Photo: President Buhari Approves New Official Portrait

Current news in Nigeria Theresa Tekenah Comments

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a new official portrait for display in all public offices, buildings and for other legitimate purposes.

All ministries, departments, agencies of government, Sub-National Entities, businesses and the public are enjoined to obtain soft copy of the portrait.

This was made known in a tweet by Personal Assistant on New Media to the president, Bashir Ahmed.

He said the new official portrait of President Muhammadu Buhari can be downloaded on osgf.gov.ng, the official website of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Bayelsa Guber: Group Says Confusion Within Party May Make PDP Lose

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The Bayelsa State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Support Group has raised the alarm that prominent politicians in Bayelsa and Rivers States are making surreptitious moves to cause confusion in the PDP by falsely encouraging multiple governorship aspirants to enter the race with the sinister intent to make the party lose the election, Nigerian Tribune reports.

The Coordinator of the Group, Chief Isaac Ipidei, said in a statement on Wednesday that the politicians especially two of them have been holding frequent secret meetings with Chief Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ipidei called on the national leadership of the PDP to note what he described as the dangerous duplicity political camp of the politician in the state in order to take the requisite steps to avert any threat to PDP’s victory at the November 16 governorship polls.

He called on the national leadership of the PDP to take the expected measures to halt the subversive action linked to the former President in order to prevent him from repeating the PDP loss of political power at the centre in his native Bayelsa.

Nigeria Police Force Restricts All Protests In Abuja To The Unity Fountain

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In furtherance of the efforts by the Police at ensuring safety and security of life and property, the free flow of traffic and the protection of commerce and other economic activities, as well as a more coordinated handling of peaceful protest, the Inspector-General of Police M.A. Adamu, has restricted all forms of protests within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to the Unity Fountain, Central Business District, Abuja.

In a statement released by the force public relations, DCP Frank Mba, he stated that by the directive,  intending protesters are requested to steer-clear of all critical national infrastructure, especially the Three Arms Zone and other sensitive security areas.

“They are however at liberty to assemble and conduct peaceful protests within the Unity Fountain (the authorized protest zone).

“The restriction is sequel to series of protests, such as the one on 30th October, 2018 in various parts of Abuja, which brought the Capital City to a standstill, crumbling economic activities and inflicting untold hardship on motorists and the general public.

“A similar protest during the same month led to the setting ablaze of a Police Patrol Vehicle at Banex Plaza, Abuja, traumatizing innocent citizens. This year, on the 9th of July, another protest at the National Assembly, Abuja, led to an unprovoked attack on Police officers on legitimate national assignment, injuring nine (9) of them and causing massive damage to public and private property.

“The Force is not unaware of the African Charter on Human Rights, which the Nigerian State has ratified and the Constitutional provisions relating to the fundamental human rights, particularly freedom of expression, right to peaceful assembly and freedom of movement.

“It is important however to note that these rights are not absolute and are constitutionally moderated by the genuine concerns for public safety, public order and for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom of other persons.

“Needless to state that it is within the prerogative of the Police to regulate activities of protesters who have the tendency to cause damage to life and property, particularly to innocent and non-protesting citizens, who also have equal right to exercise their freedom, unmolested by the protesting group.

“It is against this backdrop that the IGP seeks the cooperation and understanding of would-be protesters and the general public. He reiterates his call for constructive collaboration between the citizens and the Police in enthroning a new culture of protests devoid of violence and damage to public and private property.”

Criminality Has No Tribe In The Eyes Of The Law, Says APC

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The All Progressives Congress (APC), has said that terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and other crimes must be condemned by all irrespective of where the person comes from because criminality has no tribe in the eyes of the law.

The APC in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, on Wednesday, said Nigerians must be reminded that many of the recorded genocides all over the world started through unchecked prejudices and systematic profiling of racial, political and cultural groups.

“We reject the notion of a Nigeria where any ethnic group is unwelcome in any part of the country. Every Nigerian must be free to live and work in safety anywhere in the country,” the APC said.

The ruling party urged Nigerians to be “wary of partisan individuals, many of whom formerly occupied elective positions but failed to tackle many of the criminalities we face today.

“We must be wary of these leaders who now play to the gallery to incite, spread hate and intolerance in the country. Their interventions are not patriotic but in pursuance of their political and selfish interests.

“The APC urges the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, the National Assembly, our religious, traditional, political leaders and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians not to be distracted by these unpatriotic antics.

“We may not agree on some issues in our national life, but we must continue to explore all peaceful and legitimate avenues to tackle our challenges and find amicable commonground to our disputation,” the statement read.

The APC expressed concerns over cases of violent crimes recorded in some parts of the country, particularly in the recent and unfortunate killing of Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Chief Rueben Fasoranti, Afenifere leader and also extended their condolences to the family of the late Funke Olakunrin on the sad and painful loss.

The party called on relevant security agencies to intensify ongoing effort to rid the country of crime, particularly the violent type.

NASS To Take Over Edo Assembly If… -Reps

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The National Assembly is to take over the functions of the Edo State House of Assembly should the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and members of the 7th Edo House not meet three conditions, The Nation reports.

The lawmakers also said that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, and the Director-General Department of State Services, Yusuf Magaji Bichi should shut down the Edo State of Assembly, and provide adequate security to allay further fear of intimidation and threat as alleged by members-elect.

This was part of the recommendation of the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on the Edo Crisis, headed by Abdulrasak Namdas which was adopted during the consideration of the report laid on Wednesday.

The members recommended that “the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, in the interest of peaceful coexistence of the state,, should issue a fresh Proclamation within one (1) week in line with section 105(3) of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, stating the date ,and venue and publish in any Nation daily and television station..

Secondly, that all actions taken by the 7tjh Assembly members should be declared null and void pending proper inauguration.

Thirdly, “that members of the Edo State House of Assembly, both that have been inaugurated and those who have not been inaugurated should dissolve their faction in the interest of peace and stability of the House, with the view of moving the state forward…

Details shortly…

Senate Confirms Justice Tanko Muhammad as Chief Justice of Nigeria

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?The Senate has confirmed Justice Tanko Muhammad as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

This follows President Muhammadu Buhari’s letter to the national assembly seeking Justice Tanko’s confirmation as the number one judicial officer in the land.

Justice Muhammad has been in acting capacity since January after the suspension of Walter Onnoghen for alleged misconduct.

APC Adopts Direct Primaries For Bayelsa Guber Poll

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The State Working Committee (SWC), and other major stakeholders in Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, adopted the direct mode of primaries to elect candidates for the November 16 governorship poll.

The decision was taken at meeting well attended by key stakeholders; including the state leader of the party and former governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, the immediate past Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, a former member of the Buhari campaign Organisation, Preye Aganaba and elected National Assembly members of the party, held amidst rowdy atmosphere.

The State Chairman of the Party , Mr. Jothan Amos, while delivering his opening remark, said the meeting was summoned to discuss the mode of party primaries and suggested that it will be direct primaries to sustain the tempo of the party successes from the last National and State Assemblies election.

Tekenah learnt that the Heineken Lokpobiri – led fraction insisted on indirect primaries.

Others sited that the chairman of the party did not seek the opinion of some stakeholders before announcing the adoption of direct mode of primaries to elect candidates for the November 16 governorship poll.

DAILY POST reports that “it was immediately the state chairman, Jotham Amos put the question to the already rowdy meeting, some shouted direct, while others just kept shouting ‘No!No!!No!!! and everyone left the venue.

“Meanwhile, the State Secretary of the Party, Alabo Martins later told newsmen that the resolution agreed by all stakeholders was the direct mode of voting for the Governorship primary of the party.”

Lawan Appoints SA Media, Deputy Chief Of Staff

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The President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, has approved the appointments of Karage Mamman and Ola Awoniyi as his Deputy Chief of Staff and Special Adviser on Media, respectively.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Assistant to the president of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Mr. Mohammed Isa.

Other appointments approved by Lawan, according to the statement, were that of Abubakar Sidiq Usman as Special Assistant on New Media; Kabir Adamu as Special Adviser on Security and Intelligence, and Muhammad Mukhtar Yawale as Special Adviser on Health.

All the appointments are with immediate effect.

The 58-year-old Awonyi, according to the statement, is a graduate of University of Ibadan where he obtained a B.Sc in Psychology and holds Masters in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice (MLC), and Masters in International Affairs and Diplomacy (MIAD), both from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

He also obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism from International Institute of Journalism, Abuja in 1997.

He worked with Nigerian Tribune for over a decade before he joined the services of Agence France-Press (AFP), where he is the Head of Abuja office.

The new Deputy Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Karage, according to the statement, is a graduate of University of Sokoto where he obtained Bachelor of Arts (Education).

He retired as Director in Federal Ministry of Education in 2018.

On his part, Usman, popularly know as Abu Sidiq, according to the statement, graduated from Federal University of Technology, Minna, where he obtained both his first and second degrees.

A renown blogger, Abu Sidiq, was the Head of Social Media Unit of the Field Operations Directorate of All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2019 general elections.

APYF Thanks Speaker Gbajabiamila For Appointment Of Members

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The All Progressives Youth Forum (APYF) has expressed its gratitude to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, for appointing two of its members as Special Assistants.

The APYF In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Ife Adebayo, on Tuesday, said the Forum “received with great delight the news of the appointments of Ms. Fatima Kakuri as Special Assistant on Gender Equality and Mr. Hamza Baba Ibrahim as Special Assistant on IDPs. Both appointees, who are amongst our most valuable members, would no doubt enrich the delivery of the necessary legislative intervention in the pursuit of the next level agenda.”

While thanking the Speaker for living up to his promise of a deliberate youth inclusion in governance, APYF calls on the two appointees to justify the confidence the group places in their abilities and to represent the principles of competence, loyalty and dedication which the Forum espouses.

The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday announced the appointments of 27 legislatives aides and the appointments take immediate effect.

Those appointed are:

Special Adviser – Administration – Odofin David Seun

Special Adviser – Political Matters – Olanrewaju Smart

Special Adviser – Special Duties – Badmus Olufunmi

Special Assistant – Legal Matters – Osazee Melody Ogundijie

Special Assistant – Legislative Matters – Hon. Raphael Nnana Igbokwe

Special Assistant – Gender Equality– Fatima Kakuri

Special Assistant – IDPs – Hamza Baba Ibrahim

Special Assistant – Special Needs /Equal Opportunities – Abdulsalam Idowu Kamaldeen

Special Assistant – Employment and Job Creation – Hadiza Abubakar Talba

Special Assistant – Budget and Finance – Lukman Oyewole Lawal

Special Assistant – Former Members’ Affairs – Hon Bassey Ewa

Special Assistant – Policy and Inter-Parliamentary – Princewill Tabia

Special Assistant – Executive Relations – Hon Ibrahim Mohammed Baba

Special Assistant – Anti-Corruption – Akin Ogunlola

Special Assistant – Niger Delta / Oil & Gas – Hon. Daniel Reyenieju

Special Assistant – Research and Public Policy – Dubem Mogalu

Special Assistant – Members’ Affairs – Dunkwu Nnamdi Chamberlain

Special Assistant – SDGs – Shehu Saleh

Special Assistant – Youth Matters – Ibrahim Alli-Balogun

Special Assistant – Intergovernmental Affairs – Adaku Apugo

Senior Legislative Aide – Adim Akpapunam

Special Assistant – Political Matters (North East) – Hon Sadiq Ibrahim

Special Assistant – Political Matters (South West) – Hon. Ayodeji Joseph

Special Assistant – Political Matters (North West) – Hon. Bashir Baballe

Special Assistant – Political Matters (South East) – Hon. Anayo Nnebe

Special Assistant – Political Matters (North Central) – Hon. Adamu Chika

Special Assistant – Political Matters (South South) – Hon. E. J Agbonayinma

Senate To Confirm Appointment Of Acting CJN Tanko Mohammed On Wednesday

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The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Mohammed will on Wednesday appear before the Senate for screening and confirmation of his appointment, TVC News reports.

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, disclosed this at Tuesday’s plenary.

Lawan says the CJN would appear before the Committee of the Whole of the Senate to commence his screening exercise.

He said copies of the nominee’s Curriculum Vitae (CV) had been distributed to the lawmakers to enable them have adequate background information about him and his career.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on Thursday forwarded a letter asking the Senate to consider confirmation of the acting chief justice of the federation.