Demolition of Kaduna APC office: Army gives chairman 3 days to apologize

Abuja – The Nigerian Army has demanded for an apology from the Acting Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Kaduna State Branch, Alhaji SI Danladi Wada for his unfounded allegation against the GOC 1 division, that soldiers of the division alongside officials of KASUPDA carried out the demolition of the APC office.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, Secretariat, a building said to be owned by Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, along Sambo Road, Kaduna, demolished yesterday by the Kaduna State Government. PHOTO: Olu Ajayi.
The army in a statement noted that despite the fact that the allegation credited to Alhaji Wada ere not true, the Acting APC Chairman has is yet to be remorseful over such misdeed and futile attempt to tarnish the image of the Nigerian Army through such spurious allegations.
The Army has therefore called on the acting Chairman of Kaduna State branch of APC, Alhaji SI Danladi Wada to withdraw the statement and tender an unreserved apology to the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army within 3 days from today.
“Failure to do so, we will be obliged to take legal action against him”, the army said.
The statement signed by Col AA Yusuf on behalf of Brigadier General Sani Usman, Director, Army Public Relations is entitled, ‘Re: Army Demolishes APC Secretariat in Kaduna, Nigerian Army Demands Retraction and Apology.
It reads, “ The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a press statement by the Acting Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) party, Kaduna State branch, Alhaji SI Danladi Wada, in which he made some unfounded allegations against the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, his officers and soldiers. Alhaji Wada further alleged that Kaduna State Government used soldiers in conjunction with KASUPDA to demolish a property in Kaduna.
“The statement is baseless and not true. The 1 Division Nigerian Army through a press release categorically states that no Nigerian Army soldier was involved in the said demolition exercise.
“The allegation and the attempt to drag the Nigerian Army into the issue of demolition is yet another baseless and unsubstantiated claim to malign the hardworking, loyal and professional officers and soldiers of Nigerian Army to discredit them.
“Contrary to claims, the Nigerian Army has not been involved in any illegal activity of either harassment of politicians or demolition of their properties in Kaduna and its environs.
“Despite the fact that his claims were outright false and mischievous, Alhaji Wada is yet to be remorseful over such misdeed and futile attempt to tarnish the image of the Nigerian Army through such spurious allegations.
“Consequently, the Nigerian Army therefore calls on the acting Chairman of Kaduna State branch of APC, Alhaji SI Danladi Wada to withdraw the statement and tender an unreserved apology to the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army within 3 days from today.
“Failure to do so, we will be obliged to take legal action against him.

Trump says kissing ‘never happened!’

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday denied allegations of sexual misconduct by a woman who says he forcibly kissed her when she worked at Trump Tower in New York over a decade ago.
US President Donald Trump
Rachel Crooks, who initially came forward during the 2016 presidential election campaign, is one of over a dozen women who have accused Trump of sexual misconduct.
Crooks came amid women speaking up about workplace harassment as part of the #MeToo movement.
“A woman I don’t know and, to the best of my knowledge, never met.
“She is on the FRONT PAGE of the Fake News Washington Post saying I kissed her for two minutes in the lobby of Trump Tower 12 years ago,’’ Trump tweeted in response to a report by the newspaper.
“Never happened! Who would do this in a public space with live security,’’ he stressed.
Crooks said Trump repeatedly kissed her on the cheeks and mouth during an introductory conservation when she was a 22-year-old receptionist at Trump Tower.
Following Trump’s election, she became one of several women to push Congress to investigate alleged sexual misconduct by Trump, but the investigation went nowhere.
However, the White House has repeatedly denied the allegations.

PDP accuses Gov Bello for wasteful spending

Say last saturday APC rally gulp N2bn
BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO
LOKOJA – The Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, has described last Saturday Lokoja mega rally organised by Gov Yahaya Bello of Kogi State as a colossal waste of the state frugal resources, said the governor wasted N2 billion on the ‘Kangaroo’ rally.
The PDP said spending N2 billion on a rally at a time when salaries and pensions hangover are in the region of 22 months, was wicked, callous, inhuman and insensitive to the plight of Kogites.
The party said the rally has shown clearly that the Governor lacks the fear of God and does not understand the basic dynamics of governing a state.
Kogi State PDP, Director Research and Documentation, Achadu Dickson in a statement yesterday said, “Spending of a whooping N2billion tax payers fund to organise a rally that is of no significance to the lives and well-being of Kogi People is disheartening and a glaring show of man’s inhumanity against man.
“We wondered why Governor Bello would dole out N750, 000 per polling unit in mobilization, while council administrators were also directed to mobilize 500 persons at N5000 per person when INEC has not announced the commencement of political activities.”
The party said it is worrisome that a governor who is planning to sell off state assets to fund 2018 budget could hire a private jet for the APC National Chairman, to attend “the cash and carry jamboree”.
PDP also accused the governor of diverting two months Local Government Council allocation for the months of January and February 2018 to fund the jamboree in Lokoja at the expense of workers’ emoluments
They also described the purchase of vehicles, by the Governor, using tax payers money to distribute and fund an illegal State executive, an action the National APC has already described as wrongfully constituted, as wickedness of the highest order.
The party sympathises with Kogi State people over the hardship they are currently facing under the present administration, but assured that it would only be for awhile, as his actions are those of a drowning man, “Governor Bello will certainly account for all the several billions he has collected on behalf of people of the state, as judgment day is soon to catch up with him.”
They called on INEC to investigate the early campaign by the governor and the APC; and also for EFCC to probe into the allege spending of the N2 billion used for the rally.

Jonathan, Obasanjo attend church service in Otuoke

Former Presidents Dr.Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday worshipped at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Otuoke, Jonathan’s home town. Both statesmen, the Governor of the State, Seriake Dickson and many other dignitaries joined the Bishop of Ogbia Kingdom, Rev. James Oruwori and other members of his congregation during the 9:00 AM church service.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo (2nd left) in a discussion with the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson (2nd right) during a Church Service at the St. Stephen’s Church, Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area of the State, while former President Goodluck Jonathan (left) and the Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Majesty, King Alfred Diete Spiff (right) look on.
While welcoming Obasanjo to his community church, Jonathan noted that Obasanjo had promised to visit Otuoke in return for his recent visit to Obasanjo’s hometown, adding that he didn’t know it would come so soon. Former President Jonathan also called for peace and understanding among Nigerians in the bid to enthrone a just society.
While presenting his goodwill message to the congregation, Obasanjo described Jonathan as Nigeria’s youngest former President. He further advised Nigerians to always speak the truth, stressing that he
believed in the Biblical verse that, “only the truth shall set you free” and make life meaningful.
The former President also sued for peace, saying: “unless we have peace, we will not have development and if we do not have development, we will not be able to defeat poverty.”
It was the second time Chief Obasanjo would be visiting Ex-President Jonathan at his Otuoke country home in as many days, as Obasanjo had earlier visited him last Friday where he was treated to a private
dinner by his host.
Chief Obasanjo left Bayelsa State Sunday afternoon after a three-day visit that saw him commission some private and state projects.

Corruption probe: S. Africa widens hunt for Zuma allies to India, China

South Africa has widened a corruption probe into allies of ex-president Jacob Zuma to other countries including India, China and Dubai, the police minister said Sunday.
Jacob Zuma
Fikile Mbalula made the announcement days after South Africa issued an arrest warrant for one of the brothers of the Gupta business family, close associates of scandal-plagued Zuma who was forced from power on Wednesday.
Mbalula told public broadcaster SABC that Ajay Gupta and another four people who are being sought in connection with the case were all out of the country.
While there was no indication that they fled the country fearing arrest, Mbalula vowed that they will “be followed up” through Interpol with the possibility of extradition to face trial in South Africa.
He said two of the suspects were of Indian descent and one other was Chinese. All are thought to be in India, China or Dubai.
“We operate through Interpol, we operate through bilateral (means), if you ever resist there will be extradition. All means necessary will be employed to ensure these people are brought to book,” said Mbalula.
He refused to name the suspects except for Ajay Gupta who police last week declared a fugitive.
Local media reports suggested that Zuma’s son Duduzane, a business associate of the Guptas, is also among those being sought, and some speculated that he could be in Dubai.
The minister refused to say whether Duduzane Zuma is on the police wanted list.
“There will be more arrests… it’s not just a witch hunt,” he added.
“It doesn’t matter, if you are a politician … there are no holy cows, there are no untouchables.”
In all, 13 people are facing charges linked to allegations that millions of dollars of public money meant for poor dairy farmers was syphoned off by the Guptas. Eight other suspects were arrested last week and have appeared in court.
In his first address to the nation hours after he assumed power on Friday, new South African President Cyril Ramaphosa vowed to fight corruption in a direct reference to the accusations levelled at his predecessor Zuma.

What Babangida told Secondus, PDP’s NWC in Minna :2019

Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, at the weekend appraised his position on current political developments in the nation and surmised that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must provide a better choice for Nigerians.
The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP lead by the Party Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, Saturday paid a courtesy visit to former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, in Minna, Niger State
Babangida, who spoke in Minna, Niger state on Saturday while receiving members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP led by its National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, also expressed satisfaction with the rebranding so far achieved by the PDP ahead of the 2019 general elections.
“I am happy at your assurances that there will be no imposition in all your primary elections. It is all about choice and you have promised to provide the best choice,” he said.
Commending the elective National Convention of the PDP, the former president noted that not a few Nigerians believed that the national convention will hold adding however that the outcome was successful.
“Your ‘Reposition, Rebrand and Regain’ agenda is working and I mean particularly the rebranding. Some people believed that having been in government since 1999, the PDP will find opposition difficult but you are carrying on well and providing a better alternative.
“You have also not abandoned the people in times of crisis. I monitored your activities in Benue, Taraba and you just said your party has sent members to Zamfara to commiserate with the people. Surely you have made the people the centre of your return and they will not forget you because you were with them in time of sorrow.
Earlier, in the meeting, PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, had told Babangida that former leaders of our nation must rally together to save our nation from the current administration.
He lamented the killings and economic hardships, which Nigerians contend with on daily basis, stressing that our country has never witnessed the type of division “our people are currently facing.
“As a leader, you made the welfare of Nigerians the thrust of governance. You were also concerned about the peace and unity of this nation. You created and built people as well as institutions.
“Today, our nation is drifting and as leaders you cannot afford to keep quiet and watch on the sides. Leaders like you must come together and take a firm position on how to save our nation from the precipice.
“PDP remains the only alternative platform based on our experience more so because we have learnt our lessons. We have resolved to play by the rules and operate within the confines of our party’s and the Nigerian constitution.
“We are rebranding and repositioning to make our party open to all and regain the land for the people. We are determined to give opportunities to the youths and our women. We also want to mentor a new generation of young Nigerians that will take our nation to the next millennium”, Prince Secondus said.
He therefore urged all Nigerians to rally with the repositioned PDP to restore the nation once more to the path of peace, national unity and economic prosperity.

APC doomed if Tinubu fails – Sani

Abuja – Sen. Shehu Sani has said that avoidable doom awaits the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the 2019 polls, should Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu fail to reconcile aggrieved members.
Sani, a chieftain of the APC who represents Kaduna central in the Senate, stated this on Sunday in Abuja in an interview with newsmen.
It was his own reaction to Tinubu´s recent appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the APC team of consultation, reconciliation and confidence-building.
Tinubu’s assignment, among others, is to forge cohesion within the APC ahead of the 2019 general election. It involves resolving disagreements among party members and leaders.
It also involves reconciling political office holders in some APC-controlled states and addressing crises in the party`s chapters in Kano, Kogi, Kaduna, Bauchi and other states.
´´It is going to be a tragedy if he fails. This is what I know and I can speak in parables,´´ said Sani who has not been in a good relationship with Governor Ahmad Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state.
According to him, the Kaduna state governor has pocketed the party and wants to impose his will and unleash terror on members, by exploiting his proximity to the President.
He said Tinubu´s appointment has halted, for now, the defection of most APC members to other political parties.
Sani said it is no more news that the APC is faced with crises in some states where it holds sway, adding that the crises have defied solutions for over two years.
The Senator noted that efforts made in the past have failed to address the multi-state crises.
Sani while confirming that the Kaduna state chapter of the party is now having a parallel executive, said it was left for the Tinubu team to address the situation before it gets out of hand.
´´It is left for Asiwaju to build the bridges. Lagos is known for bridges; therefore we hope that there will be Seventh Mainland Bridge to connect the divide, but we are not sure of this.
´´Right now, the party is already divided in Kaduna and it is for the national secretariat to note this and we have said it in clear terms.
´´The problem has defied solution for two years, but we believe that Asiwaju can do a lot of reconciliation.
´´We hope that he will be able to achieve a lot, because if he fails, it is going to be doom for the party.
´´In the process where reconciliation is taking place now, I think it is in our interest to put our ambitions in our pockets according to what Mr President said and wait for Asiwaju to address the problem,´´ he said.
Sani advised the Tinubu reconciliation team not to take sides but to give equal treatment, especially as far as Kaduna state is concerned, in the interest of the party and its members.
He expressed confidence that Tinubu´s appointment could most likely address the fundamental issues that were confronting the party at both the national and state level.
The Senator, however, maintained that nobody could have solved the party´s many problems other than President Buhari through Tinubu.
This according to him, was especially so because APC state governors, Senators and members of House of Representatives could not solve the problems because they were all parties to it.
He added that even the party at the national level could not solve the problem because there had been disrespect and disregard for the party´s leadership in the last two years.
Sani noted that the very fact that the APC had been inhibited with lack of funds and other challenges, made it impossible for it to bring to order the situation.
While noting that the APC crisis started earlier, the Senator said addressing the situation would prevent more damages that could affect its fortunes in 2019.
´´It is of concern that a party that came to power with so much goodwill, and hope has found itself in a civil war with itself.
´´Right now, the APC is both the government and the opposition, because most of the criticism and opposition that is going on in the country is within the APC itself,´´ he said.
Sani blamed the situation in the APC to lack of party supremacy and internal democracy which he said was evident in South Africa and Ethiopia as was recently displayed.
´´In Nigeria, there is no supremacy of the party because people holding position of executive power think that the party should be under them and not them being below the party.
´´Political parties in the Nigerian setting, seem to be parastatals of the state governments and that is totally unacceptable. There is also the syndrome of ‘the party is our own’.
´´If a clique of people believe that they founded the party and other people are strangers, then the recipe for crisis has been set,´´ he said.
The Senator warned that if all party members are not treated equally and fairly, there would be problem.
He recalled that the PDP was not destroyed from the outside, but from the inside, adding that it was the marginalised and oppressed elements within the party that became the final nail on its coffin.(NAN)