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Appeal Court Sacks Former Senate President David Mark From Senate

Mohammed Useni
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Appeal Court Sacks Former Senate President David Mark From Senate

The Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division, has annulled the election of the immediate past Senate President, Senator David Mark.

The Court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct fresh elections in the Benue South senatorial district within 90 days.

Mark’s victory at the March 28th., 2015 National Assembly elections, was challenged by Daniel Onjeh of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who petitioned the Benue state Legislative Houses elections tribunal asking for the cancellation of the election and an order detailing INEC to conduct fresh election in the district.

The Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu led trial panel had on October 7th., 2015 dismissed Onjeh’s petition on the ground that evidences tendered before the tribunal were documentary hearsay evidences.

However, in a unanimous judgement read by Justice Peter Ige, the appellate court dismissed the judgement of the tribunal and upheld the plea of the appellant that Mark’s election failed substantially to meet with the provisions of paragraphs 39 and 40 of the INEC approved electoral guidelines and sections 73 and 74 of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

The panel of jurists also questioned the failure of the trial court to admit evidences tendered by the appellant to canvass his case and in another instance refer to the same evidence to arrive at its decision.

Justice Ige thus held that, “the lower tribunal cannot be seen to blow hot and cold at the same time. The appellant has established his case on the balance of probability. It is our considered view that the appellant’s appeal is meritorious.

“The appellant showed by oral evidence that collation of results was still ongoing a day after the declaration of results of the election in seven local government areas of the district.

“The judgement of Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu led tribunal of October 7th., 2015 dismissing the petition is nullified. Therefore the election of Senator David Mark is hereby set aside.

“INEC is by this judgement to conduct fresh senatorial election in the Benue South district within 90 days.”

Buhari’s Cabinet Ministers Grumble Over Poor Salaries & Austere Allowances

Mohammed Useni
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Buhari’s Cabinet Ministers Grumble Over Poor Salaries & Austere Allowances

Barely three weeks in office, President Muhammadu Buhari has shocked Ministers with poor salaries and austere allowances.

He has also imposed dos and don’ts on the ministers including travel restrictions.

Most Ministers were said to be embarrassed by the perks of office accruable to them in office.

The only leverage the Ministers will enjoy is the privilege of flying in a Business Class on trips.

These conditions of service for Ministers were contained in a letter given to them during the week by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir David Lawal.

The letter said: “I am pleased to inform you that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has appointed you as a Minister in the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

“The appointment takes effect from 11th November, 2015 under the following Terms and Conditions of Service as contained in “Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders(Salaries and Allowances, etc) (Amendment ) Act 2008.”

“I am to add that your tenure terminates at the end of this Administration unless otherwise decided by Mr. President. Please accept my heartiest congratulations and best wishes on your appointment.”

The SGF’s letter gave the details of the perks which the ministers will enjoy in office as long as they last in the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

While the substantive minister will earn N2, 026, 400 Annual Basic Salary($8,514.285), Minister of State is to get N1.8million($7,563.025) per annum.

Other highlights of the conditions include: Estacode Allowance($900 per diem); Duty Tour Allowance(N35,000); Utilities Allowance(Telephone/ Electricity/ Water)–30% of Annual Basic Salary (N607,920); Domestic Staff Allowance(75% -((N1,519,800) of Annual Basic Salary; Medical Facilities (in accordance with NHIS Policy); Special Assistant (To be provided in kind); Security (To be provided in kind); Air Travel (By Business Class); Newspaper Allowance (15% of Annual Basic Salary-N303,960).

The letter said: “As a Political Office Holder, you must obtain permission from Mr. President before you travel out of Abuja. If the trip is official, Ministers are entitled to a Duty Tour Allowance of N35,000 per diem. However, all private journeys will attract no Allowance.

“Severance Allowance of 300 %of Annual Basic Salary payable after full tenure of office with government. The allowance will be pro-rated after a minimum of two years tenure.

It added: “200 % of Annual Basic Salary (N4,052,800) will be paid to you to enable you to acquire accommodation of your choice in line with monetization policy.

“Furniture Allowance. 300 %(N6,079,200) of Annual Basic Salary will be paid once in every four years. The allowance will be paid annually at the rate of 75% (N1,519,800) of Annual Basic salary.

“Motor Vehicle Fuelling Maintenance Allowance. 75% of Annual Basic Salary (N1,519,800) for the maintenance of your vehicle(s) as Government no longer provides chauffeur driven vehicles to Political Office Holders/Public Officers for house to office running.

“Annual Leave (30 calendar days for each leave year or calculated on pro-rata basis, with 10% of Annual Basic Salary(N202,640) as leave grant); Personal Assistant Allowance (25% of Annual Basic salary to enable you to employ a Personal Assistant of your choice).”

Investigation by THE NATION Newspaper however revealed that some of the ministers were uncomfortable with the salary and allowance package because it might not be able to pick their bills.

The package has caused rumbles in the cabinet because while Nigerian ministers earn $8, 514.28 Per Annum (N2,026,400), their counterparts in Ghana are on $50,000 (N11,900,000) and those in South Africa (the highest paying in the continent) were said to be taking home about $302,521 per annum.

A reliable source said: “Most ministers have been sad since they received their letters of appointment because the salary and allowance package was a far cry from where they were coming from. We hope that ministers will eventually not steal if they have to serve this nation on hungry stomach.

“We have ministers in this government who left high-net worth job of $10,000 to $20,000 per month, how will they settle their bills? Some ministers have headed corporate. You can imagine a minister managing about $3billion portfolio now getting $8,521 per Annum.

“Some ministers have children in Ivy League universities where they are paying as much as $40,000 to $60,000 per annum. How will they be able to cope to meet up with their responsibilities?”

As at press time, it was unclear if the ministers had made representation to the president or not.

“Curiously, we have some Executive Secretaries, Directors-General and Group Managing Directors of parastatals like NNPC, PPMC, NCC, NDIC, PEF, PPPRA, DPR, NERC, NIGCOMSAT, and others who will be earning more than their ministers. I think the system is distorted somehow.”

Another source added: “To earn commensurate salaries and allowances, the president can explore foreign donors’ basket for payment of ministers. Or else, it will be difficult to get the best from this team.

“Alternatively, there might be scientific corruption in Buhari’s cabinet. This is the type of corruption we call ‘chop and clean mouth.’

Report Reveals Nigerians Growing Poorer For First Time Since 1999

Mohammed Useni
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Report Reveals Nigerians Growing Poorer For First Time Since 1999

Nigerians are growing poorer for the first time since the return to democracy in 1999 as an economic slowdown combines with still high population growth rates to curb income per capita. Average incomes in Nigeria will fall by about 18 percent in 2015 to $2,550 per annum, from over $3,000 in 2014, according to World…

Read Business Day for more details of the report…

Business Days

Despite Claims Of Returned Loots, Buhari’s Finance Minister, Adesoun Says The Ministry Has No Such Details

Mohammed Useni
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Despite Claims Of Returned Loots, Buhari’s Finance Minister, Adesoun Says The Ministry Has No Such Details

Despite claims that his administration has recovered stolen money from previous government officials, President Muhammadu Buhari, it was disclosed, is yet to give details of the recovery to the Federal Ministry of Finance.

President Muhammadu Buhari had said that some former government officials have started returning to the Federal Government’s coffers, part of the public funds they acquired illegally. Buhari said the decision to to return the money by the officials was voluntary.
He spoke on Tuesday during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian community at the Nigeria House in Tehran, Iran, explaining that the present administration has intensified efforts at recovering all public funds now in the private pockets of former government officials and their fronts.

Addressing journalists in Abuja at the end of the monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, when asked how much had been recovered from those who looted the treasury, said President Buhari was yet to provide the ministry with details of how much had been recovered but the recovery process was ongoing.

The minister did not say if the recovery had been lodged into the federation account to be shared by the three tiers of government or was still domiciled in a separate government account pending further directive from the president.

The recovered money became an issue at the October 2015 FAAC briefing when the finance minister stated that funds available for disbursement at the end of the meeting was more than the amount shared in the previous month.

She also said that the ministry was doing everything within its powers to increase revenue for the federation.

At the end of the FAAC meeting, the Federal, State and Local governments shared a total sum of N473.83 billion for the October 2015 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting.

This set of allocations to the three tiers of government marked a pleasant departure from the previous months of falling allocations.

The October 2015, FAAC disbursements, the finance minister said, represents an increase of N83.89 billion compared to the N389.93 billion distributed in September.

Adeosun, who presided over her first FAAC meeting as Minister of Finance, gave the breakdown of disbursements to journalists shortly after the month’s FAAC meeting which began at 5pm and lasted up till 8:09 p.m.

The minister said the amount shared comprised of revenue from statutory sources made up of N388.59 billion and Value Added Tax, N57.78 billion. Of this amount, the statutory allocation to the three tiers of government, she said, was the Federal Government N191.99 billion, States governments N97.38 billion and local governments N75.07 billion.

Adeosun also said the sum of N24.14 billion was allocated to the oil producing states based on the 13 per cent derivation principle. While under the Value Added Tax (VAT), allocations, the Federal Government received N8.66 billion, states governments pocketed N28.89 billion and local governments were given N20.22 billion to share.

She put the gross statutory revenue for the month of October at N400.31bn stating that this was higher than the N321.99bn received in the month of September.

El-rufai Lied, Fed Govt Information Reveals Jonathan Didn’t Spend N64bn On Independence Celebrations

Mohammed Useni
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El-rufai Lied, Fed Govt Information Reveals Jonathan Didn’t Spend N64bn On Independence Celebrations

The Federal Government has clarified the amount spent for independence anniversary celebrations between 2010 and 2015.

Information obtained from the Office of the Secretary General of the Federation (OSGF) in a letter dated October 12, 2015 and made available to BudgIT Nigeria, an organisation committed to exposing transparency and accountability in public finance, apparently showed that the Jonathan administration spent N333, 600, 000 for four years to hold independence day celebrations.

According to the letter by OSGF and signed by the Director (Finance & Accounts), Mohammed Lawal Garba, no funds were released for the independence day anniversary celebration in 2011. In 2012, N107,600,000 was released for the celebrations. In 2013, only the sum of N45 million was approved and in 2014, only N180 million was spent.

Recall that following the announcement that President Muhammadu Buhari earmarked only N70 million for the 2015 Independence Day Anniversary, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, took to his Facebook page on October 1, 2015, alleging that the administration of former President Jonathan spent N64 billion to celebrate Independence anniversaries between 2011 and 2014.

According to Governor El-Rufai, Jonathan’s administration spent N13 billion in 2011, N15 billion in 2012, N14 billion in 2013 and N22 billion in 2014.

Find the SGF’s response below..

SGF El-rufai Responsel

APC Makes U-Turn, Picks Yahaya Bello To Replace Late Candidate, Considers Abubakar Audu’s Son A ‘Risk’

Mohammed Useni
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APC Makes U-Turn, Picks Yahaya Bello To Replace Late Candidate, Considers Abubakar Audu’s Son A ‘Risk’

After extensive consultations, the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday submitted the name of Yahaya Bello as the party’s new candidate for Kogi governorship supplementary poll.

Bello replaces Prince Abubakar Audu, who died last weekend after leading the poll with 41,000.

It was also learnt that the APC has retained Hon. James Abiodun Faleke as the party’s deputy governorship candidate.

Mohammed Audu, the son of the late governorship candidate, was dumped by the party because the party felt that fielding him might vitiate the entire governorship poll in the state.

But the people of Kogi West were mounting pressure on Faleke yesterday not to accept the nomination of Bello.

Although they asked Faleke to withdraw from the race, the deputy governorship candidate was yet to make up his mind on the next step at press time.

Investigation by SR revealed that APC leaders, with the backing of some forces in the Presidency, opted for Bello because he came second in the party’s primaries behind Audu.

It was also gathered that the APC leaders felt there was no way Mohammed Audu could be fielded as a compromise candidate since he was not a candidate in the primaries.

A top source in APC said: “Our leaders met and after consultations reached a conclusion on the choice of Yahaya Bello from Kogi Central as the party’s governorship candidate to substitute the late Prince Abubakar Audu.

“The leaders arrived at the conclusion because Bello was second to Audu at the validly conducted governorship primaries of the party. Instead of running into crisis with fresh primaries, the party opted to dust up the result of the previous one which was witnessed by INEC.

“A letter, signed by the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on the choice of Bello has been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday.”

Asked of other factors behind the choice of Bello, the top APC leader said: “Our leaders bought into the idea that Faleke is strange to the politics of the state, having had most of his political career in Lagos. They felt it is better for him to learn the ropes in the state before becoming a governor.

“They also argued that the choice of Bello will ensure power shift in the state and since the Ebiras were behind Audu, it won’t be difficult to foster understanding between Kogi East and Kogi Central Senatorial Districts.

“Do not forget that Kogi East had already produced the minister from the state.

“Another important factor is that some of the 91 polling units where elections were cancelled are in Kogi Central, and it will be easier to mobilize the electorate in the district to get the required votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Governor Idris Wada.

“There was also some conspiracy behind the refusal of the ticket for Faleke. Some presidency forces stamped their feet that he must not be allowed to step into Audu’s shoes because of internal power struggles in APC.

“I won’t give you names but the forced were more powerful than Oyegun and other NWC members.”

On the dumping of Mohammed Audu, the source said: “Our leaders were guided by Section 141 of the Electoral Act. If we choose him, the entire election will be voided.

“The section says: ‘An election tribunal or court shall not under any circumstance declare any person a winner at an election in which such a person has not fully participated in all the stages of such election.

“We love the Audus but we cannot take such a big risk. If Wada and PDP go to court, they will win against Mohammed Audu.”

As press time, there was pressure on Faleke by the people of Kogi West to opt out of the race.

A different source said: “There are many options open to Faleke but the people of Kogi West want him to withdraw from the race. If Yahaya Bello gets the ticket, he might be reduced to a dummy deputy governor.

“Unless Faleke can fight his cause in court and claim his mandate, he will be frustrated as a deputy governor. If he quits, the party will have justification for bringing Mohammed Audu and Kogi West will be politically alienated.”

Kogi APC Lawmakers Say Any Other Candidate That Isn’t Late Audu’s Son Will Be Removed In 2 Minutes

Mohammed Useni
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Kogi APC Lawmakers Say Any Other Candidate That Isn’t Late Audu’s Son Will Be Removed In 2 Minutes

Eleven All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers in Kogi state have endorsed Mohammed Audu, son of the late Abubabar Audu, threatening to oust any other governor who emerges other than their choice. Maman Rabiu, a member of the Kogi state house of assembly, who spoke on behalf of the APC lawmakers, said the younger Audu has the clout of his father and is capable to lead the state.

“We present to the national leadership, Prince Mohammed Audu to replace his late father. It is not because he is the first son, but try him, he is very intelligent and equal to the task. With him, we will have the Kogi of our dream,” he said.

“It is not a threat, but we told them that we have no intention of washing our dirty linen in public. Removing somebody is just a two minutes job for us as lawmakers in the state.

“We are the legislators and have told the national chairman our position that in any case anybody is smuggled in contrary to what we present to them, we know the best way to remove him.”

Rabiu advised the party to accept its recommendation, saying James Faleke could still be retained as the deputy governorship candidate.

“We are the electorates and we know why we are here. There will be no solution to this problem without giving us listening ear.

Prince Audu was the man who went through primary before nominating Faleke as his deputy,” he said. “We are not asking Faleke to stay away from the ticket.

We equally worked with him during the campaigns. What we are saying is that it should be Mohammed Audu/Faleke ticket. The two of them must work together.” ?The Kogi governorship election was declared inconclusive on Sunday, the same day Audu died.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had requested APC to send a substitute candidate, and fixed December 5 for a supplementary election, but the party is yet to present any candid?ate.

On Thursday, Faleke, the late Audu’s? running mate, asked INEC to declared him governor, just as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urged the electoral umpire to declare Idris Wada, its candidate winner of the November 21 governorship election.

PDP’s Olisa Metuh Donates Relief Materials To Internally Displaced Persons

Mohammed Useni
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PDP’s Olisa Metuh Donates Relief Materials To Internally Displaced Persons

National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, Friday, donated relief materials to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Metuh donated the relief materials to the IDPs located at Waza Camp, in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the FCT, to mark his 50th birthday anniversary.

Metuh, who will be clocking 50 on Saturday, said he was at the camp to share in their feelings and challenges, irrespective of the difference in religion, ethnic and political divide.

NAN reports that some of the donated items were bags of rice, milk, bottled water, packs of tomatoes, packs of Maggi cubes, bags of salt, juice, soft drinks and cooked food.

Metuh, who was in the camp with his wife, said that he felt the challenges confronting the people, and pledged to dig a borehole in the camp for the people to have access to drinkable water.

“First, we need to find out from government if this is a permanent camp or not.

“If there is any other place the people are going to be moved to in the next few months, we can dig the borehole there, if not we will do it here,” Metuh said.

He also pledged to partner with relevant individuals, groups, government and the international community, to meet some of their other basic needs and challenges.

The basic needs, according to Metuh, include access to healthcare, quality education and accommodation.

“I also pray that government, political and religious leaders, as well as business leaders, would deem it necessary to assist the IDPs,” he said.

NAN also reports that Metuh at the occasion cut his 50th birthday anniversary cake with the displaced people, and he also ate with them.

Mrs Hassan Amina, relief and rehabilitation officer of the Nigeria Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Abuja operation service, commended Metuh for coming to the aid of the people in the camp.

“Others have been coming to assist the IDPs, but this is the biggest from an individual,” Amina said.

Amina said that though there were no government designated camps in Abuja, NEMA and other government agencies had been doing their best to care for the IDPs.

“This is just a temporary camp, the Federal Government is trying to relocate them to formal IDPs camps,” she said.

Some of the IDPs who benefited from the relief materials, in interviews with NAN, commended Metuh for deeming it necessary to donate to their needs, and they wished him well in his future endeavours.

Mrs Amina Haruna, a mother of two, said she thank God for all Nigerians and institutions that had visited the camp to assist them.

Haruna, who claimed she had been in the camp for one year and three months, said her desire was for her home town to regain its peace, so that she could return home.

She said that the camp needed health facilities as they were still going to nearby villages to buy drugs whenever they were ill.

APC Nominates Audu’s Son As Governorship Candidate

Mohammed Useni
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APC Nominates Audu’s Son As Governorship Candidate

Leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC), in Kogi East Senatorial District have nominated Mr Mohammed, 43, first son of Late Prince Abubakar Audu, to replace him as the party’ s governorship candidate.

The leaders, stakeholders and delegates who made this known in Lokoja on Thursday after a marathon meeting, said they arrived at the decision after due consultations .
Their spokesman, Mr Daniel Isah, the Vice Chairman of APC in Kogi East, said they have resolved and are determined to back Mohammed to replace his father if the National Working Committee orders fresh primaries.

Isah thanked the Independent National Electoral Commission and the national leadership of the party for the opportunity given to them to find a replacement for Audu who died on Nov. 23 at Ogbonicha, Ofu Local Government.

He appealed to the national leadership of the party to give their decision utmost consideration and approval in the overall interest of the party and the state.

Present at the meeting were Alhaji Lincho Ocheje, Hon. Hassan Omale, Hon. Benjamin Ikhani, and Sen. Emmanuel Dangana, among others.

Just In: Buhari Approves Appointment Of 30 New Federal High Court Judges Across Nigeria

Mohammed Useni
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Just In: Buhari Approves Appointment Of 30 New Federal High Court Judges Across Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of 30 new federal high court judges across Nigeria.

According to a press statement by Soji Oye, Acting Director of Information of the Nigeria Judicial Council, President Buhari endorsed the recommendation o of the NJC in appointing the judges.

The new judges will be sworn in at 10 am on December 2nd, 2015 by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed.

See full list of newly appointed judges below:
Name of Candidate State Of Origin

Hon. Justice Yellin S. Bogoro – Bauchi State;

Rosemary O. Dugbo Oghoghorie – Delta State;

Taiwo Obayomi Taiwo – Ogun State;

Ibrahim Watila – Borno State;

Mallong Peter Hoommuk – Plateau State;

Isa Hamma Adama Dashen – Adamawa State;

Hassan Dikko – Kebbi State;

Jude Kanyioh Dagat – Kaduna State;

Olayinka Olusegun Tokode – Osun State;

Simon Akpah Amobeda, – Kogi State;

Jane Egienanwan Inyang – Cross River State;

Daniel Emeka Osiagor – Rivers State;

Prof. Chuka Austine Obiozor – Anambra State;

Iniekenimi Nicholas Oweib – Bayelsa State;

Hassan Muslim Sule – Zamfara State;

Hadiza Rabiu Shagari – Sokoto State;

Saleh Kogo Idrissa – Yobe State;

Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik – Edo State;

Hillary Ide Osho Oshomah – Edo State;

Fadima Murtala Aminu – Adamawa State;

Toyin Bolaji Adegoke – Kwara State;

James Kolawole Omotosho – Ogun State;

Nehizena Idemudia Ekunwe – Edo State;

Stephen Daylop Pam – Plateau State;

Akintayo Aluko – Ekiti State;

Dr. Nnamdi O. Dimgba – Abia State;

Emeka Nwite – Ebonyi State;

Abdulazeez M.Z. Anka – Zamfara State;

Abdu Dogo – FCT; and

Adamu Turaki Muhammed – Jigawa State.

 

Just In: Scores Feared Dead As Suicide Bombers Target Shi’ite Muslims Trekking From Kano To Zaria

Mohammed Useni
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Just In: Scores Feared Dead As Suicide Bombers Target Shi’ite Muslims Trekking From Kano To Zaria

Scores were feared dead at Dakasoye village, Garun Mallam local goverment area of Kano Friday when a suicide bomber blew himself up among the Shia procession on there way to Zaria witness says.

The incident which occured by 2.00pm was said to have affected mostly women and children. A local Journalist, Ali Kakaki who was at the scene of the blast told Vanguard that the ugly incident occured shortly after a middle aged man was caught with Improvised Explosive Device.

The suicide bomber on Friday blew himself up among crowds at a Shia Muslim procession outside the City of Kano, in the latest violence to hit the troubled region.

The group, led by Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, said on its website the blast happened at 2:00 pm (1300 GMT) and that “scores” had been killed.

But there was no official indication of casualties and one of the organisers told AFP: “It’s a huge crowd so it’s too early to give a precise figure of casualties.

“We now have the other suspect in custody.”

The organiser, who asked to remain anonymous, said the bomber ran into the crowd before he could be spotted and detonated his explosives.

“He was dressed in black like everyone else. His accomplice was initially arrested and confessed they were sent by Boko Haram,” he added.

“They were part of the young men abducted by Boko Haram in (the Borno state town of) Mubi last year and taken to Sambisa Forest where they were given some military training.

“They were sent to Kano 11 days ago and kept in a house specifically for this attack.”

The bomber detonated his explosives after realising his accomplice had been arrested, the organiser added.

Buhari Must Run In 2019, A Single Term Is Not Enough To Tackle Corruption & Insecurity -Says Senator Sani Yarima

Mohammed Useni
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Buhari Must Run In 2019, A Single Term Is Not Enough To Tackle Corruption & Insecurity -Says Senator Sani Yarima

President Muhammadu Buhari must re-contest election in 2019 because a single term of four years would not be enough for him to adequately tackle the fight against corruption and insecurity in the country, former Governor of Zamfara State, Ahmad Sani Yarima said.
Senator Yarima, is representing Zamfara West constituency and chairman Senate Committee on Marine Transport.

The senator, who made the remark at an interactive session with some journalists in Abuja yesterday, said that there was no vacancy in Aso Villa come 2019.

Responding to a question as to whether he would be running for presidency in 2019, Yarima said: “I don’t think there is any vacancy. As far as I am concerned, President Buhari must go for a second term. You see he has come back with something new; the man is incorruptible.”
On why he had remained relatively quiet, Senator Yarima said: “The simple answer is that you talk only when it is necessary.”

According to him, while in office as Governor, he had to constantly engage the media in explaining the issue of Sharia policy as well as other programmes and activities government.

“While in office as governor and before I came to the senate everybody knew I had to be talking and going round the country meeting the press in Lagos, London and everywhere,” he said, adding: “Most importantly while in the senate during the last two sessions I was a minority leader.”

While denying any link between the Sharia he introduced and the current insecurity occasioned by the Boko Haram insurgency, Senator Yarima said the Boko Haram insurgency had nothing to do with the religion of Islam.

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