#AtLast: 'Buhari to sign the 2016 budget on or before next week Tuesday'- Saraki

Senate president, Bukola Saraki, says President Buhari will sign the 2016 budget on or before next week Tuesday May 3rd. Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of a meeting the leaders in the National Assembly had with Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday April 26th, Saraki said all the grey areas in the budget will be ironed out in a matter of days and the budget will be ready for Buhari’s assent on or before next week Tuesday.

Photos: Sen. Shehu Sani donates transformers and inverters to 100 communities in Kaduna central

Senator Shehu Sani who represents Kaduna Central in the senate, donated transformers and inverters to Kaduna Central Senatorial District yesterday April 25th. The inverters will be used to electrify 100 communities in the area. See more photos after the cut...

#Why??: 30% of the fuel we supply in Nigeria is diverted outside Nigeria- Kachikwu

Minister of state for Petroleum Resources and the group Managing Director of NNPC, Ibe Kachikwu, today said that 30% of the fuel supply in Nigeria is being diverted to neighboring countries. He made the allegations while speaking at the ongoing Federal Government Town Hall meeting in Lagos today. Tolu Ogunlesi who is Buhari's Special Assistant on Digital and New Media tweeted what Kachikwu said at the meeting. More photos after the cut...

'Sahara Reporters working with EFCC & presidency to tarnish image of some judges' - PDP alleges

As the official twitter handle of PDP twitted this afternoon. See more tweets after the cut...

#LongStory: Senate President replies Dele Momodu 's candid advice

My dear brother Dele, let me thank you most sincerely for your article last weekend, “My Candid Letter to Saraki.” I take everything you said in that article to heart and I must commend you for your candidness indeed and the sincerity of your intentions.
As you said in your article, you are someone I have known more by reputation than by any personal relationship, until recently when we struck up some personal acquaintance based on our shared political interests, especially during the last presidential election.
However, I understand why you had to sound so defensive for knowing me at all and had to publicly map the boundaries of our relationship. We have got to that point in our country when we no longer believe that anyone could stand for anything based on principles and convictions alone. Moreover, in the growing culture of media crucifixion and presumed guilt; it is rare to find a voice like yours that calls for fairness and justice.

I would have simply sent you a text message or call you up for your candid advice to me, which I take seriously. But I feel the need to make some clarifications on some of the issues you raised. One of them was that in seeking to be Senate President, I struck a deal with the PDP and made it possible for one of them to be the Deputy Senate President. I know this is the dominant narrative out there, but it is far from the truth.

#TillDeathDoYouPart: Dino Melaye declares his unwavering support for Saraki

As shared by Melaye on his Facebook wall this morning...

VP Osinbajo shares highlights of decisions and resolutions taken at the National Economic Council meeting

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo shared highlights of the decisions reached at the National Economic Council which he chaired yesterday April 21st. Read below The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun gave report on the following;


1. EXCESS CRUDE PROCEEDS: the Council was informed that the balance on the Excess Crude Account stood at $2.3 Billion.

2. Update on the constitution of the board of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA): the Council was informed that nominees have been selected to form a Search Committee that will bring up names of potential Board members of the NSIA.

#WhoAskYou: I am not contesting for any position in PDP - Metuh

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, says he has no wish to contest for any position in the party in its forthcoming convention. Olisa stated this in a statement he released today April 21st. Read below

As Nigerians are aware, my party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is preparing for a National Convention where national officers who will pilot its affairs in the next four years are expected to emerge.

 As one of the founding members of this party, the longest serving member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and currently a critical player in the party, my supporters and admirers expect me to contest and this has spurred speculations in the media. However, I wish to state publicly that I have no ambitions to continue as a member of the National Working Committee after the expiration of my current tenure as the National Publicity Secretary, a decision that is enjoying the support of my family. 

#WhenTheGuiltyFears: Uproar in court as CCT chairman loses temper as defense raised his EFCC case

There was commotion at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) today, as the CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar, refused to hear the motion of the Senate President’s lawyers on his alleged bias.

Umar, who has been under investigation for corrupt practices, lost his temper as Mr. Raphael Oluyede, Saraki’s lawyer, brought to the attention of the court, a motion filed on Wednesday, April 20th, 2016, seeking the CCT boss to disqualify himself from participating in the trial based on bias.

#Gbam: I did not and will not accept any SUV- Ben Murray-Bruce

Senator Ben Murrauy-Bruce has denied receiving any SUV from the senate. He denied the claims after a twitter user asked him where he was when some senators discussed the purchase of the SUVs. Ben directed the user to the senator that represents his constituency in the senate.

#USElection: Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton win big in New York primaries

U.S republican and Democratic party candidates Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton pulled a major upset last night as they won in the New York Primaries.

The significant win in New York, where both candidates have huge follower-ship and backing moves them closer to picking up the nomination tickets for their parties in the U.S Presidential elections.

As of 12 a.m. European Time, Trump held 847 delegates, while Ted Cruz had 553 and John Kasich had 148, according to a CNN estimate. A Republican candidate needs 1,237 delegates to clinch the nomination.

#Commonsense: How to solve youth unemployment- Ben Murray-Bruce

According to Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, these are the ways to solve youth unemployment in Nigeria. Continue to see more of his tweets...

Read from bottom up...

#Chai: Senate denies buying 109 SUVs, says it only bought 36 SUVs at N36.5m each

The leadership of Nigeria's Senate has denied media reports that it recently took delivery of 109 SUVs, claiming that it only took delivery of 36 Land Cruiser XVR V8 at N36.5 million each.

In an interview with National Assembly correspondents yesterday April 19th, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Senate Services, Senator Ibrahim Gobir, said the reports of the senate spending N4 billion on cars was false and that senators unanimously rejected the proposed loan to purchase their vehicles.

#Really?: Senators unanimously reject proposed loan to buy their vehicles.

The Senate in Abuja yesterday, revealed, that senators unanimously rejected the proposed loan to buy their vehicles, adding that none of the 108 lawmakers wanted any part in it.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Senate Services, Senator Ibrahim Gobir, who spoke to journalists yesterday said the upper chamber never spent over N4 billion to purchase 108 cars for lawmakers, adding that only 36 SUVs were bought at the cost of N36.5 million each.

#Hmmmmmm: Saraki releases statement, denies plans to disrupt his ongoing trial at CCT

Read the press statement below...

The attention of the Media Office of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has been drawn to a press statement released by a group known as the Citizen United For Peace and Stability (CUPS), Titled Security Alert! - Bukola Saraki finally declares war on the Nigerian Senate.
 

The report by CUPS stated that some unnamed sources told them that Senator Bukola Saraki has made plans to disrupt his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) by making use of thugs through some key personalities from Kwara State.

The statement is false, malicious and aimed at further denigrating the hard-earned image of Senator Bukola Saraki after their planned sponsored protest failed through earlier awareness to the general public of their sinister moves.

#Waawu: Femi Gbajabiamila's Letter to China's President, describes Fayose as a meddlesome Interloper

Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has written a letter to the President of China, Xi Jingping asking him to disregard a letter sent to his government by Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose, calling for the cancellation of a $2 billion loan President Buhari and his aides went to China to sought last week.

In his letter dated April 12th, Gbajabiamila described Fayose as a meddlesome interloper who was going out of his constitutional authority. He asked the Chinese president to excuse Fayose's "Vituperations and exuberance". Read Gbajabiamila's letter after the cut

My attention has been drawn to a letter written to you by a Governor of one of the states of the Nigerian nation, wherein the said Governor purported to speak on behalf of the Nigerian people, describing himself as a stake holder in the Nigerian “project”. Ordinarily I would not join issues with the Governor but as the Leader ofthe House of Representatives, I am saddled with the responsibility of driving all government business and policies in the House.

Babatunde Fashola Thoughts on President Buhari’s Foreign Trips

In making this public intervention, I seek to highlight the benefit of global relationships and cooperation in a world that is changing daily as a result of globalisation and transborder economics, social and even criminal activities where no one is safe, except all are safe, and to leave the dispassionate observer his opinion after deep reflection on the value, or lack of it, of President Muhammadu Buhari’s foreign trips.
This way I hope every Nigerian who cares about our country will have some information about what their president is doing about the things that concern them.

First I will start with context.

#Gbam: 7 things Nigeria stands to gain from President Buhari’s trip to China

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed satisfaction over his visit to the People’s Republic of China, which he says has yielded investments for Nigeria in excess of $6 billion.

The visit is said to have birthed several agreements and positives in the different sectors of Nigerian economy, including power, solid minerals, agriculture, housing and rail transportation.

According to a statement issued by the Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), some of the agreements and impacts of the Presidents visit to China are:

#StillOnThisMatter: How we perfected rigging Ekiti state election inside hotel- Tope Aluko

Former PDP Secretary in Ekiti state, Tope Aluko, has shared more insight into how himself and others allegedly manipulated the state's June 21st 2014 governorship election in favor of Fayose. In an interview with ADABA 88.9 FM yesterday April 14th which was monitored by The Nation, Aluko said they perfected the plan to rig the election inside a hotel.

He said on the day of the election, sensitive materials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), such as ballot papers and result sheets, were delivered to PDP chieftains to allow for the manipulation of the poll long before the first ballot was cast.

He alleged that the electoral materials were delivered through Akure Airport and taken to a hotel owned by Fayose’s Chief of Staff Dipo Anisulowo in Are-Ekiti, where the alleged manipulation was carried out.

#Lobatan: Saraki loses bid to stop his CCT trial

Senate President Bukola Saraki this morning lost his bid to stop CCT from going on with his trial. Justice Abdul Kafarati of the federal high court, Abuja, dismissed Saraki's Fundamental Human rights suit challenging the jurisdiction of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to try him over alleged false declaration of assets while he was Governor of Kwara state.

Justice Kafarati dismissed Saraki’s suit stating it lacked in merit.

“It appears to me all that the applicant is trying to do is to stop his criminal trial at CCT. The CCT is a competent court to try the criminal matters,” he held.

This court cannot interfere with the case at the tribunal which has power to try cases. It is not appropriate for the applicant to approach this court. This case is hereby dismissed.”the judge said

#ThatsMyMama: Oby Ezekwesili reacts to Senates proposed amendment of CCT Act

Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has reacted to the senate's proposed amendment of the Code of Conduct Tribunal act. The senate yesterday passed the 2nd reading of the CCT amendment bill which according to them, will remove the Tribunal from the office of the Presidency and make it more independent.

#Really:: Okonjo-Iweala says she didn't indict the Jonathan administration

Former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has debunked reports attributed to her in regards to how lack of political will of Goodluck Jonathan's administration negatively affected the country's savings. Below is a statement issued on Friday by her Media Adviser, Paul Nwabuikwu:

"Some recent media reports have distorted comments made by former Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala regarding how lack of political will negatively impacted national savings over the past few years.

#SeeThisOne: $2bn Loan: Fayose writes Chinese Govt, seeks loan’s stoppage

Read the press statement below...

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has written to the Chinese government, seeking the stoppage of the $2 billion loan being sought by the federal government of Nigeria, saying that “the government of China should be mindful of the fact that Nigerians, irrespective of their political and religious affiliations are totally opposed to increment of the country’s debt burden, which is already being serviced with 25 per cent of the Federal Government annual budget.”

#Gbam: There was no political will to save Nigeria’s resources under Jonathan's govt – Okonjo-Iweala

Former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday said that there was no political will to save Nigeria's resources under the Goodluck Jonathan administration. Okonjo-Iweala who said this while speaking on “inequality, growth and resilience,” at George Washington University, said Nigeria was able to save $22 billion under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, which saved the country in 2008, from global economic meltdown.

#WeKnowThatAlready: If the past government had acted immediately, our Chibok girls would have been found- Dogara

According to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, if the past government had acted immediately the Chibok girls were kidnapped, its most likely they would have returned home by now. Dogara said this in a series of tweets this morning...

#Chai!!: Buhari Scores Low On Economy, Others, See Poll Rating

President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval rating has slipped further from 32.8% in February to 31.2% in March, amid worsening economic crisis and crippling fuel scarcity, according to a new poll.

The monthly poll by Governance Advancement Initiative for Nigeria, GAIN, says more Nigerians again scored Mr. Buhari low on his administration’s handling of the economy, power and fuel shortage.

It is the second time the president’s rating dropped since GAIN in December started monthly tracking of performance of governments at all levels in Nigeria.

In earlier months, the poll found that majority of respondents did not blame President Buhari for Nigeria’s economic troubles. They blamed former President Goodluck Jonathan instead.

In January, the president’s approval rating stood at 63.4%.

The trend however shifted significantly in February as the nation’s economic crisis bit harder.

In March, which is the latest result, the poll said more Nigerians continued to blame Mr. Buhari— not Mr. Jonathan— for the nation’s economic woes.

The falling rating was primarily due to petroleum scarcity, bad economy, power outage, and broken campaign promises, said the poll.

“A crippling fuel scarcity continued to affect individuals and business across the country, and had a concomitant effect on transportation and business costs,” said Malcolm Fabiyi, one of the poll’s coordinators, who previously served as a visiting professor at the Lagos Business School.

The president scored low on economy, power, and rule of law.

Credit: PremiumTimes

#Gbam: Inside details of how Saraki’s trial is stalling 2016 Budget

Senators loyal to Senate President Bukola Saraki are using the 2016 Budget row to negotiate a soft-landing for the former Kwara State Governor, who is facing trial for false declarations of assets at the Code for Conduct Tribunal (CCB).

Investigations by Ripples revealed that his loyalists under the aegis of Like Mind Senators met last night at his official residence to take serious positions on the controversy.

President Muhammadu Buhari had refused assent to the Budget after Ministers identified the document had been returned “highly mutilated”.

The President, who is on a week-long trip to China, it was learnt, was told by the Economic Team headed by Vice President Yemi Osibanjo not to sign the Budget presented by the National Assembly last Thursday.

Deal with Fulani Herdsmen like Boko Haram- Reno Omokri tells Buhari

Reacting to President Buhari's statement in China where he said his government will deal with pipeline vandals the way they deal with Boko Haram, Reno Omokri, has asked Buhari to deal with unruly Fulani herdsmen that have killed many Nigerians and destroyed many farmlands in some parts of the country, in the same manner.

Download "who you epp by Olamide ft D'isaac" || #whoyoueppcompetition | @olamide_YBNL

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#Hypocrisy: Reno Omokri compares Buhari and David Cameron's travel to China

As he shared a few hours ago... See hypocrisy!!

Photos: Buhari speaks at the opening ceremony of the China-Nigeria Business Forum

President Buhari this morning spoke at the opening ceremony of the China-Nigeria Business Forum in Beijing this morning. See our handsome Abiola Ajimobi, Continue to see more photos...

#RecordBreaker: What has Tottenham star Harry Kane done that Owen, Torres, Drogba, Rooney, Aguero and Ronaldo failed to do?

#RecordBreaker What has Tottenham star Harry Kane done that Owen, Torres, Drogba, Rooney, Aguero and Ronaldo failed to do?

HARRY KANE has been enjoying another spectacular season for Tottenham, netting goal after goal as Spurs chase down an incredible Premier League title.

And while Maurcio Pochettino’s men may be seven points adrift of Leicester in second place, you can’t blame Kane for them not being top.

After all, he’s netted 22 goals from his 32 games this season — three more than the Foxes’ Jamie Vardy in second place — bettering his already incredible tally of 21 from last term. His red-hot form in 2016 particularly have seen him hit the 20-goal mark in both of his full Premier League seasons with spurs. 

Impressive to the say the least, but consider this...

#WhoIsTheLiar: Ekiti Ex-Speaker reveals how he took Aluko to Fayose.

Immediate past Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Dele Olugbemi has disclosed how he took the embattled former Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State, Mr Temitope Aluko to Governor Ayodele Fayose on Sunday, saying;

“It was a lie that Governor Fayose stage-managed the reconciliatory meeting and that himself, and Aluko prostrated for Fayose three times to beg the governor to forgive him (Aluko).”

"Olugbemi, who said he was surprised that Aluko could address the press yesterday and deny that he willingly attended the Sunday night meeting with Governor Fayose and that he spoke to the press under duress after the meeting, disclosed that he, out of genuine concern for peace took Aluko to Eko Hotel, Lagos venue of the meeting.” He said;

#WeAreWaiting: Kachikwu says fuel queues to end by Thursday April 7th

Minister of State for Petroleum and GMDOF NNPC, Ibe Kachikwu, says the lingering fuel scarcity in Lagos and Abuja by Thursday April 7th. Kachikwu said this during an official visit to the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) in Abuja today April 5th

“We have to take the right policies to see that things are done well. I hope that tomorrow slash Thursday queues in Abuja must have cleared; hopefully the same thing will happen in Lagos. By weekend, we will see same in Sokoto, Port-Harcourt, Warri and others,” he said.

#NoWonderHeWasStammering: Tope Aluko denies reconciling with Fayose.

Barely 24 hours after a video surfaced online of him addressing the press that all was well between himself and Fayose, the former Secretary of PDP in Ekiti state, Tope Aluko, says the meeting was stage managed and that he had to address the press to pretend that all was well for the safety of his wife. Aluko addressed a press conference in Lagos today April 5th

“I need not recall the drama and face off that ensued between me and Fayose inside the meeting. It is worthy of note that it was at this point that my wife badged into the meeting to inform me of the presence of pressmen. At that point I became enraged and decided to leave the place but I noticed Governor Fayose rushing after me downstairs in a gestapo manner.

#BetterCountry: Iceland's Prime Minister resigns over Panama papers scandal

The Prime Minister of Iceland, Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, has resigned, becoming the first high profile casualty of the Panama Papers scandal.
After the news broke, Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson who was granting an interview to a journalist  stormed out of the interview over the weekend , amid claims he used secret offshore firm Mossack Fonseca to hide millions of dollars as Iceland's economy collapsed.
Monday night, about 24,000 people gathered outside the parliament building demanding his resignation.

#ChaiThereIsGoddddd: Photos: Fayose reconciles with Tope Aluko, the man who went on TV to accuse him of rigging state election

Tope Aluko, the former PDP Secretary in Ekiti state who went on Channels TV to openly accuse the state governor, Ayo Fayose of rigging the state's governorship election in 2014 (Read here) and was declared wanted by the police for perjury...has reconciled with his former boss.

Aluko and Fayose met at the governor's house yesterday night where they made up. Speaking to newsmen afterwards, Fayose said Aluko remains his boy and son;