Buhari’s govt, worst in Nigeria’s history – Agbakoba

A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), said on Tuesday that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is the worst in the history of Nigeria.

Agbakoba, who is one of the leaders of the National Intervention Movement, described the last four years under Buhari as locust years, saying the Coalition of United Political Parties were determined to save the country by bringing Buhari’s reign to an end.

He described Buhari’s re-election mantra of “Next Level,” as a failed document and one lacking in “conceptual overhang”.

Agbakoba, who rated the campaign document of the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, better than Buhari’s, said were the presidential election to hold today, Atiku would win, while Buhari would come “distant second”.

He, however, expressed the fear that Buhari, if defeated, might not be willing to relinquish power, decrying the presence of the service chiefs at the launch of Buhari’s re-election campaign on Sunday.

The lawyer spoke with journalists in his Ikoyi, Lagos office on Tuesday morning.

He said, “We clearly understand that to win the forthcoming elections, we require a united opposition. So, all the parties are simply presenting their presidential candidates but by January, the CUPP will formalise its consensus candidate.

“It may well be Atiku or it may not but the person who will be chosen must be one who has the heavy-lifting, who can get the job done.

“Personally, I’m pro-Atiku because I think he has the heavy-lifting but I will not preempt anything.


“We are all united in the mantra and the strong song around our campaign; that is: Anybody but Buhari. That’s the campaign –  Anybody but Buhari.

“We are making sure that the four locust years from 2015 to 2019 will never repeat themselves in Nigeria. This has been the worst government in Nigeria’s history.

“Unemployment rate at 20 million, youth unemployment is so high, inflation at about 18 per cent, borrowing requirement or interest rate at about 22 per cent; nothing is working. So, we need to do something to reclaim it.

“So, that’s the message; we are working with the united opposition party, which we now have. Obasanjo’s own is called ADC, I am affiliated to the Peoples Trust and all of these come under the umbrella of the third force.”

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Buhari’ll rather lose than rig 2019 elections – Presidency

President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina has said his principal would rather lose the 2019 presidential election than rig it.

The presidential spokesman said this during a programme on ARISE TV, yesterday.

In his comments concerns raised ahead of the 2019 elections, Adesina assured that the process will be free and fair.

“I’m surprised that this president has been with you for three and a half years and yet you do not seem to know him. If anybody would rig election or anything, it will not be president Muhammadu Buhari. He would rather even prefer to lose fair and square.

“He has even said it before that if the only thing he would leave as a legacy for Nigeria is free and fair election, he would do it. Forget that the election would be rigged, that will not happen.”

In his reaction to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) statement that Buhari’s ‘Next Level’ document “failed to articulate any solutions,” Adesina said: “PDP is down and will remain there for a very long time so I’d rather not talk about them.

“The Next Level is about deepening what is happening in the country. It’s about consolidating on what has been done and what is been done; its about making progress and advancing on what we are doing now. That is the sum total of it.

“A lot of Nigerians believe in what this administration is doing, they have faith, they have confidence, they have hope that the administration will take Nigerians to the place it deserves to be.

“The work in progress will continue and if you look at the documents that were released, you’ll see additional focal areas.

“So in the next dispensation and by the goodwill of Nigerians who will reelect the current administration, these three focal areas (security, economy and infrastructure) will continue to receive attention and there will be additional ones as you’ve seen in the documents.”

In his comments on the alleged indictment of Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, and the leadership of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) over the N5.8 billion fund released for internally displaced persons (IDPs), Adesina said: “It is more of a political thing rather than something grounded in facts and truth.”

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‘Don’t handover Nigeria to thieves and hooligans’ – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has beckoned on Nigerians not to hand over the nation to ‘thieves and hooligans.’


Speaking on Tuesday as former President Goodluck Jonathan presented his book, ‘My Transition Hours,’ Obasanjo said if the nation’s democracy was handed over to those in such categories, they could use it as a weapon against the people.

The former president noted that democracy can only be sustained in the country if only power is in the hands of ‘Democrats’.


Obasanjo said, “There is still no substitute for democracy when all is said and done. It fosters peace. It builds and does not destroy. It unifies, rather than divides.

“But all these can only happen if democracy is in the hands of democrats. If it is in the hands of thieves and hooligans, they can use it as a weapon. We should ensure hooligans don’t get it.

“Let us continue to make Nigeria cool and calm.”


He commended Jonathan for his peaceful retirement, adding that the post-office life which Jonathan was enjoying was one that all must crave for.

He also advised him not to be found wanting in serving his community, state, Nigeria, Africa and the world.

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44 soldiers,nine farmers murdered by Boko Haram in onslaught

Boko Haram has killed 44  soldiers and nine farmers in three days of attacks on some villages in  Borno State,  AFP has reported.

According to the report, which quoted security sources, the Islamic State West Africa Province, a Boko Haram splinter group, killed at least 44 soldiers in attacks on three military bases at the weekend.


It stated that out of the 44 soldiers, no fewer than  43 were killed on Sunday in Metele, a remote village near the  Nigerian border with Niger, according to a military officer,  who spoke on condition of anonymity.



The military officer stated, “Our troops were completely routed and the terrorists captured the base after heavy fighting,”   adding that the base commander and three officers were among the dead.


A pro-government militiaman said the sect members arrived in about 20 trucks,  and army air support did not arrive until after they had “invaded the base and looted the weapons”.

The same day, the terrorists  also carried out a pre-dawn attack on a base in the town of Gajiram, some 80km   north of the Borno State capital, Maiduguri. Fighting lasted several hours, local residents told AFP.

The report stated that a soldier was killed in an attack on Saturday on a base in Mainok, also in Borno State, the cradle of the Boko Haram movement, security sources said.

AFP reported that SWAP accepted responsibility for the attacks in Metele and Mainok, claiming to have killed at least 42 soldiers in addition to carting four tanks and other vehicles away, according to the SITE Intelligence monitoring group.

It also reported that on Monday, there were attacks on villages by the sect. The attacks were carried out to pillage food and abduct civilians used as fighters or forced to marry the terrorists.

Residents told AFP on Tuesday that armed with guns and machetes,   the hoodlums killed nine farmers and abducted 12 others in the Mammanti village in Borno State.

A farmer, Usman Kaka, who escaped being killed, told AFP that the gangsters came on bicycles.


He  said, “They just opened fire on us and continued to fire as we fled.”

According to the report, the village chief, Muhammad Mammanti,  said the assailants hacked “three people who resisted being abducted”.

Also on Monday, seven women were abducted by Boko Haram while working in fields near the city of Bama, according to militiamen fighting alongside soldiers.

AFP stated that despite the government’s insistence that Boko Haram was near defeat, the group had recently carried out major attacks on military and civilian targets.

However, the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, said the military had issues with organisations focusing on  the activities of the sect.

The Director, Defence Information, Brig Gen John Agim,   said on Tuesday, “We have been having some issues with some organisations which write things to glorify the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists. I have not seen the reports and I cannot respond without reading them.”

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Texas Chukwu, could not be reached for comments as his line rang out.

The Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai,  last week sent a statement to troops in the North-East, addressing issues of alleged insufficient resources and ammunition.



Buratai said, “I remind you of the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to provide the resources and an enabling environment in the discharge of our duties.

“However, the recent sporadic skirmishes from the Boko Haram should be seen as a desperate effort from a highly-degraded and expiring adversary striving to maintain its notoriety and portray itself as formidable and cohesive; something that is completely false. It is merely the last kicks of a dying horse.”

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Implosive crisis rocks APC as legal adviser accuses Oshiomhole of hijacking his office

The internal crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a new dimension as Babatunde Ogala, national legal adviser of the party, has accused Adams Oshiomhole of hijacking his office.

In an internal memo dated November 6 seen by TheCable and addressed to Oshiomhole, Ogala accused the national chairman of denigrating the party’s legal department.

This is coming weeks after Oshiomhole fell out with some governors over the outcome of the party’s primary elections across the country.

He was invited by the Department of State Services (DSS) based on allegations of bribery levelled against him.

While the chairman has denied the allegations, the opposition has taken advantage of it, calling on anti-graft agencies to probe Oshiomhole.

In the memo, Ogala said since he became the party’s legal adviser on June 25, his department has not been funded.

He alleged that Oshiomhole had sidelined him and refused to consult him over issues his office are supposed to handle.

“I am constrained to put this memo and complaint in writing in the light of the repeated acts of usurpation and deliberate encroachment on my office and attempt to undermine my person,” Ogala said.

“You will recall that you have previously done this in two previous matters wherein you had purportedly without recourse to me briefed the Law Firm of D. D. Dodo & Co. in Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/9265/2018. Ugwumba Uche Nwosu Vs. APC & 1or. and you also without recourse to us debriefed the law firm of Adeniyi Akintola. SAN who had been briefed by the office of Legal Adviser.

“As if that was not enough, you procured a secretary in your office to depose an affidavit on behalf of the party wherein the deponent lied on oath that he had the authority of the party on depose to the said affidavit.

“The motion filed by the Law Firm of D. D. Dodo & Co. also told a lie that processes was served on the Legal Department in a certain suit No: FCT/HC/BW/CV/ 307/2018. Senator Hope Uzodinma vs APC & 2ors but that same was not brought to your notice.

“This was an assertion that was false in every material particular and an attempt to denigrate the legal department and my office as no such process were never served on the legal department.”

He said the chairman on an earlier occasion had apologised to him after he protested the encroachment into his office.

“When I became aware of this aberration and falsity, upon your raising same at the National Working Committee meeting, I vehemently protested same and took serious exception to the encroachment whilst vowing to resist same,” he wrote.

“I also quoted copiously from the party constitution which clearly defines the duties of the national legal adviser and that of the chairman.”

“You accepted and did apologize to me at the meeting and I honestly believed that lessons have been learnt and moved on. You also subsequently called me on phone to meet you at the airport In Lagos for us to further mend the fences, after the intervention of our National Leader. I gave you the honour and assured you that all was over and moved on.

“However to my consternation. my office was served with a Memorandum of Appearance in Suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/1107/2018. Senator Osita Izunaso & 2ors vs. INEC & 2ors. wherein the Law Firm of D. D. Dodo & Co. Is purporting to enter appearance for the All Progressives Congress (APC) In a matter that the Legal Department did not give them any such brief.

“We Immediately responded by writing a letter to the firm to let them know that we have no record of the brief to represent the party in the suit. They have since responded that they were briefed by one Godwin Yakwe who Is not a staff of the Legal Department.”

The legal adviser said the latest attempt to usurp his office was a move by Oshiomhole using Ibrahim Masari, national welfare secretary.

“I had received a soft copy of a purported affidavit in support of a motion on Notice in a matter filed at the federal high court, Abuja between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” he said.

“The said affidavit was deposed by Ibrahim Kabir Masari, the national welfare secretary and purporting to have the authority of the national working committee.

“It was therefore to my consternation, shock and surprise that I stumbled on the affidavit deposed to by the national welfare secretary purporting to act on behalf of the NWC. I was elected to protect the party constitution, and not have same disobeyed by will, I will not shirk the responsibility.”

The latest crisis is coming three months to the general election and at a time the ruling party ought to be focused on the campaigns which kicked off on Sunday in line with the schedule of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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2019: Kashamu replaces Shittu as Ogun PDP governorship candidate

The Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Buruji Kashamu has replaced Adeleke Shittu as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of next year’s elections in the state.

Shittu whose name was pasted alongside other governorship candidates of 38 political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), “voluntarily withdrew” from the race for Kashamu.




Shittu had emerged the governorship candidate of PDP from the primary conducted by Bayo Dayo-faction in the State.

The other faction of PDP headed by Sikirullahi Ogundele had equally presented Hon Oladipopu Adebutu as the party’s governorship candidate, but the electoral umpire accepted the list submitted by Dayo faction.



In accepting candidates list submitted by Kashamu-backed faction, the INEC cited subsisting court judgements which recognized Dayo-led faction.

Kashamu’s Media Aide, Austin Oniyokor on Sunday, confirmed that his boss had replaced Shittu as governorship candidate.

Oniyokor in a telephone interview said the leaders and elders of the party “prevailed” on Kashamu to throw his hat in the ring in the coming election.

He said: “The party’s stakeholders, leaders and elders met and decided that it would be better for Senator Buruji Kashamu to run if the PDP wants to win.

“Shittu who was at the stakeholders meeting, saw the reason to quit the race for Kashamu.

“I can confirm to you that Shittu had last week Friday intimated the INEC of his voluntary withdrawal from the race.”

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Avalanche of litigations trail Rivers APC

Barely thirteen days to commencement of governorship campaigns, uncertainty still hangs over the fate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State
The subsisting judgment of a Rivers’ State High Court presided by Justice Chiwendu Nwogu, which nullified the ward, local government and state congresses conducted in May, and the subsequent, indirect governorship and legislative primaries has but deepened the prevalent chaos in the party.

Though the name of Mr. Tonye Cole has been submitted by the APC to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its governorship candidate, contending factions loyal to the key antagonists, the Minister of Transportation cum former governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi and his estranged ally and governorship aspirant, Senator Magnus Abe, are now embroiled legal wrangling at the appellate court.

A new twist has emerged in the APC conundrum, as Senator Abe and others who participated in the parallel direct primaries have filed a suit at a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt seeking to be declared as authentic candidates of the APC in Rivers State.

Abe and others in an originating summons prayed the court to issue an order of the court compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept and publish their names as candidates of the APC for Rivers State.

The legal counsel to Abe and others, Henry Bello’s motion ex parte could not be heard on Wednesday in the absence of the respondents, in that it sought to abridge the time within which respondents could respond to the originating processes.

Meanwhile, the court has directed that the respondents be put on notice and the matters adjourned to the 20th November 2018 for the hearing of the motion for accelerated hearing

The uncertainty over the fate of a clear governorship standard bearer of APC may eventually dampen much of the optimism that the 2019 election will be a tough contest between the incumbent, Governor Nyesom Wike and his APC political adversaries who have already made remarkable encroachment into the Peoples Democratic Party enclaves.

The 2019 general election was bound to be the most consequential to the APC after it was routed out of power in the state in 2015 by the PDP. However, its protracted conflict and the seemingly mindboggling inability of the party leadership to proffer solution to this divisive and unpredictable conflict, might diminish its chances to wrest power from the incumbent.

A clear indication that amicable resolution of the APC conflict is almost untenable at the moment is the several appeals filed at the Appellate Court challenging the verdict of Justice Nwogu, which nullified the governorship and legislative primaries. The plaintiffs are Mr. Cole and others; Ezemonye Ezekiel and12 other House of Representative candidates; Ojukaye Flag-Amachree and others.

Counsel to aggrieved pro-Abe supporters, Ibrahim Umar and 22 others who initiated the legal tussle in the party has petitioned the President of the Court of Appeal seeking for a special panel to swiftly hear the impending appeals. Due to this petition, the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt had to adjourn to the 5th December 2018 for further action.

The pro-Amaechi APC faction spokesperson, Chris Finebone, told The Guardian that the litigation were necessitated because the lower trial court went far beyond the scope of the plea by Ibrahim Umar and 22 others, challenging the conduct of the congresses to give consequential judgment on the party governorship and legislative primaries.

“You know that one of the worries we have about the substantive judgment was that the judge went far beyond what was before him and included certain issues anticipating that they definitely will come up. For example, the way and manner he went to bring things that have no bearing with the judgment into it, like mentioning primaries. Those things were done in bad intention and we believe that legally they cannot stand.

“Having done that, he also dragged in people who have nothing to do in the matter before him; and in the appeal the people will have to join because they have been rolled into a matter they have nothing with and to untangle themselves they have to take advantage of the appeal to join. That is why they also filed,” said Finebone.

On the contrary, founder of Kairos group, Mr. Kennedy Friday, argued that just as the APC disobeyed the interlocutory order for which it came under heavy verbal bombardment by the apex court, those who are masquerading as candidates of the Rivers APC in the various elective positions and have filed appeal at the appellate court, are also in horrifying and most despicable disobedience of the judgment of the High Court, which nullified the unlawful processes through which they emerged.

“As it is today, the purported candidatures of Toney Cole and Victor Giadom remain nullified and a nullity. That is also true of all National Assembly and State House of Assembly candidates that arose through indirect primaries. They may deceive themselves and continue to deceive others, but that is the state of the law today. Section 287(3) is clear that the judgment of the state high court must be enforced by all authorities everywhere in this country,” he added.

Irrespective of the litigation, which signals possibility of deeper trouble ahead, Mr. Cole has since embarked on a state-wide ward by ward sensitisation tour to aggregate the key needs of the people and also to sell his vision to the electorate.

“The reason I am touring from Ward to Ward is to know about the needs of the People. I am happy that Bonny has decided that apart from oil and gas, they can approach other ways of generating revenue. A good leader listens to new ideas from his people. We have to ensure that peace is in existence, which will bring about the development of Rivers State, employment opportunities and jobs creation,” he said.

Cole’s campaign team has started firing fiery darts in the direction of Governor Wike, accusing the state government of exhibiting dictatorial tendencies following a stern warning against any traditional ruler who engages in partisan politics.

The APC campaign group claims the governor’s stance is a surreptitious attempt to drag the traditional institution into partisan politics on his side and against the rest of the opposition parties in Rivers State.

“We are convinced that the real reasons for the present reprimand of the traditional institution by Gov. Wike was occasioned by the open acceptability of the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Pastor Tonye Cole, who has been received with fanfare by the people and showered with traditional titles during his ongoing ward-to-ward consultative visits across the State.”

Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah, said the governor’s admonition to monarchs to stay away from partisan politics is in the best interest of the state and integrity of their positions.

Okah observed that although Cole is new to the politics of Rivers State, the reaction of his campaign team to Governor Wike’s directives tells a lot about the quality of his campaign.

Political observers say this altercation is a pointer that campaigns might be rough.

Already, the political atmosphere in Rivers State is beginning to heat up.

Last Wednesday, a pro-PDP group, the Grassroots Democratic Initiative (GDI), on a sensitisation rally at Ipo community in Ikwerre Local Government Area was attacked by unknown gunmen, during which several persons sustained bullet wounds. Both PDP and the APC have traded accusation over the incident.

PDP chairman, Felix Obuah who accused the APC of masterminding the attack, regretted that politics and political strategies were being distorted from their true meaning of discernible ideology and use of legitimate means to promote governance.

APC spokesperson, Chris Finebone, said the party knew nothing about the cause of the shootout at the GDI sensitisation rally at Ipo.

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