The meeting, which was chaired by the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, listed 183 chieftains from across the six geopolitical zones for attendance.

Damagum canvassed the need to reconcile aggrieved members and to strengthen the party for future challenges.

He said: “We have had series of meetings with the members of the national ex officio, state chairmen, Board of Trustees members as well as members of the National Assembly.

“This is a continuation of the discussions on what happened during the previous meetings. The whole idea is to unite the party.

“Initially, the meeting was supposed to be for only the founding fathers of this party. But we realised that after over twenty years of the existence of this party, a lot of people have also graduated to be founding fathers.

“From our first set of governors who may not really be the founding fathers, we have had leaders who have contributed their own quota to be recognised as members of this great party and leaders in their own right”.

The party chairman urged stakeholders to be mindful of their utterances while voicing their grievances, saying that PDP remains one family regardless of individual grievances.

The PDP National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, gave a breakdown of the party’s performance at the last general election.

Bature said: “In the State Houses of Assembly, we have 342 members. We have 116 members in the House of Representatives. In the Senate, we have 36 members, and we have 13 Governors. We believe strongly that the ongoing tribunal cases in Kaduna, Nasarawa, Ogun, Kaduna and Sokoto States will be in our favour”.

Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara cautioned members on their public statements regarding proceedings in the ongoing election petition cases.

Those who attended the meeting included a former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel; and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja

Others are Chief Olabode George, Chief Tom Ikimi, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, Dr Babangida Aliyu among others.

However, three members of the G-5 who were invited to the meeting did not show up. They are former Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

The post G-5 members absent as PDP leaders review performance at 2023 polls appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Addressing a press conference at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Monday, Saraki said the opposition party will continue to proffer solutions to insecurity and other challenges confronting the country.

The former senate president said pressure — through constitutional means — will yield results that the citizens yearn for.

“We, the opposition party, will continue to play our own role in letting the government be aware of lapses and continue to put pressure through constitutional means in telling them what they need to do, so we will not get tired.

“When you see changes in the world, it has gone through constitutional means. It might look like a long journey but the truth will prevail and the right thing will be done.

“Pressure on the government will eventually yield results. We will continue to follow that through the constitutional means. That is why we are here at this press conference. We will continue to demand that the right thing is done and we will play our own role.

“Let me assure all the people of Nigeria that we are committed on this part. It is just a matter of months and we are hopeful that during this short period of time we will start a great journey for this great country.

“When we talk about security, it is not about political parties. It affects all Nigerians. That responsibility of government is to all of us as Nigerians.”

Earlier today, at the World Press Conference organised by @OfficialPDPNig, I emphasised that our party will continue to put pressure on the President Buhari-led APC government — through constitutional means — to demand that Nigeria is salvaged from the current security crises.

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The court had in October 2019, ordered the temporary forfeiture of the two properties located at 17A, McDonald Road, Ikoyi, Eti Osa local government area of Lagos state.

In the suit, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) asked the court to order the final forfeiture of the properties to the federal government.

The commission alleged that while serving as governor of Kwara state, Saraki withdrew over N12 billion cash from the account of the government and paid same into his accounts domiciled in Access and Zenith Banks through one of his personal assistants, Abdul Adama.

He reportedly purchased the houses with the money.

While delivering ruling on Monday, Mohammed Liman, the judge, held that the EFCC has failed to prove that the properties were acquired with proceeds of stolen funds.

Liman held that the documentary evidence put before the court by the EFCC in support of the final forfeiture order was conflicting and insufficient.

He said no link was established showing that Kwara state government funds were used to repay Saraki’s loan.

Rather, the judge concluded that the houses were purchased with a credit facility granted to the former senate president by the Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB).

The judge asked the EFCC to call its witnesses at the next adjourned date, to give oral evidence to resolve the inconsistencies and contradictions in its documents.

Saraki’s legal counsel would also get the opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses.

Meanwhile, the judge also dismissed a preliminary objection filed by Saraki seeking that the case be quashed for constituting an abuse of court processes.

He submitted that the suit contained the same facts on which he was prosecuted before the code of conduct tribunal and was discharged and acquitted up to the supreme court.

The case has been adjourned to September 29 for continuation.

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Saraki in a congratulatory message, described the new CoS as a decent man, a cerebral academic and disciplined diplomat.

The former Senate President who holds the traditional title of the Waziri of Ilorin, said that Gambari was well equipped with the necessary pedigree that would help him do well on the job.

“I have no doubt that he will succeed in this onerous assignment. I urge all Nigerians to give him all the support that he needs to perform in office,” Saraki said.

Similarly, a National chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara, Malam Saliu Mustapha described Gambari’s appointment as apt and commendable.

Mustapha in a statement in Ilorin said that the appointment of the renowned professor of Political Science and International Relations would strengthen the country’s international relations.

He said Gambari would use his vast experience on the job having served the Buhari/Idiagbon regime as the youngest Minister for External Affairs in 1983 and the United Nations in different capacities.

The APC chieftain said he believed the experience would help in the advancement of the change agenda of the Buhari’s administration as well as help to advance Nigeria’s relations.

Mustapha, who was a former National Deputy Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) also rejoiced with Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu Gambari on the development.

He, however, urged Gambari to see his appointment as a call to serve the nation again and use his wealth of experience to make positive impact on the lives of Nigerians.

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Saraki, in a statement he personally signed, said that the war of attrition waged against the legacy of his father and everything that belongs to the late politician simply portrayed the Governor as a man who lacks the sense of history and set out only to fight the Saraki family but not to serve the interest of Kwarans.

Saraki’s statement reads in part: “Yesterday night, the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq finally showed his true colour when he announced his decision to revoke the ownership of a property rightfully held by my late father, Dr. Olusola Abubakar Saraki on Plots 1, 3 and 5 Ilofa Road, GRA, Ilorin popularly known as Ile Arugbo, (Old People’s home) which since the Second Republic, has always been used to host the weekly gathering of a multitude of aged people in the society who are provided food, money and health services, as part of the social welfare programme sponsored by the late politician. The tradition has since been maintained.

“Before now, this same Governor had invited all the members of the State House of Assembly and directed them to commence the process of amending the law to change the name of the State University which the last administration renamed after my late father, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki.

“He then followed up on this act of vengeance by initiating a bill to rename the University and expunge the name of the late Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki.

“Now, he has decided to also revoke the titles of the landed property which belongs to the late politician.

“Maybe, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq thinks his will be the last administration in Kwara State but definitely, this is self delusion.

“The property had been rightfully allocated to my late father under the name of one of his companies, Asa Investment Limited, since the 1980s and contrary to the claim of the Governor, the land was properly allocated and a Right of Occupancy title issued on it.

“It should be noted that the excuse given by Abdulrazaq in his revocation order holds no water since it is clear that this is the height of his vengeance against my father, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki and I.

“Till today, many Kwarans have been wondering what problem the Governor has with the late Oloye Abubakar Olusola Saraki or what the late politician did to offend him.

“It is surprising that of all vacant plots of land in strategic places across Ilorin township, the one that Abdulrahman found useful for his vengeful plan is the one owned by late Dr. Saraki.

“It is beyond comprehension why a Governor would set as his main agenda the objective of undermining and waging a war of attrition against a man who is no longer around.

“This action is clearly a manifestation of vengeance and it shows that this Governor is not out to serve any public purpose or pursue any development agenda.

“In his narrow-mindedness, he believes his victory at the polls is an empowerment, entitlement and enablement to settle scores, provoke and pursue inter-family rivalry.

“Those who voted for the party in power in Kwara State and Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq obviously did not vote for the man to enable him wage war against Dr. Olusola Saraki and his legacies. They expected development and fulfillment of promises.

“If the Governor believes people are not taking stock of his misguided and deceptive actions and that because he is in power, he could do whatever he likes, he must be a joker.

“Also, this war against the Sarakis will not successfully veil his unpreparedness for governance and divert people’s attention from the glaring lack of visionary, clear-cut plan to deliver on his empty promises to the people. He definitely cannot get away with all the atrocities he has been committing.

“Since the outcome of the elections in March, despite the fact that there are clear grounds to challenge the results in court, I have decided to demonstrate maturity, statemanship and sportsmanship. I have chosen not to make comment on the policies, programmes and actions of the administration in Kwara State or that of its head.

“Also, I deliberately stayed away from the State to avoid creating any distraction for the administration. My decision is borne out of a genuine restraint to enable the administration settle down and fulfill its numerous promises to the people of our state.

“However, seven months down the line, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has shown that its cardinal Programme is to wage war against my late father and I.

“He has demonstrated that his only competence and astuteness is in the area of viciously assailing the late Oloye Saraki and I. Definitely, he is a man with no sense of history. Enough is enough. Now, he has crossed the line.

“Perhaps, I should let it be known that if Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq thinks he is taking all these actions to get at me, he is only deceiving himself. There is no basis for competition between us.

“Our paths cannot cross because the status that he is struggling to attain, Almighty Allah has given it to me many years before now. I became Governor 16 years before him and served out my constitutional limit of eight years. Within the period, I was Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum.

“I have moved on to serve in the federal legislature and by the grace of God, I headed the National Assembly as the number three man in the country.

“No matter, how well he tried to rewrite history, it is on record that I left Kwara State a lot better than I met it. In fact, the University that he is struggling to rename was established by my administration as just one out of many legacies we left behind.

“This Governor needs a lot more efforts, years, Intelligence and resources to attain the level Allah has taken me, not to talk of my late father, Dr. Olusola Abubakar Saraki, the Senate Leader in the Second Republic.

“As Governor, I used the position to serve the people and during the period I did not dishonour his own father or anybody’s father for that matter.

“Just as I did after the election, my advise to Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq that he should devote his time and energy to providing good governance and genuine development of the state.

“It is well known to the Governor that I fear nobody, except Almighty Allah, the ultimate owner of all powers. With all his subterranean and open moves against my family, person and property, I remain unmoved. However, his open antagonism against my late father and his legacies is unwarranted and will not be tolerated. He has definitely gone beyond bounds as he cannot be allowed to ride roughshod on the deceased. In this war against my late father, he will not win.

“This Governor has shown that he is not a man who wants peace, co-operation and development. He believes that a constant attack on my family and I is all that he needs to win the hearts of Kwara people. The need to provide good governance is secondary to him.

“However, it should be made clear to Abdulrazaq and his administration that their attack on my late father cannot erase the legacies of Oloye. No evil design, negative plot or propaganda can successfully rewrite the history of Kwara State.

“This plot against my late father will not stand. And I will like to make it clear that we will contest this petty, malicious, dubious and bias action of a parochial, vicious and vindictive administration through all legal means.

“We are sure this is not an action taken in public interest. Rather, it is done in pursuit of a selfish and devious objective”, Saraki said.

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Saraki, in a statement by Nwajei Kanayo, Communication Adviser of NILDS, on Monday, said ”the appointment takes immediate effect.”

According to Kanayo, in a letter dated May 28, conveying the appointment, Saraki, who is also the Chairman. NILDS Governing Council, said: “I have found your credentials eminently satisfactory for the stipulated requirements for appointment as Director General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies.”

Sulaiman, who assumed responsibility as the institute’s DG took over from Dr Adeyemi Fajingbesi, who has been acting as Director General, following the expiration of the tenure of Prof. Ladi Hamalai.

Sulaiman, a Professor of Political Science and International Relations, is a former Minister for National Planning and Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission.

A technocrat with vast experience, the new DG has served as a resource person for the induction courses, organised by the NILDS for new legislators in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015.

He served the previous administration at the federal level as Deputy Chairman, Nigeria Economic Council and Transition Technical Committee.

He was a Nigerian delegate to the United Nations Ordinary General Assembly in 2015.

Sulaiman holds a BSc degree, Political Science from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; an MSc in International and Strategic Studies from the University of Jos and a PhD, in 2003 from the University of Abuja.

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The news of his reappointment was broken when Senate President Bukola Saraki read a letter from the President Thursday, 26 days ahead of the expiration of Emefiele’s five-year tenure on June 2.

In the letter dated May 8, President Buhari said Emefiele’s reappointment followed the expiration of his first tenure and urged the upper chamber of the National Assembly to confirm the CBN boss for a fresh tenure.

The letter, read by Dr. Saraki on the floor of the Senate, was titled: “Renewal of the appointment of Godwin I. Emefiele as Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria.”

The letter reads: “In view of the expiration of the first tenure of the current Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria on June 2, 2019, and pursuant to the provisions of Section 8 (1) and (2) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007, I hereby present for confirmation by the Senate Mr. Godwin I. Emefiele for re-appointment as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria for a final term of five (5) years.

“It is my hope that the Distinguished Senate will consider and confirm the nominee in the usual expeditious manner. Please accept, Mr. Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

No date has been fixed for the consideration and approval of the nomination.

Emefiele was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on June 3, 2014, after Sarah Alade served out the tenure of former CBN governor Lamido Sanusi.

Sanusi, now the Emir of Kano, was suspended few months to the expiration of his tenure by the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

Since coming on board, Emefiele raised the key interest rate to a record high to contain price growth and bolster the naira, despite sluggish growth.

He implemented currency controls by restricting importers of about 42 locally-available items from assessing foreign exchange (FOREX).

Emefiele was also on the same page with the President by not succumbing to calls to devalue the naira.

The 57-year old banker has become the first CBN governor to get a tenure renewal since the country returned to democracy two decades ago.

The post Buhari reappoints Emefiele for second term as CBN Gov appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena on Tuesday in Abuja, said that the majority must be allowed to lead the Senate.

“We are in a democracy and are governed by laws. A few cannot hold the legislative arm of government to ransom through their selfish political games. The National Assembly must be reconvened immediately to attend to crucial and pending legislative business. The majority must be allowed to lead,” he said.

He, however, condemned an alleged statement by the Coalition of United Political Parties which that APC-led administration planed to attack the National Assembly leadership and abuse court processes.

Nabena said such crude practices were rejected templates of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which the so-called coalition represented and alien to the progressive APC-led administration.

He added that the APC considered the new rounds of falsehood by the sponsored coalition as a last-ditch attempt by the outgoing and minority National Assembly leadership of the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

He added that their plans were to prevent the reconvening of the National Assembly and continue a minority rule in an APC-dominated federal legislature.

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Saraki’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, made the confirmation when he briefed National Assembly Correspondents in Abuja.

Olaniyonu explained that the shake-up was done in good faith and was not meant to serve as a punitive measure in anyway.

He stressed that the essence of disengaging the aides was to reposition the office toward delivering on the mandate of the 8th National Assembly.

“I am here to discuss this issue of restructuring in the office of the Senate President. Some of our colleagues called me to clarify what happened.

“It is has been known for four months that a comprehensive staff review was going on in the office of the senate president.

“It was just concluded a few days ago and the purpose of the exercise is to reposition the office to improve on service delivery and improve on his ability to deliver on the agenda of the 8th Senate.

“We have served for two years and this is a long time enough to determine who is good enough to continue in the last phase of the service. You know the Senate has just about 22 months to its expiration.

“So, it is an exercise that has now been concluded and we have determined who is good enough to continue, who needs to give way and who may likely come in,” he said.

The special adviser said that the downsizing was done based on efficiency and the need to redeploy those that were seconded from the National Assembly Service Commission.

He said, “there are some members of staff who by their performance in the last two years have been deemed fit to continue and those ones are still there.

“There is also a second category of people who were seconded from the National Assembly Service Commission to the office of the Senate president.

“Some of them were told to revert to bureaucracy where they were from the beginning.

“Then, there is a third set who have been removed maybe, because they were found not to have met expectations of the offices or who did not help enough in the functioning of the office.

“So, you see that actually, it is a positive one, not a punitive measure. It was meant to reposition the office to ensure that the office is more strengthened.’’

He said in view of the exercise, there was likelihood that a new set of people would be engaged.

On the number of those affected, those retained and those likely to be enlisted, Olaniyonu said he had no details, but promised to get back to the newsmen after verifying the figure.

On speculations that some of the aides were laid off because they were inherited from the former President of the Senate, David Mark, he said there was no ulterior motive to that.

He said that Saraki accommodated the inherited aides for two years even when he had the power to lay them off on assumption of office.

“It is good for a public official like the Senate President to have given everybody the opportunity to serve in that office and he has done that by retaining everybody.

“He carried on the entire team for two years, even more than two years.

“So, the two years was sufficient enough to determine who is doing well, who needs a little push and who cannot really fit in entirely and the decision was taken.

“So, nobody committed any sin. It was at the discretion of the senate president. He has been able to determine within this period those that had helped in his agenda and so on.

“When a man comes in, he has the right to ask everybody to go but he did not.’’

Olaniyonu noted that most of the people Saraki inherited would only revert to their offices as some of them were deployed by the commission.

The post Why I sacked 98 of my aides, says Saraki appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

The forum made the call on Thursday in Abakaliki, in a statement signed by Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi, its Chairman, in reaction to an ultimatum by 16 Northern youth associations, demanding that Igbos resident in the north leave before Oct. 1.

The groups also urged Northern residents in the South-East to return to the north within the period.

The governors said that they had carefully considered the contents of the ultimatum and reflected on its implications for Igbos specifically and Nigeria as a viable and sovereign nation.

“The lives and properties of law-abiding citizens of Igbo extraction are as precious as the lives and properties of all Nigerians, irrespective of the region of their abode within this republic.

“Their lives and properties must be guaranteed and defended against all forms of threat both domestic and external by security forces and agencies,“ the governors said.

They said they were collaborating with security agencies to ensure the safety of all law-abiding Nigerian resident in the zone, including northerners.

The governor urged Igbos in the north to go about their lawful businesses without fear of intimidation or molestation.

They thanked the Federal Government, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, Northern States Governors’ Forum and security agencies for speaking against the ultimatum.

“We have repeatedly reiterated our commitment and preference for the existence of a virile, united, prosperous and peaceful Nigeria where justice, fairness, equity, mutual respect among others will reign supreme,” the governors stressed.

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