed by whatever trick, hence the people of Sokoto State believes that is only God that can give and take away leadership.
  
  The governor also advised President Goodluck Jonathan to sack Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, his Political Special adviser on grounds of ignorance and incompetence.
  
  Speaking earlier, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal assures the governor of their unalloyed support to him as well as the party.
  
  Tambuwal added that, “The PDP under the leadership of Wamakko in the state remains a united political family.
  
  “So the purported suspension is of no effect to us and there is no retreat or surrender. Wamakko will continue to be our leader even after he finished his term as a governor,” Tambuwal maintained.
  
  When asked on the propriety Speaker’s presence at the rally, Tambuwal’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, said his boss attended the Sokoto rally because he is a grassroots politician who panders to the wish of his constituents.
  
  “Speaker Tambuwal was in Sokoto (for the rally) because he believes in the saying that all politics is local. Any politician worth his onion must understand and influence the issues of his constituents. The people of Sokoto came out in numbers to welcome their Governor.”

APC: Merging parties apply for registration

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  Africcon Report: APC: Merging parties apply for registration
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  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  The leadership of the three merging political parties on Tuesday announced that they had finally approached the Independent National Electoral Commission to merge into one under the name, All Progressive Congress.
  
  The three merging parties are the Action Congress of Nigeria, All Nigeria Peoples Party and the Congress for Progressive Change.
  
  But the merging parties failed to announce interim officers as speculated.
  
  Spokesperson for the merger committee of the three political parties, Chief Tom Ikimi, told journalists in Abuja that the national chairmen, secretaries and treasurers of the three parties had submitted their letters of intent to merge to INEC on Friday.
  
  Ikimi spoke at the end of the committee’s meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
  
  He, however, refused to disclose the names of the interim leaders of the yet-to-be registered APC, saying they would not be stampeded to do so.
  
  Rather, he said they were satisfied with the submission of letters of intent to merge and that the request was already pending before the electoral body.
  
  Ikimi was flanked at the briefing by the both the former Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, who represented the ANPP and a former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Gadi, who also stood in for the CPC.
  
  He said, “The final document for registration in accordance with INEC regulations has to be signed by the National Chairman, National Secretary and National Treasurer of each of the merging parties.”
  
  Ikimi debunked the insinuations in some quarters that the merging committee was unable to agree on who should lead the APC in the interim.
  
  He said the names of prospective interim leaders were being discussed and that representatives of each merging party and some sections of All Progressive Grand Alliance and the DPP had been mandated to report back to the leaders of their group on the matter.
  
  An APGA faction led by Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha  has been romancing with the merging parties but it could not formally key in to the process because the different faction in the party have not been able to agree to hold their convention.
  
  Ikimi said, “That is being discussed and it is being worked out and we need to consult further with our various parties in order to agree with those names.
  
  “There are no disagreements and we as merging parties are working and we had a fruitful meeting this afternoon and we have made fundamental decisions.
  
  “One of the decisions is that we should now consult further with our various parties (on the names of those to lead the newly formed party).”
  
  He said he was happy that the Merging Committee had been able to conclude work on the choice of name, logo, slogan, symbol, constitution and a manifesto of the new party, saying this had made it possible for the merging parties to hold their conventions.
  
  Ikimi said he was happy that  Nigerians were waiting for the final registration of the party so that they could avail themselves the opportunity of joining the APC.
  
  He assured Nigerians that the new party would be broad-based, open and truly belong to all its members equally.
  
  He said, “To this end, we have all subscribed to our new constitution (in the APC) and it defines, quite clearly, the leadership structure of the party.
  
  “This principle underscored equality and fair play among party members without prejudice.
  
  “We will therefore strive to guarantee transparency and internal party democracy, particularly at this stage of registration.
  
  “We expect all of us involved in the process to also subscribe to and respect the fundamental principles.
  
  “Everyone committed to providing our country this platform of change must be prepared to make the necessary sacrifice.”
  
  Spokespersons for the ACN and CPC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Mr. Rotimi Fashakin respectively, assured Nigerians that there was no crisis within the ranks of the members of the merging political parties.
  
  Mohamed said the leaders of the new party were confident that INEC would soon issue them the letters of registration and that the non-submission of the interim leaders of the party to the electoral body would not have any negative effect on its registration.
  
  Asked if the leaders of the merging political parties had agreed on the sharing formula of those that would make the list of the interim committee, Mohammed said, “You will know in due course.
  
  “Let me tell you one thing, nobody would stampede us and no amount of pressure would make us do what we know is not proper.”
  
  He said the merger would be the first time such would happen in the country, adding that its promoters would not be distracted with criticisms because “we know we are on the right course.”
  
  At the meeting were Okorocha; former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa; and a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Audu Ogbeh.

Tinubu - Democracy Under Jonathan, Dysfunctional

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: Tinubu -  Democracy Under Jonathan, Dysfunctional
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former Lagos State Governor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, yesterday told the United Kingdom parliament that the President Goodluck Jonathan-led federal government was a dysfunctional democracy which hangs on the precipice of darkness and uncertainty.
  
  “We have governments that are democracies on paper but not in function. They are democracies in form but not in substance. We have governments that only know democracy primarily through breaching it. In short, many nations suffer authoritarian governments in democratic clothing”, he said.
  
  Speaking to a packed audience inside the Grand Committee Room, Westminster Hall, Houses of Parliament, as part of a conference convened by the British African Diaspora Conference, Tinubu lamented that from the way things are going in Nigeria, many people believe the “best chance for genuine democracy has already escaped from us like dust blown from the hollow of our hand.”
  
  He, however, expressed optimism that true democracy shall prevail in Nigeria in the long run.
  
  According to him, “This belief is not derived from the present facts on the ground. If I limit myself to facts alone, my address to you would be a gloomy one. However, I believe democracy shall win because I hold an undying faith in both justice and the collective wisdom of the people”.
  
  Citing the recent controversy surrounding election of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairman, he said: “Today, those who control the system manipulate elections with such impunity that they now see misconduct without sanction as a normal way of life.
  
  “Thirty-five state governors assembled to vote for the chairmanship. They did this among themselves by secret ballot. One contestant earned 19 votes, the other attracted 16. In a place where honesty matters, the result would be clear and undisputed; but not in today’s Nigeria under the current leadership. The chap who earned fewer votes was declared the winner by those who backed him. In Nigeria, the tenets of basic arithmetic have little application concerning elections. Votes do not count; they are concocted.
  
  “Elections are not necessarily won by the candidate with the highest votes. Elections are won by the candidate of the powerful and mighty.
  
  “This little episode would be laughable if it were an isolated incident. However, it is emblematic of a larger, more troubling pattern that portends calamity if not arrested. With this recent experience, I fear the length those in power would go and the means they would employ to manipulate results when the battleground is the entire nation and the stakes are the general elections in 2015.”
  
  He further said that the NGF debacle symbolizes a disdain for democracy and the popular will and that for Nigeria to be saved, “we must rescue the electoral process from its abusers.”

Sponsors Of Terror Are Mostly PDP Members — ACN

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  Africcon Report: Sponsors Of Terror Are Mostly PDP Members — ACN
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has resisted attempts by the presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to portray the opposition and its leadership as terrorism sponsors. This was as it said that all alleged sponsors of terror in Nigeria were either within the ruling party, the PDP, or somehow associated with it.
  
  In a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said that the presidency and the PDP should tell Nigerians the names of all those mentioned as sponsors of Boko Haram in a well-researched article in the journal of the New York-based World Policy Institute, entitled: ‘’Anatomy of African Terrorism: Boko Haram, Nigeria’s homegrown terror network.’’
  
  It said that a quick perusal of the article shows a former Nigerian Ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe and a serving Nigerian State Governor, all members of the PDP, as alleged terror sponsors.
  
  ‘’Contrary to the blatant falsehood being peddled by the presidency and the PDP, not one member of the ACN was mentioned in that document, which is available to those who are more interested in seeking the truth than calling the dog a bad name just to hang it.
  
  ‘’We abhor terrorism in all its ramifications, and have never and will never support terrorism under any guise. But our stand on Boko Haram is also well known to all fair-minded people whose thinking has not been clouded by political considerations: Terror has festered in our country largely because of widespread poverty/economic deprivation, massive unemployment, injustice and alienation of a large section of the society, all products of years of bad governance.
  
  ‘’For example, Nigeria is home to the largest number of out-of-school children in the world, according to UNESCO. What this means is that we are creating a large pool of possible recruits for terror.
  
  ‘’While these problems date back a long time, the rapacious PDP, which has ruled at the centre since our country’s return to democratic rule in 1999, and the painfully incompetent government of President Goodluck Jonathan have not made things better. It is therefore clear that as these evil twins (PDP/Presidency) point one accusing finger at the ACN, four others are pointing at them,’’ ACN said.
  
  Meanwhile, the party has expressed total satisfaction at the speed with which the presidency and the PDP, in separate statements, repudiated the part of the Boko Haram/Ansaru proscription order that is deemed to be at variance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
  
  The assurances given by the two are exactly what the ACN had demanded in its earlier statement that called attention to the fact that the vague and open-ended order could stifle the freedom of the press and tamper with the fundamental human rights of the ordinary Nigerian.
  
  ‘’After much rambling, the presidency’s statement on the issue said: ‘For the avoidance of doubt, the order is not meant to stop journalists from carrying out their duties or functions of news gathering or reporting as they differ from terrorist activities. Rather, the order is out to criminalise acts of incitement by anyone, group of persons or institutions to commit terrorist acts through dissemination of terrorist information’.
  
  ‘’And when it is stripped of its now boring cliches, the statement from the PDP said: ‘For the avoidance of doubt, no section of the order stifled the press; violated or seeks to violate any provision of the constitution. Instead the order reinforced the provisions of the constitution guaranteeing the security and welfare of all Nigerians’.
  
  ‘’This clarification is exactly what we demanded in our statement, and we can now happily say our work is done.

Abiola And The Beneficiaries Of The June 12 Annulment

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: Abiola And The Beneficiaries Of The June 12 Annulment
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  Another June 12 anniversary is here again when a section of the populace, especially in the Southwest, will celebrate the hero of democracy, Bashorun MKO Abiola. BAYO OLADEJI writes on the beneficiaries of the annulment.
  
  June 12, 2013 is another anniversary of the annulled presidential poll rated as the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria. The election was won by the late business mogul turned politician, Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and was annulled by his celebrated friend and the then military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, whose administration conducted it.
  
  The historic election was annulled in every sense of it. It made a nonsense of every divide that had has been preventing the country from moving forward. Aside from the freest poll, both Abiola and his running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe, were Muslims, a dramatic departure from the culture of religious dichotomy. Abiola, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) also defeated his opponent, Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in Kano, where he hails from.
  
  But in a dramatic turn of events, the then political elite under the aegis of the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) met under the leadership of Babangida and ordered Professor Humphrey Nwosu, chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), not to announce the remaining results, and on June 15, Arthur Nzeribe’s Association for a Better Nigeria (ABN), got a ruling from the Abuja High Court directing the NEC to halt the publication of election results.
  
  And one thing led to another. Babangida, in a national broadcast, annulled the celebrated election and the country was thrown into turmoil whose ghost has not stopped haunting us. The SDP candidate, according to an unofficial result, won 19 in out of the then 30 states, meaning his candidacy was accepted nationwide, but that was not strong enough for the ruling junta to reverse the annulment for reasons, best known to them.
  
  As expected, there was growing tension and protests especially in the South West and civil rights groups led open campaigns denouncing the government and the then Chief of Defence Staff, General Sani Abacha ordered soldiers to shoot at sight of the innocent people on the streets. People began migrating to their home states, in fear that another civil war was imminent. Many died in motor accidents, while crooks vandalised peoples’ property across the nation in the process. The death toll was very high.
  
  Finally, Babangida reluctantly agreed to “step aside” by handing over power to an “interim government” on August 27, 1993, led by Chief Ernest Shonekan, a businessman. Shonekan was asked to rule until freish elections scheduled for February 1994. But the then Defence Minister Sani Abacha, quickly assumed power and forced Shonekan’s “resignation” on November 17, 1993. Abacha dissolved all democratic political institutions and replaced elected governors with military officers. Although Abacha’s junta reportedly promised to return the government to Abiola but that never happened.
  
  Abacha later died and General Abdlusalami Abubakar who had been penciled down for retirement by Abacha took over. But a month later, Abiola died mysteriously in the presence of some American diplomats on the day he was expected to be released.
  
  Abdulsalami conducted the shortest political transition and the north conceded the presidency to the south, to sooth the nerves of the west thus General Olusegun Obasanjo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Chief Olu Falae of the joint ticket of Alliance for Democracy (AD) and the All People’s Party (APP), as it was, contested the presidential poll which was won by Obasanjo. Since then, PDP has remained the ruling party in the country.
  
  It is a tragic irony to note that many people have been the beneficiaries of the annulment and of the supreme price paid by Abiola but they have not deemed it fit to honour him for what he did for the restoration of democracy. All because most of them were in support of the annulment with the exception of the AD governors and the members of the National Assembly between 1999 and 2003! And the only thing they could do was to name some institutions in the southwest after Abiola and continuing to commemorate the annulment every June 12. Just as the protest against the annulment was reduced to the Southwest so also is the commemoration of the day. All attempts to make June 12 the Democracy Day was futile as Obasanjo, the beneficiary-in-chief of the annulment foisted May 29 on the nation.
  
  Interestingly, it was Babangida who first accused those who benefitted from his unpatriotic gesture of being unfair to Abiola in an interview granted the Hausa Service of the Voice of America (VOA) which was monitored on 23 October, 2000, seven years after the annulment.
  
  Hear him, “it is seven years after the annulment of the June 12 presidential election, yet people keep asking me about it in spite of enough answers I have given.But you will find out that it is just a group of people who feel aggrieved by the annulment of the June 12 presidential election.
  
  If it were not for the annulment, what would have been their positions today? June 12 has served as a key to open the door for many Nigerians in positions of authority today. These beneficiaries of June 12 annulment are not being fair to me.”
  
  The question is; who are these beneficiaries that were not fair to IBB and who have failed to honor the victim of the annulled poll?
  
  ING CONTRAPTION
  
  Shortly before Babangida ‘stepped aside’, he foisted a contraption called Interim National Government (ING) which a courageous female judge described illegal on the populace led by Shonekan before Abacha sacked them. Those who participated in the contraption, either as secretaries, as they were called, or as service chiefs, were all beneficiaries of the annulment but who did nothing for the rich but poor man.
  
  MEMBERS OF ABACHA CONFAB
  
  Everyone that participated in the National Political Conference organized by the Abacha junta, apparently, to keep the political elite busy, were beneficiaries of the annulment. And every one that served in the Abacha administration, either as ministers or service chiefs or who held any political or military posts, were all busy “eating on June12” and they had forgotten to do anything for Abiola until both Abiola and Abacha died.
  
  ABDULSALAMI ADMINISTRATION
  
  Shortly after Abacha had passed on, the baton of leadership fell on General Abdulsalami Abubakar who lifted the ban on political activities. Without the annulment, neither Abdulsalami nor those that served in his government would had been there yet they did nothing for Abiola, instead, the winner of the 12June 1993 died under their watch.
  
  OBASANJO ERA
  
  Those who participated in the administration of Obasanjo as members of the National Assembly or as ministers or who held one sensitive post or the other, while it lasted, were beneficiaries of the annulment and the demise of Abiola yet they did nothing in his honour. Those who were at the national political conference, which reports remained in the cupboard were also guilty of abandoning Bashorun Abiola.
  
  In fairness to Obasanjo, a beneficiary-in-chief, he did not hide his disdain for Abiola presidency, during the heat for the de-annulment campaign, he told the bewildered world that “Abiola was not the expected messiah’’ which Nigeria needs. He did nothing reasonable to immortalize his kinsman. To add insult to the injury, he used the presidential order to impose 29 May as Democracy Day, despite all the deafening agitation for the adoption of 12 June. However, Obasanjo in a nationwide broadcast merely listed Abiola as one of those that offered sacrifice for democracy in this dispensation.
  
  YAR’ADUA GOVERNMENT
  
  As it happened under the watch of Obasanjo, so we had in the administration of his successor in office, the late President, Umaru Yar’ Adua. His late brother, General Shehu Yar Adua was not only a close friend of Abiola but a business partner, yet Yar’ Adua did not see any need to honour the man the populace regard as the hero of democracy.
  
  JONATHAN ADMINISTRATION
  
  The Jonathan administration followed the footsteps of his predecessors-in-office with the exception of his decision to rename the University of Lagos after Abiola. But the hues and cries that greeted the decision had forced him to retreat and till today nothing is being done to honor the man who died for our democracy to live.
  
  WHAT CAN BE DONE
  
  Some are calling for the official declaration of Abiola as the President and to grant his family all the benefits which all former leaders, dead or alive, are enjoying. To those advocating this, doing this, would give June 12, ‘a benefiting burial’.
  
  Other suggestion is the naming of either the National Assembly or Presidential Villa, Aso Rock after Bashorun Abiola. Some are even asking for one of the national currencies to have his photo with an inscription, ‘Bashorun MKO Abiola, President-elect, June 12, 1993 election.

Mourinho hints at move for Rooney

Jose Mourinho has left the door ajar for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney to make the move to Chelsea this summer after describing the England striker as "a little bit like me".
Africcon  Media Football
Africcon Report: Mourinho hints at move for Rooney
Africcon Media Sport – Football

From: Africcon Media Football-Sport


Rooney became increasingly unsettled at United as last season progressed and now departed Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed in the final throes of the campaign that the striker had asked for a transfer.

There has been no word from the Rooney camp on the subject, but he has been linked with moves to Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

At his opening Chelsea press conference on Monday, Mourinho's transfer plans were put in the spotlight and he was asked about the prospect of signing Rooney.

"I like him," Mourinho said. "He is at a fantastic age. He has maturity, big experience and is still young. It's up to him and what he wants, what makes him happy."

Mourinho has insisted there is no need for money to motivate Rooney and has called on him to make the right move for his career.

"He's a little bit like me," Mourinho added. "He doesn't need one more pound in his contract and one more cup won't make a difference. Be happy.

"Where is he happy? Where will he find more happiness to have ambition and drive him?"

Napoli reject Chelsea's €40m-plus-Torres bid for Cavani

• Africcon  Media Football
  Africcon Report: Napoli reject Chelsea's €40m-plus-Torres bid for Cavani
  Africcon Media Sport – Football
  
  From: Africcon Media Football-Sport
  
  The Serie A club are holding out for a fee close to the Uruguayan's €63m release clause, with Real Madrid ready to enter the race for the highly coveted striker
  
  Chelsea have offered Fernando Torres to Napoli in a €63 million player-plus-cash bid for Edinson Cavani.
  
  The big-spending Londoners have indicated in discussions with the Serie A club that they are willing to pay €40m in cash plus offer Torres in part-exchange for the prolific Uruguayan.
  
  But Napoli are holding out for a greater cash sum that is close to Cavani's €63m release clause as Real Madrid prepare to enter the race for one of Europe's hottest properties.
  
  Goal understands that the Spanish giants have made the prolific front man their No.1 striker target this summer ahead of Liverpool's Luis Suarez.
  
  Cavani also tops Chelsea's shortlist after they missed out on Radamel Falcao, who joined Monaco for €60m earlier in June.
  
  However, in an echo of their pursuit of Falcao, the Premier League club are reluctant to pay a club record cash sum for the Napoli star.
  
  Chelsea are willing to listen to offers for Torres this summer, although returning Blues manager Jose Mourinho said on Monday that nothing will be decided until he holds talks with the Spaniard upon his return from international duty at the Confederations Cup.
  
  This paves the way for Madrid to blow Chelsea and Manchester City, who have offered £25.5m plus Edin Dzeko to Napoli in part-exchange for Cavani, out of the water.
  
  It is believed that Los Blancos are preparing a mammoth offer for the forward after holding talks with the player's representatives.
  
  The Uruguayan has made little secret of his desire to play for Madrid or Barcelona, although he has insistedthat he will not discuss his Napoli future until after he has played in the Confederations Cup with Uruguay.
  
  “Everything is uncertain at the moment. Today I have a contract with Napoli, but on the other hand there are some conversations going on and now things are a bit dynamic," he told OMNISPORT.
  
  "What I know is that I belong to Napoli and that I'm thinking about my national team because we have a very difficult qualifying game away to Venezuela and we also have a difficult Confederations Cup tournament to deal with. After all these commitments I'll think about what is going to happen."
  
  Napoli want a bidding war for their prize asset as they hold out for a fee close to Cavani's buy-out clause.
  
  "Cavani has a contract for another four years and a buy-out clause worth €63m," De Laurentiis wrote on Twitter in a question-and-answer session in early June.
  
  "We have received many offers for Cavani but all of them were much lower than the buy-out clause."
  
  Cavani is one of the most highly sought-after centre forwards in the world following three prolific seasons at Napoli, which have yielded an astonishing 102 goals in 124 matches for the club in all competitions.
  
  De Laurentiis has publicly insisted that Napoli will replace their star man with another proven striker if they are forced into selling him.
  
  Despite manager Rafael Benitez's successful working relationship with Torres, most memorably at Liverpool, it is understood that he would prefer to sign Dzeko ahead of the Spain international.
  
  However, Napoli's preference is to hold out for a cash fee for Cavani and use some of the proceeds to recruit the striker of their choice.

7Th House Of Reps: An Appraisal Of A Combative House

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: 7Th House Of Reps: An Appraisal Of A Combative House
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  During the June 2011 inauguration ceremony of the Seventh NationalAssembly, the Speaker of the House of Representatives promised Nigerians that, “the Seventh Session of the House of Representatives (2011 – 2015) is determined to chart a new course of legislative business for the benefit of the people.
  
  Riding on a triumphant wave after being elected Speaker of the House of Representatives against the wishes of the Peoples Democratic Party, it was a high spirited Tambuwal who unveiled what he described as a “legislative agenda” that would be a guide for the operation of the House.
  
  The document stated that, “Over the next four years, the House of Representatives will pursue an aggressive legislative agenda to reposition itself as a key branch of government able and determined to deliver on the key elements of governance. We acknowledge that the House has had to navigate the difficult terrain of winning public trust and confidence and even being the champion of the peoples’ cause”.
  
  The Seventh House of Representatives (HoR) (2011 - 2015) is committed to honour the faith and trust reposed in it by the Nigerian people and determined to chart a new course of legislative business for the benefit of the people. In this regard, a National Legislative Agenda for the Seventh House of Representatives seeks to reform the processes of the House, identify legislative priorities and outline a programme of action to achieve the set goals.
  
  The Speaker also added that the legislature seeks to, through the, “aggressive legislative agenda, reposition itself as a key branch of government”; while acknowledging that, “the effort to establish the House as a major institution of democracy in the service of the Nigerian people, has proved to be slow and difficult”; and undertook, in partnership with the distinguished members of the Senate to “legislate for the common good and in the greater interest of the Nigerian people”, and to, “seek the cooperation of other arms of government, particularly the executive, in order to improve the living conditions of the people and make government more responsive to their needs.”
  
  It also sought to, “institutionalise mechanisms that facilitate effective engagement with various stakeholders including constituents and civil society organisations (CSOs); while the economy, job creation, national security, anti-corruption, energy reform, poverty alleviation, millennium development goals and the reform of the constitution were listed as priority areas.
  
  PUBLIC APPRAISAL
  
  At a special session held Thursday to mark the second anniversary of the House, Tambuwal made it known IN A SELF ASSESSMENT, that the House has been able to make remarkable progress in half time. Describing it as ‘progress’, he said in his anniversary speech,”The 7th Assembly has operated its Legislative Agenda in the last two years with appreciable success but not without rather weak scores in some
  
  However, independent assessment was given by some personalities who were guests at the special session. In what he titled “An appraisal of the legislative agenda of the House of Representatives, Mr Chidi Aselm Odinkalu, chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, scored the lawmakers high.
  
  according to him, “This 7th House of Representatives of the National Assembly has been prolific on the legislative side of its business. By the numbers, it has strengthened public petitions, completing 42 out of 49 public petitions, with a completion rate of 85%; passed 57 bills with another 134 pending or undergoing legislative consideration; and conducts legislative business through 89 Committees. Some of the most prominent Bills so far passed include the
  
  Terrorism Prevention Act of 2011 and its (Amendment) Bill of 2013;
  
  Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill, 2013;
  
  Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Bill, 2012;
  
  Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2012
  
  National Economic Intelligence Committee (Establishment) Act (Repeal) Bill 2012;
  
  State of the Union Address Bill 2012;
  
  Nigerians with Disabilities Bill, 2011;
  
  National Climate Change Commission Bill 2011; and
  
  Investment and Securities (Amendment) Bill, 2011”.
  
  He continued, “You have innovated wisely in the design of the Standing Committees. For the first time, this House has a standing Committee on Reform of Government Institutions, better known as the Committee on Freedom of Information. The Committee structure on hydrocarbons has been reformed and now includes a Committee on Local Content; and the Committee structure in the area of justice, intelligence and national security is more comprehensive and inter-related.
  
  The design of oversight appears to have been strengthened and become more focused. Oversight activities in aviation, Capital Market, Petroleum Subsidy, pension reform, and budget implementation, have at various times, captured public imagination and in some cases, not always for the right reasons.
  
  “The governance of our economy has received serious attention. Co-operation with the Senate and the Executive ensured the passage of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) as the basis for governing our annual appropriations. The appropriation process itself has been reformed and 2013 was the first time in recent memory in which legislative business on the budget was accomplished in the preceding year. This does not make the process anywhere near perfect but indicates that we are capable of improving and refining it even further. Work is on-going to activate the National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABRO)”.
  
  But it was not all praises galore for the lawmakers. Odinkalu also pointed out areas where action has been slow.”You have done so much”, he said, “Yet so much remains to be done. There is a back breaking mountain of work still, waiting for your attention and action. Among many:
  
  The Petroleum Industry Bill is now pending in committee. Hearings on the Bill have taken place in the six geo-political zones;
  
  Electoral and Constitutional reforms are both under consideration as well. The constituency hearings on the constitution reform process were innovative and the public announcement of the outcomes kept faith with the Nigerian people;
  
  In the power and energy sector, the Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2012, as well as the Clean Energy (Establishment) (Etc.) Bill of 2012 are presently pending in the committees as well.
  
  In the security and justice sector, the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill is presently in Committee Stage while the Witness Protection Programme Bill is still pending; and
  
  On jobs and labour, the Skills Acquisition and Development Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill is also pending.
  
  Reviewing the Legislative Agenda, he dwelt on the monster insecurity in the country, stressing that “Under our constitution, the protection of public safety and security is explicitly declared to be “the primary purpose” of government. The integrity and security of Nigeria and of all who live in it has emerged quite evidently as a major challenge for our country in this parliament. To be effective in doing this, security deployments must respect the rights of people to peace in endangered communities. As a matter of urgency, oversight by this Honorable House of security operations needs to be improved and to be made more open”.
  
  On the role of the House in boosting the welfare of men of security agencies to improve productivity, he said,”The situation of the Nigeria Police Force requires urgent attention. As a nation, we have not much cared nor looked after our police and its men and women. As a result, we have saddled other services with responsibilities that rightfully belong to the police. Legislative measures to transform policing have been pending before this House for a considerable time. It is time to pass them. We need an effective police force clothed with dignity and professionalism to help us find durable solutions to our internal security problems. We must help our police to protect us better and this House is well placed to provide leadership on this”.
  
  Conducting a check against delivery, he said the House is also well placed to provide leadership on five other issues that define the landscape of our national security governance. “These are: elections; inequality and citizenship; climate change; small arms and border security, corruption and impunity for it.
  
  Electoral reform is already under consideration in this House. As politicians, members are all interested in the rules of the game. But you are also more than merely politicians here: You are all also citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As such, your fate are tied to the fate of our country.
  
  The issue of inequality and citizenship is important because the indigene-settler dichotomy has been the cause of much blood letting and undisguised trouble in our country. This is already a subject of attention in the constitution reform process. It requires both legislative attention and continuing political leadership and dialogue. The Diaspora and Foreign Affairs Committees must also address the abuses that Nigerians suffer outside our shores.
  
  For those who wonder why climate change has become a national security issue for us, I would pose this question: Is it an accident that the two most ecologically fragile and endangered parts of our country”- the Sahelian frontiers of the Lake Chad Basin and the Mangrove and rainforest creeks of the Niger Delta - are also the two most deeply insecure? Only about 40% of our 923,000 Square Kilometers is arable and the greatest loss of arable territory has occurred in the Niger Delta due to hyrdo-carbon exploration and the Sahel due to the south-ward march of neo-Sahelian climate change. In northern Nigeria, it is estimated that about 29 million people live in the 10 states of Nigeria’s Sahelian fringes. As the Sahel spreads south-wards, populations affected by it migrate further south, increasing inter-communal tensions in the Middle Belt. We need urgent legislative leadership and action on climate change.
  
  The traffic in small arms has also become a serious source of national security angst. The Firearms Act and the Explosives Act are inadequate for the challenges we confront. We need urgent legislative action to complement multilateral and international action to address this scourge and make our people safer.
  
  In the Agenda, this Honorable House identified corruption and accountability as one of its seven priorities. This is probably the area in which this House has achieved the least and in which Nigerians justifiably believe that this House has been missing in action. Impunity for corruption is a major reason why we now have a national security crisis. Around the country and beyond, there is a perception that the fight against corruption is losing steam and the level of support from this House must be much stronger.
  
  The “repositioning” of Parliament.
  
  Speaking on one of the aims of the legislative agenda, which is to change the negative image the public perceive of the House, the Human Rights Commission chairman said, “The popular imagination will not be complete until Nigerians get the sense that this House is resolute in its fight against corruption, impunity and poverty.
  
  This House must rise in unison and urgently too to show that it can accomplish this. One way to do this is to urgently pass the Bill on Civil Asset Forfeiture, at a time of great hardship in the country, Nigerians also seek greater transparency in the management and administration of the cost of running the affairs of government generally and of Parliament, in particular, including the emoluments of members. There needs to be greater openness in how this House manages its internal ethical processes.
  
  Nigerians need to sec that this House has zero tolerance for corruption, its causes, and perpetrators. This House must also address the perception that oversight is sometimes abused or used in ways that diminish its utility and your collective dignity”

Jega Under Pressure Not To Register APC

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: Jega Under Pressure Not To Register APC
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  Pressure from “high quarters” is said to be mounting on the principal officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to not register the All Progressive Congress (APC), a coalition of the main opposition political parties seeking to dethrone the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections.
  
  LEADERSHIP findings yesterday revealed that the INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, is resisting the pressure from what a source described as “high quarters” to not register APC as a political party.
  
  Professor Jega confided in one of his friends that “if the pressure continues I will be left with no option except to throw in the towel”.
  
  It was learnt that the INEC chairman had lamented that the reputation he had built over the years as an intellectual and an activist of international repute had taken a huge bashing because he accepted the electoral umpire job.
  
  Both the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Electoral Act 2011, as amended, vest the power to register or de-register political parties in INEC.
  
  Three political parties – the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) – had resolved to merge under the platform of the APC. However, representatives of the three political parties are putting final touches to their papers to seek registration by INEC.
  
  The INEC chairman, it was learnt, had confided in his close friends that pressure was being mounted on him to not register APC as a political party when the parties formally requested registration.
  
  His worries were compounded by the fact that the national leadership of the APC was finding it difficult to fast-track its registration process, LEADERSHIP gathered.
  
  Both the presidency and the ruling PDP, it was further gathered, are plotting to make the merger flop so that each of the merging political parties would vie for elective offices on their individual platforms in the 2015 general election.
  
  There had been an earlier plot for the electoral commission to not register the Buhari/Tinubu-led APC: another political party with the same acronym, African Peoples Congress (APC), had sought registration with INEC.
  
  Meanwhile, the leaders of APC will soon announce the names of its interim national officers who would serve as the party’s liaison with INEC for its registration.
  
  The three officers that would be selected to serve on interim basis, according to LEADERSHIP findings, are those of chairman, secretary and treasurer.
  
  Party registration purely administrative matter– INEC
  
  When contacted over the matter of APC registration, the chief press secretary of Jega, Mr Kayode Idowu, stated that party registration under INEC is purely administrative matter.
  
  He said, “Every application for registration in INEC is a routine administrative matter and will be handled as such.”

Court Orders SSS To Produce Lebanese Suspects

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: Court Orders SSS To Produce Lebanese Suspects
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the State Security Service (SSS), the inspector-general of police (IGP) and the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) to produce the owner of Amigo Supermarket, Mustapha Fawaz, and two other Lebanese being held for their alleged involvement in the importation of arms cache for alleged  terrorist activities.
  
  The other suspects are Abdallah Tahini and Tala Ahmed Roda who are currently in the custody of security agents.
  
  In his ruling on an ex-parte application by the applicants yesterday, Justice Adeniyi Ademola ordered the three defendants to produce the suspects in court on June 13.
  
  The ex-parte application was argued by Chief Robert Clarke (SAN), leading Ahmed Raja (SAN) and 12 others.
  
  The suspects had last week sued the three defendants, challenging their arrest and continued detention.
  
  They also faulted the closure of the business premises by security agents, and demanded a public apology from the defendants to be published in three national dailies and N50billion compensation.
  
  Upon listening to Chief Clarke’s argument, the judge directed as follows: “That an order is hereby made directing the respondents, particularly the 1st and 2nd respondents, to produce the applicants in court on June 13, 2013.
  
  “That it is further ordered that the applicants’ Motion on Notice dated the 3rd day of June, 2013, already served on the respondents   is fixed for June 13 for hearing.”
  
  The applicants had sought four prayers, but the judge granted the lawyer’s request for his client’s production in court on the next adjourned date of June 13.
  
  The ex-parte application reads: “Upon the Motion Ex-parte dated and filed on the 3rd day of June 2013, praying for the following:
  
  “An interim order granting bail to the applicants forthwith conditionally or unconditionally, pending the determination of the substantive Motion on Notice in this matter.
  
  “An Interim Order restraining the respondents from continued arrest, detention, harassment and intimidation of the applicants, their families, relations and/or business interests pending the determination of the substantive Motion on Notice in this matter.
  
  “In the alternative, an Interim Order directing the respondents particularly the 1st and 2nd respondents to produce the applicants in court for the hearing of the Motion on Notice in this matter pending the hearing and determination of the said Motion on Notice.
  
  “And such further order(s) as this honourable court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”
  
  A chief magistrate court in Karu District, Abuja, headed by Muyiwa Oyeyipo had last week granted the SSS an order to remand the suspects in custody,  pending their proper arraignment.
  
  The chief magistrate consequently adjourned the matter till June 19, 2013.
  
  It was however not clear whether the SSS operatives have concluded investigation on the alleged involvement of the suspects in the discovered arms’ depot in Kano.
  
  The large cache of dangerous weapons, according to information, was intended to attack Israeli and Western targets in Nigeria. It was found at a home in Kano belonging to a Lebanese national, Fauzi Fawad.
  
  Security operatives had also, two weeks ago, discovered more dangerous weapons in a home in Kano where Lebanese nationals had stored the weapons intended to attack Israeli and Western targets in Nigeria.
  
  In a statement, the Kano State Director of State Security Service (SSS), Bassey Etang, and a separate military statement described the compound as hosting a “terrorist cell” tied to the Lebanese Shiite movement, Hezbollah.
  
  Journalists were brought to the compound in the upmarket Bompai neighbourhood of Kano and taken to a bunker dug beneath a bedroom where weapons had allegedly been stored.
  
  “The weapons include anti-tank weapons, rocket-propelled guns, anti-tank (and) anti-personnel mines, among other dangerous weapons,” the military statement said.
  
  It said three Lebanese nationals had been arrested in connection with the illegal arms cache, while a fourth suspect was at large.
  
  “This is the handiwork of Hezbollah. What has just been discovered is the cell of Hezbollah and what you have seen here is a Hezbollah armoury,” Etang said.
  
  “These weapons are meant to be used to target Israeli and Western interests in Nigeria,” he added.
  
  According to the SSS chief, “investigations are still ongoing to determine if the Lebanese nationals are really connected to Boko Haram.”
  
  The military statement said one suspect, Mustafa Fawaz, was arrested on May 16 and his “confession unveiled other members of the foreign terrorists network”.
  
  A second suspect, Abdullah Tahini, was arrested several days later while trying to board a flight to Beirut from the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, according to the military.
  
  The third detained Lebanese national, Talal Roda, was arrested at the Kano home on May 26, while Fauzi Fawad was identified as the suspect at large.
  
  Fawaz is a co-owner of Amigo Supermarket as well as Wonderland Amusement Park in Abuja.

Fashola signs cremation bill into law

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: Fashola signs cremation bill into law
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  Following the passage of cremation bill by the state House of Assembly, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state, Monday, signed cremation bill into law, which provides for voluntary burning of corpses and unclaimed corpses in the state.
  
  The governor, also signed two other bills into law, they are; A law to establish the Ibile Oil and Gas Corporation and  that of establishing the Lagos State Christian and Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.
  
  Fashola while signing the cremation bill into law, after several months of public debates in his Alausa office, Ikeja, said the cremation law is voluntary, adding that its enactment shows how the concept of globalization had taken its roots in the state.
  
  The governor, who lauded members of   House of Assembly for responding to global yearnings, noted that their enthusiasm in passing the law also showed that cremation is the best way to go.
  
  Explaining the content of the new cremation law, the Lagos State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Ade Ipaye, said the law only provides for voluntary cremation.
  
  According to him,” it is voluntary in the sense that it allows for voluntary cremation, whereby a person may signify interest to be cremated when he dies or a deceased’s family members who must attain the age of 18 years can decide to have the corpse cremated.”
  
  Ipaye added that; “The law now makes it legal for the state government to cremate unclaimed corpses in its mortuaries after a period of time”.
  
  The Attorney General added that if the owners of the corpse also failed to show up to collect the ashes after 14 day notice it will be disposed by the state government subject to the consent and approval of the Commissioner for Health.
  
  Ipaye explained that Section 2 stipulates that no cremation may take place except in a crematorium established by the Ministry of Health or by any other body upon the recommendation of the authority and approval by the Commissioner for Health.
  
  Section 6 of the law, according to him stipulates the guidelines to getting permission to cremate and lists those who could apply for permission to cremate to include a child or children of the deceased; a close relative of the deceased; an undertaker and an agent/legal representative.
  
  The commissioner said Section 10 of the law states that the cremator in charge of a crematorium must not dispose of the ashes remaining after a cremation except in accordance with any reasonable written instructions of the applicant.
  
  Ipaye affirmed that the cremator in charge may bury the ashes in a burial ground if,“within one year after the cremation, the applicant does not give reasonable written instructions for the disposal of the ashes.”
  
  While signing bills establishing Ibile Oil and Gas Company, a state owned oil company, and Law regulating the Christian and Muslims Pilgrims’ Welfare Board into law, Fashola, explained that though, the state had laws enacted in the 80s to regulate the activities of the two boards, but the state government had decided to harmonize the amendments done on the law overtime to make it uniform and effective.

Ibadan pipeline explosion: We’ve resumed pumping of petroleum products – NNPC

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: Ibadan pipeline explosion: We’ve resumed pumping of petroleum products – NNPC
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  LAGOS—The Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Sunday said it had successfully clamped the ruptured point along the Mosimi–Ibadan line and resumed fuel supply operation to Ibadan and its environs.
  
  The repairs came less than 24 hours after men suspected to be oil thieves ruptured the Mosimi–Ibadan fuel supply pipeline along the crucial System 2B Pipeline network, which erupted into an inferno  weekend.
  
  The Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Ms. Tumini Green, in a statement said a team of engineers and technologists from the NNPC and its downstream subsidiary, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, worked assiduously over the weekend to restore the line to normal operation.
  
  fire-outbreak
  
  The NNPC spokesperson said the Corporation responded quickly because of its determination to ensure that Nigerians do not experience any form of scarcity in petroleum products supply on account of the activities of some unpatriotic citizens.
  
  “At exactly 20.06 hrs on Saturday, the Mosimi–Ibadan line was re-streamed after repair works at the ruptured point. While we remain committed to our resolve in ensuring unimpeded distribution of petroleum products across the country despite the mounting odds, we call on members of the public to support the NNPC and the security agencies in this fight against oil thieves and pipeline hackers,” the statement read in part.
  
  The NNPC called on Ibadan residents and the adjoining communities to refrain from panic buying or hoarding of petroleum products in anticipation of scarcity.
  
  Litany of vandalism
  
  Efforts by the NNPC to ensure unimpeded distribution of products through its vast artery of pipelines have come under serious threats due to the activities of oil thieves especially along the System 2B Pipeline network, which accounts for a third of products supply in the country.
  
  The Corporation said there have been over 774 ruptured points between August and October, 2012 along the System 2B line, adding that it is currently working with the Engineering Corps of the Nigerian Army to clear the pipeline right of way from the Atlas Cove in Lagos to the Ilorin Depot in KwaraState.
  
  The Corporation is also introducing the Horizontal Direct Drilling System, HDD to redirect the pipelines from the reach of vandals.
  
  Pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft has attained a worrisome dimension over the years, with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, saying the country loses about N954 billion ($6 billion) to crude oil theft annually.
  
  Last year, the Minister of Petroleum Resources said Nigeria lost about N1.908 trillion ($12 billion) to pipeline vandalism and oil theft in 2011, while adding that of the total amount, $5 billion was spent on pipeline repairs, while the amount lost to crude theft was valued at $7 billion.
  
  Confirming this, the Minister of Finance and Coordinator of the Economy, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said Nigeria is losing an estimated 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil, resulting in about 17 per cent reduction in export sales, costing the nation’s treasury about $14 billion in 2011 alone.
  
  Also, the PPMC said Nigeria lost about N165 billion in the last four years to pipeline vandalism, adding that the sum includes the cost of repairs and products theft.
  
  Managing Director of PPMC, Mr. Haruna Momoh, noted that the activities of vandals at Arepo in particular, and products theft across the country had become a recurring national embarrassment and had cost the country, N165 billion between 2009 and 2012.
  
  He added that on a number of occasions, the vandals at Arepo, who have become notorious in their operations, attacked personnel of PPMC with guns and other dangerous weapons, and prevented them from fixing the damaged pipelines.
  
  This, he said, led to the death of a number of personnel over the years and had brought about a huge cost on PPMC in the area of repair of the vandalised pipelines.
  
  He said: “In one case, the vandals killed one of our personnel, who had gone to fix a vandalised pipeline and buried him in an unknown grave. It took the intervention of the management of PPMC, who pleaded with the community for several days before they could show us the grave, allowing us to exhume the body so as to give the personnel a befitting burial.”

Tension in APC over sharing of offices

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: Tension in APC over sharing of offices
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  Here is tension in the yet-to-be registered main merger opposition party, All Progressive Congress, over distribution of offices.
  
  The APC is a product of a merger between the Action Congress of Nigeria, Congress for Progressive Change, All Nigeria Peoples Party and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance and it has an avowed mission to dislodge the PDP from power in 2015.
  
  Already, sources within the APC on Sunday confided in our correspondents that there had been disagreements over the sharing of party offices among the stakeholders from the different parties.
  
  Investigations showed that the CPC and the ANPP disagreed over the post of the National Secretary, which the former insisted must be given to it.
  
  A source within the APC confided in one of our correspondents that, “the ANPP, specifically Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, wanted the position of the protem National Secretary but was schemed out.
  
  “The CPC and the ACN conspired. The CPC insisted on the position of secretary or nothing. Those in the ANPP are not excited about this.
  
  “There is also a proposal that the CPC in addition to producing the secretary will get the presidential slot while the ACN gets the chairmanship of the party in addition to producing the Vice-Presidential candidate.”
  
  Shekarau was the ANPP presidential candidate in the 2011 elections and he has been  one of the major forces behind the merger agreement.
  
  The ACN, CPC and ANPP have already scheduled a meeting for this week to resolve alleged disagreements over sharing of offices.
  
  National Publicity Secretary of the ANPP, Chief Emma Eneukwu, however said he was unaware of any such disagreement.
  
  According to him, there is nothing to suggest that the ANPP has any disagreement with the arrangement made by the leadership of the APC.
  
  He said, “I am not aware of this. I know of the arrangement that we have with regards to the constitution of the Interim Management Committee. If there is any disagreement, my party has not told me about it.
  
  “But I know that there is an agreement that each of the three parties will produce one member each in the IMC.
  
  “There are only three positions: Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, so there is no way one party can take two positions out of three.”
  
  He noted that the desperation of those who are scared of the rising profile of the APC could be responsible for the spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation.
  
  Speaking in the same vein, National Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, accused the PDP and some unnamed “jittery forces” of peddling the rumour about the disagreement within the ranks of the opposition on the sharing of offices.
  
  He said there was no iota of truth in the rumour making the rounds that the ranks of the APC had been polarised because of this.
  
  “That is the handiwork of the ruling party and those jittery because of the coming together of the opposition political parties under the banner of APC,” Mohammed said.
  
  Asked about when the yet-to-be registered party would submit its application to the Independent National Electoral Commission for registration, he said that would be done “soon.”
  
  The National Publicity Secretary of the CPC, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, said the main business before the proposed party at the moment was the issue of registration.
  
  According to him, it is when the party becomes duly registered that the issue of the distribution of offices will come to play.
  
  “It is when the issue of registration is settled that we can discuss other issues. Even at that, we recognise the fact that no sacrifice is too much to remove this indignity that the (President Goodluck) Jonathan administration represents,” he said in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents on Sunday.
  
  He also took time off to explain that the national leadership of the party was doing everything within its power to ensure that no loose end was left untied.
  
  Fahakin said, “What we have done is that the national leadership of our party reasoned that, look, since we don’t have a template, even INEC doesn’t have a template to hand to us; you know the concept of merger is a novelty in this country.
  
  “That is why everybody is looking at the Constitution and the Electoral Act, we are trying our best to ensure we get things right.
  
  “For now, the National Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer of each of the merging political parties making a total of nine, have been saddled with the responsibility of writing to INEC.”
  
  He explained that only political parties who had held their conventions and had agreed to the merger at this level were entitled to write INEC.
  
  The ACN, ANPP and CPC are expected to write INEC, signifying their intension to merge this week.
  
  In a related development, there are strong indications that APGA may not field candidates in the next set of elections in 2015.
  
  This is due to the protracted crisis rocking the party. Informed sources within the factionalised party confided in The PUNCH that APGA’s internal crisis is not likely to end soon.
  
  Chief Victor Umeh leads one faction of the party while Chief Maxi Okwu leads the other.
  
  A leading member of the party and Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has approached the leadership of the APC signalling his intension to drag APGA into the merger.