You are the grandfather of corruption- House of Reps members tell Olusegun Obasanjo

Members of the House of Representatives have blasted former President Olusegun Obasanjo for referring to them as corrupt officials. Obasanjo at a function in Lagos yesterday, said the National Assembly stinks to high heavens and members of the National Assembly were very corrupt.  

  
In a swift reaction, the House of Representatives members today said the former President is the grandfather of corruption in Nigeria and that his main reason for speaking negatively of the house was because his third term agenda was opposed by the house during his administration. The position of the lawmakers was made known today at a press conference by the Chairman, House committee on Media and Publicity, Abdulrazak Namdas. His press statement reads... 

“Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to former President Olusegun Obasanjo at a lecture he delivered recently, wherein, in his characteristic manner accused everybody but himself of corruption. He ventured to accuse the National Assembly of Budget padding, accused the House of criminal activities of threatening the life of a “whistleblower”, lampooned constituency projects which he approved as President, ventured to discuss the budget of National Assembly which is highly underfunded?

In the speech Namdas said the House would ordinarily not join issues with the former President as he has held an office that deserves respect and reverence. However, because of the material misstatement of facts, outright lies and falsehoods, and mischievous innuendo introduced in his statement, we are left with no option but to correct him. We have repeatedly maintained that there was no “padding” of the 2016 Appropriation Act, which is a legitimate document passed by the National Assembly, authenticated by the Clerk to the National Assembly as provided in the Acts Authentication Act and assented to by Mr. President. It is most unfortunate that a former President of Chief Obasanjo’s stature would allow himself to be hoodwinked and procured by a renegade member of the House, who embarked on massive propaganda and lies just because he was removed from office. For the avoidance of doubt, there is no crime that was committed by the National Assembly by exercising its constitutional function of appropriation. If Chief Obasanjo has an issue with the execution of the 2016 Budget or indeed other Appropriation Acts, he should direct his anger elsewhere. He claimed that the National Assembly Budget is very high, when by all standards, the National Assembly is grossly underfunded and is hampered from effectively and legitimately carrying out its constitutionally assigned functions. The National Assembly Budget funds a bureaucracy of about 5,000 civil servants. It has some other agencies under its preview such as the National Assembly Service Commission with its own staff of about 500; even the Public Complaints Commission is now a parastatal of the National Assembly. National Assembly Budget also funds the National Institute for Legislative Studies, which is a legislative think-tank and highly rated academic institution that serves both National and State Houses of Assembly and even international legislators. All these agencies also have their capital budget including development of their headquarters, procurement of office equipment, procurement of regular items for running their offices; the National Assembly maintain legislative aides of about 3,000 in number, that aid the work of the Assembly; it also conducts regular public hearings involving the media and stakeholders and oversight activities, involving huge sums of money. The cost implication of running the National Assembly is high because of the nature of our Presidential democracy. Then of course, there are 109 Senators and 360 members of the House of Representatives that require proper equipment to function effectively. They require adequate travel and transport support to carry out legislative functions. The National Assembly also has buildings and offices to build and maintain. National Assembly staff and members attend conferences, trainings, seminars to keep abreast of legislative developments worldwide. The activities are very encompassing and expensive. It is also unbecoming of a former President to quote figures of sums of money that are factually incorrect. No member of the House of Representatives receives N10m every month. The salaries and allowances of members of the House are as determined by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). Of course further sums of money are spent as running costs, that is, the cost of running the office of a member. If a Minister, Chief Executive or Director in a Ministry travels on official duties, for instance, do you include the cost of his ticket and accommodation as part of his salary or allowances? Does the cost of stationeries and maintenance of equipment like computers used in their offices, form part of their salaries and allowances? These are some of the costs that must be taken care of by the National Assembly and the media calls these costs “jumbo pay”. For goodness sake, the National Assembly is an arm of government, not just an ordinary agency of government. Examples abound, CBN, NNPC, NCC etc. Allowances paid to even junior staff of some of these government agencies cannot be compared to what members of National Assembly enjoy. Undoubtedly, the former President Obasanjo is understandably angry with the National Assembly as an institution having foiled his ambition for a third-term in office even after trying to corrupt the members with a bribe of at least N50m each. Lest we forget, the person who introduced corruption to the National Assembly is Chief Olesugn Obasanjo. He birthed the 4th Republic National Assembly with corrupt practices from day one; indeed the first day of the Republic. He bribed both PDP, ANPP and AD legislators on their inauguration in 1999 to vote against the majority candidate of PDP, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo. That was how Senator Evan Enwerem became Senate President. Have we forgotten the sacks of money displayed on the floor of the House of Representatives being bribe money paid by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to some Honourable members to impeach Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ghali N’abba? Have we forgotten that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo used his position as President to extort money from businessmen and contractors with his government to build his presidential library? The list of his corrupt acts while in office is endless. Unquestionably, he is the greatest corrupt person ever to hold office in Nigeria. He remains the grandfather of corruption in Nigeria and lacks the moral authority to discuss corruption or indeed abuse of office in Nigeria as he remains the most corrupt Nigerian on record. It is unfortunate that he has started his very familiar method of bringing down governments. He did it to Alhaji Shehu Shagari, he did it to Gen. Buhari, he did same to Gen. Babangida, he attempted to bring down Gen. Abacha before he imprisoned him for treason; he made frantic efforts to derail the government of President Ya’ardua when he couldn’t use him. He supported President Goodluck Jonathan but when he refused to take dictation, he turned against him. He supported President Buhari, but since he has sensed that Nigeria is having economic difficulties under him, he has pounced to derail his government. The way Chief Obasanjo talks gives the impression that he is a lifetime opposition leader who has never held any office. What did he do about the issues he raised in his 8 years as President? This is a man with unlimited access to President Buhari. Or is it because he has not appointed all his cronies as requested? We may never know. His stuck in trade is blackmail, subversion and treachery.  We wish him well.”

Zimbabwe first lady announces herself as new President after Robert Mugabe hints at retirement over health issues

Zimbabwean first lady, Grace Mugabe has announced herself as the new president to take over when her husband, Robert Mugabe finally steps down due to his concerned health issues. 
Robert Mugabe, is the world's oldest and one of the longest serving Head of State at 92 years old. Mugabe having ruled for over 30 years, was reportedly advised to drop out of the 2018 election race by his medical doctors, which possibly is the main reason he is forcing himself into retirement. 

Speaking at a gathering over the weekend, Mashonaland West women’s league chairperson, Angeline Muchemeyi revealed that Grace Mugabe who has been the league secretary since 2014, told them that there is no point for her fighting for a lesser position after several plans and arrangements had been made with the ailing president to hand over the role of the state affairs to her. 

The First Lady said: 

‘I’m the wife of the president, I’m the president already … I plan and do everything with the president, what more do I want, for now the position of the women boss is enough.’

Source: BuzzSouthAfrica 

Charlie Boy calls on 'Frustrated Nigerians' to join him in revolution protest to National Assembly on Nov 15

Charlie Boy is calling on frustrated Nigerians to join him in a revolution protest as he hopes to curb corruption in the country. In the video posted via  his Instagram page, the 'Area father' who now chose to be called ‘The President of frustrated Nigerians’, said the protest will kick off at exactly 7am on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, from the Unity fountain to the National Assembly in Abuja.

Poll expert who promised to eat bug on live TV if Trump won the election, eats bug on CNN

Sam Wang, like many other poll experts, was extremely confident in a Hillary Clinton winning the US presidential election last Tuesday. So confident, in fact, that he said he would eat a bug if Trump received over 240 electoral college votes. That wouldn’t have even been enough to give Trump a win, but Trump got significantly more than 240 electoral college votes, 290 in fact, so Wang, who teaches at Princeton University, followed through on his promise, and ate a bug on TV.

Militant group Niger Delta Avengers congratulate Donald Trump, urge him to lead the world to 'real change'

Militant group Niger Delta Avengers have congratulated Donald Trump on becoming the President elect of the United States. The statement released by their spokesperson, Brig.Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, urged him to lead the world to real change. 

"The High Command of the Niger Delta Avengers, the organization at the forefront of the agitation for the economic emancipation and fiscal federalism for the people of the Niger Delta congratulates Donald J Trump, the president elect of the United States of America." 

"Your hard fought victory against world establishments is hope for we the over thirty million oppressed minorities of the Niger Delta, that have being continuously raped and economically colonized because of our God-given resources over last six decades, by the Nigerian state and Islamic fundamentalists in power." 

"Mr. President elect of the United States of America sir, we are hoping for a new perfect economic order and relations as it concerns the United States critical assets and interest in the Niger Delta. Lead the world to a real change not the president Barack Obama change that manipulated a clueless puppets in General Muhammadu Buhari on the people of Nigeria."

I will not destroy my U.S. green card yet' - Wole Soyinka

Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, says he will not be tearing his green card yet. According to him, everyone should wait until Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 45th President of the US on January 20th. Nigerians on social media yesterday called on him to fulfill his promise to destroy his green card if Trump is elected President. He pledged to do this when he gave a seminar at Oxford University two weeks ago. 

However in an interview with The Newsweek yesterday, Soyinka who lectures in some Universities in the US, said Nigerians should wait until when Trump assumes office to see him take a decision. 

"Why don’t we wait until Trump actually takes office? I am just going about my normal commitments, but definitely not getting into any more commitments. Let’s put it that way for now,” he said. He expressed fears that Trumps victory will affect the US government's support to Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram “One should expect that level of collaboration to diminish. Trump’s mentality is one of, ‘What are we doing there? What business do we have over there? I foresee Trump dismissing that kind of expectation offhand and closing in, shrinking, becoming smaller in terms of [the U.S.’s] presence in other parts of the world,” he said.

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Michelle Obama and Melania Trump meet for the first time

The US First Lady Michelle Obama met her successor, Melania Trump at the White House's Oval Office, Thursday afternoon. They greeted and Mrs. O served her guest with tea. 
Press were barred from covering the visit. A photo of the women chatting in the Yellow Oval Room was posted by the current administration hours later but no video of them interacting was released.

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"There is no way I could support a man who jailed my father" Femi Kuti denies supporting APC & Buhari during last election

In a series tweets, Femi Kuti has made it clear that he didn't support the APC or any other political party in the 2015 general elections. This was in reply to a follower who accused him of keeping silent in the face of the recession and accused him of supporting the government.

 

In one of his tweets, he explained that the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo came to visit him during the campaign seeking for his support but he refused, saying he could never support a man who jailed his father.

You would recall that in 1984, during Buhari's military reign, he arrested Fela Anikulapo Kuti and jailed him on a charge of currency smuggling which Amnesty International and others denounced as politically motivated

Charlie Boy plans to lead revolution against corrupted politicians, names himself ‘President of Frustrated Nigerians’

Charlie Boy has taken to Social Media to announce he will be leading a revolution group against corrupt politicians in the country. The area father who now simply choose to be known as the ‘President of Frustrated Nigerians’ also said he would take the first bullet upon the revolution to restore change to the country. Read the full post after the cut...

"Like my friend Obinna said and I agree with him, henceforth.... "DON'T ASK for a Revolution; Be the Revolution. Forget about Buhari's Change. Be the Change. Do not wail for that which is troubling this country; Fight to fix it and make the country great again. Do not hail the Corrupt and destroyers of our Dreams; Expose and ridicule them. The Politicians are Corruptly Connected; Criminally Bonded and Fearful of the MOB; The People. We must be audacious in our Demands; we must be Fearless in our Agitation and we must be ready to sacrifice our all for this Country.
I will take the First Bullet; let my body be the first to drop; Let my Blood be the first to wash our LANDS. But let no Nigeria turn back once we begin this Resistance to Political Insensitivity and mindless looting of our common wealth; Let no Nigerian Walk Alone...The Nigerian Politician is our Enemy; The Nigerian People are the Victim and it is time to channel our anger towards a Peaceful Revolution". We must stop being the victims and become THE FEAR. If our yeye Leaders no fear us, change no go come. Stay tuned for The Change. *Charlyboy Oputa* *(AreaFada)* *President* *Frustrated Nigerians*

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GEJ condoles with the Saro-Wiwa family over their loss

Ken Saro-Wiwa, Jr, the first son of late Nigerian writer, and environmental activist, died yesterday aged 48. Ken was a prolific journalist, author and served under former President Jonathan as his Senior Special Assistant on Civil Society and International Media. His former boss GEJ, has now shared a condolence message to his family.

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Fayose pictured with FFK's wife Precious after he rescued her from detention at a bank in Ado Ekiti

Femi Fani-Kayode already released a statement on this, read Ayo Fayose's media aide Lere Olayinka's version of events after the cut... 

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We didn't take credit for your effort, Bayelsa State Government tells NDDC

The Bayelsa State government has condemned attempts by some emotionally and politically challenged persons to discredit it before the general public.

The condemnation is coming on the heels of reports and subsequent reaction from the NDDC that it is laying claim to being responsible for the rehabilitation of fourteen internal roads in the state capital and other local government areas.

He said out of the over fifty two internal roads‎ the NDDC is working on fourteen while the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure is undertaking repair works on some of the others and added that contractors have been mobilized to site.

The Commissioner drew the attention of the people to the project inspection embarked upon by the Governor on Saturday as a clear indication that so many construction and rehabilitation work are currently ongoing.

Obuebite while commending the NDDC for the intervention however pointed out that perhaps the misunderstanding would not have come up if the commission had before embarking on the road repairs liaise with the state government through the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

"Such collaboration will prevent duplication and afford the NDDC the needed information on areas to concentrate ‎on and with that this needless media outburst would have been avoided.

‎The Commissioner also expressed dismay at the quantum of uncouth words used by the Acting Managing Director of the NDDC, maintaining that it was unnecessary and smack of a premeditated grievance.

"Despite the report it was totally uncalled for to express such uncharitable words on the honourable commissioner and the government. Ibim herself was a former commissioner for information and on several occasions must have said something contestable. ‎It is sad that she went that far". he concluded

Hon. Obuebite reassured of the commitment of the administration of Governor Seriake Dickson to always do the needful and not to shy away from its responsibility despite the growing economic hardship.

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Nigeria’s economic recession may last another 20 years – Jimoh Ibrahim

Ondo state governorship aspirant and embattled businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim, says the economic recession being experienced in Nigeria may linger on for another 20 years. Jimoh said this while delivering a speech at a book launch at the Obafemi Awolowo University recently. 

“With the current crude oil prices and current situation of the country, except there is a miracle that will chance the situation, we may be experiencing this recession for 20 years. Our Naira has lost its value and this is the worst recession I have seen in many years and nothing seems to be happening”he said

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Nigeria's President Buhari warned by first lady

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari's wife has warned him that she may not back him at the next election unless he shakes up his government.

In a BBC interview, Aisha Buhari said the president "does not know" most of the top officials he has appointed.
She suggested the government had been hijacked, saying a "few people" were behind presidential appointments.

Mr Buhari was elected last year with a promise to tackle corruption and nepotism in government.

His wife's decision to go public with her concerns will shock many people, but it shows the level of discontent with the president's leadership, says the BBC's Naziru Mikailu in the capital, Abuja.

The president famously remarked at his inauguration that he "belongs to nobody and belongs to everybody".

In the interview with Naziru Mikailu, Mrs Buhari said: "The president does not know 45 out of 50, for example, of the people he appointed and I don't know them either, despite being his wife of 27 years."

She said people who did not share the vision of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were now appointed to top posts because of the influence a "few people" wield.

"Some people are sitting down in their homes folding their arms only for them to be called to come and head an agency or a ministerial position."
Asked to name those who had hijacked the government, she refused, saying: "You will know them if you watch television."

On whether the president was in charge, she said: "That is left for the people to decide."

Mrs Buhari said her husband had not told her whether he would contest the 2019 election.

"He is yet to tell me but I have decided as his wife, that if things continue like this up to 2019, I will not go out and campaign again and ask any woman to vote like I did before. I will never do it again."

Asked what she regarded as the government's major achievement, she said it was to improve security in the north-east where militant Islamist group Boko Haram has waged an insurgency since 2009.

"No-one is complaining about being attacked in their own homes. Thankfully everyone can walk around freely, go to places of worship, etc. Even kids in Maiduguri have returned to schools," Mrs Buhari said, referring to the city which was once the headquarters of the militant group.

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Fayose inspects the arrest of cows in Ekiti

To show the seriousness of the state's anti-grazing bill, Governor Fayose yesterday personally inspected the arrest of some cows at  Ikole Ekiti. He came across herdsmen along Afao Ekiti road, Ado Ekiti ‎and personally saw to it that one of the cows was "arrested" by youths who chased it after the herdsmen ran into the bush upon seeing the governor's security men. The remaining cows ran into the bush too. Ekiti Grazing Enforcement Marshall (EGEM) will start work in a few days time. 

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Presidency mounts pressure on BBC Hausa Service not to broadcast Aisha Buhari's revealing interview

The BBC Hausa Service is under intense pressure from President Buhari and members of his cabinet not to air the recent interview granted by his wife, Aisha Buhari, which is due for broadcast on Saturday, according to Sahara Reporters. 

Buhari is said to have reached out to his wife, who is currently in London, to stop granting further interviews to the media. 

In excerpts that have been widely reported in the media, Mrs. Buhari is quoted as saying that the President had ditched those who really worked for his victory in the 2015 election and is instead focusing on those that didn't participate.

The First Lady also said the President did not know a majority of his ministers before appointing them to office and expressed her concern that certain individuals are creating division within the party. 

"What I am afraid for them is the rebellion of 15 million people," says Mrs. Buhari at the end of the excerpt available to the public.

@iamteddieb

 

Below is what he shared... 

You claim to have raided Supreme Court Justices homes to arrest them because they are corrupt yet you invited a man who admitted that he used $500,000 to host Professor Wole Soyinka into your cabinet!

You hate corruption so much yet your cabinet plays host to a man who admitted paying ₦78 million (equivalent to $515,000 in 2014 when the deal was struck) for the building, maintenance and configuration of his website as governor! 

Mr. President, it seems to me that joining your party, APC, is like a baptism that washes you free of corruption. No wonder your party is filled with the most transparent politicians in Nigeria! Of course should we be surprised? After all, 'Abacha never stole'!

@iamteddie

Russia orders all officials to fly home their relatives living abroad over fear of global war

Russian government is ordering all officials to fly home their family members living outside the four walls of the country over fear of possible global war. According to reports from local media, the news erupted after Russia’s president Vladimir Putin cancelled his proposed visit to France following the furious row over Moscow’s role in the Syrian conflict. 

Meanwhile, the relations between the US and Russia took a twist last Monday when Washington announced it would be suspending its negotiation with Moscow over its refusal to halt airstrikes on Syria’s largest city, Aleppo.

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Cash found in judges homes - trust not the DSS - Femi Fani-Kayode

Read his piece below...

The Greek tragic dramatis and philosopher Aeschylus (525 BC - 456 BC) said "in war, truth is the first casualty". It is in this context that one has to view the absurd claims by the DSS that massive sums of cash ranging from 2 million USD to hundreds of thousands of euros and pounds sterling were found in the homes of all the judges that were arrested in the early hours of saturday morning. 

If anyone honestly believes that such large sums of cash were found in the homes of ANY of those judges then that person needs to have his head examined. 

The DSS has to say these outrageous things and tell these shameful lies in order to attempt to justify their illegal actions before the world.  It is called disinformation and misinformation and that is their stock in trade. 

That is what intelligence and securiry agencies all over the world are paid to do. They destroy their victims before the world with lies and baseless allegations knowing that most Nigerians will believe anything and everything that the government says. 

It is sickening and pathetic. In any case nothing can possibly justify the gestapo tactics that the state has employed in this matter. 

The storming of peoples homes in the middle of the night and the brutalisation and traumatisation of their families, loved ones and households is archaic and barbaric.

Clearly Nigeria is saddled with a President that is a cross between Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, King Leopold 11 of Belgium, Josef Stalin, Pol Pot, Papa Doc Duvalier, Augusto Pinochet, Jean-Bedel Bokassa, Mobutu Sese Seko, Genghis Khan, Atilla the Hun, Count Vlad Dracula and Idi Amin all rolled into one. May God help us.

@iamteddieb

Between President Buhari and the Detained Judges by Reno Omokri

If a serving soldier can own a house in Dubai worth millions, what is the big deal if three serving judges together have ₦270 million (assuming it is true)? This amount is less than the cost of the Dubai house. Between a Supreme Court justice and a general who earns more? Only a fool saves his money in a Nigerian bank under Buhari when Naira can be ₦300 to $1 one month and ₦500 to $1 the next. 

The natural thing any wise man would do is convert his savings to a more secure currency like dollars. And then when the CBN makes arbitrary policies that stop you from paying in dollars into your account or paying huge fees if you do, where do the government expect you to keep your money? Almost all Nigerians have dollars at home. President Muhammadu Buhari, please save democracy and release the detained judges! 

@iamteddieb