Blog: NELOC News

Photostory: Hoodlums Set Ogun INEC Office On Fire

Some suspected hoodlums, in the early hours of Thursday, set ablaze an office of the Independent National Electoral Commission at Iyana Mortuary lll in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital .

Our correspondent gathered that the hoodlums, numbering about eight reportedly scaled the perimeter fence, jumped into the premises and set the building on fire from the back.

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The Last Statement of Ken Saro Wiwa at the Military Tribunal in 1995

My lord, since my arrest on the 21st of May, 1994 I have been subjected to physical and mental torture, held incommunicado and denied food for weeks and medical attention for months.

My seventy-four year old mother has been whipped and arrested, my

wife beaten and threatened with detention, the three telephone lines to my office and residence cut and they remain cut to this day.

My office and home have been ransacked on three different occasions and personal and family property, official files and documents taken away without documentation.

I have been calumniated in the press and on satellite television before the whole world by a Rivers State government anxious to prejudice the mind of the public and to convince that public of my guilt even before trial.

Only recently, before the United Nations Committee for the Eradication of Racism and Discrimination in Geneva, an official delegation of the Federal Government which included the Special Adviser on Legal Affairs to the Head of State, Professor Yazudu, declared me responsible for the murders which are the subject of this Tribunal, even before the Tribunal has found against me or anyone else.

The fact that a case of homicide is being charged before a Tribunal set up under Decree No. 2 of 1987 speaks for itself. I am aware of the many strictures laid against the decree and this Tribunal by local and international observers.

All the same, I have followed the proceedings here with keen and detailed interest, not only because I am charged before this Tribunal, but also because, as a writer, I am a custodian of the conscience of society.

I regret that the legal counsel I freely chose, Gani Fawehinmi, the human rights hero and pride of this country, was forced to withdraw. His withdrawal has denied credibility to this trial.

With the permission of the Tribunal, I would now like to make a filmic representation which will graphically demonstrate all that I have said here and amplify the details thereof.

My lord, we all stand before history. I am a man of peace, of ideas. Appalled by the denigrating poverty of my people who live on a richly-endowed land, distressed by their political marginalization and economic strangulation, angered by the devastation of their land, their ultimate heritage, anxious to preserve their right to life and to a decent living, and determined to usher to this country as a whole a fair and just democratic system which protects everyone and every ethnic group and gives us all a valid claim to human civilization, I have

devoted all my intellectual and material resources, my very life, to a cause in which I have total belief and from which I cannot be blackmailed or intimidated.

I have no doubt at all about the ultimate success of my cause, no matter the trials and tribulations which I and those who believe with me may encounter on our journey.

Nor imprisonment nor death can stop our ultimate victory.

I repeat that we all stand before history. I and my colleagues are not the only ones on trial. Shell is here on trial and it is as well that it is represented by counsel said to be holding a watching brief. The company has, indeed, ducked this particular trial, but its day will surely come and the lessons learnt here may prove useful to it for there is no doubt in my mind that the ecological war the company has waged in the delta will be called to question sooner than later and the crimes of that war duly punished. The crime of the company's dirty wars against the Ogoni people will also be punished.

On trial also is the Nigerian nation, its present rulers and all those who assist them. Any nation which can do to the weak and disadvantaged what the Nigerian nation has done to the Ogoni, loses a claim to independence and to freedom from outside influence.

I am not one of those who shy away from protesting injustice and oppression, arguing that they are expected from a military regime. The military do not act alone. They are supported by a gaggle of politicians, lawyers, judges, academics and businessmen, all of them hiding under the claim that they are only doing their duty, men and women too afraid to wash their pants of their urine.

We all stand on trial, my lord, for by our actions we have denigrated our country and jeopardized the future of our children. As we subscribe to the sub-normal and accept double standards, as we lie and cheat openly, as we protect injustice and oppression, we empty our classrooms, degrade our hospitals, fill our stomachs with hunger and elect to make ourselves the slaves of those who subscribe to higher standards, pursue the truth, and honour justice, freedom and hard work.

I predict that the scene here will be played and replayed by generations yet unborn. Some have already cast themselves in the role of villains, some are tragic victims, some still have a chance to redeem themselves. The choice is for each individual.

I predict that a denouement of the riddle of the Niger delta will soon come. The agenda is being set at this trial. Whether the peaceful ways I have favoured will prevail depends on what the oppressor decides, what signals it sends out to the waiting public.

In my innocence of the false charges I face here, in my utter conviction, I call upon the Ogoni people, the peoples of the Niger delta, and the oppressed ethnic minorities of Nigeria to stand up now and fight fearlessly and peacefully for their rights. History is on their side, God is on their side. For the Holy Quran says in Sura 42, verse 41: "All those who fight, when oppressed incur no guilt, but Allah shall punish the oppressor." Come the day.

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Ken Saro-Wiwa

Port Harcourt

21st September, 1995.

US Govt Deducted $460,000 As Tax Over 10 Accounts Linked To Tinubu - Keyamo

Although 10 accounts were linked to All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, by United States authorities in the early 90s, $460,000 were deducted from one of the accounts as tax on investments domiciled in US banks.

This was the submission of the Chief Spokesperson for the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo, on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday.

He was commenting on the controversy surrounding a document recently released by the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois said to have investigated Tinubu’s alleged involvement in narcotics and money laundering about 30 years ago.

The matter, which ended in a settlement, led to Tinubu’s forfeiture of $460,000 in one of the accounts linked to the former governor of Lagos State.

Keyamo said Tinubu took responsibility for all the 10 accounts because they were also traced to his mother and “relatives”.

He also said Tinubu was roped in the drug trafficking case of two Nigerians who once stayed in separate flats in the same building where the ex-governor stayed at a time in the US.

“He, Asiwaju, went to open an account, the address by which he opened the account was already used by these people…investigated for narcotics,” he said.

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Food Union Employers To Leave Nigeria Over Outrageous Excise Duty, Taxation

Employers of labour in the food and beverage sector have concluded plans to leave Nigeria and relocate their factories to neighbouring West African countries over alleged outrageous excise duty on carbonated drinks and multiple taxation by the Federal Government.

The employers, who called on the Federal Government to take urgent action to save the business environment from collapsing, said relocating their factories to neighbouring countries was the next line of action, where production cost is lesser and the finished products will be brought back to Nigeria to sell, making Nigeria to be at the receiving end.

This was disclosed by workers under the umbrella of the National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE), revealing the employers’ plans in separate letters to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, and President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, titled, ‘Federal Government Save Our Soul, Food Sector is Dying because of Multiple Excise Duty /Taxation’.

The union said the introduction of the excise duty has crippled the business since January this year till date.

He said: “The life span of finished products (FCMG) is six month. Over billions of products have expired and will be discarded because of the price increase of the finished products.

“Billions of naira raw materials of the products will be expiring in December and January. The production of goods daily that was formerly 12 hours per day, six days a week (Monday to Saturday) has now reduced to eight hours per day and three times a week.

“Companies that have six production lines have shut three lines down and most companies are now left with three lines to produce due to the excess percentage on excise duty and taxation. Companies are struggling to produce.”

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The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday, paid a condolence visit to former senate president, David Mark.

Mark's son, Tunde Jonathan, died in late October.

Atiku, who shared photos from the visit said, "I just finished from a condolence visit to Senator David Mark. I pray that the Almighty sustains the family and those of us who share in the bereavement. Ameen. -AA"

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Popular Presidential aspirant gives condition to withdraw from race

The candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso has given a condition that can make him drop out of the 2023 presidential race. According to the former Kano State Governor, if the party gets a better candidate, he is ready to withdraw from the race.

Kwankwaso said he is not desperate to become the next President of Nigeria but however believes he is the best candidate for the job, OndoMind gathered.

Naija News reports he made the submission in Enugu on Tuesday while commissioning some campaign offices for his party.

He also blamed the All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ‘unpalatable’ situation in Nigeria, saying 2023 is an opportunity for Nigerians to change the narrative by voting for him.

“I am willing to step aside if the NNPP gets a better candidate but for now, I am the best there is and that is why I am working tirelessly to ensure that we win the elections and give Nigerians a better representation,” Kwankwaso said.

APC Worse Than The PDP

Kwankwaso stated that the APC has plunged Nigeria into bigger problems since taking over power in 2015 but now, Nigerians have a better alternative in the NNPP.

He assured that Nigeria has renewed hope with him in power

“The APC has even proven to be worse than the PDP. All is not well in the Northeast, where the government claims it has defeated insurgency. The people cannot move about freely, even in the Southeast. Nowhere is safe again,” he said.

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G-5 PDP Governors are Still open to reconciliation but – Wike

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says the integrity governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are still open for reconciliation.

This stance, he maintained, is because of the conviction that every critical stakeholders in the party needs to be on board to ensure electoral victory for the party in 2023.

Governor Wike spoke in Bauchi when he led the PDP integrity governors on a solidarity visit to the Bauchi State governor, senator Bala Mohammed on Wednesday.

"I have stated severally that we are here for reconciliation. We have never closed the door for reconciliation. We have never closed the door and we will not close the door."

"All we are saying is that there should be equity, justice and fairness. That is the hallmark of what PDP stands for, equity, justice and fairness."

On the team of the integrity governors were governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and the governor of Enugu State, Ífeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Governor Wike declared that because the PDP integrity governors are the pillars of the party, they have kept their doors open and are ready for genuine reconciliation.

"All we are saying is that let the right thing be done. When the right thing is done, the whole country will know that election is over.

"This G-5 that you are seeing, we are the bedrock of the party. So, we can't close the door for reconciliation. We are open for reconciliation any day, anytime."

Governor Wike also explained the reason for the solidarity visit to the Bauchi State governor and said it is to ascertain how he was putting up with the challenges of his re-election for his second term.

"Our main motive of coming here is to give solidarity to our brother, the governor of Bauchi state, senator Bala Mohammed. And all we have discussed is to see how by the grace of God, being a gift to the people of Bauchi, he will win his election come 2023.

"So, all our discussion had to centre about his election and we are out to give him all the necessary support as our friend, our brother in the same political family."

Governor Wike explained that the visit became necessary because whatever affects the Bauchi State governor will impact on them as well.

"By the grace of God, I know he has done well in Bauchi and the people of Bauchi State will still vote for him to come back for a second tenure."

In his response, governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State expressed his delight over hosting the PDP integrity governors.

The Bauchi State governor, said it is no secret that he wrote to the national leadership of the PDP to express his concerns about perceived encumbrances as it affects his second term bid in the State.

He explained that this necessitated his meeting on Tuesday with the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Governor Mohammed, who described the G-5 governors as brothers, joked that he was supposed to be part of them in their demand for equity, fairness, justice but he was excommunicated for reasons only known to the members of the G-5.

Despite that, Governor Bala said he had maintained regular contact with them and no day passes by without a call put out to, at least, one of them.

"In politics, you go with the people you share things in common. One thing that I appreciate with them is that they look at your challenges, they are not going back for second term, all of them.

"So, I am happy they are here. I will have the opportunity of confiding in people that I believe I can confide in with some of my worries, my fears, my apprehensions and that of my State. As PDP members, we are of the same family. I will see you as my comrades in this journey of life."

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There Won’t Be Food Shortage In 2023 – FG

Minister of Agriculture, Mohammad Abubakar, disclosed this on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House.

He stated that the government is working to decrease inflation rate and ensure food security primarily through subsidising fertilizer, improving production and prevent smuggling among other strategies.

In the last two months, houses and farmlands have been submerged in Lagos, Yobe, Borno, Taraba, Adamawa, Edo, Delta, Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Benue, Ebonyi, Anambra, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Jigawa, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Imo, Abia States, and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), over 600 people have died and millions displaced by devastating floods that hit more than 20 states in the last few months.

The 2022 floods have attracted international “solidarity”. In a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, King Charles III sympathised with Nigeria over the “devastating” incidents.

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Court strikes out suit seeking to disqualify PDP Governorship candidate, awards N50,000 against APC

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Wednesday struck out a suit by the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State challenging the candidature of Siminialayi Fubara as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.

The presiding judge, Justice Emmanuel Obile in his judgment on a preliminary objection raised by PDP, struck out the suit for lack of jurisdiction of the court and locus standi by APC to interfere in the internal affairs of PDP.

Justice Obile also held that the cause of action by the APC is status barred as it filed the suit five days after the stipulated 14 days from the day of the action. The judge also ruled that the APC failed to establish any reasonable cause of action.

Justice Obile also refused to go into the merit of the suit and insisted that no political party has the right to sue another political party as provided for by electoral laws.

He thereafter sustained the preliminary objection by PDP and awarded a N50,000 cost against APC in favour of PDP, its governorship candidate and his running mate.

Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, PDP’s counsel, Dike Udenna commended the judgement.

Also speaking, counsel to APC, Chimenem Jerome wondered how the same High Court that has been delivering judgement in similar suits, where some candidates of other political parties have been sacked, suddenly ruled that it does not have the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

The lawyer however assured that he will advise his clients on the next step to take.

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Coronavirus: The Growth of Online Learning Business

Following the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, especially with the absence of an immediate cure in sight, businesses, including schools have started to explore new modes of operations. Before now, many parents thought it would be impossible to execute digital learning in Nigeria and even to hook-up their children online to receive relevant teaching. The Federal Government has launched free e-learning portals for all students in primary and secondary schools as there is a closure of schools nationwide to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

The online learning process is coordinated by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in conjunction with the States Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs). Also, many state Governments and executives have backed this initiative, including the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who on Saturday, joined the government-backed virtual digital training for youths in the state with a call on participants to compete to evolve with homegrown technological solutions to local problems.

Prior to this pandemic, online learning had existed. Websites like Udemy, Coursera, edx and still counting give opportunity for professionals and amateurs to exchange intellectual property and learn for a token of money or on scholarships.

The business comes when you either become a tutor or you own the learning platform. Anyone can just start with your WhatsApp and Facebook groups and teach what you know for free or for a fee

EFCC Presents N41.1bn 2023 Budget Proposal to House of Reps

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, presented an estimate of N41,120,071,521.75 (Forty One Billion, One Hundred and Twenty Million, Seventy One Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty One Naira, Seventy Five Kobo) as its budget for the year 2023 to the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes.

A breakdown of the estimate shows the sum of N36,834,903,804.75 (Thirty Six billion, Eight Hundred and Thirty Four million, Nine Hundred and Three Thousand, Eight Hundred and Four Naira, Seventy Five Kobo) only as Personnel cost; while the sum of N3,835,460,631.00 (Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Thirty Five Million, Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Six Hundred and Thirty One Naira) is for overhead, and N530,707,086.00 (Five Hundred and Thirty Million, Seven Hundred and Seven Thousand, Eighty Six Naira) earmarked as Capital vote.

Presenting the budget before the Committee, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, gave an overview of the performance of the Commission’s 2022 budget, explaining that only 53% of the appropriation had been released as at August 31, 2022, with the budget performance put at 83.35% of the total releases.

The total budget of the commission for 2022 is N43,696,381,562.46 (Forty Three Billion, Six Hundred and Ninety-Six Million, Three Hundred and Eighty-one Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty-two Naira, Forty-six Kobo), which is slightly higher than the projected budget for 2023.

Members of the Hon. Ibrahim Abdullahi Dutse-led Committee expressed concern at the decline at a time when the responsibilities of the Commission are on the increase.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon Dutse commended the achievements which the EFCC has recorded under the leadership of Bawa.

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FEC Approves N14.88bn For Construction Of FIRS Office

The Federal Executive Council has approved a contract for the construction of a new office block and parking lot worth over N14.88 billion for the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba, disclosed this on Wednesday after the Council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House.

Ogba told State House Correspondents that the Construction of the 12 storey building would save FIRS N4 billion annual rent and decongest traffic along Awolowo Road.

The Council also approved the creation of a database of the National Capital Projects Information System of Government, to track the growing abandoned and uncompleted projects across the country, particularly in the last five years, which drains national funds.

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The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Wednesday, met with UK's monarch, King Charles III.

Buhari's aide, Bashir Ahmad, tweeted photos from the meeting saying, "President Muhammadu Buhari today, met with His Royal Majesty King Charles III at the Buckingham Palace, United Kingdom."

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Crude Oil Thieves After My Life - Mallam Kyari

Group Managing Director of the NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, said as a result of the several ongoing reforms in the oil and gas sector leading to the discovery of several sources of crude oil theft, he has been receiving death threats from unknown persons.

Kyari spoke just as the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) Prof Bolaji Owasanoye said the country was losing about 60 percent of revenue to bad agreements.

Kyari said the Company has discovered and destroyed thousands of illegal refineries in the last few months as well as connection on the main pipeline carrying crude to the terminal for export, dismissing the threat to his life as a none issue because “every human being will die someday”.

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Atiku's convoy attacked in Borno

The convoy of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was attacked in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Wednesday, November 9.

The presidential campaign trail of the opposition party landed in Borno, an All Progressives Congress (APC) controlled state, on Wednesday.

The hoodlums vandalised vehicles in the convoy of Atiku at Ramat Square in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Confirming the attack, the spokesperson of the Atiku Campaign, Dino Malaye, blamed the attack on the ruling party in Borno. He was quoted as saying over 70 people have been hospitalized due to the attack.

“They wanted to prevent us from holding the campaign, as we speak, 74 people were injured and hospitalised. Several vehicles were vandalised by APC thugs.”he said

The APC is yet to react to Melaye’s allegation.

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Nigeria Police acquires, deploys more armed drones to strategic locations

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba has acquired three (3) high-powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for improved armed surveillance operations to checkmate criminal activities in the country as a further manifestation of the IGP’s determination to integrate the use of innovative technology in the law enforcement duties of the Nigeria Police Force.

The newly acquired drones will surely assist the Police in monitoring active crime scenes, coordinating response operations, and providing armed aerial support to officers on reconnaissance operations.

The 3 newly acquired UAVs are rotary-wing aircrafts capable of flying up to an altitude of 1000ft with high operational endurance and the capacity of firing at acquired threats and targets from reasonable distances. The Nigeria Police Airwing has equally concluded training for the operators of the drones in partnership with foreign experts who have been consulted for training and maintenance of the drones.

The IGP has directed the immediate, and strategic deployment of these drones based on necessity while noting that three (3) more UAVs of the same specifications are still expected in the shortest possible time.

The IGP while reiterating the constant deployment and judicious use of the drones, ordered a total clamp down on non-state actors and criminals in Nigeria, and similarly warned criminal elements across the country to steer clear and turn a new leaf else the environment would not be conducive for them, and they may meet their waterloo soonest.

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Kano Singer Sentenced To Death Over Blasphemy Challenge Judgement At Supreme Court

Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a musician sentenced to death by hanging in 2020 after being convicted of blasphemy, has approached the Supreme Court of Nigeria to challenge his conviction.

SaharaReporters exclusively learnt on Wednesday that the governor of Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje and the state Attorney General, Musa Abdullahi Lawan had just been served court papers with regard to the appeal.

The death sentence was passed on Sharif-Aminu by a Sharia court, which a high court overturned. It, however, denied the musician bail and ordered his re-trial before another Sharia court judge due to irregularities in the original trial.

The musician approached the appeal court to overturn the order for his retrial for blasphemy. His lawyer argued that he ought to be removed from detention.

But the appellate court did not rule in his favour.

Sharif-Aminu is also seeking “an order declaring S.382(b) of the Sharia Penal Code Law of Kano State 2000 being in conflict and incompatible with S.34(1)(a), S.38(1), S.39(1), and other provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Articles 5, 8, and 9, among others, of the African Charter on Human and People's Rights, and Articles 7, 18, and 19, among others, of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights

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Anti-Atiku, PDP G5 Governors Meet With Bala Mohammed

Four members of the G5 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have held a closed-door meeting with the Governor of Bauchi State Bala Mohammed.

The four G5 governors in the meeting in Bauchi State include Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State who was with his G5 colleagues to inaugurate some projects completed by Ortom in Benue State on Monday, was, however, absent.

Wike said they are on a solidarity visit to Governor Mohammed and to also discuss ways they can intervene regarding some challenges surrounding his (Bauchi governor’s) re-election bid.

The governors in a meeting with their Bauchi State counterpart.

On his part, Governor Mohammed appreciated the show of concern and listed some of the issues as anti-party challenges and treachery in the state. He added that he is also willing to confide with the integrity group (G5) about his fears and worries.

The meeting is coming hours after the Bauchi State governor met with the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar in Abuja following reports that he (Bauchi governor) threatened to leave the party’s presidential campaign if the former vice president’s loyalists work against his re-election.

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Photostory: See Nigerian-Americans Who Won In US Midterm Polls

Some Nigerians, who ran in the midterm election of the United States of America, won.

The chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, shared the news on her Twitter handle on Wednesday and congratulated the winners.

She tweeted, “These Nigerian Americans won their elections in Georgia last night. A hearty congrats to them all.”

They include Segun Adeyina, Gabe Okoye, Solomon Adesanya, Tish Naghise, Phil Olaleye, Carol Kazeem, Oye Owolewa and Esther Agbaje.

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FG To Release Mass Prisoners, Notifies Governors

Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior, has written to the Nigerian Governors Forum to request a meeting in order to decongest jails around the country.

This was made known to our correspondent by the Minister’s Media Adviser, Sola Fasure, on Tuesday.

In exactly one month, Aregbesola stated he would meet with state governors to agree on the mass release of at least 30 per cent of convicts from correctional facilities across the country.

The minister said that the interface was necessary as more than 90 per cent of the inmates were being held for contravening various state laws, noting that over 70 per cent of the 75,635 inmates at present were awaiting trial.

The minister added that the decongestion of the 253 custodial centres nationwide was necessary as some of the inmates have no reason to remain in custody.

However, speaking on the action taken by the minister, Fasure said, “The minister has written to the Governors Forum, but he has not met with them because they will have to communicate with him and give him a date.

“He wrote to them with the request that he wants to meet with them, but he is yet to get a response. In other words, the meeting has not been held.”

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