TARABA EMIR AND SOKOTO CHIEF IMAM DIES IN HAJI STAMPEDE

Sokoto state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has confirmed the death of The Chief Imam of the Sultan Abubakar III Jumaa’at Mosque, Sokoto, Liman Dan-Ata. Also confirmed was the death of Abbas Ibrahim, Emir of Zing, a first class traditional ruler in Taraba State along with two of his four wives during the stampede which occurred in Mina, Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

PDP INTESIFYING EFFORTS TO TAKE OVER LEADERSHIP OF THE SENATE !!!

Political calculations and permutations are going on as speculations mount over the future of embattled Senate President Bukola Saraki. plots by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to supplant the majority All Progressives Congress (APC) and take over leadership of the senate are intensifying.

According to The Nation, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was plotting a sensational take-over of the upper chamber of the National Assembly in the event that Saraki is consumed by his ongoing trial by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

The party is mobilising its members in the Senate to ensure one of its own replaces Saraki. With that as a goal, it is said to be seriously considering one of the trio of former Senate President David Mark, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, as possible candidates for the position. 

The opposition party’s calculation is that some APC senators, especially those in the pro-Saraki’s Likeminds group, may either defect to the PDP or work with the party to once again produce the president of the senate if Saraki is convicted by the CCT.

“The party hopes to win to its side some APC senators to vote for our candidate along with the PDP senators. This is based on our belief that many senators across party lines are unhappy with the ongoing trial of the Senate President and we all know where this is coming from,” a PDP senator told The Nation.

Reliable sources said a meeting of PDP senators and members of Saraki’s Like minds has been scheduled for tomorrow in Abuja to discuss recent developments within the upper chamber and decide how the pro-Saraki lawmakers will react.

“While I know we will be discussing how to stall any plan to remove Saraki from office, I am also aware that we will be talking about how to ensure that APC doesn’t take over the leadership of the senate even if Saraki has to go. Already we are positioning our men in readiness for another political battle on the floor of the senate. If Saraki is forced out, we will replace him with one of our own,” another source said.

The Nation learnt that those pushing the candidacy of Ekweremadu are of the opinion that being the current Deputy Senate President, it is only normal that he be supported by PDP senators and Saraki’s loyalists to emerge as the Senate President should the latter lose the battle to remain in office.

“Ekweremadu is the current Deputy Senate President. He has shown loyalty to his boss and he is a loyal party man too. Many of us are of the opinion that it is natural that he be supported by PDP senators and Saraki’s loyalists to emerge as the Senate President should the latter lose his position as a result of his ongoing trial.

“We have made this clear to the caucus and the party leadership and he is seriously being considered by all stakeholders as a good candidate for the job. Ekweremadu’s experience as a Deputy Senate President of many years is also a great advantage. He is well suited for the job and he is well loved by many of his colleagues,” our source said.

Another factor working in favour of Ekweremadu, The Nation learnt is the quest by the South East geo-political zone to be represented among the top political office holders in the land. “The fact that he is from the South East is another factor working for him. Many senators will reason with the need to give the zone some sense of representation in the current arrangement,” our source added.

For Akpabio, the possibility of replacing Saraki as the next Senate President is being pushed largely by those opposed to Ekweremadu’s emergence. He is also said to be enjoying the backing of former governors now in PDP and Likeminds senators.

“Akpabio is the choice of those opposed to Ekweremadu for one reason or the other. He is also the candidate of his fellow ex-governors who are in Saraki’s camp or in PDP senate caucus. Their desire to ensure Ekweremadu is stopped from becoming Senate President may split the camp of pro-Saraki lawmakers,” our source added.

Meanwhile, a third group is said to be rooting for the return of David Mark as the Senate President to forestall further friction between the pro-Ekweremadu and pro-Akpabio camps. According to reports, the former Senate President’s status as the unofficial leader of the party in the National Assembly largely informed the decision to draft him into the race.

“Senator Mark is the real leader of the PDP caucus in the National Assembly. So, many of us feel he is the best man to be returned to the position after Saraki. His choice will also end the dangerous rivalry between the other groups and ensure that we do not lose the contest should the need arise,” our source added.

TRAVAILS OF BUKOLA SARAKI: THE REASONS WHY HE MUST STEP DOWN

The election of Muhammadu Buhari on March 28 came with much hope. The euphoria continued to breeze until June 9, 2015. It was the day Bukola Abubakar Saraki emerged the President of Nigeria’s Senate.

Since then, the masses have continued to yearn endlessly for meaningful change in their well-being. But the major changes witnessed thus far from the Legislature have been different shades of controversies — all bordering on the venal travails of Bukola Saraki.

The drama began to unfold when Saraki confessed that he was able to assume the exalted position by disguising himself to upstage the party that brought him to power. As if that was not enough, the Nigerian Police declared that the Standing Order used to elect him to the leadership of the law-making body was forged. While the Ministry of Justice was reviewing the police report, another bomb shell erupted: The wife of the Senate President was charged by the EFCC for corruption and money laundering. In utter show of supremacy, the Saraki-led Senate was set to tame the EFCC by stoking the most infantile form of vindictive impunity. The law-making body brashly violated its Standing Rules in a hasty attempt to probe the anti-graft body on alleged diversion of funds recovered from corrupt people and, in the process, put Buhari’s war against corruption in disrepute.

But the fire in the molds of smoke beclouding Bukola Saraki is no longer in doubt. The Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau has revealed that the Senate President had falsified the declaration of his assets as a governor a decade earlier. Accordingly, he was invited to the Code of Conduct Tribunal to clear himself of any wrongdoing. Instead of responding in a civilized and democratic manner befitting a chief lawmaker of a country, Saraki engaged in series of clandestine schemes to obstruct justice.

Though he would finally surrender to the authorities after being declared wanted, his attitude in the court house has given a black eye to Nigeria’s Legislature. Worst still, an asinine entourage of about legislators, most of who are equally guilty of all sorts of corrupt practices, exhibited unprecedented show of shame by accosting Saraki with pomp and pageantry to the tribunal.

Clearly, the whole Saraki saga is no longer funny. The matter has become a serious threat not only to the much anticipated change under President Buhari but also the nascent democracy. Something has to give. It is either Nigeria gives in or Saraki gives in. But nonsense must give way to common sense. It is time the Senate President recognizes that his current maneuver against the masses is an exercise in futility. It is time to consider nation before self and quietly go away.

Saraki has an army of stooges whose argument revolves around the archaic cliché: presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, they should be able to discern that law and leadership are two different things. Nigeria cannot afford to allow its war on corruption to be undermined—at the cruelest expense of the masses—all in name of borrowed theories. It is rather mystifying that the strict interpretation of the rule of law is only sacrosanct in Nigeria when it advances criminal ingenuity in favour of those in position of power. The current change movement must not allow one person to hold the country hostage with legal moonwalk. Nigeria is more than one man. Besides, Bukola Saraki is not the first public official accused of wrongdoing but opted to place nation before self.

The current Fourth Republic opened with a former governor and a man of Spartan values in Evans Enwerem as a Senate President. Yet, Enwerem had to resign in 1999 due to trumped-up allegations that he falsified his name from Evan to Evans. Following him was Chuba Okadigbo, a doyen of intellectual cum legislative acumen. Once charged with wrongdoing as a senate president, the 4th Senate rose to impeach Okadigbo in 2000. In 2005, then Senate President Adolphus Wabara honourably resigned in midst of bribery allegations.

The House of Reps also promoted nation before self. Salisu Buhari was the first Speaker of the Lower House in 1999. Similar to Saraki, Salisu Buhari played a measurable role in his party before it gained power. Nonetheless, the speaker was relieved of his position less than two months after assuming office due to accusations of forging university certificate and false declaration of age. Patricia Etteh made history when she became the first female speaker in 2007. Muddled with claims that she authorized huge sum of money to renovate her official residence, Etteh stepped down less than five months on seat.

Perhaps Nigeria is not the only country where public office holders have stepped aside while they are being proven innocent or guilty. A cursory look at United States of America, a nation commonly viewed as a model democracy, helps make this case.

Jim Wright, US Speaker of the House of Representatives, was one of the most humble Congressmen ever to grace the Capitol Hill. However, he swiftly resigned from the Congress in 1989 when he became the target of a probe. What is the offense? Wright was accused of using bulk of the funds raised from his own book to earn speaking royalties in excess of the maximum amount allowed under law. Not long after, Newt Gingrich ceased from being the House Speaker in 1998 mainly because he was reprimanded for mere ethics violation. That was the same story for Tom DeLay, the Majority Leader of US House of Representatives. DeLay stepped down from his position in 2005 following a House indictment and the cloud emanating from charges of illegal campaign funds.

It is worthy of note, however, that some of the public officials cited above — both from Nigeria and the United States — were later acquitted of the charges and went on to enjoy decent political future. Nigeria’s Chuba Okadigbo, for instance, ran for president not long after — before serving as the running mate to Muhammadu Buhari in the presidential election of 2003. Former Speaker Salisu Buhari recovered to become a member of Governing Council of University of Nigeria by 2013. Similarly, former US Speaker Gingrich eventually redeemed himself to emerge the leading Republican presidential candidate in 2012 before dropping out due to new revelations of unethical behaviours.

Bukola Saraki still has a bright future ahead of him. But that future depends on how he handles the moment. The moment calls on him to realize that the ‘clean hands’ maxim readily holds in the doctrine of equity. The point is that Senator Saraki no longer has the moral grandeur and audacity to head a Legislature vested to lead the war against corruption. Considering that societal virtue is the litmus test for Buhari’s political appointments, how plausible is it for the Senate President to look the prospective ministers in the eye during screening? The thought or sight of such phenomenon has failed to register.

Expecting Bukola Saraki to go away quietly is nothing but wishful thinking. His inordinate ambition has already placed his political party in shambles. Moreover, he has failed since June 9 to heed private as well as public calls to resign honourably. In short, it has become abundantly clear that Saraki does not give a hoot about what becomes of Nigeria insofar he clings on to the post of Senate President. Thus, it is incumbent upon the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to do the needful and remedy the fast fading image of the legislative body. The time is now to initiate the necessary proceedings to impeach without delay Dr. Bukola Abubakar Saraki as the President of Nigeria’s Senate before things get out of hands.

It is definitely a herculean task for the 8th Senate to willingly impeach Mr. Saraki, especially having passed a hasty vote of confidence on the same beleaguered leader during this ordeal. At the same time, there is the need for the senators to bear in mind that it is no longer business as usual. Nigerian masses are no longer helpless. The change movement that brought Buhari to power remains a potent force. The world is closely watching the current posture where the Hallowed Chamber is widely seen as aiding and abating corrupt practices.

By SKC Ogbonnia
Nigerian based in Houston, Texas

PHOTOS: WILL YOU MARRY ME?...MAN PROPOSES TO HIS GIRL @ MMIA TONIGHT

 Will you marry me?  Tayo Ayodele proposed to his babe tonight in the departure wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The lady named Damilola, was on her way to London when her man proposed in front of everyone. Damilola said 'yes, of course!' Congrats to the couple. See more exclusive pictures after the cut.

UPDATE: NIGERIANS BLAST SARAKI FOR LYING ABOUT PRAYER GROUND STONING

Nigerians blast Saraki, after he dismissed reports that he was stoned, video evidences emerged that there was an assault on him and they were published online to counter Saraki’s claim.

In a statement titled: “Senate President not attacked” Saraki noted that there was a protest over non-payment of local government employees but that he was not stoned.

Nigerians have however reacted angrily to what many have described as ‘lies’ by Nigeria’s number three man. They took to Twitter and other social media platforms to express their displeasure.

On PM News, Babakay wrote: “Liar, liar”, the beginning of the end,” in a reaction to Saraki’s claims that he was not stoned.

Another PM News user who identified himself as Shehu wrote: “This denial is too cheap. The prayer program was brought to an end by the crowd shouting OLE! OLE!! OLE!!! Bukola was actually smuggled out Yidi ground by security men who fired several canisters of teargas to escape the rampaging youth. Bukola is indeed finished.”

ID from UK said: “Another lie again by a very dishonest man!, forgotten that this is 21st century at least the incident is backed up by a live video coverage. The earlier this guy realise that the end is near, the better for him as the hand writing for him to leave is clearly on the wall. He should just accept his faith once and for all and quit politics for good.”

“I agree. Saraki please shut up and stop trying to save face. The video does not lie.  SaharaReporters have video of people throwing rocks and water at your car. You will eventually get impeached if you don’t step down soon. it is the end of the road corrupt politician. I guess i shouldn’t say that because according to the law you are innocent until proven guilty which it will be very hard for you to prove innocent in 13 charges. Your case is you were not previously notified before being taken to tribunal. Did you notify the tribunal when you didn’t declare the assets. You have no case. look for another reason or just step down and save yourself the embarrassment,” LO said.

OBITUARY: HAJIYA BILIKISU YUSUF mni,OFR...WE LOST FOREMOST WOMEN ADVOCATE & ACTIVIST IN NIGERIA

Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf,mni,OFR, the first female editor from Northern Nigeria, was confirmed to have died yesterday at the Saudi Hajj Stampede.

Hajia Bilkisu was one of the foremost women advocates and activists in Nigeria with strong commitment to improved quality of women and children and a promoter of the Education of the Girl Child.

 Hajia Yusuf had over 22 years experience that span through the public sector, journalism and the NGO sector. As a journalist, she was one of the Founders/pioneer members of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) and also a member of a number of other organizations committed to and contributing to national development, especially the development of women.

Hajia Yusuf attended a number of local and international training programs, which enable her to bring rich ideas and perspectives into what she does.

 As a journalist, she distinguished herself as the Serial Editor of three national newspapers and a magazine. These experiences explain her invitation to serve on the Editorial Board of a number of other publications in Nigeria.

Hajia was a Member of Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies and was also conferred with a National honour of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR). She is presently the Vice Chair of MSA-Nigeria Board of Directors.

 “Bilikisu received her B.S. at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and also earned a Masters in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin Madison, USA. She received an Advanced Diploma in Journalism from the Moscow Institute of Journalism and International Relations, Moscow. She is married with children,” wrote the website.

Bilkisu died yesterday alongside 716 others in the Mecca stampede. May  her soul rest in peace.

PHOTOS: IS THIS RIGHT ATTIRE ON A WEDDING DAY.....?

 I need a constructive and candid advice for this couple who have lost their senses of decency and dressing manner on their wedding day .Ladies and gentlemen, is this right attire for a wedding ceremony?