Furor In Anambra APC As Dismissed Senator Ekwunife Seeks Party's Nomination

The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is gripped by grumbling after former Senator Uche Ekwunife ditched her political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defected to the APC, and blanketed the state with her campaign posters seeking nomination to represent the APC in a forthcoming senatorial race.

Ms. Ekwunife contested the 2015 senatorial election on the ticket of the PDP, and was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission. However, on December 7, 2015, a panel of the Court of Appeal in Enugu nullified her election, ruling that her selection as the PDP’s senatorial candidate was irregular. The appellate court ordered INEC to conduct fresh electionswithin 90 days.

In a dramatic move yesterday, Ms. Ekwunife announced her resignation from the PDP. Her campaign then unveiled campaign posters depicting her as seeking nomination to represent the APC in the forthcoming rerun.

“The manner in which Chief Mrs. Uche Ekwunife is trying to buy the APC nomination is a recipe for disaster for the party,” one APC official told SaharaReporters. He described Ms. Ekwunife as “an unprincipled politician who is using everything at her disposal to contest the [senatorial] election as the APC flag bearer now that it is clear that Dr. [Chris] Ngige will not run.”

Another APC member complained that the rusticated senator was using her ties to some APC top shots in Abuja to bulldoze her way to a nomination. “How can she resign from PDP yesterday and by today her [campaign] posters as a so-called APC member are all over the place?” He accused Ms. Ekwunife of spreading false rumors that President Muhammadu Buhari was backing her ambition to be the party’s candidate in the senatorial contest. “Her minions have been claiming that her move to APC has been approved by President Buhari. And that her election will be funded by Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Tambuwal [of Enugu and Sokoto states respectively],” he stated.

A top APC official in Anambra State however allayed the fears of party members who have expressed disenchantment over what he called Ms. Ekwunife’s “political antics.” “I can assure party members and all APC members that President Buhari has nothing to do with this political cesspool of corruption and immorality,” said the official. According to him, “the time for substitution of candidates has since closed under the Electoral Act. So if she’s seeking the ticket of the APC or any other party, she is just wasting her time and money.”

Another party member, a lawyer, echoed the sentiment. He stated that both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court had long decided that a fresh election was only for persons who were qualified to contest the nullified election, and under the same political parties they had contested.

“The courts have held on several occasions that there is no room for substitution of new candidates or introduction of more political parties,” said the lawyer.

A PDP member in Anambra State described Ms. Ekwunife’s defection to the APC as good riddance. “Just a few months ago, this desperado used [former First Lady] Patience Jonathan to hijack the PDP senatorial ticket. She used the influence of Dame Jonathan and Prince Arthur Eze to rig her way to the Senate where she was until the court sacked her. Now, she has gone to fool the APC by dressing like an Alhaja,” he said.
SOURCE: Saharareporters

Jonathan was the Idi-Amin of CBN, says Soludo

Charles Soludo, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), says former President Goodluck Jonathan ran the apex bank like Idi-Amin Dada of Uganda ran his country. Idi-Amin, who ruled his country between 1971 and 1979, was regarded as a dictator based on his style of governance.
 In an interview in the current business edition of The Interview, the former CBN governor said the bank was “the ATM of the presidency,” under Jonathan.‎ “Imagine a scenario where a president can order the CBN to create an intervention fund for national stability and CBN literally ‘prints’ say, N3 trillion, and doles it out cash to the Presidency to prosecute an election campaign or for just about anything he fancies. It is a scary thought,” he was quoted as saying. “We are going down a dangerous path that ruins the economy. I don’t know any other country where such is tolerated, except perhaps what I watched in a movie about Idi Amin and his governor of central bank.
“Recent revelations regarding the ‘arms-gate’ (short for the $2.1billion scandal involving former NSA Sambo Dasuki) and the apparent abuse of the CBN as ATM by the presidency should get reasonable people thinking.” He said it was regrettable that in spite of the bank’s statutory independence, it continues to be a victim of high-wire politics, often “electrocuting” the bank’s leadership.

SOURCE: thecableng

Diversion of arms funds, heartless – Aregbesola

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has on Friday described the diversion of money meant for procuring arms for Nigeria soldiers to fight insurgency as a monumental scandal.

The Governor stated this at the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day and laying of wreath in honour of fallen Soldiers held at the State House of Assembly in Osogbo.

He commended  the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in unravelling the crime.

He insisted all the guilty must be brought to justice to forestall future occurrence.

This year’s Armed Forces Remembrance is the first to be held at the State House of Assembly after the cenotaph was constructed next to the parliament.

The Governor stressed that the symbolism of holding the ceremony at the military cemetery is impeccable but bringing it to the parliament is of even greater significance.

Aregbesola added that the Parliament is the symbol of authority of the people and so the fallen soldiers “being celebrated today in the midst of the people for their gallantry and supreme sense of patriotism.”

He noted every well-meaning Nigerian is of the hope that all those involved in the mismanagement of the arms fund will receive full retribution.

Aregbesola lamented the situation where some of the soldiers caught and indicted have been pardoned and some losing their commission while others face uncertain future, said it is pertinent that a fresh inquiry be set up so that justice ‎will be done.

According to him, “It is even a monumental scandal of unimaginable proportion that funds meant for procuring arms for soldiers are shared among members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) without the least compunction.

“I commend the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in unravelling this heinous crime and I sincerely hope that all those involved will receive full retribution. Some of the soldiers caught in the maelstrom and indicted have been pardoned but some have lost their commission while others face uncertain future.

“Considering the circumstances of this unusual event, it is pertinent that a fresh inquiry be set up so that justice will be given to all those involved and our gallant soldiers will not be punished unjustly.”

On the roles of soldiers in the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections in 2014 which the committee set up by Military has submitted it’s report, Aregbesola said that the deployment of soldiers was avoidable.

“‎The military high command also set up an inquiry into the roles soldiers played in the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections of 2014. The committee has submitted its report and made recommendations.

“As a victim of the reckless deployment of soldiers in those elections, I will say it was an avoidable deployment of soldiers for a civilian duty and for which there was no threat beyond the capability of the police and other security agencies”. The Governor stated.

Aregbesola, not oblivious of the fact that soldiers are trained to obey a command from a superior, described as a dilemma a situation where a soldier fails to carry out instruction.

He added that, for a military command to manipulate an election in favour of a particular candidate and harass opposition candidates and members is unconstitutional and abuse of the military.

‎The Governor said that military high command should address the abuse of soldiers  by insulating them from carrying out unlawful commands so that the military itself will not be subject to abuse by any government in power who might be drunk with the idea that the military is the armed wing of its political party.

SOURCE: thenationonlineng

Céline Dion's Husband René Angélildies of Cancer Of The Throat At 73 years

    


René Angélil, husband of Céline Dion, has died, his rep confirmed exclusively to PEOPLE on Thursday. 

"Rene Angelil, 73, passed away this morning at his home in Las Vegas after a long and courageous battle against cancer," the rep said in a statement. "The family requests that their privacy be respected at the moment." 

Angélil, who guided Dion's career as her manager and mentor, is survived by the couple's three children – René-Charles, 14, and 5-year-old twins Nelson and Eddy – as well as Anne-Marie, Patrick and Jean-Pierre, his adult children from previous marriages. 
"Mr. Angelil, 73, died of throat cancer at his home in Henderson while under the care of a physician," the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner said in a statement to PEOPLE. 

The coroner's office added that Angélil's death was due to natural causes and no further investigation into his death was expected. 

Born in Montreal, Angélil began his career as part of the Canadian pop rock group The Baronets in the 1960s. While the group had a modest number of hits, they eventually broke up and Angélil found success as a music manager.


In 1980, he discovered Dion, then 12, after she submitted a demo tape of a song she had written with her mother. He signed her shortly afterwards, mortgaging his home to pay for her debut album La Voix Du Bon Dieu. 

Angélil was married twice before he wed his protégée – first to Denyse Duquette from 1966-1972, then to singer Anne Renée from 1974-1980. The music manager tied the knot with Dion in 1994. 
Angélil had battled three bouts of cancer, leading Dion to put her career on hold multiple times to care for her husband's ongoing health issues. Angélil'scancer returned in 2014, following the removal of a tumor in December 2013, after previously being diagnosed with throat cancer in 1999. 

"We have asked [doctors] many times, how long does he have, three weeks, three months? René wants to know," Dion said in a candid interview with USA TODAY in August. "But they say they don't know." 

"I am scared of losing him, because it's bad," she told PEOPLE exclusively in March. "But I have to show myself, my husband and my kids that I'm strong and we're okay." 

The "My Heart Will Go On" singer added that she promised to keep Angélil's dying wish. 

"I'll say, 'You're scared? I understand. Talk to me about it' … And René says to me, 'I want to die in your arms.' Okay, fine, I'll be there, you'll die in my arms." 
And the singer said she would keep a brave face until the end. 

"You can have your shaking knees at the end, but when someone you love falls and needs help, it's not time to cry," she said. "Afterwards, sure. But not yet."

Notorious cultist, “Butcher”, admits killing 15 in gang clashes

A suspected cultist, Kazeem Tiamiyu, on Monday said he murdered at least 15 people in a number of cult clashes in ijebu-Ode and other areas of Ogun State.

Speaking to journalists at Eleweran Police Headquarters, Abeokuta, Mr Tiamiyu gave some of the names of his victims as Solar, Sappio, Odunalayo, Akeem, Folly, Ade, Ayokun, Seun and Bisi.

Mr. Tiamiyu, known as “Butcher” among his cult group, revealed that his gang was responsible for the killing of a vigilante group leader, Tola Okunneye, about a year ago during a church service in Ijebu-Igbo town of the state.

Mr. Tiamiyu, 23, said after shooting dead the vigilante chief, they mutilated his ear and used it for a cult practice.

“I was not part of that operation, but was led by Femi. After the killing, one of the victim’s ears was cut off.

“The gang later converged on our hideout, where we used the ear to take oath of secrecy,” the suspect said.

Mr. Tiamiyu, who was arrested at No. 9 Oreagba Street in Ijebu-Ode, said the vigilante boss was killed for standing his grounds against their activities in the neighbourhood.

He however expressed regret over his action.

The command’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, also told journalists the suspect belongs to Aye Confraternity, and was arrested after a raid.

He said items recovered from the suspect included four single-barrelled short guns, seven rounds of live cartridges, expended cartridge and assorted charms.

The police spokesman told journalists the suspect would be charged to court after completion of investigation.

SOURCE: Premiumtimesng

Nigerian Army panel praises captain who exposed Ekiti rigging video, recommends sack, prosecution of top officers

The Nigerian Army has commended Sagir Koli, a Captain, who exposed a video recording exposing plans by his commanding officer and top officials of the Goodluck Jonathan administration to rig the June 21, 2014 election in Ekiti State.

The army praised Mr. Koli’s “non-partisanship and professional conduct during the election period.”

The commendation was contained in a statement released by the Acting Director of Army Public Relation, Sani Usman, a Colonel, detailing the recommendations of a board of inquiry into allegations of unprofessional conducts by some officers and soldiers during the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

The video recording revealed the connivance between Mr. Koli’s commanding officer, Aliyu Momoh, a General, and former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, a former Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan, Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party: Andy Uba and Iyiola Omisore, to rig the 2014 election in Ekiti State.

Mr. Koli was forced into hiding after he was tipped off of a plan by the army to arrest him. His younger brother, a 15-year old secondary school pupil was however arrested, detained and tortured by the army.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan refused to investigate the video, saying Mr. Koli refused to come out of hiding to authenticate the recording.

The statement by the army Monday said the board of inquiry, chaired by Adeniyi Oyebade, a Major General, made “far-reaching recommendations” meant to assist the army in future involvement in civil elections.

In arriving at the recommendations, the board spoke to 62 officers, over 100 soldiers and 62 civilians.

According to the statement, the board recommended the compulsory retirement of two officers from the army.

It also recommended that three officers should lose their commands and another recommended for prosecution for collecting financial gratification.

The board further recommended the placing of 15 officers on watch list while nine others were to be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission for further investigations following allegations of corruption against them.
Six officers are to face an audit committee and 62 officers (mostly of the rank of Majors-below) were to be given letters of displeasure and to appear before their respective General Officers Commanding for counselling, the board also advised.

Three officers are to be given letters of commendations for top-notch professional conducts during the election, the board recommended.

The statement did not disclose the names of the affected soldiers and officers.

The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, thanked the board of doing “a thorough and dispassionate job”, which he said was devoid of external influence.

He assured the board that the report would be reviewed in accordance with Nigerian Army’s legal and administrative procedures.

SOURCE:Premiumtimesng

Boyfriend held in Ghana over British actress's murder

The boyfriend of former British soap actress Sian Blake has been arrested in Ghana over the murder of her and their two young sons, and now faces extradition to the United Kingdom, police said Sunday.

Investigators tracked Arthur Simpson-Kent to undergrowth near the seaside town of Butre, where he was taken into custody Saturday in connection with the death of the former EastEnders actress and their two children Zachary, 8, and Amon, 4.

"We are waiting for the British authorities to send a formal request for the extradition to begin," Prosper Ablor, head of the Ghana Police Criminal Investigative Department, told a news conference.

Simpson-Kent, hands shackled behind his back, sat in a chair and stared at the ground as police spoke.

Blake and the children were last seen on December 13 in their south east London neighbourhood, and Simpson-Kent was questioned three days later over their disappearance.

The bodies of the boys and their mother were discovered earlier this month in the garden of their home.

Blake is best known for her mid-1990s role on EastEnders, which follows the lives of neighbours in a fictional borough of London.

Simpson-Kent flew to Ghana just days after he was questioned by investigators in Britain.

"While escaping from the United Kingdom, (Simpson-Kent) travelled to Glasgow in Scotland, from where he flew to Ghana via Amsterdam on December 19, 2015," police told reporters.

Authorities said "intelligence gathered on the ground" led them to Simpson-Kent, but did not elaborate. He was arrested after being "smoked from a thicket" and was armed with a knife.

Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Gwyn of London's Metropolitan Police told the press conference in Ghana: "Our thoughts continue to, and always remain with Sian's family and the boys.... We are here to get justice for them."

He added in a statement: "I would like to pass on my extreme thanks to the Ghanaian Police for their valuable assistance in this matter."

SOURCE: MSN News